A Darker Heart

Chapter 2

Celestia was late to set the sun. Something that only added to the gloomy atmosphere I had felt since the encounter with the mare in the cloak. This quiet little fishing town had more going on then meets the eye. I briefly picked up my saddle bags and considered leaving. But was stopped by the stallion I had met the other day Stepping Stone. He waved me over. "Hey I wanted to let you know a new contract was just shared with the company."

"A Job?" I asked

"Yeah, looks like it pays pretty well too. They are certainly paying us well to promote it." He said handing me a flier.

"Crewmates needed? This is a job on a ship?" I asked.

"Well we are kinda a shipping company" He said sarcastically.

This got me to laugh for the first time that day. "You don't want to get into a sarcasm match with me." I said.

"Why? Afraid you might lose?"

This got him a playful punch on the shoulder. "If it pays so well why dont you join it?" I asked.

"Oh I am, Im actually already signed up. I just wanted to get the message to you before I leave." He said with a hint of pride. "I uh never got your name last time." He said looking straight at her.

"Its Scarlett Rain. Please to meet you. What about your shop? Your Grandma?"

"Well Miss Scarlett I'm not the only Stone at the Sunny Shores Shipping Company. I've got a few sisters. There is Lime Stone, Wood Stone, Bright Stone, Silver Stone, Sapphire Stone, Little Stone Heart, (She was adopted) Precious Stone."

"I think I get it. Tha's a lot of sisters." I said.

"Eyup, so I'm all set to go. Question is, are you going?"

I looked at the flier and sighed. It was a big decision and I didn't want to make it lightly. "Ill think about it." I said.

Later I was flying low over the town trying to figure out what to do when I spotted them. A line of ponies stretched far as the eye could see. All shinning in armor and carrying weapons of war. They marched untill they were about one hundred meters from the town then they divided into colloms and began to set up camp on the beach. Much to the bewilderment of some sunbathers. I flew down to one of the soldiers. "Hey why is the army here?" I asked.

The soldier looked exhausted but he still cracked a smile. "Little r&r before heading back to the line." He said. Supreme Commander Armor is leading us to take back a village that has sided with the Empire."

"Why would anyone side with them?" I asked.

"Beats me, maybe they didn't have a choice. Maybe they are tired of Canterlot laying on their flanks while the weather runs wild and the beasties raid their farms. Either way we're gonna take back every inch of Equestrian soil Celestia as my witness." He said as he began to set up his tent.

"Well good luck, I wouldn't want to be on the front lines." I said.

"Kid, if were not careful soon everywhere may be the front lines." He said as I turned away.

The Inn's bar was booming with activity tonight as the soldiers had ferried into the town. I was in the middle of a game of cards with a group of them when I spotted the cloaked pony again. She had saddlebags and another bag thrown over her shoulder. She looked like she was in a hurry but not fast enough to outrun me. I flew up to her covered face and saw surprise in her eyes. "Hey I just want to say that im sorry If I took away your choice in the matter but I cant just let someone die like that. So I understand that you're mad, but please I just want to help."

Her bright red eyes seemed to fill instantly with tears, but she blinked and seemed to hide her emotions. "Look I wasn't gonna hit the ground, you saw me. I was gonna stop myself with magic." She said defensibly.

"Uhhu sure, well regardless I thought I might as well meet the mare who has been causing so much trouble."

She looked embarrassed. "What do you mean?"

"I saw that thing with fishface yesterday. Listen for some pony trying to conceal their identity you sure attract a lot of attention." I said.

"I am not trying to hide anything." She said and moved past the door into an alley. "Okay you're not trying to do anything I get it, but if you're trying to pretend you're not a royal you're doing it all wrong."

Her eyes went wide with shock and she looked side to side. "H..How did you?"

"Please the armored guard? Where is he by the way? And the fine silk cloak? Where did you buy that Rarities? in this backwater You stick out like a sore hoof sister." I said.

"Please please please dont tell anypony. I have bits, anything as long as you keep quiet." She pleaded

"Relax I wont say anything. I just, I wanna help you If I can."

"You've already done enough."

Just then two figures appeared in the alley with them. Two royal guards. One of them drew his spear and before I knew it he was charging at the cloaked pony. I screamed but the other guard drew a sword and was closing the distance to me. He slashed barley missing me as I ducked and tried to get away. I took off in flight and saw the cloaked pony. She dodged the spear thrusts with ease and and Aura of magic enveloped her horn blasting the guard with raw magical energy. He doubled back but she didnt see the guard with the sword that was right on top of her now. I didn't hesitate I drew back and fell as fast as gravity and my own wings would carry me and I hit the Guard with such force that he was thrown into the alley wall with a sick crunch. He wailed in pain as I had probably just broken several of his ribs.

Before I knew what happened I was surrounded by dozens of Royal guards who all pointed their spears at me. I closed my eyes knowing it would be impossible to fight them all. But the final blow didnt come. Instead they all seamed to file in line to let sompony through the tight space. A white male Unicorn in a full set of golden armor with the emblem of the sun and moon on the breastplate. I looked around for the cloaked pony, She was struggling against two guards who flanked either side of her. When she saw the Unicorn in the armor she stooped resisting and stared. The Unicorn made a movement with one hoof and the guards lowered their weapons. "I heard rumors that you were here, So I decided to drop in unannounced. I hope that we didn't stop any of your.." He motioned towards the guards who were still reeling in pain. "Fun." He said with a smile. The Mare took off her veil and reviled her face for the first time since the lighthouse.

"Hello Uncle Shinning."