//------------------------------// // Ch. 3: The First Night // Story: The Night Watch // by thunderhawk7865 //------------------------------// Chapter 3: The First Night Alabaster stood riveted in place, eye glazed over. He couldn’t believe his ears. Him, a guard of Luna? With Shining Armor and three princesses close at hoof, what was he going to say? “W...wha…?” Was all that escaped his mouth as his eye twitched slightly. Luna’s mood visibly fell as she cocked her head at this night watch guard. She was confused as to why this, of all reactions, was his. “Is...is there a problem, Alabaster…?” Shining Armor took a step back towards the new Corporal. Luna’s personal guard!? Why did it have to be Luna?!? Alabaster finally managed to get a grip on his senses, shaking his head and giving a fake smile. “Urm...n-no, sir, Captain Shining Armor sir…” His pupils were still dilated with shock as he gazed at the four ponies gazing right back at him. “Here’s...here’s my question though...not...that I’m not...thrilled...with this promotion but…” He looked back at Shining Armor. “What’s the cause for giving me...such an honor?” Shining Armor narrowed an eye, sensing his sarcasm. “It was Twilight, Corporal. She put your name forward for the post.” “Indeed, Alabaster Star.” Celestia spoke up, causing Alabaster to jump slightly in shock. The Princess of the Day hadn’t spoken up until now. “Twilight seemed to think you were the ideal candidate for the post, saying you knew the castle and it’s ins and outs almost as well as us. Was she wrong?” Alabaster slowly turned his gaze towards Twilight, who was smiling sheepishly, a blush appearing on her face. He narrowed his eyes. “No, Your Highness. She would be right there.” He kept his gaze glued to Twilight as he spoke again. “May I have a private word with Princess Twilight, Your Highness?” Celestia nodded. “Granted. But please make it quick. We need to swear you into your... new... post.” Before Celestia could properly finish her sentence, however, Alabaster had grabbed Twilight by her forehoof and had pulled her through the door he and Shining Armor had come through. “Ugh! Ow!” Twilight rubbed the hoof he had pulled as the door closed behind them. “Nice to see you, too, Alabaster…” She shook her head. “What are you-” “What is wrong with you, Twi?! Are you insane!?” He hissed so that the others couldn’t hear him. “Why in Equestria would you do this?! You know why I can’t be Luna’s guard! It just…” He growled. “It can’t happen, Twi! It just can’t!” Twilight narrowed her violet eyes. It was her turn to get slightly angry. “Because, Al, I know what a tough time you and Moonblaze are going through right now and thought you could use the promotion! Excuse me if I forgot for one moment you have a Luna-phobia!” “It’s not a phobia!!” He retorted sharply. “It’s a hatred! A pure hatred for the mare responsible for taking Constellation from me and my daughter!” Twilight got up in the stallion’s face so that they were eye to eye. “Listen buster...for the 206th time, and yes, I’ve been keeping track, Luna is not responsible for your wife’s passing! It was those crazy dogs! They were from a tribe that worships Nightmare Moon as a goddess.” She scrunched her nose as she pressed his shocked face up against his. “She was not inherently responsible for those dogs doing what they did, Alabaster! Now would you please get ahold of yourself and accept your promotion!?” Alabaster was shocked. He had seen Twilight angry before, but that anger was never directed at him. After a moment of Twilight’s violet eyes burning a hole in his soul, he looked down and sighed. “I...I’m so sorry Twilight. I just...I just don’t know if I can…” A tear formed on his face. “I...I can’t shake this loathing I have...for Luna...I just...gah…” He shook his head. “Constellation…I’ve...been having dreams about her again, Twi…” He looked back up at her. “And Nightmare Moon is there...laughing at me…” Suddenly, he was pulled into a hug. She shook her head as she placed it on his padded shoulder, and rubbed a hoof up and down his back. “It’s okay, Alabaster...it’s okay. I’m...sorry that your nightmares came back…” She broke the hug and stepped back, a blush gracing her cheeks as she smiled sadly. “Look, I put your name forward because I care about you and your daughter. Al...I want you two to be happy in your circumstances. I’ve seen your flat and it… it’s not the best place for Moonblaze. Or you, honestly.” She cocked her head, smiling happier this time. “The pay raise from this new post would be more than enough for a decent house in the Cloud District in a week or two.” Alabaster froze for a moment, then wiped a sudden tear from his eye and looked at Twilight in bewilderment. “Are...are you being serious?” Twilight nodded. “I knew you could use the help, Al.” She placed a hoof on the door handle and nodded. “Now, can you overcome your hatred for Luna and just… do what you have to?” Alabaster looked down, face drawn from thinking. “For your daughter?” He didn’t need to think anymore. Alabaster looked up at Twilight and nodded, a stern look in his neon blue eyes. “I will.” “Do you, Alabaster Star, swear to hereby uphold the rules and statutes of a Personal Royal Guard, and will protect Luna, the Princess of the Night, with your very life, until such a time as you are honorably discharged or killed?” Celestia gazed down at him, a hint of seriousness on her face. Alabaster kept his gaze on the Princess, gulping with anxiety. Here goes nothing. He bowed. “I, Alabaster Star, Corporal in the Night Watch, swear to this oath and will uphold it until I am honorably discharged…” He looked up and his voice dropped a register. “Or killed…” “Then it’s done.” Shining Armor stepped forward and placed a set of silver bars in front of a crescent moon on his armor in place of the blue star that adorned the front. “Wear that always Alabaster Star…” Luna stepped forward, a small smile touching her face. “It will recognize you as my personal guard wherever you may go in the castle. ‘Tis an honor to have you by my side.” Luna gave a small bow. She looked up and, to her slight shock, beheld her new guard turned around and talking to Twilight. “Thank you, Twilight. I really appreciate this.” He said, hesitantly pulling the Princess of Friendship into a hug. “N-no problem…” She responded, returning it. Luna stood up awkwardly, confused at her bow not being returned. She coughed and turned around, annoyed that her new guard just gave her the coldest shoulder she’d experienced since her return. “Well, I do believe I will raise the moon and… begin my work.” The Princess of the Night nodded at Shining Armor as she opened the large doors to her chambers. “Please instruct the Corporal on what to do and then send him in. My duties cannot wait much longer” “Yes, Your Highness.” Shining Armor bowed as Luna pushed open the doors to her chambers and trotted inside. When the doors slammed shut, Celestia took one last gaze at Alabaster before nodding. “The life of my sister is in your hooves...never forget that. Now, I believe I will retire…” “Good night, Your Highness.” Alabaster bowed as Celestia trotted by him. Shining Armor followed after Celestia. Before he exited the antechamber, he turned and glared at Alabaster before whispering loudly at him. “What is wrong with you, Al?” Before Alabaster could respond, the door slammed shut, leaving him alone with Twilight. He sighed and turned back to Twilight, whose head was cocked in slight worry. “Are… are you sure you’ll be alright with this, Alabaster?” Alabaster placed a hoof on her shoulder, gave a small smile, and nodded. “No worries, Twi. I can do this.” He lowered his hoof and looked around. “Hey, where was Cadence? All of you were here except for her...even Shining was here. Where is she?” Twilight nodded. “Oh. She traveled back to the Crystal Empire to get the second one.” “The second one?” “The second of Luna’s guards, yes.” “I’m not the only one?” “Of course not. You’ll be inside her chamber, while...Bladeheart, I think his name was...will guard this antechamber. He’s a Crystal Pony Elite Guard...and part of the Night Watch there. He’ll be here tomorrow night, but tonight, it’s all you.” Twilight tapped a hoof to her chin. “It’s best if we cover all the basics of security around here, as well as when Luna travels.” Alabaster scoffed, “I got the short end of the roo’s tail, then, eh?” Twilight chuckled. “Oh relax. At least you’ll have company. Poor Bladeheart will be out here all by himself.” “You are forgetting, dear Twilight, who my company will be.” Alabaster added dryly. Twilight laughed one more time before trotting to the door leading out of the antechamber. “Have a safe night Alabaster… let me know how it goes tomorrow, alright?” Alabaster huffed annoyedly, but gave a small bow to the Princess. “Good night, Princess Twilight. Pleasant dreams to you.” “Tell Luna to make sure of that…” Twilight stifled a chuckle before leaving the antechamber. Alabaster heaved a heavy sigh, staring at the door he saw Twilight leave out of. He kicked one of his front hooves, looked down at his new insignia on his armor as it gleamed in the moonlight, then slowly turned towards the door to Luna’s chambers. “Well...here goes nothing…” Luna, the Princess of the Night, stood silently on her balcony. Her horn glowed a dark blue as the moon continually rose up into the sky, stars beginning to pepper the the space around the moon as the night grew blacker. She hummed in pleasure as the sounds of crickets emerging down below filled her ears. She loved the night. She used to think it was nothing compared to her sister’s day, but she had since learned each had it’s merits. Twilight Sparkle and her friends had taught her how to let go. She also learned herself that her night could not exist without her sister’s day. That didn’t stop the multiple attempts on her life, however. Besides that poor Pegasus in Cloudsdale, there had been a score of other attempts, each of which ended with some poor pony in prison, or, in rare occasions, dead. She felt guilty about all of them, but her sister had been a great source of comfort, telling her what those ponies tried to do was their own choice and now had to suffer the consequences for their actions. Luna knew Tia meant well, but she still slightly felt partially to blame. She ceased such thoughts and closed her eyes, letting the sounds of her beautiful night fill her ears. It had since ceased raining, and there was the lovely smell of dew in the air. The bliss she was in was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a door opening and closing behind her. Luna deactivated her magic and turned to face who she knew had just entered: her new guard with the cold shoulder. He stood there, gazing at her, still with ice in his glare, though it looked as if he was a little bit more in control than he was before. “Welcome to my chambers, Corporal.” Luna said, stepping inside from off of her balcony. Alabaster Star remained silent as he scanned Luna’s room. There was her king sized bed off to the right with a crescent moon pattern on the covers. The bed had a circular shape to it as well. A stand next to the bed had Luna’s chest plate on it, in addition to some battle armor and a sword hung up next to it. Off to the left looked like a study. A lit candle upon a desk was the only light, with star charts and lunar patterns, books on the skies, weather patterns, and space all scattered about. There was also a small area with couches, a glass table, and some comfort chairs. A wet bar for drinks and food was over there as well. A telescope was on a stand next to the open balcony doors. And then of course, there was the Princess of the Night, eyeing him mysteriously. “You do not speak much, do you?” Luna turned and stepped to the side, making her way to the wet bar. “You seem to be good friends with Twilight Sparkle, though…” Her horn ignited and one of the bottles of cider levitated over to a goblet. She poured the cider and levitated the glass over to her lips. She took a small sip and placed the glass down on the glass table. “Wouldst thou enjoy partaking some?” Luna winced internally, as despite her best efforts, some of her Old Canterlot dialect shone through occasionally. Alabaster Star slowly turned and glared at the Princess before turning towards the door and taking up a stone-cold guarding stance, staring into space and standing at attention. Luna sighed and took another sip of her cider, “A pleasure speaking with you…” She muttered before standing up, levitating the glass with her. “Well, I’ve got stars to chart, moon patterns to observe and manage, and dreams to send out and observe. If thou finally decides to speak, let me know if you need anything.” Alabaster remained silent, staring ahead. Surprise, surprise. “Well, this is Tia’s best idea ever…” Luna muttered sarcastically She turned to the balcony, taking the telescope with her and began her work for the night. Here Alabaster was… standing guard in the very room where Nightmare Moon slept. It made him nauseous. What made him even more sick was the fact that Luna actually tried to socialize with him. How dare she try that after what she did! There he stood, seething with rage under the surface, while keeping the calm and rigid demeanor of the guards of the Duchess of Trottingham. He glared at the Princess behind her back as she peered into her telescope. A few times she would use her magic to rearrange some stars, make the moon, brighter or darker, and would move clouds in the sky. As much as Luna’s work with the night fascinated the poor Night Guard, he was still reminded of who exactly was doing this work. He thought briefly of that night a year ago...when his beloved wife was taken from him in the name of Nightmare Moon. That was something he would never let go. And just like that, Alabaster’s shift was over. The sun was rising in the sky and Luna trotted back into her room from the balcony, yawning. She narrowed her eyes at Alabaster, who was still standing there as if he were a statue. “Still there, Alabaster Star? Impressive. I don’t think I’ve seen a guard of modern days capable of standing in one location for more than an hour…” Upon receiving no response, Luna sighed and waved a hoof. “You are dismissed, Corporal. Leave me. I need some sleep.” Alabaster didn’t need to be told twice. Without so much as a salute, he was out of the room, the door creaking shut behind him. Luna sighed, her horn glowing dimly. Her flowing, starry mane reverted to it’s shorter, light blue form, and she trotted to her bed, lastly using her magic to close the blinds of her balcony. “Perhaps he’ll warm up to his post…” Luna muttered as she readied herself for bed. The door to Alabaster Star’s flat slammed open and closed quickly as the angry Corporal strode in. Using his magic, he flung off his helmet. Trotted into his room. And yelled. “GGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!” He closed his eyes and roared at the ceiling of his flat. He roared and roared until his voice cracked and fell forward onto his creaky bed. He panted heavily a few times before sighing and groaning into the covers. “It’s a good thing Moonblaze isn’t home yet…” He muttered, peeling his face off the covers and looking out the window. He didn’t know how in Equestria he was going to get used to this. Not only had they changed his regular post out of the blue, but now, he had to guard the creature he hated most with his life. By oath. It made him nauseous whenever he thought about it. Knowing that one day he may have to sacrifice his life for that demon. Slowly, he stood up and shook his head so his neon blue mane, which had helmet-hair, returned to it’s messy state, covering one of his neon blue eyes. He used his magic to remove his armor. He didn’t care to place it on the stand he usually placed it on, settling for flinging it carelessly in the corner. In an instant, he was in bed, the covers pulled up to his face. He wanted to try and get some rest while the thoughts of him dying for Luna were out of his mind. His agony at this new post, however, was just beginning.