Dark Moon stepped into his room and looked around. He had a room for one because of his rank and ability. “Ugh I hope that she forgot that I said I would answer her and her friends questions.” He took his cloak and sword off his back and walked over to his bathroom and started the shower with his magic. “I do however hope that this will teach them that not everything is as it seems.” He stepped into his shower and let the water consume him.

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Aliko sat in his throne and looked at the group of mares standing in front of him with a young dragon. “So you are the newest bearers of the elements of harmony? I must say that was some good work with Luna and Discord. However you still have much to learn about the true threats to Equestria.”

Twilight took a step forward. “I have a question. I have been studying for years and I am the princesses own student and I have never even heard of this order or you really. I mean only thing I know is that you created the Alicorn Amulet.”

Aliko nodded. “Well Ms.Sparkle that is because long ago just after the princesses and myself came to power we were at war to protect the newly founded Equestria. We had a great army in our command and we had to fight to protect our land. Once we had driven out the invaders and the treaty of Canterlot was signed uniting the rest of the races that were left we chose to disband our army and whoever was willing I took with me and we made the order of Aliko. As for me I am just a simple alicorn who wishes for the safety of this kingdom.”

Twilight nodded. “Okay but who exactly are the enemies of Equestria? I mean Dark Moon said the Dragons and Griffons, but he must be exaggerating right? there is no way that two entire races are trying to destroy us.”

Aliko looked at her. “No he was telling the truth. However for now there have not been many attacks on us let alone a full on assault. The dragon clans are just as fine as attacking each other for power as they are other races and as for the griffins they seem to be waiting and playing their war games and strategy planning.”

Twilight nodded. “So what are we supposed to learn from all of this, if we are in no danger?” She took a step back and shrunk a little when Aliko’s gaze pierced through her. “I mean there is not really any danger right?”

Aliko shook his head. “Of course there is danger. I would have thought that the attack at the royal wedding would have taught you that.”

Twilight gulped and sighed. "Wasn't that just a rogue attack? I mean who would really try to attack the capital?"

Aliko chuckled. "Well your brother alone is a target. He is one of the few ponies who knows of our existence and has the information to bring us down. There are four main forts that contain about 90% of our troops. The other 10% is scattered around the kingdom and a few other places."

Twilight nodded. "What about the alicorn amulet? I read that you made it, why would you do that?"

Aliko nodded. "Ah yes. That was made a long time ago when we didn't have enough of a fighting force. It amplifies the innate ability of ponies. It was deemed too unproductive though and put in the vault as one of the 20 great artifacts of the order. When sombra be trade our order he took that and a few other artifacts with him."

Twilight looked at him with a newfound spark in her eye. "What are the others? I mean they seem like they would be powerful."

Aliko chuckled. "Some are……. and some are just things significant to our order. But don't worry too much about them as for some things are best left secret."

Twilight pouted and noded. "I understand. There are somethings that the princess won't even let me know."

Aliko laid his head on his hoof. "Yes she is good at keeping secrets. But anyway you 7 are here to learn and that is what you will do. I will have each of you meet with a member of the order to learn a part of it. You will meet them at breakfast except for you young dragon.” He pointed a hoof at spike. “I have talked to an old friend of mine and he will be here later to pick you up for your own lessons at the request of Princess Luna.”

Twilight looked at Spike then Aliko. “What do you mean pick him up will he not be here with us? Who is this friend of yours exactly?”

Aliko smiled slyly. “A friend of myself and the princesses. He is almost as old and powerful as Luna. He is also kind of member of the order ”

Spike looked at him. “I’ll do it! I want to learn as much as I can.” He smiled cheerfully.

Twilight looked at him. “Are you sure Spike? You won’t be around us for a week and who knows what this pony is like.” She smiled weakly.

Spike nodded. “Eh it is only a week how bad can it be? I am sure I will be fine.”

Aliko chuckled. “You have spirit young dragon. I hope that you will not break under the training that will be expected of you.” He waved his hoof and the door opened. “You will be shown to your room by a member of the order.”

The group walked out to see a small earth pony colt just a bit older than the cutie mark crusaders. “Hi I am Water Trickle I will take you to your rooms.” He turned and started to walk down the path.

Twilight looked at him. “Wait you're a member of the order? Mostly everyone I have seen has been older than us.”

Trickle looked back at them. “I am not a full member yet I am still in training. I am interested with small things like this around the fort. But one day I am going to take over as one of the 5 nightmare swordsman just like Dark Moon!”

Rarity huffed. “Why would anypony want to be like that rude, mean, selfish pony!”

Trickle looked back at her. “He is a hero. He once fought three manticores at a time just to protect a few lumberjacks who were in the swamp. Not to mention he always has time to talk to my class and answer questions.”

The group looked at each other hardly able to believe what they were hearing. They got to the large room with 6 beds. Trickle looked at them. “Well I will be going now.” He walked away and met with a few other young ponies.

The rest of the day went by with the six ponies and the dragon just sitting in their room not sure what to do at this strange place. Eventually they all went to the beds they picked out with Spike falling asleep at the foot of Twilights bed.

Author's Note

A huge thanks to my editor Bright0Night. Also I know that ending was kinda weak but I couldn't figure out a good way to end it.