Five Tales

Dear Liberty, Guardian of the Sun,

I got your letter safely. Sorry I couldn’t reply any sooner. It’s been hard to keep up with my personal mail.

What you’re suggesting is interesting. We’ve had no success in determining Twilight Sparkle’s location since her disappearance. I haven’t been able to divert any of my Wardens to even try to look, with the war and all that. But your idea, bringing the former Element bearers into a party to search for her, might just be what we need to find our lost Princess.

I sent along a copy of your plans to Princess Luna. Before you get upset, you should know that, as Marshal, I have an obligation to inform Princess Luna of a plan like this in order for me to help you. Luckily she thought it was a good idea, and after running it by the Consulate, has given it the go ahead.

I should have no trouble in locating each of the bearers, especially since the caribou have been on the defensive after the Crossroads Incursion. Just give me a week or so, and I can have the bearers gathered for you.

In the meantime, it would be a good idea for you to read up on what the five bearers have done during the war. I’m sure you’ve heard the stories, but there are a lot of written accounts which are much more in-depth than hearsay. I’ll contact the Bureau and have them sent your way. They’ll help give you a clear picture on what skills you'll be working with in the near future.

Lastly, I've put in the detainment transfer request for you. Night Wing and her Sentinels will bring him to you soon. So long as you keep him under watch of the Guardians, the Consulate won’t mind. You’d think that a dragon who was born in Equestria would be treated more fairly by the New Monarchy.

Good luck, Liberty. I'll write again once I have the bearers together. And I’ll be sure to let you know if I hear anything about a possible lead on Twilight Sparkle.

Sincerely,

Mjolna, Marshal of the Wardens.

Liberty sighed after perusing the letter for a second time. The mail pony had apologized for its late delivery, though Liberty didn’t blame her. Communication had been fairly secure in the past few months, but the sheer amount of requests, reports and compliance letters that circulated through the Alliance mailing system could cause some delays. The letter from Marshal Mjolna was only a few days late of its expected delivery.

The Night Sentinels were known for their expediency. If they hadn't arrived already, they will soon. Very soon.

Gathering two of her Guardians of the Sun, Liberty stood outside on several elevated stone steps, keeping an eye on the pathways leading up the slopes. The land surrounding her brought back memories.

Haven. The birthplace of Equestria’s rebellion, and the Haven Alliance.

The spanning caves within the small cluster of mountains, surrounded by their rocky, grassy slopes, were first discovered by Luna and her Seven Sentinels when they crossed over the border from Umbra into Equestria. Ever since then, it had grown from a hidden sanctuary for refuges and fledgling troops, to the base which catapulted Luna’s efforts to retake Canterlot.

Nearly two years later, it remained one of the Alliance’s most important fortresses. Though to call it a fortress alone would've been an understatement. It still existed as a crucial garrison, but Haven’s original purpose was to provide safety for those fleeing the caribou. Staying true to that concept, construction of a small town within Haven’s expanded walls was begun. Seven buildings rested on slanted stone bases along the slopes, with another four currently under construction. The largest of Haven’s buildings, the town hall, was built directly into the main cavern’s entrance, melding brick and carved stone with the angles and contours of the mountain rock. The combination of new structures with the old terrain of the slopes was an everyday sight for the various townsfolk.

For Liberty, however, the changes were striking. It was a big difference from the time before the Treaty of Haven, when the open slopes had accommodated rows of tents for refugees, surrounded by the small zones set aside for the training of soldiers. A time when the only walls made of stone were the caves themselves.

The Haven back then was during a time fraught with uncertainty and fear. But there was a hope born here that no one had ever seen anywhere else before. And even with the expanding development of Haven, that sense of hope endured.

Reminiscing for a few more minutes as she waited at the front steps of the town hall, Liberty put her thoughts aside as she caught sight of her timely visitors.

A small squad of noctrals climbed up a grassy trail along the slopes, donned with black and cobalt armor, light and flexible in design and covered with dark camouflage. The noctrals are of the Night Sentinels; the spiritual successors to the personal guard of Princess Luna. The creation of this unit was done to honor the memory and sacrifice of Luna’s closest friends, on that fateful day in Canterlot. Though they served as much more than tributes to the dead.

With the formation of the Night Sentinels early in the war, Luna had access and direct control over a unit of spies, infiltrators and commandos made up of well-trained noctrals. Being under Luna’s authority, this unit did not have to answer to the Consulate in Canterlot, which gave them an incredible amount of freedom in their activities. Although suspicious to most of the officials of the Consulate, this independence was used to great effect to aid the war effort. For some though, this would prove to be more than troublesome.

Despite being on the same side, the Night Sentinels’ own operations have been known to hamper Liberty’s Guardians indirectly. Some would call her paranoid, but Liberty knows that Luna’s Night Sentinels deliberately compete with the Guardians. As if there was an attached note to every order they received; ‘While you’re at it, get in the way of the Guardians and ruin Liberty's day if you can’. Liberty growled at the prospect. It only further deepened her mistrust of Luna.

At the head of the Sentinels is Night Wing, the purple-maned and yellow-eyed noctral mare who was once a veteran scout of Umbra. She was known mostly for being the leader of one of the two noctral scout teams who had lost their way in Equestria. Night Wing had successfully kept her team, and the family of a particular wall-eyed mare, hidden and safe in the Everfree Forest for almost a whole year. After the deaths of the Seven Sentinels, Princess Luna sought out Night Wing to lead the newly created Night Sentinels. She was a perfect fit for the job, and has been their commander ever since, having participated in numerous engagements.

Liberty refocused on the approaching noctrals, analyzing them with a keen eye for anything noteworthy. They were armed as standard as most Night Sentinels were. Lightly, with crossbows of varying natures and their signature katars. Most of them wore visors over their sensitive eyes, to protect them from the sunny spring day.

Days like these always felt empowering to Liberty. She could stand out in the Sun’s rays, soaking up the brightness and basking in the light of the very power which gave her drive and purpose. It always reminded her of the Princess who inspired her to become a royal guard all those years ago. The herald of the Sun, who was killed by her own sister.

The cadre of Night Sentinels stopped before the steps leading to the town hall. From within the center of their group emerged their reason for arriving at Haven; The dragon Liberty had been expecting.

The clothed, young dragon was not bound or constrained in any way, thankfully. Liberty worried that he might have been maltreated, and mentally sighed with relief upon seeing him unharmed.

Night Wing, leading the squad from the front, stepped aside, motioning for the dragon to step forward. He walked up the town hall steps before stopping in front of Liberty. His skinny and slender figure suggested him to still be very young for a dragon. In pony years, Liberty guessed him to be close to a teenager.

Liberty cleared her throat, her hands held behind her.

“Hello, Spike. My name’s Liberty. Welcome to Haven. You’re in the care of the Guardians of the Sun now.” Liberty stated, extending an open hand to him.

“Hello. Uhm… I’m sorry. What exactly does that mean?” Spike asked, as he slowly shook Liberty’s hand.

“It means we will be working together. I’ll explain more soon. Go on inside. My Guardians will help you get set up with your living arrangements here in the town hall.”

Outstretching an arm to point the way, Spike nodded and went with Liberty’s two Guardians, disappearing behind the town hall doors.

Liberty turned back to the front, descending the steps towards Night Wing.

The noctral plainly stared at her, cracking a friendly smile. Her accompanying Sentinels spoke among themselves as the two leaders met. Unlike them, Night Wing had no visor covering her vibrant, cat-like eyes.

“Good to see you still kicking, Liberty. I’ve heard of some of the missions you’ve done. Dicey infiltrations and daring raids. Impressive stuff.”

Liberty ignored the compliments. “Was Spike treated well in his detainment?”

“Don’t worry,” Night Wing replied, folding her arms, “I knew when the Consulate ordered his arrest for ‘consorting with other dragons’ it was out of misguided paranoia. He wasn’t put in a detainment camp, just under house arrest. I made sure that his guards treated him well.”

“That’s one thing we can agree on. Thanks.”

Night Wing bowed her head, though in a very informal way. To Liberty it seemed like a mix of hollow respect and mandatory courtesy.

“So… You’ve got a pretty interesting plan in the works. A first attempt at finding Twilight Sparkle. And bringing the old Element bearers together to do so. Princess Luna thinks it’s a fantastic idea.”

Liberty was tempted to ask how Night Wing came to learn of her plans, but she quickly reminded herself of Night Wing’s position. She was a Sentinel. The leader of the Sentinels. It only made sense that if Mjolna sent word to Luna of the plan, then Night Wing would be informed. Even if Luna knew nothing, the Night Sentinels were their own spy network. They would have found out one way or another.

“If Luna is on board with this idea, why hasn’t she done anything about it herself? Why hasn’t she tried to find Twilight? You’d think finding some pony as important as the Princess of Friendship would be on her to-do list.”

Liberty always felt good when she found something to call out Luna on. She hadn't forgotten what happened at Canterlot.

Night Wing frowned.

“You try running an entire nation and its host of allies and leading it through a war like this. Other priorities come first. And it’s ‘former’ Princess of Friendship. Who knows what she’s doing now if she hasn’t come back to Equestria.” She rebuked.

“Luna can hide behind all the excuses she can think of. The only benefit in not searching for Princess Twilight is so that Luna doesn’t have to share her ‘monarchy’.”

The look on Night Wing’s face showed a sense of familiarity with Liberty’s attitude. An irritated scowl creeped up on her.

“Look. If you want to believe Princess Luna is the villain in all of this, fine. But remember that it was your decision to take the Guardians out of the chain of command. Princess Luna could have branded you and all of the Guardians as traitors, but she didn’t. Because she knew you would do everything to help save Equestria, and we need everyone we can get to win this war. Plus, technically, it was Luna who created the Guardians of the Sun when the Treaty of Haven was formed. Even if it was your idea.”

Sometimes Liberty wished she could think before she talked. Her brash accusations and resentment were shot down by Night Wing’s points.

“You're a critical factor in all of this, Liberty. You’re a strong mare, and a good leader. Start focusing on what we need to do to win this war. If you think finding Twilight Sparkle will help, then do it.”

The air still heavy from the sternness of her tone, Night Wing departed without a single goodbye. Her Night Sentinels joined her, making their way to Haven’s gates below.

Liberty huffed.

“Sweet Celestia I can’t stand that bat.”

Liberty removed her dulled, golden armor, worn and battered from use, and placed its pieces on the wooden stand beside her dresser. She wouldn't be needing to wear anything formal when she got to the town hall archives, even if it was still official Guardian work.

After sifting through the casual wear in the large drawers, Liberty settled with throwing a shirt and shorts over her underlays used for when her armor is on. The fur-tight, padded garments help kept her warm and comfortable both in and out of her armor. It was actually the same kind of underlay which the old royal guard used to wear. Its softness and stretchiness reminded her of times spent off with her friends in her royal guard days. And of more… intimate nights.

Liberty closed her room’s door behind her, exiting into the renovated living quarters within the caves of Haven. The current space was still considered a part of the town hall, as the floor and walls were made of the same carved stone blocks which stem from the buildings outside. The ceiling remained dotted with the same stalactites that hung above the first denizens of Haven.

Passing by a menagerie of town hall administrators, architects and citizens of all races, Liberty traversed the chambers and hallways before arriving in the archives. The small chamber gave an exotic and intriguing setting, the walls a mix of wooden braces and natural stone supports. The cave walls were lined with softly glowing torches, giving illumination to the particularly dark place. Candles and lanterns abound on the desks and shelves.

Waiting for her by the largest desk was her newly settled guest, directed to the archives by his Guardian escorts.

“I’m sorry for all the confusion, Spike. You must have a lot of questions.”

“Yeah,” Spike coughed awkwardly, “Listen, I’m really thankful that you got the Consulate to let me go, but why? What do you need me for?”

Liberty paced along the side of the desk opposite from Spike.

“Are you aware of Princess Twilight’s disappearance after the Battle of Canterlot?”

Spike nodded, his head drooping as he tried to prevent those awful memories from coming back, but to no avail.

“I want to find her.” Liberty added.

His head shot up. “Find her? How?”

“I’m forming a party. One made up of the five bearers of the Elements of Harmony. This party will be tasked with locating Twilight Sparkle, and bringing her back home. I want you to be a part of it, Spike. You deserve to be. And I could use your help.”

“I…”

The archive door bursted open, startling Spike.

“On behalf of the Equestrian Cultural and Historical Recovery and Preservation Bureau, your documents have arrived!” Exclaimed a tan pegasus with a white mane, carrying a parcel of files in her arms.

Liberty chuckled with a grin as she embraced the Bureau pony.

“It’s good to see you again, Scavenger Hunt. Is Tome with you?”

“Nah. We both decided it would be best if he stay in Canterlot,” Scavenger Hunt replied, pulling away from Liberty, “We need one of us there to manage things for the Museum and the rest of the Bureau. Even this far into the war we get ponies coming in to learn about the past. It’s so uplifting! And tiring.”

“Glad to hear. Before we unravel what you’ve brought us, let me introduce my guest. This is Spike.”

Spike extended a clawed hand to shake with Scavenger Hunt, who immediately took it with two hands and shook it vigorously.

“Ohhh wow! THE Spike the dragon?? It’s amazing to meet you! You were Princess Twilight’s assistant!”

“Yeah, that’s me. I didn’t think anypony would remember me.”

“Hehe, I have a thing for Equestria and modern history. Er, recent but still long enough ago to be history. You’ve given invaluable aid to the Element bearers in their times of need. And you saved the Crystal Empire from King Sombra’s return!”

Spike scratched the scales along the back of his head, blushing.

“Aww… It was nothing.”

Before Scavenger Hunt could go on a tangent about every tiny detail of Spike’s accomplishments, Liberty interrupted.

“What are the files you’ve brought us?”

“Oh, right!”

Moving to the large desk in the middle of the room, Scavenger Hunt opened the parcel, laying out several folders. Each were numbered in specific patterns used by the Bureau’s archivists, and each one was stamped with a title following their numbers.

Canterlot Valley Campaign

“These are all from the first months of the war.” Liberty observed as she and Spike sift through the documents.

“Yup!” Scavenger Hunt quipped, “Most of these are general operation notes and time frames. Battles, movements, intelligence and other military stuff. But this folder here contains a specific account of a unit of Strikers. THE unit of Strikers which the Element of Loyalty belonged to!”

Spike looked up, his eyes locking onto the folder in Scavenger Hunt’s hands. “Rainbow Dash? She belonged to… Uhh.. Strikers?”

“Light, fast, heavily armed assault troops specifically trained for rapid deployment, ambush tactics, and lightning strikes, all while exhibiting near-reckless behavior! You don’t know?”

“Ahh. No, I didn’t… I don’t know a whole lot about the war. My ‘house arrest’ didn’t really come with the news.” Spike explained to Scavenger Hunt.

“That’s alright Spike,” Liberty spoke up, “What we need from you is your memories from before the Fall. I’ll focus on the war-time aspects.”

As Spike nodded, Scavenger Hunt hurriedly gathered her bag after sneaking a look at her watch. She zoomed around the desk, shaking Spike’s hand once more.

“Sorry, I’ve got to get back to Canterlot and to the Bureau! The rest of the docs on the other bearers will be here soon! You’ll be getting a lot of visitors in the next week. It was awesome meeting you, Spike! And good seeing you too, Liberty! Good luck with the reading!”

Liberty chuckled. “Thanks again, Scavenger Hunt. Travel safe.”

“Will do!”

With a swoosh of the archive doors, Scavenger Hunt departed in a flash, leaving Liberty and Spike to their paper-chocked desk.

“Where do we even start?” Spike asked, sitting down.

Liberty took the seat across from him. “A lot of these papers are combat reports, but each one is dated chronologically. All we have to do is sort through each of them and pick out anything involving Rainbow Dash and the Strikers unit she was a part of and add them to her file. Adding your knowledge on the bearers pre-Fall, we can piece together a story. It’s like doing a research paper.”

Spike nodded as he lightly sifted through the sea of papers. “Research paper… Ok. This shouldn’t be so bad. It’ll be just like old times. Sorting books in the library…”

“That’s what I’m hoping for, Spike. The more you feel comfortable and at home, the better. I don’t want to stress you out.”

Spike breathed in deeply and exhaled, placing a claw to his chest. He opened his eyes with a determined grin.

“You don’t have to worry. I know how to handle stress. I’m ready.”

Liberty smirked in admiration.

“Then let’s get started.”