Operation: Falling Leaf

Canterlot Royal Court

May 5th, 1058 A.B.

1:28 PM

Canterlot Castle was quiet. The birds were singing their songs in the gardens. The staff were contentedly sunning themselves outside, their job done for the day. The Royal Guards were slightly less stoic and would actually hold small conversation with the passersby. The castle was the perfect image of serenity. Then that image was shattered by one noise. The sound of galloping hooves echoed down the corridors as their owner made their way towards the Royal Court. Without hesitation, they threw open the great oaken doors and slid to a stop at the base of the Princesses' dais. The stranger threw back their cowl and revealed themselves as a member of LUNA.

"Hail, Operative. What urgent news brings you galloping through our halls?" Princess Celestia asked the newcomer quickly.

"Princess Celestia, my name is Lunar Aegis, and I come bearing, as you said, urgent news." Lunar Aegis paused briefly to catch his breath. Celestia was curious, now, as to what news this LUNA operative could have brought. Finally, she could contain her curiosity no longer.

"Lunar Aegis, what news have you brought?" Lunar smiled slowly. He had a feeling that Celestia would grow impatient and ask him about the message. He thought about making her wait a little longer but decided against it.

"Princess, LUNA has received a tip that a small group of hostile creatures are gathering in Whitetail Woods. Scouting operations have not reported back at all. LUNA is requesting permission to discover the source of the disappearances directly." Lunar Aegis stepped back a pace as he let his words sink in and waited for his answer.

Then, for the first time during this report, Luna spoke up. "Aegis, you are granted permission to discover the source of these disappearances."

"No! It's too dangerous, Luna! What if we lose the whole of LUNA?" Celestia cried out, turning to face her sister.

"The LUNA operatives can handle themselves, they will not let themselves be taken." Luna replied nonchalantly.

"Actually, Your Majesty, the disappearances were all members of LUNA." Aegis replied in the same manner. His words stunned Luna into falling backwards into her throne. Seeing this, Celestia offered a compromise.

"Luna, what if we send the Royal Special Forces as well? That way we've got almost double the amount of operatives looking into this."

Luna looked at her sister and realized she was right. "Alright, then. It's settled. Aegis, go report to the captain of the Royal Special Forces. Tell him what you told us, then inform him that they are to assist you in any way possible." When Luna spoke she had an air of finality about her. Lunar Aegis decided not to press the matter further.

"Yes, Mistress of the Night. Your wish shall be done."

Canterlot Practice Fields

May 5th, 1058 A.B.

1:47 PM

The practice fields rang with the dull thump of weapon hitting leather-padded wood. The newest Royal Guard recruits were going through their basic drills in one field. In the field to their left the Royal Special Forces were practicing unseen movement. Although they were better than the guards, they were still below LUNA's standards. Then I spotted an old friend standing off to the side, observing the RSF training. I trotted over to him casually.

"Wind Rider! Remember me?" I called to him as I came within earshot. He turned his head towards me slowly. Although as soon as he recognized me his face went from a scowl into a grin.

"Lunar Aegis! I haven't seen you in forever!" He replied, meeting me halfway across the field. We walked together back to where he had been standing. "So, what brings you here?"

"I'm actually here to see the captain of the RSF. Do you know where he is?"

"Yeah, he's right over there." He replied, pointing with one hoof at the figure standing over the RSF Operatives as they attempted to unsuccessfully hide from his vision yet again. "But what's this all about?" His face had a look of seriousness upon it that I've rarely ever seen.

"We've lost some LUNA Agents up by Whitetail Woods. I was just talking to the Princesses about it. They gave the whole of LUNA permission to investigate, but they gave us a condition. We needed to get the RSF to help. That's why I'm here." I had hesitated for a split second, but decided to tell him, considering he's my best friend. Of course, he noticed that hesitation.

"What was that?" He asked nonchalantly, implying that he didn't notice a really significant detail. 'Oh, he's good. But I can still see that he's actually really curious for some reason.' I thought to myself as I studied his face quickly.

"What was what?" I replied in the same manner. That finally broke down his dam.

"You hesitated before you told me the situation. Is there something you're not telling me?" His voice was a mixture of pain and curiosity. I decided it would be the better course to be honest.

"Yeah, sorry. I just wasn't sure if I could trust you with those secrets. Again, I'm sorry." I apologized twice to make sure there would be no doubt that I was, indeed, sorry. The pain on his face died away, but only a little bit.

"You weren't sure if you could trust your best friend?" His voice almost seemed to crack for a second, but it was to brief to tell for sure. Again, I decided to be truthful.

"Yes. But you of all ponies must understand how imperative it is to hold on to secrets. Please, you need to understand." My pleas must have hit a part of him, a part known to me alone, hard, because his face immediately softened.

"Yeah, I understand. I still don't like that you even considered that." He sighed.

"Never again, I promise you. Now let's go talk to the captain."