> The Veins Run Deeper
>  by Thunderblast
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Come on, come on, let's move it!" Shouted an armored dark grey pegasus ahead of a small line of stallions that marched along with the pony. He stopped and stepped just to the side, allowing the ponies to trot past him. He narrowed his bright gold eyes onto them as they went by. 

"Pick up the pace, come on, move your flanks!" He shouted into their ears as they advanced past, looking to break them in some way. 

No surprise to him, as they did not break their neat formation and kept a steady, stoic march through the streets of Canterlot. On the sidewalks stood other ponies of all race and age, many of them admiring the guards as they marched by towards the barracks near the palace. The grey pegasus opened his wings and floated to the front of the line, landing in front of the two leading ponies and marching with them, eyes straight and standing tall like any decent guard.

Night Shadow, second-in-command of Princess Luna's personal royal guard, was out breaking in the newest additions to her highness' guard, and led the small group back towards the palace where the barracks of both branches of the Royal Guard were located. A few of the conscripts were sweating profusely from the extreme heat of the early afternoon on that late summer day and all were eager to head back to grab lunch at the mess hall.

The five were stopped at one of the gates leading into the guard grounds and each were checked over briefly by a guard officer before being let inside. Towards the flag pole at the center of the barracks grounds, Night stopped and turned back to the recruits following his lead, eyes scanning over them carefully.

"All of you!" he yelled to get their attention. "Go get some lunch, you've earned it," he then gave a grin to them, two razor-sharp fangs in his mouth visible.

The physically drained recruits broke formation and went in the direction of the mess hall across the courtyard, while Night made his way into the palace to his quarters on the second floor. It was a bit of a walk from the door to the Royal Guard section of the castle but it wasn't brought to mind. Instead, he enjoyed seeing the sights in the hallways. 

The massive crystal chandeliers, the expensive paintings, the beautifully colored flowers within their pure golden pots, and anything else decorative perfectly placed and made the palace certainly an exquisite place to visit. But for Night, it was an everyday sight—it was his home.

Trotting up a rounded flight of stairs to the second floor and to the right down the hallway, Night walked up to a wooden door at the end of the hallway just before the corner and pulled a key from out of his armor and inserted it into the door's lock before giving it a turn and pushing the door inward.

The dark grey pegasus trotted into his personal quarters—which, to him, was more like a large apartment within the palace presented to him for his rank within the Lunar Guard. The floor was entirely made of cobble, except for the kitchen area and bathroom. The main room in which was where he entered was simple but large and had plenty of spare room. 

His bed sat closer to the twin balcony doors, between the windows and the bed a wooden tower dresser, the top section with doors being where he hung his armor and smaller weapons, while the other drawers remained empty. Opposite of the dresser from the bed was a polished wooden desk where Night did most of his paperwork when he wasn't on a patrol.

Over all, if he hadn't been in the position he was in Luna's guard, he wouldn't have been even close to afford purchasing such a place, especially in Canterlot closer to the palace, where apartments of such size or luxury were extremely expensive, at least a couple hundred thousand bits.

After stripping himself of his armor, Night sauntered his way into the bathroom and took a folded towel from underneath the granite counter tops and hung it beside the shower for later use, where he then took the handle and slid open the frosted glass door and reached a hoof in, turning the dial to a comfortable temperature before stepping in. It was only a moment before initially cold water came out and Night found himself pinned against the tiled wall, avoiding being touched by the ice-cold water until it was comfortably warm to stand in.

Once under the water, he unfolded his wings and let the water run off of them while it soaked into his mane, coat and feathers. He reached a hoof up to his forehead and moved part of his mane out of the way of his eyes and then took a bottle of shampoo in one hoof, squirting some into his other hoof and rubbing it into his mane until it was completely full of suds. He rinsed the soap out by holding his head directly under the water and reopened his eyes when it was completely out of his mane.

Finally, after scrubbing down the rest of his body with a light blue bar of blueberry-scented soap and rinsed it clean of his dark grey fur, Night stepped out of the shower and took the towel, rubbing it over himself until he was completely dry—then, his coat puffed up.

Night walked up to the gold-lined mirror to brush his mane, noticing his coat, and his eyes expanded in surprise. "I wish it would stop doing that every time..." he muttered in annoyance, beginning to pat his fluffed-up fur down and brushing his mane back to it's normal style.

At the door of his quarters, there was a gentle knock from outside. Night, with his sensitive hearing, picked up the noise which made his ear swivel sideways. He cracked the bathroom door open just slightly, speaking up for the occupant outside the door to hear clearly. "Who is it?"

"Captain Night Shadow," the voice started, somewhat muffled behind the wooden door. "I have a message addressed to you from the Prancific Northwest. Vanhoover to be specific."

Trotting out of the bathroom with the now-used towel hanging over both sides of him, Night opened the door, meeting face to face with a younger stallion in dark-blue and purple armor, the main emblem being a white crescent moon resembling Princess Luna's cutie mark. He held the letter in one hoof and handed it closer to Night, who took it and examined the envelope. "Any idea who it is from?"

The unicorn shook his head. "Not a clue, captain. But I assumed it was classified if no specific returning address was added. That, or it could be poison," the guard then raised his nose slightly and sniffed the air. "Is... that blueberry shampoo I smell?" he tilted his head.

Chuckling softly, Night patted his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, corporal. And I have a pretty good idea who the letter is from. Carry on," he then saluted. The guard saluted in return, and walked off to resume his duties. Night, curious about the letter, shut his door and stopped beside it, taking one of his fangs to slice the top of the envelope open rather than the use of a letter knife, then pulled the thrice-folded letter out and stretched it flat to read.




To my dear and brave brother, Bloodvein Night Shadow,

It has been quite a while since we have communicated, and I myself as well as many others back home are still trying to get used to writing elsewhere than our own colony. It is simply great to be able to talk to you from such a long distance, even if it takes a week or two for you to get my messages. Anyways, in case you wish to know, we're all doing good. School is long behind me and I am still out looking for a job, but right now it looks like nothing is open in town while renovations are being made.

On a side note, I do have one question for you. Do you plan on coming for our father's birthday party? It is quite soon and we'd be happy to see you again for this momentous occasion. I mean, our father is turning forty-seven. Before we know it, he'll be fifty and hopefully not straining himself with his job and find something more settling before retiring. Me and mom have decided to take him to a new restaurant that recently opened in town and are wondering if you will be joining us.

Get back to me as soon as you can. Take care brother.

With much love, your crazy sister, Dawn Blossom.





Night smiled softly as he concluded reading over the letter, whilst also being in some slight shock that it was that time of year already. Immediately, he refolded the piece of paper and strode over to his work desk, taking a seat in the chair and opening a fresh bottle of ink, dipping a quill inside and writing his reply on a blank piece of paper, tongue just barely sticking out of his closed maw while he wrote.

Upon finishing, he closed the bottle of ink and read over the letter one last time prior to folding it up neatly and slipping it into an envelope, licking up and down the tongue of the paper and sealing it, finishing by addressing the letter to the city of Batsburg, remembering how even after relations were amended, a proper mail service or home addresses were not yet established in the cloud city that by now everypony likely knew about.

Night stood from his desk, letter in-hoof as he made his way to the door and out into the palace's lengthy hallways, on his way to deliver his reply to his sister's message. He turned into a large stairwell leading down to the first floor of the palace, down another hallway and out through the main entrance, onto the rather busy Canterlot streets. 

He made his way through the thick crowds, winding a couple of streets before coming across one of the city's postal offices where he slipped his letter happily into the box of letters to be delivered across Equestria. Smiling as it floated down into a small pile of letters within the box, he closed the metal flap and trotted back in the direction of the castle.

Dear my amazing sister, Dawn Blossom,

I have been quite busy here in Canterlot with my job as of recently and have lost track of the time. Thank you, also, for the reminder, and yes, I will be coming home to see all of you, and specifically our father for his birthday celebration. Please do keep it a secret as I wish to surprise him. Hopefully you can get this letter sooner than I get there. If not, it will be a surprise either way.

Can't wait to see you all, and I'm elated to hear all is well. See you soon. Love, Night Shadow.

P.S, I saw that correction you made. There is no hiding it. XOXO
> The Trip West
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A gentle knock on the door of his office later, Captain Fallen Star asked the pony outside of his office to enter. Night opened the door and stepped inside, stopping in the doorway to salute, the brown pegasus saluting back from behind his desk. "Good afternoon, Captain. What can I do for you?"

Night, dropping his salute, walked up to the foot of Fallen's desk. "Afternoon, sir. I was hoping to speak to you about possibly taking some time of leave?"

The stallion nodded, swiveling his chair around and opening a filing cabinet beside a Lunar Guard poster on the wall that read 'Join Today for the Honor of Her Highness!'. He pulled out a leave of absence file and took out a blank paper, setting it down on the desk and putting the file back in the cabinet. "Of course. How long do you wish to be on leave?"

"Ten days, sir," Night replied.

Fallen glanced up from the piece of paper on his desk, tilting his head whilst staring Night in the eye. "What's the occasion might I ask? You never take this much time off. Not after a long period of not taking any at all except for one sick day that is, and even that was over two months ago."

"I plan on going home for that time. It'll be my father's birthday in a few days and I don't want to miss it. Not like it's a milestone he's reaching, but still, you get my point. I haven't seen him or the rest of my family in a while either. And... another reason is to check up on how the colony is holding up. I understand even after the trade agreement, there's still some minor conflict between the Governor and Princess Celestia?"

The captain nodded. "Afraid so, but that's to be expected. She did do something that could have eliminated your race completely off the face of the earth over a few centuries back. Between them and Princess Luna, however, is a much different story. They all love her. They love us. Might be because way back when, the bat ponies were supposedly a huge part of her highness' guard, and here you are over a thousand years after her banishment and already second-in-command of the princess' personal escort, even if you look nothing like one of your own."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Night tilted his head, eyeing Fallen closely.

"Nothing in particular. I'm just saying, for somepony who came from a bat pony family, you highly resemble the foal of somepony else. I think the only way that would be possible is if you were cross-bred—" the brown pegasus stopped himself. "Sorry, getting off topic here. So, ten days?"

Night, ears having very slightly fallen backwards, nodded. "Yes," he replied with a rather stern tone. He didn't like the idea of other ponies assuming where he truly came from when he knew their theories were incorrect from the beginning.

A couple of minutes of waiting passed before Fallen Star finished the paperwork of Night's leave and put it away in his file, then dismissed him after an exchange of salutes. Night turned and walked out of his office, shutting the door politely behind him and stopping just outside of it. He sighed and stared down at the white and black tiled floor, the thought remaining fresh in his mind as he turned to go down the hallway.

"Why can't some ponies just mind their own business?" he muttered to himself, gradually walking faster. "Of course I came from bat ponies. My mom wouldn't lie to me if somepony else is my father. That, or she's just that good at hiding things—no, none of that is true. They're my family—oof!" He grunted, running face-first into a unicorn guard walking his patrols down that same hallway.

The guard, having just barely budged, looked down at Night with a smile, offering a hoof to pull him up. "Talking to yourself again, pal?"

Night shook his head, regaining his surroundings, then standing back up with the help of the unicorn's hoof. "How did you know, Sharp? And uh... how did we bump into each other like this?" His ear flicked.

"Well for one, you usually don't run down the hallway unless there's something chasing you, say a changeling, or you're talking to yourself about something that bothers you. It seems to be a habit with you. What's wrong?" The unicorn, Sharpblade, asked.

"Nothing too serious. Just the problem with somepony questioning where I came from," Night answered honestly.

"Ah, I see. Who was it this time?"

"Fallen Star."

"Captain of the Lunar Guard, correct?" Night nodded in response. "Why was he asking that question?"

"No clue," Night sighed. "I went there to request leave and left with... this."

"Oh? Something happen where you need time off?"

"Visiting family for a little while. My father's birthday is coming up."

"Oh, well that's nice," Sharp smiled. "Tell him I said happy birthday. How old will he be?"

"Forty-seven."

"Aaaah. Wow. Younger than I expected to be quite honest with you. From how you've described him in the past, I assumed he would be in his sixties or something, don't know why," Sharp shrugged. "Then again, I don't know if the lifespans of bat ponies are different from ours."

"Not by much. Then again, before all of this, life expectancy was much lower than it had been before the rebellion. It's going back up now that the fear of war is gone."

"Well, that's good at least," Sharp smiled again. "One of these times, you'll have to convince your family to come here so I can meet 'em."

"Sure thing!" Night gave a toothy grin, fangs showing clearly. "Why, are you interested in hooking up with my sister, Sharp?"

The unicorn's cheeks turned a dark shade of red. "N-no, that's not what I meant at all! I-I just... I just—"

Night burst into a short cackle, hoof resting on Sharp's shoulder as he tensed up, embarrassed as ever. "I'm messing with you. Not that I have a problem with you two getting together. It'll just be a long distance relationship for a while."

"I-I mean," Sharp gently brushed his hoof against the floor, looking down at it. "I've never seen a bat pony mare, and even then, I'm not good with mares."

"You don't know until you try," Night winked and patted his shoulder. "Besides, I think she would like you, even if it's just for a friendship. She's a bit shy sometimes however," he then rolled his eyes. "And I remember she was hitting on Thunderblast when he was a bat pony."

Sharp's eyes opened wide when Night finished, he tilted his head with confusion and eyed Night carefully. "Did you just say... Thunder was a bat pony?"


***


That evening was spent mainly working ahead of time to finish leftover paperwork Night had sitting on his desk, leaving it in the mail outbox sitting outside his quarters where a courier guard came to collect the papers. Afterwards, he relaxed on his king-sized bed, reading a magazine that specialized in military-grade weaponry, such as power spears and hoof guards with claws attached. 

Power spears, from what he knew about them, were basic spears with energy crystals carefully dug out of mines near the Crystal Empire built into the head, giving them a distinctive glow that matched it's users personality and soul. To Night, it was a weapon he was interested in owning in the near future, though unfortunately even with the excessive amounts of money he saved over the months, making such a purchase would set him back financially in a severe way. Maybe another time, he thought.

As he flipped to another page, a polite knock on the door very slightly startled him, and he sat up, the magazine now beside him on the bed in one hoof, face-down. "Coming!" He said aloud, hopping off of his bed with a clop from his hooves meeting the cold cobble floor and a brief trot over to the door leading out into the hallway. 

He pulled the small lock out of it's slot and opened the door, awe striking him when he saw a dark blue alicorn mare standing at the foot of his door, her sparkly, starry dark blue mane waving in a nonexistent breeze. His pupils expanded with astonishment, then out of respect and discipline, Night bowed to her hooves. "Your highness."

Princess Luna glanced down at him, a brow furrowing as the stallion knelt before her. "Night, have we not been over this more than one hundred times in the past? Thou is not required to be formal when I am visiting."

Blushing profusely out of embarrassment of himself, Night stood back up straight and smiled innocently with a chuckle. "Right, right. But, do come in."

"Thank you," the princess smiled and entered the room, Night closing the door behind her. "Captain Fallen Star has informed us of your temporary departure. Thou is returning home for some time, yes?"

"Correct," Night nodded in response, walking over to where Princess Luna had stopped. "My father's birthday is right around the corner. He's turning forty-seven and I don't want to miss it this time."

"Ah, yes. We understand that. We do hope the party goes well. When is thou leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning," Night replied. "By train it's a pretty long journey, especially with stops along the way," he continued, then paused again and looked back towards his wings. "And I don't exactly have the motivation to fly super fast for an extended period of time, unless you have something in mind."

The Lunar princess lifted a hoof to her chin and pondered how she could help Night out. "Maybe if we—"

"Just joking," Night chuckled again and waved a hoof. "I only said that because I got from home to here in just a few hours. I wanted away that badly. But now I'm happy things worked out... for the most part," he muttered the last bit, eyes focused off to the side and head lowering.

Princess Luna took a minor step closer and lifted Night's chin up with a curled hoof, smiling as his eyes met hers. "Thou does not have to fret anything. We predict a complete resolution with your ponies will be made soon, in fact. That, and we are still searching for other possible colonies populating our land. It has not been easy so far as no trail of... breadcrumbs as they call it... have been discovered. It will still be some time before we fully learn if your colony is truly the last of it's kind, although we wish the opposite."

"I... would hope so too," Night's ears fell slightly. "It's weirder too, nopony in my colony or Equestria have heard of such a thing as me."

"Define such a thing as you?" Princess Luna tilted her head, bewildered at Night's statement.

"I meant myself. Take a look at me," he pulled back from her and opened his mouth, pointing to his razor-sharp fangs. "Fangsh..." then to his very moderately tufted ears. "Crisper hearing than most ponies," next, pointing to his eyes. "Able to see clearly at night," and finally to his wings. "But these do not belong to a bat pony."

"And why does that concern thou? That simply means thou is unique within thou's entire race. That is, if there isn't another one of thou that exists elsewhere."

"Hey, I thought we were stopping with the formal talk?" Night mentioned.

"Sorry," Princess Luna nodded once. "I am much too used to formal talk."

"Join the club," Night grinned softly. "But if there is somepony else like me—a hybrid—then that means bat ponies are slowly evolving, right?"

"Not necessarily. It would have to be a drastic change for bat ponies of the next generation to begin having the wings of a pegasus. It is likely that your mother had a cross breed to have you, if your sister is a bat pony as well."

Night's ears once again drooped. "Until I see proof of it, I'll still continue to doubt that my mother had me with somepony other than my father. If she did, my father would know the minute after and things would be far different."

Princess Luna sat up, a bit more stiffer this time. "Then perhaps it is a good idea to schedule an ethnicity test? To have you, your father and your mother tested?"

"I'll consider it," Night shrugged. "But please do not bring this topic up any more. It leaves bad vibes in me. I could have hurt somepony earlier because the captain brought it up, and thankfully Sharp was there to stand in my way."

"Was he hurt? I know how fast you can run sometimes."

"Please, he's harder than a rock. I'd have to be twice his size, and yet he'd probably still stand perfectly in place. What, is there some sort of super glue that Celestia puts on her guards' hooves to hold them in place when they stop moving so nopony can tackle them?"

Princess Luna laughed at that. "Don't be so silly, Night. If she put super glue on all of their hooves, I can tell you right now that they wouldn't be happy."

"And how do you know that?" Night grinned.

"I watched her do it once. She put down a couple of transparent sticky pads in place of where her throne guards stand. My, was it hilarious hearing her laugh at them trying to pull themselves free. Of course, they could have just slipped out of their hoof guards, but that would have ruined the fun," Princess Luna giggled. 

"Wow," Night chuckled more. "I take it those guards asked for a change in posts? Well, whenever they got unstuck?"

"You bet," Princess Luna winked, then laughed a bit more. "Ah, the things we princesses do for fun, even during serious matters. I am surprised you guards don't do the same."

"Why are you surprised?" Night cocked his head sideways gently. "We all take our jobs seriously, not saying that you or your sister don't, and when we do think of pulling pranks like that, it's typically off duty, such as within the barracks or elsewhere, you know?"

The princess nodded. "Then that makes perfect sense. Of course, it wouldn't settle well with their commanding officers if they did something while on duty."

"For sure," Night bobbed his head in a nod. "But since you're here, how about I order us some food and we play a game of Monopony?"

Princess Luna smiled and agreed.


***


A long evening of playing board games, minor arguments on the rules of the game, laughter, and a half-night of sleep later, Night Shadow woke early that following morning, his eyelids bagging beneath his bloodshot golden eyes. He blinked slowly, staring ahead of him at the wall beside the kitchen and allowing for his sight to become less blurry. 

After a long, deep yawn, he pushed the Lunar bed sheets off of his lower half and hopped rather lazily off of the bed, the force of his tired body getting the better of him and making the poor stallion stumble a bit prior to finally rolling over onto his back with a grunt, followed by a long, quiet groan. The day before left Night drained, the night he had with Princess Luna and a fellow guard who joined them only adding to it, but to him it was worth the lack of sleep. He just hoped he would be able to get some rest on the train.

He checked the moon clock he had hanging up on the wall above his desk, reading it as just a few minutes past eight in the morning. There was still plenty time before he needed to be at the train station and stood he back up on his hooves, where he sauntered drowsily into the bathroom for a quick shower that he also wished would at least wake him up further.

Initially, cold water flowed freely out through the shower head in which Night avoided by waiting outside of the shower, holding his left hoof inside until it was warm enough to comfortably bathe in. He stepped inside once it reached a suitable temperature and soaked his mane and coat beneath it, wings spreading from his sides to allow them to be drenched as well, following the same routine of washing himself thoroughly as he did every day and drying off once he finished his four-minute shower.

Once out of the bathroom and rid of any remaining water but left with a dampened mane and coat, Night made his way out the door of his quarters and into the hallway and once again was on his way out of the palace, yet this time focused on getting to the train station in hopes of catching a train on time.

Outside on the streets, ponies were out and about, either heading to work or school, or just out frolicking around the elegant capital city. The spires of the palace, made of pure gold, shimmered and reflected the warm sunlight, whilst the colorful tilted rooftops of shops and other buildings glowed slightly in their glittering, lavish colors under the light of the day. Princess Celestia sure did her job better than anypony in her place ever could, especially when it came to positioning of the sun to make the city appear as beautiful as it always did.

From the palace to the train depot, the walk was fairly short for Night. He nodded once to the armored stallions standing guard either side of the doors and upon entering the station, he joined the short line of ponies waiting at the ticket counter. It was no inconvenience, knowing Canterlot was always a rather busy metropolis and all times of the year attracted tourists from all across Equestria and beyond, and it was no surprise to him that there were some ponies who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle and head elsewhere to a smaller town, namely Ponyville or Whitetail Woods.

Night stepped up to the counter, looking over the schedule prior to realizing his very home town was situated on it as a stop and being somewhat caught off guard, but yet happy that he did not have to travel to Vanhoover and fly the rest of the way home. He purchased his ticket, though now having to wait a short while before the train was set to arrive, an hour or more tops.  He then took a seat in the waiting area, remaining silent as ever the whole time while he stuck around patiently, anticipating his train's arrival within the hour. 

Some time into the wait, he abruptly remembered not having eaten anything when he woke out of bed the moment his stomach growled and rumbled. He peered around the station hall, eyes catching a cafe that sat on the other side of a small gift shop which was situated between the cafe and the ticket counter. With another growl of his stomach, he stood on all fours and trotted to the small cafe. 

The place was not too busy, but had more ponies in it than the rest of the station it seemed. The line was just a couple of ponies behind a stallion complaining to the cafe's manager and causing a ruckus that a couple of younger stallions, presumably college students, laughed at and made fun of without attracting his attention. Eventually, the manager took the stallion away from the counter to allow the ponies waiting, including Night, to move forward with their orders.

"Egg-and-cheese omelet and a small cup of coffee, please," Night gave his order to the cashier, handing some bits to pay over.

"Black coffee, sir?" The cashier asked, putting the payment in the register.

"Two sugar cubes as well, please," Night added, leaving a couple more bits in a near-empty tip jar beside the register while the cashier trotted off to fulfill his order, coming back less than a minute later with his sealed cup of coffee and a small brown paper bag with his omelet. Night thanked the worker and took the bag and cup to an empty table to sit and eat.

Following a gentle sip of coffee to avoid burning his tongue, Night proceeded to remove the paper wrapper from his omelet and happily nibble on it. From past experiences, he was well aware of how good the cafe made their breakfast foods as well as the sandwiches they served for lunch, and taking time to eat helped pass the time faster than if he waited to get something to eat on the train.

Night later finished his omelet and tossed the wrapper and bag it came in into a trash can, taking his cup of still-steaming coffee out into the main hall to continue waiting, only having to for a few short minutes when the train to Batsburg arrived and the passengers began disembarking. Another very short couple of minutes later, the conductor began punching holes in tickets for ponies heading to Vanhoover where the train's final destination would be, before making it's way back across Equestria to somewhere on the east coast. He handed his ticket to the conductor, who punched it in and gave it back to Night, allowing him on board. Night thanked the conductor and stepped onto the train, taking a seat and another sip of his coffee, ready for the long trip west.


***


Over eight hours after departing Canterlot, the train raced through the northwestern Equestrian countryside, passing through many tunnels and crossing rocky ravines along the way. In one of the cars, Night napped peacefully in his seat, head leaning onto one of his shoulders while he rested himself against the window.  About halfway into the ride, Night determined to sleep a little bit extra to make up for what he didn't get that night, though it was difficult for him as minor jolts of the train striking bumps continued to wake him up every so often before he would doze off again. 

The region of the country where Batsburg was located was extremely mountainous compared to the rest of Equestria. Much of the surrounding valleys were completely flooded green with tall, thick pine trees that reached up to astounding heights of up to seventy feet, trees of such height and type not indigenous in other regions. 

Passing through one final tunnel, the train began to slow as it approached it's stop at the newly constructed Batsburg station. The gentle jolt of the train coming to a complete stop woke Night in an instant. He yawned and glanced outside of the window, seeing outside a fairly new sight—a dirt field where many rows of trees had been cut down and uprooted, and fresh seeds coated the ground where grass was now meant to grow while a stone path was being built opposite of the side of the tracks from the station.

Night stood up, rubbing his eye with a hoof and walked over to the door of the car as it slid open, the conductor stepping off of the train to welcome those getting off. Aside from Night, only two others disembarked and made their way off of the platform, and as his hoof laid down on the wooden platform, a joyful screech made him wince slightly, followed by a pair of hooves looping around him in a lung-crushing embrace. The force of the figure clinging to him moved him backwards a couple of steps before he could fully realize what was going on, and in turn, smiled and wrapped his hooves back around what attacked him.

"Eeee, Night!" Screeched Dawn Blossom, a big toothy grin crossing her muzzle while she squeezed the poor stallion's neck.

Night grunted as Dawn further squeezed him and did what he could to hold the embrace as well as not pass out from the brief lack of oxygen. He let out a soft chuckle and nuzzled into the thestral mare's purple mane. "I missed you too, little sis. But, if I might ask, how did you know I was coming today?"

"I didn't!" Dawn giggled, pulling back out of the hug. "I've just been coming back every day hoping you would come."

"I take it my letter didn't get here yet?" Night tilted his head but kept a light grin.

"I suppose not," Dawn shrugged. "But still, I'm happy you're here! Come on, there's a lot I still have to show you!" she added, turning to walk off of the platform. "You do want a tour right?"

"Of course I do!" Night smiled. "I can't imagine this station is the only new thing around here."

"Oh, no. Not at all. A lot has changed in the last few months. Come on!" Dawn laughed and levitated up with a few flaps of her wings, floating off of the platform with Night following close behind, then to her side as they walked down a small cobble path leading to a larger one in front of the station with multiple small buildings, some under construction, on either side.

"Wow..." Night murmured as they walked down the path, some other bat ponies trotting from building to building while construction ponies of other origin, mainly earth pony workers, hammered and sawed away at wooden planks while they constructed the frames of the buildings and the fresh smell of wood being cut the only scent in the air, replacing the former thick smell of fresh alpine air.

"I know, right? The Governor is using much of the money the princesses granted to the town to build an area for ponies that can't stand on clouds," Dawn explained, looking around. "The full plan will take a couple of years, but great progress has been made in just the last five months. Heck, the plans might be finished earlier than expected at this rate. But that's not everything I have to show you. Come on, let's head up!" she continued, flying upwards.

Night unfolded his wings, and with one flap, he was airborne and flying after Dawn as they soared up towards the cloud city. Once above it, they flew back down, landing in a small plaza before an all-stone building with a clock and spire to top it off. All around, the poorly-constructed, dull shops were now remodeled with new rooftops, outer constructs and materials, bigger windows, and even had actual lighting inside.

"Whoa.." Night's eyes opened with surprise as he looked around the rebuilt town, walking towards the residential area of the town and seeing the homes were significantly larger and had an architectural style similar to that of Canterlot and Vanhoover combined.

Dawn smiled, walking alongside her brother while he peered around in awe. "Princess Luna's last visit was to approve the transport of building materials and produce to... 'spruce up the town', as she put it. It's really helped us as a community out and now all of us have decent places to live."

"They're so much bigger... and what about the sunlight?" Night tilted his head, peering down slightly at Dawn.

"Hey, we're out walking in it right now. Besides, we have window shades. They came with the renovations," she winked. "What do you think, big brother?"

"It's amazing. Different than what I'm used to seeing, but amazing," Night smiled, scanning around at the different houses while the sun shone brilliantly down on the town. "Where's our—I mean, your house?"

Dawn gently punched Night's shoulder and laughed. "It's your house still too, silly. It's still in the same spot as it has been, for you it might be harder to spot since you just got back in town," she smirked. "I'll take you there. Hopefully mom and dad are home, they'll be more than excited to see you."
> Like Son, Like Father
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mom!—Dad!" Dawn called out as she entered through the front door of their home. Well, her home. It was Night's former place of residence.

After the rather energetic young bat pony mare flew inside came Night, wincing slightly at just how loud she yelled, one ear swiveling backwards slightly. "There is no need to shout, Dawn. The house isn't that big."

Landing down on all fours, Dawn gave a look of suspicion towards Night. "Well, you aren't used to having to yell back to your parents when they call your name anymore, mister I'm Princess Luna's royal guard, ho ho, look at me!" Dawn mocked Night's voice, motioning her hooves and making strange expressions as she did so.

Night's head recoiled slightly as he gave a look of disgust. "Oh, please. I don't sound like that at all. But, nice try."

"Hush up, you sound exactly like that to me. Why else would I not understand what you say half of the time?" Dawn replied, giving a fangy smirk.

"Don't tell me you had plugs in your ears when I talked back when I still lived here?" Night tossed a glare Dawn's way as he shut the front door behind them.

"Nah, those never work. I'd still hear your mouth run, big brother."

Night snorted and tossed his nose up, walking past his younger sister with his chest out slightly. Dawn proceeded to burst into a fit of laughter and float up beside Night, nudging his shoulder.

"You have to admit, I crack you up, big brother! Hahaha!"

"Only when I feel like laughing, little sis," Night turned and gave a witty grin right back at the younger mare.

Instantly, Dawn hushed up and stared at Night. "What the heck is that supposed to mean?!"

"Ah, nothing to worry about. Nothing to worry about at all." Night chuckled, walking forward while not looking. Turning to face forward, his muzzle bumped straight into the wall and he stumbled back, only giving his sister something else to laugh about. 

He tossed a glare back towards her, but then looked back up, seeing a professionally-taken photograph of a stocky bat pony stallion that wore heavy dark-blue armor. The stallion gave a weak smile in the picture, showing off his fangs simultaneously though just hardly. Upon closer inspection, Night's pupils expanded.

"Dad made Major?" Night turned to look at Dawn as she stepped up to his side.

"Something of that sort, yes. The old major was sent out on a recon assignment to scope out where another colony was supposed to be, but never returned. Dad said they're all blaming it on the harsh northern weather, but he and a couple of others think it is something else," she shrugged. "What ever gave him the awful idea to go out this time of year into that region alone is beyond me."

"Dawn, it's the middle of summer. If he went missing recently, it couldn't have been because of the weather." Night said back as a matter of fact.

Shrugging again, Dawn's tufted ear twitched. "What ever the case, father's far more intelligent and wise to not do something like that. Not without others to accompany him rather."

"It isn't nice to speak ill of the dead, little sister."

"Hey, nopony said he was dead!" Dawn squeaked.

Night sighed, rubbing his temple with a hoof. "Let's just drop the subject... All I know is, dad making Major gives me something else to celebrate alongside his birthday since I'm sure all of you have already. Now that I mention his birthday... What are you and mom getting him?"

"All he ever asks for anymore is more armor polish." Dawn waved her hoof. "He's all about keeping his gear in tip-top shape."

Night grinned at that. "Sounds like dad. Sounds like him exactly."

"No kidding," Dawn grinned back. 

Behind them, the front door swung open with a light creak and in walked a pebble-grey mare with a bag of groceries in one hoof. A large smile crossed her muzzle the second she caught sight of Night and Dawn in the living room. "Nighty!"

Turning to look at the door, Night smiled big right back. "Mom!" 

Night's mother, Midnight Dusk, shut the front door all of the way before making her way into the kitchen and setting the groceries down on the counter. "Dawn told me you might be coming, my, you got here quick, didn't you?" She smiled, both her and Night embracing tightly.

"I refused to miss dad's birthday another year to work," Night hugged back, nuzzling Midnight's cheek. "Plus, I've been needing a trip to come home for a little bit, and this is better of an excuse to take time off according to some of the commanding officers."

"Hum, I suppose they don't let you boys off work often, do they?" Midnight released Night from the hug and the two parted a bit.

Night shook his head. "Not really. Despite being a captain, my work is never done. Paperwork that is." He chuckled.

"Silly you, paperwork is paperwork. I'm afraid your father has the same going on and makes him stay late often. Then again, this all comes with fixed relations and what not. The Governor is loading just about everything on the poor stallion. Better pay, however, which is always good." Midnight smiled warmly and began to put away some of the groceries.

Night chuckled once more. "Of course it is. Need any help, mom?"

"Oh, no sweetie," Midnight kissed his cheek gently. "Thank you, though. Such a gentlecolt."

"Hey, I had good parents growing up to teach me manners," Night gave a soft grin.

Midnight blushed just a little at that. "Even though it was primarily your father doing the raising."

"Oh, stop it, mom. You and dad both raised me equally. You taught discipline like a parent, he teaches like a soldier. Not that it is a bad thing, but, you get what I mean."

"Of course, Nighty. Your father is one heck of a soldier, that's for sure," Midnight giggled softly, putting away the last of the foodstuffs. "He's only a softy around you and me, and sometimes Dawn."

"Hey!" Dawn shouted from the living room, glaring towards the both of them.

Night laughed a bit. "So maybe I should move back, that way there will be law and order in this house."

"HEY!" Dawn squealed.

Both Midnight and Night Shadow burst into a fit of laughter. "Only joking, sis!"

"Humph," Dawn sat back down on the couch, pouting with her hooves crossed.

Midnight slowly finished laughing and sighed happily. "That would be lovely, Night. But, you have your job in Canterlot. We would never force you to abandon that to come back home, although I am sure that if you decided to come back, your father would most certainly hook you up in the Legion."

"That would be awesome. Althoooough..." Night smiled. "Princess Luna may end up assigning me to her guard to work here permanently some day. No guarantees, but she mentioned once it being a possibility."

"But don't you enjoy Canterlot, Night?" Midnight's head tilted quizzically.

"I do, yes, but home is home, there is no changing that. Even then, with her personal guard growing and branching off into new sections, she may not have a use for me in Canterlot much longer and, like I said, may position me out here somewhere, not because she wants to, though."

Midnight nodded in understanding, then smiled again. "Either way it goes, you make us proud for what you do, and what you have done for our colony. You and... er..."

"Thunderblast?"

"Yeah, him. How is he doing, by the way? Still a bat pony?"

"He changed back before we both left, mom. But he is doing great." Night chuckled.

"Oh, yes, my apologies. My memory isn't nearly as good as it used to be," Midnight blushed in embarrassment and giggled a bit. "That is good to hear. He is another honorable stallion of the Royal Guard. I wouldn't be at all shocked if he makes your rank some day."

"Me neither. There's been some word between the captains of that happening, but so far no verdict," Night shrugged. "Whichever the case, I'm glad to be home. Is dad at work?"

"For a couple of more hours, yes. When he gets home, we're immediately going to head out for his birthday dinner. He'll be more than happy to see you."

"I know he will be. If he's coming home at that time, then I'd better go back out and find him a present he'll like," he grinned.

"Oh, don't worry about that, we've already bought him a couple of things," Midnight rolled her eyes. "Armor polish."

"No, no. Something he'll really like. Something he'll need for his job."

"Ooooh," Midnight's slit-pupil eyes expanded slightly. "What do you have in mind?"

"I'll explain later. For now, what's the best crafting shop in town?"


***


The front door creaked open, and into the darkened room sauntered an armored stallion, suspicious of his surroundings as he entered. "Midnight? Dawn? I'm home." He called out. 

The stallion stopped about halfway into the living room after closing the door behind him gently. Scanning around, he caught sight of no one, despite his vision being enhanced in the total darkness. With more growing suspicion, he made his way over to the curtains, which had been drawn shut. 

Taking hold of the curtains in both hooves, he spread them to allow the late-afternoon sunlight into the room.

"Surprise!"

The pony's pupils shrunk to pinpricks and he jumped, whipping around to face those who shouted. It only took a second to recognize the voices and let off his defensive stance. "Huh?"

Both Midnight and Dawn walked toward Skywatcher with gentle smiles, a couple of wrapped boxes on their backs. "Happy birthday!"

"I... wait, today is my birthday?" His eyes widened once more. "Oh, it is!" He chuckled and smiled back, stepping forth and pulling the two mares into a tight embrace. "I completely forgot... Thank you!"

Dawn giggled softly and hugged her father back. "Forty-seven, and you're still looking young as ever, dad!"

Sky laughed some more. "Thank you, Dawn. Although, I am getting old."

"Are not!" Dawn protested.

"Are you ready to open your gifts, honey?" Midnight smiled warmly up at the taller stallion.

"Of course, love. Is it more of that armor polish?" He guessed with a grin.

"Darn it, how did you know?!" Dawn gasped with sarcasm riddling her tone.

Midnight giggled again. "It's all he ever asks for, Dawn. Here you are, honey," she said, handing over the small package wrapped in a purple ribbon and bow.

Hugging the two once again, Sky chuckled. "Thank you. I know I may seem like that's all I ever want, but keeping the uniform well-maintained is part of regulation. No matter what, you two are worth far more to me than it," he then kissed them both on the forehead.

Squealing at the kiss, Dawn flailed a bit and the hug broke. "But we're not done!" She grabbed the small wrapped present on her back in her maw and held it out to Skywatcher.

"Oh? What might this be?" Sky sat down where he was and stuck one fang through the wrapping paper and cutting in a straight line carefully. 

Taking the cut slit in his hoof, he pulled back on the paper and ripped it off of the small object, uncovering the gift and holding it up with a smile.

"A perfect family photo. Thank you, Dawn," He wrapped his hooves around her for a third time. "This will most certainly go on my desk. It's just a shame Night couldn't be here for the last shoot."

Dawn and Midnight gave each other brief smug looks. "We have one more present for you, actually."

Sky's tufted ears perked. "Oh?"

"It's from Night."

"He sent his old pop something too?" Sky smiled more. "How sweet of him. Have you heard from Night, Dawn?"

"Not yet," Dawn shook her head. "The mail service from here to there usually takes a while."

Midnight smiled and giggled. "I'll go get it for you, dear," then trotted up the curved staircase to the second floor."

Dawn smiled and looped a hoof around Skywatcher, standing beside him with a smug grin still. "I really think you will enjoy what he got more!"

Watching as she rounded the steps, Midnight stepped to the side, and around the corner trotted Night, a blue ribbon and bow around his neck, with another one stuck in his mane. His muzzle was scrunched up, until he caught sight of his father. "Happy birthday, dad."

"Night!" Skywatcher gasped and ran up to the staircase as his son came down. "You came!"

"Of course I did," Night smiled warmly. "I wouldn't miss another one of your birthdays for the world," he said as the two embraced tightly.

Off to the side, Dawn snickered with a hoof over her muzzle at Night's decorations, Midnight nudging her shoulder continuously to make her stop, only to make her burst into a fit of more laughter. In front, Night and Sky kept the tight hug for a minute before releasing.

"What an amazing surprise. Thank you, all of you," Skywatcher smiled warmly. 

"That's not all. Here, have this, dad." Night reached back, holding a long, skinny object in his teeth wrapped up completely, though poorly done.

Sky's eyes widened a bit, taking the object in his hoof and ripping the paper off with the help of his fang by cutting it. One unwrapped, it was a brown leather sheathe for a sword. Toward the top was a night-blue handle, which made Skywatcher gasp again. He took hold of the handle and slowly removed the weapon from the sheathe.

The sword extended out just a bit longer than two feet and had a slightly lighter shade of blue extending up either side of the blade, the handle with perfectly-cut diamonds engraved into it that shone brightly. Looking over the freshly polished stainless-steel weapon, a tear grew in Sky's ducts.

"Night..." He looked up slowly. "You didn't have to do this."

Night waved a hoof and shook his head with a smile. "You needed a personal weapon, dad. Something that fits you perfectly."

Skywatcher slid the sword back into the leather scabbard, setting it down gently on the top of the couch and bringing Night into yet another hug, just below lung-crushing.

"Thank you, Night... It is truly amazing."

"Heh, I knew you would like it," Night returned the hug and smiled, then winked to Midnight and Dawn behind Skywatcher. Midnight winked back.

The hug broke and Sky rested a hoof on Night's shoulder. "I promise that I shall make great use of it, son."

"About that." Night gave a soft grin.

"What do you have in mind?" Sky's head tilted slightly.

"Why don't we spar tomorrow? Just you, me, and the cold steel of our blades. We could teach each other a couple of new things. How about that?" Night smirked.

"Spar? Tomorrow? I don't know, Night. Besides, I don't want to damage the sword right after you got it for me."

"Oh, come on, dad!" Night nudged Sky's shoulder gently with his hoof. "It'll give you an opportunity to find your comfortable handling on it so you know how to use it. Every sword you lay your hoof on is different, you know."

"I suppose you're right, son," Skywatcher shrugged. "Alright, first thing tomorrow, we find a field to spar on." He gave a smirk right back.

"Sounds like a plan." Night looped his hoof around his father. "Now, I'd say it's dinner time, and mom and Dawn have a new spot picked out that we think you will like."


***


Following a long night of birthday celebrations for Skywatcher, Night crashed on his bed and instantaneously was out cold. Long days made for great nights of sleep that came after. He didn't bother to tuck himself into the sheets and his right-hind hoof hung off the edge of the bed, just inches off of the wooden floor. 

On some nights, the very alicorn mare he swore to protect granted him calming vibes and warm dreams. Other nights, he didn't dream at all, and instead faced total darkness for what to him was just a few minutes or less. Tonight was different. He was dreaming, but he was not.

I'm almost ready, Night... We're almost done preparing. I do hope you are ready for when we meet again.

The voice was eerie. It did not once jolt him awake despite the menacing tone echoing in his mind and instead made his ear flick once or twice. All the while, the voice was peculiarly alike one he'd remembered in the past. Where he heard it in his life remained beyond him. Instead, however, he remained fast asleep.

Seconds after, a light began to fill the empty space Night saw before him. It started out simply as a spec with rays of sunlight—no, it was definitely moonlight, then expanded to the point where it was all that could be seen, until finally all faded into a sangria sky dotted all around with twinkling stars in space. Looking down and forward, Night could make out the figure of a large tree that glowed a gentle white all around, beneath it standing a shaded unicorn—no, alicorn mare. 

His one ear slightly fell back, but instincts told him to approach. As he did, the figure was too obvious for it not to be who he believed. "Princess Luna."

The further he came toward the night-blue alicorn, the better she could be seen to him as his vision adjusted, despite the tree glowing, it did not give off any physical light. "My captain."

Night knelt before the princess respectfully, then stood straight to make eye contact. "Is there something wrong, your highness? You are not usually formal in dreams."

"Do we believe something is wrong? No, but thou is showing signs of strange activity—abnormal mind activity to be exact. We should ask thou the question thou has asked about us." Princess Luna replied with a gentle tone, but a slight amount of concern as well.

"I don't... think so. I feel fine. I have just been busy for much of the day and I'm sleeping like a rock. Although..."

"Although?"

"I heard talking... weird talking at that. Somepony said they were... ready. Is somepony other than you speaking to me?" Night looked at the princess with some worry.

"That could explain the abnormality, hmm..." Princess Luna tapped her chin with a hoof. "Thou could also be recounting words heard at one point recently. Some ponies when dozing off hear talking for a split second and reawaken. It is something even I cannot explain."

"Possibly. I just wish I could remember what it is from." Night pondered, then wrapped a hoof around the princess' neck in a gentle hug. "Nonetheless, it is great to hear from you again, although it has not been that long."

The night alicorn let out a soft, calming chuckle. "Likewise, my captain. We do hope thou is enjoying thou's time off with family, and do tell your parents that we give our greetings," she said as she returned the small embrace.

"That I will most certainly do, your highness." Night smiled warmly and the two separated a few inches. 

Princess Luna gave a smile back, before the world around them began to glow brighter, and she began to float up with her wings spread. "We must go now to tend to other ponies' dreams. We wish thou a good night, and to sleep tight. We shall meet again soon."

"Of course," Night nodded his head once in a quick bow. "Thank you, your highness. Good night."

Soon after, the whole of Night's mindscape went bright completely as everything around him, including the princess, disappeared. It was a warm light that also cooled him. It was soothing, and allowed for him to sleep even more soundly than prior.


***


"Niiiiight..." Came a soft voice from his side.

Night's ear flicked gently and he yawned, eyelids cracking just slightly. His vision remained blurred for a few short moments, then adjusted as he sat upright. "Mm... Hmm?"

"Are you ready to head out?"

The room around Night was pitch black. Nonetheless, it deceived him into believing it was still night time.

Night stretched his hooves out, then lowered them as he looked around him, then to the source of the voice. With his eyesight used to the darkness and is enhanced, he could easily make out the silhouette of his father with a gentle smile on his muzzle.

"Dad? What time is it?"

"Just a little past eight, I think."

"Then why is it so dark?" Night's head tilted slightly.

"Your curtains are shut, that's why. Here, let me help—"

"No, no! I'm good, I'm good. No need to open the curtains." Night startled his father, then hopped out of bed. "Give me a little bit, and I'll meet you downstairs. Sound good?"

"Sure thing," Skywatcher smiled again, then made his way out into the hallway and down the stairs.

With that, Night stretched out his wings and sauntered to the shower.

Once freshened up, mane and teeth brushed, as well as feathers straightened, Night stopped back into his room to grab a sword he had kept there for some time, then walked carefully down the corner-rounded staircase to meet his father, waiting eagerly near the door with a scabbard in one hoof, the handle of his recently gifted sword snug into the fine leather.

Giving off another small yawn, Night smiled with a chuckle. "I take it you didn't get much sleep last night?"

Skywatcher snorted. "I sleep like a rock according to your mother. Well, with the exception of last night. I was contemplating moves to go easy on you."

"Oh, Dad," Night strode up and nudged his father's shoulder lightly. "You and your tactical thinking. We're only really doing this to break you in to your new sword, and nothing more."

"I know, but I would prefer not to end up with you badly hurt either. There have been times where I have gotten myself too far into the zone of fighting, and..."

Night's eyes slightly widened. "What?"

Skywatcher came to a quick realization and smiled innocently to Night. "Nothing, nothing. Are you ready to go?"

Night furrowed an eyebrow, then nodded in response moments later.

Sky turned, walking out through the front door and into the early morning sunlight that just slightly hurt Night's semi-tired eyes. He winced and squinted, following his father outside and shutting the door behind them. He watched as his father jumped up into the air, wings spread and then doing their job to keep him airborne. He hovered there for a couple of moments, glancing back down to Night.

"Come on, son, the rest of the way is flying. I know the perfect spot."

Night gave another nod, wings unfolding and flapping once to propel him up to Sky's side, and from there, the two flew over the cloud-built city, then down toward the surface of the earth far below.

They approached the ground at a rapid rate, leveling out about one hundred feet over the ground and gliding over the surface constructs of the city. Skywatcher's eyes were set on a wall of pine which he landed just before, Night following suit with his hooves clopping gently on a faint dirt path leading into the woods.

Stepping carefully through the towering trees, and pine cones occasionally crunching well-audibly beneath their hooves, Night looked at their surroundings, not bothering to question where they were going.

"So, Dad..." Night began. "I noticed your armor in a picture at home. What happened to the old uniform?"

"Ah, Night," Sky chuckled, looping a hoof around his son's neck as they walked along. "After relations shifted with Equestria, we were finally able to hire an armor blacksmith straight from Canterlot. No more leftover armor from the Moon Age. What we had before was simply Princess Luna's guard's modified armor. Now we have something unique, something to tell our enemies who we are."

"I see." Night smiled. "It's impressive, I must say. But I take it the picture had you decked out completely?"

Skywatcher bobbed his head in a nod. "Legion Battle Armor. LBA Mark Three for short. The armor before that was Mark One. The second Mark was a prototype that later turned into what we have now. The best part is, for newcomers to Fang Legion, we no longer have to be concerned about searching for the steel necessary to forge new armor. With the help of magic, just like you royal guards, it is enchanted to conform to the pony, though not exactly change out outward appearance."

"Very interesting. One of these times, you will have to take me to see the different sets, and perhaps to the blacksmith to get a set of my own to use," Night winked and gave a half-fangy grin.

"I will see what I can do, Night," Sky returned the grin. "As for purchasing some of your own, you will have to set a custom order so it is within your uniform."

"Well, yeah, I would. Although, I do make the decision on what armor I can wear, as long as it has Luna's emblem on it and matches her colors. Eventually in the future as well, Princess Luna will leave it up to me to decide the next set of Lunar Guard uniforms, both dress and battle."

"Then I will have to venture to Canterlot once more to get my hooves on some armor!" Sky decreed. 

Night let out a chuckle, looking forward once more as they exited the tree line, into a rather wide clearing of taller, untouched grass. Some spots had been trampled down by pony-sized figures, indicating Night's father had likely been here recently, sparring with another Legion soldier, or, it was a popular location to do just that, not just between Skywatcher and somepony else.

"Now, I am certain you know the rules of sparring, correct?" The larger stallion asked as stood a few feet ahead of Night, unbuckling the scabbard strap around his waist.

Night gave a nod. "Never forgotten. However, I can't imagine they're the same as here."

"Then let us go over them real quick, shall we?" Skywatcher smirked.


***


Swords out from their sheathes, either stallion grasped their handles tightly in their hooves with their gaze set upon each other. Both Skywatcher and Night Shadow had some dirt in their coats, primarily on their lower bodies and hooves, as well as some on their backs, all due to a good couple of hours of clashing steel.

"Let this be our final round, then we head home and grab lunch. Deal?" Sky said aloud to Night.

"Deal," Night responded with determination.

"Then it is you who shall begin."

At his word, Night galloped forward, sword-in-hoof and swinging around toward his father. Sky, out of defense, held his sword before him to where it would deflect safely. The sound that came was ear-piercing and made the both of them cringe in the slightest. His father jerked forward to push Night back, whom stumbled for a moment, then into a defensive position as Skywatcher lunged at him.

Their swords scraped against each other again and gave off sparks, but the two held strong as the struggled to push each other back. The moment somepony was down, was the moment the opponent won. Of course, it would take plenty to knock either one of them down for an extended period of time.

With his strength, Skywatcher continued to push forward, very gradually overwhelming Night. The pegasus grunted softly and fought back with all of his might to hold back his father, then noticed as Sky lifted himself airborne with his wings. While it gave his father the opportunity to overpower Night, he had an idea. Once Sky was just enough off of the ground, Night dropped and rolled beneath him, surprising Sky as he jerked forward from the force of fighting back against Night to make him land on the ground. He stopped himself with his hooves, whipping around to Night with some surprise.

"An interesting escape tactic, Night. That helps against stronger fliers like myself. I am impressed. But you haven't won yet!" Skywatcher said, galloping back at Night and leaping up into the air, his wings spreading to allow him to go further as Night rolled back up to his hooves.

Spreading his hooves slightly, Night held his basic steel sword just above his head as a defense mechanism, being pushed down toward the ground with his legs being pressed. It would, however, come back to work against Skywatcher, as Night sprung back upwards, sending his father up and over him completely, out of control and into the ground a few feet behind, sword lying in the grass inches from his hoof. Night walked up to his father, sword pointing down toward him harmlessly.

"You were saying?" Night smirked at that.

Skywatcher grinned, Night reaching a hoof down to pull his father up, Sky taking his hoof and standing on all fours. Panting with his chest heaving in and out, Skywatcher gave a weak smirk to Night, wiping the beading sweat from his forehead. "I have to hand it to you, son, you surely have learned a lot about combat mechanics in the few years you have been in Canterlot."

"Quite a lot of it came from Thunderblast, actually. The rest is all from basic training and other things that have happened," Night answered honestly.

"There is still a lot to learn, Night. I am proud of you for your progress. I hope some day we can spend more time together and allow me to teach you a thing or two that you may not know yet," Sky wiped down his arms free of dirt.

Night chuckled warmly. "Of course, dad. Let it be soon. I only came because I couldn't miss your birthday, not another year. This, however, was fun."

"It sure was. And I couldn't be happier that you came, as with your mother and Dawn. We miss you so much when you are so far away in Canterlot, but we too know you have an important job that you must take seriously and focus on completely," Sky smiled, beginning to walk down the path with Night. "My job leaves me busy and half of the time I do not come home until long after midnight, though it is not nearly as stressful as the second-in-command of Luna's guard."

"Personal guard, to be more specific. The captain of the whole guard wouldn't allow a second in command behind him."

"And that is to be expected. Many captains in the past tend to keep said position closed so nopony else is doing their work. It gives them more power, but then again, not many have done that without having a heart attack from stress a few years later," Sky said the last bit in a grim tone.

Night shuddered a bit. "I suppose it is a good thing I am a captain in my own way and not leading a whole army."

"No matter your rank, Night, I will always be proud of you. We may have gone through many troubling times in the past, but, as the wise usually say, the past is in the past. All is good." Sky watcher glanced down slightly to meet Night, smiling a bit more.

Night gave a gentle smile back. "Thank you, Dad. I couldn't be more proud to be your son."

"And I couldn't be more honored for you to be my son."
> The New Recruits - Part I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, this is it, I suppose," Night Shadow said with a sigh. "Time to go home and get back to work."

"You will visit again, right?" Skywatcher gave a sly grin. "I'd hate for you to avoid your family and use your work as an excuse."

Night chuckled and gently nudged his father's shoulder. "Oh, shush, of course I will be back. Maybe for Hearth's Warming, but I don't know. That's typically my busiest time of the year."

"But we don't celebrate Hearth's Warming, remember?" Dawn spoke up, only to be silenced by Skywatcher's hoof. She pouted and crossed her hooves.

"That would be great, son. We had a great time with you this week, and we can't wait until next time," Night's father smiled, holding his one hoof out.

Night smiled back warmly, stepping forward into a gentle embrace with his father, followed by Dawn and Midnight joining in. "I can't either."

A couple of minutes of hugging later, the four broke the embrace, and Night turned for the door, resting his hoof on the handle.

"Night?"

He paused, looking back at the three bat ponies.

"Have a safe trip."

Night's lips pursed into another smile, then he gave a single nod. "That I shall do. I love you. I love you all."

With that, Night opened the door and walked out into the warm afternoon sunlight, spreading his wings and flapping hard once to put himself in the air, his family watching as the pegasus glided away into the sky.


***


Night slipped the payment to the pony inside the ticket booth, who then printed the brown slip and handed it to the dark grey pegasus. "Have a safe trip."

"Thank you, you have a nice day." Night nodded once with a smile. 

With a gentle breeze rolling through the valley, and the air not too hot or humid, Night decided to wait outside, trotting over to some chairs in the shade on the train platform.

The station itself was evidently newly-constructed, as the scent of fresh-cut wood lingered in the air. Then again, it could have been from the new buildings being put up nearby, Night thought. 

Only a couple of other ponies occupied the platform, both thestral ponies and presumably a couple by the looks of it. Even for the small city, the station had a rather lengthy platform to hold large crowds in the event of Batsburg somehow becoming a tourist destination, not that Night questioned the construction.

He briefly glanced over to a pole with a bat-winged clock resting on top, narrowing his eyes to read carefully. The train from Vanhoover to Canterlot was set to make a stop some time after two, meaning Night would have to wait at least ten or so more minutes before he would be on his way, arriving some time after sunset.

As time passed, the door from the station leading to the platform opened, and out walked a trio of thestral ponies, two mares and one taller stallion. They stopped in the center, the two mares giggling and exchanging a conversation while the stallion rolled his eyes with annoyance. It only took a glance to the left for the stallion's attention to be grasped. Quickly, he began to tap the mare's shoulders.

"Ugh, Stellar, me and Tide are having a conversation here!" Snarled the purple thestral mare, glaring up at the grey stallion.

"It can wait. Look there!" The stallion pointed to Night, his lime-green irises expanded greatly.

Scoffing, the two mares looked in the direction he pointed, before gasping with surprise, one letting out a screech that made Night wince.

"Oh my stars, it's Captain Night Shadow!" The dark blue mare squealed, the purple one beside her following suit.

"What on earth?" Night muttered to himself as the three ponies approached giddily. He looked away, trying to pretend he didn't notice.

"Is it really you?!" The stallion stepped forth, the mares behind him looking directly at Night, trying to hold themselves back.

Night shifted to look at the greyish-purple maned stallion, blinking twice. "Am I really who?"

"Captain Night Shadow of the Lunar Guard!"

Night blinked some more, then gave a single nod. "That is me, why do you ask?"

The stallion caught his breath and grinned big. "You're a hero to our colony, captain. Do you know that?"

The dark grey pegasus shrugged and stared forward. "I wouldn't call myself a hero, or really, a revolutionist. I was just sick of life locked away."

"Still, you freed us from captivity," he stepped closer to Night, holding his hoof out. "I'm Stellar Star, these two are Eventide and Midnight Blade."

Night sat upright and shook the stallion's hoof. "It's a pleasure. Were uh, were you three looking for me?"

"Not originally. We were planning on venturing to Canterlot to find you, though!" Stellar gave an innocent smile.

"Stalkers. Oh? What for, might I ask?"

"To join the Lunar Guard, of course. To be a part of your Zodiacs!"

"Join... the Zodiacs?" Night's eyes widened.

Stellar, as well as the two other mares, Midnight Blade and Eventide, nodded with even bigger grins than before. These were looks Night hated to turn down, but in all reality, he thought, he couldn't say yes.

"Being a Lunar guard is tough work. Being a Zodiac is tougher. The three of you would have to undergo changes during that time in terms of how you get your exercise and weapons training. I really don't know. Besides that, you three have to go to an enlistment office, not come to me and ask to be guards. That's not how it works."

"Oh, right! We were planning to do that. We were just caught off guard when we saw you here," Eventide said, then giggled, putting her hoof to her mouth. "Hehe, off guard, get it?"

"Yes, we get it," Stellar shot the mare a look, who backed off, then returned to Night. "Well, what do you say?"

Night stared up at the stallion, examining him briefly. "I will think about it. It will take a lot for me to accept you into my guard. The Lunar Guard proper? Not so much. Don't get your hopes up, is all I'll say."

Neither of the thestral ponies frowned. They instead remained to be extremely happy. Too happy.

"Great, we'll see you in Canterlot, then!"

"Right, sure," Night nodded, faking a smile. At that, the stallion and the two mares left, walking to another set of seats to wait for the train to arrive. "Finally." Night said to himself.

Eventually, the train pulled up to the station with a screech of the brakes, and the doors opened. Night, as well as the five others on the platform, stood in line and handed their tickets to the conductor as he allowed them on board.

Towards the middle of the train, Night took a seat, resting back into the bench and looking out the window, his faint reflection staring right back at him. Night thought he may as well try and fall asleep once the train started moving, which would be any minute now.

Just then, the two mares from earlier took a seat on the bench across from his own, still with big grins as they observed him. Night's eyes moved over to them, furrowing a brow as they quickly looked away. He shrugged, staring back outside the window, until he felt his own bench shift. Sighing, Night glanced to his side, seeing Stellar Star sitting by his side and jumping with surprise.

"Oh my, I'm sorry. Did I startle you?" Stellar's smile faded, he moved a hoof toward Night and looked at him with concern.

"A little..." Night shifted in his seat to scoot as much against the wall of the car as he could. "There's a whole car of empty seats, you know."

"Well, yeah, but, we wanted to sit and talk to you."

"About what?"

"I don't know, anything. We want to get to know you."

Sitting back in his seat and sighing with frustration, some part of Night realized, this was going to be a long trip.


***


Many long, aggravating hours of travel later, the train came to a halt outside of the Canterlot train depot, and Night was most likely one of the first ponies off within a second window of the doors opening. A grey-and-purple streak zipped past the conductor as the poor stallion raced to escape the ponies following him from Batsburg. 

Once away from the station, Night slowed his pace and began trotting down the cobble streets, headed toward the Canterlot Palace. By this time, the day guards in the city were being swapped out by the night guards, many of whom Night knew by rank and name, the perks of being second-in-command of the Zodiacs.

Night made his way up through the main gate of the palace, a greyish-black unicorn dressed in silver armor standing beneath a lamp on the exterior of the entrance examining the approaching pegasus and opening the door. "Good evening, Captain. Enjoy your trip?"

"Likewise, Corporal Valiant," Night nodded once. "It was great. Not a single hitch."

"Good to hear," the unicorn, Valiant Charge, gave a single nod, not once his facial expression shifting away. "Great to have you back."

"Thank you, Corporal. Have a nice night." Night smiled, entering through the door, the unicorn closing it behind him and returning to his position beside the door.

He moved through the castle halls, up the stairs, and finally to the door of his quarters on the far north wing, two stories up. With a sigh of relief to be home, Night opened the door and entered the small apartment-like space, hooves clopping on the cold cobble floor and echoing off of the walls slightly as he stepped up to his bed.

Night crawled up into his Lunar Guard sheets, nestling into his large bed comfortably and relaxing. The safety of his own bed returned to him, and within just a minute, he was out like a light.

Tomorrow, he knew he would return to work. Either more paperwork, or helping out with training new recruits. Whichever way it went, tomorrow was going to be a long day.


***


Showered and dressed in his armor, Night Shadow sauntered through the palace halls, toward the exit leading out into the Royal and Lunar Guard grounds. Both barracks were in separate sectors around the palace to keep conflict from occurring, and despite the time of day, they were typically active around the same times.

As he passed through the Lunar Guard barracks, Night took note of the new class of recruits being broken in by one of the drill instructors, doing exactly his job by trying to break the new ponies and weed out the weak. It wasn't that Night enjoyed that idea, but one less pony holding the guard back was one less pony getting themselves killed—or so they hoped.

Just beyond the barracks and training grounds rested a couple of small towers, one of which held a decent-sized office to occupy an average guard squadron. Although, this particular office was reserved for the Zodiacs. 

Weekly meetings took place, which Night hosted much of the time, where the ponies in his squad would turn in reports and other paperwork for the commander or second-in-command to go over. Night took the brunt of the work. The commander was scarce around the palace, likely doing her own thing around Canterlot with the captain of the Goldencloaks—Celestia's version of the Zodiacs.

Trotting up the rounded staircase that circled the outside of the tower, Night entered the meeting room, taking a seat in one of the chairs at the table and patiently waiting for his ponies to arrive. 

Minutes passed, and first entered a white-grey pegasus, missing his helmet. The stallion saluted Night briefly, taking a seat at the table. Not a word was said. Some more time later, another white pegasus walked in, also saluting Night, who returned it proudly. Less than a few seconds later, a dark-cyan earth stallion in a slightly different type of armor trotted in, following a similar routine. Last but not least came a silver-coated pegasus behind him.

Once all had been seated, Night sat upright in his chair. "Alright, good morning, Zodiacs. You know the drill. Lodestar, what's the week looking like?"

"Not all too much, cap. New recruits graduate in about a week. After that, I'm not too sure," the slightly stocky stallion replied honestly.

"Good. Zippy, anything new to report?" Night's focus shifted to the red-maned, white pegasus.

"The usual, Captain. Half-drunk guard conscripts roaming the barracks and causing a commotion. Nothing special," Zipline replied.

"Skye, Shield, what about you?"

"Princess has assigned us to her hallway and her observatory balcony. Monthly change, same story."

"Perfect," Night nodded once, relaxing back slightly. "Lodestar, I will look into preparations for the class graduation. Let me know if anything comes up."

"Oh, er, one more thing, Cap," Lodestar spoke up.

"Yes, Sergeant?"

"Three thestral ponies requested at the enlistment office that they meet with you for training. They said it was urgent."

Night's look completely shifted to one of slight frustration just then. "Are you kidding me?! Those ponies—" he froze, relaxing and clearing his throat. "Yes, sergeant. I will meet with them to arrange training."

The four other ponies in the room exchanged looks, a couple furrowing an eyebrow at Night's brief outburst.

"Captain, is everything okay?" Asked the silver pegasus.

"Just fine, Skye. Just fine," Night lied. "Alright, that's it for today. Dismissed."

The group stood up, saluting Night one last time before exiting. Night remained in the room, letting out a deep sigh and resting his forehead on the glass table before him after his ponies shut the door. This really was going to be a long day.


***


Giddily stood three bat ponies in a line beside each other. To their left stood another two, whom didn't appear quite as excited as the three. It was a strange sight, for sure. 

With the near-blank expression hiding his slight grievance, Night approached the ponies, while a Lunar guard off to their side shouted, "Attention!" forcing them to click their hooves together. Two of which didn't.

Night stopped before the line, his bright golden eyes scanning over the two more organized thestrals, then over to the far less-organized ones, his slight glare startling the grey stallion. He shifted his focus to the guard, nodding once and signaling for him to leave. Once he was away, Night returned his attention to the group.

"So, you three really did join the Lunar Guard. Good for you." Night stepped closer to the group of three. "Just because we met yesterday does NOT mean I will go any easier on you. In fact, I may just go harder."

He paused, gaze moving to the bluish-grey mare and stallion off to the side, one a far lighter shade than the other, standing at attention. Night approached them. "And just who the heck are you two? I don't recall seeing you in Batsburg yesterday."

"Captain, sir, we're from Hollow Shades, sir!" Answered the stallion, trying to replicate a soldier's tone.

"The both of you?"

"Yes, sir!" Replied the mare at his side. Not once did the two of them move their gazes. Night could already tell they had a sense of paying attention. Then again, they could have already been recruits for all he knew.

"I see. Very well then," Night said, moving back to the middle to look between the five. "And you're all looking to be a part of my guard, yes? The Zodiacs?"

"Yes, sir!" The five answered in unison.

"Do you think you have what it takes?"

"Yes, sir!"

"We'll see about that." Night glared. "Sergeant!"

At his request, the dark-cyan earth pony trotted up to his side. "Captain?"

"Take them to their barrack and get them settled in. Interviews begin tomorrow."

"Aye, Captain," Lodestar replied, facing the ponies. "Alright, on me, recruits!"

At his order, the two from Hollow Shades fell into line behind him, the others sloppily following suit. All Night could do at that point was facehoof, shaking his head slowly as he couldn't bear to watch the monstrosity. Of all of the things that could possibly go wrong with his job, this definitely topped the list.

Once Lodestar brought the thestrals to their respective barrack, Night made his way back to the palace. In his office is where the interviews would take place, and some minor preparations had to be made.

Like any other guard looking to be an elite, personal guard, interviews were required. Information collected by drill instructors were to be given to Night Shadow for examination while he spoke to the ponies personally. If one preference of Night's wasn't met, they were gone. It was a different story for the Zodiac commander's squadron.

Knowing the day would be completely full up tomorrow, Night also decided along the way to work ahead as much as he could to ensure nothing would fall behind. That was later, though. He had an entire day ahead of him.


***


Night dusted his office, disinfecting his desk, filing cabinets, and the window with numerous mango-scented chemical wipes. Shortly after came a slight rearrangement of his in-and-out box, a fairly quick process.

Just before one, Night paused to check over the small room for anything in need of sorting out. When he was absolutely sure nothing else needed to be cleaned or wiped down, he locked the office back up and descended the staircase just down the hallway. His stomach lightly began to growl and rumble, meaning it was time for lunch.

Mess hall food didn't exactly settle with Night. Some ponies would call him a Canterlot noble-in-training for preferring the city's restaurants over what the Guard was served, even though with his pay grade, many of the restaurants remained to be beyond what he could afford, and for the portions served, it was not even worth the money.

Yesterday turned out to be far more stressful and headache-inducing than what he'd expected. Today was working its way there, too. What were those ponies thinking? Night pondered. I won't go easy on them. Not one bit.

A cafeteria less than a block and a half from the castle is where Night predetermined his lunch choice. The place served a large assortment of soups, sandwiches, salads, and doughnuts. Trotting through the door, the pegasus took in a deep whiff of the freshly-baked pastries, almost enough to make his mouth water. Having already decided what he was hungry for, Night stepped up to the counter.

"What can I get for you this fine afternoon, sir?" Asked the rather cheerful mare working the register.

"A mango-and-carrot salad, please," Night gave a warm smile to the mare, setting the bits on the counter to pay for the meal.

"Alright! Anything to drink?"

"A water is fine."

"Perfect, take a seat and I'll be right out with your order," the mare said, putting the money in the register and skipping away.

Night did just as asked, sitting down in a booth beside the window, looking outside at the semi-busy afternoon Canterlot street. In the mix, he spotted a pair of guards walking by on their patrols. One stopped after taking a quick look at the shop, then trotted inside and took an order. When he finished, Night raised a hoof to his muzzle and whistled, catching the guard's attention.

The unicorn walked closer, sitting across the table from Night and removing his helmet, his silver mohawk mane standing up. "I had a hunch you'd be here around this time, Night."

"You guessed correctly," Night grinned at the unicorn. "Patrols going alright?"

"Like clockwork, I guess," the guard stretched his hooves. "How was your vacation?"

"It was good, Sharp. Celebrated dad's birthday, sparred with him, got pranked by my sister who decided to tickle my nose after putting whipped cream in my hoof, yeah, it was great!"

Sharpblade chuckled at that. "Sounds like you had fun. Back to the grind now, eh?"

"You don't even want to know," Night sighed, rubbing his temple.

"Uh oh, what happened?"

"Some bat ponies from my colony followed me to Canterlot hoping they can be Zodiacs. They wouldn't be quiet on the train yesterday and followed me when I changed seats. I couldn't shake them until we reached Canterlot! Thank Luna I managed to get sleep last night, but their voices kept ringing in my head... It was awful!" Night motioned his hooves while he explained.

Sharp nodded in understanding. "So, they're here now. Did they enlist?"

Night slowly eased back into his seat. "Yeah, yeah, they did. Now I'm stuck training 'em."

"Ooooh, that's rough. I'm sorry to hear that. But hey, maybe they'll decide it's too tough for them and quiet."

"Maybe, I don't know. There were a couple of others who were far more disciplined that were there, also bat ponies, although they were from Hollow Shades."

"Then there you go, it isn't a complete bust. If you can get some fellow bat ponies on your team, it'll most certainly help you out in the future."

"Yeah, that's if those goons don't screw us up. One of them is a bit of a jokester. Then again, I suppose Shieldhunter is, too. But, that's not the point."

"Hey, just give 'em a chance, Night. They might change for the better. If not, you have the power to do what you want with them. It's no big deal."

Night let out a deep breath, staring ceiling-ward. "I'll try. No guarantees, but I will try."

The waitress trotted over, carrying a large plate with their drinks and meals, setting them down one by one.

"All right, you two gentleponies enjoy, and have a nice afternoon!"
> The New Recruits - Part II
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sitting at the desk in his office the following day, Night Shadow waited patiently. His first appointment would be after the others had a quick morning workout session, a warm up of what was to come, so-to-speak. The first interview of the day would be Midnight Blade, followed by Eventide and Stellar Star. After them, Halfmoon, and finally, Duskbloom. Each one he expected should take no longer than thirty or forty minutes. Then again, he had fellow colonists to deal with, ones that literally followed him all of the way to Canterlot.

His eyes moved up to the moon-shaped clock hanging up on the wall off to his side. Midnight was running late, but only by a few minutes. This wouldn't help her out in the long run if she continued to run tardy, however. With a yawn, Night relaxed into his chair, waiting for the knock of hopefully his first interview, and not news regarding one of them pulling a muscle on the track.

A knock did finally come, a gentle one at that. Even Night could just hardly pick it up, despite his heritage and genes giving him enhanced hearing as well as vision in the dark. He straightened his spine and put his hooves on the desk. "Come on in."

At his word, the dark purple thestral mare entered, closing the door behind her.

"Take a seat, Midnight."

The mare sat down in one of the chairs opposite of Night at the desk, her outward appearance telling Night that she was slightly nervous—a massive change from the day before.

"Before we get started, is there anything you wish to enlighten me on?"

"Just the fact that this isn't at all what I expected is all, captain," she replied honestly.

Night could only chuckle softly. "You haven't even started yet."

The horror that ignited in Midnight's look told him more. "You're kidding."

"You wish I were."

Midnight let out a deep exhale, sitting back into the chair.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Night asked.

The purple thestral stared up at the ceiling, her blood-red pupils not budging from there. A response didn't come.

"If you don't wish to be a guard, that's entirely up to you. I can wipe your enlistment from the records and nopony will think to come after you for leaving."

More silence followed. Then, after another deep sigh, Midnight made eye contact with Night. "Could you give me the day to decide?"

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes. Please, let me think this through."

"I take it you didn't get much time previously to?"

"No..."

"Then alright. Come back to me once you've made a decision. If you say yes, we'll start. If not, I'll have somepony escort you to the train station."

Midnight nodded slowly. "I am sorry."

"For what?"

"For wasting your time, captain."

"This is somewhat new for me, so there is no need to apologize."

Midnight gave a single nod, standing up out of her seat. Night gave a brief salute, and the mare returned it, before exiting.

When the door closed, Night thought to himself. One down, two to go.


***


No more than fifteen minutes passed before another knock came. This one was, again, gentle in its nature but still audible. The polished wooden door swung open with a light creak, and in walked a dark blue—almost navy-colored—thestral mare, taking a seat across from Night.

He raised an eyebrow, sitting upright in his seat and eying the mare carefully. "Please, shut the door."

"Oh, right!" The mare hopped back up out of her seat and nudged the door shut with her hoof. It bounced back open, having not clicked to the lock. She nudged it once more, the same occurring. Finally, she took the handle and shoved it shut with a loud thud. "I hate doors."

Night's ears pinned back at the door slamming, wincing as he once again eyed the pony before him. "I can tell. Have a seat," and so she did. Night glanced down to a file with information on the mare, going over it one final time. "Alright, Eventide. First off, how was your exercise?"

"Exhilarating, captain," she gave a toothy grin at Night. "It got my heart pumping."

"That's good to hear," Night nodded once. "It will be for these next couple of months."

"Perfect. Just what I need," Eventide continued to give a sly grin.

"You'll regret it sooner or later. Alright. So, again, before we can start, I would just like you to know that if you don't meet my qualifications, you can still be on track to make the Lunar Guard itself, or the Guard Reserves. While you may prefer action, either way, you'll be seeing just about the same anywhere you go," Night explained.

"Then I will do my best, captain. I won't let you down!" Eventide saluted.

"Lower that hoof, I'm not done yet," Night scowled. "I said you have to pass my expectations. I hoof-pick my guards for the job. If I have the littlest reason to overlook you, then it is that I shall do. Already, I have plenty, but you can change that for me right here, right now. Back home, they may tell you I'm a sweetheart. That's only around friends and family. This is a whole new atmosphere, Eventide."

"And... what are those reasons?"

Night began to bare one of his razor-sharp fangs. "Reason number one: You practically wished to track me down to Canterlot to, reason number two, try and immediately become one of Princess Luna's guards like it's as easy as one, two, three. Reason number three, you have practically already ticked me off enough to the point where I may take you and that fancy little bracelet on your hoof and toss you to San Prancisco!

"Yeah, didn't think I wouldn't notice that little trinket, would you? In case nopony told you at the recruiting center, absolutely no jewelry is allowed to be worn on the Guard barrack premises if you are a trainee. You're lucky you haven't begun training yet, otherwise you would have lost it in the muck somewhere. Now, I would very much appreciate if you leave that in your hooflocker back at your barrack from now until you graduate. The last thing I need is for you to come crying to my office, saying you lost it. Is that clear?!"

Night had practically stood up on his chair, forehooves pressed onto his desk while he loomed over the poor dark blue bat pony, whom pressed herself back into the seat, one hoof over the small piece on her other. Her purple-slit irises had shrunk to the size of marbles.

"C-captain, sir..." She sputtered in her speech. "Please, calm down, I d-didn't know!"

"Well, now you do!" Night gradually eased back into his seat. "That's just a warning. Now, let's actually get started, shall we?"


***


Next up was Stellar. While rubbing the side of his head near the temple gently, Night hoped and prayed it would all be over soon. His guess was afterwards, the two remaining meetings would not nearly be enough to make him blow his top again. 

With yet another knock, Night waited, clearing his throat and then observing the dark thestral stallion enter cautiously, shutting the door behind him and taking a seat at the desk.

"Sir, if... if I may," Stellar paused, appearing nervous. "I would like to apologize."

"For what, exactly?"

"For myself, Eventide and Midnight."

"Why apologize for them?"

"I am the one who brought you up to them."

"I don't really care, Stellar. That part comes later. Now, how was your morning exercise?"

"It was... new."

"New?"

"I'm not used to it. Like, at all."

"It takes time, but you'd better get accustomed pretty quick. You have a good two months ahead of you, then another month of weapons training," Night replied, glancing up to make eye contact with the stallion. "Might I also add that this morning was just a warm-up. The real hard stuff comes tomorrow."

"I knew it," Stellar muttered to himself, briefly looking off to the side, then down at his hooves. "Alright, sir."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, sir. It's just..."

"Yes?"

The grey thestral remained silent. After a few short moments of dead air, Stellar raised his chin and stared Night directly in the eye. "Nevermind, it's nothing. Let's continue," he smiled weakly.

Night's brow lifted, scanning the pony carefully but briefly. He, however, nodded and looked down at the file on his desk. "You are nineteen years old, correct?"

"That is correct, yes."

"And you have..." Night trailed off, hoof sliding down the paper and stopping beneath an added note. This made him freeze completely. "You have bipolar disorder?"

Hearing this made Stellar's blood run cold. His pupils shrunk, and he lowered his head slightly, giving a slight nod.

"Could you... elaborate a bit more?" Night asked, eyes moving up from the paper.

"I would prefer not to."

"If you're going to be a Lunar guard at all, I would appreciate if you did. This is serious business we're discussing here."

Undoubtedly he was going to be hesitant with his answer, Night thought. This was serious. He knew very well this would change the dynamic on everything. Although, when no response came, Night jumped in.

"If you prefer, we can discuss this at a later time. Just you and me."

Stellar nodded instantly. "I would... really like that, captain."

Night nodded back, and began to smile slightly, enough to try and calm the likely frightened thestral. "Before we get started, however, there's something else I must get you up to speed on. This is the case with everypony else I'm interviewing."


***


Three down, two to go, Night mumbled to himself as Stellar exited the room. Much to his surprise, this prior discussion was quite calming—more than what he expected, that was for sure. The afternoon from there was certainly to run like clockwork. Both Halfmoon and Duskbloom agreed as well to go in together to help Night finish sooner. Typically, this wasn't something he was used to doing, albeit the two had a point. The sooner they finish, the sooner he can arrange his work schedule.

As expected, the two ponies walked in after knocking politely, taking their seats across from the pegasus' desk. Upon slightly closer inspection, Night took note that Duskbloom definitely had a slight build, signalling he prepared in advance for training. Halfmoon was there as well almost, although, to Night, she was his sister in another body.

"Alright, you two. Shall we get started here?" Night spoke up, grabbing both of their files out of his desk and opening Dusk's first. "Duskbloom."

The stallion stiffened in his chair. "Sir."

"Twenty-two years old, from Hollow Shades, decent weight and build, eye color, gold, okay flyer, this sounds pretty good," Night closed the file. "New to the guard or soon-to-be graduate?"

"Actually, I'm a private, sir. Recently graduated and looking to be a part of the Zodiacs," Dusk replied stoically.

"Impressive." Night nodded once. "I suppose that explains the discipline. I like that. Now, Halfmoon..." He opened up her file.

"Twenty-three, also from Hollow Shades, a bit underweight but not by much, eye color, green, also an okay flyer," Night glanced up at Halfmoon. "Why does it say on here, ask for fears?"

"Sir, I—" Halfmoon began to blush profusely. "That's a little... strange, heheh, how did that get on there—"

"Captain, sir, if I may interrupt, Halfmoon here has a slight phobia of spaghetti," Dusk cut in.

"Slight is an understatement!" Halfmoon proceeded to punch Dusk in the shoulder, squealing her response out.

"A... fear of spaghetti..." Night repeated with plenty of confusion in his tone. The idea of it was hilarious to him, but that would be quite unprofessional to burst into a fit of laughter right here. "What scares you about spaghetti?"

"Please, don't ask," Dusk rubbed his shoulder, then facehoofed gently.

"Then I will personally bring you lunch when they serve it in the mess hall," Night said, looking back down to the paperwork. "Any more unspecified, strange, cooky phobias I should be concerned about?"

"No, sir," replied Halfmoon, glaring at Dusk while he rolled his eyes.

"In that case, let's take a look at your training scores, shall we?" Night glanced at the two of them, replacing the paper with their information with their scores received while training. Both Halfmoon and Duskbloom stared at the paperwork, unnerved.

"Ninety-eight in physical, Duskbloom. Not bad, not bad at all. Eighty-six in combat and weapon identification. Impressive, though I suppose we could work on that a little more."

"Yes, sir," Dusk replied.

"Halfmoon..." Night shifted to her scores. "Ninety-one in physical, ninety three in combat and weapon identification. This is quite impressive, I must say," he then closed their files and looked between the both of them. 

"However, it's not all what I'm looking for. The commander looks for ninety-percent scores in both, I look for a ninety-five. That being said, there's plenty of room for improvement. Duskbloom, all that needs work is your combat training. Halfmoon, you have both physical and combat training to be concerned about. Not to worry, I will provide as much help as I find necessary. At the same time, I would very much appreciate seeing decent effort come from the both of you. 

"This is the Zodiacs, we only accept the best of the best. You two are already extremely close. If you reach that goal, I will provide a written test which will determine your fate. If not, there's plenty of open space within the Lunar Guard. I can't imagine Captain Fallen Star won't be happy to accept bat ponies into one of his squadrons."

Both Duskbloom and Halfmoon nodded in understand, still appearing unnerved at what was ahead of them. "Yes, sir," they replied in unison.

Night Shadow nodded, putting their files back into a drawer in his desk. "Very well. You two are dismissed."

The two stood out of their seats, saluting Night. He briefly returned it, shifting his focus to some undone work in a small steel grated box on his desk. As the thestrals left, the door didn't shut completely. Night didn't glance up, but knew it was open.

"Hey, you two, close the door, please." Nothing happened. "Duskbloom, Halfmoon!" He glanced up, freezing when he caught sight of a purple draconic-winged mare standing in the doorway.

"Captain, I've made up my mind."


***


Later that evening, Night finished what little work that needed to be completed by that evening, delivering it outside Fallen Star's office, then returning to lock up. Figuring nothing else was in need of arranging or finishing, he returned to his quarters to relax for the remainder of the night. 

For the first week of the new recruits' training, he had assigned Lodestar to handle getting the five settled. After that, both he and Night would work in tandem over the three months duration of boot camp. To Night, his sergeant was the most trustworthy of the group. Of course, his rank explained that, although, Night put all of his trust into them all, not just Lodestar. Even then, he knew very well that none of the ponies in his squadron had ever been in the face of true combat. As a guard, and as a captain, neither was he.

As Night unlocked the door to his home, his ear swiveled just slightly to the side. He grinned softly, staring directly at the door. "You're lucky I stopped fiddling with the lock when I did, Scarlet."

Turning to look behind him, Night caught sight of a dark grey thestral mare, dressed in Zodiacs armor. She removed the helmet, shaking her head slowly to let down her dark blue mane. Afterwards, she gave a toothy grin. "One of these days, you won't hear me coming."

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Night grinned right back at Scarlet Iris. "You're up early."

"Says the pony who isn't nocturnal for his roots," replied Scarlet.

Night shrugged. "We were kind of forced to when we built a city on a cloud to live in rather than a cave."

"Sure, sure, whatever," Scarlet waved a hoof, flicking a strand of hair out of her eye. "I simply figured I would stop by to check up on my captain."

"Your captain? The way you put it makes it sound like we're dating," Night furrowed an eyebrow.

"Exactly my point, I love that face you make when I trick you into thinking that," Scarlet let out a soft chuckle.

"You've never tricked me."

"I just did."

"You—" Night stopped, eyes widening. "Shoot."

"Bahahaha!" Scarlet trotted up, playfully punching the stallion's shoulder. "Gotcha," she whispered, sliding her helmet back on and starting down the hallway. "You know, one of these days, we oughta go to a club somewhere for karaoke. I think you'd enjoy it."

Night watched the mare go, lifting a hoof to his muzzle to yell after her from far down the hallway. "One of these days, you oughta actually show up to one of our meetings so I don't have to keep reminding you what's going on!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever!" She replied, disappearing around a corner.

Night rolled his eyes and shook his head. There were two jokesters in his group, or, more like, Scarlet wasn't much of one. She was just an open, bubbly mare. In the slightest way, sometimes, she would make an attempt to flirt with Night. It was common knowledge within the Guard that no two guards were allowed to date, even if they truly wanted to. He couldn't be completely sure if she was for real sometimes.

Returning to what he was doing, Night unlocked the door and pushed inward, entering the cool comfort of his quarters. All that remained to do was shower, eat something, then sleep. That let alone described the majority of his evenings after clocking out.

Kicking off his hoof guards and hanging up the main piece of armor in a wooden cabinet between his bed and the window, Night sauntered around and into the bathroom, starting the water in the shower and waiting briefly for it to warm up. When it reached an adequate temperature, he stepped in, soaking his mane first, followed by his wings, and the rest of his body. 

Sighing in relaxation, he closed his eyes, thinking of the days to come. The steam rising up in the shower eased his muscles, despite the tension occurring in his mind. Even with minimal paperwork, dealing with the recruits would still come out to be an issue. Not once in his six-year career has he had to deal with five newbies at once. 

Changing matters, Night washed his mane, scrubbed his wings and body, then dried himself off. Despite his efforts, the poor pony's coat again puffed up, forcing him to mat it down for the following ten minutes and hope nopony would come knocking at his door.

Now comfortable once more, Night left the bathroom, pausing in the center of the room. Slowly, he scanned around him, not out of suspicion, but questioning what to do. The sun was still visible over the horizon, leaving at least another hour and a half of sunlight. Needless to say, Night was disinterested in staying in all night. He wanted to do something.

He knew Princess Luna was likely busy, or sleeping, and his guards were either just getting off of their shifts or about to begin. Sharpblade was quite possibly at home, working out, and Thunderblast was away, off somewhere in Equestria on a mission of some sort. 

With a loud, deep sigh of boredom, Night collapsed backwards onto his bed, hooves spread out and eyes focused on the ceiling above. He absolutely needed to do something. Too much energy pulsed in his body to be more willing to stay in his quarters. A workout wouldn't quite cut it, although Night could admit, he could use one of those. What could he possibly do?

Continuing to stare up, he relaxed the rear of his head onto his hooves, pondering carefully and thoroughly. His eyes opened a bit, and he jumped up off of the bed. From there, his hooves took him to the twin-glass doors that led outside to his balcony. Stopping, a warm breeze swept through his soft coat and feathers. Night took in a slow, deep breath, the wonderful scent of the palace's gardens taking over. Mixed in to that was a light smell of rain. Tonight will be a good night's sleep, he thought.

Spreading his wings to full length, the dark grey stallion leaped from the deck, gliding through the air above the business district of the city. Down below, numerous ponies packed the streets as the night life began. With a gentle smile, Night looked ahead of him, toward the approaching mountainside. His bright-gold eyes moved across the grey and brown wall in front, then off to the side where multiple areas of grass and trees rested, directly beside one of the many waterfalls known in Canterlot.

Night gently pulled his wings back to slow his descent, landing with a muffled thump in a grassy, tree-shrouded knoll that overlooked the city. Folding his wings up, Night turned to face out from the cliff. A warm smile crossed his muzzle as he laid on his stomach near the edge, the gentle trickle of water seeping down into a small pond close by in the ambiance. In the sunset, the palace's golden domes and spires echoed the light, creating a glow that enveloped the whole city and could likely be seen from as far away as Ponyville, or Cloudsdale. 

This special little spot was Night's. Before, it was reachable by all ponies. That was later limited to pegasi, and very few unicorns, after the only mountainside path partially collapsed in a minor landslide caused by heavy rain during one period. As a result, the Royal Guard was dispatched to rid of what was left to avoid causalities.

However, this event benefited Night. The chances of ponies being present around him had lowered significantly, thus making the area far more peaceful and relaxing. Already there had been a couple of instances where Night fell asleep in this exact location, only to be found by guards the next day after causing a slight scare. Since then, he's made certainty that if he yawned in the slightest, he would simply roll into the pond to let the cold water wake him back up. 

"Captain?" Came a soft voice from behind.

Turning to look behind him, Night blinked twice to make sure his eyes didn't deceive him, for standing there was a dark blue alicorn mare, mane sparkling and twinkling like the very stars in the night sky and waving in a breeze that just wasn't physically there.

"Princess!" Night sat up quickly, surprised to see her there. "I didn't hear you coming."

"We know thou didn't," Princess Luna replied, sauntering to his side and sitting down beside him. "We did not intend to scare thou."

"What have we gone over?"

"Right," the princess nodded. "What's on your mind, Night Shadow?"

"Nothing awful. Why do you ask?" Night glanced over to the Lunar princess.

The regal alicorn made careful eye contact with the grey pegasus. "You seem distressed."

"Partially, but, that's not why I'm here."

"Then why are you here?" Princess Luna asked softly.

"No particular reason, just..." Night faced out toward Canterlot. "I felt the need to get out of the palace."

"I see." Princess Luna replied, too looking over the city. "This is quite the view."

"It is, isn't it?" Night smiled warmly once more. "Sharp showed it to me way before the landslide. Shame he can't come here anymore."

"He could."

"What?"

"He has the magic to be able to."

"He... doesn't know teleportation spells. He told me that himself." Night glanced to the princess with slight confusion.

"He does, he just has not yet realized it," Princess Luna looked at Night. "He will discover what he is truly capable of in time. While I may not be the Princess of Magic, both me and my sister are well aware of what unicorns can do individually. It could be called a sixth-sense of ours, shared between us alicorns, and occasionally, powerful unicorns, such as Starswirl the Bearded."

"Is that so?" Night's head slightly tilted. "Then I suppose I'd better not ruin the surprise for him. I'd hate to screw up his potential."

"It would happen nonetheless, Night Shadow. It would simply be far more challenging for him if he saw it coming."

Night gave a nod at that. "It will certainly come in handy in the future, I'm sure."

Princess Luna nodded back, smile fading. "Yes, yes it will."
> A Silent Knight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The warm late-summer days gradually began to cool, albeit only a couple of degrees. Within the course of a week, training had fully kicked in for the new recruits. Above all, Halfmoon and Duskbloom performed the greatest, as expected by Night Shadow. Unexpectedly as well, no injuries had occurred at the end of every day—no worse than sore bodies and minor dehydration due to disobedience in terms of drinking water when needed.

When the weekend came to a disappointing close, the work grind restarted for Night, spending much of his time sorting through paperwork regarding the recruits, as well as scheduled post changes for normal Lunar guards assigned under him. He'd always had a distaste for post changes and rotating who's guarding where, as it came with deep thought that pushed headaches onto him for days to come after finishing up, and each time seemed to become more stressful.

Tuesday morning started off quite earlier than the norm. Freshening up in his bathroom, Night dressed himself in the main armor piece and hoof guards, and headed down to the guard barracks before the sun is expected to crest. Today would mark the first day of his involvement in the recruits' guidance to becoming one of the princess' royal defenders.

At that time, the barracks were just beginning to show signs of life as other recruits came out to begin their training, while some finished up for the night. Looking around at his surroundings, Night saw a mixture of city guards, day palace guards, and night guards, as well as the new recruits of each, wandering around in groups preparing to head out on patrols, or for exercises to put them into shape. Night's new recruits would soon follow in their hoofsteps as soon as he could get them up.

Stepping up to the barrack Night remembered to currently house the five thestrals, he knocked rather loudly on the metal door, jolting the occupants inside awake. Twisting the knob, he burst into the room, a hard glare crossing him as everypony sat upright and rushed to their hooves.

"Everypony up! Come on, move it!" He shouted, pretending to not notice Stellar Star becoming entangled in his bed sheets and falling from the top bunk and down to the floor with a loud thud and a painful grunt.

When all were up and standing at perfect attention stance, Night advanced into the room, then stopped once more to eye them carefully. 

"While I was not here for Sergeant Lodestar's sessions this past week, I must say, he has done decent so far. He is certainly my most trustworthy. But until the time comes where I cannot break you five in, you will miss him dearly. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Pardon, what was that?" Night lifted a hoof to his ear.

"Yes, sir!"

"Very good." Night nodded once. "All of you, on me. Line up."

At his order, the five gathered in a single-file line behind Night, following him out of the small structure. From there, the group marched away from the Guard barracks, to a more open area near the palace for training.


***


With the sun now beginning to rise, shedding some light across Canterlot through building clouds, the training grounds of the Royal Guard could now be seen easier than before. The grounds themselves consisted of a large, looping dirt track, surrounding a lengthy obstacle course, and a sparring field currently occupied by a few other guard trainees.

Standing at the start line of the track, Night Shadow and Lodestar looked over the five one final time, Night holding a stopwatch in his hoof. All were at half-attention stance, focused on the task ahead—forty continuous laps of running. No winners, aside from the last pony to be still running will receive a higher score than the others. That's if anypony dropped out at all.

"Y'all may stop for quick sips of water, nothing else. You may slow to a jog, but not a walk. Keep a pace you are comfortable with at first, then push yourself up. If you get yourself stuck in some mud, don't stop, don't call for help, it's up to you to get yourself out. That's how it is in the field," Lodestar explained, voice raised over the low roar of a breeze blowing through the nearby trees, a storm approaching.

"I also don't want to see any flying. Is that clear to each and every one of you?" Night called out after the earth pony finished.

"Yes, sir!" The five answered in flawless unison.

"Then get your sorry flanks moving. Think about what the sergeant said the whole time, recruits. Is that perfectly clear?"

"Yes, sir!" They once again replied unitedly.

At that, the five thestral ponies began down the track as cold drops of water began to fall from the sky, pattering down on the soft dirt. Another chilling breeze swept across the grounds, this one stronger than before. A couple of leaves broke free from their branches, floating quickly past the recruits and blowing across the ground as the rain began to pick up slightly.

Starting the stopwatch timer and lifting up an umbrella, opening the canopy, Night held it above him and the dark cyan stallion to his right, watching as the recruits disappeared around a corner, leading into the small forest edging off the cliff. Lodestar, out of concern, raised an eyebrow and glanced over to Night.

"Are you sure sending them out in the rain first thing in the morning was a good idea, captain?" He asked.

"I wouldn't worry. They haven't reached the PGA yet. What they throw at you there is far worse than any weather Canterlot would see on a normal basis," Night replied, keeping his gaze set out toward the tree line.

Lodestar nodded after a short pause, too looking out ahead of them. After a few more moments, he looked down at his hooves, lifting one up from the gradually-becoming wet ground.

"I probably should have worn my hoof guards today."


***


By thirty laps, the rain still came down hard, turning the whole of the training grounds into a giant mud pit, more so the track in which the five had been running on. Eventide unwillingly dropped out, having pushed herself further than ordered and grew too tired to continue. From there, she was forced to watch the remaining four work their way to the goal.

Running and jogging became severely difficult. With the heavy rain and wind, added to the muck causing the four to sink in, they were slowed down significantly. At any moment, one was bound to be completely stopped by the increasingly deep mud. None, however, were ready to give in. This surprised Night, much less Lodestar.

Soon, weather conditions deteriorated significantly. At thirty-five laps, Night called them off of the track and to a small detached palace building where other guards caught out in the elements gathered to wait out the storm. Luckily, the building's occupants offered towels to dry off. For the recruits, it was clean themselves off as much as they could and worry about a shower later.

Remarkably, the downpour cleared almost completely within the following ten minutes. While it only slowed to a slight drizzle, it was enough to safely step back outside. 

Small loose branches previously attached to nearby trees now lay scattered across the grassy, puddle-covered field. Detached leaves fluttered down in the still-strong breeze much like snowflakes, adding to the work the palace landscapers had on their plate. 

With every step came a mushy, wet squish, as if walking on a massive sponge in the shower. Mud quickly collected on just about everypony's hooves as they returned to what they were doing prior to the inclement weather.

Leading the group over to the path once more—a previously dry dirt path, now turned completely into a pit of deep, thick mud, Night stopped, looking over it completely.

"No point in getting back on this. Thirty-five was enough, for now. We'll push it up to forty-five tomorrow and make sure you all actually make that," Night said as he turned to face the group. 

"For now, we will be moving to other physical exercises. How does that sound?" He then said, grin coming across his muzzle.

Three of the five thestrals had their eyes open up wide, the other two nodding once, appearing giddy to begin.

Upon finding a slightly drier area, the five lined up, Night Shadow and Lodestar in front of them. 

"Fifty push-ups, then twenty wing-ups. No breaks. I know your wings are not nearly as strong as those of a pegasus, like myself," Night said, flaring his wings out to full length. "But it helps to build as much muscle as you can, especially in your weak spots. Now, assume push-up position."

The five dropped into position, Stellar Star falling face-first into the damp ground with a muffled thud. Night rolled his eyes and facehoofed, Lodestar furrowing a brow. The grey bat stallion pushed himself back up quickly, into the push-up position, his face half-covered with a layer of mud and grass. To his left, Eventide had to keep herself from bursting into a fit of laughter.

Night glared daggers at the dark-blue mare, making her quiet down in an instant. He and Lodestar checked over the small group one last time, before the word was given. 

"Go."

The five dropped down, muzzles barely hanging off of the blades of grass. What muscles they had forced them back upright, stiffening their arms, before unlocking and the process starting all over again. 

Five pushups, ten. Fifteen passed with little issue. Beyond that, Stellar Star and Eventide began to slow down slightly, though not too much. Midnight Blade kept going, having a steady pace with her the whole time. Halfmoon and Duskbloom, their exercise was flawless. 

"Tell me where you found these ponies again?" Lodestar asked with a smirk, looking over to Night as he watched.

"I found three of them at a train station. Or, more like, they found me," Night replied honestly.

The dark cyan stallion glanced down to the stopwatch, the timer ticking past the one-minute-fifteen mark. His eyes moved back up to the thestrals, seeing Halfmoon and Duskbloom having stood up from completing the push-ups.

"That's fifty," Night nodded once to the mare and stallion bat ponies. "Wait for the others for wing-ups."

The two nodded, standing at attention and not once breaking until it was time. Midnight Blade soon joined them. Three minutes after the timer started, Lodestar clicked it off the moment the remaining two completed the exercise.

"Reset the stopwatch, sergeant. Twenty wing-ups, go."

At his word, the watch was restarted, and the five held their forehooves to their chest, only holding themselves upright with their wings. This seemed to be the breaking point, as all at this point were struggling. Their bodies shook, hardly being able to push themselves up and down with just their bare wings. Of the five, Midnight Blade seemed to do the most well, her wings significantly larger than the others.

However, it took the same amount of time for all to finish. Upon doing so, the group pushed themselves to their hooves, bodies shaking and chests heaving. Their wings twitched and throbbed with pain, not at all being accustomed to such performance.

Lodestar moved the watch over for Night to see, the captain nodding and the sergeant tucking it away. Both looked back to the five bat ponies.

"Sloppy. That's to be expected as I'm sure none of you have ever had to do a wing-up. We will work on that over time. For now, it's time to eat. Chow house is serving breakfast, go," Night ordered.

"Yes, sir," the five replied in unison, breaking formation to find the mess hall.

Night let out a deep sigh, watching as they walked off in a tight group. Lodestar kept his eye set on Night, concerned once more.

"Something wrong, boss?"

"This is going to be a long three months, Lode."

"Oh, you don't have to explain that to me, not one bit, captain. But, look on the bright side. It'll all pay off in the end."

"I sure hope so," Night turned, making direct eye contact with the dark cyan pony. "Without a doubt, somepony's going to get themselves hurt... badly. I pray it isn't you or anypony else."

"Real touching, Captain. I—"

"I'm telling you that as a friend, not as your commanding officer, Lode."

"Yes, of course, Night," Lodestar bobbed his head in a nod of understanding. "Although, things can only get worse if you make them be that way."

"What's that mean?" Night's eyebrow raised.

"I'm telling you not to interfere with their training," Lodestar replied with a complete-stoic look on his face. "You're not happy that they're here. Well, three of them, that is. But, I would hate to find out later on that they are quitting or resigning because you had something to do with it."

"And why would I ever do that, Lode?"

"Because you're afraid."

This hit Night, his eyes widening. "What? Afraid?"

"You will figure it out. I'm going to go catch some grub, see you here later," Lode said, walking in the direction the recruits went, without another word spoken.

Night observed, a cocked brow mixed with a slight glare as the sergeant left.

Afraid? Afraid of what? Surely he's being his sarcastic, snarky self again.


***


Week after week after week, Night Shadow's shock developed into a typical thought of his as the recruits advanced through their training. The top scores belonged to both Halfmoon and Duskbloom, having previously completed Lunar Guard training aided their advantage. Midnight Blade followed close behind, putting great effort into daily exercises and was quickly catching up to Half and Dusk. Stellar Star and Eventide remained last, yet pursuing improved scores.

Despite their lack to keep up all of the time, Night believed it was time for them to move on to the next step of their elite training—all of them.

Beyond the grounds and below Canterlot's surface height sat the Pegasi Guard Acrobatics facility, as some would call, a 'military base in the sky'. It included four barracks, a mess hall, a Central Command office, and finally, the training yard—all built on a cluster of cloud islands interconnected with narrow steel bridges. 

"Listen up! This, right here, is where many of the Guard's best pegasus ponies came for aerial training. Here, they test you to your limits, both in air agility, and combat expertise. When you're fighting in the sky, it's a whole new dynamic, one you do not want to be stuck in without an idea of what is best to do," Night explained thoroughly, walking up and down the short line.

"Should we also mention that for the next three weeks, you all will be temporarily housed here, at the PGA. There will be no leaving until you've fully completed your next stage of training," explained Skye Racer, taking over for Lodestar.

"Are there any questions?" Night then asked, slowly looking over the line. Halfmoon raised her hoof, and he nodded to her.

"Is this at all like the Wonderbolts training camp?" Halfmoon lowered her hoof.

Night nodded, then shook his head, then shook his head in a nod. "Yes, and no. Yes, because there is similar equipment. No, because it's far worse," he grinned slightly.

Simply hearing the final two words made them become at least slightly fearful for the coming days. In the slightest, it even concerned Skye, remembering he'd gone through similar training years prior to becoming a Zodiac.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Stellar Star lifted up his hoof.

"Yes, recruit?" Night looked to him.

"Where's Sergeant Lodestar?"

"Unfortunately, only pegasi and bat ponies are granted the ability to walk freely on clouds. Therefore, he is on standby for the final stage of your training, one month from now. Until then, I am assigning Lance Corporal Skye Racer to watch over your training by my side," Night explained further.

"Now, any more questions? Anypony?" Night checked one final time. This time, no one raised their hooves. "Good. Now, Skye, if you would please, take them to their barrack to get them settled."

"Yes, Captain," the lance corporal gave a quick salute, bringing the line of thestrals toward one of the bridges leading to the cloud island where the barracks were situated.

Night stood in place, observing the six march off to the barrack. Suddenly, they stopped. Skye quickly galloped back to Night with a look of slight urgency.

"What is it, Skye?" Night's brow raised.

"I almost forgot, sir. I have been told you have been requested for a face-to-face meeting at the palace."

"Face-to-face? By whom?"

"Lieutenant Silent Knight, Princess Luna's House Guard."

This made Night's pupils expand with surprise. "Thank you, Skye. I'll go there at once."

The two quickly exchanged salutes, Skye returning to the line and leading them off to their barrack, and Night opening his wings and flying upward, toward the cliff side city above.


***


Landing atop one of the many narrow bridges adorning the palace just past dusk, Night entered through a tower staircase, rounding down and into the castle halls, near Princess Luna's wing, and also near the House Guard offices. This was a sector of the castle neither Night nor his guards went through, knowing it was covered by another squadron guarding the moon princess.

Night stepped up to a frosted glass door within the House Guard wing and knocked twice. On it read Lieutenant Silent Knight in all-dark blue, matching Princess Luna's coat color perfectly.

"Door's open," came a deep voice from inside.

With that, Night took the door knob in his hoof and twisted it downward, stepping in to the spacey office. He stood to attention, raising his hoof in a respectful salute. "Lieutenant."

Standing up from his chair, the larger, stockier snow-white pegasus returned the salute proudly, motioning afterward for Night to sit at his desk. "Please, have a seat, Captain."

Night pulled the chair out, slipping down into it, then scooting closer to the lieutenant's desk. "You... wished to speak to me, sir?"

"Yes, yes, I did, and it has been some time since I was interested in doing so. I received word that you, along with some help of your guards, are training new recruits. How is that going, may I ask?" Silent Knight made steady eye contact with Night, the blankest of expressions on his face.

"It is going well. The recruits are proving themselves successful in completing the required exercises, some even going further to better themselves. A couple are troubled, though they are trying, which I will give them that," Night explained.

"It has been one month since they started, yes?"

"Correct, sir. Although, two of them, Halfmoon and Duskbloom are their names, they have been through Lunar Guard training already and are determined to shoot for the Zodiac Guard ranks. They are the best of their class right now."

"Impressive." Silent nodded once. "I don't suppose you are having much trouble with monitoring their training, are you?"

"Not at all, sir. I will admit, however, I am not used to training more than one, let alone five. Sergeant Lodestar has been a great help, and now, Lance Corporal Skye Racer."

"They are your guards, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"I thought so. Do you both watch them over, or is it one at a time?"

"It is both of us, sir. I primarily am their instructor, either Sergeant Lodestar or Lance Corporal Skye supervise the recruits and make corrections."

Silent Knight nodded comprehensively, taking a moment to speak. "I hope it won't be too much trouble, but, one of these times, I would be interested in our squadrons working together. I know, that apparently, there is some controversy going about the barracks that one is trying to replace the other, which is not at all true. I hope you are aware of that."

"I was not aware those kinds of discussions were spreading at all, sir."

"Well, they are, and it is causing some conflict. I simply intended to let you know that no one is taking anypony's place, in the event that you believed such thoughts."

"Not at all, sir. I do too wish we could share an assignment one day. It would certainly give us an opportunity to show each other just how hard we could work to get things done, both us and our squadrons."

"Of course," Silent Knight nodded once more. "Soldier bonding is also a necessity, especially on the battle field."

"I couldn't agree more, Lieutenant," Night nodded once, keeping his look stern.

"Now, back to your recruits. I hear all five of them are of thestral origin, some of which from your home?"

Night once again nodded. "Yes, sir. Three of five. The other two originate from Hollow Shades."

"I'm also aware that you are the one who reconciled your colony with Equestrian diplomats, yes?"

"Not just me, Lieutenant. First Lieutenant Thunderblast, Royal Guard, also helped. It was a tough road, but, we made it."

Silent Knight grew a small smile. "I find it somewhat ironic that such events happened not long after our dear Princess Luna was given back to us."

"Sir?" Night raised an eyebrow and tilted his head slightly.

"Now, I do not fully believe that the colonies reuniting had to do with her return, and was all simply coincidental to time itself. Then again, our princesses work in mysterious ways, don't they?"

"They do, sir."

"Please, call me Silent. You and I both know you outrank me by a mile."

Night shook his head. "Different squads, different circumstances."

Silent waved his hoof, then chuckled slightly. "Princess Luna was so right about you, always so formal."

"She talks about me to you?"

"Of course. She talks about me, too, from what I've heard, and other guards she's close to. Princess Celestia does the same thing, I'm sure. You see, one of the keys to being a good bodyguard is befriending the very pony you're meant to protect. I think it's safe to say you and I have that crossed off the list already."

Night sighed at that, but then agreed. "I can't disagree with that statement."

"Nopony can, it's fact. That goes the same way for your fellow guards. Friendship equals clearer communication, and clearer communication is the best weapon anypony has. Remember that the next time, and maybe, we can all work together to solve the world's problems, because we're guards. Isn't that what we're made for?"

Night lifted his head slightly, cracking a little smile. "Yes, Silent."
> Shopping Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drowsy and lethargic out of his mind, and staring down endlessly at the gradually-cooling fancy glass bowl of cinnamon oatmeal resting on the table before him, Night sat in the palace's dining room. 

Once every other week, ponies working in the massive structure, including lower-ranked guards seeking to escape temporarily from mess hall food, were granted a buffet full to the brim of breakfast foods from fruits to scrambled eggs, to buttered toast and doughnuts freshly ordered from the local Donut Joe's bakery. Of all of the options, however, Night picked what felt would best settle to his stomach. 

For some odd reasoning, he had found it hard to catch some shuteye that previous night. The poor stallion could not at all be sure what the official cause was, though on the contrary, leaned toward the thought of having too much on his mind, both in planning for the future of training the new ponies under his command, and working out the stressful paperwork of assigning their stations and pay grade. All of it was coming right back, even after his ordeal years ago, when Princess Luna introduced him to the ponies he knows all too well today.

When Night Shadow's mind did finally boot up, allowing him some sense of his surroundings, he focused on eating as much of the light brown slop in front of him his stomach would allow, then head out to the PGA facility and begin another long day of overlooking training.

Slowly, Night dipped the spoon into the oatmeal, lifting out the portion and slipping it into his maw. The temperature was still decently warm, surprisingly. This slightly motivated him into eating at a steady, yet slower-than-usual pace.

"Hey, Night!"

A sudden shout from behind caused Night to jump, such movements causing him to slam his hoof down on the edge of the bowl, with much of the brown goop to fly out and smack him right in the muzzle. It spread out across his eyelids and cheeks, leaving him dripping oatmeal over the table and parts of the floor.

Two or three of the ponies nearby in the half-crowded room let out soft gasps, others not paying any mind. Night slowly turned to look behind him, a low, deep growl following. Added with his exhaustion from the previous night, this was quite frankly the last thing he wanted this morning.

Standing a few feet away, just hardly inside the wide-open hallway door, watched Zipline, gasping the loudest as the captain made sharp eye contact. He galloped up, nabbing some paper towels from a box on another table, wiping down Night's face as best as he could.

"I-I'm so sorry, Captain. I didn't mean to startle you," stammered the white pegasus, pulling the napkins away from Night's muzzle, his coat very slightly tinted in the color of the slop that previously covered it. Night's glare didn't soften one bit.

"What have I told you about sneaking up and shouting like that, Corporal?"

Zipline pulled back a couple of inches, giving a sheepish, nervous smile. "Heheh, right, I forgot."

"I don't ever want to hear that excuse ever again, do you hear me?"

Zipline blinked, then replied, "You used ever twice."

Night stood up quickly out of his chair, the tufts of his ears beginning to stand up slightly. He bared his teeth, fangs as visible as they could ever be. His growl deepened significantly, forcing Zipline to back away some more.

"I'm sorry, Captain! I-I just wanted to tell you something and leave!"

"Tell me what?!" Night barked.

"Th-that I... That I'm taking over duty for you today, s-sir!"

At this, Night eased himself almost completely. "Taking over? Why? "

"P-Princess Luna said for me to tell you that she thinks it's best if I help out the Lance Corporal for today and tomorrow."

"Princess Luna told you that? What is her reasoning?" Night's eyebrow raised.

"So you could rest, sir."

"So I could—" Night stopped, eyes opening further. "But, why?"

"I don't know, Captain. That is all she said to me."

"Nothing more?"

"No, sir."

Night sighed softly, easing up. "Very well. I... guess I have no choice, or she'll have my head."

Zipline couldn't help but to let out a soft snicker at that, covering his mouth to hide his grin. "Yes, sir, she might."

"You quit that."

Zipline snapped his hooves together and stood to attention. "Yes, sir."

"You are dismissed. And, also, a word of advice."

"Yes, sir?"

"Don't screw up."

"Not on the agenda, Captain."

"Good," Night nodded once. "Have a nice day, Corporal."

"Likewise, sir," Zipline replied, turning tail and trotting out of the dining room.

Watching him go, Night finally comprehended the severity of the mess, realizing some of his armor took hits from the soupy oats, and the fur on his face was beginning to harden and stick together. It was evident that another shower was necessary—and that was just what he was going to do.


***


After bathing a second time, Night dried himself completely, stepping out into his apartment with still a light sense of sleepiness in his eyelids. Exhaling deeply, he sauntered to his bedside, climbing up and crawling onto the bed, but not under the sheets. 

Despite his urge to shut his eyes and fall asleep, he couldn't. The day was still young, and the sun was very much bright in the room, filling it with a deep golden hue. Even if he could doze off into a deep slumber or the slightest of naps, Night would find himself sleeping during the day and awake during the evening.

Gradually, gravity took over, his eyelids beginning to slip shut, and what very little noise there was from the outside ambiance of the city faded. Then, a knock on the door woke him right back up. Or, well, made him alert.

Sitting up, Night turned to the door, the knocking only getting louder and eventually turning into a pounding. The knob was taken in a shimmering blue grip of magic, the entire door forced open, and in stepping a night-blue alicorn, hoof pointed and raised.

"Night Shadow!" Shouted Princess Luna from across the room, startling him even more.

"Princess!" Night hopped up out of bed, stumbling and falling onto the cold, hard cobble floor below with a grunt. Instinctively he bowed right where he fell.

"We are going out for fun, does thou hear?!" Princess Luna continued in the Royal Canterlot voice, nearly enough to literally blow Night backwards.

"Fun? What fun?!" He looked right up at her from the floor, still in a bowing stance.

At that, the princess of the night herself stepped forth, lifting Night to his hooves with a simple burst of magic.

"We... are going..."

She leaned in closer to whisper.

"...shopping!"

"Shopping?" Night cocked his head. "Again?"

"What does thou mean by again?!"

"Didn't we—" Night stopped briefly. "—you go last Sunday?"

"We have not been out of the Royal Palace for much more than a month, my Captain. Has thou simply lost track of time?"

"I—" Night again paused, putting a hoof to his chin as he pondered. "It seems so."

"Did we also not call for thou's time off?"

"You did."

"Then we shall go shopping!" Princess Luna, in her half-silly, more secluded self, raised her hoof, horn lighting and spawning a red-and-white baseball cap atop her head, a smirk crossing her muzzle.

"What's with the hat?"

"It is something I very much enjoy wearing on our outings. Does thou not wear hats?"

"Just helmets, Princess."

"That must change. Thou's entire wardrobe must change! We will find thou some new outfits!"

Was any of that really necessary? Night thought. It's not like I go out off-duty often, so clothes are just about pointless.

"What ever you'd like, Princess."

"Enough of the formality!" She decreed, once again raising her voice.

So much for relaxation time.


***


Now out of the palace a good twenty minutes later, after arguing again and again with other guards going out of their way to prevent the duo from leaving, it was decided only Night would go with the princess. With his experience within the Guard, he would make up for the usual armored bodyguard assigned to Princess Luna's side on outings such as these.

Marching rather proudly down the street, the princess of the night passed through crowds, many ponies on the streets stepping out of her way and bowing fearfully, or simply staring with total shock. 

Behind her with a more steady pace trotted Night Shadow, keeping his eye out for trouble. Normally he would be ahead, although, Princess Luna insisted she takes the lead, her having knowledge of the majority of the shops around the city.

Their first stop was at an arts and crafts store only a block from the gates of the palace. Inside, apart from the two ponies working, a few were completely shocked to literally be standing directly next to Princess Luna as she trotted around the small multi-story shop. The princess paid little mind to the customers, going about her business like the average pony.

Picking up some quills and a few jars of ink, she proceeded upstairs, Night following close behind while also looking around a bit himself. On the second floor, everything apart from the price tags was far different than the first floor. Consequently, Princess Luna's eyes opened wide with wonder.

Rather than entirely shelves of materials, displays were set up throughout most of the room, with only a couple of small shelves off in the corner and rather out of sight. On the displays sat a large assortment of wooden, plastic, clay, and even pure metal models, constructed with perfection and placed in their own 'environments', with their building kits below the actual stands.

Approaching the array, both the princess and Night feasted their eyes over the models, ranging from miniature constructs of famous Equestrian cities, to model trains and airplanes, helicopters, and even creatures of all sorts. 

On a separate display sat multiple differently-colored figurines of fabled dragons, legendary manticores, and draconequuses—one of which a former enemy to the land, now-reformed and much recently an ambassador of Equestria.

Out of the many tens of figures and models, one caught the princess' attention the most: a ten-inch dragon figure, wings halfway extended outward and neck extended up in a bending shape, all the way to its head. The paint job done on the figure was by far the most notable thing about it, with the colors mixing between blue, purple, and pink, with a touch of pearlescent.

"Oh my..." Princess Luna gasped as she spoke, trotting up and leaning down to get a better look at the dragon. "This is truly stunning! Night, come here!"

Night sauntered to her side, focusing on the figure as well with a gentle smile. "Wow, how beautiful. They did one heck of a job on that."

"They did! We never previously pictured ourselves as a modeller, but this. This could change everything!"

The stallion by her side let out a soft chuckle. "You buying it?"

"We shall!" Princess Luna decreed, tossing her hoof up. With that, she began searching for the kit. "Now, if only we could find what we are looking for."

After a minute of standing still, watching the blue alicorn trot around aimlessly, Night joined in, looking all around for the model kit, unaware that soon after, the store's manager was watching them from beside the staircase.

"Can I... help the both of you?" He asked in a somewhat nervous tone.

Princess Luna paused, approaching. "Yes. Whereabouts is the box for that model?" She pointed to the display.

The manager shifted to the dragon model, then back to the princess with a frown. "I'm sorry, your highness. I'm afraid that is just on display. We do not sell kits for that specific figure. In fact, they're not even made."

Princess Luna gasped audibly. "What? Why not?" 

"These models are specifically sold for colts and fillies, your highness," he cleared his throat afterward, eyes briefly darting to her bodyguard.

"Then why have all of the professional-looking stuff if you're not going to sell it for the stallions and mares who may be into that kind of stuff?" Night asked, an eyebrow raised.

"I'm terribly sorry, but that's not how—"

Princess Luna's hoof fell to the floor. A loud, crashing thump, enough to shake the entire building, followed, the princess' eyes turning pure white. Her wings flared out to full length, nearly smacking Night in the muzzle.

"You are to sell these kits to the ponies of Equestria! This is bad business to target a specific group when all may be interested! If thou does not change your ways, thou will be forced to suffer our wrath!"

Night, off to the side, stared with wide-eyes, ears pinned back. In embarrassment, he tapped the princess' shoulder, her head snapping back to make direct eye contact.

"Princess, perhaps... you could tone it down a little? T-this isn't a good example."

"Y-y... yes, y-your highness!" The manager, now laying on the ground and recoiled back with fear and trembling like the building itself, stuttered. "I-I-I will m-make sure we s-sell what you w-want!" He gave an innocent, pleading smile.

"Very good!" She stopped, everything returning to normal around them. "Now, if thou will excuse us, we must check out. We expect thou to have followed orders by the time we return."

"Y-yes, your highn-ness."

Turning tail, Princess Luna put her nose up, rounding the staircase down to the first floor. Night followed, stopping for a moment and turning to the manager, giving him an apologetic smile, then heading downstairs as the night princess went to pay for her purchases.


***


"So, Princess..." Night began.

"Yes, Night?"

"Was... any of that, back at the shop, was that necessary in the least?" Night glanced to his side, slightly up at the dark blue alicorn.

"Yes. Yes, it was!" She raised her voice, though not enough to scare any bystanders as they passed. "The supervisor of that store should be ashamed of himself, scamming his customers by bartering false advertisement! How dare he?!"

"Well... you aren't wrong there, your highness—"

"No formality!"

"Sorry. You aren't wrong there, Luna. What worries me is the fact that you used the Royal Canterlot voice in public...again. That... isn't good. We need to work on that."

"What is wrong with using the Royal Canterlot voice in such situations?!" She glared daggers at the slightly smaller stallion.

"What's wrong with it, Princess—" he emphasized her title. "—is that you're making a bad example of yourself again. When you were reformed half a decade ago, you used the voice quite a lot and accidental. Now it's on purpose, but it's more frequent than it needs to be. You get me?"

"I simply do not understand what it is with thou and having a strong dislike for the Royal Canterlot voice. Thou has not tried it, it truly is relaxing to let it go during times of distress!"

"You're referring to breaking down, Princess. Shouting causes situations to worsen. It can prove helpful sometimes, yes, but shouting isn't the way to go. He would have listened to you one way or another."

"And how is thou so sure, Night Shadow?!"

"Because you're Princess Luna, one of Equestria's four rulers, and I bet you ten bits that if he refused your request, your sister would have banished him to the moon," Night gave a sly grin, then a wink.

Princess Luna processed the thought, then nodded once. "Alright, I believe thou."

"One more thing... when did you go back to using 'thou'?"

The princess' eyes widened. "Is that another problem habit?"

"No, not at all," Night shook his head, facing forward as they rounded a corner. "You did drop it for quite some time, though."

"I see," she replied, her eyes coming across another building coming up on their left. "Oh, here! Here is the place!" She said, now galloping towards it.

Night's bright gold eyes opened up, hooves taking a sprint after her and dodging between ponies after her. "Princess, wait!"

The grey pegasus caught up to her after a few moments, although by that time, she had infiltrated the front door of the shop and was going about her routine of looking all around at the store's vast selections

This must have been why they were out all along, as Night immediately remembered their earlier conversation. He froze just past the entrance mat, eyes scanning across a sea of clothing, folded on wooden displays, dressed on manikins, and hanging on racks. Much of it was casual wear, too.

At this point, Princess Luna was long gone—likely in one of the dressing rooms at the rear of the shop. For second-in-command of her personal guard, keeping that mare under control on shopping outings such as these was beyond problematic. He would find her, just not until it was her decision to check out. Until that time would come, Night had no other option than to browse. After all, the princess requested him to.

He began by moving toward a section of denim and leather jackets, all of different color and style. Sliding them down the railing they were hung on, Night pulled a couple down to get better looks. One was black and grey, the other a brown-and-grey mixture. Shifting between the two, he shook his head, placing them back on the rack for neither of the two were of his 'style', whichever that was.

Searching through more jackets, Night eventually gave up on that section, moving on to a few displays of t-shirts surrounding a couple of manikins on top. Many of which had more of a variety and different style than each other, all combined making up for every color on the rainbow and more. On them read wording such as 'I Luv Cntrlt'. This raised Night's eyebrow, even though it was done to fit on the shirt with such the large wording it had.

Moving around the white wooden circular shelf, he picked through different t-shirts, all seemingly with wording he would never find himself saying—or in this case, wearing. Beyond that, again, none of which truly latched on to Night's taste.

Next was hooded jackets and sweatshirts, seeing as they were just about the only things left within the store. He dug through the rack hanging on the wall politely, afterwards moving on to a couple of shelves to the side. Then, something caught his eye.

Pulling it out from a neatly stacked pile, Night unfolded the black and dark grey sweater, hoof rubbing against the soft, smooth outer material it was made of, the inside being a more fluffier, warmer material. Even though he couldn't immediately wear it, Night knew this would be perfect for the approaching autumn weather.

He lifted it up, stretching the bottom out slightly and slipping his head in, hooves through the sleeves. Too tight, he thought, taking it back off and re-folding it, searching for a larger size. Finding his matching size moments later, he trotted up to a mirror, looking over himself, even striking a couple of poses and unaware of his surroundings.

"Heheh. Nighty, you're lookin' fine today," he grinned to himself, lifting one of his forehooves in another pose.

Behind, he could hear faint snickering. Night's eyes moved up in the mirror, spotting Princess Luna standing right behind him, along with some other mares shopping at the time with bags in their magical auras.

"You know, I have never seen him so proud of himself like this!" Princess Luna grinned, the mares giggling.

Night, having whipped around in surprise, blushed profusely, proceeding to slip the hood over himself to hide it, though it didn't nearly work quite as he expected.

"Oh, come on, Night, lighten up. Nopony is making fun of you."

"This... was all I found that I liked. What do you think?" Night turned his head slightly.

"It looks magnificent on you, definitely matches your colors! You're getting there, Night. Eventually you'll find yourself bathing in new styles. You'll fit in to Canterlot!"

Night raised an eyebrow at that.

"Not... that thou doesn't already," Princess Luna smiled sheepishly. "We simply meant with how fancy folks dress around the city."

"Uh huh..." Night slowly nodded, removing the hoodie with a slight struggle. "Are you ready to check out?" He asked, muffled by the clothing.

"Whenever you are!" Princess Luna smiled, holding up at least two-hundred bits worth of clothing in two different stacks.

When Night did remove the hoodie and begin to fold it, Princess Luna and the mares burst into a fit of laughter. He glanced up, head cocking slightly.

"What is it? What's so funny?"

"Your mane!" Princess Luna cackled hysterically.

Still confused, Night turned to the mirror, seeing his previously-combed mane utterly destroyed by the static of the fabric rubbing against it, eyes opening wide.

"Princess, we're going back to the palace. Now."
> Flock the Coop
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

One long afternoon and a couple more purchases later, the duo were finally on their way back to the palace. With the evening dinner rush just beginning, they would be longer than anticipated returning. Neither Princess Luna nor Night Shadow truly minded, however. Between them, days like these were more than just outings—they were days of friendship and further bonding. 

"You know, Night. I really do quite enjoy seeing thou in a hat!" Princess Luna turned, giving a soft grin to the shorter pony by her side.

Night's cheeks heated beneath the simple dark-blue cap he wore atop his previously-ruined mane. "You know why I bought it in the first place."

"Do please clarify again."

With a slight grumble, Night replied, "As if I wanted anypony to see my screwed up hair on the walk back."

"Well, I, for one, believe thou looks good in a hat. No, not good. Marvelous? That might be overdoing it. Superb? Yes, superb! Superb is the word I was looking for!"

Night let out a very soft chuckle. "If you say so, Princess."

"I do hope thou has plans for more hat purchases in the future, as thou will give me and many of the mares in the palace something else to talk about!"

He didn't like that idea. "Well, Princess, I—"

"What? Does thou not enjoy such a thought?" The Lunar princess glanced back down to Night.

"I... really quite don't see what the big deal is about me wearing a hat. If I were in uniform, maybe. But, a hat?" He tilted his head looking right back up and over.

"Night," Princess Luna looped a hoof around his neck as they walked. "I speak of you regardless of what you are wearing. I speak of other guards the same. Is it wrong for mares to speak of stallions they admire?"

"You admire me?"

"Well, yes. I—" Princess Luna paused, flushing against her dark blue coat. "Who doesn't admire guards for what they do for our city, for our country?"

"Reaaaally?" Night grew a sly grin across his muzzle. "I have a creeping feeling that thou is thinking of a different type of admiration."

The princess made direct eye contact with Night, cheeks still heated and visible to the stallion clearly. "Thou is for me to say and me to say only, does thou hear?!"

Night went into a small laughter, replying a few moments later, "Whatever you say, my princess."

"My princess?!"

"You are my princess, Princess. I serve primarily under your ruling. I follow your orders. Therefore, you are my princess."

"Humph... But thou does serve under my sister as well, does thou not?"

"During certain occasions, yes," Night nodded. "But you know very well that is only during emergencies."

"Hmmm..." Princess Luna pondered, then nodded. "I suppose thou is right. Very well."

"Then I win again." Night grinned up at the princess.

"Thou does win again... For now," Luna returned the grin with a half-smirk.

For the remainder of the walk, the two conversed further, changing topics even after they cleared the gate and walked the vast palace halls. The further they moved about, however, it was highly notable of the lack of guards. Princess Luna did not notice, or more likely, was not even paying the right amount of attention. This aroused Night's suspicion however.

"Princess, I... think we should get you to your quarters a bit quicker."

"What?" Princess Luna's head tilted. "What is wrong?"

"I don't know, but something doesn't feel right. Just to be sure, we should hurry."

Princess Luna knew better than to judge his suspicion, even if half of the time it wasn't accurate. Still, an order was an order.

Making their way around a corner, both stopped and made way as two sword-wielding guards rushed past, not bothering to hesitate at the Lunar princess standing there. This only further worried Night.

"Keep going, we're almost there!" Night called, waving his hoof after taking a slight lead, waiting for the princess to catch up and move ahead.

The two had a slight gallop in their trot, rounding a circular staircase that led upward to the princess' quarters, and further down from that, the Zodiac's shared situation room. With two guards outside Luna's quarters, Night could breathe a sigh of relief that she would be in good protection.

"Stay in your quarters, and don't come out until the all clear is given, alright?" Night paused, saying to the princess.

Luna nodded with a look of worry splashed all over her face. She trotted up to the doors of her quarters, entering, followed by the click of three locks at once. With Princess Luna safe, Night quickly turned tail, trotting quickly to the other end of the hallway.


***


"So, I walked in like, 'Hey, Captain!', and the next thing I knew, I was staring right at a—pffft—right at a face full of goo. I didn't think I was that loud, but still, managed to scare the ever-loving wits out of him. You all should have seen it, I think you would have been laughing as much as I am now!" Cackled Zipline, holding a hoof over his stomach and tearing up from the laughter. 

Across the table snickered Shieldhunter, hoof over mouth to prevent all from spotting the witty grin on his muzzle. Laughing in a serious time, he knew, was considered unprofessional on his part. Nonetheless, he certainly felt the need to get a laugh out of Zipline's short story.

The remainder of Zodiacs within the room, including some others, simply rolled their eyes or rubbed their uncovered foreheads in some attempt to rid themselves of a headache, hoping the pony they waited for would enter any minute.

"Anyways, he turns and looks at me, face covered in oatmeal. I walk up and wipe him down, he starts growling like a bear or something, then he—" Zipline immediately stopped when his eyesight locked on to the dark grey pegasus across the room who had just entered. "Hey, Captain! There you are. Where have you been? And... are you wearing a hat?"

"Apologies. Princess Luna and I have been gone almost all day. What's going on, what's the situation?" Night asked worriedly, purposely ignoring Zipline's last comment, trotting in and standing beside the table.

"Level three emergency lockdown. The Palace has been evacuated of staff and ponies in the city are being sent home," said a very dark brown, stocky earth stallion from across the room, dressed in Lunar medic's armor.

Night nodded once to the new face. "Name and rank?"

"Medic Specialist Rescue Sunstreak, sir," the stallion replied proudly, raising his unarmored hoof in a brief salute.

"Former Ponyville Fire Department?"

"Yes, sir. Former Station Chief."

Night nodded once more. "Good to have you with us. Why the lockdown, Sergeant?" He then turned to the dark cyan stallion seated across the glass table.

"Escaped dungeon convict registered as a rogue mage. Numerous records on his plate regarding property destruction and even kidnapping and murder charges," Lodestar began.

"We're talking some serious magic work here. Lockdown was prompted by Princess Celestia. Guards are out looking for him, but, we've been told somepony else is on the way as ordered by the princess as well."

"Who?" Night's head tilted.

Before anypony could reply, a deep thud, followed by brief shaking of the ground, startled all in the room. Heavy hoofsteps approached from further down the hallway, forcing all to face the door. A tall shadowed figure loomed on the outside of the door, and within a moments notice, he entered.

"I am looking for Captain Night Shadow," spoke a deep, rumbling voice.

Night's bright yellow pupils downsized to half of what they were previously, his jaw hanging open at the sheer size of the pony. The bright red stallion, wings fading to white near the tips, stood easily twice their height, body packed tight with muscle from hooves to chest and back, though not nearly enough to match that of a bodybuilder most knew of in Ponyville.

On his shoulders rested heavy gold-clad, jet-black shoulderpads, with matching gold-bladed, black-handled shortswords on either shoulder. Hanging over his shoulder, in one hoof, sat a massive gold-red hammer, spiked on top and all sides, his primary weapon that even had a faint fire hue to it. To simply look him in the eye was awe-inspiring, with what seemed to be a constant blue flame flickering in it.

When reality set back in from shock, Night stepped forth, a stern look on him. "I am. Who might you be?"

The stallion approached slightly, just narrowly fitting in between the table and walls. "I am Redflare. Paladin Redflare. By the power of Princess Celestia's shimmering golden light, I serve."

"Why are you here, Paladin?" Night asked, looking straight up at the larger pony that dwarfed even Rescue further behind him.

"I have come here for you. I have learned of new developments regarding an escaped assailant hiding in the streets, a powerful one as well. Princess Celestia has ordered that you accompany me to the dungeons for investigation," Redflare replied, voice booming in the crystal-decorated room.

His voice in itself was enough to make a couple of the others cower in their seats. Night, however, didn't.

"Then we shall begin our search as soon as I get my armor on," Night nodded once.

"Waste no time. I will wait here until your return," Redflare replied, returning the nod.

Almost split-secondly after, Night trotted past the large red pegasus and through the twin-frosted glass doors leading outside. He shifted right, trotting in a quicker-than-usual pace down the hallway and around the corner, through another set of doors—much heavier ones—and down that hallway to the very end where his quarters were.

Pushing inside the door, Night rushed to his wardrobe beside his large bed, not once pausing for a breather while he clad himself in a slightly heavier set of armor than what he typically wore on duty. This was meant for emergencies such as this very moment.

Lastly, unlatching his sword from its hanger in the wardrobe and sliding it in an attached leather sheathe beneath his wing, he hurried back.

In the situation room, Redflare, as well as most others, remained perfectly silent, all fixing their eyes either on him, or what they could see of the door behind his ginormous figure. The giant red pony almost seemed to be in a sort of meditation, his body was just that still and motionless. 

Behind, the door swung open, a slightly-panting Night Shadow standing in the frame with the Zodiac-Mark III set of armor on him. Seeing this was slightly unnerving to the others, all except for Lodestar, who simply nodded once at Night for his decision. After all, their target was in fact dangerous.

"Sergeant, coordinate with Fallen Star. Let him know where I'll be and discuss stations. I am putting you in charge until we return," Night said in a serious tone.

"Yes, Captain," Lodestar replied with another nod, then a salute.

"Paladin, I am ready when you are," Night said, shifting focus to Redflare.

The large pony turned, eying Night's armor and smirking slightly. Standing, he let Night out first, then squeezed his way through the open doors and into the hall, standing upright. From there, the two stallions made their way out through a nearby exit that led out to the castle grounds. 

On their way to the dungeons, Night began to think. He was primarily uninformed and did not have a clue of what they would be dealing with. He figured it would be a good time to strike up an on-topic conversation with Redflare.

"Paladin," Night said.

"Captain?" Red replied, glancing down at the significantly smaller pony.

"Forgive my ignorance, but I am afraid I am not briefed. Is there anything you could possibly tell me about the situation?"

"Of course. What is there you would like to know, Captain?"

"Well, first off, who is this pony? All I know about him is that he is some sort of 'rogue mage'."

"His name is Topaz Myth. Like the few lucky unicorns in Equestria, he attended Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. He became one of the best students with impeccable scores. When King Sombra returned and he was defeated, however, Topaz began secretly reading books of dark magic. His parents found out, but no one said a thing. 

"Subsequently, he introduced more and more of it into his work at school while keeping a low profile on it, attempting to disguise the dark magic. It soon became evident to Princess Celestia after some time of observation, and she expelled him. It became too much, and he went on a rampage, though it was short-lived. He engaged in battle with the Royal Guard, was weakened, then escaped in a final burst. He was later dubbed the Silver Mage.

"It wasn't until he was in his twenties when he was locked away. Now, he's approaching his forties. Even then, he practiced spells on himself to extend his lifespan. Only time will tell if it will work," Redflare explained.

Night nodded in response, going over the new information mentally, facing ahead of them. "Are his parents still around?"

"Not in Canterlot. They relocated to a small town on the west coast not long after Topaz was imprisoned. Supposedly their reasoning behind it was because they didn't want to see Canterlot again as it brought back too many memories."

"So they sheltered themselves from... themselves," Night furrowed an eyebrow at that. "So it's no use informing them, I presume."

Redflare's head shook in disagreement. "It would not make any change in the matter. As far as we are concerned, Topaz has developed a strong hate for his parents since they abandoned him."

Night glanced up at the big red pony. "Do you think he might take a shot and go after them?"

"It's certainly a possibility, although, his primary goal is to wreak havoc on the land until nothing is left standing, starting with Canterlot. Even if he didn't have such thoughts, it would be best to still capture him. Our trail begins at his cell."

"Of course," Night nodded in response, tailing Redflare as they started down a wide staircase leading into the palace's dungeons. 

The hall was long and slightly rounded, looping around the whole of the palace grounds. Some parts of it were above ground, the rest were not. Even this was a surprise for Night to see just how vast the cold steel-and-concrete cells were. 

Passing through the corridor with a solid pace, Night took one or two glances into the occupied cells, spotting other convicts, hooves shackled to the walls. Another was a griffon, using a metal nail file to sharpen his talons. His eyes met Night's, an eerie look fully visible within them.

Finally, the two approached a couple of guards, standing outside an open cell and staring down at the floor with utter disbelief. Stepping up beside them, Night could see just what they were staring at: a large hole, right in the floor of the cell, with burn marks that had scorched the walls and floor around it.

The guards, seeing Redflare, snapped to attention, metallic-booted hooves clicking together. "Paladin."

"At ease," Redflare nodded once to them, giving the guards some reassurance. "What happened here?"

"That's the problem, Paladin. We don't know," one of the guards answered.

The other, an older guard with a more gruff voice, stepped forth to speak. "The Silver Mage broke out using magic, but that is impossible. He's had an anti-magic ring on his horn for the last almost two decades."

"Do the rings decay and fail after a certain amount of time?" Night then asked.

"Unlikely. Rings used here are forged using triblithium, the strongest metal to deter magic use and actually absorbs any that might pop up over time," the older guard answered again. "But, from the looks of it, he's escaped somewhere into the sewer system. Or, even worse, he made it into the Crystal Caverns."

"Why is that worse?" Night tilted his head, confused.

"Easier to hide, not to mention, the crystals down there amplify magic. If he gathers enough of his strength and builds that up, added with the crystals, he could almost literally blow Canterlot off of the mountain," Red responded seriously. "We have very limited time here if that is his true intention."

"Paladin, how can we help?" Asked the younger guard in front of him.

Redflare glanced down to the guards. "You two, stay here. Tend to the other prisoners. If and when we return with the Silver Mage, make sure to put two rings on his horn."

The guards raised their hooves in a salute, nodding. "Yes, Paladin!"

"Good. Now, carry on." Red then turned to Night by his side. "We will be heading to the mine shafts below the city, where they have been drilling the last couple of months. That's our only way into the caverns. Or, well, my only way."

Chuckling softly, Night waved a hoof. "Then it is your turn to follow me!" He said, cantering further down the corridor, Redflare tailing behind, to a second staircase.

Back up in the central halls, with Night in the lead, the two trotted out through one of the smaller exits, Night immediately taking to the skies with a swift flap of his wings to propel him upward. With surprise, Redflare observed, then stretched out his massive wings, too flapping once to push himself into the air with enough wind force to blow leaves off of trees.

Waiting just a bit for the larger stallion to catch up, Night initially flew south, away from the city, before looping back around to approach the mining site situated on a flat space below the level of Canterlot itself.

Just prior to landing, Night scanned over the small area closely, ensuring no workers or civilians were around. When all was clear, he swooped down, hooves skidding to a stop in a patch of dried-up dirt. To his side landed Redflare with an enormous thud, hard enough that pebbles quite literally leaped into the air and fell back into their places.

The two exchanged looks, Redflare giving a silent, single nod to Night Shadow. Facing forward, Night advanced toward the cave entrance, a massive hole in the side of a cliff caused likely by forced blasting or drilling—or magic.

Halting at the foot of the hole, Night scanned around the inside. Seeing just how dark it was only made the job easier for him. Thinking back, that was likely the reason why Red chose Night to accompany him.

Slowly and carefully, Night entered the caverns, glancing around at the walls, ceiling, and in some spots, even the ground, all made of seafoam-colored crystals of magnificent size and reflectance.

Suddenly, the ground began to shake intermittently. Night froze, staring down at the ground with wide-eyes the more it shook. He raised an eyebrow, snapping back to Redflare who stopped just behind him.

"Paladin, loosen up. You're going to shake him into knowing we're here!" Night whispered aloud.

"Sorry." Redflare replied with a sheepish smile, easing himself slightly.

Night rolled his eyes, continuing into the vast cave system, Redflare now much quieter and by far less shakier in his steps. The further they went, however, the darker it became. Even that came to be too much for Night.

"It's dark," Red whispered. "I can't see where I'm going!"

Seemingly out of nowhere, a faint, golden light shone in the cavern around them, startling Night. He snapped back around, seeing the light emanating from Redflare himself. This came to be quite a shock to Night. Typically only unicorns could perform such magic, but Redflare was a pegasus!

The large red stallion glanced down to a shocked Night, eyebrow raising. "What?"

"You're glowing!" Night squeaked out. "Is that normal?!"

"The Clan of Celestia's Paladins are always given such abilities in training. This is not the least of what I can do," Redflare smirked slightly, advancing past Night, still glowing much like a lantern.

Night observed carefully as Red passed, raising his hoof to smack himself on the cheek to make sure he wasn't sleeping. He shook his head, turning back to the larger stallion, then hastily followed after. It was evident there was far more to this pony than what meets the eye.

Soon, Red stopped again, Night catching up moments later.

"There's a split. Dang it, we're going to have to separate paths to cover more ground," Night whispered, shifting focus between the two directions.

"I... don't think that's a very good idea," Redflare said softly to avoid his voice echoing too far.

"On the bright side, we could locate him faster, if he's still in here. On the darker side, if I find him, I'll only have a few moments to scream and get your attention before he kills me," Night glanced up with a slight joking smile.

Redflare, however, didn't smile once, staring down neutrally at the far smaller pegasus. "Is that meant to be a joke? Because I am not laughing."

Night's smile faded away, him staring forward. "Let's just stick with the plan. You go right, I go left."

With a deep, long sigh, Redflare nodded slowly. "Scream or... screech... if you find him, Captain," he said, moving down the right-side cave.

"You got it," Night responded, trotting down the other side, slowing his pace the further in he went.

The more the two separated, the colder it got. This too was strange to Night. Eerie even. Unless it meant Redflare radiated heat, too. That could very well be a possibility, he thought. Deep down, some part of Night warned that this whole operation going to be far trickier. Sure, he was a Lunar Guard captain, but going against a pony with far superior magic would not end well.

He began to slow his walk, narrowing his eyes on the end of the narrow cave path that led out into a far more open space that dipped down further into the ground. The unnerving part was the very faint sky-blue light echoing throughout the room.

Stopping at the edge of a short cutoff, Night ducked down, peeking past a standing crystal that provided much-needed cover. Staring down at the source of the flickering light, his eyes opened wide with surprise. Sitting upright on his haunches, a single, gentle flame before his forehooves, was the very pony they were searching for.

The tall, brass-coated, green-eyed unicorn stared blankly down at the blue-colored fire, his horn faintly lit to keep it going. From afar, the pony looked harmless. Night, however, proceeded to observe.

Topaz's eyes moved up from the small fire to just above it, eying the floor beyond it carefully. He raised his head and shut his eyes, horn further lighting with magic. A band of blue energy magic wrapped itself around the aura of his horn, rounding from the base to the tip, then erupting into small bursts that mimicked fireworks—except they weren't fireworks.

When a larger burst popped, a screen similar to that of a hologram made of pure magic and energy appears before him, the fire beneath it banding around the outside and lighting up the room further. 

Moving his head down, Topaz blankly eyed the screen, eyelids half shut. What Night could make out on the screen was different shots of Canterlot as if from cameras placed where cameras literally could not be put, all of which observing different sectors of the city—including the Canterlot Palace, where guards stood by in groups.

The brass unicorn raised his one hoof, motioning it in a slow circle. Around it formed a ring colored similarly to his magic, and soon, an orb which rested in the base of his hoof as he held it up, shifting his eyes lazily over to it. This time, Night could not see what it was.

"Mm, yes." He spoke to himself in a deep, eerie tone, returning his attention to the hologram, a very sinister grin growing across his muzzle. "Yes..."

A shift in magic forced the hologram to change screens. Within that very moment, the unicorn's grin faded. Night glanced to the screen, now seeing a pair of older ponies eating lunch together. Topaz began to frown, and his ears fell back gently.

His parents... Night said to himself mentally, shifting back to the brass pony.

Topaz reached a hoof up slowly, wiping once at his eye. The tear fell, dripping on the ground, then sizzling into vapor instantly after. Night Shadow's eyes opened wide, observing more carefully as the fire began to overtake the hologram, growing in intensity and now... cold?

The entire room was now freezing, but the fire raged on, burning up into nothing and eventually disappearing into magical embers that rained down and faded away into nothing. Topaz sat still, head down and eyes shut tightly. To Night, it was now very much evident this pony was in pain, but knew any type of approach would end up with him going the same way as the hologram.

All went silent—as if the flame had simply froze, even though technically speaking, it was frozen. Topaz slowly opened his eyes as they faded into a complete white glow, his horn flaring with deadly magic.

"I must destroy them... all of them... They deserve to perish..."
> Two Blue Flames
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With the blue light of the cold blaze down below flickering around the whole of the cavern room, the near-middle aged unicorn stomped the orb in his hoof into the smooth rock floor he sat on with a terrifying rumble that followed. Glowing cracks erupted from beneath, lit in the very color of the orb and flame, as well as his very own magic. The cracks spread out farther by the second, slowing in speed as they began to run up the walls on all sides surrounding Topaz, gradually approaching where Night Shadow sat. 

Unaware of what the magic-fed cracks could do to another pony, Night began to ponder quickly in his head what his next move should be. For what he knew, this could be the mage's final blow that would cause a cave in and destroy the city above, or worse. If he ran to find Redflare, he would also risk losing time of stalling until he could arrive.

Either way it went, it appeared to be there was only one real outcome: a grim one at that. For what it was worth, grabbing Topaz's attention came to be his final decision. Murmuring a small, inaudible prayer to Luna, Night stood up straight and climbed atop a large crystal, shouting at the top of his lungs. "Topaz!"

The guard pony's voice echoed throughout, disrupting the unicorn mage's concentration and even startling him slightly. All around, the cracks ground to a halt, but continued to let off a faint blue glow as Topaz's magical aura dissipated.

Gradually, the brass-coated unicorn's head swiveled in his direction, eyes shifting to meet the figure standing above the wide opening he stood in. He slowly blinked.

"Who are you, and how did you find me?" Asked Topaz in the same soft, yet dark voice. With a simple glance at Night's armor, he raised his hoof and nodded once, stopping Night as he opened his maw to speak. "You are a Lunar guard. Captain even. Princess Luna's personal guard, the Zodiacs. Have you come for me?"

"I have." Night nodded once, his expression a fatal mixture of fear, but over all, his best to appear the exact opposite. "Why have you traveled down here?"

"Why, to stay hidden, of course. The Guard wouldn't think to search for me down here," Topaz replied, a very faint, sinister grin crossing his muzzle.

"Considering your escape left a dramatically large-sized hole and scorch marks in the cell around it, I'm afraid I cannot concur with that statement," Night responded immediately after.

"Hmm, I suppose you are right, Captain." His grin remained, even slightly widening.

"Now that I have answered your question, how about you return the favor, hm?" Topaz then smirked. "Have you come to arrest me? To put me back in that putrid cell to rot for eternity, only to find another mean of escaping?"

"I have come..." Night stopped, eyes shifting ahead of him briefly with his maw open, then back down, closing his mouth.

"I've come to talk."

"Is that so? What is there to talk about?" Topaz only kept smirking at Night's attempts.

"I've come to talk about..." Night once more paused. This was far trickier than he'd imagined. "I have come to discuss your parents."

This hit the spot Night intended, as Topaz's smirk had immediately vanished and transformed into a very slight frown.

"What about those death-deserving ponies?"

"You miss them. Don't you?"

Topaz raised his nose, snorting. "Not in a million years would I miss them. Not even if they burned in the fires of Tartarus would I have the slightest desire of meeting either one of them ever again."

"After you looked at them through that vision, Topaz, I'm... not quite sure if I can believe what you say."

"So you have been watching." Topaz chuckled quietly. "I only wished to see their... happiness... one more time. Happiness... that will be no more in the coming days."

"And just what do you have planned for said days?"

Topaz sighed rather contently. "Since you will not be leaving, I believe it will be alright to tell." Shortly after his final word, Topaz's horn ignited with magic. 

Above and beside Night, a loud, audible crackling and rumbling caught his attention. Snapping his head up, Night could visibly see sizable chunks of the ceiling snap free and begin to freefall toward the ground. He gasped, leaping out of the way and tumbling almost off the edge as the rock collapsed, smashing down onto the hard crystal below and blocking the very way Night entered.

Sitting upright, Night stared to where the exit was formerly, pupils slightly shrunken. He jumped to his hooves, glaring down at Topaz and shifting into a defensive stance. Down below, the unicorn once more took a seat beside the tiny flickering blue flame.

"Now... with that out of the way, please, have a seat." He motioned his hoof, pointing for Night to sit across from him.

The dark blue-and-purple armored pegasus eyed Topaz cautiously, then with a single flap of his wings, jumped up, gliding down and landing with a gentle clop of hooves. Night sat back on his hinds, more tense than ever as he now sat face to face with the Silver Mage, who smirked slightly across the flame from him.

"Tell me about yourself."

"Excuse me?"

"I want to learn about you in this... unfortunate circumstance of yours. What is your name?"

Suspicion crawled further up Night's spine, not quite enough to send a chill rushing across his nerves however.

"Night Shadow," he replied flatly.

"Night Shadow. Ah, yes. Captain Night Shadow," Topaz chuckled again. "You see, I have been in the dungeons for almost two decades. Even an old pony like myself hears a word or two around the cells. You aren't from Equestria, are you?"

"I am. Rumors have said otherwise, but I can assure you, I am from no other origin."

"Your fangs say otherwise."

Night perked further at this. His fangs did not tell anything else other than his genetics of a bat pony derived from his parents. 

"Oh yeah? What about them?"

"A little birdie tells me that you aren't who you think you are. I am no fool, Captain. You are a hybrid. The first in over a century. I've studied your kind and many like it."

Night's eyes opened wide. Now he was really listening. "There... were more of me?"

"Oh, yes. Hidden among the crowds, when thestrals were believed to be an extinct species. The only way somepony could ever see who they really were is if they stood face-to-face and examined their mouth, assuming they even had fangs. Some did not. Many just had the specialties of a thestral," Topaz smirked sinisterly.

The pegasus' heart began thumping heavily and quickly in his chest, as if it were about to pop like a balloon. This pony knew everything. He knew about Night and where he came from—or so, that was how it seemed. He simply could not comprehend this sudden turn the confrontation took.

"Tell me more."

"More, hmm? So you're now interested in what I have to say?" Topaz grinned.

"Yes..."

"Good," he nodded once. "There are most likely more of you, Night Shadow. No matter what ponies may tell you, you aren't one of a kind."

Topaz watched carefully, grin widening the moment Night's ears pinned back to his head, his maw wide open with shock.

"You... no! You can't be serious... this is some sort of trick, isn't it?!" Night jumped up into a defensive stance.

"Is it?" The brass unicorn sat perfectly still, grin not fading one single bit, his deep green eyes making direct eye contact with Night's bright gold ones.

"Is it...?"

Topaz's horn flared with light blue, a small flame flickering off of the tip. "Sit down, Captain. Relax. We will talk some more."

Unnoticeable to Night, the larger unicorn had encased his forehooves and hind legs with magic-energy chains, binding them together with shackles, followed by his wings, despite there being no visible escape around. Gradually, Night found himself sitting back down, eying Topaz directly, the black of his iris now turned the color of the mage's aura.

"Now... what is it you would like to know, Night Shadow?"

Night panted softly, ears remaining back and chest slightly heaving. "Everything..."

Topaz's grin became clearly visible as it transformed over to an evil smirk. "The rest of you, Night. The rest of your kind is dead."

"...W-what?"

"They are gone. Every last one of them. You are not a bat pony. You never were."

The voice echoed throughout Night's head, causing his breathing to pick up and heart to beat faster. Fear began to take over as the stallion's magic intensified around them, the cracks in the floor beginning to glow once more and spread light further and brighter than before.

"I'm... not a bat pony?"

"No, Night. You never were. You do not have a real family."

All around the two, smaller pebbles and loose rocks began to slowly levitate upwards. Sparks of blue energy fluttered upward, then fading away moments after into pure nothingness. At any moment, the crystals around them would shatter. For Night, however, he was too far entranced in the mage's spell, forcing him to completely disregard his mission and even forget what was about to happen.

"Then... then, w-what am I?" Night sputtered out.

Topaz rose to all fours, his eyes closed. Upon opening them, his eyes glowed a pure white.

"You are dead."

An earth-shattering smash exploded into the room. Dust and debris flew everywhere, clouding the space all the way up to the ceiling before gradually clearing out. The two ponies held their hooves out to shield themselves, Night coughing once or twice and reopening his eyes.

The dust settled, and just seconds after, a heavenly golden glow encircled the cavern, outshining Topaz's magical light. Its source stood high above them both: a massive pony figure, wings flared to full span. Gold-clad shoulderpads rested upon him, along with a massive hammer that was slung over the pads.

A blue flame lit up the pony's mane—in fact, the flame was the pony's mane—as well as up to the knees on his hooves, bursting with blue-hot flame. The figure bent down, then leaped up, falling back down to the floor with another shattering crash that forced a small crater of crystal shards beneath his hooves, the shards then beginning to burn and even melt to the touch.

"Topaz Myth, the Silver Mage..." Spoke a deep, rumbling voice. A threatening one at that.

"Paladin Redflare," Topaz's grin slowly returned. "What a surprise. I take it you accompanied my prisoner, or he accompanied you and abandoned you?"

The large red pegasus took the massive hammer from his shoulder in a mighty swing, pointing it outward to Topaz's chest. "Remove thy chains, and return him to me."

"And just what will I receive in return, hmm? No, wait, allow me to guess: a horn ring and hoofcuffs, and a one-way trip to the dungeons again?" Topaz cackled out. "What a joke. You are not even a unicorn! What type of magic, if any, could you possibly possess to get in my way?"

"I would not call it magic, nor supernatural, if you may. The Order trains until its inner will comes out, and that is what powers me: the will to fight, and defend." Redflare began to gently smack the end of his hammer into his own hoof, the hammer's steel clinking at each touch.

"As if I would conclude that pegasi have anything remotely special about them. You may be strong on the outside, but any true power you have is irrelevant and quite literally not real."

"Is that so?" Redflare smacked the hammer into his hoof, holding it there as the blue flames rose up, engulfing the head completely and giving it an even more golden shine than before. "Then I suppose the only way to find out is to fight."

"Indeed, it is," Topaz smirked darkly. With a quick burst of magic from his horn, Night Shadow was teleported to the upper ledge, still in a trance.

Redflare narrowed his eyes onto the target, shifting his body into a more defensive stance than previously, swinging his hammer out facing toward Topaz and holding it outright, the hot flames on the head continuing to burn as if somepony had tossed fresh wood or coal onto it.

Opposite of him, the brass unicorn sparked his horn to life with a powerful blast of magic that sent a shocking breeze out in all directions and kicking up a cloud of dust that shrouded him entirely.

The large red pegasus opened his wings, swinging them about to fan the dusty fog away. When it was out of his line of sight, the first thing Redflare realized was Topaz had disappeared, likely using teleportation. Thankfully, however, he knew very well the stallion could not have gone far, knowing the caverns' crystals hampered the effects of many unicorn spells.

In a blast of blue light from behind, Redflare was knocked forward, sliding across the cavern floor on his side before crashing into the wall, cracking it more severely than what Topaz's deadly magic had been doing. He leaped up to his hooves, hammer not once leaving his grip, and clenched his teeth as he once again caught sight of the Silver Mage.

Chuckling rather loudly and still darkly, Topaz began to levitate up a couple of feet into the air, his eyes purely white and horn sparking brighter than ever. Angrily, Redflare charged right at him, swinging his hammer to strike Topaz directly in the side. Rather than that, however, the hammer bounced right off and flew directly out of Redflare's hoof, impaling part of its head in the wall to his right.

Now slightly growling, his chest rumbling with rage, Redflare eyed the evil-bound pony, whom was now surrounded by an invisible barrier performed by a spell. It briefly surged after the strike, just before it could fade away again.

Topaz smirked again. "Oh, no! Having trouble reaching me, Paladin?"

"Graaah, come out of there, you puny coward!" Redflare screamed out, in turn raising a hoof and pumping it forward to strike the barrier once more.

This slightly pushed the unicorn backwards, though not much more than a few inches. Topaz continued to chuckle. "What a joke you are, you can't even reach me!"

"Maybe not now. At some point your magic will give out!" Redflare roared, recoiling his hoof again and forcing it into the magical bubble.

The force of the blow was immediately absorbed into the bubble, then repositioned back to Red and practically being shoved back against his own strength. His hooves scraped against the stone floor below, slightly digging in as he came to a complete halt at least ten feet behind where he previously stood.

"Then I shall sit here and wait until that happens," said Topaz, a smug grin resting on his face as he quite literally sat down within the magical barrier.

Slamming his hooves down into the stone once more, Redflare let out large, deep huffs in anger. A golden-white glow began to flare up around his forehoof, gradually increasing in intensity until it was as if a flame was flickering beneath it.

Red lifted his hoof, recoiling it back a third time, then springing forward with great might, pulling even himself forward as he charged at the overconfident unicorn. When the base of his hoof struck the center of the forcefield, the glow erupted into a flash as bright as Celestia's sun itself.  With an eardrum-bursting clap, much like thunder, the bubble shattered into tiny shards that dispersed into thin air within seconds. 

Topaz let out a yelp of pain, lifting his hoof and turning his head to shield his eyes from the sudden burst of light that temporarily blinded him. He fell backwards the moment his shield was gone, grunting when he hit the ground. Smirking with accomplishment, Redflare stomped forward, slamming his hoof down just beside the downed unicorn and standing above him. He let out a bellowing chuckle, using his other hoof to pin Topaz. 

Beneath him, Topaz growled with anger, firing up his horn again to fight back. He squinted heavily, vision still extremely disarranged from the blast. Due to this, he was now seeing doubles—and triples, neither of which he could decide which Redflare was the real one. Taking a chance, he shot a beam up magic up toward one of them, only to have a small rain of rocks patter down around them.

"Stay... rrgh, still!" Topaz demanded, now beginning to squirm beneath the large red pegasus.

"I think you should consider the same," Redflare replied, now glaring down at the wiggling pony. He raised a hoof, an emanation of gold forming out of it.

Lowering the hoof gently, Redflare pressed it to Topaz's chest. The brass unicorn's movements began to calm and eventually stop, breathing softening and body relaxing backwards.

"Now... you will come with us, back to the dungeons," Redflare said, glow fading from his hoof. Sighing out, he shifted his attention to Night Shadow, still bound in Topaz's chains. "Captain!"

Approaching the motionless pegasus, Redflare leaned down slightly, examining the chained-up stallion for injury and immediately noticing the bluish tint to his irises. Letting out another sigh, Redflare lifted his hoof and rested it on Night's shoulder, pumping a similar amount of light energy into his body.

Gradually, the tint faded, giving Night's irises back their yellow shade. The chains began to fade away into nothing, freeing his wings and hooves. Redflare's hoof pulled back and rested back on the floor, and he eyed the pegasus cautiously.

Less than a moment after, a chill ran up Night's spine and he sprung back to life, pupils shrinking down and gasping. He lifted a hoof to his cheek and looked around with surprise, then up at the massive red pony before him.

"What just... happened?" Night asked with pure shock. "Where's Topaz?!"

Redflare smiled warmly, then let out a small chuckle. "The situation has been taken care of."

Night eased himself, then peeked around the red pegasus and at the disabled mage. His head slightly tilted at the sight. "How?"

"How about... I explain after we have him back behind bars, yes?"

Night glanced back up at Redflare, then returned the smile. "That sounds good to me."
> Minor Annoyances
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With extra precautionary measures added, the dungeon cell door slammed shut and locked tightly, the prisoner still in a state of disarray as to what happened over the last twenty minutes. Opposite of the door stood a dungeon guard, a large, oversized red pegasus, and a captain of the Zodiac guard.

The older, slightly taller guard turned with a grin. "Great work, you two. Where did you find him so quickly might I ask?"

"Crystal Caverns. It was all part of his plan, too. Captain, would you be so kind to elaborate?" Redflare moved his gaze down to the far smaller grey pegasus to his side.

Night Shadow took a step forward, the guard's focus shifting to him as well. "His plot was an attempt to destroy the whole of Canterlot and kill thousands. He hid in the caverns to build up his magical strength. Even though it hampered some of his efforts with certain spells, the crystals were amplifying the energy needed to implode the mountain."

"So a close call, huh?" The guard's eyes slightly opened a bit wider than before. "Again, great work. We could not have pulled this off without either of you."

"Actually, we couldn't have pulled it off without Redflare. He's the one who took him down," Night smiled, glancing up at the larger stallion.

Flushing a bit of pink on his red coat, Redflare then shook his head. "Correction: Without the Captain, I would not have found him most likely, not to mention, he stalled Topaz long enough for me to detect where his magic was coming from. It was a team effort."

"Paladin, I insist, it was you doing most of the work."

"And Captain, I insist, you played a great role in capturing him."

"Paladin—"

"Enough of this nonsense, it was a team effort. We both played crucial roles, and Topaz is behind bars again," Redflare turned his nose up.

"Not for l-long."

The three ponies snapped their heads toward the cell with surprise, watching as the unicorn prisoner slowly sat up, albeit the chains limiting part of his movement. He grinned weakly yet sinisterly.

"I w-will escape again, soon... This time, you won't even know I'm gone until it's too late."

"Unlikely, Topaz. An alicorn's ring has been placed on your horn. Two to be exact. Not to mention, three-inch thick titanium shackles. It would take you a miracle to break free," Night answered stoically.

"I only need a miracle," Topaz eyed the pegasus, still grinning, then chuckling deeply.

Raising an eyebrow, Night turned to Red. "Let's get out of here and leave him be. Your spell probably made him delusional," he paused, glancing back to the evil unicorn. "More delusional than he already is."

Redflare nodded twice. "Fine with me, Captain," turning tail and heading back the way they came, Night Shadow and the dungeon guard tailing.


***


"Mares and gentlecolts, my dear subjects of Equestria. As many of you are aware of, yesterday evening, a prisoner of the Canterlot Palace dungeons escaped, triggering a city-wide lockdown, forcing you into your homes for safety," Princess Celestia spoke atop the balcony overlooking a courtyard jam-packed with ponies, forming a spectacle of color below. 

"This pony is known as Topaz Myth, or probably more well-known under his alias, the Silver Mage," she continued, a collective, yet quiet gasp forming beneath her and sparking chatter. Raising her hoof, the courtyard went quiet.

"His way of escape is still being investigated, although is being linked strongly toward his use of magic. He seems to have grown more powerful, even in his years of being locked away.

"However, I am pleased to announce: Topaz has been caught, and is back behind bars under far better protection. Canterlot... is safe," Princess Celestia smiled warmly. Beneath the balcony, a cheer erupted. This went on for a full minute, before her hoof raised again, silencing the crowd.

"But it was not my doing, nor my sister's. The work was done by one of my own, as well as Princess Luna's. Paladin Redflare of the Order of the Light, and Captain Night Shadow of the Lunar Zodiac Guard."

Again, a cheer exploded, much louder than before, accompanied by the rumble of hooves stomping into the ground.

"We thank..." Princess Celestia stopped, allowing the crowd to die down once more.

"We thank these brave stallions for their work to bring the Silver Mage back to the dungeons. We also thank the mares and stallions of the Canterlot City Guard for their work to keep each and every one of you safe after yesterday's terrifying chain of events."

Standing behind her in the doorway dressed in their uniforms, staring out at the princess as she spoke, Night Shadow raised an eyebrow.

"Isn't she going to tell them about what he was going to do?" Night whispered.

Redflare slightly leaned down to return the whisper above the cheering outside. "That would cause a panic."

"The danger is over, though," Night glanced up at Redflare. "What good is there in keeping secrets that don't need to be held onto anymore?"

"Paladin Redflare is right, I am afraid," came the voice of Princess Luna, approaching from the side.

"Princess!" The two gasped with surprise, kneeling down to her respectfully, Redflare's movement slightly shaking the floor.

Princess Luna walked up to the two, eying Night Shadow first. "Even if the danger has passed, there is no use in telling the public about what could have happened if Topaz was not stopped. If he wasn't, there is a high chance none of us would be here right now, gathering in celebration of his capture."

"Princess, with all due respect, I'm not comfortable with keeping secrets such as these. If the situation were ongoing, I could see why," Night replied, an eyebrow still raised.

The night-blue alicorn sighed, her starry mane waving eternally behind her. "I'm afraid that is how it is, Captain."

"Well..." Night paused, eyes darting down to the floor to think, raising a hoof. "What if somepony got hold of the secret and decided to post it in a newspaper or something?"

The princess stopped, looking back up at Night. Redflare blinked twice, staring down at the two.

"That will not happen."

"It could."

"It will not. I will make sure of it."

"You can't be too careful, Princess. It will only come with repercussions."

"As will thou's actions if thou continues this argument!" Princess Luna snapped back. Night recoiled slightly, Redflare's eyes widening. The two watched as the Lunar princess stepped out beside Celestia.

The two stallions exchanged brief looks following the small outburst, moving back out to the two princesses on the balcony.

"These two brave ponies are even with us today. My dear subjects, may I present to you... Paladin Redflare, and Captain Night Shadow!"

"That's your cue," whispered a guard across from them. 

Breathing out deeply, Night eased himself, watching the large red stallion step out beside Princess Celestia. Night followed out momentarily after, siding Princess Luna and smiling over the courtyard, waving his hoof with Redflare.

His smile was not as genuine as it may have appeared. In his mind, Night knew for a fact that he was far too uncomfortable not speaking out. Unfortunately, he had no choice.


***


With a high-pitched creak, the door to the Zodiac wing swung open, Night Shadow moving down the hall toward his quarters with heavier-than-usual steps that weren't completely muffled by the dark blue carpet beneath his hooves and echoed throughout the corridor. One thing was set on his mind: and that was rest.

"Hey, Captain!"

Rest was the only thing on his mind.

Glancing behind him, Night caught on to an armored white pegasus slightly galloping to catch up with him. He didn't slow down or stop at all. "Yes, Corporal?"

Zipline slowed to match his captain's pace, trotting by his side with a warm smile. "Heard you were presented out in the yards by the princesses!"

"You did not hear wrong," Night replied flatly.

"How did it go, Captain?" Zipline asked curiously.

"It went... well," he half-lied. 

"Perfect! Although, I would hate to interrupt what you're doing now, but, your recruits requested Sergeant Lodestar, who requested me to let you know, and are requesting to see you later this afternoon. They say it is quite urgent."

"How urgent?"

"Like, super-duper urgent, Captain! That's what Sergeant Lodestar said Eventide said, sir."

Grumbling softly, Night nodded in response. "Let me change, and I'll meet them at the track."

"You got it, sir!" Zipline gave a quick salute, then darted off down an intersecting hallway.

Rolling his eyes with some annoyance, Night continued down the hall, around the corner, and through the single wooden door of his apartment quarters. Immediately, he loosened the silver buttons on his dress uniform from the collar down, tossing it onto his bed almost carelessly.

Now undressed, Night moved to the far side of the room, up to the polished dark-brown oak armor wardrobe between the windows and his bed and opening it up, pulling down his set of armor, minus the helmet.

Slipping his head and wings through the main piece and settling it comfortably on his back, followed by kicking on the matching shoes, Night made his way back out to the hallway, turning to head out the doorway leading to an outdoor rounded staircase, a shortcut to the barracks and training grounds.

With a half-irked look on his face, Night approached the dirt track where the five recruits waited in a line. As he approached, they clicked their hooves together, even without somepony there to order them to said posture. This impressed Night, but did not lighten his mood.

"Alright, recruits," Night began, stopping ahead of their line and moving his eyes across them slowly. "I have been informed of your request to see me. What is it you wished to say to me face to face?"

After a couple of moments, Stellar Star stepped forth, Night making direct and steady eye contact with him.

"Yes, recruit?"

"Sir, I believe—" he froze briefly. "We all agree that a new type of weapons training should be initiated within the Zodiac," Stellar said with no hesitation.

"And just what type of weapon or weapons are we discussing here, recruit?"

"Archery."

"Archery? Do enlighten me."

"Well, sir..." the mint-eyed grey thestral started. "We believe it will be vital during combat situations in the event of one."

"How so?" Night's brow furrowed.

"I-I..." Stellar froze, sputtering.

Rolling her eyes, Halfmoon stepped forward, beside Stellar. She put her hoof out, motioning for him to fall back in, which he did so.

"What he is trying to say, Captain, is that all we have are swords, knives, and very few within the Guard itself have the Mark Four boots," she continued for him.

"Archery is a lost sport, recruit. The Royal Guard has not used it in at least a hundred years or so. Since then, newer range weapons have come out to replace bows and arrows."

"Yes, but, the Lunar Guard has no access to said weapons. It does not have to be for the whole of the Lunar Guard, but simply for the Zodiacs, and possibly the House Guard as well. We simply cannot rely fully on swords. We need marksponies, snipers even!"

Seemingly out of nowhere, a white pegasus fell from the sky with a thud just behind Night. He leaped up, a wide smile on his muzzle. "Did somepony say snipers?!"

Night, and most likely the rest of the line jumped. "Corporal, where did you come from?!"

"I overheard your conversation, literally! I overheard it! Get it? Haha, overheard, because I was overhead and I heard it!" Zipline began to laugh.

Night rolled his eyes. "We get it, Corporal," then shifted back to Halfmoon. 

"Recruit, you are aware that making such a request, if it is accepted by Captain Fallen Star and the rest of the council, it will cost thousands to produce the bows and arrows, and thousands more to prepare a whole new facility to train ponies in?" Night motioned his hoof as he spoke.

"Yes, sir, I am well aware of the cost. Believe us, it will be worth the money," Halfmoon nodded once.

"On a serious note," Zipline stepped back in, standing to Night's left. "I stand with them on this."

Night turned to Zipline. "You only agree because you used to be a sharpshooter!"

"The best in Equestria!" Zipline boasted, puffing his chest out slightly.

"I'll believe that when I see it," Night, again, shifted back to Halfmoon. "You know what, I will consider it. How about that?"

"That sounds good, Captain," Halfmoon nodded once.

"Now, if that is everything, I will be on my way. I can already see Sergeant Lodestar returning from lunch. Remember, tomorrow is your off day. Spend it wisely."

> These Concluding Days
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Far atop the rounded tower's balcony, one of the tallest the palace had to offer, the tall, cherry-maned, dark-brown pegasus in captain's armor of the Lunar Guard stood, overlooking the city beyond the castle grounds as it came to life once more at dusk. A gentle scowl that remained permanent to his appearance was what he had on his face as his pure silver eyes gradually scanned around.

Divulging a mellow sigh, Fallen Star lifted his hoof, gaze shifting down to the small black watch he wore between his knee and fetlock, grumbling as it ticked on. "Where is that stallion..."

With a single bound from the ground and a hard flap of his wings, Night Shadow flew up, stopping himself, then landing with light clops of his steel-clad hooves on stone, approaching the taller pony from behind. He paused a couple of feet from Fallen, clicking his hooves together and stiffening his body in an attention stance. "Captain."

"You're late, Night Shadow," Fallen said, still staring out toward the city. "At ease."

At the Captain's word, Night eased his posture. "Yes, sir. My apologies, sir. Dinner rush put me behind."

"I will put it off. You wished to speak with me?" The draft pegasus turned himself slightly to look at Night.

"Yes, Captain," Night walked up to the railing, facing Fallen. "I've been meaning to have a word with you about making a change in Zodiac training."

"A change? What kind of change are we discussing here?" Fallen's brow furrowed a bit.

"An addition, actually," Night cleared his throat. "My newest recruits have put the idea out there that we should implement archery into their training."

"Archery? The guard has not used archery since—"

"Yeah, I said that to them. But, they do have plausible reasoning behind wishing to bring it back."

"Hmm. Do explain."

"Well, sir, while it is old and not used nearly as much as before, the Lunar Guard, especially the Zodiac, do not have anything more than a sword as a weapon. What if we needed to take out an enemy at afar but didn't have a bow and arrow to pull it off?" Night paused.

"I suppose so, go on," Fallen nodded once.

"Even more so, in the event the newer weapons are eventually given to the Lunar Guard—"

"That won't happen."

"Okay. Well, say it did, the archery training would be an aid in advance, or steps per se. That way, recruits will be more accustomed to the aim-and-shoot environment as well as be able to use two different types of weapons. Lastly, as I've said before, the bows could be used to take down threats from above if necessary," Night further explained.

Fallen Star raised another eyebrow. "You're talking about snipers here?"

"Yes, but, with a bow and arrow, not a sniper rifle."

"I got that much, Captain," Fallen said blatantly. "Now, would you care to explain to me how you plan on paying for all of this?" He then asked, facing out toward the city again.

"I'm going to talk to Princess Luna about it, too. If that doesn't work out, I'll pay for it myself."

"With your own money? Impossible."

"Sir, I don't spend much of what I make. From when I made rank to now, I have at least a couple thousand saved up. Mainly for a rainy day, but protection is far more important to me, and I'm sure to you, too," Night said convincingly.

"So, you are actually willing to spend your life's savings for the future of the Zodiacs. That's not something the last captain would have ever done."

"Although, they aren't life savings, sir. But, yes. I am willing."

"Hmph. Well, seeing your defiance toward the matter, I will take your word for it. If you wish to spend a pretty bit on bows and arrows, fine, but I won't let you."

"Sir?" Night's brow raised.

"I will send it through the Council for their vote. If it goes through, the program will be paid for. If not, I will find another way to get you the money needed."

"Sir, I already said I will take care of the cost—"

"And I say, Captain, that you do not have to be concerned about that," Fallen turned, eying Night closely. "That is an order."

Night tensed slightly, raising his head a bit. "Yes, sir."

"Good," Fallen nodded once. "Now, if that is all, you are dismissed."

"One last thing," Night began. "Where can I find quality bows?"


***


"I am quite sure each and every one of you is questioning why you are here, including you five," Night glanced toward the thestral recruits on the opposing side of the glass table from the rest of the Zodiacs.

Clearing his throat, Night continued. "I have spoken with Captain Fallen Star about the matter, and he has agreed to the bow-and-arrow implementation to your training. It will take a week or two at the most to see if it goes through the Council. 

"Now, this is for the cost part. If they decline, I can pay for the program myself, and I will if it comes to that. Because of this, it will be that long before we know what will happen.

"As for your training," Night once more turned to the recruits. "The program will not be together until after your initial training is complete. Overall, the project should not be complete for at least a month to a month and a half while we search for somepony experienced with bows within the Guard."

Stellar Star raised his hoof, Night nodding once for him to speak. "You're telling me there's nopony who knows how to shoot one?"

"That is not true. What is true is bows have not been used in the Guard in recent years, which you already know that. However, there are still ponies here and there, though far and few in between, that have enough experience to where we can hire them as a trainer," Lodestar proceeded to explain.

"All that needs to be done on our part is to bring together the guards that have the training, see what they've got, then decide on who gets the position," Night continued. "It shouldn't be too tough."

"So, we're talking an archery competition here?" Scarlet Iris asked, her eyebrow raised.

"Sort of," Night nodded, "With the prize being the job of Archery Instructor for the Zodiacs and whoever else is interested in the training."

"And... will we be taking it as well?" She asked again.

Night then shook his head. "I'm not forcing you to. Although, it may prove to your advantage in the future."

"Well, I am for sure taking that class!" Zipline grinned, leaning forward on the table.

"I know you are, Corporal, and I couldn't be happier that you are. I'm quite surprised you don't know how to use one already," Lodestar said, relaxing back into his seat and crossing his hooves.

"I never once put it to mind, not after all of the guns I've shot."

"Well, now is your chance," Night nodded once to the white pegasus."

"Lastly, recruits, before graduation, your dress uniforms will be prepared at the Palace dry cleaner's. It's imperative you don't forget to pick them up the week before the ceremony and ensure they are the right fitting so any adjustments can be made during that time," Night explained further, then eyed the five thestrals. 

"Any other questions?"

"No, sir."

"Very good. Then you all are dismissed."


***


Day by day, training continued. Improvement within the recruits' scores followed, as did their agility, strength, and swordsmanship skills. A warm spell set across much of central Equestria, keeping it warm and toasty, even as October went on approaching November, and even proving to be a nuisance for Night Shadow and the rest of his trainees.

But after a long wait, a letter finally came in his personal quarters' mailbox, one anticipated for the last few weeks.

Dear Captain Night Shadow of the Lunar Zodiacs,

It pleases us at the Royal Council that a pony of your rank and dignity is willing to reinitialize the archery program within the Royal Guard, specifically for your squadron, the Lunar Zodiacs. With a vote of 4-1, we will supply the necessary funding to provide for the program's restart.

We have been in contact with a weapons shop in the city of Canterlot since our decision was made. The owner is more than willing to provide specialty weapons for your squadron to their specifications. His shop, Armor, Spears, & Swords, is located in the Old Canterlot district, in Dragon Alley. Check in with him as soon as you find necessary.

We do hope that your training goes well.

With best regards, the Council.


***


It was late at night, just a few short minutes before clocks around the city would chime for the midnight hour. Two armor-dressed stallions made their way through the now-empty Canterlot streets, one a pegasus who's very color faded with the darkness between street lamps, and the other, a dark cyan earth pony whom did not melt with the shadows.

A shady mist blanketed the mountainside city, creating an eerie atmosphere around the two as they walked but also provided necessary protection in case they were to be followed. Their intermittent chatter was the only real thing that gave themselves away, over top the gentle trickle of water down metal spouts from a light drizzle created in the midst of the fog.

"So, where did the Council say this place is?" Lodestar asked, turning to his side at Night Shadow.

"Dragon Alley, it's in the Old Canterlot district," Night answered, walking a steady pace down the cobble street and rounding a corner, past some brick homes.

"Is it not downtown?" Lodestar's brow raised as he looked ahead of them.

"Not entirely, no. I haven't been to the area all too much in the past, so you may have to take the reins at some point."

"Of course. I have a slight idea of where it may be. Only slight."

"That's good enough for me, Sergeant."

"We're off duty, we can call each other by our proper names," Lodestar protested.

"We're only off duty when the armor comes off for the day, but, fair enough."

Soon enough, it was Lodestar who took the lead. The much older buildings siding much narrower streets in the more compact section of the city were a sure sign of their proximity to their destination. Not long after, the stallions came across a sign beneath a flickering lamp, reading Dragon Alley in bold wording.

Down the two steps leading into the alley they went, only meant for the capacity of two ponies side-to-side, searching carefully for the armorer's shop. Drops of water trickled from rooftops and leaky gutters, pattering occasionally down onto their armor with soft clinks.

Halfway down the alley, Lodestar paused, blinking twice as he stared up toward a hanging wooden sign. He squinted his eyes, trying his hardest to read with very little light. Night Shadow approached from behind, too glancing up at the wooden sign hanging from a decorative metal strip, able to read it clearly in the darkness.

"Ah, good, you found it," Night continued past Lodestar, turning at the short steps leading downward halfway into the ground to the door of the shop.

Lodestar's one ear swiveled backwards, his eyebrow raising again. He proceeded to mutter to himself, "how does he do that?" before following into the shop.

A small bell rung as the door was opened, and the light creaks of wood beneath armor-clad hooves followed. The two stopped just beyond the door, it slamming shut and startling the two hoping to keep quiet in the late of night. Neither were even sure that the place was open.

The clearing of another pony's throat once again startled them. To their right sat a register atop an all-glass counter, down below storing numerous different types of knives and small blades, some of which Night, nor Lodestar, had ever seen before. It made sense, seeing just how pricey they were.

At the counter itself, beside a simple lantern with a tiny flame flickering inside, stood a lavender unicorn, mane short and neat, much like a buzzcut, but longer than one as well. He eyed the two sharply.

"Are ya here for weapons?" He spoke lowly.

Night nodded, taking a couple of steps around toward him. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off.

"Not. A step. Closer. Ya hear?"

Immediately, Night froze in his tracks, one hoof held up. "Why? We're only here to talk."

"Ah need proof y'all are who ya say ya are," the stallion rested one hoof on the counter and leaned against it. "Ah have my suspicions about y'all."

Night's eyes briefly flicked to the pony's hoof on his hip, catching the faint reflection of light on steel, realizing it was a knife behind him. He shifted back up to the unicorn blankly. "What kind of proof are you looking for?"

"Name, rank, squadron, and serial number."

Night blinked twice, before repeating the pony's demands. "Night Shadow, Captain, Lunar Zodiacs, two-three-five-seven-eight-zero."

"You, too," the unicorn nodded once toward Lodestar.

"Lodestar, Sergeant, Lunar Zodiacs, four-seven-one-two-two-eight."

"Badges?"

"What for?" Night scowled slightly.

"To confirm yer numbers. Hand 'em over."

The pegasus and the earth pony exchanged looks, before reaching into their armor and pulling out their badges, the pony at the counter examining them closely, lips wording silently as he read their numbers. The pony then handed them back and stood up straight.

"Just makin' sure is all, fellas. Y'must be the ponies the letter mentioned."

"The Council?" Night asked, stepping up to the unicorn opposite of him.

"If that's who sent it, ah didn't pay much attention to that part. Ah heard yer lookin' for some bows for yer squad?"

"We are," Night bobbed his head in a nod.

The light purple pony smirked slightly. "Follow me."

He lifted a plank of wood attached to the counter and moving out from behind through it. The unicorn motioned his hoof, leading the two armored ponies between shelves and displays of many different sorts of melee and ranged weapons, through a curtained doorway and into a back room with numerous more shelves and a table in the center, as well as a desk off to the side with a pencil and pieces of paper scattered around.

"What's this room?" Lodestar asked out of curiosity.

"This is where ah craft mah specialty stuff, about half of what ah sell. The rest comes from other shops around the country 'n stuff like that. Anyway..." the unicorn paused, reaching up onto the shelf and pulling down a short but wide box, setting it down on the table. "This is what y'all came for."

Grasping the box in an emerald-green hue, the lid portion was lifted off carefully, inside revealing a sight that was much more than candy to Night Shadow and Lodestar's eyes.

Folded up neatly in the box was a brand new black bow, the scent fresh off of it. The unicorn lifted it out, focusing his magic to the center of the bow and pumping it forward, the wings of the bow extending out completely with the thick string behind in a straight line between the ends.

"Ah had a few ideas in mind fer a newer type of bow for this day and age. Black carbon 'n steel construction, harder than hell to bend or break with certain extents of magic, hasn't been shot yet, so the string might be a 'lil... tough for ya," the unicorn explained, proceeding to lay the bow down on the table atop some blueprint drawings.

"Now, fer the arrows..." He pulled a smaller, more narrow container from a lower shelf, opening and lifting out a single arrow, matching the exact color of the bow itself. He levitated it closer to the two. "Steel head, reinforced wood shaft, more aerodynamic than conventional arrows. Get this—" he then whispered, "—it picks up its own speed once it's been shot."

Both Night Shadow and Lodestar stood with their jaws half-dropped. Night was the first to say something afterward. "Very impressive, sir."

The unicorn chuckled softly, leaving the arrow on the table beside the bow. "Please, just call me Kas."

"Of course, Kas," Night nodded once, lifting a hoof to his side to close Lodestar's hanging jaw.

"Any questions?" the unicorn leaned against the table's edge, his blue eyes shifting between them.

"Just two. Can the arrows be enchanted?"

"You bet they can," Kas nodded once, smirk growing a bit more. "Ah can do a few different spells, but for any one, y'all will need t'find somebody who'll do anythin' ya ask for. Better yet, the spells won't wear off quickly. After a few months they'll need a refresher, or somethin' of that sort. Now, what's yer other question?"

"Could you paint a scheme on the current order?"

"Hmm, what do ya have in mind?"


***


After seemingly an eternity, the week had arrived. The final week of training, all in preparation for the grand graduation ceremony that Friday. As ordered to, the recruits picked up their dress uniforms, Duskbloom having to send his back for minor resizing adjustments. The Palace itself was making preparations as well, for the Fall Gala was once again right around the corner. This year, it would be different.

By Thursday, Night Shadow was well-prepared, having now picked up his own suit and keeping it packed up in the plastic wrapping to ensure its quality would not degrade over the next day.

Walking carefully back to his quarters, a new set of hoofsteps from behind caught his attention. Night briefly glanced to the side, noting a slightly taller, gold-armored guard now matching his pace.

"Hey, Night. Miss me?" grinned the grey pegasus.

"Thunder?" Night blinked with a bit of surprise. "Didn't you leave the guard?"

"For a little bit. Couldn't stay away forever, though," Thunderblast replied, adjusting the gold collar replacing the normal helmet around his neck. 

"I see. Hey, aren't you a lieutenant now?"

"First lieutenant, actually," Thunder smiled softly. "You ready for the Gala?"

"Ready as I'll ever be. This is going to be big this year," Night slowed a bit while they walked.

"So I've heard. Newest recruit class graduations, am I right?" Thunder faced forward.

"You bet. Not just mine, either. There's two new classes in both sides of the Guard."

The grey pegasus furrowed an eyebrow, glancing back to Night. "You have recruits making rank, too?"

"Do you?" Night returned the glance.

Thunder shook his head. "No, I meant, you have ponies graduating with the others?"

"Oh, yep! Get this, too. Three of them are from my colony."

"Really? Interesting. I guess you being a celebrity back home is expanding here now," Thunder chuckled softly.

"I wouldn't call myself a celebrity," Night flushed, turning his head slightly to hide it. "Besides, they joined just because I'm controlling my part of the Zodiacs, not because—"

"Wait, hold on, you're telling me you're getting ready to graduate not one, but three bat ponies who joined just because you're in the Guard?" Thunder cut him off, smile fading.

"Yeah. I was irked by it at first, but they're proving themselves well."

Thunder sighed softly and faced ahead again. "As long as they're doing well and following orders, I suppose there isn't anything I can say about it."

"Oh, come on, don't act like you weren't that way when you were assigned me during training," Night gently nudged the pegasus' shoulder, grinning with one fang.

"Hey, I wasn't!" Thunder returned the nudge, albeit a bit harder. "I was elated, actually."

"Sure you were," Night's grin turned to a smirk.

Thunderblast rolled his eyes, then glanced to Night. "On another note, I have a small favor to ask you."

"Oh yeah? Name it."

"I've been gone a while. Like, five or six months at the most—"

"Minus the war."

"Yes, minus the war," Thunder shuddered slightly. "So, I have been gone that long, and I'm sure I'm rusty as ever. So... how's about we get back to the good ol' days and spar later on?" He grinned slightly.

Night stopped just in front of his door and snapped back at Thunder with a bit of surprise. "Us? Spar?"

"Yeah! I'm sure you've gotten better over the months since I left," Thunderblast smirked again. "Come on, it'll be the perfect opportunity to catch up with each other."

Night's brow lifted. "When you catch up with somepony you've been away from, you catch up by hanging out or having lunch, not fighting each other."

Thunder poked Night's chest with his wing. "You get what I mean."

Night breathed in and out softly, easing his body a bit. "I don't know, Thunder. I'm pretty busy right now getting ready, and I'm sure you're busy catching up with patrols and what not."

"Come ooooon, just one round later, when we're off duty? Maybe this weekend?"

"Thunder..."

The grey pegasus proceeded to mimic a puppy's pleading eyes, though poorly, and stick his lip out, even going as far as putting his ears down and attempt to whimper.

With a sigh mixed with a grumble, Night rolled his eyes and looked at the armor-clad pony. "Fine, fine. Sunday, alright?"

Thunder's pleading look faded, and he grinned softly. "Perfect. See you later, mate."

"Likewise," Night nodded once, watching Thunderblast turn tail and head down the way they came, muttering to himself afterward.

That's one weird stallion.
> The Fall Gala
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Much like clockwork, everything for one of the biggest events of the year came together, piece by piece. While it wasn't his job to enforce the operation of decorating, Night Shadow checked over the halls, the main entrance, and the ballroom to observe the progress made day after day.

Around the towering pillars and staircase railings, strings of fake decorative colored leaves and white lights looped around, up to the very top, creating a definitive autumn atmosphere throughout the palace. On tables sat glass-cupped candles, circular branch-like wood and acorns surrounding and beneath, and bowls of small pumpkins with the fresh scent left over from their recent harvest, all being put in place by palace workers, a pink earth pony mare bouncing around, and two pegasi, one rainbow-maned and the other with a buttermilk coat. When they finished, the two exchanged a high-hoof.

In the palace kitchen, numerous batches of apple cider, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, as well as apple and pumpkin pies, fritters, and other delectable treats were prepared, commandeered by an orange earth pony mare with a southern-Equestrian accent with a trio of apples for a cutie mark.

Outside of where the main festivities were to begin, in a separate room, a marshmallow-white unicorn spent her time carefully threading needles and preparing gorgeous autumn-themed dresses for her, her friends, and even the princesses themselves, all of which were expected to attend this year. To Night, this surely was going to be the best Fall Gala yet.


***


The big night was finally here. After weeks of paperwork and preparation, the night of the Gala was tonight. Along with the rest of the Lunar Zodiacs, Night Shadow ensured every little detail would not go neglected.

Just hours before the doors were to open, around five o'clock, Night stood in his bathroom after a hot, steamy shower, straightening everything up. This was even before could fit on his dress clothes.

He brushed his mane, straightening every last end until it conformed to the shape of his windblown-styled, multi-shaded purple mane. He set down the plastic comb on the granite counter top, then grabbed out his toothbrush to clean up for the third time that day. 

Spitting out the bubbly, minty toothpaste a minute after, Night then focused on the rest of his body, beginning with his wings. First came a quick preen, followed by a brush to groom his thick, grey coat. This process took even longer than the shower, brushing his teeth, and everything else combined.

Lastly, he brushed his tail, removing its typically-spiky, messy appearance and giving it more of an even, neat shape.

When all was done and double-checked, Night proceeded out of the bathroom and to his bed, where his suit lay in its plastic wrapping, laid out neatly with the sleeves sticking outward slightly

Carefully he removed the suit, undoing the gold buttons one by one up the center of the night-blue jacket and slipping his forehooves through the sleeves, then glancing to his right shoulder where his captain rank insignia rested in a lighter shade of blue, and a white crescent moon similar to Princess Luna's cutie mark above.

Trotting over to a tall mirror on the wall, Night adjusted the collar, as well as slip the buttons back through their holes. He unfolded the sleeves to their full lengths, the thin white collars around his hooves nearly reaching the floor at this point.

Finally, after an hour and a half of getting cleaned up and dressed, Night was fully prepared. With everything as perfect as he could think of, the dark grey pegasus took the doorknob of his quarters in his hoof, pulling the door open, and exiting into the hallway.

Down to the first floor he went, rounding a couple of corners, and turning out just outside of the ballroom to once more check up on the place. Stepping through the doorway, his eyes grew wide with awe.

The entire room was decorated to the brim with autumn accessories and ornaments, mixed with the chandelier lighting in the room created an orange-brown hue that glowed slightly throughout. Off to the sides sat some tables where the buffet was being set up with everything that was being prepared in the kitchen prior.

Further in, walking steadily down the center carpet (which had strung-together decorative leaves scattered around on the sides) with a lengthy piece of paper and a pencil was a purple alicorn mare, her focus primarily set on writing on said paper, most likely a checklist of things needed to be done.

Rolling up the list with her magical grip and dispersing the pencil into a quick puff of smoke, the purple mare turned to the others in the room who'd gathered around her when they finished their tasks. "All right, girls, that's everything!"

"Ooo, so pretty!" Said the pink earth pony to her side, now looking around them with the biggest of grins.

It was then the fancy white unicorn who spoke next. "I agree, Pinkie, what a splendid job we did!"

The purple mare sighed contently. "The princesses will be proud, girls."

"Ooh! Speaking of proud," the unicorn gasped, stepping forth. "We should go get dressed! Don't want to be unprepared when the Gala ponies come in, am I right, ladies?"

The six mares giggled together, walking toward Night. After a few moments, it finally hit him who it was, and his instincts sprung into action when they approached.

"Princess Twilight, Elements of Harmony!" He said with a bit of surprise in his tone, bowing down respectfully to the mares.

The group stopped, Twilight raising an eyebrow, as did the rainbow mare floating just above her. The white unicorn lifted a hoof to her muzzle to silence a laugh, which Night couldn't be sure what kind of laugh it was.

"At... ease?" Twilight's eyes darted to the side briefly and lowered her hoof slowly.

Night stood back up, nodding once to her. "My apologies, Princess, I did not see who you were until—"

"It's fine, err—" Twilight's eyes moved to the rank patch on Night's shoulder. "—Captain. It's perfectly fine," she smiled warmly.

This made Night's body ease up a tiny bit and breathe a silent breath of relief. "I can see why the princesses assigned you to the decorating," Night returned the gentle smile. "The place looks absolutely stu—"

Before he could finish, the pink earth mare jumped right into his face, forcing him to recoil back. "Ooo, a guard! I've never seen a pony like you, you look really cool! What's your name, mister?" She smiled big, leaning on her forehooves excitedly. Behind her, the mares either facehoofed or rolled their eyes.

Night blinked twice, silent for a few moments before replying. "Night Shadow."

"Oooo, a spooky name, too! I bet you'd love, love, LOVE the Nightmare Night party in Ponyville!" The pink pony exclaimed.

"The... Nightmare Night party?" He tilted his head slightly.

"Pinkie Pie, he probably doesn't know about—"

The pink mare gasped loudly, a squeal following. "You don't know about the Nightmare Night party? What is wrong with you?! You go from house to house and get free candy, it's the best night ever!" She said with a higher-pitched tone to her voice, having darted over to one of the tables and shoved an orange-iced cupcake in her mouth whole and gulped it down without even chewing it!

Once more, Twilight rolled her eyes, walking forward to Night. "I apologize for her, she's a party pony and she loves making new friends. She just gets kind of crazy when somepony hasn't heard about the parties she throws," she whispered the last bit.

Night nodded in understanding, returning to his normal stance. "It's fine. She's not the craziest pony I've met. Believe me, you don't want to hear about that one."

Twilight giggled softly at that. "Now that I would have to hear for myself to believe it. But, later. For now, we must get ready for the Gala. Come on, girls!" She turned and waved her hoof.

At her word, the group reassembled and stepped around Night, the pink mare bouncing past with leaps high enough to top a stallion. She then froze quite literally in midair and made direct eye contact with Night, motioning her hoof to signal she would be watching him. His eyes widened with a slight bit of fear as she gave him the death stare, before bouncing back off with the rest of her friends.

Standing there with surprise, Night tilted his head again. "...What?"


***


And so came the Canterlot royalty, the nobles, and those looking for a good time. From all over the four corners of Equestria ponies came, from the big cities and small towns, from Manehattan to San Prancisco, to the Crystal Empire and Cloudsdale, and even Las Haygas. 

Standing at the entrance room as always during the opening of the Galas were the princesses—all decked out with matching, yet differently-styled autumn-themed dresses, designed and created by Rarity, one of the Elements of Harmony, one of the ponies Night bumped into when checking on the ballroom.

As the sun set, the palace filled up with a colorful array of ponies, all admiring the decorative pieces all around them and enjoying the delicious food at the buffet. Not even Night could keep himself away from the treats laid out on numerous tables put together to form one. Carrying a single paper plate with a couple of apple fritters on it, he rejoined the very ponies he had been spending the evening with since the doors opened.

"Couldn't save yourself from the fritters, eh, Night?" chuckled Zipline, taking a sip from a wine glass full of fresh apple cider, the non-alcoholic kind for Night's sake, while also making sure not to get a drop on his dress uniform.

"They were driving my nose crazy, I finally gave in," Night replied, taking one of the sugar-coated pastries in his hoof and taking a bite into it.

"Oh, yeah," Lodestar chuckled. "I've had a couple myself. That mare from Ponyville sure knows how to bake, doesn't she?"

"Mmhmm!" Night nodded while he gulped down the bite of fritter. "I don't think I've had one better than that. Talk about small-town baking!"

"So, when's the ceremony starting?" Zipline asked, taking another sip of cider.

Night swallowed another lump of fritter and licked the sugar from his lips briefly before replying. "Once the moon is out, I heard. Nopony's seen Princess Luna yet."

The ponies in the group exchanged looks. It was then Skye Racer who spoke. "You think everything's okay?"

"She's probably getting ready. I wouldn't be concerned about it," Shield suggested. "We would know if something is wrong."

"I suppose," Lodestar shrugged, taking a drink of some lemon water, then glanced to his side. A sight he caught nearly made him either spit out or choke on the water.

With surprise, the others looked at what he was seeing, also freezing in place with wide-eyes. Moving gracefully through the crowds, in a red-blue diamond dress, mane styled into a bun with a series of curls on the sides, with sapphire-and-silver hanging earrings, Scarlet Iris smiled passionately, her dark blue eyes shimmering in the light of the room, stopping at the edge of the group as they stared with awe.

When none of the stallions greeted, or even said anything, the grey thestral's smile faded into a frown and a slight look of concern mixed with a scowl. "What? Never see a mare with bat wings walk up in a dress?" Again, no response.

Scarlet snorted. "Well, if none of you have got anything to say, I may as well take myself over to the buffet and stuff myself fat!"

"No, no, Scarlet, where's your dress?" Night asked, bottom eyelid raised in one eye.

"I'm wearing it! Where else would it be?"

"Your uniform. He meant your uniform," Shieldhunter whispered to her from the side.

"Well, nopony told me I had to wear it!" Scarlet rolled her eyes, then grinned. "Looks like I made a great decision. Now, where's the cider?"

"Buffet table," Lodestar pointed off to the side.

"Ah, thank you!" Scarlet smiled big, her wings fluttering a bit before she made her way off to find the cider.

"You... do know how she gets around alcohol, right?" Night shifted to Lodestar, taking a bite on the other fritter on his plate.

"Is that bad?" The dark cyan pony's head tilted.

"No, no, unless you don't like being hit on," Shield nudged Lodestar with his elbow and grinned softly.

"Well, well, finally found you all!" Came a new voice from the crowd, prompting Night to glance in that direction.

Night smiled, recognizing the voice from anywhere and observed to the approaching unicorn stallion. "Glad you could make it, Sharp."

The dark grey unicorn, Sharpblade, trotted over, his silver-white mane styled up in the mohawk that would outmatch a guard's helmet mane piece. He wore an all-black suit, minus the red hoof collars and gold buttons up the center, with a short gold chain attached to a whistle tucked away into one of the pockets. He was one of the taller and stockier stallions out of the group, if not the tallest.

Behind him walked a fawn-maned black unicorn of similar build and size, a scarlet earth pony, and a brown earth pony in a Lunar uniform with a specialist's insignia, a red cross over Luna's moon, telling all around he was a medic pony.

"So, these must be your ponies," Sharp nodded his head once to the group. "I'm Sharpblade, pleasure to meet you all," he reached his hoof out. "These three rocks are Rescue Sunstreak, Red Knight, and Valiant Charge."

One by one, everypony exchanged hoof shakes, including Night, who'd only met Valiant a few times prior, Rescue once, and Red Knight never. 

"Pleasure to meet you all," Valiant bowed his head slightly.

"We've met before," Rescue grinned slightly, but still shook their hooves. "In a time of emergency, that is."

The scarlet-coated earth pony shook their hooves slightly stronger than the others. "You can call me Big Red if ya want, I don't mind."

When the introductions finished, Night looped a hoof around the grey stallion's neck. "This is his first Fall Gala as an attendee," Night said.

"Technically, I have attended every Fall Gala, I've just been on duty and what not. You know, away from all of the fun."

"Aaaand that one year that I killed you," Night blushed with some embarrassment. 

"Er, yes, that year I missed it," Sharp nodded slowly. "But, that's beside the point. Anyways, where's Thunder?"

"On duty, probably somewhere along the walls or by the doors. Sucks he couldn't make it, we'd have the whole family together!" Night took his hoof from the unicorn's neck.

Sharp's cheeks heated slightly. He lifted a hoof to the back of his mane and scratched through it. "Family? D'aww, Night, you flatter me."

"Hey, all of you are my second family, I admit it," Night smiled to the group. "One big, happy family... I hope. Hey, wait a minute, Sharp, you haven't met my family yet, have you?"

"Nope, I was dead!" Sharp replied with some enthusiasm in his voice, though he didn't mean it.

The group chuckled collectively, moments later Scarlet Iris returning with a wine glass full to the brim of the bubble-coated alcoholic drink with an apple slice on the edge. Thankfully, it was only the first she had... so far.


***


As the evening went on, the music started, beginning with Octavia Melody and her classical quartet on the stage at the end of the lengthy room. Some ponies gathered to dance slowly with the rhythm, others sitting back to enjoy the soothing music or chat quietly to avoid disturbing the crowd.

Glancing slightly around the others, Lodestar gave a welcoming smile to a squad of five thestral ponies, dressed in their uniforms. "Watch out, here comes trouble," he joked.

With Duskbloom leading the group and Stellar Star tailing it, the recruits joined the others, Midnight Blade adjusting the suit slightly with some annoyance.

"Captain, do we have to wear these atrocities?" She complained.

"Afraid so. Come on, you don't look that bad. Look on the bright side, you could have worse uniforms. You could be a city guard," Shieldhunter joked, the group bursting into a fit of laughter, all except Sharpblade who shot him a look.

Shield rested a hoof on Sharp's shoulder. "No hard feelings, of course."

Sharp slowly nodded. "Right, of course. You're right, it could be worse," he then smirked. "You could make lance corporal after so long, or be me and make sergeant in three years!"

"Ooooh, burn!" Scarlet laughed, pointing a hoof at Shield and cackling with laughter. She had her other hoof holding an empty wine glass, with her elbow resting on Red's shoulder.

Even the recruits chuckled or snickered while Shield tried to hide his face, laughing awkwardly now that his joke backfired on him.

With the recruits now joined and the whole of the group conversing and joking with one another, Night had a growing concern that was gradually crawling up his spine. He looked all around, peeking over the crowd, searching for the dark blue alicorn princess he was expecting to begin the ceremony at any time. What worried him was her absence.

Turning to the others, he motioned his free hoof slightly and speaking up. "Hey, guys? I'll be right back, bathroom break."

With the majority acknowledging, Night turned and weaved through the crowd carefully, heading for the two-story doorway leading out into one of the palace hallways where more ponies were gathered. He looked in either direction, then proceeded through the crowd. A thought hit him, his first guess as to where she would be, and that was exactly where he was going to go.

Night strode between ponies, rounding a corner and approaching a rounded staircase. He received some strange looks along the way, proceeding to ignore them while his mind was set on finding the princess.

Leaving the crowd and rounding the darkened staircase, he sighed softly. He could finally begin to think clearly with the noise now behind him, pondering other places to search in case where he was headed would turn up with nothing.

Reaching the second floor, he immediately went for Luna's wing, his pace quickened slightly. He stopped just outside of the door, nodding once to the guards standing on either side, then moved into the door, peeking inside. "Princess?" He called out calmly.

No response. Becoming inconsiderably more concerned, he entered the spacey room, closing the door behind him gently. Night scanned around the dark room, only just marginally lit by the golden hue of city lights outside and what little light was left from the sun setting. 

Checking all around, beginning with her study, no sign of the night alicorn was to be found. Her bathroom and balcony were empty, bedroom vacant, her entire quarters were desolate. Night stopped in the center, his ears falling back. There was only one other place in her quarters she could possibly be before he would move on to his other options.

Trotting to the small corridor near the balcony, Night moved up the narrow rounded staircase, up into a tower of white stone and gold trimmings. Reaching the top, he breathed a deep sigh of relief, though keeping it quiet to avoid startling the mare. "Princess..."

Walking out onto the tower's extensive overhang, where the princess' massive, multi-lensed telescope sat. She, however, was not looking through it, instead sitting in place, overlooking the palace and Equestria.

Night stopped just behind her. "Luna? Is everything alright?"

The Lunar Diarch softly breathed out, her breath turning to faint steam in the cold breeze. "No, Night, I am fine."

"You're up here, all alone, sitting in the cold, missing out on the fun. I wouldn't call that fine," he trotted up and sat to her left. "Is there something on your mind?"

"There is quite a bit, but it does not bother me. What about you?" Her head slightly turned, eyes shifting to the grey uniformed pegasus to her side.

"Stuff on my mind?" Night returned the glance. "You... had me worried! I thought something happened to you when you weren't with Celestia or Twilight. You have a role down there, too. Ponies want to see you."

"I am aware of that, Night. I am simply trying to clear my mind."

Sighing after silence, Night faced ahead of them, overlooking the shadowed land with the small, distant cluster of lights of Ponyville. The view truly was stunning, no matter the time of day.

"It has been a dark year, as dark as my night sky. Do you know that?" Princess Luna spoke after a minute's silence. Night nodded slowly in agreement. "Lord Tirek's unprecedented rampage across Equestria, war with the eastern Griffon Kingdoms, and a major attack against our military out at sea."

"What happened at sea?" Night's gaze shifted toward the alicorn.

"One of our ships was nearly hijacked or destroyed by pirates. The pride of my Navy, and she just hardly made it back to Manehattan."

"Any fatalities?"

"Four. Many more injuries. Everypony who survived is being taken care of or home with their families," Princess Luna sighed, her chin lowering. "Yes, Night, it has been a dark year for our country. I will be visiting the families of those lost soon, as well, to pay my respects."

"Let me know when so I can arrange your escort—"

"It has already been put together by my House Guard."

"Oh," Night looked forward again. "That works, too."

Princess Luna nodded slowly, then stood up from where she sat. Night glanced up at her slowly. Then, a white light loomed over them, causing Night's head to snap in the direction of its origin, watching as the full moon rose high into the sky, shedding its reflective light across Equestria. In his four years of being a guard, not once had he been beside Princess Luna as she physically lifted the moon up.

"Enough of the sulking, now. I should get dressed. There is a ceremony to begin."


***


With the ballroom's doors opening in the magical auras of two unicorn guards, those in the room knelt down into a respectful bow as Princesses Celestia and Luna strode down the leaf-lined carpet, both in their designated Fall Gala dresses and smiling warmly to the crowd around them. Behind followed Princess Cadence, and to her side, Princess Twilight. 

Up on the wide podium, a slow chorus of trumpets performed by members of both the City and Lunar Guard while the princesses entered, taking their positions two steps up from the floor. 

The trumpets stopped, and ponies stomped or clapped their hooves. The guards removed the instruments from the podium and took up lined positions on either sides on the floor surrounding the raised section of the room.

Taking the microphone from its attaching pole in a yellow hue, Princess Celestia spoke softly, but enough for the room to hear clearly.

"Mares and gentlecolts, tonight, we thank each and every one of you for coming to the forty-second annual Fall Gala. Every year, ponies from all over Equestria flock to our great city to attend, and this year marks our largest attendance to date.

Within moments, the crowd cheered and stomped again. This made Princess Celestia chuckle slightly, raising her hoof and motioning it for ponies to allow her to continue. Instead, however, the microphone was turned to Princess Luna.

"More so, tonight is a very special occasion. Not just because of the festivities themselves we gather to celebrate every year on this very night, but to celebrate the ponies that dedicate their lives to ensure our freedom, and our safety.

"Over the course of a year, Equestria has shifted between an era of peace, and times of war. We encourage the spread of peace and harmony, as well as friendship and love throughout the land, and around the globe. War... is a terrible thing. This year alone, Equestria has been at war twice within a month of each other. The war against Lord Tirek, and the war against the Griffon Empire.

"But after much time of armistice, we are once more in a day of unity, and our unity to the rest of the world can only get stronger. Of course, this could not have been done without the bravery and sacrifices our Royal guards and members of the military make. We are also here to celebrate these valiant ponies.

"Tonight, mares and gentlecolts, we are honoring the latest graduating class of the Royal and Lunar Guard!"

Once more, cheering and stomping erupted in the ballroom. Princesses Celestia and Luna stepped slightly off to the side to make way for the guard graduates lining up in rows on the podium, while Princesses Cadence and Twilight went to sit back with their friends.

The ponies, a mixture of mostly stallions and mares in between, stood proudly on their levels to ensure all could be seen without some hidden behind one another. The City guards wore uniforms similar to that of Sharpblade's, minus the rank insignias, whilst the Lunar guard graduates wore dark blue with silver buttons, and a lighter shade of blue and purple put together for the hoof collars.

Some towards the front teared up or smiled, knowing their foals, mates, or spouses were up there with that stoic, rock-hard expression forged by months of tough physical and mental training. These ponies were the future of the Royal Guard.

"Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard, Prince of the Crystal Empire, will now be performing the graduating ceremony, as well as providing the graduates with their new ranks," Princess Celestia announced.

Moving up next sauntered Shining Armor, dressed in the very red and white-striped uniform he chose for his wedding, the white and blue shield, with the purple six-pointed star in dead center, sat slightly off across his chest. 

Wrinkling her muzzle, Twilight's horn glowed, her magic adjusting the shield so it was neat and even. This drew a few chuckles from the crowd, as well as the other princesses and Shining Armor himself, nodding once to his little sister.

Returning their focus to the ceremony itself, the bulky white unicorn stallion shifted around, facing the recruits. "Attention!" He lungfully shouted, the collective clicking of hooves and bodies shifting into attention stance echoing slightly above the low chatter in the room. The microphone was then levitated to him.

"On this special evening, parents, friends, and family have come from all over to observe these ponies transform from colts and fillies, to stallions and mares. They have given their all and plus some, and because of this, within the next couple of weeks, they will be on the streets and around the Canterlot Palace, on duty as full-fledged Royal guards.

"Weeks, and weeks, and weeks of emotional wear and tear, drenched in their own blood and sweat and bones aching until they could go no more, these ponies have come, and I am more than honored to graduate these fine ponies from the Royal Guard training academy.

Glancing to one of the guards, he nodded once. The guard stepped back up to the podium and Shining Armor, holding out a plan wooden box and opening it with his hoof, inside resting the insignia patches. One by one, the graduates stepped up to him, Shining using a quick spell to instantly sew the patches onto their shoulders, each pony saluting and him returning it before exchanging for another.

When the last pony received their patch, officially promoting them to a private, Shining Armor returned to the mic. "Mares and gentlecolts, the Class of 2014 Royal Guard Graduates!"

Once more, the crowd in the ballroom erupted into cheers, stomps, and claps as the new guards stood proudly in place. Not long after, they were taken off from the platform, led by one of the guards. It was Princess Luna who was next to take the microphone.

"But that is not all for the graduating ceremony, mares and gentlecolts. Finally, new graduates have made it to the elite, the best of the best of the Royal Guard. Tonight, five new ponies will now be a very important part of my personal guard, the Lunar Zodiacs. This is quite unprecedented, as full graduation of all who initially join is extremely rare.

"Mares and gentlecolts, please welcome, the Class of 2014 Lunar Zodiac Graduates!"

"That's your cue," Night nudged gently at Stellar Star, who gulped slightly and began leading the other four thestrals up onto the stage.

Ponies cheered, but it was not nearly as loud as before. Some gasped or remained silent altogether observing the bat ponies take up their positions in attention posture. Again, Shining Armor called up the guard, bringing a separate box with Luna's moon engraved on top, then like before, provided the uniforms with their patches respectfully, each saluting as the Captain finished.

Stellar Star couldn't keep a stoic look throughout the ceremony, instead smiling nervously. It hit him, however, that the reason why nopony cheered or stomped as much was because of one reason, and one reason only.

They were bat ponies.


***


Fifteen long minutes later, the ceremony came to a close, and the Gala festivities returned to normal with Octavia once more on the stage, this time performing a solo with her violin.

Gathered in a group, everypony held glasses of wine or cider, waiting for the graduates to return. All smiled in greeting as the uniformed thestrals approached.

"There they are, the bat ponies of the century!" Night announced, raising his glass and nodding once. A couple of them blushed and looked away, while Halfmoon and Duskbloom kept their primarily-stoic appearances.

"Hey, why don't you go get some drinks? You can relax for once," Zipline suggested, grinning and nudging Stellar gently.

He silently nodded, then trotted off to find the drink counter, followed by Midnight Blade and Eventide.

"Wait for me!" Scarlet called, stumbling a bit and chasing the three through the crowd, bumping into some ponies along the way.

Night smiled, rolling his eyes as they walked off, taking a small sip of red wine. To his side, a dark cyan stallion stepped up.

"So, what now, Cap?" Lodestar asked.

"Now begins the long process of getting the archery training set up," Night answered quietly, enough for only him to hear.

Lodestar nodded slowly. "Shouldn't be too hard once we have somepony to handle it."

"That's what I'm talking about," Night sipped his wine again. "Oh, well. That can wait a couple of days."

"Yeah. You oughta take some time off, Cap."

"Nah, I think it's you who should so you can relax. You've been on your hooves just as much if not more than I have lately."

"I don't take breaks, Cap," Lodestar smirked slightly. 

Night chuckled softly. "Same old Lodestar."

"Aye," he said.

Shortly after, the group of bat ponies returned with different drinks in their glasses, Scarlet giggling and leaning against Duskbloom while she walked. His muzzle was wrinkled in slight annoyance, and behind them, Halfmoon glaring daggers at the mare siding the stallion too closely.

Gathering around, the large group lifted their hooves out, holding their drink glasses together.

"To the graduates of 2014... and to the Lunar Zodiacs. May our family never separate or shrink."

Clinking the glasses, the group gulped down their beverages in one go. Shieldhunter managed to spill some onto his uniform, causing him to jump and wipe a hoof at his mouth. The group burst into a fit of laughter, though not disturbing the ponies around them as chatter and laughter was already the room's ambiance.

Tonight was a good night.
> Stage Two
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night awoke with a sore groan, hooves laying spread out across his large bed while his mane sits in tangles and strands. His head throbbed with pain as the warm, golden sunlight illuminated his room like a unicorn's horn casting magic. This particular morning was very well not willing to be his friend.

"Too many drinks..." he muttered to himself with a somewhat strained voice, reaching toward the crystal rounded table serving as his nightstand, taking a glass of water from the night prior in a shaky hoof, gulping down the remainder of its contents.

When the headache seemed to ease itself, Night worked himself carefully out of bed, his whole body in a mess: mane messy, coat not yet groomed, and wing feathers ruffled.

The gentle clop of his hooves on the cobble floor, mixed with the jolt of his body adjusting to standing upright pained his head more than before, pulling a low grunt out of him. He didn't want to get out of bed yet. He didn't really have to, either. It was still the weekend, after all. 

Minus one small issue. Thunderblast was still looking forward to sparring with him today. Night felt the complete opposite at this point. The last thing he wanted to do was disappoint Thunder, albeit every cell in his body telling him otherwise. How is my brain even working like this? He pondered.

Groaning again, Night strode exhaustively into the bathroom. Perhaps a warm shower would help ease this migraine he had. 


***


With the trick now done, and Night becoming free of the obnoxious, throbbing pain in his head, he was now free to move around and ready himself for the day ahead. Or, the week for that matter, knowing it would be yet another long one.

Opening his wardrobe, Night swiveled the side hanging his armor up to the other side, a showcase of different weapons: an axe, a couple of different-length swords, a dagger, and a shortspear. He reached up, pulling down the shorter sword, it having minor scratches along the blade from past sparring matches. 

For a proper match, or a tournament, more weapons were granted, but this was one-on-one. Typically, both would tire after one or two matches, assuming how long they turned out to be.

A checklist was put together in Night's mind. A rather short one, as well. This included his weapon, sparring armor, and a medical kit, just in case one of them went a little bit too far.

There was a knock on the door, a rather quick one as well. Night's ear swiveled and he kept focusing on his mental list with his gear laid out in front of him. "It's open!" He called out.

The wrought iron latch opened, in walking a grey pegasus in golden armor and a brown leather sword sheathe under his wing. "Ready to have your flank handed to you, Night?"

"Keep on dreaming, Thunder," Night grinned, glancing up at his friend.

"Get any hangovers from last night?" Asked Thunderblast, trotting over to Night.

Is that what that was? "If I did, I'd still be in bed, wouldn't I?"

"Not necessarily," he shrugged. "Sorry I couldn't join you at the party last night."

"Don't worry about it," Night smiled reassuringly. "Sharp missed you, though."

"Aw, he had the night off?" Thunder grunted.

"Many did, surprisingly. Guess the Guard had more available than anticipated for extra security measures."

"I guess so. Probably should have checked with Shining before the Gala."

"He was off duty, for the most part," Night replied. "He wouldn't have been able to do much, especially since his paperwork and what not is in the Crystal Empire now."

"Eh, it would have been worth a try," Thunder shrugged again. "Next year's always a possibility anyways."

"Of course. But until then, let's head out to the field," Night grinned, sheathing a sword into the unpainted steel armor he now wore.

Thunder nodded once, returning the grin and turning tail, moving out into the hallway through the half-shut door, Night following close behind while locking up his quarters. 

The two walked side-by-side, passing a guard or two along the way as they headed for the training grounds outside of the palace, both hoping they were vacant with enough space for their match to safely take place.

Exiting through one of the doorways leading to the training grounds of the Royal Guard, Night and Thunder settled on a vacant marked field where recruits trained physically, or guards came to test their steel—exactly what they were planning to do.

Unbuckling the strap holding the scabbard to his armor, Thunder drew his steel sword out from the brown leather holder and holding it close to his chest in one hoof. Night followed suit, minus the sheathe. Both stood a perfect distance from each other.

"Now... what sounds good to you for score?" Thunder asked.

Night momentarily pondered. "Best of three?"

Thunder grinned softly. "Perfect. Let's begin, shall we?"


***


Mondays. Everypony hated them. Night didn't. Well, he didn't like them, but it wasn't as if he had much else to do in his free time.

The day also began the new heavy workload of arranging the archery competition. His day began by collecting all records of current guards with training in the field with a bow and arrow. As expected, the list was rather short, although, he liked what he saw. 

With the records now in his hooves, it was up to him to determine who would truly qualify for the competition, even though everypony would get their chance at taking a shot for the prize. This was already off to a decent start.

One pony's record caught his eye. He took a moment longer to examine the paperwork, as well as the pony's name. "Stormfire..."

The name was familiar. He hadn't met this pony prior, so why did it ring a bell? Perhaps it would be best to ask when the time comes.

Moving on, Night filed the records alphabetically. Next came the process of writing each individual letter to be sent to the guards, who's record paperwork now sat in a neat pile on his desk.

It was always the first letter that took the longest, as it was the one Night chose his wording and just how the event would be explained in a short paragraph on the piece of paper. The rest went by like a breeze.

Finishing up the final letter, he folded each paper neatly and slipped them into individual envelopes, addressing each one to their respective recipients after double-checking each one had the correct letter inside, before licking the tabs with his tongue to close up the envelopes.

Stacking and bringing them into the hallway outside his quarters, Night slipped them into a box for outgoing mail only for collection. It would be at least a day or two more before the ponies addressed would receive the notification of their participation.

Returning to the interior of his quarters, Night closed the door, turning around and finding quite the surprise on his bed. He gasped and jumped, immediately taking himself out of a defensive stance. "L-Luna!"

Laying on his bed upright sat Princess Luna, grinning softly at Night. "Boo."

"How... how did you get in here so quickly?" Night approached. He raised an eyebrow. "How did you even get past me?"

Luna pointed to the twin balcony doors, one resting half-open. "Thy's balcony was unlocked."

Night stopped, his gaze shifting between the door and the night-blue alicorn on his bed, one ear swiveling backwards. "Are you sure?"

"Positive!" Luna patted her hoof on the bed, a motion for Night to sit with her. "Come."

As told, Night climbed up onto his bed beside Luna and laid in a similar position, looking at her with some curiosity.

"Soooo?"

"So what?"

"Whatcha up to?" Princess Luna turned to his nightstand, levitating up a mane brush and brought it over to the stallion's mane.

Night scooted a bit closer to allow the night alicorn to go over his mane. No matter the outcome of his poor mane, he enjoyed how happy it made her. "Preparing for the archery competition."

"Archery competition? Do tell."

"Nopony told you?"

"Not much. Explain," Princess Luna demanded calmly, brushing the top of the stallion's mane.

"Well, archery is returning to the Lunar Guard, primarily the Zodiacs. You already know that, though. The competition is to determine who out of the few guards who are experienced will become the archery instructor," Night answered.

"Intriguing. When shall the competition commence?"

"Not for a little while at the least," Night eased himself slightly as Luna continued her way with his mane, unbeknownst to what it looked like now. "I just put the letters in the outbox." 

"What can we do to help?"

"Come again?" Night blinked twice.

"What can I do to help?" Luna offered.

"I'm not sure yet. I believe everything is—"

"I could send the letters out!"

"You can?" Night turned to Luna.

"I know a spell in which I can pinpoint a pony's location if they are in range. It is limited, but I can possibly speed up the process," Princess Luna lowered the brush and stood off of the bed.

"Are you sure it will work?" Night questioned, standing as well. "I would hate to have to write them all over again."

"You will not have to. If things go awry, they will return to us. Thou shalt not worry!"

In a flash of blue sparkly light, the arrangement of closed envelopes appeared in levitation between Luna and Night, the princess sorting through them while casting her secondary spell. Over the course of a few minutes, each letter disappeared one by one until none were left behind.

The aura surrounding her horn dimmed, and with a grunt, Luna lost her balance, her hinds giving out behind her. Night ran to her aid with a look of shock. "Princess!"

"I am fine," Luna huffed in and out softly. "The spell takes quite a bit of energy."

"I can tell," Night looked at her with worry. "Are you sure you will be okay?"

Luna nodded. "This is not the most draining spell I have ever performed, Night."

"What was, then?"

Luna sighed, turning her head away. "That is something you must learn another time, I am afraid."

"Is it that important?" Luna nodded gently, blinking slowly. "Alright."

"I hope you understand, Night."

"Of course I do, Princess."

"What did we talk about?"


***


Scribbling down on a clipboard, Night stood to the side of an extensive trimmed grassy field with numerous circular bulls eye targets standing a few yards opposite of a group of unarmored guard ponies, bows and a wooden bucket full of arrows at their hooves.

On the side Night stood sat short in height yet field-long bleachers, only just barely filled with other guards, off duty to observe the competition, the prize being quite a large promotion in return.

In the bleachers sat the newer Zodiacs, Thunderblast, and even Princess Luna, accompanied by two House guards.

Trotting up on his left, a slightly bundled-up Lodestar nodded once to Night, whom returned the nod and finished up on the clipboard. "Everything's set."

Lodestar glanced to the guards on the field, examining each one. "Were there not there seven?"

"There were, but one is home sick with a cold, and the other's wife said he is in Seaddle," Night answered, setting the clipboard down on a makeshift table out of a laundry basket. "It's a shame, I would hate to elect somepony when the others may have more talent."

"I wouldn't sweat it. These here have quite a bit themselves. It will be a tough call," Lodestar shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't sweat it for sure, it's cold out here!"

Night peered to Lodestar, an eyebrow raised. "No it's not?" It wasn't yet evident to Lodestar that Night did, in fact, have a thicker coat than his.

"You're crazy..." Said the dark cyan stallion, shifting his attention back to the guards on the field while the breeze made his limbs quake.

Night's focus shifted up to the Princess, the two exchanging a single nod. He stood up taller, stepping forth onto the field in front of the guards, clearing his throat.

"Archers!" He began. "On my word, you will shoot as quickly as possible and aim your best. You will not stop until you have run out of arrows. Arm-guards!"

At his order, the five guards on the field picked up a flexible leather braces, wrapping them around the arm they would be using and strapping it in place.

"Equip your bows and fall in to aim position, then prepare your arrows!" he said, returning to Lodestar.

The five stepped a couple of paces forward, positioning themselves close to their arrow buckets and taking their bows in their hooves. Resting the rear of an arrow ahead of the string, they sat in wait.

"Ready... aim..."

The strings pulled back, creating stress just waiting to release and propel the arrows forward and at the individual targets many yards ahead of them. One pony turned his head to both sides, cracking his neck to ease himself.

"Shoot!" Night waved his hoof downward.

Releasing the strings, the arrows were thrust forward, piercing through the air and striking the targets at the far end of the field. Each one hit different points of the bulls eye, neither of the ponies stopping to check before reloading with a new arrow each time.

Their reflexes in shooting and re-targeting were quick as lightning. Those observing the archers go to work watched with awe at the speed and complexity, Night standing below, impressed at the performance before him.

In brief glances, one or two ponies looked at another, attempting to further quicken their time while also get as close as possible to the center of the target, painted in a bright red.

Further down the line, Night noticed one pegasus who was much slower than the others. However, taking a look at his respective target down the field, he could see just how many arrows were close to center. Moving his gaze around the targets, none of which came close to the pegasus'.

"It's looking good, Cap. Hard choice, if you ask me," Lodestar suggested quietly, albeit above the minor cheering occurring from behind.

Night shook his head. "I believe I see our choice, Sergeant."

Lodestar blinked, glancing toward the target Night eyed previously. He nodded slowly in response, though more in agreement.

As arrows flew through the air, the silver unicorn nearest the bleachers quickly glanced on both sides of him, losing hold of his concentration and accidentally shooting toward the bleachers, the arrow striking an empty seat beside a couple of spectating guards, jumping to get out of the way of it.

Blushing with embarrassment, the unicorn glanced at Night, who shook his head and motioned for him to resume.

Minutes passed, and the buckets went empty, the archers lowering their bows and staring downfield to their targets.

"Archers, on me!" Night ordered, leading Lodestar to the targets, the competitors following as well to the targets for examination.

Stepping up to each individual standing circular target, Night and Lodestar looked between each arrow, Lodestar calculating the scores per landing. Many came close, and some did pierce into the center ring. 

One that stood out from the other four was the furthest, where the majority of the archer's arrows had reached the center, even close enough to bend others out of the way to fit in. This made Lodestar's jaw drop, and Night turn to the group. "Step forth if this is your target," he said, pointing up to it.

The group exchanged looks, followed by the night blue pegasus, whom Night Shadow expected, stepping up to him and saluting.

"What's your name?" Night asked stoically.

"Stormfire, sir."

Night nodded once, turning his body to stand diagonal to him and the bulls eye. "You've scored the most, but adding the time penalty, you just barely make number one. Why so slow, Stormfire?"

Stormfire chuckled softly. "Speed doesn't mean accuracy, Captain, and please, call me Storm."

"I am extremely impressed, Storm. Your accuracy far surpasses everypony else's, albeit as I previously said, slower. You are the pony we need for the Zodiac archery training program," Night smiled softly, breaking his previous posture.

The dark blue pegasus' eyes opened up bigger at that moment. "What?"

"You have the training, the accuracy, everything except for being a proper instructor, though?"

Stormfire shrugged. "I have trained others before, or at least aided in it."

"Then with a short class, you should make one heck of an instructor for my squadron, and quite possibly the whole of the Lunar Guard if the program further advances beyond the Zodiacs," Lodestar added in.

Night reached his hoof out to Storm. "Congratulations. You will be placed within the Zodiac ranks within the following week, and once everything is set for you, you are to begin instructing the latest class."

Stormfire's eyes sparkled with awe and excitement, which he just barely managed to hold in and keep his cool. He extended his hoof to Night's, shaking it firmly. "Thank you, Captain. I will certainly do my best."

"I don't expect any less of you," Night smiled slightly. 

Now came the final stage of the new class' training.
> Return of a Nightmare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Head-to-hoof dressed in his gleaming new armor, Luna's cutie mark emblem in center of his chest, a crossbow sitting atop the crescent moon, a night-blue pegasus stepped out into the cool, crisp morning breeze. He paused just past the barracks doorframe, taking in a deep whiff of the fresh scent of mountain air.

Even after all of the time he has spent here in Canterlot, Stormfire could simply not cross over how much energy it fueled him to awaken to a peaceful morning, a feeling no other city had yet given him.

He closed the door behind him, starting out to the training fields outside of the palace, where he found five thestrals, three mares and two stallions, waiting in a neat line beside the Sergeant, prepared with the proper gear necessary for their training.

The now-privates saluted Stormfire as he stepped up in front of him, rank pin showing off in fine silver the rank of First Sergeant, putting him ahead of Lodestar, and now the second-highest rank under Night's squadron.

Lodestar walked up to Stormfire and saluted, Stormfire only offering a hoof out to shake. Lodestar took it with a bit of confusion and shook his hoof, Storm leaning in to whisper.

"I'm not used to the new rank, so saluting isn't required," Storm smiled. Lodestar gave a gentle nod and returned the smile.

"Good to have you as a part of our ranks, First Sarge," Lodestar replied aloud.

"I am more than honored to be a member of the Zodiacs, Sergeant," Storm then turned to the privates, clearing his throat.

"Listen up, privates! While you may now be long graduated from basic training, today begins another lengthy process, the stages in which you take on an old form of combat—or, to you, a new type. 

"You may have heard much about archery in combat and its effectiveness in the past. Today, with technology and weaponry far surpassing beyond what the last two generations believed wasn't possible, nopony believed there was a use for bows and arrows anymore.

"But in reality, there is always a use for the good ol' wood and string. Or, should I say, steel and string," Stormfire said with a grin, Lodestar bringing over an unfolded purple, black, and navy-blue bow, with small wings on either end. The paint job on it matched their armor down to the littlest detail.

The dark cyan pony handed it over, Stormfire taking it carefully in his hoof. "This here, privates, is what you will be learning to use. Some of you may find it useless, but one day, it just may save your life—"

Lodestar cleared his throat, speaking up. "They suggested archery be implemented into their training, First Sergeant."

"...Oh," Storm paused, cheeks heating in a bit of embarrassment. A couple of the thestrals before him let out quiet chuckles. They immediately stopped when Lodestar tossed a glare their way.

Clearing his throat once more, Storm stood up straight again. "Carrying on... First, we will begin the basics of archery. I expect each and every one of you to be familiar with the terminology once the week is finished. After that, we will work on you settling into shooting one of these things, working our way up from small projectiles, to badminton birdies, and finally, arrows. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!" The thestrals answered in unison.

"Very good," Storm nodded once. "Let's begin."


***


Night stood just outside of a dead-end corridor, on either sides sitting numerous small curtained rooms, half of which currently occupied by ponies changing into fashions they wished to try on. He was by far the most unfitting pony in the shop at the time, receiving many looks of disgust.

Glancing around him, keeping his outward appearance cool and contained, Night called quietly into the changing rooms, a hoof lifting off the floor. "Princess, are you nearly finished?"

"Not quite, my Captain! Just one more dress, and we shall be finished here—maybe!"

Night rolled his eyes with slight annoyance, lowering his hoof and returning to his tall posture where he stood. It was another outing day for him and Princess Luna, her having insisted now that he was no longer occupied with recruits that they should hit the town once more. Except, this time, he actually was on duty as her assigned escort.

Slight grunting came from inside the princess' fitting room, Night once more glancing around to make sure no one could hear. These were the noises Night knew well—the noises of an alicorn attempting to fit herself into something that was not her size, albeit her loving it dearly. It was every mare's worst nightmare, finding clothing they admire and want, but cannot wear it.

After what felt like ages, the curtain slid open and Princess Luna stepped out, wearing a pair of shades, a sunhat, and a pink t-shirt reading the words #1 Best Princess, one her sister Princess Celestia, ironically, gave her for her birthday one year. In her magical grasp, Luna held three hangers with different-styled dresses and blouses on them.

"Any luck?" Night asked with a slight bit of humor in his tone, taking note of her disappointed-annoyed mixture of an expression, one he also knew well in his years serving Luna.

Huffing softly, Princess Luna hung the clothing up on a nearby railing rack with other clothes, answering to Night. "Each one was too tight around the waist, how dare those dress makers only make such gorgeous pieces of clothing in specific sizes!"

"It's such a tragedy, isn't it, Princess?" Night replied sarcastically.

"It is... it truly is!" Luna said, turning her nose up. "We shall not have business here ever agai—oooh, Night, look at this!" she then gasped, galloping up to another dress that caught her attention, Night facehoofing in response and shaking his head into his hoof.

"Five more minutes, Night!" Luna giggled, tearing back into the fitting room.

Night rolled his eyes again and groaned softly to himself, letting out a deep sigh. Mares... he thought.

Thankfully, it was less than five minutes when Luna exited, this time much happier with the results of the newest experiment of dress-fitting, tossing her bits over the counter and walking out with the new dress, Night having apologized to the cashier for her store-wide 'rampage', before leaving behind her.

Catching up to her side, Night trotted a steady pace. "Where to now, Princess?"

"Hmm..." Luna lifted a hoof to her chin and pondered, then felt a lit lightbulb appear above her head, gasping. "Quillman's!"

"Are you out of quills and ink already?" Night's brow furrowed.

"No, no. What if the store stocked with that dragon model?!" Luna said excitedly.

"Oh! Yes, that. Let's go!"


***


One quick stop to Quillman's Quill's & Crafts later, Princess Luna finally left, pleased to discover the dragon kits she decreed to be sold were on the shelves, purchasing two as well as numerous small pearlescent paint jars and some brushes. It marked the end of another successful shopping day.

And just like after every single shopping day, Night was exhausted, his hooves aching from the constant running around. He wasn't a pony to complain or bring up matters if they would ruin the Princess' plans, even if they were minor. The process would have been too long to find another pony to escort her around, anyways.

Retreating back to the palace during mid-afternoon, Night dropped Luna off at her quarters while she eagerly went inside to begin work on one of her kits. Night, on the other hoof, sauntered drowsily back to his own. A decent nap would be in order before his post-dusk patrols were to begin.

Tonight would be a new type of patrol, however. He had made arrangements to meet up with Paladin Redflare once more for a nightly guard duty in Ponyville, somewhere he had never been on duty prior to tonight.

But first, something else was in order to be taken care of before he could catch two or three hours of shuteye. Making his way downstairs and outside, Night walked onto the Royal Guard grounds, approaching a group of thestrals, an earth pony, and a night-blue pegasus wrapping up training, the bat ponies grouping up with the dark cyan stallion to return to their barracks.

Night approached the pegasus as he slipped his helmet on, turning and meeting Night as he approached, clicking his hooves together and saluting. "Captain."

"At ease, First Sergeant," Night stopped just a couple of feet from him, motioning his hoof to lower the salute. "How was the first day on the job?"

"Tough, but I'll get used to it," Stormfire answered honestly.

"Did they give you any trouble?" Night eyed the pegasus with a look of slight concern.

Storm shook his head. "No, sir. In fact, they were as good as they could be. These next couple of weeks should go by like a breeze."

Night was much relieved to hear that. "Good," he nodded once. "I've been meaning to ask, however."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Your name, Stormfire, it seems familiar. Have we met someplace before?" Night asked curiously.

"Briefly, yes. My honor medal ceremony a year ago. You were in the front of the crowd, along with Shining Armor."

"Oh. Oh! Of course!" Night said as it hit him. "How could I forget?"

Stormfire shrugged. "It's a forgettable experience, I suppose."

"But I feel like that isn't it. Do you know anypony I know?"

"Thunderblast?"

"Yeah, him."

"Me and him are good friends. Not as good as you two, most likely, but we've known each other quite a while now."

"I see," Night nodded. "Alright, I was just checking. The thought's been crossing my mind the last week since the competition and I haven't had much of a chance to ask."

Stormfire chuckled softly and waved a hoof. "Don't worry about it. Guards are always busy."

Night nodded once more, smiling. "Well, I'll let you go get some chow and some rest. Take care, First Sergeant," he said, saluting.

"Likewise, Captain," Storm replied, returning the salute, the two pegasi parting ways afterward.

Returning to his quarters, Night kicked his armor off, crawling into his bed for a well-needed slumber. He would need all of his energy for tonight, that was for sure.


***


Watching as the sky gradually turned dark from inside the train, Night eased himself into the seat in one of the carriages. He kept a slight smile across his muzzle as the Equestrian countryside raced past. 

Glancing back outside the window as the train crossed a hill, Night could very well see the lights of the town as it approached, the train slowing to an eventual stop at the single small platform of the Ponyville station.

Night stood on all fours, exiting through a now-open door in the side of the next carriage along with a few other ponies aboard the mostly-vacant train. His next focus was finding Redflare, which in all reality would not be all too difficult in this tiny town.

Stepping down off of the wooden platform, Night circled the station and started into town, first assuming Redflare would be waiting somewhere in the center, in a park or near the town's tallest structure, the town hall.

He sauntered down the dirt-cobble streets, glancing around him at the wooden-and-hay homes and shops. Far and few ponies were out and about, some heading in for the night. 

Night noted those who were outside had given him strange looks. They had never seen a Lunar guard in Ponyville, aside from Luna's Nightmare Night entrance a few years back. Despite all of the glances and glares, he moved on, putting them past his mind and keeping his main focus on finding Redflare. 

Coming to the center of town and crossing a bridge built across a small creek, Night froze, watching as a familiar set of mares galloped from around city hall with a dirt-brown stallion in a grey trilby hat and pine-tree green vest leading them. Where they were heading or what they were running from was beyond him, and it was likely none of his business to interfere.

Shrugging it off, he continued across the pink-painted wood bridge, eventually turning and sighting a tall, muscular red pegasus sitting in a clearing in the plaza near the large rounded building. Night approached with a warm smile.

"Thought I'd find you somewhere around here," Night called out from a few paces behind.

Redflare's ear swiveled, head turning and eyes meeting Night's. He too smiled, standing up to face the approaching pegasus. "About time you came, Captain. I was worried I would have to go on without you."

"I could have gotten here quicker if I flew, but then I would be out of energy," Night returned with a smirk.

"That would have certainly not been good. But, now that you are here, shall we?"

Night nodded in response, siding Redflare as they began back into town, the sun now set and sky nearly fully darkened, Luna's moon shining down a soothing, gentle glow that echoed off of streams and ponds in gorgeous reflections.

The evening air was cool and brisk, a light yet strong enough breeze to make the trees around town sway and rustle, and what remained of their colorful array of leaves glided to earth, coating much of the ground and crunching beneath their hooves.

To his right, Redflare radiated gentle heat, certain he did so to keep the both of them warm, even though Night's coat did him decent justice.

As they walked, Night was the first to speak up since they met up in the park minutes before. "Hey, Redflare?"

"Yes, Captain?" The large red stallion's eyes moved down to the significantly smaller pony to his left.

"How did you get so big?" Night immediately blushed. "Sorry if that's... a little too forward."

Redflare's chest bellowed in a chuckle. "Do not fret about it, that is a question I receive all too often. I will answer, that is, if you wish to hear a story."

"We have all night," said the fanged pegasus beneath him, smiling as they rounded a corner.

"Well, alright. So, I began as a normal colt, the average size as one. I admired Princess Celestia like a normal colt would admire a professional hoofball player, and I put my trust and faith in her, as I still do to this very day.

"My birth parents perished in a timberwolf ambush in the northwest Everfree, and from there, a friend of my family took me in along with his adoptive father. Little did I know until then, his adoptive father, Invictus, was the grandmaster of the Order of Celestia's Light, a pack of paladins, and former Equestrian Royal guards.

"It might have been destiny that I lost my parents, only to become one of Celestia's warriors. Perhaps it was all set from the beginning, I will never know. When I reached my teen years, that's when it all kickstarted. My height, quite literally, skyrocketed during a growth spurt."

"Did it have to do with Invictus taking care of you over the years?" Night curiously asked.

"Most likely, yes," Redflare nodded, then continued. "I joined the Royal Guard at fifteen, becoming obviously the largest pony to accomplish this at the time, and I remained with them for two years before Celestia recognized me, and I began my paladin's training."

"How long did that take?"

"A rough and long three years. A lot of it was physical, but the total majority of the training involved studying every little aspect of Celestia's holy light and the history of it. 

"Paladins of the Order, I later discovered, are spread out across all of Equestria, and even some parts of the world, too. They are on their own, as am I. I just so happened to take the place of Ponyville recently, to shield it from any dangers that may arise and protect the princess that lives here.

"Appointed by Princess Celestia, I became connected to her Light, I became stronger. Not nearly as strong as Celestia or Luna, or even Starswirl the Bearded, but strong in my own way. Eventually, I came across something new about myself, and I ended up unintentionally setting a house on fire in another village."

Night snorted in a bit of laughter, covering his muzzle to hide his grin. Redflare turned to him, ears pinning back. 

"It was abandoned, I didn't know until after it was put out!"

"Continue," Night snickered some more, then stopped to listen some more.

Red sighed softly. "That was when I became in control of my inner flame, harnessing what I know of it to this day. Like every paladin in the Order, after time serving, they begin to unlock their potential through the Holy Light until they can use it to their advantage in combat, much like I did with Topaz, a second form if you will!"

"A second form?" Night's head tilted. The memory did not ring in his mind.

"Of course, you were under a hypnotizing mind-control spell that wiped away your true consciousness that he had done."

"What does it look like?"

Redflare sighed once more. "I am afraid I cannot demonstrate while we are in town. I do not wish to risk the lives in the event I accidentally set more buildings ablaze."

Night nodded understandingly. "Some other time?"

"If it ever comes to it," Redflare smirked smugly. "Now, about you. How did you become second-in-command of the Zodiacs?"

"Long story. Would you care to hear?" Night smirked.

"We have all night," Redflare returned the smirk.


***


Just before dawn, Night Shadow retreated to Canterlot after being assured by Redflare that he could cover the remaining hours of his patrols, allowing Night to rest on the overnight returning express.

Having dozed off sitting upright with his hooves crossed in one of the coaches, Night jolted himself awake when he found himself falling forwards as the train lurched to a stop. He scrambled to keep his balance, stumbling on all fours with wide-eyes and looking all around him after being abruptly awoken.

Yawning quietly, he stood up straight, exiting the train and into the cold early morning air, a thin fog covering the plateau Canterlot was built upon. Moving out onto the streets after crossing through the station building, he found them to be eerily silent with only one or two ponies in sight.

Remembering the time and day, he recognized it was rather prodigious for Canterlot to not have the early-morning bustle it usually did on the weekdays, despite the brisk temperatures and temporal strong breezes that whisked through the higher elevations.

But the strangest thing of all was the faint scent of smoke. Not the type that came from a bonfire or a fireplace, nor from a train, or even a structure burning down. This was a new scent, and there was no sign of where it was coming from.

Forcing himself to shrug it off, Night continued on his way back to the palace, passing Valiant Charge as he replaced the night guards in his spot on his entry through the front gates.

He had reached his quarters in no time, the eerie, smoky stench lingering even in his apartment. Was it attached to his body? Perhaps I'm due for a shower, he pondered, and he did just that, stripping off his armor and hopping under the steamy water to ease his muscles from any minor aches he might have had.

By the time he stepped out and had his coat and mane fully dried, the smell was still there. It wasn't him after all. It couldn't have been, either. Redflare wasn't burning that evening. Worse yet, the smell was gradually becoming stronger. Stepping out onto his balcony and almost instantly regretting it when a strong, freezing gust struck his side, there was still no sign of the scent's origin.

The morning surpassed, Night having remained wide awake with the aid of some coffee from the palace kitchen. Resuming work, he stopped by an office where one of Celestia's workers had been hoof-printing geographical maps that finally included Night's home town, both the surface and the parts built on a cluster of clouds, including topographic maps and other types that showed off the area, all of which were to be brought to Princess Celestia.

Carrying the numerous rolled-up long pieces of paper into the situation room, it was quite the shock to him to find Princess Celestia and Princess Luna seated around the glass table along with a few high-ranking guards. Night paused at the door, saluting and bowing.

"Night!" Luna gasped softly with surprise. "Please, do come in."

Night's suspicion grew by the moment as he entered the windowless room with guards in each corner, and a large map of Equestria placed on the farthest wall from the door. He laid the maps down on a separate desk, stepping up to the table.

"What's the matter, your highnesses?"

"I am afraid there is terrible news, Captain. Terrible news originating from the city of Batsburg."

"My home town?" Night's eyes opened wide. He was more than awake now. "What happened?!"

Celestia glanced to Luna, who nodded once, and turned her attention to Night. "A nearby volcano has erupted and is blanketing much of the northwest region of the country with ash and debris."

"We are afraid nopony is able to access the area for evacuations because the train lines have been blocked. Vanhoover is unaffected, aside from occasional earth tremors, but over all, Canterlot and other northern cities are preparing for the smog as the winds push the cloud east," Luna explained.

Night's ears pinned back, his heart racing fearfully as his forehooves spread apart. "My... my family!"

"Captain, please, take a seat. We will talk about this situation further—"

Before Celestia could finish, Night had darted back out the door he came. 

"Night, wait!" Luna shouted, her hoof outreaching. His intentions were all too clear now.

"Guards, stop him!" Celestia ordered, the guards springing to action to grab Night and hold him back, but it was too late. Night had gone out the door, and was now zipping through the hallways to leave the castle and head west.

His family was in grave danger.
> Evacuation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As he took off from one of the balconies, it hit Night Shadow that to do this alone would be tricky. He quickly looped around the palace from above, eyes scanning down over the numerous guard posts until he found the right one, diving down right as two guards exchanged positions for the morning.

Night did not even bother to land, instead halting himself just above the grey pegasus beginning his shift as the other guard began to walk away. "Thunder!" 

Jolting in surprise, Thunderblast's head snapped up to the pegasus floating above him, eyes widened at his sudden appearance. "Night?! Sweet Celestia, don't sneak up on me like that! What are you—"

"There's no time to explain right now, but I can along the way," Night said hurriedly. "You have to come with me. It's an emergency!"

"What kind of emergency? I can't just leave my post!"

"My family is in harm's way!"

Thunder's heart sank and his ears fell backwards. His mind was now set, nodding. "Let's go."

Night nodded, racing up into the sky quickly, Thunder dropping his spear and following after as quickly as he could go, having to push himself to keep up with Night.

As soon as the two pegasi matched speeds, both made a B-line for Batsburg, quite a decent distance away. Both knew very well if they kept their speed, it would still be a few hours before they would arrive. Night feared that it would be too late.

With Canterlot now distant behind them in the morning's haze, Thunderblast turned to Night worriedly. "What is the emergency?"

"The city is in danger. A volcano has erupted nearby and nopony has been able to get through for evacuation procedures. There's hundreds, possibly thousands that could perish if we don't do something about it!" Night explained with a lump in his throat. "And my family..."

Thunder then tried to calm him as best he could. "They will be fine, Night. We will get there and pull them out safely. Do you hear me? It is a deadly situation, yes, but I can assure you that we will get them out of there as soon as possible, and any others that we can find."

"How?! Not everypony can fly that well. Even worse, not everypony will be able to fly in a shower of ash!"

"We will find a way," Thunder rested a hoof on his shoulder carefully. "I promise."

Night slowly turned to face forward again, his eyes glassy and heart aching. Thunder was right, they always found a way. He could only pray to the ancestors that it would be the case this time around.


***


The sight was looking far from good. Crossing over one of the many mountain ranges scattered across the northwest region, the two stared in awe and shock at the sheer size of the black cloud hanging over numerous valleys, including the one of their destination. Even as they approached, Night noted how much warmer it was as well.

From where they could see, a faint plume rose from one of the distant peaks in a constant release, pumping more of the thick, suffocating ash. Within a moment's notice, they were flying directly into the shower, which one could have mistaken for snow if they didn't know otherwise.

The shower gradually picked up, eventually coating the area in a haze that drastically lowered their visibility. All they had with them at this point were their instincts. Even then, Thunder was following Night's.

Just narrowly crossing another mountain range, Night's ears perked. In the thick grey of the haze, something hit him that they were close, and he began descending.

Coughing heavily, Thunder followed momentarily after, the two descending out of the bottom of the cloud. The sight was even worse than expected. All around the valley and beneath lay a grey, stark landscape. Trees stood covered in ash, some bent over or even broken by the weight with more continuing to rain down in large clusters. 

Scanning his eyes around, Night caught sight of the surface town that had still been under construction, and a train was sitting motionless in the station. He swooped down towards it and hovering a hundred feet in the air, staring directly down.

Thunder moved up to his side, coughing heavily. "Where's the cloud city?"

This only confirmed their other fears. Slowly looking up, at the thick cloud hanging low above them, both acknowledged just by exchanging glances of where the city was—surrounded by the worst of the suffocating smoke. In a bright flash of lightning, caused by friction and electrical discharge within the plume, the silhouette of the town from beneath became visible.

Night's gaze shifted down to Thunder, no longer with a look of fear or concern, but rather one of determination and acceptance of what they had to do. Just this look alone spoke a thousand words, and Night raced upwards, piercing into the cloud and disappearing from sight.

Hesitantly, Thunder had no choice but to follow. Beyond Night's family, others were still in harm's way. It was their job now to bring everypony to safety. A strange vibe, however, told him that not everyone would make it out in time. 

Despite the feeling, his mind was set on the task at hand, flying upwards into the ash cloud.

Coming over the stationary layer Batsburg rested on, Night landed, hooves sinking into two and a half inches of warm coating that had fallen. Visibility was extremely low, only approximately thirty or so feet. Thunder came down to his side, coughing and wheezing harder than prior.

Neither of them could keep their eyes open without blinking more rapidly than normal. The ash was instantaneously getting to them. They had to find Night's house, and fast.

Braving the heavy cloud of debris, the two carried on cautiously into town, Night leading the way in the rapidly-changing landscape that came to be almost unrecognizable. 

Wincing at the stinging heat in his eyes, Night stopped at a path intersection, glancing in either direction. He covered his muzzle with a hoof, still coughing and hacking. He was faced with a decision that would determine their fate at this very moment—choosing the right direction and finding his family's house, or choosing the wrong direction, and succumbing to the deadly air.

In the poor visibility, making an educated judgement such as this was more than difficult, impossible even. Like quite possibly everyone else in town, him and Thunder were rapidly running out of time.

Trusting his wits, Night strafed left, galloping south with Thunder tailing him. He could finally breathe a massive sigh of relief when he saw the silhouette of somepony he knew well also braving the elements along with numerous others.

Approaching the bat ponies, Night ran up to the tallest one. "Dad!" He shouted behind his hoof, coughing again.

The tall bat stallion turned, holding a wet rag over his muzzle. "Night?!" His eyes opened wide at the sudden voice.

Night took the larger stallion in a tight embrace. Skywatcher took the rag from his muzzle and moved Night's hoof away after returning the hug, pressing it to his nose.

"Breathe through that, son," Sky wheezed and held his own hoof up to his muzzle.

"Where's Mom and Dawn?" Night called through the rag, Thunderblast galloping up to them.

"At home. The Governor is ordering everypony to stay in their homes and wait until the eruption ceases and the cloud clears away. I'm trying to make sure everypony does just that," Skywatcher answered, turning to the other ponies behind him, all in Legion armor, pointing in directions for them to go.

"No, Dad, listen—" Night coughed once more as a crack of thunder echoed around them, shaking the clouds beneath their hooves. "—it's too dangerous!"

"We can't all fly out of here, Night. Our best viable option is to stay put and wait it out!" Sky protested.

"Well, I say our best option is to evacuate who we can, if at all possible!" Thunderblast added.

Skywatcher turned to the gold-armored pegasus. "Good to see you again."

"Likewise, sir," Thunder said, the top of his backplate now becoming scratched and covered in ash.

"Dad, please, there is no use in staying here. The ash will continue to accumulate until it is heavy enough to cave in roofs!" Night shouted above another roll of thunder.

"Impossible, our homes are built to withstand the worst of the worst!"

"You don't know that!" Night hissed angrily. "Did you or anypony else even know this would happen? Did you know a volcano would erupt and cause this much chaos?!"

Sky went silent, defeated by Night. His ears swiveled sideways, trying to speak out what he wanted to say.

"There's no time to waste, Dad! We have to get these ponies out of here!" Night shoved past his father, whistling to the soldiers that had just left.

The Legion soldiers ran back, gathering in a line in front of Night, looking to him for orders.

"You four, go door to door, tell everypony to use wet rags, towels, any piece of cloth they can use, and tell them to fly out of the clouds and to the train depot. Gather as many as you can, and make sure they get down there! Is that clear?!" Night commanded.

The stallions exchanged looks, but then shrugged it off and went off to do what they were told after recognizing the armor he wore, as well as his rank pins.

"Night, I do not think you know what you are doing. There is no possible good outcome out of this!"

"Skywatcher," Thunder began, coughing hard and inhaling deeply. "We just flew three and a half hours to get here. Please, trust him. He has a plan."

"What plan might that be, Thunderblast?! Huh? Do you know it?!"

"Skywatcher!" Came a mare's screech from a nearby house. The two snapped their heads in that direction.

"What are you doing out here? Get back inside!" Sky pointed his hoof demandingly.

"Have faith in our son, he came all of this way. He saved us before, he will do it again!" Shouted Midnight.

Grumbling softly, Skywatcher acknowledged after a few moments in silence. "Fine. Night, what is your plan?"

Galloping back, Night faced his father directly. "First off, we need every available Legion troop collecting ponies from their homes and bringing them to the surface. Where is the Governor?"

"In the Citadel, most certainly in the bunker," Sky replied.

"All right. You and I will go get him. Thunder—" Night pointed to him. "You help the soldiers, and get my mom and sister to the train station!"

Nodding, Thunderblast ran over towards the house where Midnight waited, Dawn sitting in the living room around a candle on a small center table. She gasped softly as Thunder came in, coughing and wheezing with dust and ash falling off of his armor. Midnight closed the door.

"Thunder! Is that you?!" Dawn squealed, jumping up and floating in the air with gentle flaps of her wings, her slit-pupil eyes wide.

"Hey," Thunder answered, smiling weakly up at her, then turning to Midnight, who was beginning to pack up food and drinks. "There's no use in doing that."

"What? Why not?" Midnight stopped, gaze snapping to the grey pegasus. Her eyes were glassy with tears building in the ducts, a mixture of the burning of the ash cloud as well as heartache.

"We're going to get you all to Canterlot or some other city that will be safe. You will have to leave it."

"F-fine," Midnight sniffled, moving over to Thunder's side, then looking around her slowly at the darkened house. "I can't believe this is happening to us again..."

Dawn landed softly on the floor, Thunderblast gently pulling Midnight into a soft hug to calm her. "I am sorry, Midnight. But it is for you and Dawn's safety, as well as Sky's."

"I know," Midnight nodded slowly, wiping tears away. "I just hope we won't lose everything again."

"Have faith," Thunder spoke softly. "Grab a rag and get ready to fly. You, too, Dawn."

"Wait a minute..." Midnight said, pushing past the lump in her throat. She approached a wood stand, picking up a photo frame and holding it close to her chest, a tear streaking down her cheek. She let out a deep breath, tucking it into her saddlebags with other small belongings.

Following his order, both Midnight and Dawn grabbed pieces of wet cloth, Midnight offering one to Thunder, all putting them to their muzzles.

"Ready?" Thunder asked, slightly muffled by the rag. Nodding, the three moved back out through the door, taking to the smog-filled sky with him in the lead. 


***


Skywatcher and Night Shadow galloped down the ash-coated streets, giving shouting orders as they passed more Legion soldiers as they made their way to the Citadel.

All around them, numerous more thestrals took off into the sky, making their way to either attempt to get above the ash cloud, or down to the train station. Had the cloud not been there, the mass exodus could have been described by somepony as seagulls leaving the coast before a gale.

The father and son galloped through the front gate, neither sides being guarded by soldiers, and the torches that hung above on the pillars on either side of the entryway were put out.

They moved in through the black stone building's main entrance, hurriedly climbing the circular staircase to the Governor's office, where one armored thestral stood outside the half-opened door. Skywatcher stepped up, nodding once to the soldier, who allowed them inside.

Up to the half-oval window in his office stood a taller indigo thestral stallion, dressed in a coal-black overcoat, his gaze set on the grey void outside. Blue and white flashes lit up the office, the earth-shaking cracks of thunder forcing him to slightly wince. He exhaled deeply, ear swiveling as the two entered.

"If that is what you came for, Major, I am not leaving," he spoke just loud enough for them to hear, not turning to face them.

Night and Sky stopped just across from the Governor's desk. "Sir, you have to leave. Everypony else is," Skywatcher said.

"I am well aware of that, Major. And there is now compelling evidence to support that decision, even if it is too late. In light of this, I still wish to stay put."

"Governor, it is not safe. The air supply will eventually run out, assuming the eruption does last but a few days—"

"It will last longer, Night Shadow."

"Pardon?" Night blinked twice.

The indigo bat pony slowly turned, his eyes meeting Night's as he walked up to his desk and took a seat in the chair.

"There will be another eruption."

"What?!" Night's eyes widened.

"How do you know, sir?" Skywatcher questioned, pupils shrinking to pinpricks.

"While we may not be supplied with today's proper technology to predict these, there is enough reason to believe the mountain is not finished. There is something big coming. This is simply a warmup," the Governor said grimly.

"All the more reason to evacuate as soon as possible—"

"It's too late for that."

"No, it isn't! We are already—"

"It's too late, Captain!" the Governor raised his voice, shooting him a look of daggers. "The mountain will finish us all before we even have a mere chance at evacuating in time."

The room went silent, two thestrals and a pegasus having a staredown against one another. The Governor eased his body, another flash of lightning illuminating the room.

Skywatcher stepped a hoof forward. "Then we will die trying."

"That is a mistake, Major."

"If what you speak of is the truth, then we simply have more of a reason to get going."

"There is no use in killing the whole town out in the open. There is a slight chance that we may not see the worst of it."

"We already are, Governor," Night said. "Look outside! Ponies are suffocating, ponies are dying! Your ponies are dying! You want to tell them they are better of staying in their homes until they breathe their last breath? That's fine by me. But know this, I don't take orders from you."

The Governor stared blankly at Night. With a few moments of silence, he nodded once.

"Then I will remain with my sinking ship. Dismissed."

Skywatcher stepped forward again. "Governor, I—"

"You are dismissed!"

Sky recoiled back, slightly struck by the stallion's words. His ears fell back.

Night's eyes moved to his father, knowing anything they would say would not alter the Governor's mind any longer. It was no use staying put, either. Time was still running low.

"Major, Captain, rally the troops and get your flanks out of here. That is my final order."

"Yes, sir."

Night and Sky turned tail, heading out of the office as volcanic thunder shook the building more. The two split up, finding any remaining soldiers in the large structure, before leaving the Governor behind.

The indigo stallion exhaled softly.

"I'll see you soon, my dearest."


***


Now back outside in the hot, dry, and stifling ash, Night Shadow and Skywatcher made their hurried rounds along with any other Legion soldiers they could come across, taking thestral ponies from their homes, some forcefully when they refused to leave their belongings behind.

Galloping to the next set of homes, Night stumbled over a lump in the ash, falling forward and briefly laying in the thick layer ash. He pushed himself to his hooves, digging into the ash to see just what he tripped over, when he was met with a terrifying sight.

Laying on their side, motionless and quite nearly turned to stone lay two ponies who appeared to be trying to get home as quickly as possible before asphyxiating to the ash. Night gasped deeply, coughing and wheezing afterwards as he accidentally took a large inhale of ash flakes, quickly hacking them back up before they could reach his lungs.

He backed away carefully from the bodies, muttering 'Sweet Celestia' to himself, before backing directly into another pony right as an explosive crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning struck nearby. He whipped around in surprise, relieved to find it was just his father.

"How is it looking, Dad?" Night questioned, lifting his rag back up to his muzzle to breathe into.

"Everypony that is alive is accounted for, but we have to move! One of my sergeants told me there's increased earthquake activity on the surface."

"Right, let's get the hell out of here!" Night shouted above another roll of thunder, coughing some more and taking to the skies beside his father and the few remaining Legion soldiers bringing the final civilians out of their homes, some having small bags with them on their backs.

Beneath the billowing cloud cover once more, the cluster of bat ponies raced to the station below, which by this point was becoming well overfilled with ponies of now all races, not just bat ponies, but those touring the newly-constructed secondary town below.

The tiny station was chaotic: ponies crammed together with hardly any room to breathe, hardly any light apart from one or two candles, flashlights, and a couple of generous unicorns keeping their horns lit to help others see.

In the midst of the cluster stood Thunderblast, aiding to some having breathing troubles from extreme ash inhalation. Other soldiers helped, but were far overwhelmed. 

Outside, Night and Sky landed on the soot-covered platform, Night glancing to the parked train sitting with its doors shut. He quickly turned to an armored bat stallion exiting the station. 

"Where's the engineer?!" Night called over a low, distant rumbling.

"Inside! Why?"

"Get him out here, we need this train moving, pronto!" Night ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The soldier answered, cramming himself back into the crowd to find the train's driver.

Turning to his father, Night shouted. "How are we supposed to fit everypony in this train?"

"With faith!" Sky answered, the rumbling becoming gradually louder by the minute. Something big was definitely coming, and soon.

The Legion soldier returned as quickly as he could, bringing with him a stocky, long-haired earth pony stallion in a red neckerchief and white-blue striped hat, him having the bandana over his muzzle to protect his lungs.

"What's goin' on? Why have you brought me out here?!" The stallion yelled, having a thick western accent.

"You! We need you in the engine, we're taking everypony out of here!" Sky motioned for the pony to enter the locomotive.

"There's no way we'll be able to move, there's simply too much covering the tracks!"

"Make it work, you're our only chance out of here!" Night shouted.

Hesitantly, the engineer ran to the locomotive, going to work on getting it started.

"Night!" Sky turned to him. "I'm heading to the Fang Legion base to ensure everypony is out!"

"No, Dad, don't go!" Night's eyes widened, tearing up and burning from the heat.

"Don't worry, I'll be back as quickly as I can!" Sky briefly took Night in a tight hug. "I promise."

Night nodded slowly, ears falling. "Hurry back."

Sky nodded once, leaping up into the air and flying away from the station, disappearing into the thick dark grey haze.

Observing his father disappear, Night quickly turned to a pair of soldiers on the platform, ordering, "Help me get these ponies on the train, stack as many as possible! No one will get left behind!"


***


The Legion base did not appear to be fairing as well as the town, and the town itself was already suffering. Two of the base's buildings had collapsed under pressure from the heavy coating raining from the sky that accumulated over the span of twelve or more hours.

Landing in the center of the base, Skywatcher galloped up to the main building, as soldiers poured out of the remaining buildings, also aware of the current evacuation. He ran up to one soldier.

"Where is the General?!" He shouted, the rumbling now louder than ever.

The soldier coughed heavily, spitting out a red fluid on the ash-covered ground. "He is gone!"

"What do you mean he's gone?!"

"I mean, he's—"

Just before the stallion could continue, a strange, approaching screech, followed by a massive explosion in the far side of the base jolted them down. Another followed, this time striking a wooded area beyond the base's walls.

Soon came another approaching screech. This time, it couldn't be seen where it was coming from. Skywatcher looked all around, then straight up above him, watching as a fireball burst through the cloud layer, heading straight for him.

"Get down!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, lunging forward and tackling the soldier out of the way as the ground was struck by a rather large rock, partially covered in cracked molten lava that still bubbled, a piece bursting off and burning another pony trying to dodge.

The two quickly stood, checking over each other for injuries briefly, before stumbling as a massive jolt shook the ground beneath.

"Earthquake!" Shouted another pony, taking off into the sky along with many others.

Regaining their balance, Sky and the soldier watched as the ground around them began to buckle upwards, plumes of toxic steam exploding out of the ground through the cracks.

"Major, we have to get moving, NOW!" The soldier shouted, then snapping his attention to their hooves as the ground began to rapidly heat up and roll beneath them, and even became slightly sticky.

"Go, GO!" Skywatcher shouted, grabbing the soldier and flying upwards along with him, just as the cracks further expanded, opening a much deeper fissure of molten lava that began to swallow up parts of the ground, buildings, as well as a few unfortunate soldiers unable prevent themselves from being pulled in.

Leaving the base behind them, those who flew made their way to their only means of escape: the train station.

"Don't look back. It's worse than you think."


***


The ground shook violently across the valley, tearing down the wooden frames of structures that had not yet been completed, shattering class, and opening long, deep cracks in the ground.

Ponies screamed in terror, squeezing out through the doors and onto the train as the cars rocked back and forth gently in the violent motions. Night and Thunder helped stuff the cars to the brim, hoping and praying everypony could fit on the inside.

Dust fell from the ceiling inside the station, loud creaking being heard above the rumbling of the earth beneath their hooves as the station's structure threatened to give out. The wood floor plates split open, ponies tripping over the cracks and others tripping over them in the panic. The window panes around the station shattered, raining shards of glass on those stuck down on the floor.

Soldiers rushed in, picking up their fellow ponies and bringing them outside as more of the cars filled up quickly. Up front, the engineer continued working, steam now billowing from the smokestack.

"Where's my dad?!" Night shouted, the other soldiers looking all around in confusion, also questioning where he was.

Just then, another massive jolt struck, knocking everypony on the platform down. The beams holding the roof up snapped, ponies galloping out of the way as the whole station building collapsed, destroying much of the platform as well. Worse yet, there were a few still inside attempting to rush out as the roof came down on top of them.

Night raced up to the now-collapsed structure, straining to clear parts of debris and lift a large section of roof up. Thunderblast came up from behind, grabbing Night and pulling him to the train. "Wait, wait, wait, there's ponies still in there! We can't leave them!" He shouted, squirming against the stallion's grip.

"We have no choice, the ground is ripping itself apart!" Thunder grunted, pulling Night into the train as the remaining few piled in, Legion soldiers flying in from the base landing on the rear view overhang on the caboose.

With a screech of the wheels sliding on the rails, the train began to slowly move, plowing through the ash accumulated on the tracks ahead.

Feeling the new sudden movement, Night flew over the crowds to the caboose, pulling soldiers in as they landed and looking out for Skywatcher with a face full of concern.

As if a breeze blew over him, the larger soot-covered thestral stallion landed, bringing Night into a tight embrace.

"Dad!" Night shouted, tearing up as he looped his hooves tightly around his father. "I thought you wouldn't come back."

"I told you I would..." Skywatcher coughed and gently rubbed Night's back to calm him. "Are we all here? Is that everypony?"

"I think s—"

BOOM.

An eardrum-shattering explosion startled everypony, screams of fear erupting throughout the train as everypony scrambled to look outside the window, seeing the distant mountain's top had completely exploded, balls of fire flying out of the cone and smashing into nearby peaks.

Night's heart dropped, watching as a wall of ash and fire raced across the slopes of the mountains surrounding the valley, a pyroclastic flow—and it was headed right for them at neck break speeds.

The shockwave of the explosion struck the train, shattering some of the windows towards the rear as it continued to pick up speed, away from the advancing cloud of death as it destroyed mass amounts of forest.

"Can't this thing go any faster?!" Yelled Midnight, holding Dawn tightly out of fear. Behind them, Thunderblast held a couple of fillies, their faces buried in his chest as he tried to calm them.

Out of the blue came another noise. A noise of distant shouting. Night snapped to look back out the rear of the train, watching as a tall brown stallion surfaced from the debris, on his back a frightened mare and chasing after the train as quickly as he could.

Night moved out to the rear overhang, putting his hooves to his muzzle and calling out. "Run! You can make it!"

The stallion looked behind him as he galloped, the cloud was quickly approaching. Soon it would overtake him. He faced forward again, pushing his limits and galloping down the tracks, catching up to the gradually-speeding train.

Night held his hoof out, pupils shrunk to pinpricks. He alternated his focus between the fast-moving cloud and the two ponies.

"Come on!" He shouted, reaching down to the stallion as he came up behind the caboose.

The mare on his back screamed, the pyroclastic flow now dangerously close. The stallion reached his hoof up, Night pulling him and the mare up onto the train, directly as a lava bomb struck the tracks just where they were, exploding in a massive ball of fire.

Just moments before the cloud could reach them, the train raced into a tunnel, shaking from the earthquake causing the edge to cave in and block out the flow, preventing it from reaching them. They were finally safe.

Night panted heavily, adrenaline running faster than ever before. He turned to the unicorn and the mare, breathing a sigh of relief. "Are you okay?"

The mare nodded, whimpering. "Y-yes... Thank you..."

Night nodded once, but then eyed the two of them, moving his gaze between them.

The brown unicorn raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

Night pondered why these ponies looked so familiar. Then it hit him.

"Specter... Glitter?!"
> Cold Mourning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Bloodvein?!" The mare gasped, gradually standing from where she sat in the crowded car. She moved up to Night slowly.

"Actually, it's... Night Shadow now," he weakly smiled. "I went with the name you and Specter gave me."

Glitter softly smiled up at the now-grown pony. "And here I believed we would never cross paths again."

"And what a day for that to happen," Specter chuckled softly. "I see you've made rank. How long did that take?"

"Not very long, actually," Night smiled still. "It was quite the promotion."

"So I see," Specter nodded once. "Thank you for saving us, Night Shadow."

"Please, just call me Night."

"Thank you, Night. Had you not pulled us on board, neither of us would have made it," Specter gently scratched up his arm.

"Without Night, none of us would be here," Skywatcher added. He looped a dusty hoof around Night's neck, smiling.

"I wouldn't normally take credit, but, it is true. Then again, none of us would have seen the second blast coming without the Governor's warning," Night stated.

"Hey, speaking of which," Midnight stepped up to them. "Where is the Governor? Nopony has seen him."

Night and Sky's smiles faded, the mood immediately returning to that of melancholy and grim of the reality of the situation. Both knew that even if the pyroclastic cloud hadn't reached the upper city, survival after the fact was still far too unlikely.

But in all reality, he was not the only one. Many wouldn't make it. Many did not make it. Night knew that after discovering the buried corpses before leaving.

This was far worse than the cave flooding when he was a colt. There was no more denial in that.

As the train exited another tunnel, leaving behind clouds of dust as the wind whisked away the ash that covered the roofs of the cars, Canterlot became visible on a nearby mountainside, gleaming in the early-evening sunshine—and nopony on board could have been more happier to see it.


***


Royal guards sat in position at the train depot, accompanied by numerous medic guards and nurses from the local medical center. The worst case scenario was that every pony on the train would need serious medical attention, which would leave them far overwhelmed.

In the castle nearby, a refugee center was being set up in the ballroom, full of cots, sleeping bags, mattresses, and even hospital beds brought in from the Guard medic's station with the proper equipment set up nearby.

The near-greyed out train screeched to a halt for possibly the last time, guards rushing up and prying the doors open, having been somewhat locked shut by the intense heat it endured. Stepping back, the guards pulled bat pony after bat pony off of the train, families reuniting and filing in as they were brought inside the station building, where more guards awaited.

To them, the cold autumn air was a tremendous relief after just hours ago being practically standing in a massive furnace enveloping the city. Some disembarked, leaning down and pressing their lips to the concrete platform, planting soft kisses and thanking the stars above for their safe arrival. 

Last off of the train were Night Shadow, Thunderblast, and Skywatcher. Midnight and Dawn were taken out just prior when Dawn had begun coughing heavily, nearly to the point where she was choking. They stopped to look around them at the ensuing chaos as thestrals bawled into their hooves or another's shoulder, guards attempting to calm the hysterical ones, and the injured lay on stretchers, some slowly dying.

"The day's not over yet," Night exhaled deeply. "Dad, go with Mom and Dawn."

"Are you sure, son?" Sky turned to the smaller stallion slowly. He knew if Night had not gone now, it would be hours, possibly days before he would be able to see them again in the mix of everything occurring at the moment.

"We all have things to do. I just would like for you to stay with them, I will catch up as soon as I can."

Sky nodded once, pulling Night into a final tight embrace. "Alright. I will see you later, Night."

"Likewise," Night returned the hug, then pressed his hoof to his father's chest, nodding once right back.

With a final glance, Skywatcher floated over to Midnight and Dawn, Dawn being laid carefully down on a stretcher by two paramedics who prepared to take her by carriage to the hospital, along with many others.

Panning around some more, Night noted Rescue Sunstreak kneeling to a bat pony stallion and wrapping his injured hoof in some field bandage, inaudibly speaking to him above the chatter around him.

"So..." Thunderblast began, glancing down to his hooves briefly. "What are you going to do now?"

Night stared forth, then slowly shook his head after a few more moments. His ears pinned back. "I don't know."

Thunder shifted to look forward with him. "Frankly, I don't either."

Night nodded slowly, then motioned his hoof for them to help the other guards and medics.


***


It was not until just past two in the morning when Night and Thunder could, at last, go home. Both were beyond exhausted, almost to the point where they could simply collapse on any surface and be asleep within seconds. 

Night entered his quarters, striding toward his bed with slightly blurred vision and bloodshot eyes, kicking off his armor and stopping. He desperately needed a shower he realized as he scanned over his grim, spectral appearance thanks to the soot that covered him.

A quick shower would do, he thought. Part of him hoped it would not turn out worse than he hoped, knowing what ash could do to a pony's lungs when introduced to any type of moisture.

He let out a hard cough, some of the dust floating down to the floor at his hooves from the jolting of his body. Night reached into the shower and started the warm water, waiting a few seconds for it to heat up before stepping in, soaking beneath the water and easing his aching muscles.

The soot covering primarily his back and also the rest of his body turned to thick, rocky lumps that became rather tricky to remove from his thick coat, turning the shower into a long bathing session that lasted at least a half an hour, before finally, his body was clean, and he could breathe normally once more.

Even with himself free of ash, his body continued to tremble, and his heart pumped quickly in his chest. His breathing was gentle and slow, yet he could not get his heart to stop beating as fast as it was.

Night strode with continuing strain from all over to his bed, weakly crawling on top and simply dropping in place, one hoof hanging off the edge. He no longer cared about covering himself up or settling into a proper position. He just wanted to sleep.


***


An ocean of ponies stood throughout the palace courtyard, in their hooves and held up to almost eye-level sat basic white candles, a gentle flame flickering about as a gentle shower of snow came down from the sky. The darkest of clouds blocked away much of the sunlight, signalling an approaching storm.

The breeze itself was plenty enough warning, albeit no pony around Canterlot minded at the moment. Now was the time for memorial, a time to mourn for the bat ponies who they once neglected and ignored, now taking them in as if they were family. 

Night stood in center of the crowd, out of uniform with only a purple-striped scarf around his neck and the candle in his hoof, his mother, sister, and father on either side of him with their own candles, all with their eyes closed and muzzles down. They all held each other close, truly thankful to be alive following yet another tough week of recovery.

A light ignited above the crowd, formed by pure magic as Princess Celestia lit her own candle flame that surrounded itself with golden light, much similar to the sun's rays. In the cold, it provided much-needed warmth. In their hearts, it provided comfort and assurance to the once more-relocated colony that Equestria will not leave them behind again.

The group held each other a little bit tighter, some tears being shed collectively, even from Skywatcher in the moment. Over top all of the hard emotion, however, the crowd remained primarily quiet, aside from the occasional shifting of hooves.

It wasn't just Canterlot, though. The whole country had paused—as if time had completely frozen around every pony and everything, even if it truly had not. Canterlot to Ponyville, to Appleloosa, Los Pegasus, San Prancisco, Mareami, Manehattan, all the way up to Gander Cove and the Crystal Empire, all taking time to join in on the massive moment of silence. Of course, elsewhere, the memorial was far shorter than in Canterlot, but respects were given nationwide. 

To the tens of survivors who escaped the catastrophe before the worst could happen, it was truly outstanding to know in the worst of times, ponies from all over would come together to help each other out. This was the true magic of friendship, a message the newly-coronated Princess Twilight has been trying to spread for almost a year now.

The times were most certainly different now. 


***


Walking down the corridor of the Zodiac wing, Night Shadow then stopped at the door of the meeting room and opened it, being tailed by Zipline who had a look of concern. He froze at the door, one ear falling back and observing the Captain set down some semi-full folders of reports down on the table.

"I'm sorry, Night," he said, sighing. While it was far out of uniform, now was most certainly the time to show his friend side. 

"Thank you, Zip," Night replied lowly, laying the folders out while he stood between two chairs, opening each individual one and flipping quickly through the paperwork to ensure they were sorted out.

"Are you sure you want to be here?" Zipline asked with some worry.

"Here is home. Here is where my family is now. I still have a duty to perform for Equestria. I appreciate your concern, but I will not be going anywhere for the time being," Night stated, giving a glance to the white pegasus.

Zipline nodded once, eyes moving down a bit. "If you say so. Just don't work yourself to death, you hear?"

"I can't guarantee it. Besides, I survived breathing toxic air for a whole day. This certainly will not kill me."

The white pegasus nodded once more, resting a hoof on the edge of the door. "One other thing, too. Paladin Redflare and Princess Luna wish to see you."

Night turned to him with an eyebrow raised. "Both of them? At the same time?"

Zipline shook his head. "Individually."

Night nodded, easing up a bit. The thought of those two ponies together, hoping to have a word with him at once, was beyond ludicrous. Neither associated with each other, so it would make little sense for them to ask for a meeting.

"I'll see Luna first," he answered.


***


With a soft click of the door knob twisting and the door creaking quietly as it opened, in peeked Night's head as he scanned around for the lunar matriarch who had requested his presence. 

"Luna?" He called out, further entering the shaded room slowly.

Just barely beyond the door, it creaked shut behind him as if in a magical grip, but it wasn't. The door closing startled Night slightly, causing him to snap his gaze back at it.

The princess was not happy, not one bit. The vibes her room gave him spoke many words, as well as the door slamming shut behind him. 

Advancing into the room, Night glanced around for the alicorn mare, only guessing as to where she might be the longer he searched.

"Luuuunaaaaa?" Night called again, pausing when his ear swiveled, catching a light scuffle from nearby. Upstairs.

He slowly and quietly made his way to the staircase and up to her observatory tower, stopping when he saw nopony there. Night heard another noise, coming back down the stairs, ears slightly back as he tried to think of where the noise was coming from—

A door. A secret passage. Every princess had one built into the palace, mainly for emergencies. Knowing Luna, she would turn hers into another part of her quarters.

Halfway down the poorly lit staircase, Night stopped as his ear swiveled, turning to his right. He lifted his hooves up, feeling the wall with them carefully until there was a noise of a lock opening, the section of wall just barely the width of a normal pony and the height of an alicorn pressed inward, splitting in half and sliding into the walls.

Night's eyes widened, having not actually expected this to work. He stepped hoof into the shaded room, finding it to be much more of a relaxation room with bookshelves on two of the walls from just above the floor to the ceiling, the third having a gorgeous stone and wrought iron fireplace, and the fourth having a couple of small cupboards and a mini refrigerator, likely for snacks.

Facing away from the door sat a dark red chair, the tip of Luna's horn just hardly visible atop it. Night approached carefully, his shadow growing to his right as he passed the gentle crackling fire to his left. 

"Luna, you could have told me you were in here," Night began.

"Thou art an intelligent pony, Night Shadow. Thou solved the riddle with little issue and found us in here," Luna replied, still facing away.

"Riddle?" Night's brow raised. "What riddle? I simply remembered your safe room. I'm surprised I even found it."

"We should have shown thou earlier, and we sincerely apologize."

"...Luna, why are you talking like this?" Night grunted softly. Her form of speech determined her mood most of the time, he'd come to learn in recent years.

The dark blue regal alicorn rose from her chair, moving around it to face Night and staring in silence with a rather emotionless expression. She blinked slowly.

"Princess?" Night asked again.

"Yes, Night?"

"What's wrong?"

Luna blinked slowly again, before her chin lowered slightly. She took a couple of small steps toward Night.

"I feared for two whole days that I would never meet you again," she began. "I feared that was the last time we would see each other."

The dark blue alicorn now stood inches from Night. He looked up at her quietly.

"Night, you need to stop running into danger like this. There very well may be one instance where you will not make it home."

"Princess, I—" Luna glared at him.

"Luna..." He restarted. "I did what I had to do. Not as a guard, either."

"You endangered yourself and Lieutenant Thunderblast for the third time your career, Night. I understand your reasoning, but have you possibly considered losing your life in the long term?"

"There's many guards out there that could be some sort of replacem—"

"I am not talking about Equestria. I am talking about us," Luna cut in sternly. 

Night went quiet, recoiling slightly with widened irises. "Us?"

Luna levitated a pair of cushy pillows from a small pile near the bookshelves, bringing them to her and Night. The two rested themselves on the pillows carefully.

"I have lost many captains in the past. My sister has, too. For you to be killed in recent events would be devastating to everypony. Worse yet," she sighed, pausing and closing her eyes.

"Do you promise to not be offended?"

Night's brow raised, and he slowly nodded.

"I try to not become too attached to guards, especially my own, knowing I will far outlive them. This is to avoid much emotional distress. It is a cycle, and it will return when it is your time, which I pray to the heavens will not be for decades to come."

"What are you saying, Luna? Are you saying you don't want to be friends anymore?" Night kept an eyebrow raised. The thought stung in his heart, despite his contained outward appearance.

"Goodness, no, Night," Luna replied, sighing. "Look. I understand your duty is to protect others. It is part of mine, as well. I simply wish for you to understand that it may not always be worth running face first into danger. Do you hear me?"

Night nodded after a pause. "Yes, Luna. I hear you."

"Good," she nodded. "Alas, what you did was heroic. Above and beyond the call of duty. Yet, no appreciation from your fellow ponies?"

"I've received a few 'thank yous'. Many of them don't know what happened. It was too chaotic. They believe the Governor saved them by sacrificing himself, though."

"What role did he play in the evacuation?" Luna questioned.

"No role. He believed it would be best if everypony remained put to wait out the event. What he did was not a sacrifice, it was suicide! Despite his beliefs, he would have gotten every pony killed in just a few hours time," Night sighed and glanced down to his hooves. 

"I know well it is ill to speak of the deceased, but the story they have been told is far from truthful, Luna," his eyes moved back up to the alicorn mare seated before him.

Luna bobbed her head in an understanding nod gently. "Considering you are the one to lead in the mass exodus, I shall take your word for it."

"But even then," Night had a chill run up his spine, rubbing a hoof on his lower shoulder with his teeth slightly showing, grit together as he winced. "Twenty-five others... twenty-five ponies who didn't make it. Twenty of them did not even make it to Canterlot, or the train for that matter."

"How is your family handling?" Luna asked, levitating some drink glasses to them and a tall, dark bottle.

"Better, for the most part. My sister needed a type of surgery where a tiny tube is lowered into her lung to liquefy a blockage and vacuum it out so she can breathe properly. She inhaled enough dust that it could have very well killed her over time."

"And what about your mother and father?" Luna continued, pouring some wine into the glasses with her magic, eying Night carefully.

"Mom is still grieving, Dad is still mourning. A good portion of those lost were Legion soldiers, most of which were under his command," Night answered, eyes briefly flicking to the glasses.

"I can imagine that is extremely hard for him, to lose not one, but numerous of his own ponies he swore to protect. Worse yet, this is not war they were lost in."

"He's tough. Hell, he took a spear to the chest that impaled him and survived! Albeit, he's not tough enough to not have one ounce of compassion in him."

Luna lowered the glasses onto some cup holders resting on the floor beside and between them and the fireplace, then moved a hoof to raise Night's chin.

"Loss takes time to heal from, but only if thou allows thyself to heal. These are the words me and my sister have gone by since our rule began and we outlived our own generation. We lost many friends together, as we have continuously over the years.

"This returns to our earlier conversation regarding me losing you when your time comes, or sooner. These words have helped keep my mind straight, even after days, or even weeks of grieving. Our parents taught us that to remain in the past is harmful to our mental stability in the long run, and damage can be done if you think too much of loss."

Luna sighed and straightened her back, eyeing Night coolly. "I do hope these words mean something to you, especially in a time such as now."

"Of course, Luna," Night smiled faintly. He could no longer be too sure if those words truly did mean anything to him. 

He was no psychiatrist, and neither was Luna. It was typically wrong to doubt her judgement or word, even though now he found himself to be disregarding it. Loss was just a feeling to him. It hurt when he lost Sharp. Now it hurt to lose multiple ponies on his shoulders in an act of nature that was far beyond his control. This only sparked a larger question.

How will I handle losing my squad?
> The Courier Heads East
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorting through report after report, after report. That is how the majority of Night's day had been going so far, hunkered at his desk and catching up on the tens of letters that had piled up in his mailbox over the course of just a few days. Worse yet, none of them were clicking in his mind for what needed to be filed or scrapped.

"Miss a week of work, and this happens. Never again, Night," he grumbled to himself as he cut into yet another envelope.

Thankfully, the load was quite nearly sorted through, leaving a pile of torn envelopes lying on the floor to his left, and another pile of unimportant reports on his right. 

His stomach growled ferociously, snapping Night out of the coma of tracing his irises repeatedly over what felt to be the same lines copied onto nearly a hundred pieces of paper that he had been translating since the crack of dawn. At some point, he would need to find something to settle his belly, even if it were just a bag of potato chips from a vending machine.

That 'some point' would be now, for letting his stomach grumble and groan all morning long had finally driven him crazy and determined it was the cause of him losing important concentration.

Standing from his desk, Night did not bother to wear his armor, heading straight for the door and out in search for some breakfast.


***


By early afternoon, Night had sorted through the reports and paperwork, piling them up into a box and carrying it out of his quarters on his back, heading for the Captain's office a few corridors down. These were typically short runs between the two areas of the massive royal structure. 

Night knocked on the door before entering with a blank look, stepping through the door and lifting the box of reports off of his back and onto the desk before the brown pegasus sitting there. "My apologies for the tardiness, sir. This week has been... yeah."

"Adamant, yes," Fallen Star said. "Thank you, Captain. There is no need to anguish over time constraints," he nodded once, eying Night carefully.

"I see. It won't happen again, sir," Night saluted the higher-ranking pony, despite their ranks being quite literally alike.

"However, you are out of uniform," Fallen added.

"Hm?" Night peered down at himself, comprehending that he did, in fact, forget to wear his armor before leaving. "Oh!"

Fallen Star waved his hoof to brush it off. "I do have a small favor to ask, Night," he said out of posture.

Night blinked twice. Perhaps it was because he was out of uniform that he referred to him by his own name. "Yes, sir?"

The Captain opened a drawer on his desk, withdrawing a pair of envelopes. "It will take up your entire day and possibly much of tonight, as well. Do you have anything else on your schedule for today? Any meetings that I should be aware of?"

Night shook his head. "No, sir," he said, resting his hoof on the open box of reports. "This was my work for today."

"Perfect. I need for you to make a couple of runs for me, to drop off these letters. These are highly confidential and I would much appreciate if you don't read them, unless their recipients wish to read them to you," Fallen explained, handing the envelopes across the desk.

"Yes, sir," Night said, clutching the envelopes. "Tell me where these need to go, and I'll get them there as soon as—"

"Baltimare."

Night froze, eyes widening and blinking a few times. "Baltimare?"

"The addresses are written on the back of each one. It is imperative that these ponies receive these letters within the next twenty-four hours. Can that be done, Captain?" Fallen put his hooves together on the desk, eying Night still.

Night's eyes shifted a bit, then he nodded and saluted once more. "Yes, sir. It will be done. But, I will be taking the train. It is simply too cold to fly all of that way this time of year."

"Do what is necessary to get you there quicker. You are dismissed. Let me know on any information they may relay to you."

"Yes, Captain. Will do," Night said, turning and heading out of the office, shutting the door behind him.

Fallen Star relaxed back into his chair, before thinking to himself and muttering.

"Didn't he fly from Canterlot to Vanhoover in this weather?"


***


Trading bits over the counter with a round-trip train ticket, Night took a seat in the Canterlot train station, quietly slurping from a piping cup of hot chocolate, a much-welcomed treat during the winter season. With Hearth's Warming just two weeks away, it was only more fitting to have some of the refreshing beverage while waiting for a train out east.

Baltimare. One of the many places in Equestria Night had yet to discover. Despite his position in the Lunar Guard, as well as being one of the many to escort Princess Luna places, it was rare to head anywhere outside of the central region, where Canterlot was located, or the cold northwest.

Sighing contently, Night eased back into the chair, keeping his gaze set upon the wall of glass that faced out toward the platforms of the station. At any moment, he hoped, his train would come. He knew very well he was on a bit of a tight schedule, and the ride to Baltimare from Canterlot would be far longer than one to Batsburg, if it still existed at this point.

"Hey, Captain!" Called a pony off to the side of where Night stared.

He turned his head to face the scarlet-colored, cobalt-eyed stallion approaching, sitting upright a bit. "Sergeant! What are you doing here?"

The stallion, Red Knight, wearing a basic brown coat to combat the nipping cold, took a seat beside Night. "I was about to ask you the same question. Where are you off to?"

"Baltimare. You?" Night answered honestly with a soft smile.

"Baltimare? No kidding! I'm headed there, too."

"Business or pleasure?" Night mocked the tone of that of a Manehattan taxi driver.

"A little bit of both, actually," Red replied, fiddling with his bag. "Family is having Hearth's Warming dinner while on winter vacation this year, so traditionally, they decide it's a good idea to go somewhere chilly," he grumbled. "Chillier than here."

Night gasped dramatically. "Oh, the horror!"

Red nudged the smaller pony's shoulder, hard enough to be considered a punch, yet gentle enough not to hurt... too much.

"I never liked the cold. I've always wanted to move some place warm, like Los Pegasus, or Mareami, you know?"

Night shrugged, sipping the drink again. "I never pay much mind to the cold. Naturally, I have more resistance to temperature and wind."

"So, why the scarf?" Red raised an eyebrow, poking a hoof at the striped piece curled neatly around Night's neck.

"What can I say? It matches my mane! Plus, it's quite stylish..." Night fidgeted with an end briefly. "So... what did you mean by both?"

"Hmm? Oh, right. My lieutenant requested for me to check up on the Guard captain in the city. He's been deathly sick for a couple of months, but he's recovering. His son took over for him while he's been out."

"A couple of months? What kind of sickness?" Night blinked.

"Not sure on that one. He'll probably tell me when I walk in, or the nurse taking care of him will, or something," Red shrugged.

"Well... that's good that he is doing better. Is he returning to the Guard?"

"Partially why I'm checking up on him. He might not know just yet, unfortunately, which only makes my job harder momentarily."

"I see," Night nodded. "Hope that goes well for you, Sergeant."

The dark red stallion waved his hoof. "Please, call me Red, or Big Red, like you did earlier. We're off duty."

"Technically, I am not, but I'm out of uniform," Night corrected. "But that will settle."

Red chuckled softly. "So... why are you headed to Baltimare?"

"Courier work," Night paused after sipping from his cup again. "Correction: express courier work."

"Express?" Red's brow furrowed.

"Meaning it has to be done by the end of the day," Night replied, ears then perking to the approaching rumble from outside. "We'll talk more on the train, how does that sound?" he added, standing.

"Sounds good," Red nodded. "Say, where did you get that hot cocoa?" He asked, Night pointing to the cafe in the station. He nodded again. "Thanks. I'll meet you on the train," he said, making his way to the little shop.


***


Finally off of the train, many hours later, Night Shadow and Red Knight parted ways, each off to their own destinations. More so, Night found Red to be correct about it being much colder in Baltimare—for even he was becoming a little bit chilly.

Temporarily ignoring the freezing temperatures he now stood in, Night focused on the task at hoof: finding the correct addresses listed on either envelopes, requiring him to take constant glances at either one until he found either of the streets. Not that this was easy at all, Baltimare was a large city—larger than Canterlot for that matter.

After quite surprisingly not too long of searching, Night found the address. There was just one issue—it was the exact opposite of what he anticipated it to be.

"State your business here," called a uniformed earth pony meandering from the gate of the fence-surrounded land and structures toward the center. Around his lower neck hung a weapon Night had never seen before: a rifle. A modern one, to be exact.

Night gulped with a slight bit of hesitation before eventually speaking. "I've been ordered by Captain Fallen Star of the Lunar Guard to deliver a letter of great import to..." Night paused to read the name on the envelope. "Warrant Officer Dustoff?" he glanced up to the soldier.

The stallion stared blankly at Night. Moments later, he motioned his hoof. "All right, you can see him. He's in the big building in the center, office 8B. If anypony questions, just say I let you in."

Night nodded. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," before entering through the wrought iron gate that opened at the push of a button from within the small structure off to the side. The other soldier within the structure nodded to Night as he went by, entering the snow-covered fort, or so it looked like.

As he approached the cluster of brick buildings toward the center of the slab of land, Night took note of the numerous groups of ponies in formation behind or in front of a higher ranking officer, either marching, standing still, or exercising as ordered. 

He stopped at the door to pull it open, only to find it was locked. Night's eyes shifted to the side, finding a small number pad beside the lock, and a single red button beneath the number keys. He pushed the button and waited, an audible buzzing noise just over top the door unlocking sounding moments after.

Night blinked twice, yanking on the handle and now discovering it to be unlocked. How come Canterlot doesn't have this? He pondered, and for good reason.

Instead, he shrugged it off, entering the large building and trotting to the center, which went up to the second floor as an open round-shaped atrium that one could look up to the ceiling, edged by glass barriers to prevent somepony from accidentally falling. 

His focus then shifted to finding the Warrant Officer's room. Small plaques on either wall beside him had their respective number ranges from lowest to greatest. "8B..." he repeated to himself, heading left down the first floor hallway.

"Just in and out. Don't confuse the guy as to why you're here," Night muttered to himself, now standing just outside the polished wood door. 

Despite his rank, he felt as if he should not have been here. This was a sort of military installation he had never been to, nor even heard of prior to this moment. For some very strange reason, butterflies tickled his stomach.

He really did not belong here.
> Encounters of a Stranger Kind
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Knocking his hoof on the front door, Night stood patiently outside the second recipient's home, a two-story brown brick townhome, the short hedges between the structure and the sidewalk blanketed white with a fresh layer of snowfall that sparkled in the light of a nearby street lamp.

His one ear perked at the click of a lock on the door opening, followed by it cracking open just, a chain lock still between the frame and the door itself. Within the crack peeked the head of a sapphire unicorn in fancy, expensive-looking, yet comfortable wine-colored lounge robes tied neatly across the chest.

"Yes? What may I help you with, fine sir?" The stallion spoke in a faint Europonean accent, his eyes scanning across Night carefully.

Night cleared his throat, making gentle eye contact with the unicorn. "Hi, yes. I'm here to deliver a very important message to a..." He paused to read the name. "Mister... Harmonic? Harmonic Percussion? Are you him?"

The pony narrowed his eyes slightly. "That is me, yes. Who messages me?"

"Fallen Star, Captain of the Lunar Guard. He's sent me from Canterlot to bring this to you."

He further examined Night cautiously. "What does he want with me?"

"I am only the courier," Night answered, holding the envelope out to the pony.

The sapphire stallion's magical aura grasped the envelope as he ever so gently took it, bringing it within the warm house and knifing into it, pulling out the folded piece of paper inside and beginning to read to himself, Night remaining just outside and waiting further.

Night traced his hoof on the icy steps, ears perking up as the door in front of him shut, then reopened fully as the unicorn stood in place of it, eying the dark pegasus before him.

"Thank you, sir, for bringing this to my attention," Harmonic said stoically, diverging from his previous accent.

The change in his tone and accent met Night with slight surprise. He nodded once to the sapphire-coated pony. "Just doing my job. Well, more like, my current job."

Harmonic nodded in understanding, blinking slowly. "Would you care for some tea? You must be freezing with simply a scarf around your neck!"

Night shook his head, motioning a hoof. "No, but thank you for the offer. I must return to Canterlot."

"Are you sure? Goodness, you must have been running around town all day. Mustn't you take a break, even if it is a little one?"

Night pondered for a moment and a half. He really should be on his way back. He didn't know this pony up until two minutes ago. He was of high value to Fallen, however, but in which form? Either way, tea did sound good right about now. His throat was dry, and being out in the cold for hours on end was starting to make him shiver.

Yet still, his mind was set on getting home. He nodded to the unicorn. "I am sure. Thank you, though. Maybe next time."

Harmonic nodded again. "Very well. Have a safe trip."

"Thank you," Night bowed his head. "You have a nice evening."

With Night retreating back down the tiny set of steps to the snowy sidewalk, and Harmonic closing the door for the final time, their evenings were set. A definite successful mission to report back to the Captain, assuming he would not be out of his office by the time he gets off the train.


***


Below his hooves silently crunched the freezing white powder, the perfectly flat coating on the ground glistening in the lamp light. Night strode solely down the snowy path, in no particular hurry to reach the train station. It might have been a better idea to fly there, however. These streets were far too unfamiliar to him. To get himself lost now would force him to stay the remainder of the night in the city.

Added to the fact that he didn't know these streets one bit, Night had to be cautious. Though he could defend himself from an assailant at any time, that was not a gamble he was willing to take. Despite the beauty of the townhouses around this sector of town, Baltimare was a crime-riddled city. This was truly why no right-minded pony was out and about now that the stars above came into view.

He let out a deep sigh, his breath steaming instantly as it exited his nostrils and met the frigid winter air. Apart from his gentle breathing, the only noises to be heard were his hoofsteps, rounding the nearest corner and proceeding down that street. Surely, the train depot was in this general direction.

At some point down the road, his ear latched on to a new sound: a distant cry. Worse yet, it was a cry for help. Snapping to look behind him, Night began running in the direction he came, toward the source of the shouting.

Rounding a corner and stopping just short of a brownstone with its door open, Night's suspicions were confirmed. A fully-clothed-and-masked stallion raced out through the door, trailing him a small bag in which its contents were unknown. 

Running to the door, a mare screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks while she simultaneously sobbed. "He robbed me!" she cried, hoping somepony would hear her wails.

Night's eyes quickly shifted back to the escaping pony, his hooves digging into the snow-covered path and propelling him forward at his fastest gallop. The mare at the door perked with surprise, observing the chase before it disappeared from her sight.

"Stop!" Night shouted to the stallion, his breathing quick as he gradually caught up to the crook. 

The masked pony snapped his head back, eyes slightly widening when he realized he was being chased, only prompting him to run faster. In spite of this, Night continued to tardily close distance, albeit slower than before.

Night huffed heavily, breath steaming almost as quickly as if he were a train racing through the cold winter evening. At this rate, there would be no stopping him from catching this criminal, assuming he wouldn't come across a friendly patch of ice. Or, in this case, not-so friendly.

"Stop, damn it!" Night barked again, hooves slipping as he rounded a turn the crook took, causing him to briefly fall to the ground before returning to all fours.

After just over a couple of minutes of chasing, Night was beginning to grow weary. On normal circumstances, the pony in the lead would have given up, or Night would have caught up by now. The fact that ice covered nearly every single square inch of this blasted city did not work in his favor, either.

Becoming ever so slightly frustrated, Night spread his wings and leaped up to a rooftop, galloping across the tops of the perfectly-level rows of brownstone roofs, still tailing the convict while keeping hidden. "Surely, he will notice nopony is behind him soon," Night murmured.

So it seemed, at last, the crook was finally slowing his pace down to a steady walk, granting Night the perfect chance to pounce. Moving up ahead of the stallion, Night positioned himself on the edge of the rooftop, watching him approach.

Bending his knees, Night prepared. When the pony was just inches from being directly below him, Night leaped forward, falling toward the pony silently to keep him from dodging.

But before Night could tackle him to the ground, the pony raised a hoof, grabbing Night by the neck and swinging him over and away, slamming him into the hard cement at an alarmingly large distance from where he was meant to land.

Stunned by the sudden movement, Night rolled upright, shoving the headache away and standing right back up, galloping and lunging at the earth pony, only to be met with a swift kick to the side, sending Night flying into a lamp with enough force to quite nearly topple it over entirely.

Rubbing his forehead, Night moved his gaze up to the approaching pony, whose eyes locked with his own. The pony chuckled, hoof revealing a knife as it was removed from his pocket and held toward Night threateningly. 

"Shouldn't have tried anything, stupid pegasus," the masked pony said, grinning from behind his mask. 

Night remained silent momentarily, planning out his next move. He pumped a hoof forward, smacking the knife from the assailant's grip, preparing to lunge. But suddenly, a pair of hooves looped around the stallion's torso, his whole body being lifted up in another pony's hooves, before being slammed down on a frozen slab of concrete.

Opening his eyes, Night stared with total shock. Instead of seeing a pony lying on the ground, having being practically bodyslammed, instead there was nothing but a plume of smoke evaporating into the night air with no trace of anything anywhere.

"Sweet Luna, did you see that?!" Night shouted, jumping up to his hooves and backing away from Red Knight, who now also noticed what just happened.

"What the—?!" Red's irises shrunk to pinpricks, looking all around him for the stallion he just had in his hooves moments prior. "Where did he go?"

"He turned to smoke! Didn't you see that?!" Night screeched with surprise, his voice briefly echoing down the streets.

The two looked around, searching for the convict as far as he could have gone. To either of them, if this were some sort of magical spell to teleport or disappear completely, it was surely a good one. There was just one issue—he wasn't a unicorn. To disappear like that was beyond magic. Or was it?

Night began to breathe in and out deeply to calm himself, Red turning to him and walking up. "Hey... easy, Night. He couldn't have gone far. But, wherever he is, we should let the Baltimare Guard handle it."

Calming himself eventually, the two headed back in the direction of the home that was robbed to check on the mare. Night looked down to his hooves with concern while they walked. Both continuously questioned what had unfolded in front of them much of the way back, until Night finally spoke.

"How did you find me, Red?" He asked, eyes moving over to the larger stallion.

"I heard the same cry you did, thought I would check it out when I saw you chasin' the guy," Red replied, his hoofsteps becoming heavier than usual. "What do you think happened?"

"I don't know, but what he took was gone, too. I hope this mare will be okay," Night said, walking up to the front door of the home that was robbed, knocking on it.

Moments of waiting later, the lights in the brownstone lit up, the lock clicking and the door swinging open, a sleepy stallion standing there, blinking slowly with baggy eyelids. "Yes...? Can I help you two?"

"We tried to catch the pony that robbed you and your wife, but he got away somehow—"

The stallion's eyes opened a little bit more. "Wife?" He raised a hoof to push his messy purple mane to the side. "I live alone. What are you talking about?"

Red's maw opened to speak, a hoof raising slightly, but no words came out. He slowly lowered his hoof. Night raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure? We just—"

"Yes, I am sure," the stallion nodded, cutting in with minor annoyance. "You must have the wrong house number."

Both of their eyes widened at the realization. "Oh, er... yes, yes, we're sorry," Red nodded. "We will leave," he said, bringing Night away from the door as the stallion closed it behind them.

"No, Red, that was the place. I saw the address. That was the place!" Night turned to him with worry, stopping in the middle of the street.

"Then what do you think all of that was? An illusion of some sort?" Red's head tilted. "Why would somepony do that?"

Night's head shook, his hoof raising to his temple as he rubbed it. "I'm not sure... I-it's too late for me to think of anything that makes any sense at all."

Red nodded in understanding, setting a hoof on Night's shoulder. "Let's get you on your train, you can get some rest on the way back. Baltimare isn't for a pony like you, anyways."

During any normal circumstance, Night would test that statement. Ultimately, he played along with it, walking with Red Knight all the way to the city's train station, where not but two or three other ponies stood.

When the train to Canterlot arrived, Night boarded, waving farewell to Red as it departed. Baltimare soon drifted off behind him and out of sight, leaving only the glow of the distant lights in the sky topping the hills. 

Sleepiness and overall exhaustion from the chase swept over the fanged pegasus, his eyes blinking more often than usual as he struggled to remain awake for no real reason anymore. Night let out a deep, quiet yawn, shifting to lay almost flat on the seat with his head rested against the window, immediately falling into a slumber the instance his eyelids closed for the final time.


***


Gibberish. Muffled gibberish. That was all Night could hear for the last few minutes. The voice came closer, and closer, clearing up as it did. Soon, it was all around him. On top of him.

Niiiiiiight.

...

Do you remember meeeee?

...

Niiiiight. I know you can hear me.

It only got louder.

On the twenty-seventh day of December, a great city will fall. Pass one month, a higher duty will call. The greatest clash in centuries shall take place, ponies shall gasp to their astonishing grace.

Blood will be shed in the cold of the snow. Light shall discover the mighty beast's gift below. From the Hollowest of Shades, to the Mareami Everglades, darkness will sweep the nation.

Are you ready, Night?

The gibberish began to fade away once more. It became quieter and softer, moving away from him. Everything remained completely blank.

Night jumped lightly to the jolt of the train as it passed over a bump in the rails, blinking slowly as he woke and raising his head from the windowsill where it rested the duration of the ride. His eyelids still hung low, a yawn slipping out of his maw and his lips smacking twice.

His eyes glanced out the window, spotting nothing but darkness, and the starry skies above. They were nearing Canterlot, for the train was entering numerous tunnels along the way. 

Resting against the window once more, Night attempted to fall back asleep. This time, no matter how much he shifted and changed position, he now found it utterly impossible to doze off. The riddle in his dream echoed in his mind, remaining on top of it and keeping his brain active enough to keep him wide awake.

Soon, the words faded, but were quickly replaced by two of them: Hollow Shades.

What did it all mean?


***


"You want to send us... where?" Scarlet's eyebrow raised, her head slightly cocked to the side.

Night shook his head. "Not everypony, two will be staying behind to resume their usual duties. The rest of us, including myself and our newest members, will spend the next few days performing exercises in and around the Hollow Shades area."

The group at the table exchanged weird looks with each other. Lodestar sat upright, resting his hooves on the glass table surface. "What is the meaning behind all of this, Cap?"

"Yeah, is there something going on that you're not telling us?" Zipline cut in. The group all eyed Night suspiciously, or with minor concern.

Night, once more, shook his head. "Not at all. I believe this would be a perfect time to test our archery capabilities and other types of combat. The area is not necessarily remote in Equestria, but the town itself is a decent hike from the nearest rail line."

Once more, looks were exchanged in the room. "And who will be staying behind?"

"First Sergeant Stormfire will stay put as he is still training others beyond our squadron, as will Lance Corporal Skye Racer, and Private Eventide. The remainder of us will make the trip. Any questions?"

Zipline raised his hoof, Night nodded to him. "Where will we be sleeping? Tents?"

Night shook his head a third time. "Thankfully, no. A local inn is willing to accommodate all nine of us," he eased himself into his seat. "It also seems much of the area is home to fellow bat ponies, as two of our very own originate from Hollow Shades."

"Hey, Scarlet," Shieldhunter turned to her. "Aren't you from there, too?"

The dark grey thestral mare rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and sat back in her seat, eyes darting away. "No. I've told you that so many times already!"

"Then, where are you from?" Shieldhunter set his eyes on her suspiciously. "Not once have you told any of us."

"It's not important, it never has been, that's why," Scarlet retorted, glaring at the lighter-shaded pegasus.

Shieldhunter recoiled, facing forward again. "Alright, fine. No need to snap at me."

"Hey! Both of you, stay on topic," Lodestar barked at them, tossing either of them glares.

"Thank you, Sergeant," Night nodded once to him. "Corporal Scarlet Iris prefers to keep her origin to herself, which I am willing to settle with. There will be no more questioning her or her identity from this moment forward. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Captain," the armored ponies answered unitedly.

"Good. Now, any further questions?"

No one spoke.

"Then head to your barracks, or wherever you call home. Start gathering necessary gear. We will meet at the train station at 0500 tomorrow. Bring warm clothes, too. It will be extremely chilly there, emphasis on extremely. I will inform the privates on this afterwards so they may prepare as well."
> A Steady Wind - Part I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lugging their baggage from the warmth of the train and out into the frigid late fall-nearing-winter air, the group of nine ventured their way from the near-secluded snow-covered stop, down a half-conspicuous dirt path with cobble mixed in, having sunken down into the earth through years of weathering.

All of the ponies stuck together so as to not lose track of where they were headed, with Night Shadow in the lead and, surprisingly, Halfmoon and Duskbloom towards the front, aiding in direction for their squad as they headed toward the sleepy village, a thirty-minutes walk from where they disembarked the train, likely longer weather-dependent.

Much like the Everfree Forest, barring aside the square mileage, the region surrounding Hollow Shades was extremely thick and dark in brush. Little to no sunlight broke through the roof of trees, which despite the approaching season, did not do much in the terms of shedding leaves as most areas of the vast continent did.

The one notable difference that set Hollow Shades apart from the Everfree was, of course, its wildlife. Bears were more common than manticores, or so according to Duskbloom as he briefly brought everypony else up to speed—aside from Halfmoon—on what kind of area they were stepping into.

As the brush and trees began to gradually ease up, nearing the edge of the the woodlands, small wooden and hay homes came into view, some hidden away by the nature to provide for a quaint, secluded way of life, away from the big city lights of Fillydelphia no more than some fifty miles south, or Manehattan another eighty or so miles southeast.

The remaining six not in the front row scanned around them, taking in the warm feeling this town was already giving them, now utterly oblivious to the cold by this point. Lodestar closed his eyes, taking a lengthy, deep whiff of fresh pine mixed into the cluster of forestry around them. Zipline and Shieldhunter quietly discussed the beauty of the area, Midnight Blade and Stellar Star chiming in not too long after.  

Within a moment's notice, the group reached the center of town, a short hilltop with clusters of one and two-story homes, old shacks here and there, a marketplace, an old watering hole, and a decently-sized stone structure that appeared to be a mixture of a town hall, a sheriff's station, and a small jail, with much more to discover on the other end of the small village—which no longer seemed to be as small as previously anticipated.

But of all of the structures in town, the one that stood out the most was the very place Night had contacted to arrange the accommodations for him and the eight others of his squadron taking roles in this group exercise that was to go on throughout the week.

"Huh. This place is a whole lot less... cave-y than what I believed it to be. Do all bat ponies live like this now?" Zipline brought up, glancing around him to the beautifully-constructed homes and other buildings.

"Our ancestors were the ones to live in the caves. It was not until recently when we learned to move on from our old ways and house ourselves in hoof-made structures," Duskbloom explained. "Not me nor Halfmoon have ever experienced life in a cold cave."

This bewildered Night, forcing him to question that statement. "You two are how old, again?"

"I am twenty-two, she is twenty-three," Dusk answered, eyes set ahead of him while they walked. "Because Hollow Shades is not on many Equestrian maps, there is little diplomacy involved in our little town, and because of this, nopony has bothered to tell the outside world that bat ponies were still alive and thriving.

"I understand, in your circumstance, Captain, things were far different before you stepped in four years ago. Our colony, that we know of, has fared the best over time, granting us the chance to come out of hiding sooner than yours did. Our parents, as well as Halfmoon's, lived in caves throughout their foalhood. It was at the age of nine where their parents, our old folk, voted on the matter, and over time, we lived in harmony along with the twenty or so others that resided here at the time. 

"Of course, that was quite some time ago, about forty-two years prior. However, I cannot imagine other colonies outside of both of ours to have had similar luck. We just so happened to be nearest the settlement when our great ancestors fled to the safety of caves," Dusk finished explaining, blinking slowly as a single snowflake floated down to the tip of his nose.

"Must be a storm coming," Lodestar said, raising his hoof up to catch some falling flakes in them. "Let us hope it won't cause us too much trouble this week."

"No promises in weather," Night said, gaze setting upon the one building that stood out on the far side of the village: the Blackwater Shades Inn.


***


Above the twin-sided doors of the Inn rung a tiny bell as it swung open, the group of nine stepping inside one by one. Returning to his post at the check-in desk, the innkeeper put on a welcoming smile amidst the semi-chaotic environment occurring in the lobby.

"Good evening, and welcome to the Blackwater Shades Inn! How may I help you today?" He asked with a slight bit of exhaustion in his tone.

Night approached the desk, dropping his gear bag beside him with a muffled clutter from inside. This silenced the room as all eyes turned to the new guests. Admiration, suspicion, awe, as well as a small tingle of fear filled the other guests' thoughts. What are Luna's guards doing here? they pondered.

"Good evening, sir," Night nodded his head with a warm smile to the innkeeper. "Name under Night Shadow?"

The stallion put on a pair of glasses, then opened a cabinet beneath the desk, searching through a multitude of files of guest information. He pulled out the piece of paper, setting it in front of Night, as well as a pen. "Please sign here."

Night took the pen, briefly moving his eyes down the form. He wrote his name on the bottom line, then slid it back over the counter and dropping the pen in a small holding cup off to the side.

"All right, perfect. And are all of you together?" The innkeeper asked, glancing up to Night from the paper.

Night bobbed his head in a nod. "Yes, we are. How many beds do your rooms accompany?"

"Two per. If you would like, I could set up spare sleeping bags in each room to pack you into three."

"No, thank you. Everypony will have their own bed—"

"Excuse me, Captain?" Halfmoon stepped forth. "Me and Dusk don't always sleep in beds."

Night raised his eyebrow, but then turned back to the innkeeper. "Four rooms. Somepony will just have to have one all to their self. Nobody argue back there!" He raised his voice slightly, the group softly chuckling.

"That will be eighty bits," the innkeeper said, having rung the numbers up on a small register.

Night pulled out a small sack of money, dropping it onto the counter with another collective clink as the money rustled inside. Surprised by the amount, the innkeeper took the bag and set it off to the side, sorting through the remaining room keys, and exchanging the money with four rooms neighboring each other.

"Here you are, I do hope you enjoy your stay," the innkeeper smiled warmly, handing the keys across the granite counter.

"Thank you, I am more than sure we will," Night smiled back, taking the keys with their room number tags attached, and turning back to the others. "You all decide who you want to stay with, but Halfmoon and Duskbloom will be staying with you. Just... from above. When you've decided, I'll give you your keys," Night glanced back at the innkeeper.

"Where are the rooms, might I ask?"

"Oh!" The innkeeper turned back. "They are upstairs, toward the center of the hallway on the right. One more thing, as well. Tonight is the annual Hollow Shades Hearth's Warming Roast. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy the food and the good times, we hope to see you out there!"


***


Inserting the key through the lock hole and twisting, Night pushed the door to his shared room inwards, grabbing his bag and entering along with Lodestar, having decided they would share the room after everypony else stuck with their roommates.

For the price of twenty bits per room, it was as expected, or even better than what they predicted: two comfy, separate beds, a dresser-nightstand in the middle with a lamp, at the foot of their beds on the opposite wall rested another larger dresser. The bathroom had two sinks, and a decently-sized shower, enough to fit three or more ponies in at once—not that they were ever planning to in the first place.

"Hm... Not bad. Not bad at all," Lodestar said, dropping his bag on the side of his bed and trotting to the window, sticking a hoof between the curtains to move them off to the side. "Aside from the view."

Night too set his bag down and sauntered over to the arch-shaped window, chuckling at Lodestar's little critique as he stared out at a near-frozen oak tree, beyond it some more snow-covered greenery and a small stream untouched for the moment by the nipping cold.

"You know, it ain't easy to find a decent place to crash for cheap," Lodestar added, turning to Night. "If I may ask, however, what made you choose this little place?"

"Where, the Inn or the town?"

"Hollow Shades."

Night briefly froze in place, whipping up a response. "Seemed like a perfect area for us as a team to perform these exercises. It will give our newest members a chance to show off what they've got, you know?"

"So, more training for them?" Lodestar's head cocked to the side slightly.

"I wouldn't call it that," Night waved a hoof. "Name it what you may, though. All of us will take part in it. Apart from that, I am just thankful the House Guard is willing to take over for us for a little bit."

"No kidding. I sincerely doubt they would turn it down, though. More hours on their paychecks for being on duty and what not."

"Yeah," Night nodded. "But like I said, this is the perfect opportunity to work as a team in an environment away from home, far from civilization."

"Wouldn't where we are staying count as civilization?" Lodestar's brow raised.

"Modern civilization," Night grinned softly, gently nudging the dark cyan pony's shoulder with his hoof.

"Right," Lodestar chuckled with a hoof to his chest. "This place does seem frozen in time."

"That may be the whole point, Lode. The perfect place to live if you don't want to live around the hustle and bustle of a city. Even Ponyville is starting to turn up like its larger sister cities. It doesn't surprise me, though. A princess lives there," Night replied, shifting a bit. 

"Anyways, let's unpack our unnecessary stuff, and then we should check out that so-called roast the innkeeper mentioned. I can feel my fuel meter hit empty."


***


In just the hour following their arrival, the residents of Hollow Shades have most certainly outdone themselves when it came to the decorations. Down the path that led through the direct center of town now housed hanging lights, stands with games, food, and hoof-made crafts of all sorts.

It seemed as if every single pony in town was here, as well. Beyond the temporary constructs, ponies of all size and type crowded the streets, all talking and sharing laughs with each other. Everyone here appeared to know each other well. If only other places had ponies like these, Night thought.

"Wow, look at all of that!" Scarlet gasped, taken aback with awe. "This just might be more superior than Hearth's Warming in Canterlot!"

"Well, at least those take place around Hearth's Warming and not two weeks in advance," Zipline added. 

Despite his comment, he too was in awe at how well everything was set up around them, from the multicolored lights to the garland that wrapped the lamp poles, and every little thing in between. He couldn't help but to agree with her.

Night stopped, glancing to either of his sides. "What are you all waiting for? We don't all have to stay together if you prefer not to."

"Really?" Shieldhunter turned to him with a big grin. "Are you sure?"

Night nodded once, smiling to him. "Go have fun, every one of you has earned it."

"Aw, sweet! You're truly the best, Night," Shield's smile got bigger, and immediately he was gone in the crowd.

The dark-coated pegasus chuckled softly. "Best to let go before we get started, am I right?"

"I concur," Midnight Blade said, beginning to walk off into the crowd, along with Stellar Star and Duskbloom.

Halfmoon, observing this, put a small scowl directed toward the other mare on her face and followed closely behind. Lodestar grouped with Zipline, going another direction with more festivities along with him. Leaving Night behind, he started into the crowds, checking every stand out as he walked past them.

A mixture of wonderful scents filled the air, anything between newly-popped kettle corn, his ultimate favorite, and freshly-brewed hot cocoa and apple cider, to cookies and pies and other pastries on display just outside of a bakery, as well as candy and other sweets that would drive a foal up the wall.

In spite of the cold, ponies dunked their heads into buckets of water, pulling out as many apples as they could with their maws, shaking their heads to dry themselves off and each celebrating their results competitively. One large stallion managed to pull out five total in one grab, shocking the few that stood around the apple-filled wooden bucket.

Night breathed in deeply with a warm grin across his muzzle, taking in this joyful mood the town gave him. No pony around him seemed to care about the cold, or the snow as it began to gently fall around them. Every pony was enjoying themselves, even his own as he passed by where they stood, either purchasing something to snack on, or screwing around at one of the many arcade-styled games set up on the wide cobble street.

Then, something grasped his attention. Through a clearing in the mass assembly, his eyes locked on to a few different groups of bat ponies, some with two-shades of a color rather than one for their coats. Rather than the wings of a bat, however, the majority of them had wings similar to that of a dragon, longer and wider in length, along with the small arm that stuck out from the front of their wings.

Curiously, Night began approaching the nearest cluster of the thestral ponies. To strike up a conversation with others from a colony far from his own would, for him, be a major achievement this trip. How he would start this conversation was a whole other situation.

Coming closer, a pair of slit-shaped irises locked onto his own, not once breaking contact. The group halted their conversation, each turning to look at Night, some facing him blankly, others staring with a faint scowl or glare.

As a guard, during training, it was seared into his brain to not show fear or tension around other ponies, no matter who they were. Of course, he couldn't tell if that was exactly what he was doing without looking in a mirror. Just one short glance, and Night's instincts lit up like fireworks. They weren't exactly nice instincts, either. These ponies were glaring at him, and he had not even reached them yet.

It wasn't just them, either. The other two nearby groups gave similar looks, as if they all shared the same mind and knew to stare at him like this. Night's ears swiveled back, and his hooves began to take him backwards, away from them and slinking into the crowds, out of their sight.

The draconian-winged ponies exchanged looks between one another, before disappearing around a corner without a single pony noticing their movements. Peeking back over the others around him, Night scanned for the strange figures, his eyebrow rising when none were to be found just moments after leaving them be. A part of him let out a gentle sigh of relief, the rest of him tingling with suspicion. 

Did they know who he was? And if that truly were the case, did they have a negative vibe about him in particular? He did completely change the lifestyle of bat ponies everywhere all of those years ago, even if the ones here blended in for much longer.

His mind raced with possibilities, none of which clicking with reasonable answers. Perhaps he was simply overreacting. Just like his earlier discussion with Lodestar, this village was stuck in time. Maybe some ponies here were unsettled with the fact that others from the outside world roamed freely. 

"Hey, Night!" Called a stallion's voice from behind him. Turning, he recognized it as Zipline's, smiling to him from a short distance. "Come here!"

Whatever the case, tonight was like the evening of the Gala: a night for fun and to spend time with family and friends. For now, he determined to put his thoughts aside and let loose. The last month was too eventful. Relaxation would do him best.

If that is even possible.
> A Steady Wind - Part II
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A steady wind carried minuscule frozen flakes from the heavens down to earth, so lightly adding to the amounts of snow already blanketing the trees and grass, coating the rooftops of little sleepy cottages and shops around the village of Hollow Shades. No mind was paid to the snowflakes as residents went about their yearly festivities. A rumor had been said at one of the merchant stands that these early Hearth's Warming celebrations went on throughout the night until the sun were to crest the eastern horizon.

While ponies played and danced about the town, having the time of their lives, a group of nine ponies retreated to the inn located less than a block from the very center of town. Cold and exhausted from the lengthy day, a good night's sleep was in order. Tomorrow would be no different.

The group almost evenly divided by stallions and mares exchanged their good-nights, parting ways to head into their own separate rooms neighboring each other. In spite of the mass of noise from down a few buildings, no one pony was spared by the spell of sleep. Some passed out the moment their bodies collapsed to the bed, the rest at least managing to tuck in completely before dozing off themselves.

As soon as all went black, a crescent moon rose up above the horizon. Stars twinkled around them, scattered in all directions, even beneath Night's hooves. A strong breeze blew across the imaginary field, forcing his mane and tail to bounce gently before it subsided. 

He sat down carefully, eyes gazing up at the moon as it settled in the sky above him. Night's lips pursed with a warm smile, eyes closing as he took in the gentle light it emanated, even if he was already aware that this was a dream.

Ears perking up, he opened his eyes, looking curiously up at the moon as a shadowed figure began descending from it, wings gently flapping at its sides. In the light, the shadows faded away, the silhouette revealing itself to be Princess Luna, her voice sooth as silk as she spoke.

"Night Shadow..." She smiled, like any other warm smile he knew, approaching the seated stallion.

"Luna..." Night replied, returning the smile and bowing his head.

They each looped hooves around each other in a brief embrace in advance of the night alicorn sitting inches from Night's hooves.

"We did not get a chance to talk before thou left with his squad mates, so we arranged this meeting in thy dreams!" Luna declared, her hooves overlapping before her.

But, in an instant, her tone changed. "Why are you here, Night?"

Night blinked twice. His heart began pounding a bit faster now. He could not risk lying, for Luna would catch his bluff almost immediately. She was in his mind, speaking to him through dreams, after all.

"Something strange occurred to me in Baltimare, something I, on my best day, can't explain or even come close to," he responded with obvious angst.

Worriedly, Luna scooted closer, resting one hoof on Night's. "I sense your turbulence, your dire need for answers. What happened, Night?"

"A pony... just out of the blue... up and disappeared when I engaged in combat with him! I heard him rob a mare, no, I watched him rob a mare in her own home, then run off!" He explained as best he could. "I caught up with him, he fought back harder, Red Knight came in and took him down, and poof, he was gone. Just like that, into a cloud of dust."

"Magic, perhaps?" Luna suggested, forming a mane brush out of pure particles, gently fixing up the stuck-out strands of his mane.

"He was an earth pony. There's no way it could even be possible, but that's... not the strangest part."

"Then, tell me. What was?"

"We went back to the home to check up on the mare, and... there was no mare. The pony who lived there was sleeping the entire time, and he was alone!"

Luna briefly froze, but then continued to brush his mane. "Yes? What else?"

"I don't know. Luna... did I imagine it, was I hallucinating?" Night looked up at her slowly, his eyes soaked with tears and concern. "Am I going crazy?"

Luna stopped what she was doing, letting go of the brush from her magical grip. It slowly dissolved into a breeze that wasn't there. The night matriarch began to stroke her hoof down his back slowly, between his folded-up wings.

"If such a silly idea came true, how would you assume your friend feels after watching the exact same thing you did?"

She did have a point. Red Knight was a witness, too. At least he finally realized he wasn't alone. Not that it made him feel much better in the long run...

"But can he come up with a reason behind his disappearance?" Night added.

Luna frowned at his question, nonetheless continuing to stroke his furry back. "Occurrences such as these are not nearly close to things an entity such as Discord could conjure up. For all we know, this could very well be his own doing as a joke."

"Maybe... but, why me? Why would he target me out of the blue for his pranks?"

"There is no real logic behind his actions. He seems to do what ever he wishes, as long as it is within tolerable limits to Equestrian law," Luna softly sighed. "He is no longer evil, although, it seems his thirst for laughter is never quenched, and may never be until the end of time."

"Will he ever stop? If he is truly behind all of these... strange things?"

Luna nodded. "At some point, yes. He will move on to the next unfortunate pony. He seems to have a habit of choosing ponies within Equestria's royalty and its security detail."

Night let out a gentle sigh. "I simply hope it ceases soon. You know how well I tolerate anxiety."

Luna moved her hoof up to stroke Night's mane. "Yes, yes. I know."

Her chin lifted slightly, ears perking to a faint, distant humming. Night's ears latched on soon after, his head lifting and eyes scanning around the starry eternity. "Do you hear that?"

"I hear everything you do, Night. I believe you should find the source and speak to whom it leads to," Luna said, standing up and beginning to levitate back up towards the moon, a breeze brushing back over the stallion.

"Wait... where is it? Am I going to wake up?!" Night called after her, standing and raising his hoof up to her, in hopes of keeping her for just a moment longer.

A bright light grew as Luna disappeared into the moon, the light enveloping Night completely as he began to squint and cover his eyes with a hoof.


***


Eyes blinking open, Night sat upright, hoof on his forehead as he stared forward. The room around him was extremely dark, window curtains overlapping each other and muffled chatter and clutter from outside as the Hearth's Warming festivities resumed without him.

Glancing to his side, he saw Lodestar asleep in his bed, back turned to him and snoring softly. He breathed a quiet, relieving sigh, prior to perking once more as the mysterious, faint humming returned.

Find the source and speak to whom it leads to, Night repeated mentally, tossing the sheets off of his lower half.

He set a hoof down on the floor beside his bed, his other coming down atop his gear back, steel briefly clanking within the bag and forcing Night to freeze in place, turning to make sure he hadn't startled the dark cyan pony out of his slumber.

Relieved again, Night cautiously avoided the bag, standing in place to listen for the source of the humming. Carefully, he determined a direction. It was coming from a few rooms down.

Without waking Lodestar, he exited the room, striding down the lantern-lit hall to Scarlet Iris' room, knocking on the door twice. It opened following the second knock on its own, leading into the half-darkened room, gradually becoming lighter the closer to the window he went.

Pushing through the door, Night did not have to look around for long, finding the dark grey thestral mare standing on the small balcony, just outside the sliding door that separated it from the room itself. She hummed softly to herself, mane bouncing in the frigid breeze.

He knew of her as a karaoke singer, much less so a vocal one. Karaoke was just for fun, though it was already evident she had other singing talent. Her voice was wonderful. Beautiful, even.

"You should sing like that more often, it really is quite nice," Night said with a weak hint of sleepiness behind his smile.

Scarlet jumped slightly, a hoof lifting as she snapped her head back to look at him. Her cheeks exploded with red, her hoof scratching behind her head. "Oh, I-I'm sorry. I didn't think I would... actually attract you here."

Night strode up slowly, closing the room's door behind them. "Let's just say a friend told me to follow the voice."

Her deep red eyes darted off to the left, cheeks still heated as Night now stood beside her on the balcony. "Who was it?"

"Oh, just a friend," Night teased. "What's got you up and out here?"

"I should ask you the same for the real reason, but I won't," she sighed softly, resting her forehooves on the balcony's railing, overlooking the energetic center of town as it remained lit up with activity. 

"I haven't been here in so long, Night. I never thought I would get to see it again," she admitted lowly.

Night's smile faded away, too leaning up on the ledge. "So, you are from here?"

A pin could have dropped at this very moment from outside the closed suite door and be loud as a cannon for how silent they became. Scarlet's chin lowered as she rested against the railing, nasally sighing.

"You want to know why I never told anypony?" She asked, eyes faintly glassing and reflecting more nearby light than moments ago.

"As long as you feel it's appropriate," Night kept his eyes on her, his ears swiveling back.

"I've said enough already, might as well spill the beans, am I right?" She gently nudged him, trying to crack a joke out of it, but failing this one time. Her frown quickly returned. "To keep it short, I hated it here."

"But, why? If you ask me, if or when I leave the Guard, this definitely makes the top five places I'd retire to."

"It's not the scenery, Night," Scarlet sighed. "It's the ponies."

Night blinked twice, puzzled. "What about them?"

"They're superstitious. They're... old fashioned. They're everything ponies aren't meant to be in this day and age."

"What is that supposed to mean? Besides, the way Duskbloom put it earlier... is none of that true?" Night's head cocked to the side.

"I never said I was denying it. He just... had it better. Believe it or not, in our small colony, we'd never crossed paths, nor have me and Halfmoon. I'm not talking about wealth, either, because everypony was equally rich... or poor," her deep red eyes scanned over the village and to the frolicking ponies.

"So, the ponies here. Why are they not what they're supposed to be?" Night questioned, still stumped by all of this.

Scarlet let out a deep sigh, turning to briefly glance at Night. "Despite the lengths we went to ensure peace between us and the town folk, many of us were still treated like outcasts, like our ancestors before Equestria was founded. It was like you said, this town is frozen in time. No pony here cares about the world around them."

"Perhaps it's for the best, but... I prefer to think of it as for the worst for how my family was treated," she closed her eyes.

"Were you ever..." Night froze, proceeding to not finish his question. "Never mind."

The two of them rested across the railing, overlooking the town from the second story balcony, moonlight trying to peek through a break in the snow clouds above.

"You really... should be in bed, Captain," Scarlet's tone instantaneously changed. "It's late already."

"I won't sleep until you do," Night replied.

"Then you will be up a while," Scarlet turned to face away.

"Better than ignoring your feelings and leaving you out here by yourself," Night weakly smiled.

A very faint blush crossed her cheeks, thankfully, to her, hidden by the darkness and her coat color. "You're really sweet."

"Is that a bad thing?" Night's ear flicked gently.

"Only if you think of it that way," Scarlet answered quietly.

Night stared in silence at the turned mare, easing himself off of the railing to stand up straight. "Well... if you really want me to leave..." he began to turn.

Scarlet's heart began pumping faster in her chest, mind racing in all sorts of directions. She didn't want him to leave just yet. She didn't want him to leave.

A hoof rested on Night's shoulder, causing him to stop. He was turned to face a pair of stunning red eyes. Before he could speak, their maws met, Scarlet pressing into a deep kiss with Night, ultimately stunning him as his golden irises shrunk to pinpricks and cheeks bursting with heat.

His lids closed gradually, pushing back into the kiss, head slightly tilting as Scarlet begun to make out with him. His own heart thumped in his chest, wings fluttering at his sides. 

Holding the kiss, Scarlet pressed Night back inside, Night slipping onto his back with Scarlet on top, not once parting their muzzles. Night reached his hooves up, stroking up and down the thestral mare's shoulders and down her back, whilst Scarlet let out a soft noise he'd never heard in his life.

For a mare who always flirted with him, this was all too real.

He loved it.


***


"All right, double check your bags, make sure you have everything you need. I would hate for one of you to force us to wait longer than we should have just because you missed one small piece," Night ordered, standing in the hall with the rest of his squad mates.

Each of them, including Night himself, went over the gear in their bags. Bows, arrows, swords, knives, medical kits, and every little thing in between. When all were certain nothing was forgotten, they perked up to face Night, who then led them downstairs, and out of the hotel.

"Where are we headed, Captain?" Halfmoon asked from the near-end of the line, with Duskbloom by her side.

"First, we are stopping by the head of the Hollow Shades' guard branch. He has requested to have a word with myself and Sergeant Lodestar before we move out into the forests away from town, that's where we will be spending our days here," Night explained, leading them around a corner.

"This place has a guard branch?" Zipline questioned.

"Believe it or not, yes, it does. Every town needs one. No place is crime-free," Lodestar was the one to answer this time. "Captain Night Shadow has been in close contact with him in recent weeks, he said."

Night unnoticeably winced at that. Putting up this act for much longer was bound for repercussions. Only a week longer and it would be behind him—hopefully.

Approaching a sturdy-looking concrete structure half-built on the outside of a short hill, two armored thestrals stood on either sides of the steel-reinforced door, one a mare and the other a stallion. One's eyes moved to the approaching group of stallions and mares and shifting to block the door.

"State your name and your business here," the mare shouted, the stallion wincing and turning to her.

"There's no need to yell like that, they are right in front of us," he grumbled.

"We are here to meet with Lieutenant Colonel Norealis. He has asked of us to have a word with him this morning," Night replied, bringing out his guard badge from beneath his armor. "Captain Night Shadow, Lunar Zodiac Guard."

The stallion took the badge, examining it thoroughly, then handed it back. "All right, you may go in. All of you."

"Thank you," Night nodded once, striding through the now-open door after the guards shifted out of the way, the rest of his squad following close behind as they entered.

Walking past the guards, three of them received suspicious looks, continuing on their way without saying a word. Scarlet Iris walked a little bit faster, receiving the look from the mare, Halfmoon ignoring their looks, and finally Duskbloom returning with a cold glare directed right towards the stallion.

Either side had their reasons to be suspicious of each other. These were unknown ponies, three of which looked like they were from here. This was unknown territory, especially where it sounded as if some sort of violence was a normality.

Another armored pony joined them in their walk, guiding them toward a set of all-glass doors that led into a windowless room with a large chair-surrounded table in the center, with maps and projection screens all around.

Night paused just a few steps from the door, turning back to the others, excluding Lodestar. "Wait out here, perhaps? This shouldn't take much longer than a minute or two."

The guard stuck by the others as they stood in line in the hallway, setting their gear down to relax for this moment. Night and Lodestar continued through the doors, allowing them to close before Night spoke.

"Nice weather we're having today, isn't it?"

A pair of tufted ears perked up, the taller thestral pony in a black suit facing a topographical map on the wall turning, his strangely circular-irised dark lavender eyes setting on Night. "Yes, but, I always bring an umbrella."

Smiling softly, Night walked around the table to the stallion, eyes briefly darting up to the backwards-curved horn sticking up through his iron-colored mane. The two met half way, shaking hooves firmly.

"It is stupendously wonderful to have you here, at long last," nodded the pony. "You must be Sergeant Lodestar," he reached his hoof out.

Lodestar nodded once, shaking his hoof. "Aye, that's me. Pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, gentleponies. You are here for training exercises, yes?"

The two armored ponies nodded. "Yes, that is correct, Lieutenant Colonel. Team bonding, to be more precise," Night responded.

"Ahh, yes, team bonding, the best type of operation. Focusing more on each other than what you were originally there for," Norealis smirked slightly, one of his fangs showing off. "I wish the best for all of you. If I may, I would like to send two of my own to accompany you and watch over your training to ensure nopony interferes."

"That would be fine," Night nodded with a smile.

"Splendid," Norealis smiled. "On a slight change of subject, I have heard of your actions in your own colony, Captain, what you have done for your colony."

"Oh yeah? Was it good, or bad?" Night chuckled softly.

"All good things," Norealis waved a hoof. "You have performed an outstanding duty for our race. I also wish the best for your future in reuniting all of the colonies and restoring ponies to their original state of peace and harmony."

"Thank you, sir," Night bowed his head slightly. "Now, there was something you wanted to ask us both?"


***


Regrouping with the others, the same guard escorted the squad out of the structure, watching over each of them carefully as they left, the two guards at the entrance doing the same, tossing looks at the thestrals in the group, and the ones of their own who now accompanied the squad.

A nearby split-off took the group away from town, leading them out towards the snowy countryside. A suitable spot would be at least a mile or two from Hollow Shades to ensure nopony not a part of the exercises would accidentally be injured. 

Minutes passed, and with the town a short distance behind them, they had come across a widely-open, hilly area with some small clusters of trees scattered in between the clearing. This was the most perfect of areas, where some of the trees could replace targets for arrow shooting.

Slipping a folded map and a pencil from his bag, Night spread it out, gripping the pencil between his teeth as he marked over the area carefully.

"All right, briefing time," he said, receiving a few groans from the group and bringing a soft chuckle out of some others, including himself.

From there, Night began going over the plans for the day, pointing out what areas would be used for specific tests day by day, as well as watch positions for the guards Norealis assigned with them.

Little did any one of them know, they were being observed like mice in a maze.
> A Steady Wind - Part III
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"All right. You two," Night pointed to the assigned armored thestrals, "Take up watch on that hill, and in that crease," he pointed to the two locations, opposite of each other. 

The guards saluted, heading off to either areas to sit and keep watch over their activities. Turning back to the others, he'd noticed Lodestar had taken the reigns of the operation temporarily, Scarlet Iris to his right.

With their specially-ordered and custom-constructed bows drawn, a group of thestrals and two pegasi aimed toward a set of tall, white-barked, and leafless trees. Each drew the string back with their hoof, the strain building up and ready to be let loose and shoot the projectile forward at what ever they were aiming towards.

Every pony on the field shot arrows at their own pace, aiming for individual trees in their line of sight while the Captain and Sergeant observed. At some point not long later, the packs of arrows on their shoulders ran empty, prompting them to move downrange and pluck each one back out to replenish their supply.

"It sure is a useful, and quite efficient thing he made these arrows to be reused over and over. What were they made out of, again?" Lodestar leaned toward Night with a slight grin.

"I forget myself. I'll have to check with him when I order some more," Night turned. "Didn't take those classes with Stormfire, did you?"

The dark cyan pony shook his head. "No, sir. Swordsmanship and hoof-to-hoof combat are my strong points," he responded as he shifted his focus to the others near the small treeline within the clearing. "You didn't either, I see."

"Why use arrows when I've got a sword, and these?" He opened his maw, poking a hoof toward the fangs on his upper set of teeth.

Lodestar chuckled to himself. "Touche. What about you, Scarlet?"

"Hmm?" She snapped from watching the six recollect their arrows from icy bark, eyes darting between the stallions beside her. "Oh, no. Wasn't interested."

Lodestar's eyebrow raised. "Are... you feeling okay? You don't seem like yourself this morning."

Scarlet's grey cheeks began to tint a light pink. "Just feeling a little left out of the action is all," she smiled innocently.

"Shoulda taken those lessons, then," Lodestar gently nudged her shoulder with his elbow and chuckled again.

"Yeah, heh," Scarlet rubbed a hoof over the spot he nudged, glancing around him to Night and blushing just a tad bit harder than prior.

Unnoticeable to anyone else, Night's cheeks also warmed up, eyes shifting to look away in the awkwardness of the current moment. No, stay focused, Night. Now's not the time to remember last night, he muttered mentally.

Returning to their positions, four thestrals and two pegasi faced the trees once more, taking aim and shooting off their bow's ammunition at individual trunks, leaving the poor trees with numerous points of entry that went in a few inches beyond the surface. What these could do to an inanimate object such as a tree only indicated what just one arrow could do to a pony's flesh.

Keeping that out of mind, the cycle continued on for somewhere around a half an hour until there were no more places on the tree that could possibly be hit, having taken much damage from the steel-headed projectiles.


***


In their respective locations, positioned just over the snowy meadow and the Canterlot guard ponies going about their outlined routine, the Hollow Shades guards assigned by the Lieutenant Colonel stood or sat vigilant. From their point of view, all seemed to very well be going to plan, and nothing suspicious appeared to be coming from the other side.

From a distance, the two exchanged glances every so often, checking to ensure their partner was in the same spot each time with not a single minuscule thing wrong.

As both turned to face the guard squad down below, something did happen. Off to the left thestral's side, a shadowed figure sneaked up behind his partner, silently stepping over twigs and leaves not yet covered by snow.

A hoof came forward with a soggy rag in it, holding over the stallion's muzzle entirely to muffle any wails. The bat pony stallion's vision went blurry, and within moments, he was out like a light.

The figure, from cover, glanced to the guard off to the right of the mound, noting he hadn't yet looked in this direction, observing as a second cloaked figure approached, silently taking down the second stallion, each carrying the limp body away on their backs, all without a single eye batting toward them.


***


Yanking the last of the undamaged arrows free from the frozen bark, four thestrals and two pegasi returned to their captain, whom had an impressed smirk crossing his muzzle.

"I don't know for sure if every bore circle you were aiming for was where you hit, but I must say, First Sergeant Stormfire sure has done his part. Good work, Zodiacs," Night nodded once. "Though, I suppose we will not be using those trees much longer."

"Now, before we move on, are there any questions you may have about your weapons?" Lodestar added.

No hooves raised for a few moments, until eventually, Shieldhunter's did. Lodestar nodded to him.

"Er..." Shieldhunter smiled sheepishly. "It's not a question about my weapon, but it's similar!"

Night stared blankly. "Might as well say it now. What is it, lance corporal?"

"When's lunch?"

Night facehoofed, shaking his head into his hoof. Lodestar rolled his eyes and grumbled something inaudibly. A few tiny chuckles came from the others around Shield.

"Not for another two or three hours, I'm afraid," Night answered Shield's somewhat-important question.

A thought quickly crossed his mind seconds after. Shifting to look toward where Norealis' guards went, Night's eyebrow raised when he didn't see either of them. Typically, his first instinct is to find out where they had gone. 

He turned back to the others with a faint look of concern. "Before we move on, Zipline, come with me."

As ordered, the white pegasus moved up to Night's side, walking with him toward the small hills surrounding the meadow. "Where are we going, Captain?"

"Just going to speak with those guards. You check over there, I'll be right over here," Night pointed to a small ridge far to the right of them.

"Yes, sir!" Zipline briefly saluted, wings springing out and lifting him into the air and over to the watch point.

Night took off into the air as well, floating above where one of the guards had set up a makeshift post out of a snow mound. He scanned all around, even through the forest. Suspicion grew when no pony could be seen.

He turned, flying over towards Zipline, landing a few feet from him. "Find anypony, Zippy?"

"No, sir. Not even a compressed spot where they would have been sitting or standing. Where did they go?" Zipline glanced up from the snow-covered ground with a look of bewilderment.

"Hmm... Very peculiar," Night's usual instinct would be to search for them. That instinct didn't come, replaced by an assumption.

"Maybe... they were called back," he said.

Zipline blinked at the statement. "You don't think we should look for them, sir?"

Unsure of himself, but simultaneously confident with his guess, Night bobbed his head in a nod. "These are their woods. They might have moved someplace else, or like I said before... Perhaps Norealis called them back."

"Wouldn't we—" Zipline's hoof raised, his maw remaining parted. Slowly, he lowered his hoof. "Never mind. What ever you say, Captain."

Night nodded again, starting back toward the others. "We will check again in an hour. If they haven't returned, well..."

"Will we search?" Zipline questioned, tailing Night.

"I will assign somepony or two to take over for them. When we go back to town tonight, we can check with the Lieutenant Colonel," he responded.

"Yes, sir," Zipline then faced forward, feeling somewhat suspicious of Night's decision.


***


Gradually sliding a polished steel-bladed sword free of a dark leather sheathe, Halfmoon's shamrock-green slit irises locked on to the mint pupils of Stellar Star, standing opposite of her but with some distance between each other. He had already brought his sword out, preparing inside and out for the spar.

To keep track, the squad members had gone one-on-one, the others sitting back to watch along with Night while he judged their performances.

"O-okay, so..." Stellar began, glancing off nervously toward the Captain. "H-how long do we go for?"

"Until one of you is down and out," Night replied, clapping his hooves twice. "Begin!"

"Okay, but—"

Cutting him off mid-sentence, Halfmoon let out a bellowing shout as she lunged toward him with a flap of her wings, sword tightly grasped in her hooves. Within a moment's notice, she was on top of Stellar, their swords clashing and sparking to the touch.

Stellar let out a half-frightened screech, thrusting his sword back against Halfmoon defensively, slowing her force as she slammed into him a second time. Halfmoon brought herself back, swinging her blade at Stellar, as well as a hoof aimed at his hooves to bring him down.

Recoiling back and narrowly avoiding the swiping hoof, Stellar then ducked beneath the swing of the thestral mare's sword, its steel grazing the tufts of his ears. He rolled down into the snow and out of her line of sight just briefly while she readjusted to the movement. He took this opportunity to strike, his sword slicing through the air, once more colliding with Halfmoon's in a brief show of sparks.

Grunting deeply, Stellar pushed back against Halfmoon, his opponent doing just the same against him. For a mare slightly smaller than himself, she had the physical strength to match that of a Lunar Marine. Not that he didn't, as well.

"Come on, Half!" Duskbloom cheered from the sidelines, clapping his hooves to her effort.

Glancing off to the side, Halfmoon's eyes briefly met Duskbloom's. Stellar caught the distraction immediately and redirected his strength from his hinds to his forehooves, managing to knock Halfmoon backwards.

She stumbled back a few steps, quickly regaining her posture as Stellar Star barreled toward her this time, swiping his sword. Halfmoon returned the swing, their swords meeting halfway with a powerful clang. In spite of his advantage, Halfmoon was forcing him back, their forehooves and swords trembling as their strength pushed on.

Stellar stepped back twice to avoid falling down, doing everything in his power to ensure he wouldn't fall to her. She is strong, he knew that by now. I am strong, too. Why do I want to give up? he mentally mumbled.

He shifted his eyes to the ponies off to his right, groaning and beginning to sweat as he continuously put out all of his strength to keep himself upright. Stellar caught a glimpse of Night Shadow nodding to him, immediately turning back to Halfmoon as he attempted to recollect his energy and throw her back.

As he did, however, their swords slipped. Halfmoon's blade narrowly grazed his shoulder, whilst the tip of Stellar's sword quite nearly cut her throat, missing by mere hairs, a relief to the both of them. 

But, with a final thrust, Halfmoon shoved Stellar down into the snow, his sword dropping from his hoof. She stood atop him, sword pointed to his muzzle as he leaned his head up, signaling a victory for her, and total defeat to Stellar.

Hooves clapped to their side. Halfmoon turned to the group observing and stepped off of the stallion, bowing her head in thanks, before returning to the downed thestral.

Stellar grunted softly, easing up onto his elbows. Opening his eyes, he stared right at a greyish-blue hoof, fitted with an armor shoe. He glanced up to the mare before him, reluctantly taking her hoof and pulling himself up to all fours, shaking some snow free of his coat.

"Hey, you did good," Halfmoon began. "You almost had me."

Her words were far from reassuring, though Stellar refused to let her see that and instead put on a smile. "Maybe next time, eh?"

Halfmoon nodded, returning a small smile. Facing the others again, she had noted Duskbloom clapping slowly, glaring sharpened daggers directly at Stellar. His ears pinned back, and slowly he moved away from Halfmoon, smiling innocently at the seemingly-angered pony.

Standing up on all fours, Night too shook some snow off of his hinds and the rear of his armor. He turned to face the makeshift posts up on the surrounding hills, once more finding Norealis' guards absent, his smile immediately dropping into a frown with concern building up inside of him.

Tapping his chin with a hoof, he pondered some more. Surely something was not right, but what could it be?

Looking up from the ground, he turned to Duskbloom and Midnight Blade. "Midnight, Dusk, I would like for the two of you to keep watch, there and there," Night pointed to the small snow mounds against the tree lines. "We will rotate throughout the day, perhaps before every quarter-til."

Nodding and saluting the Captain, Duskbloom and Midnight Blade turned tail to head for the spots Night had pointed to, both flying up the hillsides and resting against the mounds the previous guards had set up for cover.

"So... Cap, where did those guards go?" Shieldhunter questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Beats me, Shield. My guess is they went back to town. I would have thought we would be informed of their recall first, though."


***


Yawning in boredom, Midnight Blade watched over the rest of the squad from atop the hill, Duskbloom doing just the same a short distance to her right. Even with thicker fur for coats, chills ran up their spines at every brief gust that struck them.

Duskbloom, aside from the occasional shiver, remained perfectly still like a statue. His gaze remained set on a certain dark greyish-blue mare on the field, watching as she sparred with Zipline, a much-preferable match than the last. A small smile curved his lips seeing her combat moves from above.

Suddenly, a large hoof tightly wrapped around his throat, holding him in place. Dusk's eyes opened wide with surprise, one hoof swinging backwards in an attempt to knock whoever had grabbed him away. 

Before it could reach, however, a cloth that smelled of fruit mixed with a strange chemical pressed against his muzzle. Within mere seconds, his whole body had gone limp and eyes shut. The figure let go of Dusk's neck, slinging him over his back and carrying the unconscious stallion away.

A few yards away, Midnight Blade blinked slowly, yawning a second time. Her ear flicked twice, and a strange chill forced her wings out. Somewhere near her, a twig cracked beneath a hoofstep. Midnight's eyes opened up all the way, and she snapped her head in the direction assuming where it was coming from. 

Next thing she knew, in a flash, she had been knocked into the mount of snow with a great force. Midnight yelped in shock, immediately scrambling back up to her hooves as a half-masked figure lunged at her, tossing down a cloth and whipping out a small blade instead.

Out of pure reflex, she lurched out of the way of the pony, dodging its attack as it now embed its front half in the snow mound, kicking its hooves in an attempt to get free. 

Growling, Midnight approached the pony, now set on pulling him or her out and arresting them. Before she could, another figure struck her in the side, sending her sailing over the mound and tumbling down the side of the hill with an audible grunt. 

The second, more sizeable pony eased the smaller out of the mound, then smacked them for their incompetence, eventually following Midnight down the hill as she regained her posture. She glanced up, briefly sighting the larger pony preparing to tackle and rolling just out of the way as his hooves crashed down into the snow where Midnight previously stood.

"Come here, you!" The larger pony, a stallion with a rough voice, snarled, flicking a knife handle out of his black combat vest and twirling it in his hoof before stopping it, the blade thrusting itself out of the handle with a click.

The stallion began swinging his knife at Midnight, the blade sharply slicing through the air as it came closer to her. Midnight simply ducked and dodged backwards from the knife as the stallion continued to approach. 

At the right moment, she caught his hoof in her own and stopped it mid-swing. He grunted, straining to break free of her grip. Midnight began twisting his hoof, knocking the blade away and into the snow with a quick hoof, then brought the stallion by his hoof over her shoulder, slamming him in the side onto the ground before jumping on top.

Midnight took hold of the all-black mask, ripping it right off of the stallion's head and uncovering him completely. Her eyes opened wide, staring right down the barrel of another thestral pony's eyes. She froze in place atop the larger pony, right as he returned to his senses.

"You're..." She began, only to have the train come to a screeching halt in her head. "Y-you're...!"

"What? Never seen another bat pony before?" The stallion growled, grabbing the purple mare with both hooves.

Midnight let out a yelp, worming and kicking at the assailant that now had her caught. Her struggles were to no avail as the stocky thestral sat upright, gripping her with a deadly, toothy smirk.

"The General will be proud of our work today," he chuckled, effortlessly keeping Midnight in his grip.

"Hey, you! Put her down!" Came an approaching shout from above.

The stallion glanced to his side and up, eyes widening as a hind leg was driven directly into his muzzle, sending him crashing to the ground and letting go of the distressed mare. With a single flap of her draconic wings, Midnight soared up and away from her captor, beside Zipline.

"Thank you," Midnight panted with a hoof over her chest. "Seriously, thank you."

"Forget that, are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Zipline turned to Midnight with concern, his hooves out to check for any injuries.

"I'm fine— Zip, look out!" Midnight screeched, tackling him out of the air.

Zipline yelped as he was taken down into the snow by Midnight, only to have his pupils shrink to pinpricks as he caught the reflective glare of an arrow slicing the air where he just was. 

The purple thestral landed atop Zipline, standing up off of him immediately after they hit the ground and the white pegasus easing up onto his elbows. "Where did that come from?!" He looked around in a slight panic, Midnight pulling him to his hooves.

"Over there, watch out!" yelled Night Shadow from afar, galloping towards them. 

Night's eyes were locked onto not one, nor two, but an entire army of ponies on the far hill, some charging down toward the Zodiacs. Three or four others appeared to have crossbows, and moments after, high-speed arrows came soaring down in a rain around them, disappearing beneath the snow as they impacted.

Zipline grabbed Midnight by the shoulder, yanking her away in a gallop toward Night as more and more attackers took to the skies. They were all coming seemingly from out of nowhere!

Reaching them, Night brought Midnight and Zipline back to the others, who had broken off to different positions of attack. Zipline snatched his bow and sack of arrows up out of the snow, flying up to perch in a tall tree along the edge of the forest for a better vantage point. His experience in scoped rifles would pay off at this very moment, he prayed. This was the real deal.

With much of the enemy pack out of sight, including where they were flooding out of the forest from. Not yet had anypony seen him or the direction he'd gone. Perfect, he thought.

The first enemy in his sight was short and slim. Quick, too. Closing one eye to focus the other on his bow's tiny crosshair, he eased the string back and held in a deep breath. At just the right exact moment, he exhaled, his hoof letting go of the string, the steel-headed carbon-construct arrow accelerating down, becoming caught in a strong breeze and turning, striking the galloping pony in the shoulder.

A brief glance to the fallen pony was given, before Zipline's gaze shifted to the next target: a slower-moving, larger stallion, not unlike the one that tried to nab Midnight moments prior. Taking aim, the process cycled once more. One down, another to go, and so on.


***


Tugging his sword from the brown leather sheathe strapped to his side, Stellar Star stood in a defensive stance, his wings half unfolded and focus set on a pair of masked thestrals around his size, though evidently slightly smaller, charging in his direction with swords and knives. 

He knew two opponents were well out of his park for fighting. On top of his will to defend against them, taking both of them on would be a major challenge. All others had split up to take on their own enemy ponies. Any luck of assistance was dangerously low, but he could not back down now. They were right in front of him.

Both ponies swung their bladed weapons together to converge on Stellar, only to clash together as he sprung upwards with a powerful thrust of his knees, wings flapping to keep him airborne throughout the dodge, before coming back down with one hoof on top of them, knocking one of the two into the snow while colliding his sword with the other's knife.

Stellar began to back up, continuously swinging defensively as his now-sole opponent swiped and cut at him, growling and hissing with frustration of so far being unsuccessful at catching the guard with the small blade.

The assailant suddenly reared on his hinds, preparing to slam Stellar down and stab into him, only to have the knife smacked away and vanishing into a nearby bush. Now forced to use just hooves for defense, Stellar blocked hits with his sword, bombarded by the second, previously-downed pony attacking from both sides.

Shoving one off and away to buy some seconds, Stellar returned to holding off the other by cutting downwards, slicing through the mare's mask and cutting it in half, catching a slight of her muzzle as well. She yipped at the sudden sting, a warm, red fluid dripping down into the snow. Without much hesitation from the pain, she whipped out a curved dagger and once more slashed at the grey thestral stallion.

Tilting his sword, Stellar blocked a hit, followed by another, then a thrust that scraped the tip of the mare's dagger against the cold steel in a drum-piercing metallic screech, comparable to a teacher with no regards for chalkboard or ear integrity. 

Both winced at the noise, providing the now-standing second thestral the opportunity for attack, charging Stellar from the side and sending him sailing to the left, his sword flying out of his hoof but miraculously landing at his side and within reach.

His opponents rushed for him, Stellar whipping his sword up out of the snow and scrambling to stand, only to be grabbed by a third pony and pinned by the forehooves and sword taken away before he could do anything else. The rest gathered around him while the mare picked up his sword with sinister plans in mind.

As the mare went to swing, Stellar tightly shutting his eyes in preparation for what was to come—the end. Moments passed, but the end never came. He'd also noted the pressure on his forehooves had released, no longer holding him against his will to the freezing ground. 

His green eyes shot open, sitting upright and discovering all three ponies now lying dead or dying on the ground in a circle around him, each with arrows sticking out from their sides with blood oozing from the wounds and pooling in the snow around them.

Stellar writhed and trembled, breath quickening at the sickening sight. Panic set in immediately, forcing him up to his hooves and stepping back away from the bloodied bodies, tuning out the war occurring around him. He had never seen blood this intense. He had never seen a dead pony outside of a funeral. This was too much for him to take in...

"Stellar!" Shouted Halfmoon from a distance, slinging her bow over her shoulder and locking it over her back with a simple nudge. She zipped through the snow to him, his attention snapping over to her from the bodies. "Are you alright?!"

Stellar panted, heart pumping heavily in his chest and raising a hoof up to the plate of his armor. "I-I'm alr—"

"Perfect, come on! Get back in the game, we're being overwhelmed!" Halfmoon grabbed him by the shoulder, pulling him away past more injured and dying enemies, each with stab or arrow wounds that had been pulled out. 

Glancing to her back, some blood coated Halfmoon's bow that had rubbed against the head of the arrows. They evidently worked better than anticipated for all appeared to be accounted for to be reused. Anxiety and panic returned, bursting through his heart through mental ache and exhaustion when reality hit him that more than just those three were down for good.


***


Side by side, Lodestar and Night Shadow fought, watching over each other's backs as the mass of enemy bat ponies focused on them, mission set to eliminate their leader. Both strained in effort to hold the attacking thestrals back, steel colliding with steel and hooves meeting flesh in horrid, painful sounds as damage was taken.

"Where are... they coming from?!" Night shouted above the fighting.

"Not a clue!" Lodestar answered, swinging a hoof that decked a knife-wielding mare. He grunted to himself, wincing at the unconscious thestral at his hooves.

Glancing back up, Lodestar was met with a hard, strong hoof to the chin, head snapping to the side as the same stallion from earlier knocked him down. He groaned painfully, motioning his jaw circularly to ensure it wasn't broken and stood slowly, glaring daggers at the stallion. 

Lodestar entered a defensive stance, brushing his hoof across the ground, like a bull preparing to charge, eyes meeting those of the bulky bat pony a couple yards from him.

"You know, only one of us is going to go home," Lodestar called to him with a slight huff to his breath.

The stallion grinned, turning to a chuckle. "I guarantee it won't be you."

Teeth clenching, Lodestar sprinted at the moderately larger stallion, the two smashing into each other with great force that stunned either one of them momentarily. Weaponless, the two went at it in an intense hoof-to-hoof battle, rolling around and alternating who was on top after every few moments and hits.


***


Finishing another take down, blood spilled across the chest plate of his armor, Shieldhunter caught a flash out of the corner of his eye. His ear swiveled, followed by his head turning in the direction of the sun glare. His face filled with dread at the sight.

A bat pony archer had flown up above the treetops, a crossbow in both hooves and pointed directly down towards Scarlet Iris. He gasped, quickly turning to her and shouting, "Scarlet, five o'clock!"

His words never reached her ears over top the heavy sounds of combat, swords clashing, agonizing screeches and cries of pain as arrows pierced skin and/or impaled some of the attackers from above, shot directly from Zipline perched up in a tree. Even he had not yet seen the shooter in the clear of the sky.

Eyes darting back between a preoccupied Scarlet and the enemy from above, Shieldhunter made a last minute decision—defend Scarlet. He dug his hooves into the soft, cold powder, gaining deep and heavy traction within moments as his body propelled forward in a gallop, breath steaming through his nostrils as he hurried her way.

Oblivious still to the archer from above, Scarlet dodged thrusts and swings of her opponent's sword and a knife in his other hoof, her own weapon scratching up to the other's steel in numerous ear-piercing screeches. A distant shout above the ambiance caught her attention, left ear swiveling slightly toward the source of the noise, but her focus not once left the fight.

Above, the lone bat pony reloaded his crossbow, taking final aim for Scarlet's neck, a sure and immediate kill upon impact. Shield's mud-brown irises shrunk to pebble-size, forcing more of his energy and strength into reaching Scarlet, who remained unaware.

"Scarlet!" He let out a lungful scream, wings opening and flapping to bring him up, right as the arrow came down. 

Scarlet just managed to knock her opponent down and kept him so, weapon knocked away, when a figure's shadow crossed over her. She turned slowly, eyes opening wide as Shieldhunter soared to her side and above. In a brief flare of sunlight, she caught on to the fast-moving projectile coming right down at her. 

Holding in a breath with shock and fear, Scarlet shut her eyes. This was it. She was either going to die immediately, or painfully bleed out on the ground. But, right when it should have hit, there was another cry of pain—and it most certainly wasn't hers. 

Pattered twice by what felt like warm water or sweat that slowly dripped down her forehead to her muzzle, she opened her eyes, reaching a hoof up to wipe the fluid away, only smearing some of it across both her forehead and hoof, trembling at the new sight—Shieldhunter's blood.

Dropping her hoof, the dark grey mare screamed and ran to Shield's aid, where he now came to a full rest in a rapidly-filling pool of red that painted the snow around him and gradually spread.

"Shield!" She shouted, sitting at his back and hooves taking hold of his form, rolling him onto his back and removing his armor to better examine the wound.

Hearing the scream, Zipline turned quickly, swiftly taking down the airborne attacker with a single arrow, his corpse colliding with the ground a distance from them.

Surrounded by a red ring on the skin was the arrow itself, half-pushed into Shield's flesh after having pierced through his armor. The bleeding slowed, but only temporarily. When the white pegasus coughed, blood followed, signalling more-than-extreme damage to much more than to what met the eye. 

He breathed slowly yet heavily, one of his hooves lifting to rest against his upper stomach, just below where the arrow punched through. More coughs came moments after, again tailed by more blood that now covered his muzzle and spattered across Scarlet's chest plate.

"S-sorry..." Shield weakly smiled, now even blinking his lids gradually and squinting. His vision was rapidly fading in and out, as if he had taken a sleeping pill and attempted to find out how long he could stay awake for. 

A new wave of excruciating pain in his chest that surged throughout the whole of his body, Shieldhunter grunting deeply and tightly shutting his eyes until it died down. Reopening his lids, the blurred silhouette of a thin, half blood-coated object hovered away in the hold of Scarlet's hoof, later replaced by something cold and wet that stung against the wound.

"Shield's down!" Scarlet shouted, snapping up and around her for somepony to hopefully hear and come over. "I need help!"

Shield's sight weakly returned, only briefly, his ears beginning to pin back. Scarlet's eyes were glassy, and tears were gathering up in the ducts. She may have trialed with every last bit in her to convince herself that Shield would be fine with proper and immediate medical attention. Although, Shield knew by now, very well, in fact, that his time was almost up—and there would be nothing she or anypony else could do to stop it.

"S-Shield," Scarlet panted out softly in a light panic. "Keep your eyes on me. You've l-lost blood, but you're going to be fine. It looks like the arrow went in clean," she snapped up once more. "Night, Lodestar, anypony!"

The white pegasus' heart began painfully thumping in his ears, beat irregular and far out of rhythm. It was failing. The thin layer of clouds in the sky formed a circle of the color spectrum as it met the light of the sun. It seemed to even reach down toward him, like a staircase, nice and slowly. He could only have minutes. It was as if the bridge was giving him this time to try and calm Scarlet.

A small, weak smile crossed his reddened muzzle, his hoof gradually moving to rest on Scarlet's. She gazed down to him with wide-eyes, chest heaving in the panic of the moment. Her deep, red eyes met the brown ones of Shield, his smile a blatant lie to comfort her from her fears of losing him.

His maw parted, making a final attempt to speak. No words left his mouth, finding no breath to mutter. He started to briefly struggle to catch a last breath, choking and gasping softly, just narrowly for Scarlet to hear, a more-than heart-wrenching noise.

"Please, S-Shield, stay with me. Please... Fight it, fight your mind, fight the wound, fight everything! Please!" She begged, tears falling from her cheeks down onto the wound and his hoof that remained on hers rather tightly.

A fog developed around them slowly, her head collapsing down onto her hooves that rested across Shield's body. Scarlet buried into him and her hooves, bawling every last tear she had audibly.

Everything around her went eerily silent, beyond her sobs and that stinging, terrible pain that burst in her chest and echoed throughout her veins. A chill ran through the fore of her body, fading as it lifted away. When she raised her chin to look at the wounded stallion, she found no life. His eyes peacefully shut, the tiny smile remaining. He was gone.

"S-Shield..." she whimpered out, slowly resting her head on her hooves, on top of his now-lifeless form. She continued to silently sob, the fog conforming around them tighter.

Beyond her tears, drowsiness fell across her. She, herself, was falling asleep. Perhaps she was struck, too. Perhaps she was already dead. Why did she still feel emotional pain? Something was going on around her. Something very strange...

Her body carefully went limp, and her eyelids met one another, and all around her went totally dark.
> Striped Recovery
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The strange fog all around overtook Night much quicker than he had time to react, and within a moment's notice, he was lying in the snow, unable to move and unable to see, passing between states of unconsciousness. There was a soft groan. He couldn't even be sure that it was his own. It seemed distorted. Slowed down. Faint.

He felt gravity pull against the whole of his body, his hooves hanging limp off of the side of a strong figure that lifted him up and now carried him away. Last-minute thoughts raced around his mind, leading to one conclusion. This was where his time expired. This was where he was going to die, at the hooves of some unknown group of bat ponies.

No more than a moment later, he felt himself lay against a wooden surface. A hoof, later two, move over his body, as if he was being examined. Cloth ripped to his right, and it, coldly wet, was pressed to a small wound that burned instantly. He wanted so desperately to yelp or cry, yet no noise was to be heard over the figure working.

At this point, it was too difficult to make out just what was occurring. The shredding of cloth, the burning sensation on his skin, the pain of his mysterious wounds. It made sense, but it didn't. Who was doing this to him?

Then, Night finally dozed away.


***


The grey fanged pegasus gradually woke to a throbbing migraine, met instantly with dim candle light all around a natural construction-type room, toward his hinds on that wall resting a half-filled, unsymmetrical-shaped wooden bookshelf that appeared to be custom carved.

Wincing at the pain in his head and rubbing a hoof against his temple in an effort to tone it down, Night regained his bearings within a minute of coming to. His eyes shot open, adding a brief spike of pain to his forehead, and looking down at himself.

Armorless and stripped of weapons, but okay. Patched up with red-tinting bandages on the upper hoof, chest, and wing, but alive. Better yet, he was not chained or strapped down to the flat wooden platform he had been sleeping on.

A new thought came to mind as he suddenly remembered—his squad. Gasping quietly, Night jumped up to begin searching, then stopping when he glanced down to the floor, finding everypony resting on hay nests, breathing softly and also with bandages over different areas of their body, Lodestar seeming to have the most, as well as bruises all over.

Well, everypony except for three. Shieldhunter, Midnight Blade, and Duskbloom were nowhere to be found. A new feeling began settling in. Not one of panic, but one of worry.

Before another move could be made, a single step to his far right and behind snapped him around, gesturing toward the figure as if he had a weapon in his hooves, except none were there. Night glanced down to his hooves, breathing slowly yet deeply. His eyes shifted back upwards at the darkened figure.

"Wh-who are you?" Night spoke half-weakly, his heart beating quicker by the moment.

The figure approached cautiously, the flickering of a nearby candle revealing his true form. All along his muscular body were white and black stripes, around his neck a type of silver tribal necklace, and tail looped with matching silver rings at the base. His mane was of a mixture of black and silver, shaped up in a mohawk quite similar to Sharpblade's, but notably longer.

"Please, calm yourself. You have no need to worry," he spoke in a soft, even soothing tone and raised a hoof to his chest. "I am Zava, I have brought you to my home to heal you and your friends."

Night eased his muscles a bit, though not entirely. "Where is everypony else? The other bat ponies, the ones that attacked us?"

"I only spotted a few when I came by and rescued you. It seems as if they may have some sort of resistance to my dust potion."

"That fog... that was you, wasn't it?" Night grunted, teeth slightly clenching.

"Yes. I deployed it to put all I could to sleep and save as many as I could," Zava answered, retaining his soft voice but more stoically.

Night jumped up again. "What about Shieldhunter? Duskbloom? Midnight?!"

Zava raised his hoof that forced Night into a silence, a calm one. He then handed over a small wooden cup of a bluish fluid. "The Duskbloom you speak of was not present. Gone."

"He was taken. You took him!" Night growled threateningly.

"A better statement would be... they took him. As I have said previously, I saved as many as I could," Zava said, this time with a sigh.

"And... Shield?" Night's ears began to fall back.

"If he is the white pegasus you speak of, I am afraid I found no life with him."

"What does that mean?!"

"It should be obvious," came a voice from behind.

Night snapped to glance at the red-maned pegasus standing opposite Night with the others in between, having entered from another room. He floated carefully over them to the pegasus' side.

"Zippy!" Night shrieked with surprise. "You're okay!"

"Which part?" Zipline questioned grimly, a tinge of anguish mixed in. "Shield's gone, Captain."

"Please, Zipline, tell me you mean the captured kind..." Night felt his heart begin to tear open within his chest. Surely, he wasn't dead.

Hesitantly, the snow-white pegasus shook his head slowly, his eyes shutting and chin lowering. The cup in Night's hoof fell to the floor, contents spilling out around it near Zipline's hooves. Within seconds of the nonexistent words reaching him, the fanged pegasus found himself in a ball on the table, sniffling and attempting his very hardest not to completely break down in front of the two.

"I would like to give my sincerest condolences. Both of you," Zava bowed his head slowly and respectfully. 

The words offered no comfort, instead breaking the silence as Night himself burst into a wail of sobs. From a defensive captain, right back to a normal, worrisome pony, all within a matter milliseconds, with a zebra and another pegasus observing, one actually showing emotion in his expression.

"No... no. NO!" Night screamed out, his hoof punching into the wood beneath him, yet not damaging it one bit. His sobs continued to fill the air.

Losing a pony to captivity was one thing. Losing a pony altogether was another, especially one Night vowed to protect and ensure their safety while they ensured others theirs. It was devastating enough being put through two major calamities that forever changed his and the rest of his own colony's way of life, and another that was just plain confusing. This, however, topped it all.

By just past dusk, Lodestar had awoken to a similar amount of confusion as everypony else was met with. As he sat up, immediately pain rounded a punch that forced him to lay back down. He groaned audibly, startling Zipline and a distraught Night Shadow, having not budged an inch from the table.

Lodestar glanced around him to the others, primarily Halfmoon, Scarlet, and Stellar, who remained sound asleep. Zava strode up to his side and knelt with a small cup, just slightly larger than a shot glass, holding it close to Lode's muzzle.

"Here, drink this," Zava spoke softly.

The dark cyan pony's eyes moved up to the zebra, soon returning to the cup and parting his lips slightly, leaning forward and taking tiny sips. Half-anticipating a horrid taste, Lodestar found himself with shock that the liquid was soft to his throat and had a taste similar to that of lemon-and-blueberry-infused water, but also with the slight fizz of soda.

His lips quietly clicked as he ran his tongue across them, easing his head back down onto the soft hay when the cup's contents were gone, letting out a much softer groan, this time from a throbbing migraine.

Slowly, Lodestar turned his head, eyes setting on Zipline and Night Shadow. "Did we win?" He smiled weakly.

Zipline took his focus from Night, returning Lodestar a genuine smile. "Hey, you're up," the smile then quickly vanished. "I'm afraid not."

"What..." Lodestar eased himself up onto his elbows, groaning painfully again. "Happened...?"

"You were knocked unconscious," Zava flatly answered. "Strangely enough, you were out long before my dust bombs were released."

"Dust bo—"

"Best not to question it," Zipline cut him off, prompting Lode to ease himself back down.

"Okay..." Lodestar spoke in a half-whisper. "Cap, are you alright?"

Zava and Zipline glanced at Night, the blanket-wrapped stallion swaying back and forth in a gentle rock. Zava returned his gaze to Lodestar.

"He is in distress."

"That's an understatement of the century," Zipline rolled his eyes, stroking a hoof up and down Night's back to ease him down a bit.

Lodestar, from the pile of hay he rested on, cocked his head to the right, this done so he may observe the three above him. He soon began to softly chuckle, putting on a big grin. "Everyone's good, though. Right?"

Zipline frowned with a quiet grunt, ears losing their previous perk. A heavy whimper emanated from Night moments after, Zipline resuming his gentle attempt to calm the distraught pony.

To the side, with a reassuring yet serious look on his face, Zava faced Zipline. "He will not seem like his usual self for the rest of the night."

"Another understatement," grumbled the white pegasus, briefly peering at the zebra stallion.

"The syrup he has ingested will heal his wounds, but at the cost of parts of his brain shutting down," Zava further explained.

"So, his brain will sleep, but he won't?" Zipline blinked.

"Precisely," Zava nodded, turning and moving around the corridor to a shelf of numerous unlabeled vials filled with multicolored liquids, some glowing or bubbling.

Night briefly shivered violently, then sat upright, glancing around him as if he'd come to his realizations. "S-so, Zava..."

"Hmm?" Zava answered from just out of Night's field of view.

"This... place. Everything in it, even the furniture, the medicine... did you make all of this?" Night asked softly, removing the blanket.

"I did, yes. Where I originate, my people set their priorities to connect with nature around us. There, we discover the true keys to survival, where we determine our place in the world. Our parents teach us the basics, we learn the rest, and from that moment on, we lead our own life. So on, and so forth."

Zipline glanced up to Zava as he returned to them. "You are a zebra, obviously. Do you know another named Zecora?"

"I am unfamiliar with her, I am sorry. Where does she reside?"

"Everfree Forest. Near Ponyville, to be more exact. She once locked up the entire town because nopony knew who she was, or where she came from," Zipline motioned his hoof while he answered.

"Zecora still does not ring a bell. Once again, I am sorry. It is possible she comes from a tribe apart from mine, or a different land altogether," Zava responded, picking up a small cluster of mint leaves and bringing them to a pot held over a small flame, mixing them into the contents as they begun to boil.

Night shifted to stand up off of the table, groaning to himself as his muscles ached once more. He managed onto all fours, striding with a slight tremble toward the incrementally-taller zebra stallion. "That aside... what no—"

Down the corridor to the right, a knock came on the wood door. A slow, weak knock at that. The three ponies' and the zebra's ears all pointed up, Zava's head immediately turning with his eyes set in the direction of the door. 

"Wait here," he whispered just audibly to them, setting down a wooden spoon beside the pot, he carefully made his way down the hallway with an eyebrow raised.

Silencing his hoofsteps, Zava stopped at the foot of the door, squinting an eye through a small hole. To his surprise, there in the weak lantern light stood a dark purple thestral in the same armor his unexpected guests wore. Some suspicion built up, only to be topped with a twitch of confidence that this was not an enemy.

Zava slid the three wood locks open, pulling the door inward and stepping to the side as a blustering, snowy breeze blasted inside. "Please, come in, warm yourself up," he said welcomingly with also a tone of concern.

"T-th-thank y-you," shivered the mare, entering the significantly warmer home, built underground with the door situated in a small hole between hills. 

Zava checked the narrow snow-covered landscape outside the door one final time, closing the door and sliding the locks back in place as the storm outside battered against it. He turned around, following the mare inside.

"Your friends are in the back," he spoke softly.

"M-my... friends...?" Midnight Blade snapped to the zebra with wide-eyes and chattering teeth, immediately rushing down the hallway to them.

"Wait! Allow yourself to rest, your blood must warm before you can move like that!" Zava protested, chasing after her.

"Sweet m-mother of Luna!" Midnight screeched for joy, leaping and tackling Night to the ground in a tight embrace.

Grunting as he fell to the hard floor surface, Night shook his head to regain his senses a second time. "Midnight! Where were you?!"

The mare, body ice-cold and shivering, stood back up and yanked Night back to his hooves. "More like, where were all of you? You abandoned me out there!"

"What?" Zipline tilted his head. "No, we didn't!"

"Then what really happened?!" Midnight snapped at him. "Why couldn't I find any of you?!"

"I took them here," Zava stepped in, staring at Midnight before grabbing a blanket to bring to her. "You were nowhere to be found. I assumed I had collected everypony."

Midnight's hoof pushed Zava's away, reluctantly turning down the blanket. "I was a mile away at least. They were everywhere! They were like bees around a nest!"

"While you were a mile away, for Celestia knows why, we were knocked out. We only just woke up," Zipline said. "Zava brought us here during that time. You must have returned afterwards."

Midnight glanced back to Zava from Zipline. "You are Zava, I presume?"

"I am," nodded the zebra.

Midnight moved closer, looking up at him and sighing softly. "Thank you. Thank you for saving them. For a while, I believed I was going to be the only one left alive."

Lodestar burst out into a fit of laughter. "Hahaha! Us, dead? Haha, we're the Zodiacs, we're Luna's guards!" then began to hilariously hum the Lunar Guard tune, prompting Night and Zipline to roll their eyes in annoyance.

Blinking twice, the purple draconic-winged thestral shifted her focus from Lodestar. "What happened to him?"

"Side effects," Night said.

"It should not be much longer until he passes out again," Zava added, proceeding to wrap the wool blanket around Midnight's form. "Now, please, rest. Your body temperature is still dangerously low."
> The Final Straw
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watching over a slumbering Halfmoon rested Night Shadow and Zipline, either one overly concerned for her mental state by the time she does eventually come to. With Duskbloom missing, her reception to the news was sure to be stressful in the long run for all of the Zodiacs, not just herself.

"When do you expect her to wake up?" asked the white pegasus, eyes set on the sleeping thestral mare.

Night's head shook gently. "My hopes are both soon, as well as not until after we are back in Canterlot."

"When will that be?" Zipline glanced at the bat-pegasus to his side.

"Not until tomorrow, most likely. It is imperative that we are certain we will not be attacked a second time. Another ambush such as three days ago would not end well for any of us, not one bit," Night responded with a sigh. "We would be more outnumbered and weaker in our attacks."

"Which is the precise reason I am hoping you do not vacate for one or two more days," the zebra caretaker stated as he entered the room, carrying a tray of warm beverages on his back.

"I'm afraid the sooner we head home, Zava, the better," Night said.

"Gonna have to agree with the Cap on this one. The longer we stay puts you at risk, too," Zipline spoke quietly so as to not wake the others.

"Please, there is no need to fret about me. I can fend for myself. I have for as far back as my memory goes."

"Not when you are well outnumbered," added Zipline. "Against an army such as that, even you do not stand a chance."

"I understand," Zava responded with a gentle nod, holding out the hoof-carved cups to them. "In case you are feeling cold, here."

Taking the cup gently, Night examined its steaming brown bubbly contents. "What is this?"

"Bubbling, liquefied, water-infused cocoa. Or, as it is referred to in modern society, hot cocoa."

"Thank you, Zava," Night nodded with a smile, taking in a whiff, then a cautious sip to taste, as well as avert scalding his tongue.

"Yes, thank you," Zipline said, also taking a sip.

"Do inform me if there is anything off with it. This is one of the first instances that I have prepared it," Zava said, beginning to walk back to the kitchen. "I will be in here if either of you require my assistance."

Taking a second sip, Night's lips smacked as he processed the flavor. "All natural cocoa. Even better than how Buckin Donuts brews it."

"I concur," Zipline replied between another sip, yanking back when the heat got to him, steaming tongue sticking straight out. "Ow! Mah tongue!"


***


Against a whipping breeze swirling down into the gap in the earth, a dark cyan pony peeked just his head outside of the hole in which Zava resided, scanning as much as his gaze could take in from this position.

With confidence that they were alone, cautiously Lodestar started down the snowy dirt path that led out of the roofless tunnel, carrying a still-slumbering Scarlet Iris. Trailing him strode Night Shadow, Zipline, Midnight Blade, and finally, Stellar Star, having gently lifted Halfmoon across his back to carry her away.

Ending the short line followed Zava, dressed in a light brown button-up leather-hide coat, cuffs lined on the sleeves and neck with fur for added warmth. To anypony, he would for sure look like a survivalist in the wilderness.

Night fell behind as the others moved ahead, following a narrow path toward town. He matched the pace of the bulky zebra, walking close to his side.

"I still cannot thank you enough for saving my squad. What you did for us, we owe you big time. I simply do not know—"

"Please," Zava waved a hoof. "Do not repay me. Money has no true significance to zebras like myself, nor is much else. We survive on primarily on instinct and wit. Rewards for my actions, I can assure you, is unnecessary."

"No, no. I insist, Zava," Night turned to him. "We owe you. Or, at least, I do. Please, allow me to repay you some time, once things have settled."

The zebra let out a small, even sigh. "I suppose I must allow you to. Though, once more, it is not necessary."

"Thank you. I appreciate it," Night pursed a genuine smile across his muzzle.

Zava bobbed his head once. "I will do anything for the greater good."

"As will any of us," Night sighed, his smile fading away as an unwanted, haunting image forcefully reentered his mind.

"But not now, because you are hurt, and you will recuperate. It will take much time, even if I were to keep all of you under my watchful eye."

Pushing the injuries aside, Lodestar spoke up from ahead. "You've done what you could, which, believe it or not, is more than the medic's office would do for simply one of us."

This brought chuckles out of those who were conscious, except for Zava. He only nodded.

"It is one day in the near future, I pray, society opens its eyes to simpler solutions of nurturing itself. It is what us zebras have done for centuries on this earth. We spread out to all civilized nations to share our cultures," he then exhaled softly in a sigh.

"We are often declined this opportunity and are shunned away to the wild with our decrepit ways of life, as they are referred to. It is reassuring to learn not all follow similar ideals and understand not every part of your modernized community is beneficial."

"Each and every one of us is thankful for your know-how, Zava," Zipline responded. "The world may seem harsh. Though, in all reality, the world needs poni—zebras—like yourself. Without you, not one of us would still be here breathing."

"That may very well be the truth. Thank you... for believing we have a role in the universe," Zava bobbed his head once. A very discreet smile pursed on his muzzle.

Up ahead, Lodestar came to a stop at the top of a hill, overlooking a clearing where the railroad crossed through, a small train platform just narrowly visible through the forest.

"There it is," he said, the others gathering to his sides.

Zava scanned over the area, determining it was clear. "Let us get you ponies home."


***


At long last, many hours later and just before dusk, the Zodiacs reached Canterlot. The train they boarded sat vacant throughout the entire journey, from tender to caboose.

Now for sure in the clear of any proper enemy, each pony took a relieved breath, one that steamed in the frigid early-winter air.

However, while it was out of the majority's concern, Night sat alone with the idea of having to explain their earlier-than-planned return. In no conceivable way should it go down well with Princess Luna, nor with any princess in general, or other fellow high-ranking officials. This meant war.

Nonetheless, what was coming had no aversion. It will begin the instance someone learns of somepony's presence when they should be back in Hollow Shades. Of course, excuses could be made, though the consequences far outweighed those of telling the truth. Maybe.

At the Palace, the squad separated, each returning to their quarters, alternatively bringing whomever had not yet awoken with them. Night proceeded to his personal space, lighting the room with a few candles scattered around rather than turning on the lights.

As oddly as it felt, Night was home. It occurred to him that the events may have transpired far differently, and he might not have made it out with his life. Yet, he knew well that one pony did not, and likely more that he could not be aware of.

With the final candle lit, Night placed it directly in the center of the room on the cold cobble floors. He turned slowly and faced the wall of windows stretching from the ceiling down.

He gently shut his eyelids, front side shining weakly against the outside light of the city through the glass before him. Flickering glows from the candles danced behind him, forming a soothing climate that was sure to relax his body and rid it of physical pain.

A hurt remained in his chest, a pulsating anguish that refused to leave him be. It was the image that would forever scar Night's soul, more than any devastating incident to ever affect him.

He felt failure. The deficiency of his ability to lead all of his ponies home safe and sound. Two were no longer under his command, two ponies he believed he could have exchanged his own life for. Rather, one did, and the other was nabbed without a trace.

More so, he felt helpless to alter the outcome. Without a clue of where to initiate a search, they were far from any sort of rescue operation, if one could be successfully carried out. To his knowledge, his captured guard may no longer be alive, and to think of that as a possibility simply further worsened the ache in his heart.

Yet, atop the cruelness of the relived event, a chest-burning loathe ignited. His veins tightened, mind focusing primarily on the army of thestrals that ambushed them and took not just Shieldhunter and Duskbloom, but also Norealis' soldiers that, now with thought put into the concept, had to have been also kidnapped long before the attack.

Bottled fury surged in his heart, destroying any inhibition previously residing in his mind. Now, there was only one thing Night could think of.

Revenge.
> Stressless Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A punching bag suspended by a chain from the ceiling of the workout center jolted back and forth in an unrelenting pounding it had been receiving for well over twenty minutes. Beneath it shifted around a flame-faced grey pegasus, refusing any sort of mercy to the bulky sack, dealing substantial blows only with his forehooves.

Between punches, the golden-eyed pony narrowed on to the target, allowing it to slow its rocking, only to leap again and toss more solid hits against the poor punching bag. All of this done to strengthen his stamina, as well as sharpen his mind.

No other soul occupied the room this late at night. Not even fellow Lunar guards, this proving to be much to Night's alleviation. Quite frankly, in his current state, the final thing he wished to be concerned for were other ponies on the receiving end of his anger.

Fast-paced breaths shot from his nostrils, heart pumping with adrenaline while he exchanged the punching bag for an image of a captured enemy. For a pony much like himself to be against most forms of torture, all mind on his personal beliefs now rested in a shrub outside.

Behind a cloth in his mouth, the figure let out painful muffled screams and cries, all begging for Night to stop. Bruises and cuts dotted the pony's torso from his neck down, all caused by the intense beating the stallion was giving him.

Gradually, the hooves thrown grew harder and stronger, forcing the punching bag backwards further. Its returning swings were countered by more blows, none of which granted the opportunity to strike Night in return, not even lightly.

The chained-up pony whimpered and sobbed, only barely able to gather enough energy to merely wriggle in the steel bindings around his hooves, keeping him in prime position for his captor's tenacious blows directly into his gut.

Oblivious to reality, the louder his captive whined and screeched, the stronger the fierce flame of hatred burned in his chest. Atop the jabbing pain this fire blazed, encumbering any prior emotion altogether. 

At last, his hoof, sore from the rapid beating it gave the sack, arced with pain. Night ousted a yelp, one that brought him from the dungeon into the gym. He drew away from the punching bag, eyeballing it as it swayed gently, eventually coming to a halt in mid air.

Night shifted his gaze down to his inflamed limb, resting it in his left hoof while he examined it. He held it against his chest, teeth grit gently as the pain subsided. One final glance was given to the evidently-undamaged leather sack, before he turned away and moved steadily over to a refrigerated vending machine.

Feeding the rectangular machine with a couple of bits, Night pressed one of the buttons with the wrong hoof, wincing again and jerking that arm back. He observed the steel spring within gradually pushing a cold bottle of water near the edge of the shelf—only for it to lean over and become stuck in a leaning position against the glass.

His ears no longer perked, instead lowering just slightly. A soft breath released, steaming up against the glass. Night proceeded to leave the machine, heading back to the gym for another lengthy round on the innocent punching bag.

Except, he was not willing to let the money go to waste. He spun back around and charged the vending machine from the side, practically tackling it to the ground with a loud metallic crash, the window on the front side shattering upon impact across the tiled hallway floor. Inside, the light gradually flickered out. Success.

Hopping down from the now-broken dispenser, he reached a hoof through the former glass pane, plucking out the water bottle the monster of a machine refused to give him.

Night grasped the top of the bottle, pulling up on the cap to open it, then taking a long, soothing gulp of the icy drink, ultimately quenching his thirsty, dry throat.

Having guzzled down half of the bottle in mere seconds, Night pressed the cap shut, moving to step forth but only to pause and lower his hoof. Carefully he examined the puddle of broken glass shards scattered across the floor quite nearly surrounding him. Now he was thankful nopony had been around to witness his outburst on the vending machine.

He flapped his wings lightly, lifting a few inches off of the floor and floating over the sharp pieces safely. With no way of being able to clean up the mess, he would be forced to leave it to the next janitor inspection, thus returning to the boxing-tool room.

Night placed the water bottle on a wood bench, exchanging it for a small white cloth to wipe beads of sweat from his forehead, taking a brief minute to rest and another long drink.

Back on all fours, he strode up to a different bag, this one slightly larger and weighed more than the first. He positioned himself, rearing up on his hinds and springing back his right limp, thrusting it forward into the bag—and is immediately met with an exploding cramp, forcing out an agonizing cry as he is reminded of the new injury on his hoof.

"Who's in there?" Came a booming voice from down the hall, followed by the shaking thumps of hoofsteps. A red muzzle peeked through the door, eyes scanning about the room briefly before spotting the source of the cry. "Night Shadow!"

Night spun with surprise, blinking thrice. "Paladin!" he squeaked out, grasping his trembling hoof with the other.

The large red pegasus wiggled his way through the door, just narrowly fitting with his enormous form, only to stand at full height once through. He stared down at Night with a look of concern. "I did not expect you to be here. More so, I did not anticipate your trip to have ended so soon."

Night grunted softly, hoping to keep the details vague. "Yeah, well, things happen," he muttered just audibly and focused back on the punching bag, preparing to hit again—only to stop and use his other hoof.

Redflare cocked his head to the side. "I can also make the assumption that the vending machine was also your doing. What happened? Have you been hurt?"

"It was an accident, and nothing more," Night responded with lackluster, continuing to punch the sack with his one hoof.

The larger stallion in the room gave a benevolent stare, leaning down to Night and reaching a hoof out. "Here, allow me."

Night paused, grimacing sharply at Red. "No, leave it be. It will be fine."

Redflare drew his hoof away. "Is something wrong, Night?"

A loud smack as his sole hoof crashed into the punching bag. "Yes, a lot is wrong, but I am working it out. Now, please, leave me alone."

"Why are you acting like this?" Redflare frowned lowly.

"Why does it matter this much to you?" Night retorted, resuming his attacks on the larger bag and gradually working his left hoof to bruising as well.

"I have some mild concerns for your attitude, Night. Obviously, it is leading me to believe there is something you are keeping from me."

"Oh yeah? What else is new?" Night mumbled out.

"What is wrong? This is not how you typically act. First, you destroy an inanimate object, then you hurt yourself on a punching bag, and now, you are aggressive with me for no real reason!" Redflare raised his voice, it echoing around them. The room itself was gradually warming up as well.

A final, devastating blow was given to the punching bag, the chain snapping and leather tearing, allowing some of its interior contents to spill across the floor. Night's body moved with heavy breathing, his head snapping back and up to the larger pegasus.

"Tell me this. Have you lost ponies before?"

Redflare blinked, bewildered. "Why is that—"

"Have you met somepony who has lost other ponies before?" Night cut him off.

"Many times. What does this have to—"

"Did you constantly nag at them until they broke down and told you everything? Did you annoy them to the point of fracture?!"

"Night! What is the meaning of any of this?!"

"Why did I even bother to trust you? Why did I allow you into my life and career this quickly to where if I choose to avoid a conversation, that you feel the need to bug me until I tell you what's what?!" Night screeched out.

"Night..."

"Don't you 'Night' me! Don't you 'Captain' me, either! I am no one to you, and you are no one to me! You will respect that, whether or not you enjoy it!" He snapped.

Redflare's ears pinned to his head. His maw sat partially open, though no words came out. It had been as if Night drove a giant sword through his chest.

Night panted softly, body practically boiling with the combined anger. The flame in his eyes even startled Red, despite being the significantly larger one of the duo.

"You are nopony to me. I do not have to care for what you believe about me, and I certainly do not have to give any damn about you."

"I... came here to work out, like I do a-all the time..." Redflare trembled. His voice was weak and low. "I-I just—"

"Hmm? You just... what?" Night glared up at him.

"I-I..."

"Leave."

Redflare jumped slightly, resting back on his haunches from recoiling so much. He slowly nodded, standing up and leaving as quietly as he could.

Night intensely watched the large pegasus disappear into the hallway, the distant doors creaking as they shut in his wake, and the shaking of the ground fading the further he distanced.

His eyes glassed up, tears faintly sitting in the ducts of his lids. In Night's chest rapidly beat his heart. With every pulse it gave, the larger the ache became.

Slowly, he glanced in the direction of a tall mirror on the wall, languorously striding closer and looking himself in the eye. The fury at last dissipated. In its place, sorrow. 

Night steadily raised a trembling hoof, pressing it to his chest. "What have I become?"


***


With a white hood shadowing much of his face, Night glanced up to the a sign plastered on a brick-and-wrought iron corner structure, reading the name, The Royal Unicorn Alehouse. 

He lowered the hood on his way between doors, situated just a few feet below ground level. Having inconspicuously walked across town, he now felt the security needed to comfortably drink in peace, and possibly destroy his liver in the process.

No mind was paid to the few strange looks he received from some of the rougher-seeming, older ponies inhabiting the place, as to be expected with pubs across Canterlot.

Night climbed himself on to a bar stool, leaning against the fine cherry wood and whistling softly to the bartender, cleaning out a shot glass held in a magical grasp and standing further near an array of alcoholic beverages in their glass bottles. 

The stockier pony strode up to Night, taking a somewhat exhausted appearance with narrowly-visible wrinkles and sagging eyelids. Overall, he still was not that old of a pony. Perhaps in his late thirties or mid forties.

"What can I get ya?" asked the mahogany stallion, turning to some of the dispensers and grabbing down a taller glass mug from a see-through cabinet.

"Cider for now, please. Light."

"Comin' right up," he responded, pressing a lever atop the head of the dispenser, filling the mug with a fizzy, golden liquid that topped off with two inches of white bubbles having gathered from the bottom, straight from barrels in the back delivered from Ponyville's finest orchard.

The bartender looped around, sliding the mug across to Night, who raised it gently in thanks, before taking a reluctant sip. Initially, the taste left a lingering aroma that forced a shiver down his spine, ruffling his wings. On the second swig, perfection. Just the precise balance of apple and alcohol. With just a few more cups, he would be well under the influence.

Steadily his gulps grew larger. In two brief minutes, that glass now sat empty near the bartender's side of the counter. A second was ordered with quick response. Now, Night paced his drinking to savor the cider, simultaneously attempting to douse the perception stabbing at his emotion. A temporary solution to a likely permanent mental obstacle.

His gaze wandered to the left, eyeballing a pair of scruffy construction workers staring silently at him. Out of everypony, they appeared to enjoy examining him as if he is some sort of threat to them for what ever reason. Night blinked slowly, and in that instant, the workers returned to their prior conversation.

At the door, a hanging bell rung as it swung open. Oblivious to Night, in strolled a duo of armored stallions, both grey but of opposite race. One a pegasus, the other a unicorn. Solely the unicorn wore a helmet, the pegasus with an armor collar similar to that of the lower section of a helmet, but utilized as a collar. Both respectfully chatted, approaching the bar from behind.

Night once more glanced to the left, the guards taking seats one down from Night. The unicorn placed his helmet off to the side on the polished wooden surface, running a hoof across the top of his silver mohawk mane to straighten it.

Upon closer inspection, his voice, mane, even his physical form, and the pegasus with him. Both were startlingly familiar.

"Thunder, Sharp!" Night came to realization. Evidently, out loud.

Both guards faced Night, the pegasus leaning back to peek past the unicorn. They smiled.

"Hey, Night! Didn't expect to see you here," the pegasus, Thunderblast, spoke up.

Night jumped in surprise and faced forward, pupils shrunk to pinpricks. This wasn't what I wanted, he mentally smacked himself.

A deep, exhausted sigh let out, though softly. The darker-shaded, smaller pony put on a fake smile. "Hey, guys."

"We thought you were in Hollow Shades," the lighter pegasus, Thunderblast, added.

"Evidently not," Sharp kept his grin. Immediately he noted the brief disappearance of Night's smile. "What's the matter?"

Thunder caught on as well, his smirk vanishing. "Is something wrong, Night?"

"I don't know, Thunder. A lot... has happened in the past week," he responded, again mentally smacking himself for his brutally-honest self.

"Well, do you want to talk about it?"

Night took a gentle sip of his drink. "Another time."

Thunder nodded in understanding. "Of course."

"How... many drinks have you had?" Sharp furrowed his brow, giving a look of concern.

"This is my second, thank you very much," Night lowly replied, his body notably drooping into the counter top. A small belch managed itself out.

"Are you... are you depressed, Night?" Sharp's eyes and ears perked, as did Thunder's.

"I don't know what I am anymore, to be quite frank with you guys," Night mumbled out. 

A silence followed. A lengthy one, too. Night turned toward his buddies slowly.

"I need some advice," he added.

"Ask away. We're willing to help any way we can," Thunder said, Sharp nodding at that.

Another deep sigh, then a single bob of his head. "I fought with somepony, someone I thought of as a friend. I hurt them. I hurt them badly. I snapped on them and said so many things that I not once believed I could even conjure up. He is still around, I'm sure, although he will want to avoid me at all costs."

"Who is—"

"Not going that far. Advice. Now. Please."

"All right. What did you say?" Sharp questioned.

"Too much," Night's gaze moved to the counter, slowly blinking.

"That bad, huh? Okay. Did you mean any of it?"

Night shook his head, trailing another quiet moment.

"Is he somepony known to forgive?"

"I don't know. I don't even know him that well outside of a few encounters. Even if he is, would he accept my apology?"

"There's only one way to find out, Night," Sharp stoically said, putting on a serious facial expression.

Night's golden eyes moved up to the larger unicorn that seemingly loomed over him now. Both ears pinned to his head, chin flat on the counter.

"I can't do it now. I need... I need to give it time."

Both Thunder and Sharp nodded understandingly. "As long as it is in the near future."

"There's simply too much stress for the moment," Night mumbled, sitting up and finishing his cider in a large gulp.

"Well, you know we are always here to help. What ever you need, Night, we will follow those orders," Sharp said reassuringly.

Thunder smiled warmly. "Yeah. Remember, Night, you're a captain. You lead us, too."
> Home Stretch
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lying flat on his stomach, muzzle buried into a pillow, Night emanated deep, muffled groans. Seven o'clock had not yet come, and he already found himself in bed. I just had to have that fifth cider, he muttered and mentally slapped himself. Even that hurt.

He winced at a sudden sharp, pounding migraine, only to momentarily-later realize somebody was actually at the door. He raised his muzzle just enough to uncover his mouth.

"Who is iiiit?" Night groaned out, head crashing back down.

"Cap, you have to come! They're waking up!" Lodestar called from outside the door.

Night's eyes shot wide open. Neglecting his head-and-stomachache, he leaped up and was at the door in seconds, opening it to meet a panting cyan stallion, having galloped this far to reach him.

"All of them?"


***


Inside the Zodiac quarters, Zipline stood in the jam of the door, carefully observing, while Midnight Blade sat beside Stellar Star's bed, running a hoof down his arm gently. The poor stallion had woken up in a shock minutes prior and still heaved for air.

"Easy. Easy, buddy. You're safe. We are all safe," Midnight spoke softly, attempting to calm him.

Bursting through the door down the hall, Night Shadow came barreling to Zipline, who snapped in his direction with surprise. Behind him strode a half-exhausted Lodestar, leaning against the wall to catch his breath a second time.

"Captain!" Zipline clicked his hooves together at attention stance.

"At ease, we're off-duty," Night hurriedly said. "Talk to me, Zippy."

The red-maned pegasus relaxed himself. "See for yourself, sir."

Night turned slowly, entering through the door. He peered around, a grieving look plastered across his face. His gaze swept across three thestrals, two still nestled into their designated beds.

He immediately noticed the effort Midnight Blade was and is continuing to put in to aiding Stellar, and moved toward them.

The panicked stallion's lime eyes shifted to the approaching superior, his muscles prominently constricting. "C-Captain!"

Midnight glanced over her shoulder, moving to attention, only to be stopped by Night with a hoof on her shoulder.

"Mind if I...?"

"Be my guest," Midnight nodded, taking a few steps away and making room for Night.

His golden gaze focused on the quivering thestral, bringing himself to the bedside, attempting to show a sort of cordiality. Night was his captain, but at the time, he could be a friend. One to be there in Stellar's current distress.

"S-sir," Stellar sputtered out. "I-I, I'm sorr—"

Night lifted a hoof and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I insist."

Instantaneously, Stellar went utterly silent. From his posture, one could effortlessly make out just how rapid his heartbeat was. He knew he was safe, out of the elements and home in Canterlot. It was just that one part of his mind that told him otherwise.

"I am not going to yell, I promise," Night kept his hoof up, a gesture of this promise to be kept. "You are not alone in this."

A soft groan emanated from behind, catching everybody's attention. Night peered over his shoulder at the bed parallel to Stellar's, blinking twice as Halfmoon begun to stir.

A pair of emerald slit-pupils came into view beneath fluttering eyelids, the greyish-blue mare steadily rose, outstretching her fores with a second groan. Within seconds, recognition of the moments before passing out for Luna knows how long came dashing around.

Her head snapped to the nearest pony, Midnight Blade. "Where's Dusk?!" she gasped out, scanning frantically all around the room.

Not one response followed. Every pony in the room now appeared to face away, or stare at her, even more worried than just seconds ago.

Halfmoon's panic almost immediately transformed into fury, her icy glare leaving no soul spared. In a far more deadlier tone, she repeated.

"Where is Duskbloom?!"

"ICU!"

All eyes focused then on Midnight. Now she regretted opening her mouth.

"He's in... Intensive Care Unit. He will be okay!" She reluctantly continued.

"Which hospital?" Halfmoon calmly asked.

"Canterlot General," Lodestar responded, everyone now turning to him.

Halfmoon pushed the bed sheets off of her lower half, hopping out of bed onto all fours. "When will I be able to see him?"

"Not... for some time," he replied, mentally grunting.

"How much time?"

"They did not say!" he yelled out, then quickly shut his maw. "All the doctors said was it could be a week... or two."

"A week?!" Halfmoon screeched out.

"Or two!" Lodestar added again.

The greyish-blue thestral sighed, resting her rump on the bed's side. "How bad was it?"

"Very," Night Shadow replied from next to Stellar, having not moved much. "We lost Shield."

Halfmoon blinked. "You're joking."

Night frowned slightly, gently shaking his head. Halfmoon's tufted ears drooped, gaze briefly scanning the floor near her hinds.

"He... died?"

"In m-my hooves..."

Multiple breaths caught, all now staring at Scarlet Iris, staring upwards with a narrow stream of tears running down her upper cheek.

Night stood, racing to her side around Halfmoon's bed, kneeling beside Scarlet. His heart pumped quicker than ever while one hoof took hers. 

"I-I couldn't save him. I didn't... I never h-had the training to handle that type of injury," she whimpered softly, using her other hoof to wipe off stinging tears.

"And y-yet, he saved my life. Had he n-not seen the arrow coming, it would have been me, and not him..."

All had gathered in a more open circle around her, including Stellar and Halfmoon.

"Why couldn't I-I do more? Why, Captain?" her head turned on the pillow, a pair of red, glassy eyes meeting the gold of Night's.

"We all..." Night inhaled sharply. "We all wish we could have done something. We were... severely limited in what we could do. Against that force, we were far outnumbered."

"What... even happened?" Halfmoon asked from behind.

"Yeah... who—or what—saved us?" Stellar cocked his head.

"That is an explanation for later," Night turned his gaze to them, but remained knelt and holding Scarlet's hoof tightly. "All of you need to eat. Go eat."


***


While he strode toward the office of Fallen Star, carrying a backlog of reports that had piled up in his mailbox, Night stared forth blankly. His eyes lacked their usual golden luster, partially bloodshot due to lack of sleep in recent nights. It was almost as if the color had been drained, sucked out with a vacuum tube.

Groggily, yet wistfully, he slowly blinked, gaze set on the red carpet in front yet not focused on anything in particular, entirely zoned out and unaware of his surroundings, apart from his sense of direction and where to turn.

It may as well been minutes until Night realized he had not moved at all, and was suspended mid-air in a blue, sparkly aura of magic, holding him at least ten feet off the ground, and yet was still walking. Moonwalking.

Reflexively, he entered a brief state of panic, only to spot a mischievous Luna on the floor below, the source of the magic.

"Put me down, Luna," he flatly said, making no attempt of escape.

"Thou is back early! Thou neglected to visit thy princess, we are most upset!"

A sigh followed, Night rubbing his forehead gently. "I've lost track of time. I am sorry, Luna."

Gradually, the night alicorn lowered Night to the floor, approaching slowly. "With a workload such as that, one can comprehend. I understand."

"It's been... a long week, to say the le—"

"How was your team bonding exercise?" Luna cut in.

Night's blood ran cold. "What?"

"How did it go?" Princess Luna smiled warmly. "If that is what your outing was about."

"Oh," Night breathed a mental sigh of relief. She still did not know, which was good. To him, that is. "Exhausting."

Luna nodded slowly. "But, it went well?"

Night nodded in return. "Yes, Luna."

"This makes me happy to hear. I will not question your early return. However, I do have new information that we believed you must be enlightened on as soon as possible."

Night yawned quietly. "Is it crucial, or may I deliver these reports to the Captain's office beforehand?" he tiredly grinned.

Luna smiled again. "Join me, as well as my sister, in my personal study. We will share tea, and it will be in private. Just the three of us."

His eyes widened slightly at the mention of Celestia being there, too. Nevertheless, he agreed with a simple nod.

"We shall see you there, Night Shadow," Luna took a few steps back, only to disappear in a burst of magical energy.


***


Delivering the reports, and even reluctantly gulping a shot of espresso to wake himself up for their meeting, Night approached the doors of Luna's quarters, nodding to the guards and granting him entrance.

He entered the night princess' room, leaving no second wasted and heading for the rounded staircase that would lead to her highness' secluded study, up one floor.

Before his hoof would reach the wall to knock, the door jarred open, lighting up in the same blue magic that briefly held him captive a half hour ago. He gently pushed inward, ensuring to seal off the room behind him prior to entering.

As expected, Luna sat rather snugly on a cushion of her preference, adjacent to a significantly-taller, white with multi-color mane alicorn, Princess Celestia. Spotting her prompted Night to bow respectfully, in which it was received with two near-synchronized giggles.

"I told you, dear sister. He is quite the gentlecolt," Luna spoke with a grin.

"That he is, Luna," Celestia gave that warm, genuine smile that all knew well. "Night Shadow, it is nice to see you again."

Night stood upright, nodding his head in a slight bow. "Likewise, your highness."

"Please, Night, take a seat, drink some tea, and have some cookies. We seemed to have baked, er... a tad... too much," she levitated up a rather-full plate of chocolate chip cookies, stacked in a pile shape Night was not previously sure would be physically possible to achieve.

"Of course, Luna," he nodded again, pacing steadily to the alicorn sisters and proceeding to sit on a third cushion set out for him in advance.

In a magical grasp, a simple white teacup held itself just in front, in which he took in his hooves and holding properly, followed by a matching pot that tipped slightly, pouring piping brownish liquid into the cup, just narrowly short of filling to the very top.

"Thank you," he smiled to Luna while she took the pot away. She returned the smile, refilling her sister's cup in the meantime.

"I suppose, now that you are here, we can get down to business at last," Celestia said, sounding rather relaxed in her tone, one even Night was not accustomed to.

"Yes, of course," Luna responded, turning to Night. "Regarding your colony, Night, we would very much like to speak before them."

Blowing softly on to the tea to cool it, Night nodded once. "I believe that may provide comfort," he said, beginning to sip the beverage cautiously.

"On site, in Batsburg," Luna added matter-of-factly.

Night's eyes shot open, dropping the cup in his hooves and quite nearly spitting. His cheeks puffed out as he caught the tea, just before he could unintentionally spray Celestia, and gulped it down and exhaling sharply. "What?"

"With the unprecedented eruption now over, and the threat of raining ash and toxic clouds having passed, we have determined that a trip is to be made, allowing them to return to their homes and commence the process of cleaning up and rebuilding," Luna continued, taking small sips of her tea.

Celestia nodded, smile faded as she focused on Night. "The ponies of your race, while they are very much grateful for the hospitality of Canterlot's citizens, as well as other surrounding communities, they are all very much homesick, and questions have been asked about just when they will be allowed to return home."

Night set the teacup down on a cup saucer with a soft clink, wiping down some of his mouth from small bits of the drink that escaped his lips. "It is for sure safe?"

"With some precautionary measures, yes. Foals and the elderly will be required to wear masks, as well as extras provided for those who may need them. I understand that even after the sky is clear, the dust can still work its way into the lungs," Celestia replied.

"Though trust between your colony and Equestria is higher than the years before reunification, and possibly of all time, we feel it is necessary to show your fellow thestrals that we as a country are here for them, and that we will help them through this tough time," Luna said, stoic-toned.

"On my behalf, it is much appreciated," Night nodded once. "This news will most certainly relieve them as a whole."

"It will," Celestia smiled again, albeit weakly. "As said before, both Luna and myself will be going, bringing along a small protection detail. We believe it is right that you are a part of her escort for this trip."

"Thank you, your highness," Night returned the smile. "How many per detail?"

"Two per will suffice. All will be pegasi for pulling the chariots," Celestia's head slightly cocked. "Have you flown my sister on her chariot before?"

Night shook his head. "I have not."

"Then it is soon in which you will," Luna smiled as well. "We shall leave it to your decision for a second accompanying guard."

"Of course. Thank you, Luna. How long do we have?"

"One week is the set date. Between now and then, we will notify your colony of this news," she answered, taking a final sip of tea.

"Right. I will brief the Zodiacs on this, and will choose a wingpony," Night nodded, then saluted. "I will not let either of you down."

Luna and Celestia chuckled at the salute, Celestia responding. "I would not expect you to."

Night lowered his hoof, smiling. "I will get to work as soon as possible, your highnesses."

"Very well," Luna nodded. "You are dismissed."

Night stood slowly. "Thank you for the tea."

"Oh, that is nothing. But, I insist, you must take some of these cookies!" the night alicorn decreed, outreaching a hoof.

"No, thank you, Luna. I am on a sweet-free diet. Can't chase criminals with a stomach to drag—"

"Nonsense!" Luna said, already dumping half of the plate into a pastry tin, filling it up entirely. "Share them with your ponies, if you would like."

Night rolled his eyes, taking the tin in a hoof. "Thank you. I'm sure they will love these," he then smiled, nodding to them both. "Keep me updated, Princesses."

"You as well," Celestia smiled, sipping her tea and watching Night go.

Nodding a final time, Night strode to the door, exiting through the hole and closing it behind him, sealing the wall as if there was no door there at all. From there, he made his way downstairs.

On his way out of Luna's quarters, Night shifted his mind to the task. The briefing would most certainly have to be today, he decided. The sooner his squad knew, the faster he could work with assigning somepony to accompany him.

But, one thing rested atop his mind. A nagging thought that distracted him over all else. It forced a disturbed frown out of him as he moved down the open hallway.

"Your race?" He muttered, quoting Celestia. "Is that how we are seen?"


***


"All right. Earlier this afternoon, I sat down with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, both having requested my presence in private. It has been brought to my attention that in one week, both princesses are planning a trip out west, to my colony," he trailed off rather starkly. 

"As many of you are likely aware, it has recently been ravaged by a series of volcanic eruptions, and only just lately has been deemed safe to return. Their intention is to accompany my fellow ponies back home to clean up the damage done over the course of two weeks.

"Because of this, Luna has ordered I bring along one pegasus to pull her chariot alongside, all the way to Batsburg. It's about a one, to one-and-a-half-thousand-mile flight, mind you. Breaks will be taken every so often, as well."

Night then turned to his fellow thestrals, the three from his home. "Wingpony included, and I know neither of you will say no, I would like for you three to come with us, either with the chariot or with the citizens, who will be shuttled in by train."

"Damn right, none of us will say no," Eventide said. "Any chance to go home is one we'll take."

Night smiled faintly. "That's what I like to hear," he straightened his back and stood up out of the chair at the table.

"Skye, you will be my wingpony on the chariot. Have you any experience with pulling the Princess?"

Skye nodded. "Yes, sir. Just a bit."

Night nodded back. "Just a bit is good enough for me. This will be a first for myself. The rest of you, those of you remaining in Canterlot, you are to resume your assigned duties, and while we are gone, Lieutenant Silent Knight will take command over the Zodiacs."

"Just where is Captain Angel Beats, sir?" Zipline asked.

"Seeing as she is absent a decent ninety-percent of the time, there is no chance of her taking command this time around. Any further questions?" Night glanced around the room.

No further words were said, or asked.

"Good. 'Til the end of the week, all are to continue your shifts like clockwork. Clear?"

"Yes, sir," all responded together.

"Perfect. All of you are dismissed."

At his word, every pony in the room stood up, filing out of the meeting room. Night remained to gather some papers and neatly organize them before taking them back to his quarters, only to glance up and spot Lodestar circling the table to him.

"Yes, Sergeant?" Night questioned, tidying the pile in his hooves with a couple of taps on the table with the flat sides.

"What is the plan, Cap?" Lodestar asked in a far quieter tone, nearly whispering as he stood in front of Night.

"The plan?" Night blinked. "You should have asked when everypony—"

"Eventide doesn't know. Neither does Stormfire. As far as I am concerned, it is nopony's business outside of us who went through what we did back in Hollow Shades," Lodestar sternly responded.

Night placed the paper pile on the table surface, eyeballing the dark cyan earth pony. "This matter is not a topic that should be kept a secret, Lode, or else everypony will lose trust. My trust. Your trust. Is that something you want to happen?"

"As of right now, Zipline and I both concur that, until a plan of attack is conceived, it shall remain under wraps between you and I, or all three of us."

"I am not comfortable with that, Sergeant," Night raised his voice slightly, no longer whispering. "If the slightest leak is made, controversy will explode within the Guard—"

"Forget that, Cap," Lodestar cut in a second time. "What is the plan?"

Night stopped, deeply sighing. "When I go to Batsburg, I will discuss it between myself and the Legion. Princess Luna will not know. It will be done, hopefully, while she is sleeping, and Celestia will be busy with other things. Apart from that, I have not thought much of it."

Lodestar nodded. "Well, let me know, Cap, 'cause this ain't fading out. I refuse to let them get away with this."

Night bobbed his head in a nod. "Neither will I," he raised a hoof up to the stallion's shoulder. "I promise, we will give them the revenge they deserve, with or without anypony's support."

"I hope so," Lodestar responded stoically, gently removing Night's hoof. He grimly stared at the Captain, before turning and heading for the door.
> Relations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The obnoxious ringing of an alarm clock, vibrating steadily closer to the edge of his bedside table, woke Night startlingly. Eyes wide and bloodshot, he reached a hoof from beneath the warm covers to tap the clock's metallic button, silencing it after a migraine-inducing minute of ringing, a sound that echoed in his ears for another few more minutes while he remained in bed.

Yawning deeply, yet silently, he forced himself into movement and lifting out of the comfort of his sheets. He blinked slowly, groggily strolling into the bathroom to prepare for the lengthy day ahead.

Throughout the longer-than-average shower, the lights stayed off, saving him the pain of adjusting to sudden brightness. Without windows anywhere in the room, and with the door shut, the bathroom remained in a pitch-black state while Night soaked beneath steamy water. Though, to him, the room had just enough light, equal to that of a small plug-in light.

Having dried himself off, as well as tidied up his mane and brushed his teeth, Night strode around his bed to a tall wardrobe, unhooking a set of dress armor—the type for occasions such as these escort trips outside of Canterlot—and donning it proudly following some thorough examinations.

As stressful as the past week had been in terms of planning the flight path, as well as securing both Luna and Celestia a place for lodging, himself and Skye included, and Celestia's guard detail, he could only hope it would pay off as well as he and everypony else involved anticipate.

Through multiple letters in advance, he informed his parents and sister that before all others, they would set off for the ravaged town. In spite of waking early, no time could be set aside to visit ahead of the daylong journey, a thought that did not rest easy in Night's mind.

On top of that, part of the task included keeping the press from discovering the surprise trip, one he found to be the most difficult of all. The sudden re-migration of his colony was bound to fall under suspicion by many around Canterlot. 

While neither princesses admittedly disliked the paparazzi, the effort of searching for a scoop in the local newspaper or magazine would not go undaunted. This only prompted their departure to be set for this early in the morning, ascertaining few ponies will be awake to witness both royal chariots taking to the skies, more so the darkness of predawn providing extra security against detection.

An hour before dawn, he locked up his apartment for the final time over the course of the next four days, then headed off into the darkened hallways to meet up with his wingpony.


***


Through cold corridors and striding down flights of stairs leading underground, Night emerged into the Hangar, an underground attaching facility of the Canterlot Palace.

When expansion came to the city many decades prior, long before even his parents had come in to the world, little space had become available to store Celestia's chariot, as well as Luna's to keep preserved throughout her prolonged banishment. 

During this time, architectural and technological advancement exploded across Equestria, and eventually, construction began on a steel-and-concrete basement within the Canterlot Overhang, an anvil-shaped rock formation in which the Palace and parts of the city sat on. 

This basement later became the primary landing site for the princesses' chariots, including maintenance, and everything to keep their sole mode of transport in their best shape.

Approaching a dark blue and purple chariot, a pair of thestral or draconic-stylized winglets on the lower edge designed as an added step for climbing in, Night stopped beside a silver-grey stallion, facing the seemingly-distant bay doors of the Hangar. Alike a statue he stood, positioned in front of the chariot in hitching preparation.

Leaning slightly closer, he cleared his throat. The other pegasus flinched with surprise, head snapping in Night's direction. Immediately he jumped into attention stance, hoof raised in a salute. "Captain!"

Night grinned, albeit more tiredly than usual. "At ease. Why so hard, Skye?"

Skye Racer relaxed his muscles. "My apologies, Captain. I was simply waiting for—"

"Don't worry about it, please," Night gestured. "I trust you are locked and braced?"

"Sir?" Skye blinked thrice.

"For the flight, of course."

"Oh! Yes, sir. More than ever."

"Excellent," Night nodded once, glancing ahead of them and examining a pair of ponies off to the side, in the workshop.

"You know, sir, I have never been out west before," Skye began. "Where is... this place we are headed? I have not spotted it on any map."

"It is just east of Vanhoover, in the sky like Cloudsdale if you have ever been, but smaller. Since Luna's return, they've expanded under Equestrian funding to bring us bat ponies up to speed with the rest of the world, if you catch my drift."

Skye's brow furrowed, his ice blue eyes gazing over Night from ear to hoof and back briefly. "Yet after all of these years, I could still be effortlessly convinced you're from elsewhere, if I was not already made aware of your, um... fangs."

Night chuckled. "For a while, we were convinced my parents weren't actually my parents. Countless failed DNA examinations later, one finally came through, confirming all what we wanted to hear."

"That they are your parents?" Skye smiled.

Night nodded, too smiling. "Exactly."

"Raises a lot of questions, though. Did any of your ancestors happen to be pegasi?"

Night's smile faded, he briefly pondered the thought. "You know, I have no clue. Nopony's ever mentioned it before."

Skye glanced at Night, concerned. "Perhaps soon would be a decent time to ask. Whether or not you do, someone would otherwise know."

"I will," Night turned, eyeballing Skye gently. "Another time, though. My parents have enough to be stressed about for the time being."

"I can imagine," Skye nodded. "Leaving home is to—"

"Attention! Princesses on deck!"

At the booming announcement through overhead speakers, all in the room stopped what they were doing and snapped to attention stance, Night and Skye included.

Through a larger corridor, a far different one than what Night used, both the day and night princesses emerged through a pair of sliding doors. Lodestar accompanied a warmly-dressed Luna, only this far, while those hauling Celestia's chariot escorted the sun monarch towards their chariots.

On approach, Night and Skye saluted Princess Luna, who gave a warm smile to either of the respectful stallions. With a nod from her, they lowered their hooves, whilst Lodestar aided her highness carefully up into her seat.

"Thank you, Sergeant, that will be all," Luna nodded to him. 

Lodestar returned the nod, stepping away from her chariot, and moving to Night. Even from afar, he could make out the seriousness plastered on his face regarding one reason, and one reason only.

"Make it happen, Cap," Lodestar mumbled just enough for him to hear.

Night acknowledged, posture remaining while a pair of overall-wearing ponies carefully strapped leather harnesses around his and Skye's waists, just below their wings, before attaching the chariot's hitch and locking it in place. Each gave pulls from many angles to ensure nothing was loose.

To their right, Celestia seated herself on her own chariot, a significantly-smaller unicorn, wearing square-framed glasses over her eyes and a simple yet warm sweater, climbed up to sit beside her, carrying a suitcase full of materials for writing.

The guards escorting her now stood ahead of the gold-clad royal wagon, wings spreading to allow the Hangar workers to hook them to the hitch, also tugging as a quick check.

As soon as all seemed fine, ponies cleared a straight way and stood on either sides of the concrete strip leading out through ceiling-high steel doors situated borderline of the facility.

With an echoing heavy metallic clank of the locks uncoupling, gradually the doors split in the center, spreading outward to fully open the hole in the side of the mountain ledge, staring out into a darkened abyss that one could compare to a dark portal.

The temperature inside dropped a whole ten or so degrees while a rushing breeze swept inside. Without massive heaters, the average winter climate inside the Hangar sat at a mild forty-five or fifty degrees, forcing those to wear heavy work jackets provided through unions to keep themselves comfortable on their lengthy shifts.

Wincing at the frigid blast in his eyes, Night briefly squinted, blinking heavily to disperse tears that formed in response. Glancing right, Celestia's escort begun moving, gaining speed the farther down they went.

Only moments after lifting off, Night and Skye grunted in their efforts to catch up, adjusting to the chariot's weight with their forward momentum. About halfway to the end of the strip, they heaved upwards, lifting off gently and exiting the Hangar behind Celestia, the city of Canterlot shrinking behind them.

"Sweet Celestia, it's c-cold!" Skye shivered, eyes wide and air nipping away at his grey coat.

Luna called from behind. "Now, I know you did not just swear in my sister's name!" 


***


Some time later that afternoon, just past noon, from above, the ground gradually turned from pure white to a more greyish tinge. The closer they came to the strip of mountains that surrounded the valley, the signs of what was to come became further visible. 

Scorched earth reaching down the slopes, former masses of pine trees completely stripped of their branches and needles, and a choking fog that hovered just above the surface, one that stretched on for miles upon miles, as far as the eye could see, even from this height.

"Masks on, we're approaching ground zero," Night ordered to Skye and Princess Luna, slipping on a surgical mask to shield himself from the toxic soot. Despite the dispersed ash clouds, it continued to rain in small amounts, not quite as heavily as last time.

Both followed suit, strapping on the masks with little to no issue. From there, the three began their descent into the valley, clearing the mountains by a hundred or so feet.

Heartache met Night the moment what remained of the surface village came within his line of sight. Bits of snapped wooden planks poking just out of the ash, along with shattered stone and torn fabric flapping in the wind. All of the hard work put into accommodating ponies unable to reach the main city, gone.

"Princess, there's no place to land. Ash is too deep. We'll have to land in the main city," Skye spoke, muffled by the mask.

With that, Night and Skye turned skyward, focusing on the looming shadow of a single cloud mass locked in place, high above the mountain tops.

Batsburg itself, much to Night's relief, remained standing for the most part. Some structures suffered partial collapse, and very few had been totally destroyed in the ensuing fiery cloud that engulfed the city. 

However, much alike the surrounding region, the city had a stark landscape. Beneath the dusty atmosphere, very little sunlight broke through. Compared to the cloud's thick composition previously, much improved over the span of three weeks. Though, months would pass until the air would be fully clear again.

On the Citadel's central plaza was where Luna's chariot landed, soon followed by Celestia's alongside. The first sight anypony noticed from this angle was a waterless fountain, instead filled with a thin layer of erupted rock. Its contents were either evaporated, or completely blown away by the blast of heat from the explosion.

Night took a glance at the Citadel, shadowed by the grey of the sky. He shuddered, ears pinning as he remembered it to likely be the Governor's final resting place. For whoever would discover his remains he felt deep remorse.

Carefully, he and Skye unhitched themselves from Luna's chariot, Skye helping her highness down on solid ground.

"This place has most certainly changed since our previous visit, beyond the destruction it faced," Luna said behind her mask, slowly scanning around her and taking note of the damage to every structure, big or small. Anything not built on a foundation or bolted down had been tossed through windows, walls, or blown off the edge of the city entirely.

Princess Celestia, steadily making her way in the direction of the Citadel's doors, eventually stopped. She closed her eyes, sighing softly.

"For centuries I have feared pony kind, ponies of any race, being forced to experience such a terrifying and nearly-inescapable catastrophe. It truly is a miracle how many survived," Celestia spoke with much grief in her voice.

Luna moved up beside the older alicorn, gently nuzzling above her shoulder. "There was nothing either of us could do, dear sister. These are some of the few things even we cannot prevent."

"I... understand. That simply does not provide any means of comfort, Luna. Just like all of that time ago, when I was forced to banish you to the moon. It pained me to come to the conclusion of having to do just that, when my attempts to reason with you failed terribly."

Noticeable to all, tears fell across Celestia's cheeks. She opened a wing, wrapping it carefully yet tightly around her younger sibling, holding her closer than ever.

"There is a lot I am regretful for doing, or guilty for not being able to do. This is one of those times, Luna. Perhaps if I—"

"Sister! There was nothing either of us could do to stop it. Nopony knew what would happen. Much like many other anomalies in this world, it could not have been predicted. All anypony could do was ensure as many evacuated as possible," Luna broke free from Celestia's wing, jumping in front of her.

"You need to understand that even us alicorns cannot control how the world works. Our expansive knowledge of spells and magic, all we have ever learned, you and I could not have prevented such a disaster."

Celestia reached a hoof up, wiping the tears off of her cheek. "I... I understand, Luna. It will not change how I feel..."

Luna slowly wrapped her hooves around her elder sister, squeezing in the embrace. "Nor shall it alter my feelings. All there is to do now is clean up, and help these poor ponies return to their normal lives."

Returning the tightened hug, Celestia nuzzled Luna's forehead, sniffling. "Then let us aid these ponies... together."
> Old Aquaintances
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leaping into the air with a single flap of their immensely-sized wings, Princesses Celestia and Luna, in a synchronized pair, pressed the tips of their horns against one another, joining together in magical energy that swirled around them in a steadily-intensifying orb of light. With awe, the distraught and frankly exhausted bat pony citizens observed the alicorn sisters.

Their eyes closed as both put their focus into the magic, the glow almost entirely engulfing the area and going beyond even the laws of light energy physics. In a sudden, bursting blast of wind, all opened their eyes or no longer shielded them from the brightness, finding the sky to be clear as far as the horizon went. 

Gradually, the princesses floated downward beside their guards on either sides, horns no longer glimmering with their yellow-and-blue auras. Opening their eyes, the sisters smiled softly at each other, albeit with minor exhaustion due to the amount of their energy put into what ever spell they had just used, if it were any sort of spell.

Atop the cleared skies, and the less-choking air, much of the city now stood clear of ash. Minor traces remained, especially inside structures with caved-in roofs or collapsed walls where it may have come through.

The alicorns shifted gradually, facing the crowd of citizens, the taller one clearing her throat to speak to them as a whole.

"Ponies of Batsburg, thestrals of Equestria. It has been a considerably elongated two weeks for all of us. The concern of your home's integrity, the worry of the future, it has all taken a massive toll on us as an adjoined community. For as long as it will take, we as a nation shall come together in aid of rebuilding this magnificent city," she orated.

It was then Luna who stepped forth. "Not once in my time as a princess have I witnessed a society as fervor, as strong-willed to stand back up and dust themselves off, quite literally must I say, in the wake of such a calamity, and be there for one another in a time of crisis."

Her look of admiration of their efforts soon fell into an anguishing frown, lips so visibly curling and teeth gritting. "It is also acknowledged that a particular few were not able to escape the terrifying clutches of an almost-certain and terrible demise."

"And a leader who chose to stay behind," Night distinctly included, gazes turning to him, including both princesses. He stood toward front-center of the crowd, paired with his family, and his fellow Zodiacs who originated here. "For as long as I have lived on this earth, the Governor has gone to all ends to secure a future for our colony, even if not all of us followed his beliefs."

Princess Luna nodded once in Night's direction, a small smile crossing her muzzle. Celestia, however, continued to frown, displeased by Night's words, gaze shifting between him, his family, and the three others accompanying him.

"Much like an annual election for a new mayor in cities across Equestria, one shall be held here to assign a new leader for this colony," Celestia addressed. "As an Equestrian settlement, it is time for Batsburg to..." she froze.

Eyebrows across the crowd furrowed as the sun diarch went eerily quiet. Following a solid minute of silence, Celestia's nose wrinkled.

"The city of Batsburg will choose its next council to run it in the foreseeable future, as long as other mayors across the country are granted in their terms."

A quiet chatter flared around the large gathering, confusion building around and questions forming centering around this announcement, as well as the princess' sudden pause. Some pondered just what she originally planned to say.

Staring at Princess Celestia, both puzzled and concerned, Night observed as she leaned down to her guards and began to walk away, while Luna remained put. She too felt rather strange about her elder sister.

"Did... any of that seem, I don't know, off to you?" questioned Dawn, leaning in to her brother's ear to whisper and avoiding their parents' detection.

Night, apprehensively, nodded in return.


***


The door of the home came crashing down with a hard buck of Skywatcher's hinds, wood splitting in half at the source of the impact. Splinters flew inwards, scattering across the dusty living room floor.

Before him entered Midnight, tearful in her examination of this part of their house. Relief swept across her shoulders when very little inside was damaged. Nonetheless, heavy cleaning would be a major chore above all else. Glass shards, fallen ash having blown in through shattered windows, and other broken objects littered the floor. However, it seemed their house had been spared from the worst.

Skywatcher strode up beside Midnight, wrapping a wing over her back and nuzzling her forehead. The mare leaned in closer, lifting a hoof and placing it on his right chest, closing her eyes with a tear slipping down her cheek and patting on the floor at her other hoof.

"It's just material things, honey. It could have been far worse had we stayed," Sky mumbled into her ear.

"I know," she wistfully responded, sniffling afterward. "Y-you're right."

Dawn Blossom, affixing her ears back, scanned around the darkened room, coughing a bit. "We would have been killed if you didn't come, brother," she turned to Night on her left.

"You and Thunder saved our lives, Night," Sky's gaze shifted to the younger stallion, weakly smiling.

"I knew the risks, despite the princesses arguing with me to stay put. I couldn't sit back and let this happen.

"We are very thankful for your decision," Midnight, too, smiled. 

"What you did was brave, son," Sky began. "Above and beyond the call of duty. In fact, there had been no call. It was something you yourself determined. Thunderblast, too. Without either of you, we may very well have gone the way of our ancestors."

Slowly, Night nodded, a frown appearing on his muzzle. "That, uh... that reminds me. Mom, Dad?"

"Yes, Night?"

"Did we, you know, our ancestors, were any of them—"

"Captain!" Screeched a voice from outside and down the street.

Whipping around and rushing outside, Night snapped his attention to Eventide, racing at close ground proximity before skidding to a stop on her hooves, wings giving three flaps to slow herself down.

"What is it?" He stared with wide-eyes, slightly panicked and rather startled by her calling.

"There's, there's..." she panted, lifting a hoof up while she caught her breath. "Legion... Legion troops."

"What about them?" Night's brow raised.

"They survived the eruption...!" Eventide huffed, eyes making direct contact with Night's.

His big golden eyes grew larger, ears perking straight up. In a moment's notice, Skywatcher came galloping outside, skidding to a stop beside his son.

"Where are they?!" He gasped out.


***


Moving at a quickened pace along the dirt path leading along the slope of the mountain, father and son, and the four squad members made their way up, chatter from one pony just hardly echoing.

"We detected a weak radio signal nearby. With some directional aid, we determined its source emanated inside this mountain," Skye explained to an anxious Skywatcher.

"The old colony caves, back before we built Batsburg on the clouds. Got turned into a secondary Fang Legion base in the event of a secondary attack," Sky responded. "This is incredible."

"Secondary attack?" Night glanced to his father, blinking twice. Hearing this made him tense.

"A second war, changeling attack, invasion of Equestria's coasts, what ever our military can utilize for protection," Sky replied, rather seriously, too. "It makes sense that only a quarter of the base was on that train," he added.

Minutes later, the group reached the cave entrance, now shielded by a massive steel door, tightly locked from the inside. To the right of the door sat a keypad, as well as a buzzer for one to speak into.

Approaching the small device, thankfully still in one piece minus some of the keys burnt away by heavy fire, Skywatcher pressed down on the buzzer, activating it.

"Open up, all is clear," he addressed sternly into it.

Moments of silence followed, raising concern on the outside of the bunker. A collective sigh of relief swept across the six when a voice returned through the speaker.

"Trespassers are not welcome. Vacate the premises immediately," responded a rougher voice than Sky's, one some in the group believed to be impossible.

Skywatcher held the rounded dial down a second time. "Major Skywatcher, Fang Legion. Open up, that is an order."

Another silence, except the feedback crackled, as if the microphone was on, but nobody talked.

"Major? Is that you?"

"My son, Night Shadow, and his platoon are here as well."

A third silence, albeit shorter.

"One moment," crackled the transponder. Retreating back from the buzzer, Skywatcher glanced to the massive steel door. 

From the inside, a muffled, yet booming clank as it unlocked, echoing from the inside. The door gradually slid sideways, the air from the outside rushing inward and shoving a thin, dusty smog left behind from the eruption that seeped inside.

Skywatcher took steady steps into the now-opened door, peeking back in Night's direction and gesturing a hoof for them to follow behind.

In a well-unorganized group, the five trailed Night's father, scanning around the rather poorly-lit burrow, catwalks on either walls stretching deeply inside and wrapping around corners in the wider section of the cave. 

Some minor evidence of the former colony had been visible, sending cold shivers down Night's spine. He pinned his ears and proceeded to fix his eyes forward, attempting to pay no heed to the memories in the wake of that terrifying day.

"Hahah, it really is you!" A startling, echoing voice emanated from ahead, a thestral stallion resembling Skywatcher's height and build, but not quite, sauntering in their direction. The closer he came, the scars and dirt showing on his bluish coat. Even in the darkness of the cave, his emerald green eyes shone brightly at them.

A grin crossed Skywatcher's muzzle, he reached a hoof forward while he walked, taking the stallion's and pulling close. The two bumped chests roughly, chuckling with the other bat pony. "Twister, I had a strong hunch you weren't dead."

The bluish pony drew back, gesturing his hoof, the only parts of him wearing some sort of armor. "Ah, your instincts are always correct, Sky. I said to myself, 'there's no way in Tartarus I'm going to let a volcano wipe me out'," he smugly grinned, eyes dancing to the left.

"This must be Bloo—Night Shadow," Twister corrected himself. "He has grown so much! He was, what, six when I last saw him?"

"Five, actually," Skywatcher nodded, grin widening a bit. "Night, you remember Twister, don't you?"

Night's gaze shifted to the bluish stallion, scanning over him. He shook his head. "I... am afraid not."

"Well, perhaps you might know my older brother. He was the one who scared you away all of those years ago," Twister responded, an eyebrow raising. "That was one hell of a time, looking over the entire valley for you."

"Scared me away..." Night thought, before his ears perked up. "Your brother was a dick," he flatly said, glaring at the bluish pony.

Twister frowned, one ear falling back. "Yup, he remembers, Sky."

"Night, it was his brother, Whirlwind. He was a darker shade of blue. He was the one who scared you off when you wound up at the base during that field trip," Skywatcher mumbled to Night, who nodded.

"Although, I could not agree more with how you have described him," Twister rolled his eyes. "I aided your father in the search efforts, and helped relocate Whirlwind's arm when he was finished with him."

"I see. I still do not recall you when I was five," Night replied.

"The flood could have very well given you a minor case of amnesia, when you woke up so far away. You may have hit your head on a rock somewhere," Twister glanced to Sky. "It truly is astonishing how he managed to survive in a frigid underground rapid all the way to Vanhoover."

Sky nodded, smiling again. "That's my son," he looped a hoof around Night's neck, yanking him close.

Night emanated a grunt, shifting to stand comfortably rather than at an angle within his father's tight grip. He rolled his eyes. "That was also the time I was given a new name, one that sort of stuck."

"Right, those ponies who took care of you before we found you a second time," Sky nodded.

"I like Night Shadow much more than Bloodvein," Stellar Star said from behind, gazes turning to him. He froze and recoiled to hide himself behind Skye Racer in embarrassment.

"Well, it is less intimidating. And, er, edgy?" Eventide added, grazing her hoof across the floor.

"Thank you, you two," Night raised his voice just narrowly, hoping to silence them from there.

Skywatcher returned his gaze to Twister. "Are you the only one here?"

"Heck no! Everybody's back playing Tres in the lunchroom. They probably didn't even hear the door open, imbeciles," he mumbled at the end. "Come, we'll give them the news!"

"We'd love to come, but, we have to return to the princess now," Night said, staying put just as the others had begun to walk around him.

Twister glanced back, blinking his emerald eyes twice at them. "Oh, well then, so be it. I will not keep you from your duties."

Night nodded. "Pleasure meeting you. Come on, Zodiacs," he quickly turned, trotting for the exit, bent on getting out of there as quickly as he could.

Skye Racer, along with the three other thestrals in the squad, each exchanged looks, trailing Night from a distance afterwards.

Looking back over his shoulder to Night, then to Skywatcher at his side, Twister frowned. "Does he really not remember me?"


***


"Listen, uh, Night," Skye, after many minutes of silence in their walk, started up. "You've been busy setting all of this up, and the last few days... I don't know. I think you should spend some time with family. The others are."

Night shifted to the silver pegasus on his right side while they walked along the street, the light poles flickering on around them, power having been thankfully restored a day prior. Far off in the distance, the sun dipped beneath nearby mountain peaks, casting neatly-edged rays of sunlight across some parts of the valley.

"No time for that, Skye. Should I remind you that they are off duty for this time, and it is only you and I on Luna's detail this trip?" He blinked slowly.

"And yet you are taking the brunt of the work. Please, Captain," Skye stopped, facing him. "One night. Go home, kick back a little bit. When was the last time you had a good night's sleep, anyway?"

Night came to a halt, chin lowering and grimacing at the cobble beneath his hooves. "A month, maybe."

"All right, so, allow me to take the reins tonight," Skye responded sternly, his face showing just that as well.

Night moved his tired gaze up to Skye's, breaking only a second later. "Fine."

Skye nodded once. "I will inform Luna, first thing. She will understand."

Night returned the nod. "Thank you."

"Please, there is no need to thank me. Everypony needs a breather. Go take yours. I've got this, I promise."

Night bobbed his head, then saluted the silver pegasus, who firmly saluted back. "I put my faith in you, Lance Corporal."

"I will not let you down. Goodnight, Captain."

"Goodnight, Skye," Night replied, lowering his hoof, observing the lance corporal resume towards downtown. From there, Night headed the opposite direction.

The dusk's shadow cast itself upon the recovering city, the sky's extravagant array of color fading as the sun vanished from the sky entirely. A crescent moon steadily rising into the sky to take its place, shedding a cool, gentle glow on the surrounding valley.

Homes lit up from within, some with plastic tarps coating holes in roofs or walls waiting to be fixed. The residents of this seemingly disaster-prone city, once more thankful to be back to their normal lives days after returning home from Canterlot, and other communities that had taken them in.

Uneased in his gaze, Night stood in center of the cobble road, eyes fixed upon his family's home, windows broken in the eruption replaced entirely. Minor exterior damage remained, including as chipped stone or missing roof tiles. 

In his statue-like posture, no mind paid to a cold breeze, Night's eyes fell to the ground. His train of thought took over, showing his outward appearance to be gawking at nothing in particular. Thankfully, no pony was nearby to see him standing here, fixed on a new mission: a personal one.

Without another second wasted, Night jumped into the sky, soaring above the city and down, eyes narrowed on the large burrow along the southern slope of the northern mountain rim of the basin.

Descending towards and landing on a narrow flat plain between a closed steel door and a steep slope to the valley surface, Night approached the buzzer, pressing down on the call receiver switch.

"State your name and your business here!" came a younger voice, but not by much, than Twister's.

"Captain Night Shadow, Lunar Zodiac Guard."

"You have no authority, nor do you have the clearance. Leave."

"I was here a few days ago, with my father, Major Skywatcher," Night replied.

Within a moment's notice, the door clacked from the inside, echoing and rumbling, sliding open gradually. 

"Damn right, you opened," Night mumbled to himself, giving it some time. He entered without allowing it to clear fully, squeezing through a narrow opening and hurrying inside.

This time, the place seemed more well-lit, most likely due to power restoration, the air significantly more clear, and even colder as with most caves.

Further into the cavern-turned-bunker, Night entered through a significantly smaller door, leading from what seemed like an artillery armory into some living quarters, notably a large meeting room with tactical maps placed neatly on the walls, and a large chalkboard spanning the length of one of them. Not one soul occupied the quarters.

"What are you doing here?"

Ears perking, he shifted from the briefing room to a jet-black stallion emerging from the shadows, a notable grey scar an inch below his left eye. His mane, a faded dark blue, told Night of his age, and the pins on his uniform serving a solid reminder.

"Commander Kozak," Night stoically said, lifting his hoof to salute the grizzling pony.

The taller stallion returned the salute firmly, approaching Night at a steady pace. "From the last time I saw you, you were a little thing. You have grown, Bloodvein."

"And you, sir, haven't changed a bit," Night gave a faint smile.

Kozak nodded once, lazily blinking. "I am afraid I cannot say the same for you. What brings you here, Captain?"

"Funny you should ask that, sir. Who else is here?"

Kozak's head cocked, then responded, "Base operatives. Why do you ask?"

"Order them here in five minutes. The rest... I will explain inside," Night requested, moving and disappearing through the briefing room's door, it swinging shut behind him.

Kozak furrowed his eyebrow, puzzled at Night's cryptic-esque greeting. All he could do now, is do just as Night asked, heading the direction he came to gather his fellow soldiers.
> Where We Left Off
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

At five past one in the morning, Night carefully twisted the door knob and pushed inward, doing so to avoid stirring his family with the assumption that they were fast asleep. He slipped in through the door, having only jarred it just enough to fit into, then shut it silently and exhaled softly in relief.

"Night."

"Ah!" Night jumped, whipping around in a defensive stance. In the shadows, his younger sister just stood there, having come down the stairs after catching the faint creak of the door opening. "Dawn, don't do that!" he quietly said while calming himself.

"Where have you been? Mom and Dad were worried when you didn't show up for dinner," Dawn questioned in whispers, taking slow steps toward him.

"Something last minute popped up and I needed to be there, had no time to come home and explain," Night fibbed. Despite the seriousness in his tone, his edge showed quite visibly to Dawn.

"Okay, fair enough. Now, tell me the truth," she said sternly.

Night narrowed his gaze. "What's it to you?" 

"Oh, nothing, really. Just the fact that you've been off this entire time, you look like you haven't slept properly in weeks, and to top it off, you're sneaking out Celestia knows where without letting anypony know you'll be gone!"

"I didn't sneak out, Dawn, I never came home. There's a difference."

"Not much of one! How will you explain this to Mom and Dad tomorrow?!"

"I won't. Want to know why?"

"Please, do tell me!" she raised her voice.

Night shoved his hoof into Dawn's mouth to silence her. "There is important business in Canterlot that I must attend to. Stuff you would not understand."

Dawn gently smacked the hoof away, glaring up at him. "I'm seventeen years old, Night, don't give me that sh—"

Night put his hoof over her mouth again. "Are you trying to wake up Mom and Dad?!" he whispered.

Dawn simply rolled her eyes. Night lowered his hoof, trusting she would not yell again.

"Now, can you please tell me what is going on?"

Night stared quietly, then straightened his back. "A lot has been affecting me recently."

"Yes, sheltering us halfway across the co—"

Night gave a shook of his head. "No, after that. Something happened. Something terrible. Me along with my squadmates—"

"The Zodiacs?"

"Yes, the Zodiacs, hush. We were ambushed near Hollow Shades on a training exercise, completely caught off-guard."

"Caught off-guard? Sounds like you do horrible with your job—" Dawn was once more silenced by Night's hoof, her grumbling behind it.

"We were attacked out of the blue, got split up a bit, one of our own was murdered in cold blood, and another was kidnapped."

Dawn's slit-pupil eyes shot wide open. She forced the hoof from her mouth again, whispering. "Holy macaroni, Night, why didn't you tell anypony?!"

"That's the thing—they were bat ponies. Like us. No, like you. Like Mom, like Dad. Full-blooded bat ponies."

"Why say that like you are not?" Dawn cocked her head. "You're just like us, save for certain parts of you."

"Well, as of lately, I've felt the need to question that logic," Night responded, eyes glassy. "But, that's something for another time," he mumbled, turning away.

Dawn went silent. Her tufted ears drooped. "So... what are you going to do? You never answered my question."

Night looked out through the living room window, pressing a hoof on the wall beside it. "I don't know yet. The reason we've kept quiet on this is because we're afraid it will start a war."

"A war... like the old times, when our colony was banished?"

"Yes, like old times. We would be back at square one, all because of some false speculation that would arise in the chaos of it all," Night sighed deeply.

Dawn's gaze fell to her hooves, ear twitching. "What would... happen to us?"

Night tensed. "I don't know. If somepony uncovered it, and word got out, it would spread faster than the common cold. Ponies everywhere would lock up their houses, grab the guns and swords, attack innocents... we can't afford for that to happen again."

Dawn glanced up, sauntering to the window, beside her brother. "And you don't have a plan to work this out?"

"I... well," Night paused briefly. "Some notions have been tossed around. Mainly by some of my squad mates," he turned to her. "That's why I went absent tonight."

"Doing what? What did you do?"

"I spoke to Commander Kozak of Fang Legion, Dad's commanding officer. I informed him, and many others under his command, of the situation. He... they, rather, have voted on a coordinated attack against the colony responsible for the ambush, and are waiting for my word."

"An attack? You're going to fight them again?"

"Yes, but this time, we will ambush them, give them a taste of their own medicine," Night turned back to the window. "But, I don't know, I feel like something is missing. Something that I am neglecting to see."

"About what, big brother?" Dawn asked, concerned, as well as bewildered.

Night sighed lightly. "I don't know. You're right, I have not gotten much sleep. This has kept me up at night since the day after it happened. It's all I've been thinking about."

Dawn gently set a hoof on his shoulder.

"You need a vacation, big brother. A real vacation."

"Not now, Dawn. Too much is at stake for the moment. They attacked us. Can you imagine if they targeted civilians?"

He went coldly silent.

"Targeted... they focused on us, and us only. Of course," he mumbled.

"What is it?" Dawn asked, puzzled at his realization.

Night snapped to face her directly. "Of all of the ponies there, bat ponies and other Equestrians, they chose us to launch an attack on. On top of that, they're possibly a group that prefers conflict over peace."

"But, wait a minute, wouldn't they have caused more chaos than just that? Why only you guys?" Dawn raised an eyebrow.

"See, that's the thing. They're only targeting those with authority. Without that, they have all of the power they need to work towards something bigger. What, I don't know. All I can possibly think of right now, is that they, whoever they are, long for attention, but not the kind of attention that makes them go public."

"Night, I don't get it," Dawn shook her head, more confused than ever. "They want attention, but they don't want attention. What are you talking about? What do they want?"

"They want us out of the picture. Other colonies. They're territorial, they outnumbered us, why else would they even conceive attacking us on their own grounds?"

"That still doesn't quite add up, big brother," she breathed in, then out deeply. "Maybe... you should get some sleep. It could just be me, but, I feel like you're just going on a tangent about something because you believe it makes sense."

Night eased up, eyes not breaking contact with Dawn's. "All I know is, even with all of that, I'm missing a big piece of the puzzle. Maybe... maybe you're right. Maybe I'm chasing some weird fantasy."

Dawn nodded slowly, then took Night's shoulder and brought him with her toward the stairs. "Perhaps it would be best if you told Mom and Dad. Or, at least Dad. I know he would understand."

"No, Dawn. This is something I would rather discuss at a later time. Now is not that time."

She sighed deeply. "Fine, Night. Fine."

"Can you do me one favor, however?"

"Name it, big brother."

"Do not tell Mom or Dad. Don't worry them. If Dad found out somehow, you and I both know he would do anything to get in on the fight, and that is the last thing I am looking for. I don't want for him to get hurt in the process."

Dawn understandingly nodded. "You got it, big brother."


***


Sun brightly rising, pouring golden light through open-curtained windows, the home came to life.

Smiling as she made her way up the stairs, a warm breakfast tray across her back, Midnight knocked softly on Night's bedroom door, pushing in a moment later.

"Good morning, my love! I hope you're hungry—" she opened her eyes, smile fading instantly.

The bed sat neat, as if untouched for weeks, the blinds were open, but no Night anywhere in the room.

Midnight entered slowly, gently setting the tray on the small wood desk, scanning around worriedly.

"Night?"


***


A warm light shed upon Canterlot, part of a sudden warm spell locked in central Equestria. Much of the winter's snowfall melted, feeding the streams outside of and the small one snaking through the center of town, then pouring off the edge, thousands of feet below in gathered pools at the foot of the mountain.

This change in the weather pleased Night, as well as Skye, having nearly frozen during the flight just a week ago, albeit, winter was bound to return in following days. What else contented them—the princesses sharing this gratification—had been the large lack of paparazzi at their return, despite it occurring in broad daylight.

Basking in the gleaming sun, eyes closed, the fanged pegasus stood center of his balcony, an overhang above one of the castle's many courtyards, while also high enough up with a one-hundred-eighty-degree view of the city, and a large sector of the Canterlot Palace. He had left both doors wide open, the curtains on either sides lightly waving in the breeze on the inside, and fresh air filled his apartment.

An ear twitched or swiveled so often, Night taking in the sweet, relaxing atmosphere, a much-needed relief in the wake of one eventful month. In just a matter of days would begin the new year, and from there on, with time, he expected all to return to normal at last.

It met Night with heartbreak upon discovering the true reason behind a lack of planning for Shieldhunter's funeral service, the repercussions of ordering his Zodiacs to keep quiet until the time was right. His body remained in Hollow Shades, likely buried beneath a coating of snow, decomposing, lost in the chaos of Zava rescuing them, neglected disrespectfully and unknowingly.

It pained him, knowing he put this on himself, weighing his shoulders more when it was completely unnecessary. The regret for even planning the trip gathered, dangerously close to spilling over. Not much time could be put aside for emotion, as work only stood in the way at every minor opportunity.

His lids trembled, a tear or two slipping between the creases, steadily working down his cheeks and hanging beneath his chin, threatening to fall to his hooves. His ears gradually lost their perk.

The guilt was, at long last, overwhelming. Any longer for him to remain bottled up would later result in another regretful explosion, one he feared will unleash upon a second undeserving soul.

Battling the ache in his heart, Night reopened his bright gold, teary eyes, gazing ahead blankly, across the commercial district of the city. He inhaled slowly, deeply, then breathing out softly in a quiet sigh.

He flicked his right ear, head shifting and sight fixing on the northeast part of town, more less-developed or low rise structures occupying that space. That sector of Canterlot, in particular, rebounded dismal reminiscences for numerous significant reasons.

Nonetheless, it attracted his attention, enough for a longing push to head in that direction.


***


Much changed around these parts, especially since his debut to Canterlot four years ago, nearing five. A few of the old brick apartment blocks now sat replaced by condos of newer, more modern construction to match the ever-so growing diverse infrastructure of the city.

A gentle tingle sped his heart rate the closer he came. Glancing up, Night noted a three-story lily-green structure, formerly a different type of business the last time he was here. Now, the first floor was a flower shop, and all of its outdoor displays remained covered or tucked away for the season.

The further along the cobble road he went, the more his chest tickled and pounded. Few ponies walked this street, allowing for ease of travel. Those four years certainly made a difference, as this area used to be busier than a bee on the first day of spring.

He came to a stop in the center of the road, scanning around him slowly. His ear flicked and twitched, glancing to his left. There stood the same cheese deli as before, and a narrow, darkened alleyway.

A crushing pressure fell on his lungs, his breath ceasing for a solid thirty seconds. His heart probably stopped, as well, and not once did he pay mind to it.

Slowly, he strode into the alleyway. He shuddered upon accidentally dipping his hoof in a cold puddle of melted snow, advancing further into the corridor between the deli and a townhome block.

His gaze then fell upon an old, raggedy piece of cloth, lying crumpled inside a large box on its side. Moving a shaky hoof, he took the dirtied blanket and held it up, spreading it out.

For at least a minute he stared, teary-eyed at this blanket, the very one that kept him warm on the coldest, rainiest nights, beneath the very cardboard box it sat in. Part of him questioned the reality of the moment, wondering why either remained without being tossed out.

Regardless, the box and the blanket struck him, reminding him of those awful days when he quite literally—and accidentally—flew to Canterlot, hoping to get as far away as possible from his home with, at the time, no hopes of returning.

Night closed his eyes, grasping the old blanket to his chest. Tears from either eye rolled down, his teeth clenched and heart pumping with a mentally-induced ache. Both of his ears laid flat backwards, his chin lowering.

"I n-never thought I would say I missed you, old friend..." he shakily mumbled, sniffling and holding the blanket out a second time to examine it.

Despite how long it likely sat in this stark, cold, messy alleyway, it appeared as though one—or two washes would do just the trick. A very small portion of Night questioned the logic of bringing this old piece of his past life back home. Yet, it served as a decent reminder of who he used to be, and how far he's come.

Perhaps, he thought. Perhaps I can turn this bad memory into something... positive.

His ears perked, and his eyes widened. Folding the blanket and holding it with one hoof to his chest, he spread his wings, taking off into the afternoon sky.


***


Nearing the village of Ponyville, Night scanned across the countryside below, searching for one strangely-shaped hill in particular, one with features of a home.

Certainly, this turned out to be some sort of game of hiding the needle in a haystack, albeit a much larger scale. For all he knew, the house was miles behind him, or north of him, or south...

His heart raced with anticipation, as well as anxiety. On such short notice, he spent a short part of the afternoon just getting here. Having to change his mind and head back now would be somewhat devastating to him out of all.

Yet, in some sort of miracle, his eyes fixed upon a small cliff, gently sloping down to a grassy knoll from behind, with a large wooden door and windows on the sides of this cutoff. He began his descent, rather quickly, too.

The sheer size of the door confirmed he arrived at the right place. He took in a deep breath, lifting his hoof and holding it there, before knocking, hopefully audibly enough for the occupant to catch.

Emanating from the inside out, rumbling hoofsteps, enough to shake the ground below due to their weight and size, steadily approached. The click of a simple hook latch uncoupling, followed by the door swinging inwards, there standing a massive red pegasus, standing twice as high as Night himself.

The pegasus' maroon gaze set on Night, narrowing and scrutinizing on the significantly smaller pegasus. His ears lost their perk.

"Hello, Captain," Redflare greeted flatly.

Night's maw parted, about to speak, then closed. He shrunk down just barely, no longer standing as straight.

"I am sorry, Red," he dove straight in.

The red pegasus remained statue-still, stare not removing from Night.

"I'm... really... sorry," Night sighed deeply, squeezing the piece of cloth in his hoof against his chest.

"I appreciate the apology," Red responded, taking the door handle and beginning to close.

Night's pupils shrunk to pinpricks, he raced forward to step in the way of the door frame. "No, Red, wait—!"

Sighing, the red pegasus reopened the door, a sizable frown visible on his muzzle. He blinked slowly, lazily, down at Night still.

"Please, Red," Night trembled, his voice cracking. "I-I gave it thought, I gave it some time to let some things cool down, b-but they didn't... Please..."

Still, a scrutinizing, cold stare.

Night's teeth grit, his ears falling back. "I shouldn't have yelled... I-I shouldn't have pushed you away, I shouldn't have done... a-anything!" he bawled quietly, voice between a whisper and of normal volume. "P-please, Red, forgive me."

No response.

His eyes tightly shut, teardrops squeezing between his lids. "P-please, Red..." he softly whimpered.

Following more silence, Night nonchalantly turned around, preparing to embark on the journey home. He felt as though the color would literally drain from his body, from his soul.

"Come back."

One ear stood up, freezing in his tracks. Slowly, he glanced back at the larger stallion in the door.

"What is that you are holding?" Redflare's eyes moved to the small blanket, folded neatly in Night's hooves.

Night gradually faced back toward Red, ears once more fallen back. "T-this? This... gave me comfort. This blanket, it... it came from a grim time in my l-life, but... it..."

He paused to sniff deeply, cheek fur patted down from the stream of water.

"It gave me... hope. It... it kept me—or part of me—trusting a brighter future. A h-home of my own, cabinets full of food, a warm bed to sleep in... everything I could hope for at the time."

Redflare's eyebrow raised slightly. "You were a homeless colt?"

Night slowly nodded in response, coming closer steadily. "Wh-when I came across it again, it... sparked me. It spoke to me."

Redflare now furrowed his brow even higher. "It spoke to you?"

"It told me to find you..." Night looked up from it, gold eyes glassy still.

Faintly, Redflare begun to smile. "Is that what it did?"

"It reminded me that, e-even though times can be rough, I will make it through... we will make it through. It reminded me of the warmth it gave on the most frigid of nights, the rainiest of days, and n-now, it reminded me of the warmth of a heart, and the sympathy of a friend. I lost that when... I lost you."

The small smile on the large red pegasus grew. He bowed his head in a nod, thankful for this most unexpected of changes. "It brings me much joy, Night, to have you back."

Smiling behind tearful eyes—tears of joy, this time—Night returned the gentle gesture. "Thank you, Red, for letting me come back. Thank you."
> The Sneaky Truth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Relaxed rather comfortably against the carriage window, Night wore a small smile, one of both relief and joy to have fixed at least one of his current issues. A bulky weight at long last lifted from his shoulders, yet many more remained pressuring him.

Alas, they managed to stray far from his thought, thinking primarily on the amends made with Redflare back in Ponyville, even while he rode the express train back to Canterlot, which twinkled and glowed in the nearing distance, sustaining its never-ending beauty from afar.

He yawned softly, exhausted from his journey and bent on crashing the moment he got home, and there would be nothing to stop him from achieving this goal. Belatedly, a full-night's sleep called for him, having been much-missed on his behalf.

Slowly he blinked, eventually closing his eyes for just a couple of minutes, only to jolt upright at a sudden brake of the train, gradually slowing as it entered the city.

Almost by instinct, having become long-accustomed to rail travel by this point, he stood up, the grimy piece collected in his old alley resting neatly folded in center of his back. Through the open carriage doors, he stepped out onto the platform, met with a brisk gust rushing from the peak of the mountain, one that sent a deep chill up his spine.

But, that was not the only factor that forced the shiver out of him.

Glancing off to his left, he froze, sighting a pair of intimidating, glaring green eyes locked on his own. A second, more minor chill forced another shiver, despite these eyes he saw striking him with familiarity.

Cautiously, he approached the eyes, stepping down a small flight from the platform onto a dirt path that looped around the building, the two floodlights in this particular spot sat burnt out—a rather eerie coincidence.

"Halfmoon, what are you doing here?" Night calmly asked, eyeballing the now-visible form of the mare in the darkness.

"I know everything, Captain. I know what you are hiding," she responded.

His big, gold eyes grew wider. "Huh?" he cocked his head sideways. "What are you on about?"

"Don't you play stupid with me!" she hissed threateningly.

Night recoiled slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about! You're being extremely vague!"

"As if you aren't, as well!" Halfmoon hissed again. "I checked the hospital, my brother was not there. In fact, they had no record of him ever being a patient!"

Night's body tensed, though not visibly. "Are you positive you checked the right hospital?"

"One-hundred-percent certain," she snapped. "Why did you lie to me?"

Night took one step back, giving them a bit more space. "You're mistaken, Halfmoon!"

The mare reached forward, her hoof smacking Night across the muzzle, snapping his head sideways. The blow, to him, felt much more similar to a punch.

He lifted a hoof, rubbing his chin. "Ouch..."

"What will it take for you to tell me the truth?!" she screeched, lunging forward and tackling him to the ground.

Night fell with a grunt, pressing into the painful gravel beneath with Halfmoon on top of him, fangs baring and raising a hoof to strike again. In her eyes sat weary tears, an evident sign of stress—like that of his own.

"No, wait, stop!" He shouted, grabbing her outstretched hoof and holding it there, then gradually lowering it. Softly, he sighed. "For this long I decided not to tell you to keep you calmer than you would have been if I answered truthfully the day you woke up."

Halfmoon kept quiet, teeth angrily clenched and breathing quickened.

"And the truth is, I don't know where he is, no one does. Those ponies had to have taken him before they attacked us, same with those guards Norealis assigned. They must have him."

"Then why didn't you just tell me?!" she responded through gritted teeth, spreading her wings to take off and leaping up.

Before she could fully take off, Night yanked her back down, having grabbed her leg with his hoof. She stumbled, struggling to get back up, only with him holding her there.

"Because you would do that," he growled lowly. "You'd fly off to find him, then get yourself killed!"

"Getting myself killed rescuing Dusk is far more preferable than getting myself killed over you!"

Night grunted, clenching his teeth. "Is that how it is?!"

Swinging Halfmoon to the side, Night rolled quickly on top of her, forcefully holding her down into the dirt to keep her from squirming too much. "Halfmoon, listen to me!"

"After all of this, after the web of deceit you've given this squad, why in Celestia's conceited flank should I remotely listen to what you have to say?!"

Night further pressed down on her hooves, growling and staring furiously down at the pinned mare. "I AM YOUR CAPTAIN!" he screeched.

"I took you into this squad and trained you, even against my own personal interest! I spent my time training and attending to you and your coltfriend's needy flanks, I've spent weeks sulking over his capture and Shield's death, and worrying about keeping you in line long enough to get us back on our knees and fight back! Don't you DARE even say I've lied to everybody!"

Halfmoon recoiled, going silent. Her teeth remained clenched, muzzle wrinkled. The anger, mixed with a hundred other emotions, brightly showed off on her face.

"I did what I did to keep you safe, so we could take this time to recollect ourselves and pick up the pieces. I did it so I could figure out how we can rescue him and Norealis' ponies and not suffer any further casualties. For this long, it has been beyond painful to keep these secrets put away, and I cross my heart that it shall not happen ever again," he continued, more quietly, calming just slightly.

"Just what have you done to form any sort of plan, Captain?" Halfmoon said, voice cracking. "It's been weeks, he may have long been executed, or tortured, or—"

Night covered her mouth with his hoof. "Don't say that, Halfmoon. He is alive, I know it, and I will not stop until he is safe at home."

"What have you even done, though? What plan is there to save him?"

Night brought himself off of Halfmoon carefully, extending a hoof to stand her up. She took it, Night yanking her upright.

"I promise you. One is coming together. A day or two more, and I will brief everybody, and I mean everybody."

Halfmoon silently stared, tears sitting in her glassy eyes. She nodded slowly.

"Do you trust me?" Night quietly asked.

Another short silence followed.

"I trust you, Captain."

Night nodded once. "I solemnly swear on my life, Halfmoon, we will get Duskbloom back. They will not see us coming."


***


The door to his apartment creaked softly, swinging open. A soothing blue filled the room, moonlight shining in from the outside. 

Eyes sagging, Night strode inside, kicking the door shut with his hind leg. He took the blanket off of his back, placing it inside an empty basket near the foot of his king-sized bed, then climbed up for some long-awaited shuteye.

Rolling onto his back and slipping beneath the covers, Night yawned silently, nestling the back of his head into his pillow. Steadily, his eyelids fluttered shut.

But, sleep avoided him. For minutes, he shifted ever so slightly under the sheets, searching for a new comfortable position—not that either of the previous ones had not been—and yet, still, he could not find himself to doze off.

Night deeply sighed, hooves sprawling out on either side of him, eyes locking on the ceiling above. Moonlight shadowed by the window pane edges in a grid stretched across, being the one thing he stared at for a good thirty minutes, mind racing yet again.

What had been said just an hour prior to Halfmoon hit him a second time. He expected to be in contact with Fang Legion back home in these next two days, and that was exactly what concerned him. He might not have two days, the voice in his mind repeated, over and over and over, seemingly nonstop.

He may only have hours, Night. Minutes, perhaps, or seconds! What are you doing, sitting here and doing nothing? What have you done to plan for rescuing Dusk?

Why are you sitting here, Night? Why are you not figuring this out? Why aren't you planning an attack?

Night slammed a hoof down on the blanket, only making a muffled smack-on-cloth sound, groaning with frustration and staring upwards with hanging eyelids.

Reluctant to get back up first and foremost, he pushed the covers off slowly, standing back on all fours with a soft clump against the cobble floor.

Drowsy as ever, Night began digging through his desk, searching for regional maps of the Hollow Shades area. From this moment on, it would be a long evening.


***


On his patrols around Luna's wing, Lodestar kept a steady pace, donning his armor with an enchanted attachment, granting him improved vision in the dark. Without many windows, or none at all, the few hallways, in some spots, went completely pitch black without any outdoor light shining in.

This enhancement to his armor, built into the crescent moon symbol on his breastplate, was exclusive to the Zodiacs, the House Guard, and a few chosen members of the Lunar Guard. Celestia's guards manipulated flashlight attachments to their helmets, or unicorns used spells of low magical usage to project a flashlight-like beam straight forward.

Having returned to a normal nightly shift again, Lodestar solely made his rounds. Skye Racer, typically standing atop Luna's observatory tower, now replaced by Scarlet Iris, with Eventide taking over for Shieldhunter—still very much unaware of the true situation, or why he has not shown up to his post—or work in general—for over two weeks now.

Passing a row of windows, each with bluish-white beams of moonlight pouring in and resting on the floor, lighting just part of the night-blue carpet, Lodestar stopped, his ear swiveling. He glanced to either side of him, then ahead, and behind. He did not jump in surprise at the sudden darkened silhouette behind him.

"Captain," Lodestar sternly, yet quietly said, snapping around at attention stance and saluting.

"At ease, Sergeant," Night softly replied, coming forward from the shadows.

"How was your trip, sir?" Lodestar asked, keeping the conversation less conspicuous to Luna's quarters guards.

"Quite a one, I must say," Night paused, glancing around, then locking stoic gazes with Lodestar's. He nodded his head once, then whispered, "It's been done."

The dark cyan pony leaned in closer, tightening their circle of discussion. "Tell me everything."

"We have their full support, they just need the word, and we shall be good to go," Night said.

"When are you thinking?"

Night inhaled sharply, then eased it out. "I will hold a briefing tomorrow evening. I expect all to be there."

"Define all," Lodestar blinked.

"Everypony. Sunstreak, Charge, Knight, all of them. We can utilize them in the fight, and that was the one thing we were missing last time. A medic."

Lodestar nodded once. "Good enough, sir. Your colony, Fang Legion, right?—" Night nodded. "—how much assistance are they offering?"

"As much as necessary. One, maybe two squads. As much as we were ambushed that one time, we still have no clue how many we're up against, if there are that many left."

"I would imagine if they got away with Duskbloom, plus Norealis' guards? There's more than what meets the eye. We didn't see half of them, maybe not even a fourth. Who knows."

"That's why I am making sure, Sergeant—"

"Night, Lodestar."

Both stallions' breath caught, eyes opening wide. Night whipped around, Lodestar holding still, both face-to-face with a perturbed Princess Luna, her star-dotted mane waving ever so gently.

"Princess!" Lodestar dropped down in a bow.

Night remained with his back straight, eyes widened. "Luna, so, uh... nice to see you out here! What brings you out?"

Luna steadily approached. "Night..."

Lodestar stood back up, stepping off a bit to the side, making space for the two.

"Luna, did I... do something wrong? You look worried, or... something."

"There is no use in holding this behavior, Night," she halted a foot before him, staring down at him, her voice stern. A scary type of stern. "There is not much within this palace that does not go beneath my attention. What does, is my sister's problem."

"I have followed your thoughts since before you returned from your mission out east. Your dreams, which can sometimes share your memories, told me everything," she said, tone holding even. "Shieldhunter..."

"Is dead, Princess," Night cut her off, voice shaky.

Luna's ears straightened upward, eyes growing just slightly. She nodded slowly. "Yes, I am well aware. During my sleep, the day of his death, I detected a rather unusual presence of spiritual energy, a type not common. Not in these times, that is."

Night and Lodestar's heads tilted with bewilderment.

"When Shield's spirit left his body, I felt it within my dreams. I felt his presence nearby. Over hundreds of years, both myself and Celestia have found ourselves to... connect, so to speak, with the aether."

"When our soldiers, our guards, pass away, their spiritual energy can be felt. Occasionally, the same energy may appear around places they were commonly located, whether it be their former posts, residences, or hangouts."

Luna sighed deeply, yet softly. "The day of Lance Corporal Shieldhunter's passing, I felt him. He was upstairs, in my observatory, standing guard. From there, I knew it would be a matter of time before the rest of you would come home. Yet, strangely, one more of you is missing..."

Lodestar gulped a lump down his throat. "Private Duskbloom, he was captured, your highness."

Princess Luna fixed her azure-green eyes to Night nonchalantly. "It is to my understanding, that you have been speaking to Commander Kozak of your colony's armed forces, especially in this most recent visit to that region in particular."

Night's throat tightened, body tensing. Nervously, he nodded in response. "Yes, Princess."

Luna calmly blinked, silent for a moment after Night finished. "It has also come to my attention that you—" she gestured at either of them. "—have been speaking in private of a return trip to Hollow Shades, to seek revenge on those who killed Lance Corporal Shieldhunter, and attempt to rescue Duskbloom."

Both stallions froze again, words catching before they could speak.

"As a princess, I mustn't stand behind such intentions, as there is always the possibility of future conflict in a domino effect of the outcome of this plan of yours. However—" she paused. "—to rescue a fellow squad mate, and avenge a late one, it is only best to provide our support."

"Our?" Night flicked an ear, puzzled at her meaning.

Around the corner strode a golden-armored grey unicorn, taller than Night by inches and just narrowly above Lodestar's height and build, walking up and stopping beside Luna, staring flatly at the two. "Night."

"Sharp!" Night gasped in surprise, now fully wide-awake.

"Blame me partially for speaking to Luna," he brushed his hoof across the silk carpet. "But, after hearing everything, I can't do much else but offer myself. You could use some more muscle out there," he nodded respectfully to Lodestar, who rolled his eyes.

"Sharp..." Night took a couple of steps closer, shaking his head. "No, I cannot ask you to do that. I killed you once."

"Then so be it if I strike out twice," Sharp earnestly responded, straightening his neck, staring directly into Night's eyes, the seriousness overall displaying brightly. "And on Thunder's behalf, he wants in, too."

"Sharp, I—"

"Furthermore, a stallion by the name of Harmonic Percussion will be arriving from Baltimare tomorrow," Luna added. "He has been informed of the situation, and will attend tomorrow evening's briefing."

Night's eyes widened, ears perking higher. "So that is what the letter was about..." he muttered.

"Yes," Luna flatly said. "Lastly, I have spoken to my sister. I shall keep her informed as time goes on. Her and I shall organize arrangements for travel, weaponry, as well as control the public in the event of an outcry."

Slowly, Night nodded. "Yes, Luna. Thank you, Princess. Your support... is much appreciated," he bowed his head.

A small smile crossed the lunar diarch's muzzle. "We trust you will make them pay for taking two of our own, and endangering many more lives."
> The Final Briefing
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Across Canterlot, ponies exited their homes, packing in the streets as they headed out to begin the workday at dawn. Cresting above the eastern horizon rose the sun, igniting the sky surrounding in a horizontal orange hue, its warm rays spreading across the land for miles.

Some ponies, however, were up and working long prior. The Zodiac Guard's second-in-command paced back and forth between his quarters, and the meeting room in Luna's wing of the palace, along with him numerous maps rolled in narrow cylinders, and short, yet neat stacks of paper placed on his back, carrying them with ease.

Since almost two in the morning, Night worked, and following a rather unexpected encounter with Princess Luna in the halls, along with his most-trusted sergeant, even more he strove in preparation for later that evening.

He blinked lazily, yawning every so often, making his final returning trip to the meeting room, where he would then prepare the maps and typewritten reports and neatly organize them. Each report was copied as well, providing enough for all to read, with a small portion of the pile having been sent out via express mail to Commander Kozak in Batsburg.

Pushing in through the frosted-glass door, Night paused, a frown appearing. His eyelids hung lower than usual, the skin sagging beneath his eyes tiredly. Never again, he thought, would he push on thirty-six hours without sleep.

He placed the final stack of paper on the corner of the table, then one by one, carefully rolled out the maps atop one another. Each map covered the same region of Equestria, in the east-central-northeast corridor, with Hollow Shades near center and the surrounding forests, and all three maps served different purposes.

After a five-minute struggle, Night gave in and proceeded to leave the maps be, and next focused on placing three papers each per seat at the table, plus some for the extra ponies outside of his squad expected to attend.

Checking one final time to ensure all was now in place, Night yawned softly, turning and sauntering into the hallway, closing the door with a soft click. In nine more hours, he would be back in that room, accompanied by those of the Zodiacs, as well as others ordered to or are volunteering.

He steadily made his way in the direction of his quarters, yawning and blinking tiredly from having been up and about for this long. A brief nap, he thought, might do him right, then a full-night's rest after everypony was dismissed later on.

But, half way to his apartment door, he froze, a deep, chilling shiver running up his spine, perking his ears. The ground shook violently beneath his hooves, a massive crash making him wince. 

Night scanned in all directions around him, searching for damage to the hallway, with none to be seen. Not even minor decorations on the walls came crashing down, or were jolted out of place, and this was definitely no ordinary earthquake.

He thrust himself forward, zipping around the corner and down a rounded staircase leading into the castle's main atrium. From there, without taking a moment to breathe, he raced towards the dungeons.


***


Whipping through the curved dungeon halls, Night panted softly, then gasping as he came to a grinding halt just short of one of the cells, now flooded with sunlight, and a gaping, burning hole, with the floor black from the scorching heat of the blast. The flames themselves, completely unnatural of their kind, burned an eerily-familiar bluish tinge.

His chest heaved, steadily catching his breath after galloping non stop from the second floor, all the way to here. Pressing his exhaustion aside, Night's gaze snapped to the limp, red-covered body of the dungeon sergeant, lying pressed against an opposite cell. His helmet split in two, with shards of the golden-painted steel impaled within some stone pillars beside him.

A second shiver ran up his spine, writhing at the guard's many wounds, the largest a two-inch wide gash in his lower neck going into his shoulder, the primary source of the reddish fluid pooling around him.

Night lifted a shaky hoof, bringing it to the undamaged side of his cold neck, feeling for any sort of light twitch. His ears fell back, feeling no pulse of his heart.

Glancing down, Night narrowed his eyes on the blood, gently poking a hoof at it. No warmth anywhere, triggering further suspicion. This guard had been here for hours.

His ear swiveled, bringing his gaze up and to the side at hoofsteps—heavy, ground-shaking ones at that—approaching quickly from the direction in which he came.

Within seconds, Redflare, donning his signature gold-clad shoulderpads and his massive gold-red hammer slung over his shoulder, remaining perfectly still in spite of his rapid movement.

"Captain, where is he?!" Red's voice boomed in the hall, teeth tightly clenching with anger plastered across his face.

"Paladin!" Night blinked twice, surprised at his sudden arrival. "He's escaped... again."

"I could feel him building up," Red said gruffly, taking slow steps up to the escaped prisoner's cell door, peeking in and through the massive blowout in the stone, debris splayed across a grass field opposite of the cell. "I came the second two and two put themselves together."

"Think he's in the caverns again?" Night questioned, attempting to cover up the guard's corpse with a thin cloth piece.

"Unlikely. Topaz is smart enough to recognize fleeing to the same place as prior would end poorly on his part," Red grunted, stomping his hoof into the concrete with rage, jolting the ground briefly.

"Where could he have possibly gone?" Night glanced up to the significantly-larger pegasus.

"Anywhere. Some place nopony would ever think to look for him, likely practicing his magic and planning his next move. He is tricky, I will give him that much," Red replied, gaze moving to the body and blinking slowly. "And he has already taken one from us..."

Night drew back from the body, bobbing his head slowly in response. "I should have allowed you to take him, Red."

"Don't beat yourself up. You believed it would be right to lock him back up with extra precautionary measures. What happened is strictly not your fault."

"It is, Red," Night turned, facing him. "Having you deal with him would have worked out as the best option in the end, not just for us, but for everypony. Now, he's out there somewhere, probably seeing who knows who, doing who knows what, making an army to fight back—" his pupils shrunk to pinpricks.

Redflare blinked twice. "What? What is it?"

Night grunted, muscles tightening. "He did it... he did all of it..."

"What did he do?" Red cocked his head slightly.

"Those bat ponies back in Hollow Shades, he assigned them to ambush us in the forest. He is the reason I lost..." Night trailed off, teeth clenching and fangs baring.

"He vowed revenge when we locked him up, that does not imply he is behind this, Night," Redflare sternly replied.

"What are the odds, Red? The timing, all of it! He planned this out from the second he landed back in a cell, probably watched our every move, damn it!" Night grunted again, slamming his hoof into a cell bar, wincing just slightly as he drew it back from the now-slightly bent rusted steel.

In hurt and fury, Night whispered, "The... encounter... in Baltimare, the disappearing bat pony, the strange bat ponies at the festival, the ones that attacked us and took Shield... kidnapped Dusk... it all adds up. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to destroy Canterlot, now he's going to try a different approach."

Redflare blinked more, still in a slight state of bewilderment. "I don't understand."

"You will," Night looked up at him, a flame burning in his gold eyes. "Eighteen-hundred, Luna's wing, Zodiac meeting room. Be there."

Without another word, Night turned tail, trotting the other direction.

Behind him, Redflare continued staring, not speaking up despite a parted maw. He chose not to question, a wiser decision.


***


Now far too alert for a brief nap, Night patiently sat within the conclave, eased back in his chair, having not moved for two and a half hours now. Every other minute he found himself glancing to the clock on the wall above the twin frosted-glass doors, surrounded by more inch-thick glass spanning around the majority of the room for additional security and secrecy.

At any moment, his Zodiacs would trickle in and take their seats with others following suit, or at least he hoped they would. The slightest of tardiness in his current mood would surely shoot him over the deep end.

Minutes before six, muffled hoofsteps from outside approached, causing Night to blink back into reality. He gazed in the door's direction, ear twitching as a hoof took hold of the stainless-steel knob and attempted to twist. This went on for a few seconds, causing Night to tilt his head.

"Unlock the door!" Came a deep, garbled voice.

"It is unlocked!" Night responded.

"Then explain it not opening?!" 

"Have you tried pushing?!"

...

The door swung inwards, a charcoal-grey unicorn missing his gold helmet striding through, his nose wrinkled in embarrassment.

"Figure it out?" Night grinned slyly, leaning his head on a hoof.

"Shut up," Sharp responded, tossing a glance his way and seating himself in a chair.

Almost immediately after, a lighter-grey pegasus entered, sitting down beside Sharp. "Captain."

"First Lieutenant," Night responded, nodding once at Thunderblast.

A short break, then Red, tailed closely by Valiant, and behind them by a few feet, Rescue, donning their respective armors and each saluting Night, whom eased them a second later.

"I would have expected my Zodiacs to have been the first to come," Night mumbled just audibly, with little annoyance in his voice.

As if by simply mentioning, Scarlet Iris, followed by Stellar Star, Eventide, Midnight Blade, Skye Racer, and later Zipline, filed in and took their seats. Night took another glance at the clock, straightening his back.

"Still missing four," he said evenly.

Minutes passed, the room utterly silent, excluding a cough here or there from Stellar. All jumped in surprise at a massive thud from outside, and the ever-so-slowly thump of heavy hooves approaching, with Redflare popping through the door, having to duck slightly to slip into the room.

"Paladin," Night nodded to him.

"Captain," Redflare returned the nod, seating himself in a corner rather roughly, jolting the floor and knocking Sharp and Zipline from their chairs.

Some more time passed, taking the wait far past the original six o'clock start time. Second by second, Night grew slightly more impatient, but remained quiet, gently tapping his hoof on the glass corner with ever-so-increasing intensity.

Irritated by the noise, Red leaned forward, eyes meeting Night's. "Captain, with all due respect, can you stop—"

Immediately, Night shot an annoyed, stabbing look his way, one that shoved Red back into his seat and faced ahead with wide-eyes.

After what could very well have been a short eternity, the door opened, in walking an armored Lodestar, behind him, a tall, sapphire unicorn, dressed rather neatly for the occasion: a uniform that, in a way, put Night's to shame. 

Colorful, rectangular-shaped medals pinned symmetrically above his left breast, with a black tie tucked into the suit. His shoulder proudly displayed the insignia of Lieutenant Major, with silver lapel bar pins on either side of his collar. 

The stallion's onyx mane—an off-center silver stripe down the center—accordingly brushed to the side, and a blank look on his face that later shifted to a brief, small smile the moment his gaze set upon Night.

"Captain," the stallion, in his Europonean accent, softly said.

"Harmon—Lieutenant Major," Night replied.

A light chuckle emanated, the sapphire pony seating against the middle of the table. "Whichever suits you best, Captain."

Soon after, Lodestar and Halfmoon, followed by Stormfire last, having escorted Harmonic from the train station, filled in three of the four remaining seats.

"Everypony here?" Night counted mentally, just to be sure, then nodded once. "By this point, I anticipate everypony—or those under my command—to be aware of the true reason for this gathering."

He took a gentle breath, straightening himself in his chair. "Lance Corporal Shieldhunter is not hospitalized by a training accident, nor is Private Duskbloom."

Three of the Zodiacs exchanged looks, the rest keeping their eyes fixed on the captain.

"During... during the week-long journey to Hollow Shades, a sizable group of hostile thestral ponies launched an ambush against us during training exercises in the surrounding forests. They killed Shield in cold blood, and kidnapped Dusk, along with two other ponies assigned to our escort to provide a lookout."

A small collective gasp filled the room, only to be silenced by a raised hoof.

"And more recently, myself, as well as Paladin Redflare—" he glanced at him briefly. "—in the wake of Topaz Myth's latest escape, have rested on the likely possibility that he is behind the attack, that before he was put behind bars months prior, he and his extensive knowledge of magic have begun creating an army to disrupt the peaceful balance between the bat pony colonies and Equestria."

"We've yet to confirm this, however, it seems most plausible—"

"What about the robbery in Baltimare?" Red spoke up, then cleared his throat. "Sorry, Captain, go on."

Night waved a hoof. "No, you are correct. He, too, is likely behind that, as well, but more of a holographic spell of some sort. With what he learned in his time at the School for Gifted Unicorns, it would not surprise me if this kind of trickery is simple to him."

"As a result of thi—"

The door opened again, all eyes turning towards it. Staring blankly, blinking slowly, Princess Luna stood, half through the door. In an instant, every pony apart from Night Shadow stood out of their chairs at attention stance.

The lunar diarch gestured for them to sit. "At ease, soldiers," she said softly, gaze shifting to Night at the other end of the long table. "Captain, we—I believe, it is only fair if I hear out this congregation."

Night silently stared, only to nod. "Please, have a seat," he stood, pulling out the remaining vacant chair for her to sit.

She strode around the table, passing pony after pony, remaining more alert than before as more of a display of respect for the princess. Gently, she sat in the chair, Night pushing it in for her. "Thank you, Captain, so generous of you."

He nodded again, returning to his seat, but not before resuming. "As a result of these... "attacks", with the initial idea sparked by Sergeant Lodestar and I, further expanded by Commander Kozak of Fang Legion, in order to prevent a second disastrous racial change, we will be returning to Hollow Shades, and we will eradicate any potential threat to this country," he sternly continued, gently slamming his hoof on the table.

Now, everypony looked at each other, both in concern and confusion, all of which sparking questions in their heads, but would wait for Night to answer these himself.

"We will be joined by two squadrons of Fang Legion troops in Hollow Shades. They shall serve as infantry against the assailants. As for us, we are getting Dusk back, and any others they may have taken. We shall not stop until they are home safely." 

"It can be assumed, once we are out of their hiding spot—" Night pressed his hoof down on the map, directly atop a trench located near the village circled in red. "—that they will organize a return strike. This time, we expect them to be the ones to retreat when all is said and done. They will either be outnumbered, or just break even in numbers." 

"With their resilience and strength in weapons and ponies, they shall lead the charge, and it is our job to ensure they do not overpower us a second time. Above all, the village will be cleared of civilians. Those who stay will be forcefully removed, and those who wish to fight... they may do so."

He looked to the draft earth pony in the room, his light blond mane in slight need of a trimming over his emerald eyes. "Rescue, because of your service as a first responder in Ponyville, you are to be the team's medic. The other squadrons will be equipped with their own, so unless the help is so desperately needed, you are to tend to this team only."

The stocky mud-brown stallion nodded, briefly saluting. "Yes, Captain."

Night then turned the largest pony in the room. "Redflare, as much as we could use your combat expertise and magic, I believe it may be in everypony's best interest if you remain in Canterlot as a last-resort protector of the princesses. Should Topaz target them while we are handling his army, you may do what ever it takes to seduce him."

"End him, if that is the only possible solution," Princess Luna added. All turned to her, Night with wide-eyes. "If he cannot be contained, then he must be wiped out, along with his army. We cannot afford to risk him escaping again after this."

"Princess, no—that is too harsh of a punishment. For what he's done—"

"For what he's done—" Luna's Royal Canterlot Voice came out, startling everypony. "—death is most suitable! For what he has done, he shall have been executed long ago for causing this much disruption, and take innocent lives. Paladin, I am granting you the right to kill him if he cannot be stopped with other means!"

Her voice echoed throughout the halls beyond the room, startling guards even across the Palace. All, including Redflare, recoiled to her sudden outburst. Night eased back into his seat slowly, putting his hooves together.

"Cap, he took Shield from us. He took Dusk. No punishment, no torture, not even the death sentence could possibly be too harsh for his actions against Equestria," Lodestar said.

"My sister, all would know of her as a pacifist. In this situation, she too would agree," Luna responded.

Night sighed softly. "Then I suppose, whatever it takes, Redflare."

The large red pegasus nodded once, expression blank, but noting the slight emotion in Night's.

"Now, if there is any thing else any of you wish to say, feel obligated to do so, right now," Night leaned forward, scanning his eyes across the room. No response. 

"If anypony has any objections, or feel they should not be here, do not feel the need to stay here. I will refrain from holding it against you."

Again, no response.

Night shifted in his seat, then stood up, forehooves pressed on the glass surface. "Anything that needs to be done, finish it. If not, I shall give you all twenty-four hours to prepare, no exceptions. I expect none of you to run late tomorrow, and any pony absent will be left behind."

Every pony in the room, minus Luna and Redflare, exchanged looks again.

"All of this will be over by the end of the week. Beginning tomorrow, your training, everything you have been prepared for, it will pay off. We shall show no remorse for these ponies. Dismissed!"
> Then There Were...How Many?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

He blinked awake slowly, vision blurred and darkened with a confusing assortment of muffled noise in his ears narrowly atop the ringing. He glanced around, met with a sudden brightness. His eyes burned with a sudden dryness, forcing him to squint and blink every other second without time to adjust.

Chaos had erupted around him. Distant cries and screams, crackling of fire, and shifting debris surrounded, remaining slightly blocked out by continuous ringing that gently faded.

Leaning upright steadily, Night groaned and widened his eyes, gaze snapping to his left, noting the train carriage he and the rest of his squadron sat in minutes ago, mangled, on its side, and partially buried in a stretch of dirt kicked up as it slid away from the tracks. A gaping hole in front of the car's remains glowed of bluish embers.

The other carriages were in a similar state. Some rolled over or upside down with not much damage, split in half after colliding with trees, and a couple having fallen off an embankment into a frigid creek. Small fires scattered about.

"Captain!" Shouted a voice from nearby, repeating itself every so often as it came closer.


***



Five hours earlier...



***


A blank-faced, drowsy Night sat in the designated waiting area for the next train to Manehattan, with a planned stop in Hollow Shades. Their stop.

Lack of the ability to sleep for long took this much of a toll on him, and now he sat here for two hours, by himself, in a cold train depot, far earlier than he hoped for.

He blinked slowly, lids sagging slightly beneath his eyes. Atop his discernible fatigue, he kept alert for the time ponies he knew would begin filing into the building.

Soon enough, unaware of his entrance, Thunderblast stepped up to the glass-shielded counter, collecting his ticket for the journey. He turned, then froze, blinking with surprise as he spotted a zoned-out Night seated in one of the chair rows. The majority of his surprise came from Night having been here for who knows how long, originally expecting to be the first to come this early.

The grey pegasus sauntered to Night with a green sack over his shoulder, taking a seat beside him silently, but with a slight rustle of metallic objects in his bag. For a few moments, he fiddled with his hooves, then cleared his throat.

Night's trance broke, and he turned to Thunder, jumping slightly. "You're here early."

"What about you?" Thunder faintly grinned. "How much sleep did you get?"

"Not enough," Night yawned out quietly. "You?"

Thunder only shrugged, and Night nodded.

"So, this is it," Thunder finally said after a minute of silence.

"It is, at loooong last," Night replied. "We will finally be able to sleep at night knowing Shield is avenged."

"Never met him. Sounded brave, nonetheless."

"Atop the jokes, he was. Gave his life to save another. Hopefully the only ever in the Zodiacs to sacrifice themselves, now, and in the years to come."

"As a captain, you can only pray. As shameful as it is to say, things happen, and not always in our favor. Fate controls us all. If there is the slightest opportunity to alter it for the better, it is our obligation as Equestria's guardians to take that chance, even if it means we don't come home."

"I understand that," Night nodded once. "But, this was also my decision. Something huge may go awry and worsen the situation. Who knows, we might end up starting a whole new war. This wasn't the order of a princess, or—or a superior officer, this is out of revenge."

"You are a superior officer, Night, do not forget that. You do make orders."

"Well, four years later, I still have trouble accepting that," Night grimaced. "I often question my decisions. They keep me up at night if they are large enough."

"As do most ponies of your rank. During the war, Shining Armor admitted his orders to storm Gryffsvale, knowing the possible outcome, were tough. Many of the leading platoons dropped like flies, but our mission was successful after two days. Sharp could have gotten himself captured, or worse."

"He did say that," Night nodded. "That is not reassuring in the least, Thunder. Knowing others have felt similar provides little comfort. If anything, it tells me I could make the smallest mistake and lose three more when it could have been avoided."

"You would not otherwise know, Night. Part of life is taking risks. No pony is perfect in what they tell others to do. Hell, the world is made up of poor judgement. Without it, where would we be as a civilization?" Thunder turned to him.

Night stared forward, then glanced down, sighing. "You're right."

"I'm usually not," Thunder replied. "I'm simply citing what an old friend once told me."

"Did he die, too?"

"No. In fact, he is doing quite well in San Dineigo. Although, he was close to death. Lying in his hospital bed, not expected to survive his injuries, then a miracle happened and made a full recovery. Said those exact words two weeks after the incident, when his voice came back."

"Let me guess, bad idea led to his near-death?"

Thunder nodded, chuckling softly. "But it saved Canterlot, or contributed to it at least."

He turned to Night again. "My point is, never be afraid to be in charge. Regardless of the possible outcome, do what you believe is right for you and everypony around you. You cannot always control what happens, just, never give up."

Night nodded, a small smile pursing his lips. "Thanks for the inspirational speech. You know, after the Guard, you should work for Celestia as a speechwriter."

Thunder shrugged, then shook his head. "How dare you," he grinned, only to be punched in the shoulder by Sharp on his right side.

"He ain't wrong," the unicorn said aloud, startling them both. "I decided not to interrupt when it all got deep, didn't want to ruin the moment," he grinned as well.

"Well, er, thank you?" Thunder blinked, rubbing his shoulder from the punch. "How long have you been sitting here?"

"Oh, I just sat down. Been standing there for about five minutes, though, only started listening when I heard you say my name," Sharp responded, waving a hoof.

Night tiredly chuckled, eyes closed with a stupid grin. "Always making a sudden entrance, aren't you, Sharp?"

"For a stallion your size, you're scarily silent," Thunder added. "Ever thought about being a Sharp-shooter?"

Thunder was met with punches on either shoulder from the two stallions on either side. He yipped with pain as one punch was significantly harder than the other.

"Come on, harmless pun!"


***


The train chuffed eastward, closing in on Hollow Shades in the final stretch of the trip. Night, his Zodiacs, and others among him sat gathered in a center carriage, no other ponies but them occupying the seats. 

Out of the sixteen of them, Night retained his unofficial title of the quietest throughout the journey, having not said four words since they boarded back in Canterlot, that being hours ago. The others, less so. Not everypony engaged in some sort of conversation, nonetheless, silence became a rarity up to this very moment.

Every so often, a passenger would come through to another carriage. Not one that passed didn't give somepony a strange look, whether it be of bewilderment or concern. After all, it was not every day an entire squadron of guards rode the train without being attached to a princess.

While Night fixed his eyes on the passing snow-covered landscape, Sharp seated himself on the bench opposite of Night, sipping from a steaming plastic coffee cup, letting out a satisfied ahh. He glanced up to Night, who leaned against the glass. "Coffee?"

"No. Thank you, though," Night responded, not moving his eyes a hair.

"Well, the dining car has plenty of it. You look like you'd need some eventually."

Night straightened his back, stretching it and groaning quietly before relaxing again. "Maybe later. There is another good place in town where I could get some."

"Fair enough," Sharp nodded, cautiously sipping again to avoid burning his tongue—having already done twice already.

"I hope we aren't too late," Night said, returning his gaze to the window.

"We won't be."

"Do you understand—"

"We won't be," he repeated, more sternly, coldly making eye contact with the fanged pegasus. "Kill the negativity, Night. I am about sick of it."

"I can't help it, Sharp," Night sighed quietly. "I can't control how my mind thinks. I can't help but go over the possibilities, what if—"

Sharp raised a hoof, stopping Night mid-sentence. "Just how will that help us? There could be infinite possibilities, Night. Along with what I said to you at the train station, worrying too much about the future can throw you off balance. Focus on your current task, and nothing more. Any distraction and it will go awry."

"Yeah, well, considering how many tasks we currently have, I don't know which to think about more. Duskbloom, definitely. But, what if the only possible way to rescue him is to bring down his captors first?"

"There is only one way to find out. As I said, infinite possibilities," Sharp paused for a swig of coffee. "Or, how about this—settle on the outcome you want, but keep the worst possible one in back of your head. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

"I will try—"

"There is no try. There is only do, or don't do. There is no in between," Sharp cut him off once more. "I want to hear that you will do, not try."

Night grumbled softly, ears flattening in annoyance and rolling his eyes. "I will do it."

Sharp simply nodded, glancing outside, taking another long sip. Only silence followed between the two, much less the others around them ignoring their conversation and focused on their own.

"You know, I've been thinking—"

On the left side of the carriage, opposite of the two, a window burst inward, followed by a heavy thump of a figure falling in. Before anypony could even react or snap in that direction, two more windows shattered.

One of which breaking pelted Zipline, Midnight Blade, Scarlet Iris, and Red Knight with shards of glass. Other than minor cuts far and few in between, neither were hurt after having shielded themselves with their hooves.

All jumped with surprise, fixing onto the three clothed figures that came crashing inside. In an instant, these ponies drew knives, picking their targets in the carriage.

With little hesitation, Lodestar leaped from his seat—clearing another entirely in the process—landing feet before one of the assailants. He stood without any weapon, but with the intention of disarming and seducing the one across from him.

Valiant stood quickly, tackling the second of the three to the floor, lighting his horn and encasing the blade in his aura to hold it in place, the attacker refusing to let go of it and stand back up. Upon a quick glance, beneath the hood stared a pair of brown slit-pupils, fixed on him. 

The clothed figure lurched up, baring its teeth with not two, but four razor-sharp fangs, aimed for Valiant's neck. Quickly, he brought down a hoof, driving it into the pony's muzzle before it could latch on to him. A painful yip emanated, the hoof releasing the magic-pinned knife, and rolling out from beneath the larger unicorn.

Sharpblade and Eventide took on the third pony, missing her hood and bat wings stretched out fully. The mare hissed threateningly, lunging at them. Eventide jumped toward her, the two colliding forcefully, landing with the attacker above Eventide. 

Just as the armed mare regained her senses, realizing her target laid beneath her and prepared to swing a punch, Sharp charged from the side, sending her sailing across the carriage, slamming into a bench and snapping it in half upon impact.

He kept his momentum, yanking Eventide upright onto all fours quickly, whose eyes shot wide in surprise. Sharp leaped up, about to slam on top of the hoodless thestral, when she rolled just out of the way. 

Sharp's hooves landing heavily into the wooden floor beside her, one of which impaling through the floor and becoming stuck. He focused on attempting to pull it free, much less the floor splinter that jabbed into it just narrowly above his hoof guard.

The attacker rolled onto her hooves, reaching to grab the knife, realizing it sat on the floor far from her reach. Rather, she recoiled a hoof, charging to punch Sharp. With his free hoof, he raised it, blocking the shot she took. 

For a stallion his size, this mare was far stronger in her hits than even he would expect. Per punch she threw, his hoof would be pushed back, steadily coming closer to him whilst still struggling to yank his hoof from the hole in the floor.

Sharp grabbed hold of the hoof, halting it mid-punch, swinging the mare into the wall and briefly stunning her. He took this moment, and his other hoof, further attempting to jar it unstuck. He grunted in his struggles, the splinter only further stabbing into his hoof.

He snapped to the side, the mare now having lunged at him, about to tackle. His eyes shot wide open, caught off-guard and lifting his hoof again to block her, only for Eventide to swoop in from down the carriage's aisle, slamming the mare into the vestibule door and into the next carriage, startling passengers as the two begun to wrestle.

Lodestar lifted the pony he took, forcing him against one of the windows, cracking it in center and threatening to break. It bulged outward, cracks spreading further as Lodestar raised his hoof—leaving one to keep the stallion pinned—driving punch after punch into his jaw, stunning him.

The stallion quickly reached into a pocket, drawing a second, smaller knife, swiping blindly at Lodestar's shoulder. The steel of the blade simply scraped against the cyan pony's armor, not even deeply enough to scratch the paint.

A second swipe came around, this time catching Lode on the cheek, leaving a shallow cut. He hardly winced, shifting his focus to the significantly smaller weapon and catching the stallion's hoof in the midst of a third thrust that was sure to jab into his cheek.

He twisted the assailant's hoof, it letting out a painful-sounding crack. The pony cried out painfully, dropping the knife with a tiny metallic clank against the wood surface. Lodestar dealt one final blow: a strong headbutt, in the process, smashing the incapacitated attacker out through the damaged window, tumbling along the edge of the track behind them.

Before any of them could catch their breath, another bat pony mare tumbled in through the window, tackling onto Sharp, ripping his hoof free of the hole with the splinter still attached. He yipped in both pain and surprise, rearing his hinds out of reflex and kicking the mare straight up into the ceiling, smashing a light and shocking her unconscious, then finally landing to his left.

Sharp jumped up, keeping his forehoof raised just slightly, he examined the figure, the fur on her back darkened and burned from the electric shock. His breath steadily calmed, heart rapidly pumping in his chest. He glanced up to the others in the carriage, all of which exchanging looks to each other, whilst Valiant, at last, incapacitated the final attacker along with Thunderblast's aid.

Zipline opened his mouth to speak, the words just narrowly beginning to slip out, before a bright blue flash stunned the fifteen of them. In an instant, everything began to fall apart around them. Screeching metal, snapping wood planks, and the powerful roar of the train's cars coming uncoupled and derailing, smashing into trees or rolling over, some plunging down a thirty-foot embankment into a frozen creek.

The ordeal seemed to go on for minutes upon minutes. The terrifying sounds of destruction far overwhelmed the terrified screams of his friends and squad members, as well as other passengers in other carriages that too came off the tracks.

Night flew through a gaping hole in the side of their car while it tumbled, tossed many feet from the tracks. He struggled to regain his bearings while airborne, only to black out instantly upon impact.


***


He shot awake, gasping for air as he lay chest-up against... something. Night's ears rung, drowning out the chaotic ambience unfolding in all directions of him.

It took a good minute for his vision to clear, at long last allowing him a glimpse of the turmoil. Before him lay a pair of railway axles, lying upside down against a tall bent-over tree, some of its larger branches snapped and fallen, or hanging from where they once strongly stretched from the trunk.

To his front and left, and nearly his direct left, were the train tracks—or what was left of them. The force of the derailment bent the rails and destroyed the wooden ties placed beneath them for stability. Many of the carriages rested on their sides, upside down, or destroyed entirely.

Blinking heavily, Night shifted his gaze to a blonde-maned draft stallion dragging a limp pony out through a narrow opening in a car, laying them in a flat area away from the wreckage, and proceeding to perform resuscitation maneuvers.

"Captain!" A voice called from afar, repeating itself as it gradually came closer from a direction Night could not pinpoint in his current state.

After many minutes of self-induced paralysis, Night gradually pushed himself up onto his hooves, grunting, yet successful. Immediately, Midnight Blade whipped around the section of debris he previously laid against, stopping and breathing a massive sigh of relief upon finding him.

"How many casualties?!" Night shouted, ears still ringing after this long.

"Too many to count," Midnight panted. "Halfmoon and Eventide are missing, Captain!"

The words struck Night, but immediately after, he grabbed her shoulder and started running. "They're here somewhere, get to it!"

"Right, sir!" Midnight responded, galloping to Rescue, whom managed to wake the incapacitated mare.

Night rushed in the opposite direction, met with what seemed like endless destruction in all directions. More passenger carriages laid on their side, smashed through one another—even one split in half down the center by a tree it struck. 

Further down the line sat the locomotive, only partially still on the tracks. Near it rested a small group of passengers, the conductor, and the engineer, helping one another out. Neither of which seemed too terribly injured, much to Night's relief.

Then, his ear swiveled in the direction of a painful cry. With no hesitation, Night rushed to the source: an overturned car, partially burning with fire rapidly spreading.

Through the broken vestibule he slipped into, Night scanned around the smoky cabin, spotting an older stallion near his own father's age pinned beneath a bench jarred loose in the derailment. Through the smoke, on the opposite end of the carriage, fire burned, lighting the interior in a horrifying, sweltering orange.

Night rushed to the stallion's side, coughing softly to the flame's fumes. "I'm here, I got you!" he shouted over the crackling and the fire's low roar.

The older stallion hacked and coughed heavily, blinking slowly up at Night. He'd been breathing the smoke for too long, and was very well on the verge of passing out.

Night quickly grasped the bench, grunting and digging his hinds into the snow that flooded through the broken window when the carriage rolled over. He trembled in his struggle to push the bench off, finding it did not budge a hair.

He paused, huffing heavily and coughing shortly after, quickly shifting his focus to the steadily-approaching fire, then to the bench, and finally to the stallion.

"I'm not leaving until you are out of here, you hear me?!" Night grasped the stallion's one free hoof, him slowly nodding, eyelids half shut.

Night snapped toward the opening in which he slipped inside. "Hey! Over here, I need some help!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. "Over here!"

Without waiting, Night returned to attempting to free the stallion, struggling once more to shove the bench pinning him to the side. Much like his first attempt, it was to no avail.

Just as soon as Night began to give up hope of help arriving, a familiar voice rose above the fire's growing roar.

"Night, where are you?!"

His ears perked up, pausing to glance toward the opening a second time. "Burning car, hurry!"

Almost instantaneous, a surge of relief swept across Night as a slightly larger figure rushed inside, grasping the bench beside him.

"On my mark, give it all you've got. Ready?" the stallion hurriedly said. Night nodded once, preparing himself. "All right. One... two... three!"

With their combined strength, the two dug their hinds into the ground, grunting in effort. Yet, this time, it worked! The bench slowly slid off of the unconscious victim, just enough to quickly slip him out, which the other pony did so gracefully before grabbing Night by the hoof and yanking him to the only way out.

Just as the two exited the burning carriage, the powerful force of it exploding just feet behind them sent them sailing forty, fifty feet, with the incapacitated survivor still within the larger pony's grasp, shielding him from the impact.

Night leaped up no more than a second after landing on his side, racing to the other two. "Dad, are you okay?!"

The larger bat stallion nodded, wheezing slightly, releasing the other stallion into the soft snow beside him, safe from the wreckage. Gradually, he stood with Night's help.

"I'm fine, son," he dusted off his armor, then Night's, who fiddled to stop him.

"No, Dad, stop, stop!" he grabbed his hooves forcefully. "How did you get here?"

"We only just reached Hollow Shades an hour ago. I noticed a strangely-dressed unicorn make his way toward the tracks, then... then I saw him do it," Skywatcher replied, breath slowing.

Night blinked, eyes widening. "Saw him do what? What did he look like?!"

"Couldn't tell much. He wore strange greyish-black robes with some sort of markings on them, like another language, but symbols. He shot a beam at the train, he derailed it! Then, just like that, he was gone. I ran to help, then it hit me when I found somepony in your armor helping out survivors."

Night gasped, eyes even bigger now. "Topaz... you saw him?"

"Do you know him, Night?" Skywatcher blinked.

"Did you follow him anywhere other than the tracks, Dad?!" Night frantically asked.

Sky nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Yes. In fact, I did. He was near an old mill of some sort. It looked old, but it was operational. There were... others like us! They were running it, hundreds of them. They stopped, he spoke with them. At least, I think he did. He went inside, and I followed him to the tracks."

Night gasped again. "Duskbloom! That's where they are keeping him!"

His father raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about, son?"

Night began running the opposite direction, Skywatcher quickly following. "I will brief you along the way, help me round up survivors and take them to town!"

Skywatcher's eyebrow raised further, bewildered at the sudden behavior. He simply chose not to question and nodded, rushing off to do as his son ordered.
> A Little Game Called Revenge: Part I
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"As the officer in command of the Hollow Shades Guard, I demand an explanation for this gathering!" Norealis addressed, stood between his guards, and the two squadrons of Legion soldiers in a threatening standoff. "Who is your commanding officer, and just where is he?!"

"Major Skywatcher, and he has temporarily left to tend to other matters," responded one of the soldiers, eyes coldly locked with Norealis'.

"This is absurd! Making a scene in my town, terrifying our citizens. Should the Major return, I shall have a word with him over this behavior!" Norealis stomped a hoof on the icy cobble.

Having heard the argument from a short distance, Skywatcher—tailed by his son—raced to the standoff to quell it, catching either sides' attention.

"Lower your weapons," Skywatcher sternly said, the soldiers following as ordered. He then focused to the thestral-like unicorn. "What is the meaning of this?"

The angered lieutenant colonel approached the taller stallion, fangs bared slightly. "Major, I am ashamed of your actions, more so the unnecessary actions of your ponies. An explanation would be much appreciated."

"Stand down, we mean no harm to you or your village," Skywatcher coolly replied.

"Tell that to the tens of citizens who have boarded up their homes and hid in their basements, Major," Norealis responded, placing strong emphasis on the title. "It is already quite unacceptable having lost two of my own just weeks ago!"

"We are here on account of them, as well as one other who has turned up missing on the same day."

Night stepped forth. "There is strong evidence to believe ponies in this area are in grave danger."

Norealis turned to Night, easing slightly, then blinking upon the sight of the soot across his armor. "And just what happened to you?"

"Our train was attacked. Derailed, even, not far from town. We have numerous casualties that followed us here, all but two are accounted for," Night replied stoically.

Norealis cocked his head. "Two? How are you so certain?"

"They were my own, sir. My best assumption is they are displaced. I am confident they are still very much alive."

"And what about two of mine?" He cocked his head more. "Not so certain about them, now are you?"

"That is why we are here," Night said, the rest of his fellow guards rounding the corner behind them in a group. "We are getting them back."

Norealis fell into a chuckling fit, which forced a frown on Night's muzzle. "All of this is absurd! For the sake of everything good in this world, why must you pretend to know more than myself?"

"Because, we do," Skywatcher replied, taking a folder handed to him by one soldier, smacking it into Norealis' chest.

Reluctantly, the curve-horned pony opened the file flap, eyes running across the information inside. Steadily he began to read more in-depth, eyes raising to Night and Sky.

"He is here?"

Night responded with a soft nod of his head. "Unfortunately so."

"What does he want with our village?"

"Nothing more than an army, which he already has. They attacked us after taking your guards, and two of mine, they also broke into the train. At least, some of them. We overpowered them, and... he... destroyed the train."

"What kind of power are we discussing here, Captain?" Norealis raised his voice for all to hear.

"The kind we need all the help we can get to shut down, before he can take any more from us both, from us all," Night took a step forward.

Norealis went silent, his dark lavender eyes locked with the bright gold of Night's. Just by this simple look, he made out the truth had been spoken.

"Where are they?" he simply asked.

As Night opened his maw to speak, ponies screaming in a panic and stampeding down the town's streets startled the three groups. 

"There's your answer, Lieutenant Colonel. Get to it!" Night hastily ordered, rushing to a small crate on a flat push-trolley.

"What about the citizens, Captain?!"

"Get them to the outpost, too late for an evacuation!" He replied from a short distance, rushing to open the wood crate.

Nodding once, Norealis snapped to his guards. "Apples, gather the civilians on the streets, bring them to the bunker. Butter, round up ponies in their homes. Cache, barricade the north and west sectors, two minutes or less. Get moving!"

"Those are horrid squadron names, Lieutenant Colonel," Harmonic Percussion frankly added.

From the trolley, Night whipped around, facing his own guards. "Zodiacs, help Apples, fend off Topaz's troops when they attack!"

Red Knight shifted to the panicking ponies in the streets, eyes darting between them. "There's so many of them... how on earth do we tell the good ones from the bad ones?!"

"If they're charging at you with a weapon, they're bad!" shouted Zipline, unfolding his bow's wings with a forward thrust, leaping into the air and taking a position atop the clock tower for an extended view below, his eyes scanning about like a hawk on a tree branch.

With their orders clear, guards and Legion soldiers scrambled in all directions to their respective positions. Civilians in a panic halted when the armored ponies called for them, beginning to file into stampeding lines toward the bunker situated at the guard outpost.

Some raced door to door, knocking, then shouting a brief message inside that drew ponies from their homes, having hidden in fear or completely unaware of the present situation.

Much like his fellow markspony, Stormfire placed himself in a taller tree, overlooking the edge of town nearest the forest, a small crossbow strapped to his right hoof. He removed one arrow from the pouch across his shoulder, quickly loading it, with a second bow folded against his back.

From their vantage point on the ground, all seemed clear. The majority of the stampeding civilians now piled themselves into the outpost across town, quite nearly clearing the cobble streets entirely.

"They wouldn't panic without a reason. Where are they?" Thunderblast mumbled just barely audibly, scanning the path both ahead and beside him, as well as the skies above, gripping his sword blade just a bit tighter.

"They are close, we should see them at any moment. Just remain vigilant," Valiant responded, his own sword in a magic aura.

Within a moment's notice, Thunder dodged just to the side, an arrow falling from just above a house roof, impaling at an angle into the dirt between cobble stones.

Atop the clock tower, out of the corner of his eye, Zipline caught movement. He snapped his gaze in that direction, spotting numerous clothed figures splitting at an intersection in a small clearing between trees. Neither of these figures flew, likely aware of the aerial cover from two positions.

The white pegasus drew his hoof back, tugging the bow's string and the arrow with it, blankly aiming for the path in which the enemies advanced down. He allowed numerous seconds to pass, shifting just to the left of center, then releasing the string.

The arrow itself changed direction to a sudden gust, disappearing beneath the edge of the treeline. Emerging from the cover of trees, one pony collapsed abruptly on the ground, struck by Zipline's arrow. 

A second figure at its side galloped past the wounded one, Zipline taking aim for them as well. Behind him, many, many more. His eyes opened wide, raising his voice for those below to hear.

"They're coming in groups, splitting up, I can't hit all of them!" he called, grabbing the attention of the Zodiacs.

In his tree, Stormfire waited, aiming downward. Hooded ponies armed with swords and knives rushed past his tree, not initially noticing him. By the moment one caught his abnormally-large silhouette almost motionless on the branch, it was too late.

The arrow shot from his crossbow split into three, striking the small group simultaneously, the three dropping to the cobble instantly. Quickly, Storm reloaded, standing by for the next wave to pass.

"Thaaaat's right... keep it coming," he mumbled, ear swiveling to fast-approaching hoofsteps.

Breath steady, Storm took aim for the ground, keeping his focus on these hoofsteps, the source surely to appear at any second. One thestral sneaking around his tree to catch him from behind, making little to no noise with snow muffling his hooves on the nearby rooftop.

The very moment the pony pounced into the air to tackle Storm down, an arrow struck him from the side, knocking him off course and crashing through the branches beside Storm, startling him. 

He rapidly snapped to the bat pony, impaled in his side by an arrow, then shifted his attention to the clock tower, where Zipline nodded once to him from afar.


***


In the center of town, a select few of the Zodiacs broke formation, spreading out to smaller alleyways and streets as opposing thestral ponies of all sizes stormed into the village. The guards of Hollow Shades and the two squadrons of Fang Legion knights formed a final barricade, partially doing so to protect Night Shadow while he prepared himself.

Even with both Stormfire and Zipline keeping watch from above, halting only some in their tracks before they can reach the barricade, many more slipped past their watchful eye. For the moment, no enemies took to the skies with crossbows, a temporarily relief for Zipline after last time.

On the contrary, many did roof-jump between structures, a strategy to catch the central defending group from a new angle. Some of which made it no further than the first roof, an end put to them by Zipline's near-impeccable aim from many years of prior training with similar weaponry. Deadlier weaponry.

With only a moment's notice, bat ponies dropped before stallions and mares of the three groups. Thunderblast engaged first, lunging with a steel sword, swinging and colliding with another, steel ear-piercingly screeching as they ground into each other, one attempting to overpower their opponent, with Thunder on the winning side.

Swooping from a rooftop, a mare slashed at Thunder in aid of the one he wrestled with as a distraction. He narrowly ducked, the blade coming within inches of his ear, yet his focus remaining locked with his current opponent who gave a powerful thrust, one that forced two steps backwards to counter the movement.

Coming around for another attempt, the mare drew her dagger back, Thunder turning his head to face her while still in a struggle. He spread his wing last-second, smacking the mare, with his hind hoof kicking into her shoulder, the dagger flying out of her grip.

The mare stumbled to the ground, only to regain her stance no more than a moment after and charging the grey pegasus with not a weapon in her hoof.

He quickly noted the mare back up, shoving the sword-wielding pony with a powerful counter-thrust, whipping his body and blocking a punch with his left hoof, proceeding to swipe his sword only after she drew away. To his right, the thestral mare with the sword jumped to all fours, swinging rapidly, sword handle between her teeth—a rather poor choice of swordsmanship.

Thunder grabbed the unarmed mare's hoof mid-punch, twisting it and lifting her narrowly off the ground, spinning her briefly while her twisted hoof unwound itself. Releasing her, he lowered his sword in his right hoof, using the left to grab hold of the swinging enemy blade which partially cut into him, albeit shallowly. 

Still gripping the blade with a tiny portion of his blood on the tip, Thunder shoved inward, forcing the mare's head to the side while she clenched her teeth, then yanked, ripping the sword entirely from her maw and driving his slightly-bloodied hoof into her jaw, knocking the bat pony straight through a window just feet from where he stood.

The second mare, groaning painfully and rolling upright, set her eyes on the dropped sword beside Thunder, lunging to grab it, only to be halted by a stray hoof driving into her face, incapacitating her almost immediately.

With one unconscious, and the other lying in a painful glass puddle inside a building, Thunder snapped his attention to the next attacker lunging from above.


***


Night scrambled with the crowbar in his hoof, straining and grunting even minutes later to pry open the wood crate while chaos exploded in all directions.

From the roof of the small shop beside him, a pair of equal-sized stallions landed beside one another, steadily approaching Night from in front. His eyes opened wide, removing the crowbar from the lid of the crate and swinging it into the cheek of one pony, knocking him into the other, only to stand back up quickly.

He took another powerful swing, just barely grazing one of the stallions' noses as he lurched backwards, his partner remaining on the ground in a daze. 

A larger Legion stallion dealt the final blow, tackling the other to the ground atop the second downed attacker and wrestling with him.

"Go, I've got him!" the soldier shouted between grunts, socking the bat pony in the jaw. 

As told, Night returned to the crate, swinging upwards as high as his forehooves could go, slamming the crowbar into the wooden planks. He repeated the process to simply break it open rather than pry the lid off properly.

At long last, following minutes of numerous attempts, Night tossed the crowbar aside. Hastily, he began digging broken thin wood slabs out, tossing one at an advancing bat pony in the mean time to buy himself an extra minute.

He dove his hooves into the box, yanking out a dark-blue-and-purple square-shaped object, pressing the single button in center. Much like magic, the object began to unfold itself.

Even though the danger was real, some of the village's civilians—having not sheltered themselves, or ended up reemerging—joined in on the fight with their own weapons, ranging from swords, butcher knives, and even pots and pans.

From the ground up, small hordes of bat ponies began scaling the walls of the clock tower with the aid of their wings—though mainly using only their hooves to rapidly climb towards Zipline, only just acknowledging them when one leaped up to tackle him.

Strapped in a leather sheathe, Zipline leaped up and reached over his shoulder, sliding out a sharpened-tip thick-blade sword, dropping his bow temporarily to deal with the attackers attempting to ambush him.

The first to lunge met with the steel of his sword merely seconds after reaching the top of the brick structure. It drove into his shoulder, sticking with him, only to slip out as the momentum threw the pony crashing through a wooden rooftop below.

Two more—mare and stallion bat ponies—pulled themselves onto the spire-shaped roof from either side of the white pegasus. He determined his targets: the shorter mare, and the evenly-sized stallion. 

Split-secondly, Zipline whirled his sword sideways at the stallion, whipping his body to face at him, simultaneously bucking his hinds into the mare's chest as the flat-side of his blade smacked the stallion, sending them sailing off of the roof at the exact same time.

Immediately shifting his focus to the ground, he snatched up his bow and drew the string back, striking a distant bat pony rushing for the guard outpost with no more than a second wasted to properly aim.

"Not on my watch, you don't," he muttered beneath his breath, swinging around last-minute and cracking another pony's head with the end of his bow, knocking him down.

Down below, the few unicorns within the group shot off tiny orbs of magic energy that whisked past and struck many advancing thestrals that delivered a stunning electric shock upon contact.

"Hold the line!" shouted Sharpblade above the fighting around him, charging up his horn. 

The others surrounding him took steps back, him ducking his head to aim his horn, blasting the cobble path with a powerful magical beam that send a good ten or so bat ponies flying hundreds of feet in the air, disappearing into the distance along with their detached weapons.

Sharp, having been weakened by the mass output of energy in the spell, collapsed to the ground with a pained grunt and huffed rapidly through his nostrils, body shaking like a leaf.

Rushing up from behind, the dark-brown earth pony medic accompanying them gently drew Sharp from the barricade as Valiant and Harmonic replaced him in the position.

Sharp gently waved a hoof at the large stallion, gently trying to wriggle free while still heaving for a breath. "I-I'm fine, let me up!"

"Easy, tiger," Rescue responded, laying Sharp flat on the ground. From his saddle pack, he brought out a small vial of a purple liquid, popping open the cap and gently pressing it to the grey unicorn's lips. "Drink this, your energy will regenerate quicker, but only briefly."

Sharp took tiny sips of the fluid, yanking his mouth from the vial and coughing, hacking up some spit onto the ground and responding with disgust in his voice. "That tastes awful, what the hell is that?!"

Rescue popped the cork back into the vial, tucking it back away and turning back to Sharp. "The magic about it, is that the bad taste itself is what rejuvenates you."

"So, nothing about it regenerates me?!"

Rescue just slightly grinned. "Precisely."

As Sharp shifted up onto his elbows, his eyes opened wide. "Duck."

He shot up a beam toward Rescue, whom narrowly ducked as the beam grazed a follicle of his blond mane, knocking a spear-wielding bat pony about to attack them clear out of the sky.  

Rescue snapped behind him, just catching the pony as she fell to the ground, blackened entirely by Sharp's magic and utterly stunned, her weapon dissolving into ashes and blowing off in the breeze.

Sharp jumped up on all fours, patting Rescue roughly on the shoulder, still in some shock.

"Get to it, medic," he said, rushing off to his previous position along the barrier.

At the other barricade on a separate street, Lodestar, Scarlet Iris, and Skye Racer clashed with more enemy bat ponies that seemed to keep coming with no end in sight, like an endless train.

Scarlet and Skye fought with their swords, while Lodestar went with more hoof-to-hoof combat, knocking the smaller of assailants down with one or two strong hits. Together, they managed to hold their positions for this long, but each were steadily growing tired after a solid ten minutes of fighting.

"T-they just keep coming!" Skye panted, ducking beneath a sword as it swung above him, thrusting his own, his target lurching backward to dodge.

From above, two armored mares, one dark blue, the other purple, dropped beside them, taking on more to ease the burden. Lodestar briefly snapped his gaze to the mares, nodding once.

"Better late than never," Halfmoon said, swinging her body in a circle, socking a pony in her cheek.

"Got lost, took a wrong turn at Alderneigh," Eventide added sarcastically, rearing on her hinds and tackling down a stallion.

"Your timing could not be better," Scarlet replied with a smile, briefly unoccupied, only to be knocked down by a charging pony.

Her eyes rolled in a state of confusion, only coming to her senses moments after Lodestar drove a solid punch into her attacker's muzzle, twisting his head and immediately rendering him unconscious, before pulling her up.

"You alright?" he asked, checking over her for any injuries.

"Better than ever, Sergeant," Scarlet grinned, mentally laughing it off. "Behind you!"

The dark cyan stallion snapped his head back, shifting his weight onto his forehooves, then rearing heavily into a stallion about his size—if not larger—and knocking the wind out of him. Whipping himself around, he dealt a second blow to finish him off.

"Oooh, strong stallion," Scarlet teased, nudging his shoulder and picking up her sword off the ground.

All Lodestar could do was visibly blush at the compliment, rolling his eyes, then focus on his next target.


***


"Zodiacs, guards, soldiers!" Skywatcher shouted, grabbing nearly everypony's attention once the fight—at long last—seemed to lighten up. "Draw them away from the town, we cannot let them hurt anypony!"

Night leaped up into the air, landing heavily with a strong shake of the ground that startled some. His hooves dug into the cobble, shattering some of the stones beneath them. 

Covering almost every inch of his body, glowing blue with the veins of a liquid powering the suit, he wore an altered version of the Battle Armor Mark III, utilized by the infantry of Fang Legion—the unfolding object within the crate. The armor itself even extended to the leading edge of his wings, providing a shield for them as well from base to wing tip.

"Let them follow me to the outskirts," he said, staring through the glass goggles attached as part of the helmet with just his muzzle bare.

"Captain, would that work?" Lodestar questioned, approaching with a small trickle of blood running down his cheek from a cut.

"They want me the most, I'm certain of it. The farther they are from civilians, the better. We haven't seen the last of them, that's for su—"

"Captain, Major!" a soldier rushed between the groups of ponies, stopping and panting.

Night, Skywatcher, and Norealis focused on this one soldier, pausing to catch his breath from running for who knows how long.

"We... caught one! He surrendered immediately. He was unarmed, we restrained him to be sure..."

"You caught one of them?" Norealis blinked, somewhat dumbfounded with this sudden information.

"Where is he?" Night stepped closer, scrutinizing on the soldier thoroughly.

The soldier turned behind him, reaching a hoof to his mouth and whistling audibly. Within moments, a pair of Hollow Shades guards approached, a shorter, more skittish-looking bat pony stallion with cuffed hooves between them.

Night, removing his helmet, strode closer to the smaller pony, who took a couple of steps back. He almost appeared... frightened?

"Careful, Cap, he can still get you with his fangs," Lodestar warned, eyeballing the thestral.

Night raised a hoof halfway, signaling for silence as he stopped feet before the pony. "You surrendered. Surely, there must be reasoning behind that decision. Who are you, and what are your intentions?"

The pony squeaked quietly, recoiling back, only to bump into a guard cutting him off from behind to prevent escape. He only trembled, making direct eye contact with Night.

"M-my name? I-intentions?" he sputtered. "Thir-Thirty Seven."

Night blinked twice, cocking his head slightly. "Come again?"

"Thirty... S-Seven. Th-that is my name."

"That is not a name, quit deceiving me," Night sternly responded.

"I-I am telling the truth, all of y-you!" he shuddered. "I-I surrendered... b-because I want nothing to do with this fight!"

Angered, Lodestar stomped his hoof into the dirt. "Bull! Why you—of all of your buddies—would you up and throw up the white flag? He's lying, kill him—"

Night snapped back at the dark cyan stallion, staring icy daggers at him. "Let me speak to him, Sergeant!"

Slowly, Night turned to 'Thirty Seven', blinking slowly. "How can I prove you are telling the truth? How can you prove to be trustworthy?"

The smaller pony slowly peeked around Night, setting his gaze on the sapphire unicorn between Sharpblade, Thunderblast, and Midnight Blade. "H-he can..."

Eyes turned to Harmonic, staring coolly back. The Europonean-accented unicorn inhaled softly. "I may be of some assistance, Captain. A spell that is a lie detector."

"How could you tell the difference?" Night asked.

"In the spell, a unicorn's aura changes color, depending on the result. It retains its normal color, assuming the suspect is truthful. Otherwise, the color becomes its exact opposite. It is all I have got," Harmonic replied, coming closer.

Night went over the thought in his mind, nodding moments later and stepping away from Thirty Seven. "Have at it, Lieutenant Major."

Harmonic nodded once, shifting his gaze to the smaller thestral. Gradually, his ice-blue aura engulfed his horn, and later, Thirty Seven. He closed his eyes, speaking softly. "Do you mean no harm?"

Zodiacs, guards, and soldiers stood by, watching for any sort of change in Harmonic's aura. Surely enough, it did change, but not in the way anypony anticipated. It only shifted halfway.

"What does that mean?" Skywatcher raised an eyebrow.

"He is only partially truthful," Harmonic began. "He may mean no harm to us, but to whom we are fending off."

Thirty Seven nervously nodded. As a result, Harmonic's horn shifted back to its normal color, alleviating some tension in the air.

"Th-they are horrible. Our leader is horrible, he wishes death and destruction on everypony! I-I don't understand it. He-he taught everypony how to kill. I o-only went along with it so nopony would label me as defective!"

"Defective?" Night cocked his head. "What do you mean, defective?"

"Useless, pacifist, untrustworthy of them," his ears drooped. "I-I already stood out in the crowd, being this small... this weak..."

The longer he went on, and the longer Harmonic's aura retained color, the more Night's remorse for Thirty Seven grew. He was, in fact, being truthful, much of a surprise to most if not all surrounding him.

Night took another step forward, easing himself in hopes of gaining the pony's trust. He smiled weakly.

"If it helps you feel better at all, your help is greatly appreciated. We could use much more of it."

Thirty Seven's ears perked, snapping his gaze up to Night's. "R-really?"

Up above in the tower, Zipline stared through a pair of binoculars, keeping his eyes peeled for activity. Sure enough, a second, larger swarm of approaching enemies came within view, flooding into the village like rushing water.

"Second wave is coming, this is bigger!" He shouted, ponies tensing below at his words.

Slowly, Night nodded to Thirty Seven, tuning out Zipline partially. "I will let you go, but only if you answer this question. All we truly need is for you to tell us this. Where is your leader? Where is Topaz?"
> A Little Game Called Revenge: Part II
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zipline stood by, vigilant in his position atop the clock tower spire. The swarms of bat ponies once in his line of sight now vanished with not one, nor any traces of activity down below. Yet, despite the current appearance, he knew they were there, waiting for the perfect moment.

Across the eerily-silent village, Stormfire repositioned himself to a more-shrouded location with still a near-perfect view of the ground below, and little to no blind spots to prove a disadvantage unlike before.

Through his binoculars, Zipline scanned the area, primarily near the western tree line, where the first attacking wave originated. Only moments ago did he observe masses of thestrals flooding the cobble paths, and to have them simply disappear as rapidly as they did aroused suspicion for not just him, but everypony below trusting his view to alert them of a next attack.

Flying up to the spire and landing behind him, Skye Racer asked softly. "What's it looking like, Zip?"

"That is just what I am trying to put together," he responded with evident concentration in his speech. "They were there, and now they aren't."

"Perhaps they retreated?" Skye blinked twice, pondering it in his own mind. "We kicked massive flank down there. It wouldn't surprise me."

Zipline glanced back at the grey pegasus, gaze meeting his own. "That? That was nothing. The weak led the charge. Every one I saw when they ran out in the open were heavily armed and proportionally larger in general."

"So, we've yet to see the worst of it?" Skye softly sighed. "Lovely."

The red-maned white pegasus nodded, gazing back through his binoculars. "If the Captain's theory truly is correct, perhaps it would be best if he leads the pack at once."

"Tell him that?" Skye asked, met with a nod for a response. "Right. What about you?"

"Where he moves, I move, too. Step on it."

Nodding twice, Skye leaped off the edge of the tower's roof, gliding gently to the ground and coming to a halt near Night, striding towards him.

"No sign of them anywhere, Captain. Zipline advises we get moving immediately," he said, stopping feet before Night.

"Thank you, Skye," Night nodded his head once, breathing in and out deeply, then turning to his father. "Let's hope this works."

"If you believe it will, then I shall trust your judgement, son," Skywatcher replied, setting a hoof on Night's heavy shoulder plate.

"Remember the plan, Dad?" Night sternly asked.

"For the most part," Sky gave a half-confident nod-shrug gesture.

"Good enough for me," Night nodded, exhaling deeply and spreading his armor-plated wings.

Leaping into the air with the aid of springs in his hoof guards, Night took to the steadily-becoming overcast skies, gaining altitude rapidly and soaring far over the height of the clock tower. Guards, soldiers, and his own Zodiacs observed his takeoff, as did Zipline when Night shot upward past the spire ledge. 

On the ground, both Norealis and Skywatcher took the reins, barking orders at their respective companies—the Zodiacs included—with ponies scrambling to move to Night's selected attack point, a bit of a distance from Hollow Shades and a safe distance from the terrified civilians in the guard outpost's bunker.

A large portion of guards under Norealis' command repositioned to the outpost. Those who joined the fight tagged along, ordered to remain behind the closed doors for their own safety under the guards' supervision while a new barricade was hastily constructed around the only entrance to the hillside concrete structure, lined with tens of armed bat ponies.


***


Creating as much distance between himself and the town as possible, Night flew low to the leafless treetops, scanning the region in his line of sight for a large clearing as pictured in his mind.

A shiver ran up his spine, causing him to briefly drop and graze against small branches. He shot upward ten or fifteen feet, panting heavily in a shock. His chest thumped rapidly to his heartbeat, a sure sign that he was close.

Night took deep, soft breaths in attempt to calm himself, seeing no real reason for fear—not yet, at least. Yet, just as he returned to a relaxed state, a massive headache knocked him off, wings folding to his sides. Immediately, he dropped toward the ground, crashing through numerous branches on his way down.

He shielded his unprotected muzzle from the impacts, eventually slamming down with enough force to carve shallowly into the earth. What ever had been put into this armor evidently also worked as a bumper, as the force of the impact absorbed itself into the armor, and shielding Night from any injury.

Groaning softly, Night shifted, pressing himself up on all fours with bits of dirt and rock rolling off of him. He glanced over his shoulder and up, staring through the downward carving in the trees in which he fell through leading up to the long, narrow deepening depression in the dirt.

Night reached a hoof up, popping off the helmet and dropping it into the snow. He panted, chest heaving, raising a hoof over his heart and feeling a gentle pump through the armored suit, reduced by the exact shock absorbers that broke his fall.

The sudden migraine eradicated itself, having only popped up for no more than three seconds—enough time to knock him off much like it did just moments ago. Above all, Night recognized this pain, being no ordinary headache caused by dehydration or sickness, rather being magic-induced. Topaz's magic.

Just when the source popped up into his head, the pain returned, more excruciating than the first time. Night grunted, grabbing his temple with his hoof and squeezing, teeth grit and eyelids clenching shut. A high-pitched ringing filled his ears, only made louder by genetically-passed down enhancements in his hearing.

What seemed like minutes of pain echoing throughout his head faded after merely six seconds, finally allowing Night's mind to work once more, having gone through a lengthy fog preventing any sort of thought to process properly.

Opening his eyes, scanning about the cold, colorless landscape, Night exhaled softly, breath steaming and blowing off to the side in the breeze. He snatched the helmet out of the snow, slipping it snugly onto his head and mumbling to himself. "Where are you, you son of a—"

Another sharp, yet brief pain struck him in the temple like a bullet. He winced, jerking a hoof up in response, but slowly lowered it. A chilling, sinister voice rung in his head, perking his ears.

"I am right here."

He spun halfway around, dropping into a defensive stance, expecting to meet the evil gaze of a taller cloaked unicorn. Much to his surprise, nothing stood directly in front. Rather, empty space, with only trees and his own impact crater within his view.

"You know how to get my adrenaline pumping, I will give you that, Topaz," Night said aloud. If another pony accompanied him, they would assume he'd gone crazy and now talked to himself.

The voice chuckled softly. "Most, if not all, would agree. While I cannot see you, nor see where you are, it truly is just grand to hear your voice again."

Night glanced around himself slowly, just to confirm he was not hidden in plain sight, before straightening his neck. "Is that so? I cannot say the same for you. If anything, I would have preferred never to hear your voice, or your name in general, ever again."

"Oh, Captain, you broke my heart. How callous of you. Yet, despite all of this, you do seem rather anxiously eager to see my face for a second time."

"How are you in my head?" Night shook, blinking, attempting to make it disappear.

Another chuckle, the voice echoing about his mind. "Oh, Captain, I have always been in your mind. Call me your secondary conscious, if you will. For this long, I have been your mental influence. When Paladin Redflare rescued you in the cave, little did he know, my magic remained."

Night sat in the snow steadily, grunting as another sharp pain struck him.

"You are the true cause of my escape, Night Shadow. Without a secondary vessel, I could not have overpowered the rings they put on my horn. All it took was a constant flow of magic, the slightest of energy, to have the rings absorb it while keeping my control of you dormant."

Tossing off the helmet a second time and grabbing his temples, Night fought against a returning migraine, steadily intensifying the longer Topaz spoke.

"You have helped me in numerous ways you could never believe were possible, Captain, and I should rightfully thank you for that. You led yourself, your Zodiacs, your friends, your family... all of them. You led them to their demise."

"Grrrh, no!" Night shouted, tucking into a ball slightly, squeezing his head and teeth clenching, battling the immense pain that now threatened to kill him.

Then, it all went away, just like that. Releasing his head, Night heaved, eyes shooting wide open with marble-sized pupils.

"For how much you try, Captain, so little is accomplished. Perhaps... you can change that today."

Night continued to huff, heart rapidly beating in his chest. Something warm began to run from one nostril, reaching up a hoof to wipe away and finding a streak of blood across the armor. "You're offering me a chance to kill you?"

"Of course not. I am offering you a chance to kill everypony you know."

"If you physically could, I would tell you to look me in the eye and come around a second time with that question," Night said with a grunt as he weakly stood back up.

"Your wittiness is admirable, Captain. If only your plans of attack were up to par with your jokes. You should keep your eyes peeled. I hear the forests of Hollow Shades can be quite... violent."

Half-reluctantly, Night threw up a hoof, striking himself in the side of the head. The force of his hoof's momentum, enhanced by the armor, threw him directly through a tree, snapping it like a twig and crashing to the ground.

Night sat upright onto his elbows, shaking his head and groaning. The voice stopped, at last. Despite the preferred outcome, he determined never to punch himself again—at least, not while wearing the Mark III suit.

He rolled upright, glancing at his surroundings. He scanned around, coming to the conclusion that nopony watched, not even from afar. That, or they were remarkably well-camouflaged.

In order to avoid further unexpected landings, Night continued on hoof, taking a good minute to recognize his bearings and follow a similar path than in the air. 

Regardless of his viewing angle, these forests seemed to go on forever. Of course, they didn't. Yet, remaining on the ground proved no aid in his search. Part of him regret not taking back off, despite the risks. The armor would have protected him, anyway. Still, his decision stood.

Beneath his hooves, the soft layer of snow silenced his steps, a great advantage had he been sneaking up on somepony from behind. Heck, he could have done just that while running from afar and still would catch them off guard with how little to no noise he currently made while simply striding along, winding around trees thick and thin in their trunks.

Suddenly, the steel of an arrow's head struck him in the chest—only to bounce off and fall to the ground. He jumped with surprise, snapping down toward the arrow, bent and laying in the snow at his hooves.

Night's eyes shot wide open, glancing up to now see numerous bat ponies—the majority of which particularly larger than himself—with their weapons drawn or aimed in his direction, standing feet away and some steadily approaching.

Had he not been alone, Night would have taken them on along with whoever accompanied him. This was different. Now, all he had was a sword, his armor, and his senses. It was his senses that told him to run, which was exactly what he did.

He shot off to the right, galloping away from the hostile thestrals. Numerous arrows flew after him, raining down all over him like stinging bees. Thankfully, the armor served its exact purpose, fending off the arrows from piercing into Night. For how many bounced off of his armor, it would only take two to end his life, or severely injure him.

The group of bat ponies chased after him, some flying low to the ground and rapidly gaining on him, dodging past tree after tree with remarkable agility even Night couldn't beat.

One armed with an automatic-reloading crossbow took numerous shots closely behind, narrowly or entirely missing each time as Night weaved side to side in order to avoid running into a tree.

He snapped back briefly at the pursuing stallion, fiddling to load new arrows and distracted away from his target. Night faced forward, eyes widening as a low-hanging tree branch came racing toward him. He stopped galloping, yet his hooves slid across a narrow trail of ice left behind after a small creek froze over entirely, causing him to skid across the ground with the inability to halt himself.

With the branch still coming up fast, Night dropped backwards, sliding across his flank beneath the branch. His armor screeched against the ice surface, further distracting his pursuer with an ear-piercing noise.

Passing beneath the branch, Night reached a hoof up and took hold of it, bending it in his direction with his momentum as he slid past, then released it. The branch flew up, smacking the bat pony in the chin and knocking him flying backwards into an oak trunk many feet to the side, smashing the crossbow in his hoof.

Laughing at the sight, Night faced forward, still sliding against the ice. He scrambled up to his hooves, only to tumble forward as his forehooves dug into a foot-high lift in the ground at the end of the creek. He tumbled a good thirty feet, finally coming to a stop off the edge of an embankment, landing in a snowy knoll surrounded by the forest.

A ring of stars orbited his forehead, eyes rolling in circles as he lay in a daze, at rest in a self-made depression with his hooves splayed out in shape of a cross on either side. Night shook his head rapidly, dispersing the imaginative stars and grabbing where his forehead would be on the helmet. Part of the attached visor on the lower edge cracked, some even chipped away and jagged where it used to be complete.

Yet, aside from the visible damage to the glass, minor scratches nicked the paint, leaving the steel showing in some places along his shoulders, flank, and head. On top of it all, he remained unharmed, thanks to the shock absorbers within the suit.

As Night shifted to push himself up, a large, looming figure landed above him, hooves on either sides of his body. His gold pupils shrunk to pinpricks, snapping up to meet the evil gaze of the pitch-coated bat pony with sinister intentions, a freshly-sharpened blade between his fangs.

Having his hinds pinned by the stallion, Night grasped the handle of his sword and swiped it out, swinging once blindly and closing his eyes as the pony lurched to stab into him.

A solid ten seconds went by, all before he came to the realization that he must have knocked the pony away, or killed him. Night blinked his eyes open, turning to where the figure remained on top of him, but... frozen?

He jumped with surprise, managing to yank his hooves free in the process. He took many steps back from the taller stallion, his sword driven directly into his chest. What hit Night as confusing was the lack of blood, more so, the lack of a proper wound around where his blade pierced his chest through the heart.

Night's head cocked, bewildered with the sight before his eyes. With much caution, he stretched out a hoof, taking hold of the handle a second time, and yanking the sword from the pony's chest.

Instantaneously, what was a black-coated bat pony stallion, preparing to drop a dagger on Night's head, burst into a puff of smoke and sending out a small shock wave that created a blast of snow around them, and knocking Night onto his flank.

He breathed heavily, gaze set on the ground as he held the upper portion of his body narrowly off of the ground. Rolling over so he held himself up behind his back, Night stared down toward his hinds, where only the dagger remained. A ten-foot circle surrounding him now showed the grass, having the snow coating blown away and collecting elsewhere.

A solid two minutes were spent staring at the dagger as Night struggled to process what just happened, and the longer he stared, the more confusing it became.

"He... wasn't real?" Night mumbled to himself, over and over, until he shook his head to escape his trance of shock.

Night rolled back over, pushing himself to his hooves and turning to the dagger, lifting it off of the frozen grass it sat in. He examined it carefully, all while returning his sword to the armor-attached scabbard beneath his wing.

"This is... but he wasn't..." Night muttered, running a hoof down the side of the blade, stopping when his eyes caught something.

He squinted, bringing the dagger closer. In small print engraved into the blade, it read: Forged by Kas, Armor, Spears, & Swords, Canterlot.

"No...!" he dropped the knife, stepping back and staring at it with wide-eyes. His ears steadily pinned back, jaw open as if he were about to speak, but no words came out.

Behind him, numerous clicks, and the low metallic noises of swords unsheathing. Night's heart immediately sunk, muzzle wrinkling.

"Turn around..." said a low, roughened voice behind him. "Now!"

Gradually, Night began to turn around, the sight further confirming his fears. Numerous bat ponies surrounded him, with more flooding in from over hilltops in his direction, all with their weapons drawn.

"Drop your sword, and keep your hooves where we can see them!" said a mare, steadily approaching with a knife in her hoof.

With much hesitation, Night took the handle of his sword and unsheathed it, holding it outright, then dropping it onto the ground, the mare rushing up to grab it out of his reach, leaving him unarmed apart from his fangs.

Slowly, Night raised his hooves, having no other option but to surrender at this point, and with none of his squad mates or fellow guards in sight, there would be no easy escape.


***


"You are certain this is the spot, Major?" Norealis asked, flat on his stomach, overlooking the clearing beside Skywatcher through binoculars.

"This is the only clear spot for miles, as marked on the map. I don't understand," Sky responded, glancing over the map from the file given to Norealis earlier that day.

"I don't see him, Major. Where is he?"

"He can't be far," Skywatcher looked up, puzzled. "He wouldn't have—"

"Contact!" Thunderblast shouted from behind, whipping out his sword as enemy thestrals dropped from above to ambush the pack of guards and soldiers gathered on top of the hill.


***


Through thick brush, Night strode steadily through the forest, surrounded on all sides by armed bat ponies and chains looped around his hooves, though still allowing him to walk on his own with little restraint. They took brief glances at him intermittently, noting his posture for the slightest suspicious movement in the way he walked.

He faced forward, keeping his neck straight and stood tall, similar to marching, but doing so to keep himself alive just a little bit longer. By now, he knew just where they were taking him, the very place where they have held on to Duskbloom for this long.

They approached a small clearing, in center a four story-high abandoned mill, swarming with more of Silver Mage's army. To say Night was impressed by the amount of magic put in to create as many of these ponies as Topaz did would be an understatement. On the contrary, it only made sense, knowing just what Topaz was truly capable of after their first encounter in Canterlot.

Those on higher-up ledges on the structure scanned over the captured bat-pegasus as he passed below them, Night returning the looks, then facing forward once more as his captors brought him into the darkened, weathering mill. In very few particular spots was the interior lit by hanging steel-bar-encased factory bulbs.

Along some of the walls, vines and tree branches grew through cracks in the old concrete, stretching up to windows a whole second story above the ground in the open room. Many of the windows sat broken, allowing for snow to occasionally blow inside and leave a dusting in unprotected spots.

Only did the thestral ponies surrounding him come to a halt when an ominous voice filled the room. "Unchain him at once, my minions."

The mare to his left pulled out a key, inserting it into the lock on one of his hooves and removing the chains carefully, her cold, plastic eyes meeting Night's.

"Come to me, Captain," the voice said collectedly.

"An idea of where you are would be nice, too," Night spoke up, voice echoing.

Before he could take a step forth, a blue glow surrounded Night entirely, lifting him up off of the ground. His hooves flailed just slightly, only relaxing when he was brought up to a balcony above what remained of a former cutting-saw conveyor belt on ground level.

Night was gently placed onto the floor beside a curving staircase, which he glanced to, then to the dark figure at the end of the room, staring out where a large glass pane used to be.

"You know, I could have just used these," he gestured a hoof, met with a lengthy silence immediately after.

This silence continued, the entire building eerily silent aside from the wind whistling against jagged, shattered glass, open doors, and holes in the roof with narrow rays of light flooding inside.

"And here you were, Captain, mind solid on the belief that we should never meet again for month after month. It not once occurred to you that perhaps I have been the one behind your nightmares, your lack of sleep, and every little thing in your life. Most intriguing."

"Get to the point, Topaz. What do you want with me?" Night narrowed his eyes onto the cloaked figure.

"For a pony of your perception, your intellect, it should not be too difficult to fit the pieces together," Topaz responded, keeping his tone level.

"I get the revenge part, I got that a while back. What more could you want?"

"What should have been mine long ago, Captain. The heads of the princesses, all four of them, and the recognition I deserve."

"If by recognition, you mean the widespread acknowledgement that you are a tyrant, an evil, blood-lusting maniac, I presume."

"You flatter me, Night Shadow. Truly, you do. If it were up to you, I would take your position and rearrange it to make you captain of my army and lead us to victory. Although..." Topaz turned around slowly, facing Night from the side, his horn glowing a faint blue.

"After observing your little exercise, I question whether that would be a wise choice. You allowed my ponies to kill one of your own, and drag off another. Of course, on our end of the spectrum, that is a good thing. I am most disappointed that it was not you instead."

"Where is Duskbloom, Topaz? I know he is here. You wouldn't kill him just yet, I know that much," Night took some steps closer.

Topaz chuckled lowly. "He is downstairs, with the others, a fine addition to the collection, I must say. It was difficult getting him in the chains for my soldiers. One shot of morphine was not enough. I suppose it is true that terror adds drive to ponies."

"Let him go. I would rather him be spared than myself, if I truly am your prized target. Him and the others."

Topaz cocked his head slightly. "What others?"

"Norealis' guards. You took them, too."

"Oh! Them," Topaz chuckled more audibly. "I suppose Norealis would not have much use for a pair of corpses, now would he?"

Night's ears pinned back, teeth clenching and fangs showing. His eyes glassed up. "You killed them..."

"Yes, I did. Slowly and painfully, too. I had no use for them. You, on the other hoof," Topaz replied, encasing Night in a blue aura, lifting and pulling him closer, now face-to-face. "I have many uses for you, and your suit."

"What about my suit?" Night huffed out angrily.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Topaz gave a toothy grin, turning to face the window. "Picture it. The one and only super soldier of my army, fitted with a suit of armor not even the Lunar Marine Corps are capable of constructing. Not for ten more years, that is. The only thing stopping you would be a combined beam by all four princesses, or the Elements of Harmony."

"Sounds like that wouldn't be the best decision to go head to head with them, would it, Topaz?"

"Of course not. You would individually take them out. With the princesses and the Elements of Harmony out of the way, nothing, not even the most powerful cannon in the Navy can stop me."

"And all of this—this entirely plan you've conjured up—it's a plan of revenge? For your parents locking you away for practicing dark magic?"

Topaz whipped around. "They made the mistake of ignoring my potential when I could have helped thousands!" he boomed, Night recoiling. "They abandoned me when all I ever wanted was some encouragement for once in my life, a little spark to make me confident!"

"What do you mean?" Night panted softly, straightening his back.

"They never believed in me, not once. When Celestia came to my door, sat down for tea, and read the letter of recommendation to my parents and I, it hit me that the only pony believing in me... was myself. Celestia saw something in me, and I took her word to rub it in to my father's face when he told me I only deserved to work in a coal mine, like him."

"Betrayed by my own parents at twenty-three, locked in the coldest, darkest dungeon beneath the Palace for two decades. Then, you come along, you and the red giant, all before I can end the miserable tumor in Equestria known as Canterlot."

"Thousands would have been killed, Topaz, all for the sake of two family members!" Night stomped a hoof, creating a hole in the cement beneath his hoof.

"Vaporized, yes, followed by thousands more in the ensuing dust and debris falling from the heavens to rain hell across the land. Without primary leaders, Equestria falls into chaos. The military, and what ever is left of the Royal Guard, scrambles to fight back, but without anypony to take orders from, they are as good as minced meat."

"Do you hear yourself?" Night began, head tilting, voice echoing around them. "You want to bring the world to its knees over something your own parents did in your foalhood. Your foalhood, Topaz, something you've left behind years ago! Why must you continue to linger on the worst of the past?"

"I get it. You're emotionally distressed because your parents refused to take your side. Do I blame them? Quite frankly, no, I do not. They did what they believed was right. But, you know what they didn't do?"

Topaz did not respond, instead gazing out the window he stood in front of.

"For all that you did, they chose not to give you the death sentence. They knew they could never forgive themselves if they gave Celestia the right to end your life on a bit. They fought and fought the courts day in and day out to save your life, because they had hope that just maybe you would turn everything around."

"They loved you, Topaz. Deny it all you want, but, it is the truth, and it cannot get any closer than that. You must understand that—"

"I've had enough of that," Topaz turned around slowly, horn lighting. Soon, it became engulfed with shadows, his eyes glowing all-white. He began to speak, but in a language Night did not understand. It didn't even seem to originate from any place Night has ever heard of. It seemed... alien.

A bright flash filled the room, blinding Night temporarily. He brought a hoof up to shield his eyes, shutting them tightly, long enough for the light to fade, then lowered his hoof and turned to Topaz, squinting. "What was that?!"

Weakly panting, Topaz grinned sinisterly toward Night. "Shieldhunter, destroy him."

Night's eyes shot wide open, freezing in his tracks as a white pegasus donning Zodiac armor emerged from a corner between him and the evil unicorn, stopping, with his eyes glowing a reddish hue, locked with Night's.

"It... can't be. You're dead. You were dead!" Night shouted, followed by eerie silence. He lowered into a defensive stance, fangs showing. "You aren't the real Shieldhunter. He wouldn't comb his mane five times a day, nor are his eyes red. Enough of the mind games, Topaz. I know what they are."

"If that is the case, then you should have no problem fighting one of your own," Topaz responded with a chuckle, then frowned. "Kill him."

Shieldhunter lunged at Night, unsheathing a sword mid-air and thrusting downwards. Night spread his wings and flapped hard, rearing onto his hinds and moving just out of the way as the sword drove itself into the concrete halfway. 

With little effort, the white pegasus forcefully ripped the sword out, bringing a chunk of the floor with it, swinging vigorously at Night, whom dodged or blocked the shots with his hooves, the blade simply bouncing off of the armor and scraping against it, causing the three of them to wince at the metallic screech.

Shield swung swiftly at Night, only for his sword's blade to be caught between Night's hooves, pressing them together to hold the sword in place while narrowing his eyes onto his opponent. The white pegasus struggled to jar the blade free, grunting in effort, when Night ripped the handle from his hold and spun it around, thrusting it through the layer of armor into his chest.

Night panted heavily, head lowered with his eyes not removing from Shield's, who stared down at the sword in a state of shock. He lifted his gaze, ears falling back.

For the first time, his clone spoke.

"You would kill me again?"

"If it meant saving the world, I would do it a thousand times over," Night lowly responded, ripping the sword from his chest, Shield gasping, as if he were actually dying. "Because you can't replace the original."

Night lifted his hoof to eye-level, a burst of wind rushing past him and a cloud of smoke expanding outwards, dispersing moments later.

"You are resilient, I shall give you that," Topaz said, slowly clapping his hooves. "I almost expected the outcome to be quite the opposite. Allowing your fellow squad made to kill you would be most entertaining."

"I knew it was too good to be true, Topaz. I've had enough with the illusions. Your army stands no chance anymore."

"While that may be so, are any of your friends aware?" Topaz half-smirked.

Night grunted at that, ears no longer perked. "They'll find out sooner or later."

With no hesitation, Night charged towards Topaz, sword drawn. He clenched his teeth, leaping upwards to strike. Immediately, Topaz shot a beam in his direction, but rather than striking him, it came back around, opening a portal just to his side, standing by as Night began to fall into the sudden opening.

However, Night reached his hoof out to the side, grabbing Topaz by the neck, dragging him into the portal along with him.

The two tumbled onto the cold asphalt, Night rolling up onto his hooves and flaring out his wings, still gripping the sword. Around him, ponies watched in shock, with numerous carriages on the street coming to a halt.

Night looked around him in all directions. City streets, tall buildings, a strong breeze blowing against them. He snapped back to Topaz. "Where did you send us?!"

The cloaked unicorn pushed himself up slowly, glancing back to the portal as it closed in a brief flash of white light behind him. He turned to Night, feet across from him. "It is commonly referred to as The Whinny City."

Night's eyes opened. "Chicoltgo... why here?!" He quickly realized how stupid of a question that was. "Right, collateral damage. Take us back!"

Topaz smirked, horn glowing, an orb of energy steadily growing above it. "Why don't you come over here and make me, Captain?"

Digging his hooves into the ground, Night lunged at Topaz, sword above his head. The orb above Topaz's horn transformed into a powerful beam, making direct contact with Night and thrusting him backwards, smashing through a window and landing on the tiled floor of an office lobby.

Night groaned painfully, the suit unable to deflect that sort of attack. He coughed twice, slowly pushing himself back up and grabbing his sword. Around him froze frightened workers and civilians, the receptionist staring flatly.

"If that isn't the weirdest thing I've seen all day..." the receptionist said.

Night turned to her, glancing around at the others. "Get out of here, it isn't safe."

Gladly at his word, ponies throughout the building's lobby scrambled to the shelter, led by the bored receptionist. Night faced forward, instantly circled from head to hoof in a blue aura, then tossed upwards into the ceiling along with his sword, pinned to it and steadily cracking the boards.

Striding through the revolving door with a sinister grin, Topaz pressed harder on Night, shoving him through the ceiling entirely and, with enough force, crashing through ten more floors until he could escape the magical hold. 

Ponies in the building scrambled in every which direction as the armored pony created direct holes that led to ground level, where Topaz stared up through, smirking, heading back outside into the chaotic streets.

Regaining his bearings, Night grabbed the sword again, racing through the nearest window and downwards, landing heavily on his hooves feet before Topaz, huffing furiously with his fangs shown.

"I sense your fear. Almost taste it, even. Why are you so afraid of me?"

"I don't fear you, I fear losing to you," Night replied between breaths.

"Are you ready for more?" Topaz coldly said, preparing another spell.

"I was born ready."

"Then we shall make this a fair fight. No weapons."

"And no magic."

Topaz's head cocked slightly, then he nodded slowly, dropping the magic. "Very well."

Night straightened his posture, sliding the sword into the leather sheathe, locking on to the unicorn as he powered down his magic, waiting for his next move.

Topaz bounded forward, dropping his forehooves into the ground and spinning, driving one of his legs into Night's chest. The armored bat-pegasus did not fall, but rather slid backwards, the steel on his hooves sparking against the asphalt beneath them and eventually came to a halt, leaping back towards the cloaked stallion.

Night kept his wings spread, managing to hold level as he swung a hoof into the taller unicorn's jaw, knocking his head sideways. Out of reflex, Topaz threw up his right hoof, grazing through Night's feathers and throwing him off, Night sliding against the ground, only to jump back up.

"You fight like a mare, Captain!" Topaz grunted out, wiping some blood from his nose.

"Funny you should say that, some of the best guards I've seen are mares. Better yet, they're my guards," he responded, charging in Topaz's direction.

"Graaah, stop dodging my insults!" Topaz growled, running towards Night.

"Perhaps if you threw them and your punches smarter, you'd win at something for once!" Night jumped up, slamming his hooves into the street, cracking the asphalt downwards in a circle around him. 

The brief shaking in its wake made Topaz stumble, granting Night the opportunity to attack. He lunged a second time, intent on tackling Topaz to the ground.

Mere seconds made the difference, as Topaz regained his stance and threw a sideways uppercut, slamming into Night's chin, sending him sailing down the street. Ponies unaware of the events unfolding were met with surprise as Night struck into the side of a stone high-rise, grinding along the narrow face and raining debris onto the unsuspecting ponies below, whom now ran in a panic.

Pulling away from the side of the building, Night shook his head, glancing to his hoof, where a shard of glass pierced between the narrow gap in the armor plates. He grasped the piece, yanking it out with a painful grunt.

He examined the bloodied piece of glass briefly, caught off guard by the sudden force of Topaz shoving into him at high speed, pushing him through the air tens of feet above the bustling streets.

"Since when can you fly?!" Night shouted, swinging his hinds upward, kicking Topaz in the stomach and knocking him over his head.

The unicorn did not fall to the ground, rather floating with momentum as if gravity no longer affected his body. Topaz flailed, upside down with no means of stopping himself at that angle, prompting Night to take this advantage.

Night gave a hard flap of his wings, propelling him toward the unicorn. He drew back his glass-cut hoof, powered up by the suit's unknown energy source, and throwing it forward into the unicorn's gut, knocking him backwards at even higher speeds.

Without stopping, Night recoiled his other, uninjured hoof, striking Topaz a second time in the face to throw him even farther as they raced narrowly above Chicoltgo.

Finally rolling himself upright, Topaz smashed into the side of another office building, tumbling along the floor in the aisle between cubicles, then crashing through the glass on the opposite side of the high rise, this incrementally slowing him down mid-air.

Enough was enough, as Topaz reignited his horn to use magic as his aerial aid, engulfing himself in his own aura.

Night flew through the hole in the building created by the out-of-control unicorn, coming to a halt a distance away, noticing his use of magic.

"All right, deal's off!" he yelled, grabbing his sword in both hooves.

Writhing in stinging pain, Topaz opened his now-swollen eye to focus on Night much more clearly. He grit his teeth, shooting off a sudden narrow beam that whisked just over Night's head, striking the building behind him.

Night raised a hoof to his mouth, shouting. "You missed!"

"I hit what I aim for!" Topaz responded, grinning, beginning to float away quickly.

The guard's head tilted in bewilderment, when suddenly a rather large piece of debris dropped beside him, startling him. Night turned around, lowering his sword, eyes widening at the sight of one of the two massive white antennas atop the skyscraper tilting over in his direction with much of the two stories beneath it giving way.

Night flapped his wings hard, rushing just out of the way of the antenna, the downward draft caused by it falling past him throwing Night into a small spin that he quickly corrected. He looked straight down at the antenna, watching as it smashed through some smaller buildings below and creating a cloud of dust that engulfed numerous blocks around its impact point.

His mindset shifted immediately, his thoughts on aiding the civilians on the ground. Yet, glancing in the direction Topaz raced off towards, another decision came to mind. Rescue the injured, or go after Topaz. On any normal day, the first option typically settled in his mind.

But, today was no ordinary day. Night took one final glance toward the ground, observing the dust settle around the mangled antenna and the buildings it crushed, sighing deeply, before flying after the escaping mage.

Night let go of the sword he held, outstretching all four hooves to pick up speed in the air. At an increasing rate, he caught up with Topaz, who prepared to open another portal, and shot ahead of him, opening the hole in mid-air.

Just as Topaz began to cross through the portal, Night tackled him through, knocking him to the ground the second they emerged and cracking it with mere force.

Now, Night sat atop the robed unicorn, drawing back his hood to reveal his all-silver brushed mane. Topaz yelped in surprise, throwing hoof after hoof to swat Night off, but to no avail.

Around them, ponies gathered, watching with shock and awe at the two wrestling on the cobblestone path, overlooking a hilly oceanside city, a spire-shaped building topping the skyline off in the distance.

Blocking Night's punches, Topaz glanced around him, grunting, and eventually eyeballing the distant skyline, his eyes briefly glowing an ice-blue. 

Night was met with a sudden kick to the stomach, throwing him off of the unicorn. The longer their fight went on, it seemed the less the suit would absorb at every hit, for he now laid on the ground, wheezing.

Topaz weakly stood, the crowd backing away fearfully. Not once did he notice them, rather focusing on the city from that vantage point, an open-mouthed frown visible on his muzzle.

"So, this is where my parents fled to... San Prancisco," he mumbled just audibly for Night to catch on.

Gradually, Night used his wing to roll him upright, trembling as he lifted his torso and moving his gaze up to the unicorn, staring off into the distance, partially zoned-out.

Night also glanced to the left, spotting the distant downtown buildings. His focus retracted to Topaz, running towards him, only to be zapped by a brief burst of magic energy to knock him into the dirt again, prompting the ponies surrounding them to run off in a frenzy.

"Twenty years... two decades too long," Topaz grimly said, closing his eyes to conjure a spell, one that would track down his parents. "Now, to find where you are..."

Coughing heavily, Night stood back up, body trembling with weakness. He panted softly, watching an intensifying light form at the tip of the unicorn's horn, preparing to shoot a beam up into the sky.

Night pressed all of his weight into his hooves, lurching upward, and landing on Topaz's back. He looped his hooves around the stallion's neck tightly, though not nearly enough to cut off his air supply. The spell dropped as Topaz lost concentration, further angering him.

"You do not know when to quit, do you?!" Topaz grunted and growled, jerking his head back at Night, but hitting against the helmet he wore that only caused him a headache.

"Take us back!" Night huffed, wrestling against the pinned unicorn. "Take us back right now, damn it!"

"You cannot control me, graaah!" Topaz cried out, concentrating magic into opening another portal, this time with sudden suction that steadily dragged them towards it.

Topaz dug his hooves into the cobble, his body turning around as the force pulled against him, with Night struggling to latch on. He only further tightened his grip around the unicorn's neck, causing Topaz to hack and choke.

"Let... go!" he winced out, gasping for air. Night simply refused, continuing his hold around his neck, until finally, the portal collapsed under its own gravity, dispersing outward in a breeze that kicked up dust in all directions.

No longer being pulled toward the hole, Night released his grip just slightly, Topaz gasping heavily as the darkness faded away, returning him to reality from quite nearly falling unconscious.

Shouting out furiously, Topaz lurched onto all fours, attempting to shoot magic back at Night and throw him off, only to miss each time. Like riding an angry, bucking bronco, Night bounced across Topaz's back while gripping his neck to hold on.

"Take us back to Hollow Shades, right now!" Night screamed at the top of his lungs, rearing one hoof and punching the back of the unicorn's head.

"You can't make me!" Topaz shouted right back, now kicking his hinds in the air in another attempt to forcefully remove Night, yet still to no avail.

Steadily, Night began to weaken, tired from the ongoing fighting. His grip loosened incrementally, threatening to let Topaz knock him away and escape again. He was not yet willing to let go, and rather held on with one hoof, reaching up steadily to Topaz's horn. "Take... us... back!"

Upon merely touching his horn, a portal opened, catching Topaz off guard and unable to prevent himself from being pulled in with Night tightly holding on. They reappeared atop a mountain range, still flying with momentum from the portal's suction, when another rip appeared, dragging them into a humid rain forest.

Night held his hoof onto Topaz's horn, who grunted and grit his teeth as the magic output weakened him severely. Through portal after portal they traveled, reappearing in numerous locations in the desert, villages, the Ghastly Gorge, Mount Everhoof, and just about everywhere in between, rapidly picking up speed without a moment to process each place they have passed.

At last, Topaz let out a pained cry, depleting of energy far rapidly and threatening to give in. Even now, they flew through a tube within what appeared to be space itself, much less of time, nearing the end of the tube at a high rate of speed.

Cracking open his eyes, just narrowly able to see the end in front of them, Night made out the image of where they would come out, glancing down to the unicorn in his grasp, releasing his horn. "You lose, Topaz...!"

The two crashed through the end of the vacuum-like portal tube, landing on the concrete floor of the mill as Sharpblade, Valiant Charge, and Harmonic Percussion raced up the staircase to them, along with the other guards.

Night jumped up, the portal closing with a bright flash behind them, hastily moving off of Topaz while shouting, "Now!"

Lining up beside one another, the three unicorns charged their horns, mixing their beams to form a single energy pulse, all aimed directly at Topaz.

Sitting upright quickly, Topaz opened his eyes, mere moments before the combined energy of the unicorns struck him. He struggled to retain his ground, grunting with tightly-shut eyes and clenched teeth. The force put into the magic forced him backwards, Topaz screaming out loudly, echoing throughout the building and for miles around.

"Put everything you've got into it!" Harmonic ordered, focusing the majority of his energy into the beam, as did Sharp and Valiant.

At long last, Topaz met his match. With the beam of magic locked directly onto him, he gave in to its power, falling unconscious as cracks formed across his horn, steadily spreading across it until they met one another full-circle. His horn shattered violently, its remains turning to vapor instantaneously as they came in contact with the beam.

From the sheer force of the beam, it tossed Night into the side of a small steel silo, shouting painfully, before falling to the ground. His visor broke, but thankfully did not blind him with the flying pieces of glass.

Night fell to the ground on his side, as all fell pitch black and silent around him.
> Just a Scratch
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The bright gold eyes of the weakened captain shot wide open, heart racing with sudden adrenaline as a cold fluid entered his bloodstream through a needle on the end of a small pouch of said transparent-white liquid. His hooves threw up, grasping the brown draft stallion's chest plate and pulling him down in a panic.

"Easy, easy!" bellowed Rescue, prying Night's hooves off. Steadily, the fluid did its part, relaxing Night's body and restraining his breath just enough to calm him physically, but not mentally. 

He plucked the needle pouch from Night's arm, swiping an alcohol wipe across the injection site a second time, before shifting his focus to the frightened pony, stripped of the suit of armor he wore up until he blacked out.

"I-is it over?" Night panted out, head slightly bobbing to his heaving chest while it held inches above the floor.

"It ain't over 'til it's over, Cap," Lodestar responded, gently dabbing a wet kerchief over his soot-and-blood covered face, cleaning small cuts received during the fight.

"What d-do... what do you mean?" Night rested his head flat on the floor, narrowly turning to glance in the cyan stallion's direction.

The draft pony tending to Night's wounds tossed an ice-cold look at Lodestar. "Ignore him, Captain."

Lodestar rather chuckled at that, later followed by more chuckling, and eventually, full-blown laughter. The type any would recognize as that of relief. In his state of confusion, the realization took longer than normal to reach Night.

"I don't know how you did it, Cap, but you did it. Most would call it impossible, against all odds. We beat him."

His gaze faced straight upward, setting on nothing in particular, blinking tiredly. A weak smile gradually cracked on his muzzle. "It's over."

Rather, Rescue frowned, closing the medical kit he removed from his saddle pouch. He moved just out of the way, revealing Thunderblast and Zipline standing above him with concern plastered all over. Soon, Night's smile faded as well.

"W-why do I feel numb...?"


***


By the time Night awoke, days passed. Bright rays of sun sliced by half-open shutter blinds flooded into the hospital room, resting upon Night's lower half beneath the blanket. One of the rays fell across his face, wincing to the sudden blast to his left eye and jerking his head to the side.

Merely moving his head so rapidly caused pain, not only in the form of a throbbing migraine, but in his right wing. Night found it to be extremely stiff and achy, as well as completely unable to move about.

"N-nnh," he groaned, one eye shut as he writhed, clenching his teeth. Raising his shaky, bandaged hoof, his gaze set on his wing, entirely wrapped in a cast. His ears drooped slightly.

Relaxing into the pillow further, he exhaled deeply, staring upwards to where the wall in front of him met the ceiling, doing so for what could very well have been twenty or so minutes without as much as flinching an eyeball to anywhere else in the small room.

He flicked an ear, then swiveled it, glancing off to the left. On a small bedside table sat two bouquets of flowers, get-well cards, some balloons, and a radio that quietly played.

A smile crept across his muzzle, individually examining the healing gifts, all of which from the group of ponies he knew well.

Night's focus then shifted back to the radio, perking his ear to a faint voice originating from its speaker. He lifted his hoof, attached with two IV needles and monitors all the way up to his shoulder, and shakily reached to the radio's volume knob.

Outstretched as far as he could go without moving his body all too much, Night twisted the knob just enough, raising the volume and nestling back into his warm spot, closing his eyes as he tuned to the voice. What it said forced the smile he wore to vanish completely and bring back a sense of dismay and sorrow.

Cleanup and recovery continues in downtown Chicoltgo after what many eyewitnesses are describing as a 'scene straight out of a movie', where two unidentified figures battled on the streets and high above the city, causing catastrophic destruction to numerous city blocks. Miraculously, amidst the chaos, there were no fatalities.

However, in the wake of this unprecedented event, millions of bits in losses have been totaled city-wide for the damage left behind. The most notable of this visible from all angles, as reconstruction on the top of Pears Tower is set to commence as soon as building inspectors can assess the integrity of the upper floors, and what remains of the well-known twin antennas.

Reports also come from the Bay Area, where no damage was sustained after an ensuing fight in an intersection, before the assailants reportedly disappeared into thin air. These reports are currently being investigated, and we shall know more within the hour—

The radio silenced as a hoof switched it off with a click, startling Night just slightly. He did not immediately reopen his eyes. "It's bad, isn't it?"

A silence followed, but did not last long.

"It could have been far worse, Night." the regal alicorn softly responded, lifting the blinds with her magic giving a yank on the string, further brightening the room.

Night winced initially, glancing toward the window with one eye open. Adjusting to the sunlight of dawn, the first thing he caught on to were numerous high-rise buildings surrounding the hospital, his room being high up in the building and overlooking a harbor-feeding river with many bridges crossing it, leading to less-developed communities that stretched along the coast as far as the horizon went.

Just off to the right, only a portion of Trotterdam Tower and half of lower Manehattan came into view with short steam plumes rising from tower rooftops. He took a good minute to take in the view, before turning to Princess Luna as she took a seat in one of the empty chairs against the window.

"Why here?" Night grunted, shakily shifting more upright, only to wince in pain.

Luna let out a low breath, gawking towards the reflecting tiled floor. "Time meant everything. It would have taken far too long to reach Canterlot from Hollow Shades. Infected cuts and bruised spots to your hooves, nose, and your ears, minor dislocated shoulder, but worst of all, a severed wing bone. The doctors have stressed that you may not be able to fly again for an unspecified amount of months, or longer, depending on how well your rehabilitation falls through."

The words struck Night hard in the heart, as if somepony took the sharpest knife and stabbed him with the ice cold steel rubbing against his beating heart. Yet, his only reaction was a small sigh.

"You were out for three days, Night. The moment we heard that you were admitted to Manehattan General Hospital, and when all was safe, we came. It was not long before my sister had to leave to tend to the terrified ponies in Chicoltgo," Luna blinked slowly, lifting her gaze to Night with a worried frown.

"Celestia has done everything in her power to cover up your identity to prevent prosecution and ponies suing for damages, and that what happened in Hollow Shades is completely unrelated, not that ponies on the outside would hear much news from that area to begin with," she mumbled the end.

"But, on a more positive note," she leaned forward, shifting in her seat. "The Council pitched in money to cover the cost of your recovery, the one downside of Sharpblade and Rescue bringing you to Manehattan, admittedly."

Night slowly glanced in her direction, blinking with bewilderment. "Sharp?"

"Between the two when I spoke to them, it was Sharp who managed to teleport the three of you here. Without his hasty thinking—as well as Rescue's experience in the emergency medical field, you would not have fared as well as you did."

His eyes kept focused on the lunar diarch, easing out a deep, nasal sigh. "It's my fault."

"Far from, Night. To everypony aware of what happened, you have been called a hero by a few. The threat of a future terrorizing reign by Topaz has been eliminated. Because of you, he shall no longer be of any danger to the citizens of Equestria."

The doorknob twisted, a soft click followed by a gentle creak as the door pushed inward, attracting the alicorn and the pegasus' attention. Through the now-opened corridor entered a dark grey-coated unicorn, bandaged on the cheek and wearing a light zip-up jacket. 

For all Night knew, it covered up other wounds he might have experienced on the battle field, minus some visible bruises on his flanks and hooves with a bandage looped carefully around one of them, yet the smile on his face did not show of any physical pain. That, and Night had a solid idea of how well Sharp could hide emotions beneath his typically-stoic outward appearance.

"Night, Princess," he bowed his head to her respectfully, striding up to the right of the bed and halting at Night's side.

Half-drowsily, Night smiled. "How are you doing?"

"Ask yourself that first," Sharp replied with a light grin. "I could not be better. You're awake, and you're alive."

"Heheh. Why wouldn't I be?" Night chuckled.

"You took on the Silver Mage all by yourself."

"With your help, Sharp. You, Valiant, and Harmonic," Night's smile shifted into a puzzled look. "How did you three find me, anyways?"

"Quite possibly the best kept secret of the Mark 3 you wore was the tracking beacon in your helmet. Led us down to the very spot you last were. It bounced all over the place, 'til I took matters into my own hooves and brought them to your last-known nearby location, the logging mill."

Night smiled and chuckled, eyes darting off to his wired-up hoof, then back to Sharp. "You sneaky little son of a—"

"Hey, now, no need for the foul mouth," Sharp smiled, patting Night's shoulder gently to avoid causing him any pain on his wing. "Besides, neither of us knew until after you'd flown off."

"But, how did you know where to teleport?" Night cocked his head just slightly.

"Part of the process of teleportation means the magic user must know the exact location of which they wish to teleport to," Princess Luna answered. She turned to the grey unicorn with a warm smile. "For months, we have been aware of thine's potential, Sharpblade. It pleases myself as well as my dear sister to have observed thou bring thine self to a new level of spells in Starswirl's book."

Sharp once more dipped his head. "Thank you, your highness. Although, mind you, I have not practiced teleportation, not once."

"If thou has ever remotely considered the concept, it is entirely possible to one day accidentally experience that spell. In the world of magic, nothing is impossible," she then stood up, heading for the door. "I shall leave you two alone."

Night nodded, shifting back to Sharp after she closed the door. "Where is everypony else?" he then shot up on his elbows with crazy wide-eyes in a semi-panic. "Where's Duskbloom?!"

The poor stallion eased himself back into the bed with Sharp's careful help, groaning and wincing.

"He is doing just fine, Night. For as long as he was held onto, they didn't beat him much, which is a relief. Didn't feed him very often, so he scarfed down a whole buffet the moment we stepped in the door," Sharp replied, taking his hooves off of Night after laying him down.

"But he's doing fine?" Night winced again, shifting slightly.

"Better than any of us would have expected under those circumstances. He's gained perhaps twenty pounds since last night. You should have seen him, Night. He was all skin and bones."

The thought alone made Night's skin crawl, and his one good wing to rustle uncomfortably. "As long as he is healthy, that is all that matters to me."

Sharp nodded once, sliding a chair from the wall to sit closer to the bed. "As for the others, they seem to be coping just as well. Zipline and Stormfire sustained a couple of scratches, then Lodestar is bruised all over from taking as many hits as he did. Thunder took the tip of a knife in his shoulder, and the rest just have minor cuts and bruises to my knowledge."

Another low sigh emanated from Night through his nostrils, nodding gently twice, eyes moving up to the ceiling and blinking slowly. "All right."


***


In a momentarily-bright flash, Sharpblade reappeared in a patch of thick brush, alongside Rescue Sunstreak—whom stumbled in dizziness—and Valiant Charge, with Harmonic Percussion later materializing in a bright magical flash on his left. 

They stood along the rim of a small clearing surrounding a four story-tall abandoned wood mill, the last known position of Night as according to the tracking device connected to the suit of armor he wore.

Strangely enough, the place seemed eerily quiet. The four of them, as soon as the brown draft stallion regained his bearings, cautiously strode with their weapons drawn toward the opened doors of the darkened building, their hoofsteps silenced by the soft snow they trudged through.

"Check your six, don't let your guard down. They could be here anywhere," Sharp whispered just audibly for the three to hear, peeking into the room and scanning about.

Determining all to be clear, he entered the mill slowly, tailed by the others accompanying him. Only few bulbs encased by steel bars hanging from the ceiling provided light—one of which flickering intermittently with a low electrical buzzing noise emanating, on the verge of burning out.

Suddenly, the ground shook, followed by a bright blue flash from the upper level and a pair of grunts and numerous thumps against the cold floor. They rushed to a nearby doorway at the end of a staircase, leading to the source of the flash as it faded away.

Sharp's adrenaline kicked into high gear the moment he saw Night pinning Topaz into the floor, who snapped his gaze up only a second later. Having stopped at the top of the stairs, Valiant and Harmonic rushed up beside him, in shock at the sight before them. The three unicorns revisited the plan in their heads, awaiting the final word.

"Now!" Night shouted, standing up quickly and jumping off of Topaz.

Sharp lowered his head, horn directly aimed in the weakened mage's direction, Harmonic and Valiant following suit as they each charged their horns within a moment's notice, simultaneously blasting a constant stream of powerful magic that crossed into a single form of energy.

The beam struck Topaz before he could fully stand back up, forcing him backwards with his hooves digging into the floor, leaving streaks in their wake. The blast itself lifted Night, tossing him into the side of a rusting silo and incapacitating him, his body falling limp to the floor. 

Topaz screamed out in pain, too weak to properly defend himself, not even with the simplest of shield spells to deflect their combined magic. It even managed to disable any sort of magical output on his end, as well.

"Put everything you've got into it!" Harmonic grunted out, focusing the whole of his energy into his horn, as did Sharp and Valiant.

The screams of Topaz grew louder, echoing for miles around the mill, freezing the distant fighting between his army and the clusters of guards and soldiers fending them off. Even in broad daylight, the area around grew brighter, the ponies of both sides observing the flickering columns stretch skyward.

Small, yet visible cracks formed in the mage's horn, gradually growing as the magic continued to pelt into him. His hooves threatened to give out, only narrowly able to remain standing against the three unicorns' combined power. 

Eventually, the cracks met one another, and within seconds, his horn shattered, its remains dissolving into dust the instant they separated and touched the energetic beam, and dealing the final blow that knocked Topaz unconscious.

With little strength left in either of them, the magical beam collapsed, and the unicorns collapsed to the floor, trembling and breathing heavily. Immediately, Rescue—having stood behind for his own safety—rushed to their sides, checking for any physical wounds, then digging into his saddle pouch for supplies to revive them.


***


As if it were an instant result of his defeat, one by one, Topaz's army began to self-destruct, exploding into puffs of smoke as their forms disappeared into thin air, leaving the Zodiacs, Legion troops, and Norealis' guards bewildered, but joyful for the fight to be over at long last.

Guards and soldiers threw up their swords, a collective, booming cheer erupting as the last of the bat ponies vanished into thin air.

Beside Zipline and Scarlet Iris, Thirty Seven collapsed, grabbing his forehead painfully. "Argh!"

The two's attention snapped to the fallen colt, Lodestar and Thunderblast rushing to his aid as well. They simply stood back, observing him writhe in pain, before the realization hit them as well.

Sorrow fell upon them almost as quickly as it took for the enemies to destroy themselves. The four of them knew instantly that nothing could be done to prevent Thirty Seven from disappearing. 

To them, the pieces all came together. His name, the plastic nature of Topaz's soldiers, and everything in between. It only made more sense that he created them, less so that he used a sort of hypnotizing spell to collect these many ponies to fight for him.

The four could only watch, shielding their eyes as Thirty Seven transformed into a plume of smoke, leaving nothing of him but a knife that was hidden in his pocket.

Hesitantly, Lodestar picked up the knife by the blade, holding it in his hoof, examining it with a frown, one that only grew at the sight of the small words engraved into it.

He glanced up to the other three, exchanging looks with them individually. "This will need to be mentioned the second we are off the train. For now..." Lodestar tucked the knife away in a pouch. "Let's find the captain."


***


Sharpblade blinked awake, having temporarily blacked out due to prolonged use of such magic and the amount of energy he put into his part of the beam. Rescue Sunstreak held the rim of a vial to his lips, only for Sharp to jerk away and glare up at him. "I am not falling for that again."

Moving his attention to Valiant, still passed out, Rescue brought out a syringe of a clear fluid. Sharp only avoided the sight, having looked in Night's direction and spotting a strange masked figure standing over Night, injecting his hoof with a strange liquid that startled him.

"Hey, hey!" Sharp lurched up, startling Rescue and Harmonic, their gazes snapping toward him and the masked pony.

The figure lifted up a hoof, his cool and collected gaze turning to meet Sharp's, making him freeze in place. He spoke calmly, a perked, tufted ear twitching unnoticeably.

"He will be just fine. But, no time is to be wasted," he cryptically said behind the black mask, plucking the needle from Night's hoof and tucking it away.

"Who are you?" Sharp huffed out, eyes narrowed on the strange pony, lowering into more of a defensive posture.

"In time, you shall find out," the pony responded in a half-whisper. He reached back a hoof, uncovering his charcoal-grey wings to be those of a pegasus.

In what could be made out as a millisecond, the figure swooped along the wall and out the window, disappearing instantly, leaving Sharp and the others staring with wide-eyes and confusion toward the broken pane.

Sharp straightened his neck, raising an eyebrow, glancing over his shoulder to Rescue, who stood and then rushed to an unconscious, injured Night.

His ear swiveled, catching on to the rustling clink of armor as more guards rushed into the building, with Skywatcher barking orders to check the building top to bottom.


***


"Dusk was in the basement, as any of us would have expected, chained in a makeshift cell made out of uneven bars. We didn't see any pony remains, so, it can be assumed the other ponies they took had long been left for a wild animal, or burned, or something," Sharp sighed out, looking down to his hooves.

"The... pony in the mask," Night began, fixed on the words his dear friend used to describe him. "You said he had... tufts on his ears?"

"Like your father's, yes, or close. Maybe a bit shorter, who knows."

"And he was a pegasus?"

Sharp's head cocked. "...More or less. Why?"

Night went silent, eyes locked with Sharp's. It took no more than a minute before the grey unicorn caught on to his concerns, the two exchanging surprised knowing looks with one another.
> The New Governor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The room went dark as the lights switched off and the blinds shut, all at the flick of a switch by the door. Night's bed flattened out steadily with the aid of small hydraulics in the mechanism. 

He eased the blankets off of his lower half and laid himself flat on the bed as the earth pony doctor positioned a strangely-shaped machine that curved above him, appearing something like a camera studio light. The doctor turned to a small dash of buttons on the machine and pressed a button, followed by a long, high-pitched tone, and a click.

Night blinked in response to the click, glancing over to the doctor as he moved the machine from his bed, the blinds reopening and lights turning back on. "What was that?"

"X-ray. Results should tell us whether or not your bones are repositioning themselves like they should," the doctor glanced up from his clipboard with a warm smile, dragging the large, wheeled machine out of the room. "As soon as the data comes full circle, we'll decide if you can leave today and get you to rehab in Canterlot."

"Thank you, doc," Night nodded once, glancing upwards. "Leave today? It's been only a week and a half," he muttered under his own breath.

Evidently, he neglected to notice the door reopen, a dark grey, blue-maned mare standing just beyond the now-closed doorway. "You should feel lucky, Night."

He jumped in surprise, snapping to the mare, before putting a hoof to his chest and breathing out. The heart machine spiked just briefly during that moment. "Don't scare me like that, please! I don't want to stay in here for a heart attack."

The mare sauntered to his bedside, setting a hoof on his. Bandages remained wrapped around it while the deep cut continued to heal and close itself off.

"For what you had in mind, Night, that was the stupidest idea. You should feel ashamed."

Night's ears lost their perk. "I'm sorry, Scarlet. The last thing I had in mind was that he'd send them to grab me where I wanted to go."

The mare's deep red eyes blinked slowly. She turned, grabbing a chair and sliding it up to his bed to sit, not once taking her hoof off of his. "You said yourself that he had been watching you through your thoughts for months."

"By then, I realized too late. But, it worked out, didn't it?"

"It did. If only you'd have known beforehand. Shield might still be with us. But, before you jump to what I know you're about to say, it isn't your fault."

"You know me too well," Night weakly grinned. "I was about to."

"I know you were," Scarlet gently stroked his hoof above the bandages. "As terrible as the truth is, things went the way they did for a reason. There's a saying, sometimes a brighter future means sacrifice. It goes for material things, or even friends, but in an emotional way. It's a way of preparing yourself for the inevitable, some say."

A small frown curved Night's lips, followed by a deep, nasal sigh. "I know everything went to plan, and Topaz is back behind bars, where he belongs, but, Scarlet... is it wrong to feel... incomplete?"

"Incomplete about what? It's finally over, Night. We can sleep easy. You, especially."

"The only reason I have been is because they pumped me with melatonin in my IV," he said, frankly. "I feel like the job isn't done still."

"It's because Shield isn't with us anymore, is it?"

"That definitely plays a role, but, no. This is something else."

Scarlet cocked her head slightly. "What do you think?"

"I don't know. I feel like..." Night paused, sighing. "I feel like I need answers to a whole heap of questions."

"What questions?"

"Call me crazy, I'm not even sure. Questions I don't yet know about."

"Well," the dark grey mare glanced to his hoof, stroking it gently. "You're the captain here. I trust your judgement."

"That's another thing, Scarlet. Am I worthy of this position in any way, shape, or form?" Night turned his head, gaze meeting hers.

"What would possess you to ask such a question, Night?"

"All of this. Putting each of you in harm's way, getting Shield killed and Dusk captured. How can I be trusted with orders if I cannot trust myself to keep everypony safe?"

A lengthy silence ensued, the two with their eyes locked and with looks of concern between one another. Scarlet broke the silence, speaking softly.

"Leaders have to make tough decisions sooner or later. Leaders put their peers in harms way more often than you may think. It's their job to do so, but by doing just that, they guide their soldiers. They don't stand back and watch them fend for themselves, no. If worse comes to worst, the captain goes down with his or her ship, not stand from shore and watch their sailors drown."

"You have not failed us as a squadron, Night Shadow. Even if you saw it coming, there was no possible way for you to change the outcome of things. Shield would have used himself regardless, because he couldn't bear to watch somepony else take that arrow. If it weren't for him, Night, I'd be the one they are having a funeral for."

"As reassuring as I'm sure that was supposed to be, it wasn't. Whether it be you, or Shieldhunter, it wouldn't have altered my feelings then, or in the present," Night sighed, laying his head back. "I should have just kept things close, either in Canterlot, or... I dunno."

"Night, please, quit being so hard on yourself. What's happened is done, there isn't anything we can do about it but to continue to fight in his name, and everypony else who couldn't be home."

He stared up, ears flat to his head. Night took in a deep breath, then relaxed his muscles. "Then that is what we will have to do, Scarlet."

"But, we won the war, Night. He is probably looking down on us at this very moment, chugging his favorite brand of whiskey in celebration," she lightly smiled, then leaned across and planted a kiss on the stallion's cheek. "After all, even in death, who wouldn't be proud to serve in the Zodiacs, under Captain Night Shadow's orders?"

The kiss brought a small, faint blush on Night's cheeks, and a smile pursing his lips. In spite of his doubts, he knew she was right.


***


Gazing out the window, Night went over numerous thoughts in his head, chin rested on his hoof. Scarlet sat to his right on the seat, reading a mare's magazine, occasionally laughing at one or two of the articles on some of the pages, whenever there wasn't an advertisement.

To all but himself and Scarlet, he stared with a frown out at the scenery. From this high up, ponies could see for miles and continuing to grow larger the more they climbed into the mountains, closing in on Canterlot.

For once, Topaz, the fight, and every little detail in between didn't blink with top priority in his head. Rather, he pondered on the idea of adjusting back into normal life. Until his wing is better, if it heals properly, the only traveling he would do anywhere is by train, or airship, if those are even still utilized.

In addition to his wing's condition, the doctors in Manehattan strongly admonished against vigorous physical exercises altogether, further limiting him from everyday activities. To an extent, walking was included in their overly-lengthy list of things Night should not do, at least not for a month or more.

"Three whole months..." he said lowly, eyes falling to the ground outside the train while it raced by. "I can't do that."

"Not by yourself," Scarlet said, looking up from the magazine, smiling. "We're all in this together."

"Oh, no, Scarlet. I don't want to have to force the others to shoulder my problems. Right now, everyone has their own thing going on. The last thing I want is for them to—"

Scarlet took Night's chin in her hoof and turned it, pecking him on the lips, silencing him immediately. His cheeks lit up with bright red, and his one wing puffed out with its feathers ruffled.

"You worry too much, Night," she said with a soft giggle, returning her attention to her magazine.

Flustered as ever, Night toned down the blush just enough, narrowing his eyes onto the grey thestral mare. "You know, for how much you flirt, it's like I'm your favorite stallion to hit on."

"What, is that a problem?" Scarlet moved her eyes over, playfully fluttering her eyelids at him, then snickering.

"No, just... I don't know," Night groaned, falling back against the seat. "You're unexplainable sometimes. N-not that... that's a bad thing, of course."

"Aren't all mares?" Scarlet smirked softly as she flipped a page.

"Yeaaaaah, but—oh, you get what I mean!" Night grumbled and crossed his hooves, gazing back out the window.

For this amount of time, she hadn't even bothered reading what was on the pages while Night sputtered. 

His attempts to formulate a single sentence kept the smirk across her muzzle holding strong. He was cute, she knew that much, and to her knowledge, this was the closest he'd ever been to a mare in this sort of way. Their moment in Hollow Shades weeks ago, and their current one, both having left Night the one flustering rather than her, as many would refer to as backwards.

Having been close to his squad mates for this long, him and Scarlet most definitely stood side to side in friendship. She was, after all, a flirtatious mare. 

Ranging from horrible pick-up lines to the occasional compliment in the suggestive range, she used any one in the book on nearly every stallion she'd come across. Those that knew her well knew she meant them in a purely satirical manner. Yet, around Night, they seemed all too real, and both of them had been well aware of that without mentioning it prior to now.

For how much Night overworked and stressed himself on an almost-daily basis, she loved him, and for how occasionally obnoxious and spunky she can be, and how hilarious she got when having guzzled too many drinks, Night loved her. Perhaps not in a sense he was willing to confirm just yet, or being uncertain if his mind is playing tricks on him.

Despite his constant attempts to quell his thoughts, they only looped back around. After some time, he had no choice but to let it consume him, not that his thoughts were painful, degrading ones. In fact, they were quite the opposite, and he could only smile.

As the train pulled into Canterlot, it slowed, jolting as it halted at the platform. The conductor disembarked from a leading carriage, welcoming passengers to the city one by one. Night and Scarlet stood, grabbing the little belongings they had on them and worked through a single-file line to step off.

Night lifted his gaze from the floor, freezing in his tracks just off of the train with Scarlet slipping out beside him and both staring with much surprise. In two rows stood a line of City and Lunar guards, standing at attention. Among them stood Sharpblade, Skye Racer, many others in the Zodiacs and House Guard, and looping around them, Thunderblast, who fell into line himself.

"About face!" Thunder ordered, the guards in either line swinging sideways in unison. Their hooves clicking together, the guards facing one another and taking a step back to clear a central path leading up to the door. His eyes moved to the right, a faint smile appearing for only them to see, lip-speaking the words, "Welcome back, Captain."


***


With the sun setting in the far distance, and ponies filling the streets to head home, two pegasi guards strode through the crowds and into a narrow alleyway-like street, shadowed by the surrounding buildings and lit with only a few lanterns.

Strolling up and down the alley, Zipline and Skye Racer kept vigilant for the shop they searched for. Apart from themselves, only one other pony traversed the alley, walking between them when they split to make space for the walking pony. They stopped near the end of the street where they initially entered, scanning around to their respective sides of the street.

One sign caught Skye's attention, him lifting a hoof to gently tap on Zipline's armor and grab his attention, gesturing toward the shop, which partially sunk into the ground with a short flight of steps leading down to the door. The two strode down the steps and into the shop, a tiny bell ringing above them to alert the shopkeeper of their entrance.

Trotting around a rack and stopping, the lavender unicorn with a buzzcut-like mane scanned over the two guards. His maw parted to speak, only to be stopped by Zipline raising his badge.

"You are Kas, the owner of this shop, correct?" Skye sternly asked, standing tall beside Zipline, doing so to show off some sort of intimidation toward the unicorn.

The lavender unicorn furrowed an eyebrow, then nodded once. "That is me," his eyes briefly darted to the emblem on their chest plates, easing himself. "You are Zodiacs. Ah know yer captain and your sergeant, they purchased bows and arrows from my shop."

"Then perhaps you can answer some questions we have for you," Zipline replied, tucking away his badge. "It is to our knowledge that you have illegally sold weapons to enemies of Equestria, but with Captain Night Shadow's orders, we cannot arrest you until you are proven guilty."

"Sold weapons... illegally?" Kas chuckled softly. "You two must be mistaken, ah do not sell anythin' to anypony who ain't a guard or a soldier—"

"When was your last customer?" Skye interrupted, walking closer.

Kas stood his ground, raising a brow again. He went back through his memory in silence, responding moments later. "Just a few days ago. Ah refurbished a private's armor for 'im."

"Before that?" Skye blinked.

The lavender unicorn shook his head. "Just guards, that ah can remember," he stopped, eyes moving up to the ceiling in thought. "Actually, now that ah ponder it, there was somepony strange that came in about a month ago. Says he was Special Forces, or somethin'."

"What did he look like? Can you remember?"

"Tall, brass coat, green eyes. Was a unicorn, ah think. Had, uh... swept back mane, and his voice..." Kas shuddered slightly. "T'was somethin' ah've never heard before in my life."

"And... did he purchase anything from you?" Zipline said, writing down on a notepad with a pen.

"Did he? The question y'all should be askin' is, what didn't he buy from me? Bought my whole collection of knives, swords, some crossbows, even some armor. His identification card seemed legit, but ah couldn't be sure. Ah came back around to question him on it, but he was gone. Took the weapons with 'im, and left a big sack of money."

"So, you did not get a chance to ask him questions?" Skye narrowed his eyes slightly.

Kas shook his head. "Afraid not. Ya say ah sold them illegally, now it all makes sense. Who was he?"

The two guards exchanged looks, then turned back to the shopkeeper. It was Zipline who replied, tucking away the notepad and pen. "For the moment, that is classified information. Is that all the information you can give us?"

Nodding, Kas waved a hoof. "About all ah can remember."

Zipline nodded. "Well, for legal reasons, I am afraid we must bring you in for some further questioning, as well as a lie detector test to ensure your side of the case. Likeliness is, it will end in your favor. But, one small slip, and you could very well face life in the dungeons beside whom you sold those weapons to."

"The sales of weapons to an enemy of Equestria is one of the highest offenses in the country, and while her highness is against execution, she holds the right to determine whether you are deserving of such punishment."

Skye Racer brought out a pair of hoofcuffs. "If you are willing to comply, we will not have to use these."

Breathing a shaky breath, Kas nodded. "Ah will go with y'all. Just, one question. Do ah get to keep the money?"

"That will be up to the judge," Zipline responded. "Come on, Kas."


***


For as much as Night believed it would be difficult to return to normal life, sure enough, he could not have been more wrong. Within the first two weeks of returning to Canterlot, it was as if he'd forgotten entirely about the cast on his wing.

Every two days, Night met with a pegasus Guard Rehabilitation Instructor, steadily working his strength back up and bringing his body back into shape. A week and a half of not moving from a hospital bed other than to briefly shower and use the restroom took a major toll on his physique.

By now, with his current progress, it would only be a short matter of time until the cast could come off, and with the help of the instructor, would gradually work his way to flying again.

But, between his sessions, it was back to the everyday grind for Night, going over report after report at his desk. Thankfully, Captain Fallen Star and Silent Knight took over for his work throughout the days of his absence. Evidently, neither of them had been aware of his actions outside of Canterlot, and simply assumed for that time, he'd been stranded elsewhere with a sickness and was quarantined in the process.

Night found the story to be absurd, though, he went along with it to avoid further questioning. He already knew the princesses were aware of what he and his fellow squad mates had done, and for the moment, had no plans of telling the truth. Not any time soon, that is.

Yawning softly, Night neatly tore into an envelope with the help of one of his fangs and sliding out the folded piece of paper inside and opening it up to read this next report.

He quite nearly jumped out of his chair with surprise as a rolled-up piece of paper tied neatly around the center with a red ribbon and bow appeared in a flash, dropping onto the floor beside him.

Having stood up on all fours on the seat of his office chair, Night stared with wide-eyes down at the letter, easing himself at the realization that it wasn't a threat, but still suspicious of this letter. Only ones directly from the princesses themselves delivered them in such fashion. This one just happened to be from Princess Celestia, knowing Luna's were of her own shade of blue.

Reaching down and plucking it up, Night sat back down, undoing the button on the ribbon and placing it off to the side, then unrolling the piece of paper and beginning to read.

Attached by a paperclip sat a ticket with print so tiny not even Night could make out just by staring closely. Rather, he continued to read, narrowing his eyes the further he delved into the invitation for the coronation of a new colony leader.

Then, his jaw dropped as far as it could possibly go, finishing off the final sentences of the notice. In utter shock, Night flopped over, crashing to the cobble floor with a thud.
> A Midnight's Picnic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It could have been hours before Night came to, having collapsed out of pure shock from the news received. In reality, only just over twenty minutes passed. He honed in on the letter, which rolled itself back into a cylindrical shape on the floor beside him without a ribbon around it.

What the letter itself discussed almost seemed illegitimate. There was no possible way it could have been true. Yet, it seemed to be the exact opposite.

Just to be for certain that he had not misread, Night stretched a shaky hoof, sliding the letter closer and unraveling it, eyes only scanning the lower portion of the paper. The words remained, and he stared with a parted maw, remaining very much shaken by the news.

"S-she has to be joking..." Night's eyes shot wide open again, staring off in front of him. "M-my father... my father, Major Skywatcher of Fang Legion, Governor of Batsburg?!"

Eventually realizing where he was, he pressed himself onto all fours slowly and placed the letter on his cluttered desk, where Night took a step back to scrutinize the letter.

Despite his doubts on the reality of it, Celestia would never lie about something as important as this. He knew that much.

Night took in a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. At least in the two weeks between now and the royal gathering, he had plenty of time to prepare—both his schedule, and his composure, and with the last of the funerals finished, that would make for one less thing for him to be concerned about that would conflict with his work.

He walked back up to his desk, pushing the letter aside, returning to the piles of unopened envelopes. For the moment, much more important matters must be attended to.


***


Night trotted through the streets, heading for the dry cleaner only a few blocks away from the Palace gates. With only a few days to go, he took this time to prepare his dress uniform, which sat flat on his back, folded neatly, and would pick it back up the following day.

He trotted through the open door of the cleaner's, stopping at the counter and ringing the bell, catching the shop owner's attention from in back. Moving slowly on the hanging conveyor belt, dresses and suits brought in by other ponies circulated the narrow building. Most, if not all of these clothes sat wrapped in plastic bags for protection from dirt.

Through the moving hanging clothes like a magician through a curtain, the sky-blue unicorn mare with small, rounded glasses sitting on her nose stepped up to the desk, greeting Night with a warm smile. "Hello there, Night! What will it be today?"

"Same as always," Night replied, returning the smile and placing his folded uniform on the lower portion of the counter, sliding it across. "You know the drill."

The mare nodded, taking his suit and unfolding it. "Of course. I will be right back!" then disappeared back behind the curtain of moving dresses and suits.

Night turned away from the counter, seating himself on a chair against the wall to wait patiently. Having come here—and only here—for years, him and the mare, the only pony working at this shop, developed as acquaintances and no further. She continued to be the only dry cleaner in Canterlot he trusted most with his uniform as she continued to serve the hundreds of guards around the city.

He gently tapped his hoof on his leg, staring at the floor. When the bell above the door rung and the noise of metallic hoofsteps on the tile floor caught his attention, Night glanced up and to the left, smiling softly. "Hey, Thunder."

"Hey," Thunder smiled back, walking up to the counter, carrying his own dress clothes. "Didn't expect to bump into you here."

Taking note of his black-and-red dress uniform, Night moved his gaze up. "I take it you got the invitation, too?"

"You bet," the grey pegasus placed his suit on the counter—not nearly folded as neatly as Night's was when he walked in. "Congratulations."

Night let off a chuckle. "What for?"

"Your father, duh!" Thunder replied with a smile. "I didn't even know he was running for Governor."

The smile on Night's muzzle faded, his eyebrow raising. He now had a puzzled look on his face. "You know what, I didn't either. He would have told me."

Thunder cocked his head slightly. "He hasn't said anything?"

"Not before now, or when I was in the hospital. I wonder if he even knows?"

The lighter-grey stallion shrugged, bewildered. "That sounds sketchy."

Night nodded in agreement. "No kidding."

"I had no clue the elections had even started for your town."

"We don't have elections. Our colonies have followed a tradition for centuries where leadership is passed down, like a family heir. To my knowledge, our former Governor didn't plan on my father being the next in line to lead the colony," Night explained, still puzzled, looking down to his hooves.

"Then again, Celestia addressed her plans to change our political system to align us with other cities and towns, to have proper elections to assign members to run Batsburg. That still... doesn't make much sense."

"Well, either way it goes, I imagine that will be quite the weight to take on all of a sudden, even for your father."

"If he isn't stressed in life now, he will be then," Night chuckled, albeit nervously. "I don't know what to think of this, not even a week after receiving the notice."

"I had to re-read it a few times for it to process," Thunder said, frowning and tapping the bell on the counter.

"I passed out," Night frankly replied, cheeks heating with some embarrassment.

"Who can blame you? Even for you, that's a lot to take in. How do you feel about it now, though?"

Night went silent, his gaze falling to the floor in thought. He glanced up at Thunder after almost a full minute. "Is it normal if I'm feeling, I dunno, hesitant? Nervous, yeah, but hesitant?"

"Hesitant? For what?"

"Him taking office. It won't be the same anymore. We write every so often when neither of us are too busy, but now, he won't have a day where he isn't preoccupied with holding the city on his shoulders. He'll have his own guard detail—probably the troops in his platoon, or something—and so will my mom and sister," Night thoroughly explained, eyes steadily falling to the floor a second time.

"He won't just be a soldier anymore, or he might not be one at all in the end, and he won't be the first soldier to lead the colony. If anything, our previous Governor was one of the few to not have served in some way. If there's ever a time where we go to war, there's no exception for him not to fight."

"On top of that, he technically holds top rank above Fang Legion. The Governor gives the orders. But, he is still a major. That's... beyond confusing. Commander Kozak gave him orders, but now, it seems, a lower rank will be the one pushing him around."

Night slowly eased back into his chair, his bright gold eyes meeting the cool blue ones of Thunder's. "All in all, I'm nervous. Not just for him, but for everypony."

"You think he won't be a good Governor?" Thunder blinked twice.

"It's not that, it's the idea that this is being left for him to deal with, especially after over a month since the previous one died. I wouldn't say the town has fallen into chaos, but, without a leader to look to, ponies have been confused as to what they should be doing to rebuild."

"Well," Thunder paused, eyes setting on the wall beside Night, then back. "I have faith in your father. Being around him, both on a normal day, and on the battlefield, he is a resilient stallion. It's as if nothing can bring him down. He took that spear like a champion years back, and it didn't even come close to killing him! This will just be a new test for him, his greatest one yet. All we can do is put our trust in him."

Night stared blankly forward, only to slowly nod moments after, his expression blank. "Which I do, and I will for as long as he is Governor."

Thunder nodded once, smiling warmly. "Then he will do great, I know it."

"I don't doubt it. But, I have my—"

"—concerns?" Thunder finished for him. "I understand that. As I said, the best either of us can do is trust him. Besides, I imagine if the work becomes overwhelming enough, he can assign somepony to help him out."

"I suppose he could do that, but, he won't. I know him too well."

"Then tell him that if the time comes. Pressure him until he falls through and gets the help he needs. Just saying 'Hey, dad, you need some help. Why don't you hire somepony?' won't do anything. You get me?" Thunder gestured a hoof to his chest.

Night responded with a nod, cracking a smile at Thunder's mock of his voice. "I sound nothing like that."


***


With the aid of a mirror just narrowly taller than himself placed against the wall, Night adjusted the collar of his night-blue uniform to where it didn't constrict around his throat as much as past attempts. Of all things to go awry, it just had to be the collar, he thought to himself.

Even over four years later, it irked him most that the buttons on his uniform weren't silver, which in his mind, would have been a much better fit to the color scheme of the suit. For Luna's sake, he settled with the idea of not mentioning it, or taking matters into his own hooves and replacing the gold buttons with his preference.

At last, he breathed normally, no longer restricted by the tight, lopsided collar he had spent the last half an hour fumbling with and just narrowly keeping his cool at every time it would slide back into an uncomfortable position.

Sighing out contently, Night opened his eyes, examining himself thoroughly in the mirror, even admiring himself in the mean time. Even better, the cast on his wing made its way to the garbage bin. 

Without a need for it any longer, he couldn't have been more elated to shred it off. Yet, with his rehabilitation instructor's advice, he still very much had a lengthy road ahead. With the last of his wounds from the battle long healed, his near-limp wing stood out prominently as the big reminder of what happened—even now, a whole month later.

Alas, his wing placed itself farthest away in his mind, for tonight he would bear witness to a momentous occasion. Not just for Equestria, or his colony, but his family as a whole. It marked a new future for him, his parents, his sister, and the rest of his fellow ponies.

He inhaled deeply, washing away his worries and easing himself in a second, relieving sigh. Without wasting another second in the mirror, he turned around and made his way for the door, then out into the hallway.

While his father's swearing-in ceremony was strictly not a public one, nor the party that would follow, the palace ballroom suited for the likely masses of Legion soldiers and Royal guards attending. 

It wouldn't be very long either—three days, to be precise—until a second ceremony, this time in Batsburg, is set to take place, where Skywatcher would give an opening speech to the colony ponies directly as the new Governor.

Night entered through the open doors of the ballroom, which steadily filled with finely-dressed guards and soldiers of either branches and from Fang Legion, having traveled this far to observe the ceremony from the rows of chairs lined beneath a short podium at the far tip of the circular-ended hall.

Some already seated themselves. Most, if not all of the ponies engaged in conversations with one another. The Zodiacs, Sharpblade, Thunderblast, Harmonic Percussion, even Redflare, along with others Night knew well stood at the front row, either standing or sitting down. Both of the princesses, for the moment, remained absent and were expected to appear at the start of the ceremony.

Sneaking up behind them, Night tapped the shoulders of his mother and sister, startling them both. "Boo."

"Night!" Dawn screeched, flailing hooves at him without actually hitting him. "Don't scare me like that!"

Grinning, he brought her into a hug and rubbed his hoof in her mane in a noogie, bringing another screech of slight annoyance out of his sister, fumbling to get his probably-filthy hooves off of her. "Stop thaaaat!"

"What, you gonna hit me? Show me what you've got," Night smirked playfully.

"Oh, I'll hit you into next Tues—" Dawn was suddenly stopped by an outstretched hoof between her and Night, with Midnight shaking her head in dismay.

"Now, Dawn, respect your brother's wing. He's still in pain from it."

He really wasn't, but Night went along with it. "Oooh, yeah, ouch. My wing really hurts. Oh, the pain!" he acted ever-so dramatically, leaning his head in Dawn's direction with a hoof on his forehead.

The smaller mare shoved at his chest gently, not even strong enough to budge him. "Ha ha, very funny, Night," she tossed a sharp look at him and wrinkled her muzzle. "Hey, where is Dad?"

"Probably with the princesses, or having a panic attack in the bathroom somewhere," Night replied, shrugging.

"Don't say that!" Midnight poked him in the shoulder. "Your father is beyond capable of holding himself together in these situations."

"Sarcasm, mother," Night winked, nudging her right back. "I'm sure it's the first of the two."

As the minutes ticked by, more guards and bat ponies trickled into the room, the only noise to be heard being the ambiance of chatter between many discussing Skywatcher, jokes, and every little thing in between.

Not long after the last pony trotted into the ballroom, a single unicorn guard stood just beyond the door and spoke up above the crowd to gather their attention.

"Please be seated, the princesses shall arrive shortly!" he announced, turning and walking back around the corner after finishing.

At his word, ponies took their seats, filling the last of the fold-up chairs placed neatly on either sides of the red silk-carpet aisle. The chatter resumed, albeit quieter as everypony patiently waited for the princesses of the day and night to arrive, along with the soon-to-be-dubbed Governor of Batsburg.

No more than a couple of minutes later, a different guard strode nonchalantly into the room, addressing to them, "All rise and welcome Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna of Equestria!"

The collective shuffling of ponies standing up echoed slightly within the hall, going silent as the alicorn sisters walked side-by-side along the center of the aisle, donning each one of their finest dresses to match not only their physical colors, but their individual personalities.

Celestia, a white-and-gold dress that covered her lower half with a thin train that followed no more than a couple feet behind her. Luna, with an all-dark blue dress that sparkled much like the stars in her forever-floating mane. While her gown did not have a train, it still very much covered her lower half, only just above the floor and shadowing her legs inside, like a black hole.

Many dazzled to either of the princesses' attire, and how with seemingly every event, no two dress they wore had been the same as one in the past. A certain unicorn mare came to mind, one that Night knew would spasm at the sight. For all he knew, she probably made the dresses. Then again, her and her friends—the Elements of Harmony—would have shown up if that were the case.

In a wave, ponies bowed respectfully for the two mares, followed by one of their corresponding guards, Luna's being none other than Silent Knight, who broke posture only for a split second to nod in Night's direction as he passed.

Just behind their guards, Skywatcher sauntered along in a steady, military-like posture, in his black-and-blue uniform suit that proudly showed off a sizable rack of ribbons above his left breast. A small smile sat on his muzzle, eyes shifting to his son, daughter, and wife in the front row. Behind them, a pair of Royal guards closed the doors.

Positioning themselves on the podium as every pony stood back up, it was Princess Celestia who first spoke. "Please, be seated."

Once more, a collective shuffling of ponies sitting down, filling every last chair in the room. Rather than continuing, Celestia took a step back, making room for her younger sister.

"Friends, family, guards, and soldiers. We gather here on this wonderful, warm late afternoon to celebrate and mark the beginning of a new era," Luna began, all one-hundred eyes setting on her. "A new era of leadership that shall continue for many years to come. In tradition of long-lived bat pony culture, as agreed between myself and my sister, a new Governor of the colony of Batsburg has been elected."

"Following much inquiry, argument, and pouty-faces," Luna paused, ponies chuckling softly at that and bringing a notable smile out of her and Celestia. "It has been determined the millennia-old custom shall remain untampered by any and all Equestrian royalty. Because of this, we join together to welcome and congratulate the newest leader of the colony."

The night-blue alicorn shifted her attention to the formally-dressed draft bat pony stallion, retaining her smile. "Major Skywatcher, come."

As told, the tall stallion strode closer, standing before the lunar princess as Celestia exchanged her a small closed book. She then glanced toward Night. "Captain, as family of the soon-to-be Governor, Captain of my Zodiacs, and my best friend, I privilege you the honors of swearing in your father." 

Maw parting with surprise, Night stood up, gently patted on the shoulder by his mother. He walked steadily up onto the podium, taking Luna's place on it, as well as the book in his hooves. He stood opposite of his father, their eyes making direct contact.

"Major Skywatcher, Dad," he began. "Place your left hoof on the cover, raise your right hoof, and repeat after me."

With a smile, Skywatcher set his left hoof on the cover of the book that Night held, then lifted his right hoof to chin-level.

"I, Major Skywatcher of Fang Legion."

"I, Major Skywatcher of Fang Legion..."


***


As day turned to dusk, a party erupted in the palace ballroom. Chatter ignited, each pony—prominently his family, friends, and fellow soldiers taking time to congratulate Skywatcher on his newly-appointed position, before things truly kicked off, as if it were a miniature gala, but for guards and soldiers.

Glancing in the direction of the buffet tables, Skye Racer's eyes widened. "Don't look now, she's in her mood."

"Heeeeey!" called a drunk Scarlet, approaching from where an assortment of alcoholic beverages sat, carrying a glass filled almost to the top with red wine. She giggled softly, resting up against Sharp's side. He only rolled his eyes while she messily gulped from the glass.

"Will there ever be a party you go to where you're not getting drunk, Scar?" Zipline furrowed an eyebrow.

"Only when the booze has a price on it, heheheh," she responded, grinning at the red-maned stallion and finishing off the wine with an audible 'aaaah', before turning to Sharp and beginning to feel at his hardened body. "My, you're a strong stallion. You and Lodestar brothers or something?"

The grey draft unicorn fixed his eyes onto Night, faintly blushing as the smaller mare felt across his chest and shoulders. "Night, a little help here?"

Turning to him, Thunderblast smirked. "What, never been handled by a mare before?"

"I have, just not in the middle of a party!" Sharp quietly said the last bit, briefly glancing back to Scarlet, who giggled drunkenly.

Chuckling, Night strode over, prying Scarlet off of him. "All right, that's enough. Leave the celibate sergeant alone," he said, looping a hoof around her once he put some distance between the two.

Sharp shook his head slowly and let out an annoyed huff through his nostrils, ears flattening out.

Trotting over, Skywatcher joined in to the small crowd. "About time I found you all," he smiled.

"Hey, Dad! Welcome, and congrats," Night returned the smile, raising his glass and nodding once. 

"Hey there, son," Sky then nodded to the others. "Everypony," he added, turned back to his son, who held Scarlet. "So, I have some news for you, Night."

"Oh yeah?" Night blinked, sipping the golden, white bubble-capped drink in his hoof. "Good news, or bad news?"

"All good news. The Mark III armor you borrowed from Fang Legion is now in your name, thanks to my... word," his father said with a chuckle, wiping a hoof down his suit twice.

Night almost spat out the contents in his mouth in shock, rather narrowly holding it in his puffed-out cheeks, averting spraying his father, and swallowing the drink, wiping down his lips. "You're kidding!"

Skywatcher shook his head, smirking. "It's yours, Night. More so, soon, it will be refurbished to your standards."

"Wow..." Night's eyes moved down, then back up, his smile widening. "That's awesome! Thank you, Dad."

"In all reality, son, you deserved a set from the beginning. I've seen you in action long enough to recognize that. You earned it."

Night bowed his head in a thanking nod, then said, "You know, I heard the princesses were planning to have you run against somepony else. They, whoever they were, turned it down, and left you as the final candidate," Night said with a smile.

"Is that so?" his father straightened himself briefly in a small stretch. "My, what a surprise this turned out to be. A pure shocker. Have you any clue the face your mother said I had when I opened the letter?"

"I can only imagine," Night slyly grinned. "Did you faint, too?"

"What, did you?" Skywatcher returned the grin, then cackled slightly with laughter along with his son, then sighing contently afterwards.

"So, Governor," Thunder put emphasis on his new title. "What are your first plans?"

"To be quite frank, I have not put much thought into it. Too much on my mind accepting reality at this very moment. I suppose when we get back is when things will come to me."

"I would feel exactly the same in your shoes, Sky," Thunder nodded once. "Just don't overwork yourself and everything will run like clockwork."

"One can hope, Thunderblast, one can hope," Skywatcher smiled, returning the single nod. "Well, I better go find your mother and sister. I'll stop by again in a bit, assuming they haven't left the castle entirely."

Chuckling, Night patted his father on the shoulder, then looped an arm around him in a hug. "Alright, Dad," he said, watching him head off in the other direction after breaking their brief embrace.

Turning back to the ponies around him, engaged in conversation with one another, he could only smile more. With some hesitation of interrupting their discussions, Night tapped his glass to grab their attention.

"This might be quite sudden, and slightly off-topic to the reason why we're all here, getting drunk off our flanks in the palace ballroom. But, I have something I have been meaning to say for quite a while," he began.

"Recruits," Night turned to the five of them. "Private first classes," he reiterated. "From the moment you showed up in Canterlot, on my training grounds, I was annoyed. No, annoyed is a poor choice of a word. Irked is more like it."

"I had my beliefs that neither of you five would pass my tests. My initial intentions were to ensure nopony made it onto the squad, but, a part of me kept those thoughts pushed off to the side and gave you a chance. Today, I could not be more proud of myself for overcoming my doubts, and of you for becoming a member of the family. From this moment forward, into the future, you are all part of my family."

"So, I believe an apology is in order for all of you, not just our newest recruits. And, starting next week, our very own Rescue Sunstreak is due for a pay grade change as the team's very first medical officer," Night warmly smiled, raising his glass toward the brown draft stallion, who blushed slightly as the spotlight figuratively focused on him. "Welcome to the family, Res."

"And Dusk," Night turned to him, gesturing his hoof. "We were all worried sick about you, and neither of us could wait to get our hooves on the ponies who took you from us. Welcome back, man."

The group chuckled, Duskbloom rolling his eyes, but then tensing when Halfmoon planted a kiss on his chin and visibly blushing, looping his wing around her.

"One last thing, as well," Night paused, breathing out deeply. "He couldn't join us tonight for important circumstances. He's off... protecting the heavens, or wherever ponies go when they pass on, probably downing an unlimited mixture of every drink there is to offer in this room, as we speak, listening to me give this sappy, sort-of inspirational speech. So, I'm just going to cut to the chase. To Shield."

"To Shield!" the group responded in unison, each clinking their glasses together, before the majority tipped them and began gulping down the white-capped alcoholic contents that filled to the very top.

Downing the last of his drink, bubbles running down the inside of the glass to collect at the bottom, Night smiled, looking around at the ponies surrounding him.

For as much as he loved his dear Batsburg, this was his home. These were his ponies, his secondary family. He wouldn't have wanted it any other way, either.


***


Watching his father pace in circles, steadily wearing into the floor he trotted on, Night brought his hoof up into his face, shaking his head into it. "Dad, for the billionth time, there's nothing to be nervous about."

Stopping, a worry-stricken Skywatcher narrowed his eyes onto Night, who stood by the door. "But, son, I have not had time to prepare my speech. I must if I am to prove myself trustworthy of being their leader."

Setting his hoof down, Night frowned, striding up to his father. "You've spoken publicly before, haven't you?"

"Once or twice, but not in front of this size of a crowd. Not unprepared, that is," he huffed out, eyes setting on Night's.

"Then think as you go along. Say what you want to say to them. Be truthful in your words. Just, don't go over the top. Got it?"

Blinking, then nodding, Skywatcher exhaled softly. "I got it," he nervously smiled. "I'm ready."

Gesturing his head toward the door, Night smiled back, placing his hoof on his shoulder. "Then go get 'em, Dad."

Skywatcher glanced at the doors leading onto the balcony, then back to Night, nodding once. "Let's go."

Together, the two strode out onto the balcony, appearing before the masses of bat ponies in the courtyard of the Citadel. Cheers erupted louder than they were before the moment the two came within their view.

Briefly exchanging a hug, Night stood a few steps back from his father, along the edge of the rounded balcony hanging over the courtyard. Skywatcher waved his hoof, smiling genuinely down upon the crowds, before clearing his throat to speak into the microphone.

"Thank you, everypony," he began, the crowd silencing, apart from a few whistles and shouts here and there. "Thank you, for this... wonderful welcome. It is of great honor to stand here, overlooking every last one of you, to be somepony I never quite anticipated to be, or take his or her position."

He paused, glancing back at Night, who smiled and gestured both hooves slowly. He inhaled deeply, then let it out slowly, washing away any fear that previously held him captive.

"As a proud member of Fang Legion, to serve alongside some of the finest soldiers I have ever met, to later have my one and only son follow in my hoofsteps in a far away city," Skywatcher briefly glanced back toward Night again, smiling warmly. 

"I have witnessed the very best of our colony, as well as some of the worst. From the day we reunited with Equestria, after generations of unwavering conflict, then the times we have been forced from our homes due to unforeseen circumstances."

"In our city's darkest times, we as a united family have persevered. We are... a resilient pony. Without a doubt, it is in my best interest that we continue to strengthen ourselves as a community for a brighter future for our foals, and their foals to come."

"Join me, Batsburg. Join me, as we rebuild our once-great city, to make it welcome for all from every corner of Equestria. From Seaddle to Mareami, Manehattan to Los Pegasus, and everywhere in between, our city's gates shall remain wide open, in honor of our former Governor, Crimson Aphrodite."

"For the longest time, he believed our colony would fare best, secluded from the world, away from all of civilization, and I followed him to the ends of the earth as a guardian. It was not until my son, Night Shadow, taught me the true Equestrian way. Without his bravery, none of this would be possible. We may have very well remained in poverty, but more so, we may not be here to share this moment."

"Let today be the day that we as united ponies guide each others' futures... together."


***


"Come on, you guys!" Dawn shouted, rushing up to the top of the hill and bouncing, as if on an intense sugar high. "We're going to miss it, come oooon!"

Panting lightly in exhaustion, Thunderblast trudged beside Night, ears pinned back. "How many cupcakes has she had?"

"None, surprisingly," Night responded, huffing up the side of the hill. He stumbled and tripped over a rock, only to be grabbed by the pegasus at his side, who began helping him up the side of the not-so-steep hill.

Hopping around in a circle at the top, Dawn had the widest of grins on her muzzle, eventually stopping as the rest of them finally reached her. "What took you so long?"

Night threw a look of cold daggers at his younger sister, making her smile innocently as she backed off. She made room for her mother as she laid out a red-and-white square-patterned blanket, and placing a sizable basket down on top of it.

Last to the peak, Sharpblade's hooves gave out from under him after the seemingly never-ending uphill struggle. He panted with a heaving chest, flattening out his ears. "Just... g-gimme one second..."

"This is absolutely perfect," Midnight smiled, opening the basket and digging carefully into it, pulling out some neatly-piled napkins and disposable plates.

"Seeeee? I told you!" Dawn screeched out, the stallions apart from Skywatcher wincing, all as Sharp stood back up and plopped himself down beside Thunder with Night in between them.

"Dawn, sit down, please," Sky sternly said, crossing his forehooves after laying down.

"Yes, Dad," she replied, landing directly on the ground beside Midnight at the end of a bounce, tucking her hooves beneath herself.

Night, Sharp, and Thunder glanced up into the sky, looking around. Again, it was Dawn who spoke up. "Did we miss it?!"

Off to the side, a soft mare's chuckle came, directing everypony's attention toward the taller, dark-blue alicorn striding slowly in their direction.

Startled, and with wide-eyes, both Thunderblast and Sharpblade instinctively leaped to their hooves to bow. "Princess Lu—"

Raising a hoof to stop them, Luna spoke up. "Allow me to halt you right there, you two. There is no need for formality. May I?"

Night smiled, nodding once to the princess as she strolled up to the top of the hill. "The more, the merrier, Luna. Glad you could join us."

"Thank you, Night," Princess Luna smiled warmly, laying down on the side of the rather large square-patterned blanket. "I do hear tonight's meteor shower will be quite grand."

"Do you control it, too?" Dawn gasped with sudden surprise.

Giggling softly, Luna shook her head. "I am afraid not, my little pony. The moon belongs to me," she raised her hoof, gesturing towards it, glowing in the night sky above.

"Aww, bummer!" Dawn sat back down, laying her head on her forehooves, pouting with one lip out in disappointment.

"We princesses cannot control everything, Dawn Blossom," Luna retained her smile, sparking her horn, and spawning in some tea that levitated atop a small plate.

Some chatter began between everypony else while the group patiently awaited the natural light show to begin. Night sat quietly, smiling among them, happy to at long last spend some stress-free time with his close family.

But then, his mind started going. Gradually, his smile began to fade away, and eventually, fell into a frown. His eyes narrowed blankly in front of him as he zoned out.

With a look of concern, Night lifted his head, gaze setting on the alicorn in front of him. Now was finally the moment he had to ask the one question sitting on his mind for weeks, even months. "Luna, what happened to the rest of my kind?"

The lunar diarch shifted at his question, blinking twice. "What do you mean?"

"Other... hybrids. Bat-pegasi, if that is what they were called."

A frown crept slowly onto her muzzle, followed by a soft, nasal sigh. "Since the day we met, I feared this question might arise. But, I believe now is the time that it is to be answered, and the truth is, Night, you are not the only pony of your kind."

As if their names had been individually called, all eyes turned to her. Night's, especially, honing in on the princess.

"Bat pony hybrids formerly flourished in colonies across Equestria. Perhaps twelve-hundred years ago is when the population peaked. Pegasi, unicorns, and in rare cases, earth ponies, all with thestral traits lived among the bat pony civilization."

"When King Sombra came to power in the Crystal Empire, he and his guards exterminated an entire colony situated in the nearby mountains. It hadn't been until after my sister and I defeated him, where a team of Royal guards scouting the area in an investigation of the Empire's disappearance discovered the ruins of a once-thriving colony. Of all in Equestria, that one had been the largest."

"It was not long after that where the hybrid population plummeted dramatically. In the two-hundred years that followed, it decreased to the point where hybrids were the first of any civilized race on the planet to be deemed endangered. That changed for the worse, years after my banishment, during the Great Thestrian War." 

"Due to neglect, and without me by her side, my sister was forced to destroy the whole bat pony race in an effort to protect a collapsing Equestria. Of course, few of the bat ponies we know today did survive the powerful blast of magic from the Elements of Harmony used against them, and since then, gradually worked to rebuilding their race."

Luna turned to Night, blinking slowly. "That is when you came along, Night Shadow, erasing the barrier between ponies and restoring your colony—and many others across the land—to former glory. To our knowledge for almost five years, you have been the last remaining hybrid alive, which further sparked my fear when you set off to battle Topaz that you would be killed. I feared—we feared—that it would be the end of your kind. That is, until now."

"It would not surprise me if the genes of former hybrids still exist within the blood of others today. It is a matter of time before another is brought into the world, whether it be a pegasus like yourself, a unicorn, or an earth pony. To learn one other exists apart from you is quite an extraordinary discovery."

"However, in the circumstances faced, the one Sharpblade saw is likely to have been a defective hologram of Topaz's magic."

Night shook his head. "Impossible, Luna. He was seen standing over me after Topaz's magic dissipated and his army with it. He was real."

Princess Luna then delved into thought, tapping her hoof on the blanket. "So it may seem, then. If the figure truly was another hybrid, it would further support the idea that they are once more making a mark in this world."

"If he was a hybrid, I should be out looking for him, and everypony else!" Night blatantly responded, leaving a silence to follow.

Each pony fixed their stares on Night, either of surprise, worry, or a mixture of the two. It was Luna's that stood out the most, as she gulped down a tiny lump in her throat.

A hoof set itself on Night's shoulder. He glanced over, Thunder leaning forward, smiling.

"Well, wherever you go from here, I won't leave your side. Ever," he said, both sternly and in comfort.

Sharp set second hoof on his other shoulder. "As will I."

"And we will support you, no matter what, Night," Midnight added, warmly smiling, Dawn nodding with a determined grin beside her. "All of us."

"Thank you," Night smiled more, both of his wings narrowly fluffing at their responses. He felt more determined of himself than ever.

Turning her head away to glance off blankly, closing her eyes afterwards, Luna softly continued. "It truly has been quite a dark time in Equestria, as of late. An attack in our waters far east, as well as Manehattan, and then Hollow Shades, Chicoltgo, and San Prancisco. The damage has been caused, and we can hope this marks the end of a terrible chain."

She opened her eyes slowly. "I have also noticed a change in behavior around Celestia with your fellow bat ponies, as well. Likeliness is, they are afraid that she will repeat her past actions and decimate your kind once more."

"Would she?" Dawn suddenly squeaked out, sitting up.

Luna fixed her eyes onto the younger mare, smiling. "I do not see it in her future."

"But would she, if she had to?" Night's eyes slightly widened.

Once more, a frown pursed the princess of the night's lips, bringing a silence upon them.

Night's ears lost their perk, and his gaze fell to the ground. For a few moments, no further words were said. Shuffling his forehooves a bit, he nodded in understanding, glancing right back up to the night alicorn.

"Thanks for telling me, Luna."

Night turned slowly, glancing up at the starry, moon-lit sky, along with his friends, his family, his princess, watching as a streak of white light dashed overhead and disappeared just above the horizon, followed by many others of varying shape and size.

Whenever his next journey would begin, it would have to wait for another time.