To say the train ride was nerve racking for Vector would have been a massive understatement.

Vector was shaking horribly in her seat. She separated from Buttercup as to not disturb her. But seeing Trixie and Solarflare put her on edge. She had to act fast and keep Buttercup separated from the mare until she knew what was going on. She'd been lucky so far, but luck was only going to get her so far.

Trixie was seven cars over and all it would take was for either pony to see one another and everything Vector planned for not.

The whole ride she would take an occasional look out the door to see if the blue mare was there or not. Everytime she even saw a hint of blue she'd nearly jump from her seat. She was thankful Buttercup was a heavy sleeper.

Thankfully the train ride went without incident. But the whole time Vector felt as though she'd have a heart attack. Every time she saw any sort of blue, she wold gasp feeling a tightening in her chest. She was sure she'd die from all the stress. Even her feathers were starting to fall out from the amount of stress she had.

Eventually she tried to sleep but as she finally got herself to relax the train arrived at Canterlot Station. She groaned loudly rubbing her face with her hooves startling Buttercup awake. The brown mare yawned rubbing her eyes.

"Are we there yet?" she asked the pony beside her.

"Yes, we are sweetie." the pegasus mare answered eagerly, lifting her up and carrying her off the train. "Come on lots to do! Burning day light and all that!"

As she carried the confused pony out of the train much to the surprise of others, she didn't notice Trixie was watching her from the back of the large crowd. Once off the train Vector allowed herself to relax a bit. She put Buttercup down who began scolding her for making it look like she was kidnapping her.

But she didn't care.

All she cared about was protecting what she had.

That and she knew if Spitfire got wind of this her life may very well hang in the balance. The mare was such a love but was dangerously mentally unstable. One could never tell what could set her off. Something so small as an insult could set her off the deep end and for sure finding out about the conspiracy Vector was involved in would result in her demise.

As the two walked along the streets of Canterlot the blue pegasus began to wonder if it was all worth it. No, she was sure of it. This was the chance to get the family she always wanted. Yes, it involved the mare that broke hers apart but love made one do strange things.

All these feelings made the blue mare feel nauseous. She felt like she was going to be sick any moment and kept her eyes peeled for a waste can and the blue mare she feared seeing. Buttercup flew into her face, angered by how she was just treated without warning.

"What's your deal yo?"

"Sorry dear, it's just... there is an unsavory character I saw that I knew and wanted to avoid." she lied. "I'm sorry, dear."

She pulled the mare down beside her and wrapped her one wing around her. "I know you and I have our differences but I just want you to have a good day and not let me ruin it, OK?" she asked parting the dark brown mane apart revealing a smiling face from Buttercup.

"Thanks, V" she said walking with the mare at her side down the busy street.

It was odd, but some ho she felt safe in Vector's embrace. Something about her was just so calming, yet she felt tense. Being with Spitfire as long as she was the batpony knew how to tell when a pegasus was tense and rigid. Something put Vector on edge. It made Buttercup upset to see her like this. That was when she noticed a feather fell off her. Whoever this pony or being was she promised they would have to go through her first if they wanted to harm Vector.

*Trixie*

Trixie and Solarflare kept their distance, watching as the blue pegasus and Batpony rounded a corner heading down one of the busiest streets in Canterlot. The two unicorns got off the train after seeing the blue pegasus with one wing. Something about her seemed so familiar to them, but neither could determine where they had seen her before.

They noticed early on that there was a theme for the night courts, specifically the Night Guard under Princess Luna.From what they gathered for the casual conversations, it was a way to help recognize the night guard as part of a mass recruitment. Some speculated it was also a way for the recently returned Princess Luna to get to know her fellow ponies better. But what intrigued them was the amount of threshals present.

There was one for every thirty ponies walking around which was amazing considering they lived in isolation in Shady Hollows from the rest of the world for the most part. Trixie stared at one of them for a long time. Realizing she left her friend behind, Solarflare doubled back and nudge the unicorn breaking her from her stupor.

"What? What's going on?"

"You were staring at somepony. It's rude."

"Whatever Spitfire, seriously everytime Trixie-"

"What did you call me" Solarflare asked not sure if Trixie said what she meant.

"Spitfire." the unicorn replied. "The last time Trixie recalls seeing this many batponies was at... Molnjia's Cloud 'n Barbecue."

The sudden realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Solarflare nearly squealed in delight at Trixie remembered something. Anything to get them closer to the truth was one step in the right direction. Just then the red pony remembered the restaurant in question.

"I know of that place. I think." she thought tapping her chin.

"Well, we'll have time to reminisce later we're losing them!" she exclaimed giving chase.

They dodged around ponies and tried to make sure they didn't lose each other.

They tailed them all the way to the edge of the castle where they stopped at the main gate. Two guards flanked the gate wielding spears on was a brown unicorn the other was a white pegasus. They wore night guard armor and stood unmoving as Buttercup and Vector approached. At first they turned their eyes to see the approaching ponies, but immediately bowed as they laid eyes on Vector.

"Welcome back Professor." they greeted her allowing her to pass, the unicorn opening the gate with his magic allowing the mares to enter.

Trixie wasn't sure how she and Flare were going to get inside. All she knew was the answers she sought might be with that blue pegasus. But there was something familiar about the batpony mare too. She was sure she knew her. But for whatever reason she couldn't remember.

But suddenly Solarflare grabbed her and dragged her down a hidden alleyway and lit her horn. A rope from behind her came slithering to life and flew up into the air wrapping itself to a large pillar at the top of the building. With her magic they flew up with great speed and landed on top of the building which was right next to the castle wall.

The two mares stood at the edge overlooking the castle wall. Below were the two guards overlooking the gate, ponies walking along the path below them. As they looked over the block they watched the guards close the gate. The doors slid slowly to a dull thud. Trixie and Solarflare glanced once up at the wall nodding to one another.

The rope came to life again while Trixie levitated another rope from a merchant below, and sent one end each heading for the castle gate. The ropes tethered themselves to a large spire. Once secure they launched themselves forward flying up into the sky and propelling themselves into the nearby courtyard. Seeing nopony around the two unicorns scurried towards a large flower bush where there was a large spot of dirt on the ground.

They hid behind the bush as two guards passed by. They were pegasus guards who flew past but paused where the giant dirt spot was. Trixie and Solarflare kept hidden behind the green leafy wall circling around to avoid the guards as they tried to see if there was anyone around. Convinced nothing was astray they retreated and headed deeper into the castle grounds leaving the two unicorns unseen.

They made a quick dash towards a large door less hallway than entered the castle main structure. There they caught a brief glimpse of the two mares talking to Princess Luna and a large changeling. The changeling was massive easily Celestias size with a long jagged horn and a long beautifully braided gossamer mane complimented by her magenta eyes. She wore plated armor similar to her chitin but was layers with thigh and leg protectors.

They slowly made their way closer to the large group, Trixie used a sound muffle spell to make the clopping of their hooves not echo as they approached. As they approached they slowly began to make out parts of the conversation the ponies were having with the armored changeling.

"-are you sure?" Luna asked looking shocked at the female changeling. "She did not survive? But her letter-"

The changeling growled silencing the blue princess. "She died saying she wanted peace not war. I loved my sister with all my heart, I WILL see this through to the end. But, I won't give up the changeling leadership to you, nor will I be bullied out of what we barely have." the changeling threatened.

Vector didn't flinch and Buttercup growled at her looking like she was ready to strike. But instead of a physical strike she gave a verbal one.

"Better hold your tongue dirty changer! This is Luna! Princess of the Night you're addressing!"

In a flash of black the changeling turned and with one swift motion, as she turned, she threw out her left arm intent to strike the brown pony fer her insolence. But a flash of blue intercepted the black armored arm just shy of its target. Vector held both hooves up with a determined look, leaving Buttercup and all present but the Princess and the changeling shocked. For a moment Trixie nearly rushed in but was held back by her red friend.

The changeling grinned as Luna scolded her. "Princess Amarith! You will not harm my subjects so long as you are a guest in my home! Are we clear?!"

The changeling withdrew her arms giving the Princess a smug grin. "Of course your majesty." she responded coyly with a bow.

Giving themselves a moment to cool down, the Princess approached the batpony who for her part looked very nervous. Beads o sweat fell across her brow, and she shivered slightly. Luna took note and grinned standing before the batpony.

"Buttercup Lulamoon!"

"Ye-yes your majesty!" the pony stood at attention still as a statue.

"Come forth!" Luna turned with a dramatic flare of her wing loosing a few feathers that flutter to the ground flanked by Vector and Princess Amarith. Buttercup slowly followed them as they approached a set of doors down the hall leading to the Night Court Chambers. Inside there was several batponies and unicorns lined up in two neat rows providing a path for Luna to her perch on a massive throne. The Lunar princess planted herself on her perch as Princess Amarith and Vector took a place beside her leaving Buttercup at the entrance with the rows of ponies before her.

From the corner of the entrance Trixie and Solarflare watched in anticipation as the events unfolded. Luna smiled and waved her hoof at Buttercup.

"Buttercup Lulamoon! Come forth!" Luna instructed.

The timid batpony gulped and slowly made her way forward. The guards all stood still not batting an eyelash at her as she walked down towards the Princess's podium. She glanced around at the guards ponies and after she laid eyes on one particular batpony, who winked at her. Luna gave a knowing smile at Vector who nodded once.

Once she reached the base of the podium Luna waved her hoof at the closet guard who brought a small box up to the Princess, who took it in her magic. She opened the box and stepped down with small graceful steps in front of the brown batpony, opening up the small ornate box. It was about six inches across and only four high. It was blue with elegant gold trimming with a golden leaf latch lock. Luna stood towering of Buttercup and pulled out a golden pin handing the box over to the same guard who brought it over. The pony bowed low stepping back in place in the line.

Luna smiled taking the pin and looking it over thoughtfully. "Buttercup Lulamoon, for you act of courage in your countries time of need, I award you the Silver Pin of the Lunar Guard to you." she then took a scarf wrapping it around the mares neck and placed the pin on it. "And, in addition to this honor you have been chosen to join the Lunar Guard during the next recruitment stage when you graduate school. Congratulations."

There was a wave of cheers as everyone present clapped/stomped their hooves congratulating Buttercup, who was trying to hide herself under her wings. But Vector walked up beside her wrapping her wing around her. She pulled the young mare in to a warm nuzzle congradulating her.

"Well done Buttercup."

"You set this up didn't you?" the batpony asked the pegasus.

"Maybe?"

The two mares shared a good laugh as they were herded into the next room over. Trixie and Solarflare watched, waiting until the doors closed before they made their move. However, before they could a hoof tapped their shoulders making them both jump in fright thinking they were caught.

When they turned to see who it was, they were greeted by Maud in her stoic stone plain face. Surprised to see their friend the mares pulled her off to the side hiding from view.

"Maud! How did you get in?" Trixie asked in a surprised voice.

Maud tilted her head slightly gesturing behind her. "Royal Geologist, remember? I'm allowed in."

Allowing them a moment to process this information, Maud sat down and watched as both mares facehooved.