Chapter Ten: Destination Unknown

The bells of the analog alarm clock ring loudly within the darkened chambers, the sound of a hoof sluggishly fumbles around on the nightstand table top. The alarm continues to ring, until the hoof finds it's target, finally silencing the dreaded sound. Within the darkness and gloom of the bedroom, a figure begrudging, sits up upon the plush and comfortable bed, yawning and stretching, blinking the sleep from their eyes as a hoof tiredly searches for the drawstring to the nearby lamp.

The light clicks on finally after several attempts, the cream colored hoof retracting to brush the blue, frizzy mane from the face and muzzle of its owner. Dusty Shine yawns loudly again, her hoof coming down to scratch her bare chest as she turns upon her rump, slowly rising out of the inviting warmth of the bed to begin her day. She glances out of the opened window, seeing the desolate night sky outside, still few and far in between stars out, sparsely decorating the heavens.

'Oh Luna...it's just never the same without you.' She thinks to herself, a saddened, solemn sigh escaping her lips as her bare hooves touch down to the cold tiled floor of her private chambers. Once she rises and stands, she slumps into the washroom to begin her daily routine. First thing is first, answer natures ever annoying calls, then make the aromatic elixir of life to get her brain processing.

Several minutes quickly pass within the dimly lit chambers, the Earthen mare stepping out into the open room wearing her favorite white and blue silk robe, a long, dark blue sash adorns it, keeping the robe clinging to her form as it ties just below her soft, somewhat padded belly and dangles just a few inches above the ground at her hooves.

The mare makes her way to the small kitchen within the royal apartment, making herself a pot of coffee to jump-start her mind and body for the ever busy day to come. It's been a little over twenty three weeks since everything for her changed, the time driving her life into a complicated maelstrom of increased duties and worries. The minutes continue to tick away within the quiet and sparsely decorated room, the still groggy mare walking to her small table to have her cup of coffee. She stares at a small, silver framed picture resting upon it's surface, her heart sinking somewhat as she studies the image.

The picture was taken by one of the palace staff, a fellow maid, for her the day of the most recent fair. In the photograph, Luna and Dusty stand hoof in hoof, laughing merrily as before them the adorable twins pose for the camera. Behind the two elder mares stands the human pilot, his welcoming arms around their necks and backs, a warm, friendly smile of joy upon his features. Dusty Shine lets out a soft sigh of saddened discomfort as she stares at the image, as she has every morning since the accident.

Turning her head, she lets out a soft sigh, eyeing the materials she didn't put away last night after getting the twins to bed. She curses herself for staying up, taking the time to complete the project dresses for Stardust Kiss and Moonlight way, her eyes now falling on the still incomplete dress for the midnight princess. Her heart sinks somewhat within her chest, memory flashes crossing her mind of the pilot and herself working on that dress. Lifting the cup to her lips once again, she drinks deep, considering the idea of finishing the dress on her own; should the missing couple be located.

After finishing two cups of the heavenly elixir that is coffee, she steps slowly to the nearby dressers beside the bed, fetching herself her white stalking socks, coming to a rest on the bed as she carefully and meticulously puts them on her hind legs, the tops of the socks reaching just below the gaskin of them. She slips on her silver shoes onto her rear hooves, then trots to the nearby closet next to the washroom. With some effort, the wooden door slides open, the small, steel wheels squeaking loudly within the room as it moves upon its tracks.

Glancing at her old maids uniform, she lets out a huff and brushes it aside with her fore hoof, reaching to the left and hooking the hanger containing her control center uniform on it instead. Lowering her leg, she grasps the hook within her maw, carrying over the uniform back to the bed where she gets dressed. First the light, loose hanging skirt, slipping her hind legs within the circle of fabric, before pulling it over her rump and grunting. 'I really need to see about getting these re-sized...I must have put on a bit more weight recently.' She thinks with a slight shudder, annoyance written on her features as she silently chews on her lower lip. Finally after a few minutes of the usual, daily struggle with hooves and buttons, she manages to get to the soft tan fabric coat, slipping her forelegs into the short sleeves, then pulling it over her back. She lets out a huff of air as she searches for her mane brush, finding her way back into the wash room to groom her ever unmanageable mane and tail.

The sun begins to rise outside of the palace for the world, the rays of the morning sun finding their way into the still dimly lit chambers. Dusty turns and looks at the nearby clock, her eyes going wide for a moment as she realizes one very important fact: She's late. 'Sweet Celestia's perky nipples! Why did I take longer than normal to finish getting ready?! I'm going to be late again!' She turns and opens the door to her chambers, quickly exiting the room into the hallway of the Lunar wing, closing it and fast trotting to her destination. The sound of her hooves and silver shoes clacking with an echo within the halls, the usual morning activity just barely beginning to form within the still awakening palace.

The mare passes by the commander and princesses still emptied chambers, glancing and nodding to the two Lunar Stallions still posted by the doors, dutifully watching the rooms entrance, should the royal couple be located and safely returned to their home. The guards nod back in response, shaking their heads sadly as they answer the unspoken question of the mare. The owners of that room, have still not been found.

She lets out another discontented sigh as she reaches the doors to her first stop, readjusting her uniform and mane before reaching for the doorknob. With a deep, cleansing breath and a warm, friendly and loving smile, she opens the door, ready to greet her beloved and sacred charges left into her care.

"Good morning girls! It's time to begin your day!" She states with a cheerful, loving and warm voice, walking to the drapes as she has every morning since appointed this task, and drawing each curtain open with her maw. She grasps the left side first with her teeth, backing up quickly and dragging the heavy fabric to the wall hook, pushing it into the slot with her fore hoof. Moving quickly, she canters with a bounce in her step back to the center of the large glass door of the balcony opening, repeating the action for the other side. The warm rays of the dawn flood and fill the room, casting a beautiful orange light within the chambers, rousing two very special fillies from their slumber with the rising of the sun.

Twin sounds of groans and mumbles of irritation fill the room like every morning, followed by pillows being pulled over the heads of the bed occupants trying to hide from the light. She smiles serenely and canters to the bedside of Stardust Kiss first, pushing aside the pillow with her forelegs and placing a loving, warm lick upon the fillies cheek, followed by a friendly and nurturing nuzzle. "Rise and shine my little princesses! It's time to begin your day!"

Stardust lets out a low groan as she nestles deeper into the comforter, trying to avoid the earthen mare's warm wake up call. "Mamma...I don't want to get up!" The filly complains, burying her muzzle into the mattress. Dusty steps back, ears drooping slightly as she hears the precious treasure call out for the midnight alicorn.

'No...I'm not your mother. I wish I could return her to you, little one. I wish I could be her for you, but I'm not.' The blue haired mare thinks to herself, shaking her head sadly. She grasps the comforter within her teeth, pulling it back to expose the still sleeping child. Puffing out her cheeks in mirth at the adorable sight, she smiles a small, gentle smile of seeing the filly grasping the fluffy puff plush of her mother for dear life, the muzzle of the alicorn buried in the plushiest nooks of the wings.

She reaches with her fore hooves and lifts the protesting filly onto her back, the usual morning routine going exactly as it has for the past several weeks. She goes over the normal list in her mind, trotting with an extra bounce in her step to awaken the little alicorn strewn across her back. She shivers as a bit of drool once again glances her side, feeling the wetness soaking quickly through the thin jacket and fabric of the shirt.

'Overly sleepy mischievous one on back, check. Drool once again on my side?' She turns her head and looks at the jacket, another repressed shudder later she turns away, continuing her overly exaggerated canter to the next bed. 'Check. Clingy affectionate one who tries to crush me with her good morning hug?' Peeling back the corner of the oversized comforter on the next bed with her teeth, she quickly backs up, all in vain. A pair of short, spindly legs spring out and snake around the waiting earth ponies neck, quickly squeezing with strength that would make Applejack blush. Her eyes somewhat bug out for a moment as the squeeze occurs, followed by the still half asleep yawn and nuzzle by the alicorn filly. 'Check.' Dusty Shine forces another smile, turning on her hooves despite the added weight of the twins upon her form, bound for the washroom.

With absolute precision and care following her morning routine, she gingerly steps around, dragging Moonlight way from her front, all the while balancing the squirming and still snoring Stardust Kiss upon her back. She works the dials with her free foreleg, turning on the bath within the children's private washroom, the steaming and comfortable water pouring from the spout and rushing into the large marble tub. Her ears swivel as she hears another set of hoof steps quietly walking into the room, following the soft click of the door closing behind their entry.

"Good morning Dusty." Comes the soft, friendly voice of the elder white alicorn. Celestia smiles sweetly, pushing open the washroom door of the fillies as she enters, amused with the daily spectacle of this morning routine. She herself always doing the same repetition, to help keep questioning fillies occupied, and not poking around for answers.

"Good day, Princess." Dusty Shine greets, her attention still focused ahead as she tests the half full tub with her fore hoof, then pouring in some bath suds for bubbles. She knew above all else, the twins loved their bubbles to wake up with.

"Dusty, you know we've been over this. You by no means have to address me by that title. You are the one appointed to assist with lulu's treasurers, and a trusted member of the royal family. Please, see me as more than just a title?" Celestia asks, stepping closer to the smaller mare, her regal mask dropped as she smiles down at her. The alicorn tests the water temperature with her bare hoof after removing her regalia bracer, then lifts the snoozing filly off of the Earth ponies back, carefully separating the plush toy from her hooves with a golden, soft aura of magic. The toy is levitated to the bedroom once again, being set upon the child's bed as Celestia effortlessly and gently sets the filly into the water to help awaken her.

"I know, pri--" She coughs slightly, then corrects herself. "Celestia. It's just hard to get used to. I still don't know why I was appointed to watch over the twins...You and the lady Twilight are so much better at it." She responds, pushing herself up onto her hind legs at the edge of the tub, then lifting and setting Moonlight way into the water. Once the alicorn fillies hooves and rump touch the bottom, she releases the mare from her kung fu death hug, and sleepily yawns as the warmth begins to awaken her.

"You were appointed this task while my sister and her husband are away, because you were the most trusted and the best for the task. Twilight and I can only do so much while maintaining everything in Lulu's absence, but you are and always have been the best for foal sitting." Celestia admonishes with a grin, taking a seat on her haunches as she searches for the mane shampoo to begin her morning ritual with the twins. "Besides, Cadence is on her way here as we speak, to help assist you further."

"No offense, Celestia. But Cadence wasn't much help last week when she was here. Playing games with the twins and loading them up with those crystal candies didn't do any pony in the palace any good. These two were bouncing off of the proverbial walls of Canterlot for hours after that!" Dusty Shine squeaks out, rolling her eyes with a smile as she turns off the flowing water, then begins to work on Moonlight Way's mane.

"Such is a job for an aunt, to spoil their nieces absolutely, then laugh at the consequences for the guardians of the children." The white alicorn replies with a large grin upon her muzzle, a hearty laugh escaping her. "You're doing a wonderful job as always. I'm very proud of you."

The pair of mares work in silence from then, the twins finally awake within the bath and ready to begin their daily lessons. Their schedules being the norm since their parents were 'urgently summoned to delegations.' Bath first by their loving aunts, followed by a big breakfast, then escorted by Dusty Shine to their lessons with auntie Tia. Lessons, lessons, cake break, lesson, then play time and meet with Dusty Shine, to spend the evening in play, dinner, more play, then bed.

Moonlight is the first to speak out in the silence, her eyes closed so the bubbles don't get into her eyes again. "Are Mommy and papa coming back from their trip yet? I miss them." She squeaks out, then holds her breath as she feels the water cascade over her head. Celestia lets out a quiet, well practiced sigh in response, once again her motherly, gentle regal voice being heard.

"They're still busy little one, but I promise as soon as their ready to come home, you'll be the first I tell." The elder white alicorn speaks in reply, giving the same answer she has every time that question was asked. Her heart sinks within her barrel, guilt washing over her as she speaks, the thought of a lie, no matter how small or even in good intent bothering her deeply. "I know that mommy lulu and your father miss you both very, very much."

Stardust Kiss continues to sit quietly in the water, her sapphire orbs staring off into space, a forlorn look of sadness upon her features. She's completely ignoring the white alicorns ministrations as she feels the gentle hooves carefully washing her coat. The voices her ears catching nothing but muffled sounds she pushes out of her senses, as she sinks deeper into her world. A sense of bitterness constantly growing within her own little heart with each passing day.

"Stardust?" Celestia coos out in a genuinely sweet and motherly tone. "Are you feeling alright?" She asks, combing the conditioner through the fillies mane and coat as the Earthen mare works gingerly on the other filly. "You've been awfully quiet lately. Is everything ok?"

Stardust snaps, her sapphire orbs flickering to draconic slits briefly. Celestia notices and flinches back for a moment, before regaining her calm regal mask and pretending not to notice. The black alicorn filly takes a small breath, glaring at her aunt with something akin to cold aloofness. "I'm glad they're gone." She mutters. "Mom and dad left without saying goodbye. If they cared they would have at least used the voice box thingy by now."

Dusty Shine and Celestia's eyes meet for a moment, looks of sorrow and worry washing over them, the fillies comment but a knife twisting within their hearts. Dusty Shine recovers first, her voice shaken. "Now...now Stardust. You know they love you both very much. They're just...busy is all. I'm in the control center every day now, and I'm sure they have a very good reason for not using the radio. I'm trying my best though to improve it. They're probably just out of range for us to get a signal!"

Celestia nods, trying to agree, hiding her pained expression and the hurt in her eyes as she works. She lowers down her head, craning her long neck to meet with the fillies eyes. "Now you know that your parents love you both very much little one. And I know that they want to come back to you to spend all of their time they can. I promise when they return, I'll tell them never to leave again just so they can spend their days only with you two. How does that sound?"

Moonlight Way, the indigo filly nods with hope and a smile upon her soaked muzzle, her gaze fixed on her sister. "Star, mamma wouldn't just abandon us. I know auntie Tia is right! Papa probably just broke the big black birdie again, and mama is probably fixing it for him! You remember when he got stranded at Las Pegasus with auntie Twilight, right?"

The black alicorn filly lets out an annoyed huff of air, her tone still dark and somber. "If they did love us, they would have come back by now... This isn't fair!" She yells out, that ever present bitterness fighting the way to the surface of her emotions. "I hope they never come back!"

The words of the distressed filly are like a slap to the face for the white alicorn, the words twisting the dagger within her own heart more. She heaves a heavy, tired sigh and leans into the water, pulling the soaking wet filly to her chest and wrapping her wings around her. The black alicorn filly shivers, removed from the warmth of the bath, not even bothering to struggle against the significantly larger mare holding her.

"Stardust..." Celestia begins, closing her saddened eyes and letting out a soft, quiet whimper. "I know you don't mean that. I miss Luna and your father too. Very much." She pauses. "If it was within my power to have them back this instant, I would have a thousand and one times over by now, I promise you." She coos out gently, resting her muzzle on top of the fillies head. She ignores the wetness upon her fur, feeling the trembling sobs of the filly held tightly within her embrace, the white alicorn desperately fighting back her own torrents of tears. "They'll come back. I know they will. And I know it will be soon. When they do, I want to be able to tell them how good you two have been, how strong you both are. Alright, my little one?"

The black filly nods, loud sniffling can be heard from her, despite being muffled by Celestia's warm and comforting wings. She does not speak, only the sound of the sniffles and held back sobs making it to the air. Dusty Shine continues focused on finishing Moonlight Way's bathing, doing all she can with her willpower not to break down. It felt wrong to the Earth pony mare, to deceive the children like this. She felt within her own heart, that they should have been told the truth that morning after the freak storm had cleared. They should have been made aware that their parents went missing after they were called to save Equestria from a ghost. It bothered the Earth pony to no end, that she was forced to keep her silence, all because the white alicorn was afraid of how the twins would react to the loss of their parents.

Dusty knew, that the regal princess was right to an extent, however. An order of silence was given to all of the staff by royal decree, that they were never to mention the absence of the midnight princess, or the pilot. An order that some had deep troubles of following, others simply took as the rumors of them being sent on a mission of importance being true. Only those who were on the flight line and within the control center knew that truth however. The truth that before the cameras and eyes of all observing; the aircraft had mysteriously vanished into thin air.

"Why don't we skip lessons today, and auntie Twilight and I take you both to the swimming pond? Won't you enjoy that?" Celestia muses, now rinsing off the conditioner upon the black filly. She watches as Dusty Shine removes the indigo one out of the tub with her fore hooves, pulling a nearby towel with her maw off of the ring upon the wall, beginning to dry her off whilst resting on her rump, the filly shivering slightly.

"Celestia...doesn't Twilight have the meeting today with the delegates from Cloudsdale and Fillydelphia?" Dusty inquires, quirking an eyebrow. "She did seem rather animate on meeting with them over last nights dinner."

The white alicorn nods for a moment, thinking quietly. Chewing on her cheeks within her maw, she pauses in thought, before her own eyes seem to alight with an idea. "Well then I'll just have to take you two by myself then." She says with a smile. "Dusty, when these two finish with breakfast, have them ready for the pond. I'll meet you there after I manage a few things this morning."

The Earth pony nods silently, her attention focused on helping the filly within her care dry and brush her damp mane. Stardust Kiss is next to be lifted from the tub, Celestia lighting her horn to remove the water plug and summon a nearby towel as well. The minutes tick away within the wash room, Celestia happily humming a soft melody, magic laced heavily within the calming sounds to help sooth the hearts of the children. The fillies seem to respond well, Stardust Kiss adopting a more familiar, gentle and soft smile upon her muzzle, her eyes showing she's far more relaxed. Moonlight Way appears unaffected, her own emotional state having already been stable and friendly.

After the twins are dried, manes and tails brushed to perfection and teeth brushed, Celestia rises to her hooves and gives them both loving nuzzles, before departing to her study and parts unknown. Dusty Shine lets out a tired huff, rising to her own hooves, trying to ignore the damp stockings and uniform. She escorts them to the palace dining room, where the fillies have enjoyed breakfasts every day since their birth. They take their usual seats, the plates of steaming hot pancakes with extra butter and syrup, chocolate chip muffins, and stacks upon stacks of toast await the group.

Dusty reluctantly takes the seat where Luna sits, nearest to the children. The one thing she noticed about this particular seat, was the view from the large, tinted glass window within the room. One of many. This one however, had a direct and clear view of the entire flight line within the palace grounds, Luna always seeming to enjoy watching inbound and outbound flights in the mornings. The mare takes the seat, her own gaze fixed on the usual fixed wing aircraft preparing to take to the heavens. Their mission the same as it has been every day since the storm; to sweep and search the area for signs of the missing aircraft.

The windows rattle as they have every day since that morning after the storm. The sounds of the thundering engines powering the fighter aircraft into the heavens. She jumps with a start when she feels a touch upon her foreleg. Looking down, her gaze falls upon Stardust Kiss. The mare smiles. "Yes, Star?"

"What kind of birdy is that?" The black filly asks, pointing outside as another interceptor takes to the heavens, rocketing down the runway with long twin afterburners. Dusty turns her attention back to the window, then back to her precious charge.

"Aircraft." She gently corrects her. "That aircraft is one of the newest models that have been built here. The engineers here in Canterlot said it was modeled after one from your fathers world. ...I think that one is an F-18?" She comments, her own eyes turning back to it as it pulls up quickly, its nose pointed to the skies as it rockets into the heavens. She looks at the vertical staves of the war machine, then nods. "Yes, that one is an F-18. If you like, you two can come to the control center after swimming with auntie Tia, and I can let you talk to the ponies flying them. "

Stardust Kiss perks up her ears, her eyes drifting downward to the floor for a moment. 'Maybe...maybe I can talk to dad that way? Maybe one of those ponies knows where mom and dad are?' The filly thinks, running the thoughts through her mind. After a moment, she turns back to her foal sitter, who seems to be concerned as she stares at the filly. "That sounds fun, can we go now?"

Dusty Shine lets out a sigh, shaking her head slowly. "Auntie Celestia said she wanted you two taken to the big pond in the gardens, so that she can spend the day with you. But after we get you both all dried up and clean, I wouldn't mind if you came to visit me there." She replies with a soft smile upon her muzzle. It's hard for her to remain so chipper and cheerful, her own real emotions leaning to far darker skies. "It could be a lot of fun. And if you're really good, I'll even let you instruct some of our aircraft to land."

Moonlight way nods excitedly, her wings bobbing upon her back showing her joy. She's always been curious about what the earth pony mare does, 'aunt Dusty' being more of a mystery than auntie sunny butt and purple smart.

The remainder of breakfast passes quietly, the twins continuing on their meal, the elder mare quietly nibbling on a single muffin as she watches the flight line. Things have become much more busy for the control center as of late, the regal white alicorn ordering more and more aircraft, Pegasus and guards to comb every inch of the palace and city grounds, searching for any kind of evidence or clues of the missing royal couple and war machine. Fighter aircraft constantly circle wide around the skies of Canterlot, patrolling for any hint of a radar signature. Pegasus guards and volunteers from Cloudsdale all search other areas, forests, wilderness and near the newly rebuilt and refit naval yards of Horseshoe Bay. Thus far...no results have been found.

* * * * *

"Princess, you must understand, I can't keep diverting my weather teams and workers just so we can search for something you won't even give us the details of!" A gruff Pegasus stallion all but shouts, his wings splayed out erect upon his back, his posture somewhat aggressive. "It's a waste of valuable resources, even if they're being paid by the crown. You have to at least tell us what it is we're looking for!"

Twilight sighs, shaking her head as she eyes the delegate from Cloudsdale. "You know I am not permitted to say more than I already have, mayor Breezelin. All I can tell you is that we've lost one of our aircraft, and that we need every pony available to search for it. It's of extreme importance, and could have gone down anywhere in Canterlot or the surrounding areas. I know I'm asking a lot of you, but please understand that this is urgent."

Speaking up with her own usual confidence, a cyan Pegasus steps forward, a tight frown upon her features. Beside her stand two other Pegasus mare's adorning blue jumpsuit's, golden lightning bolt patterns decorating their sides and collars. "Egghead, while I disagree with this guy, and we are willing to keep looking...you do need to tell us more details. I've had the entire wonderbolts academy, even me AND Fleet foot searching personally. We haven't found or seen anything, not a single aircraft, or even signs of a crash! Fill us in here."

The purple alicorn only face hoofs, trying not to grit her teeth at the name, or the fact of being called it in front of a politician. "I know. And I really wish I could give more details. If it means anything, we've doubled our own search efforts to locate it. I know this is a burden upon every pony, but I'm asking you to just keep working and helping for just a little longer. Princess Celestia and I both agree that hope is not yet lost, and that we can find it for sure. We ourselves have even taken time to search the areas personally."

"Then why not call back the lunar princess and prince? Surely they should be helping recover this machine if it is so important. Why would you have them away in non essential trade and peace talks with the Dragon Nation, when such a travesty has already befallen our own kingdom? Orders of the crown or not, I need my weather teams pulled back to Cloudsdale to help make ready for winter this year. As it is we're already three weeks behind schedule for production, and we are facing drought issues in Ponyville and Dodge City."

Rainbow Dash turns and listens intently to one of the accompanying mares beside her, her ears perked straight up as she nods. She clears her throat. As she's about to speak up, Twilight stands upon the dais of the throne and glares, her own regal mask broken from irritation. "Enough. " She speaks, her tone taking on a flat and tired sound. "The commander and princess Luna are both away on a very important assignment that requires them to manage it right now." She turns and looks at the stallion. "I'm well aware that winter will be late, and I'm very aware of the drought issues with those areas. We've already sent all of the assistance we can to those in need, and even Legatus of the Dragon Nation, as well as Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire have dispatched their own weather teams to come assist. Now please...cooperate with this operation for just a little longer."

The gray Pegasus stallion only grumbles, his tail flicking in annoyance. "You in my eyes, are entirely too young to be on that throne, even if you are our blessed Sun princesses betrothed and favored student. Princess Celestia wouldn't continue pushing this meaningless search of yours. Where is she anyway?! We were told we would be speaking with her, and yet no pony has seen the princess in weeks, anywhere!"

Twilight Sparkle lets out a huff of annoyance, her own patients all but ready to snap. She grits her teeth within her maw, trying to keep up the regal poise of a princess, but failing. "Celestia is extremely busy with her own important matters, and technically can operate Equestria from anywhere she pleases, be it from her chambers, or a cloud above some random lake. She granted me the authority to manage day court in her stead, and has personally asked you via written correspondence to honor that. Now please, sir. Show more respect, or I will have you removed from this throne room and speak with your staff instead."

The guards within the throne room all tense up, Captain Jolt Flash himself clutching his spear within his wing. He didn't like where this was going so far, or the extreme disrespect being displayed here by the stallion. All of the guards patiently await the order, their faces not betraying their readiness apart from their silent, stoic demeanor.

One of the palace advisors enters the throne room from a back door, quietly stepping from behind the golden throne to the regal purple alicorn, quickly whispering something into the alicorns ear. Her posture becomes rigid for a moment, before she nods, her eyes falling to the cyan Pegasus. "Every pony with exception of Rainbow Dash are excused. Guards, please see that they are escorted out." She says, rising from the ornate throne and descending the steps, turning to the exit behind the dais. "Rainbow, please follow me."

* * * * *

"Helios Three, you are cleared to land upon runway two at any time. Please proceed to taxi path three and await refueling, then re-stage for take off." Dusty Shine calls out into her own headset, the mares eyes glued to the screen as she and several other operators track the sixteen aircraft all currently in the skies.

'Roger combat control, three reads loud and clear. Set to land and ready.' The unicorn stallions voice speaks over the intercoms, the cameras tracking the F/A-37 of first Combat Division upon the multiple monitors. The war machine turning into a tight bank as it aligns with the runway to land.

"Viper two, you're outside of your search zone. Please proceed to bearing three three zero and resume your sweep." Another operator calls out into her own headset, the aircrafts transponder showing outside of a red box displayed upon her own monitor. Upon the wall, a massive screen shows a wide, green grid upon a black background, dots, letters and numbers all moving around as a sweeping needle rotates like clockwork, tracking everything.

"Striker One, we have you on approach to runway one, cleared to land at any time. Proceed to repair bay three for repairs and equipment check." A stallion speaks over his own headset, keeping his eyes focused upon the machine he was charged to oversee.

Dusty Shine sips at her own coffee mug held within her fore hooves, her eyes falling to the two black screens resting before her. She lets out a quiet, discontented sigh as she stares, her heart still gripped with a depressing feeling. Her emotions as empty and hollow as the screens appear. Upon her own desk is an assortment of papers, a few empty candy wrappers, and one small, overflowing waste basket at her hind hooves upon the ground, crumpled up documents and more wrappers spilling out around the bottom. She keeps her eyes focused, almost missing the collision alarm suddenly chirping into her headset.

"Tel-Ellos Two, Alter course to bearing one six one, you are on a collision course with another interceptor." She quickly blurts out into the headset, nearly spilling the coffee into her lap. The alarm quits chirping, the dot representing the fighter aircraft changing course to move to a different location for the search.

The mare beside her lets out a huff, bringing her hooves to her muzzle as she shakes her head. "I remember when we were all tracking just one machine. Things were so much easier back then." The unicorn with hazel eyes and a frizzy, pink mane comments. "It was much less of a headache."

"Tell me about it." Dusty speaks in reply. She turns and looks at the unicorn, arcing an eyebrow. "Flur...you're night watch. What are you still doing here?" She asks, surprised as the mare only smiles at her.

"And miss my chance to poke a little fun at you? The heresy." She speaks in reply, her voice oozing with a seductive touch in her prance accent. "Fancy Pants is away in Las Pegasus overseeing the new residential area for the foals charity's. So I don't have much to do at the mansion."

The earthen mare only nods, a mildly shocked expression on her features. "That still doesn't explain why a noble mare is working as a tower technician, instead of doing your...fashion shows?" She replies cryptically. Dusty has always felt self conscious around this mare, a sense of bitterness secretly within her. Flur was always one to prod at her eating habits over recent weeks, and on occasion, the former maids weight at times lately.

"Now how else would one have a chance to spend time with an old schoolmate, and witness all of the fun action within Canterlot? Just because I'm a noble, doesn't mean I spend all of my time at frivolous parties and functions. Even I like to lend a hoof where I can. Besides, it's a fun job, and something to do other than attend those...oh how did you put it?" The slender unicorn speaks up, raising her spindly, long and thin foreleg to her chin in thought.

"Overstuffed suffocating feather-brained fabric shows." Dusty supplies helpfully, rolling her eyes and sipping at her coffee. "You're night watch for a reason. Princess Celestia is still cross with you for instructing a flyover of the lunar wing last month, just to see if the maids were awake."

Sticking her tongue out and blowing a raspberry in response, the unicorn mare only smiles wider. "How else was I to keep them on the tips of their hooves? The disorder of your desk is proof enough alone that the maids cannot perform their daily functions without their plucky, pudgy, fearless leader telling them how to do things. Speaking of...shouldn't you be dusting something, Dusty? It IS your special talent after all."

Dusty Shine grits her teeth within her maw for a moment, a witty comeback flying from her muzzle before she could reign it in. "I don't know. Shouldn't you be primping your mane or posing for another one of those Play colt articles?" Dusty Shine narrows her eyes, a sardonic, dark grin forming. "Or perhaps you are in need of a hooficure? We have things covered here, Flur. Go home and sleep so you can actually make it to work on time for once."

The white slender unicorn model mare scoffs, venom from her silken accent as she glares. "I was only in play colt three times. That's hardly a reason to point a hoof at me for being indecent. Besides, at least they actually ask me. You should go and check into it. I hear heavier mares are the thing these days." Flur De Lis retorts, rising to her hooves and turning, walking away and out of the control room. Dusty only rolls her eyes and chews on her lower lip in agitation, her eye occasionally twitching.

'Combat Control, requesting clearance to land. Please respond.' A stallions voice comes through Dusty Shines headset, the mare flinching as she seethes. 'I'm almost out of fuel up here. It's not like these tanks are very large.'

She snaps unintentionally at the voice, the comment shooting out before she could catch it. "I AM NOT FAT!" She yells, the whole control room quickly falling silent. Dusty pants in rage, then notices the eerie silence settling within the room. Her eyes shift about for a moment, before she nervously chuckles, sweating slightly. She lets out a quiet, uneasy laugh, before clearing her throat. "Ah hem. Heh...cleared to land on runway..." She glances at the screen, trying to ignore the shocked expressions of her co-operators staring at her. "One. Anytime. Quickly." She responds, removing her hoof off of the communications button. She comes back to her seat and lets out a quiet huff, embarrassment written all over her now bright red muzzle and cheeks.

* * * * *

"Darling, you can't be serious!" The white unicorn exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. "This entire time you and Princess Celestia have had us all searching the entirety of Equestria has really been to locate Luna and the commander?!" Rarity nearly spat, her eye twitching. "Why in heavens didn't you tell us sooner?! We would have...we would...!"

Twilight simply sighs heavily, her hooves holding her head upon the surface of the desk. "Celestia told me that we were supposed to keep quiet to every pony. If word got out to the public, or the twins for that matter about their parents missing...there could have been some serious consequences. Every pony knows now that Nightmare Moon is still VERY much alive after her showing up during the war. That means that same power could be within one of the fillies. Could you imagine the sheer chaos that it could create if we had mini nightmare's rampaging because their parents might be dead?!"

Fluttershy, the butter yellow Pegasus speaks up next, hiding somewhat behind her soft pink mane. "Oh Twilight...I don't think those poor, sweet, adorable children would do that! But I do understand how heart breaking it would be...to hear their parents are missing. Oh...I know! I could...I could help with them! I mean...if that's alright with you." She speaks softly, an adorable squeak escaping her muzzle.

"Feh." The cyan Pegasus retorts, letting out a very annoyed snort. "You should have had more faith in us, egghead. We wouldn't sell out our friends, nor would we have let any harm come to the twins. But now that I know my favorite flying buddy is lost, you can count on the wonderbolts checking over every INCH of Equestria! No way am I going to be disloyal to fly boy, or PL!"

"Now I reckon I agree with RD, Twi. Ah understand where you and the princess were a comin' from. But shucks girl, it didn't make a salt-lick of sense to keep it from us now, ya hear?" Applejack calmly states, her voice a soft, friendly and almost pleading tone in her southern drawl. "We're here for ya, Twilight. Just like we always have been. You can count on me and mah kin to keep an eye out, and our ears up. Ah'm sure that the commander and night princess will turn up fer' sure."

The lavender alicorn can only weakly nod in response, her voice choking out a hollow whisper. "I know, and I told Celestia all of that." She lets out a heavy huff, her chest heaving as if a great weight were being tossed, the burden increasing. "It's been nearly six whole months since that storm. I just don't know how it's even remotely possible that they could have been missing this long. We all seen it as it happened. No wreckage, no debris...not even a single clue as to what happened. It's almost as if the lightning strike just vaporized the whole aircraft."

Pinkie Pie sits quietly, an unusual thing for her, her sapphire orbs glued to the fireplace, her mind lost in a sea of thought. "What if they're not on our Equestria anymore..." She whispers. It's barely heard, but every pony within the room turns their attention to her. They notice one key feature, pinkies tail continuously twitches, almost as if it were being jerked by a string or some invisible line by a puppeteer.

"Pinkie, that's just crazy. What gave you the crazy idea that they're not on Equestria. It's not like a lightning bolt could cast them into Discords fridge or something!" Rainbow Dash scoffs, trotting over to the pink Earth pony and prodding her side with a hoof. "That's crazy nonsense."

Rarity only glances at Pinkie Pie, then holds her hoof to her maw in thought. After a few moments of careful deliberation without further input, she simply shrugs, giving the group the familiar 'I have no idea' gesture.

"Land sakes pinkie, RD is right. It's not like the Talon or princess Luna have your strange ability to bend reality to their will. Shucks girl, Ah swear you had one too many fritters, doing crazy talk like that." The orange cow pony says with a grin plastered on her muzzle.

Twilight raises her hoof to silence the other mares, turning her attention solely on Pinkie. "Pinkie...explain. What do you mean they're not in 'our' Equestria anymore?

She turns to face the group, the sight almost enough to send them fleeing under their beds. The pink Earth ponies mane hangs limply and flat against her neck and sides, weighted down by some evil force from Tatarus. Her eyes seem off, deeply staring into space, as if she doesn't see them, but she were viewing something that scared her immensely. "I don't know...I just feel like something is off, completely wrong with harmony all together." She whispers. "But...something inside of me says we should be ready...something big will fall."

"Pinkie...?" All of the mares ask in unison, silence overcoming the room. The air almost feels a deep chill within it, causing Twilight to shiver immensely. They stare at the pink, normally excitable mare intently, all of them uneasy as they see the constantly twitching tail growing more rapid in its jerking movements.

* * * * *

Celestia walks to the control center, the twin fillies in tow prancing and cantering around her long, spindly elegant legs. She adorns a large towel draped around her neck, her pastel mane and tail gently flowing freely, despite her still somewhat damp coat. She smiles with a genuine, warm smile, listening intently as the precious treasurers in her care talk and giggle. She is happy their minds are for the most part distracted with play and today's lessons in swimming, rather than asking more questions she couldn't answer.

"I can't believe you did a big belly flop, auntie Tia! The splash was huge!!" Moonlight way jubilantly cries out, her wings bobbing idly upon her back, a massive, toothy smile adorning her muzzle. Stardust Kiss canters nearby on the other side of the larger white alicorn, her wings held loosely at her sides as she trots to keep up with the larger hoof steps of Celestia.

"Well, it was better known as a pony dive. I just didn't judge the waters distance right." Celestia giggles out, turning her gaze to the fillies at her hooves. They round a corner, passing the walking guards on patrol within the palace, the alicorn nodding to them as they salute. "I'm sure your auntie Cadence would have done a far bigger splash than I could have if she attempted it."

"Auntie Tia? Are we going to go visit Miss Dusty now? She said we could talk to some of the ponies in the birdy's!" Stardust Kiss squeaks out, her ears help up at attention. She looks up, craning her neck to look into the much larger alicorns eyes. "I wanna see what Dusty does all day!"

"Well...Dusty isn't off of her job for another hour. But yes, my sweet little treasure. We are going there early because you both were so good today. I already spoke to your auntie Dusty, and she said she would be happy to let you talk to one of our ace pilots today." She muses. "If you like, I can even take you out to the hangers to see our newest models, and let you speak to our engineers afterward."

"That sounds fun!" Moonlight blurts out, stepping in a circle as she jumps into Celestia's path. "Do you think mommy and papa will be there too?" She asks, excited. "Papa is always around the big black birdy!"

She winces, Celestia coming to a stop for a moment. She holds a soft, small frown as she lowers her head, her eyes betraying her sadness, despite her best attempts to hide it. She nudges the alicorn filly with her muzzle, and nickers quietly to get her attention. "Moonlight...I don't think your father and mother are back yet. But we'll ask Dusty Shine when we get to the control center if she's heard anything yet. I promise both of you though. When they are back...I'll be sure they never go away again."

Stardust Kiss stops next on her hooves, turning quickly to face the white alicorn. What she says next, takes both Celestia, and the nearby solar guards trailing behind them by surprise. "Pinkie promise then!" She shoots out. "You can't break a pinkie promise! Auntie Twilight even said those can't be broken!"

Celestia takes pause, then nods, smiling. "On my word." She huffs out, raising a hoof to her muzzle. She glances at the guards who are staring ahead, then nods. "And they'll even promise with me, to be safe." The guards appear somewhat shocked, then follow her motions, understanding that when the princess makes such a royal decree and based on historical records...it's best to be followed, rather then tempt the wrath of the pink one. "Cross my heart" She begins the motions, moving the golden hoof bracer to accentuate her motions across her barrel. "Hope to fly." A subtle shake of her wings, the guards repeating the process. "Stick cupcake in my eye." She says with a smile, moving the hoof to her face, then back to the ground. She nudges and nuzzles Stardust Kiss with her muzzle. "I promise, my sweet little one."

* * * * *

"There it is again!" A stallion exclaims in the center, his hoof pointing to the erratic signature popping up at the edge of the screen. The position of the blip places it just off of the coast, right outside of the beaches at Horseshoe Bay. "I knew I seen it!"

Dusty Shine and several other mares of the tower command crew all crowd around the screen, watching intently as the radar shows something, then suddenly vanishes after a few moments. The Earthen mare quirks an eyebrow, confused. "What aircraft do we have patrolling that sector today?" She asks.

"Lady Shine...all aircraft are currently in for refueling, and we have nothing staged." A blue Pegasus mare with glasses speaks out, shooing a lock of ashen wheat colored hair from her muzzle as she glances at a computer monitor. "I'm also showing that none of the nearby air strips were ordered to check off of the coast today. That patrol is set for tomorrow."

"Well then what could that be?" Dusty asks, returning to her own desk. Her silver shod hooves clack quietly upon the marble tiles of the palace, her own eyes skimming across her private screens for a moment. She glances at the two most important screens to her, the two still black faces of the monitors to watch the pilot and moon princesses war machine, disheartened when she sees the screens still dark, and unchanged. "Don't tell me it's the griffons getting gutzy again just because we're patrolling our own airspace. It's not like we're ever near their borders during the sweeps."

A crackle of static overtakes the control rooms intercoms for a moment, before being silenced. The strange reading once again pops up on the radar, then vanishes again in the same location. Dusty perks up her ears for a moment, the two swiveling like radar dishes upon her head for a moment.

"It's probably another glitch. We've had a few of those since that storm a while back." The same pastel blue Pegasus mare speaks up, checking the connections on her own computer. "We are running the equipment a lot more since the princess asked us to recover that experimental drone. It wouldn't surprise me that there's some kind of malfunction by now. I'll call in the engineers to come have a look at it." She says, turning on her hooves to walk out.

Dusty grinds her teeth within her maw in repressed anger, hearing her friends and aircraft being written off as an 'experimental drone.' It takes all of her will power not to simply shout out the truth, and order her fellow staff members to get back to work with an absolute vengeance to find the missing couple.

The Pegasus mare stops and backs up as she's intercepted at the door, stuttering and bowing before the new pony entering the room. "Princess Celestia! Wel---welcome to the tower control!" She shakily gets out, then smiles widely when she sees the children in tow. "Oh! And the twins too! Welcome, welcome!"

The entirety of the crew, minus Dusty Shine all turn and swarm to greet the princess, the Earthen mare paying no mind as her eyes remain fixed on the large screen on the wall. She stares intently, her breath unknowingly being held within her and completely not noticing the regal alicorn or her charges entering.

Celestia smiles, raising her foreleg to greet every pony within the control center. "Hello, hello." She breathes out. "These two wanted to talk with their auntie Dusty Shine, and were hopeful to learn about what kind of work happens in here. You wouldn't mind if we observe for a while, now would you?" She asks, her magenta orbs tracing the activity in the room.

"Not at all, your majesty! The unicorn stallion speaks up. Celestia eyes him, noting he's one of the oldest crew members working the center. She muses for a moment, remembering his name.

"That's great then, Mr. Pony Stark. Would you mind taking these two little ones to your station first? We may as well give them a full tour while we're here." She asks, her tone even and motherly to him.

The tan unicorn with a deep brown mane and muzzle stubble nods with a full smile. "It would be my pleasure, your highness." He clops his hoof against the floor to accentuate his point, lowering his head down to greet the prized fillies of the palace. "Well then! My name is Pony Stark. My friends call me Pony or just starkey. Whichever you prefer, little ones!" He says, his voice betraying his genuine warmth and friendliness. He really liked foals, and was always noted to be excellent with them. Surprisingly...the unicorn play-stallion never was known for having any of his own.

The twins nod happily, following the larger unicorn leading them to his station. He pulls out his chair and offers it to both of the fillies, and begins to explain in detail what everything on the screens did, and what all of the equipment was for. The twins seem genuinely interested in his teachings.

Celestia bypasses the crowd now returning to their own stations in wait to have their turn with the fillies, the regal alicorn noticing one peculiar sight. Dusty hasn't moved from her spot, and has remained studying the screens intently, while screening a nearby radio to check all of the incoming traffic.

"Dusty...what is it?" Celestia asks quietly, coming to a stop next to the mare, then resting on her haunches. "What's going on?"

The blip appears again on the screen in the same place, followed by the louder crackling of static over the intercoms. Dusty Shine quickly flips through the radio frequencies again, desperately scanning to find some kind of an answer. Still...no results. She all but ignores the alicorn, then jumps nearly out of her shoes when she feels a hoof come to rest upon her back.

"Dusty...what is going on?" Celestia speaks up, whispering again. Did you find something?" She asks, her own eyes now watching the screen. She sees the signature once again crop onto the screen, this time a set of numbers suddenly flashing with a marker, then vanishing a moment later. She was unsure, but it nearly appeared to be a transponder marker.

"Oh sweet Celestia's perky..." She blurts out, stopping short when she notices just who it was standing beside her.

"My perky what?" The alicorn muses with a grin, leaning forward. She follows the terrified mares line of sight and looks down for a moment, then whips her ethereal pastel tail to cover her own belly. "Oh come on...they're not that perky!"

Dusty Shine blushes for a moment, then turns her attention back to the screens. "You and the twins are early." She recovers. "I don't have any aircraft up right now."

"Then...what is that?" Celestia asks, pointing to the smaller screen on the desk, a bright red signature clearly recorded on the screen and logs. Dusty Shines eyes go wide for a moment as her breath catches within her throat. She knows that signature.

The fillies are at another of the operators tables, one of the solar guards waiting patiently with them as the twins listen to the next of the technicians explaining her job. Stardust is eagerly awaiting the next table to inspect, the one with the radio, and the flight coordination technician. Her chance to finally get some answers coming up.

"And here we are right here!" The mare says, gently placing the ill fitting headset upon the filly. "This, princess Stardust, is where we talk to all of our pilot's and flight line workers outside." She says, pointing to her screen with the cameras. One the screen there's one of Equestria's newest fighter interceptors, the F/A- 18 D model. "You just press that button right here..." She says, pointing to a small yellow dome like button at the edge of a large keyboard. "And it will let you speak with that nice stallion in that aircraft! It's exciting, no? Give it a try little one, say hello!"

Stardust Kiss climbs into the open chair, lifting her small body up with the rapid beating of her small, feathery wings, and pushing with her fore legs. The nearby guard assists her with the climb gently, every pony watching smiling at the sight. The filly licks her lips, pressing the button. "Hello mister pilot sir. Are you in the big gray birdy?"

Static crackles within the headset for a moment, before a gruff voice speaks over the intercoms. The mare flips the audio output to both the headset and small, external speakers so she too can listen in and ensure the stallion is friendly. Though they were all informed earlier about this, she wasn't sure if all of the pilot's were informed they may have special guest speakers in the tower today.

'This is Boss Hog. Tower, are you pulling my hoof?' The voice replies, a gruff and husky laugh echoes into the speakers.

"I'm not tower. My name is Stardust Kiss!" The filly exclaims. "Nice to meet you mister Boss Hog! What a strange name for a pony!"

Silence, followed by the crackle of static, before more hearty laughter. 'My my! I never heard we would have a princess being my tower bunny today! Well then, Princess Stardust Kiss. Boss Hog is my call sign. And yes, I am in the big, gray birdy. Ha ha! How can I help you today, little one?'

She smiles inwardly. Finally, she's getting somewhere! "Do you know where mom and dad are? Are they coming back today?" Celestia and Dusty Shine overhear the sudden turn in conversation, their eyes wide in panic as they turn and bolt on their hooves to try and get to the power button. Before they get the chance however, fate cruelly conspires against them. The mare at the station, has no understanding of what's really going on.

'Well little one, I've flown with your pop pop. And as far as I know him and your momma are still out in the sky somewhere, doing some big important stuff.' The husky voice replies, the tone sounding genuine and warm, almost as if the pony behind the radio understood the fillies emotion. 'If it means anything, we're all hoping your pop pop gets his fuzzy flank back here. We still have a show to practice for you, considering it's coming up in just another few sunrises! But don't you worry little one! I know Talon, and I'm sure he's just itching to see your smiling muzzle.'

Dusty Shine and Celestia both let out a sigh of relief, remembering that this particular pony, Sledge Hammer from Macintosh Hills, was one of the pilots sent up in that storm. Their hearts start to calm down, both remembering the earth pony was briefed, and knows the full situation regarding the missing aircraft and couple.

The mare at the station smiles. "Princess, why don't you ask him if he's ready to take off? If he is, you're welcome to send him up! Just follow these instructions.

Stardust clears her throat, looking at the feed upon the small screen before her. "Mister Boss Hog, are you ready to take off?" She asks following the Pegasus mare's advice. She reads the hoof writing on the sheet of parchment, with very simple words on it. 'Cleared on runway one. Good hunting.'

'That's a big yes, little princess. I'm all ready to go any time you say so! So just give the word, and i'll make the big gray bird do a neat trick for you!' The stallion in the aircraft responds over the radio. A laugh is heard loudly over the small desk speakers and in the headset.

"Then cle...cle...what's this word?" Stardust asks, pointing at the paper. Moonlight Way grasps the paper within her telekinesis and reads it, then replaces it back on the desk.

"It says 'cleared on run away one. good... something?'" Moonlight Way supplies helpfully, grinning wide and beaming with pride. Stardust gives a thankful nod and grin back to her twin sister, all the while the remainder of nearby ponies all watch, stifling laughs at the precious antics.

"Cleared on run a way one, do good something!" Stardust kiss excitedly responds to the stallion on the other end of the voice box, pressing down the button again. "And tell my dad and mamma to come back home!"

'Ha ha! I'll do that for sure, princess. You have my word I'll do my dandiest to do just that. Ok then! Here I go, just for you!' The voice replies. The thunderous sound overtakes the crackle of static of the speakers, followed by the windows rattling quickly within the room. The fillies both watch excitedly as they see the image of the aircraft on the feed rocket forward, multiple cameras all moving to watch the machine power down the runway. Within moments, the nose tilts skyward, the war machine taking to the heavens, then doing a rapid series of rolls as it retracts its landing gear.

"Not bad, Stardust. Not bad. Maybe you should come work with me!" Dusty Shine chimes in, several of the workers within the room all clopping their hooves together, Celestia included in applause for the successful launch. This elicits a blush from the black alicorn filly, who shimmy's down the high chair, and removes the headset to return to the kind Pegasus mare who helped her.

* * * * *

Celestia and the twins continue their rounds, the regal white alicorn patiently assisting in the care of the fillies, all the while learning a few things she didn't know about the control center. It's when they hear an alarm chirp, followed by a loud klaxon suddenly sounding in the busy room that everything changes. Several screens all suddenly switch to flashing red, a warning symbol being displayed and flashing in sync with the siren. A loud crackling of static suddenly comes over the intercoms, this time...words accompany it.

'Can...---ol...Ma--- ay! Ma....da' The static increases with intensity. all eyes suddenly shift to the radar screen on the wall, the alicorn and Earth ponies eyes going wide. The transponder upon the screen shows in plain view, clear as the sun is in the sky. The missing aircraft.

"Dusty!...is that?!" Celestia doesn't have time to finish, before the mare rushes to the communications equipment at her desk. The monitors are alive and filled with static and snow, images barely intelligible being shown. Images of the pilot, and missing princess.

"Operator to Talon one! Do you read?!" Dusty Shine shouts in a hurry into the headset after struggling with it for a moment. "Come back one! Do you read!"

Silence only follows, the dot moving further from the coast to the edge of the map, then quickly vanishing over the water. The transponder continues to transmit, showing it's previous location.

"Captain Jolt Flash! Take the twins immediately to Twilight at once!" Celestia barks out, pushing aside a pony quickly in her rush to get to a headset. The guard pony quickly nods and extends his wings out, carefully and gently corralling the twins to him. They protest, Stardust and Moonlight both staring at the screens, before Celestia turns to them. "Now Captain! Make haste!"

"Talon one, please respond!" Dusty Shine shakily cries out into the headset, her eyes glued to the screen. The images shown faze in and out, before showing for a brief moment the horrors she never expected. The clear image for but a moment shows the cockpit with absolute clarity, the pilot and alicorns heads leaning down, as if they were knocked out. The cockpit...is filling with water slowly through cracks in the canopy glass and the gunnels seals.

"Celestia...!" Dusty Shine shrieks out, before the images blank out and the screens darken. Their hearts all but stop, the entire control room suddenly gasping and falling silent. Only going on instinct, Celestia presses the button for the intercoms to broadcast to all radios of all machines, the flight lines and nearby ponies listening.

"I want every available aircraft in the air! NOW! Proceed to Horseshoe Bay IMMEDIATELY!" The regal alicorn cries out in desperation, herself bolting on her hooves and barreling out of the doors. She forgets the headset still upon her own head, tearing out the cable as she makes for the exit, nearly taking the doors clean off of the hinges as she gallops. She sprints for the outside and takes off to wing on her own, a trail of fire left in her wake as she bolts.

All staff members within the control center snap into action, coordinating machine after machine to the flight lines, sending up two at a time in rapid succession. The missing have been found, the search now over. Now...it's a race against the clock as two lives hang in the balance.

* * * * *

"Mayday Mayday! Control, do you read?!" Luna shouts into her headset, watching as the view of a large body of water comes into view from her co pilots position. "Mine flame! Do something!" She screams out to the pilot.

"Luna, the engines are dead! I've got nothing! We have to eject!!" He shouts in response, the controls and screens all blanking out from the under powered war machine. They're in an uncontrolled spiral down, the warbird's engines dead silent as they plummet from the heavens like a stone.

"Get us out of here then!" The alicorn yells out, fumbling for the ejection handle below her seat. The pilot rapidly begins flipping switches to blow off the canopy, the view of the ocean growing larger. They have less than a minute before impact.

"It's dead! I can't pop the hatch!" He screams in response, his eyes focused ahead as the water begins to fill his vision out of the canopy. "Brace for impact!" He shouts. The alicorn and pilot unable to do so as the machine plummets and collides with the waters surface. Within the blink of an eye, the nose dips down into the icy waters, splashing down. Steam wafts from the tail section as the nose comes back up out of the water for a moment, followed by another dip. The aircraft begins to sink into the shallows of the ocean.

They're knocked out, unable to struggle, move, or free themselves as the water begins to rush in through cracks. Precious minutes tick away, the water level rising steadily within; Luna awakening with a start as she feels the freezing water come up to her soft belly.

She shivers, staring out the canopy, seeing it completely submerged into the dark waters around them. "Mine flame!" She calls out, shaken, shivering and terrified. She unbuckles her harness and leans forward, shaking the unconscious pilot awake. He lets out a groan, blood streaming from his opened cuts and gashes from smacking the shattered screens, blood pouring from his nose.

The alicorn alights her horn with the last scraps of her magic, clinging onto the pilot as she casts one final spell. The two vanish as she teleports them out to the shore a short distance away, placing them still in the water of the coastline. Luna kicks and fights the current, dragging them both to shore as she grasps his shirt within her maw, getting them to the beach as she collapses on top of him.

Talon lays on his back, coughing profusely as they materialize, the alicorn laying on top of him now, also coughing. She struggles weakly to get to her hooves, collapsing back onto him. Talon lifts his head, staring out and watching with disbelief as they see the war machine slowly sinking into the waters, only it's vertical staves and engines showing now, slowly bobbing at the surface. It appears almost as if it's settling at the bottom, the nose of the machine burying itself into the shifting sands of the ocean floor.

Minutes pass, the couple only coughing and breathing, trying to regain their senses from the crash landing, Talon thankful that the two didn't die now in a watery grave, after all they've endured. Luna is the first to speak.

"Art thou... alright...?" She weakly coughs out, finally rolling off of him. The pilot only coughs and nods in response, too weak to lift himself up, his injuries preventing him from rising to his feet. They lay there on the beach under the warm sunlight, the salty sea breeze blowing gently as their only company.

As they're laid out upon the beach, the alicorn nearly falls unconscious from exhaustion, her sensitive ears catching a faint sound in the distance, growing progressively louder. The pilot also hears it, rolling their eyes to look around. Within seconds, several aircraft scream by overhead going full afterburner, their wings dipping to the water as they bank in a sharp turn.

He laughs, looking up. Making out the markings, they both know where they are. "They're..." Cough cough. "They're ours, angel! They're ours...." Luna joins him in the laughter gently, her chest heaving heavily as she rolls onto her stomach and crawls to her husband, collapsing finally onto him again, before her vision fades to comforting darkness.