The Moon's Shadow

Chapter 13

This was exactly the chance she had been waiting for. It showed in her rapidly quickening pace as she nearly galloped through the nearly empty halls of the castle. It had only been two minutes since she left her sister, but it felt much longer than that. As she galloped, a multitude of thoughts ran through her mind, most of which were focused upon Nightmare Moon. Were the guards ready for such a task? Were they capable of potentially handling an alicorn in combat? If so, could they handle Nightmare? She didn’t know any of this though, even as she thought very carefully on it. The longer she would, the faster she began to move. The mare’s only other concern came in the form of the Solar Guard she had requisitioned as well. She couldn’t help but be concerned about it either, as these ponies were loyal to her sister. The question was though, exactly how loyal were they? Would they follow her orders exactly and keep their mouths’ shut regarding their mission? Or would they blab about it to her sister, saying that Nightmare Moon actually was alive? What was she to do?

In that very last second as she pushed the main door to the castle open, it finally dawned on her. It was in that moment where an idea popped into her head as to what she could do and it made her very happy to think about it. Especially as she laid her eyes on the lines of guards now standing at attention for her. The group had a mixture of batponies, unicorn, pegasi and earth ponies in it. Adding onto it, she could even see the mixture of her guard’s bluish purple armor and the Solar Guard’s golden armor. Adding onto this, she was also impressed at the sheer number that had gathered for Emerald. She was impressed.

“Well done, Emerald,” Luna announced as she fluttered gracefully over to the unicorn in an attempt to save a moment. “In record time too, I’m impressed. How did you do it?”

“Simple, Lieutenant Shield Breaker lent me his airhorn,” Emerald snickered, as a few of the guards simply rubbed their heads very slowly.

“Shield Breaker?” Luna inquired, “Who is he?” From the ranks of the royal guard a single unicorn stepped forth. He was a very capable looking young grey unicorn with blue eyes. Even given his rank, he appeared rather young yet he had quite an air of determination about him. Upon stepping out of the ranks, he bowed politely to Luna with a smile on his face.

“Lieutenant Shield Breaker of the Solar Guard,” he began, “Second only to Shining Armor and trained personally by him as well. When he’s not around, I am in charge of the Solar Guard.”

“’Tis a pleasure to meet you, Sir Shield Breaker,” Luna smiled as she took a moment to glance him over still. She studied his mannerisms for just a single moment, observing every detail of how he carried himself. While he was a young stallion, he also seemed rather confident. On top of that, she could even see the pure loyalty he had to the princesses and Canterlot. ‘A really good soldier...I wish I had found him first.’ she considered, before he took a step back into the line up. ‘Celestia is very lucky to have him...’

“I bet many of you are wondering why I called for a rally,” Emerald stated as Luna took a place right next to him. This received a collective nod from the Solar Guard as they looked upon one another in their confusion. They were in fact wondering why he had called for a rally. “It is because we are facing a crisis,” he continued, “One that the Lunar Guard simply cannot handle themselves.” This caused a collective gasp from the Solar Guard as well as a collective glare directed at Emerald for even saying such a thing. It only made him chuckle very softly in response.

“Hey! What about our training!?” One of the Lunar Guards argued. This came much to Emerald’s own dismay, as he frowned ever so slightly before beginning to approach the guard that had spoken out against him. This particular guard had been a unicorn, one who didn’t even flinch as his superior began to approach. The reason he was so confident however was merely due to his size in comparison to the green unicorn. That was, at least until he came face to face with him. Then he was met with possibly the most intimidating glare he had ever received in his life. It sent chills up his spine, causing him to literally quake in his own horseshoes.

“Your training was effective...” Emerald whispered, his voice holding back quite a bit of malice, “But...you are still a new recruit. You have no field experience and on top of that, this particular enemy is very dangerous.” The tone of his superior’s voice was relatively unnerving. He had never heard such a calm, yet intimidating voice before in his life. It was enough to make him take a step back. “This enemy has a power like you wouldn’t believe...she could very well kill you if she desired.” Emerald paused a moment, allowing the reality of the situation sink into the individual guard. “Your training isn’t enough right now and aside from the obvious lack of numbers. That’s why we called upon the Solar Guard too. We need their assistance. Do I make myself clear?”

“C-crystal, sir,” he saluted, while quaking at the very same time. This had been the very first time in his life that anypony had ever frightened him. It only made the stallion wonder if he had made the appropriate choice in joining the guard. Especially the Lunar Guard, considering just how intimidating the captain was. On top of that, the Princess in charge also seemed just as frightening. It was too late for regrets and far too late for him to take back his decision.

“Good,” Emerald smiled, “Next time you talk back to me though...you will be punished severely.” The smile itself seemed harmless enough as he began to take a couple steps back to return to Luna’s side. He couldn’t even imagine exactly what kind of punishment he’d be forced to undergo considering whom it was.

The entire time this had gone on, Luna had sat quietly observing it. It made her snicker very quietly, having to actually cover her mouth to hide the pure and simple fact that she was enjoying the sight unfold. Even if it was for just a single moment, she rather enjoyed seeing the look on the larger stallion’s face when Emerald approached him. She even enjoyed watching his confidence vanish in half a second from the unicorn. It was all too perfect for her, it even showed her the bit of weakness that was still apparent in her guards. That was something for another time though.

“Now! Your princess wishes to address you!” Emerald announced, stomping a hoof on the ground. “Listen closely for your task!”

“Thank you Captain Emerald,” Luna smiled as she shifted her gaze over to all of the guards that stood before her. Arguably she appeared a tiny bit nervous and rather worried upon the reaction she’d receive when she delivered the news. She didn’t want to, but she had no real choice. She couldn’t let Nightmare Moon run free, otherwise it would only lead to more issues with her sister and that was something she didn’t want. “As many of you have heard, there is a thief in Canterlot,” she began, “However, this thief isn’t an ordinary thief. What many of you probably haven’t heard is the fact that this thief has been slipping in and out of the shops without even leaving a single trace of their presence. Or should I say...her presence?” she cleared her throat, taking the opportunity to think about what she was going to say next. She didn’t want to give out too many details about the mare in question as she was positive they would figure out exactly who it was. “According to intelligence reports, we are dealing with a mare. She should have a long, purple mane with a very dark coat.”

The description she had given caused Emerald to send a glance at Luna. He looked a bit worried as he shifted his glance back toward the line up. He could see they had begun to question exactly who they were talking about. While at the same time he could even see the batponies just standing quietly, almost as if they knew instinctively whom they spoke of. He did know he could trust them on this matter though, considering just how much they seemed to look up to the princess.

“Your orders are simple,” Luna explained, “You are to find this mare, find out where she’s staying and common places she goes to. After which, you are to inform Emerald or I directly! You do not go to my sister, you do not write a report on this!” she demanded, “And most important of all! You are not to talk about this either! Whether you find her or not! Is that understood?” As she gave this speech, her voice became even more demanding and serious with each word. At the very end she even stomped her hoof. “Batponies and Pegasi will take to the skies! Make a record of anything strange you see in the skies as well as the ground! The rest of you will split up into groups of three, at least one unicorn to a group at the minimum. You are to make records of ANYPONY you meet or see!” She gasped, having to actually take a moment to catch her breath. This showed the very serious and somewhat frantic nature of their mission. “And most of all, if anypony seems suspicious, you are to FOLLOW them! Do not engage them at all! You have my permission to do as such to discover where they are going.”

“Yes, princess!” all of them saluted, before moving out. Batponies and pegasi took flight, while the remainder of the guard galloped out of the open gate.

“Hold it!” Luna called out, pointing a hoof in the direction of Shield Breaker. The unicorn froze in place, asking as if she was pointing at him. He seemed confused at first as he approached the princess again. “You’re with us, Shield Breaker.”

“W-what?” he asked, “I-I am? Why?”

“You’re a defensive-type caster, right?” Luna responded with a question of her own. Even if she could already assume that he was. Especially considering he had been trained by Shining Armor.

“O-of course!” he stammered, “Although I’m nowhere near as good as Captain Shining Armor. I’m better with breaking defenses than anything.”

“Well, the fact still remains...” Luna said, “You CAN create barriers...” Shield Breaker only nodded in his response. He couldn’t really do much else aside from just stand in place and listen to the princess. “And I need you with us tonight.” On the inside he felt a mixture of emotions he couldn’t quite understand. He wanted to jump for joy on one hoof, but on the other he was also very concerned as to why an alicorn of all ponies would need him with the Captain of the Lunar Guard. Couldn’t she cast barrier spells simply enough? Or better yet, couldn’t her captain cast the spells? It left him scratching his head, but none the less he accepted. Overjoyed at the simple prospect of being with them. “Plus...I also need you to help me coordinate the Solar Guard too.”

“I’ll try not to disappoint you, Princess,” he saluted, earning a very soft smile from Luna.

“Please...just call me Luna,” she added as she began to walk to the gate. “Now, let’s move out!”

It wasn’t the first time he had felt this exhausted and sore before, but it had been a long time since he felt like it. He could feel the ache in his wings as the breeze began to die down and he descended upon the streets of Canterlot. This hadn’t been the first time he had to fly into the city either, but he rather enjoyed the journey this time as it had been rather peaceful for him. The stallion’s hooves clicked against the stone of the streets as he touched down, feeling the great deal of relief on his wings as he did. His legs felt a bit stiff and overall he felt a bit chilly at the same time, but it was all fairly manageable as he glanced around the streets.

‘That’s strange...’ he thought, as his eyes shifted all over the street. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw shadowy figures. Many of them moving very swiftly. Most of which were barely visible with the present amount of light. It unnerved him to see these figures, especially considering they were hardly visible even with the street lamps providing a bit of light. They all just seemed to move from one shadow to the next, making them even harder to track with his eyes alone. It wasn’t until he began to walk that he finally caught a glimpse of everything. What he saw however, only worried him even more. For a brief instant, as they slipped beneath a street lamp he saw them. They moved swiftly, almost to the point where he hadn’t seen them, but he did.

Three ponies, two earth and one unicorn. All of which were clad in the traditional armor of the Lunar Guard. Normally, Silver wouldn’t be worried very much about this type of thing as it could be attributed to training. What worried him however was the fact that it was occurring all over the particular street he was on. Counting at least three, maybe four groups of ponies sneaking in and out between alleyways in groups of three as if they were looking for something. ‘Not good...’ he speculated, wondering exactly what was going on.

Silver wouldn’t have very much time to wonder about it though as in the second he began to move his hooves, he felt his body growing much lighter. It was only for just a second though as he felt a sudden pressure upon his back before he began to tumble through the streets. Around his neck, he felt rather strong hooves. To make it worse, they were tight. Not too tight to where he may suffocate, but enough to where he simply couldn’t escape. To where struggle was simply meaningless. It was here he cursed his luck, before his eyes finally shifted down to what had grabbed him.

“Don’t move...” the individual hissed, while the voice was rather calm it was also extremely frightening to listen to. The breathing seemed a bit raspy as it left the pony’s mouth. How had he not detected this individual? It was abnormal that he could hardly feel this pony’s presence. It was almost as if they had come out of the darkness itself to pounce on him. To top it all off, they were far stronger than he was, but he did have one thing they hopefully didn’t. Magic. Silver’s horn lit up in a very bright and brilliant flash and before the pony even knew it. He was pinned down against the stone.

“You should really be more careful about whom you--” Before he could finish though, he felt even more weight upon his body as from several directions ponies appeared. ‘Oh...horsefeathers...’ he cursed as he glanced around at them. Silver saw very clearly that most, if not all of them wore the Lunar Guard armor. He recognized it very clearly, even in the mostly dark environment by the simple shape of it. When he looked at these ponies, he slowly glanced down at the one he had pinned beneath his hoof. ‘The Lunar Guard, huh? They’re pretty good...even after two weeks.’ he snickered, before lifting his hoof up to release the guard. “There....I’m on your side, see?”

“If you are on our side...why did you retaliate?” the previously pinned pony inquired,

“Why did you use such force against me?” Silver posed in response, having to clear his throat. “I was simply defending myself.” This was only followed by a few moments of silence as they all stood quietly. Some of them sent glances in-between one another, as if looking for answers. All the while the pony that had tackled him just stood quietly, gazing directly at the alicorn with his fierce, glowing yellow eyes.

“I thought you were another,” he said, “Apologies...um...?”

“Silver Crescent,” Silver added, with a grin. “And judging by the slight glow of your eyes...and your immense strength...” he trailed off, taking a seat on the stone for a moment. “You’re a batpony.”

“Well done...” the batpony hissed, sending a few glances to the group that had gathered. This told them to go back to work. “Why, dare I ask are you flying into Canterlot at this hour? Do you even know how late it is?”

“No, I don’t,” the alicorn rolled his eyes. The sarcasm clear in his voice, but even with it the batpony didn’t quite understand the tone he was using. Seeming to tilt his head slightly.

“Its almost one in the morning, good sir,” the batpony said, “And there is a thief about...which is why tackled you once you landed.” At first it caused Silver to simply facehoof, slowly shaking his head. He wanted to explain what he actually meant to the batpony, but he was afraid that it would take more time than either pony had at the particular moment. However, the mentioning of a thief captured his attention after a second. It caused his ears to perk a bit and tilt his head slightly to the left as he set down his hoof.

“A thief?” he inquired,

“Yes...a thief. The rest of the information is classified however,” the batpony said, “Only available to those that work at the castle.”

‘That still doesn’t explain why the Lunar Guard was deployed...’ Silver thought, ‘Or at least this many of them...’ It was curious for the pony to think of such things, he ran over several possibilities as to why the guard would be deployed, but the more he thought about it the less he actually worried. He trusted the Lunar Guard enough to handle the situation their way. He was certain that Princess Luna would be able to take care of a meager thief. “You know, I could get that information easily,” he affirmed, “I actually do work at the castle.” The batpony tensed up when Silver said this. It only lasted for just a second though as he seemed to relax just as quickly as something else came to mind.

“Then show me your identification, Silver Crescent.” he requested, confident in the fact that he couldn’t possibly be an employee of the castle. This was proven dead wrong however, as from a saddlebag he carried, a badge levitated out and flashed right before the pony’s eyes. This in turn caused his jaw to drop a little bit. This was a badge that was usually given to all those that actually worked at the castle. While the badge was mostly used for show, namely for employees that didn’t work as a member of the guard, but instead worked elsewhere in the castle.

“That good enough?” Silver asked, with his signature grin upon his face as he put away his badge. “I could request for information on the thief if I desired. Especially given I report straight to the Princesses. However, I am far too exhausted to poke and prod for such trivial information...” he yawned, “I’ve been up for sixteen hours straight...may I please now go to the castle?”

“O-of course, sir...” he stammered a little, having gotten quite a good glimpse of the badge. While most of the badges were indeed rather similar, there was something a bit different about his. He knew it wasn’t that common of a badge either, but he knew he saw it somewhere. It made him think, all the while stepping aside for Silver to continue along his path.

The rest of his journey seemed relatively quiet and peaceful to his own senses. While the prospect of a thief did actually concern him quite a bit, he wasn’t exactly scared of just a single pony. He didn’t know whether it was due to how tired he was or what had just happened. Either way, he simply didn’t care right now. The only thing actually on his mind was the prospect of his own bed again. This lack of concern resulted in him failing to notice extremely important thing before reaching the gates. The entire time a certain alicorn mare had been stalking him.