//------------------------------// // Bearer's Return // Story: He And His Knightmares // by xCrossx //------------------------------// Bearer's Return Sister stops me before we switch places on the throne. "I need to tell you about Dage's armor," she whispers. I look at her questioningly and she goes on. "It was enchanted, or cursed. It made him obsessed with you and resulted in his long life and his dark mutations." "You are telling me he has worn an evil armor for over a thousand years?" I ask incrediously. "Yes." She looks at me with concern. "That armor somehow got to him, but not it's suddenly gone. A cursed armor grows its own entitiy, and this one has had Dage for a thousand years. It will want him back. And it will try to take him back one day. "What do you want me to do?" "Nothing yet. Let him be. I just thought you should know what may come at any time." I nod. "Thank you. I'll... mull over it." I nuzzle her cheek before she turns to look behind me. "Looks like he's tried something for you," she comments with a chuckle before walking down the hall, past Dage. I turn around to see what the surprise is and roll my eyes as I see him in an ill-fitting Nightguard armor. She's smiling. As I wanted. Wait, is it a good or bad smile? Oh no, what if I've just made a big mistake? "That just won't work," she comments heartedly as she teleports the armor away, eliciting an "Aw" from me as I droop slightly. "You look better without it." I look back up at her and she gives me a radiant smile. I return the smile slightly as I reply, "But I wish to fit in more!" "You already fit in with how you look, Dage," she says in her magnificent voice. "Plus, you are my stallionfriend; you don't need to change for me." I blush, still new to her calling me that, which started yesterday, which was the day of her return. A Nightguard approaches us. "Princess, you have visitors. They wish to speak with you right away." "Who is it?" she asks. "Twilight Sparkle and her friends, Princess." "Twilight? I would think they- They must still think you are evil and Celestia is still the only ruling Princess!" She nods to me. "Obviously, Dage." She turns back to the guard. "Send them in at once. But don't mention my name yet." He hesitates before nodding and galloping off. She turns to the throne and motions for me to follow. I stand to her left since I prefer my right. "Don't jump in unneccesarily' I know how quickly impatient you can grow." As I showed her last night... "It's a wonder how you managed these thousand years, then Nightmare Moon." Eeyup... I nod just before the doors open to admit the Bearers. "Princess Celestia!" Twilight bursts in, speaking before looking, as she is prone to do despite her thoughtful nature. "I got terrible news-" The Bearers gasp as they notice Luna is the one on the throne. And that I am by her side. We blink at her as she begins the accusing. "What have you done with the Princess?! Why are the guards obeying you?! Explain!!!" She huffs after screaming the last word, and I share a glance with Luna before she does exactly as Twilight desires. "I have done nothing but make Sister pleased. And taken over my duties as the Princess of the Night. The guards have been inform of my change and obey both of their Princesses." "You are Nightmare Moon! Evil alicorn of the night!" "No, I am Princess Luna. I will not be called by that name anymore." "Unless it's Nightmare Night," I cut in, remembering the tribute-turned-festival. She looks at me, confused and unsure. "I'll explain later. Continue." I nod to the Bearers and she reluctantly turns back to them. Dage here worked hard worked hard to show me his honest love," -I feel myself blush- "and it took a lot for me to see it. But, when I did, I also saw how foalish I have been. I, Princess Luna, have returned, leaving Nightmare Moon in the past. And Dage here is at my side, having served for his crimes these past thousand years." I nod solemenly, watching the mares carefully. "Why should we believe you?!" pipes up SPike the baby dragon Twilight's back. "Because," I pipe up in turn, "two full days have passed with proper sun-and-moon cycles after our few-days-long "eternal" night." I blink as they realize that that is true. Which means Luna has to be back to normal. Well, Twilight does. The others look baffled. "You know, I think we should all meet up at sunrise; you lot look like you need rest, and we are not waking Celestia early. The guards outside will guide you to the empty rooms somewhere in the castle." I nod to the door and wait expectantly. They get the hint and leave. "You need sleep, too," comments Luna." I nod absently before fixing my error with a rapid shake of my head. "Oh no, I can't do that, Luna!" I state, stomping a hoof too hard and cringing as I'm reminded how naked I am. "You have barely gotten sleep since you brought me back. Everypony needs their rest, especially those who have gone a thousand years without any." I shake my head and her voice softens. "Just sleep until the Bearers return; you look exhausted and act it, too. I am worried what can happen to you if you don't rest up." I look at her and see the weak, worried look in her eyes. I sigh, unable to resist echaustion and those eyes. "Fine. But I'm staying here and you are to wake me when they come." I plop down heavily, curling up as I feel Luna nuzzle me with a good night. I drift off as her beautiful voice echoes in my ears.