> LT: Duty for the Family
>  by Harmony Split
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Prologue




The outskirts of Canterlot were cast in total darkness; not a single pony was about at the late hour of midnight. Only a few lit windows betrayed the fact that some ponies might still be awake. Soft moonlight shined upon the streets, briefly illuminating a dark form before it disappeared into the shadows.

It hurried along, using every bit of shadow it could to let the black of its long hood melt into the environment. A pony’s eyes could scarcely follow it, but it was there.

Its goal was a small park near the border of Canterlot. No light, no ponies around, just total darkness and secrecy. It stopped and looked around before throwing down the hood.

Grey Plate surveyed his surroundings, watching every movement and listening to every sound. It was then he noticed the tiniest of movement to his side. He whirled around before letting out a soft sigh.

“It’s me, come out,” he growled.

Around him, several dark beings rose from the bushes and moved to him until they were all gathered in the middle. One hood after another dropped, illuminating four stallions and two mares next to him.

“Grey Plate, why did you ask for a meeting,” a mare with yellow coat and white mane asked, her sky-blue eyes fixing on him. “I thought we agreed that there was to be no contact while we collect the information.”

“Lady Blum, it is my regret to inform you that I have been withdrawn of my position as a Royal Guard in our Princess’s army,” Grey Plate’s voice contained barely restrained anger, “But I am pleased to tell you that I have all the information we might need.”

A brown stallion with black mane laughed, “How? All you did in the last few months was whine over the general and the Nightmare.”

“Well, Deep Sugar, the Nightmare is the source of our problems. I have information, directly delivered by the Night Being herself, that the Lunar Guard is nothing but an abnormality she created to overthrow our true princess once again,” Grey Plate smiled before frowning, “However, we have the problem of the general herself.”

“You should not worry about this little issue,” a black stallion with red mane stepped forward, “I have every reason to believe that the general won’t be in our way.”

“Share your wisdom with us, Streak,” Lady Blum frowned.

“Well,” Streak smiled, “She has two large weaknesses. One is her wife, and the other one…”

“Is her foal!” The white mare next to Lady Blum laughed, her golden mane whipping as she shook her head, “We just have to kill both of her anchors to this world, and she will fall after them.”

“It is not that easy, apparently,” Grey Plate snorted, “We need a proper plan. Once the general and her loyals are out of the way, we can finally get rid of the Nightmare and bathe in the praise of our true princess.”

“All of you are ordered to gather as much intel as you can,” Lady Plum said, her voice barely a whisper, “Get in contact with every source we have. I will give a signal once we can meet again. I may have something in mind for our lovely little bat ponies,” she grinned, “But let them sleep for now, they will awake soon enough to find their Nightmare gone.”

Streak coughed, “What will we do now that Grey Plate isn’t one of use anymore?”

Lady Blum glared at Grey Plate, “He risked his mission and will be punished for it. However, he still has a lot of friends in the Royal Guard. Grey Plate, for now, you remain silent and try to gather as much information from outside of the castle as you can. Don’t fail!”

Grey Plate gulped before bowing low, “Your wish is my duty, Lady Blum.”

“Go home and fulfill your tasks,” Lady Blum said before raising a hoof, showing a golden band engraved with a sun, “For the true Princess, for the Sun, for the Light of Equestria!” she chimed.

The others held hooves with similar bands up, “For the true Princess, for the Sun, for the Light of Equestria!” they echoed after the mare before silently spreading out.

As soon as Grey Plate was further away from the park, he cursed silently. Everything was going to plan before that rookie and the general had played him months ago. He lost his job and every honorable status. Yet, he had plans for his future.

General Night Watch, fear us, as we will bring down your Nightmare and raise the true princess, he thought bitterly before slipping into the shadows again.
	
> Blood on my Hooves (Night Watch)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter One: Blood on my Hooves (Night Watch POV)






It was a quiet night. So far at least. Everything was dark around me, the only source of light was the moonlight through the window, and my green eyes glaring at the door.

I sat still on my flank, fangs bared in anger. I waited for my wife, Blue Moon. Yes, I waited for my wife—my pregnant wife—that still went to work, despite the fact that her belly was growing quite big.

To say that I was pissed would’ve been an understatement. I was furious. Furious that my wife ignored every single piece advice from the doctors and even my pleading words. Blue Moon hadn’t managed to stay home for long after the doctors forbid her to work. Now she went to training as if everything was normal.

When I get my hooves on her…

My thoughts were interrupted by the door slowly unlocking and creaking open, revealing two pinkish-red eyes glowing in the dark. I waited, but as soon as they locked with mine, I jumped up and onto Blue Moon, pinning her onto the ground. All the while watching for her belly to make sure I wasn’t too rough with her.

“You!” I scowled.

“Me?” She asked.

“You know you aren’t allowed to work!”

“I’m pregnant, not disabled,” she growled back.

“That doesn’t mean you can attend the drills, you fool! You’re carrying our foal!” I cried.

I could see that she bit back any retort, she knew that I was right.

“Only one more month,” I smiled softly.

“And who watches over our foal?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Uhm…”

Blue sighed, “I know you mean well, but I just can’t sit on my flank all day.”

I just groaned, “Sometimes you’re pretty stupid. ‘Doing something’ doesn’t always involve work or sex, Blue. You can just go for a walk, visit friends, whatever you want to do that doesn’t involve work!”

“But we can still fuck?”

My muzzle lost its position for a moment at her bluntness, “I… yes, we can. I told you already that… well…”

“That you love my belly and think I look hot when I’m pregnant?” Blue finished with a smirk.

“Yeah, that,” I blushed.

“Not to mention the small treat my teats can give you now, no?” She grinned.

“It’s pretty good,” I admitted.

“So?”

“You’re bad, Blue. Just bad!”

“Would you like it more if I would’ve jumped you immediately and my fangs played over your coat?” Blue asked teasingly, her voice sending shivers down my neck.

“Blue, I’m not joking. You know what the doctors said. If you continue with the drills, you could endanger the foal!” I snapped.

“I know that, but doing nothing is driving me insane,” she groaned before adding, “And not being near you sucks.”

“Then how about I ask Luna if I can spend some time with you? I’ll ask for some vacation time so I can take care of you for a while,” I suggested.

She gasped. “The mighty General Night Watch on vacation? Besides, I doubt you have any kind of vacation with this job.”

I growled, “As long there’s no war or other important military stuff I’m fine. To be honest, I’m bored for the most time.”

“Would you really do this? You know I don’t like any special treatment.”

“But you’re my wife,” I interjected. “You’re carrying our foal, you deserve it.”

“Right at this moment it’s still my foal, but I guess I can let you participate,” Blue winked, with the teasing glow in her eyes that always drove me mad.

“Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?” She asked, winking again.

“You know once I’m lost in your eyes there’s no turning back.”

Blue pouted, “Who said I want you to turn back?”

I grinned. “You know what? I’m glad I can still bite and fuck you senseless without any worry for the foal.” 

“Yeah, the doctors said as long as you don’t kick or overuse my belly, everything’s fine.”

“And as long as I don’t bite too deep or draw too much blood,” I added.

“Yep, and that.”

I kissed her, pressing my lips passionately to hers. It was a bit difficult to be on top of her, but my hoof slowly rubbed over the side of her belly, where our foal was growing. 

“Do you have a name for her?”

I paused at that, looking confused at her. 

“A name,” Blue chuckled. “A name for our filly.”

I hummed. It was something I had thought about many times over in the last few months, even had some ideas. One, I loved the most and hoped Blue would like it as well. “Indeed, I do have one.”

“Then spill it,” she smiled and kissed me again.

“How about Night Moon? It’s a combination of our names,” I suggested, smiling lovingly at her.

“A combination of our names? That’s the first thing that comes to your mind?” Blue Moon paused, and it made me really, really worried. Then her expression changed, her smiled widening as she giggled. “That sounds... surprisingly good.”

“What?” I asked in mocking hurt. “Everything I say is good!”

“Yeah, right,” Blue replied with a kiss and a roll of her eyes.

I tried to look offended. Something that was simply impossible as she gave me her loving puppy-eyes. It was completely unfair. “Hey, my ideas are good!”

“On the battlefield, yes,” she replied smugly. “Maybe in bed as well. But you really suck anywhere else,” she continued and laughed loudly.

This time I was really offended and nudged her shoulder hard before rolling off. I stopped at her next words.

“But it’s those flaws, combined with your strengths, are what makes you the mare I love.”

“You still know what they all said? About us?” I asked her, chuckling.

“I think you mean Grey Plate and the others?” she asked with an amused grin and I nodded. “That our love wouldn’t even survive a month?”

“And now we’re even married… Blue, I love you so much, and will never, never leave you,” I whispered gently, coming closer again.

“I love you too,” she replied before closing the gap, pressing her lips to my own.

It was overwhelming, just like every other single time we kissed or touched each other. It never got old, the flame never ceased, it was like the spark was so new and enormous, just like on the first day.

Blue smiled as we broke, her eyes looking deep into mine. “Mhh, this never gets old.”

“I would hope not,” I chuckled.

“So what now? We continue laying on the ground or are we moving this to bed?”

I gave her a small kiss on her nose and got to my hooves, offering her one as help to get up. Blue glared at it, then at me before struggling to get up by herself.

“You know,” I sighed. “You could start to appreciate the help and concern your wife offers. We’re in private here, but you act as if I would embarrass you in front of your whole unit.”

Blue’s gaze softened and she looked at my hoof again before taking a hold of it, allowing me to pull her up. “You’re getting heavy,” I joked, receiving a snort and a small jab into my ribs.

“Watch what you say or you’ll be sleeping on the floor for the next few weeks.”

“Aww, but your belly is my new favourite cushion,” I pouted.

“Night.”

“Yes, love?”

“Seriously, quit it,” Blue growled.

I just looked at her. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Wrong with me? You’re making stupid jokes at my expense!”

“I’m not, and you know it,” I rolled my eyes. “The docs were right. Hormonal fluctuations my flank,” I added before strolling to the bed. “You coming or not?”

Blue was still standing on the same spot, her gaze directed to the ground, a light pinkish hue coloring her cheeks. She mumbled something, but I didn’t catch it. “Pardon me?”

“I said that I’m sorry,” she spoke up again, this time louder. “It’s just frustrating sometimes. You know me. I’m not the mare to go for a quick stroll or visit friends. I’ve got work to do, my unit to rebuild, after those minotaurs slaughtered it.”

“The minotaur war was so long ago. Why can’t you let it go?” I whispered.

She looked harshly at me. “Because my friends died. The ponies I trusted my life with died around me and I couldn’t do anything! I was useless!”

“Blue…” I hurried back to her and opened my wings, pulling her into an embrace. “Do you think nopony died that I cherished? All of those ponies were my responsibility. Every single life that went dark hurt me, because I knew that they were lost under my care, by my orders.”

Blue squirmed at first, trying to escape me, but soon she melted into the embrace, sighing. “I never said that, love. But I can’t forget it. From time to time I still dream of it, I see Star Wave and Deep Sea standing beside me, fighting with me just before the minotaurs slaughter them. The last thing I see is their faces wide in horror.”

“Why didn't you say anything?” I asked.

“You got enough problems without stupid dreams from me.”

“Don't say such nonsense,” I scolded her. “You are the most important thing in the world to me. My duties may come first since my promotion, but I would never neglect you, no matter what.”

“Night, I don’t want to be your burden,” she replied.

“Burden? Have you lost your mind? If you were a burden to me, why would I marry you? Why would I look forward to our foal?” I asked her, glaring. She stayed silent and I gently kissed her before smiling. “Blue, you are the most important thing in my life. My duty to Equestria might come first, but you are my wife and my family, my beacon in this big world and I would be lost without you.”

She just stood there, silent for several seconds, simply looking into my eyes. Then, as if somepony turned a switch, she began to nudge me back until I hit something hard and fell back, landing on the mattress of our bed. 

“What did I do to make you such a sweet talker?” Blue purred before gently laying to my side, peppering my muzzle with soft kisses.

I smirked. “Well, I had the best teacher.”

“Oh, shush!” she giggled back, yet not ceasing to plant kisses on every spot of my muzzle she could reach.

I enjoyed every bit of affection I could get from her. It was something that never got old, even after years of marriage. “Any idea for our wedding anniversary this year?”

She sighed and stopped, laying her muzzle directly against mine. “No, no idea at all! I tried, but we did everything on our list.”

“Yep, even the most unexpected part of that list,” I added and laid a hoof on her stomach.

“I guess we’ll be thanking Luna for years.”

I sighed quietly. “Indeed. There is just one thing I still don’t understand since her explanation about our origin.”

“What is it, Night?”

“She said Amethyst couldn’t live with her banishment, that she threw herself from a roof.” I stopped and snorted. “Just how old was Amethyst in the end? After what I know, between the death of Luna’s first foal, her corruption, and her banishment to the moon, well, that was well over a hundred years.”

Blue looked into my eyes, brows narrowed, “You think she didn’t tell us everything?”

I met her gaze and kissed her. “I don’t know, it makes sense.” At Blue’s confused gaze I struggled. “I mean, she is basically our origin and lived over the millennia. What if she passed some of her life to her offspring?”

“Do you really think it is possible?”

“Blue, love, Amethyst was over a hundred years old if my timetable is right. That’s nearly impossible. Give or take a few extra years nopony knows about, she was really old.”

Blue scrunched her muzzle. I always found it really cute in it’s own way, and it annoyed her. “I don’t know. I feel myself age with every few years passing. Even if there was some kind of extended lifespan, it could’ve faded over a thousand years.”

“How old is your cousin?” I asked bluntly.

“What?”

“How old is your cousin,” I repeated.

“Uh, honestly? I don’t know.”

I kicked myself for my next words, but they were necessary to prove my theory. “She was already here and in the military when I was a small filly. That was decades ago, and she still nearly looks the same. Maybe a bit aged, but not like she should have in that long time.”

There was silence. Second turned into minutes before she spoke again. “You’re… You’re right! She was also there when I was a filly, and much older and bigger than me. I never questioned it, but you’re right!” Blue exclaimed and her eyes widened.

“Exactly,” I nodded. “Strong or not, I’m pretty sure some of Luna’s lifespan passed over to her foal and then to all of us.”

“But why didn’t she tell us?”

“I doubt she did it for any bad reason,” I replied and nuzzled her. “I think she wants to protect us.”

“From what?” Blue blinked.

“From ponies like Grey Plate that would freak out if something like this came out.”

Blue hummed for a while before smiling. “I don’t know why, but I trust Luna with- hnng!” her face contorted painfully as she stopped speaking.

“What? What’s wrong?!”

“She kicks… Pretty hard.”

I giggled. “Huh, seems like we get a fighter.” With that I snuck down and laid my head on her belly, indeed feeling small kicks.

“She really is strong,” Blue agreed.

“Did you expect anything less from a foal from the two of us?” I asked her mockingly.

“No, of course not.”

“That's good,“ I hummed back. “We're both unique, and our foal will be too.“

“What's unique about me?“ Blue asked.

I growled and looked up. “I’ve told you that a thousand times. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Beautiful, smart, strong, absolutely sexy. I could go on.­ Why are you grinning so smugly?“ I sighed and facehoofed. “Why do you have to tease me so much?“

“Because it's fun.”

“You better watch out, I might get my revenge with something fun for me tonight.”

She grinned before slightly opening her hind legs. “Who told you to hold back?”

It didn't take long for me to breath in her scent. She was aroused. She wanted it. Who was I to deny it as her wife? Gently, I leaned forward and laid gentle kisses on her muzzle before moving forward, peppering her jaw and neck with affection.

Blue sighed happily and laid her head back, enjoying everything I gave her. I kissed my way over her chest and her belly, where I lingered much longer with my kisses, causing her to giggle before I travelled further.

I gazed lustfully at her and was about to dive down when there were loud, smashing knocks at the door.

“Oh for the love of…!­” I shouted before getting up and ripping the door open, to reveal one of my recruits shivering.

“General! We need you in the armoury! We have a big problem!”

I sighed. “What's wrong, Black Wing? Can't you get Shield? I'm kinda busy here.”

“But... Shield... They said I should get you...” Black stammered, sweating more and more.

“Relax. I'm coming,” I said before turning back. “I'm sorry, Blue. There is an emergency in the armoury, I'll be right back!”

“You better be!” She yelled back before I stepped outside and closed the door.

I knew she was pissed, left her there cold right as we were about to go all in. I was pissed as well, because it had promised to be a wonderful time.

Black Wing didn't lose any time and quickly went forward to the armoury. She was an eager recruit, but also a bit hard from time to time. She has more in common with Red Wing than she wants to admit. I chuckled quietly.

The closer we came to the armoury, the more I was aware of the turmoil around me. Guard after guard raced through the halls, all in full battle armor and with weapons ready. From that moment on, I knew something was going on.

As soon as I stepped into the armoury, I stopped, cursing inwardly.

There were ponies from our medic team spread around several ponies on the ground, which wasn't recognizable anymore. There was more blood on the floor than I cared to see. Looking around, they all ignored me, some out of panic, some because they were too busy taking in what was going on.

“Can somepony tell me what in Luna's name is going on?” I finally shouted after several minutes.

Everypony turned around to me, even the doctors, and I could clearly see one of the ponies laying on the floor.

“Shield, NO!” I cried before rushing forward.

She was still breathing, and I quickly got down beside her, not caring about the blood at all.

“Shield! Shield!”

Slowly, Shield opened her eyes and looked at me. “Night... Good to see you...” she croaked.

“General, with all respect, she shouldn't speak anymore, she’s lost too much blood,” the doctor next to me sighed.

“I need somepony to tell me what happened!”

“Well, there is one that’s not too badly injured,” he replied and pointed at a familiar face with amber eyes.

“Midnight Flow, are you okay?” I asked her as I approached her.

She smiled sadly. “General. They really screwed us today.”

“Who?”

“The Day Guard,” Midnight coughed back, spraying a bit of blood around.

“What?!” I yelled.

“The equipment was spell-trapped. I don't know how or why, but as soon we were in here, it attacked us. I only got smashed down by a chestplate, but Shield got sliced by some hoofblades.”

“How can a unicorn even come in here? This is restricted area for our kind and our kind only!” I screeched before glaring at Black Wing who was standing behind me. “Get Luna.”

“But she is in an important meeting with an­-”

“I WASN'T ASKING! GET HER, NOW!”

Black squeaked and scrambled out of the door as fast as she could. Turning my gaze over the rest of the ponies, I quickly leaned in for a soft hug. “Go get some rest. We will talk later,” I said before moving back to the doctor. “How is it looking, Swift Aid?”

He grumbled before looking up. “I wish it would be better. Moon Shield is heavily injured, but I think she will make it. Midnight Flow just needs a few weeks of rest. Heavy Chest is out cold,” he pointed to a dark­-grey stallion near the wall. “Got some helmets over his head. Night Dust got a pretty bad cut in his chest, but we will have to see over the next days how it heals.” He stopped and looked down. “Two are dead.”

My eyes went wide. “What? Who?”

“Sunset Streak and Rain Cloud.”

“Sunset Streak?! What in Tartarus was she doing here?!” I yelled.

“I think I can answer that,” Midnight said almost silently.

“Did you bring her here?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” I simply asked.

“Because... Because—,” Midnight went silent as she broke down to a sobbing pile.

I laid down besides her and unfolded a wing to drape it over her back. “Hey, everything will be okay. You can tell me everything.”

“Nothing will be okay!” Midnight screamed through her sobs. “How can I continue without her?”

I perked up. “Were you two...?”

Midnight hung her head. “How can she be gone? I know she was much older, but I love her!”

“Midnight...”

“Why do they hate us? Why did they had to kill Streak? She wasn't even involved!”

“Midnight.”

“I will kill every single of them!” She growled.

“MIDNIGHT!” I screamed and she stopped, looking at me with wide eyes. “Shut up and listen. We have to investigate this, and that won't be done by you! Do you hear me? You won't do anything. Is that clear?”

“But...”

“Midnight! I'm telling you this now as your friend and not as your superior officer. Blind revenge won't bring her back! So come back to your senses and cry over her, but don't spit on her memory by risking everything now,” I gently said.

Midnight looked at me. “Have you ever thought about loosing Blue Moon?”

I sighed. “A thousand times in all the years we’ve been married.”

“What would you do in that case?”

“I would mourn, cry, shout, and destroy things, but I know that she wouldn’t want me to take on a path of revenge for her. She would want me to keep her in my memories as the mare she was and to go on.”

“Is it really that easy?”

“No, it's not,” I laughed almost silently. “It's the hardest thing in the world. But trust me, Midnight. If you keep her in your memory and heart as the wonderful mare she was, she will always remembered. And if you ever need somepony to talk to, please don't hesitate to come to Blue or me, alright?”

Midnight nodded and closed her eyes, two more silent tears stained her muzzle before she smiled sadly. “Do you remember the day Luna told us about our origin? I was so small and helpless...”

“I remember. You evolved into a mare from that day on. I'm proud of you. Did I ever tell you that?”

“No, you didn't,” Midnight replied. “Streak was the rock under my hooves. She built me up, showed me courage and... friendship. We spent much, much time together, but did it in secret so nopony would suspect anything. Then... two weeks ago, she asked me out on a date.” Midnight stopped and laughed. “I was so scared, but also happy. When we went to this restaurant, my heart fluttered and I nearly cried. She had a dress on and was so beautiful... In the end... I­,” Midnight stocked before smiling again. “I kissed her and it was the start of everything.

I squeezed her slightly with my wing. “She sounds like a wonderful mare.”

“She was,” Midnight croaked before stopping herself. “She still is. Why did that happen to her? Why not me?”

“Midnight, stop,” I cooed. “There is no use in wishing you were in her spot. We will find out why it happened and who is responsible for this,” I continued, feeling my gut twist in hate.

We will find out.

“General?”

I looked up to see one of the doctor's smile at me before pointing at two ponies with a stretcher on their backs.

“We have to get her to the medical wing now. You can visit her tomorrow.”

I nodded and gently squeezed Midnight one last time before letting go and standing up. “Please inform me about the condition of everypony as soon as possible.”

The doctor nodded and they pulled Midnight up on the stretcher and left, just to be replaced by a furious looking Luna.

“What happened?” she hollered as she approached me.

“We don't know yet,” I replied. “It seems our equipment was spell-trapped.”

“Spell-trapped? How is this possible? Access to this area is restricted.” Luna was still shouting.

“Don't ask me,” I snapped. “Try to think about a way to explain why a Royal Guard was killed in here without telling everypony that she was the marefriend of a Night Guard!”

“Pardon me?” Luna blinked.

“Sunset Streak is dead!” I cried, pointing to one of the bodies. “She was Midnight's marefriend, but that's not all. Rain Cloud is gone too.”

“This indeed makes the situation worse,” Luna replied, taking in the view. “So much blood. It's like we're in the Minotaur war again.”

“This is just the beginning. If this was an attack from the Royal Guard, we have to act.”

Luna nodded. “Indeed. Meet me in the throne room tomorrow morning. We will have to open my sister's eyes. Go and rest now. Have—No, that would be wrong to wish you a good night. Stay safe, Night,” Luna ended softly before attending the area.

I had no choice. She said it as a friend, but I knew it was an order to get some sleep.

While walking, I left a trail of bloody hoofprints, but I couldn't care less. Tomorrow, we would go to Celestia and demand a royal investigation of this incident.

“For weeks, Celestia protected her guard,” I muttered quietly on my way back to my chambers. “No more. This time, she has to act.”

This is the beginning of a war, I added softly, a lonely tear making its way down my muzzle.

And I failed.
> Standing Together (Blue Moon)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Two: Standing Together (Blue Moon’s POV)








I was still mad as the door slowly creaked open. It’d been around an hour since my wife came back, but something was wrong.

The first indication was, that she wasn't directly coming to me.

The second was that she broke down at the door, crying.

As fast as I could with my additional weight, I scrambled from the bed and to her, just to stop a few inches in front of her in shock. Her hooves were soaked in blood. Some of it had already dried, but there was still enough to leave stains on the ground.

“Night! Are you hurt?” I asked her, worry edging into my voice.

She shook her head and sniffed, trying to hold in the tears but couldn't. It broke my heart to see my general, my lovely wife that broken. Ignoring the blood, I closed the distance and cuddled up to her, cooing softly into her ear.

“I failed,” she croaked.

“What?”

“I failed,” she repeated. “We’re at war.”

“War? What are you talking about?” I asked her confused.

“There was an act of sabotage. The equipment in the armory was enchanted and attacked everypony,” Night sobbed.

My eyes went wide as I held tightly on her. “Was anypony hurt?” Night just nodded and tried everything so she wouldn't have to look into my eyes. “Shield?” I just asked and she nodded again. “But she's alive?” Another nod. “Who else?”

“Midnight Flow, Heavy Chest and Night Dust, but,­” Night stopped and her cries intensified again. Louder than I ever heard them before.

“Honey, talk to me!” I begged her.

“Sunset Streak and Rain Cloud are dead,” Night managed to bring out between her sobs.

My brain needed a few minutes to process the information registering the part that made no sense. “Sunset Streak? What was a Royal Guard doing in our Armory?”

“She was Midnight's marefriend.”

“Oh shit,” was all I could think to say. “How is she?”

Night sighed as her sobs slowly ebbed down. “Broken. Hopeless. Everything she has every right to be, but I'm also concerned. She wants revenge over everything else, I was able to talk her down, for now, but… I see it. I see the look, the pain, and the rage. It’s… it’s going to be bad.”

“We can look after her tomorrow. For now we should get you cleaned and into bed,” I said calmly and offered her a hoof to help her up.

“I have a bad feeling about everything,” Night said before grabbing my hoof and getting up. She’s always been a small pony, but right now… she feels so light in my grasp. It always amazed me how a pony that weighs nothing could carry such a huge weight upon her shoulders.

“Sorry for ruining the ground...”

“The floor is the least of my concerns!” I snapped, but I also felt a pang of guilt for when Luna discovered what happened to her floor.

“Blue...”

“Bathroom.”

“Blue.”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

My heart was badly pained at those words, because I knew how scared she must be. “I love you too. And don't worry, I don't have any intention of leaving you. Ever,” I said softly.

I slowly guided her to the bathroom and into the tub. Without thinking, I climbed in behind her and started the water before grabbing a small brush to get all the blood out of her coat and from her hooves. She stayed still during the whole process, not making a sound.

As I finished and came up, she suddenly took me in a hard kiss, pressing her lips to mine as if she would drown without me. Her wings gently held me where I was all the while. I didn't complain and leaned into the kiss, trying to give her everything she needed, to be there for her.

“Everything came back up,” she whispered as we broke.

“Night, we talked about it,” I replied, gently nuzzling her. “I won’t leave you.”

“If this was the Royal Guard, we aren’t safe anymore.”

“I don’t think it was the regular Royal Guard.”

“Why's that?” she asked me.

I sighed. “Why would they start this now and not months ago? This just doesn’t makes any sense.” I snorted and glared. “No, I’m pretty sure that this was somepony we know very well.”

“Grey Plate?”

“Stop reading my mind,” I scolded her playfully before growing serious again. “Who else? The Royal Guard wouldn’t do anything under Celestia’s watch. I’m pretty sure that this was the act of an outsider.”

“And here I am supposed to be the general, yet my wife has the more intuitive mind,” Night replied. “Do you really think it was him?”

I had to admit that it was only a part of my mind that believed in this, but it made too much sense. “He was stripped of his rank thanks to us. He’s got every reason to do it.”

Her wings played over my back, the water playing its soft rhythm on our skin. “And what can we do with Midnight?”

“We should talk to her tomorrow, first thing.”

“Well, Luna and I are going to meet Celestia in the morning, so that will have to wait,” Night interjected before looking pleadingly at me. “Would you accompany me?”

“I don’t know if I should—”

“Oh come on, as if any of them would complain,” Night snorted. “Besides, they—”

Before she could go on, I closed the gap between us again and pressed my lips to hers, effectively shutting her up. Her wings continued over my back until they found my flanks, gently squeezing them.

Night breathed heavily and tried everything but to look at me as we broke. “I don’t know if I’m in the mood for this anymore.”

“I never asked you to,” I replied gently. “Let’s just go and snuggle to sleep and worry tomorrow.”

She nodded and I stopped the water before grabbing two towels. I slowly dried myself, but was more than hindered in my efforts due to my swollen belly. Before I could complain, Night had finished drying her own coat and snatched my towel away, drying the spots I couldn’t reach so easily anymore.

“You’re so easy to tease,” she snickered as she finished and slapped me softly on the flank with the towel.

Nose held high, I swished my tail at her before going back to the bedroom and climbing onto our bed, turning to my side. Seconds passed and nothing happened, so I lifted my head and looked back to see Night standing a few hooves away from me, smiling. 

“What are you waiting for?” I asked.

“Nothing, just looking at you,” she chuckled. “Sometimes I still don’t believe that you’re mine.”

I chuckled as well and patted the mattress to my side. “Forever and always. Now come or I’ll get cold.”

There were many things I had to tell Night Watch twice. ‘Come to bed’ wasn’t one of those. In just a moment she rounded the bed and climbed on the other side, laying down next to me, nearly immediately wrapping me in a soft and warm hug.

“I don’t know what I would do without you at my side,” she said softly.

“Neither do I,” I replied, nuzzling into her neck. “I love you.”

There was no reply and I had no idea if she had heard me. Looking, I smiled as I found her already asleep, with a beautiful smile on her muzzle. Gently brushing her mane out of her face, I planted a soft kiss on her nose before snuggling back in. “Goodnight, my love.”



***



“Noooo!“

My eyes shot open and I jumped slightly upon the cry, before calming down and looking what had happened. At my side, Night Watch clamped her fangs and hooves tightly into her cushion, tears flowing freely from her eyes.

“Night,“ I said, nudging her slightly.

“No! Don't leave me!“ she cried back. ”Please, I need you! I'm nothing without you!“

“NIGHT!” I yelled, shaking her harshly. “You're dreaming, wake up!”

Night stopped trembling and opened her eyes, still blurred with unscathed tears. “You're here!” she said and quickly embraced me, her whole body shaking. “Oh thank Luna, you're here, you're not gone!”

“Why would I ever leave you?” I asked her softly, gently holding her.

“I… It… I had two dreams. In the first—” Night choked and pressed herself firmly against me. “You died in my hooves,” she sobbed before sniffing. “And in the other you left me because I'm clumsy, ugly and useless.”

“You may be clumsy, my love, but that's just you being you. All the other things are outright lies,” I whispered, gently nuzzling her. “You are my strong, smart, and beautiful wife.”

“I don't want you to go,” she said, her voice still shaken.

“Night, I won't. Never. No matter what happens,” I said before sighing. “I thought your nightmares stopped years ago when we talked about this. Is it about Midnight Flow and Sunset Streak?” I felt her nod and a few tears dropping onto my shoulder. “What are you so scared about?”

It took her a few moments to answer, but when she did, I understood her loud and clear. “That something unexpected happens. That we are happy and from one day to another, you are not there anymore. Or the other way around.” she stopped and sighed. “I’m worried we've bitten off more than we can chew.”

I broke the embrace and looked into her eyes, gently wiping a few tears from her muzzle with my wing. “We can do this. Together, just like we did everything else. Let's be strong and have a wonderful future together, Night. Let's be strong for our daughter, so she can have a good place in this world.”

My last few words seemed to have broken through, because she looked down at my belly and a smile appeared on her muzzle. However, her next move was unpredictable, even to me. She lowered herself and pressed her muzzle against my stomach, nuzzling it.

“I can't wait to meet you, Night Moon,” she whispered and I had to chuckle.

“My wife is such a softy.”

“Only with you,” she said as she came back up and blew me a raspberry, something she should remember the consequences of.

Before Night could retract her tongue, I darted forward and bit it, refusing to let go. My fangs pierced her tongue and I sucked greedily, while Night seemed to curse silently.

“Ow, ow, ow, BLUE! Noth my thongue!” she complained, and after a few good seconds, I let go. “Alright, you love my raspberries, I know,” she pouted.

I winked, “Well, they give me a quick meal.”

“You know you could just ask.”

“That wouldn't be any fun.”

“You really know how to make me feel better,” she snorted and glared at me.

I held her gaze, and it took us exactly four seconds before we both collapsed in laughter.

“You know what Luna would tell us now,” she snickered.

“Yes,” I grinned back. “That even after all those years, we are still acting like cute fillies fresh in love.”

She sighed and leaned against me. “I hope it will be always like that.”

“We can't predict the future, but I will do everything I can for it,” I whispered gently, enjoying the contact more than I could ever describe.

“What would I be without you?”

“We wouldn't be anything without each other,” I replied. “Without you, I wouldn't have the life I have now. And with that fact, if I had known it years ago and never met you, I'm sure I would've regretted it dearly.”

We stayed like that for a while before she sighed. “How late is it?”

I took a glance out of the window and frowned. “Your timing was marvelous, Luna is lowering the moon. If we want to meet her before going to Celestia, we should hurry up.”

“Damn, and I like our morning shower fun!”

“Then it's evening shower fun today,” I chuckled before giving her a light slap with my wing. “Up! We’ve got work to do.”

She groaned and stayed where she was, but quickly scrambled to her hooves as my fangs suddenly pointed at a very soft region of her coat. “Alright, alright. You still joining me in the shower?” she asked, giving me her best puppy eyes.

“Fine,” I grumbled. “But you better keep your wings where they are.”

Night just laughed as I chased her into the bathroom and into the shower. She quickly turned the water on and pulled me in. Sighing, I allowed myself to relax against her, feeling the water wander over my coat.

Sometimes, time can go to Tartarus



***



Night was incredibly nervous as we waited in front of Luna's chambers. She worried that we were too late, that our snuggling session in the shower was at the wrong time.

“Night, calm down. She's getting ready, you heard what Strawberry Ice said,” I scolded her as her fidgeting became annoying again.

“Do you really think it was necessary to put our uniforms on?”

“Yes, because today you're not talking to her as her friend, you talk to her about an inter-military matter that could easily get out of hoof. As the General of Equestria.” I replied. “Now stop—”

I was interrupted by the door opening and Luna coming out. She wore her formal dress in midnight-blue, only a few shades darker than her coat, the trims black and silver. But that wasn't all. Over it, she wore parts of armor, melting perfectly with the dress. One thing was clear: She looked beautiful, but also highly dangerous.

“It's a pity you two never allowed me to treat you to a night after your wedding, if I’m reading your gazes right,” Luna chuckled softly.

Opening her muzzle, Night was about to say something and I knew it was either incredibly  stupid or incredibly brave. Knowing her, probably both, but I quickly kicked against her right hind leg, causing her to flinch and shut her muzzle again.

The only one allowed to play with you at night is me. Princess or not.

It seemed like Night had gotten the message, because she shook her head before smiling sadly at Luna. “Do you really think she will listen to us? After all, the hatred the Royal Guard has for us are just rumors to her.”

“She will listen,” Luna replied clearly. “‘Tis something we won't ignore this time!” Then, a bit quieter, she added. “I feel the pain Midnight Flow feels. I know every aspect of it. Worry not, my friends, for I have plans for this young Night Guard so her life might bloom again under my moon.”

Hearing what Luna said settled at least one pain for me, and I was sure that Night felt the same. We both nodded and Luna took the lead as we made our way to the dinner hall where Celestia and Luna would usually enjoy breakfast before Celestia attended her duties and Luna went to bed. Seeing the Princess of the Night stepping forward furiously, I had no doubt Luna would remain sleepless until this matter was resolved.

“I cannot describe what I feel,” Luna suddenly spoke up. “All of you are my friends. Some more than others. A few of you are even my family, as such was Rain Cloud. Some of you know that he was my personal Guard for over thirteen years.”

“Thirteen years,” Night mumbled before her ears folded down. “Luna, there is something we have to talk about later, in private.”

“Very well,” Luna replied. “You wish it to be between us or shall Blue Moon accompany us?”

“She's coming with us of course,” Night said, and I knew she was a bit annoyed that Luna even suggested she had to talk about something without me needing to hear it.

Luna giggled. “I never doubted it, General. Now I hope you two are ready. This won’t be an easy talk,” she added as they arrived at the doors to the dining hall, flanked by two Royal Guards.

Looking at Night, I offered her a hoof she quickly squeezed before facing the door again.

We all knew this wouldn’t be easy. But I was determined to stand this with Night. It was the least I could do.

The rest of the walk was silent after that. I looked around at my two companions, Luna had her battle face on. I could see the determination and fierceness in her eyes. In a way it scared me, it was the same look that she’d wear when she went to war, and having fought by her side more than once, I pity anypony or anything for that matter that incurred her wrath. 

However the real danger wasn’t her, it was the pony that walked to my side. I looked over at the face of my wife, my general, Night Watch. She came up to my neck when she stood up, next to Princess Luna she was but a foal; however, at that moment, if I had to face one of the two in battle, I’d pick Princess Luna. 

Gone was the playful bumbling mare. The one that tripped when walking down the aisle on our wedding day. It was replaced by something far-far more dangerous. The look on her face. I’ve seen it many many times over my life. It’s spelled the doom of countless armies. 

Night Watch was planning, she was considering, thinking. When my eyes looked at her it was like I could see inside her head. I could see her playing through a million different scenarios of how this could go, of what she could do with the assets at hoof. 

A cold shiver went down my spine as I, for just a second, pictured what that had to mean. What she was really planning in the absolute worst-case scenario. For in that second, in that split second, I saw her overthrowing Celestia herself. 

I bumped her with my flank. Breaking her out of her concentration and almost causing her to fall over. “Blue, what the heck?” She asked playfully. 

“Relax,” I replied back with a kind smile, one that was returned after a moment. She smiled back and started walking coat to coat with me. 

“Thank you, for being by my side I mean. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” 

“Go into a blind rage and overthrow Equestria?” I asked playfully.

Night laughed. “Probably.” I don’t know if she did it on purpose or on reflex, but at that moment her hoofblades clicked together. They were an intricate part of her uniform, but that didn’t make them any less dangerous. I’ve personally seen what she can do with them. Her speed and size made them a deadly weapon on their own; although, they were nothing more than a foal’s toy when compared to her intellect and natural ability to command armies. I paused and looked at her. The moment she realized I’d stopped she turned around and said, “I’m joking.”

After a second I caught back up to her. She nuzzled me and we kept walking with Luna. 

I hate it when you lie to me, I thought. We both know that wasn’t a joke.

With a wave of her horn, Luna threw open the doors to the chamber and we walked in, heads held high. I knew we had to strike quite the imposing figure between the three of us. Luna, in her regalia covered with armor, Night with her uniform on, and then there was me. In a way I felt like the odd-pony out. My armor was still in my chambers and I had merely my dress uniform on, mainly because it would not have fit me anyway, not with this huge foal-bump anyway. But the attention was on the other two anyway. 

Celestia sat on the throne with her advisors flanking her. They quickly looked up at us and I could see the fear in their eyes. They were used to Luna, but Night and I were a different story. We were Equestria’s ‘dark secret’ after all, its warriors. They all knew of us, but it wasn’t something talked about.

It also didn’t help that the rumors of my wife persuaded her already fearsome reputation. Based on some of what I’ve overheard she won the last three wars all by herself and with a hoof and wing tied behind her back. The Equestrian Devil, they’d call her. 

When I had told her that she just laughed. We all knew it was BS, but she said there was some value in such a reputation. And based on the last war with the Griffins, one that ended as soon as we showed up and with zero bloodshed, I suppose that’s true.

“Umph.”

On reflex alone, without missing a step, I helped Night get back to her hoofs. I had to bite my tongue to keep from smiling, I knew she hated being a clutz, but I loved her for it. Thinking back to it, I think it was due to that very fact that I first took interest in her. There was something about seeing this small, foal-sized mare tripping over her own hooves that just made me smile. Since then I’ve only fallen that much more in love with her the more I got to know her. But that was the initial thing that caught my eye. 

Nopony said anything about it. We were all used to it, it’s just who she is after all.  

“Sister!” Luna shouted when we closed the distance. 

Night and I sat back on our flanks and looked up at Celestia as her sister laid into her. I watched as she and Luna had a rather… spirited debate, but even seeing the two alicorns argue, I couldn’t help but glance over to Night every now and again. She looked out of place, well, for that matter so did I. I mused over the situation. Instinctively I knew that this was between those three. Luna, Celestia, and Night. If I had to qualify myself here, I was the muscle. 

That thought almost made me laugh, muscle, yeah right. I then kicked myself internally. I’m moral support.

I did smile at that. That was something I could be, something I wanted to be. That thought made me realize exactly how much I meant to Night and I couldn’t help but sit slightly taller. 

Everything for her.
	
> On our own (Night Watch)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Three: On our own (Night Watch’s POV)






“Sister, did you not hear anything last night?” Luna asked.

“My guards informed me that the medical wing had a new visitor last night, but they said you would take care of it,” Celestia replied. “I trust you, so I let it be.”

“A new visitor?” I snorted. “It was a bloodbath!”

Luna raised a hoof and glared at me before turning back to Celestia. “Sister, two ponies are dead, several have been injured.”

“What happened?”

I shrunk back. In just a second, Celestia's behavior changed from the calm and polite ruler she was to one of outright anger and authority.

“There was an attack in the armoury on my guards. It seems the weapons were spelltrapped and attacked everypony within reach,” Luna replied and I was sure she studied every single expression of her sister.

Celestia stayed silent for a second before talking again. “I'm very sorry, Luna. I know they are not only your guards, but also your friends. If I might ask, who died?”

Luna turned around and I was shocked. A lonely tear made it's way down her muzzle and she nodded to me, allowing me to speak up.

“That's why we are here today,” I said. “Night Dust died, but that's not all. Sunset Streak was also killed in this attack.”

“I—I don't understand,” Celestia replied slowly. “What was one of my guards doing in your armoury?”

“This is a bit more of a problem—” I started, but Blue interrupted me.

“No, it's not. Celestia. Sunset Streak was the marefriend of Midnight Flow. They were trying to spend time together, that's why she was in our area.”

“This is unusual.”

“Why should it be?” Luna suddenly snapped. “Because she was one of mine and not worthy of your Royal Guard?”

Celestia's expression hardened. “That's not what I meant and you know it.”

“Then tell me what you are going to do about this! Two guards are dead, killed by an attack that shouldn't have been possible from ponies they are meant to work with!” Luna continued.

“I know what you are implying and I do not agree.”

“It's the only possibility!” I cut in. “Maybe Grey Plate or his friend are on a quest for revenge!”

“We can't know that for sure,” was the only thing Celestia said before looking out of the window.

I couldn't hold back anymore. “Are you bucking kidding me? Moon Shield and Midnight Flow are injured, among with many others. Night Dust and Sunset Streak are dead!” I stopped and tried to calm down. “We—and that also means you—have to do something, or it will end badly.”

“What do you mean?” Celestia's gaze fixed me.

“I mean, that if word gets out and we don't act quickly, there will be war.” I paused and sighed. “And it will be the worst kind of war. Do you really want bat ponies and normal ponies at each other's throats?”

Celestia's eyes narrowed. “I'm not interested in any internal war... because I know what would happen.”

“You are still afraid that we overpower all your normal ponies. While that might be true, we're not interested in this. What we want is the truth,” Blue Moon calmly spoke up. “If you cannot serve the truth, there will be revenge, and the ground our hooves tread upon will forever be stained red.”

“I say it again, I doubt that it was Grey Plate.”

“Why?” I just asked.

“Because he is assumed dead,” Celestia sighed. “About four weeks ago, we received news from Manehattan where he apparently fled to after losing everything. They found a body, burned too much to properly identify. But from what we gathered, it has to be Grey Plate.”

“Are you sure, Sister?” Luna asked my question. “We cannot afford any errors in this matter.”

“I'm not sure because I only received the words, but I trust the council of Manehattan.”

“Since when do you trust the nobles?” Luna coughed.

“I trust them,” Celestia said again. “Is there anything else?”

“You can't simply—” I started to shout, but Luna shook her head before motioning to leave.

“No, Sister. Have a nice day.”



***



“Is she bucking serious?” I asked as the door closed behind us, sealing us away from any prying ears outside Luna's bedchamber.

Luna hesitated before answering. “I have to admit, I expected something else entirely. It seems we will have to take care of it by ourselves.”

“I don't want to be a stick in the mud, but how? How can we even assure the ponies nothing bad happened if Celestia isn't helping us in this matter,” Blue said before snorting. “And I really doubt that Grey Plate is dead. The burned body has got to be somepony else.”

“But we can't prove it,” I cut in. “What is more of a concern if you ask me, is that Celestia seems careless about this.”

“I agree,” Luna nodded. “But this is my sister we are talking about. I doubt she would've stayed that calm if she did not have a plan. The problem is that we cannot wait. We have to keep the armoury closed and bring in somepony who's talent is in magic. In fact, I already have one in mind.”

“Who?” Blue and I asked simultaneously.

“Twilight Sparkle.”

“I don't know,” I started slowly, just to be interrupted by Blue.

“Still having that memory?” she teased.

“How can I not?”



***




Several years earlier


“Captain!”

I spun around just to see the newly crowned princess smile at me.

“Princess,” I bowed my head. “I hope you’re enjoying yourself.”

“It still feels unreal. I mean, how often do you get crowned as Equestria's newest princess?” Twilight giggled.

“Well, I guess as often as somepony suddenly gets wings,” I grinned and she shrunk a bit back. “Sorry.”

“Not a problem. It is still a bit scary to see you smile at me with those fangs on display,” she replied.

“Still trying to get used to us? Despite the stories going around, we're not mindless, blood-loving creatures.” Except the last part, I added silently with a grin.

Twilight mustered me before sighing. “You're still different. Especially your wings. Mine are alien to me, but yours are really interesting. I wonder if flying with them feels the same.”

I shrugged. “I’ve got nothing to compare it to, flying’s flying.”

“Can I touch them?”

“What?!” I just asked, flabbergasted.

“Is it okay if I touch them?”

“I don't know..:”

“Please?”

I sighed before unfolding my wings. “Alright. Just be careful”

Twilight went to my side and inspected every part of my wing with a fascination I could only describe as one from a foal. It was kind of cute, but also a bit embarrassing how she took every detail in. It took her a few minutes before she raised a hoof and gently touched my wing.

“This is so fascinating!” she squealed. “As if I'm touching warm, but thin skin.”

She moved further, and I had to say it was nice. As I was about to warn her to not go further, I hissed and my wings stiffened. She had gently trailed her hoof over my wing muscles and to the joint at my back. Zones I wasn't really comfortable with touching, since they had more than a pleasant effect.

“Oh, did I hurt you?”

“Twilight, stop it.”

“But why?”

“I'm not going to tell you.”

Twilight watched me for a few seconds until she added two and two together. Her gaze wandered over my stiff wings, then to the slight pinkish hue on my cheeks. “Oh, oh Celestia, I'm sorry!” she squeaked. “I better go!”

I didn't even had time to tell her to calm down. She just ran away from me.



***



“So you are scared that she will remember?” Luna giggled.

I snorted. “I thought you alicorns hardly forget anything, so excuse me if I don't want to take the risk. It was embarrassing enough.”

“She just wanted to learn something,” Blue interjected.

“Hey! Whose side are you on?” I asked her, pouting.

Blue laughed and gave me a small peck on the muzzle. “If she still remembers, I'm here to protect you.” she paused as I shot a glare at her before continuing. “And if she doesn’t, all is well, right? You're mine anyways.”

I grinned smugly. “Something, it seems, I have to remember you tonight again.”

Blue grinned back and suddenly, there was a wing on both our backs. “Might we join in?” Luna asked, showing her teeth.

“What?! No!” Blue said while my answer was something between “Hell yeah!” and “OWW BLUE!” as my wife kicked me strongly.

“You know she's mine, and mine alone,” Blue scowled before I could hold her back.

“Such a shame,” Luna sighed. “You two are adorable and quite hot. Seems like I’ll have to find another guard for tonight.”

“I think Midnight needs a bit more time before doing something like that,” I replied, already knowing what was in her mind.

“But the fun could've been doubled!” Luna stammered, which we just answered with unamused glares. “Bad joke?”

“Midnight Flow needs somepony to talk to, Luna. Not somepony to buck with,” Blue said sternly.

“I never said that I would take her to bed. I just said I would take a guard for tonight.”

“What's the difference?” I asked.

“There are… many?” Luna answered weakly, adding a small smile that was anything but helpful. 

“Luna, you dog,” Blue said with a smile. At that all three of us laughed a little. Luna’s proclivities were a horribly kept secret in our ranks. We were sure that others knew, but they either turned a blind eye to it, or they achieved a form of cognitive dissonance that I can’t immagine. 

I was the one that stopped laughing first. My expression turned sour, ruining the mood. 

“Night Watch, what’s wrong?” Luna asked. 

“This isn’t right. I mean… they died, and it seems like Celestia…”

“As was said, my sister wouldn’t be that calm if she didn’t have a plan. And I know that Princess Twilight will be more than willing to help.”

I looked up. “Still…”

“I know, I won’t let this be. You have my word as both your princess and your friend.”

“My princess? Don’t I technically outrank you?” I asked, and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t keep the smile off my muzzle.

“Only during times of war, General.”

“Night, are you trying to put that big beautiful brain to work on this?” Blue asked.

“What? No…”

“Yeah, you may be good at sucking, but not so much at lying.”

“So thou are saying she sucks at lying?” Luna asked.

“You two are the worst,” I replied.

“Why’s that?” Blue asked with a small grin.

I scowled before smiling. “Because I’m going to show you later how good I suck.”

Blue looked at me with those bedroom-eyes I loved so much and I lost myself in them until Luna coughed.

“I suggest you leave that in your bedroom, or I won’t ask you two to join me anymore… politely that is.”

Somehow, I managed to tear myself away from Blue to look at Luna. “This is serious though. Word will spread quickly, and my soldiers will demand action.”

“Our soldiers,” Luna corrected, “And I’m well aware, General Night Watch. Trust me, I will not let this rest without the culprit being brought to justice. In the meanwhile Twilight Sparkle shall ensure that nothing else is trapped, and implement safeguards to ensure that this never happens again.”

“She… she can do that?” Blue asked.

“She is… how do we put this? Quite skilled when it comes to the magical arts. In a thousand years neither me nor my sister have meet anyone quite like her. I’m sure with her help we can spell-proof the armor and weapons.”

“How come we didn’t do that earlier?” I asked. “Somepony like that would’ve been a great asset on the field.”

“She is not an asset for your use, general. She is a princess. One with a kind heart that has never known the true horrors of the sort of wars we fight.”

I shrugged. “Whatever. I’m still not comfortable with this. We have to do something, or we’ll have the whole army on the edge of revenge.”

“I am aware of this. You have my word.”

“Good, I—wahhh!” I shouted, cut off when Blue stuck her muzzle between my legs and lifted me up to slide down her back. “Blue, what the hay!”

“There’s nothing more we can do about it now,” she said.

“Then what are you doing?!”

“Taking my wife home. After all, she owes me a good night, plus all the things she promised me earlier but I never received,” she snorted as answer.

“But, but, but, but, but…”

“I think she’s only interested in one but, general,” Luna said with a laugh.

“Not you too!” I groaned, but was only followed by Luna’s laughter as Blue carried me away.

“You know this is totally unfair, right?” I asked, completely put off, but somewhat enjoying it all the same as she trotted down the hallway.

“Everything’s fair in love and war,” Blue sung cheerfully.

“But what about the foal?”

“You don’t weigh that much,” she said, laughing.

“Blue!” 

“Hush, she’ll be fine. Right now I just want to get you home.”

I huffed at that, but said nothing more. Several ponies saw us leaving the castle. But only the nobles had the nerve to remark upon it. And that was just with upturned noses or looks of incongruity. The guards and soldiers we passed wouldn’t dare. 

I had saved their lives too many times for them to say anything.

“Blue, this is not the way to our bedroom,” I said after a while. “Where in Luna’s name are you taking me?”

“Somewhere special.”

“Blue, I’m serious! Where are we going?”

“Maybe I managed to empty the royal baths just for us two?” she replied innocently. 

“You WHAT?!”

“You sound disappointed.” 

“I… I…” I paused. My gaze met her’s and, as much as I hate to say it, there was a ‘put-off’ look on her face. “Surprised is all, thank you.”

She smiled at me. And I couldn’t help but kick myself. We’d been married for some time now, and it was easy to forget sometimes just how much I loved her, just how much I loved that smile. I had spent too long worrying about everything around me, and forgot about the most important thing I had, the thing that truly mattered: I had a loving wife that was carrying my foal. 

As she spread her wings to fly us over to the bathhouse, I sunk my fangs lightly into her right ear. 

She tensed up for just a second, and then relaxed. I could feel her cooing ever so slightly at my actions.

“No you don’t,” I whispered softly. “The doctors said no work, that also means no flying with big load like me!”

“But you are small,” she cooed back, upon which I bite again; this time a bit harder. “Alright, alright, we’re walking.” she quickly added.

Her wings folded back and she continued her trot. More than once I tried to unmount her, but she quickly unfolded her wings and held me up. It was a bit embarrassing, but I knew she meant only the best for me.

“You know you could let me down,” I sighed.

“No.”

“Pretty please?”

“Nope.”

“Blue.”

“Night.”

“You really need it bad, don’t you?” I asked, giggling slightly.

She huffed, but turned her head to glare at me. “It wasn’t your fault, but you left me hot and bothered, not to mention so wet that I soaked the Luna damn sheets and now you are going to make up for it!”

“How?”

“You better have no appointments scheduled tomorrow.”

Oh dear.
	
> Past and Future (Midnight Flow)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Four: Past and Future (Midnight Flow POV)






“Midnight! Are you coming or what?” Sunset Streak called out to me.

“I’m not that fast!” I complained.

“Well, filly, if you want the stallions to stop looking down at you, you have to work on your speed as well.”

“I still don’t know how I’m supposed to do this in addition to all the trainings and meetings they’re making me attend.”

“Sounds like a ‘you’ problem, not a ‘me’ problem,” Streak said, laughing. “But you’ll figure it out,” she finished before descending next to me and ruffling my mane. “You’re a smart one, and interesting. Otherwise I would’ve never agreed to help you so much.”

I huffed. “Yet you can’t stop treating me like a filly!”

Her grin told me everything. “Well, then you should start training harder. Let’s say,” she stopped and hummed before her grin grew even brightener. “I know! Get through the course in under one minute by the end of the week and you’ll get a special gift from me.”

“A gift?”

“Yes. But only If you make it under one minute.”

I looked up, pondering if it was even possible. The Royal Sky Parkour was one of the most difficult available, with only a hoof full of ponies known to do it perfectly. Yet, the proposition of a gift from Sunset Streak irked me somehow. The unknowns of what a pony like that might give too big of a mystery to pass up. “Alright, deal. But you better come up with a real nice gift, ya hear me?”

“Deal! Now let's see what you’ve got in you.“ Streak smiled at me before raising her hoof with the stopwatch. “You ready?”

I grinned. “Born ready.” 

“Well. Three, two, one, GO!”

I blinked before speeding off. I had never expected her to so quickly pull it off, but she was closing on my flank, fast. As quickly as I could, I made my way through the parkour, avoiding obstacles and trying to get the perfect angles through the small goals that marked the course.

It felt like hours would pass by, but every obstacle in my way that I cleared made me feel better, and that in turn made me speed up. Soon it was over and I heard some quick whistles.

“A-a-a-and done! Not bad, filly, not bad,” Streak shouted and waved me down. “I expected less from you.”

I glared at her, “What was the time?”

“One minute...”

Oh yes!

“And fifty-eight seconds!”

WHAT?!

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yep. You're pretty fast, but got a long way to go before you can hold up with the big guns like Night Watch or Moon Shield.”

“Geeze, thanks,” I replied sourly. “Why not add some salt into my wound?”

“Can I?”

“You dare and you’ll limp home with half your blood left,” I growled.

Streak just grinned at me. “Mhh, the filly gets kinky. I know what they say about your kind and blood. Plus there are rumors about Night Watch and Blue Moon. Seems like they can get pretty bad.”

“W-What?”

“Don't tell me you're innocent?” Streak asked, giggling. “Oh Celestia, you are innocent. Little virgin, huh?”

“Shut up!” was the only thing I could think of as a response, something that turned her giggling into full laughter.

“I seriously expected something else,” Streak said after she calmed down.

“Why's that?” I asked, glaring at her.

Her cheeks reddened before she coughed, “Well, look at you! Those legs, this body with your armour on, your mane and tail, not to mention your eyes.”

I looked down, raising a foreleg to inspect it. “What’s wrong with them?”

She huffed, “It's as I said.”

“But you didn't say anything!” I growled.

“Well, if you can't see it I won't tell you,” Streak snorted. “Anyways, where were we? Ah, yes. As I said earlier, you will train with me from now on in your spare time. I know it won't be easy, but you have to get stronger. Blue Moon won't be always there to save your flank.”

“I know that.”

“Good. Be ready.”

“For what?” I asked, but Sunset Streak answered that question by pulling her blade and attacking me.

I barely had a second to raise my armored hoofshoe and direct the blade away from my chest. It struck the ground barely an inch next to my right forehoof.

“Are you bucking crazy?” I cried, but Streak went for another swing. This time, she hit home. 

It felt hot and cold at the same time. Looking down at my left leg, I noticed a big cut going from my fetlock a few inches up. I was still able to stand, but it hurt like tartarus.

“Streak, stop it.”

She didn't stop and attacked again. I had no choice but to draw my hoofblades. They were a gift from Blue Moon and Night Watch and the metal was a warm lavender, matching perfectly with my coat.

“Concentrate! The enemy won't stop because you ask him to,” Streak yelled as her blade smashed against my hoofblades. “Now defend yourself by all means! I'm your enemy!”

Sunset Streak gave me no choice but to strike back. I tried to push her backwards, to cause her to struggle, but she parried  every hit with my hoofblades easily. It was like she was playing with me.

“You have to try harder!” She laughed and swung sideways, this time hitting my right hind leg.

This time I collapsed to the ground, the support from my right hooves to support the hurt left one gone. The next I felt was Streak's blade against my throat.

“Gotcha!”

My vision blurred and the last thing I saw, was Streak's worried glance as she looked down at me.

“Okay, maybe I overdid it...”



***



“Sunset Streak! You can't just slice her up, especially not when you’re training!”

“Hey, I just wanted to help her become stronger, nothing more!”

“Yeah and what did she get from that? A bucking trip to the hospital!”

Those voices wouldn't let me sleep. They yelled louder and louder, keeping me from falling back into my sweet dreams. Slowly opening my eyes, I noticed Night Watch and Sunset Streak in front of me, still yelling. Looking around, there were white, sterile walls, next to me a nightstand and I was in a hospital bed.

Great, just great.

“She's awake,” another voice said from the left and I turned my head to see Blue Moon sitting at the window. She smiled at me. “Good morning, sleepyhead.” 

“How long was I out?”

“A day and a night. It's already morning,” Night answered, shooting a glare to Streak.

“It's not her fault,” I croaked.

“What?! She sliced you up!” Night argued back.

“I asked her to train me as hard as she could.”

“Really?” Night asked and I knew she didn't believe me a single word.

“Yes, really,” I replied, smiling weakly.

Night growled. “Still, you’re my soldier under my command. I don’t mind you pushing yourself, but going overboard will not cut it.” She looked up at Streak. The ‘little general’ as she was sometimes known by ponies that did not truly know her, those foolish enough to underestimate her. Streak might have been a head and shoulders taller than Night Watch, but at that moment she looked as big as a newborn foal when compared to the presence of our general. “Effective immediately, any such training must be supervised by myself or a pony I designate. Is that clear, Streak?”

I saw Streak gulp, “Yes ma’am.”

“Well, in that case we better let you rest,” Blue cut in somehow defusing the situation by simply attracting her wife’s attention. She motioned for her wife and Sunset Streak to follow her. “If you need anything, we'll be nearby.”

I watched as Streak folded her ears and followed them until I stopped her. “Streak, please stay here.”

Night Watch glared at Sunset Streak, but said nothing and followed Blue Moon out of the room, closing the door.

It was followed by silence, awkward silence for several minutes before Sunset Streak spoke up. “You lied for me.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re my friend!”

“Friends don't slice each other open.”

“Shut up,” I scowled at her.

“It’s just the truth,” Streak replied. “I should've stopped, but as always, I was too stubborn and dumb.”

“We can't change it now,” I said softly. “How long do I have to stay here anyways?”

“Four days. Night said you could be out tomorrow if you had somepony to care for you. What did she mean by that?” Streak asked.

“Oh.” I blushed. Furiously. “Well, she means if I had a lover to speed up my healing.”

“I don't get it.”

“Remember what you said about Night Watch and Blue Moon?” I asked.

“What do you... Oh... OH!”

“Exactly.”

Sunset Streak blushed, her cheeks nearly as red as mine as silence stretched over for several moments. As she spoke again, I never expected something like what followed.

“I could help.”

“What?!”

“I could help you with that.”

My blush intensified as I shook my head. “No, Streak. This is... how do I explain it? Between us bat ponies, this act is highly sexual and loving.”

Her ears folded back. “I understand.”

Why would she want to do it? She looks... unhappy.

“Why do you want to help me?”

“Because you are my friend,” Streak replied, not looking into my eyes.

“You would even do it after knowing what it means?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” I just asked.

“Because I care about you.”

This was the last thing I had expected. Something I had no idea about. That left me with two choices. Turn her away and risk losing a friend, or allow her to help me. Did I even care enough about her?

“Come here,” I finally said and crawled to the side so she could climb into the bed to me.

She just looked flabbergasted at me before it seemed her head had caught up and allowed her to move. Still, she stopped next to the bed, looking uncertain.

“Get in here before I rethink my decision,” was all I had to say and she climbed into the bed, laying down at my side before I continued. “I’ve never done this before. If you are uncomfortable, or I hurt you, please tell me, okay?”

Streak nodded and I could feel her accelerating heartbeat at my side. She was nervous and truth to be told, so was I. She squeaked as I gave a gentle kiss to her neck, feeling her pulse on my lips. I liked lying with her like this. It was warm, I felt cared for. The more pressure I added, the more her sounds turned into soft coos.

I paused for a second to check on her, only to get a whimpering from her. Her eyes said that she wanted me to continue, and oh Luna, I wanted to! This time I lightly scratched my fang over her neck, eliciting several smaller moans.

“Enjoying it?” I asked softly.

“Mhh.”

“More?”

“Mhh.”

Giggling, I gently licked over her neck, pausing at a spot that practically pulled me to it. It was right on the side of her neck where her pulse was stronger. It practically begged to be pierced by my fangs.

I hoped she wouldn't be afraid as I opened wide and placed myself correctly how I had seen it dozens of times. Just a tiny bit more of pressure, and I practically felt her skin pop under my fangs.

To say the first rush was like heaven would've been an understatement.

It felt like the first cool drop of water after hours in the hot desert, like a juicy hayburger after a week of starvation, like a fresh, hot bath after a seven hour workout. It was so good and freshening, sharpening all my senses at once. Sunset Streak was barely more than a moaning collection of limbs in my hooves, clearly enjoying everything.

Just as long as her pulse stays steady.

I knew I had to stop eventually, but my body protested. It wanted more of its sweet new nectar, wanted everything it could get.

No. I can't hurt her. She is important.

Why was she important? Why was it impossible to hurt her? Just before I noticed her pulse slowing down, I stopped. Withdrawing, I licked over the two small wounds left, cleaning the blood I spilled. We said nothing, I just held her still while she tried to recover.

“If it always feels like this, I can understand why Blue Moon and Night Watch can't get enough of this,” Streak croaked after a few minutes.

“I don't know. As said, it was my first time doing this.”

“You were pretty good for a first timer,” Streak laughed, before stopping and coughing.

We both blushed heavily, trying to avoid each other's gaze. Something nearly impossible, laying next to each other so deep cuddled.

“What does this makes us?” I asked slowly.

Streak suddenly tensed. “I helped you. What does this makes us?”

“You can't tell me you felt nothing,” I growled back.

“I'm a Solar, you're a Night.”

“So that's it?”

There was a pause for a few seconds, then a weak, “No.”

I looked expectantly at her and she sighed. “This will just create problems but… Midnight Flow, would you like to go out with me?”



***



To say that I was nervous would’ve been an understatement. I was a wreck.

Here I was, staring at my reflection in the mirror, trying to determine if I was ready or not. For two weeks I had freaked out, but now the day finally had come.

“I’m going out with Streak, on a date, like a date-date, and… and I don’t even own a dress. Well, at least I made my mane and tail,” I muttered.

“Well, you can always play dead, move away, and change your name.” My reflection said back. 

“Oh, yeah, right,” I replied. Before realizing one fundamental truth: I’m officially crazy.

“You’d have to be a little crazy to be in love, no?”

“I… I… I am not in…”

“Going from talking to yourself to lying to yourself?” 

“Shut up.” I replied before turning away from the mirror and heading back to the closet. I did my best to shake off its… my words, but needless to say, they stuck around. I wanted to distract myself, I wanted to convince myself that I hadn’t just said, that… or thought that as the case may be. Really, I just wanted to find something to bucking wear. 

“Hmm… Vest? No. I can’t wear my armor on a date… Parade uniform? Yeah, maybe not…”

I’d looked ten times already, all I owned were uniforms and I bucking knew it. 

She said she liked my body in my armor…

“No, armor would look tacky on a date.”

She liked it.

“No.”

She - liked - It.

“She just complimented me on my long legs and how I looked in general, stop imagining anything.”

She would’ve never asked you on a date if there was not even a small truth to it.

“She asked me because I made her fall for me by doing the most intimate thing two bat ponies could do,” I facehooved. 

But she’s not a bat pony, is she?

“No…”

Eargo.

“I’m not wearing my—”

Knock knock!

“Buck me.”

Maybe she will if you play your cards right.


***


“Hey, Midnight,” Sunset Streak said with a smile as I opened the door. “Wearing your armor, nice. I like a mare in uniform.”

I honestly have no clue why she liked this, or for that matter, why she wanted to be with me. Now her? That was a completely different story. Sunset was in a beautiful, flowing, dark-blue dress with silver highlights that accented her yellow coat perfectly. It was a stark contrast to her grey eyes that almost made me trip over my own hooves. 

She looks so beautiful. Why in Luna’s name did I take the armor?!

“T-thanks. You look stunning,” was all I got out that was understandable. 

“Shall we go?” She asked, smiling as if this wasn’t an event that made me feel like I was facing the first day of school all over again. “I can’t wait for my gorgeous solder to be my protector tonight.”

I don’t know why, but that made me stand up just a little straighter. “Sure, after you, milady.”

She giggled. “Now I feel protected, my strong guard.”

I just couldn’t help but stare at her flank that was sadly dress-covered as she sauntered outside. “Where are we going again?”

“Outside town so no Solar or Night will mess this up,” she replied.

I huffed, “I don’t know about Solar’s, but Night’s would never… Nevermind,” I said, pausing mid sentence when I saw the look in her eyes. Some things were better off not being said. 

Her frown became a smile as she gestured for me to walk by her side. Speeding up, I caught up in no time and we started down the street, coat to coat. “You didn’t get in trouble, did you?” I asked.

“For what?” 

“The ‘training.”

“I’d have told you if I had,” she replied, smiling. 

I replied by simply raising an eyebrow. 

“Seriously, I don’t even think General Night Watch reported it to my sergeant.”

“Really?”

“She did pull me to the side though.”

“Oh…”

“It wasn’t bad. It happened last week, shortly after you went back to work. She just wanted to know about us, to make sure that I would take care of you.” 

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her that I liked you and wanted a foal like they had.”

“What?!” I burst out.

“Joking,” she chuckled. “About the last thing at least. Maybe.”

I huffed. “You’re mean.”

“You… want one?”

“One of what?” I asked.

“You know, you’re cute when you’re playing dence.”

“I don’t know if I would ever want a foal. Up to today, nopony —or bat— was worth any attention.” I sighed before looking at Streak. “Night told me I should wait until I shared… it with somepony.”

Streak just looked confused at me.

“What we did in the hospital bed, you remember? Two weeks ago.”

“Oh… You asked what it would make us. What do you think?”

“I think we should wait to see how our dates turn out,” I replied.

“Dates? In multiple?”

“Were you planning on standing me up after tonight?”

“No, I just…”

“Just what?”

“What if it goes bad?”

“How bad can it go? You’ve already sliced me open.”

She laughed at that, “Fair point.”

I smiled, “You’re my friend, Sunset Streak. This may be a date, but to me it’s even more special, because it’s a date with the pony I love spending time with the most. And heck, we’ve already done the most intimate things bat ponies can do together, so it’s not like there’s any pressure.” It was, at that moment, I realized that all my apprehension was ridiculous. I was just hanging out with a friend after all. There really was no pressure. 

“Yeah, but we haven’t done the same for pegasus,” she replied.

“The night’s still young,” I said back with a grin more akin to that worn by Blue Moon when she teased Night Watch about their nightly activities.

“Midnight! Who knew you were such a minx.” 

That’s a good question. I sure didn’t.

“So we eat, drink, and if we’re drunk enough you preen me and we have wingsex?”

What? Just what?

“What? Just what?” I gave voice to my thoughts. 

“I was just joking,” she smirked back.

You weren’t! I know that gaze!

“You said we’re going out of town. How far out of town do you mean? It’s not like Canterlot is built on a mountain…” I mumbled.

“Actually, we just go to a corner Night’s and Solar’s try to avoid, even if it’s a bit fancy and expensive.”

“And how do I get in there with my armor on then?” I asked, groaning.

“They’re more than welcoming of any soldiers, it’s just… well…”

“What?” I asked.

“It’s run by a minotaur.”

“You’re… you’re serious?” I asked in disbelief. 

“Yep.”

“Streak! We were at war with them not that long ago! Why should he even let me in in my armor?!”

“You know as well as I do that ‘that’ was a political upheaval, run by a rogue general. Not all minotaurs are like that.”

“And you know as well as I do that that was just a B.S. story concocted to try to foster good relations with Equestria after their epic defeat.”

“Still, not all minotaurs are like that,” she said back. When I didn’t look convinced she added, “Just trust me, alright.”

“Fine,” I said after some time. 

“Trust me, you’ll love it.”

I huffed, but only added the question, “How did you find out about it anyway? If no Night or Solar guards go there, it sounds like something off the beaten path for us.”

“Let’s say this corner… might be a bit too fancy…”

“Streak…”

“Just a bit.”

“Streak,” I growled again.

“Maybe this is the restaurant Blue Blood always goes to and no Solar or Night that goes right in their heads would go there and risk getting in trouble for smashing in his dumb muzzle.”

Thaaaat. Okay, explanation accepted!

“Yeah, I already met him twice,” I chuckled. “And every single time I had the need to punch him in his face with my hooves.”

There was silence for a few seconds before she spoke up again. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“You bat ponies enjoy blood? Do you even eat flesh?”

That surprised me and I tried to answer it as truthful as possible without shocking her too much. “Yes, on occasion. But mostly, flesh is… well, part of our love play.”

“What do you mean?”

“All this biting… it can end up really messy. I had a friend in school that lost a part of her flank when her partner bit it off.”

“For real now?!” Streak asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, the rumors about us… they’re… well… true.” I said, sadly.

“But that’s, that’s horrible.”

I looked up, shocked but somewhat not, by the look of disgust on her face. “Streak, it’s… it’s hard to explain, there’s a great sense of euphoria for us when we, you know. And we heal really quickly, so there’s no lasting damage, most of the time anyway…” As way to show her, I held up my hoof where she cut it, already the damage looked like a ten-year-old scar, and I knew in a few more days it wouldn’t even look like that anymore. 

“But what about the pony that gets fed from?”

“Well, how did it feel to you, when I… you know?”

She didn’t reply, not with words, she didn’t need them as the blush on her muzzle said more than words ever could. “Our fangs produce a toxin that make it quite… pleasurable. I hear it’s even used in some toys that rich normals… ponies can buy,” I added breaking the silence.

“Really?” I was eternally grateful when the look of disgust was gone, to be replaced with one more akin to curiosity, and… interest?

“Streak. Some things are difficult to explain to other species. And technically, you ponies gladly differ from us. Just look at your wings and then at mine.” As if on clue, Streak tried to unfold a wing, but it was restricted by the dress and I had to chuckle. “They’re completely different. We bat ponies don’t have any feathers on ours, just a thin membrane... skin.”

“I know that.”

“Same goes with our fangs, our sharp ears, our eyes, nearly everything,” I continued. “And that also counts for habbits. Ours are really different.”

“So… You eat each others flesh while fucking?”

“Yes and no. It’s not just eating. By taking a part of our partner into us, may it be blood or flesh, we promise endless love to them. It’s a bond even stronger than marriage.”

“Do you know if Blue and Night ever did it?” she suddenly asked.

“I… I don’t know. And it’s extremely rude to ask a bat pony that,” I quickly added.

There was a long, silent, pregnant pause as she considered her next words carefully, very carefully. “I… I… I don’t heal that quickly,” she stammered. 

“We don’t have to do that ever. I’m content with your blood,” I answered too fast, way too fast before realizing my error.

She wants me to… to do it? And I even jump on that train. Oh Luna, please kill me now.

We both just looked at each other, too afraid to make eye contact, but fearful to look away, lest that be the end of it, of us. “I… I should…” I started, unsure what I was even saying, “I can g—”

“Well, the night's still young, right? Let’s get going.” She interrupted with a friendly smile at me. It was almost as if she had reached a conclusion in her mind. One vastly different to the assumption I had made.

“I, um…” Shut up you fool, you’ll just say something dumb and ruin it!

Good advice… Wait… do I want this? 

I do, don’t I?

I do…

Right that moment, as my hooves started moving after her, there was a smile on my muzzle that Celestia herself couldn’t have gotten rid of. I caught up to her quickly and simply pressed myself up to her side. I couldn’t feel her, the armor and her dress got in the way of that, but I didn’t need to. I felt her presence press back against me, and, for now, that was enough for me. 

Given, if given the opportunity I’d rip both of them off of us there and then, but that’s another story. 

Together we walked side by side, heading out of Canterlot and up the side of the mountain. I didn’t see any other ponies, but I’m sure they were either asleep, or avoiding me. Such actions were common after all. Bat-ponies were Equestria’s defenders, but that didn’t mean it's ponies liked us very much. 

Well, a few of them did, the important ones anyway. 

“Hey, Midnight?” 

“Hmm?” I asked. Surprised by the break in the silence. It hadn’t been uncomfortable, more like… natural. We had simply been enjoying the presence of each other, there had been no need to speak simply because enough was being said by our actions. 

Still, it’s not like I lamented hearing her voice. 

“Why did you join the Night Guard anyway?” 

“Was there any other choice?” I asked. “Born a bat-pony, it was the only right thing to do and serve under Luna.”

She actually looked taken aback by that. “So you never had a choice?” 

“Even if I had, I would’ve chosen my family.”

“Your family?”

“Even not by bond, we all are connected by blood. We are a big family and Luna is some kind of mother to us, our ancestor,” I replied. 

“This is weird,” Streak muttered.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Please tell me,” I insisted.

Streak looked at me for a few seconds before sighing. “There are rumors around, that Luna has a special personal guard within Nights, that serve her in her chambers.”

I noticed that Streaks cheeks were flushed red at that and it amused me. “So she fucks some of us from time to time, what’s the big deal?”

“If she is your mother, or ancestor or whatever in kind, it is weird.”

I laughed, “It’s not to reproduce or anything, I’m not even sure if she can have foals, it’s just for pleasure, hers and ours. No one’s ever done anything they didn’t want to do. Heck, it’s considered an honor if she picks you.”

She looked at me, “Have… you been…?”

“No. I always wanted it, but Luna always said I’m not ready,” I grumbled, kicking a lone stone in my way.

“Okay.” 

Later, I’d look back upon that moment and realize that there was a slight uptone to her voice when she said that, something I missed at the time, lost in my own thoughts. “What about… before?”

“Before what?”

“Well, Luna just came back to us some years ago. I mean, what did you want to do before that?”

“I was a foal when she came back, just eight years old. But… to be honest, I don’t remember.”

“What?” 

“I don’t remember. Few of us do actually. And don’t worry, it’s not like she mind wiped us or anything like that. Truly, I think we don’t really like remembering times before… you know.”

“No one remembers?”

“I’m sure a few do, there’s records and all that. The older ones probably could tell you all about it. But it was definitely a turning point. Almost as if before that moment we didn’t have a purpose, and after, well… we did.”

“I… I don’t understand.”

“It’s… complicated.”

“Much of your history seems to be.” 

“You can say that again,” I said with a chuckle. 

“Maybe that’s why you all venerate her like you do?”

“Huh?”

“The bat-ponies seem to worship her, maybe that’s why?”

“What? And norm—you ponies don’t worship Celestia?”

“Fair point,” Streak relented.

“Why’d you ask anyway?”

“I just want to know more about you, that’s all.”

“That’s all?” 

“Yes… No, I was just wondering. I know why I joined, I just wanted to know why you did.”

“Oh, why’d you join?” I asked, suddenly curious to what could cause her to ask.

“Because I wanted to protect my family, those I love. I wanted to do something honorable,” Streak smiled.

“That’s all?” Sounds more like a campaign poster than a real reason.

“That was everything I needed as reason to pledge the vow in front of Celestia.”

“The vow?” I asked, surprised. “We don’t do such a thing. All we have to do is prove our love to the night and our princess, nothing more. But I think-”

“We’re here,” Streak suddenly announced, cutting me off.

Looking up, I stared at the wall of a beautiful building, made nearly completely out of glass. The fancy pink it was covered in made my muzzle fall open. “Are you sure this is lead by a minotaur?”

“Yep, and she’s the most awesome and friendliest minotaur I’ve ever met,” Streak laughed before pushing me to the entrance.

My hooves felt like they weighed a ton as she practically shoved me through the front door. I moved, albeit reluctantly, inside, only to be pleasantly surprised by what awaited me. 

My muzzle practically fell open upon seeing the inside. It was well lit, but more in a candlelight type of way. The carpet, table, walls, and setting looked to have a fresh coat of paint, table cloths, and just about everything else. It looked like a setting one might expect in a high-end restaurant. 

Which, Streak said, this is…

I suddenly felt underdressed, very underdressed. However my hooves kept walking forward, keeping me next to Sunset Streak the entire time. 

“Sunset! My best and most loyal customer!”

I jerked around, surprised as something big and bulky walked past me to lift Streak off the ground and into a strong hug.

Streak giggled as she returned the hug as good as she could. “It’s good to see you too, Raghama. I thought I might bring a special friend with me today.” 

“You mean this guard? And here I thought you had quit your job and got something more fancy that warranted your own personal guard;” Raghama replied before letting Streak down and giving me a complete look-over. “Welcome to my humble establishment, pony of the night,” she said and extended a hand to me.

“Ummm… nice to meet you, my name is Midnight Flow,” I replied as I hesitantly--at first—extended a hoof for her to shake. 

“No need for pleasantries, Midnight, we’re all friends here. But I must ask, if you’re not here as her escort, what are you here as? Just a friend, or something more?”

“Raghama!” 

“Oh hush,” the big minotaur shushed Sunset, “And?”

“Something more,” I confirmed with a smile.

She laughed, “Ha! You picked a cute one, Sunset! Come, let me show you to your usual table.” 

I couldn’t help but blush as we followed her through the restaurant. Raghama led us to a table at a corner of the restaurant, right next to a fish tank and a beautiful fountain. The text on the fish tank said: ‘See what you eat’.

“Do you mind if I take some fish?” I asked Streak, who just shrugged.

“I’m fine with it,” she smiled.

“Then I already know what I want,” I smiled at Raghama as we sat down.

“What can I bring you, my dear?” the minotaur asked me friendly and opened a small notebook with a quill attached.

Grinning, I pointed at one of the fishes in the tank. “I’ll take a water and the Red Stripe Rockfish with the mashed peppermint potatoes please.”

“Good choice!” Raghama laughed before turning to Streak. “And for you, old friend?”

“The usual. Water and a dandelion salad with some fresh lemons.”

Raghama scribbled a few notes up before quickly retreating to her kitchen, leaving some stunned silence.

“What does this makes us?”

“Excuse me?” I blinked.

“You asked that two weeks ago. And now I ask you something else. What do you want from it?” Streak looked seriously at me.

What do I want it to be?

“I like you,” I said with a shy smile.

Streak leaned towards me, a smirk on her muzzle. “So you only like me?”

“No!” I blurted out, panicking. “I mean yes, but no…. Argh! What I wanted to say is that-”

Nothing more came out of my mouth as my muzzle was suddenly occupied, something warm pressed against it as Streak kissed me. My eyes widened and my heart hammered in my chest, but it was a wonderful feeling. Slowly, I leaned in, enjoying the kiss she gave me as I closed my eyes.

….
….
….


***



I opened my eyes to see the plain, white walls of the medical wing staring back at me. It felt all so real, yet it was still a dream. A dream about the past, something that wouldn’t come back.

Sunset Streak was gone.

“You promised me you’d always be here. You promised to take care of me,” I whispered as a silent tear made its way down my muzzle.

You promised.
	
	
> One more Dream (Midnight Flow)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Five: One more Dream (Midnight Flow POV)




We were still locked in a kiss as Streak fumbled with the key to her apartment before smashing the door open with a hoof. I took a second to glance around, a bit baffled that a higher officer of the Royals would have her own apartment.

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Streak asked with a wink. “Just two rooms, but Celestia always makes sure that her higher ranks had a place to retreat if they need a bit of time for themselves.”

“It’s awesome. I just got my bunk at the barracks, even if ours are a bit bigger than the Royal ones,” I smiled.

Streak just smirked at me. “Enough talking!”

I couldn’t agree more as she smashed her lips back onto mine and pushed me further into the apartment until I stepped against something hard, yelping as I fell down onto her bed.

There I laid, helpless with my forehooves pressed against my chest as Streak hungrily looked me over. She was the predator, I was the prey. To say I was nervous about my first time would’ve been an understatement, but I wanted it with her.

Oh I wanted it so much.

“You’re going to stand there and just look at this hot body, or you coming in here so I can show you what my babies here can do?” I asked her with a sultry wink and show of my fangs.

It seemed like the only thing she needed to hear. She jumped at me, pressing me against the bed as she planted soft kisses on my neck and my jaw, eliciting soft coos.

“I’ll make sure that you’ll never forget this,” she gently whispered into my ear after a few seconds. Just before biting into my neck, having no idea how much that turned me on.

I knew she couldn’t bite hard enough to draw blood with her teeth, but it was still a good feeling. At that moment, I even wished she could pierce my skin and suck me dry. Oh how much I wanted that.

After a few bites and nibbles she slowly went lower, kissing her way over my chest and my belly, shortly lingering there before wandering to my teats. She took her time with them, gently kissing and licking them one by one, before sucking on a nipple, leaving me softly moaning at the sensation.

Streak looked up and winked, gently pulling on my left teat before slowly—oh so slowly—continuing her way. She was just about to go to the main prize as-

Knock Knock

The knocking on the door ripped me from my beautiful dream and left me annoyed, and yes, even a bit angry.

“May I come in?” Princess Luna asked as she opened the door, looking at me.

“Of course, my princess,” I answered, not wanting to vent my anger toward her.

She chuckled and went in, sitting down next to my bed. “There is no need to be formal, Midnight. I’m here as your friend, seeing if you are well.”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Doing what?”

“Stop,” Luna scowled at me. “Don’t ever try to play dumb with us. We’re your princess, and we know your dreams.”

“If you are so good and know them, why do you ask if I’m well?” I asked her, before flinching. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be. Your loss is great and not unknown by us,” Luna sighed.

There was silence between us as I wondered if she would continue, but it was clearly a matter the princess wouldn’t share with me. At least not yet.

“I don’t know if I can live on.”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “Suicide won’t help you, and I’m sure Sunset Streak would be heavily disappointed.

“How can you know?” I snapped. “It hurts to just think that I have to live on without her, maybe even a hundred years!”

“What do you mean?” Luna sat straight up.

“You implemented that we have some of your abilities, that we are mostly the same. If we do, we will live much longer than any normal pony,” I snorted.

“That is correct,” Luna said hesitantly. “That’s why I’m offering you a special position.”

“Not interested. I just want to be with Streak again.”

The next thing I felt was a slap on my muzzle. A hard one. Shocked, I looked at Luna who still had her hoof lifted.

“We command thee to stop talking such ridiculous things! Thou art a worthy mare under our wing, loved and adored by many!” Luna scowled at me, definitely not amused as her eyes turned a bright white and she raised her voice. “Thou wilt listen carefully now or we swear by our moon, thou shalt regret it!”

I nodded meekly and Luna blinked, the white leaving her eyes before coughing. “Do you know what is so special about my personal guard?” I nodded my head and Luna smiled. “They are more than my guards. They are my best friends, most of them even lovers.”

“I know that. Your most trusted guards, friends, family, partners…”

“Yes. Very few are invited to my personal guard, and you would be the third one now.”

“Who else is in it?” I asked.

“Dream Wave and Strawberry Ice. You may know them,” Luna smiled.

I nodded, yet something odd struck me. “If your personal guard is so special, why aren’t Moon Shield, Night Watch or Blue Moon part of it?”

Luna giggled a bit and whirled her hoof. “Moon Shield isn’t interested in sharing a bed with me, and I don’t think we have to talk about Night Watch or Blue Moon. They are for each other, not for me.”

“Do I have to share your bed if I accept to join this unit?”

“No, you do not have to,” Luna shook her head, but also looked slightly taken back. “I would be delighted to have a beautiful mare like you at my side, but that is solely your decision.” 

I hummed, lost in thought. There were quite a few things I could do.

First: Reject Luna and try to kill myself.
Second: Reject Luna and try to live a miserable life alone.
Third: Accept, follow the dream I had as a filly and have a chance to be happy.

“That’s not an easy decision, my princess.”

“Luna.”

“What?”

“I want you to solely call me Luna from now on, except when we are around nobles or royalty,” she said with a smile.

“Okay, Luna.”

Why am I hesitating? This was my dream as a foal! Being directly under Luna’s wing, as near to her as possible!

Your dream was a future and a family with Sunset Streak.

It still is.

Sunset Streak is dead!!!

That doesn’t mean that once I’m dead we can’t have this family.

You are a fool. Streak would want us to be happy, not cry over her and commit suicide.

She was right and I knew it. Even if I talked with myself, everything was right. I had talked with Streak about that and more.



***



“Midnight?” Streak asked me as she turned in our bed, facing me.

“Mhh?”

“Did you ever think about what our future will bring?”

That did surprise me a bit. “Other than being together with you forever?”

“I thought more about what happens if one of us falls,” she hesitantly replied.

I gulped. That was something I never intended to bring up, but it was a lot on my mind. I wanted nothing more than to pretend it would never happen, but fact as of the moment was: I could definitely happen if Equestria went to war again. “Yes, I did,” I said before sobbing. “And I can’t stand the thought!”

Streak scooted closer and hugged me tightly and I pressed my muzzle in her chest, taking in her scent and sobbing. “Shhhh, don’t cry, my beautiful, purple angel,” she whispered.

“I can’t… If I lose you, I don’t think I can move on. I don’t think I would ever be able to forget you,” I cried.

“I don’t want you to forget me. But if something happens, I want you to try and be happy. To let others help you. Can you promise me that?”

I looked up to find tears in Streak’s eyes, so I moved in and kissed her. It was a short kiss, but full of emotion and passion. As we broke it, I looked deep into those grey eyes I loved so much.

“I promise it by my love for you.”



***



“I promised her that I would try to be happy and let others help me.” I stopped and tears made their way to my eyes. “But she also promised me that she would always be there for me!”

Luna sighed before looking into my eyes. “She will always be there for you. Even if some of our beloved ones aren’t at our side anymore, they’ll always keep an eye on us.”

“What do you mean?”

“You can’t replace a true first love. But if you love as long as I, then you start to realize that there is more love in this world than you can imagine. Hold her dear as your first true lover, but don’t give up the hope, Midnight Flow.”

I blinked. “Do you really think so?”

“Of course. Love isn’t unique, besides us often hoping so,” Luna paused and gave me a small smile. “Over my lifetime, I have had many lovers. More than a normal pony could understand. Every single one had my heart and they all were special, but I still remember my very first love.”

“You do?” I asked, surprised.

“My mind may be old, but it is not fragile from age,” Luna snorted, amused, before she sighed. “Her name was Nova. She was a noble of a lesser house, so our love was doomed. But there was also another problem. At that time, relationships between mares were doomed. In a herd, it was fine, but not in a exclusive relationship.”

“What happened to her?”

Luna smiled sadly. “She died very young. Sometimes I think it was the stress over hiding everything. Her family never understood why she wouldn’t take a lover or accept invitations from stallions.”

I grinned. “Who said we mares need stallions? Just look at Night Watch and Blue Moon!”

“That result isn’t quite that easily replicable, my dear Midnight,” Luna smirked. “What they did was use a weaved liquid spell that transformed. Such magic is extremely rare and costly.” 

“Then why did you help them with it?” I asked, knowing the stories that were told. 

“Because family is worth more than every bit in Equestria,” Luna smiled back.

Luna was right. Family was worth everything, and much more than bits alone. I doubt there was even something in this world that could measure up to family. Even if I didn’t agreed to this as a lover, I could do it as Family. As a part of Luna’s family.

“I accept, Luna,” I whispered softly.

In an instant, the alicorn was at my side, gently nuzzling me. “Oh, joyful day!” she cheered.

“But let us start slowly,” I gave her a small wink. 

“You will not regret this,” Luna said before slowly backing away. “For now, rest and enjoy a small gift from me.”

Before I could say anything, Luna’s horn emanate a gentle glow and my eyes felt heavy, throwing me into the darkness as I couldn’t hold them open any longer.


***


I had no idea where I was. It looked like an open field somewhere in Equestria, the moon shining gently upon the ground that seemed as an endless ocean of soft grass.

“Hey, beautiful.”

Spinning around, I was muzzle to muzzle with the mare of my dreams. Her yellow coat, her red mane and tail, her grey, sparkling eyes. Sunset Streak looked followed my gaze with an amused grin.

“This is a dream.”

Streak’s grin faltered, but a soft smile took place. “Yes, and no.”

“What do you mean with that?” I asked, confused.

“This is a dream, my love, but at the same time it’s not. I’m real. At least as real I can be.”

“How is this possible?!”

“You have Luna to thank for that,” Streak said seriously before sighing. “You do know that every pony has their own, natural magic?” I nodded and she continued. “Luna took a bit of the magic that was left in my dead body and combined it with a vision spell through her power. It creates this… dream, but with the real me.”

I simply couldn’t believe it. Before I could even stop myself I stretched my hoof out and touched her cheek. She was real, very indeed. That was the last lock who broke away and tears made their way in my eyes.

“Why did you leave me? You promised me to always be there for me! It… YOU CAN’T BE DEAD!”

Streak gently took me into a soft embrace, cooing softly and stroking my mane. “My love, I never chose this. You were taken from me and I was taken from you. It is unfair, but this is life.”

“Can’t Luna just bring you back if she can provide us with this time?”

“My body is dead, Midnight,” Streak replied, a glare in her eyes. “While she is a goddess and capable of such a thing, would you really want that? I would be no more than a zombie, a puppet of dark magic. It wouldn’t really be me.”

I whimpered, but I understood. This was Luna’s gift to me, to make amends and try to move on. To speak a last time with my beloved one.

“How long do we have?”

“Don’t worry about this. Luna said it would be enough so we could talk about everything and say a proper goodbye.” Streak chuckled sadly. “I’m glad you survived the trap.”

“I’m still not sure if I can move on.”

I felt the second slap of the day on my face. “Don’t ever say that again! You promised it to me and you still have your family! I know of the offer Luna made to you. She even asked me for permission before she created this here,” Streak growled. “Do you know what I said?”

“No…”

“As long as you keep her safe and happy you have my trust.”

“But-”

Streak interrupted me as she smashed her lips against mine. Oh Luna, it felt real, so real, just like all those times before. Her wings slowly unfolded and closed me in a soft cocoon, one I would never get tired off. One I was already used to.

“Is this our last time together?” I asked silently as we broke.

“Yes, it is,” Streak sighed. “Luna used the rest of my magic, there is nothing left. Once you wake up, I’m gone.”

“Then why should I want to wake up?”

“To move on. To live with Luna and your family, maybe have one of your own someday,” Streak replied. “Do you remember how we talked about the possibility of you outliving me?”

I nodded. “Yes, yes we did.”

Streak smiled and pecked me on my muzzle. “This is no different. You know I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes, even a hundred years.”

“Will you really wait for me?”

“Of course, my beautiful, purple angel,” she smiled genuinely. “I can’t wait to hear of all your stories, of everything you accomplished. I’m sure that by the time you join me, you’ll be a legend.”

“But I’m just an ordinary Night-” I started, but she quickly laid a hoof on my muzzle.

“Don’t try to sell you short, Midnight. You are special, even Luna knows it.” Streak winked before continuing. “Why else were you worth my time?”

“Little minx,” I chuckled before tackling her down, smashing a heavy kiss on her lips.

“Ohh, feeling eager now, are we?” she teased as the kiss broke, her feathers slowly running over the base of my own wings. “I wish we could do this now, but we don’t have enough time for this.”

“Really?”

“Sadly, yes,” Streak pouted. “But I asked Luna to give you a few juicy dreams about me.”

“You didn’t!” I said in shock.

“I totally did, you know me!”

We rolled over the grass in each other’s embrace, laughing and smiling until we came to a stop, minds back to why we were here in the first place.

“So we just say ‘bye’ and go our own ways?” I asked sadly.

She gently nuzzled me before sighing. “I guess so, but first I have to tell you two important things. Things I found out just the day the trap sprung. Will you listen?”

I gave her a small nod and a kiss, bringing a smile back up her muzzle. “Good. Now, I know you will blame the day guard for this now, but it wasn’t them. I was about to follow a connection earlier, but it went dead on the accounts of some Canterlot nobles. I’m pretty sure it was none of my comrades!”

“Okay… Makes sense, since that magic was way over the style of the day’s,” I mumbled before urging her on. “And the second thing?”

“My apartment belongs to you now.” I gasped but she quickly shushed me. “Go to Celestia, she has my last will, including the keys. I knew something could happen so I was prepared.”

“Doesn’t the apartment belong to the state?”

“Thaaaat was maybe a small lie. It was mine and I didn’t want you to think that I was better than you or something like that…”

“Silly mare,” I chuckled and drew her in for another kiss. 

Our tongues gently met, caressing each other while we were locked between our wings that cocooned us in a soft embrace. I had no idea how much time left before Streak broke and sighed.

“There is no time left,” Streak whispered and nuzzled me, tears running over her muzzle now. “Please hold your promises dear and take good care of yourself.”

“I promise, my love,” I sobbed, my own tears falling freely. “I will never forget you!”

“I hope you won’t,” she chuckled back sadly. “Please give the princess a chance to make you happy.”

“I will,” I said and she gently took hold of me again to kiss me.

As we broke, the outline of her fur blurred. “You make me so proud,” she smiled, her form wavering more and more. “Please never forget that I love you, Midnight Flow.”

I tried to grab her, to keep her with me, but my hoof hit nothing anymore. For seconds, she smiled at me and I couldn’t help but smile back.

Then she was gone.

“STREAK,” I cried out and my hooves weren’t able to support me anymore as I collapsed. “I LOVE YOU.”

“I love you too,” whispered the wind before everything was quiet.

“I will never forget you.”
	
	
	
> Something Lost, Something Gained (Midnight Flow)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Six: Something Lost, Something Gained (Midnight Flow POV)





One week. One week in that boring, uncomfortable bed with nothing to do. It felt nice to spread my wings again after that time; even if they still hurt.

“Aren’t you supposed to stay grounded for a few days at least?”

I nearly tumbled to the ground as I looked to my side and directly into Luna’s angry glare.

“L-Luna! I-I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I have to fly! This damn doctor kept me practically tied to the bed!” I stammered back.

There was a flash of dark blue and we weren’t flying anymore. Instead, we were on the balcony of Luna’s private chambers, looking over the sleeping Canterlot, bathed in soft moonlight.

“You are not helping anything by being reckless, Midnight.”

“I’m not reckless.”

“If we remember correctly, the doctors forbade thee any flight for several days,” Luna snapped back.

I looked down at the ground. Of course she was right, but I just needed it. I needed to spread my wings from time to time, to get off of the ground.

“I know how you feel,” Luna continued, her voice softer. “I was restricted to the moon for a thousand years, my wings bound to my body by the magic force that came upon me with the elements.” She looked up at the moon and sighed. “When I came back, I was weak. I was forbidden to cast any magic or fly around.”

“But you did anyways?” I asked carefully.

“Yes. My sister was angered beyond recognition about it. I tried to tell her my needs, to reach an understanding, but there was none to gain. She was only worried about her little sister.”

I shrunk back. Luna spat the last words with venom, hate evident in her voice.

“We are of the same age, yet she refers to me as a younger sibling because of my absence on the moon. She checked my body and magic when I came back and told me that everything had stopped for me while there. Age, magic, life. In her eyes, I’m still a foal.”

“I-I had no idea-”

“Of course you don’t. ‘Tis nothing for a mortal to know.”

“I’m not entirely mortal, if what you told us about our origin is true.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Luna glared at me.

“Doesn’t it?” I asked her. “Don’t close up, Luna. You wanted me as your personal guard, as your friend, and lover, you better talk.”

She looked at me for quite some time, no emotion on her face. Maybe she searched for something, but if that was the case, then she apparently found it as she started to talk.

“You are quite something, Midnight,” she said curiously, before her voice took an entirely other tone, drenched with sadness. “I was jealous. Always. Tia had things I never possessed. I wanted all those things, but my subjects only feared me. Then it came. Hate against all our subjects that haunted our children. Trying to kill them.” Luna stopped, a silent tear running down her muzzle before her eyes turned white. “THEY TRIED TO TAKE MY OWN FLESH AND BLOOD FROM ME.”

I had no idea what to do, but I knew I had to at least do something. Maybe it was a dumb idea, but I unfolded a wing and gently put it on Luna’s back. To my surprise, the white light in her eyes dimmed until it was gone, then she even leaned into me.

“We were broken. With all the fear and hate around, we did what our mind told us, not our heart. We became Nightmare Moon trying to put our subjects back into their rightful place; below us, below our children. We were so foolish.”

“But you changed, right? You are a better mare now!” I said desperately.

“A better mare? We nearly feel the same right now! All the hatred towards you and the others, all the mistrust-”

“Luna, calm down,” I pleaded, “You are a better mare, I know it! I’ve seen it!”

“You don’t know us,” Luna hissed back. “We are ancient! You cannot-”

She stopped, blinking at me in shock, then looked at my still raised hoof. In the meanwhile, my mind went into panic mode. I slapped her! I’m so bucking dead!!!!

“I-I’m sor-”

“Don’t be, little one. I deserved it. What did my sister call it? Ah, yes, old habits die hard.” Luna chuckled silently before looking up to the sky. “Thank you for spending time with this old mare.”

“Old?” I blurted out. “You’re not old. You're beautiful and se-” I tried to stop myself, but somepony else was quicker.

The next thing I felt was bliss, and the softest pair of lips I had ever had on my own. Sadly, it was over way too soon.

“Thank thee,” Luna smiled gently, even blushing a bit while my heart thumped hard.

I sunk back to my haunches as I raised a hoof to my lips. Staring at it, I couldn’t say anything. The look of shock must have been evident on my face, as Luna’s smile slowly disappeared.

“Midnight?”

“I...I can’t,” I whispered back. “I can’t betray her.”

“You are not betraying her,” Luna looked confused. “Why should you betray her with this?”

“Because I still love her,” I shouted. “It’s not right, I-”

Luna slapped me, growling. “You spoke! I thought she explained everything to you? Would she want you to wallow and refuse to move forward? Or would she want you to cherish the life you have left? Should you choose this guilt over finding some happiness in life?”

I sighed, shifting a hair out of my eyes with a hoof. “Happiness? My love was taken by force. Where is the happiness in that? I just wanted to live my life with her, Luna.”

“There was nothing you could have done, Midnight. It’s not your fault, and it’s not Sunset Streak’s. But you can still live your life. I’m giving you an opportunity here. Yes, it might be early and cruel from me, but I would like you to take my hoof and let me guide you, so to speak.” She looked deep into my eyes and took my hooves in hers. “Let me guide you, and I promise to never let you go.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“What do I have to do so that you may trust me? Bow in front of you? Fall to my knees?” Luna asked me. “I will do so if you ask me to.”

“But why?” I asked, confused. “Why would you do this for me?”

Luna’s smile vanished and a lone tear appeared. “Because Sunset Streak was right. You deserve happiness.”

“That’s not a complete explanation.”

The night diarch looked at me like I sprouted a horn, or an additional pair of wings. But after a few moments, she sighed. “You are the first mare in centuries I’ve deemed more worthy than to just be my personal guard and share my chambers. Yes, I want to take you to my bed, but I would be lying if I said I did not want more.”

I was shocked, quite literally. “Why me? You are a princess, I’m merely a meager guardsmare.”

“You are much, much more than that,” Luna smiled at me. “Do not allow your loss to get the better of you, like me all those moons before.”

“I guess I just don’t see it,” I said slowly looking down at my hooves. A soft tear rolled down my cheek.

Luna reached out with a hoof and wiped it away. “And that is why you are so much more than just a meager guardsmare. Despite your achievements, despite what I’ve said, despite even your own wishes, you still remain humble. You are so much more because you genuinely do not wish to be.”

“Is it so bad that I just wanted to protect Streak? To protect Equestria? To live a peaceful life with the one I gave everything?”

“It is not, and you are too young to give up on life already, Midnight.” Luna sighed and rubbed her temples before continuing. “I honestly expected this conversation to be easier…” Another pause. “Thou art a noble soul, Midnight Flow, we appreciate that.”

I nearly had to facehoof at this slip. Again. “I mean you no disrespect. Old habits die hard, and Streak was my heart and life. I… I don’t even know how to move forward from here.”

“Let me show you,” and in a flash of magic, we were gone.

I had no idea where Luna had teleported us, but the bed was big and soft. Trying to determine where we were, I scanned the room, but with no success. “Where are we?”

“Somewhere that makes this interesting,” Luna whispered back, her lips gently caressing my ear.

Then I gasped as she lightly nibbled on it, while her hoof did a whole other thing. I trusted her, and my trust was rewarded with the gentle caressing of my wing. The tip of her forehoof traced every muscle, every nerve I had in it, ever so gently and slow. Despite my efforts to keep the wing closed, it twitched and spread under Luna’s lustful gaze.

“I always love a mare on display,” she practically purred before placing soft kisses on my appendages.

“You are mean, Lun-AAHH,” I cried out as she gently added pressure to the base muscle in my left wing, clearly enjoying everything.

“I didn’t quite hear you, my dear,” she teased back. “Maybe I should check if everything is fine with you?”

Before I could even ask what she wanted to do, she leaned in and planted her lips on mine, starting a gentle kiss that grew in intensity by every second. Breathing was impossible, and even more so, as her tongue slowly invaded my mouth, searching for my own appendage to play and care with.

I was so lost I nearly missed that the kiss had broken and Luna had me turned onto my back, forehooves tucked to my chest. She looked me over, gently purring at the view.

“May I continue?” she then asked softly, surprising me.

“W-why are you asking?”

“Because I’m not your princess now, I’m your equal, Midnight, simply a lover in bed,” she gently replied, tracing small circles with her hoof on my stomach.

I nodded, smiling that she saw it that way, then gasped as her muzzle gently nuzzled my stomach before serving small kisses and licks.

“Sensitive belly?” Luna smirked, and I could only nod.

Luna smiled and kissed up my belly toward my chest and hooves. Her kisses sent a tingle up my spine. She gently kissed each hoof tip and nuzzled my chest before slowly working her way back down. My body tensed with each kiss and I felt my breath catch as she passed my hips, my legs slowly widening as she ventured between them. 

She was slow. Way too slow for being the mare most night guards described. She gently licked over my thighs, serving a small bite here and there. My eyes went wide as I recalled a conversation again.

Be careful with our moon. She might seem slow-paced and well behaved, but inside is a mistress that will attack you relentlessly after playing with you for a while.

I had no time to curse as Luna’s muzzle made direct contact with my marehood, making me gasp loudly and lose every thought I had. There was no doubt that the warning had been accurate. No sooner had I gasped, and she licked along the entire thing. There was no hesitation, she knew what she was doing. I writhed under her ministrations as her tongue prodded until gaining entry. I moaned loudly when her muscle found its way inside, finding sensitive spots I never even knew I had. I sighed when I felt her withdraw from me, only to be brought back to my peak when she licked and sucked on my clit. I was by no means a “new mare” to this sort of thing, but Oh Luna, did she know what she was doing!

I felt my body tensing beneath me, I knew it wouldn’t be long. Suddenly I felt her wings brush against my barrel and the tingle of her magic massaging the muscles where my wings met my body. “Lu… Luna… You need to…” I couldn’t even finish. I screamed louder as I felt my body convulse, coating Luna in my marecum. I hadn’t even had a chance to warn her. My body went from complete relaxation to utter shock as I blushed and realized I had just coated the Princess of the Night in my own excitement! Looking down, Luna was just taking her lips off of me, and looking up she gave me a sly smile. Her muzzle was completely covered in my excitement, soaking her fur and dripping from her maw. 

But that wasn’t the worst.

When the door slammed open and I saw who disturbed us, I just wanted to sink into the bed and never come up again.
	
	
> Something to Remember (Night Watch)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Seven: Something to Remember (Night Watch POV)





“Oh you gotta be bucking kidding me,” I exclaimed loudly, staring in disbelief at the scene in front of me.

Blue Moon stood at my side, likewise flabbergasted by the view we were treated to.

After all, it isn't every day that you find your princess in your bed with her guard, and not just for sleeping activities. Meanwhile, Luna just looked up and licked away the rest of fluids from her face, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Can we help you,” our night diarch asked slowly, a small, sultry grin on her muzzle.

“You could tell me what the buck you’re doing in our bed,” I started. “Or, for that matter, why the mare under you is Midnight.”

Luna smiled gently at me, her wing caressing Midnight. “Well, I thought it would be a nice thrill. And I suspected we would be done by the time you two came back.” She smirked to the mare under her. “It seems I underestimated her exceptional durability in intercourse.”

“Midnight? Are you really okay with this?” Blue asked, leaning her head on my shoulder. I knew she was worried, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t as well.

“Y-Yeah. Luna showed me a few things and I rethought what I talked about with Streak.” A silent tear fell down her cheek, but Midnight smiled. “I know she would want me to be happy, not wailing in grief over her death.”

“Now that we’ve discussed this, how about we extend this little get together?” Luna smiled lustfully.

Before I could even say a word, I yelped as Blue bit into my neck, immediately ceasing every fantasy that came up involving Luna into nothing. She gave a few good sucks before she let go, winking at me as I growled at her.

Midnight just chuckled. “That is one riddle solved that Streak was always curious about.”

“Pardon me?” Blue and I said simultaneously.

“You two,” she winked back. “She always wondered if you do it. Honestly, after the first few tries I never thought about hiding it anymore. As if her wounds weren’t clear enough. Still, nopony noticed that we were together.”

“Well,” I smiled sheepishly. “We did it more often than I would like to admit in front of you, but it's not something you to do with pride in public.” Midnight’s grin fell but I raised a hoof. “Let me finish. The act is something valued, something you share with the pony dearest to your heart. Doing it in public, where everypony can see it, robs it of its magic.”

Blue smiled at me before speaking up. “Agreed. And besides, I know we can get pretty messy, so I wouldn’t want to do it in public anyways. Besides, I’m sure that sunbutt doesn't like such displays in front of everypony.” My wife winked at me before stepping up to the bed. “You are wrong, Midnight. We did things nopony and nobat tried before. Remember two years ago when Night would stay in her room for two weeks, supposedly sick?” Midnight nodded and Blue went on. “I ripped her apart, ate more from her than I should’ve, nearly drank all of her. By the time I was done with her, she was a quivering mess of cum, flesh and blood.”


I shivered at the memory. Blue had asked me if I trusted her with my life. The night that followed made my heart pound, but we knew it wasn’t something to repeat again so easily. It was dangerous, and blood-lust during lovemaking wasn’t big on my list of things to try again so soon.

Midnight had a grin on her face and I knew exactly what it meant. “Don’t. You are young, Midnight. Please don’t jump headfirst into something you can’t predict. Blue and I have years of experience with each other, but Streak wasn’t able to show you the kinks like one of us could do. It’s nothing against her, trust me.”

“You two could teach me.”

Before I could even say something, Blue shook her head and growled. “No, I’m sorry. There is a reason why we never went to bed with Luna like others of our rank. Night and I, we are for each other, and honestly, I don’t like to share her. I don’t want to! I can get pretty demanding when we have sex, and I don’t think I would accept another mate.”

“Long story short, she would kill you if her lust and primal instinct took over,” I sighed. “Chances are pretty good actually, from how well I know her.”

There was silence and Luna looked over us before turning back to Midnight. “I can help you, my dear. If you accept.”

“I don’t know, if that is a-” I tried to say, but Blue quickly shushed me with a mouthed ‘Let them be’.

“Could you at least do it in a bed other than ours? We would like to rest without the moaning near us,” Blue gave them a gentle glare that told them everything but ‘Get your flanks out of there before I bite em’.

“You are no fun,” Luna pouted before she blew us a raspberry. In a flash of dark-blue light, they were both gone, leaving a mess of sheets and juices.

“I’m not going to clean this!” Blue hissed, showing off her fangs.

I only grinned. “Well, that gives me the chance to try something!”

My wife looked bewildered at me as I approached the sheets, sniffing the scents I knew too well, even if not as intimately as I wanted. I had every intention to taste Luna, and I would finally do it without breaking my promise to my wife.

Then the sheets started to glow before they cleaned themselves and straightened, leaving me howling. Unfair!

“Guess that means no distraction for you,” Blue chuckled, to which I only gave her a sour glare. “Aww, don’t be like that, we can still have fun. We will be around for a few more years, maybe even decades. You’ll get your chance to taste her.”

“Uh, what?”

“You thought I wouldn’t notice? Seriously, after all those years you think your wife is dumb and blind?” She chuckled and jumped onto the bed, but not before swishing her tail around my muzzle. “Silly, sexy mare of my dreams. Now come to bed, I’m getting cold.”

By Luna, I love that mare.   



***



The next day was weird to say at least. And I managed to piss Blue off. Just shortly after we went to bed, I fell asleep, snoring loudly while Blue had tried to seduce me. When she woke up, she showed her mood regarding that by plopping me onto the ground with a hard kick of her hooves.

“Ouch! What the buck, Blue?”

“Get off of me, you’re heavy!” She growled back.

“Geeze, I know you’re pissed, but I was tired. We can fuck every single day, you know that!” I hissed. “Now stop being a cunt, I’ll make it up to you tonight!”

The glare she gave me would’ve killed every other pony. “You better. Otherwise you’ll feel what pain is.”

Who knew she was that horny. As she got up and sauntered past me to the bathroom, I got a good look at her marehood and gasped. Wet! Dripping wet!

“Do you need a written invitation or something?” She growled loudly. “I need you, NOW.”

It was all I needed to scramble to my hooves and run after her, the scent leading me the way, even if I knew where my bathroom was.

Once entered, the first thing I felt was a smash against my legs, sending me tumbling to the ground. Before I could ask what had happened, Blue crawled onto me, her eyes shining darkly. It was a gaze that made me shiver and fear what was to come.

She looked down, eying my body over and over before she closed the distance, nibbling at my ear before whispering, “You won’t forget this night, my love. After today, you won’t even think about another mare, because you don’t need one. Tonight, I will show you what pain and lust have in common.”

“Blue, I don’t think- AHHHGGG.”

She bit right into my throat, not even giving me the chance to finish my sentence. I knew right away that she wasn’t joking, that she would give and show me everything tonight.

“Shhh,” she cooed, gently licking my blood from her muzzle. “We don’t want to wake half of the castle, right?” 

I had to admit. It was hot, and it made me wet. Seeing her gently licking my blood from her muzzle, taking everything in from me. I tried to move, but she kept me firmly locked under her body. Her tongue drew soft lines over my fur, stopping at my neck over and over again.

She wanted me to beg. She wanted me to beg her to do anything. Beg her to rut me. I wouldn’t, and she knew it. She knew I wouldn’t.

Then she bit down again, sinking her fangs deep this time, sucking fast and strong. Seconds ticked by but she didn’t stop, already worrying me, but only a bit. Then I heard her growling and knew she wanted me to fight back.

I thrashed my head around, and immediately regretted it as Blue took a good chunk with her. She hissed at me as she gulped it down, then smiled. “Be a good wife and stay put.”

“You wish,” I growled back.

She wanted me to fight back, but she also wanted me completely at her mercy. 

“You are mine,” she hissed, staring deeply into my eyes, showing pure love, but also infinite lust. She licked slowly over her lips and I could only gulp.

 I’m screwed. Totally screwed.

“Shower, now,” she growled, and she didn’t have to tell me twice.

I knew her gaze lingered on me while I entered the shower, so I made a little show out of it, keeping her eyes glued on my flank. Once I was inside, she smacked me hard into it, making me yelp as she quickly jumped in after me.

Blue was quick to give me no time at all to react or adjust, pressing me against the showerwall as she started the water, correcting the temperature to hot. Her tongue played with me, with my coat, raising my heartbeat more and more until every small lick sent shivers through my whole body. I was her plaything, and I knew it.

“Didn’t you dream of it?” she asked me, her breath washing over my coat. “That I would take you again like that one time you could barely stand for days? When I ravaged you until nearly nothing was left?”

I had to admit, I dreamt of it, but it was way too dangerous. “Blue, you know the consequences.”

“I won’t do it quite so hard this time,” she grinned, licking her fangs. “I promise that you will still walk tomorrow. Or stumble. Whatever suits my fantasy.”

“Blue, Sweety, I don’t think-” I started, but she cut me off by biting into my shoulder. It wasn’t too deep, but with a quick rip she shed me part of my coat and flesh. “What the buck!”

“Shut up,” she growled, then opened her mouth to show me that she had swallowed everything. “You’ve got no say in this. Now, lick.”

Blue turned around and raised her tail, inviting me, no, demanding me to lick her. And damn, she was already wet, even I could separate the long strands of lust seeping from her marehood from the wetness of the water running down her coat.

“Do I have to punish you or will you lick me?” she growled impatiently.

No need to anger her further.

“I think your hormones are getting the better of you,” I said before serving her a long lick.

“Wow, you are so smart, my dear wife,” she rolled her eyes. “At least I’m not after other mares despite my urges.”

It hurt. I knew exactly what she was saying, that she was at least not drooling after another mare. She was right, of course. Luna was a forbidden fruit, but I wanted her. Not as much as Blue and I would always stay by my wife’s side, but the lust was there.

“I really hope that one lick wasn’t all.”

Blue’s voice reminded me of my task, one I went back to with new eagerness. Every lick of her sweet fluids brought my own mind off it’s course. Lust won over, more and more as my hormones kicked in.

What I did was basically suicide. Batpony mares had stronger urges, way stronger. For example, our heats didn’t last nearly as long as other equine races, but they were ten times stronger. The same could be said for our pregnancy cravings and other… certain needs..

That would explain why she is coming on to me like that.

My mind swam more and more with each lick, until Blue suddenly dropped her tail and stepped away to the side and opening a wing, offering me a purple strapon, matching the colour of my wings perfectly. Little minx.

“Now, my dear, let’s make a small game out of it. I will lay down and face you while you fuck my needs out of me. Every time you do something wrong or I’m not satisfied, you will lose blood or flesh.”

“You cannot be serious,” I started, but she was quickly next to me, her muzzle pressed against mine. “Do I look like I want to make jokes? Now get this on and rut me before I change my mind!”

“Yes ma’am!” I saluted and grabbed the fake stallionhood with my wings, connecting the straps over my hips and shifting it in position.

Blue eyes me lustfully all the while until she dropped down in her haunches and then her back, spreading her legs wide as an open invitation to me. There was little that I could do as my instincts kicked back in, her needs an most welcome excuse for me to buck her brains out.

But as soon as the tip was in, I already yelped in pain as Blue bit down my chest, taking a small piece with her. “No preparation? Shame on you!”

I pulled out and gently laid the fake stallionhood over her marehood, rubbing it gently along to cover it in her marecum, making her hum. “But you should also not take too long with that.”

She was mean and we both knew it, at least I suspected that she knew it, but I would push it onto her strong urges and just go on. This time she moaned approvingly as the tip went in and more and more of it disappeared in her wet and most willing folds.

“That nearly reminds me of when you knocked me up with our little foal here,” she moaned and patted her belly. “I can’t wait to do the same to you soon.”

I have no idea if it was the hormones flooding my body or her needy marehood making me totally mindless, but I didn’t care. In fact, my own marehood clenched lustfully at the thought of being fucked by my wife and then pumped full of her seed.

“Fuck me,” Blue screamed, pulling me out of my dreams and I quickly bottomed out, eliciting gasps from both of us as the magic in the strap on went to work.

It was a special pair that we acquired some months ago, possessing some nice magic. It would connect with the magical pool of the user, creating the unique feeling of the toy being real. We lost a small fortune by buying it, but we both had agreed after the first time, it was worth it already.

“I don’t need a slow foreplay, now do me already,” Blue growled, her eyes glimmering dangerously as she exposed her fangs,

There was no need to tell me twice as I started quick, hard thrusts, but also not too hard as to hurt the foal. Hoping that they were just the right, I continued, but stopped quickly as she bit down my neck again. This time she didn’t let go and I felt that she sucked hard. I knew it was no excuse to stop fucking her hard.

Blue moaned into my neck between long sucks as I thrust in and out, while I felt my strength slowly leave me. She drew a good shot of me, nearly enough to leave me a whimpering mess, but I knew that wasn’t her intention. For now.

“You better not stop until I come!” she moaned as she stopped, smiling gently at me. “But don’t worry honey, I’m close.”

“Damn I hate your urges!” I grunted between my trusts. “It always makes you a little bitch and I rather love you as my loving and caring wife.”

“You really think this is me being needy?” she asked. “Oh no, this is your punishment!”

I gasped as I understood her words. “What, you little-” but I was interrupted by her clenching hard on the toy. “Argh, Blue!”

“Faster, cum for me, little pet,” she whispered gently. “Treat your wife like she deserves.”

I finally lost it as she traced soft spots on my wings with her hooves, her fangs slowly scratching over my muzzle. There was no holding back as I humped quicker and quicker into her, the only thing left was our lust, the moans and the wet sounds every time I bucked deep into her. Until it was too much.

Blue screamed up and I joined in as I hilted completely inside of her, keeping the position for a few seconds to catch my breath before I pulled out and staggering backwards.

“I hope you don’t think we’re done,” Blue smiled as she got up.

“What? But-”

“You're mine. Not my General, not my wife, nothing but my pet.” She paused and grinned. “And it will last as long as I want.”

I could only gulp before she pounced down on me once again.



***



Everything hurt. Everything. I knew Blue wouldn’t let go that easily, but that she would punish me, that was a fairly new one. My neck stung, my wings burned, my flank spotted more scratch and bite marks than I cared to count, and some various other pieces of flesh were missing.

Thank Luna I’m still able to wear my armor. This time she really wanted to show me off.

Every mark she caused me was perfectly recognizable without my armor. They were meant to be seen, to be noticed by everypony. You’ll get that back, Blue. Trust me. Next to nearly drawing every single drop of my blood, Blue had also tried to make a point. That I would never need another mare. That the rule stood. That she could kill every stallion or mare that tried to bring me to bed.

The thing is, I knew she would. No matter who, even if Luna went too far with me, she would defend me, her wife, her property. Even if she was my wife with that big, pregnant belly of hers.

And still, she said I would get the chance to taste Luna someday.

She made no sense, at least in that case. Whatever was in her mind about that, she wouldn’t tell me. Maybe it was too soon and she thought waiting is a better option than to let me dive head first into Luna? I had no idea.

Growling, I continued my way to the training grounds, not really keen to have Moon Shield see me like that. But as always, I had no choice. Luna wanted to make an announcement, and I had no real reason to stay away from it. Even if last night still disturbed me a little.

The next sight didn’t make anything better. The grounds were full of guards. All Night, but I also spotted two familiar faces clad in golden armor. I was surprised that they still attended our rounds, even with Sunset Streak gone. Yet, they seemed more determined than ever before.

“We are glad you made it out of your wife’s embrace and to our little announcement,” Luna chuckled next to me, startling me.

“Make it quick, I hurt in parts that shouldn’t,” I hissed softly.

“At ease. I don’t intend to make you suffer longer than necessary,” she replied before looking me over. “I suspect most is hidden by your armor?” I nodded and she grimaced. “At least it's not as bad as the last incident. Still, have Dust Aid a look at it before you come back to duty please.”

I nodded and took my place in front of the crowd, next to Moon Shield who only grinned at me, while Luna made her way up to the small stage.

“My dear guards, my friends. Today, I have a few important announcements to make,” Luna glanced around, a small smile on her lips. “Recruit Midnight Flow, please come forward.”

Next to me, Moon Shield facehoofed and muttered a low ‘idiot’ under her breath, while I had the urge to do the same. I knew exactly what would happen now.

As soon as Midnight was on the stage, Luna laid a wing over her back. “Recruit Midnight Flow showed exceptional skill and sharp senses in those last few months. While she also suffered a great loss, she grew stronger.” I could see Midnight wince besides her, but stayed still otherwise. “It is my great honor, to hereby present Lieutenant Midnight Flow of my personal guard!”

As I expected, most of the crowd cheered, but there were also a few angered ones, envious ones that showed off their fangs with a low hiss. We knew exactly that Luna’s personal guard was chosen by hoof. We also knew what the test for it was. 

“That is not all for today. Mace Cloud and Golden Eye of the royal guard, please step forward.” The two mares stepped forward, their golden armor blinking in the soft sun. “Today is also a rare event. Two mares decided to switch sides, to step out of the light of the sun and into the shadow of the moon.” Luna pointed her horn at the two mares, whose armor immediately began shifting. We all watched in awe as the golden armor transformed into the blackened silver and purple of Luna’s guard. “Please welcome our new sisters!”

Somehow, I knew this would make the situation worse.
	
	
	
> Interrogation One (Night Watch)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Eight: Interrogation One (Night Watch POV)





“General, General!”

I grumbled as I slowly untangled myself from my wife and stepped out of the bed, just to catch the edge and land muzzle first on the floor.

Rubbing my muzzle, and now more or less completely awake, I ripped the door open to reveal a messenger who immediately shrunk under my gaze.

“You better hope that this is important enough to wake me,” I growled.

“Y-Yes!” he stammered, bowing. “Princess Luna wishes to see you immediately in the throneroom!”

At this hour? I nodded and followed him after making sure that Blue was still asleep.

He moved quickly but I was more than able to stay close and smirked. Whatever it was Luna needed me for, she had made sure he would gather me quickly.

“Night Watch,” Luna greeted me as soon as I entered the throne room. “I’m sorry for the need to have you wakened, but we captured a pegasus trying to sneak a magic bomb down the lunar wing. I suspect that he was on the way to your chambers.”

“My chambers?” I asked. “But a magic bomb would’ve-”

“Not harmed you or your wife, but could’ve been deadly for your foal,” she ended for me.

I growled low and steady. That somepony would even try to harm my foal... I would break every single bone in his body. “Where is he?” I asked.

“Dungeons,” she answered simply. “Interrogate him, get every single detail out of him.” I nodded and went to leave, but she stopped me, her eyes turning a powerful white. “My sister does not need to know about this. You may use everything you need to get all information you deem important. When you are done, send for Red Wave.” She paused and I cringed as she hissed, “And then get rid of that filth.”

I saluted and left the room, a bit shocked. What the Princess had just given me was a free pass. I would be allowed to do everything to the prisoner, because he would die anyways.

He tried to kill our foal, he deserves it. 

Yet I couldn’t shake the feeling off that everything would get worse soon.



***



The dungeons of Canterlot were a myth to nearly everypony. Yet, they were very real. Nearly a mile long, hidden under Canterlot and the old mines, nopony would discover them without knowing what to look for. Escape was simply not imaginable, Luna and Celestia personally installed the wards, forbidding any magic or teleportation at all.

Red Wave saluted as I approached the cell, giving me a small smile. “Our Moon asked me to help you.” I could only see her fang-showing smile and her fiery red mane, her black coat melting into the stone like she was a ghost.

“Thank you. I have the feeling I will need strong wings to hinder me from killing him too quickly,” I said before moving forwards. She stopped me with a wing.

“Night. Shield cares about you and Blue, and so do I. We are a family, and nothing will ever get in our way.”

I smiled and gave her a quick hug before steeling myself for what would wait inside. Once the door opened, however, Red Wave gasped and took a step back.

“I don’t believe it!”

“What?” I asked, looking the chained pegasus over.

He was a big, black pegasus with a bright red mane. He could’ve been Red Wave’s father, but what immediately caught my attention where his eyes. Those grey eyes I’ve seen only a few times.

Red Wave spread her wings, growling, “This is Red Streak, Sunset Streak’s father.”

“I was her father,” the stallion coughed weakly. “You took her from me.”

“Stop talking,” I spat and sat down on the chair in front of him while Red Wave leaned against the wall behind him. “The only reason you’re not dead, is because our Moon wants to know what you know.”

“Dead?” He asked and then panicked. “There is no death sentence in Equestria!”

“You are an exception, and so are your friends if you have them,” Red Wave smirked before leaning in. “And you tried to kill the foal of our General here, so you’re doubly screwed.”

I had no idea a stallion with a black coat could get pale as he looked at me, every bit of colour leaving his muzzle.

“Now, be so kind and explain to me why you tried to sneak a magic-fueled bomb into my quarters,” I started calmly.

“I had no idea it was your chambers!” he basically winced back. “They just told me direction and door!”

“And you thought everything would go well?” Red Wave scoffed behind his back.

Something is wrong with all this. Is he playing? I thought as I looked into his eyes that didn’t matched his voice or expression.

“I had nothing to lose,” he whimpered. “It was all-”

“Stop fucking around with us you rotten piece of scum!” Wave suddenly screamed, being at his side in an instant with her fangs on display. “I know you’re just acting, so stop the whining you fool!”

The stallion still looked perplex, then he started laughing, louder and louder. “Not as dumb as I thought, but he warned me of you. Still, the sun will always rule over the night!”

“What are you talking about?” I asked him. “And who is he?”

“I’m not telling you anything.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” Red Wave smirked before glaring at him. “Our Moon told us we can do what we want, so let’s have some fun.”

“Fun? Oh yeah, I’m always in for a bit fun!” he exclaimed, grinning cockily.

He lost his grin quickly as Wave left the room, only to come back with a small attachment to her wing.

“You bitch!” he screamed. “The use of hardened wingblades is illegal outside of war!”

“Nothing is illegal in here today,” I glared at him. “Now if you don’t tell us something useful, Red Wave will cut you apart. Piece. By. Piece. 

“Buck you, you bi-”

He stopped short as Wave appeared right in front of him, her right wing not even an inch from his muzzle. “Well, what first? An eye? Maybe an ear?” Red grinned and moved the wing lower. “Or his balls?”

“Nah,” I cut in. “You know stallions. Take something that won’t make him squeal like a girl for hours, we still want our answers.”

“Then an ear it is.”

“What are you doing you fucking little-AAAHHHHH WHAT THE FUCK?!”

Red Streak thrashed around, his blood splattering across the room as his left ear dropped to the ground. Red Wave watched with a sultry grin on her muzzle before raising the wing to her muzzle, slowly licking the blood off. It reminded me of one thing Moon Shield told me years ago.

You know Red Wave from second squadron? The black mare with the fiery red mane? That bucker Grey used his friends to try and come onto her, trying to get her in for a quick night.

What happened?

She broke the muzzle of one of his friends and let’s just say she got him by his balls. Seriously, no one should mess around with thestrals out of Blood Wing’s bloodline. They’re all far nastier than they should be.

Yes, I remembered it, and this situation proved them right to always stay on Red Wave’s good side. Her ancestor, Blood Wing, was famous for his quick escalation to bloody fights. It seemed like Red Wave wasn’t a big exception.

“Are you talking or do I have to cut the other ear off?” Red Wave screamed.

“I don’t know who gives the orders. All I know is that he is a stallion and has a brown coat. I’ve never seen a horn or wings so I think he is an earth pony. I don’t know his name, but there was a letter every few weeks in my box with new orders. I swear that’s all!”

“Who gave you the bomb?” I asked.

“It was hidden near Canterlot park and I just retrieved it like the letter said!”

“Do you know who sabotaged the armoury?” I continued.

Now he looked positively scared. “I don’t know.”

“I think he is lying,” Red Wave smiled. “Round two!”

Before I could even say something, Red lowered her wing onto his right forehoof, lingering for a few moments before serving him a deep cut, taking her sweet time with it.

The stallion screamed in agony. “I only know that everypony in the Order calls her Lady Blum! I swear that’s all I know about her.”

“Red, stop,” I raised my hoof and the mare in question pouted before raising her wing. “What order?”

“I don’t have any idea! I’m not part of the Order, I just do jobs for them!”

“You murder for ponies you don’t even really know?” Red Wave asked him, a deep glare in her eyes. “And you still do so, even after they killed your daughter?”

“They didn’t do it!” Red Streak screamed. “You did! All you fucking bastards of the darkness! You corrupted my little girl! You made her sick, but now she is in a better place, where the sun always shines! She is well now! The sun always-”

I couldn’t take it anymore, my hoof interrupting him as it crashed into his muzzle. “You sick bastard. You knew she would be there… and you did nothing.”

“I had to save my little girl,” Red Streak wept openly now.

“You accepted it. Because she loved somepony you didn’t agree with. She had to die because you thought you could protect her like that. You are sick,” Red Wave silently spoke.

“She didn’t die. She went to a better place,” Red Streak smiled. “She was cured.”

“You sick fuck!” Red Wave screamed. “You sick fuck, you allowed them to kill your own daughter. I should go and get Midnight Flow just so she can watch you die slowly.”

“Do it,” I said calmly.

“What?!” They both turned to me, Red Streak confused, Red Wave scared.

“Get Midnight here. Now.”

“G-general! This is not a good idea,” Red Wave started. “We should-”

“GET HER, NOW,” I yelled and she just saluted and left.

“Who… who is Midnight Flow?” 

“Someone that will love getting to know you,” I said before turning to the door and opening it to leave. “Oh, and the marefriend of your daughter.”

I heard him scream after I closed the door behind me.



***



It was a bloodbath.

In all the time I knew Midnight Flow, she never lost her composure. 

All I saw as I entered the room behind Luna was blood and torn flesh. 

“Midnight,” she whispered. “What did you do?”

“I couldn’t take it,” the mare in question answered, crying silently. “He insulted her, he insulted us!”

Luna bent down next to Midnight and nuzzled her, despite all the blood she smeared into her own coat. “My little night, I understand, but now he is useless to us and we barely have any information.”

“We have all the information we need.”

“How so?” I asked.

Midnight looked up at me, no emotion on her face besides her tears. “One of the higher ranks in the order is a mare named Golden Snow and she works in the local weather team of Canterlot. Her family owns a big part of the weather factory. The Order gets their funding mostly from them.”

“Anything else?” Luna asked, still nuzzling her.

“Grey Plate is involved. Red Streak noticed him at one of the meetings.”

My eyes went wide. I had already suspected it, but finally I could do something. “Shield!” I yelled.

The door opened and Moon Shield stuck her head in, instantly wrinkling her nose at the smell. “Yeah?”

“Get our best up. We have two targets. A mare named Golden Snow from the local weather team. And I suspect you still know Grey Plate. Get them both here, alive if possible and without trouble or public witnesses.”

She didn’t even question me. Moon Shield saluted and closed the door, her voice fading as she yelled command after command.

“My little night, we have to get you out of here. You need rest and we should have this place cleaned up so our new guests may find themselves... comfortable in here,” Luna forced Midnight to get up before turning to me. “You are to keep Grey Plate alive. Don’t. Kill. Him.” she said, and it was with a tone that made me more than understand that anything else would have big consequences for me. “After you are done with your questioning, bring him to me.”

I bowed deeply, unable to look Luna in her eyes. They were a dangerous, glowing white by now, and I knew that Grey Plate would be treated to every unimaginable thing Luna could come up with. 

A quick death was not on that list.
	
	
> Interrogation Two (Midnight Flow)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Nine: Interrogation Two (Midnight Flow POV)





I couldn’t find any sleep. 

There was no problem with the bed. I was in Luna’s chambers, and the bed had to be the softest in all of Equestria, maybe even the world. The sheets covering me felt like cool silk. Maybe they even were woven from silk.

No, the bedwares weren’t the problem. 

I was worried; worried after a scout had burst in, rousing Luna and me from sleep. After he had talked to her for a few moments, she told me to stay in her chambers and rushed out. I had never seen her so angry, it was truly frightening.

That brought up another question. Over the last days, I had grown closer to Luna. She wanted me. I could see and feel it. But did I want her too? That was something I had no idea about. I cared for her deeply, that I was sure off. But more?

You care for her. After everything she did for you and Sunset.

It was true. She had allowed me some final moments with Sunset. She allowed me to part on our terms, and say my farewells to her. It was a gift I still cherished among the last kiss I felt on my lips.

Is it truly so different now?

“It is. She is my Princess and I’m just a soldier,” I whispered.

That doesn’t mean it has to be different. You can change it.

Did I even want it to change, place Luna deep in my heart so shortly after Sunset? I shook my head.

Sunset will always be in your heart as a wonderful mare. Luna would just set a new spot, a new love. One Sunset would approve of.

Tears slowly made their way down my muzzle. “I am just so afraid of the future. I have a feeling that it will become much, much worse. I don’t want anypony else near me to die.”

A knock on the door interrupted me and I quickly wiped my tears away before the door opened and a head stuck in. “Midnight, are you awake?”

“What is it, Wave?”

“The general wants you to have a small talk with the prisoner. Get up.”

I groaned as I shuffled out of bed and onto my hooves. Wave saluted quickly, something she had never done, before taking the lead. Something was very off. Normally, Wave was pretty cold and grim, but this time it was almost like she was scared.

That’s not very likely. We are talking about Red Wave here after all.

“Can you at least tell me what's going on? If I have to do this interrogation I should know who the prisoner is, and a few other details. Don't you think?”

Red Wave stopped and sighed before continuing in a slower pace. “The prisoner’s name is Red Streak, father of Sunset Streak.” I gasped but she continued. “He is being held for questioning because he was caught smuggling a magic bomb into the general’s quarters.”

I didn't knew much about those kind of bombs, but one thing for sure. “But that would have killed the foal!” I cut in.

“Indeed. But he also believes that we killed his daughter. Everything points to him knowing about his daughter and who sabotaged the armoury.”

“He knew? She was his daughter!” I screamed, getting really pissed off by that stallion.

“Well, you can ask him yourself,” Wave said, stopping before a massive door flanked by two guards. “Luna said we can do what we want to him because he’s going to die anyways. Just try to get more information and make Night right. She suggested to bring you in for the interrogation.”

“I will try my best,” I replied before taking a deep breath and opening the door, just to be greeted by a broken stallion.

“No! Please! I will do anything!” He screamed past me. “I will tell you everything if you keep me alive and that mare away from me!”

“Well then,” I started and sat down opposite from him. “You can tell me everything and maybe I won't hurt you so much.”

Wave grinned behind me and closed the door, leaving us alone. Then, suddenly, his demeanor changed completely.

“Finally, we are alone, you bitch.”

“What?” I had expected everything, just not this.

“You think I would scream and beg to the mare that managed to spread the legs of my worthless daughter open?`” He gave a quick laugh. “Nice try. You are nothing but a whiny bitch. From what I know, a small recruit, not important enough for anything else.”

I showed off my fangs as I kicked my stool back and surrounded the table. He grinned smugly at me before it was wiped away by my hoof. The impact toppled him back, but he regained his composure and grinned again. 

“Nice swing for such a meager mare like you. Did you hurt my daughter as well? Made her love y-”

He was cut off as my hoof swung down again, and again. “My name is Lieutenant Midnight Flow, defender of the night and loyal soldier to her Majesty, Luna of the Moon. How dare you insult me? How dare you insult your own daughter? I should-” I stopped as a short, bright white light flashed in the room, but I couldn’t see anything. “What was that?”

“Afraid, you bitch? Afraid of some light, as may the true princess come and punish you for everything you have done?” Red Streak smiled. 

I looked blankly at him. “You really think that Princess Celestia would approve of your behaviour?”

“She would definitely not approve of you raping one of her guards and forcing her under your love!”

It was strange. I felt as if my head was lighter, my feelings burning through my body. They told me to hurt him. To make him beg. To kill him to protect my princess. Looking around I found a pair of hoofblades in the corner of the room. How convenient. And they even fit.

Walking back to him I pulled him up before resting one of the blades against his throat. “You wanna talk now?”

“No! I will never talk to you! I will never forget the disgrace you brought upon my daughter and my family. You bitch, you poisoned her!”

“Too bad,” I spoke before adding a bit more pressure. My mind screamed all but Kill him!, but I wouldn’t give in that easily. 

The stallion started to laugh again, the blade drawing deeper into his flesh. “You might kill me, I will stay loyal to our Sun Princess! She will wipe Equestria of the night and- AHH WHAT IS THIS.”

I looked shocked down to see the flesh where the blade had cut in boil and sizzle. Quickly retreating it I noticed a dark green glimmer on the blade and grimaced. It’s enchanted. Probably for torture considering his reaction. Well, why not use it?

I was a bit shocked by my own thought, but continued. “Tell me what you know, or it gets worse!”

“I don’t know anything, please, make it stop!” he wailed back, the flesh on his throat became more and more unrecognizable.

“Why should I make it stop if you won’t give me what I want?” I asked cooly.

“Bet you said that to my daughter as well, you monster,” he spit some blood onto my face. “Nothing but a monster, my daughter probably knew it and refused you!”

I lost it. Retracting the blade I started to punch at his throat, eliciting gurgles from the stallion. I got covered in blood but I didn’t care. That was, until the stallion looked at me, incomprehensible speech coming out of his muzzle.

As soon as I stopped, he coughed, spreading more and more blood around. “I-I’ll tell you. Please. No more!”

“Then start talking!” I growled, my hoof still raised.

“Grey Plate! The former Royal Guard was at one of the meetings! He is involved!” he quickly replied, his voice barely recognizable anymore, speaking visibly a strain on him.

“That fuck!” I cursed before glaring back at the stallion. “I want more!”

“That’s all I know! I didn’t recognize any others!”

“Then let’s continue before I grow bored,” I casually said before retracting the blade. “I’m sure you don’t need this anymore,” I added before setting the blade on his right ear, slowly cutting through it.

Red Streak thrashed and screamed, but I held him while more and more blood made it’s way down my blade and up my hoof. I took my sweet time in cutting it off, making sure it hurt like hell.

"You fucking bitch! Did you cut my daughter to pieces as well? Then it was good that I released her from her bad fate with you!

“You did what?”

“I helped this weird mare with cursing the weapons. Sadly, you survived!” he snickered, flinching every time pain shot through his throat or ears. “Well, it’s not like Celestia won’t kill you s-”

He stopped and looked down in shock where the blade stuck out of his left hind leg. Then he screamed as I snapped it upwards, destroying flesh and muscles.

I was furious beyond grasp. My heart screamed at what I was doing, but my mind demanded more. It wanted me to kill this poor excuse of a stallion in front of me. To destroy him. To cut him into small pieces.

“STOP! GOLDEN SNOW!”

“What?” I asked.

“Golden Snow! Her family owns most of the weather factory, that’s where our funding comes from! She works at the local weather team and is one of our head organizers!” he screamed, before sobbing. “Please, let me live!”

"Why should I do after what you said about my beloved? She is gone thanks to you and this cult! You really think Celestia is the true princess?” I snorted before smiling at him. “Let me tell you something. The Royal Guard is just a protection for the nobles and some cities. We, the guards of the night, are Equestria’s army. If you plan to dismiss of my queen, try it. Equestria will fall and all of you ponies shall die, because we won’t save you then.”

“You think so highly of yourselves,” he replied. “The night is unholy and should be removed. And with it, all of you freaks. I’m honored to serve my true Princess and nothing you say will keep me from this. Luna is nothing but a bitch that tried to take the throne once, and will do so again. And you. You… monsters! Creatures like you will burn under the sun, inflamed by holy light as the true princess will judge you! Equestria will be safe and peaceful again.”

“I am truly sorry, my little pony, but I cannot allow that.”

I turned, extracting my blade, to see Princess Celestia standing in the corner. “Princess! What are you doing here?”

“Everything I have to do to save my Lulu from another Nightmare.” She sighed and looked at me. “I’m truly sorry for what I have to do, Lieutenant, but you won’t remember anything of it afterwards.”

“What are you doing?” I asked as she lifted me up in her magic.

“Using you to protect my sister and Equestria.”

It was the last thing I heard along with the sight of Celestia engulfed in golden flames.
	
	
> Solar Wrath (Celestia)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Ten: Solar Wrath (Celestia POV)





It was a rather… boring day so far. My little ponies tended to their business and as usual, asking me everything they couldn’t find a solution alone. Sometimes it was very strenuous, and the fact that neither my sister nor Twilight were here to spend time talking with me only made it worse.

“I’m starting to complain like a foal, not like a ruler in my age should,” I chuckled softly.

“Princess?”

I looked up to find my personal aide and scribe Quick Quill looking at me. “Yes?”

“Your nephew would like an audience. Once you are done with him, your sister would also like to talk with you,” she smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry.”

I sighed before giving her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, my friend. Even if I prefer the good news, I can deal with them.” Nodding to the guards at the door, they opened them, just to be pushed to the side by the one problem I loved and hated at the same time.

“How can I help you on this wonderful day, nephew?”

“Auntie! This is outrageous!” he yelled as soon as he stepped a hoof inside. “You have to put these commoners in their place at once!”

“My dear Blueblood, you have to be a bit more precise than that. Also, I told you to not speak like this about the ponies,” I scolded him gently.

“But Auntie! Those commoners ask that I make reservations at my favourite restaurant! That I wait in line like everypony else, like those winged freaks-” I held my hoof and glared, stopping him dead in the tracks.

“Blueblood! This is the third time this week that you use such words in front of me or in court! I will not have it anymore! You will behave like every other pony or I will stop overlooking those things and start punishing you!” I said sternly, getting up from my throne. “Don’t think that I will forget Equestria or my little ponies just because you are part of my family!” Even if it is a doubtful one.

He looked outright shocked at me, just before turning and stomping out of the room, cursing most of the way while I sighed and sat back onto my throne.

“Any more surprises, my dear Quill?” I asked the mare to my side, whose coat turned from a light yellow to a more dark orange thanks to her embarrassment. “I’m not faulting you, my little pony. When does my sister wants to meet?”

“How about now, dear sister of mine?” Luna spoke as she glared at me.

“I didn’t see you coming in, Lulu.”

“Of course not, Tia. ‘Tis our realm, night and shadows,” she spoke, her voice containing a hardened edge.

I smiled before I stood up and to her side, brushing my coat against hers. “I can tell that there is something wrong. What is it?”

Luna snorted before stepping away, glaring frustrated at me. “Thine fools of a so called guard won’t stop attacking my family and my friends!"

“Luna, I told you once, but let me repeat it again. We have no evidence that there is anypony within my Royal Guard engaged in any of the actions against you or the Night Guard,” I replied calmly.

“THEY SMUGGLED A MOON-DAMN BOMB INTO OUR WING!”

I stopped at that piece of information. “Who?”

“Some stallion. Our general is interrogating him. And then we will finally know who is behind this.” Luna completely turned to me, her eyes totally black. “And then they will feel my wrath!”

“Lulu, don’t over do it,” I warned her. “Please remember the last time you took a matter too much to heart!”

“No!” she growled. “Since you won’t do anything, we will take the matters in our own hooves. They will learn to fear us and our night!”

“I thought you wanted our subjects to love your night!” I objected.

“They don’t deserve our lovely night. Mark my words, dear sister. They will regret everything they have done to our friends and loved ones.”

I didn’t have a chance to further talk to her as she simply turned and left, anger and a cold wind left in her place. As I made my way back to the throne, I waved for one of my guards.

“Lieutenant Silver Wings.”

“Yes, your highness?”

“I want you to find out where the prisoner is my sister has talked about. I need to know his exact whereabouts,” I said, massaging my temples. “And make it quick.”

“What are you planning to do?” she asked, her brown eyes widening.

"Everything I must.”



***



Everything around me was silence as I moved to my chambers. Luna was gone, nowhere to be found, as well as the general and the others of the night guard. However, I knew where the prisoner was.

I should’ve known that Luna would use the dungeons for such an interrogation.

“Lieutenant?” I asked loudly and the mare opened the doors. “I want you to stop everypony from entering. I would like some time for me alone, and wish no disturbances.”

“Of course, my Princess,” she saluted quickly before resuming her post.

I should start drawing more mares into my Royal Guard. The old team is shattered. One mare dead, the other two switched to Luna’s army. What a shame.

“There is just one question left,” I muttered silently. “Do I step in or let Luna handle it alone?”

After what happened last time, it wouldn’t be wise,  a soft voice in my head whispered. Do you want another Nightmare?

“Of course not,” I sighed. “But I am not my sister. I’m not a warrior and not one to shed the blood of my little ponies. I was always the diplomat and wise teacher.”

It is for your sister. Save her. You have to keep these ponies from hurting her before it is too late.

“Even if it means that I have to draw blood again. For the first time since the Lunar War,” I said before growling as I concentrated on the wards in the dungeons, bending my own enchantments to my will so they would let me through.

In a quick flash, I arrived in the only occupied room currently in the dungeons, quickly hiding myself with an illusion in a lonely corner. The room was bare except a lamp, a table and two stools. One of them currently occupied by a pony contained with handcuffs, another standing over it, hitting with all available force.

“-daughter? I should-” the pony stopped and looked around. “What was that?”

I recognized the pony as Midnight Flow. A lieutenant in Luna’s armies and, if the rumours were true, her current consort.

The stallion at the ground laughed and smiled. “Afraid, you bitch? Afraid of some light, as may the true princess come and punish you for everything you have done?”

Now this is interesting, if rude.

Midnight just stared at him. “You really think that Princess Celestia would approve of your behaviour?”

"She would definitely not approve of you raping one of her guards and forcing her under your love!”

That was all I needed to hear. Usually I would refrain from using any magical tricks on my ponies, but I had to save Luna, and Equestria. That was the reason I used at least. Controlling a light spell on Midnight, I nudged her in one direction. Anger. Fueling everything she had against that stallion.

As the mare looked around I noticed that she was looking for a way to hurt him even more. I reacted quickly and teleported a weapon from the guard chambers. Smiling, I recognized a hoof blade. She will definitely know how to work with this. 

“You wanna talk now?” Midnight asked, pressing the blade against his throat.

“No! I will never talk to you! I will never forget the disgrace you brought upon my daughter and my family. You bitch, you poisoned her!”

Now I was intrigued. Probing his mind a little, I nearly gasped. It was the father of Sunset Streak, my guard that was killed in the last accident. This was becoming more and more interesting, but I couldn’t see any connection to my Royal Guard. I needed answers.

“Too bad,” was all Midnight said as I nudged her mind further and further towards her hatred and anger. 

You are pretty stubborn, little one. Or I simply lost my flair in the finer arts of manipulating my ponies. Well, in this case I have to help a bit. Concentrating my magic, I manipulated the blade. A effect that quickly took notice of the two ponies.

“You might kill me, I will stay loyal to our Sun Princess! She will wipe Equestria of the night and- AHH WHAT IS THIS.” the stallion screamed as his flesh boiled and sizzled upon the wound.

Midnight quickly used it. “Tell me what you know, or it gets worse!”

"I don’t know anything, please, make it stop!”

“Why should I make it stop if you won’t give me what I want?”

“Bet you said that to my daughter as well, you monster,” the stallion screeched before spitting some blood onto Midnight’s face. “Nothing but a monster, my daughter probably knew it and refused you!”

The mare completely lost herself as she retracted the blade and started to punch at his throat even without my nudging. I cringed as she dented his throat a bit and the stallion wheezed.

“I-I’ll tell you. Please. No more!”

“Then start talking!”

“Grey Plate! The former Royal Guard was at one of the meetings! He is involved!”

I lost part of the following conversation, too shocked to to anything. My sister was right. All the time it had been the Royal Guard, my guard. Or at least one of them. A scream took me back and I watched, as the mare cut one of the prisoners ear off.

“You fucking bitch! Did you cut my daughter to pieces as well? Then it was good that I released her from her bad fate with you!”

Now that was pretty interesting.

“You did what?”

“I helped this weird mare with cursing the weapons. Sadly, you survived!” the stallion snickered.  “Well, it’s not like Celestia won’t kill you s-”

I turned my head on the next scene, only the screams of the stallion accompany me. Even with my anger and determination to save my sister, it was hard to see any of my little pony hurt. No matter how much they deserved it.

“STOP! GOLDEN SNOW!”

I knew that name.

“Golden Snow! Her family owns most of the weather factory, that’s where our funding comes from! She works at the local weather team and is one of our head organizers!” he screamed, before sobbing. “Please, let me live!”

Midnight smiled. “Why should I do that after what you said about my beloved? She is gone thanks to you and this cult! You really think Celestia is the true princess?”

That made me scowl a little, I had to admit that.

“Let me tell you something. The Royal Guard is just a protection for the nobles and some cities. We, the guards of the night are Equestria’s army. If you plan to dismiss of my queen, try it. Equestria will fall and all of you ponies shall die, because we won’t save you then.”

Well, that was true.

The stallion, however, wasn’t done. “You think so highly of yourselves. The night is unholy and should be removed. And with it all of you freaks. I’m honored to serve my true Princess and nothing you say will keep me from this. Luna is nothing but a bitch that tried to take the throne once and will do so again. And you. You… monsters! Creatures like you will burn under the sun, inflamed by holy light as the true princess will judge you! Equestria will be safe and peaceful again.”

It was too much. I had to stop those twisted plans, and with it those ponies. Even if it hurt. I had to save my sister and Equestria. “I am truly sorry, my little pony, but I cannot allow that,” I said and dropped the illusion hiding me. Midnight was surprised, while the stallion turned up a smug grin.

“Princess! What are you doing here?” the mare asked, her blade still extended.

Everything I have to do to save my Lulu from another Nightmare.” I sighed and looked into her eyes. “I’m truly sorry for what I have to do, Lieutenant, but you won’t remember anything of it afterwards.”

“What are you doing?” she asked as I grabbed her in my magic.

The answer hurt, but it had to be done. “Using you to protect my sister and Equestria,” I said before wiping her memory and letting her fall into a peaceful sleep.

“Princess! You came to save me!” the stallion cried out in happiness as soon as I had settled the mare down.

“I think you misunderstood something, my little pony,” I said as I glared at him, golden flames enveloping my body. “I’m here to save my sister and Equestria, not you.”

He was afraid. Truly afraid of me. Who would blame him? A goddess, completely engulfed in the flames of the sun standing in front of him, ready to wipe his existence.

“I only did it for you, the true princess!” he wailed.

“You disgust me,” I hissed. “We are all true Princesses! Twilight, Cadance, me, and yes, even Luna! My sister you seem to hate so much.”

“She is the night! It is unholy! We accept you and Princess Cadance as goddesses, but not the other two!”

“Why not my student? What did she ever do to you?” I asked, fear clenching my heart. “She doesn’t even live near Canterlot! Her castle is in Ponyville.”

“She is a unicorn and will be one forever! You simply can’t declare a pony a princess and expect to have it accepted by everypony!” he smiled uneasily. “She was your student, your highness. Surely you have to see how wrong she is.”

They even want to hurt Twilight!

I frowned. “And my sister? Besides that her night is ‘unholy’ as you say.”

The stallion pondered for a while and shifted, wincing every now and then in pain until he spoke. “She wants to bring eternal night. The elements may have rescued her, but the evil is still inside her, we just know it.” he paused and gulped. “And then her abominations. These… bat ponies. They are just wrong!

I felt anger burst through my chest, anger I haven’t felt in centuries. “They are ponies just like you and me! They are created by birth, natural! My sister didn’t create or alter them! Even the first pony was created naturally and in pure love!”

“You… You can’t seriously mean that, my princess! They are freaks!”

“I can’t stand that word anymore,” I growled and stepped closer, the flames crackling brighter and brighter. “It is time that you realize that my sister is not the only one to carry negative power. I will protect my subjects and my sister from you and all that are helping you.”

I sent the flames out to devour him, ignoring his screams of pain. “No matter the cost.”

I would never forget the first life I took after nearly a thousand years of peace in my heart.
> Unexpected Resistance (Luna)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Eleven: Unexpected Resistance (Luna POV)



“Please, my little night, talk with me,” I begged her once more as she sat silent on my bed, staring into the distance.

There was silence for a few more minutes until Midnight looked into my eyes, fear and rage clearly evident in them. “I lost control. I can’t even remember what I did to him. He insulted her… he insulted Sunset,” she stopped and sobbed and I quickly laid a wing around her, holding her against me. “He was supposed to be her father and said such bad things about her!”

“My little night, listen to me,” I said, raising her muzzle with a hoof. Before I continued, I gave her a soft kiss, a kiss that erased—thankfully—most of the fear from her eyes. “He said those things to hurt you, to get under your skin, my dear. Trust me that you are a wonderful mare, and Sunset was as well, from what I know.”

She gave me a small, but sincere smile. “I know that. That’s why it hurt so much more hearing him saying all those things. He hates you pretty much, and the bat ponies as well.”

I sighed and lay completely down, pulling her with me. She nuzzled gently into my side as I sighed. “Some ponies can’t forget the past, my little night. They think I am mad, and that I will turn to Nightmare Moon again. That I will lose control again.” I stopped and gave her a gentle squeeze. “That won’t happen again.”

Won’t it?

You can only mock my thoughts, so it is true.

I shook my head and smiled at Midnight. “Besides, I have a beautiful consort at my side.” I chuckled loud as she blushed furiously. “Don’t be ashamed, I hold you in high regards.”

“I know that, but I don’t know if I deserve it,” she said after a few seconds. “Would Sunset be proud of me?”

I didn’t even have to think about that, because I remembered too well.




***




“Hello, Sunset Streak,” I said softly at the gasping mare in front of me.

“What is wrong? Where am I? Where are the others?”

“Please, calm down, Sunset Streak. You are in the dreamscape. I extracted your magical essence to bring you to life for a short time again, although it is limited.”

“Why did you do that?” she asked me with a tilted head.

My heart clenched at the thought. “Because Midnight Flow needs to tell you farewell, or she won’t let go and live a horrible life.”

“Midnight…” Sunset whispered, tears coming into her eyes. “How is she?”

“She is doing well… despite her wish to be relieved from this world. She wants nothing more than to be at your side.”

“She promised me she’d always continue to fight!”

“Little one, her heart is broken at this moment. That incident killed you instantly and she had no chance to say goodbye,” I smiled sadly. “No chance to get a last kiss from the mare she loves more than everything.”

“I can understand that,” she answered and looked down. “Life is unfair.”

“Life is hardly fair,” I chuckled.

Sunset joined in but her expression turned quickly somber. “We wanted to create a family. Asking you for the stuff you gave the general and her wife. I guess I won’t ever have foals now.”

“Actually, there is a chance,” I whispered.

"What?!”

“Sunset, before we continue, I need to tell you a few things. What I do here is a deep, personal grip of your magic. I take the essence and filter it through a vision to create this, you’re the real you in the dreamscape. Before I continue to do anything, I would like your blessing to go ahead.”

Sunset sat down and looked up into the sky, seconds passing by before her expression turned into a sincere smile. “I trust you. I trust that you will do what is best for Midnight.”

“I hold her dear, indeed,” I chuckled before getting serious. “After we are done here I will direct your essence to Midnight, so you can visit her. You won’t have much time, but it is a chance. Enough to say proper farewell. I,” I stopped, choking on what I was about to say.

Tia would banish us again for what we are about to do.

"You can still have foals, with my help."

“How so?” Sunset asked, genuinely interested.

“We can save some of your magical essence to withstand the years or even centuries. It is dark magic as it takes a split part of your soul,” I stopped as she cringed visible. “But if I were to put that essence into a potion like the one I gave Night Watch, the foal produced would have your genes.”

“Can you truly do this?”

“If you wished for it, I could,” I bowed my head.

“Please, then do so,” Sunset smiled. “But do me two favours.”

“If I can fulfill them.”

“Don’t tell Midnight until the foal is due.”

I was surprised, but nodded my consent. “And the second?”

“Give Midnight that foal from me,” she paused and smiled, putting a hoof upon my chest. “I can see it here. You truly care for Midnight.”

Yes, I was lost for words, staring at her in surprise. “W-what?”

"You heard me,” she chuckled. “Now, as I believe we don’t have much time left?”

I was still at the same spot with the same expression, but her words took me back into reality. “Yes. If I transfer you to Midnight now you have enough time to say farewell.”

Sunset embraced me, hugging me tightly. A gesture I returned after a second of hesitation.

“Oh, and one thing,” she stopped me before I could send her over.

“Yes?”

“If Midnight marries at some point or gets a foal, whichever may come first.... There is a safe box in the Canterlot bank, number Twelve. The passcode is Midnight. Give her the contents please.”

“I will,” I said, bowing. “It was a honor to meet the pony that stole her heart. Now, go to her. You will know when the dream begins to fade.”

Sunset shot me a last, sincere smile and gave me a nod before I sent the dream and her essence to Midnight.

“I hope you enjoy it, my little night,” I said softly before continuing on the dreamscape, chasing away the nightmares of my subjects.




***




“I think she is,” I said with a small smile. “She loves you with all of her heart.”

“You say that as if she’s still here,” Midnight sniffed.

“Because she is,” I replied and planted a small kiss on her chest. “In here. Our beloved ones are always with us, no matter how long they are gone.”

She smiled at me. “You sound like you’ve got experience?”

“My dear Midnight. I’m thousands of years old. I lost many ponies I loved and even more I simply cherished. At first you’ll grieve and scream and weep. But after some time, you learn that you can always carry those ponies in your heart and smile if you think about them.”

“I never took you to be so wise,” she mocked me.

I poked her flank. “I wouldn’t be fit as a princess if I hadn’t learned something over thousands of years.” I stopped and frowned. “Or learned from my mistakes.”

Your mistakes will always haunt you! All those dead ponies!

Shaking my head, I gave Midnight a small smile. “I still think a lot about the past. But with ponies like you on my side, there will only be a bright future.”

Just continue lying to yourself and that foal.

“Can I ask you a rather personal question?”

I tilted my head in amusement. “We’ve shared lips, bed and fluids. What makes you think you could ask me a personal question?”

"Very funny,” Midnight snorted before stopping. “Do you remember anything from your time as Nightmare Moon.”

No

"Yes. Everything,” I whispered. “All the flames. The pain my moon brought. The pleading look in those eyes before I ended their life.”

“I’m sorry for asking,” Midnight winced.

“Don’t be, my little night,” I smiled and nuzzled her. “Time will heal all wounds.”

Aaand another lie.

“Now rest, a new day awaits tomorrow.”

Midnight nodded and shifted around, making her comfortable. She cuddled deeply into my side before laying her head over my neck, sighing peacefully.

“Goodnight, Luna.”

“Goodnight, my little Night,” I whispered back and soon found my own sleep coming to take me.



***



“You are a truly good liar, Luna. How long do you think you can withstand me?”

I growled at the black alicorn in front of me who mocked, even dared me. “I can withstand you forever! I know what I did by letting you take over. Never again!”

“My dear Luna. I’m you! You cannot abandon me! You can’t forget me! At some point, I will be powerful enough to take over again, and this time I shall not spare our dear sister or all those ponies.”

“Stay away from my sister, Nightmare!” I screamed, rage burning in me. “I won’t let you touch her!”

“Well,” she drawled back, “Then  how about I visit that new love of yours?”

Nightmare suddenly took a step back as I closed in, my voice booming in anger. “If you do so much as bring her a single bad dream, I will shatter your part into pieces!”

“FOOL! You wouldn’t do that! You would give up immortality for a mortal?”

“You are a fool if you haven’t learned yet!” I screamed back. “You took use of old grief to take over once, but it won’t happen again. My friends, my beloved ones, they will protect me! You have no more power than to mock my mind and dreams!”

Nightmare turned around, smiling a last time at me. “We will see about that.”



***



“Luna!”

I groaned as I opened my eyes, just to see Blue Moon standing next to my bed, a sad expression on her face.

It was enough to wake me up. “What happened?”

“We… we found Grey Plate.”

“That is good news! Why are you so sad?”

“They waited for us,” she continued. “He had help from the Royal Guard.”

“What happened?” I growled.

“Two of us are dead, Grey Plate fled.”

I howled and jumped out of my bed, waking Midnight in the process. “What is going on?”

“Some minor problems, my little Night,” I replied, trying to stay calm. “Go back to sleep, I have to deal with it, but I will be back to join you soon.”

She looked sceptical at me, but laid her head back down. It wasn’t even long before her soft snores filled the air once more and I simply had to smile.

“Blue Moon. You should be in your chambers,” I said as soon as we were out of my chambers. “Don’t even try to argue with me,” I quickly glared her down. “You are due in not so many weeks from now. Please, be safe. For Night Watch.”

She looked down at the ground. “It’s not easy to do nothing. I want to fight.”

“And you will,” I said and lifted her muzzle. “But your little filly comes first.”

“I know, Luna.” She placed a hoof on her stomach and sighed. “I will go back to my chambers. They are waiting for you in the throne room.”

I watched her until she walked around the edge before I waved one of my guards to me. “I want you to double the guards in front of the general’s chambers and in the corridor as well. Double the guards in front of my door as well, just to be safe.”

The mare saluted and quickly galloped off to carry out my orders while I made my way to the throne room. Arriving, it was truly an unique sight, seeing Red Wave and Night Watch covered in blood, waiting for me. “Report.”

“We found Grey Plate in the outer districts of Canterlot. He fled as soon as he caught a glimpse of us, fleeing through the southern parks,” Night started, before shuddering. “It was a small massacre."

“Grey Plate led us into a trap,” Red Wave quickly continued. “Ten ponies, clad in the golden armour of the royal guard waited for us. We were outnumbered, but won. We lost three of our night guards, only Rose, Night and me survived.”

“Where is Summer Rose now?” I asked.

They both swallowed before Night spoke up. “In medical treatment. While Night and I were engaged in another corner, two royals pinned her down and…” she lost her words.

“They cut her wings off, my princess,” Wave continued weekly, wincing as if she could feel the pain.

I was shocked. Not so much on the death of three of my guards, but more upon the torture Rose was treated with. It was painful, imagining my wings cut off. It was something I wouldn’t wish to anypony. “Will she get well?”

“We… don’t know,” Night gulped. “When she woke up, she begged us to kill her.”

“I see,” I replied, already noting a visit in my mental checklist. “Who is dead?”

“Strawberry Ice, Northern Light and Sonar are dead,” Wave replied before looking up, anger evident in her eyes. “We have to talk to your sister! They attacked us openly, so she can’t close her eyes anymore!”

Strawberry… why? Steeling myself, I sighed and sat down, rubbing my temples. “I’m afraid my sister is convinced of her guards loyalty, and that they would never harm anypony without reason. She won’t listen to any of us.”

“But princess!” Wave started, but I cut her off.

“See to your wounds and then rest. It is time that I take the matters fully into my hooves,” I growled. “I will not tolerate-” I was cut short by the doors bursting open and a thestral rushing in before coming to a halt in front of me, panting heavily.

“Princess! We have a problem!”

“What is it, Burst?” I asked, groaning mentally that there would be even more problems.

“We lost contact with the outpost near Ponyville. The last magic message said something from the royal guards betraying us and going after the Princess of Friendship!”

“Why did we have a outpost at Ponyville?” Red Wave asked cautiously.

“To protect Twilight Sparkle and her friends,” I replied, before turning to Night Watch. “General, collect our best troops and meet me outside the Castle. The royal guard just started a war.”

They will regret ever threatening my family and friends.
	
> Magic and Fire (Night Watch)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Twelve: Magic and Fire (Night Watch POV)




“Blue,” I growled, “We had this discussion already. I have to lead our army.”

“But this is just a small battalion! I’m sure somepony else can do this,” my wife said quietly before adding, “It’s not safe.”

“Nothing is safe anymore, and now they’re even openly attacking a princess. This is getting out of control and we have to end it. Now.”

“You haven’t even healed yet, and you’re still out of breath from the fight!” she complained.

“I know that, my love, but we have no choice. Once this is over I’ll go to the medical wing, I promise.”

“They will slow you down! You’re just going to get hurt more! Please be reasonable and stay here,” she cried. “What if you don’t come back? What am I supposed to tell our filly about you?”

Blue quickly pulled me into a winged embrace, content to never let me go. I gave her a soft kiss before wiggling myself free. “I’ll come back. I promise that I will come back to care for you and our filly.”

“You better hold onto that promise,” she scowled. “Or I’ll ask Luna to bring you back so I can kick your sorry flank!”

“I know,” I smiled before backing away. “I should go. Before you know it, I’ll be back.”

I noticed her worried and longing gaze on me as I grabbed my armor and bag before making to leave the room, stopping short at the door. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

As soon as I closed the door, I heard quiet sobs, but I couldn’t waste any more time, no matter how much it hurt. 

I’ll come back, my love.

We were truly at war.

Everywhere I passed along my way, ponies were hurrying around. From guards to maids, they all were informed and hurried to get everything ready. As I surrounded a corner, a harsh voice stopped me.

“Hey, Night!”

Looking to my left I noticed Red Wave and Moon Shield in each others wings. 

“You better bring Wave back or I’ll play hoofball with your ass!” Shield glowered at me. “And you come back as well to tend to my cousin!”

“I will, don’t worry,” I gave her a mock salute before she sauntered away and Red Wave joined me.

“Ready to kick some royal guard flank, boss?” she asked eagerly.

“You’re way too eager. Think you can control your bloodlust this time?” I shot back.

“I’ll try.”

I only shook my head as we finally stepped outside the castle, just to jump in shock upon the massive shadow that was cast upon us. Directly over the castle ground hovered a giant airship, clad in the colours of Luna’s guard.

“I see the Moonlight is finally done,” I greeted Luna as we approached her.

“Yes. We will use her to rest our wings to Ponyville. It takes around an hour longer, but we won’t be as tired,” she said before addressing all of us. “Guards of our Night. We have hard times upon us. Those we thought to fight at our sides betrayed us, but we won’t tolerate it anymore. Today, the Royal Guard went too far and attacked one of our fellow Princesses. Ponyville and Princess Twilight are in danger, but we will free them from the traitors. Tonight, we will go to war against our own kind, but fear not my children. Tonight, the moon shall shine for us to slay those that betrayed us. To save Equestria!”

We all cheered as Luna was bathed in the light of her moon, stealing her from our views just long enough to come back, clad in silver and purple armor, a long sword in her magic grasp. “Board the airship! We will show these fools what it means to stand against the Night Guard!”




***




We could see Ponyville around half an hour away, marked by several fires and smoke rising into the air. The biggest fire came from the north, outside Ponyville and just short of the Everfree. Our camp.

Luna ordered us to ignore the camp and fly straight to the city. The living ponies were more important now. And we knew they were alive. The biggest indicator was the purple shield around Princess Twilight’s castle. Survivors from the camp could be rescued later.

It wasn’t easy for us to just ignore the camp. Many of us had family or friends within. There was hope that some of the twenty-nine had survived, but I tried to withhold my enthusiasm. With the Royal Guard standing in Ponyville and the ones from the camp, they stood against nearly fifty enemies. Not counting Twilight’s honor guard, if they had betrayed us as well. 

“Luna,” I said silently as we neared the city. “Do you know if Princess Twilight’s guard stayed loyal?”

Luna concentrated into the distance to the castle before sighing, “Honestly, I have no idea. But neither my sister nor I chose the candidates for Twilight’s guard. It was Twilight herself who built it up.” She turned to Wave and nodded.

“So we have to believe that the trust of that young princess was rightly placed. This so sucks,” Red Wave commented before going to the starboard side of the ship. “Alright you lazy maggots. Get the hatches ready, we’re nearly here. On the mark of our general you fly out. First priority is to protect the castle, but don’t forget the civilians of the town!”

My gaze wandered over the ponies checking their equipment for the last time. It was only a small group, around a sixty ponies from different specialisations. Luna even ordered ten from Blue’s Linebreaker unit to come with us, our heaviest guards. 

I just hope this will be enough, we have no idea what awaits us.

Time seemed to slow down from that moment on, and I couldn’t help but think back to home. It was ridiculous, I knew that. I had ten of the best and heaviest armored ponies at my side plus Luna’s and my own experience.

Yet, I couldn’t help but yearn to back home and under the sheets right at my wife's side.

“Already homesick?” Red Wave nudged me.

I glared at her, half on my way to snap at her because I suspected another joke. It wasn’t one. Her expression was that of pure sadness, but also hope. Hope to go back to a beloved one.

“I understand how you feel,” she whispered. “I never thought I would ever say this. I miss Shield. Don’t get me wrong, I love her with all of my heart, but you know me. I’m not one to be sappy.”

“I know. Usually, I have no problem with being away on a mission. I always know I’ll come back.” I sighed. “This time… this time is different. I can feel that something is wrong here.”

“We know what you mean,” Luna startled both of us as she stepped up. “There is something amiss with the magical flow, yet we cannot see what it is.”

“I have the feeling that this day will end badly,” I growled. “And I mean really badly.”

“General! Princess!” one of the ship's crew bowed before me and Luna. “Captain says we are at the border, he turned the ship so the hatches will be in a protected position.”

I thanked him before turning “Open the hatches, we are at the border!” I yelled and the soldiers scrambled in motion. “Protect the Princess and all civilians, but I want no hotheads this time!” I glared especially at Red Wave who only blew a raspberry back.

The airship suddenly shivered, sending a lot of us tumbling. “General, we are under magical attack!”

“Blade, get your group out! Take the anti-magic shields and protect the Moonlight!” I yelled and seven ponies, carrying round formed, glowing shields dropped out the hatches. “The rest of you head to the castle and repel the enemy! For Equestria!”

The next that was heard was an enormous ‘Skreee’ as the rest of the troops exited the hatches, heading for the ground. I could see more than a few golden armoured heads turning and running away.

They didn’t expect us. Something is very wrong here.

“Luna! Look at those Royal Guards. They even attack ponies in the streets. Now they run as if they never expected us. Something is very wrong here!”

“I see it, General,” she spoke softly, her eyes gazing around the city. “Capture one of those fools and bring him to me!”

I saluted before dropping out of the hatch and spreading my wings, quickly screaming in joy as they finally felt the wind again. The city was a big mess with most of the royals on retreat, the bulk of our army already heading for the castle. “Two linebreakers, to me,” I yelled.

It took a while for the heavy armored soldiers to reach me, but I knew that they were more than a match for some royal guards. 

“How can we help you, General?” the left spoke, immediately telling me who it was. Lightning Spear was the first mare Blue had drafted and trained for her new unit.

“Lightning, our Princess wants us to take a Royal Guard to her so she can interrogate him,” I said as my eyes roamed the streets. “And I think I already found a nice candidate,” I smiled and waved for them to follow me.

A Royal Guard tried to hide himself under a cart full of apples. Sadly, his armor stuck out between the wooden cart and the red apples. As soon as we touched down, he tried to scramble, but Lightning and her fellow soldier quickly surrounded him.

“Surrender, traitor, and you will live. You are hereby ordered to interrogation by our Princess, Luna of the Moon,” I growled, my hoofblades extending to his throat.

“Traitor? You are the traitors!” the stallion shrieked, his eyes lifeless and dull. “You help Nightmare Moon, she possessed Princess Twilight and planned to kill us all!”

I scowled at him. “Soldier, you will come with us before I transform you into a bloody puddle to my hooves!”

The stallion didn’t seemed to mind. “You are betraying all of Equestria by helping Nightmare Moon and her minions! The princesses will punish you for this! I-” his eyes rolled back and he sagged down as Lightning quickly hit him with the wooden end of her spear.

“Sorry, General. He was getting pretty noisy.”

“Don’t worry,” I sighed. “Grab him and get back to the Moonlight.”

They saluted and left with the unconscious stallion, leaving me alone on the ground. The castle wasn’t far so I decided that it would be my next goal, but the way was quickly blocked by two pegasi, clad in the armor of the Royal Guard. They both wore the same lifeless eyes as the one we had captured.

“Any pony that helps Nightmare Moon will be treated as her minion and killed!” the left one said. “Surrender or die.”

I smirked before extracting my hoof bladed. “I am General Night Watch. Leader of Equestria’s armies and loyal soldier to Luna, Princess of the Moon. Surrender or I’ll leave nothing but pieces of you that your families won’t recognize anymore.”

Both stallions paused, a hint of something in their eyes before they became lifeless again. “She is a minion of the Nightmare! We have to kill her!”

I sighed. Normally, my threats always worked. Whatever magic was in play, it would cause trouble, that was already clear. It was just sad that those ponies would pay for it.

Please, Luna. Whatever your plan is, be quick.
> Not as planned (Red Wave)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Thirteen: Not as planned (Red Wave POV)






As soon as I was out of the hatch of the Moonlight, chaos started to rise. While the magical shields from the unit Night had deployed protected the hatches and the ship itself, our troops descending weren't so lucky. Right to my side a mare cried out as a blast struck her square into her chest, burning armor and flesh away.

Many of our guards had no protection against magical attacks. Who would blame us? We never had to fight against unicorns before. That just meant we had to find them and cut them down quickly. I smiled slightly. Now that’s something I can definitely do.

They weren’t easy to miss, two standing on the windmill and two more on the ground. As the stallion descending next to me got hit, I snapped and moved quicker, racing towards the windmill.

“Kill that one!” one of the unicorns screamed and pointed a hoof at me, but it was too late. 

Trusting the spells on my armor, I sped hooves first into the roof of the building, sending it collapsing, and the two unicorns with it. The enchanted armor dampened my impact, leaving me unharmed as I pulled a full break around one floor before the ground.

The unicorns weren’t that lucky, impacting the ground with several sounds, none of them too healthy. 

You will regret killing my cousin!

One of the unicorns wasn’t dead and it only added to my annoyance. Shaking the dust and smaller rubble from my coat, I walked over, placing a hoof on his throat. “Tell me what I want to know and you might live.”

“Why are you helping the demons?” the unicorn spat into my face, his blue eyes oddly empty and hollow.

“Which demons? You attacked without warning!” I growled.

“The young princess turned into the nightmare! We have to stop her! As we tried to end her reign, your troops from the camp attacked us! We just defended ourselves so we can go back home!”

“Lies!” I snapped back, adding more pressure to his throat. “All lies, you fucking traitor!”

“Please, we did it for Equestria!” the stallion wheezed.

“You really thought you would do this for Equestria?” I asked, hesitating, but a quick thought of Strawberry’s broken body at the ground fueled my anger more. “Then you die with a lie, traitor.”

He tried to say something, scrambling and tossing under my hoof as more and more pressure cut off his air. I had no idea how long it took, but finally something gave under the pressure with a crack, ending his poor life. As the stallion looked at me, the dull look vanished from his eyes with a small spark, before he was gone.

“Something is really fishy here,” I mumbled before spreading my wings and looking around.

While I had taken care of the unicorns on the windmill, the two unicorns on the ground had been taken care of by some Linebreakers. Various cuts and dents only proved that the heavily armored guards were effective.

Better them than us.

“Ma’am!” One of the Linebreakers came over and saluted. “The Royals are closing in on the Castle. We have to get over there and help the Twilight Guard.”

I blinked. “The twilight guard?”

“Yes, ma’am! Princess Twilight choose ten ponies she trusted for her guard. They are currently struggling to repel the enemy from the castle ground.” 

“Well, I hope they are better than this here,” I growled and kicked one of the dead unicorns. “To the castle! If something happens to the bookworm, Luna and Night will hand us our flanks!”

***

The ground around the castle was a mess. Dozens of Royals tried to get up the stairs and into the castle, but a solid, purple bubble hindered them in doing so. They attacked it with their swords, hooves, and other blades, some even throwing stones. Some of them seemed not right in their mind, throwing their armor against the shield or running into it.

As we approached it, the bubble fizzled, before growing stronger once more.

“Seems like we are the first to arrive. We have to help them before the shield breaks!” I shouted to the two Linebreakers before speeding up, racing towards the castle.

The shield fizzled more and more as we came closer, showing more and more guards clad in golden armor trying to break the shield. Just behind the shield, I noticed five guards with unusual armor. It was a light one in a mixed purple, silver and black.

I pumped my wings faster and faster, the Linebreakers falling behind due their heavy armor, but that was far from my mind. About to reach the grounds, I saw a big stallion throwing his full weight against the bubble, shattering it. The whole bubble went down and the screaming started as the Royals rushed up the stairs.

“Fall back!” Princess Twilight’s amplified voice sounded up and her guard slowly backed away, trying to protect their princess.

Just a few more wingspans and I’m there

The stallion that crushed the bubble stood again, looking at the dented metal on his body and in his hooves, what used to be armor and and a shield. With a scream, he threw the rest of his shield into the group of defending ponies and I sped up again.

I was too late.

The shield contacted with a loud smash, knocking one of the defenders to the ground, to be immediately swarmed by Royals. The stallion’s screams cut off quickly and then something unexpected happened.

Princess Twilight stepped forward, her eyes glowing. In the next moment, her whole body was burning as if she was born of Tartarus itself, letting loose a shockwave that ran into the attackers.

A bit too late, I realized, it would hit me as well.

“Oh you gotta be fucking kidding me!”

That wasn’t how I had planned this day.


***


“Red? Red! Wake up! RIGHT NOW!”

Opening my eyes, I groaned as light pierced them, just to groan even more as I came muzzle to muzzle with Night. “What the hay?”

“Good, you’re not a stain on the ground yet. Now get up, we’ve got company!”

“What the buck hit me?”

“Seems like the Princess shouldn’t be angered lightly,” Night chuckled before lending a hoof to help me up. Taking it thankfully, I hopped up before wincing in pain.

“Feels like she used an armored train to drive over me.”

“Some broken bones, internal bleeding, she sure did,” Night sighed. “But we need you. Shield will rip my wings off for that, but we need you. Twilight managed to cut a wide row of attackers down, but we’re still outnumbered until the rest of our troops comes in.”

“She will. And how do you know my injuries?”

“Twilight scanned you. Now come, I need your help with something.”

“That would be?”

“Gathering information,” Night said before starting to walk and I followed her. “Did you notice their eyes?”

“Yes,” I blinked. “As if something is influencing them.”

“Well, we found a stallion that looked normal and he got a sealed letter with him that he immediately ate before we could restrain him,” Night paused and looked at me. “I want you to break him.”

“Can’t you do that and I can go back to the Moonlight and see a doctor?” I asked bluntly.

“Red Wave. I’m not asking you to simply interrogate him,” she scowled back. “I want you to really break him. Do what you want but we need this information! We have to know what’s going on!”

“Since you’re really really nicely asking….” Sighing, I set up a smile. “Guess I’m on pain magic since I’m not really feeling that bad?”

“Twilight says it’ll last for around an hour, then you’ll break down.”

“Sounds promising!”

“Yeah, joke aside,” Night said before pointing at a door. “In there.” Just as I was about to go, she held me back with a hoof. “Please, just this time, control yourself. I don’t care if you rip him into pieces. But we need information first.”

“I got it,” I growled back.

She held the gaze for some time before stepping aside. “I trust you with this, Red.”

I drew a deep breath before reaching for the door and going inside. The stallion bound to a chair immediately looked up at me, then grinned.

“Another mare? I hope you are as tough as your high and mighty general claims. I won’t tell you a bit,” he said and spit down to my feet. “All of you will die so the true King can rise!”
 
I smiled softly as I sat down, looking at him smugly. “What a sham of a king he’s got to be, using small pawns like you to do his dirty work. And not really effective, I might add. All of your comrades are dead by now.”

“Comrades? They were simply used! Bait for the cannons! We couldn’t care less about them!”

“Who are you exactly?”

“Bite me!”

“If you tell me everything I want to know you get to live,” I said, then sighed. “If not, you will be in for a world of pain you can’t even imagine.” Showing my full set of fangs, I stood up and walked up to him. “Now tell me what I want or you end up as a bloody stain!”

“You don’t scare me!” he shouted before laughing. “Hail the King!”

Then he bit down on something, faster than I was able to grasp his jaw and stop him. In a matter of seconds he was shaking and drooling up blood, until he laid still.

“Oh buck me!”

That really wasn’t going as planned.

“Night is going to tan my hide…”
> The Twilight Guard (Night Glider)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Fourteen: The Twilight Guard (Night Glider POV)







Screamed orders echoed through castle, disturbing my peaceful sleep. I flicked my ears and buried my head deeper into the soft fur of my Princess and lover, trying to get back to my dreams.

Twilight groaned beside me, muttering something about how wasted our plans were to go to bed early.

She was right, because seconds later the door to her chambers burst open. “My Princess! Sergeant! There is a Royal Guard in front of our door demanding to speak with you or the Captain!”

I hissed and slowly got up to see who had so rudely burst into our chambers. The guard Angel Wings, a pegasus mare with a grey coat and scarlet mane stood before me, out of breath. The crimson streaks through her mane were messy, almost obscuring her cerulean eyes. Her cutie mark of a winged heart seemed fitting though, whenever trouble found anypony, she was always the first to be there. “Angel Wings,” I groaned, “why didn’t you sent him away?”

“I’m sorry, Sergeant, but there is a whole battalion of Royals in front of the castle! Something seems wrong.”

Setting a last, longing gaze upon Twilight who looked sleepily to me, I sighed. “Alright Angel, I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Are you sure you want to deal with it alone?” Twilight asked, wrapping a wing around me.

I slowly leaned into her embrace and gave her a soft kiss before untangling myself and leaving the bed. “I’m sure. Probably something silly and I’ll back in bed before you know it.”

Twilight smiled before laying her head back down. I lingered a few more moments before dressing in my lightest armor and following Angel out of the room. “Anyone else awake yet?”

“Besides the night shift? Nopony. But I had a hard time ensuring that, since the Royals were creating such a ruckus. Mint is still asleep, as well as Armor.”

“Let's keep it that way and see what they want,” I said, before quickening my pace.

We were just in time to see one of our guards in a small shouting match with a Royal. I could identify our guard as Grey Dust, a newer guard that took the basic night shift. The orange earth pony and Royal, I could see was Rune Shoe, the lieutenant of the local royal guard in ponyville. His chestnut mane and coat seemed fitting, given the rune cutie mark adorning his flank; he spent enough time in the dirt and in the field that his parent’s must’ve been psychics to get it right.

“I asked you ten minutes ago to get me your Princess or one of your officers ASAP! Why is this taking so long?” Rune grumbled.

“It is called sleep, and most ponies need it,” Dust replied with a snort before noticing me. “Sergeant. They claim to know something about an uprising going on against the princess.”

Rune looked me over before shaking his head “You're not the captain. I'm not speaking with you.”

“Well,” I said, giving him my best smile. “You'll have to take me. The captain is unavailable.”

“Then let me speak with the Princess!” He shot back and tried to get past us and up the stairs, which we immediately blocked.

“You are in the home of the Princess of Friendship. Show some manners or get out,” Angel hissed besides me.

“Shut up, soldier!” Was all Rune had to say and I had enough.

“Rune. You will leave, and you will do it now. If it really was as important as you claimed you would have talked to me. Guards, show them the way out.”

The Royals complained, but were quickly shoved to the door. Before they got out, however, something changed.

Rune turned and looked at me. It wasn't the angry look he had before. His eyes were empty now, soulless. As he spoke, it wasn't his voice either.

“In the name of our Princess of the Sun, Princess Twilight is to be restrained and handed over, as well as her guards. Disobeying will result in full force.”

“I’m not repeating myself, Rune. Leave,” I replied, trying to stay calm.

I think the moment I knew that something was wrong for sure was the moment Rune pulled out a magical discharge, blinding us all before screaming, “Kill them all, capture the Nightmare!”


***


Time seemed to have stopped as the pure, magical light flooded the room. I was really close to it so it literally knocked me back into Angel Wings. We both toppled to the floor, but before Rune could use the situation to his advantage, a shield blocked him held by a cerulean earth pony. I looked up at the pony with a dashing violet mane highlighted by indigo streaks. The three polished diamonds guarding her flank proved her mettle, showing the strength she carried. As her shield held strong, she looked down at me with her purple eyes that spoke grace about her. Then she spoke.

“Hey ya two useless pricks! Why didn’t ya wake me? Stand up and help me get rid of this nut,” Diamond Mint shouted as she continued to block Rune who now smashed into her shield in pure rage. “Quicker if you may!”

We scrambled to our hooves to help Diamond, but as soon as we tried, the two guards that had accompanied Rune attacked us. They had the same empty look as Rune, and I flinched as one shot a bolt at me.

It was barely deflected by my shoulder pads and I cursed myself for only wearing light armor. “Angel! We have to get rid of them quickly and sound the alarm!”

“We aren’t even near a crystal and I doubt we can get rid of them in time!” she screamed back, struggling to block the golden armored stallion that tried to crush her with his weight.

Twilight had installed soft shining, red crystals in every room of the castle. Once destroyed, they would send a magical impulse to every near outpost and Canterlot, signaling an alarm. It was a genius invention, but sadly they were pretty expensive and there was only one in the main hall which happened to be about a few dozen hooves away on the other side.

“I can’t evade mine, he could shoot me down with his bolts, but your attacker is an earth pony. Now get your ass moving and fly to the crystal!”

“Oh,” Angel said, whistling thoughtfully. “Yeah, I should stop forgetting about these in fights,” she chuckled and dodged her attacker with a powerful flap of her wings.

Rune, who was still in a fight with the captain saw her, however. “Shoot her down you idiots! If she sounds the alarm the Nightmare will wake and help them before we have the chance to restrain her!”

The unicorn I was locked in a fight lit up his horn and I was stupid enough to keep my eyes open. My sight temporarily blocked, I staggered back while I heard bolt after bolt fired. Fearing a scream and a dull sound of Angel falling, I instead heard mocking laughter.

“Where did they school ya aim? Kindergarten? Even my sister could hit me and she’s not even out of her diapers yet!” she mocked the unicorn. “You’re so stupid, you should go back to magic kindergarten so they can teach you to actually hit the target!”

I heard the unicorn growl and then a big discharge while my sight slowly returned. What I saw made me grin madly before I tackled the unicorn, while Rune groaned and Diamond and Angel cheered what was followed by a crash and loud ringing.

Angel had flown into the direction of the crystal, her mocking bringing the royal into more and more rage until he couldn’t control himself anymore. He unloaded a huge blast, but to his pure astonishment, Angel evaded his shot and he hit the crystal instead which exploded in bright red light.

“You idiot!” Rune screamed before turning and smashing both hind hooves into Diamond’s shield, sending her staggering back. Then he fled.

Or he would have if not for a giant purple barrier materializing in the doorway. Cursing, he turned and suddenly found himself muzzle to muzzle with my marefriend and princess.

And oh was she pissed.

“You invade my home. Attack my guards. Then a pegasus from your unit tries to kidnap me. Are you mad?”

For a second something changed in Rune’s eyes, then the same blank expression came back before he screamed out of his full lungs. “The Nightmare is awake! Alert our forces! We have to end her reign before it can truly begin! For the princesses!”

Twilight rolled her eyes and sent a bolt to his head, knocking him effectively out. The two guards left bolted at this sight and Twilight let them pass through her shield before raising it again. Then she came over to me with concern in her eyes, nuzzling me gently.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yeah,” I replied, enjoying the contact. “They tried to take us by surprise, but Rune acted surprisingly dumb. Something is really wrong.”

“I think they are being controlled,” Twilight grimaced. “Go up and change into your heaviest armor. Since the alarm went off already help should arrive soon. We have to prepare.”


***


I looked at my reflection in the mirror, checking to see if everything was in place while Night Armor fastened the leftover clips. She worked quickly and reliably, we all knew we could trust her. Armor? Check. Helmet? Check. Flawless azure coat? Double checked for Twi. I looked into my own cerulean eyes, thankful to not find an ounce of fear. I blew a strand of silvery hair from my face and flicked my head to get the rest of my mane away from my eyes when Armor spoke. 

“How’s Twilight?” she asked, her voice muffled through the metal in her muzzle. The big thestral with an aubergine coat was quite the sight trying to talk with her mouthful. Her grey mane speckled with dark blue and black highlights was tucked neatly to one side, to keep from getting caught in the buckles. Her shield and moon cutiemark spoke well to her loyalties, and her deep purple eyes would be easy to get lost in… if I didn’t already have Princess Twilight.

“She’s fine, as always. Keeping a really cool head about this situation.”

“You know how lucky you are?” Night Armor snorted.

I grinned. “To have such an awesome marefriend? Sure! You done yet?”

“Two more clips,” she replied and after five seconds patted me with her hoof, “Done!”

Looking into the mirror again, I smiled. Fully covered in the heavy purple plates with silver and black accents. “You know, at first I really hated this armor and called Twilight overprotective. I wasn’t able to fly or walk correctly. But after all those months, I know what she did. While she might wanted to protect me, she wanted me to become stronger. I can run, sprint and dodge in this armor, and even fly for a limited amount of time.”

“You are the only one capable of it,” Night Armor hummed. “Not even Blue’s linebreakers are able to fly or dodge with their armor.”

“Thanks for the flattery,” I joked. “Let’s go, I’m sure they’re already waiting.”

I made a step, but she laid her hoof on my back. “I wish she would’ve made you captain.”

“You know why that wasn’t possible. As her marefriend, everypony would only see her preferring me over everypony else. The other princesses wouldn’t have accepted that, so it’s okay.”

“It still hurts?” she asked, lifting her hoof.

“Hey, I have an awesome marefriend! There’s got to be more than other princesses and a few royals pissing on my hooves before I break down,” I chuckled back.

Night Armor looked down but I quickly raised her head with my hoof. “Hey don’t worry. You will find the perfect partner for you as well. Sometimes it just takes some time.”

“Please don’t get all sappy on me,” she replied, acting like she was about to vomit before quickly evading my strike. “Okay, okay, let’s get down.”

I seem to have forgotten the time, because everypony was already waiting for us as we went down. Twilight glared at me, tapping her hoof impatiently on the ground and I shrunk down.

“Now that these two finally decided they could join us, let’s start. For whatever reason, the stationed Royal Guard attacks us. We don’t know why, except their weird statements, that they want to stop me from bringing nightly terror over Equestria.”

Angel snickered. but a harsh gaze reigned her quickly in.

“This battalion of Royals was sent here to support us should something happen or go wrong, like another Tirek incident.” Twilight continued. “Now all of them are attacking us for some strange reason. I suspect some sort of controlling magic, but I can’t prove it yet. I set up a powerful shield bubble around the castle and, as we speak, they are trying to break through.”

“Where is our reinforcement?” Night Armor asked.

Diamond Mint sighed, stepping forward. “Two hours away. Princess Luna sent word that the Lunar Army is on their way here via airship. We have to last those two hours!”

“There is something else we should do,” I cut in and Twilight looked at me, urging me to continue. “If they are truly being controlled, we should try and capture one, and try to get as much information as possible. It could help us find out who is responsible and put an end to this.”

Twilight nodded with a soft smile and I cheered internally. “Glider is right. If you can, capture one of the attackers, but your first priority is to protect the castle and yourself. Try to avoid killing any of the Royal Guard, instead knock them out.”

“Alright! You know what the deal is! Form four battalions! The first one will follow me and the princess to the stairs, we will be the main defense. Angel Wings, you will lead the defense troop on the towers inside to hinder any pegasi from trespassing. Night Armor, you will defend the inner circle of the castle. Night Glider, you will take two guards and protect your princess!” Diamond shouted her orders, making us all salute before scrambling off.

“Let’s show them what it means to mess with the Twilight Guard!!!”
> The not so dead King (Diamond Mint)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Fifteen: The not so dead King (Diamond Mint POV)




“You gotta be bucking kidding me! Can’t something go right for just one bucking time?” Night Watch shouted at me before her hoof smashed into the desk between us.

I shivered in front of her before gulping, “I’m sorry ma’am, but the reports are sound. More Royals are incoming soon.”

“Great! Just great!” She  shouted before raising her hoof to leave another dent in the desk. “Red is down, most of our troops are split around the city, and the rest are occupied saving civilians. If these reinforcements are as big as you say, we’re screwed.”

Before she could rant even more, the door smashed open, revealing a visibly pissed princess.

“Oh so you think you can complain?” Twilight asks coldly. “I lost three of my best guards! The ponies will be safe, Luna will see to that. The problem we have is we still have no idea with what level of magic we’re dealing with, since the only prisoner with clear mind we had executed himself rather than talking to your so called best.

I quickly tried to set some distance between those two as the general stepped over the remains of the desk and placed herself in front of the princess. While Twilight was far bigger than her, they soon touched muzzle to muzzle. “Fire off, she is my best. If your guards had done a better job of searching that one, we would’ve had no more problems. Secondly, I am in charge of military operations. If you have a problem with that, then face me. You might be a Princess, and bigger than me, but it wouldn’t be the first time I put a Princess in her place during wartime.” Night Watch paused before showing her fangs, “Celestia learned that lesson years ago.” Twilight flinched visibly, but didn’t back down, so she continued. “I never said your guards didn’t do a good job saving you or the town, but these here are my family going through the worst of it to save everypony, so leave the war to me.”

The general ended it with a low-pitched `skree` and flared her wings, Twilight slowly backing away. I could see the general won, but at the same time I could also see it crumbled a bit of their friendship. Not that the general seemed to care about that in the moment.

“I see, General,” is the only thing Twilight said before leaving the room, leaving me shaking and a sighing general behind.

“Diamond, get out of my sight. Now.”

I scramble as quick as I can to get out of the room before breathing heavily. Usually I was known as the dominant mare, all of my guards following my command, but the general had something special about her. It was scary as tartarus.

“Captain.”

Oh for the love of…

I turn and give a quick salute, “Yes, Princess?”

“Take a break,” Twilight smiles. “Go to your chambers and get some rest, you earned it.”

“But the general-” I started, just to cut short.

“Mint, go and get some rest. That is an order!”

I saluted again before making my way to my chambers. Yet, something was strange. I could’ve sworn I saw Twilight smiled cheekily before I turned around a corner.

***

As if the day hadn’t had enough surprises, I opened the door to my chambers and entered, just to back outand read the plate on the door again. Making sure I had the right room, I entered again and raised an eyebrow at Night Armor, who was laying on my bed.

In lingerie.

Black, thin, hot as tartarus lingerie.

I felt my maw drop open. I took a hesitant step forward, then another. “But. Huh. Buh. Wah..” I couldn’t even fathom the right words in response to the sight before me. Night slowly turned and gave a flap of her wings before gliding up and off of the bed over to me.

Night’s eyes lidded as she leaned in close. “What’s the matter, bat got your tongue?”

She pushed in and kissed me hard, nipping at my tongue and lower lip before quickly withdrawing. I was too stunned to notice she had turned back around to face my bed.

Night looked back over her shoulder at me, “Well? Are you coming?” With a wink she turned and slowly sauntered back towards the bed, flicking her tail around my neck and teasing my face as she did so, with a sway in her hips that I couldn’t look away from.

With a playful growl I didn’t even realize came from me, I followed her, with my eyes glued to her flanks. Night Armor was a good head taller than me, so her thighs were at the perfect height.

“See something you like?” she asked as she laid back down on the bed, smiling at me. “I’m all yours tonight.”

I stopped just in front of the bed, my mind and heart kicking into overdrive. Night Armor was a big, sexy, thestral mare with stunning purple eyes. Her two-toned mane and soft, aubergine coat only rounded out the whole package. More than once, I had dreamed about a night in the hay with her. But now actually having the chance, I found myself paralyzed.

“Diamond? Is something wrong?” Night Armor asked, concern edging into her voice. “I can leave if you want.”

“NO!” I shouted way to quickly. “I mean, no, please don’t go,” I corrected myself with a blush.

I stood there sheepishly, rubbing a hoof back and forth in front of me and watching it intently. So intently I didn’t see Night grin before getting up. She walked back over to me and stood before me, staring deep into my eyes. With another grin and a mischievous hint in her voice she said one thing.

“Good.”

I felt her hooves wrap around mine and her wings grasp my sides before my hooves were no longer connected to the floor. Night picked me up and flipped me onto the bed, hooves up, before pouncing on me. Her larger form towered over me as she leaned down and hungrily kissed me. I felt my eyes flutter closed and my fears melt away as she held my forehooves down with hers. I had never felt so helpless, yet so… safe, at the same time.

She was gentle, but also rough, her kiss transforming to small bites, her fangs scraping over my lips, making me moan softly in delight. Her playful art promised much more to come this night.

“I waited way too long for this,” Night moaned as she pressed her body into mine, causing my eyes to widen.

“You too? And you never said anything!”

“Well, let's say this; today wasn't my idea,” she smirked softly before capturing my lips again.

“Twilight.”

Night only chuckled. “Yeah. Seems like she caught on to it and thought all we needed was a small push.” Then she leaned closer to my ear, gently nibbling on it before saying,” she also mentioned that you are usually the dominant hunter in bed.”

I blushed heavily before nodding. “I like it rough and under my control.”

Night leaned in and let her weight fall on me, my hooves were immobile and I let out a slight gasp at the feeling of truly being at her mercy.

Night whispered softly into my ear, “Too bad. Tonight, you’re mine.” With another nip at my ear she went back to kissing me, our tongues fighting for dominance over the other’s mouth.

I soon noticed that I had no chance since she had a small advantage. That advantage namely being her fangs as they gently pricked against my tongue. Soft enough that it didn't hurt, but still enough to add to the sensation growing between my hind legs.

“First roll in the hay with a thestral, huh?” she asked me playfully, once letting go of my tongue. All I could do was nod. “Oh, you’ll love this, trust me!”

She kissed my lips again, more gently this time. After her tender act, she kissed my neck and down my barrel, slowly and lightly dragging her fangs against my fur the whole way. They left a slight scrape along my skin as they brushed through my coat.

My body shivered in excitement at the sensation, unlike any I had ever experienced before. I could feel myself becoming more excited the lower and lower she went. Suddenly I felt myself gasp as she teased my marehood and clit with a tentative lick followed by a playful nip.

“Mhh, somepony sure is excited,” she purred before starting in earnest, dragging her tongue over my sex.

I moaned at the sensation. I wasn’t a virgin by any means, but the mixture of licking, and, from time to time, teasing with her fangs made it special. Something I’d truly never felt before.

My forehooves shot to her head and held her in place where she was. Maybe it was the fangs, maybe it was the fact that she was taking charge, maybe it was a combination of both and then some. But sweet Twilight, this was amazing.

Between pants and squirms I tried to ask, “Sweet Twilight, are all Thestrals this amaz-INGAHH?” A particularly sharp nip caught me as I finished my sentence, probably intentionally on her part.

Night leaned her head back to look up to me and grinned. “Oh sweetie,” she giggled, “nopony else is as amazing as I am.”

“Don’t let Night Watch hear that,” I chuckled back.

“Trust me, all Night’s are awesome,” she said with a wink, before diving back in.

Her tongue explored every area, from my labia down to my innermost core. I expected her to finish me and demand a payback, but what she did just short of my edge, I would've never expected.

Eyes wide, I cried out in pain and pleasure as I was pushed over the edge by said batpony biting into my marehood. My hindlegs locked around Night’s head, my earth Pony strength making her eyes wide, but I had no control anymore.

I came hard as I squeezed her head to me. For her part, Night just kept going. As her fangs pierced my skin, her tongue found its way inside of me. I could feel her drinking me hungrily as the torrent washed over me. I couldn’t help but scream out, “oh sweet Twilight!” as she slowly brought me down from my orgasm, edging me on bit by bit.

Night withdrew her fangs from me, licking the small drops of blood from them before slowly crawling up my body, our fur sticking together, covered in sweat and marecum. Looking into my eyes I saw her lean in and felt a hoof on my marehood as her wings wrapped around my flanks. She whispered, “oh sweetie, there’s no Twilight. That’s all me. I’m the only royalty you serve tonight.” With that she leaned in and kissed my lips before withdrawing and planting a bite on my neck, her fangs prodding my skin but not breaking through completely.

“Ready for the next round?” She asked huskily and I looked at her with wide eyes, just to have her snicker. “I'm not a stallion, Hun. I can go plenty of times, and so can you.”

Her hoof pressed into my soaked marehood with that, rubbing against my most sensitive spots and then some, pushing me further and further along towards my next orgasm. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. I was the dominant one. I was supposed to be in control. But Night being in charge? Telling me what was going to happen, making me bend to her whim… it felt so… amazing. I needed more.

I tried to lift her off of me with my forehooves, hoping she’d take the bait. She did. Her body rose an inch before she felt it. Her loving eyes flipped to an evil grin as she lowered her weight back onto me, her hooves grabbing mine and pulling them up past my head, pinning me down.


“Well just what do you think you’re doing, missy?” She nipped on my ear as she spoke. “I don’t remember saying I was done with you like that just yet. You don’t get a say in this, now you have to pay.”

I tried to contain the excitement in my eyes, but as she leaned in again with her fangs bared I think she saw the anticipation in my look. The pure, unadulterated lust. She stopped.

“Oh I will have so much fun with you,” she snickered, gently leaning down and kissing me.

The door slammed open, making me scream in surprise and Night screeching like any batpony would, just higher pitched. The messenger standing in the doorways fell to the floor, hooves on his ears while we recovered.

“Why,” Night began, walking up to him.

“The.”

Honestly, it was funny having him covering there, but I also couldn’t judge.

“FUCK.”

Seriously, she was with her flank to me, so I wouldn’t see her apparently terrifying expression.

“Can’t.”

Okay, now this was getting really silly.

“You.”

I nearly fell asleep.

“KNOCK?”

With that last piece she flared her wings out before ending snout to snout with him while slowly a puddle spread from him. Seriously, the poor colt did wet himself.

“R-r-reinforcements c-coming in,” he barely made out before he scrambled as fast as he could.

Night sighed before folding her wings and turning back to me with a grin. “Ready to continue?”

“I don’t think that colt was here to just inform us,” I replied, slowly getting up before grimacing. “You know what? How sticky I am, I’m first going to use the shower.”

“Ooooh fun!”

“No sex in the shower!” I scolded.

Despite what I said, she followed me into the shower. Yes, it sounds silly, but the palace had showers big enough for two or three alicorns to stand in, same went for the bathtubs. So while I tried my best to get clean, Night could easily unfold her wings and play around.

There’s one idea for revenge. It should be quick.

There was only one little problem with my plan.

“And what do you think you’re trying?”

She knew somehow.

Before I could react more after a few step towards her, she had pinned me to the shower wall, my forehooves in the air, leaving me completely exposed. I looked at her wings and she followed my gaze, grinning quickly.

“Oh you want them?” she hummed. “Well, I’m no monster. You’ll get them, but I’m guessing in quite another way than how you tried to get them.”

I knew her wingspan was fucking huge for a batpony, but she reached with them between her hindlegs and forward to me until the tip rested right on my marehood.

Oh fuck!

Her tongue quickly invaded as she pressed forward, kissing me deeply while her wing started to slowly circle my marehood.

“Unfair!” I managed to breathe out as her tongue left me. “We should get cleaned and then head out!”

“I don’t see your body complaining,” she smirked back. “But I’ll make this quick since you’re asking so nicely.”

And just like that she drove her wing in. I gasped at the feeling of being penetrated by her leathery appendage, but she rode it out as well it seems. Her tongue lolled out and her rhythm wasn’t sound, but that was probably because she had her wing running over her own marehood all the time she pushed in or out of me.

God I love that mare.

Night was true to her word. Without much fanfare, besides our moaning that is, she went to work and delivered the peaking high quickly.

“Oh fuck!” I yelled as I barely managed to stand my ground, my hind hooves growing extremely weak while Night breathed heavily and backed away.

“How was that?” she asked, gently nuzzling my back before she withdrew,

“Amazing. Now help me clean up!”

“You’re no fun.”

***

When we met in the main hall of the castle after we separated to get our armor on, every single set of eyes was drawn to us. While Twilight smiled slightly, Night Glider and Angel Wings positively glared at us. We gulped and quickly joined them, making sure to leave as much space to the two bat ponies as possible.

“Good, you’re finally here,” Twilight said before mentioning us to follow.

The map in her throne room shone brightly, showing several dots in various colours. How she modified a map that recently just showed friendship problems? I have no idea. Maybe the map could do more than I thought.

She pointed to a bunch black spots near the edge of ponyville. “These seems to be their reinforcements. While we had this small break, one of them asked for ameeting to discuss terms. We were promised that they won’t attack during this meeting and I want to hear what they have to say.”

“That’s wise but foolish, Twilight Sparkle.” We all turned our head to see Princess Luna enter, followed by the general. She gave a quick look at the map before continuing. “The place they picked is surrounded by enough buildings and other hides, so it could be very well a trap. We don’t plan to trust a being that can corrupt others minds. But we have another problem.”

Night Watch stepped forward. “Luna checked the fallen guards for changes. She found something but we really really hope she’s wrong.”

With that she pulled something from her backpack and presented it to us. Twilight immediately rushed forward, her horn gently glowing, before gasping.

“That is Sombra’s magic… and… is that chaos magic?”

“Nay, Twilight Sparkle. It is changeling magic.”

I could already see Twilight faint but she did a very well job keeping standing. “And what are we going to do now?”

“We go to the meeting, but we will make sure that it is no trap. How long do we have?” Luna asked.

“Ten minutes,” Night Glider replied.

Night Watch sighed. “Then let’s go. The day can’t be an even bigger disaster, can it?”

The spot arranged for the meeting wasn’t far from the castle and not a single enemy attacked us on the way. There, Luna cast a spell to determine the surroundings were safe before we all set up a perimeter to be ready if needed. It wasn’t long before a brown earth pony walked up on us.

“Greetings, Princesses, guards,” he bowed mockingly. My name is Deep Sugar and I’m one of the heads of this organisation.

“What organisation?” Twilight blurted out before Luna could silence her.

“The organisation of the Crystal Sun. We want to reunite the old citizen of Equestria under the protection of Strong Crystal and the shine of our glorious sun!”

That didn’t make sense at all.

“And what is your goal in the end?” Luna asked.

“The freeing of Sombra, purging of you and your evil hatchlings so Celestia can be free again, and the freedom for all changelings.”

“You are mad,” the general sighed. “What you are planning is impossible, Sombra is dead. Why, I have no idea where you got one of his crystals, it’s impossible to bring him back.”

“Are you sure?” Deep asked with a smile.

“Yes, it is scientifically impossible,” Twilight added.

Deep Brown shrugged before mentioning two of his guards forward, carrying a big, black crystal. They set it into the earth and Deep kneeled in front of it. “My King, the unbelievers are here.”

I will never forget what followed. The crystal changed into smoke. First there were two piercing eyes, then sharp teeth followed by the face of a unicorn.

“Cryyssssstals.”

Oh we are so fucked...
> Differences (Night Watch)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Sixteen: Differences (Night Watch POV)





After that small introduction, Twilight had a panic attack. A massive one. We had to carry her back while she was still mumbling how everything was scientifically impossible. She didn’t even listen as Luna explained that this was just a shadow of Sombra—an imprint in the crystal if you will, not the original.

Of course, all that did little to calm her.

“I have to write a letter to Celestia!” she exclaimed as soon as we were back in the palace.

As if now was the time to write letters. Deep Sugar mentioned time for us to think everything over and surrender. We had one hour.

Shaking my head at Twilight, who frantically wrote her letter, I turned to Luna. “I really really don’t like her, but if changelings are involved, we need Cadance.”

“You still don’t like her?” Luna smirked. “After all that bonding and the question she asked you?”

“Don’t remind me… Still, since it seems Twilight is useless and we already know Celestia won’t help, we need her.”

“I would rather wait those few moments for what my sister has to say.”

“Other than she won’t help us?”

“You never know. She might still surprise us.”

I could see that Luna didn’t believe that one bit. Twilight had finished her letter in the meantime and sent it away. The answer didn’t take long. Barely a few minutes later, a short scroll appeared and Twilight opened it quickly, before dropping it and letting out a frustrated scream.

While Diamond and the rest went to Twilight, Luna floated the scroll over so we could read.




My dear fellow princess,

Surely you must be jesting. Deep Sugar died three years ago near Appleloosa in a tragic accident. The changelings have not been seen in years, and as you already mentioned, it is simply impossible to resurrect King Sombra.

If my sister and the general put those ideas in your head, tell them they are being silly.

I will deal with the rest.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia




“Wow, that isn’t even close to Celestia’s usual wording,” I sighed, before sharing a look with Luna. “Chrysalis?”

“Chrysalis,” she nodded sadly.

I growled. “Why now? And why would the changelings reappear now to help King Sombra’s followers? Why risk death and replace Celestia? What is their ultimate goal? It doesn’t make sense to me.”

“Indeed it doesn’t, but I don’t think they replaced her so much as they’ve done the same thing to her as to the Royal Guards,” Luna added. “They want to get rid of me and all my children so Celestia can rule, so I don’t think they’ll replace her with a changeling. But still, Equestria would be doomed as soon as I and my children were gone and—” she stopped and facehooved while I continued.

“The exception is if King Sombra is somehow playing the changelings, he’s planning on getting rid of Chrysalis and Celestia as soon as he is free. They really are stupid.”

Luna sighed and stretched. “Now, remind me why you don’t like Cadance?”

“You know why!” I growled back.

She simply chuckled before leaving me.



***



Around seven months ago

“General!”

I groaned, looking to my side. The sun wasn’t up yet and after a horrible night shift, I wasn’t happy to be awoken again. From the setting, I would’ve guessed I had had around 2 hours of sleep so far.

“Night! Get your lazy flank up!” a new voice shouted, and I cursed. It was Moon.

“It better be bucking important, you twat!” I shouted back, trying to get up as quickly as possible. “If this is another one of your ‘emergencies’, I’m going to stick it so far into your flank that—DAMN IT—UFF.” The rest of my sentence was muffled as I managed to get tangled in the sheets, dropping hard out of bed.

“Is there a reason you make such a fuss this early?” Blue asked tiredly, looking down at me with a small smile.

I muffled something incorrigible before Blue gently picked me up. “Thanks, love,” I said before turning towards the door. “What do you two want?”

“Open the door and we’ll talk!”

Sharing a rather questioning look with Blue, I went on and opened the door, just to find Moon Shield and Red Wave in front of it. I narrowed my eyes, ready to say something when I noticed the blood on Red’s fangs. “What happened?”

“Long or short version?” Moon smiled.

“Give me the summary,” I rolled my eyes.

Red actually smiled at that. “Cadance arrived. Brought Crystal Guards. Talks with Luna. One of her Guards flirted with me. Asked him to stop. He didn’t stop. Moon promised him a beating if he didn’t stop. Was unimpressed and continued. I ripped him apart. The end.”

I blinked, trying to analyze the information. “What?!”

“You have to come with us,” Moon Shield sighed. “Cadance wants to talk to Luna and you alone while sorting out the mess Red made. The stallion is still alive, but barely.”

“Well, he won’t mess with bat ponies anymore,” I said dryly before sighing. “You two, leave, I’ll take care of it. Where are they?”

“Dining hall,” Red said before chipperly turning around, biting Moon’s tail and dragging her along. “All that blood made me hungry,” she mumbled through her marefriend’s tail, heading straight for their halls while Moon send a silent plea my way.

I shook my head with a bemused smile before turning, right into the hooves of Blue. “Do you have to go?” she asked.

“I don’t know how much you heard, but Red apparently nearly killed a Crystal Guard that wouldn’t stop flirting with her and now I have to explain the mess to the Princess of Love.”

Blue facehooved, before unhoofing me, pointing to the drawer. “At least put your uniform on.”

I grinned. “You just love my flank in it.”

“Shut up and get back as quickly as possible,” she just growled, stepping back into bed.

Rolling my eyes again, I quickly put my uniform on. Well, as quickly as I dared, as I noticed Blue’s gaze on me. Giving her a quick kiss, I left the room and made my way to the dining room, soon joined by our supply officer, Lightning Blossom.

“I guess you heard what happened?” I asked.

“Of course. Luna sent for me as well since the rest are busy.”

I didn’t even asked why Luna would ask for Lightning. She trusted her, and I did as well. “I’m worried,” I started, sighing.

“Why?”

“You know Red Wave’s bloodline and recently she did everything to honor that. We, as her family, might tolerate it and love her, but other ponies won’t. She has to turn it down a notch or we’ll get into trouble.”

“As far as I heard, the stallion pestered her and she defended her family.”

“That doesn’t make it right for any outsiders,” I growled. “They don’t understand us, our families, or our traditions. I’m just worried how this will turn out. The stallion is nearly dead, as far as I know.” With that we fell silent.

Sadly, the silence didn’t held long. As soon as we were even near the dining room we could hear the two alicorns arguing.

“What do you mean it would be normal? She nearly killed a stallion with a family!”

“Cadance sounds pissed,” Lightning chuckled.

“Your so called stallion with family flirted with Red Wave and wouldn’t let it go even after her partner told him to do so! She merely defended her mate and herself, which is perfectly normal for any pony. For a batpony, even more so!”

“Aaand Luna doesn’t sound pleased either,” I groaned.

“Wanna bet who’s gonna beat each other’s flank first?” she grinned back at me.

“Why are you always making a bet out of everything?”

“Hey, I’m working with a budget and supplies every day. I know my way around money.”

I facehooved, and we turned the corner, facing two guards. Both from the Crystal Empire.

“Hey hey, look! More freaks!” the left one shouted, causing his partner to chuckle.

“Well, they sure look funny. I wonder how that one mare got Bulk Spear down. Maybe he was too busy ogling her, so she got the chance?”

“Alright you two,” I started, flashing my fangs. “I’m General Night Watch, and you two better shut up and fuck off before I use you two as training. I’ve  had nearly zero sleep, so I’m not in the mood for games. Shut up and open the door, or I’ll make you regret setting a hoof into my area!”

“Ha! General? Sure, filly. You barely reach my neck and you want to be the general? Dream on!” both guards snickered and held onto their spears while they tried hard not to laugh.

“Lightning?” I asked, closing my eyes.

“Yes?”

“Do you think Luna will mind if two of Cadance’s guards die for disrespecting and insulting the highest military ranking mare in Equestria?”

“I don’t know, but I would do it anyways. They are blocking our way and we’re gonna be late. You know how Luna hates that,” Lightning chipperly replied.

“You two are jokesters, huh? We were trained by Prince Shining Armor himself!” the left guard proudly declared.

Then he went down. Before they could react I had spread my wings and crashed into him, using my hoof to attack his vulnerable throat. I didn’t even have to use my fangs.

His friend roared and lifted his spear, but he couldn’t do anything before the doors opened, revealing a visible pissed Luna who shocked him with a quick bolt from her horn.

“My dear niece,” Luna slowly said, her voice dangerously calm. “Look at another two foals from your guard that are disrespecting my ponies. And the General of our armies, nonetheless!”

“I see no evidence!” Cadance growled. “Maybe those two are just another couple of hotheads from your guard!”

“Cadance,” I greeted coldly.” I told your guards who I am. They made fun of me, insulted us.”

“And that gives you reason to attack them?” she shouted.

“I think insulting or attacking a general of Equestria once resulted in death,” Luna hummed. “But the rules have changed, and a dishonorable discharge from the guard, or for harsher crimes, life in prison it is, today.”

Cadance recoiled. “You can’t be serious! Now three of my guards are hurt, and you still defend your guard!”

“Wouldn’t you do the same?” Lightning cut in. “What did you do with Luna now? Argue? I can understand you, trust me. If those were my guards I would possible act the same. But you, as a princess, should leave feelings out of it and collect evidence.”

Luna nodded to her in thanks. “Your guard Bulk Spear insulted Red Wave and her lover. Now those two in front of the door insulted my general, and I can assure you she doesn’t make up stories at will!”

“I never said that she was lying, Auntie! I merely said that they reacted too harshly and violently!”

“How would you react if a mare targetted Shining Armor, flirting with him, making advances?” I asked. “Even after you told her to stop, after signaling that he is your mate, your husband, she wouldn’t stop? Relationships and family are a serious matter for us. If one were to act towards Blue like that and not stop, I would probably kill him.”

“Why?”

“Because we protect our family and are very… possessive,” Lightning smiled, hugging me close with a wing. “We look out for each other. Every batpony does. That is why we work so well in the night guard while Celestia’s… I don’t know how to say it.”

Luna jumped in. “The Royal Guard has its reputation for tearing through their own units. While most of my guards stay their lifetime, their Day Guard equivalent is less… eager.”

“I think we are derailing a bit from the topic,” I spoke up. “The fact is that I won’t take any action against Red Wave. She defended her family. Is there anything else you wanted from us, Princess?”

“Well, this matter ended more quickly than I anticipated. Lightning, you are dismissed. Night Watch, please stay here. Red Wave wasn’t the only topic my niece wanted to discuss,” Luna sighed.

As soon as Lightning was gone, Cadance glared at both of us. “I trusted you, Auntie Luna. You said you wanted to help a good friend with her relationship with the ingredient I gave you, not to use it for that kind of a potion!”

“What?” I asked, confused.

My Princess was kind enough to explain: “The potion I gave you contained liquid love, an ingredient my niece specializes in. Since it can be a powerful aphrodisiac, or even poison, she swore to never produce it anymore except in emergencies. I never lied to her. I just didn’t tell her everything because I knew how she would react.”

My gaze turned cold. “So that means if you had known you would have denied Blue and me our happiness?”

“No, it’s not like that!” Cadance answered, shocked and seemly hurt. “But so much could’ve gone wrong with such a potion!”

“Give me examples.”

“Well,” she hesitated before gulping. “Your foal could be of both genders, or have developmental defects that could affect her growth into a healthy mare. But I’ve heard everything has gone well so far.” She shared a quick look with Luna, before opening her right wing, beckoning me forth. “Let’s walk for a bit, Night Watch.”

I gave a silent plea to Luna, but she just waved and winked as the Princess of Love lead me out of the room and down the hall until we left the castle, wandering through the gardens.

“You are a mare I wonder about, Nighty.”

Nighty?!?! I tensed, but she seemed oblivious, or ignored it.

“You’ve made it far in the military, much farther than most before you, and you still have time for life. You have friends, a wife, family, and soon a little filly.”

“Cadance,” I said, stopping in my tracks. “What is this about?”

“I wish to get to know you better,” she smiled back. “As you know, my special talent is love and all of the magic around it, yet your love is a mystery to me. It shines brightly, but smaller flecks are directed at all your fellow guards, your friends. It is a bit like,” she hummed before giggling. “It’s a bit like my own love, or that of Twilight.”

“I’m afraid I can’t follow you.”

“You are an anomaly when it comes to magic, my dear Night. You have special talents and abilities that are rare in one that isn’t an alicorn. But I suppose that your wife is a reason for some of your dedication?”

I nodded, smiling. “I would do everything for her.”

“Mhh, I can see that, even going so far as to say you would attack another pony to defend her.”

“What would you do if somepony attacked your prince? Would you negotiate, or kick their flank?” I asked.

She looked taken aback, but I could see the gears running in that head of hers. “I think I would defend him with all of my abilities.”

“There you go.”

“Soo, when is your filly due?”

I tittered in amusement, my fangs on full display. “Blue is only at the beginning of her pregnancy.”

Cadance had taken a few steps away from me, but I didn’t mind. After a few seconds, she came closer again, smiling. “I want to plan the baby shower!”

Groaning, I hit my head on the next best obstacle in the way, which had to be a statue. Of course.



*****



Present

Twilight looked like I had grown a second head. “You want me to do what?”

“I want you to send an emergency signal to Cadance. We are going to need her knowledge here.”

“What knowledge?”

“I guess you didn’t listen to me while panicking over Celestia’s letter, but let me repeat,” I sighed. “Luna and I are sure that Chrysalis is behind this, replacing or brainwashing certain ponies while Sombra is using her for his return.”

“This is insane!” Twilight shrieked. “How could Celestia fall for this?”

“Twilight, calm down and go over the facts!” I shouted back.

“No! I’m sure Cadance has her own problems at the moment. We can do this alone! With the Elements…”

“Luna!” I yelled, and she quickly separated herself from Diamond and the others, looking at me, then at her fellow Princess that was freaking out a little bit. “I need you to send an emergency letter to Cadance, since Twilight is useless. Make it as short as possible, but add enough detail that she comes here soon!”

“Of course, General.”

I blinked for a second, before remembering something. A general has command over the princesses during war or battles. Never thought I would order one around like that, however.

Looking at Twilight, I rolled my eyes. She was currently busy performing her breathing technique, trying to calm down, which wasn’t very successful.

This is going to be a really, really long day.
> Interlude One: A Clutz for Hearts and Hooves Day (Night Watch)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Interlude One: A Clutz for Hearts and Hooves Day (Night Watch POV)





Training was a mess, like always. The fact my throat hurt like hell from all the screaming didn’t make my day any better.

“Why the buck do they always have to question me?” I asked nopony in particular.

“Because your tactics are new and have rarely seen before. A scratchy voice is the lesser of the evils you’ll get,” a voice chuckled behind me.

“Gah!” I screeched and whirled around to see my old friend and Captain chuckle at me. “Moon Shield! What did I tell you about doing that?”

“That it freaks you out, how a big mare like me can sneak up on you without making any noise?” she asks calmly.

“Exactly. That!”

“You’re no fun,” she says before trotting up to my side. “I guess you’re going to the mess hall? I’ll join you.”

I snort. “Sure, whatever. I just need something to drink, my throat is killing me.”

“Well, I hope your throat is ready for the day after tomorrow.”

“What do you mean? What’s then? Did I miss another date for the discussions about the local troop supplies?” I growled, trotting faster.

It took me about three seconds to notice that Moon Shield had stopped and was just staring at me. “You’re a damn fool, Night, did anypony ever told you that? In two days is Hearts and Hooves day!”

“What?!” I screamed.

Moon Shield facehoofed. “Hearts and Hooves Day! Don’t tell me your non existent plan was to fuck this up like last year?”

“I’m so utterly fucked.”

“That’s putting it lightly. Please don’t mess it up again. For my cousin’s sake… but mostly for yours,” Moon Shield stepped closer and patted me on my back before moving on.

Yep, I’m completely screwed.



***



On the next day, I had a plan. I would reserve a table at Canterlot’s best restaurant, the Le Tonneau. With training put in Moon Shields capable hooves and a distraction placed for my wife, I made my way out of the castle and into the inner city.

Luna had only the best of words for the Le Tonneau, so I had high expectations as well.

What I didn’t expect was the Maitre standing in front of his restaurant, trying to battle off a few nobles. “I am telling you for the last time, we are overbooked! Hearts and Hooves Day is popular, so we can’t offer a table to you!”

“I think it speaks to the poor quality of your establishment, that you let filth like commoners dine in it,” a stallion spoke up. “I’m sure you have a separee for the highest citizens of this fair town left.”

“I am deeply sorry, I really am! We don’t have any space left!”

I could see the Maitre was just short of fainting from the negative attention and I was in my uniform, so I decided to step in despite the restaurant being full. “Is there a problem here?” I asked calmly.

One of the nobles turned to me, an elder stallion with grey coat and yellow mane, scrunching his muzzle as he frowned. “This is no discussion for a little filly, move along.”

Oh how I love this. I could already see the Maitre turning straight white, among the mare next to the stallion who seemed to recognize me.

“Well,” I spoke up again, just to be interrupted by the stallion once more.

And by Luna, now he was annoyed. “I don’t want to hear it. Go back to your parents and stop bothering me you small piece of filth.”

“By regulation of the Lunar throne and my power as General invested into me by the law, I could place you under arrest,” I smiled sweetly at him. “That better?”

“WHAT?!” Just now he took my uniform in, blanching visibly. “I’m sorry! Please, I had no idea!”

“I don’t care,” I chirped back, before taking them all in. “Every single one of you will appear in front of the dusk court tomorrow and explain to our Princess, why you thought it was wise to pester this nice gentlecolt and then insult me. You are dismissed.”

It looked like they wanted to say something, but quickly decided otherwise and left. Then I was surprised by the Maitre who stepped forward, kissing me on both cheeks. “Madam Night Watch, I thank you for your help!”

“T’was nothing,” I blushed slightly. “Too bad your restaurant is fully booked.”

“I could cancel another reservation-”

“NO! Please don’t! I don’t want to be responsible if somepony else's date gets ruined,” I quickly cut him off.

He smiled. “Maybe you’d like a reservation for next year then?”



***



“So you got a reservation… but for next year?” Luna blinked and I nodded. “Why didn’t you just use your authority to get a reservation for this year?”

I snorted. “Yes, me and authority. Because that fits well in private matters. Oh, the nobles will be visiting you at dusk court explaining their behaviour.”

“Sometimes I can’t read you, dear Night.”

“Wouldn't be fun if it always worked,” I blew her a raspberry.

“Yes, but some things will never change,” she snorted before waving her hoof at me, “I still have a few things to do. I will see you later. Hopefully with a plan in your head.”

Counting myself as dismissed, I gave her a wave and left her to her work that stacked dangerously high on her desk. Celestia hated paperwork, Luna loved to burn it to ashes.

“Hey, Night!”

I groaned, resisting the urge to facehoof as a voice sounded out the second I left Luna’s chambers. Yet, my spirits brightened a bit seeing that it was Red Wave. “What do you need?”

“My sexy piece of flank said you could use some help with Hearts and Hooves Day. Since she is busy smashing recruits in, I thought I could do that,” Red grinned.

“My sexy piece of flank? Really, Red?” I smirked. “Does Shield know about that of nickname?”

Red Wave pouted. “You wouldn’t believe what she can do with those flanks! She is utterly flexible and-” I silenced her with a hoof.

“And now my teats went inwards. Thanks for that picture in my head, Red,” I scoffed, just to have her bite in my hoof. “Hey! Are you nuts? Get the blood from your marefriend and keep away from mine.”

“Don’t flatter yourself too much, she tastes way better.”

“Blue would probably argue with you about that.”

“Wife’s privileges and all that, I know,” Red grinned. “Now, what did you have planned for Blue on the special day?”

“I… don’t know,” I hesitantly answered while Red gasped. “It seems like I failed with my plans again. I tried to get a reservation for a restaurant but it’s booked out. I got one for next year though…”

“Why don’t you use the easy way out?”

I tilted my head at Red. “Easy way out?”

“Of course!” Red grinned, making sure her fangs were prominent. “Every single Hearts and Hooves Day I chain Moon Shield onto the bed, drink her blood and buck her until she begs for mercy.”

I facehoofed. Yep, that’s Red Wave for you! “We do that on other days, I want this day to be special!”

“Then do what other ponies do. Buy her some flowers and sweets!”

“Oh my! Red!” I turned and grabbed her, shaking her. “You are a genius!” With that I planted a kiss directly on her lips and sped off, wings frantically beating as I navigated through the halls and outside the castle.

“Wait!” I looked back to see Red trying to speed after me, her larger frame making it harder to navigate. “The flower shops is closed, did you look at the time? You have to go tomorrow morning!”

“Damn it,” I landed, cursing. Of course something would go wrong.

“Hey, don’t worry! Tomorrow will be a new day,” Red smiled as she landed besides me. “Now… could you do that again?”

My hoof found it’s way back over my muzzle.



***



It was extremely hard to sneak out of our room in the morning without waking Blue. Normally, I would tangle myself up in the sheets and fall to the ground muzzle first, but much to my surprise it went well this morning. So whistling a happy tune I made my way to the flower shop downtown.

The whistle died on my lips as I rounded the corner to a street that was still 5 minutes away from the shop. There was a damn line. “Please don’t tell me all of them are waiting to get flowers,” I facehoofed.

“We are,” the mare last in line turned as she heard me. “G-general!”

“Calm down, I’m here in private, private.”

“O-of course. As I said, we’re all waiting here and hoping that we can still get some flowers.”

“Great,” I sighed, getting in line. This might only take forever

The line slowly moved forwards and time ticked by. I knew that Blue had her normal shift today so she was busy until the evening, but I had no desire to arrive at the last moment.

Of course, my plans would fail again. The line got shorter and shorter until I could see the shop. Then it stopped and a mare walked out. I had no idea what she was shouting, but the following groaning and curses were clear.

“They are out of flowers!”

“No stock anymore, they seriously are sold out!”

“What the buck, how could the only flower shop in Canterlot be out of flowers?”

It went on and on, but I didn’t really register it. There was only one thing in my mind.

I bucked it up again.

It was the only thing in my mind as I turned and walked back to the castle, head hung low.



***


As soon as I opened the door to our chambers, I could hear her. Blue whistled the song of the after party of our wedding, and I could smell her shampoo. My ears dropped even lower than they were. She was happy. And I would ruin it.

“Night? Is that you, love?” She stepped forward, smiling at me until she noticed my expression. “Night, what is wrong?”

I couldn’t hold it anymore. “I bucked it up again. I failed to make Hearts and Hooves Day special for us!” I sobbed. “I got nothing!”

Blue Moon kneeled down and nuzzled my side, hugging me while I wept. She whispered sweet things in my ears until I stopped, only dry coughing anymore. “Done?” she asked softly and I nodded. “Good, then take a shower. I have something to show you.”

I tilted my head but did as she asked, getting up and quickly taking a shower. It didn’t took me long and after a thoroughly drying, I stepped out and right into the hooves of the love of my life carrying a basket.

“Come, we’ll miss the precious light!” she smiled, offering me a wing.

“You know the night is better,” I smiled slightly back, taking the offered wing in my own and letting her lead me out of our chambers and through the castle, until we reached the garden. “What are we doing here?”

She said nothing and continued up a small hill behind the castle, covered by a few trees and plants. Only then she let go of my wing and set the basket down. My jaw dropped as she unpacked a blanket, two bottles, silverware and food. As soon everything was perfect, she turned to me.

“Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, my love.” Seeing that I was still floored she continued. “I already thought you might have nothing, but I’m not mad! You alway try your best and that’s all I ask from you, no matter what the result is. I planned this because I wanted to show you that I love you for what you are. I don’t need flowers every day to know that you love me too. I don’t need some fancy restaurant to know you do everything for me.”

“I tried so hard,” I whispered, just to be shushed by a soft kiss.

“And I love you for it. You are a clutz, but you are mine. And that will never change.”

Her lips met mine in bliss and I was whole. Everything was good as it was.
> Night of Changes (Blue Moon)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Seventeen: Night of Changes (Blue Moon POV)



I opened my eyes, blinking in confusion before groaning and closing them again as tears threatened to come up. In my sleep I had searched for the warm body of my wife, as usual, but of course she wasn’t there. She was in Ponyville with the rest of our force, trying to end this war before it really began.

That wasn’t to say that life in the castle was easy at the moment. Far from it. With the sabotage of the Lunar armory that had cost a Royal and one Night Guard their lives, investigations were in full swing. Celestia herself had taken up the mission to find the perpetrator, and today would be the day she would present her evidence.

But if Night was right, there would be no evidence.

Night is always right, I chuckled softly. Well, mostly.

I sighed as I turned around. Sleeping alone was way more difficult than I remembered, the usual warmth at my side gone. They always say you won’t really miss something until it’s gone.

I wonder how she is doing. Probably kicking lots of flank.

Knowing there was no way for sleep to find me again, I rolled off the bed and stood up, before slowly making my way out of the room. The weight was starting to really hinder me, but I knew it was worth it. Soon there would be a little, energetic filly running around that was ours.

“There is just one question. Will she take after me or Night? Maybe she’ll get the best of both of our genes?” I said, before I tilted my head. “Or maybe she’ll only get our worst. That would be a mix, oh Luna.” 

Shaking my head, I continued on my way and took the route to the mess hall. Coffee sounded really good right now. If I couldn’t sleep, I would stay awake. The doctor, Luna and Night would have my flank, but they weren’t here.

“Yes, coffee and maybe something to eat,” I said to myself before groaning. “I already dread the damn workouts to lose the weight after our filly is born.”

As I entered the mess hall, a familiar and friendly face greeted me. “Hey, Blue, couldn’t sleep either?”

“Good morning, Cousin. Seems like it,” I answered as I poured myself some coffee before sitting down next to her. “What kept you awake?”

“I’m worried about Wave and Night. Something isn’t right with all this,” she said before shoving some papers in my direction. “And look at this. It’s an early report of the investigation. They blame us.”

I spat my coffee out. “What?”

Moon Shield scowled. “Yep, read it. They say Rain Cloud made a mistake with the enchantments and lost control.”

“That’s bullshit and they know it.”

“Apparently that’s the only possible explanation for them besides one of us sabotaging everything so Sunset Streak dies,” Shield snorted. “But since Rain Cloud died as well and others of us got hurt, they dismissed it.”

“How is Midnight, by the way?” I asked, knowing the mare was more than broken.

“Not too good. Luna is trying her best to help her, but apparently nightmares and self-blame still keep her on edge...”

“Do you think we should go and make sure she’s alright?”

“Well, if we do then I will be the one to do it. You aren’t allowed to leave the castle, remember?” I growled, and she quickly raised her hooves. “Hey, I would gladly take you outside, but I like my wings too much to have them removed by your wife.”

“I’m going crazy in here,” I sighed, my head hitting the table in frustration.

“Look at it from the other side. You have a new life growing in you and soon it will join our family,” Shield smiled. “I hope Wave will play broodmare for me someday as well, hehe.”

“Red Wave with a big belly? Yeah, dream on,” I chuckled.

“I thought the same about you not even a year ago,” my cousin shot back. “And now look at you.”

“Keep that up and you’ll lose one of your wings early.” I threatened before looking back at the early report in front of me. “So that means the Royal Guard will get away and Celestia pushes all responsibility on our dead friend. I don’t know if I should yell at her or simply kick her.”

Shield looked actually worried. “Keep that down. As long as Luna, Night and the rest are gone, she’s got everything in her hooves.”

“Wow, it’s unlike you to be careful.”

“Very funny. Tell you what. I’m going to see Midnight and see if I can drag her to the castle to spend some quality time, just us three mares. We can help her with the pain, and she might keep us distracted from thinking about our mares for a while,” Shield said as she stood up.

I nodded. “Do that. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I hope so, and don’t get killed,” she answered and leaned in to kiss my cheek, but quickly dodged my right hoof before blowing me a raspberry. “I love you too.”


***


I hated waiting. I really, really hated waiting. By the time Shield came back with a very disheveled Midnight Flow, I had finished several cups of coffee, which earned me a scolding and getting restricted to tea. That didn’t hinder me from eating a lot, of course.

“If you tell me you ate all those plates of food in the forty minutes I was gone, I am going to call your flank fat from now on,” Shield grinned as she sat down next to me.

“Bite me.”

She laughed but my gaze stayed on the mare that silently sat down opposite us, trying her best to avoid our gazes. Her eyes were dull with rings under them, and her coat and mane were unkempt and dirty. 

“Midnight? Are you okay?” I asked and immediately regretted those words as she looked up, glaring at me.

“You ask if I’m okay?,” She shrieked. “Yes, I’m perfectly fine! I’ve never been better! Could jump around in happiness! It’s not like my dead marefriend is lying in a cold room somewhere in the medical wing until the investigations are over and the burial can begin.”

“Midnight, watch your tone!,” Shield quickly scolded but I raised my hoof.

“She is right, that wasn’t exactly tactful of me. I’m really sorry, Midnight.”

The mare in question snorted before looking away again. “I can’t forget her.”

“You shouldn’t,” I said softly.

“I know, but it’s hard. I see her everywhere, and the fact that she gave me the keys to her apartment, taking me out of the barracks isn’t making it better. Everything smells like her and all the memories… I don’t know what to do.” She sighed before plopping her head down. “Luna is doing her very best to make me forget, to help me cope, but I don’t know… It’s not that she isn’t lovely, but sometimes I have the feeling everything moves way too fast. “

“Listen, rookie,” Shield started, but quickly reared back as I glared at her. “Uh, Midnight, listen. This isn’t healthy. As hard as it is, you gotta keep your distance from that apartment for a while.”

“And where should I live? The barracks are full. My bunk was given to a newbie.”

“How about you ask Luna if you can stay with her for a while?” I smiled before stopping. “That is, when she’s back. Until then you can stay in our room. I’m pretty sure Night won’t be mad, and we have a guest bed that’s big enough.”

Midnight looked shocked for a second. “Is that really okay? I mean, she is not here and I don’t want to interrupt you two.”

“As if,” I laughed. “Trust me, with this,” I pointed to my belly,” there is no sex at the moment. And when our foal is here, we will be busy with other stuff. Besides, we can always use the shower or an empty room to fuck,” I added with a grin.

“Those two are worse than two of Red Wave, and that’s saying a hell of a lot,” Moon Shield chuckled, before retreating as I cuffed her with a wing. “Ouch, no fun!”

“Watch it or I’ll team up with Red for a few punishments!” I threatened.

“As if.”

“No sex for a week, no blood for a month.”

Shield immediately blanched. “What? That’s not fair!”

We both perked up as laughter came to our ears, turning to Midnight who was trying to hold in her guffaws. “You two are really something!”

“We’re cousins, that’s normal. She’s always joking with me,” Shield smiled.

“I wasn’t joking with the punishments,” I added, making her wilt again.

Midnight raised her hoof slowly, as if we were in class. “What’s the plan now?”

“Well,” I started. “If you want to accept my offer, you two go to the apartment and get the stuff you need. I will wait at home since I can’t leave the castle. And then we will have some quality time!”

“Ouh, ouh, can we play Ogres & Oubliettes?” Shield grinned.

“NO!” Midnight and I quickly yelled.

“Awwww.”

“I think I will take you up on your offer,” Midnight slowly said. “Provided we don’t play that horrendous board game. I really don’t like it.”

“Deal!” I quickly said before my cousin could interrupt. “Shield, please help her get some stuff from the apartment. Enough to stay a few days at least.”

“Why always me?”

“Who else?”

She growled, “Fine. I miss the times my rank was higher than yours. Come, Midnight. Let’s leave grandma alone.”

I tried to cuff her with my wing, but she quickly sprung up and out of reach. Blowing me a last raspberry, she left with Midnight. 

Sometimes she can be a real pain in the flank, and Red Wave made her much worse, I thought with a chuckle.


***


Did I mention that I hate waiting? Sitting alone at home, I waited for Moon Shield and Midnight to finally arrive. They took their damn time, that was for sure.

“Two hours, what is keeping them so long?” I whined.

In that time I had already prepared the guest bed with fresh sheets and bedding before plopping down on the bed I shared with Night, inhaling deeply just to have another wave of worry pass over me.

“I hope you are alright, my love,” I whispered while gently caressing my swollen belly.

Finally, there was a knock at the door.

“About time!” I growled, ripping the door open wide, just to be quickly pushed to the side by a panting Moon Shield who quickly closed the door and turned the lock. “What’s wrong, where is Midnight?”

“They took her in,” she panted.

“What?!”

“They took her in, Celestia’s personal guard waited on us in front of the apartment and arrested her for personal questioning as we tried to leave with her stuff,” Shield answered, before sighing. “Something is terribly wrong. Celestia didn’t even want to talk with me when I went to her chambers. After a few seconds, two of her guards slipped out and immediately tried to arrest me. I defended myself and then bolted as the rest of her guard came after me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t sound like Celestia, even if her recent actions have been questionable.”

Shield shook her head. “I don’t know what it is, but I think it’s the same situation as in Ponyville. Something is wrong with the Royal Guard, and I’m pretty sure Celestia is also affected.”

“Then we have to warn Night and Luna!” I yelled, but my cousin quickly shushed me.

“And how might we do that?”

I sighed loudly… “Lightning Blossom. She is a hot head, but she’s the only one with enough connections to reach Ponyville quickly.”

Moon Shield groaned, her head hitting the wall. “And now she is our only hope, isn’t she?”

“Well, she is still family after all.” With that I moved up, pulling Shield with me. “We have to warn Night and Luna, no matter how.” I added a small growl. “And if a damn Royal is getting in my way, I’m cutting their muzzle off.”

“Sometimes… sometimes, you really scare me, Blue,” was all Shield had to say to that before we unlocked and opened the door, checking the hallway before bolting out.

Night, stay safe! You are not allowed to die! You have to be there for me and our foal!
> Unforeseen (Celestia)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Eighteen: Unforeseen (Celestia POV)



It had been nearly a thousand years since I took the life of one of my little ponies. I have never forgotten one light that had to die. All those names and faces are still in my mind. Peace never came easy, but I had brought it to Equestria. In my mind I was sure that those ponies had deserved it and that I did it for the greater good. I was sure the loss of those lives would protect all of Equestria in the end.

I did not see the day so quickly coming where I would once again have to let one of those lights die for Equestria. Yet Red Streak had pushed too many buttons, endangered and killed ponies, and had overall angered me to the point I could no longer let it go. 

My hoof shook as I used it to pull part of my mane out of my face. No matter what I tried to do, no matter what I wanted to believe, I was sure of one thing. There would be another war. How big it would be or how long it would last I couldn’t tell, and that was unusual.

Normally I could foresee things that would happen days, weeks, months, or even years before they would occur. Sometimes I could even see decades ahead. It gave me enough time to form plans to counter them, just like I had with Twilight and many others before her. This time, however, events unfolded quickly and without warning. It was… unusual, to say the least.

I ran my hoof through my mane again and looked over the papers on my desk. “Too many things happened for this to have occurred by chance. They make sense, yet they do not. Such a large problem, and yet I couldn’t see it.” 

I sighed and picked up another set of papers. Investigation 77-UG, incident in the Night Armory. This was a blank slate. Nopony had seen anything, nopony had any explanation. As far as anypony could tell, equipment suddenly started coming to life and attacking everypony in the armory. That thought made the words of Luna and the General ring in my ears once again.

“Two guards are dead, killed by an attack that shouldn’t have been possible, from ponies they are meant to work with!”

“It’s the only possibility! Grey Plate or his friends are on a quest for revenge!”

It didn’t make any sense at that time. Especially since Grey Plate was reported dead by the council of Manehattan. “Either they lied to me completely, or the death was faked,” I mused aloud. Nothing seemed like a good answer, but it would explain why Grey Plate could attend those meetings without being a ghost.

That still left Golden Snow as a great unknown. At least partially. I’d known for over two decades that her family skimmed funds from the weather factory to help in their own projects. Mostly, I looked away, since several family members donated to charity, attended the gala, and none of them funded illegal projects. That seemed to have changed, and it was more than time to visit the Cloudsdale weather factory again.

My thoughts were quickly disrupted as my lieutenant stepped in. “Princess! We have a problem.”

I sighed. More problems, as if that’s what I need at the moment. “What is it, Lieutenant Silver Wings?”

“We found seven Royal Guards dead, three badly wounded in the outskirts of Canterlot.” Silver Wings gulped. "The survivors can’t remember why or how, but one reports to have seen Grey Plate and that he and his comrades attacked a small battalion of Night Guards.”

Now that had my interest, in more ways than one. “Any more information on Grey Plate?”

“No, your highness.”

“See to it that the families are informed and the survivors are to be placed under immediate surveillance. Everything that seems suspicious is to be reported to me immediately,” I said, before pausing a second. “And please bring me Luna and General Night Watch.”

Silver Wings started to look really uncomfortable now. “I fear that is not possible, your highness.”

I glared at her. “Why is that?”

“Because a small battalion of the Lunar Army departed at five hundred sharp with Moonlight, headed towards Ponyville. Your sister and the general were on board. We also couldn’t contact Princess Twilight Sparkle, nor the outposts of either guard unit there.”

This made me pause, and my glare disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. That was more than bad news and spoke of the war already starting. There was only so much I could do now.

“Lieutenant, get me every Royal Guard that is ready to fight and prepare for a mission. Where are the survivors of the attack?”

“In the medical wing. We also made sure to place two guards in front of the door.”

Massaging my temples, I rose to my hooves, quickly making my way to the door. Just to stop as I noticed the Lieutenant staring at me, still standing at the same place. “Is there a problem, Lieutenant?”

“Permission to speak freely?”

“You know you always have it,” I smiled warmly.

“Something is wrong. Like really, really wrong,” Silver Wings growled. “I can’t put my hoof directly on it, but with smaller incidents on the rise, and more and more misconduct in the Royal Guard… If I didn’t know better, I would say we stand on the brink of a war.”

That was something I had considered, to a certain degree at least. Yet, this insight might prove useful, especially since fate seemed to avoid me in this matter. “Silver Wings… I would like a list of all incidents and your personal thoughts on this,” I spoke softly. “Think of it as a request, not an order. And to answer your thoughts: I’m nearly sure that something is going on outside our view. Something that evades our hooves and tries to create more chaos than ever.”

I knew it wouldn’t ease any of my lieutenant’s worries, but I was pretty sure that being honest caused more goodwill than any other reaction I could bring at the moment.

“Thank you for being frank with me. I appreciate it.” Silver Wings saluted before turning and galloping down the hall to carry out her orders.

I definitely need more mares like her. I should copy Luna’s recruitment system.

The walk to the medical wing wasn’t an exceptionally long one from my chambers, but it made it more than clear that something was wrong, oh so very wrong. There were barely any staff present in the hallways, next to no batpony presence, and swarms of my Royal Guards running around, most of them surprisingly ignoring my presence.

Normally they salute or at least acknowledge me. This time there is nothing, not even a reaction to my presence at all.

This was a moment where I wished not to be alone. I wasn’t scared, but the situation proved to be a bad omen. More so the closer I came to the medical wing.

“What in the name of myself is going on here?” I whispered as I approached the medical wing in front of me. The guards were gone and all doors wide open. This wasn’t good, not at all! Slowly powering my magic, I made my slow way to the first door before breathing out: empty. The same with the next three rooms.

The fifth room, however, proved to have a surprise. Inside, I found two lifeless guards, one Solar, one Night, and three beds with nonmoving occupants. Quickly, I checked them all. They were dead, but still warm.

This happened in the last few minutes. What is going on?!

As I heard the sounds of hooves, I turned, just to be muzzle to muzzle with my lieutenant. Normally, a good sign, this time it made me stagger backwards. Her eyes were lifeless, empty, her ragged breath and damaged armor spoke of more than she could have told me.

“Stand down, changeling! Drop your disguise and come quietly with us!” Silver Wings growled.

“Lieutenant, what is the matter with you?” I carefully started. “I am Celestia, not a changeling! We've talked mere seconds ago!”

“Wrong answer, changeling! GET IT!” she shouted and I heard the windows behind me shatter into a thousand pieces, immediately knowing that there were more guards moving in.

I didn’t want to hurt my guards, not after I had ended a life so shortly ago. With a sigh, I stopped my magic and dropped down. “I’m not resisting.” At least I might find out what happens. They look as though an outsider is in control of their actions and thoughts. And if not… I… I… I can still free myself and save my ponies.

There was no more time before I felt a pain at the back of my head, and then nothing.


***


It hurt. A lot. A normal pony wouldn’t be able to knock an alicorn out. At least not that I’ve ever heard of or experienced. Somehow, I wasn’t awake. I wasn’t in the dream world either, the picture in front of me lacking my peaceful glade.

Instead, I was watching what looked like Ponyville burning brightly, ponies with or without armor likewise scattered around with various injuries. It was a war raging in the middle of a small town.

My breath froze as I looked at the Crystal Castle. Or rather, what was left of it. The crystal black, lifeless, broken in more ways than one.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I knew that voice. I knew that voice and had hoped to never hear it again. Turning my head sharply, Chrysalis stood behind me, looking over the scene with a smile. “So the changelings are behind all this,” I stated coldly.

She laughed. “Yes, and no. You ponies are stupid enough to only focus on the wars in front of your door. Meanwhile, it was easy for me and my allies to infiltrate the castle, the diplomats, and the Royal Guard. Too bad the thestrals proved to be mostly immune to my agents.” I snorted and was about to answer, but she cut me off. “It’s not so much about training, but their nature. As you remember, I also can’t control your sister.”

“And that is supposed to make it all better? What is your plan this time? Use us as your stock of food again?” I asked, trying to charge my horn. Nothing. I can’t use my magic.

Chrysalis smiled, a wicked smile that turned my stomach. “You can’t do anything. Your body is in a pod. I’m just here to break your mind and use you as our marionette to keep the ponies calm.”

“You’re never going to break me!”

“Are you sure?” She asked casually, walking around me with her right wing pointed at Ponyville. “Sure enough to risk the life of everyone? Your little student and her guards. Your sister. Your royal guards. The little general… everyone?” I didn’t answer, and she chuckled. “No matter which way you choose, the result is clear.” With that, she was directly in front of my face. “I’m going to win! My new ally, my lover… he gave me power I thought I could never wield!” Now she was laughing hysterically. “Thanks to his love, I can easily overpower you, your sister, and that forsaken pink stupid bitch of love.” she ended with a growl.

“I’m never going to give you any power that can endanger my ponies.” 

“It’s sad… but I already expected that. Goodbye, Princess.”

My eyes went wide as sharp, strong pain invaded my mind. I tried to fight against that pain, to protect all that was holy to me. Just to fail. It was as she said, I couldn’t stand in her way. And if I couldn’t resist, there was only a small hope for my ponies left.

My thoughts more and more pressed against a corner, I soon found myself in a black void. I don’t know for how long, but after some time I could see through my eyes. It was as if I was a visitor in my own body. All movements and thoughts ceased to obey me. I could only watch and howl, trying to claw my way out.

All I could hear then was the maniacal laughter of Chrysalis. Hers, and a deep, distorted voice mixed in, sending chills running through my veins like ice.

Sister…. I was blind… I failed… Please, save our ponies…