Disappeared without a trace...disappeared…without…a…trace. Those four words rattled though my mind as Celestia left the room. The door soon shut after her and I just stood there staring at the back of it. ‘How in Tartarus could they all just vanish?!’ I thought to myself.

After a few moments I was shaken out of my trance by Twilight. “Hello? Equestia to Blood Moon? What the hay is going on? What does she mean they all disappeared?” she said in a confused tone.

I shook my head a few times before stating, “I…do not know. This…this has never happened before. At least not all at once that is. They sometimes fall off our sights, but are often relocated with haste. For all three to slip passed our scouts is completely unheard of.” Twilight paled in response.

This is really not what I required in the least. My mind was already ruined from my recent talk with Luna and now this delightful surprise was dropped on me. I had almost regretted asking Celestia why she was worried. Because now surely me and Twilight matched her in such worry.

After a few moments of silence me and Twilight slipped into bed. However, sleep did not come easily for either of us. We both tossed and turned in a futile attempt at finding comfort. A comfort that became glaringly apparent that neither of us could seem to achieve. So after several hours of restlessness we both woke up and began staring at the ceiling. “I assume you cannot sleep either?” I stated in a disappointed and exhausted tone.

She shook her head and said, “I’m too worried about what Celestia said. I've never seen her that worried before. What the hay could have shaken her that much?”

Paranoia started to creep up in my mind at the possible reasons. As I stated to Twilight before, the rogue factions have never just vanished from our sights all at once. To make matters worse, who knows how long Celestia has been keeping that information secret. She never enjoyed worrying her soldiers and subjects any more than needed. Which in turn often lead to her withholding such information out of a sometimes misplaced sense of kindness.

My stomach started to knot as I squinted my eyes in thought, ‘How long have you been holding that information Princess? What else do you know that you did not state?’ Paranoia crept further through my thoughts as I started to come up with a possible answer. ‘Perhaps they decided to…no that is just paranoid thinking, Blood Moon. There is no possible way they would…no they would not,’ I thought to myself.

I heard Twilight tap her forehooves together. “Do…do you think they're working together?” Twilight inquired.

She had pegged my paranoia right on the mark. I barely had entertained the thought before I heard her speak it. I cleared my throat and said with a nervous laugh, “D-do not be silly, Twilight. They loathe each other. There is no possible way they could…”

I saw her turn her head to look at me. “You’re thinking the same thing aren't you?” she replied in a worried tone.

She had read me like a book it appears. There was no use lying to her. Not like that would have worked even if I had tried. In turn, I closed my eyes and stated, “Yes…but you have to realize that it is just my paranoid thoughts. They have never done so in all my years of fighting them. They truly despise each other. It is the reason why the solar channelers attacked you, to gain an edge on us and the others. To even believe they joined forces is borderline unthinkable.”

“Well I never thought I was going to be a princess…or a vampire,” she said as she began to rub the vertical scar on her stomach.

I turned and wrapped my forelegs around her in attempt comfort her. My face then hardened with resolve as my mind worked out the possibilities. She was right, they may have never joined forces before, but there was a first time for everything. This scenario lead to just one course of action. You prepare for the worst and pray your predictions are wrong.

After a few moments of silence we both tried to go back to sleep. However, even after several hours this proved to be an impossible task. So with exhausted bodies and full minds we got out of bed. As I got up my body remained groggy and refused to move without moderate effort. I suppose it was not the first time this has happened to me. To be fair, up until relatively recent I did not even know there was such a thing as “restful sleep”. One would imagine I would be used to this state by now, but I was not.

With a groan I rearmored everything but my helm and walked over the door. I then undid the seal and the door swung open to a lively hallway. My lieutenants and the others were up and about with irritating looks of restfulness on their faces. They continued chatting and doing what I assumed was their morning routines until they noticed us.

Applejack snorted and said, “You two look like ya’ll been run through a cider mill. Sleep well?”

We both glared at her in response. Her and the rest laughed before she said, “Aww you two are adorable when yer angry. Well ya better wake up. Somethin’ odd has been goin' on. Almost everypony I've met today has been as jumpy as a scared jackrabbit.”

I rubbed my eyes and yawned before stating, “Hmm? What are you talking about?”

She rolled her eyes and replied, “RD, show ‘em.”

Rainbow Dash lightly tapped a passing servant. They instantly yelped in panic before throwing everything they were carrying into the air and then they bolted down the hall. They did not even bother to look back as they galloped away. I groaned as I realized that it appears the bad news must have spread.

“Great, nothing spreads faster than bad news it seems…” I lamented.

Shadow Dancer walked toward us and raised an eyebrow. “And what bad news are ya talkin’ about?” he questioned.

“All of you follow me and I shall explain after breakfast,” I replied as I started to walk down the hall.

As we made it to the dining hall something odd seemed to be happening. Normally, everypony would be loudly conversing to each other, guards and servants alike. It was for this reason I often ate in my alchemy lab. However, this time was different. When we all walked in nopony was making a sound. They all just sat and stared at their respective meals in near silence.

Without so much as a word to each other, we all got something to eat and sat down at a nearby vacant table. For several minutes silence still remained. This was up until which point I looked up to see Shadow Dancer fidgeting before he whispered, “What in Tartarus is goin' on?”

I closed my eyes for a few seconds before leaning close to Twilight and whispering, “Twilight, please put up an anti-sound ward around us.”

She nodded and I heard the invisible field snap into place. I then opened my eyes and said, “What I am about to state does not leave this table. If it does it could cause some horrid panic.”

“What? Did somepony swipe all the hard cider again heh heh?” Shadow Dancer replied. He only laughed for a second before Gray Mane hoofed him in the back of his head.

I nodded to Gray Mane before continuing, “There is a problem with the war against the rogue factions. They have all fallen off our scouts' sights.”

Shadow Dancer snorted, took a bite of his breakfast, and stated in sarcastic tone, “Yeah…right. These shit filled rumors always fly around. Ah swear somepony gets a hard-on from starting this crap…prah’lly Discord.”

I narrowed my eyes and said, “This information came directly-” before being interrupted by Shadow Dancer.

“Let mah guess? From a servant who heard it from a guard whose drinkin’ buddy mumbled it when they had one too many?” Shadow Dancer sarcastically interjected.

I glared at him and finished my sentence, “-from Princess Celestia herself.”

His eyes widened in shock while his mouth slowly opened. The bite of food he had slid off his tongue and fell to the table. I looked around to see my lieutenants all in various states of shock. Well except Gray Mane, he just possessed an ear to ear smile I assumed at the possibility of mayhem and slaughter.

The rest, minus Twilight, just sat confused until Rainbow Dash piped up, “And this is a big deal because?”

“It…is an unprecedented event,” Tactic replied with slight worry in his monotone voice.

“Huh? What do you mean?” she inquired.

I looked at her and said, “It means this has never happened before…ever. This war has never stopped, even for a day, and now everything went quiet for who knows how long.”

Rainbow Dash paled in response and she seemed like she was about to say something, but nothing came out.

Everypony at our table was silent again until Applejack straightened her hat and said, “Well what ya’ll think we should do before somepony starts drinkin’ themselves to death?”

I took a deep breath and said, “We prepare for the worst. Rarity, if you do not mind, please take all of your friends’ measurements as well as yourself.”

Rarity tilted her head replied, “Certainly, but whatever for?”

I half-grinned and said, “It is a surprise.”

“Oooooo I love surprises,” Pinkie Pie blurted out.

I truly wished I shared her enthusiasm. The small grin on my face turned into a worried frown as we continued our meals. After we finished I felt a hoof on my shoulder as the anti-sound ward was dispelled. As everypony got up, I heard Twilight’s voice whisper into my ear, “What are you planning, Blood Moon?”

My frown from before worsened as I replied, “Preparing for the worst.”

After a hour Rarity had completed her work. I suppose years of working as a clothing designer has its benefits. I remember it took me several times to even get my own measurements right, let alone others. I smiled as she finished making her markings on a parchment before rolling it up and floating it to me. I then, with parchment in hoof, lead everypony down a different area of the Lunar wing.

“Umm mind telling us where we’re going?” Twilight inquired.

“I’m with Twilight, where in the hay are we?” Rainbow Dash added flying next to me.

I grinned as I sniffed the air, taking in the familiar scent. My ears perked up as I heard something familiar too. Without saying a word I stopped at two rather tall metal doors. I looked over my shoulder and said, “Welcome to the Lunar forge,” while I pushed the doors open.

We all walked into the impressive sized room with a cathedral ceiling that included vents. The center of the room was dominated by a gigantic metal forge in the center. Every so often blackish blue flames would flare out of an opened hatch. To this day I have little idea what actually powers it. Rumor has it that it is linked with the moon somehow. The only reason I believed said rumor was that the forge used to flare up from time to time during Princess Luna’s banishment.

Around the forge were anvils of all shapes and sizes. Most of them had a master forger working away on them. On the walls of the room were the tools of the trade, most also being used. Lastly, dark iron ore and bars were lined up around the forge in neat stacks. I started slipping into a pleasing trance at all the memories in here. I remained so until somepony next to me stated, “She is certainly a marvel hmm?”

“Yes, she sure is a-” I started to say before I realized who was standing next me. I sputtered and said, “G-general Black Wing! My apologizes, I was just…”

“Staring at the object you spent a good section of your youth next to?” she interjected.

“I…well…yes it seems I…” I replied while attempting to think of something say.

“What are you, your lieutenants, and Princess Twilight and her friends doing here?” she questioned as she glanced over at me.

“Oh you know me. I just wanted to give them the grand tour and all…” I said as I started to sweat a little. Though she and I were generally on good terms, I was not sure how she was going to respond to my plans.

She sighed and glanced over at me again with half narrowed her eyes. “Yes…now explain to me why you all are really here,” she said in a tired tone. When I did not respond she sighed and added, “If all you are here, then there is likely only one motivation. You are worried.” To which I just nodded.

She sat down and rubbed the bridge of her nose with a forehoof before stating, “Damn. So it truly has gotten that bad. Alright, pass it over.”

I floated her the parchment with the measurements right as Twilight walk up next to us. “Not to be rude, but what the hay is going on? Why are we here?” she inquired.

Black Wing raised an eyebrow and said, “Oh, did Blood Moon not mention it yet? You and your friends are going to be fitted for armor and weapons. Well except the armor in your case.” She then glanced over her shoulder, frowned, and added, “Blood Moon, why have you not given Rainbow Dash a suit of suppression armor yet?”

“Well I…umm…err,” I said sputtering again as I had nothing even remotely as an excuse.

She laughed and said, “Oh do calm down Blood Moon. I just hope she had not ruined too many doors as of yet,’ as she winked at Twilight who blushed, looking embarrassed.

“We’re all getting armor and weapons! THIS IS AWESOME!” Rainbow Dash bellowed out. The others cheered in excitement as well. Well minus Fluttershy who whimpered and cowered right up next to Gray Mane.

After the cheering stopped, Black Wing stated, “Well no time like the present I suppose. Please instruct the servants to setup the cots and the supply tray,” as she started to tie her mane behind her head.

I raised an eyebrow. “With all due respect, given the circumstances, should you not be with the Princesses in-” I said before being interrupted.

“Blood Moon…” Black Wing said as she leered at me over her shoulder.

“Y-yes?” I replied as I swallowed hard.

Her burning gaze glared at me as she said in a calm voice, “Other than my recent hunting trip, I have been almost perpetually trapped in the tactics room pouring over scout reports. I have not slept for…three…whole…days due to the stress of current events. As such, I need an outlet for said stress before I rupture a blood vessel. So if you even…think…of trying to convince me to return there. Then I am going to locate the largest smithing hammer in this room and I am going bury it so far up your asshole that you shall be doing nothing but coughing up metal shards and splinters. Do I make my clear?”

My left eye twitched at the thought of a smithing hammer beginning forcefully inserted in my backside. I swallowed hard again and said, “As a crystal.”

“Good,” she said as the smile on her face returned.

I remained frozen in place as she walked over to the forge and started to examine some dark iron bars. I did not move until a heard some chuckling to my right. I did not even need to look to know it was Black Hammer, who was obviously amused.

“She…she was just making that statement in jest…right?” I said with a nervous laugh.

I heard Black Hammer snort before saying, “I woon’t put it passed that old battle axe of a lass heh heh.”

“I heard that Black Hammer!” I heard Black Wing yell over to us in an amused tone.

He started laughing and yelled back, “Ye know ah mean it with all the kindness in me heart! Ah love when ye rough up the young’ins like ol’ limp and cough here!”

“You old flatterer you! If you are quite through with your attempts at ‘sweet-talking’ me, we have a task to complete! Blood Moon shall give you the details!” she yelled in reply before walking to gather tools.

His face immediately brightened up before he replied, “Anythin’ fer you lass.” He then turned his attention to me before stating, “Alright ol’ limp and cough, what’s this project she spoke of?”

I heard several bouts of snickering behind me as I scowled at Black Hammer. “I do hope you are taking great delight in generating further nicknames for me…” I said as I half narrowed my eyes.

“Ahh doon’t be like that, lad. Ye know I woon’t be rufflin’ yer fur if I din’t like ya heh heh. Now what be this task I hear?” he said with small laugh.

I recovered what little pride I could muster, stood up straight, and said, “Due to an uncertain future, I decided it would be best to properly equip Twilight and her friends. As such I wish to make them weapons along with suits of armor in case of a worst possible scenario.”

“Ye wish to armor them eh? Aye, ah say things be lookin’ bleak if ye resortin’ to ‘those’ type of measures,” he replied as the smile faded from his face. He then took a deep sigh and added “What ye need from me, lad?”

I thought about it for a minute before a wonderful idea popped into my mind. “How long does it take to make the type of armor I am currently wearing? I inquired.

He rubbed his chin with a forehoof before stating, “Well, the process be slow as I be the only one who knows how to make that type ye be wearin’. Given’ the time constraints I assume we be under I could only kick out one suit. Which one of the lasses ye be wantin’ it fer?”

I grinned, said “Actually it is not for one of the ‘lasses’ more like for a ‘lad’,” before glancing over at Spike.

Spike’s eyes widened with surprise before he said “Me?”

Black Hammer let out a hearty laugh and shook his head. “Ahh ye be given me a tall order havin' me make me type of armor fer thee lad. And not be just any lad, but Princess Twilight Sparkle’s special dragon at that. I suppose it be what I deserve fer makin’ that ‘limp and cough’ joke at yer expense. Ah bet ye sure be likin’ the thought of workin’ me like a diamond dog,” he said with more laughter.

“Alright alright, get to it you old jester,” I said with a wink.

Black Hammer then chuckled and nodded to me, Spike, and the others before walking towards the forge. That old gray cyclops always knew how to brighten the mood. He certainly was a practical joker to the core. In some ways I truly wished I could be more like him. He never seemed to get fazed for long about dark times.

After a few moments passed, I saw Spike walk up next to me. “Umm Blood Moon, I don’t wanna cause any trouble for you and Black Hammer,” he said while tapping his index claws together and looking at the ground.

I chuckled and leaned my head next to him as I pointed my left forehoof at Black Hammer. “You see that skip in his step? That old jester lives for these types of challenges. I doubt I could have chosen a better pony for the task than him,” I said and Spike’s face brightened up.

I then turned to the Twilight and her friends and got their input on what weapons they would like made. I even made a few notes on what style of armor they would like. The majority of which went smoothly until Rarity gave me a shopping list worth of her “input”. After I finished I then floated the list over to Black Wing for her and the other forgers to examine and chuckle at.

After that was settled I straightened up and stated, “Alright everypony, I want you all to continue your sparring matches in the arena while me and the other forgers work. I would advise you all occasionally rotate opponents as I will not be able to join you. Also for my lieutenants, it is your jobs to ensure they are watched over and prepared for the days ahead. We need all of them in fighting shape and I expect regular reports. Night Star, you are in charge of that task in my absence.”

Night Star nodded and replied, “Yes, captain.”

I then thought for a moment and said, “Actually Spike do you mind remaining here with me?”

“You want me to stay here? Why’s that?” he said looking confused.

“I need your assistance in a special task, if you do not mind,” I replied with a grin.

He began to get excited as he said, “You want my help? What do you need?”

“I require some of your dragon fire,” I stated as the grin on my face grew.

And the plot thickens...he...he...he.