A small click under her hoof made Shadow cringe as a voice in her head called out "Death number 33, keep going." This was probably the worst week yet, at least the rest of her training was more straightforward but Valkardian had deined that her training would include stealth, evasion, assassination and the ability to get in, seize a target be it living or otherwise and get out.

Wanting to give out an annoyed scream she held it back knowing that the voice would add one more tick to the number of failures at trap detection be it magical or otherwise. So far her batting average was less than twenty-five percent avoided and not looking up but it was still better than the last pass.

So that she would not memorize the traps he changed their location but how was unknown to her but their annoyance remained.

*Click* "34."

Damn it all. Why was he even doing this? Who was he planning on having killed or captured that warranted this madness? Was there someone she had to kill who hid behind miles of traps both magical and otherwise? Picking her way along he narrowly avoided tripping another but failed to detect a simple magical trap.

*Click* "35."

"Alright. That's it. I know the crystal was supposed to have taught me to avoid all of this but it is just not working. I cant see a damn thing! Not to mention I have yet to miss a single magically hidden trap!"

"Relax and just focus. It will come to you. Continue."

Swearing to herself Shadow took another step and flinched waiting on him to chime back. All this new knowledge and yet it was not quite open to her yet. Taking another maddening step she continued down the tunnel towards the various chests laid out which would mark the next step in training.

Pass or fail she had to walk all the way down the tunnel then pick locks, avoid more traps, figure out this or that and something else then turn around and do it all over again. Finally reaching the chest's and begining the next task the anger and feeling of futility welled up but also made her burn with the desire that when the time came to use these skill she would get to kill the target not pick their pocket.

Dinners had continued on with both always present and she noted he was even having breakfast now with her present. It remained an awkward occasion as his own "social skills" were severely lacking but all the same it was quite the learning experience.

More often than not he kept probing her knowledge and what she had learned that day while pushing her hard to make comments and even critically examine her successes and failures. Not only that but Valkardian even had her critique her training and point out any flaws in either the method or theory.

Tonight however he had eaten without saying a word then brought them both to another room she had never been in that appeared to be a lavish living room. It was in stark contrast to the rest of the place with its simplicity but here ornate rugs and finely crafted chairs, couches, tables and entertainment abounded.

Sitting in a large plush chair Valkardian sank in and motioned for her to sit. Shadow took another larger seat nearby and stretched out a little while eyeing the ornate chess board on the table. He made no motion for them to play a game however but just closed his eyes a moment. Picking up a piece and turning it in her hand she marveled at its polished surface.

"Dragon bone."

"Did you hunt down a live one to make this board or?"

"Raided a graveyard for bones to use in experiments and decided why not make a chess set while I was at it."

"They are finely crafted."

"Thank you, I would like to think my time has not entirely been wasted on nothing but the pursuit of knowledge."

She put the piece down and watched him quietly. So far she had worn something different to each dinner after the first one, his instructions were to dress well so she had gone down the list of clothes bought. Each dinner felt more and more formal as the weeks had worn on.

"Now its your turn."

"To?"

"Your family remember? Since sending that crate off you received a reply. You know perhaps a little too much about me now so tell me about yourself."

"How much?"

"Start from the top and end where you please. There is still plenty of time."

"Why do you want to know if I may ask?"

"Curiosity. Also with what is to come I need to know something about them just in case, it would do no good for your mind to be elsewhere while there is a war on."

"Alright, I was born and raised in North-Eastern Equestria in a little hamlet near Hollow Shades. Lived there my whole life and never left till I came here. I have a mother, Shadow Dancer and my father is Bright Moon. Older brother is named Night Ray and younger sister called Night Streak."

"While very much blunt and to the point I want you to elaborate. What is the name of this little hamlet? Also are all your names just puns or borrowed from each other?"

"I guess... Never thought about it that way. The hamlet is called Glowstone and there is nothing there but glowing stones sticking up in some places. My mother stays at home but my father works in a local orchard. Night Ray does repairs and also works in the orchard with my father but my sister is in Canterlot."

"Sounds like an utterly boring little place to live. Must be nice to have all that peace and quiet to yourselves. So why is she in Canterlot?"

"Night Streak wanted to get out and see the world a little, said that she would start in Canterlot and go to a university there. Now that I think about it if the war hits she will be directly in line of the attack..."

"Non-issue actually. So what is she studying? Agriculture to help the family or is such a subject too demeaning for the strutting peacocks that infest the place?"

"Art and literature."

"Scholar then."

"Not really, she wants to be a teacher whenever she gets back, we have one small school building and parents share teaching the students."

"Too poor to get a teacher to stay?"

"Yes and thestrals are rather taboo still because of the whole ancient "Nightmare Moon" thing."

"So was it being cooped up that drove you to explore?"

"Yes. Glowstone is wonderful but... Everyone acts so much the same and talks the same."

"Which is why I like my seclusion down here."

"I can understand that. Anyway it was my grandfather that made me curious about the caves and gave me the desire to travel. Whenever he was lucid I would ask him questions and listen to his tales of traveling around Equestria to find anything that remained hidden. He is also how I got the map."

"He drew it from memory?"

"Yup! My father said he always had a really sharp mind for remembering details."

"Considering his sharp mind got you into your current situation would you say that was a bad thing or good?"

Shadow had to think on that for a little while but Valkardian did not press her for an answer allowing her to formulate a response first.

"Both. Being a prisoner or whatever I am is bad but I would never of had the chance to see and learn so much otherwise."

"Which outweighs the other?"

"The good I suppose."

"Did they get your crate?"

"What? Oh right. Yes. They still thought I was in Equestria traveling and had no idea I was overseas, their letter was almost a book it was so long wanting to know more and how I managed to afford all that."

"What will you tell them?"

"Nothing. Something but not the truth..."

"Actually go ahead and tell them the truth. Tell them you were kidnapped and taken away on a journey and lavished with gift's and money. They will never believe you of course but its the truth."

"Hah. Hah. Very funny."

"This meeting of the nobility today here at parliament is called due to a string of events that can not go ignored any further!"

A chorus of applaud and shouts of approval rang out as Lord Silverblood waved his hands to quiet the nobles. Celestia sat beside her sister worry burning in her eyes and on her face while Luna sat fuming at the indignity of it all.

"While we love and respect our princesses it has become apparent that the burden of leadership may be growing too great and the responsibilities too many. For a thousand years she has lead us and never once astray but in just three and a half short years we have been plunged into chaos and even invaded, conquered and only by pure chance and luck remained free."

Many nods of approval and a few raised voices rose up making Luna grind her teeth and Celestia fidget.

"We called this meeting to help alleviate these problems. It is clear to us all that Celestia need's help and even with her sister returned to us... It has not been enough. Our military might is in such a poor state we could not resist the changelings and many of us fear a second attempt. The escape of discord proved another point of contention for us though this time it worked itself out. Something must be done to assure Equestria remains protected and after many attempts to persuade her Celestia and the other princesses have made not taken one step to bolster our defenses against the next catastrophe."

"I object to that accusation."

Celestia slowly rose from her seat while keeping a hand on her sisters shoulder to prevent an outbreak of fighting that would do little to help her case. Lord Silverblood brought his arms out waiting on a response as all eyes fell on Celestia.

"The Crystal Empire is now a part of Equestria and with its power we are secure on our northern frontier... Princess Twilight and her friends bear the elements and have proven themselves quite capable of defendin-."

A dark coated stallion rose to his hooves and cut her off.

"Yes that is all fine and well but it does not bolster our defenses. Is it not true that the elements are only useful to us AFTER the disaster has fallen? What precautions have you taken to stave off the next disaster BEFORE it happens?!"

"I..."

Celestia was cut off as her enraged sister sprang up from her seat shoving her steadying hand away.

"How dare you question your sovereign ruler! While you may be nobility you are not royalty though I imagine many of you would slither on your bellies to us at night for the chance! You... Plebeians exist to serve us!"

Celestia flinched hard. Luna had not taken very well to rehabilitation and learning that the world had changed and still saw the world in a very... Medieval light. To her roles were still absolute and to be obeyed no matter what came to pass.

Luna's outburst had also done a great deal of damage to her case as eyes that had before been curious and even supporting turned angry with dark murmurs beginning to spread.

"Please forgive my sister, she did not mean that. Tensions are running high and I only want to assure you measures are being taken to make certain this does not happen again."

"We are still waiting on you to name at least one of those measures you speak of..."

The Duke of Trottingham had now stood up and waited patiently.

"They must remain secret for national security..."

As the chorus of angry voices broke out she felt her stomach tighten into a knot. Things were going very poorly and what few actions she had taken were to be kept secret it did little to help her case even if they had known.

Lord Silverblood just kept watching her quietly, he was the ringleader she was certain of it but for every voice against her at least one supported. The nobility was divided heavily on the matter but worse was what the proposal was.

"I put it to a vote then." Silverblood raised his hands. "It is clear to all of us that she will not answer our simple questions nor address other matters like the growing unrest on the streets of our cities. Let us vote on the proposal to retire Celestia and the other Royalty from controlling the military and civil affairs with absolute control and require them to share that power with us. It is only right that we be allowed to get a grasp on matters before it gets out of hand. Also we must be able to raise our own forces should our people be threatened and as recent events have played out... There is no doubt in my mind it will happen again. Sooner than later."

Celestia sat gripping her dress tightly with one hand while restraining her sister with the other as Luna had taken to shouting at the nobility before her golden magic managed to silence her outbursts. Now Luna sat glaring daggers around the room as the nobles argued back and forth for an eternity.

Finally there was a consensus and hands raised, counted, lowered and raised again. It was the Baroness of Manehatten that read off the results.

"By a vote of 34 to 35 that Celestia will retain her control and authority as is."

Nods of approval and disgust showed clearly on their faces as they began to bicker again. Silverblood stood and faced Celestia.

"We concede then. However we implore you to do something less we become more divided. Please. Prove us wrong in doubting you."

While it was heartfelt the look in his eyes made Celestia shudder, he was playing all of them and had put her in a most unwanted spotlight. Even one small slip now would result in an immediate calling of an emergency session and the matter would be brought up again.

Worst of all was that if it did there was an absolute certainty that the next vote would go entirely against her. She had many die hard supporters but the promise of greater power, wealth and prestige was enticing.

Letting out a sigh the sisters departed and returned to the private hallway of Canterlot Castle and entered Celestia's chambers before sitting.

"Sister you must put your hoof down! How dare they try and vote us out of power! I will not share power with those... Peasants! They are not fit to be called Nobles!"

Luna fumed and ranted on till Celestia's ears hurt.

"Calm yourself Luna. We must think of our little ponies and do what is best for them. We only have to prove we are still capable and the matter will soon be forgotten. They are afraid and a few rotten apples are trying to stir things up is all."

"A FEW?! Were you even in that room!?"

Celestia motioned for her sister to calm down but it did nothing, Luna stood and stormed out swearing revenge and making oaths against the nobles as she went.

"It will all be just fine, friendship and harmony will prevail in the end dear sister."

Her words however fell on deaf ears. There was nopony else in the room but her now as she began to draw up plans to prove the nobles wrong. She just had to quiet their fears before anything happened no matter how small. One slip is all it would take and while it pained her heart she knew they were also only doing what was best for the ponies of Equestria.

Or so she had convinced herself.

Lord Silverblood closed the door to his study and sat down with a smile on his face. Today had gone just as they had planned it. Make certain to loose the vote while making valid points and heartfelt pleas. Celestia was doomed. Their newfound allies and future king was well under way and in just a few more months the map of Equestria would change forever.

Letting out a happy hum the old sea blue stallion smiled at the window and looked out over Canterlot. In the next three months they would manufacture their own crisis or allow one to happen and then seize the reigns of power. By the time Celestia gathered her followers and made any effort to push them back it would all be over.

Then again even if she got wind of it and made a move tonight it would not help her any, after today's events and the papers are flying off the stands the disappearance or incarceration of even one noble would cast so much doubt on her it would probably cost her the crown. "Tyrant Celestia strikes down nobles for questioning her."

His smile grew. She was so blindly altruistic it was too easy.

"Care to read today's headline Shadow?"

Valkardian was holding an actual newspaper which astonished Shadow greatly and more so that it was current! Eagerly accepting the paper from him she glanced over the bold headline.

"Celestia retains power narrowly at a vote of 34-35. Ouch."

"Their plan is working. Read the names in the article and you will learn a little more of who our targets will be. Every step she makes now is a trap, no matter what Celestia does now it will be perceived poorly. What do you think of his little speech?"

"Well rehearsed. Anything she does now will make Celestia out to be the bad-guy even if it works. Luna's screaming did not help either, says at the bottom one noble who remains anonymous is worried about their safety after her outburst."

"Do you think the reporter's were coerced or are they actually reporting without realizing what they are doing?"

"Bit of both? I would say they probably bribed a few to make it happen then set up the vote and worded everything knowing Celestia and Luna's reactions."

"How could they do that without a great deal of knowledge on them?"

"Outside help, that king. He is pushing things along because he knows their true nature and just how to prod them to force a reaction."

"A good hypothesis but we will never know unless we grab one of them... Like Silverblood and ask them directly."

"Are we going to grab him?"

"No. Not now at any rate. My plan is to allow them to carry all of this out remember? Its funny considering Celestia's past and that now she has her head to far us her own ass she can no longer see the truth as it chews her flanks away. Celestia has convinced herself so completely to the goodness of her "precious little ponies" that it has never crossed her mind more than just a few are planning to stab her in the back."

"So they are going to succeed then no matter what happens?"

"Most likely but there are always variables to be accounted for. Now that new princess... Twilight. That is one who will probably take greater insult to all this than even Luna and begin drawing up plans."

"Is that a problem?"

"Not even a little bit. You forget the concept of WAR is so foreign to Equestrians that when it strikes no amount of planning will save them since they only know to plan for PEACE not war."

"So she is a what then? Non-issue?"

"Until her circumstances change yes. So far her domain is a piddly little village that will have to be taken along with Canterlot. I suspect Steelshod's son has his own plans drawn up right now for dealing with every last princess."

"Do you?"

Valkardian gave her a chilling smile. "Of course."

Author's Notes:

It has begun.