Author's Notes:

Chapter title courtesy of SageBrony07.

Chapter 15

The sun was setting over the Golden city of Canterlot. The normally bustling city was now quiet, with the uncertainly lying to the north, the city held its collective breath. On the outskirts located in the shadow of the castle stood Canterlot Station, not the busy nor grandest station in Eqestria but no stranger to a busy day. Today however was not one of those days. Deserted save for a single Royal Guard, who was here on orders from Princess Luna herself to await Captain Steadfast and his teams return from the Crystal Empire.

He stifled a yawn, having been there since early morning. Looking to a nearby clock he was elated to see that he had less than an hour before the relief guard arrived. With thoughts of warm food and a good night’s rest on his mind, the tired guard began to slowly pace around the empty station. To the casual observer it would appear as if he was on patrol when in fact he was merely killing time.

On his third pass he heard what could only be a train whistle off in the distance. Stopping and cocking his head towards the direction the sound came from, he listened intently and was rewarded with another whistle, much closer but still far off. Knowing that no trains were expected at the station save for the one he awaited, the guard returned to his place at the platform and patiently waited.

Not long after his relief arrived, and having explained the situation both agreed to stay to welcome The Captain and his team home. Together they watched as the long awaited train pulled slowly into the station. With a loud hiss and puff of steam it came to a halt. The door to the center-most car slid open and out stepped Captain Steadfast.

The two guards saluted as he approached. “It’s good to see you sir. How was y…?” Able to see him clearly they saw that Steadfast’s eyes were bloodshot with a mad gleam to them and his mane and uniform were in disarray. “Sir, are you alright!?” they both exclaimed.

Steadfast cast them a glare that stopped both of them cold. “Never mind me. You!” he said, indicating the relief. “I want two squads of troops down here ASAP and wake the coroner. I brought our fallen brothers home.” The guard went through several emotions, fear, alarm, sadness, and finally shock before snapping off a salute. “Sir, yes sir!” He said before running off into the growing dusk.

“And you!” Steadfast said, leveling his gaze at the remaining guard. “Take me to Princess Luna!”

Princess Luna sat on her throne near the center of the Lunar Court. Unlike its Solar counterpart which saw more foot traffic on the day to day basis, the Lunar Court was more richly decorated. The tiled floor depicted the night sky in all its majesty. The lack of visitors could be directly attributed to said floor as some ponies felt uneasy standing on a perfect representation of the great void above.

The few who could weather the floor and gaze upward when the moon was high in the sky would be subjected to a sight most exquisite. The ceiling had been designed with several different sized glass panes which were aligned in a predetermined pattern. As the moon moved across the sky, the light from it would pass through the glass panes, separating out into their respective colours and showering the room below in soft rainbows.

This same design made it nigh impossible to enter the room during the day as the same glass panes magnified the heat from the sun. All the same it was a true gem of the night.

Princess Luna idly gazed upwards at the final light of her Sisters sun faded, replaced by the soft light of her moon. Her attention was drawn back to the world below as the doors to the throne room were flung open by a disheveled Captain Steadfast.

Princess Luna sat up in alarm and opened her mouth to say something but Steadfast spoke first. “Your highness.” He said, bowing his head low, a sneer having formed on his face. “I bring a message from King Sombra of the Crystal Empire.”

Alarm was replaced by anger as Princess Luna jumped from her throne. “What?!”'

“The Crystal Empire belongs to him. If any should act against him he will kill Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor, along with Rainbow Dash and one of my squad.” The sneer deepened on Steadfast’s face. “That is all.”

Princess Luna stomped her left forehoove, cracking the ground underneath. “You fools! We said to observe from a distance!”

Captain Steadfast’s right eye visibly twitched but the rest of his face remained still. “With respect, your highness. We followed your orders to the letter, however complications arouse.”

Princess Luna controlled her anger. “Such as?”

“After we arrived at the city, a unknown force exploded out from inside the dome, killing most of my squad. In the confusion that followed, Rainbow Dash flew into the city, no doubt looking for her friend.”

“Foolish mare.” Luna said to herself.

“Only one other of my squad survived the initial explosion and together we collected our dead and awaited Rainbow Dashes return.” Steadfast’s eyes narrowed as his face darkened. “When she returned, Sombra had followed. He blocked my magic and took Jammers hostage, forcing me to deliver his message otherwise he’d kill all of us.”

Princess Luna grew quiet as she contemplated this information. “This explosion, describe it?” she finally said.

“It’s a little hazy your highness. Rainbow Dash reported seeing a white light coming from inside the dome, shortly thereafter the top exploded sending crystals chunks in the form of razor hail. I threw up a shield that saved Jammers, Rainbow, and myself. The others weren’t so lucky.”

“White light…no…it couldn’t be…” Luna said quietly, barely loud enough for Steadfast to hear. Raising her voice, she addressed Steadfast. “Captain you have performed admirably under the circumstances and shall be rewarded for them. Go now and rest, we will call upon you tomorrow to discuss our next course of action.”

Steadfast took a step forward. “Your highness I…”

Princess Luna raised a hoof, silencing him. “That’s an order Captain.”

Steadfast ground his teeth but said nothing, instead bowing low and exiting the throne room. As the doors closed behind him, Luna returned to her throne and idly gazed skyward once again. “So it’s come to this.”