The castle halls buzzed in an uncomfortable silence. The tiniest sound could echo for hours and seem to travel for miles. This though is normal, for the moon was still shining clearly through the windows cuing for nearly every creature in all of Equestria to rest and to rise in the morning light. Not all the halls where empty at this hour though for a dark and quick shadow raced through the halls without even a peep. It raced through the silver beams of the crescent moon and down the hall clearly making its way to the Princess of the sun's bedroom. Up the tower is zipped with a slight whirl of wind gusting behind it. Finally reaching it's destination it came to a stop just outside the door. It glanced at the door for a moment thinking, wondering how to make it's entrance. Finally opening the door with an extended black hoof, then it shrugged and without a single creak opened and entered the bedroom chamber.
"Ah, your highness! Why are you awake at such hours?" it whispered bowing, seeing that the White Alicorn was standing beside her bed and fully aware of it's presence.
"I could not sleep, that is all. Now I must ask you... what took you so long?" she strode over to the large window and looked out across the lands she owned, protected, and loved.
"Sorry your highness, you had asked that I came to your chambers without anyone noticing. And being it such a late hour I thought you'd be asleep and there would be no need for haste."
She finally turned and faced the hooded figure in front of the closed door and smiled kindly, "No need to worry Captain, you did well I assure you. Now please, take your cloak of and get comfortable as I explain why I called for you in such late hours."
The Hooded figure gently placed the black cape across a chair and looked around with bright glowing green eyes. Before Celestia stood a completely black mare with abnormally large wings. Her mane and tail fell across the floor in purple and red swirls and her silver armor covered her back and hind end just barely covering the three bright neon comets that served as her cutie mark.
Seeing the mare in armor made Celestia squirm for she was reminded that she had none of her royal jewelry and her hair was in messy tangled curls. She felt informal compared to her, but hid her emotions behind a well practiced mask.
"I am ready to listen your highness. You may proceed if you'd like." her voice was soft, almost as though she could feel Celestia's discomfort.
"Yes. Please sit down and allow me to explain." both sat on cushions facing each other letting another remain in hushed silence until they got comfortable. "Captain Neon DustyShadow I am aware and have just witness your skills in silence and sneaking. Also I am fully away of how well trained you are in combat and severe situations." Shadow nodded humbly as she spoke. "I have a important assignment for you that includes all your well known skills. This assignment includes watching over some very important ponies for me and Equestria's sake." Shadows eyes gazed questionably into the gray eyes of Celestia as Celestia herself looked back into Shadows determined not to give any hint of fear or worry. Before speaking again Celestia sighed, "I need you to go to Ponyville and protect the Elements of Harmony." Shadow was used to different and strange assignments and had once protected a reserved park from illegal oil extraction but never anything so important that possibly the fate Equestria would be in her hooves.
"Why?" was all she could utter to the silent Goddess before her. Question after question rolled in her head making her more and more confused.
Another long and deep sigh came from Celestia as her horned glowed a brilliant yellow conjuring up a piece of parchment. "Neon, you where brought here and deserve to know why. I have made a terrable... mistake. This mistake has created an enemy almost as powerful as I, and could destroy all Equestria as we know it." Shadow was struggling to keep her emotions at bay all the while she talked. Celestia was so serious that she had just bothered to use Shadows first name, Neon. When her parents where mad or scared they'd call her by Neon not her little nicknames they usually had called her. This made her worry even more about the assignment she was just given.
"Not ta intrude ma'am but what kind of monster are we talkin' 'bout here?" Celestia smiled at Shadows slight Filly Delphia accent, making Shadow blush deeply.
"Ah, I remember where your from now." as quickly as Celestias smile had appeared it faded back into a serious grimace. "This monster was made by.... me."
"What? How?" Shadow grimaced at her outburst and looked away ashamed, only to feel a soft gentle wing lift her head back to face Celestia.
"Do not fear. You deserve to know that as well. I had let my fear and rage take me, similar to what had happened to my dear sister so many centuries ago.' Celestia stopped checking a tear that had rolled from her eye. "I have tried to use some of my magic to destroy it.... but all of my feeble attempts failed."
"So you are afraid that it will go after the elements to get to you?" Shadow asked more to herself than Celestia. "So I have to protect them 'til the danger passes?"
Celestia nodded and gazed at her grimly, "Captain. I want you to go to Ponyville but not in uniform. Just pretend to be a new pony who has just moved into town. Tell no one what is going on, I don't want to start a panic. I will get you everything you need to start your post. Just protect the Elements, and trust me." Shadow nodded and stood up simultaneously with Celestia. "Leave now to pack you belongings." she said gently as she set her horn aglow and opened the window with magic.
"Don't worry your highness I'll take care of them." Shadow grabbed her cloak and pulled it on, then jumped up to the window ledge looking back to the princess. "I'm sure you'll figure out how to stop this Monster. I have faith in you." Shadow leapt into the night letting her long wings carry her down with quick and completely soundless speed.
Celestia watched her go staring out the window letting the cool breeze of the night hit her face for a moment. She seemed to stay like that for hours pondering and worrying. The sudden screech of a barn owl startled her out of her trance, realizing she was letting the cold air in. Yawning, Celestia quietly shivered away from the window and sunk onto her bed only to fall into a resteless sleep.
