"Is she alright?",called a voice in a hushed tone.

Shuffling and hoofsteps were heard. Slowly Night Caster opened her eyes to reveal four alicorns and a stallion. She was in the hospital, again.

Night Caster sat up, looking at the star of power on her flank. A symbol used in black magic, naturally it was her special talent.

At that moment a pegasus in the royal guard's uniform burst into the room. He saluted to Shining.

"Private Dasher requesting permission to speak, sir!", he said.

"Permission granted. What is it?",asked Shining.

"Griffins are attacking, trying to get to the princesses.", said the pegasus.

Shining and Night Caster both stood up. They looked at each other, silent agreement going between them. Shining had taken to Night Caster well. She had become as much as a student to him as she was to Luna. That was months ago by now.

"Get to the Armory, I'll get them in the Chamber of Elements", said Shining to Night Caster who was already running out the door.

Luna looked at Shining. Shining sighed and gave the go-ahead to Luna. She ran out the room after her student.

********

Night Caster strapped on the armor with the help of Luna, the night guard enchanted armor molding itself to her body. Luna wore a revised version of her royal regalia, her crown replaced with a helmet with her starry mane flowing out the top. Her chest plate wore her royal symbol, different from the regular night guard. Her slippers replaced with the night guard boots. All of the armor gleamed with an odd color due to the black metal. The two grabbed weapons. Night caster grabbed 10 forked knives; whereas, Luna grabbed a long sword that seemed to radiate a magical aura.

"Ten?", asked Luna.

"I found it easy to focus on knives and it's better protection than a sword, attacking several enemies at once.", said Night Caster evenly.

Luna smiled, knowing that her student basically lived in the Everfree forest as a child back in the old town she lived in. Sacrificial knives were one thing, but in the forest, knives meant protection. She wondered how many her student had before she met her.

They stepped out the Armory, closing it behind them, hearing it lock out intruders. They ran into battle.

Bloody carcasses littered the ground. The sickly sweet release of blood among others was in the air. Battle roared in the ears of the student and princess. A griffin flew down towards the two. Luna ducked underneath it and butted upward. Another charged Night Caster. Night Caster smiled, horn glowing. The griffin charged, gold claws gleaming. Suddenly two of the ten knives flew from underneath her armor and dug into the griffin's chest with a crunch. Luna was flung downward as Night Caster removed the knives. Those same knives were then flung upward and ripped through the griffin's wings. The griffin fell as Luna and Night Caster were headed away. A ungraceful splat was heard that neither chose to acknowledge at the moment. The two ran on. By the end of the night the griffins retreated. Luna and Night Caster returned to the others showered in the blood of the griffins. They racked up a personal body count of a hundred and seventy three. They removed the armor and went up to Luna's room. Later Celestia saw them both curled up in her bed. A book in Luna's lap. Celestia smilied and returned to her rooms and the sun slowly rose to greet a new day.

*******

Night Caster woke up to see Luna pacing the room in her armor. She noticed battle scars of the night before on Luna's side. Night Caster got up and walked to her mentor, suddenly aware of the fact that she was in her personal quarters.

"You're awake, good", Luna said and sat down at a table with a glowing map of Equestria on it,"Now you can help me with the battle strategy we'll use."

Night Caster nodded and sat. She levitated over one of the knives she used the night before and inspected the material.

"Imperial Onyx. Rarest metal in the world. It will cut through anything. The forked blade makes it more lethal. You chose a wicked weapon, Night. Ten is near impossible to manage and yet you use it with ease. This will be good for training, a mind that can focus on many things at once", said Luna.

Night Caster only nodded. They set out a battle plan. Sheets of rain battered outside and thunder rumbled. The room was dim and there was a covered window. Night Caster looked up to see the candle illuminating the little light in the room. The flame was black and radiated a blue glow. This shocked Night Caster and Luna smiled.

"Anti-candles. Only those of the night can see its glow. Otherwise, they would only see darkness. I know you can see", said Luna,"We'll discuss this later. Lets go."

Night Caster strapped on her armor and grabbed her weapons. Battle had begun again.

Author's Note

First Chapter! I'm gonna revise if my editor says I need too. I'll put a '(Edited)' by the chapter name afterward. Thanks so much for reading!!!

Shout out to my editor! JL-Hero!!!