Author's Note

Here it is western lunar crisis, I don't own the rights they belong to their respective owns, i only own my Oc's. Any others will be given disclaimer and shown in the authors notes, either that or referenced. Did some changes, second chapter will be up later.

Discovery Pt:1

Chapter 1: Discovery pt:1

Canterlot, seat of all pony kind, capital of Equestria and home of the two sisters Celestia and Luna, overlooked the vast countryside of Equestria, its closest town Ponyville home of Twilight sparkle stood in its shadow. Yet greedy eyes lurk towards it, even with Celestia and Luna trying to keep the peace and bring love to their ponies, others seek a means of an end and take power for themselves. Currently it's been a day since the Grand galloping Gala and ponies were still reeling on the atrocious display that occurred with the Ponyville ‘cretins’ as the nobility put it. Of course several Canterlot nobles secretly stood on the side of Ponyville, believing that their higher standing ‘friends’ got what's coming to them.

Celestia stood in her room overlooking her nation, taking a sip of coffee she grimaced at the bitter drink, realizing she forgot to add sugar to it, she decided to sweeten her drink up.

-Knock-Knock-Knock

“Come in” she replied, putting three cubes of sugar in and stirring it in with her magic. Hearing the door open she was greeted by her advisor Staplepress, Staple was a stallion with a dark gray coat and white main, his cutie mark resembles that of a stapler.

“Your highness, the ambassador from Prance is here to see you” he informed her, she swallowed some coffee before responding.

“Thank you Stapple, please inform my sister of the news please” her request was met with a bow, walking out the advisor went to perform his duties.

Taking another sip of coffee, she felt a sudden feeling of dread fill her stomach, looking to the west, her instincts told her to send the guard as if something was wrong, but why would she on such a beautiful day. Finishing her drink she went to the council chambers to discuss what the Prench ambassador had to say, yet as she walked, that same feeling of drama came back, she was sure it wasn't the coffee, but something told her to send the guard out. Quickly she stopped a guard walking by.

“Excuse me sir” he turned to her.

“Yes your highness, is something wrong?” his question reverberated in her head, ‘is something wrong’ she thought, better to be safe than sorry.

“I’m not sure, but can you relay an order to Shining armor to send a squad to the western lunar coast, I fear something's not right” her response was inquisitive to the guard, but he did it anyway, bowing he went to relay the order.

Going down the hall she reached the door to the council chambers, opening she was greeted to the large room. The council chambers were the size of the throne room, the only difference is the large marble and mahogany table in the center, cushioned stools of the same wood were placed around the table. Standing in the room stood a blue unicorn stallion with a light green mane, his cutie mark resembling a quill of gold, turning he bowed.

“Your highness, it's nice to finally meet you on such short notice. My name is Goldfeather, I'm stepping in as the ambassador of Prance, Rainwave couldn't make it sadly, he has the horse hives.” His introduction truly was a short notice, the king of Prance would have at least informed her via letter about Rainwaves illness. She bowed back and sat on one of the cushioned stools, the ambassador from Prance doing the, clearing her throat she began.

“So Goldfeather, now that introduction are taken care of you wanted to speak to me about something” Celestia was curious as to what the ambassador had to say, usually it would be the occasional trade deal, or the king's request for her hoof in marriage, even though he’s already married.

He slowly nodded, a grim look giving Celestia a tinge of worry “your highness, there has been minor border disputes with the griffon kingdoms of Griffonstone, Hawkrest, Albatross and …Stormcrow”. Celestia was shocked, but allowed the ambassador to continue with his and it only got worse “these nations have recently to our shock signed a truce and are now threatening to go to war with Prance. Please your highness, we need your help Eagleland has the navy, but we don't have the might to face that kind of army” Celestia sighed thinking on what to do, Equestria hasn't been in a war for centuries, yet prance is one of its allies and pony neighbors across the ocean. She didn't know what to do, they currently have a trade deal with the kingdom of Albatross and Hawkrest, if they were to go to war Equestrias economy might tank. Though if Equestria didn't do anything Prance might fall and Equestria will be without a strong ally, leaving them with Eagleland, Mt. Eris, Tuskineigh and Germaneigh. Celestia thought long and hard, she didn't want a war, nopony did, undecided she turned to the ambassador.

“Goldfeather, its true Equestria has a long friendship with Prance, but we too have trade deals in two of the griffon kingdoms Hawkrest and Albatross. What I’m saying is i haven't decided, but maybe if you’ll permit it, I’ll send a letter to these nations and will discuss a term of compromise or deal to prevent war” her reply and request shocked Goldfeather, but her thought about it, having Equestria as a neutral party to discuss a peaceful resolution might help prevent a coming war.

“I’ll taking up your offer you highness and discuss it with king Silvercrest to find a peaceful resolve, but his majesty will want restitution if this is successful” Celestia mentally sighed, she should've seen this coming, king Silvercrest had a thing for Celestia and hoped to create an heir. She couldn't see that happening though since it would cause a lot of trouble for both nations, for one Silvercrest had a distrustful view on her sister Luna and viewed her a ‘threat’ to peace. At any rate she reluctantly agreed to the terms, for now and awaited for what Silvercrest had to say, in the meantime she’ll send a letter to each of the griffon kings and ask for peace talks in Equestria. Standing up the two bowed.

“I’ll take my leave then and inform his majesty good day your highness” he left leaving Celestia a lot to think over.

It's been several hours since her meeting with the Prench ambassador and Celestia still thought over the events that occured, sitting in her room she sipped her coffee hoping to alleviate what ill thoughts she had. At her desk she had just finished her letters to the four griffon kings, now she needed to send them, but something told her to wait. It was that feeling again, that same feeling she had before the meeting and it was stronger now, too strong, as if Equestria itself was crying out in pain, but from what, she didn't know.

“Dear sister-” Celestia jumped upon hearing Luna's voice “-are you okay?” she asked

She shook her head “ne dear Lulu, something eludes me, a sense of dread, a sense I felt before the meeting with the Prench ambassador” she felt her sister wrap her wings around her and sit next to her.

“Whatever it is dear Tia we’ll face it together” Celestia smiled, she didn't know where'd she be without her sister, or what’d she do without her.

Her door burst open spooking the two alicorns, standing there was a panicked guard “Silversword! What's wrong!?” the pegasus stallion looked at her, his eyes filled with panic and terror from what her saw.

“The west! There's something on the western coast!” his eyes soon rolled back and fell unconscious.

Shining armor shuffled the many stacks of papers on his desk. It's been a busy morning, rolls, drills, exercises, and relief forces were the many things he had to deal with. Yet the strangest had to be when Princess Celestia requested a small squad investigate a ‘disturbance’ in the western Lunar coast. To say the least it's been a busy week, with the gala in shambles and the nobility demanding the ponies responsible to be arrested even though they were pardoned by Celestia. What brought the situation to light was the new equipment being distributed, muskets: a single shot weapon that uses a blasting powder to fire a lead projectile at its target. This piece of equipment has brought Equestias military technology to a head, of course civilian technology is far more superior than the militaries. Yet muskets weren't the only weapons made, the conveyor lines were spewing out all sorts of equipment: cannons, howitzer mortars, dynamite, armored carriages, even several new warships. On top of it all, magical technology boomed after the discovery of this ‘blasting powder’ bringing out a new age in healing, combat and defensive magic. All of this put Equestria back on the map of being a superior fighting force when it came to its military, yet the stallions higher up still believed it wasn't enough as they wanted the civilian technology shadowed by the military.

Shining armor sighed lowering the papers he read “new technology, new problems” he muttered all the while rubbing his temples.

-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-

“Come in!” he replied unenthusiastically, ever since the gala nobles left and right demanded his sister and her friends to be arrested, so it's no story why he gets irritated by a single door knock.

Hearing the door open he pointed to his desk “if you have a complaint leave it here, I'll get to it eventually” he stated not knowing who he was speaking to.

“I have a complaint-” Shining armor's ears perked to the voice of a mare “-why are nobles such a pain in the flank” he looked up and smiled, erasing all the mental pressure he currently has. Standing there was his marefriend, Cadence, for about a few weeks he’s been going out with and ever since he laid eyes on her he knew he was going to marry her. Standing out of his seat the two walked over embraced and made out, his worries melted when she was with him and right now he needed a break.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes-” shining began as the two continued to make out “-but what are you doing here, i thought you were in Manehattan?” it's not that he's grateful she’s here, but curious. Last he heard Cadence was in Manehattan per Celestia's request to welcome in the new mayor, Shufflestack.

“She called me back-” Cadence said ending the makeout session and embrace “-she informed me there's a threat in the west and wanted me to return on behalf of my safety. Of course I don't know why, I was safe in the east.” her face turned to worry, she didn't know what was going on, but when she returned she felt uneasy, as if Equestria itself was crying out in pain. “Shiny, do you know what's going on?”

Shining armor sighed, going back to his seat, he urged Cadence to sit too. He shook his head “truthfully I don't know what's going on, but earlier today, Celestia requested I send a squad of guards to the western coast. The guard who informed me about it was just as confused as I was, nevertheless I agreed, something doesn't feel right though, once in a while I feel uneasy, as if the magic itself was…”

“Poisoned, tainted” cadence finished for him, she knew what he was trying to say, it was hard for her too.

Shining nodded “yea, as if it was poisoned”

The door burst open spooking the two lovers, a pegasus guard stood there, his face etched in worry “captain, you need to come see this!” Shining armor and Cadence looked at each other with concern, standing from their seats they followed the guard.

Silverswords' hoof shook as he tried to drink the tea he was offered, the sight he saw in the west haunted his mind, the sight of his squad, the sight of their bodies, or lack thereof. He currently sat in the royal dining room, princesses Cadence, Luna and Celestia along with his captain Shining Armor sat with him, all of them worried for the state he was in.

“Are you comfortable talking now?” Celestia asked in her soothing voice, hoping it would help him calm down further, if not then she’s patient and will wait until he’s ready. She was worried though, after he awoke he thrashed about, attempting to flee from something he called the ‘dark creature’, whatever he saw in the west scared him to his whits end, they’re currently trying to calm him down now.

The doors of the room opened as doctor Radon walked in with a clipboard, he motioned for the princesses and the captain to come speak with him. Leaving Silversword for a moment they went over to Radon, who in turn reported his findings on the pegasi’s mind. “First of all-” he began “-it isn't good, Silversword is experiencing severe PTSD and mental trauma, he kept muttering the word dark creature and western coast.-” he flipped the page on his clipboard “-secondly i checked his bodily fluids, his main bodily functions are normal, but I found a foreign substance in his stomach, but what caught me off guard was his fertility. Three weeks ago he came in for his physical, his fertility was high especially for young stallions his age, but when I checked it again today his fertility went from one hundred percent, to forty five percent.” This surprised the princesses and captain, all of them knowing Silversword and his wife were discussing having a foal.

“This news is going to devastate them” Cadence replied, she was heartbroken to hear Silverswords dreams of a family were crushed, but one thing was her mind, what caused this fertility loss.

“Doctor, what caused this fertility loss?” Cadence asked, she was worried, not only for Silverswords sake but her coltfriends too, she had a dream the two would live with a healthy foal. Now hearing some strange illness might take it away worried her, she had to find out what, but a thought occurred to her, if this illness can affect stallions, can it affect mares as well? This assumption concerned her, if stallions are in danger then so are mares and if that was the case then Equestria is going to have a huge population crisis.

“We don't know, I sent this to other doctors across Equestria and they too are stumped, but I did however check his blood, he seems to have a blood borne infection, again from what I don't know. So I prescribed him some powerful antibiotics. It should help, but he’ll have to be on leave for three weeks.”

Celestia nodded downtrodden from what she heard, but hopeful that the antibiotics would work, but she understood and accepted that Silversword will be out for some time. Of course that's not a bad thing, she is glad that the stallion will get to go home to his wife, with the help of the medication and the love of his wife he should be better in no time.

All the while, Silversword listened, still shaken up by the whole ordeal from what happened, but as he was sitting he winced from a pang of pain from his head. He knew it wasn't a concussion since he didn't bang his head, it could've been lack of sleep, there have been long hours in the days and nights of the castle with non stop drills and patrols. He winced again the pain getting stronger, it was a throbbing pain, first starting out light, now intensifying, again he winced. Radon looked over the mares and stallions' shoulders seeing the painted Silversword wincing.

“Are you okay over there!?” he trotted over to the soldier and felt his head, the princesses and captain all worried for his health.

“How is he?” Celestia's worriedly asked, her voice breaking the tension.

Radon shook his head, using his stethoscope he checked his breathing and heart rate and listed with a curious expression. Shaking his head he turned to the four “his lungs and heart rate are fine, but he’s running a fever at a high temperature, i can feel it from here now. A temperature of… a temperature of one fifty!” The princesses looked at him with a bit of confusion, since being immortal in age they’re unaware of the threat of a high body temperature. The mares heard shining armor lightly gasp and with urgency barked an order.

“Get him to the ER now!” Radon was taken aback, he’s dealt with high temperatures before, for all he knew this one was just from dehydration, either that or stress, he hasn't made a full diagnosis. When the captain barked those orders, he couldn't say no, orders are orders after all.

With care Radon helped Silversword to the castle infirmary, as he did so Shining Armor turned to speak with the princesses “this is troubling, one of my top ponies is ill with an unknown disease and we don't know what caused it. On top of it, I feel a greater unease in my gut, as if Equestria herself is ill.”. His small rant may not have been chivalry in the eyes of the princesses, but nonetheless accepted it as Luna felt the same as the captain.

“Dear sister-” Luna began, she was about to make a request, but was interrupted when a guard burst through the dining hall doors and rushed up to them.

“Your highnesses, your highnesses! Urgent news from the west!” The four turned to the worried mare, their gut telling them it's far more serious than Silversword. She saluted upon seeing Shining Armor.

“What's your report, Featherfall!” she boud fluttering her wings nervously.

“Sir, reports came in from Sunfalls, a strange ship has run aground-” Shining armor ran his thoughts, the western coast has always been trouble, but they’re still ponies. He was about to reply when Featherfall continued “-that's not all sir, ponies have been reporting strange illnesses!”

Luna was curious about this now “what kind of illnesses?” she has a sinking feeling, but hoped it wasn't, but she has to know.

Featherfall cleared her throat uneasy on what she was about to say next “ponies have been complaining mostly of headaches and fevers, but now some are down right violent. What's worse is these ponies are losing their fur and have a growing hunger for pony flesh, that's not all though, many of them who are experiencing fevers claim to hear voices. Some even call it a song and hear ‘HIM’ singing it!”

At first everypony thought it was just a plague, now they’re thinking otherwise, but what unnerved them the most was not just the cannibalism, but this song these ponies are hearing. Celestia stood in deep thought, they needed more information, but most of all they needed a solution, they needed answers. She wanted to send more ponies, but she knew the Lunar supporters would see it as a hostile action, unless, she looked at her sister. No, she couldn't put dear Lulu in danger, but she had no choice, sighing, she turned to her sister.

“Lulu, I need you to take a detachment of guards to the western coast and find out what we’re dealing with, we need answers. Be careful though, I lost you once, I don't want to lose you again!”.

Luna nodded assuring her sister she’ll be alright “don't worry Tia I'll be fine-” she turned to leave “-and I'll take some of our best troops, don’t worry dear sister we’ll get to the bottom of this!” on that note she left.

Trotting out of the room she passed one of her maidens and stopped her “head to the royal armorer and gather my wears!” The maid bowed and went to do her duty, while Luna headed for the barracks to gather the best she could get.

Meanwhile Silversword laid in a hospital bed, his body shaking from an unknown chill, his wife Mourning Dawn stood at his side worried beyond belief, she rubbed his head with tears in her eyes. On and off his chills stopped and continued only to be replaced by labored breathing, or coughing fits, but what pained her were the antibiotics administered, as whatever was affecting her husband was fighting the medicine. Suddenly in a flash the coughing and the chills ceased, only to be replaced by a horrible guttural speech and a vision of a dragon, its eyes beady and black, with its flesh falling off. As quick as it came though it was gone, Silversword opened his eyes and looked around, his eyes falling on his wife.

“Mourning Dawn?” he muttered in confusion, with a hint of joy in his voice to see his love.

“Silver!” she lunged, burying her head in his neck and sobbing.

Radon rushed in to see all the commotion, but was relieved to see Silversword alert and awake, it would seem the antibiotics worked, yet an uneasy feeling was felt in Radon, something wasn't right. To satisfy his suspicions he took some more blood, magic and bodily samples, with a plea from Morning Dawn to discharge Silver from the hospital, yet still gave him antibiotics and time off. Dread finally took over after hours of analyzing and reanalyzing, it was apparent, that whatever Silversword has is still in his symptom and what's more concerning is it wasn't just biological in origin, it was also magical. What scared him the most was it wasn't just any magic, it was a magic that has to be consumed like a poison, but what scared the most is that it wasn't just plain dark magic, no, it was a magic long thought extinct. A magic that made Sombras shadow magic a parlor trick. It was hemomancy: Bloodmagic.