Darkest Darkness

"I don't care!" Shining Armor shouted as he stormed down the halls of Canterlot Castle.  "She could be having an orgy right now, and I'd still interrupt it!"

The pair Royal Guard that trailed after their Captain shared an uneasy look.  "But, sir, wouldn't it be better to simply alert Princess Luna, instead?  Night Court is in session." one of the Guards pleaded.

"Princess Luna will be informed after her sister!  We are Royal Guard, not Night Guard." Shining Armor explained as they came to a stop before two large, wooden doors flanked by two more guards.  "Unlock the door, I have an urgent message for Princess Celestia."

"I-I'm sorry, sir, but the Princess is sleeping." the guard stuttered.

"If you value the life of your family and the security of this nation, you will unlock that door right now, Sergeant!" Shining Armor shouted.

When the guard did not move, Shining Armor began to grab at the key hanging from the guard's neck with his magic, before the heavy lock clicked from the other side of the door.

"Captain Armor, what is the meaning of this?  Why are you shouting?" Princess Celestia questioned, sleepily, as she poked her head out of the door.

"Princess Celestia, may I enter your chambers?  I would not be here, shouting in the dead of night, if it were important enough to go to your sister." Shining Armor explained.

Princess Celestia took a moment to wake herself before giving a curt nod and opening the door wider for him, before closing it behind him as he stepped through the doorway.

"What is so important that it could not be told to my sister, or even wait until morning, Captain?" Princess Celestia asked as she pulled a brush from her desk and began straightening her bed-raggled mane.

Shining Armor closed his eyes and prepared his tongue for what was about to be said as he took a deep breath.  "The Canterlot Vaults have been raided."

Princess Celestia's brush fell to the floor with a loud clunk as plastic hit polished marble.

"...and, in stark contrast to the eye-witness accounts, my client could not have kidnapped that foal from the park bench at twelve thirty-two, because Mr.-" the suited pony paused as he realized that Princess Luna was no longer listening to him; her eyes instead looking past him.

"Night Court will take an adjournment for one hour." Princess Luna announced as her sister stood by the door alongside Shining Armor.  "Guards, please escort the defendant back to the dungeons, and his lawyer to his room."

As the room slowly began to clear until only Night Guards lined the walls in the gaps between windows, Princess Celestia cleared her throat and began walking towards her sister with Shining Armor in tow,

"Forgive me, Luna." Princess Celestia began.  "Had I known I would be interrupting a trial, I would not have done so so abruptly."

"It is fine, sister." Princess Luna said, with a smile, before nodding down at Shining Armor.  "What brings my sister and her Guard Captain to my Night Court?"

Princess Celestia turned her head towards Shining Armor, who nervously cleared his throat before taking a step forward.

"One hour ago, a patrol found four of my Guards murdered inside the Royal Archives." Shining Armor began, before he was interrupted by a dark grey batpony beside Princess Luna.

"Why am I just hearing about this, now?" the batpony began.  "Royal Guards are not supposed to conduct patrols during Night Court without my permission."

"Hold your tongue, Captain." Princess Luna ordered, softly, before nodding at Shining Armor to continue.

"Royal Guard do not conduct patrols during Night Court, but the Royal Guard does guard the Royal Archives at all times.  Your guard found mine murdered, and you were in Night Court, so I was alerted, instead." Shining Armor explained.  "Who was told first is not important.  What is important is, while making sure nothing was stolen, the Night Guard discovered that the seals had been broken on the passageway into the Canterlot Caves."

Princess Luna gave her sister an alarmed look, and Princess Celestia's worried gaze did nothing to calm the Princess of the Night as Shining Armor continued.

"I commandeered two of your patrols and followed the trail all the way to the Vaults, where it was discovered that the only thing missing was..." Shining Armor trailed off, shifting nervously on his hooves as he averted his eyes from Princess Luna's.  "The only thing missing was... Nightmare Moon's armor..."