//------------------------------// // 25. Slumberland of Old Friends // Story: A New Impetus // by Zykov //------------------------------// “Noble Poet!” The figure spoke. Noble closed his eyes while he bowed before the figure, “Princess Luna.” Within the darkness and surrounded by fog Noble Poet laid crouched down bowing before the one and only Princess Luna, the mare of the moon. As the stallion opened his eyes he rose up standing tall at attention, this face stoic and eyes locked straight forward at the princess. His foreleg sprung up to a salute and with a loud booming voice he barked, “Your highness! Noble Poet at your command! What are your orders your majesty?” Luna drew back, her face contorted in a grimace and she looked around the area as if she didn’t know what was occurring. The silence was awkward until she broke it with a light whine, “Noble!... Has it really been that long a time since I visited you last? So long that you’ve started to speak formally before me again? Please don’t do that here, I don’t care for it. Has thou forgotten that?” Noble stood still for a moment, his nose wrinkled and he burst out laughing at the complaint. “I-I’m sorry Luna. I just- I just wanted to tease you a bit.” He laughed holding his sides and wiped his eyes as he teared up. Luna rolled her eyes and smiled while shaking her head. She nudged her head up towards the sky and when Noble nodded she waved her hoof across the sky and produced a sky full of stars along with brightening the moon to light up the area. “You know you don’t need to change the atmosphere for our meetings, it could be whatever area you like. It doesn’t need to be so… dramatic.” The stallion had begun regaining his composure and stood up, removing the helmet and placing it on the ground. He bowed his head as all of his armor faded away, leaving him with his usual dogtags. “I’m sorry again, it was just a joke. We haven’t spoken in so long I thought it would be a nice way to break the ice. Don’t worry, I do like this. It shows it is a dream and seems... fitting.” Luna sighed and nodded. “Yes. I am sorry Noble....” She paused and glanced up to the dream sky, her smile drooping. “I had not meant to leave you alone for so long. I merely had other matters that needed tending to. I do hope your situation has improved since we last spoke.” Noble sat down and waved his hooves with a sympathetic smile. “Oh no, I understand, I’m just happy we can meet like this sometimes. Quite a lot has happened in a short period of time. It, may take awhile to explain it all though…” His eyes lowered as he thought of all the events that had transpired since their last talk. “Please, tell me how you’ve been first.” The princess produced cushions for both of them and sat down, her expression soured seeing the stallion sulk. “Well, royal duties, helping anypony I can in the dream realm and common sisterly moments with Tia. She thinks she can eat my muffin and get away with it. NOPONY STEALS MY MUFFIN! I AM THE NIGHT!!!” Luna roared with fire in her eyes throwing her hooves to the sky, but the outburst was short lived, she calmed down, put her hooves down and cleared her throat. She reached over and put a hoof on Noble’s shoulder. “You speak first though. I must know how you are. Tell me are you still working at the hotel under Double Bit’s command? Is Wild Soul still present in your life?” “Um… Well, you see a lot has happened recently… It’s a long story.” With a deep breath Noble recited every detail he recalled about the problems at the hotel, from the point where Double Bit ordered him to work two shifts, how she was most likely fudging numbers and taking tips for herself, took over areas of management she was not trained for and blamed others for the problems, and how she refused to give Sharp Melody the freedom to play his own music along with many other tragedies. He reached the final day, telling her about how Bit waited until the end of their shift to announce that she was firing many of them and the awful exchange Truffle, himself and her had. He still shook in anger, his voice growing squeaky as he recited the words Double Bit said to him that were branded into his mind. “I… I can’t believe I did all that and… ugh!” He slammed his hooves on the ground and shook, his eyes were damp but clenched shut, his teeth grinded together. “Noble,” Luna reached out and producing a blanket from thin air draped it over the stallion’s shoulders and putting a hoof on his shoulder. She stepped closer to stand tall while doing so in attempts to make him feel secure next to her powerful prowess. “It will be alright. I am here with you, be angry if you wish. It is my deepest sorrow that you had to endure that.” She paused for a moment, giving Noble time to breath. “I could order an investigation be placed upon her and the hotel if you wish.” Slowly piecing himself back, Noble stomped a hoof and shook his head as if he was trying to shake the ideas out of his head. “No. She probably hid it or would find a way to pin the problem on some other pony. Also I would rather not draw attention to myself like this if somepony looked into why a princess ordered the investigation. Thank you very much though. I appreciate your offer. Don’t worry, Soul has helped me with this, and like most stuff; more than any other pony could. No offense princess.” Luna nodded in a bow. “There is none taken. I am glad of your relationship with Soul. I do wish to meet him one day.” She looked at her hoof on his shoulder, she pulled it back but hesitated then patted his shoulder and released him before she turned to sit in front of him once more. “I know I will never know the full extent of how it feels to be called a ‘lowly earth pony’... but at least here you can relieve your anger any way you wish to. Just remember to keep your mind open to support so I can have influence over your dream and protect us from harm.” Noble sat for a moment, his head still lowered but his body growing warmer. Luna could feel him shaking, he turned around and opened his eyes. Looking up he saw a dark shadowy figure with a menacing face looming over, surrounded by clouds and fog that rolled in surrounding them. He put his hooves together and separated them producing a spear and threw it at the figure making them vanish as a flash of lightning struck where they collided. Luna sat and watched the outburst, blinking. “I… really hope you don’t plan on doing that to Double Bit.” She looked past him at the area where the spear and figure were then back at Noble and her lips curled. “You should know as well as anypony, regular spears leave far too much evidence. You would need a far more elusive way of getting rid of her.” The stallion’s ears dropped and his head spun around. His lips were pointed and eyes drawn back. “Umm, Luna… shouldn’t a princess be condemning violence, not condoning it?” “Details details. I am simply speaking aloud. Now continue, I believe we should brighten up our conversation before I begin inquiries. I would very much enjoy hearing more of your move and this new small town you moved to.” Luna walked back sitting on her cussion and waved for Noble to reclaim his spot. Sighing Noble sat back down and looked up, closing his eyes and thinking of how to word his thoughts. He explained how things looked dim in Canterlot, how he began using his savings and even bought a ticket to go back home but was saved by Soul’s new mentor. “So because of her I am in this quaint little town. So far it has been… decent. I have met several ponies that, seem nice.” As soon as Noble stressed the word ‘seem’ Luna frowned, her eyes and tone grew soft. “Noble, dost thou still happen to have those problems? The issues with allowing ponies in and trusting them fully? And especially not understanding genuine good nature from those harassing you?” Lowering himself and rubbing his foreleg while looking away Noble’s expression said what his lips refused to admit. “I know it does not mean much, but I am deeply sorry for what happened that day. I am aware you had these issues long before, but I still feel as though they exacerbated them.” She looked down into Noble’s eyes, trying to make eye contact to no avail while he looked at the ground. The smile drained from her lips and she took a deep breath. Noble’s eyes glossed over and all the will seemed to leave his body in that moment. He lifted his head and made eye contact. “Luna, I really don’t want to discuss that further. It isn’t your fault. If anypony’s… the blame is mine and the burden too. I’m sorry about that day. I’m sorry…” He trailed off As he hung his head the field the sky grew dark and clouds eclipsed the moon. Lightning struck nearby with a loud crack, making Luna jump toward the stallion. She lifted a hoof and waved it at the sky with nothing occurring. Her eyes widened and she grabbed the stallion. “Noble, no! My control! Don’t release all of that at once or I will have no control!” Another crack of lightning crackled closer as rain began to pour. “Please, pull yourself together!” The stallion shook and waved his head back and forth rapidly. “I can’t! I can’t Luna! I just feel…” His eyes were wide and aged by fatigue. He hung his head as lightning almost struck them but was deflected by a dark blue barrier Luna produced. Spreading her wings and stomping the ground Luna roared in a deep royal commanding voice, “Noble Poet! I Princess Luna, ruler of the night, command you to cease this at once!” At that instant Noble jumped to his hooves standing at attention holding his legs back from quaking before her. The storm immediately halted as well though the dark clouds remained. Luna took a deep breath and reached out a hoof. She rubbed Noble’s shoulder and leaned forward to give him a big hug rubbing his back. “I apologize, but I had to do that. You were getting consumed by those emotions and there was no other way.” She pulled back and looked him in the eyes. “Always, ALWAYS remember that you must let me in, give me enough power to control the atmosphere of your dream when you are releasing emotions.” She pulled him back in and gave him a tight squeeze. Reluctant to move Noble blushed. “L-Luna… isn’t it inappropriate for you to hug a subject like me?” The princess loosened her grip but then pulled in tighter. “Hush! Let me have this.” Noble’s shoulders fell and he let his hooves fall over Luna’s shoulders, he closed his eyes and wrapped his forelegs around Luna returning the embrace. The remaining clouds departed and a shooting star flew across the sky. Luna released him and with a pause gave a bow. “I simply wish I would’ve known sooner of your situation… If you ever wished it, there will always be a place for you within my guard once again.” The instant Luna said that, Noble felt like a small needle stung his chest and he pulled away, shaking his head. “No Luna, sorry… Thank you, but no… I cannot take that again. I... my time in your service is over.” For a moment Luna just looked at the earth pony. She couldn’t pull her eyes off of him as her eyes scoured over him and she shook with a bit of pain, as if he had suddenly become something completely different and foreign to her. Her mind came to, her head shook slowly before turning it to a slow nod, she just sighed with a glum smile. “Fine, as you wish...” The princess held her head up and turned her back to him. She turned her head enough to let him hear her. “Do you feel better?” Noble could cut the tension with a knife and could feel the area grow darker and more silent as his discomfort grew. His eyebrows bowed and heart sank he slid his forehooves forward. “Oh… N-No, I didn’t mean it like that, please I-” Luna sighed, she turned around and raised a hoof as she would to her service to dismiss them. “Noble, I understand, there is no need to explain yourself.” “Luna please, I-it’s not that I don’t miss the castle and my old friends that are left but I just… I just can’t---” He looked at the hoof and lowered his head looking at his hooves he cupped together; he stared at them as he wished to produce some words that would make Luna understand his feelings. The princess jumped as she realized the sign she made. She quickly dropped it and gritted her teeth recognizing her mistake. Her desire to change the subject was far greater than her feelings to reach a conclusion, she knew she had to change the subject. “Now... The small town you moved to, what is it’s name?” Luna inquired with a smile. She scooted her cussion closer placing her hooves in a proper pose. “I care to see how much I know of it.” “Luna…” Noble thought and looked up at his friend. He wanted to explain himself like he always does, but this time he couldn’t. Noble knew Luna would not allow it. As bad as it felt, he needed to swallow it and just move on. He took a deep, long sigh and cleared his throat. “Right, the town… Um… Let’s see… It seems to be a quant little town just southwest of Canterlot, Ponyville.” “Ponyville?!” Luna lept up and clapped her hooves together. “Oh delightful! I do adore Ponyville, I happen to know several ponies in that town. I hope you grow to enjoy it as much as those I know there have.” The stallion drew back, unready for the zealous reaction. He rubbed the back of his head, looking down then looked up. “Well like I said, I’m unsure about the ponies there. I can’t get a good read on if they are genuinely nice or not; I’ve just never seen ponies like these since I was a little colt.” He muttered under his breath, “And one is… making me very anxious there... Putting a hoof under his muzzle, Luna raised it so his eyes met hers. “Well I know some ponies there that are truly genuine, and actually happen to make up the elements of harmony. Do you remember anything I have said about those ponies?” Noble stood narrowing his lips with a blank expression as he looked into space trying to recall anything from that talk so many moons ago. “Umm... “ Luna rolled her eyes and let out a loud drawn out sigh. “No matter. It matters not, I simply wanted to test your memory again. I know it is not your strongest suit but you have many other grand attributes.” “Uhh, thank you.” Noble blushed, when he looked down a small smile curled his lips and his cheeks gained the faintest hue of pink. Luna nodded, sitting taller as she lit up like the night sky seeing Noble’s smile once again. “You see, there are actually six elements of harmony. I happen to know all of them, though that may not be surprising. I happen to know some of them quite well. Have you met any of them yet? Especially Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, she should be quite a celebrity in Ponyville right now.” Once Luna said the name Noble looked up with wide eyes. “So you know her? I mean, sorry, it shouldn’t be a surprise...” Luna extended a hoof moving it towards Noble’s head but paused and pulled it away upwards. Feelings swirled in her head to comfort Noble but the idea of ruffling his mane seemed distant. She recognized the long silence and quickly placed her hoof down with a stomp and raised her head swishing her mane back. “Of course I know her, she’s a princess after all and used to be Tia’s student. She’s also the little sister of the former captain Shining Armor. You remember him when you were still part of Celestia’s guards before my arrival, correct?” Noble’s mind swirled with emotions of surprise and worry, his face twitched and eyes grew wide. He brought up a hoof to cover his mouth as his teeth tightened against one another and dark clouds circled above. “She is?! I… oh no… Y-yes, of course I remember the captain.... But, um… I… yes I know Twilight and met her. She seems… different. Well… she’s actually one I’m worried about...” He cringed, hunkering back with eyes tightly closed, he refused to allowed himself to look up at Luna as if he was about to be scolded. “Wait, you are worried about Twilight, the Princess of Friendship...?” There was a brief moment of silence as Luna looked down at the stallion in deep thought attempting to understand the reasoning but failed by her own efforts. She reached out a hoof to touch him but as her hoof approached he cringed causing her to draw it back and place it on the ground. She tried to speak softly, “...Why?” The stallion opened his eyes looking over Luna, with a deep breath Noble closed his eyes and spoke with a lowered head as the storm clouds engulfed the moon. “I’m worried that… well she is a princess; so she has access to all the files of the royal guard members… What if she finds out who I am? What if she knew I was serving during the royal wedding and my involvement in the changeling invasion?” “You are afraid that Twilight might hate you for the problems on that night so long ago...? Noble, that is simply ridiculous! Why in Equestria would you think Twilight Sparkle would do that? Her family, friends, and friend that is now her sister all proved to be fine in the aftermath.” She looked to the sky then raised Noble’s chin and nudged to the sky with her horn to warn Noble. Seeing the glooming destructive force Noble rubbed his leg holding himself as she slid back slightly. He breathed out and with tightly closed eyes forced openings in the clouds before he allowed himself to speak again. “She is a pony too, just like you and me. I have no idea what might be going on in her head… And now I’m even more worried! If she really is the sister of Shining Armor and friend of the other Princess, who knows what kind of resentment she may have if she knew…” His breathing grew heavier as the wind picked up. Luna shivered at the memory and lit up her horn dispatching the wind and gave a nod of approval to the stallion for letting her in enough for her to stay in control. “It is natural that you worry she could easily feel strongly if she ever learned the truth; it is also understandable to be worried, she may tell others and put you in a negative light. I will do what I can at your request, these have been troubled times for many. I feel that if you became friends with her then explained it she would have a better understanding of it. Of course I shall do what I can to prevent her viewing of those documents.” A wave of relief cascaded form Noble’s shoulders and he bowed. Even though he felt relieved, he couldn’t help but keep tension from his ever worrisome thoughts. He opened his mouth thinking of how to explain how she needed to improve her skills on cheering ponies up but bit his lip and moved on. “ I’m sure she’s a great pony who would do anything for her friends, but what about those who are not her friends? What if she comes to see me as her... enemy?” Though Noble looked away and at the ground, Luna stood up and looked down at the pony spreading her wings. “Nobe, if it ever comes to that, you will contact me immediately and I shall speak with her. When this dream ends, I can go and check if she has accessed the files and alert you in the next dream. That way you will have a peace of mind.” A sigh of relief escaped Noble and he nodded with a deep bow of his head. He lifted a leg as he questioned a full bow but knew of the situation. “Thank you, Luna.” “Now let’s put an end to this blasted dark conversation. Tell me more of Ponyville, has thow met the other elements?” She tucked her wings back to her sides and sat down. With a hoof wave she directed Noble that he had the floor and to begin. Noble nodded placing his hooves close together on the pillow. “Yes, I actually have met all of them now… some I didn’t start on the right hoof with, but they all seem decent. Actually I wanted to tell you about how I met two absolutely astonishing mares~” As his mind sank into thinking about the mares and the dream began manifesting hazy images of them behind him as his imagination ran with them causing them to be more appealing in his mind. The image of Applejack had a sparkle to her. She stood tall and powerful, with flowing soft mane that she whipped back before nudging her hat up to reveal sparkling green eyes. She had saddlebags on and a lasso wrapped to one side, she lifted her head smiling confident with her chest puffed out and batted her eyes in Noble’s direction. The image of Fluttershy was slightly different, she was thin and small. She kept herself tightly tucked and hid behind her long flowing pink mane, light almost radiating from her. One eye peered from behind the hair with a bright blushed smile. Her eyes were filled with innocence but she smiled and wiggled giving a small wave toward Noble. “NOBLE!!!!” Luna could barely believe her eyes and blank rapidly in hopes that her mind played tricks on her. The stallion scratched his head, taken aback by the sudden outburst. He looked behind him and jumped quickly making the mares disappear into the empty field of space. “N-NO, DON’T LOOK, YOU SAW NOTHING!” He spun around and gasped for words, his forelegs flailing about. “I-I... I am so sorry, Luna!” “Well I… I admit I have seen worse within here but... Well it seems you have taken to Fluttershy and Applejack… The images I just saw will be our little secret. I feel confident that if Fluttershy saw it she may never speak to you again and; well I feel you may not be living much longer if Applejack caught sight of it.” She gave a nervous chuckle as she felt warm and rubbed her hooves together. Noble looked down at his hooves as he tucked them together and bit his lips. “M-maybe… Thank you.” “Of course.” She nodded and rose to her peak. Her eyes shot open and she dropped down wiggling her tail. “Now tell me ALL the juicy details! You didn’t use any of your extremely sappy love lines on them, did you?” He jumped back at Luna’s sudden excitement but he quickly drew himself back in, even flipping his tail closer. His eyes looked left and right and then peeked at her for a moment before he spoke while pointed away from her. “...M-maybe… mayyybe I did.” Luna smacked her face hard enough to leave a red mark on her forehead even in the dream. “Noble! How many times have I told you not to use those lines!? Why don’t you simply obey or even listen to what I have to say? Just listen to one tip of mine. I may be a princess but I’m a mare too after all!” Noble’s eyebrows arch and he huffs and raises a hoof towards Luna, his cheeks were flushed with a rosy shade. “Because usually your tips involve submission and hooves on places they shouldn’t be...” Luna’s eyes widened as she lunged back in defense. “Noble, everypony loves belly rubs.” Noble’s face had turned bright red and wind picked up around them as he fussed. “Y-Yes, but much later on in a relationship when it’s at a deeper level!” With her mane being blown back, Luna covered her eyes and waved a hoof asking Noble to relax, as she did the wind slowed down and Noble kept his blush but held to himself. “They are wonderful ideas once you find a special somepony. I shall guide you.” “N-No Luna, please don’t. I’m not quite as… dominant as you can be.” He shook his head as he grew tongue tied and warm in the face. Luna sighed and rolled her eyes. “I feel bad for those poor mares. Please continue, I would love to hear more.” The stallion chuckled and rubbed the back of his mane, drawing back a smidge. “Umm, alright. Well, first, Applejack, I met her because she hurt her ankle and I helped her by bandaging it for her and even helped her with her work to ensure she didn’t injure herself further. I just took her wagon back to the barn and did some apple bucking for her. I apparently did so well that she gave me a job.” The news of a new job caused Luna’s brows to rise. “You got a job from Applejack? Marvelous, that’s splendid!” She brought a hoof to her lips. “Though… Noble… this is your first job in Ponyville; and Ponyville isn’t that big of a town. Don’t you think pursuing your employer is… a bit of a bad idea?” She raised her head giving nudging shakes of her head in her attempt for Noble to get the hint. Noble sighed and nodded. “Don’t worry. Unfortunately she has already made it clear she is not interested... I am trying to back off, but of course I can’t help but notice that she is a pretty mare…” Luna held her chest and breathed a sigh of relief. “Phew. For a second I thought you would plan do something silly there.” Noble huffed and pushed himself towards her. “What!? Hey! I am right here and I know what I’m doing. I don’t screw EVERYTHING up. Applejack is a great mare, pretty and has that fantastic accent. But I don’t know her that well beyond work. Besides so far she seems like just a huge workaholic and like she may be far too bossy and bold for me.” Luna drew back, looking puzzled as she leaned in pointing a hoof at the stallion. “Wait, isn’t Soul like that? So you accept such a pony as your best friend but not as your special somepony?” Noble shook his head and furrowed his brow. “Luna, I’ve had a bold and bossy pony as my special somepony. I can tell you there is a huge difference.” “If you say so,” Luna said with a chuckle and rolled her eyes. “So Applejack was just a typical shooting star for you.” “She had potential!” Noble yelled but then took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he pulled himself together. “I simply hope to keep this job and hope it continues to go well.” “Of course,” Luna replied with a nod and produced a teacup for herself. “Now, what about Fluttershy?” Life came back into Noble’s eyes, brightening the second Luna mentioned her name. “Y-Yes, Fluttershy. Oh Luna… she is among the most beautiful mares I’ve ever seen. Bright fur, full flowing mane, delicate and reserved nature with eyes that speak like the cosmos…” He trailed off while thinking of her. The chirp of crickets filled the silence and stars twinkled above. “Now this sounds like somepony that you would’ve made a little more progress with,” Luna said with a sly chuckle covering her lips by sipping at the tea simply for the effect. “How did you meet her?” Luna leaned in, her ears perked up, alert for every detail. “Well that’s the strange thing. Soul introduced us but claims I saw her once before in a field where she sang, soaring overhead like an angel. She believes it too but…” His lips twitched and ears fell. “That mare seemed confident, strong, energetic and the only thing they have in common could be their fear or shyness. Even with all the evidence I find it hard to believe. How could that be Fluttershy?” He shook his head while he explained his theory. Luna’s horn glowed and she brought her teacup to the side.“Wait, Noble. Answer this, did you make any progress with Fluttershy, or did you not?” “It’s… It’s complicated. I mean our first real meeting was extremely awkward… We didn’t even really have any good things to talk about.” He rubbed his hooves together, fidgeting as he wished he could just leave. A loud sigh escaped Luna as she fell back holding her face. “Noble! Please! We must improve your skills when speaking to mares you like. Also I yearn to know where all these doubts come from.” Noble’s eyes drew dull and flat. “Luna, I would love to overcome both of those but I don’t think just talking about it will do anything.” “Of course, of course..” She chuckled and she looked at Noble with a sly shady smile. “But If I were you I would already have both mares right in my lap.” Noble rolled his eyes and shook his head smiling. “With belly rubbing?” Luna nodded with her head high. “With extreme belly rubbing.” Tapping his cheek Noble thought to himself. “Okay, so when was the last time you had a stallion or mare in your lap?” Luna raised a hoof to her lips silencing her former guard. “No no, We’re not talking about me right now, our focus here is you. When was the last time YOU had a mare or stallion in your lap?” Noble blushed and looked away. “You know very well not since the royal guard… She wasn’t really that type though. Phases...” His cheeks puffed out a big as his lips narrowed and he glared. “But yeah… Not a perfect meeting with Fluttershy. But! I think I managed to make a better impression in the castle, or at least I hope.” Luna’s ears immediately twitched at the word and her head shot up with wide eyes. “Wait, what castle?” “Oh right…! I never told you… You’re not going to believe this but we are actually in your old castle together currently. Soul, myself and all of the elements of harmony.” He smiled and looked up thinking about the past day. “Wait what?!” Luna sat up quickly bringing a hoof to her mouth and spoke with great sass in her voice. “You are in my old home!? And you didn’t even ask permission. I hope you had the decency to wipe your hooves.” A loud huff escaped Noble’s nostrils and he stood up. “Your castle sure had some nice ‘welcoming gifts’. I prefer a welcome mat.” “Welcoming, wha-?” It took a moment but Luna’s lips narrowed and eyes bulged as she came to the realization. “The traps are still active?! How many?! I thought my sister would have ordered them disabled years ago. Oh Tia…” She grumbled her sister’s name under her breath. “Is everypony alright? Must I send aid?” Noble shook his head and waved a hoof before himself. “No no we are staying there for the evening, that’s the safest bet. Trying to cover everything: they are still active and it’s hard to say, but they made for a stressful evening. In fact, Fluttershy hurt her wing because of one of them, but I don’t believe it will be that serious. I put a splint on it and she didn’t seem to have issues with staying the night. Here, let me explain…” The stallion sat down and cleared his throat and recapped the events of that night within the castle, how they ended up there in the first place, what they experienced within it’s walls, what happened to Fluttershy, and how by the end they were all at one another’s throats arguing until they were pulled apart by Twilight. Luna was enchanted by Noble’s story, but could only listen with a heavy heart. As a princess and it being her former home, she felt responsible for the problems the castle had caused. “It sounds like you had a very stressful night there...” He exhaled deeply and waved his hoof over the grass. “Yes, we did…” Suddenly, Noble’s ears jumped up as he remembered what happened in the organ room. “Wait! I almost forgot the organ!” Luna tilted her head to the side and opened her eyes a little more. “The organ?” Noble nodded feverishly. “The organ that was; let’s see, first floor on the right and well I remembered it by a large brown tri-handled pot. The piano activates traps though.” “Oh! THAT organ!” She lept up and clopped her hooves together. “Oh I have so many memories with that thing too. I remember how Tia and I used to play it for one another, we’d go play on the traps while the other played and argue about who played it better. Of course as far as music I was the superior one, she never stood a chance.” She chuckled at herself holding her head high, though when she took a look at Noble’s expression she lowered her hooves and sank back into her cussion. She cleared her throat. “So… You came across the organ?” Noble glared furiously at Luna and the moon hid behind the clouds. “We did; also it was still active. Or well… Somepony made it active.” Luna smiled sheepishly and felt guilty about flaunting her joy at the implement of Noble’s current misery. “My apologies, we had very different experiences with it it seems. Can you elaborate? What do you mean somepony made it active?” Seeing the long face Luna made, Noble couldn’t allow himself to yell at her. He held back as he spoke and kept the clouds at bay, even having them dissipate a bit. “The organ was the very reason why we were trapped in the castle in the first place and why all those traps were going haywire. After Twilight had calmed us down we reached that room with her and found a cloaked pony playing it.” Luna’s eyes wondered seeing the clouds thin out and suddenly her ears perked up and she leaned in. “A cloaked pony? Who?” Noble shook his head. “We didn’t find out. She was… really really strange. She acted like she was some kind of royalty and that she was very entitled to things. She even claimed it used to be her home… That can’t be right, can it Luna?” Luna lowered her eyes and put a hoof to her lips and looked away from the stallion. “No, it cannot… Beside alicorns, there are a very few species’ who have such a long life span and I cannot think of any that resemble ponies…” Scrunching his face up Noble scratched his head. “I see…” Feeling more intrigued Luna squinted and prodded the stallion more. “Is there anything else you can tell me about her?” Noble scratched his head and closed his eyes to re-envision the scene. “Appearance-wise, no… She was cloaked and structured like a pegasus mare but that’s about it. However her behavior was… sophisticated and it quickly got really weird. When I rushed to question her, she freaked out as if she was about to die. She went into a total frenzy and yelled for me and Soul away from her, and then she escaped from a small hole in the window that Rainbow Dash claimed she couldn’t get through.” “Wait, she knew you two?” Luna’s eyes widened and she gave a jump. Noble’s eyes opened and he shook his head. “I don’t now. I have no idea if I have met her before, though I don’t think I’ve made any mare so angry at me that they would despise me that much… And I don’t think Soul has either. As far as I know she’s a complete stranger to us.” “And she only freaked out because of the two of you? She didn’t mind the others?” “Just me and Soul.” He shrugged his shoulders and put out his forelegs showing he had no more information. “I see…” Luna lowered her head as she pondered further. “I shall most certainly look into that, I do not like the sound of this… She didn’t hurt any of you, did she?” Noble rubbed his temples, trying to be as accurate as possible. “No. Or, well... She did try to throw a rock at us but Twilight stopped it, but that was after she saw me and Soul. I actually still can’t believe she threw something that big that fast. I’ve never met a pegasus with that amount of strength, much less a mare… no offense. But she was very calm and had a passive nature before we showed up.” Luna stepped forward and looked around the area for irregularities. “But she did show hostility! Aren’t you worried she might come back and do something worse while you sleep?” Jumping up Noble waved his forehooves rapidly. “No Luna, it’s fine. She didn’t seem like she wanted to fight before that. She didn’t seem like the type. I assure you, if I thought we were in danger I would have insisted that we all go back to Ponyville tonight.” A sigh of relief came from the princess as she gave in. “If you say so.” Having averted disaster Noble breathed easier. “I’m just glad nothing worse happened. I’m just glad to be asleep now and that we can go home tomorrow. I’m sure this would’ve been a much better trip if I knew what was waiting for us. I should’ve known better and packed for anything.” Luna shook her head. “Everypony involved should have known better. It would be dangerous entering that castle at any point now. Regardless of how rough the day was I am pleased that it did not end far more tragically. Luckily your skills are still sharp, it seems that they saved you today. You are a far better soldier than you think Noble.” Noble smiled to the side and rubbed the back of his neck and forced out a light laugh. “Aww, well thank you but… wait, are you just trying to butter me up to get me back on your guard?… I mean, I couldn’t do any of this alone, they are the elements of harmony after all.” Luna couldn’t help but smile at Noble still being so humble. “Yes, though I think this is a little out of the job description for them. But are you certain you all will be alright in that castle? Just give me a word and I will send---” Noble raised a hoof which cut Luna off. “Please, we are fine and will leave together in the morning. I would rather not have the question of why royal guard members had to come to an old abandoned castle in the middle of the night to bring back a group of ponies and a princess.” A moment passed but Luna reluctantly nodded. “As you wish, as long as everypony is going to be alright. You are different than most Noble. Many ponies would take pride in the fact that they have an alicorn friend, yet you hide it.” “Well, it’s not that I want to hide it. You know as much as I do how most ponies would raise questions and of course there would be rumors about how we met, and as you know I don’t care for publicity. Besides, you have many royal duties you must perform. I’m just lucky to have you around occasionally, Luna.” He bowed before her. Luna looked about as if somepony may see Noble bowing. She tapped him on the shoulder and nudged him up. “Thank you Noble. I still feel that bows like that are unnecessary here, but thank you.” “I have to say, this night and putting my old skills to use again sure brought back some memories. All the missions we had with the other guards, all those nights patrolling the castle…” He sighed looking up at the stars then shifting his gaze to Luna. Finally seeing more of that fleeting smile Luna chimed in, “The night you and I met?” The smile on Noble’s face grew wider and his head rose at the thought, he nodded softly. “Yes, the night you and I met…” Luna leaned forward raising her eyebrows at Noble. “Do you really recall it or are you simply saying that so I don’t get irritated with you? I do hope you would remember it. If not maybe I should send some guards to take you to a doctor to have your head examined. Many ponies dream of a chance to meet a princess in person one on one.” “Trust me, it’s one of the few things I’m never going to forget.” Taking a moment to think, Noble touched his forehead to focus, when he did everything rushed back. “The night Silver Arrow, I am pretty sure it was him, and I were in charge of guarding your chambers. Is that right?” Luna backed up sitting up straight, her lips curled and she gave a small nod. “Well I do recall the other guard had to leave and you were alone. His wife having her baby early I believe, I remember excusing it completely and writing in for his paid time off, yes Silver Arrow.” The memory triggered Noble to practically jump in excitement as he remembered everything. “Oh yes! I was there alone and overheard crying in your room. It took a few minutes but I eventually was sure of it and knocked to see if you were alright. You know how I can’t stand seeing ponies cry, especially mares. But you were less than fond of anypony checking in on you...” Luna’s eyes narrowed and she looked away puffing out her cheeks. “Come now, I wasn’t that bad.” Noble’s hoof sprung to point at Luna and he stood up straight putting a hoof on his chest and cleared his throat before lifting his chin up and spoke with a deep voice as he tried to mimic Luna’s royal tone. “ ‘Your job is to guard the door, subject; nothing else! Thou shalt not even speak to me unless I tell thou so!’ ” Luna put a hoof on her chest as her eyes widened with a gasp. “Well I had my reasons. I had not been back for but a week and so much had changed over those thousand years. I had so much to learn and so many things to atone for. I still know little as to how I could allow myself to do such a wretched thing.” Noble understood the feelings Luna must be having and reached over, he slowly placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Don’t worry Luna, Equestria is far better with you around now. We all fall, but we must learn to pick ourselves back up. I mean if we want to talk about problems… I fell asleep while on watch for Equestria’s sake…” Luna couldn’t help but snicker at the memory and roll her eyes. “If you hadn’t fallen asleep back then, I’m sure we wouldn’t be speaking here currently. I have to admit that I was ready to report to your commander for some severe punishment immediately when I saw you sleeping. Though I found out the worst they could do nowadays was to dishonorably discharge you...” Noble rubbed his neck with a nervous, embarrassed chuckle filling the air. “Um… what did you think they were going to do to me…?” “You surely wouldn’t wish to know… Let’s just say it involves chains.” Luna gave her mane a little quick whip full of confidence pared with a devilish grin before she cleared her throat. “Although, luckily I noticed how you appeared to be suffering… You were suffering while within MY land of dreams. I knew at once something had gone awry, such things had never occurred a thousand years ago.” Noble gave an uneasy grin and slid back while he nervously scratched at the ground. “I still remember the reaction you had when you found out about the existence of nightmares…” Luna shook her head and moved her hooves as she spoke. “I couldn’t believe it back then, I refused to believe what I saw. I had infected the dreams of ponies with darkness. I mean, I wasn’t Nightmare Moon for long in Equestria, but it was long enough to pollute the land…” Her head hung but she snapped out of it, shaking her head furiously. “N-No, I must not dwell upon it! Not any longer, I’m doing everything I can to help ponies with their nightmares now.” Hearing the confidence from Luna, Noble stopped leaning away from her and even felt a twitch from the corner of his lip. “I envy your attitude Luna… And yes, you helped me back then. Thanks to you, I learned to fight my nightmares... ” “We learned to fight them TOGETHER. Thanks to you, I learned to understand nightmares and how to reach one in the darkness and help to overcome it… or at least combat it,” Luna said and folded a hoof over the other and laid down completely. “Tell me... do you still suffer from those nightmares or any new ones?” Silence filled the dream and Noble rubbed his foreleg as fog began thickening around them. “Noble It is far more difficult for you to hide things from me here than in the real world.” The princess’s voice became more bold but she illuminated her horn shining a light between them and unfolded her hooves as she tried to be mindful of whom she was speaking with and the atmosphere. The stallion let out a deep sigh and a deep breath to prepare himself. “Well, I of course have had some nightmares but they are far better than when we met. They are far more infrequent though and consist of many different things. I promise Luna, I am keeping them under control, I know I can always get your assistance but there is no need to worry.” He bit his bottom lip and lifted a hoof up defensively while he watched Luna’s face and pushed backwards ready to move back. Luna looked over the stallion that looked as if he was about to be struck by a bear. Her heart dampened and her strong stance gloomed in his presence and she slowly got up and softly touched his hoof lowering it. “I believe you. After all you are still one of the few ponies who can overcome nightmares without my presence. I’ll be here if you need me though.” “Just like I was there for you that night? I am still glad you invited me in eventually and that we became friends.” Noble’s breath released and he bowed his head before the mare looking at her gentle hoof on his. “Me too. I would like to believe that even if you weren’t there that I would have learned about nightmares eventually and learned how to combat them. Even if I did then I would have only met you in a dream and you wouldn’t have been able to help me as you did and we wouldn’t have become friends…” Noble shook his head. “Most likely not…” Luna’s eyes opened and looked up upon her moon then toward the stallion, she patted his hoof allowing him to release her. “You were the first pony besides my sister that I truly was capable of speaking to of my problems over those years. Then when I was starting to form my own guards I hoof picked you… I am sure some ponies were shocked when I requested that. I can’t recall the countless moons we spoke but I am still glad you didn’t oppose to joining me.” Hearing the praise caused the stars to beam brighter as Noble wagged his tail and sat up straighter. “Thank you. Well, let’s just say I was very ready for the change, even if it was rather… sudden. I’m glad you hoof picked me though, however I remember them telling me I was ordered to join your guard. It sounded like you demanded it.” “Did I…?” Luna stopped to think for a second and laughed awkwardly. “I guess I did… I didn’t ask much back then.” “N-No worries though! As soon as I heard about the formation of your own guard I jumped at the opportunity. Besides all those nights and how you introduced me to these dreams and how you helped me with my… nightmare problem.” He rubbed his cheek feeling his heart almost give a flutter. “Gosh, it’s been so long since that… I’m almost tearing up.” “Me too Noble, me too.” She lowered herself back down gently as if the ground cradled her. “But you have moved on and you have a new life, friends and job. Though you shall not be getting rid of me so easily.” The stallion shook his head and held up a hoof. “That won’t happen. I might have new friends and Soul as the closest pony I have, but I will never forget you. And I have a few others from Canterlot that would kill me if I forget them too. And I wouldn’t get free cookies or muffins anymore...” “That is good to hear.” Luna nodded with a smile and a pleasantly hummed to herself. The ponies looked at one another with smiles. Neither could come up with anything to say and it felt like they had finally concluded their talk and had said everything they needed to say. They used the silence to catch their breath and let everything sink in. Luna produced more tea for herself and Noble was simply twirling his hoof on the ground. “Sooo…” Noble finally said as he lifted his eyes to Luna. “We have talked for awhile now, haven’t we? Is it ok for you to be here this long? Normally you need to leave to help another pony.” Luna took a long sip of his tea and made the cup vanish, she raised her hoof at Noble. “Don’t worry, my divided mind is doing my job all across Equestria as we speak.” “But you don’t have many of them, normally you need to leave for a bit to help a few other ponies then come back?” Noble craned his neck up. “Are there just fewer ponies with bad dreams tonight? “Oh, well I wouldn’t say that. As you hopefully remember, since early on I’ve been trying to expand the amount of ways I can divide my mind in order to help everypony in Equestria while we all slumber. I was up to five last time we talked and I am proud to announce that by improving the magic for this as well as strengthening my mind my doing this, I am now able to produce 7 ‘clones’ in order to patrol and help as many ponies as I am able.” She curtseyed as she accepted praise for the accomplishment. Noble clapped and nodded at the accomplishment. “Oh wow, that’s wonderful, congratulations! I do hope it isn’t too stressful on you though.” “I admit, it does take a rather large toll on me and uses a large chunk of my magic. However this way I can reach more ponies around Equestria and protect them from the evils I plagued them with.” Luna let out a long sigh. “Noble do you really wish to know? I fear it is complicated to explain.” The stallion thought for a moment and scratched his cheek. “Well I am curious. I don’t mind and I’ll try to keep up.” "Very well. You see Noble, I gain power from the love of my subjects that I protect. It is not the same way as my sister but a more familiar bond. That fuels me and keeps my magic from depleting. I have also found ways to get past the fatigue. I normally do not need much sleep and if i didn’t do this, I wouldn’t need it at all, but with this amount of focus I nap when I can and allow one of my minds to stay as it's own inside my own dreams. Was that too much at once?" Noble shook his head. “No, I think I get it, at least a bit. Thank you.” He looked around looking for things to spark any other topics he forgot. “So um, what now? I have ranted for who knows how long already. Let’s talk about you for a change, I have barely let you tell me anything of how you are nowadays.” A smile formed on Luna’s face as she tapped her chin and chuckled. “I may have a thing or two to tell you.” Noble got down on the ground and looked up with ears perked. “Then please tell me, I’m itching to hear everything.” Luna took a deep breath and then fell down to her stomach and began going through her time since their last encounter. She explained how she’s had to go and make some new rules for her guard, how bogged down she’s been with paperwork that she wished only to go outside and stretch her wings for a bit. At one point she complained about how she felt like she gained weight where Noble quickly assured her she wasn’t with a natural flirt which fell to uncomfortable silence. The princess even mentioned a family road trip that ended horribly. “She didn’t want matching sister tattoos, kept being a troll and drew a mustache on me twice whilst I slept! I must get my own carriage for our next trip.” At once Noble burst out laughing and rolled on his back. “I-I-I can’t believe you two are princesses sometimes!” He laughed more and Luna couldn’t help but chuckle herself. As he recomposed himself he rolled back onto his stomach. “Well thank you for telling me. It sounds like you can at least always find something to do.” Luna brushed her hair back and looked at the ground. “I suppose, but a lot of it can be quite boring as well. And when I say a lot, I really mean a lot.” “I don’t mind, I want to hear about those too. I want to hear about every single little detail you can---” Before Noble could finish, an extremely bright light shined behind Luna, drawing both of the ponies attentions to it. Immediately as Luna saw this, she stood up and took in a deep breath. “I’m sorry but our time seems to be up. It is time for me to lower my moon and retire for this night.” “Of course.” Noble stood up too and bowed to his princess. “Yes Luna. Thank you for spending another night catching up with me. I enjoy our talks and hope you enjoyed it too. Should I keep looking towards the stars and have our usual method of communicating when we need to speak?” “Of course. I will have it no other way.” Luna spread her wings and nodded in greeting. “Now, you can wake up and enjoy my sister’s day perfectly well rested. Good bye Noble, until we next meet.” “Good night Luna. Thank you again.” A light filled the area with blinding white light then everything became dark. Noble twitched and wiggled his body. He felt the blanket over top of him and the stone floor on his side. He rolled over and stood up, through the window he could see the morning sun shining in, putting an end to his wonderful night.