Friendship Amongst The Stars

It had similar markings to the ones that were dropped off before the attack just then Luna emerged from under her bed. Celestia said “sister what are you doing under the bed?”

Luna just smiled and said “I was looking for something.”

Twilight thought there was something strange about the way Luna was acting but said nothing.

Celestia said “I am increasing security and be on the lookout for anything unusual.”

Luna nodded as Celestia and Twilight left the room. Once in the hallway Twilight looked back and wondered why did Luna not use the pluralization of herself?

She wondered if Celestia noticed she said “princess did you notice anything strange about Luna?”

Celestia replied “no why do you ask?”

Twilight said “no reason” Celestia stopped “Twilight I’ve known you a long time and I can tell when something is bothering you now tell me what’s troubling you?”

Twilight sighed “I don’t know back in Lunas chambers for a moment I felt like that was not Luna she did not speak in pluralisms like she usually does. I know it may be nothing but it got my attention also there was something about her eyes.”

Celestia asked “what did you see?”

Twilight replied “I’m not sure we only locked eyes briefly but it was almost as if there was some pony or something else behind her eyes.”

Celestia said “Nightmare Moon?”

Twilight said “no this was different I can’t explain how”

Celestia turned around “we should to speak to Luna again.”

They went to Lunas chambers and Celestia knocked on the door silence she knocked again silence again. Her horn glowed as she opened the door the room was empty and the box was gone. Both Celestia and Twilight looked at each other in disbelief. They did not travel far down the hall way and the door opening and closing was till within earshot. They entered the room slowly the first placed they looked was under the bed. The room was small and there was no way out other than the door to the mail hallway.

Twilight asked “is she invisible and pulling a prank?”

Celestia’s horn began to glow and the room was bathed in a golden glow illuminating everything. The glow subsided and she said “she’s not here that glow was the counter invisibility spell. She sat on her haunches when we were young we would play hide and seek and Luna would use invisibility spells to hide. Sometimes she would hide on the ceilings of the old castle or be right in the middle of the room and not move.” Then with a warm smile said “after I conceded defeat she came out of hiding. Then I learned the counter invisibility spell but I still let her have her fun and win a few times.”

Twilight smiled and said “if she’s not here then what could have happened?”

Celestia said “I don’t know but she has never neglected her duties as the princess of the night.

Twilight said “wait here I will get Zackmar or Synora maybe they can help.”

Celestia nodded laid down on her stomach and pacing her head on the floor. She felt a sense of worry about Luna and the citizens of Equestria. A short time later Synora and Zackmar came into the room Celestia stood up as both and Synora and Zackmar ran their scanners about the room both of them converging on the bed.

Synora said “I’m picking up traces of xenon, boron and silicone.”

Zackmar said “confirmed looks like the remains of a holographic generator with a de-atomizer.”

Synora said I am also getting some unusual readings princess I need to scan you for a moment.”

Celestia stood up and stepped forward Synora ran the scanner over her. She ran the scan again and said “ok I’m reading a similar signature and something else.” After pressing a few buttons she said “I’m reading traces of Karnrian DNA.

Zackmar scanned the area and said “confirmed.”

Celestia asked “what is a Karnrian?”

Zackmar and Synora looked at each other and Zackmar nodded Synora said “the Karnrians are a race of shape shifters who can assume any form. Some work as free-lance mercenaries it seems this one was working for the Pontian’s.”

Celestia asked “what happened to Luna?”

Zackmar said softly “abducted.”

Twilight said “wait I saw something earlier it shimmered against the sun’s rays. At first I thought it was nothing but now I think it could have been a ship.”

Celestia asked “where would they take her?”

Zackmar said hard to say, but one thing is for sure we will get her back.” Turning to Synora he said “I need to borrow your communications console. In the meantime who will install the shield generators in the Crystal Empire and Coudsdale?”

Rainbow said “I will help with Cloudsdale.”

Shining Armor said I am returning to the Crystal Empire I’ll install it.”

Zackmar placed the devices into both Rainbow’s and Shinning’s saddle bags. Rainbow took off into the sky and Shinning left for the train station.

The rest went to Synora’s ship and went inside Zackmar saw a screen and said with a slight chuckle “why is you get visual communicators?”

Synora just smiled and shrugged her shoulders Zackmar smiled and pressed a few buttons. He then said Zackmar of Sandarian command calling General Ventor a being appeared on the screen. It looked reptilian it had dark green scaly skin lime green eyes with slits for pupils.

The being said greetings Zackmar its been too long.”

Zackmar said “yes it has I am in need of your assistance.”

Ventor said “what do you need?”

Zackmar said it would be easier if you came here and I explained it.”

Ventor said “what’s in it for me?”

Zackmar smiled and said “first you owe me a favor from the battle on Vorchara. Also it’s a good excuse to kick some Pontian rear ends.”

Ventor smiled a big smile and said “I am on my way what is your location?” Zackmar said “I am located on a planet 72° to the axial plane of the red supergiant Zeplar once you locate the planet scan for a Sandarian power signature.”

Ventor nodded and said “I will arrive in 3 gorpars.”

Zackmar nodded and the screen went blank.” Turning to Synora he said “can you use you projection skills to locate Princess Luna?”

She said “I can but I need a place to start the universe is a big place”

Zackmar thought for a moment and said “start with Pontus” she nodded.

They went to Twilight’s castle and in the throne room they gave Synora a chair. She sat down and began to meditate soon she was on Pontus she went to the gladiatorial arena outside capital city.

She went inside and saw a blue alicorn in a cell she came out of her altered state and said “she’s on Pontus in the gladiatorial arena.”

Twilight said “Spike take a letter” he pulled out a scroll and quill “ready” Twilight said “dear princes Celestia we have located Princess Luna she is being held in dungeon on the planet Pontus.”

Spike sent the scroll off and moments later a reply came Spike unfurled the scroll and read it. “My dearest Twilight you must be mistaken Luna is here in the castle. She has requested some time away from royal duties due to the stress of everything that has happened.”

Twilight was confused she said “that’s strange I’ve never known Luna to abandon her royal duties. She loves her position of princess of the night and takes her duties seriously. I will go to Canterlot and speak with Luna.”

She left the castle and flew off towards Canterlot leaving the others behind.

Applejack was the first to break the silence “what do yall think is going on?”

Rarity said “I don’t know could the projection be wrong?”

Synora said “no I was there I saw her in a dungeon wearing some sort of collar”

Zackmar asked “what sort of color?” Synora said “it was silver with blinking lights.”

Zackmar said “that’s a flight restraint collar it’s used on flying beings to prevent them from escaping.”

Rainbow said “we have to rescue her” the others nodded.

Zackmar said “we will Ventor will be here soon and he will take us to Pontus is ship has a cloaking device. Also we will need Twilight in case something goes wrong."

Fluttershy said “what do you mean?”

Zackmar said “in the event something goes wrong you can use the elements of harmony.”

Just then a beeping was heard Zackmar pulled out his communicator and said “Zackmar here.”

A voice replied “this is Ventor I am in orbit.”

Zackmar said “lock on to this signal.”

The voice replied “acknowledged.”

A short time later the 8 went outside the castle and soon a ship came into view. It looked like a giant winged reptile as the ship landed the front of the castle. The ship landed and the front opened and a ramp descended and a being descended down the ramp. It was a bipedal reptilian it looked to be male in build and stature he extended his arm to Zackmar.

The ponies noticed he had only 3 fingers where as Zackmar and Synora had 5. As they shook hands Ventor said “its good to see you again”

Zackmar said “it’s good to see you too. He introduced Ventor to his new friends and mentioned their leader was looking into something and would return soon.

At the same time in Canterlot Twilight is talking to Celestia about Luna Celestia said “Twilight Luna is younger than I am and e more emotionally fragile. She has requested some time away from her royal duties.”

Twilight noticed there was something about the way she was acting. Placing the thought in the back of her mind and not wanting to arouse any suspicion she asked “I would like to speak with Luna, see if there is anything I can do to help her.”

Celestia said “of course she is in her bedroom chambers.”

Twilight walked down the halls and soon came to Luna’s bedroom she knocked on the door

A voice from inside said “come in.”

She entered the room and noticed all the references to nighttime were taken down. Twilight said “redecorating?”

Luna nodded “yes the décor is getting stale I want to try something different.”

Twilight said “I came by to see if there is anything I can do to help you with.”

Luna shook her head “no I’m fine.”

Twilight decided to test her theory about Luna she smiled and said “sometimes I love to make a wish during a moonrise and hope the mare in the moon hears me and will grant it.”

Luna said “oh?

Twilight continued “yes ponies have been wishing on moonrises for the last 1,000 years.”

Luna said “does the mare in the moon grant them?”

Twilight said “sometimes.”

Luna said “I will have to make a wish then.”

Twilight smiled and said “if there is nothing else I will leave you to your redecorating.”

Luna nodded as Twilight left once in the hallway she began to shake nervously.

She composed herself and went to Celestia and said “Luna will be fine I need to return to my castle.”

Celestia nodded as Twilight took to the sky and flew towards her castle. As she along she replayed the events in her mind she also wonder if any pony or any one would believe her. When she arrived at her castle she landed outside she saw a ship outside and wondered if there was another visitor.

As she entered the throne room Fluttershy said “welcome home Twilight how was Canterlot?”

Twilight sat on her throne and said “what I’m about to say in not to go beyond these walls. I want you all to Pinkie promise you will not repeat what I am going to tell you.”

The 5 ponies and dragon all said in unison “cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye.”

As they did the motions Synora and Ventor looked at each other Zackmar smiled.

Synora asked “what was that?”

Zackmar said “she’s swearing them to secrecy.”

She and Ventor nodded in understanding. Twilight told them what happened in Canterlot and what she said to Luna and her response. They were all stunned.

Then Rainbow said “woah woah woah are you saying someone in impersonating Princess Luna?” Twilight nodded

Applejack said “what about Celestia?”

Twilight looked at the floor and said I’m not sure she was acting strange.”

Just then there was knock on the castle door Spike went to answer. He opened the door and a greyish mare with a blonde mane and tail stood there.

He said “hi Derpy.”

She smiled “hi Spike” she handed him a letter and said “I would love to stay but I gota go so many letters to deliver.”

Spike was confused “what’s going on?”

Derpy said “I’m not sure all I know is the princess has an important announcement.”

She turned and flew away Spike opened the letter it read citizens of Equestria come to the Canterlot courtyard this afternoon at 3:30pm there will be an important announcement.

He took the letter to the throne room ad showed it to Twilight she read it then said “this can’t be good.” Zackmar, Synora and Ventor wondered if the Pontian’s had anything to do with it.

Zackmar said “we should come and bring our invisibility belts just in case” Synora and Ventor agreed.

Twilight looked at the clock on the wall the time read 2:15.

Twilight said “we should see what Celestia has to say.”

As the ponies left the castle Zackmar, Synora and Ventor followed the ponies into the train station. As train for Canterlot departed discussions on what the speech could be ranged from casual to absurd. When the train arrived Synora, Zackmar and Ventor put on their belts and joined the others in the courtyard.

A royal guard said “welcome citizens of Equestria it is my pleasure to present Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

The 2 royal alicorns walked out onto the balcony. They stepped forward overlooking the crowd of ponies. Twilight and the others watched as the royal pony sisters stepped forward. Their wings were not splayed out Twilight thought this was a little strange. The princesses always spread their wings when addressing the citizens.

The crowds quieted down as Celestia began to speak “citizens of Equestria it seems we have a bit of a crisis in our fair land. A small group of beings from other worlds have come here to undermine our way of life.” Murmurs could be heard through the crowd Celestia continued “there are some who wish to assist us and help us to grow in ways we can only dream of. That is why my sister and I have signed a treaty with a race known as the Pontian alliance. They will protect us from the monsters that attacked Canterlot, Ponyville and the Crystal Empire.”

As she went on about the importance of the treaty and how it would keep Equestria safe. The 6 ponies stood there in total astonishment and disbelief. Rarity noticed that Luna was smiling slightly and pointed it out to the others. They all noticed the same wicked grin looking at each other after the speech was finished they returned to Ponyville. On the train Zackmar, Synora and Ventor deactivated their belts and looked around the mood was somber.

When they returned to the castle they discussed what they saw. Rainbow was the first to speak “I can’t believe they just signed a treaty with the very ones who attacked them.”

Applejack said “I know it’s a bit strange but do ya think she’s planning somethn’?”

Fluttershy said “yes it’s not like Celestia to just do that she seemed out of touch”

Rarity said “what do you mean darling?”

Fluttershy continued “she seemed to be distant almost as if she was being controlled somehow.”

Pinkie said “that’s silly no one can control a mind.”

Twilight said “I agree with Fluttershy I’ve known Celestia a long time. It’s a tradition for them to unfurl their wings when she and Luna address the citizens I did not see any magic being used.”

Ventor said “I may have an explanation your right it’s not mind control your leader is in a hypnotic trance. There is a device I’ve heard of a theta wave generator. It is placed on a subject and it places them in a semi conscience state. Theta waves are produced by living beings during sleep almost it’s like a hypnotic state and in this state they are very susceptible to suggestion. It is very small only 2 cm long and 1 cm wide.”

Applejack asked “what do we do now?”

Twilight said “we should go to the Crystal Empire and warn Cadence and Shining Armor.”

They all agreed and left for the train station then they boarded a train to the Crystal Empire. During the ride Zackmar sat and stared out the window .

Synora sat down in the seat across from him looked out the window and said “the scenery of this planet is beautiful.”

Zackmar snapped out of his daze and said “yes it is this planet would be a wonderful tourist or vacation destination.”

They watched as the green grasslands transitioned to snow. A conductor said “next stop Crystal Empire.”

The train came to a stop and the 6 ponies one dragon and 3 visitors disembarked. Zackmar smiled at the beauty it seemed only yesterday he was here fighting a monster Ventor and Synora marveled and the beauty of the crystals and how it made everything glisten. They soon came up to a huge crystal statue of a dragon holding a heart. A plaque at the base read this statue is dedicated to the great and honorable hero who saved the Crystal Empire Spike the brave and glorious. Synora and Ventor marveled for a moment before catching up to the group.

Ventor asked “what was that stature?”

Zackmar said “remember that baby dragon you met? From what I understand he saved this empire from an evil unicorn king by bringing a crystal heart relic to the crystal princess but Spike can tell the story better than I can.”

As the approached the crystal castle came into view it was spire shaped with white glistening crystals the foundation was 3 arches. As they entered the castle they soon came to the throne room. On the throne sat a pink alicorn mare with a lavender, red and yellow mane she stood up and approached the group. Zackmar Synora and Ventor watched as Twilight went up to her and they performed what could only be described as a secret greeting. They were unsure what the rhyme was about it went by too fast to catch all of it something about ladybugs clapping and doing a shake. They giggled as the end of the greeting as Twilight introduced the 3 new friends to Cadence and Shining Armor. They bowed in reverence to Cadence and Shining as Twilight told them about the events that took place in Canterlot and about both Celestia and Luna’s odd behavior.

Cadence said “this is not good what are you going to do?”

Twilight said “we have a lead on where Luna might be we are going to investigate find and bring her back.”