//------------------------------// // Wing Pony? // Story: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not // by Flagstar of Flagclan //------------------------------// Luna sighed as she sipped her third glass of punch. She looked over across the ballroom to see him sitting all alone. He looked very vigilant, glancing at her every so often. Luna felt confused, wondering if he was just doing her job or if he possibly liked her. She wanted to ask him out, but couldn't find the courage. She was a princess, and even though she's been trapped in the moon for a thousand years, she still knew how to date. Ever since she hired the new guard pony she couldn't think straight. All she thought about was how his face was perfect and he had the best looking wings, with totally wicked fangs to pull off the character. Celestia was standing next her, shaking her head. "Sister, you need to talk to him." "I can't. What if he doesn't except me?" "Shackles clearly likes you Luna. You just need the guts to go and ask him for a dance." Luna shook her head. As much as she wanted to, she was afraid he may reject her. She closed her eyes and thought about the day he had first come into Canterlot, looking for a job as a dark royal guard. Luna was sitting in the throne room with her sister, talking about the plans for the new city. "It should have something that screams wonderful." Luna said. "I know. So what shall we put in there?" Celestia and Luna both closed their eyes to think. The same idea seemed to come to them as they both said the same thing. "A dance club!" The sisters said in unison. One of the royal guards opened the door. Next to him was a dark violet pegasus. Luna put a wing over her face to hide her blush. Both ponies bowed their heads. "We are sorry to disturb you, your highness's, but this pegasus wishes to become one of the guards for Princess Luna." Celestia looked at her younger sister and gave a small chuckle when she saw her blushing. Luna did her best to put on her serious look and took down her wing. She looked at the violet pony. "I suppose since one has quit it would be beneficial to have another guard as soon as possible." She said with a high note of authority. "So due to this problem I accept your offer of being my royal guard." The pegasus gave a wide smile and bowed. "Thank you Princess Luna." Celestia looked at both of them. "Ahem! What is your name?" "Shackles." She nodded and dismissed them. The two ponies left the room and she turned to Luna. "Somepony's got a crush." "I do not!" Luna said, trying not to blush again. "Then why are you blushing?" Celestia said, a large smile on her face. "I'm not blushing! Luna giggled at the memory. Even though she was really nervous the memory made her feel better. Celestia smiled, clearly knowing what she was thinking. Luna turned back to look at Shackles and sighed. "Sister, I have an idea." Luna groaned. "What?" "How about you ask him out and I'll be your wing pony. I can go out with Thorn. Besides he's always asking me out anyways, so it would be easy to make it a double date." For once she felt like her sister's plan may work. It seemed logical, and she knew Thorn had feelings for Celestia. Luna nodded and set down her punch glass. The two sisters headed over to Shackles, who was now talking to Thorn. She took a deep breath and smiled. "Hello, Shackles." "Hi, Princess Luna." He said with a bow. "What can I do for you?" "I was wondering if you would like to....." She took another deep breath. "go out with me?" There was a look of happiness that spread across his face but quickly disappeared. "I'm sorry, but I can't." Luna just nodded and headed back towards the punch table. She grabbed her punch again and started to sip, trying to hold back tears. Celestia came up beside her and put her wing around her. "It's okay Luna, I'm sure he was just nervous." Luna looked at her older sister and gave her a death stare. She flinched but held her ground, only removing her wing. "This is all your fault! If only I had ignored your idea!" She yelled, running out the door. Celestia sighed and started to slowly follow her. She knew it was just the pain talking but it felt as if Luna had ripped her heart out. "I was wondering if.....you would go out with me?" Luna said. Shackles nearly fainted, a smile coming across his face. He quickly hid it, thinking it could just be a joke. He hoped that it would be real but was scared that Luna was just pulling a prank on him, as she sometimes did with her guards. She wasn't usually this deep into it, it was pretty much just snake cans and squirting flowers with her, you know the light stuff, but he didn't want to take any chances. "I'm sorry, but I can't" Shackles replied, forcing out every word. Luna walked away with a nod and he felt a pang of sadness. "Maybe she was sincere." He thought. Suddenly, he wanted to run up to her and change his answer, but he stayed where he was. Thorn gave him a stern look. "Dude! Princess Celestia was with her! Maybe she wanted to double date or something! Now you ruined my chance!" He said angrily. "I just thought she was playing a prank on me! How was I supposed to know that she was serious?" "Oh I don't know, look at her expression! It cried I love you all over it!" Shackles shook his head. He watched as Luna ran out of the ballroom, Celestia trailing behind her. He thought maybe he could go and apologize, so then they could go out, but thought better of it when he saw a look of rage on her face. He grabbed his spear that was hidden behind a curtain and walked out after them. Thorn slowly followed behind. "I have an idea," He said. "What?" "How about I ask Celestia out on a date. We could do a double date so you could be with Luna." Thorn said tentatively. Shackles smiled. "That's a perfect idea." The two colts headed for the castle, talking about their plan all the way there.