The Yin-Yang Syndrome - Book Two of The Princess and Her Guard Duology

Chapter Ten: Funerals and Searches

I stood in front of my throne in Canterlot Castle as the family members of the ponies that died were shown in, as the Solar Guard and Dawn Legion stood in their formal attire and stood at attention…

I know I had already said a few words to the family members earlier, but now I had to do this again but this time for the actual service. It was now that I sorely missed my sister, and wished she and I could have taken care of this together, but… No… I would be strong, if not for the fallen ponies than for my sister, to show her I could stand as her true equal.

“Hello, my little ponies”

“Greetings, to you all…”

“We are here to say good bye to the ponies that gave their lives trying to defend the Solar Empire from a cowardly attack”

“We are here to honor the fallen of the Evening Armada, whom gave their lives in order to defend the New Lunar Republic from enemies that have no honor”

I stood beside her, silent as I watched tears roll down her face as she started to list the names of the fallen, ‘Luna… I am so sorry…’ I thought as my gaze drifted over to Rainbow who was sitting in the front row, holding the young Scootaloo who was trying to put on a brave face. ‘Stay strong, young Scootaloo’ I thought…

Soon the service was over, in my opinion however, it was not over soon enough, a few ponies were calling for the NLR’s heads, despite my assurances that the NLR was not behind the attack…

As I dismissed the ponies, one of the family members walked up to me, looked me in the eye, and asked me a question I have always asked myself when I see a pony killed.

“Why? Why him?” I could do nothing but choke back a sob as I looked away, tears welling in my eyes. “I see” said the family member before they left as well…

We sat inside Berry Punch’s bar as Luna nursed a mug of strong drink, I don’t even know what it was to be honest, strange, I always preferred cider, but after this morning I wanted what she was having, but I was taking care of Scoots, so I couldn’t. I knew there was a sad look on my face when Scoots asked if I was ok.

“Yeah, kid, just… Just thinking about your brother, he was a great flier, and damned loyal” I managed to say, and with a look towards Moonlit who was standing guard nearby I frowned. “Moonlit get your butt over here!” I said and he glanced at me…

Listening to the three of them, I wondered how they had the strength to keep going, I knew I couldn’t stop, for once I did I would break down, but them? I had no idea why, other than Luna, who was still a public face for the NLR.

“Moonlit get your butt over here!” said Rainbow and I looked up at her, a sadness in my eyes, I could tell she was hurting, Tartarus, I could tell the lot of them were hurting, but I was on duty, I don’t have the right to-

“Moonlit, sit, you are relieved of duty, my stalwart unicorn, you need to mourn the deaths you have faced” said Luna and I froze at her words, “Would you disobey a direct order, my love?” she asked and at that I sat with them. “Bartender, some drink for my Guard captain, whatever is your strongest brew” she said and I looked at her in shock, as Berry Punch walked over and dropped a mug on the table.

To be fair, Berry Punch didn’t really support the NLR, in fact she would have preferred that we had kept the United Equestria, but since the division, her business had picked up and that was why she tolerated the Evening Armada buying their drinks here.

“Here you go captain” she said, but while there was a bit of sarcasm, she was for the most part polite and I waved off Luna’s rebuke.

“Thanks Ms. Punch” I managed to say before Rainbow spoke up.

“What’s your problem Berry?! Do you think we all wanted to split Equestria into two countries? Luna tried to keep it together until it was proven to be a bad idea!” I groaned, while being in charge of the Shadowbolts did mellow her out for the most part, she still had an extraordinary amount of pride.

“I was a loyal subject of Equestria! Now look at was happened! I have to do business with REBELS!” Berry shot back.

“Rebels? I think not, Ms. Punch, if you do not wish to do business with in the New Lunar Republic, that is your right, but please do not call my Evening Armada, rebels” said Luna calmly and Berry bit back a sneer.

“I am glad you stepped down from being royalty, perhaps now you will see how you ruined our-”

“That’s enough Berry!” said an Earth pony and Berry Punch left us with one final glare.

“I don’t really think we are welcome here, Consul” I said and Luna smiled lightly at me before leaning across the table and placing a kiss upon my lips, I could taste the alcohol on her lips.

“Be that as it may, we are not leaving until you finish your drink. After all it would not do for us to be wasteful” I groaned at her but never-the-less obeyed and started drinking the alcoholic beverage nearly choking on it due to how strong it was…

As Moonlit stumbled out of Berry Punch’s bar, I laughed at him, I knew what he had been given, it didn’t have a name other than “The Drink” and it could put Big Mac on his ass after having one and a fifth. So I knew for a fact Moonlit was good and drunk.

“Rainbow! That isn’t nice!” admonished Luna but when I looked at her she had a small smile on her face and I grinned at her.

“But Luna, he’s hilarious” I retorted good naturedly.

After I scolded Rainbow for laughing at our stallion her retort nearly caused me to laugh, but I held myself back as I caught a glimpse of young Scootaloo out of the corner of my eye.

“Hey squirt, isn’t Moonlit acting funny?” Rainbow asked the young one and I was about to scold her for embarrassing Moonlit when it hit me, she wasn’t doing so to be mean, but rather to cheer up the young pegasus who was giggling at Moonlit’s antics…

I woke up the next morning with my head pounding, and a hope that I hadn’t done anything I should be worried about. A glance at Luna told me that at least last night, nothing had happened. Then she stirred.

“Morning, my love” she said and I smiled at her, even as the constant movement of her mane and tail caused my head to twinge.

“Morning, Luna, how are you doing today?” I managed to slip out and she sat up and pressed her lips to my cheek.

“I feel fine, you however, look as if you are in pain” I winced at being so easy to read.

“I’m fine”

I stared at him even as he denied being in such obvious pain, it then hit me, he must have a hangover, ah that illusive effect of drinking that I never seem to get.

“You have a hangover don’t you?” I asked him and Moonlit hung his head in defeat.

“Yes” I sighed at his admission.

“You know, you don’t have to try and put on a brave face around me. I could care less whether or not you have a hangover or not, Moonlit. It is not like you went out with the purpose of getting one”

“Every one of us owe the maker a death, so do not mourn the dead too much Rainbow” said Applejack, speaking philosophical and all I just grimaced. She wasn’t usually like this.

“It isn’t the dead I mourn for, Applejack, but for Scootaloo… The Senate is worried about how to deal with her brother’s death in the line of duty, and whether or not she can receive his benefits” I responded as I let my education through. I may not have been the best student but I did learn in school, and I was no dumb jock, I just learned differently…

Sitting just inside the Senate building I watched as Rainbow paced in front of me.

“Sit down Rainbow, you are making me tired.” I said just as Shining Armor walked in from the main entrance of the building and I looked up and smiled and with a gesture he made his way towards me

“General?” he said a little forced and I knew why.

“Shining, I wanted to let you know we recently hit a dead end on our last lead on our search for Cadence. However—”

“WHAT!?”

“Hey, shut up and listen!” said Rainbow and I sighed…

“I think we need to expand our search area. Something tells me that…” said Moonlit and I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “I think that the Solar Empire is unknowingly hiding something” my eyes shot open at that that wasn’t possible was it?

“What do you mean Moonlit?” I asked and Shining glanced at me.

“I do believe that she is still being looked for by the empire and as such they may have leads for us to explore that we haven’t been able to think of, or pick up yet” said Moonlit

“You’re kidding right? I mean sure there have been very few border skirmishes, but don’t you thing cooperation is a little farfetched at the moment? I mean we only just got finished whooping their flanks!” I said in surprise only for Shining Armor to glare at me.

“I don’t have time for this! I’ll see what friends I still have in the Solar Guard, or Dawn Legion, and see what I can dig up while you see if you can go through diplomatic channels and see if you can get any news that way” said Shining as he got up and left almost angrily Moonlit looked after him in despair.

“What’s his problem?” I asked even if I knew the answer.

“‘What’s his problem?’ He’s torn up about the fact we still haven’t found his lover! That’s his problem!” I nearly shouted and Rainbow just glared at me causing me to lose a little momentum.

“I know we haven’t found her yet but damn it! I have seven different wings searching at all times! That is twenty-one out of my thirty pegasus, Moonlit! That’s not including what forces Regal Star, Golden Sword, and yourself have committed to searching for this lost mare!” Rainbow tore into me only to stop when Luna stepped out into the main hall of the Senate Building…