Chipped Shield

Many things would be unknown about "Ground Zero" but many now believe that there were small precursors to the war. One of these was the "DP's" A.K.A Devil's Poison; Timberwolves that were infected by the Outside Realms corruption.

They would hunt in packs and specifically seek out magical beings, we later learned this was due to the corruptions fascination with any beings with magic. This of course led to hunts, a spike in deaths, and the destruction of civilizations if big enough. The main victims of these were small communities and towns.

Whilst there were many tales of the horrible personal experiences and collective deaths there was some consistent story that would resurface through the bloodshed.

Many tales would recite a hero named "Star Night" ironically a knight of the Lunar Branch during the time. It would detail a brilliant warrior basking himself in the light of the moon, using his armored metal wings to reflect light at his opponents causing disorientation. His main way of fighting would be through daggers hidden underneath his feathers.

Many ponies and towns were saved by the pegasus. He would be heralded as a savior in the darkest of nights.

But as history went on, fewer and fewer mentions of the hero went on, sputtering until he was forgotten entirely.

One of his stands would be on a small refugee that was named "Moon's Orbit" now known as Star Night's Bastion.

It would also be considered his last.

Scriptures were vivid in detail. Screams and yells echoed the night as fires burned bright. The sounds of hooves hitting the ground would be scattered, and dirt and grime would bathe pony coats, fur, and buildings. Scratch marks and crimson streaks latched themselves unto the brick and brimstone.

The inhabitants would've died if not for his intervention.

A loud crack fired off as the head of -of whatever that monster was! has crystals as splinters at its snout, it constantly tried to bite off a piece of me as its mouth snarled and barked. It was like crystals were just shoved through its jaw rough and carelessly. Its intrusion was so rough it penetrated the top of its mouth each time it clamped its jagged teeth.

It was like the monster lost control of its self-preservation and just wanted to kill me!

I could hear the wooden door start to crack, it was breaking from the weight and constant slamming. All I could do was shut my eyes and hope it would be swift.

My ears folded as I heard the loudest and biggest wood crack.

Moments pass by before I peek a bit at the scene.

Covered in swirls of green and purple ooze a sole pegasus towered over the doorframe. Looking down I found the head of the monster that was rabid and full of life just seconds ago.

His armor while covered in liquid and bark, shined a bright silver. Panting and looking exhausted he gave a small smile.

I could see his wing dripping with a green viscous liquid, his feathers glistened in the light of the moon. It was clear how he cut the head off.

"You have to get going before more come, take the wagons, survivors will be boarding those."

"Y-yes, of course."

His dark ocean blue coat was matted, and his mane held a light cyan that was losing color. But his eyes, his eyes shined so bright, so full of life. His smile was like a furnace, holding a comforting warmth in a cold blizzard. Lost in focus I recollected myself to see as quickly as he came, he left.

A knock reverberated from the door.

Scowling at the interruption she began to speak. "Who dares disturb me? It better be important!"

"I-I'm sorry your highness! Your nephew Blue Blood requested your presence, even after speaking to him of your availability he insisted it was imperative."

Luna laid on her back, the bed was so comforting. Giving a sigh of frustration she accepted her fate.
'And it was just getting good.'

Putting a yellow bookmark with a star at the top she closed the book. Getting up from her bed she ignited her horn to adorn her shoes, "Where did he request to meet?"

"The Royal Balcony."

That paused Luna as she held her crown. "Verily?" Shaking away the shock she cleared her throat. "Go tell him in haste that I will join him shortly."

She gripped the book of history in her aura with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps there's more to this than a storybook."

Taking it in stride under her wing she began to give stealth enchantments on the book. She couldn't be sure that no other spying nations would learn their interest or the changelings.

Luna's face soured at the internal mention of the race. Her little ponies have become restless at the idea that they could be back. It was imperative that they found a way to check if their status matched who they claimed to be.

Though it was taxing to prove mages and scholars that they were 'real' it was fast work from there. Being able to create a way to detect their real forms by the end of the week. This gave some good news to the princesses and the nation. Though the upcoming headache of meeting rulers face to face was a massive one, it helped they had proof to show validation of their identities. Though she knew some rulers would take suspicions to the newfound spells, they had some basis from older spells. Bits and pieces were taken from the magic that was made to uncover illusions. Though there was some error in the spell.

The main fault of it was that any signs of ancient magic would signal a warning flash. Though Luna did not want to recount the many times she had to even 'prove' she was the real deal.

That didn't worry her however, ancient magic had been long forgotten, it was archaic and powerful, and those who yielded it would die in very gruesome and ironic ways. So most if not all ancient magic casters were long dead.

As Luna kept turning corners and following the red carpet she felt an itch. Her eyes drifted to the book she held. So much history in a mostly historically accurate novel of it. The book was a depiction and account of a tale of Star Night's last fight. Surprisingly from multiple survivors' points of perspective. It was sadly one of the very few credible sources, Luna quickly discovered that finding information about the town's protector was much more taxing than she had assumed. The heroic figure was hardly mentioned other than the typical heroics that were in the Era.

But that's what piqued her interest, though something like this was eventually going to be lost to time, it felt as though it was being hidden on purpose. Luna knew the idea was quite the leap to make from the limited evidence but experience with similar cases showed something very clear. It never felt like something or somepony was fighting her along the way.

Licking her lips she looked around before a devious smile grew. "Maybe a few more pages couldn't hurt."

Her eyes were glued to the words as she began to speak aloud.

"One of the Devlish Creatures lunged at me but from the corner of my eye a swift dark blue streak dashed in front of me."

With a pocket watch in a blue hue, Blueblood was growing impatient.

It had been nearly an hour already.

Taking small glances around the area reassured his worries, the coast was clear. 'So why was Luna taking so damn long?'

Just as his inner temper was about to begin rising the double glass doors opened to the nocturnal alicorn with her nose into a book.

Blueblood snapped in the direction with a less-than-enthusiastic look.

"Luna!"

Lifting her head in lost focus she saw Blue Blood with red around his cheeks.

"No need to be so angry with me nephew, it was only a couple of seconds." She waved a hoof before bringing the book back to her attention.

Blue Blood grabbed the book and pulled it down as he shoved the Pocket watch in her face. "It has been an hour!"

She looked at the trinket before a spark lit in her mind with a face of concern. "Truly? I did not realize."

He just looked at with her a lifted eyebrow. "I assume-" he hovered the book Luna was holding. "This was why you were late?"

Luna lifted her nose into the air. "And if it was?"

Blue just sighed before continuing, "I'm glad you're taking some serious research about this town but I hardly think this is anything but a foal story."

Luna was quick to discredit that sentence. "Ah that's where you're wrong, there is credibility to this book. It just didn't find enough traction to be taken seriously."

He didn't even fight it, accepting the conversation he floated a folder with 'Classified' stamped on it.

"S.M.I.L.E was able to find more about this mysterious pegasus."

Luna gripped the folder, with a spark from her horn she was able to open its contents.

"This 'Chipped Shield' moved there twenty years ago."

That raised an eyebrow from Luna. "Twenty?"

Blue just nodded.

"I assume he has lived there his whole life then-"

Blue did not comment as her eyes read through the intro document. Her eyes grew at the document.

She was surprised, "No confirmed age?"

Blueblood simply nodded before speaking in a dry tone. "You were right to employ my team, no dental records, no property documents from the town hall, not even a birth certificate. Something is wrong, it's like he appeared out of nowhere. Residents don't even know much about him."

Luna was perplexed at how little information she was given, if S.M.I.L.E couldn't find anything-

Blue continued. "It gets even stranger, there were no known family records, not even parents."

Luna tried to make more sense of this, "It's not completely out of the idea for ponies to have stayed within tribes."

Blue came to a snort, "That's the leading theory. One of our agents has a radical idea that we should explore."

Luna tsked. "That will be a problem considering our foreign affairs at the moment."

"That's what I said, it'd be strictly impossible to sneak into territories at the moment with all this hysteria."

Luna side-eyed Blue. "Now I never said that."

His eyes grew. "Are you saying-"

Luna clicked her tongue. "I am not saying anything for now, if this matter becomes bigger I will consider it. I'm sure you've heard of the voyages we will be taking tomorrow.

Blueblood worked his jaw. "Both of you will be gone for two weeks. Are you suggesting I-"

Luna shook her head. "Nay, what I am saying is this will be a mystery we will have to uncover AFTER we recover our global trading status. Snooping in others would be a disastrous play, the news would cripple us after the whole changeling debacle." The word changeling made her want to bite her tongue.

"So for now we should just back off?"

Luna chuckled." Nephew, while you are conniving and brilliant, you are far too green. We monitor the situation for now and wait for more details. While Chip is very fascinating, it should not be our main goal, merely set aside several agents you can spare."

Blueblood frowned. "My agents have their hooves full, sparing even a formal unit would be detrimental. Chasing changelings AND getting resources will spread us thin."

Luna was not deterred. "Your casual number is ten correct?"

He nodded.

"Then put three out. That should not be too hurtful correct?"

Blueblood sighed before nodding. Walking to the door he spoke one last concern "I'm surprised my aunt would be so willing to agree with this use of resources."

"She's not."

Blue stopped.

"She does not entirely believe he should be our focus if at all a part of it. This information will prove useful in showing her otherwise. When the time is right of course."

Blue slowly turned to look at Luna. "And when is it?"

Luna smiled a toothy grin. "When I want to shove it in her fat flank."

Sighing, he continued his walk.