Why losing my virginity will destroy the world
Chapter 1
The Gift of Daylight’s Shadow
Dawn sat at one of the tables in the guard barracks. The remains of his lunch consisted of a mushroom and sprout sandwich that was resting on his left hoof. A book hovered in front of his face held aloft in a pale yellow magical aura. His horn was wrapped in a similar glow as his eyes scanned the pages leisurely. The stallion had a golden yellow coat with white hooves and emerald green eyes. His mane was a bit long for a guard pony and he was suffering a bit from helmet hair, but the two tone blue mane and tail would be hidden when he donned his uniform armor’s enchanted helm.
Finishing his sandwich Dawn’s eyes never left the pages of the book. With a few sweeps of his hoof every single crumb and sprout was cleaned off the table and tossed into the trash bin. The book in his magical aura appeared old and well used with a strange title. The title Harmony Fiction was a relatively new term for fan made fiction written about the Elements of Harmony. Fictions were unofficial stories written about almost every fandom imaginable, Daring Do, Wonderbolts, even the Princesses had fiction dedicated to them. Typically these type of works were usually the product of late study sessions and an over active hormone fueled imagination. Most of which would be passed around to the students and sometimes faculty of one college or another. Most works would not even be more than a stack of pages and a few scribbled notes. But a recent trend was growing in popularity, ponies would collect copies of these works in various major libraries and educational institutions. Dawn’s book was unique however, using Astral rune magic he could summon quasi real copies and store them in his book. His book had once been a family Tome of Knowledge that had the collected works of the great Unicorns of history. Now it use would make his ancestors cringe.
Dawn’s magic closed the book and tucked it between his chest and armor. The other guards on break were milling about the common area talking amongst themselves or reading like Dawn had been. Dawn’s smiled to himself, when he read the latest fictitious exploits of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, his troubles always seemed far away. A few of his favorite authors had recently updated their latest work and Dawn had been absorbed in them his entire lunch break reading.
Dawn set his helm in place and let the illusions set themselves. After checking to makes sure his uniform and its spell were in place, Dawn trotted out of the barracks and off to his post.
As Dawn happily walked towards his post a few of the castle staff whispered to each other as he passed. “Is he the one?” an earth pony maid asked her unicorn counterpart. The earth pony had a red coat and orange mane, while the unicorn sported a pale lavender coat and pink mane. “Yeah from what I hear Captain Armor has orders that he is not allowed in the same room as his sister.” the unicorn gossiped. The red mare gasped, “So he and Twilight…” Dawn hurried out of earshot.
Dawn hated the rumors about his supposed sexual exploits, especially because of his virginity was a particularly sore spot with him. But when certain aspects of your personal history are considered state secrets you can't go around setting the record straight. And thankfully no one has had the guts to ask Twilight herself, but then again she wouldn't have anything to tell since she wasn't directly involved.
Arriving at his post outside the Royal vault Dawn nodded to his partner Jasmine. Though this particular post was quiet, it was very important one and because of its isolated and restricted location no one came here unless they had business with the vault or were extremely lost. It was slightly mind numbing but at the least they could talk to one another.
Out of uniform Jasmine was a light yellow pegasi with a teal mane and tail. Dawn and Jasmine stood post here together twice a week, and though she was cute she was also scrappy like one of the guys, she loved dirty and off color jokes, and was exclusively into mares. The two knew far too much about each other that a relationship between them was out of the question. Dawn had been helping Jasmine with her relationship with her Filly Friend Violet. It was ironic that he knew so much about relationships when he himself had no experience with them.
This week's drama was about quality vs quantity of acts of love. After a long discussion about how no matter what Jasmine would do for Violet, The latter would never take notice or indicate that she liked Jasmines efforts. And physical contact which Jasmine likes, it seems to drive Violet away. In the end Jasmine would have to resort to bribery to even get sex. Usually buying some nice item or taking Violet someplace nice, usually expensive, would put her in the mood after. But the problem was much deeper, Jasmine wanted non sexual physical contact but Violet seems to equate intimate physical contact with sex.
“So… what do you think?” Jasmine asked as if asking the question again. Dawn shook his head realizing she had been taking. after a slight pause he responded with a question. “So what did she say when you asked about what she thought about the work you are doing for the family.” Jasmine’s face lit up.
“So get this,” she blurted out excitedly. “She thinks I'm doing a wonderful job managing the house, the kids, all the family financials, even letting her have spending money. Also she supposedly ‘really appreciates’ me. So just like we talked about it I set her up. I asked her ‘What is it that you think I expect from you?’ And she said what we expected her to say ‘Sex’.” Jasmine smiled as she looked up wistfully. “So when I asked if she hated me Violet was taken aback. ‘You rarely give me any, and when you do I usually have to bribe you.’ We seriously talked after that and I think shes starting to get me.”
“She’ll never understand you,” Dawn stated matter of factly. Jasmine sounded quizzically “What do you mean?” “She’s a mare and thinks like one.” A smirk on Dawn’s face, “you think like a stallion and it is forever our doom to be puzzled by the goings on of mares.” Jasmine lightly chuckled liking the analogy. “What can I say, I’ve always had a guys mentality.”
It was early evening when Dawn and Jasmine were leaving having been relieved by the night crew. One of the night guards passed Dawn a note with the watch commander's seal. A feeling of dread passed through him briefly as he tried to think what he could have done recently that would have gotten him in trouble. None came to mind so Dawn let in a brief flicker of hope that this meeting could be positive.
*****
Captain Hammer Strike stood behind his desk going over the shift schedule, the older grey pegasus had allot to think about. Hammer was engrossed in his paperwork when Dawn knocked on the open door. “Captain Hammer you wanted to see me?” Dawn called into the office.
Hammer looked up to see Dawn standing in the doorway, a hint of nervousness on his face. It was a look all too familiar on the young Stallion’s face these days. Hammer hoofed through a stack of files pulling out Dawns personnel folder. “‘Second Lieutenant’ Daylight Shadow, graduated from Westhoof in 995 CR. You were on the fast track up the officer ranks. Son of former Captain of the Royal Guard Firelight it was believed that he was grooming you to be his successor. Royal Captain Shining Armor also was favored by your father and Royal Captain Firelight seemed happy encouraged your rivalry. Then during a training exercise pitting you and at the time Commander Armor against one another an incident happens. Much of the details were covered up,” Hammer pulls out a redacted after action report from his folder. Dawn eyes the files warily his face losing its color. “The result is most peculiar. As Princess Luna had only been returned to us not a week prior, your case became one of her first. As both Princesses were involved the matter was resolved and then buried. Many rumors and allegations surround the event, and the fact that you were demoted to Second Lieutenant does not help. Not only that but to assign you to stand post with the enlisted… Your father then opts for an early retirement naming Shining Armor as his successor. While this had been a troubling time, with all the guard changes. Many blamed him for the failing to protect the Princess during the Nightmare Moon incident, I can't help but think that your incident had a hoof in his decision to take the early retirement.”
“But my question is, after the incident if what you did wasn't bad enough for the Princess to fire you then why the heavy punishment?” The older stallion cracked a smile. “Rumor has it that you used Royal Captain Armor’s sister against him.” Giving Dawn a knowing wink, “How in Celestia’s blue sky you might have gotten that bookworm into your bed has been a hot debate for nearly a year.”
Dawn’s face was turning red, as he stuttered trying to muster an objection. Hammer did not allow an opening and continued, “So you did ‘something’ that caused a big commotion that caused allot of problems.” The old Stallion pointed at the redacted After Action Report. “And in the end you become a gelding, just sitting happily by as your honor as an officer is trampled. Taking your lumps from the Royal Captain like a good little dog.”
Dawn now angry again speaks over the Lieutenant, “I am not a gelding, and I’m not a dog! I made a promise to the Princess that I wouldn't betray her faith in me.” After a short pause Dawn’s anger subsides and is replaced with a mild look of horror. “Sir.” the younger stallion quickly adds.
Hammer smirks at this, Dawn having just proved his point. “Listen son, I know your father and the kind of pressure you must have faced just to meet his expectations. Whatever it was that you did I just need to know one thing, will there be any problems if you are working in proximity to Twilight Sparkle.”
Dawn looked confused, he wasn't expecting this. “No sir, my issues with the Royal Captain were not made public and miss Sparkle specifically was not to be informed. The Royal Captain Armor however has requested that I not be assigned any posts near miss Sparkle."
With a serious look on his face Hammer spoke. "Well since our glorious Royal Captain is busy with the defense of all of Canterlot, not to mention his upcoming wedding, i doubt he has time to care about who we send where. You are either fit for the duty or not. I have hundreds of guards ponies needing to be reassigned to the Long Patrol as well as various town garrisons. You however have an opportunity to be assigned as Lady Sparkles personal guard." A hint of a joke at the end, the older stallion's face held a bit of a knowing smile. Twilight Sparkle and the other elements of harmony did not typically need royal guard protection. But due to the important nature of their position it was decided to pad the ranks of the Ponyville reserve guard.
Dawn took a few moments to let it all sink in. On one hoof, the reassignment was a joke. Regular palace guards were honored and respected. They held power in the eyes of Canterlot society. On top of being steady regular hours it was good pay. As a 'reserve guard of Ponyville' the pay and hours would be cut in half, the anonymity was almost required, and a second job would undoubtedly be a necessity. Technically it was a Long Patrol position without all the mystique and honor. But just as deadly as any Long Patrol tour. On the other hoof Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity lived there, he would get to see the Elements of Harmony everyday. Best of all it would be his job to protect them. What protection he could offer was up for debate seeing that in the year since the six mares became the element bearers only a hoofful of times had the guard been utilized. And in almost every case it had been not been the guards actions that resolved the conflict. But it was like every silly self insert fic he had ever read, he would be just another towns pony. Dawn quickly crushed his own enthusiasm. Lets not get too excited here, the universe is never this kind.
Hammer chuckled to himself as he watched Dawn's face go from confused to joyful to reserved enthusiasm, all in the span of a five seconds. "I see that got your attention. Are you interested?"
Dawn nodded his head at first but thinking he asked, "Sir, while I admit that the prospect of working with the Element is appealing, Ponyville isn't exactly the fast track to success. Ponyville is not exactly a hub of guard activity and while the risks are far greater the social standing of the guard force there couldn't even serve a decent platform for launching a guard’s career." it was a difficult sell for anypony considering the post. Ponyville was risky with not a lot of reward and far to urban to earn the reputation of a hardened soldier.
Hammer eyed Dawn considering the younger stallion for a moment before speaking up, “That's why you are my number one pick here.” Seeing the perplexed look on Dawn’s face Hammer explained. “Nopony else has more to gain from this than you do. Currently here there is very little chance for your advancement. I believe that somepony wanted close to keep an eye on you, but tell me after a year of working here has anypony approached you about advancement, or hinted that you were even being considered?”
Dawn looked off thinking on that. For a year after incident he had been under constant scrutiny. But in the past few weeks Royal Captain Armor had a lot of other things on his mind. Dawn had been disappointed that he had been scheduled to work double shifts all the way up until the big day. He had hoped that he would be able to attend, he was family after all. A rueful smirk crossed his face as he looked up at Captain Hammer.
“While that sinks in, let me elaborate on what I’m offering you.” Hammer still watching Dawn’s reactions with a calculating eye. “I could always pick some poor officer candidate fresh out of Westhoof for this post. And all I’ll get is some inexperienced pup still wet behind the ears. I could pull some more experienced officer from the officer pool, but most reserve officers here are either snobby nobles who would resent the position, or retirees looking to settle down. But what I need is a command officer, it may only be a reserve post but its a shot at reviving your officer career.” Dawns face brightened at this, his ears raised a hopeful smile spread.
“Can you do that? I mean I’m only a Second Lieutenant, and…” Dawn asked with a hopeful look in his eye.
Hammer held up a hoof, “All i’m doing is sending up my recommendation, the final decision will most likely be the Princesses, but I don’t want any silly surprises popping up that will ruin my recommendation. While Royal Captain Armor’s dislike for you might play into this I doubt he can afford to be picky here. And this is why I ask you, ‘Do you want this?’” Dawn’s ears fell down at hearing that the decision would lay with the Princesses. Hammer smiled however, “Listen kid, I don't know what you did. But I have a feeling that whoever is watching you is waiting for you to get on with your life. And I doubt that they will stand in your way now. So… what do you say?”
****
Firelight Shadow retired Captain of the Royal Guard sat the open air restaurant waiting on his guest. Firelight’s mane and coat color was like his namesake a reddish orange coat with red and yellow striped mane. The old Guard Captain could hardly contain his excitement. It wasn't every day that your favorite nephew got married to an Alicorn princess. His old sharp eyes caught a glimpse of that familiar two tone blue mane. Only the hint of a smile on his otherwise stoic face betrayed the excitement he felt. Shining Armor current Captain of the Royal Guard trotted up to his uncle. Shining bearing was not as practiced as Firelight and his excitement was very apparent.
With a serious tone and half a smile Firelight “My good Royal Captain, I'm glad you could take the time to meet with an old retiree like me.”
Shining Armor’s smile faded briefly at the formality, but realizing the nature of this meeting the Guard Captain’s stoic expression replaced his previous one. “Nonsense Royal Captain Firelight, you are an honored member of the Guard and though you are retired you deserve all the respect of any Royal Captain.”
Firelight nodded pleased with the level of formality. Firelight had been disowned from the Sparkle house and their families connection was difficult to trace. His brother Nightlight had been named successor in his place and things had become stained among the other house nobles. “So tell me how is your family these days?” Firelight’s words held only a brief hint of sadness.
“I dont understand why grandmother Starlight did what she did. Even though its been over fifty years, I’d hope she could forgive and forget.” The details of his exile had always been hidden from the young ones, and even after his rather impressionable nephew had come under his guidance. Shining had pieced together the familial connection though kept the secret at his Grandmother command. Firelight’s mother Starlight Sparkle had always despised the members of House Lunar Eclipse especially her fillyhood rival Midnight Shadow. When both became House nobles there rivalry grew fiercer. As both Houses had a long history of powerful magi a union between the two houses would be considered a powerful one. Politically it was believed that the two houses combine would make for one of the most powerful noble House in all of Canterlot. However neither wished for such a union.
Firelight had always been far more physical than other unicorn colts of his family. However to his mother's chagrin Firelights magical prowse was far more lacking. While most families would not care about such things Midnight Shadow’s eldest daughter was an accomplished mage and Firelight’s mother seemed to lay blame with him for his lack of talent. What Firelight lacked in magical talent, he made up for in physical strength, and natural leadership. Joining the guard had been a foregone conclusion to the rest of his family. By this time his mother had focused on her second son Nightlight focusing on grooming him for nobility. Moving on with his life Firelight pursued his military career, only to find the love of his life Lunar Shadow. It was a whirlwind romance. Within a year of meeting her he had proposed. But when his mother found out she was the daughter of her hated rival their union had been forbidden.
Firelight had resolved himself and disavowed his House, Starlight had in turn banished him and went so far as to erase all record of his relationship to the family. Allot of which was less than legal. After several years it was all but forgotten by all but those directly involved. Firelight married into House Lunar Eclipse. Midnight Shadow was less than thrilled about the union but gaining a promising officer candidate as a son was not something she could turn down.
Firelight sighed heavily shaking his head, “It was a different time, and your Grandmother was seeking to prove herself. While joining the two houses politically would have given her more influence it would have alienated her from many of her allies. As for why she still keeps it secret, I suspect it would reveal the connection between you and I and that could jeopardize your position. I took you on believing that you would never know, but now that you do its a vulnerability.” Shining nodded absorbing the heavy words, “I still don't like it but I still want to honor you at my wedding in some way. Even though I cannot name you as my Uncle if there was some token or part you could play it would make me happy.”
Just then a tan unicorn mare with a nicely kept maroon mane trotted up. She magicked up a pad and pencil and addressed the two stallions. “May I take your order?” The younger stallion smiled pleasantly and placed his order, “I’ll have a Cobb salad with a sweet cranberry vinaigrette.” Firelight took a bit longer scanning his menu. Finally he made his decision "I'll be having the Portobello steak, with steamed Asparagus, and a garlic mashed potato." Shining raised his eyebrow at the older stallion as his magic floated their menus over to the waitress. “Hey I’m retired, I can eat what I like. Just.. dont tell my wife.” they shared a laugh at that.
“Well mom has been working on her books. She's been putting out a book every few months. Right now her romance trilogy is looking to be another best seller. Dad’s work at the observatory has seen a lot of progress since Princess Luna’s return. Her insight into the night sky has led to many amazing discoveries, hes also handling matters at court almost full time now since grandmas failing health. As for Twily, well shes living in Ponyville now with her friends. I'm a bit worried since there is little to no Guard presence, and its so close to the Everfree forest. But I think everyponies just glad she has friends now.” Shining paused smiling at thoughts of his little sister. But a bitter memory surfaced ruining the pleasant thought.
Firelight sensed the root of Shining s look of displeasure spoke up, “Hows my son been these past few months.”
“I don't get it, hes not the same pony. After Nightmare Moon’s return it was like nothing mattered anymore. It was like a darkness was surrounding him.” Firelight nodded grimly and added, “His fascination with the darker side of House Lunar Eclipse’s history has always given me pause for concern. But I have never seen him like he was that day.”
Shining’s eyes drifted off recalling the memory “The way he was, what he said, he sounded like some two bit paper back novel villain. At the time I thought it was an act, like he was playing his role as OpFor a little too well. But the things he was saying.” Shining gritted his teeth as he thought over the past. “After I defeated him I thought that would be the end of it, but that spell. I don't know what it was but I’m just glad Princess Luna intervened when she did. The details of their little sit down were sealed and all I could gather was that it was some how connected to Nightmare Moon. Since Princess Celestia was there I guess it was resolved. Later the Princesses told me to keep an eye on him so that what I've done, keeping him out of trouble. But its not like I can ask what it is I'm looking for. Only Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Dawn himself know what happened.”
“And nopony is talking.” the older unicorn added. Shining nodded then added “Well from what I have seen of Dawn, his personality has gone completely one eighty from that day. Sometimes I can see that shine of an officer in his eyes, but mostly he acts like a foal that's fears being scolded. And to top it all off he still reads that book.”
Firelight look became dark at the mention of his son’s obsession. “That was the proudest day of my life, when Dawn had found that book in House Lunar Eclipse archive, and Dawn got his cutie mark. At first it was wonderful. Magic uncovered from back during the glory days of the House Lunar Eclipse. But that's when we noticed his interest in…”
Shining grit his teeth, “Twilight never knew, thankfully she never picked up on his advances. I think as one point she thought he was bullying her.” Shining gave a bitter laugh. “Thank Celestia for her innocent ignorance, it saved her that much I guess. I had always wanted to go down to that school and teach all those colts and fillies a lesson.”
“We had always assumed that it was just puberty setting in, his overactive hormones messing with his head. Every time we took him for his checkups we feared some mental illness or dark enchantment. For all our fears his doctors and teachers all agreed he was a healthy bright colt, almost wise beyond his years. But for strange obsession with your sister he was all we could have hoped for in out son. When he joined Westhoof I had hoped he would outgrow that obsession of his. But not only did it come out like that in front of you, the Princesses know of it as well.” Firelight hung his head the heavy conversation hanging in the quiet noise of the city.
Just then the waitress returned with their meals. The meal’s conversation drifted to lighter talk of the wedding, and tradition versus aesthetic. Generally Firelight advised his nephew, “Its her day and whatever she wants she better get it or else your wedding night will be far less pleasant.” As far as tradition, the house Starlight guards always wore the traditional chest armor during official ceremonies. And though Firelight’s own wedding had been forbidden by the Family he had worn it to honor the Family Guard. Shining Armor then decided he would wear his uncle’s shield at the wedding. It would be a statement about family and how you can not just erase the bonds of blood, though it was unlikely anyone would notice since it had been nearly fifty years. Firelight after some debate found that he was moved by the gesture and could not argue.
It was after their meal and the check had been paid that the conversation returned to Dawn. “So Ponyville huh?” Firelight’s words hinting all that could go wrong. “Shining I love my son, and I would be proud to have him succeed and move on, but as a Guard Captain I have to question such a decision. Do you think it wise to give such a loose cannon any kind of authority not to mention in such close proximity to his obsession.”
Shining shook his head, “I think he needs a kick in his plot, one that gets him moving forward. He thinks hes stuck and being kept at bay. I dont want to baby him, but if I leave him as is he’ll stay in his self imposed exile. Perhaps this will get him moving on with his life.” Shining face became a bit darker and he muttered, “And if I give him enough rope...”