//------------------------------// // Beauty Unrivaled // Story: The Lovely Night Mare // by Star Plasma //------------------------------// Chapter One: Beauty Unrivaled "Luna, you look so beautiful tonight." you said, admiring the way the shimmering night sky matched Luna's dark flank so perfectly. So beautiful, as always you thought. Luna giggled and began to stare deep into your eyes. Your heart melted at the feel of it. She was so beautiful, and you were madly in love with her. You liked absolutely everything about her: her mane, her personality, her posture, but you loved the way she stared at you the most. You were infatuated with her eyes. Every time she looked at you like this, it felt as if you were drowning in their depths. It felt as if she was searching your very soul, but this didn't bother you at all, because if that was what she was doing, you had absolutely nothing to worry about. All she would find at the very center of your soul would be your absolute and utter love for her. You weren't usually good at romance, but it just seemed to come to you so naturally when you were spending time with Princess Luna. You blinked as the dark goddess looked away from you for a moment. "Luna, what is the matter?" you asked, detecting a flash of uneasiness in her beautiful eyes. "It's nothing really... I've just been wondering if we may be spending too much time together..." Luna replied. Ouch you thought, feeling a sharp pain in your heart. Was Luna going to break up with you? "What makes you say that?" you asked curiously. You wondered why Luna would be saying such things at a romantic dinner, such as the one you were currently having with her. You had done your best to impress her with this dinner, and you had no idea what you would do if she broke up with you. She was a goddess, but most importantly, she was your goddess. Your world would surely end if she broke up with you now! Luna looked back at you. "Well, if we keep spending this much time together, the other guards will surely notice that we've been spending far more time together than normal." Luna said, causing another sharp pain to poke at your heart. But Luna was not finished yet. "Not to mention Tia; she's been giving me strange looks recently." she finished. Your heart was nearly pounding out of your chest. You looked at Luna worriedly; if Princess Celestia had noticed that you were spending an increasing amount of time with Luna, she would surely have you dismissed! Or maybe she would want you to be with Luna. Shouldn't she be happy that her sister is happy? Luna's next words snapped you back into reality. "Because of this, I- I have decided that it would be the best for both of us if we just ended it here." Luna said. Oh crap, it's over! you thought. Your head suddenly became dizzy as you realized the magnitude of the tragedy that had just occurred. It killed you to see Luna like this, but before you could stop her and reason with her, Luna drew herself to her hooves slowly. You watched in shock as Luna slowly began to walk away from you, her head and tail low. * * * * * "Hey! Wake up!" You groan and open your eyes drowsily. Light seeps in through the window blinds, and it pours in through the open front door. You slit your eyes open to see who has woken you up. One of your comrades is standing there, tapping one of his hooves impatiently. He continues to do this until you decide to look at him through fully open eyes. You lift your head and stare at him through sleepy, and somewhat irritated eyes. "You're on duty." the guard says simply, then turns around and proceeds to exit the Guard's Chambers. The snoring of your allies made you yawn and stretch. You pull yourself out of bed groggily and walk over to your armor. You dress quickly, and proceed to exit your chamber. You find yourself thinking about your most recent dream as you walked to your station. You have been having dreams about being together with Princess Luna, but all of your other dreams had ended with you and Luna living happily ever after. So the newest dream wasn't even really a dream; it was more of a nightmare. And to make it worse, it was the worst kind of nightmare. It came as quite an unpleasant shock to you. You shudder; it was definitely the worst dream you had ever had. Sure, nightmares about being eaten alive by timberwolves and ones about being torn apart by Ursa Majors were scary, but there was no feeling worse than losing the pony that you loved the most for the rest of your life. A few of your friends call your name as they walk past you, but you are too absorbed in your thoughts to recognize the voices individually. So you just nod to everypony that passed you absently. Eventually, you walk into Canterlot Castle, shuffling your hooves toward Princess Luna's chambers. You were to wait for her outside of her chambers until she woke up, then wait for her to give you your orders for the day. Luna, being the Princess of the Night, was not particularly fond of mornings, and she would often sleep until midday. But you, as one of Luna's most trusted and preferred guards, were accustomed to the Princess's sleeping habits, and it didn't really bother you anymore. Besides, you kind of like seeing Luna when she woke up, because you find her bed-mane quite interesting. Soon, you find yourself in Luna's chamber's hall. You take up your position on the right side of Princess Luna's chamber doors. You look to your left; one of the guards that is often stationed with you was staring at you expectantly. If you were a lesser pony, you would have straight up walked over to him and punched the hay out of him. But you weren't, so you just did your best to ignore him, and you accepted the fact that the guard was creepy. He often stared at you this way, as if he wanted to say something to you. But you didn't like him, so you just preferred to ignore him. You jump as a loud noise sounds behind you. "Ouch." came Princess Luna's beautiful voice. Your eyes brighten; soon Princess Luna will be out of her room, and you will have a chance to talk to her. But then again, that was what you always thought before you had the chance to actually do it. You always chickened out when you had the opportunity to discuss your feelings with her. You hear the sound of lazy hoof steps dragging toward the door. Yep, that's her all right, the always gloriously majestic Princess Luna. Three...two...and one you count off in your head, listening to the hoof steps drawing nearer to the doors. You and the creepy guard step aside as the timer marks zero. Princess Luna flings the doors open, then steps out of her room and blinks sleepily. She opens her mouth to let out an enormous yawn. Not one of her most attractive poses, but you were just glad that she was awake, and you were sure that you would have a great day with her. She looks at the creepy guard, and you remember that the creepy guard's name is Golden Bow. She nods to him, and he bows down to her. Princess Luna then looks at you and smiles. "Good morning." she says. You swallow nervously and bow to her, just as Golden Bow had. "Good morning, Your Majesty." you say softly, still bowing. You draw yourself back to your hooves and wait for Luna's orders. You notice that the princess was still looking at you, but then looks away quickly and gives you and Golden Bow your orders. "Today, you two are to accompany me through the Royal Courtyard." she says, then begins to make her way to the Courtyard exit hall without hesitating. About halfway there, she suddenly stops in her tracks. Her grumbling tummy is probably loud enough for the ponies clear across the castle to hear. She would occasionally do the same thing. She spins around and begins to march toward the dining hall. She would sometimes forget to eat breakfast for some reason or other. Come to think of it, you had forgotten to eat your breakfast today as well. So it was a good thing that Luna had forgotten too. Golden Bow continues to stare at you as the dining hall doors appear nearer, but you were just as good at ignoring him as you ever were, so you just tolerate it. Soon enough, you and your company arrive in front of the dining hall doors, and you, being a gentlecolt, open the door for the Princess and the far less important creepy guard. Luna beams at you, melting your heart, and steps into the dining hall. It was empty at the moment, so pretty much every table was available. Luna decides to sit at the one closest to the door, so naturally you and Golden Bow sit at the same table as her. You seat yourself on the right side of Luna, and Golden Bow seats himself on the left side of her. He was finally taking a break from staring at you, so you guess that Golden Bow is as hungry as you are, and the smell of the food is distracting him. Soon one of the chefs comes to bring Princess Luna her food; a luxuriously large salad that looked as if the hungriest pony in Equestria would only be able to eat half of it. Princess Luna's eyes light up. She instantly begins to devour the salad, leaving you to your thoughts. You wonder what you are going to eat; since apparently the chefs only cared about feeding the princess. You would get up, but that would mean leaving Luna's side, and that was absolutely unacceptable. You decided to ask her if it would be okay, but you dare not interrupt the Princess while she is eating, so you just drift off for a moment, thinking about your previous dreams and the ultimate goal of being with Princess Luna. Suddenly something jabs you in the ribs. You snap out of your trance and look to see what has disturbed you. Luna gives you a glance through narrowed eyes, then shoves her bowl of salad toward you. You see that Golden Bow already has some salad on a plate, so you feel free to hungrily ravage the remaining portion. As usual, Luna's appetite was big, and you were shocked by the amount of salad she seemed to have eaten by herself. Or maybe Golden Bow had just gotten more. Luna examines her hooves while you devour the remaining portion of the salad. Soon, you and Golden Bow finish your food, and Luna promptly stands up and begins to head for the doors. You and Golden Bow follow, slowed down due to your full bellies. This time, you were not feeling like such a gentlecolt, and Golden Bow opens the doors for you and the princess. You follow the steps you had taken earlier, back to the courtyard exit doors, but this time feeling much better, because you are full to the brim. Some guards walk into the castle as you approach the courtyard doors, and they hold them open for Luna, and upon seeing that you and Golden Bow are traveling with her, they hold them open for both of you as well. Sunlight is shining in through the open doors, and the warmth of it makes you shiver in delight. Just thinking about having a great day with Princess Luna made you smile happily, as it always did.