The Red Knight

Zecora hummed softly as she watched the smoke whirl and waft in a non-existent breeze. “I see a tomb, and the source of your plight. I see the surname, Light. The one you seek is trapped, though I fear the location is not well mapped.”

“You're saying that Luna is being held captive in a tomb of the Light family?”

“So the smoke says, and it is rarely wrong. You must go soon, do not tarry long,” the healer's voice became grave. “There is much afoot that we do not yet know. I fear we are deceived by a still unseen foe.”

Sunset nodded, and rose. “Do you know who I should take with me? Should I launch a full assault or will stealth be key?”

Zecora frowned and swirled the smoke with her fingers. “The time for stealth, I think, is done. All your strength will be needed, if this war is to be won. This time, I will join the fight. I believe we may need a practitioner of the light.”

When Zecora takes her leave to prepare for the march and search ahead, Sunset calls for Twilight and Shining Armor.

The siblings wear matching, unreadable, expressions.

“I know the tomb she's referring to,” Shining says, eyes darkening with rage. “It's got to be the Tomb of Long Light. A distant ancestor of ours, my father is a grandiose, insufferable man. He'd pick the most famous and high ranking tomb he could find, just because he can.”

Twilight nods her agreement, “it's located near Canterlot. In a grove of trees, just beyond the banks of Saddle Lake.” She steps closer to the desk, and points to a clearing on the map Sunset has set out.

Sunset leans closer, eyes scanning the map. “The fastest route would be to march through the forest itself. We could march along the river from here, and be at the tomb in a few days.”

Twilight hums her agreement, “true enough. Though I imagine we will encounter more than a few obstacles. My father will not have left Luna unguarded.”

Shining grunted, “there will likely be a force watching the grove closely. But... he's an arrogant man, I doubt they'll be a challenge for us. I'm more worried about the Changeling's still lurking around. And we still don't know what's happening in Canterlot.”

The following silence was heavy, oppressive.

Sunset rose slowly, she felt old, her bones creaked, her head ached. She could see Luna in her minds eye, beaten, bloody, trapped. She could almost smell the death and decay of the tomb. Something dark was on the horizon, and Canterlot was already cloaked in the darkness. Zecora had said that they had an unseen enemy, Sunset could not help but agree. Somewhere in her heart, she knew that they would be forced to march on Canterlot. And if they did, if they had to launch an attack on their own capitol, blood and death would surely follow.

“Shining,” Sunset said, straightening her spine. “Go and spread a message to our men. This may well be our final stand. If someone has truly taken control of the nobles in Canterlot, we may be forced to act against them. Any soldier who does not wish to fight, will be permitted to remain here. I am offering them their freedom, may the moon forgive me. We have no orders, our Princess is lost to us. I will not ask my people to die for a personal mission. I will not ask them to turn on Canterlot. I will not ask them to become traitors to Celestia's crown, no matter how crooked I believe it to sit.”

The man nodded, and let himself out. His sister started to follow, but Sunset called out to her.

“You should stay here too, Twilight.”

The lady snorted, “my brother will not leave your side. And I have decided that I will not leave his. My father is lost, and my home has become overrun with treachery. I am not much with a sword or spear, but I will help where I can.”

When the next morning dawns, Sunset makes the lonely trudge down to the courtyard. The others told her last night that the regiment was prepared to march. She ponders on how many might remain here, in Thicket. Rainbow Dash emerges from a room ahead of her, and joins her for the final flight of stairs.

“Everyone is ready to set out,” she says. “Thorax isn't well enough to join us but, his younger brother Pharanx has gathered volunteers. They're going to march in the rear with AJ.”

Sunset nodded, reaching out for the door. She pauses, not yet pushing it open. “How many are staying?”

Rainbow arches a brow, “none.”

“Did Shining Armor not-”

“He spread the word.” Rainbow pushes past her, opening the door. Sunset swallows as her soldiers come into sight. People are darting about, saddling horses, sharpening weapons, preparing for their departure. “They respect you,” she says, giving Sunset's shoulder a squeeze. “You've lead us this far, and we'll follow you into hell.”

Spitfire calls out to her, jogging up to them with a pleased smirk. “Sunset, we'll be ready to move within the hour.”

Sunset's chest squeezes with gratitude. “You know we're probably marching to our demise right?”

The captain only shrugs, “I've known that since the beginning.”

Their march leads them through dense forest before the trees give way to a low grassy valley.

“Nearly there,” Shining advised from her left.

“What do you remember about the tomb?” Sunset wondered aloud.

“Just that it's in the middle of a clearing. Everything around it is dead, even the grass. And it's deep, if she's being held in the tomb itself then she's underground.”

Spitfire spurred her horse closer to them. “How defensible is this place? Should we expect a large number of opposition?”

Shining shrugged, “the clearing is open. There would be plenty of room to camp, easy access to water from the river. If they're smart they'll know we're coming before we can cross the water.”

“That puts us at a disadvantage,” the captain sat back in her saddle. “How do we play this Commander?”

Sunset grinned, “I've been giving that a lot of thought... We're going to make a show of it. Send Zecora and Flash to me, please. I have an idea."