Shadow Vein was treading slightly behind Shannon at this point. They had been walking for nearly three hours now, and in that time they must have covered what felt like six or seven miles. His hooves were as sore as he could remember. He could swear he could feel them actually pulsing with each new step. He dared not complain though, not even a little bit. He remembered hearing rumors of the last recruit that complained under Shannon's watch. How that Dark Pony was now in some back water town in the middle of nowhere, watching the crops grow, and keeping them safe from bugs. A fate that he thought was not that glamourous for a Dark Guardsman. Something he intended to avoid.

   He was in luck though. Shannon was coming up to something the human liked to call 'observation spots.' These were places that Shannon would stop and let everypony in the vicinity see him standing there. To let all the night goers that just because the Sun was down, and the Royal Guard in their beds. The authority of the Alicorn Princesses was still just as potent as it ever was. The young unicorn thought it odd for someone like Shannon to step directly into sight. From what he had seen in just the small amount of time that the two had been paired up, he noticed the tall human would go out of his way to stay in an obscured position. He would cross streets at random to the unknowing observer. Sticking to walls while moving to the next set of shadows that were caused by buildings, broken street lamps and even clouds. All in all, Shadow Vein thought there was probably a lot he could learn from the human when it came to clandestine skills and talents. If he would ever talk for more than two seconds that is.

   With a confined breath of relief, Shadow Vein came to a rest on his back side as the pair came to the next stopping point in their route. The feeling of pressure coming off of his throbbing back hooves felt absolutely wonderful, and the Pony let out a small vocalization to show his approval. Shannon, as always became a statue, moving only his head in slow turns from left to right, taking notice of the smallest sounds with a set of dark narrowed eyes. For a time, Shadow Vein mimicked his partners movements. He would sway back and forth ever so slowly. His head would turn in a almost torturous scan of the area. He would stop only momentarily to take an any noticeable details on anypony he saw passing by. This practice became exceedingly boring however, and he decided that this was as a good time as any to try to get to know his human patrol partner a little more.

   "So," The unicorn started, really trying to think of something to say. "You and me. Working directly for Luna. That must feel pretty cool right?" For some reason this comment made Shannon snap his neck towards Shadow Vein. Giving him a deep scowl of a look as he did so.

   "Princess!" Was the one word that Shannon spoke to the now startled Unicorn. Who was just about to open his mouth to say something, though Shannon stopped him by continuing what would become a lecture. "She is your Goddess, your Worship, your reason for crawling out of your bed when you wake. You will refer to her as such. Addressing her in such an informal manner invites hubris." He then leaned down a bit, while pointing a long index finger at the tip of the Ponies tapered muzzle. "And that, my little Shadow Vein. Is something that I will not allow!" Then just as quickly as he started talking. He resumed his former stance as if nothing were said at all.

   "Alright, alright. Geez, sorry!" Shadow Vein said as he made a couple of dismissive gestures with his fore legs. He was also now wishing that he didn't want Shannon to talk for more than two seconds. "Listen. All I was trying to say is that it is a great honor to serve in Lu-" Thankfully his brain made him snap his mouth shut before he finished that last word. "Princess Luna's personal troop. Every Dark Pony wants to be in it." He made a small laugh before he made his next statement."I bet even some of the Royal Guard would like to be in it!" He was hoping to get some kind of reaction other than anger or annoyance from the almost motionless Human. The only thing he did receive was just another short lived comment.

   "It is their fate to be born as they were. It was their choice to dwell in the burning heat of the Sun's days, and not know the enlightenment of the Night's embrace." As Shannon finished talking, Shadow Vein opened his mouth to try to continue the conversation. It was just nothing would come out. He honestly didn't know how to respond to something like that. He decided to just let it go. Shannon obviously viewed things in a whole other way compared to what the small black Unicorn was told by his parents as far as how Ponies spent their time, day or night time never coming up.

   Several more minutes went by without words or incident. The two Guardsmen stood in silence just moving their heads back and forth, their body weight shifting at random intervals, like reeds being blown in a soft wind. Then something came by that snapped Shadow Vein out of his observer trance. A tall, long legged slender mare came into view. Her coat was a light brown, with a long styled mane of what seemed like pure gold, even in this dark lighting. Her tail was just as well kept as her mane, it had a lovely red bow attached to where the tail met the middle of her flanks. Flanks that donned a shooting star cutie mark that left other smaller stars in it's wake. The mare quickly saw that she was being watched by the young stallion, and gave a small audible giggle as she passed through his line of sight. Shadow Vein in turn gave a long friendly smile while waving one of his front hooves quickly.

   "Oh she's pretty huh?" the Unicorn said in a chipper voice as he continued to follow the mare with a turning head as she walked past. The question went unanswered however, Shannon kept surveying the area in his normal fashion."Do you think she would mind if I went and talked to her?"

   "If you leave this position. I will tie you to the lamp post for the remainder of the night," Shannon said at the ogling unicorn. Who obviously didn't quite hear the threat as he kept his eyes on the passing mare.

   "What do you think her name is? I bet it's something really nice."

   "Star something. Or something Star I would imagine," Shannon said, still not acknowledging the mare.

   "Hrm." Was the noise Shadow Vein made as his smile stopped, and a corner of his mouth twisted upwards. "You don't like girls huh?" This made Shannon get a rather surprised look on his face as one of his eyebrows shot upwards.

   "I beg your pardon?" the Human snapped as he looked down at the Unicorn.

   "Mares!" Shadow Vein quickly corrected himself as he realized what he just implied. "I mean you don't like mares." Shannon just let out a sigh, and returned to his normal position.

   "What I do, or do not like is none of your concern," the Human stated quickly. This made Shadow Vein get a frown over his lips as well as making his eye ridges drop.

   "Oh come on Shannon. We are going to be working together for a long time," he said this, then his eyes shuffled from side to side knowing that one bad review from Shannon to Luna, and the small Dark Pony would be working for his father again in the delivery service. "I hope at least we are." He looked up at Shannon for some kind of confirmation. He received none. "So come on. Open up a bit. I mean, everypony knows about you and Fleur De Lis." This made Shannon spring to life.

   "There is nothing to know about me and, anypony!" He truly did hate saying that word. Though saying 'anyone' usually made more trouble than it was worth. "Especially Fleur De Lis."

   "Uh huh. Well I've heard rumors," the Dark Pony pushed. His courage building up a bit.

   "You need to get your hearing checked then." Shannon came back as soon as his talkative partner finished his statement.

   Shadow Vein let out a series of laughs. "Hey that was pretty good. You made a joke. I bet that hurt." He let out one more single laugh before immediately stopping as he saw Shannon crack his neck from one side to the other.

   "Fine!" Shannon said in a silent shout. Making Shadow Vein jump a little. "I, unlike you and every other creature on this world am not in constant pursuit of companionship from the opposite gender. I prefer to use my time in the study of bettering myself in the arts, talents and profession I have chosen," Shannon stopped talking as the two stared at each other for a moment. "Happy?" Shadow Vein looked up for a second in thought, then returned his stare to his reluctant companion.

   "So, what? You like never, you know." The Unicorn made a subtle poking motion with one of his front hooves. The motion he made, made Shannon drop his head, and even relax his otherwise stiff posture.

   "Look," Shannon started as he lifted his head. "Where I am from, the job, and requirements of it halted me from pursuing a long lasting relationship. There were however, certain women that could accommodate a man. When he desired such attentions. For a moderate fee of course." This made Shadow Vein blink several times as he processed the information that Shannon had just given him.

   "Wait, What?" Shadow Vein said still blinking. "You mean you can give a girl money." He quickly looked around to make sure no pony was in sight, while leaning in a small amount. "And they, do stuff for you. Like private stuff?" The sheer misunderstanding of what Shadow Vein heard, and his naive questions made Shannon get a smile on his face. It was not a kind smile however. It was sinister, and cruel, and it widened the more Shannon decided to exploit the situation.

   "Why yes, yes they do." Shannon's voice changed from it's normal dismissive inflection. To an oddly chipper one, one that Shadow Vein was very pleasantly surprised to hear, and it made him want to listen more. "In fact, on your next night off. You should take about twenty bits, Find a mare of your choosing. Then." The conniving human paused for a second. It was appearing he was in thought. It was more however, taking in the lovely moment of twisting the little Ponies ideals. "Offer her the bits. You may then ask her for, favors, of the intimate type."

   "Nuh uh!" Shadow Vein shouted, almost lifting himself off the ground. "There's no way! I've never heard anything like that! You're messing with me!" Shannon shrugged his shoulders, and let his hands slap his sides as if he had been defeated.

   "Well, very well. Believe me or not. It is your choice." He looked down at the baffled faced Pony. Then twitched his eyebrows up and down. "And your loss." Shadow Vein's jaw dropped open as he let himself be taken in completely of what Shannon had told him. The open jawed expression then slowly turned into a devious little grin as he let himself think of all the mares he knew that he could make such an offer to.

   "Wow! Tomorrow is my night off too!" the Pony exclaimed as he jumped to all four hooves.

   "Is it?" Shannon commented. Acting as if he wasn't aware of the fact. "How fortunate for you."

   "Oh yeah! it's going to be awesome!" Shadow Vein shouted out. Causing several passer by to turn and look.

   "Yes." Shannon added, in a way to himself more than to his troop mate. "Indeed it is."

   Shannon took a deep breath in relief that he had finally found a way to silence his over curious pony companion. He was now looking forward to the rest of the night being only filled with the random notorious giggles that came from Shadow Vein as he thought of all the mares he could offer his bits to, and the resulting interludes that would happen there after. Luck was not on his side this night however. Just as he had resumed his normal position to observe his post, Shadow Vein spoke up with a curious tone.

   "Hey, you hear that?" The Unicorn started as his ears perked up. Shannon had become very keen on the fact that all Ponies had exceptional hearing. Much better than his, and that was saying something. After just a few seconds, Shannon did hear something. It sounded of wood being pulled across stone. The sound that a cart would make if it was going very fast on the cobble stone streets. Sure enough their suspicions were confirmed as one of the city taxis came blowing it's way around the corner they were standing on, almost tipping to one side due to the driver being in a full blown gallop.

   Before Shannon could make a gesture to catch the attention of the driver. He saw another pony almost bounce out of the cab of the vehicle. The passenger was able to recover quickly enough. However, they were holding a large pastry, a cake by the looks of it. The riders lack of digits, or hands for that matter, combined with the great speed of the cart, caused the cake to fly right out the window. Shannon was to busy trying to catch the attention of the driver to notice. Shadow Vein did see it though. He wasn't quite sure what to do. He wondered if he should warn Shannon, or assist in helping him stop the cabbie, and hope that he saw it coming. He soon realized that it should have been the former. The baked good turned projectile smashed right into Shannon's face, neck and upper body. What didn't hit Shannon exploded into a spray of colorful frosting, and spongy chunks that hit everything around them. Except Shadow Vein as he was fortunately shielded by Shannon's body.

   Shadow Vein watched as the cab continued to speed by. He was going to say something, until he got a good look at the Human who was now completely covered with what used to be a cake, his arm still out stretched to a gesture to stop. The small unicorn then burst out into a fit of hysterical laughter. His high pitched howls echoed through the street as he almost fell over while pointing a hoof at Shannon, who was now recovering from being hit. Shadow Vein's laugh's very abruptly came to a sudden halt as Shannon whipped his head downwards, catching eye contact with his heckler. Shadow Vein snapped his mouth shut as he could feel as if Shannon's eyes were daggers, and he got stabbed right in the face.

   "Stop. That. Cart. Now!" Shannon commanded through a clenched jaw, and very visible teeth that did not move as he spoke.

   Shadow Vein scrambled to his hooves as the growled out order was yelled. "You got it!" He confirmed as his horn came to life with a bright purple glow. The unicorn then reared up for just a second, then smashed his front hooves into the ground causing two pitch black shadows to race from his location towards the speeding cart. In a mere second the Unicorn's spell was upon it's intended target. The two shadows that appeared as cracks in the ground swept under the cab's four wheels. Then in an almost catastrophic crash the vehicle came to a sudden stop as it slowly started to sink into the ground where the shadows were. The driver let out a cry of pain as while the cab stopped moving. His harness tightened as he tried to continue at full speed. The result was the Pony whiplashing himself to the ground. The sounds in the cart were no better. The sound of a mare yelling out combined with smashing bottles made Shadow Vein start to make his way towards the stuck cart.

   Shannon was not to far behind. In a hastened wide stride he made a bee line towards the driver, who was now picking himself up off the ground while moving his neck from side to side. The cart's operator looked back behind him to see what caused their accident. His eyes shot open as he looked at the wheels that were now covered in some odd gunk that was slowly crawling it's way up the spokes. His look turned from astonished wonder, to absolute horror as he saw the two Dark Guardsmen approaching with haste. One of them being the fabled human that so many Ponies had talked about. He was covered in dripping frosting, and he looked very, very mad.

   "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so very sorry!" The driver pony cried out as Shannon reached his location. The human then grabbed the stallion by his chin, and pulled upwards as he leaned down to get right in the Ponies face.

   "Do you have any idea how fast you were going?" Shannon growled out at the driver. "I should toss you under the poor excuse for a jail for reckless driving, and endangerment of pedestrians." Shannon then let go of the mortified pony with a moderate push.

   "I'm sorry!" The now shivering pony pleaded again. "It wasn't my fault. She told me to do it. She was scared out of her wits!" With this he pointed a hoof at his cab. Shannon let out another small grunt, that sounded more like a growl as he turned on his heels to make his way to the cart's door.

   "I got it." Shadow Vein called out as his horn glowed again. He knew there was a mare in there from the sound earlier, and he didn't want the first thing to see was some crazed human covered in frosting ripping the door off it's hinges. The cab door started to glow as the same color as Shadow Vein's horn, then gently opened. It revealed a small Earth Pony mare with a blue coat, a mane and tail of almost the same color, with green streaks running down the length. Her eyes were a bright purple, even more so as the dark unicorn noticed a steady stream of tears running down her cheeks. "Oh hey there! Are you alright?" He said in a bright voice, trying to be as comforting as possible.

   "I think so. We came to such a sudden stop. I was thrown all over! It scared me more than it hurt I think." Shadow Vein was about to say something else. Shannon however popped into the door frame.

   "What were you doing!" He barked out. This made the the little mare shriek out of fright as the strange creature with the dripping face came into view.

   "I, I, I." She tried to speak, but stumbled over her words.

   "Shannon." Shadow Vein said as put himself between the mare and the Human. "Let me handle this. You got something on your face by the way." Shannon let out another low growl, then turned away as he started to use his hands to wipe away what he could from his face, neck and clothes. "Now. What seems to be the rush, Miss?"

   "Sweet Tart." The blue mare said in a more calm tone.

   "Sweet Tart. My what a pretty name." Shadow Vein commented as he moved a little closer into the cab. He also took a moment to grab a glance at her flank, which was bearing a series of different colored cup cakes. "Now you go ahead and tell me what the problem is."

   "Minotaurs." Sweet Tart said with a small voice.

   "Minotaurs? Where?" Shadow Vein asked with a raised eye ridge.

   "At Hay Daze. It is a night spot just across the street from my shop. I normally pay it no mind as it is always closed during my work hours. But today I had a rush order that had to be filled. So I stayed much later than I normally do. They must have smelled the freshly baked cake I had just made and was carrying out to this cab. They came and demanded that I give it to them!"

   "Okay. How many were there?" Shadow Vein asked as he was now getting into his 'detective mode' as he liked to call it.

   "There were two. One big scary one! He was dressed in some kind of fur outfit. The other one was a bit shorter, but just as scary!" As she was talking. Her hooves were moving in all directions trying to emphasize the words of her story. "They told me to give them the cake cause they were super special guests of the Princess, and they could have what ever they wanted. So I told the driver to go as fast as he could."

   "Sorry." A voice came from outside the interior.

   "They chased us down the street! It was almost three blocks before they gave up." Then the mare's eyes started to well up again with tears as she looked past Shadow Vein, and towards Shannon who was still trying to get cake and frosting from his garments. "But now the cake is gone! and I have to go back there and start all over!" When she hit the word 'over' tears started falling freely from her eyes as she reached up and covered her face with her hooves.

   "Oh hey, hey!" Shadow Vein said in a comforting voice while patting Sweet Tart on the shoulder. "Don't you worry your pretty mane over it. See I'm a Dark Guardsmen. And me and my partner here are going to go check this out. Alright?" This made Sweet Tart gives a few sniffs as her face came out from under the hooved shield.

  "Really?" She said in a whimpering voice.

   "You bet! Right Shannon?" Shadow Vein looked outside and saw that Shannon was now starting to notice that his wiping motions were causing more of a mess than anything. Shadow Vein turned back to Sweet Tart, and gave a half grin. "He's fine. Not  a cake fan though."

   "Oh Dear! I am so very sorry. Shannon was it? Did it taste alright though?" She asked in an honest tone. Shannon said nothing but give her a straight lipped glare before continuing his clean work.

   "So after we get this all taken care of." Shadow Vein started. "Would you like to find out about an awesome way to make twenty bits?"

   "What?" Sweet Tart said with a half surprised, half confused look on her face. Shadow Vein was about to continue, Shannon however reached into the rick shaw grabbing the Unicorn by the ear and dragging him out of it.

   "Ow, ow, ow!" Shadow vein protested as he was pulled away. He shook his head away from Shannon's grasp, then shot him a nasty look.

   "Release them." Shannon commanded. Shadow Vein simply tapped his hoof on the ground, and the cart started to raise up from the murky pits that trapped it. The two dark streaks then simply vanished away, leaving to trace that they were there at all. "You!" Shannon said as he pointed at the driver. "Get her home. If I see you driving in such a manner again, our divine Night Goddess herself will not be able to save you!" The cab driver took the hint, and he quickly started to pull the carriage away.

   "Bye!" Shadow Vein called out as he waved to Sweet Tart. Who herself was closing the door, but gave the dark stallion a quick wave of her hoof. The braided mane unicorn turned to Shannon, and gave him a quick smile. "She was nice. I might visit her shop."

   "I don't care!" Shannon said as he started walking towards the direction that they were told about.

   "So what's the plan?" Shadow Vein stated quickly as he caught up to the human.

   "The plan is. You are going to scout out these Minotaur. See if they are still there. If not, find out where they went."

   "What about you?

   Shannon turned around a couple of times in place. As if he was trying to get his bearings. "I am going to get cleaned up. I am not going to present myself to any potential threats with my armor covered in, in this." He then pointed in the direction of this Hay Daze. "Now go!"

   "I'm on it!" Shadow Vein said as he began a quick trot down the road.

   The cake and frosting covered human closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. To him this was just another event in a long string of silly circumstances that he had been a part of since his arrival here in this world. It were these Ponies. Never once on Earth did he remember having to take part in such antics. If anyone had thrown a cake at him while he was on his home world, he would have shot them in turn. On this thought he mumbled something to himself. He wasn't sure what it was, but he thought he heard him self say 'anypony.' He let out a quick breath as he felt him self starting to calm down. He started to walk down a narrow alleyway as he knew that there was a closed park near by. It's fountain however, was still running. He decided to use that to quickly remove all of the cake bits from his long, now matted hair, and clothes before it started to dry. As he walked he looked upwards towards the sky. The Moon was bright, and it felt good to see the beams wash down over the back street he was in. "My Divinity bless me." He said as he came to the end of the street, where he saw his goal.

****

   The door handles to the observatory began to glow a solid dark blue with a lighter blue transparent outline. The doors were violently thrown open revealing a very angered Alicorn stomping into the room. Luna had a vicious grimace on her face as she slammed the doors behind her. She started pacing back and forth while taking off her crown with the same magic that opened the doors, then tossing it across the room. "Cursed bovine creatures!" She shouted as she watched the jewellery ping off the wall, and roll on the floor for a few moments before coming to a halt.

   The talks weren't going well, to say the least. These Minotaur wanted the impossible, and were wanting it as soon as possible. even worse they were so territorial that they barely wanted to give anything in return for the generous offers she and her sister had been making. She knew how they viewed Ponies. Her sister Celestia may be blind to their inner thoughts of her kind, but Luna knew all to well. She could see their dreams, their most hidden thoughts and desires. To them, Ponies were nothing more than colorful talking live stock. It nearly drove her mad the things that were just said to her in the short amount of time she had taken over the talks for her sister. She needed to relax, if only for a moment, collect her thoughts. Because the more and more these savage horned brutes talked. The more she wanted to once again don her helmet, and let them know how the Alicorns of old would have dealt with such overt insults.

   She rotated her shoulders, made her wings stretch out and flap a few times. She also let her mane and tail return to their normal pony form. Not the constant waving of the ethereal state they were normally in. "Some air will do me well I think." She said to herself out loud. With that she walked out onto the very high balcony of the castle. She could see so much of Canterlot from this one position. A beautiful view of her city bathed in moonlight and shadow. The colors of black seemingly melting into the shades of grey and silver as the buildings, and street lamps gave off their own warm lights. Just adding more rich definition to the cityscape before her. With a sigh and a huff, she stared up into the Moon. How much easier things were there. No politics, no greedy ambassadors wanting all they can get their hairy knuckles on. Just her, and nothing else. The corner of her mouth bunched up to the side of her muzzle. It was easier there yes, and much, much lonelier.

   Her head panned back and forth across the city. Then abruptly snapped to something she had to do a double take on to make sure it was what she thought it was. There, in a closed up park was her loyal subject Shannon. He was half naked, wearing only his pants and boots. The rest of him was completely without clothes, and soaking wet. For reasons she couldn't fathom, he was bathing himself in the fountain there in the middle of the park. His slightly dark skin shimmering in the rays of the moon, letting her see what a human looked like. He was very toned, his muscles stretched and twisted from his arms to his abdomen as he reached down to get a handful of water and then splash it up onto his bare hairless chest. He would then bend over and whip his long straight black hair to one side. He reached into the water again, then came up to wash the strands that then became one solid long mass that almost touched the ground from his position.

   Luna at this point had moved to the very edge of her spying perch. Her head had tilted ever so slightly to the side, and her eyes became half closed in a deep dreamy state. Then she realized something that she was doing. She had started biting her bottom lip, something it seems she couldn't help but doing. She couldn't take her eyes off the scene before her. She wondered if this is what all those other mares felt like when they saw him. They surely had never seen him like this before, at least she hoped they didn't. She caught another odd gesture her body was doing apparently on it's own. Her front leg had started to reach forward, as if her hoof was trying to touch him, she wanted to feel that bare skin. "Oh no!" She whispered to herself, as her lip and hoof came back under her control. She couldn't believe what she was feeling. Her body was warm in places she hadn't felt in such a long time. Her mind started to swirl with fantasies of what he would look like without the pants and boots. In all the time the Human had been here, had been in her Dark Guard. She never once thought that she had feelings for him. Now she realized that she had deep, very deep feelings for him.

   She felt herself fall victim to an almost full body blush as her fantasies built in length and detail, and her bottom lip once again found it's way into her mouth. She couldn't help it, it was his fault. The way he spoke to her. The way he tossed himself at her hooves with no shame or embarrassment. Ever since she had returned from her thousand year exile, all she wanted was to be treated like a normal Pony Princess. She figured it would make the transition of this still new world easier on herself, and her subjects. Shannon though refused to see her as anything but normal. He would call her the Moon. Address her as the Night itself, and she did so love the old names. To him, she was not just a Pony, a Princess, not even a Queen. She was a Goddess, his Goddess. Not for social merit, not for the jealousy others would feel for his position in her personal guard. She was his Goddess because of the faith he needed to have in her. He believed in her, and nothing else. Any mare that dared not fall in love with any stallion, or man in this case for such unconditional devotion was a fool, and Luna was no fool.

   Panic struck the gawking Pony when she saw Shannon appear as if he was going to look towards the palace. The thought of him seeing her eyeing him like a piece of meat made her do a mad dash backwards, almost tripping over a plush area rug before slamming herself onto the interior wall. Her breathing was heavy, and her chest was heaving. "Oh please by the Night and the Moon do not let him have seen me!" She uttered in a shaky voice. She built up the courage to peek ever so slowly around the open arch way that led to the balcony. She let out a loud sigh of relief as she saw that he had not noticed her. He was in fact now dressing himself. The light weight black shirt, followed by the black chain mail tunic, then finishing with his long coat and articulated plate shoulder guards. She noticed on the edge of the fountain something she rarely saw, if ever, his weapons. The twin axes that he had made not very long after his arrival. He only had one at the time, stating that the other was lost in the trip here. They were such cruel looking things. every part of them had a point or an edge somewhere. It was the main blades that make her at odds with the cleaving devices. They were shaped in the form of the crescent moon. It was something she wasn't sure he did on purpose, or if she should be frightened or flattered at the gesture.

   With all his garments back on, Shannon walked out of her line of sight much to her dismay. So much so that she started to slink her way back out onto the open platform to see if she could get just a few more moments of looking at him. "Excuse me. My Princess." A deep voice came from behind her. She could actually feel her heart skip several beats, her eyes flew open to their utmost width, and she had to concentrate very seriously on not jumping straight up into the sky.

   "What!" She shouted while spinning around to see who had snuck up on her, even using her Equestrian voice as she yelled. There in the now open doorway was Moon Burn, with a very confused look on his otherwise stalwart face. "I mean. Yes?" She corrected herself as she tried to not visibly calm her not almost shattered nerves.

   "Forgive the interruption Princess." He tried to start. Luna quickly came in with a remark to sway his.

   "Hmm? Interruption? .You didn't interrupt anything. At all." She stated as a long smile came over her snout.

  "Very good Princess." Was all Moon Burn said before returning to his previous statement. "The Minotaurs are asking for you again. I can tell them that the talks are in recess if you so desire."

   "No." Luna said as she started to walk towards Moon Burn, and the doors that she now wished she had locked. No. That is fine. Thank you Moon Burn. Tell them I will be there in but a moment."

   "As you say Princess." Moon Burn said with a deep nod of his head. He also began to step backwards to allow her to pass. Though with his sight focused on the ground he noticed that her crown was still resting on the floor. "Princess." Luna stopped mid stride as she heard him address her. "I believe your crown." He didn't finish the sentence. He just motioned over at the head piece with a tilt of his neck.

   "Oh look at that. I was wondering where that went. Thank you Moon Burn." A magical glow encompassed the crown, and it flew with great speed off the floor, through the air, and on top of Luna's head in a mere second.

   "I will close up here Princess." He said as she walked past him. He thought he heard her say something, but she was already half way down the stairs that had led up to this particular room. The large black unicorn stepped into the large room that was used as a way to observe the streets below. He walked out onto the balcony and with a quick movement scanned the area. He was really trying to see what she was so infatuated with that she wouldn't notice his entrance. With nothing in his view but streets, buildings, and the occasional pony strolling to where ever they were going. Moon Burn let out a small chuckle before leaving the room, closing the doors behind him.

****

   After Shannon had completed cleaning up the mess that was his entire ensemble thanks to the speeding rick shaw, he made his way quickly through the alleys and back streets to meet up with Shadow Vein. The trip didn't take long, the place called Hay Daze was rather well known as an after hours meet an greet spot, in a popular area of Canterlot. He had never been there himself, though Chaotica, and even Flur De Lis had tried to make him go on several occasions. Upon arriving he could make out the brightly lit area of the gathering spot. It was very well kept, with a large number of tables and dining areas set up on the outside for a night time eating experience. Something was off though as he approached. Many Ponies were outside, they weren't eating however. They were gathered in clumps of pastel colored masses, speaking to one another with the most of them having worried looks on their faces. He quickly spotted Shadow Vein. The Dark Pony was doing his best to stick to the darker areas of the street in an observational position. Which in a way made Shannon somewhat happy considering he was half way expecting him to be in the middle of everything trying to comfort the mares.

   "What's the situation?" Shannon asked quietly as he walked up to his partner. When Shadow Vein heard this, he gave a long smile.

   "Hey! Don't you clean up nice." The unicorn said with a chuckle. Which left just as fast as it came as he saw the narrowed eyes stare Shannon gave him afterwards. "Right." He continued with a more serious tone. "Well. Sweet Tart was right. Two Minotaurs are inside. The bigger one has been making most of the noise, the smaller one is pretty much his wing man. Not doing much but laughing at the bigger one's antics."

   "Property damage?" Shannon asked while surveying the area at close range now.

   "Nothing I have seen. I heard a couple of glasses break. Couldn't make out if they were the ones that did it."

   "We'll move to the front. Start asking." Shannon's plan was quickly cut short as the sound of a window breaking caught their attention. It wasn't the fact that the window had been broken. It was what was used to break it. A dull white earth Pony came flying through the glass. Looking like a rag doll as he twisted and spun in the air, before hitting the ground with a loud thud, causing other Ponies to have to move out of the way. The crowd let out a large amount of gasps, and screams as they all looked at the now unconscious victim of someone else's brute strength.

   "Time to get in?" Shadow Vein exclaimed with a now very uncharacteristic look of determination.

   "Yep." Was all Shannon said as the two came out of their shadowed blind in quick stride.

   The two Guardsmen quickly made themselves known as they arrived on the scene. "Everypony get back!" Was the order Shadow Vein shouted as he made his way to the other Pony that had been used to smash the window. "You!" He exclaimed at the same time pointing at a stallion in the crowd. "Get down the street. Contact Canterlot Medical. Get them down here now!" The Pony he had picked out gave a quick nod, and then took off at full gallop to execute the orders he had been given. "Everypony else. Get across the street." The crowds herd mentality kicked in rather quickly. The lot of them glad that somepony had shown up to handle the situation, and in just a few seconds, the whole of the onlookers were where the Dark Guardsmen had directed. Shadow Vein looked around, and quickly found Shannon had by passed all others in the yard. He was already half way up the main stairs using a slow step to climb. Something had changed about him now, for some reason, he had pulled his hood up, and was placing something over his face.

   Shannon stepped just past the doorway. He needed little time to ascertain the situation as he saw the two large horned creatures at one side of the room. They were completely alone now, and the largest of the pair was behind the bar, helping himself to whatever bottle struck his fancy. The smaller one sat on a stool, and was laughing very hard while pouring another bottle into his mouth. "And I thought the winged ones were the only ones that could fly!" He said as he started pounding the bar top with a heavy  fist. The two let out another uproar of laughter as the larger one finished the bottle he was working on, then chucked it over his shoulder causing it to smash into several others.

   "Gentlemen." Shannon said. Still not moving from his initial entering spot. The two Minotaur suddenly stopped laughing, and directed their attention at the odd looking thing in the doorway. "I am going to have to ask you to leave the premise." The bovine creatures looked at each other, then back at Shannon, then back each at other again before bursting out in another series of howling laughter.

   "What in the name of Tartarus is that thing?" The smaller one asked, looking to the larger one.

   "I dunno. It sure isn't a Pony. Is it?" The one behind the bar said with a confounded look on his face. The smaller one on the stool then snapped his fingers together and pointed at Shannon while still looking at his cohort.

   "Ah! I bet it's that human thing."

   "Oh yeah!" The bigger one cried out. "What's wrong with it's head?" He commented on the fact that the person standing before them had no face to speak of. Just two, unblinking covered staring eyes. Both the Minotaurs shrugged as no answer came from the human at the door. "Well hey there Human. Come over here and have a drink with us. We're here on a diplomatic mission of peace." That last statement made the two break into laughter louder than any before. Shannon however, was not amused. He made a small suck noise through his teeth as he started to walk slowly into the room. By this time, Shadow Vein had also made his way up the stairs, and made his presence known by stepping to the right of Shannon.

   "Uh oh." The bigger one said as a grin came over his snout. "Looks like we have a brave one."

   "Small too." The one sitting at the bar added.

   "My name is Shadow Vein, of the Royal Dark Guard of Canterlot. I think you were asked to leave."

   "Well, well." the larger of the two said as he placed his massive hand on the bar, then used it as leverage as he swung his legs over the entire wide bar in one jump. His hooves hit the wooden floor with a loud smash. His friend stood up from his resting place as well to join his now narrow eyed companion. "Don't you have some pep in your step." With this, the larger one took a single step forward covering a lot of ground with the single stride. Shadow Vein Got down in a low stance, baring his teeth while his horn began to give a soft glow. Both parties quickly stopped in their footsteps as Shannon decided to make his move.

   With a speed Shadow Vein was not aware the Human had. Shannon took only two long steps forward that completely closed the distance between him and the larger instigator. The Minotaur was less concerned about the masked creature that was right next to him, and more concerned about the large axe that was now pointing directly at his face. Shannon had pulled the weapon from it's sheath so fast in fact, that the long pointed tip on the top was ringing out a high note. This note at this point was the only sound that could be heard.

   Both the horned trouble makers stopped smiling, they had stopped laughing altogether. Even they themselves had not brought any kind of weapon with them. The thought hadn't crossed neither of their minds that something might actually have a sinister, and deadly weapon at their disposal. Let alone have the gumption to pull it. "Alright." The bigger one started still staring directly at the piercing point of the axe pointed at his muzzle. "I see we have worn out our welcome. We'll be on our way." With that the larger one looked over at the smaller one, and made a simple gesture with his head. They both tried to walk past the emotionless faced human, but Shannon stepped in time to block their path.

   "Through the back." Was the small phrase that came from the cold looking mask. everyone in the room, including Shadow Vein gained a look of confusion as Shannon pushed, forcing the two to start stepping backwards.

   "Hey Shannon. They said they'd leave. What does it matter what door they use?" Shadow Vein protested as he too started following the trio.

   "Secure the front doors." Shannon said to Shadow Vein, not for a moment looking away from the two he had at axe point.

   "I'm not sure why you." The Unicorn started. He was quickly cut off by a low growl of a command that came from his human partner.

   "Now!" This made Shadow Vein jump at the new voice that was coming from underneath the mask. The Minotaurs as well gave a reflexive jolt at the volume that was coming from the tall slender creature.

  "Alright, alright!" The small unicorn moved with a fast jump towards the front doors. He noticed there were still a large crowd across the street. Canterlot Medical had made it to the scene and were loading the wounded pony that was hurled out the window into a rick shaw designed for such purposes. He took a deep breath, then gave a reassuring wave to those that took notice of him. He then grabbed a hold of the large front doors with his magic, closing them with a loud slam.

   "Shannon huh? Kinda an odd name." The Minotaur with the axe pointed at him said. "But hey! I'm Stone Burner. This is my cousin Steel Horn. We're here with the ambassador's convoy. You know, the one trying to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the trade routes." Even as the one called Stone Burner spoke. Shadow Vein thought how quick their attitudes had changed when they were behind closed doors, and with an axe pointed at them.

   "Your names?" Shannon said in a loud whisper that had a mocking inflection. "Your names are Heretic, Blasphemer, Sacrilege. You had your chances to go. Instead you faced off against the Royal Dark Guard of our Divinity, our Worship, our Goddess. In kind, you faced off against her. You, threatened, her." As Shannon spoke his last sentence, he made a stabbing gesture with the weapon in his hand. Causing Stone Burner to recoil as it got dangerously close to poking him in the nose.

   "Come on Shannon. Let's just take them in. We have plenty of charges on them." Shadow Vein said, trying very hard to diffuse this rather sudden tense situation. Something was wrong. He had never seen Shannon pull his axes before. He never seen him wear that mask. His voice was different, the way he stood, his overall demeanor had altered.

   "Alright look!" The one called Steel Horn shouted as he decided to try to do a little intimidation of his own. "We are here at the request of your Princess Celestia. I don't know who this Goddess is you're talking about, but if she has something to say to us. Then she can come down here and say it herself." At this point. The smaller Minotaur was just as close to Shannon as his larger cousin was. "And I tell you what, little thing. If I don't like what I hear. I might just being wearing her horn for a necklace, and." Steel Horn suddenly found it impossible to make any more words. Anything he tried to vocalize came out of his mouth as just a gargle. That's when he noticed the human had pulled another axe, an axe that was now dripping with blood. His horror became truth as he then felt the warm cascade of his own life's fluid, running down his chest. It happened to fast. He didn't even see the human move.

   "By the Moon." Shadow Vein whispered to himself as he saw a nightmare coming to life before him. He had never seen so much blood in his entire life. It just didn't seem to stop as the now mortally wounded Minotaur clasped his hand over the gaping fissure that was now where his throat used to be. He wanted to wake up. This had to be a horrible dream. The small little Unicorn smashed his eyes shut. He just wanted to wake up.

   "No!" Stone Burner cried out as he saw his cousin fall to the ground. Still in his disbelief trying to make some kind of word that could be understood. "I'll tear you apart!" Stone Burner wailed as tears of remorse, and rage filled his very being. He struck with a closed fist, adding as much speed and power to the blow as he could possibly muster. As soon as he thought his attack would land. The human made the smallest of gestures. A simple side step, and turn of his body that had him standing perfectly beside Stone Burner's out stretched arm. With speed equal to what had ended Steel Horn. Shannon made a downward strike with the axe still covered in Minotaur blood. It's razor edge made swift work of Stone Burner's thick hide of his arm. The bone gave way just as easily as a dry twig to a falling boulder. The pain was undescribable to the now maimed Stone Burner. He saw his own arm from the elbow forward spin several times in the air before falling to the ground with a thump. The next sounds he heard was his own scream of pain, followed by his knees hitting the wooden floor.

   Shannon did little in the way of movement. Merely tilting his head from side to side as he looked at his handy work on the Minotaur's bloody stump. "Hmm. Not my most clean of cuts. But you must understand I have had so little opportunity befall me in these last long months." Shannon placed the blade of the axe he held in his right hand under the chin of the sobbing, and grunting Minotaur. He pushed up until Stone Burner's eyes were meeting his. "I truly thank you for that. And my our Worship resolve you of your sins. So that you may know Darkness in the next life she is kind enough to bestow upon you." At the end of his darkened prayer. Shannon reached back with the axe to a full extension of his arm. Then like a sling shot his arm flung forward in a malice filled blow. Perfectly cleaving right through Stone Burner's mouth, crushing grinding teeth, and perfectly severing the top of his head, from his bottom jaw.

   Shadow Vein dared not open his eyes, and he only wished that he could have shut off his ability to hear just as easily as he stared into the black abyss of his own closed eyes. The screams of agony he heard was bad enough, the taunts of his troop mate freshly engraved into his memory. It was the silence that tormented him now. For he knew that the two law breakers had now become victims of Shannon's horrid metal constructions, and they lay lifeless on the floor. His mind was ablaze of questions, running the scenario over, and over again to try to find what went wrong, how things could have been different. He couldn't even start to imagine how he would explain this to Moon Burn, the twins, and Princess Luna herself. He had become an accomplice to murder. He couldn't stop thinking, he couldn't get the images from his head. It was then his thought train was brought to a sudden crashing halt.

   "Shadow Vein." Shannon said, causing the Unicorn to wince at the sound of his own name. "Shadow Vein. Open your eyes." The Dark Guard recruit hoped that perhaps he had been in his own mind longer than he had thought. Perhaps Shannon had at least moved the bodies. With a slow anticipation, Shadow Vein let his eyes creep open. However slow he wanted them open. His eyelids flew wide as he saw the remains of the two Minotaurs. Then something that he knew would crush his dreams for the remainder of his days. The one called Stone Burner. The very top of his head laid on the floor. His eyes frozen in pain, as if he was still experiencing the event of being severed from his own body.

   "Open your Rifts Shadow Vein." Shannon commanded, still not looking at the small terrified Pony.

   Shadow Vein's stomach twisted, his throat tightened as he knew what Shannon wanted him to do. "Oh please Shannon. Please, not like this!" Tears started to well in the Unicorn's large somber eyes. to use his special ability to cast these poor souls bodies to a bottomless void was tearing at his already wounded being. "I beg you! Do not make me!"

   Shannon slowly turned his head to glimpse the begging Pony. Shadow Vein finally let the tears start falling as he finally saw the mask Shannon was wearing. Featureless, unmoving, black and cold. "I will not ask again. The Rifts." Shadow Vein took a deep breath, then released a primal scream as his horn exploded to life. He reared up for a moment, then smashed his hooves into the floor, causing the shadows  to extend from his body. They ripped through the floor, and over the entire area that the killings had taken place. He watched in a terrified awe as the bodies, and severed body parts began to slowly sink into the nothing the Unicorn had produced. It only became worse as the oil like tendrils started to encompass their targets. Wrapping themselves around the lifeless hunks of chilling flesh, expediating their decent into an eternal nameless grave.

   As Shadow Vein's spell worked it's desired result, Shannon noticed that a small splash of blood had gotten onto the collar of his coat. He saw a mirror across the room, just a few steps from where Stone Burner had fallen. Shannon simply stepped over the Minotaur's corpse, as if were nothing more than a ill placed piece of furniture. He placed his arms onto the wall, then leaned in close, seemingly trying to stare down the reflection that looked back at him. With his right hand he reached for the collar of his coat. He scooped up the blood onto his fingers, taking notice that it was still warm to the touch. He then reached up to the mask covering his face, and starting at the top of the eye. He moved his hand in a slow circular fashion that ended just where the corner of his mouth would be, drawing a crude crescent moon. "May these two wander their own personal hells sightless, and soundless. Let all the other damned spectres glare upon them in pity and lament as they speak: ' There go the fools who thought they could harm the Night itself.'"

   Even before Shannon had finished his own personal curse, the deed was done. All evidence that an altercation had vanished into the creeping shadowy mass. Then as the last body part sank away. Shadow Vein's horn stopped glowing, and the pits that swallowed their victims simply closed up, and faded away. Leaving just an empty wooden floor, not even a stain of blood to let all who stepped there from here on after know, that there was death beneath them. It was the last thing Shadow Vein could take. His magic grabbed a hold of the doors to the outside, throwing them open as he dashed at full speed out into the still waiting crowd. Many of them shouting questions into his unwanton ears. He threw himself down the street, trying as hard as his short skinny legs could carry him to get as far away from this place as possible.

   Shannon paid no mind to the fleeing Unicorn. He just let off a slow breath as he reached up, and pulled at the straps around his ears that held the mask in place. He placed his still blood stained garment into it's special compartment on the inside breast of his coat. Then reach up and removed the hood that covered the rest of his head. His body relaxed, he straightened the coat, and even took a moment to flush his hair out while still looking in the mirror. He turned around, and gave the entire room one last slow look over before walking in a perfectly normal stride to the top of the steps where the mass of confused Ponies looked at him with a want of an explanation to all the things they had heard.

   "Thank you for showing such patience." He called out getting everyponies attention. "By the grace of our great Moon Goddess. The two deviants have seen the error of their ways, and have decided to leave, and never return. They wish to express their most sincere sorrow for causing any damage or harm. Please continue your night's festivities." With that Shannon walked down the stairs, simply ignoring any questions that were thrown at him by the Ponies he passed. He was though, very happy to hear several 'Praise be to Luna!' or even a 'Hail the Dark Guard.' come from faceless voices. It made him give off a lopsided grin as he continued down the street.

   What Shannon did not see however, was the hoovering black cloud of smoke that had spread itself across a wall of a neighbouring building. The cloud removed itself from it's hiding place, floated slowly to the ground, then started to shape itself into the form of it's true persona. Chaosia came walking out from the dark alley her face twisted in both shock and rage as she watched the party going Ponies return to the very room where she just saw her troop mate slaughter two living creatures. She locked eyes with a stallion that had noticed her come from the narrow street between the buildings. He flashed her a smile, and nodded towards the party spot all the other Ponies where now entering en mass. The Dark Pony made a snarl with her muzzle. "Fools." She whispered to herself as probably none of those dozens of actual witnesses would even try to raise the question of what they had at least heard, let alone where the transgressors had even gone. She stepped back into the shadow blanket of the alley. Only a glimmer of light from her horn, and the reflection of it off her green and red eyes. Then there was nothing as she returned to her wisping cloud. Taking to the sky, and to the castle.

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