Dark Moon walked into the large throne room of the Canterlot castle and bowed when he saw princess Celestia. “Your majesty..” the pony said firm. “I am Dark Moon of the order of Aliko and one of the 5 nightmare swordsman."

Celestia looked at him with a rather serious expression. "You are here to escort the elements of harmony to lord Aliko." She raises an eyebrow. "I know you from somewhere. Do you have family around here?"
Dark Moon looked at her. "Yes we met once when I was a colt. You and lord Aliko killed my family in the forest and then burnt my home to the ground." He smiled earily. "But that was long ago and I have a new family now."

Celestia nodded. "Well that is good….. You should go and catch the train it will leave in half an hour."

Dark Moon nodded and walked out his cloak showing the shining sword under it. He walked casually to the train station where he got on the train; he then looked in the sky. "I should be there by morning." He fell asleep on the bench looking out the window.

*********The next morning***********

Dark Moon walked off the train and was saw a lavender unicorn mare walking twards him. "She must be Twilight Sparkle. She doesn't look that strong." He said to himself giving a nod.

Twilight walked over to the black unicorn with a dark blue mane. "Hello are you the one, the princess said was coming? I am Twilight Sparkle." She said smiling.

Dark Moon nods. "I am. I need the other elements here so I can take them to meet lord Aliko." The stallion said with a stern voice.

Twilight nodded. "We can go to the library and you can stay the night there then we can go in the morning."
Dark Moon shook his head. "No we need to be at the fort by tomorrow night ,and the train ride will be all day. Can you have them here in the hour?"

Twilight nodded. "I can but first can you tell me who is lord Aliko? I have only found him mentioned as the one who created the Alicorn amulet."
Dark Moon looked at her. "All will be explained when we get there." He closed his eyes and nodded with a smile.

Twilight sighed and turned. "Okay… I will get them here…" She said as she walked off. About 45 minutes later she returned with 5 other mares and a baby dragon.

Dark Moon smiled softly. "Good you are here. The train should be here in about 5 minutes we will go from here to Baltimare and from there to the fort on the edge of the hayseed swamp."

He turned as the train pulled up. "Well it seems to be time to go. It is a long ride and only one stop so if you have to use the bathroom go now." He watched as the pink earth pony seemingly vanished. "Please tell me she doesn't do that often?" he said with a raised eyebrow and a rather confused look.

The other mares looked at him and Twilight sighed. "More than you would think. Well anyways let's get on the train." She walked onto the train with the rest.

Dark Moon looked at them. "It's an easy job he said. Just a simple escort mission he said." He walked onto the train and sat in the booth with the others. "I am Dark Moon a member of the order of Aliko I should be fine uhhh..” he said rather unhappy.

Twilight looked at him and nodded. "I am Twilight Sparkle, This is Apple Jack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Flutter Shy, And Pinkie Pie." She points to all of them then the baby dragon. "And this is spike."

Dark Moon nodded. "Okay then. I am going to escort you all to fort Hayseed. It is a long walk to the fort from Baltimare."

Rainbow Dash looked at him. "How do we know we can trust you. Do you have any proof?" She slammed her hoof down.

Dark Moon looked at her. "No you have no proof who I am or who I say I am. The fact is miss I have a job to do, that job…..get you there alive."
The mares looked at him in shock. Flutter Shy looked scared of him and Rainbow Dash looked like she was about to jump him. Twilight looked at him. "So ummm tell us about yourself."

Dark Moon shrugged. "Well I specializes in Dark and fire magic I am also a swordsmen."

Twilight looked shocked. "What do you mean black magic isn't that illegal in equestria? King Sombra used it to enslave the crystal empire."
Dark Moon nodded. "That is the same magic. He let it control him instead of controlling it none of the order is that weak."

She nodded. "Okay then but I will have to let the princess know. I doubt she will overlook a whole order using forbidden magic."

Dark Moon rolled his eyes. "Great you're one of those ponies. Celestia is not as great as most think she is." He looked at all the mares who looked like he had just kicked their puppy.

Apple Jack looked at him. "I don't know who ya think ya are but ya can't just say that kind of things about the princess."

Dark Moon shook his head. "You seven have so much to learn about the truth. The first thing is about how powerful the enemies of Equestria really are."

Twilight looked at him. "Equestria doesn't have enemies. The treaty of Canterlot united the races in trade and recognizes the power of the princesses."

Dark Moon looked at her. "That only applies to those within the borders of our kingdom. What about the gryphon's in their kingdom or the dragons of Livyathan? Not to mention the others who are just waiting." He looked at all of them. "Trust me the war still rages and the order is the first and last line of defense." He turned and walked to the door of their booth. "I have said too much already that is not my place to say. I am going to sleep now." He walked out of the booth and to the sleeping car. Leaving the mares dumb founded and confused.

Author's Note

Okay this is the final edit. Huge thanks to my new editor Bright0Night.