Night and Day

by Tom Ink


Mission Ponyville

Several days later…

“Soldiers, do you know why I called you here?” asked Sun Glow, chief of Celestia’s guard, as he turned to face Golden Sun and White Spear in the small office.

“I don’t think this will be an ordinary day, captain,” White answered.

“Exactly, White,” Sun started, crossing his hooves on the table. “Today, the Princesses – emphasis on the plural – will go to Poneyville for the opening ceremony of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s new library. You know, this is the first time that common travel for the Princesses has been organized outside of Canterlot. I’ll let you guess what’s next,” the captain ended, looking from one soldier to the other.

Golden Sun spoke first. “Common patrol with Luna’s guards?” he tried.

His captain stared at him for a few seconds, chewing his bottom lip, deep in his thoughts. “I wouldn’t say that, Golden. You know better than that. The relationship between our guards are still almost nonexistent and are limited to the takeover twice a day. No, let’s say…” He thought about it for a few seconds more. “…a limited-time cooperation.”

“And that means?” White raised an eyebrow, seemingly confused by his choice of words.

“You will stay close to them during the visit, because the schedule is the same. No talk between you and the batponies, except in case of danger. If something goes wrong, you take care of Celestia, and they will take care of Luna. Nothing more, nothing less. A quiet visit, with just you two and two guards for Luna. Questions?” Sun asked, reclining in his chair.

“Any particular danger?” Golden asked while the captain was already moving to the front door.

“Some ponies saw some changelings near Ponyville, but we already sent a squad there without any results. But keep an eye open. Soldiers, dismissed!”

They all saluted before leaving the office. On the way to the castle, Golden and White started to talk.

“A ‘limited-time cooperation’?” White quoted, before stopping in the corridor in the Solar Guard camp.

Golden did the same and turned his head to his friend, who smiled wickedly. “You know what that means?”

“If you tell me another joke about that girl…” his friend warned him.

“You’ll be able to spend more time with your marefriend!” White laughed. Before he had a chance to go further, he felt a hoof in his mouth to shut him down.

“Shut up! It’s not your place to talk about that, even if you’re joking. You don’t even know what could happen to us if somepony heard you.” Golden lowered his hoof before going back to his walk.

When they were outside, and far from the other guards, White spoke again. “Admit it. You like her. And don’t lie to me; I saw how you look at her when we were changing the guard. You’re so shy. That’s adorable!” White wrapped a hoof around his friend’s shoulder, staring at him. “My little Golden is growing up and falling in love!”

“White, I’m gonna make it quick, since that’s the only way you’ll understand it,” his friend explained, taking the hoof from his shoulder. “First, I’m not in love with her, and second, she’s. A. Batpony. A. Guard. Of. Luna. It’s true that she look good but–“

“AH-HA!”

“BUT…” Golden continued, raising his voice, “that doesn’t mean anything. We have nothing in common, we’re from opposite guards and races, and nothing will ever happen between us. You get it?”

“Sir yes sir!” White smiled, saluting before sigh. “Though, it would make for a good story.”

Golden watched him with wide eyes. “You really need to stop reading those stupid romances,” Golden sighed.

“Hey, don’t say anything bad about 50 Shades of Hay!” White replied. “If you think I didn’t saw you secretly reading…”

His friend blushed, despite himself, then groaned, before putting a hoof to his face. “White…,” he started.

“That’s me,” he cut in.

“You… you’re going to kill me one of these days,” his friend finally said with a smile.

“Oh no, you’ve discovered my secret plan to steal your Whooves vinyl!” White laughed, raising his hooves in the air.

Golden rolled his eyes before pulling himself together and focusing on the day’s mission. “So, White, we’ll try to be more professional today. Won’t we?” he asked, landing a hoof on his friend’s shoulder.

“Yeah. Especially if we need to protect the flanks on your marefriend.”

Golden got closer and whispered. “You can say goodbye to yours if you continue to talk like that.”

“Aw, you know I’m just teasing you. That’s what super-buddies do, right?” he asked, removing his hoof from Golden, who said nothing. He pouted. “We are super-buddies, aren’t we, Golden?”

His friend couldn’t help but smile before tapping him on the back. “Yeah. Always, buddy.”

One hoof-bump later, they were walking again to the castle.

“Soldier Storm, Lieutenant Eyes, you may leave!” Moon Dancer exclaimed after the morning briefing about Luna and Celestia’s trip to Ponyville. When they left their captain’s office, Starry Eyes seemed ready to burn up from rage. His anger didn’t stay hidden for long.

“How could he ask us to do this?!” he shouted from under Midnight’s calm gaze. “A ‘cooperation?’ You’ll see! I certainly won’t help them,I tell you!” His hooftseps were heavy and echoed in the hallway near their barracks. Midnight got closer to him, trying to calm him down.

“Starry, that’s the order. Wheter you like it or not, we’ll respect them. We have a mission, and we’ll do it,” Midnight said sternly, facing a Starry still blinded by the rage. “What do you want to do? If Luna wants to travel with her sister outside of Canterlot, then we can’t stop her, you get it?”

Starry groaned loudly. “Yeah. But don’t think I’ll save Celestia’s flanks if her guards get attacked. I only protect Luna. This kind of trip is useless and full of needless risks, and it’s just a way for Celestia to show to her sister that she won’t need us for future trips.”

Midnight stayed silent, trying to process the thoughts of this batpony.

They resumed their walk to the castle, with Starry mumbling all the way about the decline of the batponies and Midnight listening absent-mindedly, already focused on her task and the possible presence of changelings in Ponyville. She had to stay focused.

The trip to Ponyville was quite awkward. First because it was by train, while the others were done by royal cart when there had only been one Princess, but also because the four guards were face to face in the Princesses’ car. On every side, the tension was evident, and no words were exchanged during the trip. Midnight Storm and Golden Sun carefully tried to avoid making eye contact, while White Spear and Starry Eyes seemed to be in a staring contest (White won, after two and a half hours without blinking).

Ponyville finally came into view, and the guards took position on each side of the train’s exit to escort the Princesses to the new library, which sat in the Princess Twilight’s castle. The day went without trouble, even if the guards stayed on alert, not used to sharing the task with others outside their race.

The afternoon came to an end. The Princesses appeared from the library, where almost all the Ponyvillians seemed to have gathered to listen to Twilight Sparkle’s speech. The batponies’ and royal guards’ eyes stayed focused on the crowd, and Midnight’s stopped on a pony, before she whispered to Starry.

“Hey, Starry?”

“What?”

“See that green pony on the left?”

“Yeah, and?” Starry asked, looking for said pony.

“I don’t know, there’s a small group around him that seem… weird. Wait,” she sniffed the air, and her fears were confirmed. “Yeah, it smells like changeling,” she said, turning to Starry.

“Wait…” The stallion did the same and winced. “Yeah, I can confirm. Take it slowly so the Princesses won’t panic. Stay close to Luna, then warn her discreetly. I’ll intercept them,” Starry commanded.

“Do I warn the other guards?” Midnight asked.

Starry turned to her, eyebrows furrowed and fangs out. “Are you kidding me? No way,” he replied dryly. “We’ll show them who the professionals here are. Do as I say and warn the Mistress. Execute.” Starry stealthily snuck away from the stage and into the crowd.

Midnight moved closer to Luna and whispered in her ear. “Princess, I’ve spotted some changelings in the crowd. Starry Eyes left to intercept them. Stay calm. Everything is under control,” she explained as quietly as possible.

“Knowing Starry, I don’t think the situation will stay quiet for a long time. Stay on position and get ready to fight,” Luna replied, before passing the news to her sister, who widened her eyes upon hearing it.

As the speech neared its end, the crowd roared in panic. “CHANGELINGS!”

Immediately, the crowd shouted and scattered, while the creatures reverted to their bug form: a dozen of them, no more, some already fighting with Starry Eyes, who was quickly overwhelmed. The Princesses ran to the changelings, despite the protests of their bodyguards. Twilight and her friends soon joined them.

Hoof knocks rained down, and the guards did their best to win the battle. Starry Eyes received a blow to the jaw, leaving him unconscious for a few seconds while his young teammate beat back the creatures as they threatened to bite the batpony. One of the beasts came from behind and jumped on Midnight. Taken aback, she fell. Understanding the urgency of the situation, Golden Sun ran to her and knocked the creature with his forehoof. The Pegasus reached his hoof to help the batpony recover.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Midnight mumbled, reluctantly accepting the hoof. Around them, the changelings were captured one by one thanks to the work of the three Princesses and some inhabitants who had come to fight against the intruders. Midnight helped Starry Eyes to stand up while a changeling took advantage of the chaotic situation to fly towards the Everfree Forest. White Spear didn’t miss a beat.

“Princess, a changeling is escaping!” White shouted, moving closer to Celestia to protect her, “Should we go get him?”

The answer came quickly. “Yes, or else others will come.” Celestia turned to Golden Sun to give her order. “Soldier, follow him, and bring him back.”

“Yes, Princess!” After a quick salute, Golden launched himself and followed the changeling into the dark forest.

Luna saw the departure of the royal guard and turned to her batponies. Midnight was checking Starry’s body for any injuries. “Midnight?” the alicorn asked.

“Yes, Princess?” The batpony approached Luna.

“Follow that guard, and help him to get this changeling. This forest is too dangerous for a soldier alone,” the Princess explained.

Midnight raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “Princess, shouldn’t we send Princess Celestia’s other guard instead of me?” Midnight asked. She turned her head to White Spear, who was helping the alicorn assist some injured ponies. “Our missions must be separate, and batponies aren’t supposed to–“

Luna turned to Midnight, with a small frown in her eyes. “Are you discussing the orders, Midnight? One of the guards must stay with my sister, and Starry isn’t in shape to lead this mission for the moment,” the alicorn explained.

The batpony lowered her gaze, sighed slightly and raised her head to meet Luna’s stare. “No, Princess. At your command.” She saluted and flew to the Everfree forest, following the white Pegasus a few hundred meters in front of her.

After a few minutes of flying, Midnight arrived next to Golden, who needed a few seconds to realize who was following him. While keeping an eye on the changeling as it went deeper into the forest, he shouted to the batpony, “HEY! What are you doing here? This is my mission!”

“Princess’ order!” Midnight replied, still flying. “She knows you can’t do it alone, Pegasus!” she laughed, passing by him to approach the creature as it made for the ground.

“We’ll see who needs help!” Golden retorted, beating his wings faster to catch the batpony. “If you want to play that game, I’m IN!”

Their flight continued for a few minutes, and the changeling disappeared in one of the darkest corners of the forest. Because her eyes were more used to the night, Midnight found her way between the thorns and bushes in that part of the Everfree. The changeling seemed to enjoy navigating the trickier parts of the forest and slipped away easily, while Midnight and Golden were having more difficulties following him. They found an opening, and they both arrived at a swamp.

Without the changeling.

Realizing that he’d failed his mission, Golden took off his helmet and threw it on the ground, angry, before turning to Midnight. “Why did you come to sabotage my mission?!” he growled.

Midnight furrowed her eyes and approached him, raising her voice. “Are you deaf? Princess’ Order! You can only blame yourself for your failure, Pegasus!” she roared.

“It wasn’t a mission for batponies!” Golden shouted, facing Midnight, forehead against hers. “You should have stayed behind and let a professional handle this. I almost got him!”

Midnight sneered and pushed Golden off of her, rolling her eyes. “With your speed?! Sure. You’d have to travel all over Equestria, and you still wouldn’t catch him!”

Golden snorted and looked around. The night was starting to fall and the muddy swamp wasn’t a welcoming place to spend the night. “Yeah, that’s it. I won’t forget to put that in my report,” he mumbled, getting ready to fly. “Fucking batponies,” he said quietly. Midnight’s ears stood up, and she spread her wings while showing her fangs.

“Hey! If you have a problem, say it to my face, Pegasus!” she spat, landing in front of him.

“Yeah, I have a problem with you! It’s that the batponies always mess with our job!” Golden beat his wings and started taking off, before being thrown onto the ground by Midnight, who pinned him with her hooves.

“If you don’t shut up, I’ll suck your blood! Hiss!!” she said, showing her fangs.

Golden closed his eyes and whined, expecting to feel her sharp fangs in his neck. But instead, he heard a snicker. He reopened his eyes and saw Midnight burst out laughing and releasing him.

“Hahaha! Royal guards, all chickens!” she managed to say between snorts. “Seriously, you still believe to that myth about vampire batponies, like we eat blood and all that?” she asked, standing up. “Still, you seem… appetizing,” she added, licking her tongue across her fangs.

“Enough!” Golden came to his senses and noticed that darkness had already fallen on the swamp. “We need to go to the Princesses, now! I don’t want to spend the night here,” he said, shuddering due to the cold and the red eyes that he swore he saw in every dark corner.

Midnight looked around too and answered, “What? Afraid of the dark, Pegasus? Woooo, take care, or the headless horse will come to eat you!” she mocked while raising her hooves and spread her wings to add some effect.

“The headless horse, seriously?” Golden replied, rolling his eyes. “We’re in the Everfree forest, and it’s known for… for….” He shut himself up, like he was stuck.

“For what?” Midnight continued, raising an eyebrow.

“Shh. Shut up. We need to go, quickly and in silence,” Golden answered, eyes glued to a thing behind Midnight. The batpony slowly followed his gaze and saw…

“HYDRA!” Midnight shouted, taking off and leaving Golden alone, totally petrified. The creature started to roar with her four heads, launching atthe royal guard, who stand still. His mouth was wide open and his wings refused to unfold. The batpony turned around and saw Golden about to be attacked by the hydra. Save him? Fly off? She only had a few seconds to think, and choose the first option.

Midnight came down quickly and beat her wings faster and faster as the hydra’s heads approached Golden, who still stood motionless. When one of them opened her mouth to bite the stallion, Midnight flew close and screamed:

“HEY, PEGASUS!”

“Huh?” Golden finally turned his head before being hit by the batpony, while the monster’s jaw closed with nothing in it. The two guards fell a few meters away, and the creature ran towards them. Two ponies to eat? Much better! the hydra thought.

“Stand up, Pegasus! No time to lose!” Midnight shouted, helping Golden to stand up. He understood the gravity of the situation and spread his wings to take off, followed closely by Midnight.

The creature chased them through the swamp. In the thick vegetation, Midnight and Golden’s escape became more and more complicated in the dark, and it was even harder because they didn’t know the way back to Ponyville.

Shortly after, the hydra caught up to them and managed to bite Midnight’s wings. She fell in the boggy water while letting out a piercing cry. Golden saw it all. Panicked, the Pegasus quickly thought of an idea and flew between two narrow trees, so the creature wouldn’t be able to catch him. The Pegasus flew quickly from one head to another, so well that two of them knocked on each other, stunned, before the two others intertwined themselves like a knot. The hydra fell on the ground, knocked out and out of harm’s way, while Golden turned back to find the batpony that had saved his life earlier.

The guard quickly scanned the waters and saw some bubbles floating on the brown surface. He approached and put his head under the water, checking everywhere, trying to find a sign of life from Midnight. After a quick search, his eyes found her. She was sinking deeper and deeper into the water due to her heavy armor. She was struggling and starting to drown.

As fast as he could, Golden took off his golden armor to avoid the same fate. He dove and swam rapidly (thanks to his training in Royal Guard’s pool) to the batpony, who was unconscious. He took off her helmet and the rest of her armor (which thankfully had the same clips as his) before slowly ascending to the surface. The heavy armor fell to the bottom of the swamp.

After a long ascension , Golden finally managed to pull Midnight onto the bank and take a breath. Lifting his eyes, he noticed that the batpony was still unconscious. He got closer and put his ear on her chest to see if her heart was still beating. It was, but her breaths were shallow. At that moment, he was glad he’d passed his first aid training, even if the mouth-to-mouth with White was the hardest thing he had done in his life. He did as he’d learned, and after a last push, Midnight spat some water, coming to her senses.

She breathed heavily and took a few minutes to calm down.

Golden watched the whole time, stroking her back to help her breath. “You okay?” he asked after a few moments.

“Yeah… yeah…,” Midnight heaved, still breathing heavily. “Th… Thanks, pega… err, what’s your name?”

“Golden Sun,” the guard answered, reaching out his hoof to help her stand up.

“Midnight Storm,” she said, accepting his hoof.

“Nothing’s broken?” Golden asked again, still checking their surroundings. Midnight turned her head to check on herself. When she saw her wings, she noticed that one of them was bent at an awkward angle. She tried to unfold it, but the pain was too great, and she wasn’t able to hide the wince of pain on her face.

“I think one of my wings is sparined,” Midnight explained, turning to Golden. “I can’t fly with it. We’ll need to go by hoof or wait for the guards to find us.” She breathed deeply. “That sucks.”

Golden thought for a moment about his choices. In any case, they were too far from Ponyville to make it back by nightfall, and the sky was darkening with large, black clouds. Flying in them would l be suicide, and the rest of Celestia and Luna’s guards would end up sending a rescue team when they realized that guards were missing. The Pegasus made a decision.

“Let’s take shelter for the night,” he said, pointing to a nearby mountain with numerous caves. “We’ll go to Ponyville first thing tomorrow.”

Midnight frowned, groaned and started to walk to the city. “You kidding? A little walk won’t scare me. Come one, let’s–”

BOOM!

A big thundering sound followed closely by rain drowned her hopes. She turned slowly to the Pegasus. “…Okay. Camping time,” she said, passing in front of him.

They both ran as fast as they could under the pouring rain. Golden unfolded his wing, trying to protect the one Midnight had wounded, but she dryly pushed him off. “Wings off, Pegasus!” she shouted, and he only laughed.

In Ponyville, the wait for the two guards was getting unbearable, and the Princesses started to worry. Among White Spear and Starry Eyes, one of them was really worried and the other one really annoyed.

“Princess, Golden is still outside, and night has fallen. Shouldn’t we go to search for them?” he asked his ruler, who took shelter with her sister in Twilight’s castle. The Princess seemed to be worrying too, and tried to calm him.

“Unfortunately, we can’t do that. It’s too dark, and the Everfree forest is too dangerous at night. I don’t want to lose more guards,” she explained. “And requesting soldiers from Canterlot will take too much time. We’ll wait until tomorrow to search them. I hope they will make it through the night…”

“They?”

“Yes, that young batpony,” she pointed out her sister with her head. “She followed him, and she’s still outside, too. I really they will stay safe,” Celestia sighed. “I don’t need any more tragedies after what I’ve done to the batponies…”