//-------------------------------------------------------// The Nightstalkers -by Bryan Luna- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Shadows of the Night //-------------------------------------------------------// Shadows of the Night Another year another group of young unicorn ponies graduate from the Canterlot school for gifted unicorns. The ceremonies had just ended. when the school PA sounded. "Miss Eclipse Blood Moon to the front office, please! Miss Eclipse Blood Moon to the front office, please!" Said the unmistakable voice of the school's supervisor. The students around the mare in questions ohhed and made light hearted jokes. "What did you do?" and "Maybe they found out she cheated on a test and they are revoking her graduation." along with the other idle gossip that always comes in schools when such calls are done on the PA system. They were met with a cold hard stare from the jet black mare. Eclipse turned and trotted to the office not knowing what was going on. She reached the supervisor's office and trotted inside "You wanted to see me?" she said in a silky but cold voice. The voice that answered her was not the supervisor but none other then Princess Luna. "Yes my little pony." she said with a warm smile. Eclipse jumped, she did not expect to see the Princess of the Night here. "Y-yes my princess, what can I help you with?" she stammered her normally cold voice showing clear surprise. Luna smiled. "One is present because your skill, talent and brilliance has caught one's sister and oneself's attention." She got out of the chair and started to walk around her. "So I have come to you before my sister to offer you a post in the Night Stalker unit. More commonly called the second Lunar Guard unit, by most. What do you say?" Luna stopped right in front of her looking expectantly at her. Eclipse was blinking, she had been teased by her two current marefriends about getting the attention of the princesses but never too it seriously. "M-me? What do you think that I could do? I'm not a guard." She was dumbstruck for two reasons: That she had come to the attention of the princesses in the first place and that Luna was moving to preempt Celestia and recruit her into the Lunar Guard's second division. "Of your most outstanding moments of your time here was when you, without a second thought, shielded your fellow class mates from a blast. Your talent in shadow magic would also be of great value and your keen mind would be put to waste in lesser applications. Most importantly this will give you a chance to help all Equestria." Luna seemed to almost hypnotize the younger mare as she kept her eyes locked with Eclipse's. Eclipse held the princesses gaze never blinking once "I see," she said "very well I would be a fool to refuse you. This way I can use my talents to help everypony out. Instead of them being afraid of me because of my magic." "Glad to hear it. Meet your partner and instructor in guard duty and procedure. Shadow Wing Crimson Moon." Luna side stepped to reveal a black furred and silver mane and tailed Pegasus in what could only be called Lunar Guard ninja uniform. Even having Luna's Lunar Guard Mark on the head band plate. "It's a honor to be entrusted with her guidance my mistress." said the ninja pony without even moving. In fact, until Luna introduced him Eclipse never knew he was in the room. Eclipse's eye widened. She had heard of these kinds of ponies, but always thought of them as some kind of myth used to give the enemies of Equestria pause. But instead one was standing here before her. "I am Eclipse Blood Moon but I suppose you already knew that didn't you? When will my training begin?" she asked. "We will start tomorrow with your first case. Our mistress has seen fit to allow you to skip the basic training so you will learn on the job." He hoofs her an ID card with her picture on it and a small map. "Your ID and a map to your new room in the barracks. Your things are being moved as we speak, when you arrive it will be there. Meet me at moon rise, in the mess hall. Tomorrow night, I will fill you in as we eat. Also get used to not sleeping. You can do that when your work is done or your dead, which ever comes first." There was a rush of wind and feathers. Causing her to flinch and he was gone when her eyes opened. Luna sighed "Sorry, he's nice off duty, but well, he is traditional in how he acts; also his elder brother is one of my captains and has almost gained the status as a living legend in my guard. The fact that bugs Shadow given his elder brother didn't join till two years after him. But given their family, it's only natural there be a little rivalry. After all, they are one of that last lines of the General Firefly. So take him with a grain of salt." Luna said with a soft smile before she left. Eclipse stood there for a moment dumbstruck. She shook off her confusion and turned around to leave "I can't wait to tell Silver and Storm. They wanted to know what I would be doing after we graduated, and this is it!" she thought as she trotted off, somewhat giddy for the first time in years. This was the way, she could help and use her unique talent to do some good. She nearly squeed as she went back to her room to get ready for tonight. When she reached it, she found it cleaned out all her belongings; gone even the stuff she thought she hid. Her room mate looked at her. "EB. WHY did the the Lunar Guard come in and strip the room of all your stuff? Even the toys you hid in that shoe box I mean they grabbed everything of yours and didn't even ask, like they knew what was yours?" "Well," she began, "Princess Luna has personally recruited me into the Lunar Guard." she looked around. "I didn't realize they would be this thorough though. I guess I'll just have to head over to the barracks to get ready for tonight." She turned to leave and stopped, "Oh and Moondancer, don't get to crazy with that stallion of yours tonight. You're not ready for foals yet." she said, teasing her room mate as she left. She trotted to the barracks thinking about how she was going to spend tonight with her marefriends and wondering what was in store for her as her life moved along this unexpected path. The map lead her to the barracks. It was, well, unexpected she was in a officer's room in the castle the bed looked like it fit six ponies and the closet was a walk-in and on a set of ponykins was her armor, uniform, dress uniforms for events and dress armor for ceremonies... It was a little overwhelming even the bathroom was the size of her old dorm. She took a little bit to look around the room before going into the bathroom to star to get ready for her date tonight. "At last." she thought as she stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower. "I can tell them I have something solid for after tonight." As she got ready she wondered about the next steps in her life, would she stay with the two mares whose lives she'd directly saved that day, two years ago. Would the three of them form a herd and live their lives together? She shook the stray wonderings away: now was not the time to think about it, she told herself. She came out of the bathroom and dried her long purple mane and tail with a drying spell and ran a towel along her coat. Silver Bell and Storm Song waited at the fountain in Canterlot park. Both mares where music magic talents: Bards to the laypony. Sliver Bell was in the trade of making magic items, mainly instruments. Like bells that play a song when stuck rather then just chimed. Her coat was silver, like her name, her mane and tail where soft blue color, like her eyes; her cutie mark was a silver bell in a blue glow. Storm Song was not just a musician but also used weather magic to make clouds swirl and storm over her performance. For that talent, she had to get permission to do so from the weather teams. Her fur was a warm yellow with black and pink mane and tail; her mark was a lighting bolt quarter note. Both mares wore clothing right now that just said they where going to have a fun night. Eclipse trotted up to the fountain in her luscious dark purple dress. It had cost quite a few bits and had come from a small boutique in Ponyville. It was really worth it though: the owner did the best work Eclipse had ever seen. "Wow," she mused "I never get tired of listening to the two of make music. you could give Vinyl and Lyra a run for their bits." she said, trotting towards them with a personal greeting she sometimes used with them "Well, I have a bit of news," she paused momentarily "I have been recruited by Princess Luna for the Lunar G!" she spoke with some actual excitement in her voice. "Eeeeeeeeee!" The squealed as the two glomped on to her. "Radical to the max, Moony. Like your totally going to be a bad flank in that dark blue armor they have," Said Storm. "Oh cherie! We told you be going places, n'est pas. You keep this up and you be one of those mares that all them rich ponies kiss up to." said Silver, her Prench accent clear in her voice. Eclipse look at Silver, "You know I don't care about that kind of thing. I care about what we have with each other. Now I was thinking about it and I came up with something for tonight: I thought we would go to that little Prench bistro not far from here and after dinner we can go and have some fun at that new dance club. After we're done, I can take back to my room and show it to you both. What do you say to that?" she said with a small smile "But I though Moondancer was seeing her beau tonight?" said Silver. "Yeah like totally occupied you know..... or did she say we can watch?" asked Storm Eclipse did something that only the two of them had ever heard her do: She laughed. "No, my room at the barracks! I am pretty sure that Moondancer wouldn't like that. The room's big enough for all three of us; the bed more so," she said seductively. "Let's go! I'm hungry," she said as she trotted away while brushing her tail under each of their chins. "Ok, when are you move out of the dorms?" said Silver "Yeah, you were like in them this morning." said Storm "I'm already out of the dorms," she said trotting towards the bistro. "I'll show you when we're done. Trust me you'll love it." Eclipse said with a rare smile. They giggled and followed her. "So my cherie, who did the princess send to fetch y'ah?" asked Silver. "Yeah, was it one of those vamponies she has?" asked Storm. Eclipse rolled her green eyes "Storm, they are not vamponies; they are batponies. Totally different." she turned to Silver. "Princess Luna herself came and talked to me along with that black pegasus, Shadow Wing. He was a little creepy, but seemed nice enough," in an even rarer moment she giggled, "He seems to have some kind of sibling rivalry thing going on with the captain of a Lunar Guard division," she was thoughtful for a moment. "Which did she say again? Oh yeah the newly formed thirteenth. You know the one that was put together just last year." she returned to her usual more serious behavior as they entered the restaurant. "Wait, you mean you met the brother of the thirteenth's captain? I heard some rumors that the captain is demon pony, his fur died red with blood, his mane and tail are steel. His laughter echos thorough the Everfree." said Silver with a small amount of fear. "Yeah and they say that his division is made of monster and insane ponies and they eat meat." said Storm more star struck. Eclipse turned to her marefriends, "The two of you believe that nonsense when you're dating me? They're both pegsi: it's not unusual form pegasi to eat fish. I also think I remember hearing somewhere that they were both from Neighpon. As far as monster ponies goes, I don't think so but I have heard the thirteenth called the Everfree Watch for some reason," she said as they sat down at a table. "Yeah, that's way I'm jamming too. The unit spends its time in the Everfree forest patrolling a place that defies the control of ponies: Night or day, there is no light; animals take care of themselves, and the weather is uncontrolled... and they work in that mess. I mean, I heard that he even shoots lightning out of his hoof!" said Storm All of a sudden the voice of stallion from behind Eclipse scares all of them. "Rumors are never to be trusted outright but the tales of my big brother are hardly rumors. Though he was born with the red fur and silver mane and tail," Shadow Wing stepped seemingly out of nowhere, "Hello, I'm Shadow Wing Crimson Moon. I meant to give Eclipse something before she went out tonight but I saw I was late." He wings over a silver ring with Luna's Mark on it. "This is a magic communicator. If there is a emergency, use it keep it on at all times." He set it on the table then stepped behind the chair and was gone like a ghost. Both mares turned to see Eclipse wide eyed and slack jawed, and clutching her chest with both forehooves. "I forgot to mention that he's really good at that." she said between ragged breaths. She drew in a deep breath to help her calm down, sighing she spoke, "Well, that was shocking." She took the ring her magic and placed it on her horn "Where's that waitress I could use a glass of wine after that," both Silver and Storm stared at Eclipse; she never drank ordinarily. "How did he know we are here, mon cherie?" asked Silver "Better question is is he even a pony I mean, it's like he was ghost or, oh wow, he said the rumors about his brother are true. You don't think both are demons? I mean how could a pegasus do that?" said Storm. "I have no idea," Eclipse replied flatly. She turned to Storm, "He's just really a skilled pony, Storm. As for the rest," she paused and both mares shivered as phantom kisses trailed down both of their necks "it's just magic. We do it every day and there is no hard and fast rule that states other ponies can't use magic. It's just easier for unicorns." "Ok, that rocks..." said Storm, her tongue hanging out. "Oh, my dark flower is in bloom to night, huh, my cherie?" said Silver. A waitress had at that moment chose to show up, "What can I get for three friends of the Crimson Moon clan? It's not every day we get a message saying they cover someponies tab here. Would you like to start with wine? Or some appetizers?" The two looked at Eclipse. "My cherie, I think your partner decided to treat us tonight." said Silver "And he's loaded!" added Storm. Eclipse blinked, "Well let's get some wine to start with and then we'll move on to dinner. What would you recommend?" she said, looking at the waitress. "The house recommends rising hills vineyards pre-Equestria year, one-twenty three, but the Crimson Moon family has a history of favoring a wine from a vineyard the family owns Skeet-Fugiko-Oka, meaning moon mountain beauty cherry blossom; a vineyard that only harvest it crops in the light of full moon. It is said to be blessed by Luna's magic, making it perfect for lovers. Though, I personally prefer Prench wines like a good Bordeaux. What should you like?" "Wow how rich is your partners family? And we should totally give him tickets, front row, to my next show," said Storm. Eclipse looked at Silver with an expression that said help me out here. "Uh Silver you know these things really well: What would work best?" she queried, just now realizing she knew absolutely nothing about wine. Eclipse shrugged and said to Storm "I guess we could do that, I'm not sure what kind of music he likes; I only met him just today," she then turned to the "You know what let's actually try that one out, the Skeet-Fugiko-Oka, it sounds interesting. I've never had anything from Nieghpon before." "Me neither mon cherie, but I hear they are more superstitious and traditional then any other ponies. So at vary least, it be something to talk about, n'est pas?" said Silver. The waiter nodded, "That's true I had some once; it's good but as I said, I prefer the last Prench wines. But as far as Nieghponese wines go, it is considered one of the best and only black wine in the world. Though nopony outside of the family knows what gives it it's color. Would you like a appetizer as well?" Eclipse looked at the waitress "Yes, these look good enough to start with," she said pointing to the picture on the menu. "Oh fine choice. I will be back with the wine." Eclipse looked at both mares, "I want to say that I really think that we'll have a great night, tonight." She sighed, "When we're done at the dance club, I want to spend some quality time with you both, in my room. I want to have as much of it with you two, as long I can get. There will be times when I am called away for a while." She gazed at Storm and Silver, "And I want to have every moment that we can get together. I just don't know what comes next, it's going to be hard on us, I am certain," Eclipse said her voice wavering a little. These mares were the only romantic partners she'd ever had and she did not want to lose them. "Oh1 Mon cherie," Silver said before hugging her. Storm joined in, "Just be sure when your rocking out out there being radicool... You remember to duck. Last thing either of needs is to lose you, miss Lunar Guard. Also when are you going to show us how you look in uniform?" she said as she hugged her. Eclipse laughed again, "Well, after dinner and dancing, I can show you my uniform. it's in my room at the barracks. I just hope you don't plan on looking at me in it for to long," she said, seductively. "Don't worry about that, mon cherie." said Silver "Yeah worry about it making it off your fine flanks in one piece before we rock your new bed to pieces!" said Storm. Eclipse blushed a deep purple and waited for the appetizers to arrive. After a nice calm dinner, they went to the dance club where Vinyl was playing at an after graduation party. Eclipse marveled at Vinyl's abilities with a D.J.'s stand. "Hey everypony! You feeling good!"Shouted DJ-PON-3 The crowd howled, cheered, and whooped. "This next one is for all you lovey dovey ponies in the house tonight. Also joining in Is a talented friend of mine from the classes I took in the Canterlot school of musical arts! Lady Octavia Melody!" Shouted DJ-PON-3 A spot light came on to show a very sexy earth pony with a cello in a smoking hot red dress with several glow stick rings hanging on her. She smiled and spoke in a firm commanding voice. "Thank you miss DJ. While I prefer to play classical tonight I'm here to party!" "Oh yeah! Now, let's show them why I choose to play with you, Octy!" shouted DJ-PON-3 (http://youtu.be/yYHnSe0R-vY) The music started playing and the couples got close and Eclipse found her self sandwiched between Silver and Storm. Eclipse gave a small smile to her mares "What do you say that we show everypony some real dancing before going to my room at the barracks?" "Careful or you will wear yourself out." teased Storm as Silver just started to grind her cutie mark on Eclipse's Eclipse kissed Storm on the lips her tongue pressing against Storm's lips seeking entry while she massaged Silver's flanks. She rubbed and ground against her mares in their idea of "dancing". Octavia was feeling heated while Vinyl just smiled from her D.J. stand as she continued to play the music. She raised her shades and gave Octavia a playful wink. After spending a couple of hours at the club, dancing and having fun along with a few more drinks for Storm and Silver, the trio trotted into the castle towards Eclipse's room at the barracks. As they walked through the castle bricks, even half drunk and horny Silver and Storm where star struck. "Ok, it's official! You are the first of our class to hit the big time," said Storm. "I agree. Mon cherie has really stepped up. You don't think she will drop us for some foreign princess or high class model?" teased Silver. Eclipse entwined her tale with Silver's, "What do I want with some foreign princess? I've got the best available mares in Canterlot." she said slyly "Just wait until you see the room, I have no doubt that Princess Luna will approve when I request that you two be allowed to move in with me." she trotted with them to her room while engaging in a sloppy make out with both of them. The room door was opened and their jaws dropped... "Is this the right room?"asked Storm "Room? You mean apartment!" said Silver as she looked around. Eclipse grinned like she'd seen Lyra do "Yes," she replied, "and we have it all to ourselves. Now about my uniform: Would you two like to take it off of me? Or would you like me to give you a private strip show?" Storm was about to speak when a hoof found itself in her mouth. "As much as I would love to take it off you, mon cherie, I doubt it would survive the night between me and Stormy here." said Silver. "I think then we should skip it for tonight and break in the bed with a nice long triangle. What do you think girls?" she asked with a sly, sultry smile. Storm pushed Silver away and said "I get dibs on your plot!" Silver just rolled her eyes. Eclipse trotted over to the bed and flopped down on her side lifting her tail. "Well?" she said expectantly. Storm jumped on the bed bouncing before burying her muzzle between her flanks, her tongue going wild. Silver climbs on and takes her place. Eclipse eagerly moved Silver's tail aside and began parting her lips with her tongue. Working her tongue deeper into Silver's increasingly wet marehood. She pulled her tongue out briefly "You need to go to work on Storm, I don't think I've ever seen her this wet." Eclipse said before going back to business. "I know, mon cherie, but it's fun to watch her squirm." said Silver her voice strained in pleasure before she set in to Storms marehood using long slow licks. Storm was an animal in Eclipse's marehood licking nipping and even chewing on her mare parts. "Ouch! Storm no chewing!" Eclipse protested. She then wrapped her lips around Silver's clit and sucked for a few moments before plunging her tongue deep into Silver's sopping wet sex. Storm lightened up on her force but still gave Eclipse a nip here and there on good spots. Silver was working her tongue in slow strong strokes driving Storm crazy. Eclipse buried her tongue all of the way inside of Silver's marehood and began probing her marefriend's sex for her g-spot. She grabbed and squeezed her flanks while massaging her cutie mark. Silver finally put her tongue in as Storm shifted her head and pushed her horn in. Eclipse's eyes widened and gave long low moan into Sliver's increasingly wet marehood. She began to speed up her ministrations, nearly desperate to push Silver over the edge as she began to feel her own climax approaching. Silver started sucking as she got close and Storm was getting close as well her horn was warm with her magic that was building. Eclipse shuddered as her orgasm broke over her, spurting load after load of mare cum onto Storm's face. At the same time she moaned deeply into Silver's marehood attacking the spot she'd been searching for earlier. She pushed Silver to her breaking point. Silver came first filling Eclipse's open mouth with her mare cum. Storm released with a mana surge as she came when silver bit down on her clit. Eclipse swallowed Silver's mare cum while bucking her hips against Storm's horn. She thrashed wildly for a moment and fell limp on the bed panting, and still riding out her climax. Storm pulled out. "I wonder if a unicorn can make a mare pregnant with there horn? asked Storm in a panting breath. "Storm, if you knock up mon cherie, we both are going to horn fuck you till you have triplets!" Silver exclaimed Eclipse just nuzzled Silver "It doesn't work like that. You need a certain spell for that and you have to use the right version or no pregnancy. The mares who use can only have fillies though. I don't think that we're ready for that yet girls." Eclipse remarked while snuggling with Silver. As Storm cuddled up to her marefriends, a grey pegasus approached Princess Luna's bedchambers... //-------------------------------------------------------// Dancing in the Dark //-------------------------------------------------------// Dancing in the Dark It was dawn when a pounding came to Eclipse's door. "Ensign get up and dressed there is a emergency and we've got the case! You have two minutes if your not out by then I'm coming in and dragging you to work!" shouted Shadow Wing. He stood in the hall in the shadow between two windows counting the seconds. Eclipse came out of her room two minutes later and looked at Shadow "What's all of this? What's going on?" she says still half asleep. Shadow looked at her. Inspecting her appearance. He nodded and started to walk as he spoke. "Last night intruders slipped in to the castle, snuck in to Princess Luna's bed chamber, and absconded with some of her personal effects. Luna herself discovered the crime as she was getting ready for bed this morning. As her lunar guards it is our responsibly to protect her and the fact that on our watch this happened to our princess. Is a mark of shame. We are just lucky it was a thief and not a assassin. They could have easily left a deadly trap or dangerous animal in her chambers. The first unit of the thirteen lunar guard units is responsible for her personal safety that said my big brother as head of the thirteenth has been giving anypony in it a lecture for failing to do there job. Even though he's in a different unit his pride as one of the mistresses lunar guards has him taking it personally. He will even be overseeing the next round of training because of this, may the stars help those recruits." explained Shadow as he led the way to the captains court where the thirteen captains and Luna are going to discus the situation. Eclipse looked dumbfounded "Wait they stole, what exactly?" "That's what we are going to find out now. But what ever it is has the Mistress in a fit. It seems it was something quite personal to her, judging from the fact she is holding a meeting of all her captains." said Shadow as he turned to face the a large door He looked at her. "Beyond this door are the princess Luna and her thirteen captains, and their commanders. These are the most powerful warriors, casters, and skilled strategist you will ever meet. Show respect and decorum. Even if some of them lack both." "It must be important if Princess Luna is upset. Still that is beyond stupid in it's boldness, stealing from an Equestrian princess is the height of stupidity." she replied Shadow nodded. "Stay close be quite." He opened the door and shouting poured out. "Discipline in the ranks is the responsibility of my unit, Ace! NOT your thirteenth!" Shouted a lightly built earth tan yellow pony in black uniform similar to Shadows, her mane and tail were also black. Behind her was heavy set unicorn of pink coat and blue mane and tail, munching on a bag of chips. As Shadow led Eclipse around the table to set behind a bat pony that had a blind fold on a Pegasus of crimson coat and sliver hair in black Neighponiese armor on the same side of the table on the end closest to the door shouted back. "Well then do you bucking job Sea-foam. The fact that this happened at all insults all of us and its our dear head captain of the first unit's fault. Her guards are the ones in that castle and at our mistress's side. She should commit seppuku to atone for failing Princess Luna and putting her in danger!" Ace shouted. The blind folded bat pony slammed his hooves on the table. "Ace Crimson Moon, Sea-foam Reef! Silence both of you. My unit will find them. If they had inside help I'll give you two of you their name and then you two can argue over there punishment." Shouted the captain of the second. The table sat like this in the back of the room was Luna on a throne in front of her at the table head was the first captain with his commander behind him saying on the floor. To his right was the second Captain Echos with Shadow and Eclipse behind him Sea-foam the third unit captain and her commander Sat across from the second and it went on down the line ending with twelfth and thirteenth at the end by door. Behind Ace was his commander a massive pony in full plate. They were the thirteen stars of the lunar guard the captain's of Luna's lunar guard. It was rare to see them together and even rarer to see them in the daylight. Whatever the fool stole must have been of incredible importance to Luna. Eclipse looked around she had only seen the head captain a few time when she was recruiting spell casters at the School for Gifted Unicorns. And she was quite frankly intimidated, the head captain's aura was so strong it actually scared her a bit. After a few more silent glares around the table from several captains Echo spoke again. "Now that my commander and his new partner are here, please tell us what was stolen. Your majesty." Luna's face flushed a very deep purple "It was something of great personal value, and it was intimate. I will say no more than that." she said emphatically. The head captain bowed her head "I have interviewed the guard that was guarding you bedchamber that night my princess. He said that your pegasus maid Silver Linings came to your bedchamber and said that she was there to change your bedclothes." the thestral mare glared at the red pegasus "Also I want to address your notion of what my troops should do Captain Crimson Moon. It is simply not your place to even think such things about soldiers outside you the thirteenth. Am I clear captain?" she said coldly Eclipse flinched behind Shadow at the shear coldness of the statement. "My job is to remove threats, before they endanger Equestria. Your guards are slacking and therefore are becoming a threat. Instead of a thief in the night it could have been a assassin. Your troops failed and put the mistress in danger. So forgive me if add some of my troops to the patrolling the castle while I'm on training rotation. But yours can't be trusted, head captain." said Ace the disdain clear to all. Sea-foam was fuming at the fact that some one stole something of the description given by the princess as vague as it was. Shadow leaned in and whispered to to Echos, who nodded."Forgive me for asking this my Mistress. But my commander points out that tho important as the details given are you still have not given a clear description of the stolen item. And with out knowing what exactly is stolen. We can't find and recover it. Or arrest the criminal responsible. I know this is hard for you but please, we need to know to help. And I'm sure that no matter what it is none of us in this room would think of tell a soul. Not even your sister." said Echos "It was some lingerie given to me be a former herdmate one thousand years ago. You will know it when you see it." Luna huffed The head captain glared through Ace "I see you need a reminder of who you are talking down to. I will see you on the training field for your disciplinary action captain Crimson Moon, and I will not be gentle this time." she rose to leave with her commander and lieutenant commander. Luna was also glaring at Ace "Captain Crimson Moon I appreciate your dedication to my safety. But will not talk down to the head captain again! Am I clear captain." the Night Princess said "Yes, Mistress." Ace said before following the head captain with an armored behemoth of a earth pony close behind. Sea-foam was red in the face. "The nerve! I'll have who ever did this wish they were dead if get my hooves on them!" Her commander was holding his nose to stop the bleeding. Many of the remaining captains were as angry as Sea-foam if the promises of death torture and worse were any clue. Echos bowed his head. "I'll get to work at once mistress we will recover your lost treasure." he walked out with Shadow right behind him. Eclipse with her head down and her ears pinned to the back of her head quietly slunk out of the meeting. She had never seen this much hostility before. Luna turned to the rest of the collected officers "As for all of you there will not be any vigilante action on your part or that of your officers or divisions, am I clear?" Luna said darkly. They shut up instantly and nodded while leaving too. Shadow waited outside for Eclipse. Always in a shadow as if the sunlight was a enemy. Eclipse raised her and looked at him "Is it always like that?" she asked wide eyed "No today was the most civilized and united I have ever seen the captains in my time as a guard. Tartarus even my brother and Sea-foam where agreeing with each other! I'm a little worried that this might be a sign of the end of the world. Next thing you know my brother will stop flirting with every mare he meets and get married or start a herd." Shadow shakes his head. "Come on let's get to work this is our case so we get to inspect the crime scene." he blushed a little. Eclipse's mouth dropped open. She tried to shake off her shock as she followed Shadow to Princess Luna's bedchamber. Shadow stopped at the door. "This is it now remember we are working and anything we see that's not connected to the case never leaves our lips got it." Eclipse nodded "I don't know what I can do, but I'm going to let the princess down." she replied resolutely. "Simple you look for what shouldn't be there. Yes it sounds easy but it's not." said shadow as he opened the door bowing his head as he entered. Eclipse followed him while thinking to herself "How the buck do I do that when I've never even been in here before?" she cast her eyes about the room seeing if could actually find something out of place. Shadow looked around the room "You know how to detect magic right?" He asked as he sniffed the carpet seeming to blend in almost with the rooms low lighting and cool dark colors. "It's basic spell that we are all taught at the school." she replied charging her horn and searching for any traces of magic that would be out of place in the princess's bedroom. She continued scanning for a moment more and got puzzled look on her face. "Commander, there's traces of an illusion here. Specifically a disguising spell that alters both the appearance and and voice of the user." she turned thoughtful trying to remember this magical signature, she was certain she'd felt it before "I think I recognize the magical signature of the caster too, I just can't place it right away." Shadow sniffed at a dresser by the bed then backed up. "You remember any stallions with a skill for illusions or that knew them, he forgot to hide his scent. He also went through quite a lot of our mistress's things. He might have taken other things she hasn't yet noticed missing." said Shadow he was not happy by his voice the pony that did this made every lunar guard his worst enemy it seems. Not a position to envy. "There is only one that I know of." she trailed off for a moment searching her memories. Then she promptly facehoofed "Oh Celestia it had better not be those two of all ponies in Equestria." she drew in a breath "Commander," she said in small voice "I think I know what happened here." Shadow facehoofed. "That's the same look my twin sister got when our big brother did something stupid. Please tell me you're not related to the idiot that did this." said Shadow "In a fashion, the likely stallions behind this are probably the twin brothers of my marefriends." she drew in a breath again "If I am right it was done by Shock Burst and Gold Coins, and there was probably hard cider involved. I suspect that it was a drunken prank done on a schoolyard dare, I'm very sorry commander." she hung her head shamefully, but inside she wanted to skin both stallions alive. "Don't be you can't choose family. Look at mine my twin sister is a airship captain in the navy and acts one step below being a pirate, and well you saw my older brother. And don't get me started on my younger three sisters. Now lest go arrest the criminals, after we fill in the captain. "Yes commander, I hope that Princess Luna won't be to upset." she shook her head "Anyway if you'll follow me I can take you right to them, after we report to the captain. Which way to his office?" she asked slightly embarrassed. "Follow me and will get you a copy of Equestria laws while in the stacks. Oh, um the stacks are the nickname to the office building for the second. It's called that cause it's three floors of desks and ponies as well as some offices." said Shadow as he walked. "Our unit is one of the biggest. As you can probably guess from what you seen. Each unit has a role our unit is tasked with investigation, while my brother and his demons are as he put it are Luna's sword. But they're more like Luna's cannon. Captain Sea-foam is in charge of internal affairs investigation she is the blade at our backs that keeps us from being corrupted. Other units are like the research and development unit, and the Tartarus guards. Each unit is different in size by the it needs. My brother's is the smallest but on that same note is one of the strongest unit do to the capabilities and diversity of it. But that has gotten them a um, reputation which you seem to have heard; given how bad have the rumors have gotten of my brother. I know last night after I saw you he came in dripping in blood dragging a hydra's heart. Not sure what he did with it though." Eclipse was wide eyed again "Um commander, if I may your brother might need some help. He sounds a bit, well reckless." she couldn't begin to contemplate what a pony would do with a hydra's heart, but she was certain she didn't want to know. "Like I said you don't know my family. Also a hydra is not the dumbest thing he's tackled alone. In fact it was probably one of the easier foes." he said as they passed the wall to a tallish building on the castle grounds. As they made there way through it looked like a large guard station. Eclipse swallowed hard "Not the dumbest thing? Commander I am very glad not to be in the thirteenth." she said as they entered the building. "Well your powers would be taken to levels you never imagined in it but, Luna felt you wouldn't have the stomach for it. Or his barbecue weekend party every month. I mean roasted meat is not something anypony can just eat without batting a eye." said Shadow. "Now that I think about it this coming weekend is the last weekend of the month. That's probably what the heart is for. Also the cragadille he dragged in the night before. Oh he must be cooking up some of moms old recipes." said Shadow now looking happy and drooling a little. Eclipse stopped "Organ meat is unhealthy commander! It'll make you very sick if you keep eating it." she'd remembered the countless hours of research she'd read while in school pointing this fact out. "Not all some organs of certain animals can be good eating. Also you not eat hydra heart meat you boil it for soup, like a shark's fin." He looked at her. "Now you've gotten me hungry. Let's do this quick." he said as he rushed to the stairs Eclipse noticed a lot of her fellow ponies had heard their talk and were looking ill. Eclipse was blinking "Did, no," she told herself "that just happened." They reached the office on the third floor it has a closed eye with a ear on it (Echos' cutie mark) on the window. Eclipse looked at Shadow "This is the captain's office then?" it reminded her of something out of the private eye novels that Storm read all of the time. "Yes." he said as he reached up to knock. "Enter commander." called the captain before Shadow had touched the door. He opened it and walked in. Eclipse followed him in and saluted the captain "Captain the commander and I think we may have figured out what happened last night." she said "And that is?" asked the captain. "Go ahead Ensign Blood Moon. You figured it out." said Shadow. Eclipse sighed "I think it was a drunken prank done on a schoolyard dare by a pair of stallions I know." she steadied herself "Those two stallions are my marefriend's twin brothers Shock Burst and Gold Coins. You see they are always doing things like this when they can, it works usually because Gold Coins is a proficient illusionist, and Shock Burst is often the mastermind." she said using hoof quotes for the last word. "Ok bring them in and seach there residents. Any thing with a trace of princess Luna's magic or scent confiscate it." Echo ordered "Also take an apprehension squad with you incase they run." "Yes captain is squad six available?" said Shadow. "No but squad nine is..." answered Captain Echos. "I see, let's go." said Shadow. Outside the office after the door closed Shadow looked at Eclipse. "Please tell me those two are not stupid enough to run?" Eclipse snorted "No they won't run. if anything they are probably expecting us, as I said commander they were likely drunk when they did it. I have no idea how they manage it but they do." she replied "Now I can show where they are, or do we wait for the ninth?" "I hope so the ninth squad is part of units capture teams. But I think they would be more at home in my brothers unit. The three of them are out there the one guy is nice enough but well he just pulls armored wagon. The other three well the Griffin twins Anna and Umi are nice but they care a little to much about bits. But they are great at undercover work. Then there is the mare in charge she, well you know how names seem to foretell your talent? Her name is Legionnaire Cannonaid. Most call her Leona for short though. The one stallion is named Mickey he was found abandoned by griffins as a foal so the gave him a Griffin name." Shadow explains as he leads her to a carriage bay where they see a blue and black carriage on the back is a holding cell on the front is a small cannon. Two Griffins both with whte fur and wings and orange red feathers on head and neck. Lay cuddled up on top. A unicorn with a blue coat was humming a marching songs as she polished the cannon, and an earth pony stallion sat at a near by desk filling a mountain of paper work. Eclipse snorted "Names do not always foretell talent commander. My name for example says nothing about my talent for Umbramancy. But this could get complicated is they get to rough." she said as she followed him "Leona, Mickey, twins! Get up we've got two idiots to capture!" shouted Shadow. The earth pony jumped making papers go everywhere as he salute before rushing to hitch up. The two griffin molies woke with a squawk and tumbled of the wagon landing on the unicorn. Shadow facehoofed "This is why I wanted any other squad." Eclipse blinked and her right eye developed a worrisome twitch "What the buck commander. Now I see what you mean." she leaned into Shadow and whispered "Is this going to end badly commander?" her tone as worried as it was hushed. "I just hope the property damage is below a one thousand bits this time and we can call it a good capture." he said as he got on the carriage. Eclipse just got on the carriage without saying anything further. She directed them to the house where Shock Burst and Gold Coins lived, and hoped to Luna that things wouldn't turn into a fiasco... ==== Half an hour later. The nighty and a some other,um personal items of Luna's scent on them have been recovered. But in the process two buildings had been leveled a third damaged, and a park torn up. The two idiots now sat in the holding cell still smoking from the cannon shot. As Leona Mickey and the Twins where in the captain's office while a lightly charred Shadow and gunk covered Eclipse stood outside. "Now you know why I hate that squad." said Shadow. Still shuddering Eclipse coughed into her hoof. "Well it could be worse, we won't be getting the lecture that Shock Burst and Gold Coins are gonna get from their sisters. Was the cannon really necessary commander?" "They were going to burn the evidence also they pissed of Leona and her talent is spell cannons, they got what they deserved; look on the bright side a least the other captains will be happy that those two got the Leona treatment. Also the court will get them first drunk and stupid doesn't change the fact that they committed multiple crimes." said Shadow as he put out a spark in his mane so that it didn't relight. "I don't know commander, those two have a talent for dodging trouble. Also I want to note that it's odd that they would try to do that, they never have before." said Eclipse "Is there anything else commander? Or may I return to my quarters? I am not looking forward to explaining this the Storm and Silver, and I think it's going to take a week to clean this stuff from my coat." "You can. I'll handle the debrief. Oh and believe it or not hard cider and that stuff comes right out. Also remember you still have to get up at moon rise for our regular shift." said Shadow. Eclipse saluted "Thank you commander, I'll be there." she trotted back to her room to clean up and get some rest.