Prince of Equestria - Blood Moon Summer, Part 5

http://youtu.be/wEkTMOFp1vM
>P0nies rushing to and fro in the situation room under the royal palace stop and look as the double doors are thrown open.
>Princess Celestia doesn’t even wait to be introduced, blowing by her attendant as she approached the large table in the center of the room.
>Noble Air says nothing and just steps back.
>Even she knows that look on the princess’ face.
“What’s the situation, captain?”
>The captain looked like she had just gotten to sleep herself when the alarm sounded.
>”We’re still not sure, your majesty. All we know is that approximately 15 minutes ago, we detected a magical energy that matches the profile we have for Nightmare Moon.”
>The blue unicorn motioned Celestia to the map spread across the table, a full map of Equestria and the surrounding regions.
>”We detected the signature here…it is not as powerful as Nightmare Moon from a thousand years ago, but it is still significant…”
>A glowing spot appears on the map, near the Griffonian border.
>Celestia narrows her eyes.
>”It’s relatively unpopulated, just a small summer cam…”
“Camp Lock.”
>The captain blinks, a little taken aback by the grim tone. “C..Correct, your majesty.”
“Captain, what military assets are in the area?”
>The mare furrows her brow. “That’s the problem, your majesty. Most of the Equestrian Guard is on leave or in town for the Summer Solstice Celebration. There is a fort near the Wild Oat Pass, Fort Sumac, but that’s a field training facility for cadets…”
“Where is the nearest active battalion?”
>The mare looks up at Celestia in surprise. “Battalion? I suppose that would be 1st Brigade, 3rd Battalion, on guard duty here in the city. But…isn’t an entire battalion a large segment for a single thre-“
“I want that battalion mobilized immediately. I will take them with me to the camp. Have 2nd battalion mobilized to defend the city, and tell the brigadier generals of 1st, 2nd and 4th brigades that all personal leave is rescinded immediately.”
>The captain’s jaw drops as Celestia turns to leave. “Y..Your majesty! There hasn’t been a full mobilization si-“
>She shuts up when Celestia stops to glare at her with a look that sends shivers down her spine.
“Also, inform the commander of Fort Sumac that he is to see to the immediate evacuation of the camp…”
>The princess’ eyes narrow.
“Code Phoenix.”
>The captain goes pale as she nods and salutes. “Y-Yes ma’am…”
>Code Phoenix.
>That means members of the Royal Family are in immediate danger…
>The captain starts barking orders as Celestia leaves, Noble Air following close behind.
>”Princess, I’ve already sent word to have your battle armor prepared. I also checked with Astronomics. They report the moon is exhibiting a significantly increased magical aura, but there is no evidence of her escaping her seal. Also, there is no change in the Temple of Six Winds…”
>Celestia keeps her gaze locked ahead as she walks briskly down the hall, p0nies hurriedly pressing against the wall to make way.
“No, I’m afraid the seeds for this were probably sown a long time ago…”
>Celestia stops and looks up at the ceiling.
>Noble Air stops as well, saying nothing. Now’s not the time to ask what she’s doing.
“Noble…get my student Twilight if you need the help, but also…prepare the elements.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkmgyRZIPvA
>You are Shining Armor.
>You give a contented sigh as you lay back in the field of golden grasses, the warm sun caressing your face.
>With a wiggle of your shoulders, you get comfortable as you squint at the endless summer sky.
>If only there was somep0ny….
>Ah…there she is.
>You smile and look up as you see Cadence descending slowly towards you, wings wide as her smile as her white summer dress blows in the wind.
>The two of you share a giggle as she lands daintily over you, drawing her face to yours.
>Yup…you couldn’t imagine being anywhere else right now.
>Her voice is lyrical, like gentle bells as she looks directly into you with those violet eyes.
“Cadence…I love you, and I want to spend every day with you, just like this…”
>She smiles and blushes, turning her gaze away before meeting yours again.
>You move in closer for a kiss as she opens her mouth to answer you…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQI1Fvp6rBw
>Wait a minute…that doesn’t sound like Cadence…
>You’re jolted awake by the sound of the barracks’ general alert siren.
>The rest of the p0nies in the barracks also scramble into their uniforms alongside you, fellow cadets in the Guard’s Officer Candidate School.
>You had just arrived at Fort Sumac last week for field training, but this was the first time they woke you for night drills using the alarm…
>You snap to attention as the drill sergeant bursts in.
>”ALRIGHT YOU LITTLE FILLIES, THIS IS NOT A DRILL. ASSEMBLE ON THE PARADE GROUND IMMEDIATELY!”
>As the cadets begin to file out of the barracks, the sergeant stops you with a hoof.
>”Good dream, soldier?”
“Yes, drill sergeant!”
>Damnit…
>”Well get back to reality, Armor. I have orders to send you to the briefing room, immediately!”
>You salute.
“Yes sir, drill sergeant!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O6Q1OiF6LI
>You gallop past the sergeant and out onto the grounds of the fort.
>All around you, officer cadets and enlisted privates run around in a tizzy as every alarm on the base sounds off.
>You can tell who the newer ones are, they’re running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
>It looks like they’re all…evacuating?
>There is no time to set the new ones straight, you have orders to follow.
>You break into a full gallop as the military airships start to lift off, turning towards the south as they quickly ascend.
>Is the base under attack? It doesn’t look like it…
>Two p0nies look up to you as you enter the briefing room.
>The base commander…Commander Pogo, was it?
>And one of the drill sergeants, Sergeant Wuten.
>P: “Cadet, we don’t have a lot of time here. Save your questions unless it’s important and I’ll be brief.”
>You stand at attention.
“Sir.”
>Pogo nods to a unicorn, who throws up a magical display behind the commander. It displays a map of the area surrounding the fort.
http://youtu.be/p9KVjkjD6vo
>P: “We don’t have much information. At approximately 0030 hours Zulu, Canterlot Command detected an anomaly at Camp Lock, a summer camp on the south shore of lake making up a large portion of the Griffonian border, approximately 25 miles west of Fort Sumac.”
>W: “Do we have any information on the anomaly?”
>Pogo shakes his head. “Information is still coming in, however we have been ordered to dispatch two squads to the area.
“Just two, sir?”
>P: “Correct. I don’t know what it is, but Princess Celestia herself is enroute, and she’s bringing the entire 3rd Battalion with her, and is mustering three entire brigades.”
>You gulp. Three out of four brigades is a lot of troops for just one threat…
>P: “…Word is, she is also bringing the Elements with her.”
>You feel the color drain from your already white face.
>This is no drill…why can’t your legs stop shaking?
>P: “Our orders are to see to the evacuation of Camp Lock, as well as to locate, observe and contain the threat until the princess arrives. Sergeant Wuten, you will take every sergeant not needed to see to the trainees and proceed to the lake area, where this anomaly was last reported. You will handle containment.”
>Wuten nods, his wings fluttering in anticipation. “Yes, sir!”
>Pogo then turns to you. “Armor.”
>You snap rigid.
“S-sir?”
>P: “Armor, you will take a squad of senior privates to the camp, and see to its evacuation. Under NO circumstances are you to seek out and engage any hostiles, is that understood?”
>You gather your jimmies and nod, a stern look on your face.
“Yes sir!”
>P: “Oh, and Armor…one more thing…are you familiar with Code Phoenix?”
“Phoenix? I’m afraid not, sir.”
>Pogo nods grimly. “I should tell you Armor, Code Phoenix is the codeword that indicates a member of the Royal Family is in grave, immediate danger. This is why you were chosen to lead this squad.”
>The Royal Family? He doesn’t mean…
>P: “You have two primary targets. The first is Princess MiAmore Cadenza, AKA Cadence. I understand the two of you are familiar.”
>You narrow your eyes in grim determination at the image of Cadence on the display. If anyone has hurt her…
“Yes, sir…”
>Wait, two?
>P: “Your second one is your chief objective…”
>Your eyes go wide with surprise as the image shifts to a very familiar human.
>P: “Crown Prince Anonymous, son of Celestia and first in line for the throne of Equestria.”
>Pogo turns and looks at you, wanting to make his point clear.
>P: “Cadet…I can not stress enough that while you must evac all the campers, these two MUST make it out. You cannot leave without Princess Cadence and Prince Anon. Do you understand?”
“Loud and clear, sir.”
>P: “Good. Meet your squad on the launch pad in ten minutes. Wuten, Armor…good luck.”
>With that, you turn and are out the door.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z28lwyQjuTY
>Steel Storm yowls in pain as you draw the magical lance from his chest, staggering away from Rarity.
>You are Anonymous.
>And you…have never felt like this before!
>Rarity can only look at you in shock as Storm’s blood splashes across her face.
“What’s the matter, cow? You were talking such good shit a second ago!”
>Storm staggers to his feet, clutching his wound with his good hand.
>”You…filthy primaAAAAAAAH”
>He’s cut off as you thrust your arm forward, another spire of energy flying out and impaling him through his good arm and into his chest, sticking into the tree behind.
“Tsk tsk, such a rude guy. I guess I…”
>You rear your arm back, drawing the blade out before you slice it across, drawing closer to your quarry.
“Will have to TEACH YOU…”
>Slice.
“SOME.”
>Slice.
“MANNERS!”
>You make one final slash at Storm as the blade dissipates.
>Storm, for his part, does not reply.
>He can only let that face of his remain forever frozen as the rest of his body falls to pieces, his head coming to rest on a pile of bloody meat and bone.
>That look…
>It’s the same look the other two have on their faces.
>It’s the same look Rarity has on hers.
>Fear.
>Pure…unadulterated fear.
>You can smell it in the wind…taste it on the air.
>And it is delicious!
>Intoxicating!
>You should have taken Nightmare Moon up on her offer sooner.
>If only you had known the power you would be feeling right now…
>You wouldn’t have needed someone to protect you! You wouldn’t have struggled in your magical studies!
>Hell, with a power like this, you could probably RULE this country!
>R: “Anon…what’s going on? What have you done?!”
>She looks aghast at the remains of the minotaur who just moments before was treating her…that way.
>Like a thing to be defiled and discarded.
“It’s alright Rarity…Sit tight. I’ll finish taking out the garbage, and then we’ll go back to the camp, you and I. Wouldn’t that be nice? Just you and me, and we can forget about all of this…”
>Rarity shudders and sinks down a little. “Anon…”
“Now then…”
>You turn and face the other two Minotaurs.
>Their fear smells a little like…
>No, wait, that’s urine.
>Even better.
“Do you two want your deaths quick and clean? Or painfully slow?”
>Tusk snarls as Colb backs away, his face unusually placid.
>T: “Don…DON’T YOU THREATEN ME, YOU DAMN DIRTY HUMAN! YOU’LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO PETUNIA!”
>You chuckle. Petunia? Seriously?
>Tusk launches himself at you with a roar, grabbing both your hands as you struggle with him.
>Even with your magical power, he’s still physically stronger than you.
>T: “DIE, YOU FILTHY MONKEY!”
>You grin widely as the dark energies swarm around you like a cloak, the glowing sigil of the crescent moon reflecting off the eyes of the enraged minotaur.
>Nobody notices Colb disappear in a flurry of green flame, his eyes locked firmly on you.
“Sorry, Bevo, but the only one dying today is YOU!”
>The air is filled with a sickening report of high speed impacts to flesh.
>Tusk’s body shakes as the cloak of magical energy enveloping you begins assaulting him from head to toe with rapid-fire spikes, piercing flesh and bone.
>The blood from your savage attack burns on impact with the field, his body going limp in your hands until you drop him.
>You feel only more invigorated for your actions, kicking the corpse.
“Now then, where were…”
>One of the cows was missing…oh well, no matter.
>You pause as you see Rarity unconscious on the floor.
>Must have fainted…
“Oh well. Guess you’ll be safe here…”
>You turn your gaze back to the south, in the direction of the camp.
>The voice in your head continues to whisper…
>They didn’t come to help you…they didn’t come to help her…
>You’re the prince! They should have come to protect their future ruler!
>Such naughty subjects…
“…deserve to be punished!”
>You set off, walking back towards the camp.
>From the forest, green eyes glance at Rarity, then you, before disappearing into the shadows.