Chapter 2 - An unexpected encounter

As I ran down the cobbled streets toward the castle, my life flashed before my eyes like a flickerbook. I saw my friends. The ponies I had spent so much time with.

I saw the moment I met Paint, and how both of us argued about who was going to get the top bunk. I saw him smiling at me as he sat in our room, painting Celestia's portrait. I saw when he cursed his father when he got drunk in the 'Winged Mug,' our favorite tavern.

Then I saw Eagle Eye. I saw our messed up introduction and how I disliked him at first. I, once again, witnessed him crying in my embrace as he told me about his twisted past. In the next scene I saw him beating me up after he found out that I had dated his smoking hot sister, Cherry Blossom, without him knowing.

The movie in front of my eyes ended and the void in my head was replaced by a numb pain, since now my friends were gone forever. I ignored the confused citizens standing in my way, asking me questions about the loud bang and the sound of the war horn. I just galloped past them as quickly as I could until I finally reached the castle.

The two golden armored guards in front of the richly ornamented castle gates were confused to see me rush by, but they didn't attempt to stop me. I entered the castle via a side entrance and climbed a spiral staircase, finally reaching the commander's post.

After opening the solid door and entering the officer’s conclave, I saw General Star Stripe and his officers standing around a long rectangular oak table, inspecting some rolled out maps that lay on top of it. It seemed like they were just discussing something while looking at the markers that were pinned to the rolled out parchment, but they instantly stopped talking when they noticed me entering the room.

Surprised, they turned towards me, as I took a moment to recover my breath.

"Private, what's the meaning of this?" one of the officers, wearing a shiny golden armor, demanded to know. "You know that you aren't allowed in here, don’t you?"

"I am sorry, Commander, but there is urgent news I have to bring you," I said, still breathing heavily.

I took another deep breath before continuing:

"General Star Stripe, the city is under attack. Only a couple of minutes ago, an army of crystal-ponies appeared at the northern gate. They attacked and killed Staff Sergeant Feint, Private Paint Brush and Private Eagle Eye, without any obvious reason. The inner defense ring is being attacked, as we speak."

"Crystal-ponies? Why-?"

"General, I have no idea why they are doing this," I harshly interrupted the officer who had addressed me before. His shoulder pads indicated that he had the rank of a captain, but I had no clue what his name was since low rank guards like me rarely spoke to the high ranked officers. Ignoring him, I continued to report to the General's frowning face. "-But Lieutenant Silver Badge is defending the second gate right now and I fear that it won't withstand very long."

"Our walls are strong and sturdy-"

Once again I interrupted another officer's objection, saying:

"Those crystal-ponies don't seem to feel pain, nor fear. Private Paint Brush caused serious wounds to two of them, but they didn’t seem to feel anything at all. He managed to shatter the jaw of one and punctured another one’s hips with his lance, but they acted like they didn't even care.

Furthermore, they seem to have a powerful spell caster within their army because he or she completely destroyed the northern tower with only one hit. I think I also saw an eerie shadow in front of the city-"

I stopped talking as I saw one officer frowning, while another lifted a brow in disbelieve. However, the General’s eyes widened.
I gulped, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that shadow to them. Not even I was sure that I hadn’t lost my marbles, so why should the officers? But now it was too late to take it back. Slightly lowering my head, I watched the General, waiting for his reaction.

General Star Stripe was an older unicorn stallion, with a curved gray mustache, wearing a green vest with golden buttons. On his head he wore a richly ornamented green visor cap, with golden leaves on both sides.

Since Shining Armor had left for the Crystal Empire, the General had to move his office from Manehattan to Canterlot to temporarily take over the command of captain of the guard until a proper successor was established. This had taken much longer than expected, though. Because of the importance of Canterlot, being the capital of their country, there was oodles of paperwork to do first.

He had remained silent the whole time during my report, however he was obviously getting more dismayed with every word I spoke. He then tightened his posture, saying:

"Captain Steel Helm, you will gather all remaining ponies and reinforce Lieutenant Silver Badge's troops at the North gate. Additionally, send a small squad to the southern gate, just in case the attack is just a distraction. Aside from them, I want every available pony on that wall!

“Captain Stone Hide, go to the Royal Library and gather all information you can find, about crystal-ponies and their magic abilities. I want to know every strength and every weakness, and I wanted it yesterday, understood?"

"Yes, General!" the two officers said in unison. Both of them rushed outside to follow the commands the General has just given to them. He turned to the last remaining officer who was wearing neatly polished golden armor, awaiting his orders.

"Major Gold Star, go the city and try to calm down the citizens. A mass hysteria is the least we need, right now."

"Aye, General Star Stripe!" The third and last officer rushed past me and exited the commander's post.

Star Stripe then just stood there for a moment with his eyes closed. He appeared to be lost in thought. He then took a deep breath while shifting his weight onto his forelegs, which rested on the table. I sighed in relief, because now I was stripped off all responsibility, since it was now in the General's hooves, which meant that my primary duty was done. I never liked responsibility, always afraid of making a mistake. The General however obviously thought differently, as he lifted his head and turned towards me again.

"Private, you did well informing me so quickly. Please tell me more about that 'shadow' you think you saw."

"It was like a lingering shroud of darkness that exited the northern path of the Blue Spruce Wood, just before our retreat. I don't even know, if it was real. I only saw it for a split second. I was too afraid to investigate it more..." my voice trailed off because of my cowardice.

"Don’t blame yourself, you’ve made the right decision coming to me first. Because of your quick actions, we can organize our defenses faster. Those attackers have a strong magician in their troop, you said? I have never heard of somepony that powerful living in the Empire, except Princess Cadence. Was it Cadence you saw?" he asked me in a gentle, yet demanding tone.

"No, I don't think so-"

I knew who Cadence was and what she looked like. In fact, almost every pony in Canterlot knew, since there has been a quite ostentatious wedding several years ago. The mares on the streets have been talking about that event with beady eyes ever since. Even without the wedding, I would have known Cadence because I had guarded her private chambers several times before her departure. I remember her being a rather serene alicorn, beautiful indeed and not too stuck up like other nobles. She even conversed with us regular guards sometimes, too.

"That’s some grim news you brought there, Private,” the General interrupted my thoughts. “We'll need to inform the Royal Duo and wait for their commands. Quick, follow me, Private!"

He opened the door and beckoned me to follow him. Both of us galloped down the stairs into a long hallway, with several doors on both sides, that would ultimately lead into the throne-room.

While dashing down the long hallway, I remembered the first time I was here. Prior to my service, I was shown around the whole palace so I wouldn't get lost during my patrols. On my very first day, while walking through the castle, I marveled at the tooled golden ornaments, ancient tapestry and paintings of different nobles, heroes or beautiful landscapes, in luxurious-looking golden frames. I remember that I didn't want to blink even once, fearing that the splendor would vanish when I opened my eyes again. Of course I had to blink eventually, but I was glad noticing that nothing had changed during that split-second.

An audience with Princess Celestia was scheduled afterwards, to introduce the new cadets, including myself, to her. The first glance at the throne-room left me speechless. The splendor of the hallways was nothing compared to the throne room itself. The floor was covered with an ancient-looking, and probably very expensive, red carpet, so I tried to fret it as little as possible. Left and right of the carpet, the marble floor was neatly polished, so much so that you could see the enormous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in the reflection. However, nothing I have seen before could have prepared me for what came next. If you looked up the word 'grace' in a dictionary, most likely a picture of Celestia would be printed below it. Before me, Celestia was radiating like the sun she represented.

After Star Stripe and I reached the throne-room and pushed the golden doors open, I saw Princess Celestia gracefully sitting on her golden throne, reading some scrolls that hovered in front of her face, held by the golden glow of her horn’s magic.

Her multicolored mane beautifully floated around her as she turned her lovely white-coated head towards us. Celestia has always been an attractive mare in my opinion. Many colts I know fancied her from afar, but of course none of them had ever confessed to her, mostly because they were intimidated by her title, her power, and her age.

"Your Highness, I apologize for the interruption, but I must inform you that Canterlot is being besieged by the Crystal Empire," the General spoke up to her, after an insinuated bow. "This Private here is an eyewitness. Please tell her majesty what you told me before."

I did as I was asked and repeated my report to the Sun-Princess as detailed as I could. She put the scrolls aside and silently listened to my report with closed eyes. After I had finished speaking, she opened them again, but remained motionless for a moment.

"So you are saying that the invaders are already at the second gate, and that a black shadow is standing in front of the castle?"

"Err- yes-" I replied irritated.

I couldn't tell if she believed me or not. Her face, nor her voice, left a clue about her feelings, but the way she had addressed me had sounded strangely to me.
She then interrupted my thoughts, saying:

"Excellent! Everything went according to plan." A mischievous smile suddenly spread over her face.

"Plan? What plan?" General Star Stripe asked.

"The plan to conquer Canterlot, of course. Too bad you won't be around anymore to witness it," she answered as she rose, a devious smile coming across her lips.

"Huh? But you are already ruling Canterlot, your highness," I replied, perplexed.

"No, not after he arrived-" she replied with a smile.

Then she quickly lowered her head and while spreading her big feathered wings, a mighty bolt of golden magic erupted from her horn. Although it has been a surprise attack, General Star Stripe reacted quickly and deflected the golden bolt of focused energy, using his own magic. All those years of training had certainly paid off. The deflected beam then burned a big black smoldering hole in the palace wall on his left.

Awe-stuck I gazed at the crater in the wall, before I turned my attention back to the General and the Princess. I couldn't avoid holding his quick reaction in veneration, although I was quite surprised by the sudden attack from the Princess. While she still stood there, with her head lowered and her wings spread out, he took up a combat stance, his horn surrounded by a red glow. Celestia then raised her head and smiled.

"Very good. I didn't think that you would deflect my blast so easily. It seems like I've put the right pony in charge of the troops." Her mischievous smile widened even more.

"What's the meaning of this? Why are you attacking me?" The General demanded to know. His eyes narrowed, hardly suppressing his anger.

"Stupid pony, isn't it obvious? I tried to kill you," she said it like a foal that asked for some candy, with no noticeable cruelty in her cheerful voice. However her unholy smile disturbed me and sent chills down my spine.

The General's jaw dropped, unable to believe what he had just heard.

"- However you won't be so lucky next time," she continued and giggled like an excited foal.

"That was a powerful blast, General, she is going for a kill!" I tried to warn him.

"Private, what's your name?" the General suddenly addressed me, not averting his gaze from the Princess.

"Flare- my name is Private Flare- sir!" I replied stuttering.

"Private Flare, go and inform the officers that the Princess has gone crazy. Tell them what happened here," he ordered, his eyes still glued to the Princess.

"But what about you, sir?" I asked him, afraid of his answer.

"I'll stay here and face her." That was the answer I had expected, the answer I didn't want to hear.

"Ha ha ha- face ME? Maybe you are the one who has gone crazy here." The Princess laughed cheerfully with a hoof in front of her mouth.

"But she'll kill you, she is the Princess, an Alicorn!" I objected.

"Listen to that colt, you old crock. You might have a better shot if you just start running now," she snickered.

The General removed something from his neck without averting his gaze from the Princess, who just stood there arrogantly, watching him. He threw it over to me and I caught it in midair. It was his dogtag.

"Listen, son, I swore an oath to protect Equestria and its citizens. It is clear that our beloved Princess has lost her mind. I can't imagine what she'll do to our citizens if nopony stops her. With her almost limitless power, she could easily blow up the whole city. I’ll stay here trying to stop her to buy you some time, or die trying. Please, tell my wife that I love her. Now go, son!"

"Ha! Overpower me?!"

She burst into laughter while General Star Stripe started to unbutton his green vest. He then discarded it to the side along with his cap, revealing an old, but brawny body and a gray mane with a short, accurate haircut. Now I saw his Cutie Mark for the first time, too. It was a golden six-pointed star with three red-colored smaller shooting stars below it.

The Princess had finished her insulting laughter and now faced me.
"Ha-ha no, he won't go anywhere-"

I didn't like what she just said, but I had no time to think about it more. She had lowered her horn once again and shot a golden bolt towards me. I ducked, pressing my hooves in front of my face, thinking my final hour has come, but the bullet was absorbed by a red forcefield Star Stripe had summoned to protect me.

"Private, I SAID GO!" he commanded in a sharp voice, which caused me to wince. I quickly turned around and started to run, once again. While dashing down the hallway I heard him say, "That 'old crock' still has some tricks up his sleeves. Bring it on, Princess!"

I couldn't believe it. Princess Celestia, our beautiful and wise ruler, who always seemed so calm and nice, attacked us, trying to kill us. It seemed that she was behind the whole invasion, or was at least involved. I'd never have guessed that she could turn against her own people. I wondered what might have happened to her, while I dashed down the long corridor.

*****

Of course I remember the darkest day of Canterlot. For me, the events back then were much worse. Worse than even the advent of the Lunar Revolution and the following war that I had started over a thousand years ago.

I awoke because of loud noises that came from a nearby room. Annoyed, I sat up in my bed, rubbing my eyes with both hooves. Why is it so hard getting some sleep during the day? Why can't ponies have a little more consideration for the ponies who worked at night, I wondered.

My day hadn't been that good so far since nightmares kept me from sleeping peacefully. That day I have woken up with a start way before my usual time. I managed to get some sleep afterwards, yet my slumber was still far from restful. Being forcefully awoken again I was sitting on my bed in my room in Canterlot Castle. Breathing heavily, my heart was racing as I tried to reflect on the nightmare I had. Or was it even a nightmare? It felt so real, so concrete. I wondered why I couldn't tell, since I am the Princess of the Night and protector of all dreams. Shouldn't I be able to tell the difference between dream and reality? Yes, even I can dream, but unlike my subjects, I had nopony watching over my dreams, nopony to make sure everything was fine.

Now remembering that feeling I had, I wrapped my fluffy blanket tighter around my body, but that couldn't prevent me from shivering. It was a really dark feeling that felt like an icy talon reaching out for my mind, clutching it, and trying to drag me into the void of darkness. Goose bumps covered my blue-coated body and a shiver went down my spine. I had felt that feeling before, but it was a very long time ago. It felt similar, yet different, I couldn't explain it. I was terrified to say the least.
But it was only a dream, right? There is no way that this was possible. It just could not be 'him', could it?

Blinking, I remembered the commotion that had awoken me. It sounded like an explosion and somepony having an argument. I got out of bed and opened the door of my bedroom. A yellow coated earth pony, wearing iron armor was running down the hallway like his tail was on fire. Upon seeing me however, he froze, staring with both eyes wide open.

"What's going on here?" I asked him in an obviously sleep deprived voice.

He didn't move, but just stood there, looking at me with his terrified facial expression. His reaction reminded me of my time after my return from the moon. I clearly remembered when everypony was afraid of me, because of the actions Nightmare Moon had done and he just looked like that. But years have passed and everypony knew that I wasn't Nightmare Moon anymore. Well, at least I thought this would be the case.

"Are- are you Princess Luna?" he asked me stuttering.

"Of course I am. And who are you, the new palace jester?"

It was meant as a joke, but somehow my words caused him to wince. I smiled to show him that I wasn't angry at him, but he still didn't relax.

"Are- are you going to kill me?" he asked me nervously.

"What? By the moon, of course not! Are you OK? Your face looks so pale. Maybe I should bring you to a doctor."

It seemed like I had startled him. I felt sorry and wanted to make him feel comfortable again. Some ponies are not used to being around royalty, after all. However, I had no idea why he thought I was going to kill him. Those days were long gone. Slightly insulted, I decided to change the topic.

"So what was that sound I heard some time ago? Was it another failed experiment some of the local wizards prepared to impress my sister?" I smiled so he may feel more relaxed around me. It wouldn't have been the first time that the experiment of a scholar who was a little too ambitious backfired in the throne room.

"Princess Luna, it is horrible!" he started to burst out crying. He collapsed on the rug that covered the hallway, crying hysterically. I was quite confused, but I stepped near him and planted a gentle hoof on his shoulder, trying to calm him down. He then continued to say some disturbing things about an invasion, several ponies having been killed, and that my sister tried to execute him, accompanied by a lot sobbing.

"Why would my sister do such a thing? That's it, I’m bringing you to the hospital wing."

He winced once again and backed away from me. Suddenly, a bolt of golden magic shot past us, down the hallway, and exploded somewhere at the end. I turned my head towards the direction that bullet came from, seeing some magical lights flashing wildly in the throne-room.

"You will tell us exactly what is going on, Guard!" I ordered in my Royal Equestrian Voice.

"It's like I said, your highness. Your sister lost her mind, and tried to kill General Star Stripe and me. She seems to be involved in the invasion, somehow. Right now he is in the throne room, battling her."

I gulped, remembering the feeling I have had before. So that cold claw didn't come for me, it came for Tia. It only grazed me, because our souls are that close to each other. If I was that intimidated by the mere presence, I could hardly imagine what it would feel like to be the actual target of the unholy grasp.

"Did you see something unusual?" I asked him, fearing his answer.

"With all due respect, your highness, I witnessed how my friends and my superior died. Two of them were slain by crystal-ponies, one got shredded by an explosion, that blew up his tower. Your sister, our beloved ruler, tried to kill me, I saw ponies marching forward with no fear nor the feeling of pain and then there was that black shadow-"

"What black shadow?!"

I had a really bad feeling about this. He then told me what he thought he had seen outside of the castle. I stared into his eyes, but I could only find sorrow, fear and honesty. It was utterly out of the question that he was going to pull my leg, so my darkest assumption was proven right.

"Guard, I command you to leave this castle, immediately. You have no idea what force you were facing. In fact you are lucky, to still be alive. Find your comrades and evacuate Canterlot at once. Take as many civilians with you as possible, and guide them to safety. By degree twelve paragraph forty five of the Canterlot law, I enact the Canterlot Evacuation plan. I believe it is known as '45 Charlie' to you, isn't it?"

I have never been familiar with military acronyms, but this particular one was stuck in my head, since the last time this plan was put into action was right before I confronted my sister as Nightmare Moon over a thousand years ago.

"Your highness? An evacuation?! Where should I bring them?" His voice sounded surprised, but not as much as I would have expected. All in all, he appeared rather collected, despite these circumstances, after his breakdown.

"Lead them to Ponyville. It is the nearest town, and you should ask Princess Twilight Sparkle for help. Despite being a Princess, she still lives in that old dusty library. Now go and do as you were told!"

Author's Note

So it seems like my proofreader abandoned me on this one. He corrected like the half of the chapter I think, so thank you for doing it partly. I decided to upload the chapter anyway. I then tried my best to fix the rest of the mistakes myself, so there might be some issues left.

If you read up to this point maybe you know someone who might want to continue this project? There are still 6 chapters to go.

Up untill this point the plot was rather tame... the real struggle only starts in the next chapter, so stay tuned. It may take some time before I can upload it, though.