(2 years ago; Luna's POV)
I was sitting in my bedroom in the castle, when my sister walked in.
"Celestia? What are you doing here so late?"
"Luna", she said, her voice as serious as I've ever heard. "I'm not sure you should date him."
"Sister, we've been over this before: I love him, and he loves me. Why can't you accept that?"
"Because...", she began, then paused, turning the whole room as silent as the night I ruled over. "Because I don't want you to get hurt."
"How could I get hurt?"
"If he was ever to die, you'd be left alone and heartborken. Trust me; I've been there, and it's not something I think you'd be able to handle."
"Sister, I can assure you that he'll never hurt me."
A small smile crossed her face.
"Just...be careful, for me."
"I will, so don't worry."
She nuzzled me, then walked out.
*****
(Present Day; Jonathon's POV)
I walked through Cantorlot, my eyes scanning the signs in the windows of shops, searching for the one I so desperately needed. I finally found it, walking inside, and hearing a small bell jingle somewhere above my head. A chubby-looking stallion with a gray mane poked his head out from behind a wall near the back of the store.
"Oh, hello, good sir! How can I help you today?"
"I need to purchase something for a good friend", I said, observing intricately crafted pieces of jewlery.
"Well, look around and tell me what you think this "good friend" would want!"
It took me a few minutes to look over the bulk of the store's inventory, but my eyes finally came to rest on a necklace, with an azure jewel in the center, and surrounded with what appeared to be little diamonds.
"Ah, this one is perfect!", I thouht to myself.
I waved the owner of the store over, accompanying the signal with calls of "Sir!" and "I've found one!". He walked up beside me, and eyed the jewlery.
"Oh, this one? You know, many stallions want this particular one."
"With all due respect, I don't give a damn about the other stallions, I'd just like to make a purchase."
He grunted, then practically snorted out, "1,500 Bits, please."
I pulled a sizeable sack from my pocket, handing over the pony his Bits, then putting the item in my pocket. I walked back home.
Upon arrival, I ran upstairs and put the item in my dresser. An hour later, Luna walked in.
"Hey, honey."
I gave her a quick peck on the cheek as she walked by, and looked to see Chrysalis sitting on the couch, our small television set playing some stupid show. I didn't know how she did it, but she was able to make it work.
"Hey, Luna?", I said, having to wait a moment for her reply.
"Yes?", she called back from the kitchen.
"I heard there's going to be a meteor shower in a few days. It's supposed to be beautiful. I was wondering if you'd like to go someplace special to watch it?"
She smiled, walking up to me from the kitchen, and planted a kiss on my lips. She pulled back, giving me a smile
"Only if you're with me."
"Of course I'll be."
I pulled her back to me, giving her another kiss, and was in the process of running a hand through her flowing mane, when we were both interrupted.
"Hey!", Chrysalis snapped. "Go do that somewhere else!"
I chuckled, and walked towards the couch she laying on.
"Come on, Chrysalis. You're getting older, and you should start looking for that special somepony."
Her eyes widen and she blushes as I finish.
"DAD!"
Luna and I share a laugh, and I pull my daughter in for a hug.
"Calm down, honey. I'm just joking, but it really wouldn't be too bad of an idea."
She smiles and hugs back.
"Thanks, Dad."
I pulled away from her embrace, then turn back to Luna.
"Are you two hungry for anything?"
I hear sounds of confirmation from both of the mares, and we all head out to fetch a meal.
The whole thing takes about one hour, but we all finally have bellies full of food.
"Dad? Is it alright if I head back to the house?"
I nod, and my wife nudges my arm.
"I think I might retire as well. Good night, dear."
I wave as they both extend their wings and fly off into the night, and I begin my own trek.
***
As I was nearing the castle, I heard someone screaming. I followed the pained howls, and came across a reddish-looking pony being mugged.
"Give us your bits, mother bucker!" one of the assailants shouted. "Or we'll take 'em by force!"
The attacker's partner got a laugh out of that, and though an attack was happening, I stood back and watched.
"HELP!"
"No one can hear you!", the partner yelled.
I cleared my throat, steeping out from around the corner, saying, "Wanna bet on that?"
They stooped, then turned around and saw me.
"Well, if it isn't the abomination the Princess fell in love with."
I shrugged my shoulders, playing the act of an idiot, "Yeah, that'd be me."
"I think you should leave", the first one said. "A freak like you could get really messed up out here."
I laughed, and they just stared at me, looking shocked that I'd do anything other than run away.
"As if the two of you could hurt me."
The partner ran up and tried to stab me with his horn, but I ducked down and grabbed his leg, which snapped like a twog when I twisted it. He bellowed out in pain, and I picked him up off the ground and threw him at his buddy, who was trying to escape. Both of then lay in a heap on the ground.
"I could get messed up?", I asked, walking towards them.
The first pony's horn lit up, a green aura surrounding it, but I gripped it and squeezed hard around the base. H clenched his eyes shut, gritting his teeth as I leaned down next to him.
"I'm gonna let you go now, but if I ever find you again, you'll both leave the fight in much more pain than you are now. Understood?"
The stallion with my hand around his horn slowly nodded, and I released my grip. I heard scurrying from behind myself as I turned my attention towards the pony on the receiving end of the mugger's attack.
Her eyes were wide with fear, and she shook like a leaf, yet she made no attempt to escape.
"Hey," I said with a soothing tone in my voice. "It's alright, they're gone now You're safe now."
She lifted her head, revealing more of her facial features, and looked up at me. She had tears in her eyes, and fresh blood on her hooves.
"T-thank y-you, sir", she managed to croak out.
"How hurt are you?"
She looked over her own body at her wounds, and started crying again.
"Here, I'll get you to the hospital."
"Please..."
I picked her up and held her in my arms like I had for Chrysalis so many years ago. I ran out of the ally, and arrived at the hospital minutes later. I immeadetly heard shuffling from the Nurse's Desk, and an announcement made over the PA system.
"Nurse!", I screamed, urgency in my voice. "This pony was attacked and needs medical attention!"
"I know, and the doctors are already on their way!"
The nurse looked over the injuries on the unidentified mare in my arms, and her eyes widen. She turns to yell something, but a stallion surrounded by several other ponies come rushing through the swinging doors that led to the ER. I was told to wait by the nurse that met us at the door, so I did. I sat in the waiting room for what seemed like an eternity, until the doctor finally came out.
"Is she alright?"
"She is stable. If she hadn't been treated, she would have died. I'm sure she's very grateful."
"Can I see her?"
"You may, but she may be weak. Please, follow me."
I followed the doctor as he lead me to her room. I thanked him at the door, and walked in.
"Hey," I said. "How you doing?"
"Better, all thanks to you. If you hadn't saved me, they would have killed me."
The reality of that statement hit me like a truck, but I managed a smile, and said, "Just protecting the innocent."
"Well, thank you very much."
The room was silent, save for the random beeping of the medical devices around us. I broke the silence.
"So, what's your name?"
"Sky."
"Well, my name is Jonathon. If you need anything, I live by the Everfree."
"Thank you, and I'll be sure to try see you again."
"Well, Sky, whatever you do, just be careful. I'll see you around."
"Bye."
I left the room, making my way out of the building, and continued my walk back to the castle.
I arrived minutes later, walking in, and making my way towards the Throne Room. Celestia was sitting inside, talking to her scribe. I walked forward, stopping infront of her. She nodded and looked down at the pony with the levitating pad and quill.
"I'm sorry, but I must ask you to leave for ten minutes. This is important."
The scribe complained (something about not finishing her note), but eventually left.
"Thank you, Jonathon. You just granted me some time to take a break. Writing letters to foreign dignitaries can be tiring work, you know."
"That's great and all, but I need to ask you something."
She eyed me suspiciously, but nodded her head and allowed me to continue.
"Don't worry, Celestia. Nothing bad will come of me asking this."
I inhaled deeply and began.
***
I left the castle later on with a smile on my face, and began the journey back to my house.
As I neared the city limits, I was stopped when someone called my name. I looked around, and saw Sky flying towards me. I turned around, folding my arms, and waited for her to land.
"Hey", she greeted. "I wanted to know something."
"And what would that be?"
"Those ponies from last night said that the Princess fell in love with you. What did they mean?"
"Well, Princess Luna and I know each other, and she's told me she loves me several times before, so if I had to guess, I'd say they meant that she fell in love with me."
Her eyes widen, probably at my smart response. What she said suprised me, however.
"Princess Luna? I know her."
"Well, I would guess so. After all, she is the Princess of the Night."
She glared at me.
"I know that, smartass. What I mean is that I'm friends with her."
"You're friends with Luna? Huh.
Well, lets go see her then."
"Great!"
As we walked, I studied her. The most interesting thing about her, other than already having a history with Luna, was that fact that she didn't talk like every other pony. I mean, she said "smartass", where as a normal pony would say "smartflank", or something along those lines. I would have to ask her later.
We arrived at my house minutes later, and I opened the door, stepping aside as I called to my wife.
"Hey, Luna! You have a visitor!"
"Just a minute!"
Sky and I waited in the living room, and stared at the stairs when we finally heard Luna coming. She was about to say something, but I saw her eyes lock on to Sky.
"S-Sky? Is that really you?"
"Did you down all fifteen of those shots down in Las Pegasus?"
"By the stars, it is you!"
They ran to each other and hugged. I wanted to know more about this trip to Las Pegasus they took, but couldn't ask as they continued to talk.
"Where have you been?! I haven't seen you in years!", Luna exclaimed, releasing her friend from their hug.
"I've been pretty busy. I'm sorry I didn't visit."
"Well, Sky, it would appear that you weren't lying."
"Jonathon, why would she be?", Luna asked. "She's one of my closest friends."
"I don't know why, and I kinda figured the last part. Well, Sky, any friend of Luna is a friend of mine."
Sky looked over at me, "You know, I never got to thank you properly for saving me."
She walked over and hugged me, giving the lobe of my ear a quick nibble. My muscles tensed as she did so, and she dismounted me mere moments after. She winked at me as she walked back to Luna's side.
"So, do you have a place to stay?"
She looked down at the ground, shuffling her hooves.
"No", she mumbled. "And I don't have enough Bits to buy anything."
"You can stay with us if you'd like.", Luna said, a smile in her face.
Sky looked up in disbelief.
"Really? You'd let me stay here?"
"Well, that's what I said. Would you like to?"
She smiled and hugged Luna once more.
"Yes! Thank you for helping me! I-I just don't think I'll ever be able to repay you, though..."
I chuckled, cutting off Luna before she could say anything.
"There's no need for payment. You're a friend of both my wife and myself, so you can stay here for as long as you'd like."
She opened her mouth to say something, but I cut her off as I added, "But you may have to help with the cleaning."
The three of us shared a laugh, and Sky was finally able to speak.
"I'll do whatever you need. It's the least I can do."
I showed her to the guest room, and she absolutely loved it. Why she did remains a mystery, but I guess that going as long without a home to live in as she had would have that kind of effect.
I made us some dinner later on, and we all went to bed shortly after.