Hammering of nails, squeaks of cranes, and chatter of ponies surrounded the broken bridge next to the Everfree Forest. The construction was underway with ponies working day and night. The disruption of the supply lines was perhaps not disastrous, but the delays accumulated; expenses rose little by little, and prices followed suit.

Equestrian industries were a well-oiled machine honed by centuries of stability, and this sudden, deliberate change swept across the businesses, harming many even in the short amount of time since the destruction of the bridge. Some recognized the issue, but, as well-oiled as the industries were, significantly changing their course might as well be as difficult as moving a mountain. Thus, returning to the defined normalcy was paramount.

The noise at the construction site was high, the work not stopping for a single moment. One shift after the other, the ponies worked under both the sun and the moon. Sometimes, timberwolves appeared at the edge of the Everfree, attracted by the sounds and the smell of prey. However, even these fearsome predators didn't dare to approach such a large number of ponies. And even if they did, the Royal Guard was there to repel any attack. A temporary wooden palisade was erected along the Everfree border as well.

However, what the guards weren't paying attention to was the sky. On late evening, a number of shapes crossed the aerial border of the Everfree. Hours later, some time past midnight, the very same shapes reemerged from the depths of the forest and flew off without being seen. The guards, as attentive as they were towards the known and expected danger of the dark forest, wrote off the sky as a safe space in no need of being observed. This night, such negligence cost them nothing, letting them off without a trouble. Perhaps one day, it would not be so.

In the distance, a cargo train was making its way from Canterlot to some far-off destination at the border of Equestria. The destruction of the shortcut extended its ride by a number of hours, for the train now had to pass through a number of small settlements; thus, its schedule was changed and more cargo added to deliver or take on its way, prolonging its travel even more. An annoyance for some... an opportunity for others.

The first stop was an Apple family farm; such was their influence and importance to have their own train station. Unload fertilizer and a few crates of various farming equipment, get a shipment of apples and apple products, and back on track. Once the train departed the small station, shapes appeared in the sky, now following, observing. As the Apple farm disappeared behind the trees, one of the cargo carts opened its doors. Two pegasi flew out of it, a long simple wooden box strapped to them. One of the shapes in the sky separated from the group to follow the two.

After fifteen minutes of traveling through the wilderness, the next station appeared; it was an unremarkable village in the middle of the forest, divided in two by a small stream. The train stopped, unloaded some mail and equipment, then immediately departed. As it reentered the thicker part of the forest, a train cart opened and two pegasi flew out of it just like after the first stop, carrying the box looking exactly like the previous one. The group in the sky slowed down for a moment, discussing; a small while later, one of them decided to follow the second pair of pegasi. The train, however, continued on its scheduled way.

The remaining members of the group gathered in the sky, discussing, worry and uncertainty in their voices. The train had many more cargo carts, and any number of them could contain similar boxes. Their task was simple at first – collect one box that two pegasi were carrying out of the train in secret, but a complication arose as soon as a second box appeared. Now the group needed to find out where the real box was. A lucky guess wouldn't cut it, especially if fortune was not on their side.

For a moment, they considered stopping the train. However, it would undermine the mission, for it was paramount not to alert anyone of it, least of all ponies responsible for the mysterious cargo. And even if the train was stopped, who guaranteed the amount of boxes was manageable? Frustration was peeking into the minds of the group.

Unbeknownst to them, they were trailed by two pegasi, who hid amidst the clouds scattered across the night sky. They nodded to each other, and one of them took off in the opposite direction, going back to the train's starting point – the city of Canterlot.

Midnight passed, and the conspirators were assembled in the depths of the crystal caves once more, dressed in their formal, identity-concealing attire. Five instead of the six like they used to, they listened to the report the pegasus brought to them; he, however, wore no concealing clothes.

"Very well, thank you," the Second nodded as the report concluded, then turned to the four conspirators as the pegasus disappeared from view, "They have taken the bait. Everything will proceed as planned, the maintenance train should be..." they thought for a moment, "Exiting Canterlot at this very moment. Even if it is caught and searched, the package will not be uncovered, and not a trace will be revealed leading back to us, just as we discussed."

"Someone spilled the information," the Third said, leaning closer to the table, "We have a leak."

"Yes, this much is apparent," the Second nodded, "The exact location of a leak is not certain, however one of ours was compromised, likely captured and questioned. That, or they decided to escape for whatever reason, but the former situation is more likely. However, it doesn't explain the leak as the disappeared one would not be aware of the information at the time of their possible capture. The only way for them to relay the info would be to lead Princess Luna to one of the ponies whom I fed the false info to. The list is quite short, thus the leak will be found quickly."

A pause ensued, letting each conspirator digest the information, perhaps ask questions. Since the death of the First, the Second had to take the role of both the information gatherer and questioner until a suitable candidate could take the first role fully; because of the wider focus, a chance of making a mistake was higher, therefore other conspirators had to share the questioner role as well. It was less efficient than the established one role per pony, perhaps, but they had to make do in the meantime.

"No questions?" the Second said, raising a brow behind their mask, "I'm disappointed, but it's not unexpected. I would ask if Princess Luna could recruit the leak. The answer is, of course, no - she doesn't work with criminals, she captures and questions them. Her straightforward and perhaps honorable approach is a weakness we must remember and exploit. So far, it works by itself - she cannot continuously gather relevant up to date information. Thus, there will always be a delay."

"Then there is no chance she can stop us," the Third said triumphantly, leaning forward slightly.

"Arrogance will serve us ill," the Fifth remarked, earning a glance from the Third.

"I quite agree," the Second nodded, "Her mistake may be fatal, but it may not be so. Perhaps, we misjudged and she does work with criminals. Our current evidence suggests she does not, but newer evidence might prove us wrong."

"I... apologize," the Third said heavily, leaning back in defeat.

"Very well," the Second nodded, "In this ca- wait..." their ear twitched, "Searching spell. Someone is in the cave, they know we're here. Our identities are concealed, but we must disperse. Fourth, plan of action?"

"I detected the spell, we have roughly ten minutes to act," the Fourth spoke, "First, the spell likely doesn't show our number or precise position because of the distance and interference from both rock and crystal. We must all take tunnel C, walk as close to each other as possible to make it more difficult for the spell to define our numbers. A message must be sent to the Observer, they must not report until we allow them. I suspend vote on the plan, we must hurry."

"Message...," the Second said slowly after a moment of their horn glowing, "I'm uncertain if it was sent, but we must act now."

"There is someone inside the cave system. We must sweep the system thoroughly and detain everyone suspicious," commander Midnight Wing spoke after the squad sorcerer reported, "We must act quickly, let none escape. Her Nightly Majesty depends on us."

Nodding in agreement, the squad of six Night Guards hurried into the caves, the horns of two unicorns constantly glowing, providing both light and direction. The entrance behind them saw a second, backup squad standing guard, ready to assist if need arose. A third squad was ready to replace them as well if things went rough.

As the first squad went deeper into the caves, the ambient light was almost completely gone. The top caverns were stripped of all crystals, glowing or not, centuries ago, leaving the stone bare, showing ancient marks of pickaxes. Despite the darkness, the squad moved at a quick pace, not showing a sign of nervousness if they felt any.

The crystal mines underneath Canterlot were one one of the places they were tasked with searching, and many a rumor surrounding this place. Some said the souls of dead miners still haunted it, searching for the exit; some said an ancient monster was asleep deep within. The myths deterred most, attracted some, and were the perfect cover for anyone wishing to remain unseen.

The records regarding the mines, however, were far less interesting - it was merely a crystal extraction operation for the entirety of its lifetime. Countless logs of kinds of crystals and the weight of a given day's haul were stored in the more dusty part of the archives, likely never seeing the light of day after the initial submission.

The squad passed a few long-rusted carts and the remains of a narrow railroad. Not a single spot of shine could be seen on the reddish-brown rough surface of the once gleaming metal. The mines were abandoned a long time ago, in the times when the country required no shiny rocks to trade but iron and steel to make weapons and armor to fight. The First Griffon War left the country exhausted following grueling years of warfare, and Equestria declared many projects and operations too expensive to continue, including the deep mining of crystals underneath the capital. Following the abandonment, the mines faded from memory, and whatever equipment left was doomed to deterioration.

A few collapsed tunnels were passed by the squad, a couple of the guards tensing up. The rumors about ghosts and apparitions of dead miners were not unfounded, plenty of accidents had happened in the ancient mines. However, complete silence greeted them, and the dead bones crushed by rock lay still. But it didn't stop one of the guards from shivering when he noticed something white lying on the ground.

The map of the place was ancient, a copy of which was in the bag of the squad leader. An enchantment would prevent them from getting lost inside the maze of the caverns, although the rails - as deteriorated as they are - could potentially lead them back to the main entrance. Of course, only as long as the guards knew the right direction and memorized the various marks along the way.

In utter silence, the squad continued making their way deeper into the mines, thoroughly checking every path they came across, all of which turned out to be dead ends. The natural formation of the upper caves represented a tree with many branches, making it almost impossible to get lost. However, as the guards went deeper, the tunnels became more complex. A proper system of navigation made by the miners have long since rotted away, including wooden signs and differently-colored ropes. Some remains were visible, but they could no longer be helpful.

Stopping at another junction, the squad dimmed their lights and listened. Far from them, deeper into the dark system of caves and artificial tunnels, steps could be heard. Certainly a four-legged creature, and its steps were careful and slow. One of the unicorns remembered the stunning spell while the other readied a blinding flash of light to confuse whoever was in front of them. Soon, a male voice could be heard.

"Rock Climber? Please, it's not funny anymore, where are you?" he pleaded to the darkness. Then, he added quietly, "Oh please, please be alright..."

Silently, the commander of the squad double-tapped a gem hanging around their neck. The second squad was on their way, and the third squad would observe the entrance instead. A long minute later, the one to whom the new voice belonged appeared.

"Subject," Midnight Wing spoke loudly and clearly as the unicorns brightened the light, "Do you require assistance?"

"Y-you're the guards, right?" the stallion asked, somewhat startled, "Thank goodness you're here! I lost my partner, Rock Climber. I told him to go ahead while I, um, relieve myself, and I was quick, but he was just gone! I think I heard something, but..."

"When did it happen?" the commander inquired while giving a nod to the squad sorcerers. Their horns lit up, the searching spell going through the rocks once more.

"I don't know, maybe ten minutes ago?" the stallion fidgeted, and his ears were down, "I take it... you didn't see him. Damn..." tears welled up in his eyes, "I h-hope he's still alive..."

"We'll find him," Midnight Wing promised, "You'll have to stick with us now, however. Show us where you relieved yourself."

"A-alright, I'll try to, it shouldn't be far..."

"Sir, there are multiple ponies deeper in the caves," one of the unicorns reported, "One seems to be separated from the rest, but we can't pin-point his location, only his general direction. Others are further from him."

"I've not seen anyone else," the stallion's eyes widened, "C-could they be... some sort of criminals?"

"Entirely possible. We must find them and your partner, it's likely they're injured," Midnight Wing said, then nodded to his squad, "Move it, we must be quick."

For a few minutes, the squad and a lone pony went through the caves at a brisk pace, the pony directing them, their light in the lamp flickering as it bounced up and down. The gem around Midnight Wing's neck vibrated, signaling him that everything was in order. He silently sighed to himself - the situation was getting worse. One thing was for sure - someone was indeed inside the caves hiding, and they likely hurt Rock Climber, whoever that person could be. Of course, if it was not a simple distraction.

"I never got your name," the commander turned to the stallion, raising a brow.

"I'm Light Stroke," he replied, and the commander took note of the special mark on the flank, which was thankfully unobscured. A paintbrush, defining an artist in the area of drawing. Nothing suspicious despite the timing of the incident. The sorcerers raised no alarm, meaning the stallion used no concealment spell. It was clear he was a simple earth pony who happened to be in the caves at the same time as the operation commenced.

"Very well, pleased to make your acquaintance," Midnight Wing nodded, "We'll find Rock Climber, I promise."

Soon, they arrived at the spot where a spot on the cave's floor was wet, and a faint scent of ammonia was in the air. Unicorns lit up their horns again, and in but a few moments, they had the results.

"One pony is very close, but others are at roughly the same distance as before," one of them reported, "Don't know how many, don't know the exact location."

"Hopefully the second squad will catch them. Our task now is to find Rock Climber," Midnight Wing said, "What of his location?"

"I can see it. Around one and a half hundred paces from here," the unicorn replied, "This way."

The squad moved, quickening their pace; Light Stroke did not lag behind, but his breath became heavier and heavier. Thankfully, the destination was reached quickly, and it was one of the junctions. On the floor near the side, a pony body lay in darkness, the lamp lying to the side, smashed.

"No!" Light Stroke gasped, rushing to the body, "No, no, no..."

"He's still alive but unconscious," one of the unicorns reported after studying the body with a spell, "Blunt head trauma. Stretcher, now!"

Gently pushing the civilian aside, the squad acted as one and quickly yet carefully put the unconscious Rock Climber on the stretcher. In just a moment, they were hurrying back to the entrance to the mines, Light Stroke keeping close to the stretcher. After a few minutes of determined silence, the eyes of the injured ponies twitched slightly. Soon after, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Wha... what... happened?" he asked, his voice weak.

"Someone attacked you!" Light Stroke replied, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there, I... I'm really glad you're alive!"

"Damn it..." he closed his eyes and sighed, the pounding in his head preventing him from drifting back to unconsciousness, "G-guards... Did you catch... them?"

"Hopefully, we will," Midnight Wing replied, "Do you remember how they looked?"

"Not... sure," Rock Climber replied, his eyes still closed, "I think... they wore black. Clothed entirely. I... heard one of them, but... that's it."

"Very well, now rest," the commander said, "We'll take you to the hospital, you'll be as good as new."

Many hours later, it became clear the unplanned distraction made by the conspirators allowed them to escape undiscovered. However, as many unplanned things often did, this one proved to the conspirators' disadvantage. Perhaps they were not captured that day, making it a victory - yet the more ponies they interacted with, the more ponies knew about them. The more a secret was known, the less of a secret it was.

On the next night, after a good day's rest, Nightmare Moon sat in her new office, a smile of satisfaction on her face after the report of her commander. Perhaps he considered it a failure of the main objective, but she knew when to discard such thoughts. Because of the actions of Midnight Wing's squad, a life was saved, and two allies were recruited, and one of them possessed knowledge, however minimal, about her adversaries.

There was no big plan to catch the conspirators. In Nightmare Moon's mind, no plan survived the impact with reality just like her own did not a thousand years ago. However, she could always take opportunities and exploit them, and one just presented itself to her.

"Thank thee, commander Midnight Wing," she spoke in a soft voice, "Thou didst well. Make certain to question Rock Climber thoroughly as soon as he recoverth, and certainly keep thine eyes on him before he doth. He is very valuable to us, we cannot afford his silence."

"Understood, your majesty," Midnight Wing bowed, "May I ask..."

"Why is he so important?" Nightmare Moon guessed, and the commander nodded, "I have seen his medical papers, the impact on his head was from the front. He hath seen them. They were in a hurry and they interacted with him. And thou didst say he also heard them. We must extract his memory of their voices and forms, it may help us greatly."

"Understood, your majesty," Midnight Wing nodded, tapping the gem in his armor three times, then whispering the orders into it. A vibration soon after confirmed the acknowledgment of the orders.

"The site of his attack is also secure as I asked, correct?" Nightmare Moon asked when the commander returned his attention to her.

"It is indeed so."

"Go through everything thoroughly. They shan't be returning for a while," the alicorn ordered, "Now, I would like to see Andromalius. Please, send after him."

"Will be done, my queen," Midnight Wing bowed again and then exited the office, the ancient door creaking as he closed it.

All was going excellently in Nightmare Moon's eyes. The investigation Luna started into the wretched conspirators was beginning to be fruitful even if the mysterious package was not recovered.

The alicorn bared her teeth slightly. She would enjoy getting every single little bit of information out of the conspirators once she inevitably caught them, whenever it would be. She would squash them like the annoying bloodsuckers as they were, and they would trouble her no more. They had been a nuisance for far too long, and it was her duty to rid Equestria of them for the sake of herself and everyone else.

But first, she needed a strong, powerful ally. As history had shown, acting alone would never give her victory. However, she was not alone anymore, and the demon, as untrained in all aspects of life and combat as he was, would provide her with victory if properly taught and directed.

And Nightmare Moon intended to do just that.