//------------------------------// // The Champion's Victim // Story: Luna's Story 2: Wrath of the Moon Champion // by Aegis Shield //------------------------------// Luna’s Story 2: Wrath of the Moon Champion Part 3: The Champion’s Victim Princess Luna paced one way, then the other, then back the way she came. Her wings were up and her jaw set in a deep and furious scowl. The stars in her mane and tail were twinkling wildly back and forth with the barely contained rage. The first squad of the lunar stallions was in front of her, one captain and the first eight ponies to emerge as the descendants of the originals. Stalwart Hide was in the hospital, so they were one pony short. “You have all brought shame to this corps.” She said, finally stopping to face them with a voice like ice. “We gave a simple command: search for any sign of the Moon Champion. Travel in groups, for she is far more powerful than thou.” All ten of them looked anywhere but her face, even though they were at attention. “And what happens? You leave one of your brothers alone in the darkness to face an enemy against which he has NO chance of winning!” Her gaze flicked back and forth, searing across them. “Captain Aegis!” she snapped, turning her gaze on him. “Your majesty!” He saluted, stepping forward when he was addressed. “You broke this squad into several groups, according to your report. Who was supposed to be with Stalwart Hide when he was assaulted?” Luna demanded to know, eyes lidding. “Pen Maker and Hammershot, your majesty.” Aegis Shield said without hesitation, his salute remaining. Luna’s fiery glare turned over to the ponies in question, both of whom gulped a little. “They came to a three-way alleyway and split up briefly. That is when the attack happened.” “Step forward, both of you. Upon your knees!” The princess stepped back so both soldiers could make themselves known. Hammershot was a pegasi, one of the very first lunar stallions to come forward when the corps was coming back, humble and loyal. Pen Maker was a unicorn, adept in the ways of non-violent magic and brilliant problem-solving. Both fine soldiers, but both in very, very deep trouble. They came forward and as per usual Hammershot lowered his wings to the floor, spread out in the ancient gesture of submission. The princess was invited to stomp on his wings if he displeased h—CRACK! That was a mistake. Luna’s dinner plate-sized hoof came down on one of his wings, and he let out a whinny of agony! “So proud you are of that gesture, Hammershot. I never thought I would make use of it!” She watched the winged pony hiss and groan, trying to contain his cries of pain. She hadn’t broken his wing, but she was certainly crushing it in her anger. The bruising alone would keep him grounded for a week. She ground her hoof into the tenderest of muscles, and he finally cried out like a bawling foal, unable to take it. The rest of the squad shuddered. “This is but a fraction of the agony you left your comrade-in-arms to endure, ALL ALONE!” She lifted her hoof enough to let her Royal Canterlot Voice knock him backward, tumbling over himself on the tile of the throne room. “You shame yourself and this corps!” she watched him lay there, clutching desperately at his wing. Finally, she turned her attention to Pen Maker, who looked up at her with a terrified expression. Glaring, she back-hoof’d him without mercy. He yelped at her strength, launched off his hooves and tumbling across to floor like a skipping stone. He crashed into Hammershot and they both cried out as they fell into a heap of hooves and armor and pain. Aegis Shield shuddered, for the black mark on Pen Maker’s muzzle would not fade anytime soon. “Captain, how many days did the doctors say Stalwart Hide would be bed-ridden?” the princess turned her gaze on Aegis Shield. “At least a week, princess Luna.” He said, trying to stand stoic for his squad. “Then that is how many days you and these two imbeciles will be doing double drills.” Luna turned, climbing the dais to sit upon her throne. She saw Aegis’ slack-jawed expression, and frowned down at him. “Rule number one of being in charge, Captain. Everything is also your fault. If my soldiers cannot follow simple commands, it is only because their leaders are lacking.” Aegis Shield flinched like she’d slapped him, for the chastising physically hurt. She sat regally on the throne, gesturing to a servant to open the double doors to start the midnight court. “You are all dismissed!” she said loudly. Aegis and the other lunar stallions bowed, visibly shaken. The squad retreated, stopping to quickly gather their fallen comrades, then scrambling out of the princess’ sight. Luna sat seething for the rest of the night. =-=-=-= Stalwart Hide awoke to the steady beep, beep, beep of hospital machines. He blink-blinked, and tried to sit up. The violent stab of pain brought him back down, though His softened yelp turned the ear of a nearby nurse, and she came in right away. The band-aid on her flank told of her medical talent, and she gave a pleasant smile. “I’m glad you’re awake. I’d be willing to bet you’re starving.” She said in a whispy voice. The stallion nodded. “Her majesty princess Luna said to have food at the ready, that lunar stallions could eat like Clydesdales.” She chuckled a little, wheeling a little cart in with her teeth. Stalwart Hide’s spirits lifted. “How long…?” he rasped out. “You’ve been here for two days, and due for quite a few more I’d say.” The nurse was pleasant and casual, which set him at ease. “Your armor took most of the brunt of the punishment. We found your bones mended and almost all of the deepest bruises healing when we took it off of you. She gestured to the medallion on the bedside table. “Why not leave it…?” Stalwart Hide whispered. “The princess said that it draws energy from the wearer to heal you. You were in no shape to donate energy to anything when you got in here.” The nurse said, shaking her head. “It may have killed you trying to save you.” “Oh.” The stallion wilted a little. “Don’t worry. Natural healing is good for you too, y’know.” She chuckled, getting a tray off the cart and offering it over him. Getting the mini-table to go across the bed so the tray wouldn’t be sitting on his chest, she set down his meal. “And don’t worry, the princess told me the special circumstances about lunar stallion diets, too.” She snickered a little, showing him the food cart. There were eight trays of identical food. Over the next hour or so Stalwart Hide cleaned every single one, much to the nurse’s shock. She hadn’t believed it at first, but sure enough, a lunar stallion could eat enough for eight ponies just to restore himself. He certainly looked happier when his belly was full, a little more energetic. He still couldn’t sit up, but he was more awake and aware than before. That was an excellent sign. “Are you gonna eat that?” he asked curiously. The nurse looked at the pen in her breast-pocket. It had a pineapple-shaped top. “Oh wait that’s not food.” He squinted at it. “We’re going to need to run a few tests on your vision. We found magic burns around your face and mane.” The nurse said, now that his basic needs had been met. The stallion frowned uncomfortably, but the nurse set to work. Pokes, prods, and listening to various parts of him were the order of the day. =-=-=-= Pen Maker rubbed painfully on the hoof print on his cheek. “Pull!” he shouted, horn lighting up. Clay pigeons launched themselves over his head thanks to his work-out buddies. Leading his shots, he blasted one after another out of the sky. They exploded into shards, but four of them managed to get away and land safely beyond the line. He groaned in frustration, rubbing his cheek again. “I can’t concentrate, Captain. Princess Luna didn’t have to hit us like that.” He said, stamping an angry hoof. “Yes, and you didn’t have to leave Captain Stalwart Hide alone in that alley.” snapped Captain Aegis Shield. The mood of the first squad was certainly edgy, and the angry Captain didn’t make it any easier on them as he shared their punishment. “You’re not moving until you can hit all twelve.” He turned, nodding at the unicorn that was setting up a new group of clay pigeons. The trainer nodded when they were ready. “Pull!” Aegis shouted. The disks launched themselves skyward, and Pen Maker took aim with his horn. Still, four of them got away from his blasts, hitting the grass on the other side of the field. “Keep practicing.” He ordered, turning to check on the other pony being punished. Hammershot had been trying to fly, but just couldn’t do it. His crushed wing allowed him to glide, mostly in circles, but that was it. The princess had punished him more harshly because of his winged gesture, and it wounded him. Huffing and puffing, her tried to flex the wing in an up-down-in-out fashion. But, it only brought him pain. “Captain.” He said in greeting, clenching his teeth. “I think I’ll be grounded for a few days, my wing is out of commission for now.” “And you deserve it.” Aegis Shield said with a scowl. Luna was not around to chastise the two soldiers, so it had been left in his hooves. “Captain Stalwart Hide won’t be flying for awhile either, maybe you can share his woes whenever he wakes up in the hospital.” He was driving the point home extra, extra hard. Aegis knew it was a part of his job, but he was being punished too. His best friend and comrade was in the hospital, his lover was a furious bottle of unapproachable anger, and his soldiers were in disarray—both in fear and bruised ego. “I didn’t expect her to actually do it. Crush my wing, I mean. It was something my father, and his father, taught me. Submission to the crown to show loyalty.” Hammershot groaned when the muscle pulled a certain way, wincing in pain. “You shouldn’t have done it, then. Paint a target on your flank and somepony is gonna shoot at you eventually.” Aegis Shield said, closing his eyes and turning his muzzle up a little. “Keep working. You’re on double drills until my fellow Captain walks out of that hospital fresh as a blushing spring mare.” The reference was dirty, but the punishment fit the crime. “Nopony gets left alone in a group mission, Hammershot. Never forget that.” Aegis left the Pegasus to his suffering, walking briskly to check on the rest of the squad. They did drills and physical training every day to keep themselves honed and healthy. They were doing their cool down exercises and making ready to leave. “Captain.” said Tree Knot, a pegasus approaching his leader with a salute. Aegis nodded for him to speak, allowing a small smile. Tree Knot was often poked fun at by his fellow stallions because he was ‘knot a tree’, and soon the name stuck. Even among the elite lunar stallions, there was a brotherhood of sibling ribbing and laughter. Dropping his salute, the stallion spoke, “Uhm… will you be speaking with the princess soon about our progress?” he gestured mildly to the squad. “She knows we’re not incompetent, right?” There was worry on his face. Aegis Shield paused for a moment, for he could sense more than a few eyes on him while he was speaking to his soldier. “Princess Luna knows you are not incompetent.” He said gently. “She only steps forward to deal such punishment because she cares. She doesn’t want any of you slacking off and getting somepony hurt.” “Will you put in a good word for us? Something? Please?” it was awfully informal to speak to one’s Captain that way, but the words were genuine. “She’s been angry for days now. I would kiss her royal flank if only she would smile at the lunar stallions again. We were doing so good…” he trailed off, his ears turning back. Aegis Shield was touched by the foal-like devotion Tree Knot was voicing. He glanced over at the scattering of stallions, pretending to train hard while they listened in. He cleared his throat a little. “She won’t stay angry at us forever. This won’t be the first time we displease her, either. Just stay strong. We’ll ride it out together.” “Yes Captain!” Tree Knot saluted. “You’re all dismissed!” he told the squad. “Except you two. Another two hours for you.” He told Hammershot and Pen Maker. They both groaned, but obeyed. =-=-=-= Aegis Shield knocked gently on the door. It was the start of the evening, and princess Luna hadn’t yet emerged from her room. “Enter.” Her grouchy voice barked. He pushed the door open. She scowled at him a little as he shut the door behind him. She’d just finished setting the moon on its course across the sky. “If thou art here to beg forgiveness, Captain, thou shall receive none. Your comrade suffers in the hospital for thy squad’s incompetence.” He extended his neck and made to nuzzle her comfortingly, but she honked his nose with one of her massive hooves. “No.” she said flatly. “Thy affections are misplaced when we are this displeased with thou.” Her elder tongue was much stronger when she was upset, all of the ‘I’s and ‘you’s vanishing. Aegis Shield wilted and she sighed, going to the vanity to put on her crown and regalia. “Stalwart Hide is awake and getting better, princess.” He said, saluting her. There was a gap between them right then. In her bedroom alone was a place they could always talk as friends and lovers, but a mighty shield had come up between them. “Pen Maker and Hammershot are being punished as you commanded.” “Good.” She said, adjusting her regalia until it was straight across her chest as it should be. Fastening the chain properly, she cocked her head to settle her crown on her head. Aegis Shield watched from behind, wondering what he might say or do to soothe his lover. The lunar stallion shifted uncomfortably, tilting his head. They could not afford lingering anger and suffering in the ranks. This needed to be rectified as soon as pony-ly possible. But what could he possibly do to soothe the angry princess? Her temper was the stuff of legends, and right now it was pointed more at her stallions than at her enemy. What would his father say about this? Son, someday you’ll learn that the mares are the ones in charge of everything. The sooner you figure that out, the better. And I tell ya, the mares might be the heads of the household, but handsome stallions like us are the necks. What does that mean, father? Aegis had been confused with his father’s wisdom. It means that the mares are the heads and they’re in charge, but as the necks, we can turn the heads any way we want. Ohhh. Aegis Shield tapped the eye of his chest plate, retracting his regalia. His brown fur and blonde mane returned, along with his circular-shield cutie mark. The princess was still scowling at herself in the mirror, adjusting her front-left horse shoe as she made ready for the day. He decided to take a page out of his father’s book, and Tree Knot’s book as well. Literally. “ACK?!” Luna’s voice cracked her vanity mirror as something assaulted her from behind. She snapped her head around, and saw the most outrageous thing she’d ever seen in all her centuries of life. Aegis Shield with his lips pressed to her butt. “What are thou doing?!” she squawked, trying to swat him away with her tail. But, since her tail was ethereal, it couldn’t hit him physically. “Stop that!” His lips made a smecking sound on her rump, and then the next kiss landed on her cutie mark. Smek. Her face turned scarlet and she just didn’t know what to do. So completely caught off guard, she could only stare at him. Aegis rubbed his cheek, hot with half-fear, against her flank and then switched sides. The princess snapped her head back around the other way to see him kiss her other cutie mark. The outrageous scoundrel! She ought to kick him right in his stupid stallion face! His hoof came up on the other side so it almost looked like he was snuggling her haunches. “Mrrr…” he said a little ferally, nuzzling her backside rather comically. “S-stop that!” Luna said again, red in the face. She raised one of her back legs threateningly, coiling the muscle. Truth be told she could launch him out of the room and off the balcony if she pleased. His eyes lifted to look into hers, and that was all that stopped her. They were soft, apologetic, and slow to twinkle at her. She suddenly couldn’t bring herself to buck him, and lowered her leg. She turned to face the mirror again, using magic to slowly repair the crack. Sighing quietly, she closed her eyes and hung her head low. She didn’t like being so angry all the time, it stressed her deeply. “Mh… Ooh…” she managed to admit, flicking her tail at him again. Aegis Shield nuzzled his lover, his warm breath tingling on her fur. Her wings slowly rose to their full and gorgeous span. There, against the vanity with her reflection desperately gasping back at her, the stallion helped to relieve some of her stress. She could only whimper in guilty delight. Something about making love in front of a mirror made the sweet release that much more powerful. End of Part 3