The Soldier And The Princess Of The Night

Chapter: 2

Sentinel was sitting at his desk drinking his morning cup of coffee as he was going over his paperwork. It had been a month since he started his new position as the commanding general of the equestrian army. He was about to pour another cup of coffee when he heard someone yelling. He got up from his desk, went to the door, and poked his head out to see what was going on. "THE PRINCESSES HAVE BEEN ATTACKED! LUNA IS MISSING AND CELESTIA IS HURT, SOMEONE GET THE DOCTORS!"

Sentinel's eyes widened in fear, he began running as fast as he could to Celestia's and Luna's bedrooms. When he got there, he saw that Luna's door was open and all the Doctors were heading in there. When Sentinel entered the room he saw that Celestia was unconscious on the floor and she looked like she had been badly beaten. He also saw two of Celestia's guards and two of Luna's guards lying dead and in pieces on the floor. "What happened here?" He asked with narrowed eyes and gritted teeth as he looked around the room, seeing blood and shattered furniture all over the place.

"Dragons." Sentinel heard a voice say weakly behind him. He turned to see a beaten and bloodied Discord pulling himself out of a pile of rubble, he looked worse than Celestia did.

"Dragons B-but how? How did they get past the guards?" Sentinel asked angrily.

"Because we let them in." Discord said as he began to cough up blood and breathing heavily. "*Cough Cough* We thought they were ambassadors and dignitaries from the dragon empire so we let them in. But they tricked us, they were sent by the dragon emperor to capture one of the princesses.” Discord paused a moment to try and breath. He then continued with his story. “They said if we don't want them to kill Luna, then things need to go back to the way they were before the Dragon pony wars and before the treaty was signed." He coughed up even more blood and began to fall forward.

Sentinel was able to catch Discord with his magic before he hit the ground. Discord struggled to speak more. "I-I'm sorry, I-I did everything I could. I just wasn't strong enough." With those last words, Discord’s body went limp and several doctors rushed over.

"We need to get him to emergency surgery now or he's going to die." One of the doctors said.

"B-But what about the princess?" Another doctor said.

Sentinel could tell that this doctor didn't want to save discord, so he spoke up. "The castle hospital has more than enough surgeons to perform surgery on both of them." Sentinel said eyeing all the Doctors sternly. He then glanced over to Celestia. Just looking at her, he could tell that both of her wings were broke and that she probably had a few broken bones. But Discord looked like he was much worse. "Get them to the hospital now and into surgery, I want every single guard we have on duty and guarding this castle. I don't care if they are off-duty or on leave, I want them here NOW!” He ordered loudly and with anger. “I am going to go get Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight Sparkle and bring them back here to the castle for their own safety and protection. I will then assign guards to them to stay with them at all times, I will be back shortly. And I want the entire intelligence department working on this incident to find out why we didn't see this coming." Sentinel said, looking at the new captain of the royal guard standing at the doorway. He had proven himself thus and was given his position since the previous captain, Shining Armor, was now married to Cadence and was the co-ruler of the Crystal Empire.

He took one last look at all the ponies present before disappearing and gave one last order. "Oh and not a word of this leaves castle until I get back." He then lit up his horn with his red aura and disappeared in a flash.

He reappeared at one of the orchards at Sweet Apple Acres. 'If I'm going good to save Luna, I'm going to need to get the team together' Sentinel thought to himself. After about a minute of searching, Sentinel found the pony he was looking for, an earth pony stallion with red a coat and a short cut Main and tail that was orange and light yellow hooves. "Hey Big Mac longtime no see." Sentinel said as he approached Big Macintosh.

Sentinel’s greeting startled Big Mac, he turned to see Sentinel standing near him. "General what are you doing here?" Big Mac asked. He quickly looked around to make sure no one was around and leaned closer to Sentinel. "Is something wrong?" He whispered.

"I will explain everything later once we get everyone. For right now just follow me." Sentinel said as he too glanced around to see if someone was listening. Big Mac nodded and the two began to walk.

They were just about to leave Sweet Apple acres when they heard a mare's voice call out. "Big Mac, where in tarnation do ya think yer going?" They turned to see Applejack trotting up to them. "You better not be try'n to get out of yer work." She said when she got close to them, sounding a little upset that her big brother seemed like he was trying to get out of work.

Big Mac looked at Applejack with a straight muzzle. "Sorry little sis, but I got somethin I need ta do right now.”

"What do ya mean ya got somethin ya need ta do?" Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m sorry Applejack, but I can’t say.” Big Mac simply stated.

Applejack narrowed her eyes. “And why in tarnation not?”

Sentinel interrupted the argument. “Applejack, I’m sorry but I need Big Mac to come with me for something important. I’ll let him explain everything when he gets back, for now, we need to go. Please try to understand.” Sentinel said as he looked at her.

Applejack thought for a moment before responding. She sighed as she hung her head and closed her eyes. She looked back up to finally respond. “All right then, but you better not be up ta somethin dangerous or anythin.”

Big Mac walked up to his sister and hugged her. “I promise I’ll come back sis, I care about ya’ll too much.”

Applejack was a little surprised by this gesture. She hugged back as she spoke. “You better come back soon, whatever yer up too.”

They broke their embrace as Big Mac gave one last smile to his little sister. “I promise Applejack, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” With that, Sentinel and Big Mac left for Ponyville to gather the other ponies Sentinel needed.

They arrived at the home of princess Twilight Sparkle and her family. It was a two story house painted white with a black roof. The house had a pair of large wooden doors at the front with a greenhouse on the right side and a stone balcony on the left. Sentinel knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the door opened to reveal a Stallion with a blue coat, dark blue mane and tail, two horns that curve back over his head, light blue eyes and slit irises. His hooves match his mane color and he also had bat like wings. The pony was shocked at first when he saw both Sentinel and Big Mac standing there. "Sentinel, Big Mac, what are you guys doing here?" The pony asked, a little surprised to see them.

"It's nice to see you too Nightshade, can we come in?" Sentinel said as he smiled down at his old friend.

Nightshade was a new breed of pony no pony knew about until his appearance in Equestria. About two thousand years ago, there was a clan of ponies that lived in a forest no pony knew about just outside the northern borders of Equestria. They called themselves shadow walkers. They each had the ability to control and manipulate the shadows. Back when Discord was evil, he led an army to wipe them out and kill all of them. If not for his parents, Nightshade would have died with the rest of his clan. His mother and father were the rulers of the clan.

After that incident, Nightshade lived a life of solitude in the forest he called home until his fateful meeting with Twilight Sparkle, his wife. Shortly after their marriage, Sentinel approached Nightshade and offered him a place in the royal guard. Nightshade was a little hesitant to agree, but realized it would give him the opportunity to protect the country he now calls home. Sentinel had assembled a team of ponies for a secret squad to handle certain situations the regular guard could not.

"Sorry, you just surprised me is all, come on in." Nightshade said as he stepped to the side to let the two in. The inside of the house had brown walls with a red velvet couch at the center of the living room with a kitchen in the back. Stairs to the second floor were to the right of the kitchen and another pair of wooden doors were on the left. A glass door to the right was seen that lead to the green house. Sentinel and Big Mac walked in to the living room where Sentinel saw a little colt that looked just like Nightshade, but with a pink streak in his main and tail playing with a little purple dragon.

The little pony looked up to see Sentinel and Big Macintosh. "Uncle Sentinel, Uncle Macintosh!" The little colt said happily as he ran up to both of them, giving them a hug. The two weren’t his uncle by blood, but they had grown close that they might as well be his uncles.

"It's good to see you too Shadow Knight." Sentinel said with a warm smile to Shadow Knight.

“Howdy there little partner.” Big Mac greeted happily.

Just then an alicorn mare with moderate violet eyes with a light purple coat and a moderate sapphire blue mane with moderate violet and brilliant rose streaks through it walked in. "Oh, hi Sentinel, Big Mac, I didn't know you were coming over to visit. So what brings you by?" The mare asked cheerfully.

"Hello Princess Twilight." Sentinel said, giving a small bow, Big Mac followed suit upon seeing the newly appointed princess enter the room. The two got up from their bow and Sentinel was about to explain why they were here when Nightshade cut him off.

"Hold on Sentinel." Nightshade turned to Shadow Knight. "Shadow Knight, can you and Spike go to your room and play for a little bit while the adults talk." Nightshade said smiling at his son.

“Why?” Knight Shade asked curiously.

“What’s going on Nightshade?” Spike asked, also curious.

“Because we may need to talk about something you two don’t need to hear. Please Shadow Knight, be a good boy and do as you’re told.” Nightshade said.

"OK dad, I’ll go." Shadow Knight said, the two then turned and headed upstairs to Shadow Knight’s room.

Nightshade faced Sentinel again. "So what is going on Sentinel?"

Sentinel frowned as he spoke. "Something…..happened at the castle." He said seriously. He did his best to hide the pain he felt for Luna being taken, he didn’t want his friends to see him sad. He closed his eyes a moment to collect himself before he broke down a little and continued. "Nightshade I need you to go get Silver Spark, Night Wing, Thunderlane, and Soarin. Twilight, you, Spike, and Shadow Knight will come with me and Big Mac to the Crystal Empire to get princess cadence and your brother Shining Armor. Then we will all meet back at the castle and everything will be explained there." Sentinel said looking at Twilight.

"What is going on Sentinel, and why do you need me, my brother, princess Cadence, Spike, and Shadow Knight to go with you to the castle?" Twilight asked, looking at Sentinel with a confused look.

"It is for your own protection and everything will be explained back at the castle, for right now though, we need to hurry and get back to the castle as soon as we can." Sentinel said. He then turned to Nightshade. "Nightshade I need you to go now and get every pony and meet in the castle throne room."

“All right Sentinel, I’ll see you again soon.” Nightshade then turned to face Twilight to give her a kiss on the lips. "I will see you back at the castle, I promise. Just go with Sentinel and we will meet back at the castle Ok?"

Twilight nodded and kissed Nightshade on the cheek. After, Nightshade took a few steps back away from every pony. A circular shadow formed under Nightshade. He quickly sank into it and disappeared just after the shadow itself shrank back down to nothing.

Twilight turned to the stairs and called up to Shadow Knight’s room. "Spike, Shadow Knight, you can come down now!"

The two came back downstairs. Shadow Knight noticed his dad missing and got a little worried. “Mom, where did dad go?”

Twilight gave her son a comforting smile. “Don’t worry Shadow Knight, we’ll see him again, he just went to get some friends for a little meeting. We’re taking a little trip to Canterlot, but first, we’re going to get my brother and Cadence.”

Shadow Knight lit up at this information. “We’re going to see uncle Shining and aunt Cadence?” He asked happily.

“Yep, then after, we’ll meet up with your father at Canterlot.” Twilight informed.

“Ok, I can’t wait to see them again.” Shadow Knight exclaimed.

Twilight couldn’t help but smile a little at her son’s energy.

Sentinel then spoke to get every pony’s attention. “All right every pony, gather around and I’ll teleport us to the crystal empire.” They all did as told and gathered around Sentinel. He lit up his horn and, in a flash, they disappeared.

They reappeared in the castle throne room of the Crystal Empire and in front of Princess Cadence, Shining Armor and Flash Sentry. Upon seeing Shining and Cadence, Shadow Knight quickly rushed over and hugged them. “Uncle Shining, aunt Cadence, It’s good to see you again.”

“Shadow Knight?” Shining asked, feeling a little confused at his nephew’s sudden appearance.

“Shadow Knight, what are you doing here?” Cadence then asked.

Before Shadow could answer, Sentinel spoke. “Hello Shining, Cadence, I’m afraid there’s an emergency going on. I need you two and Flash sentry to come with me to Canterlot right away.”

Flash stepped forward to address Sentinel. “Sir, what is going on?”

Sentinel looked to Flash to answer. “We have an emergency, something happened to princess Celestia and Luna, so I’m bringing you all to the castle for safety.”

Twilight became worried. “What? What happened to them? Are they all right?”

Spike looked to Twilight with worry. Shadow Knight heard the news as well and went to his mother in a bit of fear. “Mom, are they all right?”

Twilight held her son close. “I don’t know, but we’ll find out.”

“Sir, what happened?” Flash asked.

“I’ll explain everything at the castle, we need to go now.” Sentinel said.

“All right then, let’s go.” Shining said. They all gathered around Sentinel to teleport away.

They reappeared in the throne room of Canterlot castle. Nightshade was already there with the ponies sentinel asked him to get, waiting for him.

One was a unicorn with light gray coat with a white mane and tail, his hooves were the same color of his main and tail, his cutie mark was of a black shield with silver sparks on it. He was wearing dog tags with the name Silver Spark on them.

There were two other pegasus ponies in the group. One was in a wonderbolt officer’s uniform that had a light blue coat and a dark blue main and tail. His cutie mark was a thunderbolt with wings and the name tag on his uniform said Soarin. The other Pegasus was dark gray, his mane and tail were light cyan gray with lighter streaks. His cutie Mark was of a thundercloud with a Streak of lightning coming out of it.

There was a large bat pony about the size of Big Mac with a black coat, a midnight blue mane and tail, and a cutie mark of a full moon with the silhouette of a bat against it. His eyes were deep blue and the irises were slit.

Upon their appearance, Shadow Knight ran up to his dad. “Dad, what is going on? Sentinel said something happened to the princesses.”

Nightshade held his son as he responded. “He did?” He asked. “Don’t worry son, whatever is going on, I’ll keep you and your mother safe.”

This didn’t seem to ease Shadow Knight’s worries. “But what about aunt Luna and aunt Celestia?”

Princess Cadence was the first to speak up "Sentinel we are all here, now can you explain what is going on?" She asked with worry and a bit of impatience.

Sentinel nodded, then he turned to Spike and Shadow Night "Spike, can you take Shadow Knight to the kitchen and see if you can find yourselves something to snack on while we talk?"

"Ok Sentinel." Spike said. He walked over to Shadow Knight who was still holding on to his dad. "Come on buddy let's go find us something to snack on."

"Ok." Shadow Knight said sadly. He released his hold on his father and let Spike lead him away and to the kitchen.

Sentinel waited for the two to be out of the room before he used his magic to close the doors. He sighed heavily and turned to face the group before him. "The princesses have been attacked."