Chapters The first snow of winter had fallen the night before on the city of Ironhold. The sound's of the blacksmiths hammers filled the air. Shop owners opened their doors and readied themselves for another day of work. At the heart of the city, members of the fifth legion had been training for an hour or two already, which was a common thing in the day-to-day lives of these ponies.
The lord of this city, and of the legions, readied himself for his duties, donning his black armor. He could hear the commands of legatus Stormkiller as he stretched his wing and levitated his helmet onto his head. He then made his way to his balcony and looked down upon the legionaries training, which, under legatus Stormkiller, always goes well.
On the other end of the yard, centurion Golden Valor, a blown furred unicorn with a tail mane and tail. Had ordered the next set of training dummies to-be sat up. His command went through the dummies so fast, he wondered how they make them that quickly.
He wore steel armor, engraved with a phoenix, which given his love of fire magic, made it a good choice for him. He had found when he was young that fire and war spells came easily to him, so much so that he passed up all the others in his unit and made centurion two years later.
Golden Valor watched with pride as his five legionaries burned training dummies with blue, hot flames. He knew that he pushed them hard to get to this level, and he had never had a full command. His unit had the lowest mortality rate out of the fifth legion, maybe out of all the legions. He knew that when push comes to shove, there are no finer legionaries.
As his stomach rumbled, he was reminded that it was time for breakfast, and he reasoned if he forget that then his unit may use him for a training dummy. "Legionaries! Break time!" Golden Valor yelled, as the heat from a the fireball reached him.
The legionaries stopped, and went to find some breakfast, as they did a night black pegasus made her way over to Golden Valor. Great Nightwind's daily' you need to lighten up and stop being a boring, by the book centurion and have little fun' speech.
In truth, he like the daily speech, it gave him great enjoyment. He would never admit to it though, but, if there was one thing he could do without here, it was her pranks. I know i’ll play along today, throw her off her game.
"I know, I'm a boring by the book centurion who needs to learn to have fun, right?" Golden Valor said as she draws near, with a bow and a smile.
"Well, there always that, but today I came to tell you that you're looking a little pink," Nightwind said, laughing.
So that why legionaries were giving me odd looks and were laughing their heads off Which means this is another of Nightwind pranks how she does it i’ll never know. "You wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you Nightwind?" Golden Valor asks, as he started for the mess hall, followed by Nightwind.
"Who me, I would never do something like that,"she said, smiling,"Name one time?" Nightwind said grinning ear to ear.
one time i’ll give her a few more then that. "Will, there was the time you switched my armor for a mares suit of armor. Then there was the time you put itching powder in my helmet, and the one time you painted my hooves why I was sleeping, need I go on?" Golden Valor said, as the mess hall came into sight.
"I don't know what you're talking about, I'm as innocent as a newborn foal," Nightwind said, making puppy dog eyes.
Golden Valor sometime wondered how she was one of the top ranked legionnaires, and a flight captain. But he gives it over to fact in spite of all her jokes and pranks she was very cunning, which made her far more dangerous than she looked and acted.
"Ok then, I guess it was Shadow Strike, or better yet Stormkiller," Golden Valor said, playfully. Which made Nightwind start laughing, and made him start laughing as well. As they reached the door of the mess hall.
He used his magic to open the wooden door to the mess hall. "After you, Nightwind," Golden Valor said.
"Always the noble legionary, aren't you," Nightwind said, walking through the doorway.
Will that what he tried to-be ever since he was a young colt. He had always loved the stories of the noble legion, and the great heroes of it. Golden Valor remembered, as he entered the mess hall as well.
The mess hall was as it always was loud, and full of ponies. It was the largest of the five mess hall, and the most organized of them. The well of the mess hall kept the warmth in and the cold out. Golden Valor took a place in line and waited to-be served. As he did he ran through his to-do list for the day.
He already did morning drills, which went well. Next he had some artifact to look over, then after that it more drills, then lunch, some more drills, dinner, and then bed. I can’t wait to be back in the field.
This is what happened though when you lose a good amount legionnaires, in battle. You need to train new legionnaires, which takes a few months. Then there the fact you need to get used to the new officers.
Two thousand legionaries Stormkiller get off lucky that the griffon forces didn't box them in, if they'd had it would have been much worse than that. He'd most likely be dead and the fifth legion decimated, and for the unlucky ones taken prisoner. He rather not think about the horrors that awaited.
But the griffon are only one of their many enemies, some like diamond dogs are far worse. They may rip your guts out from below, or pull you down to their domain, and anypony taken prisoner are made to mine gems for them. Then when you can't work any longer they eat you.
Then there was the dark king, he was by far the worst of all their known enemies. He rips the soul of his enemies out torture, and corrupt them. Then use them as weapons. Golden Valor thought, as he reaches the front of the line and proceeded to get his meal.
After breakfast was over, Golden Valor proceeded over to the magic academy, its high stone wall and heavy iron doors, made this a fortress itself. That is, unless you knew of its weak points, but overall it had few such points.
The room that they kept the artifact in was fairly large, it had many books for the identifying artifacts. Lucky for Golden Valor, there were only a few artifacts today. He looks down the line of artifacts three horns, one crystal, and a crossbow which may or may not, be enchanted. He can't wait till, he doesn't have to do this anymore.
He finds the first few were nothing useful, unless you were a historian who studied the pre war era. Come to think of it there weren't many historians at all, which made these horns useless.
Next was a crystal it was unlike anything he seen before. He walked over to a bookshelf and pulled the crystal index off the shelf. He started searching for what kind it was. It took him a few minutes, but he finds it.
Crystal of the Shield Lands, a set of two use to teleport back and forth through the shield. Can also be used to project one's mind to look upon the shield lands, to look upon the other side. Extremely rare, only three are known to exist, all held by the lord protector.
To look past the shield, and see what they on the other side. He had always wondered what it looks like on the side of the shield. But if he used it and was caught, he maybe whipped, or worse. But when would he have another chance like this, so he took the risk.
He levitated the crystal up to him, he took a breath in, then looked deeply into the crystal. It
Was weird at first, being in two places at once. He finds himself fully aware of where his body was, and where his mind is.
He finds himself in a library that look to-be built inside a tree. He looked around and find two ponies, one an alicorn, the other a rainbow-colored Pegasus. Both seemed to-be happily reading books, but he wondered, does that mean the other crystal is here and if so where?
He walked around the room, reading the title of the books as he searched for the other crystal. As he was looking the alicorn got up and walked right through him, then stop, and started to look around. No, there is no way she could detect me, is there?
Her horn lit up, as it did Golden Valor find a light started coming from, a bust of a unicorn head in the center of the room. "Twilight is this a new spell of your's?" the rainbow-colored Pegasus asks, looking up from her book.
"No, but there something magically in there." Twilight said, as she made her way to the bust. Twilight then used her magic to pull one of its eyes out. Which to Golden Valor dismay was the crystal.
The rainbow-colored one trotted over to her friend. "What is it?" she asks, tilting her head
"It some kind of crystal," Twilight said, as it started to glow brighter.
Golden Valor find himself back at the magic academy. As the crystal on his end started to glow, and small cracks started to form on it. Which made him duck under a table, as it exploded in a flash of light, sending shards ever were.
As he looked up from under the table, he finds to his horror that the two ponies from the library were now standing in the room, dazed and confused. The first one to come out of the dazed, was Twilight if he remembered right.
"Rainbow Dash are you okay?" Twilight asks, looking around the room.
"Ya," Rainbow Dash said, shaking her head."where are we?"
"I don't know, but maybe one of these books can tell us." Twilight said, making her way over to the bookshelves.
"Index of magic spell books, index of..." Twilight said, as Golden Valor moved, knocking a horn off the table. It hit the floor with a bang.
Golden Valor found that both,we're looking right at him. "Hello, could you tell us where we are?" Twilight asks.
Golden Valor watched, as both looked expectantly. Why did he have to use that crystal to look into the shield land.
"You're in the city of Ironhold" - Golden Valor said, standing up."And you're not in your part of Equestria.
"What do you mean are part Equestria." Twilight asks. "I've never heard of a city named Ironhold either."
"Look you two are going to have to come with me now, and don't touch anything." Golden Valor said.
He looked at Rainbow Dash, as she picked up and started messing around, with the old crossbows, he hopes that not one that fires magic arrows.
"Wait a minute pal, first tell us what you mean by are part Equestria?" Rainbow Dash said, rashly.
"You are not in your part of Equestria is the best I can do, now come on, my lord will find out what to do with you two." Golden Valor said, thinking he may of need to word that better.
"What do you mean find out what to do with us?" Twilight asks, sounding a little nervous.
It time like this I wish I had better social skills. Well I could always try plan B, not like their legionnaires or anything. Then again the only alicorn I seen could destroy cohorts at a time. So I’ll try the way, and if that doesn’t work then Lord Protector help me.
"I'm Golden Valor, and you are in the city of Ironhold capital city of Outer Equestria, and home of Lord Protector Rightful Order." Golden Valor said as Rainbow Dash managing to fire the crossbow. It bolts hit the wall to the right of Golden Valor, and blowing a hole in it. Which got the attention of the legionaries, who heard it.
Will that answer that question, it's enchanted with magic arrows alright. Well, this day keeps getting better and better, doesn't it.
"Halt! Drop the Weapon!" One legionary yelled, as he charged in followed but many other.
Rainbow Dash dropped the crossbow as two armored legionnaires tackled her to the ground, and the other surrounded Twilight, who look fearfully around as the legionnaires move closer. She looks as if she was trying to find an opening and a way to get to Rainbow Dash, before she did however there was a flash from a teleportation spell.
"Stand down!" A power voices, commanded. Golden Valor looks over to Rightful order, A black armored, Red eyed, male alicorn. He like the others here has no cutie mark, and his eyes were as cold as ice.
"How did these shield lander get here?" He demanded to know.
Golden Order taking in a breath.Well maybe he doesn't know I hopes. "They find the other end of a Shield lands crystal, my lord." Golden Valor said.
"Will then I can see the crystal exploded, which means you both are now stuck here. Even if hadn't I could not allow you to return to your homes." Rightful Order said, Looking at Twilight, then at Rainbow Dash.
"Wait, why not?" They said unison, fear and worry on their voices.
"For it would destroy the peace, and put everypony in the shield lands at risk. Not even Your rulers know, so you have a three choices. One live here in what peace you can. If you two wish, then you may ask me to end your lives. Three give yourselves to the defiance of the shield lands, and of pony kind, but if you take the last choice it is for life. So what will it be?" Rightful Order said, as legionaries let Rainbow Dash up, "or do you some time to think about it."
"What if we promise never to tell anypony?" Twilight asked hopefully.
"I'm sorry even if there was a way I could, I wouldn't take the risk that you slip up. For even if most thought you both had gone mad. There would be those who would believe you. They may try to show other your right." Rightful Order said.
Golden Valor watched as Twilight, and Rainbow Dash seemed to-be fighting back the urge to weep.
Wait but he does have a way to send them back. He has three if I recall right, so why lie. I’m sure they both would understand, even if they didn’t Rightful Order has then hid somewhere that nopony will ever find.
"I'll give you some time to make your choice." Rightful Order said. " I'll have a somepony show you to a room so you two can talk it over."
"What kind of terrible is Equestria in?" Twilight asks.
"A war that will never end, and yes, we have tried for thousand of years to end it." Rightful Order coldly said, "I'll have can have a book brought to you if it would help you understand."
"Yes, please do." Twilight said.
"Legionnaire, show them to a room." Rightful Order told, the legionnaire next to him.
As Twilight and Rainbow Dash left the room, Rightful Order said "Legionnaires as you were, but not you, centurion."
Golden Valor watched as the legionnaires left the room. Then Rightful Order spoke "Well centurion, if you read the index, you know I have three other crystals, I could use to get them back to the shield Lands."
"Yes, my lord, I know," Golden Valor said,"but why not use them, won't other start looking for them if we don't send them back?
"Don't worry about that, nopony looks for somepony they think is dead," Rightful Order said," now you are to take them the history of the thousand-year war centurion."
Wait, what does he mean, think they're dead, is he going to the shield lands. To make it look like they died, and knowing the stories about Rightful Order, it would most likely be bloody, or involve fire.
"Oh, and centurion if they should find out for you, any connected to you about the other crystals, you will wish you were never born," Rightful Order said, before disappearing in a flash of light.
Will I'm alive, but I wonder what he meant by you wish you were never born. Will he ripped my guts out and make me eat them, or burn me slowly to death. Golden Valor shook his head. Wait, why am I even wonder that, Nightwind is right I do need to stop looking on the dark side of things, now where do we keep the copies, of the history of the thousand-year war at?
After a good amount of looking Golden Valor find one of the copies of the books, and was on his way to drive it to the shield landers. He did feel sorry for them, he could not imagine, being ripped from your life and thrown into this Tartarus, and it was his fault after all, he had to find a way to make it right.
Then an all too familiar voice, brought him out of thought, and not hearing them approach, give him a shock, as well. "So is it true Golden Valor?" Nightwind ask.
"Don't do that Nightwind! You almost give me a heart attack, and is what true?" Golden Valor said, looking behind him to find Nightwind flying a little off the ground, and had a good idea what she was asking.
"You know, about the shield lander." Nightwind said, landing right next to him. It always amazed him how fast news could spread.
"Yes, and there were given three choices, one I don't think anypony would take, the other two are, live the rest of your live here, of join the legion." Golden Valor said, as he started to walking again, and Nightwind started walking right beside him.
"So, what kinds of ponies are they anyway?" Nightwind ask
"One a Pegasus, who colorful, I'll give her that, the other an alicorn."
"Colorful how?"
"Think rainbow colored."
"You're, pulling my leg, aren't you?"
"Nope, she also fired a crossbow, which fires magic arrow, that exploded, and destroyed a wall."
"You think they'll join the legion?"
"I hope not, but if they do, it will change them." Golden Valor said. He hopes that they would pick to live a simple life, here and never see the horrors of what he, and Nightwind have. But If they did, he would take Twilight, if he remembers alicorn name right, and train her.
"If they do, though, I'll take that Pegasus under my wing, and show her how to survive, and if I know you're, going to do the same for that alicorn." Nightwind said
"Yes, but I hope it doesn't come to that." Golden Valor Said. As they continued walking in quiet thought.
Nightwind and Golden Valor, made their way to where Twilight, and Rainbow Dash, were to spend the night. It was one of the nicer buildings in the Ironhold, just outside the legion training ground. Rightful Order, had stationed guard outside the building. Golden Valor, walked up to the door follow by, Nightwind.
"I was told by our Lord, to bring them a book." Golden Valor said, the guards look to him, then to Nightwind. Then open the door.
"Good day, flight captain, and good day centurion." One of the guard said.
Nightwind and Golden Valor, enter the building and made their way to the guest rooms. The building was well finished , and much nicer than either of them were accustomed to. They reached the end of a hall, and knocked on a door.
Twilight open it and let them in. Golden Valor, pulled the book from his bag, and handed it to Twilight, as Rainbow Dash come into sight. "How bad does, your legion need recruits?" Twilight ask. Golden Valor hope, neither of them would ask that, he could lie, but decided against it.
"We'll take whatever we can get." Golden Valor said.
"Would we be, protecting, our friends, and family?" Rainbow Dash ask.
"Yes, for if the legion falls, the shield won't be far behind, an afraid."Golden Valor said. Getting a bad feeling he knows where this is going.
"If you're going to join know this, it won't be easy, and sure in Tartarus won't be fun, you may very die a painful death, or worse." Nightwind said. Which surprised Golden Valor, he doesn't think she ever thought like that, he thought she was just eager legionnaire, looking for a fight.
"Well, I can't stand by and watch as another fight, and die, so count me in." Rainbow Dash said.
"Me, too." Twilight said
"Wait, you have some time think about it, you join it for life." Golden Valor said, trying to change their minds.
"So what does a Pegasus do in the legion?"Rainbow Dash said, looking to Nightwind.
"Air support, scouting, and flaking mainly." Nightwind said.
"And what does, somepony who good at magic, do?" Twilight said looking at Golden Valor.
"Fire support, shield, and ward, and many other things, but I ask you one last time please think this over some more." Golden Valor said, but he knew the look in their eyes, it was that of somepony willing to give all so, other may live in peace. The same look he has seen on, Stormkiller, Nightwind, Shadow Strike, and so many others.
"If you do this, Twilight Sparkle, ask to-be assigned, to me, centurion Golden Valor, and Rainbow Dash, you ask to-be assigned to flight captain, Nightwind, and if they give you grief tell them I'll set their tent on fire next time were in the field, got it? Golden Valor said. Both nodded in agreement.
“He said what!” Stormkiller, a white furred, blue maned pegasus, said.
Twilight and Rainbow Dash, watched as Stormkiller put a hoof to her head. She looks to be in deep thought, and for the most part looked to be in between anger, and amusement.
“So, centurion Golden Valor will set whoever tent on fire, who doesn't assign you to him if assign, and your friend to Nightwind,” Stormkiller said.
“Yes legatus, that's what he said,” Twilight said.
“Will then, I’m surprised that he would want any new recruits. I usually have to focus them on him, then he finds a way to get rid of them if they don’t meet his standard…” Stormkiller said, “So this is very strange to me. What the hey, recruit Sparkle you're assigned to centurion Golden Valor, and recruit Dash, you're assigned to flight captain, Nightwind.”
“Thank you legatus,” they said in unison.
“Now get to your units, and get training,” Stormkiller said.
Twilight, and Rainbow Dash bow, and make their way to the find Nightwind, and Golden Valor. They find them waiting near a mess hall. Twilight find that Golden Valor was a lot less pink today.
“So did you two get assigned to us?” Golden Valor asks, as they got closer.
“Yeah, after we told, legatus Stormkiller what you said,” Rainbow Dash answered.
Which made Golden Valor face go pale, and Nightwind start laughing. Twilight then noted Golden Valor started to panic. “You don’t think it would be Stormkiller, would be the one assigning us, did you?” Twilight said.
“No, he don’t,” Nightwind said, unable to stop laughing.
It takes a few minutes before, Nightwind stop laughing, and Golden Valor stopped panicking.
“Ok, now that over with Rainbow Dash, let get to the unit, and start are drills,” Nightwind said.
“Yes, ma'am!” Rainbow Dash said, as she started to lift off the ground.
“Good, now follow me,” Nightwind said, as she started heading west to the a group of light, armored Pegasi, and Rainbow Dash followed.
“Will that mean, were off to the north end of the yard, for your training,” Golden Valor said, as he started walking.
Twilight followed, Golden Valor who don’t say anything, which left Her some time to think.
At first Twilight finds herself curious, and all those books, she would have loved to read them. That was until Rainbow and she finds out that they could never return home or see their friends and family again.
Twilight had tried most the night to teleport through the shield, but had found who ever cast it was a genius and incredibly powerful. She knew it wasn’t the Rightful Order, for the book he had sent to her said, he was great in conjuration, and fire magic, but horrible at wards and defense magic.
Rightful Order how ever was powerful, and a force to be reckoned with battlefield though. She could not find anything else about him. It was like he came out of nowhere one day, and guess started fighting in this war.
On the other hoof the dark king, had a lot on him. The dark king was a powerful, and ruthless pony, who had mastered black magic. He had killed his brother’s wife, corrupted his foal, then turned on his king. After that it starts getting hard to find fact from myth.
Rightful order had seemed pleased that they had joined. At least she thought he was hard to tell on somepony who, only has a cold look on his face.
Twilight came out of thought as they reached the north end of the training yard. She finds five other ponies, all in steel armor, and all were unicorns. They stood in a line next to iron blocks.
The iron blocks started small, and get larger as you look down the line. Each had a number, which Twilight guessed that was how much they weighed. From what she could tell they started at fifty pounds, and ended at half a ton.
“Legionaries! Meet our new recruit, Twilight Sparkle.” Golden Valor said, as he looked down the line.
Twilight could hear them talk, some seemed to think Golden Valor was joking. One even started laughing. “What's so fun legionnaire!” Golden Valor shouted.
“Will sir, a shield lander in this unit, she won't last a week!” one of the legionaries said.
“Is that so, Shield Caster, I bet you fifty bits she can lift five-hundred pounds or more,” Golden Valor said
“Sir, I’ll take that bet,” Shield Caster said.
“Ok, recruit, Sparkle show them what you can do,” Golden Valor said.
Twilight walks up to the iron block that was numbered five-hundred. Her horn lit up, and find it difficult to encase the iron block in her magic, but she managed to encase in her purple aura. She then lifted it off the ground, with some difficulty, and held it there.
She finds Shield Caster, looking a little angry. “Now Shield Caster, would you be so kind as to apologize to recruit Sparkle, and pay her my winnings,” Golden valor said, with a grin.
Twilight, lowed the block, and take in a few deep breaths. “I’m sorry recruit Sparkle you may list more than one battle,” he said, as he walk up to her and give her the bits.
Twilight guesses that Golden Valor thought, she would need some bits for thing that she and, Rainbow would need at some point, and to show them he had faith in her.
“Now recruit Sparkle, I think I should tell you. That you lifted a warded iron block,” Golden Valor said.
Twilight find odd that it was so hard to get her magic around it, which means Golden Valor has faith in her. She wondered how Rainbow Dash was doing.
“Now that's out-of-the-way, Shield Caster your next!” Golden Valor said, “and don’t worry, you six we only have a six hours of this plan today.”
Twilight find herself hoping he means with breaks in between.
____________________________________________________________________
Rainbow Dash finds that Nightwind was very fast, luckily so was she. Nightwind came to a stop in front of ten other pegasi, who all wear the same simple armor as she, and Nightwind.
“Flight captain, we are ready for today drills, ma’am!” they said in unison.
“Good, Lightning Bolt would you be willing to race are new recruit?” Nightwind ask.
Rainbow Dash watched as, Lightning Bolt, a brown furred Pegasus, looked her up and down. “Yes, ma’am should be easy,” Lightning Bolt said, with pride.
“One time around the city then, and recruit Dash go easy on him, it may hurt his pride when you win,” Nightwind said.
Rainbow and Lightning Bolt lined up, as the others watched, Rainbow could hear them, placing bets on who was going to win.
“Now should I have you go, on three, or five?” Nightwind said, ”you know what guess go!”
Rainbow take off, and find Lightning Bolt was keeping up. Rainbow find she could stay in the lead, but he was fast.
Ironhold was a little bigger than Canterlot, which means this isn't going to take long. She pulled ahead a little at a time.
She passed over the northern part of the city, which mainly looked to be the training yard. She looked back to find Lightning was getting closer. So she flapped her wing faster. She pulled farther and farther ahead.
She looked down to find that the eastern end of Ironhold was full of prizes and what look to be homes. There were a lot of ponies going about their day-to-day business. She looked back to find Lightning Bolt was falling further behind.
She then passed over the southern end of Ironhold which looked to be the where the upper class lived. It may not be as grand as Canterlot, but that made it easy to tell who lived where.
Rainbow looked ahead to find Nightwind and the other waiting. She looked back to find Lightning Bolt, was now closing the distance, which made her flap her wing even harder. She was able to stay ahead, but if it had been a longer race, Lightning Bolt had by far more endurance, which was most likely from all his years of training, Rainbow reasoned.
Rainbow win, but Lightning Bolt made it a few seconds later. “I underestimated you recruit,” Lightning Bolt said, offering a hoof bump.
“Good work recruit Dash, I needed to make sure you would be able to keep up. I train us for speed and agility.” Nightwind said, smiling,”Now, go get your crossbows you two saddlebags, we are going to do laps around Ironhold till lunch, so try to stay at the same speed I’m going.”
Rainbow had notice that they all had been holding crossbows, or the fact they now had saddlebag on. She then had a feeling that this was going to be a very long day.
Rainbow met up with Twilight a few hours later in the mess hall. Twilight looked like she had trained just as hard as she had. “Twi, what they put you through?” Rainbow asks.
“Lifting big, warded, Iron blocks with magic, for two hours, but that's not the worst part we have another four hours of that after lunch,” Twilight said, tiredly, ”and you?”
“I can’t feel my wings, but we got target practice next,” Rainbow said, as Nightwind, and Golden Valor sat down next to them.
“So, Twilight is Golden Valor as boring as I think he is?” Nightwind ask.
Rainbow watched as Twilight looks over to them,”boring and out to work everypony to death,” Twilight said.
“I knew it!” Nightwind said, smiling.
“Oh, come on I’m sure Rainbow Dash, would say the same thing about you you,” Golden Valor said.
Rainbow thought about it, Nightwind work them hard, but did it in a fun way, They even pulled a prank on somepony, which involved putting their bed on top of a tower, Rainbow thought smiling.
“Well, Nightwind work's us hard, but boring doesn't come to mind,” Rainbow said, as Nightwind held back a laugh.
“See I told you, training can be fun,” Nightwind said, playfully.
Rainbow watched as an earth pony stallion, walked up to them, and whispered something into Golden Valor ear. Then turned and left, which give Golden Valor worried look on his face.
“What is it?” Nightwind ask, to which she got no reply.
“Nightwind, Twilight, Rainbow if you excuse something has just come up,” Golden Valor said, getting to his hooves and quickly hurrying out of sight.
“What was that about?” Twilight asks.
“I don’t know…” Nightwind said, “but if he doesn’t tell me, it has to be something.”
Rainbow watched as Nightwind small disappeared and looked to be in thought. Rainbow then looked to Twilight how seemed to noted too.
__________________________________________________________________________
Twilight Find herself find after lunch, Golden Valor was waiting in the training yard, but the iron block were, gone, and in their place where wooden dummies. He had a very worried look on his face.
“Good you're all here we had a change of plans, combat spell training instead,” Golden Valor said,”recruit Sparklem do you know how to cast fireball?”
“Never tried to, but should be able to,” Twilight said, take note that Golden Valor seemed different, he wasn’t level headed, like he had been earlier.
“Good, just remember the hotter the better,” he said, as Twilight lined up with the other.
“Now being!” Golden Valor commanded
Twilight’s horn lit up, as a ball of fire started to form. It was difficult for her to do, mainly because she had never used a spell like this before. She aimed at the dummy opposite her and cast the spell, but it only made a little burn mark.
“Bigger, and hotter! Recruit,” Golden Valor said.
Twilight tried again, this time it was easier, to form it. She wondered what was going on, as she cast the next fireball. This one caused a bigger burn marks, which Twilight thought was a good improvement.
“I want to see that dummy bust into ashes recruit!” Golden Valor yelled.
Twilight ready another Fireball, this time putting a lot more magic into it, but before she cast it, she looked down the line to find the other had gone through two dummies already, and she hadn’t got one down yet.
She then cast the one the one she had prepared, this time the dummy bust into frames.
“Hotter recruit!” Golden Valor said.
”Try putting all your pinned up rage into it,”the legionnaire next to her suggested.
Twilight ready another fireball as, a new dummy was placed in front of her. This time putting all her rage into it. Then throw it at the new dummy, this time it explodes into white frames.
“Better recruit!” Golden Valor, said,”now again!”
This went on for hours, Twilight was exhausted by the time training was over. She finds she was starving, and finds the legionnaire who give her advice earlier walking over to her.
“So, did my, suggested help?” he ask,”and the named Gloomy light.”
Gloomy Light, a dark brown furred, black maned, red-eye pony.
“Yes, very much,” Twilight said,”and thank.”
“Will you looked like you need some help, and when, Golden Valor gets like that it meads we have munching orders,”he said.
“Munching were?”Twilight asks.
“Don’t know, but wherever it is, it's not good. The fifth isn’t at full strong yet,” he said, glumly.
Twilight started to worry, she hadn’t even master the basics, or read any spell books yet, and they were already going to munch somewhere. She needs to study, but where did they keep the spell books.
“I need to study, where does the legion keep the spell books?” Twilight ask.
“We have some in the barracks, but before you go running off, you need to get some food.” he said,” and after that I’ll show you where they're at.”
“Thank you, Gloomy Light.” Twilight said, as she started for the mess hall for dinner.
Twilight find Rainbow Dash, talking with some other Pegasi. Twilight sat down next to Rainbow, who looked over at her.
“So how was your day Twi,” Rainbow asks.
“Exhausting, yours?” Twilight asks.
“Will at after the morning drills, pretty good. Oh, and these two are Lightning Bolt, and Aurora,” Rainbow said, “Lightning, Aurora, this is my good friend Twilight.”
“Nice to me you” Aurora said,” maybe Golden Valor will send you for some flight lessons.”
“Will she wouldn’t need to carry a crossbow, and good to meet you if anything like your friend, you're going to make one Tartarus of a legionary some day,” Lightning said.
“Will thank you, and nice to meet you both,” Twilight said, as she started to eat.
As twilight ate, she listens to the conversation, and find Rainbow was being her normal self. Twilight wounded how Rainbow could act normal, maybe the reality hasn’t sunk in yet. Twilight hoped then when it does Rainbow will be able to handle it.
____________________________________________________________________________
Nightwind, find Golden valor, walking back and forth outside of the city walls, his blue mane was a mess, and he looked to be deep in thought. Nightwind had seen him look this before on many of night, but only when thing seem bad.
“You, going to tell me what's up?” Nightwind ask, kindly.
Golden Valor turned to face Nightwind,”the fifth has been ordered to Griffin's Bane,” Golden Valor said.
Nightwind knew that met the griffins were up to something, which meet that Golden Valor was preparing himself for the deaths of friends that would follow. Only Nightwind knew how much, ever legionnaire meant to him.
“Would you like me to stay?” Nightwind ask.
“No, go and get some sleep Nightwind, I’ll be fine,” he said.
Nightwind knew it was useless to try to talk to him like this, but at least he wasn't drinking.
“Well, if you need anything just come find me, ok,” Nightwind said, as she starts to fly back to the barracks, but then remember the prank she and her unit had pulled earlier, and made her way to the tower, to return Golden Valor bad to where it belongs.
It was a felt like a long flight to Nightwind, she knew that she was the only Golden Valor called a friend. Which is why she knew if she was killed, one day, he may very well fall, into a rage, or become like Rightful Order, Cold and angry.
He may act strong, but others do notest, how he can get at times. Stormkiller, Shadow Strike, and a few in his unit knew the signs. Stormkiller, had seen many like Golden Valor, that's why she had asked Nightwind to make sure he don’t fall into madness, and if he did find a way to pull him back before it was too late.
Shadow Strike, on the other hoof, thought it would be a good idea, said something like he would be more ruthless. Nightwind had never liked Shadow Strike, he was a monster.
She remembers watching, him pulling the spine out of a diamond dog with his teeth, and watch it die in pain and agony, as he chewed on his spine in front of him. Nightwind thought she was going to be sick, and he even started to eat bits of the diamond dogs as he was dying.
She hopes that Golden Valor would never become like Shadow Strike, he was a caring centurion, who was always more than happy to lend a helping hoof. He may push the legionaries hard, but he does it to give them a fighting chance. She hoped that if he did fall into madness, and could be pulled back, Nightwind, hope she wouldn't live to see who far he would fall.
The sound of marching hooves filled the countryside. Twilight found the path they march to-be like the Everfree in winter, and she was glad when, Nightwind had shown her, and Rainbow were to get cloaks. For the path to Griffin's Bane, was long and cold.
From what Twilight could find out about Griffin's Bane, is that it's a fortress at the northern end of Outer Equestria. It had been the site of many of the battle, with the griffons.
She levitated, a spell book from the back of her units wagon. She hadn’t had the time to train; unlike the Pegasi, who could train and fly at the same time. Unicorn and earth pony on the other hoof can’t.
Which had given her time to read, and she had read through many of the books her unit brought with them. Which she found to be most enlightening, she found that some of the spell could have been used in peacetime, if changed a little.
“Hey Twilight, get up here,” Nightwind called to her.
Twilight turned and looked up to Nightwind who had her usual small. Twilight wondered why she wanted. So she returned the book to the wagon, and then flapped her wings, and made her way to Nightwind.
“Yes flight captain,” Twilight said.
“Well, how would you like to train with me,” Nightwind said,”and Golden Valor said it’s ok.”
“Yes!” Twilight said.
“Good, now come on,” Nightwind said, as she started flying to her unit.
Twilight followed, and she was overjoyed that she would get to try some of the spells she learned. She would also be able to talk to Rainbow more than she usually does.
Twilight in truth was starting to be about Rainbow, she started drinking something that they called Dragon Ale. She also was starting to act more like a Legionnaire.
“Twilight may I ask you something about Rainbow Dash?” Nightwind said.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Has she always acted this way?”
“Do you mean the drinking?”
“Well, there that, and the part she seems ok with all this,” Nightwind said,”I mean I've seen you lost in thought, but Rainbow just seems to-be taking this too well.”
“I’m worried about Rainbow, because the longer it takes for the reality sink in, the harder it will be for her to deal with.”
“Will, you're right about that, but she tough and is making good friends. Not like…” Nightwind stopped.
Twilight looked around and find nothing out of the normal. “Not like what?” Twilight asks.
“Nothing,” Nightwind said,”Now please try not to set anything on fire when we start training.”
“Ok, I won’t use fire magic.”
Twilight looked ahead to find most of Nightwind’s group. Rainbow, was not with them.
“Were Rainbow?” Twilight asks.
“I sent her and Aurora out on patrol.”
“Ok, when we they be, back?”
“Hour or two, why?”
“Haven’t had time to take or hug out with Rainbow for some time.”
“Don’t worry, Golden Valor said as long as we're marching you can come train up with me,” Nightwind said,”now show me some of that magic stuff.”
Twilight decided to try and cast shield spells first, but find they weren’t as easy as she thought they were. Her brother had made them look easy when he cast them.
First, there was the kind of shield, next what you were trying to keep out, then came the casting, and maintaining them. She found the combat spell, were easier, they don’t need to be clean and precise, and the more emotion you put into them the stronger they were.
She knows if she could master them, she may be able to cast her brother spell, or at least get close. Which made her wonder how friends and family were doing. They must be worried sick, Shining Armor, and Celestia would have half the guards in Equestria looking for her and Rainbow Dash by now.
Twilight tries to cast another shield, this time she holds it for a few minutes. Before she could hold it any longer, and it faded.
“Will, I don’t know anything about magic, but it looks like you're doing better,” Nightwind said.
“Yes, I’m getting the hang of them, but you should see how powerful my brother’s shields are,” Twilight said.
“Older or younger?”
“Older.”
“Well, I could only imagine what he would think if his little sister could outdo him,” Nightwind said.
Twilight thought about it and knew he would be Proud of her. Will after he gets over worrying his little sister was out fighting a war that is.
“So we should be stopping for lunch in a few minutes,” Nightwind said.
“Ok,” Twilight said.
______________________________________________________________
Rainbow and Aurora had been on patrol for some time now, and found that there was nothing out of the normal. Rainbow had found that nopony takes care of the weather out here, so it wild and untamed.
“So what's it like in the shield lands?”Aurora asks.
“It's nice, but could we stay focused we are on patrol after all.” Rainbow said.
“Ok, but can you tell me later!”
“Fine.”
Rainbow in truth doesn’t want to talk about it, she was for the most getting used to the way thing were now. She found it hard to believe a week ago all she did was train for the wonderbolts, but now she was in a legion, and Nightwind said if she kept training she may even become a legatus someday.
She knew Twilight was holding on to the hope she would find a way back, but she was starting to like her new life. She misses her friends and family, but she felt she was now somepony who keep them safe.
Which she found, made her proud, but Twilight thought, she would lose it, and can’t handle it. She knew Twilight meant well, but why couldn't she see this was what they were meant to do.
Rainbow had overheard some of the battle mages in the tavern, and they were very impressed by Twilight. They had said something like she may be the next great Archmage, if she keeps this up.
That's another thing she likes the tavern, she found they love telling stories, and boasting of their deeds. At first she found the drinks there, unappealing, but Lightning Bolt, and Aurora had changed her mind, and by the end of that night she was happily drunk.
She had tried to get Twilight to come with her, but turned her down every time. Twilight need to learn to relax, she wishes that Applejack was here, she knew, she would understand why this was important it like she does.
Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, would never survive out here, and Rarity would never be able to live in a city like Ironhold, maybe if they're a city more like Canterlot out here, then maybe, but otherwise no.
Then there was the crossbows, so many different kinds. The one Nightwind had her using at the moment is, lightweight, and easy to reload. It arrows are barbed, and she knew that getting hit by one of these would hurt, if it did kill you, and the fact it would be very difficult to remove.
“Well we should be getting back,” Aurora said
“Right behind,” Rainbow Dash said.
______________________________________________________________
Golden Valor least favorite pony in all the legions, Shadow Strike, a blood red, earth pony, who eyes were filled with hate, had decided to talk to him.
“So, Golden Valor tell me, how many do you kill in the least battle, against the griffons?” Shadow Strike said.
“Far to many,”Golden Valor said.
“You can never kill to many, I mean look how many they killed of us,” Shadow Strike said.
Golden Valor thought about it, and Shadow Strike did have a point. He heard that some take the skalls of their enemies and use them as trophies, and what they did to prisoners was sick.
“Fifty,” Golden Valor said, he remembered because there faces were burned into his mind.
“Fifth, you bet me by two,” Shadow Strike said, with a smile.
Golden Valor didn’t weather to be worried or not. He only seen Shadow Strike smile when killing, and beating him at killing was not something he wanted to do.
“You know were the same you, and I,” Shadow Strike said.
“No were not, you kill for fun I don’t,” Golden Valor said.
“Then why do you?” Shadow Strike said, tilting his head.
“To protect, my brother and sister in arms,” Golden Valor said.
“Are you sure, that the reason, and not that you like the feel of the power you have over life and death,” Shadow Strike said.
“No, I don’t, and their never will be a time that i’ll like that feeling,” Golden Valor said.
“Oh, I think I know what would make you enjoy killing at least one enemy,” Shadow Strike Said, smiling bigger.
“I’m going to say nothing,” Golden Valor said.
“Not even if they killed that friend of yours, what her name again,” Shadow Strike said, putting a hoof to his head,”Oh yes Nightwind.”
Golden Valor wanted to counter saying, no not even then, but couldn’t, for he knew he would burn that enemy slowly, making them feel everything he could.
“Get away from me,” Golen Valor said.
“Oh, I will, but before I do know that when that day comes, and it will, I’ll be more than happy to help,” Shadow Strike said, before walking in to a group of earth ponies legionnaires and then disappearing.
Golden Valor knew that day would never come, Nightwind would outlive him by a long shoot. Then again what if he was right, and that day did come, he may very well take him up on his offer then.
He may ever start to love killing then. The feel of power over life and death, and living every day knowing that power you don’t want to use could have saved your best, and only friend. Maby he was right how many die because of his conscience, and unwillingness to aim at the larger group, and put all his power into it
He then thought, and if he trained Twilight to do that she could destroy entire cohort at a time with all the power she has. That would mean giving her master level books. No, what is he thinking if that did happen Nightwind would not want him to become like that.
Only caring about the feeling of power, and the next battle, and he could never do that to Twilight, it would destroy her. Golden Valor knew killing one at a time would be hard for her, but an entire cohort.
He knew full well that he may say that now, but if that time did come would he be able to stop himself. He guessed only time will tell, for now he would do his best to make sure that never happened.
There was one thing he wondered what did Rightful Order do to make sure that nopony came looking for them.
Arrows whizzed by Rainbows head, as she moved through the Battlefield, as she caught sight of Shadow Strike, who was ripping out the guts of some poor enemy. Nightwind was right he was a monster on the battlefield.
Rainbow thought calling this a battlefield was not correct it was more like a small skirmish. She had yet to fire her crossbow, but had just found her mark. A griffon who was taking aim at somepony.
She pulled her crossbow up, took aim and fired. Rainbow watched as it hit him, the griffon looked down to find the arrow in his chest, and then to Rainbow Dash. She was close enough to see the fear in his eye, and the blood pouring for the wound. He then fall lifeless to the ground below.
Rainbow couldn’t move, she should have looked away, Nightwind had told her never to look them in the eye. She now knew why, even if they were the enemy they were stall living thing with hope and dreams.
The battle had ended but Rainbow just stayed in the same spot. Nightwind flew up next to her, and said, “you looked him in the eyes didn’t you?”
“Yes,” Rainbow replied.
“And what do you feel?” Nightwind asks.
Rainbow thought about this she had just killed and she felt nothing, no remorse, no anger, just nothing.
“Nothing at all,” Rainbow Dash said.
“Well nothing is better then being like Shadow Strike, who i’m pretty sure loves killing,” Nightwind said letting out a breath, “just don’t try to fill it, or you may turn into somepony you're not.”
Rainbow thought about it, what if the emptiness grow, and become all she could feel.
“Rainbow, look at me,” Nightwind said.
Rainbow look at her, and then Nightwind spoke again,”That emptiness that you feel will only grow if you let it, now come on lets get back to Griffin's Bane, before anymore show all.”
“Ok ma’am” Rainbow Dash said.
Rainbow tried to feel something anything but found, nothing. Did this make her a killer, or a monster, how could anypony not feel anything. Wondered as they flew to Griffin's Bane.
Griffin's Bane was built a upon a mountain, it walls high and spiked. Homesteads dotted the landscape, and their was a small raver to one side. It was a little bigger then ponyville, and was the key fortress in the region.
Rainbow had learn that the main armies of the Griffon Empire, were marching this way in a hope of capturing the fort, but that wasn’t going to happen if they had anything to say about it.
She remembered Stormkiller saying that the main focus will be in a about three week, until then raiding parties would keep hitting their supply lines, trying to weakening them.
Rainbow landed a few minutes later, in the main part of Griffin's Bane, to found many ponies going about their daily business.
“Rainbow Dash take the rest of the day off, and try not to get drunk,” nightwind said.
“Ok, thank you,” Rainbow Dash said.
Rainbow watched Nightwind fly off to the keep, and wonder what to do. Twilight was busy, with whatever Golden Valor had her doing, Lightning Bolt and Aurora, were on duty, so that left the tavern. She would only have one or two drinks, plus she need them.
Rainbow made her way through Griffin's Bane, to a tavern she had found that made the best ale. If she recalled right it was called the Dead Griffon Tavern.
She reached it in on time, it was an old stone building, with doors that looked like they had been there just as long. She pushed the doors open and want inside.
Inside were two battle mages, and the old, one eye pegasus bartender.She walked up to the bar and talk a set.
“Let me guess two Dragon Ales,” the barkeep said.
“Yape,” Rainbow Dash said, stall thinking.
“You got your first kill to day?” the barkeep ask.
“Yes, how'd you know?” Rainbow said.
“You have that look about you, that i've seen in many young legionnaires,” the barkeep said.
“Oh, is it normal to feel nothing?” Rainbow Dash ask.
“Can be, i've heard worse thing, like one legionnaire found he loved it, if I remember right he in your legion,” the barkeep said,”my daughter can’t stand him.”
“If his named Shadow Strike, then me and Nightwind agree with that,” Rainbow Dash said, as he slides two ales down to her.
“Will I hope Nightwind hasn’t changed her mind on that, and how do you know her anyway?” the barkeep said, smiling
“She my flight captain,” Rainbow said, taking a drink.
“She stay like that unicorn, what's his name again?” the barkeep ask.
Rainbow thought about it that could, explain why Nightwind was alway trying to get Golden Valor’s attention, but how did the barkeep knew, maybe passer by had said something.
“Golden Valor I think she does, and how do you know Nightwind?” Rainbow Dash ask taking another drank.
“Yape that the one, never could understand what she saw in him,” the barkeep said,”and for how I knew her. Well she my little foal, no matter old old she gets.”
“You mean you're her father?” Rainbow Dash ask.
“Yap, and she take after her mother, and the name Darkflight,”he said with a big smile.
“Mine’s Rainbow Dash,” she said, offering a hoof.
“Nice to have a name to put to the face,” Darkflight said as he shook her hoof,” but tell does that unicorn act all high and mighty like the other do?”
Rainbow thought, Golden Valor did tined to act morally superior, but Nightwind had said that all an act, so he don’t get close to anypony. He was always helping everypony he could, and Rainbow could see way Nightwind said that it was an act.
“No, he may act like it, but he not, and I’m not my friend so I can’t tell you if he like her back or not so don’t ask,” Rainbow Dash said, knowing that Rarity would be trying to help Nightwind if she liked it or not.
“Well, if he hurts her in any way, hes going to need a new horn,” Darkflight said, “ Oh and the next round on the house.”
Rainbow then heard the two battle mages talking, something about a mission, involving Twilight, and a few other. which got her attention, and she countered listing.
It was heard to make out, but something about a crystal, slowing down the enemy army, and leaving about an hour ago.
______________________________________________________________________________
Twilight flew over a forest and thought about her mission, which was to conjure a storm to solw down the enemy.
She was given a crystal that would increase her power tenfold, which she thought was over kill. Golden Valor had ask them to sand somepony else, but was reminded that she was the only alicorn in the fifth legion.
Nightwind had volunteered to go, to which Golden Valor was not happy, but Shadow Strike seemed overjoy.
“So, you ready for this?” Nightwind said, bring Twilight out of thought.
“Yes, but should we have at least seen some griffons by now?” Twilight ask.
“Hold up, your right, there something off about this,” Nightwind said,” Red Bolt, Sword Dancer, Go on ahead.”
They nod and fly ahead, but before they make it ten feet, Black fireballs come flying out of the tree line.
Twilight watches as their flesh is burned, and the their screams, she tried to move, her main yell run, but she was frozen there. She could smell of burning flesh filled the air.
Nightwind yell something, but Twilight could hear her. She could only hear the screams of the two corpses crops as they fall to the ground below.
She felt herself being pulled through the air as she closed her eyes.
Then they stop moving, and twilight found the fear leaving her, and could swear she heard Luna, and for some resin Nightmare Moon talking to nightwind.
“Who side are you on anyway those were some fine legionnaires!” Nightwind yelled.
“Yes and they were agents of the Dark King, and were going to kill you and take Twilight to him,” Nightmare Moon said.
“I told thou to take them alive,” Luna said.
Was Luna arguing with herself, and how was she changing back and forth so quickly. Twilight open her eyes to find Nightmare Moon right in front of her, she then looked to her right to find Luna.
“Twilight Sparkle, are thou ok?” Luna ask.
“Yes, but how are you, and um, you here?” Twilight ask, trying not to overload her mind.
“Wait first there no way Red Bolt, and Sword Dancer, were Black Legion, I've known them for as long as I can remember,” Nightwind said trying to remain calm,”next I know for a fact that you are Black Legion!”
“Well I was, before my encounter with the elements of harmony, which undid what the Dark King did to me,” Nightmare Moon said,” but if we don’t mind we do have enemies, nearby, so can we fishin this at our camp.”
“Do I have another option?” Nightwind ask.
“Yes, give us Twilight and head back to your fort, and try and explain to everypony what happen,” Nightmare Moon said.
“Fine lead the way,” Nightwind said.
“Thou hast made the right choice,” Luna said.
“Wait, how, and why are you working with Nightmare Moon!” Twilight demanded to know.
“It’s a long story Twilight Sparkle, and we will be more than happy to tell you when we get there,” Luna said.
“Fine lead the way,” Twilight said.
Twilight and Nightwind followed them back to their camp, which was hidden deep in the woods. It was a sample camp, it had a few tents, and to Twilight horror her other friends, and some guards.
“What are they doing here!” Twilight said.
“Nightmare Moon had horrible timing, and needless to say they insisted on coming,” Luna said.
“Hey I said I thought you were alone already,” Nightmare Moon said.
“Will I wasn’t and thou should have made sure,” Luna replied.
“Well maybe I shouldn’t have told you then, and let you think Twilight, and Rainbow Dash were dead,” Nightmare Moon countered.
Well at least I know they're not friends, but Stall i’m happy to see my friends even if they are in danger here, but if they were after me does that mean they want Rainbow Dash as well. Either way somepony going to tell me what going on here.
Nightmare Moon found herself in blackness, and nothingness. She was aware, but couldn’t move or speak, she could only think, and for the first time she felt regret.
So she thought of her past, and what she had done, and how her master had made her into a monster. She remember being happy once, though it was locked behind a wall of pain.
How could I have done all those things, and what I made Luna do, this is what I deserve, being in between worlds, not able to hurt anypony else. I do wish there was a way to make it right, but how could I ever make this right.
She closed her eyes and slept, a dreamless sleep.
Then after a long time she heard a soft voice, full of warmth and kindness. She could not make out what it was saying at first.
Then a light, as warm as the voice start to glow, and the voices become more clear.
“Nightmare Moon, do you wish for a chance to be redeemed?” the voice ask.
Nightmare Moon thought, a chance, but what was the price for it.
“Yes, but what is the price?” Nightmare Moon ask.
“All you must do is aid my chosen ones, and help change a fate writing in stone,” the voice said.
“Your chosen ones, who are they?” Nightmare Moon ask.
“They are the ones who defeated you,” the voice said.
“And this fate, you wish to change?” Nightmare Moon ask.
“You remember the Dark King, and the war, correct?” the voice ask.
Nightmare Moon remember all too well, the pain and death that monster had brought.
“Yes, all too well” Nightmare Moon said.
“Now, tell me what would happen if Griffin's Bane fall?” the voice ask.
“The north would fall with it, leaving the east open for the diamond dogs,” Nightmare Moon said, well if she remember right.
“Now what if Rightful Order was to fall, along with Ironhold?”
The legions would be in rains, and what ever left would be quickly destroyed,” Nightmare Moon said, wonder where this is going.
“Now if Celestia is lost to madness, and Twilight joins the Dark King?” the voice ask.
“He would win,” Nightmare Moon said.
“Now I can’t aid you any more than those warnings, and returning to Equestria,” the voice said,” now go Twilight is in danger outside the shield.”
“Wait what warnings, all you did was ask me questions, and who are you?” Nightmare Moon ask.
Then Nightmare Moon found herself in canterlot, out of sight, of anypony. The warmth of the sun, and the sounds of ponies filled the air. She could see ponie in the street in front of her, lucky for her the voice had put her in a alleyway.
Her horn lit up, as she changed her form to that of a black furred unicorn.
Now what did the voice mean by Twilight outside the shield. Then she heard sounds of crying, coming down the street. She made down the alleyway to the street, and looked around. There a large group of guilds carried two coffins, and many ponies followed, they all wear black. She looked down farer to find even Celestia, and Luna wear black.
She then looked to one of the coffins, it was engraved with a six pointed star. Her horn lit up, looking for magic, which she found, it would be easy to miss if you don’t know what you were looking for.
It was Rightful Order work ok, which answered one question, now how to get through the shield, it was far too powerful for her alone, but maybe with some help. Unforcily there are only two she knows of that have that kind of power, that are still in the shield lands, one being Celestia, and the other Luna.
They would both be more than happy to attack first, ask question later. Which means this isn’t going to be easy, if I have to talk to either of them it going to have to be Luna, I know her better, plus Celestia looks like she would be in no mood for talk. Now to wait for the right moment.
Nightmare Moon waited until nightfall, and after Celestia had turned in for the night. Now all she had to do was get past the guards, she could easy overpower them, but that would make her what she came her to do harder.
Her horn lit up, and a cloud of smoke engulfed the guards, a second later, the sound of body hitting the marble floor, told her that the sleep spell had worked, then she simply walk over the sleeping guards, and entered the throne room. She looked down the throne to find Luna setting there.
“Greeting subject, what being thou to night court?” Luna said.
Nightmare Moon started walking down to the throne, as Applejack yelled out,”Princess! Stop her she done something to your guards!”
Nightmare Moon quickly summoned her weapon, it was a scythe with two long blades,and black smoke poured for the tip of the weapon.
“No thou can’t be real, you're just in my head!” Luna yelled, as Nightmare Moon took her true form.
“Oh, I’m very real, and i’m not here to fight you Luna!” Nightmare Moon said.
“Lies! That what you said last time, but this time I’m not going to listening!” Luna yelled as, she summoned her weapon to her, it was a sword, made of moonlight.
“Listen to me Luna!” Nightmare Moon yelled, as Luna changed.
“Never monster!” Luna shouted, as she swung her weapon.
“Plus listen!” Nightmare Moon bugged, as she parried Luna’s attack, and dodged spear hold in a light blue aura.
Great two on one, and with how this is going most likely going to be five on one, will better then six.
“Wait if you don’t lisien Twilight will, subcome to darkness!” Nightmare Moon said, parrying both Luna’s, and Rarity’s attacks.
“Thou most take us for fools, or thuo playing some kind of sick game!” Luna said, as her horn lit up.
“Applejack now!” Rarity yelled.
Nightmare Moon took to the air just in time, as another spear whizzed by her. going to have to end this but how Nightmare Moon wonder.
Nightmare Moon’s horn lit up, and a storm cloud appeared, and lighten stake both Applejack and Rarity. now to deal with…
Nightmare Moon fall to the ground as a beam of moonlight hit her. She took hold of her weapon, and moved to counter Luna’s next attack.
“Now let it be over!” Luna yelled bring her weapon down, only to be stop by the blade against her neck.
“Now, can we talk, and Luna your rusty at this,” Nightmare Moon said, as she got back to her hooves,”Now Twilights not dead, and I need your help to save her.”
“y’all do know we buried her and Rainbow Dash today?” Applejack Said, weakly.
“Their not, and if you would allow me to explain, and stop trying to destroy me, maby we can save them, and all of pony kind.” Nightmare Moon said, as she released her weapon, it made a clang as it hit the floor.
“Very well, thou may speak, but we don’t promise anything,” Luna said, “and pinkie put the cannon away.”
Nightmare Moon looked behind her to found a cannon aimed at her. Note to self watch the pink one.
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“And needless to say after a few days, they fallen listen to me, but to my dismay you were already on your way to Griffin's Bane,” Nightmare Moon said, setting in front of a fire.
“So, you're on our side, and you and Luna are two different ponies?” Twilight ask, looking around to find Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack,Luna, and pinkie all happy to see her.
“Yes, I’m here to aid you, and me and Luna were alway two different ponies,” Nightmare Moon said.
“But how did you found out what Red Bolt, and Sword Dancer, were going to do?” Twilight ask.
“Yes plus do tell, because, I would like to know why you killed two of my unit!” Nightwind yelled.
“Well I can listen in on what the black legion is saying, but after this failure, they'll most likely be changing, how they send orders to their agents.” Nightmare Moon said,” and they were going to do far worse to you Nightwind, then guess kill you.”
“But now what, are you here to make me,a nd Rainbow go back with you?” Twilight ask.
“Nope, were here to help you, and Rd,” Applejack said.
“No go home, all of you,” Twilight said.
“Aren't happen sugarcube, and if what Nightmare Moon said is true, then y'all need the help,” Applejack said.
“But sweet apple acres, and Rarity your boutique, and Fluttershy there fight and killing involved, and Pinkie you won’t be able to throw parties, so plus go back,” Twilight said.
“Now Twilight, I’m sure theirs thing that we can do that don’t involve killing or fighting,” Rarity said.
“Nightwind tell them there's not,” Twilight ask.
“Twilight give it up, they have the headstrong look, you and Rainbow had, and yes we are in need of thing other than fighter, like medics, and other non combat roles,” Nightwind said,” but two new alicorn will be hard to explain.”
“Well, thou would be right if we want in are real forms,” Luna said, as hers and Nightmare Moon’s horns lit, and in a flash of light two unicorns, no taller than Rarity stood in their place, they both had no cutie marks.
Twilight looked around and found all her friend and the two guards cutie marks were gone.
“Well that, will work,”Nightwind said,”but I going to need Golden Valor, and my father to help get them in the right units.”
“Good lets get to Griffin's Bane, and do you have a place we can stay?” Nightmare Moon ask.
“Yes, but be worried he a tough old stallion,” Nightwind said.
Twilight, help them take down their camp, and found Nightmare Moon, and Luna argued over just about everything.
Twilight thought back to earlier, about how she froze, how she could do anything. What if it happen again, what if they could stop what Nightmare Moon said. Either way she was scared.
Golden Valor had been enjoying his evening, until his brother had shown up. It wasn’t he hated his brother or anything like that, it his belief that unicorns are the master race of pony.
Come to think of it his whole family was that way, so High Honour was for the most part, is just following in his father hoof steps.
“Little brother, I have good news.” High Honour said, with a smile.
Good news for him, was either a conquest of some kind, or father had gained power over another unicorn family. Either way it wasn’t really good news, well unless he had finally came to his senses, and see all ponies are equal, which was very unlikely.
“What is it this time, has father gained power over any family, or is it something you did?” Golden Valor said, taking in a deep breath.
“No, but it does involve father. You and me have been granted permission to be reassigned to the first legion,” High Honour said, almost jumping for joy.
Well that one thing that not going to happen in a thousand years, being in the same room with him, and father, was bad, but the same legion. Not to forget his father commanded the first legion.
“I’m happy for you,” Golden Valor said,”but I’m not going to be reassigned, now or ever.”
“What why not?” High Honour said, in a darker tone, and mood then he had been a second ago.
“It just the fifth legion, is like a family to me,” Golden Valor said in a submissive tone.
“This legion is not your family, you and I, are family, and the first legion is commanded by our father!” High Honour said, with anger in his voice,” so your coming!”
“No!” Golden Valor said for the first time in his life.
If it had been a few month early, Golden Valor would have just meekly obeyed, but not any more, and he had Nightwind to thank for. She had show him so much, about the other kinds of ponies, he may never tell her, but he was starting to think like his brother before they meet.
“No, ohh I see, the rumors are true, that pegasus mongol, has corrup you has she, well father will have her dealt with!” High Honour said growing argeryer,”so you either came or I tell father.”
Golden Valor horn lit up, and sent a force of so strong and fast, that it koned High Honour into a wall, leaving imprint. He then walked over to his brother, who was in complete shock. Then pulled his brother up with his magic, by the neck.
“You ever, threaten, anypony I care about again, I’ll rip your tongue out, ohh and tell your father, and whole family, that I renounce them!” Golden Valor said.
“You will regret this,” High Honour said, with fear in his eyes, and in his voice.
“No I won't,” Golden Valor said, as he released his hold on High Honour, “now get out of my sight, and if anything happen to Nightwind, you're as good as dead,” Golden Valor said, with a dead serious look.
“I hope you burn for this,” High Honour said, running off with his tail between his legs.
I need a drink after that, maybe Darkflight will give me something strong. Nightwind had alway said he the best, but he was her father. Came to think of it she should be back soon.
So he made his way to the tavern, and for the first time felt happily, for he was now free to befriend anypony he wanted without his family's anger and rage. He was to be honest not sad at all about renouncing them.
His whole life they had been telling him what to do, and what to say. His father was as egoistic as they come, and his mother well, she was the kind that had them beat servants for fun. Which he had ways found sick, but his brother like it, he had said it put them in their place.
Golden Valor knew it was because of ponies like Nightwind,Gloomy Light,Stormkiller, and even Ironhoof. Come to think of it he had seen Ironhoof for some time, he must be forging some new armor, or weapon.
He owe them all a lot, for putting up with him, they may not say it but he was, a typical high born, who thought himself better than them, when they first met. That did stop Nightwind,form trying to befriend him, he had always wonder what she saw in him, but he may never knew.
Then the Dead Eye tavern came into sight, it was as old looking as he remember, Nightwind had told him that her father, made just enough to keep it open, and she had payed for some of the repairs. He had never been down here before, but thought it may be a good time to start.
Golden Valor entered the Dead Eye Tavern a few minutes later, and found eight new ponies, three were unicorns, three pegasi, and two earth ponies. He found Nightwind, Twilight, and Darkflight all talking.
“Howdy there partner, names Applejack,” As they all turned all the ponies in the room turned to the door.
“Golden Valor I was about to go looking for you, and I never seen you down here before, Nightwind said hurrying over to him,”and I need a big favor.”
Lots of ponies, Nightwind need help, and something tells me I’m not going to like this.
“Yes Nightwind, what do you need me to do?” he said with a smile.
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“So let me get this straight, you all came from paradise, to help fight a war?” Golden Valor ask.
“Yes, thou had heard right,” Luna said.
“And you are a princess, and you I have not made up my mind on yet.” Golden Valor said looking at Nightmare Moon.
“What I said, I’m on your side didn't I,” Nightmare Moon Said, defensively.
“Well to be far, thou did help the Dark King, and then there the trying to kill my sister, and corrupting me, so thou knows, I can see his point,” Luna said.
“Your no help,” Nightmare Moon said.
Nightmare Moon had hope her name was lost to history, but it seems Rightful Order had not wiped her form it, which either meant he hope she could be saved, or so he never forget his greatest failure.
She knows full well that Rightful Order will most likely kill her, when he learns that she alive, and within reach. Long ago he would have been the first pony she ran to for protection, but knows he would be ashamed of her.
“Nightmare is thou OK? Thou seams lost in thought,”Luna ask.
Luna asking if she OK, never thought that would happen, but then again she had thought much that wasn't so, most of which she could blame on the Dark King.
“Yes, just thinking is all,”Nightmare Moon said.
“Ok so Twilight, you said that a Rarity a great designer?” Golden Valor said.
“Yes, I said one of the best in Equestria,” Twilight replied.
Nightmare Moon had seen, some of the thing Rarity had brought, and she would have to agree with that.
She watched as Golden Valor put a hoof to his chin.
”Ok, and does she learn fast?” Golden Valor ask.
“Yes,” Twilight replied
“Then,I’ll see if Ironhoof will take her on as an apprentice, but warned her he’s an odd on” Golden Valor said.
“Wait you know Ironhoof,” Nightwind said.
“Yes don’t you?” Golden Valor ask.
“No, so can you do me a favor, and tell him to hurry up, and finish the armor I order month ago, because I running out of armor to patch!” Nightwind said.
Nightmare Moon had found her armor in need of repair, or a funeral, she had even started to think that they run out of craftsponie.
“Really he made mine in about two weeks, and it heavy armor?” Golden Valor said.
“Wait he said he was backed up to moon, and would be able to get me mine for months, and I placed my order before you, so how in all of Tartarus did you get yours so fast,” Nightwind ask.
“I see if I can hurry him up,but Twilight you said that Fluttershy is good at taking care of ponies and animals,” Golden Valor ask.
“Yes, but be warned she very shy,” Twilight said.
“Well I got nothing, you know anypony Darkflight?” Golden Valor ask.
“I know a few ideas, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say you going to ask the same thing on the pinkie,” Darkflight said.
“Well, yes,” Golden Valor said.
“Thought so,” Darkflight said.
“Now how about Applejack?” Golden Valor said.
“Well-partner, just put me where I can be the useful,” Applejack said, walking up to them.
Well to be honest she looked like she would be a good heavy infantry. That is if she as strong as she looks, Nightmare Moon thought.
“Well they're always Lighthearted’s unit, and don’t let the name fool you,” Nightwind ask.
“Well I see you have her covered,” Golden Valor said.
“And may I ask where Rainbow is?” Applejack ask.
“Well she past out drink, and Lightning Bolt take her back to the barracks,” Darkflight said.
“Well then, she’ll be surprised when she wake up,” Applejack said.
“That just leave you your highness, and your guards,” Golden Valor said.
“Wait what about me?” Nightmare Moon ask.
“Well you're going to where I can keep on eye on you, even though you could kill me fast then and more painfully them I could ever imagine,” Golden Valor said with a weak smile.
Well at least he no fool, but I hope he knows that I won’t call him sir.
“Well just put me where, I can help keep an eye on Nightmare Moon,” Luna said,”and Nightwind and I, Have already know where my grades are going.”
Nightmare Moon found the looked on Golden Valor face priceless, he looked to be somewhere between,what did I do to deaves this, and kill me now.
There was something else about Golden Valor, something dark. A rage that he seemed to be in contour of, but he did hid it well. If it wasn't for the fact she knew this kind of rage she would have never even knew he had it, she doubts he even know about.
For it is the same rage that drives the Dark King, the rage that has brought the ends of empires, has turned the tides of battle, but has always ended in blood,and tears. His was deep, deeper than she had even seen, how he had not succumbed to it yet she knows not.
It may be the good in him keeps it in check, or maybe some else all together, and maybe she wrong, and she hope she was.