//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 // Story: The Sun's Knight // by Lucky424 //------------------------------// “Why you call us here?” Metamorphosis smirked at the creature sat opposite him, knowing that his plan was being set into motion. Its vicious looking guards were growling with every breath and drool dripped from their open muzzles and onto their gun metal grey armour. “We have things to do. So, why you call us?” “Simple. You want ponies to mine for you, and I can help you get them.” The changeling king stood from his throne and threw a scroll over the large table, letting it unroll. “As you can see, the mountain under Canterlot is used as a gem mine. That is your way in, and I can hide you.” “Why you help us?” The diamond dog sneezed, its mucus spraying across the room. It wiped its muzzle on the back of its arm, then looked back at the map. “Pony capital too hard.” “Like I said; I can hide you. Using illusion magic, I can make you invisible, but I do not have enough power. I need more love energy, and I know your race has plenty.” The dog cracked its jaw a few times and then gave Metamorphosis a nod. “Excellent. Hold still, this won't hurt at all.” The changeling's horn glowed green,  the aura extending to the dog sat opposite him. His eyes were shut for a good five minutes, and when he opened them again they were glowing the same green colour. Dropping the love draining spell, his body soon became surrounded by green flame. Once it dropped the changeling king was replaced by a large male diamond dog. The two guards started snarling at him, moving forward, but backed away as the one in charge growled at them. “Leave us, now!” The pair turned and left the room, the dog standing and walking around Metamorphosis. “Hmm, even smell is right, but too strong.” The diamond dog flicked its tail across his longer than usual muzzle, and he finally took in its features. Even though it stood almost as tall as him, its body was slightly more lithe than his. He then noted its chest and facial features, smirking as the tail flicked up at him again. The changeling king stopped her walk by running one of his hands, now looking more like a claw, across the bitch's flank, and she gave a small whimper, pressing back against his chest. He used some of his magic to lock the throne room and open a curtain to the side, revealing his bed. He then turned back to the diamond dog bitch and offered her his hand/claw/paw. “I can see us having a very beneficial partnership.” She walked over and moved his arm out of the way, opening her mouth over his neck. He felt her teeth sink lightly into his flesh, grinning as she dragged him back towards the bed. A very beneficial partnership indeed.         Gray and Dean sat in the back of the medium sized briefing room, remaining silent as Blueblood continued with his arrivals briefs. They were quietly assessing the recruits, trying to work out who would be the trouble makers, but the morning was still fresh in their minds. Gray had tried to ask the other man about his reaction to Luna's judgement, but he had refused to talk about it. Their gazes drew to the stallion standing behind the lectern as he finished up. “... you will now go and receive your armour. Sergeants, could you show them the way?” The stallion then slapped a hand over his face, shaking his head. “Of course, you don't know where to go yet, either.” He silenced the snickers from the front few rows with a glare, opening a folder on the lectern and waving the humans down. They felt the eyes of the recruits on them as they made their way down the stairs at the side of the room, climbing up onto the stage and standing next to the stallion. “In here you will find a map, use it to find the armoury.” They nodded to Blueblood as he hopped down from the stage, and they looked down at the map. Jumping back down, Dean motioned for the recruits to follow, Gray bringing up the rear. After twenty minutes of walking through the corridors, the Marine stopped, looked at the map then scratched his head, then looked at the map again. “We are not lost!” It didn't stop the recruits from snickering at him as he tried to work out which way they needed to go. “It's back here.” Gray turned around, his small grin changing for a frown as he raised his spell gun, aiming it at the changeling. She just shook her head, crossing her arms with a glare. “Fine, wander around for however long you like, the armoury is over here. Listen to me or not, I don't care, but that's where I work now, so...” He lowered his rifle with a grumble, before nodding to the recruits to follow her. Dean came alongside him and shrugged, following the recruits through the door. After going down some twisting stairs they emerged into a warm corridor, a bright light coming out of a wooden door frame. Gray's face turned into a smirk as he recognised the voice that came out. “Next!” One of the recruits near the door entered the room. “Well? Come on zen, strip. 'ow can I take your measurements with your clothes on?” Gray walked into the room with a smile, watching as the young stallion sheepishly stripped to his underwear. A tape measure was floated over in a pink aura, and the man turned to the side, finding the mare he expected to see. “Good morning, Miss De Lis.” “Oh, Mr Heartbelle, what brings you here?” “You're issuing the kit to my recruits. And we've got to get fitted for some armour.” He noted the confused look she was giving him, and turned back to the doorway. “Dean, come on in.” The other man entered, Fleur giving as gasp as she saw him. “Yeah, we need armour.” “Very well. Go see Breezy, she iz doing zee armour for today.” The pair looked over to where the sound of metal being struck could be heard. With slight reservation they walked over, seeing the changeling hitting a large gold plate with a hammer. She glanced at the men then went back to her work. After ten minutes of silence she turned around, motioning Gray over. He stepped closer, and she started by lifting up some of the plates in her magic, before letting them drift over to the man's body, wrapping them around him. He stood still as the plates were adjusted and clamped into place. Breezy Mint then took it off him and did the same with Dean, who was glaring at her all the time, but the metal she used was a very dark navy blue. Five more minutes later she lay two sets of armour on the large table and stepped back. Gray picked his up, surprised at how light it was, and slipped into the torso portion of it. Dean then helped him with the pauldrons and greaves. Last came his helmet, fitted perfectly to his head. He stepped closer to the mirror and looked at himself with a smile. And then he saw the blazing suns upon his shoulders. Dean came alongside him, the changeling having helped him into his armour. The style was slightly different, the lines more pronounced, with crescent moons upon his shoulders. They started looking over every inch, finding pockets everywhere. Two on the left of the stomach had holders for magic cores, whilst the rest could fit a range of things. They didn't notice Breezy still working away until they turned, seeing five sets of completed solar armour and four of the lunar armour. It was for the recruits. They walked back out into the main area to find nearly all of the ponies in their underwear, lining up to a counter with an admittedly attractive young mare stood behind it. The first pony, a stallion, was leaning his elbow on the counter, muzzle in his hand. The mare was giggling at everything he said, until Dean walked up and shoved the stallion's head, knocking him off balance. “Get your kit and move to the next area.” The mare just giggled whilst the stallion grumbled, picking up the uniform that had been placed on the front desk. The line then moved forward, and pretty soon they were all on their way back to the billet. Once inside the recruits placed their gear onto their bunks. “Okay then everypony, into your PT gear!” They all looked to the door in confusion, the pegasus stallion looking like he was ready to go in his own stuff. “Well, what are you waiting for?” “You heard Lieutenant Sentry, get changed!” The recruits scrambled into the instructed clothes, filling out into the garden. To Gray's surprise, Dean had followed with them. He walked over to the door and watched as the group started their first run. The man chuckled, walking back into the billet and over to the area with a few ironing boards, spotting some examples of the uniforms and a booklet on one of them. “Hmm... 'Royal Guard's Guide To The Perfect Uniform'. Oh well, might as well teach them this when they get back.” He grabbed one of the white shirts and turned the iron on. “Have to teach myself how they do it first.” The man began to hum as he worked, not noticing the smiling alicorn at the door. One week later         Celestia looked up from her desk, mouth dropping open in shock. She shot up from her chair and ran over to the entrance, pulling her sister into a tight embrace. This was the first time all week that anypony, barring Velvet Bow, had seen the lunar diarch. “Luna... how are you?” “I... am better than at the beginning of the week. What have I missed?” The elder alicorn couldn't help but snicker, her sister having taken a spell gun to the range and spent a night in there, so for her to be here now, it was a good thing. “The changelings we had in the dungeons have been sorted through. Those who took part in the attack have been sent to The Crystal Empire, and have had their magic limited to only take in residual love energy.” Luna nodded, walking over to the window and staring out over the training grounds. “Have you seen Dean?” “Yes, in the halls earlier. He wouldn't talk to me.” “Strange how the one who was the victim did not agree with the sent...” “Please, don't. I don't want to talk about it.” Celestia nodded sympathetically, sitting into her chair with a sigh. “How are the new recruits coming along?” “For now, the usual. Their community project, which is this weekend, is to help clear one of the city's gardens that have fallen into disrepair.” “I... I want to join them.” “Luna...” “I need to get out of the castle!” “Okay... for now, let us have dinner.” The younger alicorn nodded, following her sister into the throne room and over to their dining table, their meals already laid out. They ate in silence, neither mare knowing how to start a conversation. Celestia knew what was on her sister's mind, but she had requested not to talk about it. The servants cleared the dishes away once they finished, and the Solar Diarch stood from the table, giving a weak smile to Luna as she remained seated. “Are you sure?” “Yes, night court must resume. Good evening, sister.” “Good evening, Luna.” Celestia knew it was going to be hard for her sister, Alec had been present at night court ever since the Luna Corps was formed when the younger alicorn returned. The elder sister left with a sigh, walking through the castle corridors listlessly, no destination or direction. So deep was she in her reverie that she didn't notice the other coming the other way around a corner, not until she fell to the floor in shock, snapped out of her thoughts suddenly. “Well, that's one way to say hello.” She looked up at the hand being offered, then smiled,  accepting the man's assistance. Gray chuckled as she threw her arms around his neck. “Whoa, easy there. We're in public.” Celestia couldn’t care less about that remark, it had been a couple of days since she saw him after all.  Sure, after the attack he had said it was too soon, but a kiss here and there was okay with him. Celestia giggled at him, took his hand tightly and dragged him down the corridor. It was one he hadn't explored yet, so he wasn't sure where she was leading him until they walked through a large set of double doors. The room was revealed to be a medium sized opulent bar, a pool table in the middle, and a few smaller bare wooden tables with seats placed around the room. The mare let his hand go and walked over to the bar, where there were hundreds of bottles. “So then, name your poison, Gray.” “Whiskey and rye, if you please.” She smirked as she mixed his drink, then proceeded to make her own. He followed as she walked over to a large window, opening it and moving to the large balcony. Gray wrapped his arms around Celestia's waist as they looked over the city, the rooftops glowing orange in the slowly setting sun, the mare pressing back against his chest. “So, do you play?” “Play what?” “Well, that furniture isn’t for decoration, so wondered if you would like a game.” “Very well, but how about we make it interesting.” “How so?” “I shall tell you after the first game.” He returned the grin she gave him, took a sip of his drink and made his way over to the table, setting up. After a flip of a coin decided the one to break first, and Gray made sure to stand behind Celestia as she bent over the table, his gaze nowhere near the cloth. Nothing went down, so he moved to take his shot, pulling back with his cue and getting ready to push it forwards. He failed his shot, having felt a tail rub his thigh... on the inside of his leg. Damn, Dean was right! He gave a small glare over his shoulder at the mare, who just sipped her drink whilst looking at him from the corner of her eye. So that's how she wants to play it, huh? Celestia went to take her next shot, but Gray returned the favour, sliding his hand gently across her flank, causing her to hit the cue ball from the table. They eventually got to playing seriously, and after a few more drinks, the mare stood in front of the man with a smug look on her face. “Well then, your jacket, if you please.” “What?” “Take off your jacket.” Now Gray knew what she meant by 'make it interesting,’ and decided to step up his game. After a dozen or so rounds, he was stood topless and without his shoes. Celestia, however, was stood in just her panties and bra, a small blush on her face. She gave a small groan as he sunk the eight ball once more. By this point they had consumed quite a bit of alcohol, and their inhibitions had disappeared. They were also removing the other player's clothes.         The light of the sun coming through the window fell upon Gray's face, causing the man to wake with a groan. He felt someone shift next to him, cracking his eye open to see Celestia's head resting on his shoulder, her back to him. He rolled around so that his chest was pressed against her, a hand slowly sliding across her flank. The mare gave a small moan, nuzzling under his chin, then went still again. The man was content to stay there for the next few hours, but his eyes opened as the door creaked. He didn't have time to look up as three female voices hit his ears. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADER SLEEPOVER IN CANTERLOT, YAY!” He sat up rapidly, seeing the three fillies from Ponyville staring back in shock. The one with the bow in her mane stepped forward a little. “Ah don't think this is Celestia's room, girls. We made a mistake.” “No, you didn't, young Applebloom.” Celestia sat up alongside Gray, the sheets pulled up over her chest. The man grinned as their eyes went wide, and slipped his arm around her shoulder. “You are all old enough to understand we spent the night together.” He expected them to be disgusted, with either one of them, but instead they all let out girly screams and started skipping around the bed, chanting at the same time. “Celestia has a special somepony, Celestia has a special somepony, Celestia has a special somepony!” Gray flopped back to the bed with a sigh and a grin, the mare following and kissing his cheek. He closed his eyes as the fillies kept expending their early morning energy. “So, when are y'all having a foal?” The two adults burst out laughing, not seeing the hurt look of the earth pony filly's face. “What? Ah was serious! But... y'all gotta get married first, that's what AJ says!” Their laughter only got louder as Applebloom's face grew redder, until the other two skipped over to her and had a whispered conversation. Gray's eyes shot open as the trio screamed again. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADER FLOWERFILLIES, YAY!”         Dean grumbled as he followed Joy through the streets of Canterlot, many of the stalls still closed. The mare was the polar opposite of the man, all cheerful and smiles. She had told him she had a surprise waiting, which is where they were heading. Regardless of what was prepared for him, it was way too early for the man's liking. They left the downtown district and into one of the more well off areas, the houses steadily getting bigger. Dean gave a low whistle as Joy opened one of the gates, a pathway leading up to a veritable mansion compared to her apartment. They made their way up to the door, where the mare knocked on the wood. To the man's shock, it swung open to reveal Redheart, who just smiled at the pair and stood to the side, allowing them entry. Joy slipped his coat from his back and put it on a stand, then took his hand and led him into a large lounge. Redheart followed and sat opposite them, a tray with a steaming pot of tea on a small coffee table between the couches. The door swung open a moment later, a hushed conversation between a mare and stallion drifting in, until a unicorn appeared, looking at the trio with shock, before his mouth curled into a smile. An earth pony mare followed after, Dean noting how much Joy and Redheart looked like her. “So, you're the one that's been looking out for my little filly since the attack, huh?” Well, that confirmed it, the stallion was Joy's father, the other mare more than likely her mother. Dean suddenly got nervous, having no way to defend against magic, and he slowly stood, offering his hand to the large unicorn. “Yes, sir. The name's Dean Hollis.” “Interesting, I am Sky Vision, and this is my wife, Crystal Softheart.” Dean noted her last name was similar to her daughters, then saw the bottom of a nurse's uniform from under the mare's coat. “You are from another world, correct?” “Yes, sir. I come from a world called Earth. I... couldn't even point it out in the night sky if you asked me to. But this is my home now.” “I see. I must admit I am intrigued by that. You see, I am an astronomy teacher at the School for Gifted Unicorns. Please, sit, don't stand on my account.” Dean did as asked, Joy pressing close against his side, causing Sky to raise an eyebrow and glance at his wife. “I'm sorry, is there something I am missing here?” “Dad... we're...well, we're past the dating stage.” Dean swallowed nervously, standing as the stallion made his way over, his face unreadable. He then found himself short of breath as he was pulled into a rib-crushing hug, released a few moments later and falling back to the couch, causing Joy to giggle as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Just ignore daddy, he likes practical jokes.” “So did your ancestors. I've heard many a tale from Celestia about Starswirl and his... 'exploding cake' pranks.” Dean was shocked at how easily he had been accepted by the family, but if Joy had been telling them about him whilst he was at work... “Anyway, the best one of his? He sent the guard captain on an errand to find facetious items! The captain didn't come back for a week!” “Finding the golden rivet, huh?” The stallion looked over to Dean, his grin growing even wider as he poured a cup of tea. “So, you know some of them then. I think we're going to get along very well, Mr Hollis. We're going to get along very well indeed.” The two males chuckled together, Joy nuzzling against Dean’s shoulder, happy that her father accepted him so easily.