A Council of Shadows

It was a dark and still night; even the moon didn't seem to shine as brightly as most nights. Not only that, but the clouds were moving, obscuring the stars and even the moon at times. While Ponyville didn't have much of an active night life, even those few ponies who relished in the moonlight seemed to think that tonight was a good night to stay at home. The streets were quiet. Well, mostly quiet.

Jade Dream kept looking back over her shoulder as she walked. She'd summoned a small orb of light that glowed a light green to light her way, but the way it was casting shadows was making her uneasy. "Silly." she assured herself, as she went on. It was just her magic, nothing more. If she hadn't stayed out so late at that party, she wouldn't have this problem right-
She whipped around, swinging the light to and fro. She was certain she had heard something behind her. A wooshing sound, like a pony dropping down from the sky. She couldn't see anything or anyone, so she slowly turned back around. Her house was only a few more minutes ahead; she'd feel better once she was inside. In fact, Jade could see her roof now. Just a few more steps...

A chill went up her spine, and she froze, her heart pounding. Her head inched around, and the last thing she saw were two glowing red orbs...

Twilight groaned, turning over in bed. What had awakened her so early in the-

Knock, Knock, Knock.

A few moments later, her bedroom door swung open. "Twilight!" Spike said, running over to her and shaking her. "Twilight, wake up!"

"Spike, it's too early. What's going on?" Twilight murmured, trying to pull the blankets over her head. She resolved, for the forty-seventh time, to stop staying up into the wee hours of the morning with a book.

Spike only shook her harder, out of breath. "Twilight, the guards are here! A pony-a pony-dead!"

The covers shot up, falling down on Spikes head. By the time the dragon had freed himself, Twilight's brush was hitting the floor and the pony herself was gone. Twilight arrived at the castle doors just a few moments later.

"Princess." the lead guard bowed. "I'm Lieutenat Stalwart Stand; we've already contacted Canterlot, but as the closest Princess, we felt you should be informed of this as soon as possible."

Clearing her throat, Twilight nodded, trying to put on her best Princess voice. "Very g-I mean, thank you, Lieuteant. If I could ask you one favor? Please go and get Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity-"

"Pinkie Pie and Applejack? I've already dispatched guards to each of their homes. They'll be meeting us at the scene." His voice cracked a bit on the last word, and he turned around abrubtly. "To be honest, Princess, we've never seen anything like it. Please, follow us." The three other guards moved into posistion around Twilight, and the five of them started down the road.

As they walked, ponies came out from their homes and businesses, muttering to each other, and the number of ponies increased as they went on, until they came upon a small crowd. The ponies parted, revealing a terrible sight.

A pale green unicorn was laying on the ground, her eyes frozen wide in fear. Even from the distance, Twilight could tell that she was no longer breathing. She moved past the gathered ponies, stepping over the tape that she'd never seen used and joining her friends.

"H-how could this have happened?" Fluttershy asked; her voice was shaking as she looked down at the body of the unicorn. Rainbow Dash was patting her back, and she looked up.

"Doesn't matter, does it, Twilight?" she asked. Her own voice was tight, and it was obvious she was holding back tears. "We're going to find whoever, or whatever, did this, and make them wish they were dead."

Applejack pulled the two of them away, looking up at Twilight with an expression that wasn't hard to read. Even Pinkie Pie wasn't her usual energetic self; it was like a solemn gloom had come over the town.

Twilight stepped a bit closer to the unicorn...Jade Dream, she thought it was. A jeweler pony; Rarity had bought a few gems from her...it was bizzare. The way she was lying, it was as if she had been simply tossed aside. Twilight looked her over, studying, trying to find some clue. "Have you determined a cause of death?"

"Not yet." Stalwart responded. "The medical ponies did a prelimary exam, but they've never...never had to..." he shook his head. "All they found were two small wounds, here." he pointed at Jade's neck. Twilight leaned in, narrowing her eyes. She could see a pair of puncture wounds, close together. "An animal, perhaps? A venomous snake? But..."

"That is quite enough." a voice boomed out. The crowd parted again, much wider as another three ponies came unto the scene. Princess Luna, flanked by two of the Night Guard. "We're going to be taking this poor pony back to Canterlot. We will inform you once we know more." she nodded at her guards, who picked up Jade and loaded her unto a nearby cart.
Twilight followed, going over to Princess Luna. "Do you have any idea what could have happened?" she asked, a ray of hope shining for a brief moment.

Princess Luna shook her head. "You should not concern yourself with that, Twilight Sparkle. We will handle it from here." without another word, she turned away, and took flight with the guards, headed in the direction of Canterlot.

"What was that all about?" Rarity asked, watching the figures disappear into the morning sky. "I didn't even think Luna would be awake right now..."

Twilight watched them leave as well, lost in thought. Luna was being even more cryptic than usual, and on a matter of such severe import. "I'm not sure, but I'm planning on finding out. You five stay here with Spike. If anything else happens, he can send me a letter."

"And where are you going?" Rarity asked, turning to Twilight, who was already on her way out of the crowd.

"To Canterlot. I need to speak with the Princesses."

"That was a bold move. Sure to draw attention. Are you certain, Your Majesty?"

"The time for patience is over; for too long we've allowed ourselves to be bridled by other's rules. If all goes as planned, we
will regain our rightful place, and the Council will be dissolved."

"What if all does not go as planned? We risk too much."

A soft chuckle followed. "We must risk much to gain much. Already, events are unfolding to our benifit. By the time the moon is new again, we will have won."