Later that night, as the party came to an end and Rescue had checked up on Big Mac, he found himself pulled aside by a thestral Lunar guard.
“Chief Sunstreak, my princess would like to have a word with you.”
Looking over where the dark pony pointed, he gave a nod and turned.
“Thank you sergeant. I have that right, yes?” Rescue gave a small gesture to the rank markings on the Lunar pony’s armor.
“Yes sir,” then he said in a lower and softer tone. “Few bother to look, we have all seen how you behave towards us. It is welcome, and will not be forgotten.”
The taller fire pony shook his head. “Sergeant, you are a pony like anypony else. You just happen to serve our beloved saint, Luna,” his eyes opening some as he slipped. He forgot the secret held close to the vest by many fireponies.
The thestral just gave a soft nod. “All of Luna’s guards know of the reverence held by the firepony and the Department, Chief. It is not something we intend to share with others,” he said, giving a slight hint of a smile.
Exhaling slowly, Rescue gave a nod. “Lead on if you please.”
A short walk out along the hall again and down, outside once more, he could not help but look up at the stars and the moon. Finding himself lead around the side of the crystal castle, his breath again sucked in, face to face with the Lunar princess herself!
“Sergeant Nightstrike, you are dismissed. Take up a watch where you wish,” she spoke softly as she turned to look at the firm brown stallion before her.
“Chief Sunstreak, come. We would like to have a talk with you,” Princess Luna said, turning to walk and looking as if she was heading for the small path that backed the castle and headed out in the direction of the lake. “Show us.”
He glanced over at the slightly taller regal mare for a moment and breathed out slowly. “I would pretend I do not know what you mean, my princess, but I will not dishonor you with a lie,” he stopped long enough to reach up and tug the small medallion out of his shirt. It hung on a thin silver chain, holding it up by the chain so she could see.
Leaning in, the night-blue alicorn examined it thoroughly for a moment then gave a soft noise in her throat. Not quite a grunt, not quite a scoff. “And all of thou wear this? The griffons, the minotaur, even the caribou among you?”
He nodded his head as he tucked it back in. “Yes, my princess,” he replied, not knowing what else to say.
She continued to walk slowly, looking up at the stars. “Tell us, Rescue. Why, what is thy meaning of this trinket,” turning her head to look him dead in the eyes. “We know of it only from your dreams, and the dreams of others. We are not close to others in the Department, not as we are with you. So we bid you, not as your princess, but as, we... I, dare say, a friend”
His eyes widened and then he swallowed the lump in his throat. Walking once more in silence, slowly, his heavy hooves making a dull clop at every step. He pondered the story to tell, then decided to tell her what he knew in full.
“Over a thousand years ago, before... the dark,” he started, glancing over at her. “It is said, one night you praised a young unicorn who saved five foals from a house on fire. He suffered great burns, lost the use of one eye. His name was Temple Sundown, he was a student of healing magics,” he continued, breathing slowly.
“The story is told, he took your words to heart. The words we tell from one firepony to the next, written in a book kept safe for all times by strong magic and our duty, our honor,” he licked his lips and turned, coming to a stop.
Looking into the Lunar princess’s eyes, he continued, “Thou art brave, thou thought not of safety for thine own body, but the safety of others. We only wish other ponies would think this way.”
He watched her blink, perhaps not even remembering that pony, that night.
He continued. “He started something in your name. At first just a few, then others. A night watch looking over the town, always vigilant for the smell of smoke, the light of fire and flame. In time, after…” he paused once more and lowered his ears. She saw this and understood.
“Continue Rescue, we are at peace with our past.”
He gave a nod. “As you wish, my princess,” a flicker of a smile on his muzzle. “After you were banished, the Canterlot Fire Department was formed. Its job was to watch the night as you did, to protect the ponies as they slept from the horror of a fire. In time, it became the Equestria Fire Department and spread out to other communities. More and more ponies, griffons, and others came and joined. They took the understanding and teachings home to their countries.”
He looked up at her once more, looking into her eyes. “We swear an oath, to do what must be done, that nopony, no griffon, nobody ever suffers the fate of burning. Not so long as one of us draws breath and can still lift a hoof.”
The Lunar princess looked at him a long time then asked, “And the medallion, thou worship me as a goddess?” She asked with a little stress in her tone. He could see it more in her eyes, she didn’t like that notion one bit. “I am just a pony too, Rescue.”
He gave a nod. “We know that princess, and not a goddess,” he considered his words before speaking out again. “As our patron saint,” he added, letting that sink in for a bit and watching her eyes go from concern to wide surprise. “We do not worship you, we simply remind ourselves in prayer to the moon, of the job given to us. To watch the night for the fire’s light, and rush to aid the ones that can not help themselves.”
Luna considered that. She could see the conviction, the pride, and the loyalty in the draft stallion's eyes. It was a long moment before she spoke again. “Thank you Rescue, for talking to us... to me, like this,” turning to face him.
“You have given a great deal of ideals and thoughts to ponder on. However,” her smile returned. “I am honored my simple words have brought forth such a proud and noble idea. You do your department,” then she says in a lower tone, “And your princess proud.”
Rescue's ears shot up, hearing her say that. He hesitated before saying softly “T-thank you, my princess. But, I am far from... noble... as you know well,” looking back into her deep aquatic blue eyes.
She gave a soft frown. “Thou has fought too long with with the demons of nightmares and drink, Rescue. Live now for yourself, and the future. Know that you have a friend, who watches your dreams for you.”
He had no words, the lump in his throat worked up and down a few times as he fought back tears. It would not do to cry before Luna of all ponies.
“I again have no words, my princess. The only thing I can think to say, is thank you.”
She stopped him with a hoof to his chest.
“Tonight, you stayed sober, you saw a pony in need and you reacted without a hesitant moment. Thou art stronger than thou knows, Rescue. Continue to fight, and others will rally to your side.”
He just nodded “By your words, my princess,” head lowered some.
----
Taking a step onto her chariot, she spoke in a lower and softer voice as if to no one.
“It is as you said, Captain. Just like the police force across Equestria. It worries me some that it may go beyond just simple prayer and oaths. However...“
A shadow moved, and formed next to her. It was a dark-blue armored Lunar earth pony guard coming up out of a shadow dive.
“My princess, they are loyal to you as we are.”
She exhaled slowly and gave a nod. “We can see that, and we can see we have let the counsel and nobles short bit the very ponies that protect us. We shall fight for them in the night court from now on. See to it that my sister is informed that we will be taking over budgeting of both the Equestria Fire Department, and the Equestria Police Department.”
Sharp-pointed teeth gleamed in the moonlight as the Lunar pony gave a nod.
“By your words, my princess. It will be done.”