Wild Moon

Chapter 6

Fanning a flame

Umbral spent a stretch of their journey not only explaining his interest in the brothers, but once he saw that the skittish Sandstone was finally comfortable, explained who he truly was. Dustmite's reaction surprised the alicorn - the already excitable colt launched into a frenzy of fresh ideas and thoughts, answering every patient question with a flurry of information and insights. Sandstone, however, grew quieter, perhaps worried that "little brother" would only incense the royalty they traveled along.

Despite the chatter, Umbral continued pondering his dilemma. These two colts would be invaluable as their worldly ways would be helpful in traveling the world to seek anyone else to his cause. His associates, worldly in their own ways, might not fulfill what he would need. Night Ash, while independent, would be too vulnerable; his two pegasi could cover a lot of ground, but neither had the "Pony skills" to formally recruit someone. Besides, he wasn't sure he could trust either of them. Another thought - would Slurry even BE there when he returned? Perhaps Night Ash could talk to her.

"So ya got these huge plans, sir? What can we do to help ya? Steal secrets? Kidnap ponies? draw ugly pictures on the walls? We'll do whatever ya need, really! Anything at all!"

Umbral glanced to the older brother, who didn't answer. "I would hope you both would be more interested in something a little less intrusive, actually."

"Awww...."Dustmite groused.

Sandstone began with a great deal of hesitation, "but how you talk - like you'd overthrow Princess Celestia? Why would you do that?"

"Perhaps a better example," Lapis offered. "What would you do if somepony took your little brother away from you? What would you do if given the chance to face that tormentor?"

Sandstone hesitated in their walk, glancing about. The other two stopped simply to watch.

"I don't think anypony could get little brother away from me, sir. But if somepony tried...."

Sandstone walked a slow circle til he spotted a small rock outcropping. His expression surprisingly steeled, and he locked his gaze with Lapis' as one hard buck shattered the rocks.

"Nopony hurts Dustmite," he said simply. "Little brother is safe with me."

Umbral responded with an approving smile. Sandstone visibly relaxed before rejoining them.

"See? We're a team!! We can do anything together! You want Princess Celestia overthrown? We're your ponies!"

"I expect no less, Dustmite. However, you will HAVE to trust me with any order I give you."

"Why wouldn't I?"

Sandstone had a guess to the next statement.

"If I asked that your duties separate you, would you do so?"

Sandstone didn't answer immediately.

"As long as we get back together in the end and it pays well!" Dustmite replied without hesitation.

"I hear a lot of 'if's in that statement. Perhaps you're not as dedicated as I need."

"You're asking to break up the team! You're taking away my ace in the hole!"

"I'd rather work with my brother, sir," Sandstone mumbled.

"You are brothers whose bond could never be broken - not by other ponies, not by distance, and certainly not by anything between the two of you. That I truly admire, as I have told you my troubles.

"I have others who are interested in my cause," Umbral brought the conversation back to the original subject. "Others who have faced hardships alone, are away from families, ones willing to sacrifice for the future of Equestria. I'm sure you two would also like to be a part of history."

"Sir," Sandstone interrupted gingerly, "If you overthrew Celestia... would you be taking over her duties?"

"I think I would be more than competent. And I never said I would do so alone."

Sandstone half-nodded, lost in the thoughts and possibilites. Umbral surmised that more convincing would be needed.

"Sandstone, as a stallion so strong, why is your resolve so weak?"

"Huh?"

"Is that a tremble in your voice? Why would someone who surely earned his mark with his tremendous strength act like it came from looking solid but crumbling under someone else's hooves?"

Dustmite objected with a hoof to Umbral. "Leave him alone!"

The black alicorn raised his struck hoof and planted it firmly on Dustmite's back. "I believe I was asking your brother a question."

"Ow ow ow ow! Sandstone doesn't have to answer a question like that!!"

Lapis opened his mouth to respond but was bucked away from Dustmite.

"Nopony.... hurts.... Dustmite." Sandstone repeated as he stood over his scrabbling little brother.

"Whatcha do that for?" Dustmite hissed. "you're gonna cost us work."

Umbral regained his footing and shook dirt out of his mane and wings. "I am unharmed, Dustmite."

The little one galloped to Umbral. "Boss, I'm sorry, he's like that when it comes t' me."

"I would hope that I would have such a strong stallion as a guard captain," Umbral replied mostly to Sandstone.

"Guard.... captain?" Sandstone incredulously pondered.

"Your presence, your strength, and with time, some resolve, I can see you leadning a contingent. Would that be an acceptable duty?"

Sandstone knelt before Umbral. "'m sorry."

"An apology I only accept if that power you weild defends me. As Guard Captain you will defend me as though I were your brother."

Dustmite felt left out of the conversation, and for once was speechless. He marveled at how that simple request got his big brother to pull himself to his full height and meet his new superior eye to eye. The gray zebra stallion's violet eyes held steady to umbral's midnight-blue gaze.

"yes, sir," came the steady reply.

Umbral nodded his approval.

"Oi, what about me????" Dustmite demanded.

"you, small one, are more befitting as a scout and a spy. Will that do?"

"Coooooooooooooooooooooooooool......"

Umbral noted that Dustmite's exclamation not only came from the opportunity, but from a shimmer of lights ahead.

"Manehatten," Sandstone breathed.

"We could rest there for a day - you got bits for a good stable, boss? We can rest up and get some awesome food...."

Umbral really wasn't listening. He hated the larger settlements like Manehatten and Fillydelphia, where all their lanterns and enterprise took away the visual impact of Luna's nightly tapestry. While he appreciated that Manehatten was a city that boasted it never slept, it rarely looked to the natural lights brought on by Luna's prison or all the stars that surrounded it. He sighed; They had been traveling through most of the night and there was still another day's journey to his fortress, especially if they had to skirt the city. Umbral himself had taken a shortcut over the enormous lake to get to the abandoned castle, and with his new charges unable to fly there would be even greater delays to getting home.

He glanced back to his two charges. "Do you require rest? I apparently have not been traveling as far or as wide as you."

Sandstone didn't respond verbally; his short purple mane drooped a bit, as did his shimmering purple eyes. Dustmite looked back and forth, not wanting to look weak before his new honcho but his view glanced up to Umbral, tacitly backing his older brother's fatigue. With a slow nod, Lapis steered toward the lights. "I make a single request of both of you," he said as his horn flickered, "my true name or nature is not to be spoken within the confines of the city. My mission is not public, and your employment is not, either. We are merely passing though."

The two stallions agreed. "Thank you. On to this.... 'Manehatten'."

The sun was already up by the time the trio had entered Manehatten proper, Dustmite skittering just a bit ahead of Lapis and Sandstone. Lapis was looking forward to a room - not for rest, just to get away from the noise of this "city"! So many ponies living close together, yet they talked louder, angrier. Words were the weapons of these ponies, as were many disapproving stares to the two zebras and the strange mottled unicorn walking with them. Umbral heard their disgusted whispers at the strangers in town, and had trouble ignoring some of the running commentary of others who did not make their words secret. Dustmite responded in kind, but Sandstone's head only continued to lower. It made the disguised alicorn very uncomfortable, and frustrated that he could not exercise any Royal Privilege over these arrogant foals. He contemplated dropping a horrendous thunderstorm on the city, but again reined himself back in at the possibility of his magic being "felt" elsewhere.

Umbral would periodically be distracted by Dustmite's antics as he bounded ahead. The smaller one apparently already understood how the city "works" - he kept the other ponies clear of his brother and his new boss, usually with harsh words or an occasionally well-placed hoof. Lapis also noted that the little one's physicality was its own reward- something would be knocked loose during the interactions, usually an item of value or some bits from a damaged saddlebag. Dustmite would then quickly scuff the items out of the main thoroughfare of the sidewalk and gather them for his own small saddlebags. He then would trot proudly back to Lapis and Sandstone, the former watching in fascination while the latter simply acknowledging his prowess. The funds were pooled to cover a room at the Walledhoof Astablea in downtown Manehatten, giving the three plenty of room to rest and recharge.

Umbral was thankful for the room - spacious and well-appointed, much like a room in Canterlot castle. Servants could be contacted to bring food or sundries, and the beds and cushions were soft and properly prepared. Most importantly for the alicorn, it was private - and much quieter than the din he walked through all morning. While the two zebras slept, Umbral paced in his room, still pondering his main project - the Star Compass. While he did not have his notes, he had access to paper and a quill (provided by the hotel) so he began detailing his thoughts. The Compass itself was more of a magical construct, but would need the guidance of four ponies. He recited their duties to himself, almost as the notes were an incantation in their own right:

"Star of North is the Lantern, one who guides the way;
Stars of East and West as Shields blocking out the coming day;
And the Star of south the Weapon to keep the others at bay."

He re-read the note multiple times, already aware of his role as the Lantern. He had deliberately chose his location for the concentrations of darker materials such as hematite, Obsidian and onyx. He had access to nearby volcanoes for standard forging; That reminded him to construct and enchant a proper frostforge to meld new cold iron barding for himself. He just needed more resources - more iron and silver needed gathering for weaponry and armor. He jotted those notes down as well, shaking his head as his "to-do" list continued to lengthen.

Umbral pulled the curtains closed to his window. He considered rest but his mind continued to cascade questions and ideas. He had less than a year until the Millenial Summer Sun celebration and so much had be in place as yet. He still needed to gather materials for armor and weaponry, as well as complete all the forging. He had rituals to research and activate the purpose of the Star Compass. He had many spells to cast on the arsenal once it was forged, as well as some enchantments to be granted to his new charges. All this to be completed in the coming months, and somehow achieving all of it out of the watchful eyes of Celestia or any of her complement. With luck and proper persuasion, his new charges may be able to speed up some of the processes. Satisfied, He ended his list with 'perpetual storms over Manehatten" before settling down for a nap of his own.

Though his eyes closed to the world, his mind continued to swirl - first with the checklist, then into a vision... or a dream....?

He was standing in the Grand Hall of Canterlot Castle, three others with him he did not recognize. Before him stood Princess Celestia, her expression a mix of fear, surprise and anger at the sight of her long-lost brother. Her horn glimmering in the start of a spell, stopped by a clap of thunder and an explosion of dark energy, wrapping around her like a hungry serpent. Umbral loomed over his sister, glowering down and locking stares. Her gaze amused him. He chuckled. The chuckle bloomed to a guffaw, then erupted in the most triumphant of laughter, echoing in the halls and scattering what few guards chose to stay. The room glowed a mystical blue as Umbral reared in delight, magic erupting and shattering all the stained-glass windows, arcing to the heavens and erecting a path of moonlight for his incarcerated sister to return home.... Celestia's eyes slowly closing in defeat as the laughter was doubled by Nightmare Moon at his side, echoing the joy of her freedom and her final steps toward the throne. The two alicorns stepped over their fallen sister, eager to take their seats and lock the moon in place until all bowed before them.....

"Master Lapis?"

The alicorn remained lost in his dream. "Kneel and address me, peasant."

"Master Lapis," Sandstone repeated. "we've been asked to evacuate the hotel."

Umbral did not understand the order. "This is our castle, Captain. Who dares tell us to evacuate?"

"The Manehatten Fire department, sir."

Umbral snapped awake, disoriented. "What? Where??" His wide-eyed gaze fell on Sandstone. "Evacuate..." he repeated as though hearing the word for the first time.

"There was a fire in the basement," Sandstone explained. "Dustmite said he would catch up with us but we have to leave."

Umbral stood and shook out his mane and wings. "Very well," he grumbled.

At street level of the Astablea, the typical city noise had escalated with the scrambling of Palaminos trying to get water into the lower basement levels of the lavish hotel. Disgruntled guests had to be continuously corralled to the other side of the street while they watched, protesting that they had been disturbed from whatever activities for the sake of their lives being saved in case the fire did manage to creep to the main floors. Thankfully the blaze would be contained; Manhatten's fire marshall Yellow Scorch was exploring the perimeter, trying to determine the source of the fire.

He already had a guess it was deliberately set, but needed more proof. Standing by one of the broken windows, his horn flickered as it detected the heat inside the basement, but the area hadn't cooled off enough for him to pinpoint the source. He continued to concentrate to search for anyone who might be trapped down there, but the interference continued to cloud his efforts.

A perfect distraction as a colt skittered behind him and down the stairs.

Dustmite would have bet his weight in bits the fire wasn't an accident - not enough of the right stuff down there to start one. He snuck about the storage areas, noting how everything was soaked through from the deluge. He heard some of the firefighters still exploring and checking out hot spots, so he tread carefully. At worst, he could fake that he was poking around before the fire started and couldn't get out.....

His thoughts stopped abruptly as another pony's leg swept in front of him and dragged him behind a burlap curtain. He didn't get a second to protest as another hoof planted firmly over his mouth. "shhhhh...."

Dustmite blinked a couple of times before a twinge of light came from a unicorn's horn. Dustmite couldn't protest any further at his captor- probably the second tallest unicorn he'd ever seen, second only to his new employer. Her silver eyes flicked about in panic as the voices closed in on their position, her red and gold mane unkempt and cascading down her back like a fiery waterfall. She was also soaked from the firefighters' work but she had somehow made sure she wasn't seen. Her worried glance down to the little one asked him a dozen questions at once, which could only be replied by similar sidelong glances. They could only huddle and wait, hoping the crew would miss them entirely.

Orders shouted from the top of the stairs negated their immediate escape. Dustmite wasn't sure he could sneak this unicorn past the crews and possibly back into the hotel. He needed a plan, and fast.... he wished he could contact Sandstone or "Boss" so that he could get their help to get her out....

Umbral and Sandstone stood across the street from the hotel, Sandstone looking worried and Umbral angry. He didn't mind being disturbed as much as being ordered around - staff telling him (albeit politely) to leave the building and stand in a specific place until they choose to let him back in. He'd purposely dallied in packing because he had no intention to return; he would like to get back on the road but had no idea where Dustmite ran off to. He could no longer afford to waste time watching what looked like nothing happening.

"Where is your brother?" Lapis curtly asked Sandstone.

"Dunno, but he'll find us," came the quiet reply.

"This is costing us travel time," the disguised alicorn groused.

Sandstone shuffled his hooves uncomfortably. "He'll find us," Sandstone repeated.

"I will find him faster," Lapis determined as he whipped his head toward Sandstone's, striking him with the flat of his horn.

"Ow~!" Sandstone stumbled back, thankful it wasn't the point of his horn that landed. He shook his head clear and marched up to his employer, violet eyes stern. "How's that gonna help me find him?"

"Appreciate your new gift," Umbral replied evenly. "Think of your brother, and maybe we can continue our journey instead of dallying here."

Sandstone blinked a few times, trying to comprehend the order. "Well?" Umbral asked sharply. "Think of your brother. Think TO your brother, if it helps."

Sandstone glanced back at the hotel, mind spinning a bit. Think "to" his brother? He stared at the structure, wondering if Dustmite was still in there.

"You're brothers, are you not??" Umbral continued. "See if that bond you bragged about earlier is a true one."

Sandstone closed his eyes this time, letting his thoughts settle.

~~Dustmite~~

The word carefully formed in his head.

Dustmite suddenly whipped his head around, his short gray mane flapping. His companion tried to make him sit still but he shushed her first. "My brother's nearby," he whispered.

"your... brother?" came her gentle query.

"He can get us out of here," he replied with quiet effort. He heard his name again; and it was so close....

~~Dustmite,~~ came the third inquiry, ~~I think I'm in your head~~

"my HEAD~!?!" Dustmite protested. The unicorn's eyes widened in panic as other ears picked up his statement.

~~come outside, boss is ready to leave~~

"I can't leave!" Dustmite replied out loud. The other voices were closing.

The unicorn couldn't silence her small companion, so she chose to act. Flinging the burlap curtain aside, she faced several of the Palomino team, who stopped in their tracks at her sight. She cast once with her horn, and a brilliant flash blinded the crew long enough for her to gallop up the stairs and back outside, nearly trampling Yellow Scorch in the process. The fire marshall protested but couldn't stop her as she bounded across the street in a panic. Guests scattered at the sight of the wild-maned mare, both from her speed and the sight of a mottled red and gold unicorn with a zebra on her back.

"Wait~! Whoa~!! Stop~!!" Dustmite pleaded. "SANDSTONE HELP ME STOP THIS CRAZY PONY!"

Sandstone and Lapis galloped after them, followed by half the Manehatten fire department.

Yellow scorch, meanwhile, got back to his hooves and stomped over to one of the guards that had been maintaining the crowd control. "Did you see that??" He demanded.

"Yeah," the guard replied casually, "looked like a unicorn with a zebra on her back. Some sight, huh? She had nice legs and a nice--"

"Bucking horseapples," Scorch snorted. "I'll have to report this, too...."

Sandstone and Lapis tried to chase Dustmite and the other unicorn down; Lapis was gaining with each stride, but Sandstone wasn't really built for endurance running. The disguised alicorn sensed this and realized his next step would leave him no choice.

He had to get them out of the city - and the sooner the better. He wanted to keep his low profile but if they were caught who knows what would be discovered. His horn shimmered to life, gathering Sandstone and trapping the other unicorn with Dustmite in tow. Maintaining his concentration despite the load of three ponies in his telekinetic grasp, he hoped he wouldn't be sensed for his next act.....

He heard the Fire department palominos gaining, Sandstone still frantically catching his breath. He could see the unicorn ahead of her starting to panic that she wasn't in control of her movements. He couldn't wait another moment - and teleported away.

The crowd chasing them all skidded to a stop, shocked at how much magic that would have taken to send four ponies away that quickly - and while in stride. That alone would have to go back to their boss.

The four of them materialized at the base of his fortress, where they all collapsed in relief. Umbral cursed himself for teleporting so far; that, the exertion from running, and the collective worry of the group left them all drained. He struggled back to his feet and quickly glanced about. Thankful for his isolation, he turned to the newcomer who still had not risen to all four hooves.

The unicorn mare was a marbled mess of reds and golds, her mane a cloud covering her entire face for the moment. While she caught her breath, his gaze drifted to her flank, noting a deep red star emblazoned there. He pondered.... a star? a sun? He took a step back, head clouding a moment. A memory of his sister Celestia flickered through his mind. He angrily dismissed the thought as the mare gazed up to him, her eyes crystalline but the color of purest silver. "Where...." she tried to ask, but her expression froze under the same mezmerized surprise of her captor.

Umbral was completely unprepared for his own reaction - his frozen heart cracked under her fascinations, his breath lost as if he had run another dozen miles. The silver orbs had captured him, and he unable to resist. Slowly and deliberately he knelt to her, their horns touching gently. "Milady, you are safe," he managed, nervous as a new guard before the ruling Family.

She relaxed, returning the gesture. "I had feared for my life in that noisy place," she whispered. "I was lost there, and so cold...."

"Never again," he replied. "You will be safe here, with us."

"Us?" she blinked, the moment sadly lost. Sandstone and Dustmite were watching nearby, Sandstone smiling dreamily while Dustmite made disgusted faces. She brightened and quickly stood, nearly impaling Lapis with her horn. "So you are together, then?" her expression softened as she spotted the dark blue colt. "You were the one with a voice in your mind, scaring us out of the building," She glanced back at Lapis. "Friends of yours, then?"

"Allies," LApis blurted out. "I'm gathering allies for a very important event. I would hope you would join us..."

She wheeled back in his direction. "You saved me from that awful city, it would be my honor." She knelt before Lapis. "I am Desert Sun, a mage of fire and light."

His horn once again crossed hers. "No, Desert Sun... do not kneel before me."

"You're an alicorn, like Celestia, so you must be royalty."

Lapis' wings flopped from his shoulders in bewilderment. He had dropped his disguise in front of her? Embarrassed, he quickly re-folded them. "Ahem... I am. I will explain everything once we're inside. How much can you levitate with your horn? I fear I'm still worn from the journey."

Back in Manehatten, Yellow Scorch was hastily writing up several reports - about the fire, about the trespassers, about the fugitives. One of the Manehatten guard captains had arrived for his copies of the investigations, only making the marshall more disgruntled. "Whoever they were, they were fast, and the black unicorn had some strong magic," he explained as his horn continued to drive the quill across the paper. "I've not seen the like of any of them. We're not detectives, so I think this would be more your jurisdiction."

The guard captain nodded as the scroll was "handed" to him. "If there's a way to get an update on this I'd like to hear it," Scorch continued. "but magic on that level is extremely rare in Manehatten."

The guardcaptain agreed as he put the scroll in his saddlebag. "We'll do our best. The descriptions aren't very clear, but you said two of them were zebras? And the other two were-"

"Mottled. The old term for it is 'piebald'. But the male unicorn was mostly black."

"Cutie marks?"

""Nopony could make out the zebras' marks," Scorch recalled. "they said the mare had a star or sun or something like for her, and moons on the stallion. It's all in the report."

With a nod the guardcaptain trotted crisply out of the office.

Chapter 7

The Gathering Storm

Lapis awoke the next day to his fortress - and the entire valley - encased in thick fog. "Hatchet and Slurry have been busy," he mused as a rumble of thunder answered him. The smile broadened; this bit of "Security" would continue to shield them from detection while he continued to put his plans into motion.

Desert Sun was already awake and studying with Night Ash; the two had become friends almost immediately, discussing magic and their travels. Slurry, when she was inside the fortress, would occasionally listen in, but kept to herself otherwise. She still had not left, and her flight speed was increasing by the day. The brothers had been exploring the facility every day, pestering Lapis with questions. Today, he decided, he would answer everything.

"GATHER TO ME, ALL WHO RESIDE HERE!" he thundered in the Royal Voice. "TODAY THE FUTURE BEGINS!"

Within minutes, the seven of them met up in the Librem Noctem, each curious to their new employer's grand announcement. Each stood at attention save Hatchet, who hovered behind the rest. All focused on the black alicorn before them.

"I have asked you all to work with me, perhaps too cryptically, about a very important project regarding my family," the alicorn began. "Many of you are aware of the legends of the Mare in the Moon, and of her banishment. What some of you do NOT know is that the entire story is no longer told.

"Your 'gracious' Princess Celestia hides so many things from the population, claiming that it would disrupt the Harmony she so strongly values. I feel otherwise; these legends deify her and disregard the truth. The Princess has not lied to anypony, of course, but she does not tell the entire tale. Indeed, the Elements of Harmony had the power to banish another alicorn to the moon, but Celestia did not do so alone. Nor did Nightmare Moon- Princess Luna - fight alone.

"I ask of you all a great deal - as we will soon celebrate the millenial Summer Sun Celebration, the day that the Mare in the Moon can come home. This legend, lost among the scrolls and books of the Canterlot library, reads of the day when the Stars aid in her escape. You are part of this prophecy - you are instruments of change and restoration to a Balance that Equestria truly needs.

"You will be soldiers and sorceresses that will prepare for this day! With your aid, we will have arms and armor for others who join our cause! With your aid, we will guide Princess Luna home and back to her rightful place!"

He paced slowly before them, gauging their reactions. "From here, I expect you to remain at my side with new duties once we have achieved this goal. There will be no turning back, no turning away. If you do not feel you are suited for this mission, I will not stop you from leaving. I merely request that should you leave, please speak to me first."

Facing them, he lowered his head. "Despite my heritage, I know this is a feat I cannot accomplish alone. Again, you have the choice to stay or go, but this will be the only time I offer this."

The other six murmured amongst themselves, looking to each other. Lapis waited quietly, fearing they would all walk away despite his generosities.

He was shocked when Slurry spoke first. "I will stay," she said simply.

"I have learned much under you, milord," Night Ash beamed, "I have no reason to leave."

"Your hospitality and knowledge are payment enough," Desert Sun added. "I will not leave your side."

"We're in," Dustmite answered for himself and his brother. Sandstone nodded but didn't speak.

"I ain't goin nowhere," Hatchet added with a devious grin. "Best gig I ever had!"

Relieved, Lapis continued. "Very well. I reward loyalty such as this. Slurry, since you spoke first...."

"I don't require anything," she interrupted.

"As you wish... but should you think of something, do not hesitate to ask. You have my gratitude for the splendid weather you and Hatchet brought to the valley."

Slurry nodded. Satisfied, Lapis turned to Night Ash next. "I hope you understand my need for keeping my 'true nature' away from you until recently."

"I understand," she replied, "but I hope that you're not hiding anything else from one who cannot see."

"I cannot open your eyes," Lapis admitted, "but I can make the world a little clearer to your remaining senses." He stepped up to her and touched horns briefly. She shivered, then gasped as the room fell into place for her senses to understand.

She could smell the age of the books and scrolls. She could "hear" where the hallway began and where the furniture stood. Her hooves told her about the ground beneath her feet, and she felt how close her compatriots stood near her. Her head snapped forward, and now the "Shape" of her new master hovered before her. She sunk down to the floor, overwhelmed by what her senses told her of what was around her. She had no words for Lapis, merely a tear of gratitude that caught what little light remained in the room.

"No tears," Lapis reminded her. "you have proven a strong student, and you miss so much when you cannot see the world as we do. This is as close as I can give you."

She still could not respond, but her expression brightened as she stood again and walked around the room. Desert Sun's expression was equally joyous as she watched her new friend explore.

"Me next!" Hatchet demanded, landing between Lapis and the others.

"Is that a demand?" Lapis asked, somewhat amused and annoyed.

"I got your digs in the fog and put up storms that no pegasus would try to fly through, that should be worth somethin."

"Indeed. But your work is by no means done. Does your mark also suggest you know weapons forging?"

Hatchet's wings snapped open, showing off the steel wingblades mounted there. "You noticed? Made em myself."

Lapis levitated a wrapped bundle to Hatchet. "Can your skills match these? And may I ask your abilities with armor?"

Hatchet let the package rest on the floor so he could peel the wrappings back himself. His blood-red eyes locked on the gift- silvered wing-blades, serrated with cold iron. The outside edges were segmented in several places, ensuring his full range of motion when flying while wearing the weapons. "These.... these are SICK! These could cut a unicorn's horn in one pass! These'll cut through everything but gemstones and plate!"

"These will cut through any threat you face, soldier," Lapis finished for him. "Are they 'sick' enough for you?"

Hatchet's grin only bent more sinister. "Oh yeah, I could really hurt somepony with these....and you want weapons and armor like this?? Yeah, you got facilities and the stuff for it, I'll make whatever ya need."

"I presume 'sick' is a good thing?" Lapis queried.

"It's a City term," Dustmite chimed in. "It's a REALLY good thing."

"Which reminds me, I needed to finish something from our misadventure in Manehatten." Lapis walked around Hatchet and tapped Dustmite once with his horn. "I had gifted Sandstone with an ability known only as Voice of the Mind. Now you two can communicate no matter the distance. In your minds, the voice is as clear as though you stood side by side. Now those words no longer need to be spoken."

Dustmite glanced up at Sandstone. "So that's how I heard you....."

Sandstone nodded. "Master Lapis gave me the same. Just a little harder, though."

"to get through the rocks in yer head!" Dustmite joked.

Sandstone then locked eyes with his brother. ~~The rocks in my head still work~~

Dustmite grinned. ~~And they echo, too!~~

The others watched as the two earth zebras got lost in their own conversation. Lapis called attention next to Desert Sun. "Your dedication to me and my cause is a great gift. Reciprocation is indeed in order."

He took a step toward her and touched horns. "Your fire will need to glow bright in the forges to create what we will need. We will need coal for these fires, and heat to mold the metals we will bring here."

Her eyes closed as she felt a warming sensation slide down from her horn to her shoulders and down her back. She did not speak, simply taking in the gift before meeting eyes with Lapis again. "You are most generous," she whispered.

"I would hope that my gifts are welcome to all of you. To that, all these gifts will be useful in the next part of our mission." He turned to the brothers. "Dustmite, you will pack saddlebags for a trip to Canterlot."

"CANTERLOT!!?" the little one boggled. "They won't take earth ponies there - much less a zebra!"

"Your alibi will be sound. Slurry will take you to a small train station where you will be boarding for a research trip to the Canterlot Archives. Your report is on Alicorn history, and you need to research things at the source."

"Princess Celestia can read minds too, ya know!! She'll figure me out for what I'm doing..."

"Simply do not interact with her. That part will be simple, as she will likely be occupied with many other duties. Keep your ears peeled for anything related to the name 'Luna' but keep your queries vague. I will be able to 'hear' you while you are there, but we must keep our interactions to a minimum."

"Yessir. What about Sandstone?"

"He and Hatchet will remain here for mining duties. Night Ash and Desert Sun will take turns with research and refinement of what is brought back from the mines. Slurry, would you be able to assist in moving the materials from the mining areas back into the fortress once you've dropped Dustmite off?"

She nodded. "Did you need me to help with the mining?"

"I will likely be keeping you busy moving materials and maintaining the fog/storm over this area. The rumble of thunder will hide the din of our activity."

"Understood."

"Now, everypony," Lapis proclaimed with the faintest of smiles, "We begin our task to restore balance to Equestria. Savor this moment, remember this day - remember it for as long as you live. I shall not forget it."

Canterlot castle was not only a place for royalty; in recent years, Princess Celestia opened a school for talented unicorns to train in magic, as well as an academy for all types of ponies for militia training. She prided herself in her many students, tracing back over a century to the likes of StarSwirl the Bearded. Her students would learn to maximize their talents and then choose to take their abilities to other cities, or are welcomed to remain in Canterlot proper to train the next generation. She had so many hopefuls in her current class...

She hesitated that particular morning to an empty desk. "Has anyone seen Morning Star?" she inquired to the class.

The others all looked to each other, having no answer. This wasn't the first time Morning Star had not shown up for classes, or arrived late. No excuses were ever offered; the white unicorn would trot quietly to her seat in the back of the classroom and appear bored. Celestia wondered what troubled the filly so much; her eyes wandered about the class, to the many other unicorns who had been brought in....

She had seen similar behavior in Aurora, who absently drew pictures on her scroll during most lessons. Aurora was a little more outspoken to her troubles, claiming that Celestia had shifted her focus too much on others, but even in her young arrogance refused to name names. Celestia had her own suspicions on this, but kept them to herself.

Her gaze softened only slightly to Twilight Sparkle, who was continuing to eagerly flip through yet another book from the library. Celestia had almost given up on trying to take books from the purple unicorn; she was still insatiable for knowledge and would send her "assistant" - baby dragon Spike - to get her another book the moment she finished. Perhaps Twilight was the one causing such negative reactions, but dampening enthusiasm is not part of Celestia's curriculum. She can only teach, and hope that others are willing to learn.

Her thoughts interrupted once more as a white unicorn took her seat. She didn't even look to the front of the classroom; instead, she had brought her own scrolls to read without taking notes as the lesson began. Celestia wanted to speak to Morning Star and Aurora before their interest in school completely waned. It would have to wait until after today's lesson.

Elsewhere in the castle could be heard the rigors of practiced combat. Celestia's guard complement was by no means a decorative group; under the trainings of Gallant Lionheart (Unicorn battalion), Silver Bardiche (Earth pony battalion), and Thunder Arrow (Pegasus battalion), the troops functioned as a three-tiered machine with the singular goal of protecting Canterlot and its ruler. Each captain kept the rigors of combat safe (Thunder Arrow less so) as their training is mere preparation and certainly not a "live" drill. The three captains shared one enormous courtyard where hooves met flanks, horns aimed true and wings swept wide.

Despite the harmony of this militia, there were always a few dust-ups that the captains would quickly separate. Today was no different, as Thunder Arrow had to shoo two of his more eager soldiers away from one of the newcomer unicorns. Lionheart was not pleased with the hazing of the two pegasi, but only offerd a stern look to Arrow as he pushed the two others back.

Thunder Arrow had to keep a closer eye on Violet Force and Silver shimmer. The brother and sister were amazing flyers and were more than capable of handling weather systems for Canterlot Castle on their own. Sadly, the duo knew how good they were; Arrow shook his head again as he admonished them on their actions.

"We're breaking the new guy in," Violet Force smirked. "Lionheart's too gentle with the rest of his horn-heads."

"That's not your duty," Arrow replied sternly. "While you may have held higher posts in the distant past - don't think I didn't know this - you do not usurp the authority of the other captains. Do not roll your eyes at me, Silver, you two force me to repeat this speech at least once a month."

Silver shimmer simply shook out her mane and arced a wing to the unicorn faction. "And that unicorn's gonna protect Celestia? maybe some of that horn-bone could be donated to his backbone."

"I think another week of cloud-clearing will be in your future." The duo groaned. "You BOTH know better," Arrow continued. "And I can find even more mind- and wing-numbing duties for you if you're insisting on keeping this up."

The captain walked away to attend to another soldier. The brother and sister looked to each other.

"This wouldn't happen if-" Violet whispered to his sister.

Silver shimmer shushed him. "No. Not now. We'll talk tonight."