//------------------------------// // 6: Return Home // Story: The Night's Shining Armour // by Appleody //------------------------------// Chapter 6 Ah, it’s good to be home or sort of home, if canterlot castle counts as such a thing. As the carriage came in to land, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of a burden lifting. Soon I can just be myself again and no one will care. “Lulu, wake up we’re about to arrive,” Celestia said while poking us. It’ll be good not to be stuck staring at the floor of a carriage as well. Sadly, Luna had other ideas, laying out on the bench beside Celestia, her wings barely twitched at the sensation, “five more minutes,” she complained before attempting to cover her head with a hoof. Well can’t have this I’ll be stuck here all day, not to mention it might make Luna look bad in front of the guards. With that thought I turned Luna’s attempt to shield her eyes from the sun, to a bop upon her head. “Wah! We are awake sister.” Celestia, just let out a melodious laugh at that, “Oh sister, your so clumsy when you’re tired.” “It is not our fault Celly,” the younger sister whined, while sitting up and stretching her wings, “All the interesting action occurs during thy sunlit day. That is the time that calls us to sleep.” Huh, it seems our night Princess is nocturnal. Guess that does make sense. Once the carriage had landed, and Luna had quickly made herself look presentable with some sort of magic, the two diarchs disembarked the carriage. Waiting for them was a number of guards and servant staff. Huh that one at the front seems more important with its adorable purple armour. “Ah shining Armor, is there much to report?” Celestia asked the pony with less shiny armour than me. The pony in question gave a salute before saying, “nothing major of note your highness,” before putting a hoof to his chin, “well apart from Prince Blueblood being well, Blueblood but we can’t help that.” Celestia giggled at that. Huh wonder who this Blueblood is? Ah, just hurry up I’m getting antsy standing here. “Ah excellent captain, what of our spooky guest?” Celestia nonchalantly asked to my horror. Luna chimed in, “We should expect that our new friend has been upon their best behaviour.” Well at least she’s got my back. “Well Princess, that things been pretty quiet,” he said while scratching the back of his head, “We haven’t heard a peep from it the entire time you’ve been gone.” I’m not a thing, I’m a person. Well, I guess a person is a thing, but that’s still pretty rude. Celestia, started to look a little worried, “So let me get this straight, you’ve left our guest in a room by themselves for two days and no one has checked on them?” Shining Armor seemed to be getting a bit nervous, “that would appear to be what we did.” Well, that was incredibly lucky. Celestia then stepped closer to the unicorn. Wow she really towers over him. “Did no one even deliver any food for them?” While looking down, the captain said, “no your highness. The servants were too afraid to approach without your presence.” The look of disappointment upon Celestias face was probably the worst thing that guard could experience. I just had to save him from it “Sister, if the armoured spirit wanted some food or companionship surely it would have at least attempted to leave the room?” I said through Luna, which surprised her enough to flinch slightly. At my words Celestia turned to Luna, “sister, that creature came with us in good confidence and we repaid it's actions by making it our prisoner,” she then started to walk into the castle, “come sister we have a wrong to fix.” Well, this is terrible. If she goes to my room I’m not going to be there. Why must someone being a good person cause me problems? “Sister would it be possible for us to freshen up while thou prepare to meet with our guest?” Luna coming to the rescue again, “we can then go to see the armoured one together,” she said with a smile. Celestia just sighed again, “okay sister, have it your way, our guest has been alone so long what’s another thirty minutes.” “Thirty minutes! That’s not even enough time to dry our fur!” 30 minutes is plenty, let’s just go. At that I started walking us past Celestia towards Luna's room. “Other way my friend,” Luna whispered before turning and walking the other way down the corridor. At our antics, Celestia just shook her head and started to talk with some brown-haired unicorn with glasses. All I could think was, that went well as Luna took over walking us to her room. Thirty minutes to get ready and meet ponies as myself, hurray. This feels rather daunting all of a sudden. People are actually going to start judging me on my actions. Upon walking through a door to a room, I couldn’t help but notice we had entered one Luna pegacorns room and not my guest room, wherever that was. “Erm Luna this isn’t a guest room,” I said as she closed the door. “We are well aware of that friend,” Luna responded as she carefully removed me and placed my pieces upon the ground in front of her. Reforming and standing up on my own felt pretty good after being stuck on a sleeping Luna so long. Ya know what I might as well reform my armour back into the full pegacorn set, So I set about extending my leg armour, recreating my helmet and finally recreated my wings. “Ah wings, how I missed you so,” I then turned to Luna, “well Luna, I really need to be within my own room for your sister not to notice.” As I said that Luna had picked up her regalia from the bed where she left it, “erm don’t the maids clean those for you?” “Nay friend,” she said while casting what I imagine is a cleaning spell, “The help are too afraid to enter our residence, so We do our own cleaning.” Well, that doesn’t seem right. We must have passed a dozen maids on the way here. “It’s their jobs to clean this castle,” I pointed out while Luna straightened her tiara, “Their fear is irrelevant.” Looks like some firing and replacing will need to be done. “Oh, armoured one,” she said in a sombre tone, “we would not wish to burden our people so. Besides with our magical skill our property can be cleaned most efficiently,” she finished with a slight smile. “Anyway, We cannot continue to call thou the armoured one so pray tell, hast thou thought of a name?” Well talk about putting someone on the spot, “so does that mean Dave wasn’t to your liking?” “My friend, We know thou knows little of pony society, but that is not even a word,” she sighed. “Well, I like it. How about John?” Names are hard. At that one Luna rolled her eyes, before responding sarcastically, “ah here comes the almighty Princess of the night Luna, along with her friend…John” before she returned to her usual tone, “my friend, these names are hardly impressive.” “Okay have it your way, Dave the conqueror!” I said with a flourish of my wings. That caused Luna to scrunch up her muzzle, “is thou coming up with terrible names on purpose?” ouch, “That will clearly intimidate the ponies thou art attempting to befriend.” “Fine, have you got any ideas?” I asked while gesturing to her with a misty wing. At that she immediately brightened up. Oh no she’s clearly been working on some for a while. “Well my friend, We have been working on a name that accurately describes thy nature and could be part of an impressive title. What dost thou think of... Eclipse?” “Erm Luna with respect, that’s not a name. It’s just a thing that happens, and in what way does that sound impressive?” Honestly Dave is way cooler. Luna gained a mock shocked expression at that, “We do not expect thee to fully understand the reason this name is inspiring, but We believe it accurately describes thou. Also, the Luna Eclipse Duo sounds much more impressive nay?” she started to look at me hopefully. “Okay, I’ll think about it,” she smiled at that. Damn puppy dog pony eyes. Suppose I should try and keep my only friend happy, “So Luna, should we return to my room?” “Well then Eclipse, We have thought of a most splendid idea,” she said over emphasizing the name. She isn’t going to let that name go, is she? “We propose that thou would take residence within our domicile.” What’s that supposed to mean? “You have been such a good friend to us in the previous days We believe it only fitting to offer the best.” “Erm by your domicile do you mean your room?” okay, feeling a little nervous now. “But of course, armoured one,” Well, there’s clearly only one bed in here, so where does she expect me to sleep? “Not to sound ungrateful Princess,” I started. “Eclipse, thou refers to us as Luna,” The moon pony interrupted seriously, while approaching me. “Yes sorry. Luna Not to sound ungrateful, but where would I be sleeping?” “Ah friend, We have the perfect place for thou,” at this Luna gripped my helmet with a hoof and turned it slowly to the right. “Luna you’ve got to be kidding me,” Where she’d directed me was to a very ornate looking armour stand. Really wish these ponies didn’t just see a suit of armour. “We are not providing any young goats my friend,” Luna said quizzically, her head tilted in an adorable state of confusion. I just sighed at that, “Luna I meant, are you joking?” “Oh apologies, We are still acclimatizing to the modern vernacular,” She said with a giggle. I knew she was mocking me, “Is it not to thy specifications?” The PTSD flashbacks of the griffonian armour stand went through my helmet. “That armour stand is quite magnificent Luna,” it’s a terrible armour prison from which there is no escape. “Then what is the problem? Thou may try it out if comfort is a concern.” Wow she really thinks I'd try to sleep on that thing. “Its just that I’m not really built for something like that,” I said gesturing to the armour torture device, “I’m more like you. Meaning a bed would be preferable really.” At that Luna seemed to become deep in thought, “thou did like our bed in the Griffonian guest room.” “Exactly and as Princess of the night, you know how important a good night’s sleep is.” Now we are getting somewhere. At that, the blue fluffball looked shocked, “Thou art correct my friend. How could We deprive thou of such a basic necessity?” She then gained a mischievous grin, “If thou wishes to utilize a bed, ours is available.” Say what now? “Erm Luna, I really don’t think there’s enough room,” I couldn't help taking a step back. Her eyes then suddenly became half lidded as she approached me like a cat hunting her prey. “That night was also very comfortable for us as well Eclipse, would thou consider a position as the royal sleeping apparel?” “Er, wuh, buh,” really don’t know what to say to this. Really should just refuse, there’s nothing forcing me to do this other than a request from Luna. My only friend. This isn’t something I should even consider its such a strange request. But then what if she gets upset. Wow that would be terrible. Maybe I could try it out just to make her happy? With that thought I looked up at Luna to see a barely restrained smile. “Oh dammit Luna. I thought you were serious for second,” yep that was embarrassing as Luna started to laugh at my expense. “Can’t believe I was actually considering saying yes.” “Thou would consider it?” she seems surprised. Oh no just put my shoe in it haven't I? “then maybe…” “Luna can we go to the guest room,” I interrupted, “If Celestia doesn’t find me there, she’s gonna flip her lid.” “We highly doubt that my sister would ‘Flip her lid’ as thou says,” Luna began using air quotes, “We still believe honesty would not only have no ill consequences, but could result in a reward from our beloved sister. Thou was very heroic and should not be giving us thy credit.” She then pointed at us judgmentally, “It makes us feel dirty, taking credit for the deeds of others and taking thy deserved praise.” She was involved in those heroics too, just to a lesser extent. “Luna, can we go.” I'd already started walking to the door. Luna just sighed and followed. “Thou would have made fine night ware,” she said under her breath. Before she walked past me and opened the door. Turns out we weren’t going very far, as the guest room was located directly opposite that of the moon pony's. “Here we are.” She stated while opening the doors, “This room is meant for the personal guests of one princess of the night. Thou will be the first to utilize it in over one thousand years.” I can't believe this castle has managed to stand for one thousand years. This room must be really special if no one alive has ever used it. “Huh, what an honour,” I suppose. The room feels pretty empty at the moment really. Don’t get me wrong it has all the requirements for an impressive bedroom including a wardrobe, some draws, a desk, some bookshelves, an ensuite and even a bed. The room just lacks little stuff like things in those draws and, on that bookshelf, well apart from a few Luna plushies and all the dust from over one thousand years of stagnation. “It’s pretty interesting that so much dust could be present in one room.” “What really?” Luna spun around to examine the room. “Why has it been forsaken? Have our subjects truly forgotten everything about us?” Ooo sensing some potential depression here. All I could really think to do was put a shoe on Luna’s shoulder in some miniscule attempt to comfort her, “Luna the room seems pretty cosy to me, thanks for letting me stay.” Another voice from behind the two of us suddenly rang out, startling us both, “Ah armoured one I’m glad that you appreciate the significance meant by the room we’ve generously provided.” Said a very out of breath sun horse, who was leaning against the door for support. “Sister, did thou gallop here by chance?” Luna asked while stepping closer to Celestia. “What no no. I was totally prepared for you to go and see our new friend without me and was already enroute,” The alabaster mare said so convincingly, “I never had to receive a message from Raven, telling me you weren’t going to wait for me like we planned, no no no.” Celestia then stopped to catch her breath. “Oh yes sister, We may have slightly forgotten about that part,” Luna uttered while blushing slightly. That was not my fault for getting Luna to rush, no sir. “No matter Lulu,” Celestia then started regaining her composure, “what matters is that you were willing to provide for our new friend and ensure they were welcome with this… honour.” She said that last part while looking through the dusty room. She then turned to me with a worried look, “Have you been staying in all this dust for two days?” Okay stay calm, she won’t figure it out. Not that this dust hasn’t been disturbed at all, no sir. “Yes, Princess I was trying my best to prove how reliable I am.” It’s a good job I don’t have a face or she might catch me here. “It’s been nice and quiet while I’ve waited for you.” At my response, Luna gave me a judgemental look, while Celestia shouted some maids, “Duster, Bucket would you two be so kind as to clean my sisters guest room.” She said with a strained smile. “At once princess,” the little ponies responded, before barging past me and Luna like we weren’t even there to begin cleaning the room. Wow these ponies are desperate to impress sunny. They didn't even show an ounce of fear towards me. “Well, my armoured friend, you must be famished,” Celestia asked, “would you like to join us for breakfast?” Hmm I could do with a slight bite, but that isn’t really new, “sure thing Princess, I could have a little.” Luna just had to chime in, “We are sure thou hast a ravenous appetite.” It was one time, granted it was my only opportunity but still. At that, Celestia led the way to a fancy dining room with a long table. Each sister then went and sat at opposite ends. Okay, where to sit? Next to Luna seems obvious but it might seem rude to the sun over there. Hmm decisions decisions. Ah well, the middle is the safe bet, so I decided to sit equal distance between them both. Luna then asked, “so Eclipse, what is thine stomachs desire?” Well, I couldn’t drink the orange juice and haven’t ever eaten solid food without help soooo, better choose something light, “Toast please.” “Waiter did thou catch that,” the waiter nodded to Luna, “Then be off and bring our guest their meal.” That seemed a bit rude. “Just toast my friend?” Celestia asked, “It's okay for you to order more, going for so long without food isn’t good for anypony.” She looked down at that last part. Ah the sting of guilt, how I’ve missed you. The feeling wasn’t really helped by Luna’s occasional looks. “It's okay I don’t really feel that hungry,” I then waved my misty legs around, “there isn’t any meat on my boneless body, see?” Celestia brightened at that before changing the subject, “did I hear correct that you remembered your name?” “What Eclipse?” She better not start calling me that, “No, that’s just what Luna calls me.” “Hark, is it not pleasant to one’s ears?” Luna likes that name way to much. “It does seem to suit you armoured one,” Celestia smiled. “So Eclipse, how have you liked Canterlot so far?” This name might not be going away. “I’ve yet to witness much your majesty, just what was on the route here and to the throne room,” Technically I’ve seen about as much as I would have from that room, so not a lie. “It looks nice so far, could do with a clean in some areas though.” “Did you not see another pony when we left you?” “No Princess there wasn’t anypony to see.” Just a lot of griffons. By this point the friendly sun ponies ears had drooped completely, “let it be known that as a representative of the ponies of Canterlot, we are all very sorry if you felt we’d forgotten about you.” “Don’t worry I’m fine with it,” what does someone say to that. I’m just the worst kind of person. I really have to say something but what? “That’s probably because the void's given you such low standards, but know hence forth life will hopefully be less lonely, I promise,” Celestia really is a good person and seems to actually care about me. Guilt is increasing. “We are curious what did thou do to entertain thyself?” Luna mischievously asked. Dammit Luna, well theirs only one thing I can think of, “Well Princess, I spent my time erm, playing with those toys in the room,” well this is embarrassing. Celestia looked surprised at that, “You mean those little plushies of Luna?” Kill me now. “Yes, they were very interesting compared to the void.” Technically true and to be honest, if I was trapped in that room, I probably would have tried to converse with the inanimate objects. Luna started to laugh at that, while Celestia just smile at me, “That would have been quite entertaining to watch your imaginary adventures with Luna.” “Indeed, We wonder what heroics thou got up to.” Luna, please stop making references to things. Bet she's trying to get me caught on purpose. After the newest worst moment of my existence ended, the breakfast arrived. Cereal for the princesses and four slices of toast for me. “Well, my friend I hope you enjoy your long-awaited meal," Celestia said before digging into her own cereal. Okay, well this didn’t work to well last time, but second times the charm and all that. Carefully I picked up a slice of toast with a shoe and held it in my metaphorical mouth. Hmm now what? There’s toast inside my head with no obvious way to go. I couldn’t help looking over at Luna enjoying her breakfast. Damn wouldn’t it be good to have a mouth right about now. Luna then caught my eye and casually removed her tiara while patting her head. Now she’s just rubbing it in, we can’t do that in front of Celly, the most understanding person I’ve met. At that thought, I looked over to Celestia who appeared to also be staring at me with a look of interest. Wonder what she wants? “What’s up?” Celestia then finished chewing her cereal and swallowed, “so what are you going to do with that toast?” Well, this is embarrassing, “I’m just copying what you’re doing, food goes in the face, right?” “So, you’re trying to be like us?” Well, couldn’t help but sigh at that, “yeah.” “My friend, it appears physical food may not be for you.” Celestia mused. Well at least she'll be happier thinking I wouldn't have starved. “Just give me a minute, I can figure this out, the toast will go.” Wish this toast had some magic in it. At that a slight giggle escaped the solar princess, “You don’t have to try and be like us my friend, our differences should be known and accepted to forge a better base for a friendship to blossom.” Does Celestia think of me as a friend? We just met the other day. Luna then spoke up having finished her cereal, “We can consume thy toast for thou if that is thy desire.” At that I slid the plate of wasted deliciousness over to the awaiting moon princess causing her face to fall. “That is not what We meant.” “I know what you meant,” Its nice Luna is willing to let me use her to eat, but I’m just not in the mood. Besides, I’ve still got one slice of toast, which appears to just be floating in my face now my shoe let go. “You appear to have something on your face,” Celestia commented as helpful as always. Thanks Celestia, it wasn’t obvious that an object was stuck in my personal space. Wonder how its staying up? With a bit of thought the toast seems to be easily moved around within my mist. Seems I can carry things without my shoes, neat. After a few moments of experimenting, the toast eventually ended up In front of me carried by my mist. “Look at this. I’m levitating something like a unicorn.” Isn't this a momentous moment. “That isn’t levitation,” Celestia calmly shot me down. “Eclipse, levitation works by grasping an object within a magic aura separate from oneself. That toast is clearly still within your physical grasp.” “Seems the same to me,” as I made the toast do a loop around my helmet, “the toast still floats.” At my words Celestia seemed to get a familiar gleam in her eye before getting to her hoofs and approaching my chair. “If you would like I can demonstrate the difference.” “Hey, our armoured friend isn’t thy student sister,” Luna complained through a mouthful of toast. “I always enjoy helping others learn something new, whether it be my personnel student or a dear friend.” Celestia said to us both. The chance to learn something legitimate about magic? yes please! “Sure, go ahead.” At that Celestia lit her horn, ooo I’m excited now. What happened next was a bit of a surprise so much as to the fact that if I knew it was going to happen, this lesson would have definitely been rejected. With her now lit horn, Celestia ran it through my mist connected to the toast, severing it, causing the toast to fall to the table. Internal screaming starts now. Whhhhyyyyy!? Ignorant of my complaints, Celestia started her lesson, “So eclipse did you see how your magical grasp could be severed with a magical weapon?” All I could manage was a nod as to not cry out in pain. Who just cuts off a piece of someone? You’ve got to at least ask permission first. It’s like someone’s just hit me with a flaming iron. The severed mist still floated in place where the toast once was. Huh at least its not gone in fact I can still feel it. With a little concentration the mist flew back into my face and the pain lessened dramatically. Okay, magic weapons really dangerous to my misty parts, lesson learned. Celestia, with her continued ignorance then lit her horn again causing me to flinch back in my chair, “Now see the toast my friend?” The toast had gained the suns golden aura of death, “yeah I see it.” “Good, now see how it levitates without a direct connection to me?” The toast then left the table and floated directly in front of my face, “Levitation in this manner can only be stopped by directly being dispelled.” At her words I decided to reach for it with a shoe and grasped the toast. It was incredibly difficult to move with Celestia clearly pulling against me but I had something to teach her as well. Using my ability to consume magic I basically ate her aura. This had the desired effect of ending the levitation, giving me a small snack and one undesirable effect. “Ow,” Celestia calmly said while poking her now smoking horn. “It appears your already adept at dispelling magic.” A laugh could be heard from the other side of the table. “Well, I’m going to try real levitation then,” okay, I have no idea how to do this, but Celestia said its just creating an aura separate to yourself, peace of cake. In a similar but less traumatic way then Celestia, I cut a piece of myself off and floated it to the toast before carefully floating it into the air. Huh its kind of like I’m the toast. “Ah well done, true levitation can take years for young unicorns to master,” Celestia seems pleased with me. I’m cheating but oh well, “do all your lessons hurt so much?” “It wasn’t my intention to cause harm my friend,” Celestia said with a smile, “It’s easy to get a little carried away.” The laugh from before came again but louder. Dammit Luna. Well, I have my weaponized toast here so, eat this. With that I floated the toast at high-speed hitting Luna in the end of the muzzle. At that she laughed a final time, before swallowing the toast whole. Hey I’m in that! Okay, no biggy. When I recalled the mist Luna went slightly cross-eyed before it flew out of her nose. “Ha, thou art full of surprises.” “Wasn’t really expecting you to eat me, anyway would it be possible to learn more magic?” That would be so useful, “oh and not forgetting flight as well.” Wait if I learn these things, they might see me as a threat. Okay just got to play it cool and get my convincing face on. “Oh yes, I would be happy to teach a being such as you,” Celestia responded, “Think of the things we could both learn. You pony magic and me about your kind.” Huh, that was easier than expected. Luna suddenly stood up knocking over her chair, “Nay thou already have a student. We are an expert on creatures of the night, thine education should be with us.” Does she want to teach me as well? “Your both up for teaching me?” “Well, when I have free time, I would love to learn more about you,” Celestia began. “With us, thou will be able to learn during thy work hours,” Luna quickly followed up taking it as a competition. “Sister, what employment does our dear suit of armour have?” I’m pretty curious about that as well. We both looked at Luna expectantly. After her outburst Luna went to sit back down before realizing she’d knocked over her chair. She ended up just standing in place pawing the ground for a minute while deep in thought. “Well, We have yet to think of the title thou deserves.” “A job does sound nice. It would really help me find my place in this world,” having a job is just one step closer to a stable life. “Thou will take the job?” Luna asked hopefully. “Kinda depends upon what I’d be doing really.” I’m not just going to accept a mystery job, ol moony could ask me to do anything. Saying that she is a Princess, it’s probably within her power to ask anyone to do anything. At my question Luna sat on the floor again deep in thought. I took a quick glance over to Celestia during the wait and she just shrugged her wings at me. “Aha, We have found the title friend,” the night pony proudly proclaimed before pointing a hoof at me, “thou shalt be mine confidant and protector. It is a most brilliant task for one such as thou.” What’s a confidant? “Is that like an advisor?” “Exactly,” She seems pretty pleased with herself. “Okay, well is the pay any good?” It is a job, I really should be getting something out of it. “How much would thou desire? Thy wish may be granted,” the excited pony replied. Celestia wasn’t the happiest with that idea it turned out, “Sister that isn’t a question to ask our guest. Due to their recent arrival in our world, they likely have limited experience with Equestria's currency.” “As long as its enough to live comfortably I’m game,” That’s all anyone really needs in a job. Don’t really have high aspirations at the moment above continuing to exist. The sun princess seemed happy enough with that, “Well Equestria endeavours to provide all who do their share of labour with a fair wage. Yours shall be no different.” She then became a bit sombre, “Luna you know that you don’t need to hire our friend here as a confidant. You’ve got me.” Hey, I need this job. Luna wasn’t really paying attention anymore, “ah it will be nice for us to have our own staff again.” “Lulu you have the night guard to yourself. Are the servants and maids we share not enough?” Celestia probably thinks the maids are cleaning Luna's room. “Well sister they would be if they actually entered our areas of the castle, We have had to clean our own domicile for some time.” “I see,” Celestia said quietly while looking at a maid. Huh I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pony so terrified since Pony town. “That is something we shall have to rectify. Eclipse thank you for your time today, but I have some matters that require our attention.” She then gestured to the door, “you may explore the castle grounds at your leisure.” “We shalt enjoy giving thou the tour,” Luna said happily, “Canterlots gardens are most wonderful this time of year.” Spending some time with a friend in a less stressful place would be nice. “Sister, you have duties to attend as well, lest you forget the trade deal we need to organise.” Celestia announced while walking towards the door. Well looks like I'll be spending the day alone. No big deal, I've been alone for thousands of years and in that time there wasn't any interesting sights. It seemed Luna wasn’t expecting that, “Celly please, that is so boring for first thing in the morning.” This is what happens when your important. “Boring you say? It didn’t seem so boring to you last night.” Sunny said with a knowing smile. At Celestia's comment I received a glare from the moon as she followed her sister, “We don’t know what to tell thou. It was almost like We were a different person.” Well, she isn’t used to having responsibilities. Just before leaving Luna turned to someone out of sight, “Crescent Wing, guard Eclipse while We are away.” From somewhere above that I couldn’t see, a vampire pony dropped next to me and saluted the leaving princess. Where was she hiding? The rooms almost perfectly lit. Once the princess had left, I couldn’t help staring at my new companion. She had full on bat wings and fangs if that doesn’t scream vampire, I don’t know what does. That must be what Luna meant when she said she ruled creatures of the night. After a minute of my staring, the vampire pony in question must have been getting a tad uncomfortable, as a hoof suddenly tapped my faceplate knocking me out of my musings. “Hello is there anypony in there?” The guard asked inquisitively, with that adorable head tilt ponies do. At the tap, I couldn’t help but back pedal a little, “Sorry yes yes. I was just curious, I’ve never seen anything like you.” “You think I’m interesting? Has the talking suit of armour never seen a pony before?” well this is embarrassing. At that I cleared my non-existent throat, “so would you be up for providing a castle tour?” The vampire in question just saluted and began walking to the door. Wow this is going to be one long tour with miss talkative, “ya don’t have to be in soldier mode the entire time, do you?” If so, maybe I should go alone. “I need to represent my lady to other ponies to the best of my ability,” the vampire said with a smile, “That does include you.” “Well Crescent, I’m Princess Luna’s official confidant, so such treatment will not be required,” at my haughty words the bat pony just smiled, before gesturing with a hoof for me to follow. The tour itself was fairly uneventful. Crescent showed me to various important places in the castle like the library and Celestia's room. There was also a lot of boring offices, workshops and a pretty large room which wasn’t currently in use. The most interesting part was as Luna suggested earlier, the castle garden. Canterlot's garden did have a wide variety of plants I’d never seen which was amazing, however it was nothing compared to the weird statues dotted around. Especially the one of the weird hybrid creature. “So, what's that thing supposed to be?” I asked my bored escort, while approaching the statue. Crescent just lazily looked over to the statue in question, “That? That’s discord, Equestria’s greatest enemy. This statue was built to commemorate his defeat at the hooves of our beloved princesses.” “Huh, well this guy must have been strong to cause issues for an entire country,” After giving the statue a poke I found a seemingly endless supply of magic. Wonder if it would be okay to take a little due to skipping breakfast? I'm sure no one will notice due to the amount. “He must have been, I’m just glad I wasn’t alive to see his rule,” she said while looking at the horrifying visage. “Huh your younger than you look,” I expected this pony to be in her thirties. At that the vampire gave me a dissatisfied look, “well I’m certainly younger than one thousand years.” That doesn’t make sense. How could Luna have defeated this thing one thousand years ago, “But you said the pony sisters defeated him.” The bat pony gave me a smug look before simply saying, “yup.” Well, it appears the Princesses might actually be as old as me. Who knew? Should probably stop draining this things magic now. Its amazing really, a seemingly never-ending supply and the flavour just keeps changing. I’ll have to keep coming back to this when it's recharged. “Well, think I might just go and read in the library now, sorry if it’s a bit boring,” I really want to learn more about this world. “It’s okay, I’ve baby sat before.” That interrupted my stride, “heeeeey.”