“Code Moon”
Her Majesty Twilight Sparkle
Royal Palace, Canterlot, Equestria
September 5th, 15 ALR

Twilight read over the report for what seemed like the fifth time. A large amount of sudden magical energy was detected inside the relocation zone designated “Sweet Apple Acres”, and when she dispatched a squad of Death Hooves to investigate under the pretence of liquidation, a strange creature called a “human” with a powerful weapon forced the squad to retreat when he killed one soldier and captured Captain Rarity. The Corporal who wrote the report then urged Twilight to send additional troops to Sweet Apple Acres to neutralize this threat, stating that the situation could very well escalate if the creature managed to escape.

Sighing deeply, Twilight put down the report and took a sip of her special tea. This report could not have come at a worse time for Twilight, as she was on the cusp of completing preparations for Operation Shattered Crystal, the attack that would deal with the Crystal Empire’s independence. It had taken months to move army units to the border, all while keeping the guise that Equestria was simply conducting military exercises. This operation would be one of the biggest attacks ever conducted by the Equestrian Military, with a vast majority of the military taking part. However since she was preparing for the operation, she had little troops to spare when it came to internal affairs.

Twilight placed her cup of tea back on the table next to her chair as she thought over the developing situation, trying to unravel exactly just what had happened in that zone marked for relocation yesterday as she pulled out the paper that analyzed the burst of magic from the report folder. According to the readings, whatever cast the spell must of had either been an immensely powerful mage, or was drawing from an incredible source of magic. As she looked at the analysis closer she noticed something in the magical readout, something that deeply disturbed her. The spell had faint traces of alicorn magic in it, so small that it was easy for a common unicorn to look past.

A cold bead of sweat rolled down Twilight’s face as she put the pieces together. The only way a pony could cast a spell so large in magnitude would be if they pulled power from a shooting star, something that only one pony had mastered: Princess Luna. If Princess Luna was back, it would mean that one of the last threats to Twilight’s absolute power had returned.
Getting up quickly, she ran to the bell to summon a servant and rang it. It took a few moments for the servant to get to Twilight’s chambers, the mare immediately bowing to her Princess. “You ne-” she began before Twilight cut her off with a raised hoof.

“I need you to run to the barracks and get General Armor for me with haste. Tell him that we have a Code Moon. Is that understood?” she explained. The servant nodded, turning tail and running back out of Twilight’s chambers. Once the servant had left, Twilight trotted over to the doors leading to her balcony and opened them, taking a step outside. The balcony offered a stunning view of Canterlot and the surrounding areas, along with a telescope for observing distant objects of interest during the day and the stunning stars at night. She pointed the telescope at the distant town of Ponyville, locking her view on her former castle. It was a truly majestic sight. At first she didn’t want to move from it, but in the end her advisor managed to convince her to use the Royal Palace here in Canterlot instead. She didn’t know why she hated her advisor before; he was quite clever and efficient when he wanted to be.

She continued to gaze at her castle and ponder about the implications of the return of Luna when a knock on the door snapper out of it. “Come in,” she called as she turned and walked back into the room. The door creaked open, revealing none other than her older brother, General Shining Armor as he strode into the room.

“When the servant told me that we had a Code Moon, I came as quick as I could. Has Luna really returned?” Shining asked, taking his helmet and placing it on Twilight’s bedside table. Twilight simply nodded in response, floating the magic analysis paper over to Shining.

“Yes Shining, I’m quite certain that she’s returned. I don’t know what she’s up to, but the large burst of magical energy in Ponyville has traces of alicorn magic in it, and I’m sure our units on the border would of had spotted Cadance if she were to have crossed.” Twilight responded rather curtly, pulling out a file from one of her drawers. Shining thought on Twilight’s words for a bit, then exhaled.

“Well, if that’s the case then we should mobilize a division to Ponyville immediately. I know Shattered Crystal is coming up soon, but we must capture Luna before she can escape again.” Shining said firmly, looking his sister straight in the eyes. There was a few moments of silence in the room as they stared at each other, until Twilight broke the silence.

“I guess you’re right Shining, she’s forcing my hoof here. Notify Captain Dusty Trone and tell him to send a detachment of troops to Ponyville as soon as possible. Order him to not let anypony leave that town until we’ve found Luna.” Twilight ordered. Shining hesitated for a moment, knowing full well that sending troops from the already weakened garrison at Sunny Hills was a bad idea, but ultimately nodded his head in agreement as he put his helmet back on.

“It shall be done Twilight.”

“You’re kidding, right? You can’t honestly think you can break into a maximum security prison with nothing but a small group of half starved farmers backing you up, that’ll be certain to get you and the rest of the ponies here killed!” Rarity exclaimed, a frown deeply implanted on her face as she tidied up her mane in the small mirror she had packed in her bag. She had been having a nice dream about this hunky stallion living in Canterlot when Conrad, the human soldier that had killed Steel Resolve, rudely woke her up. He then proceeded to explain to Rarity how Princess Luna visited him in his dreams and how she had told him to go free the Prisoner of Sunny Hills, something that baffled her.

Conrad nodded taking a seat next to the unicorn as he watched her take care of her elegant mane. “I don’t think Princess Luna would of had mentioned it if she didn’t believe I could pull it off. There must be some way to get into that prison. After all, nothing is impenetrable. You were in the Death Hooves, there must be some way to get into the prison and free the Prisoner. Maybe a weakness in the wall around the prison, or a gap in the guard postings.” Conrad replied thoughtfully. Rarity put down her hairbrush, turning around to look at Conrad in the eyes.

“I’ve only been there a few times, not nearly enough times to map out the guard routes or weak points. You also must keep in mind that Sunny Hills is a maximum security prison, it’s not going to be as easy as smashing through a wall and waltzing into the prison. I’m sorry Mr. Schmidt, but we simply don’t have the pony power or equipment to pull off such a rescue.” Rarity retorted firmly. Conrad thought on this for a while, throwing ideas around in his head until suddenly, he hatched an idea, an idea so glorious that if it worked, would get him inside the prison without firing a shot.

“What if I sneak in? If you can distract them somehow, I can sneak past the guards and make a run for the Prisoner.” Conrad pondered, getting to his feet. Rarity paused, considering this idea for a bit before putting her hairbrush away.

“That’s an interesting, but dangerous idea Mr. Schmidt. You do realize that if you get spotted at all, you will most definitely trigger an alarm and immediately have every guard in the prison bearing down on you, correct? I doubt you’d be able to survive that many guards coming for your guts, even with that... weapon that you have.” Rarity replied curtly. Conrad frowned at this, looking at Rarity with a judging gaze.

“You don’t think I can pull it off, do you? After all, it was you who suggested I stay here and help fight back first, but now; all I can get from you is doubt and uncertainty. Why is that Rarity? You know that the only way we can start something is if we try things, whether they’re crazy or not. It is almost as if you really don’t actually want to help out, and just prefer to stay around for the ride,” Conrad pointed out, getting down on one knee. Rarity froze at this statement for a second, taken off guard by the German’s words. Trying to formulate a response, she giggled nervously as she got up off the hay bale she was sitting on and stretched her legs.

“Nonsense darling, I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing. I’m happy to help, in fact I’ll be thrilled to help serve as some sort of distraction, so that you can sneak in. After all, you must be very well trained, stealth shouldn’t be too hard for you.” she replied curtly, fumbling a few choice words to boost her credibility. Conrad pondered Rarity’s response for a bit, then nodded slowly. While he made a mental note to keep his eyes on the white unicorn, he knew he would need Rarity if he is ever going to be able to successfully carry out Luna’s instructions.

“Alright then, get your stuff ready, I’m going to tell Applejack my plans.” With a final look at her, picked up his rifle, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out of the barn leaving Rarity alone to herself.

Author's Note

Dusty Trome belongs to the generous undeadponylord. Thank you for allowing me to use your OC