Living Under The Moon Chapter 10 (167-195))

-1 month later.-

"Alright everyone." You called out to the small crew of Pegasi flying behind you. carrying the large crate as a group as you made your way across the night sky camoflaged by a few clouds held by Thunder Lane and one of the other cadets.

"Our job is to drop this package to oour Griffon allies in the Changeling territory." You recap to them as the 6 of you fly through the windy night.

The Changeling territory functioned similar to how earth did with regards to weather.

calm one moment, wild the next.

The ground several miles beneath you was either decayed, plants long dead...or petrified.

"I think we're over the drop sight!" Ditzy called over the crate.

You all came to a stop. above the air.  only noise now was the howling wind.

"Give us a clearing Lane." you tell the black pegasus.

He salutes in return as he nd his partner below you start pulling the cloud into halves giving youDitzy and your third partner a clearingf for descent.

"Move as fast as we can!" You instructed as everyone in the squad started loweing themselves, into the cleared out spots.

There was a Griffon waiting for you and the group.

"Ah...you must be Griffon Commander Spiro."

"Aye" the scottish accent almost caught you off guarda moment "I see you have our package, fine work there Captain..." HE trailed off apparently not having been given your name

"Most have taken to call me Sentry, but I like Anon best"

"Aye, Anon it is then," his beak smiles a bit at you..."Tis quite a shame you won't be going back" this comment makes you uncomfortable.

"Uh. Captain?" Dtzy Doo who had been calling watch the pas minute now dropped down beside you "Something coming!"

And there is where you heard the buzzing.

An ungodly chorus of nasty buzzing unlike anything you've ever heard begins roaring around you as you hear the laughter coming Spiro, moving over you see him suddenly morph in to a small diminutive changeling.

"It's a trap!" Ditzy calls out.

more than a dozen or so Changeling dropped from the sky in a black clouded swarm.

"Okay...." you manage, "Everyone, we've practiced combat...now to put the training into action, no restraints. We gotta get out of here!" You tell the others as a changeling jumps at you. You flip backwards managing to hit him in the chest with two front hooves.  Jumping in the air as two more try to grab you, you're wings keeping you airborne as you manage to spin kick one then the other.

Landing on the floor you manage to watch as everyone is doing their best to hold of the changeling. You manage to grab one head butting them, the clang a reassuring music to your ears.

"Everyone, esape manuevers, now!"

You jump into the air as everyone follows, you know what few Changeling that aren't passed out will follow

"What about the package?!" You hear one of the other pegasi ask as you all manically soar through the air

"We leave it, if any griffon are actuallly there they can make use of it."

-One Return Flight to Canterlot  plus 3 hours later.-

Luna read over your post mission report, a glass of Cider held at her side. "Well, at the very least, it's best knowing that it was a simple care package filled with food and utilities that's been lost."

"It's like a devine force gives me some ungodly amount of dumb luck"

She nods a  little reading over the report further "I'm glad to read that Thunder Lane has straightned out"

"The first  few weeks were rather strenuous though, I will admit."

"The Wonderbolt Academy has a track record for building ego's." she says with a quick sip from her glass "How did it resolve itself.

"Well, "You clear your throat a bit "I'm not entirely proud but, I gave him, 'special training sessions" you told her  "I infomred him that if he wasn't able to work with me he was going to work with someone much worse"

"And his response?"

"He snorted at me, two weeks with Ivory and everything fixed itself."

"That's...at best unreasonably cruel of you"

"So, how did you managed to gain most of their repsect?" She asked curiously"

You reach for your own glass of cider on your side of her desk "Well, oddly enough it resolved itself mostly."

"And how is this?"

"Apparently, Word of mouth is vey, very good way of making yourself more threatening." You smiled more, "Not sure who, but apparently the Nuckelavee thing got known."

"The mission you slept through?"

"Apparently the story's changed so much, I violently slayed it, and strung it up inside a trap laiden temple instead of sleeping through the entire incident while Trixie dragged me through it." You lean back in the bean bag chair "They call me" you take a moment with your hoof moving it in time to the words "Midnight Sentry; Slayer of beast."

"Well it is about time you got a better name to fit in around here." she says filing the paper away. "Anonymous..eh" she shakes her head abit

"Nothing is wrong with that name" you defend yourself a bit  "It's a fine name, lots of fine people use it."

"Well," Luna said "I think your pegasi Guards have earned the rest of the evening off."

"I would agree"

She takes an envelope and hands it to you "By the way, we'll need this form filled out by the end of the night"

Taking the envelope you lok at it "What is it?"

"Order forms" Luna says "You're getting an office in the castle, in two nights."

"My own office?" you're voice  is a little louder than intended "I swear you make me more special than I really am."

"And you try to make yourself less important than you are."

You chuckle a bit "Well, I'll go relieve the pegasi of their duties for the evening."

"Be sure to remind them they're invited to the gala"

"Of course," You get up out of the chair "When is it again?"

"Tonight  at eight"

Oh fuck.

"What time is it now?"

"Five"

oh son of a bitch!

Immediately you run out, give the news to the Pegasi that they're done and are invited to appear at the galla.

The moment after that's done you immediatlely run back to Luna's office and request a quick teleport home.

NExt thing you know you're dashing around the mansion hoping to find that one bath and shower room.

The only bathing room where you can get privacy and relaxation time.

two minutes later you're sat down on the floor while the showers spray down on top of you, your hooves scrubbing away at the yourself, bringing up that blue tint in the blackness of your fur.

Brush Teeth, Mane, clean out ears.

Dodge maids and butlers back to your room.

Two hours left....perfect.

And now yourstare at your Tux.

Long jacket, Medium length sleeve under shirt, wide arm length. waste coat, all a whiter shade of grey. with an orange bow tie.

Proper.

"Now how do I fit into this moneky suit?" You mumble aloud pulling up the shirt. inspecting it before trying to pull it on, falling backwards on the bed.

You manage to squirm youself into your Shirt, before realising you're hearing laughter, "oh god please!" the voice gasps as you manage to get up "You're gonnna make my sides split!"

You level your eyes with Ivory as you stare at her "Would be easier with help, you know." You grunt a bit finally having buttoned the shirt

"Fine, Fine." You hear her as she moves to pull you up, sitting on the bed "Forelegs out." she instructs grabbing the light grey Jacket next to you. "Seeing you muss around in your clothes makes me glad to know all I have to do is just slide inside my dress.

"You mean Rarity actually made something that didn't nedd you to suffer to get into?"

"If you specify it to her she will"

"I assume she allowed the request after she tried throwing the manequin at you, right?" you chuckle as she moves to slide your jacket on, you can feel the coat tails brushing along your flank area's

"Har dee, Har Har" she says "she did eventually listen. after I had assitance from Sunshine that is."

"I still stand by my statement; he should have gotten captain"

"Hush," she tells you "We know you have self issues with self esteem and all that, but that doesn't make you right" she faces toward you "Now hold still while I put on the bow tie."she keeps on "Plus you did a pretty mash up job with the Running Gag incident."

"Well, true" you have a slight shudder "holy hell that guy was a creep"

"You're telling me." she agrees as she pull the bow tie "How's this?

"Perfect." You say with a smile "So..need any help with your dress?"

"Trixie has decided to help me, in exchange for helping with hers that is." she grins taking her hooves off your tie "Beside, you can't see the bride until you're both at the alter"

You choke a tiny bit on spit at that "uh, well, This is the Gala, and we're not getting married."

"Yet," She grins.

You roll your eyes in response to that, hopping off the bed "Then I guess I'll make my way back to the castle then"

"Need a telepport spell?"

"I'll fly. I need the excercise."

You fly by yourself rather quickly. enjoyning the way the cool mountain air whicsks across your face and blows your mane all about,

Eventually the airs warms up a tad, as you land lightly at the royal entrance to the royal ball room. The area is quiet, you arrived an hour and a half early. and at the moment only the caterers and royal guards are on the premise.

You meander about waiting for time to pass as you look about. Finding a familiar guard walking about as well.

"Eh, Lancie" you say to Lance as you walk up to him, "How's everything?"

HE nods "Everything is alright Mister Anonymous."He says, Lance has always been formal, in the weeks you'd known him he'd always shown off a tight and orderly prsonality.

"I take it you're on watch tonight since Shining will be out on the floor with everyone?"

"It could be said we are never truly are off Duty, correct?" he asks "But yes, Mister Armour has been given the evening off to fullfil his Role as a Royal for the Gala this evening."

You nod, "I'm sure we'll all be on our guard won't we." You say "Especially so considering the likelihood for an attack from either The Son's or Changelings."

Lance nods, he looked to be focused more on his job, "Most indeed" he says

"Well" you pulled the short conversation to a close "I hope to see you after the night is done."

You turn to walk away, he was a nice individual, but he always seem to be too single minded.

--

Finally, the guests begin to arrive. "Welcome to the Grand Galloping Gala!" You hear the voice of the greeters call to the patrons entering. You could see so many high society ponies,

"So many sophisticates" You hear a voice behind you, turning to see the Tan Stallion beside you, a rather plain, tan stallion with grey-ish hair and an oily colored circle of fur abour his left eye, standing beside you.

You speak in slight surprise "Well, Spit, here I thought you were skipping out on the Gala for the evening"

"And miss the opportunity to rub it in the faces of all those unicorns?" he scoffed "Ha, That's too much for a window washer to pass up"

You chuckled at his slight racism "Well, I'm certain you'll get a few completely Russled up."

"What ever it is that means, I'll be sure to do it."

You chuckle again at the earht pony, He'd gotten a lot better in the time he'd joined the Lunar Guard, at the begining he just about refused to work with unicorns and pegasi  completely. "I hope, you find yourself a  good dance partner for the evening" You tell him before walking off.

You continue walking around Looking before you Run accross an apple cart "Well if it aint, Luna's body guard" you hear the southern twang from Applejack"

"Evenin' Applejack" You say stopping to look at her goods.

"Been quite a while since ah saw ya last" She says  "gotta thank ya fer handlin' that Runnin' Gag feller"

"It's the job"

"Well, if it's all the same ah'd like it if ya took a fritter"

"Free food." You take one up with a nod "my one weakness"

You get a good laugh out of her "and if ya can, reccomend me as much as ya can"

"I will, infact I'll need a couple more fritters for my lieutenant's" you say

"well, then that oughta be 4 bits then"

You nod handing her the bits in exchange for some wrapped fritters. "I'm certain Ivory and Trixie will enjoy these bad boys"

You're jumped from nowhere. fallling back a bit with a yelp, "ooh~ HI, anon How are you?!" The always hyper and excited Pinkie greets you in the most friendly way she can.

"I'm...definitely doing fine." you manage to say pullling yourself up quickly

"IT's been really long! Almost too long!" she gasps suddenly "Have you been safe? I hear you have to go on crazy super secret missions now! Like a spy, ooohsuper secret spy Anon! I like the sound of that" she rambles off in quick succession almost to much to keep up with.

You can hear slight laughter from Applejack in the background.

"Now Pinkie Dear, please" You hear the voice of Rarity now as she walks toward the two of you, always properly dressed in what appears to be last years Gala dress, save for a few additions and modification "Don't be too Over Baring to the poor bat."

"Well, afternoon Rarity"

She nods to you "And a good evening to you as well Anon, and I must say you're tuxedo looks twice as fabulous on you then it did on the mannequin"

"Well it was made by the best" you smile hoping tohold in the spaghetti.

She smiles in return  before Pinkie jumps up and down between you "Oh, oh, oh! You know what we should do Rarity? We should Totally write a spy novel based off all of Anon's adventures!"

You try to interject "I'm not a sp-"

"It'd be super awesome and amazing and we should totally do it Rarity!"

Rarity laughs that proper laugh "I'll consider it Darling, if Anon doesn't mind that is."

"Well, I can't stop you" You chuckles slightly "Though I can't take all credit I do have a pair of great lieutenant's keeping me in line and from certain death half the time"

"ooooooh~!" Pinkie Pie grins in a weird 'I know a secret' sort of way' "Does Anon like a somepony"

Suddenly you go wide eyed as your face heats up "I-uh, well. I'm not, well"

Rarity Chuckles "I think it's best we got to meet with the others Pinkie" Rarity say pushing Pinkie along  leaving you by the apple cart

Applejack is tryning hard to laugh "Well, Anon, that was definitely some smooth operatin' there"

You manage to get your berings back "none of that happend" you manage to sputter out

she laughs again "whatever ya say Anon, whatever ya say."

a round another 30 minutes go by as you walk about talking with the few familiar faces you know.  Quietly mingling as you wait for Luna, Trixie, and Ivory to Arrive.

You're not sure how or when it happened, but over the course o ftime you'd managed to pick up on the subtle changes in the environment and the air that occur when magic is being done.

You can always detect that first warm air pressure in the air, how there's a slight electric feeling around when a large spell is being performed. It doesn't have a smell, but it does tickle your nostrils.

You move out of the air as suddenly you see light cracks of electric pulse break out in the air, slowly building a bubble of crackling fizzling energy. The sound of static crackliong fills that small area as the other ponies watch the spectacle, slowly familiar shapes appear as followed by a boom of wind; 2 unicorns and a particular Princess

Damn that was one heck of an entrance,

"I will be off to meet with my sister" Luna tells the three of you as you approach. "Be on your guard, all of you; as much as this is a social event it's also a prime situation for an attempt by the Son's"

Ivory and Trixie take to your sides as you Salute to her in unison "We'll do our best" you assure her

She nods "I believe you, all of you."  She turns to leave, as you walk you not that like Celestia she wasn't in any formal wear for the evening.

"So...this is the lack of social skills talking, but why isn't she dressed like the three of us"

Trixie thunks your head a moment "To make them both appear more approachable..."

"Actually the Clothes are mostly to bring us higher to her" Ivory adds a bit.

You turn to look at your lieutenants not.

Ivory appears to be wearing a flowy, ruffly type dress, in a more saturated creamy yellow; accented by pearly designs in the fabric as well as actual pearl along the seams. her blonde hair having been shined and brushed while holding a small see through gem hair decoration.

You then glance over to Trixie, a sort of, 1930's sideshow magician style affair; Completely decked out in the jacket, you can see the vest, underneath , her cape and hat having been traded in for a bright orange bowtie and black top hat to match her magicians coat the coat tais coverig the back of her rear legs.

"Well, I must be one lucky stallion." you say aloud "Two wonderful looking mares as my company." You smile.

They glance at each other for the evening "Of course" Trixie is the first to speak "Tonight me and Ivory have declared a truce, solely so we can all enjoy this evening."

You can just feeel that tone, they are totally up to something.  But you play along simply because.

"I believe I will be off to the punch bowl" Ivory says "I'll leave you two for the time being," She gives off a peculiar smile to Trixie as she walks off, you can't help but notice the slight sway in her flank as she walks off.

"I must say, the suit...suits you" Trixe says after a good once over. `
Trixie laughs a little at her joke as she eyes you over. "And the bow tie pulls it together nicely."

"I got to hand it to Rarity she outdid herself with your outfit"

"I saw it in a book once, I figured it would work for me"

"I imagined she agreed?"

"But of course"

A moments silence pass.

An itchy thought in your head occurs. "Wanna dance?" You ask

"do you even know how?" she looks to you, raising an eyebrow.

"I can learn." You tell her raising a hoof.

"Formal dancing? You and me?" She smiles as she takes your hoof "Follow me student"

"I'm yours to mold Dexterous and Agile Trixie~" you say half joking as you both move to the floor.

The band is playing a slow, relaxing and harmonious piece as the both of you walk out to the floor.

Hooves still hooked around each other for a moment "Now just follow with me." Trixie tells you calmly. Stepping forward.

You move backward in step with her as she moves back a bit.

a second or so and you both catch the rhythm of the violins. Moving carefully "You're doing well" she says smiling at you begining to move in a circular patter still not letting go of your hoof,

You keep with her motions as you feel less like she's guiding and more like your both moving together now.

She's smiling. Gosh that smile looks great.

She giggles a moment

"What?"

"You're smiling much to wide for me to take serious" she says inbetween giggle moments."

"You feel the blush on your cheeks "Sorry" you say trying to reign in your smile a bit.

"Don't be, it works for you." she assures you pulling you a little closer into you, your faces just a few inches apart as you continue to move to the music.

You can't help looking into her eyes right now, a feat that would normally make you feel itchy and uncomforatable, "I should thank you by the way."

"What do you have to thank me for?"

"Spreading the little rumor about me" you tell her

You see a blush creep across her face "How did you find out?"

"There's very little likelihood that they'd find out about the Nightmare Temple unless one of us said it to a rookie" You tell her "I don't mind though, since it's helped build my respect."

"Well then you're most welcome" She smiles a bit as you both keep moving in your dance. "Although, I'm certain you would have gained it with out my help."

"You're being humble?" You mock surprise "Who are you and what have you done with Trixie."

"Oh stop it."

The both of you make one walk around each other smileing "but sincerely I thank you."

"My pleasure." She says before suddenly pressing against you a moment, lips stealing a quick kiss from you.

You go slightly frigid for a moment "I...I-"

She's smiling at you as your eyes drift to the side a moment.

Suddenly you see it.

A Trio of hooded figures exiting the ballrooom. "What the-"

You suddenly start moving past Trixie "Where are you goo-"

"I'll pick the dance up later" you say moving faster, picking up speed as you gallop after them, ducking under a server with an entree platter.

You get outside the Ballroom as you catch them turning a corner.

You're running after them as they gallop offward.

"Stop!" you yell out to them as they keep running.

As if they'd really listen...

You turn a corner just a moment getting pulled to the side "What are you doing?" Ivory suddenly had you by the collar. "YOu're gonna get killed going after them by yourself."

"But...Who are they even?" You say as you look onward

"The Generals"

"Generals?"

"The leaders of the Son's of Discord" she says "Now let's get them" She says running off back in their direction, you following  "Where's Trixie?" she says as you both run.

"Ballroom" you manage, not quite wanting to talk about what happened there. "Where are they going?" You ask

"Just keep following" she says as you both run afte them the three of them managing to keep just a few yards ahead from you.

Soon they appear to have exited to the...

The courtyard?

"Quietly" he hisses grabbing you as you both exit the door and pulling you into a bush.

You see the three of them pulling their hoods off revealing three Unicorns.

One was a grey color,

Another a bright blue.

The third white.

Each one having a sort of bright yellow in their eyes.

"The Generals share the sight of Discord" Ivory whispers as you both watch. them

"Now...where are they?" You hear the blue unicorn speaking revealing themself to be female.

"All in due time, Charmer." The male grey Unicorn speaking.

Soon four more Son's arrived carrying...Oh no.

The statue of Dicord.

"Ah good~" Charmer(?) spoke with a sppoky amount of glee that sent a shiver up your spine.

"How strongly guarded was he?" The white unicorn speaks looking up to the statue.

"Heavily, a whole cell filled with Royal Dawn Guards." the voice of one of the hooded Son's spoke. "but none too heavily a hypnosis spell didn't handle it."

"Good. Now we're nearly prepared" The White Unicorn replied "Now, did you find the next piece to our puzzle?"

"He didn't put up a fight" The Son spoke with a noticable excitement "He met us on our way out; didn't even need a spell"

"Bring him forth"

Two more hooded ponies moved forward Dragging Lance along with them.

"Lance?" you ask confused as could be. "Why do they need him?"

"Shh!" Ivory hises slightly.

"And bring us our guests!" Charmer says excitedly as suddenly the both of you get yanked along the ground by an aura of blue magic.

The two other unicorns turn to meet you both.

"And of course the notable captain of the Lunar Guard Midnight Sentry...or as we know him better. Anonymous. " The Grey uniorn chuckles "And the ever lovely Ivory Shines."

"Bite it Yarn Spinner" she hissed to the Unicorn.

"oh there's that sarcasm we loved so much, shame your using it against us now." He said looking to you both, "Though...nothing we can't fix" as he looks to the both of you "Wish? would you mind helping me with this brainwashing spell?" he smiles as his horn glows a pale white.

"Love to~" The blue unicorn comes forth again looking at you in the face "Now this will only hurt the whole way through." she chuckles as her horn glows.

You close your eyes tight preparing for--

Nothing?

"What?" You hear Wish hiss in anger

"Oh that princess is clever~ " Yarn spoke with a chuckle, "Using her own protection spell to keep our magic out, so very clever...Trimmer, please bind them to the ground, the least we can do is give them a front row seat to The Release."

The white unicorn smiles as suddenly thick vines grow out of the ground ensnaring your legs.

"Very good~ Now to our guest of honour."  Yarn says turning to Lance.

Lance has been forcibly sat down infront of the statue. held in place by two unicorns spells.

"Lance Jousting." You hear Yarn start to him "The Key will be delivered on the tip of a Lance...Do you know what that verse means?"

Lance grunts a bit before stopping moving "I know, that you will soon be stopped" he says in the controlled tone he'd always kept.

"I'm sure" Yarn says with a certain degree of poison. "Turn him around." He commands to the two sons holding him. The grunt of discomfort makes you cringe as Lance is made to face the statue. his blindfold pulled off. "I'm sure as captains Both you and our Friends over their know what a sleeper agent is, yes?" you notice him tracing what looks like a letter "Q" on the back of Lance's neck.

Your stomach sinks as you get what's happening.

As Yarn begins Charmer and Trimmer shoot beams of magic at Lance.  "There is a spell. Highly forbidden that is" he walks slowly "a spell so powerful that it can bury a personality so deep that it almost ceases existence, and yet it persists to stay, so that it may learn as the personality it has constructed goes about a life that suits the original personalities goals." he smiles as he stands amongst his fellow unicorn generals. "The spell is so powerful that is can only be broken by three unicorns."

You see lance sturggling against the magic as he's forced to stare up at the statue...a yellow aura exiting from the mouth of Discords stone form.

"Do you understand what I'm getting at?" Yarn asks  Lance.

The yellow Aura forces it's way into Lances nose and mouth as he grunts "D-Do it!"

At that Yarn shoots his own pale white magical aura at your friend.

The scream you hear sends a pins and needles feeling in your spine as you hear it change...slowly, shifting into a much more familiar laughter.

"Ah-ha ha!" Lances voice yells out happily. as he stands up turning to face the Generals. "oh it feels so good to have control again" He grins as he speaks "You've all done very well." he chuckles as they bow to him

"It's a pleasure to have you with us again Father Q" They say in unison.

You see the change in the unicorn that used to be Lance "Oh yes, I got so bored, just being an observer," His eyebrow had grown shaggiers, greyer and his eye, yellow and red.

He suddenly looks to you "Oh don't look so surprised, I'm sure you would have expected me...or well, Discord, to have an alternative to dry cold stone" he chuckles

"This is the Almighty Discord?" Ivory finally asks as she looks to the Unicorn

"In this body? No, no" he chuckles "Q will do so much more sufficiently" he grins

"So why aren't you breaking up the stone prison then?" You say trying to struggle in the vines holding your hooves.

"Always the perceptive one" Q says, moving backwards, "unfortunately, even as devout to the ways of chaos, there are rules that even I must adhere to " he stands in front of his Generals and the prison of Discords form. "Unfortunately, I have to wait for a certain window of opportunity to open before I can really have some fun."

"HALT!" The sounds of the Royal canterlot voice echoes across the air as you suddenly see Celestia and Luna drop down infront of you.

"Ah, if it isn't everyone's favorite royal sisters~" Q says with an amount of Glee."

"Shall we dispose of them?" Yarn asks as he and the other genrals step forward.

"No, no, no, My dear Yarn Spinner, they are of no problem for us."

"The depths you'll stoop down too Discord, possesing other ponies." Celestia hisses

"Yes of course all that banter against bitter enemies and what not, but I have other matters to attend to." he says his horn glowing a dark sickly yellow before teleporting all his generals and son's away.

"I'll see you all, very soon~"