Private Meetings (Patreon)

 Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard stepped onto platform 3 at the Canterlot Station in my Equestria dreamscape. Great clouds of steam from multiple locomotives had transformed the platform into foggy realm; populated with the ghostly forms of ponies that vanished and appeared from this misty world. Stopping for a moment he adjusted the tie on his slate grey suit. It wasn't his suit; he'd borrowed it from one of the civilian geologist assigned to his operation. Fortunately the stallion's measurements were close enough to Shining's that jacket more or less fit the Captain. As did the grey felt bowler that now sat on his head. 

  
  Shining thought he looked like some cheap traveling salepony, but upon further reflection he had to admit that might have been a blessing in disguise. Now he just blended into the crowd of ponies milling around the station.

   
  The unicorn had only a pair of battered panniers with him, once again borrowed from the geologist. He'd been abruptly recalled back to Canterlot last night. What had particularly intrigued and worried him was Celestia's insistence that he travel in civilian clothing?

   
  After a few minutes he'd flagged down a Hansom Cab. Now as the cab slowly negotiated the dense traffic and steep slopes of the city Shining Armor organized his thoughts in preparation for his meeting with the Royal Sisters. He'd been scheduled to return in two weeks anyways, and there had been no discoveries at the site of his operation to warrant a moving the meeting up suddenly. So why the sudden urgency and need for disguises. Eventually he resigned himself to trying to not worry about it.

   
  The Captain of the Guard exited the cab a couple blocks away from the Palace entrance. If he was suppose to be arriving covertly there he figured a cab rolling up to the gates of the palace might seem a bit unusual. Besides Canterlot was really quite beautiful this time of the year, and with any luck he'd be able to catch some of the Palace Guard by surprise by strolling up to the gate in civilian clothing. 

  
  Some what to his annoyance the gate guard were on the ball today, and in relatively short order he was being escorted down a service corridor usually only used by maids, butlers, and other support staff. He was led to a private library in the eastern wing of the palace. Shining Armor had been in this room only a couple of times. It was not the usual conference room that he'd received briefings or gave reports. The sergeant excused himself and left Captain alone in the room. Spying a wet bar he went over and made himself a bourbon highball. 

   
  He'd just finished his drink when the main doors opened and both Princess Celestia and Luna entered the room. Shining Armor stepped forward and at three steps from them he bowed for two seconds. One second for each of the sisters. Then he rose.

  
  "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, I, Shining Armor have come to answer your summons. How may I be of services?" He'd had served in Celestia's personal guard for years, and usually in such informal settings he didn't use such formal greetings, but in light of the sudden summons he was hedging his bets. Besides he'd learned how read Celestia's body language, and although she wore her signature smile, Shining could sense a feeling of tension in her movements.

 
  "Thank you for returning to Canterlot on such short notice Captain." Celestia directed him over to a large walnut table near couple arched windows. "What word do you bring of your team's ongoing research in the Northern Wastes?"

 
  The white unicorn nodded his head. Okay I guess they want to get the routine stuff out of the way first. He opened the panniers and retrieved his hastily written report. Some of it he'd finished on the train. He checked his notes one more time before beginning. Then paused for a moment as the maids brought in tea and sandwiches. Once they'd departed he began.

 
  "With the coming of spring, conditions at the site have begun to improve. Although we've had to suspend some operations due to the thaw, but that was expected and we should be back up to full speed again within a week."

 
  Shining checked some numbers quickly scrawled on a sheet of paper. "As both of you suspected as we get closer to the termination of the spell we've begun to notice an increase in unusual anomalies in the local environment. Basalt, our lead geologist, has started recording increased piezoelectric activity in local quartz deposits. Other members have documented changes in the local magnetic field in vicinity of the city's location. Also locally erected wards have begun detecting mana fluctuations that indicate the imminent collapse of a large stasis containment spell."

   
  Luna spoke up. "Does the team have an estimate of when the termination should occur? If possible we'd like to have a force pre-staged and ready to respond the moment the Crystal Empire reappears. Especially if He returns as well."

 
  "Unfortunately I can only give you a rough estimate." The Captain of the Guard once again referred to another piece of paper. "Our best guess is that the event could occur as soon as this fall but no later than the summer of next year."

 
  Shining Armor looked up from his paper. "Hopefully as we continue to collect further data we'll be able to refine and tighten up that date. Unfortunately as you both know there was a lot of high level magic discharged in a relatively small area. Between King Sombra's own magic, the use of the Elements of Harmony, and your own battle magic the area was saturated with magical energy. This has  resulted in a lot of interference in the area even after a thousand years."

 
  Celestia got a distant look in her eyes. "Yes, that was quite a battle. Luna and I fought Sombra for what seemed like days before Luna was able to deliver the crippling shot."

 
  The Princess of the Sun swirled the contents of her tea cup and stared at them. As if hoping to divine some hidden knowledge from them. "Unfortunately we were unable to strike him down fast enough, and he was able to cast his spoiler spell that has condemned the inhabitants of that fair city to their current fate." 

  The Captain of the Guard poured himself some more tea. After adding a couple cubes of sugar he stirred them until they'd dissolved; he took a quick sip, then set the gold-rimmed porcelain cup down on its saucer. He looked at the mare who he'd known since he was colt in the eyes and then spoke. 

  "But it isn't my report or wanting to relive past memories that drove you to suddenly order my return to Canterlot is it? There's something else that was important enough to have a train held at the station last night for me. Something that caused you to send specific instructions for me to wear."

 
  Shining levitated and tugged on the collar of the wool jacket. "This. Instead of my uniform. At the risk of sounding blunt I'd like to know what that is?" 

  Celestia looked at Luna who silently nodded her head. "Yes." Said the white alicorn. 

  She proceeded to inform Shining Armor of the palace break-in and subsequent escape from the dungeon, along with their recent meeting with Bent Horn. 

 To be continued.