Night Light walked slowly throughout the halls of the Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns; his goal was the lovely librarian that had stolen his heart, and in no time he found the mare that was alerted by his heavy steps.

- Light! - Twilight Velvet put down the book she was reading and ran to him wearing a bright smile that made his heart melt.

- Sorry, I'm late... - Night Lite was a little awkwardly, but he hit his sturdy armor with his left arm as a sigh of bravura to her - We had a little problem, and they needed us...

When Night Light made the movement with his arm, Twilight Velvet saw a small fillet of blood escape from his biceps, she knew his job was dangerous – not anyone can claim to be part of the CTSA or the Canterlot Team of Search and Arrest – but even so, she felt fear.

- Mister Night Light, it is decided - Twilight took some steps off Night Light, pointed a finger at him as if lecturing him - You will learn some magic!

- Wait, what? - Light rose both hands defensively - I'm a warrior, besides, I already know the basics of magic and...

Night Light stopped when he looked at his soon-to-be wife, and she was puffing her cheeks in an adorkable way. He knew it was useless to argue with her, so he just sighed.

- Okay, Velvet... But just one spell, okay?

Twilight Velvet just smiled and, full of joy, jumped in her colt friend's arms.

The cold air of the night sent chills down Night Light's spine as he, Violet Alloy and Captain Gravel surveilled the perimeter. The trio was atop of a building that offered plenty of view of the buildings at the pier, and of the many boats and ships docked there – many of them part of the Royal Army.

All around them, the support team was getting into their position in the clouds around the area as a weak rain started to fall. That was when Alloy, that was using a magical telescope to aid the search, whispered.

• Found them. A warehouse at the end of the pier, two griffons guard at the entrance – she side glanced at Gravel – they don't even seem to bother trying to hide their weapons.

• Night Light and Violet Alloy - Gravel spoke firmly but quietly - each of you will take one guard. Then we will start the raid.

Light and Alloy nodded.

It took less than ten minutes for Night Light and Violet Alloy to be in their respective positions, each sneaking quietly to the sides of the warehouse. The soft sound of rain disguising their hooves sounds, making the two door guards oblivious of their presence.

Even so, Night Light and Alloy were cautious and, with a node at each other, advanced at the same time to incapacitate the guards.

There was no scuffle or fight, just the thud of the pummel of Night Light's sword hitting the bird in the back of the head, and the gasp of air of the other who was being choked by Alloy. When both Griffon guards were unconscious, Gravel glided from her position in the clouds, with the spear ready at hand.

Gravel was serious, and her dark semblance was accented by the drops of water over her helmet. She didn't speak, nor she needed to do so. As she approached, Alloy and Light prepared to open each one of the sides of the big warehouse door. It was now or never, and Gravel would be the one to advance as soon as the door opened.

What no one knew was that, deep down, she desired to fight the fierce opponent behind the door; she was a warrior, after all.

Callaghan was arched over a big table where the map of the entire Equestria was, as his two daggers. He shuffled his blood-red feathers as his beak contorted with a sinister smile while he wiped his lion tale.

• Those stupid ponies will not even see what hit'em. - Callaghan took his special dagger from the table and marked two other cities on the map – this will be might funny. Maybe the headmistress will let me have some of the prisoners we get to...

His train of thoughts were stopped by the loud sound of the doors being forcibly opened; when Callaghan looked at its origins, he found an armored Pegasus pony flying in his direction with a spear ready to impale him.

Callaghan was caught in surprise, but he was far from unprepared, and as the tip of the spear approached his chest, Callaghan flap his wing while a silvery mist surrounded him, and he disappeared, only to reappear by the right side of his assailant and, with incredible speed, hitting it in the spot between the wing two times with his special dagger. The last attack was not alone, as when the tip of the dagger pierced the armor and hit the flesh, a torrent of magic was released when the griffon muttered simply:

*Blood Blast!*

The attack caused an explosion, mangling the Pegasus wings, scattering its feathers and sending it into the wall, where it lay inert.

Callaghan then looked at its enemy companions as its feathers slowly fell after the explosion, and seeing the reaction of the two ponies at the entrance, he returned his sinister smile; his patron would be happy with his new offering. But why end the game so soon?

• It seems that this one is already broken - Callahan calmly retrieved his other dagger from the table while the two ponies processed what just happened - You know, this is the part where you two beg for your life.

When the door opened, Night Light didn't expect Gravel's action of flying right on the enemy or its quick reaction in dealing with her; even worse, it seemed that this griffon had access to magic.

And now he Night Light was at the door, speechless, the same as his companion Violet Alloy, while Gravel was lying on the ground, wings mangled and with the back of her armor torn out by the attack she received, with an armed and dangerous griffon close to her.

• It seems that this one is already broken – the red griffon spoke coldly while retrieving his other dagger from the table at the center of the warehouse while the two ponies tighten their grip on the weapons and shield – You know, this is the part where you two beg for your life.

Night Light knew this griffon was not bluffing, he had the skills to back up his words; Gravel was heavily injured, maybe even in a life-threatening way, and because of that he needed to act fast.

• Alloy. - Night light murmured, his eyes locked on the red griffon facing him while a faint glow of light started to gather around his horn - On my clue, fetch Gravel and get out of here. We need backup. Now.

• Yes, sir.

• And what, in heaven's name, make you believe I will let you take this corpse and get help? - spoke Callaghan, still smiling in disdain - I will kill you two before that!

Night Light answer was not words, but action. Raising his shield, he advanced swinging his sword with the experience of many years, only to be parried by the griffon with both daggers that then, flapping his wings, got a little space between the two only to hit Night Light with his clawed paws.

Night Light's helmet was sent flying by Callahan's kick. In the background of the fight, Violet Alloy ran and reached her captain, quickly understanding the gravity of her injuries. Carefully, Alloy grabbed Gravel, holding her in her back. But she couldn't see an opening to the front door, as the path was blocked by the two combatants that had reengaged.

• Light, I need an opening!

• On it - Night Light spoke, his mane disheveled and moving with the winds of his moves, and with a strong bash of his shield he made Callaghan retreat a little.

• Do you think this is enough for me to let them pass?

• No, but this might do! - Night light's horn started shining in his pale blue magic as memories of Twilight velvet flooded his mind - LIGHTS OUT!

Night Light yelled, and from the tip of his horn a wave of magical darkness flowed, engulfing Callahan for a moment; enough time for Alloy to run to the exit.

Callaghan was furious, he would not let them escape. Because of that, he remembered a skill he had never used before, an ability that could change everything.

• Lady Carmila, daughter of the abyss, make your eyes mine! - Callaghan murmured, making a small cut in his right hand with his special dagger, only for his eyes to start shining with a crimson red energy. Even so, Callaghan couldn't see well, only the shadow forms of his enemies. Then, pointing the tip of his dagger to the shadow carrying another – The Unicorn mare with the injured Pegasus.

The smile returned to Callaghan's beak as he uttered his words.

*Blood Blast!*

From the dagger, the blood-red energy was emitted and hurled at the running pony, only for the other pony to intercept. The strength of the explosion was enough that the darkness of the magic cast by the unicorn was dispelled in all directions, leaving only Night Light, with his raised shield, to face him.

The force of the attack confirmed Night Light's fears as its strength was enough to deform his shield, but even in the face of this frightening opponent, Night Light was determined not to bow down.

Instead, he threw his shield to the side and held his long sword with both hands, the tip pointed to the red griffon.

• My name is Night Light from the CTSA - He spoke slowly and deliberately with a stern voice - and by the authority of Princess Celestia, you are under arrest!

Callaghan was furious with the boldness of this pony, a pony that made him lose two of his preys. He, too, made a decision.

• I am going to BUCKING KILL YOU!

Author's Note

Observations:
Blood Blast is a variation on Eldritch Blast, with a different type of damage.