Author's Note

Welcome to the longest Lunar Tales story I'm about to write.
This will be much similar to Dashing through the fire in style and pace.

That means:
Prologue, Epilogue, and side-chapters will be in third person.
The main story will be explained out of first view from one of the important characters.
There WILL be a huge amount of clop in it (You get a warning for those chapters)

Now I hope you have fun!

Prologue

Prologue

The outskirts of Canterlot were cast in total darkness; not a single pony was about at the late hour of midnight. Only a few lit windows betrayed the fact that some ponies might still be awake. Soft moonlight shined upon the streets, briefly illuminating a dark form before it disappeared into the shadows.

It hurried along, using every bit of shadow it could to let the black of its long hood melt into the environment. A pony’s eyes could scarcely follow it, but it was there.

Its goal was a small park near the border of Canterlot. No light, no ponies around, just total darkness and secrecy. It stopped and looked around before throwing down the hood.

Grey Plate surveyed his surroundings, watching every movement and listening to every sound. It was then he noticed the tiniest of movement to his side. He whirled around before letting out a soft sigh.

“It’s me, come out,” he growled.

Around him, several dark beings rose from the bushes and moved to him until they were all gathered in the middle. One hood after another dropped, illuminating four stallions and two mares next to him.

“Grey Plate, why did you ask for a meeting,” a mare with yellow coat and white mane asked, her sky-blue eyes fixing on him. “I thought we agreed that there was to be no contact while we collect the information.”

“Lady Blum, it is my regret to inform you that I have been withdrawn of my position as a Royal Guard in our Princess’s army,” Grey Plate’s voice contained barely restrained anger, “But I am pleased to tell you that I have all the information we might need.”

A brown stallion with black mane laughed, “How? All you did in the last few months was whine over the general and the Nightmare.”

“Well, Deep Sugar, the Nightmare is the source of our problems. I have information, directly delivered by the Night Being herself, that the Lunar Guard is nothing but an abnormality she created to overthrow our true princess once again,” Grey Plate smiled before frowning, “However, we have the problem of the general herself.”

“You should not worry about this little issue,” a black stallion with red mane stepped forward, “I have every reason to believe that the general won’t be in our way.”

“Share your wisdom with us, Streak,” Lady Blum frowned.

“Well,” Streak smiled, “She has two large weaknesses. One is her wife, and the other one…”

“Is her foal!” The white mare next to Lady Blum laughed, her golden mane whipping as she shook her head, “We just have to kill both of her anchors to this world, and she will fall after them.”

“It is not that easy, apparently,” Grey Plate snorted, “We need a proper plan. Once the general and her loyals are out of the way, we can finally get rid of the Nightmare and bathe in the praise of our true princess.”

“All of you are ordered to gather as much intel as you can,” Lady Plum said, her voice barely a whisper, “Get in contact with every source we have. I will give a signal once we can meet again. I may have something in mind for our lovely little bat ponies,” she grinned, “But let them sleep for now, they will awake soon enough to find their Nightmare gone.”

Streak coughed, “What will we do now that Grey Plate isn’t one of use anymore?”

Lady Blum glared at Grey Plate, “He risked his mission and will be punished for it. However, he still has a lot of friends in the Royal Guard. Grey Plate, for now, you remain silent and try to gather as much information from outside of the castle as you can. Don’t fail!”

Grey Plate gulped before bowing low, “Your wish is my duty, Lady Blum.”

“Go home and fulfill your tasks,” Lady Blum said before raising a hoof, showing a golden band engraved with a sun, “For the true Princess, for the Sun, for the Light of Equestria!” she chimed.

The others held hooves with similar bands up, “For the true Princess, for the Sun, for the Light of Equestria!” they echoed after the mare before silently spreading out.

As soon as Grey Plate was further away from the park, he cursed silently. Everything was going to plan before that rookie and the general had played him months ago. He lost his job and every honorable status. Yet, he had plans for his future.

General Night Watch, fear us, as we will bring down your Nightmare and raise the true princess, he thought bitterly before slipping into the shadows again.