Dark Moon woke up to the early morning sun and looked around to see that all the elements were sleeping quietly. He got out of his bunk and walked to the booth where he ordered a simple sandwich and a cup of coffee. He started to eat his sandwich, as he watched Apple Jack walk into the booth. "Wow this is the first time I have seen a pony I don't work with get up as early as me."

Apple Jack nodded. "Well ah work on my farm so ah am use to getting up early. So how did ya get your job? If you don't mind mah asken."

Dark Moon sipped his coffee and sighed. "Well from the time I was born to about the time I was 4 I lived with my family in the everfree forest. My family was deep into dark magic and it threatened to go out of control. Because of this they were killed and I was spared."

Apple Jack nodded. "Oh…..uh…. ah haven’t a clue what to say about that. Ah am sorry about your family but why would you go dark magic if it was the reason your family got killed?"

Dark Moon took a deep breathe and let out a long deep sigh. "At first I did it to get my revenge... but then I learned that if I went down that path I would be no better than them. So then I dedicated my life to protecting Equestria and my new family I found in the order."

Apple Jack nodded. "Ah see, so you want to protect what you hold dear. So can you tell me anything else about the order?"

Dark Moon rolled his eyes. "I could but it would be easier to explain things when we got there. How's this if you or the girls have questions after the day there I will answer as many as I can."

Apple Jack nodded as the rest of the girls and Spike walked in. "Okay then ah will make sure to take that offer." The train stopped and they all got off.

Dark Moon looked at the group. "We have two options we can get some breakfast and then walk to the fort or we can go and catch the ferry and get there in time for a late lunch."

The group thought and talked about it then Twilight looked at him. "We can take the ferry. We all agree that we want to see what all this is about."

Dark Moon nodded. "Okay the new one should be leaving in 15 minutes."

He started to lead them to the docks and the wind blew lifting his cloak showing his sword in its scabbard on his back.

They got the ferry and Twilight looked past the bay and into the sea. "So this is the sea. I have only see it from far away and in books." The rest of the group looked in awe at the large body of water.

Dark Moon looked at them. "I look at it and think of the danger that is just across it. It is said that the changelings came from there and look how that ended up if only we had found that hive before the queen escaped." He slammed his hoof on the railing.

**************3 hours later***********

The ferry pulled up to a dock in front of an opening in the woods leading to the swamp and the group got off. Dark Moon looked at them. "Well here we are follow me." He lead them down the path to a large clearing. He turned to them at the foot of the path. "Here we are."

Rarity looked at him. "Umm darling that seems to just be a clearing. I mean it is a nice clearing but just a clearing."

Dark Moon looked at them. "Just follow me." He walked into the clearing and vanished as soon as he walked into it.

The group looked at each other and followed, then looked at awe at the large fortress they were now standing in front of.

Dark Moon smiled. "This is fort hayseed the main fortress of the order of Aliko and the first line of defense from threats from across the sea."

Twilight nodded. "It seems to me that the power needed to perform a cloaking spell for this size would be beyond the realm of a single unicorn or even a small team for that matter."

Suddenly they heard the sound of wings flying in the fort and Dark Moon smiled. "That is because a unicorn doesn't maintain it."

A black alicorn walked out of the gates and looked at them. “Dark Moon it is good to see you got them all here safely and I hope that you didn’t scare them too much.”

Dark Moon chuckled. “Of course not old man I mean not as much as I could have.” He walked into the gates. “I need to go wash up and get a drink.” He walked into the fort and vanished behind the wall.

The alicorn looked at the group of speechless mares. “I am lord Aliko leader of this order and master of all in the darkness. Now if you will follow me I have much I have been asked to teach you and not hardly enough time to do it.” He turned and lead them into the fort and into a throne room that was smaller than the one in canterlot and not as greatly adorned.

Author's Note

A huge thanks to my editor Bright0Night.