Apart from a prasprite, there were no threats that presented themselves during the flight. The princess’, all four of them, decided to stroll about the castle. Nexus had taken his ear buds out to ensure he had full situational awareness as he followed above them.

“I am very proud of Twilight.” Princess Celestia told her.

“Thank you Princess. I’m honored.” Twilight responded.

Nexus still kept to the rafters as he followed them from the shadows.

“It has been interesting to watch you grow Twilight Sparkle. I am impressed.” Luna said.

“Thank you Princess Luna.”

Nexus groaned silently to himself from the conversation going on bellow. Luna seemed to take notice.

“Speaking of prized students. Lunarus, come join us.” she said looking right at him.

The rest of the princess’ looked into the shadows above them confused.

Nexus grinned and shook his head. Silently moving across the rafters, he made his way directly behind the princess’ and dropped down without a sound.

“As you wish Princess.” Nexus said, causing all but Luna to jump out of their gowns.

“Well, I suppose this is the pony you have spoken so highly of.” Princess Celestia said looking Nexus over. “I do believe we haven’t met formally.”

“No, we haven’t. I am Commander Nexus of the Evening Guard.” Nexus said bowing to the Princess’.

“Well, I suppose I should apologize for my decision a few years ago.”

“If I were in your position, I would have done the same. You had the safety of your people in mind.”

“But if it had gone through, my sister might not be here today.”

Twilight stepped forward now with smile on her face. “You’re a student of Princess Luna?”

“Yes. She’s been helping me master my dark magic.”

“Dark magic? Isn’t that forbidden?”

“It all depends on how you use it.”

“It’s true. He’s been very responsible in his use of this magic.” Luna said walking up next to Nexus.

“Have you been following us this whole time?” Princess Cadence asked.

“I have.”

“How have we not seen you? More importantly, how did Shining Armor not notice?”

“The Art of the Shadows, Cadence. It’s a fighting style older then my sister or I.” Luna said.

“So you learned that from the Princess?” Twilight asked as they began walking once again.

“No, most of what I know is self-taught. My fighting style and half of the magic I know.”

“But why were you following us?” Cadence asked.

“I hope it wasn’t for reasons of security. I assured Luna that it was taken care of.”

“With all due respect to Commander Firebrand, I feel my soldiers were better suited for security. So I had them keep eyes on everything.”

Celestia didn’t look very happy. “I’m sure they were capable of keeping us safe.”

“They would. But we would have prevented it from even getting to you in the first place without interrupting anything you were doing. Our air defense was so tight that not even a parasprite could get through.”

“And the rest of the castle?”

“I had more troops in the castle then you had in the chapel.” Nexus said with a smirk.

“Charming young man you have to keep watch over you, sister.” Celestia said knitting her brow.

“He is an acquired taste sister. I was assured he would stay out of it however.” Luna said glaring at him.

“Rule 18, always better to seek forgiveness then ask permission.”

“And what was Rule 12 again Lunarus?”

Nexus rolled his eyes under his blue reflective sunglasses. “Never date a coworker.”

“Why is that a rule?” Twilight asked.

“It affects your work ethic.”

“You seem to be doing well.” Luna said with a smile.

“Oh, is he now?” Cadence said grinning.

“Ugh.” Nexus said rolling his eyes again, hoping they couldn’t see the red on his cheeks.

“You’re an interesting pony. I would love to get a closer look at your legs and glasses.”

“Not going to happen.”

“Why?”

“There few things I am willing to share with Equestria. What I have created can make life easier, but I don’t want ponies getting reliant on them. If any other pony creates what I have then they may do with it as they wish with it. But I don’t want to be the harbinger of the down fall of creativity.”

“I don’t think that’s possible Lunarus.” Luna said sympathetically.

“It’s just a matter of time before technology catches up with where I am and people will be spoiled by what we have created.”

“That’s just silly.” Twilight said rolling her eyes.

“Well, I have my reasons as to why I do thing as much as the rest of you.” Nexus said pushing his sunglasses up onto his brow.

“Fair enough. Luna, what are your…plans for Captain Nexus?” Celestia asked confused slightly.

“If you’re implying I wish to make him a prince, then you are mistaken.” She looks to Nexus for a moment and blushes in embarrassment. “Not that you wouldn’t make a great ruler!”

“It’s okay Luna; I don’t think it would be very beneficial to me if I were one.”

“Says to unicorn with mechanical wings?” Cadence said starring at his wings.

“This is so I can be more flexible in a combat situation. I created Iron Icarus’ so I should be able to use one. I have the legs out of necessity. A necessity I don’t care to go into.” Nexus said with a slight tone of resentment.

“Oh. I’m sorry. I-”

“It’s fine your highness.”

“Hold on.” Princess Sparkle said stopping in her tracks. “You’ve addressed everypony here by Princess or your highness except Princess Luna.”

“And?” Nexus asked.

“I don’t even refer to Princess Celestia by only her name.”

“And?” Nexus repeated.

“And she said you broke your rule against dating a coworker.”

“If you’re saying what I think your saying, Princess Sparkle, I can assure you that my relationship with Luna is purely professional. She is one of my best friends here in the castle and nothing more.”

“It’s true. Lunarus is the first person that opened up to me upon my return.”

“Well, that’s good to hear sister. Though I am curious, what is that caused you to break this rule?”

“His maid.” Luna said with a devious grin.

The princess’ let out a collective ‘oooo’ like a bunch of school fillies talking about a crush,

“Yes I am in a committed relationship with my maid. Is that so wrong!”

“But you broke one of your rules.” Luna giggled.

“I swear, I sometimes wonder if our friendship is based solely pushing each other’s buttons.”

“How is Dust Storm by the way? I feel I saw her in the chapel during the coronation.”

“Yes, she was. She was a part of the security detail. She was my second pair of eyes. While I have my eyes on everything else, she kept her eyes on everything in the room.”

“Oh. So you attended it with her?” Cadence asked.

“In a way yes.”

“You still haven’t answered the first question.” Twilight nagged.

“She’s good. Nothing major going on in either of our lives.”

“That’s not what I’ve heard.” Luna said grinning wider again.

Celestia seemed oddly content to watched all of this going down.

“Did you put a recorder on Raven Wing or something?”

“I have my ways.”

“Your ways? What’s that suppose to- Storm Cloud. Remind me to go Firebrand on him later.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him after you tell everyone what I already know.”

“Over my shiny, metal hoofs.”

“Then I’ll tell them exactly as it happened.” Luna said smirking once more.

If Nexus’ face wasn’t red when Luna said he had broken a rule, it was redder now.

“It was a few days after his friend Ephialtes brought him back to life. He went on a very expensive and romantic dinner with Miss Storm. With the candle light dancing in front of them and the violins playing, he-”

“I proposed okay!” Nexus finally said.

Everypony broke out in laughter and Nexus’ face burned bright red. Celestia only chuckled and continued to observe. He found her obvious interest in this situation odd, but for somepony that had taught an introvert unicorn friend ship, it seemed like she was only observing yet another introvert. Nexus didn’t like the feel of it. He wasn’t quite sure why she was doing this still having her top student to observe, but it seemed instead of her student learning, though cliché, it looked like she was the one learning form this. It made more sense to Nexus than her only looking for another princess that she didn’t seem to need. It also gave her an excuse to have a friend close by.

“Yes, I am engaged to be married as of two months ago.”

“I realize that it’s late, but my congratulations. Have you picked a day?” Celestia asked.

“No, we haven’t your highness. Our jobs more or less dictate our lives.”

“Luna mentioned something about that. What was it? Something about an element?”

“An element?” Princess Sparkled asked.

“This may come as a shock to you, but there are more than your six Elements of Harmony. There are more things that keep balance in the world. There are hundreds of elements in Equestria and almost all ponies are unaware of.”

“And what element do you have?”

“As it would seem, Honor. My entire life is dedicated to my word. And my word was that I am to protect Equestria and Luna with my life.”

“Honor? I never would have thought that would be an element. Are there other circles of elements like The Elements of Harmony?”

“I would like to think so. But unlike the one you bear, these don’t have physical embodiments. The bearer of these elements are the elements and they don’t need an artifact to prove it.”

“Honor?” Twilight pondered. “I still don’t understand completely.”

“Think of it as a hybrid of honesty and loyalty.”

“How did you find this out?”

“When the Changelings attacked, I was resigned to giving in and letting whatever was happening happen unimpeded. But something deep inside of me over took me, something that I knew was there and I thought I had suppressed. I saw Luna in danger and that thing inside me went into overdrive. I ran, but not for my safety, for hers. I knew I was still going to die, but it didn’t matter. I had promised that no matter what I would guard her with my life and I let that drive push me to my near destruction.”

“Lunarus had found what made me into Nightmare Moon a thousand years ago, and it had taken a liking to him.” Luna said.

“I even went as far as to let it take control of me to try and protect her. The power was incredible, but it wasn’t who I was. It was only because of a God send that I lived.”

“That isn’t true Lunarus. You saved yourself.”

“Luna believes that my honor bound word to protect her held the shadow back long enough for me to be saved.”

“Have you found out if this shadow has a name?” Celestia asked.

“Unfortunately, I have. I’m sure none of you would like to hear it.”

“I have lived for a long time Captain; I feel I can handle whatever it is you have to say.” Celestia said with her head held high.

“It’s Sombra.” Nexus sighed.

Everypony but Nexus and Luna stopped in their tracks.

“Are you sure it was him?” Cadence asked.

“I’m one hundred percent positive. He knows we’re looking for him.”

“Looking? I thought he was defeated.” Princess Sparkle commented.

“That’s what I would have thought as well, but it’s true. He isn’t dead. I hate to admit it as much as anyone here, but as long as hate and fear exist, so will he.”

“But, there has to be a way to stop him, right? Nothing is invincible.” Cadence said.

“When there is something that lives off of the emotions of others, they are nearly impossible to kill. We can force him into dormancy like Luna and Princess Celestia did a thousand years ago, but it’s just a temporary solution that might get less and less powerful. All Cadence did was destroy his physical body, and now he has a new one.”

“He has a body now?” Celestia said concerned.

“Yes, but luckily, he copied Ephialtes. He shouldn’t be too hard to spot in a crowd. He’s also was very weak last time we faced. Though he’s getting stronger, it’s very slow.”

“I’ll be sure to get every troop in Canterlot looking for him.”

“I already mobilized all of my troops. I withdrew them today for the protection of Canterlot. They should be back out there searching by now.” Nexus said with pride.

“Why was I not informed of Sombra’s return?” Celestia said glaring at Nexus.

“I felt my soldiers had the search covered, plus, no disrespect to you Princess Sparkle, but you seem to be busy with your student.”

“Excuse me?”

“Not only that, if you mobilized troops, all of Equestria would hear about it. Hell, the entire world would know about it. The ponies would become afraid for their lives. My troops have been deployed for months now and haven’t been noticed.”

“Regardless, I should have been informed.”

“Sister please, Lunarus is doing all he can to handle this on his own.” Luna interjected.

“I shouldn’t have been left out of the loop Captain.”

“Well, some things get in the way.”

A powerful shriek prices the corridor stopping all five of them in their tracks. A beautiful, black bird soared down the hall towards them. Its wings emanated a purple and blue mist that sparkled like Princess Luna’s mane. It landed on Nexus’ back and squawked happily.

“You being one of them, you little trouble maker.” Nexus said to the bird.

“What is that?” Princess Sparkle asked an awe of the bird.

“This is my Phoenix, Raven Wing.”

“That’s a phoenix?” Celestia asked surprised.

“Well, he’s a Nightmare Phoenix, the rarest breed. They only hatch from eggs struck by lightning under the light of a full moon.”

“That sounds impossible.” Cadence added.

“That is why it’s the rarest breed, Princess. His flames are magical. They can hold letters and freeze whatever they touch.”

As if on que, Raven Wing spat out a small ball of blue fire. The flames spiraled for a moment before forming a small scroll with Nexus’ cutie mark on it; his family crest.

“Kind of like that.” Nexus said wrapping the not in a telekinetic field.

He unrolled it and read silently to himself, his expressions becoming more and more uneasy.

“What does it say Lunarus?” Luna asked.

“I have to go.” Nexus said.

“Where?”

“I just have to go, now!” Nexus shouted dropping the note and launching himself out of the closest, unopened, window. The glass shattered and fell to the courtyard bellow.

“What was that about?” Princess Sparkle asked.

Luna walked over to the note as Raven Wing took off after his owner. She levitated the letter to her snout and read silently, her expression becoming more distraught with every word.

“Well?” Celestia asked.

“His father was just berried. He died a week ago,” She responded rolling up the letter and slipping it under her necklace. “and he didn’t know his father was dead.”