Stars Whirl is anxiously pacing back and forwards at the Canterlot airbase. This is the second time within a week that she has been summoned here. The only thing the message said was that it involved the security of the Lunar Empire. Stars Whirl knows that it is probably about Starry Glory's proposal for a new batpony intelligence service.
The general had finally made up her mind. She won't allow Starry Glory's plan to succeed. Rarity was right, he will do anything to further his goals of achieving a batpony supremacist state and putting him in charge of this new, stronger and less controlled Night Guard will give him the power and authority to make his dream a reality.
Stars Whirl train of thought is interrupted as her car finally arrives. She rushes inside and they drive towards the Lunar Castle.
After about an hour of driving they finally arrive at the castle. The place is buzzing with activity, there are many high ranking military officers and their assistant's ponies running and flying around carrying suitcases and stacks of documents. But Stars Whirl can't care less about them, there is only one unicorn that she is currently interested in.
After looking around for a bit and not finding Rarity, Stars Whirl decides to look inside. The foyer continues to amaze her. It is giant as if it is made for large dragons instead of equines, the floors are made of some kind of dark blue crystal that glittered beautifully in both sun and moonlight, the walls are made from the same glistering crystals but this time with a dark blue colour and there are tapestries hanging from them and finally the cathedral like arched ceiling is pitch black with a perfect representation of the night sky on them.
Stars Whirl finally manages to stop herself from admiring the room and resumes her search for Rarity. It doesn't take long before she finds her. Rarity is standing in front one of the tapestries showing Luna's transformation into Nightmare Moon.
"Governor Rarity it is good to see you." Stars Whirl greet's the white unicorn.
Rarity is startled and faces the general. Stars Whirl notices Rarity's sad look before she quickly changes back into her normal cheerful expression.
"Excuse me I was lost in my thoughts for a moment. Indeed it is good to see you too general." Rarity says in a friendly tone but her shuffling hoofs betray a sense of nervousness.
"Well I am glad I managed to catch you before the meeting. I want to tell you that I reconsidered your offer, I would love to help you with your dresses." Stars Whirl continues happily.
After hearing what Stars Whirl says Rarity kind hide her happiness. She embraces Stars Whirl in a hug, all the anxiety and fear of the last few days slips away.
"Ooh darling that is just absolutely wonderful. This is going to be really big and I will need all the help I can get." Rarity answers while smiling.
Stars Whirl takes a quick peak at a nearby clock and notices that it is almost twelfths o clock. Both mares make their way to the conference room.
The room is filled with the Lunar Empire's most important individuals, every creature is waiting anxiously for Nightmare Moon to arrive except Starry Glory who he sitting calmly in his chair looking contently. Stars Whirl suspects that this is because he knows his finest hour is about to arrive, in fact knowing him he has probably been dreaming about it all night long.
"Well if he thinks that I will support him he is in for a big surprise." Stars Whirl thinks.
Suddenly the doors open and the queen herself walks inside. Everyone get's up from their chair to bow but Nightmare Moon pays them no attention and immediately sits down and the head of the table.
"Mares and gentlecolts I have gathered you here today to tell you about a new policy that is going to be implemented today concerning the security of the empire." Nightmare Moon speaks steadily
Everyone present is surprised by this except Stars Whirl and soon murmurs erupt inside the room. But none are more surprised by this than Starry Glory. He was supposed to be suggesting this, it was his idea.
Nightmare Moon lifts her hoof and every creature present instantly stops talking. No-one want's to anger the queen. After the room is silent Nightmare Moon resumes her talk.
"Even tho there haven't been any major acts of resistance since I ascended to the throne that doesn't mean there won't be any resistance later down the line and of course there is a real possibility of infiltration by the Changeling Lands and Stalliongrad. I have decided to reform the Night Guard to combat these threats, long have they protected me and there is no doubt in my mind that they will protect the Lunar Empire just as successfully."
Nightmare Moon takes a short pause and quickly glances across the room paying special attention to three individuals, Rarity, Stars Whirl and Starry Glory. These three are as much the cause of this reform as the threat their neighbouring nations. But Nightmare Moon knows that this will solve the problems between them.
"The Night Guard will be responsible for gathering intelligence about and then hunting down all foreign infiltrators and internal enemies. They will receive all the freedom necessary to complete this important task. To make sure that this enormous burden is carried appropriately the leadership of the Night Guard shall be distributed between a council of three creatures and any decisions made will require all three of them to agree to it. I have decided that the best creatures for this task are Rarity, Stars Whirl and Starry Glory. The meeting is hereby adjourned." Nightmare moon finishes.
This time the room remains completely silent, every creature is too shocked to react no one saw this coming. Stars Whirl has to take a couple of second to process what was said. Why would Nightmare Moon do this she wonders. She can understand the necessity of an intelligence service to protect the Lunar Empire but why would she place the three of them in charge? She can't come up with a single good explanation.
Before Nightmare Moon leaves the room she walks past Rarity.
"Rarity how about a nice stroll through the park, we haven't had a proper talk in quite some time now." She asks kindly
Rarity of course accepts and together they leave the room.
As they enter the back yard Nightmare Moon is the first one to break the ice.
"Rarity you stood beside me when no other creature would and you worked tirelessly with me to help me achieve my goals. I can't remember ever thanking you for all you effort so I want to give you this as a thank you for your help then and you continuing help."
Nightmare Moon's horn lights up and with a bright flash of light a bottle of wine and 2 glasses appear in front of her.
"I would very much like it if we share a glass right now the celebrate your new appointment." She continues.
Rarity grabs the bottle in her own magic but when she reads the label she almost drops it.
"You can't possible give me this. This is a Vanhoover from 898, only a hoofful exist, this is priceless." Rarity stammers.
Nightmare Moon laughs, if it was coming from any other creature she would assume that they only said that to be polite but with Rarity she knows it is sincere. It is of course expected from the Element of Generosity to have trouble accepting a gift.
"Your friendship is also priceless so I think it is the perfect gift." Nightmare Moon replies happily.
"In that case I would be honoured to share it with you." Rarity says. Now also smiling.
Rarity opens the bottle and fills the two glasses. Nightmare Moon grabs one of them in her own magic.
"To our friendship!" Rarity announces.
They toast glasses and take a sip.
Nightmare Moon is feeling more happy than she felt in a long while. Yes she takes great enjoyment in reshaping her nation into a paradise where everyone lives happily in peace. But she also misses being with friends, being the leader of a nation is a lonely profession. No wonder Celestia always hanged out with Twilight, Nightmare Moon thinks to herself.
As Rarity looks at her queen being happy she also realises something. Now more then ever she needs my support and I will do whatever it takes to protect and help her.