Author's Note

Ben a bit but this is the first chapter of the Nightmare Moon Arc. This will last a few chapters so enjoy.

Leaving...

Twilight was busy in the library quickly going backend forth between the shelves.

"Come on Twi! We're gonna be later for Moondancer's birthday party," Spike says.

"Not now Spike," Twilight says not looking up from her book. "I'm on the verge of a breakthrough, I can feel it in my horn!"

"But you promised Sunburst you at least stop in and say hi!" Spike protested.

"Come on Spike," Twilight waved off the comment, "Moondancer of all ponies will understand when it comes to research."

"You mean like the time when you both forgot about Sunset's birthday party!" Spike crossed his arms with a scowl.

"Ah... That ah..." Twilight says as she sets her book down to peer over at her assistant slash adoptive brother.

"It was her first party since coming home and you guys are literally her closest friends!" He pointed the finger at her, "And you guys really hurt her feelings when you decided to miss with the stupid portal data instead of coming to see her. She knew how important that project is to you both and she did understand you working but she still expected you to at least stop in and say Happy Birthday and drop off a present!"

"Well, this is different!" Twilight counters. "That fate of Equestria c-"

"Can wait till later," came a shilling and stern toned from behind Twilight.

Twilight gulped hard, "Hehe... Hi Papa Levi..." Twilight mechanically turns around to see the looming form of Levi standing there with a disappointed scowl.

"You're going to the party little Sparkle," Levi says as he grabbed a hold of Twilight's book with his metal hoof.

"B-b-but-"

"Mmmmm..." Levi narrowed his gaze.

"Okay, I"m going," Twilight eeped before dashing off.

"Present!" Levi reminded her.

Twilight Teleported in and grabbed the gift in her magic then teleported away leaving Spike and Levi alone.

"Thank's dad," Spike says, "I knew she'd listen if you told her to go. Actually, I think you're the only living being outside mom that she'll actually listen to no matter what."

"No problem Spike," Levi rubbed his son's head. He then reached into his jacket and pulled out a scroll with a red ribbon and golden sun seal stamp on it, handing it to the drake. "It's from your mother to Twilight. Make sure she gets it. Then have her, you, Sunset, and your little sister come to the ballon platforms after everyone gets their fill of the festivities."

"You can count on me!" He salutes.

"Good, now off with you or there'll be no cake left," Levichuckeld as he shooed the youth on before leaving to speak with Celestia

"I think everything is in order here Raven," Celestia says while she went over the list of creatures who were attending the Summer Sun Celebration tomorrow. "Yes, these arrangements will do just fine. Thank you for your help. I think that will be all for today."

Levi then entered the room.

"Good Afternoon Sir Levi," Raven Inkwell gave a slight bow to him.

"We've been over this before Raven," Levi grabbed his face with his hoof. "I'm not royalty, so don't bow to me."

"You're both the adoptive father of the prince and princesses as well as the biological father of the youngest member of the royal family and her highness's closest confidant both in and out of... urm... private situations," That caused Celestia's cheeks to heat up a little. "Not to mention the former personal trainer of the current Captain of the Royal Guard and former bodyguard of Twilight Sparke and her family, while still actually providing protection detail discreetly. Technically, you are also the royal consort as well. All of this coupled together makes you suedo royalty at most."

"I'm not going to argue with you on this right now Raven. I am not royalty," Levi says in a thoroughly annoyed tone.

This let the secretary know he wasn't in a very curt mood, meaning she'd best shut up while she was ahead.

"Are you finished for today?" he looked to Celestia.

"We just finished right as you came in. That will be all for today you may go now," Celestia smiled with a slow nod before looking to Raven who bowed and left. "I take you persuaded your other daughter to go and see her friend before their trip."

"It's a good thing Spike sent that note when he did cause I caught her just before she was able to really crack open a new book," Levi nods. "I also told him to bring everyone to the platforms after they've had their fun."

"Good," Celestia says. "I'm sorry I can't tell you more about this Levi but I feel Twilight won't live up to her potential if I let you know more."

"I don't like it but this is your country and this is a plan to save your sister Tia," Levi held up a hoof. "I'm going along to watch over Twilight and our kids and help out or-."

"Step in to do what needs to be done should Twilight fail in her own tasks," Celestia painfully says. "Though I pray you do not need to..."

"So do I, Tia," Levi says. "She's my family in a way too after all."

Levi walks up to the thrown and gave Celestia a comforting hug, "Thank you, Levi,"

"Hmmm," he nods. "I best get going. Knowing Twilight and after she explains to Sunset what she's found out they'll be ready to go. Not to mention Ary wanting to go on an adventure. You know this will put a strain on your relationship with them all correct? I don't like it."

"Yes, I am aware, which is why I haven't told you any more than what I've said. I love you with all my heart Levi but I... for the sake of our children I can't tell anymore of my story or... Be careful My Human," Celestia nuzzles him before they separate and he leaves. Celestia looked into the sky," Luna.... please still be in there... somewhere..."

Levi trotted through the streets of Canterlot to a very familiar cottage. Walking up to the door he gave a quick knock and waited for the door to open.

"Yes," he heard a light female voice.

"Good afternoon Velvet," Levi says to the smaller grayish-purple mare.

"Oh Levi, good to see you," Velvet motions for him to come in.

"Sorry Velvet but this is just a brief stop," Levi held up a hoof before reaching into his jacket and handing a scroll over to the mare. "These are assignment orders for Twilight to stay in Ponyville for a few days as well as the option to move there permanently. Most of this is to do with furthering her studies as Celestia's student."

"Are these orders or are you asking for permission?" Velvet unfurled the scroll and looked it over. "Oh... so you'll be living there too."

"Yes," Levi nods. "Her roommate will be Sunset and they will be staying in the town library."

"Where will you be living?" Velvet asked.

"I have my own home I'd had built there years ago," Levi explains."Both Spike and Aria are coming along with us. Spike is able to send letters right to Tia so more than likely he'll be staying with the girls. Aria will be living with me alongside Marmalade, Bedrock, and Candy will be moving there too."

"So, then, everyone is moving?" Velvet apprehensively.

"Celestia is staying here for obvious reasons," Levi nods. "If you two want to move with us I have more than enough space for you two. I also have a private library and observatory should you two wish to continue your trades from there."

"Hmmm... It's a nice offer Levi but I think it'd be best for Twilight to not have us around for a while," Velvet placed the scroll on the table. "I'll speak with Night about it but if we did move it would be when we were ready and we wouldn't live with you for very long before looking for a place of our own. What about Sunny and Spitfire?"

"Summer is actually moving to Ponyville to work part-time as the local school teacher until they can find a permanent one," Levi says, "It's a bit of a surprise for her. Spitfire is busy with her career and cracking a whip to get the other Bolts and reserves into shape."

"I heard something about one of them her special somepony," Velvet giggles. "Is it true?"

"Yes and their daughter lives with her aunt, father's sister in Ponyville," Levi says with a bit of annoyance. "She could've told me she was seeing someone."

"Wel.... it wasn't as if you didn't already know him but if you'd known that they had been together then you would've taken him on one of your special camping trips where they would either pass or have the biggest bowel movement they'd ever had," Velvet coldly smiles. "You don't need to be so harsh on the boys they like Levi."

"Rock was the last one I sware on my honor," Levi sighs as he held up his metal hoof. "Oh, would it be okay of Michigan stays with you in the pond while Twilly settles in?'

"As long as he behaves I have no issues with him staying as long as he wants," Velvet says, "But, if he insists on acting up I will use Ole Rusty on him again."

"I still have no clue how that frog survives being smashed into the street with that legendary frying pan," Levi nervously chuckles before backing away. "You have a key to the tower. With that being said my business is done here. I must go meet everyone at the platform. Have a good rest of your day Velvet."

He urns and leaves while she waves with a smile, "Things will definitely be a lot quieter with them all gone. Mighty and I are gone have to double soundproof our room now," she says going inside the house. "Ooooooohhhhhhh Niiiiiggggghhhhttttllllliiiigghhtttt!" she calls out in a sultry tone as the front door slowly shuts behind here and serval ponies cleared off the streets.

"Twilight will you please calm down!" Sunset shouts as the lavender unicorn.

"Calm down! Caaallllmmmeee ddddoooowwnnn! CALM DOWN! HOW CAN I POSSIBLY CALM DOWN WHEN THE FATE OF EQUESTRIA HANGS IN THE BALANCE WHILE I WAS FORCIBLY SENT TO A BIRTH-" she was immediately cut off as she did a face plant right in front of the group with her rump sticking straight up in their wit ha dart in her right cheek.

"Well, you did till her to calm down first," Ary says. "Those security guards really are great shots," She waved at a couple of stallions in black, with one putting a blow gun on his back via magic.

The other of the stallions come over, "If she starts up again I'm gonna have to ask you folks to leave. I can't have a raving mad mare on my platform."

"Sorry, but if you could make us leave, it would end much worse if it did," Aria smiles cutely at them.

"If there is one thing I can't stand, it's a smart mouth," the stallion's eye narrowed, "I'm gonna ask you to-" A hood taps his shoulder, "I'm in the middle of... Tall...." he says he looks up to Levi's scarred face.

"We're not going anywhere," he leans down. "I will not have you talking that way to the prince and princess either."

"Prince and Princess..." he eeped.

"Leave now before I call the guard," Levi growls.

Both guards ran off leaving behind pony-shaped clouds of dust behind.

"How do they do that?" Sunset raised an eyebrow. "It's like some straight out of a cartoon bullshit moment."

"Mouth, meet soap," Levi says to Sunset, who quickly shuts up, while he walks over and easily threw the slumbering pony with a steadily rising and falling snot bubble on to back. "Let's go everypony and drake. She'll be out for a few hours due to lack of sleep."

"Just long enough to enjoy some comics in peace then," Spike let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm game!" Aria pronks around her father.

"Yea, count me in to," Sunset says. "I like my power ponies. Got the latest issue Spike?"

"Don't you know it," Spike slyly points as he raised a claw holding a comic but then revealed sever more as the spread out like a than of playing cards.

"Good for you three," Levi rolls his eyes, "Now let's get to the balloon," he points with a flat look on his face as the younger ponies followed. "Kids these days," he grumbles under his breath as Twilight steadily snoozed with a goofy look on her face.

"So we finished the comics.... Now what?" Sunset asks, "What are we even supposed to do when we get to this town anyway?" She looks at Levi

"You and Twilight," Levi says he looked at the purple mare

"Kehehe... Red velvet cookies and liquid rainbow... Mmmmm..."

"That mare has some of the weirdest dreams," Sunset remarks as she pokes her best friend,"Continue please," she turns back to Levi as Spike and Aira take turns poking Twilight.

"Anyways, your job is to go and make sure the finishing touches for the Summer Sun Celebration are underway," Levi says. "I'm going along because it's been a while since I've been in Ponyville and actually have some business with one of the families on the list."

"So, Strawberry family stuff?" Sunset looked at her adoptive father skeptically.

"Yes, so to speak," Levi shrugs. "It's more of visiting an old friend and business rival slash partner instead of Corps stuff. We don't have a large presence in this own though we do have some distant relations. The local bar owner is called Berry Punch, she's a distant cousin from a few of those that wanted a more independent quiet lifestyle instead of a mercenary-based one that went off and did it."

"And they've kept in touch?" Spike asked as he and his little sister were building a house of cards on Twilight out of the comic books while the mare was wearing a pair of Groucho Glasses.

"More or less," Levi shrugs. "Berry's family has known about the Strawberry family crest and usually put a couple of corps members up for a night or two when they wander into town, but other than that she's just the local tavern owner."

"Looks like we're about to touch down!" Aria squees causing Twilight to pop up.

"AH MARBLES IN THE EAR!" She yelped, causing the comic to fall as Spike was just putting the last two on.

"Dag it! I almost had it this time!" Spike grumbles.

"What?! Where am I?!" Twilight says with the still on her face.

Everyone, but Levi, was doing their absolute best not to laugh.

"Was I darted, again?" Twilight says with an embarrassed blush.

"Yes, yes you were!" Aria laughs as she rolled around on the basket's floor.

"Mmmmmmm...." Twilight shrank back and looked down, "Wait, what's on my face?!" she pulled off the prop, "Spiiiiiiiiikkkkkkkkkeeeeee!"

"Here are your assigned ponies to see," Levi says as he hands a couple of scrolls to the two elder ponies. "Here's the key to the library where you'll be staying," he hands them a brass skeleton key. "Aria is with me and Spike is with you should you need to reach Celestia, or me. Have fun and makes some new friends!"

He remarks as he jumps from the balloon and Aria followed suit onto the ground.

"Ahhhhhh...... What are we doing?" Twilight turned to Sunset.

"Come on Twi," Sunset motions. "Spike the mailbox and I will give you run through on the way to drop of the bags at the library."

"Yea," Spike says but then opened his eyes wide at the realization of his words. "Hey! I'm not a mailbox!" he roars as he chases after the giggling amber and lavender mares.