//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: An afternoon in court. // Story: Night's Children // by Lucky424 //------------------------------// Rising Flame watched the third case with interest. It was a land dispute between two farmers on the outskirts of Manehatten. He was currently looking over both property deeds, trying to see if there were any discrepancies. He may have had a quick temper, but he was clever for his age. The two stallions bared this with a smile, they had watched him come up with a solution to the previous case. “I think I have it, mother.” “Well then, why don't you tell us Flame?” “Both of these deeds define the size and shape of land, and they do overlap, but the date stamp is the same. Therefore, it is the fault of the clerk who issued these in Manehatten. He should be punished.” “Now Flame, that is not what we are here to do. How would you sort this dispute out? Don't think as a adult, think like a child.” He looked at the documents again, and the map that had both properties, an orange area showing where they overlapped. “Well....why don't they just spilt the land between them and be happy?” Luna smiled and looked to the stallions, both of who's mouths were dropped open at the simple solution. “Do you both agree?” They looked to each other and nodded. “Then judgement is passed, you will share the land equally between you, and return to the council offices to inform them of the deed changes. You are dismissed.” They bowed low and left the court room, laughing amongst themselves. “So you see my son, an adult doesn't always look at all the options. Now, this next case is going to be interesting.” She waved her hoof to a guard, who opened the entrance door. “Presenting Miss Lecture, school teacher, who has brought a complaint against the student... Rising Flame.” The entire court erupted with the voice of multiple ponies, most of them in anger at the mare. None seemed to note the bandage around her head. Back up next to the throne, Flame was shaking lightly, worry in his eyes. “Flame, take your place.” He looked up to see Luna pointing to the defendant's stand, Miss Lecture already taking the plaintiff stand. The colt slowly trudged down the dais, not meeting the gaze of anypony looking to him. He stepped up and looked to his mother, who could see the worry in his eyes. “The court recognise the case of Miss Lecture vs Rising Flame. The accusation is that Master Flame did willingly, and maliciously, set Miss Lecture's mane on fire. Master Flame, how do you plead?” He swallowed once, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a hoof before finding his voice. “G-g-guilty, your highness.” A murmur spread throughout the chamber, the ponies shocked at his admission. Luna, however was smiling at him. “I see. Miss Lecture, what do you wish to happen?” “If I can your majesty, I would like to hear what the punishment for the crime that Master Flame admitted to is first.” “Well, a thousand years ago, you would have been well within your rights to demand that he suffer the same.” She kept her gaze on Flame as he raised his hooves and covered his mane. “However, times have changed. For the crime of assault, the penalty is six months in the dungeons, but as he has admitted to it, we can lower the sentence to three months.” “Your majesty...” Lecture stopped talking as the sound of sobbing hit her ears, and she turned with everypony else to see Flame crying his eyes out. She walked out from her stand and trotted over to him, not one hint of emotion on her face. He looked up to her and then dropped his gaze back to the floor. She reached a hoof up and pulled him against her chest. “There, there, it's okay. Your majesty, I believe he has learnt his lesson. Please, I ask you to be lenient in you decision.” “Both parties will retire whilst we deliberate.” The mare nodded and tried to leave, but Flame was still holding her. “Master Flame, you have to go to a separate area.” The colt said nothing, shaking his head and clinging on even tighter. Luna smiled and walked over to him. “Your sentence, Master Flame, has been reduced. You are grounded for three months.” Alec was sat on the couch reading the paper whilst Sky played with her dolls. The door suddenly slammed open and the paper was replaced with a bawling colt, who pressed as close to his father as possible. Sky came over and added to the embrace, not sure why her brother was upset. Alec looked up at a sigh, seeing Luna leaning against the door frame. “What happened in there?” “He was placed on trial for assault.” “That's a bit... extreme, isn't it? What's wrong with just getting him to apologise?” “Well, he will certainly not be doing it again, so it worked.” “I can't say I agree with you, but we'll talk about this tomorrow. The bathrooms all yours, my dear.” Luna nodded and trotted in, setting the shower to a steaming downpour. What Alec had said made sense, it was a little too much to put a young colt on trial, even more so her own son. She kept herself from thinking of it as she washed, before stepping out into the main room to see Alec once more reading the paper. “Where are the foals?” He didn't look up as he replied. “Celestia came by and got them for a bit. That way we can both get ready at the same time.” He got up and trotted to the bathroom. Luna expected him to nuzzle her on the way, but he didn't even look at her, and it really hit home what he thought of her actions. She could feel the tears brimming, and wiped them away quickly. Today was supposed to be a happy day, and she had ruined with a bone headed idea. She entered their room and dried off, sitting in front of her vanity and staring at her reflection. She lost all focus as she reflected in her actions. A wing over her withers shook her back to reality, and she looked into the mirror to see tear streaks down her cheeks. A tissue was floated over in a beige aura and gently wiped them away. She felt a head rest over hers, and she pressed back against her stallion's chest. “I didn't think it would be that bad, I just wanted to show him what would happen if he was older.” “It's okay Luna, I understand. I just don't think you needed to go that far, just tell him. Now get yourself cleaned up, the reservation is in an hour you know.” She turned her head round and kissed him, silently thanking... somepony that she had been blessed with him. He pulled away and trotted over to his side of the room, entering his closet to get his clothing sorted out. It was then she realised in the time she had been sitting there, he had enough time to wash and dry. Determined not to let her ruin the night any more, she entered her own closet and looked at her dresses. She heard him leave the room and quickly grabbed her hair brush and a spray bottle in her magic, and sitting in front of the vanity once more, changing her mane style a little. Once satisfied, she teleported her dress on to her and left the bedroom. Alec was sitting on his chair at the desk, and she slowly made her way over. “Alec, are you ready?” He turned to look at her, mouth dropping open in awe. She giggle and raised a hoof, closing his mouth for him, which turned into a smile. “Yeah, I'm ready. Just got to wait for the foalsitters to turn up.” “Oh yes, I wonder where they are?” As she said this, there was a knock on the door. Luna opened it with her magic, and Celestia trotted in, looking like she was going to say something, but Alec shook his head at her. The foals ran over and looked up at Luna, Sky staring at her mane whilst Flame smiled at her. “Wow mommy, you look beautiful.” She bent down and nuzzled him, making him giggle. “Thank you Flame. Now, are you two going to be good of foals this evening?” They sat in front of her and nodded. “Good. You will probably be asleep when we get back, so we shall say good night now.” She kissed them both on the cheek and trotted over to the door, where a teenage filly had just walked in. “Ah, Scootaloo, you're here. Are the others not with you?” “Not tonight your highness. Applebloom is on a date with Pip, and Spike's been taken to Sweetie Belle's to 'officially' meet her parents. Poor guy, I feel sorry for him having to run that gauntlet. But I'm not on my own tonight, I got help.” Before she could ask, another pony trotted through the door. This time it was a colt however, and Luna recognised him from somewhere. He didn't notice the other ponies in the room, trotting over and nuzzling Scootaloo, who blushed in embarrassment. “Hey babe, I got pizza!” A hoof slamming into the floor caused him to look round, staring up at the stallion in the room. “Scootaloo, I'm disappointed in you. You know the rules.” She looked away from him, slightly upset that he had said this. “And you, young man. I am leaving my children in your care. Can I trust you to stay focused?” Rumble sat up as straight and tall as possible, looking him in the eyes. “Yes sir, you can count on me.” The stallion got closer, but not once did he flinch or back away, even when their faces were millimetres apart. “Good. Now then, we should be back by eleven, but in the event we're not, there a some camp beds in that storage closet over there. You are to have one each, is that understood?” “Alec...” “That question is for you as well, Scootaloo.” “Yes, I understand sir.” “Fine.” “Then we're sorted. Princess Celestia will be around if you need anything, so just let a guard know. Luna, shall we?” She nodded, and he trotted over to her, wrapping her in a wing as they walked out of the room together. “Princess Celestia, can I ask you a question, but it maybe a little personal?” “Rumble, you don't have to call me princess in private, I've told you that before. And yes you may ask.” “I was just wondering... have you ever considered being married?” She got a far away look in her eye, and blinked away the coming tears. “I was once, centuries ago. I offered him ascension so he could stay by my side, and do you know what he said?” She had the attention of all four in the room, and they all shook their heads. “He said 'it would be unfair of me to keep you all to myself. Everypony deserves to look upon your beauty.' I have had other partners since then, but none matched him for... anything really.” She felt four sets of hooves wrap around her legs, and looked down to see them all hugging her. She bent down and wrapped her wings around them. “Thank you. Now, Rumble... how about those pizzas?” The waiter flapped his wings as he flew up to the cloud table, two plates of fried daisies and hay cakes in his hooves. It was not the usual fare for the restaurant, but one does not refuse a princess their choice. He crested the cloud to see the seats empty, but the occupants were not far away. The music from the open air orchestra was drifting up, and the couple were dancing around the cloud base. He waited until the music stopped, watching as the pair returned to the table, leaning against one another. The stallion pulled out Luna's chair for her, and sat opposite her. The waiter placed the plates on table, bowing and preparing to take off when the stallion asked for another bottle of wine. He nodded and walked backwards, slipping away from them. They used their magic to eat, holding hooves across the table, staring into each other's eyes as the moon reflected out of them. “So then Scootaloo, you and Rumble?” She cast her gaze to the bathroom, where said colt was washing the foals before bed. “Yeah... he's really sweet. Don't tell him I said that!” The glare with which she fixed Celestia made the older mare snicker, and she took another drink of soda. “At first I thought it was just a crush, and tried other seeing how I felt with other colts, but my thoughts kept drifting back to him. And before you ask, I don't think he's quite at the love stage yet.” “And what about you?” “Do you have to ask?” Both mares, young and old, giggled, then turned their heads towards the bathroom, where they could hear the sound of giggling. They trotted over and peeked in the door to see Rumble in the bath himself, being forcibly washed by the twins. “I wish I was old enough to drink. This is a memory that I'd rather much forget.” Celestia smiled and withdrew from the door, whilst Scootaloo continued to watch. “Where's she going?” “Dunno, but she's got something on her mind.” Before they could continue, and before Rumble could hide is face, Celestia returned with a camera and took a picture. The camera disappeared in a flash, and she smiled sweetly at the colt. “Perhaps... a little drink is allowed.” The castle was dark as two ponies trotted towards the gate. The guards immediately tensed up, as the pair were clear tipsy at the least. They relaxed when one strode forward and revealed itself to be Princess Luna, who puffed up her chest. “We, your Princess Of The Night, hath returned. And We would just like to say... spunk bubble.” The guards stared back at her, unsure of what to do, when she pitched forward and almost face planted the floor if not for the quick reactions of the unicorn stationed there. The other pony came forward and wobbly leant down to Luna's face. “Hey, you're lying at a weird angle. Let me help.” He nudged her side, causing her to topple over, but she shot put a hoof and pulled him with her, ending up in a pile of giggling limbs, and they quickly began to think they were in their room, until one of the guards cleared his throat. “Oh... we've got guests. Be with you in a minute, just having a nibble.” He proceeded to stick one of Luna's ears in his mouth and bite down on it, causing her to gasp out in pleasure. “Sir, perhaps it would be best if you retire to your chambers for the evening?” He looked around once, and then shakily got to his hooves. He turned to help Luna, but she had other ideas, jumping up and laying across his back, forelegs wrapped around his neck and her rear legs hanging over his flanks. One of the guards trotted alongside them, ensuring that they got to their destination safely. Once there he opened the door for them, guiding them around the pile of ponies on the floor, and to their room. He watched as the moments of passion were replaced with the sound of snoring from the pair. Chuckling as he left, he paused a moment to cover the teenage filly and colt cuddled up on the couch with a blanket, a quick check on Celestia and the foals, then returned to his station. All was well in the castle that night... but the morning would soon be here, and it was time for another two foals to join the others...