“You just arrived here yesterday and you already want to join the army, what about your position of Judge?”
“‘A Judge must first find a non-hostile area to use as a base of operations. The area may be as tiny as a house or may extend an entire country if prior permission is given by the leader of said country.’” Blake replied, “It is right out of the rule book. All I have to do is make Canterlot want me here, or get your permission and this place becomes my home. It is entirely your call.”
“If you promise me that Celestia is put on equal ground with me, I will.” Her majesty replied.
“Very well, I can do that.” Blake bowed. “So I am guessing I won’t get an answer until tomorrow morning, after you and Celestia talk?” Luna nodded, “Alright, I’m heading to the caves.”
Before Blake could leave, he found himself wrapped in Luna’s magic. He was turned around and sat down, rather firmly, on the floor. He was ordered to stand guard outside of Celestia’s room while she slept, since the guards had not had a break and both seemed tired. He would be joined by another of the Luna’s personal guard in a few minutes. Blake nodded and turned to leave before being turned towards a hall and told it was the third door. Blake rubbed the back of his neck and went to relieve one of the two officers.
Two white stallions with blue manes and gold armor looked at him and readied spears. Blake simply stared at them with a ‘you’ve got to be kidding me’ look. When he told them he was going to relieve one of them, both looked at each other and then readied their spears again. Blake shrugged and simply waited for one of them to move, pointing out that what they were doing was distracting them from what could be happening if this had been a scheme.
“Hi guys!” A friendly voice piped from the hallway. The two guards pointed at Blake and Nocturne nodded, “Yeah, he works with the princesses.” The two guards apologized and walked past Blake as if nothing had happened.
“For a new recruit, you sure did land an important role.” Blake said, suspicious on why a recruit was guarding one of the two leaders.
“I am training to be a guard. Everyone does this at one point in their career.” Nocturne replied. “So…have any interesting stories to share, like the main reason you chopped off your own hand and replaced it with a claw?”
Blake replied coldly, “I always thought story time was for children.”
“Pretend I am a filly then.” Nocturne replied.
“Not all of us are awake at night.” An annoyed voice came from indoors.
“My apologies,” Blake replied and looked at Nocturne, who was still staring at the claw as if it was some sort of legendary artifact. “Look, I’ll tell you in the morning.” He whispered, not wanting to be kicked from his first task as a guard. Nocturne smiled, “If you just be quiet for the night.”
I like to talk. Nocturne subconsciously whined. She ran through her mission, which was to ascertain whether Blake was likely to be a threat to Equestria. If he was, she either had to find a way to control him, or a way to get rid of him. Nocturne wanted Blake to stay, but she already knew that her mission took precedence over her fan girlish glee that he was the legendary Crimson Caress. I still cannot believe that he turned down every mare that asked him out, even Princess Luna. She slowly looked over at him and back at the wall when his head turned.
Blake turned to look down the hall and noticed Nocturne’s head turn away. He shook his head, even if she was looking at him with any sort of interest, Blake knew his place. He slowly muttered one of his forbidden spells to call Night Terror, a small, innocent looking child who destroyed happiness through dreams, and devoured the victim’s mind, leaving them empty husks or psychotic shells. Thankfully, Night Terror did not have a visible body except to the one who summoned her. Blake was shocked for a moment when she showed up as a pitch-black unicorn mare with a white screaming face on her flank. Blake stifled a chuckle at how adorable such a powerful spirit could look (if he overlooked the screaming face on her flank). “You are on patrol. Check the palace grounds for intruders. Feel free to gather information today, but you are going to be putting on very long hours.” Night Terror nodded and suddenly jumped on top of Nocturne, who looked at Blake. Nocturne had to have some sort of a sixth sense to feel Night Terror on her. Night Terror was slowly absorbed into her mind and Nocturne began rubbing her head. “You okay?” Nocturne was about to say something but just nodded.
Nocturne felt a chill up her spine, whatever had brushed against her had also decided to sit on her back for a few seconds. Her parents had doubted her abilities, but many assumed that her cutie mark, a full moon hidden behind clouds meant that she was destined to be a night guard, but she thought it was about her ability to see things no one else did, like a ripple in the air in front of Blake. Last time that had happened was when her caves had become haunted by something that caused everyone who got too close to be shredded.
She felt herself get tired and shook her head. This was starting to get strange, she was a bat pony for pony’s sake, she should not be tired at night. She let out a yawn and Blake looked at her. “Are you sure you are okay?” Nocturne nodded. Blake nodded and leaned against the wall. “If you start seeing things, let me know.” Nocturne nodded and Blake looked down both halls again. “Night Terror.” Blake added in a whisper, “Check the room for intruders, there should only be a white alicorn in there and maybe a midnight blue one.” Nocturne turned to him and felt whatever had brushed against her leave. A few seconds later both tore through the door as they heard a scream that did not belong to either princess. Nocturne ran in and Blake walked in as if nothing was wrong.
A stallion wearing a cloak and carrying a knife was on the ground, thrashing and screaming. Princess Celestia, needless to say, woke up with a start and demanded to know what the problem was. Blake pointed to the victim of Night Terror’s hunger and suppressed an inward smile. She was the favorite of the spirits of darkness. Blake walked over to the would-be assassin, placed a pillow over his mouth, and rolled him over. “There, you should be able to sleep now." The screams were now severely muffled.
“What did you do?” Celestia asked.
“I did nothing. You should ask what happened.”
“So there was another person with us outside?” Nocturne asked and Blake looked impressed. “What was her name?”
“Night Terror, three guesses as to what she causes.” Blake replied and tapped the still moaning pony. “Try to eat quietly, Celestia wants to sleep.”
“Sorry,” A small voice, like one expected from a filly, came out of the corpse.
“Can’t you just move him to a cell?” Nocturne asked and Blake smiled evilly.
News of Night Terror spread like wildfire, many of the night guards avoided Blake, while the others only talked to him when he spoke first. They could have handled if he had tried physically attacking them, but the fact that he could attack them apparently through the walls meant that they were not even safe in their own barracks as long as he was walking around. After a few days of having only Nocturne to talk to, Blake decided put in a request for a transfer. Obviously, he had no place here. Luna asked worriedly where he would go, even going so far as to place him as her personal guard. Blake thought about it, but refused, “If there is anything I can do to keep you here in Canterlot, let me know.”
“I really shouldn’t have unleashed Night Terror without first gaining some trust.” Blake replied. “I'll be gone in the morning."