//------------------------------// // Stargazing // Story: Under the Moonlight // by Thunderblast //------------------------------// Light prevailed over the night sky in Canterlot as it slowly turned to day. The sun however was out of everypony's sight. The weather ponies had overdone themselves and shrouded the whole of the sky with thick, dark clouds. Thunderblast rose from his bed, he had trouble sleeping that night. After his near-deadly encounter with his marefriend's step brother, Light Assassin, he was in total shock. Diesel was right, he is insane. Thunder's right hoof ached and stung in pain from being slit that night. After arriving home, he had bandaged it up, almost making him appear as if he was some sort of boxer pony. He rose out of bed and opened the curtains in his bedroom. He expected to be briefly blinded by the sunlight, but instead, he was greeted by grey clouds and pouring rain, which made him smile lightly. He thanked the heavens that the sun wasn't exactly there to hurt his eyes like every other morning, and once again that it was a rainy day. It seemed strange to most ponies, but he preferred rainy days over any other day on some occasions. It was a feeling he couldn't explain, but he loved it. The only problem about today, was he still had his post on the castle bridge, putting him directly under the soaking downpour. Then again, it could be worse he thought, before remembering a few days back in winter where his hooves literally froze to the ground, immobilizing him until somepony stopped laughing enough to dump searing-hot water on him to free the stallion. Thunder went by his normal routine. Morning stretch, breakfast, shower, brush teeth, brush mane, put armor on, then work his way through the inclement weather to his post. Instead of flying, he decided to walk through the streets. Something was different today. He didn't feel right ever since he visited Light Assassin last night. He tried his best not to think about it, and hoped nopony would notice the bandages he wore, after replacing them that morning for cleaner ones. Lucky for him, the rain forced most ponies inside, so he wouldn't have to squeeze through the massive Canterlot crowds. The stallion didn't mind the cold, frequent pounding of rain drops as it soaked what ever parts of him weren't shielded by his gold armor. The other plus side to the walk there, was his post was closest to his apartment, meaning he was closer than ever to briefly getting out of the rain. After a few minutes of walking, he stepped under the awning to allow his body to dry off. Despite his coat drying, he was still cold. He couldn't show it, however, as it would most likely wreck his reputation with his job in the guard. Moments later, he stepped into the castle, which was surprisingly warm. Thunder's coat warmed quickly, which made him feel comfortable again. Following the maze of halls in the castle, he walked up the small tower stairs, which lead to his post, only to find his post mate Sharpblade wasn't there. Was it possible that his post was shifted again? He made sure nothing was off, before flying to Shining Armor's office to check with him. "Come in." The unicorn spoke up a heartbeat after the knock on his door came. Following his words, Thunderblast entered Shining's office, greeting him with a salute. "Sir, I have a quick question, then I will be out of your hair." "Speak your mind, sergeant." Shining Armor replied, keeping his mind focused on paperwork. "Thank you sir. I was wondering, where is Lieutenant Sharp? He is supposed to occupy the bridge with me." Thunder asked. "He called off today, he said he is sick with the feather flu." Shining Armor responded, still focusing on his work. Thunder then eyed Shining closely. "Sir, with all do respect, I don't think he is telling the truth." Shining Armor raised his head and eyed the grey pegasus before him. "Why do you say that?" "Unicorns don't get the feather flu. Only pegasi." Thunder kept his stern face throughout hiss objection. Shining then raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't think one of my best soldiers would lie about that. If he visited a doctor, that could be what he diagnosed, even though he is a unicorn." "I don't think so, but okay." Thunder mentally said. "I guess so. Alright, i'll be on my way." He saluted, Shining Armor returning it, before he walked out. "Something isn't right...unicorns cannot get the feather flu." Later that day, the rain stopped and the clouds quickly cleared, moving on to the eastern cities to drench even more ponies. It cleared out well enough, that the moon could be seen. Even more so, the stars. Instead of going home like he normally would, Thunderblast went to the park, took off his helmet, setting it down neatly, and laid in the damp grass, as a cool, gentle breeze rustled the leaves of trees and bushes. He stared up at the pitch-black sky, and the moon that Luna had just raised, admiring the beauty of the night, which threw him in a bit of a trance. His trance was soon broken by a voice, which was very close. "May I join you?" A stallion, standing near Thunder, asked. Thunder looked at the stallion. He was a light grey unicorn with eyes as green as his older brother's, with a longer red and brown mane. His cutie mark was obscured by the darkness, and didn't care to ask. "Oh, er, sure" The stallion then laid next to Thunder, putting his forehooves under his head in relaxation as he gazed up. Thunder then sighed, as if he was depressed. "Is something on your mind?" The stallion asked, turning his head and looking at the pegasus in armor next to him. "Hmm? Oh, no." Thunder looked over, trying to hide his thoughts from his face. "I think there is, but alright." The unicorn replied, turning his attention back to the stars. "Such a beautiful night." "It is." Thunder said, looking across the sea of black, with bluish-white distant stars dotting the sky. "I'm Tech by the way...Otto Tech." The unicorn said. "Thunderblast." He replied, still staring at the sky. "Nice to meet you Thunderbl-." "Call me Thunder...please." "Alright." The unicorn sighed contently. "Do you do this often?" "What?" "Stargaze?" "No, not really. I haven't since my colthood actually." Thunder eyed a particular bright star in the sky. "I see." The unicorn's, Otto Tech, eyes soon caught the same star. "That's a beautiful one." "Which one?" "The one we're both looking at." "How the hell do you know what I'm looking at?" Thunder's voice begun to break. "The way your eyes are facing. Does it mean something to you?" Otto questioned. "What, the star?" "Yes." "No...not really." Thunder tried to look elsewhere, but the star seemed to be everywhere his eyes moved. "It must, you keep looking at it." Otto said, now looking at Thunder. "Does it represent your parents?" "You know what?" Thunder begun, sitting up and looking down at the unicorn. "Leave me alone." "Hey, i'm sorry. I just wanted to ask." Otto also sat up. Thunder sighed in a frustrated way, before laying back down. "But seriously, does it mean that?"