//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 A Story of Sun, Moon, and Shield // Story: A Moon's secret // by LightShieldtheunicorn //------------------------------// 2000 years ago The sun rises over the castle of the two pony sisters. Celestia stands in front of the castle rising the sun. A stallion standing at the same height of Celestia, comes and stands beside her. Celestia looks over at him after she had rose the sun. “Light Shield, you look exhausted, did you stay up with my sister again?” Light shield yawns “Yes princess I did” He leans against her Celestia rolls her eyes “you don’t need to be so formal.” Light shield only nods slightly closing his eye. She smiles “go get some sleep. And before you say it, I know your cutie mark says you must protect the two of us, but I’ll be fine after all I’m stronger than you” she teases Light shield smiles “as you wish Tia” Celestia helps Light shield to stand straight back up, off her. Light shield walks into the castle. Celestia stands staring out over the forest. ~ Luna walks up to her room from the throne room. She yawns as she enters her room. Light shield follows her in without her noticing. He smiles “Hello Luna” Luna jumps up hitting her head on the celling “you scared the hell out of me” Light shield Laughs “sorry Luna” Luna rolls her eyes “whatever, what do you want I’m about to sleep?” Light shield smiles “I wanted to see you is that too much to ask?’ Luna rolls her eyes again “no, I suppose not.” She pauses “Can I ask you something?’ He stares puzzled “um, sure, what is it?” Luna sits down looking into her vanity’s mirror staring at light shield through it. “do you think I could be adored like my sister?” She starts brushing her mane. Light shield smiles “of course you could. The ponies just don’t get to see you that often.” Luna does not respond but stops brushing her mane. She then stands up and turns to face Light shield. “I’m going to rest now.” Light shield nods “of course, Luna” he exits the room and closes the door. Luna sighs as she sits down onto her bed. *he is lying to you Luna. No, he does not care about us. He is more loyal to your sister, than you.* As the voice filled her head Luna tried to ignore it but as it continued to repeat most of the same, Luna began to believe most of what it said. Luna lays down staring up at the celling. The voice in her head now finally quiet she could hear her heart, which disputed what the voice said. *believe him and in yourself* as the voice encouraged her the princess falls into a deep sleep. ~ As Light shield walks down the hallway, he struggles to keep his eyes open. Finally, he reaches his room. It’s at the very, very end of the hallway. As he enters his room, and immediately sits on the bed. He yawns and looks around realizing he has not been in his room in about four days, thanks to the energy spells he’s been using to keep himself awake. The stallion lays down and tries to sleep, but instead he finds himself thinking. He finds himself planning nervously. Hearts and Hooves Day is tomorrow, after all. His mind wanders gleefully over to Luna. Oh, Luna. He smiles to himself. The youngest princess has the funniest charm about her. She’s so dark and brooding, but so plain and sarcastic in a way that feels almost more genuine and lively than Celestia’s sunny attitude. So elegant and majestic, yet so… creepy! Maybe it’s because she’s usually alone every night, but Luna never seems afraid to be herself. She doesn’t have to put on a smile for the crowds like her sister. She’s just Luna. Not to mention, well, she’s beautiful. Lightshield feels adrenaline flood his veins and a nervous pit form in his stomach. Hearts and Hooves Day is tomorrow, He thinks to himself, grinning. And I’m going to tell Luna how I feel about her tonight! That smile slowly fades though, as he starts to consider Celestia’s reaction. It isn’t that she won’t be happy, or anything. In fact, she’ll probably be delighted! Celestia and Lightshield have been best friends ever since his cutie mark appointed him as bodyguard to the princesses. Ever since they were just little foals! But that’s the problem. Lightshield’s job is important. Urgently important. Like, The-Existence-of-Equestria-Depends-On-Him-Important. Sure, Celestia laughs it off when Lightshield stays up late with Luna. She rolls her eyes humbly whenever he yawns during his day job. But still, she seems kind of annoyed. Kind of concerned. Which, of course, is understandable, because staying up all night means not being a great guard during the day. Which means putting her life into his hands might not be the best idea. But then- what about Luna? Ok, fine. Luna’s up at night when everyone’s asleep. Who’s going to hurt her? But I want to see her! I want to spend every night with her! His heart aches with longing. He thinks of her hair, royal purple and glowing like a midnight sky full of glittering stars. She’s so beautiful it hurts. And she wants to be with me! He knows this. He knows she loves him too. Whenever Luna looks at him, her owly eyes, which usually look rather bored, shine brighter the sunniest day Celestia could ever conceive. As he imagines Luna’s sparkling eyes, his heart bursts, and he feels as though snake venom is pouring from it. Why do I have to change my sleep schedule to be with Luna? The snake venom calms for a moment. He can’t be mad at Luna. Not Luna. But soon his heart erupts with snake, spider, and scorpion venom, all at once. Why do I have to change my sleep schedule, just to guard Celestia? Lightshield grinds his teeth. Sleep, Lightshield. Stay awake, Lightshield. Sleep, Lighshield, Stay awake, Lightshield. I can’t take this anymore! Why do I have to choose between the love of my life, and my best friend? He sighs. I know why. Because they’re the princesses. They have power over night and day. Power over the sun and the moon. Power over me. ...What power do I have? Suddenly, Lightshield feels a surge of power, as though he can make objects float, or become a dragon, or cause an eclipse. He feels like he can destroy anything. Then, as quickly as it came, it disappears. What the... what was… that was… He shakes his mane and looks around the room, half expecting objects to be broken or on the floor, but nothing is. That was nothing, He thinks to himself. And with that, he flops back onto the bed and sleeps the rest of the day.