Abductions

Easy

Weeks passed after the Peace-colt incidents with Twilight and Rarity. The townsfolk began to grow fearful as the Guard's methods of peace keeping began to become more brutal and atrocious. A few letters came from Applejack's Cousin in Appaloosa; it shared in detail, how the small old west town fared no better with it's own peace keepers. And a few letters from a friend in Manehattan informed Rarity that a great deal of his associates had been incarcerated for a midnight game of Cricket; after a curfew was set by the mayor of the city.

The disappearances hadn't stopped, but they had dramatically decreased in frequency from before the Peace-colt occupation. Though, with the way the stallion guards had shown to operate, many ponies were beginning to wish to take their chances without them. After a suspected poison had been leaked into a carrot delivery to Phillydelphia, Officers of the guard received decrees from the Princess to: Monitor all incoming and outgoing food supply, oversee all crop farmers scheduled care giving and fertilizer or crop assistant additive inserts, and inspect all shop products to ensure the public safety.

The Princess's paranoia had gripped the land in a plague of authoritative over-protection-ism. Nopony could understand why the Crown had implemented such overbearing restrictions, but anytime the public brought the restrictions into question, the Guard would stress the severity of the mass murder's threat to them, and any rebellion to the rule was quickly expunged.

Twilight's dreams had progressed, showing the Pony in Black, whom she aptly named "Shadow" chasing after his cloaked adversary Twilight had so originally named "Mystery". Twilight's dreams sequences would always begin with Shadow wondering around a town, his eyes shooting in every direction trying to find his prey. As they progressed, it was always the same thing: Shadow would find Mystery, attempt to confront him, Mystery would run away, Shadow would chase after, and eventually lose the cloaked pony.

It was maddening for Shadow, whenever he would lose Mystery, he would slam his hoof against the ground and let out a grunt or slam his head against the floor. As the dreams grew in abundance, the hate Twilight felt for the Pony began to wither and be replaced by pity. She too wanted to see who Mystery was, but all the work that Shadow had to do to find him, and for all his efforts coming up empty hoofed every time, had left her with an empty feeling. She could only imagine how her guide must have felt.

Shadow had tracked the pony to: Manehattan, Canterlot, Fillidelphia, Trottingham, a few small villages some where in her country that Twilight didn't know the names of, and the events were always predictable. Though, Mysteries methods of escape were resourceful beyond the mare's most cunning tricks, he: Disappeared in the maze at Canterlot, leapt down from the buildings of Manehattan into a dark alley way and had previously placed two faux manikin ponies dressed as he, for shadow to be distracted by while the cloaked pony escaped.

Twilight had just awoken from her latest dream where Shadow had failed, yet again, to capture Mystery. She sat up and noticed the moon still dominated the night sky. A quick yawn and a glance later she found the clock was stuck on half after two. The mare stretched and pondered going back to sleep, the dream she had just woken up from ended with the Pony in Black slamming his hooves on a stone brick road after Mystery kicked down a ladder that lead up to the Trottingham town wall; Mystery knew that by the time Shadow would have the ladder back up he would be long gone, and Shadow knew it too.

Twilight stretched her arms out and stood from her bed. She rubbed her eyes and wondered downstairs to get something to drink. The mare entered the kitchen and rummaged threw her fridge, she grabbed a small pitcher of lemonade, and gracelessly placed it on the light wood counter. A smell hit Twilight, a smell of smoke filled Twilight's nostrils, she sniffed it in. It wasn't the kind of smoke she had ever smelt before, she knew the scent of chard trees, pastries, and even some vegetables, but this was completely... unprecedented.

The mare silently cursed Spike, assuming he was responsible and must have burnt something upstairs, She shook her her head and closed the fridge. Her heart skipped a beat, something stood where the door was before it closed. Twilight's breathing began to shallow and she slowly turned her head to confirm her fears. A pare of scowling eyes looked down at her, and a face contorted in a sneer.

Twilight gained control of her breathing, but her laid back ears and wide eyes could not be controlled, taking away any semblance of confidence she could use to offset the intruder. She was scared, and she was certain that Shadow knew it.

"Take heed, Miss Sparkle." Shadow growled, his voice far lower and raspier than she remembered from her dreams. The black clad pony turned his back to the unicorn in a thick silence. Twilight's eyes were wide and her mouth hung open, she was so accustomed to being in an Omnipresent state when she saw him; that it was almost incredible that he was acknowledging her existence now. "Your enemy is much closer to you than you think.". The black drenched pony bucked his hinged legs on a cabinet causing a loud and boom to echo throughout the kitchen.

In the surge of shock; Twilight jumped back and the light emulating from Twilights horn went out. Darkness crept around her for a moment before Twilight reignited the kitchen; she shifted her eyes and face all around, but couldn't find the Pony in black. Again, she was alone.

"You enemy is closer to you than you think?" Twilight asked, calming herself. She wasn't as scared as she had been the first time the two had seen each other, but her lack of real understanding of Shadow was enough to keep her fear of the unknown. After a quick inspection of the entire Library, she went off to bed again, a strange feeling of safety came over her as she snuggled into the blankets; if he wanted to hurt he, he would have done it by now... but what does he want?

"OMIGOSHOMIGOSHOMIGOH!" Pinkie Pie was jumping up and down sporadically, a gleeful smile bore across her face as her fluffy mane bounced up and down lightly over her face.

Twilight stood next to Rarity and Fluttershy in bewilderment, one minute the three of them were talking about how they were going to visit a fashion show that Rarity was "oh so dying to see, darling." The next, a now present Pinkie Pie gracelessly explodes in the middle of them and starts jumping and excitedly repeating the mindless phrase. "Pinkie dear, what are you going on about?"

Twilight gave a small grin, she was happy to see Rarity back to her old self again, She didn't know what Zecora did, or how Pinkie Pie knew that the zebra could help; but the purple unicorn was glad to see her friend speak with confidence and grace. She remembered that a few days ago, Rarity had told her; Zecora was giving her some kind of strange healing magic. Today was the first day in weeks the White and 'fabulous' unicorn looked genuinely relaxed in public. She seemed so much better off in fact, Twilight pondered visiting the zebra as well.

Pinkie stopped, happy that someone finally appeased her need for attention, and gave a smile a mile wide; shaming anything other grin she ever gave before.. "Star Seeker just asked me out on a date!" she yelled before bouncing up and down again, babbling about falling in love and what a wonderful time they would have. The Party Pony froze in place and let out a gasp of realization, "But what if we don't have a good time? What if HE doesn't have a good time? What if i do something embarrassing or something to offend him or-" A white hoof trapped what other discouragement that Pinkie was about to speculate on.

"Pinkie listen to me," Rarity quipped, holding her hoof steady. "First off, who is this 'Star Seeker' fellow you are talking about? Secondly, do try to calm down darling; your words are hardly understandable." The white unicorn slowly removed her hoof from her companion's mouth and took a step back.

Pinkie took a deep breath and with all the effort she could muster, attempted to keep her excitement contained. "Well, Star Seeker is this AMAZING Pegasus," Her speech becoming more and more excited with every word. "And he came to Ponyville with the Peace-colts, considering he is a Peace-colt, it's really no surprise. But he is this amazingly bright white, and his blond mane covers his eyes just right to make him look sooooo cute. And he is so strong, like his shoulders are really really broad and his eyes are... are... What's another word for pretty?" Pinkie Pie took a well needed breath while waiting for an answer.

"Gorgeous?" Barked Rarity with a hopeful grin.

"Wonderful?" Fluttershy followed.

"Amazing?" Twilight added.

"Incredible." Pinkie Pie went stary eyed. Twilight had never seen her friend like this before. Sure she had gone on a few dates with other stallions, but this was the first time Pinkie Pie seemed so entranced by one. Even her smile was different, her typical; hyper and enthusiastic turn of the cheeks was now... calmer, more serine? Twilight couldn't explain it, but Pinkie was more than just happy.

"Well, don't leave us in the dark Pinkie." Rarity interjected, her eyes more than interested. "Details mare, details!" She demanded.

Pinkie snapped from her day dream, and proceeded to divulge the sought after information with glee. "Well," She started of with a surprisingly calm tone. "I first met him when he came into Sugar Cube Corner..."

Twilight listen with delight, the tale of the first time the two ponies had met was told in a much more infatuating and descriptive way; in contrast to the Party Ponies typical hyper speak and random interjections, it was almost scary. Pinkie told of the many conversations they had while she was at work, the ponies well built body, and how surprising attracted Pinkie admitted she was to a stallion in uniform.

Fluttershy seemed to grasp the emotion of the Pink Ponies tale, but nowhere near as much as Rarity. The Unicorns facial features would change both subtly and dramatically depending on the situation or tone of the story being told.

Pinkie went on about how the two had taken walks together, giving slight motions with her hands to give ample enhancement to her story. She explained how two salted up ponies demanded free service, and how her Knight in Shining armor was actually an officer and dismissed them from her shop. Leaving the two to converse about how the Peace-colts had been called to service and many stallions were new, seemingly coming from out of now where.

Twilight thought about her own first run in with the Peace-colts, and the horrible threats they made against her. But that gave way to that one single Stallion carefully taking her home that night, and setting her to bed. She hadn't seen him since then, and the more Pinkie's stories progressed, the more she couldn't help but imagine his maroon hair and gentle eyes instead of her friends own colt friend, especially during Pinkie's rescue. The maroon pony didn't rescue her per se, but he did help Twilight in her time of need, and that was enough.

"... And i'm supposed to meet him at noon today in the park." Pinkie finished, her tone gleeful, but her excitement still kept surprisingly in check.

"Hello Miss Pie." Called a strong voice from behind. The four mares looked over to behold two Peace-colts standing behind them: One, a white stallion with a golden mane, some of whose locks fell ceremoniously over his eyes, his face stolen with a gentle and inquisitive smile. The second pony brought a shot of familiar excitement to Twilight, his maroon hair stuck out from the vulnerable spots of his armor. His eyes were barely open, they reminded her of Big Macintosh; though instead of being a relaxed stare, the stallion looked more tired. Though, they widened slightly as soon as they caught hers and he looked away before the slightly higher shade of red took his cheeks.

"Hi Sergeant!" Pinkie exclaimed hugging the pegasus around the neck, the strapping younger stallion returning the affection. Twilight couldn't help but smile at what just had to be love. The unicorn couldn't lie to herself; she would have loved to have been Pinkie Pie at that moment.

"I told you Pinkie." The stallion scolded breaking the embrace, "Sergeant is for the job."

Pinkie giggled and gave her date a seductive eyed, devilish smile. "Oh, sorry Stary." Pinkie couldn't hold the provocative posture long before she lost her composure to a small giggle. "So who's your friend?"

Star looked beside him to observe his tired companion. "That would be Corporal Buckler Gladius,"

Twilight smiled, she liked the name, though found it rather ironic, considering what both words meant.

"Pleasure." Buckler bowed his head.

"Hi." Pinkie waved a hoof and proceeded to introduce her present associates. "These are my friends: Rarity, Fluttershy and-"

"Twilight," The Maroon pony interrupted with a smile lifting his head slightly. "Yes we have met." The purple mare couldn't help but blush, she found the Peace-colt quite attractive, and it wasn't just because of his help last they met.

Rarity let out a sarcastic sound of realization. "Well it sounds like you lot have a lot to talk about," She proclaimed with a wink; and turned around nudging the yellow pegasus away. "We'll just leave you to it then."

Fluttershy let out a squeek of protest, "But Rarity, do they really need to be alone to talk?"

"Fluttershy dear," Rarity stared dead eyed, "Maybe you could help me in the bouteaqu, and let these four speak in private?"

Fluttershy gave a confused look, then her face had a smack of realization upon looking at the two pairs of ponies remaining. "oh, ok, sure. Have fun you guys!" The two departing ponies waved their goodbyes and trotted off; leaving the four ponies to converse in the park.

"Soooo..." began Star Chaser, his tone trying to break the awkward silence. "Miss Pie, i was hoping i could treat you to lunch before we took a nice relaxing hay ride."

Pinkies eyes lit up like a child's. "That would be fantastic." She nuzzled her new coltfriend and the turned and started walking away from Twilight and Buckler.

"Oh corporal," Star turned to face the two once more. "Be sure to get some sleep will ya?"

Buckler humphed, "Yea you'd like that, wouldn't ya Sarge." He replied.

The White stallion sighed, "Gladius, you have been up for three days straight, the last thing i need is to have my second in command collapse on the job. Now get some sleep, that's an order." Before any protest could be given, Star pulled Pinkie back into a trot to the market district of Ponyville.

Buckler gave a scowl to his superior and shook his head, deciding it better to keep any further comments of retaliation to himself.

"Why have you been up for three days?" Twilight asked.

Buckler turned back to the mare and blinked his bloodshot eyes. "Keeping night watch. Something I think you would appreciate." He spat.

Twilight grimaced at the unnecessarily harsh words, and looked uneasily at the pony responsible.

"Sorry." Buckler shook his head frantically and rubbing his hoof over his eyes, trying to wake himself up. "I guess the lack of sleep is getting to me."

"Well maybe you should get some sleep." Twilight answered, her voice tinted with dry sarcasm.

The maroon pony smirked and scoffed. "Yea right, with all the Peace-colts around who would love to kill me? I don't think many of them have any problem with doing it the coward’s way." He yawned again before looking around, assumedly for any Guards he could consider a threat.

Twilight's look of guard gave way to one of concern. "Why would they want to kill you?"

"I don't tolerate my colts doing whatever they please." Replied Buckler stretching out his neck, "and i certainly don't tolerate it when they decide they are going to do whatever they please at the expense of another, weaker pony."

Twilight couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration, this pony has sacrificed nights of sleep, the feeling of safety among his own stallion subordinates, and the chance to be seen as something great among said 'stallions' if he would have gone with it. Instead he actually held true to his word to protect the Citizens of Ponyville; and now he suffers the price for it. "Hey, if you need a safe place to sleep..."

Buckler let out a questioning "Hmmm?"

"You're more than welcome to my place. I kinda owe you, anyway." Twilight’s cheeks heated a little, part of her really hoping he would accept her invitation.

Buckler scoffed lightly again and shook his head. "Nah, nah I’m good. A little missed sleep isn't a big deal, thanks for the offer-" The stallion let out an extra long yawn, "though." he finished closing his eyes, giving up the fight to keep them open.

"Yea, no big deal huh?" Twilight teased waving her hoof in front of the stallions face. "If it's really no 'big deal' than why are you falling asleep right now?" She watched as Buckler stood with his head drooping down and he began to waver from side to side; the mare walked to his left and lightly pushed him over; making the pony hit the grass with an audible thud.

"What?" Buckler opened his eyes to discover he was on the ground and a purple unicorn now stood over him. "Oh, so it's a fight you want?"

"Huh?" Twilight asked un-amused.

With visible effort, Buckler got to his feet, and stared Twilight down. "You want to go a few rounds with me? Is that why you pushed me over?"

Twilight's eyes went flat, she found this behavior immature and irrational; but by the same token, she also found it fun and comical. "I did it to prove a point, you can't even stay awake standing up. Besides you were going to fall over anyway; might as well make it sooner rather than later."

"Bah!" Buckler replied stretching his front legs. "A lucky shot is all." He immediately relaxed his legs staggering down a little, with a pained look on his face after the extension.

Twilight rolled her eyes before giving an evil smile. "Problems with your legs?"

"I wouldn't test me if I were you Miss Sparkle." Buckler smirked. "Make no mistake, you may be the protégé to the Crown, but i have only ever lost three challenges in my life." His smile turned into a scowl, "and everything and anything is a competition to win."

A look morbid look claimed the young mare's face, "Competition? You think me offering my home to you is a competition?"

Buckler gave a confused no, and brought the conversation back to Twilight pushing him over. The two talked in circles for the better part of ten minutes before Twilight decided that instead of going with her typical rout of being logically stubborn, she would have some fun and play to his psyche.

"Not everything is a Competition you know." The unicorn proclaimed, turning her back to him. "Although, I do have a challenge for you. And you claim to have never lost a challenge right?"

A look of interest stole Bucklers features, an eye brow of intent raised and a confident smile on his lips. "Never once."

"I challenge you to get some sleep." Twilight pronounced having another plan in mind should her ploy fail.

Buckler frowned and opened his mouth to abate, but nothing came out. He scowled at the ground and his eyes slowly started to lose the deep determination they once had. "I can't even think straight on why that's a bull challenge.”

“But it’s still a challenge” Twilight replied, hoping to end the conversation without the word ‘challenge’ being used again. You’d think someone would come up with a better word after its overuse.

“ Fine, you win, I accept."

Twilight gave a proud smirk in triumph. "C'mon, let's go." She trotted to the library content in her victory, and a bit releaved that she didn’t have to move to plan B. Buckler followed close behind and could be heard yawning every so often. The purple mare opened the door, and allowed the Stallion inside.

"Huh, place looks a lot bigger during the day." Buckler quipped looking around.

"Yea, well when you can see." Twilight shrugged, closing the door and leading Buckler to her bedroom. "You can sleep here for a while."

Buckler looked between the mare and the bed, he observed the bedroom noticing a number of: Books, high tech telescopes and other scientific looking objects in tidy condition through out the room. "Isn't this your bed?"

"It's the only bed i have." Twilight replied embarrassed.

"Uhh..."

A purple hoof covered the uncertain ponies mouth. "Ah-ah-ah" Twilight chided silenced the Stallion, and pointed her other hoof to the bed. "You accepted the Challenge."

The uncertain look on Bucklers eyes vanished and they grew soft looking at Twilight, she liked those eyes; the same eyes that he had when the stallion carried her home. It wasn't until Buckler cleared his throat that Twilight broke eye contact and noticed her hoof had been on his mouth longer than she had intended. She retracted her hoof and blushed again. "Oh, sorry about that."

Bucklers smile grew, "Why? I wasn't complaining." he snicker playfully and removed his helm; revealing a short cropped, black mane with a single red stripe running down each side. "Thank you, Twilight." He placed the silver head piece on her night stand and removed the rest of his armor until the only thing present was a; tunic that cover his body from his neck to his Cutie Mark.

Twilight bid him pleasant dreams and closed the door behind her as she left the room. Her heart was pounding in her chest as trotted down the stairs and sat on the sofa by the fireplace. For the first time in a long time a bit of tranquility and harmony returned to her mind, for the first time in months she finally felt... at ease.

(Zomg, a chapter that doesn't have really anything going on? One with a bit of *gasp* subtelty? Or the best i can make while trying keep that word in mind? Meh, there is relevance... I think.