> The Dusk Guard Saga: Rise
>  by Viking ZX
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Assembly - Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Prologue


Hammer Hoof stood at attention. His back was straight as he could make it, his head up with ears erect, his eyes forward. Not a sound escaped his lips. His body was so still he was certain that his old academy sergeant would have been able to build one of those ridiculous block structures he'd enjoyed creating right across his back without a single piece falling out of place.

Behind him stood one of the most secure doors in the entire kingdom, at least at the moment. It didn’t look like much, but he knew from experience that a pony couldn't always take things at face value in Equestria. Like the statue of Discord that had turned out to actually be the infamous draconequus. Or worse, the creature that had been impersonating Captain Armor’s now-wife at the wedding just two weeks earlier. He suppressed a shudder at the memory, his body still locked. That day had been a dark one for the Guard, even if things had turned out all right in the end.

It had also been a bit of an embarrassment, at least in hindsight. Despite being on high alert in preparation for the nameless threat, the changeling army’s invasion had caught them all by surprise. The Royal Guard had been hamstrung in the frantic opening minutes of the invasion by a series of crippling precision strikes. Amid the chaos at the time Hammer had assumed—like many—that the swarm had been attacking at random, simply seeking out large concentrations of ponies and subduing them. It wasn’t until later that he’d learned the attacks hadn’t been random at all, but carefully executed strikes specifically targeting lead or elite members of the Guard.

Like his old partner. Hammer’s eyes slid over to the pony currently standing at his side and then snapped back forward. It was still a bit odd to be serving with Cloudburst. The white pegasus was a lot quieter than Show Stopper had been. Although it was commonplace—and expected—that Guard serve and work with a variety of partners, he and Show Stopper had been working together for so long that it seemed strange to work next to anyone else.

Much like getting used to the Night Guard, Hammer thought as his eyes slid to the other side of the doorway. Two large, bat-winged pegasi stood there, still as statues. He still was in the dark along with most of the Guard about whether or not the strange new additions to the Night Guard were simply complex enchantments or a permanent change altogether. Star Shot probably knew, as she was the Captain of the Night Guard. But nopony had been able to get a straight answer from her regarding Princess Luna’s personal sentinels yet. Maybe they never would.

There was movement from down the hall, and he snapped his eyes to it, his body tensing as a servant approached and not relaxing again until she had passed them by. He almost hated how suspicious he was of the castle's staff while on duty; but since the events of the wedding, seeing ponies that he’d thought were comrades revealing themselves as black-carapaced impostors right in front of him ... This time his shoulders did quiver slightly. It was hard not to be suspicious of anypony after an event like that. He still had nightmares some nights.

His eyes slid towards one of the nearby hourglasses Luna had installed when she’d taken over this wing of the castle, searching for a distraction from his thoughts. Unless he’d missed one of the servants coming by and flipping it, it would be time for moon-rise soon, which meant that his shift was nearly over. He turned his eyes back towards the front, a worrying tingle of pain flaring in his stomach. Maybe Green Glade was right: this job, especially with what had happened in the last few weeks, was finally starting to get to him. Maybe he could use some of that vacation time he had stored up. Go on a trip with her and the kids. Maybe talk out his stress with a therapist.

Then again, he did love his job, recent parasomnia aside. It wasn’t anypony in Equestria who had the honor of protecting Princess Celestia herself. The tingle in his stomach began to fade as his mind began to wander. What was going on behind those doors, inside Princess Luna’s study? Whatever it was, it had to be important. He’d felt the telltale tingle in his horn from multiple spells being cast as the Princess had entered the room; several sealed scrolls at her side. Not a sound had escaped since the door had been shut, a surefire sign that one of the spells had been a privacy ward.

He shifted his hooves, blood rushing back into his legs with faint pins and needles. Whatever it was that the Princesses deemed so important, he was there to protect it. And come Tartarus breaking free across Equestria, it was his duty to do so. No matter what, that fact would always make him proud.

Although ... sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder exactly what it was the Princesses were discussing behind such heavily warded doors.


*        *        *


“So then,” Celestia said, her grin barely contained, “she comes rushing to me to show me that she’s done it.”

“And you were in—”

“Holding the Day Court, yes,” Celestia said, smiling. “So Twilight rushes in, joyfully yelling that she’d 'done it' over and over and over again and completely derailing the little speech about his own birthday that Blueblood was giving.” The grin broke free as her sister let out a small snort.

“Oh, Tia, he must have been most furious!” Luna said, holding a hoof to her mouth.

“Wait, dear sister,” Celestia said, leaning forward. “It gets better. Twilight, being Twilight, didn’t even notice that she’d cut him off, nor that he was calling for her to remove her 'un-noble flank' from the court.” Luna’s face contorted in a brief exaggerated scowl, and Celestia laughed. “No, sister, he has not changed much over the years. Despite my many attempts.”

“The vain braggart,” Luna said, shaking her head in disgust. “I trust that this story includes some sort of comeuppance for our self-centered nephew?”

“Well,” Celestia said, ignoring her sister's question for the moment. “Twilight decides it’s not just enough to let me know that she’d finally succeeded at teleporting an inanimate object. She needs to show me ...” She couldn't conceal her own reaction as her sister's eyes grew wide.

“She did not ...” Luna breathed, jaw slightly agape. “Did she?”

Celestia nodded. “She decided to try and teleport the first thing that she saw. Which was—of course—the horribly tacky blue-and-pink monstrosity of a cake that Blueblood had brought in honor of his birthday. And prodigy or not, the predictable happened.”

“It exploded?” Luna asked in hope, the corners of her mouth turning upward.

“Ker-splat!” Celestia said, throwing her front hooves up. “All over Blueblood and his entire noble entourage!” Her voice shook as she fought to speak through her giggles. “And the rest of the court! Even I had some pink icing on me.”

“What—What did you do?” Luna asked between titters. 

“Well,” Celestia said, “it was quiet enough that you could almost hear Blueblood’s self-control breaking. Here it is, his fifteenth birthday and he’s absolutely plastered in pink-and-blue icing—” Luna began giggling again, “—along with most of his friends. So, very carefully, I get Twilight’s attention, because she’s still staring at the remains of the cake with her jaw open—partially I think because she was almost as covered in it as Blueblood was.” Luna was rolling on her back now, her front legs kicking at the air, her wings knocking over the unopened rolls of parchment they'd brought in with them.

“So I get Twilight’s attention,” Celestia said, trying to keep her sister’s fun from breaking her flow, “and she starts to follow me out of the court with this wide-eyed look of panic on her face.” Celestia stopped, letting out her own snicker before continuing. “I had almost made it out of the hall when one of the nobles broke.”

Luna stopped laughing, looking up at her with the expression of a foal who’d just been told she could eat all her Nightmare Night candy. “You did not?” Her eyes grew even wider as Celestia nodded, squeezing her eyes shut as her grin grew out of control. “You did?” It was apparently too much to take for Luna, as she threw herself back on her study floor, howling with laughter and beating one hoof against the thick blue carpet. “You did!”

“I couldn’t help it!” Celestia said, her cheeks red. “One giggle from the nobles and it all came out! I broke down laughing right then and there! The perfect picture of a Princess: laughing so hard at Blueblood’s cake encrusted mane I couldn’t stand! And—and then—As soon as I lost it the entire hall started laughing, and ... Poor Twilight, she didn’t know whether she should be laughing or crying so she’s—she’s—” Celestia did her best impression of her student's panicked expression, Luna laughing harder as her sister flailed her limbs around, her eyes wide in mock terror.

“And of course—of course Blueblood saw the entire thing as a joke at his expense,” Celestia said. “The look of horror on his face as all the nobles broke down laughing—he just couldn’t take it!” For a moment she felt a pang of sadness for her stubborn “nephew,” souring her mirth somewhat. “Even wearing his own birthday cake like one of those gaudy suits, he couldn't see the humor in the situation,” she said, her voice tone mellowing slightly.

“We cannot change everyone, Tia,” Luna said, sitting up, her mirth abated somewhat. “Maybe our wayward relation simply needs more time. Until then however,” she said with a mischievous grin, “I at the very least shall enjoy the mental image of our uptight and obstinate young relation covered head-to-hoof in pink-and-blue frosting.” The midnight blue alicorn began laughing once more, Celestia joining in at the thought of Prince Blueblood’s crushed expression.

The two sisters continued for a few minutes, occasionally slowing, looking at one another, and bursting into laughter. Finally, after what had been so long that Celestia could feel her sides aching, the two began to quiet down. At some point they had both fallen to the floor, and Celestia rolled herself onto her side, looking over at her sister.

“Anyway,” she said, a smirk on her face. “That is why Prince Blueblood is afraid of cake—” Luna snorted once more, “—and why that story about the Galloping Gala keeps going around.” Luna nodded in understanding, a knowing look on her face.

Celestia smiled as she took another look around her sister's study, a warm feeling sinking into her heart. After a thousand years, to have her sister back—there was nothing greater. It was a lesson she’d tried to teach all her little ponies, the importance of friend and family. Something that she wanted each and every last one of them to learn. Some took more encouragement than others. And some, she reflected sadly, never did.

“Tia?” Luna asked, her voice shaking Celestia from her reverie. “What is it?”

“Oh, nothing much, Luna,” Celestia said, still running her eyes across her sister’s study, taking in the art on the walls and the open balcony at one end. The stars were just peeking out of the darkening western sky, the sun having made its leisurely descent past the horizon under her guidance just a short time ago. “I’m just so glad to have you back.”

Luna smiled back at her, pushing herself across the carpet and moving to nuzzle her. There was a sharp snap as a small spark of static electricity shot between them and they both pulled back, Luna letting out a little yelp of surprise. Celestia looked at her for a moment, and they both burst out laughing anew.

“And here I thought I was supposed to be the trickster of the two of us,” Celestia said, winking.

“Perhaps most would think so," Luna said with a smirk. "But only because like the sun, your tricks are flashy and apparent for all. Mine are like unto the night, silent and swift!” She tossed her head back with an exaggerated grin, throwing her starry mane into a flurry of motion.

“Oh, Luna,” Celestia said, inching forward and embracing her younger sister in a hug, her forelegs and wings wrapping around her. “I’m so glad we can have these moments together. To just be sisters and not to have to worry as much, for a brief moment, about the ponies under our care.”

Luna nodded, pushing into her embrace. “I am—” she said, her voice faltering. “I am glad I am able to—”

“Shhh,” Celestia said, holding her sister tighter. “What’s done is done, no need to remember old regrets.” They stayed pressed together for a few moments longer, their bodies rocking back and forth as they held  one another. Finally, after a few minutes of silence, the two pulled apart.

“Thank you, Tia,” Luna said, blinking a few tears from her eyes. “And for the—” she let out a faint laugh, a smile coming back to her face as well. “And for the story as well.” She shook her head. “I shall have to send Blueblood a blue-and-pink cake the next time his birthday arises.”

Celestia smirked, wondering if she should comment on her sister's plan or ignore it. “Thank you, Luna. It’s nice to relax with you after a long and trying day.”

Luna looked over at her. “So I hear. Another dispute among the nobles?”

Celestia ruffled her wings in distaste. “If only it was just that. Not only are Raspberry and Upper Crust at it again, each trying to outdo the other and dragging the Day Court down, but the new trade negotiations with the griffons have reached a standstill for the time being. The griffons want a higher tariff on the goods, and Canterlot Cloudrunners insist that it cannot be done without cutting expenses in other areas. And then there’s that group from the ERS board, still wasting everypony's time arguing against the rail line to the north ...” She let out an exhausted sigh. "And we both know that we cannot let that be delayed. It could be too late as it is."

“You could refer some of them to the Night Court,” Luna suggested, giving her a thoughtful look. “I can shoulder some of your more bothersome burdens, as I should. Besides, I need to talk to the ERS board members about some strange theft reports.”

“I have suggested so, Luna,” Celestia said, smiling at her younger sister. “In fact, I’m considering making it a formal order, at least for those ponies from the ERS. The nobles I may just invite to settle things out of court.” She gave her head an exhausted shake, her multihued mane rolling around her. 

She looked up at her sister, putting a soft smile on her face. “So thank you, Luna, for even this small amount of time together to not always be a princess.” Then she frowned. “And what thefts?”

Luna shook her head. “Nothing important that you need to worry about, but ... Sister," she said, her voice brightening. "You could just take another day off. Go spend some time in Ponyville with your student, or better yet, relaxing somewhere. I can keep a close eye on things here.”

“I wish I could, Luna,” Celestia said, tilting her head to one side and giving it a small shake. “And I will, but not now. Right now there’s still too much to do in the wake of the changelings.” Luna nodded in understanding. Canterlot was still returning to normal, and they both knew it. It would be some time more before the city could erase the scars of the invasion. 

“Even my own Guard have been jumpier than usual,” Celestia said, tipping her eyes towards the door. "Hammer in particular may need therapy."

“Mine have ... had some upsets,” Luna said, nodding. “Many of them are still ashamed that a simple soundproofing ward allowed so many of them to be caught asleep and unawares.” She paused for a moment, her eyes looking straight at Celestia’s, and she could see the coming question in her eyes. “Tia,” Luna began, “About that idea I had—”

Celestia smiled. “I looked over your proposal this morning, Luna, and I find it sound.”

Luna smiled. “You mean—?”

“I think you should go forward with it,” Celestia said, rising to her hooves. It would be time for her sister to raise the moon soon. The last vestiges of dusk were giving away to night through the balcony doors, the sun now well past the horizon. “I’ve considered such a course of action before but never for more than a passing moment.” She gave her sister a warm smile. “You always were the one to see what I couldn’t.”

“And the member choices? What do you think?”

“Better and more thorough than anypony else, including myself, would have managed.” Celestia leaned forward, lowering her voice as if exchanging foalhood secrets. “And how did you ever manage to learn so much about Steel Song?”

Luna smiled. “One of my Night Guard is distantly related to him through his sister's marriage and speaks of him often, always highly. That, and I may have done a little sleuthing on my own,” she said with a mischievous grin.

“You—?” Celestia said, her eyes widening at her sisters expression. “You did! Is that why you were so tired last week?” Luna nodded, and Celestia narrowed her eyes, giving her sister a suspicious look. “Unicorn or pegasus?”

Luna snorted. “A pegasus of course, dear Tia. I could never give up my wings!” Celestia laughed as her sister snapped her deep blue wings out, looking at them with an enraptured gaze.

“Just as I could never go without my horn, dear Woona.” Celestia said, giggling as her sister rolled her eyes at the use of her old nickname. “Did you speak to him directly?” Celestia asked, jumping back on topic.

“Only a few times,” Luna said, shaking her head. “And not for long. Mostly I just spoke to his neighbors. They had nothing but respect for him and his deeds.”

Celestia smiled as she remembered the eager young Guard cadet from so many years ago. “And what of him?”

“He is—” Luna paused for a moment, as if searching for the words, and then looked up at her. “He is exactly who we need. And he needs it as well. Far more than he realizes, I think.”

“Very well then, Luna,” Celestia said. A knock rang through the room as one of the Guard reminded them of the soon-to-be-due moonrise. “You’ve put a great deal of thought into this, and I agree with you. I approve of your idea, and give my own accordance to move forward.” It was an old law that required both of them to agree on something before certain actions could be taken, but it was one she had enjoyed applying to every ruling she had made since her sister had returned.

“Thank you, Tia,” Luna said, her muzzle pressing against Celestia’s in a warm nuzzle.

“No, Luna, thank you,” Celestia said, fighting back a yawn. “And may I say I'm most interested to see this all come together.” She smiled at her sister as they headed for the door. “It’s been decades since I last saw Steel Song. It will be most interesting to see how he—” She paused for a moment, Luna at her side, one hoof on the study door. “What are you going to call this new division anyway?”

Luna shrugged. “I do not really know, Tia,” she admitted as she opened the door, her Guard snapping to attention. “They will think of something, I am sure.”

“If I might suggest,” Celestia said, pointing one hoof towards the twilight sky outside her sister's balcony. “What about the Dusk Guard?”

Luna stood for a minute, a thoughtful look on her face. “The Dusk Guard,” she said, smiling. “I like it. An excellent choice, dear sister. Dusk.” She turned back to the hall, walking away with a serene and yet powerful presence, her two Guard trailing behind her. “Good night, Tia!” she called.

“Good night, sister,” Celestia said, taking one last look out the balcony. “And good luck.” She could still hear her sister's hoofsteps, along with the unspoken word running through her sister’s mind.

Dusk.
> Assembly - Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 1


The sun rose over Canterville in a burst of speed, as if in a hurry to bring the small town its rays before the residents began tapping their hooves in impatience. Not that they ever did. Nestled as the town was against the backside of Canter Mountain opposite Canterlot, they were used to the sun’s late but sudden appearance each morning. The northeastern face of the Canter sheltered them from the early dawn, and it was a natural part of life for the sun to be late. Many of the town’s occupants silently agreed that the lack of a sunrise and the sudden late-morning appearance of the sun was an acceptable trade off for the wonderful sunsets they could see as it set behind Cloudsdale to the west.

But not everypony shared the same opinion towards the late sunrise. As the first of the sun’s rays began to slide across Canterville one pony was just returning home, his sides soaked in sweat from his morning run. He'd risen before dawn, just as he had every morning since he’d first moved there, taking his morning run around the bit of mountain that separated the town—and his small home on the upward boundaries—from the rising light. He'd arrived at the peak shortly before the dawn, taking a brief rest to watch the first moments of sunrise. Then, sticking to that same routine, he had raced the sun back down the mountain, sprinting in a mad dash to beat the warm rays as they rose up towards his home.

This morning the race had been especially close. Dozens of trails wound across the back of the mountain, endlessly crisscrossing one another in serpentine patterns. He always chose the path back at random to keep the challenge fresh, never running the same route twice in one week. This morning he’d managed an early lead until he’d been slowed by a dry creek-bed, the rounded stones and rough terrain forcing him to move carefully lest he twist a fetlock on the smooth, unsteady surfaces.

The olive-green pony slowed to a brisk walk as he neared the wood-and-stone fence surrounding his simple cabin. His labored breathing slowed, but he smiled as he listened to the pulse pounding through his ears. Even moving into his older years, he could still outrun or out-muscle ponies half his age with ease.

His wide chest rose and fell with each breath as he stepped towards the water barrel he kept by the gate, his lungs burning with exertion. Almost, he thought, watching as the sun crept up the road that lead to his home. Another minute or two and I wouldn’t have made it in time. Which would have been alright. Sometimes he lost. It just gave him a goal for the next morning.

He shook his head, stepping up to the barrel and without hesitation plunging his head into it, relishing the feeling of the cold water as it cut through the heat of his sweaty, greyed mane. He flipped his head back, sighing in relief as the cold water rushed out of the closely-cropped manecut and down across his back and chest, little streams of ice sizzling against the tremendous heat of his sides. He dunked his head under once more, splashing more water onto his back with one hoof. As he pulled his head up the second time he took a deep breath of air, dropping to all four hooves and blinking the cool water from his eyes. Time to get the rest of my morning underway, he thought, pushing the gate open and trotting towards his home.

As he trotted down the stone-paved walkway, he ran his eyes over the small rows of vegetables he'd planted in his front yard. The cabbages were doing well despite the summer heat, but his green beans were beginning to look slightly wilted, and he could see that despite constant watering his peas were beginning to look wretched. The tomatoes weren't faring much better either; many of them were still green and not nearly as large as he’d hoped. 

He let out a sigh, pausing on the walkway. He had never enjoyed his sister's skill with plants, although he wasn’t about to let that stop him from trying. Still, it looked as if he was going to either have to purchase groceries or perhaps see who in Canterville with a gardening-related cutie mark would be willing to offer him advice. His own cutie mark—two steel triangular kite shields slightly overlapping one another—didn’t really have much to do with gardening. But it was something to occupy himself with now that he was retired. 

Which I wanted to do, he reminded himself. More time for himself. More time to visit his sister and her family. Time to help his niece and nephew earn their cutie marks. He blew a breath through closed lips. 

Yes, it was the best choice, he reminded himself. You won’t live forever, and you spent twenty-seven years protecting those who needed it. A service he had been highly skilled at, and consequently, highly paid for. But it got old after a while, didn’t it? he thought, tapping one of the tomato plants with his hoof, grimacing slightly as the brittle stem cracked under his hooves. A little empty. You wanted something new. He looked up at his cabin, admiring the sun-baked wood.

“Steel! Hey, Steel Song!” His head snapped back as a mare’s voice began calling his name, and he turned to look for the source.

“Oh, hey!” he called back, looking down the road and spotting the source of his name. Running up the path towards his home was Rapid Cap, the emerald earth pony mare in charge of Canterville's mail delivery.  As well as the mail-manager, sorter, and handler of any and all mail that came through the town's small postal center. The first few times Steel had met her, he’d called her by her full name, but after a few weeks he’d learned to just shorten it to what everypony else called the energetic young mare: Cappy.

“Hey there, Steel!” Cappy said, sliding to a stop by the gate with a grin. “You just get back from your run?”

He nodded. “Yep, Celestia almost beat me this morning, but I’ve still got a few surprises left in me.”

She laughed as she flipped open her saddlebags. “One of these days I’ve got to come running with you on a weekend. I’m not named Rapid for nothing, you know!” She plucked a few envelopes out of her bag with her teeth and carefully passed them to Steel. He flipped through the envelopes, eyes searching for anything that stood out. 

“Anything good?” Cappy asked, innocently batting her golden eyes at him.

“Looks like it,” Steel said. “I’ve got one from my sister and her husband, and the other two are from her kids.” He took a closer look at the colorful envelopes. “Looks like this one is almost indecipherable and is written in bright blue, so that would be Jammer … and that would make the one that looks like it’s on pink stationary from Sparkle.”

“Aww, how cute!” Cappy said, leaning over the gate for a look. “How old are they?”

“Not that old,” Steel said, flipping the letters around so that Cappy could see for herself the absolutely awful blue penmanship Jammer had decorated his envelope with. “Jammer’s six, and Sparkle is five. They’re a hoof-full, believe me. I don’t know how my sister and her husband manage those two. Thick as thieves when they aren’t fighting.” He let out a little chuckle.

“Any cutie marks yet?” Cappy asked.

He shook his head. “Nope, not yet, but it shouldn’t take long. Sparkle clearly has her mother’s voice, and Jammer, well, it’ll probably be related to jamming something. Somehow.”

Cappy let out another laugh, a melodic sound that reminded him of dozens of small glass bells, all ringing in harmony. “Maybe not,” she said, nodding at her own flank where an oar sat over a raging white wave. “Everypony thought that I was going to get my cutie mark in running. My Dad even built a trophy rack for all of the running trophies they thought I was going to win, but I got my cutie mark whitewater rafting!” She shook her head. “Shocked them!”

“What did they do with the trophy shelf?” Steel asked.

Cappy snorted and rolled her eyes, sticking out her tongue. “Filled it with running trophies of course! Just because I’d gotten my cutie mark in rafting didn’t mean I was going to stop running.” She gave another light, melodic laugh and then looked at him. “Speaking of which, you’ve lived here for almost three years and while I’ve heard what your cutie mark stands for, I’ve never actually heard how you got it.” Her teeth gleamed as she fixed him with a wide grin.

A breeze kicked up, ruffling the short strands of Steel’s mane and causing Cappy’s bright blue mane to ripple in unison. “Well, I guess I could tell you,” he said. “It’s a bit of a story though, so you’d have to stick around for a bit. I can’t shortchange the telling of how I got my cutie mark.”

Cappy’s face fell a little. “No, I can’t right now, sorry. I’ve got a schedule to keep.” Her face brightened again. “You know, work and all that. Nothing stops this mare from getting what she wants! Another time maybe, and then I’ll tell you how I got mine,” she said, giving her saddlebags a little twitch for emphasis.

“Alright, yeth, an’ther ‘ime,” Steel said as he took his letters in his mouth.

“Oh, and Steel?” Cappy said as he started to turn.

“Yeth?”

“You might want to talk to Summer about some help with your peas. She’s really good at gardening, and … well … they look like they need all the help they can get. I might be able to help, but that’s really her kinda thing.” She shook her head, smiling. 

“Oh, I almost forgot!” She flipped her saddlebags open and pulled out a small card. “You have a package today.” Steel stuck a hoof over the gate and she dropped the card onto it. He thought for a second he saw a faint look of disappointment on her face when he took it, but he pushed the thought out of his head as she pulled her own up with a smile. 

"A package?" he asked, staring down at the card. It had his name on it, in clear block print, but there wasn't a return address written anywhere. "I wasn't expecting anything."

“Yeah, well, it was a little heavy for me to carry it all the way up here, so I left it at the office,” she said, adjusting the straps on her now nearly empty saddlebags. “You’ll have to come pick it up later.” She gave a dramatic whip of her sky blue mane, rearing up on her hind legs. “Anyway, gotta run! Toodles!” Then she was off, thundering down the path, a cloud of dust chasing her retreating tail.

Steel shook his head as she rounded the first of the many corners that led down the mountain towards Canterville. Cappy, always the talkative optimist. It was a shame she was so much younger than him, she really had a way with words. And that laugh … He shook his head again. 

“Focus there, soldier,” he said, pushing the door to his home open. “She’s easily half your age. Easily. Keep your mind on the present.” He shut the door, his thoughts already on the trip down to Canterville that he would need to make later that day.


*        *        *


Canterville wasn’t a very large town. Most ponies who were looking for the hustle and bustle of someplace with more inhabitants stayed on the other side of the mountain in Canterlot, where high society hobnobbed and the parties never stopped. But for a pony like Steel, who had wanted a nice quiet retirement somewhere within a few hours travel of his sister's family, Canterville was perfect.

He trotted down the main thoroughfare, saddlebags on his back. Houses lined the street on either side, colorful in shade but still tasteful in design, much like many of the rural homes he had seen in his travels around Equestria. Many of them were expanded, with separate doors for whatever place of business their owners happened to run, saving the expense of owning a second building. 

“Hey, Steel, how’s it going?” a dull grey stallion called from under an awning, waving his hoof.

“Alright so far, Cid. How about you?” Steel called back, slowing. “You still in trouble with Ms. Chalk?” The grey pony grimaced.

“Unfortunately yes,” he said, shooting a glance at the small one-room schoolhouse down the street, where Clear Chalk served as the town's only schoolteacher. “As unfair as it is. All I did was offer to guest lecture those kids on engineering. You think she’d be grateful.”

Steel laughed. “I don’t think it was the engineering guest lecture that did it, Cid,” he said, coming to a full stop next to the tinkerer's small shop, “I think it was what they did with the knowledge you gave them.”

Cid sputtered, an affronted look on his face. “It’s not my fault! All I did was give them the assignment to build the catapult and launch something with it!” He pointed one hoof down the street. “Why isn’t Wake Berry on her list? She’s the one who sold them all those watermelons they launched at Chalk’s house in the first place.” He sat back, crossing his hooves and rolling his eyes. “If you ask me, it’s totally unfair.”

“Of course it is, Cid,” Steel said with a laugh, clapping the stallion on his shoulder. “But that’s how mares like to work sometimes. Besides, didn’t Ms. Chalk already tell you that you could make it up for her?”

“I believe her exact words were that I’d be absolved when she could ‘break a watermelon or two over my thick skull,’” Cid said, glumly. “Why are all the pretty mares the ones who are the most insane?”

“Hey, if that’s your worry, there are a lot of other pretty, sane mares in town,” Steel said, giving his head a tilt to one side. “Quite a few actually.”

“Yeah, sure,” Cid said, rolling his eyes and giving him a sarcastic look. “Rub it in, Steel, rub it in.” Steel blinked, unsure of how to react. What made him a target?

“Well,” he said, changing the subject after a few moments of silence. “Any big projects going on?”

Cid shook his head. “Not since I fixed the water pump for Rosy Glow. I heard the mayor’s talking about a water tower though, so that would give me something to do.”

“Alright well, I need to get going. Got an errand to run at the post office.” Steel shifted his saddlebags as Cid snickered. “What?” he asked, perplexed. “They were itching.”

Cid shook his head, eyes staring at the sky. “Yeah, yeah, just keep shoving it out there. Go have fun at the post office.” Steel raised one eyebrow but began trotting off, feeling that he’d missed some part of the conversation.

He rolled his eyes as he turned off of the dusty main street and toward a small shop. A brightly painted sign hung proudly  by the door, proclaiming “Summer Green’s Shoots!” in large bright blue letters with slightly smaller but no less vividly colored text below that read “Flowers, Veggies and Grains! If you want it, we can grow it!” The text sat next to a faded image of Summer’s cutie mark: a trio of green shoots coming out of the ground. In the few years Steel had lived there, he couldn’t recall ever hearing of her challenge being put to the test. Then again, it was possible she had already proven it so well that no one ever would.

“Hey, Steel!” Summer said, drawing out the first part of her greeting as she saw him. As usual the blue-coated unicorn was wandering from aisle to aisle in her small shop, checking to make sure that each piece of her stock for the day was staying fresh and appetizing. “Looking for some help with that garden of yours?” She gave her graying mane a quick toss as it slid down in front of her face, throwing it back over her shoulders. “Because if so you've come to the right place.” Her horn began to glow a faint lime green, a small green hose on the back wall of the shop unwinding itself and floating over to her waiting hoof.

“Let me guess,” Steel said. “Cappy stopped by and let you know about the sad state of my garden?”

“Well, she didn’t use those words exactly.” Summer said, twisting the nozzle with her magic and guiding a small, misty spray of water run over the shelves of fresh-cut greenery. “In fact she didn’t tell me at all what the garden looked like. She just said you might want some pointers, that’s all.”

“Oh.” Steel said, feeling a vague twinge of awkwardness. “Well, yes. I could use a guiding hoof with my garden, that much is true. But,” he followed Summer as she walked to the next aisle over to give another row of vegetables a cool misting, “I wish she’d just let me ask you instead of asking for me.”

Summer rolled her eyes. “Relax, Steel, she’s just looking out for you a like a good friend. Besides, you’re the one who ate your own hoof on that one, since I offered you help in the first place, remember?” She looked at him with an amused smile on her face. “Cappy was just being nice.”

“You’re right. Sorry,” he said, nodding his head at her, only for her to react by bursting out in laughter.

“Steel, take it easy,” she said, pausing her laughter for a brief moment with her scolding before laughing again. “Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with you jumping to a conclusion. Cappy can be a little enthusiastic, although I think her heart is in the right place.”

“Well, regardless,” Steel said.  “I would appreciate a few tips if you would be willing to offer them. Also,” he said, opening his saddlebags and pulling a few bits out, “I could use some more of those mint leaves you have.”

Summer nodded. “Can do.” The bits floated off of Steel’s hoof and were replaced a moment later with a small bundle of mint, which he gently dropped into his saddlebags. “And I can stop by this afternoon to give you a few pointers,” she said, lifting the hose and returning to her misting. “Who knows, I might even bring Cappy along. It couldn’t hurt to give her a few pointers as well.” She smiled. “Would that work for you?”

Steel nodded. “That sounds fine. I’ll let you know if anything comes up before then, but...” He shrugged, giving his head a tilt to one side. “I doubt anything will.”

“Excellent! Well, I’ll see you then!”

“Likewise,” Steel said, exiting the shop and turning to his right. He passed a few more buildings until he came to the reason for his visit to the town proper. A bell jingled above the door to the Equestrian Postal Service Center as he pushed it open, a jaunty ringing that seemed well fit to the only occupant. The Center’s small room was empty, typical for Canterville, and the only features other than a few private mailing boxes built into the wall were an outgoing mail slot and a receiving counter built into the back wall where Cappy sat reading a book.

“Hi there, what can I do for—Steel!” Cappy exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she saw him. “Well, well, well, at long last you come to visit me instead of the other way around. Took you long enough.” She leaned over the counter with a sarcastic look on her face. “What’s a girl gotta do to get some attention around here?”

Steel rolled his eyes, but carefully kept his face neutral, as if he hadn’t gotten the joke. “Well of course you visit me all the time Cappy, you’re the mailmare, it’s your job.” He watched as she dropped her face into a heavily exaggerated look of disappointment and groaned. “Relax Cappy,” he said, laughing. “I get it, I get it.”

At the sound of his laugh her ears twitched, and she sprung back up to her previous position, head resting on one hoof, a bemused look on her face. “Was that an actual laugh? A laugh? From Steel Song?” She put one hoof to her forehead and pushed her head back. “I feel faint, I thought this day would never arrive!” Her exaggerated motions only forced another chuckle out of him.

“Well,” she said, placing both hooves on the counter, her expression one of mock seriousness. “Down to business, I suppose. You looking for that package that came in?”

Steel smiled, nodding. “Yes, I am.” He flipped his saddlebag open and plucked the package slip she’d handed him earlier out with his teeth, dropping it beside her open book. Cappy looked at it for a second, checking the numbers, and then darted off to one side, vanishing from his view into the back of the postal center. A few seconds later she was back, a large rectangular parcel balanced on her back. She took a corner of it in her teeth and flipped it onto the counter, where it landed with a loud bang. 

“Whew!” she said, wiping imaginary sweat away from her brow. “That’s why I didn’t bring it out for delivery. What’d you order, Steel? Textbooks?”

“I’m not really sure,” Steel said, prodding it with one hoof and running his eyes over it. "Like I said earlier, I'm not expecting anything." The package had been wrapped with thick paper, carefully folded over and taped on the bottom side, which happened to be facing up after Cappy’s toss. Twine had been wrapped around it as well, as if whoever had sent it hadn’t been sure the tape and thick brown parcel paper was enough to make sure it would arrive in one piece. He prodded at the knot with his hoof, but it was solid, without even a loop to pull loose. “I haven't any orders recently, and my sister’s letter didn’t say anything about a package.”

He grasped the package between his two front hooves and flipped it over on the counter, the heavy item making another loud bang as it hit. The top yielded no more clues than the bottom had. His name, address and a postage value stared up him, but the rest of the surface was a blank brown, with no sign of any return address. 

“Huh,” Steel said, his brow furrowing as he looked down at the plain paper covering. “Any ideas?”

Cappy tilted her head from one side to the other, checking the package from all angles. Then she looked up at him, her face lighting up with a grin. “Yep!” She ducked beneath the counter, the sounds of drawers sliding open and closed reached Steel’s ears. “'e open ‘er up!” she said, popping back up above the counter, a letter opener in her teeth, light glinting from the metal. She stuck the thin blade under the twine, snapping it with a quick toss of her head.

“I—” Steel’s protest died in his mouth. After all, it was just a package, it couldn’t hurt to let Cappy see what was inside could it? Besides, she looked perfectly happy to be helping him, and it wasn’t like there was much else she could do all day. He bit down on the now loosened string and pulled, bracing his hoof against the mysterious parcel's brown paper wrapping. The twine came off easily, unraveling as the cut ends frayed. He dropped it onto the counter and looked at Cappy expectantly.

“Well?” she said. “It’s your package. Aren’t you going to finish unwrapping it?”

“You don’t want to do it?”

She tossed her head back, sending her sky-blue mane cascading around her like spraying water. “It’s not my package, Steel! Besides,” she said, blinking her eyes at him again, “don’t you want to see what it is first?” 

“Well, yes—“

“Then open it!” she said, shoving it across the counter and resting her head on her hooves,  staring at him with wide, expectant eyes. 

Had it been this hot when he’d walked in? Steel ran one hoof through his mane, scratching the back of his ear. His mind had to be playing tricks on him. Besides, she was half his age. Still, he had nothing to lose or gain by opening the package here ... He flipped it over again and peeled the folds up, but unfolding the paper revealed nothing but the bottom of a heavy duty cardboard box.

“Somepony really wanted this package to make it in one piece,” he said, Cappy nodding in agreement as he folded the wrapping paper down on all sides. At least her eyes were fixed on the package now and not him. “Well,” he said, bracing his hooves against the sides of the box, taking care to make sure that they were positioned so that the lid wouldn’t fly off of the package when he flipped it. “Whoever sent it should be glad to know that it made it here fi—“ he stopped speaking as he turned it over, exposing to the room the large seal emblazoned on its surface.

“Is that?” Cappy asked, her eyes wide, her voice quieter than normal.

It took Steel a moment to find his voice. “Yes. Yes it is.” There, sealing the top of the box was the symbol of one of the Royal Sisters. A single black cloud, dark as the night save for a single shining white crescent cutting across it.

The personal seal of Princess Luna herself.


*        *        *


Steel didn’t even bother to close the gate behind himself as he ran up the pathway to his home. As soon as he'd been able to get away from an incredibly curious Cappy, he had run the entire way from Canterville, the package with Luna’s seal stowed securely in his saddlebags where nopony could see it. He’d begged forgiveness of Cappy, asking her to tell no one about the package for now. 

“Oh come on!” Cappy said, giving him a begging look as he frantically shoved the package into his saddlebags. “Why not?”

“Why not? Cappy, it’s the seal of Princess Luna! I’ve never met the Princess, and I don’t know why she’s sending me mail.” Steel finished closing his saddlebags and found that she had leaned so far over the counter that they were nearly nose to nose. He pulled back, startled. “Look,” he said after a moment. “This package came with no return address. So I’m thinking it’s supposed to be a bit of a secret. That, and I don’t want anypony starting rumors about me or why I’m getting mail from the Princess. I don’t even know what it is!”

“So open it!” 

“And if it’s really important? Eyes only?” Cappy shifted her lips to one side, thinking, and for a moment Steel was reminded exactly how close she was to him.

“Alright,” she said after a moment, giving him a look of disappointment.  “I won’t tell anyone what it is. But promise me something?”

“I—” Her eyes swelled up, large and voluminous, and Steel found himself agreeing. “Ok.”

“Whatever’s in there, let me know if it’s a really big deal, all right?” she asked, staring right into his eyes with her own golden orbs. “You promise?”

“I—I promise, Cappy.”

Steel dropped his saddlebags to the floor and sat down on the couch, hearing the heavy thump as the strange package hit. He stared down at the dull-green bags for a moment. Alright, now I just need to open it. For some reason however, he couldn’t seem to pull himself from his seat. By chance, his eyes wandered up the wall, settling on a framed picture of himself and an old friend of his from the Griffon Empire.

“I wonder what you’re up to now, Primetail?” he asked. “You old featherbrain.” He smirked and looked down at the saddlebags again. “And if you were here you’d tell me to get off my sorry weak excuse of a flank, wouldn’t you?” He tapped his side feeling the thick muscle bounce his hoof back. “And then I’d have to kick your tailed behind again.” Steel grinned. “Still, even so, you’d have a point.”

The heavy cloth of his saddlebags folded back easily, cloth so old that all stiffness had long since fled. The black cloud on the box's seal soaked up the sunlight streaming through the cabin windows, drinking it with an endless thirst that made its dark, midnight coloration all the more stark against the white shining crescent cutting across its center. 

Steel prodded at the wax with his hoof, feeling its unnatural hardness. Some sort of magic was undoubtedly involved, given the almost unreal shine and the resistance the wax was displaying to the summer heat. He readied himself, straightening his shoulders and putting on his most impassive face. Then, with infinite care, he reached out with one hoof and pried the two flaps of the package open.

The seal parted with a loud snap and he jumped back, scrambling to his hooves as an image of Luna’s seal appeared in the air over the now-open box. “Hear well citizen!” a loud voice boomed. Steel’s ears folded flat against his head at the volume. “The contents of this package are to be delivered to the earth pony known as Steel Song and seen by him alone!” There was physical force behind the voice, he could feel his mane rippling back as the sound rebounded through the room. “Any other pony who claims these contents would bring our royal wrath upon them! Consider thyself duly warned!” There was a crack of thunder and the Princess’s cutie mark disappeared, leaving Steel popping his ears to get the ringing out.

“Ow.” So that was Princess Luna’s voice? He gave his head a shake and pressed his mane back into its normal position. I heard she was a bit more … dramatic than Princess Celestia, but that sounded more like an academy drill sergeant than one of the royal family. Satisfied that his hearing was back at normal levels, he moved back towards the center of the room to see what was so important. If the Princess of the Night was sealing the package with a magical warning, it had to be something high priority, but he still wasn’t sure why she had sent him something in the first place.

He prodded at the box with a hoof, head down and ears back in case of any lingering magical warnings or alarms, but the contents seemed benign. He flipped the lid open and pulled his hoof back, just in case. Nothing. He waited a few moments more and then stepped forward, looking down at the contents for the first time.

On top was a letter, again marked with Luna’s seal as a letterhead and addressed to him in a flowing, stylistic script that—unless he missed his guess—was the Princess’s own. He picked it up in one hoof, setting it aside and digging through the papers below it. File folders. Dozens of them if not more, each with a name on the tab. He flipped past a few of them, and then began pulling them from the box in earnest.  His hoof scraped bare cardboard, and he looked at the stack of folders in amazement. There was nothing else. Just the letter and the files. He flipped the topmost one open.

Just as he had suspected from the name on the side, it was a personnel file. A detailed record of the pony's life and work history. There were photos, work records, known skills, personal details ... He flipped through the pages, skimming over the contents. The file was at least thirty or forty pages long, detailing almost everything anypony could want to know about the pony in question. It even had a series of interviews with close associates near the back.

Steel flipped the folder closed, his brow furrowed. He knew what files like these were for, he’d handled plenty of them back before he had retired. But he’d never seen one with this level of detail before. Errant thoughts came to mind, but he brushed them away. Better check the letter before I go jumping to conclusions. He spread the crisp paper on the floor before him, folding away the creases.

Steel Song, the letter began. My sister has spoken highly of you, as have many of your former associates and employers. In the last few months many events have come to my attention—some small, but some large, such as the Changeling invasion. In the wake of such events, my sister and I, as ruling Diarchs of Equestria, have determined that the Guard as it currently stands is unfortunately inadequate to the multitude of tasks that our nation currently requires them to perform.

As such, my sister and I are working to expand the current goals, operations, and training of the Guard through several projects. One of these projects is something that neither I nor my sister have ever attempted before, but that your associates have informed me you have considerable experience with. Given that experience, my sister and I request that you meet with us at the earliest possible convenience to discuss it.

Please present yourself by name at any of the Canterlot Castle entrances within the next few days in order to schedule an appointment with us. While I do not wish to discuss the specifics of this project in this missive, I would ask that you please study the included files, as they are pertinent to the project. If you accrue any costs of transportation, lodging—Steel skipped down a few lines. He could walk to Canterlot, and his sister's home was always open to him.

For now, I ask that you keep news of our request fairly private. I look forward to meeting you in person to further discuss this, and apologize for our brusqueness.

Princess Luna, Regent of the Night.

Steel stared down at the letter for a moment, his jaw slack. They want me to do what? His eyes ran over the letter again, rereading it to take in every detail. It was somewhat vague, but he had read job offers that were even moreso. Granted, most of those he ditched without a second thought, the vague requests never came from anypony he wanted to work with. Princess Luna, on the other hoof ... Well, a vague request there could hardly be marked against her. She’s a Princess of Equestria. If she wants to be vague, that’s her call.

Steel set the letter down. “I suppose it can’t hurt,” he said, rubbing his chin with one hoof. “Nothing in here says that they want me for anything more than advice.” In fact, that’s probably all they want me for. Advice. These files ... they probably want me to advise them on the ponies involved for some sort of specific mission. One they can’t tell anypony about. That would certainly explain the secrecy.

“Well,” he said, standing and looking down at the files. “Looks like I have a little reading to do. Princess, I may not know what you’re looking for, but—” his eyes darted over to a set of battered armor sitting above his couch, dents and scars scraped across its chest, “—whatever it is, I’ll be talking to you about it soon.”
> Assembly - Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2


The waiting was always interesting. It didn’t matter if you showed up early, on time, or even late to a meeting with a superior officer. Unless it was an emergency, you were going to wait. It was a time-honored tradition as old as the Royal and Night Guard, probably older. So although Steel had arrived precisely five minutes before his five AM appointment with the Princesses, he had been standing outside the entrance to Celestia’s study for almost ten minutes.

He didn’t mind. In fact he appreciated the gesture. A normal pony such as a noble, a business owner, or even a diplomat would have been welcomed directly on time. But to a military pony the wait was all part of the tradition, a time to collect his thoughts and reflect on what had brought him here before he met with the actual physical event.

Of course in Steel’s case, there wasn’t much to think about. The contents of his summons had been fairly direct, if somewhat nebulous. He’d spent the next morning setting up everything in Canterville so that he could leave for a few days, saying goodbye to the various residents of the town and thanking them as needed. Summer had agreed to check on his garden every few days, and Cappy had even agreed to keep an eye on his cabin so that things didn't fall into disrepair. In fact, she’d done more than that.

“And you don’t even know how long you’ll be gone?” she asked him, her face plaintive.

He shook his head. “I would expect only a week or two.” He took one last look at the small cabin he called home and then gave his saddlebags a tug, tightening them down against his flanks. “Thank you for keeping an eye on my cabin for me.”

“It won’t be a problem,” she said with another one of her melodious laughs, although this one sounded off-key, as if something behind it was missing. “It’ll be easier than I thought. It’s more … empty than I expected.”

He shrugged. “I never really did have much to put in it, I guess.”

“That’s…” her voice trailed off as she mumbled something he couldn’t hear.

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

“Oh, nothing,” she said, flashing him a smile. “You’d better get going. You keep adjusting your saddlebags and taking last looks around this place at this rate and you’ll never get out.”

He chuckled and moved for the exit. “Alright, alright. Point made. I’ll get going.” He paused at the doorway and looked back at her. “Thank you, Cappy. For watching my home, and for being so friendly.”

She raised one of her eyebrows, giving him an incredulous look. “Was that supposed to be your goodbye?” she asked, trotting past him and out the open door. “Tell you what. I’ll walk with you a ways, and you can use that time to get that head of yours to come up with a better goodbye for a mare than that!”

Steel pulled himself back to the present. He was here on official business. No matter when his meeting with the Princesses was actually supposed to take place, he shouldn't have let his focus slide away. He turned his eyes to the Guard that stood beside the doorway. To the left of the door were the familiar Royal Guard escort, both of them unicorns, resplendent in their golden armor and—as typical for the Guard—still as statues. Steel didn’t recognize either of them, but both had given him small respectful nods when he had arrived. Either they had heard of him, or they were just treating him as a dignitary.

The other two guards were—he guessed—Luna’s. While their armor and coats were the same purple and charcoal combination of the Night Guard, the armor itself was spikier, harder. Edged. And the ponies themselves were unlike anything that he had seen before, with leathery, dragon-like wings and slitted cat-like eyes that almost seemed to glow with inner light. It was probably the result of a more advanced version of the same spell that made every member of the Royal Guard the same color when they put on their armor. Then again, he thought, looking at the pair. It’s hard to tell.

A twitch of movement from the Royal Guards caught his eye. One of them was moving forward, eyes fixed on him. 

“The Princesses will see you now,” the Guard said, his deep voice breaking the silence of the hallway. Steel nodded as the heavy door to the Princess's study opened, and then stepped inside.

Princess Celestia’s study was what he expected to see. Bright colors contrasted with soft pastels, creating a brightly lit but welcoming atmosphere that could have very well been somepony’s home instead of the private study of one of the rulers of Equestria. There were a few items that said it was otherwise however, such as a large, slow-rotating globe that hung freely in the air on one side of the room. Or the large map on one wall, covered in languages that he didn't recognize. A phoenix sitting on a perch near a truly massive desk,  preening itself.

Of course the most telling difference was the two royal Alicorns themselves—Princess Celestia and Princess Luna—sitting behind the desk, regal in both appearance and stature. Celestia was just a head taller than her younger sibling, her multi-hued and ethereal mane blowing in an unseen wind as she looked down at him, her coat a pristine white so pure that it seemed to glow from within.

Princess Luna was no less impressive, her dark blue coat a stunning contrast to the pure white of her sibling. She was staring down at him, a more stern gaze than Celestia's, accentuated by the dark, star-filled mane that flowed behind her. Her wings were extended—unlike Celestia’s—giving him a full view all three of the pony races that made up the immortal alicorn’s body. His eyes snapped to the horn, the focal point of enough magic to adjust the course of the moon as it circled the planet.

Conscious that he was presenting himself before two of the most powerful beings on the planet, he approached the chairs that sat in front of the desk and gave a respectful bow, which both sisters returned with gentle nods. Steel took a seat, his heart pounding, and waited for one of the sisters to speak. He didn’t have to wait long.

“Steel Song,” Luna said. “It is good to finally meet with you face-to-face.”

“Thank you, your highness. The honor is mine to meet with you both,” he said, offering another respectful nod. There was a moment's pause, neither of the sisters speaking. “But…” he ventured, “I’m not entirely sure why I’m here.”

Luna smiled and leaned forward, and Steel felt the tempo of his heart increase. She was an unknown quantity, relatively new compared to Celestia’s calm and familiar royal personage. “Surely you must have some theories?” Luna asked, her expression unchanging,

“Well, your highness,” Steel said. He could feel his chest thumping with each nervous heartbeat, but he was refusing to let it show. At least, he hoped he was. “I doubt it’s to take over either of the Guard divisions, even with Captain Armor away on his honeymoon. You would have contacted me earlier were that the case, and I would be a terrible choice. I never served in the Royal Guard, despite graduating the academy, and there are plenty of ponies in the ranks who deserve the position more than I.” He paused for a moment, waiting. Luna nodded, a motion that he assumed meant for him to continue.

I get it, he thought, his heartbeat slowing slightly. This is an interview of some kind. He was in familiar territory now. It was a game he’d played with hundreds of clients over the years, even rulers of nations as the Princesses were. Even if they move the sun and moon, he thought, a familiar ease settling into his system, they’re still clients. Rich, powerful clients who have enough magic to move solar objects.

Steel pulled one of the file folders out of his saddlebags and place it on the desk. “Your highness' letter,” he said, pushing the file forward, “also directed me to go over each and every one of these files, although not saying why. Only five of the ponies contained in these files were from either the Royal or the Night Guard, and each of them was clearly marked as such.” 

He gave a small shrug of his shoulders, as much to convey the truth behind his words as to give him time to choose them carefully. “Honestly my best theory given my personal history would be that you’re looking for some sort of short-term bodyguard service performed for someone close to the crown in light of recent events. Say perhaps an escort bodyguard for Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. But,” he said, already knowing the flaws of his theory. “She already has a husband who is Captain of the Royal Guard. And I doubt she needs much protection, given that she herself is an alicorn. So while I assume that you desire me to pick a number of these ponies to perform some service, what that service is I couldn’t say.” He sat back, front legs straight, and waited for one of the Princesses to respond.

It was Celestia who broke the brief silence first. “Well, Steel Song,” she said with a wry smile. “It seems you are still very much cut from the same ‘steel’ you were all those years ago. Tell me, has retirement changed you?”

“In what way, your highness?” he asked. Luna was watching him closely now, as was Celestia. He held his body still, at perfect attention, his muscles locking into ingrained positions.

Celestia smiled. “Age affects all ponies; skills weaken with disuse. Tell me, Steel, if you were to face a younger you, would you still be confident in who you are?”

Steel nodded, confidence on his face. “Age catches everypony, your highness, but it's had a bit more trouble catching me than most. I’ve made sure of it. As for my skills, I’ve kept them as sharp as I can without anypony else to practice with. If I were to face a younger me, I’m confident that I would win, even if he did outmatch me in strength and speed. A lifetime of experience is on my side.” He could still feel his heart pounding, but now it was a comfort, brought about by a familiar question.

The two sisters looked at each other for a moment, and although they exchanged no words Steel could see subtle movements in their faces, as if they were talking to one another in a manner he couldn’t hear. After a moment's silent deliberation, they turned to face him once more.

This time Luna addressed him. “Steel, are you familiar with each of the ponies in the files you carry with you?”

“Familiar in what way, your highness?” he asked. “I’ve known several of them personally.”

“Familiar with the files themselves,” Luna replied. “For example, if I were to ask you to choose five ponies from within those files to serve as a diplomatic guard at this moment, would you be able to do so?”

Steel reached into his saddlebags and pulled out the stack of file folders, his mind racing as he carefully arrayed them on the desk, spreading them out in an overlapping straight line. Then, looking up at the two sisters with a neutral expression on his face, he slid five of the files forward.

“Interesting,” Luna remarked, one of the files floating up in front of her. She flipped the folder open, rifling through the pages and examining his choice. After a few moments, the folder snapped shut and Luna passed it to Celestia, who opened it and began her own study of the contents. Steel sat in silence, taking calm, steady breaths as the two Diarchs looked over the five files. 

“These are commendable choices,” Luna said, sliding the last file back into the line at the front of the desk. “What if I asked you to assemble the same number to rescue a foal lost in the Everfree Forest?”

Steel felt his brow crease as he leaned forward, pulling the five files back into line with the others. He stared down at the row of names for a moment, running the scenario through his head. He’s an obvious choice, Steel thought, pushing forward a file labeled “Hunter.” Two more choices quickly followed, and then two more, five in total. Steel sat back, watching as once again the two royal alicorns examined his choices.

“Apprehend a dangerous criminal?” Luna asked as soon as her and her sister had finished looking over his choices. Steel thought for a moment, and five different files slid forward.

“Assist the Guard in solving a crime?” Another set of five.

“Defeat a dragon?”

“Defend the palace from invaders?”

“Deal with a natural disaster?”

“Rob a train?”

The requests grew steadily more and more unusual, but each time without fail he would push five files forward, the two sisters would look them over and push them back, and another situation would be given.

“Escort a scientific expedition?”

“Find a lost city?”

“Detect an impersonator?”

Then abruptly, the questions stopped. The two sisters looked at each other once more, and again Steel had the feeling that although there was no outward sign, the two sisters were nonetheless conversing with one another.

That’s a pretty useful trick, he thought as the minutes ticked away. In the corner Princess Celestia’s phoenix shook itself awake, looked around the room once, and then covered its head and returned to sleep. Gives them the advantage of being able to talk and sweat out a pony at the same time. The room had grown so quiet Steel could hear the rhythm of his own breaths, a steady in-and-out pulse that matched only his heartbeat and the tick of the room's clock.

“Steel Song?” Princess Luna asked, the two sisters turning away from one another. “What if I asked of you to choose five ponies who would be capable of accomplishing all the tasks of which I have asked you at any given moment, at any time, given the proper resources?”

His eyes widened at the request, and he fought to put a controlled expression back on his face. All of them? He looked down at the files in front of him. He would need five ponies that could work well together, that would mesh under any possible circumstance. They needed to be skilled, capable, with a diverse array of experience and ability. Ponies that would function under all sorts of pressures. His mind raced. Then, with infinite care, he put out his hoof and pushed a file forward. Then another. Then a third. A fourth. The final file slid forward, in line with its four fellows. 

Steel sat back, a confident expression slipping onto his face, but his mind racing. Princess Celestia had been mute through almost the entire interview, saying nothing past her greeting. Why isn’t she saying—of course, because she’s met me before, he realized. Luna's never spoken to me, so she's asking all the questions, which makes it another part of the test. He let one corner of his mouth rise slightly, nodding towards the five folders he’d put forward.

“Are you certain?” Luna asked, her visage growing stern once more. Even Celestia’s gaze appeared to have hardened somewhat.

It’s a test, they’re trying to psych you out, he reminded himself. You know these files backwards and forwards. If there were ever five ponies to do any of the things they’ve asked, this is them. He steeled his shoulders, giving the sisters a single nod. “Absolutely,” he said, giving them his most confident look.

It appeared to work. Both the sisters looked at each other and then the chosen five floated up, each of the Princesses examining them with deep scrutiny.

“These are ... most interesting choices,” Luna said, peering over an open folder at him. “Are you confident that a team comprised of these ponies could excel at almost any task?”

Steel nodded. “Yes.”

“Why? What makes the ponies in these files here—” she gestured, “—more suited to all of the tasks that were previously asked?”

“Drive,” he said without pause. When neither of the sisters said anything he continued. “Most of the other ponies in the files you gave me are dedicated to their lives. If you asked them to do something in their field or something related to their cutie mark, they would excel at it. But if you were to ask them to give up their job or their home for something in unfamiliar territory, they would likely decline, or worse yet not give themselves fully to it. These ponies,” he said, pointing to the five files, “I chose because each and every one of them has a drive to accomplish.” 

Steel stood and tapped one of the floating files with his hoof. “This pony gave up a promising career in Cloudsdale search-and-rescue to join the Rangers because he felt he wasn’t doing enough. This pony—” he tapped another file, “—used to sneak into various hospitals to care for the patients after her superiors said she’d worked too many hours, and since being forcibly retired, has been caught ‘assisting’ doctors all over Equestria.” Luna was leaning forward now, still looking at him with her stern gaze, but Celestia had leaned back, her face relaxed in a smile. Emboldened, Steel pushed on.

“Each one of the ponies I’ve chosen there isn’t just good at what they do, physically capable, or bright,” he said, tapping the desk for emphasis. “They’re determined, they have a drive to succeed, and they’re each looking for an outlet to that sense of accomplishment. But,” he said, a feeling of success welling inside his chest. “Each of them also has a history of knowing when personal accomplishment takes a backseat to real accomplishment. None of them will ever stop trying, but they know when to change how they try.”

He sat back down, doing his best to appear an equal amount of respectful and confident. The Princesses looked at him for a moment, and then Luna turned to Celestia, the two alicorns once again carrying on a silent conversation that he wasn’t privy to. Luna’s face took on an expression of surprise, followed by one of thought, as if something that Celestia had “said” had surprised her.

I wonder what kind of spell does that? Steel thought, keeping his gaze steady. Even as Luna began to gesture in his direction, he noticed that neither of them had broken direct eye contact. So that’s maybe some sort of limiting factor, he thought as Celestia’s eyebrows rose just a tad. I wonder how often they’ve used that during the royal court sessions?

The two sisters ‘debated’ for some time, staring at one another and leaving him to his thoughts. Surprisingly, he found that he felt fairly calm despite the situation. He was sitting on a cushioned chair in the private study of the Princess of the Sun herself discussing—well, he wasn’t quite sure what yet. But whatever it was, he was discussing it with not one but two immortals.

The two sisters finally broke eye contact with each other, and his body tried in vain to snap to a more attentive position as they turned back towards him. Celestia looked pleased, while Luna had a curious look to her, as if something about the situation had just changed.

“Well, Steel Song, it was a pleasure to see you again,” Celestia said as she gave him a slight bow of her head. He returned the motion, bowing his head low. “It’s always a wonder to see how ponies expand and grow in their talents,” she said as she stood and stepped around her desk with a serene grace, her magic gathering several documents and quills in the air behind her as she went. “Unfortunately,” she continued, “I have tasks that I must attend to. I can’t leave my little ponies in the dark all day can I?” She winked as she stopped next to him. “My sister will be conducting the rest of this interview with you, but I must say I’m quite curious to hear what you make of it.” She gave a light laugh and then continued out of the room, pausing only for a brief “Good morning, Luna,” as she left.

As the door shut behind her, Luna stood, the dark blue aura of her magic surrounding the five files he’d laid out on the desk and pulling them to her side. “Come with me,” she said as she moved to follow her sister out of the study. Steel swept the files she’d left back into his saddlebags with one hoof and then threw the bags across his back. 

He turned into the hall, looking both ways and spotting the dark blue Princess already striding down the hall to his left,. He scrambled after her, trying to keep up with her swift pace. Unlike her sister, Luna walked with her head held high, as if she was a member of the Night guard shadowing her.

“Steel Song,” Luna said, slowing for a moment  and allowing him to catch up, “I assume that you are aware of the Changeling incursion that occurred here in Canterlot several weeks ago?”

“It was a little hard to miss, your highness,” he said, remembering the fear that had gripped him when the news had reached the small town of Canterville. He’d heard the rumors from his old friends, even seen the barrier over the city when he’d gone to visit his sister and had reassured her that there was little cause for alarm with so much security. When he had heard that Canterlot had nearly fallen, the news had terrified him with worry.

“My sister still has nightmares about it,” he said, trying to keep emotion out of his voice but failing. “Her whole family does. They try to be happy, to forget it, and for the most part they're doing fine. But a terrifying experience like that doesn’t go away easily.” He looked up and was surprised to see her looking back down at him. Is she ... Sad? he wondered as he saw the look in her eyes. “They didn’t even have the worst of it,” he said, looking down at the floor as he spoke. “The Changelings barely touched their neighborhood, but that only made it worse, I think. Hearing the chaos all around them.” They rounded another corner and entered another part of the palace, this one colored in more muted blues. “Was it as bad as the news said it was?”

“It was,” Luna said with a hard edge to her voice that made his coat stand on end. “The changelings were well prepared. Their Queen had fooled even my sister and I, and used her impersonation of the Princess Mi Amore Cadenza to set up everything. My own rooms were carefully warded with sound muffling spells to keep anyone from being able to alert me, as were the barracks of the Night Guard, allowing the Changelings to quickly overwhelm them with the element of surprise. If not for the actions of Twilight Sparkle, one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, in unmasking the threat and reuniting Shining Armor and Princess Cadenza, Equestria may very well have been overthrown.” They had passed into a new section of the palace now, one made of calmer, softer stone that meshed perfectly with the cool blues of the carpet. Luna turned from the hallway and began to ascend a flight of stairs, leaving him no other recourse but to follow.

“Since that event my Night Guard and I have been on constant alert,” Luna said as they ascended. “Seeking out remaining cells of changeling soldiers waiting in and around Equestria, a challenge that has been most taxing, but informative as well.” The stairs leveled out for a moment, a doorway leading into a grand antechamber resplendent with what looked like Old Equestrian architecture. “I have two studies,” Luna said as they crossed the room, a small nearby door opening for them in a glow of blue magic. “One down below in the Night Court chambers, and a more personal study up here in the Lunar Tower. I find that I often prefer my private study as it is more personal.” She waved him in through the small door, following him a moment later, the door closing with a soft click.

Steel couldn’t help but let his rigid posture slip a little at the scene before him. Unlike Celestia’s neat gold-and-red study, which had been almost exactly what he had expected of the solar alicorn, Luna’s private study was awash with colors of all kinds. Paintings hung from almost every available surface, everything from night scenes to glorious sunrises and ponies playing at local parks. An unfinished painting was sitting on a small easel near a desk at the back of the room, various colors splashed across it but no discernible shapes that he could make out on its surface. There were a few small shelves on the walls as well, carved from a dark wood. Each held numerous smaller paintings as well as photos and a few objects that genuinely puzzled him, such as an antique music box and a dark blue gemstone that seemed to be glowing.

Luna walked over to her desk and sat the files down on top of it. Despite the relatively large numbers of paintings on the wall, the room felt cozy to Steel rather than cluttered. The floor was clear save for two small chairs that sat to one side of the desk, and the desk itself was just large enough to fill the end of the room without making it seem cramped. As Luna sat down behind the desk her magic briefly illuminated a door sitting to her right and it swung outward, opening up to a balcony that looked out over western Equestria. The sun was rising at the moment, its eastern ascent outlining shadows across the view with gold rays of early morning light.

“If I may ask a somewhat personal question before we attend to business,” Luna said as she picked a large and somewhat dusty-looking tome from her desk with her magic, sliding it onto the bookshelf behind her. “What do you think of my paintings?” she  asked, gesturing towards them with one hoof.

Steel moved across the room’s thick, dark-colored carpet, surprised at how effectively it muffled his hoofsteps. He wasn’t very familiar with art, having spent more time guarding it than actually observing it, but the Princess's paintings looked good to his untrained eye. He stopped in front of one that caught his attention, a portrait what looked like a pegasi family watching as their daughter swooped across a night sky lit with multicolored fire.

“The aurora borealis,” Luna answered, anticipating his question. “They can sometimes be seen at night if one goes far enough north.” Steel nodded, remembering the one occasion where he’d seen something similar, although nowhere nearly as impressive as the painting before him.

“I painted that about a year ago,” Luna said. “What do you think?” Steel moved his head from one side of the painting to the other, marveling at how the lights in the sky seemed to shift and slide before him as he did so.

“I think … I think it’s very beautiful,” he said, admiring the close detail and the feeling of life that the painting exuded. “I wasn’t aware that you were a painter.” He turned back towards the Princess, noticing that she had taken a seat behind her desk, the five folders spread out in front of her. “You’re very talented,” he said, stepping away from the colorful image. 

Luna gave him a polite smile, nodding. “Well, “ she said with a smile. “I have had many, many years to practice. However, I am always finding room for improvement. Perhaps in another few years I will feel comfortable attempting to paint in a more abstract design.” She looked at Steel as he sat and it was only then that he noticed that she was sitting slightly lower than normal, making her just a tad higher than he was instead of towering over him. “Improvement is something that we never lose the capacity for as long as we desire it.” For a moment her face looked distant, as if she was seeing something faintly out of reach. “Of course, sometimes we must recognize the need for it first.”

She looked back at Steel as her eyes refocused and her face took on a stern visage once again. “After the changeling invasion was one such moment. Up until then I had never considered the relative strength and readiness of our Guard contingents, but it is clear to me now that we were woefully unprepared for such a danger.” She rose from her seat, pacing back and forth behind her desk, her wings slightly extended as if she planned on bursting into flight at any moment. “The Guard fought with skill, but  if not for the love of Shining Armor and Princess Cadenza, they would not have been enough to stop the invasion.”

“The problem is not that the Royal Guard are not capable enough or unprepared,” Luna said, coming to a stop and sitting once more, although her wings remained only half folded. “But that they are not prepared to deal with something such as an invasion. Equestria does not have a standing army, nor do my sister or I wish for it to have one. The Guard is more than sufficient for most problems that occur in Equestria. However,” Luna said, her stern visage growing into a vaguely sinister smile that reminded Steel of the Guard trainers he’d sweated under during his time at the academy. “In reading over the reports taken of the changeling invasion, I noticed that quite a few Guard were rallied by the presence of the Elements of Harmony, who on their own managed to take down an entire squadron of changeling drones.” She paused and floated a small pitcher and glass of water over to herself from a nearby night table, taking a small sip.

“The inspirational accomplishments of Twilight Sparkle and her five friends in the face of such an overwhelming defeat,” she continued, “were not only a testament to their skills and the power of their friendship, but also an inspiration to those around them.” Luna set the small cup down, and Steel was surprised to see that it was nothing more than plain glass, with no ornate designs or extravagance. “The events of the changeling invasion have made it clear that a determined force, one of physical magnitude and stamina if not magic, could do great damage to our kingdom if we are not prepared. But we do not wish to expand the Royal or the Night Guard, nor ask more of them than we already do, as it is neither my sister's wish nor mine to create a military force.”

Steel felt his muscles tense in anticipation. There was more to this than just the five ponies he’d picked from the files. Something big, something that was making his old instincts flare with excitement.

“Which why my sister and I have agreed to form a new contingent of the Guard!” Luna declared with evident excitement, throwing one hoof into the air as if she’d made a grand proclamation.

“Wait, what?” The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop them and Steel immediately snapped himself to attention to cover up his mistake. But the damage was already done, Luna was looking straight at him, what was no doubt going to be a grand speech interrupted.

“Explain thyself,” she said, confused. “Was our meaning not clear?”

Steel thought it best not to draw attention to the fact that she had slipped into old Equestrian. “I apologize, your highness,” he said. “It just caught me off-guard, that’s all.” He saw a faint smile creep onto her face and he let out an inner sigh of relief. Crisis averted. “But why not simply expand the current Guard rather than adding another new division?”

Luna’s smile widened. “I see my faith in you was not misplaced. Indeed, you have the talents that I was seeking for.” Something in Steel gave a small twitch, an instinct that there was more to her words than he realized. 

“In answer to your question,” Luna continued, “I decided that rather than increasing the number of either Guard contingent, such funds could be equally well spent producing something akin to the Elements of Harmony, except as a new division.” Steel’s eyebrows raised and Luna noticed, giving her head a shake. “Not in regards to the power of the Elements,” she explained, allaying his fears. “But rather in regards to the unity and capability those six friends share.”

“So ... You want a tightly focused team, not just a crew of bodyguards,” Steel said, wondering if he was going to inflame the princess by speaking out of turn.

“Most wonderful!” Luna declared, raising her hooves and giving him a wide smile. Steel gave her nervous grin back, still unsure of any proper etiquette for the situation. “Yes, we desire something more specialized than a group of Guard. Better trained, tougher, faster, and most of all, working together.” She gestured to the five files spread out upon the desk. “We have spent the last few weeks gathering information from all over Equestria, looking for those most suited for such a demanding position. We found thy record most exemplary and worthy of commendation. And now we, Princess of the Night, offer you the position as Captain of the new Dusk Guard!”

Steel’s jaw dropped at the Princess's announcement, the news hitting him like an overfilled training bag and leaving him dazed. “I—you—what?” he finally stammered, staring at the Princess with wide eyes. I have to have misheard her, he thought. Captain of a new Guard division? Me?

“Were we not clear?” Luna asked, her voice straightforward. “My sister and I wish you to lead these five ponies that you have selected in protecting Equestria, serving as Captain of the a new Guard Division.” 

“No, no, no. Just making sure that I was on the same page,” Steel said quickly, his mind still reeling from the announcement. “But you do understand that I’m retired?” he asked, scrambling to wrap his focus around what was being asked of him. “I’m fifty-one years old, your highness.”

“And yet we have been told that you run every morning, twice the number of miles required of the Royal Guard or Night Guard at their daily training exercises,” Luna said, her face stern once more. “Is this not true?”

“Well, yes. Yes it is,” Steel said, finally letting his jaw close.

“Then we fail to see why your having retired changes our asking of you to be Captain of the Dusk Guard,” Luna said. “We know your age, and it does not concern us. What does is that you, Steel Song, are a leader. You have led countless ponies through perils all across Equestria and even in the world beyond. You are also powerful; even Celestia spoke highly of your combat ability and your might. But most important of all, you are dedicated to protecting the lives of those around you, as your Cutie Mark shows.”

“While you may decline our request,” Luna said, rising from her seat and standing with her head held tall, wings fully extended. “We would be most saddened if thou did, as we believe thee to be the most capable of carrying out the task that we have set before ... you.” She held her hoof to her mouth for a moment, a hint of a smile visible past the silver horseshoes. “My apologies,” she said, smiling as she dropped her hoof. “I still slip into Royal Equestrian from time to time.” She sat back down and for a moment there was silence in the study.

“If it’s all the same to you, your highness,” Steel said after a moment, his mind whirling. “I would like to request a day to think upon it. This—” he looked down at the five papers that Luna had laid down on the desk. “This would be an undertaking. We would need funding—“

“My sister and I will take care of that, and you will have ample for your needs.” Luna said, as if it were the simplest matter in the world.

“—as well as a base of operations.“

“Already determined, simply awaiting a remodel,” Luna said, smiling. 

“And these five ponies?” Steel asked, indicating the files on the desk with one hoof. “Will you be extending the same offer to them?”

Luna shook her head. “No, and whether or not you choose to offer them the five positions that we would want filled on the Dusk Guard would be up to you. Just know that each of the situations as I asked you about earlier may be required of you at any time, and indeed anything else.”

“So if I accept,” Steel said, still feeling slightly dazed, “I can choose any five ponies I would like to serve on this new Guard, but I also am the one who recruits them.” He looked down at the five files he had chosen. A few of them he could see coming quite willingly, but one or two of them would probably require some convincing.

“Almost.” Luna said. “My sister has one request to make of you should you accept this position.” She sat back, still wearing the smile on her face. “And having heard her request, I would urge you to accept it as well.”

“What is it?” he asked, almost unsure if he should even ask.

“My sister has requested that you replace one of these five with a specific pony, one she believes could do well serving in the Dusk Guard. One of the Guard will give you his file as you leave. The final choice is—if you accept this position—up to you,” she said, tilting her head towards him.

“Princess Luna, I—” Steel let his shoulders drop, shaking his head back and forth. This is exactly what I was afraid of, he thought, looking up at the Princess. This is something big, I— he paused. She did say that the option to accept was mine. “As much as I would be honored to serve Equestria in this position,” he said, “I respectfully ask that I be granted some time to think about it.”

“I would expect no less of the famous Steel Song,” Princess Luna said, rising to her hooves behind her desk. “Will you need long?” she asked, walking around the desk and once again towering over him, her starry mane flowing softly in an invisible wind.

“No, I—I can return tomorrow morning to give you an answer.” Steel answered, rising to his hooves and securing his saddlebags on his back. There was a brief glow as Luna used her magic to pass the five files to him and he stowed those as well. “I thank you for the offer, regardless of my choice, and also for the opportunity to see your paintings.” He gave the Princess of the Night a kneeling bow and then headed for the door.

“I will see you tomorrow then, Steel Song,” Luna said, her voice echoing through the small study. “Instruct the Guard with Celestia’s additional file to show you to the Palace gates, and may you enjoy my sister's day.”

“Thank you Princess. You as well,” Steel said as he walked out of the room, his mind spinning. And may I come to a decision that we can both agree on.
> Assembly - Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 3


“Steel? Hey Steel!” Sapphire Song laughed as her brother sat up with a start. “Hello there!” she said, her voice bright and cheery. “The kids told me you were out here,” she continued as he turned to look at her. “Doing some thinking?”

Steel nodded without saying anything and turned back to look out over Canterlot. The perch on the back wall of his sister’s garden gave him an excellent view of the city as the sun slowly lowered, something that he could just stare at as he let his mind wander.

“Hey, hello!?” A vivid burgundy hoof waved itself in front of his face. “Boy, you’re really out of it tonight, aren’t you?” his sister said as he turned again to look at her. Somehow in the moments he’d turned away she’d climbed up onto the wall next to him.

“Sorry,” he said, giving her a sheepish grin. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.” He prodded her with one hoof. “Remember when we used to sit up here all those years ago and pretend it was our own little clubhouse?”

Sapphire laughed. “How could I forget? Mom used to make such a show out of finding us each night, like she couldn’t see us. Is that what you’ve been back here thinking about?” she asked, a quizzical look on her face. “How we used to play back here?”

“It's … It's come up,” Steel said. “I’m honestly still surprised that this wall is as wide as I remembered it.” He gave the stone a quick rap with one hoof.

“Uh-huh,” Sapphire said, fixing her eyes on him. “So what did the Princesses want that’s got you in such a funk you’re out here pretending you’re a colt again?”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s complicated,” he said. She gave him a look that he knew all too well, a look that said "I’m still your sister and I will find out or else."

“They wanted me to come out of retirement,” he said at last, breaking under his sister's advancing look. “They’re putting together a new kind of Guard division, something for really special cases, and they want me to lead it.”

“You don’t sound too enthused,” she said, giving him a concerned look. “What’s wrong with it?”

“I—I don’t know,” he said, turning back to watch the city below. The sun was setting now, painting the city in reddish light and shadows. “It’s just—I retired.”

“So?”

“Well,” he said, running one hoof through his mane. Inspiration struck him and turned to his sister. “Do you remember how we used to sit up here and wonder what our cutie marks were going to be? And then we got them and it was all so exciting!”

“I remember the day you got yours,” Sapphire said. “Mom and Dad nearly grounded you for going in after your friend like that.”

Steel laughed, smiling at the memory. “Yeah, they were happy right up until my teacher told them exactly what happened,” he said, starting to laugh again. “I thought I was never going to hear the end of that. Anyway, though, my point is that we both remember that sense of opportunity when we got our cutie marks. Me for my protection and you for your singing.” His sister's eyes darted to the glistening eighth notes on her flank with a smile. “I remember what it was like when I first got accepted into the Royal Guard Academy. When I graduated. I wanted to protect ponies. And that gave me all the drive I needed.”

He looked back at her and knew she could see the sadness in his eyes. “But it stopped meaning so much after a while. I don’t know what it is, but I just feel a—a longing. Like from before I had my cutie mark, but emptier.” He hung his head. “Work gave me satisfaction, but the longing didn’t go away. I still felt pride in my work, it still had meaning, but the feeling that I was missing something never went away. It was why I retired.”

“Oh Steel …” she said, putting one foreleg around his shoulders. He gave her a small smile.

“It’s not as bad as I make it sound,” he said. “At the time I thought that maybe it was just a sign that it was time to retire. So I did. And the longing went away for a little while, but lately I’ve started to wonder if that’s really what I wanted. And now I get offered this.” He sighed and looked over at his sister. “Do I want to take the job? Of course I do, it’s a chance to do more of what I’ve always wanted to do, protect ponies.”

“But I thought you didn’t want to be on the Guard because, and I quote: The Guard just stands around and does nothing most of the time?” Sapphire said, a mischievous grin on her face.

“It’s not that kind of Guard,” Steel said with a small smile. “It’s something entirely new, as I understand it. It’s why I was out here thinking. I was thinking about whether or not I really want to do it.”

“Steel?”

“Yes?”

Sapphire pulled his head next to hers and looked him right in the eyes. “Are you trying to tell me that you’re thinking about turning down what sounds like your dream job because you got tired of being a bodyguard and bored of being retired?”

They stayed locked for a moment. “You know,” Steel said after a bit. “When you put it like that, suddenly it seems pretty obvious.” He started to laugh and his sister joined in. “Ah, Sapphire, what would I do without you?” he asked. “Sometimes I feel like you’re the older sibling, not me.”

“Well you certainly know how to make someone feel young,” Sapphire said as she fixed him with a fake pout. “You need to get yourself off of your rear and find a nice mare to settle down with, then you wouldn’t have me feeling so old.”

Steel gave his sister a mock look of horror and was rewarded with a clop upside the back of his head for his troubles. For a brief moment the image of an emerald mare leaped into his head as he entertained his sister's words, but it was gone, driven from his mind just as quickly as it had come.

“Oh but I couldn’t do that,” he said with a faint smile. “Then how would I find the time to come check on Jammer and Sparkle?”

“You’re well named,” Sapphire said as she rolled her eyes with an old insult. “Completely inflexible.”

“Yeah well, I never break, only bend a little,” Steel said, returning the oft-spoken response, reminded of all the times they’d played together in the garden when they were younger.

“Hey! This is where you got to!” Steel turned as Sapphire’s husband Click Time reached the base of the wall. “I thought I heard voices out here.” Click tilted his head to one side and looked at them quizzically. “How’d you two get up there?”

Sapphire laughed and reached down with one hoof. “Easy, you just want to,” she said as Click wrapped his hoof around hers. Click’s rear hooves slipped at first, but after a few seconds of scrabbling against the stone, he managed to pull himself up on the wall next to Sapphire.

“Oh wow! What a view!” he said, settling himself on the wall. Sapphire gave him a loving smile and leaned against his side. “How have I never noticed this before? Have you been keeping this secret from me?” he asked his wife with a whimsical smile and a wink.

“Seven years and you never looked over the back wall?” Sapphire said with a laugh. “Oh Click, what would I do without you? But you’re right, it was my secret, and now that you know it, I’m afraid I’ll have to kill you.”

“Death will be a sweet release,” Click said with melodrama in his voice, “compared to what Jammer is making for dinner tonight.”

“Oh, tell me you’re joking. Tell me you didn’t tell him he could try making dinner again,” Sapphire said, horror on her face. Real-or-mock, Steel wasn’t sure.

Click chewed his bottom lip and then looked at Steel. “Could you tell her?” he asked.

Steel chuckled and shook his head. “You’re on your own Click. Even I know better than to let Jammer touch food after my last few visits.” He grimaced as Click’s meaning caught up with him. “Maybe I should eat out tonight.”

“Relax,” Click said, turning to his wife and giving her a kiss on the forehead. “I hid all the spices, and if it still turns out bad, we can always just ... get something delivered, or something.”

“Alright you two,” Steel said as he turned on the wall. “I think I’m going to give you some alone time before I start getting tempted to go either help Jammer find the spices or get a hose.” He paused for a moment. “I may do one of those anyway.”

“Oh don’t you da—“ Sapphire’s voice cut off as her husband pulled her into another kiss, waving Steel off with one free hoof.

Steel rolled his eyes with a smile and made his way up the sloped garden path towards the back of his old home, past the rows and rows of colorful flowers that his sister still cultivated just as his parents had. His old home was starting to light up as the last rays of the setting sun turned the Canterlot sky into a burning red. As much as he loved to watch the sunsets from the garden wall, admiring the colors as every bit of the city's white-marble surface glowed with an inner fire, deep reds in the sky contrasting with the vibrant shades of the garden, he knew his sister and brother-in-law would enjoy it more. And if he could keep Jammer and Sparkle occupied so that they could enjoy the moment together, so much the better.

“Hey, Steel!” His sister’s voice stopped him just as he began to push the door open.  He looked back at the garden wall where his sister sat with her hooves wrapped around her husband’s neck. “Could it really be so bad to try something new?” She winked at him as her husband looked at her with curiosity in his face.

“Something new?” Click asked as Steel turned back to the door and pushed it open. “What are you two planning no—ack!”

"Forget new, how about something fresh?” Steel heard his sister say before he shut the door with a click. After a second thought, he latched it from the inside. Now they’d either have to come in a window or knock pretty loudly to get in, but that would at least give them some measure of privacy for the foreseeable future.

He trotted down the hallway, his heavy hoofsteps ringing out on the hardwood floor. His sister had refinished it in the last few years, but he could still see some of the old wood in the surface, worn smooth by years of ponies running back and forth across it. Loud laughter and clanging sounds came from the kitchen ahead. One of the laughs was high pitched and giggly, the other more rambunctious. From the sound of things, Jammer and Sparkle were having the time of their lives with their free reign over the kitchen.

“Alright Sparkle, what should we add next?” came a young colt's voice.

“Bananas!” came a high pitched response, followed by a giggle.

“But we don’t have any bananas!” the colt’s voice said back. “Oh, what about that fuzzy brown fruit in the fridge? With the green in it? What’s that called?”

“Sapphire bought kiwis?” Steel asked as he rounded the doorway into the kitchen. Both Jammer and Sparkle looked up in surprise, but then massive smiles beamed across their faces.

“Uncle Steel!” Jammer was the first to move as he bounded off the stool he was standing on, completely forgetting that his hoof was still sitting on the mixing spoon handle. It whipped over the edge of the large bowl as Jammer jumped down and, leveraged by the weight of his young body, and flew across the kitchen to land on the linoleum with a clatter. The colt didn’t even notice as he shot across the room and barreled into Steel’s chest as hard as he could, letting out a loud “oomph” as he hit.

“Hey there Jammer,” Steel said as the electric blue colt wrapped his small forelegs as far around his neck as he could. “Still trying to knock me over I see.”

“I’ll do it one day!” Jammer said, grinning. “Just you wait! Pow!” He stepped back and danced up on his rear hooves, shadow boxing with his front hooves and almost losing his balance. 

“You keep trying, and you will someday,” Steel said with a smile as his niece mimicked her older brother, barreling into his side and smearing something wet and sticky into his coat with her face.

“Uncle Steel!” she said, giving him a grin that was missing a tooth as well as stained in what looked suspiciously like strawberry juice. “We’re making fruit salad! Wanna help?”

“Fruit salad huh?” he said, lifting the laughing Sparkle onto his back with one hoof. “Let’s go see what you’ve got in it.” He wandered over to the bowl where it sat on the counter as Jammer hopped up on the stool besides him, a new mixing spoon already held in his teeth. “So what have you put in it so far?”

“Ah sorts oof goo’d stuft!” Jammer said. He stuck the spoon into the bowl and pointed with his hoof, a proud look on his face. “We’ve got strawberries and grapes and apples and oranges and pears and even a lemon!” He looked up at his uncle, grinning. “We were just about to get those green fuzzy things out of the fridge! The um-um...” His forehead creased and one of his ears flitted down. “What did you call them again?” he asked, looking up.

“Kiwis!” Steel said, grinning as Sparkle repeated the word from his back.

“Yeah, kiwis!” Jammer said, jumping off of the stool once more and galloping across the kitchen, completely failing to notice that in his haste one of his hind legs had kicked the mixing bowl as he’d jumped. Steel’s hoof shot out, intercepting the bowl before it slid across the kitchen island and onto the floor.

Seconds later Jammer was back, this time with a small paper bag in his mouth. He hopped back up onto the stool, completely ignoring—or not noticing, Steel wasn’t sure which—that the bowl with the rest of the ingredients had moved a foot back. What he did notice was the grape that suddenly hopped out of the bowl under its own violation.

“Sparkle! You can’t eat it yet!” 

Sparkle giggled as the grape glowed and sparked in a golden glow, hopping into the air towards Steel, only to be snapped up by the butter-yellow unicorn filly as she jumped off of his back.

Steel laughed and pushed the bowl back towards the edge of the counter. “Alright then you two. Let’s get this thing finished so we can eat it.” He looked into the bowl and his brow furrowed. “Um … Aren’t you supposed to cut some of these?”  While the oranges had been peeled and pulled into segmented pieces, the rest of the fruit was whole. 

“I’m not allowed to use the knife for cooking yet,” Jammer said, giving him a wide-eyed look that said it was the simplest thing in the world. “Mom said she wanted me to get a little bit better with my magic before she let me do that.” The colt tapped his horn with one hoof. “Hey, could you do it?”

Steel smiled at his nephew. “You bet. And tell you what…” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspirator's whisper. “I’ll even help you find where your Dad put all the spices as long as you promise to only put them on his plate and help me find a camera. Deal?”

“Deal!” both Jammer and Sparkle yelled at the same time.


*        *        *


There was no waiting the next morning when he arrived outside Princess Celestia’s study. Both sets of Guard were waiting outside the door—a different pair of Royal Guard but the same two Night Guard—and they ushered him inside as soon as he had walked up.

“Ah, Steel Song!” Celestia said, greeting him with a smile on her face. She and her sister were once again seated behind her massive desk, although this morning it was clear save for a few files.

“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna,” he said as he bowed low in front of the desk. “It is an honor to meet with you again.”

“The pleasure is ours,” Princess Luna said as he took a seat before the desk. “Have you come to a decision?”

“Yes,” he said, his mouth suddenly dry. “Yes, I have.” He straightened himself upright, assuming the same rigid posture he had been taught so many years ago at the academy. Was it his imagination, or had the two sisters leaned forward slightly in anticipation? “I’ve decided to accept your offer.”

“Wonderful!” Luna exclaimed in a loud voice, rising up on her hind hooves, her wings and forehooves spread wide. “We are most pleased that … you … ahem.” She gave a small cough. “My apologies, my excitement has gotten the better of me.”

“Not a problem at all, your highness,” he said, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Celestia had turned to one side and appeared to be hiding her laughter by faking a cough. “I do have a few questions however,” he said, dropping his shoulders and assuming a more relaxed position.

“You may ask,” Luna said as she settled herself behind her sister’s desk once more.

“Who will I report to?” he asked. “As I understand it, the Night Guard primarily report to you, while the Royal Guard primarily report to your sister. Who is the Dusk Guard to report to?”

“You will report to Luna primarily,” Celestia answered, her face once again serene and composed. “As this was her idea and her project. However, you may also choose to report to me as the situation and time of day warrants.”

"Additionally,” Luna added. “the Dusk Guard shall have an additional avenue available to them. You have the authority to refuse any mission requested of you unless both myself and my sister make a unified request.”

“That is ... unusual,” Steel admitted. “Is there a particular reason for that stipulation?”

“It is in the event that my sister and I ever disagree on the particulars of something, as not to unduly unbalance the Guard,” Celestia said. “In a situation where neither my sister nor I can agree on a case of action, should such an event occur, you are free to choose for yourself a proper course of action, even if that action is to withdraw and do nothing, provided that course of action is within your duty as a Guard of Equestria.”

“I desired to make certain that the introduction of a third Guard division, no matter how small, would not create undue tension between my sister and I,” Luna said, answering his question before he could voice it. “Additionally, as a separate division of the guard, neither the Night nor Royal guard will be expected to follow orders from your command under ordinary circumstances, just as the Dusk Guard members are not to accept orders from them unless situation warrants and the orders come from those of a superior rank.”

“I understand, and I agree,” Steel said, nodding his head.

Luna cocked one eyebrow. “You agree?” she asked. “What do you mean by that?”

He nodded, smiling as he saw the confusion on her face at his words. “It’s not enough for me to simply understand what is required of me,” he explained. “If I agree with it, if I believe it, then I am ever more likely to follow it.”

“I told you he was perfect for this position,” Celestia said, looking at her sister and then back in his direction. “To think that I tried for so many years to recruit you to the Royal Guard, only to have my sister succeed.” She shook her head, sending her multi-colored mane cascading through the air behind her.

Steel shrugged, as it was the only thing he could think of doing under the circumstances. “Am I to assume that my rank will be the equivalent of the other Captains of the Guard?”

Luna looked back at him and nodded. “Yes, you will be granted the rank of Captain of the Dusk Guard.”

“And those under me?”

“You may assign them ranks as you see fit,” Luna said. “After all, they will be your charges. Have you decided on the five ponies—” her eyes glanced at her sister, “—you wish to recruit?”

“I have, your highness,” he said as he pulled his saddlebags from his back. They were heavier today; he’d brought a few extra things with him in addition to the files he was now pulling out. “As requested, one of the five is the pony personally asked about by Princess Celestia—” he gestured at the Solar Princess, “—and the other four are my own choices. Not only do I believe that I will be able to convince each one of them to join the Dusk Guard, but each of them has valuable skills that I believe will contribute to the team as a whole.”

“Speaking of my request,” Celestia said as she levitated the file out from the spread he had placed on the desk. “Do not be afraid to deny it if you fear that it may not be for the best.”

He shook his head. “I’d be a fool to turn down such an asset, even if he does prove difficult to work with. Besides,” he said, “from what I’ve seen of his file I have reason to believe he may prove a much better choice than the pony he replaces.”

“Really? In what way?” Celestia asked.

“He’ll have a much harder time saying no than my original choice would have,” Steel said with a grin. “I assume that I'll receive some sort of documentation to aid in his release?” Celestia nodded an affirmative.

“When will you depart to gather these ponies?” Luna asked as she looked over the remaining files.

“As soon as possible,” he said. “In fact, if I leave this morning I can catch the noon train to Ponyville and meet with the first of the five tonight.”

“Excellent,” Luna said, "We can have the castle staff prepare the barracks for your—“ She stopped as Steel shook his head.

“My pardon, Princess Luna, but I would prefer that the Dusk Guard share the responsibility of preparing their own quarters. Many of them will already be used to it being required of them, while those that aren’t ... Well, it will be their first taste of their duties.”

Luna nodded. “Your choice is sound, we shall refrain from interfering with your assigned quarters until you return.” She looked down and examined the files for a few more moments, silent and stern, but then looked back up at Steel and pushed the files back towards him. “I also find your choices most intriguing, and look forward to meeting them in person. Now, will you need to make any arrangements at home?”

"In Canterville?” Steel asked, surprised. “No, not really. I don’t have much.” Was it his imagination, or did Luna seem to have a very critical look in her eye? “I’ll say a few goodbyes, arrange for someone to keep an eye on my cabin, but otherwise, I don’t—” His words paused as Cappy’s face came to mind. Forget it Steel, he thought. She’s half your age, and she’ll be fine. “No,” he said, taking a breath. “I don’t have anything that won’t take more than a day to take care of.” 

The odd look on Luna’s face vanished as quickly as it had come, making him wonder if he’d imagined it. Luna gave her sister a sideways glance. “Very well. Tia, do you have any objections?”

Celestia shook her head gently. “None whatsoever. I wish you luck in your recruitment, but there are a few more pressing matters we must cover before we can let you go,” she said, leaning forward with a childish grin on her face. “We need to discuss budgets.”

Steel grimaced as the meaning of the words sank in and Celestia pulled a massive folder brimming with paperwork from her desk. The only consolation thought Steel had as Celestia begin to unfold reams worth of charts and figures was that Luna looked as desperate to escape as he did.


*        *        *


It was nearly an hour later when the door to Celestia’s study opened from the inside. The Guard snapped to attention, turning their eyes to watch the pony that emerged. To their surprise, it wasn’t the same pony that had entered earlier, not exactly. That pony had trotted into the office like any other pony, his face full of thought. This pony was striding out with his head held high, a look of joyful determination on his face, his hooves striking the marble floors with a faint ring.

And he was wearing armor. Dented armor, dulled and worn, purely outdone by the armor of the Guard around him, but there was no mistaking that he was wearing it with pride. One Guard's mouth dropped open as the stallion moved past. There was a fire, a feeling coming from him, almost burning from his eyes. Had he stopped at that exact moment and called them to order, the Guard knew that he would have snapped a salute without a second thought.

The olive-green earth pony didn’t stop or make conversation, but simply strode down the corridor towards the exit at a brisk trot. After a moment he turned the corner and was gone, and only then did the princesses appear at the entrance, Luna with a yawn and Celestia with a brilliant smile on her face.

“Young Light,” Celestia said, addressing one of them. “What did you think of that stallion who just left?”

“Your highness,” he said, bowing. “I think I understand now why so many of the older Guard were talking about him last night.”

“But what do you think?” Celestia asked.

“I think … I think he looked like a pony driven by something powerful. Someone very determined that I would not want to be on the opposing side of.” His memory honed in on the size of the pony and he almost shivered. “What was his name?” he asked.

“Steel Song,” Luna said, brandishing a large smile as she walked up beside her sister. “Captain Steel Song of the Dusk Guard.”
> Assembly - Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4


It was nearly noon when the train rolled to a stop at the main Ponyville station. Steel raised himself from the bench, stretching his legs and letting out a relieved sigh. The ride from Canterlot had only taken a few hours, but it had been long enough for him to get comfortable. He grabbed his saddlebags from the overhead compartment and slung them across his back, letting out a grunt as the heavy armor plating inside clinked against him.

He looked down at the file sitting on the bench. He’d been carefully reading it over ever since the train had left the mountains and entered the relatively flat hills between the Canterlot Mountains and Ponyville. There wasn’t much in the file that he hadn’t already known—excepting the last few years, but he highly doubted that the pony in question had changed drastically since they had last met. He nodded as the conductor walked by, sweeping the file back into his saddlebags. The time for study was over, now it was time to put what he knew into action.

As he made his way through the train, he passed a rather rough looking group of ponies who had managed to take up a full carriage by themselves. A good number of them were asleep but several of them were awake and chatting with one another, swapping stories and laughing in deep, resonant tones. Several of them were quite large, almost his size, so he wasn’t surprised to see that most of them had cutie marks of hard hats, railroad ties, or even assorted tools. Southern-bound line, tired workers coming home? he wondered. Maybe from that rail line expansion up north? A quick glance at their luggage confirmed his theory as he spotted a heavy cold-weather hood and boots poking out of one of the pony's bags. 

Steel had heard about the new rail line. It had been a popular topic for the Canterlot Daily paper earlier that month. According to the articles he’d read, the project was being heavily sponsored by both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna—who were the controlling board members of the Equestrian Railway Service—and a lot of controversy had arisen as ponies had tried to determine what role the Princesses saw a northern rail line playing. 

It wasn’t as if either sister was short of bits. It was generally known that both of the Princesses' had quite a few private investments in various companies and business ventures across Equestria. So they could afford to put bits where they wished. But most investors were running around wild trying to figure out what the payout was. It certainly wasn’t to open a rail connection to the few unclaimed territories near the Ocean of Endless Ice. Steel held back a frown as he thought of the unsavory types that lived there in towns like Ruffian’s Wharf. At least I hope not, he thought as he headed for a door.

As he stepped off of the train and onto the station platform his ears caught a raised voice coming from the front of the train. A small group of ponies was clustered near one of the shipping cars; a pearl-coated unicorn in an expensive looking blue tie was shouting his displeasure at a pair of conductors. Steel cocked his ear slightly, adjusting his course so that he would pass by the gathering and exit the station to the south. He could double-back later to get to Ponyvillie’s commercial section. Right now he wanted to hear what was going on.

“—are you good for?” the pony was screaming. “You were supposed to guarantee the safety of my shipment! Do you know how much that vase was worth?”

“I’m—I’m sorry sir!” the older of the conductors stammered. “But we had employees stationed outside both doors through the entire trip. No pony entered that compartment, I swear!”

“Well then where did my vase go? Did it just vanish?” the unicorn yelled. He held up a small case and flipped the lid open, revealing a smooth, cushioned interior. The impression of a vase could clearly be seen against the blue fabric. “Sure Bet was right! You can’t keep anypony's cargo safe! My vase is gone, and who’s going to replace it?”

Steel could see that the two conductors were clearly out of their element. The older one was visibly shaking, his eyes nervously darting around the crowd, while the younger one looked as if he was going to bolt. He found himself stepping towards the small group of ponies, preparing to press through the small crowd that had gathered when a loud voice spoke up from the other side of the platform.

“Hey, you there!” Steel turned and saw a large grey pony with a pair of hoofcuffs on his flank approaching. The blue cap he wore on his head marked him as what was likely Ponyville’s only policepony, but the expression he had on his face was one of business. “What’s going on here?” he asked as the crowd parted to let him through. Steel took it as his cue to leave. The local authority could handle things.

“I’ve been robbed!” the unicorn exclaimed, waving the case in the air with his magic, “and these ponies did nothing to stop it!”

Steel’s ear perked up as he passed near the policepony. “By Celestia’s mane, not another one,” the policepony said.

“Another one? The rumors are true?” the unicorn shouted as he trotted out of the station. “And you ponies do nothing?” Steel’s brow furrowed as he considered what he had just heard. 

Another one? So there’s been at least one other recent robbery on this line lately. That is interesting. Crime wasn’t unheard of in Equestria, but it was extraordinarily uncommon. And multiple robberies? Even moreso.

“Steel Song!” His train of thought came to a grinding halt as a bouncing pink tornado landed in his path. “That is you right? Steel Song? Big, strong, somber pony who totally works as a bodyguard?” The words tumbled out of the pony's mouth like pocket change at a casino as she darted all around him, her head examining him from every angle. “Yep, it’s totally you! What are you doing in Ponyville?” she asked, coming to a sudden stop in front of him, her bright blue eyes vibrating almost as much as her cotton-candy mane. “Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!” she said, jumping back and hanging in the air for a moment. “Are you here to guard somepony? Is it super top secret?” She gasped, her tail out straight. “Are you undercover? Have I said too much?” There was a flash of movement and pair of dark sunglasses materialized on her face, her expression completely neutral. “Secret Agent Pinkie, reporting for duty!” she said, giving him a sharp salute.

Pinkie Pie, he thought, attaching a name to the pink whirlwind. When had they last met? “Dawn Triage’s birthday party?” he asked.

His ears shot up in surprise as Confetti burst into the air all around him. “Yeee-uup!” Pinkie said, drawing the word out with a hop that hung in the air. “Boy that was a blast! What. A. Party!” One hoof wrapped itself around his neck, her cheek pressing up against his as she swept her hoof across the air before them, “And then just now I saw you walking down the street and I thought to myself ‘Hey, I know that pony’ because I never forget a pony. And hey, I was totally right!” 

Yep, he thought, his mind jumping back to that same birthday party. She’s definitely the same pony. There’s no way in Equestria there are two of them. And now she’s an Element of Harmony. The universe has a strange sense of humor. He smiled at the thought.

“There it is! I knew I’d get one out of you!” Pinkie said, once again in front of him although he hadn’t seen her move. “Everypony always looks better with a smile!” She gave him one of her own, a beaming grin that stretched from ear to ear. “So how’s your secret mission going? Can I help? Does it involve cupcakes? Or muffins? Or cup-muffins?”

Mental gears finally re-engaged inside his head. “No, Pinkie, I’m fine, and I’m not on a secret mission.” Technically, he wasn’t. The file mandate was on record if anyone bothered to look. “Actually I was just going to get some lunch before visiting somepony who lives nearby.” He started down the street again. The last few times he had been in Ponyville there had been a wonderful café just off of the main street and he wanted to have lunch before anything else. His stomach let out a small rumble, as if sensing his intent.

“Oooh, sounds like somepony is hungry!” Pinkie said, bouncing alongside him. “You probably want to go to that café you like, right?” She was bouncing backwards now, jumping back-and-forth in front of him down the road. “It’s to your left, which would be my right, unless we switch, in which case it’d be to your right. Any-way,” she said, hanging in the air as she drew out the word. “It was nice to see you again, Steel Song! Be careful in the Everfree forest!” She giggled as his jaw dropped. “My back right hoof itched,” she said, as if that explained it. “Anyway, I’ve got to get back to Sugarcube Corner, the Cakes are putting together a big order and somepony is about to drop a bag of flour!” She whirled around and vanished in a pink blur down the pastel colored street.

Steel shook his head as the afterimage of Pinkie Pie faded from his vision. Being a few years older hadn’t done much to slow that pony down. If anything she was more sporadic than he remembered. He’d been astonished the first time he’d seen her bouncing around Dawn’s party, gleefully defying every law of physics he understood. In a way, I guess, it makes sense that she’s an Element of Harmony, he thought. Anypony with the ability of—of whatever that she does would be useful.

He shook his head as he took the left the pink mare had indicated. True to her word, the very café he’d remembered was just down the next left turn. Life in Ponyville was—from all appearances—interesting. No, he thought as three young fillies burst out of the cafe’s kitchen in an explosion of soup. Make that very interesting. Steel watched as the three young fillies checked their soup covered flanks for cutie marks even as the chef chased them out into the street, tomato soup across his shirt and noodles streaming from his mane, threats of baking the three troublemakers and serving them to griffons pouring from his mouth. Very, very, interesting.


*        *        *


Even in the early afternoon the Everfree forest looked intimidating, the thick canopy of leaves overhead reducing much of the sunlight to shadow by the time it reached the forest floor. It wasn’t the darkest forest that Steel had ever been in, as the aptly named Forest of Eternal Night in the southern hemisphere still lived in his memories as one of the darkest places he’d ever been. But the Everfree was by Equestrian standards about as dark as it got.

It wasn’t quite as dangerous as most ponies believed either. While it was wild, untamed, and home to several different types of dangerous creatures, sheer superstition was what made most afraid of the wild tangle. Of course that didn’t mean that he hadn’t come prepared. His old breastplate was secure around his chest—no less snug for all the years it had sat on his wall—and his helmet still fit just as well when he’d last taken it off. Some part of him even felt relaxed at the feel of the armor on his flanks; the heavy gauntlets on his forelegs putting him more at ease than he could recall feeling in weeks.

Birdsongs and animal noises sounded around him, their volume dampened by the thick foliage of the woods. The path he was following was one that was well marked, if rarely traveled. A fact which didn’t surprise him. As near as he could tell, most residents of Ponyville had as little to do with the forest as possible. He’d passed a southern trail shortly after entering, marked with a sign indicating that it led towards Zecora’s hut, whoever Zecora was. But it hadn’t helped him. The outpost he was looking for was near the heart of the Everfree, and that meant using the less-traveled trail. The one headed Southeast.

He hopped over a log that had fallen across the path, his armor making a small clink as two plates on his flank touched. The noises around him quieted for a moment but soon swelled back to full volume. A brush to one side rustled, some small creature darting away and leaving behind nothing but a few leaves drifting across the mossy path. He paused in mid-stride, listening the swish of brush as the unseen animal moved further and further away. Then he moved on, grateful for the shade of the trees that made the forest path cooler than it might have been.

An hour passed, then another as he moved through the thickening growth. The trees became larger, the bark aged and weathered. Thick vines began to snake through the undergrowth, vines as thick as his legs ... and soon thicker. The trees towered further and further overhead, their trunks so wide that the path began to wind between them in a loose zig-zag.

As the path began to wind around yet another large trunk, a shiver ran down Steel’s neck and he stopped out of reflex, becoming completely still. The forest around him didn’t sound or look any different, but an old feeling had resurfaced, a feeling he had learned to respect through years of life-or-death moments. Adrenaline seeped through his bloodstream with a familiar chill, his breathing slowing to a carefully measured pace. He pivoted, moving his right rear hoof back and tilting his weight towards his rear hooves, his front hooves only lightly touching the ground.

The forest around him went silent and his ears twitched at the sudden absence of sound. Only one type of creature did that. A predator. He shifted his rear hoof once again, twisting his body and putting his back towards a tree trunk, panning his eyes back and forth across the forest for any sign of movement.

A deafening roar split the air, a surge of red erupting from the bushes to his left diving straight at him. The manticore’s jaws opened wide, teeth gleaming like knives in the faint sunlight as it stretched its massive paws towards him. Steel reacted on instinct, bringing his forelegs up, his left, rear leg pushing deep into the forest soil to give him the force he needed. His body rose with his powerful push, propelling him forward on his rear legs, front limbs raised in a defensive movement. The manticore’s roar choked off with a screech as Steel’s left foreleg slid up underneath its jaw, slamming into its throat. His other hoof impacted against the manticore’s outstretched paw a second later, the thick steel gauntlet letting out a tortured shriek as the beast’s claws scratched across it.

Every muscle in Steel’s body locked as he strained, pushing his right hoof out with all the force he could muster against the manticore’s paw and throwing the massive creature into an uncontrollable roll. It let out a panicked yelp as Steel kicked himself into the air after it, following the creature’s roll as it spun by.

It smashed into the forest floor, Steel landing on top of it and blasting its breath from its body in a sickening rush of hot air. The manticore took in a wheezing breath as Steel pulled his body up, releasing the pressure on its throat, only to manage one final shocked mewling cry as he brought both of his gauntlet-clad forehooves down on the manticores head with a sharp, wooden thunk. The manticore's body went limp underneath him, unconscious.

Steel slid off of the creature’s massive chest, letting out a relieved breath as his hooves touched earth once more. He stood there for a moment, letting the adrenaline work its way out of his system. When the manticore woke up in a few hours, it would probably have a new and healthy respect for ponies to go along with a splitting headache. Steel rolled his right shoulder a few times, looking down at the manticore as he stretched his muscles. Of course it would probably forget, and then someone else would have to re-educate it. He frowned as he noticed its smaller than average size. A juvenile. No wonder that move had been so easy.

There was a crash in forest behind him and he spun around, raising his front hooves protectively as a second figure crashed through the brush, skidding to a halt in front of him, his own hooves up. For a moment the two ponies stared at each other, and then Steel dropped his hooves with a laugh.

“Well, it looks like finding you was easier than I thought it was going to be,” Steel said as the light-brown pegasus dropped to all fours, an expression of shocked surprise on his face as he looked at him. “That, and I think you just got really lucky,” he said, motioning to the manticore collapsed on the ground behind him. For a moment the new arrival stared at him, his jaw hanging slack, and then he began to shake his head. Slowly at first, but then faster as he started laughing, his long yellow-green mane cascading across his sides with movement.

“Crikey, Steel,” he said, pausing to let out another nervous laugh. “When I heard that manticore roar like that I thought for sure I‘d be filling out a death report by the end of the day!” He let out a relieved sigh, sitting back on his haunches, a twitch of his head tossing his mane out of his face. “If it had been any pony but you in that kind of rumble—” 

“Yeah, like I said, Hunter. You’re lucky,” Steel responded, giving the manticore a light tap with his hooves. Around them the forest was coming back to life, sound returning as swiftly as it had gone. “What’s the deal with our friend here?” he asked, tapping the manticore again as he looked back at the heavily panting pegasus.

Hunter shrugged, shaking his head again. “I was going to lure it into a trap today, relocate it. But it didn’t want to cooperate, and then it got your scent. You sure gave me a panic.” His bright green eyes switched from the manticore to Steel. Hunter blinked as if noticing something about him for the first time. 

“I’d heard you retired five years ago,” he said, gesturing towards Steel’s breastplate. “What’s got you back out on a job? In the Everfree, no less?”

Steel let out a dry chuckle at the question. “It’s kind of a long story,” he said, watching as Hunter pulled a length of rope from his saddlebags and wandered over to the unconscious manticore. “I’ll tell you back at your place,” he said as Hunter began tying the rope around the manticores back legs. “What are you going to do with him?”

“We,” Hunter said, emphasizing the word, “are going to drag this bodgy bit of a manticore back to near my post. When he wakes up he’ll decide this area is too risky to hunt, and he’ll move back into the Southern part of the forest again. Same result as keeping him caught in a trap for a day or so, I’d think. Which was my original plan until you so kindly came along.” The pegasus gave a short flap, stretching his wide wings and arching his back before throwing the other other end of the rope over his shoulders in a makeshift harness. “So, you can’t tell me until later, huh?” he asked, tossing and at Steel.

“I won’t mince words, Hunter,” Steel said as he caught the rope, looking his old friend in the eye. “I came here to find you.”

Hunter nodded slowly, a thoughtful look on his face. “I had a bit of a sus that might be it. Well...” he said, rising to his hooves and spreading his wings. “You’re right then, we might as well talk about it back at the post, it’s not that far.” He gave a quick flap of his wings, landing near next to the comatose manticore. “At least with you around, getting this beastie back where he belongs will be a lot easier.” He paused for a moment and then looked at Steel. “I get the feeling whatever this is, it’s a big deal. Am I right?”

Steel smiled. “Just pull,” he said, stepping forward and feeling the rope tighten against his armor. “Like you said, this won’t take long.”


*        *        *


“Not a bad place.” Steel remarked as he climbed the stairs twisting around the base of the Ranger Outpost. “Pretty sturdy.”
        
“Yeah, the Everfree isn’t exactly the safest place, so they had to build it to last,” Hunter said as he worked a pulley with his forehooves, lifting the lower part of the stairs back up into the superstructure with a squeal. “Still, it's home.”

Steel smiled as he looked up at the outpost. The actual post itself was nearly sixty feet from the ground, supported by a heavily crisscrossed lattice of thick, heavy wood that had probably been enchanted to be even more tough and dependable than normal. The staircase—so steep it was almost a ladder—crisscrossed the interior of the tower framework, each step closer to the forest canopy above. There was a loud, wooden thud as the lower set of stairs finally folded up into the framework, a preventative measure to keep some of the forest's more dangerous occupants from scaling the tower, and Hunter took to wing, flying past him towards the outpost as he ascended the steps.

He passed into the canopy, tree branches around him trimmed back as a preventative measure that made him feel like he was rising through a green tunnel as he twisted upward. Sunlight beamed down all around him, caressing the tunnel's free leaves. A light breeze left a faint whisper as it spun through the branches. As he neared the base of the outpost the branches began to thin, revealing faint lines of blue through the summer green.

There was a rusty squeak above him as Hunter lifted the trapdoor separating the staircase from the outpost's circular deck. “I almost forgot that I had a deck chair sitting on this thing,” Hunter said, giving him a sheepish grin. “I don’t really get that many visitors this far out here. Not any that walk, anyway.”

“I can’t say I’m surprised, given the reception that I got on the way here,” Steel said, keeping his face neutral as he climbed the last few steps and stepped out onto the deck.

Hunter rolled his eyes at him, closing the trapdoor with a faint metal screech. “So,” he said, walking up to Steel and motioning out over the forest canopy spread before them. “The company might be a bit lacking, but what do you think of the view?”

The Everfree forest was spread out before them like a lush, verdant, green carpet, the overhead sun bringing to light all of the forest's vivid shades. The deck stretched around the entire exterior of the outpost, and Steel began slowly walking around it, taking in the view, the colors, even the freshness of the air. On the west side he could make out the thick, smudged, brown of a bog in the far distance, while to the east he could just barely see faint grey stone poking from the the forest greenery that marked the Castle of the Royal Sisters on the far edge of the forest. He could even see a faint splash of brightly colored splotches that was Ponyville to the north.

“It’s a nice view,” he said. “Very nice view. Maybe I should have retired here.” He took a deep breath, savoring the freshness of the air, different from the scent of the mountain air in Canterville and tinged with an earthy scent from the forest. “Can’t say I envy those stairs though."

“Isn’t Canterville built on a mountain?” Hunter asked, giving him an incredulous look.

“Mountains aren’t a sixty foot flight of stairs,” Steel said, removing his helmet. The cool breeze slipped through his short mane and he let out a sigh of relief, closing his eyes in contentment. “Now that breeze though, on a hot day like today?” He shook his head. “A lifesaver.” He set his helmet on the deck, turning towards Hunter. “Anyway, about that talk.”

“You talk, I’ll eat,” Hunter said, stepping towards the door. “Pulling a trussed-up manticore makes me hungry.” He ducked inside and Steel followed him, pausing only to collect his helmet.

The inside of the outpost was fairly simple, reminding him of his own cabin back in Canterville. There was a combined living area and kitchen—well-lit thanks to large windows on each wall—and the sink in the kitchen appeared to have running water despite the height. Another closed door led to what Steel assumed was a bathroom of sorts, and there was a set of stairs in one corner that led up to a second level. Which in his experience was probably either a bedroom, a lookout, or both.

But where Steel’s simple home had been as spartan in its decor as its design, Hunter's was filled with seemingly random paraphernalia scattered across the space. Photos covered every free space on the wall, pictures of various ponies that Steel guessed Hunter had worked with over the years. A space near the doorway was covered almost entirely in what looked like family photos, pictures of a younger Hunter with his siblings and two older pegasi that had to be his parents. 

Nearby a brown, beat-up stetson hung on the wall, featured prominently in many of the photos of the older pegasus. Another section was filled with framed newspaper articles, some with black and white pictures of various Ranger squads that Hunter had been a part of over the years. Headlines such as “Ranger Team Rescues Missing Colt” or “Rangers Find Missing Skier After Avalanche” proudly beamed down at him from the walls.

Steel pulled off the rest of his armor and settled on one of the two well-worn small couches in the center of the living area. Then he pulled his saddlebags from his back, searching for a clear place on the cluttered table.

“Just move some stuff to the side if you need the table,” Hunter said from the kitchen, plates rattling in a cupboard as he shut it. “I’ll be there in a second.”

Steel tapped the table with his hooves for a moment while he looked at the curious melange of items sitting in front of him, trying to decide what to move and what to leave. He picked up the jazz saxophone first, placing it on the couch seat next to himself, then stacked the various books to one side, pausing at some of the titles. Everfree Herbs he wasn’t surprised at all to see, nor An Anthology of Wilderness Explorers Monthly, A Detailed Study of the Martial Classes of Ancient Pegasopolis,  or Twenty-Seven Classic Country-Rock Guitar Pieces. He was surprised to see several Daring Do novels in the pile, as well as a few books on—of all things—lock-picking.

“Interesting book choice you’ve got here,” he said as he finished the stack.

“Yeah,” he heard Hunter say. Steel put the last book in the stack and picked up a Vinyl Record, the sleeve proudly proclaiming that it was the hit single “Sweet Home Appleloosa.” He looked at it for a moment and then set it on top of the book pile. 

“The local librarian is pretty persuasive, but I have to give it to her,” Hunter said. “She’s got a lot of pretty good recommendations. I stopped trying to argue with the extra books she pushes and just started reading them. Well, most of them anyway.” There was a faint clatter, as if a spoon had been dropped. “Some of them I just glance over. I really am not going to be interested by A Tourist’s Guide to Nieghagra Falls. I’ve been there enough times to know pretty much everything in the book.”

“Isn’t the librarian one of the Elements of Harmony?” Steel asked, his hoof pausing on a framed photo. Unlike the others this one was a single portrait of a light-grey pegasus with a breezy cloud for a cutie mark and a battered, blue baseball cap on her head. Her platinum mane and tail were shining in the sun, and there was a soft smile on her face. Swift Wind. He slid the photograph to the other end of the table with a gentle grace. Neighagra Falls indeed.

“See, that kind of statement just confirms that you’re up to something,” Hunter said as he made his way over to the table, a plate balanced on each wing. He gave his wings a tilt, skillfully sliding both plates down onto the table, one of them skidding to a stop in front of Steel, the other opposite. Then he hopped onto the other couch, tossing his saddlebags from his flank and revealing the six hoofprints in a faint patch of dirt emblazoned on his flank. Laying as he was across the couch, his long, unkempt mane almost touched the couch cushions. “Most ponies have heard of the Elements of Harmony,” Hunter said. “But you know that one of them is the librarian here. I’ll bet you know what the other four do as well.”

“Five,” Steel corrected. 

Hunter feigned surprise at his correction. “See, case in point,” he said, lifting the tomato sandwich to his mouth. “So, what’s got you out here looking for little old me?”

Steel considered his next words carefully, then shook his head. With Hunter, it was best to go straight to the point. “I came to offer you a job,” he said, watching Hunter carefully. The pegasus nodded but didn’t say anything, opting instead to take another bite of his sandwich. “I’ve been hired by the Princesses to start a new Guard division.”

Hunter’s eyebrows shot up and he pulled the sandwich back. “A new Guard division?”

Steel nodded. “The Dusk Guard,” he said, quickly explaining the genesis of the idea and giving Hunter the same rundown that Princess Luna had given him.

Hunter nodded as Steel finished his explanation, his sandwich momentarily forgotten in his hooves. “And you want me to transfer from the Rangers to your new Guard division.” A statement, not a question. “I’d ask why?” Again, it was still more of a statement than a question.

“Hunter, I’ve known you for years,” Steel said. “Not only that, but I’ve worked with you before. I’ve seen you in action. You’re the best tracker in Equestria, if anyone can find something or someone, it’s you.”

“But that’s not the only skill of yours I want,” he said, speaking quickly to cut off Hunter’s response. “You’re also a leader. I know it because I’ve seen it. Every squad needs a second. Someone else to make the calls, someone else for the team to look to. Someone to make the commander back down a step and come up with other ideas. Now I know when we worked together in the past, you and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye. But we could see past that and it worked for the team. And quite frankly, I’d like to be able to count on that again. Someone has to lead, and someone has to be a counterpoint for that leadership.”

“Alright, I get the picture,” Hunter said, grinning. “You could have stopped about halfway through that. I got it. Still though,” he said as he looked around the room, “I’d have to move. Why would I want to do that?”

Steel gave him a knowing grin. “Hunter, you’ve been here for three years. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of you staying so long in one place. You’re bored. I guarantee it.”

“You have no idea!” Hunter yelled, throwing his head back and sending his long mane cascading over the couch. “When I took this spot I thought it’d be a good break for me until I got over ... Well, you know.” His eyes darted to the picture of Swift Wing for a brief moment, but then they came back to Steel. “But then, I couldn’t flick it! I didn’t think that they were serious about how avoided this possie is. But they were.” He slumped back in his seat. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m complaining about some minor quibbles. I’ve made a good friend here—“

“Really?” Steel asked, ears perked. “Who?”

Hunter waved a hoof. “Mailpony, name of Derpy Ditzelda Doo. She’s a pegasus, so she stops by from time-to-time to say 'hi' and tell me how her daughter's doing. A lot of fun to talk to. Anyway, it’s a deal. I’ll do it. You get me out of this spot and I’ll do almost anything.”

“How soon can you be ready?” Steel asked, leaning forward and taking a bite of his own sandwich for the first time.

Hunter looked around the room. “With all this stuff? Moving? I’ll need a new place in Canterlot and I’ll need to get all my stuff moved out of here.”

“We’ll have a barracks.”

“Hmm … personal quarters.”

“Done.”

“What about my rank? I’m a 1st class Squad Leader in the Rangers.”

“First Lieutenant. Special class, with a pay scale to match.”

“Sounds good. One week then.”

“Excellent,” Steel said with a smile. “I needed you before I can go recruit another one of our members.”

Hunter cocked an eyebrow. “What for?”

“To find him,” Steel said, pulling the files from his bag and setting them on the tabletop. He slid one of them towards Hunter. “All I know is that he’s in Equestria and he was last spotted heading into the Unicorn Range.”

“Wow,” Hunter said, looking over the file, then up at Steel. “He’s that good?”

“The best,” Steel said, nodding.

“Who else do we have here?” Hunter asked, sliding the rest of the files over to his side of the table and flipping through them. He gave a chuckle as he saw the file that Celestia had requested. “There’s a story there that I think I want to hear,” he said, momentarily looking up at Steel. “That one will be a bundle of—“ His voice gave way to a strangled croak as the next file fell open. “Her? You’re asking her?” he said in a panic, looking up at Steel. “Please tell me she’s a back-up. Or better yet, this is the ‘avoid-at-all-costs’ file?”

Steel started to laugh at the look of near terror on the cocky stallion's face. “I’ll be asking her while you’re getting settled into Canterlot. I need the best, and she’s the best field medic—horseapples, the best doctor the Rangers ever had.”

“She’s a demon mare in the flesh!” Hunter said, his ears flat back and eyes wide. “Nightmare Moon herself would have run in terror if she’d ever met Dawn!”

Steel shook his head, laughing. “Just because you’re scared of needles—“

“They’re sharp little bits of shonky metal that have no business being inside a pony, and she makes sure that she’s got the biggest ones ever made,” Hunter said, jabbing a hoof at him.

“Are you seriously telling me,” Steel said, his sides starting to shake. “That you’re more scared of Dawn than anything in this forest?” He let loose a long series of rolling laughs. “She’s not that bad.”

“Well, I guess not,” Hunter said, ears flat, his face a look of resigned acceptance. “Not as bad as that bunny.”

“Wait? What?” Steel sat up, his laughter on hold. “Did you say bunny?”

“Laugh now!” Hunter said, aiming a deadpan look at Steel as he collapsed amidst gales of laughter. “But if you’d met this bunny—” A small shiver ran down his back. “Never has something named ‘Angel’ been so terrifyingly misnamed.” He looked down at Steel, who had rolled off of the couch clutching his sides. “Laugh it up, buddy. Just laugh it up. You might as well get your year's allotment in now. I’m not putting on a beat-up about this menace.”

But not even Hunter’s insults could get through to Steel as tears of laughter streamed down his cheeks.
> Assembly - Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5


The morning sun was beginning to rise over the horizon when the Overnight Express pulled into Canterlot Station, disgorging its few weary passengers into the early dawn air. Steel yawned as he stepped out of the carriage he’d been sleeping in, blinking through gritty eyes. Years of experience traveling had led him to be able to sleep in most positions, often no matter how contorted as long as he was in need of it. But nothing could ever get rid of the stiff muscles acquired from such an awkward rest or even worse, the bed-mane. He rolled his head, eliciting a satisfying crack from his neck that sent a twitch of relief down his back, and then he started across the station.

Canterlot station was, as most public locations in the capital city of Equestria, incredibly ornate. Steel trotted past marble pillars wrapped in gold and silver plant sculptures similar in style to the palace itself, his hooves echoing off the marble flooring and across the wide hall. Despite his weariness, his mind was alert running over his mental checklist. 

Hunter had agreed to become a member of the Guard; they’d worked out the finer details the day before and gotten Hunter’s signature on the contract that Princess Luna had provided. He’d been fairly certain that Hunter would agree to the position. The pegasus had never been one to sit still for long. Even when he’d been partnered with Swift Wind the two of them had always been on the move, jumping from assignment to assignment as they worked. And then there had been the accident…

Steel’s pace slowed, the ringing echo of his hoofsteps becoming jumbled at the change in tempo. Hunter hadn’t deserved—well no one had, really. But Hunter hadn’t deserved what had happened. And Steel could tell that even though Hunter was still the same friend he’d met in the Badlands all those years ago, there was a hurt inside that pained him. 

Steel shook his head, turning for the station restrooms. Hunter would be fine. He, however, needed to quickly clean up before he continued on to his next destination. If he didn’t catch her early in the morning, he likely wouldn’t at all. Then again, showing up in a dirty, unkempt state wouldn’t earn him anything either.

The station's restrooms were as ornate and polished as the rest of the station, with white marble floors that shone in the early morning light. Three massive skylights glistened overhead, enchanted with a mirror-like tint that kept any pegasus flying overhead from seeing through them. A massive mirror dominated the wall behind the sinks, outlined with a golden trim, and Steel could see himself in it, his mane flattened to one side and his coat sitting funny on his face. At the far end of the restroom a red-coated unicorn in a maroon vest was putting the finishing polish on the last of the faucets, his magic running a white cloth over the metal until it gleamed.

Steel felt a bit guilty to be the one to ruin some of the pony’s hard work, but he needed a way to freshen up and he hadn’t awoken early enough to use the facilities on the train before it had reached Canterlot. Fortunately the restroom had been designed with this in mind, and he had no trouble fitting his head under the faucet's cool spray. He ran his hooves through his mane, trying to get it out of the obnoxious fold it had been in when he’d awoken.

Hunter wasn’t due to show up for another two days, giving him a little bit of leeway with his schedule. If he somehow missed Dawn this morning, he could always try again the next morning, although the sooner he contacted her the better. It wasn’t that she had any other obligations to think of. She was retired just as he was—or had been—and he knew she’d want the job more than anything. But being Dawn, she wouldn’t want him to know that, or at least she would want him to act as if he didn’t. She’d want a list of reasons why she should even consider coming out of retirement, and even more why she should go into the Guard, and then she’d spend at least a day thinking on it before she gave him an answer. But if he didn’t play along with that, she’d turn him down no matter what.

Given that she’ll take a day, maybe two, to decide, he thought, rubbing his hooves through his mane and frowning as it stubbornly resisted his efforts to bring it to shape. I could probably go to Canterville tomorrow, or maybe even tonight depending on how long I have until she meets with me again. I might even be able to stop by Canterlot Cloudrunners and see if that pegasus engineer—he rolled his hoof, lost in thought as he searched for her name, —Sky Bolt! That's it. I might be able to recruit her if things go smoothly enough. He ran his hooves under the sink once more, dripping water into his mane and getting it as sopping wet as he could manage.

Steel sighed as the stubborn mane popped back into the same sleep-affected position. Since he was going to be living in a palace barracks for the foreseeable future, he would need to make certain that his home in Canterville was taken care of for an absence longer than the few weeks he’d prepared it for. He didn’t want to sell his home; he’d grown quite fond of the small place, even if it had felt empty. It was something that was his, somewhere he could stay that had acquired a sense of permanence in the few years he had lived there. Maybe he could rent it out to somepony. But then that didn’t quite sit right with him. Cappy pressed her way into his mind unbidden. She was already watching his home already, why didn’t he ask her—

He shut the water off with a bit more force than he needed to, grabbing one of the provided travel towels hanging near the mirror and rubbing it across his face with enough force to make his cheeks warm. He’d find someone to do it. It didn’t have to be Cappy. He’d already asked enough of her as it was. Maybe Summer.  He finished toweling his mane and took a look at himself in the mirror. He wasn’t the cleanest he’d ever been, but at least his muzzle felt clear and his mane was no longer folded over on itself. He gave his head a shake and, satisfied that his mane was standing the way it should, headed for the exit, dropping the towel in a nearby receptacle.


*        *        *


The home that the file directed him to was near the outer edge of the Canterlot noble district, a tall and spacious design that was almost gothic. It was tightly pressed against the houses nearby, built right up to the edges of its lot and towering overhead with steep buttresses. It was made of a dark red brick, making the white trim that ran up every buttress stand out all the more vividly. An elaborate stained glass window filled the space above the front double doors, two red unicorns rearing, their horns alight with magic. With the buttresses terminating in sharp peaks above the roof, Steel could easily imagine the surrounding colts and fillies in the neighborhood viewing it as being inhabited by some spook.

He lifted a hoof, giving the door three quick raps that echoed through the home. Around him the last shadows of the dawn faded as the base of the sun lifted over the Canterlot skyline. From what the file had said, she was an early riser and quite often had left her home by the time the sun was up, but with any luck—

The doorhandle in front of him took on a dull-orange glow and swung inward, a pink colored mare stepping into its place, her horn glowing with magic. “Yes?” she asked before the door had even finished swinging open, “may I help you?”

Her voice was crisp, carefully enunciated with only a hint of a Manehatten accent. Blue eyes regarded him from under a carefully styled dull-orange mane, arranged in the straight style that from what he had seen were the height of fashion among the Canterlot nobility that summer. She was wearing a small saddlebag on her side, but he could still make out the cutie mark on her flank, a bandage wrap sitting across a syringe. If the gradient pink coat and the mane hadn’t been clear identifiers, the cutie mark certainly was.

“Ms. Dawn Triage?” he asked nonetheless. He had to play the game by her rules here.

“Yes, that’s me,” she answered, her eyes narrowing. “Do I know you?”

He shook his head. “Not really. We met once, a few years ago at one of your birthday parties. I also assisted a Ranger squad a few years before that in the White Tail Woods that was later treated by you.“

“Ah, Steel Song,” she said, nodding her head and giving him a polite smile. “Yes, I do remember your  name,” she said as his eyebrows raised in impressed surprised. “I don’t forget the names of those who bring those under my care back to me. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

“Well,” he said, running over his plan in his head. “It’s a bit complicated. Would you mind if I came in?”

“Not at all.” She stepped aside, motioning for him to follow her into the home. The door shut behind him as he stepped into a vast entryway, the interior of the home opening up in front of him. It was spacious and somewhat grand, befitting the home's place on the edge of the noble section. The ceiling overhead was domed, subtle hints of the gothic architecture seen outside spread tentatively across the interior all the way to the roof. A grand staircase sat to one side, a sweeping curve that that made its way up the side of the room to the second story, where a balcony gracefully swept out to overlook the first floor.

“This way please,” Dawn said, stepped through another set of doors, this pair already open and draped in heavy red cloth.

“Beautiful home,” he said as he followed her, his hooves sinking into thick, plush carpet.

"Thank you,” she said, pulling up a decoratively cushioned seat with her magic and motioning him to its partner nearby. “My uncle left it to me when he died. He knew my love of the Equestrian Classical period and wanted me to have it.” She gave a small, polite laugh, a gentle smile on her face. “I never had the heart to tell him that the gothic architecture wasn’t quite my style. Now,” she said as he seated himself. “What is it that you wished to talk to me about, Mr. Song?”

“I came here to offer you a job,” he said, choosing the words carefully as they left his mouth.

“I’m retired.” There was no emotion in her voice as she said the words, the inflection was as flat as he could have managed it. “You might have heard that.”

“I know,” He said, nodding. “I also know that it wasn’t by choice. You were forced into retirement.”

“Perhaps I’ve learned to enjoy it,” she said, her voice curt, controlled. Steel took a measured breath. This was exactly what he had been expecting, a sort of social game.

“Your time at the local hospital says otherwise,” he said, giving his head a slight tilt in her direction. “But even if I didn’t know about that I’d still trust my instinct. And my instinct tells me that you’re not enjoying your retirement. You—“ he said, gesturing at her with one hoof, “—want to be back out doing what you do best.”

“And that was?”

“And that is,” he said, emphasizing the word. “That is helping ponies. You were a doctor and a medic, the greatest the Rangers ever saw. Judging from the number of medical articles published in journals these days under what are clearly pseudonyms, and the number of ‘mysterious assists’ at the local hospitals, you still are.”

Dawn’s expression had changed from cool disinterest to a look of suspicion now. “I’m afraid your ...” She paused for a moment. “Your resourceful knowledge has me at a bit of a loss, Mr. Song. Last I heard your name mentioned, you were retired, just as I was. In fact, if I remember correctly, didn’t we retire in the same year?” she asked, rolling her head back, a slow, exaggerated motion. “How is it that I get the feeling that you are, shall we say, less than retired?”

Steel sat back, a smug expression on his face. “I think we could both agree that I’m about as retired as you are.”

There was a moments pause. “Indeed,” Dawn said, leaning forward. “So then, I’ll admit, I am intrigued. What kind of job are you offering me, knowing as much about me as you seem to? And who are you working for?”

Steel took in a quiet breath. This was the moment when the dice would be thrown. He would explain the job and make his offer, and in a day or two she would let him know if he’d won her over or not. “I’m offering you a position as a combat medic and doctor for a very particular set of ponies,” he said, waiting for her response.

“Go on.”

Excellent! “You would be working for the Equestrian government. The Princesses specifically. In fact, I report to them directly,” he said, noticing a subtle but small widening of her eyes and taking care to keep his voice level. “In light of recent events in and around Equestria, I have been tasked with assembling a third division of the Guard—“

“No,” she said, cutting him off with a raised hoof. “I’ve told the Guard time and time again: they are a waste of my talents. Sitting around in a medical station all day on the faint chance that somepony sprains a muscle or actually gets hurt? My answer is no.” She rose from her seat.

“You should let me finish,” Steel said, fixing his eyes on her as she made to leave the room. “I know you turned down those jobs, it was in your file. But I’m still here.”

“Then you may be as large a fool as those other Guard,” she said, a look of annoyance on her face. Still, she slowed, stopping her movement out of the room. “I did not devote my life to medicine to spend my days waiting around in an office. Now if you—”

“And you wouldn’t,” Steel said, risking the interruption. “The Dusk Guard isn’t going to be like the other Guard divisions.”

“Really?” Dawn said, her voice cool. “Then tell me,” she said, settling once again in her chair and looking him right in the eyes. “What makes this Dusk Guard different?”

“For starters, we’re small,” he said. “Only myself and five other ponies. We’re going for skill and ability, not numbers. We’re going to train harder, much harder than the other guard divisions. You’re familiar with the training regimen used by the Rangers?”

“Of course,” she said, giving one hoof a dismissive wave at his question. “I helped them refine it.”

“Ours will be tougher. Every pony on this team will be in peak physical condition, and I’ll need someone to make certain that each one of them is. Additionally,” he said as her mouth began to open, “I’ll want those who are on the team to keep their skills sharp. Which means—” he said, preparing his trump card, “—that you will have the full weight of the Dusk Guard behind you. You would train with us, monitor the health of the team, deploy with us, and you would also be expected to keep your skills in sharp practice.”

“Meaning?” she gave him a hopeful look.

“Meaning that we could require you to ‘assist’ any medical institution that you felt required your expertise in order to keep your skills sharp.”

That had done it. He could see the hungry look in her eyes now, a yearning. She wouldn’t just be another retired doctor, she’d be a doctor again and free to help anyone without the red tape.

“Would you mind if I put on some music?” she asked, turning her head and lighting her horn without waiting for his response. A gramophone in the corner took on a dull orange glow and a gentle stringed melody began to flow through the room. “Notezart,” she said. “Always help me think. Now,” she said, turning her focus back to him. “What is the purpose of this Dusk Guard? How am I to be assured that my skills will be well used?”

“Essentially to serve as special respondents to whatever events that either I or the Princesses deem relevant,” Steel said. “Everything from natural disasters to full-out invasions like the changeling attack a few weeks ago.”

“Would I be given a rank? Expected to fight if needs be?”

“Yes to both,” he answered. “Think of your time in the Rangers, but possibly with much more expected of you.” If the promise of being able to work again hadn’t piqued her interest, that certainly had to.

“You do know that I’m a pacifist?” she asked.

He nodded. “Yes, I do. Of course, going off a few of the stories in your file and some from those you’ve treated, it seems you’re fairly flexible with the word.” Very flexible, he added mentally. Some of those files had been educational indeed.

She gave him a smug smile, sitting back. “As long as we’re on the same page then. I’ll do it.”

Steel felt his jaw drop as his mind ground to a halt. ‘You’ll—you’ll do it?” he stammered.

Dawn gave a polite laugh. “You seem so surprised, did you expect me to say no?”

“Well, no,” he admitted, recovering. “I expected you to take you time about it to make me sweat.”

“Normally I would have,” Dawn said, rising from her chair. “But I’m actually meeting with a few of my old commanders from the Rangers today for lunch, including the one who forced me into retirement because of my age.” Her face took on a smug grin. “I can’t pass up a chance to casually mention that I’m serving in a new elite Guard detachment at the behest of the Princesses now can I?” The gentle sounds of Notezart faded as she switched the gramophone off with her magic. “I assume I’ll need to relocate? When and where?”

“We’ve been issued a barracks on the palace grounds,” Steel said, rising to his feet and following her out of the room towards the front door. “We’ll be assembling there at five A.M. sharp in eight days.”

“Excellent,” Dawn said as she once again opened the front door. “Will that be official orientation, explanation and introduction only? Or will we begin training?”

“We’ll train that morning, either a light workout of my own devising or an enhanced workout if you can generate one before then.”

She was shaking her head before the words even finished leaving his mouth. “Not until I see the condition of each of the team members. I’ll observe them first.” Her horn made a final bright glow shutting the door behind them with a click. “So then, Captain Steel?”

He gave her a small nod. “Correct.”

“Well then Captain, I have prior appointments I must be keeping,” she said, snapping him a quick Ranger salute. “I shall see you in eight days, and I do expect that my rank and pay will be at least somewhat increased from my time in the Rangers.”

“I’ll make sure of it,” he said, returning the salute with one his own. “See you in eight days.” She gave him a curt nod and then set off down the street at a brisk trot.

Well, he thought to himself as he began heading the other direction. That actually went better than I expected. Two down, three to go. But first, Canterville.


*        *        *


Canterville hadn’t changed a bit in the few days he’d been gone, which wasn’t surprising. In the five years that he’d lived there, the largest two changes that he could recall had been two new homes that had been built, one of which was his. The next biggest change he could think of was the time the students had painted the normally red schoolhouse a vivid green after winning a competition with their teacher...

He’d stopped by his home already and found everything as he’d left it, although the garden had looked much more lively. Summer and Cappy’s efforts no doubt. That or his gardening skills were even worse than he’d thought.

He’d collected a few extra things from his room, a few odds and ends that he was going to want with him now that he knew he would be gone for some time, as well as the last volume of his journals, and set them by the door so that he could quickly collect them on his return trip to Canterlot. Then, pausing at the rain barrel to splash what little water it had held to clean some of the dust from his legs, he’d set off down the road towards Canterville.

The Post Office was closed, its door tightly shut and a cheerful little sign inviting him to “come back later” hanging in the window. Steel stood there for a moment in surprise, the hot sun beating down overhead. Ordinarily the Post Office was open until the evening, for it to be closed this early in the afternoon ... He looked up and down the street, checking to see if any other business were closed. None were. 

Maybe Summer knows where she is, Steel thought, as he turned towards the backstreet that lead towards the small shop. They’re close friends, I’ll check there before I try Cappy's house.

He stepped into the shop, the small bell above the door letting out a faint ring, but no head poked up from behind the counter and he couldn’t see anyone managing the shelves.

“Just a minute!” came a cry from the back of the store. A moment later the blue coated unicorn backed out of the back entrance, a large crate of produce floating behind her in a magical grip. “Sorry about that, we’re just taking care of some new—“ she turned her head and caught sight of him, “—oh! Hi, Steel!”

There was a yell from the back room followed by a loud crash that made Summer grimace. “Cappy! I told you that was too many boxes—“

“Steel!” Cappy burst into the room, sliding past Summer with a huge grin on her face. “You’re back!” She skidded to a halt in front of Steel with a huge smile on her face. “Guess that trip was a lot quicker than you thought huh?”

“Well, sort of,” he said. He could feel a pit growing in his stomach at his words. “What were you two doing?” he asked, trying to draw her attention away.

“Spout’s garden had a pretty big turnout, so he sold us some of the extras,” Summer said, setting her crate on the counter. “Cappy closed down early to lend me a hoof getting some of the extra vegetables taken care of. Although,” she said with a thin-eyed look at Cappy. “If she’s going to keep dropping things…”

“Hey, I warned you!” Cappy said as she flashed her smile at her friend. “I work for the postal service.” She turned back to Steel and gave him another bright smile that made his knees feel weak. “So, how was Canterlot? Did you see your sister?”

“Canterlot was fine, and so was my sister. And no,” he said, anticipating Cappy’s next question. “No cutie marks for Jammer or Sparkle yet.”

“Aww, well, it’ll happen,” she said, smiling at him. “Still, it’s nice to have you back here.”

“It’d be nicer if he’d help us with these vegetables!” Summer yelled from the back room. When had she even slipped away? He hadn’t noticed her move.

“Oh come on, Summer. He just got back!” Cappy called back.

“No, I’d like to help.” He gave his shoulders a roll and started towards the back room. “I used to work all day in armor,” he said to Cappy as they walked. “I’ll be fine.”

“Oh, I gotcha,” Cappy said, giving him a wink. “You want a challenge. Hey, Summer!” she called, angling her head in Steel’s direction. “How many boxes do you think we can fit on his back?”

The three of them worked in the back for a while, making small talk while organizing the various bushels of vegetables that Sprout had delivered into boxes and then stacking those in the massive cooler that Summer kept for surpluses such as the current one. Steel began to relax as he sorted and moved crates of cucumbers and tomatoes. The conversation was light, mostly jokes and talk about the town or what Summer and Cappy had planned for the next few weeks. Before he knew it an hour had passed and the last of the crates was carefully being stacked by Summer’s magic in the cooler.

“Well,” Summer said as she spun the cooler door shut. “That should keep me good on greens for the next week or two.” There was a faint thump as the cooler door locked shut and the blue glow from Summer’s horn diffused. “Thanks for your help, you two.”

“Not a problem,” Steel said, Cappy echoing her own sentiments just seconds after his.

“So, Steel,” Summer said as they headed for the front of the shop. “What are you going to do now that you’re back?”

A nervous feeling crept into Steel’s stomach, not at all unlike the feeling he’d had when being interviewed by the Princesses a few days earlier. “Well—I’m not actually back,” he said, turning to Cappy. “I actually stopped by to see if you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on my house for a bit longer.”

“Oh,” Cappy said, her golden eyes seemed to lose some of their sparkle. “I thought you were—nevermind. For how long?”

“I’m not really sure. At least a year, maybe longer.” Cappy’s face fell as the words left his mouth, joined by the sinking feeling in his stomach, but he wasn’t done. “The Princesses themselves asked me to Captain a new Guard division. As small and empty as the place is, I want to keep it. It’s the home I built, and I’d like to be able to come use it when I’m on—are you ok?” Cappy’s face had taken on a slightly sick look.

“I’m fine,” Cappy said, although her voice was less upbeat than it usually was. “I’ll watch your place for you, don’t worry about it.” She gave him a small smile, but he could tell her heart wasn’t in it. “It was nice to see you again.”

“It was nice—” the bell over the door tinkled as it shut behind her, “—to see you too,” he said with a sigh. She was already gone. He hung his head slightly and looked over at Summer, who was staring at him with a look he couldn’t identify.

“Well,” she said after a seconds pause. “I need to close up, so I’m afraid you’ll have to head back to Canterlot now.” There was a clatter as she flipped the store’s sign over to closed with a sharp burst of magic and pulled the door open, ushering him out with one hoof. “Oh, and Steel?” 

He paused in front of the entryway to the shop and turned to see Summer staring at him with a flat expression. 

“Yes?”

“Don’t worry about your house,” she said, her voice tight. “Whenever you come back, if you come back, it’ll be just like you left it. Empty.” The door slammed shut with a crash, leaving him alone in the empty street.

He sighed as he walked up the street, his body drooping. Part of him felt sick for what he had done. Yes, he’d promised her that he’d let her know if it would have been anything large, but what was he supposed to do? It wasn’t like he was some integral part of Canterville, he mainly kept to himself. Sure, maybe she was—no. He pushed the thought away. It doesn’t matter, she’s half your age, and just being friendly. You’re an aged stallion whose daily duty involves putting yourself where you could be killed. 

He paused, looking back down the road towards the simple white-and-blue Post Office and letting out another sigh.  Somehow, his thoughts weren’t making him feel any better. The pit in his stomach felt even larger, like it was gnawing into his chest, an empty, hollow, feeling. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and took the first step of many.

It would be a long walk back to Canterlot.
> Assembly - Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6


“We-ell,” Hunter said as he carefully folded the last box lid down. “That’s the last of it.” There was a faint popping noise as the grey-coated pegasus across the box from him stretched a roll of tape down the seam he had just closed.

“Not until it's taped,” she replied with a dexterous amount of lip-work given that the tape dispenser was held in her teeth. “Trust me,” she said, giving the dispenser a sharp yank and breaking the tape off in a nice long tail. “Working for the shipping company you see some crazy stuff happen. This won’t be done—“ she pressed the tail end of the tape into the side of the box hard with her hoof, “—until there’s at least two layers of tape on it.”

Hunter grinned as the pegasus mare stretched another layer of tape across the top of the box. “Equestrian Postal Service?” 

Derpy chuckled and dropped the dispenser from her mouth. “I wish, sometimes I think they’re even easier on stuff then the shippers are.” She blew her bright yellow mane back from in front of her face and then, with a well-practiced ease, lifted the box in her front hooves, her wings fanning to help her keep her balance.

Hunter grabbed the other side of the box, emulating Derpy’s movement as best as possible as he stumbled backwards, guiding the box towards the door. Hopefully he was helping the mare rather than being a hindrance, but she didn’t say anything as they passed through the doorway and set the box down next to its fellows on the deck.

“Again, Derpy,” Hunter said as he pushed the box into place. “Thanks for helping me get everything set up on such short notice.”

Derpy shrugged and gave him a roll of her eyes which, given one eye’s tendency to wander, was even more exaggerated than normal. “What are friends for?” she asked as she trotted back inside. “As long as said friend keeps a box of muffins nearby, which you always do.”

Hunter followed her back into his now cleared home, the walls and floor seeming empty now that they were cleared. “No, I mean it,” he said, a bit of his accent slipping into his voice. “I’m glad for your help, especially since you did have the day off. You’re a dinkum of a friend.”

Derpy waved his words away with one hoof as she plopped down on one of the two couches, a box of muffins held in her teeth. “Like I said, no problem,” she said, the muffin box popping open,  her hooves bringing out a crispy cranberry-granola muffin. “Dinky had school, I had the day off, and there was no way I was going to let you pack everything up by yourself. Besides,” she said, taking a large bite out of her muffin, which made her pause long enough to give a contented sigh. “Since you’ll be shipping your stuff with Ponyville shipping anyway, this way I can make my job tomorrow easier.” She took another large bite out of the muffin, a few stray crumbs falling onto her hooves. 

“How is Dinky doing these days?” Hunter asked, dropping himself down to the opposite couch. Derpy almost immediately brightened as she began telling him all about the latest adventures of her “little muffin.”

Derpy had been one of the first ponies that he had met upon moving into the Everfree forest, a slightly loopy but kind pegasus who worked for both the Equestrian Postal Service and Ponyville shipping. Which meant that not only had she been one of the ponies that had helped him move in, she’d also been the mare who showed up the next afternoon with his mail. And the afternoon after that, and the afternoon after that. With her friendly, chatty nature—which was probably how she’d earned the bubbles on her flank—she’d managed to become his friend during a time when he’d wanted nothing more than to be left alone to his grief.

He smiled as Derpy threw one hoof up in a flourish, describing how her daughters latest attempts to cook with her still developing magic had caused a bag of flour to explode across the kitchen.  Derpy’s daughter, a unicorn filly named Dinky, was an adorably young bundle of positive energy, much like her mother. Of course, that wasn’t the only similarity that he had noticed. Dinky often had a knack for accidents—both getting into and out of—that Hunter had only seen equaled by Derpy or on occasion the three fillies that called themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“We got it all cleaned up in the end though,” Derpy said, finishing her story and her muffin at roughly the same time.

Hunter shook his head with a laugh, the unfamiliar length of his recently cut mane feeling odd against his neck. “So she’s going to start getting magic lessons soon?”

Derpy gave an energetic nod as she grabbed another muffin from the box. “Yup. I talked with Twilight about it and she said she can give her some books to get her started.” She shook her head, rolling her eyes again. “Although given Twilight, I think I may take a look at them first though, my little muffin probably isn’t up to reading an encyclopedia yet.”

Hunter laughed as his own encounters with the town's librarian came to mind. “Yeah, she’s a little … enthusiastic about things. Did I ever tell you that when she first showed up I signed up for that weekly book club she put on?” Derpy shook her head, so he continued. “Well, remember that one really heavy package you saw me flying with one day back then? That was for the first week.” He gave a laugh. “She’d actually included the complete History of Modern Eqestria. A twelve book set! For the first week!”

Derpy laughed. “That sounds like Twilight alright. Dinky told me Cherilee once asked her to come teach the class about Canterlot. My little muffin didn’t understand the first ten minutes of it. Apparently Cherilee now works a bit closer with Twilight now when she teaches. She’s a smart mare, but she gets ahead of herself—and the audience—pretty quickly.”

“She does tend to make pretty spot on recommendations once she figures you out, though,” Hunter said. “I think when I get to Canterlot I’m going to have to check their library for the rest of the Daring Do series.”

“Hey!” Derpy said, sitting up suddenly. “We missed something!” She pointed with one hoof at a battered old dark brown Stetson hanging on the wall, both sides of its brim faintly turned up. Derpy gave a small flap of her wings and fluttered over to it, picking it up in a free hoof.

“Actually Derpy, I left that out on purpose,” Hunter said, giving his own wings and flap and landing on the floor next to her. “It’s my Ranger hat. Well, that’s what Swift Wind called it. I used to wear it on the job, but I haven’t worn it since, well…”

“Oh,” Derpy said as his words trailed off, her face downcast as she examined the worn hat. “Did she give it to you?”

He nodded. “Yeah. She gave it to me a few weeks after we met as a birthday gift. I wore it every day from then on. She loved seeing me in it.” He let a small, half-laugh out of his mouth. “She even got in enchanted so it’d stay on my head easier.”

“But you didn’t pack it?” Derpy asked, looking at him from the corner of her eyes. He blinked a few times, his eyes suddenly feeling dry.

“No,” he said, giving his head a small shake. The momentary sadness was gone now. He reached out, taking the hat from her and feeling the familiar hard felt surface underneath his hooves. “No, I think it’s time I wore it again. After all,” he said with a smile, “three years is long enough.” The hat slid down around his ears as if nothing had changed, falling right back into the same old familiar position he’d always worn it in. It felt…right. There was no other word for it.

“Ooooh,” Derpy said, her mouth a perfect ‘o’ with the drawn out note. “She had good taste, that just fits you!” She moved her head from side to side, taking in the hat from both angles, and then walked around him for good measure. “Looks good with the new mane-cut too.”

“Thanks.” He ran a hoof across the back of his head, tousling the recently cut mane. He’d always worn it long, but he’d really let it go in the last year, and it still felt odd to have it ending above his shoulders rather than midway down his chest.

“Why’d you cut it anyway?” Derpy asked, wandering into the kitchen.

“New job,” he said back, giving his head another little toss and relishing the feeling of the returned Stetson. Now that it was back, it seemed almost foolhardy that he had gone so long without it.

“This Steel pony didn’t like it?”

“Well, sort of,” he said. “But mostly it was me. I used to never let it get any longer than it is right now, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt out here. It did get a little away from me though,” he said with a chuckle, and Derpy laughed. “Still,” he said as Derpy fluttered back onto the couch, a glass of water held in her hooves. “It's like the hat. It feels a little odd, but it’s kind of nice to have it back.” He took a quick look around the now empty home, his gaze stopping for a moment on the wall clock. “I’m going to grab my bags from upstairs,” he said, flying over to the staircase. “One second.”

The upstairs bedroom had been his favorite part of the house, an almost circular room with large, magically reinforced windows on all sides. From here, he could watch the sun rise and set, the leaves change with the seasons, anything and everything. As far as he was concerned, it was the perfect place for the cloud bed he’d set up. Which reminds me, he thought as he slid his saddlebags onto his back. He’d already received word from the Ranger Corp that his replacement would be there in a week at the most, but his replacement was an earth pony. Which meant that the wonderfully comfortable and soft cloud-mattress he’d purchased was going to be nothing more than a stray bit of cloud magic to his earthbound replacement. 

“Hey, Derpy!” he called down the stairs. “Could you use a cloud-mattress?” Better that he give it to someone before he left.

“A genuine cloud mattress?” She darted up the stairs, her smile wide. From downstairs came the sounds of a glass bouncing across the floor. “Oops,” she said, giving him a sheepish grin.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, giving her and off-hoof wave. “Anyway, yeah, my replacement is going to be an earth pony, so he won’t be able to use this thing anyway.” He gave the cloud-mattress a light tap with his hoof and felt it bob slightly under his touch. “It’s a genuine Strato-sleeper, straight from Cloudsdale. It’s too big to take with me, but if you know someone who could use it or want it for yourself ...” he let his words trail off, tilting his head at the bubbly pegasus.

Derpy looked at the mattress for a moment and then hopped up onto it. “Oooh, that is nice.” She said, laying down on it and trying a few positions.  “Would it sit on top of another mattress?” He shrugged. 

“Well,” she said, hopping off the mattress and hovering above the floor. “I can give it a try, but I may have to pass it onto someone else, as much as I appreciate the gesture. Dinky’s a unicorn, she can’t use it,” she said with a small frown. Then her face broke out in a wide grin. “Maybe we should take that hat back off. You’ve only had it on for a few minutes and already you’re inviting a mare to see your bed!”

“Oh hah hah, you’re a riot,” he said, rolling his eyes but chuckling. “Alright, well as long as someone gets some use out of it.”

“Why not ship it with the rest of your stuff?”

He shook his head. “I have a feeling that I’m about to be sleeping on a cot again. If I need another one I can afford it.”

Derpy nodded. “Alright, I’ll have the guys help me get this over to my house tomorrow. I’ll at least get one night on a real cloud mattress again, if nothing else.”

“Alright then, that’s settled,” Hunter said, taking one last look around the room. The dresser had been emptied, the floor was clear. Even the small closet on one side of the room sat with its door open, the space behind it empty. “Probably time for me to get going if you want to swing by and pick up Dinky before I take off.”

Derpy gave him a nod. “It’s going to be different with you gone,” she said with a sad smile. “Dinky will miss you when her birthday party comes around.”

“Oh come on,” Hunter said as he started down the stairs. “Canterlot isn’t that far away. You fly there yourself on deliveries from time to time. I won’t miss Dinky’s birthday if I can help it.” He picked up the cup that Derpy had dropped and deposited it in the sink. “I will miss this place though,” he said, taking one last wistful look around the outpost. “For a Ranger post, it was pretty nice.”

“Do you want a hoof with the larger bags?” Derpy asked as he tossed two more large bags over his back and tightened the straps down.

He shook his head. “No, I’ve got these. You’ll need to get going if you’re going to pick up Dinky when she gets out of school.” Derpy nodded at him and hopped over the railing, her wings already pumping. He flexed his own wings as she flew away, making certain that the straps weren’t too tight. Everything worked. “Hey, Derpy!” he yelled after the already retreating pegasus. “Just a second!”

Derpy whipped around in the air, doing a passable imitation of the weather teams cyan colored hot shot as she did so. A few moments later she was back, hovering just over the rail. “Change your mind about the bags?”

Hunter shook his head with a smile. “No, I just wanted to tell you something now, before I met you and Dinky at the train station. Thank you.”

“I already told you,” Derpy said with another roll of her eyes, “I had today off.”

“Not for that,” Hunter said. “For—for everything you did when I first came here. I ...” He pawed one hoof on the deck idly. “I owe you a lot for helping me get through Swift Wind’s death.” He straightened his back and looked her right in the eyes. “So thank you for helping me get through it. It would have taken me a lot longer for me to get back to where I was without you helping me find my way, even if I didn’t want the help at the time. I know I was being a bit stroppy.”

Derpy floated closer and patted him on the shoulder with one hoof. “What are friends for?” she said, her voice soft and her ears low. “I’m just glad I was able to help.” She threw her hooves around him in a hug and after a moment he returned it.

“Thanks,” he said, his voice cracking a little. “I just needed to let you know how much I appreciated you helping me through that.”

“It was—well it wasn’t nothing, but, yeah, you get the idea,” Derpy said, floating back over the rail. “I know what it’s like.” Her voice perked back up. “And if you ever want to talk about it…”

“I know,” Hunter said, extending his own wings and leaping over the rail. For a moment his wings protested the extra weight, but a few moments later they settled into a familiar if somewhat more tiring flap. “You’d better get going if you want to pick Dinky up, school’s probably almost out by now.”

“My muffin!” Derpy yelled, throwing one hoof out in front of her in a dramatic pose. “I’ll save you!” The grey-coated pegasus took off through skies over the Everfree forest, leaving the much more heavily laden Hunter behind.

Huh … she thought to herself as her wingbeats ate away the miles to Ponyville. Thistle lives in Canterlot. I wonder if ... Flap by flap, the bubbly pegasus grew closer to Ponyville, grinning as her mind made plans that involved no small number of muffins, two friends who would now both be living in Canterlot, and Dinky.


*        *        *


“Aw, do you really hafta go?” Dinky asked as she hugged Hunters leg. Her big golden eyes were turned up at him, and he could almost feel waves of pure guilt-inducing sadness coming out of them. Where in Equestria had this filly learned to make an expression like that?

“Yeah, I do Dinky,” he said, kneeling down and giving her a little hug back. “I’ve got a new job to go do. Something really important.”

“Is that why you’ve got the really cool hat?” Dinky asked, her voice sniffling a little bit.

“Well, no, but it is why I cut my mane,” he said, giving her own blond mane a quick tousle with his hoof. “But Canterlot isn’t too far, your Mom goes to Canterlot all the time.”

“Well, yeah, I guess …” Dinky said, moments before a smile bloomed on her face. “Wait, does that mean that Mommy and I can come visit you?”

“Sure it does!” he said, giving the young filly his largest smile. Behind him he could hear ponies climbing on and off the afternoon train to Canterlot. In a few minutes the train would depart and he’d be on it. He could’ve flown, but with the weight of his bags he hadn’t wanted to wear himself out. “You come visit me anytime. I might even be able to show you my new job.”

“Ooooh! Will there be other pegasuses there? Unicorns? Earth ponies? Will I see some cool magic?” she asked in rapid-fire tones, bouncing on her hooves with enthusiasm.

“And more besides!” he said, giving her one last little hug before standing up. Derpy was standing a few feet away with a smile on her face, and he gave her one last hug as well. “I do mean it,” he said as he wrapped his forelegs around her shoulders. “Come visit me when you can, and I promise I won’t miss Dinky’s birthday party.”

“Thanks,” Derpy said, returning the hug. “I’ll probably see you in a few days anyway when we deliver your stuff to the Palace. I’ll be meeting with a friend for lunch if she’s around.”

“I ... don’t know if I’ll be there,” Hunter said, flashing her his best apologetic grin from under the brim of his hat. “Steel had a few things he wanted me to go help him with, but don’t worry, I’ll get in touch as soon as I’m settled and we can catch up.”

“You’d better,” Derpy said as they broke the hug and he shouldered his bags. “I’m friends with one of the Elements of Harmony you know. I‘d hate to have to come looking for you.”

Hunter grinned. It just felt so much more natural to do with the Stetson on. “Don’t you worry,” he said as he backed towards the waiting train cars. “You haven’t heard the last of me by a long shot.” He turned, pulling his ticket from his saddlebags as he did so and handing them to the conductor. “Bye-bye Dinky! Bye Derpy!” he called back with a quick wave, more for the fillies sake than the mothers. Dinky looked as if she was alternating between excitement to come see him at his new home, or tears at his leaving.

He stepped into the colorful train car and made his way down the relatively populated car looking for an empty seat with an unused luggage compartment overhead. Children were running by underhoof, parents chasing after them as they levitated snacks or flew by overhead. Hunter worked his way through the tangle, glad that he’d bought a first class ticket that would get him access to the more calm cars ahead.

A few cars up he showed his ticket to another conductor and was let into the first class cars. Unlike the more tightly packed economy cars, the first class cars had much more space and were more subdued in color, with more soundproofing. The first class cars tended to be for businessponies and those who wanted to throw a few extra bits around. Normally, he wouldn’t have considered a first class ticket, but he’d been up late the night before making sure that everything had been ready for his replacement. In effect, he was tired and hoping to get a little bit of extra shut-eye on the trip.

First class wasn’t nearly as crowded as Coach had been, and he quickly found an empty bench on the right side of the train with clear overhead storage and slid his luggage into it, looking up and down the car as he did. Near the back where he had come in several ponies wearing ties had flipped one of the benches around and were animatedly discussing something, while towards the front a few select ponies were lounging around or looking out the windows. Near the front of the car, in the last row of seats, was a rusty-colored feathered head dutifully facing forward. A griffon.

“Unusual,” he said to himself as he slid the last bag into place. Griffons weren’t rare, but they weren’t common either, especially on an Equestrian train. Probably a business related trip, but coming from the South? If he could get a clearer look he’d know, but it wasn’t his job to bother random travelers.

He sat down on the bench, grimacing for a second at how horribly the light pastel blue cushion clashed with the tanned brown of his coat. Couldn’t they have at least picked a more—. A light tapping at the window distracted him, and he turned to see Dinky waving happily from the boarding platform, her mother standing behind her. There was a faint whistle and the train began to move forward down the tracks, slowly but picking up speed. Dinky began to run alongside the train, hopping and waving every time she got a little too far ahead. He watched her, smiling and waving back, until the boarding platform ran out and with a sudden stop she vanished from view as the train picked up speed, pulling out of Ponyville.

He leaned back in his seat, adjusting his shoulders and pulling the brim of his Stetson over his eyes, ignoring the faint pinpricks of tears he felt in the corners of his eyes. The trip to Canterlot would take several hours, and he was going to make the most of it.

He wasn’t quite sure how much later it was when the sound of somepony pausing by his seat awoke him, but he figured it couldn’t have been too long into the trip, as they hadn’t slowed for the switchbacks near Canterlot yet. Hunter knew from experience that the motion would awaken him. 

He waited for a moment, eyes closed against the light of the car but the pony standing beside his seat didn’t move. Then there was a click and a squeak from the bench in front of him. When he’d sat down, it had been facing forward, so the noise he was hearing meant that somepony was spinning it around to face him.

He gave a yawn and stretched, slowly opening his eyes. The brim of his hat filled his view, somehow while he’d slept it had tilted lower over his forehead, and all he could see was a small bit of the floor and the seat he was sitting on. Before he could pull his hat back up however, he heard the seat across from him give a faint snap, followed by a soft clack-clack that he recognized as the sound of not hooves, but talons.

He tilted his Stetson back just as the owner of the clacking noise hopped onto the bench opposite of him and gave him a wry smile. It was the griffon he’d seen earlier sitting up near the front of the car, only now that he was sitting across from him, he could see that it wasn’t a he, but a she. Green eyes looked out at him, almost hidden behind a heavy overhanging plumage of rust-red feathers that appeared carefully styled to stop just short of being in the way. Her lion half stretched out beside her on the bench, the light tan of her coat only a few shades lighter than his own. It was her talons however, the ones that he had heard softly clicking, that caught his attention. They were long, longer than any talons he’d seen on a griffin before, and very, very sharp judging by the small sheaths she was wearing over each individual claw.

“Well, it seems I have you at a loss,” the griffon said, her voice sweet as honey. “Can’t say I’m surprised. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” her beak gave a sharp clack as the last word left her mouth. “How have you been?” She looked at him, the edges of her mouth tilting upward in a smile. There was something familiar about that voice, about the color of her plumages, but he couldn’t quite place it.

“I apologize, ma’am” he said, his mind racing. “But I can’t quite seem to recall your name. You look very familiar though.”

The griffin clacked her beak a few times, an expression that he’d met enough griffins to know meant she was amused. “Well, I wasn’t joking when I said it had been a long time. Besides, it’s hardly fair,” she said with a nod towards his flank. “After all, you ponies have those cutie marks, which makes you very distinct. I wouldn’t have been sure it was you if I hadn’t seen it.”

Red, rust-red! She looked so familiar, and he racked his brains, brow furrowing. Then it hit him. Of course, he thought, who else would it be? A huge grin began to spread across his face, and he could see a welcoming smile forming on her own face as she saw the recognition.

“Blade!” he said, sitting upright and sticking out his hoof. “Blade Sunchaser!”

“Ahah!” she exclaimed, rocking her head back and letting out a laugh. “I knew you’d get it!”

“Crikey, Blade! I haven’t seen you since Junior Speedsters camp!” he said, stepping off the bench. “That was, what?”

“Oh, about twenty years ago!” Blade said. “I wouldn’t have known it was you but for the horseshoes on your butt! I gotta say though,” she said with a shake of her feathers. “You almost had me thinking I’d corralled the wrong pony there!”

“Speak for yourself. I thought the same thing for a minute.” They paused for a moment as the train clicked its way down the tracks. “So,” he said after a moment. “You, well, the last time I saw you was at the end of Junior Speedsters! You look, well … big!” It was no exaggeration either, she was clearly both taller and larger than he was, and he was by no means a small pegasus. If anything, she was almost about the size of Steel Song.

Blade let out a peal of laughter, her head rocking back as her paws slapped at the bench. “Only you Hunter,” she said, still giggling, “would make one of the first things you say to a girl you haven’t seen in forever ‘you look big.’ I mean really?” She shook her head, but then pulled herself upright to her full height, showing off the bright rust red of the feathers that adorned her head and most of her chest. “But yeah, I finally hit a growth spurt, and got my brothers to stop calling me ‘squirt’ all the time.” Hunter laughed, and before long the two of them were swapping stories catching up on two decades worth of missed time.

“—and that’s how I ended up on the Rangers,” Hunter said, finishing out his end of events several minutes later.

“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised,” Blade said, leaning back on the couch and tapping her sheathed talons on the cushion next to her. “With that cutie mark of yours you always were good in the woods.”

“How about you?” he asked. “What job did you take up?”

She shrugged. “I guess it’s kind of Ranger-like. I’m kind of a mercenary, kind of a contract bodyguard of sorts.” One of her talons began to idly scratch up and down the side of her face. “Once I hit my growth spurt and these babies came in, well,” she clacked the long talons against each other, the sheaths making small metallic pings. “I always was pretty good in a fight. So I signed up under a Blademaster—“

“You studied under a Blademaster?” he said, sitting up in surprise. Griffin Blademasters were few and far between, rare individuals of great skill with weapons of all types. To study under a Blademaster was a rare opportunity indeed.

Blade nodded. “Yes, Blademaster Typhus. He’s not a legend, but he was a pretty amazing Griffin in his time.”

“Was?” he asked, noticing the past tense.

“Yes, was,” she said with a small shake of her talons. “He was pretty old, and he took on a job that he couldn’t handle. A dragon got him.”

“Oh ...” Hunter said as he spotted a slight fall in her expression. “My condolences,” he said, pulling his hat from his head. “It’s never easy when someone we work with doesn’t make it back.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Blade said, blinking a bit more rapidly than normal. “He died with honor, just like he wanted to. Anyway,” There was a brief rustle of feathers as she reasserted herself. “I was his apprentice at the time, but I wasn’t nearly good enough to take the title.”

“It didn’t just pass to you?” he asked, replacing his hat.

She shook her head and looked out the window as the scenery rushed past. “No, in order to be a Blademaster you must defeat a minimum of three other Blademasters in trial or legitimate combat. At the time, I had no chance.” She looked back at him, a dangerous gleam in her eyes. “As of last week, I’ve beaten two.”

“In trial?” he asked, a little off-put by the gleam in her eye.

“Yes,” she said, but didn’t elaborate.

"So, that must be why there aren’t many of them around,” Hunter said.

“Nope, and they’re a close-knit group,” Blade said. “They’re all archived somewhere, but Blademasters can choose to be silent about their status. I’ve heard there’s even a non-griffon Blademaster out there,” she said with a laugh. “Like I buy that. The bıçak ustası—sorry, Blademasters—wouldn’t stand for it.”

“You don’t think so?” Hunter asked. Blade shook her head.

“No, I doubt it. You’d really need to impress them. If there is a Blademaster that’s not a griffin though, my money’s on a minotaur warrior. Those guys are tough!”

“Never fought one,” Hunter said. 

“Beefy,” Blade said with a grin. “And tough.” There was a pause.

“So then what are you doing now?” Hunter asked. That gleam was still in her eye. She had a goal in mind, he could see it.

“Nothing too big,” she said with a shrug. “I opened myself up to contract work as a bodyguard after Blademaster Typhus died and I’ve had pretty steady work since then. That’s actually what I’m doing in Equestria now.” She looked out the car window again and watched as hills rolled by, gradually growing steeper and steeper as they came closer to Canterlot. Already Hunter could feel the faint shift in his balance that told him that they were going slightly uphill. “I was down in the Badlands when I got word that my contract had been picked up by some rich pony out east somewhere.” Blade turned away from the window. “I can’t tell you much except that my employer seems pretty paranoid.”

Hunter laughed. “Mine’s the same way,” he said, watching a momentary confusion spread across her face, ruffling her feathers.

“I thought you were a Ranger,” she said, trying to smooth her ruffled feathers with one scaled paw.

He shook his head and gave her a wide grin. “Was until a day ago, then I got a better offer.”

“A better offer? For you? What, did someone offer you a job tracking down Equstria’s most wanted?”

“Nope.” Hunter leaned back, putting on his best smug look. “Lets just say I’m actually feeling pretty good about it, and I really can’t say anything else. Like yours.”

“You’ve got a paranoid employer too then,” Blade said with a clack of her beak.

Hunter shrugged. “Not really, mostly just … careful.”

“Careful huh?” Blade said, leaning forward. “Just what are you involved with Hunter? You’re not turning to a life of crime are you?” She tilted her head and gave him a sarcastic smirk that brought back memories of flight camp. “Maybe you’re the one behind the train robberies.”

His brow furrowed, pushing his hat up slightly. “What train robberies?” he asked, leaning in.

"You haven’t heard?” she said, looking genuinely surprised. “I know it hasn’t been front page material, but I don’t even live here and I know about it.”

“I just spent the last three years living in the middle of the Everfree, Blade,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “I think I get a little slack.” Then his voice turned curious. “So, what’s this about train robberies?”

“Well,” Blade said, her voice low but not quite a whisper that would attract attention. She surreptitiously threw a careful look around the train car, but spotted nothing. “It's only been barely mentioned in the papers but I was talking with a conductor on the way up from the Macintosh Hills, and apparently in the last few months there have been several successful thefts committed on moving trains.”

“Armed robberies? Stick-ups?” Hunter asked, keeping his own voice low. Such things were rare, especially in Equestria.

“No, not quite,” she said. “No one’s even certain that they’re thefts. Things are just going missing.”

“Missing?”

“From sealed cargo cars,” she said, a different gleam coming to her eyes, this one of interest. “The conductor wasn’t really sure that she should be telling me but it started about four months ago. A cargo car left Canterlot on its way to Manehatten with a shipment of gems. Nothing really valuable, but when the rail workers opened the cargo car several of the largest gems were missing.”

“Did they check the employees?” he asked, his mind working.

“Of course they did,” she said. “They checked everyone, but the gems weren’t found. The ERS paid out on the missing items and everything was fine until a week later when another shipment of gems ended up light. Same thing. They checked everyone, but found nothing. A week after that, a rare book. Even just a day or two ago some expensive rare vase that was being transported from the Canterlot Museum of History down to Ponyville vanished. Each time,” she said with a snap of her talons, “the cargo container is locked up tight, and even under guard.”

“What’s the rail service doing about it?” he asked.

She scoffed. “Panicking.” She began playing with her talons, sliding one sheath partially off and then back on with a faint rasp. “I guess the news hasn’t really caught on yet because they’ve been downplaying it, but the various owners are worried about what might happen if the robberies get more bold.” She leaned in closer, her voice lower. “I’ll tell you what I think though.”

“What?” he asked, leaning in close to her beak as she motioned him closer with a faint wave of her claws.

“I think that whoever it is, they’re just testing their methods,” she said, her beak so close to his ear he could feel her breath. “Whoever they are, nothing they’ve stolen is that valuable.” Outside the window the sky went dark as the train plunged into one of the many tunnels on the approach to Canterlot. “So I think it’s a test. Someone’s waiting for something big.”

“Like what?” he asked.

She leaned back and shrugged, once again relaxed against the cushioned bench. “No idea.” She said. “I don’t keep tabs on stuff like that. It’s just my theory.”

“Huh, well,” he said, leaning back and adjusting his hat. “Now I’ve got something to think about in my free time, although I don’t expect to be doing much of that in the coming weeks.” The train car brightened again as they moved out of the tunnel and into sunlight. Hunter looked to his left, out the window on the opposite side of the car. Canterlot was sweeping into view, its marble spires  piercing the sky like elegant needles.

“Are you going to be working your new job in Canterlot?” Blade asked as she followed his gaze.

Hunter nodded. “And I’ve never actually spent much time here either,” he said as the train ducked back into another smaller tunnel, slowing as the track began to twist. Moments later they were out again and the city was closer. He was seeing small details on the ivory colored towers now, windows and balconies, each flying brilliantly colored pennants that complimented the golden trim. “It’s a pretty impressive place from what I remember.” His view of the city slid away as the train turned in its tracks, heading now directly for it.

“It’s a pretty impressive place,” Blade said. “If it weren’t for my clients, I’d be tempted to stop here for a day or two myself and take a look at the architecture, maybe look at some of the artifacts in the Canterlot Museum.”

Hunter looked back at his old friend. “Really?” He thought back to the years at Junior Speedsters. “I’d never pegged you as an appreciator of the fine arts.”

“Girl’s gotta have a hobby,” Blade said, clacking her beak. “I’m not all blades and sharp edges.”

“I’ll remember that.” Hunter said as he felt his body begin to pull forward, the scenery outside the train slowing. Moments passed and Canterlot’s outer wall slid by the car as the train entered the city itself. “Well,” he said as the train continued to slow. “I’d best get my stuff ready.” Outside he could see the first tinges of pink coming into the white ivory of the city as the sun began to set. “I want to get my stuff dropped off before it gets too dark.”

“I should probably go make sure my sleeper hasn’t been taken over by some wild little pony colts,” Blade said, climbing to her feet. ‘Still, it was nice to see you again.” She held out one of her paws.

“Likewise,” Hunter said, extending his own hoof. Then he leaned in close. “Junior Speedsters chant?”

Blade gave him her best grin as they both began to sing.


“Junior Speedsters are our lives,


Sky-bound soars and daring dives


Junior Speedsters, it's our quest,


To someday be the very best!”


A few minutes later, as he watched the train pull out of the station, Hunter couldn’t help but smile. So far, he thought, this is off to a good start.
> Assembly - Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7


The next morning Steel felt horrid. Not in a physical way. His body felt fine. He’d awoken early as he always did, well before the sun had risen and gone on a run through the winding streets of Canterlot, his muscles heating to a dull burn, sweat pouring from his flanks. He’d actually run further this morning, adding miles to his normal route, pushing himself faster and harder as he went. His body had complied, and he had run on until well after the sun rose, sweat coating his body and his chest heaving with every breath.

He knew he could run through the entire day, perhaps the next. He’d done it before, pushing his body to its absolute limit until he collapsed in utter pain, agony coursing through his limbs. Part of him wanted to do that now, to run until everything lost meaning but the running itself, finally pulling his attention from the wrong inside of him. But he couldn’t. 

By the time he finally stumbled back to his sister’s home, panting heavily, his legs feeling as if he’d dragged them through hot coals, no one was home. Sapphire and Click were off at the Flower shop, while Jammer and Sparkle had school until the afternoon. He was the only pony there.

Maybe there was a better way to do it, he thought to himself as he stuck his head under the showerhead, cool water pouring over him. Maybe I could’ve just sent a letter or something. Maybe I should have asked Summer to take over. He still felt uneasy. Maybe she’ll get over it in time, he thought. Yeah, she’ll be fine. She’ll understand in time. I just need to go to work, not worry about it.. 

But the feeling of guilt persisted.


*        *        *


        “You want to talk to Sky Bolt?” the foremare asked, her green eyes questioning him from underneath her bright yellow hardhat. “All right, this way.” The mare turned and trotted off, leaving Steel to follow her across the crowded warehouse floor. Ponies scurried in all directions around a massive skeletal frame that filled the room, carrying tools or blueprints. Sparks flew from one end of the structure as several ponies carefully welded two parts together.

        “So what are you building here?” Steel asked as he followed the foremare across the cavernous room, taking care not to trip on various cables that snaked across the floor, their purpose unknown to him.

        “You’re looking at the basic frame for another airship body!” the foremare cried back, raising her voice as a loud grinding sound echoed across the room. “The Alicorn was a huge success, despite only being a proof of concept! We’re already building two more!” She winced as a nearby earth pony dropped a steel panel to the ground with a crash. “Watch it Highjack!” she yelled as they walked by. “You damage those sheets, they come out of your pay!”

        “Sorry boss!” the pony answered. 

        “Yeah yeah, just don’t do it again.” The foremare looked back at Steel and jerked her head at him. “This way!” she said, trotting towards a small door set back against the wall of the warehouse. “When she’s not working for us, she’s usually out back in her workshop!”

        “Her workshop?” he asked as they passed through the heavy door, the noise of the workshop fading to a dull rumble as it swung shut behind them.

        “Yeah, she’s a tinkerer,” the foremare said as they wandered across the backside of the Canterlot Industrial Engineering lot. “Half the stuff she comes up with we can’t even match; the girl's a genius with machinery.”

        “I heard she designed The Alicorn for you guys, is that right?” he asked as they rounded the back end of the warehouse and headed for a smaller structure at the other side of the lot.

        The foremare laughed. “For certain definitions of designed yes. We couldn’t even match half the stuff she showed us, so our own engineers had to come up with workarounds. Quite honestly,” she said as she looked back at him. “As impressive as The Alicorn is, it’s probably not nearly as impressive as it would be if we’d used her designs.”

        “Why didn’t you?” Steel asked, looking up at at the building they were approaching. It resembled a can that had been cut in half laterally and set in the ground. A large set of rolling doors closed the front end off from the rest of the lot, but massive windows interlaced the top half of the structure, letting in plenty of light.

        The foremare laughed and stopped by the rolling doors. “Sky Bolt isn’t tied down to our company. She works here, but she made sure that we’re paying her for the right to use her designs. She could leave anytime she wanted honestly, and we didn’t want to be saddled with something that only she could fix. So we’re paying her twice, once for her designs, and once again to help our engineers work backwards and build a ship that, if not nearly as good as her designs, we at least understand how to fix.” 

"Anyway,” she said as she grabbed the handle to one of the rolling doors in her teeth. “ees in heer,” she said, pulling against the door and rolling it open. Thumping musical tones erupted from within, washing over Steel as the door rolled to one side. The foremare spat the handle out with a look of disgust. “Tastes terrible. Hey, Sky Bolt!”

The inside of the warehouse looked as if a scrapyard had exploded across the interior. Strange gadgets and machines sat in what Steel could only assume were varying degrees of completion,  as he didn’t have the mechanical know-how to understand what any of them were for or how they worked. Workbenches were erected seemingly at random, tools scattered across them. Near the back, a massive shape sat concealed underneath a large tarp, filling almost half of the available workshop space. 

        “Hey Piston!” came a cheerful, young shout from the back. A hoof poked its way around a workbench and waved them in. “Come on in!”

        “Actually can’t right now, I’ve got to get back to work, but you’ve got a visitor here.”

        “Wait—a what?” There was a clatter, the music quieting, and a light grey pegasus flew up from behind the workbench, her wide wings flapping slowly. She had clearly been working on something, thick grease stains ran across her coat in irregular patches, and her sky blue mane was streaked with patches of oil, diminishing its bright colors. Even her cutie mark, a bolt crossed with a wrench over a blueprint, was partially obscured by the grime.

        “We-ell,” she said, drawing out the word as she flew over to Steel and stuck out her hoof. “Don’t think I’ve met you before, big guy. Whatcha need?” Steel gave the hoof a shake. She was smaller than he’d expected, thin and wiry,  and if not for the fact that she was hovering at head level, she wouldn’t have even come up to his chin.

        “Nice workshop,” he said, choosing to avoid her first question for a moment. “Although I can’t really say much about it outside of quantity, I never was much with mechanics.”

        “Ah don’t worry about it!” Sky Bolt said, releasing his hoof and floating up a little higher. “Most ponies can’t, so it wouldn’t make you the first. Later Piston!” she called over his shoulder, waving goodbye as the foremare closed the door. “So, anyway, whatcha need?”

        “That’s kind of a complicated question,” Steel said, walking further into the young mare's workshop. Here and there large corkboards had been set up around the room, detailed plans tacked to them. He took a closer look at one and pulled his head back after a moment, completely lost. While he could make out the sketches of gears and bolts on the edges of the design, the complicated mess of intersecting lines looked like a maze.

        “Pretty cool, huh?” He almost jumped as she appeared over his shoulder, her wing-flaps giving her the ability to float right next to him. “That’s just a free-time project right now,” she said, floating past him and giving the paper a tap. “I’m trying to come up with a better system for using wind to pump water up from underground sources, but the current windmills work pretty well.” She spun around and darted off to another section of the workshop. “If you want to see something really cool, check this out!” 

She settled on top of a large cylindrical mess of gears and tubes that was almost twice as tall as Steel and just wide enough that Sky Bolt could comfortably settle on top. “Go on,” she said, one hoof stretched into the air. “Guess what this is?”

Steel walked over to the strange device and carefully looked it up and down. A large portion of it seemed to be made up of hundreds of tightly packed tubes that ran up and down its length, while a small opening midway up the device looked empty, pipes connecting to empty air. He could see gears and pistons here and there, but their purpose on the device was a complete mystery to him.

        “I have no idea,” he said, giving the contraption a light tap with his hoof and earning a sharp metal ringing in return. “Like I said, I’m not one for machinery.”

The Pegasus groaned, an exasperated look on her face. “It’s a steam engine. Well, a part of one,” she said. “Cylindrical superboiler, my own design.” She flapped into the air and descended next to him. “If my numbers are right, it should give about … oh-“ a smug grin broke across her face. “Two-hundred and fifty percent more steam power than the current model used by the The Alicorn.”

Steel felt his jaw almost drop at the number. Even if it was an exaggeration, that was an incredible amount of power as he understood it. “So... Will this be put in one of the new airships being built?” he asked.

Sky Bolt laughed. “Are you kidding? For a ship that size you’d still need a couple of these, at least so far. No,” she said, rapping her hoof on the side of the superheater. “This would be for a much smaller airship, which is why it’ll never get used.” She hopped up into the air and came down behind the workbench she had been sitting behind when Steel had entered the room.

        “Excuse my ignorance, but I don’t see a reason for it not getting used,” he said, following the vanished Pegasus to her workbench.

        “Oh right, sorry,” the Pegasus said, her oil streaked mane briefly popping into view over the clutter of the workbench. There was a loud squeak, and Steel stepped around to the back of the workbench to see Sky Bolt tightening down a part on some contraption he couldn’t guess at, a wrench tightly held in her teeth. There was a another squeak as the muscles in Sky Bolt’s neck stood out, and the wrench slowly moved to one side before making a sudden jerky movement. Sky Bolt dropped the wrench from her mouth and catching it with one hoof. “It’s too costly. That thing isn’t even finished and it cost me a bundle of bits. Actually making it run? It’s way, way more cost effective to just build an equal power amount of regular steam boilers, they’d cost less to build and operate.”

        “Cost huh?” Steel said, his mind falling to the astronomically high budget the Royal Sisters had presented him with.

        “So, what are you doing here anyway?”  Sky Bolt said, dropping the wrench and spinning around to face him, one eyebrow cocked. “You never quite answered my original question. Are you looking for me to build something for you?”

        “Not quite.” Steel wandered past the workbench and over to the massive shrouded object sitting at the other end of the workshop. “But maybe. What’s under here?” he gestured up at the large tarpaulin covered mystery. Now that he was up close, he could see how much larger the thing was. It was at least three or four times taller than he was, and from the look of it, curved underneath the tarp.

        “That’s a personal project,” Sky Bolt said, fluttering over. “But I’m starting to get a little curious as to why you won’t answer my only question so far.”

        “Let me guess,” Steel said, putting one hoof out and pressing it against the tarp. It fell back under his touch, the surface of the object under it curving away from him as it went down. “If you had a larger budget, you could finish whatever this is.”

        “’It’ is The Hummingbird,” Sky Bolt said, darting down in front of Steel and forcing him to step back. “My airship.” Her wings were out, and she had a look of annoyance on her face. “Or she will be, when I finish her.  And if you think,” she said, stepping forward and forcing him to step back, “that you  can just come in here and try to steal one of my designs like some of those other wannabes—”

        “I’m not—" Steel tried to protest, but he was forced to back up again as Sky Bolt stepped forward again.

        “—it won’t work. So you either answer my only question, or I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

        “Alright, that's fair,” Steel said, backing away from the feisty Pegasus in front of him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that you’d had any issues with attempts at theft.”

        Her wings fell a bit. “Well, only one,” she admitted. “But it puts a girl on edge. So, you going to tell me why you’re here?”

        “Well, it’s pretty simple actually,” Steel said, reasserting himself. “I’m here to offer you a job.”

        “Don’t need it. Already have one and like it,” Sky Bolt said, turning and flying up to the top of the covered airship frame. “What could you offer me that anypony else already hasn’t?”

        “How about a chance to get The Hummingbird up and running?” he asked.

        Sky Bolt looked at him in shock for a moment and then collapsed on her back with laughter. “You ... You have no idea ...  how much that would cost do you?” she said between gasps. “No way. What are you, some rich noble who wants to show it off to his neighbors?” She rolled over onto her stomach and looked down the side of the ship at him. “No deal, Richie Mcgee, The Hummingbird isn’t flying for anyone but me, and I’m not about to just let some rich yahoo take it. Or me.”

        “I’m not rich,” Steel said, giving her a slight glower. “And I’m not interested in taking you away from your airship.”

        “Well then, if you don’t mind me asking,” the mare said, pausing to blow a bit of her greasy mane away from her face. “If you’re not rich, then how would you expect to give me a chance to get The Hummingbird  up and running.”

        “I’m not rich, but as the Captain of the Dusk Guard, I have a very substantial budget.”

        “Dusk guard?” she said, confusion etching itself across her face. She gave her head a quick shake. “Never heard of it.”

        “We’re new,” Steel said, stepping forward once more. “Something unique. A smaller, more well equipped guard than the Royal or Night divisions.” He followed her with his eyes as she began to pace back and forth on top of the ship frame.

        “Uh huh,” she said. “And so you’re here because?” She let the question trail off as she fixed on eye on him.

        “Because as a small, more responsive guard force we’ll need transportation,” Steel said. “So, I would like to offer you the chance to be one of our first recruits. A team engineer so to speak.”

        “And The Hummingbird?” Sky Bolt asked, still giving him the same look.

        “If she hadn’t been here, I would have asked you to supervise the building and piloting of an airship for the Dusk Guard anyway.” Steel answered. “We’ll need transportation above and beyond anything currently done, and I believe an airship, as shown with The Alicorn to be one of the better possible, and economical solutions.”

        “Economical? An airship?” Sky Bolt asked.

        “Well, compared to some sort of teleport network, yes,” Steel said, shrugging one shoulder. “Now, before you say anything, I have to tell you this will be an official Guard position-“

        “I’ll take it!” Sky Bolt said, throwing herself from the airship frame and lazily gliding to the ground.

        “Not so fast,” Steel said, holding up one hoof. “This will be a Guard position. That means training,”

        “Done.”

        “Physical conditioning,”

        “No problem.”

        “Danger,”

        “Uh-huh.”

        “Constant—are you even listening?” Steel said, giving the mare a suspicious look.

        “Yeah, I hear you,” she said, waving her own hoof back at him. “Danger, physical conditioning, yada yada yada, it all sounds fine.” Her hoof made a sharp clapping noise as she brought it down on the workshops hard concrete floor. “You’re a guard, I don’t expect some sort of royal treatment.”

        “Well what you should expect is a tougher than average treatment for a guard unit.” Steel responded. “The average guard unit runs six miles every morning. We’ll run twelve on the easy days. This morning I ran twenty.”

        Sky Bolt visibly gulped, but nodded. “I can do that. I may have to work up to it, but I’ll do it.”

        Steel fixed his eyes on her, doing his best to mimic the same stare he’d crumbled under during his time in the Royal Guard Academy. “Why?”

        Sky Bolt shrank back, but only for a moment, and then her defiant look returned in force. “Someone must have told you who my parents are,” she said.

        Mentally he stumbled, and the shock must have shown in his face, because her eyes narrowed and she kept talking.

        “My parents are Able and Sunbeam, and I love them. And they are earth ponies.” Her voice was shining with pride. “Not pegasi, earth ponies! Good, solid, loving, earth ponies!” A fierce light was burning in her eyes now, a determination, a drive. “All my life I’ve had wings, been able to do things they couldn’t. They could only watch when I learned to do a loop, or a roll, or even fly off of the roof for the first time.” Her voice began to quiet a little, and he could see faint glimmers of tears in the corners of her eyes.

        “I could help them do everything around the farm, even if only a little. But I never could bring them the same thrill I got from flying.” Her wings began to slowly spread as she spoke. “That’s why I designed The Hummingbird, why I got started with this in the first place. They’re out there on The Alicorn right now, first class tickets, the works. But it’s still not the same,” she said as she looked him in the eyes. “They’ll fly, but slow, without the feel of the wind underneath them. So if you say working for the Guard will help me get The Hummingbird done, then I’m all yours.” She gave a small cough. “With a few conditions of course,” she said, one hoof jabbing in the direction of the airship. “When she’s ready to fly, I want you to let me take my parents up first.”

        Steel looked down at the young pegasus like he was seeing her for the first time. “It’s a promise,” he said softly. Her body relaxed, breathing slowing. “You must love them very much.”

        She gave him a smile. “More than anything. They were always there for me, when I learned how to fly, when I—“ she gave a small laugh before continuing. “When I blew up the old garden shed, and then shredded the next one into sawdust…”

        “Was there a third?” Steel asked.

        Sky Bolt laughed. “Oh yeah, but I was a bit more cautious after the first two. Plus, it was an old barn, so I had more room for stuff.” She ran one hoof through her mane. “There was that one wall though.” She let out a chuckle, and Steel put a nervous smile on his face, wondering if he would need to keep a closer eye on her than he’d expected. Her file hadn’t mentioned any disasters.

“Anyway, my point is,” Sky Bolt was saying. “I owe my parents a lot, and I’m willing to do almost anything to pay it back somehow. Besides, if you’re going to want me to finish this then I’d assume I’m going to get my own workshop?”

        Steel knew a condition when he heard one. “Fully stocked,” he said, giving the mare a nod. “Just give me a list of what you need and I’ll make sure you have it.”

        Sky Bolt’s expression started out as a small smile, but seconds later erupted into a crazed grin that stretched across her face. “Wooooo-yeah!” she screamed as she leapt into the air, flapping her wings and pumping both forehooves into the air. “Get out that paperwork, I’ll sign it now!” She  darted down, hovering near him.

        “You’re sure you don’t want to think it over?” he asked,  watching the boisterous celebration. “This is a big decision.”

        “Yeah, one I already decided long ago,” she said, doing a quick roll in the air. “As long as you’re really from the Guard, and I don’t see why you’d lie about that, although I will be reading the fine print on my contract to make certain. Anyway, as long as you’re with the Guard, I doubt I’ve got much of a reason to worry. And come on, my own workshop-“

        “You already have one here,” Steel pointed out.

        “It’s basically a rental,” she said. “And too small. I’m not giving up a shot at a bigger workshop. Besides,” she fluttered to the floor in front of him and held out one hoof. “If I’m working with the Guard, then maybe I can get a chance to make some stuff that really matters and help make a difference for some other ponies. So let’s see that contract!”

        ‘You know,” he remarked as he dug into his saddlebags to pull out the paperwork. “For such a young mare, you’ve got a remarkably solid head.”

        “Comes from growing up on a farm,” she said without missing a beat. “Now, the first thing I’m going to want to look at it compensation,” she said as she accepted the small stack of contract paperwork from him. She swept one of her forelegs across a nearby workbench, sweeping bolts and assorted tools to one side, and dropped the stack with a dull thump.

        Steel grimaced as she looked away, the mare’s upbeat personality reminded him of somepony he’d spoken with the night before. Somepony who was probably still hurting. No, he told himself. Now is not the time to dwell on that. 

He turned his attention back to the workbench, where Sky Bolt was flipping through the contract with surprising rapidity, talking to herself under her breath. Now he had to focus on the present. He had a contract to finalize. And that, he realized with a start, would bring the team total to four, leaving him with only two more to recruit. He might need to ask Luna to prepare the barracks after all, especially given that Sky Bolt seemed to be sketching something on a piece of paper that was likely her requirement list for her workshop.

        “Hey, hello!” He snapped back to attention at her words. “I asked how we’re going to move The Hummingbird or if you just want me to work on it here?”

        He thought for a moment, wondering if there was a practical way to move something so large through the streets of Canterlot. Then he remembered who he was working for and a smile grew on his face. “Oh, I think I can get something worked out.”


*        *        *


        Dawn let out a silent sigh as she worked. It had been a full day since she’d told Steel that she would be join the Dusk Guard, and although she hadn’t admitted it out loud, the decision worried her somewhat. Will I be able to keep it up physically? she thought as she used her magic to adjust a bandage on a quietly sleeping patient. I haven’t had to keep a fitness regimen that strenuous for years. 

Dawn looked down at herself as her magic finished securing the replacement bandage. Her body was still fairly beautiful, even if it was a little out of sorts. She could tell at a glance that she had lost tone over the last few years. A few weekly workouts weren’t going to make up for the daily regimen of workouts that she had kept up while she had been a Ranger. She almost muttered her displeasure out loud, but she didn’t want to take the slightest risk of waking the young patient she’d just finished tending to.

The young unicorn colt shifted in his sleep as something banged against the door to the room and for a panicked moment she thought that he would awake, but after a pause he settled and she relaxed. According to his file, the small reddish unicorn had been injured jumping from a rope swing over the Canterlot River. Poor kid hadn’t even earned his cutie mark yet and he’d given himself two massive cuts running along each of his front legs. They wouldn’t scar of course, not under the careful treatment of the Canterlot General hospital, and certainly not with Dawn around to check on him.

She carefully lifted his other leg with her magic, unraveling the old bandage that covered the small child’s wounds with infinite care. Apparently he was scared of doctors, so the staff had taken to changing his bandages when he was asleep to avoid upsetting him. She shook her head as she looked down at the small form sleeping in front of her, wondering exactly why he would be scared of the very ponies that were trying to help him. It wasn’t as if she was that scary. Well, she realized after a moment, not unless she wanted to be.

The bandage fell away and she got a good look at the colt’s injury. A fierce red gash ran up his foreleg, starting halfway up the fetlock and extending just past the colt's knee. Unlike the soft red of the colt's coat, the red of the wound was dark and ugly, with jagged edges. It was not, she reflected, a clean cut. It had doubtlessly hurt horribly. 

Fortunately, it showed every sign of an easy healing. The surrounding flesh was un-irritated, smooth with no signs of infection. The cut itself didn’t appear to be that deep, and she could see that some of the outer scrapes were already almost healed. A few more days to let the wound heal a bit more and he should be ready to—she paused.

Near the base of the injury was a small reddish bump. She probed at it carefully with her magic and was rewarded with a small whimper of pain as the young unicorn shifted in his sleep. She tried again, this time with a different spell, one designed to examine what lay under the surface of the small bump rather than touch it.

A moment later she began wrapping the fresh bandage around his limb, the dull orange glow of her magic faintly lighting the dim room. The infection was small, but it would spread if left unchecked. Fortunately it appeared to be bacterial rather than viral or magical in nature, so it would be fairly simple for the doctors to treat. She finished wrapping the small colt's legs, tucked him back under his covers, made a note of the infection on his chart, and walked out of the room, carrying the soiled bandages with her magic.

“Did you absolutely have to make sure that someone slammed into the door despite the explicit instructions written on the outside of said door?” she said as soon as the door was shut and the sleeping child was sure not to hear them. “We can coat the room in sound dampening spells all we wish to help that child sleep, but absolutely none of them will be worth anything if some reckless pony slams something into the door!” The terrified nurse she was shadowing today, a pale green unicorn by the name of Mint Roll, cowered next to the door. She sighed, one hoof against her forehead. She’d only shadowed Mint Roll once before, and he was proving to be as fearful of her on her second experience as he was on her first.

“Oh grow some spine,” she finally said, exasperated by the quivering unicorn. “You act as if I’m Nightmare Moon, sent to gobble you up. I merely ask why there was such a sharp sudden impact on the door while I was in the middle of a delicate situation?” She pulled the small orderly cart over to herself with a small twitch of her magic and opened the garbage bin on the rear side, disposing of the soiled bandages.

“Well, uh—I—Blossom walked by—“ The nurse started, his voice shaking. Dawn fought the urge to roll her eyes. “And well, I kind of leaned on the cart—“

“And it rolled into the door. I understand,” she said, keeping her response as curt as possible. Of all the foalish things … But then the poor unicorn did look like he was about to faint. She sighed. “Look,” she said in as relaxed a tone she could manage. “I’m not angry, so you can stop your shivering. Despite what you may have heard from some of the other doctors, and—“ she admitted grudgingly, “—a few belligerent patients, I am not about to tie you down just so you can’t run away when I have a disagreement with you.” The poor unicorn didn’t look convinced. If anything, his pale grey mane was shaking harder than ever.

“Oh for the love of—“ she cut herself off, it wasn’t helping. She looked at the quivering mash of jelly claiming to be a unicorn standing in front of her. What am I going to do with—? A sudden epiphany went off in her head and she fought the urge to create a light bulb above her head. “So, Blossom walked by, and you leaned on the cart, and it slid into the door. Correct?” Mint nodded guiltily. “Well then, I suppose you won’t mind if I ask you exactly what about her so interests you?”

“Well, I … She’s just magic, you know?” he said, his eyes threatening to glaze over. “The way she talks, the way she laughs. And she’s so good with the kids, she makes them light up and so happy.” He looked down the long hallway towards where the object of his affection was just visible through the windows of the children’s playroom, her lilac covered coat standing out against the bright yellows and oranges that almost all playrooms seemed to be composed of.

“I see,” Dawn said as she followed his gaze. “Is she attractive?”

“Oh she’s beautiful!” Mint said. “The curve of her neck, the way it—uh ...“ He stopped, as if suddenly remembering who he was talking to.

“I think I get the picture,” Dawn said, stifling a smile. “And don’t worry about offending my ears, Mint. I’m a doctor, remember?” Ah young love. It is somewhat cute, she thought as Mint stole another hurried glance down the hall. “Tell you what Mint, I’m going to tell you what to do, and you’re going to do it alright?” She waited a moment, but finally was rewarded with a nod.

“Alright,” she said. “Blossom is in charge of the children in this wing, correct?”  There was another nod. “And she cares for them greatly.” Again, another nod. “Well then,” she said, pointing at the door behind her. “The child in that room has a complication on his left forelimb, a small bit of debris was missed by whatever duty nurse or doctor tended to his injury. Normally not a small concern, but if you look very closely you will notice that it is beginning to show the first signs of an infection.” She raised her front hooves and balanced for a moment, tapping her left fetlock to show him the location of the infection. “Do you see what I’m suggesting here?”

Mint thought for a moment. “Show her where the infection is and then she can call someone in to take a look at it,” he said.

She nodded at him. “Exactly, and since her break is in another twenty minutes, you may be able to take one at the same time while someone else makes sure that her charge is cared for.” She lowered her voice to emphasize her meaning.

Mint’s eyes grew wide. “Well, yeah, that would work.”

“Technically you’re supposed to be on break now,” Dawn pointed out. “But if you’re reporting something to her …” she let the words trail off as Mint smiled. “Don’t worry about the cart,” she said, wrapping it in her dull orange magic and sending it rolling down the hallway ahead of herself. “I’ll take it back.”

“I ... Thank you!” Mint gushed before trotting very quickly down the hallway towards the play room. Dawn smiled as his hooves echoes against the polished linoleum of the hospital floor. Maybe the young colt would manage to not make a fool of himself and she would have done him a favor.

Her stomach growled as she wheeled the cart back towards the supply room, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten anything in almost nine hours. She decided to deviate her course after returning the cart, stopping at the cafeteria rather than the duty desk where she could find someone new to ‘shadow.’ Perhaps she’d see Mint and Blossom in there while she was eating lunch.

As she walked her thoughts turned back to the job she’d accepted the previous morning and the complications that were coming with it. I really shouldn’t have let my enthusiasm get the better of me. I should have made him wait a day or two for his answer. Her lips turned downward to form a faint frown. That wasn’t the real problem and she knew it. She’d been ‘retired’ five years ago. Five long years. Can I really keep up with what Steel will undoubtedly ask of me? she thought, again looking down at herself. To many she was a trim, well-in-shape if a bit older unicorn mare with a finely groomed coat and mane. But to her own eyes, she could see the differences that five years of retirement had left her with. She still might run six or seven miles every few days, but Steel would require much more than that.

She put away the cart without even thinking about it, her hooves turning her towards the cafeteria on autopilot. I’d best start practicing the old Ranger workouts tomorrow. Even if that means I come here later… She pondered on her status with the hospital for a moment. Being recruited by the guard meant that she would be able to do more than just ‘shadow’ certain doctors and nurses dispensing aid. So perhaps it would be for the best if she warned those at the duty desk now. Oh they’d miss her, those who had made use of her talents anyway, like Mint or Soothe. But if she could spend her off days as an official, on-call doctor again, not just some ‘retiree’ who followed nurses around, hoping they would take her advice ... She felt a little shiver of excitement run through her. She’d be able to help again.

Yes! she decided as she rounded the final corner to the hospital cafeteria. That’s exactly what I’ll do. I’ll tell the duty station today that I won’t be back in for a while. Surely this place can survive without—

A large crash interrupted her thought process as she walked into the cafeteria. Mint was standing by the orange juice machine, shock on his face and salad slathered all over him. A nearly empty food tray lay on the floor next to him, while an onlooking Blossom was trying unsuccessfully to stifle her laughter.

Maybe I can come back a few times in the next week, she thought. Just to give him a little help.
> Assembly - Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 8


“You know, had I known we would be heading back to Ponyville so soon, I would’ve just stayed there.” Hunter leaned back in his seat, pulling his hat back down around his eyes as Steel did his best to ignore his comment. “I mean sure, now my stuff’s all up in Canterlot, but I feel kind of ridiculous bouncing back so quickly.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Steel said from the seat next to him. “We’ll be doing a lot of rapid movement around the country in the future. Besides,” he said, looking out the window at the countryside that was speeding past. “We’re not stopping in Ponyville.”

“Either way,” Hunter said, pulling his hat lower until the brim completely covered his face. He’d spent a total of one day in Canterlot, just one. Now he was leaving again, heading south on the rail line and eventually east towards Tall Tale City. At least he’d had that one day to take care of his last bit of paperwork with the Rangers and meet the Ponyville Shipping crew to stash his belongings. The barracks for the Dusk Guard hadn’t been ready yet—in fact it had been unlivable—so most of his belongings were sitting in a hastily assembled cloud shack nearby. Steel had mentioned that the Royal Sisters had said something about hiring a crew to fix up the barracks and turning them down because he hadn’t realized how decrepit it had been. So he’d spent his second night in Canterlot back in the same inn he’d stayed in the first time, glad that he could afford a cool room in the heat of the summer, and surprised that Steel hadn’t taken a look at the barracks before.

As the train continued south, Hunter simply sat for a while, letting his thoughts run free. It felt good to be back on the move, as much as he had griped about having to show up after dawn to catch an early morning express to Tall Tale. Just like it felt good—no, right to have his hat back on his head. "It belongs there," Swift had said when she’d given it to him. And she’d been right, the hat had fit perfectly, and he’d never lost it, even during some of the more crazy adventures he’d been on. Again she’d been right, getting the enchantment put on it to keep it firmly attached to his head.

“So are you going to nap the whole trip?” Steel asked. His voice sounded gruff, but there was enough lightness in it that Hunter could tell his question wasn’t too serious.

“Maybe,” he said while leaving the rest of his body motionless. “It’s a little hard to get comfortable on these benches, and I think I’ve found the perfect position. A paradise of comfort undiscovered and thought by many impossible to find in economy coach.”

“Looks a bit uncomfortable from here,” Steel said. “Especially with your hind legs hanging in the air like that.”

“Hey, don’t mock the perfect position,” Hunter said, trying not to shift at Steel’s words. Now he could feel that one leg was asking to be moved a bit more to the left. He shifted it ever so slightly, only to have one wing pinch against the seat. He shifted to one side only to have his other wing pinch. Dang it! he thought, shifting his leg back and trying to mimic the same position he’d been in when he’d been so relaxed. For a moment, everything felt perfect.

Then his left foreleg itched. Followed by his right wingfeathers. “Alright, alright!” he said, sitting up and dropping down on his front hooves, the brim of his hat still over his eyes. “What do you want me to do?” he asked, pulling his hat back and looking in Steel’s direction.

“Just look over these files in a bit more detail,” Steel said. His saddlebags sat open on the bench next to him, the files once contained inside sitting spread on the bench or on the spare floor space in front of him.

Hunter shrugged. “Alright, pass me the one on that pony we’re going to find now. Sabra. The zebra.” Steel obliged, passing the file over to him, and Hunter once again settled himself, this time in a more ordinary manner as to avoid undue stress on his neck. He took one last look out the window at the fading Canterlot scenery before digging into Sabra’s file. It would be another several hours before they reached the Smokey Mountain Ranger supply station, and since he was going to be awake, he might as well make the most of it.


*        *        *


 	“They didn’t have to bring the train to a complete stop,” Hunter said as he turned small loops in the air over Steel’s head, clearly relishing at the chance to stretch his wings. “We could have just jumped off.”

Steel snorted, his eyes briefly darting to the spinning brown equine. “Easy for you to say. You’ve got wings, Mr. Pegasus.” He turned away from the sight of the train as it was swallowed up in the bright greens of the Whitetail Woods, looking for the telltale trail that would lead the way to the local Ranger outpost. After a moment’s search he saw it, a simple dirt path that lead off through the trees in a twisting manner. He hopped off of the small wooden platform that served as the rail supply station for the outpost and started along the path.

“They keep this path pretty clear,” he said as he walked along, Hunter choosing to stay airborne and beside him rather then dart ahead. Up ahead the path wound gently through the woods, wide enough that four ponies could have walked abreast, and trimmed so well that several pegasi could have flown alongside Hunter without worry.

“Yeah, the Smokey Mountain Outpost is pretty well maintained,” Hunter said, ducking under a rare low hanging branch. “It’s the central station covering the majority of the Unicorn Range, so it's usually home to one or two squads with a couple more independent outposts around the area.” A cool breeze rustled through the forests broad leaves, creating a smooth rustling noise that permeated the air around them. “And it’s also pretty high up on the list of places most Rangers request.”

“Why’s that?”

Hunter smiled and spread his hooves. “Are you kidding? Look at this place? Whitetail Woods is a pretty awesome place to be assigned if you’re a Ranger. It's reasonably sedate, you’ve got mountains, forest, beaches … I had some good times here with my squad back in the day.”

“Alright, fair enough,” Steel said, looking with renewed interest at the forest around them. It was lush and thick with leaves, but not thick enough that rich, warm sunlight couldn’t pass through to fall around them like golden beams. The trees weren’t tightly packed together like the Everfree either, there was plenty of space between them, even with bushes and other patches of greenery, enough that the path they were walking on really could have been easily made anywhere. In fact, Steel realized, the trail seemed to be winding back and forth not because it needed to, but simply to show off the view.

“And there it is!” Hunter said, darting ahead with a quick burst of his wings. Steel looked a bit more closely at the trees ahead of him but couldn’t make out what the sharp-eyed pegasus had seen. Hunter was already almost out of sight, darting from side to side and weaving through the trees. Steel broke into a canter, his hooves leaving clear marks in the pale brown dirt as he surged forward to catch up with Hunter.

It was around the next bend that the Smokey Mountain Ranger Station finally came into view through the trees. First it was little more than a brown smudge broken up by various tree trunks, but as he came closer details began to resolve. It was large, much larger than he had expected, and divided into different sections, almost as if several different building of various types had been connected into one. The path led right up to the entrance, where several steps rose up to a large double door that was currently wide open. Hunter was standing near the base of the stairs, already excitedly chatting with a light grey unicorn mare with a rich purple mane.

“—I’m not a Ranger anymore.” Steel made out Hunter saying as he moved closer.

“You’re not?” The grey mare asked, shocked. “You quit?”

Hunter shook his head. “Got recruited.” His next words came out as a whisper, just low enough that Steel could hear him over the crunching of his hooves on the gravel that surrounded the station. “Forcibly.” Hunter made an exaggerated hoof motion in Steel’s direction and the mare rolled her eyes while shaking her head.

“If he had to force you into anything that he’s going to be a part of, then he doesn’t know what he’s in for.” The grey mare rose from her spot on the porch as he approached and trotting down the steps. “Ranger Violet Petal, at your service,” she said, stopping and extending her hoof towards Steel. Now that she was closer, he could make out the small pair of bright orange flowers on her flank, although he wasn’t sure what kind of flower they were. He took a few rapid observations about her. Probably five or six years older than Hunter, near retirement judging from the smaller wrinkles in the corners of her eyes. In shape, but not quite as in shape as she had been a few months ago, perhaps owing to the relaxed nature of the environment. Was she serving at a desk job then? A strong voice, one that was used to giving orders and having them followed.

“Captain Steel Song, Dusk Guard,” Steel said, giving her hoof a shake. “I see you already know my lieutenant,” he said with a tilt of his head towards Hunter.

“A lieutenant?” Violet said, looking back over at Hunter. “You hadn’t mentioned that part yet.”

“First lieutenant actually.” Hunter said, flashing her a grin. “I wasn’t about to let myself take a pay dive.”

“Hah, I’ve seen your pay grade,” Violet said with a roll of her eyes. “You had nothing to worry about.” She turned her attention back to Steel. “So, aside from being beleaguered with this joker and probably wanting to pawn him back off on us, what can I do for you?”

“I’m looking for a pony that was spotted in this area a few weeks ago. A zebra actually.“

“You’re looking for Sabra?” Violet said, surprised. A defensive look came into her eyes. “Why?” she asked, her gaze narrowing.

“Relax,” Hunter said before Steel could say anything. “We want to hire him. Oh, and—“ he said in an off-hoof manner, “—he was here a few days ago.”

“How did you—?“ Steel said, neatly mirroring Violet’s own “How in Equestria—?”

Hunter rolled his eyes and pointed one hoof at the hoof prints of his cutie mark. “Cutie Mark in tracking remember? He was here a few days ago, he left some strands of his coat caught on the door when he opened it.” He flew over to the station doors and carefully wiped his hoof down the door. “See?” he asked, carefully flying back. Sitting in the center of his upturned hoof was a small cluster of white and black hairs.

“Ok, unless we’ve got somepony else with a black and white coloration,” Violet said, but Steel could see that it was more to argue the point than a denial of fact. “Besides, how could you know how recent it is?”

“Weather reports,” Hunter said. “There was a strong storm sent through here a week ago, I know because it came through Ponyville later that day. These,” he held up the hairs once more. “Were both lightly embedded in the wood, and the wood underneath was dry. That, and I also know that he was here because I can see the marks his staff made on the trail.”

“Wow,” Violet said, and Steel could see her face was mirroring the look of surprised awe on his own. “I’d heard stories about how good you were, but actually seeing it in action? That’s impressive.”

“Thank you.” Hunter said, offering an exaggerated bow. “But hey, we all have our talents.”

“Indeed we do,” Steel said, turning to face Violet. “Which is why we’re looking for Sabra, he has a unique array of talents that we’d like to hire him for.”

“Well,” Violet said, visibly relaxing as she looked towards him. “Hunter’s right, Sabra passed by here a few days ago. We see him every once in awhile, sometimes he stick around for a few hours and pitches in with the odd job or two.” She waved a hoof at the station behind her. “He even helped us paint this place a few months ago, barely accepted the bits we offered for it.” Her hoof switched directions, pointing at a path that receded away from the station through the forest. “Not that your tracker he couldn’t tell I’m sure, but he lives out somewhere on Smokey Mountain.”

Steel tilted his head back, taking in the sight of the massive peak that jutted out over the forest like rocky, crag-filled spike. The highest peak in the Unicorn Range, Smokey Mountain towered over the landscape like a snow-capped leviathan. Its lower flanks were covered in trees, the vibrant greens of the Whitetail Woods giving away to the darker greens of mountain pines as the forest moved upward. Eventually the trees became scarce altogether, the mottled greens giving way to patches of grey stone, interspaced by small bits of color that were the forests last, most hardy handouts.

The peak itself was wrapped in snow that persisted year round, even in the heat of the summer, giving the peak a perpetual haze of wispy cloud that had earned the mountain its name. Every so often some dutiful geologists or tourists would undertake the journey to the peak, spending several days making their way up the side of the mountain. While not as impressive as some of the peaks elsewhere in the world such as the Whinyleyas, Smokey Mountain had earned itself a respectable status as one of Equestria’s best locations for determined mountaineers.

“Pretty interesting place to live,” Hunter said, breaking Steel’s concentration. “Any ideas on where exactly?”

Violet shook her head. “We’ve got the Outpost on the South side of the mountain right near the edge of the tree-line, but no pony has ever seen him go by, so he probably leaves the trail before then and strikes out on his own.

“Shouldn’t be too hard for me to pick up his trail then,” Hunter said, landing on the ground and moving towards the path Violet had pointed out. “Thanks for your help.” He didn’t look back, his eyes were already on the trail in front of him, taking in detail that was invisible to anypony else.

“Thanks,” Steel said, raising on hoof and offering it in a shake.

“Not a problem,” the mare said as she raised her own hoof into his and shook. “It’s not everyday you get to meet the tracking legend of the Rangers and the famous Steel Song. Oh yes,” she said as she saw his expression change. “I knew who you were the moment you walked into this clearing. You might not be a 'big-name pony' like say, Sapphire Shores,” she said, her hooves making quote marks in the air. “But you’re a story among the Rangers for the few times you’ve pitched in to help out. Most of us senior officers are old enough to remember the help you gave us near Manehatten. Don’t worry,” she said, snapping him a salute. “We’re not going to put you up on a pedestal or anything, but we do our best to repay whatever help we’re given.”

“Thank you,” Steel said, smiling as he returned her salute. “It’s been a pleasure.” And with that, he turned towards the forest trail and started off after Hunter.

They made their way along the trail for several hours in relative silence. Around them the wind continued to rustle through the leaves, mixing with birdsong and occasional animal calls to make a relaxing symphony that seemed to follow them through the woods. Like the trail from the supply stop, the path was wide and well maintained, and wound through the forest with no apparent hurry. Several times it passed over small streams, on a few occasions even the same stream, doubling back like a snake as it made its way through the woods. Neither of the two ever got wet however, as the Rangers had built bridges at each one of the crossings, sturdy things of thick wooden planks that produced solid thumping noises as the two ponies made their way over them.

Eventually the trail began to slope upward and the forest around them began to change, the smooth pale bark of the Whitetail Woods giving away to the rougher and darker bark of the occasional mountain pine or spruce tree. Instead of the occasional leaf underhoof, the trail began to show signs of the changing flora, small patches of long pine needles began to coat the trail, making a faint rustling as they stepped through them. The sounds of the forest began to change as well, birdsongs fading as they climbed higher, replaced instead by the calls of eagles. The soft gurgle of creeks became a rushing roar as water cascaded over rocky drops. The air grew sharper, as if there was an invisible edge to it that couldn’t cut, but could still be felt with each breath.

The trail began to switch back and forth as the duo continued up the mountain, trading vertical ascent for ease, although from time to time the two would just cut across, Hunter weaving his body through the thick pine branches with impressive agility, while Steel would simply power himself up the slope, his thick muscles propelling him upward. Before long, the horizon began to drop and they could see the Whitetail Wood spread out below them like a thick, green carpet. The wooden bridges the two had crossed earlier began to show up even when there wasn’t a stream to cross, instead bridging particularly narrow or unstable gaps in the trail. And still the trail climbed on.

They were growing close to the treeline, the sun high overhead, when Hunter finally stopped, holding up his hoof in the “stop now” sign that Steel and so many of the Rangers understood.

“He breaks off from the trail here,” he said, pointing down at a scuff mark in the dirt. Steel moved in closer and leaned down as Hunter began to explain. “His hooves pivot here.” He tapped a series of hoof marks that twisted in the dirt. “His staff switches sides, so he’s adjusted the weight of his saddlebags on his back and now it's tilted the other way. His left hind hoof is digging slightly further into the darkened dirt of the trail.” Hunter followed the path with his eyes, moving across the trail and then into the woods. “He’s heading east.” Hunter said, moving over to the side of the trail and inspecting some of the mountain brush. “The brush here is showing a regular break pattern, he must come this way every week or two.”

“Will it be easy to track?” Steel inquired. 

Hunter turned back to look at him and gave him a grin. “He might as well have painted the trail with glowing paint while singing out ‘I’m a Pretty Loony’ and dancing,” he said, before turning back to the edge of the trail and climbing into the brush. “If we’re lucky, he’s not too far away and we might be able to make it back to the Station by nightfall.”

“I hadn’t pegged you as the type to be afraid of the dark,” Steel said as he followed Hunter from the trail and into the underbrush, pressing branches aside with his chest. The trail they were following had definitely been made by a smaller pony than he, and while Hunter seemed to have no problem sliding underneath and around the branches in their path, he was having to resort to shoving them out of the way.

Hunter gave a small laugh as he ducked around another tree, his eyes still downward, following clues that were all but invisible to Steel’s eyes. “Hey, I spent three years out in Everfree forest, can’t blame a guy for wanting to see who else roosts at the station that he might know.”

‘You can’t tell just by looking at the ground?” Steel asked as he shouldered his way past the small pine, the hundreds of long needles feeling like an itchy brush as they ran through his coat. How did Hunter manage to keep his abnormally long mane from getting tangled in any of this stuff? 

“I’m good,” Hunter said from ahead as the trail broke out of the brush and into a more open, although steeper, patch of the forest. “But I’m not that good.” He looked at the ground ahead of him for a few moments, eyes panning across small trees, moss, and grass, before turning slightly and heading across without a sign of hesitation and plunging back into the forest. The trail continued in this manner, breaking in and out of the forest until finally it broke out altogether, having finally raised itself high enough to pass beyond the tree-line.

It was at this point that the journey became more difficult. Had the two ponies been on the southern side, where the Rangers kept the trails on easily circumventable terrain and worked to keep them clear, the way forward would have been much easier. Instead the two were following a path laid down by a lone zebra over a period of months, a path that wound through boulders and the rocky terrain with no regards to the ease of the path. Several times Hunter took to wing, flying over large boulders while Steel, still following, had to clamor up the rock behind him, carefully digging each hoof into the stone.

“We’re almost there,” Hunter said, stopping suddenly on the rocky path. They were currently more than halfway up the mountain’s east side, following a narrow outcropping of rock that twisted and turned along the sheer side of the mountain.

“How can you tell?” Steel asked, looking down with apprehension at the long drop below them. He knew that if he fell Hunter would easily be able to catch him before he approached the bottom, but that would mean climbing back up the mountain, something he wasn’t too keen to do twice if he could avoid it.

“The pattern of his hoofsteps changes,” Hunter said. “He speeds up slightly.” He motioned with one hoof, pointing at a bend up ahead where the trail swept around the side of the mountain and out of sight. “Unless something started chasing him, I’d expect we’ll find him right around this bend.”

“Alright then,” Steel said, still eyeing the long drop to his right. “Lets go see if he’s home.”

The two ponies rounded the bend in the trail to see a surprising tableau spread out before them. The trail widened almost as soon as it rounded the bend, growing away from the mountain as it moved inward, and leaving the two ponies standing at the peak of a U-shape in the side of mountain. The base of the U however was not empty, but instead a shelf of rock that grew from one side of the alcove to the other. Sitting in the center of that shelf was a small wooden hut, smoke cheerfully rising from a small hole in its roof, while nearby, a young zebra stood carefully on one front leg, balancing on a bamboo staff, his back towards them.

At first glance Hunter wasn’t quite sure that the zebra was balancing at all. His hind legs were in the air, his whole body pointed upward from a single front hoof planted on a bamboo staff, but all initial signs that the action was even remotely challenging were absent. There was no quiver to his movements, no jerky motions that would have marked him as anything other than a statue. As he looked closer, however, Hunter could see the gradual movement of the colt's chest, the slow, methodic ripple of whipcord muscle underneath the stallions coat as he made minute adjustments to his position.

There was a sudden burst of motion as the zebra spun his hind legs downward, twisting his body and pushing off of the staff with his one hoof. The motion stopped, and now he was facing them, settled gracefully on one bent rear leg, his hooves held together in front of him. He gave them a short, curt bow with his head and upper body, all the while balancing on the bamboo rod. Hunter raised his eyebrows in surprise at the sight of the blindfold tied across the zebra’s eyes.

“Salamu.” The zebra said. His voice was soft and quiet, almost melodic, but there was solidarity behind it, a firmness that reminded Hunter of Steel’s own gruff but firm tone. The meaning of the word was unknown to him, unfamiliar as he was with the Zebra tongue.

“Salamu,” Steel replied, nodding his head in return, although the zebra likely couldn’t see him through the blindfold. “Are you Sabra?”

There was a moment's pause, then the zebra nodded quietly. “I am he,” he said.

“Well,” Hunter said after the silence began to stretch to what he felt was an uncomfortable level. “I see why they called you the ‘silent monk.’”

“Do you truly see?” Sabra asked, his voice still soft and quiet. “Or are you merely reading the shadows set upon the cave wall?”

Hunter blinked as he tried to wrap his mind around the strange response. “What?” he finally stammered.

“Don’t worry about it,” Steel said in his direction. “You think too hard on it and you might hurt something.” He turned back to the balancing zebra. ‘Sabra, my name is Steel Song, and I am Captain of the Dusk Guard.” There was no response from the inert zebra. “I’m here because I would like to offer you a position in our division. I’ve heard a great deal about your skills, and I feel that our team would be greatly for the better if we could enlist your services.”

“Forgive me my manners,” Sabra said after a moment, flipping his body once again and landing on his other forward hoof, this time with his back curled so far back that his grey-and-white striped tail was hanging above his black-and-white contrasting mane. “I would cease my zoezi—my exercise,” he said, catching himself as he slipped into his own language. “But I am nearly finished. Then,” he said, idly putting his body into a spin with a twitch of his hoof. “I will be more than happy to assist in your questions.”

They stood there in silence for a moment as Sabra put his body through more motions, each time landing on one hoof and staying perfectly balanced on the bamboo staff, although occasionally it would flex underneath his weight. Hunter watched as the zebra’s body contorted itself into increasingly strange positions, each time landing spot on the bamboo staff. The colt's body moved like water, twisting and flowing through the air as he moved from position to position. As he watched, Hunter spotted what looked like a cutie mark on the colt's flank, a series of three concentric circles that radiated out from a central point. What it stood for he couldn’t say, but it was clearly something special to the zebra youth. 

And youth he was, Hunter put him almost at the age most ponies would have been when they were finishing up their school years and beginning careers, although no pony that age had probably ever looked like Sabra. The colt’s body was like one large coiled spring, Hunter observed as he watched the various rotations. There was no fat or signs of luxury on the colt's body, instead nothing but a smooth leanness of muscle. Although the colt was smaller than he was, Hunter could easily imagine Sabra being much stronger than he was.

With a final kick of his hind legs, Sabra leaped backwards in a flip and landed neatly on all fours, his staff falling backwards towards him. He caught it neatly in his teeth, spun it around his neck once with a quick toss of his head, a feat that had Hunter’s eyes wide, and then neatly slid it into a small grey harness that was wrapped around his chest.

“So,” Sabra said, the tail ends of his blindfold hanging down in front of his shoulders. “What do you two wish of me?”

‘How do you know there are only two of us?” Hunter asked. “There could be three or four.”

The zebra smiled slightly. “Because I only hear two of you. Two steps of hooves approached on the pass, two have spoken.”

“One of us could be a pegasus, and could be flying overhead.” Hunter replied. He noticed from the corner of his eye that Steel was giving him an amused look.

“You are a pegasus,” Sabra said with a slight tilt of his head. “And there are no other pegasi nearby, nor unicorns, griffins, or other manner of airborne individuals.”

“Huh,” Hunter said, sitting back. The kid certainly sounded sure of his deductions.

“You didn’t read all the way through his file did you?” Steel said quietly with a shake of his head. “His special talent is navigation by sound.”

"Oh ...” Hunter said, thinking back to the file that he’d made it through only the first page of before his thoughts had drifted.

“I knew you were asleep,” Steel said in a tone that promised some form of retribution later. “Sabra's also a Master of the Fimbo style, the youngest master in—” He turned to look at Sabra.

“Seventeen generations,” Sabra said with no hint of pride at the accomplishment, but Hunter noted, no sense of disappointment either.

“Thank you,” Steel said, giving Hunter one last disapproving look before turning back to look at Sabra. “So, Sabra.” There was a polite nod from the zebra. “Captain Steel Song, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Steel strode forward and raised his hoof, and Hunter was again impressed when Sabra’s own hoof rose in perfect time to meet Steel’s in a hearty shake.

“Asante,” Sabra said, dropping the Captains hoof and then using it to pull his blindfold from his face, revealing a pair of shockingly vivid violet eyes staring at them. “It is always a pleasure to ... To meet new ponies,” he said, slightly haltingly. His voice was still soft. “Now, as to what you said earlier.”

“Indeed,” Steel said, sitting back on his haunches, Sabra doing the same. “As I said, I’m Captain of the Dusk Guard—it’s a new Guard division,” he said as Sabra’s brow slightly furrowed at the name. “We’re building a small detachment of very talented ponies to serve Equestria in whatever capacity is requested by the Royal Sisters, primarily to protect and preserve the peace of those who live here. I would be honored if you would add your skills to the Dusk Guard.”

There was a long period of silence after Steel finished speaking. Sabra was motionless, his gaze fixed on the olive colored stallion. Then after some time, he sighed and spoke. “When the world is at peace, a gentlepony keeps his sword at his side.” His voice was quiet and somber. “Are you like Aristrotle of old then, making war that you may live in peace?”

“To subdue an enemy without fighting is the acme of skill,” Steel replied, and Hunter recognized it as a quote from an ancient pegasus commander. “We will not seek violence, not as such.”

“Then what—” Sabra answered, looking Steel directly in the eyes, “—would you require of me if I—” he paused, struggling for the right word and finding it, “—joined?”

Steel shrugged. “I can’t rightfully say. It may be that we are asked to repel another invasion like one from the changelings we suffered several weeks ago. Or it may be that someone becomes lost somewhere and we are sent in to help them. We are to protect the citizens of this nation, and that is our calling.”

“And does it matter so much that I am not technically a citizen of this nation?” Sabra asked.

“Well, not as far as I see it, no,” Steel said, fixing a dark blue eye on Sabra. “According to what I’ve read about you, you’ve already proven yourself capable of protecting those in need, once in the Hayseed Swamps, and again in the Foal Mountains. If you ask me, you’ve already proven yourself fit to serve on the Dusk Guard.” There was another patch of silence and then Sabra spoke. This time however, he turned his attention to Hunter.

“May I ask you a question?” he said, his voice still calm and quiet.

“Sure,” Hunter said, wondering what the zebra’s purpose was in addressing him.

“I was wondering what you would say life is?” Sabra asked. There was no hint of amusement or malice behind the question, just pure, honest inquiry.

“Well, um,” Hunter said, his mind racing. “I guess it would be everything around us.” He motioned with one hoof at the mountains around them. “I mean, everything that’s alive is life, so that would be the answer to your question I think.” He stopped expectantly, but Sabra didn’t look convinced.

“And you, Captain Song,” Sabra said, facing Steel once more.

“Just call me Steel for now,” Steel said, getting a quick nod from Sabra in return.

“Steel, then,” Sabra said. “What do you think life is?”

Steel paused for a moment before he spoke, and when he did, his gaze was slightly to one side, as if he was looking at someone other than Sabra. “Well,” he said. “I’m not quite sure exactly what sort of answer you’re looking for, but to me, I guess, well, life for me would have to be this.” He turned and pointed at the twin silver kite shields on his flank. “My life has been all about protecting and defending those who need that protection, that help. To me life is—” there was a pause in his voice and Hunter had the distinct impression that there was something more he wanted to say, but didn’t want to say. “It’s protecting those I care about,” Steel said at last. “Whether they be a pony—or an individual—that I know or not. If they need protection, then I protect them.” He looked back at Sabra, and Hunter could see the fierce determination in his eyes at his words. “My life has been in the protection of others.”

“How much do you know about my travels here in Equestria?” Sabra asked. “Do you know why I travel here?” When Steel shook his head, Sabra continued. “Among the order that I am part of, when one wishes to pass beyond the rank of master to the seventh and highest rank, they are told to create a question. We ask our question of the other masters, and of the students, until we have asked our question of everyone at the monastery. If we ever receive an answer that satisfies our question from any at the monastery, we are to return and begin anew with a question. When we reach a question that has no answer, then we are expelled from the monastery to travel the world until we reach the answer we seek. It is then, and only then, that we return to our people and give our answer so that all may be enriched by our experiences. I seek the answer to a question, and so I have come to Equestria in search of my answer.” Sabra finished speaking and sat back. Hunter hadn’t even noticed when the colt had risen.

“Seems like there could be a few ways out of that one,” he said. “You could ask something simple like ‘What do I have in my pockets’ or something like that.”

“Hunter,” Steel said, his voice a warning tone.

“No, it is fine,” Sabra said. “Each question is always different, and each is individual, although I believe that question has been asked before by a traveler such as myself.”

“Either way,” Steel said, shooting a warning look Hunter’s way as he turned towards Sabra again. “So you want to find the answer to your question then?” The zebra nodded. “Well then, we can help with that,” Steel said. “Join us, and you’ll be under the direct employ of the Royal Sisters, as well as traveling with us to various locations. If you don’t find the answer in the Canterlot Archives or on one of our missions, I’m more than certain that one of the sisters themselves could help you.”

“Perhaps,” Sabra said. “Although, once I have my answer, would I be free to return to my order as I pleased?”

"You would,” Steel said. “As long as you wouldn’t mind any attempts to convince you to stay.”

Sabra smiled. “Truly would the world be a grim place indeed if we did not attempt to delay the moving on of those close to us.”

"So you’ll do it?” Steel asked.

Sabra smiled at them both. “Ndiyo! When do we depart, and what shall my duties be?”

“We’ll depart as soon as you can be ready,” Steel said. “Do you need much time to gather your things?” he asked as Sabra turned and vanished into the small hut.

“Truly I have but a little in the way of material goods.” Sabra called from the doorway. “I travel light and swift.” There was the sound of something rattling from inside as the monk continued to assemble his goods. “The hut I shall leave, its interior some other stray traveler to protect in time of need.” There was a last puff of smoke from the roof, and Sabra walked out, the cabin’s small door shutting behind him. A rolled bedroll was over his back, and two small saddlebags sat astride each flank. His bamboo staff was still sitting lightly against his upper right side, swinging slightly with each step. “So,” he asked, his voice louder and clearer than any time he had spoken previously, and a wide smile on his face. “Where are we headed?”

“To Appleloosa,” Steel said, tossing his head towards the trail. “To collect the last member of our little team.” He started down the path at a brisk trot. “If we hurry, we can make it to the Ranger Station before dark. I’ll tell you all about your new job along the way.”

Sabra watched as the two ponies began making their way along the trail. He hadn’t quite done his full practice since the two had come, but it never hurt to test his abilities a bit more. He reached into his saddlebags and pulled out a well worn strip of cloth. With practiced movement, he flipped it over his eyes, tying the back in a swift knot. Then, eyes closed to the world, he followed the two older ponies down the trail.

He was Sabra, Fimbo Master.
> Assembly - Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 9


        Clockwork sighed in relief as the cabin door slid shut behind him, separating him somewhat from the raucous noise of the passenger compartment. “Celestia’s sun ...” he muttered to himself, shaking his head and massaging his throbbing temple. Four fillies, three colts, one pet dog that hadn’t stopped barking since the trip started, and the two parents were sleeping through it all.

        Clockwork was a porter for the Equestrian Railway Service, a job he had aspired to ever since he had been a young colt and seen one of the first steam engines demonstrated at a Summer Sun Celebration. He’d been fascinated by the way the mechanical contraption had moved slowly around the heavy wooden tracks, belching clouds of superheated steam as it circled. The way the pistons had moved, pushing the machine forward with every hiss of superheated vapor—he’d been fascinated by it, and from the moment the first locomotive had been announced a few years later, he’d known that he would work on one.

        Of course, he hadn’t ever expected to put up with this lot. He turned away from the particularly loud car he’d been stationed in for the last three hours and pulled the door to the next car open. Thank the heavens for mandatory breaks, or he would’ve gone out of his mind hours earlier. While the pegasus family had been kind enough to book the whole car, the only ponies in the group that he could see having been at all affected by what appeared to be a vacation to Baltimare were the parents. The moment they’d dropped off to sleep, the seven siblings had proceeded to make enough noise that Clockwork suspected that Luna herself would have heard it from the moon, had she still been there.

        “Rough night?” another porter quietly asked as he saw Clockwork approaching.

        Clockwork nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got a family of pegasi in my car tonight. The parents may be tired from the trip, but the kids sure aren’t.”

        Sunstrider grimaced and gave a quiet whistle. “Tough luck. I wish I could say I was with you on that one but ...” The soft yellow unicorn waved one hoof at the quiet car behind him. “Everypony here’s been out since the sun went down and I turned down the cabin lights.”

        “I’ll manage,” Clockwork said, still rubbing his head with one hoof. “I’m going to take my break early and get a breath of fresh air out back.”

        “Alright,” Sunstrider said, a soft blue glow surrounding a newspaper sitting nearby. “Say ‘hi’ to Rachet for me.” Clockwork nodded, moving past the young unicorn and down the aisle, stepping lightly on the car’s plush carpet. Here and there the occasional bench was lit overhead by a soft light, some because their occupants had failed to shut off the small light before falling asleep, but in a few cases because the occupant in question was still awake. Clockwork nodded to one earth pony mare who smiled at him as he passed, a book open in her hooves.

        When he reached the rear door he slid it open with a single hoof, trying to keep the noise he made to a minimum. There was some ambient bleed-through as he passed into the connecting vestibule between cars, the sound of the train tracks clicking away underneath the cars, the faint rattling of the connecting tunnel between the two cars, but nothing—he hoped—that would wake any but the lightest sleepers. The door slid shut with a soft click behind him and he was left alone in the tunnel.

        He missed the older models of train cars, the ones where a pony had to step outside in-between each car, nothing but a railing separating a pony from the scenery flying by beside the train. Of course, it had come with drawbacks. If it was raining he would have had to put on a poncho to travel from car to car in order to keep his conductor's uniform from getting wet. Ponies with longer manes had been forced to constantly restyle between passings, and the gust of wind that roared through a car if someone opened the front door, particularly on a curve...

        The tunnels are nice, he admitted to himself as he popped his pocketwatch out of his vest with one hoof and carefully nosed the hair-trigger switch, flipping the thin metal lid open. Still, he thought as he looked at the time—1:35 AM on the dot. Getting a breath of fresh air on my break used to be a lot easier. He snapped the watch shut with a sharp click.

        Clockwork slid the next door open with much less care. The last three cars were cargo cars; there was no one to wake up or disturb here. He made his way down the narrow aisle that had been left between the cargo, occasionally moving left or right as the path did, making room for some container that hadn’t quite fit like the rest. The rows of wooden crates stretched nearly to the ceiling, piled three high in some places and blocking out most of the light from above, giving everything a slight shadow. Bags of mail from the Equestrian postal service sat piled near the rear end of the carriage, letters from Baltimare to all ends of Equestria.

        Clockwork rolled aside a bag of mail that had fallen out of place, blocking the rear door, and made his way through the vestibule into the second of the cargo cars. This one was much more open, since the majority of the items in this car were specialty items rather than the more generalized contents of the last car. Most of them were still boxed of course, but several items were simply wrapped in parcel paper with address written across them. A couple of boxes had been stacked in one corner next to a few wooden crates, but the car was relatively clear and he made his way across it in a straight line.

        The third cargo car was almost completely empty, a rare sight on the Equestrian Rail line, and one that furrowed Clockwork's brow in worry as he made his way through it. One … two … three-four …  five crates, he thought, counting each of the wooden boxes as he passed. He felt his brow crease further as he contemplated the implications of the lack of cargo. He’d heard about the thefts of course, everypony that worked for the company likely had by now. There had been a company-wide memo about it again that morning, on the importance of reassuring customers while the situation was dealt with in order to keep loss of business to a minimum. He frowned as he closed the last cargo door behind him. Hopefully it was simply a light night and not a sign that customers were losing faith.

        “Hey there, Clockwork,” Rachet said, looking up at him as he entered the train's small caboose. “Early break tonight?”

        “Yeah,” Clockwork said with a nod. “Got a bunch of unruly kids up in car nine, I figured I’d get some fresh air. Maybe the little runts will be asleep when I get back.”

        The sky-blue earth pony laughed. “How’s Sunstrider doing tonight?”

        “About the same as every night,” Clockwork said as he made for the back door. “Reading some paper he’s borrowed from a sleeping passenger. He says ‘hi’ by the way.” He slid the rear door of the caboose open, relishing the sudden chill of wind as it played across his aching head.

        “Hi, huh?” Rachet said, his tone gruff. “Well you can tell him he still owes me thirty bits from that poker game last week.”

        Clockwork laughed as he stepped out onto the caboose's back deck, shutting the door behind him. Around him dark shapes swept past, illuminated only by the silver glow of a half moon in the sky above as the train powered through the Colthill Mountain Forest. He draped his front hooves over the rear rail, relishing the feel of the night air rushing through his mane and watching as track ties receded off into the distance. He took a deep, slow breath, ears twitching as the scent of the forest pines mixed with the mud-scented steam of the train engine to form a strange bouquet that was as organic as it was machine.

        He stood there for a while, his mind nearly empty, relaxing in the view and the chilly—but not cold—wind. Well, not cold to him at least. He’d been a porter for almost thirty years now, and he wasn’t about to be bothered by a nighttime breeze. While most other ponies would have turned back inside after a minute or two, shivering and clutching cloaks tightly to their bodies, Clockwork had spent three decades living with the cutting wind. By now, he considered himself made of sterner stuff.

        A new scent came into the air, a faint acrid smell not unlike the forest around them that wrinkled his nose. Woodsmoke. Rachet must have decided to light the small stove in the rear cabin. With a sigh, Clockwork dropped from the rail and pulled his pocket watch out. He’d only been outside for eight minutes, although it had gone by much quicker. Still, he had a job to do, even if it was simple, and if he stayed out any longer he would run the risk of carrying the scent of woodsmoke back in with him on his uniform. He slid the rear door open, moving back into the caboose.

        He gave Rachet a nod as he passed, but the pony was dutifully engaged in some aspect of the caboose's small woodstove, and merely returned the nod with a quick glance. Clockwork slid the caboose door shut with a click as he left and began to make his way through the cargo cars once more. As he walked through the rearmost car, something seemed to twitch in the back of his mind, a sort of sixth sense that made him pause. He looked around the car for a moment, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He certainly couldn’t hear any warning clicks or squeals or any of the other warning signs that he would have associated with a problem. He shrugged. Maybe he was just apprehensive about returning to a very noisy car after such silence. He took one last look at the car with its four boxes and moved into the connecting tunnel.

        He frowned as he slid to door open to the middle cargo carriage, revealing a darkened interior barely lit by flickering moonlight filtering in through the cargo car’s few narrow side windows. For some reason, somepony had turned the freight car’s lights out.

        “Hmph.” Clockwork reached out with one hoof and fumbled for the lightswitch on the wall. There was an audible click over the clatter of the tracks as he flipped the switch left, and then another click as he flipped it back and then left again. He flipped it several more times, sending a rapid-fire staccato of noise through the car. “Wonderful,” he muttered to himself as he clicked the switch for a final time. Now the magilights had gone out. He closed the car door behind him and began to carefully pick his way across the room, stepping lightly as to not accidentally trip over anything important. He hadn’t even been aware that magilights could burn out.

        The lack of light made crossing through the cargo car difficult. The packages weren’t exactly stacked, nor were they any standard shape. Worse still, moonlight was flickering through the windows as the train passed through the forest, filtered by the passing trees into even more difficult shadows that seemed to jump and move over the cargo. Or was that the cargo moving? Clockwork let out a nervous chuckle. That would be ridiculous, cargo didn’t move. He took another step forward, carefully lifting his hoof over a long paper wrapped parcel that was laying across his path.

        Again the little sense in the back of his head began making itself known, a soft itch that became a rolling shiver that slid down his spine like an icy wind. He paused, rear leg lifted partway over the package. Something was nagging at the edge of his mind. What was it? He set his hoof down slowly on the floor and took another look around the car. The sliding moonlight, blinking on and off like a strobe with each passing tree, made it hard for his eyes to adjust to the dark shadows of the cargo car, but he couldn’t quite see anything out of place. There was the pile of boxes he’d seen earlier. Another blink as the moonlight cut out. There was an odd pile of parcels, some long narrow package laying across it. Another blink. There was—hang on. Clockwork felt his pulse rise as he looked back at the pile of packages he’d just seen. The moon blinked again, and he took another good look at the pile in the flickery moonlight. The long narrow item he’d seen was gone.

        Clockwork could feel his heart beating in his chest, a deep thumping sound that echoed in his ears. Come to think of it, he hadn’t had to step over any package before when he’d passed through this car had he? Why now had he just stepped over one? He turned back, looking down at the innocently wrapped paper bundle. The itch inside of his head had spread now, moving down into his gut with an unfamiliar clenching feeling that seemed to be speaking to him. You didn’t step over any package on the way here? the feeling was saying. But you’re stepping over one now. Somepony moved this package. Somepony moved it.

 Clockwork tried to swallow, but his throat was dry and rough, like he’d swallowed a mouthful of dust. He let out a nervous cough and took a few careful steps forward. Who had moved the package?

        “Is-is someone there?” he called out. His voice sounded far creakier then he remembered it. “Anyone?” Moonlight continued to slip through the car, shadows moving quickly as the faint beams sparked into being and then died, cut off by the trains movement. It almost looked like the cargo was moving with them, rolling, sliding towards him—

        Clockwork bit down on the train of thought, silencing it. He was a fully grown stallion, he wasn’t about to let himself be terrified by a few nighttime shadows. He began to take slow, measured steps toward the front of the cargo car, carefully picking his way through the luggage. Had it always been this haphazardly spread across the room? Of course it had! He mentally berated himself as he passed the halfway point of the car. He was simply on edge because of the rough night he’d had. Or maybe it was Sunstrider pulling some prank on him. Yes, that was certainly it, he thought to himself as he stepped over another package that he couldn’t recall stepping over before. The door to the connecting tunnel was closer now. Sunstrider was playing some foalish prank on him. He’d disconnected the magilights, moved the cargo. It wouldn’t have taken that long for the young unicorn to do with his magic—

        There was a soft thunk behind him, like the sound a hoof would have made when lightly setting itself on a wooden floor. Clockwork felt his body freeze against his will as the itch in the back of his head grew to a raging scream. He swallowed, again aware of the dryness of his throat. It was just somepony playing a prank, that was all. He wouldn’t run away like a terrified schoolpony. He began to turn, carefully placing one hoof beside the other and mentally cursing the small shakes he noticed in each hoof. He took a final deep breath, and swung his head all the way around to look at the car behind him.

        It was just as it looked when he had passed it moments ago, although truth be told it felt like he had been in the car for hours rather than the  scarce minute it must have been. The pulsing moonlight continued to slide over the assorted cargo, revealing nothing out of the ordinary. But the roar in the back of his head wouldn’t stop now, a rushing crescendo of fear that was twisting his gut into shapes he’d never dreamed. He took another look around the dimly lit car, determined to silence his fears once and for all. Nothing was out of place, everything was-something moved.

        Clockwork let loose a strangled cry as one of the pieces of what he had thought was cargo lifted and almost-scuttled back into the shadows. What it was he couldn’t say, all he could do now was turn and bolt for the door, tripping over his own hooves as that strange noise he’d heard moments earlier, the sound of hooves striking against a wooden floor, began to fill the car. The sound was everywhere, echoing all around him, a dull rattle that reminded him of a sound he hadn’t heard in decades, the dull clicking of bones a skeleton had made when a teacher had shown his class what they had looked like on the inside.

        On the inside. His insides were churning as he broke for the door, tripping and stumbling over cargo. He was ten feet from the door, then five feet. He leapt for it, putting every ounce of his terrified body into the leap, only to jerk to a sudden, painful halt as something closed around his tail, holding him fast in the air. His body crashed to the ground, too terrified to scream as he turned to see what held him back. The train car passed into a thick patch of trees as he turned, and the moonlight vanished, everything fading away into darkness. Everything except for the single, massive glowing eye that was staring right at him, it’s cold blue radiance sending chills through the very core of his being.

        He’d been wrong, he realized as his mouth opened. He hadn’t been too terrified to scream after all.
> Assembly - Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 10


        “Mornin’ Deputy,” Silverstar said as he stepped into the small, one-room Sheriff’s station. The deputy in question, a relaxed beige colored pony named Valor, was sitting behind office’s lone desk, casually polishing a deputy’s badge with one slightly darkened cloth. The badge itself was already polished to a golden sheen, but the young colt kept rubbing the cloth back and forth across it, likely more to stave off boredom and give his hooves something to do than anything else.

        “Mornin’ Sheriff,” the young colt said without looking up. “Got some coffee oer’ in the pot.”

        “Black?” Silverstar asked, hanging his gun belt on a hook by the door. He almost never had to use the thing, but his station demanded that he have it, and it wouldn’t do to one day need it and not have it there.

        “Yup,” Valor said, still polishing the badge between his hooves. “Just the way you like it.”

        “Mm-hmm,” Silverstar said, stepping across the small room to where a lone coffee pot sat warming on a pot-bellied stove. He took a small cup from a nearby shelf and, taking the handle of the pot in his jaws, carefully poured himself a cup of the thick, heavy drink. “Woo-eee!” he said as the bitter scent hit his nostrils. “That’s a powerful cup!”

        “Yup,” Valor said. “Take it from me, you might have ta’ beat it back into its cup with yer spoon.”

        “I’ll keep that in mind,” Silverstar said as he set the pot back down and slid one hoof through the mug's handle. “So,” he said, turning to look back his earnest young deputy. “The boys give you any trouble last night?”

        Valor shook his head. “Nope, nothing much.” He put a hoof in front of his muzzle and yawned loudly. “They got a little wily about eleven, but it was just for show. They calmed down a little while later.”

        “Hey!” came a rough voice from the back of the small station. “Why doncha just ask us?”

        “Yeah!” Another voice cut in, this one slightly higher. “We’re livin’ breathin’ ponies! Why can’t ya’ ask us?”

        Sheriff Silverstar took a swig of his coffee and almost grimaced as the hot and bitter fluid rolled across his tongue. Cup nothing, he’d need that spoon to keep it from jumping out of his throat! “Because you’re a bunch of malcontents,” he said as soon as he’d managed to swallow the ferocious mixture down. “You’re criminals, and I’m not certain I could trust you folk to give me an honest answer.”

He strode past the desk and into the stations back room. Thick steel bars split the room in front of him, running floor to ceiling as they divided the room into two reasonably sized cells. When he’d first agreed to be the sheriff of Appleloosa, Silverstar had voiced a question over the need for two cells. It was Equestria after all, and crime was a rarity. But a few more seasoned heads had pointed out the usefulness of always having a spare, and well, now he’d found a use for both of them.

        “Now that’s just hurtful, that is,” the first voice said again. It belonged to a heavy-set earth pony that was sitting in one of the cells. He was a deep green color, with a black mane and beard that probably would have been much more light-absorbent if they hadn’t been so heavily encrusted with dirt. Of course the dirt wasn’t the only defining feature about the pony: His coat was scraggly and ill-kept, whole patches of it faded. In fact, most of his appearance, right down to the bandanna cutie mark on his side, generally hinted at a pony who wasn’t quite concerned with what others thought of him.

        “Keep it down,” Silverstar said, tapping his cup on the thick bars to the cell. “You’re not going to get any sympathy from me, Reed.” He still thought the pony's name didn’t quite fit. Reeds were tall, springy things, while the pony sitting in the cell in front of him was anything but thin or springy. Spongy maybe.

        "Well, what about us than?” the second pony spoke again, this time in an accent more familiar to the Appleloosan sheriff. “When are we getting out of here? We know the laws, we havin’ even had trial yet and it’s been almost two whole weeks. Two weeks, stuck in this ‘ere cage with the rest of these louts!” The tall, thin unicorn moved right up against the bars, nearly tapping the magic-suppressing lock Silverstar had put on his horn against the bars. “I haven’t felt magic this whole time. It ain’t right!”

        “Ain’t right?” Silverstar said with a raised voice. “Ain’t right?” he raised his voice again, drowning out the voices of the cells other two occupants, both of whom were now clamoring to be heard along with Ringo Shot. “Ain’t right?” he bellowed a third time, silencing the group. ‘Ain’t right is a funny term for you to be using, seeing as how your little crew here was threatening ordinary, law-abiding citizens of Equestria in an effort to line your own pockets.” He paused for a moment, taking another swig of the powerful coffee. He fought to keep a neutral expression on his face as the coffee went down. Sun above, it felt like it was eating through his throat!

        “Robbery ain’t right. Theft ain’t right. Stealing ain’t right, any foal could tell you that,” he said, walking back and forth in front of the cell. “So, until Judge Spurs is ready to hear your case, you all will just have to sit here nice and quiet-like, you know, like your friend over here.” He motioned with the coffee cup at the other cell's lone occupant. “He’s no trouble at all, for reasons ah’ can’t say I fathom, considering the amount of trouble he’s in along with the rest of you.”

        “He ain’t a friend of ours,” one member of the incarcerated group said, giving the nearly empty cell a dark look. “Friends don’t surrender the moment the guard catches up with them.” All he got from the lone pony was a resigned shrug in return, almost as if he didn’t care.

        Silverstar wasn’t quite sure what to make of the lone unicorn. He was young, much younger than the tired and battered band of ruffians that had associated themselves with Reed. Where they were surly and aggressive, quick to pronounce mistreatment or unfairness, he simply sat in his cell, exercising periodically, but otherwise staying silent. Silverstar figured that the youth must have had some sort of magical deficiency, as despite eyewitnesses to the attempted train robbery claiming that the purple unicorn had been using his magic, neither he nor his deputies had seen so much as a spark since they’d corralled him. Which was a bit of good luck, as he figured it, because they’d only had the one horn lock, and Reed’s partner would have surely used his magic if he’d been given the chance.

        He emptied the last of his coffee—uttering a silent prayer that it wouldn’t haunt him in some unmentionable way later—and took another look at the lone unicorn sitting behind the bars of the right cell. He wasn’t quite sure how he’d fallen in with Reed’s gang, but he’d fallen out just as fast. Originally the five gang members had been split between the cells, three in the left and two—one with the young unicorn—on the right. The whole gang had been howling threats at the lone unicorn, but he’d figured it was just the usual rabble-rousing until he’d turned his back and the earth pony gang member had tried … something, he still wasn’t quite sure what. He’d seen the aftermath however, and for that matter so had the Doc. Broken jaw, missing teeth, a nice clean cut right above the eye. The earth pony had been madder’ than a buffalo sittin’ on a cactus when he’d woken up, but Silverstar had noted that his aggressive taunts had since been made from the far side of the cell, rather than from within reach.

        In fact, everything about the unicorn colt was a bit of a mystery to him. Silverstar walked back to the front of the station, rolling the now empty coffee cup across one hoof. He was young, didn’t fit in with the rest of the Reed gang. In fact, he had a sneaky suspicion that the young colt was some sort of Canterlot royalty that had run away from home and had fallen in with a bad crowd, although that didn’t explain how he’d managed to so quickly fight off another member of the gang when his back had been turned. The whole gang would have been tried and sentenced to hard labor already, excepting for the fact that not a day after their capture a letter had arrived from Canterlot bearing the royal seal of Princess Celestia herself, requesting that Judge Spurs delay the trial and keep tabs on the young unicorn until a representative arrived to take him in hoof.

        Silverstar rolled his eyes at nopony in particular as he poured himself another cup of the stiff, black coffee. Any day now, some royal prancy noble or somesuch would probably show up to collect the wayward boy, having pulled all sorts of noble strings to keep him out of trouble. “Phew!” Silverstar said, spitting a bit of the thick coffee residue into a nearby spittoon as much to clear his throat as to put verbal disappointment to the idea of some noble’s son getting a light punishment because of his family. They’d all made poor choices at some point, he reflected, but you had to learn from the poor results that followed or you’d never get anywhere.

        “Well, you might as well go on home and get some rest,” he said to Valor, topping off his coffee cup before turning for the desk. What’s the unicorn’s real name? he wondered. It couldn’t have been the name he’d given. Nova Beam. What kind of name was that for a pony? Sure, it fit the unicorn's coloring, with that purple coat of his, but it sounded just a mite ridiculous.

        “Alright sir,” Valor said, dropping his front hooves to the floor and making his way around the desk. He stopped by the door and grabbed his signature bowler hat, flipping it over and onto his ears in a well practiced motion that Silverstar had seen almost daily since he’d deputized the colt. “Should I be back by noon?” he asked, visibly fighting a yawn.

        “Naw, you go getcher rest,” Silverstar said with a off wave of his hoof as he sat down at the desk. “I’ll do the noon rounds myself, I doubt this group of yayhoos is going anywhere.” He took another swig from his coffee. “Oh, and boy?” The colt stopped in mid-step, door held open.

        “Yes sir?”

        “Good coffee.”


*        *        *


        It was noon when Silverstar walked out of the office, the sun high overhead and beating down with a sweltering summer heat that gave the entire town a faint haze. He paused under the station's overhang, once again grateful for the ten-gallon hat on his head with it’s wide, shade-casting brim. The summer truly had been a scorcher for the southern desert, and more than ever the local farm ponies had been making extensive use of the town's water supply, even manually operating the deep well pumps when the wind died out to keep the lifeblood crops of the town from withering.

        As sheriff, Silverstar had a number of duties he performed each day, his favorite of which was making the rounds. A sheriff who stayed off the streets was a sheriff who didn’t care for the ponies under his protection in his own opinion, and he cared about the ponies of Appleloosa. They were family. Of course, with a jail full of malcontents to keep track of, he’d been forced to spend much more time in the station then he’d wanted to, and it was driving him mad. He didn’t want to be sitting babysitting a bunch of crooks. He wanted to be out talking with the ponies in his community. Chatting with Joe the grocer, giving little Cornsilk a bit when her mother wasn’t looking so she could buy some candy.

        Still, he thought as he stepped out from under the overhang and into the sweltering heat of main street. It does help me stay a bit cooler. Already he could feel the leather of his vest rapidly heating under the burning sight of the sun. The miscreants had been silent all morning, and he was confident he could slip out for a brief moment just to make one quick round and see how the town was doing.

        He made his way down the main, tipping his hat or greeting the occasional pony that was braving the heat. From the look of things it was a quiet day, most ponies were probably hard at work at the Apple Orchards or one of the other large farm plots around the area. Well, somewhat hard at work, he thought as he noticed the rapidly spinning windmill blades that dotted the horizon past the buildings. Most of the work looked to be being done by the wind today.

        He turned off of the main and made his way towards the town’s rail station. Behind him, there was a faint tock, as the town clock tower ticked another minute from the day. From outside the town, as if in answer to the clocks timekeeping came a shrill whistle. The afternoon train, running a few minutes late from the sound of it. Appleloosa only got one train per day, usually at noon unless some local wildlife had to be cleared from the tracks. Once a week the train would continue on, heading for the more Southern Badlands, but most of the time it simply made use of Appleloosa’s small station to change direction, heading back North with a heavy load Apples and other exports.

        Silverstar smiled as he heard the hiss of steam releasing. The very same gang that was sitting in his cells right now had attempted to rob one of those trains, one that they thought was carrying a shipment of precious metals. Of course, as with everything else about the gang, their intelligence wasn’t exactly impressive, and when Silverstar’s posse had arrested them the gang’s leader had been in the process of burrowing into a car-full of apples looking for hidden gold, entirely still convinced that there was a lockbox full of bits, gems and gold buried somewhere in a pile of Braeburns.

        He chuckled to himself as he remembered the shocked look on the stallions face when he’d turned around and seen Silverstar standing there with his posse, the rest of his gang already hogtied. Their watch, the unicorn kid, hadn’t been much of a lookout. In fact, he’d spent more time watching the gang then he had the scenery. Maybe, Silverstar thought, if they’d put someone a bit more competent on watch the day would have gone a bit differently. But he wasn’t about to shake a rear hoof at good fortune like a city-boy being out of his element.

        He quickened his pace as he approached the Appleloosa Central station. It wasn’t much, given the small size of their town, just a simple one room ticket station and an open-air pavilion for any travelers to wait under. A few hoof-carved wooden benches sat along one wooden wall, while a large sign on the far side of the covering welcomed newcomers. The platform itself wasn’t that large, as only passengers and special cargo disembarked at the central station. Most of the heavy shipping and import-export business took place at the Southern Rail Yard.

        As it was, the small rail platform looked fairly packed, ponies of every type and color milling about, some with heavy saddlebags on their backs, others pushing or pulling carts of bags, and even a lone blue glow that signified a Unicorn’s magic. He stepped up the wide steps onto the platform, hooves making dull thumps against the heavy wood, and did his best to look like a sheriff should. Relaxed. Calm. Just running his eyes over the crowd, looking for any suspicious troublemakers, but not expecting it. Here a pastel green filly was following her parents, small wings flapping with excitement, while there a large buffalo tried to politely excuse himself past a pair of mares completely caught up in their own conversation.

        “Howdy Silver!” The voice belonged to Barrel Ring, a short orange-coated earth pony stallion.

        “Howdy Barrel,” Silverstar said, looking down at the pony. “How was Tall Tale City?”

        Barrel Ring gave him a wide smile, revealing a pair of slightly crooked teeth. “Not bad, think I might have an interested buyer for a few more carvings. I’ll have to go see what sort of spare branches the Apple’s have laying around I can make use of.” 

        “Well, good luck,” Silverstar said, giving the stallion a nod. Barrel Ring was technically the town cooper, building and repairing water barrels and casks for the town, but his talent truly lay woodcarving. Once he’d found that having a hoof-carved sculpture, rather than one made by Unicorn magic, could be a selling point, he’d found himself with a nice little cash flow.

        Silverstar turned his attention back to the platform. The buffalo was still trying to politely make his way past the two innocently chatting mares, while the pastel green filly had been grounded by her father with a heavy saddlebag. Her wings were still fluttering away with excitement, despite the fact that she hadn’t made any headway into the air. The platform was starting to clear now, as most ponies made their way either into the small ticket station or collected their bags and headed off through Appleloosa.

        Then on the far end of the platform the crowd parted, separating around a trio of ponies that had just stepped out of the train car. Silverstar tensed slightly, wondering if there was going to be trouble, but the feeling in his gut said no. Although that might have been the coffee mixing his signals, so he couldn’t be completely sure. These ponies certainly looked like they could cause trouble.

        The one in the lead was a massive earth pony with an olive green coat and a short-cropped silvery-grey mane. It was easy to see why the crowd had parted around him, not only was he large, but his expression was ... if not stern it certainly wasn’t smiling. More determined than anything else. But his size … The closest thing Silverstar would have compared it to outside of a small buffalo was the Apple family relative that had come by several years earlier to help out with the harvest, a big red bruiser from Ponyville that had seemed to be made of nothing but muscle. This stallion had the same look, a look that said if he willed it he could break stone underneath his hooves. Silverstar began to hope that he wasn’t there to cause trouble.

        His two companions looked no less capable either. One of them was a dust colored pegasus with a long straw colored mane that ran down to his shoulders. He even had a Stetson hat pulled over his head, although it sat at a slight angle. This one had a friendly looking smile on his face, one that eased a bit of the tension Silverstar's stomach. If not for the unfamiliar face, he could have been a resident of the small town. The last member of the trio however, was drawing more looks from the audience than the first two combined. 

He was a young zebra, and he seemed completely unconcerned by the surprised looks and even flat-out stares he was getting from some of the ponies around him. His mane was styled in a straight, short mohawk, and on his back he had a small set of saddlebags and what looked like a staff made from some wood Silverstar didn’t recognize. He didn’t walk like the other two either, Silverstar noticed as the trio made a straight line for him. The lead stallion was striding with the military precision of a Royal Guard, while the pegasus was sauntering well enough that he would have fit in on any street in Dodge Junction, while the zebra … well, he almost seemed to flow from step to step.

        The lead pony stopped a few feet from him and Silverstar took the brief moment before he said anything to make a few quick observations. His estimates about the pony’s size had been correct: His own eyes, straight ahead, only came up to about the stallion's jaw. His estimates about the pony’s age however, had been way off. The grey in his mane wasn’t the coloration, it was actually graying, and Silverstar could see wrinkles of age around the stallion's eyes. He had the body of a stallion twenty or thirty years younger, but he was certainly much older than that.

        “Sheriff Silverstar?” the pony asked, extending a hoof. His voice was deep and slightly gruff, but there was a friendly edge too, and Silverstar extended his own hoof, noticing that by this point about half the platform was covertly watching the exchange. “Captain Steel Song,” the large pony said, giving his hoof a good shake. Guard. Silverstar thought as he felt the heavy motion of the stallion's foreleg. That explains the expression on his face.

        “Welcome to Appleloosa, Captain Song,” he said, returning the shake. “Pleasure to meetcha.”

        “Pleasure’s all mine,” the Captain said, releasing his hoof and motioning towards the ponies on either side of him. “This is First Lieutenant Hunter,” he said, nodding his head at the Pegasus pony next to him. “And this is Specialist Sabra.” He gave the same motion to the Zebra.

        “A howdy to both of you,” Silverstar said, giving them both a friendly nod as they were introduced. “So, what can I do you for?” he asked, looking back to the Captain. “You wouldn’t happen to be here to collect that unicorn boy we’ve got locked up over in the station would ya? Cause I’d sure as applesauce like to get him off my hooves.”

        An expression of slight surprise flitted across the Captains face. “As a matter of fact we are. How’d you know?”

        Silverstar smiled. “Well how else would I know? We got word from Canterlot that someone would be coming to pick him up about a week and a half ago, been waiting on you ever since.” He watched as the captain's look switched from surprise to faint amusement, a faint mumble reaching his ears. “What was that, captain?” he asked.

        Captain Song shook his head. “Nothing, just expressing my amusement at someone’s ... foresight. So,” he said, nodding at him. “You’ve been anxious to get him off your hooves? Has he been any trouble?”

        Silverstar shook his head and let a faint chuckle slip through his teeth. “Naw, the boy's been fine,” he said, stepping aside as the eager young pegasus filly he’d spotted earlier sped past off the platform, her father chasing after her. “Aside from some trouble with his team in the early days, I mean. I think they rightly blame him for letting them get caught. No, it’s just that Judge Spurs didn’t want to commit a sentence until he knew whether or not he was getting all five of them.”

        “Well then,” the captain said with a nod. “We’ll solve that problem for you right now. If you could lead us to your office.” The burly stallion began to move forward.

        “Now hold on,” Silverstar said, holding a hoof out in front of the captain and bringing him to a stop. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I would like to see some proof of who you are before I simply take you right in and let the kid go.”

        The captain looked at him for a second and Silverstar was once again reminded how much larger this stallion was than him. Not to mention the presence of the two ponies on either side of him. “Right.” There was a rasp of cloth on cloth as the captain turned his head and began digging through his saddlebags. He emerged with a single official looking document gripped in his teeth, which he dropped into one hoof and passed to Silverstar.

        As he looked over the document, Silverstar let out a low whistle. “Shoot, you boys must be bigger ‘an I thought,” he said. The document was short and simple, stating that it’s bearer was to be given custody of the unicorn sitting back in the station. The part that caught Silverstar’s eyes was at the end of the document, where two large seals had been affixed, both glittering slightly, a testament to their magical nature. One was a crescent slash of orange, almost a full circle, with irregular triangles coming off of it, instantly recognizable to any resident of Equestria as the personal mark of Princess Celestia. The other was no less striking, a cloud of midnight blue that seemed impervious to the bright sunlight shining overhead, its magically shifting surface broken only by a white crescent slash. It was a seal that only recently had begun circulating alongside its sibling. The personal seal of Princess Luna, regent of the night.

        “Well day-ang,” Silverstar said, looking over the document once more before handing it back to Captain Song. “That boy must be a bigger deal than I thought. Who’s he related to that’s got enough pull to get the ear of both the Princesses?” He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. They were a simple farming community on the outskirts. What if this ‘Nova Beam’ was actually some distant relative of the Canterlot Royal family? Maybe that was why he was so quiet, he’d just been waiting for the inevitable rescue, and then he’d have all kinds of ways to find revenge on Silverstar for locking him up, A rich noble didn’t need to do much, a few bits here, a few bits there and bam! No more job for the pony on the bad end of the stick.

        “Related to?” the pegasus to the captain’s right said. Hunter, that was his name. “No one as far as we know.”

        “Hunter is correct,” the captain said, motioning with one hoof. It took Silverstar a moment to remember that he had asked him to lead the way to the station and he turned and left the platform, the strange trio close behind him. “He’s not related to anypony as far as we know.”

        “Huh,” Silverstar said as they turned onto main and were greeted with a gust of hot, dusty air. Sand from the desert bounced off his coat and leather vest, and Silverstar tilted his head down until the gust had passed, blocking the worst of the sand with his hat. Once the gust was gone he could make out the sign at the far end of the street that signified his station. He pointed, but the trio behind him had already spotted it and were walking past him. He took a few hurried steps to catch up.

        “So, is Nova Beam really the kid's name?” he asked as he came alongside the captain.

        The captain nodded. “Yes, why?”

        “Well,” Silverstar said. “It seemed like an odd name, no way to be sure it was his real name. He wasn’t carrying any proof of it.”

        “He wouldn’t have, from what I understand,” the captain said. An oddly cryptic remark, Silverstar thought, but then clearly this stallion knew who the kid was.

        “Well, then, I guess that’s cleared up,” Silverstar said as they made their way up the steps of the station. The door opened with its familiar rasp, and Silverstar was glad to see that everything was still in its proper place. From across the office the lone phonograph he’d wound up before he’d left was still going, playing an odd, sort of twangey song that Valor had picked up. “Cells are in the back,” he said as the trio followed him in, hoofsteps echoing in the stations small space. Silverstar grabbed the keys from his desk and lead the way into the back.

        “We-eell!” Reed said, his face lighting up as he saw the Sheriff enter the room, key’s held in his mouth. “What’s this boys, are we finally getting—” The criminal's face fell as he spied the three following Silverstar into the room. “Hey,” he said with a look of suspicion. “That ain’t Judge Spurs.”

        “Right you are, Reed. Sharp as always,” Silverstar said as he watched the scruffy stallion's face fall. “But don’t worry, it won’t be long now. These gentlecolts are just here for your friend here.” He motioned at the sister cell’s lone occupant and was surprised to see that for once the kid was showing signs of life, looking at the captain and his entourage, his expression unreadable.

        “Fink ain’t our friend,” Reed muttered, sinking back on his haunches. “Didn’t even do his job right.” Silverstar ignored him.

        “Well,” the captain said, walking right up to the bars and looking Nova right in the eyes. “So you’re Nova Beam.” There was no response from behind the bars. “No horn lock?” he asked, eyes spotting the purple horn protruding from behind a dirty red mane.

        “Didn’t see the point,” Silverstar responded as he stepped up next to the Captain and slid the lock into the cell door. “He hasn’t used a bit of magic since I put him in here. In fact, aside from a brief rumble with one of the other gang members he’s barely even talked.” There was a click as the lock popped loose and Silverstar slid the cell door open with one hoof. “I didn’t see the need.”

        The captain smiled, the first time Silverstar had seen another expression other than the indifferent sternness of a Guard cross his muzzle. “Seems somepony was right about you,” he said, looking right at Nova.

        “Seems strange,” Nova said. There was just a hint of challenge to his voice, as if he was daring someone to call him out. “I can’t think of many who would take the time to get to know me, you know, past the point where they’d call the Guard out.”

        “That happen often?” the captain asked.

        “More than you’d think,” Nova said with a snort. “Ponies these days.”

        “I don’t quite think you’re old enough to be reminiscing about the good old days,” the captain said, his expression still unreadable.

        Nova laughed. “No, that’d be more your job wouldn’t it now gramps?”

        “Well,” Captain Song said as he turned to look at Sheriff Silverstar. “I can see why he’s got his own cell.”

        “Whelp's got a mouth on him,” Silverstar said, feeling his temper rise. “Suddenly I’m glad he kept it shut all this time.”

        “Whelp?” Nova said, looking right at him. “Whelp?” He scoffed and gave Silverstar a mocking smile. “I’m what? Fifteen years younger than you, Sheriff? Tops.”

        “Doesn’t matter,” Captain Song said, although Silverstar saw the look in his eyes as he turned back towards Nova. “Nova Beam,” the stallion said, taking a few more steps into the cell. “I’m Captain Steel Song of the Dusk Guard.”

        “Here to drag me away to Canterlot so I can do penance for my crimes?” Nova asked, casting one hoof to his forehead in mock despair. “Come to cart me off to my trial?” He threw both his hooves out in front of him. “Front hooves first then. Easy on the left, it’s a little sensitive.”

        Captain Song stared at him for a moment, and Silverstar could see the muscles in his shoulders tensing. For a moment he was tempted to just close the door and deny the foolish unicorn any escape route from the firestorm of wrath that could erupt. But to his surprise, the captain’s shoulders relaxed and he shook his head. “You’ve got some guts, although you might want to rethink your words.”

        “Hey, I’ve always said I’d come quietly the day I got caught,” Nova said, his hooves still held out in front of him. “Turns out though, what I really meant was I wouldn’t fight it. I hope you and your boys are good for conversation on this trip, because I think I’d rather go calmly then quietly.” He looked over towards the neighboring cell. “That and it’s been two weeks since I’ve had anyone capable of an intelligent conversation to talk to.”

        “The fool speaks, the wise man listens,” came a rhythmic voice from behind Silverstar. He turned his head and saw that it was the zebra, Sabra, who had spoken. When nothing else was offered, he turned back to see that Nova was staring at the zebra with one eyebrow raised.

        “Uh-huh,” he said at last, before looking over at the other member of the group. “And what about you?” he asked the tan pegasus. “Are you a bit more talkative than your buddy over there?” The pegasus tilted his hat back with one hoof.

        “Well, normally I am,” he said, his voice calm and cool as a cucumber. “But right now I’m doing some heavy thinking.”

        “Oh really?” Nova asked, tilting his head. “What on?”

        “On how to fashion a gag,” Hunter said with a grin. “I figure at this rate, it might be worth a medal.”

        “Oooh!” Nova said as his face put on an expression of mock pain. He turned back toward the captain, who had been staring impassively at him the whole time. “How about you big guy? What are you thinking about?” Silverstar took an involuntary step backwards. No wonder the rest of the gang hadn’t gotten along with the kid, he had a mouth that was busily trying to dig a grave.

        “I’m thinking that in a moment you’re going to be very quiet,” the captain said. Silverstar had to give the old stallion some credit, he sounded just as calm as he’d been when he’d first introduced himself on the platform.

        “Oh really?” Nova said with a toss of his dirty red mane. “And what are you going to do that makes me quiet?”

        “Oh I’ve got a little bit of information for you that’ll quiet you down.”

        “It’s not ‘I am your father’ is it?” Nova said, an amused look on his face. “Because that’s been done.”

        “Close,” Captain Song said. “Try ‘I am your warden’ instead.”

        Nova’s eyes grew wide as an expression of shock washed across his face. He looked as if he’d just been dunked in ice water. He blinked a few times, shock giving way to a look that Silverstar had seen on many young fillies and colts, a look they got when they’d been caught with their hoof in the cookie jar. A look that declared their understanding of how deep a hole they’d dug. Even Reed’s gang in the opposite cell had gone silent.

        “You’re—my warden?” Nova finally stammered. “But wait, hang on, I thought you said that you were a captain in the Guard, how can you be a warden?”

        The captain smiled, a wide grin that looked like the grin a cat would get when a mouse realized that it had no escape. “I’m Captain of the Dusk Guard,” he said, reaching into his saddlebags and pulling out a small scroll. “And you, Nova Beam, are hereby sentenced to serve in the Dusk Guard under my command. Your pay will be collected by the Guard and be used to make restitution for the various thefts you stand convicted of. Until then, you’ll be serving as a member of the Dusk Guard under my command, putting your talents to good use and hopefully learning a few new ones.” He handed the scroll to the astonished Nova. “Understood?”

        Nova looked down at the scroll for a moment, silent. His eyes twitched back and forth as he read through the text, then when he reached the end of the document he looked back at Captain Song. Gone was the amused look of nonchalance he’d carried before, replaced by apprehension. “Horseapples,” he said, looking directly at the Captain. “I’m going to pay for that ‘gramps’ comment aren’t I?”

        “That depends,” the Captain said, a hint of smugness in his voice. “Do you like running?”

        “Not particularly no, although sometimes I do a lot of it.” Nova said.

        “Well then yes, you’re going to regret that comment. And—I would imagine—quite a few others.”

        ‘Right,” Nova looked back down at the document and then handed it to back to the captain. “So then...” he looked around nervously at the other two ponies that had come with the stallion. “Are you guys going to lock me up for the trip then?”

        “I don’t think we need to,” Captain Song said.

        “Might still use a gag though,” the pegasus said with a smile. “Depends on how many miles of running you rack up I guess.”

        “Regardless,” Captain Song said, looking back at Nova. “I don’t think we need to restrain you, do we?”

        Nova looked at him for a moment. For the briefest moment, a hint of insolence came onto his face, then he deflated. “No,” he said quietly. “No, you don’t. I’m not about to go back on my word.”

        “Your word?” Silverstar said, looking at the young criminal. “You’re a thief boy, at least you were when I caught you. What good is your word?”

        Nova shot him an annoyed look. “I might be a thief, but I’ve got my standards. I only ever stole from those who could afford it, and I always said if I could get caught I’d take my punishment just as willingly as anything else."

        “But you’re a thief, boy. You steal! What good is your word? What makes you think—?”

        “He could have broken out of here at any time, Sheriff.” The loud voice cut him off, and he turned to see that the pegasus had addressed him. “He’s a lot more truthful than you think. Plus,” he said, with a nod at Nova. “You said it yourself, he never once used his magic. What did you think that cutie mark on his side was for?”

        Silverstar looked back towards Nova as the unicorn turned his side towards him, displaying the small mark emblazoned on his flank. He’d seen it before, after all when they’d locked him up the cutie mark had been one of the identifying traits they’d recorded. But he’d never really thought about what it signified. Now that it was pointed out to him though... No. He shook his head. He still couldn’t see what the mark had to do with anything. Sure, with the twin crescent shapes, the one with its jagged outward edges, the smaller, blue one nestled inside of it, it bore a startling resemblance to the royal seals he’d seen earlier on Captain Song’s papers, but what did that have to do with his work?

        “My cutie mark isn’t for thieving,” Nova Beam said upon seeing the shake of his head. “It’s for something else entirely. I may be a thief, but that doesn’t mean I’m not honest.”

        Silverstar stared at the youth for a moment before responding. “Fine. You say you don’t need to lock him up, that’s yer’ call. If he escapes on the way to Canterlot, it’s on yer’ own head.” He turned and headed back towards the front of the station. “Ah’ve got some paperwork for you to sign, captain, before you take leave with your prisoner.”

        He sat down at his desk and moments later Captain Song circled around it, coming to halt opposite him. “I understand your concern sheriff, but Nova isn’t going anywhere.”

        “And ye’re sure of that?” Silverstar asked. “I mean no disrespect, Captain Song, but we caught that boy out wit’ the Reed gang, who as y’ may have noticed aren’t exactly an exemplary sort.”

        “Did you ever consider,” Captain Song said, leaning across the desk and lowering his voice. “That he wanted to be caught?” Silverstar stared at the stallion for a moment. The boy had botched things pretty thoroughly for the gang. “Nova Beam has been running from the law since he was a young colt,” the Captain continued. “You caught him. He’s been dodging nets for so long the Royal Guard has had a lookout for him for the last five years. He’s good. Very good. And yet you caught him, along with a whole band of criminals who from the sound of it are about as good at thievery as an earth pony is at weather control. Doesn’t that seem a bit odd to you?”

        “Well, now that you put it that way … Yeah. Yeah it does.” Silverstar said. “How come I’ve never heard of him before now?”

        “Because this is the first time he’s been South, as far as we know.” Captain Song said. “Until about four years ago he was only known in big cities. Manehatten, Las Pegasus, Tall Tale, Baltimare, Canterlot, the like. Then four years ago he just up and vanished after a particularly grandiose theft, and now he turns up out here, in your cell.”

        “You’re right,” Silverstar said, nodding his head. “That is odd.” He twisted slightly, looking back at the cells where Nova sat idly rubbing one hoof up and down the other, staring at the two ponies that had come with the Captain as if unsure whether or not he should open his mouth. “I still think it’s suspicious but ...” He racked his brain, looking for something, some flaw that he could find, but he drew a blank. “But ah can’t think of any solid reason to dispute your argument. You clearly know more about ‘im then ah’ do. Still ...” He took one more quick look back. “I wouldn’t trust him.”

        A shrill, distant whistle cut through the air as the noon train, now turned around, its cargo cars full of fruits and other exports, signaled its arrival to the station. The captain looked up in surprise at the clock. “One already?” The stallion shook his head, sending small quivers of motion up his short-cropped mane. “This took a bit longer than I thought,” he said, turning his attention back towards Silverstar. “Anyway, thanks for the concern, but I think we’ll be fine.”

        “Suit yourself.” Silverstar pulled the drawer open and ducked his head, picking a file out of the drawer with his teeth. “Not going t’ push th’ point,” he said, his speech muffled by the file. He dropped it across the desk, pushing the drawer shut with his free hoof. “This ‘ere’s the boys file,” he said, flipping it open and motioning to a jar of pens that sat on end of his desk. “Just sign here and leave me with the release you brought and the kid's all yours.” The captain nodded, plucking one of the proffered pens in his teeth and carefully signing his name. Silverstar opened an ink pad, and a few seconds later a hoofprint was added next to the signature.

        “Alright,” the captain said, wiping the excess ink from his hoof with a small cloth. “Let me give you this.” His head ducked towards his saddlebags and he came back with the Sheriff's copy of the transfer document, which he dropped onto the desk. “And that’s everything taken care of.”

        “Alright,” Silverstar said, sliding the release into the file and flipping it shut. “Kids all yours, Captain Song.”

        “My thanks,” the captain said, looking towards the cells and giving a nod. “Alright, Nova’s ours now.” He turned back towards Silverstar. “ Sheriff, it’s been a pleasure,” he said, giving Silverstar’s hoof a firm shake. The group began to filter out through the door, hooves rapping against the hardwood floor. One by one they filed through the door, his late prisoner taking up the rear of the group. As Nova passed his desk, Silverstar gave him one last solid look, one that he hoped sent a message about not causing trouble before he left town.

        To his surprise, Nova slowed and leaned his head slightly towards the table. “You might want to consider moving those keys tonight, sheriff,” he said, his voice low. “Just a heads up.” Then he was gone, caught up with the rest of his group and out the door. The office was suddenly silent save for faint low voices from the rear cells and the echoing bang of the station door as it slammed shut. Silverstar let out a sigh that whispered through the now empty front office. Part of the sigh was relief. Now that Nova was gone, he and Judge Spurs could handle the rest of the group with ease. But another part of it was in anticipation of more problems to come. Transport, detainment, paperwork ... He let out another sigh. If he got a message to Judge Spurs before dinner, the sentencing hearing could probably be held as early as tomorrow morning, but then of course he’d need to have all the files ready ...

        Mind working, Sheriff Silverstar got down to the least favorite part of his job, pulling out papers and filling them out, completely forgetting the advice that Nova had given him a few moments earlier.
> Assembly - Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 11


It was late in the evening when the train from Appleloosa finally pulled to a gentle stop. The sun was just barely touching the western horizon, making it all but invisible to the team of ponies as they made their way between the tall, regal buildings of Canterlot. The streets were busy, although not quite packed, relaxed in the lull of activity that took place between the after work rushes and the early nightlife and late diners. They passed ponies putting out evening tables, setting up signs pronouncing evening dinner specials, and even a brightly lit dance club where a team of unicorns were unsuccessfully racing against a DJ, trying to erect a sound buffering spell before the DJ could get her equipment going. Although Steel didn’t consider himself  an expert or even remotely knowledgable about the topic, if speaker size was anything to go off of the unicorns were going to have their work cut out for them. He did notice as he looked back however, that Nova’s gaze lingered on the club for a moment longer than anyone else's. Sabra had merely glanced at it with disinterest, and Hunter ... Well, he probably knew somepony who worked there knowing the way he made friends.

Steel’s thoughts turned back to Nova as he led the way toward the palace. Around them the city streetlights were already beginning to spring to life, awakened by the encroaching shadows as the sun sank lower and lower. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the unicorn. He trusted him already, at least to give an honest response and stick to his word. The fact that he’d stuck around in Silverstar’s cell had been proof enough of that. He mentally grimaced as he thought of the sheriff’s cell. Proud though the stallion may have been, it had been obvious that his town was fairly crime free. Steel felt certain that he could have broken out of one of those cells in just a few minutes. The fact that the gang Nova had been working with was still incarcerated at all said volumes about their capacity as common criminals. No, Steel reasoned, an accomplished thief like Nova could have walked out of his cell any moment he’d wanted to.

It was a strange sort of moral code, to steal so much but then willingly accept the consequences when caught. The fact that he’d been caught at all, that puzzled him as well. Again, Steel was forced to malign Sheriff Silverstar with his thoughts, because as sought after as Nova had been, there was no way the Sheriff could have captured him. He’d read over the unicorn's file, more thoroughly in fact than any of the other team members' files. The kid had once spent three hours leading a whole platoon of the Night Guard on chase of cat-and-mouse across the entire city of Canterlot. They’d almost caught him several times, but Nova had always managed to slip away. For a sheriffs posse in the south to catch him completely unawares on a robbery ... No, he couldn’t accept that. There had to be another motive to it.

He stole a quick glance back, but Nova was still there, eyes wandering around the city and an amused smile on his face. Was he remembering old times, thinking back on the rooftop chases he’d led, or the valuable items he’d stolen? A sudden thought struck Steel. Maybe Nova was simply playing along until he could get back into Canter—no. That didn’t make much sense either. The colt clearly could have made his way into and out of the city without any help. It wasn’t like Canterlot was guarded or difficult to enter. There was no reason for him to let himself be arrested that he could see.

That's just it, he thought as he passed by a pair of expensively dressed unicorns, out early for the Canterlot nightlife. He couldn’t accept that Nova had been captured by chance, not after reading what he was capable of. He frowned, one ear twitching. But why?

“You’ve been pretty silent boss,” Hunter said, appearing next to him. He still had the hat on, tipped at that ridiculous angle, wide grin on his face. “What’s on your mind?”

Already doing his job, Steel thought, even as he opened his mouth to voice his concerns. “Nova’s on my mind,” he said in a low voice. He took another look behind them. Nova looked to be trying to engage Sabra in a conversation, but appeared to be hitting a wall with the Zebra’s quiet disposition, although he didn’t appear to be giving up because of it. “Something about the whole thing is off,” he said, looking back at Hunter.

“Which part?” Hunter asked. “That part about him getting caught, the part where he’s coming willingly, or something else?”

“Both of those first two,” Steel said as they rounded another corner. Down the lane Steel could see Main Street, a thoroughfare leading straight to the Castle that was always busy, even during a lull, and he turned them down a parallel side street to avoid the traffic. “You read his file?”

“Sure did,” Hunter said, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

“What do you think then?” Steel asked.

Hunter looked at him. “As a First Lieutenant? Or as me?”

“Both.”

Hunter gave a shrug as he looked back at the two ponies following them. Sabra looked to be doing his best to ignore Nova, a fact which Nova appeared to have picked up on, given that he kept talking, but his expression had taken on a bit of a glower at Sabra’s silence. “As a Lieutenant, I think he’ll be a hooveful. He’s talented and capable—as the Night Guard found out over the years—but he’s also a bit arrogant. He likes to crack jokes, doesn’t take things seriously, and as we’re seeing right now—” Sabra finally broke and said something that Steel couldn’t quite catch at the distance, but Nova’s expression went from a glower to outright indignation. “He’s not going to do much for team unity without some serious work.”

Steel nodded as he watched Nova shake his head and turn his attention back towards the sights of Canterlot. Even on a back street, there was a lot to look at. The sun had finally set, the moon rising to take its place,  and the white marble facades which made up so much of the Canterlot cityscape sparkled under its gentle light. “What about as you?”

Hunter smiled. “Honestly? I don’t think he’s that bad. Sure, he’s got his rough spots, but I’m sure they’ll rub off in time. Besides,” he said as his grin stretched even wider. “With him around I’ll at least have someone with a sense of humor. Not that Sabra isn’t bad, you know, when he talks, but he fits right in with you and that crazy doctor for stoic silence.”

Steel gave a small chuckle. “Alright. But what about the whole captured-not-escaping part?”

Hunter’s brow furrowed, almost hidden by the brim of his hat. “Well, as a Lieutenant, yeah, it’s suspicious. But,” he said with a shrug. “As me, and considering Princess Celestia recommended him, I’d have to say that on the whole I’m inclined to think there’s a good reason behind it.”

“Such as?” Steel asked as they made a final turn, Canterlot Palace towering over them as they approached its walls.

“Well,” Hunter said, taking another quick look back. “Maybe he was tired of it? Guilty maybe?” He gave another shrug. “Good a guess as any until you ask.”

“Hmm,” Steel said, his mind still not quite convinced. “I may just do that.” They were walking parallel to the Castle now, passing along the massive wall that separated the palace grounds from the rest of the city as they headed for one of the rear entrances. Overhead the stars had come out, small pinpricks of light barely visible above the light of the city.

“So, what are we doing for accommodations tonight?” Hunter asked, changing the topic. “I assume we have a barracks waiting for us?”

Steel nodded, glad for the change of topic. “Yes,” he said, before launching into an explanation of the state of disrepair that Princess Luna had mentioned and his plans for changing the building from a simple company barracks into a base of operations for the Dusk Guard. As the conversation changed and flowed from topic to topic, Steel felt a bit of his tension relax. It was one thing to think about the logistics of establishing a new Guard division, but discussing it with Hunter—and of course, passing some of the duties off on him—was almost relieving to the old stallion. By the time they reached the barracks a few minutes later, he was feeling better than he had all day.

That feeling died the moment they opened to door to the barracks.

“Huh,” Hunter said as he looked out over the scene in front of them. “I thought you said we had a place to sleep tonight?”

“We did last I looked.” Steel said, his mind reeling as he took in the scene before him. When he’d last opened the barracks several days earlier, it had been exactly what he had expected: A selection of musty triple-bunked cots, all in neat rows and separated by squad with cloth dividing walls that hadn’t quite reached the ceiling. The place had been dark and dusty, with signs of disuse everywhere, but that wasn’t at all the scene he was looking at now.

Now the interior of the barracks building was brightly lit, huge industrial worklights set up all around the outside walls beaming forth so much power that Steel could clearly make out the curve of the ceiling supports some twenty-five feet above them. The dividing walls were gone, along with everything else that had taken up the inside of the structure, opening the cavernous space that had been once been designed to house almost two-hundred ponies. Even the stairs that had led to the company commander's office had been ripped from the wall, and Steel noticed as his eyes followed the old imprints, the second story office had been removed as well, sheared from the wall so cleanly only a faint imprint on the wood marked it as having ever been there.

“Wow,” Nova said as he and Sabra joined them in the doorway. “Somepony's been busy.” Steel nodded. The open space revealed by the removal of so much of the old structure was far from empty. Sawhorses and temporary workbenches were everywhere, some holding assorted tools, others with bits of wood or metal laying across them in what Steel could only assume were various stages of completion. One bench was covered in nothing but a vast swath of blueprints, sheets and sheets of the material, held down with all manner of paraphernalia from scrap wood to screwdrivers. Thick cables or hoses, he wasn’t really sure which, crisscrossed the floor, running over and around piles of materials. Large machines that he couldn’t identify sat here and there against the walls, the source of the strange cables. The far end of the rectangular structure was stacked almost wall to ceiling with large metal girders, some of which were forming a framework that he could only guess at.

From nearby there was a high-pitched whine that quickly dropped in pitch, followed by a voice. “Ponyfeathers!” There was another whine which tapered off, followed by a popping sound and a hiss that sounded to Steel like air escaping from a balloon. Moments later a grey hoof poked up from behind one of the workbenches, followed by a sky-blue mane attached to what looked like a large drill. A moment later the drill dropped onto the table with a loud “ptah” and “yuck” revealing a grey coated pegasus pony that Steel recognized, her mouth opening and closing as if struggling with some horrid taste.

“I swear, this thing's never been cleaned!” she said, sticking her tongue out and running a hoof across it, oblivious to her observers. “Would it kill them—” She gave her tongue another swipe. “To clean things once in while?” She shook her head and smacked her lips a few more times, and it was only then that she noticed that she was no longer alone in the building. Her face lit up with a wide smile as she took wing, darting over the construction and screeching to a halt in front of Steel. “Captain Steel!” she said, throwing him a salute with the wrong hoof. “Welcome back!”

Steel sighed inwardly at the performance. It was going to take some work to get this young mare’s exuberant energy channeled right. “Sky Bolt,” he said, returning her salute and making sure that he was returning it with the correct hoof.

“So,” she said, not even waiting for him to begin speaking. “Is this the rest of the team?” She darted from side to side on her wings even as her neck craned to give her a better look. “Nice!” she said, her attention flipping back and forth between the various members.

Steel’s mind raced as he tried to think of the best way to handle the energetic young pegasus. She had thrown him a salute, maybe she was expecting him to be the Captain he was. “Specialist Sky Bolt!” he snapped. “Front and center!” In a flash she was directly in front of him, wrong hoof once again up in a salute.

“Yes sir!” she said. “Sorry about that. Breaking ranks right?”

Steel blinked at her response. “Well ... Yes, but for now lets not worry about it. For now,” he began  raising his voice in increments. “I want to know what in Tartarus happened to my barracks!” Sky Bolt wilted under the outburst, her enthusiasm melting. “What is all this?” Steel demanded, gesturing with one hoof at the equipment everywhere. “Explain!” he demanded, looking down at her. For a moment he was afraid that she was going to wilt under the look he was giving her, but then he saw a spark in her eyes, and she gave him an enthused smile.

‘Remodeling Captain!” she said, throwing a hoof out behind her. “When I showed up three days ago you were gone, so the Royal Guard took me to see Princess Luna—”

“Wait,” Steel said, interrupting her. “Why Princess Luna?”

“Because you weren’t around,” Sky Bolt said matter-of-factly. “I showed up early in the morning, the Guard did a little asking around, and it worked its way up until somepony pointed out that Luna was the head of the project, on paper anyway, so they sent me to her. Anyway,” she said, motioning with her hoof once more at the cavernous space behind her, “Luna decided to bring me down here, but she mentioned that the place was in a pretty sorry state and that they’d been looking to fix it up. One thing lead to another—” she said, sitting back and rotating her forehooves around one another, a nonchalant expression on her face, “—and I drew up some quick sketches of what we could do with this place, and then Luna mentioned that she’d already budgeted for the construction anyway since it wasn’t just going to be a barracks anymore ...” She tilted her head. “Plus, you’d already promised me that I would get a bigger workshop, and since we were going to do that anyway, well, Luna told me I might as well get started on the whole thing.” Her wings gave a quick flap and she was once again floating at eye level. “So, what do you think?”

“I think, Sky Bolt,” Steel said, his voice as firm as he could make it. Even if she was technically right ... “I think that you have a lot to learn about the chain of command,” he said. “While everything you’ve done here may be right and cleared with Princess Luna,” he drew out the annunciation, emphasizing her title. “In the future I expect you to follow the chain of command, especially if, I repeat especially if you’re going to embark on a project that eats into the budget as big as this is, even if—” he said as he saw the question on her lips, “—Princess Luna or Celestia are alright with it. Just because they are alright with something,” he said by way of explanation, “does not mean that it’s something that I feel falls under the purview of our mission. Understood?” Sky Bolt nodded and threw him another salute. “And by the way,” he said, throwing her a salute in return in demonstration. “The other hoof.” She pulled her hoof down, looked at it for a moment, then laughed.

“Now, what about the stuff that was supposed to be in here?” he asked as he looked around the cavernous space. “Armor was supposed to be delivered yesterday, what did you do with it?”

“Oh that?” Sky Bolt said, fluttering to the ground again, her eyes still darting to the ponies around him. “Sent it back.”

“What!?” Steel sat back, eyes wide and stunned by the casual response. “Why? On whose authority?”

"Well, I guess you could say mine.” Sky Bolt said, putting one hoof under her chin in thought. “But ultimately I guess you could say it was Princess Luna who backed me up.”

Steel could feel the calm relaxation he’d built on the way back, along with the comfortable plan he’d laid out for the next few days crumbling underneath him. “Why in Equestria did you—I mean—Princess Luna—why?” He saw Hunter smirk out of the corner of his eye. Of course Hunter would find this funny. Why not?

“Because it was terrible armor,” Sky Bolt replied, almost looking bored at this point. “It was just recolored Royal Guard armor, they hadn’t even done a good job of it. Princess Luna was checking on the construction at the time, and when she got a look at it she declared it unfit for duty. Something about ‘not evoking the right image’ I think. Between the obvious flaws that I could see with it and Princess Luna’s complete refusal, I think it was rejected pretty soundly. Actually ...” She took to wing again, flying backwards slightly. “She and I got talking about it and I made  few suggestions which I made into preliminary sketches.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I showed them to her and she liked the idea, so I think she may want to talk to you about it soon.”

Steel straightened, not sure how he was standing since he felt as if a rug had been pulled out from under him. Which had then dumped him into—well, he wasn’t sure yet if it was a fire or a cushion. He sighed. 

“Alright alright,” he said holding up both hooves and cutting off Sky Bolt's excited explanation. “Despite the surprises, it sounds like you’ve been doing exactly what I recruited you for, even if it was completely without direct orders or permission to do so. I’ll let it slide this time,” he said. “But only if you can answer one question: Where are we supposed to sleep tonight?”

"Um—” The grey coated pegasus rubbed the back of her head with one hoof. “Here, I guess? It’s where I’ve been sleeping,” she said, pointing one hoof towards a small bedroll that had been thrown down in a nearby corner. “Arch and his crew don’t get here until about nine, and they leave around seven, so I’ve been sleeping here since I’ve stuck around anyway to do extra work.

Steel looked at the construction and then back at his team. “Alright, I guess we’ll figure something out then,” he said. “Maybe we can get some cots from one of the armories. For now, you might as well meet the rest of the team.” He motioned the other three ponies forward. “Team,” he said, addressing all of them and pointing towards the dusty pegasus. “This is Specialist Sky Bolt. She’s a top notch engineer and inventor, the one who designed The Alicorn airship that’s been in the news these last few months, and she’s going to not only be our team engineer, but our pilot once she finishes up a little project of her own. Sky Bolt,” he said, turning to her and motioning towards each member of the team in turn. “This is First Lieutenant Hunter.”

“Nice to meet you,” Hunter said, tipping his hat.

“Hunter is our second in command, if you’re not taking orders from me, then they’ll be from him.” Steel said. “He’s also our team tracker.”

“Nice to meet a fellow pegasus,” Sky Bolt said, flying up next to him and giving him a hoof bump.

“Next,” Steel said, motioning towards Nova. “We have Specialist Nova. He’s going to be our designated magic user, plus he has a few other talents that might come in handy.”

“What kind of magic?” Sky Bolt asked before Nova could open his mouth, her eyes wide with excitement. “Can you make heat?”

“What kind of heat?” Nova asked. “Because I’m getting a little warm right now.” He winked.

“Huh, maybe not,” Sky Bolt said, ears flat and her voice chill. 

Nova smiled. “And now I’ve made something cold. Two for two! But yes, I do both.” Sky Bolt just rolled her eyes.

“Lastly,” Steel said, ignoring Nova’s remarks. “We have Specialist Sabra.”

“Ooh wow!” Sky Bolt said, dropping to the ground in front of the zebra. She tilted her head slightly. “Habari gani?”

Sabra’s eyes widened in surprise. “Nzuri, je wewe kuzunguzma lugha?”

Sky Bolt shook her head, but her smile stayed bright. “Pole, only a few words.”

“Ah,” Sabra said, a small smile on his lips. “Asante all the same.”

“Huh,” Steel said, surprised by the exchange. “I didn’t realize you spoke Zebra.”

Sky Bolt gave an embarrassed grin, rubbing the back of her head with one hoof. “Well, not that much. A traveling zebra stayed with my family for a few months one year while I was growing up, and I learned it from her.”

Steel nodded. “Well, it may come in useful. If Sabra doesn’t mind, you might want to consider picking up some more of it from him. Now,” he said, turning to Hunter and missing the thoughtful look on Sky Bolt’s face. “I’m going to go meet with Princess Luna and take care of a few things. Hunter is the commanding officer until I return.” Hunter gave him a nod and tapped his head with one wing, a sort of pegasus salute. “Figure out some sleeping arrangements and get some rest. We’re going to be up early tomorrow. Sky Bolt!” The sudden loudness of his voice jerked the pegasus' head up, her wings almost flaring out in surprise. “I need a piece of paper and pen.”

Sky Bolt tilted her head in thought for a moment before her eyebrows shot up. “Got it!” she said, her wings throwing her into a backwards half-loop that left her hovering over a nearby workbench. Seconds later she was back in front of Steel, a notepad with a pen carefully balanced in her front hooves.

“Thanks,” Steel said, his voice muffled by the notepad as he took it in his teeth. He scrawled a quick note, then tore the first sheet from the pad, folded it, and scrawled an address on the outside. “Lieutenant Hunter, you’re in command,” he said, stowing the note in his saddlebags and leaving the once barracks.

A few minutes later Steel was standing outside the entrance to the Night Court. The note he’d scrawled had already been passed on to a member of the royal staff with instructions to deliver it in pony that night, which left only a meeting with Princess—he grimaced as a loud voice thundered inside the court hall, so loud he could feel the floor shaking beneath his hooves.

“Silence!” the voice thundered. “Cease this disrespectful rabble at once!” The rumble in the floor faded, as did the echoes inside the hall. Steel could see shocked looks on the faces of the Night Guard unicorns on either side of the door. Apparently their regent's outburst was as shocking to them as it was to him. Princess Luna’s voice resumed once more, but low enough that he couldn’t make out any of the words.

“How often does that happen?” he asked one of the guards, but the guard merely gave him a stoic look and resumed staring straight ahead. Right, Steel thought. No uniform yet. He was tempted for a moment to pull rank and force an answer out of the youth, but such an action rarely left a positive impression, especially if the guard wasn’t directly under his jurisdiction. So he moved for a different tactic.

“I’ll let myself in,” he said, moving for the door and pausing when one of the guards held a hoof up in front of him.

“The night court is already seeing another delegate,” the guard said, his voice impassive. “However, if you give us your name and the reason for coming to meet with Princess Luna tonight, we’ll announce and show you in as soon as she is finished with the current group of delegates.”

Steel grinned down at the charcoal colored unicorn. Now he could use rank. “I’m Captain Steel Song of the Dusk Guard,” he said, his voice level. “You might have heard of me.” Apparently the guard had. If he’d been able to undo the armor’s coat-coloring enchantment, Steel was certain the Night Guard's coat would have been as white as a member of the Royal Guard. Nothing like finding you’d just blocked a superior officer. “Princess Luna is expecting me.” He wasn’t quite certain on that last bit, but then again given his experiences with the Princesses so far it wasn’t a stretch to expect that she really was expecting him.

“Yes sir!” the guard said without so much as a stammer in his voice. Steel had to give him credit, he’d recovered from his surprise admirably. “Right this way sir.” The guard pushed the door open a crack and Steel slipped into the room before he could be announced, thanking the guard quietly as he pushed the door shut behind him. Nopony save the two additional night guards standing beside the door—counterparts to the guards outside—noticed him as he slipped in. Both guards him a glance, then turned their attention forward once more.

The Royal Court truly was one of the most commonly used rooms in the Castle, a massive hall that stretched almost a hundred feet from one end to the other. The ceiling was vaulted, high enough that had the original architects so desired they could have built an additional three stories in its place rather than leaving it open. Dark blue banners hung from the ceiling, each emblazoned with the personal seal of Princess Luna, matching other blue colors around the room. Steel had been there once before during the day many years earlier, and recalled that the colors then had mainly been soft reds and golds. Clearly the change between night and day courts involved more than just which regent was involved.

Each wall of the room was dominated by massive stained glass windows depicting famous events from Equestrian history, from the founding of the nation all the way up to the most recent defeat of the changeling invasion. Steel had heard rumors that the windows were enchanted, allowing the Royal sisters to switch out dozens of different windows stored in the palace at their leisure.

The stained glass windows, impressive as they were, stopped some distance from the ground, as the walls on both sides of the chamber moved outward near the bottom, forming a series of wide steps. These steps were separated from the floor of the chamber by a chest high wall. Not enough of a wall that it would be difficult for a pony to get over, but enough that it was clear that the floor and the steps were to be kept separate. It was a viewing area, allowing those who wished to observe the Court without directly participating to do so. As it was currently the Night Court, much of the viewing area was empty, although there were a surprising number of newsponies scattered here and there in small clumps, most of them frantically scratching away at legal pads.

The focus of their attention was the small group of ponies standing before the royal throne on the thick blue carpet. The group was fairly spaced out despite apparently petitioning together, implying some sort of division or order among them. At the moment, the entire group was silent and staring at Princess Luna, some with obvious dislike.

“—and it is as we have said.” He tuned into Princess Luna’s words in time to hear the tail end of them. “This matter has already been discussed with our sister and we do not see any reason to dispute her decision. Moreover, we do not like the tone thou hast taken with us, accusing us of spuriously performing our duties. If thou wished to make that the focus of thy petition, then thou shouldst have done so in the proper setting, not during a session of the night court.” Luna glared down at them from the royal seat. “But,” she said, each word carefully pronounced. “Our sister has already discussed this matter with thee. If thou wish to discuss it as shareholders, then this court is not the place to do so. Understood?”

There was a moment of heavy silence, and Steel could feel the tension in the air. Apparently, so could the reporters, as the silence was quickly broken by the hushed scribbling of pencils on paper. Apparently Luna’s declaration was one of importance. The Princess herself continued to look at the ponies grouped in front of her, brow low with annoyance, and Steel noticed that several of them were openly glaring back, including a stocky dark brown earth pony standing at the front of the group.

“Very well then your highness,” he said. His voice was smooth, cultured, with just the right amount of Canterlot accent thrown in. Whoever he was, he was a socialite of some sort. “We shall send a missive with a date for such a meeting, because mark my words it will occur.” Despite the levelness in his voice, Steel could hear the challenge in the message. The earth pony gave a small bow, one so quick it could’ve scarcely been called that at all, and then turned without even waiting for Luna’s response, striding down the thick carpet. One by one, the other members of the group bowed towards Luna and followed, although most of them were more respectful, and several of them even thanked the Princess for her time. One, a pale green unicorn with a long flowing pale-blue mane, even whispered what sounded like an apology as she kneeled. She was accompanied by a taller unicorn with a similarly colored coat, and Steel could see a resemblance between the two. They were the last to leave, trailing behind the rest of the group, and Steel noticed that several of the photographers were snapping quick pictures as the two strode down the carpet.

Steel watched as the group made its way out of the doors. Some of them seemed almost uneasy by whatever action they had just taken, in particular a green pegasus who was following close on the hooves of the lead earth pony. She turned her head back towards the throne a few times, a look of guilt on her face, but her expression only lingered for a moment before she would return her gaze forward.

“Ah, Captain Steel Song.” Steel nearly jumped as Luna addressed him. For someone so much—he hesitated to think larger—taller than the average pony, she could move very silently when she wanted to. Even without jumping, his surprise must have been evident in his face as Luna began to apologize for startling him.

“No no,” he said as the Night Guard closed the door behind the departing group. “It's fine. I was just looking at that group of ponies who left. Who were they?”

Luna sighed and shook her head. “Those ponies represent the shareholders of the Equestrian Rail Service. In specific, forty percent of the Equestrian Rail Service, most of them from Vanhoover and Baltimare, where the two regional headquarters are located.” She looked down at him with a furrowed brow. “My sister and I control the other sixty percent from here in Canterlot.”

“Ah,” Steel said, nodding. “I read something about that in the Canterlot Daily a few days ago. You and your sister are the ones sponsoring the rail line into the Crystal Mountains.”

“Yes, we are,” Luna said as she turned and began walking back towards the throne. Steel hesitated for a moment, then followed her. “My sister and I hold controlling interest in many companies across Equestria,” the Princess continued. “With our knowledge and lifespan, we are able to look far ahead of most ponies, and bring a stability to the market with our constant support. We do not support it as rulers, you see, but as independent backers. When a pony approaches us with an idea that we approve of, we often invest in it in order to help give it a starting chance. By way of this process, my sister and I—” she paused as a moment of sadness swept across her face, vanishing almost as swiftly as it had come. “Well, my sister mostly for the last thousand years. Anyway.” She gave her head a slight shake, sending her wispy translucent mane into shivers that made its stars twinkle. “My sister and I as a result own controlling interest in a large number of companies across Equestria, such as Equestrian Rail Services.” The Princess reached the end of the chamber and turned to her right, heading for a small door set into the wall.

“If you don’t mind my asking, Princess,” Steel said. “What do you do with the money you earn back from those investments?”

Luna smiled. “Well, it is one of the ways we can afford to keep such a spacious dwelling fully cared for. But most of it goes into personal projects, such as Celestia’s Private School, or is donated. I myself prefer supporting children's hospitals.” The small door lit up with a faint blue glow and swept open. It was small enough that Luna would have had to close her wings had they been open, and as it was she had to duck her head to pass through. She stepped through without a moments delay, and Steel followed to find himself in—of all places—her private study.

He stopped, momentarily stunned as he looked around the small room. This was definitely the same room he had met the Princess in only a week before, although this time they had entered behind the desk, opposite the doors that had led to the balcony. He turned in confusion as the door shut behind him, just in time to see the Night Court vanish with a click. He looked back at the room in confusion, only to see Luna smiling at him, an amused look on her face.

“Your eyes do not deceive you,” she said, offering a small smile. “We are indeed in my personal study.”

Steel composed himself and closed his open jaw. She was the regent of the night, the one who personally used her magic to make sure that the moon itself rose and set, orbiting around their world. Of course she had enough magical power to perform such a feat. “That’s very impressive,” he said, finding his voice.

Luna smiled  again and motioned for him to take a seat around the front of her desk. “Simply an old favorite of mine. It links similarly sized doorways. If anyone without the magic ‘key’ were to open that door in the court, they would simply find a broom closet. I was quite surprised to find that no one knew of the spell upon my return, it appears that it was lost at some point in the last few centuries. The professors at my sister's school have been hounding me relentlessly for it since the palace servants began talking about it.”

“Lost?”

Luna smiled. “'Twas my own fault. It would appear that I never wrote it down. Somewhat of a brief habit of mine a few dozen centuries back.” She settled behind her desk as Steel sat down, her expression returning to the more serious look he was familiar with. Comforting, but serious. “I later remedied that fact. In any case, it is quite useful for getting around the castle quickly, such as to avoid those—” her mouth contorted for a moment, “—paparazzi,” she said, her mouth twisting around the unfamiliar word. "After a session of the Night Court. Such things did not exist when I last ruled the Night Court, but then again nor was the Night Court in such use.” Her eyes took on a faraway look for a moment, but then focused on Steel. “Now then,” she said, bringing one hoof down on her desk with a sharp thump. “To business!”

Steel nodded as Luna asked her first question, his mind already brushing away the events of the Night Court in favor of timetables, training regimens, and budgets.


*        *        *


Nova released his magic as the last of the temporary cots floated into position, dropping it gently to the ground with a dull thump alongside its fellows. They were simple things, small wooden skeleton frames with cloth ‘mattresses’ that could be easily folded and unfolded to be moved as needed. All one needed to do was drop them into position, which had been his job, and then stand on one of the legs while pulling on a strap with one's teeth—Sabra’s job—and the frame would unfold and snap into place. 

He didn’t envy the zebra’s part in the small chore. They’d retrieved the cots from the back room of one of the nearby barracks and it was obvious that they hadn’t been used in a long time. At Nova’s suggestion, they’d even stood them against the outside wall of the barracks and attempted to clean the thick dust off of them, he with his magic and Sabra with that strange stick of his. Even so, they weren’t going to be the most comfortable experience, but as Sabra gripped the loop of another cot and pulled upward Nova couldn’t help but grimace. Those loops had to taste awful.

Sabra spied him looking on as the cot snapped up, unfolding its legs in a small X that left it sitting six inches off the ground. There was a brief moment where the zebra’s neck muscles grew taut as the cloth panel that made up the sleeping surface resisted the movement, but with a wooden clack that fought to be heard over the sounds of construction Sky Bolt was doing, the cot's various pieces locked in place and Sabra spat the loop out. He stepped to one side, eyes still on Nova as he placed one hoof on a leg of the third cot.

“Wondering what it tastes like?” Sabra asked, before bending over the third cots loop. “Be glad for your magic that lets you avoid tasting such things.” He clamped his teeth down and began to pull the third cot upwards.

Nova rolled his eyes and pointed his horn at the cot he’d just set down. A bright blue glow sprang into being around the cot's loop, followed by a second glow around the legs. With barely a thought he began to pull the two apart. There was a brief moment of resistance, but moments later the cot gave a loud snap as it unfolded. “How about I just give you a helping hoof so you don’t have to deal with the taste of those loops?” he asked, fixing a level stare at Sabra. “And don’t assume that I don’t know what those loops taste like. I’ve put a lot worse into my mouth then these loops.” There was another clack as he unfolded his second cot.

“Really?” Sabra said, a loop falling from his teeth as he spoke.  The zebra gave the cot he’d just unfinished folding a tap with his hooves, and then, apparently satisfied that it was going to stay unfolded, moved to the last cot. “Why would you do that?” he asked, gesturing at Nova’s horn with one hoof. “You have magic.”

Nova shook his head. “Not when I was young,” he said. “I had to do everything with my hooves and mouth just like any other pony back when I was a young colt. Even then,” he said, grabbing the loop from under Sabra’s nose and giving it a sharp upward pull with his magic. “I didn’t always have the luxury of magic when I was out working.” He raised one hoof and gave his horn a gentle tap. “The glow is kind of a giveaway if you’re trying to be really sneaky.”

Sabra raised one eyebrow as the cot snapped into place, his hoof still on its leg. “I would not have thought of that,” he admitted after a moment.

Nova shrugged. “Most don’t,” he said, shaking his head. “I had a few close calls when I was young, I learned pretty quickly that often the best way was the simplest way. If that meant using my teeth, well, then so be it.” He grimaced as a number of unpleasant memories swept over him. “And believe you me, there are a few things I wished I’d been able to magic my way around.”

“Why did you become a thief?”

Nova blinked and took a half step back at the directness of the question. “Why did I become a thief?” he asked, repeating Sabra’s question. Even he could hear the surprise in his voice.

“Yes. Why did you become a thief?” Sabra asked, his expression neutral. “It is what you are known for, and yet I do not see how your cutie mark has anything to do with thievery.”

Nova narrowed his eyes at the remark. “Everypony always brings up the cutie mark,” he said, his tone slightly more hostile than he’d meant for it to be. “What, just because I don’t have a lockpick or an open safe on my flank I can’t be a thief?” He sat down, putting his flanks and the offending marks at least somewhat out of sight. “I got these years after I started thieving, so don’t go making any quick guesses on me. I stole first because I was hungry, and then again because it was easy and I was still hungry.” He shrugged. “After that, it was because that was the quickest way to get what I needed. And before you think that I lived like a king somewhere—” he said quickly, cutting Sabra off as he opened his mouth, “—I lived in a one-bedroom flat here in Canterlot. You can check the court investigation if you’d like, I did after they arrested me. I only ever had what I needed and a little extra.”

“Then ... why did you do it?” Sabra asked after a moment. “Why did you stay a thief?” His voice was low, just low enough that Nova doubted anyone could have heard it but him over the whirring hiss of noise coming from Sky Bolt’s project at the end of the barracks.

He looked at the zebra for a moment. There wasn’t any harshness or judgement written in his face that he could see, just curiosity. He shrugged. “Can’t hurt to tell you I guess. Mainly just because it was fun and challenging.” He could see Sabra’s brow furrowing in confusion. “Look,” he said, raising both hooves in front to illustrate his words. “I don’t know what you do, or what you’re good at, but I enjoyed the challenge. Was it wrong? Well … yeah. It was,” he said, shoulders slumping a little. “But at the same time, there was a pretty good thrill to go with it. The feeling I’d get when I was sneaking past some security system somewhere ...” he smiled, a faint thrill running through him.

“What about those without security?” Sabra asked.

Nova shook his head. “I never stole from them. Why would I? No challenge, and it wasn’t fair. No, I only took from those who could afford to lose it and could defend it. There wasn’t any reason to steal—” he said, crossing his forelegs in front of him as he leaned back, “—from those who couldn’t even afford to protect it. No, I only stole from those who had the protection. Or guards. Love guards.”

“Royal Guard?”

"No. No—no ... well sometimes,” he said, giving the zebra a grin. His face was taking on a faraway look and he knew it, but he didn’t care. “Royal Guard, Night Guard, hired guard. Sometimes I’d let word get out where I was going to head next. Just so wherever it was would have some time to get some guards and some security together, make it more of a challenge.” He smiled as memories began running through his head. “Sneak in, past all the security, find whatever it was I was there to steal, then escape. If the guards spotted me, then we’d have a game of hide-and-seek.”

“And yet you were in jail when Captain Song brought us to meet you.” Sabra said. “Was that because—?”

Nova cut him off with a raised hoof. “Another matter entirely,” he said, hoping his tone implied that he didn’t want to discuss it. Sabra stopped speaking, apparently taking the hint.

“I received my own cutie mark playing a game very similar to hide-and-seek,” Sabra said with a soft nod of his striped head. “We called it ‘the calling game.’ It was very simple. All the colts and fillies would hide, and then one young colt or filly would try to find them with his eyes closed. If he called out somepony's name, they had to call back. The goal was for the searcher to find the hidden children as quickly as possible. I earned this—” he said, tapping the three strange rippled circles on his flank, “—the day I found all of my friends while blindfolded, without calling anypony's name.”

“So ... what?” Nova said, leaning forward. “You can find ponies?”

Sabra shook his head. “I can—” He shook his head again, ears back. “It is hard to explain. I can … see sound ...” He paused for a moment. “Sauti ... kuona ... kusikia—ah!” His face lit up. “I see the world by hearing it.” He raised a hoof to tap his ears. “Even with my eyes shut, blind to the world, I can tell how many ponies are nearby, where they are going, what they are doing, all by the noises they make.”

“Wow,” Nova said, impressed. “That’s pretty handy. I can think of a few times where I could have used that rather than fumbling around in the dark. You’d have been good at hide-and-seek.”

“Who would what now?” A hoof clapped down on Nova’s shoulder and he jerked forward in surprise.

“Oh, sorry there Nova,” Hunter said, throwing his body onto one of the cots next to them. “Didn’t mean to startle you. You guys talking about hide-and-seek?” he asked as he flipped himself onto his back, wings spread out beneath him, and settled his body into the cloth.

“A bit,” Nova said, giving the pegasus a glare. “How much of that did you hear?”

Hunter waved a hoof blindly then pulled his Stetson around to cover his face. “Not much, just something about hide-and-seek. Why?” he asked in a mirthful voice. “You telling Sabra where you stashed the loot?” Nova couldn’t see his face beneath the Stetson, but he could visualize the grin on the Lieutenant's face easily enough.

“No, it’s nothing. Forget about it,” he said, the twisty feeling in his gut vanishing almost as fast as it had arisen. The last thing he wanted was somepony eavesdropping on him. Even if it was somepony he could trust—and no one here was on that list yet as far as he was concerned—and the story hadn’t been anything especially private—even most of his buyers knew he had only been in the business for the challenge—he didn’t like ponies listening in. To be fair, he felt slightly hypocritical about that decision, as he’d eavesdropped on plenty of ponies before, but not for anything other than work.

“Well,” Hunter said, throwing both hooves behind his head and settling a bit more. One of his wings twitched. “If I were you two I’d get to sleep. Tomorrow is your first official day on the job, and that means we’ll be up nice and early.”

“How early is early?” Nova asked, regretting the question as soon as it had left his mouth.

Hunter laughed. “Well, at around six Celestia’s supposed to raise the sun ...”

“Okay, so around then?” Nova prompted when Hunter didn’t continue further.

Hunter laughed. “And we’ll have a nice view of the whole thing,” he said, shifting again. “So bed up, one of you go let Sky Bolt know I want lights out in ten minutes. And uh,” he said with a lazy wave of his hoof that wasn’t even pointed in the right direction, “I’ll make that an order. Might as well start getting used to  being a Lieutenant.”

“I—” Nova said, trying to think of something snappy.

“Unless it’s the phrase ‘Sir, yes sir’ I don’t think you should waste your breath Nova,” Hunter said, his voice already growing groggy. “So I’d get to it.” The stallion rolled over on his side, making it clear the conversation was over. Nova looked over at Sabra, who had silently watched the entire exchange.

“I will tell Sky Bolt,” Sabra said with a small nod of his head. “It’s the least I can do after you offered me your help.”

Nova shrugged as he tossed himself on a cot. “Alright. Night.”

“Usiku Mwema.” Sabra padded off, leaving Nova alone with his thoughts. He looked out across the barracks for a while, looking at all of the equipment that had been dragged in and trying to identify it. While he recognized some of the equipment, such as a small tablesaw, some of the devices were past him and he grew bored almost immediately. He sighed and rolled over onto his back, looking straight up to keep the worklights out of his eyes.

“What are you doing here Nova?” he muttered to himself quietly, his voice barely audible even to his ears. There was a drawn out hiss from the end of the barracks and the ambient clatter of machinery died. Sabra must have gotten Sky Bolt's attention. Nova took a quick peek in their direction, but both of them were engaged in a conversation of some sort, and neither of them were looking anywhere at him. 

He slid off the side of his cot, pointing his horn at it. His horn gave a soft blue flash and a sister flash echoed from the underside of the cot. He smiled and gave the cot an experimental shove. The spell had worked just as it was supposed to, and his push sent the cot sliding almost silently over the floor, a faint rasp the only sign of it’s passing. He pushed at the cot again, until it was a better distance from the other cots. Only then did he remove the spell with a brief flash of his horn and curl up on top of his cot.

What are you doing here Nova? he asked himself again as the lights clicked out. What are you doing here? Biding your time? What? But he had no satisfactory answer, and eventually, after staring out into the darkness for some time, he fell asleep.
> Assembly - Chapter 12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 12


        Nova’s body hurt. Not the dull pain broken by brief sharp flares that signified a major injury or the sharp pain of a surface injury, but a burning pain that ran through his legs, across his flanks, and up his chest. Even his throat felt raw and ragged.

        He blinked as sweat stung his eyes. His red mane had long since passed the point of damp, instead having turned to a wet towel that clung to his shoulders and forehead. There wasn’t a single part of his body that wasn’t soaked in sweat. He knew he smelled horrible, but he had reached a point several miles earlier where he had just stopped caring.

        “You’ll want to stretch out for a bit,” came a cultured voice at his side. He recognized a hint of Manehatten in the accent. 

Nice place, Manehatten, he thought. Always some challenging jobs. 

“Your body isn’t quite used to this just yet,” the voice continued. Nova carefully turned his head, wiping sweat from his eyes with a forehoof. Standing next to him was the pink unicorn mare who had shown up that morning named Dawn Triage. Her coat was a bit darker now, even she had broken into a heavy sweat as a result of the long run.

        “Stretch?” he asked, panting.

        She nodded. “If you simply stand there you run the risk of making yourself much more sore than you’re already going to be. Do some stretches, even if it hurts.” She walked off before he could respond, heading over towards Sky Bolt where she lay on the grass, her sides heaving. He found a bit of solace in the sight of the winded pegasus. Seeing that he wasn’t the only one on the team who had found the run taxing beyond belief assuaged his ego somewhat.

        He slid his forelegs out carefully, stretching muscles along his back and flank. On the other side of the wide training courtyard he could see Sabra carefully balancing himself on one hoof, stretching his other three limbs into the air. They’d barely just finished their morning run, and already the Zebra appeared as calm and neutral as ever. He didn’t even appear to be breathing hard.

        Which made him the only member of the team to earn that status, Nova realized as he put himself into another stretch. Even Steel—he paused the thought train, mentally reminding himself to call him Captain Song before he earned any other extra miles for the team to run. Even Captain Song was still breathing hard, although the tough old stallion didn’t seem any worse for the wear. Nova was starting to understand exactly how well the Captain lived up to his name.

Nova had just put himself into a very complex backwards pretzel twist, a move he was particularly proud of being able to pull off as most mares he knew couldn’t even get halfway close, when Hunter’s voice echoed across the training yard. 

“Dusk Guard! Fall in!” Nova groaned and carefully twisted his body back to a standing position. He started to jog over towards the far wall where Hunter and Captain Steel were waiting, but something in his back leg rebelled, so he contented himself with a brisk trot that was designed as much to hide his sore leg as conceal the urge to limp. If there was one rule he’d learned as a thief that he figured applied to the Guard, it was not to let them see your weaknesses.

“Alright team,” Captain Song said as the ponies lined up. “I hope you’ve enjoyed your first taste of what it’s going to mean to be a Dusk Guard. Just so you know, that run was a trial run. Ten miles. It would have been eight, but somepony made a few smart remarks.” Nova cringed inwardly at the words. “Now,” the Captain continued. “In the future we’ll be doing longer runs than that—” There was an exasperated gasp from Sky Bolt. Nova looked over to see her staring at Captain Song with an exasperated look on her face.

“Do you have something to add?” Steel asked.

Sky Bolt shook her head. “No sir,” she said, although her voice sounded weak and her legs were trembling. She gave a weak smile. “I’ll manage.” Nova almost snorted, catching himself at the last moment. At least she was optimistic. He had the feeling that if they did this again the next day his legs were going to fall off, or at the least his hooves.

“Determination is good, but in this case discretion is better,” the Captain said. He began pacing back and forth in front of them. “Some of us are going to be incredibly sore tomorrow. Some of us won’t. Each of us is at a different level in our abilities. In order for us to work together, as a team, we need to understand where each one of us is at, what each one of us is capable of.” He stopped pacing and motioned towards Dawn. “That’s why we’re spending the next few days prepping for the actual training we’ll be undergoing. Dawn Triage will be watching each of us, even me, in turn over the next few days as we undergo various exercises. As the official medical expert of the Dusk Guard, her word is law, even superseding mine as the need arises, and it’ll be her decision that decides what sort of training we’re going to be doing each day. Any questions?”

Nova shifted his eyes to the left, and then to the right, but nopony had raised a hoof. “Alright then,” Captain Song said. “Everypony follow me. We’ve got one more thing to do before we break for breakfast.” He turned and began to move off at a brisk jog, heading for one of the training field's entrances. One by one, the members of the team fell in behind him.

Nova almost stumbled as he started forward. His legs felt as if they’d been drained and filled with lead in the short time he’d been listening to the Captain. Burning lead. He grimaced as lances of fire burned their way up and down his flanks with each step. He wasn’t going to stop now.

Why are you here Nova? came the voice in the back of his mind. What are you trying to do? Prove something? He ignored it. He could doubt himself another time. Right now, his only goal was to survive until breakfast. He felt his body fall into a steady rhythm, the burn in his legs subsiding. He just had to last until breakfast. He could pass out then.

They didn’t go far. Following the Captain’s lead the team left the training yard, passing some early arrivals from the Royal Guard as they did, and then turned and followed a well worn stone path. A minute later, they arrived outside of a weather-worn building that was sitting, as near as Nova could tell, on the far side of the training grounds. It was fairly plain, lacking the usual coloration of most Equestrian buildings, and its grey coloration made it look as if it had been constructed from cement. As they walked through the single open doorway, Nova rapped the material underfoot with his hoof loudly., drawing an odd look from Dawn but nothing else. There was no doubt about it, the entire outside of the structure was made out of cement.

The inside was even stranger. As the team passed through the doorway the sound of their hoofsteps changed from the sharp clop of hooves on stone to the ringing of hooves on metal. As he stepped inside, Nova took a quick look around. The Captain was waiting for them inside an empty, plain looking metal room. The room itself was a perfect square, with only the open doorway behind them and two closed doorways on the far wall, one of which Steel was standing in front of.

“Dusk Guard, for those of you who have never been here, welcome to what every young guard recruit learns to fear: The Crucible.”

“The … Crucible?” Sabra asked, his mouth twisting around the word. “Haina—” he shook his head. “What does this word mean?”

Sky Bolt spoke up. “It’s a high pressure device used to melt materials,” she said. “Although it can also be used to describe something that severely tests somepony.”

“I see,” Sabra said, nodding. “Asante.”

“In this case, the second definition Sky Bolt gave is correct,” Captain Song said, drawing everypony's attention back to him. “The Crucible is the Guard’s official obstacle course.”

“You going to tell them the unofficial name?” Hunter asked.

Captain Song’s shoulders slumped slightly. “Not if you hadn’t brought it up,” he said, resignation in his voice.

“What’s the unofficial name?” Sky Bolt asked. Nova could see a bright look on her face. He began to turn his attention back to covertly trying to stretch his back legs.

“The unofficial name,” the Captain said, giving Hunter a look that promised a reckoning later. “is Celestia’s Home Exercise Device. And,” he said as Sky Bolt tried to hide a laugh. “If any of you call it that within her highness's hearing, all I can guarantee is that I’ll try to match her punishment for you.” He glared at Sky Bolt, but it only made her chuckle louder. Then Dawn began to laugh as well, her polite, evenly spaced chuckles contrasting with Sky Bolt’s more unladylike laughter. As their laughter began to escalate, Nova could feel his own slightly sour mood begin to evaporate. He started to chuckle. It was a pretty good nickname.

“See, this is exactly why I didn’t want them hearing that,” Captain Song said to Hunter. His expression was neutral, but Nova could detect a hint of annoyance in his voice even over the sporadic laughter of the group.

“They’d have heard it eventually,” Hunter said, giving Steel a nonchalant look. “Besides, now they’re all in a good mood. The only ones who aren’t laughing are you and Sabra.” He gestured at Sabra with one hoof.

Sabra shrugged. “I don’t get the joke,” he said simply, giving the group an embarrassed grin.

“Someone will explain it to you later. Until then, don’t go repeating it in the wrong place,” Ste—Nova caught himself—Captain Song said. “Now, if we could have a little order, I’d like to get to breakfast sooner than later.” After a moment the laughter subsided, and he continued. “Anyway, today we’re going to be running The Crucible in teams of two. Each team will have three minutes to make it through the course. If you or your partner fails to reach the end, neither of you do. Some of us—” He indicated Dawn, Hunter, and himself. “—have run the course before, so we have some idea of what to expect. The course itself is fairly straightforward, just follow the arrows and you’ll be guided right to the end.”

“What about flying?” The question came from Sky Bolt.

The Captain grinned, the same kind of predatory grin he’d given Nova when he’d informed him of who he was. “You’re welcome to use your own abilities to their fullest,” he said. “In fact, I encourage it. Just be warned that this course was designed to challenge, so if you try something like say flight or teleportation, you might find yourself surprised.”

Nova knitted his brow in surprise. “What about damages?” he asked.

The Captain shook his head. “The course is durable, it’s been in use for decades. Even if you do damage it, it won’t be the first time, I’m sure.” He paused for a second, his eyes taking on a piercing look that made Nova uncomfortable. “Although I guess it couldn’t hurt to tell you to not purposefully destroy the course. Oh, and no breaking through to the outside or flying out. It’s clever, it’s been done.” He stared at the line of ponies. “Any questions?”

Nova shook his head along with the rest of the group, his mind already psyching itself up for the task ahead. Three minutes, an unknown number of obstacles and—

“Nova, you’ll be paired with Sabra. Sky Bolt, you’re with Hunter. Dawn and I will run the last trial.”

Right, and a partner. Nova looked over at Sabra, who gave him a small nod. He returned it after a moment's hesitation.
“Do you have any idea of what we will be facing inside?” Sabra asked as he walked over.

Straight to the point. “No, not a clue,” Nova said. “No one ever hid anything worth grabbing in the Guard’s quarters. If you want to know what the hallway to the Royal Archives is like, I can tell you that.” His response was met with a laugh from Sabra, and Nova had to crack a smile. He hadn’t been entirely joking.

“Alright,” Captain Song called. “Nova and Sabra, you’re up first. Once this door opens ...” he said, tapping one of the room's doors with one hoof. “The clock is ticking. Three minutes to get as far as you can or reach the exit. The rest of you come with me up to the observation deck.” He slid the other door open, revealing a set of stairs that lead upwards and began to climb. One by one, the rest of the team followed him, leaving Nova and Sabra alone.

“Well,” Nova said, positioning himself in front of the door. “Let's get this over with as fast as we can. That run already wiped me pretty good.” His stomach gave a small rumble as he spoke. “And I could really use breakfast.”

“I am hungry as well,” Sabra said, taking position next to him. “But something tells me that this will not be as easy as it sounds.” One of his ears gave a small twitch as he cocked his head to one side. “I hear gears moving. The door will open soon.” He turned towards Nova. “As fast as we can, correct?” he asked with a faint smile. Nova nodded.

Moments later the door snapped open and Nova hurled himself through the opening, ignoring his muscles scorching protests. Tall concrete walls rose high to either side of him, framing the open sky overhead, a ribbon of blue framed by grey. Brightly colored arrows had been painted on the walls at head level, guiding the way forward. The space between was filled with loose sand, and Nova could feel his hooves digging deep with each step, sucking away at his momentum. If the ground stays this loose through the entire course, I might have trouble making it, he thought as the aerated soil pulled at his body. A quick look to his right confirmed that Sabra was running alongside him, easily keeping pace with Nova’s speed, though he too seemed to be pushing hard against the sand.

Up ahead the first obstacle loomed. The path sloped sharply upward in a loose, crumbly rise that looked as if it might collapse at any moment. Beside him Sabra put on a burst of speed, sprinting forward. Then, as he reached the base of the upward slope he leapt into the air, throwing his body to the right and pushing off of the wall with all four hooves, propelling himself upward. He landed more than halfway up the slope, his hooves scrabbling for purchase, but the forward momentum he’d gained was more than enough to carry him to the top of the slope.

Nova grinned as he recognized the maneuver as one he himself  had used before. As he reached the slope he followed Sabra’s lead, leaping left rather than right and kicking off the wall with all his might, his legs burning under the strain. He hit the slope at the same place Sabra had, hooves scrambling madly against the soft sand as it slid back beneath him. Unfortunately, his weakened muscles hadn’t had the same strength Sabra’s had, and his momentum quickly fled as the sands slipped down below him. He threw one hoof forward blindly, hoping to dig it into the stand and prevent himself from sliding downward. Instead, a striped fetlock wrapped around his outstretched hoof, and Nova bent his wrist, ignoring his legs' protests as his downward slide was halted. Sabra was laying on his belly, his legs braced against the top of the slope as he pulled, and with his assistance Nova was able to pull himself up the last few feet of the slope.

“Thanks,” he said as he looked down at the next challenge.

“Hakuna Matatizo,” Sabra said, and Nova didn’t bother asking for a translation as Sabra had already leapt to the next challenge. The rise they had made their way to the top of ended in a drop-off, the sand held back by a wooden wall that opened up into a large open space full of clear blue water. A series of wooden walls divided the water about halfway across, turning the square into a simple maze that a pony would be required to swim through. Below him Sabra hit the water with a loud splash, his jump having carried him halfway towards the maze already. He emerged with a shake of his head that threw water everywhere, and then turned and waved at Nova with one hoof.

“Hurry! I am not a good swimmer!” he yelled up at Nova. Nova could see for himself that the zebra was struggling to even keep his head afloat. He took one last quick look at the walls around the pool and then took a running start, coming down just past Sabra with a titanic splash. The water was cool, but not unpleasantly so, and it had the added effect of rinsing some of the sand out of his coat. As he broke the surface of the water and took quick, gasping breath, he was suddenly somewhat glad that his runaway mouth had earned him an extra few miles of running. If they’d been here earlier he would have been doing the challenge before the sun rose, and the water was cold enough as it was.

Sabra splashed past him, moving painfully slow despite the large amount of flailing he was doing. Nova made a few wide strokes with his hooves and passed him quickly, his own body cutting through the water with an ease born from summers of practice at public pools. When he reached the entrance to the maze he stopped, pulling himself up against one of the low walls that made up the entrance. He took a quick look at the peak of the wall above him. Six inches wide, nice and sturdy. he thought. I might not be able to make it but ... He turned back to Sabra, who still had a quarter of the distance to cross before he reached the entrance to the maze. Bracing himself against the maze wall, Nova summoned forth one of the most basic unicorn spells. A bright yellow glow began to sparkle around his horn, while a matching yellow field bloomed to life around Sabra and began pulling him through the water, aiding his movement.

“You’ve got good balance, right?” Nova asked as Sabra drew close to the wall. Then, without waiting for an answer he sent a surge of magic along his horn. Sabra flew upwards out of the water, boosted by Nova’s magic, while at the same time Nova was shoved down, his head completely submerging as he rocketed down towards the bottom of the pool. Telekinesis was one of the most basic magical abilities of any unicorn, allowing a unicorn to surround an object with a magical field and move it by force of will. Of course, the heavier the object, the more magical power it took to move it, as merely moving something with one’s magic didn’t negate the amount of energy that it took to do so. If a pony used less magic than the mass of the object they were moving, then the often found the remaining mass being exerted as an opposing force on their own horn. Hence most unicorns quickly learned to stick to small objects that they could easily manage.

Not Nova. He’d learned long ago that with a little lateral thinking, a force on his horn could be a great tool if used right. He’d even come up with a few variant spells that used similar principles in varying ways. What it currently meant was that he’d been able to push Sabra up out of the water while at the same time pushing himself down to the bottom. The moment his hooves hit the bottom of the pool he let go of Sabra with his field, hoping the zebra had figured out what was going on, and pushed upwards with both his hooves and his magic. The resulting force was enough to push his body completely free of the water as he surfaced, launching him high enough into the air that his scrabbling forward hooves just barely fell over the top of the wall.  Still blinking water from his eyes, he kicked his back legs fruitlessly, trying to find purchase on the slick wood.

Once again Nova felt Sabra wrap a foreleg around his and pull him up. He kicked up one of his hind legs, felt it slip over the lip that was the top of the wall and pressed down, ignoring the legs' tortured protests as he pulled his body onto the narrow ledge. He wiped at his eyes with one hoof, blinking his eyes at the heavy winds that were surging all around them.

“Why did the fans turn on?” Sabra yelled from his carefully balanced position on the wall. Around them panels on the walls had opened up revealing massive fans, all aimed in different directions and filling the room with a maelstrom of wind currents that were strong enough to ruffle even Nova’s wet mane.

“Because we’re above the wall!” Nova called back. “Makes it harder for a pegasus to fly over the whole maze. Now let’s go!” he said as he carefully pushed himself up. “We’ve got to hurry!” Sabra nodded and turned, running down the narrow walltop with practiced ease, and Nova followed him at a slower pace, looking for a clear opening in the water path he could jump into.


*        *        *


        High above on the observation platform Steel scoffed in surprise, watching as the two made their way towards the end of the maze, Sabra leaping from wall to wall with a fluid grace that looked almost unnatural and Nova leaping back into the water once he saw a clear path and moving through it with surprising speed.

        “They’re doing much better than I thought they would,” he remarked to Hunter as the two ponies reached the end of the challenge and entered the next part of the course, a series of staggered pillars with small platforms placed around them at unequal heights, connected by thick ropes. Without a pause they leapt onto the first platform. Sabra must have said something,  as the zebra flipped over onto his back and held his hooves up. Nova then took a running start, leaping up and landing on Sabra’s hooves. They both gave a heaving push ... And suddenly the purple unicorn was flying through the air, his fiery red tail streaming behind him like flame from a rocket. The assisted leap sent him arcing high, and he landed with a quick roll on top of one of the higher platforms, skipping several of the platforms in-between.

        Beside him Hunter nodded. His expression bore nothing but an impressed look at the resourcefulness of the pair. “I gotta say, the climbing over the wall never occurred to me when I ran this thing with the Rangers,” he said with a hint of awe in his voice. “I tried to fly, the fans knocked me into the water, and I swam the rest of the way. I feel a little upstaged.”

        Steel nodded as he watched the pair pass through the pillars, Sabra launching Nova over the gaps and Nova returning the favor by holding the cables tight with his magic, allowing Sabra to run across them rather than going hoof-over-hoof underneath. 

“I think I underestimated them myself,” he said as the two cleared the jump over the last platform and ran through to the next challenge. They came out on a high ledge above another pool of water. This time a single path was in front of them, a sloped and twisty thing that wove around the pool like a snake as it descended. Of all the challenges, it had been Steel’s least favorite back when he had been in the academy. The entire path was enchanted, coating it in a thin layer of ice and making its sloped surface almost impossible to navigate quickly. Most guards simply opted to jump and swim the length of the room rather than try to navigate the downward slope.

        As he watched, the two seemed to be considering their options. Nova was shaking his head, gesturing at the path, and moments later a brilliant beam of yellow light shot out of his horn, panning along the path and sending up spurts of steam. The two began to move down the path, easily navigating its awkward turns without the ice.

        Steel turned to look at Dawn, who was watching the events below with a very interested look on her face. “Can you do that?” he asked.

        She gave a small shake of her head. “Not a chance.”

        “I didn’t think so,” Steel said as he turned back to watch the pair leave the challenge. They were over halfway through the course now. “I remember a few cadets tried it when I was in the academy, but it took a lot of heat to even melt the ice, let alone evaporate it.”

        “What’s his special talent?” Hunter asked.

        Steel thought for a moment. “Well, his file said it was probably either for sneaking, hiding, or thieving.”

        Hunter gave a small shake of his head as the two ponies below began working their way up one of the ubiquitous rope ladder walls that seemed to be featured in every obstacle course. “And we never bothered to ask which it was. Last night I overheard him telling Sabra that it wasn’t for stealing. It doesn’t match his cutie mark either.” Down below,  Nova seemed to have the upper hoof as Sabra became more and more entangled in the loose ropes. Nova reached the top of the ladder and turned, using his magic to straighten the loose ropes and letting Sabra speed to the top.

        “What does match his cutie mark?” Steel asked as he watched the duo move on, Nova’s horn still glowing yellow. “I tried asking him about it on the train, but he dodged my question pretty well, and I didn’t just want to order him to tell me.”

        Hunter shrugged. “It looks pretty familiar,” he said with a nod. “But I haven’t been able to put my hoof on what it is just yet. I swear it looks familiar though, with the crescent and all.” He frowned as Nova once again sent out a pulse of yellow-red light, this time giving Sabra a quick boost up to skip an entire section of the course. “Maybe it’s just me getting old,” he said hesitantly. “But wasn’t Nova’s magic colored blue last night?”

        “Hey, you’re right!” Sky Bolt said, her eyes widening. “Why is it that red-yellow color now? I didn’t think unicorns could change the color of their magic.”

        “They can’t,” Dawn said, her voice concerned. “A unicorn's magic is part of who they are. You can’t change its color. The closest you can come is mixing your magic with somepony else's, but even then that requires two ponies.”

        “Hmm,” Steel said as the duo moved on, the strange yellow mystery winking out. “I think I have a few questions for our young thief now,” he said as the two ran past the last obstacle and finished the course. He checked the observation platforms clock. Two minutes and thirty-five seconds. “And we might need to see about making this course a bit more difficult, maybe set some traps.” He turned his attention to Hunter, who was shaking his head and staring at the swimming maze with an amused look on his face. “Hunter, why don’t you fly down and collect those two, bring them up here and then you and Sky Bolt can do the next run.”

        “Yes sir.” Hunter threw out a quick salute as he leapt up onto the platform's railing, his wings balancing his body. Then, with a cocky grin, he fell backwards, twisting his body and gliding over to the two ponies at the end of the course.

        Steel turned his attention towards Sky Bolt. “You should head down to the start of the course,” he said,. “Hunter will probably fly straight over there, so you might as well be waiting. You ready?” 

The young mare nodded, her face set in a determined smile. He could still see a small tremble in the tips of her wings. Of the entire team, she was probably the one least used to the gauntlet that she was being put through, but she was meeting the challenge with a commendably good attitude. “Alright, get going.” Sky Bolt mimicked Hunter, pulling herself over the railing and lazily gliding down towards the entrance of the building, and Steel turned towards Dawn. “As for you and me,” he said. “We’re going to ask Nova a few questions.”

        Moments later the figures of Nova and Sabra rounded the last turn in the stairway and stepped onto the observation platform. Both ponies were breathing heavily, although where Sabra’s was controlled and steady, Nova’s was more of a heaving gasp that was rocking his whole body.

        “Well,” Dawn said, walking over and taking a closer look at Nova’s heaving sides. “Somepony gave this test their all.” Nova’s ears turned down as he gave her an annoyed look, but he didn’t say anything as she paced around him until she prodded his side.

        “Hey, hooves off,” he said weakly. “I’m a little sore, and I don’t like being poked.” Dawn ignored him his response and instead kept circling.

        “Nova,” Steel said, stepping in front of the colt and looking down at him. “Before I start this next round on the obstacle course, I want to clear something up. I need you to answer me truthfully. Are we clear?” 

The young unicorn looked at him for a moment, his ears back flat against his head and defiance in his eyes. “That depends on the question,” he said after a moment’s hesitation. “Sir.”

Steel shook his head. “Unacceptable. If I ask you a question, then I expect a truthful answer, in full. I can’t have someone I need to rely on lying to me.”

Nova opened his mouth as if to spit back a hot retort, fire in his eyes, but stopped and closed his mouth. His ears were still down, but the defiant look in his eyes had been replaced with a look of suspicion. The two stared at one another for a moment, Steel doing his best to mimic the stern impassive look that he’d gotten from so many training sergeants as a cadet, and Nova doing his best to look unaffected, which wasn’t easy for him as Dawn was still closely examining him, and his eyes kept darting in her direction. The only pony who seemed completely indifferent to the entire exchange was Sabra, although Steel wasn’t quite sure he’d be able to tell if the monk was taking great interest.

“I—” Nova’s mouth uttered the single syllable before clapping shut again. Steel waited, watching the youth. “I—” Nova started again, but this time stopped as he Dawn poked his rear leg with one hoof and he shied to one side. “Hey, hooves off!” He said angrily. “What are you doing back there!”

“Your leg was once injured, was it not?” Dawn asked quietly, impressing Steel with her patience. The shocked look on Nova’s face apparently told her everything she needed to know. “The signs are there,” she said as he stammered inquiries. “The muscle tone is slightly less than the other leg, the favoring slight but apparent. I would assume it happened in the last year, am I correct?”

Nova looked at the group, as if searching for a way out of the situation, then back at Dawn. “Yeah, just an accident a few months back. Is that what you wanted to know about?” he asked, ears perking. “My leg?” His expression darted between Steel and Dawn. “It happened months ago, it’s not a big deal.”

“Not quite,” Dawn said, speaking up before Steel could. “It does mean I will need to make a more detailed examination of your leg later to make certain that it hasn’t been improperly healed. Also, we will need to adjust your training to focus on it, as I would gather its lesser strength comes from a subconscious thought to use the other leg more. Still,” she said, circling him once more. “That is not what Steel wanted to ask you about.”

“Hey up there!” came a call from down below. It was Hunter’s voice. “Is the first part of the challenge waiting? Because I’m pretty sure that would put us over our time limit before long!”

“One moment!” Steel called back. A suspicion was forming in his mind. Something he would have never considered before a few weeks ago. What if the unicorn standing before them wasn’t a unicorn at all? He’d only turned up a few weeks ago, barely after the Changeling invasion of Canterlot. Could it be possible? He fixed Nova with another, more serious look. “Nova, I’m ordering you to stay where you are. Don’t move.”

‘What? Why?” Nova asked, his expression growing worried.

“Sabra,” Steel said, ignoring Nova’s question. “If Nova tries to run for it, stop him.” The zebra gave him a small nod, although there was confusion evident in his expression.

“Whoa, whoa!” Nova said, sitting back on his haunches and holding up his hooves. “I’ll answer your questions, alright?” His eyes were wide now, darting between the rest of the team.

“Questions later,” Steel said, staring at him. “If you so much as make a move like you’re going to bolt for it during this next bit ...” he left the threat hanging in the air, his eyes darting towards  Dawn. “Dawn, can you scan him to see if he’s really a unicorn?”

“Wait? Really a unicorn?” Nova looked completely baffled now. “Well of course I’m a—whoah! Hey, that tickles!” A dull orange glow had surrounded his body, pulsing in time with the glow that had sprang up around Dawn’s horn. Her eyes were tightly closed, an expression of concentration on her face. There was a small ‘pop’ as the glow around Nova disappeared, and her blue eyes opened, wide with what looked like surprise. She looked over towards Steel.

“He’s not a changeling,” she said, her voice slightly higher pitched than normal. “He’s a unicorn, just like he said.”

“Wait, you thought I was one of those freaky bug things?” Nova said, looking almost as surprised as Dawn. “What gave you that idea?”

“The same thing that I wanted to ask you about before you got all defensive,” Steel said, feeling slightly surprised, and more than a little embarrassed at the scene. “Your magic, it was a different color last night.”

Nova looked at Steel, his jaw slack, and then burst out laughing. “Really?” he asked between laughs. “That was what you wanted to ask me about?”

“A unicorn's magic cannot change color,” Steel said, ignoring the laughter as Nova slumped down on the deck, his sides heaving in and out almost as hard as they had been when he’d first reached the platform. “Hunter said that your magic was blue last night, and yet down on the obstacle course it was yellow. The only thing I could think of that would account for that would be a changeling who was sloppy with his magic.”

Nova’s laughter slowed to a mellow chuckle. “Tartarus,” he said, brushing away tears from his eyes. “I never thought I’d get that accusation. I had a pony in Los Pegasus accuse me of having an identical twin once but ...” He looked up at Steel. “Alright, I may as well tell you.”

“Is there a particular reason that you didn’t wish to share anything?” Dawn asked before he could continue.

Nova shrugged. “I like my privacy.” Dawn made a small clicking noise with her tongue, but when it became apparent that she wasn’t going to say anything he turned back toward Steel. 

“It’s … part of my special talent,” he said, turning one side towards the the group so they could see the mark on his flank. “When the moon is up, my magic is blue and I can freeze things with my beam spell. When the moon swaps for the sun, my magic does the opposite.” He pointed at the twin crescents of his cutie mark. “As near as I can tell, the lower crescent here,” he said with a tap at the near circle orange crescent shape and it’s jagged outward edges, “is similar to Princess Celestia’s Royal Seal, which I guess is the sun part of it, while the top crescent ...” He tapped the white slash that sat across the top of the lower crescent. “It's similar to Princess Luna’s royal seal, so I guess that represents the moon. As near as I can tell anyway.” He dropped his hoof and looked back at the group. “And before you ask, I’m not related to either of them, I can’t move the sun or the moon, and all it really means is I can do some cool stuff only during the day, and other cool stuff only at night.”

“I have never heard of something like this.” Dawn said, leaning in close towards the mark and causing Nova to scoot slightly back. “How did you earn your mark?”

“I’d rather not talk about it if it’s all the same to you,” Nova said, his face momentarily downcast. “But my magic’s been like this my whole life.” He looked over at Steel. “So. Satisfied?”

Steel nodded. “Satisfied. Although you’re going to be doing a few extra miles tomorrow.” Nova’s shoulders slumped. “If you don’t like it,” Steel said as he turned back to the platform railing. “Then you can learn to start taking orders like you’re supposed to.” A little part of him kicked as the words left his mouth, and he knew the words had been harsh. He looked back at Nova and saw that the youth was staring down at the wooden flooring, an angry look in his eyes. 

“On second thought,” he said, turning away so Nova wouldn’t see him looking at him and regretting his harsh words. “You’re new to all this, and it’s probably going to take a bit for you to adjust, so no extra miles. But you are going to have to learn to trust me.”

As he turned back to the railing and signaled to Hunter that the test was about to start, he had the distinct feeling that it might have been easier to ask the unicorn to fly.


*        *        *


        “Have you seen the news yet?” Hunter held up the latest edition of the Canterlot Daily as Steel sat down across from him, a bowl of steaming oatmeal gripped carefully in his teeth.

        “Seen what?” he asked without looking up.

        “This,” Hunter said, tapping the headline.

        “Railway porter critically injured in train attack,” Steel said, reading the headline aloud. “Late night assault possibly connected to train robberies plaguing the Equestrian Rail Service for months.” He took the paper from Hunter, ignoring his breakfast as he examined the article further.

        “I heard something about the robberies on my way here.” Hunter said, taking a bite of his salad and grimacing. “Crikey. Onions. Anyway,” he said with a pause as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I ran into an old friend of mine and she said that from what she’d heard, the ERS has been swamped with thefts lately. One every week or more. No idea who, why, or how.”

        “Well the papers make it sound like somepony's out to harm everyone who’s ever ridden on a train.” Steel folded the paper and tossed it back to Hunter’s side of the table. “It’ll pass. They’ll find something to new to fixate on.” 

Hunter shrugged and took another bite of his salad, grimacing as another slice of hated onion passed his lips. “Could be,” he said when he’d finished chewing. “That the steward wandered in on the thief and he tried to quiet him permanently.”

Steel shook his head. “Doubt it,” he said. “The article said that they found him after he was “attacked” and from details they gave I think that’s mostly conjecture.”

“I don’t know,” Hunter said, flipping the paper open on the table. “Listen to this. ‘According to doctors, the unnamed stallion suffered numerous blows to the head consistent with a blunt object.’ That sounds like something deliberate. It can’t be an accident or the ERS would have said something to that effect.”

“You misunderstand,” Steel said, giving his head a quick shake. “I’m open to the idea that it was a deliberate attack, but not to permanently silence. If it had been that, he wouldn’t be in the hospital.”

“Maybe the attacker figured the job was done?”

“Sloppy.”

“Realized the horror of what he was doing?”

“More likely,” Steel chuckled as Hunter took yet another grimacing bite of his salad. “You know, you could just pick the onions out.”

Hunter shook his head. “Nope, they’re good for me.”

Steel laughed. “And the logic there is?”

“If it tastes so bad, there must be something good in it. You know, like medicine.” Hunter said before taking another large bite, face contorting with every movement of his jaw as the sharp bite of the onion burned his tongue. Steel chuckled and dug into his own oatmeal.

“So,” Hunter said as soon as he’d finished his latest battle. “You think he found the thief and got taken out in a panic?”

“I don’t know,” Steel said, his mouth gooey with hot oatmeal. “I—” he paused and swallowed, following his gulp with a sip of his water before continuing. “I think that if it was a panic, than whoever did it would have likely been caught, but since they weren’t, maybe they didn’t panic and knew what they were doing.” He flipped the paper around and tapped the headline with one hoof. “This will scare a lot of ponies though. Equestria just isn’t used to having something like this happen. If this were the griffon kingdoms sure, nobody would bat an eye, but here? In Equestria?” He shook his head.

“Yeah,” Hunter said, the last of his salad vanishing. “I’d hate to be in charge of the railroad right now. Nopony's going to want to take it if something like this happens again.”

Steel sat up, his breakfast momentarily forgotten. “Come to think of it ...” he said as looked up and down the rows of tables, checking to see if anyone else in the sparsely occupied cafeteria was listening in while tilting his head so it looked as if he was only stretching his neck. Hunter followed his gaze.  Sky Bolt and Dawn were having a discussion a few tables over where Sky Bolt appeared to be doing most of the talking, Sabra sitting nearby, looking at his food with what looked like trepidation. Nova, on the other hoof, clearly had no such reservations. He was sitting along, devouring a large stack of oat cakes with zeal. The few other ponies making use of the cafeteria were off on their own or preoccupied with other matters. 

“Come to think of it,” Steel said, facing Hunter once more. “That would explain something I saw last night.” He said, relating the disruption in the Night Court that he’d seen the previous evening to Hunter. “I would bet that given the newsponies that I saw last night, if you flip through this paper you’ll find something about that tied in.”

Hunter's brow furrowed beneath his stetson as he frowned. “Huh. I wasn’t aware that the Princesses had that much pull over the ERS, but if they’ve been having thefts for months, and now this attack, that could put them in a rough position.”

“Yeah, the rest of the board members were pretty unhappy,” Steel said with a frown. “I should have asked her more about it.”

“Hang on,” Hunter said, opening the paper as something he’d read came to mind. “I thought it said ... Aha!” He looked up at Steel, giving the Captain a grin. “According to this, the Royal Guard are going to be investigating. Maybe we should take a look at it?”

Steel sat back, locked in thought. Technically it wasn’t anything within their jurisdiction unless asked, but he could keep tabs on it. “Ask one of the Royal Guard Commanders to feed us their intelligence,” he said. “But otherwise, we stay out of it unless we’re asked. if we found anything, we’d just report it back to them anyway.” 

Hunter nodded, then looked over at the four other members of the team. “So,” he said. “what’s on the docket for the rest of the day?”

“Physicals,” Steel said, taking another quick gulp of his oatmeal. “And while Dawn is doing that the rest of us are going to do a little hoof-to-hoof combat training, just to see where everyone stands. After that,” he sat back and shrugged. “I’ll give everypony a bit of a pep talk and assign us each our individual duties.”

“We won’t be training all day then?” Hunter asked with a nod. “Sounds good, we don’t want to overtax anypony.”

“No we don’t,” Steel said. “That and there are some things that still need to be taken care of.”

“Like the barracks?” Hunter asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes, like the barracks.” Steel looked over towards where Sky Bolt was laughing with Dawn about something and shook his head. “That mare has got spunk, but she tore that place apart and only she knows what the construction crew is doing in there. I need to spend some time having her explain just exactly what she’s been doing while we were out. That and make sure the barracks is going to be back in one piece in the next few days.”

“What about the rest of the team?”

“Sabra we can just turn loose,” Steel said. “He asked me earlier if we going to be given time for his regular training anyway, and I doubt he’s going to cause any problems.”

“What about Dawn?” Hunter asked, his eyes darting to the mare in question and then back at Steel.

“I’m going to have her test Nova’s magic ability, see where he’s at.” Steel looked down at his now empty bowl and then over towards the cafeteria's clock. “Alright, time to get the physicals done.” He looked back at Hunter. “You’re up first.”

“Really?” Hunter said, his expression crestfallen. “I was a Ranger a week ago, can’t you just, call it good?”

“And deny Dawn her chance to say hello?” Steel asked in mock disappointment. “She’s been looking forward to this all morning.” He cocked his head to one side, rolling his eyes back as if deep in thought. “I think she even mentioned something about getting a special needle out just for you. The harpoon, I think she called it.”

“Oh. Very funny,” Hunter said as he picked up his own dish. “I thought Nova and I were the two wise-guys around here.”

“You’re never too old to learn new tricks,” Steel said with a smile. “Now pony up and lets get moving.”
> Assembly - Chapter 13
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 13


        “Alright everypony,” Steel said as an apprehensive looking Hunter vanished into the medical office next to the training grounds. “While Dawn gives physicals, the rest of us are going to get physical.” Nova groaned at his words, and Steel fixed his attention on him. “Bucking for an extra mile tomorrow, spec?”

        “If you keep making corny jokes like that sir, you might as well have me run all day tomorrow. It’ll keep me from hearing any more at least,” Nova said, causing Sky Bolt to snigger. Steel fought the urge to slap his hoof against his forehead.

        Sweet Celestia, who convinced me to add this—oh right, he thought. Celestia did. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll forget the mile if you forgo the groans. But one more smart comment and you’ll find there’s a lot worse than miles to run.”

He turned and gestured towards the open training field before anypony could voice a response. Here and there a few off-duty guards were practicing on the open grass, some with wooden spears or blades, others grappling with fellow guards or just doing simple exercises. The rhythmic crack of wooden blade on wooden blade merged seamlessly with grunts and yells. There were only about thirty of them on the field, but that left a space built for hundreds with plenty of open grass.

        “This is the Guard’s training field, which we started from and ended at this morning. It’s used by both the Guard exclusively, which means Night, Royal, and now by extension, us as well,” Steel said, eyeing the team members and observing their varying expressions of interest. “There are set times each day when the field is being used entirely by either the Night or Royal Guard for their daily exercises. Other than that, the field is open at all hours for any sort of training or practice unless otherwise specified.” He motioned towards a far wall where rack after rack of training equipment sat in careful arrangement. “Any equipment must be signed for when removed, but otherwise may be used at any time. Any questions?” Nova’s hoof went up.

        “Yes Nova?” Steel said, hoping that the colt wasn’t going to make another smart comment.

        “What if we want to practice something in private?” the purple unicorn asked. “Like say something we aren’t sure will work or that could be dangerous.”

        Steel nodded as the young stallion's hoof went down and counted himself as surprised. He hadn’t expected Nova to be taking it seriously. He racked his brains, running through his mental catalogue of known training locations. “That’s a very good question,” he said, stalling for time. “And unfortunately I don’t know the answer. I do know that there are whole storerooms left over from when the Guard was much larger. If you need to practice something dangerous, you can likely use one of them. However, request permission from Lieutenant Hunter or myself first before you go claiming one.” Nova gave a small nod of acquiescence as he finished. “Any other questions?”

        This time it was Sky Bolt’s hoof that went up. She tossed her head, shaking her sky blue mane and Steel felt a small pang of guilt as Cappy’s hurt expression darted into his mind. His attention snapped back to Sky Bolt just as she finished asking her question. “—with other guards?”

        Steel tried to recall what it was she had said first. “Training with other guards?” he said, hoping that he’d gotten her question right. Sky Bolt didn’t appear confused, so he continued. “There’s no limitations on off-hours training. For example,” he said, his mind now firmly back in the present as he pointed once more at some of the ponies scattered across the field. “As some of these ponies are not in their armor—” He indicated several unadorned ponies with green, blue, and even pale orange coats. “They could be either members of the Night or Royal guard. They’re simply here to practice.” He turned back towards the group. “If at any time you wish to practice with other ponies on the field, just ask. I would call your attention to the fact that without their armor you won’t be able to tell who is a private, and who is a sergeant or even a lieutenant.” His own mind flashed back to when he’d made that particularly agonizing error at the academy and he fought back a grimace. “Trust me when I say you’re better off knowing someone's rank before you rub their mane the wrong way.”

        “Now!” he said with a stomp of his hoof. “Any other questions?” Again Sky Bolt’s hoof went up.

        “Uh, just asking,” she said as he nodded at her. “But are we going to have that coat and mane colorizing enchantment on our armor as well?”.

        “I can honestly say that I don’t know at this point,” Steel said, giving his head a slight shake. “We’ll know soon enough. Any other questions?” This time only silence greeted him. “Well then,” he said as he cracked his neck. “Lets get started.”

He began to back up. “Sky Bolt!” The young pegasus gave a start as he called her name. “Front and center. You two back up,” he said, waving at Nova and Sabra. “And give us plenty of room.” He looked down at Sky Bolt as she trotted up in front of him. She was doing her best to look confident, but he could see a little hesitance in her gait. She was nervous—although determined—judging from the look on her face.

        “Alright,” he said, adjusting his rear hooves and lowering his hindquarters slightly, leaving less weight on his forehooves. “First thing about training. Do you know what the first rule about training is?” Sky Bolt opened her mouth, but then just as quickly shut it and shook her head. “It’s relax and have fun,” Steel said smiling. “We’re not trying to hurt each other. If you ever wrestled with someone for fun when you were a filly, it’s a lot like that. In fact, the more relaxed your body is, the easier it’ll be to keep from accidentally hurting yourself.” Sky Bolt nodded and a bit of the stiffness went out of her body as she settled into a more relaxed position. 

“Alright,” he said as he watched some of the tension leave. “Now, when you’re ready I want you to come at me and try to knock me down. Punch, tackle, whatever you want. Surprise me.” He could feel a fire in his veins now, a burning anticipation of what was to come. He checked his balance, lifting first one front hoof, and then the other as he waited for the light grey pegasus to make her move.

        There! Sky Bolts wings flared open and she brought them down in a sudden rush, launching her forward with her foreleg up. Her hoof jabbed out, heading directly for his face at a frantic speed. His body reacted on instinct, leaning ever so slightly to one side while bringing one hoof up to sweep the incoming hoof outwards. He reared back as his hoof met the inside of her foreleg, sweeping his other forehoof up to push against her shoulder. Sky Bolt let out a strangled yelp of surprise as she shot past him, her own momentum sending her skidding across the grass of the field as he pushed her away.

        Steel dropped to all fours again and turned his body parallel to where the mare lay spitting in the grass. She shook her head as she climbed to her feet and turned to face him. “How’d you do that?” she asked, her face a wide grin. “That was awesome!”

        “Mud Wall stance,” Steel said. “An old earth pony martial art. Now,” he said, resettling his body. “Again.”

        Seconds later she dove at him, front hooves spread wide as she headed for his legs. Steel jumped, pushing away from the ground with his rear legs and sending his massive frame into a jump that carried him right over the low-to-the-ground pegasus. He spun, front hooves coming up and blocking a frantic rear kick. A brief flash of movement later and Sky Bolt was again on the grass, this time on her back, wings splayed out underneath her.

        “Ow,” she said, wincing. Then she sat up and looked at Steel. “Again,” she said, fire in her eyes as she rushed at him. 
        By the time Hunter walked out of the medical office a few minutes later, Steel had to admit that he was impressed. While Sky Bolt hadn’t managed to land a hoof on him, she had rapidly adjusted her tactics, switching from what had begun as simple blind rushes to more carefully planned hit-and-run strikes. It hadn’t gotten her any closer to making a hit, but Steel was pleased just to see how quickly she’d adapted as the sparring progressed, a fact he was all too happy to tell the pegasus before telling her to sit down and catch her breath. He sent Sabra in with Dawn and then called Nova forward.

        Nova’s practice went about as well as Sky Bolt’s had, though it was almost worse. The moment Nova threw his first punch Steel could see that like Sky Bolt he simply didn’t have any formal training, though judging from the way Nova slipped out of his own countering grab he did have some experience with not getting caught. Big surprise there, he thought as the unicorn slid out of another attempted hold. But he could see after a few moments how hard Nova’s sides were heaving and how much trembling was in each one of his legs. Nova continued to circle him, and throwing punches that grew increasingly weak. After two minutes Steel called the exercise to halt, and Nova collapsed on the grass, his sides heaving.

        “Don’t worry about it too much,” Steel said, hoping that Nova wouldn’t take the whole experience badly. “You’ll have plenty of time to get practice, with and without magic.”

        “Will that be ... before or after ... our run, sir?” Nova asked, giving him a weak grin.

        “Probably after,” Steel said, smiling as relief shot through him at the sight of Nova’s grin. If he was taking his loss poorly, he was hiding it well. “But that’s really up to Dawn.”

        “So if ... I just keep ... breathing hard ... and playing ... the sympathy card,” Nova said between gasps for breath. “She might just ... give me a break?”

        Steel snorted. “If by break you mean break something of yours, then maybe. My advice? Don’t try to fool our valiant doctor.”

        “I second that!” Hunter called from where he had been laying on the sidelines. “She’s the mare from Tartarus.”

        Steel shook his head, giving Nova a smile. “Well, not quite. But if you want to hear some stories, ask Hunter sometime.”

        Nova nodded as he climbed to his hooves. His sides were still heaving and his legs were trembling. “Actually,” he said as he looked down at himself with wide eyes. “I don’t think I’ll need to fake it.” He began to slowly move over towards the sidelines, one foreleg limping where he’d landed on it from Steel’s final toss. Sky Bolt moved aside, opening up space on the side of the field and giving the unicorn a small hoof-bump before he collapsed to the ground.

        “While you’re in there have her do some quick work on your muscles,” Steel said following him to the side. “She’ll flush them out and take care of the tweak that last throw gave you.”

        Nova nodded. “Yeah, I came down off of that one a bit wrong.”

        “Well, you took it better than I expected,” Steel said, giving the young unicorn a look of approval to show that he meant what he’d said. Recommendation aside, he’d partially expected the young unicorn to turn sour after he’d so easily  bested him, but despite his expectations Nova still sported that same sardonic grin, even when he was winded. True, it wasn’t exactly respectful and almost implied a challenge more than anything else, but at least it wasn’t an intense dislike. Steel had experienced that reaction before, and it almost never boded well.

        “I still think I might have had a better chance if I wasn’t so worn out,” Nova said, his breath finally slowing to a normal, steady pattern. His horn gave a flicker as he looked up. “A little bit of magic might have evened the score.”

        “Maybe,” Steel said. “Then again, maybe not. I’ve gone up against a lot of magic users in my time.”

        “Yeah, I can’t say that surprises me,” Nova said, his attention focused on the various guards practicing. Here and there on the field sparks of magic were coming from a few of the unicorns who were using practice weapons, although Steel could see that several other unicorns were holding their weapons in their mouths or hooves. “Then again,” Nova said. “A couple of those guys aren’t using their magic. Any particular reason?”

        “It’s simple,” Hunter said. “If you use something too much, you start to rely on it.” The young unicorn nodded in agreement at the pegasus’s words.

        “Exactly,” Steel said. “Don’t misunderstand, the unicorns in both guard divisions practice with magic, but only after they’ve practiced without using magic. In fact,” he said as the door to the medical office opened. “In the academy, unicorns are required to wear a training lock on their horn that prevents them from using magic. A cadet has to go a whole three weeks without trying to use magic during exercises before they can take it off. They do something similar for the pegasi as well.” He nodded towards Sky Bolt, who had been sitting quietly listening to the whole conversation. “They restrict wing usage during practices and sparring matches until the they learn to not rely on them.”

        “Are you going to do that with us?” Sky Bolt asked, apprehensive.

        “Not to the same extent,” Steel said. “For example, I didn’t allow flying during this morning's run. But apart from specific exercises to acclimate you to the idea, I won’t be following the same path as the Royal Academy.”

        ‘Why not?” Nova asked. “If the Royal Academy does it, what don’t you like about it?”

        “Mainly what happens to its students,” Steel said. “Nothing against the either of the guard divisions, but both tend to act somewhat narrow minded. For example ...” He pointed towards a pair of sparring guards on the field. “If I were to ask that pegasus to spar with me, I know exactly which list of attacks he could open with. I had them drilled into my head day after day at the academy. But if I were to ask the unicorn he’s sparring with ...” He let the words trailed off and looked at Nova and Sky Bolt.

        “She would do the exact same thing, wouldn’t she?” Sky Bolt said, putting the pieces together in her mind.

        “Exactly,” Steel said with a nod in her direction. “She would do the exact same thing that the pegasus would do. Or the earth pony over there, or the other unicorn. They still will use magic or flight in combat, but only at the times their training tells them to. Makes it easy for superior officers to give orders as they know exactly what’s going to happen every time they give an order. Rangers on the other hoof,” he said as he gestured towards Hunter, “train in a very different way. They encourage everypony they have to train in their own way. As long as they’re training and practicing at something and can perform the basics, Ranger command is happy. Grants them a lot of flexibility, but at the same time makes the leadership much more hooves-on.” 

The door to the medical wing opened and Sabra trotted out, his examination apparently over. ‘So where are we going to be then?” Nova asked as the zebra trotted over towards the group. “Somewhere in the middle?”

Hunter grinned. “Got it in one. Trained enough to be prepared to deal with any expected situation, flexible enough to improvise.”

Nova smiled at the praise even as Steel ended the discussion. “In any case, we’ll get more into this at another time. For now,” he said, looking at Sky Bolt. “You’re up for your examination.” The pegasus nodded, tossing her sky blue mane behind her head as she headed for the medical office.

“Alright,” Steel said as he rose and trotted back onto the field. “Sabra. You’re up. When you’re ready, I want you to land a blow on me. Don’t hold back, this is sparing, but I need to get a good estimate of what—” He stopped talking as he turned back. Sabra had procured a blindfold from somewhere unknown and was carefully tying it around his head, cinching the knot tight. He stopped as Steel quite speaking, his body motionless.

“Did I do something undesired?” Sabra asked after a moment, his body still motionless.

“Not particularly,” Steel said. “But I’d prefer you removed the blindfold.”

“You will do better if I have my … kuzuia—blindfold … on,” Sabra said, his voice hesitant.

Steel shook his head. “I don’t want a fair match, I want to see how good you are.”

Sabra shrugged. “Kama Unataka.” He looped his hoof through the tails of his blindfold, gave a sharp tug, and the cloth fell away, revealing the zebra’s piercing bright purple gaze. Sabra stepped forward carefully, his liquid movements reminding Steel of some of the large jungle cats he’d seen in the jungles South of Equestria. “When I am ready?” His voice was calm and collected. Very calm.

“Yes,” Steel said, wondering if he’d made a mistake. He settled himself into a more solid stance, trading the looser flexibility of Mud Wall for the more rigid and difficult to dislodge Stone Wall stance. He took a breath, squared his shoulders, looked at Sabra ... and the world went mad.

Sabra was on him almost immediately. He managed to raise one of his hooves to ward off what he thought was an incoming blow, only for Sabra’s body to melt around it, bending in a way Steel knew he couldn’t replicate. He pulled his hoof back, but already Sabra had slipped inside his defense. He felt a hoof brush against his midsection, not hard enough to wound but definitely hard enough to leave a bruise, and then Sabra was spinning away, Steel following him in surprise. The world spun around him and he landed facedown on the field, Sabra resting on his shoulder and grass tickling the inside of his nose.

“Was that acceptable?” Sabra asked, rising from his shoulder and helping Steel pull himself to his hooves. Before Steel could reply there was a loud burst of raucous laughter nearby. Hunter was staring at the duo, his eyes wide but his mouth open wider as he let out laugh after laugh. Beside him Nova was staring in obvious shock, his jaw hanging open in stunned amazement.

“Acceptable?” Hunter yelled between laughs. “It was brilliant!” He pulled his hat from his head, slapping against his side as a fresh wave of laughter poured out of his lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Steel so shocked!”

“Aha, aha,” Steel said, easing his wounded pride somewhat. “You want to go next?”

“No thanks!” Hunter said between guffaws. “I don’t think I’m that desperate for a flank-kicking today.”

“You just keep laughing,” Steel said, rolling his shoulder with a pop. “I have to say Sabra, I’d heard you were good, but that good? I barely had time to move.”

“Asante,” Sabra said in his strange melodic voice. The colt wasn’t even breathing hard. “Would you like to try again?”

“You know what?” Steel said, tilting his head from side to side. “I think so.” He settled himself into a Stone Wall stance again, then thought better of it and lifted his front hooves slightly, switching to Mud Wall. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“And if you throw him again, send him back this way! It’ll save him the walk!” Nova yelled. Steel watched as Nova exchanged hoof-bumps with Hunter, both of them laughing.

“And ignore the peanut gallery,” Steel said, looking back at Sabra. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Sabra nodded and sprang forward, both front hooves coming up as he executed an almost impossible lateral leap that carried him across the short distance between them. Steel raised both his front hooves, shifting his weight back and down as he prepared to defend himself, only to be completely off guard when Sabra’s rear hooves caught the ground and the Zebra flipped onto his front hooves, springing off them and over him. Steel dropped his weight to his front hooves as fast as he could, flipping himself forward and lashing out with both rear hooves. There was a brief feel of resistance, then a sudden downward pressure that sent his rear legs into the ground. Steel pulled himself up, turning as quickly as he dared, his forelegs at the ready.

Sabra was recovering from what looked like a roll some feet away, while Hunter and Nova appeared to be cheering whatever he had done to save himself from Steel’s buck. Sabra rolled back to his hooves, his body assuming the same, liquid grace he always carried himself with as he began to slowly circle Steel.

This kid's good, Steel thought as he countered, carefully stepping to his left and keeping his weight on his back legs. Really good. I know I’m a little out of practice, but his file didn’t lie. I’ve met lifelong warriors who’ve moved slower than this! 

He didn’t want to try to attack Sabra yet, choosing instead to wait and see just what else the zebra would try. The answer came as Sabra seemed to stretch his body along the ground, closing the distance between the two of them with incredible speed. Both his hooves came up in a twisted shape, lashing out in confusing patterns. Steel blocked one, then another and another, but they kept coming, faster and faster, until Steel stepped backwards under the onslaught, trying to keep his distance. Sabra dropped, balancing on one hoof, his body held at an angle Steel knew he couldn’t replicate as Sabra’s rear leg arched out, knocking aside one of his front hooves.

Steel jumped backward, determined to give himself a little breathing room. He recognized the youth’s style now, although he was executing it far better than any zebra he had ever seen. Maji Kwato, he thought. Water hoof. Steel watched as the rear leg Sabra had kicked him with continued along the arc it had been traveling, far up into the air. His other rear leg traced a complicated pattern at head level as Sabra spun his entire body on one forehoof and then dropped to all fours, the same liquid grace in his stance. Steel could still hear Hunter and Nova cheering, although there seemed to be a few more voices added to the mix now. He shoved them out of his mind. There was a time to focus on his surroundings in combat, and there was a time to focus on something directly in front of him. This was definitely one of those times.

Steel charged forward, determined to put Sabra on the defensive for once. Shortly before he would have crashed into Sabra, he came to a stop, lashing out with both his forelegs, one after the other. Sabra seemed to flow around them, letting the blows connect with his own hooves just enough to steal some of their speed for his own, always moving and spinning, twisting his body like a tornado as he spun from blow to blow. Steel didn’t let up, raining blow after blow down at the striped pony, only to have each one just barely avoided as the skilled Zebra slid out of the way.

And then Sabra was inside his own reach, shoulder underneath he foreleg he had just thrown out. There was a blow to his chest as Sabra’s shoulder collided with his rib cage, forcing the breath from his body. He grunted, but didn’t go down. He was an earth pony-tough, durable, unshakable, and he was Steel, inside and out. He wrapped his foreleg around the zebra’s shoulders, his other foreleg coming in underneath Sabra’s rear leg and lifting as he twisted his body backwards. As he came down, Sabra twisted in his grip, slipping out of his hold. They both tumbled to the ground, disorganized and chaotic. Steel lashed out with his hooves from his side, but Sabra had already rolled away, coming up on his hooves.

Steel rolled as well, switching styles as he came up running. He wasn’t particularly fond of the Charging Hoof style taught by the Royal Guard, but when it came to rushing somepony, it was a good fallback. Sabra looked on in surprise as Steel barreled towards him in a powerful rush, his head low. He rolled out of the way, Steel’s shoulder crashing through the space where he had just been. Steel turned, his hooves carving deep divots into the field as his massive frame changed course. Again Sabra dodged, sliding out of the way with ease, and again Steel turned, stretching his muscles as they forced his momentum into another direction. It was a losing battle. It was costing him far more energy to make such large changes in direction than in was costing Sabra to get out of the way. But it didn’t mean that it was all for nothing. As he made his final charge and Sabra once again rolled out of the way, Steel reared up, raising his front hooves and then transferring every bit of his momentum into a single powerful downward strike. But there wasn’t only momentum in his strike, there was magic as well.

Earth pony magic was something much more intangible than pegasi or unicorn magic, and Steel understood this better than most. Unicorns of course had their horn, a direct channel with which to show off their talents. Pegasi could move clouds and manipulate the weather, using their magic to create storms and winds, or even build homes in the sky. But earth ponies, their magic was much like the earth underfoot. Slow, gradual, almost unnoticeable until ones attention was drawn to it or it made itself known. Like all ponies, earth ponies had as much magic as any other, but it was innate, tuned to their bodies and their work, and difficult to draw forth on command for tasks other than those which earth ponies were naturally suited to. 

Difficult, but not impossible. As Steel slammed his hooves into the ground he willed the earth to move, summoning forth power from deep within him. He could feel it spreading through his hooves, rippling out in a wave, and the earth underfoot listened. A shockwave of force rushed through the ground around him, a wave of dirt and earth that rose to the height of his chest all around him, rushing out with a great speed. Grassy roots bent and flexed as the earth separated, cracking as the circular ring spread out around him. Sabra was thrown onto his side as the earth rose up beneath him, throwing him off balance even as the force of the lifting earth threw him into the air. The ring of earth stopped almost as quickly as it began, vanishing only a short distance from Steel, but the effects of it were clear to the eyes of the ponies nearby. An entire circle of earth stood disturbed, its surface wracked by the upheaval, grass overturned and dirt patches bare to the sun.

The ground was still shaking underhoof, split with small quivering aftershocks of the mighty blow Steel had given it as he galloped towards Sabra. The zebra was still climbing to his hooves, an expression of surprise on his face as Steel bore down on him. Steel leapt, bringing his front hooves down in another mighty crash that shook the ground, Sabra just sliding out of the way. Steel lashed out a few more times, but the exertion of accessing so much of his innate earth pony magic was already beginning to make his limbs drag, and moments later Sabra slipped through his defenses, landing four light blows in rapid succession across his body.

“Enough,” Steel said as he dropped his stance and took a few steps back, his breath hot and loud in his ears. His body felt like it had been washed and then pulled through a wringer, a side effect of exerting so much magic at once in addition to an already strenuous match. I used to be able to pull a lot more magic than that without getting tired, he thought, I’ve definitely let that skill slide.

As his breath quieted, he could see that Sabra was also breathing hard, his breath coming in deep draws. And around them, he could hear applause. He looked up. Guards from all over the field stood around them, forming a loose ring of ponies that were all cheering and stomping the ground, creating a soft rumble underhoof not unlike the tremors of the blow he’d created earlier.

He turned his attention back to Sabra. “That—” he said, catching his breath. “Was excellent.”

“Asante,” Sabra said, his face already back to its calm, neutral expression. “You are an excellent fighter.”

Steel scoffed. “Maybe not as good as you are.” He said with a shake of his head. “I’ve been training my entire life, and you still had me in the end.”

Sabra bowed his head. “My apologies. I did not intend to discourage.”

“What? No,” Steel said. “That was exactly what I wanted. And I hope you enjoyed it, because we’re going to be sparring a lot more in the future so I can get my groove back. So good job, and congratulations.” He turned and began making his way to the side of the ring where he could see Nova, Hunter and Sky Bolt grouped together. Around him he could hear cheers and words of encouragement and amazement coming from the guards, many of them intended for Sabra. He snuck a quick look back and saw that several of the guards had already approached Sabra and were busily congratulating him.

“That was pretty impressive,” Hunter said as Steel approached the edge of the ring. “How many ponies do you think there are out there who could best you three times without you ever landing a single blow?”

“Not many,” Steel admitted as he turned to look at the small crowd that had gathered around Sabra. “But that match did help me realize how out of practice I’ve gotten in the last few years.”

“Out of practice?” Sky Bolt asked, her eyes still fixed on Sabra. “That was incredible! I didn’t even know earth ponies could do that—that thing you did with the ground.”

“That,” Steel said as his knees began to shake slightly. “Is not something most earth ponies would ever even try to do. It takes a lot of effort, see?” He held up one shaking limb. “Earth pony magic is slow and subtle. Using so much of it at once, it takes a lot out of you. I’m a little out of practice.”

“Huh,” Nova said,looking at the shaking limb. “I didn’t even know that earth ponies could make conscious use of magic on that level.”

“It’s a lot like pegasi making weather,” Steel said. Now that the show was over, most of the guards were drifting away and back to their practices, although a few were still talking with Sabra. “It’s something that’s innate, and takes a lot of practice to use skillfully outside of natural occurrence. What you saw there is the byproduct of years of practice, and it’s still not something I would want to do all the time.”

“It was still cool,” Sky Bolt said, although she was still watching the crowd around Sabra. “And good to know.”

“Really?” Steel asked, his curiosity aroused. “How exactly is that good to know?”

“Well,” Sky Bolt said, turning to look at him. “What if we needed to do something like that for a mission or something? It’s good to know you can do it, right?”

Steel nodded and smiled. “We’ll make a guard out of you yet. For now though,” he said as he spotted Dawn looking out of the medical office with a look of annoyance on her face. “Nova, you’re up for your medical exam. The rest of us can go over some basic combat techniques.” He whistled, catching Sabra’s attention, and waved him over.

“Alright,” he said as soon as Sabra had joined their group. “The first thing you’ll want to remember when you’re trying to defend yourself ...” As Steel settled into the familiar rhythm of giving combat instructions, he began to relax, and it wasn’t until Hunter tapped him on the shoulder that he realized it was time for his turn in the examination room.


*        *        *


        “Well,” Steel said that evening as Dawn sat down across the desk from him, a thick sheath of papers held carefully by her magic. “I hope everything went well for you today?” The borrowed guard station they were sitting in was cluttered and showed the signs of a hasty cleaning, probably at the hooves of the lieutenant that Steel had commandeered the station from an hour earlier when he’d found that his own office in the Dusk Barracks wasn’t going to be ready for another day at least. It was far from an ideal situation; the station itself was only supposed to serve as a duty post for the lieutenant guard, not an actual office, and so it was small and cramped, the desk barely large enough for Steel to sort through a few files on. Starting up a new guard operation was hard enough without even having a desk to sort paperwork on. 

And then there were the interruptions. Already he’d been disturbed by several well-meaning privates who hadn’t received the message that Lieutenant Pinlock had been moved to duty station six for the duration of the evening, and Steel had been forced to redirect them. Their new quarters couldn’t be finished soon enough. He’d already spent an hour earlier in the day going over some of the changes to the building that Sky Bolt and Arch had suggested, clearing each and every one of them while also making a few of his own suggestions, including that they finish working on his office as soon as possible. Then he’d received a notice from Princess Celestia that he was to meet with her and her sister that evening to keep them up to date on the team's development so far, as well as to get the details of an upcoming diplomatic conference that he would be required to attend in two weeks' time. Then there was the note from his sister informing him that she would be out of town to visit an old college friend who was going through a rough time and asking him to stop by for dinner with Click and the kids later that week. The more he got done, the more there was to do.

        He pulled his attention back to the matter at hoof as Dawn’s thick stack of papers slid onto the small desktop. “The day went well enough,” Dawn said as she began magically separating the papers, arranging them in six small stacks. There was just barely enough space on the desk for the stacks of paper, even once Dawn slid a small photo frame out of the way.

“Would you prefer the long report or the summarized versions?” she asked. Her face was all business.

        “Give me a short summary of each member of the team, myself included,” Steel said. “If there’s anything else important make sure it gets to me in a report, I’ve got a meeting with the Princesses in another hour.”

        Dawn nodded. “Very well. We’ll start with your report.” The rightmost stack of paper near Steel lifted into the air so that Steel could see it more easily. His own face stared back at him, the dark olive green and silvery gray mane slightly tinted by the orange magic. 

“From my preliminary examination today compared with your previous medical records, it would appear that you are in excellent physical condition, with no physical issues or abnormalities that would detract from your ability to perform in the Dusk guard. A medi-scan spell showed no previously unknown injuries in your body.” Several pages flipped past, the stack coming to rest on a chart that showed two lines, both going down as they moved to the right, although the green line was decreasing at a far lower rate than the red line. “In fact, if you keep at your current rate, I’d estimate your lifespan to break one-hundred quite easily,” Dawn said, giving him an impressed look. “The red line on the graph there shows the mean average lifespan physical deterioration for most ponies, while the green line shows your current path. You’re fifty-one and have the body of a pony almost thirty years younger. As long as you stay healthy, by the time you’re one-hundred you’ll probably look like you’re forty. So,” she said, one side of her mouth curving up in a small smile. “I wouldn’t plan on shuffleboard bingo anytime soon.”

        “I’ll cancel the order for those slippers I wanted then,” Steel said, giving her his own small smile in return.

        “The rest of your physical examination is fairly typical,” Dawn said, continuing on. “Your blood showed no abnormalities or surprises, your system is clean. You’re in perfect health. Better than perfect if we compare you to the average stallion your age.” She paused as the pages fluttered again and then shuffled themselves back onto the desk. “There was one small request I had with regards to your mental health however.”

        Steel blinked in surprise. “What is it?”

        “You mentioned while I was examining you that your retired life had been ‘empty,’ which was why you agreed to this job, correct?” Steel nodded and she continued. “Then I would only ask that if you begin to feel the same emptiness while serving here that you would let me know.” She stopped, waiting for him to respond.

        Steel thought about it only briefly, then nodded. “I will.”

        “Excellent,” Dawn said, another stack of papers lifting in her telekinesis. “Then we will move on. Hunter is in very good shape,” Dawn said as the pegasus' report floated into Steel’s view. “Although he still carries his ridiculous fear of needles.”

        “You didn’t tie him down this time, did you?”

        Dawn shook her head. “No, the threat was enough. Anyway, physically he is in very good shape—not quite as healthy as you, but considering he spent the last three years living in the Everfree forest I think he’s fine. His wings are well cared for and there were no obvious inconsistencies with his previous records.” The papers slid over one another. “Mentally he seems to be in fine shape, although his record indicates that he sunk into a ‘working depression’ after the death of Swift Wind.” She paused for a moment. “I only knew of her by name, were they close?”

        “She was his fiancee,” Steel said as his mind flashed back to the funeral three years ago. He’d never seen Hunter so silent. “It wasn’t anypony's fault; he never blamed anyone. I don’t think he even blamed himself. It just wasn’t Hunter’s way. But the loss hit him pretty hard. Deep down I know he still misses her. The hat he wears?” he said, looking at Dawn as she nodded. “She gave that to him as a gift. I never saw him without it until the day of the funeral. He took it off and didn’t put it back on as far as I know until he showed up here.”

        Dawn clicked her tongue and spun the papers around, making a quick note on one of the pages. “Do you know if he ever took any grief counseling?”

        Steel shook his head. “No. But he seems to be back to himself, although I know he still misses her.”

        “Well, I’ll look into it,” Dawn said, making a final note. “And I will take note if I see him getting romantically involved, just to keep an eye on him.”

        “That’s fine, as long as you don’t interfere without good reason,” Steel said in a warning tone.

        “Please, Steel,” Dawn said in an offended tone. “I know my work.” She gave him a disapproving look. “Moving on, we have Sky Bolt, the energetic little pegasus.”

        "Any issues?” Steel asked.

        “No. None at all,” Dawn said with a shake of her head. “Aside from maybe being far too energetic and eager to move ahead quickly. She’s in good shape for her age, lots of whipcord muscle, although not nearly as much endurance. I’ll have a recommended workout regime in the final report that should bring her up to speed over the course of the next few months. Mentally she’s in good shape. Strong family values, friendly. The only worry I would have is that she could react badly to injuring someone.”

        “I don’t think that will be a worry,” Steel said, letting out a small chuckle. “Apparently she clocked a few high school bullies with a wrench once because they kept making fun of her for having wings. One of them actually lost a tooth.”

        Dawn’s eyebrows rose. “Very well then. She’s fine.” The papers shuffled again, and Steel fought the urge to sit back and yawn. His office couldn’t be done soon enough.

        “Next we have Sabra,” Dawn said. “Physically he’s absolutely perfect. I’ve seen Romane statues that were less physically ideal than he is.”

        Steel raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t mention that to either Hunter or Nova unless you want to be the butt-end of some jokes.” Dawn ignored him.

        “Mentally he’s ...” She struggled for the word. “Well, a monk. He’s in perfect mental shape. He’s also quiet, observant and clearly philosophical. My only worry is that he seems to be searching for the answer to his question. ‘What is life’ or something similarly overdramatic. If he gets the answer, I worry that he may decide his time with us is at an end.”

        Steel nodded. “I’m already aware of that. If it happens, it happens. I’m just glad to have him while we can.”

        “Excellent,” Dawn said. The last stack of papers lifted up. “Finally, before my own report, we have Nova.”

        “Lay it on me,” Steel said, preparing himself.

        “Alright,” Dawn said, taking a breath. “Physically he’s going to need some work. He shows signs of being malnourished when he was young, though nothing so severe that a year of careful diet won’t remove any sign of. He also is slightly malnourished now. His musculature is far below adequate for what our standards should be, so we’ll need to train him severely in that. A medi-scan shows signs of a lot of prior injuries and some internal scarring, although again nothing that could negatively impact his performance to any large degree. On the positive end of things he is incredibly flexible and has very fast response time, likely as byproducts of his former occupation. Still, his endurance and musculature are going to require great work, but I think he has potential.”

        She shuffled through more papers, showing large amounts of text that Steel didn’t have time to read before the pages were swept away. “His blood work came up clean, amazingly enough, although I suspect a detailed scan would find traces of more common foalhood maladies that his own body was forced to fight off. Magically he is impressively powerful, even after the showing he made during the obstacle course he still managed to produce an impressive array of magical power levels when I tested him. He’s no Starswirl the Bearded, but in the old days he may very well have been a powerful battlemage.”

        She flipped a few more pages. “However, mentally I have a few reservations. I would diagnose him with severe trust issues likely brought about by his lack of family. Many of his answers are evasive or designed to give as little possible personal information. While he seems to have a definite moral compass, getting him to trust anyone with the actual points on that compass could pose a difficult problem. He shows a disdain of those in authority. Not to any extreme amount, but it’s there, and I suspect he hides behind his sarcasm as a way of masking himself from others.” She gave a deep sigh. “In fact, upon examining him I have to wonder why you chose him at all.”

        “I didn’t,” Steel replied after a moment's thought. Dawn looked up, confusion on her face.  Steel spoke up, leaning forward as he did so. “Technically I did, but Nova was a request from none other than Princess Celestia.” Dawn sat back in surprise, here eyebrows raised. “I may have a few questions about Nova, but underneath that ...” He paused, searching for the right word. “Armor of his, there’s something she sees that we don’t. I‘m going to trust her judgement and try to see it.” He leaned a little further forward. “Can I trust you to do the same?” When she nodded he leaned back. “Good. Also, he doesn’t know that Celestia picked him, and I would prefer that particular bit of knowledge not reach his ears. Clear?” She nodded again, actually smiling for once, something he hadn’t seen her do.

        He must have reacted because she spoke up. “As a doctor, I treat ponies in the hopes that they can be better than they once were,” she explained. “It would appear I need to be reminded of the many ways to do this occasionally.”

        Steel waved a hoof. “Don’t worry about it. Is there anything else to discuss?” His gaze darted to the clock above the door.

        Dawn shook her head. “No. I’ll outline a dietary and workout plan with Hunter later. I assume that you’ll want Nova doing magic training?” Steel nodded and she made another note on the paper. “Excellent. Well, that only leaves me. Physically fit, although slightly out of shape. Magically average, but with a special talent for medical spells and treatments. Mentally sharp, although curt and easily annoyed.”

        Steel smiled as the six stacks on his desk began one by one to merge back into one pile under Dawn's direction. “It sounds like you’re all set to continue duty then,” he said with another glance at the clock. It was nearly time to go. “Anything in these piles I should show the Princesses?”

        Dawn thought for a moment. A single sheet of paper slid free from the bottom and floated over to him. He picked it from the air with one hoof and took a quick look at it. Basic medical summary information on every member of the team. “Excellent. Thank you. Now, I need to get moving. Anything else?”

        “Will our barracks have a medical facility?” Dawn asked.

        “Oh ponyfeathers,” Steel said as he mentally raced through the plans he’d seen earlier that day. “Go talk to Sky Bolt about it immediately, make sure she gives you what you need, have the budget for it back to me or Hunter by tomorrow night.” Dawn nodded. “You can postpone the training regimen report for a day if you need to.” He stood and looked down at her as she gathered the last of her papers. “Anything else? No? Dismissed.”

        As he headed down the hallway towards his meeting with the Princesses, Steel let out a sigh. Between training regimens, the barracks, the armor, and now a diplomatic conference to prepare for, the next two weeks were going to prove to be very busy.


End of Part One

> Training - Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Prologue


        The bell over the front of the shop made a gentle ring as the door pushed open, admitting yet another guest. Knick waited for the sound of the second ring, the clincher. Only then would she look up, tearing her eyes from her book and seeing who it was that had entered her store. Her ears perked with anticipation as she stared down, waiting while rereading the same line over and over. It may have only been minutes from the shop's usual closing time of eight in the evening, but she always got a slight thrill when dealing with a customer.

“Never look at a customer the moment they walk in,” her father had always told her. “Always give them a moment to familiarize themselves with their surroundings, and they’ll be a lot more relaxed.” There were many lessons he’d given her over the years as he’d trained her to take over The Hodgepodge when he was gone, just as he had from his mother after she had died. And then, one winter, he’d just been gone one morning. Snuffed out in the night like a candle in the wind, a faint smile on his bearded muzzle the last gift he’d had for her.

There was a faint click as the shop's door shut, and Knick’s eyebrows rose in surprise as she looked up. Why hadn’t the bell gone off? Her eyes locked on her newest customer, only to elicit a mental sigh as she took in its unusual garb. It was either a refugee from a sandstorm, or another visit from one of those customers.

The pony was standing just inside the doorway, its gender indistinguishable beneath layer upon layer of heavy robes. Knick couldn’t even make out its eyes or muzzle, as the robe's cowl was pulled low, with unnatural shadows pooling around the edges. Knick felt a familiar itch at the base of her horn as she ran her eyes over the heavily robed figure. Their robe was enchanted. For a moment she stared at the new pony, waiting for some sort of reaction. Then her training took over, and she defaulted to the well-oiled phrase her father had taught her.

“Welcome to The Hodgepodge,” she said, the words slipping out of her mouth with as much familiarity as breathing. “Baltimare’s one-mare stop for a medley of miscellaneous paraphernalia. Are you looking for anything specific today?”

There was a rustle of cloth as the robed pony stepped up to Knick’s counter and—presumably—looked directly at her. There was no doubt in her mind now, this was definitely one of those customers, and one that was a little melodramatic at it as well. The itching in her horn, combined with the darkened shadow where the pony's muzzle should have been was a clear sign of an active enchantment. Something to hide the pony's face so that Knick wouldn’t be able to identify it. The robes it was wearing were tight in some areas, loose in others, giving no hint to what kind of pony was wrapped beneath the robes, and even went so far as to cover its hooves. 

“I’ve been told that you deal in artifacts of various natures,” the robed figure said. It’s voice was grainy, magically distorted, and Knick fought the urge to roll her eyes, keeping a friendly smile on her face.

Talk about taking things too far, she thought even as she opened her mouth to speak. “That’s true, I do,” Knick said. “As you can see, I carry all sorts of items here.” She waved a hoof in the direction of the small shop's heavily clustered shelves. “I’ve got everything from candlesticks to griffon helmets.” Maybe this one’s just really strange. After all, I haven’t had one of those customers in—

“I’m not buying,” the strange robed pony said. “I’m selling.” There was a ripple as a layer of fabric was thrown back, revealing two heavy saddlebags on the pony’s sides. “I heard that you buy items with an interesting origin.”

“Oh,” Knick said, her ears going flat against her skull. It was one of those customers. “I see.” This was the one last gift her father had left her. The one she’d never wanted much to do with. Her horn lit up with a soft magenta glow, flipping the small wooden sign on the shop’s door from “open” to “closed.” Blinds began to fall one by one over the shop's few windows, and Knick flipped a few more lights on to even out the loss of the late summer sun. 

“You know,” she said as she turned her focus back to her mysterious guest. “Usually your type comes later in the night or early in the morning. They don’t usually walk up in broad daylight where anypony can see them.” She gave her customer a piercing glare. “Or better yet, they act like any normal seller so nopony gets suspicious.” She gave a derisive snort at the pony's robes. “The last thing I want is a Night Guard division checking my shop.”

“Nopony saw me enter,” the strange voice said. “Nopony.”

“Whatever,” Knick said. “You’d better have something good to show me, or I’ll be tossing your flank out on the street. And don’t think I can’t do it,” she said as she carefully levitated her father's old crossbow up from behind the counter. “You’re not the first unscrupulous type I’ve had in here.” The crossbow was in excellent condition, although she’d never actually fired it. The threat alone was more than likely all she would ever need. She wasn’t even sure she could fire it.

“I came for business,” the robed figure said, tossing its head. “Nothing else.” The figure swung its head around and gripped the saddlebag straps with its teeth ... Or at least that was what Knick assumed it was doing under the shadowy cowl. With a distorted grunt of exertion, the pony brought the saddlebags up and dropped them onto the counter with a dull thump.

“Alright then, let’s see what we’ve got here,” Knick said, flipping the saddlebags open with her magic and pulling the topmost item out for examination.

It was a golden necklace, so large it could almost be called an amulet. Massive gems were set into each of its segmented pieces, brilliant emeralds that glittered under the lights as the necklace spun. She could feel its heft through her horn, a solid weight that told her that the necklace was likely pure gold, and probably worth at least almost a thousand bits in materials alone before taking into account  the intricately etched designs crisscrossing its surface. She flipped the necklace over and saw a small but familiar horseshoe icon etched into the back of the clasp. The piece was a genuine Coltine from Saddle Arabia, hoof-made without magic. Mentally Knick let out a whistle. A genuine Coltine had to be worth at least fifteen hundred bits, maybe more.

She set the piece aside and carefully pulled the next piece from the bag. This one was far less impressive than the first, a pair of gem earrings connected by a single copper wire, easily worth a hundred bits except for the fact that one of the earrings was missing its ruby. It went to its own spot on the counter.

Item after item came out of the saddlebags. Most of was jewelry, ranging from the cheap and tacky to the impressively rare. Some of it was even more curious. An ancient urn with fresh depressions where decorative gems had once been. A small statue of a Wonderbolt with the base missing. A rolled tapestry. There were even loose gems in the second saddlebag; rubies, diamonds, jaspers, all types and colors rolling around in the bottom. Eventually, the saddlebags lay empty on the counter, their contents spread out on the counter in neat, shining rows.

“I’ll give you two-thousand bits,” Knick said, her voice deadpan.

“What?” Not even the distortion could hide the shock in her customer’s voice. “Unacceptable. These items are worth five at the least.”

“Maybe,” Knick said, shaking her head as she looked down at the impressive spread of items before her. The variety was truly puzzling. “But they’re also traceable.” She tapped the elaborate necklace with one hoof. “This item in particular I’ve already seen alerts for from the local police station. I can’t resell it anywhere in Equestria, which means it’ll have to be juggled for a while before it’s sold, and that isn’t cheap.” She poked at one of the other jewelry pieces, a large hooflet with another missing gem. “And some of these pieces I’ll have to repair myself if I want to sell them, or pass them along to someone who can repair them, and that costs bits as well.”

“Five thousand,” the figure said again, although the voice sounded a little less sure.

Knick shook her head. “You’re new at this, I can tell. Look,” she said, lifting the necklace again. “This is a genuine Coltine necklace. Hoof-made, no magic at all involved in its construction. At a high class establishment this would sell for about two-and-a-half, maybe three thousand bits. Maybe more. But me? I can’t be seen selling something like this. So I have to sell it to someone else, and they have to sell it to someone else, until it reaches a point where it isn’t a wanted item from a recent train robbery. So this,” she said, carefully setting the necklace down on the table, “is only worth a few hundred bits to me because I won’t be able to get much out of it. Same goes for a lot of this jewelry. I’ll cut you a break since you’re new to this. Two thousand bits.”

“Three,” the robed pony said with another toss of its head. “Three thousand.”

Knick thought about it for a moment. She could make a few bits with the assorted jewels and oddball items with a little polish, and the jewelry she could fence, although it would take time, and possibly a trip to see one of her father's old friends in the north. But it could be done, and she’d still stand to make a nice tidy profit at the end if her mental calculations were correct.

“Alright,” she said at last. “Three thousand bits. Wait here.” She ducked through the small curtain that separated the front of her shop from her home and headed up a small set of rickety, creaky stairs. Once she reached the top, she turned left, pulling open a narrow door with her magic that led to another, smaller set of well-kept, carpeted stairs that muffled her hoofsteps as she made her way down them. As a child she’d never understood why her home had the two sets of stairs, it was only when her father’s final note to her explained the safe underneath the kitchen floor that she had realized why he had always insisted on going up one set and then coming down the other. Apparently it hadn’t taken long for someone who had bought from thieves to start thinking like one.

The tumblers for the small safe spun easily under the grasp of her magic, the safe door opening with a faint click. She pulled the door aside, revealing carefully stacked piles of bits, assorted magical items that she hadn’t found a buyer for quite yet, and in the back of the safe the items she had been looking for. She pulled three of the bags out, checking the label on each one as she did so. A thousand bits per bag in hundred bit coins, each in Equestrian currency. She closed the safe, taking one last look at the sole remaining bag in the back, and made her way back to the front of the shop via the stairs.

“Three thousand bits,” she said, dropping the bags on the counter. “Now take it and clear out of here.”

“What about my privacy?” the figured asked as its saddlebags were once again draped over its back. “I want assurances that none will know of our transaction.”

“You get the same deal everyone else gets,” Knick said as the figure lifted the cash bags from the counter one by one in its teeth, dropping them into the saddlebags. “I’m just a buyer, I know nothing about you.”

“Acceptable.” The figure said. “I may have more to sell you soon.”

That’ll be the day, Knick thought as the pony made its way out the door, the golden chime once again ringing out its familiar double chime in her ears. She looked down at the mess of jewelry, gems and random items in front of her and let out a sigh. A klepto like that isn’t going to be around for long, not if they keep stealing at the rate they are. She poked at a random ruby with an idle hoof. What was the point of it? Still, it wouldn’t take more than a few months to pawn most of it off, although some of it would definitely need to go north, through some of her father's old contacts. She let out another sigh.

Sometimes she really wished her father hadn’t left her the seedier side of his business.


*        *        *


        Hours later and hundreds of miles from Baltimare, Professor Paleo Diggs was getting annoyed. No, not just annoyed, he realized as he opened yet another crate only to find that it too had been mislabeled. He was getting furious.

        “Oh for the love of Celestia,” he muttered to the empty room as he carefully pried the lid from another wooden crate, only to find that the contents not what was promised on the label—assorted Zebracan masks—but instead a carefully packed and preserved stuffed beaver. “Doesn’t anyone train these interns anymore?” he asked as he carefully placed the lid back on the box. “It’s bad enough that these are all mislabeled, but this is the paleontological wing! We don’t need Zebracan masks!”

He sat back on his haunches for a moment, rubbing a hoof through his greying mane with a frustrated sigh. All I want to do is look at the latest fossils from the Turuncu Desert dig, he thought. He’d seen the crates delivered that morning, told the interns to bring them down to the basement storage of the paleontological wing, and simply trusted that the naive young interns had gotten the job done. Now, as he stood and opened yet another crate, this one labeled “Pre-classical clothing models,” a label which turned out to be for once exactly what it declared, he was cursing his shortsighted trust.

        He replaced the lid on the crate and took a step back. There were still another dozen crates to look through, but a quick glance at a few of the labels showed them to be just as ill-placed—and likely just as ill-assigned—as the first dozen or so crates he’d dug through. He frowned as he considered his options. It was growing late and he wanted to be home as soon as possible, but he also very much wanted to finish his report on the latest set of bones the dig team had found for the board. A finished report meant yet another chance at additional funding, or even another grant. He quivered at the thought. Another grant, even a small one, would give his department enough funding to let him go out in the field along with the rest of his team. Out in the Turuncu Desert, carefully digging up bones that had lain there for centuries, maybe longer. Who knew what secrets the past held?

        Then again, he thought as he looked over the mislabeled crates before him. If I leave the museum, that could put any shipments that come back in the hooves of these interns. He snorted. They could be just as lost here. Making a mental note to reprimand the interns the next morning, he flicked the lights out and headed for his office.

        As he collected his coat and bag from his office, a thought struck him. If the Paleontological department had items from what looked like Equestrian History, then perhaps the Equestrian History archives had the fossils his team had sent in sitting in their basement. He took a left turn as he trotted out of his office, heading for the Equestrian History wing.

        He waved a friendly hello to one of the museum watchponies as he crossed over the museum courtyard, his hooves ringing out with each step against the smooth paved stones. The massive fountain that dominated the center of the courtyard had already been turned off for the night, the flowing streams of water nothing more than a faint trickle. The fountain itself was a recent addition to the museum and a masterful work of art, a stunning sculpture of gold and platinum depicting the two royal sisters holding Equestria aloft underneath a dazzling sun and moon. It was exquisite in its detail and design, and—Paleo knew—dozens of centuries old. Apparently it had been donated by Princess Celestia herself, or so the rumor went, in celebration of the return of her sister.

        The History wing was closed for the night, dark save for a few lights left on for the watchponies. He didn’t bother turning on any additional lights, the layout of the building was familiar enough that he knew he could make his way through it without much difficulty. He only had to make use of his keys twice, once to get inside the building, and a second time to access the basement storage staircase.

        When he finally reached the basement storage and flipped on the lights, revealing rows and rows of shelving stacked high with crates, he let out a sigh of relief. There, sitting in the delivery area next to the elevator was a large stack of crates, several of which were bearing the import-export stamps of the Griffon Empire that he had become well acquainted with over the last ten years. Letting out a small laugh of joy, he vaulted down the last few steps and galloped over to the first of the crates.

        “It's the right label, no exterior damage, lid looks solid,” Paleo said, tapping the first of the crates with his hoof. “And we’ve got one, two, three, four … where’s five?” He walked around the pile of crates, checking each one as he passed. “More Pre-classical clothing, Canterlot miniatures, more clothing and—hello, what’s this?” 

He paused by the last crate in surprise, staring at it’s blank sides in puzzlement. It was square, almost perfectly so, about as tall as his chin and—he tapped it—definitely had something in it. But what it didn’t have was a label, or even any sort of markings. He pried at the lid for a moment with his hooves, but it didn’t give. It wasn’t the right size for one of his crates, or at least the shipping documents that he’d seen that morning hadn’t mentioned a crate of this shape being in his shipment. He gave it a slight push with his chest, eyebrows rising in surprise at it’s weight.

        “Well, that could be crate number five I suppose,” he said, taking another walk around the pile of boxes but not spying any alternatives to the unlabeled crate. “Although how it made it through the border without a stamp ...” He shook his head. Maybe it was just a mystery box.

He gave a small chuckle as an old joke came to mind. “You took the box?” he said, drawing out his voice in a reasonable facsimile of a Neighpon accent. “Let's see what’s in the box!”

        As he trotted around the stack again, he turned his head and his eye caught on something down one of the rows of shelving. Several crates were sitting on the floor between the shelves, some of them open, some still closed, one with a crowbar sitting on its lid. One of the crates bore the distinct markings of Griffon import-export stamps.

        Paleo trotted down the aisle between the shelving to get a closer look at the crate. Sure enough, it was the missing fifth, a long oblong crate that was almost twice as long as the other crates were wide. It was all Paleo could do to keep himself from grabbing the nearby crowbar and taking the top off to see what ancient wonders his crew had sent. He took a quick look at the other crates. The shelves in this section of the storage room were mostly bare, from the look of things somepony had been checking each crate before lifting them up to the shelves for storage. 

He climbed up a nearby ladder, taking a quick look at each shelf to make sure that he wasn’t missing any other packages. The shelves were fairly bare in this section of the basement, so the check took only a few moments. Three crates on the floor level, none on the middle shelf, and one positively ancient crate on the top shelf that was encrusted with spiderwebs. He stared at it for a few seconds, looking at the strange text on the sides. It almost looked like pre-classical Equestrian. He stared at the strange text for a moment longer before shaking his head and climbing back down the ladder.

        “Old fool,” he muttered under his breath. “Ancient languages aren’t really your department now are they? Ancient bones on the other hoof ...” He rubbed his hooves together before opening his bag. “I’ll just leave a note on each crate for the—oh blast.” He rummaged around inside his bag again. “No parchment. Brilliant, Professor. No parchment, no quill.” He rolled his eyes at his own forgetfulness and headed for the stairs to the room.

        It only took a moment for him to “borrow” some parchment from one of the History Department’s desks and leave a note for the Director to send a crew down looking for the marked crates. Then, just to make certain that there were no mistakes, he headed back down to the basement with a smaller scrap of parchment for the crates. It wasn’t until the basement door shut behind him and darkness swept over him that he stopped thinking about his plans for the department presentation.

        “Hang on,” he said. His voice sounded slightly shaky in his ears. “I thought I left the lights on down here.” He put one hoof behind the other, carefully backing up until he felt his tail bump the door. “I must be getting old when I forget ...” His voice trailed off as he felt the switch click down under his hoof. “Now wait a minute,” he said, clicking the switch back up, then down, then up again. The room stayed dark.

        “Well blast,” Paleo said, listening as the echoes of his voice mixed with a few more rapid clicks of the light switch. “I guess that means I’ll—” His voice cut off as a large thud echoed through the darkness around him, followed by several wooden scraping noises. The noises echoed for a moment, slowly fading. All he could hear now was his rapidly beating heart. He opened his mouth, licking his dry lips, and called out. “Azure?” His voice sounded like a rasp in his ears as he named another one of the night watchponies. “Dusk? Is that you?”

        There was a short, sharp pop and the lights flickered to life with a brightness that made his eyes water. Paleo threw his hoof up, shading his eyes against the intense glare. It took a few seconds, but his eyes gradually adjusted, and he dropped his hoof and took a look around the room, blinking rapidly. Although things were still slightly blurry, he could still make out the pile of crates over by the elevator and the last set of stairs that led down to them. He took a few hesitant steps forward.

        “Hello?” he called out, the last bits of blurriness fading from his eyes. “Is anypony there?” His hooves rang out against the metal grating of the steps as he made his way down to the boxes. “Anypony?” Silence.

        “Right,” he said, drawing the word out as he stepped up the first of his crates. “Must have been a power problem.” Although I’ve never heard of the magilectric system having any problems. He shrugged, trying to drive the event from his mind as he dropped his note on the first of his crates … which now that he looked at them, seemed off. He took a few steps back and took a longer look. It wasn’t the crate that was off, it was the whole pile. Something inside of him kept insisting that something was out of place.

        Out of place. He took a few steps forward, and then around the stack. One of the back crates had moved. No, not moved, he realized. It had been shoved. He could see the large splintered sections of wood where something had collided with the crate and spun it around. He leaned in closer. The splintered section of wood almost looked like—like—

        Like a footprint. He could see it now, three oblique scrapes across the wood. Images of prehistoric creatures leaped unbidden to his mind, massive beasts with clawed feet capable of eviscerating a pony in one swift swipe. He shook his head to drive the images away. It was ridiculous to think of, such creatures were long since gone, reduced to bones.
Bones that were in boxes right next to him.

        He could feel his heart pounding again and he stepped back, giving his head another little shake. “Oh for the love of—You’re sixty-three years old,” he chided himself. “Stop acting like a newborn colt.” But the images wouldn’t leave his mind, although now the creatures had changed, they were no longer creatures of flesh, but ancient dry bone, enchanted to move about as they wanted, to hunt and avenge the pony that had disturbed their rest. Come to think of it, weren’t timber wolves just bits of wood animated by some sort of magic energy being? Couldn’t bones do the same thing?

        “Now you’re just being ridiculous,” he said, tapping the side of his head with one hoof. “Think of something reasonable.” But what about that noise? His mind seemed to shoot back. Shouldn’t you worry about that? Paleo took a few deep breaths, calming his nerves and bringing his heart rate back down to a less noticeable pound. There’s nothing to be worried about,  he thought as he turned and began to walk back towards the doorway. There’s nothing wrong, everything is fine. He just hadn’t noticed the torn wood on the box the first time, he’d been looking for labels after all. It was just an oversight—

        He stopped again as something caught inside his head. Slowly, carefully, he eased his view over to his right, looking down the aisle towards the last of his crates. At first glance everything looked normal, just as the crate pile had. There were the open crates, his sealed crate, a few other closed crates, the crowbar on the ground ... He backed up. The crowbar hadn’t been on the ground. Nor had the crates on the bottom shelf been open.

        Ice was running through his veins now, his heart somehow still managing to pump the frozen substance while his body locked up. Once again images were springing to mind unbidden, skeletal constructs of ancient bone with deep set glowing eyes. Paleo gritted his teeth, taking another few breaths. If Petal could see him now—he knew what’d she’d do. She’d laugh, and then taunt him for getting all worked up over nothing before telling him to stop letting his imagination run away with itself. 

He shook his head. Petal would be right too. He’d probably just remembered the crowbar being in the wrong spot. Just like he hadn’t noticed the claw marks—no—not claw marks. Scuff marks on the one box. It was just the late hour and his imagination getting away with him. The ice in his veins began to melt and he took a few shaky steps forward. Then another few, and another, and as he reached the bottom step he could almost feel his heart rate return to a normal speed.

        “See now?” he said to himself as he started up the stairs. “It was all in your he—”

        The lights flickered again, sparking and dying out and Paleo let out a little gasp of shock before clambering up the stairs in the dark. Near the top step he tripped, his hoof catching the top of the last stair and sending him crashing down on the landing. He laid there for a moment, waiting, hoping for the lights to come back on. That was when he heard it.

        A faint rasp as something pressed against one of the crates. In his mind he could see it now, some immortal, unholy creature powered by centuries-old magic, emerging from one of the crates that he had so foolishly signed for that morning, slowly making it’s way across the open space of the pitch-black room. Paleo let out a scream and lunged for the door, pulling it open with one swift pull. He raced up the stairs, ignoring the crash of the door behind him and the burning pain in his side from where he had fallen as every thought became to get out of the museum as quickly as possible.

        Minutes later, alerted by the professor's screams, several of the night watchponies made their way down the same stairs, flashlights carefully gripped in magic fields.

        “So, what do you think it is?” one of the watchponies asked.

        “Ah it’s probably nothing,” the other guard responded. “This place is pretty spooky at night, it probably just got to him.”

        “Well, it could be a wild animal,” the last guard said, flipping her flashlight in the air and catching it, a feat that would have been more impressive had she not been a unicorn. “A squirrel could have snuck in.”

“I doubt a squirrel could have made the  amount of noise the professor was talking about,” the first unicorn said.

“Oh, well,” the third said as they reached the door. “Maybe it was a raccoon?” The three watchponies pushed the door open and stepped into the basement storage unit. One by one their jaws dropped.

“Well, I don’t know about you,” the second said as they all stared at the massive hole torn in the elevator door. “But that’s one big raccoon.”
> Training - Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 1


        “Excuse me ma’am,” Hunter said as he tapped the frame of the open doorway. “Are you Goldenrod?” Behind the office's large desk a light green earth pony mare with a golden yellow mane looked up from her paperwork in surprise.

        “Yes, that would be me,” she said, eyeing Hunter suspiciously with sharp blue eyes. “May I help you?”

        Hunter smiled as he invited himself into the room. “I hope so. I’m First Lieutenant Hunter of the Dusk Guard,” he said, pulling a small piece of parchment out of one of his saddlebags and holding it up where she could see it. The mare gave it a careful look over before Hunter saw her suspicion fade. “If you don’t mind I’d like to ask you a few questions.” He carefully slid the parchment back into his saddlebag.

        “Well certainly, have a seat, Lieutenant Hunter,” Goldenrod said, motioning towards one of the large plush chairs that ringed the desk. “If you’ll pardon my asking, I can’t say I’ve heard of the Dusk Guard before.” He could hear a slight Southern-Equestrian twang to her voice that gave it a distinct sound, as if she had grown up in Dodge City and then spent the last few years in Canterlot slowly grinding off the corners of her accent.

        “We’re new,” Hunter said, taking the offered seat. The cushion was soft and luxurious, but not quite soft enough that someone sitting on it would be tempted to fall asleep. “Just established.” He gave a mental sigh as he lifted his weight from his sore rear legs. After three days of training practices and running, he was starting to reach the point where every day left him feeling sore.

        “I see,” Goldenrod said, although Hunter could tell she was just being polite. “So what can I do for you lieutenant?”

        Straight to the point. Hunter thought as he opened his mouth. “I was wondering what you could tell me about the recent attack on one of your conductors.” Instantly the mare's face soured, ears turning downward along with the edges of her mouth. “I know that you already spoke with members of the Royal Guard about this,” he said, raising a hoof. “I’ve read their reports. I was wondering if you could answer a few other questions for me.”

        “What’s to tell?” Goldenrod scoffed. “In the twenty-three years that the ERS has been around, we’ve never once had a problem like this. Train robberies yes, every once in awhile a gang of bandits might try to rob a shipment of bits, or we’ll have the odd theft of something valuable, but we’ve never once had a string of thefts, much less had one of our own conductors injured.” She shook her head in disappointment. “It's disgraceful,” she said, letting out a deep breath. “Nonetheless, I will answer your questions. If you know more, perhaps the Guard will have a higher chance of finally catching this thief. Ask away.”

        Hunter nodded. “The Guard already covered most things, so I’m just digging for a few details here. Does anything about the thefts seem odd to you?”

        “You mean aside from the perpetrators' seeming disregard for the life of one of my conductors?” Goldenrod asked, anger flashing across her face. “No.” She paused. “Well, maybe ...” she said, the words trailing off as a look of thought came across her face. “One of the reasons that our own attempts at preventing the thefts has been so—so unsuccessful—”

        “Is that your thief hasn’t left a single trace,” Hunter said, finishing her sentence. “Not a hair, not a hoofprint, nothing. The Guard mentioned that in their report.”

        “Well, yes. There is that,” Goldenrod said, giving him a disapproving glare for interrupting her. “But no, what’s been truly difficult about this whole affair is the random nature of the thefts.”

        Hunter’s ears perked up and he leaned forward. This little tidbit hadn’t been in the report. “Did you tell the other Guard this? What do you mean random?”

        Goldenrod nodded. “I did, and if you’ve seen the list of stolen items you should understand what I mean. One week it’s a mare's jewelry, the next a child's toy, and the week after that a portion of a shipment of parts bound for Los Pegasus.” She gave her mane a small shake. “They don’t even happen at regular intervals. It was several weeks before we even realized it was theft, at first we thought it was just some air-headed pony misplacing things,” she said, looking up at him. “We’re still a young company, relatively speaking. We don’t have the resources to put every shipment of cargo under guard at all times, and we can’t predict what will be stolen next.”

        “I see,” Hunter said, sitting back. “That’s a dinkum of a problem all right.” He paused for a moment, running over the small list of questions he’d mentally accrued from the Guard report. “Do you feel that whoever is stealing these items could be planning the thefts in advance?”

        Goldenrod shook her head, her long yellow mane cascading around her head and shoulders like water. “We thought of that too, but they can’t be. While some of the stolen items we know we’re shipping weeks in advance or even regular shipments, some of them—including some of the most expensive thefts I might add—we aren’t even aware of until the day of.”

        “Drat.” Hunter sat back, but perked almost immediately as an idea occurred to him. “What about inside information? Could one of the workers be involved?”

        Goldenrod shook her head. “As much as it shames me to admit it, we checked to see if one our own employees was involved. We found nothing. The thefts are random, lieutenant, on different trains with different ponies. If our own employees were involved, it would have to amount to several dozen ponies all collaborating, and such an event would be highly noticeable.”

        “Alright,” Hunter said, sitting back as his theory deflated. “One more question. When I talked with Clockwork’s doctor earlier this afternoon, he said that when Clockwork woke up, his first words were ‘The lights have gone out.’ The doctor thought it was rambling brought on by the trauma, but admitted it could have been one of the last things he remembered before the memory loss. Does that phrase mean anything to you? Could he have been talking about the lights on one of the train cars?”

        Goldenrod stared at him for a moment, her lips pursed and brow furrowed. Then she slowly shook her head. “No, it doesn’t mean anything to me. And I don’t think he was referring to the train lights, at least not on his train.”

        “What about when you found him?” Hunter asked.

        She shook her head again. “The lights worked fine, otherwise there would have been a maintenance report. I’m sorry,” she said with an apologetic shake of her head. “But I can’t help you there.”

        “Well, thank you anyway,” Hunter said, climbing to his hooves and giving a slight wince as his tortured rear legs protested the movement. “I appreciate your help with my questions.”

        “Not at all.” Goldenrod said as she stood. “I’m just sorry I can’t be of more help. I love the railroad, Lieutenant Hunter,” she said, pointing to the cutie mark on her flank, a golden railroad spike sitting across a rail tie. “And I would hate to see this company suffer at the hooves of some criminal.”

        “Suffer?” Hunter asked, confused by the mares choice of words.

        She nodded. “Yes, suffer. Since news of the attack hit papers a few days ago and the newsponies connected it to the thefts, we’ve seen ticket sales drop, which in turn has made our stock price plummet as well. I’m very glad that the Royal Guard are involved now, because as long as these robberies continue we stand to lose customers.”

        “Well, if the Dusk Guard gets any goss on it you can be sure the ERS will find out about it,” Hunter said, taking a quick look at the clock on her wall. It was ten minutes to five. He’d be a little late. “In any case, thank you for the help all the same,” he said, tipping his hat.

        “Anything to get this horrible situation taken care of,” Goldenrod said, accompanying him to the door. “Good luck Lieutenant Hunter. Celestia be with you.”

        Hunter smiled. “Her and her sister both,” he said as he walked out.


*        *        *


        “Hunter! Hey Hunter! Over here!” Hunter smiled as he looked out over the crowded veranda, its tables packed with dozens of ponies, and spotted the grey hoof waving frantically back and forth. The hoof was attached to a similarly colored pegasus mare with a light blond mane who was practically hovering over the crowd as she tried to get his attention, much to the annoyance of the nearby patrons. Hunter’s smile grew wider as the pegasus spotted his lazy wave back and quickly pointed down at whatever table she’d managed to find, completely ignoring the snobbish looks of the nearby Canterlot elite.

        For a moment Hunter considered simply extending his wings and flying over the crowd rather than walking through it, but with a look at the already annoyed Canterlot enlite decided against it and began to slowly make his way through the crowd of ponies. It was a beautiful Saturday evening. A clear blue sky overhead was painted by only a few wisps of clouds, and a soft gentle breeze flowing in from the west was carrying with it the gentle scent of the wheat fields in the valley below,  and the ponies of Canterlot were out in force to enjoy it. Everywhere Hunter had gone that day had been swarming with ponies, and now that the dinner rush had began, it seemed every single restaurant was packed to capacity.

        He rounded the last table between him and his destination, coming out of the crowd around a smaller table with two smiling pegasus ponies sitting at it, one of whom he didn’t know. The other he was far more familiar with, and she jumped out of her seat, ignoring the looks of nearby patrons as she wrapped both forelegs around his shoulders in a crushing hug.

        “Hunter! Good to see you again!” she said, her voice as bubbly and upbeat as always.

        “Hey Derpy, good to see you too,” Hunter said, a slight wince darting across his face as she squeezed him again in her forehooves.

        “Eh?” Derpy dropped her hooves and backed up as she saw his reaction. “Are you okay?”

        Hunter let out a small chuckle. “Yeah, no need to worry. Just a nice bruise I got during training today.” He said, tapping one of his shoulders. “One of our new guards is a little overzealous when she gets swinging.”

        “Oh, ok, sorry about that!” Derpy said, sliding back into her seat. “It’s just good to see you.”

        “Likewise,” Hunter said as he looked over at the unfamiliar pegasus. “And I don’t believe I’ve met your friend here.”

        “Oh! Right!” Derpy said, leaping out of her seat again. “Hunter, this is Thistle Down,” she said, gesturing with both hooves at the smiling pegasus. “Thistle Down, this is Hunter. The Ranger I was telling you about.”

        “Nice to meet you,” Hunter said, tipping his stetson at the smiling pegasus mare. “Although I must clarify, I’m not a Ranger anymore. I just got a job in the Guard.” He gave her a bright smile. She was about Derpy’s size, he estimated, with a periwinkle coat and long sea green mane that hung down to her shoulders.

        “Nice to meet you too,” she said, returning his nod. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Derpy here.” Her voice was strong and firm, a contrast to her soft exterior.

        “Really?” Hunter said as he sat down. “How did you two meet?”

        “I crashed into her when she first moved to Canterlot.” Derpy said, giving a lighthearted shrug. “Came in for a landing right at the same time she did.”

        Thistle laughed as she rolled her pale pink eyes. “My first day in Canterlot, I’m flying around, looking over the city and pow! We ran into each other. Good thing she did though,” she said, looking at Derpy. “I didn’t have much in the way of bits, and Derpy here helped me get a freelance position with the postal service.”

        “Yup!” Derpy said, smiling. “And we’ve been friends ever since.” She hopped over to the periwinkle mare’s side and gave her a quick hug with one hoof.

        “So how’d you two meet?” Thistle asked Hunter before he could say anything. “Did she crash into you as well?” she playfully asked, winking at Derpy.

        Derpy rolled her eyes and gave Thistle a mock slug on the shoulder as Hunter answered. “Well, close. She actually crashed into my porch.”

        “What?” Derpy said, her eyes going wide in mock surprise. “I did not!” She looked at Thistle. “I didn’t. I crashed into the side of his house, and then landed on the porch,” she clarified, making a complicated motion with her hoof. “Pinkie promise on it.”

        Hunter laughed at her actions, looking back towards Thistle. “Anyway,” he said with a grin. “She still delivered my mail, and she started talking, and we’ve known each other ever since. Speaking of which,” he said, turning back towards Derpy. “How’s Dinky?”

        Derpy’s smile immediately brightened. “She’s doing wonderfully. Still experiencing spurts of magic from time to time, but she’s getting better at controlling it. She still tries every day to help around the house with it.” Her mismatched eyes took on a slight faraway look. “My little muffin, getting bigger everyday.” She gave a sudden gasp. “Oh my gosh, what time is it?”

        “It’s five fifte—”

        “Oh my gosh!” Derpy said again, cutting Thistle off. “I need to get flying back to Ponyville so I can pick up Dinky from Applejack’s! I’m sorry you two!” she said as she swept her saddlebags from her seat and tossed them over her back. “You two stay here and get to know each other. Sorry I had to fly, I’ll see you both next time I’m in Canterlot!” With a rush of air that had nearby patrons again glaring in her direction, Derpy took off into the air, her wings flapping as she gained altitude.

        “So ...” Hunter said as he turned from the receding pegasus to the one sitting across the table. “Did any of that seem suspicious to you?”

        “Yeah,” Thistle said with a nod. “I think … I think we just got set up on a dinner date.”

        The two pegasi stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. “Yeah, wow, I didn’t ever expect Derpy to do something like this,” Hunter said as soon as he could breath again. Thistle, who was still laughing a little simply shook her head. “Still,” Hunter said, looking over at her. “Why not?” After all, he thought, she is kind of cute.

        Thistle gave a faint yelp of surprise and then sat up, her hoof covering her mouth in embarrassment. “Sorry, really?”

        Hunter spread his front hooves wide. “Why not? She went through all this trouble to get us a table on a busy night, and from what I understand this is a pretty nice resturant.” Not to mention you do look pretty cute, he thought as his eyes ran across her wings. I’m not about to crack onto somepony, but it couldn’t hurt to humor Derpy and have a fun evening. “I’ll even pay for it. My treat.”

        Thistle laughed. “Oh no, no, no,” she said, causing Hunter’s heart to drop a little bit. “Dinner yes, but I’ll pay for myself. Fair deal?”

        Hunter looked at her, a goofy grin stretching across his face. Why not? “Deal.”


*        *        *


        Why did I want a new office again? Steel asked himself for the hundredth time as he looked out over his new and larger desk. Newer, larger, and of course, covered in about twice as much paperwork. For that matter, Steel thought as he finished reading over yet another report. Why did I agree to do this in the first place? 

The spread of paperwork in front of him was some of the most daunting he’d ever seen. Stacks of reports and budgets were mixed with assorted scraps of parchment from various ponies, some asking for his input, the others just informing him of random bits of trivia. He wasn’t even sure what he was supposed to do with a lot of it. The notes had just started coming the moment his office had been finished!

        He picked up another piece of parchment from the table and took a quick glance at it. The parchment had a date at the top, followed by a four column list that seemed to be identifying an item description, a date, a serial number that meant nothing to him, a name, and a bit value. He ran his eyes down the list. One set of emerald earrings, date a few weeks previous, the number, owned by one Fleur de Lis of Canterlot valued at four-hundred and fifty bits. Four uncut rubies, another date and number, owned by Sparkle Hoof of Vanhoover, valued at forty seven bits. The list went on, row after row of descriptions, numbers, and names. For a moment Steel looked at the list in confusion, but then its origin dawned on him. It was the list of goods stolen in the train robberies. Which meant, he realized with a smile, that this was Hunter’s paperwork.

He cleared a corner of the desk, mentally classifying it as “Hunter’s corner” and put the list there. Then, with a smug grin, he ran his hooves across his desk, shuffling paper after paper into what quickly became a small stack. Dawn’s latest observations on Sky Bolt? Hunter’s pile. A reminder from Princess Celestia that they needed to submit an emblem for the Dusk Guard to use in their reports? His. And I need to do that sometime. Just not now.

        There was a knock at the door. “Come on in!” Steel called without looking up from his paper sorting. The door clicked open.

        “G’day boss,” Hunter said, sauntering into the room. “Or should I say good evening?” A wide grin peered out from underneath the pegasus's hat, and there almost seemed to be a spring in his step as he made his way across the room. With a quick flip of his wings, Hunter launched himself into the air, landing himself in one of the office's few chairs.

        “You’re in a good mood,” Steel said, looking up at the grinning stallion and immediately deciding to slide a few more bits of paperwork into Hunter's stack.

        “Yeah, had dinner with a friend of mine. Turned out it was a setup to get me to have dinner with one of her friends,” Hunter said, grinning. He took his hat from his head and began to lazily spin it around one hoof. “So we both figured, ‘why not?’ And we went ahead with it.” He gave the hat a final flip with his hoof, landing it back on his head. “She was a little shy, but it was still fun.”

        Steel shook his head, a wry smile on his muzzle. “Well, at least you had fun tonight,” he said, taking a glance at the large clock set over the door. “Hope that good mood of yours lasts, because I’ve got some paperwork for you.”

        Hunter's face fell. “Way to pull a cloud out from under a guy,” he said, his shoulders slumping.

        “Oh buck up,” Steel said, rolling his eyes as he pushed his chair back and climbed to his hooves. “You got to spend your evening having dinner with some cute pegasus filly. I was stuck here dealing with this stuff—” he tapped one of the budget reports, “—and half of the time I have to figure out why I have it before I know what to do with it.”

        “I know, I know,” Hunter said, rising and leaning over the desk. “What do you need me to do?” He watched, his wings falling as Steel silently pushed the now quite large stack of papers out in front of him. “Alright, now I do what exactly with these?”

        “Whatever that stuff requires,” Steel said in a matter-of-fact voice. “There’s a list of the stolen items in there for you by the way.”

        “Okay, that I get, but what about this thing on the construction budget?”

        He shrugged. “Ask Sky Bolt. I’m sure she’d know.”

        “Bureaucracy,” Hunter muttered as he flipped through the pile. “The ultimate enemy of the hard-working pony.”

        “You’re telling me,” Steel said as he headed for the door. “Bear in mind that’s just today’s pile of paperwork.”

        “You’re kidding,” Hunter said, looking down at the stack with a look of surprise on his face. “All of this?”

        Steel nodded. “Yeah. One. Day. If it doesn’t die down after a week or two, I’m budgeting someone onto the team just to handle paperwork.”

        “Maybe you should ask one of the other Guard divisions how they handle this stuff,” Hunter said, flipping a page upside down to see if it made more sense.

        Steel nodded. “Good idea. Anyway, see what you can make of all that stuff. If you need a desk—”

        “Go commandeer one from a duty sergeant?” Hunter suggested. “I kinda feel sorry for those ponies when I do that.”

        “Rank hath its privileges,” Steel said, giving him a shrug. “Your quarters should be done next week, you’ll have someplace for paperwork then.”

        “Like a garbage can?” Hunter suggested hopefully as he scrutinized another piece of parchment.

        Steel laughed. “I’ll tell Arch to make an extra large one just for you. Night Hunter.”

        “Night Steel.” Hunter didn’t even look up as Steel walked out of the office, door closing behind him. “Going to be a long night sortin’ through this pile,” he muttered. Then his face brightened. “Sun above did she have a pretty set of wings.”


*        *        *


        The door shuddered under a succession of quick impacts as what sounded suspiciously like two young unicorns slammed into it. ‘I got it! I got it!” Jammer yelled from behind the door, echoed by his younger sister. Steel watched in amusement as the doorknob lit up with a vibrant yellow glow that sputtered a few times before holding steady.

        “Hey there, kids!” he said as the door opened. Steel leaned back on his haunches and held his hooves open just in time as Jammer and Sparkle shot out of the door and into his chest, Sparkle wrapping her hooves around one of his forelegs with a giggle, Jammer impacting Steel’s chest with as much force as he could muster.

        “Gah! Jammer! Sparkle!” came Click’s voice from inside. “How many times do I have to tell you not to run into the door like that? Your mother is going to kill me if she finds any new dents in the door when she gets back!” The door opened a little further and the light brown coated earth pony trotted out. “Oh, hey there Steel. Dropping by to give me a hoof with the duo?”

        Steel smiled and mussed Jammer’s mane with a free hoof. “Of course. I know how this works, don’t I kids?” he said, switching his gaze from their father to the two grinning unicorn kids. “I’ve either got to give your dad a hoof or give you one.”

        “Ooh! Ooh! Help us!” Sparkle said, giving him a wide grin.

        ‘Hey, you lost another tooth!” Steel said as he looked at her grin. “When did that happen?”

        “It was today!” Jammer said. “She fell off of the jungle gym at the playground!”

        “Yeah!” Sparkle said in a voice that suggested she was entirely all right with the event. “I fell off!”

        “She had a little help,” Click said. “Somepony suggested ...” He raised an eyebrow at Jammer, a stern look on his face. “... that she might be able to fly if she used her magic just right ...” Click’s voice trailed off as he looked at his son. “Hmm?”

        Jammer looked slightly sheepish. “Yeah, but—”

        “But what?”

        “You did the same thing to me when I was her age.” Jammer said. His father deflated with a groan.

        “You did?” Steel said, looking at Click. “How come I never heard about this?”

        “That was over a pond, Jammer,” Click said, shaking his head. “Just be glad your mother wasn’t here and the worst that happened was Sparkle losing her loose tooth.” He turned his attention back to Steel. “Come on in Steel. Don’t let the duo scare you off.”

        Sparkle laughed as she climbed onto Steel’s back, her rear hooves kicking against his side. “We’re not scary! Right Uncle Steel?” She propped her front hooves on the back of his head as he stood up. “Right? Not unless it’s Nightmare Night! Rar!”

        Steel laughed as he followed Click into the house. “No, I don’t think I’d let them scare me off,” he said, shutting the door behind him and noticing a bunch of small hoofmarks at the base of the door. “However, I’ll bet I can scare them off!” he said, letting out a dramatically evil laugh and looking at Jammer.

        “Oh yeah?” Jammer said, putting on his best “tough guy” face and puffing out his chest. “And what are you gonna do to scare me?”

        “Why nothing at all, Jammer,” Steel said, pointedly examining one hoof with exaggerated care. He waited a moment as Jammer leaned in and then lashed out, wrapping his hoof around Jammer and pulling him close. “Nothing but give you a hoofie noogie!” he said, rubbing his other hoof vigorously across the top of Jammer’s head.

        “Ack! No! No-no-no-no-nooooo!” Jammer squirmed under his grip, laughing and twisting his body back and forth before popping out from underneath Steel’s hoof like a spit watermelon seed between teeth.

        “And now! For you!” Steel said, turning his head and stretching his hooves toward his back. Sparkle let out a shriek of laughter as she dropped from his back and shot down the hallway, giggling. Jammer took off after her, his hooves sliding on the smooth wooden floor as he tried to catch up with his sister.

        “Boy, they’re pretty energetic tonight,” Steel said as he looked at his brother-in-law. “What’d you do, give them a couple cotton candies each?”

        “Ice cream actually,” Click said, smiling as he turned and followed the rambunctious pair down the hall. “I told them if they were well-behaved at the play, they could have some ice cream afterwards.”

        “Oh really? What play did you take them to see?”

        “The Music Stallion,” Click said as he turned into the kitchen. “The one about “Professor” Haycolt Hill?”

        “The traveling scam artist right?” Steel asked. Click nodded. Did they enjoy it?”

        Click laughed. “Oh immensely. Now that Sparkle’s old enough to get a little bit of what’s going on I think we’ll be able to go see more of them too. She kept singing the songs the whole walk home.” He grinned and shook his head while he opened a cupboard. “She takes after her mom all right; her voice is already great. She’ll have her cutie mark in music for sure.” He pulled a box of pasta out of the cupboard and trotted over to the stove. “You want to stick around for dinner?”

        “Of course,” Steel said, grabbing a pot and filling it at the sink. “Have you heard anything from Sapphire?” he asked as the pot filled.

        “Only that she was going to be back in another few days. It was kind of a short letter, but business isn’t super busy at the moment, so everything's been pretty good at the shop.” Click paused as Steel set the pot on the stove, then he lit the burner. “ How’s the dream job?” 

        Steel let out an exasperated breath. “More paperwork than I expected, but I’m hoping that changes. The team seems pretty good so far and-” he noticed that Click had grown silent, his eyes focused on something behind Steel’s back.

        “Attaaaaaack!”Sparkle landed on his back as Jammer darted between his legs. Steel stepped back in surprise, only to fall as his back legs were pulled out from under him.

        “‘e g’t ‘im!” Jammer yelled, his voice muffled by the jump rope held in his teeth. The electric blue colt ran around Steel, wrapping the rope around his side. “N’ mor’ ‘oofie ‘oogies!”

        “Hoofie noogies!” Sparkle joined in, wrapping her forelegs around Steel’s head and doing her best to rub his mane into his head. Click collapsed laughing, rummaging in a cupboard with one free hoof and knocking all sorts of ingredients out onto the counter in his laughter.

        “Alright you guys,” Steel said, laughing. “You want try and take down Uncle Steel, huh?” He pushed himself up on his front legs, straightened his back legs—and promptly pulled his front legs out from under himself, crashing to the ground on his forelegs. “Okay,” he said as Sparkle continued to rub his mane. “What did you two hooligans dream up this time?” He tried to stretch his legs out alongside himself so he could see what had happened, but it was difficult with Sparkle rubbing his mane down over his eyes. He could feel Jammer doing some sort of drum solo on his left flank, and Click, darn him, was still laughing, although now he seemed to have found whatever he was looking for in the cupboard because he was raising something to his face and—

        There was a bright flash. Of course. A camera. He was never going to live this down now. With a quick breath he managed to get enough of his mane out of his eyes that he could see what had so effectively immobilized him. Jammer’s jump rope had been threaded around his rear legs in careful loops. When Jammer had looped the rope around his front legs and pulled, he’d tightened the rear knots, and when Steel had tried to get up, he’d tightened the front knots himself. He started laughing louder. His own nephew had managed to come up with a pretty darn good way to catch him.

        “Ok, enough, enough!” he said through broken laughter as Jammer joined his sister in rubbing his head. “I surrender! I surrender! The mighty Steel yields!”

        “Yay! We won!” Sparkle yelled, giggling and jumping around on his side. Jammer slowed his hoofie noogies, but didn’t stop.

        “Yes, you win!” Steel said, his head starting to heat up now. Jammer was a lot better at noogies than his sister. “I surrender!” Click was still taking pictures, laughing hysterically.

        The rubbing on his head stopped. “You mean it?” Jammer said in his ear, his voice excited. “We win?”

        “Yes, you win!” Steel said, throwing as much dramatic disappointment into his voice as possible. “You have defeated me, and now you will take the title of captain from me.”

        “Captain huh?” Jammer said, hopping off of Steel’s back and standing in front of him on the kitchen floor. Even though Steel was lying partially on his side, Jammer still didn’t quite come up to eye level. “Captain of what?”

        “Of—” Click said, his voice still broken by laughter. “Of the kitchen of course!” He was back on his hooves now, camera hanging around his neck. “You defeated the evil warlord captain of the kitchen,” he said, getting more into his role. “That means you’re the leader of the kitchen while we make dinner! Just,” he said with plaintive look, “No spices please?”

        “Oy! I’m the kitchen captain now!” Jammer said. “And I think we should have spices in our—uh, what are we cooking Dad?” he asked.

        “Pasta.”

        “Spices in our Pasta!” Jammer declared, chest out and one hoof raised on Steel’s leg like a dragon slayer from a book. “What do you say Sparks?”

        “Spices!” Sparkle yelled before resuming bouncing in a circle. “Spices, spices, spices!”  Click gave a small groan and Steel heard him say something about his taste buds still being unrecovered from the week previous.

        “And you!” Jammer pointed at Steel with his free hoof. “We have defeated you. If we free you, will you obey our commands?”

        “Of course,” Steel said, shifting his legs. “You’re the kitchen captain. Now, would you please untie me? I can’t feel my rear hooves anymore.”


*        *        *


        “Alright you two, are you ready for bed?” Click asked. 

Jammer gave a final spit into the bathroom sink. “Yup!”

“Alright then, that just leaves one last thing.”

“Story time!” Sparkle said from beside Click. She was smiling and carefully holding a small pink stuffed Alicorn doll against her chest with one hoof.

“That’s right,” Click said, flicking the bathroom light off and heading into the hall. “Now what story do you two want to hear tonight?”

“Oh oh oh!” Jammer said, jumping up and down. “Uncle Steel’s here! Can you and him tell us the story about when he fought the griffon blade ... blade ...”

“Blademaster?” Click asked with a smile.

“Yeah! Can we hear that one?” Jammer went into maximum begging mode, his eyes wide and pleading.

Click laughed as he looked down at his son. “Well … alright. If your Uncle doesn’t mind. But first, both of you go get your blankets.” He watched as his children ran off down the hall towards their rooms, cheering, and gave a contented sigh. If every day of his life ended with him feeling this complete, he’d never regret a thing. “Hey Steel?” be called, poking his head down the stairs.

“Yeah?” Steel’s voice echoed back up the stairwell, accompanied by the sharp ceramic clatter of dishes bumping into one another. “What do you need?”

“The kids want to hear about the blademaster again,” Click called back.

“Which one?” There was another clatter and a dull drum-like thump. “Primetail?”

“That’s the one,” Click said. “You up for it?” There was a faint rattle, the sound of silverware striking the rubber of the dish drainer.

“Yeah, sure, I’ll be right up,” Steel called, his voice followed by the ping of another dish striking the drainer. Click turned away from the stairs just as Sparkle was coming down the hall, her Princess Cadance emblazoned blanket across her back and her Alicorn doll in her teeth. She walked up to him and nuzzled his foreleg before yawning and dropping her doll.

        “You look tired sweetie,” Click said, wrapping his leg around her shoulders and nuzzling her in return. “Are you going to be awake enough for your uncle and I’s story?” She nodded, but yawned again. Click smiled and walked her past the stairs into the upstairs living room. It was one of his favorite rooms in the house. Lots of room, comfy furniture, plenty of windows and light. He’d made a lot of memories in this room, playing with Jammer and Sparkle, cuddling with his wife while they read stories to their kids or just watched the sunset light up the city. The view through the windows wasn’t nearly as good as from the back wall, but it was good enough. They’d even done stargazing a few times, turning off all the lights and looking through the skylights. Click smiled as he helped his daughter onto a plush couch. The last time they’d stargazed together Sparkle had still been speaking baby talk.

        “All right!” Jammer burst into the room, shattering Click from his reverie. Jammer’s electric blue blanket matched his coat, and the young unicorn had tied it around his neck like a cape. It fluttered behind him as he ran around the room and then launched himself into the opposite end of the couch.

        “Sounds like they’re ready to hear the story.” Steel said. Click jumped, he hadn’t even heard the big stallion come up the stairs.

        “Steel,” he said as he stepped back from the couch. “You are one quiet stallion.”

        Steel smiled. “I grew up here, remember? I knew every squeaky step in those stairs by the time I was six.”

        Click laughed. “Right,” he said. “You should show me sometime. Sapphire wakes up every time I try to make a midnight snack run.” 

Steel chuckled at his words and then walked onto the carpet alongside Click, facing the two young unicorns on the couch. “So!” he said, his voice taking on a strange accent reminiscent of far off Morabscow. “You want to hear a tale of the far off griffon lands, eh?” Steel winked a Click, his cue.

“A tale of intrigue and warriors, love and redemption, griffons and ponies?” Click said, doing his best to put his own words into the same accent as Steel. He wasn’t quite as adroit at it as Steel was, after all Steel had been there, but he could do a fair impression. Keeping time and inflection was after all part of his special talent, as the Conga drum cutie mark on his flank showed.

“Would you like to hear the tale?” Steel asked, tapping the wall switch and dimming the lights.

“Then prepare,” the two stallions said together. “To be amazed!”
> Training - Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2


“No, no, that’s not it,” Nova said as Sabra once again wrapped his front hooves around the rope. “You need to grab it with the back of your hoof. Here, watch.” He took the rope from Sabra and with a quick flip locked his hoof around it. “You’ve got to have a secure grip, see?” he said, pulling his body up with his foreleg. “Then you can bite into it,” he said, demonstrating. “L’ke th’s. Then ...” He wrapped his other hoof around the rope a bit further up and let go with his teeth. “You can let go with your mouth and start pulling yourself up,” he said, repeating the first motion with his right limb and pulling himself up the rope. “Now normally you’d wrap your rear legs around the rope and sort of shimmy them along, but since we’re next to a wall you can just brace your rear legs like so. See?”

        “And if I lose my grip?” Sabra asked, giving the rope in front of him a suspicious glare.

        “Just bite down with your teeth until you’ve got a hold on the rope again,” Nova said, letting go of the rope and dropping to the ground. “Simple.”

        “Rahisi,” Sabra said, looking at the rope as if it were a snake. “Simple. Right.” He leapt into the air, one hoof wrapping around the rope, rear hooves braced against the wall—and tumbled backwards, landing on his back in the training field grass.

        Nova laughed. “And here I thought you were some sort of crazy ninja zebra. Come on, Sabra, it’s just a rope.” He watched as Sabra lifted himself from the ground and took the rope in his teeth again. “No, no. Not like that. Here, watch exactly how I turn my hoof.”

        Steel moved away from the two as Nova once again began to demonstrate the finer points of climbing a free-hanging rope. Of all the ponies who would have expressed the most aptitude at using a free rope, he hadn’t expected it to be Nova. The young unicorn had even beaten Hunter up the rope, an act that was especially impressive because Hunter had wings.

        Then again, Nova apparently couldn’t teleport either. Which was worrisome, as neither could Dawn. Nova at least had an excuse, as near as Steel could tell he’d had never had much formal education, and teleportation wasn’t exactly something one figured out on their own. Still, it was a void in his team's magic capacity.

        Steel watched the two for a moment longer, staying silent even when Sabra ended up hanging upside down, the rope having somehow tied itself around his rear hoof. “We studied the body and the mind,” Sabra was saying to hysterical Nova in that calm, melodic voice. “Not ropes.” Steel kept his face impassive as Nova’s horn lit up and unraveled the pooz zebra, dropping him to the ground on all fours.

        He watched for a moment longer as Nova showed Sabra again how to grab the rope with his hoof, this time succeeding as Sabra’s body lifted from the ground, one hoof wrapped around the rope. Then, nodding his head in satisfaction, he moved on.

        “Right, now. With your front hooves up, I want you to dash at me with your wings,” Hunter was saying to Sky Bolt. “Hold that pose just like I showed you and dash forward.” Hunter stepped out of the way, and Sky Bolt threw her wings back, sliding forward on the ground about three feet. “Alright, that’s a good start,” Hunter said as he stepped back over to her. “Now I want you to do that again, but this time, angle your feathers like this,” he said,matching her pose. “So when you push back, you also get just a little bit of lift, like this.” There was a rush of wind as Hunter snapped his wings back and darted across the ground, covering almost twenty feet before stopping. “Now notice how much further I went?

        “Yeah!” Sky Bolt said with a nod. “So this is why we’ve been doing those backthrust wing exercises?”

        “You got it.” Hunter said, nodding. “You build that backthrust up and you’ll be able to jump around like nopony's business, on ground or off! Now, let's see you try that again.”

        Sky Bolt nodded and launched forward across the ground, this time going several feet further than she had before.

        “Excellent!” Hunter said, spotting Steel. Steel gave a quick “come here” motion with his head and Hunter nodded. “Now, just work on that a few times. Don’t push it,” he warned as Sky Bolt snapped her wings back out. “When you start feeling the strain, take a break and just work on those forms. The last thing you want to do is overdo it and wind up with Dawn mad at you.”

        “Alright!” Sky Bolt said, her wings gyrating around her body before snapping back, sending her skidding forward across the grass.

        “A bit more tilt to the bottom feathers,” Hunter called as he walked up to Steel and flashed a quick salute. “So boss, what’s up?”

        “Things going well?” Steel asked, his eyes still on the rapidly darting grey pegasus.

        Hunter nodded. “I’ve got her learning the basics of Tempest style right now. She’s a few weeks or so from proficiency, but she’s a quick learner and she’s got the build for it. I’m not sure how she’ll do with Hurricane though,” he said with a backwards glance. “I might wait until we start doing weapons training to teach her that one though, she’s a bit lightweight to be trying that.”

        “A lightweight?!” Sky Bolt squawked from the field. “Who’re you calling a lightweight?”

        “That’s not positioning I’m hearing!” Hunter called back, his voice sarcastic. “Besides, better lightweight than fat-flank!”
        “Oh, you’re such a charmer!” Sky Bolt said, rolling her eyes before settling back into the Tempest start stance. “With a mouth like that, no wonder you use that hat to hide your face.”

        “Oh low blow, Bolt!” Hunter called. “Keep that up and I’ll have to show you some Hurricane stuff today. Hooves-on.” Sky Bolt rolled her eyes again, flipped him a quick salute—again with the wrong hoof, Steel noted—and went back to her training, although from the look of her lips she was muttering something.

        “Ah, she’s got some spirit,” Hunter said, laughing as he turned back towards Steel. “I like her spunk.”

        “And I’m wondering if it was such a bright idea having my sarcastic First Lieutenant assigned to teach an impressionable and energetic young engineer how to be a Guard,” Steel said, raising one eyebrow at Hunter.

        Hunter shook his head. “Relax, I’m making sure she’s on the right track.”

        “Oh?” Steel cocked his eyebrow again. “Because she’s still saluting with the wrong hoof. Worry about it later,” he said, catching Hunter’s shoulder with one hoof as he started to turn. “I just wanted to know if you’d found anything on those train robberies.”

        Hunter shook his head. “Nothing that the Royal Guard would be interested in. I even went and talked to a few ponies they hadn’t and came up empty hooved.” He took a quick look over in the direction of the rope wall, where Sabra had at long last managed to get himself off the ground, although he appeared to be incapable of moving up or down. “I did however—” Hunter said, lowering his voice slightly, “—come up with a theory only somewhat related though.”

        “Concerning what?”

        Hunter took another glance at the rope wall. “On why our thief let himself get caught. These thefts go back almost three months right? Well,” he said. “What if you were Nova, and you heard that there were these thefts occurring all over Equestria, untraceable thefts?”

Steel looked over towards the wall. Nova was up on top of it now, laughing as Sabra once again lost his grip and landed on the grass below. “You think he let himself get caught because he was worried somepony would suspect him?”

“More than that actually,” Hunter said. “The date he was caught? Almost four weeks ago. News of the thefts only started showing up in the news a week or so after that, and the big break didn’t happen until last week. So, if he did know that he needed a good alibi for not being the train thief, how did he know before anypony else?”

“Assuming of course,” Steel said, “that this all isn’t just conjecture.”

Hunter shrugged. “The dates matched up just a little too cleanly once I put them on paper. It would be worth asking about. Because if he did know about the thefts even before the Guard did, I want to know how.”

“Good thinking,” Steel said, giving the pegasus a nod. “But don’t ask him yet,” he said, watching as Nova slid down the rope with practiced ease and began trying to help Sabra figure out how to move. “I’ll keep it in mind. Anything else you want to mention on that?”

Hunter shook his head. “Nothing. Do you have any idea when the barracks is going to be done?”

“Arch told me it would be another day or two to wire in the magilectric system and finish up the bay doors,” Steel said, his mind flashing back to the confusing conversation he’d had with the engineer earlier that morning. “As to the details of what most of that is for, ask your protégé over there,” he said with a quick motion at the still darting form of Sky Bolt. “She’s the one who came up with most of them.”

“So I did see them installing speakers in her workshop the other day.” Hunter said.

“Most likely,” Steel said. “And I’ve decided not to ask her about that one. Anyway, let me know if you find anything. At ease.” 

Hunter saluted and trotted back over to Sky Bolt. “Alright, good. Now let's do it again, but this time I want you to hold your front hooves up. Like this ...” Steel watched for a few seconds and then headed for his office. He still had some work to do that required his desk.


*        *        *


        Dawn let out a relaxed breath as the suture closed, gently pulling the two sides of the cut together. “Now, see there?” she said to the small filly. “Nice and easy.” The filly looked up at her, bravely blinking back tears from her bright blue eyes. “And now your leg will be just fine, ok?”

        The filly gave a small sniff but didn’t cry. “Okay,” she said quietly. “Thank you.”

        “Don’t move your leg yet,” Dawn said as the filly started to get up. “We still want to wrap this up.” Her horn lit up as a small gauze wrap floated over and began to carefully wrap itself around the stitched-together cut. “Now, you’ll need to take good care of this leg for a few days, so don’t be running around at it.” She levitated a pair of scissors up and carefully cut the gauze. “You want it to heal.” A single piece of tape and the filly was ready to go. “All right, now you can move, but gently, okay?”

        The filly nodded as she slowly stood, resting her weight on her three good hooves. “Is it going to hurt?” she asked, tentatively putting her bandaged leg down.

        “It might at first,” Dawn said. “But it’ll stop eventually. If it keeps hurting, you need to tell your Mom or Dad so they can bring you back here.” The filly gave her a small nod, her mane bouncing. “Okay then, let's go see your Mom.” The filly took a few hesitant steps down from the examining table and then slowly made her way across the room, limping as she tried to keep her weight off of her wounded foreleg. Dawn opened the door with her magic and followed the filly out into the hall where her mother was waiting.

        “Mommy!” The little foal called out, limping over to her mother as quickly as she could. The two exchanged a quick hug.

        “Thank you for taking such good care of her,” the mother said, looking up at Dawn with a smile on her face as her daughter continued to nuzzle her leg. “Was everything alright?”

        “Everything was fine,” Dawn said, giving the mother her most reassuring smile. “Your daughter was well-behaved through the whole procedure.”

        “Thank you again for treating her,” the mother said, giving her daughter another nuzzle. “I know you were about to leave when we came in—”

        “Think nothing of it,” Dawn said, levitating her saddlebags onto her back. “I’m a doctor. Fixing ponies is what I do. Now, the duty nurse will have some antibiotics for your daughter to take, and you just make sure she rests that leg and doesn’t tear the stitches out. With the healing spell her leg should be good in a few days and you can bring her back for a check-up then.”

        “Thank you,” the mother said. Dawn turned and was about to leave when there was a small tap on her leg. She looked down to see the filly.

        “Thank you,” the filly said again, looking up at Dawn with a smile on her face. “You’re a good doctor.”

        Dawn smiled down at her. “Why, thank you. You’re a very polite young mare. Now,” she said, looking over towards the filly’s Mother. “You take good care of that leg, and maybe I’ll be here again when you come back.” The filly smiled and gave her leg a quick hug before limping back over towards her mother. Dawn smiled at her and then headed for the office entrance.

        Once she’d dropped off her coat, Dawn said goodbye to the duty nurse and headed out one of the employee entrances to the Canterlot General Hospital. She debated hailing a coach to help her get back to the barracks as quickly as possible—after all she was late for her meeting with Steel—but decided against it once she looked at the small amount of bits she’d taken with her earlier that afternoon. She wouldn’t have enough for the quick ride, and it wasn’t that far away. She just hoped that Steel wouldn’t be annoyed with her tardiness. He was already letting her spend some of the training periods at the Hospital, but if it looked as if she was shirking her duties, he’d probably restrict it. Maybe. It was hard to tell with him. And there was absolutely no reason for her to send that poor filly to another doctor if she could do it herself.

        Her walk to Canterlot Castle was brisk, her steps quick as she made her way through the streets, stepping past various ponies and dodging the occasional coach. The walk gave her time to think, time to summarize what she’d observed in the last week. She had to admit that she was surprised by the level of ability the team had shown so far. Especially considering that some of them came from backgrounds outside of what one would usually consider Guard material, the results so far had been impressive. It would still take quite some time before the team was truly ready for anything, perhaps as long as six months by her standards, but the progress they’d shown so far was well above what she would have expected. 

Of course, the team was somewhat imbalanced, Steel, Hunter, and Sabra alone were each a fighting force to be reckoned with, and together she had no doubt that the trio could easily plow through an entire contingent of Guard without slowing down. But as for herself, Nova, and Sky Bolt, she had her doubts. She could fight, although she didn’t like to, and she was confident of her ability to take on more than one tough opponent at a time, but of Nova and Sky Bolt she wasn’t so sure.

        The Guard at the front gate saluted her as she passed, bright sunlight glinting off of the polished gold armor as they moved. She returned the salute with one of her own. After all, she was an officer of the Guard, and there were certain conventions that had to be followed.

        She cut through the training ground on her way to the barracks. Most of the team was no longer there, as the practice schedule let them off to enjoy their own free time at four, provided they put several off-hours into practice or study of their own. Sabra was still in one corner of the training field, blindfold up, staff spinning through the air, but the rest of the team had apparently left for the day.

        Dawn found one of them a few minutes later as she entered the barracks. Sky Bolt was flitting about near the ceiling at the far end of the barracks, a tool gripped tightly in her teeth as she mimed orders to the construction crew. From the look of things, they were in the process of doing something to the roof. She let out a sigh as she looked over at the four bare walls that at some foreseeable point were to hold her medical office. She understood that there were more important things to work on—Hunter’s office wasn’t even more than a shell at this point—but she still wanted her own medical facilities to be up as soon as possible. Someplace quiet to retreat to when she needed it, where she could close her eyes and relax to some Chopin. Still, Sky Bolt had promised her that they would have her office finished in another week, so there wasn’t too much longer to wait.

        She knocked on the door to Steel’s office and then walked in. With all the noise of the construction around her, she wouldn’t have been able to hear the stallion’s call to come in, so she simply hoped that he wasn’t in the middle of anything. “Sir,” she said, snapping a quick salute.

        “Hello, Dawn,” Steel said, barely looking up, but returning her salute as she entered. “You’re late.” It was a statement, not a question.

        “My apologies,” Dawn said as the door closed behind her, reducing the loud cacophony of noise from the construction crew to a low background rumble. “A young filly came in at the last minute with a cut on her leg that required stitches, and I was the best available doctor.”

        “Well, I can’t exactly say much against that without sounding heartless,” Steel said without looking up from the paper he was studying. “Besides, you wanted to see me. Were it the other way around, we might be having a different conversation.” His eyes followed one last line of text and then he pushed the paper away. “Before we talk about anything else however, I do want to ask your opinion of the training so far.”

        “Physical or overall, sir?” Dawn asked.

        “Both,” Steel said. “And drop the sir. Save it for something official.”

        “Yes, si—yes,” Dawn stammered. “Well, physically it’s a little too early to tell. If you ask me in another week or two I’ll be able to give you a better estimate, but for now all I can say with surety is that the two at the highest risk of injury, Nova and Sky Bolt, appear to be handling the training without too much difficulty. Overall, I would say the same. Again, Sky Bolt and Nova are the two who are the ‘low’ end of the group.”

        “Even after Nova’s continued performances on the obstacle course?” Steel asked.

        Dawn opened her mouth to speak, but stopped just short of replying as she ran over her response in her head. “Perhaps I should rephrase that,” she said at last. “Comparatively, I believe that both Nova and Sky Bolt have much to learn, both in terms of skill but also in terms of utilizing their skills in an effective manner. Which is why I wanted to talk to you. I assume you’ve been over my reports concerning Nova’s magical ability?” She waited, watching as Steel nodded. “So you are familiar with what I noted as “discrepancies” in his magical ability?” Another nod.

        “Well then,” Dawn said, clearing her throat with a cough. “Over the past few days I’ve been paying close attention to Nova, and I have reached the conclusion that he is lying to us about his magical capacity.”

        Steel’s brow wrinkled as he leaned forward. “How?” he asked, his voice steady.

        “He’s been deliberately underperforming,” Dawn said. “I tested the theory myself. You’re familiar with the horn-light test?” Steel nodded at the mention of the small device. It was a common enough tool, a simple device that, when placed on a unicorn’s horn, measured raw magical output and regulated it into lighting a series of magic-resistant lights. “Each time he’s been connected to one,” she explained, “he’s performed at a level average for an ordinary unicorn, but his magic out in the field hasn’t quite matched up to what he’s tested.”

        “So,” she said, pulling a small horn light from her saddlebags. “I modified this one, made it far more resistant than normal.” She slipped the small cone shaped machine over her horn, feeling a momentary tingle as it eagerly sucked up the ambient magic of her horn. “I, for example, can normally only light three of the five lights.” She took a deep breath and began to channel as much magic as she could through her horn, focusing on her best talent, healing. The horn light began to glow faintly, and from the corners of her eyes she could see the  first gem begin to light, then the second, glowing with a faint dull orange glimmer.

        Dawn released her magic and the glow faded. “The ranking is exponential,” she said as she plucked the horn-light from her head. “So where normally I would rank as a three-plus, or a strong three, with the modifications I made to this particular light I come up as a solid two.”

        “Alright,” Steel said, looking intrigued. “And what happened when you gave it to Nova?”

        Dawn scoffed, her ears going flat. “He scored exactly the same as he always has, a solid three. I’d never thought about it until I got suspicious, but with the mirrors in the medical office we’ve been using he could probably see exactly where his score was.”

        “So he games the results,” Steel said, sitting back. “I can’t say I’m surprised. There’ve been a few other little things brought to my attention as well. What do you think he’d peak at if he gave it his all on a regular test?”

        Dawn shrugged as she thought back to her magical theory classes. “I’m not quite certain. At least a four-plus. Maybe even a five. It’s difficult to say for certain.”

        “And how rare is that for a unicorn?” Steel asked, putting his hooves together.

        Dawn’s thoughts raced as she pulled the numbers to the front of her mind. “Statistically, about one in three-hundred. As I said, it’s an exponential growth.”

        “Hmm,” Steel said, leaning forward again. “Out of curiousity, what would you say the ranking of Princess Celestia’s student is?”

        Dawn sat back in surprise. “Her?” she asked, surprised. “Maybe a seven or an eight, but that’s completely theoretical. If she knows, she hasn’t told anyone. What does that have to do with anything?”

        Steel shrugged. “I was just curious. Well, thank you for letting me know about Nova.”

        “You’re welcome,” Dawn said. “But ...” she paused for a moment. “What are you going to do about it?”

        Steel sighed. “For the moment? Nothing.”

        “Nothing—”

        Steel cut her prepared question off with a raised hoof. “To be fair, while dishonest, it’s not as if he’s done anything other than withhold information about himself.”

        “But—"

        “No buts, Dawn,” Steel said, giving her a pointed look that spoke volumes and made her sink back in her seat. “I don’t want you asking him about it,” he said, leaning back. “I’m fairly sure he has his own reasons, and those will come out in time. Now, do you have anything else to add?”

        “Well, no,” Dawn said, feeling slightly confused at his orders.

        “Well, then I need to get back to work.” Steel looked down at his desk. “Oh!” he said, his ears perking up. “Before you go, I have something that I need your medical opinion on.” He picked up a small stack of papers and slid them across the desk. “What can you tell me about enchanting crystals?”

        “Not much,” Dawn said, off put by the sudden change in topic. “Why?”

        “Sky Bolt had an interesting theory the other day regarding them,” Steel said, tapping the stack of papers. Since he looked as if he expected her to look at them, Dawn picked them up.

        “What are these?” she asked as she looked down at the top page. There was a lightly inked sketch of angled, pony-shaped metal sketched on the page, with notes written all over the margins. “They look like armor sketches.”

        “They are,” Steel said, and Dawn’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Sky Bolt’s been doing some preliminary sketch work on possible armor designs.” He gave his head a small shake and smiled. “I honestly don’t know where she found the time between her training and the construction, but what I want to ask you about is this.” He stepped around the desk and tapped the sketch right in the back of the shoulders. “She has this idea about using enchantment crystals to supplement the armor, but she said it could be dangerous.”

        “Why not just enchant the armor like the Guard does?” Dawn asked, spreading pages in the air in an attempt to make sense of the designs.

        “I asked her the same thing,” Steel said. “Apparently she’s looking at high level spellwork. Something sustainable or more robust than a low grade enchantment. She drew a few concepts on one of the pages here,” Steel pushed a few of the pages with his hoof, making Dawn wince as the extra pressure came back through the bond of her magic. “Ah, here we are.” He held a page out towards her. On it were several quick sketches with notes describing the scene. One showed an armored pony lifting a several ton boulder in his hooves. The notes below marked it a “strength enhancement gem.” Another showed only a vague pony-like outline, with a note below declaring it an “Invisibility enchantment.”

        “She wasn’t joking,” Dawn said as she looked over a few more sketches. Speed enhancements. Stability. One page seemed to be devoted to a detailed breakdown of the armor itself, which seemed to be comprised of alternating layers of thin crystals. “About the Guard armor,” she clarified upon seeing Steel’s confused look. “The stuff she has here, it's ...” She struggled for the right words. “It’s like something out of a comic book.”

        “So it’s not feasible then?” Steel asked.

        “No, quite the contrary,” Dawn said as she picked up another sheet of paper. It was covered in mechanical equations that she couldn’t hope to understand, line after line of equations that seemed to intermix magical theory like it was some sort of seasoning. “I’m not an expert, but this looks completely feasible.” She cocked an eyebrow at Steel. “Where did she say she got these?”

        “She told me she got the idea from some comic books as a filly,” Steel said, confirming Dawn’s earlier choice of words. “But apparently she worked this all out on her own.”

        “Impressive,” Dawn said, making a mental note to slip the young mare an intelligence test. “Whatever she’s being paid isn’t enough.”

        Steel nodded. “I already knew that, but as my magical education is a little lacking, I was wondering if you could explain why she seemed most worried about the enchanted gems.”

Dawn sat back, shuffling the papers back together once more. “Simple. Enchanted gems are by far the most expensive part of her designs. Gemstones in and of themselves are not exactly rare in Equestria, but only certain gemstones—and I don’t know the exact percentage—can be enchanted.” She tapped the stack of papers. “And while in theory any enchantment can be placed in a gemstone, actually placing the enchantment is ...” She paused as she searched for the right words. “—difficult, to say the least. Imbuing a gem with an enchantment takes time to do properly. Rush it, and you run the risk of building a dangerous magical backlash that can,” she paused for a moment, her throat dry. “Make one go insane.”

“This is why although the art of enchanting gemstones has been around for hundreds of years,” she explained, looking up at Steel. “Actual enchanted gemstones are costly, as it can take a single unicorn a month to properly enchant a single gem, depending on the complexity of the spell. Also, the enchantment does not last forever. I don’t understand all the science behind it,” she admitted, “but there are limitations to how long an enchantment can last. In many cases, it’s simply more profitable to find an alternative method.”

“I see,” Steel said, sitting back down behind his desk. “That explains a few other things as well.”

“Really?” Dawn asked. “Like what?”

Steel waved a hoof. “A steam engine design she showed me when I first met her. She mentioned something about diminishing costs that I think I finally get. Also,” he said with a sudden frown, “I think I’ll need to be talking to Princess Luna about our budget again. Anyway, thank you for clearing that up.”

“Are you seriously considering her designs then?” Dawn asked, a slight curiosity fluttering in her stomach. She’d only read theories of what could be accomplished with a healing gemstone. If she could actually have the budget and time to try for herself...

“I am,” Steel said. “Although for now I want you to keep word of this quiet. Princess Luna wants us to have our own, functional armor unlike either of the other Guard detachments. Besides, I’ve worn the Royal Guard armor. It’s about fifty percent function, fifty percent show.” He looked down at one hoof and gave it a quick rotation. “I won’t turn down anything that gives us an advantage when we need it, but at the same time I don’t want word of this getting out. If this is feasible, then that means anypony with the right equipment could make something of it.” He looked back up at Dawn. “So for now, keep quiet about both the armor and Nova, understood?”

Dawn knew an order when she heard it. “Understood sir. Will that be all?”

Steel nodded. “For tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Dawn.”

Dawn moved to leave, but then stopped. “Steel?” She asked, turning back slightly.

“Yes?” Steel asked, looking up from his paperwork.

“How do you feel?”

Steel let out a sigh. “At the moment, tired. But otherwise, fine.”

“I see,” Dawn said, turning back to the door.

“Dawn?” Steel’s voice stopped her.

“Yes?” she said, turning back. Steel’s mouth was open, and he appeared to be debating something.

“Thank you for asking,” he said after a moment. “Good night.”

“Good night, Steel,” Dawn said as she walked out the door, her mind racing with the possibilities of an healing enchanted gemstone.
> Training - Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Chapter 3


“So you see Your Highness—”

Luna sat back in her throne as the yellow unicorn in front of her continued to speak, only half paying attention to the words. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel that the pony's request wasn’t important—she cared for each and every pony under her and her sister’s reign—but rather that this particular mare had already repeated herself twice over, and from the sound of her words was about to repeat herself a third time. 

Luna sighed inwardly. Ordinarily she would have sped things up a bit and simply asked the young mare what her request was, but as she was the last pony on the schedule she didn’t feel a need to rush. She was going to be here for another hour if she kept to the proper timetable. Besides, every time she’d spoken the mare had grown visibly nervous, while letting her speak seemed to put her at ease.

“—so I think that if there was simply something that could be done about the irregularities of the weather over the last few weeks,” the mare was saying. Luna made sure to keep her eyes on the unicorn, nodding occasionally as something she agreed with was mentioned. The mare, Sunflower, was one of the chief landscapers employed by the city and while young clearly had a great love for her work, an observation reinforced by the patch of yellow flowers on her flank. Which, Luna presumed, was why she was in the night court. The last few weeks in Canterlot had been drier than average, due to both the warmer than average summer and an unfortunate mishap at the Cloudsdale weather factory that had shorted production.

As Sunflower continued to discuss the various plots of land that her team was responsible for and the effect that the lack of recent rains was having, Luna gave her a soft smile. Truth be told, Sunflower’s plea for rain was already something that Luna and her sister had been working at solving for a while. An entire team of weather ponies, including several Wonderbolts, had been dispatched to the western coast to corral the natural clouds coming in over the ocean. If all went well, in another day or two Canterlot would hopefully experience a brief if naturally formed and somewhat unpredictable shower.

“—and so your highness, I would like to put in a request that Canterlot receive some rain, even if only a little,” Sunflower was wrapping up now, and Luna brought her attention back to the mare in front of her. “Some of the flowers we’ve cultivated will only last about another week without rain, and many of them were quite difficult to acquire and to cultivate.” She looked up at Luna with wide eyes, “Please, if you can, we need that rain.” Luna felt her heart melt a little as Sunflower finished up her plea. This mare loved her work deeply. 

“Sunflower,” Luna said, standing and stepping down from her throne. “You are not the first to be concerned in the last few weeks about the lack of summer rain. But even if you were the only pony to come before me with such a concern, after such a heartfelt plea, I could not say no.” Luna began to walk down the small steps towards Sunflower. The yellow unicorn gave a quick gasp and bowed, looking down at the floor, and Luna smiled. It had taken some time for her to overcome her old habits and reactions. If someone had bowed before her even a few months earlier, her response would have been quite different.

Instead, Luna simply stopped before Sunflower and reached out with one hoof, placing it gently on Sunflower’s shoulder and pulling her gently up. “Do not fear for your work. My sister and I will ensure that Canterlot will soon have rain, even if that means we have to move the clouds ourselves.”

Sunflower looked up, a look of pure glee on her face. “Really? You mean it?”

“Of course,” Luna said. “I swear by the throne of Equestria that you will have your rain, even if I must perform the act myself!” Sunflower cringed and Luna covered her mouth with one hoof. “Our—my mistake,” she said, fighting a blush. To her delight, Sunflower looked at her in surprise for a moment, and then laughed.

“Don’t worry about it, your highness,” she said. “I still mix up seed packets from time to time.”

“Thank you for understanding,” Luna said. She could hear camera’s flickering from the few newsponies in the court audience on either side. Apparently somepony thought that her actions might be newsworthy. Perhaps this time they would use a photo of her smiling rather than the stern look she had become known for. A bit of balance would be nice. “But before you go, I have a request to ask of you,” she asked, looking at Sunflower.

“Re-really?” Sunflower looked up in surprise. “Anything, your highness. What do you need?”

“Simple,” Luna said. “All I ask is that you return to my court sometime and show me where I might find some of these rare plants you mentioned. It has been ...” She paused for a moment as old memories began to flood unbidden into her mind. “A very long time indeed since I have seen a Mooncrown Chrysanthium in full bloom.” She looked down at Sunflower. “Would you be able to do that for me?”

Sunflower’s smile exploded into a grin. “Me? Show—royalty? Flowers? I—I—” She coughed, clearing her throat, her cheeks blushing red with embarrassment at her stammering. “Of course!” she said once her throat had cleared. “I would be honored to show you.”

“Very well then,” Luna said with a small bow. “Continue with your work. My sister and I will make certain there are rains for you soon.”

“Thank you, your highness!” Sunflower said, alternating between bowing and backing up. “Thank you so much!” Her bowing finally stopped, and she turned and almost skipped from the court, her body springing upwards with every step.

“Is there anything else scheduled for the night court tonight?” Luna asked the steward at her side as the door to the court shut with a faint thump.

“Well,” her steward said, levitating a checklist in front of herself with a  faint purple glow. “There is another letter from Mr. Will Ward, the lawyer of Golden Spike, that is addressed to the court.”

“Is it any different from the last few letters?” Luna asked, looking down at the grey-blue mare.

The steward gave a faint shake of her head, “I haven’t read it, my lady.” The checklist vanished into her saddlebags, replaced by a sealed scroll bearing a rather pointlessly ornate seal.

“Very well then,” Luna let out a sigh as she took the scroll and broke the seal, unfurling the parchment with a sharp burst of her magic. She could see newsponies watching her out of the corner of her eyes as she made her way up the court towards the royal throne, no doubt searching for some sort of clue as to the contents of the message.

Princess Luna, it grieves me to write this missive— Luna fought the urge to roll her eyes at Will’s words. Perhaps if he attempted even some shred of variance in any of his nightly messages she’d be slightly more inclined to pay attention, but as it was each message had begun with an identical “impassioned plea” for order with the railroads. She quickly scanned through the rest of the message. As usual, it was a request that her and her sister step down and concede control over the Equestrian Rail Service, citing their numerous “failings” over the last few months  such as their inability protect the property of travelers, their absolute lack of vision in ordering the laying of the Northern line to the Crystal Mountains, and the loss of public support and profitability as a result of the continued thefts.

Luna almost scowled at the tone used, but resisted the impulse. She was a princess, one of the two royal demigods who ruled over Equestia, and Princess of the Night. It would not do to show her annoyance so easily. She settled instead for maintaining a distasteful look on her face as the message crumpled into a tiny ball under the force of her magic. She looked at the wrinkled paper sphere in front of her and noted that it was less than half the size it would have normally been. Apparently she’d let a bit of her annoyance seep into her magic. She gave her head a small shake for the newsponies and then ceremoniously tossed the message into a nearby trash receptacle. Exactly where it belonged.

Luna let out a quiet breath as she sat back down on the throne, visualizing her tension flowing out with it. From what her sister had told her, Golden Spike was a good pony, simply—she paused to think of a description that wouldn’t be less than flattering. Ambitious. Yes, ambitious. Golden’s father had been a farmer from near Baltimare, and Golden had inherited his father’s penchant for hard work along with his own skill at financial success. In just the last five years the stallion had gone from a simple landowner to partial owner of nearly a dozen business ventures all across Equestria. He was young, impetuous, and now fairly wealthy. He also had a known history of being ruthless in his business dealings, aggressively capitalizing on his portfolio and business skill to work his way into control of various companies.

And now, high on his recent investments in the Badlands, he had quite clearly set his sights on controlling the Equestrian Rail System. The letters, his showing up at the night and day court with several of the other prominent shareholders to draw public attention to what the newspapers had already declared the “Plight of the Railways,” even several carefully timed interviews designed to throw doubt in the public mind about her and her sister's role in the company. 

It was never “too much” either. Luna had to admit that Golden Spike had a talent for just laying out the facts in a certain light. It wouldn’t undermine any of the love ponies had for her or her sister, but given time it would make them question exactly why she and her sister had such a tight hold on the ERS. Especially with the northern rail line. The thefts alone could be explained, but neither she nor her sister could explain why it was so vital that they complete the northern line in the next few months. Not without bringing a world of trouble upon their heads. The media attention that it was getting now was worrying enough. If somepony—or worse yet, someone like Ahuizotl—came to a realization of what the northern line was for ...

Luna let out another breath as her steward gave a polite cough. Time to focus on the matter at hoof. She and Celestia had played their hand, there wasn’t much they could do now but see it through and hope.

“Yes, Soft Tone?” she asked. The steward once again had her checklist out, a quill held at the ready.

“Another pony has come to see you, your highness,” Soft Tone said, making a small note on the checklist with her quill. “Name of Lacey Frill. She’s the—” Her eyes darted down at the checklist and then back up. “Director of the Equestrian History wing at the Canterlot Museum.”

“Oh!” Luna’s spirit’s brightened at the name. “I’ve met her before. Show her in, show her in! What does she require?”

“Um,” Soft Tone looked down at her checklist again. “Apparently she found something that belongs to you, I think.”

“Very well,” Luna said, doing her best to constrain the enthusiasm in her voice. “Show her in, please.” Soft Tone nodded and moments later the doors at the end of the court opened, letting in an older pastel green mare with a long flowing mane almost entirely grey. As she made her way down the court’s long floor, newsponies began snapping pictures and taking notes, the scribbling of pencils sounding alongside the muted hoofsteps of Lacey Frill. Several of the newsponies even got up, edging over the low dividing wall to try and get a closer look.

“Princess Luna,” Lacey Frill said with a bow in the style of the ancient Equestrian court. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”

“Rise, Lacey,” Luna said, suppressing a grin. “And thank you for bow. It’s been ... a long time since I have seen such a bow.”

Lacey looked up, her smile framed by her long greyed mane. “I thought you would appreciate the gesture. Since I’m one of the few ponies who makes it my job to remember such things.”

“I still can’t thank you enough for your help in educating me on the history I missed,” Luna said, rising from her throne. “Although I do hope my donation to your department helped convey my thanks.”

Lacey gave a small laugh. “Indeed it did Princess, and again thank you for such a generous donation. And rest assured,” she said with a small shake of her head. “We are well established at the moment, so I am not here to ask for any additional bits.”

“Yes,” Luna said. “My steward mentioned that you found something of mine?”

Lacey tilted her head to one side, ears back. “Well,” she said, a slightly perplexed look crossing her face. “We think so.” She looked up at Luna’s confused expression and hurried to clarify. “A few nights ago we had a—a break in of sorts. Or a break-out, we aren’t exactly certain yet. The Night Guard are still looking into it. Nothing was taken, at least that we know of, although some crated bones were disturbed, but—” Lacey held a hoof to her mouth and cleared her throat. “Anyway, while looking to see if anything was missing we found an old crate. Very old, in fact, if condition of the wood is anything to go by. One that we didn’t have a record number for.” She paused for a moment.

“What was in the crate?” Luna asked, curiosity pulsing through her mind. “Something of mine?”

“Well, we don’t actually know what is or isn’t inside, your highness,” Lacey said. “The writing on the outside, although faded, is a recognizable language of pre-classical Equestria. The writing indicates that the crate was given to a pony named Failsafe. Now, we checked and we have no record of a pony with that name working at—”

Lacey’s voice faded away as memory sparked inside Luna’s mind. Failsafe. She repeated the name over and over again. Something about that name was filling her with a nameless dread. A chilling hollow began to grow in her stomach as her mind floated back, far back, to a time long ago. 

Failsafe. Earth pony. Orange Coat. White mane. Cutie mark of a treasure map. He’d had a talent for hiding things where they wouldn’t be found. And she’d given him a box, long ago. She’d told him to hide it, and hide it well.

“—royal seal on the side of the box, although faded—” The normal world came back now, Lacey’s voice still describing a box that Luna remembered all too well. The cold sensation in her stomach swelled, growing into an icy fear that gripped her chest.

“Hold. Say no more,” Luna said. Lacey Frill stopped in surprise at Luna’s command but complied. Luna’s eyes darted over toward the newsponies. Several of them were paying close attention, much closer than she would have liked. She stepped back, head held high. “The Night Court is hereby adjourned!” she declared loudly, her voice booming through the long hall. “Thank you.” She stepped back towards Lacey Frill, ignoring the exclamations of surprise from the patrons of the court. 

“Move close,” she said with a look towards Lacey and Soft Tone. They stepped towards her and her horn flared with magic, creating a shimmering blue sphere that surrounded them and cut them off from the night court entirely. Luna gave the spell a final tweak, there was a slight nudge that seemed to push against her everywhere all at once, and then with a faint whisper the bubble vanished, revealing her private study. Lacey let out a small gasp, blinking in surprise at the change of scenery.

“You said that you were unsure of what was or wasn’t inside, correct?” Luna asked, her voice sharp in her ears. Lacey shrank back at the tone.“Why did you use those words?” 

“We—well,” she stammered, her face showing equal parts hurt and confusion. “It looks like it was disturbed a few days ago along with everything else when we had the break-in, but—”

“Say no more,” Luna said, turning to face Soft Tone, who was trying to put on an air of calm in the face of what Luna knew was likely alarming behavior. It couldn’t be helped. “Go wake my sister immediately,” Luna said. “Tell her to come with all possible haste. Then call the Captains of each Guard: Royal, Night and Dusk. Tell them to meet my sister and I at the Canterlot Museum. If anypony attempts to stop you, you are acting on my personal authority. Go!” Soft Tone jumped back at her command, nearly dropping her checklist but catching it with a quick burst of magic. Then she spun and galloped out the door, not even bothering to close it.

“We apologize for the rudeness of our—my behavior.” Luna said to Lacey as she shut the door with a quick burst of her magic. “But I am afraid that the news you bear may be ill.”

“But ...” Lacey said, the hurt fading but the confusion still evident in the aged mare’s face. “What ...?”

“We … I know the box of which you speak,” Luna said, sitting back on her haunches on the room's thick carpet. “I am not surprised that it does not have a ...” she paused as she recalled the correct phrase. “A record number for the museum. That box existed long before the museum. Long before Canterlot, in fact.” Part of her saw Lacey sitting down on the floor in front of her, questions etched across her face, but another part of her was seeing a memory, a face from the past. 

“Failsafe was an Earth pony I knew who lived a very, very long time ago.” Her voice grew quieter as memories of the brightly smiling pony flashed through her head. His grating voice. His swagger. “He fancied himself as a treasure hunter, but his true talent lay in hiding things so that almost no pony could find them. The box you speak of was given to him by me almost fifteen centuries ago.” Lacey’s eyes grew wide.

“I told him to hide it,” Luna said, her voice growing in volume again. “Hide it for as long as he could. And he did. Not even I or my sister knew where it was hidden. And with other … things that happened, I forgot about it. But now,” she said as her sister appeared in the room with a soft pop, sleep in her eyes but concern on her face. “You have found it. And you may not have been the first.” 

Luna raised a hoof as Celestia opened her mouth, stopping her sister before she could speak. “Something I thought long buried has been found, sister.” she said. “Something I do not believe we can allow to again be let out of our sight.”


*        *        *


"Horseapples,” the armor-clad pony said as she descended from the sky. “How did you beat me here?”

“I quarter in the barracks,” Steel replied as the charcoal-grey Captain of the Night Guard landed in front of him, causing the two Night Guard outside the Museum History Wing’s entrance to snap to even tighter attention. “It’s not far.”

"Yeah,” the mare replied, pulling her helmet from her head and giving her now vibrant orange mane a little shake. “But I was on duty in the Castle. How’d you beat me here? I have wings.” She slapped her helmet back on and her orange mane immediately faded into a soft grey as the helmet’s enchantment took effect.

“I jumped the wall,” Steel said with a shrug. “The steward told me to be here with all possible haste, so it seemed like the best solution.” He tipped his head at the faintly lit wall around the Canterlot Castle grounds. “Then it was just a quick jog here.”

“Huh,” the pegasus said, ruffling her feathers as she looked at the distant wall. “Nice. As the pegasus flies huh?” She turned back to Steel and extended a hoof. “I’m guessing you’re Captain Song of the Dusk Guard then?”

Steel nodded as he shook hooves with her. “And you must be the infamous Captain Star Shot?”

“Infamous?” The captain said with a laugh. “You must have been talking to that pointy head in charge of what he calls the Royal Guard! Infamous.” She scoffed and ruffled her wings again, then looked at him, her expression suddenly deadpan. “Infamous for what?” There was a moment where Steel wondered exactly how serious the question was before the mare burst out in laughter again, and he followed suit.

“I’m just playing with ya’,” she said, wings flapping as she reached an altitude where she could sock him on the shoulder without reaching up. She took a quick look over at the two Night Guard in front of the Museum door and they both snapped rapid salutes, hooves ringing against their helmets. “So, is Princess Luna already inside?”

“And Princess Celestia,” Steel said, noting the look of surprise on the Pegasus' face. Apparently she wasn’t as stoic as most Guard Captains. He’d heard that the Night Guard was a bit more relaxed than the Royal Guard. There were tales of poker games with Princess Luna and a generally more relaxed nature amongst the guardsponies themselves. Perhaps it was an extension of that.

"Well, I don’t see any flashes of light or hear any battle cries,” Star Shot said. “And Lightning and Dust look ... oh. Hang on—” She flashed the two guards by the door her own salute and they both returned to attention. “There we go. Anyway, they look a little stressed, but they aren’t running and shouting either, so I guess we wait?”

“That’s what they told me,” Steel said. Star Shot cocked an eyebrow. “Standing orders from Princess Luna. We’re not to enter the History Wing until they ask for us.”

“Huh,” Star Shot’s face took on a mischievous grin. “I wonder if any of the other wings connect to the History wing?” She looked over at Steel and rolled her eyes at his obvious disapproval. “What? Like you didn’t think of it. What if we needed to go in and couldn’t use the door?”

There was a loud pop from the center of the courtyard accompanied by a bright purple flash.  Steel turned to face the source of the flash, shifting his weight to his rear hooves just in case, dropping it just as quickly as the pony in the center of the flash came into view. His mane was disheveled and he looked like he was fighting back a yawn, but there was no mistaking the purple armor and two-toned blue mane of Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard.

“Shining, you point,” Star Shot said from beside Steel. She’d jumped into a combat position just as he had, wings out and body low. Not as lax as she acted, then. “One of these days I‘m going to tackle you down for doing that, just so you’ll stop using it surprise me.”

“You’re one to talk, featherbrain,” Shining said, before catching sight of Steel. “Captain Steel,” he said with a nod of his head. “It's nice to see you again.” Shining stepped towards the duo, his eyes running around the courtyard. “Any idea what’s going on?”

Steel shook his head. “The Princesses are both in the History wing, and our instructions are to stand ready until they ask for us.”

“Oh,” Shining said, still looking around the courtyard. “Do we know what’s going on? It’s not changeling-related, is it?”

“The Night Steward mentioned something about the museum finding something that belonged to Princess Luna,” Star Shot volunteered with a shrug. “So I’d think not. I’m personally hoping it turns out to be something exciting. Anything to keep me away from being on duty with Dry Spell.”

“Yeah, alright then,” Shining said, relaxing slightly. “Well, if its not something huge I’m going to have to make it sound like it is,” he said, trying unsuccessfully to hold back a yawn. “Cadance wasn’t exactly amused to be woken near midnight by a messenger beating down our door. If this isn’t serious, somepony will get an earful. Mainly me.”

“Eh, I could just turn Flare loose in the armory again,” Star Shot suggested. “Manufacture a disaster.”

Shining grimaced. “Does he still play with fire that often?”

“He’s still a private, isn’t he?”

Steel watched as the two talked back and forth for a while, exchanging small talk and generally taking light shots at one another. It was apparently an old hat, as neither of them seemed bothered by the endless parade of friendly insults. Occasionally one of them would ask him a question, but as he wasn’t as clued in on the operations of the Guard, he mostly just sat back and waited, constantly running his eyes around the perimeter of the courtyard.

It wasn’t long at all until he spotted what he’d been looking for. The faint silhouette of pegasus wings standing briefly in view on one of the nearby rooftops, faintly outlined by the moonlight. He gave his head an almost imperceptible nod to the left, and the wings gave two sharp twitches at the tip, first the left, then the right, before sinking out of sight. Steel thought for a moment. Left, then right meant that everypony was now in position. If Hunter followed guidelines, there would be a signal if they spotted anything else.

“You’ve been fairly quiet.” Steel turned towards Shining as the pony addressed him. “Don’t feel like you can’t talk with us. Featherbrain here and I are just old friends.”

“Just thinking about the job,” Steel said, turning his eyes back towards his surroundings, trying to mentally work out where the members of his team would be. They’d left Sky Bolt behind, her lack of experience with subterfuge combined with the long hours she was spending putting the finishing touches on her workshop was more than enough reason for Steel to decide to let her rest. Dawn was also absent, since she’d declined to stay in the barracks until it was finished, and therefore was in her home on the other side of Canterlot.

Shining gave a little laugh at Steel’s response. “Ever focused on the proper duty.” He raised a hoof and stifled another yawn, then adjusted his chest plate. “I can't really blame you, not with how often things happen around here.” He paused for a moment, then rubbed the back of his head with one hoof. “So, I know I met you at that meeting a few days ago, but we never got a chance to be formally introduced. I’m Shining Armor.”

“Steel Song,” Steel said, offering a hoof and taking his eyes off the rooftops. Wherever his team was, he wasn’t having any luck spotting them. “Captain of the new Dusk Guard.”

"How’s that going anyway?” Star Shot asked, leaning forward. “I mean, all of the sudden it was like ‘bam,’ new Guard division with some bodyguard pony in charge of it. That pony being you.” She paused for a second as if her own words were sinking in. “No offense meant. I mean some of my guys have talked about seeing you guys out on the training fields. You guys really have a zebra in your guard?”

“Yes,” Steel said, still occasionally darting his eyes towards the rooftops. “His name’s Sabra.”

“Sounds like one tough pony from what I’ve heard,” Star Shot said, sitting back on her haunches. “So what do you guys do anyway? I mean, Luna told me that you’re a special guard unit, but she’s been a bit light on the details.”

“Well,” Steel said with a smile. In the corner of his eye a set of wings appeared, once again silhouetted on the roof. “If Princess Luna hasn’t said anything past that I should probably follow her lead. All I can say officially is that we exist and we’re only for special purposes, so we shouldn’t be stepping on anypony's hooves. We’re not out to replace anypony, just be there if we’re needed.” The wings twitched, first right, then twice left in quick succession, then right again. Somepony was coming from—another twitch of the wings—inside the building.

“Unless you move some of my lieutenants out of their duty offices so you can make use of them,” Shining said with a small chuckle. “No, no,” he said as Steel opened his mouth to respond. “Only one of them had the lack of sense to complain, and he’s currently regretting the statement. We’re always be happy to lend a hoof to fellow Guard, and until that barracks project of yours is done you’ll need an office.”

“Actually,” Steel said as he turned to face the entrance to the museum. “My office is done now, but the rest of the barracks isn’t.”

“You’ve only got what? Six ponies?” Star Shot said. “A whole barracks just for six of you is pretty extreme don’t ya’ think?”

“It’s more than just a barracks,” Steel said as his eyes caught another twitch of movement. One minute to contact. “Everything that makes up our Guard is going to be stored and kept there. Armory, sleeping space, medical, everything.”

“It’s still a lot of space.”

Steel shrugged. “When it’s done stop by sometime and I’ll have Sky Bolt give you the tour. I’m pretty sure you two will get along just fine.” That or despise one another, he added mentally, although the fact that Star Shot was a Captain of the Guard despite her apparent flippant attitude gave him hope for both Sky Bolt and Nova.

The conversation was cut short as the figure of Princess Celestia appeared through the glass doors of the entryway, her white coat almost shining with an internal light. The front doors lit up with a yellow glow as they swung open, allowing the Princess of the Sun to pass. 

“Captain Armor, Captain Star Shot, Captain Song,” Celestia said, addressing them each with a nod of her head. Steel gave the Princess a quick bow as his name was mentioned, noting that the other two captains did so as well. “Please follow me,” the Princess said, turning and striding back through the entryway with a regal grace.

“I am sorry that some of you were roused from your beds,” Celestia said as they walked through the public portions of the Museum, passing displays of ancient Equestrian society. Life-sized wax replicas of famous ponies stared down at them as they went, each dressed in period clothing and stuck in positions of great thought or contemplation. “But the situation is as my sister feared, possibly even worse.” Celestia changed directions, turning away from the main concourse displays towards a large door with a pleasantly colorful sign declaring it “Employees Only.”

“I suppose I should explain what is going on,” Celestia said as they passed through the employee area and started down a flight of stairs. “Earlier this evening the Director of this particular wing of the museum came to the night court to speak with my sister. Apparently they suffered a break-in of some sorts and while cleaning up found an ancient box that belonged to my sister almost fifteen-hundred years ago. A box which had contained a few very valuable magic items. Items which are now missing.”

Celestia reached the bottom of the stairwell and paused by a heavy-set metal door. “These items are … delicate. I will let my sister explain, as she is more recently familiar with them.” The door swung open under the power of her magic and the three ponies filed through it after her.

Steel’s first impression of the room was that it was immensely cavernous. Massive thick steel shelves stretched towards the ceiling some twenty feet above them, laden with row after row of large heavy wooden crates. The shelves stretched out into the distance, almost it seemed to forever, the wide aisles between them lit by the harsh white glow of the magelights above. Hundreds of years of Equestrian history all gathered into one room. Steel took a sniff. It smelled … musty.

Directly ahead of them, Princess Luna sat in the room's lone open space, a single, simple, aged wooden crate sitting open next to her on the floor. Steel could see large, damaged elevator doors behind her, ripped open by some force to lead into what looked like a cargo elevator shaft. Which explained the purpose of the open space: It was a sort of holding area. However, Princess Luna wasn’t looking at the torn apart doors or the wooden crate. Instead her eyes were fixed on two small bits of brown paper she held in her hooves, deep sadness etched on her face. She didn’t even appear to have noticed that anypony else had entered the room.

Celestia gave a polite cough and Luna’s head jerked up. Her eyes were red and her cheeks damp. She blinked a few times, composing herself and setting the two small bits of paper aside, although Steel noticed that she did so with great care.

“Hello, Captains,” Luna said, managing a weak smile. She gave a polite cough and pulled herself up to her full, regal stature. “I apologize for my appearance, this evening has been a trying one for me.” Her eyes darted once more towards the papers and then lit up, as if something about the ancient looking scraps had inspired a fire in her heart. 

She stepped forward, waving towards the aged wooden crate at her side. “The crate that sits before you is almost empty save for one item and its accompanying packing materials. My sister and I do not know how it came to be in the possession of the Canterlot National Museum. What we do know is that the last time it was seen—by our recollection—it was given to the care of an earth pony named Failsafe who was instructed to hide it. He complied, and with events that transpired over the next several hundred years, we lost track of it, and thought it lost forever.”

She began to pace around the crate, looking down into its depths. “And yet here it is. Despite having been lost for over a millenium, and being confined to the back of an underground storage in the Canterlot Museum, someone tracked this crate down, broke into the museum, and emptied it of nearly all its contents. Which, given the one item that was left,” she said, pulling a long gem or crystal—Steel wasn’t sure which—from within the crates expanse. “Is even more mystifying.” 

She held it in the air, rotating it slowly. It looked to be, by Steel’s estimate, about as long as his foreleg, thin on one end but widening towards the other. It had clearly been cut and polished, although he didn’t know enough about gems or crystals to even hazard a guess as to what type of cut it was. The most peculiar thing about it however, was that it seemed to be glowing with an inner light of it’s own, a faintly purple-pink pulsing that contrasted with the Princesses own blue magic glow.

“There were only four items inside this crate when I sealed it,” Luna said, stepping towards the captains once more. “This crystal was one of them. The only surviving fragment of the legendary Crystal Empire.”

“The what?” The words had come, surprisingly enough, from Shining Armor. “Begging your pardon Princess, but isn’t the Crystal Empire a myth?”

“Only because we have made it so, Shining,” Princess Celestia said, speaking at last. “The Crystal Empire fell, corrupted by fear, enslaved by hate. My sister and I tried to save it, but we failed, and it was removed from time by a spell we could not counter.” She took the floating crystal from her sister, looking at its polished depths. “This was the only fragment of that empire that survived. It is tied to the Empire still, however faintly.”

“Which is why we hid the fragment and all knowledge of the Crystal Empire’s existence,” Luna said. “The Crystal Empire was powerful, as was the evil that overcame it. To unleash one early would have unleashed the other, a fact many followers of fear and darkness were willing to exploit, and would be willing to exploit for centuries afterward. We had to let the seal weaken on its own. But we couldn’t trust that to happen on its own, and so we worked to remove every trace of its existence. Today, there are few who know that the Crystal Empire once truly existed.”

“That’s ...” Shining stepped back, a dazed look on his face. “An entire nation, just erased? But what of them?”

"They are trapped apart from time,” Celestia said. “When the curse finally breaks, it will be for them as if the centuries have never happened.”

“And that will be soon, won’t it?” Steel asked as the events he’d seen in the news started to line up in his head.  He looked up at Celestia. “The Crystal Mountains. That’s why you’re building the rail line to the north. You’re preparing for the return of the Crystal Empire, making sure things are ready.”

Celestia nodded, and Steel’s eyes widened. “You’re correct, Captain Song. The laying of the Northern Line is in anticipation of the Empire’s return.”

“So you’re saying, your highness, that you and your sister know when this place is going to come back?” Star Shot asked, leaning forward and gently tapping the crystal with one hoof. Luna frowned and pulled the crystal back.

“Not necessarily,” Celestia said. “My sister and I can only tell that the spell is finally reaching its weakest moments. The Crystal Empire could appear tomorrow, or it could appear years from now. We cannot tell, although having this—” she nodded towards the floating Crystal, “—may make knowing somewhat easier.”

“So if it’s coming back anytime now, what makes this hunk of rock so important?” Star Shot asked.

“Because,” Luna said, carefully setting the crystal down on the floor, or close to it. It simply hung in the air an inch above the ground emitting its strange pulses. “One could break the spell early if they knew where to go—”

“I thought you said that you couldn’t break the enchantment?” Star Shot said.

Luna fixed her with a stern glare. “As I was saying, one could break the spell by going to its nexus and freeing the one who enchanted it to begin with. This piece of the Crystal Empire ...” she said, setting one hoof on the top of the crystal, making it bob slightly. “This piece is connected to the others, even separated in time as they are. Which was why we hid it away in the first place. The followers of the one who cursed the Crystal Empire were trying to find it in order to set him free.”

“Are they still around?” Steel asked. “Could they have been the ones who broke in?”

"Doubtful,” Luna said with a shake of her head. “Had it been them, they surely would have left the keys and taken only this. They would have had no use for the keys.”

“So these ‘keys’ are what was stolen then?” Shining Armor asked.

“Yes,” Luna said. Her horn lit up and the image of three small gems appeared in the air. “These are the keys.” Luna said, floating the images down towards the three guards. “As best as I can remember them.”

Steel looked at the foremost image. It was a large cone, not as large as the crystal had been but wider at the base. There were fuzzy markings along the outside of the cone's shape, likely because Luna couldn’t remember exactly what it looked like. A quick look at the bottom showed that the cone was hollow, with the center space being shaped so that a hoof could use it.

The other two were even less distinct. They looked almost incomplete, and not just because they were fuzzy around the edges. They almost looked like—

“I see it, these two go together don’t they?” Star Shot’s hoof went through one of the images.

“Yes, they do,” Luna said. “If I remember correctly, there was a third piece as well, but we never found it.” The two incomplete pieces vanished, leaving only the large cone-shaped piece.

“What are they keys to?” Shining Armor asked.

“An ancient prison,” Celestia said. “For a very dangerous individual. For now, we must assume that the thief was after these keys. To assume anything less would be foolish.”

“Which,” Luna said. “Raises a multitude of other questions. No one at the museum has admitted knowledge of this crate, and neither I nor my sister knew of its existence. A powerful enchantment designed to subdue any living creature that attempted to open the chest was completely intact.” She looked at the three members of the Guard and Steel subconsciously stiffened. “As of right now, this theft is your highest priority. We cannot let these keys leave Equestria. We are fortunate enough that our thief decided to leave the Crystal Empire fragment behind, but we cannot let the keys out of our sight.”

Luna looked down on the three and Steel could feel the weight of her millenia of existence pressing down on him. “Use what resources you have at your disposal. Find those who are responsible for this theft, and with them, find the keys.”
> Training - Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4


“Alright everpony, take five!” Steel shouted, his loud voice echoing across the training field. Hunter relaxed his shoulders, falling out of the strange positioning that Dawn had put each of them in as part of their post-morning workout stretch. He had to admit, even though the stretches were a little strange, he did feel better when they were done.

“Hunter, my office!” Steel called. “Everypony else, get a drink, loosen up anything that’s still tweaking, and stay here, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Hunter?”

“Yeah Boss?” Hunter said, arching his back.

“Make sure everything is good here and then meet me.” Steel turned and broke into an easy jog across the training field.

Hunter nodded, although Steel wouldn’t see it, and then turned to look at the rest of the team. They’d broken ranks the moment Steel had given the all clear, and each were doing their own thing. Sabra was—predictably enough—still blindfolded, only now that the post-workout stretch was over he seemed to be doing some of his own, balancing on the tip of his staff. Even after nearly two weeks of the silent zebra’s skillful talents, Hunter still found himself staring in awe. Blindly balancing on a staff was one thing, but doing strength and flexibility motions … Hunter shook his head as Sabra seamlessly switched legs, the leg he had just been standing on stretching out behind his body.

The rest of the team's efforts were far more ordinary. Nova was lying on the grass as usual, still panting from the intensity of the workout. Dawn was performing a few extra stretches nearby, although Hunter could see that she was still keeping an eye on the younger unicorn, checking to make sure he wasn’t being over-trained. So far, it looked like she was doing her job. Nova was already showing the signs of muscle build-up across his entire body, his form looking far leaner than it had been two weeks earlier when they’d first picked him up in Appleloosa. Granted, the colt had just spent a few weeks locked in a jail cell, but Hunter didn’t doubt that in another few weeks Nova was going to be in better shape than he’d ever been.

Sky Bolt was shadow-boxing to one side, already practicing the Tempest forms that he had been showing her. She was far from skilled. Her balance was still off and she tended to want to throw far more powerful strikes than were called for into her offense, something that would leave her off-balance and off-center. But she was learning. Given how recently she'd started learning Tempest, along with everything else she had been doing, her progress so far was impressive. As he watched, she finished up yet another set of practice forms and stood there, chest heaving in and out, wings limp at her sides. Hopefully Dawn was keeping an eye on her. If there was anypony on the team that would work themselves into an injury, it would be Sky Bolt. Youth, energy, and inexperience usually went hoof-in-hoof with disaster.

Hang on, what’s that? Sky Bolt had gone into another stretch, but she’d turned around for some—oh, well I guess that explains it, Hunter thought as Sky Bolt fixed her eyes on Sabra, visibly exhausted but with a smile on her face. And not a standard I’m-happy-to-be-alive smile either. It was the smile of a mare with a mission.

Well, Hunter thought as he took wing and headed for the barracks, enjoying the cool feel of the air as it rushed over him. Should I warn the kid? Naw, he thought with a grin. It’ll be much more fun to watch. Something like that shouldn’t be a problem. A small chill ran through his body, making his shudder as he came in to land in front of the barracks. Then again, best keep an eye on it. He thought. Anytime I start thinking ‘what’s the worst that could happen’ things go and gobsmack me.

The barracks was silent, and it felt like an unusual occurrence after the last week or so of constant noise from the construction crew. Hunter headed straight for Steel’s office, set in the corner of the massive building just as the old office had been, although quite a bit larger than the original design. There were a few other modifications as well, some for simplicity and ease, while others were for privacy. Steel had even made sure that the windows he’d put in were double-paned and enchanted so that sound would have difficulty escaping. Hunter thought the potential for secrecy was a bit much, but then again, it never hurt to be prepared. Besides, he’d bet a wingfeather that Nova could sneak in even if they posted guards.

“Hey boss,” Hunter said, pushing the door open. “What’s up?

“Business,” Steel said, his expression grim. “Guard business. Take a seat.”

Hunter dropped into the seat, his grin sliding off his face. “What kind of business?”

“Technically,” Steel said, sliding a folder marked “TOP SECRET” across the desk at him, “I think we could count it as our first official mission.”

“This have to do with out little trip to the museum last night?” Hunter asked as he flipped open the folder. A few slips of paper slid out, each one bearing simple ink sketches. “What are these?” he said, looking down at the topmost sketch.

“Those are sketches made by Princess Luna herself,” Steel said.

Hunter’s eyebrows shot up. "They’d probably be worth a pretty penny on the market,” he said as he flipped to the next picture. The first had been several drawings of a strangely marked cone from a variety of angles, and the second looked like it was following in the same theme, although this time of a smaller, partial piece.

“So are the items themselves,” Steel said with a light shrug of his olive shoulders. “According to Luna they’re keys of some kind. Neither her nor her sister would elaborate on for what, but they’re ancient, and of course, now missing. Somepony,” he said, tapping his desk with one hoof, “broke into the Canterlot Museum a few days ago, without anypony seeing them, found the crate that had these, which not even the Princesses knew was there, stole the keys and left. And somehow managed to circumvent a powerful spell that Luna had put on the crate designed to incapacitate anypony who opened it.”

“Crikey,” Hunter muttered as he looked down at the pictures. “That’s a lot of security for the keys to the house or whatever. So she wants us to track them down?” he asked as he looked up at Steel, his mind racing. “You know we’re not ready for that yet.”

Steel nodded. “I agree with you, it’s a little too early. Technically, all divisions of the Guard are on this one, although the information is restricted, so don’t go spreading it around.”

Hunter looked down at the pictures again. “So let me get this straight. Somepony broke into the museum, I’d assume through that big hole in the elevator doors we saw that night, found a box that nopony knew about—am I on the right track so far?” he asked, waiting for for Steel’s nod before continuing. “Alright, then after they find the box, they steal everything in it—”

“Not everything actually,” Steel said with a sideways shake of his grey mane. “There was something else in the crate, but I’m not at liberty to say what it was. However, I can tell you that the Princesses were mystified that the thief left it. They both considered it more valuable than the keys.”

“So ...” Hunter said, lining the new information up in his brain. “Our thief breaks into a powerfully bespelled box that they shouldn’t have been able to, only to leave the most valuable item and escape without a trace.”

Steel nodded. “You got it.”

Hunter whistled through his teeth. “Ok, it’s a ripper.” He looked back down at the drawings. “So either our thief is either an amatuer, or they only wanted the keys,” he said with a sigh, “So I’m guessing you want me to add this to my pile then?”

“If you could,” Steel said, sitting back and kneading his brow with both hooves. “Although I don’t expect you to spend too much time on it. We’re already spread thin as it is trying to get everypony prepared for an actual mission, and the other Guard divisions are going to be looking into it. But if you checked out the museum sometime, it couldn’t hurt.”

“Can’t do any harm.” Hunter dropped the file back onto the desk. “I’ll take a look at it. Although,” he said as a thought occurred to him. “It’s possible that the train thefts and this theft are connected.”

“A trial run?” Steel asked, still massaging his temples.

“Maybe,” Hunter said, giving his head a sideways title and giving his tongue a click. “But without any evidence it’d be hard to connect the two crimes. Still, it may be something.” He looked up at his boss where he sat, elbows on his desk, rubbing his head. “You alright, Steel?”

“I’m fine,” Steel said, waving one hoof. “Just a lack of sleep combined with all the pressure of getting everything going.”

“If you’ve got a headache, you should talk to Dawn,” Hunter suggested. “Or take a break.”

Steel shook his head. “The latter sounds tempting. Maybe I’ll take the night off and go see my sister’s family. She was supposed to get in last night, and I could use a break.”

“Why not now?” Hunter asked.

“Because of what we’re about to do,” Steel said dropping his hooves and looking up. “It was a little last minute, but I managed to talk Captain Armor into letting us do a little team-training exercise today.”

“Uh-oh,” Hunter said, the words slipping out of his mouth as he sat forward. “We haven’t even started with tactics and team-based operations yet.”

“Exactly why we’re going to be taking on the Royal Guard today,” Steel said, standing and heading for the door. “So that when I sit everypony down to explain to them about tactics and teamwork, I’ll have personal events to remind them of, not just theories.”

“Well them,” Hunter said, backflipping out of his chair with a twist of his wings to follow the large stallion. “What’s the big event that we’ll be needing the Royal Guard for?”

Steel smiled. “It's—”


*        *        *


“Capture the flag?” Nova asked. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing from the captain’s mouth. “Seriously? What’s capture the flag going to do for us?”

Captain Song fixed a glare at him. “You got a problem with capture the flag, specialist?”

Nova knew what that tone meant. “No, sir,” he said, although he couldn’t quite keep his voice from sounding slightly impudent. “It’s just—”

“It’s just what?” Captain Song asked, stepping right up to Nova and towering over him.

“It's just that it’s a foal’s game,” Nova said, trying to not be intimidated by the old earth pony.

“A foal's game?” he asked. He stared down at Nova for a few moments. “Maybe you’re right.” Something about the captain’s tone started setting off alarm bells in the back of his head. “Maybe I’m just wasting all our time.”

Yep, Nova thought. I’m dead. Dead, dead, dead. The look he was getting now reminded him of one he’d once seen a dog give a sleeping cat. “Sir, permission to retract my previous statement?” he asked. His own voice sounded deflated in his ears.

 	“Denied,” Captain Song said, still smiling at him. “But I’ll make you a deal, Nova. Win this game of capture the flag, and you can have tomorrow off. In fact,” he said, looking at the rest of the Dusk Guard. “You can all have the day off, barring a certain fitting we have scheduled for tomorrow morning. But if you lose ...” he said, turning back to Nova. “Then you, Nova, will owe me a favor. I might decide to make it you taking over my cleaning shift for the barracks some week.”

That ... doesn’t sound so bad, Nova thought, although he didn’t say it, instead managing a calm “Yes, sir.” He’d already said enough to antagonize the old stallion, and the soreness in his hooves was more than enough of a reminder of his previous punishments.

“Good,” Captain Song said, backing up and addressing the entire Guard once more. “Now here’s how it’s going to work. It’s going to be all six of us against two Squads of Royal Guard.” Nova’s eyes darted to the other members of the group. Sabra and Sky Bolt, at least, seemed as confused as he was about how many Guard that accounted to. “That’s twenty-four Royal Guard,” the Captain explained, although he didn’t seem annoyed by anyone's lack of knowledge.

Nova felt his stomach drop a little. Twenty-four against six? A cold chill broke out on his back. Six-on-six would have been easy, crud, six-on-twelve wouldn’t have been a problem. But six against twenty-four?

“You two look a little ill,” Hunter said, shaking Nova from his thoughts.

“Twenty-four?” Sky Bolt said, sounding a little shocked. Then her ears perked up and her wings snapped out. “I’ll bet we can do it!”

“What about you Nova?” Hunter asked, looking towards him. “What do you think?”

Nova’s mind raced, and in moments he had the answer. “I think—” he said, slapping a confident grin onto his face, “—that when the Night Guard was trying to catch me a few years back they dispatched a whole platoon to get me and couldn’t manage it. Almost fifty ponies against me, and they still couldn’t shut me down. Twenty-four?” He let out a small laugh. “We’re going to mop them up.”

Sky Bolt gave a small cheer and did a backflip in the air. “Yeah! We’re gonna rock these guys!”

“Alright, alright, settle down everypony,” Captain Song said, raising a hoof and bringing order back to the group. “I’m not done explaining everything just yet. This will be full contact rules with training equipment, first of all.”

As Steel continued his quick run over the rules Nova was only half focused on what was being said. There was a roiling in his gut, not that he would ever admit it to anypony. He knew what he’d had to do to escape that platoon years ago. He never wanted to go through that again. He’d taken every precaution to make sure that he wasn’t ever in the same situation again. Which meant that if it came down to it today he’d have to—No. Cross that bridge when you get there. He took a quick look back at the Cutie Mark on his flank. It was always there, reminding him of what he’d almost done that night. He almost shuddered, but kept it in check. He had an image to maintain.

“Any questions?” the Captain was saying, running his eyes over the team. Nova quickly ran over the list of items that he’d only been half-listening to in his head. Nope. He gave his head a shake, a motion the rest of the team began to share. One capture, with recovery, no holds barred with training equipment.

The team began following Steel and Hunter towards another part of the training grounds, Sky Bolt and Hunter taking wing overhead, the rest of the group and Nova breaking into a trot. Should I grab a weapon? He thought about it for a moment as they walked, but quickly decided that he’d best not. The only training he’d ever had with a weapon was using his magic to improvise, but that wasn’t the best option anymore.

“You know,” he said, the words slipping out of his mouth as the team rounded the building that housed the obstacle course and saw the the concourse that had been set up for the capture the flag exercise. “When I was a colt at the orphanage, we just played in a back lot.”

“Really?” Sky Bolt said as she stopped and looked at him in surprise. “You grew up in an orphanage?”

“I started there,” Nova said, walking past the grey mare towards what was clearly more than just a simple field for some friendly games of capture the flag. No, Nova thought. Unless I’m missing a lot here, this is a dedicated field built just for capture the flag!

The field itself was about the size of a standard hoofball field, which by itself gave the field plenty of space. It was also, Nova could see as they drew closer, recessed into the ground by about ten feet, giving ponies around the edge of the field a better view. It was also completely unlike any field he would have expected to see.

The first thing that he noticed were the trees. There were actual, large trees growing all over on the field, springing up from the dirt with widespread leafy canopies. Then there were the walls. Some of them were chest high, others ran all the way up to ground level, almost ten feet. There were small buildings. Simple, basic wooden things, but buildings nonetheless. There was even a tall, wooden tower, looking like a mast that had lost its ship, sitting in the center of the field, a small platform at its peak.

“Wow!” Sky Bolt said, flying past him and out over the field. “This. Is. Awesome!” She darted back to the rest of the group, the sudden rush of air from her flight rustling Nova’s mane. “Did they make all this just for capture the flag?” She let out a hoot of laughter and did another little flip in the air. “I like the way these ponies think!”

“Actually, we did build it for capture the flag,” an armor clad member of the Royal Guard said, his voice booming as he climbed up a steep set of stairs from the field. “Staff Sergeant Blitz, referee, at your service.” He threw Steel a quick salute, hoof snapping up with crisp precision to rest next to his horn. His coat, Nova noted, was the customary enchanted color of the Royal Guard, although the white was a little off thanks to some smudged dirt.

“At ease, staff sergeant,” Captain Song said with a smile, returning the salute. “You feel like explaining to my team exactly why it looks like your hoofball field was overtaken by a mad architect?”

The sergeant laughed and plucked his helmet from his head, changing his eyes from the ubiquitous teal of the guard to a more relaxed dark green. “Simple really. It was a hoofball field for a long time. One that hardly ever got used as I hear it. Then about thirty years ago somepony suggested using it for a capture the flag match to settle a grudge between two Guard platoons.” He waved a hoof at the field. “The place was kind of a mess anyway. Hoofball was popular, but not popular enough that the field got used everyday. So they set up some training barriers, established a few rules, and let the grudge match go.”

“Who won?” Sky Bolt asked.

The Sergeant shrugged. “Don’t know, didn’t really matter. What did matter is that the next day when the platoons came back to clean it up, they found a whole bunch of off-duty Guard playing their own game of capture the flag So they put off fixing it up, and the whole idea caught on more and more until the Guard just gave up and turned it into a full-time capture the flag field.” He put his helmet back on, his eyes fading back into the teal of a Royal Guard. “Anyway, now it’s a big thing between the Guard every year. We’ve got teams, a tourney. Winning team gets a gag trophy, losing team gets to redesign and rebuild the field for the next year.”

“Wow,” Nova said, looking down at the field. “You guys rebuild this thing every year?”

The sergeant nodded. “Yep. Except for the trees. We can’t really move those easily, so they’re more or less permanent. The rest of it we just tear down and build elsewhere. Anyway, this year's setup is pretty nice. The team you guys will be playing against is already down at the far end there,” he said, pointing. “So that means you guys have the run of your half of the field. Flag placement for this game is going to be fixed; you’ll see the pedestal in your base. Did your captain explain the rules of the engagement?” He waited as each member of the group nodded.

“Alright then,” Blitz stepped back but then spoke up again, his booming voice so loud that Nova folded his ears back. “Then let me just reiterate one core rule. This is a game, skill notwithstanding. If anypony on the other team is badly injured in a manner that was not accidental, your team automatically loses and a punishment recommendation will be made to your senior officer. This is a game. And while it may be for training purposes, it is still supposed to be fun. We use training weapons and armor, so each engagement is considered a spar. If you take a blow that in the real world would incapacitate you, we expect you to play fair and go down.”

Blitz paused for a moment, frowning and giving Nova’s ears time to recover. “Oh!” the Sergeant said, eyes lighting up. “One other thing I forgot to mention. As the ref, I’ll be on the field to observe and make calls,”

Well there’s no way we’ll miss you calling it, Nova thought, still folding back his ears under the  stallion’s high volume onslaught.

“So that means,” the sergeant continued, not privy to Nova’s observations. “You’ll need to be able to identify me so that you don’t mistake me for a member of the other team.” The guard's horn gave a quick flash and the color of his armor changed, switching from the customary burnished gold to a more startling vivid red. “I’ll be maintaining this enchantment for the duration of the game, and it’s against the rules to mimic a ref, so no worries there. Anyhow,” he said, giving Captain Song a quick salute. “I’ll be in the middle of the field, signal me when you’re ready to start!” There was a pop and a flash as the stallion teleported away, presumably to somewhere on the field.

“Alright team!” Hunter yelled, swinging his hat on one hoof before slamming it back down on his head and flying out over the field. “Who’s ready for this?”

Nova took another look out at the field. No armor and—hay, he didn’t even have a weapon other than his magic. Against a whole platoon of Royal Guard with armor, training, and experience. Then again … He ran his eyes over the field. Trees. Mock buildings. Walls. There were larger, open spaces, but also plenty of places he could sneak around in. I can make this work, he thought as he took in the lay of the field. Just like the old days. Sneak, stay hidden, strike when unexpected.


*        *        *


“Alright,” Captain Song said, calling Nova’s attention along with the rest of the group. “Is everypony ready?”

The team was standing around their flag in what was effectively their “home base.” It wasn’t much, just an open square field of hard-packed dirt surrounded by a chest high wall. The back end of the base, which was up against the end of the field, had a raised wooden tower that stood about twenty feet off of the ground. A solitary rope ladder on the backside was the only on hoof route to reach the top, so anypony who was keeping watch wouldn’t be able to quickly reach the flag if something went wrong, nor could a pony down below simply pop up to take a look every few seconds.

“I think I’m good to go,” Sky Bolt said, flexing her wings.

“Mimi niko tayari,” Sabra said, his staff carefully balanced in his hooves. He shook his head and gave a small embarrassed smile as everypony looked at him in confusion and then spoke again, this time in his melodic Equestrian. “I am ready.”

“Ready.” Dawn said. She didn’t look ready to Nova’s eyes, but then again there was something about the way she seemed so confident about the coils of rope on her back that made him second guess the thought.

“I’m ready too,” he said, grinning. He’d already figured out what looked like a great optimal route to get to the other team's flag. The left side of the field had two wooden buildings, three trees and a whole host of low walls, bushes, and ditches from the look of it, and that meant plenty of places for him to hide his distinctive purple coat.

“Ok then,” Captain Song said with a nod towards Hunter. “Do you have any tactical assignment?” Hunter had taken wing a few minutes earlier and flown up high, getting a good view of the other team and terrain. Of course the other team had done the same thing, although with three pegasi instead of one. As far as Nova had been paying attention, apparently it was a common tactic. The only thing they couldn’t do was cross the middle line before the game started.

“You bet,” Hunter said. He began to scratch lines in the sand, quickly making a small, loose sketch of the field. “Alright,” Hunter said, tapping the respective ends of the field. “We’re here, and their team is here. We’ve got buildings here—” he scratched several squares on the field, “—and trees here.” Another few marks went onto the burgeoning map. “Now, the right side of the field seems more open, so Steel, you should probably head that way. See if you can goad some of them into attacking you, try and thin their numbers a bit. Meanwhile, Sabra should hang out around here,” he said, tapping the center of the map. “Try to hang back a bit so you can protect our flag if things get hairy.”

“Now, you two,” Hunter said, pointing towards Nova and Sky Bolt. “I want you both to try and work your way up the left side.” Nova nodded in agreement as Hunter tapped the map. “There are a lot of bushes and ditches, plus those buildings, so the two of you should be able to stay fairly well concealed.”

“What about flying?” Sky Bolt asked.

“Up to you,” the captain said, Hunter nodding in agreement. “But I wouldn’t risk it.”

“I got a good look at the other team,” Hunter explained. “Ten of them are pegasi. Eleven Unicorns. Three Earth ponies. Plus the team leader, a unicorn from the look of him. If you take to the air and get too high you’re just going to get taken out, or at the very least give away your position.”

“Alright,” Sky Bolt said, turning towards Nova. “Looks like it’s you and me, tough guy. You ready to show off your thieving skills?”

“Sneaking isn't exactly thieving,” Nova said. “But yeah, I think this’ll go fine.”

Sky Bolt rolled her eyes. “Capture the flag? Totally stealing!” She grinned and looked at Hunter. “We’ve got this, sir.”

“Good,“ Hunter said, turning towards Dawn. “Which brings me to you, Dawn. I want you to hang back and guard the flag. I know you’re absolutely terrifying with ropes—”

Nova let out a snigger at Hunter’s words and the lieutenant choked, strangling off whatever he had been about to say with a forced cough that was a poor cover for a fit of laughter. Steel and Dawn both fixed Nova with a glare.

“For the record,” Nova said, trying not to laugh himself as Hunter coughed a few more times, “I didn’t say it.”

“One mile, after the game,” Captain Song said, still giving him a stoic glare. “And you owe Sergeant Major Triage an apology.”

“Sorry, sergeant major,” Nova said, although he still couldn’t keep a straight expression.

“Apology accepted, specialist,” Dawn said, giving him a glare that could have cut ice. “Remember this next time you come in for a physical. I have some very large needles.” Hunter shuddered at her words, the smile vanishing from his face. “Please continue,” Dawn said, turning back towards the suddenly serious pegasus.

“Right, as I was saying, I want you to hang back and guard the flag,” Hunter said. “You’re good with traps, and you’re a pacifist—” Nova’s eyebrows rose, along with Sky Bolt's. That wasn’t something they’d heard before. “—so I doubt you’d want to take offensive action anyway.”

“Either role is fine with me,” Dawn said, coyly batting her eyes. “But I think guarding the flag will be a bit more fun.”

There was a loud pop as a magical bolt exploded in the sky over the other end of the field. “Other team's ready,” Hunter said, taking one last look at the map. “I’ll operate as overwatch and try to help out where I can. Boss, you have anything to add?”

The Captain shook his head. “Looks good to me,” he said, scuffing over the map with his hoof. “Everypony stay sharp out there. I don’t know who we’re going up against, so I don’t have any idea what their strategies and tactics will be like. I would expect them to try a fast assault at first, then a few probing maneuvers to see how we respond. That’s the usual standard Guard tactic when facing somepony for the first time. Once the game starts, we’ll have thirty seconds before either team is allowed to cross the middle line. Use that thirty seconds as best you can to get the lay of the land near your position."

"Remember,” he said, looking at each one of them. “They can afford to lose a few ponies. We can’t. If you get in over your head, call for support, fall back, or both. Don’t jump into something you can’t handle. That said—” his face lighting up with a smug grin, “—the Dusk Guard is supposed to be the best there is. So when it counts, let them know it.” He looked around at the group. “Any last questions before Dawn fires off the ready?”

“Yeah, I’ve got one,” Nova said, surprising himself with his own initiative.

Captain Song looked at him in surprise. Either he hadn’t expected a response or he hadn’t been expecting him to say anything after his joke. “Alright Nova, what is it?”

Nova grinned. No sense in backing off now. “Do we have a slogan, sir? A catch-phrase? Something to shout?”

“Aaaahhh-no,” The Captain said, a look of genuine surprise on his face. “Any suggestions?”

“Yippee ki-yay?” Hunter offered, only to deflate under the captain’s look. “Drat. Worth a try.”

“Why not just ‘For the Princesses?’” Sky Bolt asked, making a face as soon as the words left her mouth. “Nevermind, I answered my own question.”

“Did you have an idea?” Captain Song asked, turning back towards Nova.

“Not really,” Nova said, shrugging. “‘Catch me if you can, losers’ used to be my phrase of choice—”

“Hey, if you got the flag, that’d work,” Sky Bolt said with a grin. “Let know they got robbed by the master!” 

Nova rolled his eyes. “It’s not quite a slogan though,” he said. “More of a taunt.”

“Well then for now lets not worry about it,” Captain Song said. “Although I like the idea. If anypony thinks of anything let me know. We’re going to need one eventually.” He stuck his hoof out. “Ready?”

Nova stuck his own hoof out, followed by Hunter, Sky Bolt, Dawn, and last of all and looking slightly confused by the gesture, Sabra. “Ready,” Nova said. He could already feel the adrenaline building in him, like a charge of magic, but running through every muscle.

“Alright then. Dusk Guard?” Captain Song looked at each one of them. “Let's win this.” Everypony lifted their hooves, and broke, Sabra following suit a second later. A burst of light shot into the air from Dawn’s horn and exploded high above them.

“Don’t worry about it,” Nova overheard Sky Bolt say to Sabra as an answering bolt of magic flew up from the tower in the center of the field. “It’s just something you do before a game. I don’t get it myself.”

“Alright, everypony!” Hunter yelled as the bolt of magic exploded with a pop. “The game is on!”
> Training - Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5


Nova had barely found a good hiding place when he spotted the first group of Royal Guard. He crouched low, willing the bushes he’d taken cover in to conceal him from any prying eyes. Sky Bolt was somewhere behind him; he’d told her to find a hiding place near him and follow his lead, but he hadn’t looked back to see where she was.

Hunter had failed to mention a crucial detail of the field in his aerial reconnaissance report. That or he just hadn’t noticed it. A wide, deep trench ran straight through the middle of the field, dividing the two teams. Fortunately, it was dry thanks to the warmth of the summer, but it still was going to prove difficult to cross without being spotted. Especially with a group of Royal Guard already on the far side, watching and waiting for the thirty second countdown to end. 

Nova took a quick tally. Six pegasi, three unicorns. Nine in total. Not something he could engage without risking getting taken out. He wasn’t even sure he could take on one Guard, let alone nine.

His mental countdown came to an end and moments later there was a loud bang from the center of the field. That was the signal, the teams could officially engage now. Still, he saw no reason to move just yet. The bushes he was hiding in were well covered and shaded by one of the field’s oaks, which would keep him from being spotted by air. A few nearby low walls gave him plenty of options for movement without being seen if he needed it. No, for now he’d wait.

There was a crack behind him and he fought the impulse to spin around. Fortunately the Royal Guard were talking amongst themselves, so they didn’t appear to have heard the noise. Nova eased his head back as there was another rustle behind him. Sky Bolt was trying to make her way into the bush with him, her wings tangling with the brush.

“Pull your wings in,” he said, his voice as low and quiet as possible. “And don’t whisper, just keep your voice low and quiet,” he said as she opened her mouth.

“Why low and quiet?” she asked as he carefully pulled one of the branches back so she could close her wing.

“Because low and quiet doesn’t hiss like a whisper,” Nova said, turning his eyes back to the Guard. They looked like they were getting ready for something. “Call it a whisper if you want, but don’t hiss. The hiss carries.”

“Got it,” Sky Bolt said, moving up alongside him and still managing to make—to his ears—an unbelievable amount of noise. “That’s a lot of Guard.”

“Shh,” Nova said, and Sky Bolt gave him an annoyed look. He ignored it. What were those Guard—ah. He understood now. They were airlifting the Unicorns. 

Each pegasus had grabbed a unicorn’s foreleg in their hooves, and one by one each of the unicorns was lifting from the ground, each supported by two pegasi. One of the trios peeled off and headed towards the right end of the field, kicking up dust in their wake. They were heading for near where Steel was supposed to be. The other trios moved towards the left side, one backing up into their own territory and the other heading past Nova and Sky Bolt’s hiding place further down the field.

“What are they doing?” Sky Bolt asked. This time her voice was low.

“What else?” Nova asked as the two pegasi still on their side of the field came down and dropped the unicorn on the roof of one of the field's simple buildings. “They’re setting up a watch.” He turned and checked the sister building on their own side. Just as with the other building, the two pegasi set down the unicorn and then broke off, heading towards midfield.

“Three buildings, three unicorns,” Sky Bolt mused, a hoof under her chin. “They’ve got a way of signalling to each other?”

“You bet,” Nova said, looking at the guard on their side of the field. The unicorn was already looking across the area, one hoof up to shield his eyes from the sun. “These guys are going to be coordinating—or at least telling their team—everything.” His words were confirmed as the unicorn’s horn lit up, flashing in a series of four colors.

“You know what that means?” Sky Bolt asked as the unicorn’s horn continued flashing.

Nova shook his head. “Nope, but I do think I know what to do first.”

Sky Bolt grinned. “Take him out?” she suggested with a flare of her wings that made the bushes rustle. Nova held his breath at the movement, but the unicorn was looking the other way. Without a word he raised his hoof and pushed one of her wings shut, shaking his head. She nodded and the other wing popped back into place.

“No, that’d be too obvious,” Nova said once her wings were back in place. “I’ve got a better idea.” He took a quick look at the terrain between them and the dividing ditch. Low walls, bushes … bingo. His eyes settled on a large tree that was sitting right on the far edge of the field. “Alright,” he said, plan already in mind. “You see that tree?”

“Yeah, we going to it?” Sky Bolt asked, already inching forward.

“Absolutely not,” Nova said with a small shake of his head. “Because that’s exactly where they’ll expect somepony to try and cross.”

“But that’s the only covered spot.”

“Exactly. Only covered spot,” Nova said, giving her a smug grin. “Not the only blind spot. Now trust a thief who never got caught and follow me exactly.” As he gently pushed his way out of the brush, making sure that he was low enough to the ground that the unicorn on their side wouldn’t see him through the wall, he heard a loud yell followed by a series of crashing noises from the right side of the field.

“You think that was Steel?” Sky Bolt asked, mimicking his movements as best she could. It struck him as ironic that of the two of them, the one with the darkish purple coat and fiery red mane and tail was the least likely to be spotted.

“Probably,” Nova said, pushing away his observations of Sky Bolt’s passable attempts at stealth. “I wouldn’t want to be those guys right about now.”


*        *        *


The first guard tumbled back in the dirt, rolling onto his back in a vain attempt to ease his meeting with the ground. The sharp sound of the impact as Steel’s hoof had met the guard’s armor, coupled with the distance the unicorn had been thrown, seemed to have stunned the remainder of his attackers.

Amateur mistake, Steel thought as he stepped forward towards the next closest guard, bringing his right hoof up in a quick blow to the side of the guards head. Now go the most maneuverable. 

The pegasus' helmet did its job, metal flexing under the blow from Steel’s hoof, but the impact was more than enough to stun the poor pony. By the time his teammates had collected themselves enough to move forward, Steel had wrapped his hooves under the dazed pegasus and tossed him on his back near his still gasping comrade.

There was a bright flash nearby as the referee teleported in to keep a close eye on the action. The remainder of the group, two unicorns and one earth pony, had already spread themselves out in a standard Guard formation. One of them was levitating a wooden spear in front of him, the other two had wooden training swords gripped in their teeth. Steel had managed to take the first two before they’d drawn their weapons. Now that the rest of the team had been given time to pull out their own, he’d need to play it cautiously. He wasn’t wearing any armor, a single blow would be enough to put him “out.” He hadn’t even brought a weapon.

The guard on his right, the earth pony, charged forward, wooden blade already whistling through the air straight at his right flank. It was a textbook maneuver Steel had learned in the Academy. One guard drove the target forward by attempting to get them to move away from his blow, only for any other guard to engage the target while he was distracted for an easy multi-pronged attack. It was a classic feint.

So Steel leapt forward, but not the to left as the Guard were expecting. Instead he moved right, throwing his body forward and brushing his right shoulder into the right side of the oncoming guard. The wooden sword rushed past his flanks so closely he could feel the air whisper as it slid by. Before the guard could recover, Steel brought his elbow up, hard, driving it into the guard’s unprotected underbelly. The guard gave a startled ‘oomph’ as the air rushed from his body and went limp, falling to his side. Acting on instinct honed from years of experience, Steel threw his weight with the unfortunate guard, rolling over him and landing on his hooves as the other guard's sword, levitated by magic, sunk into the dirt where he had just been standing.

Steel grinned at the two unicorns as he notched his hoof under the “blade” of the fallen Earth Pony’s sword and kicked it up into the air. He hadn’t felt this good in years; it was almost a wonder what two weeks of constant, dedicated training had brought back to him. The training sword spun for a moment, almost hanging lazily in the air before Steel caught the handle in his teeth, swinging the blade around to his right. He almost winced as the wooden handle met his tongue. Somepony either needed to clean the training equipment more often, or the earth pony who was still trying to catch his breath in front of him needed to brush his teeth.

He gave the blade another quick shake. Not too badly balanced. Workable. He shifted his weight back, waiting for the last two guards to make a move. The two unicorns stepped back, exchanged glances, and then turned tail and bolted toward their own side of the field. 

Steel debated for a second as to whether to give chase, but quickly decided against it. They could lead him into an ambush and turn the tables on him just as quickly. He’d whittled their numbers down by three, and that was enough for now. He dropped the sword to the dirt—relieved to be free of the lousy taste—and offered its owner a helping hoof up.

“Thanks,” the earth pony wheezed, still trying to catch his breath.

“Not a problem,” Steel said, noticing that the other two ponies were now back on their hooves with the referee’s assistance. Although both were wincing as they moved.

“That’s three outs,” Blitz said, looking at each of the Guard in turn. “Head for the sidelines, folks.” There was another flash and he teleported away. 

Steel looked at the earth pony. “He’s pretty good at that,” he said, nodding his head at the spot where the ref had just been.

The guard nodded. “Teleportation is actually his special talent, so he referees most of the games. By the way,” he said with an impressed grin. “Those were some nice moves. I’d heard that you were good from some of the guys, but that was impressive!” The earth pony winced as he took a sharp breath. “Also, kind of painful, but that’s what I get for being cocky.”

“You going to be all right?” Steel asked as the earth pony limped over to stand by his fellows. “I hit you pretty hard.” He’d been trying to hold back, but he wasn’t a fool. He was a lot stronger than most.

“He’ll be fine,” the unicorn said, offering him a grin. “We just got the wind knocked out of us, a few bruises. Nothing permanent. Well,” he said, tipping his head at the pegasus that Steel had downed and grinning. “Mic here might need to get a hoofprint pounded out of his armor, but he’ll be fine.” The unicorn took a quick look around the field. “We’ll get out of here now, before Blitz ejects us. Come on guys.”

As the three ponies wandered off, Steel took a quick look around. He could still see the two unicorns that had retreated, now back on their own side of the field and undoubtedly covered by a few more ponies he couldn’t see in case of a pursuit. He didn’t see anything on his side, although he knew Sabra was somewhere over to his left.

Hunter swept by overhead, his wings stirring up dust as he came down to a hover near Steel. “Any problems, boss?” He called.

“None, just a couple of Guard who didn’t know what they were in for,” he said with a smile. “Anything from the left side?”

Hunter shook his head. “They’ve got the majority of their pegasi over there guarding the air, so I’m not sure. I haven’t spotted Nova or Sky Bolt yet.”

“They’re probably keeping hidden,” Steel said, nodding in the direction of the left side. “Head back over there and keep an eye on things.”

“You got it boss!” Hunter snapped a quick salute against the brim of his hat and darted off in a rush of wind. Steel took another quick look around. Nopony close by. Time to move. He trotted over to a nearby wall, slid behind it, and began to slowly make his way upfield.


*        *        *


“Alright, so now what?” Sky Bolt asked, for what felt to Nova like the tenth time. At least this time the question actually applied. They’d reached the bushes he’d spotted on one side of the ravine without being seen, although there had been a few moments when Nova had been certain that Sky Bolt was going to get them spotted. 

Since then however, he’d had the time to take a closer look at the terrain on the far side of the ditch. He could make out a series of low divots in the earth on the other side that would keep them from being spotted once there, but the problem of getting to that side remained. Apparently when it rained all the water had flowed towards the end of the field they were on, breaking down the edges of the ditch and excavating the bottom. The result was that it was much deeper and had steeper sides than it had further upfield.

Even so ... he thought, his eyes turning to the more obvious crossing point near the edge of the field. With the right timing ...

“Now,” Nova said, checking to make sure that his horn was concealed beneath the thick brush. “Now we just cross.”

“Here?” Sky Bolt hissed, and Nova shot her a look.

“Yes here,” he said, deciding not to comment on the hiss. “Where else?”

“How about that tree?” she said, pointing at the thick oak by the edge of the field that he’d been looking at a few moments ago.

“Again?” Nova asked, rolling his eyes. “I already told you, that’s where they’ll look.”

“Yeah, because it’s the only covered way across.” Sky Bolt said, glaring at him. “I don’t even know why we’re doing all this sneaking around. We should be out there busting heads like Steel. Instead we’re letting these guys rule our side of the field.”

“You want to get your head busted that fast, be my guest,” Nova said, gritting his teeth in irritation. “Me, I’m going to get to their overwatch without being seen and take him down.”

“And how are you going to do that?” Sky Bolt asked, shifting in the brush. “You can’t even teleport.”

“By giving them,” Nova said, raising his voice slightly as his horn lit up, his magic focusing on the distant oak, “something else to look at.” He poured a little more magic through his horn and one of the tree’s lower branches lit up. It began to bend back, slowly at first but picking up speed as Nova increased the amount of magic he was putting into it. He watched his horn almost as carefully as the tree, making certain that he wasn’t putting off enough of a magic glow to break his cover.

When the branch was pulled back almost to what looked like its breaking point, Nova stopped its movement. His front hooves dug into the ground as his neck and horn strained to hold the massive heavy limb back. “Get ready,” he said. “When I say go, we make for those divots over there, alright?”

“On the other side of the ditch?” Sky Bolt said, tilting her head. “But that’s straight across the—”

“Now!” Nova let go and the branch swung forward, shaking the entire oak and making its thousands of leaves rattle. He didn’t wait to see the success of his work, but dove out of the brush, his leap carrying him nearly to the edge of the ditch. Sand and dirt gave way under his hooves as he slid down the side, kicking up dust that he would have rather avoided. As he scrambled up the far side, he turned his head and saw, much to his relief, that both of the unicorns on the buildings were watching the rustling oak—a full fifty feet from where he was.

He was almost at the divots he’d spotted when he heard a shout. A burst of adrenaline spiked into his system and he dove into one of the divots, hiding behind a small wall of earth. He’d have to look to see if he’d been spotted. The shadow of three pegasi passed over him and he nearly bolted, but they continued on without stopping. Curious, he risked a single look over the earth wall.

Sky Bolt had apparently decided to run too late. Both of the unicorns on overwatch were firing bolts of magic at her as she was flew back toward the center field, a trio of guard pegasi in hot pursuit. Nova ducked back down over the wall and shook his head. No way to help her now. Still, with the watchers occupied ...

Nova grinned as he slunk over the mound of earth, heading for a nice line of bushes near the overwatch. Time to get in close and cut off some of the organization he’d seen.


*        *        *


“That low-down-scumbag-rotten … argh!” Sky Bolt shouted as she executed a quick barrel roll around another quick array of magic bolts. “Thief!” She shouted the last word at the top of her lungs. What a jerk! He could have at least explained what he was going to do rather than trying to be all mysterious about it. She clutched her wings together and dropped like a stone, a magic bolt going right over her head. She was almost out of range, but now she had three—no make that six pegasi in pursuit. Where had the other three come from? Another bolt shot past, but it flew wide. She was nearing the end of his effective range. Dang, she’d forgotten just how big a full sized hoofball field was.

The bolts finally stopped, much to her relief, but she could already hear the wingbeats of the pegasi behind her. She couldn’t see Hunter—he was either above or below her viewing angle, or helping somepony out. So she twitched her wings and sent herself into a slow bank, heading for her own flag, thrusting her wings back as hard as she could. 

She wasn’t a fool. She knew she was the weakest member of the team, at least when it came to fighting and all the other guard stuff she’d been learning. But she was smart, and Celestia help her, she was going to take at least one of these Guard ponies down with her.


*        *        *


“Ah ponyfeathers,” Hunter said from high in the air as the second group of pegasus guards lifted from the ground on their own side of the field. He’d halfway figured that Sky Bolt and Nova would end up going their separate ways, but in just a few seconds she’d managed to stir more panic than a diamond dog in a dragon’s den. “Well, they’re aggro now and we’re in a stroppy mess,” he muttered, turning his attention back to the hotspot he had put his eye on. An entire team of unicorns was heading straight up the middle of the field, four in all, with two pegasi as backup, and they were headed right for Sabra.

“Well,” he said to nopony but himself, “I guess I’ll go help the rookie.” The six pegasi were closing on her even as she ducked low to the ground and made her way for the flag. He tucked his wings to his sides and dropped like a stone.


*        *        *


“Come on, come on, come on ...” She was rushing over the field now, flying just high enough to clear the chest high walls that decorated the field most of the remainder of the way to the flag. She took a quick look behind her, gasping at how close some of the guards were. She could see their grins now. Not only did they have her, but they were going to have the flag as well unless—

A rope snapped behind her, held taut across her path by a familiar dull orange magic. The lead pegasi’s eyes widened in shock as he plowed right into it, the rope magically lashing itself around his wings and legs. He gave a startled yell as he dropped, his rear hooves clipping a wall. Seconds later he was tumbling end over end through the brush. The other two pegasi slowed and Sky Bolt felt a bit of relief, only to have it fade as the pair pumped their wings and increased their altitude, the trio behind them mimicking their actions.

Great, just great. She was almost at the flag now, and she could see Dawn standing nearby, her horn aglow. Not only had she lost Nova—who was probably out now—she’d been the spearhead to bring the other team right into their own base. And there wasn’t a thing she could—

No, she chided herself. She was a Dusk Guard wasn’t she? Of course she was! And if she was a Dusk Guard, well then why not act like one?

Sky Bolt dropped her altitude and speed, slamming into the low wall that surrounded the flag. The impact jarred her hooves and nearly knocked the wind out of her, but she ignored the sudden shock, pushing out with all her might and tucking her wings close. The lead pegasus let out a startled yelp as Sky Bolt shot back into the air and crashed right into her, grappling her body and throwing the mare off course. Sky Bolt rolled, forcing the larger, stronger guard pegasus underneath her. She only had a second to make it work. Already the other guard was fighting her, trying to flip back over as they swept past the flag. Sky Bolt let go with her front hooves, gathered her rear hooves under herself and pushed...

The Guard pegasi’s wings clipped the far wall of the base as she went down and it was all over. She let out a sharp yell of pain as her wings were knocked aside, sending her into a backwards flip, and then she too was tumbling across the ground as her compatriot had, leaving a trail of dust before slamming into a small hill with enough force to send loose dirt flying into the sky.

Sky Bolt landed nearby and whistled. It wasn’t a really nasty crash, pegasi were pretty tough. But still, it had been a rough one. The guard mare cracked her eyes open, saw Sky Bolt standing in front of her, gave a little laugh and shake of her head, and then let her head drop back on the sand pile. Sky Bolt felt a smile creep across her face which quickly turned into a grin. She’d done it! She’d won! She’d—

That was when another pegasus collided with her from behind, knocking her to the ground.


*        *        *


Dawn had managed to keep the second pegasus from grabbing at the flag or taking her out when he’d shot past, but she hadn’t been able to focus on where he’d gone; the other three had been upon her seconds later. They swooped and banked around the arena, circling her like timberwolves. She had her ropes up, six of them, but she didn’t trust her ability to split her focus enough to keep all three of the pegasi away from the flag. If they landed she could snare them with traps. Or maybe she could stun one—

Hunter crashed down from the sky, slamming one of the circling pegasi into the ground. Sensing her opening, Dawn flung all six of her ropes  at one of the others, letting them go and counting on gravity to do her work for her. She spun and fired a spell at the other pegasus just as he darted towards her. The bolt of magic hit him square in the chest, sinking right through the armor. A perfect shot. The guard had just enough time to look surprised before he plowed into the coarse soil, his body rolling to a limp stop.

Dawn turned her attention back to the last guard just in time to see Hunter tackle him from the side and send him sprawling to the ground. A second later, that guard was out of the game as well.

“Well,” she said, brushing the dirt off of her shoulder. “That went much better than expect—”

The first pegasus that had passed her and gone after Sky Bolt shot by overhead, the bright red flag clenched in his teeth. Hunter looked up as she shouted, only to fall as the guard's training sword slammed into his side like a javelin. Hunter went down, the guard dropping his sword as he struggled to gain momentum. Dawn fired another spell, but her aim was off, and she only clipped his wing. He fell from the sky as his wing went limp, but landed on his hooves, galloping towards the far side.

Dawn’s mouth compressed into a thin line. There was no way that she was going to lose to a bunch of Royal Guard. She galloped after him, firing spells blindly.


*        *        *


Nova was amazed at the confidence the other team had. There weren’t even any guards on their watch. Which was slightly funny in his way of seeing it. No guards for the Guard. He grinned as he finally moved out of the brush and up against the side of the building proper, taking a quick peek inside the door. It was an empty room, with nothing but a set of stairs leading up to the next floor, and then presumably to the roof. He crossed them out. Any smart guard would be sitting where the stairs were always in front of him, just in case someone came up them. No, that was out.

He could feel a few spells in the air as well, detection and proximity spells designed to silently alert the caster if anyone passed through them. Kind of like a forcefield, but without any physical resistance. Or actual resistance for that matter, Nova thought as his horn glowed briefly. In his mind’s eye he could feel the bubble around the second floor of the structure. Sloppy work not extending it to ground level. Then again, the more area somepony covered, the more magic it took to keep it going. A quick bit of work with his own magic, and he had a small opening in the bubble, just large enough for him to walk through. Perfect.

That problem solved, he turned his attention to making his way to the top of the building. The first floor was larger than the second, making the roof of the first a convenient step, although Nova didn’t doubt that he could have gone up one of the flush sides if he’d wanted to. But the less magic he used the better, and that route might have taken magic. Unicorns with enough training could feel magic being used nearby. Well, Nova admitted, really anyone could feel magic if it was powerful enough, but unicorns were especially sensitive. He fixed his eyes on the lip of the first story roof, cast a small, light spell on his hooves that would only last a moment, and ran at the wall.

He got his hooves over the lip with ease, pulling the rest of his body up just as the spell on his hooves wore off. That was fine, it had only been there to deaden the sound. Standing on the small space allotted by the different sizes of the floors, Nova took a look at the next obstacle.

It was simple really. The second floor was shorter than the first floor, and he didn’t even bother casting his sound canceling spell this time, he was light enough on his hooves to make it up without noise. He pulled himself up, climbing over the lip onto the flat, open space of the roof and through the gap he’d made in the security spell, and realized he had no idea what to do next.

The unicorn guard was standing some ten feet away, attention completely focused on another part of the field. From the look of it, there was some sort of aerial combat going on between ponies down back near the base. But other than the Guard and a training spear lying next to him, the rooftop was bare. Nova sat there for a second. Then, with a shrug, he moved over behind the Guard, picked up his spear, and gave him a tap in the side.

The unicorn’s ears shot straight up in surprise and he spun around. His face almost paled as he looked at Nova, his jaw dropping.

“Wha—how?” he asked.

Nova shrugged and tapped the guard again with his spear, grinning at him. “Doesn’t matter. You’re out. Ambush.”

“You can’t just tap me with my own spear and call me out,” the Guard said, eyes narrowing. “You have to do something to me that would incapacitate me!”

“Incapacitate you?” Nova said, raising one eyebrow. “You sure?”

“Yes!” the Guard said, stomping one hoof. “So I’m not 'out' yet!”

“Okay,” Nova said, shrugging as he reached out with one hoof and shoved the unicorn back a step—right down the open stairwell he’d been standing in front of.

The guard’s eyes went wide as his front hooves scrambled for purchase, but the smooth wood didn’t grip and he tumbled back, his surprised yell cutting off as he crashed down on the steps. What followed was an assorted cacophony of pained shouts mixed with the rattle of armor as the unlucky Guard painfully made his way to the first floor. Finally, with one last crash, he came to a stop at the base of the steps, groaning in pain.

“Well, that looks pretty good to me,” Nova said, looking down the stairwell. “But in case you think that’s not good enough ...” He tossed the spear down the steps. There were a few wooden rings as the spear made its way down, followed by a sudden grunt of pain from the Guard. “That good enough for you?” Nova called down. The Guard gave a pained nod, clutching his stomach with one hoof. “Good!” Nova said, turning away and flicking his tail over the opening. He took a quick look around. The other watch was looking at something going on at that end of the field, so ...

He took a running start and leapt from the roof, tucking and rolling across the first story roof and then landing on the ground on all fours, running at a full gallop for the back of the opposing team's field. Whatever was going on back at his base, his team probably had it well in hoof.


*        *        *


Sabra tapped the end of his staff against the ground, feeling the vibrations as they reverberated up its length and into his hoof. He was patiently waiting in the center of the field, just as Steel had asked him to do, waiting for somepony to come by and require him to act. As was the usual, he was blindfolded, his eyes closed behind a long grey cloth that he had tied around his head the moment the match had begun.

But being blindfolded didn’t mean that he was blind. He could feel the rough bark of the tree at his back. He could hear the rustling of the bushes nearby and the leaves overhead. Each sound was distinctive in it’s own way. He knew that there was a bird's nest with two young birds in it in the tree above his head; probably about twenty-two feet up and fourteen feet towards the back of the field, which was the direction he was facing. If anypony tried to move past, he’d hear them long before they saw him.

As he waited, he pondered. There was the usual pondering, the thoughts of the question, and thoughts of the lessons and philosophies he had been taught at the monastery. There were the occasional thoughts of home, and how his mother and father were doing, or his brother, or his two sisters. It had been a long time since he’d set out on his pilgrimage, although truly, what was a year? Or two? He wondered if his brother had married that young mare he’d been so smitten with. A year was a long time, she might even be with foal by now if he had. His brother had wanted a family of his own so badly.

Not him though. He wanted knowledge. Knowledge of the world, of the universe, of life itself. He wanted to be able to answer any question of existence, to be able speak on many levels like many of the legends of old. Technically, he could. He could pass on the knowledge he’d been taught at the monastery with perfect form, recite the wise words of hundreds of wise sages before him. But he hadn’t yet found the answer he sought that would allow him to go back and join those ancient sages. He was only a master, the sixth level of knowledge. He would not be a legend until he found his answer. And he wanted to be a legend.

Still, he knew many things. He knew the knowledge of the sages that had gone on before. He knew that the leader of the Dusk Guard was an honorable pony who truly believed in doing what he could to protect others. He knew—or rather believed—that serving on the Dusk Guard would bring him closer to the answer he was looking for. He also knew that there was a group of six ponies trying to sneak by, crouching behind one of the walls he’d seen before he put on his blindfold. He also knew that they hadn’t seen him yet.

Carefully he eased himself up from his seat behind the tree and began to walk forward, balancing his Fimbo across his back with ease. The sounds of the ponies' hoofsteps did not change, so they hadn’t been looking. Good. He could surprise them and give them a fair chance of surrender.

He crossed the distance between them quickly, his hooves lightly moving across the ground. With a quick push of his back legs, he leapt over the dividing wall, coming down on three hooves, his Fimbo landing across his outstretched hoof. There was a succession of gasps in front of him, giving away more about the group. Six, just as he’d thought. One of them a mare from the sound of it. He could hear feathers rustling, but in two sets, so that meant two of them were pegasi. But from the weight of the footsteps … it was hard to tell as most guard were much more heavily built, but it sounded as if the entire group were somewhat lighter on their hooves than an earth pony. That meant the rest were unicorns.

“Jambo,” Sabra said, giving the group a slight bow. “I am Sabra. Kujisalimisha.” He said, letting his own tongue flow at first. “Surrender.” There was a pause.

“Are you kidding?” It was the mare who spoke. Second from the front. “There’s one of you and six of us. And you’re blind!”

“I see well enough,” Sabra said, tossing his Fimbo in the air and catching it with the other hoof. “So I invite you again to take the peaceful path and surrender.” There was the sound of a wooden weapon, a rod of some kind, heavy-tipped, falling against the wall. One of the guards in the back had dropped their training spear.

“I surrender, I’m out,” a voice said, followed by an outburst of protests from the rest of the group.

“You can’t be serious!”

“He’s just one zebra!”

“Coward!” The last one had been the mare.

“I’ve seen this guy on the training field,” the guard said. “I’ll skip the bruises, thanks.”

“When Sergeant Ember finds out about this—” the mare said.

“She’ll commend me for smart thinking,” The guard answered in a dry tone. “Although I don’t mind sitting here and watching. Do you mind?” The sound of the last question was different, the guard was looking directly at him. Sabra shook his head.

“Fine then, coward,” the mare said. “We’ll deal with this without you.” There was the sound of wood rasping against the wall, sliding against ponies' coats. They were now armed.

Sabra sighed. “Very well,” he said, giving his Fimbo  a quick spinning toss and switching hooves again. “Kuja!”

“I don’t even know what that means!” the mare yelled, her voice growing louder as she charged him. Sabra heard her hoofbeats, heard her stance, her positioning as she moved forward. He snapped his Fimbo up horizontally in front of him, levering it against one hoof, and was rewarded with a sharp crack as the guard's wooden training sword slammed into the tough bamboo. He dropped the leverage almost as quickly, spinning the staff around in a tight arc, flipping it across his hooves. The end of the staff connected once, then twice, each time on a different side of the head, then twice on each side of the mare’s breastplate, the rapidity of the blows making the impact sound like one giant ring. The mare took a step back, stunned, dropping her sword from her mouth.

Sabra didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward, twisting his body around the stunned mare. The Fimbo’s tip swung up, ringing against the helmet of the next guard in line. There was a muffled thump as that guard stumbled against the low wall. That made two.

There was the sound of flapping wings to his left and Sabra dropped, flipping his staff around his neck to preserve it’s momentum. There was the crack of wood on wood and the Fimbo flexed as it met the guard's weapon head on. Sabra used that flex, whipping the Fimbo back around his neck and cracking it against the ribs of the pegasus, who let out a startled gasp of pain before crashing to the ground. Sabra swept his Fimbo back to a ready position, stepped forward—and gasped as twin bolts of tingling numbness hit him in the chest, throwing him to the ground.

For a moment all he could do was lay in the dirt in surprise. Then as his mind caught up with who he had been facing he started laughing.

“Whoah, hey, buddy.” It was one of the guards, although Sabra wasn’t sure which one. “Are you ok?”

“Mimi ni—I am fine,” He said, sitting up and pulling the blindfold from his eyes. “I laugh because I have been—” he thought for the word, “—foolish.” He rubbed at his chest with one hoof, trying to ease away the stinging sensation. “I should have expected unicorns to use magic.”

He looked at the scene around him. There were two guards still standing, both of them unicorns, one of them with his legs still braced against the ground horn aglow. One of the pegasi he’d heard was sitting on the wall with an amused expression on his face, his weapon lying on the ground. That would be the pony that had surrendered. The other pegasus was lying on the ground, both hooves clutched around his middle and gritting his teeth. The other two guard he had taken down, the unicorns, were both leaning against the low wall, ears twitching. The ring when he’d struck their helmets must have been incredible.

“Congratulations,” Sabra said, climbing to his hooves and giving the two remaining unicorns a small bow.

“Uh … thanks,” one of the two said, although the guards phrasing almost made it sound like a question. “You’re not so bad yourself—”

Sabra’s ear twitched as another sound reached his attention. Somepony was running up the field behind them, hoopsteps pounding but even. He turned just in time to see a royal guard pegasus leap over one of the low walls, one wing dangling limply at his side. A bright red flag was clutched in his teeth.

“Sweet Celestia!” One of the guards said as they caught sight of the pony galloping towards them. “It’s Twist! He’s got the flag!”

“Well then cover him, you two!” The unicorn mare yelled as several dull-orange bolts flew over the pegasus’s head. “Cover him!”

The two unicorns hesitated only a moment, then leapt into action, horns aglow. A small shimmering circle appeared in the air behind the approaching pegasus, its dull blue coloration matching the glow atop one of the unicorn's heads. Moments later a dull-orange bolt slammed into the disc with a sharp crack that made Sabra’s ears twitch. The other unicorn ran towards the pegasus, his own magic adding a second, smaller shield behind the first that glowed a soft green.

And not a moment too soon. Dawn’s head appeared over the low wall the pegasus had jumped, her horn a bright orange spike, her eyes narrowed on the retreating pegasus. A bolt leapt from her, this one much brighter and more beamlike than the others. There was another sharp crack as it met the blue shield, and then the blue shield crumbled, the unicorn who’d been maintaining it letting out a cry as the shield broke into small blue fragments, the rest of the beam slamming into the smaller green shield, which flickered, but held.

“Take the flag and go!” the one named Twist yelled, tossing it at the unicorn and spinning around. Dawn fired a second bolt, this one aimed at the unicorn, only to have it blocked in the air by Twist’s body as he threw himself in the way. Dawn fired off a second bolt a she jumped over the wall, but it went wide and a second later a blue bolt slammed into her side and she tumbled into the dirt.

“Dang it!” she yelled as the two unicorns began to gallop off. “I almost had you!” The pink mare pushed herself to her hooves, shaking her mane back into place with a toss of her head. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw Sabra for the first time. “Are you out as well?” she asked, speaking once again in smooth, cultured tones.

Sabra nodded. “I think I need to train more with you and Nova,” he said, tapping his chest with one hoof, the motion sending tingles rippling across his body. “I am unused to combating magic.”

“I believe that was the point of this whole exercise,” Dawn said as her horn lit up and a faint wave of orange rolled over her body. “So we could see exactly what we each needed to learn.” She pointed her horn at Sabra and he felt a sudden chill as her magic rushed over him. When it stopped, the tingling in his chest had vanished. “Unfortunately, it looks like we each have a lot to learn,” Dawn said, stepping over to the pegasus she had downed and tapping her horn against his side.

There was a small flash and the pegasus took a deep breath and sat up. “Sun above,” he said, arching his back. “I’m going to find that private who said you were a pacifist and make him run laps until his legs fall off.” He took a quick look at his back, smiling as his wings stretched out.

“I am a pacifist,” Dawn said, already walking past him towards the other members of the Royal Guard. Sabra noticed that the pegasus he’d downed was still holding his ribs. Perhaps he’d hit him harder than he’d realized. “But,” Dawn said as she stopped over the still grimacing pegasus, “that doesn’t mean I won’t fight back.”


*        *        *


Nova was getting bored. He’d slipped past a group of three unicorns and a pegasus heading in the direction of the watch tower he’d taken out with relative ease. He’d even gotten close enough to them to overhear that they’d lost the watch on the right side of the field as well, in addition to the two earth ponies who were sent to check on him. Probably either Captain Song’s or Sabra’s doing. So he had pushed towards mid field, hoping to meet up with one of them.

So far however, he thought as he peered out from a bush. It hasn’t paid off. He’d been waiting for nearly a minute to see if he spotted anypony from either team, watching across the wide section of open field that stretched all the way from the middle to the far right wall, only a few bushes and low walls breaking up the open space. 

He looked upfield towards the other team's base, weighing the odds of being able to steal the flag completely alone. There had been twenty-five ponies total on the other team. Ten pegasi, at least six of which were somewhere on the other side of the field either grounded or still chasing Sky Bolt, and one who was back investigating the watch he’d taken out. Eleven unicorns, of which he knew three were accounted for as watch, another three in the small team he’d passed. Three earth ponies, none of which he’d seen. That left four pegasi, five unicorns, and three earth ponies who could theoretically still be in the game.

All in all, not bad odds, as long as I just sneak in and— his train of thought cut off as he spied two unicorns in guard armor entering the field. They were moving at a full gallop, legs sweeping back and forth as they headed in the direction of their home base and—they’ve got our flag! He could see the flash of bright red cloth being held in the lead unicorn's teeth.

Nova burst from his cover, grinning as he heard one of the two yell in surprise. His horn was already glowing a bright yellow, magic at his command, when the unicorn without the flag began firing bolts in his direction. Nova didn’t even bother trying for a shield; he’d never had luck with them. Instead he reached out with small, rapid tendrils of his own magic, nudging aside any bolt that came close to him and sending them slightly off track as he angled in on the running pair. He was running at a diagonal now, he’d cross paths with them in a minute and then—

And then what? He almost stumbled as the thought occurred to him. He couldn’t take them on hoof-to-hoof. Against one maybe, against two he’d have no chance. He deflected another bolt and it flew past his face. Maybe if I just use my magic ... He was almost at the crossing point, he had to make a decision. His horn lit up, brighter and brighter as spells from both unicorns whipped past him. He lowered his head, pointing his horn at the lead unicorn, magic pulsing with a molten heat behind his horn. He looked the lead unicorn in the eyes, gritted his teeth—

He was standing in an abandoned building, a charcoal-grey coated Night Guard bearing down on him even as the ceiling began to fall in. His horn was glowing so bright he could almost see it reflected on the guards armor, a brilliant and cold blue that made his head feel as if he’d just swallowed a whole mouthful of ice water.

Nova blinked and the memory was gone. A stun bolt shot past his face, almost grazing his mane. He narrowed his eyes, focused—and his horn went dim, the molten feeling in his mind fading as he let the magic dissipate.

The two unicorn's eyes widened, but neither of them faltered. Twin stun bolts swept into Nova, knocking him from his hooves and sending a burning, tingling sensation across his entire chest. The unicorns rushed past, both with grins on their faces as they saw Nova go down.

By the time he’d picked himself up from the ground, chest still burning with the tingly pain of the stun bolts, the signal flare from the opposing team had arced into the air. The game was over. The Dusk Guard had lost. Nova shook his mane, trying to dislodge some of the dust and twigs. Once again the question was in his mind. What are you doing here Nova? He thought as he made his way towards the side of the field. What’s the point?

He was so occupied with his own thoughts that he didn’t notice Steel watching him with a thoughtful look on his face.


*        *        *


“Alright everypony,” Steel said after the two teams had shaken hooves and congratulated each other. “We gave it a good shot out there, and we lost, but that’s alright. I’m still giving each of you the day off tomorrow—” There was a small cheer from Sky Bolt and Steel coughed.

“As I was saying,” he continued, giving Sky Bolt a friendly but stern smile, “you’ll each have the day off tomorrow, after our morning workout and the fitting for the diplomatic dinner. The day of the diplomatic dinner you will have more free time than normal so that you can ensure that you are at the dinner on time, with your formal wear.” Steel gave the line of Dusk Guard a stern look. “And I expect all of you to be on your best behavior during that dinner, a fact which I will repeat tomorrow. Mess up, and you’ll be running yourself to Los Pegasus, understood?” He paused, waiting for a response. “I said, am I understood?”

This time the effect was immediate. “Yes sir!” the five ponies shouted, almost as one.

Steel smiled and nodded. “Good. Now,” He began to pace back and forth in front of the line of ponies. “I still want to say something about our performance today. I’m not surprised that we lost. I am however, expectant that we each learned something from it. Sky Bolt?”

“Yes, boss?” she asked.

Steel held back a sigh. Hunter ... he thought. I can choke Hunter for that later. “You were assigned to work with Nova, correct?”

“Yes, boss, I was.” Her ears drooped, but then sat up as she shot a dirty look at Nova. “Until that knucklehead left me behind!”

“I didn’t leave you behind,” Nova said with a roll of his eyes. “You wouldn’t follow my lead!”

“And who said you should lead?” Sky Bolt shot back, rising up in the air. “Why should I listen to anything that you have to say?”

“Maybe so you don’t get every pegasus on the other tea—”

“Enough!” Steel bellowed, pushing his voice out with every bit of muscle he could muster. It wasn’t exactly the Royal Canterlot voice, but it was close enough. Both Nova and Sky Bolt’s face snapped back to him as they sank back on their haunches, ears low. 

“This,” Steel said, putting as much emphasis on the word as he could, “is exactly why I wanted us to have this little game today.” He looked up and down the line of ponies. “We are the Dusk Guard. That means that we are to be the most elite team of Guard in all of Equestria. As of this afternoon—” he said, looking at each member of the team, “—we are not. This isn’t because of our skills in various areas, or because of what we can or cannot do, but because we don’t work like a team.”

He paused, a thought occurring to him. “No," he said, correcting himself. "I'm mistaken. It's not just that. If this was just about teamwork, we’d be able to pull it off, even now. Teamwork is something that can be taught, the actions recited. No, what we need is something a little bit more.” Steel paused and smiled as the memory of his first meeting with Princess Luna flashed across his mind. “And up until now I think I’d almost missed it. Ponyfeathers, I had it told straight to me and I almost missed it.”

He looked at the ponies standing at attention in front of him. Hunter, with his hat. Sabra, who was giving him the same look he’d been giving his blindfold for the past ten minutes, one of stony confusion. Sky Bolt, who was still fluttering her wings and was either muttering insults or equations under her breath, he wasn’t sure which. Dawn, with her unflappable and slightly un-approachable attitude. Nova, who was already on rough terms because of his past. He didn’t really know any of them.

“We need more than just teamwork if we want to be the best,” Steel said, preparing himself. “We need to be … friends.” Some of the ponies brows furrowed. “I was going to leave you all with standing orders to evaluate your team performance so that we could train that, but now I don’t think that’s going to be enough. Each one of us comes from a different background. Each one of us has a different story. And,” he said, “each one of us has something past their skills to add to this team.”

Steel paused and cleared his throat. “To tell you all the honest truth though, I’m not exactly sure how to do that,” he said, noticing that Sky Bolt and Nova in particular looked quite shocked at this pronouncement, although Dawn was probably hiding her own reaction behind that impassive mask. “So here are my orders. Think about how today went and figure out where you can improve, but if you can, talk to somepony else on the team about it. After that, I just want you to all promise me to give everypony here the chance to know something about you.” Steel looked at each one of them. “Can you each do that?”

Hunter’s response was almost immediate, a “Sure thing boss” that got Dawn to crack a small smile and nod her own agreement. Sabra agreed in that same calm way that he always did, while Sky Bolt looked at both Sabra and Nova before saying anything. Nova was the last to speak up, uttering a simple “Yes, sir” before going silent once more.

“Alright then,” Steel said. “I’m going to try the same. For now, you’ve all got the rest of the day off. Except for you Nova,” he said, pointing with one hoof. “I’m calling in that favor you owed me right now.” Nova’s ears fell back, but to the colt's credit he didn’t say anything. “Follow me to my office,” Steel said as the rest of the team began to dissipate. “We need to have a little talk.”
> Training - Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6


“Have a seat,” the captain said, gesturing with a hoof as he rounded his desk. Nova sat down, doing his best to hide his confusion at the abrupt summons. Captain Song sat down behind the large desk. “I’ll be with you in a moment,” he said, sliding one of the desk drawers open. “Just let me find something first.”

Nova nodded but didn’t say anything. He waited for a moment as the captain flipped through the desk drawer, sorting something that Nova couldn’t see, but when it became apparent that it was going to take more than a few seconds he turned his attention back to the rest of the office. He’d never actually been in it before, which wasn’t that surprising as the captain had only been able to use it for just over a week.

Still, as he looked around at the office, he couldn’t help but be surprised by it. It was almost—he searched for the right term—utilitarian. Which, given the stallion's demeanor, he supposed that it shouldn’t be that surprising, but the office was flat-out bare. There was a clock over the door where the captain would be able to see it at a glance, a few empty shelves on the walls, two chairs in front of the desk—one of which Nova was currently occupying—and the desk itself. The two walls that met with the sides of the barracks were bare, bereft of adornment, and there wasn’t even a picture on the desk. Although there was quite a large amount of what looked like paperwork spread evenly across it. Given how large the desk was and how recently it had come to be in use, Nova mused, it was just another reason to make sure he never had one.

“Ah, here we go,” Captain Song said, pulling a thick folder out of the drawer and tossing it on the desk, papers crinkling and sliding out of the way as the folder came down on them. “Take a look at this.” He gave the folder a slight nudge with his hoof. Nova leaned over the desk, his eyes on the Captain as he pulled the folder back towards himself. It didn’t look like much, just a plain, simple tan folder with a file number printed on the tab. Captain Song continued to look at him expectantly, so he slid the edge of his hoof under the folder and flipped it open.

A composite drawing of his own face stared back at him. He looked a little younger, but then the picture itself looked a little old. It was him maybe five, six years earlier if the manecut on his head was any clue. It also wasn’t entirely what he’d looked like back then, but then again it was a composite sketch.

He slid the sketch aside and took a quick glance at the rest of the folder. It was pretty standard fare. A psych workup full of theories and predictions. A brief mention of his history, including a few pictures of him as a young colt when he’d still been at the orphanage. Some theories on his personality and interests. And then page after page of Guard reports, arranged chronologically from most recent to earliest, covering his various escapades over the years.

“Pretty interesting reading material there,” Captain Song said, and Nova gritted his teeth as he shut the folder. What was he trying to do? Remind him of his past? Goad him? He could feel a spark of anger lighting inside his chest as he looked up, waiting for his next words. For a taunt, for a threat, anything.

“And,” the Captain said, sweeping the folder back across his desk and into the open drawer. It slammed shut with a loud clang as he looked Nova right in the eyes. “I’m pretty sure it’s mostly bunk.”

The spark in Nova’s chest went out as swiftly as if it had been submerged in water. “Wait, what?” he asked, confused.

“I said it’s bunk,” Captain Song said, sitting back. “Horseapples. Ponyfeathers. Buffalo balloons, if you’re from the Southeast. My point is, I don’t believe most of it.”

“Most of it?” Nova asked, still waiting for the other horseshoe to drop.

Captain Song nodded at him and then cracked a slight smile. “Well, those pictures of you at the orphanage are a pretty compelling case that you actually did spend your early years there.” Nova felt his coat bristle at the mention of the orphanage. The last thing he wanted to talk about was the orphanage. “But,” the captain said with a shake of his head, “that’s not what I wanted to talk about.”

“It’s not?” Nova offered, still not quite sure where this conversation was supposed to be going. Don’t drop your guard just yet, Nova, he reminded himself. He’s still your warden.

“No, it’s not,” Captain Song said. “I wanted to talk about something else, so I’m calling in my favor.”

“In what way?” Nova asked. He could feel his heart rate increasing, the hairs on his coat standing on edge. This had all the signs of a lead-up, but to what he couldn’t tell.

“I want you to tell the truth,” the Captain said, leaning forward. The look on his face wasn’t accusatory, but soft, almost curious. “I was on the other side of the field today when you engaged those two with the flag. I saw you let go of your magic. And—” he leaned back again, one hoof up, “—I also know that you’ve been holding back your magic when you’re training or being tested.” 

Nova’s face must have shown his surprise, because the captain grinned at him. “Dawn figured it out first, in case you were wondering. She modified one of those light tests for your horn a few days ago, turned up the resistance, and you still got the same score. So,” he said, looking directly at him. “I’m not unhappy with you, because there must be a reason for it. And you aren’t going to be punished. I just want to know why.”

Nova sighed as his mind jumped back. “You understand, sir,” he said, figuring a little appeasement couldn’t hurt. “That I really don’t want to talk about it. I don’t ...” he paused, trying to find an easy way to put it. “I don’t even like thinking about it,” he said as he looked up at him. “I really don’t.”

“I understand,” came the response. “But I’m afraid that I really must ask.”

Nova stared at the Captain for a minute, trying to summon his usual grin, but the will just wasn’t there. The clock ticked in the corner ominously, each click of the gears sounding painfully loud in the silenced room. The room had to be enchanted, Nova realized, in order for it to be this quiet.

“Alright,” he said at last, his words breaking the tension. “No sense in hiding it. I am holding back.” He gave the Captain a shrug. “The last time I went all out on a test, I scored a five-plus. I guess if the scale went high enough I’d probably be a six.” He ignored the stunned look that the captain was giving him. 

“But to answer your original question, the reason I’ve been holding back ... Well, the reason I pretty much gave up magic entirely...” He looked back at the cutie mark on his flank with it’s interlinked crescents. Every muscle in his body tensed. 

“I nearly killed somepony,” he said, his body sagging as the words left him. “It was how I got my cutie mark.”

There was silence in the room for a moment. Nova looked up to see the captain looking at him with sympathy in his eyes. “That’s why you don’t like to talk about your cutie mark,” he said, and Nova gave him a slow nod. "When was this?”

“Just over four years ago,” Nova said, his mind flashing back. “The last job I ever did, or at least, until recently, if you could call that a job.” He gave a hollow laugh.

“The night you lead those Night Guard platoons all across Canterlot?”

He nodded again, meeting the captain’s gaze for a moment and then hanging his head once more. “I was just having fun, you know?” he said with a shrug. “I stole something from the palace, let the Guard spot me for fun, led them on a chase. Just for kicks.” The words felt like barbed ropes as he pulled them from his insides. “I was being foalish, taunting the Guard, mocking them.” He shook his head. “I’d already pushed them enough over the previous few months, and I didn’t think that it was going to be any different that night, but it was.”

Nova straightened up, looking his captain right in the eyes. As painful as it was, he couldn’t hide from it. I won’t hide my face, he thought, taking a breath as he prepared himself.

“I ended up in an abandoned office building in the southwest end of Canterlot,” he said, looking Captain Song in the eyes. “The building was condemned to be torn down, so the plan was to lead the Guard on a bit of a chase and then lose them in the condemned areas. But,” he said, remorse welling up inside his chest, “I’d underestimated how much I’d angered some of them, and they followed me in there, blasting everything in sight. The building was already unstable ...” he let his words trail off, swallowed, and shut his eyes.

“So it started coming down,” he said, the memory standing out stark and clear in his mind. “The whole place. I don’t know if it was just ready to come down, or if one of their spells set it off, but ...” He shook his head.

“I did the first thing I could think of,” Nova said. “I went all out with that beam spell of mine, trying for something—anything, really—to keep the building from collapsing.” He could almost feel that same cool tingling feeling he’d felt then, the massive surge of power that had swept through him.

“The next thing I know there’s this massive flash of blue light, crashing right through the building,” he said, sighing and opening his eyes again. The captain was still watching him, but the look on his face wasn’t the look he’d expected. It wasn’t harsh, just … thoughtful.

“I made a pillar of ice ten feet across that completely encased the main support beam,” Nova said, his voice flat. “And the Guard next to it. And that,” Nova said, leaning back, “was when I got this.” He tapped his flanks. He felt … deflated. That was the best word for it, he realized. As if something had just let the air out of him, all the bluster and confidence gone. He looked up at Captain Song and for a moment there was silence as the two looked at each other.

“What happened then?” the Captain asked, his voice quiet.

“I booked it out of there,” Nova said. “There were still a couple of his buddies around, so I knew I couldn’t stick around.”

“Did he survive?”

Nova nodded and blinked, feeling a faint wetness in his eyes. He blinked it back. The words were coming easier now, but he wasn’t about to let it show. “I checked up on it. He nearly died, but not quite. He ended up in intensive care at the Canterlot General for a few weeks, massive freeze-burns. Almost lost his wings and one of his hooves. He’s still a Guard, far as I know.” He gave another shrug. 

“That was the last job I did. I quit using my magic, for anything big anyway. I didn’t want to risk it anymore. I left Canterlot, disappeared.” He paused, the odd jobs he’d worked springing to mind, the moving from place to place.

“Didn’t anyone look for you?” Nova turned his attention back to the Captain as he spoke. “Old associates maybe?”

Nova shook his head. “I always worked alone. And by my own volition. I had a pony or two try to ‘hire’ me once, but it didn’t go so well for them, and word got around. So when I disappeared ...” He shrugged. “No one took notice but the Guard.” He blinked a few times, but the wetness was gone. No tears. Good.

“And then the thefts started on the trains.” Captain Song said. It was a statement, not a question. He’d already figured that out.

Nova nodded just to confirm it, unsurprised. “Yeah. I still kept up with things, had a few contacts who fed info to my old drop boxes at my request. When the train robberies started up I got wind of it, and it didn’t take me long to realize that most ponies would put two and two together and come up with my name. So I let myself get caught before anypony decided to pin the thefts on me. No sense in getting picked up for both. Of course,” he said, thinking back on the few weeks he’d spent in the jail cell at Appleloosa, “I was pretty tempted to bust myself out after about a week.”

“But you never did.”

“Oh I was tempted!” Nova said, feeling his mood lift. “I even broke out of the cell a few nights and rearranged the office,” A small chuckle bubbled out of his lips at the memory. “That ornery sheriff was mad at his deputy for days after that. Thought he’d been digging through his desk.”

“But back to that night,” Captain Song said, gesturing with one hoof.

Nova felt his grin vanish almost involuntarily. “I almost killed a pony with my magic,” he said. “Someone nearly died because of something I did with my magic, and I got a cutie mark because of it. That’s why I hold back. I haven’t used my magic for more than menial stuff in a long time.”

For a second the captain opened his mouth as if he was going to say something to him, but then he shut it almost as quickly. The sat there for a moment, Nova’s ears occasionally twitching as the clock ticked. Then there was a squeak, wood scraping against wood as Captain Song shoved his chair back and walked around the table. There was a sudden weight on Nova’s shoulder as the captain put his hoof on it.

“Nova,” he said, looking down at him. “When I first joined the academy, I had an experience similar to yours. I’ve always been a strong pony, and when the time came for my first sparring match against another student, I got carried away. I was so eager to impress my instructor that I put too much of myself into the match. I broke another student's back leg.” He sighed, shaking his dark green muzzle from side to side. “I still feel guilty about it from time to time, even though that student forgave me. They healed him up in time and he went on to serve a long career in the Guard. He’s retired now, lives out in Hollow Tale. But at the time, it ate me up inside.” His hoof left Nova’s shoulder, but he didn’t break eye contact.

“I almost quit after that. Here I’d wanted to protect ponies,” he said, tapping his cutie mark, “and yet all I’d done is hurt one. I didn’t control my own strength, and I paid for it, along with somepony else who by all rights shouldn’t have. I just had to come to grips with it.”

Nova let out a sigh. “I know, I just haven’t been able to shake the fear ever since.” There was another long pause, longer than any so far.

“Well,” the captain said at last, “thank you for being honest with me.”

Nova shook his head, ears pressed low against his skull. “I never was one to hide the the truth.”

“Well,” came the response. “That’s something I can be thankful for. But Nova, we do need a magic user on this team.”

“I know,” he said, taking a deep breath and looking up at the captain. “I know. I’ll figure it out. Accidents happen. I don’t think I’d feel quite so bad about it if it wasn’t for—” he gestured at his cutie mark. “You know?”

“I do,” Captain Song said with a nod. “It’s one thing to make a mistake, but to be branded for it...” He paused. “Couldn’t your cutie mark stand for something else?”

“You don’t think—!” Nova stopped speaking. “Sorry, sir, you … You’re not the first to say that. All I know is that it’s connected to my skill with using the sun and the moon to power my magic, but I didn’t get it for doing that.”

“Well,” Captain Song said. “Here’s what I want you to do. Just your best. Take some time to practice with your magic. We can get you your own room if needs be, or even take you outside of Canterlot. But we need a dedicated magic user, so I’m asking you to just do what you can.”

Nova nodded. “I’ll see what I can do, but could I ask you something?” There was a muted nod. “Don’t tell anyone else about this.”

The Captain gave him a nod. “I won’t tell anyone else that I don’t have to.”

Nova shrugged at his superior's words. “I guess that’s good enough, you’re the captain.”

“Even as myself,” he said. “Without the whole captain aspect, if I can help out somehow, just let me know.”

“I will,” Nova said, nodding. His eyes darted to the clock. “Anything else, sir?”

“No,” Captain Song said, stepping back. He turned to walk back around his desk, but then stopped, one hoof hanging in the air. “Hang a second. Maybe,” he said, a sly smile creeping across his face. “You said you still have contacts?”

Nova nodded. “Before you ask, I won’t sell them out.”

“No, no, no,” the captain said, shaking his head. “Not what I had in mind at all. Tomorrow while everyone's getting fitted, I want you to go tell Hunter that you have contacts with the local underground. I think he might need your help with a project he’s working on.” His smile grew larger. “Projects we can spend bits on.”

Nova felt a smile creep across his face. “Now that, they might want to hear.”

“Glad to hear it, Nova,” Captain Song said, hoof coming up in a salute. Nova snapped his own up in response. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Dismissed!”


*        *        *


Steel yawned as he made his way up the front walk to his sister's home, fighting the urge to stretch his neck. The sun hadn’t quite set yet, but he’d had a long day. Between training and the match with the Royal Guard, he was ready to call it a night. Not that Jammer and Sparkle would let him do that, but he was alright with that. That and his sister had been scheduled to get back earlier that day, and it was always nice to talk to her again.

As he raised his hoof to knock, his mind flew back to the conversation he’d had with Nova. It was no wonder the kid wasn’t using his magic if that was the last big thing he’d done with it. His conflicting emotions on the issue probably didn’t help either. Didn’t emotions affect magic? He made a mental note to ask his sister.

His hoof came down on the door with three rapid strokes. He could hear faint voices inside, voices that went quiet as his knocking echoed through the front hall. Good. Somepony was home. That probably meant that his sister was back.

There was a click and the door swung open. “Sapphire!” Steel said, throwing his hooves around his sister. “You’re back!” When she didn’t say anything, or even return the hug, he stepped back in confusion. “Was the trip …  pretty...” His words died on his tongue. His sister was giving him an icy cold glare so cold it probably would have given Nova’s ice magic a run for its money. “Sis?” he asked.

“Well look who it is,” Sapphire said, her voice absolutely deadpan. “Steel, coming to visit.”

“Uh, Sapphire? Everything alright?” Steel asked, backing up a step. He’d only seen his sister this way once before, after a colt she’d been dating had dumped her for another mare.

She’d dunked that colt in paste and confetti and then hung him from the school flagpole.

“Is everything alright?” Sapphire asked, her cold glare beginning a shift towards hot rage. “All right? All right?!” She stepped forward and Steel unconsciously backed up. “No, everything is not all right!” she said, her eyes narrowing further with each word. “And just to think a few weeks ago you were sitting with me, out back on the wall, telling me you were feeling empty! Well you know what Steel? That’s! Your own! Fault!” she said, stomping at the walk with her front hooves as she uttered each word.

“Sapphire—I ...” Steel stammered, trying to make sense of his sister's behavior. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh you don’t, do you?” she said, stamping her hoof again. “Well then you deserve this all the more!” Her hoof came up and she slapped him across the cheek, hard enough that spots danced in front of his eyes.

“Ow!” He stepped back, rubbing his cheek with one hoof. “What was that for?”

She slapped him again, this time on the other cheek. “All she ever heard about you was good things! She was so intimidated that she almost didn’t talk to you the first time you met! And what did you do? You become a total jerk!” She stepped back, breathing heavily. “I can’t believe you, Steel. Fifty years, and you go and pull a stunt like that.” She leaned in close, eyes narrowed. “Well until you apologize, you can bet your plot you aren’t going to be welcome in my house.”

“I—I still don’t know what …” He ran his thoughts over the last few days, trying to find some explanation for his sister’s outburst and latching onto the first possibility he found. “Are you mad that I told your kids about the Blademaster?” He could see their faces peering around the door now, Jammer and Sparkle both. Both of them looked shocked at the display their normally calm mother was putting on.

“You think this is about that?” his sister asked, her face darkening. Her horn lit up as her saddlebags shot out of the door, lifted in a purple glow. “You have to be—the dumbest brother—ever!” she said,  pausing periodically to smack his head with her saddlebags.

“Look!” Steel said, covering his head with his hooves. “Just tell me what I did!”

“You know what you did!” his sister yelled, giving him one last thump with her saddlebags. “And if you don’t, you’re even worse than I thought!” She shook her head, giving him an indignant glare that would have been enough to repel an entire griffon combat squad. 

“I just can’t believe of all ponies, you would be so heartless!” Sapphire said, eyes narrowing. “Now leave.” She pointed a hoof down the street. “You can come back when you stop being such an enormous plothead!” She spun on her hooves, stomped up the steps and walked inside, slamming the door behind her.

Steel sat on the walk in shock, feeling like his whole world had just been turned on its head. And, even worse, feeling more empty inside then he ever had.
> Training - Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7


“Did you absolutely have to wear that hat?” Dawn asked, sidling over towards Hunter as they approached the entrance to Canterlot Castle’s Southern Hall.

“You act like it was an option,” Hunter said, grinning at the pink unicorn’s disapproving expression and tapping the hat where it sat comfortably on his head. “I can’t get rid of this thing, It’d be like if you got rid of your horn.”

Her expression grew surprisingly even more dour. “It doesn’t exactly match with the rest of your uniform.”

“Don’t remind me about the uniform,” Hunter said, rolling his eyes and then taking a quick glance down at the array of cloth he was wearing. What had started out as a plain dress uniform had been, in his opinion, ruined by an array of flashy … bits. He wasn’t even sure what the actual term for the whole setup was. A sash of some kind crossed his chest, ribbon threading the edges. The one caveat he’d been able to swing from the tailor was that it at least matched his dust-brown coat and straw-colored mane. Which meant that while his hat looked out of place, it at least wasn’t clashing with the colors as well. “What was wrong with my old Ranger uniform?”

“We’re not Rangers anymore,” Dawn said, tossing her head. Her mane had been done in a tasteful array of orange curls that wove together down towards her back, with a single loose curl that draped across her forehead next to her horn. Knowing her it was a fashion that would be well known by many of the nobles at the dinner.

“We’re Dusk Guard,” Dawn continued, ignoring his rolling eyes. “And we need to be representative of such.”

“I’d rather show up in armor,” Hunter groused. “At least then I’d be able to move.” He stretched his wings, feeling them pull against the cloth. “I can barely get half a wonky wing-beat in with this.”

Dawn snorted and rolled her eyes. “Honestly Hunter, I can agree with you there that it must be uncomfortable, but this is a diplomatic dinner. No one is going to be flying anyway.”

“Hey, I’m with him,” Sky Bolt said, twisting around to look at the train of her light blue gown. “I’d rather be wearing armor than this awkward thing. I mean, it looks pretty and all, but I’ve worn nice stuff that still let me move.”

“Alright everypony, that’s enough,” Steel said, shaking his head. “All of you should just count yourselves lucky.” 

Hunter sniggered as he looked again at Steel’s dress uniform. He was wearing a bright red vest with multiple sashes, a high collar that already bore a few wrinkles where Steel had smashed it in frustration, and large, frilly, golden epaulets.

“And here I was hoping all of you had gotten your laughs out before we left the barracks,” Steel said, his voice dry. “If you want to laugh now, get it out of your system. If I hear of any of you causing a diplomatic crisis because you laughed at a delegate's outfit, you’ll get to see the Equestrian countryside firsthoof. On hoof, got it?”

“Yes sir, Captain Ruffles, sir!” Nova said, and the entire group erupted in snickers.

“Yeah, yeah. Very funny.” Steel said, shaking his head.

“At least you got to wear something nice,” Sky Bolt said, turning to Sabra. The zebra was wearing a complex series of brightly colored silk robes that wrapped around his body and made his coat stand out in contrast. “Maybe I can convince the tailor to make something like that for me next time, you look good.” Hunter smirked as Sky Bolt’s eyes went wide. “I mean you look nice in that! Not that you don’t—oh forget it!” The pegasus mare turned her face towards the other side of the hall, cheeks burning red. Hunter let out a soft chuckle, trying not to embarrass Sky Bolt too much. Steel on the other hoof simple let out a barely audible groan.

“Asante,” Sabra said, still looking straight ahead, although for a moment his cheeks seemed slightly red as well. “You look nice as well.” It was impossible to miss the rising blush on Sky Bolt’s  cheeks now.

Hunter had to admit what Sabra was wearing did look a lot more comfortable than the stuffy dress uniform he was wearing. The zebra’s colorful garment looked both relaxed and loose, while still carrying an air of dignity. He looked back at his own folded wings, held down by a weight of cloth, and almost sighed. It wasn’t that he planned on flying around the dinner, that was frowned upon. It was just … uncomfortable.

“Hey,” Nova said, his usual grin on his face as they approached the large ornate entryway to the Southern Hall. “The uniforms might be a drag, but these places always, always have good food.”

“And when would you have been to a diplomatic dinner?” Dawn asked, raising one eyebrow with a practiced ease. The group came to a stop as Steel began to speak to the porter outside the door, two Guard looking on.

“Are you kidding?” Nova said, shaking his head. “I used to hit at least one of these a year. Food was good, so was the work. It’s not exactly hard to sneak into some rich noble's party if you know what you’re doing.” One of the Guard gave him a suspicious look, eyes narrowing. “You wouldn’t believe how easy it was to just walk out with a pocket full of jewelry.” The guard’s eyes widened in shock, body tensing.

“Relax,” Hunter said, addressing him. “He’s with us.” The Guard stood down, although Hunter noticed he didn’t take his eyes off of Nova.

“Besides,” Dawn added, eyes darting from Nova to the Guard and then back again. “I sincerely doubt he’s serious. There was probably a healthy amount of exaggeration there anyway.”

“Uh-huh,” Nova said. Dawn merely gave him a dismissive look and walked over towards where Steel was just finishing up speaking with the porter. Nova slid up next to Hunter in a single, smooth step, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

“Ten bits says I can steal all her jewelry in the first ten minutes of the party,” he said in a low voice, nodding in Dawn’s direction.

“She’s only wearing the earrings and the necklace,” Hunter whispered back. “Five minutes and you’re on.”

Nova shook his head. “Two bracelets on her left hoof, plus the gemstone comb in her hair. But...” he said, pretending to chew on his lower lip. “Deal, five minutes.”

"Alright, everyone,” Steel said, drawing the attention of the group as the ornately gilded doors swung open, the porter announcing their presence. “Best. Behavior.” He turned back to the hall and walked in, head held high.

“Bonus bits if you can find and steal Steel’s sense of humor,” Hunter whispered out of the corner of his mouth at Nova as they walked in. “He’s not using it anyway.” He broke off as Nova tried to hold back a snicker, making his own way into the hall.

The hall itself was impressive, ornately tasteful, if a little overly elegant for his tastes in some places. Pillars around the edges of the hall gave partygoers places to separate themselves from the larger mass of ponies, while also being decorated in what appeared to be golden vines. A large, long table had been set up at one end of the room for when the actual dinner portion of the event began, and a temporary stage had been assembled at one end of the hall. A small company of ponies was currently using it to play a selection of soft stringed instruments.

Then there were the attendees themselves. Not only was the usual selection of nobles and industry leaders present, but a number of diplomatic attendees from various nations. Hunter spotted several griffons interspaced throughout the crowd, each decked out in ceremonial chainmail hauberks and ornate helmets—once again reminding him of his own painfully uncomfortable clothing. One of the griffons was chatting away with a robed camel wearing an enormous turban, probably a delegate from somewhere south of the Turancan Desert. He could make out a representative from what looked like Saddle Arabia sitting on the far end of the hall and even—to his great surprise—a Diamond Dog, decked out in an ill-colored but dazzlingly gem encrusted suit. 

“Ah, I believe you must be Lieutenant Hunter,” came a strong voice from behind Hunter. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Hunter turned and found himself standing in front of a brilliantly white-coated unicorn with a shock of vivid blue hair, one that he would have recognized even without the Captain’s bars on his chest or the stunningly beautiful alicorn mare at his side. “Captain Armor!” he said in surprise, snapping a quick salute. “And Princess Mi Amore Cadenza! It’s a ripper of a pleasure to meet you both, sir … although I‘ve got to ask, how’d you know who I was? ”

The Captain smiled. “No need to be so formal if you don’t mind, Hunter,” he said, though he did quickly return the salute. “I’ve heard of you from my own lieutenants, and none of them fail to mention your hat.” He stepped to one side, motioning towards the pink-coated alicorn. “Might I introduce you to my lovely and amazing wife, Cadance?”

“Flatterer,” The princess said as she stepped forward, giving Shining a quick peck on the cheek. “Pleased to meet you, Hunter.” Hunter could feel himself gaping, so he did the only thing he could think of.

“It’s an honor, Princess Cadenza,” Hunter said, bowing and pulling his hat from his head.

“Oh really, no bowing. And call me Cadance,”

“You’re sure?” he asked, replacing his hat.

She smiled again, leaning on her husband. “Of course, I’ve only got one pony bowing and treating me like royalty,” she said with a smile. “And that’s more than enough.”

“Well ...” Hunter said. “Then my congratulations on the wedding. You two look spot on rapped together.” The couple smiled. “And on saving Canterlot,” he added. “That was impressive.”

Shining Armor blinked. “It wasn’t how I expected my wedding to go, that’s for sure.”

Cadance laughed. “We got a story out of it, that’s for sure, didn’t we?” Her husband leaned over and nuzzled her, and for a moment Hunter considered excusing himself from the newlywed pair.

“So,” Shining Armor said, looking back up. “I hear you’ve been looking into those train robberies.” Cadance rolled her eyes and gave her husband a playful bat with her hoof.

“Back to talking about work already, Shining?” she said, only to pause with an odd expression on her face as Nova slid up next to Hunter.

“Hold these for me, will you Hunter?” Nova said with a wink. Hunter got his hoof up just in time to catch a pair of earrings and a necklace that Nova tossed his way before fading back into the crowd. He stood for a moment in stunned silence before looking up at Shining Armor and Cadance, both of whom were looking at him in confusion.

“Crikey,” he said at last as he looked back at his hoof. “I haven’t got a bit on me!”


*        *        *


“Shikamoo, as-salaam aleykum.” Sky Bolt watched in fascination as Sabra bowed low before the older zebra mare, his hooves spread before him.

“Aleykum as-salaam,” the mare replied, bowing her head slightly in return. Colorful beads woven into her mane clicked together. “Diama ni furaha kukutana na mmoja wa nduju mtukufu. Nimeitwa Akeelah.”

“Mimi ni Sabra.” Sabra said, responding to the mare in his melodic language. Sky Bolt watched for a moment more as the two conversed, but soon grew bored with her inability to understand the conversation between the two. She’d already grasped the meaning of a few of the words as they went back and forth, but they were simple words, words like “hello” and “thank you.” The rapid-fire Zebra that the two were now conversing in was years beyond her.

Sky Bolt took another look around the room. It certainly was impressive, what with all the crazy-expensive looking architecture. The beams holding up the roof were carved wood, for crying out loud! Detailed carved wood. It was difficult to make out exactly how detailed from where she was, but she could see the carved outlines of ponies crossing the beams. Figures they’d put some really cool stuff up where you can only see it if you fly, she thought, and then totally make it uncool to fly.

“Quite beautiful, are they not?” A melodic voice murmured at her side. Sky Bolt gave a small gasp and jumped to one side, nearly tripping over her gown.

“My apologies, I did not wish to offend,” the zebra mare said, the colorful beads in her mane clicking as she stepped back. “If I’ve done wrong, I will amend.” Her voice flowed smoothly, much like Sabra’s did, but with an even more melodic quality to it. It was as if the words themselves were sliding around in the air, slipping smoothly past any obstacles.

“Oh, no-no, no,” Sky Bolt said. “That was my bad—I wasn’t paying attention. It’s all a little, you know, overwhelming.” She rolled her head around at the hall to illustrate, trying to ignore her panicked inner voice. She’s a diplomat or something. Just stay cool, like she’s somepony who wants something made.

The mare smiled, lines forming in the corners of her eyes. “The roof above, I have always adored. A sight to see, when I am bored.”

Sky bolt blinked at the rhyme, her momentary panic fading. “Hey, that was pretty clever,” she said, extending her hoof. “My name’s Sky Bolt, it’s nice to meet you.” Her eyes darted to the colorful, flowing robes that the diplomat was wearing. They looked pretty comfortable, although they’d be a hassle around machinery.

“The pleasure is mine, to meet such a pretty young mare,” the zebra said as she accepted the hoofshake. “Call me Akeelah, the diplomat rare.”

Sky Bolt’s cheeks began to burn. “Thanks,” she said, personality slightly shocked off center. She gave her head a small shake. Play it cool, she thought. “Thanks for the compliment. You have a nice name.” Oh, real smooth.

Akeelah smiled. “Among my people it means I am wise, so I have been sent to these foreign skies. Now,” she said, as she dexterously plucked a drink from a passing waiter's tray with one hoof. “Sabra has told me that he works with you. So tell me, what is it that you do?”

“He did?” Sky Bolt said, looking around for the zebra in question and spotting him not far away, deep in conversation with some noble. “I mean, yeah, we work together. As part of a team.” She gave her mind a mental kick as Akeelah gave a small smile. “We’re called the Dusk Guard,” Sky Bolt said as she recomposed herself. “We’re a new group, just a few weeks old actually ...”


*        *        *


“So, you must be the leader of that new Dusk Guard I’ve heard about,” a voice said behind Steel. “The one taking up all of the Princesses' time?” There was a tone to the Canterlot accented voice that was unpleasant, as if the speaker just ever so slightly considered himself above whoever he was talking to.

“I’m sorry,” Steel said, turning away from the conversation he’d been listening in on. “Have we me—?” he stopped. “No, I see we haven’t,” he said. He did recognize the pony though, it was the same dark brown earth pony he’d seen in Princess Luna’s Night Court a week or so earlier. The one from the rail company who’d provoked Princess Luna with his constant pestering. Now that he was getting a closer look, Steel could see that the pony was actually quite young, closer to Nova’s age. His mane was a dark blue, the same color as his expensive looking suit, a shade so dark it was almost black. On his flank was his cutie mark, a pile of golden bits that shone against his dark brown coat.

“Hmph,” the earth pony said, snorting. “Well I know you,” he said, pausing to take a careful sip from a wine glass. “You’re Steel Song, bodyguard extraordinaire and now leader of the new Guard division that’s been such a distraction from the important things of Equestria.”

“I guess that depends on your definition of what’s important,” Steel said, resigning himself to the forthcoming conversation. “Mister … ?”

“Spike, Golden Spike. Part owner of Equestrian Rail Services, full owner of Colossal Carrots Incorporated, and owner of the Horseshoe Bay Yacht club,” the pony said. He didn’t extend a hoof, and Steel wasn’t sure he would have taken it anyway. “And surely you can’t think that some sort of guard squad could be more important than the financial well-being of Equestria.”

“I hardly think that a few stumbles in the railroad business could be a threat to the well-being of Equestria,” Steel said dryly.

“Well of course you would think that,” Golden said, rolling his eyes, which were, oddly enough, colored the same shade of gold as his cutie mark. “You’re just a simple bodyguard.” He gave a deep sigh, as if the act of speaking to Steel was somehow wearying him. “But I shall try to paint a picture of the situation for you.”

“Oh, please do,” Steel said, fighting a growing urge to splash the stallion's drink in his face. “Enlighten me.”

“With pleasure,” Golden said, either missing or ignoring the sarcasm in Steel’s response. “You see, in the last twenty years alone, the ERS—that’s the Equestrian Rail Service—has become one of the largest shippers in Equestria. We ship the majority of goods and services, and we also provide transport to may ponies. Now something like that might not matter much in whatever podunk town you’ve lived in, but for large cities such as Canterlot, Baltimare, or Manehatten to exist without everypony growing their own food or harvesting their own materials, shipping must exist to bring in food from surrounding areas, and the ERS does that at a cheaper cost than anypony else. Simply put, the ERS is a backbone of Equestria’s economy, has been for some time now.” His face took on an angry countenance. “But if those in charge of the railway begin to lax in their duties and the ERS begins to look like a risky investment, ponies will go to other, costlier methods of transport. Prices will rise across the board, and Equestria will suffer for it.”

“Sounds like you’ve got your hooves full,” Steel said, trying to break Golden’s momentum. “So what are you doing here? This is a diplomatic dinner, not a stock market.”

“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong!” Golden said, eyes flashing. He took another sip from his glass. “This dinner is a market, a trade market! The whole reason we’re here tonight is in honor of the Griffon Empire delegates' trade negotiations with Canterlot Cloudrunners. They’ve just opened up a new line of import/export shipping using that new massive airship design of theirs as the hauler.”

“You mean the Alicorn?” Steel asked, genuinely surprised. “I thought that was a pleasure cruiser.”

“Oh it is. A very nice one too,” Golden said, finishing his drink. “Gold inlays, a ballroom ...” He gave a contented sigh. “Nothing like a masquerade ball several thousand feet up. But ...” he said, tossing his glass at a nearby waiter, who plucked it from the air with an expert show of magic. “Business calls. I only rode it from here to Manehatten before returning to work. Anyway, it’s the Alicorn’s sister ships that are going to be the big shippers. Half the crew, double the load or something like that. They’ll be able to ship across the ocean in far less time than a standard sailing ship would.”

“In any case,” he continued, snagging another drink from a passing waiter. “I could no more ignore this dinner than ignore one of my own companies failing, which I might add, is also in danger of happening right under my own hoof if something isn’t done.” He gave Steel a cold, calculated look. “Spending thousands of bits on extending a rail line to the north when there is nothing to gain by doing so and ignoring valuable business opportunities in the south. Letting the rampant thefts go ignored for so long—”

“How long?” Steel asked, ignoring his own annoyance with the pushy, opinionated pony. “I thought there had only been thefts for the last few months.”

“A few months is an eternity to the business world in some cases,” Golden said. “But mark my words, if Celestia and Luna continue on this current path, this company could face a grave financial and public scandal. They’ll be forced to step down and let more … capable ... ponies take charge.”

“Ponies like yourself, you mean.”

“Well of course,” Golden said, giving Steel a look that said any other pony would clearly be a ridiculous choice. “In just four years I’ve managed to take all of my businesses to record heights, and just recently I made a series of incredibly lucrative investments in Badlands-based gem mines. My profitability has never been higher.”

“Uh-huh,” Steel said, finally tiring of the stallions grandstanding. “Anyone ever tell you not to count your chickens before they hatch?”

Golden scoffed. “As if you would understand the workings of the business market. I can see my accomplishments are wasted on you. A pity,” the stallion said as he turned up his nose. “That likely means that whatever purpose you supposedly fill with this Dusk Guard is wasted as well.” Golden turned to walk away, but then looked back. “If you happen to speak to either of Princesses tonight, you may as well let them know that I will fix their failures, one way or another. Good night.” He stalked off, head held high.

“Wow,” Steel muttered to himself as soon as the stallion was out of earshot, giving his head a little shake. “How did an absolutely plotheaded stallion like him end up with so much money and power?”

“I know,” said a heavily accented voice at his side. “It is a crying shame, no?”

Steel’s eyes opened wide in surprise at the familiar tone. He spun around, ignoring the startled looks of the partygoers around him at his sudden movement, a huge grin stretched across his face. “Primetail!” he roared, decorum forgotten. “You old featherbrain! What are you doing here!”

“Ah, my friend, I am attending the dinner! As are you, it would appear,” the massive griffon answered, grinning as he opened his arms wide. “But is that any way to greet an old friend?”

Steel laughed as the griffon’s foreclaws wrapped around him in a hug that would have been bonecrushing on a pony that was any smaller. Steel was large for a pony, but Primetail was even larger for a griffon.

“Primetail, it’s been too long.” Steel said, doing his best to return the hug.

“Indeed it has, my friend. Indeed it has.” Primetail nodded as he stepped back, ruffling his thick grey and tan plumage with one talon. “Do you still speak griffon as well as you did?”

“Bilmiyorum, sen söyle,” Steel said with a grin, his mouth carefully twisting to make the sounds of the harsh language.

“Ah...” Primetail said, chuckling. “Sana yeni bir muhafız kadar lider hakkında duymak Bu nedir?”

“Bu uzun bir hikaye,” Steel said as Primetail motioned towards one of the smaller tables near the stage. “Hikayeler demişken, yeğenim ve yeğeni hala tanıştığımız nasıl hakkında işitme keyfini çıkarın.”

“Böylece var mı?” Primetail asked as he sat down. “Tell me all about them,” he said, switching back to Equestrian.

“Well,” Steel said, trying to ignore the sudden pit in his gut as his angry sister came to mind. “They’re both unicorns, and the oldest is a hoof-full and a half ...”


*        *        *


Dawn was enjoying herself immensely. Not only was this the kind of event that she enjoyed attending—a calm, reasoned party with guests who dueled with words rather than hooves—but the music was simply divine—unless she was mistaken, the musicians had just finished Vivace in E Minor—and the waiting staff was superb. She would really have to see Steel about making certain that they were invited to as many of these events as possible. Or at the very least that she was.

“Why I must say dear, your sense of style is divine.” Dawn turned. The speaker was an obviously wealthy unicorn, her pink dressing gown simple in style, but with small details that pointed at a wealthy taste. “Your mane in particular is quite impressive. Tell me, however did you come up with that?”

“I modeled it after the ancient Romane Empire’s high fashion,” Dawn said with a touch of pride. She gave her head a slight toss, throwing the curls of her mane out for the mare to admire. “I especially enjoy how it matches the earrings.”

Confusion clouded the mares face. “Earrings? But you aren’t wearing any earrings.”

“But of course I a—” Dawn’s response died in her throat as her hoof rubbed a bare ear. She looked down at her neck, then at her left wrist. Both were bereft of any jewelry. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said to the mare, composing herself. “I seem to have misplaced something ...” She turned away, finishing her sentence under her breath so nopony could hear it. “And putting my hoof across Nova’s flank is going to be the best way to fix the problem.”


*        *        *


“Hoo-boy, she looks mad,” Hunter said as he spied Dawn stalking across the hall in her quest to find her missing jewelry. He looked down at the small pile of jewelry sitting in the middle of the table. “Maybe I should put this stuff somewhere else.” He tried to act nonchalant, sipping at his drink.

“Tartarus hath no fury like a mare scorned,” Shining said, earning a playful slug to the shoulder from his wife. “What?” he asked with a laugh. “It’s true!”

“Speaking of mares,” Cadance said, ignoring her husband as she turned to Hunter. “I’ve noticed there’s one here who keeps looking at you when you won’t see her.”

Hunter almost spit out his drink in surprise. He managed a quick swallow. “Wait, what?” he said, fighting the urge to look around. “Who?”

Cadance laughed and shook her head. “I don’t know who she is, but I know who she’s looking at.” Her eyes darted to her husband. “You see her, Shining?”

Shining nodded. “Yep, she’s definitely sneaking looks at you. Giving you a good one right now.”

Hunter again fought the urge to spin around and see who was looking at him. “What’s she look like?”

“Unicorn, dark blue coat, purple mane, green dress,” Shining said. “Sound like anypony you know?”

Hunter searched his memory but after a moment shook his head. “Nope, can’t say she sounds familiar ...”

“Well, why don’t you go introduce yourself?” Cadance suggested with a smile.

“Hmm … I don’t know—whoop!” He swept his hat off of his head, dropping in on the pile of jewelry in the center of the table moments before Dawn broke out of the crowd.

“Princess Cadenza, Captain Armor,” Dawn said, giving them each a small bow before turning to Hunter. “I see someone finally convinced you to remove that ridiculous hat,” Dawn said in annoyed tone. “You wouldn’t have happened to have seen Nova around here would you?”

“No ...” Hunter said truthfully. “I haven’t seen him for a while, why?”

“No reason,” Dawn said, her teeth grinding together behind her smile. “If you see him, tell him I’d like to speak with him please.”

“Yeah, sure thing,” Hunter said, trying to act as natural as possible. Dawn gave him a curious look but walked away, vanishing back into the crowd.

“That was close,” Shining said as Hunter placed his hat back on his head, revealing the small pile of jewelry again.

“You’re telling me,” Hunter said. He stared at the pile for a moment and then carefully swept it to the edge of the table with his wing. “Well...” he said as the jewelry dropped into his pockets. One thing that he could admit was right about the lousy formal wear was that it at least had an adequate number of pockets. “If I stick around here she’ll be back. I might as well go see if I can spot this mystery mare you two pointed out. Maybe I knew her or something.”

“Good luck!” Shining Armor said, turning back to his wife. The couple smiled as Hunter pushed off through the crowd. They both knew there was only one reason Cadance would have said anything in the first place. He’d feigned ignorance, but Hunter had known who that pony was. They were sure of it.


*        *        *


“She is a pleasure to speak to, indeed this is true.”

Sabra nodded at Akeelah’s words and bowed his head as the elder approached him once more. “Shikamoo,” he said, offering her a formal greeting.

Akeelah shook her head and let out a small laugh. “Ever so formal, try acting normal,” The elder ran her ancient eyes across the crowd. “Relax and have fun, don’t be a party of one.” Akeelah’s eyes stopped somewhere in the crowd for a moment before flashing back to him. “Your friend was quite energetic, once she learned to stop her fears. You should go join her, let her talk to your ears.”

“I—” Sabra started to say. Akeelah cut him off as she pushed him into the crowd.

“I’ll make it an order, one you will follow. Given by me and upheld, or your duty is hollow.” She gave him a final push and watched as the confused stallion wandered off into the party, meeting up with the young pegasus named Sky Bolt.

“And what’s this?” came a soft voice from nearby. “I would almost think that you were playing matchmaker Akeelah.”

“Ah, Princess, wound me you do,” Akeelah said, turning to see Princess Celestia coming out of the parting crowd. "I simply give advice, much like you.” She let out a chuckle, and the Princess joined in, smiling.


*        *        *


“Excuse me, there, pardon,” Hunter said, catching the pale green unicorn's attention. “You wouldn’t have happened to see a dark blue unicorn mare around here would you? Purple mane, green gown?”

“Why yes!” the mare said, ears perking up as she looked around. “She was just here a moment ago, although I don’t think I ever got her name. She had quite a luxurious mane, I was going to ask her where she’d styled it.” She looked back at him, visibly disappointed. “She doesn’t seem to be around now though.”

“Huh,” Hunter said.

The unicorn took another quick look around. “Was it important? Maybe you should ask one of the Guard?”

“Oh no. No,” Hunter said, taking one last look around the nearby area. Nothing. “It’s fine. Someone saw her and thought I might know her.” He looked back at the green unicorn. She had a long, flowing pale-blue mane, and was wearing a soft green dress that matched her coat perfectly. “Excuse my bodgy behavior too, miss. Name’s Hunter.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Hunter,” she said with a slight curtsy. “My name is Mint.”

“Pleasure’s all mine, ma’am.” He said, bowing and then extending his hoof to give hers a soft shake. “Are you enjoying the party?”

“To be honest, I think my older sister enjoys it a bit more than I do,” she said with a small laugh. She pointed over towards another group, where a similarly colored unicorn with a slightly darker pale-blue mane and light-blue gown was conversing with several unicorns, an earth pony, and one of the horses from Saddle Arabia. She looked quite a bit like her sister, although there was a single white streak running through her mane and tail. She was also a bit older, Hunter guessed, looking about halfway between his own age and Dawn’s.

“She looks quite a bit like you,” Hunter said, turning his attention back towards Mint. “I think I’d have trouble telling you both apart.”

Mint smiled. “It’s easier than you’d think. Her horn—” she said, tapping her own, “—switches spiral directions about halfway up. So it’s not hard once you see us next to each other.”

“I didn’t know a unicorn’s horn could do that,” Hunter said, feeling the need to tread carefully. “Is it common?”

Mint laughed. “Hardly. It’s actually very rare. It’s a cosmetic difference only, she’s just as magically powerful as the rest of us. Impressively so,” she said, her voice growing quieter as the last few words left her mouth.

“Anyway,” she said, perking up again. “She’s even named for it. Our Dad actually wanted to name her Mint, but my mom wouldn’t have any part of it. So when he saw the horn, he suggested ‘Twist.’”

“Your sister's name is Twist?”

“Actually, it’s Radiant Twist,” Mint said. “She fits it pretty well. Then when I came around Mom swung around, although she still wanted a part in it, so that’s where I got my name.”

“So it’s not just Mint?” Hunter asked.

“No,” she said, rolling her eyes. “It’s Mint Tam.”

“Tam?” Hunter said. “That sounds a bit unusual.”

“Try abbreviating it,” Mint said, a wry grin on her face.

“Mint … T?” Hunter said. “Minty?”

“Yeah, that was my Mom,” Mint said, letting out a small laugh. “Dad didn’t realise what she’d done until later. She won that one, I ended up with the crazy name.” They both laughed for a moment.

“So what are you doing here?” Mint asked after their laughter had subsided. “I haven’t seen you at one of these events before.”

“You must be someone important then,” Hunter said, earning a shrug from Mint. “I’m here because I’m a Lieutenant in the new Dusk Guard.”

“Oh my,” Mint said, covering her mouth with one hoof for a moment. “Well congratulations then. I’d heard there was a new Guard division, but not much else. Is there a reason for that?”

“Well …” Hunter stalled, trying to remember what he could and couldn’t say. He settled for the easiest explanation. “We’re a smaller guard group, but we’re highly trained. We’re not going to be quite as public as the other two divisions, at least not as far as I see it. It’s more the knowledge that we’re there if needed.”

“A reserve? Like the Wonderbolts?”

“Not quite,” Hunter said. “We’re active Guard. Full time. We’re just there to assist if needed.”

“Assist with what?” Mint’s sister asked as she stepped up behind her. “My apologies, I couldn’t help but notice you two talking so animatedly over here and simply had to come see what was so fascinating.” She was slightly taller than her younger sister, a bit more thinly regal too. She also looked tired. Despite her smile and makeup, Hunter could see faint bags under her eyes, and the eyes themselves were noticeably bloodshot. Not to a horrific extreme, but noticeable all the same.

“Oh, with whatever we’re needed for,” he said, trying to think of a good example. A few more individuals from the other group were drifting over now. “So say if for example, the Rangers ran into a real doozy of a manticore migration and needed a quick response. We’d be ready for it.”

“Would you though?” one unicorn asked. “Does the Dusk Guard have experience with manticores?”

Hunter chuckled as he remembered Steel’s trek to come find him. “We do. We’re actually a quite versatile group of ponies. I was in the Rangers for example, before I got recruited.” There were a few mutters of amazement.

“So what other experience does your group have?” one pony asked. Hunter could see more ponies coming over now, interested in whatever performance was gathering such a crowd. There were even a few griffons coming.

“Well, our Captain is a famous bodyguard,” Hunter said, relaxing despite all the attention on him. He could do this. Just talk about everypony in the group. “Some of you who’ve hired bodyguards in the past may recognize the name Steel Song?” One of the ponies gave a low, escalating whistle. Apparently he had.

“We’ve also got one of the Rangers most famous field medics, Dawn Triage.” Hunter said, settling into a groove.

“Isn’t that bad news for the Rangers?” A pony with a very flashy pair of glasses asked from one side. “I mean, they needed her.”

“Not quite,” Hunter said. “It’s kind of an odd situation. See, the Rangers have this long standing policy that after twenty years of active service you either retire or take a desk job. It’s a holdover from decades ago.”

“I say,” a pony from the crowd said. “Retirement in twenty years? Why, these days one can work into their eighties before getting even close to retirement. Twenty years is scandalous.”

Hunter laughed. “Yeah, they’re a bit on the side of holding out for far too long on that one in my own opinion. In any case, she didn’t want the desk job, so she took ‘retirement’ and went and grabbed as many gigs at Canterlot General as she could. We found her there and she took the chance to hop onto our team.”

“Well I applaud the efforts of whomever’s idea that was,” said one unicorn, clapping softly. “Twenty years. Ridiculous!”

“If you really feel that way about it,” Hunter said, unable to resist the chance to do his old job a favor, “shed some light on the issue and draw some attention to it. I know I would appreciate the gesture, as well as a lot of my old co-workers.” There were a few murmurs from the crowd at his words. Maybe it would stir something.

“Anyway ...” Hunter said, drawing out the word as he wondered which pony to talk about next. Nova’s old profession probably wouldn’t go down that well, but Sky Bolt’s might. Wasn’t this dinner related to her project anyway? She’d said something about being involved with the Alicorn.

“We-ell, look at who it is,” came a very familiar voice from behind him. “I leave my bosses alone for five minutes and you show up?” A red-feathered griffon pushed past him, giving him a playful elbow before stopping and giving an exaggerated bow in front of Radiant Twist. “Sorry boss, if I’d known this ruffian was going to be here I’d have never wandered off.”

“Blade?” Hunter said as soon as he’d recovered from the surprise. “What—are you working for Radiant Twist?”

“Yes, she is,” Radiant said, looking from Blade to Hunter and back. Her eyebrows were raised in slight surprise, but otherwise she was maintaining a calm collected look. Hunter envied it. He knew his own face was a little less composed.

“So, you two know each other?” Mint asked. She at least, Hunter noted, had a look of surprise more close to his own.

“Sure do,” Blade said. “We went to flight camp together as kids. I ran into him a few weeks ago on the train.” Her eyes narrowed. “You’re Guard now?”

Hunter grinned. “I am. Jealous?”

Blade rolled her eyes and tapped her talon sheaths. “As if. I’ll take bodyguard work any day. It’s more ...” She looked at her boss “Exciting. We've been all over the place! Baltimare, Canterlot, Las Pegasus ... You should see some of the stuff—” 

Radiant coughed and Blade stopped speaking with a sheepish look. “Oh, right. Company secrets.” She motioned with her talons, zipping an imaginary zipper across her beak, and shrugged.

“What is it that you do, exactly?” Hunter asked Radiant. Some of the ponies that had gathered were drifting away now, gravitating towards other groups now that the conversation had shifted.

“We both own shares in the Equestrian Rail Service,” Mint said. “We also work for the company.” She looked over at her sister. “I’m overseer for the entire Eastern half of Equestria, while my sister—”

“I manage R&D,” Radiant said. “Research and development. I’ve always had a knack for the sciences and looking towards the future.” Mint gave a small frown at her sister's response that vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared.

“So you two are familiar with the thefts?” Hunter asked, lowering his voice.

Mint sighed and looked away. “Of course we are. I personally find them shameful.”

“Mint!” Radiant said, giving her sister a stern look of disapproval that seemed a little harsh to Hunter. “We’ve got to look toward the future,” she said, turning her attention back towards the rest of the gathering. “Like new security systems. Faster trains. New power sources to pull larger loads.” Hunter fought the urge to zone out. From the sound of her voice—plus Mint and Blade’s reactions—this was something she said so often she could say it in her sleep.

“And what do you think of some of the current handlings, hm?” came a new voice. A dark brown stallion in a dark blue suit with matching mane and tail wandered out of the crowd. “Surely you would say that the current leadership has been a little less than acceptable?”

“I don’t think I would say that,” Radiant said, facing the new pony head on. “I think the leadership we have is wonderful, capable, and determined but ...” She paused for a moment. “With all else that is going on I think that perhaps it couldn’t hurt for them to pass the torch on to those ponies who would be willing to accept it. Thefts can, after all, happen to anyone.” She gave the new stallion a dark glare. “I doubt you, Golden Spike, could do anything to prevent such thefts.”

Golden gave a mocking laugh. “Don’t be absurd, Radiant. If the Princesses' short-sighted wasting of funds in the north—as well I’m sure elsewhere in the ERS—were to be stopped we could use those extra funds for luggage security.”

“But would you?” It was Mint who spoke this time. “Somehow Golden, I don’t see you doing anything with extra bits but voting yourself a larger bonus.”

Golden gave her a look that Hunter had seen ponies give gum stuck to the bottom of their hoof. “And tell me, Mint T,” he said, drawing out her name and deliberate pronouncing the ‘T.’ “Can you, as one of the top managers at the ERS, see any profit or reason in the Princesses' ‘rail to nowhere?’” Mint opened her mouth but said nothing. “You can’t deny it,” Golden continued. “The Princesses' insistence that they continue to guide this company is foolishness, and their very guidance is going to destroy it!”

“I think that you’re overreacting, Golden.” It was Radiant who spoke, her voice soft but carrying to the ears of everypony present. “I cannot entirely agree with your assessments, furthermore I find your methods and vocal outbursts distasteful.” Her eyes narrowed.

“You can’t stand in my way,” Golden said. “I have the funds. If I have to, I’ll buy every last bit of the ERS.”

“And for the sake of all those who work for it,” Radiant said, her horn starting to shine. “I hope that does not happen.” Hunter leaned back ever so slightly, shifting his weight to his back hooves. If a fight broke out, was he supposed to get in the middle of it?

“Radiant,” Mint whispered, although loud enough that he could hear it.

“What?” Radiant asked through clenched teeth, turning to face her sister, eyes narrowed in rage. Then her face softened, horn going out as she shook her head. “My … apologies,” she said to the shocked crowd. “I’ve been working far too much lately, I feel I must retire for the evening.” She turned to Blade and gave a small nod of her head.

Blade looked at Hunter and shrugged. “Some other time, Hunter.” He nodded, tipping his hat at her as she walked away,  her bristled feathers the only sign that she probably wanted to give Golden a severe pounding.

“Oh dear,” Golden said, looking at a distraught Mint with a smirk. “I would think that your sister would be more in control of herself. To even think of lighting her horn as if she was going to physically attack me.”

“Alright, I think I’ve heard about enough of this,” Hunter said, stepping forward. Golden gave him the same disapproving look he’d given the sisters earlier.

“And who might you be?” he asked, beckoning a waiter forward and picking a glass from his tray.

“First Lieutenant Hunter of the Dusk Guard,” Hunter said, taking another step. “Although I don’t think that really matters much. I’d be stepping forward one way or another if somepony had a mouth as shonky as yours.”

Golden rolled his eyes. “Please, like you’d do anything, you’re a Guard. You can’t—” There was a loud wet splash as his drink leapt from its glass, splattering itself all over his face.

“Ah!” Golden yelled, stepping back blindly. His glass stayed where it was, supported by a pale blue glow. “Who—” He shook his head, ponies nearby stepping back in alarm as small drops of drink went flying about. Rivulets of it ran down his neck, soaking into the expensive suit. “I’ll—”

“I appreciate the chivalry,” Mint said, stepping around Hunter, her horn alight in a pale blue glow identical to that clutching the glass. “But I can take care of this.” 

She approached the sputtering earth pony, glass clutched in her magic. “Why Golden, how clumsy of you, you’ve spilled your drink, and dropped your glass. Good thing I was there to catch it for you. Just like my sister and I will still be at ERS when you run yourself … how to put this, off the rails?”

Golden sputtered for a moment, eyes glaring. “Fine,” he muttered after a moment. “Have it your way. We’ll see who wins out in the end. I’ve got big things coming my way. We’ll see if you're so smug in a few months.” He stomped off, leaving a trail of wet hoofprints that waiters scurried to clean up.

“Well,” Hunter said as Mint turned, the rest of the crowd dispersing now that the unexpected show was over, chatter resuming. “He’s certainly pleasant.”

“He used to be,” Mint said as she floated the glass over to a nearby waiter, who took it with a bow. “Back when her first bought shares in the ERS, he was a nice enough stallion. Honest, trustworthy. Everything he is now not.” She looked in the direction of the retreating stallion. “He’s become obsessed with wealth and power.” She turned back towards Hunter. “All for the greater good of course. I almost think he believes it.” She shook her head. “The road to power is a tempting one.”

“How did he even get where he is? Inheritance?” Hunter asked, still watching the offensive earth pony as he exited the hall.

“No.” Mint said. “Well, partially. His father owned a large series of carrot farms. Golden helped him build it into an empire. When his father died a few years ago, Golden began making aggressive acquisitions almost immediately. He’s very good at it, but unfortunately I don’t think it’s good for him.” Hunter turned back to find her looking right at him. “In any case, I’m afraid I must see to my sister. She really has been overworked lately, quite a few projects of hers are taking much of her time. If you’ll excuse me.” The pale green mare began to walk away at a sedate pace, heading for one of the other entrances to the hall.

As Hunter watched her go he started to feel a nagging itch at that base of his skull, a faint pressure that made him feel as if somepony was watching him. He turned his head to see a blue unicorn in a green dress staring at him from the side of the room. The moment their eyes met, she darted, breaking eye contact and making a fast trot for one of the doors.

It had to be the same mare that Shining Armor and Cadance had spotted watching him earlier. Hunter broke into his own quick trot for the door, trying to head the mare off. Her eyes darted back and locked with his for just a moment before breaking away, and she increased her speed, muttering what looked like apologies as she ducked around other ponies.

Hunter’s brow furrowed under his hat. He’d never seen this mare in his life, he was fairly sure of it. So why was she acting like she knew who he was? He increased his speed as she made it to the door first, slipping out into the castle’s hallways. He burst through seconds later, startling a waiter on the other side of the door into almost dropping his tray. The waiter shot him a dirty look as Hunter looked up and down the hall, even checking above him in the air.

The hall was empty. Not a pony in sight. 

“Excuse me,” he said, stopping the waiter just as he put his hoof to the door. “Did you happen to see which direction the young mare who came through these doors went?”

The waiter frowned and shook his head. “No,” he said in a gravelly voice, stroking his mustache with one hoof. “I haven’t seen anypony, but then, I backed into the hallway a moment ago sir.” He waved a hoof towards a small doorway set into the wall. “So I may have missed her. Was it important?”

“No, no,” Hunter said, bending over slightly. The marble floor bore the signs of recent passage, but that meant nothing. There wasn’t a trail to follow. “Forget about it, it was nothing.”

“Very well sir,” the old waiter said with a bow before heading into the hall, tray carefully held in the air.

“Huh,” Hunter said as he took one last look around the empty side hall. “What the hay was that about?”


*        *        *


“So, Steel,”

“Yeah?” Steel said, not drawing his eyes from the crowd as it ebbed and flowed. Most ponies didn’t even notice it, but every crowd had a movement, an organic life to it. Right now the two foci of the movements were the Princesses, with some lesser dignitaries and diplomats serving as smaller areas of attraction. Hunter had been involved in something at the end of the hall, but that group had drifted apart following some kind of altercation. Hopefully it wasn’t anything he’d be responsible for.

“You seem,” Primetail said, his expression searching, “well how to put this? Off? Is something bothering you?”

“You’re not the first to say that,” Steel said, letting a small bit of his emptiness bubble up in a sigh. “At least, not tonight anyway.”

“Ahh, my old friend,” Primetail said, setting a paw on Steel’s shoulder. “Tell me what’s bothering you. I can see it in your eyes.”

Steel let out a sigh. “It’s family. I think.”

“You think?” Primetail said in surprise. “That could be part of the problem. You always did tend to think a little too much.” He chuckled. “But what is it about your family?”

Steel shrugged. “It’s not … entirely family. That’s just part of it.” He stopped following the crowd, turning his full attention to Primetail. “My sister is furious with me, and I have no idea why.”

“Did she offer an explanation?” Primetail asked.

Steel shook his head. “Not one I could make sense of. But it brought back this empty feeling I’ve had ever since I retired, like my life is missing something.” He cocked his head. “You ever feel anything like that?”

“You know, I think I did, once,” Primetail said, unconsciously stroking the feathers below his beak with his free paw. “It was a few years before I met you. Let me guess,” he said. “For me it was like life had gotten hollow. The wind rushing through my feathers just didn’t bring the same thrill, like something was missing. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t quite complete. Does that sound about like it?”

Steel nodded. “What did you do?”

Primetail sighed. “I lived with it.” For a moment his normally cheerful face looked a bit sad. “I tried bouncing from job to job, working all sorts of different things. New things? They drive it away for a while. But eventually I just decided that maybe it was a part of who I was.”

"You know,” Steel said, his ears down. “That’s a pretty poor answer.”

The aged griffon gave a shrug. "Well, what can I do, eh? I am a warrior. Not a thinker or a—" he gestured towards a nearby clump of griffons, "—a speaker. My lot in life is what I am. And I enjoy it," he said with a smile.

"So, no great wisdom from you then, you old feathery log."

"Pah! Log?" Primetail said in mock offense. He pounded against his chest with one paw, eliciting a dull thumping noise. "I'll have you know this "log" is still a prime specimen of Griffon!"

"For a museum, maybe," Steel said, giving his old friend a slight grin.

"A museum?" Primetail's feathers flared out in mock indignation. "I'll have you know that there are still several griffon maidens trying to woo me into their clan."

"And you're still bumming around these things?" Steel asked, giving him a wry smile, although the words had his own mind racing.

"I am a warrior, Steel, a bıçakların ustası," the griffon said, his tone serious. "To settle my name to a single clan ... many have. But me?" He shook his head slowly. "I can't see that life for me. Besides, the food is pretty good here, even if your chefs never quite manage a proper rosto." He turned his head, looking Steel right in the eyes. "And what about you, eh? I'd have thought the mares would have been lining up for a chance to meet the great Steel Song?"

"No," Steel said, giving his head a shake. "We value things a little differently here." Primetail's scoff said that he'd understated his case slightly. "Besides, I'm a warrior like you, remember?"

"Ah, but the rules are different here, my friend," Primetail said, spreading the fingers of one paw wide. "Are you telling me that there has never been a mare to catch your heart?"

Steel felt his body jerk at the question as an emerald mare he'd avoided thinking about for days leapt to mind. "I ... If it's all the same to you, that's one I'd rather not talk about," he said, trying to push her smile, and then that last expression of hurt, from his mind.

"Ah, I see," Primetail said, a rumble of understanding. "She chose someone else, did she?"

"No," Steel said, shaking his head as he tried to push all thought of Cappy from them. "No, I pushed her away."

"Mmm," Primetail said, rubbing his chin between two talons. "And you liked her?"

"I ... like I said, I'd rather not talk about it." His mouth felt dry, like he hadn't had a drink for hours. It's done and over. By now she's probably already interested in somepony else. Even thinking it though, didn't help the pang soften.

"As you wish, my friend." There was a moment's silence.

"Sorry," Steel said, his heart slowing. It'd been a few days since he'd last managed to think of her. "It's just not something I wanted to think about. It's still a little—" he tapped a hoof against his chest, "—raw sometimes."

"I see," Primetail said. For a moment they were both silent, Steel doing his best to try and get his thoughts away from Cappy before she filled his mind, Primetail simply flicking his tail around and watching the crowd as they mingled.

"Well," Primetail said at last, giving a dry chuckle. "I didn’t say I was going to be helpful now did I? Tell you what though, if I ever figure out a way to keep that emptiness at bay, I’ll let you know.” He gave Steel a slow nod.

“It's fine," Steel said. "And although, you might not have been a help with that at all,” he said, something in his mind clicking. He seized at it, anxious to get his mind onto other things. “But I do know how I might be able to get back into my sister's good graces. How long are you in Canterlot for?”

“Just over a week,” Primetail said. “Why?”

“Well...you see,” Steel said, leaning in close and whispering into Primetails ear. At first there was silence, then Primetail began to chuckle. A chuckle which swelled into a roar of laughter.

“I like this idea,” Primetail said as soon as his laughter had subsided. “I may not have had the answer to your question, but this way I can at least give you a hand in another part of your life. However, I do want something in return,” He leaned in close. “You and me. Five hits.”

Steel grinned. “You’re on.”

“Excellent!” Primetail roared. “Now, why don’t we see about the dinner portion of this evening huh? I am getting hungry!” The large griffon rose from the table, looking out across the hall. “And what luck! Your Princesses appear to heading for the table as well, huh? Well, old friend, shall we go dine?”

“Yeah,” Steel said as a crystal bell began to ring, summoning the attendees to the large dining table. “I think we should. Just make sure we don’t sit near that unicorn colt I was telling you about.” Steel said as they approached the table. “He knows the party's off-limits, but after what I saw of Dawn earlier he might decide you’re free game.”

The two old friends shared another laugh as they say down.
> Training - Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 8


Hunter looked up from his work as the barrack's doors swung open with a muted thump. Nova limped into the room, his hooves dragging with every step. His mane and coat were damp with sweat, making him an even darker shade of purple than normal, and he was wincing with every movement. The only part of him that didn’t look as if it’d been through the wringer was his eyes. Even through the weariness however, there was a flash of insolence in the eyes. Which at the moment was directed right at Hunter.

“So,” Hunter said, sitting back and giving Nova a grin. “Done paying the price for swiping Dawn’s jewelry last night? Was it worth the ten bits?”

“Oh shove it,” Nova said, collapsing on one of the other benches around the table. He lifted his head up just enough to speak. “You were the one who kept her jewelry from her until it was almost over. Why the hay aren’t you getting punished?”

Hunter laughed. “That’d be the privileges of rank, at least as far as how you got punished.” His face soured for a moment, color fading. “She did mutter something about me needing boosters on all my shots soon this morning, so don’t think you’re the only one getting off free.”

“Right,” Nova said as he rolled over onto his back with an overt wince. “You get stuck with needles, I run a few extra miles and get stuck doing push-ups and muscle exercises for three hours.” he let out a groan. “I haven’t even had lunch yet, and I don’t think I could magic up the energy to move a spoon.”

“How many push-ups did she have you do?” Hunter asked as he leaned forward, turning part of his attention back to the lists in front of him.

“Five. Five push-ups and five crunches for every bit the jewelry was worth,” Nova said, rubbing a hoof up and down one of his forelegs. “She said it was all worth five-hundred bits too.”

Hunter winced as he did a quick mental calculation. “So … twenty-five hundred of each?”

“Yeah,” Nova’s voice was deadpan. “And I know that jewelry wasn’t worth that. She just wanted to get at me. And to make it worse, word’s apparently gotten around to a few of the Night Guard that I’m that guy they were chasing years ago, so a bunch of them showed up to ‘assist’ me, mostly by watching and making smart remarks.”

“Ouch. You do anything about it?”

“Are you kidding?” Nova asked, rolling just enough that he could make eye contact with him. “I’m burned out as it is. I just let them have their fun.” He rolled back onto his back and resumed rubbing his forelegs, wincing occasionally.

Hunter paused for a moment, waiting to see if Nova was going to say anything else, but when all he heard was the faint thumping of bass notes from the workshop, he turned his attention back to the papers he’d spread across the low table.

Since he’d been begun getting reports on the train thefts just over two weeks ago, there had been seven more thefts. One almost every two days, although the actual times were irregular enough that no clear pattern had popped up. And the thefts were still just as bizarre. Part of a shipment of geologic samples being sent to a college in Los Pegasus. One quarter of a shipment of children’s toys. And of course more jewelry, which seemed to be the one consistent item. Although following that chain had been inconsistent as well. The street value on most of the jewelry wasn’t enough that the thief was making a profit at it, and in several cases, the thief had left jewelry that was far more valuable behind.

“So, what are you looking at?” Nova asked, pulling himself from the floor with a noticeable twinge of pain.

“Well,” Hunter said, sliding across his seat so he could push a few of the papers towards Nova. “These are the reports on everything that’s been stolen in the train robberies. Everything the guard knows about as of yesterday.

Nova gave a low whistle as he picked up a few of the papers. “This is quite the list.” He frowned as his eyes rolled down through the text and onto another paper. “It’s an insane list actually,” he said, dropping the paper. “What the hay is this pony? A kleptomaniac?”

Hunter shrugged. “You got me. That’s been my problem over the last few weeks, trying to find some sort of pattern in this stuff.” He shuffled the lists around again, looking at the lists he’d written as he’d tried to find something, anything that would match up. “It’s making me go starkers. I can’t see any pattern to it. You?” 

Nova stared at the list he was holding for a moment, swapped it for a second, and then a third, his expression growing more exasperated each time. Finally he tossed the paper down with a look of disgust, shaking his head.

“I don’t see it. It’s like they’re just picking up stuff at random.” He gave a small sigh and picked up another list. “I mean look at this. Three specialty Celestia clocks. Cheap jewelry taken while the expensive jewelry was ignored.” He tossed the paper down. “What a loser!”

“Or ...” Hunter said as he looked at Nova, a new idea springing to mind. “Maybe they’re just trying to show off? Think about it,” he said, cutting off Nova’s response. “Most of the stuff they steal isn’t worth anything to a thief, even the Guard has worked out that much. So they can’t be in it for what they’re stealing. So what else would they be in it for? To show off!” He say back, giving his hat a rough tap. “Best explanation I can think of, they want to show off just how good they are. Maybe as a call out to another thief, like say, you.” His hoof came up, making a quick jab in Nova’s direction.

“Me?” For a moment Nova looked surprised, then he broke into laughter, only to stop short with a wince and put a hoof on his side. “Ow! Right, no laughing for a day or so. Anyway,” he said with a shake of his head. “I don’t think so. A, if anypony actually wanted to impress or call out any other thieves, this would be the wrong way to go about it. B, if they wanted to get my attention specifically, they’d have to do a lot more then just swipe some luggage. And C, no thief would respect this guy after what they’ve been pulling.”

Hunter felt his ears stand up in surprise. “Wait, you mean thieves actually have some sort of ‘code’ or something?”

Nova nodded. “And this thief is breaking every rule of it.” He gave a snort. “I mean, if it fit a pony I recognized I just would have gone and told him to cut it out rather than letting myself get caught. Or anonymously turned him in.”

“You’d do that?” Hunter asked, even more astonished than he’d been a few seconds earlier. “Turn them in a mean?”

Nova nodded. “Look, being a thief in Equestria is a dirty, tricky job, and there’s a set of unspoken rules. You play by the rules, everyone stays nice because everyone stays clean. You start running dirty though ...” He clicked his tongue, shaking his head slightly. “And well, no one wants a stupid thief ruining things for everyone else. The group’ll sell you out.”

“Honor among thieves?” Hunter asked with a chuckle. Nova cocked his head and smiled.

“It’s more likely than you’d think,” he said. “Thieving in Equestria isn’t really a thing, not like it is in other nations. We looked out for each other, in our own odd way.”

“But not enough that they’d come forward if you got blamed for the train robberies?” Hunter asked.

“Yeah, well now that I’m actually seeing what’s stolen it seems a little harder to believe they’d come after me, but no,” Nova said, his ears drooping. “They wouldn’t have. When you’re a thief, it's about you and no one else.” 

“A strange sort of honor, one without friendship,” came Steel’s voice as the massive earth pony stepped out of his office and began to descend the stairs, a small pair of saddlebags on his back. Nova’s brow wrinkled, and for a moment Hunter worried that he might have seen Steel’s appearance as invasive, but then Nova spoke up and dispelled his doubt.

“Well, it’s not exactly the greatest career choice. But I can’t blame them for it,” Nova looked down at the table. “It was an unspoken rule that you didn’t stick your neck out for anypony, and you didn’t sell out anypony if you got caught.”

“Well,” Steel said as he made his way down the stairs. “If you ask me that sounds like a dubious kind of honor. Honor it might be in part, but it’s not real honor. You ask me,” he said, stopping by the table and looking down at the notes. “Real honor is different. If there’s one thing I can say for certain, Nova,” he said, looking the still shaky colt right in the eyes. “Myself? And this team? We’ll stand by you when you need us to. That’s real honor.”

For a moment Nova looked confused, as if he didn’t know how to react. Than a smile began to cross his face, although his ears were still down. “Thanks? I guess?” He gave Steel an apologetic look. “Sorry, I’m not really sure how to respond to that.”

To Hunter’s surprise, Steel smiled. “Just promise us you’ll stand by us as well, and that’s all I need.” He turned to Hunter before Nova could respond. “Any luck with this?” he asked, tapping the lists.

Hunter shook his head. “No. It’s still a total mess.”

“I can’t even make sense of it,” Nova added. “Whoever this pony is, they look like a completely insane klepto.”

Hunter nodded in agreement. “I’m with Nova, this pony’s starkers.”

Steel sighed. “All right, well, keep at it. Who knows, maybe you’ll see something. Also, Hunter, are you going to bring up the other theft?”

Hunter nodded. “Actually I was, but I’ll do that in my office.”

“Take mine,” Steel said. ‘It’s soundproofed, and I’m going to be out for the next half-hour anyway. Princess Celestia wants to see me, so you’re in command until I get back.”

“Alright then boss,” Hunter said. “But I may pass that over to Dawn, remember?”

Steel’s brow dropped for a moment, then he brightened. “Oh, right, you did have that lunch leave—”

“Lunch with Thistle,” Hunter said, grinning at his commander and puffing his chest out.

“Right, right, what are you looking for, a medal?” Steel asked, rolling his eyes but offering a rare smile. “I’ll see you both later.”

“Right, boss,” Hunter said, tossing him a quick salute. Nova followed suit moments later, although his own salute was a bit more shaky and broken by a momentary wince.

“So,” Nova said, as soon as Steel had walked out. “What’s this other theft?”

“Come this way,” Hunter said, picking up the one folder on the desk that was still closed and heading for Steel’s office, “and I’ll tell you.”


*        *        *


“Captain Song, how nice to see you.” Princess Celestia’s warm voice reached his ears as the door to her office swung open. The Princess was sitting behind her desk, papers floating in front of her. As usual, she looked the very picture of regality. Her office was much the same as the last time he had seen it. Her pet phoenix was napping in a corner, the shelves were still full of various apparatuses, and the reds and gold color scheme still dominated his vision.

“Please, sit down,” Celestia said, indicating one of the chairs that was sitting in front of the desk.

One of the seats in front of her desk was already occupied by a fuchsia earth pony mare with a soft green carefully permed mane. She was wearing a small pair of glasses and a business vest, and her straight sitting position said to Steel that she was either important, or thought she was in some capacity. Her cutie mark was a cracked rock with crystals on the inside—it took Steel a moment to remember that it was called a geode—with a hammer hanging over it.

“Always an honor to meet with you again, Princess Celestia,” Steel said, offering a bow in the Princess’s direction before seating himself.

“Captain Song,” she said, gesturing with a hoof towards the mare sitting next to him. "This is Amethyst Star, head of the Equestrian Geological Department here in Canterlot. Amethyst, this is Captain Steel Song of the Dusk Guard.” 

“Nice to meet you,” Steel said, offering his hoof to the mare. She nodded, a short, polite thing that spoke of an insistent nature. Or, he thought. Maybe she’s just nervous about being in the presence of the Princess.

“Captain,” the Princess continued. “I’ve asked her to meet with you today because of your unusual request for access to crystal supplies. I don’t think we need to specify the reasons that you need such crystal,” Celestia said in clear tone that said ‘that’s a secret.’ “But,” Celestia continued, “your needing access to such crystal stores coincides wonderfully with the Geological Department’s renewed interest in the crystal caverns beneath Canterlot.” She paused, as if waiting for one of them to speak. Amethyst broke the silence.

“Well, yes, what the Princess said,” Amethyst said. Her words sounded stilted, as if her mind had ran on ahead and left her voice behind. She gave her head a quick shake, shutting her eyes, and when she opened them again, it looked like everything was back on track. 

“My apologies,” she said, looking slightly embarrassed. “I’m just so excited to be getting this chance. The crystal caverns underneath Canterlot mountain have been off-limits for hundreds of years. We’ve been allowing the crystals to reform themselves naturally, you see.” Steel nodded. It was earth magic. He understood that.

“Well,” Amethyst said, on a roll now. “After the events that took place during the changeling attack we learned that not only had Princess Cadenza been sealed in the caverns, but one of the Elements of Harmony as well. Naturally, those caverns have been off limits for hundreds of years, so learning that powerful magics have recently been unleashed there was quite alarming to our department. If their growth has been damaged, the eventual result, untreated, could damage an entire crop of crystals.” She looked back to Celestia.

“The department has requested that they be allowed back into the sealed off Crystal Caverns in order to inspect the crystal growths for damage,” Princess Celestia said, continuing the explanation. “Since Twilight Sparkle indicated that some of the crystals may have matured early, it may be possible for the Dusk Guard to accompany the Geological Departments investigation of the caverns and select a few large growths of matured crystal, which will be sold at the equitable wholesale price.”

“In addition,” Amethyst said with an excited lilt to her voice. “It will give our department a valuable chance to perform some studies of varying crystal growth rates in the caverns. In the past the caverns have been sealed for centuries between openings. We weren’t due to open them for at least another two-hundred years. But with what we’ve recently learned, we may be able to open them more often.”

“Simply put,” Princess Celestia said, giving Steel another one of her soft smiles. “All you need to do is send that young engineer of yours and a few ponies to help collect what crystal she needs, and in return the Geological Department is given the chance of a lifetime.”

“So, what do you say?” Amethyst asked. “Are you in?”

Steel’s grin was the only answer she needed.


*        *        *


“Ah, horseapples,” Hunter said as his eyes caught the time.

“What is it?” Thistle asked, her eyes following his to the large clock overlooking the plaza. “Oh drat,” she said, coming to a stop and putting an exaggerated frown on her face. “Time already?”

Hunter nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got an appointment I’ve got to go keep, then it’s back to staring at paperwork for a few hours.”

“Ugh,” Thistle said, rolling her pink eyes. “Paperwork. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with much of it in shipping.”

“Really?” Hunter asked, taking a final lick at what was left of his ice cream cone, leaving a delicious if somewhat soggy cone behind. He gave it a quick bite, the sugary substance parting with just a faint crunch as it vanished.

“Really,” Thistle said, giving him a smile. “My boss handles most of the paperwork. I just sign off on things. Most of my work comes in with these,” she spread her wings wide, fluffing the feathers and sending a light breeze across Hunter. “Anyway, you’d better get going if you want to make your appointment. What is it anyway?”

“Oh, nothing much. Just checking on something down at the Canterlot museum. Security stuff, they asked us to look into it.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, with a small smirk. Hunter hoped it meant she knew there was more to what he’d said than he was telling, but then again, it could have meant anything. The pair stood for a moment looking at each other, ponies flowing around them.

“Well, it was fun,” Hunter said at last, breaking the silence. “But uh, I’ve got to get going,”

“Yeah, I know. You said that already.” Thistle said, smiling and popping the last of her cone into her mouth with a crunch. “And you’re right, it was fun. We should do this again sometime.”

“Yeah, we should,” Hunter said, giving her a tip of his hat. “Well, until next time. I’ll catch you when I can and—” he took a quick look at the clock, “—I’ve got to fly!” He unfurled his wings, striking a dramatic pose and leaping into the air with a quick barrel roll that luckily enough, didn’t unseat his hat. Then, with a final salute towards Thistle, he headed in the direction of the Canterlot Museum.

By the time he arrived at the office of the museum watch several minutes later, he’d made up the lost time he’d spent saying goodbye to Thistle at the cost of a small sweat. It wasn’t hard: the stifling summer heat was still in full effect, although the weather department had announced that there was going to be a ripper of a storm the next evening.

“Hello?” Hunter called as he knocked on the door to the small office. “Anypony home?” He took a quick look around. The place was small but clutter-free, although that didn’t really give the illusion that there was any more space available. A single small desk was up against one wall, written schedules pinned to a small cork board above it. Several filing cabinets in the back completed the look of “office.” It was, he decided, about as average and bland an office as he could have expected.

Faint hoofsteps sounded behind him, and he turned just in time to see a navy blue unicorn in a pale blue shirt and tie walk in, head up and eyes alert. He spotted Hunter almost immediately. Not hard, considering the size of the room.

“Can I help you?” The pony asked. His tone wasn’t threatening, just curious. “Are you looking for somepony?”

“Are you one of the night watch?” Hunter asked. The unicorn nodded. “I’m first Lieutenant Hunter of the Dusk Guard,” Hunter said, giving the pony a nod.

“Oh,” the guard said, his eyes going wide. “Oh! They told me you were coming, I hope you weren’t waiting long, what can I do for you?” The pony stepped forward and stuck out his hoof, and Hunter gave it a shake. “Do you need something? Is this about that weird break-in we can’t talk about anymore?”

“Actually, it is, Mr. … uh...” Hunter’s eyes darted to the pony’s shirt. No name tag.

“Quicksilver,” the pony said, still shaking Hunter’s hoof. “But you can just call me Quick, everyone does.” He finally dropped Hunter’s hoof and trotted past, tossing himself into a small office chair by the desk and spinning a few circles before coming to a stop. “So, what do you need?” he asked, looking up at him

“I wanted to take a look at your copy of the report made by the Professor who discovered the break in last week.” Hunter said, watching as Quick gave himself another quick spin in the chair.

“Oh, yeah! I wasn’t on duty that night, but I remember hearing about it,” Quick said, hopping from the chair and pulling one of the filing cabinet drawers open. “Poor guy thought he was going to be devoured by bone monsters or something.” He laughed.

“Bone monsters?” Hunter asked. “Why would he think that?”

The guard shrugged as he pulled a piece of paper from the cabinet and slid the drawer shut. “‘Eats me,” he said, his mouth muffled by the piece of paper he was holding in his teeth. “‘e ‘works in t’e bone depar’ment.” He spat the paper out onto the desk. “So I guess it gets to you after a while. Still, I guess the guy's lucky. I saw the number done on those doors,” he said with a shake of his head. “They’re still fixing up the damage. Anyway, this is the incident report, knock yourself out.” He paused. “Any particular reason you wanted to see it?”

“Nothing specific,” Hunter said, putting his hooves up on the desk and skimming over the report. “It’s just that the report I saw was a condensed version of this, and I wanted to make sure that—” he paused as his eyes ran over a single line of text. “Hello, what have we here?”

“What?” Quick asked, peering over his shoulder. “You find something?”

“I think so,” Hunter said, a satisfied smile on his face. “Can I get a copy of this report?”

“Yeah, one second,” The watchpony grabbed the paper and headed for the door. “Just wait here,” he said as he trotted out of the office, the sound of his hoofsteps fading as he raced down the hall. Hunter leaned back against the desk. It wasn’t a major clue, but it was the first thing he’d found so far, and that was something.


*        *        *


“Wait, you’re sure?” Steel asked.

Hunter nodded. “I was up late last night checking over everything I’ve got. It matches up. Whoever is pulling the train robberies has to be connected to the whoever stole those keys Princess Luna is looking for.” 

“And you’re sure about this?” Steel asked him, one eyebrow raised. “And how did the Royal Guard not pick up on this? Just because the lights went out on both witnesses—”

“It’s not just that boss,” Hunter said, shaking his head. “It’s how they went out. In both cases the lights worked just a few minutes later. They’re magilights, like the ones above us right now.” He gestured up at the soft overhead lights. “They don’t go out unless they burn out or the power’s cut. And Paleo clearly mentions that the light switch wasn’t working.”

“Ok, so whoever did either job cut the power.”

Hunter shook his head. “Not that simple, I asked Nova about it. The only way to get lights like these—” he jabbed a hoof at the ceiling, “—to go out is to suck the magic out of them.” Steel gave him a blank stare and he shook his head in response. “I can’t even get into the technical details of it, so don’t ask. Sky Bolt might know. But it’s not easy. Something about frequencies and tones. Point is, it takes enough technical knowledge and skill that it isn’t really worth it. It’s not something you can just do with a spell, it takes equipment.”

Steel sat for a moment in silence. “All right,” he said at last. “I’m with you. It’s something. But you said that it has to be a group?”

Hunter nodded. “Got a fresh stack of reports from the Royal Guard this morning. Not only are the train robberies still taking place, but there was one the same night as the museum theft. Same tech, same MO, I assume.”

Steel nodded, looking down at his desk as if giving his explanation some thought. “Alright. So say they are connected, does that give us anything new to follow?”

Hunter raised both hooves. “I’m not entirely sure. It means I can add the keys they stole to the lists of everything else that’s vanished, but outside of that, I’m still not sure what they’re looking for. Even if the Guard are sure there’s something there.”

“What makes you think they’re so sure of that?” Steel asked, taking a sip from a glass of water that was sitting on his desk.

“A note that came with the last stack of reports,” he said. “The guard who delivered it didn’t know who’d put it in the report, but it said that there had to be a pattern, just keep looking.” He frowned. “It was a weird note. It had a heart on it.”

“What kind of a heart?” Steel asked, setting his cup down with a frown.

“Well—” There was a knock at the door, cutting him off. He looked at Steel and gave him a shrug.

“Come in!” Steel called with a nod, casually sliding a few papers around on the desk so that anything important was covered.

The door opened and a grey coated unicorn walked in. His shoulders were hunched, and the tufts of mane sticking out from underneath his cap were as sandy blond as his tail. A pair of saddlebags was slung over his back, resting back in a relaxed fit that just covered his cutie mark, leaving only a small glimpse of red visible.

“Can I help you?” Steel asked, standing with a confused look on his face.

The grey unicorn looked up at him, a bored expression on his face. Then a large grin began to spread across his muzzle, a grin so large it almost stretched ear to ear. “I’ll bet you can, captain.” The unicorn said in a familiar voice.

Hunter’s jaw dropped in surprise. “Nova?” The grey unicorn let out a laugh and tossed his head back, no longer slouching. He could see it now, although the face still looked … off, although he couldn’t quite put his hoof on why. But it was Nova, only grey coated and blond maned.

Even Steel was speechless as Nova whipped the cap from his head and tossed it aside with a flourish. “I take it from the look on you two’s faces that my disguise is pretty good.”

“Pretty good?” Steel managed to say. “That’s impressive! What kind of magic did you use?”

Nova rolled eyes which, Hunter noted, were brown instead of their usual yellow. “Magic?” he said, prying one of his eyelids back with one hoof and popping a small lens out of his eye with the other. He blinked a few times, his eye was back to its normal shade. “How many times do I have to say it—uh—sir,” he corrected, catching himself as Steel’s stern look came back in full. “Everypony always expects magic.” The other contact came out, leaving Nova blinking through normal eyes again. “So you don’t use it.”

“So what is it?” Steel asked. “Really good dye?”

Nova nodded and tapped his side with one hoof. “Yep. High quality stuff. It’ll wash right out with the right cleaner though. Costs a bundle.” He shook his mane, returning it to its usual style if not color. “As for the cutie mark, well, you can’t really cover that with dye for long, so I do something else.”

He tapped the loosely secured saddlebags laying across his flank. “See these saddlebags?” he asked, looking at both of them. Hunter gave a nod. Nova threw his rear legs up, standing on his front hooves. Rather than falling, the bags stayed exactly where they were.

“Special design,” he said with a smug look once he’d dropped to all fours once more. “It only looks like it’s relaxed. It’ll cover my cutie mark all day if I need it to. Plus, the little bit of red dye there makes everypony think of something completely different if they’re asked to.”

“What about your face?” Hunter asked, pointing at his muzzle. “It looks different too.”

“Shading,” Nova said, wiping a hoof across the top of his muzzle. “I apply a little dye lighter or darker here and there, and it makes me look just a tad different.”

“Nice work,” Steel said. “Did anyone try to stop you from getting in here?”

Nova shook his head. “To do that they’d have to see me first. I snuck in with a tour group and disappeared about halfway through.”

Steel put a hoof to his face with a groan. “So I assume that there’s a reason you’re all dressed up?” he asked.

“Of course,” Nova said, sliding the bags off of his flanks and setting them on the floor. “It was orders from Lieutenant Hunter.”

“Wait, what?” Hunter sat up, giving Nova a confused look. “When did I—”

“When you asked me to get in touch with some old ‘contacts.’” Nova said, unzipping the bag. “I didn’t exactly want them to know who I was, so...” He waved a hoof at his body.

“Anyway,” he said, putting a hoof inside his saddlebags, “it wasn’t for nothing either. Take a look at this!” Hunter’s jaw dropped a second time as Nova pulled his hoof out of the bag, revealing a triangular chunk of faintly glowing crystal.

“Is that—”

“Yeah,” Nova said. “I think it is, anyway. One of the key pieces you were looking for.”

Hunter gaped at the glowing piece of crystal. Princess Luna’s drawings hadn’t done it justice. It was clear around the edges, almost as if the entire piece was made of clear glass, but it’s core pulsed and throbbed with some sort of inner light, a blue shimmer that forked and darted out from the center, brilliant and vivid in some places, so dark in others it was almost black. It was twisting and pulsing as he watched it, making it look as if blue lightning had been contained inside the clear gem.

“Unless I miss my guess,” Nova said. “Its some kind of black opal. But there’s a lot of magic in it. Here, catch.” He tossed the gem and Hunter, who grabbed at it.

“Nova!” Steel yelled as Hunter almost dropped the pulsing gem. “What if he’d dropped it?”

“Relax, captain,” the temporarily grey coated unicorn said. “That thing's hard as diamond. Dropping it isn’t going to break it.” Now that he was holding it, Hunter could feel the magic in it making his hooves tingle.

“Wow,” he said, setting the gem on the desk. “That tingles.” Frowning, Steel put out a hoof and rested it on top of the pulsing blue piece. His eyebrows went up, but he said nothing.

“So how did you find it?” Hunter asked, turning back to Nova.

“Just checked the most likely shop to be dealing in goods like these,” Nova said, twisting his head, his neck popping. “Shopkeeper had already sold the other two pieces though. He wouldn’t say to where or when, but I caught a look at the books he was using, and he recently shipped something big up north, out of Equestria. Just a few days ago, in fact.”

“North a few days ago?” Hunter asked, surprised. What was in the far north aside from the unclaimed territories around the Ocean of Endless Ice?

“Yep,” Nova said. “It was a surprise to me too. For him to have sold them to somepony outside of Equestria already, they must have come into his possession not that long after they were stolen. Plus, he sold me that for only four-hundred bits—"

“Four hundred bits?” Steel said, looking up in shock. Nova ignored him.

“—so I don’t think he had any idea what he had.” Nova finished. “So between that and the dye, that five-hundred you gave me last night is gone already, Lieutenant, sorry. Although,” he said, his face brightening. “I may have some change left over from lunch in my bag.”

“Five hundred bits?” Steel said, raising his voice. “This was stolen property!”

“Yes it was,” Nova said without even batting an eye. “And now the dealer will still be in business if we want to look for other stolen property.” Steel frowned, but Hunter could see in his face that Nova’s logic had won him over.

“Alright,” Steel said at last. “Good work. Go get cleaned up and ready for the afternoon, we’re starting weapons training in a half-hour. Dismissed!” Nova tossed a quick salute and trotted out the door, pausing only to grab his saddlebags and toss them over his back once more.

“Well,” Hunter said as he looked down at the key sitting on the desk. “We’ve at least gotten part of this taken care of.”

“Yes, we do,” Steel said. “Kind of wrecks any theories about why these thieves would hit the museum though.” He tapped the crystal again. “Did they not know what they had? Why steal it in the first place? They clearly didn’t sell them for much.” He shook his head again and looked up. 

“Keep thinking about it,” he said with a nod. “In the meantime, could you go have the Guard relay to Princess Luna that we have something of hers?” He slid the key across his desk with on hoof, dropping it into an open drawer. “Until then, it’s not leaving this office.”

Hunter nodded and tossed Steel a salute, trying to remember what they’d been talking about before Nova had come in with such surprising news. Something to do with the stuff he’d gotten from the Guard that morning? He shook his head as he flew towards the barracks door. Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t important.
> Training - Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 9


The Equestrian Geological group—or whatever they were called, she wasn’t quite sure—was fairly easy to spot from the air. Sky Bolt tucked her wings in, putting herself into a steep dive down towards the collection of wagons and ponies at the base of Canter mountain. Her eyes began to water as wind rushed past her, the ground coming up at an alarming pace. She waited until the last second, so close now that she could make out the surprised expressions on the few ponies that saw her coming in, then snapped her wings out. She gave a small grunt of exertion as her wings caught air, pushing down and holding them steady as she went from a steep dive to a backwards loop, shedding her speed by the peak and making a perfect four point landing. The wet grass squelched under her hooves, still wet from the massive thunderstorm the night before.

Sky Bolt flashed a wide smile at the stunned ponies near her landing zone, but most of them gave her an annoyed look and then went back to moving boxes and checking equipment, muttering under their breath, probably about hotshot pegasi. She rolled her eyes and started craning her neck, searching for the pony she’d been told was in charge. They were probably just glum because of the cloudy weather. It was supposed to rain again tonight, an even bigger thunderstorm than the night before, and the weather crews had kept the clouds overhead in preparation.

After a moment's searching, she found the pony in charge of the whole circus over by the entrance to the cave, supervising what looked like the setting up of geological equipment. At least she looked like the one in charge, standing on a box and occasionally calling out orders to other groups of ponies around the area.

“Amethyst Star?” Sky Bolt called, walking up the to the fuchsia mare. “Sky—” she caught herself. “Specialist Sky Bolt, Dusk Guard.”

“Ah, nice to meet you!” Amethyst said, hopping down and giving Sky Bolt’s hoof a good shake. “You have no idea how glad I am that your team wanted to get their hooves on some of the crystal from this place.” Her eyes narrowed, focusing on something over Sky Bolt’s shoulder. 

“Hey!” she called. “It goes the other way! Not that way the other way—yes! Turn it around! Good! Like that!” Her eyes refocused on Sky Bolt. “Sorry about that,” she said with an embarrassed grin. “Interns.” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Anyway, so, is it just you?”

Sky Bolt nodded. “Yeah, just me. The captain thought about sending along some grunts, but we figured it’d be better if we left the removal of what we needed to your ponies, rather than ours.”

Amethyst pursed her lips. “I understand. It may not be the optimal solution, but better safe than sorry, the last thing we want to do is damage the growths.” Her face changed back into an excited grin that reminded Sky Bolt of a young pony on Hearth’s Warming Eve. “Do you realize that until that Changeling creature broke into the caverns, nopony had been down there in almost three-hundred years?” She was quivering with excitement. “And now we get to see it? It’s a geologist's dream!”

Sky Bolt nodded. “Kind of like getting a governor regulator valve working for the first time.” Amethyst gave her a blank look. “Never mind,” Sky Bolt said, laughing. “But it’s kind of a similar feeling.” She waved a hoof over towards the  entrance to the caves. “So when are we opening this baby up?”

The entrance in question was massive, although it had the clear look of being a pony-made opening rather than a natural one. It had been natural at first, probably a small hole. But as the unicorns had moved in, the opening had grown out, widening until entire teams of ponies could have stood side by side and passed through it.

Or at least they could have if the entire thing hadn’t been walled off. Thick beams overlaid with boards covered the entire entryway, bearing warnings and messages of “Keep Out.” The only exception was a large hole near the center of the entrance where the wood had been blasted away, presumably by the element-bearer a few weeks earlier when she’d escaped. A thin sheet of plastic had been draped over it.

“Oh we won’t be opening it, per se,” Amethyst said. “The hole that was made a few weeks ago should be more than enough.” Her face took on a worried expression. “I hope the Element of Magic didn’t do too much damage while she was in there.”

“Could she have?” Sky Bolt asked.

Amethyst looked shocked at the question. “Of course she could have! Don’t you understand how valuable these crystals are? How they work?”

Sky Bolt gave her wings a flap. “Of course I know how they work,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean I know what the big deal is about the cavern.”

“Oh,” Amethyst said, looking slightly embarrassed by her outburst. “Sorry, I work with geologists all day and—”

“Don’t worry about it,” Sky Bolt said, waving her hoof nonchalantly as she hovered just off the ground. “Now I’m curious though, why would it damage anything aside from just breaking the crystals apart?”

“Well—” Amethyst’s pupils shrank, eyes going wide and ears standing up. “Moon!” she shouted, spinning around and pointing directly at a nearby earth pony. The pony had a pale white coat, a puffy light grey mane, and a playfully embarrassed look on her face. “Moon Pie, get out of the lunch snacks! For the last time!” Pouting, the earth pony pulled her hoof from the cooler it had been in. “I don’t care if those snacks were made by a cousin in Ponyville, you eat them with the rest of us. Get back to your team.”

“Sorry about that,” Amethyst said, turning back to Sky Bolt as Moon Pie wandered off. “That girl's whole family is pretty great when it comes to rocks, but every so often one of them is just a little ...”

“Odd?”

“No, more like exuberant,” Amethyst said. “I think to make up for the generally calm nature of the rest of the clan. Anyway,” her eyes darted towards the cooler one last time, as if she was checking to make certain that Moon had followed her orders. “You understand that these crystals have unique magical properties, correct?”

“Yeah, I got that,” Sky Bolt said. “That’s why I need them.”

“Yes, well,” Amethyst continued, “when the crystals form, that in and of itself is a natural magic. The difference with the crystals here, as compared to crystals found or grown elsewhere, is that they are intensely magical. Which is what gives them their unique properties when fully matured. However, any magical interference with the crystals while they are growing can alter or even damage the crystal, hence why the caverns are closed off while they regrow. Only when a crystal is fully matured can it safely be interacted with via magic.”

“So the unicorns on your team ...” Sky Bolt said, rubbing a hoof against her jaw in thought.

“Will be required to use a horn lock while we investigate the caverns, yes,” Amethyst said. “Additionally, the machinery we will be using will need to be magic-free, at least until we can identify areas in which magic can safely be used. Or,” she said with a sigh, “where magic has already caused irreparable damage.”

“Well, what about pegasus magic? Should I be flying in there?” Sky Bolt asked, letting herself drop to the ground.

Amethyst frowned. “I don’t know. I’ll ask Spiral or one of the other unicorns about that, they might know how much magic ‘bleed’ you have. In any case, I need to get back to directing this rodeo, I’ll let you know when we’re going to head inside.”

“Alright,” Sky Bolt watched as Amethyst turned, started to trot off, and then broke into a gallop, calling frantically to another pony to stop pulling out something that wasn’t needed and put it back. Sky Bolt took a quick look around and, spotting a nearby carriage with an unoccupied roof, winged her way over to it. 

She sat down on the roof, pulling a pair of expensive—but well worth it—headphones from her saddlebags. From the sound of things she’d need to leave the portable player outside, which was fine with her. For all its claims of “portability” it was incredibly heavy and large, but it was worth it to be able to carry a bit of music most of the time. Giving the play button a tap with her hoof, she settled down on the roof of the carriage, sketch pad in front of her, ideas for ways to make use of the crystal she was about to get running through her mind.


*        *        *


Hunter sighed as he looked down at the list again. At this point, he could recite from memory almost every single one of the items listed, save maybe the new ones he’d been given that morning. Worse, last night he’d actually dreamed about them. All those items, dancing and twisting, mocking him. And the Royal Guard still didn’t have a clue how they were being sidestepped. It seemed that every time there were Royal Guards present, either a robbery didn’t happen or they missed it. Patrols would come into a car to find it disturbed. If they waited in a car, no theft took place. They’d even gone as far as to search every bit of luggage and cargo that boarded the trains, checking to see if the criminal was hidden inside some of the cargo.

No luck. Whoever the thieves—because at this point even the Royal Guard were sure there had to be more than one—were, they were invisible. The solitary pony that had been injured still couldn’t remember what had happened, and in the meantime the railway was suffering under the plague of “mystery thefts.” Ponies were canceling vacations, trips, or just flat out refusing to ship baggage or luggage. If the downward spiral continued, or so the papers claimed, ERS could be facing major financial problems.

Hunter sighed again, running his eyes over the lists spread out on his desk. One talking Wonderbolt figure. Three bracelets: type number sixteen. A case of uncut crystal samples owned by— 

He looked away from the paper, feeling a throbbing starting at the base of his skull that reminded him of the throbbing bass beats he could feel through the wall whenever Sky Bolt was in her workshop. What was the connection between all of these thefts? His eyes ran over the page again. 

A case of uncut crystal samples. His mind jumped back to a few mornings earlier when Nova had surprised both himself and Steel with one of the stolen keys. According to Steel, Luna had locked the piece in a secure vault that required a very specific set of keys, which struck him as ironic. Keys for keys. He chuckled, then blanched. Maybe he was going starkers.

As he looked over the desk again, something caught his eye. It was that oddly taunting note that had come with the Royal Guard reports a few days earlier. He’d asked a few of the Guards about it since, but none of them had fessed up to writing it. Not that he would have done anything about it.

“The pattern isn’t crystal clear yet,” the note read. He picked it up and took another look at it, something itching in the back of his brain. The note wasn’t even signed. Instead there were just two purple slashing crescents forming a heart. Tacky, and a little weird. He’d wondered if it was somepony's cutie mark, but a quick check at the records office had only confirmed that nopony in either guard division had such a mark. So it was just a heart. A purple one.

His eyes ran over the message again. “The pattern isn’t crystal clear yet.” Something about the message was making his brain itch, like an idea that was almost there but not quite. He looked down at the lists in front of him. A case of uncut crystal samples. The key piece that Nova had recovered.

“Sun above ...” he said, sitting up straight. “It can’t be that simple!” He ran his eyes over the list, mentally putting a tick beside each item that matched up with his thoughts. More than half of them did. But the others? There was only one way to be sure. He shoved his chair back so quickly it almost tipped over,  the restless boredom that had been plaguing him for the last few hours transformed into a frantic energy. He tossed his saddlebags over his back, almost running out the office door.

Steel was outside, practicing hoof-to-hoof combat techniques with Nova and Sabra under the overcast sky. Hunter frowned as he saw the state of the clouds overhead, he knew enough about weather work to know a dangerous sky when he saw it. And tonight was going to be a ripper of a rough one indeed. No wonder there had been the warnings in the paper that morning about staying inside. The grey clouds overhead already held promise of a storm that would be memorable.

“Hey Hunter,” Nova called through his teeth, lowering his practice sword. “You coming out to join us?”

“Maybe later,” Hunter said, spreading his wings and taking to the air. “I’ve got an errand to run.”

“What kind of errand?” Steel called out, dropping out of his own stance. He was, Hunter noticed, wearing metal gauntlets around his hooves. “What for?”

“I’m going toy shopping!” Hunter called down. “I’ll explain when I get back!” He spun away, pushing down with his wings and launching himself off towards the edge of the grounds at high speed.

It wasn’t high speed enough however, that he couldn’t hear Steels faint yell of “You’re going what?” He couldn’t help but grin, even as the first drop of water landed on his nose.


*        *        *


“Ah, there you are! I knew I saw somebody up here!” Sky Bolt dropped her pencil in surprise as the pale pony popped over the railing like her body was a spring, landing next to her on the roof of the coach with a thump. “Whoops! Looks like I startled you!” Moon Pie said with a giggle. “Sorry!”

“No, that’s alright,” Sky Bolt said, pulling her headphones from her ears and letting them fall around her neck. “What’s up?”

“Well the sky, first of all,” Moon Pie said, eyes rolling into her head as if deep in thought. “And you would be too, if you were flying.” She giggled again at her own joke. “But seriously, Amethyst asked me to come find you since we’re going into the caverns any minute now, and I think she said you wanted to be there for that!”

“Right on!” Sky Bolt said, grinning and shoving her sketchpad back into her saddlebags. The portable player followed a moment later, although much more carefully than her sketchpad.

“Oooh, is that one of those portable music thingys?” Moon Pie asked as she watched Sky Bolt wrap the headphone cable around itself. “Aren’t those like, crazy expensive?” The bouncy earth pony drew out the word crazy, lips contorting into unusual shapes.

“Yep,” Sky Bolt said, carefully placing the device back inside the padded pouch she’d put in her saddlebags for just that purpose. “Cost me a few months of bits, but it’s totally worth it! Music helps me think.” She looked around, getting her bearings again, and then hopped off of the coach, wings extended. 

She glided down to the ground and looked back, only to see that Moon Pie was already bouncing on the ground next to her. Not standing, but literally bouncing, as if she was a young filly who’d been given far too much chocolate.

“Neato!” Moon Pie said, still bouncing. “What do you listen to?”

“Mainly new stuff,” Sky Bolt said, giving her wings a flap and floating just a few inches off of the ground. “Vinyl Scratch, Neon, Blue Beats, the jamming stuff.”

“Cool!” Moon Pie said, taking a quick look around. “Well, I’ve got to go get my gear, but you can meet Amethyst over by the cave entrance.”

“Alright,” Sky Bolt said. “Tha—” Her thanks trailed off as the pale pony vanished in a blur of movement. “Wow,” Sky Bolt said out loud as she began winging her way over towards the cave entrance. “She’s an odd one.”

A drop of rain fell on her muzzle, then another, the water running down her nose and past her lips in a thin, cold stream. She shot a glance at the sky. The clouds overhead had darkened, a menacing dirty grey that was edging towards black. Another drop landed on her hindquarters and she fought a shiver of revulsion. Hopefully they’d be over and done with this before the storm hit. She’d never liked rain.

“Ah, specialist, there you are,” Amethyst said. The fuschia earth pony was standing by the still-covered cave entrance, lanterns hanging on each side of her saddlebags. She was accompanied by several other earth ponies, each with similar saddlebags, and a few unicorns with what looked like horn locks. ‘We’re almost ready to go inside.”

“All right!” Sky Bolt gave her wings a quick stretch, but then paused, tucking them back in as her earlier question returned to mind. “Are my wings going to be ok in there with all that magic sensitivity?”

“You’ll be fine as long as you don’t try doing any weather magic,” one of the unicorns said, his voice crisp and clear. “Flying shouldn’t cause the growths any problems.”

Amethyst nodded in agreement. “Yes, you can fly as long as you don’t fly into a crystal growth by mistake.” She looked at Sky Bolt and then frowned. “Do you need a lantern for your saddlebags? The crystals themselves produce a small amount of natural light, but it won’t be much to see by.”

“Yeah, sure, if you’ve got one you can spare,” Sky Bolt said. “No magilights, right?”

“Not yet,” one of the earth ponies said, passing Sky Bolt an already lit lantern. “We don’t want to risk anything until we’ve taken some readings. The mare tapped the large device that Sky Bolt had seen them assembling earlier. “We’ll be pushing this in there and getting some readings.”

“Cool,” Sky Bolt said, giving her mane a toss. More raindrops were landing on her now. “So what are we waiting for?”

“For Granite to get back with the—oh, there he is. Granite!” Amethyst called, waving at a grey bespectacled unicorn who was coming out of one of the coaches, a roll of paper held in front of him. “Hurry it up, I want to get in there before this rain picks up!”

“Yes, yes, I know!” he called back before picking up his pace and galloping over to the group. “Of all the days to do this,” he said as he came to a stop by the machine, roll still held in his magic. “You had to pick the day when we’ve got the heaviest rains Canterlot's seen in ten years scheduled.”

“A chance to get into the crystal caverns doesn’t come once a year, or even every hundred years,” Amethyst said. “I’ve wanted to see the inside of this place ever since I was a little filly, and I’m not about to let some rain stop us, especially when our meal ticket—” she tilted her head in Sky Bolt’s direction, “—is in a hurry to see the inside. Besides, it’s underground. We’ll be nice and dry.”

“If you say so,” Granite said with a glum expression that said he wasn’t convinced. Amethyst rolled her eyes and trotted over to the unicorn, giving him a peck on the cheek. The unicorn rolled his eyes, but his lips did turn upward in a small smile. There was a large clunking sound as the roll of paper slid into it’s place on the back of the machine, and the hatch clicked shut over it. 

“May as well get this over with,” Granite said, picking a horn lock up and slipping it over his horn. “I never liked these things.” he said, tapping it with one hoof. “They itch.”

“Alright, the analyzer is ready everypony!” Amethyst yelled, her face split by a massive grin. “Horn locks on, lanterns lit?” Her gaze darted from pony to pony. “Alright, let's do this!” Two ponies grabbed the sides of the plastic sheet and pulled the bottom corners up, lifting it so that the group could duck under it.

Amethyst was the first to go, followed by Granite, who was carefully pushing his machine. Sky Bolt could see paper scrolling by with needles giving readings. So it was probably some sort of detector or analyzer. Her prediction was confirmed when the machine passed the plastic sheet and the needles began jumping much more rapidly.

No one else seemed to be hurrying into the caverns, so Sky Bolt darted ahead of the rest of the group, ducking under the plastic and feeling a faint swell of victory as the light rain became nothing more than muted taps on the greyish plastic. She could already see Amethyst and Granite up ahead, examining the wall of the cave. At this point the walls were still mostly stone, but she could see faint glimmers of reflected lanternlight coming from further in.

She trotted deeper into the massive cavern as various ponies began to funnel in behind her, most of them heading for Amethyst and Granite and paying her little attention. She wasn’t surprised. She was just there to find the right amount and shape of crystals for the armor. Until she spotted some, there wasn’t much she could do.

Amethyst and Granite didn’t seem to be a in a hurry, so she flapped her wings and took herself up, stopping when she was about halfway towards the cavern ceiling. Now that she could get a proper look at it, the entryway was large. Most of what she could see was clearly unnatural, imprints of tools where the early excavators had widened up the entryway clearly visible. Despite the fact that the place hadn’t been used in several hundred years, the dust and debris build-up wasn’t that bad. Sure, she could see dozens of spiderwebs alone on the barricade wall, and there was a fine smattering of gravel and sand over the cavern floor, partially covering the rail tracks but—she stopped as something odd caught her eye.

“Hey, you!” she called, pointing her hoof. “Don’t move!” Several of the ponies looked up in surprise as her voice echoed across the cavern. “Yes, you!” Sky Bolt called again as a small, red earth pony looked up at her in confusion. She drifted down, taking care not to kick up any wind with her wings. “Stay right there,” Sky Bolt said as she landed. It wasn’t as clear from down here as it had been from up above, but ...

“Alright, step here,” she said, tapping the stone with her hoof. “Lightly.”

“What’s going on?” Amethyst asked as she trotted over, concern in her voice. “What are you—”

Sky Bolt held up one hoof in the same manner that she’d seen Steel and other commanding officers in the Guard do. To her surprise, it worked. Amethyst came to a quick stop, her mouth still open. She stood looking at Sky Bolt for a moment in confusion.

“Amethyst,” Sky Bolt said, still looking down at the floor of the cavern. “Are these caves home to any natural wildlife?”

“None that we know of,” Amethyst said. “Why?”

“Well,” Sky Bolt said, stepping back a bit. “Something’s been in here recently.” She pointed down at the massive three clawed footprint imprinted against the cave's dusty floor. “And that’s not all,” she said, pointing at the ground near Amethyst’s own hooves. A faint line of hoofprints, pointing into the cave, not out, was marked in the dust just in front of where Amethyst was standing. “Hoofprints, heading in, not out.” Amethyst’s eyes grew wide, although when she spoke, it wasn’t what Sky Bolt had expected to hear.

“But … But this is a restricted area!” she said, her eyes narrowing in anger. “Who would come in here?”

There was a low-throated scream of shock from deeper within the cavern. Sky Bolt snapped to attention as the scream echoed around them, reverberating off of the walls. Amethyst’s face went white with shock. “Granite!” She turned and bolted deeper into the caves.

Amethyst’s movement shocked Sky Bolt into action. What was it Hunter said? she thought as she snapped her wings back, launching herself forward at top speed. She rocketed past the frantic Amethyst, Hunter’s words coming to mind as she flew deeper into the caves. 

“You’re Dusk Guard,” he’d told her. “If you hear screaming, you should be flying towards it, not away.”

She swooped down next to Granite, her eyes open, checking every corner and every shadow. Reflected lanternlight bounced back at her from hundreds of crystals, but nothing life threatening stood out.

“What’s the matter?” she asked Granite, stepping in front of him when he didn’t immediately look at her. “Why’d you scream?” Amethyst skidded to a halt beside Granite, her chest heaving. Then her eyes caught sight of something behind Sky Bolt and she gasped.

Sky Bolt whipped around, throwing her weight to her rear legs as she went into the starting stance of Tempest. She held the pose for a moment, wings extended as her eyes searched for a threat among the dim light.

“They’re gone,” Granite said at last. “Gone.”

Sky Bolt dropped her hooves and turned to face the unicorn. “What’s gone?”

“The crystals,” Amethyst said, her voice shaky, one hoof raised and pointing. Sky Bolt frowned and followed her hoof. There, some ten feet away from them, was a single, stump-like protrusion of milky-white clear crystal, its top jagged and splintered, as if some giant had ripped the rest of the crystal from its base. Sky Bolt took a few steps forward and the light at her side illuminated more broken crystal growths, jagged stumps that spiked up from the cavern floor.

She continued forward, ignoring another gasp from Amethyst as more and more broken crystal stumps came into view. Some of the growths hadn’t even been taken, the large crystal spires tossed to one side like broken toys, their sides chipped and cracked, or in some cases, split entirely.

“It’s worse,” Granite said, a quiver in his voice. “Whoever did this was throwing around magic like it didn’t matter. He opened the front of the analyzer, pulling out a length of paper and passing it to Amethyst. “This entire area was saturated with it.”

“How can you tell?” Sky Bolt asked as she trotted back towards the group. Other ponies from the expedition were showing up now, including some that hadn’t even come into the cave in the first place. They must have heard the scream.

“The crystals, they aren’t giving off the right levels of magic,” Granite said as he held up the paper. “There’s no telling how they might react.” There was a series of gasps from the newly arrived ponies at the news. Most of them looked shocked, while some of them were looking at the destroyed crystal monoliths in horror.

Sky Bolt sat in silence for a moment, trying to decide what to do. She was just there for the crystals, but apparently somepony else had been there as well. She ran her eyes over the massive crystal growths that were lying broken on the ground. Some of them were as large, or larger, than three ponies standing end to end. Unbroken and the right variety of crystal, they would have been perfect for her needs. She thought back on the hoofprints and footprint she’d found.

She gave a frustrated sigh, wings drooping. Time to see if her job carried any weight. “Alright, everypony out of the cave!” she called, putting on her best serious expression and using her wings to get above the group.  “Out! Carefully, watch where you step!” The geology crew looked up at her in surprise. 

“As of right now,” she continued, ignoring the muted questions that came back at her, “this area is under the authority of the Dusk Guard.” She looked every member of the group in the eye, doing her best to mimic the stern look Steel gave the team every morning. “Walk out now, or I’ll haul your plot out.”

The glare, combined with her words, had the hoped for effect. Eyes dull with disappointment and light resentment, ears down, the geologists began to make for the cave entrance. Two ponies however, remained motionless: Granite and Amethyst. Both seemed to be in a state of shock, staring at the broken crystal fragments like they represent shattered pieces of their lives. Which, Sky Bolt reflected, given how excited Amethyst had been at the prospect of entering the caverns, that was likely true.

“Come on,” she said, putting a hoof on Amethyst’s shoulder and shaking her from her stupor. “We need to move out of here.”

“But the crystals—” Amethyst started to say.

“Will still be here when you come back,” Sky Bolt said. “If this place really runs for miles, then the crystals are probably fine further in. I’m not going to let you find out without a decent sized escort, though.”

“But—”

“Some of those broken pillars must weigh a ton,” Sky Bolt said, running a lightning-fast calculation in her head to make sure that she was accurate. “If whatever broke those babies down is still around, I don’t want you or Granite alone when you find out. So let’s get you and Granite out of here,” she said, putting her hooves on one side of the analyzer and pushing. “So I can get some backup and come back.”


*        *        *


“Sky Bolt’s not back yet?” Hunter asked, noticing the distinct lack of a faint bass beat as he walked into the common room. He was dripping wet, over the last hour the light drizzle that had followed him on his shopping spree had become a veritable downpour that was well on its way to becoming a waterfall.

“No, she’s not,” Steel said. The large earth pony stallion was relaxing on the couch, running a damp rag over a large metal gauntlet. “Somepony apparently broke into the Crystal Caverns and wrecked a bunch of crystal growths, so she pulled the geology team out and called for the Royal Guard to assist. I sent Sabra down to give her some backup.”

Hunter frowned at the news. “You didn’t go with her?”

Steel shook his head. “No, she sounded like she had the situation well under control, so I ordered her to take command. We’ll see how it goes. Why the frown?”

Hunter shook his head. “Boss, I just spent the last hour or so building a very, very interesting pattern with our thefts. And in light of what you just told me, I don’t like it one bit.”

“Why?” Steel asked, setting the gauntlet aside. The heavy metal made a dull thump against the tabletop. A series of smooth metal protrusions protruded from the gauntlet's surface, giving it a ridged appearance. “What’d you find?”

“Alright, follow with me,” Hunter said, ignoring the wet smack his saddlebags made against the couch as he sat down across the table from Steel. “For almost a month now I’ve been trying to figure this out, and it’s been making me crack a fruity.” He pulled his saddlebags off and sat them on the table, ignoring Steel’s blink of surprise at the odd colloquialism. “And I probably wouldn’t have hit on it without that whole ‘key’ thing. Now, look here,” he said, pulling a small, colorful box from his saddlebags. “This is one of the items on the list. Recognize it?”

“Yeah,” Steel said as Hunter tossed the package to him. Inside was small statue of a Wonderbolt, a pegasus named Rapidfire.  “My nephew has one like this,” Steel said as he rotated the box in his hooves. The side proudly proclaimed that the toy could speak several trademark phrases as well as play the Wonderbolt anthem. Steel looked at it dubiously and then set it aside.

“Alright,” Hunter said, reaching into the bag and pulling another item out. This time it was another children's toy, this time a stuffed Princess Celestia doll, the tag proudly proclaiming that her horn actually glowed so she could “raise the sun.” 

“Now this, also on the list,” Hunter said as he pulled a third item, a small nightlight with an unlit purple gem designed to glow softly when charged. “So, what does this have in common,” he asked as he set the nightlight on the table, “with all the other items stolen on the list?”

Steel stared at the three toys for a moment and then shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Without saying a word, Hunter reached across the table and picked up the boxed Wonderbolt figure. He popped the lid off, pulled the toy from it’s confinement, and then, with a sharp, crisp motion, smashed it between his hoof and the table. There was a loud crack as the plastic split, and Steel winced as he saw the mangled remains of the toy.

“They all,” Hunter said, carefully holding the small, pale pink crystal that had been inside the toy on one hoof, “have one of these somewhere.” He dropped the crystal to the table with a faint clatter. “Every piece of jewelry, every toy, every lamp, every single item on that list, had at least one crystal in it. That’s what our thieves are after,” he said, looking Steel in the eyes. “I don’t know why yet, but they’re stealing crystals.”
> Training - Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 10


“You’re sure?” Steel asked, his expression serious.

Hunter nodded. “I spent the last hour going through every item on the list, boss. Worse, I got a report this morning that some of the stolen items were recovered at a pawn shop in Baltimare. One of the items was damaged. An earring set with matching emeralds. One of the emeralds was recovered, the other was missing.” He looked Steel in the eyes, putting as much conviction in his voice as he could. “I think our thieves are looking for very specific crystals. I don’t know why, or what they plan on doing with them, but it’s the only item on the list that matches up.”

“And now we’ve got Royal Guard and two of our own crawling all over the crystal caverns, where somepony's wrecked a bunch of crystal growths,” Steel said, hoof to his chin. His eyes snapped up to Hunter. “How much you want to bet that they find a good chunk of those crystals aren’t wrecked, but missing?”

“I don’t get paid that much,” Hunter said, tapping his hat with his hoof. “You don’t think they might still be … That could be why we haven’t heard back!”

“We’d better go check,” Steel said, rising from his seat. “Now.”

“You got it, boss!” Hunter flipped over the back of the couch, leaving his wet saddlebags where they lay. “Want me to grab Dawn and the kid?” He could feel urgency in his tone. What if whoever’s behind this is down there?

“No need,” Steel said, his voice slightly less urgent as he followed Hunter. “They don’t let unicorns in there without a horn-lock anyway. We’ll have the Royal Guard.”

“Fair enough,” Hunter said, throwing his poncho over his head and shaking his wings through the back holes as he left the barracks. Thick drops were already raining down around him, hitting the poncho with enough force to push it down against his body. “Should we take a cloud chariot?” he asked, glancing up at dark skies overhead. A thick rumble of thunder rolled around them, vestiges of far off arcs of lightning crashing through the dark clouds.

Steel shook his head as he stopped next to Hunter. “No, not in this weather. Too risky.” He was wearing his gauntlets on his forelegs now, the heavy metal sinking into the damp grass.

Hunter took one last look at the sky and then nodded. “We run then?” he asked. The rain was already coming down much harder than it had been a moment ago, so heavy that he could barely make out the other side of the field through the thick downpour. The rising wind wasn’t helping either, picking up the water and throwing it in great sheets that slapped against the side of buildings and slid down like a waterfall. The weather pegasi had really outdone themselves this time.

Steel nodded and broke into a gallop, his large hooves kicking bits of dirt and mud into the air as he took off across the field. Hunter tapped his hat one last time, tucked his wings to his side, and head down, galloped off across the field behind him.


*        *        *


The run down the mountain was perilous. Thick sheets of rain, driven by the rising winds, lashed the pair in the face. Gusts of wind smashed into their sides, so powerful that even Hunter was once or twice almost thrown to one side by their strength. Cobblestones were slick with water underhoof, the paved stone and concrete of the sidewalks even worse. Several times Steel put his hoof down only to find it somewhere other than where he had planned for it to go.

It was fortunate, he reflected, that Canterlot was built on the side of the mountain, otherwise such a downpour would have likely flooded the streets. As it was they passed several streets where the thick deluge of water had congregated into small streams.

As they made their way lower down the side of the mountain, the path became increasingly treacherous. More and more water was cascading down from the city above, turning some of the sharp switchback streets and stairways into nothing more than dirty grey rivers. It was clear that while the upper levels of the city were managing, the sewer system of the lower city was being completely overwhelmed.

Steel skidded to a halt as he rounded a corner and saw the state of the path in front of him. The steep, switch-backed stairway known as the “Stair to the Sky” was nothing more than a churning mass of water, a vicious creek of churning froth that completely obscured the famous steps.

“Boy, they are really going all out on this one!” Hunter said as he slid to a stop next to Steel. His voice was raised almost to a yell to be heard over the roar of the storm. A sharp crack snapped through the air, a brief flash illuminating the darkened streets as if to punctuate his statement.

“I feel sorry for the weather pegasi in charge of this mess,” Steel said as he looked for another way down the mountain. A blast of wind hit them from one side and he saw Hunter grab onto his hat reflexively.

“I wouldn’t,” Hunter said, shaking his head and causing his long, wet mane to slap back and forth against his neck. “At this point they can just ride things out on top of the storm, watching the sunset or whatever. Sometimes they play hoofball!” He looked up at the thick grey and black clouds. “Lucky ponies! I’ve gotta be down in this!”

“Well, you’re about to like it less!” Steel called, yelling as the wind rose in intensity. “There’s no way we can make it down these stairs, at least not on hoof! But we need to get down to the mines ASAP!” The tan pegasus nodded in agreement. “So I need you to carry me!”

“What?” Hunter yelled, his long mane whipping around his surprised face. “Are you nuts? In this weather?”

‘We don’t need to actually fly!” Steel yelled back, pointing a hoof at the staircase. “The high walls on the side of the staircase should give us some cover from the wind! You just need to glide!”

“You bet I won’t be actually able to fly!” Hunter said, grabbing his hat as another gust of wind rippled the brim. “You do know you’re about twice my weight class, right? This could end really badly!”

“Comes with the job!” Steel shouted back. “Just try to crash into the side of the mountain if anything goes wrong!” He pushed himself up on his hind legs, forelegs held out. “Ready!”

Hunter shook his head and muttered something that was lost to Steel in the storm, but spread his wings and flapped forward, locking his forelegs under Steel’s. Steel gave a slight push up and forward with his rear legs, and the pair lifted forward into the air, and then down the rushing staircase.

A gust of wind swept at them, pushing them to one side and smashing Steel’s dangling lower half into the railing wall around the stairs. He grunted in pain as the rough concrete dragged against his coat.

“Sorry!” Hunter called down at him. “This ain’t as easy as it looks!” They dropped lower, so low that Steel could feel the rushing water of the staircase splashing against his legs, icy cold streams forming and then running down inside his foreleg gauntlets. Another gust of wind struck as they rounded the first switchback, but Hunter was ready, and this time they only bobbed slightly to one side.

“One down,” Steel called as a sign swept past announcing their progress. “Another sixty-seven to go!”

“Stop counting!” Hunter called back. “The ride’ll be more fun if I don’t know how much longer it’s going to be!”


*        *        *


The sergeant’s face, Sky Bolt decided, was starting to look a lot like the weather outside. At least if the rumbling thunder and puddles of water that had begun growing under the entrance were any indication. The obstinate stallion hadn’t exactly been in a good mood when the Royal Guard had shown up, scrambled from whatever duty they’d been posted at due to Sky Bolt’s request; and as the last hour or two had worn on, the sergeant had shown every sign of seeing the entire situation as a waste of time and Royal Guard talent. He’d even flat out ignored her and Sabra both, giving them dismissive orders to sit and wait by the entrance while a team of “real Guard” did some “real work.” She’d wanted to smack her wrench upside the pegasus' chin right then and there.

Even worse, the Guard hadn’t bothered to take Amethyst or any of the other Geological ponies along with his team to explain exactly what was wrong in the first place. They’d even left a good number of them outside of the cave in the storm, with two guards to make sure that they didn’t enter into the “restricted area.” In fact, the only thing about the whole situation that wasn’t boiling her blood was the fact that whoever had gotten her missive in the first place had at least not sent any unicorns. No matter how mismanaged, an entire group of pegasus ponies wasn’t likely to damage any of the crystals.

“I thought you said this would help?” Amethyst said for what had to be the tenth time. The obstinate sergeant had finally admitted that she did have permission to be in the cave, only to stick her with Sabra and Sky Bolt at the entrance, ordering them to keep an eye on her.

“Sky Bolt is not the root of our problems,” Sabra said calmly before Sky Bolt could open her mouth, a hot-headed retort dying on her tongue. “She had no way of knowing who would be sent to assist.” The striped Zebra looked as calm as ever, carefully sitting on his haunches, his bamboo rod balanced across his back. His bright purple eyes were fixed on something distant, deep in thought. “For now, we must make do with what we have.”

Sky Bolt gave a small moan and flexed her wings. She hated sitting and waiting while the Guard checked out the caves without any of the geologists. She hated the fact that Sergeant Nimbus had told the geology group to stay outside during what was sounding like a truly horrific storm. There was another rumble of thunder, wind whistling as it slid between the cracks in the barrier wall, and Sky Bolt gave an involuntary shiver.

“I hope those coaches are staying dry on the inside,” she said, thinking of the ponies outside. “That storm sounds like it’s really doing a number out there.”

Amethyst sighed. “They’ll be crowded, but at least they’ll be dry.” She gave a little shiver. “And warm. Granite at least knows a good warming spell—” her voice was cut off by the sound of angry shouts from outside, yells too indistinct to make out over the sound of the storm. “Oh no,” the mare said, a look of worry on her face. “I hope Moon Pie didn’t anger the guards.”

“Well this was a complete waste of our time!” Sky Bolt turned from the entrance just in time to see Sergeant Nimbus land on the cave floor, followed by the rest of his detachment. The pegasus immediately began stalking towards her, his wings held high in an intimidating fashion. “You pull us down here and for what? For nothing!” Sky Bolt clenched her jaw as the stubborn stallion strode through the carefully marked off area around the three clawed footprint, his hooves scattering the dirt.

“I don’t know what you ‘Dusk Guard—’” he said the words with a sneer, “—think you’re doing, but whatever game you’re playing isn’t worth wasting my time over. I ought to write you up to your commanding officer, whoever they are. If they’re smart enough to read—” the sergeant’s tirade cut off as the plastic by the entrance lifted, the two Guard who had been stationed outside running in and snapping to attention. “What are you two doing in here?” the sergeant bellowed. “I told you to wait outside!”

The plastic lifted again, and Captain Song strode in, his coat dripping with water and an incredibly displeased look on his face. Sky Bolt began to grin as the captain looked around at the assorted group of ponies, his gaze fixing on the sergeant with a commanding glare that would have melted stone. She winced as she saw blood on his side. Something had cut him.

“And just who the hay are you, walking in here like this?” Sergeant Nimbus asked, giving Steel a dismissive look. “This area is under the command of the Royal Guard—”

“Command?” Captain Song yelled, his voice echoing around the cavern. “You call this absolute disaster of an investigation a command?” Hunter slipped through the plastic behind him, shaking rain from his hat. The pegasus was breathing heavily, out of breath, almost as if he’d flown to the top of the mountain instead of coming to its base.

“Who are you—” Sergeant Nimbus started to say, but Captain Song cut him off.

“I, sergeant, am Captain Steel Song of the Dusk Guard,” Captain Song said, leaning in close to the still unimpressed Sergeant. “And you are the pony that I am about to eat for lunch if you don’t tell me right now why this crime scene doesn’t appear to have the least bit of urgency about it!” The pegasi behind the sergeant were beginning to back up now, some of them snapping to attention and giving nervous salutes.

“You might be Captain of the Dusk Guard,” the Sergeant said, although a little less forcefully than before. “But that doesn’t mean—”

“What it means, sergeant,” Steel said, once again emphasizing the word, “is that I outrank you, and while our divisions of Guard are separate, I can and will give you orders in a situation I deem appropriate.” Captain Song gestured towards Sky Bolt with one hoof. “Specialist Sky Bolt identified a crime scene and called for the Royal Guard to come and assist with her investigation, and what do I find? I find that you—” he jabbed a hoof at the Sergeant’s chest, “—have not only put the ponies who should have been helping you out in this storm under armed guard like common criminals, but you’ve completely ignored the input of the specialist who called you in here in the first place!”

“Well, Captain Song,” Sergeant Nimbus said with a dismissive sniff. “You are not my commanding officer, and I don’t have to take this from you.”

“Colt, I may not be your commanding officer,” Steel said, his voice growing dangerously low. Thunder rumbled outside, adding a natural punctuation to his words. “But I do know him. And he and I are going to be having a nice long chat about your future in the Guard. For now however,” he said, straightening up, “you are officially relieved of command.”

Steel turned to the two guards by the door. “You two,” he said, ignoring the Sergeant’s angry sputtering. “Take Sergeant Nimbus here back to your barracks and turn him in to your CO. I’ll be speaking with him about this event personally.”

“You can’t—”

The Captain spun around. “I can. And I am. And on your little jaunt back to your CO, you can think long and hard about why I did.” The two Guard motioned, and the sputtering sergeant marched for the entryway with as much dignity as he could muster.

“Now for the rest of you,” Steel said, turning to face the rest of the Sergeant’s Guard detachment. “Do any of you have problems with taking orders and doing this job right?”

The detachment played it much smarter than their commander had. There was a chorused “No, sir!” from the group.

“Good,” Captain Song said, and began motioning with his hoof. “You three, get outside and get those civilians in here where it’s dry. Spec Sky Bolt, you go with them and pick out some ponies who’ll know what we’ll need to watch out for. You four, go with Lieutenant Hunter to check out the caves for any signs of further breakage. Take a geologist with you. I want to know exactly how far these thieves went and what they took. The rest of you, you’re with myself and Spec Sabra. Everyone move out!” The Guard scattered into motion as Steel barked out his last order.

Sky Bolt grinned in relief. As she headed for the outside, she managed to swing by the Captain and give him a quick salute. “Thanks for the save, boss. By the way, you know that you’re bleeding right?”

Steel looked down at her and nodded. “The trip down was a little rough in this storm. I’ll tell you about it later. For now, lets get this mess cleaned up and underway.” Sky Bolt nodded, and headed for the entryway behind the three Guard. Maybe this night could be salvaged after all.


*        *        *


Nova pushed the door to the barracks shut behind him, letting out an exasperated breath as the latch finally clicked, cutting him off from the horrendous weather outside. Good thing I spent the last few days studying shield spells, he thought as he tossed his bag of books on the common room table. He didn’t know what the Canterlot Castle Librarian would do to him if he managed to get any of the library's irreplaceable tomes wet, but whatever it was, it would be bad. And then he’d have to deal with Steel.

But that wasn’t going to be a problem, thankfully. It still felt odd, using so much of his magic. Especially in public. But then again ... Better cold and dry with a faint headache than cold and wet with a much worse headache. Nova took one last look at the still dry saddlebags to make certain that nothing had gotten through his shield, then picked up the bag and wandered towards his quarters.

They really made this place pretty rad, he thought as he wandered out of the common room, saddlebags floating behind him. The common room was one thing with its tables, some couches, a small kitchen, and plenty of space. Not to mention the ping-pong table. But the personal rooms were even better. Sure, Nova thought as he pushed the door to his quarters open, they’re a little sparse on the decoration, but that’s only because I’ve never had so much space.

He really never had. The largest place he’d ever owned hadn’t been more than a simple studio. Single bedroom, a bathroom, and a small living room and kitchen combo. After the event four years ago he’d been on the move so much that he’d never had time to amass much in the way of personal possessions, and what little he’d kept had been confiscated when he’d been arrested. He’d found out later that some of it had been resold to help pay off his crimes. It hadn’t bothered him too much. It had been his stuff, but he couldn’t really think of a single item that he’d truly valued.

Well, Nova thought as he carefully sorted his borrowed books out onto the table. Almost. He’d regretted losing one thing and one thing only, but fortunately it was something that a quick stop at a local Canterlot store with a hoof full of bits from his first two paychecks could replace.

Captain Song had been kind enough to let him make a withdrawal of funds from his paychecks, although each time he’d reminded Nova that it would increase the amount of time he spent paying back his debts. Not that he cared. What was he going to do once he was done? Go back to working odd jobs? No, better to be purposeless with steady work then purposeless with no work.

He stepped back and admired his handiwork. There were now at least twenty or thirty books stacked on the table, arranged by subject and the order he wanted to go through them in. The ones he’d taken with him to his practice room that afternoon were all sitting on top, ready for him to grab tomorrow afternoon, with an exception for the one that he’d finished poring over which was to the side. Another stack was nothing but tomes he needed to look through to see if there were any useful spells to learn.

Nova turned away from the stack of books and tossed himself onto his bed. Easily one of the best perks of this place, Nova thought as he telekinetically wrapped the blankets around himself. Still, having to learn magic ... He rolled onto his side, looking at the stack of books. I could have put those in a drawer, or up on the shelf, but instead I leave them just sitting there, reminding me about four years—no! Nova rolled towards the wall, trying to keep his mind from jumping back. The last thing I want to think about is that night.

But he couldn’t stop thinking about it, especially now that Steel had him learning magic that he’d never used before. Magic that could be used to hurt somepony. Sure, he’d hurt ponies before, occasionally he’d had to give a close pursuer a good whack with a levitated board or something, but never anything of the magnitude that had given him his cutie mark. 

He threw the blanket back and twisted to look at his flank. There was his cutie mark, two crescent scythes of color. He had no idea how it had related to magically almost killing someone, but what else could it have been? He’d been over that night again and again.

Nova shook his head, which made his light headache pulse. This wasn’t helping. He needed to get his mind off of magic. Onto something … different. He rolled off of the bed and walked over to his dresser. Most of the drawers were still empty, just like the walls. But one drawer held the only things he owned, the same items he’d bought a few days earlier.

He slid the drawer open and pulled the record player out, setting it on top of his dresser. It hadn’t been cheap, but music and what came with it had always helped him relax. The cost was worth it. The records came out next, some of them so new they had never even been out of the soft cardboard sleeve. Nova smiled as the first vinyl record slid out of its sleeve and floated over to the record player. Then he paused. He hadn’t seen anyone when he’d come back, and the noticeable thump that said Sky Bolt was at work in her workshop was absent.

He set the record down and did a quick check of the barracks. Nopony was in Steel’s office, and a quick knock on the door of each of the ponies' quarters revealed that nopony was there either. Or not answering the door, which was unlikely. He was completely alone in the barracks.

Nova grabbed the stack of records from his room and headed for Sky Bolt’s workshop. Might as well take advantage of this while I can, he thought as he walked into the workshop. The place was huge, although at least half of the available space had been taken up by the airship that Sky Bolt had spent the last week working on. Not every day that I can use Sky Bolt’s speakers to get the full effect. While the record player was nice, one of Sky Bolt’s requirements for her workshop had been a truly impressive speaker setup that would have rivaled a good number of the dance clubs Nova had been to.

He took a quick look around to make sure that he was, in fact, alone and then wrapped the nearest workbenches in a pale blue glow, carefully pushing them back until he’d cleared a decent sized amount of floorspace for himself. Then, he dropped the needle onto the first record and hit play. Music flowed out of the speakers, and Nova felt himself begin to move as the sounds carried him away.


*        *        *


Dawn sighed as she peeled her poncho off, giving it a good shake to dislodge any last bits of water before she hung it by the door. It was nights like these that she always regretted not learning some of the more basic spells that most unicorns tended to pick up, such as projecting a small shield, or at the very least a basic laundry spell that would’ve let her keep the rain off of her poncho. The closest she had to something like that was a spell designed to keep liquids from running past a small barrier, but that was surgical magic, and little use in such a storm.

She ran a hoof down her wet sides, frowning in distaste as water swelled with its passing. Some good that poncho had done her. She’d been dry right up until the moment she’d walked out of the hospital doors. After that, her poncho had become nothing more than a damp trap for all the rain that had blown into her face.

She gave her wet mane a slight shake, grimacing as it slapped against her neck. Ugh, this is going to take at least an hour to get fixed again, she thought, running her hoof through the wet clumps of dull orange and feeling the water run down down her back, soaking into the few dry spots of her coat. She gave her head one more shake, more to try and keep her mane from sticking to the back of her neck more than anything else, and headed for her quarters.

A few minutes later, she had one towel wrapped around her mane and a second rubbing her back, once again glad that she was a unicorn. She didn’t know how in Equestria she would have been able to handle not having telekinesis to dry herself with. Dawn wandered into the common room's kitchen, munching on an apple as she tried to decide what to do with the rest of her evening. The barracks seemed deserted, or at least she hadn’t run into anypony yet. Which was surprising considering the ferocity of the storm outside. She’d halfway expected Nova to have been lounging around in the common room when she’d arrived so he could make some comment about her mane. Or in his quarters, if not out training.

Still, given the storm outside, she thought as she heated up some water with a quick spell. Whoever was in charge of stocking the barrack's pantry was doing something right. There were always a few packets of chocolate mix sitting in the same cabinet as the mugs. While it wasn’t exactly what anypony wanted during the height of the summer heat, on a night like tonight with the wind doing its best to knock down every door in Canterlot, a warm cup of chocolate would do nicely enough. She would have preferred tea in a proper cup with a saucer, but nopony was around and she wasn’t about to be that picky.

The weather crew went all out with this one, she thought as she sat down on one of the den couches, wrapping herself in her towel and sipping her hot cocoa. Not bad cocoa either, she thought as she took another sip. Not a 'quality' blend, but it could certainly be worse. She leaned her head back against the back of the couch, listening to the sounds of the storm. The rain was beating a steady, faint rhythm on the barrack's roof, a sort of blank noise that was almost relaxing. Every so often a particularly strong gust of wind would kick a sheet of rain into the side of the barracks in a rush, making a sound not unlike a bucket of water being thrown onto a wall. Then there would a be a brief lull, a momentary pause before the rain took up its steady rhythm again, all its force burned out in one swift stroke of wind.

It was during one of the pauses that her ear twitched and she sat forward. For a brief moment, she had thought she had heard … something. She wasn’t sure what. She leaned back into the couch, only to sit back up as another lull in the heavy rains brought the faint noise to her ears.

What is that? Dawn though, setting her mug carefully on the table. She perked her ears, glad that she was skilled enough to wrap her towel around her mane above them. Another lull, and this time the faint sounds sounded familiar. Is that … Trotkovsky? She climbed to her hooves, head turning as she tried to identify the origin of the faint sounds. She took a few steps down the hall past her quarters, waiting for a lull in the rain.

There it is again! she thought as the faint music reached her ears. That’s Trotkovshy’s Waltz of the Flowers! I’d know that tune anywhere! She wandered further down the hall, stopping at each door to the private quarters and putting her ear up against them. The melody was louder now, loud enough she could hear it over the sounds of the storm outside.

Dawn put her ear up against the last of the doors to the personal quarters, but the tune wasn’t coming from there. She frowned. That only left the armory—which should have been empty—and the workshop. She trotted down the hall, the music growing louder as she came closer and closer to the workshop entrance. She passed the armory already knowing it wasn’t inside, she could hear the strings of The Waltz of the Flowers clearly coming through the heavy shop door. It was odd, the only thing Dawn had ever heard Sky Bolt play over her excessively powerful sound system had been the beats that so many young ponies seemed to enjoy listening to. She put her hoof on the door. It wouldn’t hurt to say hello, if at least so that Sky Bolt knew that someone else appreciated her taste. Then she paused and looked down at herself with a frown. A quick orange glow enveloped the two towels, pulling them off of her body and sending them floating back towards her quarters. She ran a hoof through her mane, straightening it. Best to always make a good impression, she thought, pushing the doors open just as the music hit its final crescendoing moments.

Her jaw dropped. There, swaying away in a fairly talented—if solo—waltz, his eyes closed to the world as “The Waltz of the Flowers” built to its grand finish, was Nova. Dawn stood dumbstruck as Nova finished with a final twirl, coming to a stop as the piece finished. Before the next piece could start, Dawn began to politely clap, tapping one of her front hooves on the workshop's concrete floor. Nova opened his eyes and looked at her in shock.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice strained. His horn lit up and the first few swelling movements of the next piece cut off as he pulled the needle from the record. “Tartarus, I didn’t know anypony else was here!” The record slid off of the turntable and into its cardboard sleeve, wrapped in a pale blue glow.

“Now hold on,” Dawn said, stepping forward and grabbing one of the other record sleeves with her own magic. “I didn’t come in here to tell you to keep it down. I wanted to see who was listening to Trotkovsky.”

“Well, I was,” Nova said, his voice calm. “But I’m done now.” He held out his hoof, motioning for the record that Dawn was holding.

“Why now?” she asked, stepping past him and sliding the record out of its sleeve.

“Because it’s just something I do to relax,” he said, still motioning for the record. “The last thing I expected was for somepony else to be here.”

“Well,” Dawn said, giving her slightly damp mane a toss. “I happen to enjoy many of the classics myself. In fact," she said with a tinge of pride, "I can play the piece you were just dancing to.” She paused for a moment, hoof over the play button. “I understand the need to be private, Nova. But don’t you think you’re taking it a little far?” Her question made him step back, his mouth open but no sound coming out. His eyes darted back and forth as he looked at the floor.

“Perhaps it’s unfair of me to ask that,” Dawn said, lowering the volume on the player and hitting play. “However, I must say that for someone with a reputation such as yours, your skill with the waltz was quite surprising.” She cocked one eye at him as the first swelling strains of “Blue Danube” began to fill the workshop. “I must ask however. Wherever did you learn to dance, much less appreciate the classics?”

For a moment Nova looked as if he was going to simply take his remaining records and walk out of the workshop, and Dawn held her breath. Then he sighed and shook his head. 

“I guess there’d be no harm in telling you,” he said. “There was a while when I was a young colt in Baltimare where I lived under the eaves of one of the music halls. I heard a lot of music staying there, and I saw a lot of dancing when I snuck in. Sometimes I’d practice it, on my own, although I never got very good. It just ...” He shrugged. “It helped me relax, even if I wasn’t good at it.”

“Well,” Dawn said, raising the volume on the music slightly. “You can hardly be blamed for not being perfect, although you are good. But the Waltz is designed to be done with another pony. And as I hardly ever get the chance to waltz anymore ...” She raised her left hoof and held it out.

Nova looked at her for a minute as if he was waiting for her to bite him. She put a polite smile on her face and gave a gentle cough.

“Nova,” she said, looking the young stallion in the eyes, “a young pony never leaves a lady waiting, regardless of what he may think. Now are you going to let me give you pointers on your waltz technique, or are you going to go back to whatever it was you were doing before this?”

Her question seemed to shake him out of his hesitation, and he stepped forward, grasping her left hoof with his right. The two began to step back and forth, first with a sort of stiffness, but then with a smoother gait as the music moved on.

“No, don’t let me lead,” Dawn said, correcting him. “Keep your elbow up, there, like that. And now step … good.” She smiled. He may be an absolute pain, she thought as the pair waltzed around the workshop, but he has some taste I can agree with. She grimaced as his hoof collided with hers. If I can get him to dance properly.


*        *        *


Steel looked up as Hunter swooped into the cavern, followed by three of the four Guard he’d left with.  Steel turned his attention back to the unicorn standing in front of him as the geologist continued to explain the delicate nature of the crystal formations deeper inside the cave, a discussion that he’d hoped to wrap up minutes ago. With Hunter landing nearby though, he finally had a good reason to end the discussion early.

“We’ll be very careful, Mr. Granite,” he said, cutting the unicorn off. “You have my assurance that we won’t be doing anything without a member of your team there to supervise. Now, my lieutenant has returned and I need to hear his report. If you need help with anything else, speak with Specialist Sky Bolt, and she’ll help you out.” He turned and headed for Hunter as quickly as possible, hoping the unicorn wouldn’t follow him. It wasn’t that the unicorn hadn’t been helpful, it was more that he’d been so long-winded about it.

“Hey, boss,” Hunter said as Steel trotted up. “Looks like you’ve got everything squared away.” He looked around at the crowded cave entrance. “Is this everypony?”

Steel nodded. “The storm’s pretty wild out there, and most of the geologists don’t want to travel the two miles back to Canterlot in this weather, so they’re waiting out the storm in here. Did you find anything?”

Hunter shook his head. “Not much, whoever busted into this place only went about a quarter-mile back. We left our geologist friend back with a guard so he could take a closer look at some smashed crystals, but whoever was here looks to have cleared out a while ago.”

Steel frowned as he digested the new information. “About how long ago would you say they were here?”

“Judging from the type of disturbances and the condition of the rest of the caves?” Hunter said, rubbing the back of his head with one hoof while he thought about it. “I’d say five weeks, maybe six, tops.”

“You’re sure?”

Hunter nodded. “You can learn a lot from cobwebs.”

‘Alright,” Steel said. “And you’re sure they didn’t leave any surprises behind?”

Hunter shook his head. “No, and I’m kind of glad. You have any idea what some of these crystal chunks weigh? They must have had some serious muscle in here helping out.”

“Granite—he’s one of the chief geologists—” Steel motioned back at the grey unicorn, who was already speaking with Sky Bolt, “—mentioned something about some really bad magical residue that had messed with the remaining crystals.” He looked back at Hunter. “He might have some suggestions as to what kind of magic did the damage. After that though, Sky Bolt mentioned some really funny footprints, did you find any?”

Hunter nodded. “I did, but before you ask I haven’t the faintest idea what might have made them. They don’t look like any footprints I’ve ever seen before. In fact, they don’t look like a real footprint at all. They’re too regular.”

“A misdirection?” Steel suggested.

Hunter shook his head. “I don’t think so, there’s too many of them. Maybe boots of some kind?” He gave a half-hearted shrug and turned to the three Guard behind him. ‘What about you guys, anything to add?” The trio ruffled their wings for a moment, one by one shaking their heads. Hunter shrugged again, turning back towards Steel. “I’ll get a better look at them. You got any other requests?”

Steel shook his head. “No, for now I think all we can do is wait out the storm. It's supposed to let up late tonight, and then we can get these ponies back to Canterlot. Until then, see what you can find out about our thieves.”

“You still think it’s related?” Hunter asked.

Steel shook his head. “On the one hoof, it seems pretty plausible. On the other, I don’t know. If they could steal from here, why bother with the other jobs?”

“Maybe they needed the different types?” Hunter suggested.

Steel shook his head. “We’re still missing a piece of the puzzle. Something doesn’t add up, but I’ve got an idea. Anyway,” he said, stepping back. “Get looking at those footprints and see what you can figure out.”

Hunter snapped him a salute and he returned it, breaking off to go find Sky Bolt. It was true that they were still missing pieces of the puzzle. But he did have an idea on how they could get them. Maybe right from the source.

“Excuse me,” he said as he walked up to Sky Bolt and Granite, the latter of which was chatting away about something. “I need to speak with my mechanic.” Granite nodded and stopped talking mid sentence. “Alone,” Steel added when the unicorn made no move to leave. Granite gave a sudden nod of realization and scampered off, hopefully to speak to one of the Royal Guard, or better yet, one of his own geologists.

“What’s up, boss?” Sky Bolt asked.

Steel smiled. “I’ve got a little engineering project I wanted to ask you about. Could you make a crate that when scanned with magic, said it was something other than it was?”

“Hmm...” Sky Bolt hummed, rubbing her chin with one hoof. “I think so. I’d assume you wouldn’t want it to be obvious that it was concealing something?” Steel nodded.

“Alright, then in that case I think I could, given a day or so,” Sky Bolt sat back on her haunches, idly sketching in the dirt with one hoof. “How big do you want the concealed compartment to be?”

“Well,” Steel said. “How hard would it be to fit two ponies inside it but still make it look like any other shipping crate?”
> Training - Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 11


“By Celestia’s Beard this is heavy!” Counter said, grunting as he slid the crate across the floor towards the dolly. “Hey, Cooper!” he called, waving across the warehouse at his co-worker. “Give me a hoof with this thing will you?”

“Again?” the white coated unicorn called back. “You’ve got another heavy one?”

“Yeah,” Counter said, tapping the box with one hoof and letting out a little laugh. “Thing weighs a ton.”

“Alright, alright,” Cooper said, making on last check on his clipboard and wandering over. “Which one is this anyway?”

“It's the—uh—shipment of crystals that’s going to Los Pegasus,” Counter said, checking the label on the side of the box.

“Are crystals usually this heavy?” Cooper asked, tapping the side of the crate. “Maybe it’s mislabeled.”

Counter shrugged. “Royal Guard already checked it out, we’re not allowed to open it now.” He gave the side of the crate another kick. “Anyway, same as before, we lift and flip it onto the dolly?”

“Well, it does say ‘this side up’ on it.” Cooper pointed out, tapping the stenciled note with his horn.

“Relax,” Counter said, bracing himself against the side of the box. “It’ll only be for a minute. Besides, they pack these things really well. Trust me, I’ve seen the amount of packing material they put in these things.”

“Well,” Cooper said, his horn lighting up with a brownish light. “If its so full of packing material, why’s it so heavy?”

“Oh relax,” Counter said, the last word coming out as a grunt as he threw his shoulder into the side of the crate. “It didn’t hurt that other box earlier, and it’s not going to hurt this one. Now get pushing!”

“Whatever you say, boss,” the unicorn replied, his magic wrapping the box in a brown field. He pushed the dolly against the base of the crate and then began to back up, horn glowing brighter. For a moment the box stood firm, both ponies straining against it, but then with an abrupt heavy thump, the box tilted over and landed on its side on the dolly.

“You say something?” Counter asked, poking his head around the dolly.

Cooper shook his head. “Nope.”

“Eh, whatever,” Counter said. “Alright, mark this one off on that list of yours and let’s get this in the cargo car.” Cooper made a small check on the list and then shook his head as he ran his eyes down the list. “What’s up?” Counter asked, hooves up on the dolly’s hoofrail. “Did we miss something?”

“No,” Cooper said. “We’ve just got one more. It’s weird seeing the cars so empty.”

“Hey, I’m not going to complain,” Counter said, pushing the dolly towards the track exit, “I wanted to get out of work today early anyway. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s terrible that they’ve got all these thefts going on, but how long can they last?” The dolly rattled as it bounced over the gap between the cargo car and the station deck. “They’ll catch the thief eventually and everything will go back to normal.”

“I hope so,” the unicorn grunted as the pair wrestled the box off of the dolly and onto the floor of the cargo car with another thump. “I like having work.”

“Well,” Counter responded as he shouldered the box against the rest of the cargo. “You could always go south, a lot of those smaller towns have work out there. 'Sides, it’d match your cutie mark.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Cooper said, looking down at the barrel on his flank. “Still, I enjoy working on the railroad. It’s not my talent, but, you know, I like it.”

“Hey, whatever floats your boat,” Counter said, giving the crate one last kick to knock it into position. “Any more for this car?”

Cooper looked down at his list and shook his head. “Nope, we can close up this car now. That’s the last one.”

“Good,” Counter said, walking out of the cargo car, Cooper close behind him. The two ponies grabbed the door and slid it shut with a large bang. Cooper clicked the lock shut with a quick burst of his magic.

“Alright,” Counter said. “What’s next?”

“Lets see,” Cooper said, checking the list as the two ponies walked away. “That was Manehatten to Los Pegasus, so the next car should be … Yep, Manehatten to Canterlot.”

The two ponies wandered away from the closed car. Inside the lights were off, leaving mostly empty space in darkness. For a while, the car sat in silence, the only sounds the muted thumps of the railyard around it. Then a voice split the quiet.

“You know,” the melodic voice said. “I know the captain told us to be friends, but personally I find this to be a little too friendly.”

“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me,” a second voice said dryly. “Of all the times for your sense of humor to show.”

“I am just making light of a compromising situation,” came the reply. “I’m not enjoying this either.”

“Compromising is right,” the second voice responded. “Speaking of which, is there anywhere else you can stick that hoof of yours?”

“Samahani.” There was a muted thump from inside the box. “My apologies.”

“Yeah, yeah, lets just not make this any more uncomfortable than it already is. I swear I can’t feel my legs.”

“Well, at least your nose isn’t sore.”

“Sorry, but that wasn’t my fault, alright? The stupid box only says ‘this side up’ for a reason. ‘It’ll be ok for a minute’ my plot.”

“What?”

“Figure of speech.”

“Oh.”


*        *        *


"So, you really think this is going to work?” Dawn asked in a low tone as she sat down across from Steel, doing her best to look like she was simply making small talk with her “husband.”

“Yes.” Steel said, looking out the window as if they were discussing something no more simple than what to have for dinner. “We’ve got everything in place.” There was a tap on the window of the compartment and Steel looked up just in time to see the back of Hunter’s hat as he passed the window.

Perfect. That meant that he was getting into place near the cargo cars and Sky Bolt was set up in the caboose, pretending to be an engineer for the railroad. They each had been given a small bit that Dawn had enchanted to glow when Sabra and Nova, both of whom were bait, snapped a small stick. The moment they had anything, the rest of the team would be able to get into position.

“What about the Royal Guard guarding the cargo cars?” Dawn asked.

“Hunter has ID, so does Sky Bolt,” Steel said. He’d left the Royal Guard uninformed on Hunter's suggestion. The Guard had already tried to catch the thief and failed, so there might have been information that they had leaked. The only Guard he’d informed were the pair that had inspected the cargo, and even then he hadn’t let them see inside of the box, but had convinced them to pass it off with vague whisperings of “state secrets.” The duty-bound Guard hadn’t even questioned a parchment with Luna’s royal seal on it.

“The moment the stick snaps ...” Steel said, turning back towards the window and making a show of looking like he was already missing the city. His muzzle twitched. Apparently his fake beard was still itching. “Both of them will flash the Guard their IDs, and the Guard should stay out of our way while we corral whoever this is.”

“I hope so,” Dawn said, adjusting her hat. It was a fairly nice hat, purchased on budget along with the soft purple dress she was wearing. Just nice enough that she looked like a respectable mare, but not nice enough that she would regret leaving it behind if needed. And it was voluminous enough to hide the tightly bound saddlebags along her sides. “I’d hate to think we’d stuffed Sabra and Nova into that box and sent them on an overnight express from Manhatten to Los Pegasus for nothing.”

“Yeah, I had to push back a surprise for my nephews until next week,” Steel said. “I was supposed to be finding out why my sister was so furious with me tonight.”

Dawn gave him an unamused look. “You’re not at all concerned about Sabra and Nova being stuck in that box?”

Steel laughed. “Those two? No, they’ll be fine as long as Nova doesn’t get too smart while they’re stuck in there. They’ll be sore, sure, but it’s not going to kill them.”

“Hm, I suppose so,” Dawn said, turning to watch the scenery slide past. “I shouldn’t complain, I haven’t been to Manehatten in years, although,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “I would have liked to have visited the hospital while I was here.”

“You know why we couldn’t do that,” Steel said. “Same reason I ordered Nova to avoid his old haunts.”

“I know, somepony could have recognized us,” Dawn said, pulling a book from her shoulder bag. “Always on the safe side.”

“Not taking any chances is the best way to stay safe.” Steel said. A whistled sounded, then a faint jerk ran through the train car, shaking the compartment. Outside the window the platform began to slide past as the train started forward.

“That sounds like something Sabra would say,” Dawn remarked settling herself on her seat, her book open beside her. “Been listening to his thoughts on life?”

“Actually, I asked him about them,” Steel said, nodding. “I figured I’d see how he responded to his own question.”

“Oh?” Dawn said, turning to look at him. “And what did he say?”

Steel laughed. “Nothing that answered any of my questions.”

“But what did he say?” Dawn pressed.

“Something along the lines of ‘I do not know, which is why I ask.’ Then he asked me again.”

“Hmm,” Dawn said. “And what did you tell him?”

“Same thing I said last time,” Steel said. “Life for me is protecting ponies. Why?”

Dawn said nothing for a moment, her lips pursed. “No special reason,” she said at last, turning back to her book. “But if you don’t have anything else to do on this trip, you might want to think more on it. Maybe when we reach Los Pegasus you can have a different answer for him.”

Steel’s mouth opened, but he shut it again a few seconds later without saying anything. She could almost read his thoughts in the stoic stallion's face. Maybe she just wanted him to think over things? What was his life if it wasn’t protecting those around him. What else was there? Steel had a remarkable poker face when he felt he needed it, but apparently this evening wasn’t an evening where he felt he needed it. Or he’d already used up all of his skill at subterfuge pretending to be her husband over the last day.

She left him to his thoughts, turning back to her book. Maybe he would find an answer, she considered. After all, it was a long, two-day trip. Outside, the scenery flew by as the train picked up speed on its journey towards Los Pegasus.


*        *        *


Hunter checked the door to the cargo area for what felt like the hundredth time, his eyes sliding over the two Royal Guard stationed in front of it. His hat was sitting low on his head, covering the upper half of his vision and cropping the Guard’s heads, making them look like something from a foal’s campfire story. In turn though, neither of the Guard could see what he was looking at. With his relaxed positioning and slow breathing, he’d simply look to them like any other passenger sleeping away the trip.

He fought a yawn. Come to think if it, I could go for a quick nap. He shifted his head ever so slightly, just enough that he could look out of the window. The sun had gone down hours ago, the moon rising and lighting the plains outside Canterlot with a faint glow. It wouldn’t be long now until the train made its scheduled stop in Canterlot.

He shifted his head back, making sure that the motion was a little staggered, like he was adjusting himself in his sleep. At least Sky Bolt was probably having fun back in the caboose pretending to be a trainee engineer. Then again, he thought as the image of the grey mare flitting around her workshop came to mind, she might be having fun, but if she is, the engineer is probably wondering what sort of prodigy they have on their hooves. His eyes darted down to the bit he’d left lying next to him on the seat. Nothing yet.

He went back to staring at the wall, letting his thoughts run jumble around from subject to subject. Manehatten hadn’t been half bad, even if he hadn’t been allowed to make contact with anyone that he knew. He’d still been able to make his way around to see the sights, and some of them had been pretty impressive, even all these years later.

Some of them still hurt too. It wasn’t a sharp hurt, he’d moved past that years ago. But it had been a dull pang that had echoed inside his chest whenever he’d thought of her. The last time he’d been in Manehatten had been with her. They’d spent a vacation together, seeing the sights, enjoying each other's company as they took in the city. That had been the week he’d bought the ring.

And one week later had been the accident. And then she was gone, cut from his life as quickly as she had been cut from her own. He still remembered the hurt he’d felt at her funeral, the pained expressions on her family's faces. That hurt was still sharp from time to time. It was likely it always would be. But she was gone, through no fault of anypony, and there wasn’t anything he could do to change that.

He let out a sigh, doing his best to disguise it as a long exhale. He still missed her. Wherever you are, Swift Wing, he thought, for a moment closing his eyes, know I still miss you.

The thought gave him a sense of closure for a moment and he shifted his weight. Visiting Manehatten hadn’t been as difficult as he’d worried it was going to be, so there was that. Neither had walking through some of the same scenic places he’d seen with Swift Wing. It had hurt a little, but it was dulled. He smirked slightly under his hat. Some of them hadn’t been nearly as fun with only himself around to enjoy the scene. Maybe he could go again sometime. Maybe with Thistle.

Hunter almost sat up in shock as the thought jumped into his head, managing to turn the movement into a sideways shuffle that made it look like he’d just shifted to his side in his sleep. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but now he was stuck with it. Where had that thought come from? Sure, she was nice. And fun. And cute. She had a great set of wings. But no, she was a friend, right?

Right? he asked himself. Derpy probably thought otherwise, but then that was the whole reason she’d set them up in the first place. Besides, Thistle had a coltfriend.

His neck started to twinge under the influence of the odd angle he’d placed it at and he tried to shift it without looking too awake. It gave another spasm of discomfort. Great. Now he was going to have to fake waking up for a bit in order to keep his cover. He shifted, trying to make the movement look natural … and his eyes caught the bit sitting on his seat just as it started to glow.

Hunter exploded into motion, sweeping the bit into his saddlebags as he leapt to his feet. The two Guard jerked in surprise at his sudden movement, eyes narrowing as he rushed down the narrow aisle at them. One of the guards grabbed his spear, lowering it as he approached.

“Halt! This area is off limits!” Hunter rolled his eyes as he skidded to a halt, ducking his head back to grab his ID from his saddlebags.

“I’m First Lieutenant Hunter of the Dusk Guard,” he said, pulling the ID from his bags and holding it in front of the guards. “And I need to get inside this cargo car now!”

The Guard with the spear turned a sarcastic eye to the paper, then snapped to attention as his eyes saw the royal seals, his hoof coming up in a salute. The second Guard followed suit a moment, later, stepping aside as his hoof came up so that Hunter could enter the door.

“Orders, sir?” The first guard asked.

“Yeah, let me through,” Hunter said, sliding his identification back into his bags. “My captain will be here in a moment. Don’t let anypony out of this door until we give you the all clear? Clear?” He waited for the two guards to respond. If Sky Bolt was doing her job, she’d be giving the exact same orders to the Guard on the other end of the train's cargo cars.

“Clear sir!” The first Guard barked after a bare moment's consideration.

“Good!” Hunter darted past the pair and yanked the door open. He bolted into the vestibule, pulling the door to the first of the three cargo doors open before the second even closed. Sabra and Nova were in the middle cargo car. Of course. He flapped his wings, giving him an extra burst of speed. No time to waste.


*        *        *


Nova was almost asleep when Sabra’s tapping jolted him back to his senses. He turned his head in what he hoped was the direction of the zebra, only to have the zebra’s hoof cover his mouth. Then he heard it: A slow, faint rasp. He frowned for a moment. Wood on wood? Was the cargo shifting? It almost sounded like the noise two boards made when you rubbed them together.

The noise stopped and for a moment all was quiet save for the clacking of the railway tracks underneath the train. Then there was a soft thump, followed by second, then a third. If he hadn’t been listening as carefully as he could, he would have missed it.

There was a much louder thump as something connected with the side of their crate. Nova felt his body jerk to one side as the crate slid out of position. There was a faint, muted snap from beside him. Sabra had broken the stick Dawn had enchanted.

There was a loud thump as something connected with the lid of the box. Nova could hear the nails scraping in protest as the lid began to wrench free. Finally, he thought as a faint outline appeared around the rim of the box. A chance to meet this mysterious thief. With a final, sickening screech, the lid ripped free.

A single, unblinking eye stared down at them, glowing in the soft moonlight. Nova felt his jaw drop as the creature—he couldn’t really think of another name for it—halted in what Nova guessed was surprise. Why are the lights off? he wondered. He lit a spark of magic in his horn, something to give the room some faint light.

The creature reacted almost immediately, a massive paw rising into the the fading darkness as the thing prepared to bring it down on Nova’s head. He pushed back and up, leaping free of the confining crate and trying to hold back a yelp of pain when his rear leg immediately cramped. The floor crashed against his back, knocking the wind from him, but he pushed himself up on his forelegs, struggling to push himself back as the wooden crate he’d spent the majority of his day hiding in cracked apart, a deafening noise in the train car. The faint moonlight coming through the cars few windows wasn’t enough for him to see what had attacked them or whether or not Sabra had escaped the crate in time.

He pushed himself up on all his limbs, ignoring the sharp pang of protest from his rear leg. He flared his magic again, casting a basic light spell. A ball of pale blue light floated out of his horn and up towards the ceiling, glowing brighter as it ascended. And then, Nova got his first look at his opponent, his jaw dropping in shock. It was a machine. 

No, he realized, that wasn’t the right word for it. The majority of its body, if he could call it that, seemed to be composed of wooden paneling, attached to the other bits by rods and gears of metal. It reminded him of a diamond dog, with a bipedal stance—although these knees bent forward, not back—and two long, angled arms with massive three-fingered hands at the end of each. What he’d taken for a glowing eye was instead some sort of long narrow crystal set deep into its chest. The … golem, he guessed would be closest to call it, stepped back as his magic lit the room, raising one of its hands as if in confusion.

Then it lashed out with one of its legs. The foot—three large toes forward toes and one toe facing backward, almost like a chicken—smashed into the remains of the crate Nova and Sabra had been hiding in, sending it skidding across the floor at him. Nova rolled to one side, silently thanking Steel for all the training he’d put him through as the splintered remains of the crate smashed into the cargo he’d been standing in front of. He got his hooves under him just as the golem dove forward, its hand pulling back in a fist that would smash him into the deck.

Sabra flew out of the darkness, Fimbo in hoof, and landed on the golem's shoulder, his staff crashing down against the raised arm with a sharp crack. The golem stumbled as Sabra’s added weight threw it off, its punch swinging past Nova’s body and crushing a crate a foot from his head. Nova stumbled back, willing his leg to stop aching and start working. He had to get out of range before a single blow from the construct’s fist put him out of the game.

Sabra leapt from its shoulder as the golem swung its arm up, tucking and landing on three hooves, staff still spinning around his upraised hoof. The golem turned, swinging one of its arms fast and low. Sabra leapt up, pushing away from the ground with his staff and snapping it out of the way just before the construct's colossal hand swept it aside.

“Msaada itakuwa nzuri!” Sabra yelled out in his native tongue as he flipped through the air, apparently forgetting that Nova didn’t speak Zebra. Given the situation he made a quick guess and fired off several rapid beams of blue magic from his horn, striking the golem across its arm. The golem reacted by swinging back at him in a misjudged backhand that came up a foot short. Nova grinned as the open hand swept by, only to dive out of the way in a backpedaling panic as the golem stepped forward, almost crushing him with a returning swing.

Focus, Nova! he thought, berating himself as he jumped back. His leg was finally acting like normal, now he just needed to start thinking. All the training he’d been doing had to have done more than given him reflexes and muscle. Think about the art of combat. That was what Steel and Hunter had called it. A movement, a flow to fighting that was intricate. Like Sabra, sliding all across the cargo floor in perfect precision as the golem moved to try and engage the quick-hooved zebra.

Except at the moment the golem was engaging him. Nova jumped forward, rolling between the thing’s legs as its hands came down in a crushing overhead blow that shook the compartment. He came up from his roll with his horn lit, pencil-thin beams of pale blue magic tracing their way across the golem’s back, leaving small trails of frost in their wake. The construct turned, lashing out with a leg that came so close to his face Nova felt the air move from its passing.

Sabra landed on the creature’s back once more, his staff striking the thing’s shoulders with rapid-fire cracks so close together they were almost one sound. The golem shrugged off the blows, tossing its shoulders and sending Sabra rolling across the deck.

“This isn’t working!” Nova yelled. “We need to hit it harder!” He focused his magic, allowing himself to draw more energy than he normally would. Hit. It. Harder! A beam of blue light jabbed out, thick as his horn rather than the pencil-thin beams he’d used earlier, striking the construct in the back of the shoulder.

The construct staggered as the beam hit it, stumbling forward and catching itself against a wall. A large patch of ice formed around its shoulder, glimmering in the pale light. It turned, then stopped as if puzzled by the sudden lack of motion in its right shoulder. A series of sharp cracks rent the air as the shoulder rolled, snapping the encasing ice.

“Well, that was less helpful than I’d hoped,” Nova said as he dove aside to avoid the golem's fist. It crashed into some of the cargo behind him, splintering the packaging. He turned his magic elsewhere, grabbing several of the crates and swinging them into the air. The golem raised its arms, batting one of the crates aside, but the other two smashed into its chest, spilling their cargo over the floor as they shattered and sending the golem staggering back. Sabra leapt out of the shadows, lashing out with a double-hoofed kick that caught the golem square in the center of its chest, knocking it back. As soon as Sabra fell from his view, Nova fired another beam, striking the golem directly below its glowing crystal eye.

As if as one, the doors at both ends of the cargo car slid open, Sky Bolt and Hunter entering the room just in time to see the golem fall, slamming into a stack of luggage and bringing it crashing down on top of its body.

“What the hay is that?” Hunter asked, rushing over towards Nova and Sabra. Nova looked over at Hunter, shaking his head and trying to keep his body from shaking.

“I have no id—” His words were cut off as a fist smashed up out of the pile, slamming down with enough force to crack one of the boxes open and spill its contents. The golem pulled itself from the pile, shaking off bits and pieces of ponies' luggage from itself.

“You know what,” Hunter said, a shocked expression on his face. “I don’t care what it is. Let’s just smash it.” He darted forward, his wings snapping back as they propelled his body forward, his front hooves slamming into the golem's leg. Sabra leapt forward, whipping his staff into the opposite leg, Nova firing bolts of blue magic and trying to recall some of the battle magic he’d been practicing that hadn’t been for using against ponies. Or that wouldn’t cause massive collateral damage.

Sky Bolt flew past, ducked around the golem's fist, and slammed her wrench into the construct's shoulder joint, driving it in with a quick kick. “Go for the joints!” she yelled. “They’re the weak—” Her voice cut off in a startled yelp as a  luggage pile slammed into her, smashing her into the wall of the cargo car.

“Sky Bolt!” Nova called out, grabbing the golem’s next missile with his own telekinetic magic and sending it back at the creature.

“I’ll get her!” Hunter yelled. “You two focus on the joints!” He darted between the construct's legs, avoiding a quick stomp that nearly clipped one of his wings and made for the downed pegasus.

“Sabra!” Nova yelled, tossing more luggage at the golem in an attempt to keep it focused on him. “Pick a joint and go for it! I’ll freeze it!”

“Ndiyo!” Sabra slid back from the leg and leapt at the golem, kicking off of its chest and landing on its outstretched arm. “Hapa!” he called, bringing his staff down on the arm’s elbow joint. The golem's opposing arm swept up, Sabra raising his Fimbo just in time to cushion the blow that swept him from its arm. The striped zebra tucked and rolled in the air, landing in a ball and flipping backwards. There was a loud crack, the wood in the golem's shoulder splintering as it fought against the wrench that Sky Bolt had wedged into it.

Hunter darted back into the fray, kicking at the golem's knee joints. Nova took advantage of the distraction to fire a beam of blue magic, larger than any he’d dared fire in years, right at the arm joint Sabra had indicated. The golem twisted in surprise as its arm spun under the impact, the entire elbow joint encased in clear ice.

“Sabra, now!” Nova called, grabbing the golem's arm with his magic and holding it tightly in place. Sabra was already in the air, arcing over the construct, his staff gripped overhead. He brought it down like a spike, driving it deep into the ice with a crack that split the room. Standing on the golem's arm as it fought to pull its arm free of Nova’s magic grasp, Sabra drove his Fimbo deeper and deeper into the joint, pounding his hooves on the tip. With a muted crack, the end of the staff broke through the other side, and Sabra threw his body against it, twisting the staff against the joint. It flexed, bending as Sabra braced his body against it.

“I’m losing my hold on him!” Nova called as the construct began to throw its entire weight into breaking free of his grip, thrashing its body and grabbing its own wrist, anything in an attempt to pull its arm free. Sabra gave his staff one last push—and the thin bamboo snapped with a crack. Sabra tumbled from the arm, rolling as he impacted the deck and coming up on his hooves several feet away. 

Nova released his grip, letting the construct’s arm go. It stumbled backward as the pressure vanished, almost falling as it lost its balance. Hunter took the initiative, delivering a flying kick to the shoulder that spun the golem around and sent it to its knees in front of the forward cargo door.

Two hooves shot through the door, Captain Song delivering a buck powerful enough to lift the golem to its feet, dual cracks echoing through the room as its chest collapsed on itself under the force of the attack. The golem staggered backward, its arms windmilling in confusion. The powerful earth pony stepped forward, making dull thumps through the heavy steel gauntlets he was wearing on his front hooves. Nova recognized them from the sparring sessions he’d had with Captain Song as the captain’s personal weapon of choice.

Captain Song attacked again, this time stepping forward and driving one of his heavy gauntlets up into where the golem's stomach would have been had it had one. The golem shuddered as its body caved in, and it fell backwards, crashing down across the luggage, twitching sporadically. Behind the Captain, Nova saw Dawn peer into the room, spot Sky Bolt laying at the other end of the car, and rush towards her, medical bag floating at her side.

“Anyone have any idea what on Luna’s moon this thing is?” Steel asked, tapping a still twitching foot with one of his gauntlets. His voice cut through the sudden quiet, almost shockingly loud.

One by one the still standing members of the team shook their heads. “No idea boss,” Hunter said. “But it’s got to be one of the freakier things I’ve ever seen.”

Sabra walked up to the elbow he’d attacked and looked down at the broken remains of his Fimbo. “I’ve had this staff since I joined the monastery,” he said, shaking his head from side to side. “It was a gift from my first teacher.”

“Sorry, buddy,” Nova said as he walked up, putting a hoof on Sabra’s shoulder. “Maybe we can get you a new one.”

Sabra nodded. “It was valued for what it meant, not what it was. Even broken, it still carries meaning. More of it, perhaps.” He looked at the rest of the group.

“So keep a piece of it,” Nova said, stepping back as the golem gave another strange twitch. It wouldn’t stop moving. “When you see your teacher again, you can tell him about how you broke it taking down this ...” he paused for a moment, trying to think of a good word for the monstrosity laying twitching on the floor in front of them. “Golem would be the best word for it, I guess.”

“Golem?” Captain Steel asked, putting both hooves on the things chest and examining the faintly glowing crystal “eye.” “Why a golem?”

“Kind of looks like one,” Nova said, trying to think of an explanation that wouldn’t sound too revealing.

Hunter saved him. “Yeah, like in the Daring Do novels,” he said, winking at Nova. “The Mad Tinker built a couple of them. Magically animated constructs.” He looked down at the still twitching mechanoid.

“Hey, come to think of it,” he said, looking around. “The lights are normally out in all the reports. How come—” Nova pointed upwards at his small orb, prompting a simple “oh” from Hunter.

Sabra stepped up to the golem’s arm, grasping the broken half of his Fimbo in his teeth. His neck muscles grew taut as he tried to pull it out.

An unearthly screech filled the car, an eerie wail unlike anything that Nova had ever heard. He stepped back involuntarily, his ears pressing down tight against his skull, eyes watering. Sabra was flung to one side as the golem’s arm came up, sweeping Captain Song from its chest. Letting out another terrifying screech that seemed to be a mix of several different sounds, the golem leapt to its feet and charged through the open door into the vestibule.

“After it!” Captain Song cried, struggling to his hooves and shaking his head. Blood matted his grey mane. “Don’t let it get to the passengers!”

The captain’s words shook Nova from his stupor and he bolted forward, following the golem into the next cargo, Sabra and Hunter close behind. There was a crash up ahead, and Nova heard one of the Guard give a yell of panic. He darted through the door to the next vestibule, only to be greeted by rushing air and two members of the Royal Guard who were looking up at the missing ceiling with their jaws hanging open.

“It’s on the roof!” Nova called over his shoulder, leaping for the ragged edge and ignoring the flash of pain as the sharp wood scraped into his fetlocks. He kicked out against the wall with his rear legs, pushing himself up over the lip and onto the roof of the train care. Wind tore at his mane, cold and sharp, making his eyes water.

He shielded his face with one hoof, looking ahead. The train was just entering the outskirts of Canterlot, speeding along between the warehouses of the industrial sector on its way towards the downtown. Up ahead he could see the ungainly shape of the golem as it crawled spider-like along the top of the train. Nova wasn’t sure if it’d gone to the roof to avoid the rest of the train's passengers or if it just wanted to make the pursuit more difficult.

He darted forward, not waiting to see which members of the team had followed him up onto the roof of the train. The wind plucked at his coat, biting into his cuts and forcing him to hunch down as he moved forward. The train was slowing now as it moved towards more populated areas of Canterlot, but not enough that the onrushing wind was light enough for him to sprint. He rushed along the length of the train as best as he could, grabbing onto convenient holds with his magic and using his telekinesis to help pull himself forward.

He stopped as he drew closer to the fleeing golem, firing a bolt of his magic and scoring a hit on one of its feet. The golem stumbled, sliding towards the edge of the train before its massive fingers dug into the roof of the car. Nova could hear faint screams coming from the cars below. He didn’t blame them.

The golem twisted, the glowing crystal in its chest facing directly at him. Nova lit his horn, stepping forward as he considered the best place to target the construct. Without warning the golem whirled, taking large lumbering steps towards to the edge of the train. Nova fired, but the golem’s maneuver had caught him by surprise and his magic went wild. The construct leaped, sailing from the edge of the train and into Canterlot.

He didn’t even stop to consider his options. He threw his body from the train, surrounding it in the best magic bubble he could conjure as he flew through the air. 

This is probably going to hurt! he thought, squinting his eyes as he tumbled through the air. Ahead of him he could see the golem’s tucked figure and just past it, a quickly approaching building. At lot, he thought as the golem struck.


*        *        *


“Alright you ponies!” the blue-maned DJ shouted. “Are you ready to pump! It! Up?” The crowd roared their approval and Vinyl Scratch laughed into the mic, throwing her head back.

“Alright then all you crazy movers out there,” she said, giving the crowd a wide grin, cheers rolling over her like a blanket. “Lets see some moves when I drop this!” She slid the next record into position and dropped the needle, her hooves on the sliders. “Are you ready?” she called out to the crowd. They gave a resounding cheer as she slid the needles into their proper places. It wasn’t anywhere near loud enough. “I said ...” she repeated. “Are. You—”

The massive tinted glass wall that made up one side of the club exploded inward, ponies scattering in every direction as something crashed through it into the ground, digging grooves in the dance floor before coming to a stop. Moments later a second figure, this one a pony wrapped in a pale blue glow, sailed through the open space and crashed into the floor. The blue glow winked out and the stallion tumbled across the dance floor behind the massive thing, scattering broken glass with his body. 

Overhead the clubs magilights began to fade in and out, as if something was wrong with the power. Vinyl's attention turned to her control board, concern for her equipment overriding even the club's newest arrivals. Thankfully whatever was interfering with the lights apparently wasn’t on a frequency that could mess with her gear. She directed her glasses back towards the club's newest occupants, distorted color coming into sharp relief as her enchanted lenses settled on them.

She had the presence of mind to pull the needles from her records, bringing the music to a halt. Ponies were closing back in now, and Vinyl could hear many of them asking what was going on, if it was some kind of stunt, or if somepony should call the Guard. 

Then the strange thing that had crashed through the window shifted and rose up on two legs, letting loose a mournful wail that made Vinyl's coat stand on end. Ponies began to back away in panic as the lumbering creature took a single step, letting loose another wail.

“Everypony get out! Now!” Vinyl’s ears shot up as she heard the voice. She recognized it. It belonged to the strange stallion that had tumbled through the window. He was standing now, and she could see that his body was almost nothing but cut, whipcord muscle. One eye of his eyes was squeezed tightly shut, and he was clearly favoring one front leg. His body was bleeding from dozens of small cuts and gashes, probably from his sliding over a glass covered floor. But his horn—yes, he was a unicorn—was glowing bright as his voice amplified. “Everyone get out now!”

The crowd complied, running in a panic as the strange wooden creature took another lumbering step and then a swipe at one of the fleeing ponies, who managed to duck under its outstretched fingers with a scream before bolting for the door. Vinyl puller her headphones from her head as the thing took another lumbering step forward, tossing them on the board. Every situation had a rhythm, a beat. And as much as she wanted to yell at the stallion right then and there, the beat was telling her it was time to move in a different direction.

“You! Vinyl!” She stopped in her tracks as her name rang out, glasses threatening to slide from her face, the room turning to muted colors past the edges of the frames. It was definitely him. “Before you leave ... give me a beat to beat down to.” 

Vinyl grinned and grabbed one of her favorite records. She tossed it on the tables without even needing to look, cranking the volume and hitting the play button as she ran for the stage exit. It wasn’t the strangest request she’d ever had. Well, she thought as she shot out the door, thumping bass notes erupting behind her, at least he’s got style!


*        *        *


Nova watched out of the corner of his one good eye as Vinyl left the stage, a familiar beat pumping through the club's speakers. “All right, freak,” he said, taking a limp step forward as the golem spun to face him. “Now it’s just you and me, and I’m really not in the mood for this anymore.” He grimaced as he took another step forward, his horn starting to glow. His left front leg felt broken, dangling at an odd angle when he didn’t have pressure on it, and he’d lost count of the places he hurt. He wasn’t even certain he’d be able to find anyplace where he didn’t hurt. Only one thing was on his mind now.

The golem apparently had the same idea. Its “eye” turned to look at the doors, which had closed as the last of the club-goers had stampeded out, and then back to Nova. It raised its hands, limping as it stepped towards Nova.

Nova reached out with his telekinetic magic, barely caring how much power he used anymore. A massive set of speakers hanging overhead tore free from its housing as Nova tugged down, the entire mass of magnets and wood crashing down on the golem. Speakers blew out, showering the area with sparks as the golem crashed back against the floor. Then it lashed out with one leg, and Nova hopped to one side, trying to avoid the sparking mass of broken electronics that skidded across the floor at him. The mass clipped his rear leg, and he fell to the ground, new wounds opening on the cut glass.

He let loose a scream of pain, firing a bolt of magic from his horn that tore into the golem's shoulder. It let loose a mournful cry as its shoulder gave out, its arm falling to the ground with a bang. Nova tried to push himself back to his hooves as the golem stepped towards him, remaining hand raised high to crush him, but his good hoof slipped in the glass and he fell on his broken leg, letting out a cry of pain. He looked up as the golem stopped in front of him, its fist held high.

A striped blur slammed into the golem, sending it stumbling backwards. Sabra flipped away from the tumbling construct, grabbing Nova by the tail and pulling him backwards, hard. Nova slid across the floor, glass biting into his flanks. He didn’t care about the pain. 

“Thanks for the save!” he yelled through the haze of agony that was his side. He sent a quick bolt after the golem, catching it in its crystal eye before it could recover. It let out another mournful wail. “Got a plan for stopping this thing?”

Sabra pointed upwards and Nova followed his hoof, blinking away blood from his eye. Hunter was above them, perched on the side of the blackest, nastiest thundercloud Nova had ever seen.

“Hey buddy!” Hunter shouted, pushing himself into a forward hoofstand. “How’d you like a light?” His rear hooves came down hard on the cloud, the room filled with a blinding white glare and deafening crack as a bolt of lightning struck the golem square in the center of its chest, hurling it across the room, where it smashed into the bar, smoking.

For a moment the club was eerily silent, the only sound the occasional crack of sparks from the destroyed speakers. Then, as the three ponies watched, the crystal set in the golem's chest flickered and went dim, its white glow fading to a dull grey. Overhead, the lights came back on, leaving the three staring at the smoking, charred wreck, the fingers of one hand still twitching slowly before coming to a stop.


End of Part Two

> Operation - Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Prologue


Luna didn’t look up from her painting as the door to her personal study opened. Only one pony was ever permitted into her study without knocking or her receiving some sort of notification from her Guard. She knew who was walking in without even turning to look.

“Hello, Tia,” she said as her brush slid across the canvas with practiced ease. “You’re awake early. Come to say good morning?” Her sister laughed, a small, soft sound that was almost swallowed up by the comfortable confines of Luna’s study. 

“In part, yes,” Celestia said, stepping up to the canvas and taking a look. “But also to hear what you had to say about the Dusk Guard’s success last night.”

Luna sighed inwardly and set the brush down on her palette, taking care to make sure that the bristles did not lay improperly or touch the wrong paints.  Now was the true test of what she had assembled. Would her sister approve of the actions the Dusk Guard had taken, or would she be alarmed?

“I assume that you have read the reports?” Luna asked her, checking the small clock on her mantle. It was almost time for the moon to set.

Celestia let out another small laugh. “More than that dear sister.” Her horn lit up and she unfolded one of her wings, a newspaper floating out from under it. “I read it in the paper as well.”

“They do work quickly these days,” Luna said, taking the paper from her sister and opening it across her desk.

The front page was dominated by an enormous fuzzy black and white picture of what looked an awful lot like a diamond dog. The headline over the picture read “Mysterious Monster Attack on Railway” with the tagline “Further Troubles for the Equestrian Rail Service?”

“Oh dear,” Luna said as she ran her eyes over the article. “I was hoping that they would manage to get everything out before the news showed up.”

“Not in this day and age, sister,” Celestia said, shaking her head. “Newsponies are more determined than ever to get a story. Take for example, the side story on page seven.” Luna, done scanning the article—which appeared to be little more than conjecture based on interviews with those who had witnessed the event thanks to the Guard’s quick response—flipped a few pages in.

“Curious,” Luna said as she saw the large headline. “New Mystery Guard?” the headline asked, next to a sketch of what one of her Night Guards might have looked like if they had been in a comic book. She ran her eyes over the article. 

“Not bad,” she said at last, re-folding the paper and passing it back to Celestia. “They did their research, although I must say I’m disappointed at their choice of art. They could have at least found a picture of Captain Song. It would not have been difficult.

“You don’t seemed too perturbed, sister.” Celestia said.

“I’m not,” Luna said, turning back to her painting but looking at her sister. “Are you?”

“Well,” Celestia offered, sitting back on her haunches, “they did end up creating a sensationalist story that ended up on the front pages.”

“Of them stopping one of the thieves. Which I must say I found quite interesting, just from the look I got at it.” Luna mused. “It reminded me of some of some of Itzpapalotl’s spiders.”

Celestia shuddered at the memory of the ancient immortal. “Ugh, don’t remind me of those things. They still appear in my nightmares sometimes.”

“Similar only, dear sister,” Luna said. “I am very certain that these ‘golems,’ as the team called them, are simply a product of minds having similar ideas. Itzpapalotl is gone for good. Ahuizotl saw to that. Besides, nothing she created would be caught robbing trains.”

“Yes,” Celestia said, nodding. “She never would have set her sights so low.” She blinked as if caught in a memory, and Luna checked the clock again. Seven minutes until the moon was going to need its final adjustment for the night.

“So, my original question, Tia,” Luna said, shaking her sister from the memory. “Are you concerned?”

“I … have mixed feelings about it,” Celestia said, looking at Luna’s newest painting. “On the one hoof, it seems as if they’ve succeeded at what they were established to do, but ...” She tilted her head and turned back towards Luna. “I cannot help but fear that it will send the wrong message to those around us. We are a peaceful country Luna, we cannot afford to crack that image.”

Luna thought for a moment. “I believe I can address that problem, Tia. You’re right. I will make a public announcement about the Dusk Guard tomorrow.” Celestia nodded, but Luna could see that something else was still troubling her.

“Sister,” she said, stepping forward and wrapping her wing around her Celestia’s shoulders. “What else is bothering you?”

Celestia sighed and hung her head slightly. “I had a letter from the railway board waiting for me when I awoke. Golden Spike wished to inform me—he specifically did not mention you—that he is only two votes away from being able to force us to sell our controlling share in the railway.”

Luna gritted her teeth at the unwelcome, but not unexpected, news. “And who are the remaining two holdouts?” She asked, trying to keep herself calm.

“Mint and Radiant,” Celestia said. “Apparently they still trust us to see the railway out of the difficulties that the company is finding itself in. However, I feel that they are not happy with the northern expansion either.”

Luna sighed. “We will work through this, sister. There must be some steps that we can take to ensure that even if we lose control of the railway the Northern rail will still be completed in time.”

Celestia shook her head. “I do not know, but it is certainly worth looking into. Have you made any progress with the crystal?”

Now it was Luna’s turn to shake her head. “All I have discovered so far is that the seal is indeed weakening. The Crystal Empire will be upon us in less than half a year at the most, sister.” She pulled her wing in tighter. “Do not fear, Tia,” she soothed. “We will ensure that the Crystal Empire is saved. After all,” she said with a faint smile. "We have the Elements of Harmony, who have defeated Discord and restored me to who I was. We have Cadance and Captain Armor, who have both been prepared for their own roles, albeit however unknowingly.”

“But—”

“When the time arrives, Sister, even if the railway is not complete, we will find a way to put everypony in position regardless.” Luna said, holding her sister close. “We will not fail them again. I promise.” She let out a small laugh. “Even if that means we have a house built in the north for Cadance and Captain Armor to stay in, and teleport the Elements there ourselves.”

Celestia smiled at her sisters comment. “I suppose you’re right Luna. There are other ways. As long as they are restored.” She looked at Luna’s painting once more, staring at the ribbons of color that caressed the canvas. “Although I still hope that your Guard find whoever is at the root of these problems with the railway.”

“Our Guard, Tia.” Luna said, correcting her sister as she stepped forward and lifted her brush once more. Only four minutes to go now. “The Dusk Guard is shared. You are just as responsible for our successes as I am.” She paused as her brush moved against the canvas. “Speaking of which, have you visited their barracks yet?” She tilted her head just enough to see her sister shake her head. “You should, Tia. I believe you would be most impressed.”

“I should see about getting a tour,” Celestia said, watching as the image on the canvas came to life under Luna’s skillful brush. “I also wish to warn them about some of the research their engineer is conducting.”

“About the crystalline armor?” Luna asked, frowning as her brush threatened to turn itself on it’s side. “I already asked her to keep her theories and her work secret.”

Celestia laughed, a welcome sound after the brief bout of melancholy she’d shown a few moments earlier. “No, about conducting some of her experiments somewhere a bit further from the castle. One of the gardeners let slip that an experiment of hers apparently burned a hedge to the ground—” Luna cocked an eye in her sister’s direction, paintbrush temporarily frozen against the canvas, “—in addition to making a small crater when it landed. I don’t know if Captain Song ever found out. From what I overheard, that filly’s as good at sliding out of trouble during an accident as she is at building things.”

“She does appear to be a hoofful,” Luna admitted, brush resuming its motions and putting the finishing touches on her painting. “And she isn’t the only one on the team who’s proven more ...” she paused as she made a final touch with her brush. “Interesting than initially expected.”

“Oh?” Celestia asked as Luna carefully began to rinse her brush.

“Nova, the young colt that you requested Steel add to the team,” Luna said. Celestia cocked an eyebrow. “You had some idea of his potential?”

“A bit,” Celestia said. “It was the cutie mark that convinced me.”

“As it did me, sister,” Luna said, checking the clock. One minute to go. “I must ensure the moon sets, Tia. Will I see you at breakfast?”

“Always, Luna,” Celestia said, giving her sister a small hug. “And I must say, I love the painting.”

Luna smiled as she returned the hug. “Thank you. I think I will make a gift of it to Cadance and Captain Armor.” She grinned as Celestia broke into a full laugh.

“And ponies say that I’m the trickster,” Celestia said, turning for the door. “See you at breakfast Lulu.”

Luna smiled as her sister walked out the door and took one last look at the newly completed painting before heading for the door, her royal duties to attend to. Behind her the canvas was filled, a single, crystalline tower lit by rainbows of colored light stretching into a starry sky.
> Operation - Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 1


“All in all, I would say that you’re quite lucky,” Dawn said, her horn aglow as she made a final adjustment to his cast. “Considering that you leapt from a moving train following a demented golem. You could have been killed.”

"Yeah, I kind of thought about that for a moment,” Nova said, wincing as Dawn’s spell rolled up and down his broken leg, creating twinges of fire that burned into his shoulder. The broken limb was fairly secure in the cast that the pink mare had set on it the night before, but the accelerated healing spells she was casting on it alternated between itching like mad and making him feel like he’d broken the limb all over again.

“So you’ve said,” Dawn replied, turning his cast slightly and sending another healing spell into his leg. “And yet you jumped anyway. I don’t expect you’d care to explain your reasons for such a decision?”

He winced as another jolt of pain shot up his leg. “Don’t you have some anesthesia spells for this?” he asked.

“I do,” she said, her horn sending another surge of dull-orange magic up Nova’s limb. “But I’ve been treating injuries on everypony for hours now, and I’d rather conserve what little magic I have left.” She looked up at him, giving him a clear view of her bloodshot eyes and frazzled mane. “Unless you’d rather the healing take a day or two longer.”

“No, that’s alright,” Nova said, feeling a bit guilty for asking. “I’m sorry I asked.”

“Hmm. Apology accepted.” There was a final pulse of magic that almost made his eyes water. “Now to see if any of your bandages need changing.” She walked around to the other side of the medical lab’s examining table, her horn glowing. Several of the gauze bandages on his side answered the call of her magic, lighting up and peeling away from his body.

“Well, you’re in luck,” she said. Nova did his best to look unconcerned as the unicorn leaned her head in close to the injuries, inspecting them closely. “It looks like the stitches are holding up, and ...” she paused and there was a brief cool tingle, almost like an ice pack had been pressed up against the cuts. “The area is still clear of any infection.” The gauze pads floated away and deposited themselves in a garbage can, replacements already sweeping out of a white sterile cupboard.

“So, one broken forelimb, twenty-seven stitches, and numerous other cuts and bruises,” Dawn said, summarizing as she taped the new gauze in place. “So why did you jump, as opposed to waiting for say, Captain Song to stop the train, or at least for Hunter to airlift you like he did to Sabra?”

Nova turned his head back, doing his best to look Dawn right in the eye. “Why the curious fixation?”

She shrugged as she checked another dressing. “Just making conversation. Turn your head back, I don’t want your skin bunching up.”

“Right,” he said, rolling his eyes and complying. “Anyway, who cares? I jumped. So what? That thing landed in a club, if I hadn’t followed it, who knows who could’ve been hurt. It might have even escaped.”

“Careful, Nova,” she said, her voice unusually light-hearted. “Some might interpret that as a sense of nobility. What would the other Guard divisions think if our thief was discovered to be noble and selfless?”

 	“I did it for the mission,” he said, still facing ahead, but in his mind his statement was more of a question. Was that all you did it for? he asked himself, and in his heart he knew the answer. “And maybe because it was a bit dangerous for everypony else, yeah.”

“Hmm,” Dawn said, moving around to his other side. “Well, then I feel I must apologize,” she said, tossing her head to clear the unkempt mane from her eyes. “I have apparently misjudged your character. Perhaps there is something more to you than a young plothead after all.”

“Thanks.” He frowned as he shot a glance her way. “I think.”

“Head forward!” Dawn ordered, rapping his cut with her horn and sending a slight shock of pain along his back. “Don’t make me remind you again. Let’s get this over with so I can go get some sleep, and you can get back to your bed rest.”

Right, Nova thought as he turned his head back to the front. Because I’m totally going to sit around on my flank for three or four days while I heal up. His mind hopped back to one of the spellbooks he’d been looking over a few nights before, one he’d found in a truly ancient part of the royal library. Hunter or Sabra should be able to give me a hoof in escaping as soon as Dawn goes lights out ... He smiled faintly, plans for escaping his doctor's care already in place.


*        *        *


“Have you two been up all night?” Steel asked as he walked into the workshop. Sky Bolt and Hunter looked up from the mangled remains of the golem where it lay spread out on a workbench.

“I haven’t,” Hunter said, his voice slightly raised over the thumping beats coming from the workshop's speakers. Sky Bolt went right back to examining the construct's leg. “I took a few hours.”

“And you?” Steel asked, turning his attention to Sky Bolt.

“Nope,” Sky Bolt said in a cheery voice without even looking up. “No time! I can sleep later. I’ve got sugar, music, and a cra-azy golem-thing to examine!” She let out a small giggle, her mane shaking. It was frazzled and, as if on a condition of her workshop, streaked with grease.

“I can’t say that that really fills me with confidence,” Steel said, giving his eyes a small roll. “How’s your wing?”

“It’s fine since Dawn took a look at it,” she replied, extending the wing in question without looking up. The limb in question had been bent painfully under her body when the golem had attacked her. “All better.” She let out another giggle.

Hunter rolled his eyes. “I’ve been helping her for the last hour or so,” he said. “She’s figured out some pretty crazy stuff about this thing.”

“Alright, lay it on me,” Steel said, watching as Sky Bolt attacked the golem’s knee with a spanner.

“Alright, well first of all, it’s a powered construct,” Hunter said. “Although we all knew that much. However, it looks like it wasn’t remotely controlled.”

“You’re sure?”

Hunter shook his head, long mane swinging underneath his hat. “Not without a unicorn to identify the enchantment on the crystal, but Sky Bolt is pretty certain she knows what both crystals were for.”

“Both crystals?" Steel turned towards the construct and then back towards Hunter. "There's more than one?"

“Yep!” Sky Bolt said, her head popping up. She gave her wings a quick flutter and floated up over the workbench, hovering just over the golem's chest. “Turns out,” she said, pushing her hooves under the chest of the golem and folding it up with ease. “This crystal on its chest is just one of them. From the look of it, I’d guess that it's been enchanted with whatever spell makes this thing move and gives it its directions. I’d have to look at it under a microscope to make sure, because if it is the crystallization will have to line up just right ...” her voice trailed off for a moment as she stuck her head into the thing's chest cavity.

“You’re sure this thing's safe?” Steel asked, a mental image of the chest snapping shut on the young pegasus filling his head.

‘What?” Sky Bolt asked, her head popping up from within the golem. “Oh, yeah, easy,” she said with an off-hoof wave. “That last blast of Hunter's last night cracked both the crystals. Unless they get fixed or really—and I mean really—pumped full of magic, this thing's just a hunk of metal and wood. Anyway ...” Her head disappeared into the chest again, only to emerge a second later with a second crystal held in her teeth. She spat it out onto the table.

“Had to remove this anyway,” she said, fluttering back down to the ground next to the workbench. “Like I was saying, if the crystal on the front does that, then this one—” she tapped the smaller and darker colored crystal with her hoof, “—is probably a battery of sorts. In fact,” she said, nodding her head at Hunter, “Hunter mentioned that in the reports he collected the magilights kept giving out when these things were around.”

“Well, that’s what it sounded like,” Hunter said, clarifying her words. “But since it happened last night, I’m pretty sure that the theory was correct.”

“Anyway,” Sky Bolt said, turning back to Steel. “Running this thing probably took a lot of magic, so this crystal was likely enchanted to soak up an ambient magic. And since magilights aren’t really that well shielded, once this thing went active it probably soaked up all the ambient magic it could find, which would put the lights right out.”

“Okay,” Steel said, giving her a nod. “Anyway to test that theory?”

She shrugged. “We could stick the crystal up to one of the magilights in the barracks and see if it absorbs anything. The ones in here are shielded.” She dropped the crystal on the table with a sharp thump and went back to studying the golem's knee.

“We’ll check it later,” Hunter said, filling the empty space that Sky Bolt had left. “We also answered one of the most important questions though. We know how it, and however many others there are, are getting on and off the trains.”

For a moment Steel started. He’d forgotten that there had been a few thefts on the same day. “How many more of these could there be?” he asked. “And how do we catch them?”

“Easy,” Hunter said, trotting around the workbench. “Numbers-wise I can’t say without some more research. At least one more. Maybe as many as three or four. But as to catching them ...” 

He put both his front hooves under the golem’s arm and grunted, lifting the metal and wood limb up. “Take a look at this.” Stenciled on the wood was a simple numeric code followed by two names, the first of which sounded like a company, the second detailing the contents of the box.

“This thing folds up,” Hunter said, dropping the golem's arm with a thump. “And when it does, all the wooden paneling on it lines up and makes it look just like any other crate. Complete,” he said, tapping the stenciled wood, “with a cargo manifest.”

Steel felt his jaw drop. “Are you telling me that these things have been coming onto the train disguised as the cargo?”

“Yup,” Hunter said, shaking his head. “In fact, they’ve been getting inspected, which means these things even open like a real crate. My guess is that they just wait until nopony is around, activate, grab some crystals, and then fold back up. At the end of the ride, they get unloaded and picked up by whoever is waiting for them and bam! Our thieves have their haul.”

“That’s ...” Steel let his voice trail off as he tried to think of something to say. His head felt like it was full of cobwebs.

“I know what you’re thinking, boss,” Hunter said with a grin. “Sleep, followed by how this thing sounds pretty unbelievable.” He laughed. “But hey, the good news is, we’ve got the shipment number.” Hunter tapped the arm again. “All we need to do is dig through the ERS record office and we’ll find out exactly who shipped this thing and where it came from. If we’re lucky, they’ll have been shipping the rest of them and we’ll get the whole pile at one go.”

“Best news I’ve heard yet,” Steel said, turning away. “Keep at it and let me know the moment you find anything.”

“Will do, boss,” Hunter said. “But there’s one more thing.”

He stopped and turned back. “What is it?”

“Just this,” the tan pegasus said, his voice serious. “Hey, Sky Bolt!” The blue maned head popped up. ears up and eyes wide. “How much did you say this thing was worth?”

“Hard to say exactly,” Sky Bolt said, fluttering back on her wings and looking at the golem as a whole. “The design is brilliant, the amount of time and engineering that went into this is genius. Plus the cost of materials, especially the crystals, they’d cost a fortune to get, unless they were made. All in all, building it on your own would cost maybe a couple of thousand bits. Buying one would cost even more. As for worth, something like this could be worth a lot more if you came up with something for it to do like hazard jobs or something. Just between the design and the materials, I’d bet a pony could sell it for at least thirty-thousand bits. Maybe more.”

This time Steel didn’t feel his jaw drop, but the number hit him almost as solidly as one of Sabra’s sparring hits. “Thirty thousand?” he asked, almost unbelieving. His home in Canterville had cost less than that. Far less!

“Yeah, easy,” she said with a nod. “Like I said, you could build one if you had the parts for a lot less, but it’s still going to cost you a couple of thousand bits easy. Plus the time.”

“Which means,” Hunter said, taking the reins of the conversation back. “Whoever is running this operation isn’t making any bits off of it, at least not with anything that we’ve heard of being stolen or recovered.”

“By how much?” Steel asked, his mind back on topic.

“Well, they did manage to steal an ancient urn that was priceless, but it turned up sans gems a few weeks later in a pawn shop.” Hunter began rubbing the back of his head with one hoof. “So, even with only one of these, if they’ve made any profit at all they’ve made hardly anything,”

“So the motive isn’t likely profit then?” Steel said, and Hunter nodded. “Alright,” he said, rubbing at his forehead with one hoof. “Keep working on it, see if you can find another motive for the thefts.” He frowned as another thought came to him. “Also, see what you can think up on reasons for and against letting the rest of the Guard in on this. We don’t want to spring this early and lose our chance at getting to the root of things.”

“You bet boss, I’ll have it to you this afternoon, once Sky Bolt gives out and collapses.”

“Not going to happen!” Sky Bolt called from where she was still examining the golem leg. “I have sugar! Lots of it! Sleep is for the weak!” She let out a slightly mad laugh and Hunter shook his head, rolling his eyes.

“Alright,” Steel said, backing towards the door. He couldn’t decide if he should be amused or impressed. “I’ll expect your report in a few hours then.”

“Never gonna happen!” Sky Bolt shouted, letting out another cackle of laughter even madder than the first. Steel shut the door to the workshop, then, on an afterthought, pressed his ear to against the heavily insulated door just in time to make out the faint laughter from the pair. He smiled, gave his head a small shake, and headed for his office.


*        *        *


Nova looked down at the tome he’d been reading and let out an exasperated sigh. Bored, he thought to himself with a small shake of his fiery red mane. Bored, bored, bored, bored, bored. He could only study ancient texts of magic for so long, even as intriguing as this particular volume was. Eventually he had to get out and practice some of it. Some of the instructions weren’t even understandable without at least giving the spell a few runs to see exactly how it functioned, and he didn’t want to do that in his room.

He looked back down at the page for the spell that had so far interested him the most: The Crescent Shield. It was technically a shield spell, which most unicorns learned at some point in their lives simply for the convenience of shielding themselves from wind and rain. But it was unlike most other shields in that it was a defensive and offensive spell. According to the description, the Crescent Shield would actually reflect attacks and impacts away from itself. The book's author claimed that with practice, the caster of the Crescent Shield could actually reflect both magic and physical attacks back at their source. The downside of course, was that the Crescent Shield only existed for a moment, and the book's unnamed author pointed out that it required quite a bit of practice to use effectively.

In fact, the author had even divided the spell into a series of steps, detailing the various points of the spell and how it worked, although the language was a bit archaic and unwieldy. Some of the steps were worded in a way that didn’t even make sense to him, but he assumed with a little trial and error he’d be able to figure it out.

He flipped through the pages again. I still don’t understand this organizational system, he thought as the pages turned. Shield spells mixed in with offensive bolts and spells to teleport items, all grouped under the heading of ‘LY?’ What does ‘LY’ stand for?

He closed the book and stared at it for a moment. The title was simple, declaring the tome to be “Advanced Combat Spells.” Of the author there was no mention. The book had no introduction, no explanation, not even a page of contents. And unless he missed his guess, it was one of a kind. It was clearly hoof-written rather than printed, and the pages were full of lavishly colored illustrations that were detailed works of art.

It was also very, very old. If he closed his eyes and probed at it with his horn, he could feel the myriad of powerful enchantments on it, enchantments which echoed from the other books he’d collected from the royal library. Enchantments designed to prevent decay, to slow the aging of the materials, to prevent fading. But unlike those, the magic on this tome was powerful. He could feel the force of the magic on the book. Whoever had enchanted it had been way more powerful than the average librarian. While the rest of the books he’d checked out would need to have their spells renewed every few decades, the book sitting on his bed probably hadn’t been renewed since it was written.

Which of course, made it all the cooler. He flopped back on the bed, wincing as some of the gauze bandages tugged at his coat. Had it been long enough yet? Sitting in his bed with nothing to do but read spells he didn’t dare practice and feel his broken leg itch was enough to drive him mad. He couldn’t sleep, he’d already done enough of that.

His eyes shot up to the clock in the corner of the room. It was nearly three. Was that long enough for Dawn to have gone to sleep?

Nova rolled off of the bed and hobbled over to the door, pulling it open with his horn and taking a quick peek outside. The hall was empty. As silently as he manage with one hoof completely useless, he made his way down the hall towards Dawn’s room. Once there, he slid his ear up against the door, holding his breath and closing his eyes. Barely, just barely, he could make out the sounds of deep, gentle breaths.

Nova’s face lit up in a grin. She was asleep! He hurried back to his room, grabbing his saddlebags and sliding a few books into them, including the old tome with the Crescent Shield spell. Taking one last look around his quarters to make sure he wasn’t missing anything, he hit the lights and trotted out. Even with his broken leg, it wouldn’t take him too long to make his way to the empty stone room in the castle that he’d been using as a training ground. A smug grin slid across his face as he made his way towards the barracks entrance, his horn already lighting up to pull the door open. He was free!

“Oh! Excuse me.” A soft voice made his heart jump as he swung the door open. A burgundy unicorn stood in front of him, her deep blue mane almost sparkling in the sun. “Is this the barracks for the Dusk Guard?”

“Yes it is,” Nova said, his momentary panic fading away. “Can I help you?”

“Yes,” the mare said. “I’m looking for Steel.” The softness in her voice vanished as she said the name.

“Captain Song?” There was something about the way the mare had said his name that made his coat-hair stand on end. “Could I ask why?”

She groaned, eyebrows low. “Because I need to kick my brother's stupid flank six ways from Sunday.”

Nova almost stepped back in surprise. “Wait a second," he said, his mind backpedaling from her words, “You’re Captain Song’s sister?” She's no where near as big as he is, he thought as he looked at her. Still ... He could see a resemblance in her muzzle and in the eyes.

“Yeah,” the mare said, shaking her head in annoyance. “And I need to speak to my brother. The guards told me he was this way. Is he here?”

“I don’t actually know,” Nova said, stepping back and motioning for her to enter the barracks. “If he is, he’ll be in his office.” He tilted his head at the raised room.

“Thank you,” she said, walking past him with her head held high. She paused and looked at him with a critical eye. “Did you get those injuries last night?” She asked.

“Yeah, I did,” he said, nodding. “But I’m in good hooves. Anyway, I need to get moving,” he said, gesturing with his cast. “Good luck talking to the captain.”

Her face darkened. “Luck is the least of his worries,” she said, marching towards the office stairs with purpose. Nova backed out the barracks door, closing it behind him. As a thief, there had always been that little voice inside the back of his head that occasionally warned him that he should urgently be somewhere else.

That little voice was in full swing now. He headed for the castle, eager to put as much difference in between himself and whatever family inflammation was about to happen in the barracks.


*        *        *


“Come in,” Steel said, his voice muffled by the pen clutched in his lips as the knock echoed through the office. The door clicked open and shut, light hoofsteps making their way across the room to the front of his desk.

Light hoofsteps, controlled stride, he thought as he brought the pen to a halt. Must be Dawn. He dropped the pen and looked up. “What do you need Daw—” His voice died in his throat as he saw the unicorn mare standing across from him.

“Hello, Steel,” Sapphire said. Her teeth were clenched, and he recognized the stance she was in as one she’d always taken when she wanted to control her breathing.

“Sapphire,” he said, leaning back slightly. If his sister’s body language was any indication, everypony with an ounce of sense would be running for the hills right now. “I know you’re mad—”

“Mad? I’m not mad,” she said, her voice ice cold. Steel grimaced.

“I’m furious." Her right eye twitched. “I can’t believe that my brother, the one I looked up to for all these years—” she began to walk around the desk, taking a step with each word that fell from her lips, “—is such an absolute, idiotic, plothead!” She jabbed him in the chest with her hoof. “It’s been weeks Steel! And what have you done? You’re just going to never speak to her again and hope the problem goes away?”

“Sapphire—” he pushed himself back from his sister’s jabbing hoof. “I don’t—”

“You don’t what?” his sister shouted. “Don’t care? Don’t want to deal with it? Don’t like her?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Steel shouted, finally losing his temper. “I didn’t know when you threw me out of your house, and I don’t know now!” He took a deep breath as the room filled with a stunned silence, counting backwards in his mind as he forced himself to calm down.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.” he said again, his voice calmer. “I really don’t. You came back from your trip and the next thing I knew, you were furious with me.”

His sister was still glaring at him, her eyes damp. “How can you not know what I’m talking about?” she asked, her voice wavering. “You broke her heart, Steel. How can you not know who I’m talking about?”

“I—what—” His mind raced back over the last few weeks, a single mare’s image coming to mind. “Wait, are you talking about Cappy?” he asked, his jaw dropping.

His sister’s eyes flashed. “Who else would I be talking about?”

“But—how—I—how do you even know Cappy?” Steel asked, dropping back on his haunches in shock.

“How do I—” Sapphire sputtered. “Does it even matter?”

“Well, yes!” he said. His stomach was sinking, as if the floor had faded away underneath him, dropping him into a heavy void.

“Steel, she was my roommate's best friend!” Sapphire said, sitting back on her own haunches. “I knew her all through college. She was at my wedding!”

“I—” He felt his voice give out. “She was at your wedding?”

“You—you really don’t remember?” Sapphire's face took on a look of amazement. Steel shook his head. “She wasn’t a bridesmaid or anything Steel, but she was there. She danced with you.”

“She did?” The sunken pit in his stomach was rising now.

Sapphire shook her head sadly. “You really don’t remember?”

“I—” Steel stopped, thinking back. He remembered the wedding. He remembered leaving the Griffon territories in advance, turning down numerous jobs just to be in Canterlot the day his sister had gotten married to Click. He remembered  wishing that his parents had been there to see his sister so happy. He remembered the dancing afterwards. And … he remembered a blue maned mare in an equally blue dress that had danced with him on the dance floor. One with golden eyes and an emerald coat.

“But ...” he said, his jaw dropping again. “She was there, but—”

“She didn’t stop talking about you for days after the wedding,” Sapphire said, her voice quiet. “I guess she’d gone to the wedding partially just to meet you, after all the stories I’d told about you when we were in college together.” She gave a small sniffle, although he hadn’t noticed any tears in her eyes. “When you retired and moved to Canterville, she sent me the happiest letter. It was like a dream come true for her.” She looked up at him. “She never told you?”

He shook his head. “No, she was always just a friendly neighbor. She’d deliver my mail, make small talk ...” He dropped his muzzle into his hooves as all the times she’d talked with him, invited him to spend time with her and Summer, or helped out with something flooded into his mind.

“I’ve been an idiot,” he said, his ears drooping. “A complete idiot. But ...” He looked up at his sister. “But ... I always thought she was ...” he paused for a moment, “Twenty or something. A young mare slightly interested in the old gentlecolt.”

Sapphire’s jaw fell open. “Steel, she’s two years older than I am! She always looked young, some ponies just do! You actually thought—?” She let out a hesitant laugh. “Big brother, you really are stupid sometimes.”

“I—I can’t argue with that right now,” he said, his mind reeling. His gut felt as if he’d eaten week old oatmeal. “So when you left a few weeks ago—”

“It was to go see Cappy with my friends in Manehatten,” she said, nodding. “I didn’t know when I left, or I would have asked you right then and there. She’s—” her eyes darted around the room, “—she’s pretty broken up Steel. I don’t know what you said to her but—”

“It was the wrong thing,” Steel said, shaking his head. “I barely said anything to her, and what I did hurt. I was dismissive, I—” He slumped as he remembered Cappy’s crestfallen expression, his shoulders sagging. “I was an idiot.” For a moment the room was silent save for the ticking of the clock and the breaths of the two ponies.

“So why didn’t she ever tell me that she knew you?” he asked after a moment. “If I had known that she’d known you in college—”

Sapphire scoffed. “Probably because how you were about to finish that sentence. Cappy was never one to ride off on another's success when she could do it alone. Or she didn’t want you to think that she’d been interested in you for years. I don’t know.”

Steel took a deep breath. “Is she … back in Canterville now?” His sister gave him a gentle nod, and he returned it with one of his own. 

Well, Steel, you really messed this one up. To think that for years— He shut off the train of thought, but he couldn’t keep the image of Cappy, her eyes filled with hurt, staring up at his as she’d shut the door in his face.

“I need to go,” he said, climbing to his hooves. “Now.” He strode around the desk, his report to the Princesses forgotten. Sapphire clamored to her hooves behind him.

“Now? Where?” she asked as she followed him out of the office. He didn’t pause in his stride, not even to grab his saddlebags.

“To Canterville,” he said, feeling a firmness in his voice. Even to his own ears it sounded as if he was giving himself orders. “To right a mistake I made years ago.” He felt Sapphire’s hoof on his shoulder and stopped, turning to look at his sister.

“Whatever you’re going to do,” she said, sliding her hoof around his shoulders and wrapping him in a hug. “Just make sure it’s the right thing, ok?” She looked up at him. “And I’m sorry I didn’t explain myself.”

Steel shook his head. “I think I have more to apologize for.” He paused for a moment, returning the hug his sister had given him with one leg. “What you said before, about when I told you my life was empty and how it was my own fault—”

His sister shook her head. “Don’t dwell on it Steel, just go do the right thing.”

“But you were right,” he said, releasing his sister from the hug and heading for the door. “And I needed to hear it.” Then he stopped, turning back. “Are you going to be alright?” he asked. Sapphire gave him a silent nod.

“I’ll be fine,” she said, shooing him out the door with one hoof. “Go do your thing. And then,” she said, her voice taking on the same tone he’d heard her use on her kids, “come to the house and tell me exactly what happened.”

“I will.” Steel said. He bolted out the barracks door.
> Operation - Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2


“Ow!” Nova stepped back and sat on his haunches, rubbing his sore chest with his free hoof. “They keep getting through!” he said, glaring at the tennis ball as it bounced away across the cool stone floor. Then he let out a sigh, wrapping the ball in telekinetic field and tossing it back into the launcher’s hopper.

He wasn’t quite sure where the castle staff had found a tennis ball launcher so quickly at his request, but it had worked perfectly. He’d set it up on the far end of the room, and when he’d been ready to try his hoof at the Crescent Shield spell, he’d given the lever a sharp pull with his magic and then readied himself on the far end of the room.

That had been six balls ago. Somehow, for whatever reason he just couldn’t get the Crescent Shield to work right. The visible slash of energy formed just like it was supposed to, rippling into being as he poured his magic into it, but it didn’t work properly. The colors were off, just to start. Assuming that the book he was attempting to follow instructions from was accurate with it’s images, the Crescent Slash was supposed to be a pale bluish-white. Instead, what he had been getting was the color of his own magic.

Even worse, it had yet to even slow a single one of the balls that had passed through it, much less deflect them the way a shield should. And while a tennis ball wasn’t exactly the worst thing in the world to get hit by, when your chest was covered in glass cuts and stitches, they tended to really, really sting.

Nova looked down at the open tome next to him. “I followed the steps,” he mused, his hoof trailing over the pages. “If it's going wrong, it's going wrong here.” He ran his hoof over the lines, silently reading the text underneath the image.

At this point your magic shall manifest to create the crescent, and infused by LY shall be formed in smooth shapes, overlapping in accordance with the— Nova stopped reading and hopped his eyes back a few lines. —infused by LY— LY. The same two letters that filled the top right corner of every page of the spells in this part of the book. He flipped through the pages with his magic, noting that in the last few minutes that it had switched from its pale yellow to a pale blue. The moon was up now.

He checked each of the corners as the flipped past. There were six different identifiers in total. MG, LY, HT, LT, KN, and GN. He paused on one of the random GN spells, one that purported to “link” two ponies together, allowing them to share magic reserves, health, and even injuries. Sure enough, buried within the six pages of detailed spellwork that the spell required were numerous references to using GN in the spell, although he noticed that LY and MG also made shorter appearances as well.

Nova sighed and flipped back to the Crescent Shield. He’d been over the book from cover to cover twice before, never once finding a reference to what the six symbols stood for. He’d been hoping that putting the spell into practice would have made their meaning clear, but the only thing he’d acquired from that angle was a sharp stinging sensation in his chest where the tennis balls had scraped against his cuts.

“Gah!” he shoved the tome away across the stone floor, giving voice to his frustrations. There had to be something he was missing, something in the form, something in the shape. He pulled the lever down again, lighting his horn and bracing himself. The launcher made a soft popping noise, the tennis ball arcing across the room. Nova gathered his magic as quickly as he could—this was supposed to be a snap-defensive spell according to the text—and focused it on the air in front of him. The slash of crescent light sprang into being, looking almost like an intangible mist, but thicker, more vibrant. It grew, filling the air in front of him, blocking his view—and the tennis ball sailed right through, hitting him in the nose.

The crescent slash vanished as he gave a soft yelp, dropping to his haunches and rubbing his tender nose with one hoof. He glared at the small ball as it bounced off across the room, entertaining notions of wrapping it his magic and launching it out of the room. Maybe into the sky. See if he could hit the moon with it.

But instead he wrapped in his magic and tossed it back into the launcher. An angry thief was a caught thief. He’d learned that lesson very early on. Be sarcastic, be witty, be a rogue—but don’t be angry. Angry ponies did foolish things. Angry thieves got caught.

He stood back up, reviewing the spell steps in his mind. Then he pulled the lever, casting the Crescent Shield and tweaking it slightly. This time the tennis ball slapped into his chest. He pulled the lever again. The ball hit him in the shoulder. He pulled it a third time, then a fourth, and then a fifth. He pulled the lever again and again, twisting, tweaking, spinning the spell, trying everything he could think of. The only time it got even close to the reflection described in the book was when out of sheer frustration he cast an ordinary shield barrier, the ball bouncing off of it with a shimmering thump.

Finally, the launcher empty and his chest burning from the impacts, Nova slumped his shoulders with an annoyed huff. Over a dozen tennis balls lay scattered around the room, some of them still rolling slightly. Nova gave a frustrated growl and kicked one of the closer tennis balls with his hoof, sending it skidding around the room.

“You need to use more loyalty.” Nova sat up straight at the soft yet stern voice. He hadn’t even heard the door open.

“And just what’s that supposed to me—” the words died on his tongue as he turned. Standing in the doorway, wings outspread, was the Princess of the Night herself, Luna. “I—uh—Princess Luna,” he said, with a nod of his head. “Sorry if I can’t bow, but I’m a little—” he gestured at his wounded leg, “—at a loss at the moment.”

Luna looked down at him for a moment, her expression stern but also, he felt, slightly amused. “It seems that Captain Song was not exaggerating your sharp tongue,” the Princess said, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind her.

Nova rolled his eyes. “The captain mentioned that huh?” he said. “Figures.” The Princess's glare became slightly sterner, and for a moment Nova wondered if there was a limit to how far he should be pushing his luck. “My apologies,” he said, deciding to play it safe. “I’ve never exactly been a ‘well-mannered’ pony, and this is the first time I’ve ever actually spoken with one of you.”

“So you’ve seen us before?” Princess Luna asked, idly tapping one of the tennis balls with her hoof.

“Well, not you,” Nova said, trying to backpedal out of the question he’d unintentionally inspired. “I’ve seen your sister though, at a distance.” He gave Princess Luna his best unbothered look of innocence. I doubt she’d take well to finding out that I snooped through the Royal Treasury once or twice.

“Hmm, very well then,” Princess Luna said, turning and looking down at the tome where Nova had left it on the floor. “So, how long have you been trying to perform the Crescent Shield?”

“Only for the last few hours,” he said, trying to keep his annoyance at the spell off his face. “The darn thing just won’t work.”

“Well of course not, it is as I said, you need more loyalty.” the Princess said, lifting the book in a blue glow and floating it over towards him. “See?” she asked, tapping the LY he’d been staring at earlier.

“Wait? Loyalty? That’s what that stands for?” Nova asked. “But that doesn’t make any sense. And how do you know that anyway?”

“Simple,” Princess Luna said, pulling the book back and flipping through its pages. “I wrote it.”

“What?” His eyes widened at the Princesses revelation. “You mean that—?”

“Yes,” Princess Luna said. “This book was one of several that I wrote many, many years ago. It was originally part of a set.”

“But,” Nova said. “These are all combat spells. Why would one of the Princesses be creating a bunch of combat spells?”

Princess Luna gave him another stern look. “Are we not responsible for the protection of the ponies under our rule? The world was once not so safe as it is now, Nova Beam. You of all ponies should know that there is still much danger in it. Otherwise why would you be attempting to learn such a spell yourself?”

 Nova thought for a moment. “Touché,” he finally admitted. The Princesses brow furrowed.

“Touché?” she asked. “What is the meaning of this word?”

“It means you’ve made a good point and I concede it,” Nova said.

“Ah, I see. Touché. Well,” Princess Luna said, passing the tome back to Nova. “As I said, you need to put more loyalty into your spell in order for it to function, like so!” Her horn flared with magic and a perfect crescent slash arced through the air in front of her, a pale bluish-white just as the book had shown. For a brief instant the slash hung in the air, faintly transparent, then it faded almost as quickly as it had appeared, the shimmering folds of magic sliding together and vanishing.

“Could you do it again, please?” Nova asked, lighting his horn and closing his eyes, feeling the magic of the room around him. Princess Luna complied, the crescent apparition springing into existence in front of her. Nova could feel the weaves of magic, the energy that made up the spell, but there was something different about it from what he had done. The weaves, the direction of the flows, they were all the same as what he’d been trying variants of for the last few hours.

The magic though, felt different. He wasn’t sure if it was just that as an immortal Princess Luna’s magic was simply unique, or if there was some unknown magic at work, but he knew he’d never cast magic with an energy signature like that. Magic was, well, he’d always thought of it as sedate. Something about this magic felt … energetic. Almost fierce.

He opened his eyes. “What was that?” he asked. “That didn’t feel like any magic I’m familiar with.”

“That is because it is infused with loyalty,” Princess Luna said. “Loyalty is what gives the Crescent Shield its power. Without it, it will never work.”

“Ok,” Nova said, holding up one hoof in confusion. “You keep saying ‘loyalty’ like it's a thing. It's an idea. How can it be part of the magic?”

Luna drew back, one eyebrow raised. “Are you not familiar with higher magical theory?”

“Higher what?” Nova asked, shaking his head. “Princess, you’ll have to excuse me, but I’m not even familiar with magical theory. I grew up on the streets, an orphan. Most of what I know ...” He gestured at the book sitting on the floor between them. “I’m self taught. Books, trial and error,” he shrugged. “You name a way of learning it yourself, I did it.”

Luna blinked in surprise. “Our apologies, then,” she said. “We did not realize that—”

Nova shook his head, cutting her off. “No, don’t apologize for my life. I made my choices.”

“Very well then,” Princess Luna said, folding her wings along her back and sitting down. “Do you still intend to master this spell?”

Nova looked at the tennis balls that had been scattered around the room, conscious of the slow burn on his chest. “I think at this point if I don’t come back with something to show for my breaking my bed rest orders, I’m a comatose pony. So yes, Princess, I will.”

If Princess Luna reacted to his admission that he was technically AWOL, she hid it well. ‘Very well,” she said, standing. “Then I shall teach you.”

“You’d do that?”

“Am I not the Princess of the Night?” Luna asked. “Is it not my duty to see to my subjects?” Her voice softened as her face took on a softer tone. “I must admit as well that it warms my heart to see someone else making use of the spells I spent so long creating.” She tilted her head down, staring Nova in the eyes. “So then,” she said. “Let us begin. What do you know of emotional magic?”

“Emotional magic?” Nova repeated, thinking back on all the various, scattered lessons he’d learned over the years. “Um … not much aside from what I’ve read. I know that you’re supposed to keep your mind clear when manipulating magic because your emotions can influence the magic and end up giving a spell unpredictable results ...” he let his voice trail off, and Luna nodded. “And that’s it,” he admitted with a shrug. “Keep your emotions steady and your mind clear or you can wind up with unexpected results.”

“I understand you’ve had that experience yourself,” Luna said, and Nova grimaced as the memory of the Guard he’d nearly killed bubbled to the surface. “But we will speak of that later,” she said, turning her head towards the tome and then back towards him, the motion sending her ethereal blue mane rippling across the room behind her. 

“For now,” she said, folding her wings against her sides, “I think it is time to widen your education. What you said was correct, to a point. It is true that emotions affect magic, which is why when young unicorns are taught to use their magic we take such care to get them to understand what can happen if they tint their magic with fear, sadness, or even laughter.”

“However,” the Princess continued, “the use of emotions to fuel magic is an integral part of higher level magics, if dangerous.”

“Why is it dangerous?” Nova asked.

“Because emotions are powerful things,” Luna explained. “For instance, you must be familiar with the Elements of Harmony.”

“Sure,” Nova said with a nod. “They were all over in the news after you came back. What are they ...” He paused as he thought back on what he’d seen in the papers, the articles rushing back to him. “Let’s see … magic, generosity, honesty, loyalty—” He straightened in surprise. “Hey, wait a minute. Those are the same as the ones in the book aren’t they!”

“Yes, they are,” Luna said, nodding with a pleased smile on her face. “When I created these spells, I was one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. You see, simply put each of the Elements draws on the emotions of the bearer in addition to its own magic. This is one of the reasons that the Elements can only be born by certain ponies, as they must embody the emotion needed by the Element.”

“So loyalty and generosity are emotions? Or honesty?” Nova asked. “I thought that they were ideals.”

Luna shook her head. “Can you not feel loyalty for a friend? Or the feeling that generosity brings? Ideals they are, but also emotions. And it is those emotions, combined with magic, that can amplify a spell far beyond what was originally intended.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Nova said, flipping through the pages of the spellbook. So these spells that need ‘MG,’ that just means magic, right?”

“Yes,” Luna said with a nod. “They require no emotional connection at all, but large magical energies to function.”

“Huh,” Nova rubbed his free hoof across his still burning chest, thinking over the information he’d been given. “So when the changelings attacked Canterlot, they were feeding off of emotional magic then?”

“In a sense, yes,” Luna said. “Which is why a changeling cannot feed from a pony for a long period of time. As they feed upon their love, they drain the pony of his magic. Eventually, it will kill them.”

“What about other emotions, like fear or sadness?” Nova asked. “Can those be used to amplify magic as well?”

“I—they can,” Luna admitted, looking surprisingly nervous. “But know that my sister and I do not approve of such use. Fear, sadness, hatred, jealousy, anger, and even other darker emotions can be used to change magic just as love, joy, laughter, or kindness can. However, could you imagine a situation in which magic fueled by hatred or anger would do any good?” The Princess paused, waiting. Nova shook his head.

“A cautionary tale.” Luna said, her eyes downcast. “My sister and I once knew a good pony, a unicorn, powerful with magic and skilled. But something happened, and he turned to a study of how fear and hatred could change his magic. He became ...” the Princess paused, and Nova saw a small shudder run through her body. “He became something horrible. He used his knowledge of fear and hatred to create vile magic, enslave a people, and feed off their despair to grow only more powerful and insane. Constant exposure to fear and hatred drove him mad. In the end, it took both my sister and myself combining our powers to defeat him.”

Nova gaped in shock. A single unicorn, powerful enough that both of the Princesses had stood against him? “What happened to him?” he asked.

Luna shook her head. “His story is … incomplete. Perhaps you may hear the end of it someday. But regardless, I give you the tale as a warning. He was not the first to use negative emotions for gain. Hatred, anger, fear, spells that feed off of these things can only produce more. That unicorn destroyed the happiness of thousands of ponies. Emotions are not bad things, but when used inappropriately they can cause harm on an untold level.”

“So young magic users are encouraged to keep their emotions under control when using magic, and they learn to use it properly,” Nova said, looking to Luna for confirmation.

“Yes, although many unicorns will often use emotions with their magic without realizing it. For example,” A small globe of light appeared, floating above Luna’s head. “A simple light spell is easy enough, but when most unicorns accomplish it for the first time, they feel accomplishment, and when their joy mixes with the spell—” the globe flickered out and reappeared, this time much brighter than before, “—the spell itself is charged. So while we tell young colts and fillies to temper their emotions while learning their magic, truly we actually encourage them to use their own positive emotions in magic. Most of them realize this years later, of course. But by then, they understand the reasoning behind it.” The Princess paused for a moment. “Do you now understand what I meant when I said you needed to use more loyalty?”

Nova nodded, pausing for a second mid-nod, but then finishing. “Yeah, it makes sense, but, uh,” he grinned sheepishly. “How do I do that?”

Luna smiled. “The act is quite simple. When you are gathering your magic, try to think of something or someone that would inspire the emotion within you. In this case,” she said, glancing at the ball launcher, “something that you would be quite loyal to. Bolster that feeling inside yourself, focus emotion that comes with it. Then will those feelings into the magic itself.” She closed her eyes, horn glowing a faint blue. “For example,” she said, a small swath of glowing blue-white magic appearing in the air between them. “Here is what my magic looks like when it is plain magic, but if I turn my thoughts to those who I am loyal to and push those feelings into my magic—” the magic began to glow brighter, its color changing. “—it changes.” The magic winked out.

“Alright,” Nova said, closing his eyes and looking inward. Summoning the magic was simple, he didn’t even need to open his eyes to know that he’d created a small bit of magic like the one the Princess had floating in the air. It wasn’t anything that would do anything, it was just simple, undirected energy. Now to add the loyalty to it. He looked deep inside his mind, searching for something that would bring forth the emotions.

The question was, what? He couldn’t ever recall being specifically loyal to anyone. He’d always worked alone, trusted no one. For a moment he contemplated the idea that his refusal to sell out any of his old buyers was loyalty, but quickly rejected it. No, that wasn’t loyalty, he thought, it was mutual respect for the job. He searched hard through his memories. Was I ever truly loyal to anyone? He felt his ears droop. The only one I’ve ever been loyal to before is myself.

He focused on the feeling of that loyalty, summoning it forth from within. He was loyal. He felt something in his magic shift, a subtle change. He opened his eyes to see that his magic had taken on a slight tinge of color.

“Well,” Luna said, staring down at the small cloud of magic. “It’s certainly a start. Now, repeat that motion, but this time cast the Crescent Shield.” Her horn lit up and the scattered tennis balls began to float into the launcher. “Are you ready?”

Nova let go of the magic, the cloud vanishing as his horn went out. “Ready,” he said, bracing himself and trying to summon forth the emotion to mix with his magic. It wasn’t easy. He almost felt as if he’d been asked to make himself laugh and was trying accomplish the task by tickling himself.

Princess Luna pulled the lever, and with a muted pop of air one of the tennis balls launched itself across the room at him. He focused his magic, the now familiar crescent taking shape in the air in front of him. This time however, it was slightly transparent, the colors different. He could see the tennis ball arcing through the air, striking the shield and—passing right through it. Nova tensed, waiting for the impact of yet another tennis ball across his chest, only to blink in surprise as the ball sailed past him, bouncing off the back wall with a snap.

“Well,” Princess Luna said as he released his hold on his magic. “Not exactly a full success, but much better than your prior attempts. The intent was there,” she said with a tilt of her head. “But you needed to feel more loyal than that.” She pulled the lever back again, and again Nova threw up the shield only to watch the ball pass through, if on a radically different course.

Luna shook her head as the shield faded. “What are you trying to feel loyal to?”

“Myself,” Nova said, his ears drooping a bit as he said the words out loud. That really does sound pathetic, he thought. You can’t be loyal to anyone but you? 

Luna shook her head. “That won’t work, it never has. Surely there is someone that you feel loyal to? Perhaps Captain Song?”

“Not really, at least, not yet,” Nova admitted. “He’s technically my warden, although he doesn’t act like it. That and I—” He paused for a moment. I can tell her anything, right? She’s the Princess. 

“I don’t trust easy,” he said, looking down at the ground. There was a sudden weight on his shoulder, and I he looked up to see the Princess's hoof resting there.

“Nova Beam,” Luna said, her voice soft as she looked down at him. “If there is one thing I have learned, it is that failing to trust anypony will only lead you down a path of loneliness that you will regret.” Her face was no longer stern, a soft, almost sad expression in its place. “I speak from experience. Open your heart to those around you and let them in, or you will one day find that it is the only thing you wish for.”

“I—” Nova stammered. His throat felt swollen and hot, emotions long buried bubbling to the surface. “I don’t know.” He turned his head, looking at the mark on his flank. “Four years ago—”

“I know,” Luna said quietly. “I read the report.” Her hoof touched his cheek and pulled his gaze back up at her. “And you have shown trust in Captain Song. You trusted him enough to tell him about your fears, and he in turn was loyal enough to you to express concern to me. Do not fear,” she said as she saw the panicked expression on his face. “Steel never told me what happened. He simply expressed concern. He may be your captain, but he is also trying to be a friend.” Her hoof left his shoulder as she pulled back.

“But I nearly—” Luna covered his lips with a hoof and shook her head.

“I know, little pony,” she said, dropping her hoof. “You nearly killed a member of the Night Guard. Not intentionally, but you did, and the guilt has followed you all this time.”

Nova shook his head. “It’s worse than that,” he said, turning back to look at his flank. “I got this cutie mark at the same time.” He turned back to Luna, his throat burning, tears threatening to spring from his eyes. “I spent most of my life wondering what my talent was going to be, watching as everypony around me had theirs until I was the only blank flank I knew. Then I get this—” he said, gesturing back at his flank, “—as I nearly kill somepony.”

Tears were pushing out of his eyes now. He couldn’t stop them, and for once he wasn’t sure he wanted to. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d cried. They began to run down his cheeks, hot and sticky against his face as memories of the night bubbled up.

“Oh, Nova,” Luna said, wrapping her wings around him and pulling him against her chest as his sobs began in earnest. “You have held this burden for far too long, haven’t you?” He didn’t respond. He couldn’t. All he could do was sit there, her wings holding him against her shoulder as years of pent up anguish made their way out of his body.

He wasn’t quite sure how long he sat there with Luna’s wings wrapped around him, sobbing into her chest. All he could feel was the hurt in his chest, the guilt that had been gnawing at him for years coming to a head, tears pouring from his body.

“I’m sorry,” he said at last as the his sobs began to subside. “I’m sorry, it’s just—”

“Nova,” Luna asked, her wings loosening slightly, “is that what you think your cutie mark is for? Almost killing somepony?”

“What else could it be?” Nova asked, not even looking up as the tears dripped from his eyes, running down his muzzle and into Luna’s coat. His voice felt strained, worn raw from his sobs. “I almost killed him.”

“Trying to do what?” Princess Luna asked, pulling back and gently putting a hoof under his chin, raising his head until he was looking at her through his tear-stained eyes. “From what I read, you were not trying to harm him, were you? Several of the Night Guard testified to that fact.”

“Well ...” Nova admitted, his voice wavering. “No, I wasn’t. I was trying to keep the building from coming down.”

“Why?” Princess Luna asked. “The Guard felt that you could have escaped even with the building collapsing.”

Nova shook his head. “Because—because they could have been hurt.”

“Exactly, Nova,” Princess Luna said, dropping her hoof. “Did you ever read the reports that came out in the news afterwards?”

Nova shook his head again, swallowing the fading lump in his throat. “No, I left Canterlot the next morning.”

“Well, I did,” Luna said, stepping back and drawing up. “I found what the news reported. Were you aware that there were other ponies in that building?”

Nova’s eyes widened in shock, a fresh wave of panic moving through his system. “There—no, I wasn’t! That building was condemned, nopony was supposed to be in it.”

Luna nodded. “That it was Nova, but yet you were in it. And so,” she said, closing her eyes and pausing for a moment, “were a small trio of runaway orphans who were sleeping one floor below you when the building began to collapse. If not for your act of bravery in creating the ice pillar which kept the building from collapsing, they would have surely perished.”

Nova felt his jaw go slack as his front legs threatened to give out underneath him. He stared up at the Princess, his eyes wide. “As to your cutie mark,” Luna continued, “it is very similar to the ancient seals that my sister and I use as our personal royal seals. Do you know what they stand for?” He shook his head.

“When my sister and I first were offered the position of rulers in Equestria,” Luna said, giving him a soft smile, “those symbols had meaning. They do not represent my sister and I as many ponies today believe. Instead, they represent our commitment to protect the ponies of this realm.”

“So you see Nova,” the Princess said, bending towards him and placing a hoof on his shoulder. “Your special talent isn’t causing harm to those around you. It’s protecting them. You kept that building from collapsing when you didn’t have to because you didn’t want any of those other ponies to get hurt. You were the one who leapt from a moving train last night into the heart of Canterlot, knowing you would face severe injury for your efforts. You were the one who inspired the ponies in that dance hall to flee, and you were the one who faced that golem, alone and injured, so that they could escape.”

Princess Luna stepped back, drawing herself up to her full height and spreading her wings wide. “You, Nova Beam, are no thief. Nor are you a coward or a danger.” Her voice was rising now, growing louder as she pointed a hoof at him. “What you are, Nova, is a hero.” Her voice lowered, going soft once more. “You just never knew it.”

There was silence in the room as Nova stared at her, still blinking away stray tears. Me? A hero? He didn’t feel very heroic. Heroes didn’t break into ponies' homes and steal things did they? Well, he thought, there was that one legend. He glanced at his flank. 

Could that really be what it means? The Princess was smiling at him, a soft, expectant smile. And he found, to his surprise, that he was smiling back. Tears were still flowing from his eyes, but he was smiling back.

Maybe, he thought as he jumped forward, wrapping his one good foreleg around the Princess in a tight hug of thanks. Maybe I can be more than a thief. For some reason, the silent admission made him feel better than anything else.
> Operation - Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 3


The sun was just starting to descend into the late afternoon when Steel reached the outskirts of Canterville, its rays painting the village in front of him in brilliant spectrum of colors as it passed behind Cloudsdale. He slowed his steps, panting heavily as he made his way into the village. Canterville was miles from Canterlot, a trip that, if walked even at his brisk pace, took upwards of three to four hours, and he’d just run it in less than an hour. It was a pace that was harder than he’d ever pushed the Dusk Guard, and a pace that he hadn’t pushed himself in years. He took a few deep breaths, noting as he did so that his sides were drenched in sweat.

He shook his head, sweat flying from his matted mane. He could rinse up in one of the public water barrels; there were always a few scattered around the village square for just that purpose. Still breathing hard, he made his way down the main thoroughfare, nodding in greeting to various ponies as they said hello. He barely had the breath to do anything else.

He passed Summer’s shop without incident, thankful that the pony didn’t happen to look out the open door and see him walking down the street. If Summer got to him first, she’d never let him speak to Cappy. Not after what he’d done.

There was a public water barrel sitting in the shade cast by the Postal Branch Office, and Steel let out a sigh of relief as he sunk his forehooves into the cool water. Now that he’d slowed he could feel the burning ache deep in his muscles. I’m going to be sore tomorrow, he thought as he whipped his hooves out of the barrel, splashing water over his face and sides. The water was chilled enough and his muscles burning so hot that the cool presence was almost painful as it rushed down his sides. Very sore tomorrow, he thought with a grimace. Or worse.

He splashed himself a few more times before moving out of the shade and shaking himself off, gritting his teeth as his muscles complained. It was still warm enough that he’d be dry within minutes as long as he stayed in the sun. He gave his body a final shake, lifting his legs one by one and shaking them to ease the threat of cramps. It wouldn’t do to have one of his legs seize up when he spoke to Cappy. He was worried enough that he’d collapse after his run.

Steel made his way around to the front of the building, but a quick glance told him what he’d already expected. This late in the day, the office was closed. Well, closed wasn’t the right term, the door was open in case anypony needed to pick anything up, but the office itself was locked tight. Cappy had already finished for the day.

Which left only a few other places for him to check. Steel turned off of the main street, heading in the direction of Cappy’s small home, silently praying that she was there. The last thing he wanted to do was find her out and about. Or even worse, with Summer.

Cappy’s home was on the edge of Canterville, and about as different from Steel’s cabin as was possible. The only similarity the two shared was their respective sizes, and even then her small home was easily twice the size of his cabin. Where his place had never taken on much in the way of color past the brown of the wood he’d built it from, Cappy’s home was painted in bright, cheery greens. Greens that blended in with the vibrant surrounding plant life, something he suspected Summer had played a helping hoof in with. Steel’s cabin had been rustic, basic, utilitarian. Cappy’s home looked friendly. Warm. Welcoming. He would’ve been happier if not for the circumstances.

Steel pushed the wooden gate open, stepping inside the yellow picket fence.  A stone pathway led up to the door, a welcome mat sitting at its base proudly displaying its message to the world. Steel took a deep breath, ignoring the protests of his body as he made his way up the path.

What do I say? he thought, almost stumbling as the thought occurred to him. Ponyfeathers! I ran all the way here and I don’t even know what I’m going to say! What do I say? I want to apologize. That’s all, right? No, it wasn’t and he knew it. A simple apology would be more insulting than anything else. I need to think this through, Steel thought. Take a moment and come up with a plan of attack, just like I would anything else. I can just— The door rattled as he knocked on it, and Steel looked at his hoof in shock.

“Come on in!” He froze as the familiar voice rang out. No plan, no way out now. He turned his head to side, took one last large breath, and pushed the door open, stepping into the entryway.

The inside of Cappy’s home was as brightly colored as the outside. Its walls were covered in a colorful wallpaper pattern. The small alcove he was standing in opened up into a well lit dining  and living room. A large table that seemed to fill the center of the room was surrounded by comfortable-looking chairs and even a couch, giving the room a welcoming feel. Pictures and paintings were scattered across the walls, their arrangement at first seeming random, but as Steel looked at them he could see that they were sorted so that if you looked from left to right, they seemed to progress through Cappy’s life.

“Sorry about that,” Cappy said, her voice muffled by the lunch tray she was holding in her mouth as she backed through the door on the far side of the room. “I was just getting some sandwiches ready for—” she turned and her eyes went wide, the tray dropping from her mouth and falling to the floor with a crash, sandwiches scattering across the carpet.

“Steel?” she asked after a moment. “Is that—” She took a hesitant step forward. “What are you doing here?” She looked cautious, almost fearful.

“I ...” Steel said. I’ve stared down political leaders before, he thought as his throat seemed to lock. Why is this so hard? “I—” he said again. Cappy took a step back, tears welling in her eyes.

“I came to apologize!” he said, the words bursting from his throat like a storm. “I came to apologize,” he said again, softer. “I’m sorry for being such a fool.” He hung his head, staring down at the carpet. “I’m sorry I refused to see what was right in front of me, for pushing you away, and for treating you the way I did.” He could feel the weight of his words now, the truth behind them. The truth he’d run from, forced from his mind for so long. “I’m sorry,” he said again, still not daring to meet her eyes. “I truly am.” He let his last breath out with a sigh.

“I’m sorry too,” Cappy said, her voice soft. Steel looked up in surprise, blinking away a few tears that were welling in the corner of his eyes. Cappy was sitting back on her haunches, one hoof digging into the carpet, her eyes darting around the room. “I should’ve—”

“No,” Steel said, cutting her off with a shake of his head. “No, don’t. I don’t want you to apologize for something that you weren’t responsible for. Everything you did was more than enough. The fault lies with me. I’m the one who was foolish enough to ignore what was right in front of my own muzzle, right until my sister had to point out to me.” He shook his head again, slumping. “And I’m the one who was stupid enough to leave, to say what I said to you, and to try and excuse it. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry I said those things. I’m sorry I was so callous. I’m sorry that in my own foolishness, I hurt you.” He took one last, deep breath. “And I’m sorry that I wasn’t as good a friend to you, as you were to me.” He stood, his head still hanging low, his eyes closed, and turned for the door.

“Steel, stop. Please,” Cappy said, her hooves making soft sounds against the carpet as she took a few steps forward. “It’s not all your fault.” The sad tone in her voice tugged at something inside of him, an ache rising in his chest.

“No,” he said, turning back to look at her, steel in his voice. “It was. A smarter stallion would’ve figured it out years ago, but I’m not a smarter stallion.”

“Well I’m not a smart mare,” Cappy said, stamping her hoof. “I never even told you that I knew your sister. At first it was just because I didn’t want to just be labeled a friend of your younger sister, but as time went on, I felt like I’d built a lie by not telling you.” She looked up at him, her face stained with tears. “Ponyfeathers, I should have just told you outright how I felt, but I hid. It’s my fault as much as yours.“

Steel shook his head, stepping towards her and stopping just short of reaching out, one hoof in the air. “No. No it isn’t,” he said. “I knew how you felt, I knew how I felt, but I chose to push you away.” His hoof lowered to the carpet. “I was a coward.”

Cappy let out a sniffle that tore at him, and again his hoof came up, reaching for her shoulder. He wanted to say something, anything.

“If it means anything about how badly I feel,” Steel said at last, “I’ve never quite felt as horrible in my life as when my sister told me what I’d done an hour ago.”

“An hour ago?” Cappy asked, looking up with wide eyes. “But weren’t you in Canterlot?”

“Guilt is a good motivator,” Steel said, giving her a sad smile. “Once she told me what I’d done … I—I couldn’t wait.” He looked down at his shaking forelegs. “I had to try and make it right. I’d hurt you. And I couldn’t live with that.”

Cappy put a hoof to her mouth. “You mean you ran all the way here?” she asked, stepping forward and putting her hoof on his shoulder. There was a tenderness to her touch. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Steel said, ignoring the increased trembling in his front legs. “I’ll be fine. Are you—”

“I’m not the one who just ran from Canterlot,” Cappy said, her eyes narrowing. There was a firm undercurrent to her voice that brokered no argument, but concern too.

“Well,” he said, folding. “Now that you mention it, I think my legs have locked up, but to be honest, I’m not sure if that’s from the run or out of nervousness.” He smiled as his front legs began to try to fold. “It might be both.” Then he pitched forward as his front legs gave out, dropping him to the carpet with a thump.

“And here I thought you were a runner,” Cappy said, putting one hoof on his forehead. Her tone was lighter, lighter than it had been since he’d walked into her home. “And some sort of elite honor guard of some kind.” She gave him a small smile, then stood and grabbed a cushion from one of the couches, tucking it under his head.

“Well, it might have been more like forty-five minutes,” Steel admitted. “Or maybe a half hour, I didn’t have a watch.” He could feel the burn sharpening in his legs now, going from a faint, numb sensation to something that was cutting through to the bone as his adrenaline wore off. He grimaced as the pain began to move up his sides. “And I think I may have pulled something.”

“Pulled something?” Cappy asked, running a hoof along his foreleg. “Did you even stretch before you came looking for me?”

Steel shook his head. “No, I was in too much of a hurry.”

Cappy paused, tilting her head to one side as she looked down at him. “As touching as it is that you ran here that quickly to apologize for something that you said to me a month ago—even if it did hurt—you could have saved yourself a lot of pain and just made it here an hour later.”

“I—I wasn’t really thinking about that,” Steel admitted, wincing as his rear legs began to cramp up. “I wasn’t really thinking about how I’m going to get back either.” Cappy went silent for a moment, and then she smiled at him.

“Steel,” she said, sitting back. “I won’t lie. As much my fault as this whole thing was—”

“It was my—” he ventured.

“My turn,” she said, cutting him off. She took a breath and looked at him again. “As much as what you did, and said, hurt ...” she took a shuddering breath, and then gave him a hopeful smile that, in his mind, made the entire run worth it. “It was, like I said, partially my own fault.” She sat back, a few tears still making their way down her cheeks.

Steel tried to reach out with one hoof, to brush the tears back, but he couldn’t even make his limb move. It just burned, and he winced again.

All I have now is words, he thought, looking up at the mare who’d made his head pound ever since he’d come to Canterville. What do I say? The silence in the room was growing more oppressive.

“I—” Cappy’s eyes darted to him as he opened his mouth. “Cappy, I’ve never been much for words, but ...” he pulled his head up from its cushion, ignoring the burning needles across his neck. “But I know when I’ve been a fool. I’d understand if you never wanted to talk to me again, but—” Cappy’s hoof pressed against his lips and he stopped speaking.

“We were both fools, Steel,” she said. Something in his mind clicked.

“Even so,” he said, looking up at her and pulling his head up higher with a wince. “If I could …  if it’s still possible … I’d rather be a fool with you than without you.”

For a moment, Cappy was silent, staring at him in what was plainly surprise. Then she let out a nervous laugh and darted forward, wrapping her legs around his neck.

“Everyone’s a fool, Steel,” she said. “But I’d rather be a fool with you too.”

“Now,” she said, pulling away before he could respond.  “You might be able to walk back in the morning, but since you’re going to be stuck on my floor for a while ...” She began collecting the sandwiches she’d dropped earlier. “You might as well have some lunch. Are you hungry?”

Steel opened his mouth to say no, only to be overruled by common sense. “I haven’t eaten since this morning,” he admitted.

Cappy shook her head, sending her bouncy blue mane cascading around her head. “Oh Steel, still the same stubborn stallion.”

“I did just finish telling you that myself,” he pointed out as she walked back into the kitchen. “So it’s not exactly a revelation to me by now.”

“No,” she called back. He could hear cupboards opening and closing. “And it is in your name.” There came a few more noises, jars opening, drawers sliding open and shut, and then Cappy reappeared, once again holding a sandwich tray piled high with several sandwiches in her mouth as she backed into the room.

“That was quick,” Steel said as she set the platter down in front of him and then laid down on the floor across from him.

“It’s in my name, just like yours,” Cappy said, smiling a little. She still didn’t look  quite like the bright and upbeat Rapid Cap he’d always known, but she seemed perkier, more alive. “So you really ran all the way here as soon as your sister talked to you?”

“Well,” Steel said, leaning forward and taking a bite from his sandwich. He felt a bit foolish eating it without his hooves, but he couldn’t have lifted his hooves if he’d tried. “She actually jumped on me about it a week ago, but without ever telling me who or when, so, being an idiot, I didn’t know what she was talking about.”

“And you ran all the way here when you found out,” Cappy said, looking down at her sandwich. “You know, more than anything, I think that tells me more about who you are than watching your house or even hearing stories about you from your sister ever did.” She stood, leaned over the platter, and gave him a small kiss on the nose. Steel’s eyes widened in shock.

“You know, your sister gave me some advice too,” Cappy said, leaning back..

“Did you follow it?” Steel asked. His sandwich sat in front of him, momentarily forgotten.

“Most of it,” Cappy said. She walked around the platter and laid down next to Steel, so close that she could have leaned over and rested against him. He felt his breath seize up in his chest.

“It was in three parts,” she said. “I already did the first two, and they told me everything I needed to know to do the third, which,” she said, leaning in against him, “I’m doing right now.” Her head nuzzled his neck, a soft, warm, feeling.

“Bear in mind,” she said as he looked at her in stunned astonishment. “I’m still pretty mad it took you this long to apologize to me. But I’d have to be crazy to give up an opportunity that I’ve wanted to come along for years. What do you think?”

Steel looked at Cappy carefully. She almost seemed to be brightening as she spoke, her mane and coat taking on a radiance of their own. Thoughts raced through his mind. His sister, his work. He looked down at his hooves, checking to make sure that he was still alive and awake, and then back at Cappy, who was starting to get an unsure look on her face.

“I think,” he said, giving her a smile. “I think that would be just fine.”


*        *        *


Hunter looked up in surprise as the door to Steel’s office burst open. “Steel!” Dawn shouted as she marched in, hot anger on her face. “Where is that insufferable—” Her voice cut off as she noticed that she was shouting at the wrong pony. “Hunter? What are you doing in here?” she asked, the edge gone from her voice and expression. “Where’s Steel?”

Hunter shrugged. “Took off about an hour back. His sister swung in and told me it was something about a family emergency or something like that.” It’s impressive how quickly Dawn’s face goes from anger to ‘clinic’ mode, he thought as he watched the mare’s face change.

“Is it medical?” she asked, her expression urgent. “Do they need help?”

“Nope,” he said with a shake of his head, “she said it was just something that Steel needed to take care of personally. Anyway, that put yours truly in command. So as soon as Sky Bolt finished disassembling that golem and went to sleep, I headed over here.” He waved a hoof at the large desk. “Figured I might as well use Steel’s enormous desk to finish up our report while the kid gets some rest,” he said, tapping the small spread of papers in front of him. “But it sounds like you’re a bit aggro about something, Dawn. What’s going on?”

Dawn scowled. “I left Nova Beam with specific orders to get bed rest for the next two days to accelerate the healing process. No sooner do I leave then he’s gone. I went to check on him a few minutes ago and his quarters are empty.” She pawed at the floor with one hoof, almost snorting. “When I catch that colt I’m going to stitch him into his bed without painkillers!”

“Alright, easy. Simmer down,” Hunter raised his hooves, pitching himself forward. “Kid probably got bored just sitting in his quarters. You’ve seen him sitting around. He’s not happy unless he’s doing something.”

“Well then he can focus on picking the lock on his door,” Dawn said, her jaw tightly clenched.

“Yeah, I’m sure that’ll keep the team thief occupied for all of maybe five seconds,” Hunter said, rolling his eyes. “Or have you forgotten the diplomatic dinner?”

Dawn’s face flushed in embarrassment as she pulled head back. “I still say he had to have used magic somehow,” she said, her voice curt. “There’s no other way he could have been so skilled.”

Hunter let out a laugh. “Right, Dawn, right. I’m pretty sure the kid could steal half of your office while you were giving him a check-up if he put his mind to it.” He chuckled at his own joke, although Dawn chose to fix him with a level glare rather than laugh. “Oh lighten up,” he said. “It was just a joke. Maybe.” He grinned, but Dawn’s icy expression didn’t break.

“Fine, alright, to business,” he said, letting out an exaggerated sigh. “What did you want the boss for anyway?”

“To punish him in some manner,” Dawn said, pronouncing each word with exaggerated force. “Unlike you, I take medical responsibilities seriously, and Nova will listen to Steel.”

“He’ll listen to you too,” Hunter said, giving his head a small shake. “You just have to learn to speak his language.”

“Oh?” Dawn said, one eyebrow cocked. “And what might that be? Griffon perhaps?”

“No,” Hunter said, ignoring the sarcasm. “How exactly did you tell him to stay in his room?”

“I ordered him to get some bed rest,” Dawn said. “What else would I have done?”

“Incentive. The kid needs a reason to decide that getting out of that bed is worse than staying in it.” He leaned forward, a mischievous grin on his face. “You could have, for example, informed him that leaving his bed would open him up to a variety of painful—” he gave a small shudder, “—shots. Or,” he said, tapping his hooves together like a comic book villain, “now that he’s already flown the coop, you could simply assign him a few hours of kitchen duty.”

“Kitchen duty?” she asked. “We can do that?”

“Turns out we can,” he said, leaning back with a grin in Steel’s chair. “Found out just the other day. The palace staff always appreciates having some extra hooves on hand to make sure that potatoes get peeled, sans magic. Just send him on down there and they’ll take care of it.”

“Hmm,” Dawn said, rubbing her hoof against the bottom of her chin. “I may just do that. Do you think a day would be too much for him?”

“Try an hour or two, tops,” Hunter said. “I don’t think we can afford to spare anypony more than that. We’re going to be a lot busier over the next few days. We have quite a bit to react to now that we’ve uncovered the method.” He looked down at the papers spread in front of him. “Now we just have to discover the why. Anyway,” he said, looking up at the pink mare. “That everything?”

“Yes,” she said, offering a swift nod. 

“Dismissed then, sergeant major.” He gave the unicorn and exaggerated salute. She gave her own, much more accurate salute and left the office.

Hunter slumped back in Steel’s chair as the door closed behind her. The darn thing was uncomfortable, worse than his own actually. What kind of commanding officer keeps such a lousy chair behind his desk? Hunter wondered. It’s no wonder he hates using this thing, I’d hate using it too if I was sitting in this for more than a few hours.

He turned his attention down towards the report he’d been putting together for Steel. Things are about to get busy, he thought as he picked up his pen in his mouth and started up where he’d left off. We’re going to need to move fast.

Some of it he’d already done. A runner sent to the ERS offices had been able to bring back records of any shipping done under the name and shipping number they’d pulled off of the golem’s arm, which in turn gave them a shipping record that had matched alongside every single robbery, all but cementing the two. While the shipping orders had originated from all over the country, a quick check with the railway timetables had shown Hunter that any shipment that left Baltimare was on its own schedule, while those going to Baltimare had always been shipped one day after a prior order had arrived.

Although he’d see about Guard checking the other delivery addresses, it seemed that whoever was running the operation was based out of Baltimare. The stolen artifacts that had been found in the city supported that as well, so it was likely that it was the central location, even if the address on the shipping manifests weren’t the real location they were operating out of. Which he highly doubted was the case. Nopony would be that foolish.

As he scribbled out the last few lines of his report, one clear fact stood out. He still had no clue what the thieves were after. They’d taken crystals and jewelry, most of it less valuable than anything they’d used to steal the stuff. Then there was the museum robbery. If they’d been looking for something there they hadn’t gotten it, given how quickly they’d offloaded the items they had taken.

It was possible that the golem had simply grabbed the wrong item. According to Sky Bolt’s examination it was a fairly simple construct, capable of following a few simple orders and directives. But if that had been the case, then why hadn’t it gone back for what they wanted? It wasn’t as if the team had known enough about what they were facing to protect against it.

Hunter dropped the pen, his report finished. He stared down at it with an unhappy expression. Rarely had he had so much information and yet concluded so little that was concrete. He knew how the golems had been stealing crystals from the trains. He was pretty sure he knew how they’d gotten into the museum. And he knew that whoever had ripped the several dozen tons worth of crystal growths out of the crystal caverns had been using the golems as well, the footprints they’d left behind matched up perfectly with the feet on the golem they’d recovered.

The only thing he didn’t understand yet was why. The train thefts were clearly less than profitable given the golem's cost, and there had to be several of them in operation. The museum robbery had been a poor payout if the rapid sale of the keys—and the price Nova had purchased one at—was anything to think about.

The only theft that had been worth any substantial amount at all was the crystal cavern's growths. But then why use the golems to remove the crystal? Speed? He shook his head. No, the golem they’d encountered had been strong, but a few earth ponies could do the same amount of work at a far lower cost. Even if you paid them to keep quiet for a few weeks.

Hunter shook his head again and rose from Steel’s desk. With hope, some of the Guard investigations would give him the clues he needed, or better yet just straight answers. He doubted it would be that easy however. Nopony went through this much trouble to get caught by something as simple as an address.

He passed through the empty common room and out the front doors, heading for the training field. His body was tired, but he knew if he slept now he’d find himself awake through the night. Plus, he wasn’t a novice to going a day or two without sleep. It was part of the training process for all Ranger recruits.

In fact, he thought as he rounded the wall that surrounded the training fields, I should probably suggest some endurance sleep deprivation training to Steel. It wouldn’t hurt for the rest of the team to get used to the different methods a pony could use to go on little or no sleep for a few days.

As he trotted onto the training field proper he spotted Sabra sparring with several guards. The young Zebra was blindfolded as usual, although today he lacked his usual weapon, since it had been destroyed in the prior nights battle with the golem. Instead, he was using his peculiar style of combat, Maji Kwato, to take on an entire group of out-of-uniform Guard.

The ponies themselves seemed to think it good fun. They were laughing and rushing him in groups, trying to see who could get a hit off on the talented zebra. A group would rush in, onlookers watching and cheering, and then Sabra would just flow around the attackers, his hooves everywhere at once. The group would begin to stagger back, one at a time shaking heads, rubbing chests, or trying to catch their breath. The rest of the Guard would laugh and help their stunned compatriots to their feet while a new group would rush forward.

Hunter walked up behind one of the ponies that was watching and tapped him on the shoulder. “Looks like you’re all having quite the party,” he said as the Guard turned and, with a surprised look of recognition at his hat, flashed him a salute. “What’s the occasion?” Hunter asked, returning the salute.

“Uh—the zebra, I don’t really know his name,” the Guard said with an apologetic shrug, “he started sparring with a couple of the guys and told them that if they got a hit on him he would give them fifteen bits.” He laughed, watching out of the corner of his eyes as Sabra took down another Guard. “We’ve all been at it for the last half hour.”

“Nice,” Hunter said. “Good motivation. Anypony make anything?”

The guard shrugged. “I think he’s paid out forty-five bits so far. It’s all the same to us, we get ‘paid’ to be out here training anyway, so it’s a win-win for anyone who actually hits him.” The Guard winced as one of the attackers stumbled back after taking a heavy hit. “That,” he continued, “and I think once some of us hit the medical office our superiors' might put a stop to this, so we’ve got to make what we can while we can.” He looked back at Hunter. “You’re not here to do that by chance are you? Shut it down?”

Hunter shook his head. “Naw, though I’m tempted to get in on the action myself.” He looked over the crowd of guard. “Are there any rules or line to get into?”

“Um—no magic,” the Guard said. “You can use weapons, but his disarms tend to sting, so we stopped trying. And there’s no line, so just hop in when you’re ready.” Hunter nodded and stepped forward, passing through the rough circle of ponies that surrounded the spinning, flipping zebra.

He took a good careful look at Sabra’s stance. He certainly doesn’t appear to be going easy on them, Hunter noted as another guard stumbled back, driven by blow after blow from the zebra’s quick hooves. The beleaguered ponies two comrades moved in to take Sabra from behind, coming at him from opposite sides, only to have their tackles meet against each other as Sabra flipped backwards. He’d reversed his forward momentum so swiftly it almost looked as if he’d simply teleported. All three attacking stallions went down in a tumble, Sabra flipping away to land on two hooves.

“He’s really going all out on you lot isn’t he?” Hunter asked, looking back at the Guard, who nodded.

“Yeah, he caught me a good one on my horn earlier when I fired a bolt at him too,” the pony said with a tap at his dull blue horn. “Let me tell you, that hurts. He’s serious about the no magic thing.”

Hunter shook his head. “I’d feel sorry for you, but if he set the rules ...” he let his voice trail off.

“Yeah I know,” the Guard said, giving his head a small shake. “Believe me, it’s not a mistake I’ll make again.” There was a shout from the crowd as a pegasus, assisted by two unicorns, managed to get close enough to land a glancing blow on Sabra’s shoulder.

“Kuwasiliana!” Sabra called. “Stop!” The group came to a halt as Sabra turned and shook the hoof of the guard who’d managed to hit him. Then he turned to one side and called out, one of the Guard tossing his saddlebags to him. There was a brief pause as he counted out fifteen bits and passed them to the Guard who had struck him before tossing his saddlebags back to the sidelines.

“So how about it, sir?” the Guard Hunter had been speaking to asked, nodding his head towards the zebra. “You going to try for it?”

“You know,” Hunter said, cracking a grin. “I just might. Hey, Sabra!” he called, stepping forward and drawing the attention of the group to himself. The blindfolded zebra, showing his special talent, spun to face him, snapping a salute.

“At ease, Sabra,” Hunter said as he stepped up to him. “What do you say we make this a team effort? After all,” he said, raising his voice and looking at the assembled crowd, “there’s gotta be about twenty Guard here.” He plucked his hat from his head, giving his mane a quick shake. “I can’t say I’ll give fifteen bits to the one who tags me, but if you can take me down I might give ...” Hunter tapped his chin with the brim of his hat. “Oh say, fifty bits.”

There was a rush of excited chatter from the group around him. Fifty bits was nothing to sneeze at. Fifteen was already pretty good. “You don’t mind, do you Sabra?” Hunter asked, stretching his left wing with a pop, then his right wing.

Sabra shook his head. “Si—” He stopped, catching himself with an embarrassed grin. “No sir.”

“Well then,” Hunter said, slapping his hat back on his head and snapping his wings out with a grin. “Let’s have ourselves a rumble!” The host of off-duty Guard looked at one another, smiled, and then with a shout, rushed forward.
> Operation - Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4


Hunter looked up from his breakfast as the door to the mess hall swung open, hitting the wall with a dull thump and admitting a familiar olive-green mountain. He grinned as Steel took a quick look around the mostly empty mess hall, noticing the two other members of the team who were still having breakfast before heading over towards him.

“Hey boss,” he said, standing and giving a quick salute as Steel approached. “How was the family emergency?”

For a moment Steel paused, his face showing confusion, then he returned Hunter’s salute, shaking his head as a small smile crept across his lips. “A family emergency?” he asked, sitting down—with a bit of stiffness, he noticed—across from Hunter. “Did my sister tell you that?”

His slight bit of decorum for the day shown, Hunter sat back down and resumed eating his oatmeal, speaking between bites. “Yeah,” he said, pausing to chew. “And from the way you took off, I’m not going to consider any differently regardless of what you were actually up to. Although,” he said, cocking an eyebrow, “if it’s going to be a regular thing, I may start having to report you AWOL.” Steel laughed.

“Then again,” Hunter said, considering his next words carefully as he dug around the bottom of his bowl for the last bits of cinnamon deliciousness. “If it’s going to make you laugh at my jokes a bit more readily, I may suggest for you to go AWOL more often.” He gulped the last bit of oatmeal down and then looked at his bowl in disappointment. The chefs here really did serve small portions.

“In that case I’d best confine myself to official leaves of absence,” Steel said, his face taking on the same impassive look that the whole team had come to associate with him. Then one side of it lifted in a grin. “Especially since this team already has its hooves full with two troublemakers already,” he said, leaning forward.

Hunter shook his head. “Careful boss,” he cautioned, waving a hoof towards where Sky Bolt and Sabra seemed to be engaged in a somewhat stilted conversation in Zebra. “Make too many jokes and the team won’t know what to make of it. They’ll think you’re a changeling.” He cocked his head to one side. “Or maybe just senile.”

“Alright, alright,” Steel said, holding up his hooves in mock surrender. Then his hooves dropped and he was back in command. “Speaking of jokesters, how’s Nova doing?”

Hunter shrugged and picked up an apple from his tray. “He went AWOL last night—but don’t worry!” he said quickly as Steel’s eyes flashed. “Turns out he was just off practicing magic; he snuck out to avoid Dawn since she’d confined him to bedrest.”

“Any assigned punishment?”

“Dawn’s got him assigned to do some work in the kitchen as soon as he’s back on his hooves.” Hunter said, crunching a bite from the apple in his hooves. Delicious, he thought as the juice ran down his throat. Nice and crisp. “That’s where she is now,” he said, feeling flecks of apple move around his mouth as he talked. “Dawn I mean. She took her breakfast and went back to the barracks to make sure he didn’t sneak out for more practice.” He waited for a moment, but Steel just nodded, staying silent. “Anyway, Dawn told me the cast will be coming off sometime tomorrow, and the rest of his injuries are already healed up.”

Steel nodded. “Anything back on that address stenciled on the side of that golem?”

Hunter shook his head, swallowing another bite of his apple. “Guard sent word to Baltimare yesterday morning, and an aide dropped off some papers when we were heading out for the morning routine.” He shrugged. “If there’s anything, it’d be in that stack. I haven’t checked yet. I was planning on doing that after breakfast.”

Steel nodded. “Alright,” he said, glancing at the clock set above the door. “It’s almost six-thirty now. Tell everypony to meet in the conference room at eight.” Steel stood, pushing away from the table.

“Alright, will do, boss,” Hunter said, giving him a lazy salute and almost dropping his apple. Steel trotted back across the mess hall, nodding at Sky Bolt and Sabra as he passed by them and then out the door.

“Hmm ...” Hunter said, speaking out loud before taking another bite of his apple. “His sister says it’s a ‘family emergency’ and it was news to him, yet he heads out of here without even passing command.” He paused for a moment, thinking the situation over while he swallowed the last bit of his apple. Then a smile crept onto his face. “Well, Steel!” he said, drawing out the word with a chuckle as he got up. “I think I’m going to have to ask you to introduce me to this mystery friend of yours.”

Hunter set his tray on his back, balancing it with his wings so he didn’t drop anything as he made his way across the cafeteria towards Sabra and Sky Bolt. The pair were sitting across from one another at one of the longer tables, Sabra carefully guiding the energetic pegasus in her pronunciation of Zebra. The look on Sky Bolt’s face however, said that her mind was only half focused on the speech lesson.

“At ease you two,” Hunter said before either of the pair could snap a salute.

“Jambo, lu—luteni?” Sky Bolt looked at Sabra as she struggled with the unfamiliar word, and he nodded, making her face light up. “Jambo, luteni,” she said again, this time sounding much more confident.

“I assume that was ‘hi, lieutenant,’ or something similar,” Hunter said with a smile.

Sky Bolt nodded. “Hello actually, but you got the intent.” She looked back at Sabra and smiled. “Sabra’s been a big help.”

“Ilikuwa ni furaha yangu,” Sabra said with a nod. Sky Bolt frowned in concentration, her face lighting up as soon as she’d deciphered his words.

“Asante!” she said, giving Sabra a satisfied grin.

Hunter chuckled at the pair’s antics. “Alright, you two,” he said. “Keep up the practice, but make sure you’re at the conference room in the barracks before eight.” The two looked up at him with inquiring expressions. “Steel wants to cover everything that’s happened,” he said. “Which means he’ll want summary reports from each of you on whatever you’ve been doing, as well as what you plan to do in the days ahead and what you’ll need.”

“Are we going after whoever made that golem?” Sky Bolt asked, a glint of excitement in her eyes. 

Hunter nodded. “I can’t say for certain, but I would expect so.” He took a quick look around the mess hall but spotted no one. The Royal Guard wouldn’t be done with their morning workout for another fifteen or twenty minutes and food was all self-serve, kept warm or cold by heating spells. “I’d expect if we get anything we’ll be the ones to go after it though. After all,” he said, bending in close and giving the pair a wink. “We were the ones that caught it. See you at the meeting.” He pulled his head back and trotted off, depositing his dirty tray and dishes before heading for the barracks. He had just over an hour before the meeting started, he noted as he passed under the massive clock that hung over the mess hall door. It was time to take a look at the paperwork that had been delivered earlier.


*        *        *


“Attention!” Hunter said as Captain Song entered the conference room. Nova climbed to his hooves and stood at attention, although at a slower pace than the rest of the Guard thanks to his cast. He couldn’t even manage a proper salute, so he had to settle for nodding. Thankfully the captain took it stride, not even blinking as his eyes passed over him.

“At ease,” he said before settling in the conference room's last chair. Nova sat back down, grateful to drop the awkward posture. There was a moment of silence disturbed only by the rustling of paper as Captain Song pulled a few files from his saddlebags, setting them in front of him.

“Alright then everypony,” he said, looking up at the group. “I apologize for my absence last night. I had some …  personal business to attend to.” Nova saw Hunter’s eyebrows raise at the statement. Clearly there was more to the captain’s statement than he wanted to share. He pushed the curious thought away, focusing in on what he was saying.

“In any case, most of you were probably grateful for the chance to get some rest,” the captain continued. “Although as I understand it some of you were a little less keen on it than others.” Captain Song looked directly at him, and for a moment Nova wondered if he was about to be dressed down. “In any case,” he said, looking away, “I do want to congratulate you all on your work so far.” He paused for a moment and then gave the team a smile. “Not only did we manage to figure out what was behind the robberies, but we managed to subdue it before it could escape and hurt anypony else.” He paused for a moment, looking back at Nova. “Which, I might add, was done at great personal injury and risk. For that,” the captain said, his eyes moving from pony to pony as he spoke. “You all have my thanks, and my respect. You’ve proven to me that each and every one of you are what I’d hoped you could be when I chose you.” Nova felt a swell of pride at his words.

“That said,” he continued before anyone could respond. “We still have a lot of work to do. Hunter?” All eyes at the table darted to the long-maned pegasus, who nodded as his name was mentioned. “What did you find out about that golem?”

“Well,” Hunter said, rising. “First thing. The other Guard had some of their best looking over it last night and they came to pretty much the same conclusions that Sky Bolt and I did. The golem itself is a pretty complex piece of work. It’s technically magical in nature, as the crystal in its chest is what gives it life. According to the unicorns who dissected its crystal core, Sky Bolt was spot on with her theories—” across the table the grey pegasus beamed in pride, “—regarding how it worked. The crystal was enchanted with a complex ‘Come to Life’ spell, which gave it its general rules of operation as well as its instructions, albeit simple ones. Sky Bolt was also right about the other crystal. It was a ‘magic battery’ of sorts, enchanted to regulate the golem’s energy usage as well as soak up ambient magic in order to lengthen the golem's lifespan.”

“How long would it have if it couldn’t soak up any extra energy?” Nova asked, interrupting. 

Hunter glanced down at his paper. “At least an hour, although their report mentions that this could vary based on the quality of the crystal used.” He glanced down at the paper again. “According to this, the crystal that was used in ours wasn’t exactly a high quality crystal to begin with. In fact, it was the lowest grade that you’d want to enchant. They even warned that if given enough of a charge, it would probably react violently if broken.” He made a slight grimace as the words left his mouth that Nova caught the meaning of. It was a lucky thing that the battery hadn’t been set off by Hunter’s lightning.

“Well, that may tell us something about whoever built it,” Dawn said, joining the conversation. “Specifically that they may be operating on a lower budget than what we would have expected.”

Captain Song nodded in agreement while turning back to Hunter. “What about the core crystal?”

“Fairly high quality for enchanting work, actually,” Hunter said. “The team noted that it was a bit of a surprise compared to the other crystal.”

“It could be that they’re simply working with what they have on hoof in that case,” Sky Bolt said, leaning forward as everyone looked at her. “I know I’ve done that before. Simply used what I had to build something rather than going out and buying new stuff. That would match up with what Dawn suggested as well.” The pegasus nodded her head at the unicorn, her blue mane bobbing.

“If that’s true,” Nova said, sitting up as an idea occurred to him. “You should check the crystals in that golem against the ones that were stolen.” The rest of the team looked over at him in surprise. When none of them said anything, he continued. “We know that there was more than one theft right? Which means there must be more than just the one golem, right?”

Hunter nodded. “Yeah, in fact judging from the shipments, which I’ll get into in a moment, it looks like there are at least six of these things, maybe more.” Nova’s eyes widened in shock, and around him he could see that the rest of the group was reacting the same way. “They’re actually in the process of tracking two additional golems in transit right now. I warned them about how difficult they are subdue, so they’re planning on simply collecting them at the end, along with whoever comes to pick them up.”

“That’s even better then,” Nova said as Hunter stopped speaking. “Once they dismantle those, we can compare the crystals in their chests to the ones that were stolen. If whoever is behind this did build them on the cheap, that could be one of the reasons that they’re after crystals.” He could see several members of the team nodding along with him.

“That makes a lot of sense,” Hunter said, nodding. “I’ll ask them to check on it. If you’re right, that would at least be part of this mystery solved. Although they could just buy them—”

“Maybe whoever they are, they didn’t want anypony tracking down purchases of crystals.” Sky Bolt said, cutting him off. “I know getting the batch I ordered for my workshop just a few weeks ago was a hassle. You either have to buy crystals in bulk and test them yourself or pay someone to test them for you. Either way, something like that is going to be remembered.”

“Maybe they did,” Sabra said, his melodic voice surprising everypony. “It would not be hard to check I would think.”

The captain nodded at Sabra’s words. “You’re right,” he said, looking between Sky Bolt and Hunter. “One of you should check that as well. Preferably you Hunter, as Sky Bolt’s going to be busy over the coming days.” He sat back. “Any other thoughts on the crystal scenario?”

“I have one,” Dawn said, leaning forward. “Is there any idea where or by whom these crystals are being enchanted?”

“Hey, yeah, good point,” Sky Bolt said, ears standing up. “Those things take a while to make!”

“Exactly,” Dawn said, nodding in agreement as she looked at the rest of the group. “For example, the enchanted crystals that are currently being created for Sky Bolt’s projects took both time and money to create. The crystals for her boilers, for example, have been worked on for the last few weeks by teams of talented enchanters to a phenomenal cost.”

“I didn’t realize that it was so hard to enchant crystal,” Nova said with a frown. “What makes it so difficult?”

Dawn turned towards him. “Enchanting a crystal is a strenuous process as the crystal’s structure itself must be modified both physically and magically by the enchantment being placed on it. The more complex the enchantment, the more stress is placed on the unicorn enchanting the gemstone,” her gaze left Nova’s as he nodded, moving around the table. “This is one reason why actual enchanted gemstones tend to be small and simple. They are much easier to create.”

“What about larger ones?” Hunter asked.

“They take more time and effort, on an exponential scale,” Dawn said. “And if a unicorn pushes themselves harder than they should creating one—” she gave a little shudder.

“They burnout?” Nova suggested.

“Worse,” Steel said. “They go mad.” Nova felt a small shudder move through his frame. No wonder Dawn looked somewhat disturbed.

“There isn’t much research done into it, as most unicorns are far too careful.” Dawn said with a small shake of her head. “Most of what we know comes from the early days of crystal experimentation, as nowadays there are stringent security measures. However, what we understand is that if a unicorn exerts too much energy or pushes too hard, whatever spell they are using begins to resonate. The result is feedback, which can—” she gave another small shudder, “—break the pony's mind.”

For a moment silence reigned around the table as everypony thought about it.  Then Sabra spoke up. “Can one recover from it?” he asked.

Dawn nodded, much to Nova’s relief. The idea that a unicorn could go mad by performing too much magic struck an uncomfortable chord with his own fears.

“With proper treatment, a unicorn afflicted with crystal madness can recover. It’s just ...” Dawn paused for a moment. “Difficult, as I understand it. Apparently the act of using magic becomes addictive.”

“Which in turn makes me all the more worried about your initial question,” Captain Song said. “And it means we need to ask somepony about how long it would take to enchant crystals of this size. If these other golems turned out to be enchanted with crystals taken during the robberies ...” the Captains voice trailed off as one by one each of the ponies made the connection.

“We could be dealing with somepony completely crazy,” Nova said, drawing back his lips in a grimace.

“Exactly,” Captain Song said, turning towards Dawn. “You can work on checking into that, collaborate with Hunter as needed.” He waited for both of them to nod. Dawn floating a quill and piece of paper from her saddlebags and making a series of small notes. Her action made Nova feel a bit self-conscious, as he took a quick look down at the empty table in front of him. Then he gave a mental shrug. If he needed to bring something, there was always next time.

“Anything else of note to report on the golem?” Captain Song asked, looking at Hunter. The tan pegasus shook his head. “Very well then, next I want to hear from Spec Sky Bolt,” he said, looking at the small grey mare, who gave a grin. “What’s the status on our equipment?”

“The Hummingbird and the armor sets are both on track to be done in about a week, maybe a bit longer.” Sky Bolt said without even looking at any of the notes in front of her. “Fortunately I put in the order for some of the more hard-to-produce parts quite early on. Oh and,” she said, her face lighting up, “I would like a chance to examine that battery crystal in detail, or at least get a full report on how it works.” She looked over at Hunter, who nodded before she continued.

“Anyway, The Hummingbird only needs a few more pieces to be installed, most of it heavy stuff that I’ll need a unicorn for—”

“I can help with that,” Nova said, surprising the group as he spoke up. “I can’t do much else until my leg's out of its cast.”

“That’d work,” Sky Bolt said, ignoring Dawn’s look of disapproval. “We can do that today actually.”

“What about the armor?” Captain Song asked. “If it comes right down to it, I’d rather see the armor finished before the airship if that’s at all possible. If we tackle another golem, I want us all to have more protection.”

“The armor will take at least a week or two at the current rate,” Sky Bolt said, even as Steel started shaking his head. “Getting the actual armor itself made won’t take an extreme amount of time, but getting the harmonics down right has been taking time.”

“Make that your number-one priority then,” the captain said. “Don’t bother with any training or anything else, cut your free time if you have to. We need that armor yesterday.”

Sky Bolt nodded. “If I do that I should be able to get it done in maybe four days. I’ll need to pull each one of you aside to get sizing measurements though.”

“I believe I can assist you with that,” Dawn said.

“Good,” Sky Bolt responded, one ear flicking as she looked down at her paper anyway. “I was going to need your assistance to check the crystal resonance anyway and make sure we don’t get a feedback buildup with your natural magic.”

“If that’s the case,” Dawn said, pointing across the table and straight towards Nova. “Then you should test Nova. His natural magic is much more powerful than mine.”

Nova shrugged as all eyes again turned to him. “Why not?” he asked. “I’m already going to be helping you with your ship anyway, so I’ll be in your shop.” He raised his cast above the table. “This isn’t coming off until tomorrow at—”

“Maybe tomorrow,” Dawn said. Nova frowned at her and then continued. 

“Anyway, tomorrow at the earliest, so it’s not like I can be doing much else that isn’t magic related.” He dropped his cast wrapped foreleg back below the table.

“Awesome!” Sky Bolt said with a grin. “Alright then captain, I should be able to get most of the major work done on The Hummingbird today, and yes,” she said, cutting him off before he could speak, “I know you want the armor to be the priority, but if I get my boilers installed today I can start the process of making sure the system works right, most of which is waiting. I’ll install the boilers and other heavy equipment today, and then I’ll start on the armor while I run the checks. Otherwise I’m adding days' worth of time onto my schedule.”

Captain Song appeared to digest the information before nodding. “Alright spec, I trust your judgement. Anything else you need to bring up?”

Sky Bolt rolled her eyes back in thought and then grinned. “If I’m going to be spending the next few days in the workshop, I’m going to run out of tunes pretty quick. Any chance I can get somepony to stop by a record store and pick up a few dozen new grooves for me?” she asked, tilting her head towards the captain, raising her eyebrows.

“Nice try, but no,” Captain Song said, rolling his eyes. “You’ll need to do better puppy-dog eyes than that to get me to agree to something like that. My niece has you beat.” He turned towards Nova as Sky Bolt sat back, blowing one bang out of her eyes in disappointment.

“Alright Nova, what about you?” the captain asked, turning towards him. “How’s the magic training going?”

Nova smiled despite himself. “It’s been … interesting,” he said. “I’ve gotten better with my magic though, and I think—” he paused for a moment, eyes darting down, back towards his cutie mark. I can be more than a thief.

“I think,” he said, looking up, “that I’ll be a lot better with the team now.” The captain’s eyebrows raised slightly, but otherwise his face remained expressionless. “I’ve been studying some real spells,” Nova said, feeling a swell of confidence inside of him as he spoke. “Mostly defensive at the moment, as I’ve got a decent amount of offensive spells covered already.”

“Anything in particular I should know about?” Captain Song asked, leaning forward.

Nova shook his head. “I can put up a decent sized defensive bubble, and I’m also working on a reflective shield that should come in handy, although the components are a bit tricky.”

“Components?” Dawn asked, looking at him in confusion.

“Bad choice of words,” Nova said, shaking his head and gesturing with his free hoof. “Magical balances might be a better word for it.”

“Ah,” Dawn said, a look of impressed recognition crossing her face. “Emotional magic. An advanced magic indeed.”

“Yeah, sure,” Nova said. “Anyway, I’ve got a few I’m looking at, although some that I’ve found might be better suited for Dawn rather than me.”

“Get me a list and summary of each spell you’re considering by tomorrow morning,” Captain Song said, giving Nova an approving nod. “Aside from that, keep practicing. With both your magic and your combat training.” He then turned to Sabra, who had been sitting quietly for nearly the entire meeting.

“Sabra?” he asked. “Anything to report?”

The zebra shook his head. “Only that my skills continue to improve, and that I have yet to find the answer to my question. To be fair however, I have not been asking lately. Oh, and I will need to acquire another Fimbo, or at least a replacement.”

Captain Song looked at Sky Bolt. “Any chance you could whip up something for Sabra that would serve as a new staff?” He asked.

Sky Bolt nodded. “I can think of a few things off the top of my head. Got any specifications?” she asked, looking at Sabra.

“He can give them to you afterwards,” Captain Song said, cutting the discussion before it could begin with a clop of his hoof on the tabletop. “Is there anything else, Sabra?”

The zebra shook his head. “Not at this time. I will continue to train and prepare myself as before.”

“What about responding to magic attacks?” With these words, the captain leaned forward. “Have you had any success there?”

Sabra frowned and shook his head. “Hakuna,” he said.

“If it helps,” Dawn said, tossing her head. “I can give you some assistance, but,” she said with a frown, “my own magic skills are not as offensively based as some. Your best bet may be to ask some of the other Guard to help you.”

Sabra gave her a polite nod. “Asante.”

“Alright then.” The Captain looked down at his papers and then up at Dawn. “And now, last but not least,” he said. “Dawn. Anything to report?”

"Nothing outside of optimal progress,” she said, sliding a sheet of paper across the table to him. “We’re on track to continue to increase our workout schedules until we’re at the pace you asked be set. I’ve spoken with the mess hall cooks and they’ve agreed to procure select ingredients in order to meet our team nutritional requirements—”

“Nutritional requirements?” Sky Bolt asked, her ears standing straight up. “Like what?”

“Well,” Dawn said, folding her ears back in annoyance at the interruption. “Most of you have probably noticed by now a marked improvement on your physical structure. Muscles, reflexes, endurance, and so forth.”

Nova looked down as Dawn began to explain the training. She was right, the last few weeks had been a nightmare at first, but he could see a marked improvement in himself. He’d never considered himself out of shape, but the last few weeks had taken what muscle he had and toned it, tightening it into whipcord. Even at the peak of his game when he’d been a thief, he doubted he’d ever been this fit.

“—so with all of these exercises and the strain that they put on your bodies,” Dawn was saying as Nova let his attention shift back, “after a certain point the simple fare that they serve in the mess hall will not be sufficient to give your bodies the nutritional energy that they need. So we are establishing a secondary set of supplements to your diet, widening the array of offerings at the mess so that all of you stay healthy.”

“Yeesh,” Sky Bolt said, sticking her tongue out it disgust. “When you say it like that it makes it sound like we’re going to be fed some sort of processed food bar.”

“Well,” Dawn said, brushing a strand of her mane back. “I have considered that, as it would be the most easy solution—”

“What?” Hunter said, sitting forward and slapping his hoof down on the table. “No way. I outrank you, and as your lieutenant I forbid you to even think about that again. The only way we’re eating anything  close to a ration bar is in mission, when it's absolutely unavoidable.” He pounded his hoof on the table again. “We’ve got cooks and chefs here, the least they can do is give us some decent grub,” he said, looking around the table for support. “All in favor?”

“It’s not a democracy, Hunter,” the captain said, rolling his eyes as he leaned forward to enter the discussion. “That said, I happen to agree with you.” He turned to look at Dawn. “There is no way we’re making portable food rations a part of our daily diet.”

“Well,” Dawn said, putting her lower lip out and pouting slightly. “Any other option would certainly cost more—”

“Then go that route,” the captain said, and Nova felt his stomach give a little sigh of relief. “We’ve got a huge budget, and I’d foot the bill myself if I had to, just to get some decent tasting food.”

Dawn sighed in defeat. “Very well. I will draft up a list of reasonable alternatives, if you’re going to insist.” She made a note on her paper, quill flying through the air in a dull-orange glow. “Aside from that, and—” she nodded her head at Nova, “—recent injuries, everything is progressing well. The medical facilities I have been given are adequate, as is the equipment.”

“What about your own training?”

Dawn frowned. “I do the morning exercises with the rest of you.”

Captain Song shook his head. “Not good enough. Starting tomorrow, I want you to start sparring and practicing with the rest of us. Clear?”

“Clear, sir,” Dawn said, making another note with her quill. “I have nothing else to report.”

“In that case, this meeting is done unless anyone else has anything else to add,” the captain said, standing and picking up the papers in front of him. “If not, then dismissed.” Nova stood, glad to be able to stretch at least three of his legs. He watched for a moment as Captain Song said something to Hunter that was lost in the sudden clamor of the team getting out of the room, and then turned to follow Sky Bolt towards the workshop. Time to see what she needed him to do.


*        *        *


“So you still have that note then?” Steel asked as he followed Hunter into the small office that had been set aside for the Lieutenant.

“Of course,” Hunter said, walking around his desk and carefully sliding his chair. “I couldn’t just toss it after it helped me solve a starker of a problem. Still never did figure out who it was from though,” he said, shrugging.

“I remember you saying that,” Steel said as Hunter pulled the drawer open. “And I should have thought to look at this sooner.”

“Well, you can look all you want now, boss,” the pegasus said, pulling a small slip of paper from the drawer and setting on the desktop.

“Thanks.” Steel stepped up to the desk and spun the note around with his hoof. The paper was plain and nondescript, along with the text.  There was absoultely nothing out of the ordinary that he could see. The purple slashes forming a heart however … those tickled his mind, the same way it had when he’d first heard Hunter describe it. Something about it looked familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.

“You mind if I borrow this?” he asked, looking up at Hunter. The pegasus shook his head and kicked back into his seat. 

“Not at all, you’re the boss. Although,” he said, picking up the guitar and idly strumming a few chords. “I am curious what you’re going to do with it.”

“I’m going to go ask someone about it,” Steel said as he slid the note into his saddlebags. “Something about this note bothers me, and I think—” he paused as he took one last look at the stylized purple heart. There was just something about it. “I think I might know what it is. I just need to talk to somepony specific first. Somepony who might be able to tell me more about it.”

“Alright, well if it turns up anything, let me know,” Hunter said as he set the guitar aside and looked at a small stack of papers sitting on his desk. “And I’ll let you know if anything in this stack is relevant.”

“Sure thing.” Steel said with a nod. “At ease.”


*        *        *


“Captain Armor?” The white unicorn looked up in surprise as Steel spoke his name.

“Captain Song, what a surprise!” Shining Armor said, exchanging a  quick salute with him. “Please, take a seat!”

Steel complied as the stallion sitting across from Captain Armor slid over to make room. The mess hall was full of Royal Guard, all of them eating breakfast after their morning exercises and getting ready to go on duty. The current group, Steel knew, would be group A, while group B was currently working out, and have breakfast after group A had left for duty.

“So, what can I do for you?” Shining asked, levitating a bite of oatmeal towards his face. “Do you need to borrow some of my ponies for something?”

“Actually, one of my team might,” Steel admitted. “But that’s not why I’m here.” He pulled the slip of paper from his bag. “I’m here,” he said, sliding it across the table, “because I wondered if you recognized this.” He pulled his hoof back from the note. Captain Armor looked down, his brow furrowed, and then his jaw dropped. The magic glow around his spoon faded, sending it tumbling to the tabletop. 

“I was right then,” Steel said as the note was lifted in a purple glow. “I knew I’d heard of that symbol before.”

Captain Armor nodded. “You do realize, captain, that this note needs to be shown to the Princesses immediately? There’s only one other time that we’ve received a note from the Violet Heart.” He looked down at the note held in his telekinetic grip. “And that nearly ended in the defeat of Canterlot.”
> Operation - Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5


Nova strained under the weight of the boiler, his horn glowing so brightly that he could have seen its yellow flare through his eyelids.

“Alright!” Sky Bolt called over the thumping electronic music as the massive boiler assembly floated up towards the open side of The Hummingbird. “Just keep it coming, nice and e—hold it! More to your left!” Nova complied, gritting his teeth as magic surged through his body and out of his horn. 

“How … heavy … are these things?” he managed to ask as sweat began to run down his brow.

“Just over half a ton each,” Sky Bolt called back. “You ready? I’m going to guide it into place now.”

“Ready!” Nova said, increasing the amount of magic that was running through his horn and lightening some of the pressure he’d left on his horn. A few feet away, Sky Bolt took to the air and began slowly pushing against the telekinetic field he’d wrapped around her superboiler. Nova adjusted his magic field slightly, taking care not to drop the massive cylindrical structure as he let Sky Bolt’s hooves guide it.

Sky Bolt pushed the superboiler forward into the opening she’d made earlier on The Hummingbird’s hull, and Nova took a few steps forward in suite, following the floating mass of metal. The further away an object was that was being manipulated by a unicorn's telekinetic magic, the more energy it started to take. With as much energy as he was expending lifting the large boiler and with the amount of focus it was taking to follow Sky Bolt’s small directional pushes, he wanted to keep it as close as possible.

“Alright,” Sky Bolt said as the boiler came to a stop. “Now, you’re going to need to push on the superboiler a little, it’s designed to face a little resistance and then just ‘pop’ into its housing.” She  turned, pushing her mane out of her eyes with one hoof. “So when you first feel the resistance, just push it slightly up and away. When it ‘clicks’ up, let it down slowly. I’ll tell you when it’s in place. Got it?”

“Got it,” Nova said, letting a little more magic flow into his horn.

"Alright,” Sky Bolt said, pressing her hooves against the side of the boiler unit. “And up!” The grey pegasus began to flap her wings in earnest, pushing against the boiler. Nova followed suit, pushing the boiler up and forward with his magic and into the hull of The Hummingbird. There was a moment of resistance as the boiler came up against something and he increased the pressure, putting more magic through his horn. With an abrupt ‘click’ the boiler jerked forward, and Nova reduced his magic as the boiler collided with whatever was past the resistance.

“Whoah, easy there!” Sky Bolt called out as the boiler stopped with the heavy thunk of metal on metal. “Just hold it there for a second.” She vanished from his view, ducking down and under the boiler and folding her wings as she vanished into the innards of the airship. There were a few muted clanks, and then she reappeared, snapping her wings out as she resumed her previous position. “Okay,” she said. “Nothing damaged, just worried me for a bit. It’s already all lined up, so you can let ‘er down all nice and easy.”

Nova nodded without speaking and slowly began to let gravity take control once more, reducing the amount of magic and his telekinetic grip on the superboiler at the same time. The boiler began to descend, and he could feel it sliding further back against his grip as gravity took hold.

“Is it set in rails or something?” he asked as the downward slide stopped. He let go of his magic completely, the yellow glow vanishing from the boiler.

“Yup,” Sky Bolt said as she flew over to a workbench and grabbed a tool in her teeth. “It’s a bit more complicated than that, but that’s the general idea.” She flew back to the opening in the side of the airship and clamped the wrench down on something he couldn’t see, pulling the handle back with one hoof. “Now that I’ve got it set in place,” she said, skillfully manipulating the wrench with her front hooves. “I can just tighten it down and connect everything.”

“Why the rails then?” Nova asked, trotting over to the opening and looking up at the mass of piping he’d just helped install some ten or twelve feet above him.

“Ease and modularity,” Sky Bolt said, wiping her forehead with a hoof and leaving a track of grease across it. “Plus, if needed, it should make it easier to fix this thing in the field. The boiler will just pop in and out. All you have to do—” she said, letting out a grunt as she gave the wrench a kick with her rear legs. “Is remove the clamps holding it in place and it’ll come out just as easy as it went in. Pass me those locking bolts, would you?” she asked, pointing at a pile of thick, heavy bolts scattered on a nearby desk. Nova complied, lifting them with his magic and floating them over to the grey pegasus, who plucked one in her teeth and vanished behind the boiler.

“Yeah, I wanted something that could be repaired or replaced if it needed to be,” Sky Bolt said, her voice echoing out of the airship's innards. There was a muted metallic ping and a few moments later she slid around the boiler once more, grabbing three bolts before ducking back inside. “It’s also modular with other boilers of my design,” she said. “So if we needed more steam, we can connect them to each other with only a little bit of modification, and we’ve got ourselves a bigger boiler.”

Nova frowned as he thought about it. “Well aren’t these superboilers of yours pretty powerful? Why would we need to make them bigger?”

Sky Bolt stuck her head out from under the boiler. “I have no idea,” she said, grinning. “But if we need to, we can! More bolts!” Nova complied, sending another few of the heavy metal rods floating towards her. “‘Anths,” she said through the bolts, her head vanishing back into the ship.

“So what about pressure problems?” Nova asked, looking up at the cylindrical array of piping. “I’m not an engineer, but wouldn’t hooking a few of these together be hard on them?”

“It wouldn’t be a pressure problem,” Sky Bolt said, grabbing the last few bolts and then flapping her way along the side of the boiler, dropping them into place. “Here, shove those in if you could, would you?” she asked as the last bolt dropped into place. “But in regards to your question, these babies are made of enchanted steel. They can take twice the pressure that they’ll handle at recommended top output.” She rapped a hoof on the steel piping for emphasis. “These babies are pretty much superior to a normal boiler in every way but one.”

“And what’s that one?” Nova asked, grabbing one of the bolts in his magic and pushing it down until the far end poked out.

Sky Bolt gave an exaggerated sigh. “They’re super expensive. I mean really expensive.” She motioned towards the other superboiler where it was sitting pointed skyward near the front of the ship. “Even working at Canterlot Cloudrunners, I had to pour way too much of my own money into building it. For the price of that boiler, you could get, oh,” she paused, hoof under her chin. “Say maybe twenty or thirty regular sized boilers.” Nova’s eyes widened at the number. “Yeah,” she said with a laugh. “And you really only get about two or three times as much power out of it, so while it’s smaller, it’s not nearly as cost-effective.”

“So why not just use regular boilers for Hummingbird then?” Nova asked as Sky Bolt gestured to a pile of locking nuts that were sitting on the desk near where the bolts had been. He cupped his magic under them and lifted them over, grabbing one in a separate field and following Sky Bolt’s lead as she tightened it onto one of the bolts.

“Space constraints, mainly.” Sky Bolt said as she finished tightening a bolt. “I wanted an airship that was light and fast, nothing like the slow sky-whales ponies are building nowadays. The Alicorn was a step in the right direction,” she said as he floated another nut up to her and onto the bolt she was moving to. “Thanks. But yeah, step in the right direction, but not nearly enough. I wanted something that could show my parents what it really meant to fly!” she said, pulling on her wrench so hard the last word was almost a grunt. She flapped back and gave her forehead another wipe of her hoof.

“Airships are great, but they can’t do what I can do,” she said, waving a hoof at the structure of The Hummingbird. “I built The Hummingbird to be fast, light and maneuverable. Even with some of the new systems I’ve come up with, I don’t think it will be close to what I’m hoping for, but it will at least come a bit closer to letting my parents know exactly what life is like for me. If nothing else, the Captain is going to be happy to have the fastest, most maneuverable airship ever built under his command.”

“Is this thing really going to be that much better?” Nova asked, stepping back and looking at the vaguely triangular shape of the hull.

“Of course!” Sky Bolt said with a nod. “It’s years ahead of anything else.” She flapped back and pointed towards a strange looking depression on the side of the hull. “Do you know what that’s for?” Nova shook his head. “It’s a depression designed to improve the forward speed of The Hummingbird. It works off of a pressure principle to make the ship pull itself forward as it moves. There’s a matching one on the other side.”

“Huh,” Nova said, feeling genuinely impressed. “So although it looks like it’d drag, it actually makes the ship move faster?”

Sky Bolt nodded. “Same principle as a golf ball.” Nova frowned and she rolled her eyes. “Trust me, it makes sense,” she said, popping her wrench onto another nut and giving it a final twist. “What I’d really like to do is find a way to reduce the envelope size and shape,” she said, looking up at the top of the hull where the airship's envelope was going to be attached. “Currently it’s just too big and unwieldy to get any really good sort of maneuverability or speed.” She looked down at the wrench, giving it a final jerk. “Ah well, back to work. This side's done for now, are you rested enough to move that other boiler?” she asked with a gesture towards the remaining mass of pipe.

“Ready and set,” Nova said, trotting over to the boiler. “Just give me the go. Same as before, right?”

“Yep,” Sky Bolt said as she flew over the top of the hull rather than around it. “Top end faces towards the back, bottom towards the front. Rotate as needed, push in.”

“Alright,” Nova said, lighting his horn and letting a wave of magic pulse out of him and wrap around the array of twisted pipes. “I’m bringing it over now.” He pushed more magic through his horn, the boiler lifting from the ground.

“Sweet,” Sky Bolt said, tapping her hoof against the hull in time with the thumping electric beats from the workshop's speakers. “Let's get this done and then we can get cracking on that armor.”


*        *        *


“This is, you understand, most distressing,” the Princess said, looking down at the note. “And you say that your lieutenant received it with one of the reports from the Royal Guard?”

Steel nodded, understanding her seriousness completely. Even if Captain Armor’s reaction to the note hadn’t been what it was, the fact that merely showing the note to the Princess had been enough for her to call the Day Court to a halt, dismissing everypony but the Guard, was testament enough.

“Yes, your highness,” he said, bowing his head. “He didn’t think much of it at the time, and neither did I.” He looked over at Captain Armor, who was still taking deep breaths from the run to the throne room. “But I see that the signature is cause for alarm.”

“It is, Captain Song,” Celestia said, rising from her throne. “Most ponies are not even aware that someone simply known as the Violet Heart exists. The Royal and Night Guard had only heard rumors until recently. Then the Violet Heart made themselves known to us in a most alarming manner.”

“What did he—or she—do?” Steel asked, looking at Captain Armor. The stallion's face had become an impassive mask.

“He or she, assuming that the Violet Heart can be classified as such, warned us of the Changeling invasion,” Princess Celestia said in a calm, clear tone.

Steel’s eyes grew wide at the revelation. “Wait, you mean that’s how the Guard knew to put up a dome? And why everypony was on high alert?”

“It was,” Captain Armor said, his voice sounding drained. “The note didn’t tell us who, what, or how. It simply gave the magnitude of the threat: an invading army that would attempt to ambush us by surprise, already infiltrating Canterlot,” he let out a sigh. “All that preparation and we nearly fell to them anyway.”

“It was not your fault, Shining,” the Princess said, her voice stern. “You did everything in your power. Even I was fooled by Queen Chrysalis, remember that. You cannot hold any blame for what happened. Besides,” she said, her voice growing soft. “You and Cadance were the ones who saved all of us.”

“So this note didn’t even tell you that you were facing changelings, is that correct?” Steel asked. Princess Celestia turned towards him in surprise, almost as if she’d forgotten he was there.

“No,” she said after taking a second to regain her serene composure. “It did not. And yet it was all we had to warn us of what could have been the complete and utter ruin of Canterlot.”

“So why be so vague?” Steel asked, focusing his eyes on the note still floating in front of the Princess.

“We don’t know,” Captain Armor said. “The Guard had heard of the Violet Heart before, but always only in rumor. In fact, quite a few of us considered it nothing more than a myth being used to keep our investigations running in circles.”

“What were the rumors?” Steel asked, his eyes still fixed on the note.

Captain Armor shrugged. “They were almost unbelievable, really. Faint whispers of an information service that knew almost everything, trading information across Equestria and even in other nations. We even arrested a smuggler who claimed to have bought information from them, but he couldn’t even give us a description. Most of us just figured it was a rumor, something that could be a wild goose chase to keep the Guard from doing more important work.”

“Who didn’t think that?” Steel asked.

“Well,” Captain Armor said, looking surprised at the question. “I didn’t for one. Everypony’s stories clicked together too nicely for it to be something that could be a hoax. Too many disconnected elements that had collaborating ideas, similar situations, even when they didn’t have contact with others who shared the same story. Then, there was the information that these ponies were getting. Treaty documentation, royal court decisions, stuff that they shouldn’t have been able to access so quickly.”

“That sounds like a pretty good evidence case right there,” Steel pointed out. “Why didn’t anypony take that and run with it?”

“It sounds better than it really was,” Captain Armor said with a shake of his head. “That was information we collected over six years. The case file for the Violet Heart to this day consists of four reports, collected over that entire six year period, and the note we received before the invasion.”

“And now this,” Princess Celestia said, looking at the note. “There must be more to these thefts then we know, for an individual like the Violet Heart to get involved. Captain Armor?”

“Yes, your highness?” he asked, snapping to attention at the formal use of his title.

“I need to you to give copies of everything that you have on the Violet Heart to Captain Song. Captain Song?” She turned towards Steel, the note floating over and hanging in the air  in front of him where he could easily pluck it from her magical grasp. She then stepped forward, staring down at him with a stern visage that made part of him want to shiver and back away. There was an ageless power that seemed to surround her, radiating from her body.

“Yes, your highness?” he asked, bowing his head slightly.

“I know your team has made great strides in getting to the root of these robberies.” the Princess said, her voice warm. “You’ve discovered several startling connections as well, from the thefts in the Crystal Caverns to the way that the railways were being robbed. Now I have only one thing to ask of you.” She bent down, coming eye to eye with him. “Find whoever is behind this, and discover why the Violet Heart sees them as a threat to Equestria.”


*        *        *


“Alright, that’s that!” Sky Bolt said, flipping her body backwards as she pushed away from the side of The Hummingbird, spreading her wings. Nova watched as the grey pegasus spun herself in the air, twisting her body and gliding down towards the floor to land on all four hooves. She looked at him and smirked. “Enjoying the show?”

“What? No! I mean—not?” His protests were cut off as she busted up with laughter, going airborne and clutching her sides. “Too easy!” she managed to stammer between laughs. “Way too easy!”

Nova rolled his eyes. “I was thinking about how nice it would have been to have had wings back in the day,” he said, turning away from Sky Bolt with a groan and heading towards a stack of massive crystal slabs at the far end of the workshop

“Hey yeah,” Sky Bolt said, appearing next to him with a grin on her face. “I’ll bet that would be useful. Did you ever meet any pegasus thieves?”

“A few times,” Nova said, thinking back. “There was one pair I really remember though. Sisters, real braggarts. I think both of them got caught after a few years though.”

“Really?” Sky Bolt asked, surprise evident on her face. “How’d that happen?”

Nova shrugged. “Same way most thieves get caught. Overconfidence.” Sky Bolt darted ahead, settling down behind a workbench that was cluttered with bits and pieces of crystal as well as quite a few things he couldn’t even begin to identify. What appeared to be a helmet constructed entirely of crystal was the center of the workbench, the tools and other paraphernalia all orbiting around it.

“Taking too big a haul?” Sky Bolt asked as she settled behind the desk, examining the crystal helmet while talking.

Nova shook his head. “No, more like stupidity really. They were using their wings to get into odd crawl spaces and entryways that most ponies wouldn’t think to secure, but they kept hitting bigger and bigger targets.”

“Oh, I gotcha,” Sky Bolt said, plucking the helmet from the bench. “They didn’t stop to think that eventually they’d hit a house where somepony had planned for that.”

Nova nodded and clicked his tongue as Sky bolt wandered up to him, the helmet gripped in her teeth. “You got it. Those two morons got so overconfident they tried to hit up the richest part of Las Pegasus. Brought down half the Royal Guard in the city on their heads, and then tried to fight their way out.”

“Didn’t go well, huh?” Sky Bolt asked, setting the crystal helmet back on the corner of the workbench and grabbing a small tool to make a few quick adjustments to something.

“No, like I said those two never were the brightest,” Nova said as he took a closer look at Sky Bolt’s work. The helmet really wasn’t like anything he’d ever seen. The entire thing was transparent, made of very thin layers of crystal sheeting that had been affixed together in some manner he couldn’t identify. It didn’t look like a helmet either. The helmets he’d seen the Guard wear were always rounded and straightforward by design, smoothly surfaced. The helmet sitting in front of him almost reminded him of a bug. Rather than smooth edges, it was composed of angled pieces, many of which were triangular. There was a clear piece of crystal covering the eyes, and there were folded crystal triangles along the bottom of the helmet that almost looked as if they would cover a pony's chin.

“There were other, smarter pegasus thieves, though,” he said as he examined the armor. “I just remember those two because they were major braggarts and called me out. Challenged me to best them in thieving,” he explained as Sky Bolt looked up in confusion. She nodded and turned back to her helmet.

“So did you?” she asked after a moment of silence.

“Well, at the time I said no,” Nova said, smiling as he thought back. “But really it was just to egg them on. I told them they weren’t worth my time. Then, after they got caught, I broke into every house on that same street. The very next night in fact.”

Sky Bolt looked up, her mouth wide. “How much did you make?”

“Make?” Nova grimaced. “That wasn’t how I operated. I only ever took what I needed. I didn’t ‘make’ anything off the job.”

“Then what did you—”

“I didn’t make anything,” he said, cutting her off. “But I definitely left an impression.” He grinned, holding his head up high. “I stole every jewel I could get my hooves on and left them in the jewelry box of the house next door. Did it to the whole block. Even made the news.” Sky Bolt was staring at him, her jaw wide open. “I take it you’re impressed,” Nova said, still grinning.

Sky Bolt shook her head. “I think it just occured to me how glad I am to have you on our side.” She looked back down at the helmet and then cocked her head to one side, eyes focused on something distant as if deep in thought. “How’d you do it?” she asked at last, her attention returning to the helmet.

“Varied from house to house,” Nova said as he dug through his memories, trying to unearth some of the specifics. “I remember that one of the places had a really complex security system, one that required everypony to wear these magic badges when they entered the house to avoid setting off the field, so I just stopped by the place that had installed the security spell and swiped myself a blank.” He chuckled as he remembered how easy it’d been to clear the place out after he’d gotten that. “Another place had a couple of dogs plus security spells, so I got the dogs to set off the alarm on the other end of the grounds and robbed them while everypony was busy.” Sky Bolt was staring at him now, eyes wide in disbelief. “What?” he asked. “You don’t believe me?”

“Actually,” Sky Bolt said, picking the helmet up from the workbench in her hooves. “I think I do, and that’s the crazy part. Anyway, you ready to test this?”

Nova shrugged. “Sure. What do I need to do?”

“For now,” Sky Bolt said, settling the helmet around his head, “just put it on.”

“Ok,” Nova said, reaching up with his good hoof and adjusting the helmet around his horn. The helmet was a loose fit, tilting back and forth as he moved his head and tapping against his horn in an annoying manner. Worse, he realized, it didn’t even have holes for his ears to escape. “You know,” he said, his voice sounding somewhat echoed to his flattened ears. “This thing's pretty uncomfortable.”

“It’s only a test model,” Sky Bolt said, her voice slightly muffled by the light crystal. “How’s the weight?”

“Light as a feather,” Nova said, putting a hoof to the side of his head. There was a strange itching sensation in the back of his mind, like something was tickling the inside of his head. “Something feels funny though, I’m not sure what it is.”

“So those two pegasi that you showed up,” Sky Bolt said, abruptly changing the topic. “How’d they take being upstaged?”

Nova started to laugh. “Oh Tartarus,” he said between chuckles. “They were mad!” He started to laugh harder. Mirth was welling up inside of him. “I’d never thought about it,” he said between laughs, “but it’s hilarious how mad they were!”

He started to laugh harder and harder, tears leaking from his eyes. A small part of him tried to say that something was wrong, that there was no way that it had been that funny, but he squashed it. What did it know? He laughed harder. The whole world was funny, why had he never noticed before? Tears were running from his eyes now, his sides aching, but he kept laughing. He was floating on laughter, he was—

Sky Bolt pulled the helmet off and the feeling vanished, the strange buzz in his head fading away. Nova stopped laughing , suddenly aware of his aching sides.

“What—” he gasped, trying to catch his breath. “What in Tartarus was that?” He sat there, panting and staring at the helmet, his euphoria giving away to fear and anger.

“A defective design apparently,” Sky Bolt said, giving the helmet a disappointed scown and tossing it on the workbench. “Drat.”

“What do you mean defective?” Nova asked, rubbing his head. The strange tingle was gone, but the memory of it wasn’t fading quite so fast. “What was that?”

“It’s why Dawn wanted you to test the armor rather than her,” Sky Bolt said, walking around behind the desk and sitting down with a disappointed sigh. "I knew I should have made a less ornate prototype,” she said batting the helmet with one hoof. She looked up at him. “You know how magic operates differently with emotions right?” Nova nodded, deciding not to tell her that he’d only learned that fact the night before. 

“Well,” Sky Bolt said. “The idea behind this armor is that it’s resistant and reflective to magic. That’s why I needed a certain type of crystal, one that was resistant to magic instead of easy to work with. It’ll dampen and redistribute powerful magic, and actually reflect low level spells.”

“Problem is,” she said, avoiding his eyes, “no one’s ever tried because it’ll reflect a pony's own magic back at them.”

Nova frowned. “So I started laughing, and then it reflected my own emotions back at me, which made me laugh harder, which then reflected back ...”

“Yeah,” Sky Bolt said. “You end up overwhelming yourself with your own emotions. That’s why I’m glad I had something that you at least thought was funny, because I really don’t want to see what would happen if you’d been say, angry with someone.”

Nova blanched at the thought, his ears folding back. “No wonder you wanted to test it on me,” he said, catching up with what Dawn had said earlier that day. “I’m the magical powerhouse of the group.”

“Exactly,” Sky Bolt said, confirming his theory. She clopped her hoof on the workbench. “If I can get the latticework right, the reflection outside of the armor will still work while the inside won’t.” She looked back up at Nova, a frustrated snarl on her face. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Ah well,” she said, looking down at the failed helmet. “Wanna give me a hand slicing off some crystal sheets to try and make a new one?”

“It’s that easy?” Nova asked as Sky Bolt hopped away from the desk, trotting over towards the stacked sections of crystal.

“Well,” Sky Bolt said with a shake of her head. “Not really, but if you hold this stuff I can cut it, and it’ll go a lot quicker. I could get another helmet thrown together, albeit a basic one, in maybe fifteen minutes.” She chewed on her lower lip for a second, eyes shut and darting around rapidly behind her eyelids. “Maybe if I give it an alternating layer ...” Her eyes snapped open. “Yes! That might work! Here, levitate this will you?” she asked, pointing at one of the sheets of crystal.

Nova obliged, reaching out with his magic and lifting the crystal into the air. He could feel the resistance that Sky Bolt had mentioned. The crystal felt slippery in his grip, like it was coated in oil.

“Perfect,” Sky Bolt said. “Now just bring it over this way.” She trotted over to a table-like machine, and he followed, carefully keeping hold of the slick crystal slab.

I should ask her something, try to learn a bit more about her, Nova thought as Sky Bolt guided the crystal sheet over the table and then had him lower it. It was in impressive sheet, almost twice as long as most ponies and about as wide, although less than a quarter of an inch thick. Loyalty has to start somewhere, right?

“So,” he said as Sky Bolt sat there taking measurement. “You mentioned something when we were working on the airship.”

“Uh-huh?” Sky Bolt said without looking up. She was bent over the sheet of crystal now, making a fine, thin line along one corner with a marker.

“Well, it made me curious,” Nova said. “What’s with you wanting your parents to fly?”

Sky Bolt looked back at him, one eyebrow raised. She spit the marker out of her mouth. “My parents are both earth ponies,” she said. “No wings.”

“Wait, really?” Nova asked. “How’d you end up with wings?”

Sky Bolt shrugged as she dropped from the table and pulled a drawer underneath it open. “My great grandmother on my Mom’s side was a pegasus,” she said matter of factly. “And on my Dad’s side his great granddad was a pegasus as well.” She pulled a large circular saw out of the drawer, setting it on top of the crystal sheet. “So when my parents got married and moved out to the Southwest to help found a new earth pony village and had me, well … It was a shock.”

“They’re wonderful parents,” she said, turning back from the saw to look at him. “I love them a lot. That bush over there on my sketch bench?” she pointed at a small potted plant covered in pastel blue flowers. “My mother gave that to me when I left and came out here. I never once heard them complaining about having a daughter who could move clouds instead of help plants grow. Actually,” she said with a laugh. “They loved that. That’s why I love my parents, they always supported me and helped me find out who I was.”

“So I want to pay them back,” she said, pushing one side of her mane behind her ear with a free hoof and adding another small grease track along her forehead. “When I was younger, about nine or ten years ago, my parents took me hiking and I was showing off some new tricks I’d learned. You know, barrel rolls, backflips, stuff like that. Anyway, my mom, she was just laying there in the sun, watching me, and she said she wished she knew what it was like for me to fly.”

“So,” she said, waving a hoof at the hull of The Hummingbird, “I set out to do just that. They were complimentary passengers on The Alicorn, but it’s just not the same, you know?” She tilted her head to the side with a shrug. “Captain Song promised me I could give them one of the first rides in The Hummingbird, so as soon as I finish building her, they’ll be here. It might not be the same, but it’ll be a taste.”

“Did you ever look into magic?” Nova asked. “I’m not well educated on spells, but there might be something out there for that.”

Sky Bolt shook her head. “There was only one unicorn in our town until he and his wife had a kid, and his speciality wasn’t anything like that. Besides,” she said, flexing one foreleg. “If I do something for my parents, I want to be the one to do it for them. I can’t do magic. Well, not unicorn magic anyway.” She spun back around and grabbed the handle of the saw in her teeth. “You might want to step back!” she yelled as her own ears folded flat against her skull. “This is really loud, and crystal dust hurts to breathe!”

She took a deep breath and clamped her jaw down on the saws trigger, bringing it to life with a high pitched whine. Nova stepped back, his own ears flat against his head as Sky Bolt guided the spinning blade into the crystal with her front hooves. The moment the thin blade made contact with the crystal a piercing shriek began to echo around the room, drowning out all sound but the lowest of the thumping bass notes coming from the workshop speakers.

A fine spray of crystalline dust began to spray out behind the saw, and Nova focused his magic, thinking back to one of the spells he’d been working on. The fine magic resistant dust would be difficult to levitate, but a simple gust of air would pick it right up. He summoned a small cyclone, gritting his teeth against the noise and simultaneously trying to cover both his ears as best as possible with his lone free hoof.

After moving the heavy superboilers and the slippery sheet of crystal, Nova had no difficulties with the small whirlwind. He guided it around behind Sky Bolt as she made her cuts, collecting sprays of crystal dust as best he was able. Then, after what felt like far too long, the saw’s whine stopped, and Nova uncovered his ears.

“Hey, cool idea.” Sky Bolt said as she stepped back from the workbench and saw the small cloud of collected crystal dust swirling in his spell.

“It’s not the most efficient way to collect it,” he said as he lowered the speed until the the swirling dust fell to the workshop floor, sparkling as it caught the overhead light. “But I got most of it.”

“Eh, I can fire up the vacuum system when we’re done,” Sky Bolt said, carefully picking up a few of the crystalline sheets she had cut and setting them on her back. “So, what about your parents?”

“My what?” Nova asked, smacking his cast in surprise and wincing.

“Your parents,” Sky Bolt said as she made her way back towards the desk where she’d had the  crystal helmet. “I told you about mine, why don’t you tell me about yours? I mean, come on,” she said, sliding the crystal pieces onto the workbench. “All I know about you is that you’re a thief who mouths off at the captain from time to time.” She winced as she saw his flinch. “Sorry, that came out a little harsh.”

“No, it’s alright,” Nova said, flicking his ears back up. “I’ve—uh—kind of earned it. Don’t worry about it, ask away.”

“You’re sure?” she asked, pausing and looking him in the eyes.

“Yeah, go ahead and ask.”

“Alright, so then, who were your parents?”

Nova took a deep breath. “I don’t actually know,” he said, letting the words out in a rush.

Sky Bolt looked up from the workbench, a tube of something in her mouth. “You don’t?” she mumbled past the tube.

Nova nodded at her. “I’m an orphan. Some hikers found me in the woods outside Hollow Shades when I was just a foal. Couldn’t even talk yet. Nopony knows how I got there, although there were theories. Teleportation accident, or something. But nopony claimed me or reported me missing, and I got sent to Manehatten, put in an orphanage.”

He was vaguely aware that Sky Bolt had put the tube down and was listening intently, but he continued. “It wasn’t bad, I grew up with friends, and the caretaker at the orphanage was the sweetest pony. We loved her, and she loved us. Right up until the moment that she didn’t.” The words felt hollow leaving his mouth.

“She fell in love, and then she was gone, and we had a new caretaker. So, I ran away from home. I found her, begged her to come back, and instead she called the Guard on me and had me escorted back to the orphanage. A week later I left for good.”

His face had drifted down towards the floor without him noticing while he’d been speaking. He pulled his head up to see Sky Bolt staring at him with misty eyes.

“Oh don’t even start,” he said, waving his hoof. “It was a long time ago and I was young and stupid. I made my choices, what matters is where I’m at now.”

“But still—” Sky Bolt began to say.

“Nope, not a topic for discussion,” Nova said, turning his head to the side and raising one hoof. “Anyway, to finish the story, I was homeless and hungry. I stole some food, almost got caught, and learned for the next time. A few months later I hopped on a train to Baltimare, and from there to Canterlot, and then on to Vanhoover, and ...” he let his voice trail off, and frowned. “I thought the point was to talk while we worked, or at least while you worked,” he said, pointing at the undisturbed crystal pieces.

“What? Oh! Right! Whoops!” Sky Bolt said, giving an embarrassed laugh as she picked up one of the pieces in her hooves. “Sorry, it was just interesting. I think I get—well—you, just a little bit more now.” She picked the tube up in her mouth and bit down, squeezing something Nova couldn’t identify out of it onto the edge of the crystal.

Nova shrugged. “Just don’t … Don’t pity me for it. I know it wasn’t the best life, and I made some stupid choices, but I don’t want any pity for my mistakes.”

Sky Bolt spat the tube from her mouth and stuck the crystal sheet up against another piece, fitting them together. “But general joking and sarcasm is ok, right?”

Nova gave her a smirk and shook his head. “Yeah,” he said. “That’ll be alright.”

“What about friendship?” she asked, staring at him intently.

Nova’s mind raced. A month ago, he would have said the same thing he’d always said. No friends, just jobs. But then, that life hadn’t really been that fulfilling, had it? No, he thought. It wasn’t. Besides, wouldn’t this be the first step anyway? Actually being friends? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d called anyone a friend without a sarcastic slide to it. Why not? A small, rational part of his brain was saying. What could it hurt to finally have someone you could call a friend?

Nova looked up. Sky Bolt was still looking at him, waiting for a response. He could see she was getting nervous, one ear of hers was twitching. 

I can’t say no, he thought, as Captains Song’s orders came to mind. If I can’t let her befriend me, how can I trust her, or anyone else on the team?

Sky Bolt let out held breath and sat back, a slightly surprised look on her face. “Guess no—”

“No!” Nova said, startling her. “I will! I mean … Yeah. Friends. Ok?”

Sky Bolt looked at him for a moment. “Took you long enough to answer,” she said, giving him a sceptical eye, one brow raised.

Nova let out a laugh. “Yeah, well, the whole ‘friend’ thing?” he said, making a quote with his good hoof. “It's kind of new to me.”

“Well,” Sky Bolt said, letting go of the two crystals and giving a little grin when they stayed together. “At least you’ve got a whole team to figure it out with.”

“Yeah, right...” Nova said, sitting back. “You almost done there? I’m getting bored.”

“Hold your horses,” Sky Bolt said, picking the tube of goo up in her mouth and applying a generous dollop to the crystal edge. “This stuff needs to set, unless you want a crystal sheet glued to your mane.”

“No thanks,” he muttered.

“Aw, why not?” she asked, grinning. “You could try a new look. Maybe a mohawk.”

“You mean like a certain zebra on our team that you keep eyeing?” Nova asked with a smirk. It morphed to a full grin as Sky Bolt gave an “eep” and flushed bright red. “Seriously, you stare at his flank often enough that your eyeballs could be his cutie mark.”

“You—you—” Nova started laughing as Sky Bolt stammered at him, her face flushing a bright red. “You’re gonna wind up wearing one of these helmets permanently,” she finally managed as Nova fell backwards on the floor of the shop, laughing so hard he could barely breathe for the second time that day.

“Alright, alright,” he managed to say between breaths. “I’ll drop it, I swear.”

“You’d better,” Sky Bolt said, her face still flushed red. “Or you’ll find out exactly how big a disaster I can engineer.”

“I’m good, don’t worry,” Nova said, sitting back up. “So I guess we should talk about other things then, you know.” He tapped his hoof on his chin thoughtfully. “Hey, I know, as a friend, you can help me out,” he said, leaning forward. “You see, I need to get some help with my flexibility, and I know Sabra can give me a hand. Could you tell me what his best stretches are?”

Nova ducked a second later, a tube of glue flying through the space where his head had just been.
> Operation - Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6


Hunter groaned out loud as he read over the report. Nothing, he thought as he looked at the scant pages. Absolutely nothing.

Well, he was forced to admit after a moment. Not entirely nothing. They had the warehouse where the golems had been coming from, and three more golems had been recovered. But as far as clues to the identity of whoever was running this little ring? Nothing.

The Night Guard had done a great job in Baltimare. A pair of pegasi had flown out of Canterlot the same night they’d had their tangle with the first golem, bearing the addresses they’d gotten from the ERS. The address on the shipping manifests had led them to a warehouse district in the southern section of the city. 322 Palomine Street, he thought as he read the report. Warehouse was empty, containing nothing of value. Inspection team found splinters of wood and a golem. Golem deactivated, examined. Hunter nodded to himself as he read over a quick description of the golem. It sounded functionally identical to the one that their team had engaged. They’d get a better report later, but for now he’d assume it was.

The warehouse had been rented, although the owner hadn’t been able to tell them anything about who had rented it. The lease had been handled remotely, the payments delivered by via unmarked envelopes, and he’d never once had contact with whoever actually used the property. He was able to put them in contact with a local delivery company that had been responsible for hauling the golem-crates to the nearest railway station, but the situation was similar. All their work orders had been paid in cash, submitted remotely, and the crates had been waiting out front when the crew arrived. Deliveries were handled the same way, the team simply picked up the crates at the station, transported them to the warehouse, and left them outside as instructed.

Unsurprisingly, the name on the lease and the delivery forms was completely fabricated, as was the address associated with it. The closest that the Guard had been able to  determine from the paper used was that it had only been handled by a unicorn, which given the magical state of the golems they had encountered, only cemented the idea that a unicorn was in fact associated with the project.

Hunter finished the report and slid away across the desk. The next report down was from Los Pegasus. Again, the Royal Guard had done good work, and again the scenario was almost identical to the report from Baltimare. The crates had been picked up from the railway station by a local company that was operating under advance pay and instructions that were regularly delivered to their office, but always during closing hours. The result was much the same as well. They would deliver the crate to a rented warehouse—again rented in the same manner—and then a few days later pick up the crate and put it back on the train. When asked if they’d ever noticed anything unusual about the crate, the team had replied that it often seemed like it hadn’t moved, but as they’d sent different workers every time, it was rare that they were able to agree on that.

Hunter shifted through the rest of the reports. They all read similarly. False identities were used, each of them different. In each case the warehouse rented was empty, nothing more than a shell that held the golem. In several locations the Guard had staked out the warehouse, taking care to keep their investigations secret in hopes of catching somepony arriving over the next few days, but that would take time.

Plus, Hunter reflected as he set the last report down, with two other golems already plucked from the railways and the one found at the origin point in Baltimare, he doubted they would catch anyone. It wouldn’t hurt to try, and they could always get lucky, but anypony that went through this much trouble to stay out of sight probably wasn’t going to miss the report of a monster attack on the trains hitting every newspaper in Equestria. The newsponies got quicker everyday, and many newspapers had lightning quick marathon pegasi on their payrolls whose only job was to get news from one town to the other as quickly as possible. The golem’s masters had probably known about their cover being blown before the Guard had even found the warehouses.

No, they probably wouldn’t catch anypony. Then again, it couldn’t hurt, and they could get lucky. He leaned back in his chair, mind working to digest the different info he’d taken in. Steel wanted him to put the pieces together and track down whoever was behind this. It wasn’t quite woodland's tracking, but who was to say that his talent was just for the forests? He peered at the cutie mark on his flank. Tracking was just a matter of reading the signs. So what signs do we have here? He leaned back in his chair, looking down at his desk.

Music always helps me relax, he thought after a moment. He rose to his hooves, trotting across his small office towards the back wall where two instruments lay. Hunter stood there for a moment, deciding between the two instruments, and then picked up the strap of his saxophone in his teeth. 

Tossing himself back in his seat, he put his lips over the mouthpiece, tapped his tongue against the reed, and started to play. Nothing complex, nothing he’d learned, just notes. A soft slow groove to help him think. One more reason to be grateful for the soundproofing Sky Bolt built into this place, he thought as the long notes filled the room. I don’t have anypony busting my door down to complain about this.

So what do we have, and what can we draw from it with this case? he thought as his hooves moved up and down the sax. He hit a wrong note and grimaced at the discordance, shifting his hooves accordingly.

Well, everything was carried out with as little contact as possible, he thought, running through a scale with his sax. The leases and shipments were all done through paperwork, with no face-to-face contact. So either the group wanted intense anonymity, or they were short hooved. Come to think of it ... He leaned forward, his eyes running over the various papers.

Bingo! The payments! He pulled the sax away from his mouth for a moment, eyes focused. The payments at the place in Baltimare were made biweekly, but the payments at the other places were made bimonthly. He sat back, sax again humming out notes. So it’s probably a small operation, otherwise they’d be making the far off payments more regularly.

He let the notes from his sax flow around him, cocooning him in a comforting sound. So if the only place that was paid biweekly was Baltimare, then they’re probably operating out of there, or at least nearby. It wasn’t a lot to go on, but it was something. His ear twitched as another thought occurred to him, and he set his saxophone aside for a moment, opening a drawer and pulling out the railway timetables he’d spent so much time pouring over. He picked up a pen, looking back and forth from the schedule to the reports and making little annotations.

“Crikey,” he said, sitting back. It all lined up. Every single payment outside of Baltimare had been made on a day when a connecting train had come in, the dates lining up cleanly enough that he could have drawn a map. The payments to the warehouse in Canterlot had come first each time, followed by Los Pegasus, Tall Tale, and Vanhoover on the western coast, and then looping over to Manehatten and Hollow Shades.

“Alright,” he said, sitting back and considering their next move. We’ve got a small team from the look of it, working out of Baltimare and using the railway as their method of both theft and transit. The problem was that Baltimare was a big place, one of the larger cities in Equestria, and home to a lot of industry. Between Horseshoe Bay being a major harbor for shipping—almost as much as Manehatten—as well as producing quite a few crops and metals, there was no shortage of places to look.

Or to hide. Hunter frowned as he sat back. The team might have even tipped their hoof already, between the news and the golems they’d secured. Whoever they were after could just vanish, pull up their entire operation and disappear.

Or could they? He could always cross-check the rail records and see if there were any consistent passengers from Baltimare on the dates he’d found. That could be a lead. There was the profitability angle as well. That could make it tricky to hide.

From what they’d seen, the only profitable theft so far had been the crystals from the caverns, and there was already an alert out on those. It would be difficult to sell them even in most international markets, not at a price that would make it worth the hassle. If they just up and vanished now, they were most likely taking a loss. Unless they’d already gotten the cavern crystals out of the country. But then why keep expanding the robberies? Robberies had increased after the Crystal Caverns had been robbed, which meant more golems, which meant a loss. So it still didn’t make sense, unless the robberies were somehow profitable. Which they weren’t under any circumstance he knew of.

So what else can they be up to? he thought, notes tumbling from his saxophone, forming a jazzy, unguided tune that meandered almost as much as his mind. Maybe if I took a step back, he thought, like Fetlock Holmes  did in all his books. What was it he said? He scrunched his eyes up as he tried to remember the famous quote. Right. “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” Well, he thought, hooves gliding up and down the saxophone. There’s definitely room for that here. 

It was impossible that the thefts were making any sort of real profit. And they hadn’t been trying for a museum job, at least not that anyone could tell. They’d left too much evidence of their passing at the museum for anypony rational to attempt that again, so that was out. And the Crystal Caverns crystal still hadn’t shown up anywhere that the Guard had eyes or ears. So their motive can’t be money, he thought. At least, not in any immediate gain. So what else could be motivation here?

Could someone be testing the golems? Seeing what they were capable of? He shook his head, dismissing the idea almost as quickly as it had come. No, something like that would be much easier done out of the public eye, not in it, and even if the golems had stripped them of their funds, there were plenty of places to test the golems. He snorted and rolled his eyes. Tartarus, they could just use one of the warehouses they’d rented. No, that idea was out.

What about economic? He thought back to some of the conversations he’d heard at the diplomatic dinner. As near as he could tell, the ERS was a backbone of the Equestrian economy, providing everything from cheap transport to bulk shipping. The string of thefts had been negatively affecting their bottom line and their stock, and if enough ponies balked from a company that was suffering theft after theft, the results could send Equestria’s economy into a tailspin.

Then again, it would take more than just a few thefts. ERS would need to go completely bankrupt for such a scheme to work, and a number of other companies would need to suffer drawbacks at the same time. Complexity on such a scale would require the backing of maybe a government, and Hunter couldn’t think of any national neighbors who would harbor that kind of ill-will towards Equestria, or stand to benefit from it. The closest neighbor he could think of that even had somewhat less than glorious relations at the moment was Saddle Arabia, and they saw subterfuge as dishonorable. He’d put more stock in Diamond Dog tribes being behind it than the honorable Saddle Arabians.

So that one was incredibly unlikely, which meant that the scheme had to be local. What other motivations would there be? The only outcomes so far to the thefts had been a slightly panicky public, lower stock options, a call for Celestia and Luna to step down—

He sat up, ears erect. Stocks were down, the company was in a bind, and one stallion had been calling for the Princesses to sell their shares! “It fits,” he said, setting his saxophone aside and looking down at the papers spread out across from him. “Golden Spike hires somepony to build the golems for him, sends his own company into a downward spin, and then buys up additional stock when the rest of the backers force the Princesses to withdraw.”

He sat back, stunned. It was bold. Risky even. Everypony at the diplomatic dinner knew how ruthless Golden Spike had become with his business acquisitions, the connection wasn’t exactly hard to make. But connections and actual proof … He frowned. Even if it was an appealing idea, it was just that. An idea, one that seemed questionable even looking back at it. Would somepony ever be that desperate? There were plenty of other ways to buy your way into a company, after all. Golden Spike didn’t seem short of funds.

He shook his head and picked up his sax once more. There had to be more to to it. Besides, while it fit some of the criteria for the thefts, it definitely didn’t fit all of them. Why would Golden Spike steal from the Crystal Caverns? What was the business tycoon going to do with multiple tons of magically reactive magical crystal? He certainly couldn’t use it with any of his businesses. Nor could Hunter think of a single reason why the businesscolt would attempt to rob a museum.

He began to play again, notes sliding out of the saxophone, this time recognizable as a faintly jazzy tune he’d heard performed once in a club, although he couldn’t remember the name. Something about time and hallways by some performers called One Up? He shook his head as the tune flowed out. The music is for focus, Hunter, he berated himself. Stay on task.

He sank back in his chair, eyes closed, mind alert. What about a revenge scheme? he thought, giving the idea the barest bit of a chance before shooting it down. Too misdirected, not enough actual revenge, unless someone hates a baggage handler. And there’d be a lot better ways to go about it.

Crystal market price fluctuation? He shook his head. Not a chance. The kinds of material that had been stolen were nothing somepony could influence the market with. Even in much more massive quantities, Hunter couldn’t see it.

But what if it was Golden Spike? Hunter frowned as the thought came up again. He’d have to move in the next few days, before the initial panic wore off concerning the golem. Once word got around that the thefts' source had been found, the wariness that had sprung up around the ERS would start to fade.

In fact, it didn’t exactly have to be Golden Spike, either. There were quite a few wealthy shareholders on the ERS board, several of them wealthy noble families with enough funding to at least purchase portions of the Princesses' shares. According to the few papers Hunter had perused, Golden seemed to have an unofficial alliance with many of them, or if nothing else a sympathy vote, as many of the newspapers had learned that only two votes—Mint and Radiant—had been against ousting the Princesses and their stock.

“Alright then,” Hunter said, sitting up and placing his sax carefully to one side. “Assuming that profit is the motive ...” he let his voice trail off. It was still a pretty far-fetched idea, especially for somepony like Golden Spike. But with the Royal Guard on their side, they could afford to do a little digging. Maybe see if he’d ever been accused of dirty business dealings in the past. Blackmail, extortion, or maybe backdoor dealings. Uncommon in Equestria, thankfully enough, but they still happened from time to time. If anything like that was associated with Golden, there’d be a record of it somewhere.

Hunter pulled a slip of paper from his desk and began the arduous task of copying down all the associated information into a more condensed form he could give to Steel. Minutes ticked past as he checked and double-checked his information, laying out his theory and each connecting point. At last, he sat back with a sigh, the pen dropping from his mouth as he looked up at the clock. Almost ten, he thought. I’ve been at this for almost two hours.

He sighed as he thought about how much he still had to do. He still needed to take Dawn and find out more about the enchanted crystals that were powering the golems. He felt a small shudder pass through his body. He didn’t like the idea that those golems might be driving somepony mad. The golems were bad enough, but somepony going insane?

Hunter grabbed his report in his teeth and headed for the door. Time to find Steel and pass this theory on, then I need to grab Dawn and—oh horseapples, I forgot about my lunch with Thistle! He frowned, mind working to find some way he could excuse himself from his work.

Drat it all, I’m going to have to bail on her, he thought as he headed out the door. Hope she understands.


*        *        *


Dawn gritted her teeth as Sabra’s hoof slipped past her defenses again, the light tap pushing her off balance and sending her tumbling to the grass. “How do you manage that?” she asked in frustration as she pushed herself up. “That’s the fifth time you’ve slipped past my guard.”

“Your balance is off,” Sabra replied, holding his body in the same position that he had been in when he’d pushed her over. “Kwato Mpole is about balance, as is Maji Kwato.”

“I thought I was balanced,” Dawn said, leaning her weight onto her rear hooves and lifting her front hooves from the ground. 

Sabra shook his head. “You are now,” he said, shifting his weight. “But when I strike ...” His foreleg pushed out. Dawn adjusted her hooves, catching the foreleg between then and—Sabra gave a small push to one side with his captured leg, and Dawn toppled over for a sixth time.

“This is becoming embarrassing,” Dawn said, climbing to her feet again. “I swear by Celestia’s mane, I used to be good at this.”

“Your form isn’t bad,” Sabra said calmly, balancing himself on one hoof. “But your balance is. When I strike, you shift your body, and lose your center. To properly execute Kwato Mpole, one must have perfect balance.”

“Alright then,” Dawn said, drawing herself up. “How do I go about achieving perfect balance?”

The door to the barracks slammed open behind her and Hunter rushed out. As usual, he had his silly looking Stetson on his head, the dark brown surface clashing with the dry straw of his mane. He also had a mouthful of paper, and he was looking around and blinking against the morning sun.

“Have either of you seen Steel?” he asked, his voice muffled.

“He went to speak with Captain Armor of the Royal Guard,” Sabra said, still balancing on one hoof.

“Ah, ok,” Hunter mumbled, his head darting left and right. “Guess I’ll try the Royal Guard barracks then, thanks.” The pegasus took wing, rocketing away into the morning sunlight as he flew off.

“I wonder what that was all about?” Dawn said, looking back at the Zebra.

Sabra shrugged. “I’m sure we will know soon enough.” He cocked his head to one side. “So, shall we practice balance?” Dawn nodded, and Sabra dropped to all four hooves. “Now,” he said, drawing one leg up. “To begin, do as I do,”

Dawn followed, her thoughts already focused back on her practice.


*        *        *


“Golden Spike?” Steel said with surprise, looking up from the that Hunter had handed him. “You think it’s him?”

Hunter shook his head, mane flipping around his shoulders. “Not for certain,” he admitted. “It’s just a theory. But as I see it, he stands to gain the most financially from the thefts.”

“It can’t be him,” Captain Armor said, drawing Steel’s attention back to the unicorn whose office they were all seated in. “We already checked. Unless he’s hiding well enough to avoid a Guard investigation, its not him.”

“You already checked?” Steel looked across Captain Armor’s desk. “Why’d you do that?”

Armor sighed. “Because he’s been accused of dirty dealing before, and every time he’s come up clean.”

“Who by?” Hunter asked. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Not at all,” Armor said with a smile. “It’s a good instinct. Anyway, usually he was accused  by old business rivals,” he said with a wave of his hoof. “Ponies that he’s bested in the market or taken over. He’s actually been subject to several unofficial investigations, and one official, but in every case he comes up clean. But ponies keep accusing him, about once a year like clockwork.”

“If he’s clean, why all the accusations?” Steel asked, his brow furrowed.

“Simple jealousy,” Armor said with a shrug. “Golden’s a bit of a rising star in the business world, and he’s done that because he’s good at being a businesspony. He offers ponies deals that are really good, and then they take them, only to find that they weren’t as good as they thought because the market's just gone into a slide, or the price just doubled, or something like that. But when it comes down to it, he’s straight as an arrow.”

“Huh,” Hunter said, sitting leaning back in one of the office's plush purple chairs. The whole office had a royal purple-and-white theme going to it, the design of which made Steel feel like his own office was downright spartan with its muted browns and wooden tones. Even Armor’s desk looked more alive, decorated with picture frames of friends and family, and of course most prominently his wife.

“So who made the official complaint?” Hunter asked after a moment.

“Two other members of the ERS board actually,” Armor said, leaning forward. “It was one of the first big investigations we had after I was promoted to Captain. I saw them at the diplomatic dinner the other day. Mint Tam and Radiant Twist.”

“Wait, those two?” Hunter said, ears standing up. “I talked with them, they seemed pretty nice. What was the complaint about?”

Armor shrugged. “Same as all the others mostly. They just accused him of using dirty dealings to steal a good chunk of their father’s share in the company and driving him to an early retirement via illness.”

“Did any of it hold up?” Steel asked.

Armor shook his head, one hoof on his helm where it rested on his desk. “No. The investigation was quite clear on that. Golden gave Greenback—their father—a good deal. One that at the time, at least as the judge explained it to us, was pretty fair. He simply couldn’t take advantage of it all, and ended up losing out. Golden gave him a straight deal, one that required an equal amount from both him and Greenback, but Greenback couldn’t keep up with it and ended up having to sell half his share in the company to Golden, and then he left the rest to his daughters when he retired.”

“So when Mint and Radiant are blocking his attempts to get Celestia and Luna to sell their stock, they might not be doing it to defend the Princesses,” Hunter said. “They might just be looking to stop Golden’s expansion.”

“I can’t say much about that,” Armor said, spreading his hooves in front of him and shaking his head. “But I wouldn’t be surprised to hear it. Mint and Radiant, from what I remember, are both quite shrewd themselves. Also ...” he said, leaning forward and motioning towards them with his hoof. “This is off the record, but I wouldn’t put it past them to be holding a grudge towards him. They pushed for his investigation pretty hard.”

“Doesn’t sound like anypony could blame them.” Steel said, thinking of his own parents.

“No, not really,” Armor said. “But back to the point, if it was going to be somepony inside the ERS that was behind this, I wouldn’t expect it to be Golden. And not just because we already checked. From what my officers have told me, Golden is a very hooves-on type of pony. He’d have to be in the thick of it.”

“This is exactly why we need a closer intelligence network,” Steel said, drawing the conversation back to what he and Armor had been discussing when Hunter had arrived. “Had we known about that to begin with, we might have come up with completely different ideas.”

Captain Armor nodded at him. “Yeah. I’ll talk to Star Shot tonight and see what she says, but I think you’re right. A central intelligence division that serves all three divisions would keep us from juggling information.”

“Exactly,” Steel said, looking down at the small note that had kicked off the entire conversation. “And the less of that the better.”

“So what about Mint and Radiant?” Hunter asked, drawing the two Guard Captain’s attentions back to him.

“What about them?” Steel asked.

“Well,” Hunter said, shifting his head to one side as if he wasn’t quite sure he should be speaking up. “If the best profit motive I can find for the crimes is for someone to be taking over the company when the stock is cheap, wouldn’t those two fit into it?”

Steel shook his head. “Wouldn’t work.” Both Armor and Hunter looked at him in surprise.

“Why not?” Hunter asked.

“Simple,” Steel said. “Golden, by virtue of some process I don’t understand, has first choice of any stock that comes up for sale. They’d only be helping him gain more control of the company, and they’d know that.”

“Oh,” Hunter said, sitting back with a look of disappointment on his muzzle.

“Don’t feel too bad, Lieutenant,” Armor said. “You’ve suggested what took my own Guard a few days to work through, and I never even heard them suggest that Twist and Mint could have been behind it.”

“Doesn’t hold water though,” Hunter said with a shake of his head. “Well, back to going starkers trying to figure it all out.”

“You should ask Nova if he’s got any ideas,” Steel suggested. Hunter shook his head.

“I already did,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Punk told me if it was past selling things for profit then he was out of ideas. Well,” he said, tipping his hat. “If you don’t mind ...” his voice trailed off as something on the desk caught his eye.

“Hang on a mo,” he said, stepping forward and looking down at the open folder on the desk. “That’s the note I got that turned me onto the crystals.” He turned, looking up at Steel. “And another note with that same sign. You guys know who it was?”

“Well,” Steel said, mentally drawing himself up. “Sort of. As it turns out—” he began to explain, watching as Hunter’s expression grew more and more dumbfounded. 

“So,” he said as he finished. “As you can imagine now we really need to know what’s going on, because if the last note is anything to go by, these robberies are important. Somehow. Possibly not in the way we think.”

“Well,” Hunter said, a stunned look on his face. “I’ll be gobsmacked. As if I didn’t think this was important enough already, now you’re telling me that it might just involve  the fate of Equestria?”

“Maybe,” Captain Armor said, leaning forward. “I’ll admit I have a hard time seeing it myself.”

“Huh...” Hunter said, still looking slightly dazed. “I guess I’ll get back to work. Maybe I should take a closer look at one of my other ideas.” He snapped a quick salute. “Permission to go chase a new starkers theory, boss?”

“Granted,” Steel said, returning the salute and watching as Hunter trotted out of the room. Then he looked down at the report Hunter had left, still sitting in front of him. “Well,” he said, standing. “That should go for me as well, I need to go see how my mechanic is getting along with a few projects.”

“Alright, I’ll talk to Star Shot tonight—we’re having an officers meeting anyway—and get back to you tomorrow morning. I do have one question though, if you don’t mind, Captain.”

“Not at all,” Steel said, slipping the report into his saddlebags. “What do you need to know?”

“Where,” Captain Armor said, staring at the door, “did your Lieutenant get such an interesting accent?”


*        *        *


“Are you sure this is going to work this time?” Nova asked, eyeing the boxy helmet with uncertainty.

“Better than last time if nothing else,” Sky Bolt said, tapping the helmet with her hoof to make certain the epoxy had set.

“That doesn’t exactly reassure me,” Nova said, fighting the urge to back away. “I’m getting tired of being a test subject.”

“Oh come on.” Sky Bolt said, letting out a short laugh. “It’s not that bad.”

“Says you,” Nova shot back, rolling his eyes. “You’re not the one who’s been wearing the darn things.”

“Well, we need to test them on you,” Sky Bolt said, picking the helmet up. Nova clenched his jaw, one ear twitching as the latest helmet dropped down around his horn and over his head. “Besides, it’s hardly safe for me either. You almost cut me when you chucked that last prototype.”

“Again, not my fault. It made me angry. And I was already on edge after the one before it.” Nova said, stepping back as the crystal helmet settled.

“You mean the one that made you break down in tears?” Sky Bolt teased, grinning at him.

“Yes.” Nova said, his voice and ears both flat. “That one. Thank you ever so much for reminding me about it. Because I’d forgotten, but really wanted to remember.”

“Yeah, sorry.” Sky Bolt gave him an embarrassed grin. “I should probably stop taunting you when you’re wearing a test helmet anyway,” she said, backing up. “You know, just in case it’s not working yet. Don’t want to get turned into a frog.”

Nova rolled his eyes. “Sun’s still up. Most likely I’d just set your mane on fire.” Sky Bolt gave a nervous laugh and ducked behind a workbench, wings visible for a moment before they folded and vanished from sight.

“Anything yet?” she called out, her voice echoing across the shop space.

“Aside from a little annoyance that we’re still at this? And maybe at the fact that you’re hiding? No,” Nova said. “Nothing.” He paused for a moment, the heavy crystal weighing down on against his head. “Wait,” he said after a moment. “I think I feel something.” He paused. “Yep, definitely feel something.” He stood in silence, waiting.

“Well, what is it?” Sky Bolt called out in frustration. “Are you sad? Angry? Anxious?”

“I’m—I’m—I’m sweating!” He let his voice go silent.

Sky Bolt poked her head up over the edge of the workbench, eyes wide at first, but then as she saw him they narrowed. “What?” she asked as he started laughing.

What do you mean what?” Nova said, shifting the helmet against his damp mane with his free hoof. “I really am sweaty, this workshop is getting hot.”

“So you’re irritable?” Sky Bolt asked. Then she frowned. “Is that even an emotion?”

“No, I’m not irritable,” Nova said, flicking his ears at the question. “At least I think no more than normal.”

“Not feeling angry? Sad? Depressed? Enamored?” Sky Bolt asked.

“No, no, no, and what?” Nova said, pulling his head back. “No!”

“Wow, you sure know how to make a mare feel special,” Sky Bolt deadpanned as she walked closer, still scrutinizing him with her eyes. “So I can’t say it’s improved your charm.”

“Oh, hah-hah,” Nova said, rolling his eyes. “But seriously, I don’t feel any different.”

“Really?” Sky Bolt asked, looking surprised. “Well then keep it on for a bit.”

“Aw, really?” Nova said, face turning down in disappointment. “For how long?”

Sky Bolt shrugged. “It shouldn’t take too long. All we really need to do is see if the dampening crystals I interlaced are enough to keep the emotional feedback from building up.” She tilted her head. “Since you’re not experiencing any problems yet, you could probably try using your magic again, especially if its emotion based.” Her brow furrowed. “Is magic really like that?”

“Apparently yes,” he said. “At least it’s worked for me once it was explained to me.” He took a breath, preparing to cast a simple practice spell that Luna had shown him, one designed to test how much emotion he could infuse into a ball of light. Then he paused. “Are you sure you want me to try this already?” he asked, his mind flipping back to the embarrassing break-down he’d suffered earlier.

“Yeah, I think so,” Sky Bolt said. “Last time we tried, you were already acting a little funny, but so far you seem pretty you. If you cast spells for a little while—say ten minutes—without problems, we should be good.”

“Are you sure?” Nova asked, nervous as he watched his horn light with a familiar yellow glow.

“Well yeah, if you’re not wigging out or even feeling funky in ten minutes, then any rebound effect you’re getting is small enough that you’re coping with it.”

“Not really what I meant,” Nova said as he increased the small amount of power he was sending to his horn. “But ok, here goes.” He could feel a small nervous pit gnawing at him as he pushed more magic into his horn, and he couldn’t tell if he should be worried about it or not. If he was rebounding already, wouldn’t it be a natural inclination to worry? Would that just make it worse?

He focused his thoughts elsewhere as the spell began to take shape. What kind of emotion should he focus? He definitely wasn’t going to try sadness again. A small shiver ran down his spine as he remembered how quickly he’d broken down. No, he thought as the yellow ball of magic took shape in the air. I’m not going to try that one again.

Maybe laughter this time, he thought, closing his eyes and focusing on the uplifting feeling he’d gotten earlier when swapping jokes with Sky Bolt. Worried as he was, he could feel a smile crack across his face as some of the memories boiled to the surface. That’s it, he thought, focusing on the feeling that made him want to laugh. Just focus on that and— he willed the emotion into his magic, pushing it through his body in a wave. A faint tingle ran through his horn as his magic shifted in feel. Where before his magic was—well, it just was, he couldn’t really put words to it aside from being a feeling—now it felt almost buoyant.

Nova opened his eyes. An energetic looking light blue ball of light was bobbing in front of him, twitching this way and that as he tried to keep a grip on it.

“Is it supposed to be doing that?” Sky Bolt asked, eyeing the vibrating ball of energy warily.

“Yeah, I think so,” Nova said, tilting his head and moving the bright blue orb around him. “I’ve never tried this particular one before, but it feels ...” He paused for a moment. "Right. It feels right, like it worked.” He turned towards the grey pegasus. “Got any jokes?”

“Jokes?” she asked, giving him an odd look. “You sure you’re ok?”

Nova rolled his eyes. “I charged it with laughter. So far I feel fine, but I want to see if I can give it a boost.”

“I didn’t know spells needed laughter.” Sky Bolt said.

“Neither did I until just recently,” he said, watching as the blue began to fade back to his own yellow magic. “So, you got a joke?”

“Um … yeah. Alright. What do you get when a pegasus gets his coat singed off by a lightning bolt and hides in a cloud bank?”

“Um ... ” Nova said, still looking at the yellow-blue ball of light. “I don’t know?”

“A flasher fog!” Nova snickered at her words, and then chuckled as the mental image jumped to mind. Inside he could feel the swelling feeling that laughter brought, and he channeled it into his magic, grinning as the orb once again began to grow a brilliant, bright blue.

“Feel anything yet?” Sky Bolt asked, moving up next to him and looking at his eyes. “Any strange feelings or surges?”

“No, nothing yet, and I’m pumping laughter into this,” Nova said, chuckling at his own words. “That sounds really odd.” He looked back up at the bright blue orb, vibrating with a vivid energy. “These crystals can’t reflect just one emotion right? They’ll reflect anything?”

“Anything that you’re feeling.”

“Well,” Nova said, pulling his eyes away from the dancing orb. “I feel good right now, a little bit like laughing, but I’m not feeling like I was earlier.”

“Alright, well, go ahead and drop the spell and lets see what happens.” Nova complied, feeling slightly disappointed as the happy blue light vanished. “Feel any different?” Sky Bolt asked him as he stood there in silence, gaze wandering the workshop.

“No, not really,” he said after a moments introspection. “I don’t feel like breaking out in random giggles, if that’s what you mean.”

“No laughter at all?”

Nova closed his eyes, probing inward. He still felt fine, better actually than he’d felt when they’d started, but that might have been because of the missing pit of nervousness no longer chewing into his stomach. “I feel fine,” he said, opening his eyes. “No urge to break out laughing, no inexplicable giggles or feeling like everything is hilarious.” He looked at Sky Bolt and nodded. “I think it worked!”

“Really?” Sky Bolt asked, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. “So it’s a success? We’ve cured you of that awful sense of humor?”

Nova snorted. “Well, now I want to laugh, but that’s not the helmet's fault.” He gave the crystal a tap with his hoof. “So can I take this off now?” he asked as the helmet slid on his head, tapping the base of his horn. “It’s not exactly a good fit.”

Sky Bolt shook her head, her blue mane flipping around her head. “Not yet, I need to be certain. Keep it on for another few minutes.”

“Drat,” Nova said, adjusting the warm crystal against his scalp. “So am I just going to stand here for ten minutes then?”

Another shake of the head. “Naw, you can give me a hoof with some work on The Hummingbird,” Sky Bolt said, taking wing and motioning for Nova to follow her across the workshop with one hoof. “Or to be more precise, you can lend me some magic assistance, since one of your hooves is a little wrapped up right now. It’ll help with the test anyway.”

Nova shrugged. “Alright,” he said, trotting after her and over to the hull of the airship. “What do you need me to do?”

“Well,” Sky Bolt said, darting behind one of the superboilers they’d installed earlier. Thick rubber hoses were connected to it at various points, hoses she’d directed him to connect earlier while he’d been waiting for her to finish another prototype helm. The hoses had been flat then, but now they were swollen, filled with water. “Double check to make sure these hoses are turned off will you?”

Nova turned towards the far wall where the thick hoses were connected, helmet sliding around on his head. He tried to steady it with his magic, only to roll his eyes as his magic slipped off of it. “Right,” he muttered, pausing to steady the helmet with his front hoof. “Resistant.”

“What was that?” Sky Bolt called from the depths of The Hummingbird’s hull.

“Nothing,” Nova called back as he reached the box that the hoses had been coiled. With barely a thought, the large wheel valve began to glow a faint yellow, the metal creaking as Nova pushed against it. It was shut tight.

“You’re good!” he called out. “The water’s off!”

“Okay!” There was a hiss and a spray of water from the airship as one of the hoses was disconnected, snapping back to land on the concrete floor of the workshop, water emptying from its length. “Can you roll the hoses back up as I disconnect them?”

Nova nodded although he knew she couldn't see the motion. “Alright!” he called. The hoses themselves were designed to be wrapped around circular wheels for easy storage, and it was a quick matter for Nova to wind the first of the now free hoses back into its place while squeezing the water out the free end to dribble across the workshop floor.

“Alright, how are you feeling?” Sky Bolt asked, landing next to him as he finished winding the last of the hoses. “Tense? Nervous? Angry? Sad?”

Nova shook his head, causing the helmet to rattle back and forth. “Aside from some slight annoyance with how this thing fits, I feel fine.”

Sky Bolt’s face lit up in a wide smile. “Really? So the double-refraction lattice is working?”

Nova stared at her for a moment. “I have no idea if those words mean anything,” he said at last. “But I’ll assume yes.”

“Excellent!” Sky Bolt said, punching a fist into the air and then looking down at him. “Oh, you can take it off now.”

“Finally,” Nova said, lifting the helmet from his head and tucking under his foreleg. “That thing was a little too warm. The armor's not going to be like that is it?”

Sky Bolt shook her head as she reached forward, taking the helmet from him. “No, it won’t be,” she said, tilting the helmet and her head to one side to take a look at it and scowling a little when she saw the sweat on the inside. “You’ll be wearing the armor over a specialized bodysuit. The explanation is a little complex, but the bodysuit will help regulate your own magical field as well as a bunch of other things. And I didn’t design it,” she said, catching his impressed look. “Not entirely. It’s a holdover from another project that’s who knows how old. The Princesses dug it out after they heard about my armor designs. I did however, make a few modern improvements,” she said, giving a small grin.

“Anyway,” she called over her shoulder as she took wing, flying back towards the workbench where the rest of the crystal sheets they’d cut were scattered. “I won’t be making the bodysuits either. At least, not alone. The Princesses know some pony around here whose talent is armor crafting, so he’s going to bring his little team up and help me put the stuff together.”

“How long will that take?” Nova asked as he trotted up to the workbench where Sky Bolt was already examining the inside of the helmet, making notes on a piece of paper.

“Well,” she said, spitting the pen out and flipping the boxy helm over. “Probably only a couple of days once I get everyone's measurements. We won’t get the crystals for a few more weeks though. The enchantments take a lot of time.”

“Enchantments?” Nova asked. “I thought this was armor that was supposed to be magic proof.”

“Oh, don’t worry, the crystals won’t negate that. They’re part of a side project. We won’t need them to use the armor.” She turned her attention back down to the helmet. “Anyway, I’m going to take a closer look at this and run a few stress tests. If you could go find Dawn for me, I’d really appreciate it. Come back with her, she’s going to need to take your measurements along with everypony else's.”

“Ah, lovely,” Nova said, rolling his eyes and laying his ears flat as he made his way towards the door. “More time under the care of our resident medic.”

“Oh relax,” Sky Bolt called after him as he walked out the door. “You did just fine under the care of the resident mad engineer!” The door swung shut behind him, cutting off any other responses she had, and Nova rolled his eyes as he wandered down the hall in search of Dawn.

Back in the workshop, Sky Bolt shook her head as the purple unicorn wandered out. “Mad engineer just doesn’t have the same ring to it as mad scientist,” she said to herself as she tapped the helmet with a few tools, making note of any tones that it made. “But he’ll love it when his armor is done anyway.” She grinned as she thought of what the finished products were going to look like. Even without the crystal enhancers, they were going to be very potent indeed.

Even better, a brief bout of creativity the night before had given her one last stroke of inspiration for the project, something that she could apply to Nova and Dawn’s armor if it worked. Satisfied with the helmets integrity, she turned her attention to the project she’d been focused on the night before, skimming through papers on the workbench until she found one that was relatively unmarked. Grinning, she plucked a pencil in her teeth, making rapid strokes of her first new design.

Nova, at least, was going to get a little something extra with his armor.
> Operation - Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7


“Look at this.” A newspaper fell to the table in front of Steel as Hunter sat down across from him. “That’s the latest news, fresh this morning.” Steel set his spoon down and picked up the paper in his hooves, unfolding the paper and looking at the large headline.

“Wonderbolt Show Ends in Triumph?” he raised an eyebrow at Hunter as he read the title.

“Sorry,” Hunter said. “Try page two. Business news.” Steel flipped the paper open.

“‘ERS Board Votes to Force Princesses to Sell Stock and Step Down.’” Steel read before dropping the paper to the table, disgust welling up inside of him. “Tartarus!”

“My thoughts exactly,” Hunter said, taking the paper back. “Apparently they voted late last night, and the last two holdouts caved. They’re meeting here in Canterlot tomorrow to finalize the sale of the stock.”

“That’s not going to make the Princesses happy,” Steel said, looking back down at his breakfast. The thick bowl of cereal didn’t have the same appeal now, his appetite already vanished in an uneasily familiar pit that he hadn’t felt in years. “Let me guess, Golden Spike is getting the first shot at the stock?”

Hunter nodded. “Right as rain. That stallion’s set himself up pretty good. They’ve got an interview with him on page four I think,” the pegasus said, shaking his head. “He makes all these big statements about the future of the railroad, the end of waste and all that. Talks up his business ventures in the badlands as well, guess he’s got some massive capital tied up down there.”

“Does he mention the ‘rail to nowhere?’” Steel asked.

“Yeah, he does,” Hunter said with a nod. “As one of the first ‘mistakes’ that needs to be cut.”

“Wonderful,” Steel said, letting his shoulders slump. “The Princesses are going to be thrilled about this.” He pulled the paper back across and flipped through the rest of the paper, searching for any good news. Finally he tossed the paper back in disgust. “Well, this puts your theory back on top,” he said, taking a bite of his breakfast. Yep, there was no mistaking it, that old pit was back in his stomach. It was a bit like the emptiness, although that had been muffled since his talk with Cappy. This feeling though, it was worse, worse by far.

“I’d better go speak with the Princesses about this,” he said, pushing his seat back and climbing to his hooves. “How long did Sky Bolt say she’d need until we got the armor and the airship up and running?”

“She said we’d have the armor by tomorrow morning, the airship the day after that,” Hunter said, looking at him strangely. “Why?”

“Give her whatever she needs to get that armor and the airship finished and ready by tomorrow morning. Magic, spells, sugar, whatever,” he said, giving Hunter a serious look. “Something in my gut says we’re going to need it.” He turned and trotted out of the mess hall, mind ablaze with activity.

He was an old pony, although his body didn’t look it. He’d been a bodyguard for thirty years, seen things most ponies had only ever heard of. He’d been to the Plainslands, the far east, and become a legendary figure in the Griffin Empire, the only pony to ever earn the title of Bıçakların Usta. Steel had done a lot in his life that most ponies would never dream of.

But the one thing he’d learned that was most important above all was to trust his instincts. And right now, they were telling him that something was wrong. Very wrong.


*        *        *


“Right this way, sir,” the Guard said, motioning for Steel to follow. He complied, following along although he already knew the way to Princess Luna’s private study. The pit in his stomach wasn’t enough to make him want to break into a run. Yet.

He followed the Night Guard through the castle’s hallways, occasionally peering up at paintings or tapestries or even one of the occasional stained glass windows so commonly used to show great moments from Equestria’s history. A few of them looked old, although he couldn’t recall seeing them before. Perhaps they rotated them on occasion?

“This way,” the Guard said, motioning him up a familiar set of stairs and into the Princess of the Night’s personal tower. Almost immediately the colors changed, switching from the familiar red, white, and gold colors of the palace proper to shades of silver, blue, and purple more befitting the colors of Princess Luna. The carpet underhoof became thick and soft, muffling their hoofsteps. Idly, Steel wondered how much of the wing's design was Princess Luna’s choice and personal input compared to how much of it was the palace stewards making a choice for her.

Before long they had reached the entrance to the Princess' personal study. As usual, two of Luna’s personal detachment of Night Guard were stationed outside, watching Steel as he approached through slitted eyes. He didn’t recognize the pair tonight. They weren’t the same pair he’d seen on other occasions. The Night Guard was a little secretive about the details of Luna’s personal Guard, nopony but Luna and the Captain of the Night Guard herself, in addition to the members of the personal guard, knew exactly how many of them there were. Given that this was the first time he’d seen the mare and stallion in front of him rather than the other pair, he suspected there weren’t many.

“Wait here,” his escort said, and Steel suppressed the urge to roll his eyes as the Guard stepped forward and gave the door a gentle knock. He was just doing his job, and wasn’t in a hurry. The door lit up with a blue light and swung inward, the Guard motioning for him to enter.

“Hello Captain Song,” Princess Luna said without looking up as he entered her study, the door swinging shut behind him. “Please, have a seat.” He did as she indicated, sitting down in one of the few chairs sitting in front of her desk. The study had changed little from the last time he had been there. A different painting sat in the easel, this one so early in its development that he still wasn’t sure what it was supposed to be of. A few of the paintings around the room had changed as well, including a new, prominently displayed painting of what looked like some sort of crystal spire with colors flowing from its tip, almost as if it was being lit by the aurora borealis.

Princess Luna sat up, the papers she had been examining sliding across her desk in a blue glow and neatly filing into a drawer. “Captain Song,” she said. “I was wondering if I would be seeing you before I retired for the day.” Steel gave a small bow at her words. “What can I assist you with, Captain?”

“Your highness,” Steel said, unsure of exactly where to begin. “I—I saw the news this morning, about the ERS.” Luna’s face turned down at his words. So she already knew then. He would have been surprised if she hadn’t.

“Yes, I am aware of the situation,” the Princess said, her voice slightly more stern than it had been a moment ago. “Unfortunately, there is not much that my sister and I can do, our hooves are tied by law. The action is completely legal, and for my sister and I to do anything other than object would be an abuse of our powers, as well as go against everything we have stood for.”

“I understand, your highness,” he said, avoiding her gaze. “But something about this doesn’t feel right.”

There was a pause, and then Luna spoke. “Have you learned something that my sister and I should be aware of?”

Steel shook his head. “If you heard about the note—”

“I have.”

He sighed. “Then you have heard as much as we have, your highness. Despite that however,” he paused for a moment and then looked up. “Something in my gut tells me that there’s something wrong about this whole situation. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve learned to trust my instincts. Something about this is wrong.”

Luna stared down at him a for a moment, and he could feel the beginnings of a cold sweat breaking out on his back. Then, at long last, she spoke.

“I do not disagree with you,” she said, her voice somewhat softer. “But unfortunately, without proof we cannot give any cause to put a stop to the sale.” She paused for a moment. “Nor can we authorize a full investigation without proof. You are free to investigate on your own of course,” she said, cutting him off before he could speak. “But only as agents under your own suspicions as the Dusk Guard. Were my sister and I to become involved without direct proof, it could easily be seen as either of us abusing our status, and we cannot risk that.”

“With your permission then,” Steel said, waiting for her to nod before he continued. “I would like to request that two members of my Guard be present at the meeting, regardless of where the location is.”

Princess Luna nodded. “Of course you may, it would be a small matter. Our own Guard will of course also be present, so the presence of two more should not be seen as unusual.”

“In full armor, ready for anything.” Steel said, watching Luna’s expression carefully. That last request was, he knew, pushing it. It was one thing for the Royal or Night Guard to wander around in full armor, as theirs was mostly decorative. The Dusk Guard’s on the other hoof ...

“Permission denied,” Luna said, her starry, ethereal mane swaying as she shook her head. “Full armor would be, I am afraid, far too much for those present. In the old days, I would have said yes, but in modern Equestria … “ She shook her head again. “They may come either as themselves or in formal dress, but not in full armor. As much as I myself would rather that were the case,” she said, her voice a bit quieter for the last part of her statement.

“Very well, your highness. Thank you,” Steel said, giving another bow and beginning to rise. “In that case I—”

“One moment, if you please, Captain Song,” Luna said, and he froze, lowering himself back onto the seat. “Do not be worried,” she said, giving him a smile. “This is not about the Dusk Guard. I just had a question for you.”

“Alright,” Steel said, his face neutral. “What can I help you with?”

Luna smiled again. “It is nothing you can help me with, I was simply wondering if your emergency was taken care of.” Steel felt his heart stop at the Princesses words. “The one you left to Canterville for?”

“I … uh—it went fine,” Steel said, mind racing for an apology. “I understand that I left without warning, and I am fully prepared—”

“Steel!” The use of his first name by the Princess stopped him cold. “I am not angry with you. Although,” she said with a faint smile. “In the future I would appreciate it if you would at least give a bit more warning to your lieutenant.”

“Even so—” he started.

“Captain,” she said, cutting him off. “I am not going to reprimand you for leaving your post so suddenly. In fact, quite the opposite.” She rose from her seat.

“Walk with me for a moment,” she said, heading for one of the two doors in the back of the room. It lit up in the grip of her magic, the dark wood swinging open to reveal the balcony that he had seen when he’d first visited her study, although this time it was more brightly lit, the morning sun having already climbed high enough in the sky to dispel any shadows.

Steel followed Princess Luna as she stepped out onto the wide balcony. The view from the tower was truly impressive, he could see miles upon miles of East-Central Equestria rolling away in front of him. Golden fields of wheat stretched from the foothills of the Canter mountains all the way to the base of the Unicorn Range, slowly waving in a gentle breeze that was in time with the one that slid through his mane. The sky overhead was almost completely clear, only a few lengths of thin, wispy clouds sitting here or there, most of them attended by weather patrol pegasi. Off to the north, Cloudsdale drifted gently, its faint and gentle upward and downward bob only visible at a distance.

“Steel,” Luna said, looking out over the balcony. “Do you know what all of my duties are as Princess of the Night? Aside from my handling the raising and setting of the moon?” Her eyes settled on Steel and he shook his head.

“Most do not,” Luna said, turning back to look out over Equestria. “Like my sister, I manage many aspects of our fair country, some of which have been completely untouched in my absence. For example,” she said, turning and looking right at him, her eyes brimming with ancient knowledge and purpose, “watching over the dreams of my subjects.” Steel’s eye’s widened.

“I do not intrude,” Luna said, looking down at Canterlot. “I merely wander the space between as ponies sleep, often doing little more than making sure that the lives of my ponies are restful and content. But occasionally, I find that there are those who are not content, those who—for whatever reasons—are not experiencing a night of peace and rest. Such things are natural, happening from time to time. A foal has a nightmare about something that scared them that day, a parent is worried for their daughter, or a student has fears about going to their school.” 

“But sometimes,” Luna continued.  “Sometimes these fears persist, growing from day to day. And when that happens, when I can see their disturbance growing, then my attention is gained. I will enter their nightmares and see what gives them fear.”

“I had no idea, your highness,” Steel said. “That sounds—” he paused, struggling for a word. “Incredible.”

Luna smiled, still staring out over Canterlot. “Impossible you mean, although I assure you it is not. It is one of the reasons I chose to speak to young Nova Beam. Being so close to the castle, his own dreams were some of the first I saw each night, and I could see that while his dreams were not nightmares, they were not the dreams of somepony who was content.” She smiled. “I am pleased to say that his sleep for the past few nights has been much more restful.”

She stopped speaking, and for a moment Steel was left with his own confused thoughts. He’d never heard of anypony entering anypony else's dreams, at least not outside of ancient legends and stories he’d heard as a foal. But if anypony was going to do it, it would make sense that Luna could. But why was she telling him? Did she want him to speak to Nova about it?

“I am not telling you this so that you can speak to Nova about it, if that is what you were thinking,” Luna said, dispelling his theory, and once again reminding him how impressively in-tune the Princess was with his thoughts. “But rather so you understand something. A few weeks ago, a pony in a small village not far from Canterlot began to have nightmares. A bit out of the ordinary, or so I thought, as her dreams were normally quite cheery. But as the nights passed, her dreams grew worse, to the point that sometimes she would not be asleep.” Steel frowned as he listened to her words, trying to work out why she felt the need to explain. Was it something to do with the thefts? Had she found a connection?

“And so,” Luna said.  “Worried, I entered her dreams. What I found there ...” Luna paused, and then smiled. “It was unexpected. So I whispered a few words of comfort, and then left, hoping things would take the proper course.” Her smile grew wider, and she turned, looking down at Steel. “And then, a short time ago, the night you left for your emergency, in fact—” her eyes held a merry twinkle now, as if she was privy to some private joke, “—the nightmares stopped.”

Steel’s brow furrowed as the Princess looked at him, an expectant look on her face, and then everything she’d said clicked into place. A mare whose nightmares had begun a few weeks ago. And then had stopped the same night he’d gone and apologized to—

“Cappy?” he asked faintly, feeling his voice waver.

Princess Luna nodded, her ethereal mane blowing in the wind opposite the breeze. “Captain Song, I wanted to tell you this as a friend, not as a Princess.” She leaned in close and his head gently pulled up until she was looking him in the eyes. “All your life you have been devoted to your talent,” she said, her voice soft. “Serving faithfully as one of the great protectors known to ponykind.”

“But your talent can be more than just protecting somepony from fire, storm, or some other danger. Not everypony faces the same challenges that you have. Not everypony needs a defender to hold back a raging minotaur, or to stop a griffon assassin. Sometimes the only thing they need is a pony to protect them from the emptiness a life without can bring.” She stood up, removing her hoof from his chin, and walked past him, back across the small balcony that led to her study.

“I must retire for the day,” she said, her words barely piercing the sudden hurricane of emotions roiling inside Steels chest. “Please, feel free to take your time thinking things over up here.”

“Princess Luna?” Steel called, spinning on legs that almost felt weak underneath him. His throat felt strange, almost itchy. Princess Luna stopped, turning her head back to face him. “Without what? Emptiness because of a life without what?”

“What else but the two most important things anypony can have?” Luna said, smiling at him. “Family and love.” She turned and left the balcony, the door shutting behind her and leaving Steel standing alone, running the Princess' words over and over through his mind.
> Operation - Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 8


“So, how exactly does this stuff work?” Nova asked as he eyed the strange material. The material almost reminded him of rubber when he looked at it, but it was light, like it had been made out of foam. And it didn’t feel like rubber when he ran his hoof over it, not quite. It was a little less grabby than rubber would have been, resisting his motions somewhat, but not pulling against his coat the way rubber would have.

“Do you want the simple answer or the complex answer?” Sky Bolt asked, laying out one of the sections on the floor of the armory. “'Cause the complex one is probably over your head a little.”

Nova rolled his eyes. “The simple one then,” he said, watching as Sky Bolt finished spreading the suit—he could see now that it was one—out. It reminded him a bit of the bodysuits he’d seen the Wonderbolts posing in, except that it lacked the Wonderbolts' familiar gold and yellow color scheme. This stuff was base black, seams and textures in the material giving it a look of its own. Here and there on the suit were points that looked harder, like the material was stiffer, with small raised discs rising from them.

Nova prodded the material with one hoof. It almost felt spongy when he put his weight on it. The suit shifted, part of it rolling under under his hoof, and his eyes spotted a faint glimmer of something sewn—or magicked, he wasn’t sure which—into the fabric, a line that faintly sparkled.

“Well what are you waiting for?” Sky Bolt asked, her voice impatient. “Put it on!”

“Alright,” Nova said. The back of the suit was open, an unzipped opening stretching all the way to the shoulderblades. He stepped forward, bracing his front legs against the opened and pushing his back legs down the suit, feeling the cloth slip only somewhat grudgingly past. His hooves stopped, pressing up against a rubbery material that gripped against his hooves snugly. He pulled the back end of the suit up, pushed his tail through the provided space and then reared back, testing his balance on his rear hooves. He could still feel the floor through them, just somewhat muted, as if he was wearing a thick glove.

“This is pretty impressive so far,” Nova said, pushing his forelegs into the upper portion of the suit and sliding in over his shoulders, revelling briefly in the freedom of his foreleg once again. A quick shrug pulled the suit up near his shoulders, and then he ducked his head through the opening, popping it out the front and feeling the suit settle on his shoulders.

A perfect fit, he thought as he gave his legs a few experimental movements. He could see the rest of the team watching him with interested expressions from the corner of his eye. “So, like I said,” he said, turning back and spotting a zipper in the fabric down near the base of his tail. “What’s it do?”

“Well,” Sky Bolt said as Nova tugged on the zipper with his magic, frowning as it gave a surprising amount of resistance. “Once you close the zipper, you’ll see. It’ll be easier to explain then.”

“Right,” Nova said, tugging a little harder and being rewarded with a soft zip as the suit closed snugly around him. Nova hadn’t been joking when she’d said that each suit was going to be individually cut, it almost felt like a second skin. The zipper clicked home and he released his magic. “Well,” he said, starting to turn back towards Sky Bolt. “It’s clo—”

He stopped speaking as his head snapped around far quicker than he’d intended it to. He raised one hoof in surprise as his head came to a stop, only to have his hoof come up far quicker than he’d intended to. He stumbled back, his hooves flailing as if they weren’t moving where he wanted them to, and he froze, holding every muscle in his body as still as possible.

“Alright,” he asked, looking over at Sky Bolt, who was snickering while the rest of the team was looking on with a mix of expressions from amusement to questions of his sanity. “Seriously now. What does this thing do?”

“Nothing too much,” Sky Bolt said with a grin. “In addition to being an attachment point for the armor itself, it also serves as an internal regulator. Simply put, it helps your body regulate the pathways of magical energy in your body, giving it a small boost.”

“So it makes me a little bit faster and stronger,” Nova said, carefully setting his hoof down and tilting forward. He could feel the difference now, an almost refreshed feeling coursing through his body. He lifted one of his hooves, moving it through the air in a complex pattern. It felt easier, lighter, as if someone had shaved a few pounds from his hoof.

“Pretty much,” Sky Bolt said. The effect will be a little less apparent when you put your armor on, because that’ll add some extra weight, but in short, wearing one of these will keep you functioning just a little better than normal.

“Huh,” Nova said, twisting his head to get a better look at the suit. The faint shimmer he’d seen earlier was more pronounced now, coming to life as faint yellow lines that glowed across the suit. The glow was almost indistinguishable, but he could see it very faintly. “Neat. Is it always going to glow like that?”

Sky Bolt shook her head. “I can’t even see it from here, but it will get brighter if you use your magic. Mine will glow a bit brighter when I fly or use other pegasus traits, and the same will go for any other natural abilities. Hopefully it shouldn’t be an issue, but we can always thicken the material in our next version if it does turn out to be a problem.”

“Well,” Nova said, lighting his horn and watching as the yellow lines on his suit began to glow in tandem. “I think it looks pretty rad.” He released his magic and watched as the yellow glow faded away. He shifted his head from side to side, feeling the scrape of the suit's neck where it ended just below his jaw. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it would take some getting used to. “So,” he said, looking at Sky Bolt. “What next?”

“Now,” Sky Bolt said, making a short, wing-assisted hop over towards the cloth-covered gurney she’d rolled into the armory. “We apply the actual armor.” She whipped the cloth back.

“Purple?” Nova said in surprise as he got his first glimpse. The armor plates were clearly a dark purple, flat in shade but with a slight gloss to them, likely because of the crystal they had been made from.

“Yep,” Sky Bolt said, picking one of the pieces up in her hooves. The rest of the team gathered around the gurney, Dawn going as far as to tap one of the armor segments. “At first I wasn’t sure what to do for a color, but then I figured why not go with a more muted version of your coat colors? After all, we don’t really have a color association like the other Guard divisions, so why not take that to its conclusion?” She flapped her wings, floating over to Nova. The armor piece was more angular than he’d expected, almost like it was an actual piece of geometric crystal rather than something manufactured.

“That’s a lot of pieces,” Nova said, looking at the spread of armor plates and segments on the gurney. “How does this stuff attach anyway?”

“Pretty easily,” Dawn said. “It’s the order that’s the hard part, or putting the pieces in the wrong place. The armor itself attaches at special points, like this.” She stepped forward and crouched, bringing the plate up against Nova’s side, right next to some of the small discs he’d seen earlier. There was a snapping noise and the plate almost jumped out of her hooves, clicking against his side and staying there. He made a few experimental motions, twisting his body, but the plate didn’t get in the way, moving with the fabric and staying stuck against it.

“Wow,” Nova said, raising his rear leg and giving the armor plate a push. It didn’t come off, in fact he felt the suit pull against him as he pushed. “How do I get it off?”

“The zipper is the focal point for everything right now,” Sky Bolt said, motioning for him to follow her to the gurney. “You might have felt it click ‘down’ when you zipped it up. It’s what completes the circuit that lets the suit regulate everything as well as activating the spell that lets the armor plates lock on. Unzip the suit,” she said, picking up a second piece and attaching it to Nova’s other side. “And the connection to the actual armor will weaken. Eventually it’ll all fall off, but it should hold on its own just enough that you’ll be able to detach it yourself.”

“This is some pretty impressive gear,” Hunter said, lifting one of the crystal plates and tapping it. “How much does this all cost?”

“Trust me, you don’t want to know,” Sky Bolt said. “And you guys really should be watching how I do this, because I’m not dressing you all up each time.” There was another faint snap as the next piece jumped into Nova’s lower stomach. “This all has to be put on in an order or it won’t move right.”

“So I’m guessing lower pieces first,” Dawn said, leaning in close as Sky Bolt attached another piece. Nova fought the urge to shift as the two mares stood close enough to his flank to make him feel self-consciously awkward. “In order to keep them settling correctly.”

“Yep,” Sky Bolt said, attaching another piece to Nova’s stomach. He fought the urge to flinch.

I am really going to have to figure out how to do this on my own, Nova thought. This is just a little too awkward.

“So how much was all this, really?” he asked, giving a small mental sigh of relief as the next bit of armor was attached to his side. So far most of the pieces so far had been pretty small, although he could see a few larger ones waiting on the gurney. “A rough estimate.”

“Well, how many bits do you make each day?” Sky Bolt asked, one ear twitching.

Nova shrugged, noticing that even that small movement was exaggerated. “I think ninety bits?” He said, pausing to think about it, since he never saw most of it. “Yeah, ninety bits a day.”

“Alright then,” Sky Bolt said, lifting the largest piece of crystal in her hooves, which looked to be a chest plate, although not similar to any Nova had seen before. “In order to just pay for the suit, not the armor ...” Sky Bolt said, maneuvering her way to his front. “You’d need to save your whole paycheck for more than a year.” Nova blanched, looking down at the suit in shock. Around him he could see the rest of the team suffering similar responses.

“Yeah, comparatively you could buy a set of the Royal Guard armor after maybe say,” she paused, humming for a moment. “Two or three weeks tops. And that might be pushing it. So yeah,” she said, pushing the chest plate into position. “Try to take good care of it.”

“But not too good of care,” Captain Song said, speaking for the first time since they’d entered the armory. “The purpose of armor is to protect you. If it comes down to breaking your gear or dying, break the gear. That said,” he said as the chest plate snapped into place, “try not to break it. Like Sky Bolt said, it’s expensive. Really expensive. Clear?”

“Got it,” Nova said as the rest of the group gave their own affirmations. He looked down at the chestplate as Sky Bolt stood back. It was angular, unlike the smooth, curved surfaces the Guard wore, and shaped differently as well. He still had full range of his shoulder.

“I’ve got to admit,” he said as Sky Bolt picked up a segmented and curved piece of armor. It reminded Nova of a centipede. “This stuff looks pretty sweet.”

“It’s more than sweet,” Sky Bolt said as she laid the segment along one side of his back. “You won’t find armor like this anywhere else. I guarantee it. Nopony has armor like this.” She turned as the segmented armor snapped home to find Sabra already handing her the next segmented piece. “Asante, Sabra,” she said, taking the piece in her hooves and attaching it to Nova’s other side.

“Now I want everypony to notice,” she said, pointing at one of the as yet uncovered connection points. “This armor may be snazzy, but it connects with the first connection point it comes to. Put it in the wrong place or connect it in the wrong order, and you’ll be starting all over again. Got it?”

The rest of the team nodded as she picked up one of the larger armor pieces. Unlike the others, this one was somewhat boxy, rising several inches as it moved towards one end, where a small recessed opening sat on the top.

“What’s this thing?” Nova asked as Sky Bolt set it on his shoulders, the piece clicking into position.

“It’s where the enchanted crystals will go when we get them,” Sky Bolt said, giving the piece a shove that rocked Nova from side to side. Apparently satisfied, she turned back to the gurney. “For now it won’t do as much, but later it’ll be pretty important.”

“Alright,” she said, picking another piece from the gurney. “Just three more to go and then you can attach the rest of them yourself.” She lifted one of the larger pieces, flipping it in her hooves, and Nova was surprised to see a rendition of his cutie mark on the crystal surface, the yellow and pale blue crescents overlapping and contrasting with the deep purple shade of the armor.

“That’s my cutie mark,” he stated as Sky Bolt attached the curved piece to his flank. She nodded. “Why does it have my cutie mark on it? None of the other Guard divisions have their cutie marks on their armor.”

“That’s for several reasons,” Captain Song said, and the eyes of the group, Nova’s included, turned towards the grizzled stallion. “First of all, the Royal and Night Guard have uniform armor. They’re supposed to present a unified front. Every so often you’ll find a border squad that has a few custom modifications, but for the most part the idea is that the Guard is supposed to share a common theme.” The Captain gave a shrug. “It’s the same reasoning that gives them the coat and eye enchantment. To make them all look like part of the same unit.”

"The second reason,” the Captain said, continuing as Sky Bolt attached an opposing flank piece to Nova’s other side, “is to keep a single Guard from being easily identified.” Nova’s eyebrows raised at that. He’d never thought about it that way, but it made sense. “A pony's cutie mark, next to his coat, is one of the easiest ways of identifying her or him. By keeping the Guard uniform and covering their cutie marks, it’s not only a way of keeping the sense of uniformity intact, but it keeps individual Guard safe from directed attacks.”

“Sounds like an ancient holdover,” Dawn said, her voice, as always, cultured with just a hint of a Manehatten accent. “I doubt we truly have much need of that these days.”

Captain Song shook his head. “Truthfully, we don’t, and the Princesses agree with you.” He paused and gave a shrug. “But traditions die hard, and the Guard have grown accustomed to it.”

“So if that’s the way the Guard do it,” Nova said as Sky Bolt dropped a piece almost as large as his chest plate across his lower back, overlapping it slightly with the two pieces that sat over his cutie marks. “Then why are we going with cutie marks on ours?”

“Because we’re not uniform,” the Captain said, stepping towards the group. “We are the Dusk Guard. We’re supposed to be identifiable, much like the Wonderbolts. So, when Sky Bolt asked  me about putting cutie marks on our armor, I thought it was a good idea.”

“Well it sounds good to me,” Hunter said. “I like the idea.”

“I have a question,” Sabra said, speaking for the first time since he’d entered the armory.

“If it’s about the accuracy of your cutie mark,” Nova said, grinning at him. “Don’t worry, I’m sure Sky Bolt made sure it was perfectly accu—ow!” he let out a yelp as Sky Bolt kicked his unarmored leg.

“What did you want to know?” Sky Bolt asked, ignoring the glare that Nova was giving her.

“What color is it?” Sabra asked. If he’d noticed Nova’s grinning remark or Sky Bolt’s response, he was giving no indication of it.

“We were going to make it a faint mottled grey, dark-grey, and white,” Sky Bolt said. “Almost like polar camouflage, if you’ve ever seen what that looks like. Is that alright?”

Sabra gave a nod. “It’s fine, I was just curious.”

“Well if you’d like, your armor is getting made last, we can still change—”

“Ahem,” Captain Song said, clearing his throat. “Sky Bolt, if we could get back to the demonstration please.” Sky Bolt flushed red and turned back towards Nova. 

“Alright,” Sky Bolt said, pausing for a second to give a small cough as her cheeks returned to normal. “That last piece was actually the last one. The rest of these can be applied in any order, although it’s better to have the other pieces attached first. Nova,” she said, stepping back. “if you’d come over to the gurney here ...” Nova stepped up to the gurney and looked down at the pieces that were left. “You can probably figure out what most of these are on your own, but if you can’t for now just follow my lead.”

She began attaching the smaller pieces of armor to the suit, and after a moment of observation Nova followed her lead, attaching crystal pieces to his legs, shoulders, and even the back of his neck. Finally, the last piece—a small cover for his upper hoof—snapped home, and Sky Bolt stepped back, a satisfied look on her face.

“All done!” she proclaimed, waving with both hooves. “What do you think?”

“I think...” Nova said, rocking his shoulders back and forth and then switching to picking his legs up one by one and flexing them. “I think it works pretty well.” He rotated his shoulder, feeling the slight weight of the armor. “I can feel the weight of the armor,” he said, flexing his body first to the left, and then to the right, the segmented armor on his back sliding over itself. “But it’s not really that apparent.”

“That’s part of the reason you have the suit,” Sky Bolt said. “Without the suit boosting you, you’d feel the weight of the armor a bit more. But with it, you shouldn’t be too bothered.”

“I don’t feel bothered at all!” Nova said, rearing back and looking down at the armor. “This stuff is rad!” The armor didn’t cover the entire suit, in fact there were plenty of several inch wide gaps in the armor pieces through which he could make out the black material of the suit underneath. But he could already see that it was by design, allowing him to twist and turn his body in a way that the armor the Royal Guard wore would never allow. “This stuff is amazing!”

“I agree,” Dawn said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“You don’t read enough comic books,” Hunter said, tilting his head to one side as he looked at Nova. Dawn scoffed, muttering something under her breath that Nova couldn’t make out.

“Well, I can’t take all the credit for it,” Sky Bolt said, her wide grin showing that she was clearly enjoying the praise. “Craft and his team worked out a lot of the fine details, I just came up with the concept and got the materials figured out.”

“Well then,” Captain Song said, his eyes running over the armor. “I think I should compliment them personally.” He gave his head a small shake. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“So,” Dawn asked as Nova continued to stretch, growing more used to the feel of the armor by the second. “What sort of advantages does this offer over traditional armor aside from the obvious mobility advantage and the aforementioned increase to our own abilities?”

“It resists and reflects magic,” Nova said before Sky Bolt could answer. “Try and pick up one of the armor plates with your telekinesis and you’ll see what I mean.”

“Won’t that make it difficult for me to perform my medical responsibilities?” Dawn asked with a frown.

Sky Bolt shook her head. “The crystal is resistant, but not impervious. Besides, you could always remove it or put your magic through the gaps.”

“What about helmets?” Captain Song asked. “When will they be ready?”

“Not for another few days unfortunately,” Sky Bolt said, looking chagrined. “Sorry boss, but there’s some extra work that has to be done with those that’s going to take some time.”

“Cool, cool,” Nova said. His grin felt so wide it must have stretched from one side of his face to the other. “Now can I go play with this stuff out on the training field?” He bounced on his front hooves, feeling the concrete floor through the rubber-like covering. “I can’t wait to try this stuff out during a capture the flag game.” He saw Hunter’s eyes widen at the mention of the idea.

“Hey, yeah!” Hunter said, a wide grin growing across his face as he turned to Sky Bolt. “You said I was next, right kid? Well let’s get me geared up!”

“Alright, your stuff's under the cloth on the other side of the—” Sky Bolt stopped speaking as Hunter whipped the cloth off and began climbing into his bodysuit without even pulling it from the gurney. Dawn walked up next to her, and Nova could see her rolling her eyes.

“Like a foal at Hearth's Warming,” Nova heard her say to Sky Bolt. Nova rolled his eyes. She’ll be just as excited when she gets her own set, he thought, lighting his horn and watching the lines on his suit glow again. Now hurry up and get your gear on, Hunter! I want to go test this stuff out!

“Equestria to Nova!” Nova snapped his attention back as Sky Bolt waved a hoof in front of him. “Listen up, out of the gear.”

“Wait, out?” Nova asked, stepping back. “I haven’t even had a chance to try it out yet!”

“You’ll get your chance,” Captain Song called towards him. “But first you need to prove that you can take that gear off and on as well as rack it.” He waved a hoof towards one of the lockers on the far wall and Nova groaned.

“Alright, alright,” he said, taking another quick look over at Hunter, who seemed to have gotten his wings tangled in his suit. “Hey, Hunter!” he called. The tan pegasus turned, almost falling on his side as his legs caught on the suit, one wing popping out to try and stabilize the stallion. “You might want to take your hat off before you get too far,” Nova said, grinning. “And even then, I’ll bet I can get this off and on again before you get yours on!”

Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “You’re on, kid!” Hunter turned back to his suit, pushing his shoulders through the legs despite Sky Bolt’s sudden cry of alarm—and promptly fell on his side with a thud. Nova snickered as he slid the zipper back with his magic. This’ll be a piece of cake.


*        *        *


"Alright, now you’ve both had a little bit of practice with this stuff,” Steel said as the team listened intently. “Although,” he said, his eyes flickering to Hunter for a moment. “I think some of you might need a bit more practice than others.”

“I don’t normally wear clothes, okay?” Hunter said, and Sky Bolt fought to suppress a snicker as the stallion pulled his hat low over his face. “Let’s just drop it and move on, ‘right?” Sky Bolt fought another snicker. By the time they’d managed to get Hunter into his suit, Nova had already been halfway through putting his armor back on. It was a good thing Hunter hadn’t made any kind of bet on Nova’s challenge or he would have lost. Then again, she reflected, he might have learned his lesson at the dinner. Dawn was still irate at him for that.

“Anyway,” Steel said, drawing the group's eyes back to him. “I want all of you to get some rest tonight, even you Sky Bolt,” he said, pointing right at her. “The teams you have in there are competent enough to handle anything that goes on, and anything they can’t you can help them with tomorrow morning. Clear?”

She nodded, suppressing a shiver at the thought of ponies other than her messing with The Hummingbird. I’ll have to go make sure that the sides are off limits, she thought. I don’t want any of them messing with the superboilers.

“Now, as for the rest of you, the evening is now your own. You can practice, get dinner, whatever you feel you need to do. However, tomorrow morning will be business as usual. The ERS meeting isn’t until noon. Yes, Sabra?”

Sky Bolt’s eyes slid towards Sabra as he spoke up. “Earlier you said that two members of the team would be present.” He tilted his head as his eyes ran over the group. Was it her imagination or had his eyes stopped on her for just a brief moment? She shook her head as he turned back towards the captain. Focus, she needed to keep her focus. Or sleep. Maybe sleep would help. Her thoughts shifted towards the item in her saddlebags. There was also that.

“Which two members of the team do you desire to be present?” Sabra said, earning a nod from Steel.

“A valid question,” Steel said. “First Lieutenant Hunter will be the ranking officer, as for the second, it can be any of you.” His eyes ran over the small group. “Any volunteers?”

“I’ll do it.” Nova said, and Sky Bolt looked over in surprise. Nova was volunteering? Her eyes darted back to Steel, who was nodding with a satisfied look on his face.

“Alright,” Steel said. “Be there, with Lieutenant Hunter, in dress uniform, before it starts.”

“Wait, dress uniform?” Nova asked, looking disappointed. “Not the armor? Sky Bolt hid a smile behind her hoof. So that was why he’d volunteered.

“No armor,” Steel said. From the look of things, he was trying to hold back a chuckle as well. “We’re only there at my request, and the last thing we want to do is send the impression that we’re expecting one of the board members to be attacked at any moment.”

Nova sighed. “Fine, right. No armor, got it.”

“Alright, then dismissed, I’ll see you all tomorrow morning.” Steel said. Sky Bolt saluted along with the rest of the team, Steel returning the salute and heading for the door.

This is it! Sky Bolt thought as the team began to break up. Nova was out the door almost immediately, Hunter close behind. The perfect chance!

“Hey, Sabra,” she said, catching the zebra’s attention. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

Sabra turned from the door, the same calm, serene expression he always seemed to wear on his face. “Ndiyo, Sky Bolt?” The last members of the team left the armory, Dawn giving them a backward glance as she left.

“I—uh.” She paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts. “Naweza kuwa na ... kipaji kwa … ajili yenu,” she said. I have a gift for you. “Je, wewe … karibu na macho yako?” Sabra closed his eyes and she smiled. She was speaking Zebra well enough that he’d understood her request.

“Kushikilia mikono yako,” she said as she turned her head to the side and opened her saddlebags, pulling out the gift she’d made for him.

Sabra sat back, holding out his front hooves. “Ujuzi wako na lugha imeboresha,” he said, the words flowing much more smoothly than her own stammered attempts.

“Asante,” Sky Bolt said, blushing slightly. At least that one was easy. She leaned her head forward, dropping her gift into his hooves. “Alright,” she said, switching back to Equestrian. “Take a look.” Sabra complied, looking down at the small, inch-and-a-half thick metal rod that she had just placed in his hooves.

“What is it?” Sabra asked, tilting it in his hooves. Sky Bolt smiles as she saw that her estimates had been correct. Folded as it was, the rod was about the width of his shoulders.

“Point the ends away from you and twist it,” she said, smiling and backing up slightly. Sabra followed her instructions, pointing the ends of the rod to either side and twisting it between his black hooves.

There was a sharp snap and both ends of the rod shot out, tripling the metal rod's length. Sabra looked at it in surprise for a moment and then gave it an experimental toss. The staff jumped lightly in his hooves, flexing just a tiny bit as it landed back in his hoof. “Is this ...?” he began to ask. Sky Bolt nodded.

“It’s a new fimbo,” she said, smiling at him. “I figured that if you made another bamboo one it would just get broken again, so I sketched out an idea and put something together. It’s not entirely my work,” she said, idly pawing one hoof against the ground. “I tracked down Princess Luna to do some magic on it, so I kind of owe her a favor now, but it's the same size and weight as your last staff, and you can fold it, so—”

“Asante,” Sabra said, and leaned forward, wrapping one of his legs around her shoulders in a quick hug. Sky Bolt froze at the contact, unsure of what she should do, and then it was gone, Sabra pulling back and settling himself on his haunches once more. “Asante sana.”

“Wewe ni kuwakaribisha,” Sky Bolt said, the practiced phrase falling from her lips much easier than her earlier statements. “I knew you liked having one,” she said, switching back to Equestrian. “I hope I got the length right. I even textured the metal with a bit of a grain so it’d feel more like your staff did.”

Sabra gave the metal fimbo a few experimental spins, the tip swirling through the air with a faint rush of air. “It’s perfect,” he said, rolling it from one hoof to the other and snapping it off the floor with a couple of sharp cracks. He flicked one of his hooves, and the staff came to an abrupt stop, its ends quivering slightly. He looked at it for a moment. 

“How do I fold it?” he asked, his eyes running up and down the length of the staff.

“You twist the center piece again,” Sky Bolt said, reaching over and placing her hooves next to his on the staff. “But you have to pull it out and twist it, then push it back in, like this.” She twisted her hooves in opposite directions, feeling the mechanics of the rod resist her pull. She gave it a little more force, and then a little more … and with another snap the two ends of the staff slid back into the center, leaving her and Sabra holding the smaller sized staff once more.

“Ajabu,” Sabra said softly, staring at the staff. Sky Bolt pulled her hooves back.

“I’m glad you like it,” she said, tossing her head to one side and giving him a smile, “If you don’t mind me asking, what are you going to do for the rest of the evening?”

“I was planning on going to my quarters to meditate and reflect,” Sabra said, threading the shortened staff through the strap on his saddlebags.

“Really?” Sky Bolt pulled her head back. “That’s it? Want to do something else?”

“Like what?” Sabra asked, the staff secure on his back.

“Like go to a club or something,” Sky Bolt said, giving the zebra her best smile. “Have some fun! That place we rescued from the golem gave us standing invitations, and I hear Vinyl Scratch will be performing there tonight,” she said, dragging the last word out and tilting her head to one side while raising her eyebrows. Sabra was giving her a look she recognized all too well from her school years now, a look of slight panic that meant he had absolutely no idea what to do. That worked fine. She did.

“Come on,” she coaxed. “Aren’t you looking to find out what life is?” She saw his ears perk up at that, she’d caught his attention. “Why don’t you come with me and try a little of mine? It’ll be fun, I promise!” she tilted her head back in the other direction, giving her sky blue mane a chance to sweep back across her neck. Her move had been made and now ...

“Ndiyo,” Sabra said. “Of course, why not?” Sky bolt gave him a wide smile.

“Well then come on!” she called, trotting past him and giving her head a little toss. “You can drop your stuff off at your quarters while I get ready!”

“What about your workshop?” Sabra asked as he trotted after her.

Sky Bolt rolled her eyes. “Steel’s totally right, those guys can handle it.” Besides, she added mentally. I’m totally doing something way more important.

Five minutes later, with her mane and coat cleaned, and quite a bit freshened up, she led Sabra out the door of the barracks and towards the Canterlot nightlife.


*        *        *


Hunter looked up from the common room table as Sky Bolt and Sabra left the barracks, the energetic young pegasus nearly pulling the young zebra behind her, and grinned as the door slammed shut behind the pair. Poor kid looks like he’s not sure if he’s being taken to be executed or exemplified, Hunter thought as he looked back down at his pile of mail. 

He’d been so busy over the last few days between the golem and making sure the team was in shape, he hadn’t even bothered to check his personal mailbox. Then he’d wanted to make sure that he hadn’t missed anything with the Guard reports before he’d gotten to his own stuff, just in case there was anything important that they’d found over the last little bit.

Ultimately after sifting through the entire pile which, despite his requests for more concise reports, had still been a fairly large stack, only three key points had stood out. The first was that not a single theft had occurred since the Guard had seized the golem shipments, which wasn’t too surprising. The second was that they still had yet to make any headway with any of the warehouses they’d staked out. Even the warehouse on Palomine Street in Baltimare, the closest origin they had of the entire operation, had been swept and examined from every angle, and turned up nothing.

The third was a little more vital. The Guard had successfully taken apart the other two golems, as well as recovered one more, and in the process of disassembling the third had discovered that the battery crystals were in fact, volatile as they had suspected. A technician had dropped one, and the resulting crack had led to a bang that had put three of the researchers in the hospital, though none with serious injuries thanks to the quick-thinking actions of a nearby Guard.

Hunter nodded in appreciation as he put the last bit of paper down. Exploding crystals, now that was something that could prove useful to know. If nothing else, if they ran into a few more golems, they’d know what to watch out for. Thinking back to the blast of thunder he’d given the first golem, it’d probably been pure luck that the bolt hadn’t upset the battery crystal and blown the thing apart.

He shook his head and picked up the small stack of mail with his hooves, flipping through it to see what caught his eye. Most of it was exactly what he’d expected. A few envelopes from the Rangers, most of it stuff he could look at later. A wilderness magazine he’d been subscribing to for years that always had excellent articles and had a head editor that happened to be one of his old mentors.

The next envelope caught his eye and Hunter dropped the rest of the stack without going further. The postmark was from Ponyville, but that wasn’t what had caught his attention. Instead it was the faintly scrawled name on the return address, a name that had been painstakingly written in pen with several smudges and one crossed out error.

Dinky Doo. Hunter smiled wide as he peeled the top of the envelope back with his teeth. A few pieces of folded paper fell into his waiting hoof, and he carefully unfolded them on the surface of the table.

The first piece of paper was a letter. A short letter, with a few misspelled words written in large, simple print. It was short but sweet, telling him about how she was getting better with her magic and would be starting school soon, which she was excited for. It also mentioned Thistle by name, which made Hunter smile. Apparently Derpy hadn’t been too shy about what she’d arranged a few weeks earlier.

There was a PS as well, letting him know that while she was glad he was off protecting ponies, she wanted him to visit again because she missed him. He smile again when he read it, making a mental note to make a trip to Ponyville as soon as the case with the golems either stabilized or was resolved.

He flipped through the other two pages that Dinky had sent, smiling as the first one turned out to be a crayon drawing of her and her Mom baking together. Hunter grinned as he looked at the drawing. He hadn’t been able to make art look that good when he’d been a teen, and here Dinky was outdoing him with crayons. Her spelling may have needed a little work, but he wouldn’t be surprised to hear that she’d gotten a cutie mark in art in a few years.

Hunter flipped to the second picture and let out a shocked laugh. It was quite clearly a picture of him and Thistle cuddled together on a bench in Ponyville with little hearts floating above their heads. He shook his head in amazement as he looked down at the picture, letting out another laugh, this one a bit longer. That kid’s definitely her mother's daughter, he thought. Just as much of a romantic. He chuckled again. From time to time he wished that he’d been able to see Derpy as more than a friend; she was a wonderful mare after all, and a devoted mother. But he’d met her too soon after Swift Wing had passed, and it had just never been on the table.

He gave his head one final, amused shake as he looked down at the picture. Once again he had to admit that it was a pretty good depiction, although Thistle was just a tad off. Dinky apparently wasn’t as familiar with the mare. Her coat's a bit lighter shade than that, he thought, and her cutie mark is a bit lower, her plot isn’t really that big. He felt his ears perk up as he caught up with his thoughts. Was he really thinking that?

He took one last look at the picture before folding it gently with the rest of Dinky’s note and sliding it back into the envelope. He had to admit, an afternoon with Thistle in Ponyville did sound like fun. Maybe not the way Dinky had envisioned it, after all she was just a friend. But it would be nice to spend some time showing her around the town, visit Dinky and maybe even fly out to show her the Ranger station in the Everfree.

He set the envelope aside and turned to the last bit of mail in the pile: a Baltimare postcard. Unlike the letter from Dinky, the writing one this was smooth and flowing, written by a careful hoof. Or in this case, he realized as he saw the name it was signed in, a careful paw.

Hey Buddy! the note began. Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know I’ll be in Canterlot this week. The bosses are coming in for some board meeting. Something to do with the future of the Equestrian Railway or whatever, I’m not really sure. They don’t pay me to care much about that. Anyway, they’re going to be attending some big head honcho meeting with your Princesses while they’re there, so I was wondering if you wanted to chill and catch up, since we didn’t get a chance to at the dinner the other day. Korkutuyor Golden Spike. I can tell you, my bosses do NOT care for him. Anyway, they’ve got this sick custom railcar since they’re in charge of the R&D department for the railway. They can just attach it to any train they want whenever they want, and they travel all over in it. Picking up stuff, seeing places, whatever they want. I’ve been all over Equestria since I started working for these two. Baltimare, Canterlot, Los Pegasus, Tall Tale … even Vanhoover! All in the same week! Perks of the job I guess. You’ll have to come see this thing, it’s pretty posh!
Anyway Hunter, come check it out when you get a chance. It’s quite the ride. Stay chill!

	Blade Sunchaser

Hunter sat back as he tossed the note down on the table, instantly regretting that he was going to be on duty for the ERS meeting the next morning. Blade was pretty fun to hang around with, and from the sound of it this business car she was spending time in was pretty nice as well.

If I could bring Thistle along, introduce her to Blade ... he shook his head. No chance now, not with the ERS meeting that he was going to be guarding. Well, not guarding, he thought as he gathered his stack of papers and headed for his office. More like posturing—no, representing. He tossed the reports on his desk, not caring that they scattered across the desk. He could pick it up later. Right now, he wanted to drop his mail off at his room, get some dinner, and then, maybe, get some relaxation in before tomorrow.
> Operation - Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 9


Hunter let out a yawn as he walked into the mess hall, covering his mouth with one hoof and then plucking his hat from his head to fan himself as he looked around the semi-empty hall. As early as the Dusk Guard ate the place was hardly ever occupied when they were around, and this morning was no exception. A few members of the Night Guard were sitting at one table, most of them without their armor; having either an early or a late dinner, Hunter wasn’t really sure. A lone member of the Royal Guard was sitting in full gear at another table—a sergeant from his insignia—no meal in front of him but a hot beverage of some kind in his hooves and a newspaper spread across the table in front of him. Probably a member of the second division.

Hunter placed his hat back on his head, relaxing under the comforting feel of the Stetson sliding down around his ears. He gave his head a quick shake to settle his mane—it was almost time to have it cut again—and then wandered in. His eyes caught sight of the few Dusk Guard who’d beaten him to the hall, sitting together at a far table.

“Busy morning for you folks?” the unicorn mare behind the food line asked as he approached. Her horn  was glowing as she juggled several trays of hot food, sliding them into the enchanted heating bays that would keep them warm for the morning. A single lock of light purple mane was sticking out from under her hairnet, hanging across her forehead.

“Not more than usual,” Hunter said, nodding in thanks as she slid an empty tray towards him with a wave of her horn. He added a few plates to it. “Just an average workout. Why?”

“That purple unicorn on your team, Nebula or something,” the mare said, dropping two of the trays into their bays with a sharp metal on metal clack. “He’s usually not breathing so hard when he shows up.”

“Oh, that,” Hunter said, rolling his eyes and letting out a light chuckle. “No, we had the usual this morning. Complete with his mouthing off and earning a few extra miles for the team, which is part of the usual. He might just have made it ‘more usual’ today.” He grabbed a ladle handle in his teeth, flipping it upwards and depositing a heavy spoonful of fried oats on his plate.

“Oh, I gotcha,” the mare said with a laugh as she gathered up the bay covers in a vibrant green glow. “That happen that often?”

Hunter chuckled, grabbing several apples and rolling them onto his tray with a quick tap of his hoof. “Often enough that the Captain doesn’t even have to tell Nova what to do anymore. Kid makes his comments, and then runs the extra mile without anyone telling him.”

“Sounds like he’s just buying insubordination,” the mare said with a smile. The bay covers gathered around her, floating in her telekinetic grip.

“At this point, I think you’re right,” Hunter said, sliding his loaded tray onto his back. “Anyway, have a nice morning.”

“You too, hon,” she said with a smile, trotting off towards the kitchens, bay covers and empty trays floating along behind her. Hunter tipped his hat at her retreating form and then made for the table where the three Dusk Guard ponies were sitting in an animated conversation.

“So it’s more of a way of life?” Hunter heard Nova ask as he walked up to the table. The purple unicorn seemed to be involved in an animated discussion. “I mean, it kind of sounds like that,” he said, a small spoonful of oatmeal floated up hovered in the air in front of him, waiting for him to finish speaking. “Although I can’t say I agree with all of it.”

“Vizuri,” Sabra said as Nova took his bite of oatmeal in mouth, going quiet. “It is a method of living, but also a set of ideals, although by no means kamili.” The zebra spun flicked his wrist, balancing a green apple on edge of his hoof and then using his other hoof the set the apple spinning. Sky Bolt was sitting next to him, leaning slightly in his direction and showing every sign of hanging on his words.

“But that is why we embrace and learn from all types of knowledge,” Sabra said, rolling his hoof as the apple continued to spin. His eyes however, remained locked on Nova as the apple rolled with his hoof, never slowing. “There were many scholars at my monasteri that subscribed to the idea of the ren, but there were others who instead believed in the Tao, or the path.”

“I don’t think I have the head for that kind of stuff,” Nova said, giving head a shake. “Life’s tricky enough without worrying about some ideal constants to live up to.” He looked up and nodded as Hunter slid his tray onto the table and sat down next to him.

"Well, you say that,” Sky Bolt said, speaking up for the first time since Hunter had been listening, her eyes bright. “But if you think about it we already subscribe to our own philosophical ideals here in Equestria.”

“We do?” Nova asked, looking at the pegasus in confusion. “Like what?”

Hunter chuckled. “What do you think the whole idea of harmony is, Nova? Those Elements of Harmony that we hear about so often? Loyalty, honesty, kindness, generosity?” Sabra nodded in agreement at his words, and Hunter took a bite of his own fried oats, relishing the thick crunch as he bit down.

“Lieutenant Hunter is correct,” the zebra said, flicking his hoof and sending his apple into the air, catching it on his other hoof with apparent ease. “The guiding principles that Equestria was founded on are indeed a common philosophy of your nation. They are one of the reasons that I journeyed here in the first place.”

“But ...” Nova said, looking at the group. “Not everypony actually lives those. I mean, I’m a prime example of that.”

“And neither does everypony on Neighpon follow the paths of the Tao, even if the nation does as a whole,” Sabra said. He gave the apple one final flick, launching it into the air past his muzzle. His teeth snapped. As the apple landed on his other hoof, a flash of white could be seen among the spinning green.

“Eh,” Nova said, giving his hoof a dismissive wave. “I think I’ll stick with trying to figure out one method of thought. Friendship is hard enough.” The unicorn took another bite of his oatmeal, his eyes following the spinning apple. “Not to change the topic or anything,” he said after a moment. “But you would have made a pretty good thief. Maybe not as good as me, but pretty good.” Sabra cocked one eyebrow and Nova grinned. “That is, until you had to climb a rope.”

“Yeah, he can’t dance either,” Sky Bolt said with a laugh.

“Really?” Nova said, his spoon dropping into his bowl, forgotten. Hunter smirked as the unicorn sat up. “How’d you find that out?”

“I took him to The Four-hoof Clover last night,” Sky Bolt said, her own spoon tapping the tray with a faint clack. “We’ve got an open invitation there since we took out that golem.” She grinned at Sabra and the zebra’s cheeks flushed slightly, making Hunter chuckle. For that kind of reaction, he realized, Sabra truly had to be pretty bad.

“Ponyfeathers,” Nova said, leaning back in dismay. “Wish I’d thought of doing that last night. Instead I just practiced all evening.”

“Better that you did,” Hunter said, picking up one of his own apples in his hoof. He wouldn’t be able to put on a show like Sabra while he ate it, but that was fine. “Steel wants you up at full combat potential today when we’re on display.”

“Yeah, I know,” Nova said, rolling his eyes. “It’d be nice to go to the Clover though. I haven’t been in years. Not since I ...” his voice trailed off into an unintelligible mumble and he turned his head down, taking renewed interest in his breakfast.

“I’m sorry,” Sky Bolt said, cupping one hoof to her ear and tilting her head. “I didn’t quite catch that. What was it?”

Nova sighed, rolling his head to one side. “Not since I robbed Vinyl Scratch, alright?” Hunter narrowly avoided spitting a mouthful of apple across the table as he choked back a laugh. Sky Bolt, meanwhile, let out an uproarious laugh, bashing a hoof against the rough wooden tabletop.

“You robbed—?” Sky Bolt started to say, only to have her mouth snap shut in a yellow glow.

“Keep it down, ok?” Nova said, looking over his shoulders at the rest of the mess hall. Hunter took a casual look, but little had changed since he’d sat down. The majority of the ponies were still where he’d seen them earlier, and only the Royal Guard sergeant had even reacted to the laughter, although he was already looking back down towards his paper. “I don’t exactly want that getting out, alright?”

“Fine, fine,” Sky Bolt said as Nova released his hold on her muzzle. She stretched her jaw, wiggling it from side to side. “But now you owe me, because she asked about you.”

“She did?” Nova asked. Hunter looked up in surprise at Sky Bolt’s words. “Did she say why?” Nova asked, his voice somewhat hesitant.

Sky Bolt shrugged. “She didn’t say. Probably just wanted to meet the unicorn who busted up her gig.”

“Nice going, Nova,” Hunter said, tapping the unicorn with his elbow and giving him a smirk. “One real mission and you’ve already got the mares asking for you.”

“Oh laugh it up,” Nova groused, turning his attention back to his meal. Hunter turned back to his meal as well, and for a few moments the table was silent save for the sounds of everypony eating. 

The door to the mess hall swung open with a bang and Hunter glanced over his shoulder to see Dawn walk in. He took another bite of his oats as she trotted across the hall, and a few moments later she walked up next to Sky Bolt, a tray piled with apples held in the dull orange glow of her magic.

“Mind if I sit here?” she asked. Hunter shrugged, the rest of the table giving her similar gestures, and she sat down, flipping her tail out to one side. Her tray slid down in front of her, and she began to levitate her breakfast; apples floating up one at a time in front of her and separating into thin slices as she deftly cut them with her magic.

“Is that a newspaper?” Hunter asked, spotting the telltale grey and black print poking out of Dawn’s saddlebag. “Can I take a look at it?” Dawn nodded but said nothing, the paper sliding out of her bags with an orange glow and floating across the table. “Thanks,” he said, taking the paper in his hooves and unfolding it. He bit into another mouthful of oats and  took a look at the day's headlines.

“Anything interesting?” Dawn asked, her cultured Manehatten tinge cutting through the silence. Hunter took in the front page for a few seconds more, finishing his mouthful of oats.

“Define ‘interesting,’” he said after a moment. The front page was devoted to several articles, one chronicling Princess Luna’s tour of the city's parks and greens, another a retrospective on the aftereffects of the Changeling invasion. A quick skim didn’t show any telling connections to the Dusk Guard, although the article quickly terminated, promising the rest of its length to be found on page seven. Worth a glance maybe.

“Probably not,” he said as he glanced at the last article on the front page, which seemed to chronicle a back-and-forth battle between rival restaurants in the downtown district, each trying to one up one another in a competition of fine dining. Hunter suspected the only real losers of that challenge would be anypony of the public who was trying to stay in shape while the contest was going on.

A brief bolded blurb in the lower corner of the page caught his eye, and he raised one eyebrow as he read it. “Looks like Diamond Dog activity is on the rise in the Badlands and the Macintosh Hills. Two whole extra tribes have moved into the area, and apparently the Buffalo are taking exception to them.”

“That qualifies,” Dawn said from behind the spread of his paper. “Any chance we’ll become involved?”

Hunter shook his head, although she could probably only see his hat. “Doesn’t sound like it. Just a warning from the Rangers to keep out of the area for a few weeks while the Buffalo settle the dispute their way.”

“They probably have it well in hoof then,” Dawn said. Hunter nodded. Diamond Dogs were a constant occurrence in the southern reaches of Equestria, small tribes of them sometimes daring to move so far north as to reach the Everfree forest. The tribal species had never had a homeland to call their own, at least, none that anypony had ever heard about. They tended to move from place to place, living a nomadic existence much like the Buffalo, but without the sense of tact. Most nations considered them an annoyance, but permitted them to live on the outskirts or even engage in trade as long as they didn’t overstep their bounds which, Hunter knew from experience, happened quite often. Just over a year earlier a Ranger task force had been called in to drive a small cadre of Diamond Dogs out of Rambling Rock Ridge quarry east of Ponyville.

Done with the front page, Hunter flipped the paper open. Nothing out of the ordinary on the first few pages. Some letters to the editor, several of which still pertained to the ERS thefts, although none quite as virulent as they had been merely a few days before. Maybe word was starting to spread about the thefts being put on hold. He’d just turned the page again, revealing a massive drawing of the airship The Alicorn sailing through a clouded sky—apparently the ship was due to return to Canterlot from its maiden voyage the next morning—when Nova spoke up.

“So,” Nova said, his voice relaxed. “What’s everypony up to after breakfast?”

“Practice,” Sabra said, his response confined to a single word.

“In the new armor?” Nova asked, and Hunter swiveled one ear to listen in a bit better.

“Ndiyo,” Sabra said. It’d taken Hunter a few exposures to the word to realize that it meant “yes.”

“Sweet,” Nova said. There was a tapping sound, what Hunter assumed was a spoon being scraped rapidly against the bottom of one of the mess hall bowls. “What about you?”

“As much as I’d like to get a chance to play in armor like Sabra,” came Sky Bolt’s voice. “I’m going to be supervising the inflation of The Hummingbird’s envelope with liftgas. She’ll be ready to soar before the day is over!”

“Very nice,” Dawn said. “Where will you be inflating it?”

“Inside the workshop,” Sky Bolt said with pride in her voice. “When we rebuilt it I raised the ceiling, it’ll double as a hanger from now on. The roof opens right up with a little pneumatic pressure.”

“Pneumatic?” Hunter heard Sabra ask as he flipped the page, exposing the health section, which seemed dominated by a series of pieces touting the “Princess Diet.” He flipped the page again. Pretending he was lifting the sun or the moon while working out didn’t seem that appealing to him.

“Air-powered,” Sky Bolt explained to Sabra from behind the paper.

“How about you, Dawn?” Nova asked.

“I too shall be training,” Dawn said. “Sabra is helping me improve my unarmed combat capabilities.” There was a brief pause. “And what of yourself?”

“I’ll be hitting up the obstacle course in my new armor,” Nova said, an energetic edge to his voice. “I’m pretty anxious to see how I do with the armor, especially after these last few weeks of exercise. I don’t think I’ve ever been this in-shape.”

“Well, just remember to be at the Day Court a half-hour before noon, in full dress,” Hunter said, mumbling the words with a faint absence as he began flipping pages. Where is that financial section? he wondered. There’s bound to be something on the ERS sale.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be there,” Hunter ignored the colt's sarcasm as the paper fell open on the business section at last. Then his eyes widened in surprise, his jaw falling slack and wings springing out behind him.

“Holy Horsefeathers,” he said, spreading the paper flat on the table. “Look at this!” The rest of the table looked at him in surprise, and then down at the two-page spread sitting before them.

“Golden Spike Nearly Loses All in Badlands Investments!” the title proclaimed in bold letters below a picture of a surly and furious looking Golden Spike shouting at the camera. The subtext added in a slightly smaller font “Well-Known Venture Capitalist Nearly Bankrupted by Bad Bets!”

“Early this morning,” Hunter read while the rest of the team looked on, “Golden Spike, well-known owner and aggressive investor in several major Equestrian business holdings, announced to a shocked public that his most recent business expenditure, what was thought to be a low-risk investment in a mining start-up, has collapsed in what analysts are calling one of the largest business failures of the last decade.”

“Mimo Mining,” Hunter read on, “a company into which Golden Spike had pored considerable funds, announced to a shocked and angry board of investors last night that despite the considerable amount of funds given to them, they had been unable to make good on their promise to excavate any profitable sum of metal from the recently opened southern reaches of Equestria, despite promising core drilling samplings taken in the area.”

“Numerous investors are calling for an investigation into the collapse of Mimo Mining,” Hunter said, summarizing the article as he skimmed it, “and a spokespony from Sunny SouthEast Mining Corp, one of the largest rival corps with eyes on the area, has declared that the information has come to them as a shock, as their own investigations into that area of the Badlands had postulated it as an area of immense mineral wealth.”

He paused as he looked over the rest of the article, and then spoke again, summarizing the rest of the page. “It says that ‘despite the vast holdings still employed by Golden Spike, the loss of such a large portion of his liquid funds throws any future business dealings into doubt for the foreseeable future, including his outspoken plans to acquire a majority share of the Equestrian Railway Service in a deal that was to be brokered today at noon.’ Well shoot!” Hunter leaned back from the table, ripping his hat from his head and tossing it down on top of the paper with thump. “There goes my only real suspect.”

“That’s a tough break,” Nova said, nodding as he examined the angry looking picture of Golden. “I kind of had him pegged as our guy too, after the way I saw him acting at the dinner.”

Hunter shook his head, and picked up his hat again, giving it a gentle shake before placing it back on his head. “I shouldn’t be too quick to make that call,” he said, his momentary surge of anger gone. “It may just have been a miscalculation on his part. Who’s to say?” He gave a sigh and shook his head. “Still,” he said, gazing down at Golden’s picture. “This does put a little doubt on the theory. If he’d been planning on grabbing ERS with a scheme like this, he wouldn’t have made such a crazy investment.”

“Perhaps,” Sabra said, tapping the picture with his hoof. “Or perhaps he is simply so full of greed that his ambition has blinded him.”

“He didn’t quite seem that ambitious when I saw him at the dinner,” Dawn said, and Hunter nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, I’m with Dawn on that one,” he said. “He’s ambitious, but not that ambitious, not from what I saw.” He looked back down at his breakfast and then back up at the rest of the team. “That about does it for breakfast though,” he said, rising to his hooves. “I’d best go look into this.” He picked up his tray in his teeth, setting it on his back with practiced ease, and then looked at Dawn. “You mind if I keep this?” he asked, tapping the paper, and the pink unicorn shook her head.

“It’s all yours,” she said, floating an apple slice into her mouth. “Hope it helps.”

“Me too,” Hunter said as he picked the paper up in his mouth and trotted towards the door, sliding his tray into a waiting receptacle. “Me too.”


*        *        *


The light was on in Steel’s office, Hunter noted as he entered the barracks, meaning that the captain was probably having breakfast on the run again. Hunter gave his head a small shake as he trotted across the common room floor, paper firmly gripped under one wing. Discovering the golem had been one thing, but once the announcement about the ERS sale had hit, Steel had been downright ... well, jumpy wasn’t quite the right word for it, but on edge certainly worked. The insistence that everypony on the team be ready for full deployment by this morning was proof of that. Not that the situation didn’t sit well with Hunter, he could feel a sense of unease gnawing away at his insides. But the captain had taken that sense in full.

The receiving box outside Hunter’s own office was once again occupied, although as with every passing day before it the stack of papers was smaller than it had been. He took the packet in his teeth, shutting the box lid and pushed the door to his office open, hitting the lights with one wing as he entered. The packet felt even lighter today, and he wasn’t quite certain how he felt about it. On the one hoof, the information that was being delivered to him was being pared down, better sorted and identified as information that he would actually need. On the other hoof however, some of the stack's growing thinness had to do with the rapidly dwindling supply of leads.

“Well, time to see what they’ve drummed up for me today,” Hunter said dryly, dropping both the newspaper and the packet onto his paper covered desk. He’d cleared it the night before, but a few stacks of relevant information were still sitting out for quick access. A quick pull and the packets contents added themselves to the pile, a small stack of papers that couldn’t have been more than fifteen or twenty sheets thick bound with a single ribbon.

Hunter undid the ribbon and tossed it aside. The first sheet was nothing more than a summary from the Night Guard officer who’d put the packet together, summarizing the rest of the contents of the package. Hunter grimaced as he looked over the short, two item list. An examination of Golden Spike’s whereabouts on select days of the last few months, and a requested travel log of those same days.

He spread the sheets out with his hooves, looking down at the dates and comparing them. It was, unfortunately enough, just as he’d expected. On almost every single one of the dates when payments had been made on the warehouses in accordance with the rail schedule, Golden Spike had quite publicly been elsewhere, even out of the country.

“Well, it was a bit of a stretch,” Hunter mumbled to himself as he turned his attention to the other stack of paper. It was a travel log from the ERS offices, emblazoned with their own seal, detailing the passenger manifests on trains traveling to cities where warehouse payments had been made from cities where warehouse payments had been made. Names that showed up more than once had been highlighted, but as he pored over the list it quickly became clear that no single name was going to appear more than two or three times.

“Well, that about tears it,” Hunter said, sitting back in his chair in disgust and grabbing his guitar with one hoof. “Nothing, nothing, nothing!” He began to strum idly at the guitar, chords flowing from the strings. Hunter sat in silence for a moment, listening to the strings of the guitar as their music reverberated around the small office. Nothing.

Well, now what? he asked himself as his hoof continued to strum the guitar. I can track down anypony on that list who shows up more than once or twice and talk to them, but I doubt I’d get zip for my efforts. He shook his head. The odds of something as unique as the golem ring being, well, an actual ring of ponies was pretty slim. If there were ponies in on it in every city, then it wouldn’t make sense for the operation to be set up the way it was. Unless of course, that was the idea ...

He shook his head again, his long mane brushing against his shoulders. Maybe I can get that cut today, he thought, craning his head and eyeing the long straw-colored mane as it hung over his back. Then go see if Thistle wants to do anything. Maybe fly over to Ponyville and visit Derpy. After this mess with the ERS sale is over I could use a break anyway. He let out another sigh. It all seemed to come back to the ERS sale.

He sat forward again, intent on going over the list of passengers again to look for a pattern, but stopped as a small piece of paper caught his eye. He frowned, setting the guitar to one side. It was the note he’d gotten from Blade the night before.

“I thought I put that away,” he said, dragging the note across the desk with one hoof. He opened the top drawer of his desk, the one he’d reserved for personal items. Maybe I can go see Blade today too, he thought as he slid the note towards the open drawer. Catch up with her since she’s been so busy travel—

He stopped, the faint zip of the note sliding across the wood ceasing as he looked down at it, frowning. What was it the note had said? “I’ve been all over Equestria since I started working for these two. he read. Baltimare, Canterlot, Los Pegasus, Tall Tale … even Vanhoover!”

An idea was bubbling up in his mind now. His eyes darted up to an earlier portion of the note. “... they’ve got this sick custom railcar since they’re in charge of the R&D department for the railway.” he read. “They can just attach it to any train they want whenever they want,”

Wordlessly, Hunter slid the note back up across the desk, open drawer forgotten. His other hoof moved out and pulled the passenger manifest, the one detailing each and every train he’d asked the railroad to check in sequence, and slid it up next to the note from Blade. His eyes darted from sheet to sheet. Baltimare—Baltimare. Canterlot—Canterlot. Next on the list of warehouse payments was Los Pegasus. And there it was in Blade's note.

“Crikey,” Hunter said, the word slipping out of his mouth as he sat back. It wasn’t possible, was it? His mind darted back to the conversation he’d had with Captain Armor and Steel a few days earlier.

“Mint and Radiant, from what I remember, are both quite shrewd themselves.” The Captain had said. “I wouldn’t put it past them to be holding a grudge towards him.”

“But would they go so far as to sabotage their own company?” Hunter mused. “All that would do is put Golden up for buying ...” his words trailed off as he looked at the open paper he’d dropped to the desk, Golden’s angry visage staring up at him. “Unless he’s bankrupt.” His mind darted back to something that Mint had said at the dinner.

“I don’t think it’s good for him.” Those had been her words, speaking of Golden's constant investment in new business holdings.

“Could she have known?” Hunter asked, and then shook his head. No, it was a little too far-fetched, wasn’t it? He frowned as his eyes darted between the list and the note. Sure, it was convenient, but it didn’t mean anything. Destabilizing their own company wouldn’t do much, as Steel and Captain Armor had pointed out, unless they would have known that Mimo Mining was going to fail. Or perhaps they were just waiting until Golden overextended himself?

Hunter shook his head and stood. It would be easy enough to check. All he’d need to do would be to fly down to the ERS offices and have them check to see when the two sisters' rail car had been traveling. Surely the office would keep records of that.

His eyes darted to the clock. Almost ten already? He frowned as he looked back down at the papers. Flying down to the ERS offices wouldn’t take more than ten minutes. But actually digging up any records--assuming they existed--could take a while. He looked up at the clock again. And then if the records lined up, well then what? Go take up Blade on her offer of looking at the car? Either way, if he was supposed to be on guard at eleven-thirty ... he could send another guard to check, but if it turned out that the sisters were behind it all as some sort of ploy, well, there would be a chance that by the time they found out, the Princesses would have sold away everything already.

Hunter climbed to his hooves and grabbed his saddlebags from their hook near the door. The paper with the passenger manifests slid inside, followed by Blade’s note. He left the light to his room on as he trotted out the door, turning and heading up the stairs to Steel’s office. He gave the door three curt knocks, and then entered without waiting for permission.

The office was empty. Hunter ground his hoof against the doorframe and then took wing, flying towards the hallway that led past the crew quarters. A quick check of the armory showed that Steel’s locker was open, his armor gone. The training field then.

A quick flight out the door later brought him over the training fields, and he could see Steel down below, sparring with several Guard, all of whom seemed to be getting the shorter end of the experience. Steel was already a mountain of a pony, and clad in his new, dark olive-green armor the pony was an intimidating sight.

“Hey, Boss!” Hunter called, tucking his wings and putting himself into a dive. Steel looked up at him and then raised one hoof towards the guards, calling the exercise to a halt. Hunter spread his wings at the last second, coming to a quick halt just above the ground.

“What is it?” Steel asked, his expression terse.

“I need to you take over for me at the ERS signing today,” Hunter said, his tone as serious as he could make it. “I just got a possible lead on the golems and I need to check it out now.”

“Now?” Steel asked in surprise. “It can’t wait until later?”

“If I’m right,” Hunter said, giving his head a quick shake. “Then waiting until later will be too late. I need to check this now.” He waved the nearby Guard back, and they complied, most of them breathing heavily now that their sparring had stopped. No sense in starting rumors.

Steel nodded. “Very well, I’ll cover for you. Anything else I should know?”

“Keep a close eye on Mint and Radiant when they show up for the signing.” Hunter said, dropping his voice so that the nearby Guards wouldn’t be able to make it out.

“Mint and Radiant?” the boss said, tilting his head slightly.  “But they—”

“Appear to have been in every city that we’ve had golems in,” Hunter said. “In the exact same order. I’m just going now to check to see how the dates line up.

“But that doesn’t make sense,” Steel said. “Golden’s signing into controlling shares of the company. Why would they help him?”

“Who’s next up to option the shares if Golden can’t purchase them?” Hunter asked. Steel had been the one who’d looked into that.

“Well, Mint and Radiant,” Steel said. “But that won’t happen—”

“Unless Golden Spike suffers a massive financial collapse,” Hunter said, pulling the paper from his saddlebags. “Like he did last night.”

“Oh Tartarus,” Steel said, his body stiffening as he saw the headline. “Alright, go,” he said, force entering his voice. “See what you can find, and get back here with any proof. I’ll have the rest of the Guard on alert for anything out of the ordinary. Any idea what their game might be?”

Hunter shook his head. “I’m still not convinced there is one. It’s pretty far-fetched.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Steel said. “Something about this whole scenario has felt off from the beginning. Go do your checking, and get back here as quick as you can. Dismissed.”

“You got it, boss,” Hunter said, snapping a quick salute and snapping his wings down. He spun into the air, twisting as he headed in the direction of Canterlot's railyard. He didn’t want to find out that he was right.

But something in his gut made him quicken his pace.


*        *        *


“There she is, right over there,” the station worker said, pointing with one hoof. Hunter gave him a hurried nod of thanks as he bolted in the direction indicated. He could make out the golden colored tail of the stationmaster and general manager of the Canterlot ERS station up ahead as it ducked around one of the train cars. Hunter increased his speed, using his wings to keep his body airborne longer than it would have been between strides to make up for the treacherous footing of the switchyard.

He came around the rear of the same car that the manager had ducked around and almost plowed into her. Goldenrod let out a shriek of surprise, jumping back into one of the rail workers accompanying her. A clipboard fell to the ground as one of the workers lost their grip on it.

“Lieutenant Hunter?” Goldenrod managed to stammer, recovering quickly from her shock. “Can I help you?” Her tone was terse, the unspoken message “later” hanging between them.

“Yes, you can. Right now,” Hunter said. “I need to see if you have any records of what cars are attached to what engines on a few specific dates, and your plotheaded excuse for a records manager won’t let me in without your approval.” He could hear beating hoofsteps on the gravel behind him now. That would be the unicorn in charge of records, a stubborn mare who’d nearly made him mad enough to kick the door to the records department in himself.

“I see,” Goldenrod say, giving him an eye that probably meant she was trying to decide exactly how much trouble he was going to be. “And it can’t wait a half hour?”

“With all due respect ma’am, I was this close to just kicking the records door in myself and finding it anyway,” Hunter said as the overweight mare who’d rebuffed him at records slid around the corner, breathing heavily as she came to a stop. “If needed, I'll get an official warrant. But I need to see that information as quickly as possible, if you don’t mind, so I really don't have time for that.”

“It concerns the thefts?” Goldenrod asked, her expression still calm.

“Yes ma’am, it does,” Hunter said.

Goldenrod looked at him for a minute and then nodded. “Very well then, you have our permission to enter to the records department,” she said, giving him a distinguished nod. Hunter had an inkling that she and Dawn would probably get along really well. “You should have assisted him to begin with,” she said, directing the comment at the out of breath unicorn behind him before she could mount any sort of protest. “What are you looking for?”

“Well, as I understand it,” Hunter said. “You have a rail car somewhere around here that belongs to Mint Tam and Radiant Twist?”

“Of course,” Goldenrod said, her eyes widening. “It’s their private business car. Why?”

“As I understand it,” Hunter said. “They can attach their car to any train in the rail network and kind of hitch a ride, right?”

“Well, yes,” Goldenrod said. “But what does that—”

“So,” Hunter said, cutting the light green earth pony off. “Do you keep records of when and where they travel when they do that?”

“Well,” Goldenrod said after a moment of surprise. “Yes, we do. Only as a carriage number, but yes, we do keep track of that.”

“Good,” Hunter said, letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “Then I need to see whatever record would have that information for a series of dates.”

“Well,” Goldenrod said. “I suppose I don’t see the harm in that, but couldn’t you just ask them—”

“Only after I’ve seen the records, please,” Hunter said. “Can you do that?”

“Of course,” Goldenrod said, nodding to the records mare behind him. “Pull the records, show him what he needs.”

“Quickly, if at all possible,” Hunter said, turning.

“Right,” the records mare panted, turning and jogging off in the direction she’d come from. Hunter took wing following her close behind.


*        *        *


“Alright,” the mare said, her horn glowing a pearly white as she began pulling files from the row of filing cabinets. “Ms. Twist’s personal rail carriage is assigned number,” she paused as a paper floated in front of her, squinting, “number S-59, and you needed the Dispatcher’s Reports for which days?” she turned to Hunter as he held up the passenger manifests.

The mare sighed as she saw the list. “I spent all day pulling those yesterday, I wish you’d thought of this a little sooner.” She turned back to the rows of filing cabinets and began stepping to one side. “But if I’ve done my job, those records should be. ..” her voice trailed off as she stepped down the row, and Hunter felt his pulse rise a little. A glance at the clock hanging over the door told him it was a minute to eleven.

“Ah, here they are!” A drawer slid open, wrapped in the glow of her magic, files floating out. “Lets see, you needed that Tuesday, and then the following Thursday ...” the mare kept talking to herself, preoccupied in her search as folder after folder floated out and added themselves to a growing stack floating in the air next to her.

“Is that it?” Hunter asked as the last manilla envelope floated out and the drawer slid shut. He looked at the size of the stack in shock. “We have to go through all that?”

“Oh no dearie,” the mare said, trotting past him with a smirk on her face. “We only have to find the page that lists the numbers of each carriage attached to the engine and see if carriage number S-59 is listed on the manifest.”

“Well then lets get moving!” Hunter said, rustling his wings impatiently as he followed the mare into her office.

The mare spread the files across her clear desk in an arc with a swift flick of her horn. “I still don’t understand why you can’t just ask one the twins instead of—”

“No,” Hunter said, cutting her off and ignoring the offended look she gave him. “Ma’am, I can’t do that, and neither can you. In fact,” he said as he flipped one the folders open. “It would be best for you if you just forget this little exchange ever happened.” The mare gave an affronted snort. “Now, what page do I need to check?”

“It’ll be somewhere in the last few pages,” she said dryly, her expression clearly annoyed. “The last page or two will list the serial type numbers of each car. You’re looking for S-59.”

“There it is,” Hunter said, his eyes catching the number near the bottom of the last sheet. “So that means,” he said, pausing as he checked the date and destination at the top of the folder, “that when this train arrived—”

“Departed,” the mare said. “Departed.”

“Right, departed,” Hunter said, his eyes noticing the “D” next to the date on the folder. “So when it departed—” he checked the name, “—the central station in Manehatten, then Radiant and Mint’s carriage was part of the ride?”

“Exactly.” The unicorn gave him a quick nod of her head.

“Ok,” Hunter said, grabbing a pen from the inkwell on her desk and putting a check next to the date and city on his passenger manifest. “I’ll need to check all of these then.” He shoved the checked folder out of the way, ignoring the unicorn’s cries of protest as it slid from the desk, only being saved from crashing to the floor by her magic. “And I’ll need you to go pull any date around these dates. I need to make sure that it isn’t a coincidence, that they were just traveling on these dates,” he said, tapping his hoof on the manifest for emphasis.  “Got it?”

For a moment the mare looked like she was going to protest his orders, but then she let out a breath, gave a muted “fine” and stalked back into the records room, muttering under her breath. Hunter turned back to the work ahead of him, grabbing another file and flipping to the last page. His eyes ran down the list, focusing a moment later on the number he was looking for. S-59, in plain ink. He checked the date at the top of the folder, and the manifest got another check mark.

A few minutes later the mare walked back in, another set of folders clutched in her magic, and Hunter instructed her to check for the number to the sisters' carriage on each one. She gave him a dirty look, but quickly settled to her work, and before long the office was silent save for the swish of papers and the faint scratch of quills on paper as checkmarks began to add up.

Hunter made a final check to the manifest and sat back, pushing the last file away with his hoof. He stared down at the heavily marked manifest he’d brought with him. Without fail, each and every one of the dates had a black check next to it.

“Any luck with any of the dates you checked?” he asked, looking up at the mare sitting across from him. Her own search had been much quicker, most of the folders she’d been examining had already been set aside, two in one pile and the rest in stack that was nearly six inches in height.

The mare shook her head, flipping the last few folders past her eyes and depositing them on the larger stack. “Only in these two,” she said, tapping the two spare folders with her horn.

“Alright,” Hunter said sitting back. Ideas were buzzing through his mind. Was there another explanation? Could it just be a coincidence? He gave his head a shake. No, it was too exact. Still, he thought as an idea leapt to mind. There’s one more thing I can check.

“I’ll want to see the records for another set of dates,” he said, his eyes darting to the clock. It was almost eleven thirty, the search had taken him a half hour. “I need to know if you have any record of their carriage being around Canterlot for a few days straight in the last few months.” The mares mouth pursed at his words, but then she brightened.

“Well, they were here for some dinner function—”

Hunter cut her off with a wave of his hoof. “Further back than that. It might have been for a few days, maybe not, but it would have been a few months back, I can’t say when.” The mare began to open her mouth, but Hunter sat forward and cut her off. “They would have been using a rail line near the base of the mountain.”

The mare’s brow wrinkled, and then her eyes widened. “Oh, yes! I do remember that! It was a special request. A little odd though, that’s why I remember it.” She stood up, turning towards the record room. “One moment, I’ll be right back.”

Hunter watched as she left, then looked down at the ink covered manifest, and last to the clock. Eleven-thirty. Steel and Nova would be arriving at the Royal Court any second now. His eyes darted back to the manifest. Hope she hurries, he thought as he looked at the rows of black marks cutting across the paper. Because I’m really worried that I’m right.


*        *        *


“Ah, Captain Steel Song,” the mare said, her pale blue mane shining in the light of the Day Court hall. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last, I’m afraid I never had the chance to say hello at the dinner.”

“Miss Radiant,” Steel said, giving her a respectful nod. “I’ve heard a little about you, but it’s a pleasure to meet you face to face.” Unless you’re our mare, in which case it's a definite pleasure, he thought as he extended his hoof, giving Radiant’s a small shake. Gemstones hanging across her dress swung with the movement.

“Well, I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting with your lieutenant,” Radiant said, giving her mane a soft flick, a pale, white streak shining through as it flipped over her shoulder. “And I’ve also heard much about you from my own bodyguard.” She tilted her head towards the side of the hall, where a griffon with rust colored plumage and abnormally long claws was chatting with another griffon that he didn’t recognize. “She spoke highly of you,” Radiant continued. “Says that you are quite skilled.”

Steel gave her a polite nod. “I just do my job to the best of my capacity, that’s all.”

“Well,” Radiant said with a small smile. “Blade speaks highly of you and your talents, from the sound of it you were somewhat of a legend in your day. Which is why I find it most interesting that you’re heading this new Guard. Speaking of which,” she said, batting her eyes. “It’s a shame that your lieutenant is not here today. I was looking forward to speaking with him again.”

Steel kept his face carefully neutral at her words. “He had some last moment business to take care of,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “Were you expecting him to be here?”

Radiant shook her head. “Only hoping. I had heard that the Dusk Guard would be in attendance, although I must admit that the military dress is a surprise.” She tipped her horn at the dark green dress shirt and tie that Steel was wearing.

“We didn’t feel the need to be wearing our armor,” Steel said. “After all, this is simply a financial meeting in the heart of the palace.”

“Well, the other Guard are wearing their armor,” she said, waving one hoof towards the door, where several Royal Guard stood at stiff attention.

“Yes, but they’re on duty,” Steel said, narrowing his eyes. Something about the mare seemed ... off. He couldn’t quite place it. “Why, are you expecting trouble?”

Radiant snorted. “Not unless Golden Spike decides to raise a fuss,” she said, letting out a small laugh, but it almost sounded forced. “That poor pony, investing almost everything in a company that turned out to amount to nothing. It was doomed from the start,” she said, turning to walk away. “As aggressive and cruel as he is, he was merely begging for it.” She gave him a slight nod. “Good day, Captain Song.”

“Good Day to you, Miss Radiant,” he said, returning her nod as she walked away towards the griffon she’d indicated earlier, who seemed to be sitting on her own now on the edge of the room. Steel ran his eyes across the hall. Nova was down near the other end, looking relaxed underneath one of the large stained glass windows while he chatted away with some nobles. Steel knew that while he looked relaxed, the kid was analyzing everypony in sight.

Nova’s eyes met his and Steel gave a subtle tilt of his head in Radiant’s direction. Nova’s eyes made a quick dart and then he gave a soft, slow nod. To the ponies he was talking with, it probably looked like he’d just shifted his weight. Steel let a smile creep onto his face as he turned back to the rest of the hall. Sarcastic and cynical as the unicorn was, he couldn't begrudge the Princess for her choice. Nova was proving to be a capable member of the team.

Steel turned back towards the other side of the court, which was festooned in the colors of the day, mostly deep reds and golds that dominated both the carpet and the tapestries that hung from the ceiling. His eyes paused for a moment as he spotted Radiant’s sister, Mint, deep in conversation with several other ponies he identified as fellow shareholders in the ERS. He moved on, his eyes settling on Golden Spike, who was sitting all alone one the far side of the hall. The stallion had a glum look on his face, his eyes low towards the floor.

Steel began to trot across the hall towards Golden, his conversation with Radiant running through his mind. There was an uneasy shiver settling behind his shoulders, a rambling tingle that was making his coat stand on end underneath his dress uniform. After what Hunter’s suspicions, and her odd line of questioning, he could feel an edge to his consciousness. The pit in his stomach was growing as well.

“Well, if it isn’t the captain of the Dusk Guard,” Golden said, looking up as Steel approached. He swirled a glass in one hoof and then took a sip. His dark blue mane was carefully styled, his brown coat pristine under the dress tuxedo he was wearing, but his eyes were haggard, shot with red, dark circles underneath.

“Hello, Golden,” Steel said, stopping just a few feet short of the tired investor. “Looks like you had a long night.”

“I suppose it’s not that hard to tell, is it?” Golden said with a grimace. “One can only do so much when they are up all night trying to recover as much of their funds as possible.”

“So I heard,” Steel said. Golden took a sip of his drink. “And if it’s any consolation, you have my condolences. It can’t be easy having the rug pulled out from under you like that.”

“No,” Golden said with a shake of his head. “It isn’t. Then again,” he tilted the drink in his hoof, holding it close to his face and watching the amber liquid roll back and forth. “Maybe it was for the better. Who knows?”

Steel frowned. “If you’ll excuse my saying so, that sounds almost humble coming from you.”

Golden gave a scoff. “Never fear, captain,” he said, the arrogant tone that Steel remembered from the dinner coming back into his voice. “It’s only a monetary setback. I may not be able to purchase more than a few shares of the ERS, but I’ll survive. I might even get some of my funds back after the fraud investigation.”

“But you won’t have control of ERS,” Steel pointed out. Golden just rolled his eyes. “But there will be a fraud investigation?”

“Of course there will be an investigation,” Golden said, eyes widening in surprise at Steel’s words. “How could there not be? The Badlands are ripe with mineral deposits, everypony knows that. Mimo Mining securing the rights was an outstanding move on the part of those blasted sisters—”

“Wait,” Steel said. “What sisters?”

“You don’t know?” Golden asked, taking another sip of his drink. “Radiant and Mint of course, they helped push the approval permits through that got the Badlands opened in the first place. They weren’t the only ponies of course, everypony who’s anypony has had their eyes on the Badlands for quite some time, but they helped. They were planning on being Mimo Minings primary investors until I managed to outmaneuver them and score the deal myself.” He gave a sigh and fixed his eyes on his glass again. “I guess I should have let them take it, then they’d be the ones caught up in a fraudulent shell.”

“But—” Steel said, sitting back. “I was just talking with Radiant, and she said—” His words died in his mouth.

“Whatever she said, I can assure you it was a lie,” Golden said, eyes narrowing as he stepped forward. “Those two were as desperate as anypony else to be the primary investors in Mimo. And I should have let them take it.” He shook his head, his mane swaying back and forth as he continued speaking, but Steel was only half listening. “Then they’d be the ones who poured their bits into a company that seems to have made them vanish into thin air.” He gave another scoff. “I spent the last day trying to track down their board of directors, and I couldn’t find them anywhere. Nopony could. I’d bet they took the money and ran.”

“I think, Mr. Spike,” Steel said, cutting off Golden’s tirade against the company. “That you might not have outmaneuvered them after all.”

Golden’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean outmaneuvered? I was robbed is what I was. That money had—”

“Not Mimo,” Steel said, turning away and running his eyes across the court hall. It was almost noon. “It’s not them that I’m talking about.”

“Well then who—?” Golden’s query was cut off as the doors to the Day Court swung open and both of the Royal Sisters entered side by side, their ethereal manes forever flowing in some unseen breeze. The chatter in the room almost immediately died to a standstill as the two ruling Princesses looked out across the court, and Steel took the silence as a chance to search the crowd.

“My little ponies, welcome,” Celestia said, raising one hoof and addressing the crowd. Steel continued to run his eyes over the assembly as the Princess continued her greeting. There! he thought, spotting the telltale pale green coats of the two sisters standing beside one another. Mint looked calm and collected, while Radiant almost looked eager. Of course she’s eager, Steel thought. She’s about to—hang on. He frowned.

Where’d their bodyguard go?


*        *        *


“Look, I’m not comfortable—” the conductor started to say, but Hunter cut him off, snapping his hoof against the wood of the carriage door.

“Just open it,” he said, his voice low. “It’s an inspection, by order of the Dusk Guard.” The conductor gave him a nervous look, but complied, his horn lighting up, a ring of keys floating up from his coat pocket.

Hunter tilted his head back, looking up at the massive carriage. Expensively molded wood outlined a car that was almost twice as tall as some of the other rail cars he’d seen and almost twice as long as well. The personal business carriage of Radiant and Mint was colored a bright purple, almost regal, its edges smooth and rounded. It was apparently something that they’d built partially as a proof-of-concept. Unlike any other carriage on the railway, their car was two stories on the inside, something it accomplished by both sitting lower on the tracks and having a lower ceiling on the inside. At least, according to the worker who had shown him where it was parked in the railyard.

It had also, Hunter had learned a few minutes before, spent several days almost two months ago making trips to a currently unused rail line at the base of the mountain with a secondary cargo car attached. Apparently it had been part of some sort of “R&D experiment” that the sisters had told everyone to kept very quiet about. Along an unused rail line that happened to pass within a quarter-mile of the Crystal Caverns where several dozen tons of high grade crystal had vanished. A few quick words later, and he’d found himself outside the sisters' personal car with a nearby conductor whose name he hadn’t bothered to ask, waiting for him to open the door. If there was proof, he’d find it inside their personal car. He was sure of it.

“That’s odd,” the conductor said, stepping back and rubbing the back of his head with his hoof. “The door won’t unlock.”

“I thought you said that you had the master key?” Hunter said.

“I do,” the conductor said, pulling the key from the lock and giving it a critical eye before replacing it in the keyhole. “It’s supposed to open every door on any one of our trains!” He gave the key a rattle, pushing and pulling it. “This doesn’t make any sense,” he said, sliding the key out and then in again. “It’s a safety feature! Every door on any ERS train has to be able to be unlocked by the master key!”

“Yeah, well it looks like somepony didn’t want you to be able to take a look at what they were up to,” Hunter said, spinning around on his front hooves. “Move over.”

“Move over?” the stallion said, stepping aside as his eyes widened. “Are you going to—” Hunter kicked both his rear hooves out, the crack of the door drowning out the rest of the conductor's response. The door shuddered, but held. He shook his head. If he’d had the time, he could’ve just tried to pick the lock, but … He gave it another buck, and this time the surface of the door splintered, a large crack echoing across the railyard as the wood buckled slightly.

“Crikey,” Hunter said, shaking his rear hooves. “This one's a good nick.” He reared up a third time as the conductor looked on with horrified eyes. Hunter lashed out—and the door snapped again, this time visibly sagging inward under the blow. He gave it one final, solid kick, and the door split in two; the one half tumbling back into the carriage car and slamming into a wall, the other half teetering for a moment on its rails before falling to the side, bouncing off of the carriage.

“Alright,” Hunter said, turning around and eyeing his hoofwork. “It’s open.” He tapped a metal plate that had been around the back of the doorframe's lock. “There was probably one of these on the back door too,” he said, looking over at the now terrified conductor. “Somepony really didn’t want anyone getting in.”

“You just broke their door,” the conductor said at last, his expression dazed.

“Yes I did,” Hunter said, stepping through the doorway. “And if I’m wrong I’ll pay for it. Stay out here will you? If anyone comes, just tell them it's official business and to move along.” From the look of it the entryway led to a pair of stairs, one set going up and the other down. The broken half of the door was resting against the wall that divided them.

“But what if someone starts asking questions?” the conductor asked, his voice nearly a whine.

“Make something up or something,” Hunter said, taking the upper stairway. “What a whinger,” he muttered under his breath as pressed against the door at the top of the stairs. It slid easily under his hoof, making not a sound as it opened up to the upper portion of the car.

It was, Hunter admitted to himself as he looked it over, quite luxurious. What looked like almost a full two-thirds of the top of the car was taken up by a very expensive and plush looking combination sitting room and office that wouldn’t have been out of place in any upper-class Canterlot noble's home. Thick white carpet muffled his hoofsteps as he stepped into the room, and the lights came on without him ever touching a switch, although the windows that stretched the length of the car at head level didn’t make their appearance very startling. The corner to his right was occupied by what looked like a mini-bar, while the center of the room was home to several chairs arranged around a low table. The far wall was dominated by a large desk and another hall, which he assumed led to the stairs down.

Hunter shook his head and took a quick look through the windows, his eyes settling on the massive clock that hung at the far end of the railyard. Ten minutes to noon. It was kind of nice, the ERS having those clocks everywhere.

“Alright, evidence, evidence, evidence,” Hunter muttered to himself. The desk was the most likely spot, so he glided over to it and began checking through the drawers. glancing over their contents. For a moment he thought he’d found something with the bottommost drawer, but when he flipped one of the files open it was nothing more than financial reports. Old financial reports from the date on the top. He flipped through a few more folders before tossing them on the top of the desk. Nothing.

A quick check around the rest of the room showed nothing that caught his immediate attention, and he could almost feel the tick of the clock in the back of his head, moving towards noon. He headed down the hallway, stopping at the first doorway and pulling it open, and then pausing and letting a low whistle out.

It was a bedroom. Small and somewhat cramped, but still far more luxurious than anything he’d ever slept in. Unless he missed his guess, the bedspread was solid silk, and the pillows sitting against the back of the bed looked to be silk as well.

Hunter darted into the room, his eyes searching for anything, anything at all that could be used as evidence that the two sisters were up to something. One of the enchanted crystals, a piece of notepaper—anything! A nightstand next to the bed held a small notebook, and he flipped it open, eyes running over the small pages. Diagrams and sketches of gears stood out to him alongside technical drawings of rail carriages and steam engines. He frowned, flipping forward.

“Come on, come on ...” he muttered as the pages flipped by. “There has to be something—ah!” He stopped flipping the pages, staring down at a small drawing of what looked quite a bit like the enchanted crystals they’d found in the golem set. Numerous equations surrounded the small diagram. He’d seen enough magic equations to recognize the scrawled notes as such, but he had no idea what they meant. Still, it was close enough that he could probably use it as an excuse to cut off any hope the sisters had of buying ERS.

He flipped the page and his jaw dropped. Staring up at him from the faintly yellow pages was the unmistakable chest of one of the golems, notes and specifics written all around he it. He flipped the page. Another diagram, this one showing off one of the golem's arms. Another flip. A leg.

“Crikey,” Hunter said, sitting back with a soft thump. “They really are behind it.” He sat for a second, his eyes wide. As glad as he was to find that he was right, it was still a shock.

“But why did they—?” he shook his head. “No time for questions, Hunter,” he said to himself, snapping the notebook shut and tossing it into his saddlebag. “Now it’s time to—” he stopped speaking as he turned, something sparkling in the corner of his eye. He crossed the small bedroom and pulled the partially ajar dresser drawer all the way open.

A battery crystal, just like the one they’d found in the folem, glowed faintly up at him from the dresser drawer. Hunter tapped it, then picked it up. If this doesn’t condemn them, he thought as he slid the crystal into his backpack. Nothing will.

His ears perked up as he heard the first chime of the railyard clock. “Tartarus!” He darted for the door, his wings giving him extra push. I have to get this to Steel, he thought as he rounded the doorway. Before the Princesses—

“Hey there, Hunter,” Blade said from the far side of the room. She tilted her head, giving him a feral grin as he came to a halt.

“We need to to talk.”
> Operation - Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 10


“Well,” Princess Celestia said, her tone warm as she looked out over the assemblage of ponies spread across the Day Court. “Shall we begin?” Steel took his place midway down the hall, underneath one of the massive stained glass windows depicting the two Royal Sisters. Nova was already standing at attention straight across from him under a stained glass of his own, this one depicting the Elements of Harmony.

The various ponies occupying the court began to move towards their seats. Guard took their usual position by the doors and stationed around the room, clad in both the gold of the Royal Guard and the cobalt blue of the Night Guard. The various noble and dignitaries that had shown up for the occasion, Primetail among them, settled into the public seating. Overhead, newspony pegasi were already taking pictures and writing down notes as the two ruling sisters and the rest of the ERS board took their seats at the long table set in the center of the hall.

“We call this board meeting of the Equestrian Railway Service to order,” one of the board members said. Steel toned the stallion’s words out as he made eye contact with Nova.

“Trouble?” Nova mouthed, his eyes narrowing.

“Griffon,” Steel mouthed back, giving his head a slight tilt towards where Mint and Radiant sat at the table. Nova’s eyes widened, and they darted around the room for a moment. Then, he gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

Ponyfeathers, Steel thought, his eyes darting to the clock as the board member began to read the notes of the prior meeting. Where did that bodyguard get to?


*        *        *


“Blade Sunchaser,” Hunter said as he stared at the red-feathered griffin in front of him.  “I’ve got to say this is a bit of a surprise.”

Blade let out a short laugh. “Really?” she asked, shaking her head from side to side, her eyes never leaving him. “You know, they told me you were close, but I thought you would have seen this coming.”

“Not that,” Hunter said, taking a slow step forward. Blade’s body tensed, muscles coiling, and he stopped. Her talon sheaths were gone, the long, vicious claws exposed to the air. Claws that would carve right through flesh. “You working with them. I’d never pegged you for the type to stoop this low.”

Blade shrugged, an apologetic look on her face. “Sorry, Hunter. I wish it didn’t have to be this way, I really do. But life’s tough, they’re a paying job, and I signed my contract.” She tapped her talons against the carpet and took her own step forward. “They pay me, I do the job, plain and simple.”

“But hurting innocents?” Hunter asked, unable to keep the sense of betrayal from his voice. “Stealing? Plotting a financial takeover? What kind of job is that?”

“A paying one,” Blade said, her voice calm. “Honestly, compared to some of the work I’ve done, this is pretty clean.”

“So that’s it then,” Hunter said, his voice growing harsh in his throat. “You’re nothing more than a hired killer then? Have you gone and cracked a fruity?”

“Hey!  I am not a hired killer!” Blade said, stepping forward and pointing a razor-sharp talon at his chest. “I’m not just some thug for hire, alright? I wouldn’t be doing this job if it were. All I’m doing is guarding Radiant and Mint’s secrets for a while. I’m not the one robbing trains, or trying to take over some company, or whatever it is those two are up to. I’m just the one hired to make sure that nopony else gets in the way for the time being, you got it?”

“What you are,” Hunter said, moving forward until Blade’s outstretched talon poked him in the chest just lightly enough that its tip didn’t draw blood. “Is starkers. You think what you’re doing is excusable?” he asked, one hoof outraised and pointing out the window. “Ponies have been hurt by this. This whole thing is wrong.”

“You think I like it?” Blade asked, her voice just under a yell. “You think I like all this skulking around?” She sat back on her haunches, both paws in the air. “No, I actually prefer action, I like the rush of adrenaline I get when something is going right.” Her eyes met his with a pointed glare. “I don’t care much for this job either. But they’re paying me for it, so I do it.”

“And you’re just fine with a job covering for thieves?” Hunter asked.

“Hey, no one’s perfect,” Blade said, giving another shrug. “If not me, it’d just be someone else doing the same job.”

“Well then I guess I’m a bit disappointed in you,” Hunter said, stepping back and shaking his own head. “You’re not the friend I knew.” Blade flinched as the words left his mouth, her expression growing grim.

“Well, I’d at least still call myself your friend,” she said. “Friend enough to give you a chance to stand down. Radiant needs me to keep you quiet for a few hours longer. Honestly, I think she wanted me to kill you,” she said, tapping the tips of her talons on one paw together with an ominous click and giving him a regretful look. “But I’d really rather not.”

“You know I can’t do that, Blade,” Hunter said, shifting some of his weight to his back legs. “It sounds like we’ve each got a job to do. You can either back down, or this is gonna be a rumble.”

“You’re going to fight me?” Blade asked, her eyes widening in surprise. “You do remember the part about me almost being a bıçakların ustası, don’t you? You might have been able to outwrestle me in flight camp, but that was a long time ago, Hunter. And I couldn’t use these then.” She gave her talons a quick flex, the sunlight gleaming off the carefully polished lengths.

“I don’t have to beat you,” Hunter said, extending his wings. “Just get past you.”

Blade shook her head. “And there you’re wrong again, Hunter,” she said, extending her own wings and stepping to one side, a series of heavy thumps resonating from the stairs behind her. Crouched, holding its massive bulk close together as it marched up the stairs, was a golem identical to the one that he’d faced with the team on the train. It stopped as it reached the top of the steps, as if waiting for orders. An echoing set of footsteps and a quick glance behind him showed a second golem also coming to halt at the top of the second set of stairs, its wood and metal bulk filling the short hallway.

“You’re going to have to get past much more than just me,” Blade said with a quick shrug, the apologetic look still on her face. “And unlike me, these things won’t pull any punches just because you’re my friend.” She turned her gaze to the golem standing near her by the top of the stairs. “I’ve gotta say though, cool toys make a dull job a lot more bearable. You know these things will respond to my voice? Not yours,” she warned, turning back to look at him. “So don’t try it.”

“But yeah,” she said, looking back to the motionless golem. “These things are great. Heavy lifting, hiding in plain sight ... I mean who would ever suspect a box, right?” She chuckled and then turned back, a neutral look on her face. “I mean, aside from you guys. Radiant was furious when you guys figured it out.”

“If they’re so useful, why doesn’t your boss just sell them?” Hunter asked. “We did the math. She’d be making a lot of bits if she’d just sold these things.”

Blade shrugged. “Beats me. I honestly don’t think that Radiant is, you know—” she tapped one side of her head with a long talon, “—all there. But hey, she made them, she can do what she wants with them. Anyway ...” she drug the word out, tilting her head to one side. “Are you going to surrender?”

Hunter looked at her for a moment, his mind racing. Blade is tough, and she’s fast. I’m pretty sure I can outfly her, but not in close quarters. His eyes darted toward the golem. One of these things at my back, another in front. I can’t get past either of them right now, but if they move ...

“Well, Hunter?” Blade asked, her eyes narrowing. “What’s it going to be?”

“I think ...” he said, shaking his head and taking on last moment to run his eyes around the room. “Fight!” He lashed out with his front hooves as he  yelled. Wood cracked as one of the room's plush chairs went flying towards Blade. She shrieked as it crashed into her, knocking her back. Hunter leapt forward, pressing his advantage.

“Golems!” Blade screamed as Hunter brought his front hooves down on top of the chair,  driving it into her. One paw lashed out, her talons biting into the chair and piercing through to the other side. His eyes widened as a second set pierced through, and then the two halves of the chair separated with a crack, ripped asunder by the griffon’s strength. “Attack!”


*        *        *


“This concludes the reading of the minutes from the meeting prior,” the spokespony for the board said. “Now, moving on to our first item today—”

“A moment, first, if I may.” Princess Celestia stood as she spoke, and Steel watched as the spokespony made a strangled expression, seemingly fighting between his desire to maintain control over the meeting and the desire to let one of the sovereign Princesses speak. He made a quick glance  towards Radiant, who nodded. Steel narrowed his eyes as the spokespony turned back towards Princess Celestia. There was a message there, a subtle reminder to everypony present who was really in control of the meeting.

“You may,” the spokespony said.

“Members of the board,” Celestia began as a familiar figure sidled up alongside Steel. “It has always been my greatest honor to serve as your leader—”

“Expecting trouble?” Shining Armor asked in a low voice. “You look tense enough to split stone with your bare hooves.”

“I feel tense enough to do it,” Steel said, his eyes not leaving the board members. “You have it too?”

Shining gave a nervous chuckle. “You mean that growing pit of alarm in my stomach that tells me something’s completely wrong? Yeah. I do.” Steel nodded at the admission, his eyes still fixed on the two sisters.

“We have worked to guide Equestria for centuries—” Princess Celestia was saying.

“Any thoughts?” Shining asked.

Steel tore his eyes from the board members for a moment, darting to the tall, ornate hourglass at one end of the hall. “Tell your Guard to be ready, my lieutenant is off checking for proof of something.”

“And if he gets it? “ Shining asked.

“Then we’ll need to move fast.” Steel said, his eyes darting to the clock again. Come on Hunter, where are you?


*        *        *


“Eeyah!” Hunter shot backward as the remains of the chair attached to Blade’s claws crashed down on the floor, the wood splintering and cracking as what was left of the ornate luxury item came apart. Blade shrieked again as she dove forward, a shrill sound that ripped into Hunter’s ears. Her talons spread wide, razor-edged tips gleaming. He snapped his wings once more, launching himself to his right, her claws barely missing his flank as she shot past.

The first golem was lumbering forward now, one of its arms drawing back. A quick look behind him showed that the second golem was also moving into the room, picking up speed as it shook the room with its footsteps. I can’t take both of these things in this close a space, I need to distract them and move for an exit! He dove forward, wings giving him extra thrust as he made for the golem. If I can dive between its legs—

The golem’s fist came down and Hunter threw his body to the side, feeling something brush against the feathers of his wing as he rolled away. The moment his hooves were under him he leapt—completely on instinct—and Blade’s talons swept through the space where he’d just been. He lashed out with a hind leg, a shock resonating up his leg as it connected with something. Blade let out a shriek of pain.

The golem next to him took a step back. raising its arms. Whether it was intentionally covering the exit or just some sort of stupid luck, he wasn’t sure, but it was still between him and the stairway. He tried a quick roll, snapping his wings out and then in as the golem made a series of clumsy swipes for him, its open hands missing him each time—but just barely. He felt his back hooves come to rest on the wall and he snapped his head around, taking a quick survey of the room before pushing off. Blade was on her feet, looking a little dazed but both eyes fixed on him. The back golem seemed to be hanging back somewhat, almost like it was waiting for something.

“You can run all you want, Hunter!” Blade yelled at him as he pushed away, hearing the dull thump of the golem as it impacted the wall behind him. “But you’re not getting out of here!”

He shifted his wings, putting himself into another roll, this time aiming straight for Blade. Her paws came up, talons extended, and at the last second he threw himself into another roll, lashing out with both his front hooves. They slipped past Blade’s defenses even as his right wing clipped the floor with a sharp spike of pain. Both hooves struck home, and Blade rocked back even as two of her own talons dug into his side, drawing light bloody tracks across his side and flank.

Hunter let out a yelp of pain as he rolled across the small table in the center of the room, crashing to the floor but coming up on all four hooves. A quick look as his side showed two lines of blood, both open and bleeding, but not too deep. He twitched his wings, wincing as one popped. They hurt, but they were functional.

Hunter could hear the lumbering hoofsteps of the golem behind him and he spun, kicking out with one leg and launching one of the books that had been sitting on the table flying at the approaching creature. He darted backwards as one of its hands snapped out, swatting the slow flying book aside with a blow so powerful that the wall shook when the book hit it.

“So you’re really going to fight this, huh Hunter?” Blade asked as she rushed in, her claws swinging at him in calculated motions. Hunter dove back again, narrowly  avoiding a second strike from the golem as he did. “I was going to sit back and let you figure this out, but you’re kinda annoying me by this point.” He fell back, shielding his muzzle as Blade continued to step forward, her wings outspread as both her forelimbs lashed out in calculated movements. He could see the golems approaching from both sides now, hemming him into a corner, although they seemed hesitant to strike at him with Blade so close.

Tartarus! If I just had my armor—yeow! Pain blossomed along his foreleg as his latest dodge fell short, one of Blade’s curved talons digging into his flesh. He stumbled back as blood began to pump out of his foreleg, staining the white carpet a dull red.

“Give up yet, Hunter?” Blade asked, her expression grim. “I don’t enjoy this.” The golems were closing in, and Hunter felt his tail touch the back wall. “If you surrender now, I won’t let the golems beat you into unconsciousness. There’s no way out.”

“Oh, you know me,” Hunter said, giving her a grin as he flipped his saddlebags open. “I’m never one to just quit that easy.” Blade’s eyes widened in confusion as he pulled the battery crystal from his saddlebags, balancing it on one hoof. “Catch,” he said, giving it a lazy toss towards the nearest golem.

“No!” Blade screamed, her eyes widening as she recognized the spinning crystal. Hunter ducked back, tucking his head and legs as close to his body as he could and covering his ears. There was a massive crack as one of the golem's outstretched hands met with the crystal, sending it rocketing towards the far wall even as it lit up, growing brighter and brighter as it flew. Hunter shut his eyes.

There was a massive roar that shook the room mixed with a bright light that almost burned through his tightly clenched eyelids. Hunter felt his body lift, slamming into the wall with great force. Stars burst behind his eyelids, he felt the wall flex under the impact of his body, a searing heat sweeping over him, sharp pinpricks of pain digging into his skin—

Then it was over, and he fell to the floor, his ears ringing from the force of the blast. He sat up, shaking his head and blinking his eyes. Gotta get out of here before she shakes that off!

His vision cleared, allowing him to see the damage, or at least what part of it he could make out through the smoke. The carriage was a wreck. He could see sunlight shining through a gaping hole in the far wall where several of the window frames had simply been disintegrated by the force of the blast, nearby wooden trim burning with small flames that moved through a rainbow of colors. The carpet was scorched and melted.

Blade was lying a few feet in front of him on the floor, clearly disoriented but breathing. She shifted, her beak opening, a faint groan making its way through the ringing in his ears. His eyes darted to the golems. Both of them had fallen to the floor, but he could see one of them twitching. Whatever the raw outburst of magical energy had done to them, they seemed to be recovering from it. One of them began to move, its fingers opening and closing.

Hunter gave his head another shake and began trotting towards the hole. His head was ringing, the world shaking back and forth, although it seemed to be steadying itself. He put a hoof to his forehead and it came away damp with blood. Maybe it was just a cut. At least my hat’s still there, he thought as he felt the familiar shape of his Stetson. Swift was right to get that enchantment on it.

He stumbled as he approached the hole, his balance going screwy for a moment. I could wait, he thought, looking down at the pinpricks of blood on his coat where fragments of the crystal had bit into his flesh. Some Guard would be along and then I could just tell them to—

There was another groan behind him, followed by a muttered string of Griffish words. Or not, Hunter thought as he turned to see Blade push herself to her feet, shaking her head. She hadn’t looked his way yet, and he stumbled forward, pushing his wings down as he almost fell out of the opening.

He felt the air rush past his face, and for a brief second he panicked, his eyes going wide, but then the ground pulled away as he flew up with strong, steady wingbeats. His wings hurt, but thankfully, neither of them seemed to have suffered any from the blast. All right, he thought as he fixed his eyes on the distant palace. I just need to get to that meeting and—

“Hunter!” He turned as Blade called his name, craning his head behind him to see her taking wing, following him into the air. “Get back here!”

“Give it up!” he called back, a spike of pain driving into his head for each word. “You can’t even fly straight!” It was true, she was wobbling, twisting in the air. One wing seemed to be wounded, its flaps weaker. “Just sit back and wait for the Guard to arrive!” He could see railway workers below now, rushing towards the burning carriage.

Blade let out a shriek of rage as Hunter turned away, putting even more power into each push of his wings and lifting into the clear blue sky.


*        *        *


“And so, it is with great humility that I ask you, the assembled members of the board, to reconsider,” Princess Luna said, giving the table a small bow. The Princess of the Night sat and Steel watched as the various audience members began to murmur. “I call for a vote,” Luna said. “To determine if we should indeed go through with this.

“Princess Luna motions to once again put to a vote the question of the forcible sale of stock by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,” the spokespony said.

“Seconded,” came a surprising voice, Golden Spike raising his hoof. “I second the motion.”

Clever, Steel thought as the surprised spokespony announced the vote. Golden seemed to be focusing his attention at several other members of the board, no doubt ponies he expected to side with him in exchange for later favors.

“All in favor?” the spokespony called out. Celestia and Luna’s hooves rose almost in unison, the two exchanging a glance that lasted just long enough that Steel wondered if they were speaking to one another silently. Golden’s hoof also rose, the dark brown stallion fixing his gaze on the other ponies of the board. One by one, each of the ponies turned towards Radiant, who gave her head a soft shake.

“Very well,” the spokespony said. “All opposed.” Almost as one, each of the remaining board members raised their hooves, the spokespony included.

“Motion failed,” the spokespony said, amid mutterings of the watching ponies. “And now, unless there are any further interruptions—”

“I wish to say something,” Golden Spike said, standing. The crowd gave a surprised murmur, several cameras flashing.

“And I wish to take care of business,” Radiant said, her voice cutting through the room like ice as she spoke for the first time. There was something about it that made the hairs of Steel’s coat stand on end, a cold tone that made his stomach clench further. He could see Nova’s eyes narrow as Radiant spoke. “We’ve been here far too long already, let us get this over and done with.” There was a sharp edge to each word as she pronounced it. “If necessary, I say we vote to take care of the first item on the agenda now.”

“Are you in such a hurry, Radiant?” Luna asked, leaning forward. “Should we not listen to Golden as well?”

“To what end?” Radiant asked, leaning forward and staring at Luna. “He merely delays the inevitable. I say we conduct our business now, and if Golden wishes to speak, he could do so afterwards. After all,” she said, giving Golden a smile that was almost as cold as her tone. “He was the one who organized this vote in the first place. What more could he add to that?”

Golden Spike fixed her with his own hot glare, his jaw visibly tightened. “Somehow I don’t think I was really the one who organized any of this,” he said, sinking back in his chair. Steel could hear hushed whispers from the audience of ponies now, and the newsponies were snapping even more photographs. “But it appears I can’t stop it. Proceed.” Radiant leaned back, a wry smile on her face as the spokespony began to announcement that Celestia and Luna would be signing away their control and ownership in the company.

Come on Hunter! Steel thought, his eyes darting to the clock again. Where are you?


*        *        *


Hunter’s head was pounding by the time he approached the front gates of the castle. Several Guard pointed up at him as he approached the wall, some of them letting out cries of alarm at the sight of his bloodied coat. A pair took wing, flying up to meet him.

One of them opened his mouth. “Sir, are you alri—”

“I’m First Lieutenant Hunter of the Dusk Guard,” Hunter said, cutting the pegasus off, his vision blurring as he spoke. He winced and gritted his teeth as the two hastily saluted. “I need to get to the Day Court immediately.”

“But sir—” one of them began.

“I said immediately!” Hunter said, pushing himself forward. “Escort me there or get out of the way, but I need to get to that court now!”


*        *        *


“Princess Celestia,” the spokespony said, pushing a piece of parchment across the table. “If you would sign on the dotted line please.” Princess Celestia let out a sad sigh, regret written on her face as she lifted the offered quill in her magic. The quill lowered towards the parchment, and for a moment the everypony in the hall, Steel included, held their breath.

“With this,” Celestia said, the quill pausing before it reached the paper, “all of my shares will be considered sold?”

“Yes, your highness,” the spokespony said. “Once you’ve signed that paper, your shares will no longer be your own.”

“And you’re certain there is nothing I can do to change your minds?” Celestia asked, her eyes filled with sadness. The spokespony shook his head, and Celestia closed her eyes, giving her head a soft shake. The quill lowered, touching the parchment, and then began to write.

There was a muffled shout, and then the doors to the Day Court crashed open, Night and Day Guard leaping back in surprise. “Stop!” Hunter yelled, flying into the room and making a rough landing, one of his legs almost crumbling beneath him. The startled Guard leapt into action, unsheathing weapons and moving to surround the battered pegasus. Celestia looked up, the quill holding motionless on the parchment.

“Stand down!” Steel called towards the Guard, his calle echoed a second later by Shining Armor. “That’s Lieutenant Hunter!” He could hear the crowd gasping in shock as the Guards pulled back, revealing the battered pegasus for all to see. His coat was covered in blood, some of it still leaking from a series of long slashes on his side, and his mane and hat were singed, as if something had tried to set fire to him.

“Princesses,” Hunter said, pushing himself to his hooves with obvious effort, his muscles tight with pain and one wing now hanging limp at his side. “Don’t. Sign. That. Paper.” He paused, taking a heaving breath. “This entire thing has been a set-up from the start,” he said, pulling his saddlebags from his back and dropping them on the floor in front of him. “And I’ve got proof.” He ducked his head inside the saddlebags and came out clutching a small book in his teeth.

“This book,” he said, tossing it to the floor. “Is the journal of either Radiant or Mint, I don’t really know which. I took it from their personal carriage a few minutes ago, where I was attacked by their bodyguard and a couple of animated constructs that Radiant apparently built. The very same constructs,” Hunter said, as everypony in the room turned to stare at the two sisters, “that have been robbing trains for the last few months, leading everypony right to this meeting.”

“Is this true?” Celestia said, the quill falling from her grip as Radiant stood, Mint at her side, and began to back away. “Did you create the golems?”

“I guess there’s no point in denying it,” Radiant said. The assemblage gasped, photographers snapping rapid shots as an unsettling grin began to grow across Radiant’s face. The pale green mare let out a chuckle. “After all, that is my notebook.” She turned, throwing her eyes across Hunter, her grin stretching wider. “You should be ashamed of yourself, Lieutenant Hunter, breaking into a private business carriage like that.”

“It is fortunate that I did not finish signing this farce of a document,” Celestia said, standing. Gone was the sad expression she had worn only a minute prior, replaced by a stern visage. “Guards, place Miss Radiant and her sister under arrest.”

“Arrest?” Radiant asked, her voice mocking. Then her eyes narrowed, her lips drawing back in a snarl. “I’ve got a better idea.” Her horn lit up, pale green light rippling across her dress. Steel bolted forward, Shining Armor alongside him as one of the crystals on Radiant’s dress floated up into the air in front of her.

“The gem!” Nova yelled. “It’s—” There was a crack as the gem snapped in two, followed by a bright flash as the two sisters were enveloped in a sphere of pale green light. Steel skidded to a halt as the sphere flashed once, then twice.

“It’s a teleport,” Steel heard Luna say in awe. “Right through our wards!” The sphere crackled, flashing again as it began to grow in size, pulsing and throbbing as it took on a sickening glow.

“Everypony get back!” Celestia called out as the globe continued to grow, pulsing with inner light. Ponies began to scream, the crowd scattering as the globe grew to twice the height of a pony. Then, with a final sound that reminded Steel of a pony pulling their hoof from thick mud, the sphere broke apart, sections of the sphere pulling away and fading as if somepony was peeling an orange, revealing the form that had been within.

Steel’s jaw dropped as the teleport spell faded. The two sisters had vanished, replaced instead by something massive and angular. “Everypony get back!” he yelled, finding his voice as his hooves scraped against the floor, sliding on the smooth, white marble. “Get out! Now!” 

There was a faint rumble as the massive shape stood, stretching itself to its full height, easily half-again the height of the Princesses themselves. Ponies began to scream as two massive limbs flexed, then extended, the light of the hall glistening against the green crystal surface. Two large hands opened and closed, forming fists, and a single red gem set in the construct's chest began to glow like an unearthly eye. The crystal golem let out a single, keening wail that shook the hall, the stained glass windows vibrating.

“By the stars above!” Steel heard Celestia exclaim as the golem turned towards the Princess, letting out another wail.

Then it charged.
> Operation - Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 11


“Get back!” Captain Song yelled as the crystalline golem began to charge towards the Royal Sisters, letting out another warbling wail.

I guess we know where that stolen crystal went, Nova thought as he charged forward, his horn lighting with magic. How in Tartarus are we going to stop this thing? As if in answer, both the Princesses lowered their horns and unleashed their magic, twin beams of energy lashing out from their horns and smashing into the golem's chest. The impact knocked the creature to a standstill, and it let loose another warbling wail as it fell to one knee, a modulating tone that made Nova’s ears hurt.

“Get everypony out!” Nova could hear the captain calling to the Princesses. “We’ll handle the golem! Just get everypony else out!” Ponies were still scrambling about, screaming in a mad panic, rushing for the various exits to the hall. Nova could see Guard already rushing in some of the doors, mainly pegasi who could fly over the exiting tide.

The crystal golem gave another warbling scream and launched itself forward, tucking its upper body low, one arm to its chest. Both of the Princesses looked on in shock, then teleported just as the golem reached the other side of the hall's central table. The table gave way with a mighty cacophony of cracks, the wood splintering into tiny pieces as the golem swept through it, crashing through the thick wood like it wasn’t there.

Nova didn’t even think. He just reacted as the crushed remnants of the table flew through the air, jagged pieces of wood flying across the room right at him and everypony nearby. A burst of magic surged through his horn, a barrier wall of pure yellow light winking into existence around him and several nearby ponies. He felt the impacts of the wood through his horn as they slammed into his shield, nearly knocking him back. He let out a surprised grunt.

“Everypony get out! Now!” he called, adding his own voice to Captain Song’s own calls as he let his barriers fade. “Go!”

The golem let out another wail, twisting its body in all directions as if searching for the Princesses. Then it spun around, spotting them amongst the running ponies, their horns flashing as they teleported as many members of the fleeing audience as they could away.

“Dang it!” Nova said as the golem crouched low for another charge. There has to be a way to—bingo! He lashed out with his telekinetic magic, grabbing one of the large tapestries that was hanging from the ceiling and giving it a sharp downward yank. The tapestry ripped free, rocketing towards the ground in the yellow grip of his magic—and landing right on the golem just as it began its charge.

The golem shrieked, stumbling to a stop as Nova wrapped the thick tapestry around it. Seconds later the captain slammed into it, delivering a flying buck to the golem's arm that sent it spinning to one side. For a moment it held its balance on one foot, its arms outstretched even as Nova took the opportunity to tighten the tapestry further, and then two pegasi Night Guard struck from above, their hooves striking against the golem's shoulders. The golem fell to the ground with a crash, the stone shaking underfoot.

“Hold it down!” Shining Armor was calling. “Unicorns, detain it!” A myriad of glows lit up all around the golem as unicorn Guard all around the room wrapped it in their telekinetic grips.

“Uh-oh,” Nova said as the golem sat up, the magic rolling from its surface like water. “It's magic resistant!” he called, hoping the Guard would pay attention to his words. “You won’t be able to hold it if it fights back!” The golem shrieked, waving one arm blindly and brushing one of the pegasi with its elbow. He spun out of control with a yell, crashing into the ground.

Captain Song let out a roar and leapt on the golem as Nova began running towards the pair, cursing the fact that he was running towards the monstrosity instead of away. The green stallion was pounding down with his hooves as hard as he could, letting out wordless yells with each strike, the golem flailing beneath him. Behind the golem Nova could see the Princesses teleporting the last of the audience members from the chamber. He wasn’t sure what they could do to help, but hopefully they’d be able to do something.

With a loud tearing sound the golem's fingers grasped a loose end of the tapestry, ripping the thin cloth from its body. Captain Song had only a moment to brace himself before an outstretched hand swept him from the golem's shoulders. To his credit, he landed on his hooves, his muzzle set with grim determination.

Of course he would, Nova thought as he fired an experimental bolt at the golem, only to watch it reflect into the ceiling, sending down a shower of sparks and creating a burn mark that would pain the Royal staff for days to come. That’s his skill isn’t it? Being some sort of resilient protector? Something like that. He grabbed one of the nearby chairs in his magic as the golem rose to its feet, sweeping a fist at a Guard that narrowly dodged out of the way. Nova gritted his teeth, willing the chair forward, pouring his magic into it.

The fast-moving missile splintered against the back of the golem, causing the construct to turn toward him even as it casually backhanded a pegasus Guard from the air. The Guard hit the far wall, metal colliding and crashing against the marble surface, and then sank to the floor in a limp heap. Another magic bolt bounced off of the golem’s arm, narrowly missing an oncoming Guard as it reflected across the room.

“Stop shooting!” Nova yelled as another bolt ricocheted across the room. “It’s resistant! Resistant!” He could hear more Guard echoing his yells, even as the golem—apparently deciding that the newcomers rushing into the room were the largest threat—began to charge at the largest group, one shoulder down as it built up speed.

The squad scattered as the golem rushed towards them, some of them still firing the ineffectual bolts of magic out of habit. The bolts bounced from the golem’s body, flying around the room haphazardly and adding to the chaos of the scene.

“Any ideas on how to stop this thing?” the captain asked as he came up alongside Nova, matching his speed as they galloped down the court hall. Up ahead the golem swung its fist down into the floor, the marble cracking under the force of the blow and sending several nearby ponies reeling from the force.

“You mean besides either beating it ‘till it cracks or breaking that crystal in its core?” Nova called back. Steel shot him a glare, and Nova rolled his eyes. “Look, I’ll try and trip it up with those tapestries, but we’ve only got so many of them.”

“Good plan!” came Captain Armor’s voice from his other side. “Let’s try and keep it contained in this room! The last thing we want is this thing rampaging through the palace!”

Further conversation was cut short as the trio reached the golem, the captains breaking in separate directions while Nova skidded to a halt, looking for something, anything that he could—There! He reached out with his magic, grabbing one of the benches that had been sitting alongside the edges of the hall and swinging it at the golem. The bench cracked in two as it collided with the construct’s shoulder, but the impact was enough to draw its attention away from the small trio of guards who were falling back in front of it.

“The Princesses are out!” Captain Song called as he ducked under the golem’s arm and bucked it in the knee. “Close the doors!” It swung at him again, missing as Captain Armor leapt onto its back, throwing it off balance. He began pounding down with his hooves on the crystal surface just as Captain Song had been doing earlier, eliciting an angry wail from the golem.

Nova wrapped the doors in a telekinetic grip, slamming them shut while his eyes turned skyward. There were two tapestries above the door, the thin cloth rippling in the wake of so many disturbances. He grabbed one of them, pulling it down.

“Blindfold incoming!” he yelled. Both the captains heard his yell and jumped back, Captain Armor even managing to erect a shield over a group of slow-moving Guard as he arced through the air. The golem’s fist crashed against the shield with a sharp crack but the barrier held, the ponies beneath it scrambling back from the crystal behemoth.

The golem let out a sound that almost sounded like one of surprise as the tapestry fell over it, Nova wrapping it around the golem as quickly and tightly as he could. Then the golem’s hands grabbed one end of the long cloth, pulling against it and tearing part of it off. Nova found himself fighting against the golem, tightening the cloth and moving the loose ends as it blindly groped for anything it could use to pull the obstruction away.

“Now! While it’s blind!” Nova called. The two captains charged, raining blows down on the golem's legs as the rest of the Guard followed suit, emboldened by their commander's success. The golem let out a screech and lashed out with one of its legs, hitting one of the Guard ponies in the chest and sending him crashing across the marble floor. He stayed down.

“Watch the legs!” Captain Armor called as the golem made another kick, this time impacting one of the Captain’s shields with a ring that made the hair on Nova’s neck stand on end. The golem’s hands were still grasping at the cloth, it was only a matter of time before something caught and the one obstruction it had would be torn to shreds.

At least the Princesses got out, Nova thought as a blind backhand clipped another Guard. He ran his eyes over the room, looking for anything solid enough to use as a club of some kind. His gaze settled on one of the decorative pillars that stood alongside the walls. Maybe ...

A tyrannic ripping noise echoed across the court, and he snapped his eyes back. The golem had gotten one hand under a seam, the cloth separating as the construct tore at it again and again. Then it turned, some of the tapestry still hanging from its shoulders, and threw a massive fist at Captain Armor. There was ring that made Nova’s teeth ache as the Captain’s hastily formed shield took the blow.

As Nova reached out with his magic wrapping a nearby column in a faint yellow glow, the doors to the hall crashed open, a blue-maned streak shooting through the opening like a comet. There was a resounding crack as it shot past the golem, the creature letting out a howl of pain. The attacking pegasus did a quick backward loop, coming to a halt in the air and letting out a whoop of joy.

“Eat that, you crazy pile of rock!” Sky Bolt called, raising a heavy metal wrench in her hooves. She let out a laugh and dove back down at the golem, her grey crystal armor gleaming almost the same shade as the construct.

The golem spun to face this newest threat, a large crack running down one arm. Bingo, Nova thought. Hit it ‘till it stops moving. Not the most elegant solution, but he wasn’t about to complain. Sky Bolt swept past the golem again, rolling around its arms and swinging the wrench again. The second blow lacked the impact of the first, but there was still a solid sounding crack as the heavy metal met the golem’s crystal body.

“Captain Song!” came a cry from the doorway. “Catch!” Sabra was standing there in his own mottled black-and-white armor, the new staff that Sky Bolt had made for him slung across his back and a pair of heavy looking saddlebags gripped in his teeth. He tossed the saddlebags the moment Captain Song looked his way. Steel snatched them by the straps as they flew by, ducking away and putting some space between him and the golem. Sabra had begun running as soon as the bag had left his mouth, and Nova watched as he leapt into the air, his body tucking into a flip as his staff extended.

Alright! The team's here! he thought as Sabra began flipping and rolling across the shoulders and arms of the golem, jumping from arm to arm as his staff met again and again with the creature's surface. Dawn must be tending to Hunter out in—aha! He felt something give under his magic, and he let more pour out of him, the yellow glow around his horn growing brighter and brighter.

The golem began to step his way, swinging its arms as it tried to fight off the combined assault of Sky Bolt, Sabra and Captain Armor—who was doing his best to throw the golem off balance by summoning barriers around its feet. Nova began to step back, keeping distance between him and the rampaging golem as the column on the far side of the room began to shift, twisting under his grip.

Captain Song let out a roar and charged at the golem, twin, heavy gauntlets now shrouding his forelegs. He let out another shout as he leapt to the attack, long metal spikes snapping out from the ends of his forelegs. Chips of crystal flew as he pounded at the golem’s legs, dodging left and right as the golem let out a screech of annoyance.

Why am I the only one without a weapon? Nova thought, still stepping back as the golem made its way closer. Come on, come on ... he coaxed at the pillar, tugged at it—and with the faint crackling rumble of aged mortar breaking, the column slid free in his magic. He could feel the weight of it pressing down on his horn, and he willed more magic up and through his body. Yellow sparks began to fall from the tip of his horn as he gave the pillar an experimental swing.

Perfect. My turn. “Everypony get back!” he yelled. He could feel his mane waving on his head under the rush of pure magical energy coming from his horn. It wasn’t the most magic he’d ever used, but it was a lot. And it was constant. “Everyone get off of it!” He could feel the strain now, a burning sensation inside of his horn. Sabra was the first to pull back, sheathing his staff as he ran up the golem’s arm and leapt into the air, Sky Bolt grabbing him as she flew past. The two captains fell back next, first Captain Armor and then Captain Song retreating to opposite sides of the hall. For a moment the golem turned between the two of them, as if it wasn’t sure who to pursue.

Its contemplation ended as Nova swung the marble pillar right into its back. He could feel the impact through his horn, a jarring motion that made him grit his teeth and almost made him lose his grip on the large piece of stone. The golem fell forward, landing on its knees, marble cracking beneath it. Nova poured more magic into his horn, drawing the pillar back and swinging it once more.

The golem fell forward under the impact, slamming into what was left of the red carpet with a loud crash. It rolled, pushing itself over onto its back just in time for Nova to bring the pillar down on top of it, shaking the entire room.

His horn felt like it was burning now, a flame scorching it from the inside out. He gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face as he pulled the pillar back, then shoved it down a second time, and then a third. Deep cracks began to spread across the chest of the golem and the pillar both. The construct began to raise its arms to ward off the next blow, and Nova brought the pillar’s side down, crushing its arms against its chest. He pressed down, pushing against the golem and hearing sharp staccato cracks as they echoed around the hall.

He pulled the pillar back into the air. Sparks of magic streamed from his horn in a torrent, but he didn’t notice them. His eyes fixed on the golem as it began, slowly at first but then with purpose, to sit up. Nova let out a wordless yell of fury, pulling the pillar all the way to the ceiling and then shoving it down as hard as he could. The pain in his horn was almost blinding, pure yellow light bursting from the tip. The pillar shot down as if fired from a cannon, tilting as it fell, Nova turning its base towards the golem. 

The creature raised one massive hand as if to ward the blow off, and then the pillar slammed into its chest, driving the construct back to the floor with a sickening crunch. The golem's chest broke apart, small bits of crystal shooting off under the force of the impact and bouncing from the walls. The pillar let out a sharp crack as it split down the middle, the two halves sliding apart and falling to the floor with a crash as Nova released them. He fell to his knees, horn still burning even though the magic was gone, his chest heaving in-and-out under him.

“And ... that ...” he said, pushing himself back up on hooves that were shaking like leaves. “Is how ...” He paused, rubbing sweat from his face with one hoof.  “You hit it until it stops moving. Sir.” There was a faint crackle as a few bits of masonry fell from the pillar halves. The Dusk Guard were looking at him with expressions that ranged from respect to outright surprise, while the remaining Guard in the room were looking on in awe.

There as a sudden flash at the far end of the room and both of the Princesses appeared, wings outstretched and horns glowing. “Where is the—oh!” Princess Luna said, her eyes going wide at the sight of the smashed golem, her horn growing dim. “Thou hast destroyed it already?” Nova blinked and then rubbed his eyes, staring at the Princess. She was clad in an ancient set of ornate, cobalt-blue armor, much like what her Night Guards wore. Behind her Princess Celestia was looking on in surprise. Unlike Luna, she was still clad in her regalia alone.

“We have, your Highness,” Captain Armor said, stepping forward and giving the pair a small bow. “Although it was the Dusk Guard who did most of the work.” He shot a grin at Nova. “A pretty impressive bit of work too.”

“Then you may stand down,” Celestia said. “The threat is contained, and the safety of those ponies and delegates who were here has been seen to. If you don’t mind—” she said, turning towards a trio of Guard who were carefully lifting one of the injured ponies onto a stretcher. “Allow me,” she said once she had gained their attention. Her horn flashed once and the pony vanished, teleported away, presumably to an infirmary. Princess Luna’s horn began to make its own flashes, and within moments the injured members of the Guard were gone.

“Your highnesses,” Captain Song said, giving them both a respectful nod of his head. “Hunter is secure outside, the notebook he brought as evidence with him.”

“He has our thanks,” Luna said. “Without him, we would have lost—well, I cannot say what just yet.” Nova wiped his forehead again. At least he’d stopped breathing so hard. But his horn still ached.

“Begging your pardon Princess,” the Captain said, stepping forward. “But may I assume that things are well enough in hoof here for my team to leave?”

“Leave?” Princess Celestia asked. “What for?”

“Because this isn’t over yet, your highnesses,” Nova said, speaking out of turn. Captain Song gave him a pointed look but said nothing, and Nova ignored it. I earned the chance to speak here, I think, he thought as he stepped towards the Princesses. “Which means that our mission isn’t done yet either. We still need to arrest those two.”

“But,” Captain Armor sputtered, pointing at the golem. “They teleported, how are you going to find them?”

“Because they’ll go to ground,” Nova said. “They’re running back to the one place they know, the one place where they think they’ll be safe. Right, Captain?”

Steel nodded. “Nova is correct. We know exactly where they’ll head, at least for now. Which means we need to go immediately if we’re going to catch them.” He looked at Nova and they both opened their mouths at the same time.

“Baltimare.”


	*        *        *


“At long last,” Sky Bolt said to herself as she slid into the pilot seat of The Hummingbird. “You’re gonna fly baby. You’re gonna fly!” Her wings twitched with excitement as she looked down at the array of smooth, polished metal controls in front of her, the needles and gauges just waiting to come to life. It was like she was seeing them for the first time.

She put one hoof on the power regulator lever and let out a sigh of pure joy. Months of work, months of design, months of effort, and Hummingbird was ready. Sure, the inside was still a little underdeveloped. The team had only crash seating to sit in unless they were laying on the floor, none of the storage lockers had been installed yet, the deployment doors hadn’t been hooked up, and none of the tactical equipment that Steel had requested had been installed. Worse yet, at least as far as Dawn had been concerned, the ship's only bathroom, while functioning, didn’t have any walls for privacy.

But still, The Hummingbird was ready. She could feel it in the cool of the metal under her hooves, the warmth of the wooden control console that her forelegs were resting on, even in the seat underneath her. She could see it in the envelope that stretched overhead, curving up quickly enough to give her a view of the still-closed roof overhead.

Oh, right, she thought, glad no one could see the embarrassed grin on her face. I’ve got no way of opening that from in here at the moment, do I? She ran her hooves over the console one more time. She could feel the ship fighting against the ground. It was already gently bobbing up and down with the movements of its occupants, a motion so subtle she doubted some of them had noticed.

Then again, she thought as she looked out through the wide glass viewports at the workshop, they’re a pretty sharp bunch. She put her hoof on the main lever, giving the locking mechanism at its base a click with her other hoof. She looked first to the left, and then to the right, taking in the view of the workshop through The Hummingbird’s prow. The triangular shape of the cockpit was comprised of as much glass as she had been able to reliably work into the design, and as a result the only portions of the cockpit that she was unable to see through were the wall behind her and the ceiling overhead. Even the floor underneath her hooves—aside from the portions that her seat and the console were attached to—were made of heavy glass, giving her an almost unprecedented view.

Or at least it would, once it was more than just rows of workbenches, half complete projects, and the landing cradle underneath the ship. She was proud of that last one, she’d built it while the gondola had been resting on it. That had been a project!

“Well, here goes,” she said, pushing the regulator forward with a slow, practiced movement. There was resistance—she’d designed it that way after all, nopony wanted to bump a power regulator by accident and lose all power—but not enough to keep her from moving the lever forward until it was at about the halfway position. Underneath her hooves, she knew, cables and gears were moving all the way back to the superboilers in the back of the airship. The needles in front of her began to rise, mirroring her own rush of glee as the superboilers began to rapidly heat up, producing the superheated steam that would power the ship.

Now to get those doors, Sky Bolt thought, dropping from her seat. She made one last check of the needles, making sure that everything was holding steady. It was the ship's first flight after all.

“Something wrong?” Captain Song asked as she exited the cockpit, leaving the door open behind her as she stepped into the main compartment. The Captain was sitting in the center of the floor, one foreleg held in front of him as Dawn ran her horn over it.

“No, just powering up,” Sky Bolt said, giving him a happy grin. “If you listen, you might be able to hear it!” She fought down the urge to give an excited squeal. “Anyway, I’m going to open the roof, and we’ll be on our way!” She gave her wings a small flutter, lifting her across the room towards the entryway. Eventually, the large space that the Guard were currently spread across would be several smaller rooms, but Steel had wanted The Hummingbird ready to fly before all else, so she was.

As soon as she was outside of the ship she spread her wings, flying around the outside of the ship and admiring her hoofwork. The triangular envelope was full, swollen with liftgas and gently pulling the gondola against the docking clamps. She let out a squeal of excitement as she dashed around the prow of the ship, past the glassy cockpit she’d just been inside, and headed for the roof controls on the far wall.

With the hiss of rushing air the pneumatics came to life. The ceiling overhead split in two as the twin halves of the roof separated, folding upward and back. A growing shaft of sunlight fell across the top of The Hummingbird, and Sky Bolt made a momentary grimace as the sunlight threw the unpainted surface of the airship into harsh relief.

“Ah well,” she said, giving a small shrug as she began circling her way back towards the entry hatch. There’ll be time for paint later, she thought as she dated inside the ship, pulling the hatch shut and making sure that it was locked behind her. And maybe another entryway on the other side of the ship. In fact, maybe several.

The crew was still spread out, although Captain Song was now on the other side of the room from where he had been, assisted by Sabra as he fit himself into his own, dark green armor. Neither of their armor sets included a helmet however; the armorers just hadn’t had enough time to finish them. Oh well, she thought as she moved into the ship. Another time. Her own armor was sitting in a corner, waiting for her return.

“Is everything ready?” Hunter asked as she flew past. Dawn had already healed most of his injuries, although Hunter had elected to have the less important bruises untouched to keep her from using too much of her magic reserves. He was wearing his armor now, the same tan crystal that he’d struggled into the night before.

“You bet!” Sky Bolt said, spreading her wings and striking a pose. “The doors are open, the ship's ready, and any second now we’re going to be in the air!”

“Hey, Sky Bolt?” The query came from Nova. He was now sitting on the floor where the Captain had been, Dawn’s current patient. Sky Bolt saw him wince and flinch as Dawn’s horn made another pass over his own.

“Flinch again, and I’ll stun you,” Dawn said in annoyance. “I mean it.”

“I heard you the first time,” Nova said, although his neck muscles tensed in response. His eyes flitted back to Sky Bolt. “So, is this thing safe?”

Sky Bolt cocked her head to the side while she thought of a response. The ship was. In theory. Granted, it had never actually flown, but they didn’t have time for a test flight and all the in-shop tests had come out fine. She looked back down at him.

“Of course it is,” she said, giving him a grin. “And if it isn’t, well, I’ve got wings!” she snapped her own wings out for emphasis and turned for the cockpit, stifling a laugh as Nova sat up in horror, his mouth open in alarm.

“I warned you!” Dawn yelled, the pink mare finally losing her patience, a flash of dull orange magic lit the compartment. As she slid the cockpit door shut, Sky Bolt heard the rest of the team burst out laughing, and she started chuckling on her own.

That’ll  teach him, she thought, hovering above the pilot's seat and checking the needles. Every gauge was holding exactly where she’d expected it, just as they had in every single test. Except that this wasn’t a test. This was the real deal. She stopped flying, sliding down into the seat and feeling its cool surface against her coat. She took a deep breath. It was time.

She slid one of her hooves into the control yoke she’d rigged up and slid forward in her seat slightly, her other hoof against the switch that would release the docking clamps, letting the ropes that tied The Hummingbird down fall away at last.

There was a knock at the door. She turned as it slid open, Sabra stepping into the cockpit beside her. “Habari?” he asked. “Naombo kuangalia?”

“Bila shaka,” she said, giving him a smile as her hoof flipped the switch. There was a sudden jerk from underneath the ship as the docking clamps released, the ropes falling from her underside. Sky Bolt felt a gentle pressure across her body as the ship began to slowly climb, as if somepony were gently pressing her down. She was familiar with the feeling from when she flew, but there was a difference here. This wasn’t just her, this was the ship. Her ship. Flying.

She started laughing as the cockpit cleared the roof of the workshop, the other Guard barracks and the training fields stretching out before her. She reached out with one hoof, adjusting the altimeter as the ship continued to climb. Sabra was looking all around, his eyes full of wonder and his jaw open, a complete departure from his normal, calm demeanor.

"You’ve never flown I take it?” she asked as the ship rose higher, the graceful spires of the palace coming into view on one side.

“Hakuna … kamwe,” Sabra said, one hoof against the glass as he stared at the towers of the palace. It was almost as if the palace, the mountain, everything in front of them was simply sliding away.

“Just wait,” Sky Bolt said, sliding her other hoof into the control yoke and giving it a tug. The Hummingbird responded under her touch, the airship slowly turning as it rose, until the entire city of Canterlot itself was spread out before them, its white stone surfaces shining in the afternoon sun.

“It’s ...” Sabra took a small step forward. “Ajabu.”

“Yeah,” Sky Bolt said as the tops of the palace spires went by. “It really is.” She looked at the zebra as his bright purple eyes ran over the scene in front of them. “So,” she said after a moment. “Think you’ll ever forget this? I know I never forgot the first time I flew.”

He gave his head a small shake as a smile grew across his muzzle. “No, I don’t think I ever will,” he said, turning to look at her for a moment before turning back towards the brilliant blue sky spread out before them. “Kwa kuwa mimi asante.”

Sky Bolt gave her lips a little lick. Her throat felt dry and her heart was pounding, and it wasn’t just from the rush of The Hummingbird’s first flight. “Yeah,” she said, leaning forward in her seat. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget this either. That said ...” She leaned forward, planting a quick kiss on Sabra’s cheek. “I hope that means you’ll never forget that,” she said as the surprised stallion turned and looked at her, his jaw slack.

“If you don’t mind, could you go back there and tell everypony to brace themselves?” she asked, trying to look as calm and nonchalant as possible as she slid herself back into her seat. She could feel her heart drumming so fast it was almost a buzz in her ears. Or maybe that was a buzz in her ears. Her head seemed a little foggy. “I’m about to hit the throttle. Boss said he wanted us in Baltimare as fast as I could get us there. That ok?”

For a moment Sabra just stared at her, the same shocked look on his face, and she could feel her heart pounding harder and harder. Finally his jaw closed and he nodded, turned and, wide-eyed, trotted out of the compartment.

I hope that wasn’t a mistake, Sky Bolt thought, stopping the airship's turn and putting her hoof on the throttle. She waited a few moments, counting down in her head and trying to steady her breaths. Satisfied that she’d given everypony enough time to get ready, she pushed the throttle forward. From the back of the airship she heard the propellers begin to spin with a faint rumble that quickly became a loud hum, and then a dull roar. The Hummingbird began to move forward, its motion slight at first, but then with increasing speed.

Sky Bolt was pushed back into her seat, watching as the airspeed indicator on the control console began to climb. Her nervousness began to fade, replaced by pure elation as The Hummingbird picked up speed. She gave the control yoke a soft pull to the left, letting out a peal of laughter as the airship banked slightly in response. She moved the yoke right, then pulled it back, and then left again, laughing as The Hummingbird soared through the sky in accordance with her demands.

“She’s doing it!” she called out in excitement as she leveled the airship out. “The Hummingbird soars!” She laughed, sitting back in her seat as the clouds began to move past. They’d taken down a golem, she’d kissed Sabra on the cheek, and now her ship—her love letter of so many years of work to her parents—was flying at last. She let out a satisfied sigh, pushing the power regulator up a few more inches and locking it in place. And we’re on our way to Baltimare to arrest a couple of conspirators, she thought. How much better could this day get?

She reached for the small ring assembly around the ship's compass, setting it on the heading for Baltimare and locking it in place. The autopilot took over, the ship's systems making a small adjustment as it centered The Hummingbird on a direct line. Nothing to do now but wait and keep an eye on things. She sat back with a contented sigh. She flies.

Something off in the distance caught her eye, a purple shape sliding through a distant patch of clouds, and she grabbed a pair of binoculars from underneath her seat. Sure enough, it was The Alicorn, the huge cruise airship she’d helped build, returning to Canterlot after its two-month maiden voyage. The ship her parents were on. She smiled as she dropped the binoculars from her eyes.

“And I’ll have a story to tell them,” she said to herself, pushing the throttle to the halfway position and watching the needles rise as the ship picked up more speed. “Forward to Baltimare!”
> Operation - Chapter 12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 12


“You know,” Nova said as he fixed his eyes  on the distant sight of the ERS Eastern headquarters, “I’ve seen that thing a couple of dozen times in my life, and I still can’t help but feel that it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

“I took the tour once,” Hunter said as he stepped up beside him, looking through the viewport as their destination drew closer.

“They give tours?” Nova asked, surprised.

“Yeah,” Hunter said with a sheepish grin. “The place is touted as the ‘future of Equestrian architecture.’ I went on one with a date. It’s a pretty impressive structure on the inside. Lots of open space. Glass everywhere.” The pegasus gave his head a little shake. “Kind of made me feel like I was in a giant fishbowl.”

“Huh,” Nova said, drawing his eyes back towards the glassy structure glistening in the distance, its reflective surface shining with the golden light of the setting sun. “So is the building really held up by those cables?” He couldn’t make them out yet, but he knew they were there: the six massive steel cables that ran from the support arms to the base of the building, keeping the building’s own weight from crushing the lower levels.

“Yeah, it is,” Hunter said with a nod. “They took us down to see the counterweight underneath in the basement levels. This huge hunk of bedrock rock at the very bottom of their research labs that all the cables connect to.”

“Bleh,” Nova said with a slight grimace. “Doesn’t sound that safe. There have to be some other supports.” The building in question was drawing closer now, close enough that he could just make out the long, extended shape of the support arms, stretched around the base of the structure like the arms of a starfish. It was from their tips that the cables he couldn’t quite yet see were stretching out to the base of the buildings upper half.

“Well, it’s not completely unconnected,” Hunter said. “There are four steel support beams that the stairways are connected to that keep the upper half of the building from swaying or bouncing, but they aren’t enough to keep the building up there.” Nova looked at him for a moment before turning and looking back out the port.

“It still sounds like a complete hazard,” he said, watching as the structure grew closer and closer. The distinctive shape of the building's upper half was becoming clear now, a cylinder of glass and steel with a smaller, thinner cylinder on top. Nova gave his head another shake as the distinctive gap between the base of the structure and its upper half came into view, a two story space filled only by the four, glass-encased spiral stairways that led to the upper half.

“Well, it’s stood for eighteen years now,” Hunter said. “It hasn’t fallen yet.” The pegasus frowned as he looked out the port. “I just hope they’re here.”

“Where else would they go?” Sabra asked from the other side of the airship. Nova’s eyes widened as the zebra spoke up.

“Dang,” he said, turning towards him. “I keep forgetting how good you can hear.”

“Samahani,” Sabra said, giving him a slight nod of the head. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

“Naw, it’s fine,” Nova said. “It wasn’t exactly a private conversation.”

“I wish it was,” Dawn said from the back of the aircraft. “Some of us are trying to concentrate.” Nova rolled his eyes.

“Anyway Sabra,” Hunter said, stepping away from the viewport. “There are a lot of places that they could go. Technically, they’re rich. They have the money. As long as they can keep ahead of any pursuit long enough, they’ll vanish.”

Nova nodded. “But just because they can doesn’t mean they will, especially with Radiant looking as—” He paused as he thought back on the mare's outburst at the Royal Court only eight hours earlier. “Well, as odd as she was.”

“In addition,” Dawn said from the back of the compartment, “The teleport spell that was in that crystal was identified by the Princesses as a fixed, pre-constructed teleport. It had to take them to a preset location.”

“And where more likely than their own building,” Sabra said with a nod. “I see.”

“Exactly,” Dawn said with her own nod as she turned towards Nova. “Nova, how is your horn feeling?”

“It was still tingling about an hour ago, but it feels fine now,” he said. The floor—no, deck, he reminded himself—tilted underhoof, and he leaned to one side as the airship began a long turn.

“Good,” Dawn said, rising from the deck. “It will take some practice for—”

“I know,” Nova said, waving a hoof to cut the mare off. “You explained it twice already, I got it. It’s like lung endurance. The capacity is there but the body is lazy.”

Dawn frowned, her lips pursed together. For a moment she looked as if she was going to reprimand him, her mouth opening, but then she shut it again. “Very well,” she muttered as she walked past him. “Just don’t overdo it.”

Nova felt the airship tilt again under his hooves and his body once again became light. “Feels like we’re getting closer,” he said, trotting back towards the viewport.

“So do they call it anything?” he called over his shoulder as the massive structure grew larger and larger. He could see the cables now, thick steel ropes radiating outward from the center. In the fading sunlight, it looked less like a starfish now. More like a spiderweb.

“Call what anything?” Hunter asked.

“The headquarters,” Nova said. “They can’t just call it the ERS R&D Eastern Headquarters building.”

“Oh, that, right.” Hunter let out a small laugh. “Yeah, they call it the Chandelier.”

“Huh,” Nova said, tilting his head to one side and looking at it. “I guess that makes sense.”

“What would you call it?” Hunter asked, stepping up alongside him once more. The airship was even lower now, and Nova could make out the railway lines leading into the building’s side, see the last rays of sunlight shining off of the well-used metal. There were even a few rail cars sitting in the yard out front.

“Maybe the starfish,” Nova said, watching the structure grow closer and  closer. The sun was almost down now, faintly visible as the airship continued to change directions. “But right now, with it getting dark and all, I’m thinking spiderweb.”

“Thank you,” Dawn said from the other side of the compartment, her voice dry, “for that cheery suggestion.”

The door to the cockpit slid open and Steel stepped out, it behind him with one hoof. “Alright everypony,” he said, his voice carrying across the airship compartment. “We’ll be on the ground in less than twenty minutes, so everyone make sure that you have all the gear you need.” The captain trotted forward as the airship gave a little rumble underhoof, shaking for a moment and then steadying. “We’re going to be landing about a quarter of a mile from the target structure ...” He paused for a moment. “Hunter, what are we calling that building anyway?”

Hunter winked at Nova. “Spiderweb, boss,” he said with a grin.

Captain Song raised an eyebrow. “Alright,” he said after a moment. “It’s appropriate enough I guess. Now, as soon as we’re on the ground we’re going to make for the Spiderweb, full run. No dallying.” The airship gave another lurch underneath them, and Nova widened his stance. “If there’s already a Guard force on the ground—and there might be—we’ll meet with them. If not, we’ll see if anypony is in the building and initiate an evacuation. The last thing we want is anypony getting caught in a potential crossfire. Any questions?” The airship gave another sickening lurch, and Nova’s stomach began to answer with a lurch of its own.

“How large is the bu—Spiderweb? What is the interior like?” Sabra asked.

“I can answer that,” Hunter said, looking towards Captain Song, who gave him a quick nod. “The top half of the building is comprised of offices and is ten stories from top to bottom. Unlike most buildings, it's very open. Most of the offices have glass walls, and there’s a central atrium on the lower levels. The top portion—that’s the smaller bit—is reserved for only the highest offices, and it’s another three stories. Lots of visibility with the glass.”

“The lower portion of the building,” he said, continuing, “is mostly underground and made up of the R&D labs and just general storage, or at least that’s what it looked like when I took the tour. There’s the top floor, which is the one floor above ground, and mainly just a visiting center with some offices and I’d guess some storage or access elevators for the lower levels. Under that, about ten levels of R&D labs. Not very large, most of it’s just storage space or building space from what I remember. Then there’s the big bedrock counterweight in the middle at the bottom of the last floor, and that’s it.” The airship began to lurch again, and Nova could feel his insides shifting.

“Did it have an open shaft? Anything like the atrium on the top half?” Captain Song asked.

Hunter shook his head. “No, unless you count the big room they had the counterweight in, but it’s closed off. You can look at it from the other levels, but not access it. I say it’s about ten stories down, but that counterweight room is about five, six stories tall. So … four, maybe five stories and then you’d see the counterweight.”

“Well, hopefully we don’t have to go down—are you alright Nova?” the Captain asked, giving him a strange look. “You look a little green.” The airship gave another lurch, followed by a rapid drop before settling out.

“I—” Nova said, cutting off as something in his stomach gave a little twist, and he threw a hoof over his mouth, bolting for the nearby bathroom.

“Oh,” he heard Steel say over the sound of his own retching. “Yeah, I see.” Nova let his hindquarters drop to the floor as he finished, looking down at what was left of his lunch of fruit bars. At least none it had splashed on his armor.

“I hope you get used to this,” Steel said as the ship gave another lurch, first up and then down. “Because we’ll be traveling like this a lot more from now on.” Nova let out a moan and leaned back over the bowl as the rest of lunch decided to make an appearance.


*        *        *


“Hold up,” Nova said, popping out of the brush as the team approached the wall around the facility. Hunter held up his hoof, the team coming to a stop behind him. They could see the Spiderweb through the trees now, brilliant lights all around its base shining up on the glass sides of the building.

“Any guards?” Hunter asked, and Nova shook his head.

“No, in fact, I went around the whole facility wall and didn’t see a single pony. It’s downright creepy,” Nova said, sitting back on his haunches.

“No security at all? No watch ponies?” Hunter asked. “Could they just be hiding?”

Nova shook his head. “Not from me. They’d have to be really, really good to hide from me, remember? Trust me, no security is that good. No, I didn’t find anypony.”

“What about inside?” Steel asked, and Nova shook his head again.

“I didn’t get a very good look. All the inside lights are out save the very top floor, so I couldn’t make out much.” Nova grabbed a water bottle from the saddlebags hanging over his back and took a quick sip. “Nothing but shadows with all those lights everywhere. There could be a whole battalion of golems in there and we wouldn’t know until we were really close.”

“Alright,” Steel said, letting out a sigh. “What about an entrance point?”

“Ah, that?” Nova said with a grin. “I think I might have you covered. The back wall of the building isn’t as well maintained as the front side, and the forest stretches right up to it. From there it’s about fifteen feet to the backside of the building. It’s the backside, so there aren’t any windows on the ground floor, and I spotted a few service entrances. They’re probably locked,” he said, flashing the team a grin as he flipped something out from his saddlebags. “But, I’ve got my picks.” He gave the small case a flip in his hooves.

“Any other possible entrances?” Hunter asked, looking up at the structure. Between the lights from below and the full moon, it almost looked like something out of one of the stories he’d heard as a young colt, a fortress of evil. Then again, Mint and Radiant were probably in there with who knew what waiting for them. Maybe it was.

Nova shook his head. “Not that I’d try. There’s a light out on the Southeast side, but it looks just a little too convenient. If I were watching for intruders, I’d have somepony keeping an eye on that spot.”

“Alright,” Steel said, giving the unicorn a grin. “If the top floor is lit, then that’s where we’re going. Lead us to the back.”


*        *        *


“Bingo,” Nova said in a low voice, feeling the faint shift in the magic that told him he’d been right. He let go of his magic, the faint blue glow from his horn and the lines on his suit vanishing.

“What was it?” Sky Bolt asked as he pointed his horn at the lock, foregoing his picks in favor of a more direct method.

“The door had a trap on it,” he explained as he felt the tumblers click. “Several of them, in fact. Open that door without a corresponding key, or force it open and ‘pop.’” He clicked his tongue against his teeth for emphasis. “A stun lock spell goes off, hits the area, and sounds an alarm.” There was a faint click as the lock gave way, and the door cracked open. Nova let a grin slide onto his face as he pulled the door open, checking for any signs of abnormal magic concentrations ahead of him. I’ve still got it.

“Out of the ordinary?” Hunter asked as they stepped into a dark room, Nova giving his horn a faint glow and trying to remember the spell that let him see in the dark. From the look of things, they were in a service entrance. Boxes were scattered across the floor, some of them open. Nova trotted up to one and took a quick look inside.

“No, not really,” Nova said, looking from the box to the shelves on the wall. Office supplies. Ok. “Pretty standard.” The rest of the team filed into the room, the only sound the occasional rasp as a piece of crystal armor slid against another.

“Alright,” Nova said, looking back at the team. “Nothing that I can pick up in here.”

“Is it going to be this dark the whole way in?”Sky Bolt whispered as the door shut behind them with a soft click, all light fading save the soft blue glow of Nova’s horn. “I can barely see anything.”

“As open as this building is, we should be alright once we’re inside,” Hunter said from the left of Nova. “It’s a bright moon tonight. We just need to get further in. Nova?”

“On it,” Nova said, moving across the supply room towards one of the far doors. It was … exhilarating to be sneaking around someplace again. He’d almost forgotten the rush he got sneaking into someplace new. Behind him the team had gone silent. It would be strictly hoof signals from now on. No speaking unless absolutely necessary.

The far door opened easily, not even a faint squeak from its hinges giving him away as he stepped out into a long, wide hallway. Moonlight cascaded across the bare tiles, falling from interspaced windows set in the roof, and he instinctively slid towards the far side of the hall, away from the shafts of light. The hallway was lined with doors, most of them closed, but a few left open.

He crept down the hallway and peered into one of them. It was a kitchen, knives sitting on cutting boards, blades glinting in the moonlight as he moved past the open doorway. Heads of lettuce sat wilting nearby, and there were even pans and pots on the stove, vegetables wilted or browned as if they’d been sitting there for some time.

Hopefully that just means that everypony left in a hurry for something ordinary, Nova thought as he moved on, and not some disaster. He had a brief mental image of golems attacking the ponies who might have worked in the building, and frowned. Then again, I don’t see any signs of panic. He moved down the hall, towards a large set of closed double-doors at the end.

A quick look behind him as he approached the door showed the rest of the team making their way down the hallway, following his lead and sticking to the walls. They were doing their best to be quiet, and by the standards of any of the security guards he’d ever snuck past, or even Night Guard, they were doing great. His ears could still make out the occasional soft tap of a hoof touching the floor, mostly coming from either Steel or Sky Bolt, neither of whom seemed quite as stealthy as the rest of the team.

Still, they’re a lot better than any of those ‘sneaks’ on the Night Guard were, he thought with a smirk. He set a hoof on one of the double doors, running his eyes around the frame to check for anything out of the ordinary. Satisfied that there weren’t any surprise locks or security measures, he eased the door open with one hoof, pushing it forward. Faint moonlight came through the crack as it grew wider, and Nova crouched, putting one eye up against the small opening.

The light in the next room was bright enough that he could make out what looked like massive atrium, its white floor glowing a faint pearlescent blue under the light of the full moon. His view, low as it was, was partially blocked by a reception area, so he slowly moved up, putting one hoof on the door’s handle to lift himself. Satisfied that the room was clear, he eased the door open far enough that he could slip his head through it, sticking it out just enough that he could get a better look at everything.

It was an atrium, and a very large, luxurious one at that. The floor looked to be marble, and couches and business chairs ringed the side walls, set into their own little alcoves. Stairs at both the front and the back of the room led up to balcony overlooks on both sides of the room, and from what he could see of the upper half of the building hanging above them, those balconies led to the connecting stairways as well. Light from the magilights outside mixed with the moonlight from the horizon, bathing portions of the room in heavy shadow.

Nova took a few hesitant steps into the room, eyes searching for any sign of movement. Nothing. Even the potted plants spread along the walls in between paintings and reflective metal award plaques were still. He took another few steps forward, peering over the low, varnished, wooden wall of the reception desk. The first desk he saw was somewhat messy and scattered, papers strewn about, pencils lying askew as if dropped where they had been being used, but the chairs were pushed in, and the drawers were shut.

An orderly evacuation maybe, Nova thought as his eyes ran over the scene. Not enough time to put everything back where it belongs. His eyes swept over an open file on a desk that clearly belonged in a nearby filing cabinet. But enough time to push chairs in, no signs of any sort of alarm or struggle. I wonder how they pulled that off? He frowned, but only for a moment. At least they didn’t turn golems on their own employees.

He backed up until he was partially through the door again, keeping his eyes on the atrium at all times. He made two rapid motions with his hoof, first waving his hoof towards himself—move up—and then swiping it back and forth across his throat—no noise.

The rest of the team coming behind him he moved right, making for the balcony on the side of the room as he slid along the wall, pausing as he reached the base of the stairs and checking for any signs of magic in the area that could indicate a security spell. He almost never found anything except at doorways, and even now he could sense the brilliant pulse of magic by the glass doors of the entryway. That indicated a fairly high level security spell in that direction, but they didn’t need to go that way. He kept his attention up regardless. He’d been known to lay a few traps on stairs, it made sense that eventually he’d find a security guard with the same idea.

A quick sweep showed nothing out of the ordinary, so he moved forward. I really need to thank Sky Bolt for making this armor so quiet, he thought, feeling the steps against his hooves through the thin, rubbery material of the suit. The Royal and Night Guard can’t sneak to save their lives thanks to those armored horseshoes they wear, but this armor ... His eyes darted down to the crystal covering that stopped just an inch short of the end of his hoof. Just as good as those horseshoes, and with no loss of dexterity.

The rest of the group came up the stairs behind him, their hoof falls almost as silent as his own. In front of them was the entrance to one of the four spiral staircases. Nova lit his horn for a bare second, the dim blue light glimmering as he checked for security spells. There were none, and he shook his head. As little crime as there is in Equestria, these guys really aren’t trying much. Then again, he’d never had a reason to break into a railway headquarters before. Who else would?

Nova pointed at the staircase with one hoof, signaling towards the Captain. Stairway clear.

Scout ahead, use caution, Steel signaled back. Then he motioned towards Sabra. Stick together, you, Sabra. You lead, Sabra assists trouble.

Trouble? Nova signaled back as Sabra moved forward, the armored Zebra moving as silently as he had. Cause?

Unknown threat, the Captain motioned, and Nova nodded. Just be on the lookout. He turned back towards the spiral staircase, taking his first few steps up it. The staircase was even better lit than the atrium. Between the moon still sitting low on the horizon and the ground lights shining upward, the staircase was by far the most exposed part of the experience so far. Nova gritted his teeth as he moved up the lit stairway, sticking as close to the central metal supports as possible. At least between the steps underhoof and the solid base of the building above them, the only way for anypony to see them if they stuck close to the center was to be on almost equal height.

The staircase wound upward towards, and Nova found his thoughts drawn towards the marble steps underhoof, so polished that he wouldn’t have been surprised to have been able to make his reflection out had there been more light. But why marble? Most businesses these days just went with wood or some other, cheaper material. I know the building's supposed to be an eye catcher, but the only other place I’ve seen this much marble is Canterlot Castle. Then again, he reflected, maybe that’s the point.

Up ahead a landing came into view and he slowed down, glancing behind him to make sure that Sabra was still sticking close. He took a few more steps, carefully moving forward in case something was waiting at the top of the landing—and came to a stop as he saw what was waiting just past it.

The stairs continuing up past the atrium had been blocked off, furniture and desks of every kind stacked across the landing from top to bottom. Even worse, they’d been very carefully stacked, leaning precariously downwards over the landing. Nova could feel his horn prickle, the telltale feeling of a hastily cast spell. He darted to the opposing side of the stairs, crouching so that anypony on the first floor landing wouldn’t be able to see the telltale glow of his horn.

He probed out with his magic, heart pounding. Sabra was watching him, still holding his position by the pillar. It wasn’t hard at all to find the spell slapped over the blockade. It was brash, loud by most spell standards. It wanted to be found. Nova’s heart stepped up its tempo as he let go of his magic. Trap, he thought. Definitely a trap. 

He looked at Sabra, pointing at the barricade and then signaling him to stay away from it. The spell he’d sensed on it had been sloppy, loud, brash, clumsy even. But what it lacked in finesse it made up for in effectiveness. He’d been able to sense the faint threads that led upwards. The spell wasn’t dormant, it was active. Somewhere up above, somepony was holding the strings. The moment he so much as tried to interfere with it, they’d know.

Which meant the only recourse was to use the other landing. Nova took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He ducked a few steps back, looking through the glass at one of the other stairways and lit his magic, pushing a soft feeler out towards the distant spiral. Sabra moved across the stairway, putting his body between Nova and the top of the stairs, blocking the glow from Nova’s horn as it grew brighter.

I really need to track down something that will hide that glow without interfering with my  magic, Nova thought. He probed out, guiding the sense spell up the far stairs—and stopped almost immediately, the same telltale tingle buzzing in his horn. There was another spell at that landing, and if they’d trapped that landing, then the same setup was bound to be at the other two landings as well.

He released his magic, taking a few steps back so he could motion to Sabra. Return, he signed. Then he turned, heading back down the staircase. Steel was going to love this.


*        *        *


“You’re sure?” Steel asked, the normally strong voice so silent it was almost non-existent. “Did you check the other two stairways?”

Nova shook his head. “No, but whoever went through this much trouble wouldn’t have neglected the other sets of stairs.”

“I agree,” Dawn said, her voice almost indistinguishable it was so quiet, and Nova found himself leaning slightly forward, his ears twitching as they tried to pick up her words. “Keeping active hold on a spell such as that would be an effort for the unicorn on the other end. The only sense in blocking two sets of stairways and then leaving one of the other unblocked would be a trap.”

Nova nodded in agreement. “Either way, somepony is waiting for us. We still might be able to make it past without somepony spotting us, but one way or another we’ll have to cross that atrium.”

“And we can’t fly up,” Hunter said. “They’d be able to see us coming and we don’t all have wings anyway.”

Steel let out a soft sigh, his massive shoulders falling slightly. “Alright, we’ll take the stairs and try to sneak round the atrium up there. Hunter,” he said, turning, “how hard would it be once we were in the atrium to get to a higher level and use the stairs?”

“Not that hard unless we don’t want to be seen,” Hunter said, rubbing his chin with one hoof. “We might be able to conceal our movements behind something. They did have some plant life in the atrium that might provide some cover if large enough, but that was a long time ago, they might have moved it.”

Steel sat for a moment, looking at the group, and then gave his head a soft shake. “Alright, we’ll go for it. We need to get to the top one way or another, and with this kind of setup they probably expected us to come. Everypony be ready,” he said, looking at each one of them, “because we’re probably springing a trap. When it goes off, everypony follow my lead.”

Steel’s eyes met Nova’s. “You lead, Hunter follows. When we get to the landing, we’ll hang back until you find a good way for us to get up. Signal us, and we’ll join you. Clear?”

“Got it,” Nova said, nodding. He turned for the stairs, listening to the faint muffled sounds of the team falling in behind him. Simple, just get to the top of the stairs, don’t trip the one trap, try not to trip the real trap, or better yet don’t set off either of them. But we don’t know what the other trap is. Nice.

The trip to the landing went smoothly, the entire team following his lead as he made his way up. The stairs were a little darker now, the moon having moved on from the horizon, hidden from sight by the lower half of the building. He paused at the landing, giving the team one last signaled reminder to stay away from the barrier of desks and chairs blocking off the stairwell up. Then, Hunter at his side, he moved into the atrium.

Hunter had been right in his description, Nova realized as they took the first few steps into the atrium, sticking near the wall. This place is huge! Above them sat ring after ring of balconies, one for every floor, stretching all the way to the large glass ceiling a dizzying height above. The room was dim, with little light from the outside making its way in. Maybe Hunter’s description of this place as a fish tank isn’t bad, Nova thought as they crept around the edge of the atrium, searching for anything that could conceal their team long enough to make it to the next balcony. But I can’t say it's the best description. He thought back to the glass jars he’d once caught fireflies in at the orphanage and grimaced. Yep, great happy thoughts. He pulled his gaze away from the sky far above them, focusing back on the task before them.

The moon wasn’t high enough that it’s light filled the atrium yet, leaving a good portion of one side wrapped in shadow. Nova held his breath as he and Hunter made their way towards the darkened portion, slinking between the wall and a series of indoor planters that circled the the inside of the room. As soon as he slid out of the moonlight and into the shadowed portion of the room, he relaxed, breathing easier.

He paused, holding his breath and freezing every muscle in his body. His eyes darted upward, ears twitching. Was it just his imagination, or had he heard something shift up above? The noise had been so faint, so imperceptible ... His ears twitched as he turned his head. Behind him, Hunter had frozen, his own ears twitching.

Noise? Nova signed, pointing upward with one hoof. Hunter sat for a moment, ears swiveling furiously, but then gave his head small, slight side-to-side shake. Nova sat for a moment more, ears straining, but the room was so quiet he could hear the thump of his heartbeat. Maybe it was nothing. They moved forward again.

Moments later Hunter waved him to a stop. They were deep in the shadows now, the rest of the atrium looking almost bright by comparison. Hunter motioned towards the balcony above them, giving Nova the signal for flight. Nova shook his head. Not yet, not until we’re sure there’s no other way. In a room so quiet and so large, even the rustle of wingfeathers could carry. Nova’s eyes climbed over the shadowed portion of the room, searching for anything that could be a better way to get up without being spotted or making noise.

After a minute of searching however, neither of them had found anything. The plants weren’t remotely tall enough to offer concealment, and there wasn’t anything nearby that the team could climb. Nova looked at Hunter as they both shook their heads.

Flight, Nova signed, and Hunter nodded. Nova turned, creeping back to the edge of the shadow they were hiding in. He reached the edge, put one hoof tentatively into the moonlight—and paused, looking up. This time he was sure he’d heard it. A faint rustle of some kind from above. He sat, motionless, eyes searching the space above them looking for any signs of movement. Stars twinkled through the glass. He waited even longer than he had before, running his eyes over every balcony rung, over every shape. Nothing. No movement. No noises.

He could feel his heart pounding in his chest now, his coat rubbing against the armor around his neck as it tried to stand on end. Something was off. Of course it is, he thought as he made a small gesture with his hoof in the direction of the landing. Moments later the first of the team slunk out, sticking to the walls just as he and Hunter had. It’s a trap. But was it? Something seemed off, he couldn’t put his hoof on it ...

He slid his eyes back up, running them over every balcony, panning his gaze from left to right, over every single—wait. His eyes narrowed, staring at the third floor balcony. Something's not right. He ran his eyes over the lower balconies again, paying close attention to the faint shadows the moonlight cast on the far wall. The lower balconies were casting shadows that were boxy, square, the balconies smooth shape broken by occasional boxy rises. The upper balconies were completely smooth, their shadows an unblemished arc. Boxy, Nova realized as the team crept closer to his position. Like a golem.

His heart began to pulse harder, adrenaline moving through his limbs. Okay, so we know the trap, Nova thought, slowly tilting his head until he could see Hunter, already crouched in the shadows by the far wall. Hold, he signaled, gesturing upward. Trap. Hunters head turned upwards and he gave it a small shake.

Where? he signed back.

Above! Nova signaled. One-two-levels. He pointed at the shadow on the far wall, miming the boxy silhouette with his hoof.

Hold team! Hunter signaled back. Nova turned, looking for the team. He couldn’t see them.

Where did—the planters! Nova slid to his left as quickly as he dared, easing his body around the planter and almost coming face to face with Captain Song. Nova threw his hoof up and the captain froze instantly, the rest of the team following his example. Golems, Nova mouthed. On the balconies above us. Steel gave a slow nod.

Something else was nagging at his mind, something he couldn’t quite place. Something about the golem they’d fought on the train. In the dark. His eyes widened in shock. In the dark—which the golem had had no problems seeing them in.

Nova spun, facing Steel and staring him right in the face. Move! he mouthed. It’s an ambush! Steel’s brow lowered, the stallion looking at him in confusion. Nova leaned in close. Golems can see in the dark, he mouthed, his muscles tight. They can see us. Steel’s eyes opened wide and the Captain raised one hoof, waving the rest of the team back.

“Well, well, well.” Nova froze as the unfamiliar voice began to echo through the atrium. The team froze, heads up, eyes alert as they looked for the origin of the voice. “Look what we have here.”

“Blade!” Hunter called, stepping out of the shadows, head up and wings out.

Blade? Nova wondered. Oh, right. That griffon he knew, from the railyard.

“Been waiting long?” Hunter called, his voice echoing around the balconies.

“Not too long,” the voice came back. “But long enough to be bored. What took you so long?”

“I wanted to bring some friends,” Hunter said, his head swiveling as he turned, looking up at the skylight. “They wanted to meet you, and I just couldn’t say no.”

Blade laughed, a chuckle that echoed off of the walls, growing and changing as it bounced around the chamber until it sent shivers down Nova’s spine. “Well then, I guess we’ve both got some introductions to make.” Blade said. There was a click from up above, and the balconies above them began to light up, boxy shadows moving, twisting, growing as the golems unfolded. One by one, crystals lit up around them as the golems stood, two rings of glowing red crystal staring down at them from the balconies above.

Twelve lights per level, Nova counted. Twenty-four golems. Tartarus.

“After all,” Blade’s voice came from above. “You’ve got your friends. And I’ve got mine.”
> Operation - Chapter 13
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 13


“Just golems, Blade?” Hunter asked, watching as the last of the shadowed figures finished unfolding. “You’re not going to join in? What kind of friend sits out and lets somepony else do all the work?”

There was a flash as the atrium's lights came on and Hunter covered his eyes, blinking rapidly as tears welled up. “I’m not sitting this one out,” came Blade’s voice from above. He pulled his hoof away, still blinking, his vision blurry from the sudden shift. Up above, far past the motionless golems, a reddish shape leapt from balcony to balcony, spreading blurry wings as it made its way down.

“As much as I’d rather, Hunter,” Blade said growing more clear as Hunter’s vision cleared. “Even after that little tussle today ...” Her voice grew soft as she landed atop a golem on the third level, her long talons digging grooves in the wood as she came to a stop. “Even after that, I’d still rather be your friend.” She was wearing armor now, Hunter realized as his vision cleared. A metal cap with a wicked point on it covered her head, and reddish chainmail hung across her body. A hauberk.

“Looks like you got yourself fixed up,” Hunter said, his eyes running over Blade’s straight plumage and outstretched wings.

“Yeah, well,” Blade said, flexing her wings. “It’s amazing what a little money and some medical unicorns can get you, although there was a little hang-up thanks to the leftovers of that boom you made. You’re looking a bit better too.” She cocked her head to one side. “So, seriously though, I really don’t want to have to sic these guys on you,” she said, tapping a talon against the wooden exterior of the golem.

“Then do the right thing and surrender already!” Hunter said, stamping his hoof for emphasis. “You know you’re on the wrong side here!”

“I can’t do that,” Blade said, shaking her head. “I signed a contract. I have to finish what I start. That’s the way it is.” She gave him a sad shrug. “I really wish I didn’t have to, you know. I’ve at least got the leeway of doing this my way. Radiant wanted me to kill all of you, but I’d rather you surrender. Same as before.”

Hunter shook his head at her, anger welling up in his chest. “If you’d rather this not end in somepony getting hurt, then you should just step down.” He could see the rest of the team watching, easing into positions he recognized as combat readiness. “End this.”

“There’s only one way I can do that, Hunter,” Blade said, giving him another shake of her head and tapping two of her talons together. “I can’t back away from a contract,” she said, her voice growing harsh. “So surrender before I do what I’m supposed to be doing!”

Hunter opened his mouth, about to let loose with an angry retort, but Steel put a hoof to his shoulder, shaking his head. Hunter looked at him, tempted to turn his anger on his Captain, but bit back.

“She can’t back down, Hunter,” Steel said, giving him a stern gaze. “It’s not how a griffon honor contract works.” Steel turned towards Blade. “You don’t want to do this anymore than he does, do you?”

Blade scoffed, leaping from the golem and spreading her wings. “Of course I don’t!” she said, swooping down to land on the other side of the atrium. “I may not care much ‘bout the rest of you, but Hunter’s one of my oldest friends.”

"You’ve got a funny way of showing it,” Hunter growled.

“Hunter, can it,” Steel said, his voice harsh. “You don’t understand. It’s an honor contract. It’s how griffon warriors live. Once signed, by ancient law a griffon warrior is obligated to carry out the contract, even if they no longer agree with the cause. Order of … King Tallcliff the first I think?”

Blade nodded. “Sounds like at least you know a bit about us.”

“I do,” Steel said, stepping past the planters and into the atrium's central ring, his attention fixed on the griffon standing across from him. “It was a set of laws set down over a thousand years ago, laws of contractual honor. As a griffon warrior, your contract is everything. You’re only allowed to back out under certain circumstances, to do otherwise is a mark of shame that takes from you your honor and your recognition as a warrior. If she backs out,” Steel said, looking back at Hunter, “she’ll lose her place among her people. She’ll become a pariah, an outcast.

“That’s insane!” The outburst came from Sky Bolt. “She can’t just say that it wasn’t what she signed up for?”

“It sounds strange to you,” Steel said, giving the armor-clad mare a quick glance. “But to the griffons it’s their way of life, set down long ago to ensure that the peace between the various tribes lasted and endured. To be a warrior among the griffons means living by your contract, and by a strict set of rules. Their society respects that, lives by it. And nothing that either Radiant or Mint have done has broken those rules, although I would guess that they’ve come close.”

Blade tilted her head to one side, giving the captain a wry grin. “Sounds like you’ve done your homework.”

“I spent five years in the Griffon Empire,” Steel said, giving the griffon a polite nod. “It was an experience I look back on fondly, and I still treasure the friendships I made among your people. But, to the matter at hoof,” he said, waving a hoof at the golems ringing them. “There are only two clauses by which you are allowed to surrender or withdraw.” The captain gave Blade an expectant look, but when she stayed silent, he continued.

“The first is when faced with such an overwhelming force that the commander,” he tapped a hoof in Blade’s direction, “in this case you, decides that resistance would only lead to a completely needless loss of life, with nothing to be gained for it. In that circumstance, a commanding warrior may withdraw and release forces under their command, and those forces must remit the remainder of the engagement, as is honorable.”

“I’m impressed,” Blade said, nodding. “You really do know a lot about the code of the warrior. Are you sure you’re not a griffon?”

Come on Steel, what are you playing at here? Hunter looked up at the ring of golems as the captain chuckled at Blade’s question. Get her to back down already. He swallowed as he looked at the golems, their impassive crystal gazes beaming down at them from the balconies. If this goes south, we’re in for one heck of a rumble. We’ve got plenty of space, but I’m not sure we could win it without some problems. Not with Blade leading them.

“I’m not,” Steel said. “And I must compliment you on your accent. Your Equestrian is much smoother than my friend Primetail’s.”

The look of wry amusement on Blade’s face vanished. “Wait,” she said, her expression serious. “You know Blademaster Primetail?”

“The other way that a combat can be avoided,” Steel said, ignoring the griffon’s question. “Is for a bıçakların ustası—a Blademaster—to issue a challenge to the leader of the opposing forces. A Blademaster’s challenge cannot be denied, and once combat has concluded, the victorious party is assumed to have won the victory for his entire side.”

“Neither of which will happen here,” Blade said, although her expression looked curious to Hunter’s eyes. He’d seen that look before, long ago when Blade had made a statement she wasn’t quite sure she would be able to keep.  “I’m not a bıçak ustası yet, and I certainly don’t see you fielding an overwhelming advantage.” She looked more confident now. “You can surrender of course, but I don’t think I will.”

Steel shook his head. “To be honest, I’m confident that my team could take these golems and you and still walk away,” he said, taking another step forward. Blade’s eyes narrowed and she hunched her shoulder, getting ready to pounce. “But,” Steel said, “I’d rather keep my team in top shape if at all possible and so—” He stamped one hoof hard against the ground, the marble underneath cracking with a noise like a gunshot. “I, Steel Song, bıçaklarin ustası, challenge you to ritual combat.”

For a moment the entire room was silent, the only sound the faint echoes of the cracked marble. Hunter stared at Steel in shock. A Blademaster!? Steel!?

Blade found her voice first, closing her open beak with a sharp clack. “You can’t be serious,” she stammered, taking a step back. “You? Blademaster?” Her eyes narrowed. “There’s only—”

“Only one non-griffon bıçak ustası alive today,” Steel said, cutting Blade off. Hunter knew he was staring, and he could see the rest of the team giving the captain looks of amazement or blank confusion. “That individual is me,” Steel said, giving Blade a polite nod.

“Impossible,” Blade said, her voice shaking. “You’re—you’re lying. You have to be!” She stepped back, her eyes wide with shock. “It’s not—”

“Bıçak ustası Primetail, bıçak ustası Skythunder, and bıçak ustası Redthrush,” Steel said, stepping forward. “So I name my three comrades, defeated in combat, earning for myself the title of Blademaster.” He took another step forward. “Do you deny the challenge?” There was a moment’s pause as the two stared at one another. “You know I can’t be lying,” Steel said after a moment. “Nopony impersonates a Blademaster and lives long, none of us would stand for it.”

“I—” For a moment Blade almost looked panicked, her crest feathers extended and neck feathers fluffed, but then she sat back, smoothing them with one paw, a grim expression crossing her face. “I will not,” she said, her eyes narrow.

“Hey, Boss,” Hunter said, stepping forward. "This doesn’t have to be your fight—”

“Hunter, sit back and stay out of this,” the captain said, his voice firm. He didn’t even look back. “None of you are to interfere with this, understood?” He waited for a moment and then looked back at his team. “Understood?”

There was a chorus of “yes, sir” from the team. Steel looked at Hunter last, and he swallowed. 

“I didn’t hear anything, Hunter,” Steel said. “You cannot interfere with this fight. Am I clear?”

Hunter looked at Blade, whose eyes were on Steel, a look of hunger shining in them. “Clear. Captain,” he said at last, giving his head a small shake. “Clear.”

“If I lose,” Steel said, addressing the entire group. “Then you are to surrender. No exceptions!” He said the last part with firmness, drowning out a protest from Nova. “Now then,” he said, turning back towards Blade and shrugging his cloth saddlebags from his back. They landed on the floor with a heavy thump. “Standard agreement. Five mortal or wounding blows, on your honor.” He flipped his saddlebags over, his gauntlets hitting the marble with a sharp clack.

“I ... agree,” Blade said, taking deep breaths between her words. “I, Blade Sunchaser, meet your challenge. Five blows, mortal or wounding.” She gave her own talons a flex, the sharpened tips scraping across the marble floor with a rasp that made Hunter’s skin crawl. “Bıçak ustası Silverbeak, bıçak ustası Sternshadow. I name my two challenges,” Blade said, stepping forward. Five blows, mortal or wounding.”

“Sternshadow?” Steel said, his tone light as he slid his gauntlets over his hooves, the thick metal spikes on the ends extending with a snap. “That old grouch actually let you challenge him?” He tilted his head from one side to the other, sharp pops sounding from his shoulders. “I’m impressed.”

“It wasn’t easy,” Blade said, settling into a low crouch. “He’s a real sore loser too, in case you wondered.”

“Oh I know,” Steel said, taking a few steps back and settling into a familiar looking Stone Wall stance, one hoof raised. “I fought him once, and he whined about it for days afterwards.” Blade’s eyebrows rose at the statement, but she said nothing.

“Well,” Steel said, tapping his raised hoof against the marble. “Ready?”

Blade licked her beak, her eyes fixed on Steel. Hunter could see a hungry gleam in her gaze, the gleam of a starving predator that has found a possible meal. “Ready,” she said, settling low on her haunches.

“Then begin!” Steel called, and Blade leapt forward, snarling, with her claws outstretched. Steel rose to meet her, the two meeting in the center of the atrium with a crash. Blade’s paws flashed down, only to catch on Steel’s gauntlets. The two pushed at each other for a moment, Blade pushing down, her wings flapping to give her extra strength and Steel pushing up, his muscles standing out under even under his armor. He gave a grunt, heaving his body upward and tossing Blade back, but she recovered by using her wings to spin in midair, lashing out with a talon as she came back around.

Steel went on the defensive, one gauntlet blocking the outstretched talons with a bone-chilling shriek as metal fought against claw. Blade pressed her advantage, darting forward and lashing out with rapid strikes. Hunter could see the fire of an eager gleam in her eyes. She wanted to win. She’d already told him why all those weeks back when they’d met on the train. If she defeated one more Blademaster, she’d be worthy of the title herself. She wanted to win. Badly.

Steel reared back, blocking both of Blade’s paws with one gauntlet, lashing out with the other. Blade gave a surprised squawk as the gauntlet's claws sparked against her hauberk, catching the chain and pulling her hard to one side. Her wings flared out as she tried to regain her balance, and Steel’s other hoof, no longer holding back her talons, smashed into her side.  Hunter winced as the attack hit home. Blade let out a cry of pain, stumbling back and grabbing her side with one paw.

“One,” she grunted, glaring at Steel. Her paw left her side and she dove forward with ferocious speed, this time keeping her body low to the ground. She came up underneath Steel’s guard, her shoulder colliding with the inside of his raised hoof and throwing his foreleg to one side. Steel twisted away as Blade’s other paw swept towards his face. There was a screech as her talons hit the armor around his shoulder, and then three red tracks traced their way up the side of Steel’s head, stopping just short of his ear as the stallion pushed himself way.

Blade dropped to all fours, dashing forward with a grin on her face. Steel ignored the blood running down the side of his head. “One,” he said, and leapt forward, meeting Blade’s charge head on. There was a crack as he brought one of his gauntlets down on top of Blade’s right paw, and the griffon let out a shriek of pain, snapping her wings around and battering Steel’s head and shoulders with them.

The fight became a brutal melee as the two combatants attacked one another. Hunter lost track of the back and forth between the pair as they crashed back and forth in tight, close combat. Steel’s hooves connecting with Blade’s vulnerable rear legs. Blade’s beak nearly catching the Dusk Guard Captain in the eye. It was brutal, dirty. Scrapes and yells filled the atrium as the two grappled with one another.

Hunter winced as Steel’s elbow crashed into Blade’s head, snapping it back. She let out a shriek, her rear legs crashing into Steel’s gut. Hunter heard the stallion's breath rush out with a wheeze. His gauntlets slammed into her side, and there was a series of pings as the chainmail links of her hauberk gave out.

Then with a grunt, the two leapt back, putting space between themselves and glaring at one another. Steel’s visage was stern but determined, blood seeping from small cuts across his face and running down his neck. Scratches were all across his armor, sharp lines against the matte green. He was limping, his chest and shoulders heaving with each breath.

Blade looked no better. Her helmet was gone, lost in the melee. A clump of feathers was missing from the back of her head, and another clump was heavily matted with what was probably blood. One of her wings was hanging limp by her side, and she too was breathing hard. But her eyes still held that hungry gleam. It was easy for Hunter to see how the two species had distrusted each other for so long. The gleam of a predator was unsettling.

“Four,” Blade said, shaking her head and causing a few stray feathers to break free and flutter to the ground. One of her eyes was beginning to swell shut. “And you have?”

“Four,” Steel said, drawing in a heavy breath. Blade blinked in surprise, her swollen eye twitching.

“Really? I counted three,” she said, her eyes still holding onto that hungry gleam.

Steel shook his head. “Four,” he said, tapping his side with one hoof. “Without the armor that would have been a near-fatal blow. I’m calling it four.”

“Suit yourself then,” Blade said, grinning. “Next hit wins it then.”

“It does,” Steel said, lowering his head and letting out a snort. A drop of blood dripped from his chin, a splash of crimson against the white marble floor. “Why wait?”

Blade let out a sudden shriek so ear splitting that Hunter winced, one eye almost squeezing shut, his ears folding flat against his head at the shrill noise. Blade dove forward, her good wing flapping madly as she rushed at Steel. He had shrunk back at the noise, eyes closed in pain, his ears down. Blade leapt into the air, both paws reaching out towards the wounded stallion, victory etched across her face.

Steel’s eyes snapped open, fixing her with a confident glare. Blade’s shriek cut off in a startled squeak as Steel reared up on his hind legs, throwing his front legs out and knocking her own paws wide even as he pulled his head back.

Then, with a crack that reverberated around the atrium, his head snapped forward, headbutting the griffon. Blade's body folded under her, going limp as her head snapped back, and she hit the floor like a rag doll, out cold.

Steel let out a breath and abruptly dropped to his haunches, one gauntleted hoof rubbing at his head. “Five,” he said, his voice echoing through the still of the atrium.

Dawn was the first to react as she rushed towards Steel, her horn already glowing orange as she pulled medical supplies from her saddlebags. Hunter galloped forward, rushing towards the limp bedraggled form of Blade.

“Her first,” he heard Steel say, the stallion pushing Dawn’s hoof from his shoulder as Hunter rushed past. “She needs it more than I do.” Hunter skidded to a stop, trying to fight back tears in his eyes. Is she breathing? His breath began to catch as he saw a small streak of blood left on the floor from her tumble, a red arrow pointing towards her motionless form.

“Out of the way,” Dawn said, kneeling by Blade's limp body and running her horn over the griffon's comatose form. Her horn pulsed, orange light trailing down from its tip and sinking into Blade’s body as Dawn moved her head back and forth, her eyes shut and brow wrinkled with concentration.

“Is she going to be okay?” Hunter asked, unable to keep the panic out of his voice. Dawn opened one eye, the blue pupil staring right at him. 

“She was willing to kill us, and you worry about her?” she asked, her voice neutral. “Why?”

“Because she’s … she’s still my friend,” Hunter said.

Dawn’s lips turned upwards. “Ever the loyal friend, Hunter,” she said, closing her eyes again. “And yes, she’ll be fine. She’s wounded, and has what is looking like a fairly admirable concussion, but it’s nothing I can’t help alleviate with a few moments of careful work.”

Hunter let out a relieved sigh as he backed away. “She’ll be okay, she’ll be okay,” he muttered, his body trembling as the adrenaline faded. There was a an amused grunt behind him.

“Of course she’ll be okay,” Steel said, limping up next to him, impervious or indifferent to the blood still running down his muzzle. “You didn’t think I’d kill her, did you?”

“I—I didn’t—” Hunter stammered, almost at a loss for words. “That last hit looked pretty hard.” To his surprise, Steel laughed.

“What?” Steel asked as soon as his laugh had subsided. “That? That was a love tap, Hunter. The thing you have to understand about griffons is that they play rough,” he said, tapping his head with one hoof. He’d already removed his gauntlets, Hunter noticed. “That’s why the wars with them back in the day were so tough. Griffons can take a lot of punishment and still keep going.” He let out another wry chuckle. “Ponyfeathers, you should have seen the hit I used to put Primetail down—knocked him out cold for three whole days. Everything was over and packed up when he woke up.” The stallion shook his head, still grinning, as drops of his blood fell to the floor. “Boy, did that ever rile his feathers. Still, it was a good thing I won. He was on the wrong side there too, and he knew it.”

“And you were ok with that?” Hunter asked, looking askew at Steel so he could keep his eyes on Blade’s limp form.

“At first? No,” the old veteran said with a laugh. “But I saw how the system worked after a while. It’s kept the Griffon Empire relatively stable for the last fifteen-hundred years.”

“Stable?” Nova asked as he entered the conversation. “Haven’t they switched rulers and governments twice in the last twenty years?”

“Rulers yes,” Steel said. “Governments no. They stick to the pattern set up by King Tallcliff. I was there for one of those switches.” His eyes took on a faraway look.

“Huh,” Nova said, looking down at Blade. “Well, what about the golems?”

“Don’t mess with them,” Hunter ordered, his skin crawling as he looked up at the double ring of wooden forms staring down at them. “They might need specific orders to stand down, or they might not like being provoked. Don’t touch them.” Beside him Steel gave a nod.

There was a groan from the floor and Dawn sat back, a satisfied smile on her face. “She’ll have a splitting headache for a day or so,” she said as the rust-feathered griffon began to stir. “But I was able to reduce the swelling in time.”

There was another groan from the floor and Blade’s eyes began to flutter. “Ne-ne?” she asked, pushing herself up on her side and letting out a little yelp of pain. “Hatırladığım—” her voice cut off as her eyes ran up the forelegs of the ponies standing in front of her. “Ah,” she said, switching to Equestrian as she saw Steel and Hunter standing over her. “I lost.”

“You did,” Dawn said, tilting her horn in close towards Blade’s shoulder and tapping her side with one hoof when she flinched away. “And don’t move please, I’ve already fixed your concussion, and I really don’t feel like knocking you out to work on you and giving you another one. This is difficult work enough as it is. Your own body was a little hesitant to accept the healing at first.” Her horn flashed once, then twice, and then glowed as she pulled a few medical supplies over, her hooves folding the bloodied feathers back.

“Not to be pressing,” Steel said, pointing one hoof towards the golems above them. “But those things are making my troops nervous.”

Blade grinned. “Sorry,” she said, and then tilted her head back. “Command order! Stand down, repack!” The effect on the golems was instant, the glowing lights in their crystals going out as each one of them began to fold back into a crate. Sky Bolt flew up, a fascinated look on her face as she watched the golems fold and compress themselves.

“Now then,” Steel said as the last golem snapped back into an unassuming wooden crate. “I know you’re not bound to tell us anything, but—”

“Sorry,” Blade said with a shake of her head. “I can’t tell you anything.” She winced as Dawn poured something onto her side.

“I understand,” Steel said with a nod. “As soon as Dawn finishes patching you up, consider yourself under arrest. The laws are clear in this case in regards to a griffon warrior operating in Equestria. You’ll be treated as an accessory, exiled from Equestria with a banishment term based on your sentence, but otherwise you’ll be free to go.”

“I know,” Blade said, nodding. She gave a soft yelp as Dawn pulled her wing back around, the bone settling into it’s socket with a pop. “I’ll fly—scratch that,” she said with a glance at her wing, “walk to Baltimare proper and find myself a Royal Guard contingent.”

"Don’t bother,” Steel said, shaking his head as Dawn moved her attention to Blade’s swollen eye, performing another scan spell with her horn. “Our airship is parked a quarter-mile to the west in a clearing. Wait for us there.” Blade gave him a nod and the stallion returned it, satisfied.

“Alright, Steel,” Dawn said, rising to her hooves. “Your turn.” The stallion stepped back, Dawn following as he moved towards a bench on the far side of the atrium, leaving Hunter and Blade alone. They stared at one another in an awkward silence.

“Sorry about all this, Hunter,” Blade said, breaking the silence first. “Believe me, if I’d known that this job was going to put me up against you—” she paused.

“You wouldn’t have taken it?” Hunter suggested.

Blade smirked and shook her head. “Well, I don’t know,” she said. “Honestly I had a lot of fun seeing if you’d catch on once the whole thing was underway. I never did want to kill you though,” she said, her expression a bit more serious. “You’re my friend, and I wasn’t about to kill you just because some nutty pony ordered me to.”

“Remorse?” Hunter said.

“That and it wasn’t anywhere in the contract.” Blade’s eyes darted around the room for a moment. “Look, I probably shouldn’t be doing this, but just so you know, Radiant’s gone a little loopy.”

‘We kinda figured that after her spectacle earlier today,” Hunter said, sitting back. “She was pretty out of it.”

“That isn’t half as bad as she can be,” Blade said, grimacing as she pulled herself to her feet. “She’s gone sky-crazy. Completely nutty. Just … Be careful, okay?”

“Alright,” Hunter said, holding his face impassive.

“And for what it’s worth,” Blade said, dropping her voice low and cocking her head to one side, a grin on her face. “Since I’m definitely going to be exiled for a while, sorry I won’t be able to meet your new marefriend.”

“Hey, how did you—she’s not my marefriend!” Hunter said, leaning forward. “How did you even—”

“Hunter,” Blade said with a chuckle. “You tweak just as easy about that now as you did in Junior Speedsters. And to answer your question,” she said, taking a few steps past him towards the stairway landing. “I didn’t know, but apparently you’ve been thinking it.”

“I—you—darn—starkers—” His protests were cut short as she put a bandaged paw on his shoulder.

“Relax, Hunter,” she said. “You can just come see me for once. After all, I made this trip.” She let out a laugh and limped towards the stairs.

Hunter watched her go, limping as she made her way down the steps. He turned as the tip of her tail vanished around the landing, frowning as he saw everypony staring at him.

‘What?” he asked, pent up frustration seeping out.

“Marefriend?” Nova asked, a grin creeping onto his face.

“Oh, shut it,” Hunter said, stalking over towards the staircase. “She’s just a—” he let out a frustrated yell. “Why am I even explaining myself you all of you? Come on.” He stopped on the landing, reared up on his front hooves, and gave the stacked blockade of furniture the biggest buck he could manage.

A jolt rolled through his body, like he’d built up a charge in a thundercloud and stuck his tongue into it. A curtain of magical energy rolled over his armor, sparking and jumping, but failing to penetrate the tough crystal. The blockade broke apart, desks and chairs tumbling onto the landing around him as the last of the magical booby trap snapped out of existence against his side.

“There,” he said, looking at the rest of the group. “Now let’s get up there and see who thinks it’s such a good idea to try and send one griffon against the Dusk Guard.”

“Whoever they are,” Nova said, “they know we’re coming now.”

“Good,” Hunter said, taking wing. “I want them to know.” He flew up the steps, the rest of the team close behind.


	*        *        *


“Alright,” Hunter said, staring at the large and ornately carved wooden doors set before him. “Check it.” Nova stepped up beside him, his horn glowing a soft blue as he panned his head back and forth. A small metal plaque proclaiming the doors to be the office of Mint Tam took on a bluish tint as Nova’s magic swept over it. Hunter fixed his eyes on the name.

“It’s clear,” Nova said, stepping back. “No traps.”

“Alright,” Steel said, stepping past both of them. “Standard breach. Ready?” Hunter nodded at him, his wings out and at the ready, the rest of the team nodding around him. Nova and Dawn lit their horns, a firm magic glow against the overhead lights. Sabra’s staff made a small hiss as it unfolded, and Sky Bolt pulled a wrench from her saddlebags, her own wings spread wide.

“Alright,” Steel said, spinning around on his front hooves. “Breach!” Steel’s hind legs snapped out, meeting the thick wood with a heavy crash that ripped the wooden doors from their hinges. They blew forward, launched several feet into the room, and Hunter shot after them, pushing his wings back to give himself the extra thrust he needed. By the time to two doors began to fall, Hunter was already in the air, wings pumping as he searched the room for threats or points of interest, the rest of the team fanning in behind him.

The room was clearly an office, but a large one. Massive even, with plenty of open floor space and a raised ceiling would give him plenty of room to maneuver. A gargantuan desk, carved from some dark, rich-textured wood, sat at the far end of the office in front of a wall-to-wall window that gave a grand view of the moonlit landscape. Paintings hung on the walls. The floor was heavily carpeted with a thick, plush carpet that muffled the heavy thump of the doors as they fell over, and further muffled the hoofsteps of the Guard as they spread into the room behind him, their eyes searching for threats. One by one, finding nothing else, they fixing on the room’s sole occupant.

“Knock, knock,” Hunter said as Mint turned away from the window to face them. Then his brow furrowed. She didn’t look like her sister had at all. Her sister had been triumphant, maybe even psychotic. Mint, on the other hoof, looked sad. Her pale blue mane was limp and bedraggled, and her eyes were red and puffy. Gone was the poise and grace she’d had held herself with at the dinner. The mare in her place now looked worn and tired.

“I was wondering when you would arrive,” Mint said, dropping into the chair behind the desk. “I told her we should just give it up, but she wouldn’t listen!” She twitched her head to one side as she spoke, shaking it back and forth, sniffling.

“Mint Tam?” Steel said, taking a step forward. “We’re here because—”

“I know why you’re here!” Mint snapped, looking up and glaring at the team with red eyes. “You’re here for me and my sister, because of this whole stupid railway takeover idea!” She sat back, shoulder slumping, eyes wet with what looked like hot, angry tears. “I never should have gone along with it,” she said, her voice growing soft. “I never should have let her get so into things.”

Hunter fluttered to the ground, turning his head back to give Nova a quick glance, his eyebrow raised. Nova shook his head. No traps that he could see then. Sky Bolt gave him a similar shake, her wrench lowered.

“So your sister was the one behind this?” Steel asked, taking another step forward. Mint wasn’t even looking at them now. Her eyes seemed unfocused, she looked like a mare who’d been drawn out, stretched.

“No, the inception was mine,” Mint said, still not looking at any of them. “I wanted to take Golden down after the deal he made with our father. I wanted him to lose everything, but he was so cautious!” Her hoof lashed out, upsetting an inkwell and spilling it over the side of her desk. “So I came up with Mimo Mining.” She let out a bitter laugh. 

“Then my sister said she had a better idea. She’d had this idea to make these constructs, these—well, you’ve seen them by now. She wanted to capitalize on the unrest in the board. Steal from our own customers, get a vote of no confidence in the Princesses—the plan was perfect.” She sniffed again. We’d get revenge on Golden and gain controlling interest in the company.”

“But your sister couldn’t stop, could she?” Dawn said, stepping forward. “She made a few golems, but it wasn’t enough anymore was it?” Mint gave a deep nod, part of her mane falling over her face. She didn’t remove it.

“At first it was just more of the wooden golems, but then she wanted more crystal, and we were doing this on the sly, trying to keep as much of it off the books as we could. I was worried, but she was so sure of herself and—and she’s my sister. Then, right after the changeling invasion she got the idea to break into the Crystal Caverns after reading about them in the papers, and well you know she did.”

“And you never went forward and told anyone?” Steel asked, stepping up to her desk, his voice harsh. Dawn shot him an annoyed look as Mint shrank back.

“I … I—she’s my sister!” Mint said, her voice desperate. “I kept hoping that she’d be satisfied, but she kept wanting more and more, her plans growing. She kept making more golems, even when I said we had more than enough!”

“And what about the museum robbery?” Hunter asked, dropping to the floor next to Steel. “What about Blade?” he asked, his eyes narrow with anger. “Was it you who told her to kill her friend when I got too close to the truth?” Mint shrank back even further, flinching with every word. ‘Well?” Hunter asked, slamming a hoof down on the desk. “Was it? What about the injuries? The conductor who your golem attacked?”

“I wasn’t the one who hired Blade,” Mint said, her voice faltering. “That was Radiant‘s idea. I never told her to kill anyone!” she said, a shocked expression on her face. Hunter felt his anger soften slightly at her words. This was Mint, the mare he’d spoken to at the dinner … she didn’t have the look of a killer to her.

“And the museum? The conductor?” he asked, letting his voice soften just a little, but not enough to take the edge off.

“The conductor was an accident,” Mint said. “The golem acted in self defense. The museum was another bad idea. Radiant wanted to see if she could steal some high quality crystal samples, but we didn’t know the museum as well as we’d thought and the crate was sent to the wrong department. That was an accident, you have to believe me!” She looked almost desperate now. Her face reminded him of somepony who knew they were drowning and were clutching at a rope.

“And what about the stuff you stole?” Steel asked, his voice still holding onto the same hard edge.

“We sold it,” Mint said. “As fast as we could. It was worthless to us, so Radiant didn’t want to have it around. Why?”

“And where is Radiant now?” Steel asked, ignoring Mint’s question.

“She’s down in her lab,” Mint said. “Where she was doing all the crystal enchanting. I tried to get her to leave, but she wouldn’t have any of it. All the crystal enchanting—” she paused, her eyes growing wet again. “She’s not herself anymore. She kept going on about the proper way of things and the new future—I can’t make sense of it! I tried to get her to leave, but she had her golems throw me out, sent me up here to wait and set a trap with Blade and a bunch of the basic models—” Hunter’s ears perked up.

“Basic models? What do you mean, basic models?” he asked. Dawn blinked for a moment, looking up at him like she’d forgotten he was there.

“The basic models,” she said, as if everypony knew. “The ones that fold into crates?”

“How many other models are there?” Steel asked. Hunter’s eyes darted back to the rest of the team, whose eyes were now scanning the nearby environment.

“A couple,” Mint said, a faint tone of pride coming into her voice. “There are the mark IIs, which are just a bit better than the basic models. Then there are the mark IIIs, the all-metal ones, but those were too slow, so then she made the Crystal golems, like the one we switched places with this morning.”

Steel looked at Hunter, worry written across his face. “You said ‘golems,’” he said, turning his head slightly. “How many were there?”

Mint shrugged. “I don’t know. More than one I suppose.”

“And are these golems here? In this building?” Hunter asked, and Mint nodded. “Down with Radiant?” Another nod. Great. Hunter stepped back.

"Alright,” Steel said. “Anything else you can tell us?” Mint sat still for a moment, her head hanging low, and then she looked up, tears in her eyes.

“Please,” she said, tears running down her cheeks. “Save my sister. I want her back.”
> Operation - Chapter 14
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 14


“Do you think that was a good idea?” Dawn asked Steel as they watched Mint exit the building. “Trusting her to go alone?”

Steel looked over at her and shook his head. “No, it wasn’t a good idea,” he said, feeling a twinge as the door shut behind the poor mare. “I’d rather have somepony go with her, just to guard her if nothing else, but you heard what she said.” He looked back at the rest of the team, clustered around one of the doorways that lead to the basement levels of the huge building.

“We have no idea how many golems are waiting for us down there,” Steel said, looking back at Dawn and seeing the worry in her eyes. “I know you want to do what you can to help, but right now—”

“I understand,” Dawn said. There was neither anger nor bitterness in her voice. Steel looked out through the glass doors, watching the bedraggled mare that had once been the proud head of the Eastern ERS hobble away with her head hanging low. He couldn’t see the horn-lock that he’d put on her from this angle but it was there, suppressing her magic on the odd chance she tried to use it. Her legs had been tied as well, using cord they’d found in a nearby supply closet. Not enough that she couldn’t move, but enough to make traveling far difficult if she did decide to run.

“We need everypony we can get right now,” Steel said, turning away from the window. “She’ll be fine waiting in one of the empty carriages. It’s summer.”

“I know,” Dawn said, stepping alongside him as he began to walk back across the open lobby, his hoofsteps making dull thumps against the marble. “I just don’t like it.”

Steel came to a halt, turning his head to look at her. “I don’t either Dawn,” he said. “But like-it-or-not, we don’t have a lot of options at the moment. She’s a victim, just like everypony else, but we can’t forget that she started this.”

“I know, Steel,” Dawn said, her voice quiet. “And I understand. I may not like it, but—” she looked back towards the doors, her voice faltering slightly. “I know I’d do the same thing in your place.” Her brow lowered, her expression angry. “Besides, the true blame for this lies with Radiant.”

“Yes,” Steel said, stepping forward once more. “It does.” Ahead of him, Nova stepped back from the door that led to the R&D labs, a smug smile on his face as he gave it a light tap with his hoof.

“And it’s open!” he said, winking at the group. “Told you a high security lock and spell wouldn’t be much trouble.” He gave a little cough, putting an innocent look on his face. “And in under two minutes. I believe somepony owes me fifteen bits.” His eyes settled on Sky Bolt, who gave an irritated huff.

“I’ll pay you later,” she said, rolling her eyes as Steel walked up.

“It's open then?” he asked, looking at the group. “Any traps?” Nova shook his head, and Steel gave him a nod. “Good. Then lets get down there and finish this!” He turned and charged through the doorway, heading down the stairs at a full gallop.

“What about noise?” Hunter asked, flying up alongside him. Steel shook his head. Not after the ruckus we made upstairs.

“No, she has to know we’re coming now,” he said as they ran past bare metal doors, each identical save for a painted number. “All that noise, and the lights. No, in fact, I’d expect she was expecting us to make it down here all along,”

“What makes you say that?” Sky Bolt asked, flying along his other side. Steel didn’t reply as they rounded a corner, heading down another flight of stairs.

“It’s obvious!” Nova called from behind them, his words broken up slightly as he took in breaths. “The lights are on, there’s no resistance to speak of, she only sent the basic golems to guard her sister—”

“To be fair,” Sky Bolt said, dropping back out of Steel’s view as they team rounded another staircase. Seven levels to go. “I think they could’ve had a chance, at least with Blade around.”

“True,” Nova called back. “But between the lights, the trap, the fact that Mint didn’t want to fight or even try to resist, I don’t think any of it was meant to stop us.”

“Then what would be the point?” Dawn called. Another staircase. They were circling, rotating around some sort of center as they went down.

“To slow us down?” Nova asked. “To buy time? I don’t know! Look, all I can tell you is that when we went upstairs we went to check out that light we saw from the outside. Now, the door I unlocked to get down here? Locked, but not sealed. And yet I didn’t see any light. Which means these lights here only came on after we’d gone upstairs. Radiant wanted us to go upstairs from the very beginning.”

“That’s—” Steel said, slowing his gate in surprise, “—surprisingly well thought out, Nova.”

“Yeah, well … I’m a thief, aren’t I?” There was a pause in the unicorn’s words, and for a moment Steel wondered if he was supposed to answer or if Nova’s question had been rhetorical. “I’m supposed to think all twisty.” Nova said, answering. They started down another staircase. Five floors left until they reached the bottom.

The wall to their right opened up into a long floor-to-ceiling window running the length of the hall. Steel looked over and slowed his pace. Through the window he could make out the tip of the massive stone counterweight responsible for the building floating above them, its dark grey stone jagged and haphazard. And occupied.

“Oh, Tartarus,” Nova said from behind him, evidently spotting what had caught Steel’s own attention.

“Alright everypony,” Steel said, speeding back up as the golem jumped down out of sight. “If she didn’t already expect us, now she knows. Look alive!” He put his head down, hooves thundering as he charged forward and down the next set of stairs. The passed another window, the golem again watching as they passed, leaping down almost as soon as they were out of sight.

“Boss, I can see down there,” Hunter said as they started down another set of stairs. “There’s about five of those wooden golems, and four that look like they’re made of metal.”

Six wood, four metal? Steel thought, his hooves beating a drum tempo on the metal stairs. I don’t know about the metal ones but armored, prepared, and armed, we can take six of the basic ones. “What about crystal golems?” he asked. “Do you see any of them?” They swept past another window, Hunter craning his head as he flew past the glass.

“One. In the back,” he said. “No sign of Radiant though, I don’t see her anywhere.”

“She’s down here,” Nova said. “There’s nowhere else for her to be!”

“But why?” Sabra asked, his melodic voice almost blending with the timing of the team's hoofbeats. “What would be so important that she wouldn’t just flee?”

“I don’t know,” Steel said, leaping and clearing the next stairway entirely. Once again, the golem was watching them through the window, hanging on the side of the counterweight like something from a foal’s nightmares. He could see the counterweight cables now, thick braids of steel cable that must have cost a fortune to procure, extending down from  just above the window as they headed for the base of the counterweight. “Whatever it is, it must be important. There isn’t any other way out of here is there?”

“There’s a freight elevator on the side, at the end of a hallway,” Hunter said. “It connects with each of the labs so they can lift stuff out of the lab, even big stuff like train carriages.”

“So she could already be riding it out!” Steel said, putting on a burst of speed. “Alright, here’s the plan,” he said, his mind running almost as fast as his body. “We’ll tackle the ones with wood first. Nova,” he looked in Nova’s direction, catching the unicorns determined nod. “Use your ice to freeze them. Sabra, Sky Bolt,” he shifted his gaze to the pair. “Focus on golems that Nova’s iced, go for the joints. Hunter, you use that weather magic of yours on the metal golems. Something tells me they’ll have trouble with lightning bolt or two. Dawn?” The pink unicorn nodded as they descended the final set of stairs. “You assist where you think you’ll do the most good. I’ll occupy the crystal golem until the rest of you can help me out.”

“You really think we can do this?” Nova asked as they rounded a corner. Ahead of them, set into the wall, was a massive door that presumably led to the chamber containing the counterweight.

“Either way, we have to try!” Steel said, turning and slamming his shoulder into the door. He barely felt the impact through his armor, the door flying open before him.

Almost immediately a wooden hand reached for him. He ducked under it, giving it a satisfying kick with his hind leg as he passed. The center of the room was dominated by the craggy pillar that was the top the of the bedrock counterweight, a monolith that the entire room rotated around. The braided steel cables stretched across the room, connecting to the counterweight at its base, where it merged seamlessly with the smooth rock underhoof.

Steel ducked under another grasping hand as the rest of the Dusk Guard swept into the room behind him. He heard the crunch of wood followed by a battlecry, although from whom he wasn’t sure. He pushed out with his hind legs, clearing the cable where it met the base of the pillar and kicking off of the counterweight for good measure, throwing himself further into the air and sailing over one of the metal golems.

“Well, look who finally decided to show up!” Steel looked up as he landed. Radiant was standing at the far end of the room, behind a heavy sheet of glass interlaced with wire, her voice coming from a loudspeaker sitting just above it. “I’d expected you to be here long ago. You kept me waiting.”

“Radiant!” Steel yelled, darting past another golem and heading for the glass. A crystalline fist slammed down in front of him and he skidded to a halt, juking left as the crystal golem stepped towards him. “Give it up!”

“What? Give this up?! Now?” The mare let out a long cackle. “When I’m so close to finishing my masterpiece? Why would I do that? I have an army! Once I’m done squashing you insects, I’ll take them wherever I want! Do whatever I want! I could have a nation! An empire!”

"With just eleven golems?” Steel said, ducking out of the way and flipping his saddlebags from his back. Should have put these on before I entered the room. He slid under a blow from the golem, wincing as the fist cracked against the pillar. Don’t let him catch you between him and the pillar, he thought as he slid one of the gauntlets on, locking it into his armor. “You can’t take on the world with eleven golems, Radiant! I’m not even sure you can take on us!”

He rolled forward, underneath another swing from the crystal golem, the second gauntlet sliding over his hoof. “As a matter of fact,” he said as came to his hooves, lashing out and sending chips flying from the golem's leg. “Make that I’m pretty sure!” Hunter was darting around the room, a dark grey thundercloud forming overhead, already sending out faint tendrils of flickering electrical energy. Past that he could see flashes of blue light as Nova sent beam after beam of freezing energy crashing into his opponents. Sabra was dancing around the golems like they were barely moving as Sky Bolt swept down from above. One of the constructs was already lying in a corner, unmoving.

“You’re not going to be able to beat us!” Steel said, backing up against the glass that separated him from Radiant. “Give it up now!” He ducked as the golem's fist swung towards him, and Radiant let out a yell of surprise as it smashed into the space where Steel had just been, spiderwebs shooting through the thick glass as it cracked. “Because as soon as we finish wiping out your little project, we’re coming in there after you!”

He reared up on his hind hooves and reached deep inside of himself, summoning forth the earth pony magic within him, pushing it into his forelegs as his hooves came down. Move, he said, pushing his innate magic into the rock below him. Now.

The crystal golem rocked back as a craggy spike of rock erupted from the ground, slamming into its exposed chest. Steel let out a whoop as the golem’s chest cracked, a long, zig-zagging across its surface. “Not so tough when I’m on the ground, are you?” he yelled, whipping around and bucking the golem in the chest. It let out a pained warble as it stumbled back into the counterweight.

“You can’t beat us, Radiant!” He called as the golem’s warble switched to a low pitch, the construct pushing itself from the pillar with a cry, its hands coming forward. Overhead a bolt of lightning arced out with a crack that nearly made his ears ring. One of the metal golems fell to the floor, convulsing.

“And you aren’t listening, captain!” Radiant called back as he stepped past another blow. He reached inside himself as the golem came in fast and low, checking his own reserves. Earth pony magic was closely tied to his stamina, he didn’t want to use it all too quickly.

“I said I had an army!” Radiant said behind him, laughing. “What makes you think I count eleven golems as an army?” She paused, and Steel saw her out of the corner of his eye as he jumped over the crystal golems leg. A pit opened up in his stomach as he saw the grin on her face.

“Command order!” Her voice boomed around the room as she yelled through the loudspeaker. “All golems activate! Kill everypony!”

“What does she mean ‘all golems?’” Hunter called, kicking his cloud and sending another bolt of lightning into the melee. “Are there—” his voice cut off with a yell as one of the nearby windows looking in on the hallway exploded inward, showering him with glass. “Oh crikey!” the pegasus yelled, juking to the side as a metal golem leapt through the glass, its fingers barely missing the tip of Hunter’s wing. 

Steel looked up in shock. All around them, on every floor, golems were emerging from the lab doors they’d passed, smashing through them with minimal effort and leaping into the room, glass shards raining all around them.

Ten, twenty, thirty— he counted, his eyes wide even as he rolled away from the crystal golem. Radiant’s laugh filled the room, mixing with the sounds of smashing glass and the thuds of heavy footsteps as golem after golem landed around them.

“I told you,” Radiant said, her voice sing-song. “I’ve. Got. An army!” She drew the last word out, striking a little pose through the glass.

We can’t win, Steel realized, looking at the sea of golems around him. There have to be at least fifty golems here, maybe more!

“Wondering how many golems you can beat, captain?” Radiant asked. “Well,” she said, taunting. “If you each destroy ten of my golems, it still won’t be enough! I’ve had months to make these things. I’m so glad I get to share them with you. You know, before you die!” The last word was an almost indecipherable shriek of rage.

We’ve got to find some way to stop these things, Steel thought, leaping underneath one of the support cables. Three different fists, two of them crystal, slammed into the steel cable above him. We can’t let them get out, especially with whatever she’s planning. He rolled left, leaping as he came up and kicking out with his front hooves, cracking a wooden golem’s crystal in half. The golem fell to the ground, two more stepping up behind it.

“Anyone have any ideas?” Hunter called, kicking his cloud and sending an entire barrage of lightning bolts down towards the ground. One of the golems detonated as the lightning breached its battery crystal, scattering the nearby golems. “My cloud is running out, and I don’t think I’ll get the chance to make anoth—crikey!” A shard of glass shot by his face, thrown by a golem. Another shattered against the armor on his flank.

“I’m open to suggestions!” Steel called. A wooden fist slammed into his side, sending him tumbling. He rolled to his hooves, thankful for his armor. “Anypony have any ideas?”

“Yes!” Radiant’s voice crackled over the loudspeaker. “Give up and die! Or get smashed and die! Or just die!” She laughed, a high pitched squeal that sent a shiver down Steel’s spine.

“I’ve got one, but I don’t think anypony's going to like it!” Dawn called from somewhere nearby. There was a bright orange flash and several golems stumbled back, her pink frame darting between their legs.

“Well, let’s hear it!” Steel called, punching another golem in the chest and then ducking just in time for one of the larger crystal golems behind him to smash its fist into it, crushing the chest.

“Yes, let’s!” Sabra’s voice rang out, intermixed with the nearly constant ring of his staff hitting golem after golem. The zebra was dancing from golem to golem, his hooves never touching the floor, his limbs and staff a blur of constant motion. “I cannot keep this up forever!” Steel’s eyes left the colt as he rolled away from another attack, his gaze turning upward instead.

“What’s the idea, Dawn?” he called, his eyes taking in the sight of golem after golem still erupting from the doors to the labs. There’s no way we can face this many, no way at all.

“Alright, here it is!” Dawn yelled, leaping from the mass of golems chasing her and landing on one of the steel support cables. “Ever seen Phantom of the Opera?”

“You’re right!” Nova called from the end of the room, blue bolts flying fast and furious. “I hate your idea already!”

“Cut the cables?” Steel yelled. “Are you serious?”

“Yes!” Dawn yelled, leaping back up the cable as golems grabbed at her hooves. “And smash every one of these plotheaded abominations!” She lowered her horn, a dull orange glow building at it’s tip. “We should only need to cut one or two on the same side!”

“You’re insane!” Nova cried as a thin, bright bolt of magic erupted from the tip of Dawn’s horn, heating one of the braided cables with a faint wisp of smoke.

“Nova, shut it and help her!” Steel called, ducking himself past another clumsy golem strike. “The rest of you, protect them while they cut that cable!” He lashed out with both hooves, knocking two golems back and wincing as a third grazed his back with another blow. The hits were coming more often now, his sides slowly numbing to the pain under his armor.

“I’ll get the other cable!” Sky Bolt called, flipping into the air and flying for the next closest cable to Nova’s position. “Sabra! Keep them off me!” The zebra flipped his staff onto his back, running and leaping from golem to golem in the most intense display of acrobatics that Steel had ever witnessed, kicking off of swinging arms, shoulders, anything in his path. But even the agile zebra hadn’t made it through the fight unscathed, Steel could see cracks in the armor along his sides.

“Get back!” There was an eruption of blue light from the far corner, a dome of vivid blue that shot out, knocking the golems back and leaving Nova standing in the middle of a empty circle, his horn glowing like a beacon. One of the wooden golems lifted into the air, wrapped in a blue glow, and then bent back. Nova let out a wordless yell as it folded over backwards, whatever gears and supports it had in its back cracked and warped under the force of the unicorn’s magic. He rushed towards Steel, using the golem as a battering ram, smashing it left and right against every golem in his path.

“A little tense there, Nova?” Hunter asked as the unicorn leapt onto the cable, giving his impromptu weapon one last shove, knocking one of the crystal golems to the counterweight. Nova didn’t reply, just let out another yell as he blasted a golem square in the chest with a blue bolt, sending it skidding back.

“Cover him!” Steel called, bucking one of the metal golems and feeling its surface buckle under the impact of his hooves. Up on the cable, Nova had reached Dawn and was lowering his own horn.

“Wait a minute! What are you doing?” Radiant asked, her voice echoing through the chamber. “You maniacs! What do you think you’re doing?” There was a groan as a steel cable gave way, the remaining braid creaking as it took up the slack. “Get away from that!”

“It’s like you said, Radiant!” Steel called, smashing his hooves into a golems arm once, then twice. He grinned as the arm snapped off under his blows and he kicked it, launching the arm at and approaching crystal golem which batted it from the air. “We can’t beat this many golems!” There was another snap, and the room rumbled underfoot. “But gravity sure might!”

“No! You—I—” Radiant was backing away from the glass now, deeper into the facility.

“Give it up Radiant!” Steel called, Hunter darting down from above and knocking aside an arm that had been coming for Steel’s head. The golem spun away as Hunter’s momentum carried it to one side. “Turn yourself in, or we’ll bring this whole building down on top of us!”

Radiant stared at him for a moment, her face seesawing between hatred and shock. “You won’t have me!” she screamed, her face holding a strange mixture of the two. “You won’t!” She turned and bolted, vanishing deeper into the facility.

There was screech, as if a guitar string had been stretched too far. “Not much longer now!” Dawn called.

“Hunter!” Steel called, backing up as the tide of golems pressed in. “Find us an exit!” The pegasus nodded, darting off through the air as a Steel pushed back golem after golem. They were getting too close … any minute now and—he pushed a jolt of earth pony magic through his hooves, a wall of stone erupting in front of him sending one golem flying into the air. That should buy me some time, he thought as he glanced over at the other cable. Sky Bolt was wrapping cord around it as quickly as she could, Sabra a blur as the zebra leapt around her, his staff smashing away any hand that came to close.

“I’ve got one!” Steel looked up as Hunter swooped down, riding a golem into the ground and shattering its crystal against the floor. “The elevator!” He pointed at a large door, flush with the wall, and then leapt up as another golem crashed towards him. More were coming, climbing down the counterweight now.

“This one’s ready to go!” Sky Bolt yelled, taking to the air and leaving the cable behind. Sabra leapt from his latest victim, wrapping his forelegs around Sky Bolt’s as she flew towards the rest of the group.

“What is it?” Steel yelled, another blow glancing from his shoulders.

“About ten feet of enchanted cutcord!” Sky Bolt called out. “All I need is somepony to light it and it’ll cut right through!”

Steel nodded and pointing a hoof at the elevator door. “Clear that area, get the elevator door open!” Sky Bolt gave a nod, dropping Sabra, who spun in mid air, driving his staff point first into a golem's crystal and riding it to the ground. Steel turned away, just catching the zebra using the momentum to springboard into another golem as he lashed out at his own opponent, crippling its leg.

“Almost there!” Dawn cried from the cable. There was a sickening sound, sharp and reverberating. “Got it!” Dawn called, leaping to the ground, Nova close behind. Behind them the uncut half of the cable was beginning to stretch and twist as it succumbed to the forces pulling it. The room shook and Steel could only wonder what the building looked like from the outside now that the supports were failing.

“Hit the cutcord!” Sky Bolt yelled, and Dawn obliged, a thin beam of energy cutting across the room and hitting the wrapped cord. It burst into brilliant, white light, eating through the braids.

“Door’s open!” Hunter called as the large metal door swung open with a slam, revealing a long dimly lit hallway that stretched back some fifty feet.

“Go!” Steel yelled, shoving a golem out of the way to give himself an opening. “Go!” The team complied, bolting through the opening at a gallop, Steel close behind. Behind them, he could hear rapid fire snaps as the cutcord sliced through the cable like a hot knife through butter. The hallway groaned around them, and from somewhere far above there was a faint creaking sound that seemed to echo inside Steel’s bones.

A support beam crashed down in front of Steel and he leapt over it as the shaking intensified. Metal ceiling panels began to crash down around them, the entire structure complaining. There was a loud crack behind them, followed by a massive jolt that almost threw Steel to the ground.

“That was the first cable going!” Sky Bolt yelled as the team thundered onto the elevator, their hooves echoing on the wooden platform. Steel turned back just in time to see the hallway they’d been running down collapse, crushing a pursuing golem under tons of metal and debris.

“We’re all here!” He yelled, looking back at Sky Bolt. She nodded, throwing a lever up. The elevator began to rise, slowly, but then faster and faster, Sky Bolt cranking the lever well past whatever safety lock it had been built with.

“Look out!” Nova crashed into Steel’s side, shoving him away from where he’d been standing as a support beam crashed down from above, smashing through the thick wooden planks and tearing away part of the platform. Steel’s jaw dropped as he got to his hooves, staring at the hole where he’d been standing.

“Thanks,” he said, heart pounding. The building shook again, the elevator rattling against the sides of the shaft, and he looked up, wary of more debris crashing down.

“Top floor!” Sky Bolt yelled as the elevator came to a sudden halt, throwing the team into the air. Steel twisted, landing with his hooves under him as he looked around.

“It’s the indoor rail yard!” Hunter yelled, flying off. “This way!” Steel bolted after him, his heart pounding in his chest. The whole building was shaking now, dust raining down all around them as the building approached its final moments. Hunter landed by a massive door, grabbing a circular valve in his hooves and straining his body against it.

Steel slammed into the valve, adding his weight and muscle to the wheel, and it spun, slowly at first, but then faster, the nearby door slowly rolling back.

“That's enough of a gap, lets go!” Steel yelled as Nova bolted through the gap, followed by Sky Bolt. The two ponies galloped for the opening as Sabra and Dawn shot through it.

The night sky had never looked so good, Steel decided as he shot out into the night, feeling the cool summer air rush through his mane. He kept running, metal groans shrieking behind him as he galloped to the very edge of the rail yard. Up ahead, Sky Bolt reached the wall and turned, her jaw falling open in shock, the rest of the team following suit. Steel slowed, turned, and gaped.

The top portion of the building was tilting, leaning over as the cables they’d damaged slipped through their supports. Steel watched in awe as a glass window blew outward, a desk tumbling free and falling towards the building below. Then, with a loud series of snaps that echoed across the rail yard, the remaining cables snapped.

The building seemed to hang in the air for a moment, suspended in time. Then it dropped. The lobby skylight shattered, a titanic rumble of breaking glass as the base of the building plowed through it. The building continued downward, smashing through the marble floor and ripping through the lower floors. The ground began to shake underhoof, an almost agonizing cacophony filling the air as glass shattered and beams broke, the building caving in on itself like a deflating balloon. There was a final, crushing rumble as the descending building met the counterweight at the bottom, its descent earthward coming to a halt as two connected. The top few floors continued to cave in with a series of smaller, less impactful crashes, while the six support arms, no longer balanced against what they had held for so long, began to fall to the ground with faint booms, some of them taking out trees as they collapsed. Then at last, with a final rumble, everything was still.

“And that, I think,” Sky Bolt said, letting out a tired laugh, “is why they must have called it The Chandelier.” She let out a weary laugh, dropping to the ground with a thump, and Steel followed suit, his own hind legs giving out underneath him. “By Celestia and Luna both,” she said, “I hope I never have to do something like that again.”

“I’m with you there,” Nova said, his breaths rapid but deep. “That was an experience I’d rather not repeat.” The rest of the group began to mutter various affirmatives.

“It’s funny how the lights are still on,” Hunter said after a moment. Steel looked up and blinked in surprise. Sure enough, most of the ground lights were still on, illuminating the wreckage. “Durable little things.”

“It’s a shame we couldn’t save Radiant,” Dawn said after a moment.

“I know,” Steel said, gathering enough strength to push his back legs up. “We tried though, and that’s what matters.”

“And will that help me sleep at night?” Dawn asked. “Knowing we crushed her under that—”

“Guys? Hang on ...” Sky Bolt said, raising her hoof. “You feel that?”

“Feel what?” Nova asked. Steel felt something drop inside his stomach.

“I feel it,” Sabra said, as Nova’s eyes went wide. Then Steel felt it too, a faint tremor underhoof.

“Alright guys,” Nova said, stepping back with one hoof raised, worry on his face. “What’s doing this?”

“Oh crikey,” Hunter said, his eyes going wide as a crash echoed from the direction of what had once been the ERS Eastern headquarters. “Look at that!”

Steel spun around as a massive chunk of debris shot into the air from the center of the wreckage, a huge—no, he corrected himself—massive two-fingered hand made of clear crystal shoving the wreckage upward. The debris shifted and another hand burst through the wreckage, scattering steel beams like tiny sticks. Each of the hands was at least the size of two ponies, maybe larger. Both hands slammed down and the ruin erupted, debris of all kind flying back as a truly massive golem, comprised entirely of the same clear crystal, pulled itself free, shaking detritus from its shoulders.

“By the moon above,” Steel said in shock as he spied the pale green unicorn encased inside the thing's chest. “Radiant?”

A laugh echoed across the wreckage as the golem turned left, then right. “So!” Radiant said, her voice booming from the huge golem as she spotted them. Steel could see her staring through the clear crystal, her horn aglow as she manipulated the massive construct. “You made it out alive after all!” The golem's fists cracked together with a sound like two boulders colliding. “That’s great,” Radiant said, letting out a mad chuckle, her head rocking back before snapping forward, eyes narrowing, fixing on the team as her voice grew low. “Because I really, really wanted to kill you.” Her shoulder dropped, the colossus charging towards the team like an oncoming train, Radiant’s laughter ringing out alongside the crash of its steps.

“Scatter!” Steel yelled, throwing himself to one side as the golem skidded to a halt, its outstretched hands sweeping through the space where the team had just been, sending dirt and gravel flying. “Go for the legs!” There was a flash of blue light as Nova opened fire, his blue magic splashing across the golem's feet.

“Insect!” Radiant roared, her voice distorted through whatever spell she was using to speak jumping and dropping in pitch. A backhand swept out towards Nova, crashing through a nearby empty carriage as Nova ducked under it. “You just dropped a building on me, and I survived!”

A bolt of orange magic shot out of the shadows, striking the golem square in the chest and bouncing into the sky. “It’s reflective!” Dawn yelled, bolting as Radiant turned her attention towards her, a fist smashing down. “I can’t sedate her.”

“Then we’ll have to smash it down!” Steel yelled, ducking between the legs and giving one of them the hardest buck he could manage. The impact resonated up his legs, and he grimaced in pain. The golem hadn’t moved an inch, the tough crystal unmarked by the impact.

“You can’t smash me!” Radiant cried, her voice triumphant as the golem continued to lash out at random targets, trying to smash the team. “You’d need the Princesses themselves to smash me!”

She’s right, Steel thought, his gauntlets sliding off of the thick crystal. We’re like flies against a manticore, we don’t have a hope of smashing this thing. He leapt back as the golem bent, grabbing a nearby rail carriage and lifting it into the air with with a scream of metal. If she was actually focusing on one of us instead of attacking us at random, we’d already be dead.

“I’m Radiant!” she cried as she lifted the rail car above herself. “And you! Are! Nothing!” Nova and Sabra dove out of the way as the carriage smashed into the ground where they had been standing, tumbling end over end, glass sparkling in the moonlight as it shattered.

She thinks she’s toying with us, Steel thought as Radiant let out another laugh, this one somewhere between a mad cackle and psychotic giggle. A lightning bolt cracked off of one shoulder, disintegrating into sparks. The golem lumbered on heedless of the impact, one arm swinging out at a dodging Nova, who managed to duck under the blow. Sky Bolt darted past Steel, swinging her wrench into the golem's leg with a sharp crack that did little more than his own kick had done.

She’s too massive to take on head on! Steel thought, backing up. Radiant was laughing, the thick crystal of the golem shrugging off every attack the team made at it. We’re small enough to stay out of range, but we can’t focus long enough to do any real damage. It’s like we’re foals at play and she’s the— His thoughts came to a jarring halt as a memory surfaced, Jammer and Sparkle both standing on him, his legs tightly tied. That might actually work! he thought, looking up at the crystalline construct.

“Dusk Guard!” he called, looking back at the wreckage of The Chandelier. “Break off, regroup at the wreckage! Let’s go!” I hope this works! Steel thought, looking over his shoulder at the gargantuan crystal golem as he galloped towards the remains of the ERS building. Although if it doesn’t, I doubt I’ll worry about it for long.


*        *        *


Nova tossed himself to one side as Radiant made another grasp for him, one of the huge fingers scraping against his flank and pushing him further away. He grunted under the impact as the crystalline armor cracked. He stumbled, firing off another bolt of magic at the golem, this time aiming for the cockpit area that the mare was enshrined in. There was a gasp of surprise as a thin layer of ice spread across it.

Perfect! Nova thought, ducking away as the golem made another blind grab for him. It’s just like the stuff in the lab. It’s resistant. Not immune. All I need is to pour enough magic into it and— he could hear the captain calling for a regroup over at the wreckage. “Sorry lady, gotta run!” he said, giving the cockpit another blast for good measure and hardening the ice. Radiant let out an unladylike curse, one hand coming up to wipe the crystal clean.

I hope he’s got some sort of plan, Nova thought, galloping past the temporarily blind golem. I can’t keep this up much longer. His shoulder was burning, a gash cut in his suit and the crystal plating gone, having broken off sometime during the fight below. He could feel bruises up and down his body from the beating the golems had given him. But worse yet was his horn. It wasn’t just tingling like it had that morning, it was burning now, the heavy use of magic having long since gone past a comfortable level. It felt like a hot spike was being driven into his skull every time he used it, a bolt of pain that went deeper with every spell.

Sky Bolt swept past overhead, one wing flapping erratically as she landed up ahead. Nova ducked around a low wall that had been torn free in the collapse, and his eyes widened as he got his first good look at the team. It wasn’t just his own body that was nearing its limits, the battle was written on all of them. Hunter looked like he was about to pass out. Sabra was leaning on his staff, his armor chipped and cracked where lucky blows had made it past his guard. Dawn had bags under her eyes from constant magic use, her mane in complete disarray. And the captain—well, he looked as if he’d been through a war.

“Alright, everypony, listen up, we’re only going to get one shot to pull this off!” The captain’s armor was cracked in so many places it looked almost as if it would shatter at any moment, falling to the ground in so many pieces. Behind Nova there was a wordless roar of anger, the ground shaking underhoof. He took a quick glance back, peering around the wall. Radiant had almost cleared the cockpit of ice.

“Dawn, do you have enough left in you to levitate something?” Steel asked. Dawn nodded. “Good,” he said. “We’re going to distract her for a bit. Use some of the cabling that held the building up to make a snare. The kind that uses her own movement against her. Can you do that?”

“Ye—yes,” the mare said, although her expression was hesitant. There was a rumble as the golem began to turn towards them, one foot grinding gravel beneath its toes.

“Alright, Hunter, Sky Bolt, Sabra,” Steel said, looking at each of them in turn as the golem began to lumber towards them, picking up speed. “We’re going to distract her, lure her into the trap. As soon as it springs, we need to push her over, get her down on the ground, let the snare take its course. Go, now!” Steel waved a hoof and the two pegasi shot off, rushing towards Radiant. She skidded to a halt, hands swiping at the air as the two pegasi darted around her. Dawn darted off in the opposite direction, weaving into the wreckage of the building, her horn glowing.

“Nova?” Steel asked, and Nova snapped his eyes back to the Captain. “Can you still use magic?”

“I … I can,” Nova said, tapping his horn with one hoof and grimacing as as stab of pain shot down it. That was a bad sign. “But not for much longer.” The ground shook with a nearby impact, and Nova felt a stab of fear shoot through his system. If she sees us standing back here, she could squish us in a second.

“Good,” Steel said, setting a hoof on his shoulder. “Hide nearby and get ready, because as soon as she’s down and you have a clear shot, I want you to blast her.”

“Blast her?” Nova said, looking at Steel in confusion. “With what?”

“The same spell that got you that cutie mark,” Steel said. Nova felt his eyes widen.

“I don’t know if I can—”

“Look, Nova,” Steel said, tilting his head down, his forehead making contact with Nova’s. This close Nova could see the bruises spreading across the older stallion's face, the swellings that were just beginning.

He’s at the end of his rope, just like the rest of us, Nova thought as the stallion took a deep breath.

“You got your cutie mark by doing something with your magic so powerful it froze a whole building so it wouldn’t fall.” Steel said.

“But I—”

“If you can do that, then you can freeze this golem solid.” Steel said. There was a roar from behind them, the sound of glass shattering as another railcar met its end. “That’s all I need you to do,” Steel said, his eyes looking right into Nova’s. “Can you do that, just once?”

“I ...” Nova’s eyes spotted Dawn off on the other side of the wreckage, her orange magic threading strands of steel cable together. Behind him he could hear the panicked shouts of the rest of the Guard as they distracted the rogue unicorn. His horn burned against his skull, a throbbing mass of heat. Can I? Use that kind of magic again?

“Nova, I need to know if you can do this,” Steel said, as Nova’s thoughts raced. “If we stall that golem for long enough, can you hit it?”

“I’ll—I’ll try,” Nova said, shaking his head. “That’s the best I can promise.”

“Well,” Steel said, clapping him on the shoulder. “For all our sakes I hope you can. Get over to Dawn and wait by that snare!” The Captain pushed away from Nova,, bounding around the wall. “For Equestria!” Nova closed his eyes for a second, shaking his head to fight off the pain from his horn.

You can do this, he thought as he galloped forward into the wreckage of the Chandelier. Just one more big spell.

“I’m getting tired of this!” Radiant said, her voice bouncing through the wreckage as Nova ran for the far side. “And you can’t last forever.” He stumbled, catching himself at the last moment as a several story drop opened up in front of him, a jagged gap stretching down into darkness.

Come on, come on! He leapt forward, landing on a thin beam, uttering a silent thanks in memory of all the times he’d practiced climbing around construction sites as a thief. Dawn was closer now, he could see steel cables shining as she whipped them through the air with her magic.

A massive crash behind him made him turn. Radiant was in the wreckage now, Sabra and Steel running before her as she tried to catch them. “Just give up already. I know all about each of you. I know you can’t win.” Something gave out with a shriek, the golem stumbling as the wreckage shifted underneath it.

“I’m done!” Dawn called as he ran past her, the last loops of cable coming down around them. “Get on the other side!” Nova tucked his head down, follower her command and bolting across the circle of cable. He could still hear crashing behind him as Radiant smashed her way through the remains of the Chandelier.

“The bodyguard, old and retired, with nopony but himself in his one-room shack,” Radiant said. “The monk, friendless and wandering for an answer he’ll never find!” Nova ducked behind a lump of debris, poking his head out as he summoned his magic and trying to ignore the red hot spike of pain that shot through his skull.

“The young pegasus engineer, too smart for anyone to ever understand her!” Radiant was just steps away from the snare now, Sabra and Steel rushing past Nova’s hiding place, their hoofsteps churning up dirt. “The ranger who couldn’t save his marefriend when she needed him most.”

Nova began to concentrate, tears welling in his eyes as the pain in his horn increased. His head was burning now, the red hot spike driving itself into his mind. But he could feel his magic as well, a swelling inside himself, and a faint feel of something else too, something unfamiliar. His eyes turned towards the moon, shining down almost directly overhead. Past the pain, past the flame, there was something there he could feel.

“The doctor who can’t even decide what to do with herself,” Radiant said, one foot in the snare now.

I—I can’t do this! Nova thought as the pain swept out of his horn and across his body. It’s too much, too soon! He felt as if his coat was going to burst into flames, heat and pain erupting out of every pore.

“And there’s the last member of your team, the cowardly thief, who hides from his past and his future—” There was a sharp twang as Dawn yanked the cable tight, the snare snapping up around Radiant’s legs with a dull orange glow. Radiant let out a surprised shriek, her tirade cutting off as the golem tumbled forward, crashing into the ground. More loops sprung up, wrapping around the golem’s arms and legs as it twisted, rolling onto it’s back.

“Nova!” Steel called, his voice faint. “Now! Hit her now!” His voice was faint, echoing, difficult to hear over the rushing in his skull. Nova shut his eyes, trying to hold the pain at bay as it swept through his body like a maelstrom.

“He won’t help you,” Radiant said. Her voice had an odd, ringing tone to it. Everything did now, as if a bell was being run right next to his head. “He hides from his past, from his future.” There was a snapping noise, like one of the steel cables had broken.

“Now!” It was getting harder to hear the voices over the raging inferno in his head.

“He won’t help.” The voice was floating in his mind, drifting in and out of the flames. “He cares for nopony. What would you expect?”

A thought tried to push its way through the inferno raging inside his mind, a single point pushing against a wall of pain. I’m not ...

“After all—”

I’m more—

“—he’s nothing more—”

I’m more than a—

“—than a thief.”

“No!” His eyes snapped open, narrowing on the golem in front of him. Radiant was glaring at him, so close he could see the bloodshot red in her eyes, the strange twist in her horn as it switched directions. A single thought shot through his mind, sweeping up all the pain, all the heat, everything as it burst from his horn.

“I am more than a thief!” Magic exploded from him in a torrent, rushing around his body as it shot out of his horn. He felt a faint sense of surprise at his own words. His tone wasn’t angry, or sarcastic. It was proud.

“I am a Dusk Guard,” Nova said, stepping forward, his magic swirling around him and then launching up, extending high into the sky in a rush of power he’d only ever felt once before. A pillar of blue light shot down from the sky, Radiant letting out a faint scream as it swept over her golem. The ground underfoot began to shake, the beam burning brighter and brighter, a brilliant whitish-blue light. There was a roaring noise mixed with a crackling, although he couldn’t tell if the noise was in his head or coming from the world.

The beam vanished as quickly as it had come, and Nova felt his legs give out underneath him, his body collapsing as waves of pain swept over him. There was a rushing in his ears, and he turned his head in confusion, looking for the source of the noise. The world began to shift around him, stretching and distorting. The last thing he saw as his vision began to go dark was the golem, frozen and unmoving under a foot or more of ice. He let his head fall, everything growing dim as the world—and the pain—faded away into nothingness.
> Operation - Chapter 15
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 15


The first thing he felt was faint pain, dull at first, but sweeping closer, like waves gradually making their way up a shore. With it came a faint roar, a sort of humming sound against the darkness that reverberated in his head. Everything around him was dark, but there were faint colors swimming through the black, flashes of purple and dark blues.

I’m ... lying on my side? he thought as his senses began to come back to him. The dull pain had spread through his entire body now, although maybe it had already been there. He just hadn’t been aware of it. He tried to move one leg, straining, but found that he couldn’t, as if his limbs were encased in something. He couldn’t even tell if his eyes were open or shut. All around him, the colors were still flashing, faint blurs of purple that reminded him of his coat, mixing with dark blues that reminded him of his magic.

My magic ... His memory began to come back to him as the faint humming grew louder. I was … fighting. Yes, I was fighting. With Captain Song, and the rest of Guard. Images began to flash in his mind, memories of golems, combat, noise. Pain.

But we dropped … we dropped the building on them, and then— he reached back in himself, searching. A massive crystalline hand came into his mind and he grimaced at the sharp memory of pain that shot through his horn. The golem. The really big one, with Radiant in it. A new noise joined the humming, faint sounds that he couldn’t understand. And then I hit it with that spell— he paused for a moment as the memory sunk in.

Am I dead? he thought. for a moment feeling a sense of panic. Around him the humming was growing louder, more intense, the faint noises that went with it taking on pitch and tone. No, I’m not dead, he realized as the pain he’d been feeling moved through his body, becoming more distinct. Unless I’m supposed to hurt like this when I’m dead. The noises he’d been hearing were clearing now, becoming more and more recognizable, even as his horn began to throb with pain. I’m—

“—waking up,” somepony said. Nova opened his eyes, squinting as light filled his vision, sending another spike of pain through his skull. He tried to throw his hooves up, to block the light and keep the pain from entering, but they refused to obey. “Welcome back to the land of the living, kiddo,” the voice said. A faint blob of brown moved to one side, blocking the light, and Nova relaxed as the pain lessened. “How do you feel?” The voice was echoed, hard to make out.

“Thir—” is throat was dry. “Thirsty,” he said, fighting to push the word out. There was the sense of a cup being pressed against his lips and he drank, not even caring that half of the water was running out of the side of his mouth. “Thanks,” he said as the cup pulled back. “What—” he tried to raise his head, but gave up after a few seconds, letting it stay on the soft pillow it had been resting on. “What happened?”

“You did it,” the brown mass said, slowly resolving into the shape of a pony as Nova blinked. “We’re back on—”

“The Hummingbird,” Nova said, managing a weak nod of his head. That explained the dull roar.

“Heh, what’d I tell you?” the blur said, shifting and becoming clear enough that Nova could make out the familiar sight of a brown Stetson perched on top of a long yellow mane. “He pulled through.”

“Of course he pulled through,” a second voice said. A familiar pink figure pushed Hunter out of the way, shaking her head. “I told you he just needed some rest.” The figure turned towards Nova, her features becoming more distinct even as the light framed her face. “How do you feel, Nova?” The echo was fading, words becoming clear.

He managed a weak chuckle. “Like Cerberus used me a chew toy, Dawn,” he said, trying to raise his head once more and managing to lift it a few inches before pain overtook him and he let it fell back. “Let me guess,” he said, pausing and closing his eyes until the sharpness left, fading back into a dull ache that ran through his body with every heartbeat. “Magic burnout?” he ventured, cracking one eye open and looking up at Dawn.

“Severe,” the mare said, giving him a nod. His vision was finally clearing enough that he could make out the worried expression on her face. “Very severe.”

“No practicing for a few days, huh?” Nova said, pulling his lips up in a smile. He could feel his limbs better now, and he pushed out, twitching one of his hooves.

“More like a few weeks, I’m afraid,” Dawn said, her eyes darting back and forth over him as her own horn lit up. “I won’t sugar-coat it, Nova,” she said, pausing and taking a deep breath. “You almost died.” Nova’s eyes widened as the pink mare continued on. “You didn’t just burnout, Nova, you did it while using up every speck of magic you had.”

“I ...” Nova swallowed. “I didn’t know that could happen.”

“Well,” Dawn said, her manner suddenly crisp and curt once more, even if she had the appearance of a mare that hadn’t slept in a few days time. “It worked out. Your suit helped maintain what little magic you had left after you passed out, and I was able to treat you almost immediately.”

"How long have I been out?” Nova asked, watching her response closely.

“About ten hours,” Dawn said, her voice steady. Her eyes didn’t dart away either. She was telling the truth.

“Yeah, you had us worried,” Hunter said, ducking back into view and blocking the light coming through the forward windows. “When you collapsed out there, I thought you’d bought it.”

“What about Radiant?” Nova asked, craning his head back a little. It didn’t hurt quite as much to move anymore, but the small motion still left him feeling weak, the room spinning around him.

“Easy,” Dawn said, putting a hoof on his shoulder. “You should rest.”

“We got ‘er, mate,” Hunter said. “Once you froze that thing solid, we cracked it open like an egg, pulled her out, took her down. She’s all trussed up like a Hearth’s Warming present in the back.” He gestured with a hoof and Nova craned his head back, ignoring the sudden swimming in his vision as his body cried out in protest.

Radiant was tied up, unconscious from the look of things, secured with a horn-lock and hoofcuffs that were locked to the floor. Her sister was sitting nearby, awake but staring at the floor in silence, her eyes red and puffy. She also had a horn-lock and hoofcuffs, although she wasn’t secured. Nearby was the griffon, Blade, also in restraints, although she mainly looked bored. She met his eyes and gave him a grin.

“Sabra’s keeping an eye on them,” Hunter said as Nova let his head slide back down the pillow. “Steel knocked Radiant out as soon as we broke the front of that golem open, and Dawn’s been keeping her sedated, she won’t wake up until we’re back in Canterlot.”

“What about—”

“You should rest,” Dawn said, laying a light blanket over him. “We’re still a few hours from Canterlot at this speed and you need all the recovery you can get.” Nova’s eyes darted down as she adjusted the blanket over him.

“What happened to my armor?” he asked, eyeing the faint black material of his suit.

“I removed it as soon as we got back to the airship,” Dawn said. “So I could do a proper examination of your injuries.” She finished adjusting the blanket around him, and he relaxed, warmth already seeping into his body. The glow on her horn winked out, and he realized she’d just cast some sort of spell, something that was chasing the pain back. “And if you say anything about me undressing you, or any derivatives thereof, I’ll  remove the pain-relief spells, understood?”

Nova managed a faint nod, and Dawn gave him her usual curt smile. “Excellent,” she said, stepping away as his eyelids began to grow heavy. “Now you just rest—” The rest of her words were lost as he slid away from the world into a blissful peace.


*        *        *


Nova stirred as he woke up again, stretching his hind legs and letting out a yawn. He opened his eyes carefully, blinking against the bright light that was pouring through the windows and giving his hind legs another stretch. His mouth was dry and his throat raspy, like he’d stuffed his mouth with cotton and then swallowed it down. The pain was still there, throbbing away at the base of his horn and pulsing through his body, but it didn’t feel quite as intense as it had been when he’d last awoken.

He raised his head, ignoring a twinge in his neck as he looked around the interior of the airship. Blade and the two sisters were still secure in the back, Sabra standing guard with his back to Nova, his staff extended and at his side. He was still in his armor, the surface chipped and battered, several large cracks visible just from Nova’s perspective. Hunter was chatting quietly with the griffon, low enough that the roar of the propellers concealed their words.

He lowered his head back to a more neutral position and saw Dawn approaching from the other side of the aircraft, a cup of water floating in her grasp. “Here,” she said, pressing the glass to his lips as he sat up. He sucked at the glass until it was empty, relishing the relieving feel of the cool liquid running down his throat. “Feel better?”

Nova nodded. “Much better,” he said, shifting his weight on the bench. “Still hurt though.”

Dawn nodded. “You probably will for a few days. Your body has been through quite the ordeal, even without the burnout you put yourself in.”

“How bad?” Nova asked, eagerly accepting another cup of water from Dawn.

“Nothing major,” Dawn said. “But since I had you out of your armor anyway,” she said, giving him a warning look as he snickered, “I took the liberty of tending to your other important injuries. You have some internal bruises, but no bleeding, and you cracked several bones during the fight with the golems, all of which I’ve sped the healing process of. Some pulled muscles and sprains, a few shallow cuts and swellings. Nothing too difficult.”

“Thank you,” Nova said, pulling his head back. “How’s everypony else?”

“In more or less the same shape you were, minus the burnout,” Dawn said, floating the small metal cup back across the airship compartment and putting it away. “Lots of bruisings, light concussions—which I consider a miracle in itself, thankfully, as none of us had any proper headgear—and quite a few pulled muscles. Steel carried you back to the ship with a broken rib, which I’ve already set and fixed, but be sure to thank him later.” Nova nodded as Dawn made a quick pass over his body with her horn. “I need to get back to looking at Sabra, let me know if you need anything, and try to get some more sleep.”

He nodded as Dawn walked away, heading for the back of the aircraft. Nova put his head back on his pillow, relishing the soft feel on the side of his face. He laid there for a few minutes, breathing softly and doing his best to ignore the faint pulses of pain that still moved through his body with every heartbeat. He shifted his weight once, trying to find a new comfortable position on the hard bench, but not succeeding.

“How’re you feeling?” Nova started, his ears standing straight up in surprise as he turned to see Captain Song standing next to his bench.

“I—uh ...” Nova stammered, trying to pull his mind together as pain flashed through his system.

“Sorry, sorry,” Captain Song said, sitting back and raising both hooves. “I didn’t realize you’d missed me. I’m ... kind of hard to miss, normally.”

“It’s fine,” Nova said, shaking his head. “I was preoccupied. What do you need, Captain?”

“Nova, you don’t have to call me captain,” the stallion said, sitting back on his haunches. “At least, not right now. Just call me Steel.”

“Alright Cap—Steel,” Nova said. There was silence for a moment as the two stallions looked at each other. “I heard you carried me back,” Nova said after a bit. “Thanks.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Steel said, waving one hoof. “In fact, I wanted to thank you, Nova.”

“Me?” Nova said, raising an eyebrow as he stared at his Captain. “Why thank me?”

“For what you did last night,” Steel said, letting out a heavy breath. “You were willing to stop that golem, even at the expense of your own life.”

“Well ...” Nova said, pulling his head back in surprise.

“No, hear me out, Nova,” Steel said, his voice soft. “When I was first given your file I had ...” he paused for a moment. “Reservations.”

Nova snorted. “I wonder why?” he said, giving his eyes a small roll.

“Yeah, exactly,” Steel said, some of the gruffness coming back into his voice. “But I decided to trust the Princess. After all, if she saw a reason for you to be on the team, then maybe there was one. And I never doubted your proficiency or skills, I’d read your file enough to know that you were highly skilled. But there’s,” the stallion paused for a moment, rolling his hoof as if searching for the right word. “A drive, a personality aspect that I wasn’t sure you had, even if you had the skills.”

“But last night,” Steel said, his eyes locking with Nova’s. “You proved that you have that drive, that will, that trait, to whatever it takes to protect those around you, no matter what you had to give up for it.”

“Steel, I—” Nova said, his voice quivering slightly.

Steel shook his head. “I thought about what you asked me, when we were running down to confront Radiant, about you just being a thief.” The stallion nodded, looking him straight in the eyes. “And you’re right, sort of. You are a thief, it’s a part of your past, a part of your skills that you’ll always have.” He put a hoof on Nova’s shoulder. “But you’re more than that, Nova,” he said, and Nova could feel his own heart pounding at the captain's words. “Last night, you were a hero.” Nova’s eyes widened in surprise.  “You were willing to give up everything you had,” Steel continued, “and I want you to know that no matter what your past or where you’d rather be right now, I’m glad that you’re a member of our team.”

Nova lay silent for a moment, in shock as Steel took his hoof from his shoulder and stood, still looking down at him. Then, the old stallion turned to walk away.

“Steel?” Nova called after him. The olive green stallion stopped, turning back to look at him.

“Yes?” he asked.

“I didn’t do it because of the team. I mean, I did, but that wasn’t the only reason. I think I finally know what Princess Luna was talking about,” he said, nodding his head. “I did it because you’re … you’re my friends. And for what it’s worth … Thank you.”

“You know,” Steel said after a moment, smiling as his eyes took on a slightly distant look. “I think I understand what she was talking about a bit more myself. You’re welcome, Nova.” The stallion turned and headed for the cockpit, a strange lightness to his step despite the bruises covering his body.

Nova turned back towards the wall, shutting his eyes against the bright light of the sun and letting his body relax. The Princesses were right, he thought, letting out a yawn as the room began to grow soft around him. I really do have a place here. I’m not just a thief or a prisoner, but something more. He opened his eyes again, taking in the few members of the team he could see, the last few steps of the captain as he passed into the cockpit, door sliding shut behind him.

I am a Dusk Guard, he thought, smiling as he closed his eyes. And I belong here. He stayed smiling, even as he slid into peaceful, restful sleep.


*        *        *


Steel shifted his footing, looking up at the ornate doors that were the entrance to Princess Celestia’s personal study. He’d shown up fifteen minutes early, a report in his saddlebag and at the last minute deciding to wear the same dark green dress shirt he’d worn to the diplomatic dinner, complete with his captain’s pips on the shoulders. All-in-all, he would have felt more comfortable in his armor, but given that his armor was currently being examined with growing horror by the armorsmiths—who had expressed displeasure with what the team had done to their work in less than two days—that was not an option.

One of the Guard shifted and Steel perked up, waiting to be ushered in, but then the Guard covered his mouth with a hoof letting out a muffled cough and Steel relaxed. One of his legs was aching again, and he shifted his hooves once more, trying to find a position for the partially healed leg that wouldn’t itch or ache, but the only one he’d found so far had been sitting, which he couldn’t do. At least, not until invited to.

There was a gentle click and the doors to Celestia’s study swung partially open. Steel’s eyebrows raised in surprise as Golden Spike walked through the opening, his head low and expression contrite. What was he doing here?

“The Princesses will see you now, Captain Song,” one of the Guard said, gesturing towards the open door with his spear. Golden Spike looked up at him, his eyes wide with surprise. Steel gave him a soft nod, heading for the study.

“Captain Song,” Golden said as Steel moved past him. The stallions normally proud voice was soft and plaintive. “May I apologize?”

“Apologize?” Steel asked, turning to look at the young businesspony. “To me?”

“Yes,” Golden said, nodding. “I … apologize for my behavior at the diplomatic dinner, and for the way in which I treated to you. It was ...” he paused for a moment. “Unprofessional of me.”

Steel raised one eyebrow in surprise. “Well, apology accepted, Mr. Spike.”

“Just—call me Golden,” the stallion said. “I think I prefer it that way.”

“Alright then,” Stell said, holding out one hoof. “Then apology accepted, Golden.” He gave him a small smile as they shook hooves. “You aren’t the first to fall into the allure of money, I think,” Steel said, pulling his hoof back.

“No,” Golden said with a shake of his head. “I’m not. Regardless however, I am in the unique position of having lost much without having lost everything.” He let out a sigh, biting his bottom lip before looking back up at Steel. “Hopefully, I can make a more meaningful use of what I’ve been given in the future. That said,” he said, looking at Steel with gratitude, “I am thankful that you and your ‘Dusk Guard’ managed to prove me entirely wrong. You have my thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Steel said, surprised by the stallion's forthrightness. “But I, uh—” he tilted his head towards the waiting doors, and Golden nodded.

"Of course,” Golden said with a sad smile. “Thank you again, captain, and the next time we meet, I hope it is under more agreeable—and less stressful—” he quickly added, one corner of his mouth turning up in a smirk, “—circumstances. Good day.” Steel nodded at the stallion as he turned and trotted off, looking a little less morose than he had moments earlier. With a satisfied smile, Steel turned and walked through the doors to Celestia’s study.

“Your Highnesses,” Steel said, pausing to bow as he entered.

“Steel Song,” Princess Celestia said, her voice twinkling with melodic tones. “It’s good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you as well, Princess Celestia,” Steel said, rising and giving the Princess-Regent a nod. “You as well, Princess Luna,” he said, giving the Lunar Diarch a nod as well. “I take it that everything went well in my team's absence?” 

“There were no other surprises, if that is what you refer to,” Princess Celestia said, motioning for him to sit. “But between the railyard and the events of yesterday afternoon, newsponies have been hounding both the Day and Night Court for answers.”

“Which we will give,” Luna said, picking up her sisters words. “Although not to every question. How is your team faring, captain?”

“Well enough, in Dawn’s capable hooves and horn,” Steel said, sitting down in front of the massive desk. After getting his own to shovel paperwork across, he now appreciated the effort that it probably took the Princess to keep it as clean as it was. “We had some minor injuries, and one close call with Nova, but nothing that Dawn couldn’t treat.”

Princess Luna frowned, leaning forward. “A close call? What befell young Nova?”

“Magic burnout and magic exhaustion,” Steel said, and Celestia let out a soft gasp. “He’s fine now, he spent the majority of the trip back sleeping it off, and I’d expect most of the night as well.”

“How did it happen?” Luna asked, concern in her eyes.

Steel smiled. “In about the proudest way it could happen, going above and beyond the call of duty.” He chuckled. “I may put him in for a medal, if it weren’t for the fact that he’d probably enjoy it more if he could steal it from me.”

“I … see,” Luna said sitting back with a relieved look on her face. “So he is unharmed then?”

“Dawn apparently had to warn him against making sarcastic comments during his treatment,” Steel said, smiling again. “So I’d say he’s fine. Now, since we’re on the subject already ...” Steel dug into his saddlebags, pulling out his report and placing it on the desk before the two sisters. “That report contains a detailed analysis of everything that happened as well as a functional breakdown of our equipment, teamwork, and anything else worth mentioning.”

“Where are Mint and Radiant at this time?” Princess Celestia asked, glancing at the report.

“We remitted both of them, as well as their griffon bodyguard, into the custody of the Royal Guard as soon as we arrived,” Steel said. “As far as I am aware, they are currently being held separately under arrest, awaiting a trial and sentencing.”

“Good,” Celestia said with a nod. “Now, what of the collapse of the ERS Eastern Headquarters building?” Steel swallowed as she looked down at him, her expression growing stern. “I assume you have an explanation for the destruction of one of Baltimare’s more iconic industry attractions.”

“Yes, your highnesses,” Steel said, carefully reviewing the words he’d thought out before coming into the room. It was no surprise to him that the Princesses knew. News courier pegasi were notorious for being the fastest messengers around, short of some of the inordinately expensive magical communication means. Half the papers in Canterlot probably had pictures of the wreckage by now, although hopefully not of the giant golem that had been lying nearby.

“We collapsed the building because of a threat that we couldn’t hope to contain on our own. To put it simply, the golem that we faced here in the court yesterday was one of many. I would estimate that there were nearly a hundred of them, perhaps more.” Celestia and Luna’s eyes widened at his words but neither of them spoke, and he continued on.

“Radiant Twist appears to have been the one behind the creation of the golems, and was waiting for us in the basement of the building with her army. When we realized that we had no hope of beating so many, we cut the cables and collapsed the building on them.” He held himself steady. Confidence, confidence in what his team had done was always key after an assignment. “It was a calculated risk of the moment, and given the choice, in the same scenario, I would do the exact same thing.”

“And were you sure that the building above you was unoccupied?” Luna asked, leaning forward. “What if there had been ponies in the building itself?”

“As far as we knew then, and know now, the entire building was empty,” Steel said. “We captured Mint before heading below, and she informed us that everyone had been evacuated earlier in the day. Had there been ponies inside however, the decision to collapse the building would have been a much different one.”

There was a pause as the two sisters looked at one another, exchanging glances and likely words that he couldn’t hear. Steel sat, patiently waiting as the report floated forward, the two Princesses flipping through it, occasionally pausing on a page to examine something more closely.

“Very well,” Luna said, breaking the silence as she set the report down. “Outside of a few questions, it seems that you have had a very successful first assignment.”

“Thank you,” Steel said, giving the Princesses a respectful nod. “Do you have any other questions?”

“The golems that your team destroyed—” Celestia began.

“Are already being collected by the Baltimare Royal Guard,” Steel said, giving another nod. “Given the danger that they present, I instructed them to collect and store them, including the one that Radiant fought us in—” he noted the raised eyebrows on both of of the Princesses, “—which is detailed in the report. In any case, the decision is up to you.”

“And what would your advice be?” Luna asked.

Steel blinked in surprise. “Me?” he asked. “What would my advice be?” Princess Luna nodded, and Steel sat for a moment, thinking it over. “I think,” he said at last, “that despite how useful these golems could be, for now they represent a clear danger in the wrong hooves. I would recommend that they be studied. Perhaps destroyed. But,” he said, shaking his head, “I’m not the right pony to be asking.”

The two sisters looked at one another again, and then Luna spoke. “Very well then, Captain Song,” she said, looking back at him with a smile. “Do you have anything else you wish to add?”

“Well,” he said, giving them his best nervous grin. “We may end up going a bit over budget getting our armor repaired now that we’ve been able to give it a good, solid test.” Celestia put a hoof to her mouth, chuckling at something, probably his choice words.

“I think we can arrange that,” Luna said, her smile growing wider. “After all, your team did manage to uncover a conspiracy of colossal magnitude and prevent a damaging blow to our economy, even if you—what’s the phrase? Broke a few eggs in the process?” she winked at him.

“We’ll—uh, try to destroy fewer buildings in the future,” Steel said, letting out a light laugh. “And if we absolutely must, we’ll try and pick the less expensive ones.”

“What is done is done,” Luna said, waving one hoof. “Although if possible, in the future, please do.” The look on her sister's face said that it would definitely be in their best interest as well. Steel’s eyes darted to the large, colorful clock on the wall. It was almost seven-thirty.

“One more request, if I may?” he asked. The Princess glanced at one another and then Celestia smiled, nodding. “One member of our team, Sabra, would very much like to speak with both of you at some time with regards to question he has.”

Celestia smiled again. “Something significant, I gather?”

Steel nodded. “It’s the question he must answer before he is allowed to return to the monastery. As much as I’d like to keep him around as long as possible, he’s already done a lot for this team. If you’d be willing, I know he’d like to ask you both.”

They smiled. “Of course he may,” Celestia said, a quill floating up in her grip and making a note somewhere on her desk.

“He may ask me as well,” Luna said. “Although I cannot say my answer may be what he is looking for.”

“All I ask is that you try,” Steel said. “Even if he ends up leaving your service after this, he’s done more than enough to earn it.”

“Very well then, Captain Song,” Luna said. “We will do what we can to satisfy his curiosity.”

“Thank you,” Steel said, offering a bow of thanks. “Will that be all, your highnesses?”

Both Princesses nodded. “Yes,” Princess Celestia said, still giving him that warm smile. “You are dismissed. And again, congratulations on your first successful operation.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Steel said, offering another bow before turning and walking out of the room.

“Captain?” A voice called after him. He paused, turning to see Princess Luna looking at the last page of the report. “What is this?” she asked, flipping the report around. There was a symbol on the page, two crescents, one large and a golden-orange, the other smaller, nestled inside the first, and a shade of gleaming silver-white.

“Oh, of course,” Steel said, smiling. “You wanted us to come up with a symbol for the Dusk Guard, something recognizable. That’s what I came up with.” He nodded toward the paper.

“Most interesting,” Princess Celestia remarked. “It looks very similar to our royal seals, and,” she gave him a knowing look, “it appears almost identical to the the Cutie Mark so prominently displayed by one of your team members.”

“Really?” Steel said, giving them a look of exaggerated thoughtfulness. “I hadn’t noticed. In any case, I hope it meets your approval,” he nodded, turning back to the door. “Because it sure meets mine.” The door shut behind him with a faint click, and Steel smiled as he moved down the hall.


*        *        *


“Whew!” Steel exclaimed, raising his hoof to knock on the door just as the distant clock tower bells began to ring out. “We just barely made it!”

“Bah!” his companion said in a gruff voice as Steel brought his hoof down on the door with a series of sharp raps. “We could have been here ten minutes ago if we had flown.”

Steel let out a chuckle as the familiar  sound of hooves racing down the front hallway met his ears. “Thanks, but no thanks, old friend. I’ve had enough flying adventures for today.”

“To think,” came the response as several sets of hooves crashed into the door with faint thumps, earning what sounded suspiciously like a disapproving warning from further inside the house, “the day has finally come when the great Steel Song has had enough adventure.” A feathered head shook. “To think that I would live to see this shameful time.”

Steel chuckled again as the door latch quivered, vibrating under the impacts of—if he guessed correctly—two different sets of competing hooves. “You old featherbrain,” he said, shaking his head. “There’s a lot of adventures out there. I’m just done with the flying ones for a day or two.” The door swung open, two young ponies spilling out of it across the threshhold in their rush to open the door.

“Uncle Steel! Uncle Steel!” they both yelled, pulling themselves up from the ground and rushing into him, each wrapping his front legs in a hug.

“Hey kids!” Steel said, bending down towards Jammer and Sparkle and wrapping his legs around them in return. “How are you?”

“We’re doing great! And I’m really hungry!” Jammer said, hopping back. “That’s why I—hey, who’s that?” he asked, apparently noticing the figure standing to one side of Steel for the first time. Sparkle looked up and gave a little gasp, sliding behind one of Steel’s legs.

“Who’s that?” Jammer’s eyes went wide as the gruff voice boomed out. “You mean after years of him telling you stories about me,” he said, gesturing at Steel with one talon. “You don’t recognize Blademaster Primetail?” Jammer’s jaw dropped, his eyes growing so large Steel began to wonder if it was physically possible.

“I can’t believe this, Steel!” Primetail said, rolling his eyes as he turned towards Steel. “All these years of tales, and they don’t recognize me?” He gave his head a sad shake, winking at Steel with one eye as he did so. “Maybe they just never thought I was an important part of the stories. Perhaps I should go.” The old griffin gave an exaggerated sigh, turning as if to move away.

“No!” Jammer said, bolting forward and grabbing onto Primetail's tail with his teeth, trying to hold the massive griffon back. “You can’t ‘o!” he said, his voice muffled by the tails large tuft. “You’re awe’ome!”

“Oh-ho! I am, eh young one?” Primetail said, turning back and flicking his tail out of Jammer’s mouth. “If that’s so,” he said, bending down close with a grin. “Then how come you didn’t know who I was, eh? Maybe your Uncle here, maybe he’s not as good a storyteller as he thinks, no?”

“What?” Jammer said, his face lighting up with confusion. “No, he’s awesome!”

“So awesome you wouldn’t rather hear the tale from me?” Primetail asked, raising one feathery eyebrow at the small unicorn colt.

He’d been wrong, Steel realized as he watched Jammer’s reaction in amazement. The colt’s eyes could get wider. “That’d be awesome!” Jammer said, as Primetail let out a deep laugh. “Are you here for dinner?”

Steel chuckled. “Of course he is, Jammer, he’s the guest I was bringing.” Steel looked down at Sparkle, who was still giving Primetail a dubious look, one hoof still wrapped around Steel’s leg. “Go on, Sparkle,” he said, giving the filly a soft nudge. “Say ‘hi.’” Sparkle gave him a nervous look, but at his insistence, ventured out from behind Steel’s leg. 

Primetail bent down even lower, giving the shy filly a friendly smile. “And who’s this lovely young lady?” he asked, his voice soft.

“I’m Sparkle,” she said after a moment. “Are you really the griffon from Uncle Steel’s stories?”

“That I am, little missy,” Primetail said. “If not, then your uncle is more confused in the head than he already is.”

“He’s already pretty confusing sometimes,” Jammer said, sliding in front of Sparkle. “So maybe. But you seem pretty cool so far, and I’m not worried as long as Uncle Steel’s around. He beat you, he tells us about it all the time!”

Primetail gave Steel a flat look. “Really?” he asked, trying unsuccessfully to keep a grin from his face. “All our adventures together, and you tell them that one?” He began to laugh. “All right then, little ponies, tonight you’ll get a treat! For I, Blademaster Primetail, will regale you with tale of adventures your uncle and I have shared. And maybe,” he said with a mischievous grin in his eyes, “a few where I beat your uncle to the punch at something, eh?” Both Jammer and Sparkle were both staring with eager eyes now, drawn in by the griffon's promises of untold tales.

“You’re not going to tell them about that one time I—” Steel began.

“Indeed I am, old friend!” Primetail said, cutting him off with a laugh. “Indeed I am!”

“Jammer? Sparkle?” Sapphire’s voice called from inside. “Are you going to let Steel and his friend come in?”

“Yes, Mom!” Jammer called back.

“Alright, well, let them in then,” Sapphire’s voice rang back in a sing-song tone that made Jammer roll his eyes. There was a faint laugh from inside, as if Sapphire could see what Jammer was doing, and then the buzz of conversation resumed from inside, a mix of several voices.

“Okay, come on in,” Jammer said, waving one hoof. Sparkle meanwhile, had gotten up the courage to run one hoof along Primetail's wing, and at his coaxing, ran up it to stand on his back. 

“Hey, Uncle Steel,” Jammer said as he led the group through the doorway and down the hall towards the kitchen, “How is Primetail your guest? I thought you’d already invited somepony. She got here a while ago?”

“I did?” Steel asked, poking his head around the door. “Who—” He stopped, a grin stretching across his face. “Cappy!”

“Steel!” Cappy rose out of her chair, rushing over to wrap her forelegs around his shoulders.

“Hey Cappy!” Steel said, smiling and returning her hug, the two sharing a cheek to cheek nuzzle. “What are you doing here?”

“I invited her, of course,” Sapphire said, Steel breaking away from Cappy long enough to give his sister a hug. “When we reconnected a few weeks ago, I wanted her to come out and meet the family, since you’d told her so much about them. Since you were coming to dinner tonight, and you two had made up ...” She winked at him, and then looked past in astonishment. “And who’s this?”

“Oh!” Steel said, shaking off the pleasant shock of seeing Cappy again. “Cappy, Sapphire, Click,” he said, stepping aside and extending his hoof. “This is Blademaster Primetail, an old friend from my days in the Griffon Empire.”

“Charmed,” Primetail said, giving the trio of ponies a brief bow before shaking their hooves. “And Steel, I must complain that you’ve been hiding something aside from your sister’s lovely family.” Primetail brushed his beak against Cappy’s hoof in a light kiss. “You should have told me of this vision of radiance! I’d have stopped setting you up with my lady griffon friends!”

“Oh, give it up you old buzzard,” Steel said, smacking Primetail in the shoulder as Cappy laughed. “You’ll have to excuse Primetail,” he said with a smirk. “He’s taken one too many blows to the head over the last decade or so.”

Primetail let out an offended scoff, puffing his chest feathers in indignation. “One too many—why you overgrown weed-eater! I’ve taken less blows to the head than you! I should know,” he said, turning to wink at Sparkle on his back. “I gave him most of them. Why there was this one time—”

"Alright you two,” Sapphire said in a no-nonsense tone, cutting Primetail off. “Before you both get going on some sort of macho competition—” Jammer let out a loud moan of disappointment at the pronouncement, “—and drag everyone else along for the ride, let's have some dinner.”

“Oh, good!” Jammer said, his disappointment vanishing at his mother’s words. “I’m starving! Come on Mr. Primetail,” he said, his hooves sliding on the wooden floor as he ran for the dining room. “This way!” Primetail let out a loud laugh and turned to follow.

“Is all the food out yet?” Steel asked. Click shook his head, motioning towards the kitchen island where several large bowls and platters sat awaiting servers. “I’ll grab one then,” he said, throwing another smile at Cappy, who had already set one of the bowls on her back.

“You know,” he remarked as he moved to grab one of the platters. “You’re lucky I made it tonight.”

“Oh?” Sapphire said, raising one eyebrow as she grabbed a platter and set it on her back. “Would that have had anything to do with the collapse of the ERS headquarters building?” Cappy let out a gasp at his sister’s words, looking at him in surprise.

“Um … not officially that I can talk about at the moment,” Steel said. “No.”

“You can’t?” Cappy asked, looking at him in surprise, her voice worried. “Why not?”

Steel smiled, trying to put her at ease. “Because the reports haven’t been finalized.” He put a foreleg around her shoulders. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll be able to tell you all about it later.” He let out a casual laugh, and Cappy relaxed a little, although he had a feeling she wasn’t entirely convinced. He stepped in, giving her a quick nuzzle, and her worried gaze vanished as they rubbed cheeks.

“Ew! Uncle Steel!” Jammer called from the doorway. “You’re supposed to be bringing us dinner! Not nuzzling your marefriend! Yuck!” Steel turned just in time to see Jammer make a fake retch, his tongue extended, before bolting away giggling.

“Alright,” Cappy said, covering her mouth with one hoof to hide her smile. “Maybe we’d best get in there and stop holding things up for everypony else.”

“Hey, it doesn’t bother me,” Sapphire said, setting a salad on her back and grabbing several dressing bowls in her magic. “The nuzzling, I mean, not the not-eating.” Steel rolled his eyes as his sister trotted out of the room with Click. Cappy just laughed, that same amazing laugh that still sounded like bells to his ears, and grabbed one of the platters, heading for the door.

“So, then I guess that cinches it,” she said, winking at him. Steel grabbed the last bowl, trotting after her.

“Cinches what?” he asked.

“That I’m your marefriend,” she said, stopping and looking back down the hall at him. “Jammer has decreed it. But if that isn't enough for you..." She darted forward, and Steel's eyes widened as their lips touched and then pressed together. Then his eyes closed and he lifted one foreleg, wrapping it around the back of Cappy's neck as her own wrapped around his, the world slowing to a crawl. Then it was over, Cappy pulling back. He opened his eyes just in time to hear Jammer make another retching noise.

Let him retch, Steel thought as looked at Cappy’s beautiful smile. Right now, I’m feeling pretty full.


*        *        *


Nova looked away from his book as the knock rang through his quarters. “Come on in,” he said, looking back down at his book. The door opened with a click. It was probably Dawn again, checking up on him. You sneak out just twice ... he thought. “Back again?” he asked as hoofsteps moved across the floor.

“Again?” came a familiar voice, and Nova sat up, looking over at his visitor in surprise. “I was not aware that I had been here before.”

“Princess Luna?” Nova asked, giving his foreleg a quick rap with one hoof to make sure he was awake. The midnight blue Princess didn’t vanish. Yep, I’m awake, and Princess Luna is standing in my quarters.

“You are awake,” she said. “I can promise that, although as Princess of the Night, that may not always be the case.” She smiled at him. “Do you mind if I speak with you?”

“Well, uh, no,” he said, feeling his heart race slightly. “You’re the Princess. Um—your highness.”

“You can feel at ease, Nova,” Luna said, sitting down on her haunches. “I simply wanted to talk to you.”

“What about?” Nova asked, running his mind over everything he’d done before they’d left. He hadn’t swiped anything of the Princess's had he?

“About whatever you want,” Princess Luna said, frowning. “Usually when somepony is sick or confined to their bed, they appreciate a visit, but perhaps I was wrong to assume that you would welcome such a visit.” She rose. “My apologies.”

“No! Wait!” Nova said, shrinking back slightly when Luna gave him a questioning look. “Sorry, you just caught me off-guard,” he said, feeling a sheepish grin climb across his face. “I’m not used to having anyone come looking to keep me company.”

“Well,” Luna said, turning and walking back to his bedside. “Would you like me to stay and talk with you for a time? I regret that I won’t be able to stay for too long. The Night Court has been very active since yesterday, but ...” she gave him a hopeful look. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind the company.”

Nova looked at her for a moment. The hopeful expression on her face looked almost … mortal, in a way. He looked back down at his book for a moment, and then smiled as he looked back up at her. “You know what?” he said, flipping the book shut. “I’d like that.”

“Really?” Luna said, one eyebrow raised. “You would enjoy some company?”

“Yeah,” Nova said, sliding the book to one side. “I would.”

“Most wonderful!” Luna reared back, clapping her hooves together. “You may enter!” she called, turning her head to the door. Nova’s jaw dropped as the door opened, letting in Sabra, Sky Bolt and several bat-winged ponies in the armor of the Night Guard.

“I’m glad,” Luna said, turning back to him with a smile on her face, “because I really wanted somepony new to play cards with. Are you familiar with this wondrous game known as poker? It has changed somewhat in the last thousand years, but I find it quite enthusing!”

Nova looked at her in surprise, then at the entering guards, and then back at Luna. Then a smile began to spread across his muzzle. “Princess,” he said, grinning. “I might even be able to teach you a thing or two about it.”

“Excellent!” Luna said, clapping her hooves once again, a display he’d never thought he’d see once, much less twice in one evening. “Then let the game commence!”

As the night wore on, hand after hand of ruthless poker, Nova found that win or lose, he couldn’t stop smiling.


*        *        *


The study doors shut behind Sabra with a faint click as he left, a closing statement on what had been a most interesting hour. He paused for a moment, looking back and thinking over everything he’d just been told. An hour with both of the Princesses, each of them applying generations worth of knowledge towards his single, simple question.

He resumed moving again, his mind buzzing with thought, an unusual feel compared to his normally calm, collected state. He needed to think things over, needed to contemplate. Needed to meditate.

He could feel his heart racing as he walked out of the palace, a feeling that unnerved him. Something felt off, but he couldn’t quite put his hoof on it. It wasn’t that he’d lost fifty-seven bits the night before between Princess Luna and Nova, both of whom appeared quite adept at the game they’d all played, especially if one did not specify that it was considered cheating to sneak cards into one’s hand. And it wasn’t that Steel had canceled workouts for the morning, giving the team a free day to use as they wished. It was … something else.

It was his thoughts. It had to be. Something about the discussion he’d just concluded with the Princesses. Something about it had left him feeling … what? Unsettled? Uneasy? That was the word that best described how he felt. Kujituka. Uneasy. But why?

He slowed as he reached the entrance to the Guard Training grounds. Something about the Princesses' answers bothered him. He didn’t feel as if they’d been dishonest. In fact, he’d found their words full of viewpoints he’d not considered. Worse, he felt that had he spoken with them just a few weeks earlier he would have declared their wisdom the answer to his question, and left for home immediately.

So why couldn’t he do that now? The moment the thought entered his head, he felt ill-at-ease, as if some part of him wanted to stay, to continue on as one of the Dusk Guard. But why, when he had his answer? He had it. Didn’t he?

He looked out over the field, running their words over and over in his mind. Something about it felt incomplete, although he couldn’t pin his hoof on what. Their knowledge had been impressive, and yet something about it had felt hollow. As if to him, they were only words. He shook his head slowly. What was it about this that was so hard?

To realize you do not understand is a virtue, Sabra thought, running the words of one of the great sages through his mind. Is it possible that I do not understand? He moved forward again, trotting across the field at a slow pace. Why now of all times, must my answer make me feel so conflicted?

He paused outside the door to the barracks, and then swung his staff from his back, the now-familiar metal making a soft snap as it extended. There was a place he’d found on the roof, a small niche on the edge that gave him a wonderful view of the rising summer sun in the mornings. He ran at the wall, hooves pushing against small cracks and seams, using his staff to push himself even higher until he’d reached the roof itself. He flipped himself up onto the corner, balancing on the end of his staff, his mind racing.

He balanced there for a while, switching from hoof to hoof in a pattern he was long familiar with, eyes closed against the rising sun. Was something about the words fundamentally wrong? Switch. What is life? He ran his question through his mind, putting the combined answer of both the Princess of the Sun and the Princess of the Moon up against it. Switch. The answer held, felt solid, and yet, he almost felt like—like—

Like it is no longer the answer I desire, Sabra thought, switching his hoof again. Another thought from one of the sages came to mind: The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.

A laugh stirred at the edges of hearing and he opened his eyes, searching for the source. It took a moment as the world was upside-down, as he had switched to one of his forehooves during his thoughts. He switched hooves, spinning and righting himself as the laughter came again, followed by a familiar voice.

“For the last time, mom,” Sky Bolt said, laughing as she practically danced around a pair of earth ponies, her wings fluttering. “I’m not going to tell you what the surprise is! You’ll just have to wait and see!” 

“And you’re sure that you suddenly up and joining the Guard isn’t part of the surprise?” The larger of the pair asked, his voice bright and cheery despite the early hour. His coat was a dull red, like some of the river clay from Sabra’s homeland, and what could be seen of his mane under a simple white cap was a dull yellow.

“Yes!” Sky Bolt said, flying up in front of her parents and waving both hooves before dropping to the ground. “Well, it’s kind of related but—aggh! You’ll see! Come on!” She darted ahead of them, then back, and then ahead again, as if she couldn’t decide between moving ahead or waiting for her parents.

“Well, whatever it is, I’m excited,” her mother said, flipping a long, light-blue curl over her shoulder, where it sat contrasting with her reddish-gold coat. “Her last surprise was the tickets for the cruise, and the surprise before that her job ...” Sky Bolt’s mother let the words trail off.

“And her other surprises?” Sky Bolt’s father asked. “Like me getting my mane burned off?”

“Oh come on!” Sky Bolt said, groaning. “That only happened twice! I was twelve!”

There was a thump that resonated through his staff and Sabra looked down to see the door to the barracks bouncing back from the wall, Hunter already having flown through it. The pegasus did a quick loop, bringing him up to eye level with Sabra.

“Whoah!” Hunter said, pulling himself to a halt, his eyes wide with surprise. “Almost ran into you there Sabra. Sorry about that. I need to watch where I fly!” The brown coated pegasus had a large pair of saddlebags thrown over his sides, and his Stetson was perched on his head like always.

“Hakuna Matata,” Sabra said, waving one hoof. “Are you heading off somewhere?” he asked, eying the stallions saddlebags.

“Yup!” Hunter said, tapping the bags with one hoof. “Thistle’s in town, so she and I are going to fly down to Ponyville to see Derpy and Dinky, spend the day down there.” He grinned. “What about you? I heard you had a big meeting with the Princesses this morning. You finally get that answer you were looking for?” He gave a nervous laugh. “I won’t lie, Steel’s been a little worried all morning. He’s hoping you won’t leave.”

“I … I don’t know,” Sabra said, his shoulders slumping. “A few weeks ago, I would have been delighted with the answers that they gave me and returned to the monastery. Now ...” He shrugged. “Now I am unsure.”

“Well,” Hunter said slowly. “Maybe you’ve changed, you know? Something about you is different, and the answer you once wanted isn’t the answer you want now.”

“But what changed?” Sabra asked, as another laugh from Sky Bolt echoed across the field.

“Hey, if I knew the answer to that, I’d be you, not me,” Hunter said, checking the position of the sun. “Look, I’ve got to fly so I can meet Thistle on time and make it to Ponyville early enough to do some of the fun stuff around town, but if you want to chat on it later, just let me know alright?” He did a quick loop in the air. “I may not be a big thinker, but if it helps, whatever, right?” He took another look at the sun. “Oh, ponyfeathers! I need to fly, Sabra, later!” There was a rush of wind as Hunter took off, his wings beating furiously as he rose into the sky.

Something about you has changed. Hunter was right. That had to be it. Life was, after all, a series of experiences, changes. But what had changed him? What made his answer no longer the answer? His sat there, listening to the sounds of the field. The faint shouts of the Royal Guard warming up their morning practice. The usual roar of the city, rising as Canterlot awoke. And a familiar laugh.

He flipped over his staff over the edge of the building, his hoof slowing his descent towards the ground. He landed in a perfect ota, opening his eyes as he stood. The barracks door swung open just as he was about to grab it, Captain Song stepping out into the morning light.

“Captain,” Sabra said, giving him a quick salute.

“Sabra!” Steel said, looking genuinely surprised to see him. “How was your meeting with the Princesses?” The captain's voice was more subdued as he spoke the second sentence, almost cautious.

“It went well,” Sabra said, holding himself steady.

“And did you get the answer you were looking for?” Captain Song asked.

“Yes,” Sabra said, turning and running his eyes over the field, his ears twitching as Sky Bolt let out another laugh. She was darting around her parents now, doing loops, spins, rolls, all of it some of the most impressive movements he’d ever seen. “And no,” he said, turning back towards the captain. “A little of both?”

Steel raised one eyebrow. “That’s … bad?”

Sabra smiled. “I thought so, but after thinking about it, it’s no longer the answer that I thought I wanted. So, with your permission, captain,” he made one last glance over at Sky Bolt, swooping through the air. “For the time being, I would like to stay here.”

“You mean it?” the captain asked. Sabra closed his eyes, listening as a laugh rolled across the fields like a breaking wave.

He smiled. “I’m sure of it.”


*        *        *


“Alright,” Steel said, stretching his back legs as he looked over at the beautiful mare standing next to him. “Are you ready for this?”

Cappy extended one long leg, lifting it up and over the back of her head as she stretched. “Oh, I’m more than ready,” she said, a playful smile on her face. They were standing at the edge of Canterlot, a long rocky dirt path in front of them that swung back and forth with the curve of the mountain, rising and falling until it vanished around the far side. “The real question is if you’re ready to be outdone by little old me?” Steel laughed, Cappy joining in as they sat there getting ready for their long promised run together.

“I’ve got to say,” Cappy said, letting out a small grunt as she stretched her body low to the ground. “You weren’t kidding about Jammer and Sparkle, those two really are a hooffull.”

“Yeah,” Steel said with a laugh. “They sure had Primetail eating out of their hooves though. They’d have stayed up all night listening to him if their mother hadn’t kicked us all out. Primetail always was a doozy of a storyteller.”

“And they were all true, weren’t they?” Cappy asked, pulling herself back up and trotting in place, a wide smile across her face.

“Well, pretty mu—”

“Were all what true?” Nova asked. Cappy let out a yelp, jumping into the air as Steel spun around, coming face to face with the young unicorn, who was sitting on a nearby boulder. A boulder that had been devoid of any deep purple unicorns only moments earlier.

“Nova ...” Steel said, his voice a low growl. “What are you doing here?”

“Listening,” Nova said, giving the pair a nonchalant grin. “When you ran off with a never-before-seen smile on your muzzle, I had to see what the big deal was.”

“Well, now you know,” Steel said in a dry tone. “I’m going running with Cappy. The Canter Mountain Marathon wilderness trail.”

“This is Nova, huh?” He heard Cappy say behind him. “Your description definitely pegged him.”

“Ooh, did it?” Nova said, looking intrigued. “What’d he say?”

“Something about you being the most honorable and yet sarcastic thief he’d ever met,” Cappy said, chuckling. “I don’t think he was far off.”

Nova’s jaw dropped. “Sarcastic? Honorable? Thief?” He shook his head. “Captain, we’ve been over this before. How many times do I have to tell you? It’s sarcastic, then cynical and dashingly handsome. And I’m starting to prefer the term rogue. It sounds a bit more exciting.” Cappy started to laugh as the purple unicorn struck a pose.

“Alright, alright, Nova,” Steel said, raising a hoof. “What do you need?”

“Easy,” Nova said, dropping himself back onto the boulder. “I’m bored and I can’t use magic. Mind if I tag along?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be on bed rest right now?” Steel asked, narrowing his eyes.

Nova shrugged. “ A full twenty-four hours of lying around is more than enough for magic exhaustion. I’m in the clear as long as I don’t use magic,” he said, tapping his horn with one hoof. “Doctor Dawn’s orders.”

“I thought you hated running?”

“We’ve been doing it for weeks,” Nova said. “It’s grown on me a bit. I even brought my own water.” He tapped a pair of saddlebags on his back. 

“Well, I-”

“Unless you two old ponies are just worried I’ll kick your flanks.”

“Alright, that’s it, he’s coming!” Cappy said, her eyes narrowing even as grin spread across her face. “Are you going to let a challenge like that go unanswered?” she asked as she tossed her saddlebags on her back.

Steel looked over at her and smiled, grabbing his own saddlebags. “No, I don’t think I can,” he said, giving her his own grin. “See you in Canterville, Nova!” He said, throwing himself forward down the trail, kicking up a cloud of dust behind him. Cappy laughed as darted forward, galloping alongside him with long strides. There was a muffled cry of protest from behind them, followed by the sound of Nova’s hooves hitting the trail in hot pursuit. Steel smiled as the wind whipped through his mane, relishing the feel of the earth beneath his hooves, his breath rushing in and out of his chest. He let out a surprised laugh as Nova leapt past them overhead, using one higher ground and leaping from boulder to boulder. Cappy grinned at him, and they increased their pace, closing the gap between both themselves and the young unicorn bounding ahead of them.

Together, the three ponies ran off into the early morning sunlight, smiling as the sun shone down on them.

There wasn’t an empty heart between them.
> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Epilogue


Luna let out another yawn as she looked down at her painting, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a second yawn with her hoof. She gave her head a most unprincesslike shake, trying to jar the cobwebs of sleep from her mind. As an immortal, sleep was something she could go with far less than most, but after repeated days of shortened sleep schedules thanks to all the excitement in the palace combined of course with her nightly duties of guiding the moon through the sky, she was feeling slightly less energetic than normal.

She smiled as she lifted her brush, tapping it lightly against the canvas and leaving a small swath of dark green paint, a perfect shadow on her subject. She sat back, examining the overall effect. It was, she decided after a moment, most excellent. But perhaps another touch there— she lifted a second brush, changing paints and making another small touch. Have care, she reminded herself as the brush swept over her creation. Too much can be worse than too little.

Luna set the brush down, feeling a sense of pride as she looked at her work. There was just one last detail to attend to now, a detail that required a personal touch. She bent over, picking up the smallest and finest of her brushes between her teeth, dabbing its thin bristles in paint. Magic worked, but sometimes … Sometimes the personal touch just helped. Or she liked to think it did. She leaned forward, carefully moving the brush in tiny, even strokes as she added the final details to her work, pausing every so often to switch paints.

There was a knock at the door. “Come in,” Luna said, not taking her eyes from her work. Muted hoofsteps reached her ears as somepony entered the room.

“Good evening, Tia,” Luna said, not needing to look to know who would enter her private study this early in her day without announcement.

“Good evening, Luna,” Celestia said, moving up alongside the desk. “I see you’ve found a new muse.” Luna pulled back for a moment and smiled, not wanting to run the risk of making a mistake.

“Yes,” she said, catching the paintbrush in her magic. “I felt it would be appropriate, given all that’s happened.” She stretched her jaw, contorting her face and getting a giggle from her sister.

“Perhaps we could hang it in one of the lower halls?” Celestia suggested, tilting her head to one side as she looked at Luna’s work.

Luna shook her head. “No, I think I may make a gift of it instead.” She plucked the paintbrush back up in her teeth, leaning forward and making another small motion, paint sliding from the tip with delicate care.

“Really?” Celestia asked. “To whom?”

“To the Dusk Guard themselves,” Luna said, her final stroke completed. There was only one thing left to do now. She picked up a very special brush, one used only for certain occasions, and dabbed it in a silvery paint she’d mixed herself a few minutes earlier.

“In honor of the original members of the Dusk Guard,” she wrote in sweeping, silver letters before jumping a line lower, “and their sacrifices to protect Equestria.” She jumped one line further down, signing her own name with a flourish.

“Princess Luna, Regent of the Night,” Celestia read, looking over at her with a smile. “Hundreds of years from now, dozens of museums will be competing to display this.”

“And they will never have it, Tia,” Luna said, her horn glowing an effervescent blue as she applied preservative spells to her work, sealing it from the ravages of time and age. “I only want this painting to be displayed in one place.” Her horn gave a final, vibrant flash in sync with the painting as the final spell sank in.

“And where would that be, sister?” Celestia asked.

Luna smiled. “In whatever barracks the Dusk Guard have, from now until the end,” she said, smiling at her sister. The painting floated off of her easel, a nearby hidden cabinet sliding open.

“And when will you give it to them?” Tia asked, a bemused expression on her face.

“When the time is right, Tia,” Luna said, taking one last look at the six smiling faces staring out from the painting. It was a simple painting, straightforward, the six members of the Dusk Guard arrayed in front of their barracks, the new symbol of their Guard office silhouetted behind them in the sky. Each of them was standing at attention, but at the same time each of them was smiling in their own way.

Smiles were sometimes the hardest to paint, Luna knew. They captured the soul of a pony’s joy, and yet with this painting she had done it. Captain Steel with his firm but unyielding look of satisfaction. Sky Bolt with her unrestrained enthusiasm. Nova with his sly, knowing grin. Dawn with her nobility. Sabra with his simple, content expression. Hunter with his massive grin as common on his face as his hat.

Luna slid the cabinet door shut. Someday, when the time was right, she’d present the painting to them. Something to remember their adventures by, something they could hang in the barracks to inspire new members of the Dusk Guard. Because as the years went on, there would be new members of the Dusk Guard. She was sure of it.

“Luna, if I might ask you a question?”

Luna turned to his sister, smiling even as she mentally checked the location of the moon. Sunset was going to be soon. “Of course, Tia,” she said. “Anything.”

“Did you know,” Celestia ventured, “exactly what was going to happen when you chose Steel, when you initially came to the idea of forming the Dusk Guard?”

“Did I know what, Tia?” Luna asked, batting her eyes innocently.

“What would happen, that Steel would find somepony to fill the void, that the ponies he chose would each find something about themselves in the journey? Because if you did,” Celestia said, “that would be an impressive amount of planning on your part.”

“Why, Tia,” Luna said, giving her sister a smirk similar to the one that Nova had given her the night before when he’d successfully beaten her in a hand of poker. “Whatever do you mean?” She bolted from her study, laughing at Celestia’s surprise.

“Wait! Luna!” Celestia called, racing after her. “Luna! Come back here!” Luna let out a laugh as her sister followed her through the halls of the palace.


*        *        *


Mint grunted in disgust as her grip slipped, water from her canteen slopping out to run down the side of her face. It felt cool in the harsh desert heat, but that wasn’t the point. It was unseemly, crude. She sniffed, throwing her nose in the air as she replaced the cap, levitating it back into her pack.

That, and she couldn’t afford to waste any of her precious water supply. It had only been twelve hours since she’d escaped from the Royal Guard's holding cell, and she was already halfway across Equestria, but word would spread. Her picture would be in every paper now. She was just lucky that they’d considered her sister the dangerous one, left the “kind, innocent, and abused” younger sister alone. She let out a harsh laugh. Ignorant foals, she thought resuming her southern trek. They’ll know soon enough.

If they didn’t already know. She was frankly amazed that they hadn’t. She’d been playing the poor younger sister act as hard as she could, trying to curry an innocent look, and it had worked! They’d know the truth soon enough. The sketchbook that the Dusk Guard had waved around had her name written in the back. A grim smile worked its way across her face as she climbed over another pile of rocks. And they’d thought her sister had come up with that stuff? Hah!

Sure, it had been Radiant’s idea, and she’d built them, but it had been Mint’s designs, Mint’s plans. Not past the metal golems however, she reflected, her face turning down. That was when things had started to go sour. All those crystals Radiant had enchanted had gone to her head, breaking something in her mind.

“It’s a shame she wasn’t as strong as I am, isn’t it?” she asked as she scrambled over another boulder, scraping her hooves against the stone.

Yes, it most certainly is, she thought back. Radiant was, unfortunately, more magically skilled than I am. But she couldn’t handle the enchanting the way I did.

Mint smiled even as her hoof came down hard on an errant rock, sending a lance of pain up her leg. “Yes, she wasn’t as strong. She may have done more crystals, but I was close, and I didn’t go mad.” She let out a laugh. “I was strong!”

And I’d know if I’d gone mad, she thought as she scrambled over the rocks. Radiant was all grandiose. Completely forgot the plan! It was a simple plan. Steal, take over company and introduce metal golems as personal enforcers and conductors.

“But no!” she said, stretching out the syllables like she was a schoolyard filly. Which she wasn’t! “Radiant had to go and start making bigger golems, bigger plans. I’ll show her!” Mint let out a cry of shock as the ground gave out underneath her, dropping her to her belly as she slid down the rough stone.

“Stupid Blade,” she barked out as she came to a stop. “If you hadn’t betrayed me...”

She’d learned now. Never hire a griffon. Honor, what a stupid concept. She’d tried to pay Blade a little visit after she’d broken out, a quick stop in her otherwise simple plan, but the griffon hadn’t been in her cell. It hadn’t even been locked. “Stupid griffon,” Mint said, her hooves sliding against the dry dirt. “Wouldn’t even help me after you’d broken out.”

Mint looked up at the sun, scowling. How many days had it been since she’d given herself up? Three? Four? It didn’t matter anymore. She pulled her canteen from her saddlebags, another mouthful of warm water running down her parched throat.

“Stupid sister,” she said, draining the last dregs of the canteen. “So crazy you didn’t even plan ahead. Did you hide teleport-enchanted crystals around Canterlot in case you needed an escape?” She sneered at a nearby rock formation, for a moment imagining it as her sister and giving it a kick. “No, you didn’t!” she said as the rocks scattered. “I did! Did you get Mimo mining to leave behind their supplies in case you needed them? No, I did!”

She spit a mouthful of water at the rocks, laughing as she imagined her sister sputtering. Sure, she’d saved money with her fake company by leaving the supplies when she’d burned it all, but that didn’t matter. She smiled as she thought back. Literally burned it. All the records, gone, in little black ashy bits. She couldn’t even remember what had happened to the ponies she’d ‘hired’ to run the place. She remembered telling the golems to take care of them, but if they’d done anything about it, she really didn’t care.

And now she was in the Badlands, down past the last vestiges of civilization save a few Ranger stations and those crazy buffalo. It was a safe place. Hot, yes. Unsanitary, also yes. She wiped a bit of dirt from her hoof. Still, from here, she had opportunity. She wasn’t back in a cell waiting for some psychiatrist who would pretend she had mental issues from crystal-work so that they could lock her away or turn her to stone or something else truly horrid.

No, she was free, free to work, to start again. The golems had worked yes, but they’d been basic. Servile. Unintelligent. What she wanted—no, what she needed, was something more. The crystal armor that those ponies had been wearing. It was a unique idea. Perhaps she could do something with that. And as far as docile, willing servants, well ...

Mint smiled as she peaked atop another pile of boulders, spotting a clear hole in the ground in front of her. Everypony always complained about the Diamond Dog tribes didn’t they? They were practically leaderless. Which meant they just needed a good enough leader, didn’t it? And they loved shiny things. They had plenty of crystals, surely some of them could be enchanted. And crystal armor? They’d adore it.

Mint smiled as she took a final draw from her canteen, emptying it and tossing it aside as she slid down the rock face towards the Diamond Dog burrow. They were perfect. They would adore—no—worship her for what she could do for them! And in turn, she could make them far greater than they ever were. Maybe someday she’d even get her sister back.

In the setting sunlight of the Equestrian Badlands, Mint smiled.

She was free.


END OF THE DUSK GUARD SAGA: BOOK ONE