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The New Lunar Guard Chronicles

by ClapperCreations

Chapters

Small Town Guard

The moon was high as Acropolis walked through the Everfree forest, along the path towards the ancient castle. The dark trees and gloomy vines seemed to crawl towards him, reaching out with their gnarly fingers. Being on the Ponyville night guard made it so that he was aware that this was mostly his mind. That and he had spent more time than most in the Everfree forest, his house being closer to the forest than Fluttershy’s. And being constantly so close to the forest meant he was mostly immune to the creep factor. Mostly. He still didn’t like being out here at night.

He came out to the clearing where the old rope bridge to the Everfree Castle was. Recalling the story of Nightmare Moon‘s return, as told from Rainbow Dash‘s perspective, he was wary of the ancient bridge. Well aware that the bridge had since been secured, he still didnt trust it.

The trek had taken him a bit longer than he had expected. He had slipped in some mud and it took him several minutes to free himself from the aggressive muck. His brown coat was smeared with black mud from his fall, the red mess of his short mane peeked out from under his guard hat. The Ponyville guard had a rather lax dress code considering its constant peril. They were given a simple belt with some basic tools and restraints. He didn't like the hat, it was ugly. The bright beige of the hat made him look silly. Rarity had confirmed as much. Wiping some of the mud from his backside he revealed his cutie mark, a column made of dark stone. Recalling the story of how he got his cutie mark made him frown, as it was far more depressing than most of his peers. Shaking these thoughts away, he looked at the castle, where he could see faint lights.

“Ah, she must be in the throne room!” he said aloud.

Come. A voice echoed through the trees.

He looked around, and saw no pony. He wondered if the sound was the forest playing its tricks and waited to see if he could hear it again. There was no more noise and only silence followed. He gave a passive shrug and walked carefully across the old bridge to the derelict castle. This wouldn't have been the first time some pony heard strange things in the forest.

Twilight Sparkle was milling about in the old throne room. She had done an impressive job of restoring the old castle entryway into a somewhat livable state. The new wood roof blocked out most of the night sky but there was still some natural light coming in from the still missing windows. A folded divider was set up with a small sleeping area, she had converted one of the old braziers into a cooking station. Spike was asleep one of the thrones with a rather large gem in his grip. Acropolis was surprised that Twilight had actually taken to staying here. Of course knowing her he knew she always took any study she did very seriously.

“Princess Sparkle.” his deep voice broke the silence. “You wanted assistance with something?” His supervisor’s command still fresh in his mind. Being sent out here this late at night was something only he would have liked, he liked the nights more anyway. Twilight looked up with a smile.

“Ah! Yes! Thank you for coming!” He could see that faint light behind her eyes, he hoped there wasn't some friend problem she was creating, again. He remembered that incident rather well, while he wasn't directly involved he did get the story from Big Macintosh. “I needed some help while I did some organizing in the lower levels. They aren't the safest anymore, what with all the wolves and monsters about.” she smiled as if one pony could protect her from an army. He felt rather silly, the element of magic, Celestia’s direct pupil, newly turned Alicorn, magician extraordinaire, and savior of Equestria AND the Crystal Empire was asking for his protection.

“Princess, no offense, but you hardly seem to need my protection.”  

“Well, that and I needed some help moving some books," she paused and gestured wide with her wings, "a rather large amount of books,” she admitted, “and they are rather deep in the castle, in the old Lunar barracks.”

“Lunar barracks?” his interest peaked. Acropolis had a thing for the night, he enjoyed the quiet and dark. He has always felt Celestia’s night had lacked passion, but after Luna’s return he thoroughly enjoyed her beautiful nights. The night sky was alive with her divine art. He loved it. Since he had such an affinity for the night he had heard of the Lunar Guard. An elite guard devoted to Luna and defending her nights. No one stood against them, they were the stuff of legend. But alas had been dispersed or exiled after Nightmare Moon made for the throne. Twilight knew of his interest in the Lunar guard and most likely this was her way of repaying him for his assistance. A chance to touch a piece of Equestria’s past few would ever get.

“Yes, they had their own library too, and most of those books never made it to Canterlot. Since Princess Luna was gone most of the Lunar library was left behind when they relocated to Canterlot.” she mounted up with her saddle bags, she gestured to a set ready for him. He grinned and gathered up his saddle bag. Tonight was going to be interesting.

Lunar Barracks

The tunnels under the castle were dark and cramped. Unlike most of the tunnels under Canterlot, these were carved from the very rock. Twilight was up front leading him deeper and deeper into the pony made cave system. Her horn was alight and casting a cone of light far ahead. Acropolis carried his small guard lamp hung around his neck. The cheap lamp barely cast any light making the halls seem even darker. As they went deeper he noticed that the darkness was becoming more and more oppressive, as if something was squeezing the light out of the halls. It was getting to the point he could barely make out Twilight ahead of him. Even sound seemed to get sucked away as they went deeper, at a certain point Acropolis could barely hear Twilight's hoof-steps, even though she was right in front to him.

They came to a large dark wooden door of which their lights barley lit the whole surface. It was the most imposing door he had ever seen, its large metal hinges looked like they held the wood of the door prisoner. In the middle was a massive crescent moon with two swords crossed behind it. He was in awe at this sheer display of dominance. These Lunar guards commanded respect even in their doors. He wished he could have been around to meet them.

“This is the Lunar wing of the castle,” she opened the massive doors with relative ease, confirming in his mind that she didn't really need him there. “It’s windows face out of the cliff towards where the moon rises so they could observe Luna's work.” she led him deeper into the massive chamber. It was mostly empty as if it had been cleared out in quite a hurry. They had left only a few shelves and benches strewn about, truly no-pony has been here in some time. “Some of the books I have read say that they observed the moon and Luna with god-like respect and prayed in this room facing these windows as she raised the moon." She smiled as she gave her mini lecture. "They believed that basking in her glow would give them strength to defend her and the kingdom.” Twilight was half way across to room when she noticed that Acropolis was not beside her. She turned around to find him bowed before the grand windows basking in the light of the moon, offering his humble prayers to the moon. “Yes, just like that,” she said with a  smile, “come on Acropolis, we have much to do.”

“Coming Twilight.” He felt better, stronger even, he even felt more confident. Maybe Luna’s moon really did give back if you offered it a prayer. He smiled with the thought of it.

Following Twilight through the abandoned chambers they soon came to the grand lunar library. Many books were still on the shelves. Acropolis took note that the shelves were carved out of the rock, and that books were in surprisingly good shape for being  over a thousand years old. Walking to the center of the room Twilight sparked her magic and lit the many torches that were strewn about. Clearly she had already been sorting the books by subject and size for easier transport, judging from the neat piles of books all around the room. In the new light he then saw the ceiling and the carvings it held. Above him was a massive mural of Luna and her guard fighting monsters from the Everfree forest. The depiction of this massive battle covered the entire ceiling. The figures of the sculpture seemed to be reaching down as if asking him to join the fray. He stood there staring up at Luna’s upside down face. He took exception of her expression, it was not one of combat. She looked as if she was having fun while deep in the thralls of battle.

Come. The voice echoed through the room. A chill ran up his spine.

There it was again, but louder, its was the voice from the bridge. He spun in place looking right at the doors across the room from him. Going into full defensive mode he pulled his wings forward like a shield. A ability he developed for his wings to serve him in combat rather than flight.

“What is it?” Twilight called as she joined him the middle of the room, her magic ready for combat, wings spread wide.  

“I heard a voice, did you hear it?” he asked her while never taking his eyes off of the door.

“No, I didn't hear it, did it come from the barracks?” she asked. He simply nodded. She leaped and soared quietly over to the door, landing just next to it. Moving closer he pulled his massive wings forward maintaining his shield. She looked to him, he nodded  again, and she threw open the door with her magic. Using his wings to thrust himself forward, he burst into the room. The room was empty, and quiet. The massive windows made the moon look as if it was just outside. Acropolis came to a sliding stop in the middle of the room. His eyes darted around, searching for something, anything, that could have made a noise. Something to justify this feeling he had. Twilight entered the room looking about, casting her light spell in to the cracks the natural light didn't reach. “Nothing here.” She said dispelling her magic.

“You sure you didn't hear that?” he asked folding his wings back up, the twitch and snap of his wings folding was audible to Twilight. There was only one other door in the room and he stared intently at it. The crescent moon on the door seemed to suck the light out of the room.

“No I didn't hear it, Acropolis,” she folded up her wings, “What was it?” she walked over to stand next to him.

“A voice, it said come,” his eyes didn't waver from the door, “What’s in there?” he asked motioning with his head towards the imposing door.

“That is the Lunar Armory, but there is no way any pony is in there,” she said as she walked up to the door and grabbed the handle with her magic, “It was enchanted by Princess Luna thousands of years ago,” she pulled with all her might and the door held fast, “Only her or her guard can open it, and since the Lunar guard is no more, only she can open it.”

Open. He heard it with such clarity it was if Twilight herself had said it,

He would have flinched but by then he had figured it was just his mind playing tricks. He convinced himself he was psyching himself up about being in the Lunar Guard chambers. He dismissed it all as the forest playing its tricks and they went back to the library. There was still much work to be done. They worked all night pulling books out and pilling them up in the throne room for later transport. When the sun began to rise Twilight decided to stop. Agreeing to reconvene the following night they parted ways and Acropolis went home.

Once a Town Guard

Acropolis didn't live to far from the castle, disturbingly close to it actually. But of course there was no path directly from the castle to his house. Not wanting to walk all the way back into town just to walk back out to his house, he decided to walk directly through the forest. A risky move on his part but he was sure in his bushwhacking. As he walked through the forest his mind was filled with the lore Twilight and his teachers had told him about the Lunar Guard, of their rituals, practices, and combat prowess. True unbeatable soldiers of the night, he liked that idea. Soldier of the Night had a nice ring to it too. But he quieted his mind and reminded himself that the guard was no more, and that he was simply the night shift guard for a small town. Arriving at his house in the early morning he found Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash fluttering down towards him. Fluttershy had a small cage with her, and as usual Dash seemed to just be there for company.

“Morning girls!” he called out as he approached. The pair waved and met him near his front door.

“Morin’ Acro” Dash said groggily, clearly Fluttershy had dragged Dash out of bed earlier than she had planned.

“Good morning Acropolis!” Fluttershy was in a cheery mood as always.

“Please come in.” He said as he pushed open his door.

“Oh, We don’t want to impose.” Fluttershy said meekly.

“Come on.” Dash pushed her into the house.

To say his house was modest would be an understatement, it was more like under-furnished. He had a simple table with four chairs, a stove, a dresser, a bed, and a small couch. All of this was in one room, he had a loft but he never really used it. A few books piled up on the dresser acting as a bookcase, and the table clearly was his work space for reports. He moved to the stove pulling out the kettle from the cupboard.

“Coffee?” he asked setting the kettle on the stove.

“Sure.” Dash said sitting down at the table.

“If you don’t mind.” Fluttershy said joining Dash.

“Not at all ladies.” he turned to them. “So, what brings you this far out?” he asked sitting down at the seat with all his papers.

“Well, Lyra had recently got a pet canary,” Fluttershy explained, “And well-”

“Have you seen it?” Dash blurted out. Fluttershy looked away letting her hair cover her eyes. Acropolis smiled, he had know these two for many years. Being a Pegasus himself he had better at least know who Hurricane Fluttershy and Rain-boom Dash were. It also made him happy that he could call two elements of harmony close friends.  

“I haven’t, but I had just gotten home from helping Twilight in the old castle.” the kettle went off and he went to make the coffee.

“Oh so that’s where she’s been off to!” Dash said as if somepony had confirmed her suspicions. “I wanted the new Daring Do book that had come out, but she had closed the library while she was... what did that sign say?” Dash asked Fluttershy.

“On a archaeological expedition of excessive importance.” Fluttershy said as Acropolis placed a cup for coffee in front of her and another for Dash. Claiming his own cup he re-joined them at the table.

“So what is she up to?” Dash asked as she took a swig her coffee.

“I hope its not-” Fluttershy paused “-Dangerous.” she sunk a little in her chair.

“Barely.” Acropolis replied sipping his coffee. “She is collecting the books from the old Lunar library in the castle,” he took another sip, “I'm pretty sure that she just really wanted to read those old books, and maybe she is even planning as setting it up as her castle.” the trio laughed of the idea of Twilight living in the dusty old castle permanently. Spike would surely protest being so far from Rarity.

“Oh, my.” Fluttershy said as she pointed to the window. Dash looked over and saw a small canary on the sill.

“THERE IT IS!” Dash shouted scaring the canary off.

“Oh-” Fluttershy paused, “-My” and sunk in her chair more.

“Well you’d better be off after it ladies.” Acropolis said placing his empty coffee cup down.

“Thanks, see you around Acro!” Dash pounded the rest of her coffee in one gulp and dashed out the door.

“Thanks again, Acropolis.” Fluttershy quickly but very daintily finished her coffee as well, and ran out behind Dash. “Sorry.” she called back as she took flight.

That mare never learns. He smiled and leaned back in his chair. The sun was now fully up and Celestia’s day was in full swing. He still had a few more hours before he had to go to sleep. He put his kettle away and took off his guard gear, putting it away in his dresser. He put on a pair of purple sunglasses he got as a gift from Vinyl Scratch. They looked a little silly on him but he liked wearing the things ponies gave him as gifts to show his appreciation. He recalled how he had saved Vinyl from a Timberwolf during a concert on the edge of the forest, which is how he got the sunglasses. He left his house and headed into town.

After his visit to the guard station to submit his report of the previous nights events, he moved on to Sugarcube Corner for a proper breakfast. As he entered Pinkie Pie was half in the oven and sounded like she was singing to the cake she baking. He hadn't had much contact with Pinkie besides their interactions here. She threw him parties for his birthday but that was just Pinkie, but she did that for everypony. He walked up to Mrs. Cake who was minding the counter. He could faintly hear Mr. Cake up stairs attempting to wrangle the twins.

“Hello Acropolis!” Mrs.Cake beamed. “What can I get you this fine morning?” The counter was covered with goodies, cakes, muffins, and candies.

“Blackberry Muffin, butter, and coffee if its fresh. Black.” Acropolis said as he pulled out his bits and placed them on the counter. She took his money and motioned to one of the tables. What followed was a normal breakfast as he milled over last nights events in his mind. His thoughts wandered to Twilight and her stories, the grand chambers, the door, and the voice from nowhere. Come, Open what, go where? Open what? He wondered. He always liked sitting in Sugarcube Corners and watching the ponies come and go. The little slice of pony kind observed in a sweets shop was unique. It made little difference if you were a worker, business owner, politician, banker, farmer, guard, adult, filly, colt, mare, unicorn, pegasai, or earth pony. Places like Sugarcube Corner were were all ponies could gather and partake in a unifying pleasure, sweets.

When he left Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie was still singing to her cake. No loss there really, he didn't have much to say to her anyway. He wandered past the library, and Dash was right, the place was dark and there was a sign out front. He chuckled quietly as he moved on to the central market. Buying his groceries from the various vendors, he gathered the things he needed for his dinner. And as usual, his last stop was the Apple's stall.

“Well, hey there sugarcube!” Applejack was her usual self, always happy to see a customer.

“Morning AJ.” They had a good relationship. He guarded her farm on many occasions from various threats. “How’s business today?” Acropolis asked as he collected up some apples with his wings.

“About the same as most days!” She beamed. “Heard y’all an’ Twi were up in that there old castle all night? Something ‘bout books?” she seemed puzzled, as if books were a foreign idea. He knew better though, he always figured AJ hid more than she showed which was somewhat ironic.

“Yeah, she wanted help moving books from the Lunar libraries,” he paid for his apples, “Actually I’m surprised she hadn’t ask Big Mac for help. He’s easily twice my size and at least five times stronger.”

“Yup, darn tootin', but maybe she needed help during the night for some reason?” she speculated. This actually made sense to him, after all it was the Lunar library, maybe it was locked during the day? He hadn't thought of it like that. It made even more sense was to why Big Mac couldn't help. He was needed on the farm and what few hours of sleep he did get he badly needed.

“You may be on to something there AJ, anyway, have a good one.” Acropolis smiled and continued on.

“You too sugar cube!’ she hollered after him.

His way home took him past Carousel boutique. He had no real reason to visit Rarity. He did like her, what’s not to like? She was well dressed, polite, and pretty. He just didn’t really have much to say to her beyond the normal pleasantries. He walked into the store more or less just to make sure everything was alright. Rarity had a knack for getting into bizarre messes, and even off duty he was still a guard.

“Miss Rarity?” He called out.

“Acropolis! I do believe I told you to just call me Rarity~?” She called out from the back. He was somewhat surprised that she had recognized him by his voice alone.  

“Apologies, Miss Rarity.” he replied grinning as she came around from out the back. “Don’t mean to intrude.”

“Oh please,” she took off her glasses and let her hair down out of her bun, “What brings you in today, Acropolis?” she asked.

“More or less just checking in, seeing if Ponyville’s best designer is doing alright.” he said with a smile well knowing how much chaos centered around her little shop.

“Well aren't you the shining example of a town guard,” she mused. Collecting up her supplies with her magic, “And quite the falterer, but everything is fine. Nothing of note to report, but to be sure I will come right to you if anything comes up.” she smiled at him and continued picking out her fabrics.

“Glad to hear, Miss Rarity,” he smirked, “Well if nothing is amiss then I will take my leave.” he bowed his head she returned the motion and he left. Hers was one of the businesses closer to the forest and the quarry, for obvious reason. So he kept an eye on it, it was close to his place anyway.

He got home shortly before noon. Made himself a simple dinner, pulled his shades, and got to bed. His dreams filled with grand escapades of the Lunar guard and fighting side by side with Princess Luna. For how violent the dreams were he still considered them to be pleasant. Brutal fights and grand conquests. He could feel the power they wielded, the blessing from the moon protected them in combat. He felt that power, as he felt the floor as he slammed against it. The shock knocked him clear from his fantasies and back to reality. The sun was going down, its brilliant setting colors tinted the sky. He could see Rainbow Dash clearing up the clouds for another clear night. He smiled. A clear night, he could pray to the moon again.

To Open the Door

Twilight walked down the dark lunar corridors looking for Acropolis. Spike had said he had showed up earlier in the evening and had headed down into the Lunar wing without her. She walked through the massive doorway that separates the Lunar wing from the rest of the castle and found him bowed before the window in prayer.

“Aren't you taking that story a little to seriously?” she asked with a chuckle.

“I figured while we are here we might as well observe the traditions of these halls.” he stood up. Smiling at her. “Shall we?”

What followed was more sorting and hauling books out of the ancient library. He thought of what Applejack had said and of Lyra’s lost canary. These thoughts were just filler in his mindscape. In the back of his mind all he thought of was the voice that called to him. Halfway through the night, while the moon high in the sky, Acropolis found himself near the barracks door again. He could feel eyes on him, as if the door itself was staring at him.

Come to me soldier!

It was loud, like the speaker was standing next to him. He looked to Twilight, she was looking calmly through her books. She hadn't heard it. How could she have not?

To arms!

Again? Arms? What was it? The door? No. it was from beyond the door.

Formation! NOW!

The voice was coming from the Armory! He knew it. He felt it. He wanted it to stop. It was so loud in his ears. He bolted into the barracks and made his way to the armory door. Twilight had seen him flinch and when he ran off she followed him. He came to a stop in front of the armory. Twilight landed next to him, concerned with his sudden actions.

“You cant open it,” Twilight reminded, “Luna said only Lunar Guards and herself could open it.” her statement had no effect he reached for the door. “Even Big Mac couldn't buck it open. And my magic-”

Acropolis pushed on the door, and it swung open with ease.

“-couldn't open it” she trailed off. They stood there in silence for a moment that felt like eternity. He had just opened a door that shouldn't have opened. They stood in the doorway of a room they should not be seeing. So of course, they went in.

The room was circular with racks of weapons and armor lining the walls. Each suit of armor had its own station and supplies. The walls were decorated with more depictions of conquests and wars. Carved into the rock just like the others. On the ceiling was a skylight with a lone beam of moonlight focused into the middle of the room illuminating a lone armor set. It was well worn, clearly it had seen many battles, it was scraped, and glorious. It was dark metal with blue details, like nothing he had seen before. It stood there commanding, even with no pony inside it, it demanded respect. Acropolis never thought that a suit of armor could cast such a presence.

“Whoa.” Twilight said after moment breaking the silence. “that must be the captains armor. I if recall correctly he was never defeated in battle and he supposedly survived injuries that would have killed lesser ponies. Some even rumored he was immortal. He had exiled himself when Princess Luna fell from grace.” Acropolis eyes were locked on the armor. “But research and records show he was just a normal stallion. Well an extraordinary stallion, but mortal nonetheless. He passed shortly after Nightmare Moon was exiled. Records says he died of exhaustion but those around him say he died of a broken heart, he truly loved the princess.” she trailed off realizing that Acropolis hadn't moved. His eyes still locked on the armor.

FORMATION!

The voice called in his head. He snapped to stance, startling Twilight, his legs taut, hooves evenly apart, back straight, eyes forward, expressionless, hoof to his heart. Twilight was very confused.

“Acropolis? You okay?” Twilight asked.

WHO DO YOU SERVE? The voice boomed.

“PRINCESS LUNA!” Acropolis shouted and giving Twilight another fright. His eyes were glazed over as if he was sleepwalking.

“Princess Luna?” she looked around at the empty room. There was only her and him in the room.

WHAT DO YOU PROTECT? It boomed even louder.

“EQUESTRIA’S NIGHT!” Acropolis shouted even louder. His eyes were still locked on the armor. Every muscle in body was tight. Twilight was starting to get worried as Acropolis started repeating himself, shouting over and over again. Twilight had to excuse her self from the noise. His shouts reminded her of the royal Canterlot voice that Luna had used when she visited Ponyville. The freshly turned princess figured Luna would know what to do. After all this was her chamber, her magic had sealed it. The Princess of the Night would know how to handle this. Twilight turned only to stop dead in her tracks. In the barracks, stood a tall and dark figure, showered in the moons gentle beams.

“Good evening Princess Twilight,” Princess Luna greeted, “It would seem that some pony hath opened our door.”

Acropolis was still shouting in the armory as Twilight met with Princess Luna. His voice was echoing through the empty halls. The Princess of the Night seemed amused by this strange turn of events. She kept a slight grin on her face as they spoke.  

“Princess, what is going on here?” Twilight asked. As they stood there the moon seemed to brighten and fill the room completely. Luna seemed to glow and her mane seemed to sparkled more. Twilight took this as a sign Luna was excited for what was happening.

“It would seem that the recruitment process hath begun.” Luna smiled and leaned down to Twilight. “Here, we will give to thee a spell so thou can see what is happening.” Luna’s horn sparked as she touched Twilight’s. The purple alicorn was confused as the spell didn't seem to do anything but she proceeded to look back into the armory. There stood the largest Stallion she had ever seen, he made Big Mac look like a child. He had scars all over his body clearly he was a warrior. Then she noticed that he was transparent and wearing the armor on the stand. A ghost?

“Princess? Who is that? Is he a ghost?” Twilight asked her interest was now peaked.

“That, Twilight, is Lunar Strike. The captain of the Lunar Guard of old.” she motioned to the carvings and murals all around them. “And he is more of a echo than a ghost, he will fulfill his objective and vanish. Returning back to history where he belongs.” As Luna walked into the armory it seemed to greet her by purple fire torches igniting along the walls.

Acropolis clearly saw the apparition as well, the massive stallion stood over him, he was massive. The shouting exercise had stopped and now the stallion was barking regulations at him, ancient outdated rules of dress that Acropolis and obviously shattered with his simple guard attire.

“Lunar Strike! Report!” Luna entered the room as a princess should, wings wide, demanding voice, and chest puffed all the way up. The apparition stopped and saluted her.

“PRINCESS, I BELIEVE WE HAVE OUR NEW CAPTIAN!” The royal canterlot tone was strong in this one and this time Twilight heard it too. It was so loud it rattled the armor sets around them.

“This one?” Luna looked at Acropolis. His eyes were filled with confusion, like he was still half asleep but standing upright. “Lunar Strike, are thou sure?” she asked getting right up nose to nose with Lunar Strike, her eyes alight with royal power.

“Do I get a say?” Acropolis spoke up cautiously. Lunar Strike cast daggers with his eyes at him, apparently he didn’t.

“DO YOU QUESTION MY JUDGEMENT? I HAVE SEEN HIS SOUL, PEERED INTO HIS HEART!” A smile came across the ancient stallions face. “He reminds me of me.” the royal canterlot voice falling away. “He loves your nights and the desire to protect burns in him. He will serve. He will survive the armors test.”

“So sure of thine candidate?” Luna looked over at Acropolis, sheer terror had come to his face. “But we will speak to him alone for a moment Lunar Strike.” she motioned for Acropolis to step out, which he did with much haste. Lunar strike faded back into the armor.

“Acropolis? Are you okay?” Twilight asked catching him as he started to lose his balance on the way out.

“Haha,” he seemed delirious. “Been worse.”

“So tell us, Acropolis, how did thou open the door?” Luna leaned down and brought her face right up to his. He could feel her breath, her big eyes seemed to pull him into oblivion.  

“I-I just opened it,” he stammered out. “I had prayed to the moon that I wanted to see what was in there. Maybe that did it,” he motioned to the corridor. “All I wanted was to get the voice to stop. I didn't want to become the captain! I mean I didn't even make the royal guard! How can I be a captain?” Acropolis was back on his own feet now.

“Thou didn't make royal guard? Ah, is that why thou art with the Ponyville town guard?” Luna asked. Acropolis nodded. “If we may be so bold why were thou rejected?”

“I can't fly very well, at all really.” he said. Luna and Twilight looked at each other rather shocked. His wings were huge with massive feathers. His back muscles were well defined and clearly he had strength in his wings. “I failed the flying course three times so they dropped me. But my royal guard try out was enough experience to land me this job.”

“Luna, I think Acropolis needs some time to sort all of this out.” Twilight said, “How about we let him go home and we can talk about this armor and the guard tomorrow. We will meet up and decide what to do then, okay?” Luna saw the logic in this. And she had to figure out why after all these years did Lunar Strike pick him? A simple guard, a no-pony, to replace him in spirit as the captain of the Lunar guard.

“Agreed, Twilight, tomorrow night.” She looked to Acropolis and smiled. “I truly do hope that you do not look on this as a negative Acropolis. It is a great honor to even be considered for the Lunar Guard.” Luna lifted her horn and Acropolis vanished in a spark. “Sleep well, now I have some preparation to do.”

The Fall and Rise of Acropolis

Acropolis found himself alone in his bed, the sun was coming up, and he struggled to remember if it was all a dream or not. The saddle bags filled with ancient books on his back pinched as he laid on them, that ruled out a dream. He rolled over and pulled his shade down with his wing making the room dark once more.

What had just happened? He wondered, he remembered that door, the armory, and how he lost himself. The Captain of the Lunar Guard had grilled him, peering deep into his mind, pulling the roots of his soul looking for something. Something that the captain apparently had found. But, Acropolis liked his life. He had a good job that people respected, he had friends, he had his house. He had, what he needed. What he didn’t have however is what he wanted. He could feel sleep coming to him and quietly slipped away into dreamland. It was time for Luna to see what Lunar Strike saw in him.

Acropolis found himself admits a grand battle. The Lunar Guards were everywhere fighting monsters of all sizes and shapes. The fighting was furious but to him it all appeared in slow motion. He could see their faces, they wasn't scared, they weren't concerned, even the wounded weren't in pain. They all looked like they were having the best time of their lives. He spotted Lunar Strike head butting a Manticore so hard blood was shooting out of its nose. Above him was Luna, wings spread, head held high, firing a magical blast at a Hydra. He marveled at the sight of all these ponies fighting together. Placing all of their lives on the line. He saw one fallen guard in his last breaths looking toward what was now the Everfree forest. Acropolis followed the dying guards line of sight to see the once glorious Everfree City off in the distance. Its spires reached to the heavens, and lights broke the nights grip on the horizon. This pony, this stallion, died here to protect that city. He felt his eyes water up with pride for his noble sacrifice.

“He died an honorable death that day.” Luna's voice came from behind him. He spun around to see Luna standing there, she had claimed her image in his dream and froze the dream in place. “He was one of my best soldiers.” she said. “I came here into thine dreams expecting to see Ponyville. Calm and protected under thine watch. But I find thee here instead.” she paused, Acropolis was silent. “I sense confusion here, speak freely, this is thine dream.”

“I want it so bad.” Acropolis mashed his teeth together and tensed up all his muscles as if he preparing for combat. Luna stepped back, this is what Lunar Strike must have meant. “That power, the blessing of the moon, to serve the kingdom, to protect Equestria. TO PROTECT EVERYPONY!” He stomped the ground sending little rocks airborne, they froze in the air since the dream had stopped. Luna was shocked by his outburst, that’s when the dream began to change. She could feel it slipping into a nightmare.

The world reappeared around them, Luna found her self outside a small Cloud bound home. Acropolis just stood there staring sadly at the front door. Luna definitely was not expecting this, she figured this pony would have a pleasant dream and she could dismiss him from Lunar Strikes assumptions. But what she didn’t expect was a desire for power she hadn't seen in years. It poured off him, but why wasn't he like this normally? Maybe he had been defeated already, and had accepted his place as just a small town guard. Regardless she knew there was more.

Shouting came from inside the home. Luna could hear three stallions voices and a mare’s having a fight. Acropolis was gone in an instant, he had taken his place in this dream. A memory dream, Luna had seen these before, when a pony is thinking of a defining moment they often dream of that event. But usually they are more cheery, like a pageant or some sort of sporting event. This event was dark, and Luna steeled herself for the horror show she felt was coming.

The mare came crashing through the window holding what Luna assumed to be little Acropolis. Acropolis crawled out from his mothers grip and tried to raise her to her hooves. Two stallions appeared in the doorway to the house, they were nearly formless, aberrations of his young mind. They threw the bloodied and still body of another stallion to the floor. Judging from Acropolis’s reaction, this was his father. Crying was heard from inside the house. The sound struck Luna, she looked the ghostly stallions hoping they didn't hear it. One of the stallions went back in. Acropolis charged the remaining stallion and got swatted away. Regaining his footing he charged again, defending his badly beaten mother. The stallion knocked him away again. With a loud and sickening crack from the second floor the crying stopped. Shivers rolled down Luna’s spine. It had been decades since she had witnessed such brutality and such mindless violence. Acropolis bristled with visible rage and charged again, this time being knocked clear of his mother. The stallion walked over and stomped down hard on his mother‘s neck. Her cries fueled his rage and again he charged. The stallion swiftly grabbed him up by the wings, which is extremely painful for younger Pegasi, and walked to the edge of the could the house was on. The ghastly stallion held the little colt over the edge, and with a smile that chilled Luna’s blood, let go. The colt fell, and the world followed. Luna stood next to the falling colt as he tried desperately to fly. His wings wouldn't cooperate. He was panicking, flustered, and brimming with rage. There was no way he could fly. Luna could do nothing but stand there. She was but an observer in this sick show of his dark past.

And then he hit the ground. He hit so hard he made a small crater and tossed up small stones that were nearby. Luna had to look away. He landed squarely on his back, suddenly his inability to fly made sense to her. The colt laid in his little crater, blood coming out his nose and his mouth, in a type of pain that no young colt should experience. Screaming wildly at the place he had called home. These noises were of a wounded monster and not of a child. The cool night air found its way to him calming him somewhat as the cold night air numbed him. The little broken colt looked up at the night sky and its shimmering stars. Eventually he fell still and quiet. The clouds parted and the moons light broke through. He stared up at the mare on the moon. And then he surprised Luna, he cracked a bloody smile.

The full grown Acropolis lay in the crater staring up at the mare in the moon. Luna stood there silently in shock and somewhat out of respect. She had little to say to somepony who had survived such ordeal. It pained her that even in times of peace ponies still caused such senseless violence to each other.

“Acropolis. I-” Luna started.

“I protect.” Acropolis said. “I got my cutie mark that night as well. A strong dark pillar. I want nothing more than the power to stop things like this from happening. To spare others my pain.” he stood up and looked right at Luna. “I decided to go for royal guard, it was the closest thing I could get to the Lunar guard. The moon had given me the strength that night. And when I failed the test for the royal guard, in defeat took my post here,” he looked around as the world swirled back into the derelict castle. “I helped, I saved ponies, I protected, but it felt hollow. I was still powerless.”

“Such passion.” Luna chimed in. “Acropolis, thine desire could be thine reality. Agree to be our Guard. Take up our mantle. Thou will be the first of the revived guard to shield the innocent of the evils of the night. To take our law to those that need it, and punish those who defy it.” Luna now realized why Lunar Strike picked him. He burned with passion, direction, and desire. He lusted for righteous combat. Every inch of his fiber pulsated with it. “Join us.” Luna reached out to him. “And share in our night, the night which thou covets so.” he looked at her hoof. The world faded away and went silent.

Back in his room Acropolis awoke, tears in his eyes and his back hurting. He had had that dream again. But this time was different. He couldn't remember why but he felt better, less restrained, stronger. The moon was just coming up. He decided to go the old castle, and pray to the moon for guidance.

The chamber was empty since Luna and Twilight weren't here yet. He moved to the grand window and bowed in silent prayer. He didn't see or hear Luna enter through the window. She stood next to him looking up at the moon smiling. She liked that he was reviving the old tradition of praising her moon.

“Acropolis.” She broke the silence. He didn't flinch or waver from his prayer. She was impressed, yesterday he would have hollered. “Have thou made up thine mind? To join us and revive our Lunar guard or to stay here in Ponyville?” the question hung in the air. Twilight entered the room just in time to hear the question. She stood in the doorway waiting for his reply. She knew him well enough to know he loved Ponyville, loved the night, loved Equestria, and loved keeping everypony safe. But she also knew that deep down he wanted more. More than Ponyville had to offer him.  

“Acropolis?” Luna inquired again. He raised his head and looked straight up, directly above him was a carving of Luna giving medals to her warriors. There were a mixture of ponies in the carving, Pegasus, Unicorn, and Earth ponies all bowing to Luna. He looked up to the moon which was no longer bearing the mare on the moon. And with a deep sigh turned to Luna, went down on one elbow, bowed his head deeply and spread his massive wings before her.

“Princess I am at your service.” he said maintaining his deep bow. No pony has bowed like that to her in years.

“We are glad thou hath taken this honor, however thou must still pass the test of the armor. When thou art ready, rise and proceeded to the armory.” She smiled at him. “If thou pass then thou will be truly in our service.” he got up and walked into the armory without hesitation. “Princess Twilight, Will thou go upstairs and cast a barrier around the castle? Sometimes the reaction to more enchanted armors are violent. No-pony in no-pony out, no sound either until thou hears from us. Can thou do that?” Twilight nodded.

“Will it really be that dangerous?” Twilight asked.

“The armor calls forth your deepest desires, if they ring true in the heart it releases your potential.” Luna

“And if your desires are false?” Twilight asks.

“If the wearer's heart wavers, his heart falls to corruption and treachery, the armor will consume him. Acropolis will cease to exist, destroyed by his own ill heart.” Luna walked into the Armory leaving Twilight alone in the chamber in confused shock. Princess Luna was much different a thousand years ago than she is today. Twilight recalled the many legends that tell of her combat prowess. Painting her as the sword and Celestia as the shield. If Celestia could not negotiate or reconcile, they would have to deal with Luna and her Lunar guard. The thought of Luna alight in combat made Twilight shudder.  

Acropolis stood in the armory with the apparition of Lunar Strike. He smiled at him. Lunar Clearly knew that Acropolis was the stallion he needed. One of pure dedication and of a desire to protect. As he stood there Acropolis noticed that Lunar Strike was a Pegasus, as in WAS, he was no more. Where his wings were supposed to be only two little nubs remained.

“Hydra.” Lunar Strike spoke. “Was a filly, family home attacked, lost wings and parents to it.” It made more sense now. He chose somepony like him. No family, childhood trauma, the strong desire to protect. “Ill tell you a secret. I failed to get into the royal guard too.” this revelation chilled Acropolis to his core. Lunar Strike? Possibly one of the most successful military ponies to ever live? Failed out of the royal guard? “I didn’t pass the physical exam. Said my lack of wings affected my combat readiness.” he spat. “I got drunk and wandered into the royal gardens that night. I got in a fight with the guards and fought off about 20 of them. When more rushed into the courtyard I wasn't scared, I was excited. I wanted more of them to come. Then luna came down and ended the fight. A month later I was Lunar Guard.” he smirked.

“I see, her requirements are different from the royal guard. All that is needed-”

“Is the desire to protect,” Luna cut him off. “We take those with the desire, not necessarily the raw ability to protect Equestria. We train them, and mold them, taking their strengths and pulling them to the forward overshadowing their weaknesses. Making them into guards with a desire and ability. Too many of Celestia’s guard are just there for the pay,” Luna walked over to Lunar Strike. “It is time Lunar Strike, We wish thee the best in thine eternal sleep. Thou of all ponies deserve as much.”

“Im glad to have served, and have brought about a new era in the Lunar Guard. I feared this day may would never come.” Leaning in he whispered something in Luna’s ear then he bowed deep and vanished. The door slammed shut suddenly.

“Acropolis, don his armor.” Luna commanded. Acropolis was confused but he did as he was told. Putting on the armor he felt so small. The armor was far too big for him, it swung loose and wide. He looked at Luna who just smiled. “Now state thine purpose.”

“To.” Acropolis paused and with a sudden flash it felt like a thousand warriors crying out in his mind. He released a mighty roar “TO DEFEND THOSE CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES! TO PROTECT THOSE WHOM WOULD BE DONE HARM! TO SHIELD THOSE WHOM WOULD BE DONE WRONG! TO BRING THOSE TO JUSTICE WHOM DESERVE HER COLD TOUCH! TO SERVE MY PRINCESS! TO SERVE HER LAW! TO SERVE HER NIGHT! AND TO SERVE EQUESTRIA!” his words echoed in the tiny room. And with that the armor fitted itself to him sinking into his skin. He could feel the magic pumping into him. He reeled from it, it was painful. The helmet felt like it was it sinking into his mind dragging every thought he had ever had to the front. He fell to the floor screaming, eyes wide, filled with fire. Every emotion was at a boil and in that moment all he wanted was to be free of it. He could feel his mind slipping from him, all he was was slowly fading away. He wanted a fight. Unfortunately the only other pony in the room was Princess Luna who looked on with interest as how his merger with the armor was progressing. But seeing him go low like a stalking animal made her concerned, then she realized his mind was trying to make sense of it all and had cast out himself so it could have time to repair. She had seen it a few times before, long ago. He fell low and lunged at her however, he didn’t go for her neck as she thought he would, he just knocked her to her back. Which was quite the feat considering their size difference. She kicked him off so hard he flung up into the ceiling. Catching him with her magic as he fell she held him place as he roared and screamed.

“Thou should have returned to normal by now.” she said looking into his eyes she could tell he was regaining his senses. He slowly stopped thrashing and his legs hung limp. She put him on the ground as he stood up on his own.

“Wha-what happened?” he asked. The armor had given him a commanding presence. His coat was black, mane was dark purple, eyes red slits like a dragons. He spread his wings wide. His feathers had been replaced with thick scales, his joints looked like plated bone. His wings were literally shields. The tips of the scales were sharp like razors, nothing could survive a direct slash from these. “what?” he mused as he smiled.

“As we thought, Acropolis, thou hath been gifted an unique armor.” she motioned to the other armors. “Each armor binds to its host, calling out their skills and compensating for their weaknesses. Each works off the will and desire of the soldier. However, whilst they all get the mane, coat, and eyes, only a few select elite get a unique transformation like this. Nopony else ever in the royal or Lunar guard will have this same appearance. Congratulations Acropolis. Thou are now an elite warrior of the night, the first captain of the new Lunar Guard, and sworn to serve and protect us.” Luna leaned down to him. “How does thou feel?”

“Fantastic.” he said with a deep growl. A grin that would shame Pinkie Pie came across his face showing the row of now sharp and intimidating teeth. “Just fantastic.” he stretched out his wings and looked up to the ceiling he could feel his body pulsating with Luna’s magic. All those that came before him cheered in his mind, all those fallen heroes, applauding his arrival. In all his days after he would never forget their voices an angelic choir of hooves on ground, cheers, and battle cries. He felt invincible with his new power gifted to him by his new master. Luna looked on with a smile as he continued to examine his body. Her smile slowly became more devious as she knew what was coming. Suddenly his body seized up in the pain the morph had caused. It felt like somepony was dragging hot fire pokers over his entire body. He fell to the ground and lost consciousness.

Luna stood alone in the armory. The stand for Lunar Strikes armor was removed and given to Acropolis for his use. Luna walked over to another set of armor, this one was for a unicorn. The helmet had a hole for the horn and a solid back with no room for wings. However similar in design to Acropolis’ armor this one was far lighter. Where Acropolis’ had chainmail this one had leather, his had plate this had pad. This was magic combat armor for the concerned magical warrior on the move. Luna thought of the long dead tradition of magical duels. Twilight and Trixie had, to a degree, lived this event. But a real magical duel where a spectacle of arcing electricity, beams of energy, shields sparking, teleportation, binding spells, summonings, and explosions. It has been far too long since ponies had weaponized their magic and she wondered if there were even ponies around who would want to. However the revival of the Captain had awoken the other armors and they called out to Luna for masters. This one particular armor called out to her.

My turn.

It echoed in her mind. The armor wasn’t enchanted like Lunar Strike’s. It had the regular enchants on it, but it called out nonetheless.

“It would seem that after a thousand years Lunar Strike’s spell had seeped into the other armors.” she smiled again. “this will make the selection process easier on us at least. But for now we believe we only need two.” she grabbed the lieutenants armor with her magic and brought it to the middle of the room where Lunar Strike’s armor had been. The upset grunts from the other armors meet her ears. As she placed the armor in the middle she could feel its magic reach out over all Equestria, searching for one worthy. This could take days, ponies had no use for combat magic, and to find one with the natural combative skills was rare. She paused in thought wondering if she knew anypony who would fill this armors needs.

Found you.

Luna stood once again in shock. She could feel that the armor had made its choice. The empty helm looked to smile at its find.

The Second Guard

Rune shift was a soft blue unicorn originally from Manehattan. She had a orangey-pink mane and her cutie mark was an old spell rune. Her special ability was old magics, magic lost to the ages, spells that needs circles to cast, forbidden magic, and forgotten alchemy. She was a bookworm like Twilight. But while Twilight's study was the magic of friendship, hers was focused into the lost magic of long ago. She had studied ancient magic for years at the School for Gifted Unicorns. Where she was in charge of conducting  research into the powerful magic used by the ancient Lunar Guard. She wanted these spells ready in case disaster came again and the elements weren't around to save us. Having powerful spells that anypony could cast ready would help the royal guards to defend Equestria.

She was reading an old book on Lunar guard fighting techniques in the Canterlot archives. The shelves seemed to go on forever stacked as high as they were wide. Her only direct light was the light spell she had cast so she could read the book. The window in the room shown the moon wide and proud. Adjusting her glasses she thought back on some of her research she had conducted as she looked up at the moon.

“They prayed to the moon, to get its blessing in their endeavors.” her voice was soft but not meek, she spoke with authority. She moved to the window and bowed her head in silent prayer. Praying that she could find what she was looking for. The magic to repel threats from Equestria, and to protect its ponies.

Found you.

She spun around ready to defend herself from some pony only to find herself alone in the archives.

“Who's there?” she commanded. No reply. Only the silence and darkness of the archive answered back. There was no-pony there. “I ask a again, show yourself!” barking now most of the softness left her voice. There was no reply, again.

“What is with the shouting?” a loud but motherly voice commanded from the darkness. Rune recognized the voice. Princess Celestia came into the archive her horn alight with a light spell. “Oh, Rune Shift.” she smiled. “What are you doing here so late?”

“I was continuing my research into the Lunar guard.” she said dispersing her magic and bowing to Celestia.

“Ah, then this should interest you greatly, I was going to inform you of this tomorrow but since you are here already.” Celestia walked over to the window. “My pu-” she stopped, smiled and restarted. “Princess Twilight Sparkle has taken an interest in that section of our history as well. And has started to recover many of the ancient books for the abandoned castle in the Everfree forest. I am sure many of these may be in interest to-” Rune bolted from the archive before Celestia could finish. “my my, she never changes does she? Reminds me of when Twilight was here.” Celestia’s smile was soft and beaming. She could hear Rune Shift talking to herself about travel arrangements as she ran through the castle. She turned her gaze to Luna’s moon through the window. Her sister had outdone herself with this night, the stars shimmered brightly and the moon tonight rivaled her sun in brightness. It seemed that the beautiful night was an echo of Luna’s feelings. She smiled and stretched out her magic to find her sister. Everfree Castle? Strange. Why was she there? Oh that made sense, Lunar Library, Twilight must have asked for her expertise on the ancient books.

Acropolis was out of his armor and standing in front of his house. The sun was breaching the horizon and casting its bright rays far into the sky. All his valuables had fit in a single duffle bag. It made him sad somewhat to leave his home in Ponyville. However he didn't sell it or anything, he was just relocating and he wanted to have it in case he got vacation time. After all who doesn't want a vacation home in the country? As he stood there Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash landed near him and walked over.

“Hey there Acro!” Dash called as she approached. He looked over and smiled at the pair.

“Morning.” Fluttershy cooed.

“Morning Ladies. What brings you out my way?” he asked.

“We heard from the other town guards that you were leaving for Canterlot to join up there.” Dash asked looking somewhat sad.  

“Yes, I’m actually commanding a new unit being formed within the guard.” he smiled.

“WAY TO GO!” Dash hollered with excitement. As much as she liked to succeed she liked seeing others succeed as well.

“Oh, wow. Commanding? don’t you have to, oh I don’t, uh, be, uh, trained for that, oh, not that you're lacking.” Fluttershy asked once again showing she was more world traveled than she let on. Her tone was more concerned than anything.

“This unit isn't like the regular guard, all it seems to take is a desire to protect and the will to do so.” he replied. Dash and Fluttershy both knew of what had happened to his family and his tryout at the royal guard.

“Well, then Im sure you’ll do great!” Dash cheered! “Kudos on getting your dream Pal!” she offered her hoof for a hoof bump. He reached up and gave her the hoof bump. Fluttershy smiled.

“Well, my train leaves in a few.” He put the duffle bag on his back. “I wanted to ask you two, could you take care of my house? Just make sure it doesn't burn down or get overgrown?” he asked.

“Sure.” Dash and Fluttershy replied almost in unison.

“Thanks, ill be seeing you gals around! Stay out of trouble!” he waved and walked off towards the train station. His dreams huh? Why was that statement eating at him? He felt that there was something he had forgotten. He dismissed it and continued on.

The train was pulling in. The conductor was leaning out with the driver gauging when to stop completely. The platform wasn’t that big and besides the ticket seller there were only a few ponies standing there half asleep. The train rolled to a stop and the conductors called out in unison.

“Ponyville! All out that’s getting out! Train leaves in ten minutes! Ponyville! Ten minute layover! Returning to Canterlot!”

Acropolis waited as ponies got off the train, once the out flow stopped he boarded. While he checked his ticket he noticed a soft blue unicorn asleep in the rear car. This is the last stop for this train so clearly she was going to Ponyville. He reached out to her. When his hoof touched her he felt a strange sensation like someone was calling to him from just outside his hearing range. He shook her.

“Miss? Miss? This is Ponyville.” He called to her.

“Ponyville?” She rose. “PONYVILLE!” she grabbed her book bag and ran out of the train. “Thank you!” she hollered back at him. He smiled and waved as she left the platform. What a strange girl. But what was that feeling he had? He figured it was just a side effect of the armor merger. Dismissing it he settled in for the train ride.

Fluttershy was inside Acropolis’ house dusting up. She took the charge of maintaining her friends house very seriously and what a better time to start than right now? There was a knock on the door breaking the rural silence. Fluttershy was confused, really the only ponies who visited Acropolis were her and Dash. She quietly flew over and opened the door.

“Hello?” Fluttershy asked spotting the soft blue unicorn standing on the stoop.

“Acropolis?” Rune asked confused. “No, are you his wife?”

“Ah!” the question caught Fluttershy off guard. “Oh. No,” she blushed. “Im just a friend. He’s not home, he’s gone to Canterlot, im just watching his house.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate. I was told he could guide me to the castle where Twilight Sparkle is doing her research.” she looked defeated. Fluttershy pondered who could lead her into the Everfree.

“Zecora!” Flutershy blurted out.

“Pardon?” Rune asked.

“Zecora! Shes a Zebra who lives in the Everfree forest. She could lead you safely to the castle.” Fluttershy explained. “She'll be in town today. Try the flower shop, she’s usually there.”

“Oh, well thank you, uh.” Rune implied for Fluttershy’s name.

“Oh, Fluttershy.” she bounced in the air.

“Rune Shift, a pleasure.” Rune smiled. “Thank you again!” she left Fluttershy to her duties and headed into town.  

Zecora had agreed to lead Rune through the forest, the path wasn't well worn but the recent traffic had made it more visible. Zecora made Rune feel tiny, she had such a confident presence. Walking tall unfazed by the shear creep of the forest she called home. They crossed the rickety bridge to the castle, Rune could see the smoke from a fire coming out from inside. Zecora stopped at the gate.

“This here is where we part, I wish you luck in your art.” Zecora cooed in her rhyming tone. Smiled and walked back across the bridge leaving Rune alone at the gate.

Come

She had heard that tone before, in the archives. But it was much louder this time. Twilight opened the gate to welcome her new assistant. She seemed to running through them quickly.

“Hi there! Im Twilight Sparkle!” she greeted.

“Rune Shift.” she bowed.

“No need for that, the whole princess thing is just more of title at the moment anyway.” Twilight mused her station. She led her in, the throne room was still in same shape it was when Acropolis was there for the most part, there were more books piled up in the middle of the room. She motioned to the books and to a second cot she had set up. “Princess Celestia mentioned we had similar hunger for knowledge so I assumed you would want to stay here with me, and that you would want to start right away.” she had not even finished her sentence when Rune ran past her and started in on the books.

“Oh great.” Spike spoke up. “Another one!” rolling his eyes. He had his claws full of Twilights book obsessions but now he had two of them on his hands.  

“Is there more?” Rune asked looking up from her book.

“Yes there are more in the Lunar Library. But its locked up during the day, the locks only undo at night.” Twilight explained. This irritated Rune but alas nothing she could do about it she would have to wait till night.

She was awestruck by the carvings on the walls, the massive doors, the windows, everything. The reality of the room paled in the historical records she had read. While twilight began her book sorting Rune took a look around the wing. Her eyes found the barracks door.

“What’s in there?” Rune asked motioning her horn towards the door.

“Lunar Barracks and Armory, but I wouldn’t go in there.” Twilight said examining the books. “Last pony to go in there, got.” she paused trying to word Acropolis’ endeavor. “A promotion? no, a job? No, honor? No, well just say he got more than he bargained for. So I would stay out of there.” Twilight returned to her books.

Come

It came from the barracks. Rune was skeptical by nature but with what she had read about the Lunar Guard anything seemed possible. Perhaps it was the magic she sought calling to her. The documents she desired lied with in the barracks. Made sense to her, weapon spells in the armory. Brilliant. She bade her time sorting and transporting the books into their categorized piles in the throne room. Twilight left to have some food, leaving Rune there alone in the library. She wasted no time, she opened the barracks door and entered. The room was massive and lit by the moon, on the other side was another door with a crescent moon on it. She assumed it was the armory. As she got closer she noticed a royal notice on the door.

“Anypony found able to open this door by accident or on purpose will report directly and immediately to Princess Luna.” it read.

“Able?” she said aloud. Wondering what she meant, she could feel the enchantment of the door, ancient and powerful. But it didn't seem to be holding the door shut very tightly. It was more of a barrier, to prevent ponies from touching the door. Her curiosity spiked and she reached her hoof to the door. She figured worse case scenario she had to talk to a princess. She got to the barrier and her hoof passed right through it. Touching the door she pushed ever so slightly. It swung open.

Luna’s tea cup shattered as it hit the ground. The guard in the room jumped at the sudden noise. Luna stood bolt upright, her guard perplexed by her sudden movement. Night court was usually quiet so this sudden movement caused other guards to come into the Canterlot throne room.

“Princess?” the guard asked. “Everything okay?”

“Night court is canceled, it would seem I still have business in Everfree.” she spread her wings and teleported away. Leaving her guards confused. Shaking their heads they returned to their posts. By this point nothing Luna did surprised any of them.

Twilight had returned from her quick meal only to find the barracks door open and Rune Shift gone.

“EQUESTRIA’S NIGHT!” Rune’s voice echoed through the barracks into the library.

“Not again!” Twilight sighed and ran into the barracks. Somewhat to her expectations Luna stood between her and the armory. “Luna! Again? So soon? I thought you said the process could take days or even years!”

“It would seem fate hath guided another here.” Luna was visibly excited she loved the idea of receiving another of her guard. “Who is in there?”

“Rune Shift, a unicorn from Manehattan, researcher at the Unicorn School. Well respected, well liked.” Twilight explained. “like me, more of a book learner than a fighter. She isn't anything like Acropolis, why would it pick her?”

“Why indeed?” Luna mused. She moved into the armory and recast her spell to see the apparitions, but no one appeared. It would seem that this armor had not absorbed enough energy to manifest the soldier it was attached to. It made her sad somewhat, she was looking forward to seeing him again. Before the armor stood the mare her dark blue eyes locked on the armor. The shouting had stopped. Luna felt that the selection process could be trusted now.

“Rune Shift.” Luna called, Rune turned and bowed. “Don thy armor!” Luna motioned to the rack in the middle of the room.

“No night of consideration? No dream walking?” Twilight called out from outside the room.

“No need, we believe in their selections.” Luna called back. “Oh yes! We will need that shield again Twilight!” She said at the door slammed shut.

“Okay.” Twilight sighed and went upstairs to cast her shield.  

Luna was excited, she was amazed that after all this time ponies worthy of her armor were appearing. Rune was putting on her armor, it hung loose. Clearly it was designed for a male and fit very poorly on her. She shook her head regaining her mind from the trance of the initial contact.

“Princess? What’s happening?” she looked around. “Why am I here?”

“Thou, My little pony, hath been chosen to become a member of our Lunar Guard!” Luna said with great pleasure. “Thou hath shown promise which our enchanted armor saw and drew thee here to become one of our guards.”

“But im just a researcher! I’m not a guard!” Rune pleaded.

“Really? Then why art thou in here? What was thine looking for?”

“I-I was looking for a spell. To defend Canterlot form another invasion if it came.” she hung her head. “I wasn’t going to use it, I was going to give it to Shining Armor or the Princesses!” Rune seemed desperate to get out of the armor.

“But surely thou would cast it to make sure it worked?” Luna asked. “My dear, we can feel your concern but we must ask why can’t thou use the spells held in these halls for Canterlots defense? Does thou not have the ability? The desire?” Luna prodded with her questions.

“THAT’S NOT WHY!” Rune barked, bristling with anger. Luna had hit a nerve. It reminded her of an scientist pony she knew, he had a assistant would go off at anyone who had called him a coward.

“THEN WHY?” Luna returned the tone. “WHY CAN'T YOU DEFEND MY KINGDOM?” she demanded.

“I-I Hurt a lot of ponies before, I can't cast that kind of magic, legally, anyway.” she hung her head. There was more to this mare than she had assumed. Luna seemed to be assuming a lot from these ponies she met. These ponies were nothing like the others.  

“Explain.” Luna looked at her with eyes of a concerned mother instead of a monarch.

“When I was younger, I was teased much in school. It got so bad.” she hung her head even lower remembering the sorrow of being outcast. “they were relentless, I started studying at night and sleeping during the day, avoiding every pony. One night instead I just watched the sky, I saw the mare in the moon and recalled what my mother had said about Nightmare Moon. She felt ignored and resented, hated even.” Luna’s head hung slightly lower. “And in her anger she wielded her magic like a weapon in an attempt for the throne. And in my anger I figured if she could use her magic like that then I thought I could use it to stop the bullies.” Luna was seeing where this was going. “I researched a bit on the properties of magic and the only offensive magic I found was in a very old book. A few days after that the bullying peaked, after school, they dragged me into the shed and were pelting me with rotten fruit.”

“Children can be cruel.” Luna chimed in. Rune Nodded.

“They didn’t like Unicorns, I was the only one there at the time. Anyway, I cast the spell from the old book. I-I don’t remember much after that but the magic was powerful and, and, I hurt them, badly.” her voice shook as she explained.

“How?” Luna asked.

“Paralyzed one, broke another’s two front legs, fractured another’s ribcage, made another go blind in one eye, and broke the last ones jaw. In three places.” Luna was shocked and a little impressed. For some pony so young to cast that kind of magic was impressive. “After that, we moved away from Manehattan for obvious reasons, even my mother got it rough in that neighborhood. We went to Canterlot on a relocation visa, and I was enrolled in the School for Gifted Unicorns. My mothers attempt to contain my violent magic. I’ll never forget that day, so much happened I even got my cutie mark that day too. Old world magic it seems, was my talent.” Luna could tell there was more. “Shortly after we moved were robbed in the night, I tried to use my magic but the teachers and guards telling me never to cast the old world or combative spells made me hesitate, and my mom got pushed down the stairs of our house. She never completely recovered, and died soon after from complications.” her story completed, Luna had a better understanding. Her armor were choosing ponies who were hurt, and lacked the ability to strike back in the moment they were most needed. Acropolis’ story was far more brutal, but Rune’s was just as sad. She was defeated by her self, having the power to stop tragedy but forbidden to use it.    

“Rune.” the meet eyes. Luna‘s eyes called deep into Rune‘s, feeling her resolve forming, she wasn’t a soldier, she was a scholar, but not all fighting is done with sword and shield. Luna knew all to well the need for a powerful combat wizard. And she could feel the magic pouring off this little mare. “Now state thine purpose.”

“My purpose? My purpose is to … ?” Rune paused and looked deep into Luna’s eyes. She breathed in and with a sudden flash she felt as if a chorus of a thousand warriors crying for victory were singing in her mind. With their help she released a mighty roar. “TO DEFEND THOSE CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES! TO PROTECT THOSE WHOM WOULD BE DONE HARM! TO SHIELD THOSE WHOM WOULD BE DONE WRONG! TO BRING THOSE TO JUSTICE WHOM DESERVE HER COLD TOUCH! TO SERVE MY PRINCESS! TO SERVE HER LAW! TO SERVE HER NIGHT! AND TO SERVE EQUESTRIA!” the armors chants grew silent and suddenly snapped tight to her body. Clamping down hard on her horn, across her chest and flank. It burned so badly, the dark magic swirling in her head, fire, pain, cutting, stabbing, breaking, like every magic she knew went off all at once. She could feel it digging deep into her mind bringing every painful memory she had to the front. Driving her to the edge of insanity. Her surge of magic shattered her glasses, but she did not fall. instead she arched her back upward and cast her dangerous magic towards the ceiling. Luna’s own magic shield kept it from actually damaging the ancient ceiling. Rune whipped her head around casting destructive magic all over. Solid beams of magic slid all over the barrier all forming into one beam straight up. All of Rune’s pain and suffering was placed into one solid beam, and it was powerful, thick, and black. The green smoke pouring off her filled the room. All her anger was being focused into one point, making her magic dark and powerful. Luna was assured that this pony was worthy of being her lieutenant. As suddenly as it came, the magic dispersed. The smoke cleared as Rune’s eyes came back to normal. Rune looked up at Luna and bowed. “My princess.” and just as quickly fell to the floor unconscious. Her Mane covered by armor, coat black as night, her eyes were blue slits instead of Acropolis’ red. And her horn was solid, black and sharp, it looked more like a knife than a horn. Another Unique morph, Luna smiled content with the knowledge that this unicorn would be taking up her mantle.

Arrival in Canterlot

The steam was clearing from Canterlot station as the train opened its doors. The station was as regal as the city, as to be expected, this was usually the first point of contact for visitors and dignitaries. Acropolis exited the train, the sun was mid way in the sky, way past his bedtime. He was tired, he had slept a bit on the train but not enough. He was to meet another guard here who was to guide him to the barracks while the Lunar barracks in Canterlot were being set up. There on the platform stood a unicorn he recognized. Brigade, he had tried out for the guards with Acropolis, but Brigade had actually made it in.  

“Brigade!” Acropolis called out. Brigade looked over and moved to greet him.

“Acropolis?” his tone was stern. “You are Princess Luna’s guest?” Luna’s guest? I guess the Lunar Guard was still a secret. I figured he would let the royalty break that news to the guards.

“Yes, I am. Nice to see you after all this time.” Acropolis saluted with a smile.

“Like wise.” he saluted back. “What did you do to get called here by the princess?” Brigade asked as he motioned towards the road. “I hope it isn’t anything I could have helped you out of.”

“Nothing of that sort, I assure you.” Acropolis explained. “I was on the Ponyville night watch and came across some, artifacts, and the princess wants to talk to me about them.”

“I see,” Brigade bought the line. “Come on, they set up a room in the barracks for you. Along the way we can catch up.”

The walk wasn’t very far but it was far enough for the two old friends to get re-acquainted. Brigade had quite a list of accomplishments in the guards. He had saved a family from a fire, stopped a robbery, and rescued a baby from a flood. Acropolis was amazed at how none of the stories included monsters, no manticores, hydras, timber wolves, parasprites, no monsters at all. He came to a realization that these were the risks and dangers in the daylight streets of Canterlot. Other ponies were the threats out here in the “civilized” world not the monsters in the trees, the monsters here were in the hearts of ponies. They arrived at the barracks, Acropolis knew these halls well. He had spent several weeks here during training. Brigade stopped in front of a door that read “Storage”.

“Storage?” Acropolis read aloud.

“Yeah, you're not actually a guard and the captain thought a civilian would be distracting, so he had me, and only me, empty this room out and move a bed in here for you.” Brigade opened the door to reveal a small room with a bed and desk with chair. “Enjoy bud, I got to run, my shift starts at sundown, so I need to get to sleep.”

“Thanks, Brigade.” Acropolis waved as Brigade walked off into the barracks. Acropolis headed into his new room and put down his bag. Looking around it reminded of his home in Ponyville, actually this place had more charm. He chuckled at the sad idea. Then he noticed a book on the table, attached was a note.

“To Acropolis

We hope the trip into Canterlot was pleasant. Please relax and enjoy some down time, we will call for you when we are ready. Please make use of thine time to recover from the armor and do some reading. Also we have included some notes on thy armor and their effects and abilities. However we will leave most of their functions for thee to figure out. Remember Acropolis, be strong.

Your Princess, Luna.”

The book was rather large and the title read.

“Being a Military Leader: a Comprehensive guide for any pony.”

He wasn’t sure if he should be flattered that she had thought of him or irate that she thought he needed this. Regardless he settled in and began to read.

The bustling of ponies awoke Rune Shift from her slumber. The old throne room bustled with ponies moving about, collecting books, loading up wagons, cataloging everything. A legion of scholars, some she recognized, had descended on the castle overnight.

“Your awake.” Twilight sparkle sat nearby having some tea, she had moved her living space over all to one side to fit in all the extra ponies.

“wh-whats going on?” Rune asked. Last she remembered she was in the armory.

“Luna has ordered the library cleared and all debris removed from the Lunar wing of the castle.” Twilight took a sip, “a mixed blessing I guess, my project has become an official order.” she shrugged and handed the recovering Rune a cup of tea.

“How long was I out?” Rune sipped her tea.

“Not long, several hours. It’s the next morning.” Twilight explained.

“Wh-wh- really?” Rune figured she'd been out a few hours. “What happened to Luna?”

“She went back to Canterlot and gave me this to give to you.” Twilight gave her a pass, it allowed her to ride in on one of the shipment of books from the old castle. “and to tell you that when you arrive in Canterlot to go straight to the barracks and ask for Acropolis. Apparently he is there waiting for you.” Rune took the pass. The carts were being loaded, she should go, shouldn’t keep the princess waiting. She grabbed her bag and climbed into the cart. Waving goodbye to Twilight as she rode off into the forest.

“Miss?” The stallions voice broke her dream, yawning she looked up. Canterlot castle stood before her, the sun had come up and hung right behind the massive towers of the castle. “Barracks entrance over there.” he pointed to a massive door. He had taken her farther than he need to. She thanked him and he continued off into the castle heading for the rear entrance of the archive. Walking up to the massive door, she noticed that there was a smaller door within the larger door. She knocked on the smaller door. A view slider slid open.

“State your business.” the guard barked.

“Uh, hi, uh, I’m Rune Shift, uh, I’m here to see, Acropolis.” she stammered.

“Acropolis? Oh him.” there seemed to be some disdain in his tone. “This way.” the smaller door opened and he led her inside. He led her to a small door at the end of the hall, pointed at it and walked away. “Return to me when you're done.”

“Thank you.” she called, she got a harrumph in return. She knocked on the door. It swung open. The stallion that stood there was bigger than her, but not massive like the stallion that pulled her cart. His brown coat made him look dirty, and red mane was very messy. “Acropolis?” she asked.

“Yes, you are?” then it hit him. “The mare from the train?” it dawned on her as well he was the stallion who woke her when she had arrived in Ponyville.

“Oh yes, well I'm Rune Shift. Princess Luna told me to find you when I got to Canterlot.” he motioned her inside.

“Oh? I wonder why. Luna does seem to like to keep me in the dark on how these things work.” Inviting her in he let her take the chair he sat up on the bed.

“I kinda was hoping that you would be able to shed some light on this-” a knock came from the door. It was some work ponies. With another bed.

“Uh fellas?” Acropolis began.

“Princess Luna commanded a second bed be brought here for a,” he pulled out a manifest, “Rune Shift. Is he here?” Rune shyly raised her hoof. “Oh, well.” he nodded as they finished setting up her cot. “Good day. Miss.” him and his crew left as quickly as they came.

“Well then, roommate.” Acropolis extended his hoof. She reached for it and gripped it firmly. Their eyes met, it was tense, neither knew what to do. It felt as if they were looking at each other though each others eyes. They could feel each others emotions, but Rune then let go. Their minds quieted and they fell silent. “Well that was, different.” The pause was palpable. “Did you by chance go to the Lunar Armory?” Rune nodded while looking at her hoof. “Ah, I see so that was us establishing a link.” Acropolis said seeming relieved.

“Link?” Rune asked.

“Yeah, the armors are all linked.” he held up a bunch of papers that bore the royal seal, Luna’s stationary. “Luna sent down these notes for me, it says here that soldiers are connected to each other so that they can keep better tabs on each other and their conditions in combat.” he looked at her. “So I guess were co-workers?”

“Oh, well then tell me about his link.” Rune asked.

Sisters and Their Games

Several hours had passed since Rune’s arrival in Canterlot and Luna could feel that the connection had been made. While they were connected to each other, they were both connected to her. A pensive link, sharing emotions and sub-thoughts. Luna's subconscious thoughts bleeding through into them. Sunset was coming and Luna wanted to give her ponies a tour before their first day. Luna knocked on the door to the small room. The royal guards all stood in attention by their bunks as if she was there for inspection of them. No one replied so she let herself in. Acropolis was asleep on the ground surrounded by books. Apparently Rune had collected them from the library at the school. They were all of lore and research done of the Lunar Guards. Rune Shift was curled up with him, being the little spoon. Her glasses half off, open book in front of her. Her light spell pulsing as she bobbed her head as she slept.

“Acropolis, Rune Shift, wake up. The night is just begging.” Luna’s voice was soft and motherly. They woke up and slowly moved from each other. Standing groggily at attention. They both saluted, Rune more or less raised her hoof a few inches off the ground and grunted.

“Princess, what are your orders?” Acropolis asked still not quite awake.

“I have a surprise for you two.” Luna led them out of the small room and through the barracks. They were getting mixed looks from the guards who were all still oblivious as to why they were there. Luna led them through the castle along its long and dark corridors. The setting sun made the halls glow a deep purple. Both of them felt privileged to be seen walking so casually through the castle with the princess. She came to a stop before a large door with a crescent moon on it. “This is my tower," the door seemed to react to her presence and opened. “it contains my chambers, several laboratories and observatories, storage, lodging, and most recently a new addition.” She motioned across the lobby to a massive door that they both recognized. It was the Lunar Wing door.

Acropolis opened the door to see the common chamber as he remembered it but much, much, cleaner. And with tables and chairs lining the wall. They moved in and looked out the window. Canterlot stretched out below them, the sound of ponies closing shop and going home echoed up to them. Luna had remodeled this wing of the castle to look just like the Lunar wing in the old castle all they way down to the carvings in the ceiling. She led them through the circular library, scholars and students restocking the shelves with new books and some of the older ones that had been deemed relevant. Rune paid close attention to the order they were shelving the books, or rather her books. They moved on into the barracks where brand new bunks and armor trunks had been brought in. Luna had a blacksmith and his team at work fixing the wall mounted torches. And then they came to the armory. They stood there for a moment staring at the door, the door that had changed their lives. It too reacted to Luna and swung open automatically. Inside they saw their armor on their stands in the middle of the room. All of the other armors had been brought over as well.

“Don thy armor.” Luna commanded with a smile. “And tonight the Lunar Guard will begin again!”

“Yes, Princess!” they chimed in unison. Acropolis wanted to put on his armor even though he knew it would hurt, he still liked wearing it. Rune was excited to see herself in her armor, Acropolis had described his in great detail. And rune wanted to see herself as well. Their armor latched on to them. The second merger was much easier and within seconds the two ponies were turned into their Lunar counterparts. Acropolis spread his bladed wings stretching them fully up to the sky. Rune observed her horn, now black and sharp, it felt as if locks deep in her mind were opening. Her magic was more focused and flowed freely. She loved the sensation, she could see it pouring off her, a slight smoke that seemed to follow her around. They looked at each other and smiled, their sharp teeth made the smile seem sinister. Separate they were intimidating, together they were terrifying. A small scratching itched at the back of their minds, like an dark echo of a whisper from down the hall.  

“Well then, thou first charge is to accompany us on our rounds.” Luna gave the simple orders. “first our meal with Celestia, then night court, and then rest. An easy night for starters. Tomorrow however thou will begin training.” as she lead them out of the armory both of them took up positions on either side of her as she walked. They had read up on proper guard maneuvers and was aware of the etiquette in these situations.

“Good morning sister.” Celestia mused well knowing it as well in the evening, but it was Luna’s morning. Luna entered the room followed by her two new guards. Celestia smiled as she saw them enter the room. Her guards looked to her for orders, were they monsters? Enemies? Possibly Luna making another attempt on the throne? “My, you certainly have outdone yourself Luna.” Celestia said calm as ever. “I had figured that something like this had happened. Now I see what has had your attention for the past few days. But now I must ask. Who are these ponies?”

“Sister, This is Acropolis, our new Lunar guard Captain, and his first Lieutenant Rune Shift. They are the revival of my Lunar guard.” Acropolis and Rune Stood at attention as their names were called. “The magic on the armor called to them.” both sisters seemed to realize what this meant.  

“Ah, I see Rune Shift has joined your employ." Celestia smiled at Rune softly. "So, that means,” Celestia trailed off. “Regardless, how were you planning to merge these two into the existing guard?” She asked sipping her tea.

“I don’t, I want to establish the Lunar guard as its own entity, to guard the equestrian nights. Sister I wish to have the Lunar guard back as it was so many years ago.” Luna kept a stern tone. Acropolis noted she had dropped the royal ‘we’.

“Under your sole control?” Celestia asked the question as she put down her cup. It was a loaded question, heavy with meaning and experience. The royal guards seemed to understand its double meaning as well. Acropolis and Rune had also caught the subtext.

“We are loyal to Equestria. To Luna and Celestia.” Acropolis and Rune said in perfect unison.

“Not what I truly meant.” Celestia smiled. “I know Luna won't try to take the throne again, I was more commenting on, well, i'll be succinct here. You two are possibly the most dangerous beings in this castle.” she took a very calm sip of her tea. She could feel Luna's aura seeping off them, Celestia was well versed in how Luna's link worked with her guards. While she couldn't hear what they were saying over the link she could feel it and that something was off . “Except for me and of course, you, sister. I was really asking if you could stop them if they went rogue.”

“I can sister, that will never happen again, I assure you. These new armors have fail safe built in to prevent such a occurrence.” Luna’s uneasiness spread into Acro and Rune’s armor. She was recalling something very painful, sudden flashes of a violent skirmish rushed through their minds. They could almost see the pile of bodies. Whatever this event was, it was bloody and painful. Celestia and Luna meet eyes and Celestia could see Luna's resolve, but she also saw what Luna didn't see.

“Well then, dear sister, congratulations! Now we should discuss lodging arran-” Celestia was cut off.

“I already have turned my west wing into a barracks, at the moment enough for 150 heads. I am also in the process of converting a section of the lunar gardens into training grounds.” Luna said excitedly, clearly very happy that Celestia was so accepting of the idea. “But, I must admit sister, I am surprised that I didn’t have to debate this with you.”

“Luna, I do not feel that this is a bad thing, slightly dangerous, yes, but overall a positive. I think this will help endear you to some of the more skeptical ponies still out there. Your guard once again protecting the civilians of Equestria!” Celestia made grand gestures as if she as dictating to a news stand. “Makes quite the headline, that and they are quite fearsome.” Celestia looked at them both in the eyes from across the room, her stare was piercing as if she was looking right into their souls. After a moment of silence Celestia spoke up. “Luna, I have a grand idea!” Acropolis had the misfortune of locking eyes with Celestia in this moment. The grin on Celestia’s face was devious, and the look on her face was of some pony reveling in a act of violence. Celestia’s face that day would follow him to his grave. It lasted only a second, and just as quickly she was back to her regular cheery self.

“What is it?” Luna asked, intrigued by her sisters change in demeanor.

“Since you seem to wish to revive old traditions how about a duel?” Celestia’s suggestion was met with silence. Royal guards shocked, Lunar guards shocked, Luna shocked, everypony’s jaw was on the floor. Celestia could hear the static from the link spark up.

“W-with whom? You and me?” Luna asked hesitant to her sisters answer. Luna knew in one on one she would win, since she had already beaten her sister once before. And she knew that without the elements Celestia was weak.

“Oh no dear sister.” Celestia chirped. “You would simply wreck me.” such language did not become her highness but Acropolis was quickly learning that our dear princesses had more to them than he thought. “Two of my choosing against yours, not to the death or anything. If I recall correctly, sister, your guard were the best of the best, Equestria‘s Elite. I would hope that they can prove their status.” Acropolis got the feeling that this was typical of the sun princess. She was a compassionate and kind soul, but every once and awhile she reveled in a good fight.

“If I win?” Luna inquired. Uneasiness pulsed through their armor.

“I will allow you to screen thirty of my guards, no questions, no strings, they will be yours to take or decline. But if you lose.” Luna tensed. “You will train even harder until you can win.” Celestia grinned. She wanted Luna to have her guard be at their best. Truthfully it was one less thing for her to worry about. If Luna wanted the own her nights, let her, but she had to prove her guard could at least defend themselves. Besides Luna ran the nights anyway.

“When?” Luna was still, Acro and Rune could feel her excitement through the link.

“Three days time.”

“Agreed.” Luna shone proud. Confident that her brand new and untrained guard could take down Celestia’s best. Luna shared her confidence through the link. Acropolis and Rune’s armor tuned in and shared their uneasiness to Luna. They still lacked confidence, but what they lacked in confidence they made up for in spirit.

The rest of their breakfast was uneventful, Luna and Celestia discussed rulings, policy, and plans for upcoming events. Eventually Celestia excused her self and went off to sleep, the moon now breaching the sky. Luna was left alone to finish up her breakfast in silence, The newly re-named Celestial guards had left with Celestia. Acropolis and Rune were at the windows bowed in prayer to Luna’s moon as it rose. Luna could feel the act calming their souls. She tuned into their armors and felt nothing but peace and calm. The rest of the night was canceled, Luna dismissed them and went on with her duties without them. Night court was usually boring anyway.

They wandered the castle a bit until they made their way to the lunar gardens. Beautiful flowers that came to life in the moonlight blossomed everywhere. Acropolis remembered Fluttershy’s account of the Gala, and her failed attempt to befriend the animals in the lower gardens. In this gardens all the creatures were nocturnal. Acropolis could hear them scurry around in the dark corners of the gardens. It was quiet, every pony was avoiding them. Word of their appearance had spread quickly and the servants, guards, scholars, workers, avoided them like the plague.

“I don’t really know how we expected them to react.” Rune took off her helmet. The enchantment on her head dispelled with a poof. “we do look like monsters, no pony's seen anything like us for a thousand years.” She peered into a fountain basin. Their reflections rippled as a bird took off.

“Our appearances are the least of our worries Rune, tomorrow we start training for combat.” Acropolis moved towards Rune. “Combat training is, difficult, Rune.” His tone was concerened. He had seen combat before and was worried that the bookworm lieutenant may not be up for it.

“I'm not weak Acropolis.” Rune rebutted quickly.

“I didn't say that, I merely meant that the next few days are going to be very tough Rune. Combat with ponies is, hard.” Acropolis looked off into the Glow Apple trees. They stood there in silence for a few moments, both of them unsure what to ask next. They could feel the eyes of other peering at them from the castles balconies.

“You've fought many other ponies?” Rune asked breaking the nights silence.

“Not really, more like wrestling Berry Punch out of The Apple Core.” He said with a chuckle.

“Who from where?” She replied through a smile.

“Oh, town drunk, out of local watering hole, harmless gal. Just likes her sauce a bit too much.” Acropolis paused while smiling.

“You miss your friends.” she commented.

“Yeah, but this is more than that, i'll be helping to protect the whole kingdom. I can stand being a little homesick for that. What about you? You lived here didn’t you?” Acropolis had no sooner asked the question than he regretted asking it. Rune looked away but he could feel her through the link. She had no real friends at speak of. “Sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. I'm not exactly a social butterfly.” She looked around nervously.

“You seem fine around me.”

“I can read you through the link. I know you’re a kind soul.” she walked over and bowed her head next to his. “I have nothing to fear from you.”

“Glad to hear.” Acropolis looked up to the sky. “I just hope that Celestia gives us some easy ponies to go up against.”

Voices in the Dark

Grand Agora stood in the now empty Lunar library in the old abandoned castle observing the ceiling sculptures. The dim light of his lantern barely lit the large room casting dark shadows on the carvings. His light blue coat smeared with mud from the forest, and his light green-ish mane had chunks of branch in it. He wore a top hat and a collar, he was after all a pony of taste and influence. He was very out of place in this abandoned castle. He walked as if in a trance through the library and into the vacant barracks. The moon lit his path in here, but regardless he held fast to his lantern. To his surprise the door to the Lunar armory was left open. The light from the sky light lit up the small chamber rather well.

“What was in here?” he spoke aloud, his voice was stern, a business ponies voice. “What was it that you wanted?” he question fell on the empty room. He winced in pain. Placing hoof to his forehead he tried to force through the pain. “Was it the armor?” he shook his head. “The weapons?” again he shook his head. “The spells?” he shook his head harder. “Then what? The robes? WHAT?” he shouted at no-pony. His voice echoed through the vacant halls. “Oh, I see.” he went quiet and approached the far wall. He held up his lantern and noticed a indent where part of the carving had been removed. It depicted a scene of a pony holding something and some kind of spire, there was something coming out if the top of the spire as well. The object was missing and the carving of the pony and spire was mostly destroyed, and recently too. Agora was a trades-pony in antiques and he could tell fresh carving marks. “Something was imbedded here. Is that what we are after?” he nodded to himself. “I see, and now its.” he was struck with a sudden realization. “In Canterlot?” he slowly nodded to himself.

“Hello?” a voice echoed through the halls. Agora recognized it immediately.

“Princess Sparkle!?” he looked around panicked, as if just now realizing where he was. Deep in the Everfree forest and trespassing in the old castle. He recalled that Princess Sparkle had been doing research here. His forehead hurt. “You think of something!” he muttered.

“Is some pony in there?” Twilight entered the Barracks and spotted Agora in the armory. “You there! What are you doing down here?”

“Ah!” Agora quickly made up a story. “Thank goodness! I was traveling from Ponyville to Canterlot and I got lost, I saw some smoke and headed towards it, and I found myself in here.” he paused to see if she bought it. Twilight looked him over for a moment, he looked the Canterlot type.

“Okay, then we better get you out of here and back to Canterlot. Come with me.” Twilight turned away and began her walk back up top. Agora grinned and followed, his cover intact, now all he had to do was get to Canterlot, get into the castle, find out who defaced the carving, why, and find the object, if it still existed. Even with his station, this wasn’t going to be easy. It never is. He followed Twilight out of the ancient castle.

Agora’s house was large, a mansion really. Its gardens went on for what seemed like forever and its tall windows dominated the three story home. Everything was regal and expensive. He had made his living the collection and trade of relics and antiques. Many of which were of old technologies he had sold to those who knew of their value, at no small price either. He was a business pony, he knew that the bit controlled Equestrian trade, and nothing would stand between him and closing a deal.

“Welcome home master.” His butler, White Glove, greeted him at his door still rather disheveled and mud caked. “Would you like me to run a bath?”

“Quiet astute as always White Glove, yes, please, I am in dire need of a good soak.” Agora undid his collar, and moved to take off his hat but stopped.

“Your hat sir?” White Glove held out his hoof.

“Not I think ill hold onto it for now, ready the bath, ill wait in the den.” Agora held his hat down on his head.

“Very well, there is a fresh bottle of hard cider in the cabinet, Mister Macintosh delivered it while you were away master.” White glove took the collar and bowed to Agora as he walked past.

“Thank you, call on me when my bath is ready.” Agora headed up to his den. This was one of the larger rooms that overlooked the garden. It was lined with glass cases filled with treasures from all around the world. All sorts of trinkets, large and small were on display. Ancient talismans, ceremonial daggers, and decaying scrolls. But on his desk sat a domed container, suspended in it was a jagged piece of what looked like black bone. He entered the room and closed his curtains with his magic. Approaching the container and took off his hat revealing his horn. The very tip of which was red-ish, it almost looked infected. He bent down and focused on the bone piece, the red pulled off his horn becoming a black smoke. It floated over to the container and passed right through the enchanted glass. The smoke melded back into the bone and the red-ish tint appeared on it. “That was very unpleasant.”

Of course it was, your weak and feeble body cannot even handle what meager power is left in this artifact.

“I do hope you aren't stringing me along on this endeavor, that trip into the forest was quite a waste.”

Of course not Agora, once we have the artifact from the wall, then, and only then, will I be able to give you what you want.

“Trade Minister.” Agora beamed with the idea of running all of Equestria’s fiancés. He was at this point just a very prolific trader. He held weight but no real authority.

Of all of Equestria.

“What is the next step?” Agora asked pouring himself some hard cider.

We need a man on the guard, some pony, reliable. And loyal.

“I have just the pony, my nephew works on the guard, he is a lieutenant.” He took a swig. “he would do anything for me, loves me like a father.”

Good, then tomorrow you begin your search for the artifact. And soon my plans-

“Our plans.” He took another swig.

Yes, of course, our plans will begin.

Training in The Vault

The laboratory wasn't on the most traveled hallways it was deep in the sub-basement’s sub-basement of Luna’s wing. All sorts of strange equipment lined the walls, large gears, and strange bits of strange creatures in jars filled the shelves. In the center was a large vault made of black metal. The door was open,  looking inside was all they saw was nothing. No light, nothing but a void. Luna stood with an earth pony. He wore white jacket and had on goggles, more accurately he had goggles for eyes. but what was more strange about him was he had a false leg. It was mechanical. Acropolis and Rune had never seen anything like it before.

“Good, you’re here on time.” Luna had seemed to drop the royal ‘we’ entirely at this point. “This is Professor Fatuous.”

“Greetings, call me Doc, and no I will not explain the leg.” He took out a flask and took a swig. “Or that.” The lenses on his goggles spun around and adjusted themselves. “Or that.”

“The doctor is head of my, more obscure studies.” Luna explained.

“Admit it Lu-Lu, I do all the really cool stuff, extra dimensional studies, time travel, alchemy, exotic zoology, hard science. As in hard to do.” he gave a deep laugh. “But seriously, don’t touch anything. Who know what inter-dimensional horror might roll on out and eat our consciousnesses.” he gave a chuckle.

“He is here to over see today’s training with me.” The moon princess smiles.

“Yep, i'm here to make sure you don’t scatter your souls across the astral planes.” Doc said that with such a straight face it made Acropolis and Rune very nervous.

“So, what is the training?” Acropolis asked.

“The vault.” Luna’s voice was dark. “This vault-”

“Will take a image from your mind, make it real, and have it try to kill you.” Doc took a swig from his flask. “The trick is to figure out how to stop it.” Luna gave him a very stern look. “Anyway, best sparring partner ever right? Yourself! At least that’s what the original vault did.”

“Original vault?” Rune chimed in. “This isn’t the vault?”

“Oh, no this is the vault, i've just uhh, modified it slightly.” Doc said smacking the side of the vault. “You two will fight each other.” he took another swig from his flask.

“You skills are rather complementary,” Luna spoke up. “Acropolis is physical, and Rune is magical. They are opposites, if you can defeat each other in the vault any pony else you face will seem easy.”

“But, we can't fight each other. I mean i've got more experience with combat. Thats just unfair.” Acropolis questioned, he was becoming more concerned with Luna and her Doc’s sensibilities.

“And you won't really be fighting eachother, this vault is magic you idjit.” Doc slammed the side of the vault. “You could load a thousand ponies in there doing cartwheels for days and they would never touch, believe me I’ve tested it. Now, as I do love adding my personal little touches.”

“Doctor.” Luna seemed concerned.

“I felt that this exercise needed a little, livening up.” the Doctor continued.

“Doctor.”

“So I went ahead and made one more modification.”

“DOCTOR!”

“Lu-Lu, calm down. It nothing dangerous.” He paused for a moment. “Oh, wait no, its super dangerous.”

“Out with it.” Acropolis demanded.

“The tougher you get in reality, the tougher the doppelganger will get.” the Doctor smiled and wobbled over to the workstation and re-filled his flask from a strange container.

“Doc, really must you add these things to an already dangerous thing?” Luna bowed her head in apology to Acropolis and Rune. “I think some other form of training would be-” she tuned into their armors. Their was no fear, no hesitation, they were prepared to walk into the vault and fight the doppelgangers. “Well, it seems they liked your modifications Doctor.”

“Course they did Lu-Lu, I can smell it on them they want to be pushed the brink of oblivion.” His mechanical leg whirred a bit and released a bit of steam. “They want to explore their new abilities. Especially her.” Doc’s goggles slid and clicked as he looked at Rune. “She’s been waiting to test out some of her more, interesting spells.”

“Well then, shall we?” Luna motioned for them to walk into the vault. They proceeded slowly into the void.

“Hello?” Acropolis’ voice echoed through the old house. The windows were boarded up and all the furniture was removed. He recognized it, he was in his childhood home shortly before it burned down. “What in the?” he walked down stairs. In the living room he spotted Rune near the empty fireplace. “Rune!” he ran over to her. “I thought that-” his armor didn't tune in, she was silent, there was nothing in her mind. She turned to face him, her eyes were black, completely black. She grinned an evil and toothy grin at him. “Well this is more disturbing than I thought it would be.” she charged him with her horn trying to gouge him with its tip. He side-stepped her for a few jabs before she caught him under his chest and tossed him through the window boarded up window.

He landed on his back in the crater he fell in as a boy. “This is just getting weird.” he coughed as he got to his feet, she was standing right next to him. She grabbed his leg and threw him into a nearby tree with her magic.

“Come on Acro!” Not-Rune hollered. “Quit being such a little filly!” He quickly rolled back over and lunged at the doppelganger. Landing he swung at her with his wings. She conjured a magic blade just in time to block him. As they traded blows acropolis made to move around to her sides. Their clashing was sending sparks everywhere, scale on magic made such a horrible noise. Acro went in for a strike only to narrowly dodge a bolt from Not-Rune’s horn. He slid off to the side and started deflecting the blots with his wings as he ran around her. Each blast made his wings vibrate, causing him pain. Not-Rune began laughing as her blasts started coming more frequently forcing him to hold his ground. Pulling his wings forward into shields and digging his hooves into the ground he tried to hold his position. As the bolts shook his wings he wondered how long he could hold out against her barrage.

“Hello?” Rune called out in the darkness. Casting a light spell the small shed’s interior came into view. She realized she was in the shed that she was teased in all those years ago as a kid.  “Well, this sucks.” She went over and tried to push open the door. It didn’t budge. “Perfect.” she heard footsteps outside and could see some pony blocking the light that was now filtering through the cracks of the shed. “Acropolis?” the pony stopped and moved to right in front of her, she leaned towards the wall to look through the crack. Acropolis’ wing pierced through the thin sheet metal wall. Rune jumped back just barely dodging the bladed wing as it tore through the wall. She made for the far side of the shed, dodging Not-Acro’s wings as they came through the wall at her. She had run out for places to run pinned on the back wall she tried to figured out where Not-Acro had gone to. All she could hear was her own breathing and the creaks on the old shed.

“Ruuuuune?” Acropolis’ voice crackled from beyond the shed’s walls. His tone was dark and hate filled as he dragged his wing along the exterior wall. “Why don't you come out to play?” His wing came through the wall right next to her head. Panicking she spun around and cast a bolt at the ground blowing away the wall. She ran out of the shed dodging another slash from Not-Acro. She came out in an abandoned playground. The playground was overgrown with barbs and and had not been used in years. Not-Acro rushed her swinging his bladed wings like swords. Dodging his swings was easy for her, she had him on mobility, all she had to do was not let him touch her. She kept her motions fluid and chose to not use her horn’s magic, any second lost could kill her. Knowing full well that she didn't have the brute force to go toe to toe with him. She danced around him, dragging her foot in the mud. Carving symbols in the playground dirt as she dodged the assault. Without warning Not-Acro switched up his attack, he went low and shoulder checked her right out of the circle she was marking in the dirt.

Not-Rune’s assault broke for a moment so she could charge a shot. Acropolis took this chance to make an attack. Running right for her, wings straight out in front he made to cut her down. She pulled her head back, spell charged up enough, and cast it. In that moment Acropolis thrust both wings off to one the side pushing him from harms way. Not-Rune resumed her bolt assault, but this time she couldn't hit Acro at all. Using his wings to thrust around he kept his mobility high enough to dodge the magic bolts. Even if he couldn't fly he could still use his wings for sudden bursts of movement. With one hard thrust he slid behind her. She tried to spin in place to face him, but with one more thrust he was right on top of her. Had she had another second to aim the bolt she had charged would have killed him. Instead it fired off into the trees as her head fell from her body. The spray of blood was more than he had expected, he had never decapitated anypony before. Her pulsating body stood there for several seconds before falling over. The now body-less head of his foe stared up at him. As the static in the back of his got louder.

Landing a few feet away Rune got back to her feet. Her dirt craving wasn't finished and Not-Acro was bearing down on her. Feigning at being injured she tried to limp away. He stopped his assault and began to menacingly follow her she she limped away.

“Aww, what's wrong little Rune?” Not-Acro called after her slowly approaching. “Did I hurt you?” He laughed. While she had his focus on her she grabbed a stick and was quietly finishing her design with her magic. “What’s the matter? Big, bad, Acropolis too much for you?”

Just a bit more. she thought.

“I can't believe you really thought you could defeat ME!” He shouted.

Done.

“Hey Acro,” She spun around showing she wasn't injured at all. “Binden mein Feind und zerdrücken sie in Vergessenheit.” The carvings in the ground lit up with magic. Massive glowing chains burst from the ground wrapping around Not-Acro dragging him the ground. They squeezed tighter and tighter as the chains sunk back into the ground. His screams of agony filled the playground as the chains snapped bone and squeezed him tighter and tighter onto the ground. With one loud and sicking wet crack the screaming stopped. Rune stood staring at the bloody mess that was her foe, the itch in her mind needed more scratching.

“Well done,” Luna’s voice pierced the veil and they suddenly found themselves standing in the vault. “You two did very well, I am thoroughly impressed!” Rune and Acropolis avoided eye contact as they left the vault. “You both displayed great skill in dispatching your foe!” Luna seemed the only pony excited they did so well. To them they had just murdered each other, violently. They could hear the static over the link.

“Hey kiddo’s,” The doctor spoke up, “Don’t let this get to ya, what happened in there wasnt real. Okay? Out here, you two are fine.”

“Luna, I think we need a break,” Acropolis breathed out heavily, “That was a bit more intense than we had bargained for.”

“And slightly more violent that I thought it would be.” Rune added still a little shaken up.

“Of course, you two did fantastic, tomorrow we will do it again,” Luna paused as chimes echoed into the room. “Ah! That would be sunup! You two go rest for now. I will see you tomorrow!”

The Duel

The day of the duel came faster than they had expected. Luna was busy with Celestia organising the event. It had became a big deal in Canterlot since the guard was to be split up into Celestial and Lunar. And ponies were curious about these new guard ponies. Rune and Acropolis sat in the Celestial gardens where the event was being held, out of their armor for fear of scaring everypony in the daylight. Large bleachers had been set up and a team of ponies were marking out the combat zone. A group of Unicorn’s were installing magical barriers and a group of Pegasi were putting up a net above the arena.

“Well they are certainly getting this place prepared for a fight.” Acropolis commented on the construction.

“Well, they don't want any accidents, in case you hadn't noticed we are quite dangerous.” Rune said using her magic to clean off her glasses.

“Yeah, to regular ponies,” He thought back to the vault and the different scenarios the good doctor had put them through. “But, we did fail the last one.”

“Come on Acropolis! seriously? Of course we failed it! I was up against Shining Armor and you had Twilight Sparkle!” Rune scoffed.

“How is that even fair?” Acropolis asked aloud.

“Its not. That's the point,” Shining Armor had approached them while they were distracted, he was in full regalia. “Luna’s vault?” They both nodded. “Do you know what lesson that final fight was supposed to teach you?” They both shook their heads. “That there is always somepony that can best you.”

“If I may sir, what did the vault show you?” Acropolis way overstepping his bounds to ask such question.

“My mother,” Shining answered without flinching. “There is more than one way to defeat a pony. Remember that you two.”

“And how are you today, my little ponies?” Celestia floated down from the sky landing gracefully next to Shining Armor. “Ready for today's duel?”

“Princess," Acropolis bowed his head slightly, "We are as prepared as were gonna be, and I have to ask. Who are we dueling?” Acropolis and rune had been kept in the dark about who they would be facing.

“Oh, thats a surprise, after all, often you will have no information on your enemy up until you face them.” Celestia gave off that vibe that Fluttershy did from time to time, of having been more traveled than they led on. “Oh, actually Shining, I was wondering if you would mind if I swapped out your magic user for one from my school?”

“A school pony?” Shining seemed put off by this request.

“Oh, no she’s old enough. I’ve sort of taken her under my wing and I want to see her perform. That and im sure it will be a spectacle.” Celestia gave a little giggle. Suddenly a lot of Twilight's issues made sense to Acropolis.

“Well, if you think she can handle it I have no objections, my candidate was terrified of these two anyway.” Shining gave a little chuckle. “Congrats Rune you now have to face Celestia’s new understudy. Good Luck, if shes anything like Twilight you will need it.” Shining saluted to the princess and left.

“Oh, goody.” Rune said sarcastically.

“Don't fret Rune, if anything I just did you a favor,” Celestia put her wing over Rune. “Just remember you two, don't kill anypony.” And with a smile she flew off.

Acropolis and Rune stood on the arena grounds with Luna, all three of them in full battle regalia. The crowd that had gathered was larger than expected and pegasus ponies had to drag in clouds to seat all those that could fly. Across the arena from them Celestia stood alone. The crowd milled about waiting for the event to begin. Celestia walked out into the middle of the arena signaling the beginning of the event.

“Greetings Fillies and Gentlecolts!” Her voice boomed and everypony went silent. “Today we are here to witness acts of valor and combat from our newly instated Lunar guard." The crowd cheered. "We will see two displays, One from Acropolis and one from Rune Shift. The captain and lieutenant respectfully. They will face one pony of my selection. And of course Captain of the freshly renamed Celestial guard, Shining Armor, has given me his recommendations as well. With this I have chose those who will fight,” Celestia Motioned to a pony that was off the arena, “First to duel is Acropolis of the Lunar guard, formerly of Ponyville town guard,” Acropolis could hear familiar shouts in the crowd, looking over he saw Rainbow Dash and Bulge Bicep up on the clouds, “He will be facing Brigade of the Celestial guard!” Those words struck Acropolis like a brick. Of course Shining would pit him against Brigade.

Brigade walked onto the arena in full regalia and carrying a shield and spear. Acropolis recalled that his magic was almost completely about finite manipulation of objects. Which made sense for him to use a shield and spear. He had seen Brigade use them in training, so he was aware that he was skilled in their use. But it had been many years since he had watched him practice, and he was sure Brigade had only gotten better. They approached each other in the middle of the arena.

“For what it is worth, I objected to this.” Brigade said as they got closer.

“Its fine, at least it’s not to the death right?” Acropolis was looking for the silver lining.

“Are you both ready?” Celestia asked.

“Yes.” They replied in unison.

“Then let this duel begin!” And with that Celestia teleported away.

Brigade brought his shield forward, drawing his spear back. He was clever, hiding his magic by only grabbing the parts Acropolis couldn’t see. Acropolis spread his wings out and began to circle his foe. Brigade’s eyes were the only thing Acro could see, through the slot in the shield. The shield moved slightly as Brigade's spear came streaming out. Acro barely had time to deflect it with his wings.

“Good, now lets try this on for size.” Brigade called out from behind his wall. The shield seemed to not move as a flurry of spears came at Acropolis. He was barely able to keep up with the relentless assault. There was a break in the flurry, Acro thrust off to one side in an attempt to get around the shield. As he came around the shield Brigade was smiling, Acro pulled up his wing to strike and thrusted at Brigade. All he had to do was get him to submit. Just shy of contact Brigade brought his shield down sideways onto Acropolis’ wing pinning him to the ground.

“Damnit!” Acro shouted. On his back and with only one wing free, Brigade moved to strike the winning blow. Acropolis pulled on his trapped wing, no good, it was stuck as long as Brigade held down the shield.

“Looks like this is over friend.” Brigade rose his spear to get the winning blow. Acropolis pulled himself up placing all four hooves on the shield. Launching himself off the shield he threw it clear of the arena and threw himself straight at Brigade. Catching the momentum Acropolis wrapped the dull part of his wing around Brigades neck, choke slamming him backwards into the ground like a wrestling move. Brigade hit the ground with such force it kicked up a dust cloud. The crowd gasped as Acro rolled out of the cloud and back onto his hooves. Ready to fight again he prepped for Brigades next assault. As the dust cleared there lay Brigade, unconscious.

“This duels winner is Acropolis!” Celestia called out as medical ponies rushed out to collect the unconscious Brigade. Acropolis could hear the shouts of the crowd but Rainbow Dash and Bulge Bicep seemed the loudest. Acropolis wandered back to Luna and collapsed next to Rune. “Acropolis, just so you know he is fine,” Celestia shouted, “Now the next round is Rune Shift, Lieutenant of the Lunar guard! Formerly of The School for Gifted Unicorns research staff!” Rune walked out into the center of the arena. “And her opponent is Trixie! Formerly a traveling magician now studying at the School for Gifted Unicorns under me!”

“I Think you mean The Great and Powerful Trixie!” Trixie teleported into the arena with great fanfare, fireworks, smoke, and even confetti. “I am here to show you what a real unicorn can do with magic.” Acropolis could hear Rainbow Dash say ‘oh brother’ over the crowd.

“Well, then lets begin this round!” Celestia teleported away, again leaving them alone in the arena.

“So, how long are you going to just stand there?” Trixie’s tone was very hostile.

“Just long enough.” Rune cast a magic bolt at her it reflected off an invisible barrier.

“Ha! seriously? You thought that would beat me!” Trixie laughed. Rune dug a shape into the ground with her tail and teleported to another side of Trixie’s barrier. Struck it again with magic, discreetly wrote another symbol and did it again. “What the first time wasnt enough?” she cackled.

“Nope, just some prep work.” Rune grinned.

“For?” Trixie aske loudly.

“Zerstören meine Feinde Barriere!” Rune called out and the symbols on the ground glowed with magic. Trixie’s barrier shattered and dispersed.

“What? Thats not-” Rune grabbed Trixie with her magic and tossed her skyward. Trixie quickly teleported and double hoof kicked Rune in the back of the head. “How dare you try to-” Rune struck Trixie with a magical punch upside the head from on the ground. “You little-” Grabbing Rune’s hoof she drags her across the ground slamming her into the grandstand with her magic. “Stay down!” Trixie cast another spell but the effect was not obvious.

“Not a chance!” Rune teleported to right in front of Trixie. “This is over!” She swung at her with a magic strike and it passed right through her.

“Oh did I forget to mention?” Trixie was now behind her, “That my special talent is magic,” Another Trixie appeared to the right, “Especially illusion magic?” A fourth Trixie had arrived in the arena. “Of course by now you have figured that out.” All four Trixies cast a magic strike slamming Rune to the ground. They all laughed in perfect unison and slammed Rune again.

“Lassen Sie mich zu meinem unsichtbaren Feind!” Rune vanished with a poof of smoke.

“What! Thats not possible!” The Trixies cried, and started looking around for signs as to where Rune had gone.

“Meine Rauch füllen meine Welt und trüben ihre Vision.” Smoke filled the arena, the Trixie illusions started to waver and blink in and out.

“Show yourself!” Trixie could hear more scratching as Rune dug more symbols into the ground.

“Streik von der Erde mein grand Säule.” Rune called out, the smoke dispersed and only the real Trixie was left. The runes all around her lit up with magic. A small pillar of solid rock shot up from the ground striking the real Trixie in the stomach. The blow landed so hard it launched her several feet in the air. Trixie landed a couple feet away, unconscious. The crowd was silent for a moment then burst into cheers.

"The winner is Rune Shift!” Celestia Teleported down as medical ponies move Trixie off the field. “I am glad to say that the Lunar guard has shown us quite a display of quick thinking and combat prowess! Be happy citizens! For now these two brave ponies are the new Lunar guard!” Cheers echoed off the castle. “Luna please, say something.” Luna flew over and joined her sister in the middle.

"Thank you, sister. Citizens of Canterlot. I am glad that my guards have gained your approval. And please rest easy tonight and every night after for the Lunar guard has been revived!” Luna received much fan fair. Rune and Acropolis were just glad it was over all they wanted was a hot bath and to go to sleep.

To Make a Deal

“Well I was thoroughly impressed by their abilities.” Grand Agora walked from the stadium with Jet Set and Upper Crust. He didn’t care much for Upper Crust but Jet Set was the closest thing to a friend Agora had.

“I found the whole display somewhat barbaric.” Jet Set commented as they left the gardens.

“Completely uncivilized,” Upper Crust chimed in, sweet Celestia Agora hated her voice, “I still don’t see why we need these Lunar guards! The regular guard was doing a fine job before, why change it?”

“I hate to be the one to disagree,” you annoying cow Agora's inner voice was not as polite as he was, “But in case you hadn’t noticed crime rates in Canterlot and all around Equestria have risen in the past few years.” Agora commented harshly.

“Maybe for the little ponies.” Upper Crust did that laugh she does, the one where she cackles slightly. Agora figured this was the sound demons made to torture ponies in Tartarus.

“Now, now,” Jet Set stepped in, he knew Agora well enough to notice he was about to unload on his wife, “Regardless, this is a good thing. Honey, It will give ponies a better sense of security at night. We can all agree that even in Canterlot it is somewhat dangerous at night.”

“Well I suppose,” Upper Crust folded as she usually did when Jet Set challenged her. Agora had seen these two interact enough to know that Jet Set was the only thing keeping Upper Crust out of Canterlot dungeon for slander.

“Well, then,” Agora moved to go down a different street, he had some ‘chores’ he needed to take care of and having these two with him would only complicate things. “This is where we part ways.”

“Where are you off to?” Jet Set’s question made Agora twitch slightly, he really didn’t want to spend any more time with his friends wife.

“Oh, I have some chores to attend to.” Agora’s forehead began to hurt.

“Would you like some assistance?” Jet Set had asked the one thing Agora was hoping he wouldn’t.

“Oh, no I can take care of it myself.” Agora was trying to backpedal.

“Do whatever you want,” Upper Crust spoke up. “I’m off to the spa, watching all that fighting has made me all sweaty.” She bowed to Agora and walked away.

“AH, good bye dear,” Jet Set waved to his wife as she left and turned to Agora, “Whew, I love my wife, but somedays.” He gave a sigh.

“Don’t let it bother you Jet, not everybody can handle her like you can.” Agora commented as Jet gave a little chuckle. He really did love his wife, but their station and wealth had gone to her head somewhat.

“Regardless, it would seem that my afternoon has been freed up, my offer stands.” Jet was still adamant about accompanying Agora.

“You sure? I’m meeting with Princess Luna.” Hopefully that will deter him, if he wanted to come along he couldn’t meet his informant in the castle. His nephew has been out on assignment and has thus far been out of contact.

“Ah my interest is peaked, my friend! Lead the way!”

Damnit. Agora smiled and lead the way back to the castle.

Luna was sitting next to the throne sorting through a large pile of papers. Celestia sat on the throne talking with Shining Armor. Their conversation was quiet but Celestia seemed to be enjoying their chat. Celestial guards milled about the throne room taking documents and parcels to and fro. Clearly just saying that the Lunar guard is and making it so were very different tasks. A guard lead Agora and Jet Set into the throne room.

“Princess.” The guard called out. Both Princesses looked up from their tasks. “Apologies, Princess Luna. Grand Agora to see you, and a friend apparently.”

“Grand Agora,” Luna got up from her seat and cast Agora a glance, “Yes, follow me.” She lead them both out of the throne room and into a smaller conference room down the hall. She motioned to the chairs as she . “So Agora, what did you want to discuss?”

“Straight to it then?” Agora and Jet took their seats, “Then I’ll spare the typical banter?”

“Please.” Luna was very tired, she was usually asleep by now.

“Right, I have heard you have reclaimed the armor and weapons from the Lunar barracks in the old Everfree forest as part of your revival of the Lunar guard. I have acquired artifacts that, well at least the pony that sold them to me claims, are from the Lunar guard.” Agora cut right to it, Jet Set had never seen Agora conduct business like this before. Antiques must be very rough dealings.

“What artifacts?” Luna seemed to be agitated.

“Recently a golden helm, a hoof-full of buckles, a dagger, and one book in a language I can’t read have come into my possession.” Agora’s plan was simple, he already knew what items Luna wanted. He had scanned each item and only the helm and book had any real value to her. And he knew that monetary leverage would only irritate the princess. No, his plan was long term, the big picture, this trap wouldn’t be sprung today or tomorrow. What he wanted was Luna on his side, access to the Lunar guard and its resources.  

“So, what are you proposing?” He had Luna’s attention now.

“A trade.” Agora’s response confused Jet Set and the Princess.

“Trade?”

“Yes, Princess, I give you the artifacts and in return, I would like your help.”

“I don’t get it.” Jet set spoke out. Luna’s expression mimicked the sentiment.  

“It’s simple, I’m an antiques dealer, and an authority on pre-Nightmare Moon artifacts. Your armors, weapons, books, and other items have been spread slowly across Equestria, I wish to assist in their reclamation.” If Luna agreed he would have his in. This was only part of the plan. He needed to be in the princesses confidence and using the antiquity line he might be able to figure out what the artifact that was taken from the old armory was. “These artifacts I have already collected are a sort of resume of my ability to collect, lets say obscure items.”

“So, you want to assist my guard by collecting artifacts that have been lost to time?” Luna was skeptical of this pony, she knew he was very ambitious. But she failed to see how this would forward his career. “I still don’t see how you need my help?”

“You princess, will be my leg up, so to speak. Your knowledge of ancient times is extremely valuable for ponies in my profession. Considering that you were, displaced, for a thousand years you still remember things freshly that Celestia has lost to the march of time. And in return for finding and procuring Lunar artifacts for you I simply ask you appraise and inspect some of my more, obscure finds.” Agora’s full deal on the table Jet Set and Luna just stared at him.

“One condition.” Luna was putting on her princess face.

“Name it.” Agora replied with a smile.

“I assist you when I can, not when you desire it. Over the next week or so I will be very busy with organizing my guard.” This demand didn’t even make Agora flinch.

“Of course, Princess. I wouldn’t want to interfere with royal business. Do we have a deal?” Agora wore his best gentlemen smile.

“I cannot believe you just did that.” Jet Set took the glass of hard cider from Agora. They were back in Agora’s den. Jet Set had been silent since Agora sealed the deal with Luna. Amazed that his friend had just struck a deal with royalty.

“He speaks! you’ve been silent since the castle.” Agora took a large swig of his cider.

“You hard lined your way into a business deal with Princess Luna! PRINCESS LUNA! Celestia is a hard sell but getting Luna to agree to anything business related is impossible!” Jet complimented.

“Jet Set, please, no pony is impossible. You just need something they want.” Agora pulled a cloth off one of the displays in his den. Below it was a sparkling golden helm for a unicorn, the hole for the horn was encrusted with amethyst. “And Luna wants this and other artifacts like it.”

“What is it?”

“Honestly, not a clue,” Liar, A Voice called out from inside Agoras mind. “Its rumored to have been the helmet of a Lunar guard that went insane,” it is that helm, “Legend says this pony’s rage was so great, the fires of his hate tarnished his armor, turning it to gold.”

“Wow, I never heard that one.” Jet chuckled.

“Not surprised,” Agora took a sip, “These day's the story goes by The Bogey Pony, that and he massacred a dozen ponies before Luna killed him.”

“What about the armor? do you have that as well?” Jet Set was truly interested in his friends endeavor now.

“Well according to the legend Luna speared him with her horn and blew him up from the inside. Supposedly his armor was impenetrable by normal means and thats why Luna resorted to such, colorful, means. Anyway, his armor was destroyed in the blast.” He took another sip.

“Then how did you get the helm?”

“His head flew off and landed in a field a couple miles away, it sat there for a century until a farmer tilling a new field found it. And I bought it off him.” He clinked his glass against Jet Set’s with a grin.

“Im impressed Agora, truly impressed.”

“Just you wait my friend, just you wait.” Agora smiled as the pain in his forehead waned.

The Bogey Pony part 1

Warning This is where it starts to get violent

The week after the duel the Lunar guard got dozens of applicants. After screening, 24 ponies were selected. Many serve regular guard duties but then there are ponies like Gumshoe. He is eccentric and maybe a little crazy, but a fantastic detective. However at this moment her captain’s eccentric associates were the least of Luna’s troubles. Princess Luna stood in the dank linen warehouse on the far side of Canterlot. Not much out here but warehouses and the unfortunate. The Lunar guard’s were securing the area and keeping the few ponies that were around out of the scene. Before her was a morbid mural of blood and pieces of ponies.

“Three,” Gumshoe walked up to Luna, he was a small earth pony. His coat was naturally beige with a soft brown mane, his glasses hung low on his nose. Like his counterparts his armor had changed his coat to black and eyes to green. However he didn’t wear his helmet often and tonight he was out of uniform. “I count at least three different ponies were, used, to make this writing?”

“Who were they?” Luna’s tone was sad, again she was not used to seeing acts of violence in this modern era. She had hoped that ponies had grown past such things, but she of all ponies knew of their dark sides. After all she was the dreamwalker, and ponies dream about all sorts of things.

“No identification,” Acropolis came out from behind some of the containers, “No records, I would say vagrants, most likely homeless judging from the blanket clothing.” He throws a small sack down in front of Gumshoe, “And I would say thieves too. Two wallets and a hoof-full of bits. Not theirs.” In a small flash Rune appears next to Acropolis.

“No signs of forced entry anywhere.” She reported.

“Assailant could have teleported in.” Gumshoe suggested.

“I don’t know, usually that leaves a some residual magic. Sort of like a echo.” Rune searched around with her magic. “And I don’t feel any magic here.”

“They could have let in the assailant.” Acropolis chipped in examining one of the remains.

“It was magic,” Luna blurted out. Every pony looked to her confused. Rune tuned in to Luna’s armor. She was upset, she knew something about this. "Just old magic, all most untraceable."

“Luna,” Rune approached her, Luna’s eyes never left the bloody writing. “What is it?”

“Do you know what that says?” Luna motioned to the writing.

“No, but I would say its an ancient language, older than I am versed in.” If Rune didn’t  know what it said, almost no pony knew what it said. “Do you?”

“Evil has been punished, Struck down by Lunar law. That is what it says.” They all looked at Luna in shock. Their armor tuned in and shared in her confidence. She definitely knew what this was.  

“Lunar law?” Acropolis was visibly shaken, “Are you saying that some pony on the Lunar guard did this?”

“No, we would know. I can detect this sort of things through the link. Anyway how would anypony know this language,” Luna explained, “It was dead long before the Lunar guard was revived.”

“Then who would know this language?” Gumshoe asked.

“Somepony who should already be dead.” Luna turned a walked out of the warehouse.

“Somepony already dead, huh?” Acropolis pondered as he looked at the bloody writing.

“What do you suppose that means?” Gumshoe asked. “Zombie?”

“No, they can’t write.” Rune commented as she swept the area with her magic again.  

“Huh, maybe it really was just a pony with the knowledge of the language? And maybe a bone to pick with the new guard?” Even Acropolis thought he was grasping at straws.

“Unlikely,” Gumshoe examined another one of the corpses, “We haven’t been around long enough to really piss anypony off this badly. All we've done is stop some purse snatchers and petty thefts. These ponies were ripped apart and their limbs used to write a bloody message only Luna could read. This was a message for her, not for us.”

“Ever get the feeling you’re caught in something much bigger than yourself?” Acropolis asked.

“Every time I wake up.” Gumshoe Took a photo of one of the corpses.

The sun was coming up over Ponyville. Some of the shopkeepers were out and about getting their stores ready for the day. Rainbow Dash was lazily cleaning up the night clouds as the small town began to stir. Everypony was getting ready for another peaceful day in Ponyville except for Spinneret DeLoom. She was a Unicorn with a pink coat with a soft blue and red mane and a loom wheel as her cutie mark. A Ponyville native she ran the local bedding shop. Selling quilts and sheets she made a good living in the small town. But this morning she woke up covered in blood that wasn’t hers. Confusion and panic quickly set in.

“Oh, sweet Celestia! What happened!?” She remembered very little of last night, her brother had come home with something, what was it? Then she saw it. A blood caked golden Helmet laying on the floor next to her bed. “Where did that come from?” She quickly went and took a shower, trying to keep calm as the blood swirled the drain. Heading down stairs she took the helmet and tossed it into her basement. There came a knock on her door.

“Just a second!” Running into the kitchen she splashed some water on her face trying to maintain her composure. Returning to the living room she opened the door. Her brother pushed his way into the house.

“Sis! thank goodness you’re okay!” Burlap was Spinneret's twin brother, identical in appearance but their talents were far apart. Burlap was a bit of a trouble maker, unfortunately for Spinneret he was a klepto. He liked to steal, most of the time whatever he took he would give back. But he stole from some ponies in Ponyville and sold their stuff. Which is why he isn't allowed in town. “I need that helmet back!”

“What is with that thing! Burlap! I woke up covered in blood!” He looked at her shocked. “What did you steal you hay for brains!?”

“You what?”

“Woke. Up. Covered. In. Blood. You idiot!” She was trying very hard to not scream at him.

“The helmet, its cursed, Spini. I need it back. I need to get rid of it.” Panicked he tried to explained.

“Cursed? What like sprays blood at night?”

“No, Spini, it’s Hannibals Helmet.” Spinneret fell silent as the realization of what was in her basement came to her.

“H-Hannibal? THE Hannibal? From legend?” She sat down on her couch. “As in the ‘Don’t break the rules of he will get you’ Hannibal? The Bogey Pony!? The childrens story!?”

“Yeah, apparently he was real.” Burlap sat down next to her.

“And how do you know this? what’s going on, Burlap?” Spinneret was on the brink of crying.

“I found out from a friend at the Unicorn School, I described the helmet and he said it sounded like Hannibal's, since they don’t use gold for armor. His was the only time anypony famous used gold as the base for their armor. He also said that the rumor is that Hannibal's Helm is fused with his anger and will take over anypony who wears it. Spini. Did you put on the helmet?” Burlap’s concern was genuine, she hadn’t seen him this spooked in years. “Spini!”

“N-No! I don’t think I did.” A thump came from the front door, the morning news paper. “The paper. Get it  quickly!” Burlap swiftly opened the door and grabbed the paper, tossing it on the table he sat back down.

“Spini!” She was silent. Her eyes were fixed on the paper as it lay open on the table. “Spini! What is it-” He looked over at the paper. The headline read : Three ponies found dead in linen warehouse, Officials say they were dismembered Magically, guards baffled. “Spini! Where is the helmet?”

“Burlap, I think I killed those ponies.” Her eyes were glazed over.

“What? No way.” His disbelief came through in his voice.

“No really, they, they were stealing my product. It’s been happening for weeks. A quilt here, blanket there. I-I think I killed them. Burlap, what do I do?” She was sobbing now.

“No, no, you listen to me Spini, you didn’t kill anypony okay? You didn’t do anything okay. The Helmet did okay?” He wrapped his arms around her. “Look I know somepony who might be able to help us. Just maybe.”

“WHITE GLOVE!” Agora’s voices boomed through his home. Before him lay the shattered remains of his window and display case. His leverage with Luna had been stolen! And from his home! The pony responsible for this will pay! This is way ahead of schedule. “WHITE GLOVE!” he shouted again opening his den door. “GET ME THE-” he stopped dead in his tracks. Princess Luna stood before him and she looked pissed.

“IF ANYPONY WILL BE SHOUTING, WHELP, IT WILL BE ME!” Luna unleashed her Canterlot royal voice on him. Stumbling back from the force of her voice he tried to get his footing. “I DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOUR GAME AGORA! YOU TELL ME YOU HAVE THESE ARTIFACTS AND THEN UNLEASH THEM ON CANTERLOT!?”

“Princess, wait please!” Agora was pressed up against his desk, Luna leaned down and put her face right up against his.

“Explain.” The hate dripped off her words

“I was robbed! Last night, I had just found out when you arrived. Princess, please I have full intention on releasing the artifacts to you!” Agora pleaded.

“And now the most dangerous artifact you have is loose in Canterlot!” Luna fumed.

“Hannibal’s Helmet? Its not dangerous, unless somepony. Oh no, did somepony put it on?”

“How did you know it was Hannibal's helmet? And yes apparently somepony put it on.” Her suspicion of Agora grew more by the day.

“Its may talent Princess, ancient artifacts. We need to get it back.” Agora began collecting his things to leave. “According to lore it will eventually drive its wearer mad.”

“I know Agora, I can confirm that as much.” Luna spat at him.

“Luna look I know i'm not your favorite pony right now but we need that Helm back. Ponies could die.” Agora's hat floated onto his head

“They already have, Agora.”

“Then we are running against the clock.” Agora put on his jacket.

The Bogey Pony part 2

Brigade sat on his balcony overlooking one of Canterlot’s parks drinking some wine and reading a book. It was a quiet evening, he was a member of the Celestial guard and since the formation of the Lunar guard he had most nights off. He didn’t mind though, gave him time to read and relax. Something he greatly needed.

“Psst,” Brigade closed his book, “Hey, Psst,” Giving a deep sigh he moved to the railing, “Brigade! Psst!”

“What is it Burlap!?” Brigade hollered over the edge. Seeing the shaken Burlap holding his even more shaken twin sister, Burlaps tone immediately changed. “I’ll let you in.”

Burlap put his distressed sister on the couch and followed Brigade into the bedroom to talk privately.

“Burlap what happened to your sister?” Brigade refilled his wine glass feverishly, well knowing that if Burlap’s sister was this distraught it only meant trouble.

“I think it was this.” Burlap pulled out the Golden Helmet from his saddle bag and threw it on the bed. “I think it’s Hannibal's helmet.”

“Hannibal? The Bogey Pony?” Burlap nodded, “How did a helmet do that to your sister?” He gestured with his wine glass.

“Supposedly it posses the wearer and makes them murder their enemies.” Burlap explained.

“The linen warehouse, its where Spinneret stores her products.” Brigade began to put the pieces together. He wasn’t a detective but he did have a quick mind that and being on the guard he knew about the murder the previous night in the warehouse. “You're saying, and I quote ‘sweetest sister in the world’ put on a, gaudy, cursed helmet, traveled to canterlot and brutally murdered three ponies, and somehow went back to ponyville covered in blood?”

“I believe so.” Burlap's voice wavered.

“This is insane,” Brigade downed his wine in one big gulp. “But I guess I do owe you one, where did you steal it?”

“Grand Agora.” Brigade's empty wine glass shattered on the hardwood floor as Burlap spoke.

“WHAT!?” Brigade stared at him with eyes that pierced his soul.

“Me and another pony got a tip that Agora had a helmet that was worth a lot of bits. So we stole it.” Burlap sat down next to the helmet.

“You and who else?” Brigade moved up Burlap now treating him more like a suspect than a friend.

“A new pony, Lifter, he was from outta town. Didn’t talk much. He’s the one who knew about Agora’s place. I was just the lookout,” He looked at the floor, his eyes wide bristling with tears, “But when I checked and found out that it really was cursed, and it was some sort of Lunar relic, so I ran back to Spini's house, where I had hid it. And I found her freaked out and covered in blood.” His tale finished Brigade now had a hard question to answer. Would he help this troubled pony, a roughian he has come to call friend, or turn in his distraught sister for a crime she may have not committed while under the influence of a supposedly cursed helmet. This was going to be interesting if anything.

“Burlap, stay here, tend to your sister,” Brigade went into the closet, “There is food in the fridge and extra blankets in the pantry,” He came back out in full Celestial guard armor, “Stay inside,” Grabbing the helmet, he tossed it in his saddle pack, “Do not leave, do not contact any pony, do not let your sister even near the windows. If she has been touched by something evil, there is no telling what she will do, okay? Keep an eye on her, also there is rope under the sink, use it if you have to. I’ll be back.” Brigade shut the door of his apartment leaving the distraught duo alone.  

At the Lunar Barracks.

“Acropolis, you think that pony will strike again tonight?” Gumshoe asked while sorting through some paperwork. The Lunar barracks were mostly empty. A few guards still getting into their armor, and receiving orders from Rune. Acropolis had already given this nights brief and instructions, standard fan through the city, nothing fancy, they still had no idea who they were hunting. But Acropolis knew that Luna knew, and that made him nervous. Luna was secretive by nature, he hoped that if things escalated she would come forward with the necessary information.

“I don’t know, Gum, I hope not.” Gumshoe shook his head disagreeing with the nickname. Acropolis breathed out a small puff of smoke. He had a old hoof carved pipe, it had been his father’s and it only saw use when he was really stressed. And tonight he was going grey, although you wouldn’t know by looking at him. He had gotten good at keeping a poker face up around the guards. One of the tips from the leadership book Luna had got him.

“It’s just, what could have done that?” Gumshoe asked.

“Magic.” Acro replied dryly.

“Not what I meant, why, would some pony do that?” Gumshoe looked back down to is work. There was some chatter from the Lunar guards still in the barracks. Acropolis and Gumshoe looked their way trying to see what they were chattering about.

“This.” Brigade had arrived before them, and tossed the bag he had on the table Acropolis was sitting on. Gumshoe gasped at the sudden noise, Acro didn’t even flinch.

“Brigade, my friend,” Acropolis took another puff on his pipe, “What brings you out this late at night?”

“In this bag in the Helmet of Hannibal.” The statement landed with weight but Acropolis and Gumshoe didn’t even flinch.

“Who?” Gumshoe asked leaning over his papers to look at the bag.

“Hannibal? The Bogey Pony?” They both shook their heads, “Really? Okay, He was a Lunar guard who’s rage changed him into a vigilante who sought out and brutally murdered ponies who broke the law. The childrens story is that if you break the rules he will come for you at night and drag you into the forest.”

“Charming.” Acropolis took another puff.

“How do you not know that story?” Brigade questioned.

“Both orphan’s, Not really big on bedtime stories. Anyway, so why should we care if you have some dead guy’s helmet?” Acropolis began to pull it out of the bag.

“It supposedly takes control of the wearer and drives them to murder ponies they feel have wronged them.” The golden helmet falls out of the bag clanging loudly on the table. The helmet was solid gold with sapphires around the horn hole. Acropolis and Gumshoe began to realize what exactly Brigade had there.

“Ah, I see,” Acropolis took another puff, “This is what has been killing ponies?”

“I Believe so,” Brigade paused debating whether or not to tell them about Spinneret, “A friend showed up at my house, covered in blood, scared, and with the helm.”

“I see,” Acropolis took a long drag and slowly let thick smoke drift out his mouth, “Well then, if it is an old Lunar artifact we should get Luna down here and check this out.” Acropolis placed his hoof to his heart and tuned into everyponies armor searching for anypony with eyes on Luna. Luna herself chimed in the link. “She’s on her way, I think she is with somepony.”

“She will ask about the pony covered in blood.” Gumshoe started cleaning up his papers.

“What pony covered in blood?” Acropolis snuffed out his pipe. “I never saw any pony covered in blood.” Brigade smiled at Acro.

“Aye, aye capt.” Gumshoe replied.

Luna entered the barracks with little fanfare. Most of her appearances had been grand displays, lots of salutes and cadences. Today she practically stormed into the barracks, almost sprinting to Acro’s desk with a panting Agora in tow. Neither of them seemed very happy, of course Luna had reason to be upset, but Acropolis couldn’t guess why Agora was so upset.

“The helmet!?” Luna barked, her tone was harsh. She seemed more like she was looking for a lost child rather than a helmet. They all pointed to the table where the golden helm lay. Agora snatched it up and began examining it.

“Princess, why is Agora here?” Brigade asked, he knew Agora’s reputation fairly well.

“The helmet was in his care until it was stolen,” Luna was returning to her normal reserved self, “And since he is somewhat responsible for the helmet being lost, he is assisting in the investigation. We spent all day sweeping artifact sellers, legal and not.”

“It’s fake.” Agora said tossing the helmet back onto the table.

“Sorry?” Brigade responded.

“It’s a fake you plebeian! Of course it is This is not Hannibal's Helmet!” Agora shouted at Brigade. “Anyway, who are you?”

“Brigade, Celestial guard, he found the helmet.” Acropolis tried to turn Agora’s attention to him.

“Where?” The harshness of Luna’s tone was surprising.

“Not important, you said its fake?” Brigade tried to dodge the question.

“Yes, its fake. This helmet has sapphire inlays! The original had amethyst! Much prettier” Agora smacks the helmet off the table.

“So that means, how did, that makes no sense,” Brigade looked around confused, “Luna can the helmet be used remotely, like to control a pony from a distance?”

“No, direct and constant contact is required.” Luna replied.

“So, and stay with me here, Somepony breaks into Agora’s and steals the real helmet, switches it with a fake, sends his accomplice home to stash the fake helmet, commits the murder, and then travels to the place where they stashed the helmet to frame an innocent pony. Why?” Brigade wanders over to Gumshoe and starts discussing things in a whisper.

“Luna, Brigade may be onto something here. Even if we don’t have all the pieces I have a feeling that there is something bigger in play here.” Acropolis tried to explain Brigades viewpoint.

“PRINCESS!” A Lunar guard hollered from across the room, “A MESSAGE HAS BEEN LEFT FOR YOU!” Everypony looked over at the guard.

“Can it wait? Im rather busy at the moment!” Luna waved for the guard to leave.

“I WAS TOLD TO FETCH YOU AT ONCE!” The guard persisted. “THE MESSAGE IS FROM HANNIBAL!” That got her attention.

“Guard take us there now! Agora, Rune, Brigade, On me!” Luna commanded, they had little choice but to follow.

In the Lunar foyer stood two guards, one Celestial, the other Lunar flanking a small pedestal with a letter on it. The letter was speckled with blood and had ‘LUNA’ written on the face,  in blood as well. Luna recognized the hoof-writing. Hannibal. Grasping the letter in her magic she opened the letter and began to read aloud.

“Dearest Princess, It is a shame I must resort to such methods to declare my intentions but alas, if I dare to show my face in the barracks your new dogs would attempt to cut me down. Regardless, I do hope you are well Princess. I have been quite busy watching this world fester for over a thousand years. And it did not quell my anger. And now my new Master will bring this kingdom down around you Princess. This is fair warning Princess, I will strike again, when you least expect it, maybe tomorrow, maybe next month, maybe next year. Isn’t the tension just fantastic? Oh, and before I forget. There is one more piece of advice I can give you. Next time you come across some-pony evil. Kill them. Or have your new dogs kill them, regardless, send them to Tartarus. The less competition, the easier it will be to find me. And on that note, I must say goodbye, my Princess. For the next time we meet face to face. One of us will die. With love, Hannibal of the Lunar guard.” Luna finished reading the letter. Every-pony just stood there in awe.

“So what now?” Acropolis asked, “Do we look for him?”

“No,” Luna’s response surprised Acropolis, “He is gone, this ‘Master’ is the one I am concerned with. ‘Will bring this kingdom down around you Princess’, he calls me out specifically it does not mention Celestia. This note tells me several things. A new foe has made themselves known, they wield power enough to control a powerful artifact, and they intend on the destruction of Canterlot. What it does not saw is who, how, and when.”

“So,” Brigade spoke up, “What now?”

“We prepare. Tomorrow, Double drills, I want the lunar guard in their peak.” Luna turned to Brigade. “Send for Shining Armor, the Celestial guard must be aware of this too,” Brigade saluted. “Something is coming, all we can do is prepare and conduct our duties until the time comes. And when it comes,” Luna bore her teeth in anger, “We destroy him!” crushing the letter in her magic it caught fire and fell to ash on the floor.

A Day Off

Agora returned to his den tired from the nights events. The cool night air flowed freely in from his smashed window. He didn’t mind the fresh air. His thoughts were on today’s work, Hannibal was on the loose, the Lunar guard was clueless, and Luna was shaken.

Perfect. Agora’s forehead hurt.“Ah, I was wondering if you had fallen asleep.” Never, my how the cogs spin. And once they are set in motion nothing can stop it.“Brilliant move by the way,” Agora poured himself some hard cider, “The fake Helmet was smart.”But you exposed it before framing the girl could be completed. “Yeah, but if I hadn’t Luna would have noticed and I would be under suspicion. And besides, this worked out for the better. We have Luna right where we want her.” He took a slow sip of his cider. Luna will only be where I want her when her and her sister are dead! Agora flinched with the pain from his horn. “Calm down, Master.” Freeing Hannibal may have been part of the plan but we still need the artifact from the armory, without that all of this will be for nothing! “Im, still not clear on the total plan, Master. How does The Order, Hannibal, and this artifact fit together?” Agora took another swig. “All Hannibal seems to do is kill ponies.” Exactly, Agora. Exactly. Red-ish smoke pulled off Agora’s horn and floated down to the bone piece on his desk. Relieving his headache. “Never with a straight answer,” he downed the rest of his glass, “I guess i’ll just have to wait and see.”

Lunar Barracks

“I need a drink.” Acropolis lit up his pipe again. Some of the other guards milled about in the barracks. It was mid-shift, guards were waking and getting ready to replace others on shift. Rune and Acropolis sat at their table near the armory watching the guards.

“I need some sleep, I haven’t slept well ever since the duel.” Rune rubbed her temples, squinting her eyes, the static over the link was getting louder. She had dark bags under her eyes which were also bloodshot.

“Studying?” he let out a slow puff.

“No, just haven’t slept.” staring off into the distance her eyes glazed over slightly.

“We need a break.” Acropolis snuffed his pipe and got up from the table, shaking Rune awake. “I’m gonna talk with Luna, you coming?” Rune nodded and followed him from the room.

Ponyville Station

The train pulled off leaving Acropolis, Rune, and Luna on the small platform. Twilight was waiting for them at the end. As usual she was all smiles, of course her smile was more to hide the fact she was freaking out that one of the princesses was in town. Even though she herself was a princess, Acropolis still had trouble with that one.

“Princess!” Twilight bowed to Luna, “Glad to see you again!”

“Likewise Twilight! Always a pleasure, but this is not an official visit. I am having a day off!” Luna stated very dryly.

“A day off?” Twilight seemed confused, “Like when you came by for nightmare night?”

“Yes much like then, but more, common.” Luna picked up her own bag with her magic, securing it on her back. “I will be staying at Acropolis’ home, if you need me send for me there. Good day Twilight.” Luna bowed again and began to walk away. Acro and Rune stood still as she walked away.

“Luna, this way.” Acropolis called out as Rune and him walked the other way. Luna quickly teleported to face the correct direction. “See ya later, Twilight!”

“Bye, Twilight.” Rune called out.

“This will be interesting.” Twilight headed back towards her library.

The trio stood in front of Acropolis’ house. It was freshly painted, flowers growing out front, a pond off to the side, and a small garden in the back. It looked like somepony else was living there. Acropolis was pensive to open his door, just in case somepony else had taken to living there. He opened the door and Fluttershy was placing fresh bedding on one of three new beds in his house.

“Fluttershy? what happened to my house?” Acropolis was in a pleasant shock.

“Oh, Hi Acropolis,” Fluttershy flew down to them, “Well, I take my house sitting very seriously, so I spruced up your house a bit. That and I needed some more space to expand my garden, and well, you weren't really using the back,” She let her hair fall over her eyes, “You're not mad are you?”

“No, no, Fluttershy, Its fine, no it’s fantastic!” He had never seen his house so lived in, and he wasn’t even there! “Oh, Fluttershy, This is Rune Shift, and of course you know Princess Luna.”

“Princess,” Fluttershy bowed, “And Rune we meet before, when you came to Ponyville last time.”

“Ah yes, I remember, I thought you were Acropolis’ wife.” Rune said with a chuckle.

“That aside, I do believe I will take a peek at this garden. Would you mind Fluttershy?” She smiled and nodded, they left the house and Fluttershy lead Luna around the back of the house. Leaving Rune and Acropolis alone in his house.

“Well, I guess the Princess will take the proper bed, you and me will take the pullouts.” Acropolis threw his bag onto one of the small pullout beds.

“Thanks you for letting us stay here at your house.” Rune threw her bag on the other bed.

“Not a problem,” Acropolis looked out his window. He spotted a familiar pony walking away from his home. He wondered what Vinyl Scratch was doing out this way. “least I could do,” Luna and Fluttershy came back inside, Luna held a flyer and looked rather confused. “What did Vinyl want?”

“She has invited us all to a,” Luna squinted and read off the flyer, “musical demonstration of her new album, that she wanted me to take part of her show, and she mentioned something about there may possibly be a cannon involved?”

“Oh my, Applejack will be upset if she hears that,” Fluttershy explained, “Vinyl used her cannon at a show at Sweet Apple Acres last summer, rattled all the nails from the barn.”

“HAHA! I remember that show, that was funny though.” Acropolis laughed.

“Well, I should go, have fun you three.” Fluttershy waved and flew silently off.

“Acropolis, is this ‘show’ as much fun as you seem to make it?” Luna interest had been peaked, maybe it was mention of a cannon?

“Luna, Vinyl’s shows tend to be rather, loud.” Acropolis didn't think it was Luna’s scene but if she had decided to go, he wouldn’t turn down a good party.

“Loud? as in volume?” Luna’s interest was not waning, Acropolis began to mentally prepare himself to go to Vinyl’s show.

“As in Bass,” Rune chirped. “She uses massive speakers that can rattle boards and shatter glass.” Acropolis was surprised at Rune’s knowledge of Vinyl and her particular style of music.

“Well then, tonight we shall see this ‘show’ your friend puts on. I am sure it will be delightful.” Luna smiled and returned to Acropolis’ new garden, Acro and Rune traded shrugs and unpacked.

They spent their day mainly relaxing around Acropolis’ house. Reading, doing some gardening, getting some sun, the trio spent the day just relaxing. It had been far too long since any of them had a day where there was nothing asked of them. Luna was a princess and was constantly under siege with royal duties. Rune was a researcher before joining the guard and had deadlines and quotas she had to adhere to. Acropolis was town guard and was always on patrol and hadn’t taken a day off in forever. Evening came a bit too soon, Luna was napping next to the pond, and nearly missed the scheduled moon rising.

They began to get ready for Vinyl’s show. The idea was to try and hide the princess as much as possible. She wore a dark shall and Acropolis’ sunglasses that Vinyl had actually given him. They figured it would be enough.

“Oh hey it’s Luna!” Pinkie pie called out from the crowd. How she made it over to them so quickly and through so many ponies Acropolis had no clue. But he learned along time ago to not question what Pinkie does. The show had already started and the opening acts were well underway. Ponies were already nice and riled up, moshing, dance circles, the works. A conga line had formed and of course it passed by the bar. BigMac was working the bar with Cheerilee, who had glow sticks woven into her hair, strangely it suited her. Pinkie pie was similarly decked out, glow sticks everywhere.

“Pinkie, we are trying to keep her on the dl, okay?” Acropolis shouted over the music. Pinkie nodded.

“Well, duh, but you do know that Vinyl had announced earlier that she’d be here right?” Pinkie Pie pulled off Luna’s cloak handing off to some random pony. It vanished into the crowd. She reached up and pulled off the glasses too, slamming them on Acropolis’ face. Reaching behind her she pulled out some more glow necklaces and in a flurry of pink made Luna a crown and broach from glow sticks, remarkably they looked just like her real crown and broach, only glow sticks. “And now you’re ready to par-TAY!” Pinkie threw up her arms and did a blind dive into the crowd and crowd surfed away vanishing into the mass.

“I will never understand her, anyway, since everypony already knows you're here why not mingle?” Acropolis lead Rune and Luna over to the bar. BigMac and Cheerilee looked like pro’s behind the bar. Despite his size BigMac was very agile, spinning around Cheerilee as they moved from station to station. Honestly, it looked more like they were dancing. “Yo, BigMac!” Acropolis called out, BigMac pointed at him signifying he was listing. “Three, Big-Cheer.”

“Eeyup!” BigMac went to work, making the drinks in beat to the music. Halfway through he passed them off to Cheerilee without even looking. She finished off the drinks with a great flair, flipping bottles, sliding glasses, tossing bottles behind her back and catching them again. A real spectacle.

“Who is that pony?” Luna asked.

“That’s Cheerilee, the school teacher.” Acropolis savored Luna’s surprised face that this pony was the school teacher. They took their drinks to a table that been set up. Acro and Rune shotgunned thiers and gestured for Luna to do the same. She hesitated and then slammed it back. It burned, all the way down, it was harsh and strong. Luna hadn’t ever had anything like it. “Big-Cheer special, all the effects, almost no hangover!” Acropolis shouted over the music.

“I am beginning to see the appeal of these events!” Luna’s head was beginning to bob up and down. “These, beats, are quite infectious.”

“That’s my girl!” Rune shouted, the drink had already taken effect in her, “Lets dance!” and with that Rune was out with the crowd dancing. Luna looked on in a trance, all those ponies dancing together, their glow sticks making glowing art in the night, the bass rattling their empty glasses, this pounding she could feel in her chest. She was thoroughly enjoying this.

“Luna!” He was just loud enough to get her attention. Acropolis motioned for her to get out onto the dance area. She looked back to them, thought for a second, and ran out into the crowd. The Alicorn made quite the scene on the dance floor. She danced like she had never danced before. Royal parties and events were always so stuffy, ballroom dancing, quiet music, she hated them. But this, this was kinetic, alive. A thousand years ago nothing like this existed, no ponies celebrated like this in her night. No parties late at night, no Big-Cheer specials, no bass slamming into your gut, no mosh pits. Luna liked this kind of party.

Vinyl walked onto the stage as the set ended. Everypony cheered as she began to set up her gear. Grabbing the mic on stage she opened her set.

“GOOD EVENING PONYVILLE!” The roar from the crowd was so loud it drained out the music. “Now tonight we have some special guests in the crowd, the bringer of this glorious night, PRINCESS LUNA!” The cheering for Luna was even louder. She felt happy that so many ponies loved her nights now. “And, the FIRST Lunar guards! Our very own ACROPOLIS! and the lovely RUNE SHIFT!” Everypony cheered, “So if you see them in the crowd make sure to break as many rules as you can, BECAUSE THEY ARE OFF DA CLOOOOOOCK!!!!!” The shouting got even louder. “Now, Princess, wherever you are, in honor of your visit I will be changing up my set tonight,” many ‘no’s’ and ‘awww’s’ came from the crowd, “Now, now, I will instead be playing songs off my new album, DARK SIDE OF THE MOON!” The cheering peaked her merging into one singular noise. “Now for those not in the know there is one song I had to remove from the album due to lack of proper sound samples. Which is why before the last song tonight, I want Princess Luna to come back stage with me,” Cheering picked up again, “And maybe, MAYBE, tonight you will hear,” the crowd started to hype up, “MOON’S NIGHTMARE!” The crowd exploded. Luna was surprised by the names of Vinyl’s album and songs. Everpony was enjoying music inspired from her story. This brought her great pleasure. “And tonight I open with a fan favorite ‘FALL FROM GRACE!”

“Get ready, Princess,” Acropolis had joined Luna on the dance floor, “It’s about to drop.” Vinyl was starting up her first song it was a soothing melody, slowly becoming more and more harsh.

“What is about to drop?” Luna asked as the song started to turn more aggressive. There was a slight pause in the music, time itself seemed to slow down, the ponies around her seemed to be expecting something, bracing almost, all excited for what was about to happen.

“The bass.” As the word left acropolis’ mouth Vinyl threw an arm into the air. Luna could feel the night air pull away from her, the speakers pull back into themselves, almost like they were charging something. In this moment she was almost scared of what would come. Luna could almost see the music as it left the speakers. It washed over everypony like water. Every bone in her body was vibrating with this strange sound. This music was like none she had never heard before. Not like the other performers that had been up there, this was louder, harsh, almost violent and Luna liked it greatly. Every fiber in her being was vibrating to Vinyls style of music. The ponies around her were dancing even harder than before. The whole world seemed to boom and vibrate along to the wub’s of the bass. Luna felt nothing else but the force of the Wub’s crashing over her. And she began to dance, seeing the very princess of the night dancing a circle of dancers formed around her. Cheering for their princess as she danced to song after song after song after song. With every drop the bass got more aggressive, and the dancing got even more intense. Eventually the set ended and Vinyl came back on the mic.

“Okay, now I’m going to take a little break, Princess, if you're still here please come on back stage!” Vinyl ran off stage. Without a word Luna walked backstage as well, ponies cheering her the whole way.

“I wonder what Vinyl wants with Luna.” Acropolis and Rune returned to their table. Many of the others were back at the bar refueling for Vinyl’s last song.

“I heard that for Moon’s Nightmare Vinyl initially wanted Nightmare Moon to perform it with her.” Rune wobbled a bit at the table. She clearly had been thoroughly enjoying herself.

“I thought you were a wallflower?”

“At regular parties! here no pony can even see me! so what do I care?” She ran back off into the crowd. Vinyl was retaking the stage. Ponies were scrambling back into the stage area. Princess Luna followed Vinyl onto the stage.

“This should be good.” Acropolis shotgunned another Big-Cheer special.

“PONYVILLE,” the crowd hollered, “PRINCESS LUNA!” The crowd exploded with hoots, hollers, and a few ballsy cat calls. “And for a special treat, tonight you will be the first to hear, MOON’S NIGHTMARE!!” The crowd went nuts. Vinyl went over to her decks and started up the track.

Luna walked up the edge of the stage and stood regally for a second before letting out a loud sinister laugh then being enveloped in back smoke. It swirled and filled the stage, the tune was dark and moody. Clouds began to form above the stage, deep black, swirling storm clouds. The lights in the area cut out, even the stage lights cut. Vinyl had a deck lamp, but the only light was coming from the smoke cloud where Luna was. At the first musical spike Luna exploded with bats, spreading her wings wide revealing that she had transformed into Nightmare Moon. Acropolis smiled. Vinyl’s bass dropped and Luna caused a lighting strike, the more furious the music got the more lighting Luna caused. Wiping her head around to the music, wielding nature itself as a musical instrument, Luna followed Vinyl’s beat with the lightning. The flashes and strikes lit up the ground below illuminating the dancers in beat with music, creating a strobe like effect. As the song progressed, Luna got more confident with her lightning. She began to mimic the music almost perfectly with the lightning and rumbles of her storm.

Never before in Equestria had such a sight been seen by pony kind. Luna’s Lightning had become musical, it fell away from being an interesting addition and became one with Vinyl’s wub heavy melodies. The slight reverb from the echo, the menacing beat, the haunting image of Nightmare Moon, the almost assaulting bass from the speakers. If Acropolis could distill what made Luna Luna he felt it would be this moment. As the song began to climax it got faster and more vicious. Luna started to call down strikes on nearby poles along with the beat, showering the crowd in sparks in the process, much to their approval. Her clouds swirled around the stage getting more and more aggressive. As the song climaxed Luna called down lighting on the whole stage and all the surrounding poles all at once. The stage exploded in flashes and sparks as the equipment and lights erupted from Luna’s strike. The sparks showered down onto the crowd, who loved every second of the display. The lights did not come back on, but glow bugs slowly filled up the area giving some illumiation. Luna’s magical glow could be seen on the stage. She lit up the stage with her magic, her and Vinyl stood next to each other, victorious. The cheers from the crowd were so loud Acropolis assumed Celestia could hear it in Canterlot. Vinyl pulled out a megaphone.

“PONYVILLE!” The crowd exploded again, “LET’S HEAR IT FOR PRINCESS LUNA!” Luna changed back from Nightmare Moon and bowed heavy to the crowd. “Unfortunately that will be the end of the show! Since, we, ya know, blew up the gear, anyway, GOOD NIGHT PONYVILLE, AND AS USUAL YOU’VE BEEN FANTASTIC!” and with that Vinyl dropped the megaphone and walked off stage. Luna leaped from the stage spreading her wings a gliding over the crowd. Cheers followed her the entire way. She landed next to Acropolis who had collected Rune. BigMac and Cheerilee stood with him as well.

“That couldn’t have gone better princess.” Acropolis beamed.

“Agreed, such, FUN!” Luna was ecstatic. BigMac placed a drink on the table, it was dark with a soft grey foam and a glowing red cherry on top. Luna recognized the glow cherry but not the drink.

“This is for you,” Cheerilee smiled, “we made it for you specifically, We call it ‘Soft Nightmare’, I hope you like it!” Lune looked quizzically at the mixture. Acropolis motioned she should drink it. Luna picked up the glass and, as she did before, shotgunned it. Slamming the glass on the table she gasped. It was rich and smooth, it felt like a cool night breeze sliding down her throat. Luna smiled wide. “Told you she’d like it.”

“Eeyup.” BigMac smiled and bowed. He and Cheerilee took their leave as the area cleared out. Ponies were beginning to take down the rigs for the stage, Acropolis took that as a sign they should leave. Luna helped him carry the now unconscious Rune back to his house.

The sunlight pierced through the curtains of Acropolis’ ponyville home. Luna rose from her slumber, mane a mess, the most disheveled she had ever been. Rune was still asleep on her bed. Acropolis was up and was in the process of making breakfast.

“Morning, Luna.” He placed a cup of coffee on the table near her. “Hows your head?”

“This is how you relax?” Luna managed through her headache.

“Well, it certainly was fun,” Acropolis put a cup of coffee near Rune. She started sniffing the air, and began to rise. “Train leaves in two hours, rest up, tonight we go back to work.”

‘Don’t remind me.” Rune gargled out as she reached lazily for her coffee.

“Oh, Luna, Vinyl came by and dropped this off for you.” Acropolis handed Luna a record. It read, ‘Dark Side of the Moon featuring Princess Luna as Nightmare Moon in Moon’s Nightmare the never before released single, lots of wub, Vinyl’. Luna pulled the records out of the sleeve, there were two records, a black one and a gold one. “The black one is to be played, the gold one is for display,” Acropolis explained, “I Would frame the gold one and the sleve.” Luna smiled and slid the records back into their sleeve. Time could have stopped that day, and Luna would have not cared.

Changes in the Sewers

The moon hung low in the sky as the meeting commenced. Several days have passed since Hannibals letter and the Trio’s day off. Luna, Rune Shift, Acropolis, and Gumshoe sat around the captains table. Gumshoe, for once, was in his armor and could feel the uneasiness at the table. Nopony had a good plan for finding Hannibal, the best plan was to wait and hope to catch him in the act. Gumshoe was a good detective but even he couldn't catch a ghost. Documents about Hannibal and everypony involved littered the table. Luna’s gaze lingered on Spinneret's medical files. After her involvement in this case, as a failed attempt of misdirection, she had a mental breakdown and her brother checked her into Canterlot Medical. Acropolis insisted that the guard pay for her treatment and Luna had agreed. Her brother Burlap had since vanished into the underground, taking with him any chance of finding the pony called “Lifter” and Hannibal.

However more pressing matters lingered in their minds. The Lunar Guard is still small, still in its infancy, still immature, and Luna was concerned. She only had Acropolis and Rune Shift as true guards, all the others are just regular ponies in enchanted armor. They look the part, can sense each other, and are loyal to Luna, but the armor hasn't called to anypony since Rune. The robes in the armory silently searching for their hosts. Acropolis and Rune could feel its invisible tendrils spreading all over Canterlot and beyond. It made Acropolis shutter. However the set was still incomplete, there was a set of armor that she was missing.

“We need more.” Acropolis spoke up startling everypony but Luna.

“More?” Rune asked.

“More,” Acropolis stood up from the desk. “We need to fill out our upper ranks. Having a presence in every city will allow us to better track Hannibal and any other trouble that starts in Equestria.”

“Any suggestions?” Acropolis’ question fell on the quiet room. “Okay, the guard will switch in a hour. Sun up in thirty minutes. Standard meeting tomorrow, Rune, have the new shift rotations ready for distribution.” Acropolis sat back down in his chair, “Gumshoe, classify all Hannibal files, for now the case in stalled. Dismissed.” Gumshoe collected up the documents strewn about and quietly left. Acropolis leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply, he could feel sunrise coming, and the static growing. The orange twinge of Celestia’s sun starting to breach the horizon. Luna silently left the chamber as well, feeling she had very little to say to her subjects at this time. Rune and Acropolis sat quietly for several minutes. The air was thick, they hadn't really spent much time alone since they had arrived in Canterlot. These few moments at the end of the day was usually all the free time they had since they were doing four ponies worth of work.

“Good morning Acropolis,” Rune got up from the table, “try to get some sleep.” She smiled at him as he grunted in response.

Rune Shift had indulged herself some early morning reading in the Celestial gardens, or rather late night for her. This time of day the gardens gave a calming glitter as the sun began to awaken the flowers. She sat in a gazebo built after Discords integration, she liked the gazebo, it was built from different types of wood and each arch was done in a different style. As she read her book a rather large Celestial guard came into the garden pulling a peculiar carriage. Following behind him was a unicorn she recognized, but wished she hadn't.

“Make sure you pull it far enough in so the crowd can form over there.” Trixie gave a rather stern command. Rune had known about Trixie's shows but had never seen her perform. and since she had some time she figured she would stay and watch.

The show a big and flashy, like Trixie. Rune actually enjoyed most of it. She was truly talented in illusion magic, and even with a large crowd she could maintain several illusions and keep them all entertained, That was until she started her last set. Challenging ponies to best her at their skills. After some colorful public shaming Trixie ended her show and began cleaning up after the crowd had left.

"I am the great and powerful Trixie! No trash shall escape my grasp!" She boasted as she used her magic to clean trash left behind.

"Trixie." Rune voiced her presence startling Trixie.

"Gah! Oh its you, what brings you out in the sunlight?" Trixie spat.

"I wanted to take your challenge. I have a talent you cant master." Rune boasted clearly getting Trixies attention.

"What your silly "arcane" magic, psst, please." Trixie dismissed her claim.

"No, not that, My challenge, my skill you can not master." Rune could tell Trixie was still listing, "Respect." Trixie nearly fell on her face from shock. She really wasn't expecting that.

"What are you serious? Respect? HA!" Trixie laughed, "What a silly request. I am a special student of Celestia! Ponies have to respect me!"

"True." Rune boasted, "But, true respect is earned. Not handed out." Rune smiled at Trixie who was looking at her perplexedly.

"Your challenge isn't a skill I can duplicate, which is the point of the trick." Trixie went back to picking up trash.

"You like the attention, you want their respect, if you want to complete my challenge, come to the Lunar barracks." Rune's gauntlet thrown, she left Trixie alone on the garden to steep in her dismissed challenge. Rune saw her potential when they fought, and was planting the ground work to get Trixie into the Lunar guard. Even out of her armor she could hear the static, faintly, but present.

"You look tired." Acropolis commented to Rune as she took her seat at the briefing table. She hadnt slept much since she stayed up to talk with Trixie.

"Watched one of Trixie's shows, she’s pretty good." Rune confesses.

“Yeah at boasting maybe,” Acropolis, begins to sort through his papers. A few assaults, a mugging, and a noise complaint. Perfect, nothing of note. “I’ll have the men take the assaults and the mugging, well take the complaint. It’s from a fairly influential area of town, apparently.” His sarcasm was apparent even without the link. “And whomever is left, they get patrol.” They both got up from the table and went to the large windows, dipping their heads in prayer they offered their silent thoughts to the moon.

Luna’s horn dispelled its magic as she sat on the throne. Many ponies had lined up for night court hearings, desiring a more harsh verdict and quicker action. Luna was quickly becoming every ponies go-to princess if you wanted a result in a night. Of course this went both ways, no pony even tried to appeal after she drops a royal 'NO'. And to her surprise her first hearing tonight was a still groveling Grand Agora.

“Agora, it is a strange pleasure to see you after all that helmet business.” Luna’s tone was cold, she had lost what little faith she had held for him. And was not amused he had come into her court. “well, out with it.”

“Princess,” Agora bowed low, “I still feel awful about letting such a dangerous artifact slip through my hooves,” Even if I did let it go intentionally, “And wish to rekindle our previous agreement, artifacts for appraisals.” For soon everything you own will be an artifact. “I still have a unique skill set and rather, lets say, varied contacts.” Murders, thieves, rapists. “As tribute I bring this,” Cow, He motions for another stallion to bring in a form cloaked in cloth. Agora pulls off the cloth and Luna stands straight up, shocked.

“How did!?” Luna gasps.

“Found it in Detrot, estate sale, apparently they thought it was a rather novel piece.” Agora grinned at Luna’s expression.

“Do you actually know what that is?” Luna probed, her question filled with mistrust.

“Lunar Panzer Armor, 6 recorded to exist, one destroyed in the fall of Babylon, one destroyed in the Lunar Rebellion,” Agoras mention of the rebellion made some of the guards twitch, “3 Incomplete sets in various museums across Equestria, and this one,” He paused. “The last full set, restored leather, buckles, pads, perfect condition.” Agora smiled as Luna walked slowly down the stairs to his level.

“Agora, I do believe, if you keep brining me these artifacts you will fill a entire wing of my tower.” Luna smiled, this armor was one of the pieces she sought. Agora smiled, now once again in Luna’s favor.

Acropolis and Rune Shift stood in the center of the empty street, barley visible in the flickering street lamp. Their investigation into the noise complaint had turned into looking into multiple noise complaints. Apparently every pony on this block had heard screams, and shouts very late at night. Some even said that the shouts sounded like an animal being beaten.

“Well, this has certainly become more interesting.” Acropolis mused darkly as he looked at a map of the neighborhood he had.

“Yeah, several reports of screams, some supposedly not of pony origin.” Rune was searching the area with her magic trying to find a clue.

“Okay, so they hear the sounds here,” he pointed to the map, “and here,” he dragged his hoof across the map, “So, what would allow all of these homes to hear the same noise?”

“It would have to originate here.” Rune tapped in the middle of the map.

“That makes sense, but that’s almost where we are standing.” Acropolis had barely finished his sentence. When they both heard what sounded like a thousand cicadas all going off at once. It was short, faint, and resonated with pain. Followed shortly with a very echo-y and muffled scream. “Did you hear that?” Rune simply nodded. They stood in silence for a moment, then it happened again. Different length, but same voice. Extremely faint, like very far away, or an distant echo.

“Where is it coming from?” Rune looked around feeling into each house with her magic.

“Its an echo.” Acropolis said flatly, looking at the ground. He was standing on a sewer cover. “its echoing up through the sewer!” He thrust his wings into the cover ripping it from the ground. Without hesitation the pair jumped into the sewer system.

“Here, Hervorkommen und mir Licht.” Rune cast a light spell and two orbs appeared one followed Acropolis the other stuck with Rune. They followed the sewer down for a bit until they were directly in the middle of where ponies heard the shouts from. The voice screamed again. Acropolis shone his light on the wall revealing a small hatch, a hatch that had been recently unlocked. The voice echoed up from inside.

“Rune, I found a shaft here,” He stuck his head inside, “It goes a ways down.”

“Ill be right behind you.” She held open the hatch as he climbed in. The ladder was wet and cold, this chamber must fill up during wetter seasons. He came to the bottom of the shaft, before him was a rather strange door. It was a run off valve, but it was big enough for a full grown pony to pass through. Peeking through, Acropolis could see another level of the sewer, but here there was activity. There was a collection cage, primarily used to catch trash and debris that gets swept into the sewer, chained shut. He could see a small table and bed in the cage. Four colts were milling about, talking just out of Acropolis’s hearing range. In the low light he couldn’t ID any of them either, this was quickly becoming more and more sinister. The static in his mind began to grow. Rune silently lands next to him and stacks up with him on the valve.

“Four ponies.” Acropolis said as he spotted another figure in the cage, smaller, a mare he guessed from the shape. He instantly tensed up. “I think they have a mare locked in the collection cage. That might be the screaming.”

“Oh my, what do we do?” Rune was becoming more worried that they were going to have to fight these ponies, the static grew louder.

“Wait for now.” Acropolis went back to spying, the phantom noise in his ears ringing. One of the stallions had left while Acropolis was looking away. Two of them broke off and came closer to Acropolis so he could just make out their conversation.

“…Five months since…”

“…Great…capture…”

“…Lots…fun…”

“…Like when its struggles…”

“…clicks and…”

“…so much…beat it…”

“…take it…behind…leave it messy…”

“Animals” Rune said under her breath. Clearly these ponies had captured some pony else and had been taking turns beating and violating her. The thought if this sent Acropolis’s blood to a boil, the static in their heads buzzed feverishly.

Luna looked up to the moon feeling Acropolis’s building rage, and a noise just out of hearing.

“Hey fellas!” One of them hollered. “its awake again!”

It’s? What did they have in the cage? Acropolis hesitated, his curiosity peaking. He wanted to find out exactly what they were rescuing.

“Oh good, I could use a release!” The laugh he gave made Runes skin crawl. The pony near the cage unlocked it and grabbed the figure dragging it out into the light. There bound tightly with ropes was a yellow mare with a red mane. Hardly an 'it', Acropolis was about to move in.

“Don’t you dare look like that!” One of them hollered and struck the mare so hard she bounced off the floor when she hit. When she did hit she burst into blue flames revealing a changeling nymph.

What in the? Acropolis and Rune said silently together. Acropolis stared at the nymph changeling, bloodied, beaten, looking so sad. He must have been staring intently because she looked over at the door and made eye contact with him. Her Soft blue eyes were filled with pain. Help me, they begged. That moment froze in time, Acropolis locking eyes with a changeling, deep in Canterlots sewers, a victim of brutality, somepony that needed his protection. The static relished this moment. Were this scenario reversed it wouldn’t have been half as surprising.

“Acro they are going to,” Rune paused unable to find a nicer word for rape, “Do bad things to her!” Without warning Acropolis reared up and with both front hooves smashed the valve open. The static went silent.

“STOP RIGHT THERE CRIMINAL SCUM!” Acropolis clearly hadn’t lost his touch with the Canterlot royal voice. The three stallions looked surprised and barely moved trying to asses the new situation. “YOU HAVE VIOLATED LUNAR LAW! SURRENDER AND STAND TRIAL OR RESIST AND PERISH!” His voiced boomed through the tunnels rippling the water as his voice echoed through the system.

“Shhuilkkk.” the changeling pleaded. He didn’t know the language, but he got the message. Save me.

“Ah, Buck, it’s the Lunar guard!” One turned and tried to flee.

"Stein der Erde treffen die Himmel" The words left Rune's instantly.

He made it three steps only to be smashed into the ceiling by a rock spire shooting out of the water. Rune really has gotten better at casting those spells quickly. The spire retracted as his limp and broken body splashed into the water. The static in the back of her mind also fell silent.

“Mules!” Another shouted grabbing a bloody hammer and lunging at Acropolis swinging it wildly. Acropolis dodged his flails effortlessly. This stallion was clearly not trained into combat but he did have a powerful swing, maybe he was in the construction trade? The stallion swung deep, Acropolis blocked the blow with his wing. The metal clang it made startled the assailant, he was expecting to hit feathers not scales. Stepping forward Acropolis swung his wing forward. He once again made eye contact with the captive changeling, as his wing sunk deep into the attacker. The blood from his assailant dripped into the water as he flailed, speared to the wall by the wing.

“I told you to surrender.” Acropolis whispered as he lowered his wing to let the dying pony slide off into the water. The one stallion left looked down the tunnel and back at Rune, looked towards to the door and then to Acropolis. “And you, surrender or perish?” The question hung in the tunnel. Time seemed to stand still, Acropolis' bloody wing dripping into the water, Rune's horn alight, water splashing slightly around her from the magical charge, the last stallion's gaze shifting from guard to guard. To him they looked as monsters. He closed his eyes and thought hard on what to say next.

“DIE!” The remaining stallion hollered as his horn light up.

"Drehen Sie die Knochen und zerreißen ihn tot" Rune whispered.

The magic barely came to his horn when his head spun around completely with a sickening crack. In a reflex the twisted stallion spat out a mouthful of blood, took a step back, and fell into the water, dead. Acropolis and Rune stood for a minute looking at their work as the static in their minds slowly returned. Neither of them felt good about killing them but neither did they feel bad about it.

Luna looked up to the moon once more, saddened by the feeling she now felt through their link. She had hopped that the lunar guard would solve their problems with a more tempered approach. But then again, the Lunar Guard was a combat force, not primarily a police force.

“Are you okay?’ Acropolis said bending down and untying the now sobbing changeling. Once she was free she wrapped her forearms around Acropolis’s neck.

“Tshhissshkk shhsiskck hissshsts!” She sobbed deeply into Acropolis’s chest. He held his arms out unsure what to do with them. Rune came up to him and smiled a sad smile. Admitting the proper gesture, changeling or not, he lowered his arms and took the frightened nymph in his arms.  

“It’s okay, your safe now.” Acropolis whispered embracing the terrified changeling.

“Brigade, Thanks for coming.” Acropolis greeted him outside a quarantined hospital room. It wasn't strange for Acropolis to call for Brigade, what was strange was the guarded quarantine.

“Not a problem, I just came on shift anyway,” Brigade was in full regalia as usual, spear, shield, and everything that was standard issue. The golden armor of the Celesital guard made him look like he was made of light. “What’s going on?” as he asked Professor Fatuous came out of the room.

“So, Doc, how is she?” Acropolis asked.

“Unsure, she seems to be recovering, somewhat, but she is still asleep.” The doctor took off some rubber gloves he was wearing. Brigade noted the green blood on them. “But being held captive, brutally beaten, and" he lowered his voice, "raped for five months.” The Doc whistled, “that’s, that’s rough.”

“Chances of recovery?” Acropolis asked.

“Honestly, I know very little about her, she could get up tomorrow and be fine. Or never wake up at all.” He picked up his bag from outside the door. “Good day Acro, Brigade.” And with that the doctor quickly left them, whirring ans clicking down the hall.

“Acro, what is going on?” Brigade was really confused by this point.

“I need you to guard this room and the nymph inside,” Acropolis began to explain.

Did he just say nymph? Brigade was becoming more and more concerned.

“No pony besides me, Luna, Rune, and the Doc are allowed in. Got it?” Acropolis’s tone was serious.

“Why cant one of yours do this?”

“I need somepony I can trust completely. That, and this is, rather sensitive.” Acropolis looked up and down the hall. “If word gets out about this, we may have a riot on our hands.” Brigade was now even more confused. Acropolis led Brigade into the room. There in the middle was a changeling nymph hooked upto a variety of medical gizmos clearly of the good doctors design. She was bruised and swollen, whimpering in her sleep. Her wings buzzed softly ever once in a while. “Guard the door, or stay in here and guard her directly. Either way, this,” he paused as if trying to find the proper word, “victim needs to be kept out of the tabloids, and safe from any aggressors. Understood?”

“Yes sir.” Brigade gave a automatic response saluting.

Long Nights and Short Days

Brigade stood like a statue next to the chattering changeling, his golden armor reflecting the mid-day light. In the days since her rescue she had remained a secret in the castle. And he had remained her day light guardian. Her swelling had gone down and he could tell she didn't look like the other changelings, her features were closer to that of a ponies. Fewer holes, less spines, softer features, Thinner limbs, wider hips, and membrane that looked like a mane. She really didn't look like the other changelings. He watched as the covers went up and down with her breathing, constant and rhythmic. She hadn't stirred at all, even when the doctor came to examine her. His concern for the changeling was somewhat upsetting to him. But deep in himself all he wanted was this broken creature to wake up and smile at him. He could feel these emotions rise and fall away, like he was forgetting that he was having them. There was a knock at the door.

“Who goes there!?” Brigade barked raising his spear.

“It’s Acropolis.” He said as he entered the room. Deep bags under his eyes, clearly he hadn't slept at all in the past few days. “Just came by to see if she’s awake.”

“No change.” Brigade said flatly.

“I see,” Acropolis walked over and looked at her face. “Quite the looker for a changeling.”

“Sir?”

“Cut it out with the sir, Brigade.” Acropolis barked.

“Sorry, What do you mean, looker?” There was a long pause.

“She’s sort a pretty, now that the swellings gone down.” he looks over at Brigade standing there stoic as ever. “You've noticed.” She rolled over in the bed so she was now facing Brigade, a small smile on her face. “Has she done that before?”

“No, sir.” he said amazed that she moved at all.

“Ah, then she must be getting better.” Acropolis said as he moved to leave. “Brigade, try not to think of her as an enemy or as a invader. After all, from what we gathered she was captured well before the wedding invasion.”

“Hard not to Acro,” Brigade looked sadly at her, “I killed a lot of them that day,” She is kind a pretty, “It’s hard, I feel a disgust towards her or her kind rather, but at the same time, I want her well and happy.”

“Focus on the latter. Im sure she will get better in no time. Remember they feed off emotion.” And with that he left Brigade alone in the room.

“That explains a bit.” Brigade said to himself.

Rune threw her book across the room in frustration. The static in her ears was maddening. The other ponies in the Lunar library looked on, somewhat scared of their lieutenants anger. They knew the extent of her abilities and how efficient she was at using them.

“How do we know almost nothing about changelings!?” she nearly shouted. Her lack of sleep was getting to her. The violent visions of ripping Acropolis apart again and again while in the vault still haunted her somewhat, and the static. The fresh vision of the crushed stallion and the head spinning in the sewer hung on her like a wet blanket. She was delirious, her vision was going and she just wanted the ringing in her ears to stop. She looked up to see Acropolis standing there, was he wobbling too or was her vision that bad? Seeing him out of uniform she thought back on their first night here, falling asleep studying together. She treasured that memory. “We know nothing about changelings.” she said as she sat on the floor where she stood. “Nothing.” Resigning to her lack of knowledge, something she hated to do.

“Rune,” Acropolis helped her to her feet. “Come with me.” Acropolis puled her up with his wing and led her out of the library, up into the tower where their quarters were. She faded in and out of delirium as he slowly hauled her up the stairs. She could tell he was in just as bad a shape as her. Having to stop every couple steps to steady himself. He carried her into her room and she drew the shades with what little magic she could muster. The sun wasn't welcome in this room. He helped her into her bed. “Now, lieutenant I am giving you a direct order to get some sleep.” he wobbled as he gave his order in a soft voice.

“One, condition.” She mumbled through her pillow. She reached out and pushed the covers aside making room in her bed for another. She rolled to face the vacant spot and simply patted the space. Her eyes half closed, looking up at him. He wobbled a bit.

“If you insist.” He began to climb onto the bed but halfway up his knees decided to just flop in. They laid there in silence for a few moments before Rune snuggled up into Acropolis’s side. With her head rested on his shoulder she soon found herself drifting off into a deep sleep. He slowly closed his eyes, listening to her now steady breathing, and to succumbed to the comfort of this companionable slumber. Finally, some sleep.

“Luna.” Celestia called to her sister snapping her out of her daydreaming state.

“Y-yes sister?” Luna flustered. They sat at a small table over looking the gardens, having a spot of tea. The conversation had been about the resurgence of violent and sexual crimes being committed.

“I think it might be time to re-open Asyl.” Celestia said calmly.  

“Asyl, maybe you are right.” Luna looked out into the garden spying a very particular monument. “After all, this resurgence of violent crimes is somewhat my fault.”

“Come now Luna,” Celestia put down her tea, “No thoughts like that. This is our function, your influence hasn’t been felt in a century. Two sides of the same coin. Besides its not the citizens that concern me.”

“I guess that is true.” She paused, “After all what is sanity without madness?”

“No shadows without the light.” The sisters smiled and resumed their afternoon tea.

“Chhhickkshhskk.” The nymph changeling murmured. That was the most life Brigade had seen out of her. He leaned down to get a better look at her face. Acropolis was right, she was pretty, in a kind of creepy and exotic way. As he stared at her, her eyes slowly fluttered open. They were big and blue. Eyes you could get lost in. The small slits for pupils dilated as she focused on the stallion leaning over her. “Shhsichshk?” She said softly.

“Brigade.” He touched his chest, understanding her question. “You speak equestrian?”

“Yes.” Her voice was soft and not harsh or as clicky as he would have thought. “Where?”

“Canterlot Medical. Acropolis rescued you in the sewer. Remember?” Brigade knelt down so he was eye level with her.

“Sewer, they hurt me,” she paused, “Everywhere.” She was on the verge of tears.

“Hey, hey, now.” Brigade placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Your safe now, those ponies wont ever hurt you again.”

“I know.” She smiled and fell asleep again.

"What am I doing?" Brigade was getting into the habit of talking to himself.

Acropolis awoke to find himself in Runes bed with the sleeping mare wrapped around him. Her nose nestled under his chin, he could feel her breath on his neck and her horn pressed gently against his cheek. Her heartbeat pulsing against his side and rhythmic breathing calling him back to her embrace. He laid there looking up at the ceiling rested, for once. His mind turns to the still sleeping mare next to him and what he intends to do about this situation. He likes her, yeah, but, Acropolis doesn’t have a good track record with the mares. Better off friends. Who share a bed? Naw, this was a one off thing. He looks down at her peaceful face, nearly angelic in her calmness. One off. He bends down and kisses her gently on the nose. One time only. Against every fiber in his being telling him other wise he rises from the bed and goes to the window. The sun is setting. They got a good days sleep at last. Together. One time thing. With her. Buck.

“Ruuuune.” Acropolis’s voice cooed, “RuuuuUUuuune.”

“Nah.” She said as she grappled for her companion only find her bed empty. The smell of coffee greeted her nose as she begins to rise. “Ac-Acro?” she yawns, “What? When did?”

“Shush,” he places a hot coffee on her bedside, “Coffee time, talky time later.” He got up and left the room, presumably to get into uniform. She gathered up her coffee and sat on the edge of her bed. She looked back and thought of falling asleep with him.

“Acropolis.” The indent from his wings still visible in her mattress. His warmth, the pulse of his heart. No, he is a co-worker and my boss. Why didn’t that calm me down? She shakes her head. She never had much luck dating, as in she never had. No time. And there certainly wasn’t time for a relationship with her boss. This was a one time thing. She touched the indent in her mattress. It’ll never happen again. The spot is still warm. Oh, Luna, what am I to do?

“Luna, your blushing, everything alright?” Celestia asked a bright red Luna. They were going through some legal documents before the night shift.

“Yes, im fine, there are just some very strong emotions coming over the link is all.” She fanned herself with a folder. “Ill have to remind them to take off their amulets in their sleep.”

A few Days Later

The sounds of grunts and clashing steel filled the barracks. Acropolis and Rune stood watch over their newest recruits practicing with a variety of weaponry. Acropolis seemed alert and attentive, clearly he had been getting his sleep. Rune too had been in better spirits lately. Her formations and research had made great strides. However her study into changeling anatomy was snatched away by Doc. Along with the nymph changeling much to Brigades surprise.

“Still no luck.” Rune said looking up from her documents.

“Well, I only saw shadows and didn’t hear his voice. That fourth stallion is lucky he vanished when he did.” Or he would have ended up dead too. Acropolis cracked a menacing grin, he could hear the static. The three ponies they killed in the sewer were identified as know sexual assaulters and all had history of violence. No family, no friends, some didn’t even have a home. Sad really. “We will find him. Eventually. Like we'll find Hannibal.”

“Oh this was on the desk.” She handed him an envelope bearing Luna’s personal insignia. Acropolis opens the letter, it was short and read.

Acropolis, Rune Shift.

Gardens, south side, near the mad mare statue.

Now.

Luna

“Well then, I guess we shouldn't keep her waiting?” And with that they left for the gardens.

Luna stood before the mad mare statue in the gardens. It was a strange statue, it was a mare holding her disembodied head with one hoof and reaching to the sky with the other. The strangest part was the base of the statue, it was huge. The base itself was big enough for a small shed.

“Luna, why are we out here?” Acropolis asked. He tried the link but didn’t get much from Luna, just a feedback ping of static.

“Asyl.” Luna said flatly.

“As in the house of madness?” Rune asked.

“Madness? Oh boy.” Acropolis rubbed the back of his helmet.

“Asyl, was more of a prison than anything.” She produced a key, “To keep those that were effected away from the general populace.”

“Effected? By what?” Rune was becoming more concerned.

“This world functions on a positive and negative, Celestia and Me. With me locked away, madness, murder, deviants, insanity, waned away. Now with my return, the world is trying to make for lost time. And over compensating.” Luna explains.

“So, what you generate the worlds nut jobs?” Acropolis’s question was one of dismay, he couldn’t believe that the princess of the night, surveyor of dreams, was the source of madness. The static spiked as he asked the question.

“Yes, why do you think they are called Lunatics?” Luna turned towards that statue. They hadn’t thought of that. She unlocks that statue and pushes open the false bottom revealing a cage elevator. “Everypony in.” The trio crowded into the cage and begin their decent into the Asyl.

“BRIGADE!” Shining Armor was yelling at him now.

“SIR!” He barked back. Shining had caught him dazed off again and this time during drills with the whole unit.

“Whats wrong with you?” Shining asked quietly.

“Not sure sir. Ive just been a little, distracted. I guess.” Brigade knew what was bothering him. Doc had moved her to his lab while he was off duty, and being celestial guard he wasn’t allowed in the Lunar wings basement.

“I cant have you distracted Brigade. It shines poorly on the rest of the men.” Shining gets closer. “Mare troubles?”

“Sort of, sir.”

“Colt troubles?”

“No, sir. I guess I’m just wrestling myself in my head.”

“Talk to me after drills, and keep your head, cant afford you getting hurt.” Shining walks away to finish the drills.

After drills most of the guard had left for post or gone home. Brigade sat on the community couch they had set up the barracks. Out of uniform he felt so naked.

“Brigade.” Shining, also out of uniform, sits down and hands him a hard cider. “So, since I cant have my best not at their best, whats wrong?” Shining takes a swig of his cider.

“You know of the changeling nymph?” Shining nodded as Brigade spoke, “Well I watched her for a few days, and I don’t know  I, guess I feel guilty because I killed a bunch of changelings in the invasion. But then I helped this one recover.”

“How’d you help her?”

“They feed of emotion, apparently I wanted her to get better and my compassion or something helped her heal. So now I feel sort of, responsible for her.” Brigade took a swig.

“And now what?" Shining could see something else was eating away at him, "What do you want?”

“I just wanted to see her up and about.”

“And?” Shining could see more was there.

“And to see her happy.”

“Why?”

“Why?” Brigade replied.

“Yeah, why do you want to see her happy?”

“Because,” Why did I want her happy? “She had been through so much, Acropolis saved her. If he and Rune hadn’t found her they probably would have left her there to drown next time the sewer flooded. And he left her to my care while he was away.”

“And?” Shining smiled.

“I, I never,” He paused and took a large swig of his cider, “Didn’t get to say goodbye.”

“Isnt it funny, how the one relationship we never had is usually the one that stings the most?” Shining mused popping the cap off another cider. “Just telling you she’s safe and healthy wont appease you will it?” Brigade shook his head. “Nope didn’t think so, you are by far the most honorable and stubborn colt ive ever met.” He shotguns the second cider. “And you finish what you start. Ill talk to Luna, and see about getting a visit or something.”

“Thank you sir.” Brigade was honestly surprised by Shining's offer.

“Brigade,” Shining leaned in, “Promise me that regardless of what you see in that basement, IF you get in, you will leave there only with what you came in with.” Shinings tone was very serious.

“Sir?”

“Luna’s labs have always been a place of questionable study, now promise me.” brigade began to speak. “Do you know Pinkie Pie?”

“Umm, actually yes I do sir. But what does-” Brigade got cut off.

“Pinkie Promise me that you will leave that lab only with what you brought in.” Shining Placed a hoof over his eye. Brigade couldn’t back out now. He knew that if he broke this promise Pinkie would somehow know of it and all hell would break loose. He hesitantly placed a hoof over his eye.

“I Pinkie Promise, sir.” Brigade said with confidence. Shaking Shining’s hoof at the same time. Oh sweet Celestia what have I done?

“What is it Pinkie?” Mrs. Cake asks as Pinkie suddenly stares out the window blankly whilst placing frosting on cupcakes.

“Oh nothing Mrs. Cake, Just somepony making a promise.” Pinkie smiled and went back to her cupcakes.  

"Acchhoooo!" Discord gave a mighty sneeze. Blinking his eyes a few times he regains his composure.

“Well that’s different.” He says and goes back to his work.

Asyl (part 1)

The cage elevator clinks and clangs as it descends into the dark caverns under Canterlot. Luna’s magic held the elevators control lever in the down position, she hadn’t said much since the ride began. And to be honest Acropolis and Rune both had lost track of time in the descent. The Elevator came into a large cavern showing a massive complex built into the very walls.

“This place was built long ago, about the time Everfree Castle was built.” Luna broke the silence. “It was abandoned after my imprisonment, Celestia had moved the capital onto the cliffs above. And the now slightly more sane occupants made a decent work force to rebuilt Equestria after my rebellion.”

“That’s remarkably dark.” Acropolis commented, “Using the mentally ill as a workforce.”

“Agreed," Rune commented, "but then again that was a century ago, lots of things change.” Rune looked out of the cage marveling at the massive Gothic prison hidden deep under the pleasant streets of Canterlot. But what struck her wasn't the gargoyles or wrought iron barred windows it was the nagging thought of if Asyl is abandoned why are the lights on? “Uh, Princess? If this place is abandoned why are the lights on?”

“Well that’s the issue I brought you two down here to resolve.” The cage came to a loud clunky slam. Howls echo to them from the prison. “It would seem, some of the prisoners never left and have survived somehow.” Luna opens the cage, sprawling before them a long and ornate bridge leads them to the large front gates. “We need to reclaim the prison. Most likely by force.” More howls echo out of the prison. As the lights started go out across the prison in anticipation of their guests.

“CHILDREN!” a speaker on the bridge near the elevator crackles alive. “IT WOULD SEEM WE HAVE GUESTS! TONIGHT WE GET A RARE TREAT!” a loud long cascade of howls and screams echo off the prison. “BUT REMEMBER MY CHILDREN! THERE IS NO MERCY FOR OUTSIDERS!”

“That’s not good.” Acropolis stretches his wings out and flicks his razor blade feathers making sure he has control of them completely. The static in the back of his mind began to grow.

“No its not.” Luna sparks up her magic and casts a light spell that gives them each a light cone from the pendent on their armor.

“Since they clearly know we are here now we should approach cautiously and stealthily.” Luna cast another spell on their flashlights. “You can turn it off and have it follow your eyes now.”

“Great,” Acropolis tuned to face the two mares. “Rune try to locate their food supply and destroy it, with that routed further assault will be easier,” She nodded, “Luna, since you are most familiar with this ancient tech, you go for their power supply,” Luna nodded, “And Ill go for this, voice, understood?”

“Agreed.” Luna spread her wings and jumped silently off the bridge, clearly she knew where she was going. The link pulsed, Luna's voice came over the link, “Rune, on the second level is a cafeteria, begin your search there. Acropolis, try the wardens office, top floor.” She vanished into the darkness below. A grin on her face seeing Acropolis commiting to taking charge.

“Shall we?” Acropolis began crossing the bridge to the imposing and now dark prison. It looks more like a massive manor than a prison. The bridge seemed to stretch forever before them.

Arriving at the grand door they were surprised to see how easily it slid open. This lobby was massive, destroyed spiral staircases swirled around the exterior going up six stories. Before them is a reception desk covered with ancient books. In the chair sat a skeleton, picked clean from the rats and other vermin. Trash, and destroyed material littered the room. A solitary lamp glowed calmly on the desk. Their lights scoured the chamber looking for a path to their destinations. Rune spied a sign, it read cafeteria.

“looks like I found my way, Good luck.” Rune said silently over the link.

“Like wise.” Acro replied. She vanished into the dark hallway as he continued his search. He came across a similar sign hanging on the wall it read, wardens office. “I guess I found my path.” He climbed over the wreckage and into the dark hallway. His light shone onto a office block at the end he could see a intact staircase. Hoping it lead all the way up he approached. Hearing a raspy breath he froze in place. Switching his light off he pressed up against the wall.

“I can hear you~” the gargled voice said in a sing songy tone. A door opened and a horrific pony shambled out. His mane gone, ripped out from the looks, his eyes stapled shut, his teeth were filed to points, and his lips were cut off. His body was covered with cuts and slashes.

Just what exactly is going on down here? Acropolis thought. The monstrous pony walked towards Acropolis, still clinging to the wall. “Are you trying to hide from me~?” It rolled its head. It came to a stop right next to Acropolis. He held his breath as to not let it hear his breathing. “Where did you go~?” it gargled, “Where~?”

Should I kill it? Acro thought. Nopony around to hear it, and they all know were here. The sound of several other creatures searching for him was well greeted his ears. No, if I kill him and they find the body it’ll let them know where I am. He stretched out his wing as far he could silently and pressed on a nearby door. The monstrous pony rushed into the empty room and began searching, allowing Acro to slip by. Making it to the stairs he slowly ascends up to the second floor. Here the stairs no longer go up, they had smashed out. Perfect.

Rune found herself on the second floor. She quietly approached the door labeled “cafeteria” inside she could hear ponies eating and grunting. However the door was locked from this side. She could rip off the lock but the noise would attract everyone in the building. She figured she would have to find the key, or at least something to pick the lock. Somewhat dejected she headed back to the staircase and read the sign once again. Floor 1 Reception, Floor 2 Cafeteria, Floor 3 Security, Floor 4 Offices, Floor 5 Staff, Floor 6 Wardens Office. She read in her head.

Security should be a good start, if there was a place to find a key. I just hope that it was the guards that locked it and not the prisoners. She sees a beam of light break through some of the rubble. Getting close to the pile she whispers. “Acro?”

“Rune?” he peeks at her through the rubble. "Glad to see you're okay." He talks through their link.

"Yeah likewise, anyway did you happen to find a key?"

"I wasn’t looking but I haven’t found much besides creepy ponies." He looks behind him to make sure the lipless pony isn’t following him.

"Okay, I’m heading upstairs to security."

"Hey are your stairs intact?"

"Mostly, I think I can get up on this rubble."

"Okay, be safe."

"Copy." Rune watched through the hole as Acro vanished into the darkness. Looking up into the hole above her. She wondered what horrid sights waited for her up there. Undaunted and steadfast in her task she climbed up the rubble. Climbing up onto the third floor she was surprised by what she saw. Down the hall a very large pony stood steadfast in front of a large metal door. He had a helmet made of twisted metal, woven and bent right into his head. He was also wearing some very old combat armor. Assuming that this was a pony keeping with a twisted tradition of guarding that door, he had to be removed in order to access the office. She slunk off into a dark corner. Noticing a glint off of the guards belt she looked hard finally seeing several large keys hanging. Perfect. I guess I could just take the keys from him with my magic, No he would look for them. I have to either kill him or incapacitate him. No magic, the light from the cast would tip him off. Damnit.

She spied another pony near a small fire on the other side of the hall. Hmmm. She picked up a chunk of wood. Lets see. She threw the chunk at the pony.

“GAH!” He hollered, “What's the big idea!?” He runs over to the guards pony and gets into his face.

“Leave.” The guards pony says stoically.

“Make me.” The pony growls. They begin to square off. The guards pony drops his head and slams into the pony like bull lifting him up and slamming him into the wall across from him. The pony fell to the ground, dead. In that moment Rune came up behind with a board in her magic. She swung hard into the guard ponies head splintering the board. The guard barely flinched.

“Oh, buck.” She said as he bucked her across the hall.

“You, too.” He mumbled and began to walk slowly towards her.

“Not good.” She looks around for another weapon. Wait, there is no pony left to alert. Her horn lit up grabbing the helmet of her assailant. Time to get those keys. She began to twist in an attempt to break his neck, but he resisted her force. They struggled, their eyes wide struggling against each others force. Seeing an opening she threw his head up, which caught him off guard. His head rolled upward, releasing him from her magic she charged at his exposed chest. Luckily for her the chest piece was missing. Her horn struck him true, piercing his heart. Staggering off her horn he fell back, gave a gasp of surprise and fell over dead. “That’s a new one,” she felt her horn which now hurt immensely. The static fell silent for a moment. She wiped the blood from her horn and collected the keys from the dead guard.

With keys in hoof she opened the security office. Inside were more pony skeletons apparently trapped inside and starved out. Going through the papers and files she came across documents of the facilities last days. “Now why are these still here?” Reports of the evacuation, prisoners and patients unwilling to leave. Strange, you would think they would want to leave. Apparently a cult had quietly rose up among the prisoners. And at the head a prisoner simply called, “Pastor?” She collected the documents, placing them in her pocket. Returning to her search she located a cabinet, producing the guards keys she unlocked it. Inside were more keys, and some ancient weapons. Clearly a old weapon cabinet. With what she assumes is the cafeteria keys safely in grasp she heads back to the door on the second floor.

Luna lands on a balcony far below the bridge. Before her lay the wards, where most of the prisoners were housed. And beyond that, the ancient thermodynamic power facility and her ultimate destination. Rune and Acro got the easy assignments, searching the administration building. Luna got the short straw but she didn't mind, after all this was her mess to a degree. She entered the main ward and was unprepared for what she saw. Before her stretched what looked more like a tribal cave that a prison block. Tattered cloths and skulls hung from the ceiling, fires set in reclaimed waste barrels, and filth everywhere. It reminded her of the tribal Zebras she had met so many years ago, only where they had colorful banners and creative fetishes here hung limbs of dead ponies and filth smeared sheets. There were a fair amount of disfigured ponies in the ward, her hasty count numbered over 60.

“This is not good.” She sunk into a shadow and went invisible. However her invisibility wouldn't prevent them from touching her. She was invisible not immaterial. Making her way down the stairs and into the crowd she noticed a projection crystal many ponies were watching. On the crystal was an old recording of what could only be described as a sermon. The sound was garbled but she could tell it was from a fanatic from before her imprisonment. Recalling him, she remembered that he was held here shortly before she was imprisoned. I bet he started this all those years ago, the sick pony. On her way through the crowd, taking care to not touch anypony, she came across a lone pony sitting quietly reading a very old book. He was mostly intact, many other ponies were disfigured or had pieces missing, were as he was just bald and missing a good chunk of one ear. Her curiosity peaked she leaned down to see the cover of the book he was reading.

Wardens Handbook

Strange, why would he be reading that? She wondered. Regardless I need to get to the power station. She left the stallion to his reading. About halfway across the ward more ponies began huddling around the crystal. Her path mostly clear she reached the doors to the service hallways with relative ease only to find them locked. Ripping them off would do the trick, but then they would rush her. Picking the lock would take a lot of concentration and would risk losing her invisibility. She had to think of a way to open the door without alerting the horde. Behind her the pony with the book approaches the door. She backs away slowly to allow him to get to the door. He stops just shy of the door, produces a key, puts in in the lock, and looks straight at Luna.

“Save us.” He says in a low tone making direct eye contact with the invisible princess. She was startled by the fact that he can apparently see her and he wants her to save them.

I guess a ponies nature will come through regardless where they are raised. And she guessed his talent was perception.“I Will.” She whispers back from the shadows.

“I hope so.” He bowed slightly and returned to where Luna had seen him previously. With a pull from her hoof the door unlocked and swung open. Slipping inside she quietly closed the door behind her. The grey service corridor was filthy, blood streaks and dirt covered the floor. Clearly they dragged bodies and other things through here. The rooms off the hall were mostly empty, vacated service rooms for various tools and supplies. Halfway down the hall a small elevator caked in the filth from the floor waited to be used. Assuming they used this to transport food and other things from the administration building to the wards. But her quarry lied before her. The massive red and yellow stripped door marked she was in the right location. Opening the facility the heat from the machinery meet her harshly. The heart of the facility lay before her, silent, waiting to be restarted.

“Now, I have to find the control panel.” Luna said to herself.

Brigade in the Lab

The Lunar wing was very different from the Celestial wing. The dark stone and grandiose carving were a stark contrast of the white marble and tapestries Brigade was used to. It didn’t help that he stuck out like a sore thumb among all of the dark purple armored ponies walking the halls. Of course it didn’t help that was in his full regalia like usual. As he approached the door to the basement labs the two Lunar guards protecting the doors readied their spears.

“Halt, nopony except Lunar officials allowed into the basement levels.” One of the guards recited.

“I have permission from Princess Luna.” Brigade pulls a form from his satchel and presents it to the guard. “Co-signed by Princess Celestia.” He added just in case that wasn’t enough incentive to let him pass.

“Okay,” The guard motioned to let him through. At the last moment one of the guards drops his spear blocking Brigades path. “One last thing, Whatever happens down there is protected secrets of the Lunar guard and the private studies of Princess Luna,” The guard looked him right in the eye. “Disclosing this information to anypony besides Lunar Officials will be considered treason.” He rose his spear. “Understood?”

“Sir, yes sir.” Brigade replies as the weight of what exactly he has signed up for begins to settle on his shoulders.

“Have fun.” The other guard comments as Brigade descends into the basement.

The labs just seemed to go on forever. Ponies in light blue lab coats milling about having conversations about research and test subjects. Strange machines pumping strange liquids into strange containers. This place was truly bizarre. Every once and a while he swore he could hear a scream echo down the halls. Passing the labs he noticed that the further he went down the thicker the doors got and fewer ponies were out side their labs. Until he came to the lab he was instructed to, painted on the door.

Changeling Studies

The sign made him uncomfortable. He was concerned that behind this door he would see the rescued nymph cut to pieces or being tortured for information. He steeled his nerves and pressed the buzzer. The door slid open with a metallic grind.

“Brigade.” Doc greeted him, his goggles readjusting to the new light, “Always a pleasure. Celestia has informed me that you wish to see the changeling rescue?”

“Yes, sir.” He was relived he used the word ‘rescue’ and not prisoner. Doc lead him into the lab. Brigade stopped in his tracks as his eyes adjusted to the dark room. Before him lay changeling corpses dissected and clearly being studied. On the shelves changeling eyes, teeth, and other organs floated in jars. Remnants of the invasion, now he was beginning to see why this place was so secretive.

“All of them killed in battle.” Doc said while leading Brigade through the lab. “Me and my assistants have been studying the changelings for many months and have learned very little, their biology is very alien.” Brigade could see other ponies wearing face masks working quietly in the low light. “So when I heard Acropolis had rescued a live one, and a female on top of it, I took my chance.”

“Your chance?” rescue again, but it didn’t quell his unsavory thoughts.

“Yes, to study one alive, You see changelings are very hard to study. They typically perish in confinement, and food consumption will only prolong their lives so long.” Doc explained.

“Because the live off of emotion?”

“Not just Love, but nearly any emotion! Anger, love, compassion, lust, nearly any emotion can keep a changeling alive. Which is why she survived in those hate filled sewers.” Doc lead Brigade to a large door with SPECIMEN CONTAINMENT written on it.

“So, what you starve them and then expose them to an emotion to see if it works?” Brigades displeasure for this style of research shone through in his tone.

“That’s the old way, they always died before any solid conclusions could be made.” Doc opened the door. “This is my way.”

“What in the…” Brigade was lost for words. In the containment room was a small ecosystem. Before him stretched a small swamp. Swamp trees, lily pads, frogs, the stink of muck and shallow still waters that came with it. If he hadn’t just walked through the lab he wouldn’t have been able to well he wasn’t actually in a very dark swamp. He could hear some small creatures crawling through the trees and the buzz of bugs as they flew past his ears.

“Welcome to the Mimic Swamps.” Doc said with a smile on his face.

“Mimic Swamps?” Brigade was still in shock.

“Yes, changeling homeland, the deepest and most dangerous swampland in all of Equestria. Please.” Doc motioned down the small beaten path. They followed the path through the swamp until they came to a small structure made of local wood and vines. Inside he could see the changeling on a small pile of muck, leaves, and twigs sleeping quietly. “And there she is.”

“Has she moved?”

“No, actually,” Doc frowned and took a swig of his flask as they moved into the small hut. “Not since she spoke with you.” Doc picked up a medical chart hanging on the wall. “She is medically fine, or at least as far as I can tell.” His goggles whirred and clicked as he read.

“I wonder why?’ Brigade looked at her sleeping face, as he looked at her her face turned peaceful.

“Beats me, I cant figure how to raise her.”

“What have you tried?” Brigades question was spiteful.

“Calm down, I may be a mad scientist but im not psychotic, well okay im not sadisti- macho- whatever im not that bad of a guy.” He goes back to reviewing her chart.

“Well then,” Brigade goes back to the changeling, “Good bye little changeling, wake up soon.” He got up and went over to Doc. “I did what I wanted, shall we leave?”

“Really? That’s it?”

“I finish what I start Doc, I did not get to see where my charge had been moved to, now that I have, I can move on.” Brigade explained.

“I see, truly an honorable trait.” Doc hung the chart back on the wall.

“Shhickckck…”

“What?” Doc asked.

“Wasn't me.” A surprised Brigade replied.

“Siicshshickk, Brigade.” They turned around as the changeling opened her eyes.

“I do believe she is awake Brigade, did she just say your name?” Doc amazed as he started taking notes.

“Yes she did.” Brigade went back to her bedside. “you remember me right?” she nodded, a small smile on her face.

“She must have reacted to you,” Doc paused, “maybe healing and locomotion energy are derived from positive emotions, would explain her lack of resistance in the sewer?”

“So what none of you down here have emotions?” Brigade commented as the changeling reached up for help out of her gooey bed.

“Not really, helps with all the unethical studies.” Doc goggles spun around to different lens.

“There you go,” Brigade got her on her hooves, wobbly he stands next to her. Leaning her against him to keep her upright. Gripping a small bowl of water with his magic he brings it over to her. Noticing the water she starts to drink it feverishly. “thirsty eh? Hey Doc.” Brigade motions for them to step out as she drinks.

“Yes?” Doc answers still feverishly documenting the wobbly changeling.

“What now?” Brigade whispers.

“What do you mean?” His goggles switched lens again.

“I mean what do you do with her now? Study her? Dissect her? Interrogate her? Tell me.” Brigade demands.

“It really is none of your concern but, I have my orders Brigade.” Doc said coldly striking a nerve with Brigade.

“And what are your orders?”

“Contain, Secure, and Study.” Doc’s goggles spin again, “She has a environment which should maintain her basic needs, and an entire staff to make sure she is healthy.”

“Keep her down here? I don’t know much about changelings-”

“You know nothing about changelings.” Doc cut him off.

“Maybe, but I know that down here, with you and your, no offense, heartless assistants she will starve.” Brigade made his point.

“No offense taken,” Doc paused and thought for a second. “What would you have me do? Release her? Let her roam the streets of Canterlot? 'Cause that went so well for her last time.”

“I-I don’t know. But she will die down here eventually.” He looks over to her with a pained look on his face.

“Why don’t you assist me in that?” He motions for them to re-enter the hut. Brigade helps her to sit down on her muck bed.

“What do you mean?” Brigade asks. Doc motions to the still groggy changeling. Assuming that the Doc wants him to talk with her he leans down meeting her eyes. “Hi there, how are you doing?” He asks her.

“Hiss Chicicks Gurriilickshsh.” She replies with a slight smile.

“Equestrian please.” He asks with a grin.

“Sorry, I-I’m okay, tired.” She leans back on her muck bed.

“What’s your name?” A question Brigade never thought to ask.

“Chiickck.” she replies in changeling.

“Is that short for something?” Brigade chuckles. Her eyes open a bit more and some more color comes to her skin.

“Its, like a shine, light, bouncing.” She tries to find the proper word.

“Like, a glint?” The Doc exclaims.

“Glint, yes my name is Glint.” She places a hoof to her head, “Its coming back to me in pieces.” She looks pained.

“Now, now, your safe now.” Brigade tries to comfort her, “No pony here is going to hurt you.”

“I know.” She smiles at him and closes her eyes. He can feel her pulling his emotions off him, not ripping them from him, more like gently trimming the edges.

“Fascinating.” Doc writes in his notes. “It would seem my hunch was correct.”

“Hunch?”

“Yes, I would like you to visit me and her everyday.” Doc writes a few more things down.

“Everyday? What for?” Brigade asks, Glints wings buzz slightly.

“So she can feed, Idjit.” Doc bonks him on the head with his notebook. “You said so yourself, she will die down here with me and mine. But you bleed compassion, honor, all sorts of emotions. Even if you are like a statue most of the time.”

“Why me?” Brigade asked.

“Sweet Celestia, you really are an Idjit.” Doc hangs the notebook back on the wall. “She reacted to you, not your emotions, mostly, but to you. And until I know why, how, and how that thing ticks. Im going to need your help.”

“Thing?” He looks back at Glint as she looks out the small window and out into the swamp. What was it Acropolis said? Aint she a looker? I guess I could have worse assignments. “I’ll have to clear this with Captain Armor.”

“Im sure he wont protest.” Doc smiles knowing his research could continue. Glint smiles softly feeding off of Brigades emotions.

Asyl (part 2)

Acropolis slunk into the darkness just down the hall from the wardens office. The blind pony had followed him almost all the way up, calling and chiding for him during the slow ascension. Losing him on the last floor when he had to climb up the broken stairs. The only clean windows in the building were here in the hall, and through them Acropolis could see a grey stallion, untouched, in clean white robes, talking into a communication crystal. He scanned the room, the furniture was clean and neat, some were even repaired. Bizarre paintings hung on the wall and a bookcase in the corner was stocked with books which surprisingly still held all their pages. This isn’t what I expected. he thought. Then he noticed the desk, on it was a plate of what looked like cooked meat.  Where did he get meat down- oh, that’s gross. He tried the door silently. It wasn’t locked.  This is too easy. Pushing the door open he crept into the room coming up behind the robed stallion.

“My children, do not fear for me for I hold the eye of god.” The stallion turned around to face Acropolis. A purple rock hung around his neck, a crazed smile on his face. Acropolis' eyes find their way to the stone and they lock onto it. Frozen in place, his mind races every thought he’s ever had. A familiar sensation. “And the eye will protect me from my enemies.” Acropolis’s vision begins to fail him. “And drive my foes into the arms of Luna, into the grip of madness…” His voice fades away as the world blows out to white. Acropolis loses consciousness slipping into the white void of his mind.

***

“Gah!” Rune shift flinches from the connection with Acropolis being suddenly severed. Reclaiming the keys she had dropped she unlocks the cafeteria door. Opening the door she slips quietly into the large room. Before her was a large mushroom farm, with one very deformed pony tilling the, filth?  Oh, what are these growing in? it smells like- never mind, I don’t care. Passing through the farm while keeping our of sight she comes to another large room with another farm. This one is some kind of moss she doesn’t recognize. The pony tilling this room is just as deformed as the last, and so is the filth.  Okay they live off of mushrooms and moss, got it. Now I have to destroy this farm. Slipping past the farmers she makes it into the kitchen area. oh my. The cookers were working, only instead of mushroom soup Rune could see body parts bobbing up and down in the pots. In that moment a caged elevator next to her lights up indicating somepony was coming up. Quickly she hid behind the fowl cooker.

“Pastor, caught one of them I see.” One deformed pony said.

“Yeah,” A much deeper pony replies. “I got ‘em in the sack.”

“Yes, I did.” A regular ponies voice chimed in.

“Pastor.” The other two replies in unison.

“Quickly now, I have another guest to greet in the basement.” They board the elevator and with a rattle, clank, and a slow grind the elevator descends.

Luna! And they captured Acropolis! Buck, could this get any worse?

***

Luna silently crept though the machine room searching for the proper control panel to restart the machine. Without warning the lights in the room come blinking on. Luna calmly resigns the fact that they now know where she is as the speakers in the room crackle to life.

“Why have you come?” The Pastors voice comes over the speaker.

“To reclaim my prison.” Luna replies calmly.

“Your prison?” The lights to what Luna assumes is a control room flicker above her. “YOUR PRISON!?”

“Yes, I am Princess Luna!” She flies up so she is level with the windows, “And this is my prison!” Inside she can see three ponies, two deformed ones and a clean grey one. And another, tied to chair and wrapped up in a sack.

“Princess? Hah!”

Princess? Runes voice come over the link. Luna can hear the elevator clatter behind them.

Rune Shift? What is your progress?

Gas leak in the kitchen will burn out the farms in there next time one of them starts a cooker. Luna can see Her down the hall from the ponies facing her.

Good, stay there for now, where is Acropolis?

I believe he is in the sack. Runes tone is sad.

“Our princess died in the before time!” The Pastor shouts slamming his hood into the console.

Perfect, Ideas? Luna asks over the link.

Wreck these psychotics?

“I am your Princess, you will restore power to this facility, return to the ward, and surrender yourselves to my rule.” Luna demands as her horn lights up preparing her magic.

“Not so fast false princess!” the Pastor pulls off the sack, revealing and unconscious Acropolis beneath. “Surrender to me, or I will kill this one, he is one of yours? Correct?”

“Correct.” Luna dispels her magic. Rune how do you feel about some danger close magic?

Danger close?

Yes, I give you a feel of the room though the link and you cast your magic to take them out. Luna looks down the hall pretending to think but really making eye contact with Rune.

“Well, false princess?” the Pastor grabs Acropolis’s head jerking it back.

Rune?

Yes! Ill do it!

Good! Luna’s eyes light up blue as her vision fills Runes mind. The world slows down to a crawl as Rune’s vision is pulled from her own a shows what Luna is seeing. Quickly memorizing their positions Luna dispels the vision share before the Pastor realizes.

“Wait!” Luna calls out.

“Do you surrender?” Pastor asks.

“No, what do you want on your tombstone?” Luna asks with a half smile.

“What?” The Pastor barley get the words out when magic runes appear all over the room. Thin wires shoot out of the runes passing through the room quickly and dispersing just as quickly. They lock up in shock unable to move. Rune slowly walk into the room dispelling her magic.

“What did you do?’ Luna asks. An explosion rings out over head, clearly some pony turned on a stove. The slight rumble makes the trio slide apart into bloody slices. The gory mess sliding into piles in the control room. Luna just hovers there watching as they slide apart like some sick slinky. “Oh, well that’s different.” Rune walks over and hit’s a rather large red switch. With a loud slam the machine room buzzes to life.

“I do believe, we have accomplished our mission.” Rune comments as she collects up the recovering Acropolis.

“Agreed.” Luna flys in and lands next to the diced pastor. Noticing the strange stone among the slices.  Gripping it with her magic she pulls it from the mess. “A moon stone?”

“A what?” Rune turns to look at what Luna is holding. Only to have her head pushed away by Luna’s magic.

“Moon stone, put simply an solid chunk of insanity.” Luna destroys the stone, releasing Runes head. “My apologies, but to view the stone would drive most ponies mad, and I don’t feel quite like carrying you both out of here.”

“Carry?” Rune smiles, “Bringen mich zurück auf den Anker.” and she vanishes with the unconscious Acropolis in a flash of blue light.

“Oh, I had forgot about that.” Luna turns to the panels. Moving some levers to ensure a steady functioning she steps back. Looking down at the dead ponies before her she shakes her head slowly. “Bringen mich zurück auf den Anker” and vanishes in a flash of blue light.

***

“Acropolis?” Runes voice echoed in his head. “Acropolis?”

“Rune, I can hear you.” Acropolis said as he regained consciousness. The bright lights of the medical ward made him wince. “What happened? I remember approaching the pastor and then, nothing.”

“He had a moon stone,” Luna made her presence known, “Literally a physical manifestation of madness.”

“Where is it?” Acropolis asks weakly.

“I destroyed it, such things should be left in our world. Get well soon Acropolis.” And with that Luna left.

“She gets weirder and weirder.” Acropolis chuckled. Brigade enters the room saluting Luna as she passes. “Brigade. Sight for sore eyes.”

“I heard you were knocked out? Not a good rumor to hear about the Lunar Captain.” Brigade seemed in higher spirits than usual.

“Yeah, ill be fine.” He sit ups in his bed, “So, how’s our little changeling?” he says switching up the conversation.

“Im more interested in the house of madness in a cave deep under Canterlot.” Brigade replies chuckling.

“It was unpleasant.” Rune said somberly. She could kill, but didn’t care much for. But bugged her was how more violent her spell choices were getting.

“VERY, unpleasant. Ill give you a copy of the report.” Acropolis paused waiting for his initial question to be answered.

“You knew I couldn’t leave her alone, didn’t you?” Brigade’s tone is harsh.

“Yep, and I knew you would peruse the matter into the labs, and convince the good doctor into treating her more as guest than a science experiment.” Acropolis smiled at his master manipulation of his friend.

“You son of a-, I guess, all well that ends well.” Brigade chuckled.

“That and like I said I wanted somepony I could trust, to watch her, and now to watch Doc.” Acropolis added.

“Doc?” Rune squeaked.

“Yep, hes been biting at the chance to study a live changeling nymph, I cant be there constantly so, Brigades visits should help deter his more, interesting, information collection techniques.” Acropolis sighs, “That pony is truly out of his mind. That and I have my own plans for her.”

“You what?” Acropolis’s statement took Brigade by surprise.

***

Glint soaked in the muck of the swamp chewing on a bug she had caught. Filled up from Brigades earlier visit she relaxes looking up at her fake night sky. Giving a deep sigh she closes her eyes. Thinking back on the days while she was in disguise in Canterlot. She liked it here. That was until they caught her. She couldn’t feel the hive, and she didn’t mind. Suddenly she felt a familiar presence causing her to sit upright in her muck.

“Not good.” She says in changeling, hoping that Brigade would come back so she could tell him that a very dangerous changeling is in Canterlot.

A Match Into A Powder Keg.

WARNING Sexy times incoming

Luna watched as troops loaded into the elevator in the gardens. Heading down to complete securing the reclaimed sub terrain prison. A mixture of Lunar and Celestial guard working together to secure one of Equestrias lost and dark secrets. The idea made her smile as Acropolis joined her on the balcony. Finally on his hooves from several days of bed rest.

“I see your feeling better.” She smiled at him.

“Yeah, not quite up to the armor yet, but ill get there.” He sighs even out of his armor he could still hear the static in the back of his mind. Regardless he still really did enjoy wearing the armor. The constant presence of Lunar Strike’s spirit and the sense of all his men in uniform was comforting. He felt as if he was standing truly alone on the balcony. The usually cacophony of feelings and reports in the back of his mind strangely silent.

“That’s good, The reclamation is going well.” She motions to the soldiers, “After Pastor died, their organization fell apart. Many killed themselves others charged our men, falling to them. But some returned to normal as the moon stone’s was contained Those are currently in Canterlot medical.”

“I see, that’s good, construction should be able to start soon as well.” Acropolis commented wearily.

“Have you been sleeping?”

“Not very well,” He yawns, “Cant seem to sleep well without-” he stops.

“Without?" Luna's intrest was genuine, not many could survive direct contact with a moon stone.

“My own bed,” He recovers quickly, still unsure how to handle the whole sharing a bed with Rune thing, “The hospital beds are so stiff.”  Thank goodness im not in my armor or she would see right through that one.

“Agreed, on another note, Your friend Brigade has become a frequenter of my laboratories. Apparently he has been drafted by Doc, as some sort of emotion supply for your changeling rescue.” Luna changes the subject.

“Yes, as I expected he would,” pausing for a slow inhale, “Brigade may appear stoic but he feels deeply for anything placed in his charge, his duty, his friends, everything." The static pulsed. "On top of being trustworthy I figured he would be able to get through to Glint easier than me or Rune. Since our emotions are clogged up with others while we are armored.”

“Astute observations. Your beginning to sound like Gumshoe.” Luna chuckled.

“Yeah, I guess. Having him running things while we going assignments make more sense than one of us doing it, that and somepony has to be over-analytical.” He chuckled as Brigade enters onto the balcony.

“Princess, Sir.” Brigade salutes, “I have my report about Glint.” Brigade produces a envelope.

“Okay, give me the short version.” Acropolis takes the envelope and stows it.

“Sir, Changeling nymph Glint, responding well to captivity, daily visits from me seem to be her only active times, Doc surmises that she is more active due to the active emotions in the chamber. Also her diet is regular and she seems to be in high spirits, but she has yet to divulge why she was in Canterlot or shift her form at all.” Brigade rattles off the bullet points of his report.

“Anything else I should be aware of?” Acropolis questions, sensing that there is more.

“She seems to have regained her locomotion, and the color of her shell is returning as well. Also she has gained some weight and is back up to a, assumed, healthy standard. She dosent seem to want to talk around Doc. Oh, and the scarring on her flank has almost healed completely.” Brigade finishes his report.

“Those were the worst of her physical wounds,” but I have the feeling that observation had more to do with her flank than the wounds, “Thank you , Brigade.” Acropolis finishes.

“Sir, Princess!” He salutes again and leaves.

“That was a bit awkward.” Luna comments after Brigade is out of hearing range.

“Well, he is mad at me, I tricked him into caring for the changeling, and divulged my plan for her.” Acropolis admits.

“Plan?” Luna's thoughts turned to Celestias comments on keeping her eyes on her captain and lieutenant.

“Yes, imagine a Lunar guard that could infiltrate any establishment? Simply shift into any form and walk right into secure areas, gang hideouts, drug dens, illegal distilleries. Slip in unnoticed, complete their mission, and vanish, right under their noses.” Acropolis gestures heavily accenting his point.

“You wish to recruit her?” Her tone was perplexed, she hadn’t thought of that. She had assumed he would simply release her once Doc got what he wanted. But to recruit a changeling? It was un-heard of. “You truly are making this a guard to remember if your recruitment standards keep up like this.”

“Princess, I am simply collecting ponies that do their jobs, and love it. Or have a skill set that makes us as a whole stronger.” Acropolis looks down at the soldiers near the elevator, a slight twinge runs through his head. “And we will get stronger, until nothing can stand before the Lunar guard.” The static stopped.

Rune shift relished in assignment to do some research. Todays research project was into other forms of magic. Some legends even tell of pegasai and earth ponies casting spells. However she didn’t seem to be able to find out how they did it, only that they did it. Although the Lunar library was ancient and contained knowledge hidden from the public, she lacked a few tomes that she believed would shine light on her intended project. And she could only think of one other mare that would have a copy of these rare and somewhat illegal books. Princess Sparkle.

Acropolis is training in the lunar gardens. Trying to regain what muscle he lost while laid up and attempting to perfect his wing based fighting style. Parrying the spinning fighting dummy with his wings and using his forelegs to block as well. In his training trance he didn’t notice Shining Armor enter the garden.

“Impressive.” Shining broke the silence. Acropolis stopping the dummy dead with his hoof. “Very impressive, I figured that dexterity came from the armor but it would seem that your style was in development long before then.”

“Captain, what brings you here?”

“Brigade,” Shining moves over to a empty armor stand and begins to unbuckle his armor, “Since he seems to be under your command now, I was wondering why you just don’t recruit him?” Shining was now completely out of his armor.

“He likes his station I guess.” Acropolis was unsure how to answer, his friend always helped the guard, both of them.

“I see, do you want him?” Shinings question was loaded and hung heavy.

“That’s his choice.” Acropolis followed Shining as he walked into the sparing area.

“Hmm, You know ive been thinking,” Shining cracks his neck, “you and I haven’t really spared yet. If your up to it, id like to challenge you.”

“I just got out of the hospital, id rather not-”

“Oh no not a duel, no magic, no armor, no wings, first to three hits wins?" Shining smiles at him.

“First to three wins? What do we win?”

“Bragging rights? Honor? Whatever.” Shining muses at him. Acropolis was beginning to find he surfer dude tone annoying at this point, almost mocking even.

“Okay im game.” Acropolis readied for combat pulling his wings back against his body.

“Good, now lets begin.” Shining took a step forward and launched him self into the air. Rolling out of the way, Acro barley dodged the falling elbow. Without missing a beat Shining shifts his weight onto the foreleg he landed on, and spinning on it, he knees Acro in the shoulder while rotating upside down. “One for me.” He dismounts his hoof and lands with a spin, kicking up dust.

“What in the? What was that!” Acropolis is amazed by his speed and agility. Or such a large stallion there is no way he could move that fast.

“If you win ill tell you.” Shining dashes at Acro. At the last second he drops to ground in a slide, catching Acro off guard. Attempting to side step the attack only puts him exactly where Shining wants him. Pushing a foreleg into the ground shining pops up into the air. Once again upside down Shining double kicks down at Acro. To his amazement he instinctively blocks the kicks with his arms. “Good.” Dismounting his hoof again Shining rotates in midair and brings his knee down on top of Acropolis. Taking the grunt with his arms Acropolis rolls out of the way. “Lets mix it up.” Shining rushes Acropolis with standard punches, both stallions on their hind legs and upright. Acropolis can barely block Shining punches they are coming in so fast. Acropolis sees his opening and punches. Shining dodges without moving his feet. Acro punches again, Shining seems to vanish as his punch hits nothing but air. Releasing a flurry of punches Acropolis leans in striking nothing. Shining isn’t even blocking the punches, just dodging using only his upper body. Frustrated Acro goes for a hammer strike. This one Shining blocks, and counters with a head but. Knocking Acro to the ground. “Two, me.” Shining says rubbing his forehead.

“You son of a-” Acro got back up and continues his assault. Instinctively going for a similar attack to what he used on Brigade. Quickly realizing that he relied on his wings completely during that fight. Instead he resins and resorts to punches, which Shining blocks with ease. Acropolis goes for a roundhouse kick. Shining catches it expertly, and casts Acro a smile, only for Acro to come up with his other leg and kick him across the face. Slamming them both onto the ground. “One me.”

“Good one.” They return to their hooves. Shining goes on the offensive and forces Acro to block his incredibly fast attacks. He has Acro on the ropes, he cant do anything. If he drops his guard to attack Shining will get him. He cant attack from here, shining will just dodge it. He sees another opportunity. Thrusting both hooves forward past shinings head, catching him off guard. Gripping the back of his head he pulls shining head towards his head butting him as hard as he can.

“Point me.” Acro says slyly.

“Nope.” Shining breaks Acros’ grip instantly unfazed from the head but and returns in kind. Shinings head but lands with so much force the world goes fuzzy for a moment before Acro falls to the ground in a daze. The ringing in his ears was so loud it only compacted his headache. Shining helped Acropolis back onto his feet with a smile. “I guess I won.”

“I guess you did.” Shaking his head trying to get the ringing to stop. “I guess ill never find out how you learned to fight like that.”

“Golden Cider.” Shining says bluntly as he puts his armor back on.

“What?”

“Golden Cider taught me, it’s a martial art developed by earth ponies so they could fight unicorns and peagsai.” Shinings tone went back to his captain voice, “Its all about momentum and using the entirety of your body as a weapon. Unfortunately Golden has since passed on. But I would assume her son or even her daughter might be willing to teach you.”

“Who are they?” His interest peaked.

“I believe you know them already? Applejack and Big Macintosh.” Shivers went down Acro’s spine as Shining spoke. The thought of Big Mac moving like that or being kicked like that from AJ frightened him. But he thought back to all the fights she had been in. She didn’t use the style Shining just displayed. Just normal bucking and rodeo tricks.

“Hard to believe, ive seen them both in fights. They were nothing special.” his feeble attempt to dismiss the scary thoughts from his mind.

“For their lives?” Shining's point was made, they rarely were in extreme danger.

“No, just a timber wolf skirmish on their farm.” He thought hard back to that day he helped protect the farm. AJ had done an elbow drop and a sweep kick. Maybe Shining was telling the truth, maybe AJ and Big Mac really were trained in this style. “What is the style called?”

“Erde Fausten, my ancient equestrian is rusty but it roughly translates to-”

“Earth Punch.” Acro cuts him off.

“Anything of note happen tonight? Shining really dislikes it when we omit things from our joint reports.” Acropolis yawns, putting his desk back in order. In the barracks many ponies are returning from their shifts, taking off their armor, or trying to sleep.

“A brawl, attempted burglary, noise complaint.” Gumshoe read off a list of the nights incidents.

“Noise complaint? Ponies hearing screams from the sewers again?” Acropolis jested darkly.

“Hardly, a new club opened up in south side and apparently the soundproofing of the building wasn’t up to par with,” He searched through papers, “What witnesses called a ‘Bass Cannon’, who comes up with this stuff?”

“Let me guess, White, Unicorn, mare, Rune’s height, blue stripped mane?” Gumshoe simply nodded at Acropolis' question. “Good to see Vinyl’s moving up in the world.” Rune approached the table with a long yawn.

“Paper work done?” She asked.

“Just finished.” Gumshoe slid the nights reports into an envelope with ‘Shining’ written on the side.

“Good, im off to bed.” She said groggily, quickly casting a glance over to Acro. Who was trying his best not to acknowledge the look.

“’Night Rune.” Once she was safely out of ear shot, “Dude, are you sleeping with her or what?” Gumshoe’s question was blunt, like him.

“Well, technically, yes,” Gumshoe gasped, “But its nothing sexual. Really we are literally just sleeping together.”

“Really? That’s all, just sleep going on up there?” Gumshoe began to go into investigation mode.

“I swear if I wake up and find you in her room-”

“Oh, sweet Luna, you sleep in her room,” Gumshoe could read ponies like nopony else, “My friend, I worry about you sometimes. You and your inability to see the things right in front of you.”

“Oh, like what?” Gumshoe bonks him on the head. “Oww what?”

“Wow, you are dense, your sleeping with her and there are no emotions there? Really? What are you a machine? You know what, your on your own with this one. Good night.” Gumshoe got up and left the barracks swiftly not giving Acro time to reply.

“I guess, I should check in on Doc before I head off.” Acro looked around his empty office, “Who the buck am I talking to?”

“Acro!” Doc greeted, “Didn’t expect to see you here today!” Lab technicians milled about in the laboratories. Still studying and probing the changeling corpses.

“I just stopped by to see how Glint is doing.” Acro gave his weak excuse for delaying his trip to Runes bed.

“Well, when other ponies are around she is quite lively,” Doc led him to the containment room, “But usually she just floats around and catches bugs.”

“Has she shared any info?”

“Nothing useful to you, ive got tones of research, but very little Intel. I don’t think she likes talking to me.” Doc opened the large doors. Acro could see the nymph floating in the water near her hut. Almost as instantly as Acro entered the room the changeling popped out of the water and came running up to him.

“Acropolis!” She greeted.

“See?.” Doc commented.

“Hello, Glint I just came by to see how you were doing.”

“Well, this place is a bit boring, but I understand why im down here, I just hope ill be able to return to the surface.” She smiled and leaned towards him breathing deeply through her nose.

“That’s good,” Acro was becoming uncomfortable to how close the nymph was, “Whats got you in such a dandy mood?”

“You silly! Your practically bleeding love!” the changeling clicked taking another deep breath.

“L-love?” Acropolis mimicked, he stared at the changeling for a moment. “Good night Glint, Doctor.” Acropolis quickly left the lab leaving the two standing there confused.

“I guess love perks you right up.” Doc asks.

“Well it is the most potent emotion we feed on.” Glint says as she returns to her muck.

Sexy inbound, skip if you want not plot relevant

Rune lay in her bed quietly trying to fall sleep. He has taken so long she had assumed he either went to his own bed or was still working. She still couldn't reconcile her feelings for him. Surely he could feel them on the link? And she knew that working relationships don't work out usually. But she didn't really care. The more she thought about it the more all she wanted was him next to her. No, truly she wanted more from him. She didn't want his presence, she wanted him. Every inch of him. Now calm down girl, she thought, No point getting all hot and bothered just before bed. She wondered of her first time. Would it hurt? Im sure he would be gentle, of course I wouldn't mind if was a little rough. Oh, Luna what am I thinking?

Take off your pendant. Luna's voice harshly echoed in Runes mind. She quickly ripped off her pendant and placed it on her bed side.

Oh, dear. That was unfortunate. Her mind wandered back to Acropolis, I wonder if he even thinks of me like that? After all he would be my first, really, doing anything like that. The door swung open startling her. "Acropolis?" His pendant landing near the foot of the bed, "Are you okay?"

"Never better." He climbs right on top of her planting a firm kiss right on her lips. She squeaks, surprised by his boldness. They separate and look into each others eyes for a moment. "Sorry about that I just had to get that-"

Rune wraps her arms around him pulling him in to a deeper and much longer kiss. They roll back on the bed. Releasing each other with a gasp.

"-Off my chest"Acro finishes his sentence.  

"Get more off your chest." Rune says in a sultry tone, resigning herself to her passions. Gripping him tighter she pulls him down onto her again. Their mouths intertwined in passions embrace. Acropolis' tongue slyly asking permission to enter her mouth. Opening her jaw to let it in she wraps his tongue in her own. Their tongues rolling about in their mouths only increase the heat of the moment. Acropolis pulls back to get a full breath, a saliva trail from his mouth to hers falls away as he backs up. Her eyes half lidded with her tongue hanging out is a sight that fuels Acropolis's desires. He buries his face into her neck, kissing and licking every inch of her he can. "Ac-Ac-Acro."She stammers out, in a weak attempt to get his attention.

"Yeah?" Removing his head from her neck.

"I've never actually done this before." She says softly.

"Neither have I." Burying his face into her neck once more.

"Could have fooled me." She says rolling her head back as the sensation of his kisses overwhelm her. She now can feel something hot along her inner thigh. Looking down she spies his stallion-hood in full attention. It twitches as if it noticed her staring. Oh wow, she thought,  That's big. The kissing began to move down her chest, his member vanishing below the covers. "A-A-Acro." His kisses now working his way around her hips.

"Huuhn?" Is all she gets as he gets closer and closer to her prize.

"Ac-Ac-Ac~" She once again resigns herself to her passions.

"Uhhuh." He moves ever closer to her now glistening treasure. He pulls back for a second to look at the mare before him. Fore hooves pulled up to her chest, half lidded eyes, tongue barley in her mouth as she pants. Their eyes meet for a moment in their ecstasy, his eyes silently asking permission for the next event.

"Acro~" she rolls her head back into her pillow as Acro's mouth descends on her prize. His lips touch the lips of her passageway and she shutters in pleasure. Her moans and squeaks only adding more fire to the moment. He rolls his tongue around the exterior before thrusting his tongue into her. She grabs the back of his head on reaction pulling him into her. Her scent fills his nostrils, driving him to go deeper and faster with his tongue. "Acro-"She starts to shutter. Feeling her beginning to climax he buries his face into her, greedily rolling his tongue deep inside her. "Ac-a-ACRO!!" She climaxes hard, squirting her juices into his mouth and onto his chin. Her taste is sweeter than he thought it would be. Panting Acro releases from her, his tongue hanging, and begins to climb back onto the bed. Seeing his shaft once more Rune pushes him onto his back, getting on top of him. "Lets be fair."

"O-okay."Taken off guard by her sudden movement. She kisses him passionately, tasting herself on his lips. Strangely this only made her wet again. She can feel his shaft bouncing off her flank, pulsing with his heart beat. Moving her hips slightly so she can rub his shaft along the space between her starfish and tail. He lets out of soft groan as she rubs him. Gyrating so his entire member rubs along her. He can feel her prize and starfish pucker and pulse as she slides past them. "Rune I-"

"Shh," she kisses him, "my turn." With a sultry smile she slides down him, dragging her tongue down his front until she is face to face with his member. Its pulses as if greeting her. She looks up at Acro as she wraps the tip of him with her tongue. He shutters and throws back his head.

"Ohhh~" She hadn't heard him make that noise before. She takes the head in her mouth slowly running her tongue around the edge. Acro makes noises that aren't complete words, his mind going in every direction from her treatment. Slipping more of him into her mouth she quickly finds not all of him will fit. Undeterred she moans with him against the back of her throat. "Ahhh BUCK!"  Acro slams his head into the pillow in ecstasy. Sliding him out of her mouth with a pop she grins up at him.

"It would seem I found a sweet spot." He groans in response. Going back to his member she opens wide and takes him in her mouth once more. She slides up and down alternating her swiftness in a attempt to make it last as long as she can. Moaning as he hit's the back of her throat. Acro grabs her mane and lightly pulls on her hair. Looking up at him she meets his eyes. His stare is one of pure bliss, his mind focused on nothing but her. Smiling with him still in her mouth she speeds up rapidly. Bouncing him off the back of her throat. With every thrust she moans. His hips start reacting trying to trust deeper into her mouth. He suddenly sits bolt upright, grabbing her head with both hooves, and pressing her deeper onto his member. She takes it, her eyes rolling back, his seed beginning to pump into her mouth and directly down her throat. With each powerful twitch more of his seed is shot into her, she relished every hot load he gives her. He relaxes his grip and falls back onto the bed. Freed from him she continues to suck  as he continues to blow in spurts. After the spurts seem to finish she pulls off him with a wet pop. Gasping, she rolls what is left of his seed around in her mouth before looking at him. His eyes meet hers, and she swallows the load. In a final display his member fires one more time right onto her mouth. Panting from it she wipes her face and licks it off her hoof. Unable to take any more Acropolis relaxes completely onto the bed. She is surprised at the taste of him and his seed. She couldn't place it, but she liked it.  

"Rune." He says panting, "I bucking love you."His eyes still lightly glazed over. His mind hasn't yet recovered. She climbs up to him and kisses him ferociously. Their tastes mixing in their mouths. With a sloppy pop they separate once again saliva and other fluids strung between them.

"I love you too."Rune says as she starts slowly kissing around his neck. "I bucking love you too."

An Eventful Night

Acropolis stood on Rune’s balcony watching as the sun began to set. The orange and purples beginning to announce the end of Celestia’s day. His pipe hung loose in his mouth, smoke slowly leaking out of his half open mouth. Usually only used in moments of undue stress today he used it more to calm his mind and shush the static. He thought back to when he woke up an hour before, laying where they fell, his vision was filled with Rune’s fur, his nostrils still filled with her scent. He had laid there in her embrace far longer than he should have.

What should I do? He places his pipe on the railing and headed back into the bedroom, I want this, but I shouldn’t, im her superior. Taking a seat on the bed, I shouldn’t have this kind of relationship with her, I cant have this kind of relationship with her. I have to stop this before it goes to far. He steels his nerves and leans down to her. “Rune,” He shakes her gently, “Rune?”

“Hmmm?” She awakes, opening her eyes half way. Spying Acro she smiles contently happy to see him still in her bed.

“Rune I-I uhh.” He looks her in the eye, looks away for a second, the static got louder, then looks back, “I love you.” Kissing her softly the static quiets. She groans happily in response.

“Is it time to get up?” She closes her eyes again.

“Not yet, ill wake you again when it is.” Once again she moans in response, snuggling back into the warm bed. Returning to his pipe on the balcony he takes a long drag and slowly lets the smoke bellow out of his mouth. Buck.  He looks to the sun for once, What am I going to do?

Acropolis had never had so much trouble getting into his armor. Rune had beat him to getting dressed and she took her time, even asking for his help to tighten the straps along her flank. This distraction almost resulted in them being late. It was a big night after all. Post was due in for their requests, Glint was to be moved into a more comfortable area and questioned, Spinneret was being released from the hospital, and Asyl was finished being cleared out. Now all they needed to do was catch Hannibal find out who the Master was and figure out why Agora made Acropolis sick. Truly a day to be tardy for.

“Acropolis.” Luna said announcing their near tardiness’ to the rest of the group. Gumshoe, Brigade, and Shining were all at the captains table. “You were nearly late.”

“We, uhh, I,” He quickly corrected, “had some trouble getting into my armor this morning.”

“Me, too.” Rune added not really looking at anypony as she took her seat.

“Well now that we are all here I will start with tonight’s briefing. Captain Shining is here to de-brief us on the reclamation of Asyl, how is it that coming?” Luna gestured for Shining to speak.

“Contractors are eager to get their hooves on such a prestigious building. Bidding with being tomorrow morning. We estimate it will be functional by the end of the month.” Shining wasn’t in his armor Acro noticed, rather he was in his dress blues. “I will be transferring management of the project back to you Princess as I am needed in the Crystal Empire, it would seem I have been away from my wife far too long.” He chuckles. “Flash Sentry, my lieutenant will be acting captain while I am away. Goodnight.” And with that Shining saluted and left the room.

“Very well, Brigade, how is Glint?” Luna moved right on to the next bullet point.

“Well, in better spirits, but will not talk around Doc or his staff, I believe it has something to do with their lack of emotion. I don’t think she trusts them. So I have arranged her to be brought up here, she will be waiting for us in the Lunar conference hall.” His report delivered he sits back down.

“Good, finally some answers from her, on a different note, Spinneret is being released from the hospital tonight. She expressed desire to speak with Acropolis and Rune before she departed.” Luna looked back down to her papers. “unfortunately, Hannibal killed a pony in Trottingham yesterday, ‘And they will continue to die’ written in ancient equestrian.” The room ran cold with this news.

“Any leads?” Acropolis asks.

“None, nopony saw or heard anything, no evidence, same bloody mess.” Luna then pulled three envelopes from a pile. “On a brighter note these came for you two.” handing the letters to them with her magic. One was a letter from Twilight to Rune, the second was to Acro from the Apples, and the third was to Acro as well. The blue envelope only had a musical note to identify the sender. They opened their letters.

“Twilight says she has some books that might be of use and she will be in Canterlot on business tomorrow, and she will bring the books with her! Fantastic!” Rune is visibly excited.

“The Apples, agreed to train me, to a degree. They are making deliveries the day after tomorrow. They will swing by then to see if I can do it.” He pumps his arm in success. He then opens the final blue letter. “Acro, as im sure you have heard by now I have club in Canterlot. I would just love for you, Rune, and of course Luna to come by and check it out, I play on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and have guest DJ’s in between. But I am always there. Stop by anytime. -Vinyl and Octavia.” He finishes reading, “Octavia? The cellist? I guess that why this letter isn’t filled with puns or innuendo’s.”

“Vinyl has a club in town?” Luna seemed angry at this fact. “And you two didn’t tell me?”

“I feel I have missed something.” Gumshoe comments.

“I guess it slipped our minds?” Acro defended.

Spinneret stood in the barracks looking out the window waiting for their meeting to finish. She has been through a lot, waking up covered in blood, believing she was possessed by a chaotic ghost, and having a mental break. All in all she survived. She had lost some weight but had regained her mind. The wounds were deep for her but they were healing.

“Spini!” Acropolis’ voice greeted her, “You look great! Up and around and everything!”

“Yes,” Her voice was weak, “I believe I might be ready to return home, I just wish my brother was around to help me.”

“Spini,” Rune placed a hoof on her shoulder, “What do you mean?”

“Well, I left my shop so suddenly, im sure it’s a right mess now. I almost don’t want to go back to it. Im not really sure I have the heart to sew, anymore.” She was still having issues, Acro could tell as much. He shared his feeling with Rune and Luna over the link. Coming to a silent consensus Acro spoke up.

“Spini, look why don’t you stay in Rune’s room here in the castle until you’ve sorted out the sewing thing?” Acro offered.

My room? Runes voice echoed in his mind, Why my room?

Because my room faces the moonrise and I have a bigger bed! He retorted silently.

“I just don’t know.” She paused and though for a moment.

“I do already have a sewing machine in there you can use, I cant use the thing anyway.” Rune sweetened the deal.

“Okay, I will take your kind offer.” Spini smiled. Her smile made Acro and Rune very happy.

“But first ill have to change the sheets.” Rune added, Acro instantly blushing.

“Oh,” Spini was confused at his reaction. “Okay then.”

Glint walked around on the ceiling closely examining the paintings that were also on the ceiling, buzzing what Brigade could only assume was a changeling nursery rhyme. Her scurrying made him twitch every time she moved from panting to painting. Every time she lifted off and flew over to another he was reminded of the invasion, having little mini flashbacks to that dark day. Acropolis and Rune entered the conference room with Luna in tow.

“Brigade, is she here? Or are you her?” Acro asked taking a seat.

“I am me, she is up there.” Brigade points the ceiling, where the changeling shyly waves down a them.

“Ah, definitely feeling better.” Rune comments as she buzzes down sitting next to Rune.

“So are you,” Glint leans in and takes a big whiff of Rune, “Tasty.” She smiles well knowing what happened last night.

“Do you know why you are here?” Luna asks, rather harshly.

“To answer questions.” Glint responds suddenly taking a serious tone.

“Yes, firstly,” Acro took over, “The fourth stallion, in the sewer, do you know who he was?”

“No, he was the smart one, never let me see his face. But the others called him Gil, brown coat, about your build, smelled of onions.”

“Good, thank you Glint.” Acro wrote down the name and description, “Also-”

“Why were you in Canterlot?” Luna cut him off.

“I am, was, a forward scout, I infiltrate a area, decide if we can harvest, and report in.” Her honesty was almost shocking, “But I never got to complete my mission, I got in and then I was grabbed by those, Chhcicksksk!” Her tone was of disgust, nopony needed an translation for that, “So I never reported back in. I can only assume the Queen went for plan B then.”

“Plan B?” Rune asked.

“Yeah, replace somepony in royalty, send troops out to nowhere, have them replaced and use the military to quietly harvest. But since were all still here and I cant sense any other normal changelings, that didn’t go to well.” Glints flatness as surprising.

“Why are you telling us this? I was sure I would have to bribe you or something.” Acro admitted.

“By now, ive been labeled a traitor. Even if I wanted to go back to the hive, I couldn’t. lying to you will only lead to me being hurt, that and I kind of like it here. Up here that is, I mean the swamp is nice but there’s no emotions down there. So stuffy.” Glint explains herself. Brigade notices something in her speech.

“Normal changeling?” Brigade speaks up, “You said normal changeling?”

“Yes, Chrysalis is in Canterlot.” They all look at each other shocked. “I though you had maybe captured her?”  

“No, she’s been missing since the invasion.” Luna quickly gets up, “I must speak with my sister, goodnight.” She swiftly leaves the room.

“Well, I think ill call it here, unless you’ve got something else to share?” Acro looks to Glint she shakes her head. “Well, off we go then. Always a pleasure Glint. Brigade, do make sure she gets home safe.” And with that Acro and Rune leave as well. Brigade silently walks up to her, standing beside her like a statue.

“Glint, we should go-” he stops as he notices she is crying, “Glint I-” She jumps up and wraps her forearms around his neck burring her face into his chest plate. Tears flowing freely as the changeling sobs. He reaches around her and softly pats her back. She stops for a moment.

“I-I don’t want to go back down there.” She sniffles, “Its so cold. Like the sewers.” It strikes Brigade that is why she is uncomfortable down there. The coldness from the doctor reminds her of the coldness from her assaulters. He pulls the changeling closer.

“Can you transform?” He asks, looking down at her. She looks up and nods.

Luna stands in Celestia’s chambers, eyes wide at the sight before her. Celestia and the changeling queen casually chatting over tea. Her mind searches for a reason, a reasonable explanation, grappling with far more emotions than she can process all at once. The changeling queen looks towards Luna, her expression quickly moving into surprise as Luna’s magic flares up instinctively. Celestia stands up in an attempt to stay her sister.

“Princess?” The Queen gets out before a ring of magic around her neck slams her into the wall, holding her there.

“Luna!” Celestia is quick to get between her and the queen. “Let her go!” Her own horn flaring up with magic.

“Explain to me why she is here having tea FIRST!” Luna’s voice booms, echoes can be heard in Canterlot. The ring tightens around the queens neck.

“We are trying to settle on a peaceful arrangement.” Luna looks from Celestia to Chrysalis. The Queen nods quickly, pawing at the ring around her neck. “Luna, please let her go.”

“Very well.” Luna dispels her magic, “Never again keep such secrets from me,” Her glare at Celestia is dark, “I never ends well.” She storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her with her magic.

“That could have gone better,” Chrysalis coughs, staggering to her feet, “Could have gone worse too.”

“Alas my sister is prone to action first, questions later.” Celestia turns to the Queen. “Luckily, she usually sees reason. Im sure by now she has calmed down.” Several thunder claps break the silent night. “Or not.”

Acropolis is lounging at his desk, smoking his pipe. Sorting over tonight’s events, making sure he didn’t forget anything. Suddenly over the link he feels Luna start a fight, and as quickly at it came it vanished. The static in his mind flares up drown out all thought.

ACROPOLIS! MY CHAMBER NOW! Luna’s voice rung out over the link.

“I guess im needed else where,” He snuffs his pipe, “My princess calls.” a thunder clap breaks the silence of the night, “She either really happy or really pissed.”

Luna’s chamber door vibrated from the bass. Her guard outside both had folded down their ears to prevent permanent hearing loss from the ridiculously loud music blasted from inside.

“I thought these rooms were sound proofed.” Acro had to shout slightly to one of the guards.

“They are.” The guard replies.

“Oh, Well then I would cover your ears proper.” he hollers back. Gripping the door handles with his wings, “If this is the record I think it is this is going to be loud!” Acro pulls the doors open, flattening his own ears. The familiar sound of Vinyl Scratch greets Acropolis along with its familiar bass. He quickly moves in and closes the door. Luna is on her balcony with the record Vinyl gave her on blast. Acro moves to the record player. “goes up to 15? Must have ordered it special.” he turns it off. The room buzzes with the after echo. “princess, you called.”

“Chrysalis in Canterlot.” she says flatly.

“I thought we already knew that?”

“In this castle.”

“As herself or did she infiltrate again?” Acropolis was getting excited, the static swelled.

“As a guest of my sisters, they speak of peace treaties!” She scoffs. Acropolis remains silent, “She sits in my castle, drinking my tea,” Her tone is getting harsher and harsher, “KEEPING HER HERE IN SECRET!” Lighting strikes again. Acropolis can see a dark smoke coming off her. He recognizes it as the smoke she used to turn into Nightmare Moon during Vinyl’s performance. Strangely he wasn't concerned by it.

“Luna.” Acropolis wasn’t sure why, but he felt compelled to ask, “What do we do about it?” She whips her head around to see him bowing before her. Her mind floods with thoughts.

I have a private army. He is loyal to me, and they will follow his orders, what was it Acro said? “None shall stand before the Lunar guard.” The words felt sweet on her lips, like a long lost power being rekindled. The static in Acropolis' mind went wild. She looked back up to the moon, the mare missing from its visage. “No.” the smoke dispersed. “No, Acropolis, we do nothing. Let Celestia have her secrets.” She moves over to him placing a hoof on his shoulder. “Just be prepared to defend Canterlot if we must.”

“Of course Princess.” Acro left the room leaving Luna alone. With a flick of her magic the music resumed.

“Goodnight Spini.” Rune sees Spini off to her room, Rune’s old room.

“Were will you sleep?” She asks with genuine concern.

“Acro has a  couch in his room.” She lies.

“Oh well goodnight then.” Spini closes the door. Rune quickly heads into Acropolis’ room. It’s a mess. How he can make such clutter when he barely owns anything is beyond her. She looks to his bed, disheveled and messy. She quickly removes her pendant placing it on the bedside. Just in case. She begins to use her magic to tidy up.  Of course there may not be much point in this if he shows up like last time.

“Oh, Sorry!” Acropolis’ voice comes from the hall. Shortly after he enters his room. “Walked into Spini’s room.” Blushing.

“Well I just hope you didn’t greet her like you did me.” She leans over and kisses him.

“Speaking of that,” he removes his armor and pendant. “How should we handle this?”

“What do you mean?” They sit down on the edge of his bed.

“I want this, you clearly want this, but is this wise? I mean we are both very busy ponies. Who work a very dangerous job.” His points ring true. Rune thinks for a moment.

“Well, then you need to decide what is worse. Seeing me everyday,” her heads fall to his shoulder, “And never touching me.” She snuggles up into his side, “Or seeing me everyday and touching me everyday.”

“We cant keep this a secret forever, Luna will find out if she doesn’t already know. And I just don’t want to lose this, lose you.” She can tell his concern is genuine even without the link.

“So don’t lose me.” her head moves further onto his shoulder, “Hold onto me and never let go.”

“Its that simple?”

“Its that simple.” They smile at each other. He leans down and gives her a passionate kiss. Wrapping his arms around her they fall back into the bed. Readjusting for comfort they snuggle as Rune turns out the lamp. Facing each other Acro wraps himself completely around her pulling her tight into his chest. Their legs entwine and tails wrap around each other. Her nostrils filled with his chest fur, his finding the sweet scent of her mane. They smile and quickly fall asleep.

Fallen Queens and a Princess

Brigade was having second thoughts about this. He had checked his 'cousin' out of the castle guest registry and was escorting her home. However they were not headed home. Glint had taken a form she saw in a fashion magazine, some swim suit model out of Trottingham. She had tried to make herself more regular looking, but ponies till stared at them as they walked through the streets. Brigade was keeping to public areas in what Glint assumed was an attempt to force her to stay in pony form. Regardless she was enjoying the fresh air and smells of Canterlot nightlife. She hadn't spent much time in town before she was captured, and was enjoying being out side once again after several months of being caged. But that same freedom was tempered by the memories of those awful ponies and she clung close to Brigade.

"This way." Brigade broke the silence, leading her down a large set of stairs and away from the busy streets. Brigade wasn't saying much, he didn't say much anyway. That was one of the reasons Glint liked his company. Brigade didn't need to speak, he expressed himself with actions. Like bringing her outside and into Canterlot, that one act of trust spoke more to his character than any dialogue. Brigade lead her out of the stairwell and into a small park overlooking the valley. Ponyville could be seen glowing slightly in the darkness. One of Canterlots signature waterfalls was shielding this little balcony garden from the rest of the city and the glow Apple trees gave the area just enough light to see where you were going. The view was awe inspiring. Glint almost didn't notice the other ponies nearby, just out of view in the darkness.

"What is this place?" Glint walked up to the railing and looked off into the valley.

"They call them nooks, private areas hidden in the city," Brigade whispered right in her ear, she could feel the breath of his speech, "Im sure you can feel the other ponies here?"

"I can, why are we here?" She could feel several other ponies in the dark. She was getting worried. Brigade wouldn't try anything on me, would he? Her thoughts went very dark, and she suddenly was very scared of her supposed protector.

"To feed." He whispered, motioning to a empty bench just off the path.

"Oh, I-i see." Her nerves settled, I cant believe I was worried about him, he is the last pony I would expect that from They moved over to the bench sitting rather close to each other.

Glint closed her eyes and reached out to steal what ever emotions she could gather. Behind them was a couple, passionately necking in the grass. They were sweet but not filling, she moved on. In the bushes a ways away were two stallions. Their silent heaves were tasty but a little too tangy, again she moved on. A little farther away was another couple. They were older and just enjoying each others company, and apparently the company of the youngsters enjoying each other. Their love was old and pure, like fine wine, but she still moved on. With the couples explored she moved on to Brigade. From him she felt his determination and desire to protect. She could feel it off of Acropolis too but his was more general. Acropolis wanted to protect Equestria, Brigade wanted to protect her. His eyes darted around constantly scanning the area for threats. She had had ponies protect her before, love her before, have compassion for her before, or rather who she was pretending to be. But not him. He was protecting her, not a facade, he wasn't under a spell, he held her no obligation. He had brought her here to feed, knowing she feed off of love, he brought her to a lovers corner to feed. He had actually given thought to his actions, he wasn't just acting on impulse. If she didn't know better she thought maybe she was falling for him. His emotion was the sweetest in the grove, like sweet tea on a warm summers day. The statuesque stallion beside her wasn't the most filling meal in the grove but it was the most fulfilling.

"Thank you Brigade." She leaned her head on his shoulder. Taking in a deep breath of the water kissed cool night air.

"Your welcome." He replied flatly while surveying the grove. Even if she couldn't see it she could feel him blush. Time seemed to stop as they sat on the bench. His warmth countered the chill of the night air. In this public place, in the dark, surrounded by strangers, she finally felt completely safe.

A knock at her door shook Luna from her thoughts. Her mind spiraled from Asyl, to Chrysalis, to her guard, to Hannibal, to Celestia, and back around. A lot had happened in such a sort time period and it was beginning to wear on her. She turned down her music and moved to her door, prepared to give what ever the guard beyond it a verbal thrashing. Opening the door she was surprised by who stood at her door.

"Evening Princess." Chrysalis bowed, "May I come in?" Luna was surprised by her sudden appearance. It hadn't been two hours since she had attacked the Queen and now she was here at her door. In her confusion Luna simply nodded. The Queen entered her chambers and took a few moments to look around passively. "Truly your decoration style reflects your personality." the Queen moves a helmet hanging from the wall.

"Y-yes it does," Luna shook herself from her stupor, "Chrysalis why are you here?"

"In Canterlot? or in your room?" she asked taking a seat at Luna's small table.

"Both." Luna sat down opposite her.

"As you know I tried to invade Canterlot, and was quite spectacularly defeated." Chrysalis made little circles on the table with her hoof. "Since then my hive has fallen, we are few and far. The actual hive was destroyed by Diamond Dogs and their Wyrms." Her expression was pained. "My absence and the lack of my main force at my hive lead to its fall. My haste and failure, lead to the near eradication of my children." Chrysalis looked on the edge of tears. "The starvation I hoped to avoid with my invasion instead lead to more death than any starvation could render. My forces are destroyed, I am throne less, my hive in shambles, my kind even more detested than before, so that. That is why I am here." Chrysalis swallowed to hold back her tears.

"To do what exactly?" Luna was still unsure why the Queen was here. Her hive destroyed? Why not return to her homeland? What kept her here?

"I am tired and defeated. I have lost more than I have ever gained. You know I can feel my children all over Equestria, slowly starving and dying? They are to far from me to hear me. To hear my calls. My voice. But I can hear them, or rather, I could hear them, Before I answer, how many changelings do you think are in Equestria?"

"A couple hundred?" Luna guessed her genuine estimate.

"36." Chrysalis' reply struck Luna. Shinings shield couldn't have killed them all, and they couldnt have all starved.

"H-how?" Luna was beginning to understand why the throne-less Queen was here.

"After the invasion a bounty was placed on any of my children found alive, and then killed." Chrysalis began to tear up, a single tear ran down her face. "100 bits for the head of a Changeling." She spit out the window, her face twisted into disgust and hatred.

"No bounty was issued by the courts." Luna was shocked. It was very strange that bounties were placed without their knowledge. And no bounty was placed on Chrysalis or changelings, Celestia had made sure of that.

"That is one of the reasons why I came here." She recomposed herself, "No pony in Canterlot would honor an illegal bounty."

"The other?"

"You." She answered plainly.

"Me?"

"Yes, I figured we had something in common." Luna was taken aback by her words. Her have something in common with a changeling queen?

"Oh? and what is that?" Luna's tone was dismissive.

"We are both dethroned Queens, and we both want our thrones back." Chrysalis smiled slightly at Luna. Luna had no words to reply. Her mind raced with thoughts of her insurgence, the battle, and her time on the moon. Did Chrysalis recognize Luna as the rightful Prin-, no, Queen of Equestria?

"Q-queen?" Luna stammered out.

"Yes, I wish to restart my hive, here in Canterlot." Chrysalis brought the conversation back on track, as if she hadn't said anything.

"How? where?" Her tone wavered still shaking off the thoughts of the moon.

"I hear you have a rather large cavern under the city, it contain this Asyl place, and your sewer facilities. I construct a hive in this cavern and my changelings assist in Asyl and other utility maintenance."

"Seems fair, but im not to sure if Canterlot is ready for a hive under its streets. They are barely getting used to the Lunar guard, and the invasion is still fresh in their minds." Why am I on board with this idea? I should want to kill her.

"In time Princess, this will not happen tomorrow." Chrysalis chuckles slightly, "We shall regain our thrones in time." She smiles wide.

"Your throne." Luna corrects.

"Oh, yes, silly me. My throne." Chrysalis looks away from Luna and sighs pleasantly. Her situation explained, and Luna didn't kill her. This went better than expected.

The next morning

Brigade stood in his shower letting the warm water wash over him. He had long since made himself clean, this was one of those thinking showers. He stood, motionless, the rushing waters drowning out all noise. Deep in thought. his mind rambled from what he had done to why he did it, and to what Flash is going to do to him. At best hed lose his job, at worst hed be executed.

"Buck." He said softly to himself as he turns off the water. again he collects his thoughts, Letting the residual water run off him for a moment. I am so screwed. Grabing a towel in his magic he heads back into his bedroom. Drying himself he goes out onto his balcony. The sun is coming up, i'm sure by now i've been labeled a criminal. Collecting up his glass and whiskey he does a shot and sits in his chair. These past few days have been very eventful, heck the past few weeks have very eventful too. He does another shot. And now i've gone and messed it up, Acropolis im sorry. But you knew it would come to this. I seem to collect broken souls. Burlap, Spini, and now Glint. Again another shot. I guess I should go and turn myself in. Brigade turns and looks into his bedroom. There in his bed is the sleeping Glint. She had night terrors, and demanded Brigade sleep in the bed with her. She had spent the night curled up against his chest, with his forearms wrapped around her. He didnt know what would happen to her, and it terrified him.

"I guess," He downs his last shot putting his glass away, "Its time to go get court marshaled."

"WHAT!?" Doc's voice boomed in the conference room. Celestia, Luna, Brigade, and Glint were all present as well. Acropolis and Rune were still asleep, and hadnt bothered to come. The room was well lit by the suns natural light. Luna hadnt slept since she had spent the night chatting with Chrysalis. Celestia looked like Celestia. But Doc was enraged. "YOUR NOT GOING TO PUNISH HIM!?"

"For what?" Celestia asked rather flatly.

"FOR WHAT?" Doc hollered back.

"Remember your place Doctor." Luna chided harshly. She was in no mood for this. Brigade brought her back, she was unharmed, no harm no foul. Besides, she was with Brigade. She could have walked into Tartarus and been safe with him around.

"BUT, He removed a dangerous sample from the castle." Doc's use of 'sample' made Glint twitch.

"Doctor," Celestia sighed deeply. "Glint and Chrysalis and guests, not research samples. Maybe Glint was initially brought here with the intent to study but priorities have changed along with diplomatic standings."

"D-D-D-DIPLOMATIC STANDINGS!" Doc was hollering again.

"Yes, actually Brigade did his duty before I even ordered him to it." Celestia smiled down at him. Him and Glint still shocked that neither of them was going to the gallows. "After all Glint is a Princess."

"P-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-Princess?" Brigade stammered out his mind felt like it was on fire.

"Yes," Luna interjected, "Glint is Chrysalis' natural born daughter, and that makes Glint a changeling Princess. And since Chrysalis as sought refuge here, her standing applies to next of kin." Luna turns to Glint, "I welcome you formally to Canterlot, and enjoy your diplomatic asylum, Princess." Luna bows slightly, but quickly regain her posture. "Now if you will excuse me Im off to bed. Daylight is not my forte." She swiftly leaves the room.

"Well, I have duties, Glint you have been assigned regular quarters in the Lunar wing, and have free access to the simulated swamp in the labs. However please do not leave the palace unless escorted by Brigade. Who has been assigned to your detail. Good day." Celestia leaves as well. The remaining trio stand in shock.

"Diplomatic." Doc spits and quickly leaves them standing there in silence. After and excruciating pause.

"Buck." Brigade breaks his silence and promptly passes out.

Celestia stood with Twilight on the throne. Guards were milling about preparing for the days duties and getting the courts cleaned for use. Twilight was laden with books and research material which wasnt really that odd for her. Celestia was finishing up her report from Twilight.

"So, the rumor you were going to study with Rune Shift are true." Celestis smiles.

"Yes, she is doing research into non-unicorn magics and I have some books on the subject that she might find useful." Twilight didnt need a reason to study, but it helped.

"Well, just remember Twilight." Celestia leans in closer to her. "Never take down a fence until you know why it was put up in the first place."

"Who said that?"

"Starswirl, He was wise beyond his years. Anyway he did some research on this subject too. You are welcome to the Starswirl wing of the library. But please Twilight, be cautious."

"Dont worry princess, ill look over the fence before I take it down." Twilight smiled. However it did not shake this feeling Celestia had.

Glorious Research

Rune stood at the entrance of the Lunar library. She had been waiting for Twilight for some time now. Twilight wasn't late, she was just compulsively early. Rune wondered about what books Twilight would bring, how old, how many? What secrets did the princess know about magic that she could learn? It all excited her greatly. While Rune enjoyed her work as lieutenant she did miss her job at the school. Research was really her forte', well that and runic magic. She had become proficient on her casting very quickly, almost to the point she didn't need to vocalize her spells. The more complex ones still needed to be drawn and chanted but she could cast with a thought. As long as she could visualize the rune circle and hear the chant in her mind she could cast simpler spells. The thought came to her that Twilight would ask her about her magic, and to demonstrate her very rare style of magic. Her lack of practical spells would make that difficult, almost all of her spells were offensive. All she could do was hope Twilight wouldn't ask.

"Ma'ma?" Flash Sentry had approached her, but she was to deep in thought to notice him. "Ma'ma?"

"Huh? Oh!" Rune snapped out her thoughts, "Lieutenant Sentry! What is it?"

"Im looking for Rune Shift, is she in the library?" Flash asked to her surprise. Her natural colors must be enough to completely mask her appearance to him.

"Lieutenant, I am Rune Shift." She giggled at his shock. He was genuinely surprised and very embarrassed.

"Lieutenant!" He saluted, "My apologies. I am to escort you to the Startswirl Wing of the Royal Library, There Princess Twilight is waiting."

"Oh. Well then, lead on." Rune's calm expression hid her excitement. She had never been in the Starswirl the bearded wing. It was a bastion of knowledge from magic to science to extinct species to cooking recipes. Rune could barely contain her excitement.

While Rune had permission to go in and use the Starswirl wing she had still had the stigma that it was restricted. She held her place in the door way. Pensive on entering the once forbidden and ancient library of one of Equestrias greatest minds, Rune took a small swallow and entered the library. The shelves were lined with scrolls and tomes from all sorts of research from all sorts of fields. Starswirl was truly a prodigy. A mind before his time and Celestia's first true student.

"Lieutenant, this way." Lieutenant Sentry led her deeper into the shelves. They came out into a little reading room where Twilight was already waiting with books and tea.

"Rune, Im sorry I didn't get you myself, I just had to dive in," Twilight's tone was rushed as she looked up from her book.

"I understand," Rune swiftly put down her bag and took up some of the books Twilight had brought. Swiftly taking the chair opposite she cracked open the ancient book and began to read feverishly. The pair left Flash Sentry standing in the doorway rather perplexed as to what the two ladies before him was so excited about. They never dismissed him, they just went back to their books, he took the liberty and let himself out.

Hours passed as the pair tore through book after book. They had run through all the books Twilight had brought and they had gleaned no new data. Seamlessly moving into Starswirls books on magical studies the pair moved out into the halls leaving piles of read books in their wake. Book after book fell under their silent gaze, volumes of data, figures, research consumed with feverish vigor. Such wealth of knowledge and most of it seemed useless, unrelated articles, research on unicorn magic. Nothing on non-unicorn magic, and Rune was beginning to get upset at the prospect that the greatest mind Equestria had ever seen had nothing on non-unicorn magic.

"Fantastic!" Twilight's voice broke the silence of the library and echoed slightly in the empty halls. Rune dropped her book out of shock from the sudden sound.

"What!?" Rune nearly shouted, "What is it?"

"Look! Look here!" The pair clambered to look at the book Twilight held in her magic. "Look here!" Twilight points to a passage.

"Its a story somepony told Starswirl as a colt?" Rune began to read the passage aloud, "Alabaster called forth his anger, his eyes alight with righteous rage. The runes of his magic engulfed his adversary, trapping him in place. The earth ponies spell took quick effect binding the Pegasus to the ground." She looked over to Twilight, "It sounds like arcane magic, but this Alabaster is an earth pony right?"

"Right, which means that this Alabaster can cast magic while being a earth pony." Twilight flipped through to another passage. "Here too."

"Alabaster rose a hoof to the sky calling on his magic once more. His eyes alight with arcane power, his anger fueled by his adversaries actions. He cast his magic rending his foe into pieces." Runes voice stammered at pieces, "To pieces?" Rune trailed off.

"Seems like the non-unicorn magic is emotion based, and uses runes sort of like you do." Twilight flipped through the book again. Her ability to read at a unheard of rate truly impressed Rune. "Those are the only mentions of non-unicorn magic we have found in the entire magic section."

"It works off of emotions AND runes? So how do they cast? Whats with the glowing eyes? I dont see how they can cast. Do they just will the magic into existence? Is that even possible?" Rune asks Twilight, her being the authority on unicorn magic.

"I guess, Unicorn magic works off of the will of the caster, but Unicorns can access magic naturally. Earth ponies dont have the ability to feel magic, so calling on it to cast would seem impossible. Unless its a sort of sub-conscious thing?" Twilight supposes, her theory was strong but the fact that earth ponies cant sense magic really shot holes init.

"A whole library and only two vague passages from a story somepony else told Starswirl a thousand years ago?" Rune grabbed another book with her magic and quickly flipped through it. "Nothing on non-unicorn magic, decades of study, miles of scrolls, and he never once did research into non-unicorn magic? Strikes me as strange doesn't it you?"

"Well, its not a popular subject of study. Nopony really has done that kind of research, like, ever." Twilight begins placing books back on the shelves with a long yawn. It was after all now nearly the next morning, the reading and the searching had lasted all night and the Princess was beginning to feel the effects. "I am disappointed but not surprised at the lack of research left behind." She gave another yawn, "However, it is surprising that there is no resear-" Twilight stopped mid sentence as she looked at the shelf. Her eyes going wide at what she saw there.

"Twilight?" Rune leaned in to see what had stopped Twilight. Hidden on the shelf was a button, written around it was a simple message, which Rune read aloud. "For those whom wish to know the true nature of magic." Twilight and Rune looked at each other.

"I really want to press that button." Twilight said, leaning in, hoof outstretched. Almost in a trance, she seemed driven, pressed along. It reminded Rune of when the armor had taken her over. Her hoof lightly pressed on the button. In a flash of light runes lit up on the floor. "What in the-?"

"Teleportation?" Rune could read the rune's after all. As the light began to engulf them both. Twilight spread her wings in an attempt to flee. "No, Its safe. Starsswirl left this for somepony to find. Twilight, just don't cast any magic until its done." The magic crawled slowly up their bodies.

"O-okay, why is this taking so long?" Twilight could feel the magic slowly pulling her away to someplace else. This sustained teleportation was uncomfortable to her, usually it only lasted a second, but then again her magic was new. This spell was almost a thousand years old.  

"Its old is all, just let it-" Rune was cut off by the spell completing. Leaving the library empty except for the piles of books and unsorted scrolls.

Starswirl The Trixster

Trixie entered the grand dinning room where Luna and Celestia ate their meals. Luna's dinner and Celestias breakfast was strewn about the table. Today they ate alone, the other nobles were off on business. A fact that Trixie was greatful for. She may have be a showpony with a habit of exaggeration but at least she actually had skills to back up most of her claims. Most of the nobles rubbed her the wrong way, all flash no pan. Approaching Luna ,Trixie bowed deeply, letting her cape spread out like wings.

"Princess, I was wondering if you knew the location of Lieutenant Shift?" Trixie asked. Luna was surprised she was talking to her. she had very little contact with Celestias new understudy.

"Im not sure, she was in the Lunar library, did you ask Captain Acropolis?" Luna replied softly.

"I did, she is not in the library and Acropolis does not know." Trixie remained bowed.

"She is with Twilight in the Starswirl wing." Celestia spoke up. "Come Trixie, I will take you there." Celestia dabbed her mouth with a napkin and stood up from the table. "Luna, could you take care of the sun's timing today? I may be unable to time it correctly."

"Yes, sister. Is everything alright?" Luna got very concerned when Celestia said things like that. Her sister kept very dark and far reaching secrets.

"Yes, Luna. Everything is fine. Its just I have a feeling that I may be preoccupied when the sun is scheduled to rise. Come Trixie." And with that Celestia and Trixie left the dinning room leaving Luna alone. Luna felt out over the link looking for Rune. Not in her armor, but she could feel she was in the castle at least. Dismissing it she went back to her meal.

"What in equestria?" Twilight was agape at what stood before her. A grand laboratory stretched out before them. Bookshelves three stories up, equipment form a forgotten age humming and pumping along, experiments centuries old still functioning, charts, tables of tools, and racks of old weaponry. They were in a small cavern, carved from the rock with magic.

"This must be Starswirls secret lab." Rune guessed as they walked into the small laboratory, the static in her mind buzzed. The platform they were standing on glowed slightly from the runes carved into it. Rune assumed it would return they to the library. Past the rows of books and equipment stood several large tanks, inside were specimens of several species. Rune went over to view the tanks while Twilight went straight for the books. Rune approached the largest tank and wiped the filth from the label. "Iuvenis Draconem?" Casting a spell she took a rag and wiped more filth from the tank. Inside floated a small dragon, she guessed a adolescent from the size. She moved to the next tank."Equus Makica." Wiping the tanks again revealed a unicorn pony with its horn and half of its head dissected. She knew of the anatomy but seeing it made her a bit unsettled. She wiped the next tank. "Equus Aerium." The tank held a Pegasus with its wing and back dissected, Rune didnt like these tanks much, but one more caught her attention. It was fairly large and had more tubes and connections than the others. She wiped the label. "Equus Magicka Aerium Deus." Deus. God. The word rung in Rune mind. She held up her rag, ready to wipe away the grime and reveal what Starswirl had thought was 'god'.

"Dang it!" Twilight's shout pulled Rune's attention away from the ominous tank.

"What?"

"I cant read these!" Twilight sat in a pile of books freshly taken from the library. "The words keep rearranging themselves!" She tossed a book over to Rune who caught it in her magic. Flipping through it she noticed that she could read it, some of the words were old, but it was in equestrian.

"What do you mean? I can read these." Twilight looked at Rune as if she was crazy. She quickly trotted over and looked at the book over Rune's shoulder. Rune watched as Twilight's eyes landed on the page the words began to rearrange themselves into nonsense. "Twilight, close your eyes."

"What?"

"Do it." Rune asked, Twilight closed her eyes and the words reformed on the page. "Oh my, it would seem-

"Only non-Alicorn ponies can read these tomes." Celestia's voice echoed in the small chamber. Trixie stood next her looking around in a amazement.

"Princess? But-" Twilight didnt get her sentence out.

"Starswirl was a gifted unicorn, and a potential bearer for the element of magic but he was paranoid. All of his research he deemed a threat to us or him he encrypted magically, no pony under orders to read his notes nor any Alicorn can read his works." Celestia looked to Rune and Trxie. "Only Unicorns can read them, pegasai and earthen will only see blank pages. Starswirl truly was a powerful unicorn." Celestia gave a warm smile feeling content she had helped foster such a great mind.

"So only unicorns of their own free will can read these books?" Twilight seemed dejected, her heroes private library and she couldn't even read anything in it.

"I need to catalog all of these books." Rune stammered out.

"Not tonight Rune," Celestia looked to the ceiling with a short pause, "Thank you sister," She rose her wings and lit her horn. They could feel the magic pour off Celestia. Lowering her wings she readdressed Rune. "Tonight is over, there is no hurry here. Besides Trixie had asked for some of your time before you retire.

"I suppose your right." Rune could feel her exhaustion growing. They all looked at each other and silently agreed to leave and return at a later date. Returning to the pad everypony took turns teleporting away until Rune was left alone.  She looked back at the last tank, her curiosity got the better of her and she quickly ran over and wiped the grime from the tank. Floating before her was Starswirl the greatest unicorn to ever live, horn pointed to the heavens, wings spread wide, and a grin on his face that made her stomach churn. Starswirl had become an alicorn!? The questions raced through her mind igniting the static and sending it into a noisy frenzy. But she had no time for this, all she was sure of was that the house of the celestial sisters closet ran deep and its skeletons were plenty. She quickly ran over and teleported away. The vision of starswirls grin seared into her mind.

The sun was coming up and Celestia and Twilight had left Trixie and Rune alone in the Lunar barracks. Rune had remembered that she had challenged Trixie but she didn't think she would come to her so soon.

"So Trixie what did you want from me?" Rune asked.

"Respect." Trixie's response was harsh and took Rune by surprise.

"What?" Rune stiffened herself, taking her drill Sargent tone.

"I want respect, You command many, they respect you. You, a book worm with no military experience. No previous guardpony work, a researcher from a school. They shouldn't give you the time of day, yet they all respect you. Why? WHY? WHY DO THEY GIVE YOU SUCH RESPECT!?" Tears began pouring down her face, "AND YET, I, SOMEPONY WHO HAS MADE EVERYTHING FOR MYSELF! I CARVED MY LIFE OUT OF NOTHING! I CAME FROM NOTHING TO CELESTIAS STUDENT! I, I, I, get nothing ..." She sat down where she stood, tears rolling off her face. "Im a laughing stock. I cant command respect, I cant gain respect, I cant even make them fear me. The Alicorn amulet proved that. So how do you do it?" Trixie looked at Rune her eyes full of tears. Rune could tell for once in her life Trixie wasn't lying, before her lay the mess that was the real Trixie. A beaten and defeated pony of incredible skill so caught in her own lies and false grandeur to see that it was alienating everypony around her.  

"Come with me." Rune helped Trixie to her feet and lead her to the grand fire place where several off duty guards sat drinking and eating. They began to leave. "No, please stay, this requires a audience." Trixie looked scared. "Give me your hat and cape." Rune held out a hoof.

"Wha-?" Rune motioned to give her the hat and cape. The other ponies looked at each other quickly. Slowly she took the hat and cape in her magic and gave them to Rune.

"Now The Great and Powerful Trixie will do her greatest trick ever." Rune turned to face the other guards.

"I-i will?" Trixie stammered.

"She will vanish, forever." Rune quickly turned and threw the hat and cape into the fire. The enchanted clothes sprayed magical sparks into the room startling the guards. Trixie stood, mouth open, frozen in shock. Rune placed a hoof on her shoulder, her face in a gentle smile. "Now Trixie, the normal and talented unicorn, you must earn your great and powerful title."

"Y-you burned them." She was still in shock.

"No, I freed you from them. That was your problem Trixie, you aren't great and powerful." Rune pulled her tight and whispered into her ear, "At least not yet." The static in Rune's mind roared and fell silent. Releasing her from her embrace Trixie fell to the floor. "Coco?" Rune called to one of the guards.

"Ma'ma?" Coco saluted.

"Take her home," Rune leaned down to Trixie. "If you want greatness, I will help you Trixie, but first rest. Come back tomorrow night and participate in drills. until then good morning." Rune smiled fully and left Trixie in the care of Coco. Trixie held in her far more power than she even knew. Acropolis and Rune were playing a dangerous game. Acropolis was taking a gamble with Glint, and now Rune was rolling the dice with Trixie. But the chance that they would ally themselves with the Lunar guard and realize their own power was to great to let go. She smiled again, None shall stand before the lunar guard she thought to herself. The static roared.

The peices are begining to move

"What are you talking about?" Agora asked, the fire of his study crackling warmly.

Soon, the next part of my plan will come into effect

"But Hannibal?"

Was just the first part. I still need some time. But very soon, Agora. There will be trouble in Canterlot. Big trouble.

Erde Fausten

The following night Acropolis found himself very nervously waiting for the Apples to show up. He had not read the volume report Rune had left him of her research and was unaware of what she had discovered the night before. Rising before her he had quickly made his way to the foyer where they had agreed to meet. He felt strange in the grand hall, looking up at the dark marble statues. Out of his armor, he felt oddly out of place. Guards that would normally salute him just passing by without nary a glance. The cacophony of voices that rambled in the back of his mind now quiet. Left alone in his own mind, he enjoyed the peace it gave him, even if he was now just a crippled Pegasus. The constant twinge in the nape of his back a constant reminder of that fateful night he lost everything. He had hoped his disability wouldn't hinder his ability to learn the martial art of the Apple clan. His thoughts moved on to Shining and their sparring match. Acropolis thought himself a competent fighter and had proved as much in his duel with Brigade. But the thought that his victory over Brigade was a fluke ate away at him. His other fights were rather one sided or the enemies were out numbered. He questioned his own combat prowess, and as Captain of the Lunar Guard he is held to a high standard. He out of all in the guard should be trained to a point that none should be able to defend against him. To defend himself and his Princess he required to get stronger, and hopefully Erde Fausten would assist in his desire for strength.  

"I wonder if I was to early." Acropolis looked up at the clock hanging on the foyer wall. The little Luna and Celestia hands marking out daytime and nighttime, he smiled slightly at the little characters of the princesses.

"Eeyup." Big Mac's deep voice startled Acropolis. He turned around to see the large and very red Big Mac standing in the doorway.

"Big Mac! Haven't seen you since Vinyls concert!" Acropolis was genuinely happy to see a old face from Ponyville. Especially somepony he respected on many levels.

"Eeyup." Big Mac looked around lazily as if trying to find something he had misplaced.

"So, about Erde Fausten." Acro looked around trying to spot whatever Big Mac was looking for.

"Apple tree." Two words, two simple words that very confused Acro.

"Apple tree?" Acro repeated, his tone perplexed.

"Eeyup." His response was slow and deliberate. Acropolis was getting more nervous, Big Mac suddenly seemed very imposing, almost threatening.

"There are glow apple trees in the Lunar courtyard." He gestured towards the large glass doors that lead out to the gardens. Big Mac looked at Acropolis and began to walk towards the doors. "I guess it off to the courtyard then."

"Eeyup." Acropolis was beginning to dislike that phrase.

Big Mac lead Acropolis to one of the glow apple trees, their lights starting to glow. He stands next to the tree placing a hoof on the tree looking up at the glowing fruit. The soft blue light making him seem wise beyond his time. Tapping the trunk he seemed to divine something from the tree.

"Knock down a apple, no wings, punch." Big Mac stood up on his hind legs, took a combat stance and punched the tree. The gentle strike shook the tree forcefully, knocking loose a single apple. Which Big Mac snatched out of midair. He tossed it to Acropolis, who caught it with his wing.

"Can I kick? Err, Buck?" Acropolis put the apple down an a near by rock.

"Nope," Big Mac punched forward towards Acro, the force moved the air near him ruffling his hair. "Punch."

"Ah, I see." Acropolis Approached the tree. Looking from the tree to Big Mac and back to the tree he never really noticed how big the tree was. Big Mac's expression was never changing, frozen in perpetual slack eyed calmness. He placed his hoof the the trunk of the tree, it was hard and rough. He pulled his hoof back and struck the tree hard. The tree shook but no apples fell. "Ow." A shooting pain ran up Acropolis arm, he punched a bit to hard.

"Nope, punch core." Big Mac mimicked punching. "Don't punch surface, punch core."

"Punch core?" Acropolis looked to the tree trying to imagine a core to the tree. Dont punch the surface? Punch the core? "Like a sword? Dont poke, stab?"

"Eeyup." Big Mac gave him a grin.

"Okay, lets try this again." Acropolis went back to the tree he pulled his hoof back and got ready to strike. The core. He looks into the tree and imagines a few inches of the trunk peeled away. His strike landed on the trunk, he dug his feet into the ground and twisted his hips, placing all of his force behind his fist. Envisioning his fist moving deeper into the tree, he could feel his force multiplying as his imaginary fist struck the imaginary core of the tree. His hoof was still for a moment, grinding into the trunk of the tree. And after a moment the tree shook violently. Acropolis stood back hoping for an apple to fall as the tree began to settle. Big Mac grinned at him even wider. "I guess, no apple for me huh?"

"Eeyup."

"Eeyup?" Acropolis barely finished the phrase as a apple bounced off is head. He picked up the apple with his wing, "Eeyup," Placing the apple with the other apple on the rock. "So does that mean you will train me?"

"Eeyup." He abruptly contorted around and struck the tree with his shin. Shaking free several more apples. In a single motion he struck all of the apples before they hit the ground. Catching the last and taking a bite. "Erde Fausten Zauber, against magic." He mimicked another punch, this time punching with all his might. The force from his punch sent out a shock wave, pushing Acropolis back a bit. "The only way to defeat magic," Holding up his hoof, he tensed his arm, "Is with overwhelming force." Twisting around he stuck the tree with all his might, shattering the trunk in a single strike. The tree began leaning towards Big Mac, and without hesitation he punched straight up at the falling trunk. Acropolis stood in shock as the trunk exploded from the overwhelming power coming from Big Mac's strike. Splinters and debris rained down on the pair, several guards had stopped to see what the explosion was. "Sorry about the tree."

"No, its fine," Acropolis was surprised about his strength. He knew Big Mac was strong but he had no idea just how strong. "So how do we start?"

"Need another tree." Big Mac grinned at him.

Several of the guards looked around with concerned expressions. Rune was slightly annoyed that her guards were being distracted from her briefing. The evening briefing was coming to and end anyway, everypony had their assignments, and their route plans.

"Alright, everypony. Dismissed." Rune called out and her guards slowly began going about their tasks. As she returned to her office to do the morning sheets she spies Coco, the guard pony she had left Trixie with. "Coco, what is it?"

"Ma'ma." Coco saluted, "I tried to bring Trixie home last night but she refused."

"Refused? Where did she go?"

"She asked to be left in the Starswirl wing Ma'ma." Coco saluted again, "Im off to my duties." She turned and left, her report given.

Starswirl wing, I bet shes in the hidden lab. Rune smiled knowing that her extreme actions had struck the proper nerve. She was confident that Trixie had taken her little talk to heart and had decided that research into magic was her path to greatness. Trixie will be great and powerful, if I have any say in it.

The glow apple tree shook with the force of Acropolis's strike but its apples held firm. Big Mac stood silently observing Acropolis's repeated attempts to reenact his earlier feat. The fatigue painted on Acropolis' told Big Mac all he needed to know.

"Stop," Big Mac held out his hoof to stop Acropolis's punches.

"Whats wrong?" Wobbly on his feet he tried to sit down, more or less just falling to the ground.

"You have potential, but Erde Fausten may be out of you reach, for now." Big Mac said plainly helping Acro to his feet.

"But you said you would train me."

"I did, and I will," Big Mac produced a card from his collar, "But first you need more basic training. He is in Canterlot, strength trainer, he will help, tell him I sent ya."

Acropolis took the card from Big Mac with his wing, it was a business card. On the front was a bull horn motif, the back an address with a name. Which Acro read aloud in surprise.

"Iron Will?" He voice wavered. Acropolis wasn't scared of much, but the imposing figure of Iron Will made him very nervous. Thoughts of his last visit to ponyville came to mind and the very rude Fluttershy he had cultivated. Big Mac wanted him to go to that monster, er, Minotaur? "Really? Iron Will?"

"Hes gotten a bad rap lately, hes good though, finish his course, write me again." Big Mac turned and began to leave but stopped, "And Acro, don't think that your handicap restricts your movement. A very wise pony one said, Pain is all that keeps us from ripping ourselves apart. Dont hide your pain, embrace it." He bowed briefly and left Acropolis alone in the garden. The moon 3/4 through the sky, Acropolis's night was still young.

"Heh, I guess I was a bit arrogant to assume I would excel at this," He produced his pipe from the bag he had with him. "You gotta learn to walk before you can run." He took out a lighter, but his pipe flared up with magical fire.

"Training over?" Rune Shift asked coming from behind him and sitting down next to him dispelling her magic.

"Yep," He took a long drag, "Gotta get stronger," Handing her the business card he blows out some smoke, "Iron Will, Big Mac says he can help me get the strength I need to learn Erde Fausten."

"Thats good, right?" Even in her armor her gentle smile comforted him, with her around he felt like everything was good.

"Yes, I suppose it is." He took another drag, "Hows your night going?"

"Well, Ive made a monster." She snuggles into the sweaty captain at her side.

"A monster huh? Something we need to stop?" He chuckled, they seemed to be collecting monsters.

"No, we need to encourage this one." Her smile widened. "I feel I may have stolen Celestia's newest student from her."

"Ah, I see." He knocked some ash out on her armor. "Celestia isnt going to be too happy about that."

"I dont care." She planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

"No, no, I guess you dont." His grin now matched hers as he took another long drag.

"None shall stand before the Lunar Guard, We are the protectors of the night," She stood up taking a moment to look up at the moon still over head, "My shift ends early tonight," She flicks him with her tail, her expression taking a more serious look."I could use some company."

"Trouble sleeping?" The smoke slowly drifted out of his mouth.

"You could say that," She gave him another kiss on the cheek. "I just need some, quiet time."

"Of course, you okay? Im serious now." Acropolis was picking up that she desired more than a quiet night.

"Yeah, just need some us time." Her tone is soft and reserved. He hadn't seen that in her since they first arrived. She leaves him alone in the garden. Smoke slowly flowing from his mouth as he watches Rune leave.

"I dont need the link to know your coming apart at the seams. I guess all the violence has started to get to my little bookworm." He snuffs out his pipe, his hoof shaking slightly as he returns the pipe to its case. "shes not alone in that."

As Days Go By


Princess Luna sat on her throne looking up at the stars painted on the ceiling. The past weeks had been rough, the Asyl wasn't finished, Flash Sentry wasn't meshing well with Acropolis, plans for guard expansion still on the debate table, Chrysalis and Glint had basically vanished into their swamp, and to top it all off-

"Princess?" Agora broke her from her thoughts. As usual he was dressed well and had just finished delivering some artifacts for the princess.

"What Agora?" Her tone harsh, he had brought her many useful artifacts that she was restoring. But that did not relieve the fact that she found him insufferable.

"Shall I investigate the matter we were speaking of?" He bowed graciously.

"Yes, Do so at once." She waved her hoof at him. "And Agora, do not lay bare eyes on it. Or else you will go mad."

"Of course, Princess." Agora bowed low and turned to leave the regal chamber. There were no more scheduled meetings tonight but Luna still had a few hours left of court duty. Her gaze moved to the stallion to her side. Since the Lunar guard was still a small force some of the Celestial guard had to fill gaps in coverage. Brigade stood next to her in full combat regalia, opposite him was Coco, Who seemed to have fallen asleep. Brigade watched as Agora left the chamber, a look of disgust on his face.

"Brigade?" He tone was soft, like a lover asking for a favor.

"Princess?" Brigade came to a full salute, stomping the ground and raising his shield. The racket shook Coco from her nap.

"What do you think of Agora?" She leaned down to him.

"I-i dont care for him Princess." Brigade responded rather coldly.

"Ah," The silence fell back onto the room. Brigade moved back to his position and Coco took to reading to prevent her falling sleep. "What of Glint?" Luna again broke the silence.

"Visiting with her mother." His tone was more of a concerned coltfriend than of a royal charge.

"And of her mother?" Luna asked

"No issues, just scheduled talks with Celestia today." He deadpanned.

"I see." She sighed at her failed attempt at a conversation. Brigade was quickly becoming one of her favorite guards, even if he wasnt a member of the Lunar. He served the sisters with honor and a loyalty that few deserved, and even she thought she sometimes was unworthy of his loyalty. Her thoughts went back to Agroa, and to the armor set he had brought her. "Brigade, have you heard of the Lunar Panzer?" Her question hung in the room for a moment. She didnt look at him, her eyes fixed on the doors before her. But she could feel him become uneasy.

"I-i have princess," He gulped slightly, "Supposedly they were indestructible." His concern was growing, he had quickly learned that Luna did not ask frivolous questions. "And some even say they were, uhhh."

"Yes?" Luna actually liked hearing the rumors of her that had spread. And privately relished in how many were true and ponies just took as myth.

"That they were demons from Tartarus that you had dragged out and bonded into servitude." Brigade rambled out. Luna looked at him in surprise, her face in shock, she hadnt heard that one.

"Demons?" She let out a loud and long laugh, "really? ponies thought I enslaved demons!" She laughed again but even harder.

"That was the rumor." Brigade blushed slightly under his helmet.

"No, no they weren't demons, technically. Panzer were a special breed, tough, strong, the mightiest and bravest Equestria had to offer. Nothing stood before them, They served a function similar to Detrot's SWAT. The spearhead, first on the beaches. So to speak." Luna looked out into the garden, one of the statues depicting a Panzer victorious in combat caught her eye. The thought a reviving another branch of her guard excited her, but the pony she wanted wasn't hers to take. And the armor wasn't finished recharging its enchantment, merging with it now might kill whomever wore it. "They served with honor and distinction." Her gaze landed on Brigade who was now deep in thought.

"Ive heard they used shield and spear, as I do." Brigades curiosity peaked, Damn it, how does Acro and Luna always know what to say to get me to bite?

"They did, actually they used square shields, like the one you used in your duel. Not the circular ones issued today." Luna came down off the throne and looked out the throne room door. The lack of ponies in the hall made her sigh. "Enough of this, Brigade come with me, Coco you are dismissed." Coco quickly saluted and left. Brigade followed Luna out of the throne room and over to the Lunar wing. He was familiar with Luna asking things of him randomly but this seemed different. They went up past the barracks, past Acropolis' and Rune's room, past Spinnerets room, and past Luna's room. Coming to a stop in front of a door he hadn't seen before. Luna pushed open the door revealing a fairly large chamber filled with pieces of armor, tapestries, and old books. Luna's private armory. Her armor stood in the middle of the room, a single skylight casting a cone of moonlight onto it. The armor seemed to glow in the moonlight giving off a chillingly beautiful aura. He then noticed that he recognized this armor, it was Nightmare Moon's. Her regular armor was off to the side but still very well lit. She walked past him and over to a male set of armor. It was huge, the pony who wore this was massive. It was black as night and looked like something forged in Tartarus. Looking at it made him feel small. His gaze meet with the empty eye sockets of the heavy armor. A sensation of static came over him, the empty sockets seemed to call to him, pulling him closer. Sounds fell away all he heard was whispers, a voice to feint to call out to him.

"Panzer." He said aloud still in awe of the armor before him.

"Indeed, I brought you here to show you why they thought they were demons. Any pony in this armor was very imposing. Acropolis and Rune got off easy compared to the Panzer." She gave a chuckle. "Regardless I had another reason in bringing you here, I have a gift for you."

"A gift?" He was both excited and concerned.

"Brigade, for service of the throne I give you this." Luna moved a large square shield from behind the armor. It was about his size and forged of blackened steel with a slot for peering through. The handle was designed to be gripped with magic, grabbing with a hoof or mouth would be exceptionally awkward. It had small lumps on it periodically which he examined intently attempting to figure out their purpose.

"Thank you Princess." He gripped the shield with his magic, it was heavy, weighted, and it felt, right.

"The lumps are designed to deflect projectiles, and the shield is enchanted to deflect magic as well. Even I would have difficulty breaking though that shield." She smiled as he amorously examined the shield.

"Thank you Princess, However I doubt Lieutenant Sentry will let me carry it." He swung it in defensive motions testing its weight.

"Use the shield as you will Brigade, and if Sentry questions you about it, tell him it was gift from me. And if he persists tell him to take the matter up with me." She places her wing over him, "Brigade, you serve me and my sister very well, and have done so with distinction for many years. If you ever wish to, you may also have the rest of the set." With her other wing she motioned to the Panzer armor.  

"The Panzer?" He looked back to the armor, it made him uncomfortable. He could feel something scratching in the back of his mind. "I'm sorry Princess, I cant leave the Celestial guard. I swore myself to it, and I am a pony of my word."

"And that Brigade is why I wanted you to have the shield. You are the paragon of honor and integrity. Even when you act outside or even against orders." She gave him a soft smile. He liked Luna, and if she was around when he joined the guard he most likely would have joined the Lunar. "My offer stands, I doubt this armor will choose a host on its own anytime soon. So, if you ever change your mind, it will be here." Luna grabbed a sheet with her magic and placed it on the armor. He could feel the scratching in his mind stop. "Well I have used enough of your time tonight, Forgive me if I do not see you out. I am confident that you know your way."

"Yes, Princess." He saluted with his new shield. "Thank you again, I will use this shield in the defense of all of equestria!" He cast a glance over to the Nightmare Moon armor set before leaving Luna alone in her armory. After a moment she walked up to the Nightmare Moon armor, and gazed into the empty sockets. A cold smile came across her face as she levitated the helmet off the mannequin.

Golem stood in the reconstructed Asyl wardens office flanked by two Lunar guards. His dark blue coat now clean, his mane beginning to grow back, and he had put on some weight, but a large chunk of his right ear was still missing a cruel reminder of his life under the pastors rule. His cutie-mark of a eye in a magnifying glass was now visible, showcasing that his talent was perception. Luna sat at the wardens desk with what few records survived the thousand years of madness that had haunted these halls. The stallion before her was one of twelve that were successfully salvaged from Asyl. Out of all that had survived, only he stood completely sane. Even Luna was impressed, this pony was raised in literally a house of madness, everyday gazing upon a moonstone should have driven him into brilliant madness. She only hoped Acropolis and Rune would gain such a resistance to her madness. Which she knew was seeping into them, making them uneasy. But her attention was on the satllion before her, and not on her soldiers.

"Golem," Luna sighed, "I want to ask you something-" Golem cut her off.

"First let me ask you something, why is my cell never locked?" Golem's voice has harsh and deep.

"You aren't a prisoner." Luna replied flatly. "Which is why I asked you here."

"This has something to do with my talent doesn't it?" He was showing off his skills of perception. Luna wasn't used to such arrogance, or confidence. Either way she was caught of guard by his forwardness. It would seem that freed of his oppression he has taken to his own in stride.

"Very much so,-" He cut her off again.

"You want me to run this place." He said with a small smile.

"I do." Luna was unfazed by him at this point. After all he could see her while she as invisible, she wondered how he could see her intentions. She realized she had left all the clues for him, the old paperwork, the books he was reading, meeting in the wardens office, setting up this meeting like a interview. He saw the signals, and pieced together her intentions, a skill useful for somepony charged to watch the dangerous minded. "Your skills would allow you to rationally govern this facility. That and you are the most read up on its operation."

"And?" The question was loaded, and she knew it.

"And, you seem to be immune to the moonstone. And having somepony in charge down here that has been through madness and came out the other side in one piece is invaluable." She saw no point in sugar coating anything with him, even if she lied he most likely could see through it.

"Okay, its either work for you or get a normal job on the surface. And this place," He looked out the window and into the courtyard where some guards were still cleaning out the trash and filth,"This place is my home."

"Then that's settled then, Congratulations Golem." she shook his hoof, "the new Warden of Asyl."

"Trixie!" Rune cast as spell to hold the pipe in place. Steam poured into the room as Trixie's horn lit up to try and contain the pipe as well. The machine she was working on kept chugging along pumping more and more steam into the room. "Turn it off!" Rune shouted to Trixie in a futile attempt to prevent more steam from filling the room. Releasing the pipe Trixie moved to a control panel and began flipping levers. With a loud rattle the machine stopped pumping out steam and fell quiet. Releasing the pipe Rune turned to Trixie. "What happened?"

"I guess I miscalculated." Trixie used some of her magic to fix her hair. "This steam engine should have worked just fine, unless I got the pressure levels wrong." She quickly levitated several books over to her and began flipping through them.

"Why not just use the magic generator? Or the uhh, Tesi-thing?" Rune motioned to the barely visible massive electrodes and machinery embedded in the ceiling.

"The point is to get this machine running, that and the magic genny is broken. And its a Tesla generator, also Starswirl couldn't get it to work." Trixie unbolted a panel on the steam engine and began fiddling around inside. Her dedication to getting Starswirls defunct laboratory up and running was inspiring. Trixie had kept doing her studies under Celestia while spending her nights in Starswirls lab. She had completely re-devoted her life to her aspirations of greatness through knowledge and skill, rather than smoke and mirrors. She liked seeing the once show-pony turned lab rat work at her own betterment with a passion she had never seen before. Except maybe her own lust for knowledge and research. Rune had made a conscious decision to leave this collection and lab to Trixie, regardless of how much information it contained. The information she would gleam would only help somepony who could use regular magic proficiently. No, there were still many secrets and spells she needed to find in the Lunar collection. However Trixie wasn't the most mechanically inclined of ponies and many of the machines in this lab appeared to be fairly mechanical.

"Well I wish you luck, I need to get to work, But please Trixie, be careful." She also used her magic to fix her mane. "If you need help dont hesitate to call, okay?"

"Uh-huh." Was all she got back from inside the machine as Trixie worked at the cogs inside the machine.

"Good evening Trixie." Rune left the lab through the teleporter leaving Trixie alone with her machine. As she materialized in the library Celestia was standing before her looking rather displeased.

"Miss Rune." Celestia's tone was cold, unusual for the Princess of the sun.

"Princess." She bowed low as was expected of her station. The thoughts of why the princess was here began to swirl around in her mind.

"Trixie told me what you did to her clothes, and how you spurred her to action." Celestia seemed to tower over her. "Rather brutal actions, I was planning a more gradual lead up to her shedding her stage persona. But your tactics, while rough were effective." She turned and looked out the window and up to the moon, "Just please, be aware you and Trixie are playing with very old and dangerous magics here. I just advise caution as you move forward. You and Trixie have massive potential, I just hope you and her both realize that the deeper into the study of magic you get, the more and more hazardous it will become."

"Princess, I am aware of the dangers of runic magic." Rune replied still deep in her bow, she still respected Celestia quite a lot.

"Good, and please dont misconstrue my meaning. This is what I wanted from Trixie. I had intended for her to find Starswirls lab, but not this soon. But what is done is done." Celestia turned back to Rune. "Wether by fate or design you and Twilight found the lab and Trixie got involved. And then you feed that fire in her with a different kind of lumber. I guess I came to Thank you, for speeding up this process. Also to give you some advice." Celestia brought her head down and placed it merely an inch from Runes. "Be wary of casting to many runes at once, they can mix to dangerous results. Some can even rip you from our world." Celestia smiled releasing the tension in her face. "Good evening Rune." With a wave of her horn Celestia vanished from the library.

"Well that was unexpected." Rune was aware of the dangers of runic magic. But what she was confused by was Celestia's comments on Trixie. I guess I bothered the princess a bit, oh well. Rune took a little satisfaction in slighting the sun princess, probably more than she should have.

Celestia's Gamble

Celestia and Luna sat on their balcony as they did from time to time. Observing their kingdom in its early morning stretches, carts rolling out, shops opening, good ponies going about their good business. They snacked on cookies, freshly baked from the royal bakery, and drank tea given as gifts from foreign dignitaries. A pleasant snack as a headliner for a very unpleasant conversation.

"They are going to die if this keeps up." Celestia broke the pleasant silence.

"Who, dear sister?" Luna asked already knowing the questions answer.

"Acropolis and Rune Shift." Celestia sips from her cup quietly and calmly.

"And how do you know this sister? A prophecy or perhaps a vision?" The dark Princesses mane became more lively, its stars twinkled and shimmered in irritation.

"No, you told me how they will die," Celestia's words confused Luna, "Their armors will kill them if they attempt treason, correct?"

"Yes, but they haven-"

"They are growing more and more dangerous to us and the population, their madness grows by the day." The elders sisters tone was cold and calculating. She had seen this coming, and had let it happen, even feeding it. Allowing Acropolis to amass troops quickly giving and Rune access to magic well beyond her. Well aware that Luna's un-shielded mind was slowly tainting her subordinates, and yet she still let it happen. Ever the elder sister teaching the younger.

"But-"

"Put simply sister, you need to be more careful with your toys." The next sip Celestia took was sinister, if anypony ever made drinking tea menacing it was the sun princess. "And do you remember what happens when you mistreat your toys?"

"But sist-"

"Do you?" The elder was starting to show her darker colors, her tone was of a scolding mother instead of a caring sister. The pause was thick, neither sister spoke for several minutes.

"They break." Luna finally spoke with a defeated tone. Her eyes fell to the floor, cast down by her realization that her little play time was over. She was slowly poisoning the very things she was trying to protect, driving those she brought to combat madness deeper into it. Twisting Acropolis and Rune into shadows of their former selves. And she knew it was affecting them, but she didn't think it would become a problem so quickly. "What should I do?"

"Invite them both to a meeting later tonight, I will do the rest. Oh, and don't wear and regalia, just the pendant." Celestia gave a simple order, and only silence followed. A perfectly ruined pleasant snack.

The sounds of swords on shields faded as Acropolis awoke, Rune beside him in his bed. He had dreamed of conquest, bloody conquest, not just of Celestia anymore. In his dream he stood on the bloody corpses of three princesses, his bloodied queen at his side. He had torn it all down, and marched across the world, all the sun touched was his. And he loved it. All he wanted resonated in one word.

"Power." He said aloud under his breath. His voice quaked as if the word made him sad. A tear rolled down his face, undeterred he wiped it away and began to get ready for his night. Rune awoke shortly after him. They had shared in their dreams of conquest, but hers weren't about conquering Equestria. Hers were about the finer details, the blood on her armor, the feel of her magic ripping through flesh, the noise ponies make as you squeeze the life from them. The sound of bones snapping lulled her from her slumber. She said nothing as she laid in her bed as a devious smile came over her face. Her wondered who would try and stop her today, who would die today. Their silent musings were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Celestia requires your attention, 9pm, side hall B." A celestial guard called out from behind the door.

"Understood." The pair called out.

Celestia sat on her throne in her full royal garb. Jewels everywhere, her crown tall and majestic, she out shined the sun. Luna stood a ways off in her regular clothes, no flair, no jewelry, only her broach. The sun princesses plan was in motion, a trap of a deadly nature. A trap if sprung correctly would save more than it would destroy. There were no lunar guards in attendance as Acropolis and Rune Shift entered the room. Celestial guard lined the walls, a shoulder lengths apart, around the whole room. They strode into the room, the madness consuming them, they feared no-pony, the static grew louder, their arrogance showed in their strides.  

"Princess, what is the reason you called us?" Acropolis asked. It was time, Celestia had all her pieces in place, Celestial guards everywhere, and a subjugated Luna. Celestia looked like the empress instead of a princess. Everypony was on edge and unsure of the princesses plan.

"I am absolving the Lunar guard." Celestia's eyes never broke from Acropolis' as she spoke, "And establishing myself as sole ruler over Equestria." She spread her wings wide and cast shadows on every pony in the room.  

"She's WHAT?!" Brigade shouted at Flash Sentry. Glint, Gumshoe, Chrysalis, Coco, Trixie, Spinneret, Doc, and even Golem all stood in shock at Sentry's explanation of Celestia's plan.

"That's why everypony was ordered not to wear their Lunar armor." Flash explained, "If Celestia's hunch is right, the armor should rip the taint from them. And hopefully because the taint is of Luna, the armor will panic at attacking it and separate it from them."

"Hopefully?" Glint chittered, hiding behind Brigade.

"Yes, Even Celestia is unsure of what will happen to them, they could be fine, or turn to dust." Flash's face betrayed his calm tone. He didn't see eye to eye with Acropolis on many issues, but he respected the task he had taken on.

"I don't see why this needs to happen!" Spinneret pleaded on the verge of tears. Coco pulled the quaking mare close to her.

"When they put on the armor they were exposed to Luna's un-shielded mind," Doc spoke up, clearly he knew some information the others didnt. He took a swig from his flask as the cogs on his leg spun. "And then they went to the Asyl, Acropolis peered into a moonstone, and Rune killed, alot. They caught glimpses into the mind of possibly the craziest pony in this reality. Its like suddenly seeing everything that will ever exist ever all at once. Except what they saw was an unfathomable amount of brutality, violence, and insanity. And even at a trickle, a shadow in the back of their minds, it was enough to drive them here. Reminds me of a poem by Poe."

"I believe I know this one," Chrysalis said, "Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before, But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token, And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, 'Luna!' This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Luna!' Merely this and nothing more." Her read from memory was chilling. Like hearing a eulogy of a dead lover, her tone was sad and sweet. The room fell silent at the conclusion of her poetic.

"Quite," Docs goggles spun and locked into place as he peered at Chrysalis.

"Wait," Gumshoe spoke angrily, "You knew this was happening?"

"I knew they were effected," Doc took another swig of the flask, "However I was not sure how far they had progressed. This is all moot though, it's all in Celestia's hooves now."

"And if they die?" Coco asked while trying to keep Spinneret from crying.

"Then they die." Flash replied.

Celestia's proclamation struck Acropolis and Rune still.

This cant be happening. Acro thought.

"Your services will no longer be required." Celestia continued, "And your guar will be disbanded.

What is happening? How can I stop this? Rune thought. They tuned into Luna and felt nothing but defeat.

She cant be?

Defeated? the static got louder

Never. And louder

Wont disband. And louder.

Only one option left. And louder.

Cant let her take the throne. Deafening.

WONT LET HER TAKE THE THRONE! Silence.

KILL CELESTIA! The pair shared over the link.

The sound was deafening as their armor cracked and shattered. Tears ran down their faces as the broken plates fell from them. A dark smoke shot like steam from a cracked pipe from the seams in their armors. They didn't scream, they couldn't. Their minds were locked, torn apart by the armors defensive functions. Their vision blurred as the static enveloped them, Celestia's trap sprung, Luna used her magic to pull the taint from the armor before it moved onto consuming the pair. Brigade came in through the door, Gumshoe and Glint right behind, just in time to see Acropolis and Rune Shift fall into Luna's wings.

"Brigade." Luna looked up at him, Acropolis and Rune's still bodies held in her wings. "Im sorry, I-i broke them."

The Shattered

Three Months Later ...

Brigade stood guard at the hospital room door. The sun was high and birds were chirping. For some reason the birds were only irritating him. To him it felt like years had passed since Acropolis and Rune shift had gone comatose. And throughout Brigade stood ever vigil guarding their door.  Coco had taken the night shift, when she wasn't giving briefings. In their absence Gumshoe and Coco had taken over the Lunar guard, and with Flash Sentry's and Brigade's help, it continued to function. Brigade had not taken Acropolis's condition lightly, he was plagued with headaches and fever dreams. He blamed himself for not noticing his friend slowly spiraling into madness and had shut himself  off to those around him. Glint and Chrysalis kept mostly to their swamp and the Doc had also made himself scarce. Trixie also took this hard, and had all but vanished into Starswirls laboratory. But no pony had even heard from Luna, a few days after the incident she sent out letters thanking her guards for their service. But after that she vanished all together, she couldn't even be reached over the Link. And Celestia's reassurances that Luna was fine did little to quell the suspicion.

"Brigade," Flash Sentry came up to him, "Still nothing?"

"No, they just sit there. Still eat, and what not, but." Brigade trailed off.

"I believe the phrase, the lights are no but no ponys home, is applicable." The Lieutenants attempt at humor fell flat. "Any word from Luna?"

"None."

"I see," Flash eyed the shield she had given Brigade. He never put it down, he held onto that shield like it was a child. "Well, keep me posted." He gave a quick salute and left Brigade alone. Brigade cast a sad glance at the door behind him where his friend and colleague sat, completely devoid of themselves.

"Not my field." A very tired looking Trixie replied to Glint, the bags under her eyes were almost the color of Twilight. She was in the lab getting some parts from Doc and Glint had just asked her a strange question. "Im not a doctor, im a scientist?" Trixie perplexed at her own field of study, which actually was everything.

"But, your all I got," Glint pleaded, "I can feel that they are in pain Trixie! We need to, save them, somehow!"

"And how exactly do we do that? Luna is the only Dreamwalker around and she's MISSING!" Trixie was shouting now. "So how exactly would I look into a," Trixie's eyes went wide, "comatose," Her pupils dialted, "mindscape?" She was whispering by the time she finished her sentence. There was a pause as the tiles in Trixie's mind slid into place, with a almost audible click.

"Mindscape, what are you?" Glint asked.

"Yes, we cant Dreamwalk, but maybe, the mindscape, I could rig the, and, that just might!" Trixie kissed Glint on the forehead and dashed out of the lab.

"That was odd." Glint commented as Chrysalis came up behind her.

"Nothing these ponies do surprises me anymore." Chrysalis coldly commented.

Golem sat at his desk going through the weeks reports. Running a asylum came naturally to him, even if it was still a secret to most. His natural ability to perceive ponies intentions and read their body language had come in handy in sorting the dangerous patients from the regular patients. It had been rather quiet in the Asyl, no riots, no fights, and all patients were accounted for and undergoing treatment. He put down his report and picked up a research paper Twilight had given him.

"Project Screw Loose," He read the title aloud, "A patient study, Dr.Stable. Hmm." He opened the paper and began to read. It detailed one of Dr.Stable's patients and her bizarre madness. As he read through the graphs of brain waves and behavior charts he started seeing similarities to moonstone madness, except this Screw Loose still maintained some rational thought. She is apparently aware that she is insane. The more and more he read the more he wanted to meet this Dr.Stable. Golem's own studies were limited, and few ponies had done research on psychosis or mental illness. And here is this small town doctor is doing research into mental illnesses. "I would very much like to speak with the Doctor."

"Sir!" A guard pony called form the door. "Trixie is here to see you, she seems more, excited, than usual."

"Ah," Trixie had been spending time with Golem lately in an attempt to help Acropolis and Rune, "Let her in."

"Golem!" Trixie appeared with flash at his desk, "What do you know about mindscapes?" Trixies eyes were wide.

"Not much. Why?"

"Damn! I had a idea about how to help Acro and Rune, well actually it was Glints idea, anyway. I read some books on the theory of mindscapes that Starswirl had done." Trixie explained.

"Did you ask at Canterlot medical?" Golem dead panned.

"Yes, and nopony there knew what I was talking about." Trixie flopped down into one of the chairs at his desk.

"Well, Im sorry I know just about the same as you, my knowledge on it is limited from papers I read from the library here. Which as you know is over a thousand years out of date." His eyes landed on Dr.Stable's paper on his desk, "But I think I may know of somepony whom can help."

AGORA!

"Gah!" Agora shouted at nothing in his study. His windows had long since be repaired and most of his collection had been restored. He was restoring a old vase and nearly shattered it with his magic from the fright.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?

"Master? Where have you been? Its been months!" Agora moves over to the domed glass and pulls off the cover. The black bit of bone had a slight red glow to it.

I have been recovering. How to word this? When Luna's guard was cracked, the psychic fallout forced me to take shelter.

"Well I am glad you have returned, Master." Agora went back to attending to his vase.

Have you made any progress in getting into the Lunar armory?

"Umm, no, But my nephew is good in with the Lunar guard now, but the armory has been placed on lockdown since Luna vanished." There was a pause, "But I've got information on several Lunar artifacts, so we have that going for us, which is nice." Agora smiled at no one.

Anything good?

"Oh, my yes, dangerous, volatile, and rather kinky." Agora gave a small but evil chuckle.

Lovely.

Fluttershy and Twilight stood on the train platform as the train rolled in. It was a cloudy day, everything was grey, the skies looked liek at any moment they would open up an rain. Despite being her least favorite clouds, Rainbow Dash's skill with storm clouds was exceptional. It was fitting though, a depressing sky for a depressing trip. Dr.Stable climbed up onto the platform with nurse Redheart close behind. Brigade emerged from the train, behind him Acropolis was rolled out in a wheelchair being pushed by Trixie, and behind her was Rune Shift being pushed by Spinneret. Golem followed them out carrying several bags of various research materials. Brigade and Dr.Stable traded silent nods as Twilight and Fluttershy took over pushing Acro and Rune.

Fluttershy had rearranged Acropolis' house to accommodate for their care. Medical devices from the hospital and from Twilight's lab lined the small homes walls, and in the middle sat two small beds. They laid the pair into their beds, hooked them up to the equipment and the group left to talk treatment at the hospital, leaving Brigade to stand guard.

The fire crackled in the shallow fireplace as Acropolis tried to warm his hooves against it. The building he was in looked just like his child home,except decrepit and falling down. Every building looked like his child home in various state of decay. The wind whipped through the dark forest, making the horrific trees creak and bend. Making noises trees shouldn't make. He was used to trees acting a bit off as he lived near Everfree, but these trees made him uneasy. He reached into the makeshift pack he had made and pulled out some strange shaped berries. Popping them into his mouth, he made a sour face as he swallowed.

"Gah, after three months they never taste any better." He spoke aloud to no one. Looking around to make sure no pony was watching he pulled out a sleeping bag he had made from collected materials. "I should get some sleep," The sound of twigs snapping stopped him dead. Stowing his bag he quickly snuffed the fire. Falling silent his ears perked, listening for anything. This forest was dangerous, strange creatures, and monsters, but there was one thing he was running from. One thing he never seemed to escape.

"Acro~" A crackled male ponies voice echoed through the trees.

Buck! It found me! Acropolis thought as he quickly put on his pack and ducked into a nearby nook. He could hear it's hoof-steps as it got closer. Heavy plodding steps, as if it was stomping as it walked. It entered the derelict house and Acropolis' vision. It was a twisted vision of himself, in the Lunar armor. Except its eyes were voids, and its body was covered with gashes and wounds. Its wings were mangled and its armor was digging into its flesh, making it bleed as it walked. I've got to get away from it!

Acropolis!

What? Who? He looked around, the only other creature around was his demonic doppelganger.

Do not let it touch you!

"ACRO!" It shouted, the trees themselves seemed to shake with its voice. "MAKE US WHOLE!" It turned and began to look for him up stairs.

Go! Now!

Here goes nothing! Acropolis dashed out from his nook running past his doppelganger and out into the forest.

"COME BACK HERE ACROPOLIS!" It screamed as it attempted to give chase. Acropolis quickly outran it, he kept running until the house was no longer in view. His run slowed to a trot and looked up at the moon above him, the mare on the moon greeted his stare. Its expression matched his own, pained.

Her own hoof-steps echoed down the empty school halls. The vast and completely empty Magic school stretched out before Rune. Its barren halls stretched out before her. The once comforting halls have turned sinister in the oppressing darkness. There was no flames in the torches, no bulbs in the sockets, her only light was the natural light from the moon and her light spell. Her spell cast strange shadows off the objects in the halls, shadows that seemed to mock her. But the shadows and darkness were the least over her worries. She moved into one of the vacant classrooms, they were ll the same. She should have been in the scribe hall but instead she was in the research labs. Scattered papers and discarded pen wells littered the tables and floors, she had read all of them methodically. They all read the same, notes on torture and diary pages of somepony torturing Rune. Initially it was unsettling to her, but after three months of wandering this school, she only had one thing left to fear.

"Its never different is it?" Rune asked aloud to the empty room.

"Rune~" Its tone was sweet, like the call of a lover, but it had a sinister undertone.The voice echoed in from the empty hall.

"Damn it! It's near." Rune quickly ducked under the desk and dispelled her light spell. She could hear the door swing slowly open as it entered, she had only gotten a good look at it once, but that was once to many. It looked like her in her Lunar armor, except her eyes were gouged out and barbed wire was wrapped all around her body. As it walked it left a bloody trail behind it. It came to a stop in front of her hiding spot and looked around the room with it's vacant eyes. Rune covered her mouth with her hooves as its rattled breathing wheezed in front of her.  

"Rune!" It shouted spewing blood onto the floor in front of it.

Dont let it touch you! A voice called out from nowhere.

What? She thought, looking around for the source, Whos there? It began to move around the side of the table.

Now! Run!

Damn it! Rune quickly scrambled out from the desk and dashed out into the hallway. Its scream followed her as she ran through the darkness. Eventually she made her way into the domed courtyard where she stopped for a minute to catch her breath, looking up she saw the moon in the sky with the mare on the moon looking back at her. She noticed that the expresion had changed, the moon itself looked like it was in pain.




Canterlot Troubles

Gumshoe and Coco stood on the doorstep of a rather fancy house. They had been called in on a suspected murder, the phrase 'suspected' was the only reason he was there. With Acro and Rune MIA he and Coco took on their work load, and lead investigations. Gumshoe didn't mind though, he liked investigations, after all his special talent was details. Coco knocked on the door.

"Try to be nice Gumshoe," Coco pleaded, "These are our men, please remember that."

"What ever do you mean?" He said with a slight grin as the door opened. A Lunar guard stood there, gumshoe looked at him and quickly noticed a few things. Crumbs on collar, scuffed boots, bags under eyes, washed mane, no shampoo, slight lean, shoulder hurt, injury? no, sleep issue? no, crumbs? bagel, cafeteria, sleep issue, bunk, collar, wedding necklace, hidden, worn, separated? Divorced? no, dog house. "Flowers, roses, dozen."

"Sir?" the guard asked quizzically.

"For you wife, mare's love roses." The guard cast Coco a shocked look.

"How did?" The guard stammered out as Coco pushed past him.

"Whats the scene?" She tried to steer the conversation back onto the scene.

"Well, there was a break in, and what looks like a struggle, lots of blood, a bloody knife, but no body." The guard explained shaking Gumshoes statements from his mind. Gumshoe walked into the room and looked around. Chairs tossed, table broken, hoof prints, calm, not running The scene formed in front of him, the table righted and the room morphed into its previous state. Two shadow ponies stood in the room.

"well, looks like somepony came in through the window." Coco began talking, she had worked with Gumshoe enough to know that talking through helped him. The shadows moved to the window, "Appreantly grabbed whom ever was here and slammed them against this wall." The shadows mimicked her descriptions. "And then, somepony got stabbed." Gumshoe leaned down to look closer at the blood.

Straight fall, no spatter, no movement, attacker and victim were standing still, but they were in the middle of a fight at this point.

"Coco, would to stand still if you being attacked?" He asked.

"No, keep moving, at least thats what Rune always says." She replied and continued, "And then somepony was slammed don the table, breaking it." The shadows slammed into the table. He leaned down and looked closer at the debris.

"Anything stolen?" Gumshoe asked looking around the room Nothings missing, nothing valuable is broken, almost like somepony wanted to keep this stuff, unlocked window, inconsistent hoof marks, forged blood drops,

"Actually, there is a empty frame on the wall, no painting in it, so it might have been a theft gone wrong."

Empty frame, not broken, careful, no blood marks, removed before fight? no, fight staged, painting, pulled canvas, oils, old, valuable, owner? "Who's home is this?"

"A bank worker, Shill." She replied.

"Debts?"

"None im aware of."

"Thanks," Gumshoe started going through the trash bin pulling out bank papers, receipts until he found what he knew he would find. Race tickets, gambler, lost, 30,000 bits "This isnt a murder, or theft, this is debt evasion."

"What? But the blood?" She asked.

"Self inflicted."

"The painting?" She was getting more confused.

"Last valuable, took it with him." He turned to the guard, "Notify Canterlot medical and all neighboring medical facilities, look for anypony with a shallow knife wound in the abdomen, male, middle aged, and judging from the carpet, grey mane." The guard pulled out a communication crystal and called in the order. Gumshoe looked over at Coco, who still looked a bit surprised. "What?"

"What was the clue?"

"The blood, somepony stabbed in a conflict would be moving, the droplets would be elongated, but the drops there fell straight, he stood still and stabbed himself, after he took the painting from its frame, and put the frame back up, to make sure we saw the empty frame, but if somepony broke in, stabbed he owner, and then took the painting as the scene implies, there would be blood on the frame, since there is blood on the handle of the knife, further more, he owed 30,000 bits to some bookies, which as we all know is rather dangerous. So in conclusion, he staged a robbery/murder to mask his escape from his gambling debts."

"Sir, they just picked up a colt matching Shill's description at East Medical center. He had a painting wrapped up in his pack, and had tickets to Phillydelphia." The guards shock was visible, "Wow."

"Good, nick him for wasting my time." Gumshoe quickly left the scene with Coco right behind him.

Back at the Lunar barracks

Coco and Gumshoe were filling out their reports for the crime they had just solved rather quickly. Gumshoe was bored again, fraud was boring, but he had found something else in Shill's trash bin than a receipt. He pulls a note from his pack, on it were instructions on how to fake the crime they just foiled. Luckily for Gumshoe Shill was crappy at destroying evidence. What concerned him wasn't instructions on how to fake a crime, but it was the signature. A crescent moon in red ink. Normally he can find inconsistencies in the typeface, a watermark, something that could tell him where the note came from, brand of paper, ink type, right hooved or left hooved, anything. But as he stared at this paper, all he saw was the writing. Clear, crisp, no ink out of place, custom ink, hoof written, hoof pressed paper, hoof made quill, unique, untraceable. Things like this made him quite excited, the unknown, mysteries. All he wanted was to know who wrote that note, and why they helped a small time banker fake his own murder. Was it the painting? He looked over at Coco, the painting in question rolled up next to her. They never even thought to look at the painting.

"Coco, whats the painting of?" Gumeshoe's question seemed to startle Coco. She just looked at the roll and after a long pause opened it. She held in out in front of her, her expression was of shock as she turned the painting around so Gumshoe could see it. It depicted princess Luna, victorious over Celestia, Canterlot burning in the background. But what surprised Gumshoe wasn't the violent nature of the painting or Luna's demonic depiction, it was the signature in the bottom corner, a red crescent moon.  

"DAMN IT!" Agora smakced his glass arcross his study smashing it against the far wall, "BUCK!"

Calm down.

"The Order is going quite irate with this, change in events, Shill should be a train by now!" Agora sat down in his chair and began to fume.

The Order will survive with out their accountant for a few days, but this isnt about him is it?

"That painting is priceless, and supposedly has a map on the back." Agora grabs himself another drink.

Oh? I don't know this one.

"Yes, a map, supposedly, to a lost cache, left behind by the Order's predecessors, the Moon Cult. The information, or artifacts there could set me for life, and give me some more bargaining chips with Luna." He explains.

If she reemerges.

"When, Master, not if." He took another sip of his drink.

Mindscape: Acropolis

Trixie, Golem, and Dr.Stable sat in Twilights lab discussing how to induce a mindwalk. Dr.Stable had already done a fair amount of study on the subject and was filling Trixie and Golem in on his findings. Twilight herself is absent from the discussion, she had her own matters to attend to. She left spike to attend to her guests in the library. Twilight met up with Fluttershy, who was wearing Rarity's stealth suit, just outside of town hall.  

"How are Acro and Rune doing?" Twilight asked leading them both out of town.

"They are doing fine, change really, its really depressing to watch them," Fluttershy paused for a moment as they left the town, "They look like they are pained."

"Are they in pain?" Twilight asked.

"No, the machines arent reading anything, its more like a feeling." Fluttershy explained.

"I see, I wonder if she knows anything about that?" Twilight and Fluttershy fell silent as they entered Everfree forest.

The now completely vacant Lunar barracks were completely quiet except for the steady breathing of one princess of the night. Luna sat in the middle of the ancient barracks, her eyes shut and horn alight. She was gaunt and her head wobbled back and forth as if she was falling asleep. Twilight and Fluttershy walked into the barracks, placing their bags down Twilight moved over to the night princess. She used her magic to lift up Luna's eye lids. Her eyes were glazed and cold, her vision was far off and not at the mare in front of her. Giving a sigh she used her magic to pull out and start up the small camping stove they had brought.

"I cant believe she has been like this for three months." Fluttershy commented as she began to wash Luna with a sponge she had brought.

"Yeah, I've read of intense mediation before but this," Twilight stirred the brew she was making, "This is something else. Shes trying to do something, or find something."

"Do you think it has to do with Acropolis and Rune?" Fluttershy moved onto the princess's wings, being delicate with her feathers.

"I can only assume, She came to me and gave me very strict orders. Keep her safe, fed, clean, and secret." Twilight's brew began to bubble.

"I hope Trixie and Golem can help them, I've always liked Acropolis." She paused holding Luna's feathers, "He has a kind soul, I hope they can."

"Well if any pony can it'll be Trixie," Twilight grabs her brew with her magic and brings it to Luna's face, "Shes brilliant and crazy, a effective combination." Fluttershy flew up and tilted Luna's head back as Twilight poured the brew down her throat, "But with Dr.Stable's help they should figure something out, he's a great doctor." Rainbow Dash flew in through the window and landed near the princess.

"She's STILL meditating?" Rainbow commented, "Thats hardcore."

"Anypony about?" Twilight asked while packing up the small cooker she had.

"Nope, all clear, no pony's been around for weeks. I've been keeping the fog around the castle nice and thick to keep everypony out!" She said with a triumphant tone.

"Good work Rainbow! Keep it up, we dont now when she will come out of it." The purple alicorn said as she put her pack back on.

"If she comes out of it." Fluttershy commented under her breath.

"I hope she does, I cant keep skimming fog like this, somepony in Cloudsdale is gonna notice eventually." Rainbow took flight as she spoke.

"If it comes to that I'll make up some story for you Rainbow." Twilight wasnt used to throwing her weight around as princess but if she had to she would.

"Run." Luna muttered under her breath. The trio just stared at her, in shock she had spoken at all.

"Did she just?"

"Yes." Twilight answered quickly.

"How did?"

"No idea." Twilight flew up to look closer at Luna's face as a single tear rolled down her face.

Trixie and Dr.Stable spent the next week in Twilight's lab building and testing their mindscape device. Brigade spent the whole time attending to Acropolis and Rune Shift, and barely spoke to anypony. Golem had to take his leave, but Dr.Stable gave his word to visit Canterlot and bring Screw Loose with him. Despite issues with melding they believed that they had a working device that would let somepony else mindwalk into somepony else's mindscape. However, there appeared to be a bleed through effect that they couldn't counter. The rabbit trying to snatch flies with its tongue was proof enough of that. Trixie believed that a high functioning mind could counter the effect, but was hesitant to ask for test subjects.

"Trixie, there is no way we can know if this works without a pony subject." Dr.Stable was taking the helmet they built off of the stand, it was strange helmet, with metal arms holing out crystals carved with runic symbols and coils sparing with electricity. Trixie was tending to their new pet rabbit and its strange diet.

"Nopony is going to volunteer for this." Her horn lit up lifting the other helmet of its sister stand, "Even if they do work, and we cant test them on ourselves."

"Maybe we can-" The doctor began but Brigade cut the doctor off as he entered the lab he was wearing a cart harness.

"I'll do it." He said, his face was grim.

"Brigade, are you sure?" Dr.Stable approached him, "This is experimental, and quite dangerous."

"Dont care." Brigade handed Trixie a medical board and took off the harness, "Acropolis is already upstairs, Twilight is tending to him."

"What? You want to do this right now?" Trixie was surprised by his forwardness, he simply nodded at her, "All right then, lets get this gear upstairs, and Brigade, this is very brave of you."

"Thank you Trixie."

Twilight was very concerned as Trixie and Dr.Stable hooked the unconscious Acropolis up to their machines, a strange mixture of medical and magical devices. Trixie had explained that they could monitor Acropolis' brain activity using these devices but Twilight wasn't paying attention to Trixie, she was more concerned with Brigade. Brigade sat across from her wearing the mindwalk helmet, she had gotten used to his stoic glance but now he had a very serious look on his face. Twilight didnt like his gaze, he wasn't looking at her, more like through her, like he was looking into oblivion.

"Its ready." Trixie said as horn lit up, "Are you ready?"

"Yes." Brigade calmly answered.

"Okay, look inside whatever you see will most likely be different from what Acropolis see's. Your scapes are different, but I believe the space will be the same." She tried to explain as the nodes on the helmet started to glow.

"What do you mean?" A hint of concern rolled off Brigades words.

"Well, for example, if he sees a tree, you may see a pillar. His wooden door could be your metal door, and so on. But the space and layout should be the same. Everything in the same place, just may not look the same." The fact that all this was untested theory came across in Trixies voice. Brigade felt that this was slightly more dangerous than he had initially thought. But if it would bring Acropolis back he would have to take it.

"Is there something specific I should be looking for?" Brigade was trying to hide his new found uneasiness.

"Acropolis, and whatever he is running from." Trixie dispelled her horn, the nodes on their helmets glowed with a strange light, "And Brigade, dont touch Acropolis, you may accidentally-"

Wind whistled through the towering changeling cocoon towers, making them sway and creak like disgusting trees. Their sacks filled with blood and what can only be described as bits. The ground was stamped hard by hooves and gouged from dragging weapons, piles of dead soldiers and changelings littered the ground. Brigade tried to ignore these and focused on the small building before him, it looked familiar, and yet forgotten. And then it hit him, that one home in Canterlot, that family, he shook his head trying to scrub that memory from his mind, trying to focus on what he was looking for. He heard hoof steps behind him, he quickly spun around to see a very surprised Acropolis standing there, he appeared as he did in his armor to him.

"B-Brigade?" Acropolis' tone was one of total amazement. They stood there in silence for a tense moment, both trying to asses if the other was real. "Are, are you real?"

"Yes." Brigade answered flatly.

"Good enough for me." Acro moved to hug Brigade, but he moved back.

"Okay, exposition, I am projecting in to you consciousness, our bodies are in Twilight's lab, you and Rune have been mindlocked for three months, and Luna is missing. Also we cant touch or else your mind may overwrite mine." Brigades exposition was meet with a confused look from Acropolis.

"Well, that explains a lot actually." Brigade will be forever amazed that Acropolis could still miss such large details, but he took solace in this fact. it meant that this was the true Acropolis. "We need to move though, get into the house." Acro motioned towards the building with his wing, "Itll be here soon."

"What will?" They ran towards the house.

"Dont know, all I do know is I cant let it touch me." Acropolis shut the door as they entered the living room.

"How do you know that?" Brigade began pushing furniture over the exits.

"Dont know, sometimes I hear a voice, usually happens in clearings." he held up his wing to signal silenece. They both crouched, as heavy hoof steps echoed through the cool air. "Buck, here it comes."

"ACRO!" It screamed, Acropolis went white as the echo faded.

"Is that you?" Brigade peeked through the window to see it. He saw Acropolis it full Lunar armor, but covered in green blood, and he had changeling eyes. "Wow, I am messed up." he spoke under his breath. "Weapons?"

"None."

"Cant touch it."

"Correct."

"Then we dont touch it," Brigade looked about the room quickly as it approached. He needed a spear, anything with a shaft, something that would allow him to fight back.

"ITS HERE!" Acropolis shouted as it punched clean through the braced door. "Upstairs!" The pair dashed up the stairs as it make quick work of the door.

"I need a spear! Anything like that?" Brigade called out as he searched the room frantically.

"ACRO!" It's shout called up the stairs.

"No, I dont have anything like that!" Acropolis replied, he was looking even paler.

"We need a weap-" the door shattered as it plowed into the room. It came right for Brigade, thrusting with its wings and throwing him out of the window. He could hear Acropolis dodging the creatures attacks in the building. He felt heavy, like something was holding him down, he looked around to see a soft white light surrounding him. He looked up above him to see the mare on the moon looking down at him. "Luna!" He said as a spear made of light struck the ground beside him. He could hear a voice echo off the spear as its light turned the ground around him to grass.

Save him.

His magic gripped the shaft as he got to his feet. He could feel a soft presence wash over him, like a cool breeze on a warm day. Acropolis came barreling out of the window and landed hard near Brigade, he looked up in amazement to see him covered in a white light.

"Brigade?" The light lit up the forest as Acropolis scrambled away from the glowing Brigade.

"Move." Brigade readied his spear as the creature landed with a earth shattering thud.

Strike its heart.

"COME AT ME DEMON!" Brigade shouted as he pulled the spear back and charged the creature. It focused its glowing eyes on Brigade, his mind began racing, visions of the Canterlot invasion started sweeping through him.

"What is going on!" Twilight shouted. the machines that they were hooked up to were beeping and whirring loudly.

"They must be fighting something!" Trixie said as she read some of the print outs.

"Whatever is happening Brigade cant keep this up." Dr.Stable wiped some sweat from Brigades brow.

"Brigade!" Acro's voice cut through the visions. The demon Acro was almost right upon him, its glowing eyes, bleeding mouth, mutated legs, moments away from ripping him apart. He gripped tighter on the spear and the light grew brighter, pushing away the changeling features of Acropolis' doppelganger. What moved, almost in slow motion now, towards him was still a Acropolis doppelganger but it wore Nightmare Moon's armor. Suddenly things started to make more sense to Brigade. He fell to his back, letting it come up on top of him.

"This ends NOW!" With a mighty thrust Brigade lets his spear fly, piercing the creature in the heart. There was a moment of stillness. Brigade on his back with the creature on his spear, Acropolis standing in shock a few feet away. In a blinding flash the creature exploded.

"PULL HIM OUT!" Twilight shouted as Trixie quickly broke the link that held them together. Brigade awoke with a frantic gasp, panting and sweating like he had just ran a mile.

"Are you okay?" Dr.Stable asked wiping Brigades forehead again.

"Yeah, there was, a creature, or something. It was chasing Acropolis, it defies description. But I think it was a fragment of Nightmare Moon, an echo of the taint." Brigade spoke slow and labored, he was exhausted.

"Brigade?" Acropolis' voice sent a wave of surprise through the room. Everypony slowly looked over to the bed where Acropolis lay, his eyes were open and he had a smile on his face. They all just stood there for a moment shocked that their little experiment had worked. "What? Is, there something, on my face?" Acro gave a chuckle and passed out.

"You did it." Trixie's voice was quiet, "You really did it. It works!"

"Brigade how was-?" Dr.Stable turned to Brigade, who during Acropolis' speaking, had passed out as well, "Oh, well then."

"Now we just need to save Rune." Twilight commented as she tended to Acropolis.

Rainbow dash sat next to the meditating Luna. She maintained a silent vigil for the princess of the night. Not her idea of fun but she promised to watch the princess for Twilight, and that was what she was going to do. Even if she bored out of her mind.

"Acro." Luna whispered, her voice was pleased and she cracked a little smile.

"What?" Rainbow looked up at the princesses face expecting to see her eyes open, they weren't. "I think I may be going nuts."


Mindscape: Rune Shift


"So we know it works, now we just need to save Rune Shift as well." Dr.Stable was reviewing the data the had collected during Brigades trip into Acropolis' mind. Twilight's lab was quiet, the machines were quiet, the library was dark, there was no evidence of what had transpired except for the tandem helmets recharging their energy in the foyer. Brigade himself had recovered almost completely, he had a headache and some slight disorientation. But he was in good hooves, Twilight and Fluttershy were tending to him. He didn't mind the attention though, it wasn't often he had mares tending him.

"Yes, but Brigade cant risk another mind-walk." Trixie was reviewing Brigades charts. His scans were stable but another walk might drive him mad. And that was a risk she didn't want to take. Brigade was a valued member of the Celestial Guard, and Acropolis' friend. "Were going to need somepony else to volunteer to walk."

"But who? Twilight and Fluttershy don't know her well enough." Dr.Stable put the stack of papers he was reading aside and began to ponder who could do it. "Brigade worked so well because Acropolis and him had a bond. Does Rune have a friend like that? They would be the best choice."

"There is only one pony I am aware of, me." Trixie replied slowly, almost sadly. She had realized that Rune was introverted, and beside Acropolis she hadn't really opened up to any pony. Except for her.

"But then who is going to regulate the magic flow?" The doctor asked, shocked at the suggestion, "Its s delicate matter to maintain a connection between two beings, let alone one of such importance!"

"I could teach Twilight the spell." She was warming to the idea of saving her own savior.

"No offence to the princess but isn't she more of a," he paused as if to find more appropriate words, "a hammer, we need a, a surgeon. This requires precision, and Twilight, while her magic is strong, she lacks the fine manipulation skills for this project."

Twilight clears her throat. Dr.Stable went white as he slowly turned around to see Princess Twilight standing there.

"A hammer huh?" Twilight had that look, a look the doctor knew well.

"A colorful metaphor, not a reflection of your character, princess." Dr.Stable tried to back pedal.

"His point stands," Trixie interrupted, "I need a scalpel, not a hammer." Trixie turned to face Twilight, her face was serious. Twilight was surprised by Trixie's expression, she was serious, more serious than she had ever seen her. "Any suggestions?"

"Brigade?" Princess Sparkle suggests.

"No, another walk would kill him."

"Rarity, Maybe?" Spike spoke up, no one had even realized he was in the room. "She's good with manipulation magic, like, the best at it."

"Shes the white one, right?" Trixie thought back to her first encounter in Ponyville, "She had the green mane?"

"Purple, actually, you turned it green." Spike had little love for the soft blue once terror.

"Twilight, can Rarity perform this type of magic?" Dr.Stable asked.

"She may, she is talented, and a quick learner." Twilight pondered her friends ability to perform such a complicated spell. "I'll see."

Rarity stood in Twilights lab reading a scroll Trixie had prepared for her. It was the connection spell and instructions on how to maintain the connection between the two helmets. It was complicated but Rarity's confidence was high and she was sure she could pull off the spell. She was practice casting as Twilight approached Trixie.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked.

"I have changed quite a bit since we fought, that mare up stairs, she pulled me from my own prison. Burned the stage, the high and mighty, the boasting, right out of me." Trixie looked to Twilight, "She saved me from myself, you may have shown me the limits of my power, but she showed me that my limits were imposed on myself."

"I can see you have changed, and I am glad it is for the better. And I do hope you are putting Starswirls lab to good use." Twilight spoke slowly, as if trying to whisper.

"The fact that Acropolis and Brigade are sane and alive attest to that fact." Trixie said flatly, "Now, Rarity will be ready soon, she nearly has it down. And I must prepare. Come get me when the doctor has the helmets calibrated." Trixie walked off into the library leaving Twilight and Rarity alone in the lab.

"Is she alright?" Rarity looked up from her scroll for a moment.

"She's fine, just needs a few moments before we do this."  She looked back into the library. "Her only friend is in trouble and now she needs to find the courage to dive into the maw of the unknown to save her."

"Very poetic darling." the white unicorn said as she returned to her study.

Trixie sat across from Rune shift in Twilights bedroom, both wearing the helmets. Dr.Stable tended to their machines, reviewing data from Brigades run, adjusting levels accordingly. Since Acropolis' revival Rune's readings had spiked, she was stressed, something was going on in her head and they needed to get in there. If her levels stay that high for too long she will  lock up and go into a real coma. And that was not an option, Trixie was to see to that end, regardless.

"Ready Trixie?" the doctor asked as he finished his calibrations. Trixie just nodded. "Rarity?"

"Ready as ill ever be darling." She was confident but still nervous to preform such complicated magic.

"Okay, Rarity whenever you are ready." The doctors voice held in the room like a echo as Rarity began the spell. Trixie could feel herself slip away, fading from consciousness. soon there was no room, she was alone.

Torch's slowly burst to life in the dark and dank cave. Trixie stood paralyzed as she realized where she was, that cave, the bandits cave. She shook her head in a attempt to clear her mind. She was committed to finding Rune and saving her from whatever was in here with her. She walked over to one of the wooden doors and slowly opened it, inside were some small tables littered with papers. She didn't need to check them to know they were maps and letters. This was one moment from her past she never thought she would see again. She heard hooves on the stone and hid under a table. Rune came running into the room, slamming the door behind her.

"What is that thing!" Rune panted in the few moments she had before Trixie stepped out from under the table, "Trixie?!" Her shock was evident on her face. "How? What?"

"We are in Twilights room, and using some of Starswirls research to mindwalk into your mind, you have been trapped in your mind, and I am here to get you out." Trixie tried to explain what was happening but Rune apparently wasn't listening. She began moving the tables against the door, "What are you doing?"

"It's coming. I cant touch it, you cant touch it, and I cant kill it." There was a pause as Trixie watched her stack tables, "Trust me I tried, wires, fire, smashing, stabbing, electricity, everything!" She shouted and threw a desk at the wall.

"Rune, i'm here now, we can solve this together." Trixie approached the shaken Rune, "But I cant touch you or share magic, or-"

"Yeah ill imprint on you right?" Rune had calmed down a bit.

"Yeah, and there would be two of you." Trxie said with a smile.

"Acro would be happy about that." They shared a laugh at Runes joke, but after a moment a serious look came over her face, "But seriously, yesterday that thing changed, it got bigger, and faster."

"So I was right about that, what does it look like?"

"Well," Rune was looking for the proper words, "Like a nightmare manifested in flesh."

"Okay, and what does-"

"RUUUUUUUUNE!" The scream echoed through out the cave, or to Rune the school.

"Its coming-" the words barley left Rune's mouth as the makeshift barricade shattered as the creature came through. It was huge, the size of a princess, but it looked like Rune Shift, except in nightmare moons armor. Seeing the creature with her own eyes a lot of things made sense to her. It's eyes lit up with a green glow as it roared at Rune.

"RUNE!" It hollered.

RUN! The voice echoed in Trixies ears. Balcony!

"HEY!" Trixie hollered at the creature, "THIS WAY UGLY!" It turned its attention to her  as she ran out into the hall. "Rune, balcony!?" Rune was right on her heels as she barked.

"LEFT!" Rune shouted, as she followed Trixie down the corridor.

"What is going on!" Twilight shouted.

"These are similar to the reading we got when Brigade saved Acropolis," The doctor tried to explain and watch the data stream closely, "We just need to maintain the link until shes finished."

"That is becoming harder to do doctor." Rarity was looking pale, well, as pale as a white unicorn can get.

Trixie ran through the cavern looking for a balcony or anything that could be a balcony, she knew what she was seeing wasn't what Rune was seeing and that meant Rune could see what she couldn't. They ran down a corridor with openings to the outside, they looked like blasting holes from mining charges.

"Look! Out the window!" Rune shouted as she ran.

So thats what she sees these as, Trixie thought as she looked out into the darkness. There was a light, a pilliar of light coming out of the sky near a outcroping. A balcony! "I see it! how do we get there?"

"Next right!" Rune gave directions as they ran. Trixie was focused more on how they were going to defeat the creature than where going to do it. They came around the corner and came skidding to a stop just shy of the ledge. "What now?" Rune panted.

"Dont know, maybe we could-"

Trick, The voice echoed through Trixies mind. The shaft of light behind her stregthened exposing a statue in the darkness below. It was a statute of Luna thrusting her horn to the skies in triumph, standing on the corpse of Nightmare Moon. Trxie stared at the statue for what seems like a eternity, watching the pulsating light flicker and gleam of the statues horn.

"HORN!" Trixie shouted suddenly startling Rune.

"RUNE!" The voice of the creature echoed out into the chasm before them.

"If you ever trust me," Trixie turned to look into Runes eyes, "Now is the time, stand by the door but out of sight."

"But,-"

"There is no time," Trixie motioned with her horn for Rune to go and hide. Her horn lit up and she divided into two. One of the Trixies took cover opposite Rune at the door. The other cast another spell, turning her fur and mane colors to match Rune's. Rune just stared at the doppelganger, amazed that Trixe's illusions had become this complex. She thought back to their fight, she was prepared then, but now she is doing this level on the fly, Rune was impressed. The half Nightmare Moon, half Rune Shift came out onto the out cropping. The doppelganger stood there scared, quivering. The creature lunged at the illusion, rushing at it, brandishing its horn. It's horn made contact with the doppelganger, and with a poof the illusion vanished. The creature tried to stop but momentum took over and its slid off the balcony and vanished into the darkness below. It made no sound as the shaft of light grew once more, dispelling some of the darkness.

"Is it dead?" Rune asked as she approached the ledge. Below, impaled on the statues horn, was the creature. Writhing in pain and screaming it thrashed about, every mad thrust pushing it further and further down onto the horn. Trixie said nothing as she watched the life drain for the horrid creature before her. As it stopped moving light began to pour of it, it was bright, to bright for Trixie to even look at.

"Pull her out! Rarity cant handle this anymore!" Twilight shouted as the doctor helped Rarity pull Trixie back to her body. There was moment of silence as the machines fell quiet. Rune and Trixie lay still as Dr.Stable and Twilight tended to them. After a minute Trixie opened her eyes.

"Rune?" Her head felt like split wood.

"Trixie?" Rune's faint and raspy voice replied. Her eyes were open, she looked over at Trixie, smiled and promptly passed out again.  

Mindscape: Luna

The sun was high in the sky over the meadow. Birds were chirping and the clouds were light and fluffy. Bees collected their pollen from the multicolored flowers that doted the field. Sitting calmly in the shade of a large glow apple tree sat a large alicorn, her white fur and red mane seemed to glow in the sunlight, beside her sat a equally large colt, his fur black and mane a dark purple. Two young fillies were playing a ways off in the field, under the ever watchful eye of the white alicorn, one a stark white with a pink mane the other a dark blue with a purple mane. They played peacefully in the sunlight, when the white alicorn spoke. Her mouth moved but no words came out, the white filly stopped and looked up at her mother.

"No." Luna stood where her younger self once did, tears beginning to swell in her eyes. "Please, no." her terrified whisper met noponys ears. The shade under the grew dark as a pair of glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness, "Not again." With a sicking crack the severed head of the white alicorn rolled out of the shade. Luna clenched her teeth and looked down at the filly Celestia, frozen in terror. She looked back up at where the black alicorn was, Nightmare moon stood there looking sadly at her.  

"Luna," Nightmare Moon spoke, her voiced echoed even in the open field, "Why do you resist yourself?"

"I am not you." Luna turned her back to her. Nightmare Moon leaned in so there were nose to nose.

"I AM you." Her eyes dilated with anger.

"No, you are just the manifestations of my anger and madness!" Luna shouted back.

"WE ARE THE PRINCESS OF MADNESS! YOU OF ALL PONIES SHOULD EMBRACE ME! I WAS BORN OF YOUR TORN AMBITIONS! AND NOW!" Nightmare dropped her head an clenched her sharp teeth, "And now, even still, you rip at me, lock me away, and even what little attempt to escape I make, you stop." She leaned back and looked up at the sun. "Funny, isnt it? Even in our mind the sunlight is everywhere. Even here we are subject to Celestia." Nightmare gave a hearty laugh, it chilled Luna.

"You, are, not, me."

"No, you are right, I am part of you, the part that you cut away," Nightmare was whispering, "I am that itch we cant scratch, the voice in the dark, our violence, sexuality, brutality, the desire to grab a guard and have him rut us till sun up, I make our knees weak at the sight of blood, and our heart skip when we hear bone snap. Our sister gets to be herself all day long, and here we are, divided, separated because she pushed us to far. SHE ripped me from you, and now you've been without me for so long, you are scared." She lifted Luna's face to meet hers, "We are one, Luna, take me back and sit mighty on your throne."

"You are wrong on one account." Luna's words sent a wave over the field, where the tree once stood a small light blue sapling now grew, and the sun and the moon shared the sky. There was along pause as Luna thought, Nightmare moon smiled at her. Luna cracked devious smile. Nightmare stepped back, almost afraid of Luna. A spear and a large horn struck the ground on either side of Luna, shattering the ground. "A True Princess doesn't sit on her throne alone." In a brilliant flash of light Acropolis and Rune Shift appear from the spear and horn. They were in their full armor, and immediately stood at complete attention beside their princess. "I didn't understand that when I made you, when I locked all of my hatred for Celestia away with you. I wasn't trying to kill you Nightmare Moon, I wanted them to purge their fear of you! To have those they care about fight for them! To rise above! To Survive! TO FACE THE HORROR THAT I SHUNNED IN MY DESPAIR!"

"What!?" Nightmare Moon was shocked. "You planned this whole thing!?"

"After you forced me to almost kill my subordinates I saw a opportunity to put you back where you belong, and save my friends." Luna's eyes grew wide and her smile widened. "You are right in one way, I AM THE PRINCESS OF MADNESS! Not YOU! YOU ARE CALM, COLD, CALCULATING! YOU LACKED ONE THING THAT I HAVE, NIGHTMARE MOON!"

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?"

"You wanted power, eternal night, a permanent domain. Anger drove you. I couldn't admit this to my self, and for that I was weak, but now I know the truth. I spent three months biding my time, thinking and planning. And now it is so clear to me!" Luna thrusted her wing towards Nightmare, Acropolis and Rune sounded off in unison. Nightmare Moon just stared at the trio, she stared right into Luna's eyes. Luna blinked and her iris became a slit, "I DONT SHUN MY VIOLENCE, MY DEVIANCY, MY LUST, OR MY ANGER! I get off on it!" Nightmare Moon was gone. The sky slowly became night, the grass began to glow, Acropolis and Rune looked up at the moon. Luna closed her eyes and the mare on the moon reappeared. Her toothy grin spread ear to ear. "None shall stand before the Lunar Guard."

Celestia awoke in a cold sweat, she quickly looked out to the moon. Spying the mare on the moon, her concern grew.

"What are you doing sister?" Celestia walked out onto her balcony and looked up at the moon, now bearing her sisters resemblance once again. A cold chill ran down her back making her wings flutter slightly. She looked over to Everfree forest where a beam of light was piercing the nights sky.

Rainbow Dash flew around the spire of light bursting from Luna's chamber in the ancient castle. Flying into the shaft she tried to land close to Luna but the force of th emagic she was giving off was to much for the star flyer. Luna was completely enveloped by light, RD couldnt get close to her. And then darkness, the light cut out and RD fell to the floor.

"Oww." Rainbow rubbed her shoulder as she got back onto her feet.

"My apologies, Rainbow Dash." Luna spoke calmly, no canterlot voice, no childish twang. She stood as tall as Celestia, her coat was black, her eyes were dark purple, and her mane was flowing and sparkling like the nights sky. Rainbow Dash just stood in awe, she looked just as regal as Celestia. "Please, take me to my guard." her order was met with a terrified nod from RD.

Twilight looked out of her window and in terror at the moon, she had watched at the mare on the moon reappear. The thought of facing Nightmare Moon again terrified her.

Chrysalis blew bubbles from her half submerged swamp bath. She rose slowly and looked over at Glint who slept quietly on some reeds. A smile came across her face, she could feel Luna, every feeling going off at once, she was in extreme pain and mind blowing ecstasy.

"She has reclaimed her throne." Chrysalis laid back down in her swamp, glad that Luna wasn't scared anymore, maybe now some progress can be made.

All Hail

The smell of old paper and dried ink filled Acropolis' nostrils. It calmed him, reminded him of quiet nights and of Rune. He opened his mouth to sigh and felt stands fall against his lips. He stuck out his tongue slightly to see what was against his lips, hair. Soft and long, and certainly not his. He opened his eyes slowly, it was dark but he could still see the mess of orange-pink hair inches from his face. Through the mess of hair he could see Runes face, she was sleeping peacefully. He could feel her breath on his face, it was slow and steady. The room was silent besides their breathing. He closed his eyes and listened to it. It had been so long since he had heard silence, real, true silence. No static, no orders, nothing, just his own thoughts. A glass clinking on his table made his burst open his eyes.

"I am disappointed, Acropolis." The glass clinked again. Acropolis could make out a figure sitting on his couch. Rune moaned slightly as she adjusted her position. "I figured you would tear this country apart searching for me."

"Hannibal." Acropolis' voice was raspy.

"Shhh," Hannibal refilled his glass, "You'll wake Rune up."

"Why are you here?" Acro stretched out his wing to cover Rune, just in case Hannibal tries anything.

"I came to ask you a question." The plop of ice falling into his rink seemed threatening somehow.

"Then ask it." Whispering was beginning to hurt his throat.

"Why aren't you chasing me?" Hannibal's question landed hard on Acropolis' mind.

Why wasn't I chasing him? What was so important that I would ignore him? The moonstone, Asyl, his planning to expand, his manipulation of the guard, his plans to use Spinneret, all of it rushed into his mind. Eyes eyes drew wide, shocked at his own plots. What was I doing? Plotting and planning as this maniac roamed free? I was a fool, lead astray by. Wait, the static. I was going mad?

"Luna bottled up her madness, and under such pressure, the bottle cracked." He sipped his drink, "And it leaked into you two. Driving you mad, taking her desires and imposing them on you. Which is why, I waited, waited for you two to regain yourselves."

"Why?"

"Why? Why, for the chase of course. What fun is running from somepony whom isn't chasing you? Im up to four, Acropolis. When I hit seven my task will be done and then we will fight, unless you get me before then." he put down his empty glass. "You two survived nightmare moons influence, something even I failed at. But now you know the madness, the burning desire to conquer, to murder, that Luna burns with every moment of every night. But be aware, the taint of Nightmare Moon may be gone, but her effects linger."

"What are you talking about?"

"Be wary Acropolis, you are in service to the queen of insanity. The best advice I can give you, is to never loose your focus again." Hannibal got up from the couch and moved slowly over to the window.

"My focus?"

"Yes, why did you became a guard, why do you burn with the desire to protect?"

"To stop what happened to me from happening again." As Acro spoke he could see a grin come across Hannibal's face.

"And how do you plan to stop that?"

"By being just as unpredictable." Acropolis ginned in the dark.

"I will kill again in two weeks, and then the hunt is on. I am expecting you this time, chase me Acropolis. Come, kill me, if you can." Hannibal quietly teleported from the room, leaving Acropolis with his thoughts and the still sleeping Rune. He laid back down next to Rune, He reached out with his wings and pulled her in close to him. Her smell once again filled his nostrils. She moaned and wrapped her arms around him in return. He could see her smile through her messy mane.

Celestia sat on her throne reading a letter from Twilight that had arrived that morning. It detailed Luna's reappearance in Ponyville and how she took the recovering Acropolis and Rune Shift from her care. Luna had walked in, grabbed Rune and Acro in her magic, and teleported away, no greeting, no explanation, nothing. But what concerned Celestia wasn't Luna stealing her guards from Twilight, it was  Twilight's description of Luna. Her use of Nightmare Moon-esque disturbed her. Coco and Gumshoe stood at the base of the throne in their civilian clothes. Gumshoe looked angry and Coco was falling asleep, neither of them liked be woken up this early.

"Thank you both for coming," Celestia addressed the guards before her, "It would seem Luna has returned, and in her return, has taken Captain Acropolis and Lieutenant Rune Shift with her." Celestias body language changed, she seemed to tower over them, "Now I must ask you both a very serious question," Celestia leaned down and whispered to them, "Have you seen my sister?" The question seemed more like a threat.

"Princess," Gumeshoe cracked a smile, "I can assure you if we see her you will be he first to know."

"Very well," Celestia looks from Coco and back to Gumshoe, "You are dismissed."

"No need to search for me sister!" Luna's voice echoed through the throne room. She stood alone and in full regalia in the doorway. Everypony just stared at the transformed Luna. Celestia looked terrified, she could barely handle Nightmare Moon, but a fully in control Luna would be far to much. It wouldn't even be a fight, Celestia didn't stand a chance. The minute of so it took for Luna to reach the throne seemed to stretch on forever. Her hooves landed like anvils, the clink of her regalia sounded like church bells, her mane seemed to suck the light out of the room, and she never took her eyes off of her sister.

"Prince-" Flash looked up at Celestia only to stop dead as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of the sun princesses face. She's terrified, Flash looked back at the towering black princess approaching, "Halt!" As the words left his mouth Celestia's wing moved to silence him. Luna stopped her approach and slowly turned her head to look at Flash. Her eyes meet his, her deep, cold, purple eyes seemed to look right through him. The tip of her horn lit up, it felt like his mind was being squeezed.

"Luna!" Celestia was trying to sound firm, even if she was terrified. Luna dispelled her magic, letting Flash go. The sisters locked eyes once again. Luna was mere steps from the throne now. "I was worried about you, should I still be worried?"

"I came for my throne." Luna said flatly, her voice sent chills through the room. Flash looked up at Celestia again, she looked calm but he had served her long enough to see what was really going on. Celestia was no longer terrified, she was scared for her life.


Acropolis sat in his chambers inspecting his armor. The black steel construction held up well, but the weld marks from the royal forge bothered him. His armor was repaired, but he was hesitant to put it on out of fear that it would kill him. Before Luna dropped them off she had told them she augmented their armor's enchantments. However she said their new abilities were a secret that only she would know. The sun was up, light was beginning to filter in through the curtains. They cast beautiful shades of blue and purple across the room, Spinneret had made them for him. He sighed heavy, knowing what he had planned for her, he didn't remember everything clearly but he remembered enough to feel bad about it. The light hit the armor, how it shined, the glint of the sun of the black steel seemed to ask 'why are you not wearing me?'

"Acro." Rune was awake, she was sitting up in the bed and had been watching him. She slowly climbed out of the bed and walked over to him. Beside his armor was hers, the stitching was garish. Hers was repaired rather hastily it would seem.

"What should we do?" Acro ran his wing along the back of the armor, like he was caressing a lover.

"You once told me to embrace my madness, to channel it." She grabbed his chin with her magic and gently moved his face so she could look him in the eye, "To make it something useful, take what we are feeling now and use it to do better." She kissed him tenderly, "After all I am your little monster."

"You always know just what to say." Acropolis' grin grew wide. He grabbed his helmet a slid it on, he moved to put on the rest of his armor but its magically appeared on his body, "Well thats new-" Dozens of large magical screws appeared all over his body, "Ah, this is gonna hurt isnt it-" It gave a loud crack as the screws all sunk into his body, he could feel their magic pumping into his flesh, repairing it, restoring his strength. The armor began to shake as it morphed into large scale-like plates with sharp edges like blades. The edges of the scale plates were silver, like moon light. His teeth sharpened again and his tongue became forked. The helm changed shape and came further down on his head, sprouting a visor to protect his eyes. Two large plates shot out of his hips adding extra protection to his hid quarters. Steam shot out from under his armor. He didnt scream, he stood there and took it. His transformation complete he was left gasping but upright. "Whooo, that, sucked." he gave a weak chuckle as he fell onto the couch.  

"My turn I guess." Rune lifted up her armor and slowly lowered it on her. The magic screws appeared all round her, she clenched her eyes shut in anticipation. The screws drilled into her, forcing her to a knee. The leather padding melted away reforming into more of a dress than armor. She could feel bindings wrapping around her thighs, a black choker digging into her neck, and the fabric pull tight across her chest. Runic writing lined the whole outfit, she could feel the magic coursing through her, amplifying and focusing her own. Her helmet reformed into a circlet fitted with a purple jewel. After a moment steam shot out from under her dress, her face was red as she got back onto her feet. She walked over to the couch on wobbly legs and sat down next to Acropolis.

"Nice dress." He commented eyeing her black dress socks.

"Nice plate." She ran a hoof along an edge of his armor. "Sharp."

When you are able come to the throne room. Luna's voice echoed in their minds. They looked at each other, and smiled their toothy smiles.  

"WHAT!" Brigade slammed his hooves into the briefing table. The guard opposite him staggered at the force of his slamming, the table barely withstood the force.

"P-P-Princess Luna looks like Nightmare Moon, and was heading to the throne room." The panicked guard explains. "What are we to do sir? Captain Flash is in the throne room."

"Stay here, I have to check something." Brigade picked up his spear and hesitated for second before picking up the Lunar Panzer shield and leaving the barracks.  

The door to Luna's private armory swung open as Brigade pressed on it with his shield. It was dark as he entered the oppressive room. He moved to the statute of Nightmare Moon where Luna had stored Nightmare Moons armor. A basic light spell activated automatically in the room so he could see.

"This isn't good." He spoke under his breath. Before him stood a new statue of princess Luna, with her regalia placed on it. "This isnt good at all."

The surface of the swamp rippled suddenly as Chrysalis floated casually about. Glint looked up from her muck pile in a attempt to find the source of the ripple. Chrysalis fluttered her wings, looked up to the ceiling and smiled.

"I think the queen has returned my dear."

"Queen, mother?" Glint asked.

"The Queen of Madness, Glint." Chrysalis's grin grew.

"You mean princess Luna?"

"Yes, the princess has finally accepted herself, just as I planned. And soon, my daughter, we will have our new hive, here in Canterlot!" Chrysalis was excited at the prospect of rebuilding her hive. Glint looked sadly at her mother, she may be kinder than she was but she was still a Queen. And Queens need thrones.

The Lunar Throne

Brigade stood in Luna's private armory staring at the +young Luna statue. Her armor placed on it with great care, almost lovingly so. It made him uncomfortable.

What is going on? He thought, What is Luna trying to do?

"That is simple." Chrysalis' voice broke the silence. Brigade spun around to see the changeling Queen standing just behind him.

"Simple?" Brigade was now even more confused. What did she know he didn't?

"Yes, Simple. Tell me, what happens when a new monarch takes a throne?" Chrysalis walked slowly around the statute examining at closely as she moved.

"What does-"

"Brigade, answer the question."  She stopped and ran her hoof down the side of Luna's helm.

"They replace the throne, typically, but what does that have to do with- wait!" Brigade's eyes went wide. "Do mean Luna is making another go for the throne?"

"You had this thought as well." She smiled wide, it was a devious smile.

"What?"

"Look where you ran when you heard Luna looked like Nightmare Moon," she sauntered over to the Panzer armor, "You ran to the place you knew the power to fight her lay." She ran her hoof along the back of the Panzer armor. "Whether you knew it or not, you came here, not to observe the Nightmare Moon armor, you came for this." Her chuckle made him angry, but she wasn't wrong. What did he expect to do? He stared at the armor, there wasn't any static now. Nightmare Moons taint was gone but the echoes of power still lingered. The armor's unseen grin still mocked him from the darkness. "But on this day, you wont need it."

"What are you-?" The word barely left his lips as the Luna statue vanished in a brilliant flash of light.

Luna's horn lit up and every pony in the throne room held their breath. All eyes were fixated on the princess of the night as she stared down her sister. No pony knew what was about to happen, the tension was so great one of the guards passed out.

"Luna," Celestia's voice wavered, "Answer me, should I be worried?" Her words didn't seem to register in her sisters ears.

"One moment, sister. Finishing touches." Luna smiled at her sister, a toothy smile. At this moment Celestia was weighing her options. She could attempt to attack her now, and die. Let her take the throne and maybe get the elements to banish her again. Another thought came to mind. Celestia's horn lit up with her magic.

"Princess!" Flash Sentry moved towards the sisters only to be stopped by one of the guards nearby.

"You come for your throne?" Celestia looked deep into her sisters eyes, and saw only calmness in the darkness. "Then we should make room." Her heart was racing, sweat rolled down her back, all her senses were focused on her sister. Her sister, whom she loves so much. Celestia's throne scraped on the marble floor as she used her magic to slide to off to one side, making space for two chairs on the throne pedestal. Luna's grin widened and her horn lit up even brighter. In a brilliant flash the statue of Luna that was in her armory appeared on the throne pedestal.

"Princess." Acropolis and Rune Shift stood in the throne room doorway, their arrival didn't relieve the tension in the throne room. Acropolis will never forget the look on Flash Sentry's face. Every pony just locked up, frozen, no pony moved. They were to scared.

"Good, I can stop staling." Luna's horn flared and enveloped the statue. Every pony just watched at the statute morphed and changed into a throne chair. Almost identical to Celestia's, but it was dark purple with black accents. Its silver accents glisten brightly and the small gems that adorned the back shimmered like stars in the night sky. Luna's grin moved to a soft smile, her eyes moved from her sister to the guards around the room to her guards standing in the door. "My subjects, my friends, I have realized my place." She walked up to her new throne and sat down next to her now much relieved sister, "I am Princess Luna, princess of the night. Fear not, Nightmare Moon is gone. Me and my guard have seen to that. But let it be known, the night is my domain. And the night does not suffer fools and the night does not play nice. I will share this throne with my dear sister, as I have always done. But this begins a new era, a bright era, a great era, for now you have truly have two princesses. One of the day and one of night. I say again, you need not fear me."

"All hail Princess Luna." Flash Sentry's eyes went wide as those words left Celetia's mouth. Her smile was wide and she had tears in her eyes. To her this terrifying moment had quickly turned into a proud moment of sisterly love. Luna looked over to Celestia.

"All hail Princess Celestia." The sisters smiled at each other as the rest of the guard ponies just stood there unsure as to what to do.

"ALL HAIL THE CELESTIAL SISTERS!" Acropolis shouted and bowed deeply. Every pony in the room just stared at him, one by one the shock started to wear off.

"ALL HAIL THE CELESTIAL SISTERS!" Rune Shift shouted and bowed down next to Acropolis. The murmur from the guard ponies in the room began to rise. They were unsure of what to do, many could only see Nightmare Moon, and many others were terrified.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" Brigade marched into the room, Panzer shield in his grip, spear at his side.

"Brigade?" Flash spoke, his voice cracked from the tension. Brigade marched right up to the sisters and looked at them both. He quickly about faced to look at the rest of them.

"Brigade?" Luna's tone was soft.

"Your princesses have asked for an all hail, I suggest you return it." Brigade looked at Flash Sentry, as did the rest of the Celestial guard present. Flash looked from Brigade to Luna, and paused.

"All hail." Flash spoke softly.

"SPEAK UP!" Brigade barked, appearing to be more of a commander than Flash in the moment.

"ALL HAIL THE CELESTIAL SISTERS!" Flash hollered and motioned for the guard to bow. They all bowed down to the sisters.

"All hail the celestial sisters." Chrysalis whispered under her breath as she hid disguised as a guard pony.

Pull on a Thread

"Tomorrow," Acropolis stood before the Lunar Guard in the barracks in his new armor, It shimmered in the candle light. Everypony in full armor, prepared for their leaders orders. The last two weeks had been tough for the Lunar guards. Luna's transformation and Acropolis' and Rune's swift reclamation of their senses had strained relations with the common pony. But Acropolis had bigger issues than public opinion. "Tomorrow, Hannibal will kill again. Somewhere, somepony, in Canterlot will die. Violently." He paused and looked over at Rune. She stood beside him in her armor. Beside her stood Coco, across next to Acropolis stood Gumshoe. "I give one order, when you find Hannibal. Kill him on the spot. Give him no mercy, for he will give you none in return. None shall stand before the Lunar Guard!"

"NONE SHALL STAND!" All the guards shouted at once.

"That went well." Gumshoe commented as the captain and company sat down around the captains table. Reports were strewn about the table. Acropolis was back and so was his relaxed filing system.

"Quite well, Sir." Coco chuckled slightly as she spoke.

"Really? I thought that was terrible. One good thing about being mad, I gave better speeches." Acropolis chuckled as he stretched his wings, they cracked and popped loudly as he did.  

"Honestly, I never did like your speeches while you were mad." Coco bopped Acro on his shoulder casting him a sly grin.

"Regardless of the quality of your speeches," Rune put down her book and readjusted her glasses while bumping Acropolis slightly with her hips. "Hannibal will kill again if we don't find him first."

"Agreed, but we have no clues, Rune." Gumshoe fidgeted, "Nothing substantial, all we have to go on is hearsay. Not that I dont trust your account, sir."

"No, its fine Gumshoe." Acropolis sighed. Gumshoe had not been the first to question his accounts or loyalties. Acting Captain Flash Sentry had made a point of cornering him after Luna's display and interrogating him thoroughly, stopping just short of tying him to a chair. In all honesty Acropolis like having Sentry constantly at his throat, kept him on his toes. "Me and Rune were compromised, and because of that we must earn everyponies trust back. And one of the first steps is to catch Hannibal."

Hannibal let out a hearty laugh, it echoed in the cold nights air adding to its chill. Grand Agora stood before him, his top hat tipped to one side and his eyes glowing a soft red. The pair met in one of Canterlots many gardens as the moon lilies illuminated them with a soft blue glow.

"What is so funny? Your master gave you an order." Agora's tone was harsh and gravely.

"Hehe, You've never given me a target before." Hannibal cast Agora a sly glance. "Why this pony? Why her?"

"You need to keep Acropolis' attention away from me." Agora began to circle Hannibal. "I do not like you dilly dallying on your task but I do need you to keep the good captain chasing you. The more he focuses on you the less attention him and his guard will pay me."

"I think I will pay this mare a visit." Hannibal's smile betrayed his glee at the thought. "Acropolis will chase me to the gates of Tartarus."

"Spinneret!" Rune called out down the hall. Spinneret had began to reclaim her skills as a seamstress, and was delivering some of her work to one of the Lunar librarians. She had quickly became the Lunar Guards go to seamstress for all sewing or textile needs.

"Ah, Rune Shift!" Spinneret quickly excused herself from her client and trotted over to speak with Rune. "How have you been? I've been worried, you and Captain Acropolis went through quiet the ordeal."

"We've been okay," Rune thought back to the last few weeks, "Honestly, I'm just glad we can get back to work. Research waits for no mare" She gave a chuckle. She knew Spinneret had a hard time with her brothers disappearance, and was glad to see her in good spirits and practicing her craft once more.

"Yes, well, that is good, I was quite worried that you two were dead or worse, traitors." Spinneret's soft smile gave Rune some comfort. The word traitor echoed in Rune's mind, like church bells in the distance. For a moment she could hear static, and as quickly as it came it left.

"Being dead certainly beats being crazy at this point." Rune smiled.

"Agreed, I would be beside myself if anything would happen to you or Acropolis. You and the Captain have become like family to me." Her mind wandered to their helping her deal with her brothers disappearance. "I will never forget your kindness."

"Think nothing of it." Acropolis called out as he rounded the corner.

"Acropolis!" Spinneret lit up at the sight of the captain.

"Glad to see you in spirits and in Canterlot Spini, but in all seriousness. You should leave town." Acropolis' tone became serious. "Hannibal, the pony who was trapped in the helmet your brother stole, is in Canterlot. And he's not here for the garden parties."

"I'll be careful, as always. You forget, Acropolis, I grew up in Ponyville. Dangerville, Equestria." She chuckled.

"Right, right. Anyways I must go. I have to prepare to catch Hannibal." Acropolis bowed his head slightly and left the girls alone in the hall.

"Hes terrified." Spini broke the silence.

"To his core." Rune spoke softly.

Brigade sat alone on his balcony, the moon shinning down on him. Luna's moon, now ordained with Luna's visage, he once loved the sight of the silver orb but now it seemed to taunt him. He looked up at it, clenching his drink in his magic. His mind wandered from his reuniting with Acropolis at the train station to Glint and her power hungry mother to Celestia and the relationship between the Celestial Sisters. He was perplexed by all of it, he couldn't understand the madness that would drive his friend to attempt the thing she had. Of course he couldn't, he wasn't damaged like Acropolis or Rune. He could hear faint clanging of sword on carapace and orders being shouted. He shook the sounds from his ears as his eyes wandered to the spear and shield that sat on his armor rack. The dark metals seemed to suck what little light was in the room out of it. He had sworn himself to Celestia, to the light, to protecting Canterlots citizens. But, the light lacked the power to defend against true threats to Canterlot and her citizens. He saw as much during the changelings invasion. A sliver of light ran up the blade of the spear as if asking him to pick it up. He glared at the spearhead, remembering Luna's proposal. A single word spoken in Luna's voice echoed in his ears, Panzer. His massive form cut the silhouette of his balcony as he downed another drink and gave a heavy sigh.

"What am I to do? I am torn between Princesses, and," He paused and looked around, "sworn protector of a changeling." He took another swig. "I fear my efforts may be in vain. Celestia may be the shield, but Luna is the sword. I am beginning to realize our enemies care not for shields." He pondered his glass before he took a slow sip. A chuckle slowly escaped him. "luckily for me, I carry both."

"Princess." Chrysalis bowed deeply before Princess Luna. Glint bowed down next to her mother. Princess Luna sat upon her newly created throne and much like the throne pedestal the throne room had been redecorated to reflect the new duality in leadership. On the right side was golds, white marbles, and bright yarns, on the left were silvers, dark granite, and purple satin. During the day the room was warm and bright and at night the room sparkled in the cool light. Many had taken Luna's transformation hard, especially those who were present at Nightmare Moons return. And as expected even more of her beloved ponies feared her. Luna knew she couldn't waver in her resolve to protect Canterlot and her citizens, after all she was mad, not stupid.      

"Chrysalis, Glint, it is good to see you." Luna's voice was soft, her size may have changed but her demeanor and kindness hadn't. "I feared you had left Canterlot during the bedlam."

"Never my queen," Chrysalis' quip made Luna smile. "Canterlot is quickly becoming our home."

"I am glad to hear that, I feared I had lost your council." Luna's smile was warm. She had indeed liked Chrysalis' advice, even if it was against her better judgement. In Luna's mind Chrysalis represented how she could have gone, and liked having her around if nothing more than as a reminder. That and her changeling workforce she was promised was still but talk. "But I doubt you came here for pleasantries, we all know you are not shy about approaching me in my quarters."

"Indeed," Chrysalis stood tall, her crown magically reappears on her head, "I am not sure how to say this delicately."

"Then out with it my queen." Luna returned the quip.

"I require a mate." Her words fell on the throne room and drove it to silence. The moment held slightly to long before before Luna started to chuckle. "I am quite serious Luna, I am starting to begin my cycle and I will require a mate to brood." Glint began snickering at the sight of the imposing Luna holding in her laughter. "Despite my daughters and yours snickering this is a very serious matter."

"Oh, yes it." Luna spoke between chuckles, "The queen is in dire need of a good rutting." Glint could no longer keep in her laughter.

"Enjoyments aside, I will need a mate." Chrysalis' serious tone brought the laughter to halt. "If I do not mate, the cycle will break. And I will become, barren."

"I see, do you require another changeling male or will a pony suitor do?"

"If there were any changeling males." Glint spoke under her voice.

"Understand my meaning, Princess. I merely ask your permission for me and my daughter to travel about in Canterlot. We will find a suitor." Chrysalis bowed deeply.

"Ah, yes. I will allow it. Shall I inform Brigade?"

"No." Glint spoke quickly. "That wont be necessary."

"Glint, he is sworn to protect you and your mother." Luna explained.

"I know," Glint stepped forward, "Its just, I don't want him to see this side of changelings. He is fearful of us enough. For him to see my mothers magic, to see her literally farming mates. I-I cannot let him see that." Luna sat in silence for several minutes as she pondered her answer.

"Alright." Luna's command was relaxed and calculated. "But."

"But?"

"Brigade will be briefed, and you will check in with him regularly." The stars in Luna's mane began to shimmer brighter. "You are guests of Canterlot, but changelings are still considered to be enemies. Stay hidden, please."

"Thank you princess." Chrysalis bowed again and quickly began to leave with Glint.

"Glint, would you stay for a moment?" Luna's request was met with a glance and nod. Chrysalis left and slowly closed the door behind her.

"Princess." Glint bowed her head and did not see Luna come down off her throne. Luna reached out and lifted Glints chin to look into her eyes.

"Glint, you care deeply for Brigade. I can feel it."

"Princess I-"

"You forget as many do," The princess leaned in and whispered, "I can see your dreams."

"I-he-we-I-I-I-I." Glint clammed up, her hearts quivered, her cheeks reddened.

"Relax child. What is between you two is yours to do as you please. But I do give one piece of advice. Do not harvest off him. Brigade is honorable, but he does not take betrayal lightly. If you treat him as food, he will kill you. Regardless of his feelings for you."

"I know Princess, thank you." Glint bowed and quietly left the throne room. After a moment of silence Luna slowly walked over to the windows and looked up at her moon. How it shone tonight.

"Oh, Glint. If you could see his dreams." Luna grinned a wide and toothy grin.

"Sir!" A Lunar Guard stood before Acropolis and Rune Shift. They had been discussing patrol routes and search patterns to try and locate Hannibal.

"Yes, what is it?" Acropolis' tone was harsh, he didn't appreciate being interrupted.

"This was left for you just a moment ago with the barracks guard, sir." The guard produced a blood soaked spindle of white yarn.

"A spindle?" Rune was perplexed by this.

"And who handed this to the guard?" Acropolis took the spindle with his wing as he asked.

"They wore a hood, they said this would help you solve a murder." The guard explained. Acro and Rune examined the spindle for a moment before handing it off to Gumshoe.

"What do you make of it?" Acro barley had the sentence out when Gumshoe spoke.  

"Used, regularly, this isn't the yarn usually on this spindle, usually has purple, black almost. Blood was placed, not at a scene of an attack, deliberate, this is a message." Gumshoe's analysis had silenced everypony except Acropolis.

"Agreed, but what is the message Gumshoe?"

"I believe tomorrow, at this time," Gumshoe looked around the room, "Spinneret will die."  












Watch it Unravel

The force of Acropolis entering the throne room slammed the massive doors against the walls resulting an remarkably loud slam. Flash Sentry and the few guards that were in the throne room nearly panicked at the sudden noise. Celestia and Luna didn't even flinch.

"HE HAS SPINNERET!" Acropolis time away had not lost his traditional Canterlot voice. He stormed right up to Princess Luna. She had never seen him so angry. And she sort of liked it.

"Who?" Celestia asked quickly, almost by reflex.

"The seamstress who's brother stole the Hannibal helmet." Luna explained to her sister and quickly turned back to Acropolis. "Who has her?"

"Hannibal! He is going to kill her in-" Acropolis looked back at Gumshoe just as he enters the throne room demanding a answer with his eyes.

"About twenty hours." Gumshoe spoke calmly.

"I will tear this city apart looking for him! I WILL-" Acropolis was shouting even louder now. Ponies in neighboring wings could hear the echoes as it travels down the halls.

"ACROPOLIS!" Luna's voice boomed in the chamber, silencing her captain in one loud boisterous shout. Acropolis fell silent but remained visibly upset. As he stood there he rocked slightly back and forth making little clacking noises with his hooves on the stone floor. He was anxious to get the go ahead to begin his search. Luna cleared her throat, made very purposeful eye contact with Acropolis, and spoke harshly through her teeth. "I will NOT have my guard randomly searching citizens homes. We are not under martial law. Calm yourself."

"BUT-" he tried to begin again.

"To quarters with you, to cool off." Luna spoke quickly.

"But Princess-" Rune tried to speak.

"I SAID TO QUARTERS, BOTH OF YOU!" Luna gave her command sharply and loudly. They did not need to feel the link to know she meant business.

"By your order." Defeated, Acropolis and Rune bowed to their princess. "Good Morning, Princesses." And as quickly as they came, Acropolis and Rune left the throne room. Silence hung like a blanket in the room for several heavy moments as Luna's shout echoed out.

"Is that wise Princess Luna?" Flash Sentry spoke breaking the silence. Luna faced away from the group and peered out the window. She had it so no pony could she her expression of deep concern. She swallowed her concern and turned to the others.

"Speak only of what concerns you Acting-Captain Sentry." Luna turned to Gumshoe who had remained in the room. "Begin your search, go door to door, check warehouses, look every where. But do not over step our boundaries. The Lunar Guard must tread carefully here."

"By your command." Gumshoe saluted and quickly left.

Hannibal sighed deeply as he lit the small lamp he held lighting up the small warehouse office where he held the young Spinneret. She still had the bag over her head from when he moved her. Her breath was moving the bag in and out as she breathed making a little crinkling noise. Neither of them spoke, Hannibal just watched her breathe for several minutes in silence. The crinkling noise was strangely therapeutic to him. He held his hoof in front of his mouth and breathed out so he could feel his own breath. But none came out, one of the few reminders that he was technically dead.

"Spinneret." He broke the silence, and she flinched at the sudden noise. The gag in her mouth struggled against her words as she mumbled at him. "This was another unfortunate turn, and I am sorry that you were chosen for this." He gave a heavy sigh, "But I need Acropolis focused on me as I collect my, scalps. And you, my dear." He approached her slowly as he spoke. She flinched again as he touched her head through the bag, "Are sufficient catalyst." His hoof moved around her head, caressing her head gently, "Even if you survive, which I doubt, just the act of taking you from under his nose will be enough to get him on my heels." Again her words struggled against her gag. He lifted up some of her hair that suck out from under the bag and sniffed it slowly. "You have suffered so, and it truly does pain me to bring more suffering to you. Here." A ethereal horn appears on his forehead and the gag in her mouth vanishes. She gasps as she takes in a whole breath.

"Who are you?" Her voice cracked as she asked.

"Hannibal," He made sure she couldn't see him through the bag, "your brother stole me from Agora. The Bogey Pony helmet? Remember?"

"Y-yes." She wavered realizing what stood before her. "W-what did you do to my brother?" He didn't answer right away and let the question hang in the room for several moments. "Is he dead?" Hannibal held up his hoof and forced air out of his mouth to feel the breeze.

"I don't know." Hannibal answered sincerely.

"So, you may have killed my brother, then you framed me for murder, then you leave me with Acropolis, and then what? Kill me to piss him off?" Her ears flapped under the bag.

"Basically, but that wasn't the original plan, my dear. The original plan was to frame you as Hannibal and then do my job from the shadows." Hannibal sighed and moved away from her.

"Why?" Her voice quaked.

"Why what?"

"Why are you doing this? Murdering all of these ponies? Taunting Acropolis?" Her voice found some strength. Hannibal smiled as his thoughts drifted to happier times. After a moment of silence, Hannibal slammed his hoof down to silence her.

"Another word of this and Acropolis will find you cold and in a ditch."

"Any progress?" Acropolis asked the guard at his chamber door. Rune shift sat on their couch flipping through a book on spells about ghosts and spirits. The room was barley lit, but some light shown in through the windows revealing the disorder in the usually tidy room.

"No sir, we have searched most of the city. But Hannibal and Spinneret have eluded us." The Lunar Guards pony explained.

"Thank you, dismissed." Acropolis dismissed the guard and saluted as he left. Closing the door, he gave a deep sigh. "Nine hours."

"And 14 minutes." Rune added as she flipped a page of her book.

"Not helping." He huffed and joined Rune on the couch. The ticking of the clock seemed to grow louder and louder to Acropolis. Until it was like church bells ringing right next to his head. He suddenly stood up, startling Rune.  

"Gah! What is it?"

"Im done waiting here, ten hours of milling about, of twiddling our hooves, of ,of-of-of!"

"Waiting?"

"NOT HELPING!" He shouted.

"HEY!" She stood up to face him, "Don't go shouting at me 'cause you're getting restless!" They stared at each other for a few moments, letting the stillness diffuse their anger.

"Im going." Acropolis turned away to leave.

"Acro! Luna told us to stay put." Her plead fell on deaf ears as he left her alone in their room. The concern on her face quickly melted away and she moved over to the tele-crystal. Tapping it the small crystal glowed and spoke.

"Captain?" Gumshoes voice came through the crystal.

"Its Rune, He's gone. Like you said he would."

"The Captain is, sadly, predictable. Ill make sure he doesn't die in a ditch." There was a pause, "He didn't take his armor did he?"

"No, he didn't" Rune replied. There was a moment of silence.

"Buck." The line went silent and the crystal stopped glowing. Rune moved over to their armor stands and looked at them pondering what to do. Her lover had just ran off to confront and ancient psychotic ghost who had just taken a dear friend hostage. She paused, contemplating the options, weighting her tasks, her punishments. Her eyes fell on Acropolis' armor.

"Acro." She gave a deep sigh and shook her head slowly. "The things I do for love." And quickly ran out of the room.

Acropolis leaned up against the old warehouse, he was deep in the warehouse district,and out of breath. He had been searching for hours to no avail. He had no lead, no idea which warehouse to search there were so many. So many identical warehouses. He panted heavily, trying to catch his breath, and slowly slid down to a sitting position. Pulling out the spindle Hannibal had left them hoping that he may be able to divine some sort of clue from it.

"Come on, Acro." He spoke aloud. "White yarn, purple yarn, used spindle, Spinneret's spindle, Spinneret, Spinneret, Spinneret?" He looked hard at the little remnants of yarn on the spindle. "Used, spindle, Of course." He tried to quickly stand up using his wings but the pain in his back made him fall to the ground. "Buck, right, not wearing the armor." He stood up normally and ran off towards the warehouse where this all started.

Hannibal looked out the small window that overlooked the warehouse floor. His magic had Spini in a stranglehold so she could not scream. He watched quietly as Acropolis slowly crept across the warehouse floor. Completely assured that he was undetected.

"That fool." Hannibal spoke under his breath, "Not even in his armor." Acropolis made it to the stairs and began to slowly climb. Hannibal turned and placed himself between Spinneret and the door, preparing for the up coming conflict. There were a few moments of silence, and then the door slowly opened.

"Spini?" He called out. Hannibal's magic grip tightened so she could not speak.

"Sort of." Hannibal replied. Acropolis quickly burst into the room pulling his wings forward to act as shields. The loud crack and pop of his wings was audible and his flinch made it clear that moving his wing hurt.

"Hannibal." Acro's tone was one of disdain.

"I'm surprised you didn't find me earlier." He smiled a toothy grin from under his hood. "But I am glad you did," He squeezed tighter on Spinneret, "I truly did not want to kill this one, not really my idea. Orders I cant disobey," Hannibal rolled his hoof over and over, "Orders are orders, and like good little soldiers we obey. Isn't that right? Acro?"

"What do you want Hannibal?" As he spoke he moved slowly closer to him.

"Me? I have what I want." He lifted Spinneret slightly out of the chair, causing her to squirm clanking the chair against the floor.

"What?"

"Come on, Acro." He lifted her higher, "Do it."

"Do what?"

"DO WHAT!?" Spinneret began to struggle even harder. "WHAT DID YOU COME HERE TO DO ACORPOLIS!" He too had the royal Canterlot voice down. Hannibal and Acropolis' stared at each other for a moment. Neither of them moved a muscle.

"Put her down and ill give you what you want." Hannibal smiled slightly at his response.

"Okay," He lowered her back down and released her from his magical grip. "How what?" Hannibal glanced back over at Acropolis expecting to see his wing forward in a defensive stance. Instead Acro had his wings out to his sides and he was staring at Hannibal. Even without this armor, his eyes glowed slightly with the bottled rage for the hooded pony that stood before him. In this moment, this brief glimpse of Acro's anger, Hannibal breathed in slightly. For a fraction of a moment, Hannibal felt fear. He was stuck in Acropolis' stare. Hannibal blinked, and Acropolis was almost snout to snout with him. "What!?" Hannibal fell back just dodging the surprise right hook. The blow just grazed Hannibal's cheek as it passed. The sound of Acropolis' wings snapping into place as they returned to a folded position snapped Hannibal out of his disbelief. Lighting his horn, he grabbed Acropolis' wing and began twisting. Forcing Acropolis to the floor.

"GAH! RAGHGH!" Acro struggled against the pain in his back. Pawing at the ground trying to get a footing.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Acro," Getting to his feet Hannibal observed his check. Touching the bruise he was amazed at the force Acro had mustered so suddenly. "Im surprised, didn't think you could do that, but it just wasn't enough." He pushed Acro down again with his wing. The pain was unbearable, his mind was going blank, his vision white in pain and rage, ringing in his ears grew louder as the pain increased. As the world fell silent he heard a drip, struggling to see, he saw tears falling from under Spini's hood. The world seemed to stop as a year broke on the floor. "To think I thought you could-" Hannibal was cut short my himself.

"Han-ha-ha-hana-han," Acropolis' was bearing his teeth as he struggled to his feet. Hannibal could do nothing but stare as Acro rose to his feet. "Han-han-han-hana-HANNIBAL!" Acro was on his feet how, every muscle in his body quaking from pain. He gave a mighty shout as he began to move his wing against Hannibal's magic. Hannibal could hear static coming off of Acro, Hannibal's eyes went wide.

"The link!" Acro was broadcasting, even without his armor. "H-how?"

"I am the captain of the Lunar guard." Acropolis' voice was forced and gruff, their eyes meet, "and, NONE SHALL STAND BEFORE THE LUNAR GUARD!" In one mighty thrust Acropolis launched himself at Hannibal. Unable to dodge Acropolis' attack completely Hannibal moved to just dodge the punch, which never came. Acropolis' wrapped his fore hooves around Hannibal's waist and planted his feet. Before Hannibal could react Acro pushed again with his wings. The loud snapping of Acropolis' wings was all Hannibal heard as he and his assailant passed through the plate glass and out into the alleyway. The ground meet them harshly, breaking them apart and sending Acropolis' flying into the exterior warehouse wall. The strike to his back took the last of his strength and he feel to the ground panting and barely conscious.

"Well, Acro." Hannibal's voice shook as he got to his hooves. "Looks like you've got some fight in you. But you have run out." Hannibal approached Acropolis slowly. "And now I have to kill you and add to my chalice."

"Chalice?" He spoke through blood coming out of his mouth.

"Never mind," He rose his hoof, "Now you die, alone in an alley!"

"Whoever," he coughed up some blood, "Whoever said I was alone?" Hannibal looked around quickly as the ground began to glow. His eyes shot up to the sky, where the moon hung low. Its brightness began to intensify.

"luna, gib mir Kraft und diese Seele auf diesem Schiff zu binden ! Und schlagen ihn immer noch im Namen des Mondes !!" As Rune Shift's spell completed the runes painted on the alleyway ground lit up. Spectral chains came up from the ground and wrapped themselves around Hannibal, tightening around his whole body. The light from the moon focused down into a single beam encasing him in a shell of magic making it impossible for him to move while under the gaze of the moon.

"WHAT!?" Hannibal shouted through his teeth. Rune appeared in a flash, and helped Acropolis to his feet. Her horn lit up ash she began to heal Acro.

"I realized where you were holding Spini," He put his arm around Rune, "And Rune and Gumshoe beat me here and were waiting." Acro coughed again, "And they had a plan." Gumshoe leaned out of the broken window above them.

"Got Spinneret cut free, guards are coming to collect us." Gumshoe hollered down.

"I cant believe this." Hannibal spoke through his teeth.

"You expected I would come alone, and be unable to catch you. And you were right, and I realized that. I may be stubborn, I may be skilled, I may be resilient. But, I'm not stupid, or suicidal." Rune began to carry him away. "Enjoy the Lunar dungeon. Hannibal."

"Well done, Acro." He submitted to his magic binds, "I guess I lost, for now at least."

Rune and Acropolis sat on the back of a medical wagon on their way back to the castle. Rune was chanting under breath as she treated his wounds. Despite the pain he felt relived. Hannibal was caught, he could breath easy.

"Rune." He spoke, breaking her chat.

"Hmm?" Her hair fell softly across her face as she tilted her head to look at him. He said nothing, just reached up and kissed her.


Laying Low

*Sex inbound, if you dont want it read down to Acropolis section and skip it*

Luna stood in front of a large cell door deep under Canterlot. Golem stood next to her as they observed the new resident of the Asyl. Hannibal stood in the middle of the cell, only a small cot and toilet to keep him company. A white orb embedded in the ceiling shone a cool but bright light through out the cell.

"Hannibal," Luna called out, "As you know Rune shift has bound you to your host, he dies you die. Also she cast a lovely spell freezing you in place"

"Your point?" Hannibal walked around his new home.

"And as you may notice, you can walk around, I have reversed her spell." Luna gestured to the orb in the ceiling, "You can move only as long as moonlight shines on you." She grinned, and her toothy smile made Golem slightly uncomfortable, "And since we are underground, you cannot leave this cell."

"So in other words, only you can let me go?" Hannibal smiled. "Lovely, also while I have your attention. Why do I still take breath? By all rights my head should be on pike out in front of the castle. For my past and present crimes."

"I would love nothing more than to do just that, but you are our only link to this 'master' and his order."

"His order?" His laugh was deep and hearty, "Wow, I didn't think you were this misinformed."

"Its not his order?" Golem asked.

"No, not his. He used it yes, and is a member, of a sorts. But he is far from the leader."

"Who is he?" Luna demanded.

"Hehehe, you already know who master is, hes gah-" Hannibal choked as if something was stuck in his throat. "he's gah-" again he choked, "He's gah-" choking, he waved his hoof. "Hehehe, it seems his magic is still strong enough to prevent me from talking."

"Fine then, tell me about the order!" Luna commanded.

"Nope, I wont say another word until I see Acropolis."

"Why?" Her question was met with Hannibal's silent grin. They stared at each other for a few moments. "Fine, good bye Hannibal."

Dried ink, old paper, bound leather, and undisturbed dust. These smells greeted Acropolis as he awoke in his bed. His back and wings ached as he regained consciousness, reminding him of his encounter with Hannibal. He opened his eyes and his vision was met with a orange-pink tangle. Through the mess he could see Runes face as she slept peacefully by his side. He slowly and painfully sat up in his bed. It was mid day and the sun shone brightly through their window making his vision blurry. The sun was almost foreign to him nowadays. He sat quietly on the edge of their bed contemplating last nights capture. It was over, Hannibal was captured. He felt relieved but hardly relaxed. Hannibal was captured but his master still walked free, the pony who assaulted Glint walked free, and Gumshoe and Coco are sure there is a secret order behind all of this. He smiled, a content smile, he was happy. Rune began to stir.

"Hmm," She opened her eyes slightly, "You okay?" her tone was soft and lovely.  

"Yeah, just restless I guess." His voice was raspy. She sat you and draped herself over him, taking care not to touch his wings. Burrowing her face gently into his neck.

"Restless? Hmm?" Her words blew air across his neck. He was suddenly aware of her heart beat against his back. And the heat of her breath on his neck. She slowly placed a small kiss on his neck.

"Hmm." He had forgotten how much he enjoyed her touch.

"You caught Hannibal."

"WE caught Hannibal." She chuckled and moved around to his front.

"Then WE, deserve a little treat!" Her hooves made their way to his waist where he was beginning to grow. "It seems we have a vote for treat." Acro didn't have time reply before she took him in her mouth. He fluttered his wings, despite the pain and kicked out slightly as she took him deeper in her mouth. As she maxed out her throat she moaned with him in her mouth.

"Ahhh, Buck!" He wiggled as she moaned again and again as she moved up and down slowly. He was now at full mast and was pushing his was down her throat even farther. Beginning to choke on him she pulled back pulling him her mouth with a wet pop. Gasping she climbed up on him, letting his member slide against her slit and hole. She could feel his head pulsing against her asshole, which puckered in anticipation. She grinded against him, making herself wetter and wetter with each pass. They had been so caught up in Hannibal and other events they had had no time for each other, and were both very pent up. He reached up and kissed her as he pulled her closer to him. Squeezing their bodies together as close as they could get. He moved to enter her backside but she clenched, blocking him.

"That's hardly a treat." Rune pulled back and lined her treasure up with his shaft. Sliding forward his tip pushed aside the lips of her slit. She shivered and twitched as he slowly lid into her. Her horn flickered and pulsed as he hit her back wall. The hot sensation of him being so deep inside her was almost to much for her.

"Rune~" Acropolis' voice was wispy as his shaft fought against her tightness. She tightened like a vice as he began to pull back out. She gasped as he slid back out. "You okay?" She shuttered and held him tight.

"Fantastic." Her tone was unlike he had heard before, it begged him for more.

"Fantastic." He replied placing his tip against her lips again. In one thrust he slammed into her, her limbs went straight like boards, her horn shot sparks, and her vision went white for a moment. He held himself deep in her forcefully.

"OHH~ BUCK!" She shouted. Her tongue breaching her lips. He pulled back and thrusted again and again and again. Each thrust erased her mind and drove him to the brink. They got faster, and harder, until Acro fell back onto his back Lifting her up and on top of him. Rune placed both hooves on either side of his head and kissed him furiously as he pounded away at her. They slammed into each other again and again. His shaft spreading her wide and hitting her in all the right spots. She clammed on him like a vice as he moved and was hot and dripping. They lost themselves in their love making, their ecstasy overwhelmed them. All there was in the world was the pony before them, and the building pressure. Acro started going faster and gritting his teeth. Silent signals he was close. His increase in speed pushed Rune closer to her brink.

"Rune~"

"Acro~" In one strong thrust upward, he pushed himself deep into her lifting her from the bed as he did. This thrust was her final straw, she clammed down on his shaft, locking him in her as she came. Her horn went off like a sparkler as Acro gritted his teeth and unloaded into her. She could feel his hot cum filling her up. She gasped as he pumped into her. He seemed to cum forever, it began leaking out down his shaft and dripping onto the bed. "Acro~" She fell down onto him and kissed him ferociously. Her face was red and her breath was visible. Sweat beaded on their bodies. Acro panted as he held his mare close to him, their juices leaking out on to the bed. After a moment Rune sat up startling him, rocking back and forth with a grin on her blushing face. With each motion more cum leaked out of her. "I think you'll like this." She whispered and began to stand up. His cum covered cock slid slowly out of her as she stood up, coming clear with a loud and wet pop. She stood above him for a moment before more of his cum came dripping out of her and onto his shaft. The sight made him hard again.  "And now you get a special treat." She moved down and took his cock in her mouth once more. She sucked up all of his cum, licking in from his shaft, his stomach and balls. and sucking what remained out of his balls. He was helpless, all he could do was moan as she drained him dry. Her task done she released his cock.

"R-r-rune." He mumbled out. She gave him a salty kiss and laid down next to him. He could see her groin wet with their fluids. All he could smell was dried ink and sex. "I love you."

"I love you too." They kissed gain and soon the messy pair were asleep. To day the slept peacefully for tomorrow it was back to work.

Brigade sharpened his spear in the empty barracks. Mid-day there weren't many ponies around the barracks. He looked up to the clock on the wall. He had to report to the labs for Glints detail as she went out into the city. However he was concerned as Glint had requested they meet in private beforehand. And so he waited in the barracks for Glint to arrive. The door creaked open and a soft blue mare with a red mane entered.

"Brigade!" the mare lit up.

"What did I ask of you Glint?" He replied harshly. She seemed rejected as she transformed back into her changeling form.

"Sorry." Glint looked away bashfully. Brigade shot her a quick smile before turning away quickly and collecting his spear.

"Anyway, what did you want to speak to me about?"

"Well, its hard to explain." Glint looked nervously around the room.

"Out with it."

"Well, mymotherisinheatandneedstofindamateinordertoproduceabroodsoshecanlayhereggsandrebuildherhice!" Glint rambled out. Brigade simply raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"My mother needs to find a mate and breed or else she will fall barren." Glint couldn't bring herself to look at Brigade.

"Well," He gave a deep sigh, "I guess that cant be helped." She was surprised at his calmness. "After all one of the reasons Luna allowed Chrysalis to stay was so she could breed. So who has she picked.

Ah, there it is. "Well, that's the thing."

"Wait, Im taking you both hunting aren't I?" Glint simply nodded at his question. The thought of taking changelings out hunting and feeding off of random ponies emotions made him very uneasy. But under his watch he knew they wouldn't take anything too far. For some reason he felt like Glint was his responsibility her safety was his primary concern. He gave a mighty sigh as she looked sheepishly at the floor. "Has Princess-" she cut him off.

"Yes, Luna has approved the uhh, hunt?" Glints choice of words made him twitch.

"Very well." He resigned himself and followed Glint from the empty barracks.

Grand Agora tapped his hoof as he observed a relic deep in his private warehouse. Each artifact was held in a magical stasis shield to prevent any adverse exposure. He stood before a silver chalice with moonstone set along the rim. The faint sounds of ponies screaming echoed softly as he observed it. A sliver liquid milled about by itself in the chalice.

"So close and yet so far." Agora spoke as he reengaged the magical force field.  

Hannibal played his part, and lasted longer than I thought he would.

"But the chalice is only half full, if we kill anymore the guard will start looking for the actual killer."

His violent displays made for a good distraction. But with him captured their focus will be on finding me.

"So what should we do?" Agora moved to leave the warehouse, heading down the long hallway towards the exit.

We lay low, again. Play it slow and cautiously. We still need into the Lunar Armory. We should shift our efforts to that. The chalice can wait.

"Sir?" White Glove stood at the warehouse entrance.

"What is it Glove?"

"Your nephew is here to see you as requested, sir."

"Fantastic."

Flash Sentry stood in Agora's study observing the relics he had on display there. He had little interest in the past, but that was not the reason for this visit.

"Flash!" Agora greeted as he entered.

"Uncle!" Flash and Agroa embraced for a moment.

"Ah, look at you! You look more and more like your father everyday!" Agora smiled.

"Ill never be a big as him Uncle."

"One day my boy, one day." Agora motioned towards his drink cabinet, "Would you care for a drink?"

"Sorry, I have to go on duty after this."

"Ah, thats my boy. Prim and proper. A true Canterlot gentlecolt!"

"Uncle, if I may. Why did you ask to see me?" Agora gave a deep sigh, and hid his devious smile.

"You are familiar with the Lunar guard and its Captain Acoplois?"

"I am, very familiar with Acropolis." Flash's tone betrayed himself.

"Well, I have been assisting Princess Luna in collecting artifacts from the forgotten era before Nightmare Moon." Flash listened carefully as his Uncle spoke, "And some of these artifacts are rather dangerous."

"I haven't heard of this before." Flash was visibly annoyed. Agora gave another deep sigh to hide his evil grin.

"Not surprised, Luna is a Princess of secrets after all. But my point, my boy, is that I cannot speak to their current inventory, or of whatever artifacts they do have's ability."

"Ability?"

"Oh you know." Now, spring your trap "Artifacts like Hannibal's helm." Flash stood completely still. His blood ran cold thinking that the Lunar guard had more artifacts that were just as dangerous as Hannibal.

"Why are you telling me this? Why not bring up these concerns to Luna or Celestia yourself?" Flash stammered.  

"Luan would dismiss me, and Celestia has faith in her dear sister. My hooves are tied." You are good at this Agora] "But yours, my boy, are not."

"What do you mean Uncle?"

"You could get into the Lunar Armory, and bring me along to audit the dangers of whatever they have." Flash thought on it.

"And if you find nothing." Flash showed the level headed-ness that he was becoming known for.

"Then no harm. But wouldn't you rather know if there is a magical super weapon in your basement just waiting to go off?" Agora's words hit Flash and he could see it on Flash's face.  

"Okay, Uncle. I appreciate you informing me of this. And I will do what I can to get the Lunar Armory audited." Flash stood tall and commited himself to his uncles claim.

"That's my boy." Agora smiled wide, "We must do whatever it takes to protect Equestria." From those who wish to protect it

An Unfortunate Day Out


Hannibal smiled as Acropolis showed up at his cell door. The bright light from the Lunar Orb lit the dark hallway well. Acropolis had never been this deep into the Asyl. He didn't like coming down here, since his visits here usually ended with somepony going mad. But in this case he was here to speak with somepony who was already mad.

"Hannibal." Acropolis greeted.

"Acropolis." Hannibal returned the greeting. They stared at each other for a moment.

"What do you want?" Acro finally asked.

"To congratulate you," Hannibal held out both hooves in front of him and slowly clapped.

"Don't patronize me. Hannibal."

"Hmm, well then. Hows Luna?"

"You answer my question ill answer yours, deal?" Acropolis made his demands firmly.

"Sure, shoot."

"Why Burlap?" Acropolis' question took him by surprise.

"Truthfully?" Hannibal shook his head, "Bad luck, he broke into Gah-" Hannibal choked on the name, "And the gah-" Again he choked on nothing, "It would seem even cursory information on Master is restricted. Well then , to put it simple. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Can he be separated from you?"

"Before your marefriends little spell? Maybe. Now? No. My soul is now bound to this flesh. I am mortal." Hannibal gestured to his body as if having a physical form was odd. "Now, that's two I get to ask. First, Luna?"

"Shes busy getting ready for the summer sun celebration." Acropolis shifted in his armor. The celebration held a strange place in his heart. It was a night of terror for most, but to him it was the day Luna returned to Equestria.

"Ahh, yes. And Spinneret?" Hannibals question struck Acropolis silent for a moment.

"Spini?"

"Yes, how is she Acropolis?" His tone was sincere.

"S-shes fine. Minor bruising." Acro shook his head.

"Good, Now I suppose you want to know about the chalice?" Acro simply nodded, "Good, all I know is it collects souls destined for Tartarus. And the Master intends to use it to pull something out of Tartarus."

"Pull what out?" He was realizing just how dangerous the Master was.

"That was something I was not privy to."

"So whats his next step?"

"Acropolis, The Master has been planning this for a very long time. Capturing me will only delay him."

"Was there anything else you wanted to tell me?" Haste was in Acro's voice. He wanted to get the search for Master underway. Gumshoe's theory of the Order Cult seemed to be more and more realistic the more Acropolis found out.  

"Only, that you have changed drastically in a very short time." Acropolis cast him a puzzled look. "Merely a month ago you would have shattered this orb, stormed in here, and slit my throat. But there you stand, calm, collected, nary a drop of blood on you."

"For ponies like you, death is a kindness." His stare became cold, "Good day Hannibal." And with that Acropolis left Hannibal alone in his cell.

"None shall stand before the Lunar Guard." Hannibal muttered to himself.

Brigade stood outside a seedy bar on the west side on Canterlot. He wasn't in uniform but still had his shield and spear with him which deterred most from questioning him about it. It wasn't illegal or anything from citizens to carry weapons, it just wasn't normal. As he kept watch a small mare of a soft pink color and a tall dark blue mare stumbled out of the bar and into the street. The smaller mare was holding the taller mare up ah she stummbled. The taller turned back and threw the bottle she had back into the bar.

"YEAH WELL *hic* BUCK YOU TOO BUDDY!" The taller mare hollered.

"I thought that was the point Chrys." Brigade said with a coy smile.

"Brigade~" The smaller mare whined slightly as she struggled against her mothers weight. He gave a sigh and helped the disguised Glint carry the disguised Chrysalis to a nearby bench.  

"I take it this isnt going as planned?" He moved away from the drunken queen.

"No," Glint propped her mother up, "Apparently getting somepony to breed with is harder than she anticipated. No pony is taking to her advances. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad."

"I guess you could say that." Brigade kept watch as he spoke.

"Brigade!" Chrysalis stirred, "Brigade~ how about *hic* you and me *hic* breeeeeeeeed?" With on more hic she passed back out.

"Not going to happen, Queenie." He didnt even look over at her as he spoke.

"Never?" Glint asked the question under breath but it was loud enough for Brigade to hear. He turned slowly to her.

"Glint, I, eh, well, you see, changelings like you two, and guys like me,-" He was cut off by the sound of a bottle breaking. He turned his head slowly to see three colts standing there. Buck, did they hear me?

"Did you say these mares were changelings fella?" One asked harshly.

"No, it was, a joke?" Brigades forte certainly was not Lying. The three stallions moved closer. "Stay back." Brigade pulled his spear forward. "Im with the Celestial guard!"

"Brigade?" Glint stood up and stood behind him. The stallions still approached.

"I said stand back or i will-" The world faded as something struck him on the back on the head. He could hear Glint struggling and calling his name as he lost consciousness.

"Luna?" Trixie called out as she entered the Princess of the night's chambers. She had some research she wanted to run past Luna that used some dangerous machinery that Luna knew about. But the royal chambers were empty. "I guess she not here. I've looked everywhere. Where could she be?" As she asked Rune Shift came up behind her.

"Ah, Trixie! Have you seen Luna?" Rune asked.

"Rune, I was just going to ask you that! Cant out feel her or something through your link?"

"Usually but shes closed off at the moment. I cant sense her anywhere." Rune explained as a Celestial guard came up to them.

"Excuse me, have either of you seen the Princesses?"

"No." They said in unison. As another guard came running up.

"Lieutenant!" He came to sliding stop, "There's a riot! Apparently Queen Chrysalis and Princess Glint have been found out!"

"WHAT?" Rune shouted so loud the drapes in the hallway billowed.

"Citizens are rallying, they intend to hang them in the old town center!" Rune was silent for a moment. There hasn't been a hanging in Canterlot for a century but if there was one being that the citizens of Canterlot hated it was Queen Chrysalis.

"You two-" Rune began.

"LIEUTENANT!" Another guard came running up.

"What now?"

"Its the Everfree forest! Its attacking Ponyville!" He exclaimed. Rune fell silent in disbelief at the sudden turn of events.

"Okay, you two go find Princess Twilight. Get her on the missing Princesses and the Everfree, she i smore qualified on that sort of stuff. We will handle the riot, you go find Flash Sentry and mobilize at the old town center."

"Ma'am" The guards saluted and ran off to their tasks.

"This isnt going to end well is it?" Trixie asked hesitantly.

"I fear so." Rune quickly ran off to find Acropolis.

Brigade regained consciousness in the alley where he was attacked. He quickly collected his weapons and ran off towards the castle. He made record time to the Celestial barracks where Flash was talking with another guard pony.

"SIR!" Brigade hollered.

"Brigade," Flash was strangely calm, "Gald to see you are unharmed."

"What of Glint and the Queen?" He wasted no time getting to the point.

"They are being held at the old town center," Flash replied calmly, "The towns people intend to hang them both in a little under an hour."

"Whats our plan?"

"Let them."

"Sir?" Brigade couldn't believe his ears.

"I said, let them hang." Flash dismissed the guard he was talking with, "Princess Celestia AND Princess Luna have gone missing, and the Everfree forest as apparently begun an assault on Ponyville." Flash turned to face Brigade, "Two changelings hardly matter at this point. We need to focus on the Princesses." Without thinking Brigade grabbed Flash up by his collar. "Brigade! Whats gotten into you!"

"You're just going to let them die!?" He shouted. Brigade had never laid hooves on a superior before. But today his blood boiled, the thought of Glint and Chrysalis swinging dead, and the thought made him angry. More angry than he thought he could get.

"That's what I said." Flash didnt resist Brigades grip. "If two enemies need to die to buy us time to locate the Princesses, then so be it. Now put me down Brigade." Brigade held him firm, "BRIGADE I COMMAND YOU TO PUT ME DOWN!" Brigade dropped him like a sack of potatoes. "I will over look this Brigade because of your distinguished service, but I suggest you return to your home and stay there until this is over. You are dismissed!"

"Sir, I-"

"I SAID DISMISSED!" Flash hollered. Brigade picked up his spear and shield and left the barracks. He wandered the castle, he didn't think of where he was going he just walked.

"Sir?" A Lunar guard called out. Brigade realized he stood before the Lunar wing, its massive imposing doors felt like they would explode at a whisper. He could hear a feint laughing in the back of his mind. He looked down at his shield, the black steel seemed to vibrate and shimmer in the torchlight as if asking to be used.

"Let me pass." Brigade spoke with conviction.

"Sir!" Without resistance the guards opened the massive doors and let Brigade pass. He ran up the staircase, past the library, Acro and Runes room, meeting halls, the commissary, Luna's chamber, and finally he came to a stop in front of Luna's private armory. Its door seemed to be waiting for him, as it opened as he approached.

"Thats strange." He said aloud. He could hear deep laughter as if it was coming from the room. He entered slowly and lit the room with his horn. Before him stood the Panzer armor. Its black metal and sharp edges made a truly imposing silhouette. "What am I doing?"

"You came for me." A deep and gnarled voice called out from the darkness.

"What? Who?"

"You came for me." The eyes of the Panzer armor glowed a soft red.

"Panzer." Brigade looked at his shield. " I guess I did."

"You may wear me, on one condition." The armors voice echoed in the small room.

"What?"

"Answer my question truthfully and I will be yours, tell me a untruth. And you will be denied forever." Brigade did not hesitate.

"Ask your question."

"Hehehehe, good." Brigade swore he could make out a grin on the armor, "Why do you wish to wear me?"

"To protect the innocent." He answered quickly.

"Why do you lie to yourself? I will ask again, WHY DO YOU WISH TO WEAR ME!?"

"But, that's," Brigade paused, he knew that wasn't why. Yes he wanted to save Chrysalis and Glint because their safety was his charge. But that wasn't why he was here. "Your right."

"Then out with it."

"I wish to wear you," Brigade swallowed some air, "To protect the one I love."

"YES!" With a loud shout steam shot out from under the armor, "Put me on quickly, and save your princess." The voice faded away and left Brigade alone in the chamber with his new armor. It took him seconds to get the armor on. The full set hung on him loose. It did nothing until he looked in a mirror that was hanging nearby. He saw himself normal for a moment before his eyes flared red and the armor began to merge with him. Massive screws appeared all over his armor as in the same moment screwed into his body. He screamed in pain but did not lose his footing as the armor plunged the magic screws into his body. His teeth grew long and sharp, his eyes flared red and left a after shadow as he moved his head, black smoke seemed to surround his feet, and his horn grew jagged. The armor's changes done his breathed out a heavy black smoke. He gave a mighty roar which shook the room the quickly collected his shield and spear and ran out of the chamber.

Acropolis fell to one knee as he walked across the bridge leaving the Asyl. The sudden burst of noise over the link drove him to a knee.  

"What is that?" He grasped at his helmet, ripping it from his head and dispelling the enchantment. "Whoa, what on terr was that? Feedback?" He put his helmet back on and felt around the link until he found the disturbance. "Brigade!? BUCK!" He ran off in an attempt get to Brigade before he went on a massacre.

Brigade left little pock marks as he ran. His massive hooves slammed like drums on the laid stone floors. He had taken a short cut through part of the castle and ran along the castle walls. The crowd did not see him above them as they prepared the makeshift gallows. The sight sickened him and fueled his anger. Glint and Chrysalis were bound by the castle wall, these rioters were smart at least and had used magic bracers to prevent their escape. He positioned himself above them on the wall and jumped off.  

The elevator clanged to a halt in the garden as Acropolis burst from the Asyl lift and right into Rune.

"Rune!" Acro hollered, "Brigade! Hes-"

"Glint and Chrysalis are going to be hung in the old town center!" Rune blurted out.

"WHAT!" Acropolis and Rune ran off towards the old town center.

Brigade landed with such force he shattered the stone steps where he landed. He swung his spear with such might he blew the smoke cloud he created away revealing himself to the crowd. The crowd could do nothing, they just stared at the demonic appearing guard before them. Brigade shot smoke out of his nostrils, and swung his spear gouging a line between him, Glint, and Chrysalis and the crowd. The crowd stood silent as his spear passed through the solid stone like it was butter. He leveled his spear at the crowd, and quickly brought it back while pulling his shield forward into a defensive position. Again the crowd was silent.

"Who are you?" Some pony from the crowd called out.

"I am Brigade of the Lunar Panzer," His voice made the pebbles he kicked up rattle, "And these two are under my charge."

"Brigade?" Glint asked, she couldn't believe her eyes. There was no way this was her Brigade. Her strong and silent Brigade, by the books Brigade, Celestial guard Brigade. Chrysalis simply stared at the demon before her and quietly was glad she hadn't invaded while the Panzer were still a thing.

"You know who these two are!?" Another voice from the crowd hollered.

"Irrelevant." He answered from behind his shield. There was the Brigade Glint knew.

"They're monsters!" Another hollered.

"Irrelevant."

"She killed hundreds!"

"IRRELEVANT!" He hollered back.

"They are enemies of Equestria!"

"IRRELEVANT! I am charged with their protection! And I will protect them from any threat, be it monster, or citizen." Brigades threat hushed the crowd. They murmured among themselves for several moments. Brigade could hear faint calls in the back of his mind. He knew they were Acropolis and Rune Shift but he ignored them. The matter at hoof required his full attention. A large colt stepped forward from the crowd.

"You would defend those who have caused us so much grief and loss?" He asked.

"I would." Brigade did not change his stance.

"Then you leave me no choice." The colt stepped towards the line as he crossed it Brigade let his spear fly.

"WHOA THERE!" Acropolis hollered. Runes Magic grabbed Brigades spear and forced it to strike just above the citizens head. Acropolis and Rune landed beside Brigade. "Whats all this then?" His tone was calm and playful.

"They were-" Brigade began but Acropolis cut him off.

"Wasn't asking you." Acro turned to the crowd, "Now, you." He pointed at the colt that had stepped forward. "What's all this then?"

"We were going to, well ummm," the colt stammered.

"Going to ummm?" Acropolis seemed more like a scolding parent than a guard at this point. Rune quickly set about untying Glint and Chrys.

"Umm, Well you see." The colt continued.

"I see a mob, a gang, a disgrace to this great city!" Acro climbed up onto the makeshift gallows, "Look at yourselves! We are in Canterlot! The crown jewel of Equestria! WE set the example! WE are the ones everypony looks to! WE are the pinnacle of Equestrian society! And what message does it send if we start lynching ponies in the streets!?" The mob began mumbling to itself. "Yes, at one point these two were enemies, but what harm were they doing? Who were they enslaving? Any pony?" The mob was silent, "Who were they terrorizing?" The mob was silent still. Acropolis stared out over the crowd where he noticed no pony was making eye contact with him. "We are Canterlot citizens! AND WE ARE ABOVE THIS!" He let his echo die out before he continued. "Dont you all think there has been enough senseless violence already? To many homes broken? To many lives destroyed? I suggest, instead of murdering these two in cold blood. And destroying two more lives. We ask what our Princesses would expect of us." That struck a chord with the crowd. "I know Luna wouldn't want this. this, this isn't justice. this isn't right." Acropolis motioned for Brigade to lower his spear. "If any still wish to murder these two," Acro swung his wing and Brigade cast his spear onto the steps, "You will have to do so the honorable way!" The crowd began its murmuring again. The colt who had stepped forward before stepped forward again.

"Acro!" Brigade called out only to be hushed with a gesture from Acropolis.      

"You are right Acropolis," The colt twirled the spear and sunk it into the stairs. " We are Canterlot citizens. And are above this violence." Their former leader turned to the crowd. "Any who still wish to do these two harm must first challenge me!" The crowd burst into murmuring once again. And one by one they slowly disbanded until the old town center only held the Lunar guard, the changelings, and the one citizen. Acropolis climbed down off of the rubble and immediately shook the colts hoof.

"Thanks for the support there." Acro smiled.

"Your welcome?" He seemed surprised. "I wish to apologize." He turned to Chrys and Glint, "I lost my wife in the invasion. And my baser instincts got the better of me. My name is Anvil, im a local craftspony. If you are in need of anything, pleas let me know. And I will do my best to make for this embarrassment."

"Thank you, Anvil." Chrysalis stood up as she spoke, "I may call on you, and your honorable actions, however late,  will not be forgotten." Anvil quickly bowed and left the plaza.

"Well buck," Acro gave a deep sigh.

"That could have gotten way out of hand!" Rune exclaimed as she used some magic to teleport in front of Brigade, "What were you thinking!?"  

"I-i needed to protect my charge, and Flash was going to let them lynch them to buy time to search for the Princesses!" Brigade explained.

"Hmm, sounds 'bout right. Flash has no love for our changelings here." Acropolis circled Brigade, "By the way, you look awesome."

"Thank you," He looked over at Glint, "We need to get them back to the castle."

"Agreed," Rune teleported back over to the changelings and helped them up.

"I wonder how Twilight did with the Everfree?" Acropolis wondered aloud.

"Im sure she's fine. She is the Princess of Magic." Rune commented. They were undisturbed as they moved escorted the changelings back to the castle.

Agora in the Armory?

After the incident with the Everfree forest where Twilight and her friends lost the elements and rescued the Princesses, things went back to normal More or less. The citizens were understandably mad about Chrysalis and Glint but Celestia and Luna smoothed it out rather well. Chrys and Glint had guards on them 24/7 and their guard was overseen by the newly formed Lunar Panzer. Brigades transition from Celestial to Lunar guard was seamless, mostly due to Luna demanding she keep him. Everything seemed to be calming down. However the Master still walked free and they no more leads, all Acropolis had was a pit in his stomach. But that may just what being around Grand Agora does to ponies.

Acropolis struggled to lift himself up off the ground with his wings. Wing ups were hard for him since the accident when he was a child. But the incident with Hannibal made it clear that he needed to train harder and learn Erde Fuasten even quicker. But first he needed to strengthen himself, which is why one very angry looking Minotaur loomed over him as he struggled.

"Push!" Iron Will shouted, "COME ON! Push like you MEAN it!" his veins bugled as he emphasized.

"I, am, trying!" Acro pushed himself up again. When he reached his height his wing buckled and he toppled to the ground. He laid there for a moment before Iron Will moved to help him up. Grabbing Acro around the mid section the large Minotaur had little issue lifting him to his feet.

"Good job, BROTHER!" He flexed as he spoke. Iron will had been training Acro to increase his physical endurance. With mixed success. While his hooves, arms, and legs were stronger, his wings seemed to refuse to co-operate. In fact they seemed to be getting worse. Iron will helped him from the gym floor. "Three more reps than last time. Oooh! YEAH!" Iron Will flexed and posed. Acro never really understood why he did that.

"Yeah, grand total, 37." Acro sighed, "Im not making progress." He stretched out his wings and flinched as it popped back into place.

"Dont rush it little man," Iron Will continued to flex, "It'll come in time. And with PRACTICE!" He flexed even harder.

"Yeah, yeah." He lingered for a moment, "Im gonna go, Iron." He collected his towel and water bottle and left Iron Will to flex in peace. There wasn't much for him to do at the gym once his wing gives out. Walking out into the streets he was greeted by the bustling of Canterlot central. He looked about at the citizens as they passed.

"Captain." A passer by greeted. He nodded politely in response. As he walked citizens would greet him every once and a while. He liked it. The citizens of Canterlot no longer feared the Lunar guard. His speech at the attempting lynching of Chrysalis and Glint seemed to have struck a cord in the citizenship. Which he liked. It didn't take him long to walk to the castle gate.

"Captain." The guard at the gate greeted.

"Afternoon." Acro acknowledged. Even his relationship with the Celestial guard had improved. Flash Sentry was making more and more trips to the Crystal Empire and his replacement was much less resistant to Lunar policy. But Flash's influence was still felt, for example Grand Agora was to audit the Lunar armory this evening. The thought made his stomach churn. Like leaving a cake alone when Pinkie Pie was near, there was no way that cake is coming out of there in one piece. They had nothing to hide, but he still didn't trust Agora. And neither did Brigade. As he walked through the Lunar garden towards the barracks there was a loud crack. He looked up towards Rune's workshop. After a second of silence her window exploded raining glass down on the garden. He quickly ran off for her workshop.

"RUNE!" He hollered as he threw open the workshop door. The soft blue mare sat against the wall where she was thrown from the explosion. Her orange pink mane frizzed and slightly brunt. "Rune?" Acro moved over to her.

"Im fine." She mumbled as he helped her to her feet. "That glyph is for expulsion, not containment. Clearly." She chuckled slightly.

"Clearly, you alright?" He fussed her hair with his wing.

"Yes, yes, im-" she stumbled, and shook her head. "I-Im fine. the explosion just shook me up a bit. Celestia wasn't kidding, this stuff is dangerous."

"Apparently. Please, try not to blow your self up." He leaned in and kissed her cheek. She smiled and nodded. Acro then quickly and left her to her studies. She looked at her library and sat down in her arcane circle.

"What to do?" she spoke under her breath as the small jewel that lay on the floor turned from red to blue.  

Golem materialized in the underground Starswirl lab. He rarely came down here as he hated teleportation but Trixie had asked for his input on something she was working on. Trixie had shared some for her recovered technology to improve security in the Asyl so he felt that the least he could do was give his input. She stood before him, her hair frizzed, grease and oils smeared about her, pencils and other odd tools stuck in her mane. He found the sight oddly attractive. The bags under her eyes told him she hadn't slept for a couple days.

"Miss Trixie, are you alright?" His question fell flat.

"Golem?" She blinked, "Golem!" She realized who was there and trotted over to him, "I want to show you something." She turned and lead him through the lab. Strange devices pumped and whirled. Concoctions and brews bubbled and churned in odd devices. Alien machinery sparked and bellowed as they walked through the laboratory. Clearly she had been busy whilst everypony else was busy with the Hannibal hunt. He had never seen anything like this before. "Here." She stopped before a strange tube covered in a cloth, he could see large coils sticking out of the ceiling above.

"What's here?"

"I want to show you something, but I need you to keep it to yourself. Never tell anypony." He magic grabbed the cloth as she waited for his reply.

"I agree Miss Trixie, I will speak of whatever I am about to see with no pony." He placed his hoof over his eye.

Pinkie Pie sneezed as she put icing on some of her cupcakes. She quickly looked about, shrugged, and went back to her cupcakes.

"Good. Cause I need a second opinion." She pulled the cloth down revealing the body of Starswirl the Bearded floating in the stasis pod. Golem observed the pod and the alicorn in the tank silently for several moments. He could see the defects in his skin, details of his beard, scars over his body, the parts of wings. As far as he could tell this was Starswirl the beared, but he seemed younger than he expected. Even the Asyl he had heard of this grand unicorn. However he was confused as to why he had wings.

"Hmm, is this who I think it is?" Golem asked, giving Trixie a shock.

"Its Starswirl the Bearded, possibly the greatest unicorn that ever lived. He slayed dragons, saved whole countries, taught the princesses, wrote volumes, and gave us the modern understanding of magic." Trixie placed a hoof on the tube.

"Why is he here?"

"Apparently, towards the end of his life he became paranoid. And apparently tried to turn himself into an alicorn. I can only assume his experiment was flawed somehow and he went into stasis for," Trixie looks around briefly, "Reasons." Golem nodded quietly as he observed the tank, well knowing she had no idea why he was in the tank.

"And what did you need an opinion about?"

"Golem, you see the device that the tube is attached to?" She gestured to the coils and machinery hanging out of the ceiling. The tubes and pipes moved down the walls and appeared to connect to a large machine attached to the chamber.

"I do."

"Its a called a Telsa, it generates and insane amount of electricity. But that electricity will pass through this tanks systems." She gestured to the machine om the back of the tank.

"And?"

"I think, it will revive him." She looked at him for his reply. Golem thought for a moment.

"Thats what you needed an opinion about. Whether or not to revive one of Equestria's greatest minds?"

"Basically. Yeah." She leaned up against a near by table.

"What else will this, Tesla, activate?" Golem had asked the right question.

"Well, so far I have only be able to access about a quarter of this facility. With the Tesla active the electric doors will unlock, and let me explore the rest of the facility." Trixie was visibly excited at the prospect of exploring the rest of the facility.

"Then I say you activate it. The risk out weighs the gains. Worse case scenario, we have one cranky alicorn." Golem smiled at Trixie as she lit up.

"Alright!" She ran over to a steam engine she had gotten working prior and placed her hoof on one very large lever. "Hold onto you plot!" She flipped the switch. The room went dark. A loud clanging began as the steam engine pumped away. The coils in the ceiling began sparking. The sparks turned to arcs as the intensity increased. The noise was tremendous as the coils sparked and arced. The flashes of light exposed a even larger coil hidden higher up in the ceiling. The smaller coils began sparking off the larger causing the coils on the larger to rotate. The more electricity it got, the faster its spun.

"Trixie?" Golem was beginning to get concerned. The massive coil began sending large charges to the tube and surrounding devices. After several large discharges they coils gave one massive discharge and fell silent. The central massive coils spun quietly every once and a while discharging into one of the smaller coils. The chambers that held Starswirl and the other specimens flickered to life. "Trixie?" She ran over to the little monitor attached to Starswirl's tube.

"Its booting, Golem, It booting a revival program." She could barely believe it. She had began the revival of one of Equestrias greatest heroes. "I did it," She looked over to Golem. "IT WORKED!" She hugged him tightly. A large door beyond the work space beeped loudly as the massive electric lock disengaged and slid open. The stale air greeted them as the air cycled through. A speaker near the door pinged and sparked to life.

"The facility is open." A robotic voice spoke from the speaker as a monitor near the door lit up.

"Whats that?" Golem asked. Trixie moved over and began reading the monitor.

"Well it seems that there are system failures throughout the facility. That is to be expected though." A loud roar that could only be described as dinosaur-esque echoed from the newly opened door. Trixie quickly pressed a button and shut the large door. "Hmm, I think I will explore that later.

"Good idea."

Brigade sat on his balcony, drink in hand, smooth jazz on his record player, sun on his face. He was having a pleasant day, a calm day.

"Brigade!" a female voice called out.

"Nope." He said aloud.

"Bri-Gade!"

"Nooope!"

"BRIGADE!"

"What!?" He leaned over his balcony. Down in the street was Glint, and she looked nervous.

"Let, me, in." She tried to whisper and shout at the same time.

"Glint, you can fly." He dead panned. She looked embarrassed for a second and then quietly buzzed up to his balcony. "What is it? Its my day off."

"I know I thought maybe I could have a day off with you?" She chittered as she landed next to him.

"Hmm, well." He took a sip of his drink, "Wait, where is your guard?"

"Oh, well mother is out and about, so hes with her." He twitched slightly, as he heard the Panzer armor in the next room chuckle in the back of his mind.

"I guess then you can stay, but I wasn't planning on doing much today." He motioned to the weapons racks, "Juts some polishing and repairs."

"Thats fine," Glint jumped up onto his bed, "I just needed to get out of the castle for a bit anyway." She dint really care what they did as long as they were together.

"Okay." Brigade went back to reclining on his balcony. Glint sort of just sat there for a few moments fidgeting, all the while trying not to stare at him. Brigade gave a sigh, "Fine, come here." He motioned to her and she quickly fluttered over to him and sat with him on his recliner. She smiled up at him as he closed his eyes and leaned back again his his chair. She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes a well. And soon the two had fallen asleep.

Chrysalis, disguised as a dark blue mare once more, stood before the small shop. Her guard stood a ways off keeping watch, just in case. She wavered for a moment but then entered the small shop. The shop was filled with ornate candle sticks, hoof crafted boxes, trinkets, jewelry, dark wood furniture, and several other crafts of royal quality. She walked about the shop undisturbed for several moments and checked the price tag of a very ornate bangle. It took her by surprise how affordable it was.

"Afternoon Miss," Anvil greeted as he came out form the back room, "looking for anything in particular?" He was wearing a leather smock which bore the efforts of his work, he was filthy. Strangely Chrys didn't mind.

"Actually, yes. I am looking for you." Her eyes flared green.

"Ah, Well then, what can I do for you," He paused, "Chrysalis?" Anvil smiled sincerely. Chrys flinched and quickly looked away from him. She could feel his sincerity, it tasted sweet.

"You led a group to lynch me and my daughter," He looked about nervously as she spoke, "I understand why you acted that way. I am unsure how I would have acted if the roles were reversed. But I want you to understand why I did what I did, and why I was out in Canterlot that night."

"I was present at the Princesses public address."

"There is a bit more that wasn't in the address and I wanted to tell you," In a slow green burn she revealed herself, "Face to face." Anvil closed his shop and led Chrysalis into the back, where his home was. It was small but well furnished. Rich woods and irons ordained everything. Several picture frames caught her eye, in them Anvil and a Mare in guard armor were smiling. The sight made her heart drop. Being around these ponies was starting to melt her cold heart. "Your wife?" She asked motioning to the picture frame.

"Yes, she died in the invasion." Chrysalis remained silent for a moment. The room hung heavy for a moment, before he sat at the table. She sat down at the table as well and quickly got back on topic.

"As you know Changelings feed off of emotions, Love is the most potent. We were exiled from our home by," she paused, "An aggressor. We were starving."

"And that gave you the right?" She held up a hoof stopping him.

"No, it doesn't. Canterlot was overflowing with love, so I sent a emissary. They never returned to the Hive. Then I sent a spy, my daughter, to asses and prep for a possible invasion. When she went silent, in my starved mind, I saw that as a act of aggression." She looked somberly off into the distance. "And then Cadance took a trip, I saw my chance, and the rest is history." She explained.

"What happened to your emissary? I doubt Celestia would do anything but welcome them."

"After the invasion, when I was thrown from the city. I found him, his head on pike, just outside the central kingdom. That was when I began to realize that maybe I had acted foolishly. So I came back in secret, and presented myself to Celestia. Of course she accepted my offer. And now I find myself here, and in need."

"I need of what?"

"A mate." Her statement made him fall silent.

"A mate? Cant you have one of your changelings mate with you?"

"I fear, me and my daughter are all that will come forward. My children are spread wide and very thin."

"Is that why you came to me? You want to breed with me?" he couldn't believe what he was saying. "You and your army took my wife!" His anger was beginning to rise.

"And that same attack nearly wiped my kind out. And now we are on the brink of extinction. This gesture, from somepony who has lost so much to somepony who has taken so much from you, would send a message that I am not here to invade. I do not want Canterlot, I want my kind to thrive. And to co-exist with pony kind." Anvil slammed his hoof on the mantle, rattling the pictures. "Clearly I am mistaken, I appreciate you hearing me out, good day." She stood up to leave.

"Wait," He spoke softly, "Im not saying no, Chrysalis. I just," He looked over to the pictures on his mantle, "I need some time to think on this."

"I am in your debt for the mere consideration." Chrysalis bowed to him and turned back into the mare from before. In defeat she turned to leave.

"Tomorrow, 6am." He said as he turned to face her.

"Whats at 6 am?"

"Your shift. You want to show your kind and mine can co-exist? Work and live among them. My shop is busy and I see all kinds. Talk with the normal ponies. Get to know the pulse of this city. And I will consider your proposition. Either that, or look elsewhere." His demands made, he gave her a stern look. Chrys just stared at him. She hadn't ever been given a ultimatum like that. The options swirled in her mind. She did have several weeks of time before her plight became dire that and she knew he wasn't wrong. She needed to show she could live among the ponies like normal. These would be her new citizens and she needed to see how they lived. "Your answer?"

"Ill be here." She extended her hoof. Anvil took it and gave it a firm shake.  

"Hows the training going?" Acropolis asked Flash Sentry as they met outside the Lunar wing. Luna stood by impatiently awaiting Grand Agora's arrival. Her stoic silence made the air heavy.

"Well, He is adapting well to command. And the guards seem to respect him." Flash replied. His attitude towards Acropolis had soften some what since he had gotten assigned to the Crystal Empire.  

"Thats good." Acro readjusted his armor. "When will I meet the mystery replacment?"

"Eventually. For now Celestia wants to keep it secret."

"Celestia and her games." Acropolis chuckled.

"Im sure my sister has her reasons for secrecy." Luna chimed in. "Is Agora showing up today?"

"Speak of the devil." Agora called as he came into sight, his grin made Acropolis' stomach crawl. "Princess, Captains. I appologise for my lateness."

"I am very busy Agora." The Princess opened the gate to the Lunar wing. "I do not have time to be waiting around for you. Now follow me and do not touch anything." Luna led them through the wing. Lunar guards were posted at every door. Guards stood at attention at their cots as they passed through the barracks. Lunar scribes had hung banners over the book shelves so they could not see that books on the books. As they arrived at the armory Luna spun in place. "One more thing. Agora. Sentry. Anything you see are secrets of the Kingdom. Do not speak of them to any pony."

"Agreed Princess. This isn't the first audit I have done." Agora gave a smirk. So close.

"Very well." She turned and opened the door allowing Agora and Sentry entry into the armory.

"Whoa." Flash marveled at the intricate ceiling carvings. Unused armors lined the walls. Each had a station for cleaning and repairs. Several stations were empty from where armors had yet to be recovered. Agora moved in and began silently recording everything he saw. Flash simply walked around the room observing the books, tapestries, and weapons from Equestrias past.

THERE! Agora came up to a mural depicting a pony holding what looked like a crystal blade. Behind the pony was the crystal empire with a beam of light coming out of the top of the castle. He looked closer and saw that the crystal sword was actual crystal.

"Don't touch that." Luna broke the long silence.

"May I ask why?" Agora asked. Take that sword!

"I consider it very dangerous. I removed it from the original armory myself. But by itself it is harmless." Luna explained.

"And the other part?"

"Unfortunately Sombra took that secret to his grave." Luna gave a sigh. "Is this going to take much longer? Morning is coming."

"Only a few more minutes." Time to spring my trap "What?"

"What what?" Acropolis asked. Suddenly the lights cutout.

"Huh?" Flash stumbled in the dark.

"AGORA!" Luna shouted.

"Princes-" Agora called back but was cut short. There was a bright flash of red light. Agora shouted. And Luna quickly cast a light spell. As the light washed over the room Luna could see the remains of what happened. Her mighty captain lay unconscious at her feet. Grand Agora was slumped up against the far wall, blood from his head splattered on the wall behind him.

"Sentry?" Luna called out. Her light searched the room for him as she moved over to Agora. A small amount of stone laid next to him. Luna quickly realized what it was and turned her magic light to the mural. Where the Crystal Sword was gone. "SENTRY!" She called again. The thought then occurred to her as she checked the bleeding business pony. "Flash Sentry, why?" Acropolis coughed. "Acro?"

"Princess." The battered captain rose to his feet. "What happened?" His head felt like it was split open. Magic induced unconsciousness usually left a massive headache.

"Im not sure. But Flash is missing."

"Flash." He paused for a moment. "You don't think?"

"Unfortunately it would seem Flash Sentry has stolen the Crystal Sword." Luna's voice became sad. "Acropolis. Lock down the city. And put out a bulletin, Capture Flash Sentry at all costs. He cannot leave this city with that artifact."

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The New Lunar Guard Chronicles

Mature Rated Fiction

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