Night patrol ch 6
By Foxgear
The thunder of hooves shook the ground, the haunting whinnies of their pursuers echoed in their ears. How they asked, have things changed so fast, once they hunted and took whatever they wanted; now they were the ones being hunted.
"Somebody help us!" An ogre screamed as he tripped on a tree root, his companions running off without him. He turned as the bush erupted into a mass of shining white lights, the whinnies turning to a roaring battle cry!
"FOR EQUESTRIA!"
The ogre could barely scream his last breath as the Calvary charge of the Night patrol ran him down, their steel booted hooves crushing bone and flesh.
Running at the head of the herd was an orange mare in a brown Stetson hat. "Don't let 'em get away now! Chase those varmints down!" She ordered, galloping at full speed. Another squad came crashing in from the north, taking down another Ogre. Up above a roaring whinny could be heard as three dark shadows nosedived at the final Ogre, plucking it up and carrying it off into the sky. A distant scream could be heard as the Ogre was returned to earth via airdrop.
"Halt!" The mare ordered, the group stopping on a dime. "Turnabout and return home, we're done tonight, good jobs boys! Hail Luna!"
"Hail Luna!" Her comrades replied dispersing into the woods, Applejack looked up and waved as the shadows of the Shadowbolts passed overhead. Smiling proudly Applejack trotted home.
-break
At the castle of the two sisters, things were busy, construction and remodeling were underway as builders made new barracks and added more lower levels to the castle, tunnels were dug out the side of the nearby riven for air deliveries and landing zones for the Shadowbolts. Outside hundreds of raw recruits were put through the ringer as they were trained to be Night Patrol ponies. Looking at it all from above was Princess Luna, Princess of the night, and Leader of Night Patrol. She was amazed the progress they had made in only six months after her visit to her sister in Canterlot.
After recruiting the inventor pony Gadget and his Daughter Dusk, Luna sent out word to all ponies across the Equestria, asking them to join her cause. She expected a few clans to join, but she didn't expect the herds, upon herds of ponies to arrive at her doorstep, so soon after making the call. Lucky for them winter was upon them, and whether pony or dark creature of the forest, most critters don't venture out in the snow. This meant they had plenty of time to train the new recruits and when the snow began to thaw, and the creatures roused from their deep slumber by the warmer weather, her ponies spread out across the land. Establishing communication and trade between the various towns scattered in the country side. Soon patrols were assigned and mobilized and their work begun. Though they lost a few ponies here and there, their work and sacrifice could be seen, and Equestria was slowly becoming safer for everypony, but that wasn't all Luna was working for, she was looking ahead to the future generations, so she began to teach the fouls of the clans.
"Now can anypony tell me the weakness of a Cyclops?" Luna asked the class of fouls, hooves sprang up, and she took her time deciding who to call on, "Applejazz, you answer?"
"The eye! You kick in the eye, like this!" The little filly demonstrated by jumping on her desk and preforming a flying kick, which sent her flying to another foal, sending them both crashing to the floor.
Luna rubbed her temple at the filly's zealous behavior, "Yes, very good. Next time a worded answer will be enough, also your form needs work. Speak to Rawhide about improving your balance when you kick."
"Yes, princess Luna," Applejazz miserly replied, knowing all of her free time after class was now gone, and replaced with hours of Rawhide telling her, "Nope, do it again," Such fun times.
"Now who can answer…?"
"They're back!" An excited foal yelled pointing out the window at the returning Patrols. The class began to buss with excitement and Luna knew it would be impossible to get them back on track.
Sighing she dismissed the class, "You are all free to go, but I want you all to do reports about what creatures the patrols encountered for tomorrow."
"Ok, Princess Luna!" The class replied before they all dashed out in a flash of colors. Luna turned and began erasing the chalk board, when she felt a presence lingering in the room.
"Aren't you going to with them Dusk?" Luna asked the little Unicorn filly. This was not the first time this has happened, it has almost become their own strange routine, which she secret enjoyed a bit too much at times when her other duties called for her attention.
Like every day before Dusk shook her head and moved to the front of the classroom. Eagerly waiting for what she called "Special super awesome advance studies" or "Luna Time", unfortunately there wasn't time today.
"I'm sorry Dusk, but I'm needed elsewhere today." Luna quickly looked away, to avoid the filly's soul shattering look of sadness and disappointed, if Luna dared to look the filly in the eyes, she would be wrapped around her hoof in a second.
"Its fine Princess Luna," Dusk said sadly, "I'll just go home and be alone."
"Well it's not like anything is stopping you from making friends Dusk," Luna answered, keeping her faced turned away, "I'm sure Applejack would be more than happy to share her stories with both you and Applejazz. The thing about friendship is taking that first step to make it."
"But how can I fit in if I don't have family member out on patrol?
This made Luna turn her head at the filly, "Dusk, what your father does is important, he may not be out on the frontlines with the other ponies, but he works hard to ensure they come home safe. I hope you can appreciate that."
Dusk dug her hoof into her desk, avoiding Luna's gaze. Her father had tried to join the patrols, mainly because she pestered him into doing it, since everypony else had a family member in the patrols. Things did not go well. Gadget was simply too old, and well he wasn't fat, he wasn't in shape either, and his years of inventing and blacksmithing had taken quite a toll on his body. The poor Stallion couldn't even gallop for even a few minutes without nearly collapsing.
"I do appreciate it princess, I really do, but most of the others don't see it that way." Dusk sunk into her chair, hiding her face under her forelegs.
"Come on now," Said Luna levitating the filly on to her back. Dusk was about to protest, but Luna leapt out the window before she could utter a word. The princess laughing playfully as Dusk clung to her neck, screaming her heart out. Spotting her target Luna glided down, landing softly in front Applejack, startling the orange mare with her sudden appearance.
"Whoa! Ah thought Ah asked ya you stop doing that!" Applejack fumed, her heart beating a mile a minute.
Luna chuckled at her friend's expense, "I am sorry Applejack, but I am in need of a favor."
"Oh yeah," Applejack asked skeptically, "What kind of favor?"
"Nothing too hard for the captain of the Night Patrol, just a little Foal sitting is all."
"Foal sitting?"
Luna nods, "Yes, I need you watch little Dusk here, Gadget will be working late tonight, and I thought it best that Dusk spend some time with others."
Applejack looked behind Luna's mane at the unicorn filly, remembering the day she and Fury saved her, after that both Fury and her had have little contact with the filly. Seeing the loneliness in her coal black eyes, Applejack could help but say yes.
"Alright, she can come with us; she's looking a little thin anyways. Ah'm sure me and mah kin can fill her up and get her to proper size."
"I'm sure you can," Luna replied, touching her own stomach, which was a little bigger due to the Apple clans many high calorie meals, which were needed for all the work being done. For herself though, Luna was debating between cutting back on her meals or start being more active with the more physical work of the Night Patrol. As much as she wanted to be out on the front with her ponies, somepony had to be here giving orders and directing the workers and other odds and ends that need her attention. Hopefully when the construction is finished she can get some patrol time in, which reminds her. "Oh drat, I forgot I need to go check on Allure's next shipment! Here's Dusk, thank you good bye!"
Catching the Unicorn filly with her fore hoof, Applejack shook her head as Luna flew off into sky disappearing to another part of the castle. She wished the princess would let them take over some of her duties, so she could have some time to herself. That would have to wait for another day, since Applejack had not one, but two fillies to look over tonight.
"Well, let's get going you two, suppers calling." Applejack and Applejazz started walking away, till Applejack noticed Dusk wasn't following them. "Come on Dusk, no need to be a stranger, we're all friends here, right?"
"Friends?"
"Yeah, now get over here, so we can eat."
"Ok!" The Unicorn filly shouted excitedly sprinting after the apples, a smile that hasn't been seen in a long while returning to her face.
-break
Luna soars over the east tower, landing in the courtyard were Allure and her workers were unloading another shipment of gems and ore for the Night patrol's blacksmiths. Tons, upon tons of material were being moved by all races, Unicorn, Pegasus, and Earth pony.
"How are things Allure," Asked Luna touching down in front of the white Unicorn, "Going well I hope?"
After bowing Allure replied, "Exceptionally well actually, you were right Princess about there being gems out in the steppes, buried only a few feet below ground too, it's rather strange really. Not unwelcomed of course, we have so many gems now, we managed to make our tribute to the dragons, get supplies, and have more than enough left over for Mr. Gadget. I dare say at this rate my ponies will in your forges before next winter."
"Very good, Allure, keep up the good work. I must go and check on the construction progress beneath the castle now. I am worried about the foundation, with the extra lower levels being added."
Allure waved her hoof at the princess's worries, "I wouldn't worry princess. Tough hide knows his stuff. Might I suggest you settle down and leave him to his work, you look like you could use some tea and sleep; the circles around your eyes are just dreadful. When was the last time you had full nights…er day's rest?"
Luna tabbed her chin feverishly, "I don't know, two, three, weeks ago? It doesn't matter, another cup of coffee and I'll be good to go." Luna tried to assure the unicorn as her body trembled from the lack of caffeine. Allure gently rubbed her shoulder, the motion, soothing Luna's fried nerves.
"As you friend princess, no Luna, I'm very concerned. Perhaps I could go and check on the construction progress, while you go rest. It would be very unlady like for you collapse on the ground, ponies would panic and raise fuss and I know you don't want to happen right?"
Luna snorted, bursting out in to laughter, drawing confused stares from the nearby workers. "I'm sorry Allure," She apologized wiping a tear from her eye, "It's simply strange for to say fainting is unlady like, when a few decades ago mares wore corsets to be more "Lady-like" and usually fainted do to the fact they couldn't breathe."
"I see, I guess it is rather funny thing to say, given that context," Allure said chuckling a little, "Seriously princess, you really need some sleep."
"I'll… (Yawn) suppose a short nap would be beneficial."
Allure smiles, "Very good…"
"After I check the forges and construction, everypony is working hard, we cannot slack off."
Ignoring Luna's speech slip up, Allure sighed, and decided to stop arguing with the princess. "Fine, but I shall accompany you. A place as dangerous as a construction zone is no place for a sleepy pony to be wondering alone. To be clear princess, one slip up or near accident and it's off to bed for you."
Luna yawned loudly, waving off Allure's threat, "Yes, yes, you're as much a mother hen as Celestia at times Allure." She said walking off; Allure puffed her cheeks with a soft "Humph" and followed after her.
-break
The sounds of hammer and chisel, echoed through the hallowed chambers beneath the castle. Stallions, Earth, Pegasus and Unicorn, worked diligently together to complete their work. It was the sight that Luna held dear to her heart, the three tribes working together. During the Contraction of the Lunar and Solar towers, Unicorns had been the foremen, while the earth and Pegasus did all the heavy lifting, actually that was how must of Canterlot was built. Here though, Unicorns were using their magic to lift heavy objects and hold things and place for their pony brethren, allowing the work to get done faster and safer. It was a truly beautiful sight indeed.
A pony yells, "Heads up!" Allure and Luna quickly trot out of the way as several tons of bricks float past. The two were took a step forward when another worker zoomed passed with some lumber. Third times the charm and they step forward again, only to be blocked by a load of raw metal.
"This is so frustrating! How can we possibly get through?" Asked Allure, Luna gestured for her to step back, Luna's chest expanded filling with air. Allure knew what was coming next and quickly covered her ears.
"BE STILL!" Luna yelled her voice echoing through the noise of construction, everypony froze in place, all eyes turning to the two mares. The mares trot through the shell shocked workers, Luna with her head held high and looking regal, while Allure sheepishly apologized to anypony she pasted.
"A simple task no?" Luna said as they entered the completed section of the forge, the noise of construction resuming behind them.
"I suppose, a little hard on the ears though," Allure chuckles as she rubs her ears, trying to stop the ringing.
The princess and the Unicorn enter the inner sanctum of the workshop, where Gadget was busy working on his inventions. He has been given free rein and more resources then he could ever hope to have and he has made good on his promise to Luna to improve their armor and weapons. Gadget said he would revolutionize the way ponies live and recently he sent a message to her, saying he made a break though. Luna was sure what to expect.
"What is this thing?" Luna asked placing her hoof on the gaint black metal contraption Gadget had made. The device was three ponies tall and as long as three carriages, with a big cylinder body with some wheels and some sort of smoke stack. "Is it some sort of vehicle?"
"I call it a train!" Gadget declared proudly, appearing between the two mares, covered in dirt and grime. Allure quickly stepped away, Luna stayed.
"A train? What does it do?" Luna asked, fascinated by the big black machine.
Gadget flips open the side of the cylinder, revealing a number of gears and other mechanical thing with several gems floating in some sort of magical field. The unicorn patted the side of the machine lovingly.
"This beauty here moves along preset tracks, pulling tons of cargo and can move at speeds of sixty miles per hour; these gems can power it up to eighty horse power. I call it the iron horse." Gadget shouts dramatically. "We have a test track set up if you want to try out princess. Care for a ride?"
Luna leaps into onto the platform before he could even finish, dragging Allure with her, "Sound exciting, let's go."
"Alright all aboard!" Gadget shouts leading them to the Engineers room. Pulling some levers, the train rumbles to life, the gems inside begin to spin turning the gears and sprockets. The wheels begin to move and pull out onto the test track; Gadget blows the whistle as they chug along slowly. As he begins to adjust the controls, Luna pulls the whistle again.
"Sorry, princess, but I need to focus; this is my first time running this thing."
"You're joking right?" Allure asked him, a slight panic rising in her voice.
"Nope, in fact I just put in the final pieces on a few hours ago."
"What?"
"Oh this will be such fun!" Luna declares pointing her hoof into the air, wearing some strange hat on her head that read conductor.
The train rumbled as hot steam shot out of the stack, the needles on the gages bounced as they began to pick up speed. "Here we go!" Gadget shouts as they hit 25 mph, taking the first turn on the test track. The G force sent the Allure crashing into Luna who had her head out the window, watching the scenery pass by as they entered the forest behind the castle and turned onto a straight away.
"Faster!" Luna shouted excitedly.
"You got it princess!" Gadget yelled over the engine noise, hitting the throttle, the speedometer jumped to 50 mph, the steel wheels squealing against the tracks. They hit a hill, reducing speed, but climbing with little trouble, Allure screamed as they went down, butterflies fluttering in her stomach as they leveled out.
"Could we please slow down?" She asked, not liking the ride one bit.
"Your right, good time to test the brakes," Gadget said, "There's a turn up ahead anyway. We can't take them any faster than 25 mph or she'll tip over."
"She?"
"The train!" Gadget answered.
"Why is it a she?"
"It just sounds right!"
Luna coughed getting the twos attention, "I'd hate to interrupt, but there is the small matter of a turn and at our current speed, I believe you said it would be too fast correct?"
Gadget turned to the meter, reading 60 mph! "Oh buck!" Gadget yanked on the brake leaver, sparks flew as the wheels come to a grinding halt. The needle took a nose dive, but they were still going over twenty five miles per hour when they took the turn. The train lurched to right, sending them all flying into the wall in one large pony pile.
"Ahhhh I can't believe this how I die!" Allure cried. A loud "Boom" could be heard from the front of the train as one of the power gems exploded, blowing the side of the train and tipping it back onto its wheels.
Gadget quickly scrambled to the controls and began madly pulling leavers. "The gems are overheating; she'll blow if we don't stop her and cool her down!" He yelled as hot steam from the engine blew his face. The train slowed a crawl, but the engine was still running, the heat of the gems making the steel glow orange. "We got to go!" Grabbing Allure, Gadget jumped out of the train, while Luna took to the sky.
"What do we do? That much magical energy could blow up everything within miles!" Allure screamed as they ran from the train.
"Where's the princess?" Gadget asked noticing her absence. A dark shadow rolled over them as black clouds formed overhead.
"There she is!" Allure pointed to the eye of the storm, where Luna with glowing white eyes, directed the clouds. Thunder roared as a heavy rain fell on the train, cooling it to non-critical levels. Once the metal stopped glowing, Gadget levitated the power gems out of engine, disabling the train, Luna touching down next to him.
"I'm sorry princess, seems I messed up."
"Nonsense Gadget, your invention worked fine, plus I doubt this would have happened if I hadn't been urging you on, correct?"
Gadget dug his hoof into the soaked earth, "Well I wouldn't have pushed to top speed so soon, but still…"
"Enough," Luna said, "it just needs some fine tuning, adding a bigger water source might help, don't get discouraged my friend, Roam wasn't made in a day and no invention is with its risk."
"Your right, I guess I'll just have to look into some improvements." Gadget looked at smoking remains of his invention, thankful this had just been a test and Luna had been here, otherwise somepony might have gotten hurt. "So I have some other inventions ready to test if you'd like to see them princess."
Luna stifled a yawn, "No thank you, we have had quite enough excitement for one day. We wish to retire for the night."
"I'd say so, you're back to the 'we' speak again," Gadget pointed out with a chuckle, causing the princess to blush, it wasn't her fault, it was just a habit!
"So you say, come Allure, let us return to the castle."
"Thank goodness, I am in need of a bath," Gadget and Luna both chuckle at the Unicorn's comment, she was drenched from head to hoof from the rain. One of the down sides to having white coat was it was so easy to get it dirty. All the dust on Allure was now wet and showed much more clearly, Luna wondered how Celestia keep her coat so clean all the time.
Luna sighed tiredly as she thought of her sister, Celestia, who she hasn't talked to in six months. She couldn't think of a time they've spent any time longer than a few weeks apart from each other. What made it even worse was, they weren't even exchanging letters, and not one time since their talk has Celestia written to her. Of course she hasn't either, but she has been busy getting the Night patrol set up and many other things, there has barely been time to sleep. Let alone write a letter.
Luna supposed she could have one of her… hmm what should she call her night patrol guards? They weren't her servants, they volunteered to help her, they were her subjects, but she felt closer to them than that, almost like family… family yes, they were her family, her ponies.
Satisfied with her label, Luna got her thoughts back on track. She supposed she could have one of her ponies write and deliver a letter to Celestia, but that felt too impersonal. Though meeting face to face after just a long time would be awkward and she really didn't want to go to Canterlot again, six months away from that place wasn't long enough in her option.
"That's it!"
"What's it princess?" Allure asked startled by the princesses' outburst. She had been so quiet on their way back to the castle; Allure was starting to get worried.
"I ah… I wish to send a letter before I retire for the night Allure. Let's us go get quill and paper with haste!"
Allure blinked, "Ok… if that is what you want, but it's right to bed after words, you really need your sleep."
"Yes, of course." Luna waved her off as she excited trotted into the castle. This was going to be perfect!
-break
Meanwhile in another part of the castle Applejack had her hooves full dealing with Dusk and Applejazz. The orange mare thought it would be easy to watch two fillies, given how shy the Unicorn had been earlier, but she was proven wrong as Dusk showed Jazz new ways to have "Fun", as she puts it.
The Unicorn filly was popping in and out everywhere via teleportation spell, dragging Jazz along for the ride. They'd hop from one room, tp another, sometime in midair at the top of the ceiling and they'd freefall for little bit, before disappearing again. Needless to say it wasn't any good on Applejack's nerves as she chased after them.
"You too get back here before yawl get hurt!" She yelled, brushing past several Apple Clan members and night patrol ponies. "Applejazz, you stop right now!" The red filly turned and gave her cousin a raspberry. Applejack's cheeks burned red. "That' it!" Glowing orange Applejack stomped her forelegs on the stone floor. "I said stop!" A wall of stone spikes grew in front of the fillies, blocking the hallway. Dusk faltered in her casting and the two fillies came to a sudden halt.
"Um… hi?" Dusk greeted nervously as Applejack stood over both of them, looking just a mite annoyed, no scratch that furious.
"Ah think it's time for bed."
"Aww" was the fillies' response, but Applejack was having none of it and dragged them off to their rooms, which were on the way to hers. The castle was set up with the princess at the top in her usual chambers with the leaders of each Night patrol Division on the same floor, which included not only Applejack, but Sixes who was in charge of the Shadowbolts, Gadget ran the research division, Rawhide was the Heavy infantry and training leader, and a Pegasus pony named Firefly ran the rangers, Night patrol ponies stationed at towns and outposts across Equestria.
"Good night you two, now stay out of trouble," Applejack ordered closing the door to Gadget's room, Dusk and Jazz begged her to let them have a sleep over and she was too tired to put up much of fight against them.
Trotting past the princess's room, Applejack spotted Luna out on the balcony, and decided to say good night.
"Hey, Luna, ya going to hit the sack tonight?" Applejack asked as she approached the princess.
Luna turned to face her, quill and paper floating in her magic. "Oh hello, Applejack, I am planning to turn in as soon as I send this letter."
"To who?"
Luna tapped her hoof on the floor, "To Celestia, I wish to reconnect with her."
"Well that's great! I hope things work out between you two, it's hard dealing with family at times, but their worth the trouble."
"I suppose you are correct," Luna looked at her note, "I'm nervous though. We were not kind to each other the last time we were together."
"Your sisters, everything will be fine, Luna." Applejack assured her, Luna smiles and rolled up the letter, sealing it with a blue ribbon and her seal.
"You are right Applejack; we both have time to cool our heads. Everything will be fine." The letter was engulfed in blue and disappeared into a plume of blue smoke, traveling towards Canterlot. "There it is done. Now we must wait."
There was poof of pink magic and a scroll dropped to the ground.
"Well that was quick," Said Applejack. Luna however looked concerned. "What's the matter?"
"This seal it isn't Celestia's."
"Then whose is it's?" Applejack asked looking over the seal, which was a musical note of some sort.
Luna picked up the scroll with her magic, "It's from our cousin in the crystal empire, Princess Symphony. I wonder what she wants?" Luna unrolls the scroll and reads it a loud.
Dear Princess Luna
Princess Symphony orchestra, here by invites you plus one to the crowning of her daughter, Princess Mi amore Cadenza in the Crystal Empire in three days. We hope to see you.
Luna couldn't find the words to say, has she been so busy that she missed the birth of Symphony's child?
"You ok Luna?" Applejack asked, but Luna didn't reply. She just stared at the letter, wondering if Celestia had known and not bothered to tell her. No, no Celestia would ever do something so cruel, but surely Celestia has been informed as well?
"Luna?"
Luna shook away her brewing thoughts, "Sorry Applejack, I'm just tired. Goodnight, sweet dreams and all that. Um by the way have you ever heard of the crystal empire?"