Chapter Five: Whispers II; The Storm from the Dark

Luna yawns, nuzzling deeply into the pilots bare chest while they both rest within the sleeping bag inside the small tent. The air feels a bit stuffy, her belly uncomfortably full of sugary sweet treats, several cups of tea, and a rather large dinner from earlier. She lets out a contented sigh and relaxes, enjoying the peaceful night.

An hour passes, Luna long since have fallen asleep, her mind drifted far off to dreams and peaceful scenes. In the gloom and darkness of the tent, the midnight alicorns eyes slowly open, glowing teal draconic orbs peering into the area around her. Nightie...has awakened once more.

She searches around the tent slowly, carefully lifting her head and gauging her surroundings. 'This isn't Luminescence's chambers...' She thinks, her eyes tracing the fabric dome around her. Nightie quietly thinks, chewing gently on her cheek within her maw as she processes her location. She can feel the warmth of the pilot beneath her , the slow rise and fall of his chest under her barrel and forelegs. She glances down and sees him sleeping peacefully, a soft, gentle smile crossing her features.

She coos out softly, her breath gently falling upon the pilots skin as she lowers her head slowly, placing a gentle, delicate kiss upon his lips. He stirs for a moment, then lets out a quiet snort and returns to his deep sleep, completely unaware of the kiss. Nightie lets out a soft, quiet giggle, before laying her head back upon his form.

The minutes pass, the nightmare alicorn taking in the sounds of the world around her. Even without using magic, she can tell they're outside somewhere, likely in the gardens or a secluded area a good distance away from the palace and grand city of Canterlot, the only light within the fabric dome being the ambient starlight glow of the pilots bauble, its star spinning ever so slowly and lazily within its glass orb, the light a soft iridescent hue.

She can't sense Celestia anywhere nearby, nor any sources of magic in use at the moment. A small grin crosses her muzzle as she alights her horn with only a small amount of her dream magic, just barely enough to be detected. She gently touches her horn to the sleeping pilot, weaving her spell and entering his dreams.

* * * * *

In the dream realm, the nightmare alicorn opens her eyes, taking in the breathtaking sights around her. She's standing upon an unfamiliar beach, before a vast ocean of beautiful, clear water, the color a deep hue of green and sea blue...the water almost seeming to give off an other worldly glow from the beautiful clear starlight above. The waves are sloshing slowly and crashing gently against the white, silken sand at her hooves, the sounds to her are both calming and soothing.

The sky is blanketed with unfamiliar stars, in patterns and shapes she's never seen, the heavens above alight with bright, twinkling gems of diamonds, sapphires and crystals, glistening and shimmering high above her head in the silken deep, dark blue skies.

She swivels her ears around, taking in and studying the intricate details all around her, relishing in the peaceful salty sea air. As she's scanning the horizon around her, she sees the pilot sitting alone under a strange, tall tree, growing in the sand near the waters edge. Her heart skips a beat within her barrel as she eyes him, soft, gentle smile crossing her velvet muzzle as she approaches.

Nightie clears her throat to get the pilots attention once she comes within a few paces of him, her bare hooves digging into the cool, soft sand as she comes to a halt. Talon doesn't look at her, he simply continues to sit quietly under the palm tree, looking out at the moonlight being reflected off of the oceans surface.

He lets out a sigh, his eyes trained ahead. "I had a feeling you'd show up here if I simply waited for you." He breathes out, still not looking at her. "Angel taught me how to do lucid dreaming before we called it a night tonight, so that you and I could talk."

Nightmare nickers quietly, continuing to study his features as she listens. Knowing that he is aware of her presence and addressing her, she smiles gently and comes to a rest upon her bare belly into the sand, a small shiver trailing down her spine as she experiences the new sensation to her.

"Don't bother trying to snap back and get out of the dream. I have you pinned in so you can't escape until I release you." He says, finally turning his gaze to face her. He notices one odd thing...she's still smiling sweetly, her teal draconic eyes lidded and relaxed.

Nightie takes in a soft, quiet breath, never glancing away from him. She stares intently into his eyes, smiling genuinely with all of her features. "I had no intention of leaving anyway...now that I know the sun bringer will not interfere too much." She coos out gently.

He watches as she nestles into a more comfortable laying position, the black alicorn fluttering her wings gently before folding them against her sides. He looks her over, then returns his gaze to the dreamscape ocean before him. As he's about to speak to her, she interrupts.

"Where is this...where are we, my master?" She asks quietly, finally breaking her lidded gaze away from him to study the marvelous sights around her. The wind is cool, gentle and soft, the most perfect night air if there ever was. She inhales deeply and smiles, studying the wonder of this magical place.

"We're on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. On Earth." He replies, still looking out at the sea of stars before them. "When angel and I spoke earlier tonight, she suggested we talk here together, so that you and I could iron out some details...and don't call me that."

Nightie raises an eyebrow, still smiling, as she turns her gaze back to meet his eyes. Her razor sharp teeth within her maw gleam in the moonlight as she grins, enjoying this. "It's so beautiful here..." she whispers, before she turns to look at him in his eyes. "And what will you have me call you then? Luminescence sees you as our master, tis' only fair that I call you such, since you have given me a new name."

"Talon will do just fine." The pilot groans out in annoyance. "Luna doesn't call me master, neither shall you." He says after releasing a huff of air, then readjusts to a more comfortable sitting position. "We need to talk, Nightie."

The nightmare alicorn continues smiling sweetly, scooting closer to the pilot in the sand. She nods slowly, her soft teal draconic orbs focused intently upon his visage. "Luminescence does call you master...after all, we are one in the same. So I would know best." She takes in a soft breath and exhales, relishing in the salty sea air of this tropical dream paradise. "Whatever it is you wish to speak about, I'll happily listen." She replies, her voice silken with a seductive touch.

Talon chews on his inner cheek in thought for a moment, reflecting on his earlier conversation with the midnight alicorn before they fell asleep. He considers for a few moments in silence, before he clears his throat, deciding it's best to get straight to the point. His tone gentle, but firm. "I want you out of Luna. Your magic is a poison to her, you don't let her sleep, and it's taxing her too heavily."

Her smile falls into a small, tight frown as she listens, her ears drooping slightly. She looks away, her gaze focused upon the sand at her fore hooves. "Oh..." She whispers, disheartened. "You mean...you wish me to leave your herd and my children."

"I know you can't survive on your own, without an energy source. I know you're a miasma, that is dependent on a co-existent relationship. You can't survive outside of a body. So...I have a solution I would like to offer you. " He quickly adds, getting her attention. "A...compromise, of sorts."

She looks back to him, her ears perking straight up as her wings tighten to her sides. He continues speaking. "The gift angel gave me...it contains a star. From what I've learned about it, it's literally its own power source, one with her own magic, but connected to my own energy instead of hers. I will carry you. So you get what you want, she gets her rest, and I take the burden off of her."

Nightmare is quiet for a moment, considering his proposal. 'He's...he's willing to sacrifice his soul for her?' She thinks. She processes what the implications are, then the benefits. She draws a soft breath, and lets out a quiet sigh.

"You do understand...undertaking such a risk may very well end your life, my master. With my soul melding with yours...it would bring with it the knowledge of the ages, thousands of years of memories, emotions and ancient power. You would experience pain unrelenting, your very mind would collapse from the sheer shock of it all. Even then if you did survive...my power would be a poison to you...it would corrupt and twist your heart, turning you into a monster...if your love is not strong enough." She replies, narrowing her teal draconic orbs to him. Her stare feels as if it were laced with icy daggers, dipped in venom and pure malice, then plunged into his heart and twisted endlessly.

He locks eyes with her, his own gaze fierce, determined and cold. "I am fully aware of the risks, Nightie. I also know if what you say is true, and there is light within you...you wouldn't dare allow that to occur. So I'll ask you one last time. ...Leave angels body, and take mine to seek refuge in. I can't stand seeing her in such pain any longer."

Nightmare moon takes pause and thinks, turning away from him. "...I never knew your love was so deep for us...that you would risk your very soul to protect it." She whispers. She knew, deep down, what exactly could happen. She knew that if it were to come to pass, she herself would be torn apart, her own soul left to wander in the shadows of the abyss for all eternity, experiencing far worse of a fate than even the most vile and darkest parts of Tatarus could offer. The pain of loneliness and sorrow.

"I...I need time to think, and consider your request." She quietly breathes out, her voice a haunted whisper. "Please...release me from this dream so that I may reflect on this choice, and consider it carefully."

The pilot nods, looking away from her and returning his gaze back out into the endless expanse of the ocean before them in this tropical paradise. "Take some time to consider it then...I await your answer. One way or another Nightie, this has to come to a close. Luna needs her mind and powers, she needs her body to herself again so she can be the mother and princess she is needed to be."

He waves his hand off, releasing the bindings upon the black alicorn, so that she could exit his dream that he held her captive with. He hears a shuffle in the sand and turns, looking at her. The alicorn is standing on her hooves again, gazing into his eyes with her soft draconic orbs, her breathing slow and gentle. "Something else to add?" He asks, looking her over.

Nightmare Moon lowers her head and leans forward on her fore hooves, placing a deep, loving kiss upon his lips. She holds the kiss for what feels like an eternity to her, before breaking away. A deep blush adorns her muzzle, showing through her black velvet fur. Looking into her glistening eyes as she turns away, he can see shimmering tears streaming down her cheeks before she vanishes from the dream.

He sighs and turns his gaze back to the ocean, shaking his head in silence.

* * * * *

Hours pass, Luna awakening to the familiar tug upon her senses from her celestial charge. She groggily opens her eyes, looking around the tent through her blurred vision, before letting out a quiet, cute princessly yawn. She smacks her lips and lets out a quiet huff, a smile adorning her muzzle as she shifts her weight and position.

The midnight alicorn alights her horn, opening the flap of the tent as she levels her tired gaze at the moon low in the sky, ready to be put to rest for all of Equestria, to allow the sun to take its place in the heavens for Celestia's day. She wills the moon over the horizon with her power, before releasing the tent flap from her magic.

Luna lays her head upon the pilots chest again, nuzzling back into her comfortable spot she once was before awakening. Her eyes focus in on the soft violet light before her, its glow coming from under the pilots neck. She eyes it curiously and opens her eyes wider, blinking the sleep from her eyes.

'What is that...?' She asks herself in thought as she eyes the deep lavender light she's seeing. She carefully reaches her foreleg forward, gently moving the sleeping pilots head over slightly. Her eyes focus in upon the glass orb, seeing its the bauble she gifted him. But...now it feels different, strange. She tries to sense it within her mind, calling out to the star before her. It does not respond.

She purses her lips forward and looks it over, carefully studying it. Within the glass orb is a deep purple mist, swirling around slowly and aimlessly around a very soft blue light at its center. 'It almost looks like...a nebula formation...but why in Heofon would one form there?' She thinks. Her fetlock glances the pilots neck and shoulder as she shifts, feeling the pilots sweat and somewhat elevated body temperature. He feels slightly warmer than normal.

Luna chews on her cheek within her maw, carefully considering what could be the culprit in a series of possible causes to create such a phenomenon within one of her stars. The pilot begins to stir, snapping her thoughts away from the bauble she was curiously eyeing, and bringing her attention to him.

Talon opens his eyes, looking at the alicorn laying over him. She shifts her weight, her muzzle inches from his face, her warm breath falling gently and cascading over his lips. Luna drapes her forelegs over his shoulders, her right fore hoof tracing the scars upon his shoulder and chest. "Good morning, mine flame." She coos out lovingly.

"Good morning, angel." He yawns out, wincing from the slight headache he has this morning. "Did you sleep well?" He groggily mumbles, trying to wake up as the dim light of dawn begins to brighten up the interior of the tent.

"I did." She sleepily replies, smiling at him as she gazes into his eyes, completely forgetting about the bauble for the moment. "I believe we shalt have to come camping again, mine love. It was most fun indeed." She breathes out.

"Which part, the marshmallow on Shield's butt, or the part where Fury set his tail on fire and ran around the camp?" He snorts, chuckling. Luna gives his lips an affectionate lick in response, before letting out a hushed giggle.

"I thought the parts where I made moonshine for every pony and fair dusty got rather snuggely with thee was the most amusing." She jibes gently. "Whoever would of thought thou were considered a 'snuggy honey bun'? " She muses, letting a large, warm smile cross her features.

The pilot rolls his eyes in mild annoyance. "We agreed never to speak of that again." He mutters, readjusting his head to a more comfortable position, on the overly firm pillow he used with his sleeping bag. He yawns, and smiles at her. "We should probably wake up and start breakfast, angel. The twins will probably be up any time now."

With a quiet sigh of protest, the midnight alicorn rolls her eyes and nods. "Perhaps thou art right, mine flame...but I bequeath thee to allow for another few minutes of slumber. It's so comfortable being here with thee in our bed." She whispers, nuzzling him again and placing a soft, loving kiss upon his lips."

He wraps his arms around the alicorn ad embraces her tightly, gently stroking her back and withers. "While I agree, I highly doubt the girls will enjoy that plan." He responds with a smile, kissing her this time. "I love you, angel." He whispers.

"And I love thee, mine flame." She responds in kind. With a quiet groan, she rises off of her pilots chest, getting to her hooves and standing within the small tent. A series of clicks and pops are heard from her as she wakes her limbs, fluttering her wings close to her sides and shaking the blood back into them. She alights her horn and opens the tent flap, stepping out into the crisp, cool spring morning air.

She looks around the campsite, seeing both the beauty and devastation of last night's festivities. The air is cool and feels wonderful, not yet hot, but not cold either...that just right temperature. The nearby plants, leaves on trees and various rocks, logs and even the tents roofs all have a thin layer of morning dew upon their various surfaces, casting a beautiful reflection of light from the shining of the dawn.

Luna turns her head, her eyes gazing about to look around the campsite, tracing the surroundings of the area. The camp for the Lunar Stallions is by the waters edge of the lake, signs of their party obvious for all of Equestria to see. She laughs quietly at the sight.

Captain Aegis Shield lays strewn haphazardly over a log, his muzzle in the sand whilst his flank is held high in the air by his still standing hind legs. Beside him sprawled out is Captain Stalwart Hide, his snout and most of his head covered by a rather peculiar lampshade. Luna quirks an eyebrow and snickers, amused by the sight.

Talon steps out of the tent next, his eyes scanning the area as well. He dose a double take as he glances, disbelieving he's seeing of all things, Dark Fury hanging by his tail, upside down in a tree. The stallion is clutching an empty bottle of what once was moonshine in his forelegs to his barrel, snoring rather loudly with a happy, drunken grin plastered on his features.

"Angel..." He whispers. "Maybe we shouldn't have given them so much to drink last night." He turns his gaze to the other various Lunar Elite guards, surprised to also find one bat pony laying on his back, unarmored, on the roof of a tent, while another is hanging out of the tent door, his hind legs poking out of a sleeping bag whilst the rest of him is stuffed nose first in it.

"Neigh, mine love. They deserved to enjoy the night as much as we, and as I recall, Tia had a similar experience when she had also consumed some of mine moonshine, not long after the days of the war." She says with a smile, turning her attention away and to the fire pit nearby their tent.

She alights her horn and starts the campfire once again, getting it started to cook breakfast. Several minutes after she starts the fire, the nearby tent opens, out stepping a rather groggy and still sleepy looking Dusty Shine, her mane and tail in an extreme disarray from not being brushed. Talon eyes her and smiles.

"Morning Dusty. Love the new look." He jokes, then turns his attention back to making coffee over the fire. Dusty groans and staggers forward, finding her spot on the same log from last night. She lets out a loud yawn and grumbles.

"Oh bugger off Commander...your mane isn't any better." She responds coyly, leaning against the night princess next to her, still half asleep. "Luna...I swear...if I never drink again, it would still bee too darn soon."

Luna snickers quietly. "Neigh, fair dusty. Tis always alright if taken in moderation. When one consumes such a vast quantity like thou however, it tends to come back and bite thee in thy flank." She muses with a gentle smile. "Fear not, the ill effects of over consumption shalt go away after thou consumes some morning coffee."

"If you say so." She yawns out, the blue maned Earthen Pony mare says with a roll of her eyes. "Let me wake up some more, and I'll help with breakfast." Dusty Shine blearily looks around the camp, seeing the devastation brought about by the Lunar Stallions, surprised by the lampshade. "...How the hay did that get out here?" She asks, pointing at it with her fore hoof. "And why is it on his head?"

Talon and Luna look at each other and shrug, then turn back to the mare. The pilot speaks up. "As I've come to learn since I've been in Equestria, Dusty. It's better not to ask, and just go with it. Chalk it up to just good ole' P.F.M."

Luna and Dusty Shine both raise their eyebrows in question. "Mine flame...what is PFM?" The alicorn asks, curious.

The pilot sighs as he lights up a cigarette from his satchel, exhaling a stream of smoke. "Pure. Fucking. Magic." He responds with a grin to the midnight alicorn.

Dusty Shine giggles quietly, the midnight alicorn looking at the pilot with a blank expression upon her features. Luna nods slowly simply rolling her eyes and turning her attention back to tending to the mornings campfire.

"I am going to go awaken our treasures, mine love. I shalt return shortly." Luna says quietly, a soft smile upon her lips. She rises to her hooves and steps forward to the pilot, giving him a loving kiss upon his lips. Luna breaks the kiss after a few moments, a seductive smile upon her muzzle, and a familiar look in her eyes as she adorns a soft, pale blush under the dark fur upon her form. She turns away and walks to the tent with the twin fillies, a small sway in her hips as she goes.

Talon watches as she disappears into the tent with the fillies, then turns and grins at the Earthen pony mare. Dusty Shine quirks an eyebrow and backs up slightly in her spot. "What?" she asks, looking at him.

"So uh...'snuggy honey bun'?" He chuckles out, looking at the mare. "Any other pet names you have for me?" He asks, grinning wider at her. Dusty Shine blushes and fidgets in place, her gaze quickly averted as her pupils shrink down to pinpricks.

She stutters quietly, mouthing incomprehensible words as she tries to recover from the pilots question. "Um...heh...I...uh" is all she's able to get out.

* * * * *

Hours pass, the twin treasured fillies long since awakened and full, their tiny, cute bellies over stuffed with hay bacon, fried potato slices, and a very large amount of freshly squeezed orange juices, compliments of the dedicated Lunar Stallion detachment.

Dark Fury walks up to the midnight alicorn, a genuine happy smile adorning his muzzle. "Princess." He calls out, standing at attention. Luna turns her attention to him, desperately holding back her giggle as she sees her beautiful fillies handy work upon the poor stallions tail. The Slavic stallion pays no mind to it however, swishing his tail slowly, ignoring the poorly tied red ribbons and bows adorning him.

"Ve vished to zhank you for allowing ze guards to accompany you on zis camping outing. I hope ve vernt too much how you say....noisy for you?" He asks, bowing his head down politely, showing respect to his mistress.

Luna lets out a happy sigh and a smile, nodding to him as she pauses helping pack up the camp site. "Neigh, captain Fury. Thou were excellent company, and mine stallions provided perfect protection and entertainment. I would be honored if thou whist join us again in our future family outings." She muses, her eyes tracing the ribbons and the twin fillies sneaking up on the Lunar elite guard.

"Dah, zhank you princess. ze honor is all mine." He says, giving a low bow. As the stallion is falling into his bow, the fillies pounce on their target, Stardust Kiss grasping the stallions tail within her maw, as Moonlight Way quickly leaps into action and ties a long, elegant pink ribbon onto the base of his tail near the middle. Stardust tugs a bit too hard, and causes the stallion to yelp in surprise.

"Gotcha uncle Fury!!" They shout in unison, causing the stallion to fall over in surprise. He quickly scrambles to his hooves and chases after the fleeing troublemakers playfully, shouting in his Stalliongrad language.

Luna lets out her laugh, hearing him shout in Equestrian. "Zat iz it! Uncle Fury iz going to get you! I make you eat so much borscht, you sleep for week!"

Luna traces the three as they playfully case one another, hearing the nearby lunar stallions all laughing wildly and cheering on the twins. Her ears prick forward however, as she hears a far off rumble unfamiliar to her.

Dusty Shine also hears the distant rumble, an obvious shiver overtaking her. This catches both the alicorns and pilots attention, Talon pausing and looking at Dusty. He sees her suddenly fall to her rump, her fore hooves coming to her ears as she begins to shiver uncontrollably.

The pilot removes his sunglasses and traces the horizon, also hearing the distant rumble. He looks off in the direction of Horseshoe Bay, feeling a gentle breeze in the wind. He can see very far off clouds in the distance, then processes it in his mind. "It looks like we have a storm coming in." He mutters, turning his attention to dusty. "What's with you?"

The mare shakes her head quickly, her own gaze fixated upon the distant clouds she sees. "Um...it's...it's hard to explain." She shivers again, her tail quickly whipping around and under her belly.

Luna notices the clouds finally, then simply shrugs. "Fair Dusty, tis only a storm far away, likely it shalt not reach Canterlot. The weather pegasi have not scheduled a storm for another week, and even so it shalt only be a light rain with nothing more than a bit of wind."

Talon eyes the storm clouds in the distance, thinking of how it more less resembled one of Earths storms, rather than the carefully constructed ones from Cloudsdale. He ignores a nagging thought in the back of his mind, turning his attention back to the shivering mare. He sighs and comes to her, placing his hand upon her back by her withers.

"You'll be fine Dusty. If you want, you can head back to the palace, we'll finish up here." He comments, gently reassuring the mare. Dusty Shines eyes remain glued to the far off storm, before she nods and gulps, trying to push back her fear. She didn't want to talk about it.

Dusty Shine remains in her spot, Luna having now come to try and comfort her, draping her large, feathery wing over her friend. The pilot breaks away and resumes picking up the last of the camp, the fire long since gone out, and the fire pit carefully broken down and restored to its original state.

Lunar Stallions come help assist with the gear, the entire group making their way back to the palace.

* * * * *

"What do you mean it's not out of Cloudsdale?" Celestia asks, the alicorn looking over reports from Horseshoe Bay and Baltimare. She turns her attention to the Cloudsdale president and eyes the Pegasus stallion, raising an eyebrow. "Are you telling me this is some random storm from my mother knows where?"

"Yes ma'am." The ash gray Pegasus stallion replies, standing at the base of the throne dais. "Our weather teams were dispatched to try and disperse the storm from the coast, but were unable to due to the strength of the winds. It's estimated to be stronger than even our best ones we've generated in the last two hundred years on record."

The regal white alicorn nods, setting down the papers. "How big is it, and what is likely it's potential range and damage it can create?" She asks, chewing on her cheek within her maw. Her muzzle holding a small frown as she considers what the Pegasus is stating.

The Pegasus sighs, not wanting to have to give her this answer. "Princess...It is my deepest regret that I can't tell you that. It's easily the largest, strongest storm on record. We have no idea how it formed, or even why. The only thing I can tell you...is that it's likely going to cross all of Equestria. What we do know about it, is that it moves like two storms are together, but in the center of the two storms, is perfectly calm weather. We can't fly above it to gauge its size, nor can any Pegasus fly through it due to its strength. It's coming with a lot of rain, and very, very strong winds. We've seen nothing like it."

The alicorn takes pause, letting out a quite huff after a few moments of silence. The throne room is so quiet, that one could hear a pin drop anywhere in the large room, the sound would echo as loud as thunder.

"Many centuries ago..." She begins, drawing a gentle, strained breath. "Back when Luna and I were very young, before the reign of Discord...storms formed on their own quiet often during random times of the year. These storms were very strong, and incredibly large. They were formed naturally, rather than by magic or weather control."

She looks at him, her voice uneasy. "Lulu and I never had a name for them....we just know that we had always watched for these, and could tell they were approaching when members of the Earth pony tribe would suddenly begin acting strange. They feared these storms...one as I recall calling them reaper winds. They destroyed entire villages, especially ones built near the sea. It's been over three thousand years since I've seen one."

The Pegasus shifts his weight on his hooves, listening to the princesses story, seeing her calm regal mask fade away as she seems to be lost deep in her own memories. "These storms...though they didn't last long, were always devastating, and always left behind a mess. Some of them even created giant funnel clouds that would spin so fast and so powerful, it would sweep aside even the strongest castles and fortifications, even the ones built by the Dragon Nation. Though our buildings and towns are built far better than they were back then....we should consider this to be a possible reaper wind." She finishes.

"And...what will you have me do then, princess?" The Pegasus responds, looking at the regal white alicorn. Celestia heaves a troubled sigh, and turns her soft, saddened magenta orbs to gaze into his bright sea green ones.

"Instruct the weather pegasi to fly into any areas that may be in the storms path, and have the ponies of those cities and towns seek shelters in strengthened buildings made of stone, or caverns. Then you be sure your ponies seek refuge for themselves. All that can be done is for us to simply hunker down and wait it out. I will personally look into this matter and speak with the Crystal Empire. This storm formed off of their coastline, so perhaps they would have some answers." She quietly replies.

The Pegasus stallion bows, being dismissed by the princess of the sun. Celestia watches as he leaves, then heaves a heavy, troubled sigh. "Not how I wanted to spend my day off..." She mutters, looking to her personal guard. "Captain Jolt Flash." She calls out.

The Pegasus guard approaches the throne, looking to the tired alicorn. "Yes, your highness?" He asks, saluting formally.

"Contact the crystal empire via the radio in the control center, try and get some answers from their weather teams. I'm going to speak with my sister and Twilight, to see if we can come up with some kind of way to either push this storm back, or perhaps disperse it altogether. Also be sure to cancel all incoming and outbound flights, practices and demonstrations from our aircraft. I want all machines grounded and safely tucked in their hangars. Am I clear?" Celestia states, rubbing her temple with her bare hoof, fighting back her migraine she's had ever since the president of Cloudsdale demanded an audience, rather than politely asking. That stallion was always rather snobbish, and abrasive.

The captain of the guard nods and turns, heading to carry out the princesses orders. Celestia is left alone in the throne room, to think in silence as she considers her options. After a few minutes, she too also leaves the now empty throne room of the palace, off to parts of the castle to seek out her love, Twilight Sparkle, as well as Luna, hopeful to find some answers.

* * * * *

The day has gone by rather quickly for every pony, the storm itself fast approaching Canterlot. The sun has yet to set, the skies darkened by the clouds, overcast and gray. The air feels cold, and smells heavily of salt and the sea. Celestia, Luna and Twilight all sit quietly in the regal white alicorns study, pouring over ancient tomes about weather patterns and previous storm records. So far, they're not having much luck.

Twilight sighs, her snout falling into the thick, dusty book before her. "I give up....we've read through at least twelve books so far, and we're no closer to an answer than we were four hours ago. There simply isn't any recorded history of anything like this."

Luna closes her book, her gaze falling to the window as she hears rain droplets beginning to ping gently against the glass doors and windows of the study. She glances at the clock, seeing it's near time to put the fillies to bed. 'where has the day gone...?' She asks herself in thought. "Mine sister....this is simply a storm we can do nothing about. We should just allow the infernal thing to pass us by. Reports from Horseshoe Bay came in three hours ago, stating they're in the center of the two storms, and they've suffered only light damage to some rooftops, only heavy rains. Perhaps we shalt find this storm to be nothing more than a simple huffelpuff, and we should enjoy it for what it is. A little rain and wind never hurt any pony."

Celestia nods, also closing her book, noting it's near time to set the sun. "So be it..." She mutters. "And I was so hopeful to just enjoy one last day lounging around our pond. Our vacations are so rare, lulu." She mutters. "I didn't even get a chance to have any cake today." The white alicorn quietly whines.

Twilight rolls her eyes and smiles smugly. "I did."

If looks could kill...Twilight would probably be dead a thousand and one times over. Celestia glares at her for a moment, while holding a tight frown. Twilights smile only gets more smug. "And it as Moonshine cake by the way."

Luna snickers quietly, rising to her hooves. " I believe it is time for me to help mine flame place mine treasures to their slumber, before the storm comes and scares them. Thou knows how much young Stardust Kiss loves thunder storms."

"And if by loves, you mean she runs and hides under my bed like her mother, then she adores them." Celestia muses, turning her attention to the midnight princess. Luna blushes brightly and puffs out her cheeks in annoyance.

"Tia! I have done no such thing in quite some time!" She fires back, her wings snapping open upon her back, as she pins her ears back flat against her head. "Thou fibs!"

The lavender alicorn levitates a photo album from a nearby shelf within her magic, the pages magically flipping to the most recent picture. It shows both Stardust Kiss and Luna hiding under the regal white alicorns bed, the date stamped upon the bottom right corner of the photograph dated only a month prior. In the picture after it, it shows the pilot carrying both the large blue alicorn, and the filly in his arms, with the most annoyed expression on his face as he is walking.

"Quite some time indeed, Luna." Twilight mutters, closing up the album. "You do know that you still scare me half to death when you two do that."

Luna's tail flicks quickly in annoyance, as she turns and heads out of the room, quietly sulking. There's a loud crack of thunder heard, echoing within the grand halls of the palace, the windows slightly shaking. The rain picks up in some intensity, as the wind whistles and also picks up strength.

The midnight alicorn walks quickly down the halls, finding her way to the Lunar wing of the palace. She comes to the door of the children's bedroom, hearing the voice of her flame. She smiles and places an ear against the door, straining to listen in on the conversation.

"And then what, papa?" Moonlight way asks her father, a large, toothy grin adorning her small, cute muzzle. "What did you and mama do next?"

The pilot clears his throat, a smile on his lips. "So there we were, facing down your aunt's Celestia and Twilight in the middle of Canterlot. We were pinned in, and had nowhere left to run. We knew that any moment could be our last, as sunny butt started to close in."

"Why didn't you just hop on mama's back and fly away?" Moonlight Way asks, sitting up in bed. Her wings twitch and bob idly upon her back. She snuggles the plush warbird in her forelegs. "I know mama is faster than auntie Tia's big butt!"

Luna can't help but to giggle quietly at her daughters comment, listening in carefully from the hallway. She thinks about her size before the pregnancy, how five years later she has yet to completely lose all of the weight she had gained. The thought makes her grimace, her gaze turning back to her own flank for a moment as her grin falls into a slight frown, then she continues to listen in.

"Your mom did the only thing she could think to do. As Sunny Butt came close enough for your mom to strike, she picked up the cake from her back and just held a big scary grin on her face. Before your auntie could turn and run, mama threw the cake with all of her might, casting it as fast and as far as she could! Your aunts couldn't get away....they couldn't dodge or run, couldn't teleport. It was there Celestia the great had fallen, covered in bright pink frosting and delicious sponge cake for the whole of Canterlot to watch!" He says dramatically, waving his arms in motions to accentuate the heroic tale. "Sunny Butt had fallen, defeated by your moms sharp wits and quick thinking. Thus teaching her never, ever to steal the last of your mama's ice cream."

The door to the room opens, the midnight alicorn stepping in with a huge grin upon her muzzle. "And don't you ever forget it either." She giggles out. Luna walks to her flame and nuzzles him lovingly. "Telling our treasures about the great Canterlot cake fight before they were born?" She asks.

Talon sheepishly nods, smiling. "I figured they would enjoy hearing about how awesome their mom is." He replies, smiling and kissing her. Luna turns to face the children after returning the kiss, a soft, sweet smile upon her muzzle.

"Tis bedtime, mine treasurers." She says, her tone soft and melodic. "Did papa help thee brush thy teeth and manes?" She asks, looking them over. Stardust Kiss yawns and nods, her lidded gaze focused in on the midnight alicorn.

"Yes mama, papa made sure we did that, after he helped us bathe and fed us dinner." She responds, a gentle, loving smile crossing her own muzzle. She looks to Moonlight Way, who is sharing an equally loving smile, and nodding slowly.

With this, the night princess walks between the two beds, coming to a rest on her haunches as she begins her lullaby. The pilot rises to his feet during this, and closes the windows tightly, glancing outside at the storm before drawing the drapes. Luna continues her nightly ritual, weaving her spells and dream magic as she does, helping place her children into a deep restful sleep so they wouldn't have to fear the storm.

~*~My children, my treasures...how you're so dear to me. You'll never know what love and joy you bring.

My children, my angels, how I love thee...You're my whole world, my starlight, my soul and my dreams.

May your sleep be as sweet as can be, may you travel to places of peace. But always know I love you, hold you dear to me.

I'll always keep you, as my one true dream.

My children, my wonders, how you mean so much to me. You'll always mean, so much to me.

My angels, my darling angels...May you find your peace. Know that you'll always be held in my wings.

I was lost, with no light to see. It was you who gave me a sense of where to be. My children, my angels. My precious dreams.

Always know that I truly love thee... ~*~

Luna's words echo gently in the still air, her magic weaving lazily and forming small pools of starlight upon the ceilings and walls of the chambers. The room is cast into a gentle glow bathed in her Lunar magic, draping the room in shadow and peace.

The fillies yawn sleepily and quietly begin to nod off, soothed by their mothers graceful and beautiful melody. Luna opens her eyes and gazes lovingly at them, continuing her lullaby.

~*~My children, my treasures...how you're so dear to me. You'll never know what love and joy you bring.

My children, my angels, how I love thee...You're my whole world, my starlight, my soul and my dreams.

May your sleep be as sweet as can be, may you travel to places of peace. But always know I love you, hold you dear to me.

I'll always keep you, as my one true dream.

My children, my wonders, how you mean so much to me. You'll always mean, so much to me.

My angels, my darling angels...May you find your peace. Know that you'll always be held in my wings.

I was lost, with no light to see. It was you who gave me a sense of where to be. My children, my angels. My precious dreams.

Always know that I truly love thee... ~*~

The twins snore quietly, their wings twitching gently beneath the plush comforter as they slowly kick and twitch in their slumber. Luna walks forward slowly, lowering her head to them and kissing their cheeks gently. The midnight alicorn blessing them with Lunar magic, bidding them peaceful and restful sleep and sweet dreams. Heofon help whatever nightmare is foalish enough to dare try the children of the Night Goddess.

She sighs as she completes the last of her spells and nightly ritual, then turns to face the pilot. Her horn alights once more, placing a reversed sound proofing spell around the entire room. She weaves it tightly and carefully, insuring that the room would be completely cloaked in silence, the only sounds being the restful snores of the fillies, and the soft click tick of the analog wall clock placed upon the wall for them.

The two exit the chambers after she finishes the spell, coming into the hallway. The pilot looks uneasily at his alicorn, his hand tracing the bauble around his neck. "Angel...that storm is looking pretty bad out there. We should probably get to bed soon too...I know how much you enjoy these." He quietly states, embracing her tightly in his arms.

Luna nods, nuzzling deeply into his chest. I agree, mine flame. I hath already raised the moon before I came to help tuck our children in...perhaps we should go into our chambers soon. I myself have grown exhausted, and wish for nothing more than a good nights rest, and a warm bath in the dawn."

Turning away after releasing her, the two cross the hall to their own chambers, passing the Lunar Stallions stationed at the entrance of the Lunar Wing, and nearby the grand ornate oak doors of the moon princesses private quarters.

* * * * *

It's been two hours, the control center busier than ever in history this night. Dusty Shine has since retired to her chambers, having worked some on the fillies gala dresses for the pilot, before finding herself exhausted enough to go to sleep, despite the constant sinking feeling within her heart. This however, was quickly brought to a halt as she's been recently awoken by a night guard, summoned from the alarms.

Dusty Shine yawns loudly as she enters the control center, tired after her sudden awakening and rushed call to come to view the problem. As she enters the room, she comes to find several of her day shift co workers all frantically rushing about the area from station to station, every screen and monitor lit up with various warnings.

She stares wide eyed in confusion, her attention turned to the large screen mounted upon the front wall, displaying the large picture of the radar. The screen shows the highlights from the storm and precipitation, as well as a large wave of unidentified contacts incoming to Canterlot.

"What in the hay is going on here?!" Dusty calls out, looking about the room. One of her assistants hears her calling out among the confusion and chaos, the alarms and the chatter. The blond Pegasus mare newly trained, and the one who activated the alarm.

"W- W- We have major incoming, Miss Shine! Our radar picked up multiple contacts inbound, and they're not responding to the IFF! We don't know who or what they are." She responds. "I w-w- was t-th- the one to sound the alarm, ma'am."

Dusty Shine raises an eyebrow, confused. "Well have you tried to radio in any pony? We were expecting in some trainees from the Crystal Empire." She comments, then looks out the window. The rain is coming down and pounding upon the glass, the sound of the howling wind rings loudly, some gusts even overpowering the sounds of the busy and chaotic control room.

'But with this storm...I grounded all flights in and out of Canterlot...so that can't be the squadron.' She thinks, letting out a worried sigh. She watches as several of the staff members attempt radioing out on all known frequencies, hearing nothing but static coming over the intercoms and speakers.

"Lady Shine." A stallions voice catches her attention. The earthen pony mare turns to see the Lunar Elite Guard, Dark Fury. He coughs for a moment, then levels his draconic golden orbs to her. "Zis incoming...it vill reach city within hour, da? Perhaps iz time to vake Commander and princess...and intercept?"

"No!" Dusty shine cries out loudly. "Sending up even a single aircraft, even the Commander's would be a suicide mission!" She angrily thrusts her foreleg out, pointing to the window. Lightning flashes, and thunder rumbles loudly. The storm is growing worse. "If we send any pony out there, they could die! It's too dangerous to fly right now, Captain Fury!"

"Da...but if you do not...ze city could be in danger. Our comrade commander...he iz good pilot. Best. Ve should have faith, as you vould say." Dark Fury rumbles out in his husky Slavic voice. "Princess...vould be very upset if kingdom in danger, and ve sit on our hooves. You understand, comrade Dusty?" He asks slowly.

The room has fallen silent, every pony either watching the signatures getting closer on the radar display, or staring nervously at the two superiors speaking. It all rests on the earthen mares judgement call, as such her job was for being in command of the control center.

She swallows hard, glancing out the window again as the rain pounds and hammers at the glass. Her ears catch the whistling howl of the wind from the errant storm, her eyes see the trees swaying and whipping violently in the unseen winds trying to rip apart the city as the lightning flashes and illuminates the heavens. Her eyes dart back to the room, her gaze falling on the screen and seeing the dots continuing to advance with the storm.

Dusty Shine brushes past the Lunar Elite guard, and grasps the headset from her station within her fore hooves. Coming to a quick seat on her haunches, she presses the button for intercom, and calls out what she hopes is the correct and best order. Clearing her throat, she nervously speaks.

"All personnel and flight teams, scramble to aircraft and launch. Inbound contacts spotted, move to intercept at once." She breathes hard, glancing at the screen. "Commander Masters and Luna Masters, please report to hangar bay one and launch..."

* * * * *

Awakened recently by the storm, Talon sits at the desk chair, staring out the closed glass doors of the balcony from within the night princesses chambers. The sound of wind whistling and howling catches his senses as he replays memories in his mind, memories of similar storms like this one from Earth. This isn't the first serious thunderstorm he's ever weathered, and Heaven knows it won't ever be the last.

He lets out a sigh as he flicks the ash into the glass bowl upon the desks surface from his cigarette, then raises the burning tube to his lips for another draw. Lightning flashes, illuminating his vision of the weather outside as he stares, watching the torrents of rain pound and beat against the glass partitions.

"Mine love..." Luna whispers. "Come to bed, lay beside me please." Luna calls out gently to him, trying to get his attention. "Thou hath watched the storm with such wonder for long enough...I find I cannot sleep without thee nearby.

Turning to glance at his alicorn he nods, exhaling another stream of smoke. "I will, angel. Just let me finish my cigarette." He replies quietly, turning his attention back to the storm. "It's just been a while since I've seen anything like this." He takes another draw and inhales, then exhales the smoke again. "Your weather is normally managed by your Pegasus ponies. It's rare to see a storm like this one, that mirrors the storms back on Earth."

Luna lets out a defeated sigh and rolls out of bed, the sound of her tired shuffling hoof steps in the room, muffled by the plush carpet. She comes to a rest beside him upon her haunches, also looking out the balcony doors now. "Were all storms like this one, on your world?" She asks, tilting her head. She alights her horn and grasps a fire tube of her own, bringing it to her lips, and held in her magical grasp. The pilot lights it for her and nods, keeping his eyes glued to the chaos outside the safety of the chambers.

"Not always, angel." He breathes out. "Just the really bad ones. I remember when we had storms like this while I was deployed on the Enterprise." He flicks the ash in the bowl again, and watches as the alicorn does the same with her own before he continues. "The serious problem with storms like these, is they could sometimes spawn tornado's."

Luna scrunches up her nose for a moment at the new word, thinking. "What is a tornado, mine flame? What do they do?" She asks, turning her attention to him. She shivers from the howling sound of the wind against the windows and cracks in the doors weather seals. The storm is starting to scare her.

"Tornado's...the fastest winds on Earth. A gigantic funnel cloud from the heavens that swirls and wipes out anything and everything in their path. I had seen one form over the ocean once a few years ago back on Earth. They call those ones water spouts." He calmly says, putting out his cigarette. "They're dangerous as hell, but pretty to look at. From a very safe distance, keep in mind."

The alicorn nods, taking a final draw from her own fire tube before putting it out. She glances out the glass balcony doors again, swallowing hard as another bolt of lightning flashes close to the palace. As she unsteadily trots back to the bed following the pilot, a loud crack of thunder startles her, causing her to spring forward in fright and tackle him down in her surprise and terror.

He blinks twice, surprised and dazed for a moment, before his brain registers the shaking and trembling alicorn clinging onto him for dear life. Wordlessly he lets out a soft sigh and slowly strokes her mane comfortingly. "It's alright angel...it's just a storm. You'll be fine." He reassures her gently.

Luna silently continues to tremble in her fright, her eyes squeezed shut so hard tears quickly roll out and down her cheeks. Her breathing is labored in her lost composure, her heart thundering in her barrel from her sudden scare. As she feels his comforting touch and hears his soothing voice, she nods quickly and tries to steady her breathing.

The two begin to make their way to bed again, and come to a screeching halt as their ears catch the faint sound of an alarm suddenly sounding in the distance down the halls. The midnight alicorns ears perk up and swivel as she listens intently, before a knocking at the chambers door catches her attention.

Luna cranes her head to face the door, narrowing her gaze to it. "What is it?" She calls out loudly, unsure. Her eyes open wide in confusion as she hears a stallions voice on the other side, then the door slightly opening. The light of the hallways flows in through the opening, and a guard calls out from behind the door.

"Princess Luna, Commander. Lady Shine has urgently requested you both to assemble to the hangar. We have reports of incoming on the radar, and are unsure of what the nature of them are." The Lunar Stallion quickly answers.

Talon looks out of the windows, seeing the rain come down even harder than before, the wind whipping and bending tree limbs outside in the storm. "We'll be on our way. Thanks for the heads up." He answers for the alicorn, clutching her tighter to him for a moment with a comforting embrace.

As the pilot breaks away and turns to the nearby dresser, Luna timidly steps forward. "Mine flame...thou can't be serious if you intend to do what I believe you are." She says quietly, concern laced deep in her voice. She steps forward again as she watches him pull out his flight suit and other clothes, causing her to swallow hard.

"We have to Luna. If we have incoming, it could be the griffons or some other hostiles coming in. Dusty wouldn't sound an alarm if is wasn't important. Don't worry though. For all we know, this could be nothing..." He replies, getting dressed and putting on his pants first. As he pulls out his shirt next, he hears the sound of the alicorns closet door opening, and turns around. Luna has stepped inside and retrieved her new flight jacket recently gifted to her by Rarity, and is in the process of placing it upon her form.

"If you're going out in this, so am I, mine flame." She says resolutely, smiling a small, smug grin. "Thou promised thy shalt never partake in another dangerous mission without me again, and I shalt see to it you uphold that promise."

Lightning illuminates the room for a moment, and the sound of thunder crashes loudly within the chambers. Nodding, he turns his attention back to getting dressed, taking a seat upon the bed to lace up his boots next. "I did say that...didn't I?" He smirks.

The alicorn slips on her hoof bracers next, and comes to a rest by the door as she waits for him to finish. As soon as he rises to his feet, the two exit the chambers, bound for the hangar.

* * * * *

Luna adjusts her headset with her fore hooves as she looks over her flight controls, the screens and various panels coming to life as the pilot powers up the warbird's computers. She lets out a quiet sigh as she gets comfortable in her co pilots position, then starts to buckle herself in, pulling the harnesses over her soft belly and legs first, then over her top section with her comfortable jacket.

"One to control, we are in position and ready with pre-flight checks, please advise on current orders." Talon calls out into the headset within his flight helmet, looking over the radar screen of the war machine. Much to his surprise, the sweeping needle of the aircrafts radar yields absolutely no results.

'Operator to Talon One, proceed with caution out to the taxi way and await further instructions, we are currently sending up other interceptors first. The runway is not clear, you are not cleared to take off.' The voice of Dusty Shine replies over the speakers within the cockpit.

The midnight alicorn presses the control lever for the canopy closure, then activates her own headset to respond. "Understood, fair Dusty. We shalt prepare for takeoff as instructed."

Talon glances back to the alicorn and nods, then turns forward to look out through the canopy glass. Lunar Stallions are beginning to pull open the massive double doors, exposing the war machine to the chilling night air and freezing rain of the storm.

"Initiate scram jet sequence!" He calls out into the headset. The engines begin to whine and howl to life, the turbines slowly spinning up with the high pitched whistle of the banshees cry. Lightning flashes brightly, a gigantic blue and silver bolt ripping through the darkened skies, showing an eerie silhouette of the fast moving clouds as the backdrop. In the distance, the pilot can see the glowing trails of twin afterburners shooting out from behind his wing mans aircraft, one of several warbird's to take to the skies. Equestria's Royal Air Force.

"Helios three, airborne!" One of the palace operators calls out to Dusty Shine, who is busy staring at the monitors. The windows rattle in the palace as another aircraft takes to the skies quickly, very shortly after the first one did. She bites her lower lip hard, chewing on it nervously as she watches the aircraft seemingly having trouble staying straight and stable, before quickly pitching upwards and racing into the heavens.

"Viper seven, airborne!" The same operator calls out. Within a span of several minutes, a total of four aircraft take off and launch, climbing high above the palace and circling, all waiting for their squadron leader to emerge from the hangar below.

In the hangar, Talon gently pushes the throttle forward, the nose of the legendary war machine inching its way out slowly into the raging storm all around them. The rain is coming down so hard, it pours off of the canards and wings in sheets, the water forming a fall as it cascades off of the aircrafts sleek, polished form.

The marker lights upon the vertical staves and wingtips flash and glow brightly as the forward landing gear beam light illuminates, guiding the aircraft down its path to the runway. 'Talon One, you are cleared for take off at any time. Proceed with extreme caution and intercept the contacts.' They hear over the radio from Dusty Shine.

"Understood, control. Talon one has the ball and will proceed." He responds, lining up with the runway. Rain and small bits of sleet pound and hammer against the canopy glass, obscuring his vision slightly and causing him to switch to the IR Laser Targeting scanners for the HUD.

"Fair Dusty, has mine sister been alerted of the current situation?" Luna calls out to the earthen mare over the radio, turning her head to glance at the palace through the safety of the canopy. She winces as she hears thunder loudly all around her, despite the comforting sound of the engines resonating within the cockpit.

'Affirmative, Princess Luna. Princess Celestia has been summoned and is on her way to the control center as we speak, currently under escort. I will alert you as soon as she arrives.' They both hear the mare respond to them. Luna lets out a soft sigh.

Turning back to glance at her for a moment, he gives her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Luna, I've flown in much worse. Don't be afraid, angel."

Luna smiles in kind to him, placing her fore hoof upon his shoulder. She breathes slowly into the headsets mouthpiece then nods. "I know mine flame. I always have felt safe with thee...and I always shall. Let us face down this storm together." She whispers in reply through the radio.

He grasps her slender hoof for a moment then turns back, giving her a comforting squeeze to let her know he understood. Reaching forward, he pushes the throttle ahead. Outside and all around the aircraft they hear the engines howl loudly and roar, metal under tension groaning and twisting slightly as the machine rockets down the runway through the storm.

The alicorn swallows hard as she sees the rain droplets zip like bullets as the aircraft screams down the runway, then feels slightly queasy as the bird tilts back and begins to climb into the heavens. She can feel the howling banshees cry thunder within her barrel, shaking her heart to its core unlike anything she's ever before. She can't help but to let out a small squeal of joy from it, despite the situation and dire nature of their hasty midnight takeoff.

He joins the other aircraft in the skies, all turning to formation and rocketing ahead, climbing in altitude to rise above the impossibly high storm clouds. "One to control, the storm seems to be affecting my radar, I have no contacts on target. Repeat, no contacts available. Please advise." He calls out, adjusting the wings and turning into the extreme wind-shear. The storm gusts are so strong, it's blowing the powerful aircraft as well as Equestria's newly created ones around somewhat. He's having difficulty maintaining steady flight.

In the control center, other operators get much the same report from all other aircraft. No pony detects anything on their screens, but the monitors within the palace paint a much different picture. Licking her lips, Dusty Shine nervously glances at the screens, then out the window. She can see the faint glowing lights of the warbird's afterburners in the distance.

"Talon One, proceed to bearing one six zero and head south west, contacts are identified over Ponyville, currently closing in from Ever Free and Ghastly Gorge." She responds, then looks back at the computer. 'What is going on...why don't they see it?!' She thinks to herself, chewing on her inner cheek within her maw.

'Roger combat control. Switching to swarm logic, full stealth egress. All squadron pilots, proceed to destination, strike pattern alpha. Engage if contacts are visually confirmed as hostiles.' Every pony within the control center hears over the palace intercoms.

Princess Celestia walks into the room, a worried expression upon her features as she studies and surveys the situation. Her ears twitch nervously, and her wings are held tightly to her sides as she tries to hide her obvious apprehension. She too is nervous about this errant storm, and even less enthusiastic about any pony, especially her younger sister having to be out in it. Even with the pilots’ obvious skill, the thoughts of nightmares still race through her mind.

The five aircraft scream forward, now on a straight course thousands of feet above the Equestrian landscape. Unable to climb above the clouds to safety, it forces them all to fly through the storm instead, bolts of lightning narrowly missing the speeding machines.

Twenty minutes pass within the busy control center, every operator carefully monitoring their screens and equipment to watch events unfold. Princess Celestia has since taken a seat by Dusty Shine with her own headset, observing and listening in on the communications ongoing.

'One to control, we have reached the specified coordinates, the skies around here seem clear and yield no results. Repeat, we have no contacts, negative on visual.' The pilots voice rings over the palace intercoms, causing further confusion upon the occupants muzzles.

"Talon One, we see the squadron transponders, according to our screens, you should be right on top of the contacts. They are currently moving north, northeast bound for Canterlot on course, altitude is unknown." Dusty Shine replies quickly, checking then rechecking the equipment.

"Dusty...is it possible this storm could be causing false readings?" The white alicorn asks, concern written all over her features. The storm has since continued to pick up steam near the palace, growing stronger, the lightning and thunder more apparent, the rain pouring down harder than ever.

"Doubtful...but anything is possible, Princess. This is new technology to Equestria, so I would imagine any number of bugs could still be in the system. The engineers did base this off of two types of radars listed in the commander’s database on board his machine." She replies quietly, still chewing on her lower lip.

Celestia nods, turning her head to face the guard, Captain Jolt Flash. "Captain, awaken one of the engineers who maintains this equipment and summon him or her here at once. I want to know if we are needlessly risking our pilots lives or not." The alicorn speaks. There's absolutely no room for negotiation or question in her firm, uneasy tone.

The Pegasus guard nods quickly and salutes, rushing out to carry out the alicorns orders. Celestia turns her attention back to the large screen displaying the radar, chewing on her own inner cheek within her maw. Her heart sinks with worry, a sense of dread washing over her.

* * * * *

The warbird's all circle wide around Ghastly Gorge and Ponyville, sweeping wide and searching the skies for any sign of something in flight. The pilot listens intently to the chatter between his wing mates.

'Viper Seven here. This storm is too strong for any Pegasus or creature to fly through. My instruments are reading ground wind speeds in excess of sixty miles per hour, gusts of over ninety. Flying out there without one of these is suicide!'

'Helios Three, Viper seven, did you just say sixty miles per hour?! The storms out of Cloudsdale have nothing on this monster! Where in Tatarus did something like this storm come from?!'

"Cut the chatter you two, and focus on checking the skies. This is an errant storm that formed out somewhere in the waters from the coast. This isn't exactly normal from what I was told." Talon responds through his helmets headset. He sighs heavily and winces as the flight stick jerks in his hands, having difficulty keeping the aircraft aloft. Higher in the sky, the winds are significantly stronger.

Luna whimpers quietly as she looks out of the canopy, searching the best she can. Her horn is alight, using her magic to probe the area for any energy that would indicate a magical creature. She senses nothing. She flinches as she watches another bolt of lightning streak a good distance away, the bolt appearing to reach the ground of Ponyville.

"Mine flame...I sense nothing up here. We are alone in these skies...Are thou sure that we hath any reason for being here?" She nervously asks, watching the rain droplets zip past and blur her vision through the canopy. The aircraft shudders as it turns against a gust, the wings tipping quickly for a moment before the aircraft is righted again.

As the pilot is about to speak, they hear a crackle of static over the warbird's speakers, followed by the somewhat panicked voice of Celestia. ' Canterlot control to all aircraft, it has been discovered this is a radar glitch, a sensor echo caused by the storms heavy electrical activity. Return to Canterlot at once.'

The midnight alicorn quickly rushes forward and taps the com button on her flight controls. "Mine sister, are thou sure?! Thy wishes us to abandon the search?" She hastily blurts out, a wide smile of relief upon her muzzle.

'Lulu, I couldn't be more sure. Just try and make it back safely if you can. If the storm is too much, land at another airstrip nearby. The radar here malfunctioned, there's nothing there!' Celestia almost yells into the radio. Every pony listening can almost feel the tension and worry in her normally serene and soft voice. 'Get out of this storm, it's too dangerous to fly!'

"Wilco, control. Return orders confirmed, en-route." The pilot replies over the radio to Celestia. He turns and glances back to Luna, giving a curt nod before focusing back on flying again. "All interceptor aircraft, turn one eight zero and RTB. Burners up!" He calls out.

The two listen at the responses of the other four aircraft, a small smile coming to the alicorns muzzle as she feels the warbird turn sharp and correct its course for home. She looks down over the wing, through the canopy, giving out a nervous chuckle as she sees more lightning, striking even closer than before.

Talon hears Luna's nervous laugh, flicking his gaze to the small mirror on his console. "Angel, are you alright?" He asks. Through the light given off by the screens in her co-pilots position, he can see her features in the shadows. He sees one look upon her muzzle that he hoped never to see again...the look of fear. "Luna?"

She taps the control console with her hoof, skillfully switching the radio to internal communication so their conversation would be private. Letting out a quiet sigh, she looks forward, trying to steel her resolve. "I...I have always been afraid of storms, mine love." She breathes out in strained, labored breaths.

He quirks an eyebrow, while pushing the throttle ahead for more speed. The canards of the warbird begin to quickly close as the war machine screams forward, rapidly approaching supersonic speeds. The other aircraft follow suit, each of the Equestrian fighter craft igniting their own afterburners, keeping pace with the legendary warbird.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, angel. It's just a light show with some noise. You're safe up here with me." He responds, trying to reassure her. Just for good measure, he reaches his now free hand back to give her a gentle touch upon her snout. "We'll be back in Canterlot before you know it, then I promise we will go to bed right away, alright?" He asks.

The alicorn swallows hard and nods quickly, appearing crestfallen once he removes his gentle hand from her muzzle. "Mine flame...please. I..." She thinks, trying to word what it is she wants to say. In a moment of clarity, she breathes out the only word she needs to say. " Faster."

He looks at the mirror again, seeing the look of determination in her eyes, understanding the request clearly. 'She must really hate storms after all...' He thinks. Switching his communications over, he calls out the order. "All aircraft, double time! Going hyper sonic!" He releases the radio control, his hand grasping the throttle lever and pushing it all the way forward.

The engines howl and whine loudly, roaring to life with the fury of hell within them. The aircraft races ahead with an explosive burst of speed, the remaining four war machines coming in close for swarm logic. They seemingly cut through the air in formation, going at a mad sprint back to the grand city, the machines racing as if the devil himself were on their vertical staves. Mach one...Mach two...Mach three...Mach four... The warbird's computer chirps.

In the control center, Celestia tilts her head as she hears the machines computer chirping in her headset. 'Why did they pick up so much speed suddenly...?' She thinks. Celestia levels her magenta orbs at the smaller screen before her, watching the split images of the feed from within the warbird's cockpit. She stares at her sisters image, studying the frightened expression of the midnight alicorn. 'Sister...'

Canterlot quickly comes into view, the image of the grand city blurred by the rain pounding against the canopy glass. The aircraft slow down in a line abreast formation, Talon and Luna's war machine at the center of the wing. The canards of all five aircraft deploy open quickly as they slow, all making a line for the runway at the palace.

The storm seems to have gotten much worse, the winds howling and whipping over the wings and steel bodies of the machines. Landing is going to prove difficult for the group. "One to all aircraft, begin landing sequence. Await conformation from combat control."

Over the radio the pilot listens in as Dusty Shine begins to relay instructions. He turns into a wide bank, circling the city below as he awaits the four less experienced Earthen and Unicorn pilots begin their own landings first. Looking back, he glances at his alicorn. "Luna, we'll land last, so we can insure the runway is clear." He smiles, glancing back to the HUD before him. The nose camera of the war machine displays the runway below, the first of the aircraft making its decent into the palace grounds.

'Operator to Helios three, you are cleared to land first in line. We have you on radar and visually confirmed by Night guard. Please begin your landing immediately.' They hear over the radio. Luna watches the aircraft line up and quickly descend, then touch down safely. The skies continue to flash all around her with lightning, rain continues to pound and ping against the body of the war machine, small bits of sleet and large rain droplets glancing the canopy loudly, despite the roar of the engines.

One by one, the aircraft continue to land over the course of several minutes. Turning into a wide bank, the pilot finally aligns the nose of the aircraft with the distant runway once he hears Dusty Shine give the clearance. 'Operator to Talon One you are cleared to land on runway two. All other aircraft are secured and docked.'

Luna flinches as she sees a flash of lightning very close to the warbird's port wing, the blinding flash leaving stars in her vision. She lets out a frightened squeak loudly, then curls into a ball quickly as she trembles with fear.

"Easy, easy angel. We're almost down. Just relax." He reassures her, hearing her frightened shriek then seeing her reflection in the small mirror. He switches over to the external radio to contact the control center. "One to combat control, we read you. On approach vector now."

He lowers the landing gear and flaps, altering course and beginning his decent to the runway. As he approaches, a bolt of lightning strikes the wing of the war machine. Alarms and warning lights activate, the sounds screeching loudly in the cockpit. The aircraft shudders violently and the consoles and controls flicker, the machine struggling to remain aloft with the power surge disrupting its circuit’s and engines.

"Control! We have just had a lightning strike, landing sequence is altered. I'm going to need the net!" Talon calls out hurriedly, attempting to regain control over the plummeting war machine. The wings violently sway and dip as he fights through the high cross winds of the storm, the engines trying to power out of the sudden altitude and control loss.

From the safety of the warbird's hangar, Celestia watches wide eyed with great trepidation as she sees the machine get struck suddenly by the high voltage discharge, causing the warbird to suddenly begin to fail in its flight. Her eyes catch the flickering of the nose landing gears forward light, her ears the sounds of the strained roar of the pulse detonation engines.

Inside the cockpit, the midnight alicorn cries out in terror as the alarms scream, her heart thundering out of control within her chest. Her mind is blank with absolute fear as the ground comes dangerously closer with each passing second. As the wings level out closer to the runway, another bolt strikes, this time hitting the canopy right above the alicorn.

The violent electrical surge effortlessly penetrates the glass, striking Luna's alit horn directly and hitting the wailing alicorn with amazing force unlike anything she's ever felt. All she can feel is the searing pain as it strikes her, the screams drowned out as the world around her suddenly whites out.

From the ground, every pony outside and in the busy control center watches in horror as the aircraft is engulfed in a bright flash of light, followed by the loud concussive force of a massive shock wave. As the light fades from the blinding light, the warbird is gone from view, completely vanished into nothingness. No wreckage, no debris, no flames.

The elder white alicorns eyes go wide, her breath catching in her throat as she looks on with horror, her heart nearly stopping in her barrel as she scans the skies with her eyes, frantically searching for signs of her sister and Talon. The rain continues to fall, the only sounds in the air being the water cascading to the ground, and Celestia's strained, panicked breathing.