I motioned my head for the guards to head off. I stayed for a bit to think of how I would tell them that I was going to search for Princess Luna alone. I noticed a pony out of the corner of my eye. I turned and saw Princess Celestia standing at the entrance to the palace. I thought that she was busy because she always is. Without any change in expression, she walked over and wrapped her muzzle around my neck. She brought her mouth close to my ear to whisper something. "Please, Miss Night Runner, find my sister so that we may have harmony again." Then came the few words I never expected to hear from her. "Do it for me..." She pulled away and gave me that affectionate smile she gives everypony.

I knew better, I could usually tell what they felt just by looking into their eyes. Yea, I was always the one they all came to to find out what either princess truly felt. I remember how the magistrate came to me once after a meeting with Princess Luna that I attended. I always kept a close watch on her, which decisions she made and how she responded to another decision made by one of the magistrate. When the meeting ended, they called me over to talk to them. Those ponies only asked me what the princess really wanted to say. I never told them everything, only that she was on agreement with their terms. The same thing happened with Princess Celestia once. I was reassigned to be a royal guard only once for her. So I got no sleep that day. I attended her meeting, by request of the magistrate and I knew what they wanted me to do. I watched the princess closely. Her eyes always told me something that the others couldn't see. Maybe it was because they were too afraid to look them in the eye. I told them what the princess thought of their decisions. I think she noticed it and I haven't attended a meeting since. Back to the present, I could see in her eyes that she worried for me. There was this one sparkle in her eye that added to it. It was a gleam of hope. She was expecting me to bring back Princess Luna.

"Don't worry princess, we will find your sister and bring her back, I promise." I wanted ti imitate that thing from the pink pony, but it would seem too informal.

"Thank you..."

I did the formal bow and took off to catch up with the others. A good couple minute of flying, and I was already flying beside them. I took the lead, heading straight for Ponyville square. By the time we had arrived, it was bustling with ponies. When we touched the ground, everything almost stopped. It was clear that they weren't used to having guards arrive in their town without either of the princesses. "Alright spread out and search for any clues leading to the princess's location." With that, the others left my side. I walked off to one of the ponies I remember seeing a few days ago when we first came here. The red stallion looked much bigger than the others I had seen, even most of the guards. "Excuse me sir, do you remember what happened a few days ago when Princess Luna first arrived here?"

"Eeyup, she showed up and then left heading to mah family's farm after one of her guards was taken by Pinkie Pie." He must have known what happened after. I just had to hold in that one urge to force him to tell me what happened after.

"Did you see where she went after she arrived at your farm?"

"Nope, when I got back home, she was gone by then. Mah sister, Applejack, told me that she arrived for some apples and then left. I do remember seeing one of you royal guard being let into our house though. She looked a bit like you." He was pointing his hoof at me. I just nodded in return. "Sorry for Applejack, she can be a might stubborn at times."

"No worries, thank you for your time." I began to walk away when he stopped me.

"Any time you want to visit the farm again, just stop by and ask for me or mah sister. We'll be sure to help you with anything you need."

Again, I nodded and finally walked off. I had a couple others that I wanted to talk to as well, especially Mayor Mare. She told me about that letter from Princess Luna. She must have known where she went. I went searching for her and found her in the town hall. She was watching the other ponies from the second floor. "Pardon me, Mayor Mare, may I have a word?"

She looked around unknowingly and then saw me. "Oh Miss Night Runner, please come right in." She turned back inside. The door opened and I was greeted by her. She closed the door and locked it. "So what is you needed to ask me? Does it have to do with the missing ponies?"

"Sort of, I was mostly here to ask about Princess Luna's whereabouts. Who gave you that letter that you showed me a few nights ago?"

"It was a night guard if I am not mistaken. He just walked over to me and told me to read the letter. Then he just flew off to who knows where."

Seemed that she didn't know where she was. "Do you know which direction he was flying in, like where he was going? Also adding to the description, did he have a scar on his right eye?"

She stood there rubbing her muzzle. "If I do recall, he was heading for the apple orchard that is run by the apple family. Yes, he did have a mark or scar on his right eye. He seemed a bit creepy with it."

"No need to worry, that was the captain of the Night Guard. He would hurt another pony, unless he was ordered to. Either way, did you see which way Princess Luna went when we first arrived?"

"No, but I did talk to her before she left town square. She told me that she had a problem that was coming up. Then she wandered off. I would say that she was heading for the Everfree Forest. I caught up with her to warn her about going in there, but she went onward." Mayor Mare lowered her head at the last sentence. She probably thought that the disappearance of the princess was her fault.

"I am sure she had her reasons. It's not your fault the princess went missing. I guess she wandered off on her own accord. I just hope that this "problem" you spoke of doesn't involve her doing any drastic things."

"I do hope that she is alright. I expected to have a small celebration for her arrival. That was the point of the ponies gathering in the square when you showed up. That was also when I received the letter. When I saw all of their happy faces ready to see the princess, I just didn't know how to tell them. When I saw you, that gave me an excuse to buy some time. I thought it would be better to tell you first than to have the entire town go into chaos." Mayor Mare was becoming frantic. She was looking around, at the door, at the window, at almost any entrance. She probably didn't tell the ponies that the princess had disappeared.

I placed my hoof on her shoulder. It startled her a bit, but realized it was only me. "Mayor Mare, did you tell them that she was missing?"

"Oh, I just couldn't. If I saw my whole town go into chaos that would ruin us. I came up with the excuse that the princess was called back to Canterlot for an important meeting and would be back soon to join us in the celebration. That was when some of them started to scream and were pointing at you falling from the sky. Why didn't you save yourself then?" Now the questions were turned towards me.

I removed my hoof from her shoulder. I looked down at the floor. I just came out with it, no holding back what I had in mind. I let out a big sigh before I started. "Princess Luna was basically the only friend I had when I grew up in Canterlot. We had always been together throughout the years. I became a Night Guard so that I could stay close to her. My idea had worked, until a few nights ago. When I heard you tell me that she was missing, I basically broke down. All that time I spent with her, was now gone. I flew off so that my rising anger wouldn't be taken out on you. Instead, I just lashed out on one of the many clouds. After that, the cloud broke in two and I had no energy to fly. All I remember was falling from the cloud and then waking up in the hospital."

"I am so sorry to hear that dear. Well then, if there is anything else you need, I will be glad to assist you on behalf of Ponyville." Her words were sincere, as well as her eyes. There was still one thing that bothered me. Something that did not feel right, like I was forgetting to ask something, or maybe she was not telling me something. As quickly as the feeling came, it went away.

"Thank you Mayor Mare for answering my questions. I have no other need of assistance. I will come to you if I need your help." I walked out the door and closed it. My head was hanging low, close to the ground. I felt the eyes of multiple ponies staring at me.

I sat down and looked up to the sky, which I have been doing more often now. I remembered that Snowball was still with me. "Snowball..." I turned to see her looking straight at me. "Can you go and find Fluttershy? I need to speak with her again." With a chirp, she flew off over one of the buildings. While still staring at the sky, I saw a rainbow colored streak spawn in the sky. That was when I saw that one other pegasus. She definitely must have seen where the princess went. I flew up and landed on one of the clouds ahead of her. I guessed that she saw me because she stopped right next to me.

"Hey, I remember you. Your that one guard pony from the hospital, what's up?"

"Um, the clouds?" The pegasus looked up confused, then back at me realizing what I meant.

"Huh, oh no. I meant like what's up: how are you doing, what's going on, stuff like that."

"I am here to ask about the missing Princess Luna. Did you see where she might have gone off to that night a few days ago?"

"Yea I saw her. I followed her to the Everfree Forest. If you wondering after that, I have no clue. She landed next to the entrance with one of your guards and then just walked right in."

"So my theory was correct. Can you show me where she went in?"

"Sure, I can show you. Follow me." I kicked off the cloud and we both flew over towards the forest.

We arrived and I saw a house there. I knew who's house it was, it belonged to Fluttershy. The door swung open. Snowball came out and flew over to me, landing on my head as usual. Fluttershy came out seconds after. She was surprised to see, I could tell. "Why hello there Night, how are you doing?"

"I am searching for the princess right now, can I ask if you saw her at all that night?"

"Um, I think I saw her go into the forest. I did put up danger signs over there to warn others about the animals that live in there, but I guess she must have walked past them."

I had to think about this for a minute. If Princess Luna went inside the forest, then she was probably captured by that zebra who was said to have caused the disappearance of those other ponies from a while ago. Since these two probably know more about the forest than I do, maybe it would be better if they helped me. "If it isn't too much trouble to ask, may I ask if you two can assist me? I will need your knowledge of the forest so you can guide me to this zebra I heard about."

"Oh no no no, I cannot go in there. Not with all those scary monsters..."

"Oh don't be so a 'fraidy cat Fluttershy, come on, we are just going to be heading to Zecora's place. I am sure that she can explain everything that has happened."

"So you are going to help me find this "Zecora" that you mentioned?"

"I-I-I...."

"Of course we will!"

"Did I hear something about going to Zecora's place?!" Just then, Pinkie Pie appeared right behind Fluttershy, scaring her. "Oh, sorry Fluttershy, I didn't mean to scare you that much. I was here to do the same thing, Zecora had asked me to deliver a bag of flour for some reason. The letter also had the bits that paid for it, so here I am!"

I just stood there staring at her. How does she appear everywhere? What kind of magic is this? Pushing that off for later investigation, "Then you will also assist in locating Princess Luna?"

""Locating Princess Luna?" Oh I know what you mean, of course I will, I did see her go to Zecora's place a few days ago. After that, I haven't seen her leave."

"Pinkie, why did you say anything before?"

"Well, nopony ever asked me about her, so I didn't have to say anything. Plus, she had this weird feeling about her. My head started to hurt anytime I got too close to her."

"What does she mean by her headache?"

"It's my Pinkie Sense. It predicts things that happen in the immediate future."

"I hardly believe that. The only pony I know that can do that is Princess Celestia and sometimes Princess Luna."

"Don't believe me then! Oh wait, we have to head to Zecora's place, come on everypony, let's go." There she went heading off into the forest only to poke her head out from behind a tree. "Aren't you three coming?"

I couldn't tell what to think about her. There one second, here the next. What is it with this one? "Of course we are, Fluttershy, Rainbow, let's go." I walked in behind Pinkie Pie. I turned around and saw Rainbow Dash pushing Fluttershy into the forest. I stopped and walked over to her. "Listen Miss Fluttershy, you don't have to be scared about anything. I will protect you if something comes to harm us." I held one of her hooves in between both of mine. I could feel her shaking, but it began to lessen.

"O-okay..." She stood up and was ready to go forward.

We heard a voice yell from up ahead. "Hey, are you three going to keep holding back or what?!" We looked at each other and then headed off again. The three of us caught up with the impatient Pinkie Pie and now all of us were traveling further into the forest. The forest was getting darker the further we went in. Us Night Guards had our eyes change to be able to see in the dark better than others. We traveled for five or ten minutes before we arrived at a tree that was converted into a home. The first thing I noticed, was a moon mark right above the door. I knew that was Princess Luna's mark. I marched up to the door and knocked on it. "Excuse me, Miss Zecora, are you in there?"

After a few seconds, the door opened and a Zebra came out. "Why hello there dear, why is it that you that you come here?"

I turned to the others who were behind me. "What did she say?"

"Ugh, she is asking what you are doing here..."

I turned back to the zebra. "Well, I am here looking for Princess Luna. I was also told that you were a suspect in the investigation of the recent pony disappearances. So I have come to question you myself."

"If it is answers you want, answer I shall. Won't you come for a nice spell." I don't know exactly what she said, but I was starting to understand what she was saying now. I walked in suspicious of what may happen. The others had come in as well. "So what is you wanted to ask of me? I will answer you with any answer you can plainly see."

"Okay? Well, I wanted to ask you mainly about Princess Luna. Do you know where she is right now?"

She was over at her cauldron mixing something. "If it is Princess Luna you seek, please come and take a peek." I guess that she wanted me to look in her cauldron for some reason. I was still suspicious as any other pony would be, but I did anyway. "Lean in for a close look, then you will find that you have been mistook."

As I leaned in, I started to see something. It was Princess Luna. She was in a destroyed castle. I think it was called the Castle of the Ancients. Something was scaring her because she was in the corner of a large room. The only thing I could make out, was a large column in the middle of the room. Next thing I knew, the worst thing happened. It was her, the one from so long ago. That one mare never seemed to fade away. It was like she was an immortal like the princesses. But from what I remember, the legend said that Princess Luna's jealousy turned her into an evil that would have ruined all of Equestria. She was transformed back into her normal self by the Elements of Harmony. Even after, she was still the same pony. How did the two separate? What is going on? Before it could continue, a beam of darkness shoot out from the other mare. I felt a recoil as I fell onto my back.

"What the hay was that?!"

"Oh my gosh, are you okay Night?" Fluttershy was already next to me helping me sit up.

"Hey Zecora, what happened to her? Every other time you showed us something, we weren't thrown back."

"It must have been of a powerful spell I am quite sure. I would take a look, but my vision is usually obscure."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I think she said that she can't see what the cauldron showed me. Anyway, we need to head to the Castle of the Ancients. She was in there with another mare, one who I would rather not mention. You three wait outside, I will be out in a minute." After they left, I looked at Zecora again. "I know you are innocent, but how did you do that with your cauldron. How were you able to show me where Luna was?"

"That is something I have learned back in my homeland. This type of "magic" is what we practice at grand."

I will never get over the weird way she speaks. "Anyway, thank you very much. Can I ask you to send a file of innocence to the royal court on my behalf. It would clear all suspicions of you so that way you don't have any guards coming here to arrest you."

"That I shall get done with haste, for time is not a precious thing to waste."

I opened the door and walked out. "Goodbye Miss Zecora, pleasure speaking with you." I closed the door after I finished. "Although I probably won't understand what you say."

"Hey, Night Runner! I see that castle you were talking about." I looked up in the air to see Rainbow Dash flying above the rest of us. "I think it's the same castle that we first beat Nightmare Moon! We can get there quick if we fly! So who is up for carrying Pinkie Pie there?"

Fluttershy and I looked at each other, then at Pinkie Pie. "Oh this will be so great! I can't wait to go flying again! Hey Rainbow Dash, why don't you and Night take me? After all, you two are the stronger ponies of our group!"

"Sounds like a great idea, Miss Rainbow Dash would you come down and help me carry Pinkie Pie to the castle?"

"Well uh, you see..."

Fluttershy flew up and hugged Rainbow Dash. "How nice of you to carry Pinkie Pie. You really are nice."

"Oh yea sure, no prob." I could see it in her face, she didn't want to.

"Well, since that's settled, we need to get there as quick as possible. I don't know how long Princess Luna can stand her ground against the other mare."

Rainbow flew down and helped me lift Pinkie Pie up in the air. As soon as we were all in the air, we began flying straight towards the castle. Rainbow Dash called me when we were about half way there. "Hey Night, who is this "other mare" that you keep talking about?"

I wish she hadn't asked that question. It was the one name I would never say, not even if I was forced to. "I won't say name, but you three should know her from the legend. That evil mare cannot be real, but I saw her through the cauldron. If she and Luna somehow got separated, that would mean that we have a bigger problem than I thought. I just hope that we get there in time..." I completely ignored any other questions she was asking. My only thoughts were getting to Princess Luna before she could do any harm to our beloved princess.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Okay, this is my shortest chapter. I will ask for you guys to read and say ANYTHING you want about it. To me, I think it turned out good (sort of). I wanted you all to finally get to the part where we finally find Luna. The next chapter, will probably make me change the story from "Everyone" to "Teen". Depends on how I write it. You will definitely be surprised when you read it.

Hint: If you haven't noticed, basically the whole thing was written in the past tense. You will find out in Chapter 5 (Meeting of the Princesses of the Night) why I did that.

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