I take another deep breath as I tap my hoof on Miles' doorstep. I've been waiting for him to leave so I could speak with him about something that's really important. If Pinkies itinerary is to be believed, he should be coming to Ponyville soon... and by soon, I mean an hour ago. If I wait any longer, Twilight will be mad at me... She might already be mad at me. She's mad at me. But I need to talk with Miles! I only have ten minutes before it's too late.

Click

"Mies!" I yell before looking, making Luna jump. I chuckle a bit in awkwardness as she stares down at me. She's... the last person I should speak to right now. "Uh... sorry about that. Is... Miles in there?"

She gives me an odd look before looking back inside. "Miles, your husband needs to speak with you." I laugh a little at that. I guess this is what Twilight was talking about when she said I rely on Miles too much.

"Storm, what's going on?" Miles asks as he steps out. He's in his alicorn form and wearing a sharp black suit that has blue undertones. Luna is also dressed up beautifully; wearing a long flowing black dress that has dark green highlights.

"Um..."

"Now is not the time for ums Storm," Miles chastises, making me nervous. I'm suddenly unsure if these were the right choices to make or not. But, I guess there's only one way to know for sure.

"Crypteia, zero-zero, Helots, Agiads, Torto, Evito. Volenti non fit iniuria."

"Oh, I like that! What's it for?" Luna asks, making me even more nervous. Miles stares at me for a moment before giving a soft chuckle. I always forget that she can speak Latin. This isn't the first time this has gotten me into trouble either.

"Ah, it's just Spartan lingo. If you could give us a minute to talk I'll catch up with you, okay love?" Miles tells Luna, giving her a sincere smile. She smiles back before nodding to me. I nod goodbye to her and we watch her walk away together. That went easily enough. I guess-

YANK

SLAM

"ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE!?" Miles yells at me after dragging me inside and slamming me against the door.

"What!? NO!" I yell back, trying to defend myself. "I didn't know what to do! You disappeared and we needed something to get things rolling! I read it in one of your files-"

"So this is my fault!?"

"NO! Maybe? WHY WOULD YOU PLAN SOMETHING LIKE THIS IF YOU WEREN'T GOING TO DO IT?" I can't help but feel tiny right now. It doesn't help that he is twice my size.

"It was under a file that's called “DON'T DO”! DID YOU NOT READ THAT!?" I think back to reading over his files and recall questioning the titles of a few of them. I guess he was being more literal than I thought.

"So... should I call off the mission then?" I ask timidly. Miles stares at me for a moment before letting out a long growl of a sigh.

"Yes, Storm, call off the mission. Unless you want to explain to Luna and Celestia why their capital was suddenly leveled." I go to leave, but he has one last thing to say before I do. "Stop acting like you're new to this Storm. These aren't the actions of a Grand Lieutenant. At least, not of those that are trying to survive."

It stings to hear that. This is all I have in life really. Aside from family that is. I keep screwing things up and it's making all of the Spartans look bad. I turn and walk away, keeping my head held high. I can't keep appearing weak. I have to hold onto what little pride I have left right now. At least until I'm out of eyesight from anyone.

I make my way towards Ponyville where I take a sky carriage to Canterlot. The palace guards spoke to me, but I barely acknowledged them. Looking back it seems so obvious now, and I feel like a complete idiot. But, at the time, it was all I could think to do. Our leader was gone. We had no orders. Things kept changing all around us! The Grand Galloping Gala was going to happen and we didn't have anything to show for it.

We all know the war is going to happen. The only reason the Gala is happening on such a large scale is to stir the ponies of Equestria into a nationalistic fervor. Looking at a plan like this one, it made sense. It would have been the catalyst for ponies to scream for war! If this isn't the plan for tonight, then what is?

Canterlot is alive tonight. The lights of countless parties make each corner and alley shine brightly, making it all appear as one massive festival. Many larger cities dot the horizon in a similar fashion, giving Equestria a lively glow. My chariot lands in the royal airport and I waste no time looking for Night Fury. He should be spending his time with the other Night Guards up in the towers of the castle.

Flying over the palace grounds I get a perfect view of the festivities below. Every noble, celebrity, and pony of note is here at the castle. Even the most secluded of celebrities are here, how could they not? The decorations are bright and cheerful, yet still tasteful somehow. Pinkie pulled out all of her best tricks and nothing was overlooked. She's really outdone herself.

In between the two main towers of the castle is a flat section of roofing that has been turned into a small party. Members of the Night Corps. have joined here. Guards, bat ponies, Shadowbolts, as well as the elusive Night Magii are here. Dancing, chatting, drinking. I recognize several familiar faces from my time in the Night Guard. I make my way towards the crowd and start to look for Night Fury. This is his rendezvous point, and I still have a few minutes till he leaves.

"Looking for something?" I stop and look back and sigh internally from the familiar face.

"Captain North Star, it's good to see you." I shake hooves with the bat pony. He's wearing his Shadowbolt attire, something I find a little odd. Last time we were together I really didn't get to interact with him. He seems older than I recall. I can spot a few grays in his dark blue mane. The rest of him is still a mystery to me.

"Lieutenant Storm Cloud, odd to find you here," he states bluntly. He doesn't want me here. "Is there something you're looking for?"

"I'm looking for one of my subordinates, have you seen Night Fury?" I ask him. He nods towards the edge of the building and leaves me. I look over see his silhouette sitting before the moon. Eager, I take to the air and fly to him.

I land a bit behind him and take a moment to read him over. He's staring down at the gardens below. Something he's looking at is causing him some sort of pain, but I can't tell what sort of pain it is. Either way, I have to care of business first.

"Crypteia, zero-zero, Helots, Agiads, Torto, Evito. Volenti non fit iniuria." I tell him, but he doesn't seem to notice I'm here. He's too preoccupied by whatever he's staring at. A bit irritated, I step closer to glance down below.

He's staring down at one of the gardens. There's a sizable crowd standing before a cart. Two ponies -an adult and a foal- are on the cart performing for the crowd. A few flashes go off and I hear the crowd react positively. It takes me a minute to realize who I'm staring at.

"The mission is off, why don't you go down there?" I ask him as I take a seat to his left.

"I can't," he states plainly.

"Why not?"

"It would throw her off. I've tried before in the past. I always throw her off. I'd only ruin the show. Besides, I'd rather she enjoy the night anyway."

"You're the sneakiest pony I know. Why not just go down there and hide in the back. The view would be better and-"

"She'd find me. She has before. She's the only one who knows to look for me. She can't see me from here, so this'll suffice." It irritates me to hear him sound so defeated. I can't accept that he would just do nothing about this!

"I'll never understand you Night Fury." I tell him, standing up. "If you do nothing she's going to pass you by. You need to put in the work for her so she won't mess up the next time you appear. If you love her why not try again and again and again until you succeed? Is she not worth the effort?"

The small crowd has taken notice of us and has slowly encircled us. I try to say something, but he continues.

I step forward and stand by his side. I can see the confliction in his face. But he's standing tall despite it all. The moonlight shinning brightly down on the two of us.

He takes off into the air, almost dancing in the moonlight. I rush to the edge and jump after him as we soar high into the air.

He snaps his wings open and comes to an abrupt stop. I join him as dozens of other pegasi fly past us.

We begin to fall together, the crowd slowly catching up behind us.

He takes off quickly, darting away towards the towers. I give chase, following him as he circles around the tall structures.

We make it to the top of the tower as the rest of the pegasi fly down past us. He keeps his wings open and lands on his back, the curvature of the tower nestling him into a seated position, his eyes lazily drawn to the stars above. I stay in the air beside him as I try to think of what to say. What is there to say? Sorry for my good fortune? Tell him to chin up and hope for the best? Nothing I say will sway his mind, because his mind is already made up.

He's not looking for an apology. He's looking for a victory.

"Make sure the Captain sees you when he arrives." I leave it at that. Business as usual. He nods slowly, barely acknowledging my order. It's all I can really ask of him right now.

I land at the entrance to the main party grounds in Canterlot castle. The grand hall is decked out in all its elegant grandeur. Long beautiful tapestries with immaculate chandeliers and the finest dinner sets Equestria has to offer fill the room as posh ponies chatter about. In the back of the room there is a loud commotion drawing in a crowd. I spot a few of the taller Spartans back there, so only terrible things can be happening.

I weave my way through the crowd and try to make my way over, but I'm stopped by the last pony I want to see right now.

"Grand Lieutenant Storm Cloud! What an honor to have you here with us today!"

"Blueblood," I nod to him and try to move past him, but he steps in my way. He has a small posy with him. Nobles I'm sure, but I wouldn't know. "If you would excuse me-"

"Oh but the night is young! I'm sure whatever little trivial matter there is can wait for a small moment." He moves in and throws a leg around my shoulder, holding me tightly. "I'm sure you've met Naval, the land owner from down south?"

"The pedo-?"

"And Glacial Shore? From North E.E.T.? I know you've met at least once!"

"The former slave owner-"

"And this young lass is the beautiful Miss Shoal! Due to inherit the largest mining company... soon?" He asks the mare in the group.

"Almost any day now!" She laughs, getting the others to join her. I was going to mutter her vice, but decided against it. Some skeletons should stay in the closet.

"My dear friends, this fine stallion is the second in command for the Spartan Regiment! A dear and close confidant of yours truly!" They all clap... I'm not sure why. They all rush forward and start gushing about every little thing. I try to respond, but it's too many questions at once. I offer them a small smile and duck out of Blueblood's grasp.

"It was a pleasure to meet you all, but I must be off. Matters to attend to and... stuff... Enjoy your night!" I take off before they can say anything further.

I don't know what I find more disturbing. Those ponies kissing ass to me, or Blueblood calling me friend. Both send shivers down my spine.

I push my way through the last of the crowd and finally make it to my destination. It would seem Dash and Spitfire are neck 'n neck in a hoof wrestling contest. That's innocent enough. What's troubling is Ellzy going around placing bets on the two of them. Why is it two to one odds against Dash?

"STORM!" Ellzy yells over the crowd as he makes his way over me, taking a few last second bets as he hobbles over. "HERE TO BET? IT'S BEEN A CLOSE MATCH BUT THEY'RE GOING TO-"

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" I yell at him as he tries to manage all the coins in his pockets. "HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY THINK THIS WAS OKAY!?"

"IT WAS PINKIES IDEA!" I feel myself twitch a bit from that. Of course it was. I need to end this.

I push past Ellzy and make my way towards Dash. The two of them are evenly matched, but that's about to end. I get next to Dash and wait till she glances at me. She's focused, but her instincts kick in and she takes a look at me.

"Win or get demoted," I tell her. Most probably wouldn't hear me over the crowd, but I know Dash. She heard that, if the look of fear was anything to go by. She looks back to the contest and begins to take in deep breathes, her eyes widening as she starts to give it everything she has.

The initial push catches Spitfire off guard, but she gains control quickly. But it's too late now. Dash has gained ground and now she's playing to win. Spitfire's playing defensively, trying to hold on. Sweat rolls off of the two of them as they fight for every inch. Spitfire lets out a loud groan as she starts to bring her arm back towards the top. Dash clenches her eyes shut and yells as she gives it her final push, putting her all into ending this. The crowd joins Dash as she crushes Spitfire, pushing her hoof down to just above the table. But she holds on to the last second.

Dash opens her eyes and looks over to Spitfire. They make eye contact for a moment before Dash finally slams her hoof down.

"SPARTANS!" The crowd explodes in cheer as they both fall back in exhaustion. The Spartans all take their turns beating Dashes shoulders in admiration. The Wonderbolts are pissed, but what did they really expect? I give it a few minutes to let them have this little victory. It's a point of pride for them, I see no need to take that away from them. Right now at least.

I wait for the crowd to leave the table. The Wonderbolts were quick to leave. Wonder why. Once enough ponies are gone I turn to address the others.

"Keeping out of trouble I see?" They all give a small laugh. "Where are all the wives?"

"Out in the garden," Raz tells me. "Our pack is keeping together out there, but we had to come challenge the prey."

"SPARTANS!" Everyone cheers, making sure that everypony in the building knows who one that spat.

I can see that they're keeping themselves occupied in a constructive manner. Miles should be here soon too... if Pinkies itinerary is to be believed. I feel confident enough to go check in with Twilight. I could really use that right now. She always has a way of picking me back up and setting me on the right path. I really need that right now.

The Spartans loudly start to make their way out towards the garden. Surely to boast about their last conquest. I slip away from them and make my way towards the library. I didn't see her here, so there's really one three other places she'd be right now. There should be a university function happening there. I can't recall what it was... I wasn't really paying attention at the time.

The library has a stark contrast from the other parts of the castle tonight. While it's still decorated eloquently, it's toned down drastically. Large cushions take place where the long tables used to be. They look inviting, with plenty of room for several ponies to cozy up and read a book or two.

At the top of the stairs, just before the large moon lite windows, I see Twilight. Her long flowing dress pales to the beauty radiating off of her. The silver moonlight brightens around her, making her the star of the room. Everything else fades away as I stare up her. She's talking with somepony, but I don't know who. She smiles for a moment and it pushes my mood up tenfold.

She turns and makes eye contact with me. Her smile turns more genuine and for a moment I swear I saw her eyes shine more brightly. I feel that twisting feeling in my stomach. My hooves become numb for a moment and I feel goose bumps.

I remember now. I remember why I fight. I remember my cause again. I don't know how I could forget something like that. I knew what it was. What it is. But... I guess you tell something to somepony enough, you forget what it means to you. And every now and again you need something to remind you what you do it all for and why.

Night Fury says my stakes never raise, it's because they can't get any higher. For me, it's all or nothing.

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