Not our world anymore (IC)

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight had also been taken aback by the sudden transition of the situation's mood. She was so shocked, infact, that it took a few seconds for even her impulsive reaction to jump into effect. Twilight's eyes narrowed and she immediately went to use her magic to pull Indigo from Tsar's magical grip, but she came back to reality as she saw her magic simply fizzle and sputter over Tsar's, as if it were boiling cooking oil trying to mix with water. Twilight released her spell helplessly, hoping that the words of Starling and Luna would now do their work. Tsar looked first to Starling. In Tsar's mind, Strling's words carried a little bit of weight, but not enough for the potential situation at hand. However, then came Princess Luna's booming voice, drawing the Archon's gaze over to her. Tsar was apparently more powerful than even Twilight but the Archon warrior's power was still a far cry from the Moon Goddess'. Tsar nodded slowly and the claw he had transformed into a weapon transformed back into the normal claw, "I trust you pass such judgement with the proper wisdom I know you all carry." Tsar said, and then gently lowered Indigo to the floor, releasing him just as his hooves touched the surface.

Indigo panted heavily as he was released, crumbling to his haunches. He looked up at Tsar, still quite wide-eyed, the being had apparently been so bold as to do something so spur-of-the-moment right infront of Luna... He backed off slowly, not wanting to provoke another reaction from the creature who's nature he had no way of knowing, "OOOoookay... C-can somepony explain?" Twilight had sighed in heavy relief as Tsar released Indigo, she had been quite worried about him, but Tsar had raised a good point about Dark Archon spies earlier, something she hadn't immediately thought about in the moment, "I acted under a statistically logical conclusion," Tsar stated, "Had none in the room been able to properly assure that there was no way that you were a Dark Archon spy, then I would have been left with little choice but to execute you or take advisory from the others to imprison you."

[Blue Fox]

Starling didn't budge his stance even after he set his friend down. His thought's were clouded by caution, guilt and everything that could possibly go wrong. His eyes were purely focused as his reticule moved from the arm joint to the hard head of the creature. When it set Indigo down he had honestly debated opening fire on the creature, but it's own words halted his thoughts. After a moment longer he slowly disengaged his stance as he disarmed and reverted back to his previous stance, the helmet once again pulling back from over his head. He flashed Twilight a cautioning look to let her no he was in no way happy about this. But his attention fell back to Luna to await her words which would surely follow. Winter had let out a deep breathed sigh as the tension was no broken. She had to wonder if she could have done anything after seeing Twilight's magic be repelled naturally by the creature. She could have tried to blast it with her resonant magic but she honestly was too frozen and conflicted to make a move either way. It seemed Luna had handled it well enough. Winter looked to Indigo and flashed a concerned look, "I think you're ok... there's just been some confusion" she said sheepishly, knowing this was obviously way more then that.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

"S-simple as that, huh?" Indigo said as Tsar stated why he had done what he had done, he tried sneaking a bit of his humor in to dispel the gut wrenching fear he had just been subjected to. Princess Luna took a deep breath as she calmed herself down, giving the situation a few seconds to cool down as well. Indigo looked back at Winter when she said it had been a misunderstanding, "Th-that makes sense, I guess... I mean, what with talk of spies and such... At least that's what I think I heard... Is that what I heard?" Princess Luna opened her eyes and looked at Tsar at this moment, her face not precisely angry, but stern, "I understand the pretense that you acted under... Archons are not governed by the same set of emotions as us, and assailing Indigo at that moment seemed, to you, like the safest course of action. From your reaction I can only guess that the need for security surrounding the situation you're likely going to present us with is as dire as it seems?" Tsar looked away from the Unicorn ponies to the Alicorn princess, "That is correct, as I explained to Twilight Sparkle, Starling and Winter Bell, the Dark Archons may have spies and agents in our midst in places you would seldom expect. Top officers, royalty, foot soldiers, civilians, friends, enemies and even family of any within this room may be sleeper agents or spies. The fewer who know about my presence and true identity, the better."

Princess Luna nodded, "Well... Is there any true way of knowing who would be an agent of theirs? I would like there to be something in place that will have my little ponies able to sleep at night without worrying that their close friends and allies may be undercover for their greatest enemies..." Tsar shifted a little in thought, "Dark Archon agents would want to be mobile, able to move around the world quickly if need be. They might be researchers, journalists or special forces and black ops... The leaders of organizations or businesses would also be appealing positions. Dark Archon agents would also have abilities and talents that would seem... unusual, or unnatural. They would also more likely display anti-social behavior such as cruelty or anger. Being connected to something that is the very antithesis of life is not something that is good for a being of your... emotion set. But that is only a guideline... Newer agents could seem like normal people, creatures or ponies, if only for a little while. Archons light and dark cannot make deals and arrangements under false pretenses like beings of this plane can... Be it a weakness or a strength."

Twilight couldn't help but worry herself with sifting through everyone she knew from this time and go through the red flags Tsar had presented to try and judge which ones were the most or least likely to be these spies. She allowed herself a bit of solace when she found that a majority of their new friends passed under the criteria.

[Blue Fox]

Starling interjected, being his usual 'get things done' self. He looked to Indigo, "We're going to need to have all the higher ranking officers on surveillance for anything out of the ordinary, anything found should be reported directly to me or the Princess herself" he said as he looked to his friend. Starling trusted Indigo more so then any other pony in Equestria besides Twilight, he knew despite him being on leave that he could trust his old friend to take this order. He turned hi attention to Princess Luna, "Given the circumstances when can I return to my duties ?" he asked. He knew he was pushing it here since he had come out of his stress coma only this morning. But he put on his brave face in hopes that his determination would cut through that fact. Winter, like Twilight, had been going over everyone she knew and weather they could be one of these Dark Archons. Fortunately she came to the same conclusion and was glad that she couldn't find any of her friends that could fir the things Tsar explained. She looked over to the Princess as she awaited her verdict on what their next move was. It seemed the situation was getting more and more dire the more they discovered.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Indigo nodded to Starling, trusting his old friend's judgement, it had saved his neck more times then he would have probably liked to admit, "Yeah, I agree. We can't have our military infiltrated by... well... By any pony." he said, "I also agree with the notion of reporting everything found to Princess Luna." Princess Luna only nodded at first, she had only meager knowledge of the Dark Archons herself, it had been that which had made their apparent involvement with the attack on Equestria so devastating. She then nodded to Starling, "I shall grant you that, Major Starling. But you must reduce your workload on the effort against the Empire. The Dark Archons see no rules, no borders, no royalty or bureaucracy-." Tsar shook his alien head, "Although rooting out Dark Archon spies should be the utmost of your concern, and they are certainly the greater threat above the Empire, you must not change your behavior too suddenly. That would alert them. The conflict with the Empire may be a good mask for shifting the focus on interior security."

Twilight took a deep breath, she honestly felt like her insides winding up, "What should we do?" she asked. Tsar looked to her now, "You must contact the leader of any sort of astronautical agency and find out if Queen Azuras' ship has arrived yet." Spike raised his claw, "Present... And there was something odd just on the report from Eagle Lab, our largest space station. An object near the moon, about 500 meters long and 100 wide, white. It stopped in high orbit." Tsar looked to Spike, "Then several pieces are in place already for us... That is most definitely the profile for a Runegardian Royal Yacht-class space vessel... Queen Azuras is here. Their ships can receive any form or audio communication, but she will likely only respond to Winter Bell."

[Blue Fox]

Starling bowed his head respectively, "Thank you your majesty" he said before rising back to full height. He turned to the group, "With everything in mind I suggest me, Indigo and Tsar head down to the tech lab... if we can come up with something to beat back Archons then we need to get right on that... we can mask it with a new weapon for the war effort. As for you two, you better contact Azuras and do what you need to do" he said as he looked between them. He trotted to Twilight and nuzzled her mane, "But for the love of everything stay safe" he said in a lower tone meant between him and Twilight. "Acceptable" was all Tsar's response to Starling's plan. Winter looked in thought for a moment, trying also not to freak out like Twilight does when Celestia is around. "H-how do I contact Azuras ?" she asked openly. The Archon turned it's gaze to the charcoal mare before speaking, "You sing" it stated. Winter took a deep breath before looking to Twilight, "I guess we know what to do then ?" she asked making sure Twilight was ready to go before they set off. Princess Luna looked at the group, watching them converse before she offered her own insight, "When the Queen arrives be sure to bring her to me when you are ready... I am certain we will have some things to discuss about the future and all information gained is to be valued" she said confidently.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

As every pony else was doled out objectives and tasks, Twilight felt a little useless. Then again, she figured that she would probably have to get used to the feeling. She was pregnant after all, so her active 'saving the world' days were effectively over unless the situation was dire enough. It was strange to come to the realization of that sort of transition coming to her life. However, the thought of being a mother overwhelmed any sort of disappointment of being a hero with happiness and love for her future foal. Twilight felt Starling's muzzle touch her mane, bringing her out of her thoughts and she smiled, burying herself in that moment. When Starling asked her to be safe, Twilight nodded, "I promise." she said quietly in response. She watched as every pony got into their groups, and then looked to Winter, "Don't worry, Winter." Twilight said, smiling to her friend, "I'll be there for you." Shen then looked to the Princess again as she issued one last task, to which Twilight nodded and bowed, "We will, Princess." she said, "Let's go." she said then to Winter.

Tsar looked to Starling and Indigo, "My expectations for your weapons technology is what one of your emotions would call... hopeful." the Archon said, "I am, however, expecting that it will be superior to the woefully inept weapons of Old Equestria. The weapons and armor you currently wield would at least give you a fighting chance against some Dark Archon warriors." Indigo was still a little freaked out by the Archon, but he managed to give the being a strange look, "Uhh... Thanks? Anyways, Starling, if this thing is all about security, how are we gonna get big sparkly over there to the tech lab?" Tsar looked to Indigo, "I shall re-adopt the Sunny persona now..." Tsar then began transforming himself back into the yellow-coated unicorn buck. Indigo watched in mind-blown awe, "The buck...... Well... That works... But... Sunny? Star, did you come up with that?" he asked, giving his friend a strange look.

[Blue Fox]

Winter smiled to Twilight as she said she would be there for her when they went to call for Azuras. She had to admit the task seemed daunting not only because she would be meeting her tutor but also because of everything that had happened between her, Azuras and the black song in the throne room. The thought made her tense slightly before she inhaled deeply. "Well... let's go" she said as she led Twilight away from the others and off towards the gardens where she felt would be the best place to sing her down, unless Twilight has a better spot in mind. Starling watched Twilight leave, hating to leave her side again. She had become a very big part of his life for more reasons then he was able to list, having her around brought him strength. So to see her leave made him... feel emptier somehow. He hung his head forward and looked to Indigo with a bored expression before speaking, "Why don't you just jump to the part where you tell me your not going to let me live it down" he said with a huff. Indigo... always the joker... I mean sure maybe he wasn't the best with names but it just seemed.... appropriate. He led the Archon and Indigo away towards the tech labs... they would have allot of work to do.

[GalacticWar_Xavier]

Twilight trotted alongside Winter as they left the Great Hall, "So where do you think we should contact Azuras?" she asked, "Any place in particular? Like outside, up in Spike's room, in the basement, on the ceiling?" she said, listing off two ridiculous locations in an attempt to lighten the mood, "But really, I am excited to meet Queen Azuras, I don't think I've ever had the chance to meet anyone other than the Princesses who's held such a high position and was as powerful and wasn't...well... a crook. From what you told me about that Nexus place, she definitely doesn't seem like a crook."

On their way to the weapons lab, the group came upon a sweaty, stressed out looking Commander Armature. Indigo narrowed his eyes, not really in any way pleased to see the stallion again, "Oh look who it is..." Indigo said, tempted for a moment to blurt out that the formerly cruel pony was a Dark archon spy so that Tsar would maybe deponify and vaporize him on the spot or something, "Major Starling..." Armature said gruffly, "I think its time you and I had a little chat... And that's an order... First of all, who in Tartarus is that?" Tsar made his pony disguise give an innocent look, "Sunny." the Archon said, feigning a slightly frightened tone. But silently, Tsar evaluated Armature's demeanor. He could sense the spell Princess Luna had placed on the pony, he could also sense how strained it was becoming due to not being renewed in a little while. Armature looked at Tsar, "Well, Sunny... Welcome to the force, but Starling, you and I, over there, now... The rest of you, move along." Armature then turned and stalked away, "What's he all about now?" Indigo wondered aloud, not liking it one bit.

[Blue Fox]

Starling had come to terms with the 'new' Armature but that didn't stop him narrowing his own eyes at the display he was showing when they saw him. When he gave an order Starling straightened, his heavy power hooves clunking on the floor as he did so. He looked to Indigo and Tsar as Armature walked to the pointed out spot, "You two head on without me I'll join you both after I find out what's going on" he said before turning to trot after the Commander. He waited for him to stop before he leveled himself opposite the older stallion. "Sir" he said questioningly to imply he was ready for the information.

Winter giggled at Twilight's humor as they waked, "Now that's just silly" she said before she looked ahead to where they were going, "We're going to the gardens... it's a nice day out and I'm not sure how well she can hear me through all the walls in this place" she said, adding common sense to something that she didn't even know had common sense at all. She led Twilight out into the gardens and into a grassy clearly filled with flowers and all manner of beautiful flora. She looked around before taking a deep breath, "Well.. here goes" she said as she readied herself, taking up a pose she had long since learned which made it easier to breath while reaching certain notes. She began to sing a beautiful tune dedicated to nothing in particular, it was simply a melody she liked and one she felt was decent for this occasion. The notes as always, hit their perfection as she hit each notes apex before she would bring the song to an eventual end. When the song was over she looked around before looking back to Twilight, "Well... Now I guess we wait ?" she asked unsure on how it all was supposed to work.