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.