A War of Desperate Measures

Chapter 1:

New Assignment

Waking up, I look around my room. "Ugh...my head hurts." I sigh and swing my hooves off the bed, standing up and dropping to all four. I look to the clock and see that it is four p.m. and that I should probably get ready to go see Celestia. I go into my bathroom and splash cold water on my face, quickly returning into my main sleeping quarters. As I walk to my closet to retrieve my armor a note that had been slid underneath my door catches my attention. I groan and pick it up with my mouth, take it to my desk, and begin to read it.

Lieutenant Dash,

Princess Celestia requests that you disregard her previous orders of meeting in her chambers. She now requests that you meet Princess Luna in the Royal Gardens a half hour before sundown. She shall have your new assignment ready for you when you arrive.

signed,

Captain Shining Armor

I sigh and go back to my closet to get my armor. I quickly put it on and head to the dining hall. I might as well get some grub before I head off to do this 'new assignment'. Yeah, I'm sure this is gonna be pleasant. I enter the dining hall only to find Shining Armor and Luna sitting there quietly eating together. I go over to them and sit down a couple of seats away. Luna sees me as I sit and smiles.

"Sorry about Celestia earlier...she's been a little on edge as of late due to the fact that there seems to be an army growing in the North. In fact that is why you were to come see me instead of her," Luna tells me shoving a dandelion sandwich and a mug of cider over in front of me.

"Let me guess...scouting mission?" I say raising an eyebrow and nearly drinking the whole mug.

"Not exactly. Shining Armor is going to be doing the scouting tonight. I need you to stay with me. This mission can't happen if we don't have Equestria's fastest flier on it."

"Uh-huh. Not trying to be rude Princess Luna, but can you cut to the chase and tell me what the hay this mission is?" I roll my eyes a bit ready for her to spit it out.

"Umm, yeah. Sorry Lieutenant. Let's move this meeting to the mapping chamber before we continue."

"Fine." I say downing my sandwich and following after them. We make our way to the mapping chamber and quickly go inside. Luna locks the door behind us and soundproofs it entirely so that no possible spies can hear our conversation.

"As I was saying," Luna began. "Shining armor is going to be scouting tonight." She walks over to the map, pointing with a hoof to a location just north of Canterlot. "This will be your starting point Captain Armor. I need you and your scouting team to cover from that point to Lake Neighagra tonight. Report your findings in the morning."

He simply nods and says, "Yes Princess."

"As for you Lieutenant Dash, you and I are going to be doing a little bit of late night sabotage. We have received word from our North Eastern Post informing us that a supply caravan is moving towards The Crystal Mountains carrying what looks to be weapons. Our mission is to find this caravan and take it out."

"Very well. When do we leave Princess?"

"We leave one hour after nightfall. The moon is new and we will have the element of surprise thanks to Twilight teaching me that night vision spell." Shining Armor made his leave after Luna taught him said spell. Her and myself studied the map for a few moments longer, trying to figure out what the best interception route would be. Finally the time had come for us to go.

"Meet me here in twenty minutes Lieutenant," Luna said as we arrived in the gardens. It was now just before nightfall. We had finally figured out how we were going to attempt our attack. Quickly I went back to my chambers, attached my blade to my belt, and grabbed my quiver along with my bow. By the time I reached the Garden I found Celestia and Luna talking while looking at something in the distance. "Umm, Princess Luna I'm here." Both Princess' turn and look at me. Luna smiled and Celestia just gave me a look like 'great, you're late.' Celestia didn't say anything however and just decided to leave. As soon as she was out of earshot I said, "What the hay is her problem? It seems like she's got nothing better to do than give me dirty looks and tell me how horrible of a job I've been doing! I've been doing everything I can. I know I've slacked a bit in the past, but I mean what pony wouldn't working four triples in a row?!" Luna looks at me in bewilderment. "Umm...well, I might have an answer to that question, but it will have to wait. We have to go. Are you ready for me to cast that spell so you can see out there?"

"Yeah, go ahead. At least going out there will give me some time to think. I might even be able to kill something. I haven't gotten to do that in months."