(Luna’s POV)

It’s been a few days since sister went into her estrus. During these past few days, they haven’t left her room but had food brought in. It was safer to check in on them when the food was being delivered. When I did check on them most times Emmit was tired. Sister is known for her stamina, but I have no doubt that Emmit can hold his own. And from the happy look she gave me, Emmit hasn’t disappointed yet.

However, when the staff delivered dinner last, sister’s estrus seemed to have nearly run its course. Which I think Emmit is thankful for. It does prove that when my estrus comes around in about a week I know that he will be able to keep up with me. I’m also making mental notes to make sure I’ve activated the birth control spell before any of our activities.

Right now it was near sunrise with sister and Emmit still asleep. During these past three days, because my sister has been occupied, day court was canceled. I’ve tried to pick up some workload by opening night court early. The first two nights were relatively busy. But, I think our ponies prefer her over me. I have not quite perfected her ‘motherly tone’, as she puts it. Then again, she’s had much more practice than I.

“Your Highness,” came my lunar guard captain through the throne room doors trotting up to me. “I thought you might want to know about this immediately.”

“Captain Swift Wind,” I greeted him as he trotted up to me, “With my sister otherwise occupied you are correct.” With my magic, I lifted the paper from him to read. “It is from the Las Pegasus Chief of Police. He says that there has been a recent trend of foalnappings in his area that could be related to the shadow organization.”

He saluted sharply, “Yes your highness.”

“Thank you, Captain, for bringing this to my attention,” I nodded to him while folding up the report, “My sister and Emmit will be up soon. I will have words with them about this. We may depart for Las Pegasus this morning if my sister can let go of him long enough for us to get away.”

“Understood your highness,” my captain saluted then departed from the throne room to prepare a chariot for the train station. This time I would have to go with him if there was any hope of getting more information out of the shadow pony. During the lull over the past few days, I’ve been studying up on the possible methods this Sarah has been using. Unfortunately, there is more than a few various avenues she could take with her dark magic to achieve this connection with her minions. The first one would not be easy.

That can wait for a bit for it was almost time to lower the moon for the day. After stepping down from the throne I took the time to stretch out the kinks that seat gave me. Hours sitting in the same position puts kinks into a body. And because it was easier for me I trotted out of the throne room, down the long hallway, and out the front door.

Now with the moon clearly in view, I set the moon to bed for the day. With my magic, she slowly lowered herself below the horizon before I lowered myself back down to the ground.

The sun slowly rose up from the horizon, which told me that sister was up. “Now to breakfast.”

^_^

I arrived first in the dining room. As evident of my missing sister and Emmit. “What would you like to have your highness?” My ever faithful chef asked right after I walked in.

“I will try the…,” I had to hesitate on what to tell him. Now, what did Emmit call them? “I believe Emmit called them buttermilk pancakes?”

“Yes your highness,” he bowed before returning through the door and into the kitchen. With breakfast being prepared I sat down at the table picking up the morning paper. My mind went back to the gala and the announcements that were made. Naturally, it made the front page news. And of course, the papers that were controlled by nobles didn’t hold a good few of our announcement. Except for Cadence and Shining Armor, who they thought they could get points for by their glowing support. I picked up “The Canterlot Times” to read the front page headline. This paper was one that was also controlled by a noble, however, this noble was Fancy Pants. At least he was a supporter and blasted the other papers who thought ill of us.

“Morning my Luna,” came a tired and dreary voice from the closing door behind him.

“Emmit,” I smirked to him as he dragged himself in, “Good morrow to you. You’re still alive and I don’t hear any creaking of broken bones.” Slowly the paper moved over to him by my magic as he took a seat in the chair. He was still in his Ninetale form.

“No,” he chuckled while bracing himself on the table and just glancing at the paper, “though I’m surprised that there isn’t due to how wild she was. She’s sleeping in this morning.”

“Yes,” nodded to him, “I believe you called it...crashing. Her body has been on high levels of hormones for over three days with little sleep. Now that her body is nearly at normal levels, she needs time to recover.” I watched him hum in agreement while turning the page. Then a second later he must have read something because he was laughing. “What is it, Emmit?” I asked then looked over the page that he was pointing at and read the headline.

Captured Pony for Hire Confesses

A known pony assassin was captured today and taken into custody. He admitted to being hired to kill a cow with nothing but a small figurine. The Chief of Police admits that this is the first ever known case of a nick nack paddy wack.

“Well I see that their sense of humor is still good,” I mused with a few giggles at the headline.

Emmit was still laughing away and had to hold onto the table to keep from falling out of the chair. “That’s...good,” he managed to say between laughs. But he didn’t stay in the chair after I foolishly read the next headline.

“Says here, ‘Helium Prices are on the rise again.’” Another round of laughing with a thud later, and he was on the floor. I decided to read on with another headline, “Here’s another one. A well-known fashion designer, Sure Stitch, made a dress entirely out of very shiny sequins. However, she was forced to reflect on it when ponies started to complain about being blinded.”

And now he was rolling on the floor holding his stomach. I think there was laughter in the kitchen as well.

“This one doesn’t sound pleasant either,” I continued this time improvising whatever came into my head. “A pony was admitted into the hospital after swallowing large sums of money. No change is expected.”

I had to wait a minute or two for Emmit to get his breath back for letting him have this last one.

“A sailor reported that after he was accidentally sent into the ocean where he was swallowed by a whale. He said that in order to escape he had to run to the end until he was all pooped out.”

“That’s...disgusting,” he finally was able to say after getting his breath back between chuckling. About a minute later he was able to get back into his seat.

While he was still chuckling I looked over at him saying, “Want me to continue?”

“No,” he chuckled at me, “No, it’s ok. I needed that laugh.”

“Glad I could tickle your funny bone,” I said as funny as I knew how, “Pancakes are coming.”

“Oh good thank you,” leaning over he gave me a long kiss, “How have you been without me?”

“My normal duties, plus trying to ease the workload of my sister after she recovers,” I told him as the chef’s brought out breakfast.

“In other words,” he looked over at me with a mixed expression of hurt and amusement, “You got by without me.”

I hummed with a nod acknowledging him, then leaned over and kissed him slow and softly, “Yes, but I missed you anyway. And how do you feel?”

“A little worn out and I bet I’ll be sore over the next couple of days.” He smirked when he said it wiggling those eyebrows of his whenever he wanted to make a naughty point.

“Well, you can rest on the train as we go to Las Pegasus,” I told him sipping on the juice. “I got a report just this morning of a recent rash of foalnappings in that city. The chief of police has asked us to investigate. I thought that this would be good for me to travel with you on.”

I watched as he started to eat his pancakes, after pouring enough syrup on it that would make Pinkie Pie wince. Then he just looked over at me, “True, but unfortunately, I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to go as yourself. You stand out too much and you are too recognizable.” He added that last part just in time for me not to get the wrong idea and dump that syrup on him. “In other words,” he continued...carefully, “Now that they know we are after them, they will watch out for us. So, if you can go in a disguise that would be great. Me on the other hand, I can stay hidden on the rooftops to stay out of sight. And only come out at night, unless you see anything.”

“That makes sense,” I agreed while taking bites from my own pancakes, “I do have a spell that I can use to alter my appearance. I’ll have the guard at her door tell her where we went and why when she wakes up.”

“She’d panic if we just left and didn’t tell her why not to mention be a little miffed.” I giggled at the mental image.

“Indeed. I believe you have time to write her a note before we leave.”

“Good idea,” he said before quickly finishing his breakfast then giving me a kiss, “Be right back,” and left. Meanwhile, I finished my breakfast and waited. There were about two hours before the train left, so there was time.

(One Hour later)

After about thirty or so minutes I had finally decided to get the chariot ready to head over to the train station. While at the same time sending a message to him to just meet me out front when he was ready. He was going in his fox form, so he really didn’t need to bring any clothes. I was going in disguise with a form that wouldn’t work with any that I had, so I wasn’t taking any with me either.

Actually, in total honesty, I was hoping that we could find this pony quickly. That way we could spend some time together while we were there. Might be fun for all of us to go together some time. When it’s not estrus season that is.

My thoughts were interrupted when the door opened about another thirty or so minutes later. He trotted in with an apologetic smile. “I could hardly get away from her,” he chuckled a little sheepishly as the door was shut behind him, “It was only because you were coming with me that she finally let me go.”

I nodded to him and tapped the floor of the chariot, so we could be on our way. “Understandable. I would have probably done the same.” As we left the courtyard, we got the usual bows and “your highness” as our open chariot made its way down the streets.

“I’m assuming that you’ve prepared for the kinds of...mind links that this Blackheart is using?”

“I have,” I answered as we turned a corner and saw the station up ahead, “Although this first time will be trial and error, as you say, with the shadow pony. Simply because of the number of different magical ways she has to achieve these links of hers. I may find the right one on the first try to sever it within seconds. Or it may take minutes. It depends on the luck of the draw, I think the modern phrase is.” The chariot pulled up alongside the sidewalk at the entrance to the station. He motioned me with his paw for me to go first, which I just smirked at him and did so. “The train should be leaving soon,” I mentioned to him with us walking through the front doors. He was walking beside me with his tails over me. I said good morning to those that greeted us while looking above the tracks for the one leading to Las Pegasus. A yawn escaped me as we approached the train with about fifteen minutes to spare.

“I think someone is sleepy,” he whispered a little seductively into my ear making me blush. We were walking into the royal car where the bench could be pulled out into a bed.

“Yes, I am,” I said with a soft giggle feeling like a silly filly myself. He let me enter first, so I used my tail to run up his neck and around his head. While stepping into the car my head turned toward him and winked at him, “And this time I have you as my teddy bear.” And trotted inside skipping a little as he pretended to chase after me. With a quick squeal of delight, I skipped my way deeper into the car using my magic to draw the drapes and shut the door.

When he walked up to me I just closed my eyes and rested my head against his neck with a contented sigh. “As much as I would love to play around, I’m tired.”

“I know I can tell,” he said softly to me while rubbing his head against me.

After a hum of contentment, I used my magic to pull out the couch making it into a queen-sized bed. And pulled back the sheet while stepping back looking up to him. He looked down into my eyes with a smile. Gently, I kissed him, “Change for me, take off my regalia, and just hold me while I sleep.” I watched as he stepped back and morphed into his bipedal form. The ceiling of the car was just high enough to accommodate him.

Then he leaned down, took my head gently in his hands, and kissed me. It was a soft lingering kiss without any rush or need. His hands, his kiss, and his soft voice spoke volumes to me as he simply said, “Yes, my Luna.” Then he took off my crown and all four shoes setting them aside on the small table nearby. Like a small short bedside table. I climbed in and turned onto my back with my legs spread out for him. And watched him climb into bed with me. And without any need to rut, he laid himself over me. His eyes held mine as he spread out my mane over the pillow and made himself comfortable. Without breaking eye contact I brought up the sheet over us as his hands cupped and supported my head.

I reached up with a hoof, putting it against his cheek, “I watch over the ponies at night and help them with their worries, fears, and nightmares. Who watches over me?”

He smiled down to me kissing my hoof, “That’s what I’m here for my Luna.” I closed my eyes as he kissed each eyelid very gently, “It’s time for me to watch over you.”

“I love you, Emmit,” I mumbled as sleep started pulling on me.

“I love you as well my Luna,” I was able to hear from him before sleep claimed me.

^_^

You know I could get used to sleeping this way and this soundly. Whenever I’m with Emmit my dreams are always peaceful and serene with me sleeping better. And when my body awoke from my slumber and opened my eyes, he was there with me. He was spooning me as we faced each other with his arms around me. Somehow during the night, we had shifted where I was curled up against him with one wing over his body. He was still asleep, so when I watched him sleep for a bit. The moon wouldn’t be calling me for a short while yet, so there was time.

There lays a creature from another world entirely, brought here by the Tree of Harmony itself, and in the body of a powerful predator. And I’m madly in love with him. His hands aren’t bad either. I’d thought you’d be mad for telling me I’d fall in love with such a creature. Yet, here I am. It’s odd how things work out sometimes in this world.

Soon though, he yawned awakening from his slumber with batting eyes. “Hey, what time is it?” he asked with a slight slur in his voice.

“Almost time for me to raise the moon,” I told him with a smile, “There is still a little time yet.”

“Good, because right now I don’t want to move,” he grinned at me as he used a hand to start rubbing between my wings sending waves of warmth through me. Oh, that felt soo good.

“We don’t have to right now, but eventually...” my lips met his in a soft slow lazy kiss.

“How far are we from Las Pegasus?”

“I’d say about another few hours yet.” His fingers moved in a lazy slow circle as his other hand gently scratched behind an ear.

“What kind of city is this Las Pegasus anyway?” he asked with curiosity in mind.

“Well, it’s a city filled with lots of fun things,” I said with a contented sigh in my voice, “Not to mention gambling. A lot of places to gamble, eat, or whatever their hearts desires. Within reason of course.”

He hummed in thought for a second, “You know it sounds like a place we have a home. It’s called Las Vegas. It’s a gambling city basically. If a person wanted to, they could spend one day going to shows that could wow your eyes. Then the next day gamble all your money away if you wanted.”

“Truly?” He nodded. “Odd that these two cities could share such similarities.”

“No kidding,” he chuckled, “As I learn more about this world there are more similarities that I’ve found.” To show interest in what he had to say I encouraged him to lay on his back while moving my body to rest over him laying my head on his chest. “Well,” he continued with one hand gently scratching behind an ear and those wonderful fingers massaging between my wings, “Here you have Manehattan, while in the human world we have Manhattan. The cities are similar. I think you have Fillydelphia while we have Philadelphia. You have Baltimare, we have Baltimore. Not just cities either, but culture as well. Take Rainbow’s love for the Wonderbolts. We have something similar called the Blue Angels. Of course, we use machines to fly because of no magic or wings. However, the colors are the same and their roles are the same as well. You have a story series called Daring Do. In our world, it’s a man named Indiana Jones. And like Daring Do, he’s an archaeologist who goes around finding artifacts that could potentially be dangerous to mankind.”

“How can so many things between are worlds be so similar?” I mused while looking up to him.

He shrugged, “Got me. I’m just as baffled. Over there we have legends of the unicorn, pegasi, dragons, hippogriffs, griffons, and many others that, although legends there, are very real here. We have old stories of dragons hoarding treasures and kidnapping young maidens. Which, valiant knights fight for their rescue. Here the dragons do hoard treasure. They just don’t capture maidens.”

I giggled, “Actually they do, or at least Spike did.” Continuing when he looked at me in shock, “Well on his first birthday in Ponyville he got presents, which started his hoarding instinct. Which, in turn, made him grow in size where he took Rarity.” He laughed a little at the story. “Rarity finally made him come to his wits again. Still, one does wonder if there have been such transfers before.”

“Well,” he mused in thought while looking up at the ceiling, “I think that would be the case considering that I’m here and from Sky’s lineage.” Now that they were on the subject, there was something that I’ve been curious of ever since he told us the name of the shadow pony’s leader.

“Emmit,” I started slowly while gauging his reaction, “There’s something that I’ve been wanting to ask you.” He tilted his head to look at me. “Why does the name Sarah bother you so?” I tried asking carefully, putting all my effort into that motherly voice my sister uses so much.

He sighed and went back to looking up at the ceiling again. For a short time, I didn’t think I’d get an answer. However, he finally said, “Sarah is the name of my mother. Sarah Knight.” I gasped in shock when he said it.

“Oh Emmit,” was all I could think to say. The best I could do was to inch up to rub my cheek against his.

“Is it possible?” he asked softly. It was obvious that he was thinking of the worst possibility, which was evident in his eyes.

“There are many things in this world we have yet to understand,” I told him slowly, “So, in short, it’s possible. The odds would be astronomical, but possible.”

“How could they do such a thing?” I felt his body stiffen with the anger that was welling up inside of him. No pony could blame him for those feeling running through him now.

With a soft sigh, I tried comforting him by rubbing my cheek against his again. “Bad ponies do bad things. Sometimes it’s just that simple.”

“Which is why it's paramount to find out more about her,” his stern voice echoed with sorrow and anger, “Every detail from the first time that pony saw her to any and all rumors.”

Rubbing my head against his I tried to ease his painful thoughts, “You know I’ll try my best Emmit. But for now...” I left it at that and chose to kiss him softly. My goal to rid his mind of those thoughts for now. With my eyes closed, I felt him hum against my lips during our kiss. The kiss lingered on. No rush or need, just a simple message. Slowly his body relaxed as I gently kissed his cheeks, then onto his neck. He tilted his head to give me access. At the same time, those wonderful fingers rubbed between my wings making them extend and stiffened with arousal.

Then I just left my cheek against his humming quietly with my eyes closed. His fingers slowed then stopping as he just held me. Finally, after a few minutes, he whispered to me, “Thanks my Luna.”

Gently I kissed his neck again, “One thing at a time. No need worrying about something that might not be.”

He took a calming deep breath before letting it out, “You’re right, you’re right.”

“Good,” my hoof patted his chest lightly before standing up over him, “Now then why don’t I request something to eat? Besides the moon is calling me to raise it anyway.”

“Alright,” with his smile I turned toward the door heading toward the dining car. Stopping between cars for a second my eyes took a glance at the passing scenery. It appears we are passing through the White Tail Woods. Still at a good pace. The very next car was the small kitchen slash dining car. With me walking into the kitchen first. Because it was almost time for me to raise the moon it was passed dinner. The chef and the single waitress was in the kitchen apparently discussing inventory?

“When we get back to Canterlot station we will need to request-” he got cut off when the waitress patted his shoulder then pointed to me in the doorway. Once they noticed me both turned to me bowing in greeting. “Your Highness,” the chef greeted for them both, “Good evening to you. Do you require something?”

“Yes indeed,” my voice was soft, trying to channel my sister again, “please rise my little ponies. Emmit, my consort, and I would like a late dinner.”

“Why of course your highness. Is there a special request?”

“Nothing special is required, just some vegetable stew with bread and water will suffice.” Waved a hoof to him dismissing the notion that they needed to be extravagant with me.

Both of them bowed to me again, “Very well your highness.” With that, they got to work. Meanwhile, the moon was calling to me, so I turned walking out of the car getting onto the catwalk. I’ve never had to raise the moon while in motion before, much less on the roof of a moving train at that. First time for everything, as the modern saying goes. However, I did have a trick to use. My horn lit up lowering my head to my hooves. Putting a magnetic spell onto my hooves, so I wouldn’t go flying off the roof comes in handy. After carefully testing my hooves against the catwalk, it was an easy feat to climb up the door and onto the roof. One thing that needed watching out for was low-lying branches. It wasn’t exactly a wide path through the forest. Not seeing any at the moment my horn lit up to raise the moon.

Keeping my eyes open the whole time the moon rose above the horizon to make its slow journey. With the trees in the way, I used the light of the moon to gauge its height. After doing it for so long one could do it blindly by now. With it done successfully the magic faded from my horn. “Well that’s-” I started to say then yelped in surprise, ducking just in time to see a thick branch whisk over my head. Not taking any chances it was better if I crawled off the roof. And only standing up when my body was safely on the catwalk again.

Emmit was still on his back after walking back into the royal car. “Dinner is being prepared. Vegetable stew with bread and water. I didn’t think they needed to be extravagant with us.” Walking over to him I climbed up onto the bed to stand over him.

He smiled up to me with his hands behind his head, “Not with me. That sounds fine.”

Without warning him I lowered myself onto him once more. Wiggling myself comically as if getting comfortable on a large pillow. All while laying my head on his chest.

“Comfortable?” he chuckled at me with mirth in his eyes.

“Indeed, I’m very grateful for this wonderful pillow that has graced me with its presence.” I was trying not to laugh while looking at him. But I just couldn’t stop there. “However, there’s this hard spot,” to emphasize my point I rubbed myself against him while grinning up at him like Nightmare Moon.

“You know it’s not very nice to tease,” with a grin of his own he brought his hands over to me. At first, I thought he would rub me like he was before. But no. This time he started tickling me. Damn him. Before long, it was a contest who could out tickle each other. However, I did enjoy myself. It was like being a filly all over again.

He was on top of me tickling away when the door opened with the waitress pushing our dinner inside. “Your highness din-” she stopped cold, staring at a naked human tickling her princess.

Luckily for me, and my lungs, he stopped tickling me enough for me to look over to the poor mare. “Thank you,” trying to say through giggles, “my little pony. Don’t mind him, he’s harmless.”

Emmit simply waved at her with a predatory smile as the poor mare slowly backed out of the car closing the door behind her. Then he leaned down nearly putting his nose against mine with a wicked grin on his face. “Now then, shall we have dinner?”

“Indeed,” said sweetly before using my magic to teleport out from under him only to reappear next to the cart. Turning my back to him with my butt wiggling for emphasis, “However, you only get desert after the meal and not before.”

Let’s just say the next few hours until we reached the train station slash balloon port was pleasurable. And leave it at that.

^_^

The train had just stopped at the small station as Luna was telling me about her disguise. “I call her Lunar Love,” and to emphasize it she morphed into her disguise while using an illusion spell to replace her cutie mark. Her new body was built like Rarity’s Canterlot store clerk Sassy. Not quite as tall as her original form, but just a little bit taller than Sassy’s. My eyes couldn’t help but roam over her slim and sleek form. She was a unicorn now with a normal unicorn’s horn. Her coat was a light blue while her mane and tail are a bright royal blue would make her stand out in a crowd. I had to admit that she was definitely a head turner. Her mane and tail style was similar to Fluttershy’s actually. Except her mane came forward to cover half of her face in a manner that drew my eyes.

“What do you think?” she asked in a new voice. Her voice was now softer and more reserved with a higher pitch to it.

“Pretty, I’ll have to admit,” my eyes widened slightly to take all of her in while slowly circling her. Her cutie mark was now one of the constellations in the night sky. “Very eye-catching.” After moving back in front of her I put my head to her ear whispering, “But I like your natural form better, especially your mane.”

“Truly?” she blushed when looking up at me.

I nodded to her with a smirk, “Yes truly, besides I haven’t finished putting the finishing touches on Star Swirl’s constellation yet.” Her response to that was just blinking up at me owlishly; obviously having no clue as to what I was referring to. When she didn’t respond after a bit but just stared at me with a question mark over her head, I turned her toward the car’s door with a chuckle. “Alright, it’s time for us to get going. Now that you’ve changed forms we can’t be seen together.” Then a thought hit me, “I wonder. Could you change my color to like it was during nightmare night? Just without the red in it? That way I can blend in better with the shadows on the rooftops?”

“Oh uh...sure,” she said with a slight halt as if her mind was put back into gear again. Her horn activated and with magic flowing around me I watched my color change to a dark blue.

“Thanks,” leaning down my lips met hers.

“I can see your point about others not seeing us together,” she said after the kiss, “You don’t want this shadow pony figuring out who I really am because of you being near me.”

“Right,” I nodded, “Especially now that the information is public. And besides, if the papers published something with me and you together and you’re in that form it could create problems.”

She hummed in thought for a moment, “Didn’t think about that, but you’re right.” Then she shook her head slightly before heading toward the door, “In that case wait about a minute or two before exiting the car, and we can take separate balloons up. The link between us is still active, so we can talk through that.”

Perfect. I sat my butt down waiting for a good three minutes before leaving the car. On the ground the area around the balloon port was small. It only had a couple of buildings and the balloon port. One building is the hotel with the other a restaurant. With more than one balloon in operation, there wasn’t much wait time between them. Luna had already taken one of them up when I walked out of the royal car. If those shadow ponies are using dark magic, then can you scan for it? Perhaps narrowing down our search?

With it being after dark there wasn’t that many ponies out, though there was a few. A typical family of four was in the balloon now landing at the pad as I trotted up to it. I really didn’t worry about being seen until I was up in Las Pegasus.

When the balloon landed the operator secured the balloon and opened the door to let them out. “Have a good night folks.”

I believe so yes.

“Can we stay some more?” was their daughter’s disappointed question to her parents.

The mother was going to say something, but then she saw me. With widening panicking eyes she screamed right before gathering up her daughter and son. That’s when the operator and her husband saw me. “Run honey,” the husband said, rather dramatically, “I’ll hold him off.”

I just gave him a wry look shaking my head slightly.

Meanwhile, the mother ran off with the two kids screaming. That left the father standing in front of the balloon as the operator, now in a state of near panic, was quickly getting the balloon underway. The father was an earth pony, which was good for me. I had no intention of fighting this guy, so I kept staring at him; waiting for the right moment.

“You won’t get to my family,” he snarled at me, “I’ll fight you to my last...” And that’s when I dashed around him, now standing directly beneath the balloon. It was obvious that he was confused when I suddenly disappeared on him. Another quick dash later the nails in my paws had latched onto the underside of the basket. I watched the father raise his head and look around for me as the balloon and I rose up into the air. Good that will narrow things greatly. I’ll be up there shortly.

By the time the balloon was near the landing platform my legs were already tired and shaking. It’s like holding up a five-pound weight in your hand for about ten minutes. Now that’s a workout. So, I was grateful for the movement my dash ability provided me, using it to move from the bottom of the basket to the platform, and then to the roof of a nearby building.

Alright, I’m up. However, I wouldn’t recommend trying to cling to the bottom of the basket on the way up as I did. My eyes wandered over the nearly empty streets until spotting her down below. She was walking down the main street away from the landing platform and the building I was on.

Why did you do that? Even from my prospective I saw her stop and cringe at the thought.

The family that landed, after you took off, got startled by my presence. That in turn, also startled the balloon operator making him leave before I had a chance to get on. Thus, having no choice, but to cling onto the bottom of said balloon all the way up. And boy are my legs tired. While laying there, I took a moment to enjoy that the opportunity to be here. The episode of Rainbow Dash came to mind. And I know I’ve said this a lot, but this looked like the episode as well. Only looking larger in real life than it did in the show. How they got all this on a cloud is beyond me.

I’ll bet, there was humor in her thoughts to me, You can rest. I doubt that we will encounter the shadow pony tonight. Luna was slowly walking down the street passing the second building on my left.

You’re right. I don’t think so either. The wind up here blew through my coat giving me a slight chill. How long until winter? It’s a little chilly up here, even for me.

Not long, she stopped, taking a second to look over at the building as if wondering whether to enter. About another month, give or take a week. There were only two ponies out in the streets tonight. One Pegasus that walked in the opposite direction approaching Luna. The other, a female earth pony walking into one of the hotels down the street two buildings over from where Luna was standing.

You know, this is a great place to watch the stars. Especially if they turn the lights off at night. That probably wouldn’t be the case if they were anything like the similar city back home.

They don’t turn off the lights at night, she replied now passing the female Pegasus, Although I do agree that if they did it would be a great place to see my stars.

Then we’ll just have to find our own spot to star gaze after we find the shadow pony. Using my dash ability I moved from one rooftop to the next building’s rooftop. Because this one had bright lights around the front, I stuck to the rear where it was darker. Laying myself down on the angled roof, my eyes watched Luna walk down the street, keeping an eye on her. I’d like to spend a little time with you before we head back.

Don’t worry, we will. I plan on doing just that during my estrus with you. I wasn’t sure if that’s something to look forward to or not, depending on how wild, or rough, she is. Compared with Celestia that is.

Good, I thought to her while moving to another rooftop next door, So let’s get this guy or gal quickly then. Can you detect dark auras?

My eyes watched her pause mid-step as if thinking about it. Didn’t think about that, but yes I can. It’s a harder spell, but still within my abilities. Right after that thought, her horn lit up in a brief flash. Luna took a look around the area. Searching. The Pegasus and Unicorn were gone, leaving just her in the middle of the street. Unfortunately, I don’t detect any dark signatures. My hopes are that we did not miss him or her.

Hopefully not, so, for now, I think it’s best we dig in somewhere for the night and wait.

Good idea.

^_^

In the two days since our arrival in Las Pegasus, there has been neither hide nor hair, of our shadow pony. We had slept during the day, keeping with Luna’s regular schedule. At least mostly. We decided on only about five hours of sleep right after sunrise. For that Luna booked a room at a hotel. The past two days was boring and uneventful. However, tonight there was a show being put on at Gladmane’s resort. And if I was right it was featured in two episodes. Gladmane’s golden statue shined from its place on the fountain in the center of the main room. Games off to the right with the show room off to the left. Two rides were inside along with the roller coaster that Rainbow would be fussing over in another year or so. However, I didn’t immediately see Flim and Flam, which was interesting.

If our shadow pony is going to strike, then it would be tonight, I said to Luna through the link. The show was set up in the room off to the left from the entrance to the resort. This room had been prepared similarly like the theater from the old Muppet show. Fancy seats lining rows upon rows being surrounded by beautiful wood stained walls. Complete with wall lights that would be right at home in the Grand Ole Opry. Luckily for me, there were rafters I could lay on directly over the stage.

Makes sense. This is a show for foals. However, I can’t see how our shadow pony can get away with taking a foal out of here if the doors are closed during the show.

It was a short time before the show to start and from my point of view, I could see behind the stage as well. I don’t either, so look sharp. Are you in a place where you can scan freely without being noticed?

Yes. I’m in the back row, right corner.

I looked over and saw her. Even with the lights starting to dim, I could spot her. Good. Here we go.

And the pony that started the show? Gladmane himself. I didn’t like him in the least. It was like a bad imitation of Elvis. And really liked the color blue for some reason. His coat was a blue-ish color, his mane and tail being silver with a blue tint to it, and including his blue styled outfit that resembled Elvis. Heck, even his speech resembled somewhat of Elvis. Really? Just let the poor soul rest in peace already.

But up Gladmane came through the curtain announcing the show. “Greetings mares, stallions, and foals of all races, colors, and ages. I am Gladmane, the friendship connoisseur, and I welcome everypony to our show tonight. Uh-huh-huh.”

I’ll watch the crowd. Let me know if you pick up anything on your scans.

I will.

Gladmane had the microphone in his magical grasp and working the crowd. And I bet Elvis was rolling in his grave right now as well. “Tonight’s lineup is for the foals in all of us, no matter what age you might be. Tonight’s first act will need two foal volunteers from the audience.” Immediately little hooves shot up into the air waving around, each one nearly shouting “me” wanting to be picked. Gladmane picked out two. One was a black Pegasus colt and the other was a light blue unicorn filly, both around the age of seven or so. The Pegasus flew up lightly landing in front of Gladmane, while the unicorn filly trotted up onto the stage. Both were eager to be in the show, practically bouncing in place like Pinkie Pie. “Alright then,” Gladmane smiled down to them, “Now go backstage through this curtain here to meet up with a friend of mine and she will let you know what you need to do alright?”

“Yes, Mister Gladmane,” the filly giggled excitedly bouncing in place before almost racing through the curtain.

“Ok Mister Gladmane,” said the young colt before dashing through the curtain as well.

From my perch on the rafter, I kept a close eye on the two young ponies as they went through the curtain. Gladmane turned toward the crowd and started speaking about what to expect. But I was watching a unicorn mare, dressed in something similar to Trixie, trot up to them. She was young and attractive with a slim supermodel body. She stood slightly taller than Rarity or the other girls, so the two foals had to look up to her as she trotted up to them. Not only was her outfit decked out and colored for a show pony, but her off-white coat had multi-colored stars on it as well, not to mention the same stars in her light pink mane and tail.

After taking a quick glance over the crowd and not seeing anything alarming, I turned my gaze back to the show pony mare. All seemed well enough while she was talking with them, but then she started staring at them rather intently. A little too intently for my liking. The reaction from the foals was exactly as it was with little Kubota.

I’ve got something, Luna’s voice came to me, But it’s backstage. Not in the crowd.

Reveal yourself and get backstage, I told her quickly while preparing to dash down to the backstage floor, and bring Gladmane with you. Not waiting for her response I sprung myself from the rafter, using my dash ability to land behind the unicorn mare with a loud thud. My two front paws were on her head and twisting it around to meet my eyes before she even had a chance to react. During the split-second time that her brain took trying to figure out what is going on, my abilities had already pulled her into my illusion. To put her at ease, the illusion was with her alone with me, as another minion, backstage at night when the place was closed and safe. I needed answers.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I watched Luna gather up the foals with Gladmane standing there nearly shaking in her presence. Tell Gladmane to get the foals, and their parents, to a safe place for later and get everpony out of here to lock this place down in case we fail.

“What are you doing here?” the mare asked me thinking I was one of her minion friends.

Meanwhile, Luna had Gladmane following her instructions.

“I’m here to ask you just what the heck you think you are doing?” I gave her a cold hard stare while looking down to her.

I’m starting the scan now, Luna told me, now focusing her magic on finding, and disconnecting, the link between Blackheart and this pony.

“What do you mean what am I doing?” she asked back with narrowed eyes and heated voice getting up into my muzzle. “I’m here collecting foals for her Empress, that’s what I’m doing.”

I gave her a sigh and shook my head with my eyes closed putting a paw to my muzzle, “Idiot, not like this. Not out in public where you are so exposed. Don’t you know the Empress is acting up again? She could kill you like she did the others.”

The mare stepped back looking up to me with widened eyes filled with horrific shock, “No, I don’t want to die. Is she really acting up as before? Is she really starting to remember this other part of her?”

“You tell me,” I shot back at her, mimicking panic in my own voice, “What did she do before?”

Haven’t found it yet, but I’m close. Hold on. Luna’s horn glowed brightly with her eyes shut tight in concentration.

“When our Empress first awoke from the soul ceremony,” she started whispering, now getting up to me again conspiratorially. “she started screaming at us wondering where she was. She was clearly in a panic and started calling out for her family.”

“She called out any names?” I asked back trying to lead her on, “Because she called out names again.”

“Yeah,” the mare nodded, “she started calling out for her son. And it’s the same name as the princesses’ new consort.” Now she looked up at me in panic again, “The same one that’s been hunting us.”

I’ve found what she’s using. Her head tilted to the side with her eyes shut tightly trying her best to sever the link quickly. Starting to disconnect her from Blackheart, but it’s going to take a little time. She’s powerful.

It was my turn to look at her with genuine shock. Stepping back slightly I stared down to her whispering out, “She called out Emmit? Didn’t she? You asked her name?” It felt like hands were starting to grip and tighten around my throat. It was getting hard to breathe, even though I felt like my body was panting up a storm.

“She told us her name was Sarah Knight. So we haven’t let her see any of the papers yet.”

Shaking my head slightly I stared at the mare unable to hardly breathe. My throat had nearly all but closed off. Tears were streaming down my face. And a wave of anger I’ve never known started boiling up from inside of me. How dare they. I could feel my lips curl up in a silent feral snarl and my illusion and mind ability starting to falter.

Luna and I were pushed back away from the mare by a powerful magical wave. “Traitor,” came a shadow’s voice from in the midst of the mare. The magical push broke Luna’s concentration knocking us both onto our backs. “No I’m not a traitor,” the mare started calling out now whimpering and crying, “I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die.”

“You took….took...” I tried saying but my throat closed up if I tried to talk. I wanted to stand up and pummel this pony into the ground. I wanted to feel my hands around this mare’s throat myself. But I couldn’t concentrate on anything. My body was shaking as I barely stood there in rage and anguish.

“NO,” the mare called out with her body starting to shake, “PLEASE.” I barely heard Luna calling out something, but it just sounded like mumbling to me. It sounded like she was calling out my name. But all I could do is stare at this mare wanting to do something to her, but not having control over my body to do it.

Then Luna was suddenly in front of me. Her hooves tilted my head down to her chest with her wings wrapped around me. She held my shaking crying body against her right before the mare exploded. She must have put up both a sound proofing spell and a shield because I didn’t hear or feel the explosion.

When all was quiet, Luna pulled up my head looking at me. Her eyes held deep worry for me. “What is it, Emmit? Speak to me.” She held my head with her hooves, looking to me with pleading eyes. “What did the mare say to you? I didn’t hear her because I was concentrating on disconnecting the link.”

“They...they have...”

“Tell me...” her voice was soft and soothing, giving me the emotional support I needed for the floodgates to open.

“They’ve got...my...mother,” I was barely able to get out before the floodgates opened completely. Wailing in anguish over the news that I’ve feared, but didn’t want to hear. I held onto her as if she was the last lifeline before she lifted my head, gently breathed a sleep spell over me, and the gentle embrace of a dreamless sleep washed over me.

^_^

(Luna’s POV)

After putting Emmit to sleep, to sleep off his anguish, it had taken me about three hours to reverse the mind spell on the foals, calm down the public, and then hoof everything over to the local authorities. Gladmane was worried sick that I would shut his place down in fear that I thought he was helping the mare. Although that had entered my mind, he was glad that I didn’t think so. Rather, that’s what I told him. Though I did tell the local authorities to keep a close eye on him for the immediate future. Due to how large the backstage area was, the damage was minimal, at least to the walls and ceiling. The floor was nothing but charred remains of what used to be beautifully stained wood.

Now, however, a little over three hours later, I was watching Emmit sleeping dreamlessly on the bed. The quiet gentle rise and fall of his chest were in direct contrast with the condition of his mind earlier. Putting a gentle hoof against his sleeping head I whispered to him, “I’ll help you through this. I can’t imagine the turmoil you must be experiencing now, but I’ll help you through it.” He’ll still be out for a few hours yet. The room was simple, just a bed, bathroom, table and a couple of chairs, and a chest of drawers with large mirror.

With Emmit being out for another few hours, at least, it was time to update my sister. However, she was asleep, so what better way to inform her than entering her dreams. After laying down on the bed next to Emmit, I closed my eyes, ignited my horn to dive into the dream realm.

Now to find Tia’s. The vastness of the dreamscape opened up to me when I appeared. Dream orbs floated around me until I spotted my sister’s. Normally I wouldn’t interfere or change what she was dreaming. However, this was necessary. After one touch of my hoof Tia and I were standing in front of a small pool at the base of a small waterfall. Tia blinked a few times while looking around at the forest surrounding us, then to the cliff, waterfall, and pool behind me. “I’m sorry for disrupting your dream sister, but unfortunately this couldn’t wait,” I told her while walking up to her.

“Oh Lulu,” she blinked at me before smiling in greeting, then coming over to embrace me, “If it’s necessary then it’s alright. What’s wrong?”

“There is good news and bad news, dear sister.” She nodded for me to continue. “We encountered the shadow pony tonight. The good news is, we stopped her from foalnapping any more ponies and I found out what spell Blackheart is using to link her to her followers. The bad news is, Emmit’s worst fear was realized. It is not known how they accomplished it, but the soul of Emmit’s mother, Sarah Knight, is part of the Empress.”

Sister gasped hard putting her hooves to her muzzle in shock and horror. “How can our ponies do such a thing?”

I shook my head in a long sigh, “I don’t know sister. Right now Emmit is resting. I had to put a sleep spell on him in order to calm him down. Hopefully when he wakes he will be more collected.”

“I hope so as well Lulu, I can’t imagine the pain he must be going through right now.” Tia sighed softly while we sat next to each other. Staring at the pool and the waterfall as if scrying for something that could fix this or help our Emmit. Being a dream, it was warm with a cool breeze blowing through and the soft crash of the falls in front of us.

“Nor can I,” shaking my head slightly I lightly batted the ground with a hoof in thought, “It’s something nopony should go through, especially one as young as our Emmit.”

Tia looked over at me with a hopeful look, ears perked up toward me, “Is there anything that we can do?”

“Other than just being there for him, no. The only other thing that will ultimately help would be to have his mother rest in peace once more.”

Tia put a hoof against me gently, “That would mean destroying her.” She then looked over to the waterfall with me sighing again, “Not that she should have been created in the first place, but I don’t know how Emmit will take that.”

“Which is why after he calms down,” I told her while looking to her, “We’ll need to ask him, how he wants to handle this now.”

“It might take the Elements of Harmony to do anything against her. And if we use them, then there’s no guarantee what will happen to her mother’s soul.”

I nodded slowly in agreement, “Indeed. The Elements may destroy the body giving her soul rest once more. Or they might try to separate the souls in that body creating two ponies, or Sarah’s original body in her case.”

“Either way, the only thing we can do now is comfort him. Do you think it’s too soon for him to have a joint dream with him? Perhaps dealing with this in dreams might help?”

“Perhaps.” I acknowledged with a nod then thought about pulling him in with us. If he was able to come to terms with it in the dream realm then I could deal with his subconscious more directly. Maybe, at the very least, deal with the initial shock and emotional trauma. “I guess we can try. Let me bring him to us.”

Next Chapter: Chapter Fourteen: Lost in Time Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 16 Minutes