Chapter 2
Hours later, Canterlot began to bathe in the light that was Celestia’s sun as it rose above the rolling hilltops in the distance. Verse yawned softly, rubbing his tired eyes for a moment. It was yet another night shift, constantly awake and on high alert after the failed attempt on Luna’s life. His ears twitched at the sound of Luna rising from her bed, and with that he arose from his own chair and trotted into the bed chamber once more. He walked in to find Princess Luna sitting on the edge of her bed, covering her mouth with a hoof as she yawned softly. Almost by instinct, verse kneeled down and bowed to her “Good morning Princess…” he said, then rose to stand up straight with a small smile “Did you sleep well?”
Luna nodded to Verse, returning the smile “Yes Verse, I did, it was a rest well needed, and verse… please, we’ve known each other long enough that you no longer need to be so formal around me, just call me Luna from now on.”
Verse nodded “Very well, Luna” he replied as Luna arose from her bed, fixing her mane and putting on her royal attire. Verse tended to her bed, tucking and smoothing out her sheets.
Verse worked two jobs in a way, protecting Luna, and being a type of butler to tidy up. Many guards would find this rather demeaning, but Verse couldn’t complain, protecting Luna was a great honor already, but to be part of her daily life, and to possibly make trivial tasks less tiresome for her was a personal bonus. As he finished making the bed, making sure nothing was out of place, he looked up to see Luna fully dressed and her magical mane now sparkling in the morning light. The quiet colt couldn’t help but smile faintly from her regal elegance, he had admired Luna immensely ever since he met her.
Luna noticed Verse’s gaze and gave him a faint smile “I want to thank you again Verse.” she said as she approached the slightly confused colt
“Thank me? For what pr- I mean Luna?”
Luna’s smile endured as she spoke. “For last night, the colt that broke into my bedchambers and attempted to take my life.”
Verse blinked in confusion for a moment “You were awake? Why didn’t you move if you knew the assassin was right at the side of your bed?”
Luna giggled softly “Because, I knew that my most trusted guard would protect me, and I was right.”
The blue earth pony was humbled and bowed at her compliment “Thank you Luna… I’m glad you believe I am worthy of that title.” he said as he raised his head.
The Princess of the Night couldn’t help but roll her eyes slightly as Verse bowed. “Of course I do, Verse, I wouldn’t let some random night guard stay on my personal balcony, it must be somepony I can trust, and that pony is you.”
Verse once again thanked Luna for the kind compliment and returned to putting the last few pillows onto the head of the large royal bed. As he did this, Luna noticed the bags under Verse’s eyes and his slightly more sluggish movements, she frowned with slight concern. “Verse… have, you been sleeping well?”
Verse chuckled at the question as he looked up from the bed sheets “You needn’t worry about my sleeping habits, Luna, I’m sure there are more important things to focus on.” He began to trot towards the exit of Luna’s bedroom “I’ll inform the chefs that you’re awake, I’m sure they have something prepar-“ He was cut short as the alicorn’s hoof was placed on his chest, stopping him in his tracks.
Luna lowered her head slightly; her eyes had a more serious demeanor. “Do not hide things from me, Verse. Now, why aren’t you getting sleep? I’ve made sure to give you nights off so the shift doesn’t run you ragged.”
Verse averted his gaze from her prying eyes, looking towards the floor slightly “I’m… sleeping just fine, Luna.” He tried to take a step forward but was stopped once again, meeting Luna’s frowning face
“You’re a great fighter, Verse, but a terrible liar. Now tell me what’s the matter, I trust you with my life, I expect you to at least trust me with the problems you are faced with. You are my friend first, and my guard second.”
Verse sighs in defeat. “Ok ok… I’ve… missed a few nights of sleep.” He averts his gaze.
Luna frowns and narrows her gaze, staring down the guard pony. “How many?” she asked with a prying tone.
The colt shrugged, unable to look Luna in the eye. “Uhm, just a few nights… two… maybe seven?”
Luna’s face shifted from one of a police interrogator to that of a concerned mother. “Seven nights without sleep? Verse… why are you doing this to yourself? What’s troubling you?”
The sudden change in tone threw Verse off immensely. He took a moment to collect himself and to come up with a suitable answer, as it was obvious he wasn’t going to be able to lie to the princess. With a sigh, Verse took a step back and turned to look out the window which overlooked Canterlot “I’ve been… having nightmares, bad ones, the kind that feel… too real.”
Luna took a step back to give Verse space, feeling slightly guilty for being so intrusive. “And what do these nightmares entail?” she asked.
Verse seemed to stare off into the distance, the memories of previous nights coming back to him slowly. “I’m sitting on a bench in ponyville… that’s where it always starts. Everypony is happy, active, and my friends are there too. At first it’s a peaceful dream, but every time things go bad and it’s the same way every time. I’m glued to that bench, I can’t move, and time seems to be accelerate and pass before my eyes. Ponies grow older, friends leave, the town slowly decays and crumbles from poor treatment, and all the while I’m just sitting there, never aging, just stuck, forced to watch as I’m left alone and everypony else leaves or just dies. When there’s nothing left, when the town is empty and in ruin, I’m still there no matter how much I had screamed and shouted… nopony helped, nopony stayed, and I’m just…alone.” The colt heaved a sigh, he had just whined in front of the princess. He felt ashamed and unprofessional, and he once again made a move for the door, feeling awkward in the silence that followed his story, only to be stopped by a more gentler touch on his shoulder. He turned his head to look at Luna, who gave him a kind, heartwarming smile.
“Verse, you’ve been lonely, haven’t you? After Candywing disappeared and Fireball left for Xenoir, is that why you’ve been running yourself into the ground? Working these nightshifts and refusing to go home?”
Verse could only nod, she hit the nail right on the head with that. He hated that she knew so much about him, yet also felt humbled that she knew what he was thinking. Luna was silent for a moment, realizing that pushing it any further might be too much for the colt, she didn’t want to force him into revealing anything else. “Verse, I know that you have the night off, but I have decided you’re going to take the nightshift again tonight. You are to return to your daily duties as my personal guard for the daylight hours as well, understood?”
Verse nodded in response, wondering why she wanted him to work another night, but he was grateful the awkward conversation was over. He cracked a small smile as he spoke. “Understood Luna, do you wish to attend breakfast?”
Luna nodded as well. “That sounds splendid.” The princess and her personal guard finally adjourned from the royal bedchamber, Verse was unaware of what was in store for him this nightshift.