A Skyrate Tale: Servant Betrayed

Chapters

Best Day Ever or Worst?
The Quest Begins
Goodbye Canterlot
Introduction! Tinkertown and Commander Hurricane
Here's Jacky! Wait What?!

Best Day Ever or Worst?

Author's Notes: Hey everyone who's reading this, this is my first story on Fimfiction...errr first story ever to be exact. The Skyrates idea and characters in this story aren't solely mine but belong to friends who have given me permission to use them. Now on to the story!

Chapter 1

Best Day Ever or Worst?

Lanterns were put out and all was quiet through out all of Canterlot on this night. The moon was unusually bright with what seemed like new constellations surrounding it. The positioning of the stars of said constellations made the shapes of two Lunar Guards, one on each side of the moon, and one that made a shape similar to that of an Alicorn above the moon. Such constellations hadn't been seen in Equestria for over a thousand years.

In simple words, the night was absolutely beautiful.

Canterlot was no less spectacular that night either. Rows of pale yellow lights were aligned on the sides of the main steet in the city and solid black cloud pillars were arranged around the courtyard in front of the castle. Two rows of Lunar Guards stood on the street, their weapons drawn and held to create an archway that lead to a stage. Upon the stadium were various banners that represented Equestria, Canterlot and of course the Lunar Guard themselves.

Upon the stage were the royal pony sisters. Their manes and tails billowed in a nonexistant wind.

"Sister, are you sure that all of this is needed for tonight? It seems a bit over the top even for you." Celestia asked in a low tone so none of the gathered ponies would hear her. It wasn't really a serious question, she knew why Luna had gone out of her way for this night.

Luna stood there staring off into her glorious night, not watching particularly anything. "Because our loyal subject and friend deserves such! She has worked hard for what she has gained tonight and we shalt reward such hard work." The dark alicorn turned to her older sister and smiled awkwardly. While she had long since stopped using the royal 'we' it still snuck up on her when she was excited. "Nova has been our friend since our first Nightmare Night and I really want to show her my appreciation"

The Princess could still remember the night she had met the mare for the first time. Nova had wrapped herself in a blanket and hid in a small candy basket that was left on her chariot. It had been quite a surprise to find the filly in the candy basket, she wasn't even sure she would've discovered her if Nova had not fallen asleep and started snoring lightly. What had surprised the princess even more was that Nova had decided to stay the week with her, after gaining her parents approval of course.

Celestia simply nodded her head in agreement with her sister. "Yes, she has come quite the distance from when she served on Jack's ship as a navigator."

Luna was about to respond to her sisters comment when the night was interrupted by the loud sound of trumpets. One of them she would note was off key. "And now it starts!"

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Somewhere in the night, a pony wearing a dark cloak stood upon a rooftop and waited for his chance at the Princesses. "Soon...Equestria will belong to it's true leaders...." The only thing that was visible on him was his glowing eyes. "And soon.. you will pay as well, Nova."

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A lone brown mare stood at the beginning of the long line of Lunar Guards pacing back and forth. A few stars could still be seen where the guard armor covered her cutiemark. "Come on, where are they?! They said they'd be here to walk down the aisle with me."

The guards nearest her snickered at the panicked mare. "Nova calm down, don't get your coat dirty. There is quite a turn out, they might be having trouble getting in." A guard with a deep voice told her. She sheepishly took a look at her forelegs and her hoofs. Her coat was still a clean chocolate brown and her hooves were still shiny black. Then she processed the rest of what he said.

Turning on the guard. "Calm down? I am calm, Buckshot. I'm...I'm just...I'm just restless is all." It was obviously a lie and more guards joined in with laughter. Ok.. I am panicking so what? I'm allowed to panic! She thought to herself as a group of voices started caling her name.

"Nova! Nova! We're here!" Two panting ponies emerged from down the darkened street. One was a white stallion with black sock like markings on his legs and a potion vial as a cutiemark. It was her father. The other however looked like something from a fantasy novel, with his green fabric skin and button eyes. This doll was her best friend Patches. It was he who spoke first.

"Dearest Nova! We are here and we blame the Professor for our lateness to your special day!" The doll jumped off of the Professor's back and onto hers. "We have missed you while you were training to be one of our Lulu's guards" Patches nuzzled the back of her neck.

The Professor sighed and looked exhausted. "Sorry hun, but you know how the nobles are." On a closer look it looked like her dad had been pummeled on the way, the thought of him fighting his way through a crowd brought a smile to her lips. "Plus Patches wanted to get you something special. " On that note the doll put a crescent moon shaped hair pin in her mane.

Rolling her eyes at how the two acted Nova would let out a long sigh. "I just want this over, why did Luna have to make this such a big deal?" The question wasn't posed to anypony in particularly, but knowing Patches he would say something.

"Luny knows how much you have dreamed of becoming one of her precious Night Guards and wants to give you a special day to honor you achieving this dream." Patches felt quite content with his reasoning before he jumped off of Nova and landed with a squeak. "Nova, why are you not in the Night Guard form?"

The doll was right about her dream, of course. Nova had been looking forward to this day ever since she had managed to join the Lunar Guard training camp. Luna was so surprised when a servant delivered the news to her, it had even prompted a visit from her. Said visit had ended with the drill sergeant covered in mud and her running twenty laps around the camp grounds but it was totally worth it. Her starry eyes seemed to unfocus as she slipped into a walk down memory lane.

"Nova, why aren't you in proper form?" The doll asked again, firmly breaking her out of her brief stupor.

Putting her hoof to her head she would begin to rub her temple. Slightly irritated and surprised that Patches didn't know why she wasn't in her Night Guard form. "Didn't you eat the royal guard training books I sent you?" The doll stepped back and looked sheepish. "I guess you didn't eat them...um...okay" Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. "The enchantments that change a pony into their guard form, such as the white pegasus guards and grey unicorn ponies, are contained in the armor's helmet." Motioning to herself. "Do you see a helmet? No. Because Princess Luna wants to award it to me personally...which is why I'm nervous."

Normally she wouldn't be nervous in front of Luna since she was used to visiting the Princess on a weekly basis. This however was different. It wasn't like when she was a filly and was awarded the best fliers medal from Princess Celestia, nope this was far more personal.

Shaking her head and sighing, Nova turned to look down the street to where Princess Luna and Celestia were standing. She could tell they were speaking, but couldn't hear them over the sound of the crowd of ponies. "Must you always blame-" Her words cut off as trumpets sounded the beginning of the ceremony. "Time to go."

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The sound of trumpets blared throughout the streets of Canterlot, signaling the beginning of the ceremony and the end of the Princesses. The cloak clad began to move along the roof tops, making his way towards his kill zone. "How ironic, they're adding another guard to their number only to have the one they guard die in front of them" The stallion laughed as a beam of light went over the crowd and lighting him up only for a brief moment. Had anypony been watching the roofs they would've spotted him that instant, lucky for him they weren't.

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Princess Luna and Celestia stood proudly above Nova as she climbed the stage to take her vows. Luna looked so proud of her little Nova, she had indeed deserved to be here.

"Nova Starlight, tonight we are honored to induct you as the mare to be allowed to enter the brotherhood that is the Lunar guard. You have shown great skill and prowess in your ability to defend and uphold the peace in Equestria." In a lower voice Luna would add. "You're even a skilled astronomer." It was a prerequisite to join the Lunar Guard, but she was still happy to know her friend had taken the time to learn about her wondrous night.

Nova blushed and bowed before the Princess of the Night. "Thank you Princess, I am not worthy of such praise."

"Nova, please rise. You have more than earned the right to stand before your Princess. Now please recite your-" The Princess was cut off as a gasp went through the crowd. "WHO DARES TO DISRUPT THIS CEREMONY! Luna shouted in the royal voice and accidently blew Nova off the stage. In a small voice "Sorry Nova"

Walking down the aisle appeared a pony with a cloak on. "Good evening Princess, have I interrupted something?" The stallion grinned as he threw back his hood. Another gasp went through the crowd as they took in the looks of the intruder. His white coat looked to be matted with dried blood around his eyes and down his neck and several skulls hung around his neck. Standing over the fallen mare the stallion would grin. "Hello Nova love...nice to see you where you belong finally."

Nova gasped as she realized who this was. "Broken Shield.. what are you?" She was abruptly cut off when he slammed his hoof into her face, making her cry out.

"Shush now, the adults need to talk." Broken Shield's horn took on a sickly red glow as he turned his head towards the Princesses. "Goodbye Princesses, you won't be missed... ALL HAIL THE TRUE BLOODED RULERS!" He shouted as a bolt of energy shot from his horn and towards the Princesses.

Broken Shield laughed maniacally as he dropped to the the ground, dead.

Dozens of guards had by this point scrambled up to the stage and surrounded the fallen pony. One valiant guard jumped in front of the sickly red blast of energy, taking the full brunt of it and being turned to ash on the spot.

Somewhere out in the crowd a noble shouted out. "Guards, take the traitor Nova to the deepest prison!" Following the orders before the Princesses could react, they hauled Nova away.

The Quest Begins

Chapter 2

The Quest Begins

A murmur went through the crowd as Nova was hauled away from the stage. What had happened and why was she taken away. Some voices were saying she was involved in a secret coup to over throw the Princesses, others were saying she was behind the whole affair.

"Nova! Let her go she's innocent!" Was heard above the crowd, but no one paid attention to this. Professor was beside himself in worry for his daughter. There was no way his angel was behind this, no way at all. Snapping up Patches, who had been thrown across the crowd by the royal voice, he spread his wings and took off for the Princesses.

Patches squirmed in Professor's mouth trying to set himself straight. "We must speak to lulu! Our Nova is not behind this, she was in front!"

With a flick of his head, Professor flipped Patches onto his back. "I know Patches, my girl would've even taken the shot for the Princess had she been on the stage." This thought made him wince. "Not...that I would want her too" He had witnessed what that one shot had done, the poor guard who had taken the shot was completely obliterated.

With a squeak Patches sat down on Professor's and sobbed. "Oh precious Nova what are they doing to you in the dungeons!"

Rolling his eyes, Professor never did understand Patches connection to his Nova. From what he had gathered she had fallen off a roof and broke her wing when the doll found her and took her to the hospital. "I don't think they're gonna do anything to her yet" He replied to the doll's question.

Circling above the stage where the Princesses both ponies whined in defeat. Both Princesses were already gone and the guards had already removed Broken Shield's body from the ground. "that was fast..." Was all he muttered before changing direction and flying towards the throne room.

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With a clang a cell door was thrown open as two guards hefted a distraught Nova into her new home. "assassinate the Princesses will you? Hope you rot in here!" One of the guards harshly said as he slammed the cell door closed and left her to herself.

Nova landed landed with a heavy thud and even heard a pop in one of her wings. "owww...what happened?" All she knew in that exact moment was that her head hurt and that she was pretty sure she might have broken a wing again. Turning over onto her belly, she would moan as more pain hit her.

"I remember being...." With a gasp she shot up to her hoofs only to fall back onto her haunches and grasping her head. "That...that self absorbed stallion bashed me in the head!" She growled to herself and then she realized where she was. "how how could they blame me? I'd never hurt my Princesses" Then another thought came to her mind, she was gonna be tried for attempted assassination! That meant she would be at best executed or worse banished!

She collapsed to the ground and put her hoofs above her head. "oh they can't banish me I'm innocent...right...I bet everypony that comes here says that" Sighing she rolled her eyes and sat back up.

Looking around the cell she would notice it wasn't like most prison cells with iron bars, nope this one was an isolation cell of some sorts. "They really know how to make a girl feel special huh" Stretching her wings, she would wince as a small popping sound came from her left wing. "Why am I always hurting this wing? Last week I even bruised it while training..."

Stretching her long legs she would make herself comfortable and soon she was asleep.

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Guards and civilians alike shrank back when their Princess of the Night passed by them. Her anger was very apparent to anypony who saw her as she made her way to the dungeons. Of course they all understood why she was angry, some uncivilized pony had tried to murder her and her sister. What they didn't realize was that she was angry for another reason.

"How dare they blame Nova for what happened! We know that she is innocent and yet those nobles still demand us to banish her from Canterlot!" Luna fumed as she and her sister neared the dungeon they had thrown Nova into. "We be some of them would like banishment themselves"

Celestia could understand why her sister was so angry, but while it wasn't fair for the young mare to be banished she still understood that some pony had to be blamed to keep the peace. "Think of it this way sister, if she was to remain here her life would surely be in danger from anyone wanting to play vigilante" She saw Luna sigh and nod her head.

Coming to the door to the prison Luna would turn towards her sister. "Tia would stay out here while I talk with Nova?"

Celestia smiled at Luna's use of her nickname. "Of course Lulu, I know this is very important to you"

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Inside the prison, Luna made her way to the lowest depths where they were keeping Nova. Sergeant Buckshot was standing on guard outside the lonely cell.

"Sergeant report!" Luna asked with an authoritative voice.

Buckshot saluted the Princess and answered with a grin on his face. "My Princess we took the traitor and we 'kindly' threw her in. She's been silent the whole time." Was all the Buck could say before getting hoofed through a wall by the Princess. When he came to his senses, the only thing he saw was the door to the cell being closed. "what did I say?"

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Luna was seething with anger as she entered Nova's cell, but quickly calmed when she saw the brown mare sleeping in a corner. Silently moving to the sleeping mare she would look her over to make sure there were no bruising from her rough treatment.

The Princess actually winced when she caught sight of a large bruise on Nova's face from where Broken Shield had slammed her head. Ever so gently she prodded Nova's side. "Wake up Nova, we must speak"

"Five more minutes..." Nova muttered and turned over, her wing catching the Princess in the face.

Chuckling at her friends response, Luna pressed her harder. "Rise Lunar Guard your Princess is in trouble!" She put her hoof to her mouth to suppress another laugh.

On instinct Nova jumped up and flared her wings, ignoring the protest her left one gave. "Who What When Where!" Looking around the room the only one she saw was the Princess herself. "Princess why are you in trouble?!"

Unable to contain her laughter any more the Princess collapsed in a fit of giggles. "And that Nova is why I know you're innocent" Standing back up Luna brushed herself off and took a serious tone. "I need to know though, what do you know of this Broken Shield

Hearing the name Broken Shield made Nova wince. "He...is a bad memory" Taking a deep breath before telling the Princess what she knew. "Broken Shield thought himself the only pony for me and I once believed him" Her voice took on a happy tone. "There was a time when he was everything I ever wanted, he was brave, strong and most of all smart enough to avoid my dad" Her dad had a habit of scaring any pony who wanted to be her coltfriend away. "Then.." Nova's voice dropped to a sadder tone. "he became obsessive"

Luna held her hoof up to silence Nova. "I don't understand isn't being obsessive a good thing?"

Shaking her head. "No no no it's not, not in this case." Nova ran her hoof through her mane, trying to figure out how to explain this to Luna. "It was an unhealthy obsession, it started off nice and then it got worse. There were days he threatened me just for looking at my friends, He even once tried to beat up my dad for putting his hoof on my shoulder" Broken Shield had ended up tossed off her balcony. "That was when I left him and he swore to make me miserable and come back begging"

Clearing her voice before speaking again. "It sounds like he was 'broken'" This made Nova facehoof. "but I must say he has succeeded in making you miserable" Luna turned away from her friend to hide the tears in her eyes. "The nobles have called for your banishment from Canterlot and we are unable to stop them"

Nova's ears fell as fast as her heart. "Banished from Canterlot? But but this is my home, all my precious things are here" Falling to her haunches she broke out into tears. Sensing her friend's misery Luna put a hoof on her shoulder.

"We do have some good news" Lifting Nova's chin so that she could look her in the eyes. "It is not a permanent banishing..." Stepping back Luna took a royal pose. "Lunar Guard Nova Starlight please present yourself to your Princess"

Shock crossed Nova's face as Luna called her 'Luna Guard' did she not lose her position if she was banished. Quickly she stood up and saluted her Princess. "Nova Starlight reporting for duty!"

"Nova Starlight you are hereby charged of leading the search for whomever is behind this plot to kill us. We believe the group is called 'The True Rulers'. You will be given access to anything you will need for this mission...provided you get it before you are banished." Luna took another breath. "You will be given two hours before you are banished to gather your things, do you know where you will begin your search?"

Two hours? That was a lot of time to get her stuff she thought. Most ponies didn't even get a minute before banishment. Then replying to Luna's question. "Yes I do Princess yes I do..." Grinning like a madmare she would utter a single word. "Skyrates"

Goodbye Canterlot

Chapter 3

Goodbye Canterlot, Hello Skyrates

Night was in full swing as Nova entered her dad's lab. It was a nice sized building that was located near the Canterlot Castle. Of course it was though, since her dad was a chemist that worked almost exclusively for the Princesses and the nobles.

"Dad...Patches are you here?" She caled into the darkness of the building. No answer meant that they were probably still running around worried for her. "Leave it to dad to not be where he needs to be..."

Sighing she would trot inside and turn on a couple lights. With a warm buzz the lights would begin to warm up and turn on. Dropped papers and vials lttered the floor showing that her dad had left the place in quite a hurry to get to her ceremony. ""heh guess you were-WOAH!" Her casual statement was interupted as she stepped on something slippery and went flying across the room. With a loud crash, Nova hit the wall and ended up in a position that left her on her back.

"That never changes does it Nova?"

A voice called out from the doorway with a chuckle. Nova could only facehoof as she heard her dads voice. "It's your fault that I slid in the first place! Who leaves soap on the floor?" She asked already knowing her dad's answer.

"I washed my hoofs before leaving and accidently knocked the soap off..." Came his reply, it was what she expected.

Then there was a sound of a squeak followed by more squeaks. "Nova you have fallen again, let us assist you!" This followed by a loud thump and squeak as Patches slid on the soap and right into Nova's head. "Have we helped yet?"

She couldn't help but giggle at herself and the doll. "Yes Patches you've saved the day" With a groan she turned onto her belly and stood up. "all fun aside, I don't have long left"

Her father spoke first. "Time? You're here which means they obviously set you free." Then he took a moment to look over his daughter. The first thing he noticed was the large saddlebags drapped on her back and the casual outfit she had on that wasn't her lunar guard armor. "Where are you going?" He asked his red gemlike eyes locking onto her blue starry eyes.

Nova looked sheepishly to the side, quickly taking her eyes off her dad. "I have been given a special mission on behalf of the Princesses and I must leave to complete it" Her voice sounded hollow even to herself.

The doll jumped onto of Nova and climbed her head. "We believe you are not telling the truth Nova why?" Of course the doll could tell when she didn't tell the full truth, they had after all spent nearly everyday of her life together.

Rolling her eyes she would bob her head and knock the doll off. "Ok fine, I'm not leaving cause I want too...I'm to be banished from Canterlot in about an hour or so..." Both Patches and her dad looked surprised, she even blieved her dad's jaw hit the ground.

"You're WHAT?! How are you still banished? You're obviously innocent!" This was one of the few times her dad actually sounded angry, she didn't like it.

Clearing her throat to speak. "Princess Luna said that she didn't want to, but the nobles are pushing for someone to be banished for this crime and of course seeing what Broken Shield did I wouldn't blame them" Pausing momentarily to gather her thoughts. "But! It isn't a permanant banishment. The Princess has put me in charge of investigating a cult who is believed to be behind this"

"Patches once had a cult follow him! It wasn't pleasant, they kept prodding us to do things we didn't want to" Patches spoke after hearing the word cult. "They did not last long"

The Professor had begun to rush around his lab by this point, throwing together large amouts of things, some of which glowed. He was also talking to himself and wrote on a chalkboard everytime he passed, then he stopped to look at Patches and Nova. "What are you standing there? We have alot of work to do if we're gonna be out of here in an hour"

"We?" Nova and Patches said at the same time.

"Yes we! What you thought I would let you go on your own? Of course not!" Suddenly several saddlebags flew out of nowhere and landed in front of the two. "Can you be a sweetie and take those to the chariot, thank you"

Nova looked dumbstruck at what her father was saying. "Yes dad" Mumbling to herself she set to work taking his bags to the chariot. It was hopeless to argue with him. It was his goddess given job and duty to protect her and he took it very seriously. Hence why all her suiters had been thrown off his balcony or a group of bullies suddenly found themselves ill.

Trotting over to Patches, she would pick the doll up and put him on a table. "Patches can you send a note to Princess Luna? It's all the things we will need for our task"

"We would love to send a note to Luny dear Nova" The doll bounced up and down in delight. "We are also coming with you!"

As if he had a choice, there was no way she was gonna leave her friend behind. Sliding a piece of parchment over, Nova began to fill out what she needed. "Ok say 'Awwww' Patches" Rolling the parchment up, she threw it into the dolls mouth. The note vanished into the maw that was the doll's mouth.

Moments later the doll opened his mouth as several bags shot out of it and landed at Nova's feet. "Talk about rush order" She muttered to herself as a note flew out Patches' mouth. Her mouth quirked into a smile. "Looks like you're coming even if you didn't want too, the Princess wants you to come so we may keep in contact with her" Hearing this the doll wagged his tail like a puppy and hugged her.

"Alright I've got everything. Now then help me get into this harness" Her dad asked out of nowhere.

Looking at the chariot now Nova couldn't help but to fall over giggling. "Do you think you can pull that dad?" She thought it would be too heavy for him.

The Professor looked irritated at his daughter's question and hitched himself into the harness. "I may be old, but I'm not that old and I won't be that old in a few centuries" He huffed already pulling the chariot. "Now get on and let's begone, I don't want the guards to catch you"

Grabbing Patches, Nova would climb into the back. "Ok dad head south by east at the ruins of the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters head directly east." Checking over the maps that were in her head she continued to relay directions. "By lunch time we should be at Tinkertown and from there we can meet up with Jack and the crew"

Professor stopped suddenly and jerked his head back. "Jack? You mean those skyrates? No abslutely not! We cannont go to them, I forbid it."

"Dad we don't have a choice, we can't do this alone and beleive it or not Jack has always come through at the end" She was leaving out the fact that things normally went to Tartarus and back before, but still everything always ended right.

Shaking his head and then nodding. "You're right, but I don't like it" He still hadn't forgotten the time Nova had caught fire while on their ship. Taking a step forward he woudl tug on the chariot. "Come on move!" This made Nova and Patches burst out laughing. Growling at himself, he would dig into the ground and the chariot would finally begin to move. "See told you I could do it" A few more steps later they were in the air and the chariot vanished into the night.

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Mean while in Princess Luna's personal chambers, the Princess of the Night was pacing back in forth. "Maybe I should tell her everything, they deserve to know."

"You can't do that Lulu, you promised me you would leave let her investigate this herself." The sun rose behind Celestia as she appeared in her sister's room. "This is needed to see if she has what it takes to be the first female Lunar Guard"

Luna turned to her sister. "It is not fair for her, none of the other guards had to do this" Her eyes almost begging her sister to let her tell Nova their secret.

Celestia wrapped her sister in a hug. "I know Lulu I know. If not her we still don't enough to bring the Bluebloods to justice." Luna rested her head on her sister's shoulder.

"We should still be able to help Tia and you know it." Luna didn't like putting her friends into harms way, but she also beleived her Nova had what it took to complete her task. "Still she needs help"

Shaking her head she would chuckle at her sister. "She has all the help she needs" Celestia put her head on her sister. "but we won't leave her alone. Remember you gave your doll Patches to her and you can still speak with her telepathically"

Jerking away from her sister, Luna's eyes grew in size. "You told us never to use that spell! You said it could mess her her mind"

Celestia looked her sister in the eyes and then laughed. "Sis I said you couldn't use it on ponies who you don't share a bond with and by the looks of things you have a close bond with your friend. It even rivals the friendship shared between Twilight and her friends" Pushing her sister to the bed. "Now then it's late for you, you need to go to sleep"

Yawning Luna went to her bed to lay down. "Thank you sister" She yawned. "I'll speak with her tonight" With that the Princess of the Night fell to sleep and into her realm of dreams.

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Celestia quietly left her sister's room and sighed. "What will the Bluebloods do next" Putting her hoof down she went to the throne room to begin her day of court.

Introduction! Tinkertown and Commander Hurricane

Chapter 4

Introduction! Tinkertown and Commander Hurricane

Nova yawned as she watched the land zoom by under the chariot. it had been a while since she had been on such a long trip and she knew it was only the beginning. "Tree...tree...tree...tree...rock...no wait that's a tree"

Her observations were interrupted suddenly with a loud squeak as Patches jumped onto her head. "Nova we have almost arrived at Tinkertown! Do you really think the captain will be there?" The doll asked before jumping off Nova and right off the chariot. "we did not know we could fly!"

Eyes widening as she saw Patches fall off she reached out and grabbed the doll in her mouth. Wiping sweat from her forehead she put him down. "You can't fly silly so don't do tha again please" Really she had expected him to do this sooner. "and no I don't think the captain will be there, but I believe he'll be near by"

Hearing his daughter's explanation made him smile. Professor loved his daughter so much! She was smart, bravec agile and just so cute. His Nova could have followed in his or his mother's hoofsteps and would have passed them both, but she had decided to take her own path. He was so proud of her.

Then he had an idea. Grinning to himself he would look back into the chariot and clear his throat. "Oh Nova I packed some of your favorite candy in my saddlebags, you can have it" As expected his daughter's eyes grew large and she jumped for his saddlebags. "sooo cute..." Turning back he could see Tinkertown in the distance. "Tinkertown dead ahead"

Some how comepletely vanishing into her dad's saddlebags, don't ask her how she does it she just does, she popped her head out with a mouthful of candy. "mmm apple my favorite!" Apple flavored candy was perhaps her greatest weakness, she just couldn't help herself when it came to it.

Hoping out of the bags she trotted over and peered over the railing of the chariot. True enough there it was or there it wasn't actually. The town itself was inside a magical bubble that made it invisible to the naked eye, it was a precaution that was desperately needed for the town. Despite the fact that the town itself couldn't be seen she could pick out a tall structure that was built just outside the dome.

The structure shot straight up into the sky about 30 or 40 feet and was remarkably similar to some of the towers in Canterlot. At the top of the tower she could see a banner that was red with a white ship on it and several platforms. To her surprise on one of the platform sat the Flickerjack. "No way...they're actually here" For several minutes she just stared at the ship making sure it was what she thought it was.

The Flickerjack didn't look like it had changed at all since she left to start her training. On the deck she could see the giant cannon Fafnir or fafoom as it was so affectionately called by Xan it's operator. There were also several barrel and trunks sitting on deck, it looked like they had just come back from a major haul. Then she turned her gaze up to the balloon and spotted the crow's nest. Rather it was the Nova's nest, she could still see her name stenciled on the side of the bathtub. A few memories flashed in and out of her head as she remembered her time spent in it.

"Hey dad let's not land on the ship, I wanna surprise the captain" There was a mischievous look on her face as she look at her dad.

Professor could almost sense what his daughter was gonna do. "Alright, I'll put us down in the town" The chariot took began to loose altitude as he lowered them towards the tree top so that any on the ship didn't see them coming.

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Moments later they felt a tingle over their bodies as they passed through the magical dome that kept the town hidden. In front of them a small town was laid out with it's back to the side of a mountain. It was a small town, even smaller than Ponyville and was surrounded by a thick stone wall on all sides. In middle of the town sat the a large clock tower, just seeing it made Nova wince.

It had been here several years earlier that she had first became a skyrate. Their goal had been to plunder an untouched tomb of it's splender. She couldn't help but chuckle when she remembered the tomb's name, it was supposed to be called 'The Tomb of the Definitely Dead' and had surprised the crew of the ship when they hadn't found a tomb but rather a town. In truth it was a terrible time for Nova, but she had gotten over it a long time ago.

The chariot set down right outside Tinkertown's southern gate and they were promptly greeted by a group of guardponies. A big burly grey earth pony trotted forward with his spear pointed at the chariot. "Halt! Drop all your weapons and state your business here civilian"

Nova jumped off the back of the chariot with Patches on her back and turned to see the guard pointing his spear at her. "Stonehoof stand down, sheesh is this how you greet everypony?" The earth pony looked down and mumbled something. "Figured, no wonder this place hasn't grown" It also didn't help that it was also function as a skyrate base and that nopony can see it.

Stonehoof shook himself and tried to make himself look bigger. "You need to disarm you-" He was cut off as a dark purple pegasus passed over head and landed in front of him with a thud, this made the earth pony stumble backwards and drop his weapon. It also caused a few of his fellow guards to laugh at him.

"Lieutenant why are you pointing your spear at my granddaughter !" A voice boomed from the pegasus.. Nova couldn't help but snicker at poor Stonehoof, this happened everytime she came. "You know she's welcome here no questions asked!" He pointed his mechanical wing towards the gate. "Now get your flank into action and get back to your post before I court martial you NOW MOVE!" The earth pony took off running.

Turning with a chuckle. "Heh never get old does it?" His steel gray eyes looked over both Nova and Professor.

Shaking her head with a laugh. "Can't say it does Commander" She couldn't help but look over the commander, it still surprised her that he was alive. He looked good, his nearly black purple coat was prim and proper and his silver mane was cut in it's usual way.

"Commander Hurricane we have an important message and package from her royalness Princess Luna" Opening the black hole that was his mouth, a large box would shoot from Patches mouth and land at Commander's hoofs. The doll trotted back to Professor and the two of them started unpacking the chariot.

Looking at the package and rolling open the scroll that was attached Commander took a few minutes to read. "Seems you're in a bit of trouble Nova" Nova sheepishly looked away from his gaze. "oh and I believe congratulations are in order Miss Lunar Guard, come we must celebrate!" Picking the package up with his teeth he trotted inside the gate.

"Celebrate? But Commander we can't I'm on a case that needs solving" Nova called after him as she chased him. "Dad, Patches come on we need to talk to him!"

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Princess Luna trotted back and forth impatiantly. The guards around here watched their Princess uneasily wondering what had her so impatiant.

"What is taking him so long to message me back? Surely it doesn't take this long to ready a party!" She heard a snicker from one of the guards and pointed to the door. "Out now! We don't need thy to protect us in our own room!"

The guards scrambled for the door and took off down the hallway, knocking over some royal guards in the process.

Luna slammed her door shut and went back to pacing. She wanted, hay needed to do something special for her friend before she began her quest. After a few minutes of doing so her horn lit up and a small spark shot forth. The spark floated away and with a snap opened up into a swirling vortex. Seeing the portal open she would clap her hoofs together with glee. "Time for a party" Concentrating on her horn, the Princess turned into a cloud of sparkles and flew into the portal.

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Nova sat outside of Tinkertown's inn chewing on a piece of apple flavored candy. There was a look of pure happiness on her face as she enjoyed the candy, she had all but forgotten why she was in Tinkertown. "Who loves apple candy, Nova loves apple candy I do I do I do ooo" This drew looks from a couple ponies who were passing by. She didn't care though.

"Nova you can come in now" A voice said from somewhere, but she didn't hear it.

Popping another piece of candy into her mouths she would grab her mouth and groan. "ooo it's so good, it's like double apple flavored, it's soo good" Nova was so in her own world at this point.

Professor sighed as he watched his daughter go nuts from candy. It was adorable but really weird. He should have known not to given her a bag of super deluxe gourmet apple candy. Putting his hoofs on her he would shake her silly. "Nova snap out of it!"

Shaking her head she would look at her dad. "Oh...Hi dad what brings you to" She looked around and noticed where she was and jumped up. "Can I go inside yet? I really need to speak to Commander it's important." Her dad took a step back and pointed to the door. "finally!"

"Really Nova how do you get drunk off apple candy?" Her dad asked.

"I don't know it just kinda happens" Was her reply as she stepped into a dark room. "why are the..."

"SURPRISE!"

Stumbling backwards Nova holds her throat as she chokes on the candy that was in her mouth. There was a roar of laughter from those gathered. "not...*gasp*...funny" Gasping a few more times she managed to swallow the candy. Then she took a moment to take in the room and her jaw hit the ground.

The room was completely decorated with banners and balloons. On banner said in big bright purple letters 'Congrats on becoming a Lunar Guard Nova!' and others in smaller letters said 'Lunar Guard Forever!' and 'Congratulations'. There was even a large table with cake, drinks and other assorted things on it. She also noticed all the ponies and other beings in the room. Spread through out the room there were ponies from the town, a few of her friends from the guards, her skyrate buddies (though the captain and night sky were missing) and there was even Pinkie Pie in the corner with Vinyl Scratch! Nova's jaw hit the ground hard.

"How do you like it dearest Nova?" Came Princess Luna's voice from behind her.

"Princess!" Nova jumped in the air and turned to face Luna and bowed to her. It was a natural reaction when she was in public with the princess.

Luna shook her head and chuckled. "There is no need to bow to us Nova, not when it's your party" With a nod of her head she pointed to Vinyl and the DJ Mare hit the tunes and cranked them up.

Everyone in the inn began to bob their heads and dance to the music, even Commander Hurricane was getting down with it in middle of the dance floor.

Nova didn't know whether she should cry or laugh at the sight of everyone coming together. She hadn't expected a celebration let alone party after everything that had happened, she was truely happy. "Thank you everypony"

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Hours passed and the party only got wilder through out the night. Nova found herself sitting off to the side with one of the skyrate crew. "Hey Nessy, don't see Jack or Night Sky here. Where are they?" She asked the pudgy mare, knowing them she could probably guess.

Nessy looked out over the dance floor and laughed when she saw Patches being used as a beach ball. "You know them, Jack trying to be romantic" The doll came flying over and Nova couldn't help but hit the doll back.

"Nova you betrayed us!" With a squeak he was hit again and was clearly laughing.

With a shrug Nessy continued. "Also knowing them something is gonna happen to break them up"

Grinning mischievouly Nova looked to the wall clock, since it was impossible to tell time by day light in Tinkertown due to the magical bubble. "I think I can do that" Trotting to the door she called over her should. "I'll be back everypony gotta go get a couple who are missing out"

Stepping outside Nova doned her Lunar Guard armor and finally got to put on her helmet. She felt a tingle as the magical effects from the armor caused her normally brown coat to turn a pale yellow, the same color as the moon and her eyes turned from their normal starry blue to a more sinister green. "This is gonna be good" Flexing her now bat like wings she took off into the sky and straight to the Flickerjack.

(Author's Notes: Sorry everypony that it took so long to get this out, was having writer's block worrying about my friend, now that he's back I feel that my block is gone and will try to release a chapter on a weekly basis, also it might be a few days before this is edited.)

Here's Jacky! Wait What?!

Chapter 5

Here's Jacky! Wait What?!

The main cannon of the Flickerjack II came into view as Nova approached the large skyrate ship. The deck of the ship was loaded with the crew's latest haul. Nova nearly had to do a double takes as she caught sight of several chests of bits, rolls of rugs and there was even a marble statue of Celestia.

Landing with a soft thud on the deck of the ship she began looking around. The stairs down to the crew quarters was dark so nopony was there, which made sense since all the crew was at her party. Turning she would see that the door to the captain's quarters was slightly ajar and the lights were bright. Grinning to herself, Nova sank to the ground and started scooting herself across the floor towards the door.

This made her feel like a young filly again, she had done this thing several times when on the ship in her youth. This time would work she was sure, she had the added advantage of wearing lunar guard armor. Which shrouded her with shadows when in the dark, how? Heck if she knew she just wore the armor.

"Oh Ho! I got you now you lil bugger come give Jackie a kiss" The sound of things falling to the ground and breaking filled the air as she approached the captain's room. "come on stop playing hard to get!" More crashing followed by the sound of a rubber duck? Shaking her head she continued to the doorway.

Without any warning she burst into the room and flared her wings. "Hey captain!" Expecting to catch her friend Jack unawares she looked around the room trying to find his hiding spot.

The room was empty.

The room was empty? Looking around again it didn't make sense she just heard them in here. "SURPRISE!" Jack popped out of nowhere, literally nowhere and with a large party shaped cannon. Said cannon was being used to shower her in confetti. Nova however didn't know any of this as she was flat on her back having what was surely a heart attack, she had forgotten the basic rule of Jack. Expect the unexpected.

"Oh stop being so melodramatic Nova my dear it wasn't that bad, honestly I've done much much better" He paused and looked passed her and pointed with mouth wide open. "Look behind you it's another surprise!"

Rolling her eyes she shook her head and looked at Jack. "Oh yeah like I am gonna fall for that one again, the last time you did that I turned and saw nothing then turned back and you pied me in the face" Jack only snickered at the memory and continued pointing.

"Really Nova you should~" Came a voice directly behind her.

"Eeep!" She flew straight up and clung to the ceiling like a cat, knees shaking and all. From below she heard thumps which were swiftly followed by laughs as Jack and Night Sky fell to the floor laughing.

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Several minutes after apologizing and trying make up for themselves...

"Right then Nova my dear Pegasus I believe congratulations are in order!" Reaching over Jack pulled a rope on a rope that had mysteriously appeared and 'BOOM'. A large explosion came from over head and covered everypony in the room with black soot. "Drats that didn't go as planned at all not in the least. Drawing his trench coat close he sped off out of the room, leaving Nova and Night Sky standing there blinking.

Being the first one to move Night Sky coughed and cleared his throat. "Sooo what kind of trouble is big enough for miss high and mighty to call on us for? I mean we're not guards and we sure as hay aren't yours to command" Huffing Night proceeded to clean up the mess that Jack had made.

Looking away Nova would whistle and kick at the floor, avoiding eye contact with Night.

"You have something to do with this don't you Nova"

Continuing to whistle she would pretend to not notice the question presented. She would continue to do so until the sound of a horse shoe dinging off her helmet caught her attention. "Yes yes it was me alright?" Removing her helmet she would drop to the floor and inspect the area the shoe had hit, not even so much as a scuff mark. "Out of everypony I know and met you all are the ones with the best odds of succeeding the mission even if I um were to you know...."

Scoffing again at the comment Night put the broom he had been using to clean away. "right and why would we continue if you were to so blatantly fail as to die?" There was a small hitch in his voice as he said the word die.

Taking a serious look she would look to Night harshly, as if she were gonna attack him. "Why? Why would I trust a group of scoundrels who like to shoot foals out of cannons just so they could win a race? scoundrels who plundered ancient sites despite protest?" Then breaking into a wide grin she continued. "Because you all are still and always be the greatest friends in the world, each of you having talents and perhaps luck that is beyond the norm" Pausing for a brief moment for a breath. "You all don't leave your crew behind and if something befalls them everypony on this ship feels it, trust me I know because I was there when Xan blew himself off the ship"

Suddenly pointing to a treasure chest in the far off corner of the room. "And this I can guarantee will be the biggest pay day you will ever see, one that you don't have to worry about getting in trouble for using"

At the mention of pay day Jack strides into the room, covered in more soot than he left with. "I believe I heard my name called?" Looking to Night and in a blink of an eye he was by his side holding the poor pegasus in an embrace. "Miss me already?"

Thrashing about wildly in Jack's arms Night tried his best to break his captain's hold on him. It was for naught, once in an embrace nopony could break out of Jack's 'loving' hold.

"Oh right gifts Nova needs a gift from her captain" Looking about as if looking hiding something from vastly important the strange white pony took a long, really really long, step to Nova's side and stole her hoof. "Don't move!" Suddenly she heard clangs and a sawing sound?! Attempting to look down her head was caught by one of Jack's mechanical hands. "tut tut no peaking" Flicking her nose he went back to work.

Finally feeling him let go of her hoof she looked down and saw an odd, but very familiar shape strapped to the side of her armored plating. "Um...Is that what I think it is?" Nodding vigorously, Jack took a step back and held a pose as if showing off his greatest work.

"Let me present your present! Before your eyes you have the very first and possibly very very last, why last? Well because I said so of course! Geez if everypony had one they would hardly be original" Coughing he took on an odd look as if trying to remember where he was at. "Oh right! Very first and possibly very very last arm mounted gem shooter, lucky you! All you have to do to fire is hit the 'X' button!" Wait what? "Now off you go the Captain has some important business with a certain red pegasus who needs to be punished"

Night gulped and took a step back from Jack, but didn't get far before he was grabbed again and Nova found herself standing back at the Airships mooring line.

"Uhhh what happened just now?" Sighing she turned and headed back to the inn where her party was being thrown, occasionally looking at the small gem shooter on her hoof. "heh that turned out better than I hoped, at least I wasn't shot out of a cannon again"