Title:           Chapter 0.75: The Threat Unseen
Author:          WalleWalle
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/tzeMQEuH
First Edit:      Sunday 31st of July 2016 11:17:01 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Sunday 31st of July 2016 11:20:29 PM CDT

>High and away in a castle tower, Princess Luna observes the city of Canterlot through a telescope, her watchful eye ensuring the safety of its citizens.
 
>A beautiful array of stars arrays your night sky, your magnum opus so to say.
>As you scan the streets of Canterlot, all seems as it should be at this hour, barring a few 'night owls.'
>It gave you time to relax; take a load off from the hustle and bustle of the daylight.
>You hear a quiet tap upon the door to your room, quiet enough to not disturb a sleeping mare, but loud enough an awake one could register.
>Ah, that was probably the maid you asked to bring your tea.
>A cup of tea was always enjoyable during the day, more so when you had the stars and moon above you.
"Come in."
The creaking sound of the door echoes through your cavernous room, signaling her entry.
>"Is this the tea you ordered, your majesty?"
>Titles were never your thing, always just something that was necessary for appearances sake, especially not in private.
"Please Miss..."
>Shoot, you never met this particular one before, was she new?
>"Jade," she says, voice soft and timid.
"Miss Jade, call me Luna, or Princess if you insist upon titles."
>She levitates a small table towards you and sets it down to your right, with a small teapot, a set of cups, and a plate resting upon it.
>She removes the cover of the pot, and your nose is filled with the sharp scent of peppermint and cinnamon.
>An odd pairing, but one you enjoyed immensely.
>While you enjoyed the scent, the maid took off the cover of the plate to reveal a small egg tart, straight from the faraway lands of the Griffin Kingdom.
"Oh Miss Jade, you do spoil me so."
>"It is our duty as maids to assure our Princesses are well fed," she replies, a small grin plastered onto her face.
"Well, if you have no further treats or messages, you may take your leave."
>She gives a small bow and exits the room, leaving you with your solitary tea party.
>Peering through the telescope, you resume your watchful guard of the night, scanning the streets for potential trouble.
>All is as it was before, tranquil and peaceful, except for a singular pony, galloping towards...
>The castle.
>Zooming into his face, you manage to identify the stallion as Senior Officer Clark, the head of reconnaissance and security of the kingdom.
>He seemed to be in a hurry, his face filled with fear and uncertainty.
>Soon enough, another maid comes and knocks upon your door.
>"Your Majesty, an Officer Clark has requested an audience with you, he says it is of great concern."
>Clark was one of your main generals, if he had come to visit personally, it was probably a matter of great importance.
"Send him up; I'm sure we should pay attention to what he has to say."
>Soon enough, the general barges through the door, causing quite a ruckus.
"Shh! Don't you realize ponies are sleeping?"
>"My apologies Your Majesty, but this is a matter of great importance!"
"Not important enough that you cannot spare a moment to enjoy a cup of tea with your Princess," you reply, pouring and handing him one.
>He seems to take the hint and sits down; staring at the canvas of stars you called the sky.
>All was silent as you both admired the view, occasionally sipping out of your cups.
"So, what was so important our most senior captain had to come and tell me personally?"
>His eyes widen to the size of baseballs as he remembers his message.
>"Ohmygoshimsosorryyoumajestyitotal-
>You put one hoof on his shoulder and another one on his mouth and shush him.
"It's fine, just take a deep breath, and tell me what I need to know," you say, draining the rest of your tea.
>"Our magical sensors near the old castle have been tripped, we have an intruder!" He says with urgency in his voice.
"pfff-WHAT?!" You reply, tea coming out of your nose.
>The captain flinches slightly, as most ponies do when you raise your voice.
>Taking a deep breath, you analyze the situation.
>On one hand, it could be a false alarm, but you had the best rune mages in Equestria create them.
>There are many secrets of the old castle, guarded by traps that were dangerous, but only if unexpected, which robbers were not.
>The magical times contained there were vast and varied in both devastation and effects so many that even immortals like you and your sister could not remember them all.
>If you mobilized the Equestrian army, that would raise Tartarus politically and drive Canterlot into a state of panic.
>However if you ignored this, the repercussions could be crippling.
"I need a small team of the best soldiers you have, Officer."
>"That's simply impossible Princess, our best team is currently Team Solo, three of them are currently on recon, and one is at leave in Ponyville."
"Who's second best?"
>"That would be Team Liquid, besides the main captain, there are four active and ready."
"Send a message to Princess Twilight Sparkle to notify the Solo member in Ponyville, I want him waiting for us at the edge of town."
"As for the core of Liquid, I want them ready and at the chariots in 15 minutes.
>"As you say, your majesty," Clark says, bowing slightly.
"Tighten security, I want all four sniper-spotter teams stationed around the wall, and put the city on temporary lockdown, as I need to accompany the team."
>"Your majesty I don't believe it is nec-"
"It is very necessary, Clark."
>"Who will guard Canterlot?" He says in a frantic tone.
"You misunderstand the gravity of the situation, Clark,"
"If some dangerous magic escapes that castle, there may not BE a Canterlot for me to guard."
>"Alright Princess, I trust your judgement," he says, nodding meekly."
"Now leave me be, I must dress for the ride."
>The doors slammed shut, signaling his departure.
>You take a deep breath before heading into your washroom to prepare.
>This was going to be a long night, and hopefully not a bloody one.