Author's Note

I know it took me FOREVER to get another chapter posted and I said I would have one up soon but I didn't. Like always I hate work it keeps me from doing what I love to do. But I have gotten a few of chapters done now and will start posting them again, I'm finally working days now and will have much more time. Hope you all enjoy and thanks again for reading I love you all.

The Wrong Path's End Part 1

Drako felt as if his heart stopped beating as he looked into the deep silver eyes of his former commander, her smile was the same as it had ever been, making him feel as if he was in trouble, just like when he first met her and went through his training in the C.P.S.F. He moved aside and said “Well since I know I can’t stop you, why don’t you come in and have a seat.”

Her smile got wider (he had always hated that about her, she always knew how to get her way) as she said “Manners as ever I see Night Stalker.”

“I go by Drako now, I don’t use that damned name anymore.”

“Why not? You earned it.” She said walking past him and heading toward the stairs starting to look around.

“It’s the name of a killer and I didn’t say come in and go upstairs, I said come in and have a seat.” Drako said quietly, so he wouldn’t wake Dash, who had fallen asleep.

“I see your new post has you thinking you can give me orders.” She said with a flash of anger in her eyes. “Since when have you ever been able to give the leader of the C.P.S.F. orders?”

“Since I became Luna’s guard and named as her to-be husband, even if I don’t want the job or title. And since I found out the little secret about you, and let’s not forget, the C.P.S.F. no longer has any members.” He said holding back a smile. At the same time he pressed back the memories he had from their former battles.

She looked away; he knew she was thinking the same thing he was. She took a moment then looked back at him with her deep silver eyes that had always entranced him. If he hadn’t known better he would have though she was crying, as a small shimmer showed at the corners of her eyes. Though it only lasted for a moment then she turned her head away and said “I’m still alive and so are you Night…..I mean Drako. Since we are both still alive, I am still your commander. Even if you are engaged to the Princess of the Night.”

“I left the unit to do what was asked of me by our Ruler. After this I won’t have to do anything anymore for her, and since she had me leave you, I don’t have to listen to your orders anymore.” Said Drako standing tall

“You do have me there, and you are right since the death of our team the C.P.S.F. is for a time being, disabled until we get more ponies we can trust to join.”

He rolled his eyes and said “Well good luck with that, so tell me did you come here only to drive me nuts or did you have a better reason to come to my house so early?”

“We have one more mission to deal with, and funny thing is we need Rainbow as well. I didn’t come here to see you; I was here to see her. She’s the fastest flyer in Equestria and we need her talents. I was going to go to the princess’s home next to find you, I didn’t know you were cheating on her. Oh well guess my luck worked out as it always does.” She smiled again still standing on one of the steps to the upstairs.

“You won’t drag Dash into any of your crap. She’s a good pony with a good job and people who love her. I can’t have you taking her away like you all did to me.”

Silver’s eyes flashed red and she yelled “Shut the fuck up Drako.” Then she went quiet with rage still in her eyes as she continued “It wasn’t me who had you join us, it was the princess, it wasn’t me who had you sign your life to her for five years, it was you, and it wasn’t me who dragged your friends or lovers into this that was also you. Now sit down and shut up while I go wake Rainbow Dash, so I can tell you why I had to leave my summer off to find you two.”

There was a small cough from up the stairs, looking up they saw Dash standing there looking down on them both. Her face was passive, but her eyes showed she was irritated at being woken up. She sighed and said “I take it you’re one of his former bosses or something.”

Silver smiled and said “You can call me Commander Silverwing, and yes I am Drako’s Commander.”

“Former.” Drako said looking away.

She shot him a look then said “I don’t remember you formally leaving us Night Stalker.”

“My empty bed and lack of personal belonging wasn’t a big enough clue?” he asked in a sarcastic voice

She ignored him and looked back at Dash “I’m here on behalf of Princess Celestia and her sister Princess Luna; I was on my way here to speak with you not knowing I would find Lieutenant Drako here as well.” She shot him another look when he started to speak, when he closed his muzzle she continued “Can I ask you to come down here and have a word with me.”

Dash flapped her wings and glided down to the main floor walking past Silver and Drako and taking a seat on the couch. She looked at them both saying “Well let’s get this over with.”

Silver walked in and stood, Drako followed and sat next to Dash and said “Well out with it.”

Silver took a deep breath, letting her body relax. She had never liked being talked to in such a way, but she let it go this time. After a moment she said “Rainbow Dash, embodiment of the element of loyalty, and said to be the fastest flyer in Equestria, I have come here today to ask for your help in a mission that requires your vast talents.”

“I figured as much, though I still don’t know why you need my help or Drako’s that is.” Rainbow said, her voice staying flat

“Honestly I really only need you, and Celestia only asked me to bring you, but Luna told me to make sure I offered the chance for Drako to come as well.” She said her voice as flat as Dash’s.

“I see. Well then, go on and tell me what you need of me.”

Silver cleared her throat then said “We have reason to believe that the leader of our allies the griffons is plotting with a band of Dragons to over throw the newly founded Crystal Empire. Normally we would send agents in to stop them, but….”

Drako interrupted saying “But the group was all but whipped out during a raid of the Dragon’s Empire to the south, it almost started a war. Silver and I were the only two that survived.”

That took Dash by surprise, she looked at them both, her eyes wide for a moment then she hid it saying “Drako it’s rude to interrupt.” Knowing full well she would have done the same if she was in his place.

“As I was saying.” Silver said. “This group was supposed to stay secret but do to Drako’s leaving us and I being the only one left, the group was disbanded and I was forced into a new role just like Drako. But back to what I was saying, you see this leader of the griffons may be plotting something and we need the fastest flyers to go in and help find out what they are up too.”

“If you need fast flyers then why don’t you get one of the wonder bolts to do it?”

“Because I need the Fastest, and going by time trials I have seen that means you, myself and if he’ll come Drako a.k.a. Night Stalker.” She looked over at Drako finally letting the anger flow out of her eyes and be replaced by a calm smile “I know you don’t trust me because of what happened, but honestly I need you Drako, there isn’t anypony else that can help me get this down even with Dash’s speed. Also if you do this for me I’ll consider your contract fulfilled and talk to Celestia about letting you out of being with the Princess so you can freely be with Dash here.”

It was a trap and Drako knew it. She had come here to see Dash, but she knew he was here too. Drako wasn’t sure why Silver was acting this way with him, but he had a feeling it had something to do with princess Celestia. Silver said she only wanted Dash, but he worked with the Princess so long he knew she was pulling the strings somewhere and if he didn’t do this right he’d lose. If he went with and they were able to get the information needed then he could be done with this contract and live his life for himself. If he didn’t go and kept Dash from leaving then he’d be where he was now trying to find a way out. The problem was going would endanger them both, and he didn’t want to put Dash in danger.

He looked up and said “I’ll do it, but I want Dash left out of it.”

Dash looked a little mad at that, but she wasn’t able to say anything because Silverwing beat her to it “Sorry my friend, but she has to come with.”

Drako tried to argue, it was no use however. As always Silver was able to beat him down and get her way, same with Dash. So after the details of the plan were laid out and some secrets shared with Dash, they were on their way. Rainbow Dash ran off to leave a note with Rarity, and then they were all flying off in the bright day’s sun, south toward the everfree forest.

As they flew Drako asked “What of my duties with Luna?” he still felt the hot anger fill his belly when he looked at Silver.

“We sent Shining Armor to cover for now while you were away.” She banked to the right hard, heading toward the ground as they spoke.

Not sure where she was going Dash and Drako followed soon finding themselves on a small hill in the everfree forest near the Castle of the Two Sisters. An old unicorn walked out from the tree-line smiling at them. His name was Orion, and he was one of the only few unicorns who could transport ponies from place to place as far as needed without any problem at all.

He smiled at Drako as they walked closer saying in his old voice “Good to see you again Night Stalker.” Then he looked at the two Mares “And same to you Commander. Now you said to the edge of town right?”

“That is correct Orion. We’ll need a quick entrance.”

“You know how this works, I may be good at this kind of magic, but I’m not able to bring you back. If you fail you’ll find yourself in dangerous claws”

“We know; that’s why I have Night Stalker with me and Rainbow Dash. They will both be able to fly away fast enough to get away.”

He smiled and said “Then close your eyes, when you transport this many people there is always a chance someone will get burned.”

“Say what now?” Drako said, but his words were lost when a rush of magic flowed over them all and they were wisped away into the night in a flash of light.

Drako awoke, his head swimming, his body felt like it was on fire, and he had a hard time opening his eyes. It was as if he had one to many to drink at the three pony’s pub. He wasn’t sure what was going on, so he tried to open them again, ignoring the pain rushing through his head. When he was able to finally open them up he looked around, he saw it was mid-day and he was in the middle of a small burn patch next to Dash and Silver.

They were also moaning trying as he did to open their eyes to see what had happened. Drako got to his feet still ignoring the pain and flapped his wings a little to help clear his head and the dust from around them. Once he was done he looked up and was amazed at the sight of the city they were sitting next too.

They were on a cliff-side overlooking a large city that seemed to have been built on to the side of another cliff, but it didn’t stop there, a large cloud formation had been built to attach to the city where a large palace was resting. Around the palace were a few houses that looked as if they were owned by the more wealthy inhabitants of the city. The palace itself was tall, with five large towers rising up from its base connecting all the towers together was a large wall that had long wide walkways going between them. On the inner part of the wall was the main part of the palace, a jutting tall building that went a few stories higher than the rest of the towers, branching off from the top of the main palace was five sets of stair cases. On the top of the palace was what looked like it could be a throne room with an open walled design to it so that anyone in the city who wanted to meet with the Emperor could do so just by flying up to it.

“It’s quite the site huh?” asked Silver from behind him

He turned to see her shaking her head as if she too had a head ach, he looked over at her seeing the same from Dash, then he said “I’ve never been out this way, when I was with you we mostly dealt with the north before the crystal empire was reestablished. I’ve heard the palace here was a wonder to behold, but I never thought it was this beautiful.”

“I thought the Prince was a friend of yours.” Silver Said

“He is, but we never met near the capital itself.” Drako said looking back at the sight.

“Why is their castle more flashy than the one in Canterlot?” asked Dash as she came to stand by Drako “And what in Celestia’s name happened?”

Drako looked over at Silver then back to Dash “It’s called a magical disturbance. The Palace has a barrier around it; it protects it from all forms of magic. The Emperor many years ago had it put up by some Zebra tribes to protect him from the unicorns he thought would come to dethrone him during the Griffons war. Anyone who uses magic within 1000 yards of it feels the effect. Since we were transported here by a teleportation spell, we felt the whip lash from it. As for the “Palace” for that is what it is not a castle, it’s flashy because it’s formed to the old culture of the griffons. Celestia and Luna like there Castle to flow more with the land than to show off.”

“Why would he put us down so close to it then?” Asked Dash shaking her head again “And when will my ears stop ringing?”

Silver spoke this time, her voice sounding like she was holding back a giggle “There are alarms in the city that let their Emperor know when people enter his land with magic, lucky for us there is a hole in the spell but it brings us a little close to the palace. This also helps our mission, we’ll need to split up for it, but since we are close to the Palace we’ll be able to move quickly before we’re discovered.”

“Wait a moment; you never said we had to split up.” Drako said glaring over at Silver

“And I never said we wouldn’t have to. We’ll go in two teams, I’ll go with Dash and Drako you’ll go on your own.” She said

“Whoa wait a moment missy; I’m not going off with you while Drako is on his own.” Said Dash stepping over by Drako again

“I agree” Drako said.

“I’m sorry, but this is how it has to be, Drako I can trust you to go on your own, as for Dash she has never been part of a mission like this.”

Drako hated to admit it, but she was right, but he still tried “Then why don’t I go with her and you go on your own.”

“Because you don’t what needs to be done for my part with Dash. We also don’t have enough time to stand around so I can tell you everything, we have to hurry.”

Drako swore then said “Ok fine, but I don’t like this one bit Silver, what do you need me to do.”

“Like I said before we have intelligence that says there’s a plot to start war with Equestria and the Crystal Empire. We know the Emperor has nothing to do with it, but we think one of his servants or someone close to him does and wants it to seem like he’s the one plotting it. I need you to break into the royal chambers and check out his servant’s rooms. Your skills are perfect for this. While you do, Dash and I will be going to the throne room acting as ambassadors.” Silver said and before Drako could ask more she looked up then around and said “Now go we have little time left to us. Now take this pack and head off.”

Drako’s training took over at once and he was off, he flew high and off toward the west side of the palace going into the clouds to keep himself hidden from prying eyes. As he went Dash watched until she couldn’t see him any more then she looked over at Silver and sighed “So tell me what you want from us, Silverwing? I know Celestia sent you to break us apart, just tell me why she can’t just leave us alone. I have a lot of respect for Celestia, and this isn’t like her at all.”

“Follow me first and we can talk on the way.” Said Silver taking off toward the tall tower in the center of the palace.

Rainbow jumped into the air flapping her wings hard at first to take her body up into the air. Once she was leveled off, she let her wings go into a small glide flapping now and then to keep her aloft. She looked over at Silver and for the first time she saw why they called her Silverwing, as she flew her wings grabbed the light and gave off a small silver glow from the edges. The effect made her look even more beautiful as she flew. A touch of jealousy went through Dash as she looked her over, but she shook her self and looked ahead as they made their way up to the palace.

“So you asked me about what I’ve planned right?” Silver asked looking back at Dash as they flew.

She wasn’t sure what to say so she nodded instead, not wanting to chance her changing her mind. So with a smile Silver kept going, saying “You were right, I do have an alternate reason for having you come with us today. One was because of your loyalty to the princess and you’ll be a good partner for my side of the mission. But the other reason is because we need to talk about some things.”

“Like what?” Dash interrupted

“I’ll tell you a little more tonight after we speak with the Emperor.”

Dash frowned, but let it go following her as she slowly made her way down to the landing platform that led into the throne room. Two tall griffon guards were blocking the way with long pikes. They both wore the same armor and looked like they could be twins.

One cleared his throat and said loudly “The Emperor is not holding court today, who may I ask are you and why are you here?”

Silver stood as tall as she could, not as tall as Drako could but it was still impressive; and said “I am Captain Silverwing, leader of the royal guard of Equestria, personal guard to her majesty Princess Celestia, and Acting Ambassador to the Griffon’s Empire. I am here on royal business with my partner Miss Rainbow Dash, who is the embodiment of the Element of Loyalty.”

“What kind of Royal Business do you have here Madam.” The griffon said, with a smile on his face

Dash could tell he wasn’t going to let them in if he could help it. She looked over at Silver and was surprised to see she was smiling. She cleared her own throat and said gently at first, but her voice slowly grew louder “I’m sorry, um…whatever your name is, but you will address me as either Captain Silverwing, or Ambassador, Not madam, not miss, not Silver. Now tell the Emperor that I am here on Royal business from the princess of Equestria with my partner Rainbow Dash, before I have you removed from your post and have you given an even worse shit job than you already have. Do I make myself Clear?” by this point she was shouting and the guard looked as if he was about to faint or wet himself, maybe both.

He started to mumble something but he stopped again when he saw the look of fiery rage in Silver’s eyes. He stopped himself then turned toward the throne room and announced them, he waited a moment waiting for a response then he turned back to them saying in a shaky voice “The Emperor will see you right away Ambassador.”

She smiled and walked past the two guards, her wings held high. Rainbow followed her closely saying “That was amazing; it was almost like you used a spell on him or something.”

She giggled at that and said “No magic to it my dear; you see all I had to do was show him I was in charge. Weaklings like him can’t stand up to someone like me, they are the lowest ranking, and someone with authority like me can easily bend them to our will.”

Dash grinned and kept following her into the palace where they soon found themselves on the open roof top thrown room. Silver gave a small bow to the black and white griffon who was sitting on the thrown, he smiled at her and said “Captain Silverwing it’s great to see you again. I didn’t expect you back for a couple of weeks.”

Dash stayed back as Silver spoke “I had business that needed to be brought to you right away.”

“You mean about the possibility of an upcoming war with Equestria. Silverwing you know me better than that.” Said the Emperor

“Sir I think it goes deeper than what you think, we have proof that someone in your court is the cause of all this. I have brought one of the bearers of the elements of harmony with me to see if we can sit and talk about this to make sure we keep this from happening.”

The Emperor got up laughing “So you brought miss Rainbow Dash with you I see. Did you do that because she is someone I have always wanted to meet?”

“One of the reasons sir, but she is also a smart pony who I trust with my life.”

“Well, you did come a long way for nothing, least I can do is talk with you two. Why don’t you two go to my conference room and wait for me there, I have to finish up a few things, then I’ll be with you two shortly.” He said putting one of his talons on Silver’s shoulder

“We’ll be waiting.” Silver said making their way out of the room and over to a smaller one just off the throne room.

Dash was a little confused at what was going on, she thought they were here to find what was going on, not to sit around and talk with some old Gryphon. But she also didn’t know much about how politics worked, maybe this was just how things got done. She looked over at Silver and said “Why are we here anyway, I mean that seemed a little odd if we wanted to keep this secret.”

“The real reason we are here lies with Drako. Having me here helps hide the fact that Drako is here, they will have more guards keep an eye on us giving him time to do what he needs to.”

“You mean like breaking into the royal chambers?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that dear.” Silver said looking out the window, then Silver looked back over to Dash and said “Listen Dash we need to talk about Drako.”

“I’m done talking about him you and the princess need to just drop it…” she started

“Shut up and listen to me now. When I’m done then you can tell me if I’m wrong…”

Drako flew over the palace keeping an eye on Dash and Silver until they vanished under the large overhang of the throne room. When they vanished he flew closer to one of the towers, making sure to keep his wing beats light and quiet. It worked well, but it made it harder for him to keep himself up. He was an expert at it by now, it was what had earned him the nick name Night Stalker; well one of the reasons. He banked sharply toward a large overhanging cliff near one of the towers and landed quietly. He pulled the pack off his back that Silver had given him inspecting some of the gear then reading a note that was placed on top of it all.

Night Stalker

Your mission here is of vital importance to the land of Equestria, I have left you with the gear you will need to complete this mission as always. Silverwing will keep the Emperor and his guards busy and collect a few things I need as well with Rainbow Dash while you carry out the main task I have left. In the south tower is the highest guarded part of the Dungeons, inside the second to last cell is a prisoner that has vital information that can either help us or destroy us, we can’t risk the information he has to get out, your mission is to eliminate him and get out of the city as fast as you can. You will need to wait till night fall to do so. Once you do this make sure you get out as fast as possible, even if you have to leave the other two behind, Silverwing will make sure to get Rainbow Dash out safely.

Your Target is a Black Gryphon, even his beak

Sincerely,

The Rays of Truth

Drako quickly ate the letter to destroy it then cursed under his breath, that name was what Celestia was called in code. She wanted him to assassinate whoever was being held in the Dungeon below. It was one reason he hated his old job. But he was the only pony who could do this and get away without making the Empire strike back. He was the best at this kind of work. So he waited for a while watching the sun as it slowly made its way to rest on the western horizon. Once it was almost all the way set he started to move.

He dove down and landed quietly on the roof top of the tower. He moved to the edge, checked to make sure there weren’t any guards on the balcony that he may have missed from the air, and then he dropped down.

He pulled out a black mask from his pack and put it on then reached back and put on a dark cloak that covered his cutie mark. He then looked around again and saw that the tower he was on the dungeon that was probably meant for high nobles or something. He looked into the second to last window and saw a griffon laying down in one of the cells, he was all black even his beak. It matched the description he was given by the note. He pulled out a cloth that Celestia had given him and placed it on the wall; he put his hoof on it and waited for a moment. After a few moments passed the cloth glowed and soon a hole appeared in the wall.

Drako moved slowly through it being careful not to make noise. He drew close to the sleeping griffon pulling a dagger from his belt. Before he could use it however, the griffon opened his eyes and said “I was wondering how long it would take you to come for me Night Stalker.”

Drako drew back a bit confused then said “How do you know who I am?”

“There is only one pony I know who can sneak into a place like this and get so close to me. I haven’t seen you for a long time.” Said the Griffon moving into the light of the dying sun.

Drako dropped the dagger saying “Telcon, why are you in the dungeon.”

Telcon was the son of the emperor and next in line to rule. He smiled and said “I was in the way of my father’s plans, so he had me tossed in here. I’m sure he has spread rumors of an evil Griffon in his court who wants to start a war with Equestria. Truth is it’s really my father who is planning this. He doesn’t want the two sisters to know till it’s too late to stop.”

Drako pulled off his mask then said “I don’t get it, why would he want to do that he has been allies with us for many years.”

“He wants a better land for our people, since the time is coming for the fall, he is taking his chance now to take over. It’s been a game for a long time. I found out what he planned and was on my way to tell Celestia myself, but my father’s guard found me and I was thrown in here. I figured he’d start the rumor and have Celestia have me taken care of without knowing who I was. Once I was killed he would use that as a way of starting the war.” He said sitting back down on the bed.

Drako run a hoof down his face and sighed “I had a feeling something like this was going to happen. Well I can’t kill the prince, you’re my friend and I know I can trust you. You’ll have to come with me though so you can tell Celestia yourself. We have to bite this in the ass before it gets out of hand. I’ll also need to get Dash and Silver.”

“Wait you brought Silverwing with you as well, and Rainbow Dash one of the holders of the Elements of harmony? Drako he’s going to kill them, he knows Silverwing is a spy and if he takes out Dash he won’t have to worry about her friends helping to stop him. As for me I can’t leave I need to be here to help my people. I can’t let my father twist them into war.”

“And what good will you be if you’re dead? If you stay he’ll find another to take you out. If you come with me, you will be more help to your people than you know. Now stop stalling and follow me into the air, and try to be quiet about it.” Said Drako walking outside then taking off.

Telcon frowned then followed Drako out, the two of them making their way into the now dark night sky…