A Hardened Warrior

Chapter 21 - Contingency Plans

A lunar guard approached Luna in her royal chambers to deliver a message about the invaders from the previous night.

“Princess, the Royal Archives were invaded.”

“What?! Was anything taken?”

“We think so.”

“What did they take?”

“Were still trying to figure that out, Princess.”

“Keep at it, there are some things in that room that shouldn’t exist.”

A curt nod was all the response she received.

‘Perhaps I shall consult my sister about this...’

She got out of her bed, put on her regalia, and worked on removing her fatigued looks. Wasting fifteen minutes getting the sleep out of her eyes, she headed off through the palace to locate her sister. She found her during a meeting yet again with the griffin ambassador. He wouldn’t stop complaining to her about catching the human that was now their problem, not his.

The complaints and propositions lasted a good half an hour before the ambassador and his guards left. She took that as her queue to walk in, she did. Much to her sister’s surprise, who hadn’t been told about the break-in.

“Oh! Luna, you’re awake.”

“Sister, there is something of importance we must discuss with thee.”

“What is it?” She asked, while giving a questioning look.

“A group hath invaded the Royal Archives.”

Celestia’s face lost all emotion. “What did they take?”

“We are unsure as of yet. But they were definitely after something key.”

“Most likely. Would you report to me when they find something?”

“Of course, sister.”

“Thank you, I will see you then. As for now, I have other meetings to attend to.”

“Then we shan’t keep you.”

Luna turned, and left the room, being replaced by two uncertain unicorns. Twilight’s parents.

‘Oh boy... this again.’ Was all Celestia thought when she saw them.

“Sir, I think we found what was taken.” A solar guard announced.

“What was it?” Shining Armor questioned.

“Something from the ‘enchantments’ section.”

“Alright, I’ll let the princess know.”

Shining Armor quickly left the archives to find the Solar Princess, to deliver the information. Luck would have it that as he arrived in the dining room where she was holding conference with his parents, they were just leaving. He knew they were most likely worried about Twiley, but she would be just fine.

“Princess Celestia.” He announced, while saluting.

“Oh? Hello Shining Armor, what brings you here?”

“We’ve discovered that something from the ‘enchantments’ section was taken.”

“How many items?”

“Just one.”

“I see... assemble some of your soldiers, I want a patrol at the temple in the Everfree.”

“Yes, Princess... may I ask what for?”

“No. This is a need to know basis only.”

Shining Armor left the dining hall, and proceeded to the barracks. He repeated the orders over a table with a map of Equestria on it. The others nodded, and took off to fulfill their duties pulling a chariot large enough to carry a month’s worth of supplies, being escorted by two dozen solar guards.

“Nnng... Spike, close the blinds.” Twilight was stirring, not yet realizing what happened.

“Twilight...?” Rarity was just awakening as well. “Oh my... why, are we on a cart, outside of Ponyville?”

“Wha...?” Twilight opened her eyes, noticing the things Rarity pointed out. They were indeed outside of Ponyville, not farm from Applejack’s farm. Twilight gasped, realizing the moments from yesterday. “Do you think he brought us here?”

“I doubt it Twilight. He’s a monster. Monsters aren’t friendly.”

“We didn’t think he was a monster when he was here in town...”

“That was before Nightmare took his body.”

“But-” Twilight’s response was cut short as she heard groans from the other sleeping ponies next to her.

“Twilight... what’s goin’ on? Why am I sleeping in a cart...?”

“Dash, we all passed out after using the elements. I think Roderick took us back to Ponyville.”

Rainbow Dash quickly bolted upwards, hovering a few feet off the cart. “Where is he?! Did you catch him?”

“No Dash... he got away...” Twilight responded with a defeated tone. “I’m going to send a letter to the Princess.”

“Twilight, It’s not your fault.” Rarity said, in a comforting tone.

“I know, but we still couldn’t capture him... after all he’s done.”

“It wasn’t him, It was her.”

“You’re right... but what if it wasn’t? What if it really is him?”

“Ever the optimistic one...” Rarity said in a mocking tone.

By now, the others had awoken, with shame in their eyes. Twilight took off for the library. Upon seeing the door being locked, she grumbled, commenting on Spike’s laziness. But what she saw inside, made her thoughts stop. The library was clean, but had no sign of activity.

“Spike...?”

No response.

“Spi~ike?”

Still no response. Twilight was getting worried, so she bolted upstairs. She found a cold room, missing pictures, and no dragon.

“Oh no... Spike!”

‘So... where shall we go now?’

’I am unsure, as of yet.’

‘Something that doesn’t involve pain.’

’Obviously...’

‘Any ideas?’

’Well... there’s a temple in the Everfree. Shall we attempt to look over there?’

‘May as well...’

He walked away from the cart of sleeping ponies, praying silently to any and all deities he could name, foreign or not, for their safety. Nothing would attack them... but he was unsure of whether they truly would wake up. He could faintly hear what he thought were voices from the heavens. Had he truly spoken to a deity? They were saying something about 'puppets'...

He’d arrived in the forest after a few short minutes of traveling, much faster than with that damnable cart he was dragging with him. He continued on with his new journey, trudging on to the ‘temple’ Nightmare had suggested.

’May I ask a favor of you?’

‘What is it?’

’That you call me Ceres’

‘Seres hmm?’

’Indeed, now that I’m no longer infused with my sister, I should have a new name, should I not?’

‘Yes, you should. Seres. By the way, how do you spell it?’

’C-E-R-E-S. Ceres.’

‘Where have I heard that name before?’

’A story you read. I thought it would fit me.’

‘Ah... yes... “The Legend of the Lone Wanderer”.’

’Yes... That one.’

Before a full week, he’d arrived at said temple they spoke of. Only to be yet again, surrounded by various guards.

“Halt, creature!”