Night Patrol 2: Awakening

by Foxgear

A New Era

Night Patrol 2: Awakening

By Foxgear

---

“Princess Luna. Princess Luna, are you here? Please answer me, your highness!”

“I am here, please stop shouting. This is a library.” Luna, Princess of the Night, scolded the gray guard pony. The bluish armor he wore was supposed to mark him as one of her night guards, a new division of the royal guard that was started after her return from her one thousand year banishment. Really they were just the nightshift guards given new armor and told to follow her around by the Captain of the Guard, Shining Armor. The older brother of her sister’s prized student Twilight Sparkle, the pony that brought her back from the darkness of Nightmare Moon and for that, the lavender unicorn had her eternal respect.

Respect Shining Armor did not have at this moment. Not that Luna hated or despised the white stallion personally. The captain of the Guard simply has yet to earn her respect, as she has not had the chance to test his metal in a spar or see him on the battlefield. Someplace she was certain he’s never been to because of the peaceful times they live in now. Seems Equestria’s monster problem has been significantly reduced to nearly nothing during her absence. A joyful thought no doubt, but Luna couldn’t help but worry what the long terms effects could be as there was no way to keep their soldiers up to snuff without the constant threat of attack. Course then again, maybe it was already too late. The royal guards of today were not much when compared to Celestia’s two guards in the past, Bison and Stronghold, and they weren’t even on the same page if she compared them to her night patrollers. Maybe that was being too unfair, her patrollers have been the best warriors anypony could have asked for and not just that, they had been her friends.

“Princess… Princess Luna, are you listening?”

“No, I’m afraid I am not… hmm… what is your name?” Luna has been having a hard time telling ponies apart these days. Specifically the royal guard ponies, it white, more white, and then gray and then more gray and they all had the same hair color and style. It was honestly kind of creepy to her. Almost like Celestia somehow cloned them from some magical pool of water… that actually exists now that she thinks about it. She would have to ask Celestia about this later.

“Oh, I am Goodnight, Goody for short; I’ve been following you around since I was assigned to you last week.”

There was hurt in his voice and Luna felt a little bad about that, on the other hoof he nor his fellow guards could not seem to understand the concept of leaving her alone, even after her ordering them to do that just that. She could not for the life of her understand this idea of constant guards around her. A thousand years ago was much more dangerous with monsters, assassins, evil mad scientist ponies trying to gain immortality and much, much more, but she never had constant guards back then, she certainly didn’t need them now.

Deciding to ignore Goodnight for now, since he seemed fine standing there and staring at her all day, so be it. She had better things to do, things such as figuring out these damn tax laws. How in Equestria did this work? Why was everything so confusing and complicated? Who made this?

If Luna was to be co-ruler again, she would need to familiarize herself with current affairs. Some things have been easy. Celestia wasn’t inclined to changing things often and since she was the sole ruler, not much was changed during Luna’s time gone. Not that didn’t mean there was progress, in fact, technology has progressed swimmingly with trains and airships carrying ponies all over the place. Gadget or Starwind the Beardless as history remembers him would be proud to see his inventions prospering.

Language has also stayed the same or at least similar. Some vocabulary has changed and some new words and new meanings for old words appeared here and there from Luna could understand. Really though ponies weren’t speaking much different than a thousand years ago. Clearly, the way ponies write has changed, gone was the old Roan writing, replaced with a modern version of the Albion writing style, overall nothing too difficult for Luna to read.

Setting the tax code aside for now Luna stared out onto the training fields below. Watching the royal guards go through their drills. Sadly she lifted her scrawny leg, once big and powerful like her sisters. A month has passed since her return and she has yet to regain her former power and form from before Nightmare Moon. It sickened to her feel so weak. She needed to regain her magic and quickly. The only way to do that was to start from the beginning again with her training.

“I am going outside. I assume you’ll be coming to, Goodnight?”

“Yes, ma’am,” The stallion saluted enthusiastically.

“Very well, try to keep up please,” She told him vanishing from sight with a quick teleport. From outside the window Luna snickered as the guard pony ran off in a panic trying to find her. Maybe she was being a bit mean, but the princess really just wanted to be alone at the moment, though Celestia would probably be paying her a visit later tonight after she finishes her duties for the day. Wanting to know how Luna was adjusting and all that. Not that Luna minded her sister’s mother-Henning; she would probably be doing the same if their roles were reversed. It was just that stupid pony with the pocket watch always following her sister annoyed the living Tartarus out of her. Timekeeper was his name, or was it she? Either way, the pony was annoying and she wanted to throw that stupid watch out the window! Luna was surprised Celestia let Timekeeper get away with interrupting their conversations all the time, complaining about a schedule that only he/she seemed to know and care about.

(Really got to start writing down names, I wasn’t always this bad at remembering names was I?) Luna pondered as she lazily flew through the air. She needed to work her body to regain her strength. Having a sparring partner would be helpful. Celestia was too busy to spar anymore. Were there any ponies worth asking in the guards?

“Hey look out!”

“What?” Luna snapped awake spotting an incoming blur of orange, blue, and yellow at high speeds. Nimbly she twisted and turned, barrel rolling over the incoming pony as they crashed into a pile of clouds. When the pony emerged they were sporting a big fluffy cloud beard. Luna couldn’t contain herself and snickered at the pony’s misfortune. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh, but it is hilarious if you think about.”

The pony growled as they removed themselves from the cloud and angry approached Luna and did something the Princess of the Night thought no pony in their right mind would have the stones to do. The pony, a mare, poked her in the chest. Rather hard to.

“What do you think you’re doing feather brain? Do you even know where you’re flying right now? I bet you don’t, otherwise you won’t be here would you?”

Now the pony was yelling at her, that was certainly new, still, what was she talking about? There was nothing here except for that military base over there… Oh, Luna suddenly realized. She was at the pegasi airbase. Seems she interrupted a drill or something.

“My apologies, I was simply lost in thought and did not realize where I was going. I’ll be getting out of your mane now. Feel free to carry on.” Luna said brushing aside the pony, wanting to quickly leave less she embarrass herself further, but strangely enough the pony flew and front of her and blocked her path.

“Do you think you can just fly away like that? Do you know who I am? I’m Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts and you’re trespassing in a restricted air space. I hope you ready for…” Spitfire’s voice trailed off as she suddenly realized the pony she was yelling at was not shrinking back like usual; in fact, she was looking quite mad and was that a horn on her head? It was she concluded and she just made possibly the biggest mistake of her career, yelling at the newly returned Princess Luna, “Uh oh.”

“Uh oh, indeed,” Luna seethed flaring her magic, turning the white clouds black as the wind blew and thunder rumbled. “Never in my centuries of life as pony has such brutish gull to brush aside an apology for such a minor mistake! Why if I felt so inclined I would be having you fly circles till your wings bleed! However,” Luna said calming down, the wind and thunder dying away, “I have a use for a pony of your talents. Humor me and I’ll overlook this little scuffle and it need not go any further than that.”

“Wait, so you’re not going to banish me or court martial me, or send me to the moon or something?”

“Well, I can arrange that if you really want, the moon isn’t all bad really,” Luna replied with a smirk.

Spitfire laughed uncertainly, unsure if Luna was joking or not, “I see, and what can I do for you, Princess Luna?”

“Nothing much, I simply find myself in need of a sparring partner and you look like you would be up to the task. What do you say Captain Spitfire? Think you can keep up with an alicorn?”

---

When Spitfire had accepted her challenge Luna did not imagine it would lead to her joining the mare in the Wonderbolts’ lockerroom. Struggling in vain to pull a flight suit over her body, even with her reduced size Luna was still slightly bigger than the average pony and her size was showing as her frame was forced into the skintight suit, the material stretching particularly tight against her nether region.

“Must we wear these? I fail to see the point of needing such attire for only a minor challenge.”

“They’re standard issue,” Spitfire replied, “Every Wonderbolt and Wonderbolt in training wears a flight suit to help with wind resistance, rain, and a bunch of other stuff. These suits are designed to help you fly faster and provide protection and it will help you blend in more. I remind you, you were the one that didn’t want to draw a lot of attention. Also, the news ponies have been hounding to see me without clothes and I’m not looking to be some snoop’s exclusive, so please, please just wear the suit.”

(First I hide my horn, change my coat color, and now this? The lengths one must go for a good spar partner. She better be worth the effort.)

“Is not wearing clothes such a scandalous thing now?” Luna asked the captain. From what she’s observed it seems ponies, at least in Canterlot, liked to wear more clothes then way back when only nobles could afford to, but there were still a lot of ponies that didn’t too, such as in Ponyville.

Spitfire leaned against a locker and signed, “Only if you’re famous.”

“Famous… that means you are very well known correct? Meaning you are renowned or legendary for doing a great feat, if I may ask what deed did you do? Have you slain a terrible monster or perhaps fought off a dragon?”

“I’ve done some of that,” Spitfire said, looking up at the ceiling. “But that’s not why I’m famous. I’ve flown dozens of missions for Princess Celestia, risking life and limb, but what every pony praises me for isn’t my military record, but the tricks I do for the crowds during our shows. Ponies would be surprised to find out I’ve done anything other than perform tricks for crowds.”

“You wish to be recognized for your heroic deeds then?”

Spitfire shook her head, “No… well yes actually, but… are you done getting that suit on yet?”

That rude demanding tone of voice again. Luckily for Spitfire Luna found it rather charming. Thus she decided to drop the matter of the Wonderbolt’s fame as it seemed to be a sour topic for her.

Now to defeat her skin tight nemesis, revealing her horn Luna grabbed the suit with her magic and pulled. The skintight fabric slowly moving against her coat till a sudden “Slip” and it was in place. Moving around Luna found the suit to be very unrestricting, acting almost like a second skin against her body. Her wings sprung free out the slits located on the side of the suit and she gave them a good stretch. These flight suits might not be so bad, just for one little thing that was still bothering her.

“Must these be so tight in thy loins?”

Spitfire chuckled as she led Luna out the door, “Be happy you’re not a stallion.”

That imagine stuck in her head, Luna couldn’t help but blush at the thought of perhaps seeing Sixes in such attire. Thinking of her old friend quickly brought down her cheery mood as she was once again reminded that he and the others were gone, perhaps nothing but dust and bone by now.

“Hey, are you ok?” Spitfire asked.

They were outside now, about to take off for their challenge, but more importantly something to distract her from her depressing state of mind.

“I’m fine, just thinking of some old friends, let us begin our challenge. As I am the one who issued the challenge, you may select the arena, and I shall choose the style of combat.”

“This area over here is free; it had plenty of obstacles and cloud cover, perfect for summoning thunders clouds and such.”

Luna nodded with approval, “Good choice. We shall compete in air combat, to be fair I shall not use my unicorn magic.”

The ground rules made and agreed upon, both mares readied themselves for battle. Luna observed Spitfire going through her stretches; the mare was in top physical shape. The Princess of the Night was impressed; perhaps there was hope yet for this new generation of warriors. Neither the less, Luna had her own stretches to go through. Taking a deep breath she looked into herself, letting her magic rise like a fire throughout her body, warming her muscles and sharpening her mind to a razor’s edge.

“Ready princess,” Spitfire taunted.

“Born ready,” replied Luna scooping up a puff of cloud with her hoof. The cloud blackened and cracked with thunder unleashing her old friend Nightingale’s favorite move, the thunderhoof, upon the wonderbolt captain before Spitfire had a chance to know what hit her. Thunder crackled and lightning exploded in every direction, ripping the clouds asunder.

From the other side of the arena, Spitfire stood atop a mountain of clouds looking flushed and panting for breath from avoiding the attack. She hadn’t been expecting such an attack right off the bat or at all.

“What kind of spar is this?” She cried out as Luna gathered up more bits of cloud.

“The kind that can leave you hurting if you don’t take it seriously, I know not how you do things in this day in age, but I will be doing things the old fashion way!”

Spitfire yelped as she jumped over to another cloud as a bolt of lightning tore the one she was standing on apart. Quickly she scooped up a pile of cloud turning it black and tossing it just in time to block Luna’s next attack. She knew about the thunderhoof, it was the first attack they learned after becoming wonderbolts; it was considered the granddaddy of all cloud-based attacks. The thunderhoof could be used a close, mid, or long ranged attack depending on the user. Spitfire found it to be no surprise that the Princess of all ponies would know the most advanced form.

(The technique was made a thousand years ago; realistically she could have known the creator.)

That being said many more techniques have been invented over the years. Techniques that could defiantly out power the thunderhoof. There was just the issue of getting enough time to set them up. The thunderhoof may not be the most powerful technique, but it could be easily charged and used in under a second.

Making a break for it Spitfire broke from her cover carrying four tufts of clouds, one on each hoof, and tossed them at Luna’s incoming attacks; matching her thunderhoof with the princess’s while she prepared for her real attack as she ducked behind cover again.

From her position, Luna wondered what Spitfire could be up to. The yellow mare has done well to counter her and seems to be preparing to engage her in close courters. Deciding to wait and see what Spitfire had in store for her, Luna held her position, keeping a storm cloud at the ready just in case.

Spitfire burst out from underneath and circled around Luna in a spiral, leaving a trail of black storm clouds in her wake forming a cage of crackling storm clouds around the princess. At the top of the cage, Spitfire turned delivered a thunder charged punch at the highest point.

“THUNDER CAGE!” She roared activating the attack. Bolts of lightning traveled down the spiral of clouds creating a complex network of lightning strikes. Spitfire smirked as the full charge of the attack focused in on Luna; however her smirk vanished as Luna held up her hoof holding a pitch black cloud and punched at the gathering lightning strikes, the two attacks struck and a huge explosion followed. Spitfire was sent flying and crashed through several clouds before stopping with smoke rising off her body, while Luna stood where she was with her flight suit in tatters and sporting several burns.

“Perhaps,” Luna said coughing up black smoke, “We should call it a day.”

Spitfire lied back and sighed, her body numb from the shocks, “Agreed.”

---

Back in the wonderbolt lockerroom Luna stretched her sore muscles. She could feel the drastic difference in her power already and for that, she was thankful for Spitfire’s assistance. Celestia and her doctors suggested a tame and steady workout, but nothing really got your magic organs working like real fight or in this case intense spar. Already she could feel the growth in her magic reserves, thus increasing her overall strength, a couple more spars like this and she could be back to normal in no time.

“Would you like me to escort you back to the castle Princess? I know the guards there must be searching frantically for you, having me with you should calm them down.”

“Fine,” Luna agreed, not really caring, she was just happy to spend more time with Spitfire. The wonderbolt captain reminded Luna a lot of Nightingale, “But only if you call me Luna. I don’t like my friends calling me Princess.”

The blush on Spitfire’s cheeks was quite amusing.

“Alright, but only in private, I have a professional appearance to keep up.”

Luna smiled, “Of course. Come let us return to the castle.”

“Actually,” Spitfire said having a sudden thought, “Since you’re still in disguise Princess… I mean Luna, would you like to come and hang out with me and the other Wonderbolts? We’re meeting up at our usual bar for some fun. It would be a great chance for you to mingle with everypony.”

“An interesting idea, very well, I shall accept!”

“Alright!”

Luna followed Spitfire to the seedier part of Canterlot. Her disguise still active Luna took pleasure in the fact she looked like any other Pegasus right now. Ponies weren’t scrambling to get out of her way, planting their faces in the dirt, or any of the other things that came with being a princess. It has been so long since she felt… well like a normal pony. With her power reduced she could hide herself much longer than she could in the past. Before when she donned a disguise she would have to suppress her magic so ponies couldn’t sense it was her. She and Celestia learned in their first attempt to hide among the common ponies that even if they changed their appearance, they still had much more magic than the average pony. They could hide their magic for an hour before it became too much to hold back and they would blow their covers.

(I wonder what I look like.)

When crafting her current disguise she had failed to put any thought into when Spitfire first suggested it and had yet to look in a mirror. The spell she cast made her look different to others, but if she wouldn’t see any different unless she were to look in a mirror.

As they passed a window shop Luna took a moment to look at her reflection and was once again was assaulted with bad memories. She was green, not just green; she was a beautiful shade of emerald. The same shade as her old friend Emerald Cutter, one of her night hunters, the first pony that tried to stop her when she became Nightmare Moon. An image of Emerald lying on the ground with a hole in her barrel and covered in blood appeared in the window, startling Luna and making her step backward into the street. She was so in shock that Luna didn’t notice the carriage coming at her, till Spitfire pulled her out of the way!

“Whoa, that was close,” said Spitfire while she pats Luna down for any injuries. The wonderbolt breathed a sigh of relief when she found none, though the blank look in the princess’s eyes did have Spitfire feeling wary. “Hey, are you alright? Are you not feeling well? If you’re not just say so and I’ll take you back to the castle. We can hang out another time.”

Luna shook her head, a deep frown marring her features as she did so, “No, no, I’m fine. What I really need right now is a drink of hard cider.”

“Well, you’re in luck because we’re here! Welcome to the Rusty Horseshoe.”

The building Spitfire was enthusiastically presenting to her was, for the most part, a dump. In the sense that it seemed the owner did not care to take care of his property. From what she’s read on the recent building codes, something they didn’t have a thousand years ago, this establishment is probably due to be shut down sometime in the near future if something is not done to fix it soon.

“How charming,” said Luna as they entered the bar. Inside smoke filled the room and there was a roar of chatter mixed with music. In the corner of the room, a blue and white haired mare waved them over.

“That’s Fleetfoot, she’s another wonderbolt. I’ll introduce you… um on second thought; do I tell her you’re a princess?”

Luna didn’t get a chance to answer when Fleetfoot ran up to meet them, “Hey Spits, whose your friend? Is this the awesome mystery recruit I heard about earlier? She doesn’t look like much, but I heard she gave you a run for your bits.”

Spitfire nervously scratched her mane, “Yeah, she’s a potential recruit. She’s… ah…”

“Emerald Moon,” said Luna extending her hoof to the blue wonderbolt, “A pleasure to meet you Fleetfoot. Captain Spitfire has spoken well of you.”

“She speaks a bit formally, she some noble’s kid? Somepony asking you for favors again Spits?”

Not wanting this lie to spread too wildly out of control, Luna decided to cut to the chase and change the subject to something more pressing and much more alluring.

“My heritage is of no importance, nor is my mannerisms, what is important is whether or not you can hold your liquor Miss Fleetfoot.”

“Oh I like her, but you can drop the Miss part, just call me Fleetfoot or Fleet for short. Hey bartender, bring us a bottle of…”

“Applejack’s Sucker punch hard cider,” Luna interrupted causing the entire bar to gasp. The bartender handed her the bottle with a smirk, she’s tasted this brand of cider before, it was said to be so strong that it felt like somepony hit you in the face. It was not a drink for the meek.

Taking the bottle Luna uncorked it and much to the amazement of the entire bar took one long ten-second gulp. Her face scrunched inwards, the alcohol burning her throat and making her feel light headed, but she stood strong and remained standing.

“Who’s next?” She said offering the bottle. Reluctantly Fleetfoot took it and tried to match her, it did not go well for the blue pegasus as she gulped down five seconds of the bottle she started swaying on her hooves. Luna watched with amusement as Fleetfoot twirled around the room before finally went crashing into the wall and fell over unconscious.

Luna chuckled as she trotted over to the fallen mare, making her she hadn't hurt herself, finding any serious injuries and finding comfort in the fact Fleetfoot was sound asleep. The Princess of the Night turned to the crowd and held up the bottle of cider in challenge.

“Shall we partake in a drinking challenge?”

---

Goodnight frantically flew down the dark alleys of Canterlot, sweat running down his brow like a river; he’s been flying all night. He was tired both mentally and physically, but he could not rest, not without finding his charge, Princess Luna. How could have he lost track of her! She was an alicorn princess! There’s only two… ok three of them in all of Equestria! How could have no pony not seen her?

All Goodnight had to go on was that Luna was last spotted heading towards the Wonderbolt’s Canterlot flight camp and had been seen with Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts before disappearing. Spitfire was later seen with a green Pegasus afterward.

He cursed under his breath. How could he have been so foolish! The green mare was Luna, casting a simple illusion spell would be easy for her, even if she was in a weakened state.

So logically speaking to find Luna, he must find Spitfire and to find Spitfire on a Friday night was to go to the Rusty Horseshoe. Meaning Princess Luna was there, at a bar, with Spitfire; who was notorious for getting hammered.

“I’m gonna get court marshaled for this.”

Goodnight soared as fast as he could to the bar, landing hard he dashed inside to find… everypony knocked out, except for Luna, who was sitting in the middle of the room with bright red rosy cheeks and a bottle between her hooves.

“I guess (hiccup!) I win…” She fell over, Goodnight catching her before she touched the ground. Slowly and carefully he carried the princess on his back out of the bar and took off towards the castle. His body tensed as she rubbed her cheek along the back of his neck making him very grateful when he landed on her balcony. Quietly he placed her on the bed and covered her up with a blanket and slowly he retreated, ready to get out as fast as he could, only to bump into somepony on his way out.

“Seems my sister had a fun night,” the voice of Princess Celestia said behind him. Goodnight cringed, thinking this was it and he was going to the sun. However, he was in for surprise as Princess Celestia levitated him out of the room, gently shutting the door behind them. “Let’s let her get her sleep. We have a public event in the morning and I imagine she will not be in the mood for it. I’ll have to get the staff to make her favorite coffee to raise her spirits.”

Goodnight watched like a deer in headlights had the sun princess went about her musings, still waiting for some sort of rebuke or condemnation from her, but none came even as she finished talking and began to walk away. The smart thing to do would have been to keep quiet, but he couldn’t help but speak up.

“You’re not mad at me Princess?”

Celestia paused and looked at him strangely, “Mad? Whatever for? My sister ordered you to leave her be and you did and you brought her home safely. I consider that a job well done. Keep that up and she might start to like you more.”

“But I brought her back drunk!”

Celestia chuckled, “She’s over fifteen hundred years old. I think she can make her own choices, besides I’m her sister, not her mother. Now goodnight, Goodnight, I expect a great deal from you, as does Luna.”

“She does?” He replied stupidly, Celestia’s smile widened at his comment as she waved goodbye. Leaving Goodnight baffled and confused.

---

Luna awoke the following morning with a massive headache. The only relief she received was that of the soft sheets caressing her body, the bed was the perfect temperature making her want to just laze about in bed. Lass, she knew she could not. There was a public appearance today. Her first public appearance since Ponyville and it would be damning if she did not show up. Namely, those nosey news ponies wouldn’t leave her alone if she didn’t show.

Flinging the warm blankets off with her wing Luna crawled out of bed, noting the nest that was her mane, but choosing to ignore it for now. Eyes heavily with sleep she stomped out of her room and into the hallway passing by a barely awake Goodnight.

“Go to your barracks and rest Goody, somepony else will take your spot today.” She told the sleepy stallion. He gave a weak saluted and trotted off her eyes following him as he walked away. She had the vaguest memory of flying last night and Luna knew she had been in no condition to fly. She had been certain Goodnight had flown her back to the castle, but looking at him she couldn’t see any wings on him.

Strange, Luna mused, wondering if perhaps somepony else had flown her back. Deciding to leave the matter for now, Luna trotted down to the dining hall where Celestia was already eating. Sitting across from the Sun Princess was a big cup of hazelnut coffee, Luna’s favorite. Eagerly Luna sat down and raised the steaming hot beverage to lips, ready to taste the brews stress relieving goodness.

“Breakfast time is over your majesties! We must be moving on!” The shrill voice of Time Keeper said with the infernal ticking of his (He was a he Luna confirmed) pocket watch’s ticking.

Luna took one look at the thin stallion, grabbed the watch with her magic and slammed it closed and placed it on the table next to her. When Time Keeper tried to retrieve the watch she held it down with her magic, prevent him from retrieving it.

Across the room Celestia chuckled warily, knowing exactly the mood Luna was in. “A few more minutes please Time Keeper. Princess Luna is not a morning pony.”

The thin stallion grumbled, but nodded and left, muttering about this and that and what adjustment would be needed to be made for today’s schedule. Luna paid him no mind and sips her coffee, enjoying the taste; because she had feeling it was going to be the only enjoyable thing for her today.

“Ready to go,” asked Celestia after several tense minutes.

“I suppose,” Luna replied setting down her empty cup. It was going to be a full day today, museums visits, followed by some more public appearances, and a parade. What a day this was going to be.

Author's Note:

Yay, another new story finally on the ground, kind of wish my computer didn't freeze and make me loose my edits, hopefully, I found them all again.

Comments

[smile444]

cool, there were a few things you have left unclear in the firste part, namely whay happen to vee vee and hoovenstein

[Ninjadeadbeard]

Huh. Goodnight does/doesn’t have wings. Hmmm.

[Foxgear]

10070908

10070908
Lol, had to do double-check on the chapter when I read your comment. Nice profile pic.