A cool, gentle breeze was blowing over the silent, dew-filled hills as the moon was slowly setting in the early morning sky. The sun was marking its arrival with a faint purple light painting the horizon on the east, with its light steadily growing brighter on the peacefully silent countryside.

In the distance, the faint sounds of an inbound train's engine was disturbing the otherwise serene setting, much to the chagrin of the small animals that were in a peaceful slumber.

The same couldn't be said for the ponies on the train. For most of them, the steady sound of the train riding the tracks and the steady rhythm of the wind was more than enough to lull them to a very peaceful sleep. All except for one pony. Solstice, despite his body feeling the weight of drowsiness, stood vigil over his two wards. Even if he was feeling as if his head was stuffed full of straw, he couldn't help but gently smile as they were in the sweet bliss of sleep. Wintermoon had her head on his lap, while Sunrise Storm leaned against his arm, their chests gently rising and falling with each breath.

"To be so young and carefree." He thought to himself. It was tender moments like these that he cherished the most. He often wished that moments like these would never end. Even if he wasn't their biological father, they were still very much his family. One that he would protect above all else. After a moment he looked out the window and allowed his thoughts to drift. Whether it was because he was tired or otherwise, he couldn't say. Yet no matter how hard he tried to keep a single thought from himself, it always seemed to force itself to the front of his mind.

"Sunspot. Frost Meadow. I hope you're both okay. And that you've found what you're looking for. The children and I miss you dearly. Please, be safe out there. Come home soon."

"We're losing him!" The doctor said as the haunting sound of the long, steady beep of the heart monitor filled the room, "Get the paddles ready!"

As the nurses complied with the doctor's order, the commander was outside of the room, looking at the medical staff who were desperately trying to resuscitate Lancer. It was no use. He was dead. She could tell by the empty, accusing stare of his eyes. There was nothing they could do. She saw to that, even if it did leave a bitter taste in her mouth.

"What a tragic waste." She said to herself, her voice somewhere between rueful and frustrated, before stepping away from the scene. Although she acknowledged the necessity of it, she never enjoyed doing this to one of her own. However, there was absolutely no room for those who would question the Order. That was made very clear from the beginning, and those who would dare knew the consequences.

She walked away from the scene, her heavy armor echoing in the long, now empty hallway. As she made her way out to the entrance, her face grimaced when she saw an unreasonably tall earth pony stallion, standing at attention, his powerful, corded muscles straining the expensive-looking suit he was wearing. The fact he had no mane, while odd, only seemed to add to his unsettling nature.

“You. What do you want?” Crystal Spark asked, not bothering to hide her disdain of him.

“Your presence is needed back at headquarters. I am to bring you to-”

“I don't answer to you, Stone Face. You have neither the tenure nor the authority to order me to do anything.” Crystal Spark spat, “If that's all, then we're done here.”

As she attempted to walk off, Stone Face placed a hand on her shoulder. Though a gentle gesture, her eyes widened when she felt how strong his grip was regardless.

“This isn't a request. This came directly from The Grand Chancellor. You will accompany me to meet with him.” Stone Face said matter-of-factly with his baritone voice. Though calmly stated, Crystal Spark's instincts were screaming at her that there was a threatening undertone that spoke of violence if she refused him. It shook her enough to make her sweat bullets. While her combat abilities were considered elite, she knew when an opponent would be too much for her. He was a mountain, and she felt like a mere pebble compared to him with the aura that was radiating from him.

“Tch. Fine.”

“Very good. This way.” He said, releasing his grip from her shoulder, gesturing to the coach.

Crystal Spark's eyes widened slightly when she saw that her armor had dented slightly, despite his grip being gentle. “What kind of monster is he?!” She thought to herself, reluctantly boarding the chariot.

The train was slowing down when it drew closer to Ponyville, stirring the children from their sleep. Wintermoon was the first to wake, yawning and stretching to release the stiffness from her body.

“G'morning, Solstice.” She said, her voice hoarse from sleep.

“Good morning, Wintermoon. Did you sleep well?” He asked with a gentle smile.

“Not really. These seats are really hard. But you were nice and comfy.”

“What are you talking about, Moon? Solstice's astrolabe kept waking me up.” Sunrise Storm complained.

“And how did it keep waking you?” Wintermoon asked, almost immediately regretting it.

“I kept thinking it was a giant cookie, so I kept trying to bite it.”

“...that would explain why you nibbled on my coat…” Solstice deadpanned.

“Why didn't you stop after the first time?!” she asked in annoyance.

“Because I'm no quitter! Haven't you ever heard the phrase, ‘if at first you don't succeed, try, try again?” Sunrise responded, offended that his sister would even suggest the idea. Wintermoon facepalmed at her brother's answer.

“That saying doesn't apply in this case, Sunny…” Solstice said, pinching the bridge of his snout.

The train stopped, with everyone exiting the train with their belongings. As the trio stepped out to the platform, Solstice hesitated the moment he set his hoof down, looking at the ground for a time when he felt something odd. It was as if he detected magic of some kind, but it was so faint that he couldn't tell which kind it was or what purpose it served.

“Solstice? Is something wrong?” Wintermoon asked, her eyes showing a flicker of concern.

“I…no, I suppose not.” Solstice replied. “Come now, we should be on our way to find a hotel and rest for a while.”

“Yeah, you look really tired. Did you sleep at all?” Sunrise Storm asked.

“No, I didn't. But it wasn't because of you two, I assure you.” He responded with a yawn.

“Does that mean we don't have to do our lessons today?” Sunrise Storm asked a little too hopefully, to which Solstice glared at him. “I'm just asking! How do you expect to teach us when you're so tired?”

“I suppose you have a point there. Fine, we'll take some time off until we get settled in this town.”

Sunrise Storm cheered, but Wintermoon looked like she had reservations about his decision. She ultimately decided to keep her thoughts to herself.

“It's because I'd rather not risk others overhearing our lessons and rousing suspicions, Wintermoon.” Solstice said wearily.

“Oh, that makes sense. Wait, did I-?”

“No, you didn't say anything out loud. I just know you.”

Gyah! He did it again! Wintermoon thought to herself.

Crystal Spark was tense. Sharing a ride with a pony as massive as Stone Face in an already cramped space was bad enough, but what really got to her was his piercing gaze and his unreadable expression. The only solace she had was the fact that Stone Face practically had to squeeze himself in the coach, and was a little too tall for the interior, so he had to crane his neck against the ceiling just to fit inside enough to sit. So she made it a point to fix her gaze outside of the window, not focusing on anything in particular. It would've been serene, if the wheels weren't so strained by the sheer weight of the two of them, which she was absolutely certain the vast majority of it came from him. It couldn't be the other way. Nope. It had better not. She would've preferred silence between them, but there was a question that kept pushing itself to the forefront of her mind that she couldn't ignore.

"What did the Grand Chancellor want with me?" She asked in as neutral a tone as she could.

Stone Face let out a small hum, "That's not for me to know. I was only told to bring you to him. It's not my place to question."

"Figures." She said, rolling her eyes, "Do you at least know how much longer we have until we get there? Celestia knows I can't take much more of this cramped space."

"Soon." He replied simply. Despite being in such an awkward position

"Seriously? That's all you're gonna give me? You can't tell me you aren't uncomfortable sitting with your neck craned against the ceiling of this coach!"

Stone Face didn't reply.

"...good talk, Stone Face."

After a time, they finally reached their destination. Crystal Spark was the first to get off, stretching her stiff muscles and moving her head in circles to ease the tension that was there. Her eyes narrowed when she looked upon the ornate mansion that stood before her. It was well guarded, with sentries posted at every entry point and a few on the roofs, all armed with what she could only guess were enchanted weapons, if their scabbards were anything to go by.

"I thought the Grand Chancellor didn't conduct offical business at his home." Crystal Spark said.

Stone Face dismounted the coach, the wheels squeaking loudly as he got off, almost bouncing when his hooves set on the ground from the sudden release in weight. He motioned for her to follow him, which she reluctantly complied, her heart beating with trepidation the further in they went. Eventually, they stood before two, finely crafted, ornate double doors, with Stone Face knocking in code.

"Come in, Stone Face." A voice from the other side called.

Stone Face gave Crystal Spark a stern look as if to tell her to be on her best behavior once they stepped through the doors before pushing them open. Once inside, the hulking stallion stood by the Grand Chancellor's side, keeping his piercing gaze firmly on Crystal Spark when she stood in front of his large desk.

"Commander Crystal Spark reporting as requested, Grand Chancellor Guiding Light."

The Grand Chancellor spun his chair around to face Crystal Spark. He was a white unicorn stallion, with a long, blonde mane, and deep blue eyes. She had a smile on his face, that could charm just about anyone who was lucky enough to see it. Even Crystal Spark herself had to admit that he was quite handsome. If it wasn't for her instincts screaming at her that there was something dangerous about him, she might have been smitten.

"A pleasure to see you again, Crystal Spark. I trust the ride over here was comfortable?" He asked.

"As comfortable as one could expect with him as a passenger." Crystal Spark replied, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

The Grand Chancellor chuckled, "I do apologize for the inconvenience. But, you see, I had to make sure you'd answer when I call for you. Now, to the matter at hand. You're late on your report concerning the whereabouts of the two Weavers, Sunspot and Frost Meadow. Did you find them?" He asked, his earlier charm now replaced with annoyance, his voice dripping with malice.

"No, sir, unfortunately I was sidetracked when my subordinate, Lancer, discovered another Weaver here, in Canterlot." Crystal Spark answered, calmly.

"Another Weaver? And right under our noses? Did Lancer manage to kill him?"

"No, sir, the Weaver managed to escape. I was on my way to track him when you called on me."

"Tch! Lancer, you useless...!" He took a calming breath, "Did you reprimand him?"

"I had to do more than reprimand him. He started to question the Order, and even sympathized with the Weaver. I had to put him down."

The Grand Chancellor's expression darkened. "Did you now?" He stood from his chair, giving the commander a baleful glare, "What if I told you that Lancer was my nephew?"

Crystal Spark's heart froze, her eyes widening as she heard that bit of news, "S-sir? You mean...I...?"

The Grand Chancellor walked around his desk, approaching Crystal Spark until his snout was only inches from hers, making her heart beat against her chest, a line of sweat forming on her brow, "Yes. You silenced my nephew, commander. And you're telling me that not only did he question the Order, but he even dared to think that those abominations deserved to walk among us? To breathe the same air as us?!" He placed a hand on her shoulder, "That's...most unfortunate. He had such promise, too. You did well. There's no room in the Order, or in my family, for such blasphemous thinking."

Crystal Spark let out a shaky breath she didn't even realize she was holding, "Th-thank you, Grand Chancellor."

"Now, you track this Weaver that dared to corrupt Lancer's mind, and you bring him to me. Alive. According to our reports, Sunspot and Frost Meadow have two children, and the last we heard they were seen without them. Chances are, they're with this other Weaver. If they are, bring them here, too. Such insolence against my family will not stand, and will be paid for in blood. Only unicorns should harness the power of magic. Their existence is inexcusable."

"By your orders, Grand Chancellor."

The three of them soon found a hotel, and carried their belongings that seemed to get heavier by the minute, dragging their hooves wearily along the carpet. The moment Solstice opened the door, they unceremoniously threw everything to the nearest corner they could find, and plopped onto the nearest bed.

"A bed...an actual bed..." Sunrise Storm said.

"And it's so comfy..." Wintermoon added.

"You know you two have a bed over there, right?" Solstice suggested, but was so tired he was already falling asleep.

"Nah...we're good here..." the pegasus colt replied, before finding the sweet bliss of sleep. A few moments later, Solstice felt something odd tugging at his overcoat.

"Sunny...that's not a cookie."

At Sugarcube Corner, a lone, pink mare was sleeping peacefully in her bed, dreaming of sweet things. Sweet, edible things, to be exact. Sweet edible things that just begged to be devoured. However, her eyes suddenly shot wide open when she felt a subtle disturbance over by the train station, a toothy grin spreading across her face.

"Oooo! We got some new ponies in town! I gotta get to work!" Pinkie Pie said in excitement, rushing out of bed to get dressed and make the necessary preparations for her legendary welcome parties.

Author's Note

Sorry for the long, long wait. It's been a crazy 5 years since I last wrote anything. Finally had a little time and motivation to make a new chapter. I forgot to mention that Stone Face is my good friend Tatsurou's OC, and has given me permission to use him in this story. Thanks, bro, for all of your support in everything over the years.