A lonely, exhausted, deep blue pegasus with amethyst colored hair sat outside her Canterlot home. Waiting for the sunrise, she struggled to keep her eyelids open, gazing toward the horizon. She was lucky to have a home near this view, otherwise she would have the many structures of Canterlot in her way. Here, she had in her opinion the best view in the city.
Her home was near the edge of the city, opposite from the mountain and nearby the castle. It was an expensive home only the wealthiest of ponies could have, and her family was no exception. Having history of being affiliated with Princess Luna and her royal guards, the family status was quite high, and so were expectations from them. For the dark pegasus watching for the sunrise, she should have been grateful for that. In reality, however, she couldn't have been more miserable.
There it was. A faint, but unmistakable glimmer on the horizon. The pony imagined Princess Celestia standing on the castle balcony, slowly and carefully raising the sun itself. Faint reds began to emerge over the minutes. Reds turned to orange, and orange to faint yellow. The pegasus stood up, taking the entire view in. This is what she waited for, staying up late just to see this wonderful sight.
She raised her bat-like wings, shining in the daylight. Finally, the best part had come. The sun rose up, illuminating the entire sky in a veil of light, only half risen now. It was the most beautiful thing the pony could imagine. Why was such a common occurrence so fascinating to her? Why was she so fixated on it like she had never seen it before? What made her stay up all night just to see it?
Such an answer lied in her family history.
"Stellar! Stellar where are you?" a motherly but stern voice called. "Don't tell me you snuck out and..."
But it was too late, Stellar, the bat-winged deep blue pegasus with amethyst colored mane and tail, was already asleep.
"You think we can do this again next Wednesday?" Star Bud, a gray Unicorn asked a peach colored carrot maned pegasus.
"Definitely! I love meeting new friends like you, and I doubt there is anything else for me to do that day anyway. See you later!" The Peach pony replied. With that, they part, but not before Star says her farewell too.
"See you later then Honey Suckle!"
Honey Suckle walked off to her side of Canterlot, a path that would take a few minutes. It was a longer path for sure, but Honey Suckle loved to take longer routes, with the potential of meeting new friends, or finding new places to explore. Walking around the city was one of her favorite things to do, besides spending time with her friends.
That time she could count five new ponies she had never seen, and while she would have liked to talk to them too, she had to be home soon. Quietly, she sang a cheerful tune that puts her in a relaxed, carefree state. It was a warm, comfortable afternoon. One that could put any pony at ease. Even ponies who have had the worst of days that day could have their mood change. In most of the town's opinion, it was a perfect spring day.
She walked and walked, passing new shops, houses, and friends walking together. Some friends, she recognized.
"Hey Day Showers! I haven't seen you in a while!" The Honey Suckle said to a surprised Unicorn. Day Showers was a unique pony for being a Unicorn with weather as their talent, as Pegasi mostly dealt with weather. It made him quite easy to remember.
"Hey, I remember you! Aren't you Honey Suckle? I haven't seen you in a while," Day replied.
"I know, what brings you here? I mean, I never seen you around where I live before. What a coincidence, huh?"
"What do you mean? I live here remember?" Day said, pointing to the sign that said his neighborhood. "Are you lost?"
"What? What do you... oh. Oh no! See you later!"
Honey ran, leaving Day confused. Not today she thought. My parents will be upset if I don't come home by seven... Worried, she galloped faster, trying to find out where she was. Everything seemed different. Nothing was recognizable. Where was she? What time was it? Honey pushed herself harder as she frantically looked for anything familiar.
Nothing. Nothing at all, though something did catch her attention. Nopony was out. Not a single one. It was eerily quiet, giving Honey an uncomfortable feeling. If I could find somepony maybe I could ask them for help. Why didn't I just ask Day Showers? I shouldn't have been so anxious to get home. Mom's going to kill me...
"Hello? Anypony here?" She called out. Nopony replied. Honey Suckle was losing hope, thinking she may spend the rest of her weekend here at this rate. That is, until she came across one of the most beautiful mansions she had ever seen. Honey Suckle had lived in one herself, but nothing could compare to the one before her eyes. There had to be somepony there, and Honey was determined to find out. Walking up to the door, embossed with a royal night guard, she brought fore-hoof up to knock, before she was interrupted by someone next to her.
"If you need help, I'm right here. I don't think anyone in there cares for outsiders. Or would want them on their property."
"Who are you?" Honey asked.
"Stellar Night. You're in the Night Pony corner. I wouldn't stay here long, especially with bright colors like you."
"Why?"
"Nopony here likes anypony to wake them up. If they see you they may think you're from the Day Pony side trying to bother them and..."
"I am from the Day Pony corner. My family works in Celestia's royal guard," Honey reluctantly said, afraid she would get in more trouble.
"Well, then I'd definitely not mess around here. Luna knows what would happen then. Night Ponies prefer to keep to themselves, in case you haven't already got that," Stellar said with a smirk.
"Well, at least now I know I am going in the opposite direction. See you Ste-" But the pony was already gone.
Honey arrived at home exactly at 7:50 pm. Her mother, Petal Glow, was not happy at all with her tardiness. "What would Celestia think if one of her future Royal Guards can't even come home on time? I am very disappointed in you Honey. Perhaps I should not let you out at all at this rate."
"Well-"
"Excuses are not tolerated. From now on if you break curfew you will not be allowed back for a week. Where did you wander off?"
"Well, the Night Pony corner..." Honesty was something Honey was good at.
"What were you doing over there? They wouldn't appreciate your being over there. Though I doubt they have much work to do, interrupting them would not end well. There is no need to be there."
"Yes, mom," Honey said, walking through house to her room.
Being in Celestia's Day Pony family was not easy. For one, being home before dark (Even though it wouldn't until at least 8:00), so that she would get adequate rest for the next day. She had to attend special classes dedicated for students born in the family, and so on. Honey Suckle never really imagined herself in the royal guard. While she cared for the Princess, she didn't feel like having such a boring responsibility. Having been born in such a family though, made it impossible to change her fate. At least at this rate.
Honey Suckle's family consisted of half pegasi and half unicorns. Mostly pegasi would be in the royal guard, while unicorns are encouraged to become scholars in magic, pressured into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns (though most do not qualify). It was a tradition that lasted for centuries, long before Princess Luna's return. Only recently had she gotten her own section, which until that day Honey had no idea what was inside.
She thought of what it must be like to live only in the night. To rarely see day, to sleep through mornings, noons, afternoons, and wake up during the evening, rarely seeing the sun at it's brightest. She couldn't imagine how strange and foreign it must make one feel to be out only when most ponies are asleep. It sounded fascinating to her, much better than just what she was doing. Even if it was similar to what she had done, she, without a doubt would enjoy it more. Such a night based life not only fascinated her, but it made her jealous of the Night Corner.
Honey suckle wanted to be in the Night Ponies. Far more than being in the sun. It was quite a strange thought for Honey, who lived for the social occasions during the day, but such occasions make her tired, and, she could find new ways to have friends during the night. At least that's what she thought.
As she reached her room she suddenly had an idea. A simple one, but it was risky, as she could get in trouble. She already made plans for the next few hours. Honey smiled as she sat on her bed.