Western Lunar Crisis

by FederalPony

Rating: mature
Tags: Horror, Profanity, Adventure, Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, Crossover, Sex, Dragon Age, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Dark, Alternate Universe, Princess Luna
Length: 22456

A new threat comes to Equestrias shores, Luna tasked with finding out what this threat is also has to deal with troubles at home. Sending twilight and her friends to investigate a new world Equestria soon comes under attack.

(Prequel) Set before equestria age: The western coast, commonly known as the Western Lunar coast is home to the growing Lunar Republic, but it along with Equestria are soon threatened when an unknown vessel runs aground. The two nations soon find themselves under siege when dark creatures that survived the wreck start wreaking havoc, it’s up to Luna and her sister to find out what’s causing these attack and find a solution.

Published 2022-10-14 12:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-04-08 13:20:38 UTC

Discovery Pt:1

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.

Discovery Pt 2

Chapter 2: discovery Pt2

Luna marched into her room, her maids walking behind her with her armor and sword and began to ready the alicorn. Luna prior to her dressing got a good look at the armor fashioned for her, the metal plates were forged steel painted blue, its outline painted black, she grunted as the unicorn maids strapped the reinforced cloth around her upper and lower barrel tightening it. Her helmet slid over her ears, horn and muzzle, the helmet's neck guard going halfway down her neck, again she grunted, this time it was from the flank plates being connected to her back and buttocks via a chainmail over her marehood. A click was heard after the armor was given its finishing touches of armored shin and hoof guards and detachable saddlebags towards her flanks, getting a feel for it all as she trotted around her room. Giving a nod to her maids confirming there was no chafing or snags, she was given her sword. Unsheathing it, the blade was polished steel, with a dark blue pommel in the shape of bat wings, with her crescent moon cutie mark in the center, sheathing the blade, she was ready.

Ponies both nobility and commoners, stepped aside as they watched princess Luna in full armor trot down the road towards the gate with twenty of Canterlot's best guards trailing behind her. One of the ponies, a unicorn stallion, caught the eyes of both mares and stallions as he walked by, smiling at the crowd and causing several members in the crowd to faint. Luna mentally smiled, Goldbeam would do anything to get attention of his admirers, he is after all Equestria's latest unicorn bachelor and Celestia's champion. He too wore armor similar to hers, minus the fact he has a round plate covering his stallionhood and bits, but instead of his sword having a hilt with bat wings and moon, his has alicorn wings and a sun. Soon they were out of the city gates and once they were all prepared, knowing that some were nervous, they loaded up on four carriages. Each carriage required one puller and carried six, the fourth carriage held their ammunition and supplies, such as black powder, food, water, arrows, bolts, first aid, and replacement parts for bows, crossbows and muskets.

All the while Celestia overlooked her sister and the armed forces leave for the west, she was worried for her, worried she might not see her sister again and worried for what she might find in the west. Turning from the window, she knew what the west held, traitors, the same traitors that claim she's running equestria into the ground, the same traitors who don't know about her sisters return. Yet she too was worried that her sister would be misled by them, either that or support them and their lies. She was knocked out of her senses after bumping into her solar commander, commander Sabre Shield.

“Ah your highness, I've been looking for you!” he informed bowing in the process.

This was quite curious, Sabre Shield only arrives if she needs him, yet he's been looking for her? “What's wrong commander, has something gone wrong!?” She could clearly tell some things were wrong, upon seeing his facial expressions turn to worry.

“Your highness-” he began clearing his throat “-many of us are concerned that your sister's return might jeopardize the project: flare. We are just wondering what you plan to do with her.?”. This question made Celestia think it was, true project: flare was still underway, but she hadn't accounted for Luna to be a part of it. She had to play it safe, she had to get Luna on her side and that was easier said than done.

She waved him off “don't worry commander, project: flare will still happen. As for my sister, leave her to me, I'll convince her to join us.” she heard him scoff at the idea as she turned to leave, Luna being part of the Solar empire he couldn't see it.

“What if she doesn't?!” he questioned “what then?!” She looked back at him with a smile that chilled his blood and saw a side of her, nopony would ever see. A side of insanity.

“Then I'm without a sister-” she said as she walked away, all the while smiling evilly and mumbled the last of her statement to herself “-a living sister!”.

It had been a long journey, but Luna and her party finally arrived at the lunar coast. It's been years since Lunas been to the western coast, as it was originally called, the last time she was here she was with him, just the smell brought back memories. She loved the smell, the scent of pine mixed with the current rainfall and the smell of the coast. She remembered lowering the moon to a certain point for him, she remembered his eyes, his smile, their first kiss, all the while under her set moonlight.

Currently roads were scarce in the western region due to Celestia's bitter campaign to take the region, but after every encounter the lunar militia stopped her from trying. Ponies steadied as they went over a bump, currently they switched from Equestrias stone roads to the western coasts dirt roads and to the ponies, it was quite uncomfortable. However what made the western coast so unique, was how untamed it was, the region expanded in both directions two hundred and twelve miles, from Vanhoover in the north, to Las Pegasus and San Palomino to the south. All the while the weather controlled itself with no pegasus intervention, even though it was stated there was a weather factory, Cloudsdale and other pegasus cities however had no record of such a factory. Groans came from the ponies she was with, many of them annoyed at the sudden rainfall, with some unbothered by it, but Luna knew it wasn't the rain, since many of the ponies she was with took part in several skirmishes in the west. Luna sat with several stallions, all of which gave her a displeasing look, due to her name, view towards the western coast and thestrals. A few however were kind though, especially one sitting next to her, a earth stallion with a gray coat and yellow mane and cutie mark resembling a gun scope, if she remembered correctly his name was Snapp Shot. The stallion took a swig of hard liquor from his flask, in kind he offered Luna a drink, to which she kindly accepted, taking a swig she made a face and forcefully swallowed the liquid down, all the while feeling the burn as it settled in her stomach.

“That's the good stuff lass-” a stallion across from her spoke in a thick Sireish accent “-Canterlot whiskey, aged in Canterlot for five years with a seventy percent proof, only fillies like wine and do you know why?”

Luna watched as every stallion waited for her answer, shrugging as she thought of something clever “cause they wine much less after they drink it?”. There was only silence, until that silence turned into laughter, she felt Snapp Shot give a firm pat on her back, usually she would send somepony to the dungeon for that, but decided to join in on the laughter. After a while of befriending some of the stallions and mares of her party, they finally arrived at Sunfalls and the reaction and reception was, to say the least, unwelcoming. Upon seeing ponies arrive in town with Canterlot armor, a large mob started to encircle the party, Luna a bit taller than the average pony saw their anger and fear, quickly she addressed the angry mob, in hopes to ease the town.

“Please, we mean you no harm-” they didn't listen, mostly in part of their rage and shouts demanding them to leave. Getting enraged herself, she unleashed her Canterlot voice “-QUIET!!”. Silence, the town fell silent upon hearing the royal voice, but what caught her ears were the shocked whispers she heard next.

“Is that her?!”

“The princess of the night?!”

“I thought she was banished?!”

“By the night's grace it is her!”

In a quick turn of events ponies turned from shock to tears of joy, Luna stood with a puzzled look as ponies bowed and wept before her. The party she was with looked at her with surprise, her response being a puzzled shrug, she was just as confused as they were. However tears had to be put aside due to a possible threat in Equestria and that's why they’re here, they hoped to gain answers and figure out what's causing a strange illness.

“Please, please settle down everypony-” Luna's calm voice grabbed the attention of the calmed mob “-we’re not here to harm you, we're only here to find answers to a strange illness that came from a crashed ship. Is there anypony here that knows something, or seen something?” one by one ponies raised their hooves, even ponies on the side raised their hooves, something deep down told Luna this was no ordinary illness.

After settling into some lodgings at the local hotel, Luna now out of her armor, walked down the street in hopes to find the town hall, all the while eyeing the town. It was quite a large town, market stalls, a brothel, shops and a bar made up the merchant quarter. Towards the ocean was the Sunfalls harbor, several ships docked offloaded their goods, while ponies loaded them up in wagons for distribution, one ship the Equestrian offloaded crates with a strange blue glow to them. Currently where she stood was the town square, a large circular park with a large fountain in the middle, looking upon the fountain's centerpiece she saw her cutie mark made of stone. Behind her was the residential district and the district she arrived from, and given its namesake mostly had houses, the current hotel and a school. Ahead of that was the Sunfalls train station, next to it was the road she and her party arrived on and the rusted train track they had to cross to get here. Surprisingly enough, she looked across and saw the last district, the temple district and to her fortune had the town hall, along with a hospital and lunar temple.

Walking through the temple district, her eyes caught a depressing sight, ponies young and old begging on the street, with some selling their bodies in hopes to get a place to stay, or get their next meal. She watched one stallion take a mare around behind an alley way, she knew what was going and kept walking, but was stopped by a unicorn stallion selling his body.

“Please-” he begged “-all I ask is for a few bits, pleasure for bits please-” he then named the price for each “-five for oral, ten for anal, twenty for vaginal, thirty for a combo, please I beg you”. Not wanting to use his body, she gave him, without pleasure, fifty bits, more than enough to get him a place to stay and get something to eat, but she was not without question and gave him thirty more for an answer.

“Why are you selling yourself and why is the town so run down” that was putting it kindly, the town needed major repairs in certain areas, such as the school, harbor and town hall and those were only a few locations.

“It was Celestia's trade embargo-” he spoke venomously “-ever since her promise to Equestria to retake the west, she launched viscous trade embargos on food, iron, lumber, and even... medicine” he choked to say the final word, after losing somepony dear to him. “Now she’s launching skirmishes at us, hoping that we would break it not only moral, but also in spirit!” Luna was at a loss for words, what her sister was doing was down right barbaric, how her sister could do this she didn't know, but it needs to end.

To his surprise she embraced him “what's your name?” she asked, this caught the unicorn off guard, but nonetheless told her.

“Hazewind Dusk” he replied. Hazewind was a unicorn stallion with a dark blue coat and pink mane, his cutie mark resembles that of a hazy sunset, a silver locket could be seen around his neck. “I used to be a lumberpony-” he replied telling his story “-that is until mercenaries showed up and drove us out. Now many of us walk the streets or ask for bits, both the lumber mill and iron mine were the towns main form of income and trade.-” he sighed “-now.” he shook his head, the words hollow in his mind as he pressed his locket to his chest, hoping to give him some semblance of calm.

Luna could only watch as the stallion tried to remain hopeful, many ponies tried to, but knew it wasn't going to be enough, she had to do something, then a thought came to her, the mayor. Hoofing the stallion his bits she made a beeline to the town hall, once she was at the door, she opened it, but it fell off its hinges with a -crash- ‘oops’. Walking in she looked around, the town hall was in dire need of repair, other than the door, the roof, the windows and just about everything else was falling apart. The town hall was mostly vacant, the only sign of décor and furniture was the chandelier threatening to fall and an occupied receptionist desk. Trotting up to the desk, Luna noticed the receptionist sleeping with her head down, to her surprise the mare was a pegasus, usually receptionists were earth ponies, or unicorns. Luna cleared her throat to get the mare's attention, she stood awkwardly with no reply, again no response, thinking, she went around the desk and decided to rouse the sleeping mare. Bad idea.

“Excuse me miss”-CRACK- Luna just shook the mare hoping to politely wake her up, she however didn't expect to get sucker punched in the muzzle. Luna rolled and moaned on the floor, whereas the mare groggily glared at her.

“Who in their right bucking mind decided it wa-” she looked down to see Luna rolling around in pain.

“OH SWEET MERCIFUL, PRINCESS LUNA I'M SO SORRY!!!” getting off her seat she rushed over to aid the injured princess, now fully awake to her sudden surprise, she reached in a desk drawer and pulled out a towel. “Here” she said, placing the towel on Luna's now bleeding muzzles, the princess nodding in thanks.

“What the hay is going on here!?” The mare turned to see the mayor come around the desk with a curious look after hearing a crash in the lobby.

“Mayor Crestfall, I can explain!” Crestfall, the standing mayor of Sunfalls was a stallion with a light brown coat with a black mane, his cutie mark resembles a crescent moon falling behind a hill. He was shocked to see Luna, now on her haunches, with a bloody towel over her muzzle, he glared at his receptionist.

“What the hay happened!!?” he demanded, the mare now sweating bullets, could only hope for a miracle to get out of this one.

“It's not her fault-” the two turned their heads to Luna “-I woke her up, I didn't expect her to react the way she did-” she looked at the mare “-nice hit by the way!” The mare blushed, her wings now covering her face, embarrassed, not for dealing a good hit, but for the lecture she was going to get the fiftieth time.

“Magenta Dusk-” he sighed looking at the mare “-how many times do I have to tell you-” she rolled her eyes as she spoke in an annoyed and mocking tone with the mayor “-don't break ponies noses!”

“Yea I got it!” she said annoyed

A half an hour later, Luna sat in the mayor's office, her muzzle now bandaged, still hurt after taking a hoof straight to it. Now she sat waiting for Crestfall, the stallion excusing himself to use the restroom, looking around she noticed many pictures around his office. One such picture was with him a foal and what she could tell is his wife, picking it up, she caught two letters trying to fall out the bottom of its frame. Looking back at the door, she knew she shouldn't read a pony's personal belongings, but something told her deep down that it holds the reason why Celestia wants the west. Looking back at the door she began to read it.

‘(first letter) Dear Crestfall

(day1) It's been fun here in Ponyville, our son made several new friends here, including this strange pink pony. I wish you could be here, but your duty as mayor is far more important, but we both love you for who you are and how you keep the town running. We should be home in a few days and hopefully we could find somepony to help us with the town's food problem.

Sincerely yours: Rising Light

Dear Crestfall

(day4) it's been scary here, Ponyville was met the other day by guards wearing orange and red armor, they called themselves the solar guard. They were back today, this time going door to door asking for thestral ponies. I had to shield our sons' eyes as they beat a poor mare to death for denying them entry, we might have to cut this visit short.

Sincerely yours: Rising Light

Dear Crestfall

(day6) We had to leave, of course we found somepony to help with with food, but the solar guard has been cracking down on spies and thestral whereabouts. Fortunately this Braeburn is going to help us get back, wish us luck and see you at home. We love you.

Sincerely yours: Rising light

Date: 5,18,497 (Celestial age:497)’

‘Four ninety seven’, Luna thought, ‘that was four years ago’ shaking her head, she read the second letter.

‘(second letter) Dear Crestfall

(day10)We made it back in the west, but the solar guards were following us. They raided our caravan as we traveled, but fortunately the lunar militia chased them off. It's a few miles away, but we're nearing the town of Moonlight, hopefully we can get some rest there.

Sincerely yours: Rising light

Dear Crestfall

(day13)We're finally in Moonlight, and I can see why Celestias after the west, in the center of town lies a well, though more like a small pool called the lunar well. It is said this well can heal the most grievous of wounds, but some believe it could also grant strong magical powers, rivaling that of an alicorn. No wonder Celestia wants it.

Sincerely yours: Rising light

From caravan leader Brokenspoke

Mayor Crestfall

We regret to inform you that your wife Rising light and your colt have perished, just last night the solar guards raided our camp and attacked indiscriminately killing many. She fought hard, but ultimately died at the hooves of their captain. I tried my best, but there were too many. Again I'm truly sorry.’

Luna lowered the letter shocked at what she read, tears fell from her eyes, her sisters still doing it, she’s still trying to rule Equestria with an iron hoof, but why? She felt Crestfalls presence behind her, and heard him walk up and sat next to her.

“Your sister started her vile campaign against the west seven years ago, long before I met my wife Rising Light.” She looked at him, all the more hurt her sister could do this.

“Why, what is she trying to gain!?” she watched him look down, sighing.

“I stopped asking why-” he said, then looked at her “-but if you want to know, there are a number of factors, but your sister isn't the only one after the west. The Elite is after it too, ever since we dug up that well, it's been nothing but trouble!” Luna raised her brow, this well piqued her interest, she was about to ask, but was stopped by the mayor.

“I know you're interested in the well and I'll give you a report, but there are other matters to discuss. For starters, this sickness along with the strange creatures that came with it.” he said all this, all the while walking behind his desk and sitting in his chair. Luna heard the report from Silversword, his squad was attacked by strange creatures, only he made it out. somewhat.

Luna nodded “we heard of a sickness here and wondered if you knew anything about it?”

Crest shook his head “we know little, but what we do know is its lethal and monstrous-” Luna tilted her head curios “-let me clarify, the blood is toxic and can kill ponies or anything after entering the bloodstream. However there's a more monstrous side, ponies who live are never the same and start turning into a flesh eating beast!”

Luna was trying to understand it all “hold up-” she stopped him “-this happened hours before we arrived and you're saying this turns ponies into monsters!?”. Crest nodded “I heard the report, I thought it was speculative, but do you have proof?”.

The mayor smirked “follow me”.

Traveling through the temple district, both the mayor and Luna soon arrived at Sunfalls hospital, greeting them was an earth pony with a dark brown coat and blue mane, with what appeared to be three light blue pills as his cutie mark. He smiled, shaking both their hooves.

“Princess Luna, Mayor Crestfall, I'm honored by your visit!”

Crestfall stepped aside and introduced the pony “your highness I'd like you to meet doctor Valium, he’s the head doctor researching this illness and these monsters”.

Luna looked at the two curiously “monsters? You mean something’s spreading this?” Valium warbled his hoof in a yes and no fashion.

“Eehh, in a way-”he speculated, then smiled “-would you like to see it?”

The three soon entered a white wash room, around the walls were tables of lab equipment and magical devices. In the center of the room lying on an operation table rested the corpse of one of the creatures Valium spoke of. The creature was hideous, its flesh was a brown color and looked as if it was rotting, yet it wasn't, next was its features, it stood about as high as both Luna and Celestia and had a mouth full of razor sharp needle like teeth. What disturbed both Luna and the mayor were the things' eyes, they were a light gray for the iris, with a reddish black sclera. Luna was curious how that thing could see with near blindness, but figured it might be its normal eye color. A pungent smell caught Luna and Crestfall off guard, trying to cover their nose as best they could.

“Yea sorry-” Valium nervously chuckled, not affected by the smell as much “-it came in like that.”.

Looking around, Luna soon caught sight of the creatures weapons and armor, going up to it, she was surprised to see the metal for the armor and weapons were made entirely of iron, some even wrought iron. Its sword however intrigued the princess; she's heard of curved swords, or scimitars used by the Saddle Arabians, but to see one in the paws of whatever this thing is surprised her.

Valium noticed Luna rubbing her hoof on the blade “careful of the blade-” he warned, she looked back at him “-it might be laced with the creature's blood, so don't touch it!”

Luna heeded his warning and looked at the armor instead, Luna speculated this creature was a grunt, a common hoof soldier and after seeing its shield, it most certainly was. What it did not carry were valuables, Luna looked over its armor and couldn't find anything valuable, no picture of loved ones, no jewelry, nothing, it's as if it didn't care. The doors to the lab soon burst open, the Sirish pony she later found out was named Hard Scotch rushed in, a look of worry on his face.

“Scotch what's wrong!?” Luna rushed to him.

“Tis, Goldbeam lass, he's taken half the party to find them creatures” he informed, Luna cursed Goldbeams name, she should’ve known her sisters champion would go for glory. Snapp Shot too rushed in carrying his scoped musket across his back.

“Your highness, what Scotch said is true, but there's more than that. Goldbeam was tasked by Celestia to go after the lunar well, but we sent out scouts to find strange activity. Your highness several creatures are camped three miles southwest of here!” This worried everypony, if these creatures were hostile then the town was in serious danger.

Strapping the last strap on her armor, Luna and those loyal to her roughly around half, stood ready and soon marched out to find Goldbeam. Many knew this wasn't going to be a walk in the park, the creatures informed by the scout were three miles past the ice vein river. Luna knew about that river, for she gave it that name a millennia ago, after many foals drowned in the ice cold water, which in turn gave it its other name, the river of death.

Snapp Shot turned to address everypony “alright everypony, Goldbeam and his group are roughly two hours ahead of us, which means we have to double time it. Now we all know why he’s doing this, he and everypony else has taken an oath for Celestia, well that oath is now forfeit, we may be veterans of the western skirmishes, but that changes, now we fight for the west. NOW LET'S MOVE!!”

Luna felt a surge of encouragement and she thought she was the moral booster since she’s an alicorn, but hearing Snapp Shots speech made her want to fight hard and not just for the west, but for everypony. Trotting out of the hotel, everypony soon went into a full gallop to make up for lost time, unaware of the scene they were about to run into.

Author's Note

Here it is chapter two, what are they going to find and why does Celestia want the Lunar well, all will be explained in future fics, I don't own the rights. Let me know what you think, chapter three will be up soon.

Captured- Massecre at Ice vein mill

Chapter 3: Captured- massacre at ice vien mill

A light rain fell upon the already soggy earth below, the smell of pine and clean air brought delight to anypony who smelled the fine aroma, but near the ice vein river that was a whole other story. Instead of the polite smell of pine and fresh air, the smell of death and decay, a smell foreign to the lands of Equestria, dominated anypony who smelt it. Its origin coming from a wagon full of rotting flesh, in a clearing, a camp of gore and horror.

Whimpering was heard, two women one human the other elf and two mares, one unicorn and earth pony were gagged and bound, scared out of their wits, across from them in the same predicament were two stallion ponies. The two stallions tried desperately to wriggle out, but couldn't, originally they used to be three, now, the two looked across towards a campfire, where seven large and visions creatures sat eating the raw flesh of their friend. Ponies watched in disgust as one of the creatures bit into the dead stallion's kidneys, but what made this whole scene grueling was not that they were eating him, but they disemboweled him while he was still alive. The creatures came in all sizes, three of them were half the size of the others roughly the size of a pony a little above waist height, whereas the other four were larger, with one of them being a foot larger.

Lieutenant Sclauk sat with his brood feasting on one of the creatures they killed, the Hurlock Alpha sat biting and tearing a chunk of bloody meat of the ponies femur, much of the meat was good, yet very little to feed the whole party. That didn't bother him whatsoever though, for their goal was met, though with one minor flaw, one of the flying creatures escaped, flying back to whatever cesspool it came from. That was hours ago, and the group put considerable distance from the attack site, leaving nothing but blood and discarded armor, these creatures were wearing. Now they had to wait, wait in a world they knew nothing about and in doing so decided to feast on one of the creatures, they all enjoyed his screams, especially when he was gutted and had his intestines pulled out. He was dead now, and the entertainment of his screams were over, but his face still held terror and that was good enough entertainment as any, even after he defecated himself.

A twig snapping caught their attention, grabbing their weapons they readied for attack growling in delight for a chance to kill, capture, or feast, but they were disappointed when the group was met with their contact. Arriving from the bushed was another hurlock alpha, but slightly taller than Sclauk , he wore the same heavy plated armor, but the only difference were the tribal markings on it and the battleaxe he had. Sclauk sheathing his greatsword to his back and putting his helmet on, greeted his contact.

“General Grelch, glad you ca-”-crack- Sclauk found himself on the floor, unsure of what he did, but he knew better, for their master saw all and he wasn't pleased.

Grelch was in no mood for pleasantries, he may have been glad his lieutenant captured two female and three male creatures, but that didn't excuse for the one escaping. “Can your greetings Sclauk, Urthemiel saw the one fleeing and his master is not pleased” he growled at the last word, their master Urthemiel, the archdemon was furious for this failure, for their mission was to make sure the populace of this nation didn't know about their presence. Now with one escaping, their presence has been alerted, fortunately the blood from their wounded has managed to gain them some spies and troops in the form of woodland creatures. To their fortune one was sensed nearby and scurried its way towards them, once it arrived, to the ponies shock and horror, they were met with a squirrel with matted fur, blood dripping from its mouth and spikes growing out of its back.

“Report” Grelch growled to the demented creature, what he received were demented squeaks and small guttural roars, Grelch smiled after hearing the spies report before scurrying away.

He turned towards his lieutenant “well, today's your lucky day, I was going to mount your head on a pike, but it would seem your escapee alerted reinforcements in a sizable manner. A sizable force of twenty, but it would seem their champion had other intentions and is leading half the force, kill this champion and I'll forgo your execution!”

Sclauk gritted his teeth in delight of getting to butcher a hero of this land, but another plan came to mind, one the general and archdemon can't refuse “sir, what if I intentionally got captured, I could then strike a blow to their leaders!”

Grelch was about to counter, furious a lesser alpha tried to subvert him, but held his tongue after hearing his master speak “our master is in your favor lieutenant, to help your odds I'll leave additional reinforcements-” he turned to leave ordering several genlock and hurlocks to stay behind, he looked back “-and be sure to capture as many as you can, but I want that champion dead!”

Walking away with the rest of his force, he stopped by a bush and spoke to the occupant, a shriek hiding in the darkness “be sure he gets captured!” he left, leaving his order to the shriek.

Goldbeam and his force arrived in a clearing, instantly the smell of rotting flesh and the sight of a half eaten stallion told them they arrived at their destination, the sight of a still lit campfire confirming it further. His force soon spread out, looking for clues or traces to where the creatures went to next, the only thing that caught their eyes were the wheel marks from a wagon leading out of the clearing. What confused him were two sets of tracks, one going with the wagon and the other, bushes shook, his mane standing on end, he felt as if they’re being watched. The other set of tack were all around as if, he jumped when Flashpoint a unicorn lieutenant nugged him, he turned to see the officers worried face.

“Sir, something's not right, there's nothing here, yet it feels like there is.” the whole force felt it, yet nopony dared show it until now. Nodding he took the unicorns' consideration, but this was just the first stop, his main objective was simple: capture the Lunar well for princess Celestia and raise the Equestrian banner over the town.

A unicorn mare inched slowly towards a bush, she knew she heard something coming from it, as if she heard low growls, at first she thought it was nothing, but the growls were heard closer this time. Using her spear, she parted a bush and peered in, she didn't get a second to look until a hand shot out and grabbed her throat, she was pulled in before she even let out a scream. The squad turned to where she was only to see the armor she wore get thrown back out, roar was heard and bushes all around them began to shake, Goldbeam turned his head and caught sight of a greatsword flying towards his head.

Sclauk seethed in delight, his sword just struck its first kill, seconds ago he gave the order to attack after one of the female creatures decided to poke her head into one of their hiding spots. Now she’s being taken care of, her body stripped of its armor and violently handled, her body treated as a piece of meat, while he stood over the body of the champion creature, his head severed from its body. The other creatures looked on in horror, it was too easy, they put up no resistance, as they were too shocked to see their champion lie dead upon them. Now one by one they were taken, males and females taken by his squad to be whatever the darkspawn wanted. Yet he knew the second group wouldn't be far behind, if this group disobeyed orders, the shriek soon came out of hiding.

“Are you ready?” he hissed, eager to see its mission through.

Sclauk was always ready, but he needed to throw the other group off their trail, he turned to the shriek "I am, but once I'm down take a small force and find a way to distract the second group from following our trail”. The shriek hissed complying to its new orders and in a quick speed knocked the lieutenant out with a firm crack to his head.

Luna in full armor galloped with her squad, as they tried to catch up with Goldbeam and his rogue ponies, they just hoped they’re not too late, hopefully there were survivors, she sent Snapp Shot ahead to let them know they were coming. Breaking through the bushes and into the clearing, Luna caught sight of her scout on his fore knees, looking up she saw why, spread eagle and armor less on several trees was Goldbeam. His decapitated body strewn for all to see and used as a symbol of victory, to add insult to injury were his skinned off cutie marks, Luna disgusted figured these creatures took them as trophies. Snapp Shot though was eyeing something else too, a figure laid on the ground, getting closer her mouth hung open in shock, their laying motionless was one of the dark creatures. Standing next to her scout, she inspected the creature's armor and body, its smell quickly caught her nose as she reeled back from the stench.

“Goldbeams group never had a chance-” Snapp shot stated as he did an earlier inspection before the others arrived “-yet the only body we see is Goldbeams, the others missing, most likely captured!”

“Then we need to save them!” Luna urged, the rest of their group soon arrived, some of them out of breath from the equipment they carried. Upon seeing Goldbeams body some nonchalantly rushed over to the nearest bush and vomited, the Sirish stallion looked closer at the body.

“It's a symbol of victory lads-” he turned to the others “-these things have a tribal mind”.

A mare wiped her mouth of vomit, a look of disgust on her face “and how exactly do you know that!?” ponies listened intently as Scotch explained how he knew.

“Some of the ancient griffons of Eagleland used to do this to ponies, minus the cutie mark skinning, the griffons did something else entirely.” another mare named Thornpoint nodded confirming his story.

“I remember that-” the black and brown maned mare replied “-it was the Sirish revolution, it ended with the ponies winning the war against Eagleland.”

Luna was confused, she never knew of this kind of history “when did this happen?” she asked “and what did the griffons do?”

Hard Scotch tapped his chin “roughly four hundred years ago” he gave a rough estimate, being from Sirland he had to know the history and how his nation became independent from the griffons. “As for what they did, ponies, mostly stallions who were imprisoned were either gelded or executed, mostly to strike fear in everypony else. If it wasn't for the aid of Prance, Sireland would've fell.

“Ponies! Can we get back on hoof-” Lotusthorn, a white and pink maned pony with a spike lotus flower, raised her voice irritated by every ponies distraction. “-While all of you were in class, I went ahead and found tracks leading to the west!”.

Ignoring her sarcasm Snapp Shot checked the tracks, being a markspony, one needed to track in order to find his or her’s prey, but something was off these tracks were too few for an attack on this scale. He heard Luna stop next to him as he studied the tracks.

“Anything?” she asked

He nodded “they moved west, towards the coast, at a fast pace, lead by one of stealth, towards-” he stood up, alarmed at what he found out and without warning he took off galloping.

“Snapp Shot!” Luna hollered beginning to give chase, as the others looked at each other worried, not wanting to be left behind they gathered the unconscious creature and Goldbeams corpse.

Hours after chasing the markspony at full gallop, Luna panted and saw the stallion just sitting at the edge of the forest, trotting over until she called to him.

“Snapp Shot what's got into you, I nearly passed out from exhaustion-” she just saw him staring in shock, a single tear going down his cheek “-Snapp?” she finally asked worriedly, but she didn't need an answer when she saw what he was looking at. The sight can be anything, but picturesque, a small village made roughly of seven buildings was left smoldering, its inhabitants butchered beyond recognition. Snapp Shot stood up and walked to the town, Luna following closely behind, too mortified to know where to begin, or what to say. The town was gone and its inhabitants were all over the place, literally, what could she say, 'sorry I just recently came back!?' The mare heard a rustle ahead of her and saw Snapp Shot on his fore knees weeping in front of a two story house, behind it a water mill. The realization soon hit her, kneeling next to him she said what she thought.

“This was your home wasn't it? This is where you grew up.” he nodded to her, sobbing at his on foalhood home.

“Yea, I grew up here-” he said sniffing, then standing up “-pa used to work at the lumber mill, paying for this house. This was also where he met ma-” he looked over the building, it wasn't completely destroyed, only the second floor. He turned to her smiling, “-you want to come inside?” She smiled back accepting the offer.

Entering the home, he began to talk about his younger days with his brother “you may not know this, but my brother is also named Snapshot, but with one P at the end and all one word. Pa thought it wired and it threw him off, especially when he called us, he’d start by saying Snapp with double PP, or Snap with one P, get your flank over here!-” he chuckled, remembering a prank he and his brother pulled “-one time we both came to him and spoke at the same time after he called us, boy was he pissed when he found out it was a prank.” Luna chuckled with him, his story bringing up old memories of her and Celestia when they were younger and pulled pranks on each other or the castle staff. He sighed “later my brother changed his name from Snapshot to Photoshot, he thought it would be better since he’s into photography than being a markspony” Luna nodded, she understood why he changed his name, but also knew he still called him Snapshot.

The house was fairly large, immediately to their left was the kitchen and hall to the restrooms, to their right is the living room and dining room further to the back. Ahead of them is the stairwell to the second floor, underneath is the stairwell to the basement, further back behind the stairs was the larder. A crash soon caught their ears, pinpointing it, they realized it came from the basement, rushing to the stairwell, Snappshot carefully trotted down the stairs, Luna following close behind. Reaching the door, he firmly pressed his hoof to it, but it didn't budge and figured sompony barricaded the door from the other side.

“Is anypony in there!?” he asked hoping sompony would reply and hopefully open up for them, to his surprise somepony did and he was ready for it.

“Please, don't hurt us, we mean no trouble” Snapp shot did a double take from the voice.

“SNAPSHOT!?”

“SNAPP!?” The door opened a crack revealing a ponies green eyes, shock soon enveloped him as he opened the door further. Standing at the door was a yellow stallion with a blue mane, his cutie mark resembled that of a flashing camera. He staggered back upon seeing his brother, not caring if he was in the view of a princess, the two quickly embraced tears falling from the brothers eyes.

“By the night's grace, I thought you were dead!” the photographer replied as the two ended their embrace, earning a mournful chuckle from the markspony.

“I could've said the same for you!” he said, thinking the same thing about his brother, Luna's throat clearing soon brought him out of his mournful stupor as he soon introduced the two.

“Ah, Snapshot, I like to introduce you to the princess of night herself, princess Luna” he stepped aside as Luna greeted herself to Snapps brother.

“Is he ever so modest?” she asked as she shook Snapshots hoof, she didn't mind if ponies bowed, but if its a quick greeting, or if she's on a schedule, then she’ll opt for a hoofshake.

Snapshot chuckled “only if he’s trying to make a good impression, or has a crush on a mare” the photographer smiled remembering the last mare he introduced.

Snapp looked at him unamused “you know i didn't plan that three way and how do you expect me to know she slept with our cousin!” he looked over to Luna “old marefriend, don't ask.” All Luna could do was nod, insinuating that whatever happened was between the two, figuratively and literally.

“I-is it safe to come out” the three looked back to see a young dark and light blue unicorn filly, Snapshot facehooved forgetting about the filly with him.

“I completely forgot-” he said as he made introductions “-everypony I'd like you to meet Rapid-” he then introduced the ponies to Rapid “-Rapid this is my brother Snappshot, or Snapp for short and this is princess Luna, princess of the night.”

The young filly was mesmerized by Luna's mane “you’re mane is very pretty” she said complimenting Luna's mane, she smiled at the compliment.

“Thank you, you’re mane is pretty too and I like your name as well. How’d you get your name?” The filly looked down ashamed by her name, but her mane was pretty, it was light blue with stars in it, similar to Luna's mane, yet it wasn't flowing.

“I-I fell in the rapids of ice vein river, that's how I got my name, my older brother got me out before anything bad happened, he cared for me when ma and pa passed.-” she broke down crying remembering her brother “-I miss him so much (sobbing)!”

Snapshot looked to Luna and his brother “her brother was killed trying to protect her from these creatures, my guess is they're the same ones you’re looking for” the two sadly nodded confirming.

Leaving the house, Snapp looked back to it, sighing he placed his hoof on one of the front walls, he soon felt his brother's hoof on his shoulder and quickly the two embraced. Snapshot while leaving the house informed the ponies what happened during the attack, to sum it up, it was a surprise attack and the village was ill prepared. Snapshot told them the attack lasted for thirty minutes, all the while he took pictures of the attack with his camera, capturing evidence of these horrendous fiends. He passed the pictures around to the other two, minus Rapid who was too young to view such graphic photos. Both Luna and Snapp stared in shock at the photos they saw, ponies young and old slaughtered, mares dragged away to who knows where along with some stallions. What disgusted them the most were ponies tied to houses and makeshift posts, fast photos were taken of stallions being gutted alive, with some even gelded, for the amusement of one hunchbacked darkcreature. The sight of this creature's weapons, a two and a half foot long blade coming out of both wrists unnerved the two, Snapp even winced at the sight of it slicing a stallion's sack open, making him cross his legs in mental pain.

“Sickening!” Luna scoffed, just the sight of these fiends made her stomach turn and seeing them gutting and torturing ponies for sheer amusement infuriated her.

Hard Scotch soon trotted up to Luna, he and a few others searched and secured the perimeter, yet he felt off “lass we secured the area, but something's not right, its as if we’re being watched. It’s best if we head back to the city.” she didn't want to, but if what Scotch is saying is true, then they're in a prime ambush spot, nodding she addressed the ponies.

“Alright every pony we’re mass teleporting to Canterlot, so hold your mouths and pucker your holes!” Luna's warning of mass teleportation brought them to gather their gear and huddle close by, so the spell won't be as taxing. Luna knew this spell was going to be tricky, for one mass teleportation wasn't easy, there were side effects, some minor ones like vomiting or voiding one's bowels. Whereas others were more lethal, such as turning inside out or, Equestria forbid morphing together in one big mass. Taking a breath she relaxed and charged the spell, concentrating a blue sphere enveloped them and in a bright blue flash, the group disappeared.

A guard walked patrolling the busy streets of Canterlot, ponies soon screamed when a crash came from the market, rushing over the guard was met with princess Luna and her remaining group. Ponies groaned after experiencing mass teleportation for the first time and many regretted it, some more so due to not puckering their holes. Hard Scotch slowly stood up and felt as if he drank an entire brewery, of course he’s been shitfaced before, the dizziness and teetering still got to him “oh bollocks” he said falling over on his side.

“Oh dear Equestria!” Snapp panicked rushing over to the nearest trash bin and vomited “whe-when did I have apples and carrots!?” Snapp just stood using his hind legs, his head still occupying the trash bin.

“Celestia's tits, I'm going to shit myself” quickly a mare she rushed to a potted plant and let go, “oh bucking balls I feel like I'm giving birth” she groaned clenching her forelegs over her stomach. All the ponies spectated, some laughing, others disgusted, while some were sympathetic and went to offer aid.

The guard rushed over to Luna and bowed “your highness are you okay? Do you need anything?” Luna groaned at his request.

“M-my sister get my sister and for the love of Equestria get a bag!” she hurked covering her mouth, her face turning green.

Author's Note

Here it is chapter three So what do you think, is Luna going to see her sister or vomit her lunch out and what is Grelch up to and why does the archdemon suddenly interested in equestria. I’d love to hear you think, please R&R on what you think.

A captain and a princess

Chapter 4: A captain and a princess

Meanwhile in Canterlot castle

Shining armor stood in the training fields with many fresh recruits and some seasoned going over the new weapons currently being manufactured and to his surprise were quite well efficient. Earlier he was tasked by Luna to go over the efficiency of the new weapons while she was out on mission with some of the best soldiers Canterlot had, courtesy of him truly. Now he was just doing that, while the guard trained he looked over the new weapons being made, going over to the field weapon table he began to go over the types of weapons and how they worked. To start they were all muzzleloaders, with flintlock mechanisms, all required a black powder with a lead ball, with one needing more than most.

The first weapon he inspected was the musket, used mostly by unicorns due to their length and weight, the musket proved to be the main weapon of choice for unicorn made firing lines. Putting down the musket, then picked up its shorter cousin, the musketoon, this shorter weapon is currently used by all three tribes, on its side was a bite grip used as the trigger to fire the weapon. The Musketoon proved to be quite useful as a short range missionary and naval weapon, even though it was outmatched by its bigger cousin. Placing the musketoon on the table he lifted its larger counterpart, the blunderbuss, similar to the musketoon aside from the flared barrel, the blunderbuss too could be used by the three tribes and too had a bite trigger at its side. However the blunderbuss proved to be quite bulky when it came to travel, it proved to be a good close range weapon due to its scattershot, but it was a hassle to lug around. Lastly was the pistol lighter and used as the standard rifleponys secondary, too has a bite trigger, what made it useful was its lightweight feel and favorably used as a ponies sidehoof.

Impressive as they may be, these new ranged weapons came with an issue, reloading them, all of them were muzzleloaders and needed to be loaded by hoof. Fortunately a solution came to pass, the firing mechanism, a flint wheel lock hammer on its upper side, fired the shot, but the problem was the pan where the powder went needed to be resupplied. The solution, unicorns in Canterlot, found a way to enchant the powder to fire five hundred shots without needing to be changed. As for the rest of the powder, at the end was a pin connected to the back of the barrel, once fired it would glow red hot igniting the powder. Shining armor observed the light and flammable paper cartridge, at both ends were durable, yet light paper covers, one side is pierced by the pin, the other crushed by the lead ball.

-KPOW-

Shining armor lightly jumped, he still wasn't used to the sound of a gun going off, but he liked the idea of better military equipment, again he picked up the musket and eyed the purple streak going from the pan to the internal pin. The enchanted powder glowed when it was active, if the gun ran out of shots then it would burn out and fade. Inspecting each gun was crucial, if the weapon wasn't properly maintained, then the pony firing it could get injured, or worse. He shuddered seeing some of those injuries, blown off jaw, third degree burns to muzzle and eyes, accidental discharge resulting in eye loss, those were to name a few and if any worse can result in death.

None of that compared to when the weapons were first introduced, after the first crate arrived an operational manual was supposed to come with it, but being there was none thought it would be fine. Not five minutes after the crate arrived during a weapons test did ponies find out about ricocheting, some ponies thought it was funny, but the one who shot himself in the ass didn't think so. Shining lightly chuckled at that, guilty of finding that a little funny, especially after hearing the pony say “it wasn't the fun kind of penetration”. What the captain remembered was after weapon inspection, true they should've done it first, but nopony thought of it at the time, but he was furious when his gut practically screamed for him to stop the ponies from what they’re doing. What he saw were ponies looking down the barrel and even unintentionally waving the gun around, sure these were no crossbows, but he was furious nonetheless.

Now the ponies were more disciplined, but that didn't stop the occasional ricocheting from happening, Shining shook his head remembering the stallion who shot himself in the ass, got shot in the ass again, this time in both flanks. Of course the ponies name is Spilled Salt, who always has bad luck with some form of training, but he was a good soldier though.

He jumped a bit when he felt someponies wing tap his shoulder, he turned about ready to give them a proper thrashing until he was kissed. His shock and surprise turned into love and joy, Cadence soon parted from his lips, he was surprised she’d visit him, usually only Celestia visits the training yard. He didn't complain though, her visit alone was enough to get through inspection, this also prompted him to show her around the field, she has been asking what the training field was like.

“Cadence it’s good to see you-” Shining Armor spoke before it became awkward, then he asked “-what are you doing here? Usually Celestia’s the only one that comes here.”

“I just wanted to see you Shiny-” she smiled planting another kiss on his lips “-besides I've seen the castle so many times, one starts tracking the days the maids change the flowers above the stained glass windows in the hall.-” she rolled her eyes and chuckled “-besides I've never seen the training yard before, Celestia always said to me-” she speaks in a mock Celestia accent “-’the princess of love doesn't concern herself with troops of conflict, she must be regal, proper and not spoiled to a stallion until after marriage.’”. Cadence chuckled at her butchered voice of her aunt, Shining armor shaking his head with a smile.

“Alright-” he said smiling “-I guess I could show you around-” he soon became serious “-but you stay by my side understand and don't interfere with the other captains and instructors alright!” Cadence understood nodding, she knew her coltfriends job was serious and she didn't want to make a fool of him, or get in the way of others. He sighed “okay-” he said “- follow me.”.

Truth be told Cadence has never seen a training yard before, so when she eyed the shooting range, she was quite excited to see ponies stand reloading their weapons, getting ready to fire their next volley. Behind the group of ponies was a mare and one of the many captains of the castle who oversaw the markspony and ranged weapons training on the field. From what shining said, her name was Ariel Volley, a pegasus mare with an orange coat, yellow mane and a scar running alongside her from her upper barrel to lower. Cadence was told Ariel got it from a dragon, just the thought sent shivers down her spine, but what nearly made the princess whimper was how Ariel survived the fight with her intestines peeking out. Shining informed her of many ponies with some nasty scars and wounds, one such pony he knew was Stellar victory, though mostly he was a medic, he did take part in several skirmishes in Equestria.

-KPOW-

Cadence jumped upon hearing the sound of the guns going off, she wasn't aware of how loud they’d be, or how much smoke there'd be, coughing she fanned the smoke away with her wing. The coughing alone soon attracted the attention of captain Ariel Volley, cadence swore the captain nearly shat herself when she laid her eyes upon her, then at Shining Armor.

“Attention ponies, princess on the field!” In an instant the unicorns shoulders their muskets and stood at attention, all the while waiting for the at ease order from Cadence.

Cadence stood perplexed, usually troops would return to their positions after a few moments, yet they stood as if they were waiting for her to do something. Leaning over she whispered in her coltfriends ear “what do i do?”

He smirked and whispered back “say at ease”.

Nodding, Cadence cleared her throat and stood in a regal form “at ease ponies” her order relaxed them to continue their training, Ariel Volley smirked as she went up to the two.

“First time eh?-” she lightly teased, causing cadence to blush a bit and nod, Ariel shook her head “-don't worry about it, both Shining armor and I were in your horse shoes before, but after awhile you’ll get used to it.” she perked up remembering something “speaking of, captain the twenty second line infantry in San palomino are requesting a resupply” he sighed shaking his head, those foals like to waste ammo during training.

“All right-” he said “-anything else?” Ariel nodded.

“A volunteer request for the coming conflict in Prance has been filed, a pegasus pony named Stellar Victory requested to join the two hundred and first infantry division.” Shining raised a brow, he’s heard of Stellar Victory, he’s a pegasus pony who joined as a medic and had several skirmishes under his hooves, yet he didn’t partake in the diamond dog skirmish.

While the two were talking, Cadence noticed the on recruits, the different colored stars on their chest plate, some ranged from the common light blue she's seen on the royal guards, but the other colors she doesn't recognize. Yet when she looked back at her coltfriend, he had a purple star instead of blue, though of course she's seen ponies with red frills on and even those confused her from the blue frills, looking back she had to know.

“Ahem, excuse me Ariel Volley” the mare looked back at the princess, the report would have to wait.

“Yes, your highness? Can I help you?” She and shining armor can clearly tell she looked nervous, though of course she’s on a military training yard, they don't think it's that.

Cadence pointed out the stars on the armor. “Those stars, I know the light blue ones are the royal guards, but what do the other colors represent?” The two officers smiled, glad Cadence was interested in the branches of the armed forces. This though was where Shining Armor shined, he trained many recruits in all branches, of course Ariel Volley knew the answer as well, but decided to let her captain explain.

He nodded “correct, the light blue stars and helmet plumes represent the royal guard, but they’re not the only branch, ponies with red stars, orange armor and red plumes are part of the main equestrian army. For the army you have the equestrian infantry force which you see with their red plumes and stars, next you have the garrison divisions, they have green stars, blue armor and green plumes and are most commonly known as line infantry.”

Cadence raised her hoof like she was in class, or a recruit “sir, why are the garrisons called line infantry, shouldn't they be part of the main infantry division?”

Shining gave a light chuckle “I asked the same question myself, we call the garrison's line infantry because they’re the main defense line before the infantry divisions. It's a whole mess, to this day Equestrias generals are urging Celestia to reform the military by just naming the garrisons, garrisons and leaving the line infantry to the infantry divisions.”

Cadence nodded, she could see that, maybe she should start naming several unit types herself, so she has her own personnel guard. At any rate she continued to listen to her coltfriends explanation.

Clearing his throat he continued “ okay we dealt with the infantry and garrisons, next we have the navel marines, expeditionary forces and marines-” cadence nodded listening “-the navel marines act as ship defenders or ship borders, instead of a star they have a orange anchor with a blue helmet plume. Marines are Equestria's latest edition to its military branch, the marines have a light blue anchor and green plume with green armor. Lastly, the expeditionary forces have a green star, light brown armor and dark green plume, as for the other branches we’ll get to them tomorrow, right now do you have any questions?” Cadence raised her brow, she didn't realize there were other branches, of course now that she thought about it there were the pegasi and the royal navy. However one thought came to mind, a guard he might recognize.

“I have a question sir” Shining nodded to her “sir there have been guards with orange sun insignias, red and yellow armor with orange plumes, have you seen them, or trained any?”

This caught the two captains off guard, they’ve never seen or heard of a guard with that description before, at first the two thought it was fire company, an elite fighting force and Celestia's personal elite guard. Yet what caught them off guard was the sun insignia, whereas fire company has a flame insignia, if Celestia has a secret guard then how come it's been seen. Of course now that Shining thought about it, he has seen somepony with that sun symbol on someponys armor before and when he asked the pony why he was here, he heard the pony reply, "I only take orders from Celesta herself”.

Not wanting to worry about it now, all the while leaving Ariel Volley to do her duties, both shining armor and cadence soon went back into the castle, he's already done his inspections of the new weapons already, now it was time to have a break with his marefriend. Entering Cadence's room, she made sure to lock the door and send the guard away by informing him shining armor is protecting her, once he was gone the two were alone. Passionately the two began to kiss, their tongues exploring eachothers mouths, with a -klang- shining armors helmet fell to the floor and the two now moved to the bed. Were the kissing not only continued but started to heat up, on his back Shining watched eagerly as Cadence moved her way down his upper barrel, soon mid, then lower and finally at his sheath, giving it a light kiss, she moved down to his balls and slowly licked the black leathery sack. Gently she sucked one in feeling his cum filled orbs, her pussy dripping as she imagined the cum flowing in her mouth, or his seed filling her loins. He moaned as he felt her suck his balls, he leaned his head back as she stretched them out a bit, all the while his cock began to worm its way out, half erect he moaned a small drop of pre dripping out early. It didn't take long for Shinging's cock to become erect from cadences' ball play, but once it did, the stallion could see the lust in the mare's eyes, he could almost swear he could see her drooling.

She smiled and kissed him “now for real fun” she said getting into position, her pussy over his head, with her staring down at his sixteen inch cock, the stallion smiled sixty-nine it is then.

Lustfully the stallion started licking the princesses pussy, she moaned as she felt his tongue lick over her winking clitoris, her juices dripping into his mouth, it was now her turn to start. Lowering her head down, Shining's cock throbbed, she wanted it in her pussy, but she knew Celestia would have a fit, but she didn't say anything about oral, or anal, both of which she loved. Taking his cock in her mouth she slowly began to suck it, an audible moan escaped from Shining as she orally stimulated his shaft, slowly she bobbed her head enjoying the texture of his stallionhood. His cock throbbed followed by a spurt, the light saltiness of pre leaked in her mouth, she savored the flavor of it and quickened her pace, hoping to get a taste of Shining's foal batter. She closed her eyes, in sheer pleasure after feeling the stallion start licking the inside of her pussy and hitting her G-spot. This in turn brought her closer to the edge, that can't happen, well not yet anyway, circling her tongue around his glans, she pressed deeper around his cock, nearing his medial ring and the halfway point of his fourteen inch cock. She moaned, feeling her orgasm near, she needed him to cum first, she didn't like to treat it like a race, but he always boasted he could make a mare cum before him, well he didn't meet an alicorn. Deviously and mentally spilling she manifested a stallion's cock out of magic, gave it a quick suck and lined it up with Shining's pucker.

At first he felt light pressure, then heavy pressure, tilting his head back, he moaned in delight after feeling his prostate get hit for the first time, of course there was pain, but that was soon replaced with pleasure and with the added oral, it proved too much. Immediately Cadence felt Shining's flare form in her mouth, his orgasm was near, she watched his balls clench and knew it was only a matter of time, but he wasn't the only one, she too felt the ejaculatory urge to squirt. The two ponies moaned trying to one up each other, but it proved fruitless as the two both came, Cadence and shining both moaned, his seed shooting in her mouth and cadence squirting in his. The mare savored the seed as much as she could, enjoying the taste of stallion milk for the first time, its salty flavor gulping down her throat. Dissolving the magic dildo, Cadence upon finishing her high protein meal, released the stallion's cock and let it fall from her mouth, droplets of sperm fell to his lower barrel as she licked them up.

Not seconds after the foreplay did the real fun begin, laying on the bed half of Cadence's body was supported by her hind legs, raising her tail she presented Shining her marehood and anus. Knowing he pleasured her pussy it was time to breach the back entrance, going over he winced as his cock slapped his barrel, again he was already hard and horny. Licking her pucker he began to lube up her tight hole, he smiled hearing her moan, only for her to lightly yelp after he stuck his tongue in her. He felt her pucker tightly clenched around his tongue as he prenched the hole, putting his lips around her sphincter he began to suck the ring. She moaned, her pussy winking again and on the verge of orgasm, she felt him pull out, looking back she begged him to continue only to feel him mount her. Getting the idea and with her tail hole lubed up, she felt the tip of his cock at her entrance, breathing as she looked back to him and nodded, signaling she was relaxed and ready.

Pressing forward Shining felt some minor resistance, but with his saliva lubing up her tailhole, he felt himself slide right in without issue. Standing there for a moment he let her body get used to him in her and after a while he began, slowly he began to thrust in her, inch by inch until his medial ring was engulfed by her pucker. Soon he began to speed up and thrust his hips, their two bodies smacking as her tight hole milked him. She moaned begging him to speed up which he did and enjoyed every second of the session, panting she begged him to go harder her climax on the rise, she could feel the pleasure rock throughout her pussy. Then it happened, grabbing her pillow and biting it she screamed, her orgasm blew up, Shining with his cock being milked felt his orgasm near and after a while and a few more thrusts, he too was screaming. His balls clenched as he pumped fresh seed in her pucker, her tail hole milking ropes upon ropes of foal batter, his flare keeping his cum from spilling out made cadence feel full. The two panted in the afterglow, looking at each other they shared a kiss.

“Feel better babe?” she smiled at him and kissed his cheek.

“Much better my shining stud” the two shared a kiss again only to be interrupted when the door opened.

“Captain sir you’re needed in the-” he looked up and blocked his view with his wing “-oh sweet Celestia!” Both shining and cadence blushed, realizing the stallion was still inside her, carefully he pulled out with a-schlorp- making the guard who walked in shudder.

“Lieutenant, what's to report!?” the captain asked, the lieutenant still covering his eyes spoke through his wing, cadence giving a light chuckle.

“Sir princess Luna’s returned from her mission in the west, Celetia sent me to come get you and princess cadence, she wants the both of you to come see it” unknowingly he gave cadence ammunition for what she was about to do next.

“Shining armor doesn't need to cum, he just did, I have proof if you want to see it. It's dripping from his cock and my pussy.” Shining rolled his eyes while his marefriend trolled the poor officer, all the while the lieutenant lipped to himself ‘Celestia kill me’.

Shaking his head the officer replied “no thank you I can smell it from here”

Cadence teased some more “you sure, its thick and creamy” that did it, she smiled as the guard stood unaware he had a hard on, this time Shining had fun with him.

“I say stand and salute, but you’re already doing that” Looking down the guard's face went deep beet red and covered himself.

“Please for the love equestria!” Shining chuckled, you're dismissed, doing a quick bow he left hiding his aching boner with a pot he snatched from the room. Pulling out with a -schlorp- Shining and Cadence kissed, the sound of a pot falling to the floor caught their ears followed by the guards voice “oh excuse me miss”-screams-.

Not wanting to wait any longer the two soon set down down the hall where the guard went, passing a closed supply closet the two heard moans and groans coming from within. Not wanting to stand there they left the two in peace and inquired what Princess Luna found unaware of the guest she brought.

Author's Note

Here it is chapter four, and I decided to do an interlude and weapons guide on how the muskets worked in Equestria, so what do you think? What’d you think of the lemon, was it a 10 for steamy or 1 for meh and what’s Celestia going to say when she find out about Shining armors and cadences ‘escapade’ or even Luna’s dark guest. Please R&R on what you think. I love to hear your thoughts.

Plan of action

Chapter 5:Plan of action

Ticking of the clock chimed at nine, three hours have passed since Luna returned from the western coast and already bad news has been reported, though of course Celestia barely calls a burning village in the west bad news. Luna though wasn't joking around, her entrance in the capital, being a bit messy came with news of more than just a disease, but an all out attack on pony kind. At first Celestia shrugged off this attack on pony kind as bandits, but when her eyes fell upon the bloody sheet and unconscious body of a bipedal creature, she began to question her doubts. At this moment Luna was staring down her sister, not just to her ignorance, but to her lack of caring to her subjects, or other pony lives, yet Celestia didn't want to see it, she didn't, it wasn't Equestria's first contact policy to engage and destroy.

“I just don't see it dear Lulu, these things hardly seem a threat are you sure it wasn't just running scared. Have you tried talking to it?” Luna stared at her sister as if she ran into a wall.

“Tia, these things, they don't speak, at least i don't think they do and i’m sure as tartarus they don't negotiate!” Luna countered trying to talk sense into her sister, true by all accounts Equestrian policy is to negotiate first to stop an impending fight. Yet she’s seen time and again these creatures, whatever they are, have no interest in negotiation.

Before an argument could break out the sound of doors to the east wing closing turned their attention to both Cadence and Shining armor entering the throne room, Celestia smiled to see her niece enter the throne chambers and stood up to greet her. Luna greeted the two, it was a shock at first for Luna too, after finding out she had a niece and when she did she was hesitant to engage in conversation with her. At the Gala it all changed, the two hit it off and Luna could clearly tell she had the hots for Shining armor, it was even on that starry night the princess of love asked her how to love a stallion. Luna cracked a smile at the thought she was told both she and Shining had already had three dates together without attracting attention to the nobility and she wanted the night after the gala to be perfect. Looking at her niece now Luna clearly gave the princess of love good advice to pleasure a stallion, after seeing the small rope of cum on her chin Luna knew Cadence scored. Celestia however once she got closer saw the rope of seed and looked utterly displeased with her niece. Cadence's jaws clenched worried her aunt was going to blow a gasket soon, fortune smiled for her when her other aunt Luna covered for her.

“Whatever is the matter sister, are thou glad to see thy niece?” Celestia raised her brow wondering why her sister isn't scolding her niece as well.

“Luna, are you not going to address the seed ever so present on Cadence's lips, she's a princess, not some cheap whore” that hit a nerve, Cadence looked taken aback that her aunt would call her such a name, Luna however covered for her.

“Tis no seed dear Tia, just whipped cream from the castle kitchen, had some myself on my vanilla ice cream a few days ago” Celestia sighed, which proved just enough time for Luna to give a sly smile and wink at Cadence.

Celestia however wanted to hear it from her niece “dearest cadence are you sure that's cream and not cum!?” she waited for her answer, only for Cadence to nod her head.

“Yes, Shiny and I were sharing a sundae together. We ate it before we went to take a rest, I must have missed a spot to wipe my face!” Celestia slowly nodded, unaware if she should believe her niece, again Luna drew her sister's attention, this time by changing the subject to the threat in the west.

“Tis not important dear sister, cream can wash off, but this threat dear Tia is far more important!” Celestia, now curious, turned to her sister wanting to know what was so important, noticing the covered objects under a tarp with one moving slightly, she raised her brow more curious than ever now.

“What’s under the tarp, dear Lulu?” Celestia, eager to see what Luna found, wasn't ready for what she was about to see.

Turning to her team she gave a firm nod “stand back!” she ordered, her sister, cadence Shiny and other guards stood back waiting to see what Luna had brought, and sure enough, they weren't ready.

In a violent fashion a furious bipedal creature, in only its loincloth, lunged at the now terrified Celestia, Shiny in a desperate attempt, rushed past his marefriend and erected a shield. His shield blocked the creature from going any further, but Luna wasn't worried, for around its neck was a rope, used to bind and nullifie alicorn magic. Cadence herself hid behind her aunt Terrified of such a violent and horrendous creature.

Celestia just stared at the thing, too shocked to even comprehend, her thoughts were soon beaten by her captain Shining Armor “what in the name of torturous is that thing!” His response was met with Luna shaking her head.

“I don't know, but more of these things are out there and have already caused plenty of damage and death!”. She replied and watched Celestia, still terrified, look at the creature in astonishment.

“Where did it come from?!” she asked, keeping her eyes on the vicious beast, not even flinching when a small squad of royal guards ponies burst through the main hall door, ready to protect her highness. She stopped them, after showing she wasn't harmed in any way, but when they spotted the creature, it too spotted them, Charging it was quickly stopped by the rope. Snarling it was eager to tear into pony flesh, wanting to taste blood, all the while seeing their fear as their organs were torn out, the guards who held their spears and muskets, shook in terror, some even voided bladders after it began to smile.

Luna, ignoring the now-forming smell of piss, shook her head “we don't know, All we know is it was connected to this ship running aground, we weren't able to investigate it when your champion ran off!”

Celestia raised her brow “Goldbeam?-” she shook her head “-he’s well trained, he wouldn't-” she stopped when Luna pulled the tarp off his headless corpse, Celestia gawked at his headless body. She couldn't believe it, her champion, the champion selected by not just her but the nobility themselves lied dead before her. She then noticed his cutie marks, or lack thereof “-his cutie mark? What happened to his cutie mark!?”

Luna looked down to his skinned flank, but was beaten to the punch by Hard Scotch “they skinned em lass-” he said nonchalantly taking a swig of Equestrian bourbon, luna giving a sigh “-took em as trophies, gave a him a good butt shave!”

Nervously chuckling Luna nodded, throwing her hoof up “basically what he said” Celestia looked down at her dead champion, then at the creature, gritting her teeth, she turned to the panicked squad of guards.

“Take this thing and put it in the dungeon, i’ll-” she was interrupted when a new voice entered the room and three pairs of hooves followed suit.

“That won't be necessary, your highness!” a stallion replied, he was a unicorn, had a tan lab coat, white coat, yellow mane and wore a pair of spectacles, his cutie mark resembled a surgical lamp.

Celestia smugly scoffed “director Lablight! I wondered why I smelled horse shit!” Lablight chuckled at Celestia’s insult, he always enjoyed her quirks and decided to return the favor

“(chuckles) oh Celestia, with all the cake you eat, i’m surprised i’m not walking in it!” he smirked giving a retort to her insulting quip to him, he chuckled again seeing Cadence trying desperately to hold her aunt back. His eyes soon fell on Luna, he smiled and went up to her “now who might you be?!”

“Thy names Luna, who are thou speaking to!?” Luna looked at the approaching unicorn, she swore her sister addressed him as Lablight, but this was the first she’s seen him.

“Thy name’s Lablight-” he introduced, levitating her hoof and kissing it “-the rumors of your beauty in the night sky aren’t exaggerated. A gentle breeze on a full moon, on a cool night. your stars are that of silver and your mane is of fine silk!” Luna just stood there as he walked back to his escort, all the while Luna’s face made a look that said “HUH”. After being back in Equestria for nearly a year and Luna was still getting used to how ponies talk to each other, other than the bedroom, she has that in spades. All the while Snappshot on her left chuckled, she raised a brow at him.

“He says you're beautiful” he smiled, Luna slowly nodding understanding what he meant, she’s had stallions hit on her before, though not in the way Lablight did. Usually most stallions would hit on her saying ‘nice ass toots’, or ‘i have a pole at home, want to dance on it?’. Of course that last one was from a pegasus pony named Turbulent Spear, that pony was so incredibly horny, he made the most dominant bachelors submissive, after he gave them what he called ‘the Turbulent smile’ whatever that was.

Luna leaned in and whispered to Snapp Shot “ Snapp who is this stallion and who are those ponies in armor?!” the sniper nodded and began to explain.

“It was three years ago-” he began, hoping to make the rundown short “- they came out of Cloudsdale, calling themselves the Black Eyeris, An extremist pegasi group hoping to bring back the pegasi legion-”

Luna looked at him stunned and confused “pegasus legions, but they died out years before my banishment!-” she also pointed out “- and Lablights a unicorn, not a pegasus!?”

Snapp Shot chuckled “-true yes, which is why, they’re not too picky on who joins the legion now and have both land and air bases. Anyway there was an incident that day three years ago, Celestia demanded the Black eyeris to bow and pay homage to her, after they demanded a solitary area for a lab in canterlot. After their decline and spitting on Celestia’s horse shoes, the guard got involved. I was a cadet on castle tour when it happened. For seven hours fighting broke out in the castle, but we didn't stand a chance. The armor the black eyeris had was incredibly thick, not even a mussle ball can pierce it, in the end out of the fifty guards that took part in the fight, only ten died, the rest were critically injured. Now Celestia doesn't even bother, they take no orders from any form of royalty and as for their leader, nopony knows who he is, all anypony knows is that his name is the ‘Secretary’!”

Lablight cleared his throat, gathering the ponies in the room, his attention “with your leave, i’ll be taking the prisoner to the lab, good day ponies-” he then looked at the princesses “-your highnesses!”

Once the black eyeris left, Celestia stood fumigated, Luna looked to Snapp Shot knowing they still needed to find the ship that ran aground hours earlier “Snapp prep a carriage and have the squad resupply, we’ll be heading out soon!” Quickly he boud and left, Celestia turned to her sister.

“Find that ship dear Lulu and see what you can find, I'll try to speak to it and see what it knows.” Luna shook her head, her sister's idea of still wanting to bring peace would go nowhere.

“Dear Tia, that thing doesn't want peace, it wants violence, Snapp Shot's brother Photoshot, has pictures of the attack, both he and Rapid were the only two survivors we found!” Celestia looked at her sister with disdain after hearing about two western ponies currently in Canterlot, course she speculated her sister did that.

“You brought two Lunar ponies to Canterlot! Our city!” Celestia was enraged now, if what she speculated was true, that her sister brought Lunar ponies here to Canterlot, then it meant her sister was conversing with the enemy.

Luna snorted, she didn't need her sister's approval to bring survivors to the capitol “yes i did, so what! They needed help and I wasn't going to leave them there, not to those things!”

“Leaving them there would be more merciful” Celestia spat, earning a glare from her sister and making her snarl. Cadence winced and was shocked her Aunt would suggest such a thing, her coltfriend, too was shocked, as he never seen Celestia act this way.

Shaking her head, Luna turned and left, flicking her tail at her sister, the equivalent of a minotaur giving another the finger and telling some creature to shove it, the pony way of telling one to buck themselves. An eerie silence befell the room, shining not wanting to say anything, giving his love a quick kiss before leaving to do his duties, he swore he could feel Celestia glaring at him as he left. Once the room was relatively empty aside from a few guards, Cadence awkwardly traipsed her hoof on the floor before turning to leave, her aunt standing in the center of the room seething in anger.

“And where in Equestria do you think you’re going MISSY!!” Cadence closed her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh ‘so close’ she thought, turning around, her aunt was standing in front of her with a glare that could rival a hydra.

Turning she crudely joked to her aunt “well hopefully to the bathroom once we’re done here” she watched her aunt's frown turn to a snarl and she swore she heard her aunt growl at her.

“PRINCESS MI AMORE CADENZA, this is not how a princess acts, a princess acts with…” she was stopped by her niece speaking in a mock tone.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah a princess acts with decorum, has proper etiquette, a princess cannot be deflowered till marriage, she cannot leave the royal grounds and must stay within the castle till she is ready to perform her duties! Yeah I get it!” Celestia snorted at her niece's attitude.

This time it was Cadence who was on the offensive as she began to explain her predicament “Celestia please of the love of this nation, would you give it a rest! Every day I walk down the halls speaking to the same guards every day, the same doorways and the same bathroom door i sadly named Ricky. So what if I went down to the training yard, so what if I hung out with Shining armor? If I'm supposed to be the princess of this Crystal Empire you keep talking about, then should I know how my military runs, should I be with the ones I love. You did say I'm the princess of love right, so why are you complaining if I was with shining armor, he’s my coltfriend!”

Celestia was seething at this point, she’s never had her niece talk back to her in any way before and now she knew her niece mated with her captain, but she already knew, she did smell the sex coming from her captain and her nieces genitals. Playing the ignorant princess she wiped the cream off her nieces lip and licked it “whipped cream my royal plot, this is seed!”

Cadence scoffed and rolled her eyes, “yes that's cum, but he didn't deflower me, i drank him then i took it up the ass”, again she got the words in before Celestia said otherwise. Her anger was at a boiling point now and she was about ready to burst when a thought came to her, a nasty thought, Smiling she began to circle her neice.

“Well if that's all that you did then there's no harm done, however last i checked if a stallion rutted a princess before he proposed to her then he is to be punished for his act!” Celestia now behind Cadence made sure her smile was hidden.

Cadence raised her brow “punished, what punishment, i read the princess hoof book you gave me, there was no mention of any punishment if a stallion slept with a princess?!”

Celestia fiend ignorance tapping her wing to her chin “really, oh yes that was the Equestrian hoofbook, written five hundred years ago, no i’m talking about the solar hoofbook!”

Cadence puzzled shook her head “solar hoofbook? What does it have to do with Shining, or stallions?”

“You didn't know!-” she whispered in her niece's ear “-they’re gelded!”

Cadence's heart quivered in fear, looking at her aunt, she slowly backed away “yo-you wouldn't!”

Celestia shrugged as if it was a big deal “if i have to protect you i will, otherwise snip-snip!”

Cadence shook her head “protect me?! Protect me from what!”

Celestia smiled and rubbed her niece’s mane “it's not important, more simple really. All you have to do is keep it under your tail, you do that and Shining armor won't get his cords cut!”

Cadence couldn't believe what she was hearing, turning she stormed off, tears streaming in her eyes, Celestia smiling knowing her threat of control had gotten through. Turning several stallions who listened crossed their hindlegs as she passed through into the throne room, unaware of the set of ears listening in on their conversation.

Author's Note

Chapter five everyone, let me know what you think please R&R. Would Celestia really go through with her threat if Cadence slept with Shining again, or was it an empty threat and who was listening in and why does Director Lablight want this dark creature?!

Scavenging a lead

I don't own the rights, they belong to their respective owners. The only characters I use are my oc’s or others who have given me permission to use. Oc Baysick (owner: Baysick)

Chapter 6: Scavenging a lead

Sunfalls the regent capital of the western coast and home of the growing Lunar Militia, was soon met again with the arrival of their lost lunar princess Luna. Her earlier arrival brought joy and hope to the many ponies of the town and soon the whole coast. However her arrival came at a bad time, when strange monsters and an even stranger illness began to ravage the town, what was more worrisome was the earlier sighting of another creature spotted by a visiting beach goer.

Slowly the carriage came to a stop, its occupants hopping off, with one falling to the floor in pain, it's been hours since Luna left Canterlot, her ire for her sister ever present on her muzzle. Groaning soon caught her ears, looking down, she caught the sight of SnappShot cupping his balls, curious as to why she soon found out through his anger.

“You BUCKING BITCH, you went over that bump on purpose!” he winced after shouting in the direction of Lotus Thorn, the mare who pulled the carriage. Luna wasn't sure why a simple bump pissed Snapp off, again she was about to find out.

Lotus stuck her tongue out smiling “oh it was the perfect opportunity, besides I thought it be funny!”

Snapp looked at her even more pissed than before “funny!? FUNNY!? I was trying to straighten out my armor after it was chafing, but no you decided to go over that bump and make me sit on my own balls!”

Hard Scotch laughed clearly thinking it was funny “it may not have been funny to ye, but it was to us, who knew a stallions voice could go that high”

“Alright everypony-” Thornpoint replied walking up after having a good laugh “-let’s get back on track, Hard Scotch help Snappshot up and get him to the hotel we were at!” Scotch firmly nodded and helped the pain stallion, who slowly tried to stand, wincing as he did.

As the stallions went on ahead to the hotel, Thornpoint called ahead before they were out of earshot “and make sure you get some ice for his balls Scotch!”

“Got it las, i’ll put his balls on ice!” he called back soon going out of earshot moments later, Thorn shook her head lightly chuckling, taking the lead she went ahead of Luna and Lotus.

As the two walked alongside each other Luna took a glance and noticed Lotus being all quiet and worried, this was surprising to Luna since Lotus was mostly hard headed and likes to be outspoken. Curious she opened up “you know, Snapp has a point vox leather isn't the only thing that chaifs, this plate armor does too, its grinding my mare hood to no end!” taking another glance she noticed Lotus’s demeanor unchanged, something was clearly up and it wasn't Snapps opera singing.

Thorn, Hearing this, looked back and saw Lotus’s look and instantly grew worried, she and her have been close friends and have always told each other's secrets. As she looked at her however it became clear that Lotus was being bothered by something, slowing down as she walked besides Lotus’s right flank, Luna on the left.

“Lotus, are you okay?!” the mare in question finally stopped, the others stopping with her as she began to explain what she heard to Luna, the princess not ready for what she was about to hear.

“For the longest time I supported Celestia and the nation of Equestria, but now I have my doubts. Moments before we left, I heard a conversation between her and Cadence. I can't believe how much of a monster Celestia is!” she held her head down, her loyalty to Celestia became Questioned.

“What was this talk?” Luna was curious about what her sister said to her niece “it couldn’t have been that bad?!”

Lotus looked at her “after what i heard, it makes me want to question my loyalties to Equestria as a whole!”

“Well?!-” Thorn asked with anticipation of what her royal highness said “-what’d she say?!” She always loved gossip about the princess, even if the gossip was closely guarded.

Lotus looked at the two “she threatened to castrate Shining armor, if Cadence ever slept with him again!!”

What she said was a hard left turn for Thorn, shocked and disgusted at what she heard, Luna on the other hoof cocked her brow confused. Luna recalled back when she was freed from her grasp as Nightmare Moon, the history and new laws of Equestria. One law she was curious about was the aspect of castration, but when she was about to read up on it, the history of it was missing, in fact the pages were torn out.

“Not to be that mare-” Luna began, nervously chuckling “-but what’s castration?”

The two others looked at her, dumbfounded that she didn't know, only quick to remember Luna not too long ago was reformed. Of course dealing with a topic such as this made the two mares embarrassed, talking about a stallion's balls is one thing, but explaining to the princess what castration was, is another.

Embarrassed, Lotus began to explain, no longer worried since her shock of Luna not knowing replaced it. Okay where to start, Everymare in Equestria knows about this, the stallions are left in the dark about it by Celestia's orders. Why nopony knows? Okay, it started about Five hundred years ago, in the history books, it was said Celestia came up with the idea, but those around the guard, tell another story.-” intently Luna listened as Lotus explained, Thorn standing on the side in case clarification was needed. “-Five hundred years ago, there was a group of mares who believed in Celestias ‘Mares only Doctrine’, however these mares took it too the extreme and forbade stallions from getting jobs, made buildings specific to a sex and viewed them as nothing more than breeders. Till one day they pushed it too far and made a gelding farm, where stallions were taken off the street foalnapped and castrated, those that were gelded were used as slaves, or used as examples. Some however-” she was stopped when Luna interrupted her.

“Woah woah woah, i only asked what the term castration means, not a blow by blow on how Equestria was made!” Lotus blushed getting a little carried away on the history there, Thorn soon clarified to the princes what it meant.

“Castration, in Celestia’s terms, is the removal of the stallions' testicles, in short, the stallions' balls are cut off!” The two mares both stood, while Luna processed this information.

“Okay-” she began “-you’re telling me, my sister has been castrating stallions for five hundred years now!” Lotus and Thorn both nodded, Luna staggered, she couldn't believe it, she was segregating stallions and for what because of some mares, then it came to her. “Lotus what happened to the mares that were gelding stallions?”

Lotus, thinking for a moment, nodded “ironically enough they were caught and executed by Celestia's stallion guards, those that survived fled and most likely disbanded!”

Luna thought this through, it didn't make sense if Celestia killed the mares, then why was she gelding stallions, she shook her head, her mind was in a fog. After being reformed her mind was in a constant fog, years have flew by her, yet it only felt like hours when she was imprisoned as Nightmare Moon.yet day by day, she regained her memory of places, such as the castle of the two sisters, the Everfree forest, as well as certain landmarks. Again shaking her head she lightly moaned.

Looking at the two mares she decided to get back on track “it doesn't make sense, I'll need to think on it, but now we need to get to Sunfalls and gather that intel, that and I need to get out of this armor. All this talk about stallions and their balls makes me horny as tartarus!”

Setting off, the three mares started to catch up to the two stallions who were just outside the town, unaware of the eyes watching them from afar and the evidence they’re about to find.

Entering the town the first thing Luna noticed were the ponies greeting her again; some even came up to her and gave her offerings, such as bits, food and on occasion, themselves. Politely she turned them down, her memory of this place slowly kept coming back to her, stopping she smiled as she looked at the statue she saw earlier, past images of foals playing by the statue brought a smile to her face.

“Look out!” she looked up in time to see a multicolored ball, with her magic she levitated it before it hit her, though with how light it is, she doubted it would harm her. She looked at the ball, it was multi-colored with red, blue and yellow patterns in between the main white pattern. Lowering it in her hoof, she felt how light it was compared to most balls.

“Uh, can I have my ball back please?” She looked to see a light brown stallion with a brown and green mane, his eyes were green and he had a cutie mark resembling a coconut cup with a straw and umbrella in it.

Luna smiled “Here, what is that ball, it's light, yet colorful?” she hoofed the ball back to him, as he looked at her curiously.

The stallion looked over his beach ball. “It's a beach ball, your highness, have you never seen one before?” his reply was Luna shaking her head

“It's just a beach ball your highness, it's meant to be played with, it's more for fun than hurting ponies. Sorry it got out of control, your highness.” he looked down in shame waiting for her judgment, yet it never came.

Luna was curious, he had an accent not accustomed to the west “what's your name and where do you come from? Your accent sounds familiar?”

The pony Smiled “my names Baysick, i’m visiting here from Baltimare, i heard the beaches in the west were great so i just had to come here and so far they’re living up to their reputation. Well that is until a strange ship ran aground”

This peeked Luna's interest, so much so she ignored the arousal from her armor chafing against her marehood “shipwreck, do you know where it is? My team and I were tasked with searching for it!”

Baysick smiled, ever since he found the shipwreck, many ill creatures have been popping up now and again, well except a biped with pointed ears looking for this Dalish clan. Whatever that is? His smile soon turned into a frown, true he did know where it was, but the mayor closed down the beaches when the first victim, a young colt died from being exposed to toxic blood.

“Yeah , I know where it is, your highness, but the mayor closed the beaches down, he didn't want other ponies to fall ill, so he did what he thought was right.” Luna hearing this nodded, the mayor was wise to do that, now it didn't matter. The only way to stop this illness from spreading is to figure out where this ship came from and find a cure, if there is any?

“Baysick, i need you to go to the mayor and let him know i wish to speak with him, inform him i’ll be there in ten minutes, after my meeting and if it goes smoothly. I want you to lead me to the shipwreck!” Baysick nodded and went to do his task, while Luna, feeling her marehood flare up with arousal again, went to the hotel to deal with the annoyance.

After taking her armor off, which gave Snapshot the most uncomfortable erection after sitting on his balls on the ride over, Luna made her way towards the town hall. The walk over enlightened the princess, it's not often she trotted through the town she sought to build all those years ago. Out of the corner of her eye, though she caught sight of a shadowy figure standing in an alleyway, she didn't know who it was, but she saw the distinct mussel of a stallion, along with his purple coat. She veered out of the way of a temple cleric for the lunar temple, looking back to where the mysterious stallion was, to her surprise he was no longer there.She shook her head “i knew i should’ve had coffee this morning” she mumbled to herself continuing towards the town hall.

Luna sat in the mayor's office as he paced in front of her, she told him of their situation and he was damn right adamant on keeping the beaches closed. While he thought Luna painfully touched her muzzle, the receptionist Magenta Dusk gave her another slugger after waking her up. ‘Damn-’ Luna thought wincing ‘-i won't be able to smell lavender anytime soon!-’ then a positive thought came to her ‘-course I'd be spared of my sister's ass blasts, thanks to her cakey diet. Fat bitch’. She winced again touching it, however to her misfortune on how dusty the room is she felt that sudden urge ‘ugh, oh stars no’.

“I just can't permit it, your highness,” the mayor replied. This was enough to distract her from her on coming sneeze, she could see his worry and began to reassure him.

“I understand your need to protect your ponies, but whatever is causing these attacks came from that crashed ship!” she watched Crestfall stare out his room window in thought, then sighed.

“Two hours-” he said turning to her “-you have two hours to investigate, after that i’m closing the beaches again! Is that understood!?” Luna gave him a curt nod, understanding clearly. Turning back to look out his window, Luna left to inform her squad, right after she closed the door though did her sneeze come.

-AACHOOOO-

“AAAHHH, BUCKING COCK THAT HURT!!”

After gathering her team and putting her armor on, she and her team, with the help of Baysick leading them, arrived at the beached wreck and the site was all but pretty.

“Well here we are” Baysick replied, showing the ponies and Luna the wrecked ship, before heading back to town.

What lied were bodies of both creatures and to lunas surprise humans, littered the sand before them, mixed in were a few bipeds that resembled humans, but were either short and stout, or had pointed ears. However what caught the eye of Luna and her team were the hideous looking creatures and the footprints leaving into the forest. She knew it was the creatures that survived and are now causing havoc, what caught her eye though was a separate set of tracks, these ones being much earlier. Snappshot seeing them immediately got to it and began to look over the tracks, on his foreknees he began to assess them.

“The tracks belong to a light bodied individual, he was the last survivor of this ship, and he seemed to be wounded” he looked back at the mares and other stallion looked at him confused.

“How can you tell the tracks belong to a male” Lotus spoke up, of course she doesn't have Snappshots tracking abilities, she highly doubts though somepony can determine one's sex through a print.

Snapp gave a quick explanation “the depth of the print indicates the survivor is male and by the way he was traversing, he seemed to have been wounded”

Luna nodded in understanding, but they had no time to play twenty questions. “Alright everypony, as much as I like to play guessing games, we’re on the clock. Crestfall has given us two hours till he closes the beaches again, so let's hop aboard and see what we can find!”

For a half an hour she and her team searched for clues to where this ship, or these dark creatures came from and sure enough found a plethora of information, sadly it was mostly waterlogged. Fortune though favored them when Lotus found what appeared to be a map, soon after a few more items were found in an airtight chest, such as books, two amulets and what appear to be artifacts of the religious kind.

Luna held the effigy in her magic “i never seen this statue before” she said holding the statue of a robed figure with a pointed crown holding what appeared to be a plate.

Lotus shook her head “not any minotaur i’ve seen before!”

Hard scotch came around the corner carrying a bottle of foreign booze “look what i’ve found in the captain's chambers, some sort of alcohol, ‘dragons piss’ it reads”

“Don't drink it Scotchy, you don't know how strong it is!?” Thorn warned, she knew it was futile to warn a alcoholic, but she at least tries

Taking a swig, Scotch exhaled as if he drank something hot “f-f-fuck me” was all he said before keeling over and passing out. The other four ponies looked at him surprised, Hard Scotch was always capable of keeping his liquor, even Luna knew this and he beat her in a drinking contest, she had such a hangover. After gathering what they needed, everypony soon returned to town, hard scotch snored on Thorns back, while Luna took a swig of dragons piss, she puckered her lips after tasting the bitter drink. ‘Buck that's stout, whoever created this drink has a strong pallet’ of the many things she and her team salvaged, they managed to find a crate of Dragons piss deciding to keep this bottle for her. She came to the decision that she’d part ways with half the crate to the militia and the other half to the royal guard, of course Celestia wouldn't agree to it. She had ways to convince her sister.

Luna was about to take another drink when she spotted the hooded stallion out of the corner of her eye, she looked at the rest of her team and called out “go on ahead, i’ll catch up!” Snappshot gave a nod and continued towards the carriage with the mares and Scotch in tow.

Heading over to the figure, who in turn moved towards an alleyway, the two finally met, out of sight from the rest of the town, Luna started demanding answers. “Spill it stallion whoever you are, why are you following me!?”

For a moment there was no reply, then he spoke “there is more than meets the eye your highness, i found him”

Luna looked at him curiously “found who!?”

Another slight pause “an important figure, i can't say more here! What I can say is the Equestrian Elite are throwing a victory party in ponyville today!”

Luna raised her brow, her interest peaked, ever since she found out about the Equestrian Elite, she was appalled at what they did: slavery, assassinations, murder, fraud, tax hikes, foalknapping, rape and many other charges. Luna made it her mission to put an end to this organization, now they’re in ponyville for some victory party, what she didn't know. Her question would give her an answer though.

“Why are they in ponyville-” she asked the stallion “-whats so important about the town?!”

The stallion began to explain “the Elite believe ponyville is blemish to Equestria, it holds one of the apple farms in the nation and holds a prominent trade of zap apple jam. Not only that, her Highness Celestia holds the town in high regard, viewing it as a town not only in diversity, but as a town of friendship. The Elite see ponyville as a threat, but recently my ‘contact’ informed me of a party, for some sort of victory. I tell you this, because my contact is planning to assault the place at night. The place is called the Ruby manor and word is high targets of the elite are supposed to be there!”

The name made Luna do a double take “the ruby manor, one of my agents is there, Turbulent spear, i tasked him to get information on the Elite in that place”

“Turbulent spear-” the stallion replied in question “-isn't he the pony who can't keep his cock in his sheath?!”

Luna nervously chuckled “(clears throat) uuuhhh yeah, he is”

She saw the stallion slowly nod, then questioned him “i never got your name? Who are you and why tell me all this”

The stallion looked around as if someone was watching “not hear you Highness, as we speak spies move against both of us! I’ll give my name in due time, in three days meet me at the castle of the two sisters-” he turns to leave “-make sure you're not followed! Until we meet again” before Luna can get a word in edgewise he disappeared into the shadows, she stood there for a moment in thought. ‘First the equestrian elite, then these dark creatures, now the possible existence of humans and other races! What in the whole wide world of equestria is going on!?’ she shook her head, preventing herself from going insane ‘one thing at a time!’ she thought, before heading out to catch up to her team.

Author's Note

Here it is chapter 6, let me know what you think, please R&R and comment below, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Who is this shady stallion and what does he know and these tracks, who do they belong to and what are these amulets found on the ship. All will be explained in due time, Please give a shout out to Baysick for allowing me to use his oc.