Dance Under Star Kismet

Chapter 4 - Luster

Cloudfire returned from the Forbidden Forest after Phase III was completed within 4 days of his arrival. Only two of the three that decided to stay made it out alive. One of the trainees was died due to an infected wound caused by the Tartaran. It would've been very likely that none of them would've made it if Cloudfire didn't take one of the Tartarans out from the Phase. Gamma viewed Cloudfire and the other officers in a dim light.
Gamma and Pen, the other trainee, were to meet Dawn for a ceremony. The official end of training.

There they stood right next by each other in a plain room that had only a symbol painted on the wall before them. A diamond with two wings. A small table with a box on it at the top of a couple steps in front of them. Only a chandelier lit up the room. Double wooden doors shut behind and they heard steps. On their left appeared Cloudfire and Gardok, on their right Lancer. Not a word was spoken for a few moments, then they heard the double doors open once more.

Dawn went up to the table and looked at Gamma and Pen. "I'm so glad you two made it. We can use the extra help now that things have gotten a little wild." She said with a smile. She levitated the small box to her and opened it up. Inside were two short black tassels. She showed them. "These shall be tied on the blades you will construct yourselves." She closed the box. "Your job is very important and also very simple. Protect the princesses, at all costs. Even if it means turning your steel on your friends or family. Let's hope it never comes to that. All because you are standing here today does not mean you are Cloaked Dagger. Somewhere down the line you will prove yourself loyal to your family in armor and the family under the crowns. Somewhere down the line you will unknowingly prove yourself to others that you are truly a Cloaked Dagger. Isn't that right, Gardok?"

"Yes, Princess." Gardok responded calmly.

"Always loyal. Always strong. Always honorable." Dawn added, "Tomorrow, you both will begin construction of your unique blades. Today, just have some time for yourselves." The Princess bowed to them and they to her. "Dismissed." Gamma and Pen turned around walked out the doors. Lancer and Gardok followed. "Why're you still here, Cloudfire?"

"Expanding your trust circle? That's new." He answered.

"It's about time I started making new friends again."

Later that night Gamma was with another equine. A mare. Lying down in the middle of a field close by to their house they had in Lalifong. Staring into the clear night sky. Stars stippled the black sky.

"I missed you." She yawned.

"I know, Dwell. I missed you too." Gamma responded. A few minutes passed and he noticed that Dwell has fallen asleep. He got up and lifted her onto his back and carried her inside. He payed her on the bed and went to blow out the candles, on the way he noticed somepony outside. He blew them out and stepped outside to the stranger. As he drew closer to the shadowy figure he noticed it was Dawn. "What're you doing here, Princess?" Dawn was staring at the stars and Gamma stepped next to her.

"Gamma, before all this. Before I became a... damn Princess, I used to stare at the sky all night long with Excaelum whenever my father wasn't around. When I got these wings Excaelum vanished. I'll give up these wings if it meant he'd come back. Even for day."

"Dragons are dangerous. I wouldn't want one such as him nearby. If the stories about him were true."

"It is true they are. When they are raised by greed and selfishness."

"It's in the dragons nature to be selfish."

"You're still too young to know these things." Dawn chuckled.

Gamma became fed up with her, "Why are you here? If you won't answer me I'll have to ask you to leave."

"Alright alright. A little advice."

"I'm listening."

"You weren't told this on purpose, but before Phase III ended I was attacked by a Peacekeeper. A loyal one too, but the one behind the attack exposed his weakness. His family, loved ones. Keep your loved ones secret, Gamma." There were steps behind them, it was Dwell.

"Princess!" She quickly bowed her head. "Gamma, didn't tell me you were coming." Gamma brought her head up.

"It's alright he didn't expect me either. I was just about to leave." Dawn said with a soft voice. "I will see you both soon." Dawn walked into the dark woods, Gamma and Dwell disappeared behind the thick leaves. "I hope he knows the consequences by having her in his life." Dawn walked about five minutes without realizing how deep in the woods she was in. It was dark and cold. The smell of rotting flesh was nearby. She covered her nose with a wing and continued forward. The stench grew stronger. She saw a large pile of leaves before her. Swarms of flies hovered over the leaves. Dawn blew away the leaves with a spell and saw a body of a dragon. She felt her heart skip a beat, at first glance she immediately thought of Excaelum, but calmed down after coming to her senses. This dragon was too small to be Kishi as well.

"Ahh, the princess." A voice said from the dark. It sounded malicious.

"Who's there?" She asked.

"The bark of the trees. The howl through the leaves." It replied.

Dawn said under her breath, "Timberwolves."

"You wandered into my territory without permission. Since you are Alicorn, I can let this pass."

"I apologize for my idiocy."

"Mm, but you wouldn't have seen this corpse if you haven't. So-called destiny."

"Timberwolves don't believe in that type of thing." Dawn began to look around.

"No. A question is burning inside you. Ask away, your highness."

Dawn turned back to the dead dragon, "What happened to it?"

"She crawled here. Bleeding from her chest."

"I recognize this dragon. She name was Luster, an Air solitary."

The Timberwolf scoffed, "The ranks of those dragons do not matter anymore." The Timberwolf stepped out of the shadows, into the moonlight. Large pale green eyes glowed in the night. Dark wood structured his body.

Dawn's heart pumped faster, "I have never seen an Alpha Timberwolf." She bowed to the towering wolf. "What are you doing so far east of your territory?"

"The dragon. Word came to me and it's been so long since the last one was seen. Unfortunately it's dead." The Alpha walked to the corpse, the ground shook with every step. "Much respect is given to the dragons. Only an Alpha may give one a proper burial if it were to die in Timberwolf territory." The Alpha used the roots of the trees to cocoon the corpse. Luster was then consumed by dirt and roots. "A word of advice for you, Princess Dawn. You need to gain strong allies. A long time ago dragons disappeared and were only found dead or dying. I fear history will repeat itself. Magic, more fearsome and powerful than yours, was responsible for that time." The Alpha stepped back into the trees and disappeared.

Dawn's heart settled again. Dead silent the night was. Not even the wind was howling anymore, maybe this was the moment of silence for poor Luster. She walked over to the grave where she was taken by the earth. All that was left was a tiny plant. It's glimmered in the moonlight giving Dawn a good feeling, she couldn't help but smile. A bright speck, like a firefly, hovered a foot above the plant and exploded into smaller specks of light. Slowly flying to the ground the specks seemed to dance.