As the Solar Queen prepared her armies for the destructive battle soon to come, another was soon about to be called. The message going in the last place that anypony would ever expect to get help for a case like this. Unlike in Ponyville or Canterlot City however, it was in a place that nopony had ever inhabited for the last millennium. It was an environment that nopony dared to step inside, due to the many dangers that it held. Unlike the many towns and cities that adorned Equestria, this was a forest, and not just any type of forest either. It was a forest unlike any other that had ever been discovered before, one that only the brave, or the foolish, or the experienced would dare set hoof in. One that would make any other wilderness, other than one, look like a wonderland in comparison.

The savage forest of the Everfree.

This forest was not like any of the other found in any other part of Equestria, or in any other place beyond that. It was a wilderness unlike any other, filled with many different creatures, that would more than likely kill a pony on first sight. It was a forest with trees looking bigger than they should be, with dense bushes and woodlands that could easily be used as a bade. The animals roaming through its earth, skies and waters had many different strengths and abilities that made them fiercer than the other. The forest’s weather was unpredictable, changing in ways that would be catastrophic for any towns and cities that would be in it. Topped off by the wild and chaotic magic that the whole forest gave off, making anypony in the forest feel that they were being watched. It was for these reasons alone that nopony entered, and had their children stay away from it as best they could. Least they be eaten or lost, or potentially die in this forest of death.

It was also why the ponies that did inhabit this environment called it their home.

Somewhere nestled deep within the towering trees and protective bushes, lay a secret, yet very populated civilization none would expect to find. A town that was just as nocturnal and secretive as the ponies that lived and kept themselves safe within, going by the name of Nocturne Nation. Its ponies were not of the ones that lived outside the deadliness of the forest, but ones that could pass of as supernatural beings of folklore. Ones that were very much like that of the ones in the Empire of Lunar Bay, only much fiercer and far more adapted to where they lived. Unlike the thestrals in the north, the ones in the east were perfectly adapted for life in the forest like the Everfree. Making them all the more valuable assets and comrades to have on any team in any time of turmoil.

Nestled somewhere in the middle of this unknown town, laid a large guild that towered over nearly every other dark building from within Nocturne Nation. It was made from the strongest of wood, by the very trees that protected it in its ebony shadows. Various dark colors lined all around the guild in ways that made it looked like it was designed specifically for the darkness of the night. The symbol of a red-eyed ten-tailed black wolf at the very center of the building only further confirmed it, along with the sign that said, ‘Black Wolf’, right above the wolf. On the door itself was the same wolf, except it was smaller, more centered and the bright red knobs on the door that made up its eyes.

From within inside the guildhall, things were far less quiet than outside of the town, even though fanged equines could be seen roaming about. A majority of the guildhall had row upon row of tables, with one side having a bar at the far left, and a stage at the very front. Each of them had forest dwelling thestrals of all sizes, colors, and ages, all looking fearsome, with a few of them being feathered hybrids. Some of them were dining, others drinking, a few were dancing, while others were just casually chatting. The foals ran and flew around the guild’s interior, not having a single care in the world while the elder ones looked on fondly. This left them all blissfully aware of the terror that was soon to grace them all on this calm and peaceful night. Or at least, the ponies that would soon be called to stop that same horror from growing.

At the right side of the guild, where the bar was, two mares could be seen conversing, one serving drinks and food while the other dined. Judging by their colors and features, it was clear that they were related in some way, with slight differences to their appearances. From their expressions, it was clear they were enjoying themselves, both in the guild and each other’s company. It made it all the more vital for them to be doing so, for every ounce of their strength would be needed for what was to come.

“The guild sure is lively tonight, isn’t it?” The first mare asked jovially, looking around at the interior of the guild at the rowdy at ponies. “Everypony seemed to be having such a good time tonight; even the foals here look to be more energetic than usual.”

“Can you blame them Blue Skies? It’s only understandable and expectant that everypony’s a bit more excited than normal.” The second mare giggled, washing one of the cups that had been previously filled with a drink. “Today is the night of the annual Nocturnal Nighttime Celebration, where the thestrals from all four towns in the Everfree Forest go Nocturne Nation to celebrate the rise of the Full Moon. Why wouldn’t they be excited to celebrate something about that?”

“I know that Crimson Skies, I’ve been to it more than a hundred times since I was eight!” Blue Skies replied, blowing her tongue out at Crimson Skies. “It’s just that I can’t help but be marveled at how happy they all seem for this particular day.” She giggled as she used a palomino hoof to brush away some of her chocolate brown mane. “Then again, it is the month of July, and it’s the Fourth of July too, so it shouldn’t really be that much of a surprise.”

“Exactly sis, and you really shouldn’t be wondering why they and all of the little cuties are acting like they’re birthdays are today.” Crimson replied, reaching over with a palomino hoof of her own, and booping Blue on her nose. “Besides, you’re going to be going with them too, along with me, Fast Tracks, Lightning Shadow, Storm Shadow, and Captain Violet Fire! We are in charge of doing the flashy colors and fireworks when we arrive to Nocturne Nation~.”

“Yeah, we are! One of the many quirks about being a member of the Shadowbolts!” Blue replied sweetly, her face sparkling as her wings ruffled excitedly. Her face then became downcast as it was covered in a deep shade of blue. “It’s also a big contrast to the hellish training that Captain Violet Fire puts us through whenever were in the Underground Headquarters. Oh, why does she always have to train us like she’s trying to kill us?!”

“Well, you know how Captain Violet Fire is Bluey, along with the others.” Crimson said sympathetically, her smile becoming gentler. “She wants to make sure that we are prepared for any type of situation that is as dangerous as this very forest. It does make sense, since we do literally train inside of the Everfree, and not just underground under this entire town.”

“I know that Crimson but still! It always seems like the Captain is trying to fucking kill us whenever we do train, even though I know that’s not her faustdamned intention!” Blue whined, holding herself as she shook in her bar stool. “It’s worse when she doesn’t even attempt to yell and scream in our fucking faces while she does it! She acts like she’s just playing a game with us, a-and is so…calm and m-motherly about it too! Totally unlike an actual drill sergeant that spends all day screaming, cursing and insulting you!”

“And you think that somehow makes it worse?” Crimson asked, setting the cup down on the table. “Captain Violet being all motherly and seductive towards you while she tried to break your bones to make them stronger?”

Anime tears flew down Blue’s face. “It always makes it worse!”

A slight giggling could be heard from behind the two sisters, and they looked over to see two pegasus mares walking over to them. Both of their fur was a solid shade of grey, with one of the mare’s coats being lighter than the other. Their manes and tails were an equal shade of inky black, and their legs had sharp looking stripes, as if they were that of zebras. The only difference between them was the fact that first mare’s eyes were deep ruby red, while a gentle glow of ocean blue made up the other mare’s eyes.

“Oh, Blue Skies, you poor little thing.” The first mare cooed, as she patted the other mare, an amused smile coming to her face. “Even after several years with on the team, you still haven’t gotten used to Captain Violet’s training. To this very day, you still haven’t stopped getting scared of whenever you did have to keep your strength up. You have not changed a single bit since the day you first enlisted yourself on the team.”

A tick mark appeared on Blue’s forehead, and she slapped the other mare’s striped hoof away out of embarrassed. “Oh, shut up, Lightning Shadow! It’s not my fault that I feel like I’m going to get scared out of my wits every time Captain Violet puts me through the training through hell! I am not like you or Storm Shadow, or even Fast Tracks! You guys have absolutely no problem with getting buried six feet under if it means you’ll get stronger!”

“That’s because we’re not adorable little scardey cats like you are, baby.” Storm Shadow stated calmly. “It’s okay, we’re not going to judge you for that. We don’t expect everypony on the team to have the same iron exterior that Crimson, me, Lightning and Fast Tracks have. Everypony has their own views and opinions about what the team does, so you have all the room to cry and hide behind us.”

“Was that an insult?” Blue asked, looking at the dark grey mare with suspicion. “That sounds like it was an insult!”

“Of course it wasn’t Blue, and you know it!” Crimson replied with a little headshake. “Storm Shadow is never one to insult somepony, whether she meant it or not. She’s just playing with you is all…”

“Well it really doesn’t look like that to me!” Blue frowned, crossing her forelegs. “It really sounded like she was humiliating me, and I don’t like it one bit!”

“I see...I’m sorry Blue, I didn’t really mean it like that.” Storm said softly, putting a more comforting hoof on her head. “I probably should have put that better, that was a mistake on my part. Can you forgive me for hurting your feelings?”

Blue looked over at Storm, seeing the apologetic expression that matched the look in her eyes, and she sighed. “Well…alright, sure. I guess I may have overreacted a bit there…I’m sorry for acting like a jerk Storm.”

“That’s alright Blue…Storm was kind of being one herself, so it’s all good.” Lightning said, elbowing her sister’s side as she gave her a sideways look. “Anyway, have either of you seen any sign of Captain Violet Fire or Vice-Captain Fast Tracks?”

“Um…yes, we have.” Crimson replied, lowering her head and making her orange and brown toned mane fall in front of it. Despite a majority of it covering her face, it did nothing to cover the red glow on her cheeks. “T-they’re in the back of the bar having one of their…p-private training sessions.”

“On a more basic note, they’re fucking each other’s brains out.” Blue asked bluntly, her face looking just as red. “And they’re doing it hard.”

“Really? Right now?” Lightning asked, tilting her head as she gained a thoughtful look. “Huh, that explains all of the banging and creaking that I heard from outside.”

“Honestly those two…I swear their sex drives are through the roof, it’s almost like they’re both thestrals even though Captain Violet is a pegasus.” Storm Shadow murmured, sighing deeply as she flicked her tail. “They just cannot keep their hooves off of each other can they, Captain Violet most especially when it comes to Fast Tracks.”

“W-well, it’s not like we really have any room to talk Storm.” Lightning said, a tint of pink coming to her grey cheeks. “Last time I checked, none of us have our V-Cards anymore, not since we joined onto the team and we all had that fuck fest with Captain Fast Tracks after celebrating one of our mission completions.”

“Heh, I remember that.” Crimson said, chuckling slightly. “We were tasked with capturing some animals that wandered out of the Everfree and were making their way to Baltimare. We had gotten a considerably large amount of payment from the ones who posted the missions, and as a reward, Captain Violet Fire wanted us to have a, um…s-special, reward.”

“Y-you mean that big orgy we had a few months ago?” Blue asked delicately, her face getting redder. “I haven’t forgotten that…C-Captain Violet was pretty insistent that we’d participate, and that we’d enjoy it to the end. I-it was embarrassing, b-but…I-I did have fun~.”

“Oh, we know you did sis!” Crimson giggled, her embarrassment dissolving into amusement. “I remember you squealing so loudly when Vice-Captain Fast Tracks continuously drove himself into your little cave! I’m pretty sure the bats that resign in the other caves could hear you too!”

Blue’s tail swing forward and slapped her sister’s muzzle. “S-shut up Crimson Skies!”

“See? What did I tell you Blue?” Storm cooed sweetly. “Simply adorable~.”

Lightning Shadow nodded. “And irresistibly cute~!”

“Don’t you start too!” The palomino mare shouted, going comically white in the eyes.

The sound of a door opening suddenly drew the groups attention, and they looked to see an ebony black pegasus and light brown thestral stallion staggering out. The mare’s black and violet streaked mane covered her eyes as she panted, while the stallion beside her smiled victoriously, looking like he had one a race. Once the mare had collected herself, she shook her mane out of her eyes, revealing to sparkling yellow irises.

“Oh wow, that was incredible Fast Tracks!” The mare said, looking into the thestral stallion’s violet eyes. “That was even better than the last time we did it!”

“You bet it was Captain V! Of course, you’d expect no less from the fastest stallion on the Shadowbolts!” Fast Tracks replied victoriously, putting a cloven hoof to his chest. “I may be fast in the air and on the tracks, but that doesn’t mean the same in the bedroom baby! Even I know there some things that don’t always require speed…”

“You mean things like you railing Captain Violet Fire until she practically scorches whatever bed you two are in?” Crimson asked dryly as the duo came to the table. “Because that is something that you may actually doneed to be fast for, Fast Tracks.”

“I do not set fire to the beds that I lay in!” Violet Fire said, giving Crimson a sideways glance. “At least, not the ones that I think are still useful. The only time I even use my fire, is for whenever I’m training you adorable sweeties, or when we’re performing.” Her face suddenly lit up as shock washed over it for just a split second, before it became giddy. “Oh, that’s right! Tonight is the annual Lunar Moon Celebration at Nocturne Nation! Shit, I can’t believe I forgot about that!”

“Well we’re not surprise…I mean, you were just getting your flames extinguished by Vice-Captain Fast Tracks.” Lightning teased, watching as Violet froze and blushed. “By Luna you were making quite the ruckus from outside Captain Violet…me and Storm Shadow could hear you form all the way outside!”

“Whoa, really? You could actually hear here through these walls?” Fast blinked in surprise, looking back at the entrance, and back at the rest of his team. “Wow…I must’ve drove you wilder than I thought, huh Captain V?”

“I…I-I’m sorry about that everypony, I didn’t mean to cause that much of a ruckus.” Violet replied in embarrassment, resisting the urge to cover her face with her wings. “I hope I didn’t disturb you too, Crimson Skies, Blue Skies-”

“No, you didn’t Captain; it’s fine really.” Blue said, cutting her Captain off. “We couldn’t really hear you from outside the bar anyway, so it’s fine with us.” She looked over at the other thestrals at the guild’s table, none of them paying attention to where they were. “Though, I don’t think I can say the same for the others though. Their hearing is pretty sharp, just as sharp as the fangs in the mouths, just like Vice-Captain Fast Tracks’, so I’m sure they heard you too.”

“Eh, well, it’s not like it’s anything new for them.” Fast Tracks shrugged, scratching at his red streaked light brown mane. “A good majority of the mares, stallions, and even some of the foals in this guild have taken some of the rooms to indulge in their own little fuck sessions. None of them have even bothered to keep quiet, not that it would really matter. No matter how rowdy this guild is, nothing can get past the ears of a thestral.”

“Funny you should say that Vice-Captain.” Storm Shadow said, one of her forelegs raising to point behind the light brown thestral. “Because I think you just missed that messenger bat that’s hovering just behind you, Captain Violet, Crimson, and Blue.”

Fast Tracks’s mouth turned into a small comical triangle, before he turned back and looked up into the line of Storm’s vision. Sure enough, hovering in front of the four pegasi and one thestral, was a snow white Everfree bat, a large scroll wrapped around its back. Its pale white fur made it stand out brightly against the dark texture of the, its big baby blue eyes looking down at them patiently. As soon as Violet Fire saw the bat, she gasped and flew up towards it, squealing and giggling foalishly.

“Chenoa!” She cried, bringing the bat into her violet chest fluff as she nuzzled the top of its head, spinning in the air. “How’s my little fluffy bat puppy? Did you come to say hi to your Auntie Violet Fire?”

“Um, I’m pretty sure that’s not just why he’s here Captain.” Fast replied, the back of his head containing a big sweat drop. This earned him a heated glare in return, making several more sweat drops appear. “What?! He literally has a scroll tied to his back! It’s obvious that he has something important to tell us!”

“Yes, I know that Fast, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t give him a little love every now and again!” Violet pouted, using a black hoof to pull the red-eyed roseray hanging from her neck to the side. “He lives all the way out in Canterlot City in the underground town Foundation Fang! I can only imagine how hard it is for him to travel all the way from there to here! The poor thing must be exhausted!”

“Captain, Chenoa is an Everfree bat. He’s not like all of the other bats that you’d find like in the Undiscovered West.” Crimson Skies pointed out, setting some drinks on the table. “Besides, he’s gone on flights even longer than this one and is hardly even winded! No way that something like that is going to make him go splat on the ground.”

“Whether he’s a regular bat or an Everfree bat, it doesn’t mean jack shit to me Crimson! Either way, he’s still a pup, and animals as young as him need plenty of protein to keep going.” Violet retorted, patting the pup on his head as she pulled the scroll off of Chenoa. “Speaking of which, be a sweetie and give him a few fruits, will you? He’s got to be really thirsty after traveling such a long way over here…and yes, that’s an order.”

“…yes Captain.” Crimson sighed, rolling her eyes and she walked over to the far end of the bar to get a couple of fruits. With a kiss to Chenoa’s nose, Violet flew down to the bar stand and sat on one of the stools as she prepared to open the scroll. When she saw the ribbon keeping it in place, she paused, a look of worry coming to her face as she inspected it closely.

‘This wrapping…it’s red, and there’s a symbol of the sun on the center of it.’ The ebony mare thought, a frown coming to her face. ‘There’s only one reason for this kind of wrapping to be on Celestia’s scroll...that means that something urgent is about to happen or is happening right now.’

Over the years that she had been serving under Queen Celestia, Violet had received a multitude of scrolls with colorful wrappings that had many different meanings. Through time, Violet had come to learn what they meant before she even looked into the scroll. With orange, it meant that she had a standard mission that Celestia needed them for. Green meant that there was special occasion going on in the city of Canterlot, or at least in its underground city of Foundation Fang. There was even a blue color, and that told Violet that a tragedy had taken place, be it with her own team, or with the Wonderbolts of Cloudsdale. Another Ariel Flight Team and military force that helped to protect Equestria from any threats inside or outside the nation. One more color made up the last three, and the one she was seeing now was the rarest of them all, the sun symbol even rarer. When she saw even one of them, it told Violet only one thing.

The entire nation of Equestria was in mortal danger.

‘That’s impossible…today is the Fourth of July! When Queen Celestia Celebrates the Summer Sun Celebration and the five nations together to celebrate the Lunar Moon Celebration on the same day in the Everfree Forest!’ Violet thought in disbelief, feeling her heartbeat quicken a bit. ‘How can anything even remotely bad happen today of all days?!’

Swallowing the growing lump in her throat, Violet unfurled the wrapping around the scroll, letting it fall to the ground as she opened the parchment. She reached out with a wing and grabbed one of the drinks Crimson had set out, and took a few frantic gulps. Feeling a bit calmer, but no less nervous, Violet took a deep breath, and began to read.

Dear Captain Violet Fire Kindheart Rosario Kyuketsukiōkami

I would first like to say that I apologize for sending you a letter on such an unexpected notice, especially one that has red wrapping and the symbol of my cutie mark on it. I normally wouldn’t call you for urgent matters such as the one that I am about to tell you know, but please understand that I had no choice in the matter. The last thing that I want is to put you and your team in danger on days where you should be able to indulge in each other’s company, and that of the ponies that live in the Everfree. Even more so since tonight is the night that you will all be celebrating the annual Lunar Full Moon Celebration in honor of my dear sister. Alas, I say with my deepest regrets that you will have to put that on hold. For what I am about to tell you may make the flames of the phoenix go wild with anger within your heart.

About one hour and thirty minutes ago, I was in the town of Ponyville about of participate with my subjects in the Summer Sun Celebration. It was cut short when somepony invaded the Town Square, all but demolishing it and the ponies as well. I was unable to fend for myself, for the foe caught me by surprised, and I ended up getting beaten rather quickly, much to my shame. That, however, is not the worst part of this letter that I am writing to you now; that will come in the next paragraph.

Out of all the ponies that were with me in the Town Square, there were seven mares, two of which I happen to know personally. One of those two that I know, and one of them that you happen to be very close friends with. She was there when this adversary attacked us all, and is one of the seven mares that I sent after the one that tried to kill me. A thestral hybrid mare going by the name of Son Goku Kakarot Nighstalker Shenron. I am telling you the identity of this mare, not just because you know just who is going after this attacker. It is because the pony that we encountered has foalnapped somepony very near and dear to her and you. Along with six other little ones, due to what Goku and the rest of her comrades informed me about. A young colt who is also a hybrid thestral, going by the name of Sheton Crimson Flash Nightstalker Shenron. Someone that I’m sure you remember Goku introducing you to sometime ago. That, however, is nothing compared to who it was that took Sheton the rest of Goku’s friends’ loved ones. The one who broke into the Ponyville Town Square, attacked me, and took Sheton…was none other than my corrupted sister, Nightmare Moon Nocturnis.

I know that’s a rather tough pill to swallow, but please believe me when I say that it is the complete and honest truth. My sister has finally escaped from the moon she lay imprisoned in, and is now planning to take her revenge on all who wronged her. If my hunch is correct, she is headed towards the Everfree Forest, and towards the castle that we once shared together. This is also why I’m writing this letter to you know, because you are the closest ponies that I know can get to her quickly enough before something bad happens.

Another reason for this is because the ponies that I’ve sent after Nightmare Moon are more than likely in the Everfree Forest. It’s in the western direction of the town I was with them in. So, I believe they are heading there right now, towards the first town of Gaia Galley. If your fast enough, you can catch them before they get into too much danger and provide them with extra help. I hope that you are able to, for they will need as much strength saved as possible for the battle ahead of them.

Best of luck to you and your team Captain Violet Fire, for I feel this will be the hardest battle you will all ever face.

Sincerely

Queen Celestia Daybringer

A loud shattering sound drew the attention of every single thestral mare, stallion, and foal inside of the Black Wolf Guild towards the bar. The entire interior of the building was so quiet that they could hear a mouse squeaking and it would’ve had the impact of a screeching eagle. All of their eyes were on Violet, who had her back facing them, not moving a single muscle, a shattered glass bottle laying underneath her. Immediately they could tell that something was wrong, judging by the aura of fear that they could sense emitting form the Shadowbolt Captain.

“U-um…Captain Violet?” Blue asked quietly, the silence of the guild allowing her voice to be heard by all. “I-is…is there something wrong?”

“Yeah, what is it Captain V?” Fast Tracks asked, coming to his Captain’s side. “You’re sitting stiller than a Battookuma hibernating during the winter.”

Grabbing onto her stool, Fast turned Violet around to face him and other Shadowbolts, and they, along with every single thestral in the guild gasped. The look on Violet’s face was one that a pony could only have when somepony precious to them was in danger. Her lower lip was shaking as hard as her hooves were, which barely looked to be holding the letter in front of her. The pupils in her gleaming yellow eyes were the size of pinpricks, making her eyes look almost pupiless, and tears were silently falling down her black cheeks. Whimpers and soft cries escaped her every second or two, and the way she was shaking made it look like she was about to pass out.

“C-captain...!” Lighting Shadow cried, growing worried. “W-what’s the matter?”

Upon hearing Lightning’s voice, Violet snapped out of her gaze, gasping as she ripped her hooves away from the letter, as if it had caught on fire. They came to her muzzle as her breathing slowly began to increase, her tears coming down at a quicker pace.

“No, no no…. no no no no no no NO! NO! NO!” She chanted, her voice becoming increasing louder until she was full on screaming. Her hooves came to her head as she hunched forward, her wings bristling in response to her emotions. “No, this isn’t real! This cannot be real; this cannot be fucking happening to me!”

“Captain, what is wrong?!” Storm asked urgently, coming in front of the other pegasus and grabbing her by the shoulders. “Tell us what’s wrong! Why are you crying?!”

“This is a dream, this is all a dream, this is all a dream!” Violet yelled, her eyes shutting in a futile effort to keep the tears from flowing. “This has to be a fucking dream! There is no fucking way that this shit is happening! Not now, not to me dammit!”

“Captain!” Crimson cried, the volume of her voice making the ebony mare jump and turn to look at her. “Please, calm down; your scaring me and the rest of the guild! For the love of Faust, please, tell us! What is the matter?!”

Realizing what she hadn’t told her team what she had heard, Violet inhaled sharply, taking some seconds to try to settle her raging emotions. Once she did, Violet reached behind her and grabbed the letter from the floor, ignoring the looks of fearful concern from the rest of the guild. Wiping some of her tears away, she held the letter out in front of her, making them all look at her in confusion.

“E-everypony…y-you need to read this right now.” Violet ordered shakily; her ears firmly flattened against her skull. “I-it’s a letter of urgency form Q-Queen Celestia…and i-it…i-it…oh sweet Luna, it’s horrible!”

“Queen Celestia sent a letter?” Blue asked, her brows furrowing slightly. “What does it say? Did something-”

“Guys, please!” Violet begged desperately. “P-please just…read it…now.”

At the commanding tone in Violet’s voice, Fast Tracks took the letter from her and let the other mares gather around him. Violet sniffled and continued to try to wipe away the tears that was continuously falling from her face. As the whispers and murmurs of the guildhall thestrals filled her sensitive ears, she looked back at her teammates, and saw their pale faces.

“Are…are you shitting me right now?” Fast whispered as he too dropped the letter in the same manner that Violet had done. “No…no way…no fucking way did I read what I just read! T-this…this has to be some sick fucking joke!”

“I have a very hard time contemplating that Fast Tracks.” Lighting said softly, her own voice laced with worry. “This is clearly Celestia’s hoofwriting, or magic writing to be precise. I can even feel her magic flowing through these words…there is no way that this is a false letter, or a prank.”

Storm shook her head, her calm facing contorting into a growl. “No, it’s definitely not. Do you see how quickly this was written? This letter was clearly written as fast as could be, and that tells me just how urgent this letter is.”

“N-not only t-that.” Crimson stammered, picking up the red strap which held the sun symbol. “It also had this ribbon around the scroll…we rarely even get this letter. I-it can only mean that…t-that…!”

“Yes, all that Celestia wrote in that letter was t-true…” Violet replied, holding back a sob as tears continued to fall. “S-she was attacked in the town hall, and Sheton was foalnapped! He was foalnapped right in front of Goku’s very eyes!” She wailed as her hooves collided with the bar table, making the drinks shake and nearly fall over. “All done by the hooves of the one pony that we thought wouldn’t return tonight of all nights! I-it’s all true! Every single word written in there is fucking true!”

“Dammit…dammit, dammit, FAUSTDAMMIT!” Fast screamed, kicking one of the bar’s stools it flew across the guild floor. His tails skirt struck the floorboard, causing it to split on impact. “I cannot fucking believe this! Sheton…my little buddy was foalnapped, fucking foalnapped by the MARE ON THE FUCKING MOON!” He took deep hard breathes through his nose and hissed, making a few nearby thestral foals step back. “Of all the damn times that this had to happen, why did it have to fucking happen now?! Better yet, did it have to be Sheton of all ponies that was in danger now?! Why dammit, why?!”

“I…I-I don’t know!” Blue gasped, fighting back her own waterworks as she clenched her teeth and ground them together. “I…I-I can’t believe this is happening! N-Nightmare Moon’s come back?! W-why is this happening to us?! T-to Goku?! To Sheton?! W-why…why here?! Why now?!”

Crimson threw her forelegs around her sister’s neck, stroking her mane as the latter’s tears stained the former’s shoulder. “It’s okay Blue, it’s okay…don’t cry, please don’t you dare cry right now. Don’t worry, we’re going to save him. We’re going to find Goku and anypony else she’s with and help them on their quest to get Sheton back. We will get to him you, hear me?” She pulled back so her bright blue eyes could look back into Blue’s matching ones. “We will save him.”

“You’re damn right we will. Which is why I have a plan in order.” Violet replied, standing up from her bar stool. “Lightning Shadow, I want you to find the nearest quill, ink, scroll, and thestralcorn and write a letter back to Queen Celestia. Tell her that we’re on our way to the Everfree’s western border, and we’ll also be sending a message to Evergreen Valley to let them know that they’ll soon be having visitors. Make sure to tell Master Gaia who these visitors are, because I don’t want to have to go there and find Goku’s group all beaten and bloody.” Her ears perked as something clicked in her mind. "Oh, and while you're doing that, be sure to copy that same letter and send it to Master Venture Vine, Master Moon Blade, and, if you can, Master Hiyori as well. If what I fear is true, then we'll need all the help we can get tonight."

“At once Captain!” Lightning nodded, saluting before she vanished in a lightning swirl.

“Chenoa, honey, come here.” Violet said as she turned to the bat pup, who was currently hanging from the edge of the bar table. “Once Lightning is done with the letter, I want you to head straight back to Canterlot as fast as you can and sent Celestia our letter. The sooner she knows that we’re heading for Goku, the better. I don’t want to have her worrying if we’re even starting to get ready or not.”

Chenoa spat out the now shriveled mango he was drinking from and gave a squeak of affirmation, giving a cute little salute of his own. Nodding in satisfaction, Violet turned to the rest of her team and gave a final order.

“Blue Skies, Crimson Skies, Storm Shadow, I want you all to head to HQ underground and inform the rest of the Shadowbolts of what’s going on.” She said, keeping her tone gentle but firm at the same time. “I want as many reinforcements as we can get for where we’re going to be heading, and who we’re about to face.”

“O-okay.” Blue nodded, cleaning her face of any remaining tears. “W-what are you going to do?”

Violet’s eyes narrowed, before they looked to where the stage was, her gaze going higher until she saw the large Lunar Moon symbol at the top. She stared at the midnight black bat wined alicorn head for a moment while it stared back her, its soft royal blue gemstones for eyes gleaming.

“I’m gonna pay a little visit to Master Luffyko and inform her of what I just learned, before I notify the villagers of the same thing. Though not before I pay a little visit to Queen Luna's Moon and verify something on my mind.” Violet finally replied, looking down at the black and indigo phoenix on her flanks. “After that, I’m going to go prepare to release the flames of the immortal bird within me. And trust me when I say team, that when I release them…they. Will. Burn.”

I'm pretty sure that you guys weren't expecting me at all to actually have a guild nestled somewhere in the Everfree Forest, did you? Well surprise; I did, and I don't regret it a single bit, nor do I reset putting in the towns that will soon be presented later on in the series. Now, one of the reasons why I did this was because I wanted to find some place to put Shadowbolt Headquarters, since I didn't really that do that back in the old version of this story, and wanted to fix it. Another reason for that is, well, since I added the Fairy Tail tag to it, I felt that I should go more along that route...at least when it comes to the guilds coming into play. Though I couldn't really see myself putting guilds in anywhere like Ponyville, Baltimare, Fillydelphia, Manehatten, Appleoosa, or even in the places beyond the boarders of Equestria...except maybe for the Undiscovered West and the underground City in Canterlot. I'll just stick to keeping the guilds inside of the much larger Everfree Forest for now, and unless I see myself putting in more guilds elsewhere besides that...all just keep it how it is.

Speaking of Ariel Flight teams, I would like to inform you all that the Wonderbolts will not be joining the incoming fight between Nightmare Moon's newly edited Dark Army with the Solar and Lunar Division. Looking back on that now, I can see that was completely unnecessary and was just a complete waste of time and effort on my part. Not to mention I could've save their appearance for sometime later in my series, especially when it came to Spitfire's utter disdain towards Violet Fire. As stated in the last two versions, that will be addressed later one and...let's just say you'll see that Spitfire may or may not have a pretty good reason to hate Violet Fire.

Next time: Sheton and the Cutie Mark Crusaders witness the rise of Nightmare Moon's dark reign...as well as the moon's bloody awakening.