“You want me to do what?”

The question hung in the air for moment between the two, Princess Celestia in more formal dress as she acted as principal for a new school that had been opened in Canterlot while the other, a charcoal colored unicorn stood before her arms crossed. Nowadays the princess had more duties to attend but it confused Nightshade on why she chose him, sure he was well qualified for the job, there were may others she could have called on.

Princess Celestia shook her head at the smaller black unicorn standing before her in the massive throne room, “Nightshade look, you’re the best we have, and we can’t afford to send any of the castle guard. We need you to round up the members of this Foals of The Draconequus cult. I’ve been hearing quite a lot about them, but I thought nothing of it a first. A group of ponies meeting in the Everfree Forest isn’t breaking the law, albeit strange, but then I began to get reports of missing ponies. This isn’t something I can bring to public light, Nightshade.”

This piqued the unicorn’s interest, he wanted as little to do with the princesses as possible but the opportunity this presented was too much to pass. Despite how dangerous this may well be, he was already formulating a plan.

Nightshade rolled up the sleeves on his hoodie and folded his arms, tracing his jawline with a fingertip in thought. Nightshade was dressed quite casually before the Celestia, a plain grey hoodie and jeans. His dress would be considered unusual to someone who didn’t know the relations between the Celestia and Nightshade. He cocked his head to the side and pointed at the princess, “So who’s Luna sending to help me out with this witch hunt?”

“Are you familiar with 1st Commander Strike? Or as the guard call her ‘Striker’? Luna figured she’d call out the best and brightest, speaking of I’m sending a rookie with you as- “

“A rookie?” Nightshade facepalmed with his prosthetic arm. The last thing he wanted was to worry about some kid getting hurt, “Celestia I respect your decisions, but with all due respect this kid is gonna get hurt or killed and I’m not going to be the one who tells their family.”

The sun princess seemed to have enough of Nightshade’s attitude, “Whether you agree or not, Private O’Hearts is partaking in this mission and you will treat them with due respect. Do I make myself clear Nightshade? Just… Bring them in if you can, I’d rather not have a repeat of the Hearth’s Warming Eve skirmish.”

A silent nod was the only response given. There was an entire minute of silence before the charcoal unicorn spoke again, “What do I gain out of this, for my friends and I?”

“What would you like? This is a big favor I ask of you.”

Nightshade took a deep breath before continuing, “I want to be promoted back to Captain of the Lunar Guard, I want my father Fusion to be released from prison, I want MY estate back and I want diplomatic immunity for my friends.”

The princess didn’t seem surprised, after the incident, everything Nightshade wanted made sense. “I’ll see what I can do, Commander Strike and her Private await you at the gate. Don’t disappoint me Nightshade.”

With that Nightshade turned away from the sun princess, exiting the main hall of the castle lost in thought. This was an interesting predicament for him, he was used to fighting an easily identifiable enemy. He’d never hunted a cult before and he just agreed to an impossible task. As he walked he swore he heard someone call his name but continued to walk, a hand gently grasped his shoulder and he turned to face the source. Two bright blue orbs met his red, a blonde maned alabaster Pegasus faced him looking confused. “Mr. Valentine, right? I’d been trying to get your attention after you’d finished talking to the Princess.”

“O’Hearts right? Private O’Hearts?” Nightshade was almost at a loss; the private’s armor was in pristine condition, shined and clean as if brand new, her rifle and sword holstered and ready for use. “What about Strike? Where’s she hiding at?”

The private’s wings twitched in annoyance bit kept it out of her voice, “She said that you’d know the place, some hole in the wall bar called ‘Lucky’s’.”

Nightshade wordlessly began to walk a familiar route and figuring she wasn’t going to get anything else out of him the private followed, they cut straight through Canterlot; past a classical performance hall that was across the street from a busy café and passing into the urban district. The buildings consisted more of brick and the walkways and roads more run down. Fear crept up the guard’s spine as she walked the street with Nightshade, receiving glares and catching whispers. They turned down a dead-end street, on the far left on the end of the road a green neon sign adorned with a glowing shamrock that simply read, ‘Lucky’s’. A zebra patterned motorcycle was parked outside, passing it to get to the door they notice the license plate said, ‘5TRK3’. Nightshade pushed open the doors and the heavy smell of alcoholic drinks and greasy food greeted him as a familiar, however the same scents offended the nostrils of the private.

“Hearts, I told you not to wait up for him. You must be Nightshade.” A husky feminine voice called from the bar. The voice belonging to a tall cobalt pegasus who sat at the bar, she glanced at him through half-lidded grey eyes. Said mare slicked back her black mohawk, her motorcycle helmet, decorated with the symbol of her commander rank decorating the side, rested on the bar counter. Her black jacket unzipped with the collar popped up, white shirt beneath and black biker pants completed the look.

The private snapped to attention, “Command – “

“Alice, at ease kid. Take a seat. Relax.”

Private O’Hearts wasn’t used to being referred to by her first name, especially by her superior, but she complied taking a seat on an unoccupied stool next to the commander.

Nightshade copied the blonde mare and tapped on the counter slicking back his shoulder length black mane, “Lucky! Guess who’s back?”

A green earth pony peeked his head out from behind a rack of drinks, his messy ginger mane tied back in a ponytail covered by a brown cabbie hat. The shamrock colored pony came around the rack drying his hands on the dingy apron wrapped about his neck then rested an arm on the counter in front of the trio, “Nights! Strike’s here too? Grand. You came on a good night, it’s a bit slow tonight but I’m more interested in what yer doing here with these lovely ladies – “

“Hunting a cult.”

“Celestia, lad. So quick to get into some trouble eh? You know the others will want in. So, what can I get ye to drink?”

Strike shook her head no, Nightshade was confused by that. He guessed she’d want something to drink, he turned to Alice. The private had refused to take off any piece of her Royal Guard armor and was staring off into space to the amusement of Nightshade and Lucky. She was confused, she was told that this was a confidential operation. Nopony else was supposed to know, yet here they were talking about it like the weather. To Alice it reeked of unprofessionalism and cockiness.

Lucky tapped the wooden counter lightly, “Little lady? Would you like a drink? It’s on the house.”

Alice’s next words let Nightshade, Strike and Lucky know exactly how Alice grew up, “Do you have water? If that’s alright.”

Lucky chuckled then escalated into hysterical laughter, “Oh that’s so pure, best hide her from Classics and the girls. Where ye from lass?”

“I figure I’m from Canterlot.” She sounded like it was almost a question, as if she wasn’t sure.

Lucky ignored the hesitation, “I’m from out n’ Appaloosa. Came here because I wanted to build me own pub, the fact that I happen to like a good drink or two may have influenced that, heh.”

“A drink or two?!” Nightshade scoffed loudly earning a chuckle from Strike and a glare from Lucky.

“Nightshade ye might want to pipe down – “

“It’s not my fault you like to drink – “

The sound of a door slamming open came from behind the alcohol rack, Lucky cringed as he heard glass shatter. “Oh, boyo now ye really gone and did it.”

A sand colored unicorn stepped out from behind the rack in a typical waitress outfit completed with thigh-high boots looking quite pissed off, she pushed her long curly black mane out of her face. Her golden eyes met Lucky’s emerald, “All I asked, was for you to keep it DOWN... During my break. Now I – “

Something caught her attention, not something but some pony. Alice stared into Classics’ eyes, “I’m sorry miss, if we were causing a ruckus.”

Classics pointed at the three around Alice, “We need to talk, now. Kid sit tight, the adults will be right back sweetheart.”

Author's Note

First chapter of my first story, I'd love criticism. Constructive would be the most helpful but your genuine thoughts are welcome as well. Until next time.