Wild Moon

Chapter 8
A scattering of ponies

Dustmite trotted quickly from the train dropping him off just outside of Canterlot. His saddlebags, dotted with logos from Night Ash's home village, looked brand new on his back and were loaded with assorted books and plenty of blank scrolls. He looked like a student, and he felt even smaller than his stature before the grandeur.

Canterlot didn't have the noise or bustle of Manehatten, but had the air of magic and affluence. Almost every building glowed in the afternoon sun, sparkling with their own energies and radiating their majesty. Any building that wasn't white was a pale shade of gold, blue or pink, and infused with that same glimmer as if all the stone had been touched with unicorn horns. Every window and door opened to the sunlight, and a faintly musical breeze wafted around the town like a curious visitor. Not a cloud in the sky, but the sun not scorching the area below - a magically perfect day in a magically complete city. Such mystique had the little zebra frozen in place for a moment as the towers towered and the buildings glistened, all reaching toward the afternoon sun. Dustmite "sent" the image back to his big brother, wishing he was standing there with him.

~~It's brighter there than I thought it would be,~~ Sandstone sent back. ~~good luck~~

Dustmite smiled to himself. His brother's voice sounded just over his shoulder even if he was a hundred miles away. Confidence restored, he followed the walkway into town and toward the Canterlot library, hoping that his errand wouldn't keep him here more than a day or two.

His demeanor dropped a little when he saw all the stares. Unicorns, mostly - many dressed in the finery afforded by Canterlot's artisans, pausing to glance at the naked and solitary colt. Many of the denizens of Canterlot had never seen a zebra before, and one so small traveling alone? They noted his saddlebags, unable to understand the logos and symbols peppering the burlap bags. From here, it seemed all curiosity ended; this colt was poor, probably a stowaway on the train, and will be shooed out of Canterlot soon enough. The locals' stares lasted moments, until their self-worth and schedules dictated that this little creature was not of their business, and something so small well past their notice.

The initial stares intimidated Dustmite, but as each unicorn walked away, his hopes rose. Could his boss have been correct? All of these unicorns, living a rich and sheltered life in a city that's known nothing but peace for a millenium, would be so self-absorbed that the sight of a zebra in their midst would keep them from batting an eye? He expected a hundred questions or at least one Royal Guard shaking him down. Maybe it was his expectations from going through Manehatten and Baltimare so many times and getting more than just stares. Here, not a word spoken to him. He caught the occasional whisper of curiousity between couples but he was otherwise left to his own devices. Reassured by his boss' correct prediction, he trotted off to the Canterlot library, thankful that the only time he might have to speak of his reasons for being in town will be to anyone there.

~~Everything ok?~~ Sandstone queried.

~~So far, so good,~~ Dustmite sent back, ~~boss was right - they're looking but they're not saying anything to me. How about your end?~~

~~Slurry just got back,~~ Sandstone explained. ~~she's hauling back stuff from the mines that Boss carved out around the tower. They got me bucking at the rocks to find stuff, and Night Ash is doin the same by blasting em with her horn. Desert Sun and Hatchet are workin with the stuff slurry sends back. Can't wait to see what we'll get for it all~~

~~Looks like boss' plan is gonna go real smooth,~~ Dustmite replied smugly.

~~just be careful, little brother - can't protect you from here~~

~~I know,~~ Dustmite resigned, ~~but this time I think I'm ok--- ack!~~

Dustmite's thoughts stopped abruptly when he spotted a Royal Guard heading his way. Trying not to panic or bolt, he walked himself around a corner and behind some decorative bushes outside another building. He hunkered down into the bushes and watched the guard pause, shake out his mane and wings, then continue his errand. The little one noted the guard had a saddlebag full of scrolls... and one had fallen from his saddlebag.

The colt trotted up to the scroll and carefully gathered it in his mouth. Tossing it quickly into his saddlebag, he decided he'd read it later.... after he got to the library for his research.

Slurry swooped down to the entrance of the mines that Sandstone and Night Ash had been excavating. She had two empty buckets slung over her shoulders, ready to be refilled with whatever the two zebras were able to rummage out of the darkness. She didn't mind the loads or the time spent; it was work, plain and simple. She appreciated Lapis' understanding and distance while she took care of business.

Her arrival was perfectly timed - two carts emerged from the mine, one brimming with iron ore and another a mix of black and gray gems. Night Ash's "Sandblasting" of areas made it easier for Sandstone to target his kicks to loosen ore and gems from their hiding places. Night Ash remained in the mines, clearing out spaces while Sandstone hauled the carts outside.

Slurry landed solidly before him, ready to have the carts pour their bounty away to be returned to the fortress. She saw that Sandstone was covered in grayish-black dust and soot from the excavations, giving his purplish-gray coat a more sinister shade. She decided not to comment as she positioned herself for Sandstone to tip the carts.

Sandstone shrugged off the cart harness and trotted to the other side of the cart. "Mind if I ask you somethin, Slurry?"

The she-pegasus blinked. "What?"

"Just wonderin.... why?"

"Why, what?" she responded with mild irritation.

"I heard you talkin the other day," Sandstone explained, "you just want a plain ol life but you're workin for an alicorn?"

"I've had enough excitement for an entire village," came her flat reply. "I've met too many unicorn 'sorcerors' who experimented on me for their amusement."

"You make it sound bad," he shrugged as he braced himself to the back of the cart to tip it up. "Little Brother and I have been all over Equestria, never run into any sorcerors."

"Those 'sorcerors' are big shots in small villages who have their towns under their hooves. Same thing happens every time - I'd go to that village looking for work, I'd be directed to the 'mayor', who'd then take one look at me and decide I'm some naiive little plaything...."

"You're not all that little," Sandstone grunted as the cart tipped, pouring chunks of iron ore into one bucket. "Did a sorceror do that to ya?"

Slurry didn't respond right away. "you look ok to me," Sandstone continued once the cart dropped back down.

"...no I don't."

"Dunno what you looked like before, don't mind how ya look now. Just sayin."

Slurry stared at the big zebra as he walked to the second cart, piled high with obsidian, onyx and hematite. His fuschia eyes looked her up and down twice before he settled into position. "Your colors remind me of Manehatten and Baltimare - solid stone buildings and sunsets off the glass windows," he mused tiredly. "An your mane's just the feathers you still got."

"Are you.... complimenting me?"

Sandstone hesitated, wondering if he'd said something wrong. "just... sayin?" he repeated nervously.

Slurry looked Sandstone up and down twice before positioning the other bucket. "You.. like these colors?"

Sandstone shrugged. "I'd trade ya, if I could."

Slurry pondered that as the second bucket filled with gems.

Dustmite finally entered the Library of Canterlot, brimming with confidence. He'd managed to avoid the Royal guards, survived all the stares, and even answered a question or two (in "zebra", per Boss' instructions) to get him to his destination.

The main doors yawned open to the cavernous space inside, displaying the enormous collection of knowledge and wisdom that a millenium of peace can gather. Books, scrolls, tapestries and statues spread through the main hall, awaiting an eager eye to listen to their tales and hear the interpretations of those attentive enough to stop. The shelves towered over all the patrons, though access simple enough for a pegasus or unicorn. But what would a tiny zebra do to reach that lofty knowledge? Dustmite unfortunately would have to ask for assistance.

The unicorn librarian was already giving him a curious eye. Dustmite took a moment to gather his rhymes before he spoke.

"Pardon, please, I've traveled long - seeking knowledge we thought long gone. Point me please with your horn to ancient tales of alicorn."

The unicorn smiled gently at the singsongly language. "Upstairs to the north wing is the knowledge you'll find - and if you can't reach, we've ladders to climb." She seemed pleased that she could "respond" in the same way. Dustmite grinned and nodded before bustling away, thankful he didn't have to think up more rhymes - or get referred to Princess Celestia!

~~I'm in,~~ Dustmite reported to his brother, ~~now to see what I can scare up for boss...~~

~~Nicely done,~~ a voice interrupted.

~~Boss?~~

Lapis had tapped into the line. ~~As I said, communications short and quick. make sure you stay low while you research, and hide when they prepare to close.~~

~~Yessir. They won't look for me?~~

~~doubtful,~~ Lapis replied, ~~they just want to continue their peaceful lives and would not be bothered.~~

Dustmite breathed some relief as he acended the northern stairwell. Hiding won't be a problem, it's all that waiting.....

"A moment, Morning Star."

The white unicorn hesitated only briefly to her teacher's request. She turned solemnly to the princess but did not respond.

Princess Celestia seated herself so she could look her student in the eye. "I've seen your attendence changing in recent months, Morning Star. Is something troubling you?"

Morning Star blinked and thought a moment before she responded. "You wouldn't understand," she replied simply.

"Right now I don't understand," Celestia explained gently. "You were once a very eager student and you are very talented. But your attendence and attention has not been to what I've expected of you since you came to my school."

"....so you're throwing me out?" she replied flatly, not meeting Celestia's gaze.

"You always have the option to withdraw from my classes, and you know this. Why do you stay if you don't wish to be here?"

"Do you want me here? I can't tell."

"Every student is welcome," Celestia reaffirmed, "But I have done something that makes you feel otherwise."

"Oh, you didn't do anything at all," Morning Star mocked, "take it up with your new 'favorite'." She trotted out the door without another word.

Celestia lowered her own head in thought. She compared all her "attentions" she gave to her students, but couldn't see anything lacking when it came to Morning star. Then again, the white unicorn asked fewer questions and rarely contributed to the duscussions, so it had been difficult to include her in the lessons. Celestia was well aware of just how talented Morning Star was, and how well she controlled her abilites. Others, while strong, still didn't quite have a hoof down on what they could do with their magic. That required extra time; there was no bias there.

The alicorn sighed as she stood up. "I can only reach out," she said to herself, "it is up to the student to reach back."

"....and STOP rolling your eyes at me when I give you an order!"

Thunder Arrow had a map unfurled on a table in the main quarters, where he had Violet Force and Silver Shimmer in for yet another cloud-clearing errand. He knew not to make empty threats to them about punishments, especially when it came to these two.

Violet blinked, and changed his disdain to a long yawn. "Then get on with it."

Silver Shimmer was just as bored, scanning the map. "so what will it be this time? Rain in Appleloosa? Snowcapping mountains? Cloud-clearing Seaddle for a month?"

Thunder Arrow snorted at the defiance and stomped a hoof over an area marked "Drakenridge".

"Apparently someone is bored and leaving fog and thunderstorms over this area. Nopony lives there that we're aware, so we need that mess cleaned up." Thunder Arrow tapped the area a couple more times. "That weather might come in handy elsewhere, but right now we just need it cleared out. It's a few acres of clouds, that should keep you both out of my mane for a day or so."

"Sounds like a lower priority. Why send your best?" Violet snorted with disdain.

"Low enough to bore you two out of your minds," Thunder Arrow confirmed. "you might want to get started. Dismissed."

Chapter 9

Dustmite discovered that he was undisturbed in his corner of the library. While initially daunted by the massive bookshelves and scroll storage shelves, he realized how quickly and easily he could get what he needed using the ladders the librarian mentioned. Cleverly anchored to a shelf on rails, each ladder could be properly positioned and the item in question could be quickly tipped to the floor for his use. Having no magic of his own might be inconvenience, but for the dark blue colt it merely opened a door or two to his own ingenuity.

Dropping several tomes to the carpeted floor, followed by a few scrolls, he nosed the pile to a low table where he could toss each one up to leaf through and "examine" for his "research". He had learned a lot from his boss about alicorns already - how for thousands of years they were overseers of all of ponykind, mystical guardians who not only believed in keeping everyone safe, but assisted in maintaining a balance to the world around them. Boss mentioned that his own brothers and sisters all handled the duties that Celestia does by herself, anymore - raising the sun and moon, affeecting the distant tides and triggering the changing of the seasons.

If this was true, Dustmite wondered, why couldn't he find a word about it? Every book and scroll he opened talked about Celestia and Nightmare moon, though the name "Luna" popped up on older scrolls that talked about "a creature of chaos merely known as Discord".

~~Boss was right,~~ Dustmite sent to his brother, ~~it's all covered up, even in the library~~

~~he's not gonna be happy to hear that,~~ came a tired reply.

~~I am more unsurprised than unhappy,~~ Lapis interjected. ~~Leave what you've researched there.~~

~~got one more thing to look at- picked up a scroll on my way here that some guard dropped.~~ Dustmite dug the scroll out of his saddlebag and slowly opened it.

"This is a waste of our time," Violet Force groused.

"This is a waste of our talent," Silver Shimmer begrudgingly added. "Why are we out this way, again?"

"Something about a storm that the rookies could probably break up," Violet snorted. "It's just fog and thunderstorms, why should we worry about that out here in the middle of no ponies' land?"

"Let's just take it as a day off - we can clear out that whole mess in ten.... seconds..... flat?"

Silver Shimmer had slowed in her flight, gawking ahead at their "easy errand". Violet stopped as well, boggling at the frothing, churning, angry gray-black ocean that hovered over most of Drakengard. Each gray swirl of cloud rolled into another, sparking brilliant tendrils of lightning reaching out and around the edges. The grays rose and fell like airborne tides, and even from their distance they could hear agonized howls of wind trapped within the storms. Everything else of the storm glared through jagged holes in a silvery haze that blanketed most of the area. The two pegasi looked at each other.

"Twenty seconds?" Silver Shimmer nervously suggested.

Both launched toward the storm.

Lapis remained in his Librem Noctem, continuing to study his notes for the construction for the Star Compass. He had the gems he needed for construction and his list of enchantments, but the gems had not properly "resonated" with any of his current charges. According to one scroll, the Star Compass' chosen would alight the gems, and the smoothed out bead of lapis Lazuli pulsed at him as if asking its own questions. A jumbled assortment of gems lay scattered around the Compass' casing, none even suggesting interest in his errand. He never understood how Cepheid had had such luck in gathering the Elements of Harmony in the past; why was this artifact, constructed in conjunction with a Prophecy, so much the chore? He shook out his curly mane to calm himself before turning to his timetable.

“Boss, we got company.”

Lapis turned from his errand to see a soiled, soaked Hatchet marching into the Librem. “Somepony’s out there messing with the cover. Need me to handle it?”

Lapis turned his attentions outside, “sensing” the storms and fog covering the area. A few moments passed before he caught traces of intruders in the clouds, kicking them clear and expertly dodging the lightning that lashed out in protest. Impressed but concerned, the alicorn turned to his charge. “I’ll settle the matter,” he replied simply. “I trust your abilities in the outside weather, but what I can do will finish this much faster.”

“You goin out there, boss?”

“No. The intruders are coming in. Please step back into the doorway.”

Puzzled, Hatchet backed up as he saw Umbral’s horn spark with new purpose. The black sparks bounced about the room, startling Hatchet and backing him further into the hallway. He could feel the wind kicking up in the Librem, scattering scrolls and flinging books from their shelves. The cosmic display in the Librem spun faster as the wind continued to whip about, pulling all of the black sparks into a gaping vortex of absolute Night. The debris around the room spun around the rim of the vortex as Umbral continued to concentrate, horn continuing to spark and sizzle as the void spun faster…

Outside, the winds had picked up again. Silver shimmer paused in the cloud-clearing errand.

“I think we got someone’s attention,” Violet shouted over the forming gales.

“We can’t just leave this out here!” Silver shouted back. “Keep clearing –“

Silver’s order stalled as she was suddenly dragged backward by a crosswind. Violet gave chase, trying to catch up and help her steady. The crosswind turned into a tailwind for her and nearly pushed Silver into Violet. Narrowly avoiding the collision, they lost concentration in maintaining their path and felt the winds shove them in the same direction. Neither could gain a winghold on the winds as they tumbled through the storm, the lightning flashing around them to show an open path. Both could only spook and flail as a gaping black maw parted the clouds.....

The chaos still spun around the Librem Noctem as the sparks from Lapis' horn intensified. Hatchet was frozen in place to the indoor storm, watching the black void continue to spin, widening and howling an angry chorus like a pack of timber wolves. The cacophony was accompanied by two screams of panic as two pegasi burst through the hole and landed in a purple and gray heap at Umbral's feet. The storm dissipated instantly, and the room briefly snowed in debris as the alicorn looked over his two intruders.

Hatchet took one hesitant step into the Librem, wings tenatively spread. "You got this, boss?"

Umbral did not respond. His stern gaze softened from anger to confusion to surprise as the two pegasi rolled apart and slowly regained their bearings. He shook out his curly mane before looking at his two captives again, who had dropped to reverent kneels before him.

"I....." he stammered. "I have seen...."

Hatchet continued to watch, confused. He expected Umbral to have them in chains to be dragged off, but his response told otherwise.

"I have seen you before," Lapis finished. "In a dream.... or a vision."

"In a memory," the female pegasus responded. "Luna had gifted us those many years ago, and we remained with the Equestria guard corps."

"While we choose to hold no rank," The silver pegasus continued, "we chose to protect Equestria until the time came to fulfill a destiny."

Umbral opened his mouth to respond, but his midnight blue eyes caught a glimmer in another part of the room. A side glance caught the shimmering of a shard of rose quartz, along with a glittering from a perfect sphere of hematite. He turned back to the two pegasi.

"We have much to discuss, Violet Force.... Silver Shimmer.... my Shields."

Dustmite darted up a bookshelf ladder to catch a rare sight - seeing the lowering of the sun. One of the west-facing windows had a perfect view as he watched Celestia perform for a small gathering of locals, who ooh'd and ahh'd at the sight, then dispersed quickly as the evening took hold. The colt hopped up to the top of a dusty bookshelf and curled up tight, waiting for the last of the librarians to finish their rounds and go home. He wanted to read more for boss, and once he had, he also had to impart what was on the scroll he got from the guard.

Hoofstops halted his wandering mind and opened his ears. A cautious peek caught the sight of the librarian he spoke to earlier looking around, probably looking for him. She trotted about, not saying a word, peeking around corners and checking under tables. She shook her head when she saw the mess left on the table from Dustmite's research, but resigned that it would all be reshelved in the morning. She took a last look at the pile before trotting back downstairs.

Dustmite did not move until he couldn't hear her anymore. He peered over the bookshelves and saw no one else around. With a simple grin he bounced down the ladder and headed back to the table to continue reading.

Violet Force and Silver Shimmer were given free run of the compound after talking for a couple of hours with their long-lost alicorn friend. He explained his quest in great detail and assured their role would be very important; yet his Star Compass still lay incomplete. He wanted them to return to Canterlot in the morning, hopefully to help with his final plans. Working out an explanation for the rogue weather took time, but would be enough to keep Thunder Arrow from sending more assistance.

"I'm glad Prince Umbral remembered us," Silver bragged, "we truly are unforgettable."

"He still called you 'brother' at one point," Violet responded with a smirk, "his memory isn't that good."

Silver swatted her brother with a wing. "Still, after all this time, it was just good to know he remembered anything about how it was and should be."

"Speaking of should be," Violet thought aloud, "something doesn't seem right about him... something's missing..."

Silver swatted him again. "He's just focused on task. Once we're done, that's when the party starts!"

Violet swatted her back, and the two broke down in a chase in the hallways in an impromptu game of wing-tag. Their laughter echoed in the hallways, awakening another pegasus who poked her head out of her room to see what was causing the racket. She nearly lost her head as the two careened by her. Incensed, she gave chase, catching them and swatting them both to the ground with her leathery wings.

"Some ponies are trying to sleep," Slurry growled. "Just because Lapis is a night owl doesn't make anyone else here one."

The two pegasi lay twitching at her forehooves. She snorted and turned to return to her room.

"hey....."

Slurry paused, hearing one of the pegasi still conscious.

"Summer.....storm....?" Silver managed.

Slurry froze for a moment, then continued to walk away. "Never heard of her."

Midnight came and went; Canterlot at its quietest, and how Morning Star liked it.

She tired of the constant questions to her disinterest in class and distance from her schoolmates; Aurora understood, but even their conversations remained short. The white unicorn effortlessly undid the locks to the Canterlot library so that she could continue her own studies. The classes were too slow, the students too dense to understand. Celestia herself was blind to her ability. She was better than everyone in that class, not permitted to be moved ahead. Perhaps a few dissertations on history will shake the memories of her "Dear teacher".

She quietly trotted upstairs to her usual spot, ready to gather a few books in hopes of finding something ancient and obscure to finally get Celestia's attention. Tales of an ancient civilization, perhaps? Or maybe a little-used area of magic? Perhaps some other fantastic creatures that inhabit Equestria? So many choices, so few nights....

She stopped short to see a table covered in open books and half-furled scrolls, scattered about as though left for her to research. Using her horn to light and carry a candle about the near area, she saw no one else in the near area. Nervously she placed the candle on the table and started sorting through what covered the table. Her ears swiveled about in curiosity to see if she was indeed alone.

The books were many tomes she had read before - history of Equestria, dating back hundreds of years. Scrolls contained anecdotes and tales she knew by heart, and maps as old, if not older, than Celestia herself. With a sigh and a shrug she sent most of the paperwork back to their place on the bookshelf, reserving one new scroll for her perusal. She had spotted the Manehatten stamp on the parchment and wondered what something that new would be doing in the history section? She opened the scroll.

She discovered the scroll was a report, addressed to Princess Celestia herself, regarding a "Magical incident" in Manehatten recently.

"Esteemed Princess Celestia:

Please be aware of fugitives about in the Manehatten area. Shortly after a fire broke out at the Walledhoof Astablea, Manehatten fire teams were caught off-guard by the potential perpetrators of this crime. Firefighters witnessed two unknown individuals - a piebald red and gold unicorn and a colt zebra - emerge from the basement of the hotel and flee the premeses. They were joined by two other stallions - a pale gray/purple zebra and a piebald black and gray unicorn. Manehatten guards and fire officials pursued and witnessed the four fugitives teleport away, destination unknown.

We humbly request your assistance in identifying the individuals if possible, and send further assistance so that we may capture and question the individuals for the fire, and fleeing the scene.

-Yellow Scorch, Manehatten Fire department
-Guardcaptain Hazard Watch

Fugitive #1
Unicorn Mare, red/gold piebald, Long mane, sun or star cutie mark

Fugitive #2
Zebra Colt, Blue with gray stripes, short mane, cutie mark unknown

Fugitive #3
Zebra Stallion, Gray with paler gray stripes, short mane, cutie mark unknown

Fugitive #4
Unicorn Stallion, black/gray piebald, curly mane, 3 moons cutie mark

Morning Star was taken aback by the descriptions - Manehatten wasn't known for zebras or mottled ponies. She pondered the descriptions anew; she agreed with the assessment that magic that strong doesn't occur in Manehatten, but the descriptions suggest they weren't "locals" . She also pondered the "black" unicorn - black was an extremely rare color in any locale. There were dark blue and dark gray stallions in Canterlot, but nopony was absolute black. Her next stop would be the Canterlot census, see if she could match up the description of the black unicorn to anypony in their archives. She "Gathered" her candle and trotted to another bookshelf in the history section, hoping to find a Census Archiva tome to sort.

Her candle's glow caught a strange shadow near the bookshelf. Before she could close in, the shadow darted away.

"Trespasser," she whispered to herself as the candle snuffed itself out.

Creeping about the bookshelves, she turned her ears carefully to listen for the intruder's hoofsteps. Unless this spy could use a silence spell, it was nearly impossible not to hear a step or a wingbeat at this late hour. Carefully tracking around each bookshelf, she tried to keep her own hoofsteps quiet.

One ear caught a sharply drawn breath.... from above? Her horn flickered, spotting something on top of the bookshelf. With a nod she teleported to the top of the bookshelf, ready to attack whoever else was cutting into her study time.

She appeared directly behind whoever it was and cast again, freezing her target in place. She then lowered the interloper to the table where she was studying earlier, then teleported herself down. Once back at the table, her horn flickered anew, lighting the near area and giving her a look at who she had caught.

Before her, frozen in fright and poised in mid-bolt, hovered a blue and gray zebra colt. She nearly dropped her spells at the sight, giving the little one a couple of frenzied steps before he was re-captured. She dragged the colt back to her and turn him around.

"Seeking information, for knowledge is power?" she whispered. "Or shelter or valuables at this late hour? Fugitive from Manehatten law, save yourself from a guardcaptain call." She "loosened" the spell, allowing the little one to speak.

"Fugitive I am not - set me free!" Dustmite stammered, "I traveled far to learn history! Forgotten tales, forbidden lore, names Equestria hears no more!"

"Do not run, so the guards won't come," she replied warningly, "but you will explain to me these other ones." Her hoof planted firmly on the Guardcaptain report.

Dustmite's eyes drifted down to the scroll, then back to her. "Friends and secrets, nopony knows. Please tell nopony else, then I will show."

Morningstar released the spell. "Speak."

Dustmite pawed the scroll so he could read it. He then tapped each description in turn. "Sorceress, me, brother, entity. This unicorn had sent me here to research the millenial drawing near."

"The Millenial Summer Sun Celebration? What do you need to know about it?"

Dustmite wasn't sure how to answer. ~~Boss, someone got me in the Library~~

~~at this late hour?~~ Lapis replied. ~~Let me "see"~~

Dustmite locked eyes with Morning Star. She stiffened, sensing magic at work. Her confusion broke all her spells and the library fell dark. Lapis could still "sense" her through Dustmite, and gauging her abilites impressed him no end. ~~Will she work for us?~~ He sent back to Dustmite.

~~Dunno - she's not gonna turn me in, she found a report that I managed to get from a guard here in Canterlot. Manehatten authorities are looking for us~~

~~As long as we have that document there will be no further pursuit of us~~

Morning Star blinked. "Is there someone else here?"

~~Oh, you CAN hear me, can you dear?~~

It was Morning Star's turn to spook. "Who's there???"

~~Calm yourself,~~ Lapis responded quietly. ~~Morning Star, is it....? Odd that one would be out so late at night. But your magic is tremendous, and I would like to meet you in person. Your help would be greatly appreciated, as the hope you would keep this report the little one has away from nosy Canterlot guards. Speak with the Voice of the Mind, Morning Star - why do you study when most ponies sleep?~~

Morning Star gathered her thoughts. ~~Princess Celestia has chosen another to become her prodigy - I am stronger than that other unicorn! She had already approached me about leaving her classes, not asking if I want to do any sort of individual study. There is so much more I can do....~~

Lapis allowed Morning Star to vent as he casually walked to the mound of gems brought up from the mines. A glint of light from an ovoid moonstone had caught his midnight blue eyes. ~~My dear, you do have a greater destiny. In your studies, have you read of the Mare in the Moon?~~

Morning Star's mood changed quickly at the inquiry. ~~I have, and the Millenial Summer Sun Celebration is tied to it.~~

~~Good, then you know of it... do you also know of an artifact known as the Star Compass?~~

Her reply came without hesitation.
~~"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."~~

~~I am the Lantern, Morning Star. If you are indeed the Weapon, you can prove to Celestia of your talents.... under the Shadow of the Moon.~~

Morning Star's head spun at the invitation. Was she dreaming? Was this zebra colt a unicorn in disguise? All her thoughts of finally showing her true prowess flooded forward, and the images of outshining her soon-to-be-ex-teacher's pet melted her hardened heart. ~~How would that be possible? IS it possible? I would be....~~ her vision started to blurr.

~~No tears, Morning Star. Dustmite will guide you from here.~~

Chapter 10

Alignment

Lapis Umbral took pause in his evening studies to gaze out one window, where he could see the muted Rainbow of Dawn, his tacit cue that his evening was indeed over. It had been eventful for him - talking with a talented sorceress unicorn, the company of old friends, and an unexpected visit from Slurry.

She groused to him about the noisy visitors. He gave her the time to speak, and assured her they were unaware she was here while they were cavorting through the halls.

"So they didn't ask you about me?" she queried.

"They did no such thing," Lapis replied. "We were sorting out plans for the Millenial. I have already sent them back to Canterlot."

"Are they a part of this?"

"They are - they Remembered the history, and they will be pivotal in our success."

Slurry didn't seem convinced. "I don't trust them," her sole comment.

"I trust them," Umbral replied, "for I know you trust no one."

Slurry couldn't argue with that, and chose not to pursue it further.

"I do have a different duty for you today," Lapis continued. "Dustmite has finished his research and will need to be picked up this afternoon. Hatchet will cover your duties while you are away."

Slurry nodded in acknowledgement. "when do I leave?"

"I'll have you on your way shortly," Umbral told the pegasus, "but will you answer a question for me?"

"What question?"

"Who is 'Summerstorm'?"

Slurry visibly tensed. Her wings started to open, but then slapped shut to her sides. "Never heard of her," she insisted.

"Sounds like a memory you'd like erased," Lapis mused as he rummaged through a steamer trunk filled with artifacts. "You say you don't know her, but I think you know her a little too well."

Slurry's ears flattened as Umbral levitated a disk of highly polished silver from the trunk. "Do you know what this is?"

"A silver mirror," she replied suspiciously.

"Better still - a mirror of True sight. Will I see Summerstorm in this mirror?"

"No!" Slurry responded a little too quickly.

"A trade, then- I will even let you see me, first."

Slurry pawed the floor with a hoof, glowering at the mirror as though a spear aimed for her heart. "I ... don't... want... to ... see...."

"One look is all I am asking- and no one else will see. Violet Force and Silver Shimmer will never know of this exchange, for what I show you is not the business of even Night Ash and Desert Sun."

"Violet and Silver told you that name, didn't they?" Slurry demanded. "Why do you even want to know? Hasn't Equestria done enough damage to me?"

"Sate my curiosity. A simple request from someone who has given you shelter and food. I will even show you my reflection in this mirror, for even my magic cannot change what it sees."

"Fine," she spat. "Show me."

Lapis angled the mirror so she could only see his reflection. He struck a statuesque pose, allowing the mirror to take in his visage. The silver disc jingled with the faint music of windchimes, and the image materialized of a slightly different alicorn - one whose blacks were instead blue, and grays more white, eyes sparkling like a night sky. His shaggy, silvered mane flopped chaotically in his eyes, his draconine wings closed high on his shoulders like a cape. "Thus," he announced with a faint smile, his reflection grinning as if grabbing for attention.

Slurry puzzled the differences long enough for Umbral to move the mirror toward her. "This will be brief," he advised, "and you don't need to look if you don't wish to."

Slurry ruffled her wings uncomfortably, watching the mirror close in. Nothing appeared in the reflection until it halted in its movements, the music her cue to look away. She locked stares with her boss for a few moments until he looked to the disc to see what was revealed.

Standing in the reflection of the mirror he beheld a mottled blue and silver pegasus, with strong wings and a flowing mane. Her coat a mix of summer skies and storm clouds, her mane the golds of a summer sun and white pre-storm clouds. Her green eyes, the color of new leaves, held a stern determination that remained- perhaps the only thing that remained - of the tortured soul before him. He nodded approval and returned the mirror to the chest.

"Satisfied?" she muttered.

"My crime is the least of the ones committed to you, Slurry. I will not speak of this again, you have my word."

Slurry heaved a sigh and stretched her wings. "Can I go now?"

"If you wish. Return to the station where you originally dropped off Dustmite. He will have a guest with him, bring them both here to me."

Slurry turned and stomped out of the hall. She didn't even realize Sandstone had been standing there and saw the reflection as well.

~~She's even prettier there,~~ he involuntarily thought too loud.

~~You have work to do, Sandstone,~~ Umbral "Suggested".

Sandstone spooked and hurried off to the mines.

Hatchet had spent so much time working the forges, he chose to abandon his regular sleeping quarters for a cot near them. When he did sleep, he dreamt on about the designs that Lapis gave him and the rewards he would reap. He'd wake to the mixed heat of the fireforge that Desert Sun stoked for him every sunrise, and the chill of the frostforge that Umbral himself designed. He would then assemble his tools, placing the sword blanks or armor plates on a heavy table, then positioning them under his hammering rig - a two-pedaled device that allowed him to control the force of his strikes, and a gem-shod lever to move the superheated metal around the table or into its cooling bath. A similar rig is used for the frostforge - a table that could hold each piece in the bitter cold without risking his hooves to frostbite. He could then hammer out each piece, taking his pleasure in "killing" something with his rig.

o/underground, I'm underground.... Down where these strikes are the only sound.... Under ground.... o/

he chuckled to himself as he stomped a pedal, slamming a wingblade blank and making it spark and flash. He then resumed the steady hammering.

o/Underground, I'm underground, None look for me now, I'm not around, Day and night, I'm underground.... o/

His grin shimmered in the fiery light as his pace quickened.

o/I keep dreaming about the future And the coming end of days Angry weapons clearing out Everything Let my Angry weapons clearing out the way o/

He then repositioned the blank to continue.

o/hammer blows, striking everywhere it goes I only care if it's sharper there.... Armor plate, and weapons grade All that shines, while the sun it fades And everyone will feel under ground.... o/

He repeated his chorus, louder and more sadistic, laughing as the sparks lit up the room.

o/I keep dreaming about the future No one to stand out in our way Cause the darkness will be scaring them all away In the darkness I will strike them down cause they're my prey It's a dream that I've truly found in the underground... o/

Hatchet's laughter echoed through the lower levels, enough to put a chill in Night Ash's spine. "The mines aren't as scary as that pegasus," she said to herself has she prepared to join Sandstone.

"About time you came back," Thunder Arrow snorted as the brother and sister team reported that morning - late, of course. "Any idea who left that mess out there?"

"No idea," Violet spoke first. "A lot of it apparently was trapped weather in that area. Only a portion was actually moved into those mountains."

"Explain."

"Wind patterns in Drakengard have been catching stray storms that have come through the area," Silver Shimmer informed. "Most of the winds in there run about 20 Wingpower and or more - we'd need a lot more time and personnel to dissipate."

"20 WP?" Thunder Arrow noted. "Fine, we'll leave the area alone for now. I'll have you two checking it periodically and see if it slows down, then maybe get a team out there to finish it out. In the right season I'd have it steered in, but with the Millenial coming up we can't spare staff."

Silver Shimmer brightened. "Will they be holding it here?"

Thunder Arrow shook his head. "We'll have something going here, but the Princess herself has chosen her location...."

"....Ponyville, some tiny village a couple of hours from Canterlot by train."

Lapis nodded quietly as his new charge Morning Star filled him in on the upcoming festivities. "She thought it would be better to 'celebrate' with 'common folk'," the unicorn continued. "some village that's mostly earth ponies."

"That will work to our advantage," Umbral reasoned. "Her guard complement will be split up between the two locations as she will not travel alone. She'll have most of her pegasus troops with her going to Ponyville, while the earth pony and unicorn guards will likely remain at the castle.

"Have you any connections in the Royal Guard? Anyone else who might not be as... 'loyal'?"

Morning Star thought carefully before speaking. "Not personally - but there have been whispers of one guardcaptain not satisfied with his lot."

"Indeed...? Can you investigate these for me? Send back what you learn. Again, keep the Voice of your Mind quiet and brief, and success will be for all of us."

Morning Star offered a small bow. "My teacher."

Lapis offered another faint smile. "Your reward. Please, return to Canterlot before suspicion rises any further."

The white unicorn beamed proudly as she teleported away.

Desert Sun usually only visited the forges first thing in the morning, as her duty was to stoke the fires and make sure they were hot enough for Hatchet's work. Night Ash warned her friend about visiting the armorer while he was working, citing the evil song he sang as he worked away on a blade. Desert Sun didn't fear Hatchet, she reminded Night Ash. After all, Hatchet would have Umbral to deal with should harm come to anypony within the team.

As she closed on Hatchet's chosen lair she could hear his sadistic song and escalating strikes on his work. Undaunted, she strode in to see him happily stomping away on his hammering rig, flattening out a blade blank. He didn't notice her as he gave the blank a good look, then pushing it to its cooling bath with the gem-shod lever. As the blank hissed and sizzled he flapped his dark wings around it, letting the steam permeate the room and the fading glow reflect in his blood-red eyes. The sadistic glee in his work more hypnotizing than unsettling to the unicorn, she made her presence known by levitating the cooled blank back to his work table.

Startled out of his zone, he flew over to Desert Sun. "That a critique? Might not have been cool enough to move yet."

"Given all the ruckus down here," she replied coolly, " a wonder if you're doing any work."

"Might not be," Hatchet smirked. "If it's this much fun it ain't work. Why you down here, anyway?"

"Amusement," she responded quickly. "Just seeing if you're making a mess or making progress. Master Lapis has his hooves full and would welcome another set of eyes on
you."

Hatchet landed and pointed a wing toward the stone mannequins Lapis had supplied. "Look for yerself."

She turned slowly to the mannequins lining the wall, silvery eyes widening at each design. These were not manufactured bardings seen at Canterlot castle - somehow, without magic, Hatchet's hooves and tools had beaten metals with the heat of her forge or the ice of Umbral's into seven distinct suits. She recognized Umbral's immediately - frost-forged and silvered, with segmented wingblades serrated and an extended spike off the ends of the wings. The Champron(helm) had accents in hematite, and the frostforged iron creniere would taper down his neck but allow plenty of neck movement for flight and spellcasting. The greaves and croupiere had onyx moons, ordered the same as his cutie mark, which glimmered darkly in the light of the room. The peytal(chestplate) repeated the motif, each crescent outlined in silver.

She scanned each of the other suits before seeing hers - properly fire-forged barding with her cutie mark displayed directly under Umbral's on the chestplate. Her helm had more silver than iron, with a gold-plated ring opening for her horn. Fascinated, she carefully levitated each piece in place and secured it comfortably to her form. She took a few measured steps, noting that despite the iron the armor itself wasn't terribly heavy. It did little to control her mane, but she didn't mind that at all. When she turned to face Hatchet, he was grinning with a mix of pride and anticipation.

"Whatcha think? Not bad for not havin ya model it before now, right?"

Desert Sun removed the armor and placed it back on the mannequin. "Master Lapis will be very pleased."

"That's just because you are, huh? howbout you send high hoofety-muck down here for him to look?"

"He'll likely be down in a couple of days to inspect them," she affirmed. "He is hoping to complete his Alignment of the Star Compass first. I would use the time to fine-tune what's completed. He has a more.... discerning eye than I do."

She trotted out without another word. Hatchet's smile was gone.

Indeed, Lapis Umbral had been feverishly preoccupied with his Star Compass project. Now that he had all the components and respective gems, he methodically assembled the compass and installed the four gems to their proper cardinal directions. Measuring and re-measuring their positions, the margin of error smaller than a single grain of desert sand. He had asked his assistants from Canterlot to join him that evening - a night where the Mare in the Moon would be able to see Equestria below - so that he may "Calibrate" the Compass and prepare its message to his long lost sister.

Violet Force, Silver Shimmer and Morning Star met with the alicorn at the fortress before teleporting to a barren, flat space miles from any civilization. Before leaving, Umbral removed the gems from the Compass and given to each respective member. He could have kept the Compass assembled, but savored the wonder and pride as each member reacted to the flickering gem they represented. He considered re-telling the story of his brother Cepheid and how he came to find the original Elements of Harmony; he changed his mind, recalling how they will be lost to history as his family had been thanks to Celestia.

The train of thought brought the battle of Discord to his mind, souring his mood. He remembered how hard-fought that battle had been, how they had to work around Discord's nonsensical abilities and effortless magics. The memories were mentally shoved aside upon arrival.

"Here," he gestured with his horn."The groundwork of the summoning will happen here, but the actual summoning can occur wherever needed."

Morning Star paced the area. "I understand the isolation, but isn't the summoning just once?"

Violet Force remained airborne, scanning the horizons. "Appaloosa's about as close as it gets for civilization," he reported, "the Buffalo out here will stampede if we really light it up out here."

"Neither are a concern," Umbral responded sharply. "This part of the summoning is simply a preparatory procedure, one that was not included in the literature in Canterlot for good reason." He levitated a document to Morning Star. "This should be familiar to you."

Morning Star "took" the scroll and opened it, reading by the light of her horn. Her studious expression snapped to puzzlement as the text continued down the scroll. The parchment magically lengthened as more information appeared. "What is the 'Unspell' portion of this ceremony, then?" she queried. "I've never heard of an 'Unspell'."

"Unspells, much like Necromancy, were forbidden centuries ago as they could undo punishments of any order. We're unlocking the banishment by using the unspell. We'll be 'unspelling' the mantra of the Star Compass, so that when we actually cast it on Millenial night, the spell will push through any remaining barriers and won't be stopped."

Umbral carefully cast around himself, tracing circles and sigils spreading several feet from where he stood. The other three backed courteously away, marveling at the intricate runes and forgotten glyphs that composed the same details as the face of the actual Star Compass. The artifact hovered steadily in the alicorn's face as he concentrated on every detail, every facet, every line and dot to every definition. He lowered the Compass to the very center of the tracing and leapt to the "north" end of the design. Nodding to the other three, Umbral watched as the other three carefully took their places at the other cardinal directions.

"Now then," he instructed. "Face directly to your due direction, wings closed, horns raised. The mantra will be recited in reverse order as to Calibrate. The initial unspell will transmit to Luna, alerting her that somepony Remembered. Violet Force, Silver Shimmer, I trust that your line will be spoken in exact unison. Morning Star, speak with the conviction that you hold in your heart. I will bring your gems to the Compass proper and the calibration will complete. Is this understood?"

"Yessir!" the two pegasi replied in the requested unison.

"As you command," Morning Star replied with tempered confidence.

"Begin when you are ready, Morning Star."

The white unicorn steeled herself, magic flickering to life on her horn. "I am the Star of South, the Weapon," She intoned, "That keeps all who oppose at bay."

The moonstone levitated away from her and locked into the Compass.

"We are the Stars of East and West," The two pegasi recited, "We are the shields that block the coming Day."

The hematite sphere and the shard of rose quartz added themselves to the artifact.

"I Am the Star of North, The Lantern," Umbral announced, "He who shall guide the Way."

The mottled lapis lazuli fastened to the Compass, causing the needle within to spin in a frenetic, counterclockwise motion. The speed and force of the spinning caused the relic to glow, first a soft red, paling steadily to a blue white sphere that held it dead center of the magic circle. With a sudden pulse and a flux of energy a beam of white light shot into the sky, aimed like an ivory arrow at the visage of the Mare in the Moon. All four looked to the sky, hoping that the message would be seen and heard by the exiled princess...

Chapter 11

"Everyone's here, except Violet Force and Silver Shimmer.... as usual...."

Thunder Arrow stood before his assembled troops. He had to raise his voice over the nearby din of the earth ponies and unicorns in the midst of some game. "All of you are well aware that Princess Celestia has decided to celebrate the millenial Summer Sun Celebration outside of Canterlot. We have been asked to escort the princess to her selected location just before dawn of the day celebrations. This means I will be needing a few individuals who will NOT be attending the nonsense in Canterlot proper to escort her. Do I have any volunteers?"

One wing in the crowd was raised. "Captain, wouldn't assigning Violet Force and Silver Shimmer be punishment enough for them so that they miss the party?" Murmurs and chuckles rumbled through the crowd.

"Too good of a duty for them," Thunder Arrow replied with a snort. "I need ponies I can trust for this mission. This occasion is TOO important to have undisciplined ponies like those two doing barrel rolls with Princess Celestia in tow!"

Another wing opened in the crowd. "Sir, will it only be pegasus guards going with the Princess?"

Thunder Arrow turned to address Gallant Lionheart, who had walked away from his post. "You there!" he called to a lone unicorn soldier watching the game. "What's your name and rank?"

The unicorn blinked and looked Thunder Arrow's way. "First Officer Shining Armor, sir."

"Has Gallant Lionheart spoken to you about a complement of unicorn guards for the Princess' trip to Ponyville?"

"No sir," the white unicorn replied. "My captain may be looking into that as we speak."

"Report to me immediately once you have word," Thunder Arrow ordered. The unicorn saluted and walked inside to the guardquarters.

A third wing raised. "Sir, will you be traveling to Ponyville with the complement?"

"Only if necessary," the captain responded. "Now, about those volunteers......"

Umbral arrived at the forges in the early afternoon, shooing Hatchet outside to work on the cloud cover. Violet Force and Silver Shimmer had informed him (through Morning Star) that the cover had to be reduced to lower suspicions until after the Millenial. He wanted to inspect the armor that Hatchet had been preparing, especially his own. Desert Sun had told him about her barding and mentioned how well it fit her- and that he should see for himself.

Sending Hatchet outside served two purposes - he wanted to inspect the armor without his commentary (or groveling, judging from his nervous reaction to the request to leave the room), and in case he wanted to do alterations of his own for the barding. "Hatchet would likely grovel and snivel until the frostforge's ice would overwhelm the fire forge," Umbral muttered as he approached the seven armors that Hatchet had spent most of the past year forging.

The alicorn was very impressed with the work completed. For a pegasus who had no magical ability, a career such as blacksmithing seemed counter-intuitive. Yet the bardings were all customized to each member, a theme toward each name that would only come from Hatchet's twisted imagination. Sandstone's and Dustmite's were nearly identical in design, looking more like sheets of stones than conventional studded bardings; Night Ash's armoring the lightest, looking more like a gown with a few plates to protect her; Desert Sun's more thorough, appropriately fire-forged; Slurry's armor looked thick and heavy, with wing plates (decorated with reliefs of "feathers") to protect the membranes of her cursed appendages. Hatchet's own armor was stamped with black spikes, and perfect reproductions of the serrated wingblades that Umbral himself had offered. The originals were modified with wing-whipblades that would trail off the edges of Umbral's armor. Upon seeing his barding, he quickly peeled each piece off the model to wear.

With each piece in place, Lapis recalled how long it had been since he had worn armor. Early on after leaving Canterlot he kept the armor he wore that night, a weight that he finally cast off himself when he learned how his name - and the names of his brothers - had been erased from history. This time, he thought to himself, there will be no means for them to forget his presence!

He flew upstairs to check the fitting, observing his movement as he ascended and as he trotted back to the chest to gather a mirror. He absently selected the mirror of True Sight out of the chest while he admired the greaves, then turned to face himself....

and froze.

His midnight-blue eyes locked with his own, but the blacks of his coat more blue, the grays more white, and the idiotic grin on his reflection's face! He couldn't concentrate on the armor with that ridiculous look! Angrily throwing the mirror back into the chest with his magic, he selected a proper plain mirror to admire Hatchet's handiwork.

Despite the Millenial Sun Celebration not being held in Canterlot, the kingdom was still abuzz with the impending event. Many of Celestia's students split their free time between decorating and planning for the day, as well as the all-night party before, where a full moon would supply the light for the first half of the millenial event.

Morning Star remained disinterested in the festivities herself. She ignored all of the strung banners of multicolored flags from window to window on one thoroughfare, blinked blearily at posters on the walls and sighed. The finery meant nothing; the event was coming up soon enough, she had a lot of other things on her mind. She had orders from Umbral himself to seek out anyone else who might be up for their cause. Asking her classmates would be too risky. Then again, she pondered, Aurora might be interested.....

Her thoughts stopped short as her half-awake walk had brought her to the Royal Guard training grounds.This close to the Millenial, many of them were just waiting for their assignments. Now that Princess Celestia had plans to travel, the pegasus guards were discussing with their captain to see how and who would be accompanying her. The Earth pony soldiers and the unicorn soldiers had broken down into a game of their own, kicking a ball around the open field. The respective captains weren't all that interested in the game - the earth pony captain shook his head in frustration and the unicorn captain had stopped watching. Only another unicorn soldier - a newer recruit with a dark blue mane - watched with the earth pony captain as the two groups cavorted about.

She found it odd that a unicorn guardcaptain wouldn't watch his troops, even at play. The thought nearly lost to her tired mind as a shadow fell over her. Wheeling in dazed panic, her horn lit immediately at the threat.

Standing before her, almost as bleary-eyed as she was, a unicorn night-guard from the library. "I was asked to bring you to the unicorn guard-quarters."

"I've done nothing," she warned.

"It's nothing serious. We're hoping you have some information for the night-guard. Captain Gallant Lionheart requested you specifically. Please come with me so we can get this over with, I need sleep."

Lapis Umbral gathered his soliders to the forges late in the day to have everyone inspect and try on their armor. He approved of the varied designs and wanted to see how his team would handle their new bardings; most, he guessed, had never worn armor in their short lives. It amused him to watch them walk around the mannequins to see what they'd be wearing, each one a mix of bewilderment and concern. A peek into their minds explained even more to him - Sandstone and Dustmite worried about movement, Slurry perplexed at the wing-covers, Hatchet fearing for his life that they don't meet the alicorn's standards.

"Do not be shy about the armor," Umbral instructed. "it does not attack you. It will protect you from anything we will be facing soon."

Sandstone nosed his gear off the mannequin, listening to it collapse on the hard floor. "How'm I gonna move in that?" he asked.

"Ditto," Dustmite agreed. "I can't walk quiet in this."

Umbral raised Sandstone's armor off the floor with his magic. "Have either of you worn armor before?" The two stallions shook their heads no. "In your case, Sandstone, your work in the mines will help you with this. Despite your strength when I met you, your time in assisting me has made you much stronger."

Sandstone didn't understand the statement and flinched as the barding hovered over him. "Stand very still," Umbral requested. "I will fasten each piece in place and you can tell me when it gets too heavy."

Sandstone steadied himself as each piece slid into place. He twitched a bit as the peytal was fastened. "Too tight," he complained. The straps to the peytal loosened, allowing the big zebra to relax. His stance remained steady as each piece snapped into place, securing and slowly released from a the magical grip. once the croupiere was secured, Lapis took a step back. "Now walk toward me."

"Thought you said this was heavy armor," Sandstone puzzled as he marched up to his master as though unburdened. The alicorn gave a slight smile of pride.

"That is the result of your hard work in the mines, Sandstone. Just as Night Ash working with you has helped focus her magic, Desert Sun learning control by helping with the forges, Slurry getting the wind back under her wings, Dustmite honing his skills in the supposedly most secure kingdom of Equestria, and Hatchet 'expressing' himself in these very functional bardings. Your contributions to these creations are the very reason you can wear your unique uniform with pride. As we have worked together on these, we shall work together at the coming celebration."

The others, save Slurry, cheered and paraded about in their new gear.

Gallant Lionheart looked up from his paperwork as the night-guard brought Morning Star to him. "Dismissed," he replied curtly. The guard relaxed and trotted out.

"I'm not sure why I'm here," Morning Star began coolly. "I've committed no crime other than curiosity."

"No crime, milday," Lionheart responded. "But since you're so curious, you've made the night-guards curious. What are you researching so late at night that it can't wait for the light of day?" He levitated a bundle of scrolls to the table. "These were left on a table a few nights ago. Explain."

Morning Star recognized the scrolls from her meeting with Dustmite. Remaining as stoic as possible, her eyes raised back to the guardcaptain. "And what of it? Scrolls I've read in the past. Perhaps I have a thesis to complete and needed to check records?"

"I'm also aware you've missed a lot of classes at Celestia's school. Thanks to the break, that's slowed, but you're danagerously close to an automatic withdrawal. Not my business, but since I have a student in the class he was wondering about you."

"I still see no crime here," she affirmed.

"Then please explain this....." Lionheart levitated a wax seal torn from a scroll with the Manehatten crest. "I believe this came from authorities in Manehatten but I do not have the rest of the parchment. This was in the mess that was found at your 'favorite table' one morning."

Morning Star gasped. She had picked up the scroll afterwards but didn't think to look for the seal. Her mind raced - the scroll was already open when she found it, so Dustmite (who had no magic) likely had to tear it off. "I know nothing," she replied with as much confidence as possible.

"Nothing, you say? Are you sure about that? A lie to an offical can be a crime in itself... as well as withholding information on a possible royal matter."

Morning Star's ears drooped. "I....." she wanted to cast on the guard-captain but that too would be seen as guilt.

"Show me the rest of this document and I may forget this mild transgression. This close to the Millenial there is no reason to dampen one's spirits." Lionheart's tone was not terribly convincing.

"You just don't want to do the paperwork, Captain," she replied in defiance. The guard-captain sighed.

"Sadly, you are right. I have no interest in making this any sort of trial. May I see this document now?"

Morning Star brought it out of her saddlebag and placed it in front of him. "Please, tell no one about this."

Lionheart slowly unfurled the scroll, reading the report. "A fire in Manehatten? Rather mundane thing to be hiding, milady... Zebras? Mottled Ponies? That is certainly unusual. No crime in hiding this."

Morning Star looked away. "Nothing would have been done with this until after the Millenial anyway," he continued, re-reading the descriptions. "Ameteur detective work, I'm guessing - a black unicorn is rare enough, few have been seen over the centuries."

"You've been around long enough, sir - did you know any?"

"I'm old but not THAT old," Lionheart chuckled. "Those two pegasi - Violet Force and Silver Shimmer - they claim they knew Nightmare Moon and said she didn't work alone."
Morning Star froze. Did those two just ruin the entire plan??

"Always wondered about that - Celestia's powerful enough on her own, and if Nightmare Moon was the younger sister she wouldn't have challenged without backup."

~~Master, I fear there are suspicions of our plan,~~ Morning Star sent quickly to Lapis.

~~He has an interesting "theory",~~ Lapis quietly replied. ~~she what else he thinks.~~

"What theory would you have, sir? It was assumed that it was mere arrogance that cost Nightmare Moon a victory."

Lionheart thought a moment. "Have you ever wondered why Princess Celestia even HAS guards? They would mean nothing in a battle with another alicorn. She claims it's out of the goodness of her heart and means of maintaining harmony, but that can't be the entire story. Nightmare Moon's jealousy was a factor, sure, but she HAD to know she wasn't as strong as her sister, so she faced Celestia with a complement of guards of her own, or perhaps another alicorn."

Morning Star blinked. "Another alicorn? I thought Celestia-"

"Not according to those two pegasi," he interrupted. "Equestria was ruled by committee, supposedly, so perhaps Nightmare Moon convinced one of them to help her against Celestia."

~~I like that,~~ Lapis sent to Morning Star. ~~Tell him and see what he thinks~~

"Captain, will you open the scroll again? I know something about one of the fugitives."

"What, and make me do paperwork on this?"

A sharp knock on the door interrupted the revelation. "Sir, I've been asked by Thunder Arrow to inquire about unicorn complement for the Princess' trip to Ponyville."

Lionheart scowled, an expression not lost on Morning Star. "First Officer, I will speak with the contingent later today. Tell Thunder Arrow to keep his eyes on his own soldiers."

"Sir, I was just - "

"Send him to me if he has issue with that," Lionheart snorted to the First officer. "She won't be leaving until the night before anyway, we have time."

As with many evenings, Umbral had become restless as the days counted down to the Millenial. He'd look to the moon, wondering if he had indeed contacted his sister. She couldn't return the signal whether she heard it or not, but even the slightest sign would give him a little more confidence. One heaving sigh later he walked away from the window, head lowered.

o/` Every evening I check the sky
sometimes gazing to Luna's "eye"
It makes me miss those times before
Family was together more
and we'd all manage day and night.....

Every morning I walk away
from the gaze of the coming day
I can't seem to sleep underneath the glare
the sun's rays I can hardly bear
that light must go away.....

When we make the stars align
my troubles will be worth the time
to see my sister free and home again
Equestria will be ours again
Celestia left behind..... o/`

He was still humming as he wandered through the Libram Noctem. "Enough of that," he growled to himself and shook his mane clear. "We're too close...."