//------------------------------//
// The Night Watch 
// Story: Tales of Interest! 
// by Pascoite 
//------------------------------//

Twilight Sparkle’s eyes occasionally crossed as she tried to finish just one more chapter, her chin nodding toward her chest, then jerking back up. She flipped to the next page with a hoof, gladly seeing enough blank space to signify that she’d reached her stopping place. She gave Miss Smarty Pants a squeeze and closed her book. “How do you like this one so far? Good, huh?”

“Why don’t you go up to bed, dear?”

“Yes, mom.” Twilight settled her doll on her back and went upstairs to her washroom. Placing Miss Smarty Pants on the counter, she closed her eyes and concentrated, scrunching her face up tightly. The tube of toothpaste slowly lifted and floated toward her, jerking along in fits and starts. When it was almost all the way to her, it plopped down on the counter. Twilight let out the breath she was holding and wobbled a bit as she became lightheaded.

“See, Miss Smarty Pants? I’m getting the hang of it!” She retrieved her toothbrush with her hoof and scrubbed away. “I’m onna et into Shelestia’s shchool shomeday.” Replacing the toothbrush in its holder, Twilight hooked a foreleg around her doll and trotted to her darkened bedroom. She paused at the window, looking out at the silvery moonlight spilling into the yard from the thin crescent above.

Rummaging around in the closet for a moment, she pulled out her favorite pajamas, which were covered with comets and swirls of stardust. She wriggled her way into them and climbed into bed, perching Miss Smarty Pants atop her stack of pillows.

“Night, Twi! Have a good sleep,” Shining Armor called out as he walked past her doorway.

“You too, big brother!” Twilight replied, waving a hoof vigorously. She smoothed out all the wrinkles in the sheet and comforter, tucked them under her, then lay on her back, perfectly centered on the mattress. Leaning her head back, she looked up at Miss Smarty Pants looming over her. “And goodnight to you!”

Twilight nestled her head a little further into the pillow, and within minutes, her breathing had slowed. “Got a big day tomorrow,” she whispered. “Magic practice... reading... school...”

A pair of button eyes shone in the diffuse moonlight, looking over the filly below, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. A smile formed where there was no mouth. Goodnight, Twilight. Sleep safe and sound.