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#Post#: 3765--------------------------------------------------
Prologue: Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst
By: Ebony Coldsteel Date: June 12, 2019, 6:39 pm
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A large pair of double doors slam open as a crowd of reporters,
guards, and officials burst through in the main hallway of the
royal castle. Flashes of light go off as question after question
is barraged throughout the horde. The guards remain stalwart as
they themselves deter anyone from getting too close to security
advisors and politicians. Despite the positions these ponies
held, only one was called out.
“Colonel! Colonel Coldsteel! A moment please? Sir, why are more
demons still spawning all over Equestria? The world for that
matter! With it now being 19 months since the Weaver Incident,
have the Lunar Guard made any significant progress on capturing
the culprits?”
“Sir, the citizens are wondering if the monster’s escape is due
to the lack of staffing and resources at the gates of tartarus.
Could there also be a case of foul play?”
“Colonel, how is the crown handling not only this rise of
attacks and appearances, but the joint effort in search of the
war criminal Yankee? Considering their prior business with The
26, could they be holding back some effort to catch him?”
“Mr. Coldsteel, what was it like being in Tartarus? Could there
be worse creatures there that could come out?”
“Why wasn’t there a Lunar Guard presence in Weaver during the
incident? Was it a case of poor communication between the Lunar
and Royal Guards? Is there still distrust amongst the two
branches?”
“Ebony Coldsteel, have you and your wife decided on a name for
your future chi-”
Another set of doors swing open.This time, the guards lift the
press and levitate them out of the chamber. Ebony’s expression
is as it’s always been, stoic and neutral. Still, he’s thankful
for his silver mane; it blends the growing number of white hairs
well. So much has happened in the past year, and it seems to
just get worse. Regardless, letting up was never the plan. With
each new enemy front opening, Equestria and its allies, both new
and old, step up to face them. Although it may not be his style,
he had to admit that the friendship that has been sewn between
these new races and countries have been a blessing. Everyone
shares: information, resources, experience. Twilight’s school
has become an international sensation. The noctral mentally
cracks a smile. Adversity has only brought us together. Still,
it isn’t always perfect. Infighting still happens, that’s just
expected. Ebony’s steel blue eyes look up to see Princess Luna
sitting alone on her throne. Her gaze is somber. She’s seen more
and more nightmares amongst her kingdom. What’s worse is when
her subjects stop dreaming altogether.
“I wish to speak to the Colonel alone,” Luna calmly requests.
The chamber empties until it’s just them. Once the door closes,
her expression softens. “So, that kind of day?”
Ebony lets out a deep breath. Shoulders release their tension as
he sits down, “Every day is that kind of day. Thank you your
highness for your help in helping me get the sleep I need.” His
eyes still show weariness. What good is calm sleep if there's
barely any had?
“Your nightmares are far worse than any I’ve seen in Equestria.
You have a great deal of responsibility; it shouldn’t follow you
into your dreams. I’m glad I can provide some solace.” Getting
up, she steps down until she meets him. Despite her regal
stature and height, she’s only taller than him by mere inches.
“You and your friends have been working hard to find a
resolution to all this. You’ve all made great progress. It’s
just…”
“The public only sees what’s still wrong. I can’t blame them
your highness.” His gaze falters, “I’m… scared. With all that’s
going on in this world I look at my wife and the joy she is
carrying and it… paralyzes me. Our child could be brought into
nights filled with demons and a madman on the loose. You’re
right though; the others have been working so hard. Each of
them… they have their own personal stake in this as well. All of
that, all of them, depends on the choices I make. What if I make
the wrong ones.”
“There are no right or wrongs, Coldsteel. Only our actions and
the consequences that follow.” A letter appears before them. She
looks it over and rolls it up. “My sister and I haven’t had a
chance to read your most recent report, has anything changed
since?”
Coldsteel shrugs, “Mostly the same. There hasn’t been any new
leads in the investigation. Granted we managed to arrest those
directly involved in the Weaver Incident, we know there’s
strings being pulled. Just how many and how long are what we
need to figure out. I met up with Equinox a couple of days ago.
They did uncover another explosive, this time by the Prench
border. That counts up to 3 so far. With what Saddle Arabia told
us, there’s still 7 left.”
Luna nods, “I see. My sister and I are scheduled to meet with
the Prench and Germane diplomats next week. It’ll be good to
have some positive news to discuss.”
“Indeed. Yankee is running out of places to hide. It’s
bittersweet though. With each breakthrough we make, it gets
harder and harder to find him.”
“Isn’t one of your friends a former member of their
organization?” Luna asks.
The noctral nods, “Yea, he and another former member are leading
the investigation. Their access to The 26’s method of operations
have given us a distinct edge. Equinox, despite their cutbacks,
have been extremely useful as well.”
Princess Luna nods and begins to walk to the balconies.
Coldsteel follows closely behind. “Your transfer program has
allowed all of our branches to exchange the strengths and wisdom
from each individual group. The amount of times I’ve heard our
guards compliment Equinox’s prowess has me impressed. It’s good
to have them with us.”
“Agreed. There not the only organization that’s given us strides
in this fight.” The two finally go outside. The cool breeze of
the night blows their mane and tails gently. A serene calm
drowns out the tension and worry the noctral had just minutes
ago. “While Equinox has been hunting down Yankee, The Vigil has
done tremendous work with fighting off the demons causing havoc
throughout the nation. I’ve seen them at work, very professional
and efficient. Add the Silver Crescent spearheading the more…”
“Unappealing work,” Luna chimes in, “We’ve been able to obtain
more leads and participants in this whole plot. I’ve given them
more than a few personal requests myself.” A pause follows,
“Well, I see we still have plenty to do. But besides that, how
are things? Tis been some time since I’ve seen Avery.”
A grin shows on Ebony’s face, just hearing her name still gives
him goosebumps, “She’s doing well, your highness. My mother has
moved in to help with her around the house. The doctor says
everything is going smoothly.” The smile on Luna’s face
confirmed her joy of the news. It fades soon. Ebony knows why.
“There’s too much at stake. There are too many unknowns. There’s
just...too much.” The Colonel turns around and begins to trot
away. “It’ll be different this time though. For too long
Equestria, the world even, has been the victim of these hostile
parties. It’s time we take the initiative.”
Luna turns to him, “We’ll need a plan of attack, Colonel.”
By now, Ebony has reached the door. Before leaving, he looks to
his princess, “I have a plan. Attack.” With that said, he makes
his exit. There’s plenty to do, but much more to lose if they
don’t.
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