Lessons in the Moonlight

by Harmony Split


Burning Floors

Chapter Twenty-Four: Burning Floors

I groaned as I tried to turn from my uncomfortable position, just to find out that I wasn’t able to even move a inch. Cracking an eye open, I found my view obscured by some lavender fur, my brain trying to find out what was going on.

It took me a few seconds to realize that Twilight was laying half over me, restricting my very movement. Not that it was a big problem or something, not at all.

The big problem was that Twilight was pressing on my bladder, which was full.

I sighed softly, not knowing what to do. On one hoof, I knew I should wake Twilight so I could go, but on the other, she was just too soft and cuddly to let go. Besides, I was pretty sure I couldn’t move her without waking her.

Lying still, I pondered over my options for a few moments before smirking. My right wing was restricted, but I could open and bend my left one freely. Moving it up and down Twilight's back, even down to her flank, she soon started squirming and purring.

Did I mention that I loved her purring? It was so lovely and adorable.

After a few more moments she blinked her eyes open, looking for the cause of her disturbed sleep until she found my gaze. The smile she gave me made everything worthwhile.

“Hey,” she silently whispered.

“Hey,” I whispered back, smiling slightly.

“Not that I don’t appreciate the way you woke me, but why?”

“Uhm… I kinda have to use the bathroom,” I replied with a small blush.

Twilight nickered softly before moving down from me, but not before she planted a soft and loving kiss on my lips. “Then go.”

Hesitantly, I made my way to the bathroom and rushed everything, eager to get back to my princess. Still, I took the time to quickly brush my teeth. Just as precaution.

When I was done, Twilight was sitting on the bed, yawning while reading over a letter she held in her magical grasp.

“When did that arrive?” I asked curiously.

“Oh, just a few seconds ago. Luna is asking if we would join her for breakfast.”

As if on cue, my stomach gave a loud rumble, making me blush. “Sounds like a good idea.”

“Well, then we should get going. Just give me a few moments to brush my mane,” Twilight chuckled back, making her way to the bathroom.

At least, she tried to. Before she could move past me, I swept her around in my wings, then brought her in for a long and loving kiss. First, she squeaked in surprise, but then quickly melted into it.

“And none shall say my Captain didn’t sweep me off my hooves,” she said with a smirk as we broke.

With an extra sway to her flanks, which of course I admired all the way, she disappeared into the bathroom before I went over to the bed and examined the letter. It was simple, really. What made it leave a bad feeling in my gut, was that Luna mentioned company.

If it’s Fire Breeze, I hope she will at least be polite, or she’ll regret it this time.

I was so lost in my thoughts concerned about Fire Breeze that I didn’t notice Twilight sneaking up on me until she jumped me, forcing me down onto the bed, straddling me.

“What’s up on your mind?” she asked softly.

“Fire Breeze.”

“Oh.” Her ears immediately flopped down.

“Hey, hey,” I whispered, kissing her softly. “I just wonder if she’s the company at breakfast and I don’t want her to do something silly. She will try to get under your skin, no matter the match yesterday.”

“And you think as a princess, I won’t be able to kick her flank?”

“Oh I’m going to kick her flank if she’ss that stupid,” I muttered darkly, just to be shut up by a kiss.

“None of that. We will try to enjoy the day as best as possible, alright? And I have a surprise for you this evening,” Twilight smirked.

That made me perk up. “Is it a sexy surprise?”

She groaned and cuffed me in the chest before rolling off me and the bed. “You are incorrigible!”

“You love it!”

“Well, that’s true,” she sighed with a small blush before shaking her head. “No distractions anymore! We have to go. I’m sure Luna is already waiting.”

I waved my hoof idly, taking my time to get up. “Yes, yes, I’m already up.”

Twilight glared at me before her horn lit up, and I gulped. Not even a second later I felt my gut twisting in a teleport that left us directly in front of the door of what I assumed was the dinner hall and two surprised guards.

“Never do that again without warning!” I hissed as I tried to lose the sick feeling in my stomach.

All my princess did was face me with a very unprincess-like raspberry, before nodding to the guards, who pushed the door open. Much to my surprise, it was not not just Luna and Fire Breeze, but also Celestia and someone else attending.

“Discord,” Twilight growled, before facing Celestia. “What in the hay is he doing here?”

“Well, good morning to you too, Twilight,” Celestia looked up from what looked like a slice of cake. At breakfast. “He accepted my invitation.”

“Your… INVITATION?!” Twilight answered, her right eye starting to twitch.

I knew she was on the way to losing it, so I quickly stepped closer and nuzzled her, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Just ignore him,” I whispered. “And please do so as well for Fire if she misbehaves.”

“I heard that!” The mare looked up from her plate, glaring at me while her ears twitched.

Stupid thestrals. I rolled my eyes.

While Discord laughed at Twilight’s distress, she recovered and gifted me a small smile before Luna spoke up.

“If you want breakfast, you need to enter the room and sit down, you know. I promise we won’t bite.”

“Buck you too, Lu,” I shot back as we approached the table.

“Don’t make me punish you, Captain Fluffykins.”

“Try me.”

“Oh, I will if you keep this up, trust me!”

By the time we gave each other silly raspberries, the whole table was laughing, including Celestia.

“I forgot how good you were at this,” she said softly through her laughter. “It is good to see you two hold no old grudge.”

My gaze went over to her. “I could say the same about you, Celly. How is your breakfast-cake? I thought you swore to never eat sweets this early again.”

“I earned it, didn’t I?” she replied with a small blush while Discord broke out in full-body guffaws.

“You are all so adorable!”

“Shut up, Discord.” Luna, Fire Breeze, Twilight and I spoke simultaneously.

“Now that’s what I call a lovely family!” he continued.

I groaned and sat down next to Luna, just to crash my head right onto the table. That didn’t hold long as Twilight took the place next to me and started trailing a wing over my back. Involuntarily, I started to purr, albeit quietly.

“That’s adorable,” Fire Breeze spoke up, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Now stop that, we’re eating.”

“You never had a problem with that in our time, so shut up,” I shot back, enjoying the touch.

“Really now?”

“Captain, be quiet and eat up,” Luna interfered, and thankfully, Fire Breeze did shut up.

“Great!” Discord clapped his hands. “Now that it’s quiet, story time!”

“Discord, please no,” Luna muttered, but Celestia seemed thrilled.

In a flash of magic, two dolls appeared on the table, and with a bad feeling I immediately recognized them.

“How about the story of Captain Fluffykins’ and Princess Twilight’s wild cloud adventure?”

Both blushing, Twilight and I both shouted, “NO!”

Celestia, however seemed intrigued while Luna shot me an interested glance.

“Last evening, I, yours truly, Discord, went on my late round around the premises to keep all you ponies safe. Yes, yes, I know, that’s so heroic and nice of me. Now, as I simply floated around keeping my eyes open, my ears heard the strangest of sounds.” He stopped, facing me and Twilight. “Almost like a strangled cat.”

We glared at him, but he, of course, continued.

“As I went to investigate, I found those two on a wet cloud, tumbling over each other in a flurry of mghhghdfff mhhhfff!”

We were saved by a golden and blue magic seal shutting his lips tight, thankfully.

“Discord,” Celestia slowly began, a sweet smile spreading on her muzzle. ”While I enjoy your… shenanigans now and then, please don’t overdo it. Or shall we have a meeting at the stone garden again?”

Discord gulped before shaking his head, and the seals vanished. I knew exactly why. If Celestia gave that smile, you knew you were going to get in trouble. Real trouble.

“Last time I received that smile, she sealed me into my armor for two weeks,” I mumbled, earning a few gazes.

Celestia giggled faintly. “That was over a thousand years ago. Surely you don’t hold any grudge, Captain Fluffykins? Besides, I know my little sister let you out so you could use the bathroom for a few minutes every day.”

“I’m going to test that out if you keep this up, Celly,” I glared playfully at her.

Luna sighed as she poked her daisy sandwich. “While I appreciate that we all get along just fine, could we finish breakfast now?”

“I don’t know about you, Princess, but I’m done,” I replied with a grin, licking my plate clean.

“That’s gross, Nighty,” Twilight said from my side, giving me a small glare.

“Sorry, love.”

“You two are adorable; it brings back old memories,” Luna giggled. “Does she still kick in her sleep?”

“Not saying anything,” came the dainty answer from my marefriend, accompanied by a small smile. “But she does make for a nice cushion. And blanket, occasionally.”

“Tell me, Twilight. What have you two planned for today?” Celestia asked as she picked up a napkin.

The mare in question seemed clueless and looked to me. I only shrugged.

“Don’t look at me. I sort of just roll through it with you and every day has been perfect so far.”

“Every day?” she asked.

“Okay, nearly every day.”

“We don’t have anything special planned except my surprise for the evening, Celestia.”

“I hope my information will serve you well,” Celestia replied as she slowly got up. “As much I would like to indulge longer, I have duties to attend. Discord, you coming?”

“Right behind you!” he replied before stopping next to me and Twilight, leaning down to whisper into our ears. “I know what you did on that cloud.” And just like that, he was gone.

“We, too, have duties to attend,” Luna said with a small groan, getting up as well. “Night Glider, I would like you to join me in my study later. I’m sure your princess can live without you for some time,” she added with a smile.

And just like that, we were alone with Fire Breeze, who did her best to keep her attention to her plate, but failed utterly in the end. “What does she have that I don’t?”

“Excuse me?” I looked at her, surprised.

“What does she have that I don’t? Is it because she is a princess?”

“Hello? I’m sitting right here!” Twilight scowled.

“Fire Breeze,” I started slowly. “I knew the fire bombs shorted some of your circuits, but I didn’t expect you to be outright stupid. Not only acting like she isn’t here, at the same time you try to rile Twilight up. Let me tell you something. I still love you, yes.” Fire Breeze looked smug at that, but I glared at her. “But I love Twilight a thousand times more.”

That effectively wiped the smug grin from her face.

“She is cute, wonderful, caring, funny, just perfect! If I have to describe everything I love about that mare, we would sit here until late night. So let me get this straight for you. I will never leave Twilight. For nopony, and definitely not for you.”

With that, I nodded to Twilight and we left the dining room, leaving a positively shocked Fire Breeze behind.

***

We were sitting in the library of the castle, where Twilight wanted to read up on a few things. I had no idea what it was, but I knew it would be way over my head if even Twilight had to look it up.

So I settled in a cushion next to her, reading up on military history over the last thousand years when she spoke up.

“Did you mean everything you said to Fire Breeze?”

“Of course I meant everything!” I replied, looking at her in surprise. “Why would you think otherwise?”

The blush on her coat was evident as she answered, “You are my first marefriend and I know you had some before me. And I know you still love Fire Breeze.”

“Twilight,” I started as I shuffled closer, pulling her in a strong embrace. “I meant everything! You are strong, cute, funny, there is always something new to experience with you that I love.” I paused and waggled my ears. “Plus, you are awesome in the hay.”

That earned me a shove and a playful scoff, but also a soft, lingering kiss.

“Thank you.”

“For what? That I told you the truth? Nothing to thank for that, Twilight.”

“Such a sweet talker you are.”

I was about to reply but we were disturbed by a Night Guard approaching. He bowed before turning to me. “I am sorry to interrupt, Captain, but Princess Luna would like to see you in her study. She states that it is important.”

“Alright,” I said and stood up. “You okay without me?” I asked Twilight.

“I will be fine. Thanks, mom.”

“I love you too,” I chuckled and gave her a kiss on the cheek, before turning to the blushing guard. “Lead the way.”

The way to Luna’s study was nearly the same as to her bed chambers, and we quickly arrived, the guard bowing before leaving me. I knocked on the door and opened it, letting myself in.

“Night Glider, thank you for coming so quickly. Please, sit down,” Luna gave me a small smile as she looked up from her papers.

“What do you need, Lulu?”

“Please look at this,” she replied and offered me a paper.

Looking it over, I stumbled. It was an agreement that stated each princess was to have the same number of troops and personal guards. It was signed by Celestia and Luna, but one spot was left blank.

“What does this have to do with me?” I asked.

“You are the Captain of the Twilight Guard. My sister and I agreed on this, which leaves us currently with a problem. While we both have one personal guard, Celestia has a total of fifty-one troops and I have fifty-two.”

I had a small idea where this would lead, but stayed quiet, forcing Luna to explain it completely.

“Twilight will have to sign this as well, but there will be no need for that many guards. I want you to pick two of my guards that will change into your command, and one from Celestia. The only terms are that your candidates must be willing to follow your orders and protect Twilight, and willingly leave my sister or I.”

I scrunched my muzzle slightly. “What’s the catch?”

“I want you to take Night Breeze with you.”

“Why? Not that I wouldn’t love an old friend at my side, but why would you give her up?”

“About six months ago, I decided on my new captain. Fire Breeze wasn’t my only candidate.”

“Her sister wanted the promotion, too,” I groaned.

Luna acknowledged me with surprise. “Yes. It ended with Fire Breeze turning violent after I became… intimate with her sister. We found Night Breeze the next day with burns over her whole body and a concussion. Ever since then, they fight, and it usually ends with one of them in the medical wing.”

“So you want me to take Night Breeze to hopefully defuse the situation?”

“And to help you. Night Breeze is well learned in the arts of war and has dedicated herself to studies of the last few centuries. She will be a good asset to you while setting up the Twilight Guard.”

“Is Night Breeze still chasing after the position of her sister?” I asked.

“She is,” Luna sighed.

“Then what makes you think that she will willingly come with me and follow my commands?”

“Because she adores you.” The night princess chuckled at my confused expression. “Ever since you tamed her sister over a thousand years ago, she has adored you. I know that she will follow you willingly and help in every way possible.”

“I hope that’s all there is to it.”

“She also might have had a crush a thousand years ago.”

“For buck's sake, Lulu!”

“It is over, I assure you. But when you first showed up here I was able to see that the adoration is still there. She won’t be a problem. After all, she is far more disciplined than Fire Breeze.” Luna sighed. “No matter how much I try to teach her sister.”

“You are trying to teach that firehead discipline?” I asked with a chuckle. “How is that working out for you?”

She growled at me. “Terrible.”

“Could’ve bet on that, Lu.”

“You are terrible sometimes, dear Night.”

“I know! You should know as well even after all that-”

I was interrupted as the door smashed open and the guard from earlier rushed in.

“Your highness! There is a fight going on in the library!”

“Between who?” Luna asked, but I could already guess.

“Princess Twilight and Captain Breeze!”

Luna and I shared a quick look before her horn lit up. I steeled myself for the teleport which had us moments later in front of the giant doors of the library, around us about a dozen guards mixed of night and day.

“Situation, please,” Luna quickly spoke.

“We heard shouts and crashes, my lady, so we went in to see what was wrong and found Captain Breeze attacking Princess Twilight with fire bombs. We had to retreat from the heat, but there has been silence for about a minute.”

“I’m going in,” I spoke up, earning a look of surprise from the guard who had spoken. “Yes, I think that it is a bad idea, but it’s my princess and marefriend in there, so get out of my way.”

The guards parted as I approached the doors, Luna directly behind me. A wave of heat and smoke beat against us as the doors opened, but that cleared quickly thanks to Luna’s magic. We were greeted with the sight of a damaged library, but the fires seemed contained, and no sign of the troublemakers.

“Twilight, where are you?” I shouted.

There was no answer so I quickly spread my wings, only to be held back by Luna.

“There is a huge amount of concentrated magic in one corner of the library. I can sense that it is Twilight.”

Nodding, I let her lead the way. Noticing the damage to the shelves and books, I knew Twilight would be furious at least. She loved knowledge, after all. But that was quickly torn from my mind as we approached our destination.

The area was charred and nearly not recognizable anymore, but I still noticed the slightly smoking remains of the once colourful cushions. It was exactly the same reading corner I had left not even minutes ago.

In the middle of this mess was an alicorn, her coat charred and several chunks from it missing, her eyes burning with anger, her horn glowing bright as she held a pony to the ground.

“Twilight?” I softly whispered.

That made her look up and sighing, she slumped down and released her captive that I could now see was Fire Breeze. The mare was dug around a foot into the ground, her coat likewise charred, but with what I suspected were rather magical burns. What shocked me a bit more were her wings, that were bent at an highly irregular angle.

“What happened?” Luna shouted, rushing to her Captain.

“She attacked me,” Twilight coughed.

“Explain,” was all Luna said while her horn lit up.

“I was just reading after Night Glider left, so I thought I would be undisturbed until Fire Breeze barged in, challenging me to a duel. The winner would get Night Glider. I denied and said I already had her love and attention so that fight would be crazy, not to mention that I was a princess. She left and I assumed her gone, but then the first fire bomb landed close to me.” Twilight started to tear up. “I had to bring her down, or the library would be lost!”

Luna’s horn died down and she gave Fire Breeze a nasty look. “Twilight is telling the truth. Let’s get you both to the medical wing.”

Fire Breeze stayed silent, knocked out cold as Luna took her in her magical grasp. As she started to do the same with Twilight, I shook my head and went over to my marefriend, offering her my back. She gave me a thankful smile and climbed on, nuzzling softly into me.

Outside of the library, Luna stopped for a moment to address her guards. “Fetch my sister and tell her we might have to renovate the library. She shall meet me at the medical wing.”

The guards bowed or saluted and we were on our way to the medical wing again.

Of all the things I had expected from the day, this wasn’t one of them. And somehow I knew it would get even worse.