Starstep choked up, breath caught in his throat as he looked up into the cat-like eyes of Nightmare, shaking his head in denial. “No. No, no, no, no.” He back-peddled, watching the black mare uncurl herself and stand in all her proud glory above him, the night-like dream-scape swirling and dancing like angry bees around her.

“This time it IS a dream and y-you shouldn't be here. I-I released you.” He kept backing up but didn't seem to be making any progress, the boulder and Nightmare still remaining only a few strides away.

The alicorn gracefully hopped off the boulder and landed right in front of him, causing the colt to trip over himself and fall. She was made of almost transparent black smoke and shadows, highlighted by moonlight from a moon that didn't exist. “You're right, you did release me. I am no longer bound to my body. It is gone, crushed to powder.

Star trembled at her hooves. “T-then why are you here?”

The shade grinned. “Because I am bound to you now.”

“No. I w-wont let you possess me like you did Luna.” Star forced himself to look up at the dark alicorn, keeping his body from trembling by sheer force of will.

“Oh, please.” The mare rolled her eyes as she stalked elegantly around him. “You flatter yourself. I have been down that path before.” She put one of her shadowy hooves to her chin and tapped lightly. “What was that old saying? Insanity is repeating the same thing and expecting new results?” She smiled. “And I'm not insane. Simply mad.”

“W-what do you want, then?”

Her grin broadened and she leaned her head down close to his, tendrils of her shadow mane caressing his cheek. “Do you really want to know?”

“Y-yes.”

“Yes, what?” She cocked her head and gave a devious smile.

“Please?”

“Mmm... not quite what I'm looking for. Try ‘Mistress’.”

Star blinked, his face inches away from her sharp teeth and cool teal eyes. This wasn't just a normal nightmare—no, he was aware that he was dreaming, stuck in his own dream-scape. He wondered if Nightmare would let him go if he played along. Once he got out, he'd tell Luna and get this sadistic mare out of his head.

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Very good.” She drew back from his personal space. “As for what I want, I simply wish to be... amused.”

“Amused?” Star furrowed his brow.

“You see the world much differently than Luna did. You're not consumed by bitterness and envy as she was; it does not taint your waking thoughts and perception.” She gazed up to the heavens and the sky cleared to show a vision of Starstep looking out over the resting herd of ponies. “I would destroy them all, given the chance. I would crush them in their sleep, and leave them as broken weeping husks.”

Starstep shivered at her words. “I-I won't let you. They're good ponies.”

“Perhaps.” The Nightmare's shadowy mane picked him up by his fore-legs and held him up to her eye-level. “I feel what you feel, I see what you see, and I hear your thoughts.” She grinned. “Play along until you can tattle to Luna?” She stuck out her bottom lip. “Such a bad colt. I will punish you for that... later.” The mare laughed and dropped him to the ground.

“Y-yeah? How do you plan on stopping me?” Star pulled himself to his hooves, though his legs trembled. “I'm eventually going to wake up and even if you try to keep me here, Luna will figure it out and bring me back.”

“You're very right about that.” The alicorn stomped her hoof and the sky shifted to appear as a million twinkling stars around a full moon. “Perhaps we can come to a mutual agreement then?”

“Never!”

Nightmare shook her head. “Such a defiant pony.” She exhaled. “I should just bend you to my will like so many before you. However, I do feel... a little gratitude to you for helping my sister and I.” She narrowed her eyes. “A little. Therefore, I offer this vow. I will not harm another pony as long as you agree to never tell another soul that I am here.”

Star blinked. This Nightmare, despite her threats seemed more lucid and less angry than when he had met her in the crypt. He wasn't overwhelmed by despair, nor were there flickers of horrible visions. Despite her outward appearance of smoke and shadows, she wasn't nearly as terrifying as she had been. Here she was, offering to not harm another pony as long as he kept his mouth shut. There had to be another angle to this.

“The angle, little pegasus, is that I will be able to experience life once again, though second hoof. To touch, to smell, to feel emotions other than rage and hate—though, as of late you've been lingering in those.”

Starstep growled “I've had my reasons.”

“As I have mine.” She voice lowered, curling up her lips into a snarl. “The world can be a terrible place. My sister and I were torn from our home, ostracized, beaten, raped, and all other manner of things that would make your nightmares seem pleasant. Your reasons pale in comparison.”

Star swallowed. “Point taken.” A thought occurred to him, where was Dawn?

Nightmare's burst of hatred seemed to dissipate. “I suspect she's tagging along with your friend though I don't believe he's aware of it yet.”

“I don't get why you two just don’t move on to the afterlife. What was even the point of me breaking that pillar?”

The alicorn sneered, anger returning to her voice. “I would if I could, foal! I am trapped, for all eternity, a wandering spirit who cannot enjoy life because I have no body! You released us from the prison that was those corpses but we are still bound to the world.”

“And so you two decided to latch onto Lighthoof and I?”

The dark alicorn chuckled. “You did say you wanted to help.”

Star hung his head. “I guess I did.”

Nightmare stepped around him, her shadowy tail curling about his body. “I heard your thoughts when you walked through the ruins after releasing us. The sadness you felt for my sister and I.” She saw his eyebrow raise. “While I do not want your pity, you remind me of Luna. She was the only one who truly attempted to help us. It is quite the shame her heart was so full of bitterness and jealousy.”

Star looked up at the dark mare, forcing himself to meet her teal eyes. “What was she trying to do for you and Dawn?”

Nightmare tilted her head. “She thought she could change my feelings about other ponies. To persuade me not to cause them suffering. Hah! What a disaster that was.”

“Is it possible? Could you change?”

“Luna seemed to believe so. Her sister however...” Nightmare smirked.

Star contemplated the situation. He always had Luna to fall back on if things got bad and he sort of wanted to prove that modern ponies were good hearted and a far cry from Nightmare's tormenters. Even Luna held some pity for her and her sister. Just letting her tag along didn't seem like such a bad thing even if it would cost him some sleep. He reasoned that at her core, Nightmare was still just a pony who became twisted by those around her. Was she beyond change? Perhaps breaking the pillar had helped her and Dawn release some of their hatred? If Nightmare was going to live through him, maybe showing her the world through new eyes would help her let go of her old grudge?

Star gave a heavy sigh. “If I agree to keeping quiet, you'll leave everyone else alone? Ponies, griffons, and so on? And you wont try to possess me?”

The alicorn tilted her head up. “I swear.”

“What about Lighthoof and Dawn, er I mean your sister? Should they know?”

“Dawn will already know and I suppose you may discuss it with your little friend.” Her eyes narrowed. “However, should any other pony learn of my presence, the deal is off. I hope this pony friend of yours knows how to keep his muzzle shut.”

“Believe me, he does.” He briefly remembered the unspoken agreement they had to never speak of what really happened to Copper.

He looked into her eyes and though they still gave him the creeps, she seemed sincere. Star gave a sigh. He'd started this mess with the rune-pillar, so he might as well see it through. “Alright, I agree. But the moment I find out you've been terrorizing anypony, straight to Luna I go.”

“That won't be necessary, I'm certain you'll keep me entertained.” She narrowed her eyes and stalked towards him.

“Uh, yeeeah. So, what happens now? Can I go back to real sleep?” He looked around for an escape route as the shadowy form stepped closer.

“Now? Now, you entertain me.”

“I don't understand?”

She jutted out her lower lip and lowered her voice. “Ooooh, poor little colt. It appears you didn't read between the lines of our little contract.”

Star's eyes widened and he scrambled backwards from her. “W-what do you mean?”

“I said I would not terrorize anypony else, but that did not include you.” She grinned, sharp fangs glinting.

The pegasus watched Nightmare's form dissipate, glancing around worriedly, his ears flattened. “This isn't funny, Nightmare.”

“It was never meant to be.” Her voice whispered in his ear. The colt yelped and fell over, scrambling away to find the spitting image of Nightmare Moon standing there. She wasn't smoke and shadows, but appeared to be solid, even sporting the purple splotched cutie-mark with the crescent moon. Her dark blue mane swirled about as she tilted her head. “I simply had to put on something more... comfortable.” She smirked, a fang poking over her lip as she eyed him.

Star noticed she wasn't wearing her armor as all the books had portrayed her—she appeared simply as a black alicorn with fangs and those cold teal cat-like eyes. He'd hoped to never see this form again, to never have to think about Luna being corrupted and transformed into this hateful creature.

Nightmare gave a cruel smile at his thoughts. “You believe that I'm the one that caused her to change. What if I was to tell you that she asked me to change her?”

Star shook his head. “She wouldn't.”

“She did. She begged me to help her, to join with her. Luna was so angry with pony-kind, so jealous of her sister.” The alicorn tilted up her head. “She wanted the world to hurt.”

“No...”

“Ask her yourself.” Nightmare leaned down, muzzle to muzzle, a confident smile on her lips. “If you're stallion enough to do so.”

“W-why are you trying to make Luna look bad? I thought you liked her?”

Nightmare chuckled. “Look bad? No, little colt, you misunderstand. I'm trying to protect her from ponies like you who spout words of adoration and infatuation without truly knowing her. Tell me, can you love a monster?”

Starstep woke with a start, his hooves scratching the surface of the boulder. A few moments of panic clutched his body until he realized he was out of the dream. Had she been real? Or had it been one of those dreams that just seemed incredibly vivid? He considered asking Luna, but then if the dream had been the real-deal, breaking his vow would mean letting Nightmare run loose. A shiver rolled down his spine. No—if she was inside him, it was better that he act as her keeper and save Equestria from her terror.

He sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes until he could focus in the very early morning light. Only the faintest of edge of Celestia's sun was peaking over the hills to the east, casting everything in greys, blues and oranges. He yawned and ruffled his mane, looking out over the herd as a gentle breeze swept across them, ruffling fur and grass.

Celestia still lay awake at the center, head slowly turning to and fro, watching over her ponies. Foals, fillies and colts were cuddled up as close as they could get to the white alicorn. She was the hub from which the herd spread out, a near perfect circle in every direction. Star's spot was just outside the radius and gave him a perfect view over the crowd. Almost all were still asleep, chests rising softly in the green grass, crickets chirping softly in the early dawn. The few that stirred were tending to the wounded, gathering supplies, or taking a dip in the river.

Out of the corner of his eye, Star noticed a bit of red and turned his head to see a crisp looking apple sitting at the edge of his stone. Though it looked tasty, his encounter with the dream-mare left him without a real appetite. He reasoned that the grass would do his belly better.

Star glanced up to notice a pair of Trottingham colts a few years younger than him watching from the edge of the herd. They laid close together, a battered brown blanket over them. One was a unicorn, beige coat and grey mane, the other an earth-pony with a soft teal coat and white mane. Star noticed their eyes drifting to the apple at his hooves.

With a soft sigh, the pegasus gently took the apple-stem in his teeth and fluttered to the ground—at least his wings were still good for that. He trotted up to the pair and set the apple in front of them. Their eyes grew wide and lingered on the blue feather on his chest before looking away, embarrassed.

“Here—figured you two might like this.”

“W-we couldn't, sir. Wouldn't be right, sir,” the teal one mumbled.

The unicorn elbowed the other gently and raised his head, his eyes still avoiding Star's. “What my brother means to say is, thank you, Prince, but we couldn't.”

Star cocked his head. “Why not?”

They shared a look before the beige one answered. “Um, begging your pardon, Prince, but we saw Princess Luna leave that there.”

The pegasus nodded to himself. “Well, I did offer, so it's still yours if you want it.”

The earth-pony's eyes grew wide and he looked up at Star. “Really? For real?” When Star rolled the apple towards them with the back of his hoof, the colt pounced on it, snapping it in two with his hooves and hurriedly handing the other half to his brother. As he noisily crunched on it, moaning with delight at every bite, his brother rolled his eyes and dipped his head towards Starstep.

“Excuse his manners… Thank you, Prince, really. It means a lot.”

Star stopped himself from rolling his eyes. No wonder Luna hated her title when they were alone. He felt so...

“Above them?”

Damn it, she was back. Star exhaled. “You two really looked like you wanted it.” He sat back on the grass, ruffling a hoof through the green stalks. “Though the food here is pretty good.” Star glanced up to notice the earth-pony had finished his half and was sobbing into the crook of his fore-leg.

The unicorn sadly shook his head at his brother before turning to Star. “Again, sorry about this. See... our mother would give us an apple every morning.” He fidgeted with the last few bites of his fruit. “She's not around to give us any now.”

“Was it during the attack?” When they nodded, Star reached out to rest a hoof on each of their shoulders. “For what it's worth, I'm sorry.”

“Pathetic.”

The pegasus bit back a snappy reply, putting on an understanding face for the colts.

The unicorn nodded before swallowing the last of his apple. “Thank you, Prince.” He smiled up at him, sadness lingering in his eyes, but wearing a genuine smile.

Starstep removed his hooves and gave them a curt nod. “Just remember, we're all in this together, and the Princesses will do all they can to help you.” They bowed their heads to him as the pegasus turned to leave.

Star wandered down to the river, drinking the cool highland water and nibbling some of the moist grass that grew on the banks. His belly settled shortly thereafter, so he went through his morning ritual as best he could, restroom break, coat-brush with a branch from a scraggly bush, and strenuous wing exercises. They hurt, and he still couldn't get more than a brief hover, but the black feathers were just about full plumage. At the very least, Luna's exercise routine would leave his wing muscles incredibly fit and well-toned.

As he was finishing the last of his reps for backward wing-thrusts, he heard soft hoof-steps behind him.

“Morning, Starstep,” Dazzle greeted him.

The pegasus thrust back his right wing, glancing briefly at the yellow unicorn. “Morning, Dazz. You and Light have a good time last night?”

Dazzle blushed and cocked an eyebrow. “I did no such thing with that—oh.” She smirked. “Cheeky colt, are you jealous?”

Star paused in his rep, looking over his shoulder in surprise at the unicorn. “Did you just tell a joke? Dazz, I think there's hope for you yet.” He resumed his thrusts on the other wing.

The unicorn cleared her throat and looked away embarrassed. “I have been known to have my moments.”

“So what's up?”

“Oh! Yes, of course.” She composed herself, every bit the professional. “Princess Luna asked me to fetch you; guests have arrived from Spurlin.”

“The Grif-” Star started but bit back his sentence when she glared at him.

“Not here, Star.” She glanced over her shoulder at the herd, easily within earshot. “Come on then, the Princess is awaiting us.” She spun on her heels and cantered away leaving Star to scramble to catch up. She was heading for a cluster of trees within sight of the now-waking ponies. Her green eyes glanced at him when they were about half-way. “Star... again, I just wanted to say how glad I am that Lighthoof and you made it out of those ruins. I…I thought the worst when you two fell into that pit. No pony should die in a place like that.”

The colt looked at her as they trotted along, grass dampening their hoofsteps. “Glad Sandy and you got out too.”

She smirked. “No concern for Mister Steelhoof?”

Star chuckled. “Light asked me the same thing. If there's any pony in the world who doesn't need a hoof getting out of trouble, it's that one. Seriously, remind me to tell you some of the stories I found in his file.”

Dazzle cocked an eyebrow. “He did not seem the bad sort, just... well, he was rather unusual is the word I would use. The dark and the...” She shivered. “The visions did not affect him.”

“-taste her fear.”

“Shhhh.” Star hissed.

“Something wrong?” Dazzle cocked her head.

“Ah, no sorry.” He forced a yawn. “Just not a morning pony is all.”

“Oh, I certainly understand that. What I would not give for a pot of strong tea.” As they approached the copse of trees just within sight of the herd, Star noticed a couple of Sun-Guard standing watch. They nodded to the pair as Star and Dazzle trotted between them. “One other thing, Star. Princess Luna wished me to remind you not to speak of the ruins of Spurlin. Any questions regarding that should be directed specifically to her.”

Star gave a nod. “Anything else?”

She opened her mouth, hesitating. “Do not speak of Kurt or Leon. You may remember them as the two male griffons in our command.”

They were only a few strides from the trees. “Short version?”

“Kurt was a traitor and Leon paid for it.” She looked him right in the eyes, deathly serious. “Leave it at that.” Then they breached the perimeter and all eyes turned to them.

Deep in the thicket of trunks and branches, the seven remaining griffon leaders, Princess Luna, her lieutenant Tatyana and Lighthoof stood in a semi-circle. Dazzle gave Luna a respectful dip of her head before retreating into the trees. Starstep took his place on the other side of Luna from Lighthoof and smiled up at her.

The alicorn returned his with a regal smile but made no other move to greet him.

“Now that we art assembled—Starstep, allow me to properly introduce our allies.” She pointed at them with a hoof as she named off the griffons. “As thou mayth recall, White-feather Alexander of the Windsong clan, Red-feather Natasha of the Black Talons, Blue-feather Rita of the Daggerbeak. Then there art the other four thou mayth only know in passing.” She gestured to a proud looking male griffon with black feathers. “Blue-feather Siegfried of the Stoneforge.” Next, a cold-eyed female with white upper feathers and brown lower fur. “Red-feather Valkya of the Swiftwind.” Then a male, who eyed the feather on Star's chest curiously. “Yellow-feather Antonio of the Steelwing, and finally Green-feather Igor of the Forest Stalkers.” She finished up with the timid griffon whom Star remembered as being refused by the Red-Empress.

“Clan-leaders, this is mine consort and husband, Prince Starstep.” She rested a hoof on his shoulder. “He is my eyes and ears, and should be trusted with all matters. Should I not be available please speak with him.”

The griffons all gave him a polite dip of their heads.

Natasha smirked. “You look a lot more—” her eyes roamed his body. “—princely, when not covered in dust and looking like you rolled through a crypt.” She noticed Siegfried staring at her with a scowl. “Oh, please, you saw how he looked when he stumbled into the council chamber.” She gestured a claw at Lighthoof, who was as cleaned up as Star was. “Him as well.”

Siegfried growled. “I had forgotten how terribly rude you are. It's no wonder we stopped trading with your clan.” To that, Natasha just rolled her eyes.

Alexander sighed. “If you two are finished with your lover's quarrel, can we get on with the meeting?” Siegfried at least had the decently to looked embarrassed while Natasha just shrugged. His blind eyes turned in Luna's direction. “May I continue, Princess?”

“Of course.”

He cleared his throat. “After leaving you, we gathered our families and supporters from the city. Thankfully, the griffon citizens had been generally left alone.” He gestured with a gnarled claw behind him and through the trees. “Out of sight from the herd, they wait for our direction. One hundred and forty-five griffons and five ponies.”

Star raised his eyebrow, catching Luna's attention. She gave him a patient smile. “I believe mine consort is curious as to why there art ponies within thy ranks.”

Alexander cocked his head. “Ah, yes, I forget he's new to our relations.” He gave Star a twisted smile, beak curled at an odd angle. “Some of the griffons are married to ponies, and as such, the ponies have the right to be members of the associated clan. It's not a common thing, as the trials to join the clans are often brutal affairs.” He gave a shrug. “But these five are a tough sort.”

“So thou managed to escape within the time-limit? Why didth it take so long to catch up to the herd? We art a slow mass with these thousands.”

The old griffon nodded. “You are, Princess, and easily tracked from the air. We got as many as we could out, but a few of us, myself included, stayed the night to meet with old contacts within the outcasts. The rest of our group hid until they slipped out to rejoin them a few hours ago—from there, it was a simple flight west to find you.”

Blue-feather Rita raised her claw. “If I may?” At Alexander’s nod she continued. “I'm afraid the news is not all good, however. After word spread that the REAL Empress had taken the city, many griffons that resided within Spurlin cast off their clan-names and went to join her. There were plenty of reasons given, but the most common two were fear and unhappiness with the current Griffon way of life.” She sighed. “My own brother went to join her. Just her name has a lot of pull.”

Luna turned to the last four Clan-leaders. “Art thy tales of the same sort?”

Natasha and the four other griffons nodded, though Igor was hesitant.

“I see,” Luna began. “Doth anyone know how this came to be? Not but a few nights ago we were but discussing outcast clans attacking our outposts.”

“As to the... how,” Alexander said, cocking his head, “I can't exactly say. Magic is still a rather foreign thing to our race. We do, however, have a surprise.” His beak twisted up into a hideous grin.

Taking that as her cue, the cold-eyed Valkya left the group, only to shortly be followed by four griffons carrying a pair of large squirming sacks. The escorts dropped the sacks in the center of the group before departing without a word. Valkya stepped into the circle and, with a razor-sharp claw, cut the rope tying the first and tugged the end of the sack down around the neck of an angry griffon.

The captive thrashed in the sack, snapping at Valkya's claws. She calmly back-handed the griffon and looked to Alexander for instructions.

Natasha spoke up. “This was one of the outcast commanders. Caught him when he stepped away from his patrol for a wizz.” She smirked. “I'm sure he'll never live this down.”

The outcast struggled in Valkya's grasp only to receive another back-handed blow, stunning him for a moment.

Natasha pointed to the unopened sack. “Antonio and Igor, open it.”

Igor opened his mouth to protest, but Natasha's wilting stare forced him to slink over to the sack and undo the rope. With Antonio's help, they carefully pulled the sack down off the body of the captive.

Star's eyebrow raised, before them sat a female hippogriff, her wrists and wings bound and her beak tied shut. Star also noticed that there was something wrong with the digits on her claws, as though they were sticking out at the wrong angles.

The hippogriff looked around at the group, tears at the corners of her eyes.

Luna frowned. “Art thou torturing thy captive?”

Antonio shook his head. “No, Princess. She and another hippo were chasing my mate and I through an old factory.” He gave a shrug, feathers ruffling. “Something got bumped and metal beams came crashing down. Killed the other and crushed her claws. Funny thing—they can't cast with broken digits.” He smiled at the pain-riddled face of the hippogriff. “Serves you right; my mate may be a pony, but you had no right to attack her. I'm glad your companion died and I hope you suffer.”

“Enough, Yellow-feather Antonio,” Alexander said sternly.

“I shalt call for a medic at once, she is in much agony.”

Alexander sighed. “With all due respect, Princess, if you do that, she will be able to cast again and you jeopardize all of us. We're dealing with a race that we know almost nothing about.”

Star couldn't resist speaking up. “That's no reason to leave her with broken claws. It's wrong.” He noticed Lighthoof nodding in agreement.

“Pity for your enemies? Foalish colt, this one is dangerous.”

The griffon-leaders regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and irritation.

Luna tilted up her head. “My consort is correct. We wouldth be in the wrong to leave her in such agony.”

Alexander sighed. “We can't risk having her mended in our camp.”

“Then we shalt take her to ours.” Luna declared.

The griffons exchanged glances.

Antonio growled, hopping up to stare at Luna, coming so dangerously close that Star felt his wings instinctively begin to spread for a fight. “She's mine! I caught her, she's mine to do with as I like. Look here you puffed up blue-”

Luna simply stared at the ranting griffon, her expression stoic and unchanging.

Alexander's voice cut off the verbal abuse. “Yellow-feather Antonio, need I remind you that we are allies against a common foe? Calm yourself.”

The griffon glared at the elder, then Luna before stalking back to his place in the circle.

Alexander gave a bow of his head. “As Elder, I apologize for his behavior.”

“I understand, White-feather Alexander. Tension art high. I take no offense.”

“Even so, if you insist on repairing her claws, perhaps it's best that you take her into your custody. Of all of us, only you are equipped to deal with a magic-user.” He turned his blind-eyes towards the sneering griffon in the dirty sack. “This one however, we will interrogate. We've dealt with the outcasts for centuries.”

“Agreed.”

Alexander gave a curt nod. “Now that we have that settled, we have decided to travel with you to Trottingham covering your rear. As you suggested, we've created banners of blue and white and will begin wearing arm-bands of the same colors. Please remind your scouts and guards that it signifies our alliance.” He gave a twisted smile. “I'd rather not receive a spear in the belly just because I wanted to ask you to join me for tea.”

Luna gave him a respectful dip of her head. “I will, White-feather Alexander. Thank you for watching our backs. Tis a long road to Trottingham, and I fear an attack along the way.”

“I agree, Princess. If we discover anything from our prisoner, I will send word. I hope you'll do the same.”

“Of course, White-feather Alexander. We art in this together. Thou hath my appreciation.”

“Now, if you'll excuse us, we must make sure our clans are not killing each other in our absence.” The blind griffon dipped his beak in her direction before turning and walking away, somehow avoiding trees. The other griffons gave respectful bows of their heads to the ponies and followed, Antonio and Igor dragging the squirming sack behind them.

“How does he do that?” Lighthoof asked quietly in awe of the sight-less griffon.

Luna smiled at her guard. “Practice, I am certain. Come.”

She started away, the two colts at her side. Not far from the meeting place, Dazzle slipped out from the trees and quietly took position behind Luna. The alicorn led them to the edge of the copse and gave orders to the Sun-Guards stationed there to gently take the Hippogriff to the medics and have a unicorn-shielding team keep the prisoner.

After watching the guards carry the hippogriff away, Luna and her guards looked towards the milling mass of the herd. The sun had fully crested the eastern hills and the ponies were doing their best to prepare for the coming march. Eating a breakfast of grass and drinking from the river. Some were bathing down-stream in the cool shallows.

The four trotted down towards the boulder Star had slept on, not far from the riverbank but keeping out of ear-shot from the waking herd.

“Soooo,” Lighthoof said, breaking the silence. “After talking with command yesterday let me see if I understand all this madness.”

The alicorn tilted her head to listen as the young stallion continued.

“That fake Empress stirs up the bee-hive of pony-haters, gathers 'em up, and on the advice of some wacko hippogriffs, changes tactics from messing with our outposts to hitting Spurlin. I'm gonna take a wild guess that it was a diversion so the Druids could sneak underground and wake the real Empress up, or whatever they did.”

“Whilst we still lack confirmation on some of that, tis a sound theory.”

“Alright, so if the Druids had orders before the attack to round up the citizens and take them to the fortress, then they had to be communicating with the real Empress before-hoof.”

“Quite possible.”

“She told us she wants us as part of the Empire, so maybe she wants to win us over instead of killing everypony… And that means a buck-full of angry griffons got cheated out of lot of easy prey.”

Star suddenly understood where the train of thought was going. “So either they join her and give up on hunting ponies, or they leave and come after us anyway.”

Dazzle joined in. “Based on the attack on that pegasus team, I would not disagree. Red-Empress or not, I believe there are plenty who were more interested in the killing than following her.”

Star gritted his teeth as he looked out on the herd of over a thousand ponies. They had too few guards to stand up against a massed attack—perhaps a hundred, counting the command staff. Even with the Princesses and friendly griffons on their side, a lot of ponies were going to get hurt. Very few of the civilians had combat experience; fighting just wasn't in their nature.

“Run, hide, die. Ponies are such cowards.”

Star ignored Nightmare's snide comment and looked up to his wife. “Princess, what do we do?”

She sighed softly before giving him a resigned smile. “We shalt do our best, my love. Tis all-”

Light held up a hoof, interrupting the Princess, who cocked an eyebrow in disbelief. Dazzle and Star were also shocked, but held their tongues. The tan pegasus paid them no heed, staring off into the distance past the river and a small group of five or six ponies grazing near the bank.

Lighthoof's ears and eyes were focused on the cluster of ponies, squinting as though trying to make something out.

Curious, Luna turned her attention to them as well, yet she could not see what had caught Light's attention.

With a sudden rush of feathers, Light took to the air. “Princess, send the guards to the river! Hurry!” He sped off, wings flapping frantically towards the grazing ponies. As he flew, Luna took to the sky, her voice booming with the power of the Royal Voice.

“ALL GUARDS! REPORT TO THE RIVER! URGENT!” She flapped in pursuit of Lighthoof as the pegasus dove towards the group by the water. Star and Dazzle charged after them on the ground, Star cursing his flight-less wings the whole way.

The river exploded in a spray of white water as a massive Cragadile launched from its depths, jaws wide and aimed for the stunned ponies on the bank. Star had never seen one this size: its head alone was easily four ponies wide, and some of its stone teeth were as long as he was tall. The reptile was a fusion of rock and scales, deep grey boulders jutting out along its back.

Lighthoof came down on the end of its snout with all four hooves, slamming the jaws shut and driving the tip of its muzzle into the dirt, grass and mud showering its intended victims. They screamed and huddled together, feeling its breath wash out from its green nose.

The rock-reptile swung his head towards his attacker, snapping at the pegasus, who slipped just out of reach. Lighthoof out of sight, it refocused on the cowering prey, opening its mouth for another strike. Lighthoof circled back and smashed a hoof into its reptilian eye, causing it to shake its head in rage, tail whipping back and forth in the river, drenching the bank in waves of dark water.

The Cragadile hissed, one eye tracking the pegasus as he landed between it and the terrified ponies. He lowered his stance and spread his wings in a classic pegasus fighting pose as the creature lowered its head towards him.

Luna landed behind Lighthoof, her horn glowing a deep blue as she lowered it threateningly. The Cragadile didn't seem intimidated, placing a rocky claw forward to pull its massive body closer for another bite.

Star and Dazzle reached Light's side with most of the guard charging in behind them. Soon, there was a block of ten wide and six deep ponies facing down the old river monster. Unicorns lowered their horns, Earth-ponies stomped their hooves, digging up dirt, and pegasi spread their wings and tensed for flight.

“Guard, steady advance!” Luna called and the well-trained group responded, one hoof in front of the other in earth-jarring unity.

The sixty approaching ponies gave the massive creature pause, its good eye flicking over the group as it slowly back-peddled a few times, giving them one last look before swinging about to slide back into the deep river from whence it came.

A joyful roar went up and Star looked back to see the whole herd stomping their hooves and cheering for them. He noticed Featherweight hovering nearby, snapping photos of the guards and the excited ponies.

The five mares who had been saved rushed into the guards and hugged the first ponies they could find, thanking them over and over. Luna urged them all to move from the riverbank, casting a final glance over her shoulder at the dark water before gracefully walking up to Lighthoof. From the other side, Celestia appeared in all her regal glory, little colts and fillies still surrounding her. The little ones looked down at the tan pegasus with a mixture of awe and grins.

“Well done, my little pony,” Celestia said, loud enough for most of the crowd to hear.

Luna gave him a respectful dip of her head. “Indeed, tis a valiant thing thou hath done!”

Another cheer went up while Featherweight snapped closer photos of the embarrassed pegasus.

“Sister, may I have a word?” Celestia asked, turning to the side as she awaited the other alicorn.

“Of course.” She gave Lighthoof a passing smile before joining her sister where the two whispered quietly in each others ears.

Starstep slugged his brother in the shoulder with a grin. “That was the stupidest—and most awesome—thing you've done yet. How'd you know it was coming?”

Light gave a sheepish grin. “What can I say, dude? Being stupid and awesome is my thing.” He hesitated. “I saw some big ripples that were fighting the current and heading towards the mares. Figured it couldn't be good.”

“Liar.”

Star bit back a response with Nightmare's blunt statement echoing in his head and briefly wondered what his friend was hiding. Instead of dwelling on it, he put a hoof around Light's shoulder and gave him a friendly hug.

For the next few minutes, some of the guards and citizens stopped by to thank Lighthoof for saving the mares. Even a few of the command from both guards congratulated him. Through it all, he simply wore an embarrassed grin and shook the offered hooves.

The herd went back to gathering their scant possessions and eventually the group moved on, guards dotting the perimeter as they walked. Far in the back, set apart from the ponies, the seven griffon clans followed. A large banner made of two triangle fields, blue and white, fluttered on a make-shift pole carried by one of their numbers. The Clan-leaders were at the forefront, their groups separated into individual clans but marching side by side in seven thin lines. All of the members wore blue and white armbands of various hues. The fabrics taken from any number of sources or dyed with local berries.

Before setting off, the herd had been told that the colors marked an alliance and that they shouldn't be afraid of the griffons following. However, there were still some that nervously glanced over their shoulders, wary from being pulled from their beds and marched down the streets in the cold pouring rain.

Luna had told Star that at their current rate, it would take another eight full days of marching to reach Trottingham, assuming the city didn't send help and they didn't encounter any more trouble. After a giant Cragadile and rogue griffon bands roaming about, there was a slim chance of that.

With scattered clouds overhead and a warm sun to finish drying their fur from yesterday's downpour, the herd made much better time than before, though the road was still somewhat muddy. They marched along in relative silence, hooves thudding and splattering in a low roar from over a thousand ponies. A few engaged in quiet conversation with their neighbors, and from Star's place next to Luna at the front of the herd he even heard a few brief snippets of laughter.

Out of the corner of his eye he happened to catch Luna giving him a knowing smile. “What?”

She smirked. “I see thou taketh note of the improvement in morale.”

He nodded and leaned his head forward to grin around her barrel at the tan pegasus. “Thanks to our resident Cragadile wrangler.”

Lighthoof returned the grin. “Hey, after all that wrestling with Sherry, I'd say I've had plenty of practice with things stronger than me.”

Luna eyes twinkled as she looked down at her husband. “Let us not discount thy own efforts, Star.” At his puzzled expression she continued. “Whispers art abound of a certain Prince whom patrols the dark and shares his food.”

“What? But I was just, I mean...” He furrowed his brow, trying to figure out how to explain it.

“Leave it, my love. Remember my lesson on perception?” At his nod, she continued. “With little to do but converse during this march, little acts of kindness wilst spread amongst them. There art many that art hungry to know more about thou. With the exception of Prince Shining Armor, there hath not been another Royal Prince in... oh, just over eleven hundred years.” She smiled as his ears wilted and gently bumped her flank against his as they walked. “Perk up, my love. Simply be the pony that I knowth thou to be, and all wilst be well. Only...” She grinned, catching his attention. “Be wary of the mares and stallions thou wilst be forced to, what is the phrase? Dislodge with a rod?”

Lighthoof chuckled. “Beat off with a stick, Princess. Yeah, Star better be careful; the mares love a noble-pony.”

“Be wary thyself, Lighthoof,” Luna began, eying him mischievously. “Dost thou believe thyself immune? Mine sister hath asked for my agreement regarding thee and I hath given it.”

“Me?! About what? What's this about?”

Luna returned her eyes to the road, grinning. “Tsk, and spoil the surprise? I think not!”

Light narrowed his eyes. “Okay, Princess, seriously—not funny. What are you two plotting?”

“Plotting, Lighthoof? Thy Princess doth not 'plot'. Tis simply what thou deserves for thy...” She hesitated, giving him a coy smile. “Hard work.”

The tan pegasus stammered, his eyes going wide. “Nooo, she wouldn't! I-I can’t! Sherry will buck me into next week and Peachy will never speak to me again.”

Luna's lips upturned as she tilted her head up and pranced a bit as she walked, humming a tune that sounded a lot like the wedding march.

“Star! Dude! Help!” Lighthoof pleaded to his brother, looking around the teasing mare.

Star just shrugged. “Hey, you reap what you sow, and you've been doing a lot of seed planting.”

“OH, ha-ha. You're a riot, dude.”

As Lighthoof unsuccessfully attempted to get Luna to answer his question, a little grey pegasus mare with a pink striped mane fluttered down in front of the Princess, keeping pace with group. She wore a battered green and brown tunic and looked over her shoulder with a smile. “Princess, Command said to report to you if I came across a pond along the way.”

Luna gave a regal nod. “Well done, Ribbon Dash. How far ahead?”

“At this pace, the herd will reach it not long before sunset. It's just off the road.”

“Perfect. Any trouble?”

“No, Princess. All quiet.”

“Thou hath preformed wonderfully,” Luna praised her, resulting in a faint blush on Ribbon's cheeks. “Please continue thy scouting but fall back when the herd reaches the pond.”

Ribbon Dash gave a polite bow of her head. “Yes, Princess.” She began to flap away.

“Ribbon Dash.” Luna called out to her.

The pegasus hovered and turned towards Luna. “Yes, Princess?”

“Please, remain safe and inform the other scouts to fall back just before sunset.”

“Yes, Princess.” With that, the little grey pegasus shot off to the west.

Star raised an eyebrow. “Pond?”

Luna glanced at Lighthoof and smiled mischievously. “For Lighthoof's ceremony.”

“So, how much further is it to Trottingham.” Star wondered.

“At this rate and without assistance from Trottingham, I estimate eight days. This is of course assuming no unforseen troubles.”

Star sighed.

Sometime before sunset, Ribbon Dash rejoined the group and pointed the Princess towards the small pond to the north behind grove of trees. Luna called for a stop, then took to the air above the thousand ponies, hovering in place. Her voice magically carried over the entire group. “Before thou seeks a place to rest, please follow me to the pond just beyond those trees.” She pointed her slippered hoof towards the area. “We wilst be having a ceremony and thou art all invited to bear witness to history.” Her eyes flicked down to Lighthoof who suddenly seemed very nervous.

The announcement created a dull roar of whispers as the ponies chattered about it with a mixture of wonder and excitement.

“Officers of the Guard, follow the instructions mine sister hath given,” Luna called, before swooping down to gracefully land between Star and Light.

“Ok, seriously, Princess. You're kinda scaring me now. What the buck is going on?”

Luna smiled to Star, ignoring Lighthoof's question. “Star, my love. Keep Lighthoof here until I signal thee. Then escort him to the pond.”

Star gave a soft nod. “Yes, Luna.”

Luna turned her attention to the nervous pegasus. “Lighthoof, calm thyself, tis a joyful occasion.”

Light's pupils shrank. “Oh-no. She... I mean....” He lowered his voice, whispering towards her. “She's not really planning on marrying me is she? I thought I was just doing my duty and helping her.”

The blue alicorn threw back her head and gave a playful laugh before turning and trotted towards the gathering circle of ponies that radiated out from the pond just out of their sight. Star gave his buddy a rueful smile and shrugged.

“I-I can't go through with this.” Light began looking towards the west as the sun just touched the mountain range in the distance, his wings giving occasional nervous flutter.

“Sure you can.” Star put a hoof on his friend's shoulder. “Besides, do you really think that's what this is all about?”

“I dunno, dude. What else could they be planning? I mean, we're in the middle of no-where with crazy blood-thirsty griffons at our back and we just stop for a 'ceremony'?”

Starstep looked towards the north; all of the thousand-plus ponies had circled the pond, and even the ally griffons had settled into the trees overlooking the spot. He shrugged and put a hoof around Light's shoulder. “Lighthoof, think about it. This is Luna we're talking about. I'm pretty sure she's playing a joke on you.”

“And if she's not?”

Star shrugged. “Doesn't matter. Whatever it is, you know I have your back—always have, always will. We're family. If it turns out to be something you really don't want, I'll stick up for you. Okay?”

Light thought it over for a few moments before giving a weary sigh. “Fine, whatever. But dude, if this really is a marriage thing to Celestia, I am SO not wearing one of those froo-froo noble-pony get-ups, AND you have to help me explain it to Sherry and Peach Blossom.”

“Hah. Deal.”

A magical trail of blue fire launched up from behind the trees and popped in a miniature blue-flower of lights. Star turned to his friend. “Well, time to see what's up. Come on.” He nudged Light forward and the two trotted towards the gathering.

As they approached the edge of the herd, the ponies parted, leaving a trail open for them to walk right up to the water. Every eye was on them as they made their way down the gentle slope to the bank of the small pond where the Royal Sisters stood in all their splendor.

Along the banks to the east, the six remaining Night-Command, their ranks missing Leon and Kurt, were present. On the western bank, five ponies, including Captain Oakwood, made up the Sun-Command.

Star glanced at the sky and noticed that the sun had stopped halfway on its decent behind the horizon, and the moon was halfway up. The clouds were colored with blues and oranges, stars just beginning to show. They were being held in a twilight hour, considered a magical moment when the alicorns exchanged duties.

The pond had a glassy look, still and unblemished. Oddly enough, Star noticed that a crescent moon shimmered behind Luna on the water's surface, though the reflective angle was all wrong. The same could be said about the glowing ball of orange behind Celestia.

Luna and Celestia looked down on the pair with smiling faces, a hint of mischief still in Luna's eyes and a shimmer of joy in Celestia's. The crowd behind the colts closed the path, completing the circle. They watched in a mix of curiosity and awe while the guards still maintained the perimeter to protect them. Little colts and fillies were lifted up to rest on their elder's heads so they could watch, pegasus taking to the air to get a better view. One pegasus in particular, Featherweight, was buzzing about, snapping photos of the entire event as his orange assistant quietly followed behind him with a big bag of camera lenses and film.

“Dearly beloved ponies,” Celestia began, her voice carrying out to the crowd, a twinkle in her eyes. “We are gathered here to bear witness to a historic event.”

Luna spoke next. “We art gathered to honor one of our own in an ancient tradition.”

Celestia lifted her head. “Lighthoof is his name—a pony only twenty years old. Born from a poor mother on the streets of Manehatten, he has struggled in his life, yet never lost his determination to protect pony-kind.”

Luna looked out at the audience. “He hath shown courage and resourcefulness, willing to do what must be done in the name of protecting others. He gathered mine Night-Guard, coordinated a strike in scant few hours and rescued countless ponies from a slave-mine outside of Ponyville.”

A soft whisper rumbled through the crowd. “Yes, tis the same event some of thou mayth have seen in the papers not long ago.”

Celestia continued the ceremony. “His loyalty to his friends and family is unquestionable. He is willing to risk all for the sake of others.” Celestia tilted up her head. “A light to guide us.”

The blue-alicorn tilted up her head as well. “A shadow to protect us.”

Both of their horns began to glow and the sisters turned sideways, forming an arch with their horn-tips. Behind them, the water rippled and the reflection of the moon and sun merged, forming a fiery moon.

“Come forth, Lighthoof,” Luna called to him.

The bewildered pegasus exhaled before carefully walking towards the alicorns, nervously smiling to the crowd. He glanced back at Starstep, who simply gave a reassuring smile and gestured with his head towards the pond.

Lighthoof stopped before the alicorns, looking up at their regal forms.

The Princesses turned towards him as the water began to glow a silvery light, the fiery moon at the center offering brilliant orange light in the twilight hour.

Luna smiled at him. “Lighthoof, child of Manehatten, friend and brother to Starstep, bane of the wicked. We sisters offer thee this opportunity but once. Refuse and thou mayth return to thy duties. Accept and cast off thy vows to the Guard.”

Celestia beamed proudly at the smaller pony. “Lighthoof, child of Equestria, lover and protector to those in need, beacon of hope. We sisters offer you this opportunity only once. Refuse and you may return to your duties. Accept and your vows to the Guard are removed.”

Together the sisters spoke as one and eerie chill of power crawled through Star's skin. “Will you(thee) accept our offer and become an Equestrian Knight?”

A flurry of whispers rolled through the crowd. The Equestrian Knights were a forgotten order of warriors that acted outside of the Sun and Night Guards. They were, in a sense, above them, but worked with them, a thing of history books, legends and bed-time stories. In practice they had the autonomy to do what needed to be done without the chain of command to hold them back. Even when they existed, there had only been five and Goldwing the Champion had been the first.

As Star reeled from the implications of this offer, Nightmare was cackling madly in his head.

“History repeats,” she said before slipping back into silence.

Lighthoof bowed down low before the two alicorns, looking so small before them in the eyes of the commanders to his left and right, the whole of Spurlin watching him.

“I'm not worthy of this, Princesses. I'm just a nopony.”

The sisters said nothing, simply watching as he prostrated himself before them.

Star wasn't sure if it was taboo, but he couldn't let his friend—his brother—pass this up. He stepped up to Lighthoof's side and set a gentle hoof on the tan pegasi's shoulder. “I think you're worthy.” His soft words brought Light's tearful face around. “Light, we've been through a lot of crazy stuff these last few months, it's insane. After all that, are you really going to go back to guarding a fish-pond?” They shared a brief smile.

Starstep pointed up at the heavens, the stars twinkling in the twilight hour. He gestured to a constellation almost above them. “I remember you telling me that you liked that one the best. Thunderwing the Wise. She was a knight and did a lot of good things for ponies who had nopony else to help them and so do you.”

Lighthoof tilted his head, looking to the tapestry of the early night. He simply stared for a couple of moments, conflict on his face, but eventually he turned and gave Star a warm smile and pulled himself to his hooves. Before Star could react he was pulled into a brief hug. “You're right, dude. I still don't think I'm worthy, but there's a lot of good I could do with that kind of power.”

Star slid back and nodded gently to his wife who returned the nod with a warm smile for him.

Lighthoof exhaled deeply and took a step forward before bowing his head respectfully to the alicorns. “I accept your offer.”

The sisters lowered their heads, horns touching each of his shoulder. Tendrils of blue and white magic swirled around his body. They raised their heads, the curling lines of magic still rolling about the pegasi's shape, before turning and forming an arc with their horns again.

“Then proceed to the reflection, wash away your regrets and emerge a knight.”

Tentatively, the pegasus took a step out onto the silvery water, an expression of shock on his face when his hoof didn't fall through. He carefully walked across the water to the burning moon and touched it with his hoof. He was instantly pulled in with a splash of blue and orange water. Gasps went up amongst the crowd and Featherweight was still snapping image after image. Minutes passed, the alicorns silent, watching, and waiting.

Suddenly a hoof jabbed out of the reflection and Lighthoof pulled himself out of the image, dripping glowing water. He wore a sleek, aerodynamic suit of golden armor, trimmed with silver feathers at the joint plates and filigree throughout the edging. There were onyx plates on the flat sections, flecked with gold-dust and he wore reinforced boots to assist in protecting the joints when punching or kicking. At the center of the chest-piece was a symbol of the crescent moon inside a burning sun. Around his waist was a black belt, trimmed with gold, and a sheathed sword was attached on one side. The black oak handle was wrapped in silver-lace, the hoof-guard a silvery crescent moon, turned so the moon-points angled down towards the blade.

The crowd gasped and chattered at his appearance.

Lighthoof looked over himself, mouth agape in surprise. He whipped his head up to the alicorns and smiled. “T-thank you, Princess Luna, Princess Celestia. I-I don't know what to say. I just hope I don't screw this up.”

Celestia lifted her head. “May you always be a light to Equestria, Sir Lighthoof.”

Luna lifted her head. “May thou always be a shadow to her enemies, Sir Lighthoof.”

The blue alicorn turned her attention to the crowd as the sun resumed moving and slipped over the horizon, marking the beginning of night. “Please, my dear subjects, welcome thy Equestrian Knight.”

The stomping of hooves started gradually, but quickly turned into a rumbling roar that Star could feel up his legs. He smiled to his friend who had tears running down his cheeks. The tan pegasus trotted off the pond as the light began to fade and stood between the proudly smiling alicorns. He gave a bow to the crowd as they continued to cheer, shouts of encouragement accenting the excited rumbling. Even a few of the griffons in the trees were applauding politely.

Featherweight continued snapping close shots while Scootaloo hovered nearby with his extra gear. Despite the excitement for his friend, Starstep found his attention drifting up to the orange pegasus filly. She happened to look down at that moment and their eyes met. For just an instant, Star saw a flicker of regret within.

Author's Notes:

Big thanks to Idylia for the editing work.

So, secrets hinted at, and an event for the Equestrian history books.
Please take a moment to tell me your thoughts, I love to read em.