> Zero 30 > by Dreagknight-LostWriter > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Comance Opertaion > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was late in the day as Aurora Glow and her companion Volt Altage, or Sparky she liked to call him, was waiting outside of Ponyville. Aurora is a unicorn with a dark mint color coat and a soft jaded mane. Volt is a unicorn, but with a dark gray coat and a black mane with a few golden streaks through it. They have been waiting in Ponyville for a couple of days, collecting materials and planning their escape route. Their leader had them waiting in Ponyville, while the rest of the group was planning their assault on Princess Celestia and Princess Luna Palace in Canterlot. Tonight they was going to put their plan into action. “Where are they, they said they will be here twenty five minutes ago?” Volt rumble on to himself, tossing his black golden mane side to side. “Dont worry, they’ll be here. This is too big of a job just to not show up.” Aurora said, watching the stallion pace back and forth from where she was sitting down. “Worry ha, I’m not worry,” Volt scoffed. “Yes you are. Look at you, you have been pacing back and forth for the last ten minutes.” Aurora said, watching him as he continue to pace. “No this is not me being worried, this is me being nervous. Once we're up there,” Volt pointed at the Palace. “Is when I start to become worried.” Aurora only huff as she blew her jaded mane. Hoofing at the ground, she only wonder if what they was about to do will be worth it. Using her magic, she created a mini aurora light that glowed and dance in front of her. “That’s a nice glow you have there, but let’s hoped that won’t get you caught by the guards.” Came a stern voice. “Captain!” Aurora jumped, dispelling her little light show. Aurora look at the Captain who was a light gray earth pony of Celestia’s royal guards. Following behind him was three more ponies, two pegasus stallion and another earth pony mare. They were all part of a hidden group of royal guard ponies, there are twelve members and all or so it was to believe. Captain Flint was not Captain of the royal guards, but Captain of this unnamed group of specialize undercover ponies. “Finally you guys are here, what took you so long?” Volt asked, coming over. “We had some last minute things we had to do,” Captain Flint said. “But don’t worry, we’re still proceeding with the plan tonight.” “See I told you, nothing to worry about Sparky.” Aurora joked. “I told you, I wasn't worried.” Volt scoffed again. “Sure you wasn’t.” Aurora chuckle to herself. “Glad to hear that.” Flint said, motioning them to follow him. He then turn away from the train station and started to trot. “Wait, are we not taking the train.” Volt asked, catching up to their Captain. “No, we want to stay as hidden as possible, so we will be heading to Canterlot by hoofs.” Flint said. As they trotted up the mountain to Canterlot, Aurora was starting to get nervous as she looked up to the Palace. She had to keep telling herself that everything will go as plan, nothing will go wrong, and what they was doing was the right thing. Flint looked at her and notice how nervous she was getting, as well as Volt. Flint knew both Aurora and Volt was top infiltrators, even if they wasn't part of the royal guards. It was the fact that they are rookies in his group that he had recruited. From the previous mission they had been on, he knew these two was his best choice, which is why he assign this mission over to them. “Aurora, Volt, let’s go over one more time what you guys are suppose to do.” Flint said, trying to distract Aurora from her thoughts and Volt from his self rumbling, to make sure they still knew what needed to be done. “Okay, umm we are suppose to break into the Palace from the back.” Aurora said. “Make our way past any guards in front of us.” Volt added in. “Don't kill them, just knock them out if you have to.” Flint said, locking eyes with the both of them. “We don't plan on killing anypony.” Aurora quickly added. “You never planned to kill anypony, until you're left with no other option.” The earth mare who name was Cherry Blossom, said just loud enough for Aurora and Volt to hear her. “That’s true, I may be a royal guard who’s sworn to protect the princesses with my life, but that doesn’t mean I plan to kill anypony during so, just only when I'm needed to do so,” Flint said, giving a dismissal wave with his hoof. “Anyways continue.” “Oh, umm, right. Getting past the guards, we make our way towards the library wing.” Aurora said. “And using the map you gave us, we make our way to the forbidden library wing.” Volt finish off. “Good, now here is the object you will be retrieving.” Flint reach over in his saddlebag and brought out a parchment scroll. “You will be taking a magical Tome, the Tome itself is a fairly large book that's gem encrusted- One of the pegasus trotted up closer to the captain, he was a dark red pegasus with a black and red mane. “What type of gems are we talking about, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, opals, diamonds.” “Jet,” Flint growled at the pegasus. “Enough, this isnt a robbery for jewels.” “Kay sorry, just trying to lighten things up.” Jet said, falling back behind. That got a few chuckles out of everyone else, the captain only sighed. “Anyways, it's a topaz and amethyst encrusted book with a golden marigold on the front and back. Happy now?” The captain finish off, glancing back at Jet who only laugh to himself. “Okay, so we take the book, replace it with a enchanted fake one, then teleport out.” Volt concluded. “Thats correct. Remember, the spell on the fake book will only last three minutes, so you have to work fast. Once the spell wears off, the case holding the book will sound an alarm and the Princesses and guards will be hot on your tails, understand.” “Yes sir.” replied both Volt and Aurora. “Good, then let’s continue on.” Flint said, trotting up the mountains to the Royal Palace. > Late Infomation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The back route to Canterlot took a extra thirty minutes then it would have by pony express. Jet and the other pegasus who name was swift breeze, decided to fly ahead to make sure the area was clear. Aurora and Volt offer to teleport Flint and Cherry to Canterlot to help save time, Flint decline at first saying that they will need the energy, but shortly agree to it, since he noted that time was against them. Teleporting to Canterlot, Aurora and the group quickly and quietly made their way through the city. Meeting up with Jet and Swift, they made their way around to the back of the Royal Palace. “Okay Cherry, bring the items over here.” Flint said, laying down just on the outskirt of the Royal Palace. Cherry drop the saddlebag she has been carrying since they came. Inside the bag was two of everything, cloaks, hoof padding, spark gems, smoke bombs, and a dream catcher. Then there was the enchanted book they would be using as a replacement. “What is this?” Aurora asked, lifting the dreamcatcher in her magic. “Its a dreamcatcher.” Cherry said, putting the now empty saddlebag back on. “The dreamcatcher should prevent Princess Luna from discovering you at night and while you are sleeping.” Flint inform. “Where did you get it.”Aurora asked, looking at the dreamcatcher all over. “From that zebra mare in ponyville, umm whats her name?” Flint thought, hastily remembering the name. “Ah yes, Zecora.” “So it’s a zebra enchanted item?” Volt asked. “Yes, now for more pressing matters before you all go in.” Flint said, looking at Aurora and Volt. “Do you guys remember the attack on the royal wedding back at the Crystal Kingdom.” “Yeah, I heard about that.” Volt said. “Suppose to have been really bad, with the changeling attack and all.” Aurora said, sitting down. “What about it?” “Bad was the least of it, all the guards was in a tight spot trying to hold off all those changeling as they swarmed in.” Jet said. “Thats right, if it wasn't for Spike the Dragon, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends, the kingdom would have been under full control of the changeling queen.” Cherry said. “And we would have lost both Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor.” Swift added. “Well after that attack Prince Shining Armor, who is also captain of the royal guards, wanted to prevent something like that from happening again.” Flint said, laying down. “And to do so, he created a small group of elite royal guards. The group consist of four ponies, one from Princess Luna’s royal bat pony guards, one from Princess Celestia’s royal unicorn guards, one from the Crystal Empire’s royal earth pony guards and himself.” “So, what so dangerous about the four elites?” Volt asked, putting the cloak on. “They are highly trained guards, who themselves exceed that of any royal guards,” Cherry added. “And remember what I said about no pony ever plans to kill anypony, well that is true, but these elite are ready to kill at the given motion.” Volt swallow loudly as he sat down, now doubting to continue on with the mission. “And unlike the royal guards, who are mainly train to suppress and detain, the elites are train to suppress and kill. Though both are different in what we have been train for, detain or kill, given we are a specialized hidden group for Princess Celestia.” Cherry finish, eyeing both Volt and Aurora expression. “Now don’t worry, I got Princess Celestia word that you will not be kill during this mission. But that saying, the Princess can only do so much and that means only telling the elites not to kill you, but nothing else.” Flint said, eyeing the worry looks on the two faces. “I know the princess want to keep the mission as closed as possible and that only she knows about this, but why do she want to go through so much trouble to hide this Tome.” Aurora asked. “Well first, the Princess don’t know much about the mission itself, she only order it. That means right now, she has no idea whats about to happen,” Cherry said, looking at both of them. “So for a quick run down on the Princess involvement, she issue the order,  gave her word the none of you will be killed and has not inform the other princesses about this mission nor any guards.” “So that means if we get caught by Princess Luna, it’s all over, but if we get caught by Princess Celestia, she would let us go?” Aurora asked, with a small bit of hoped. “No, if you get caught by anypony, including Princess Celestia, it's all over.” Flint said. “So all and all, we are actually about to steal from the Royal Palace.” Volt said, now catching on to the reality of this. “Correct, and the Princess doesn't know who you are or any of us, but Captain Flint.” Swift added. “Now back to the the elites,” Flint said, wanting to get through this. “Nopony knows what type of training they endure, it was kept under tight secrecy. But what we do know is that they had some training under Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends” “Why did they train under them?” Jet asked, surprised about this information. “Well once you help to defeat the Lord of Chaos twice, Nightmare Moon, help to bring King Sombra down with Princess Cadance, help defend against the swarm of changeling and stop their queen from ruling over the kingdom. Then I think you earn the right to be entitled an elite guard trainer.” Flint said, with a hint of humor in his voice. “Oh, that would make a pony want to learn from you.” Jet mutter. “Point taken.” “But that was the passive training, they also underwent deadly combat training, and are lieutenants under Captain Armor. So when you do go in, be careful not to cross path with those elite guards.” Aurora looked over at the rest of the group, Jet and Swift hadn't looked too worry about the mission, Volt looked like he was regretting his decision to join this mission and Flint and Cherry was waiting for their answer. “W-well I’m still willing to do this. How about you Volt, still up for it?” Aurora said nervously. “Y-yeah, I’m still in.” Volt said, as he took a deep breath to calm himself down. Aurora look back at Flint, “Alright, so what do we do once we get the book and leave?” “Well, you will cut all ties with me, Cherry and Swift. Once you go into the Palace, we will not be able to help you further on.” “Wait a minute, what are we suppose to do with the book while we hide?” Volt snapped. “How are we suppose to know when it safe to come out of hiding or when the search die down.” “Well first, we will not be able to help you from beyond this point. We will do what we can from here, but that's all. Second, Jet here will be your informer, he will relay any message to you and act as a messenger between us.”Flint said calmly. Aurora looked between Swift and Jet. “Will there be any other ponies who we can trust, not that I don't trust your judgment, just.. will we have more than one contact?”. “Only Jet will be your trusted ally, no other ponies. If the message don't come from Jet’s mouth, then it’s not to be trusted. Swift will be working with Jet as a helper, but that's that, a helper.” Cherry said. “And another thing, because me and Cherry are guards, we will be forced into joining in on the search for you once the alarm goes off. Needless to say, if we see you two during the search, we will be force to capture you or risk the other guards getting suspicious.” Flint said. Both Aurora and Volt was now uneasy as the news settle in. “Come on you guys, you knew what would happen once you agreed to do this, mostly. You guys even had chances to back out. Even though we all but Jet can't help you, if you follow the plan through, this should all go down without a problem.” Swift said with reassurance. “Yeah, what’s the worst that could happen.” Jet said, laughing. “Just be carefull, move quietly and don’t get caught.” Flint said with a stern voice, but a smile on his face. “Oh, and one last important thing. The unicorn elite guard can follow you when you teleport, so by all means if you are being chase by him do not teleport unless you know how to lose him, and do not for any reason teleport to your hideout, ever.” With that the duo gather their gear and made their way into the Palace. Aurora took one last look back, only to notice the group was gone and out of sight. The whole weight of this mission came crashing down, they only get one chance at this. > Escape > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Going through the back entrance was easy, due to the fact that somehow the guards was scarce in the area. Most of the royal guards was focus around Celestia chamber, and the royal bat guards near Luna. Sneaking through the palace was far easier than they have thought, only a few times did they have to knock out a guard. “I thought the Palace would be more heavily guarded than this.” Volt said, as he rounded the corner. “Think this might be Celestia’s doing?” Aurora said, as she dragged a guard in a nearby closet. “Remember, Cherry said Celestia herself don’t know what's about to happen, so that mean Flint may have something to do with this instead.” Volt said, taking out the map that was given to him. “So, how far do we have to go?” Aurora asked, looking around the corridor. “Not far. Lets go, the sooner we do this, the faster we can get out of here.” Volt said, stuffing the map back into his saddlebag. “What's wrong, getting nervous?” Aurora smirk, at the same time using this as an excuse of removing the tension in the air. “No I’m no-, your getting a kick out of this are you?” “Maybe.” Aurora laugh to herself. Volt sighed as they continue to trot through the Palace. The library was one of the few places that wasn’t guarded, but the duo wasn’t taking any chances, so they stuck to the shadows. Finally making it to the forbidden wing, they begin to search around for the Tome. “So, where this Tome suppose to be at?” Aurora asked, looking through the old scrolls. “Don't know.” “Does the map give any clues?” Aurora asked, peering around bookcases. “No.” “Really,” Aurora ears flatten at that. “Not even a little?” “No, it only point in this area.” Volt said, showing her the map. Scuffing, Aurora went back to searching all the shelves while Volt search for any hidden spots. After 20 minutes of searching Aurora gave up, thinking it might have been moved. Volt on the other hoof kept searching, but to no availed. “Are you sure it’s here?” Aurora question. “I mean the Tome should be hidden away in an area unknown.” As she said this, her tailed hit one of the scrolls and knocked it off the shelf sending it rolling across the floor. Picking up the scroll in her telekinesis grasp, she was about to place it back on the shelf when the corner of her eyes caught something. There inside the shelf was a book among scrolls. Walking over to it, Aurora removed the scrolls to find the book was wrapped and stuck inside the shelf. “Volt, I think i found the Tome.” Aurora called out in a loud whisper. “You did?” Volt asked, rushing over to Aurora side. The book was large, but wrapped, so Volt couldn't tell if it was the one or not. With a quick spell check, he found the shelf to be enchanted. “Yeah I think this is it. Ok quickly, lets replace the book and get out of here.” Volt said taking the fake book out of the saddlebag. With a quick swap they had the book as the fake one was suck into the orginal place. Unwrapping the book, they found it to be the Tome they was looking for. Quickly placing the Tome into his bag, the duo made a B-line to the back entrance. They didn't even make it out the library before trouble found them. As they headed for the doorway they had to quickly hide as they heard galloping in the halls. “All guards on look out for any suspicious intruders within the area. A few guards are missing and the ones that was found are unconscious.” They over heard one of the guards say as he rounded the corner with more guards in towed. “Dammit, what do we do now?” Volt whispered, as he looked back out in the hallway. “I don’t know? We can’t just hide here all day or we’ll get caught.” Aurora hissed back. “It would be easier if we could just teleport out of here, but we are at risk of being found out and or followed.” Volt said, now peering over the corner wall. “I think it’s clear. Come on, let’s go before they make a double search time in this area.” Now Volt and Aurora senses was on high alert as they crept through the halls. The guards was scatter about as the duo found themselves hiding most of the time. While the guards was in a frenzy searching for the unknown invaders, Volt and Aurora made use of the rocks they had  to throw the guards off their path. As they continue on their way to the exit, they heard more guards coming their way. In a panic, the duo dove into the closes room near them. Peeking through the doorway they overheard two guards talking. “Any news on the invaders whereabouts?” One off the guards asked. He was a sturdy grey unicorn with a silver mane. “No sir, all the area’s where anything that's valuable, has been thoroughly checked.” The other guard said, who was a white earth pony with a brown mane. The one thing that Aurora notice about the guards, was that the unicorn had a different set of armor then the normal guards. The big difference between the two set of armor, was that the unicorn was wearing a full set of armor. While the regular guards had armored hoof padding, body armored and a helmet, the unicorn guard armor cover every ounce of his body, but his head. “What about the magical arcane wing or the Equestrian artifact archive?” The unicorn asked. “Sir, the archive has been checked, guards are now making there way to the arcane wing as we speak.” The guard replied. “Good.” The unicorn said before casting a spell. The spell looked like it was sending off pulsating waves of magical energy rippled through the area. “And the Princesses?” The unicorn asked as his spell pulsate through the halls. “Sir, the Princesses has also join in on the search with a group of guards by their sides.” The guard said as he shifted where he stood. “Sir, if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing?” The guard asked as he watch the energy waves rippled through the halls. “I am searching for any hints of magical uses within the area. Unicorns, pegasus and changelings are the most likely subjects that would dare break into a Royal Palace.” The unicorn replied, his magic dying down as the last magical wave rippled through the halls. “Even though I can't detect pegasus with this spell, I can say for certain that there are unicorns within the area. How many, I do not know, but I do know where their last location was.” The unicorn said, trotting down the hall where Volt and Aurora came from. “Sir, how can you tell the difference between our own ranks and the invaders?” The guard asked, following the unicorn. “Lets just say…” he stop for a second as he answered. “There's a difference between a train unicorn guard magical correspondence relay, to that of a regular unicorns magic.” That was all the Unicorn said before he trotted down the hall with the other guard. > Brief Encounter > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aurora and Volt stayed hidden while they watched the guards leave. The news they heard unsettled them both, neither one knew what to do. After waiting in the dark room for a few minutes, Aurora spoke up. “Do you think it's safe to leave?” Aurora whispered. “Think so, nopony came back around here.” Volt whispered backed. Slowly opening the door, Aurora stuck her head out and looked around. Seeing that the corridor was clear she stepped out of the room. Volt walked out behind her, dropping his saddlebag and started digging in… “Aurora, here,” Volt murmured. Aurora looked at Volt and saw that he had the Tome clenched in his teeth. “How come?” She asked, though she turned to her side so that Volt can put it in her bag. “Because I’m more combat wise. If anything goes down, you are more likely to escape with ease,” Volt said, dropping the Tome in Aurora’s saddlebag. “Well yeah, but how would you escape?” Aurora asked, concern clearly shown on her face. “Have you ever doubted me before?” Volt said, small static sparks lining his horn. “No.” “Then there’s no need to start now. Come on, let's go, and refrain from using your magic until we are out of here.” Volt said, putting back on his saddlebag. “If we make our timing right, we should be able to get out before the guards finish their search in the arcane wing.” “Okay.” Aurora said, placing her trust in her friend. Volt and Aurora made their way down the hall, being mindful of their surroundings. Keeping to the shadows, the duo crept in and out of rooms, making sure no guards were within would be able to catch them from behind. Coming up to their point of exit, Aurora turned to Volt. “You know, if the Princesses are searching for us, they might have a shield over the palace, preventing us from leaving?” “Yeah, but we can still teleport out.” “And they can follow us,” Aurora pointed out. Volt went quiet, looking around the last room. As the duo went to the back entrance, they found that the Princesses did indeed brought down a shield over the palace. “Ugg. Okay, here’s what we will do. Since one of those elites can follow us when we teleport, lets split up.” “Split up, why?” “We are still inside the palace. If we teleport from here now, they will follow us, but if we split up and teleport from two different location, then they will have to pick which one to follow.” “Oh, I understand.” “Good, lets hope they choose me, but if they choose you, do your thing and evade them. Okay, I’m heading off, wait ten minutes then teleport out.” “Okay, be safe.” “As always and back to you.” Volt said, leaving Aurora behind. Aurora watched Volt leave before looking for a spot to hold out. Going back into the last room they had checked, Aurora found it to be a small chamber that looked like it belong to a student. Looking around, Aurora couldn't find anything useful so she opted to stay in there. After waiting five minutes, Aurora step back into the halls, not feeling safe within the confined walls of the room. The halls were quiet, and not a hoof step could be heard. Aurora was tempted to entertain herself with her magic, but decided against it knowing she would be found out. “I’m so bored, just three more minutes, then I could leave from here,” Aurora murmured to herself. “Really? I don't think your going anywhere, but maybe I can entertain you.” A voice said behind her. Aurora froze where she stood, her heart racing within her chest. “So, you're the intruder I detected? Why don't you come with me, I’m sure the Princesses would love to have a word with you.” With those words along, Aurora bolted down the hall, praying to Celestia it wasn't an elite guard. Sadly, her hopes was crush as a dark disc slash through the air and into the ground in front of her, causing her to skid to a hault. “Next time, I won’t miss if you run again,” the voice said, coming closer to her. The disc that slash into the floor was a black sun with a image of a dark moon on the middle. Soon the disc started to spin within a purple aura, which Aurora knew was the elite guard’s magic. The disc was now spinning in front of her face, inching forwards. “Now, turn around slowly. If you try anything, I might just lose control over my magic.” Slowly, Aurora turn to face the guard, she was glad she had her hood on at this time, as she kept her head down. “So, what did you came here for?” The guard questioned. Aurora didn’t answer. She just stood there, waiting for a chance to escape. The guard eyed Aurora’s saddlebag. “Hoof over the saddlebag,” the elitist demanded. Aurora stepped back, knowing she had to make her escape now. The guard discerned this, prepared for the intruder to teleport. Right on cue, Aurora teleported out, followed by the guard. They were right outside the Princess's shield. “Did you think you could escape from me just like that?” The guard said, blasting her with an energy bolt. Aurora ducked, as the bolt flew above her head, missing her by a few good inches. The guard came over and ripped the saddlebag right off her. The guard turn the bag upside down and empty the contents, the book came tumbling out. The guard picked the book up in his magic and looked over it. “This is what you stole?” He said in disbelief. Aurora didn't answer him. She just watched him, waiting for a moment to strike and run. She just needed an opening. “Do you know what you have here? Do you know what this book is?” The guard question, walking up to Aurora. Aurora didn’t know what she had, since she and Volt was never told about it. None the less, they had a job to do, and the job required that book. “And this?” The guard asked, picking up the dreamcatcher. “Well it doesn't matter now,” the guard said, taking out a silver ring. Aurora knew what that was. She needed to get that book and the dreamcatcher then leave. Getting the dreamcatcher would be easy, but it was the Tome that would give her trouble. The guard took one step and stopped. He looked off into the distance, beyond where Aurora was lying. Aurora picked herself up slowly and side step the guard. The guard wasn't even looking at her at this point. Using that to her advantage, Aurora created a medium aurora light around the guard, blinding him in the light. But the guard walk out of it, unfazed. The guard then slowly drifted the Tome over to Aurora. The guard started to laugh as the book linger in the air. “Its seems you have gotten your hoof on something very dangerous, something that you can not escape from. Tell me, did you looked in the book?” Aurora just stared at the guard, surprised in the change of attitude. The guard then looked back to her stuff and, using his magic, picked up everything that was dropped and put it back in her bag. “Here, you will need this. Now get out of here before I change my mind.” “W-what?” Aurora stuttered, shocked. “I said get out of here before I change my mind. Oh, but you might want to look in that book, you will find something very, shocking.” The guard said, placing the Tome in her bag and dropping it in front of her. Aurora tentatively took the bag, checking it for any sign of hexes or locater spells on it, but there was none. “W-why are you letting me go?” Aurora asked, putting on her bag. “Because, you and your partner just started a chain of events, and now you both have to play your part.” “Event, our part? What does that suppose to mean?” “Enough, you have ten seconds to leave.” Not wanting to waste this chance, Aurora teleported out, but she got a last glimpse at the last thing that was said before she was out of view. “I will be seeing you again, very soon.” The guard body turn into black mist and disappeared from sight.