The Shadow of the Moon

The Shadow of the Moon

Act 1: Drifting

Chapter 7: Hoof Picked

I was standing in a formation of Lunar Guards. On a platform in front of us, the captain in charge of overseeing our training was giving a speech about how we had survived fourteen weeks of grueling, rigorous hell and he was proud. I didn't care too much about his speak. It was fairly standard and boring. I was more interested by what was above him. On a  balcony, standing in the light of the moon was the princess of the night herself. Princess Luna was looking over all of us and appeared to be silently appraising her future troops.

“GROUP,” the captain gave the preparatory command, “TENCH-HUT!”

We all lock up and face straight ahead with a neutral expression.

“PRESENT, HOOVES,” he ordered.

We salute sharply and with an audible snap of many hooves connecting with the front edge of our helms.

“ORDER, HOOVES,” he shouts.

Our hooves come down over our chests and clop with finality on the ground. Both the captain and Princess Luna nod approvingly at our precision and form.

The captain steps forward, “YOU ARE HEREBY DISMISSED TO GO GATHER YOUR COMMISSIONS FROM THE QUARTERMASTER. AFTERWARDS YOU MAY GO ENJOY YOURSELVES, JUST REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO REPORT IN TOMORROW FOR DUTY!”

With that he stepped off the platform and went inside. I looked back up at the balcony expecting it to be empty and the princess gone. Instead was met with two sparkling and bright cyan eyes. I wasn’t sure if she was staring at me or some other pony. I took a quick peek around to find nopony else looking up at her. They were all involved in a discussion over what bar to go to and get drunk. I look back up to see her still staring me. She smiles at me. She then turns around and heads inside.

“Was she just looking at me? No, out of all the others here, why would she look at me in particular? It's just a coincidence. However, she also smiled at me.”

I turn my head and look at my wings.

"Nope, still look like a bats.The enchantment is still working."

I looked just the same as the others, except that I was a bit broader, taller and more muscular. I extended one of my wings looking at its span. They a bit smaller than most of the other pegasi though. I had always been a large pegasus, probably thanks to my dad's earth pony genes kicking in more than they probably should have. Some ponies thought it was an early growth spurt when I was a colt, but now as a stallion I stand nearly a full head taller than my counterparts.

“Okay, maybe that’s how you could single me out if you wanted to. Still, it could be she is just being nice.”

Noticing that I had been standing there for quite a while without moving, the line had moved ahead of me. I go and catch up to the others. I could see the quartermaster reading each commission, and making sure it looked proper before passing into over the waiting pony. I watched him work and occasionally, he would say give some special instructions to those that had earned a special commission. Typically to report for more training depending on the type of job. A select few had apparently been selected for Lunar Special Forces or the Night Rangers, both of which were hard to get into, and were largely responsible for coining of the phrase, "Black Operations."

“I want to get one of those. During training I was able to keep up with some of the earth ponies during the physical exercises and did pretty well in the flight tests. I was by no means the fastest flyer, or the strongest. I am not much of a flyer at all really. I barely passed that phase of training. Shoot, the trainer in charge scrawled on the bottom of my testing sheet that I should have my classification officially changed from 'Pegasus' to 'Earth pony with wings.' However, the field exercises were where I particularly shined.”

We were placed in squads of five. Mine consisted of two earth ponies, two pegasi, including myself, and a unicorn. One of the earth ponies was assigned team leader. We were dropped off in the Everfree forest and told to find our way back to the castle. First group to do so would be allowed leave for the weekend. At first our leader did okay, getting us organized and heading in the right direction. However, when he was studying the terrain from a ledge above a small ravine, the ledge crumbled out from underneath him. He fell and with a sickening crack broke three of his legs.

I took lead after that accident. I had the other pegasus in the squad perform reconnaissance and find easier paths through forest but to not get more than fifty meters from us at all times. I ordered the unicorn to splint the downed pony’s legs and create a stretcher that the second earth pony and I could carry across our backs. I took on the injured earth pony’s saddlebags which were fairly heavy and gave the unicorn mine to carry since they were smaller and lighter. He didn’t care much for having to carry two saddlebags but didn’t complain after I told him he was welcome to switch positions with me. Eventually we made it out of the forest with no more complications.

No sooner than we had left the darkness of the forest, a different squad came running out from behind us. They over took us running back to the castle as quickly as they could, clearly hoping to earn that weekend leave. The pegasus in my squad wanted to pick up the pace but I squashed that idea. I didn’t feel comfortable jostling around the make shift stretcher any more than we had to as each shake would bring pain the injured pony and if the vines snapped, it wouldn't be easy finding spares the further we walked from the forest. We continued on our normal pace and set camp that night on a field half way between the forest and the castle.

We managed to build a small fire from some grasses and shrubs we found growing in the area. We were constantly having to add to it to keep it lit, but the warmth felt good as did the hot meal. About an hour after the sun had set another squad walked up. They saw our little fire and asked if they could join us. After they sat down, they began relating their journey through the Everfree. They had run into a manticore and managed to sustain minimal injuries except for one that took a barb from its tail in the flank as they ran away. He was hobbling along but it slowed their pace considerably. They joked about it being a pain in the ass. Everypony laughed at that. I relayed what had happened to our designated leader, who was on the stretcher. I didn't have any cute puns though. While both our troops sat around the fire glad to be off their feet, I took the other leader aside. We studied the mountain path ahead of us that would take us to the castle up above and decided it would be best to combine forces and help one another up.

The following morning we set out. We reached the base of the mountain around midday and took a small lunch before starting the climb. It was cold a treacherous, but we finally made it. The ten of us stumbled through the Canterlot streets; cold, tired but determined to each the castle by night fall. As we crossed the castle gates, medical teams came and took our wounded as the rest of us were sent to eat and clean ourselves. At night fall we were to report to the training field and debrief the events that had transpired on our journey’s back.

At the debrief I told the training instructor the whole story of how my squad and another joined up and helped each other get back up the mountain. The training instructor called me and the leader from the other squad together and told us that we had passed the field training exercise flawlessly. We looked at him confused. He then explained that while, yes, the objective was to return first, it was much more important to take care of each other and to never leave a pony behind.

“Name?” a voice in front of me asked.

I shook out of my thoughts. I was now at the front of the line.

“Midnight Shadow, sir,” I report.

The quartermaster looks through the scrolls, “K....l.....m. Let's see,... Midnight, ah here it is.” He opened the scroll and read it. His eyes grew a little as he read it.

“Is there a problem?” I ask a little excited.

“No, no problem,” he swallows, “Uh, just follow me.” He turned to the pony behind him, “Can you take care of the rest of these ponies in line?”

“Yes, sir,” the soldier replied and stepped forward.

“Follow me now,” the quartermaster said to me again and began walking.

I followed him through the many chambers and halls. I don’t know how he kept track of where we were because I was soon lost my bearings. After about five minutes of walking he stopped before a door.

“This is as far as I can take you,” he said as he handed me my commissioning scroll. He pointed at a strange stone next to the door with a small moon on it, “Place your hoof on that when you are ready to enter. By now they should have added your profile to the enchantment and it should recognize you. I wish you good luck, sir,” and he trotted off.

“Sir? Why did he just call me sir? I am not an officer.”

The quartermaster’s hoof steps were no longer audible and I couldn’t see or hear anypony else around me. Sighing I look at the closed scroll in my hoof. Laying it on the ground I open it carefully with my hooves.

Inside of it, written in flowing curvy script read, “Please bring Midnight Shadow to the L.S.T.D. briefing room upon receiving this scroll.”

“L.S.T.D? What is that? If I were to guess that ‘L’ stands for Lunar, but the rest I am at a loss for.”

I close the scroll and look at strange enchanted stone next to the door and study it a minute as if it were going to give me all the answers I was looking for but found nothing.

“Whatever this place is, it sure has a lot of security. Well, standing here isn’t going to get me anywhere. Let’s do this!”

I place my hoof on the stone. As soon as my hoof touched the surface, it began to engulf my hoof in a pulsing blue light and heated up. I looked away from the light as became too bright. Then, just as soon as it started, it was over and I found myself teleported into a strange room with a softly glowing, dark blue table in the center with several ponies standing around it talking and looking over the many scrolls and papers strewn across it. On the walls were maps of Equestria and its cities with lines and various thing pinned on them. On the ceiling were a series of lights shining down on the whole site. On either side of this room were doors that led to several side rooms. Nopony had bothered to acknowledge me yet so I stepped forward into the light.

“Hello? Private Midnight Shadow reported as ordered,” I declared. The entire room falls silent as the ponies look up and stare at me saying nothing. I begin to feel a little nervous at their reactions.

Suddenly from behind me, a cool, soothing voice speaks, “There are no such things as privates here.”

I turn around to find myself face to face with Princess Luna. I come to a sharp salute. She laughs softly, “Come with me Lieutenant,” and begins to walk to one of the side rooms.

I follow her, “Why is she calling me 'Lieutenant' and where is this?”

She opens a door to a room with a table and a dim light over it. I couldn’t see the backside wall of the room as it was obscured by blackness that wouldn’t be pierced by the lamps low light.

“Close the door behind you and strip your armor,” she tells me in her soft voice and gives me a demure smile.

I shut the door and begin removing the armor piece by piece, starting with the helm and finishing with the hoof plates.

“Well I’ve had dreams similar to this, but I doubt this is going to end to same way.”

“Ah, much better,” she commented, “Now would you place that stuff into the box behind the door.”

I turn around and see the box she is referring to. I picked up the armor and place it in there. As I finished the entire box was surrounded by her blue aura and disappeared in a flash, teleported away somewhere else. I turned around to see the princess looking at me smiling.

“Now, I assume you have some questions but first let me see if I can’t answer most of them,” she started, “I must say, your name precedes you Midnight. I remember first hearing about you from my chariot guards, I believe you know them. They were joking, as they always do, about a young colt that had a cutie mark on his flank that consisted of a pair of swords crossed over the moon. This raised my interest as not many bear cutie marks similar to yours. While it isn’t unheard of, it still isn’t common despite having been around for many centuries. Before my banishment, I did some research on them and settled on called them duty marks, as that's what they symbolized. Like cutie marks though, little is known about why the occur but no two match perfectly which led me to believe that each pony bearing one serves in their own special way. Kind of like having two different talents of your flank.

Anyway, back on topic. Being curious, I asked more about you. You have an interesting story to say the least and over the years, we have watched you grow. You shown great promise at an early age you led a successful defensive against the changeling attack at your orphanage.

While this was remarkable, I had to see how you would handle your official training. I must say, you definitely delivered and it was certainly a pleasure to watch you. After seeing your leadership skills and physical prowess, I wrote that scroll in placement of your official commission to the Lunar Special Forces. I want you to be a part of the Lunar Specialized Tasking Division instead. I have created this group to handle particular assignments that I need taken care of without going through official channels. We are blacker than anything else and nopony know of us outside of our initials. This unit is composed of the best of the best, and you have shown that you most certainly are amongst those. Also, with this commission you are promoted to Lieutenant. The only thing now is whether you choose to accept this."

She looked at me expectantly. I thought over everything she just said. It was an easy decision. I looked her straight in her pretty blue eyes and said, “When do I start?”

Her smile broadened as she came over and gave me hug, which took me by complete surprise, “You begin immediately!” Her horn glowed as more lights came on revealing a long locker room where I thought the back wall would be. She gestured to follow and began walking down the rows of lockers. I didn’t mind following her in the least.

“As a part of this task force, you will be handling much harder assignments than that of any other facet of the Lunar Guards. Due to the potential danger, we issue armor that can deal with the missions much more appropriately,” she halted, “Open it.”

I looked at the locker she indicated. On the front of it black door on a plate read, “Midnight Shadow” with “Lieutenant” below it. I reached out and opened the door. Inside was a black vest with various pockets and flaps on it. There also appeared to be some kind of armor for my wings and a set of boots looking things that I wasn’t sure of. There was also a something with some kind of wires that looked like it went around my neck and a helmet.

        “Put it on,” she instructs.

I reach in and grab the vest first. I notice some straps on it and pull on them. I stopped when they begin making a ripping sound in fear I had damaged it.

Princess Luna laughed, “A new development from research and development. They called it Velcro. You pull it up and can press it down and it will stick to itself.”

I pull the straps of and see how they went through a narrow hoop. I undid the straps put the vest on and replaced them. It felt snug but firm I noticed it was more flexible that my old breastplate.

“This has overlapping steel bands sown into the vest which has been made of a strong but light weight material. This had been shown to last longer and resist much more damage than traditional armor. Next your neck armor and helmet,” she directed.

I pull them out noticing they had similar Velcro straps. I put both articles on while she talks, “The neck sleeve had a magical transmitter that always you to talk to us and vice versa without needed to be near each other or very loudly. The helmet has several layers of enchantments to help protect you and a night vision filter in the visor.”

This went on and on with each piece in the locker. The boots were armored and had spring loaded blades hidden in the forelegs that could be shot out and retracted just by rotating my hoof a certain way. The wing armor had sharp blades that fit against the leading bones both protecting them and turning them into deadly weapons. Over all, the armor was very advanced and very expensive from the sounds of things. After Princess Luna had helped me learn how to put it all on and work it, while laughing and apparently having fun watching my expressions as I discovered its surprises, I stored it all back in the locker.

“So now that you have seen your armor, you will spend the next few weeks being trained how to use it and fight with it,” she smirked, “and I get to watch every second. It’s my favorite part of initiation.”

I turn to the princess after I closed the door of the locker, “Sounds lovely. So which one of those ponies next door will be mopping the floor with me?”

Princess Luna’s smile grew larger, “Me.”

I paused and looked at her, “You not serious.”

“What? I have much more experience than all of you combined and have fought in more wars than you can imagine. Just because I am a princess and, judging from the way you have looked at me several times since we first began, quite beautiful,” she paused, while I stuck my head in the locker to hide my reddening cheeks. I felt her step up next to me and place her hoof next to mine and her wing on my flank. She spoke in a soft, sultry voice next to my ear, “Doesn’t mean I can’t put up a fight.”

With that she slid a wing under my left hind leg and whipped it out from underneath me while grabbing my right front and pulling it underneath me towards her. I fell face first into my locker while she chuckled behind me.

“Alright, point taken, but it won’t work twice,” I grumble.

She had a mischievous smile, “We shall see.”

Standing up and trying to avoid being put in a situation where I ended up on the ground again, I ask, “So what will I be doing that requires me to be wearing all that?”

She was silent and the mirth suddenly vanished from her face, “How much have you heard about the terrorist group that call themselves ‘The Seen?’”

****

The world twisted as disappeared as a sharp pain in my shoulder drove me deeper into the blackness.