Loving The Dark Side

Chapters

Chapter 1: Rising Moon
Chapter 2: Meet The Boss
Chapter 3: Guard Duties
Chapter 4: Friend Duties
Chapter 5: More Than A Guard
Chapter 6: Full Moon

Chapter 1: Rising Moon

Pacing. Once you become a guard, the notion almost seems foreign to you. Standing still in one place for an indefinite amount of time becomes an instinct for a guard on and off duty. Moving back and forth, turning forward and back, feet never standing still, all of this was an unused exercise for any good guardsman.

However, for Shining Armor, that was the only thing he could do. Well, think about doing, in any event.

He glanced at the golden doors to the throne room once again in the last two minutes. Still under lock and key, his fellow guardsman unwavering statues outfitted in armor. Normally he’d be there along with them with the same stony expression and unmoving loyalty to his duty, but not today. Today was anything but normal.

“C’mon, c’mon.” Shining stopped, looking towards the doors again. Nothing. “Damnit,” he sighed under his breath, running a hand through his blue-striped hair. Damnit again, he forgot to get a haircut. His ass was already in the fire and his insubordination with hair length would only make it worse. He’d just have to hope—

The doors to the throne room opened with a flourish that only something made entirely out of gold could do. Meaning Shining had to wait for nearly half a minute for them to open up all the way. When they did, a voice as soft as a dove’s wing but as frightening to him as a sword pointed at his throat said, “Shining Armor, you may enter.”

He’d just have to hope Princess Celestia was in the merciful type of mood for today.

Shining Armor walked into the throne room with crisp and rigid footsteps, more similar to a robot than a man. And for the time being, that was all Shining wanted to be seen as. Emotionless, expressionless, fully loyal and determined to follow any order at a given drop: the perfect guard.

He stopped before the foot of the stairs leading up to Celestia’s throne, and immediately took to one knee, saying, “Shining Armor reporting for duty your majesty.”

“At ease,” he heard above him.

Stepping back to a standing position, Shining’s eyes were quick to scan the room about him. Marble columns stood at either side of Shining, stretching up to the seemingly impossibly tall ceiling above, where every act of great Equestria myth and legend could be seen in beautiful artistic fashion painted with the skill of only master artisans. Just looking at it makes one want to whistle and stare in awe. Unfortunately for Shining, all he wanted to do now was gulp and look away with dread. Well, not at the art, but who the art was made for.

Princess Celestia could be summed up by many words. Strong, powerful, motherly, stunning, magnificent, goddess, leader, and so on. But one word in particular stuck in Shining’s mind: intimidating.

Whether it was the pure white robes that adorned her womanly yet striking features, the ceremonial golden crown and jewelry that wrapped around her neck like an old friend or sat atop her head in the image of wealth and power, or even the steely look in her eyes that could break backs with just a glance that made her intimidating, Shining didn’t know. Most likely it was the mysterious circumstances. It wasn’t every day that the Princess called you down specifically for a special meeting. A special meeting that most likely held Shining’s job in the balance.

It was any wonder he had the willpower to stop his knees from shaking at this point.

“Now, Shining, do you have any idea why I called you down here?” Celestia asked. Her face appeared as if it had been carved from marble from the gods themselves, her lips so luscious and rich that Shining was willing to bet they were softer than the lightest feather. And by the gods, her hair. It was like a constantly overflowing waterfall of different hues and colors, all coordinated to give an appearance of immaculate beauty unlike any other. And boy, did it ever work.

However, Shining was already well aware of Celestia’s appearance, so he managed to snap himself out and cough into his hand to clear his throat. “No, Princess Celestia, I do not.”

“Really? You’re not even going to guess it had something to do with the events last month?”

Last month. Perhaps the worst day of Shining’s life. He was still getting nightmares of that event. “It seemed like a possibility, your highness.”

“It was the day my sister, Luna, finally arrived back to Equestria under the guise of Nightmare Moon. You remember, don’t you?” Celestia asked, her eyes glinting with her smirk. “You and your fellow guards had been tasked with guarding me, after all.”

Shining gritted his teeth, but nodded nonetheless. Forget about his ass in the fire, he was already roasted and black around the edges.

“Indeed, your highness. My entire troop had been teleported to the Everfree Forest to fend for ourselves. It… was not a pleasant night.”

“For the most part, that feeling is mutual. But it was the actions of your sister and her friends that saved us. Luna as well.” Celestia raised her palm out to Shining. “And from reports of the troop, you really stepped up to plate to lead your men to safety. Even when everything had fallen into chaos, you were there as a shining beacon of hope in the dark. A true hero to the uniform, from what I recall.”

Shining’s willpower dissipated and now he freely blinked. “Uh… pardon, your majesty?”

“Oh, no need to act so shocked. What, did you think I’d seriously call you to my throne room to fire you?” Celestia chuckled, her laughter sounding like chimes in a pleasant breeze. “I have military personnel for that.”

Shining gulped.

“Oh, but nothing to fear. You’re not being fired. In fact…” Celestia pursed her lips, grinning a playful smile. “I think a promotion is in order.”

Shining sucked in his cheeks and stood completely still… well, more so than he was before. It was as if someone had thrown back the brake to the universe and everything was thrown into a strange sense of limbo where not a soul moved. Time was stopped and the planets along with it, all that is and shall be frozen in space.

“Uh… Shining Armor, your face is turning blue.” Celestia snapped her fingers several times. “Shining Armor!”

Breathing in some much needed air, Shining saluted with back as straight as a pole. “I thank you immensely for this promotion, Princess Celestia! I will not let you down!”

“I surely hope you won’t, Captain Shining Armor. Because I have a job for you.”

Shining couldn’t believe his ears. Captain? As in, Captain of the Royal Guards? That meant he’d be right underneath Celestia in authority over the guards. He’d be her personal guard. Best of all, he’d get a really spiffy new armor and a shiny medal!

Wiping away some drool from the side of his mouth, Shining said, “Whatever it is, your highness, I will do the best I can to carry out your orders to the best of my abilities!”

“Excellent, excellent. I knew choosing you would be the wise choice.” Celestia pressed her fingertips together and leaned forward in her throne, inspecting Shining like he himself would inspect a new sword: testing out how the weight felt in his hand, how sharp the blade was, the balance in its swing, and whether it could decapitate an enemy, if the need should ever arise. “You see, there’s still a certain… test you must go through before you’re trusted with the full range of responsibilities of your new rank.”

“Test, your majesty?”

Celestia nodded. “Well, you are the youngest captain that’s ever been in Royal Guards. I feel that a test would assure the rest of the force that you are up to snuff. Qualified for the job, so to speak.”

Shining flashed her a confident grin. “Whatever it is, your highness, I can handle it.”

“Well, do note that the test is completely optional. See it as more of a task that I need completing. I just need someone with the best credentials to do the job. If you think you’re not qualified, you still keep your new promotion. This is just, well, let’s say…” Celestia tapped a dainty finger to her chin, humming under her breath, “this is just better assurance to the force and me that you have what it takes to be Captain.”

Shining could feel a tremor run up his spine. Not one of dread, but of excitement. If a test was all it would take to cement his future as Captain of the Royal Guards, then he’d take it. Whether it was swimming in the latrines in his underwear or climbing the peak of the Crystal Mountains—also in his underwear—there’d be nothing holding him back from this promotion. Absolutely nothing.

Celestia’s eyes softened as her gaze shifted from Shining to the distance right beside him. “As you already know, Princess Luna is back. The nightmare that had once manipulated and guided her heinous actions committed in the past is gone. Or, at least most of it. Traces still live on inside her. Chances are those traces shall never be rid of. The Elements can only do so much, but at a fundamental level, some of Luna’s personality and the nightmare’s influence mixed. It’d be impossible to separate the two. Which is why my sister and I are currently bonding more, along with me introducing her to the current norms of this era and interests. Once she’s been guided into this society long enough, she’ll be fit to rule once again. In the mean time, however, she needs a guard. Someone she could trust. Who I trust.”

Shining blinked. Princess… Luna. The very same princess who threatened to send all of Equestria into endless night… again. The princess who not only sent him and his men out in the middle of the forest to fend for themselves, but also put his own sister in danger. That princess.

“So, Captain Shining Armor, are you up to the job?”

Well, there went his military career.

Chapter 2: Meet The Boss

Shining Armor fussled with the new medal attached to his uniform. Unfortunately his new armor was still being made to the specifications of his body type. Lucky him that he had to be born with wider shoulders than horns on a bull. But still, once he’d don it, it’d all be worth it.

Well, maybe not all of it, but it’d definitely make the job more bearable.

“Guarding Princess Luna of all people. Huh.” Shining chuckled. He held a palm to his forehead and shook his head, sighing deeply. “Not a problem. Not one bit. I’ve done worse. I… just have to be optimistic about this.”

Shining rounded a corner, his destination up ahead. The door to the Canterlot outdoors training facility, where supposedly that was where Luna was to meet him. And then would begin his illustrious career as Captain of the Guards to a woman that filled him with dread just at the mention of her name.

“Sure, sure, optimistic. Great. Yeah. I can manage that. Manage it easy.” Shining opened the door and stepped out in the blazing Equestrian sun. “Definitely easy.”

The facility was spacious enough, with a basketball court, track, and outdoors workout station set up right in the middle. Typically guards would be here to perform basic training in regards to general upkeep for performance. Rookies and recruits didn’t get to see the facility much, since it was mostly stomping grounds for veterans or senior guard personal, but currently there was no one there. No one but Luna, of course.

Shining wiped some sweat from his forehead, observing the fabled Princess of the Night. Well, she wasn’t as ‘dark’ as he first thought. She had light-brown skin, almost like coffee with too much milk added. She sat on one of the station’s benches, her knees brought up to rest next to her chin, and her hands wrapped around her legs. Her face quirked into a small frown as she sat, her turquoise eyes offering small flickers and glances, as if wordlessly letting an observer know that while she was with her thoughts, she was far from distracted from the goings-on around her.

Shining didn’t know whether to approach her or wait for her to indicate for him to go before her. Celestia was sketchy on the details of how Luna would direct him, just that he was to do what she said and guarantee her safety at all times. So, for the time being, he just stood by the courtyard entrance and waited for… some type of indication she noticed him. In the mean time, he sweated up a storm due to the bulk of his armor and uniform, but at that point in his career it was something he had grown used to.

Finally, she sighed, looking directly towards him. “Are thou waiting for a blessing to approach, mayhaps?” she flatly asked.

Shining nodded. “That’s, uh, usually how it goes, your majesty.” The awkward stretch of silence continued onward, until Shining coughed and asked, “So, um… do I have it?”

“I have no objections, Ser…” her frown deepened for a moment, “I cry thine pardon, what is thine name again?”

“Shining Armor. Captain Shining Armor, in fact.” He approached her, walking with a confident stride with a straight back and squared shoulders. Always professional and prepped was Shining’s motto, and whether it be with Princess Luna or an empty hallway in the castle, that was how he performed. “Recently promoted, actually.”

“I see,” she simply stated. “I suppose a congratulation is in order, Ser Armor. From combat, I am to assume?”

“Um… well, in terms, I… suppose.” Shining wanted to scratch an inch on the tip of his nose, where a bead of sweat was currently threatening to fall, but resisted the urge.

“I see,” Luna once more repeated. She rose to a stand and brushed back one of her lengthy starry bangs, exposing both her eyes to the man. “It has been quite a length since I’ve had a guard thrust upon me, truly. Not since I was a babe, fresh from the cradle’s embrace.”

“Well… it’s not that bad. It’s mostly for tradition, but we guards still go into the line of duty to protect Equestria’s princesses no matter the cost. Just think of me as your shadow, basically. You won’t even know I’m here.” Shining smiled, though it pretty much died and was sent to the deepest pit of Tartarus telling from Luna’s expression. “I, uh, hope you don’t mind my presence here, your majesty, but like I said, you won’t even notice me after a time.”

“Mine shadow is not the best thing to be, Shining Armor. ‘Tis indeed why thou hath to be mine guardsman, is it not?” she asked. The fact that her tone was neutral, rather than heated, unnerved him more than it should.

Shining’s smile further faltered. “Well, not exactly. I was given the choice. I chose to be your guard because, well… keep it from me not to accept a challenge, eh?” His chuckles died in his throat before they could even crawl out of his mouth from the way Luna was looking at him: completely expressionless, as deadpan a look he’s ever seen one.

“Are thou insinuating I am difficult, Ser Knight?”

“Wh-what? No, no, no, of course not! What I meant is that… erm.” Shining was sweating even more now, though he felt no heat from the sun. Luna’s icy expression was enough to freeze him still. “This assignment, um, to guard you was given to me as a choice from Celestia. I still would have get my promotion without it. It was more of a… a… preliminary test, so to speak.”

“...I was merly jesting, Shining Armor.”

Shining blinked several times. “Um… pardon, your majesty?”

“When I asked if I was vexing to thee. ‘Twas a simple jest upon my end.” Luna cocked her head. “Or is humor approached different within these days?”

“Well… typically it’s remained the same. Minus a heart-attack or two on my end.” Shining wiped a considerable amount of sweat from his forehead. “Dear Celestia, you really had me going there.”

“Going where?” Luna asked. “I thought we were going to use the area here. Unless you have a better location, mayhaps?”

“No… I meant that you had me fooled. As in, your joke really worked on me.”

“Ah. I understand thine… lingo?” she offered, squinting her eyes in thought.

“Do you have any other experiences with metaphors before?” Shining asked.

“From my own time, naturally,” Luna countered. “The speech this generation imbines in is vexing.”

“Well, I can help you with that, if you want.” This time Shining’s smile was much more acceptable to Luna’s gaze. “Just because I’m your shadow doesn’t mean we can’t chat from time to time, if you’re willing.”

“I… would not mind talking,” she said, giving a small adjustment to the belt at her waist. “Though I am, admittedly, rusty at the art compared to mine sister.”

“Hey now, doesn’t matter to me. Remember, I’m the guard, you’re the princess.” Shining winked. “It’s in my job description to be attentive at all times.”

“Mmm,” Luna replied. “I’ll keep that in mind, I suppose.”

Shining glanced side to side, at the empty space of the courtyard. Not a guard to be seen, and at a time and type of weather he’d expect at least a dozen of them to be here.

“So… Princess Luna, any plans for this afternoon? I noticed that the it’s pretty… empty here.”

“Quite empty. I wonder if I am to blame for that,” she said, a wry, pencil-thin smile on her face.

Shining shared her smile. “Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself. Ever worked out before? It might be different, since the guards use a more modern exercise equipment.”

“I grew accustomed to chores as a child, and swinging a blade as an adult. As for modern equipment, I fear I know very little.”

“Well then, allow me to teach you the ropes then.” Shining walked over to the first set of dumbbells he could find, next to a squat rack and bench. Hefting up a seventy-five pound dumbbell, Shining grunted. “See, these are dumbbells. You can them for a floor press or bicep curl and even a shoulder press. If you want some pointers, I can teach you the basics. I think we can start you off on a, uh—” Shining turned his head to Luna and blinked. “Wow.”

She hoisted a two-hundred pound weight in her hand, rolling her forearm and positioning it as if it were the handle of a blade. Giving an experimental swing of it, she looked towards the Captain. “Is there one more cumbersome? I’d prefer something with more heft if we are to train.”

“Uh… how about we skip on the weight training for now, eh?” Shining gulped. “At least until I can catch up. How about… some cardio?”

“If thou wills it, let it be,” Luna nodded, tossing the weight to the side and letting it crash to the floor. “By ‘cardio,’ I am to assume thou means matters of the heart, yes? I recall a teacher mentioning the word a long time ago.” She gave an adjustment to the jerkin she wore, rolling up the sleeves to her armpits. “Then let us do cardio.”

“I actually meant more in terms of running around the track, but yes, cardio.” Shining began to pull his armor off piece by piece, breathing a sigh of relief to be freed from its suffocating embrace. “You just keep on running around in circles at a steady pace. Think you can manage that?”

“I’ve traveled more than my fare share in plate mail, Ser Shining. In what amounts to undergarments, I have no fear of keeping up.”

“Excellent.” Shining was finally free from his armor, and after rolling up the pants of his uniform and discarding his long-sleeved shirt for the plain white t-shirt underneath, he was ready to go. “Just try and keep up, huh?”

Shining raced towards the track in long strides, as fluid and fast as water that rushed down a river into a booming waterfall. Each footfall was like a piston going on and off, his muscles burning with pleasure from the effort. He smiled, adrenaline pumping through his veins in a torrent of energy. He was already halfway around the track and still no sign from Luna, but at that moment all he could concern himself with was speed: go faster, run quicker, be as swift as the wind.

Of course, it was at this moment that Luna finally caught up to him, running at a brisk pace… backwards.

“I implore you. Go at a quicker pace. Don’t hold back because I’m a woman, Ser Shining,” Luna encouraged, easily twisting to face forward and jog alongside him.

“Oh, don’t worry. My drill instructor during my recruit days was a woman.” Shining increased his pace, breathing steadily in through his nose and out his mouth. “Toughest bitch under the sun, and that was her congratulating herself.”

Luna gave a laugh, not even breaking a sweat. “Indeed? The times have changed. It was always considered queer that I walked a warrior’s path in my day.”

“Well, seeing how Equestria has lived in peace for centuries, it looks queer to most everyone these days. But hey, someone’s got to do it,” Shining said. “In fact, the last big disaster that had to have the Royal Guards involved was the Night—uh… the incident a few weeks ago.”

“Don’t hide the truth away from me, Shining,” Luna rebuked. “Hiding the word away in a coat of sweetness will not change what happened.” She looked toward the sky. “How many lives were lost? If I may ask.”

“Well, luckily enough, none. The rest of the guards got quite a scare in the Everfree. Let me tell you, the stories about all the monsters in there don’t even tell you half the freaky things you’ll see.” Shining glanced to Luna, who was looking off indifferently in the distance, not even breaking out in a sweat. “I managed to take the initiative and lead the rest of my men to safety. One of the reasons I got the promotion in the first place.”

“I’m thankful for that, at least,” Luna answered. “Thou must have performed well to prevent casualties. Your rise to Captain was well deserved, Shining Armor.”

“I thank you, Princess. I was just doing my duty.”

The two continued to run in silence. Luna’s pace remained as even as ever, her face expressionless and her eyes focused at the task at hand. While Shining Armor was certainly fit due to his guard position, even he began to tire, and on a sweltering hot day like that one, his pace weakened and ebbed until he was fit to fall over. Only reason he hadn’t stopped or slowed down was because he struggled to keep up with Luna, which now looked to be more like a death sentence than challenge.

“I am not quite as magically inclined as my sister,” Luna spoke suddenly. “But even I can sense you’re pushing yourself quite far, Shining.”

He shook his head. “N-nah, it’s fine, really.” Shining pointed forward, his path wavering sporadically on the track. “Just keep it moving forward, I got this.”

“As you wish.” She increased her tempo, swinging her arms out farther and actually taking deeper breaths as she made her way around the track.

After a few more laps, Shining could barely stand up straight, now moving at a pace that would make a sloth seem like a speedster. As Luna rounded up close to him, Shining grunted, “No problem. I’ll… I’ll catch up just… just fine. Princess… yeah.”

It was then that Shining finally collapsed, and on his face at that.

Chapter 3: Guard Duties

Shining Armor ducked, narrowly avoiding having his neck chopped off. Well, the blade had been magically imbued to prevent its edge from actually tearing away flesh, so the worse it could do was a bruise. But by the way Luna was swinging it, that would have been one pretty nasty bruise. Worse yet, breaking his neck, but at the moment Shining was just trying to remain optimistic.

“I see the legends of your skill with the sword are true, Princess,” Shining said, backing up a few feet from Luna’s reach. The circle they were in was the typical fighting grounds for one-on-one combat in the guard training facility indoors. After the incident a few weeks ago, Shining was glad he had air conditioning as a comfort. Luna’s vigor, however, offered no reprieve.

“Legends? Is that a fact?” Luna laughed. “I must shy away from them, ‘lest I grow a large head.” She feinted her strike, first appearing to come high, then whipping her broadsword to the side, aiming for Shining’s torso.

This time Shining could actually feel the blade pass by his chest with only centimeters to spare before he could step back out of the way. He had already learned his lesson once already with moving quick when fighting with Luna. His bruises were still sore.

“Well, I believe those legends are on point. In fact, they weren’t legendary enough,” Shining said. “You’re the most gifted swordswoman I’ve ever met. In battle I wouldn’t stand a chance. Well, without a considerable amount of planning and luck that is.” Shining shrugged. “Mostly luck.”

“The years have taught me one thing. The harder one works, the luckier one gets.” She watched him with an uncanny stare, waiting for him to take a swing.

Shining smirked, toying with Luna’s glare. He hopped from one foot to the other, keeping on his toes like a jackrabbit about to sprint. All the while, his eyes were focused on his opponent. And her considerably tight purple jumpsuit she had decided to wear. During their first meeting Shining hadn’t noticed it due to dread, but Luna was quite the looker. Especially with attire that… pronounced her more feminine features.

It was then, of course, that Shining got the handle of Luna’s sword unexpectedly in his gut. Again.

“Celestia be damned… fuck, why there again?” Shining asked, already on his knees and sucking in breath.

“Cease thine language, child,” Luna remarked, circling him like a shark spotting prey. “And if thou would stop dancing like a buffoon, thine torso would be far less sore.”

“It’s not dancing, it’s called a fighting stance!” Shining swallowed some spit and got back to his feet, albeit with much less vigor than before. He would have appreciated some armor at that moment, but unfortunately for him, Luna insisted on training with minimal protection other than their own strength and weapon. Or whatever that shit meant. All Shining knew was that his stomach was hurting up a storm and Luna didn’t even seem fazed.

Taking a swing at Luna’s head, Shining asked, “Hey, how are you able to… y’know? Do all of this without even breaking a sweat?”

Luna leaned back, letting the strike pass by overhead. “Hard work,” she stated, the near hit hardly phasing her. “Do you know much of how Celestia and I are? As beings?”

“Well, there’s the entire immortal thing, but that’s as far as I know.” Shining silently cursed when a swipe from Luna nearly careened into his side.

“Many assume we’re simply gifted abilities,” she casually said, twisting to the side to narrowly avoid a vertical slash. Snapping her foot forward, she kicked Shining’s wrist, then swung her own blade in one fluid motion. “That’s not true. Rather, we simply have the ability to arise beyond the normal man. It’s hard work, not genius that brought me here.”

Shining could only block her strike from reaching his chest with his forearm. In hindsight, the chest-strike probably would have been less painful. And then she hit him in the chest anyway. Thumping a fist against his bruised upper torso, Shining nodded and spit profusely on the floor. “O-o-okay, so h-hard work, got i-i-it.” Shining gritted his teeth, only now realizing he was using his bruised arm to beat against his even more bruised chest. “Aww damnit!”

“Do you require respite?” she asked. “We can wait for a moment.”

“No, no, I’m fine, like I said, just dandy. I can hold my up no problem. Never surrender, am I right?” Shining rolled his shoulders and breathed in and out deeply. Then, he took his stance, sword splayed out, legs supportive and strong, and his footing as impeccable as ever. “Come at me with everything you got. Time to show you what modern battle tactics are all about!”

“Only the foolish never surrender. Have thou forgotten all thine history books? ‘Tis foolish to press on when defeat is inevitable.” To illustrate the point, she moved her blade behind her back, standing at the ready with her bare hand.

“Well, here’s a lil something this century I’ve learned for certain. Defeat is never inevitable. Even when the chips are on the table, the cards are stacked against you and the fate is just not in your hands, you never give up. You just keep on going one step further until the toughest bastard wins.” Shining smirked, winking slyly. “And if you think only the foolish never surrender, then you just met the biggest fool on this side of the world.”

“Then come!” Luna barked. “Let me show you what happens to the foolish.”

Then, with a flourish not becoming of a typical swordsman, Shining charged at Luna. And he really did so, not just in the sense to give more power to his swing, but to also… well, tackle her. Before Luna even realized what was happening, Shining had already pounced her like a jaguar with its prey, rolling with her on the floor right out of the fighting arena. The two continued to tousle and roll about, neither gaining enough leg room or power to gain dominance over the other.

Eventually, Shining pinned Luna down to the floor with his sword pressed sharply against her neck, though without much in terms of pressure applied to it. Breathing in and out heavily, Shining chuckled. “Aha! The foolish win once again! All is right in the world, for the fools are the winners, just like it’s supposed to be! Ahahahahaha!”

“After how many losses?” Luna questioned. “Still, thine efforts are noted. Excellent performance.” She actually smiled up at him. “Fool-Knight.”

“Fool-Knight? That’s a first. You always give such cheery nicknames to your guards?”

“I recall one or two when I was but a child. They were few and far between, however. Consider thineself blessed, Ser Shining.”

Shining smirked, then looked down at the interesting position Luna and himself were in. His knees were straddling her sides, the cleavage from her shirt extremely noticeable from his position, and that wasn’t even adding to the fact how close their faces were. Picking himself up and throwing his sword to the side, Shining offered a hand to Luna to get up while using his other to hide the reddening of his cheeks. “Uh, right, a blessing. I thank you heartily, Princess, for such an honor.”

“Thine face is flushed,” Luna remarked, taking his hand and rising. “I warned ye about overzealousness, did I not? I can only hope it doesn’t set into fever. I’d feel, admittidly, terrible for causing thee to subcumb to sickness.”

“Ah, it’s no big deal, really. I just push myself too hard sometimes.” Shining shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. “Always an overachiever, I guess.”

Luna shook her head. “Fool-Knight. Learn caution, before it is thine undoing. A ship with no guidance and restraint will be scuttled by waters, no matter how strong the bulwark.”

Shining pursed his lips, then nodded, stretching out his back and sighing in relief at the satisfying cracks. “I suppose you’re right. I suppose I just shoot for the stars and sometimes end up faceplanting on the moon. Repeatedly.”

“Attempting to reach the stars akin to the fable Icarus?” Luna chuckled at her own joke. “Ye, I will at least respect thine tenacity to an extent, Shining.”

With another grunt and pop of his neck, Shining gritted his teeth and set to work rolling his shoulders one last to time work out any extra kinks. “So, what about you? You have any aspirations or goals you wanna reach for? At least on your end you don’t really have to worry about faceplanting the moon, huh?”

“I want to protect this land, Shining. ‘Tis no loftier goal for me. The very heavens will shake at my convictions,” she said, clenching a fist tightly at her side.

“Wow, looks like we’re in the same field then. Hope you don’t take my job,” Shining said with a chuckle, already gulping down a cold bottle of water while wiping his sweat off with a towel. “At the rate you’re going with your skills and ingenuity, you could make Captain in a month.”

“A month? That long, Fool-knight?” Luna smirked. “I believe thou underestimate me.”

“Fine, two weeks, tops.” Shining winked. “Gotta give me some credit here. Four years guard school and even more piled on top of that standing on both my feet in front of a door. Dedication like that is what the guard force is all about.”

“Dedication. That is important, I’ll concede that point to thee, Shining.” She cracked her knuckles, looking him over. “Now, hath thou taken enough of a respite from battle for another encounter?”

Shining rubbed his shoulder and groaned. “Man, your highness, you’re killing me here. Health insurance for the guards doesn’t cover getting your butt kicked by a goddess every other day.” His frowned changed to a sly grin when Shining’s eyes drifted towards the boxing arena. “Although I think I can one-up you this once. Care for a game of fisticuffs?”

“Marquess of Queensberry rules?” she questioned.

“Doesn’t Queensberry involve fighting until your opponent falls unconscious due to head injury or blood loss?”

“A simple knock to the ground and a counting of ten, Shining. We don’t have to turn this into a bloodsport. If thou gives up, at least.”

Shining’s stomach started to sink, but he kept up his winning grin the best he could, though Luna’s unnerving eyes most likely saw right through it. “A knock, eh? Well, glad you know it, because when I’m done with you you’re gonna be—uh… knocking.” Shining turned away and approached the boxing ring, cursing under his breath at his choice of words. Again. In front of a princess. Again!

Once near the arena he grabbed onto the ropes and hoisted himself over. Jumping on the toes of his feet around the ring a few times, he called over to Luna on the grounded, “Princess Luna, do you want to go with gloves or free-hand?”

“I was accustomed to free-hand in my sparring days. Bare-knuckle sparring, and gouging matches during the harder days of Equestria. Though Celestia never approved of the latter.”

“I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t approve of that now. But hey, she doesn’t have to know.” Shining stripped off his tank-top and threw it outside the ring, now only wearing his shorts. Nodding to Luna, he said, “I’m your guard, which means I only answer to you. Whatever you want I’ll go with it.”

“Although I have the magical prowess to restore thine injuries unless they ended up grievous, we shan’t attempt bloodsport. Rather, a simple count of three while prone, or until a yielding by submission. Is that agreeable?” Luna took a step back, then sprinted forward, leaping high and clearing the ropes from the ground in one jump. She landed in the ring and observed the shirtless man. “I am unaccustomed to thine unarmed training within the guard. Shall I disrobe in similar? Is that the norm for this situation now?”

“Um… well, not particularly. The guys usually go shirtless, the gals have on a sports bra or something to wear. You’re the princess, so whatever clothing you prefer is fine by me.”

“I care not for titles in such engagements. Consider it an order; thou shan’t treat me as a princess in a situation such as this. Do I make mineself clear, Ser Shining?” Luna said calmly, though her voice held a small hint of irritation. She reached to her belt and undid it, then disrobed from her long jerkin, exposing her full breasts and a simple cotton bra to the air. After doing such, she rolled up her pants to her knees to mimic Shining’s shorts, and kicked off her shoes. Free from her longer shirt, she redid her belt and glared at him. Looking him over, she gave a triumphant smirk. “Now I do indeed look the part of a soldier amid training, do I not? No titles between us; a simple brother and sister among the path of the warrior.”

Shining’s neck threatened to break once Luna had removed her jerkin, but he was competent enough to not focus on it. Instead, he stared at Luna’s face, where her steely gaze chilled his spine to the core. Yet there was still a bit of excitement to it, a liveliness he hadn’t seen before. Plus, her smile actually reached her eyes, which was certainly saying something.

“Okay, shield-maiden, when you wanna throw down?” Shining raised his hands in the customary fisticuffs stance, his knuckles turning white as he bounced on his feet. “Just give me the word!”

Luna shifted her stance, holding the back of her knuckles out towards him and turning sideways, exposing as little of her body as possible. “You’re already wasting energy by moving as such, Fool-Knight. Come!” she barked.

And with that, Shining did as he was commanded. Luckily for him, he had the reach advantage over Luna. From his perspective, all he had to do was keep her on the ropes without giving her a chance to get in close. Simple.

Only it became much less simple when she not only avoided his first punch, but countered with a stab to his ribs. He didn’t even spot the strike it was so quick. Lightning had nothing on Luna.

“Holy—damn damn damn—holy crap, you’re quick!” Shining said, resisting the urge to rub his side. He started to back away, holding his defenses up with both his fists raised protectively. “How’d you manage to be so fast?”

“Training,” Luna stated, taking a slow, deliberate step towards him, still holding her defensive posture. “For centuries, I’ve done every combat trial I could find a teacher for. Daggers, swords, archery, unarmed. Everything I could find. When one teacher’s life faded, I’d find another man in his prime for tutelage.” She stared at him as if he were an insect to be crushed underfoot, rather than a sparring partner. “Celestia refused to let me join her among the court, therefor, I learned a different way to help our flock.” She ducked and took a step forward, feinting a jab at his stomach and instead delivering a haymaker to his shoulder with her off hand, dashing back a step and returning to her defensive posture once more. “My left fist holds the conviction of the lands, my right carries the conviction of the people. There is no greater force within a crisis.”

“Then you’re gonna get a rude awakening from ol’ Righty and Lefty of mine!” Shining said, preparing his dukes. He unleashed upon her a barrage of jabs and strikes, his shoulder burning and his ribs bruised, but nonetheless he continued the assault.

And she blocked them. Each and every one. And not only that but it was practically like hitting a cement block with every deflected hit. Shining could only keep it up for ten seconds before he had to back off and whimper under his breath from his bruised knuckles.

“Aw damn… you weren’t kidding about the lands and the people talk. It felt like my fists took a wallop from both of them.”

“There’s a reason I commanded the troops before my exile. It had nothing to do with title, and everything to do with ability. Remember that, Shining.” Luna relaxed her stance a bit. “Thine family is fairly well-to-do, is it not?”

“Well, both my parents are scholars for her royal majesty, and my sister is the personal student to your sister, so yeah, we’re a bit on the higher end of life.” Shining actually managed to avoid a strike from Luna, the first time actually, and he couldn’t help but grin. “Though that didn’t help for me and the guards. In the force you start at the bottom and go to the top, regardless of place in life.”

His grin was short lived as she delivered a second strike to his cheek. She gave intentionally slower blows to his upper body: hooks, jabs, crosses, letting him dodge as she spoke. “That was going to be my point, Ser Shining. Celestia cares not for title, nor money. So a promotion breathed out from her lips should speak volumes of thine character.” Her smile flickered to life, a thin thing, but genuine, before she moved quicker, striking to his stomach with a clenched fist. “Hold that knowledge against thine breast, if thou remember only one thing I say to thee.”

Shining breathed in air like a fish out of water, clenching his sore stomach closely. “I think—argh—my breast collapsed around two minutes ago… damnit.”

Luna paused. Her thin smile spread out, forming a toothy grin and she threw her head back, all but cackling at his pain and words. “Verily,” she said, her laughs fading into weak huffs of air. “If the guard loses its luster, mayhaps thou should become my jester, Fool-knight.” She stared at him, still smiling. “Shall I chant a healing hymn to thee, or hath thou finished being a…” Narrowing her brow, she finally nodded as words came to her. “Queen of the Dramas?”

Shining lowered his head, chuckling under his breath. “Heh, y’know, if this princess thing isn’t up to your liking, you could definitely make it big in the comedian department.” Shining stood back up straight, arms at his side, completely open for a strike. “Actually, I got a good laugh for you. Wanna see the new form of combat they’re teaching the guards since your days?”

Luna snorted, but nodded, her eyes wide and attentive. “I hope it’s at least modestly viable. I have doubts Celestia would allow me a hand at the recruits again if I deem their training subpar.” Her good mood flickered away for a brief, almost unnoticeable moment, before she shook her head, banishing her thoughts away. “Show me, Shining.”

“Basically, it’s all about rhythm, movement, and standing on the edge of your toes.” Shining hopped from one foot to the other, taking practice jabs at the air. “Gotta be quick, gotta be fast, gotta make every hit like you mean it. Most of all, you have to keep your opponent in an unexpected position where they won’t know when the next blow is coming from. Following me so far, Princess?”

“So a style akin to capoeira, if I am to understand? Or more rigid, similar to muay thai’s structure?” Luna questioned, encouraging him to speak. She leaned forward, struck by inspiration. “Or, mayhaps, I read of a Jeet Kune Do. A hybridization of other styles. That seems to fit the more modern approach of combat, a focus on what works and a discarding of weaknesses.” Chuckling, she struck a fist into the palm of her hand. “Regardless, I’d ask of a showcase, Shining. ‘Twould allow me to dismantle it, one posture, one stance, one strike at a time.”

“Actually, it’s called kickboxing. It mostly involves hitting your opponent in the side of the head. Like so.”

Before Luna could react, even with her lightning speed, Shining’s foot smacked dead-center with her temple.

Unsurprising, both combatants cried out in pain, although Shining managed to stay up on his feet, albeit with some of his toes broken.

“Awwwww, come on!”

Chapter 4: Friend Duties

“Um, Princess Luna, are you sure you’re comfortable with… this?” Shining asked, eying the shop they had stopped at. Everything inside was pink: the curtains, the wallpaper, the dresses and shirts and even the pants, and from where Shining was looking, the ceiling was a glaring shade of pink as well. “I know that, well, this certainly isn’t your preferred color… correct?”

She swallowed, her brow twitching at the sight. “Nay… ‘tis not my… ideal shop. However, Celestia requested I acquire a dress for the ball, and I shall procure such.” Sniffing distastefully, she glanced to him. “Who would of thought offending the castle’s dressmaker would of had such dire consequences? I never expected to use her services. Now I have to visit something like...” Looking up at the shop’s name, she flatly finished with, “this.”

“I mean, you did make the dressmaker cry.” Shining held up his hands when she glared at him. “I’m not saying that’s a bad thing—which, actually, it is. All I’m saying is that you could have used less hurtful words and… yelling in that really scary voice of yours.”

“I detest sequins and long-tailed gowns, she knew this, yet she deliberately poisoned an otherwise traditional dress with them. Such an action deserved a rebuke.” Luna crossed her arms under her breasts and tilted her nose up and away from him. “I cannot believe that ye tattled of my actions to Celestia, either.”

“Servants thought that Nightmare Moon was suddenly back because of your behavior and I—” Shining noticed her frown and shook his head, “—look, forget it. That happened weeks ago. The ball isn’t for another month. We can always come back another day if you’d prefer. Or maybe the dressmaker will come out of the closet when you visit to apologize this time. Either one.”

Luna shuffled awkwardly on her feet. “I’d rather she not ‘come out from the closet’ to me. I know that this generation is more… open-minded about that issue, and I wish them the best, however, such—”

“Pffft!” Shining held onto his knees and kept on chuckling, which soon broke out into a fit of giggles. “Oh dear Celestia, that’s too good! I meant that she literally hides in the closet whenever it’s mentioned you want to say sorry. She’s just that terrified of you.”

“Oh.” Luna blinked. She gave a tap to her shoulder with a finger and coughed under her breath. “To mine credit, the last time you told me of someone in the closet, I took it literally. Your sister turned a dark shade indeed when I misconstrued thine meaning among her colleagues.” Hesitating, she finally gave Shining a shove on the shoulder. “Does she still hold some resentment to mine words? Will this make the ball a...” Putting a finger to her chin, she hummed. “A groan zone,’ as the pink-haired one hath stated before.”

Shining mumbled a curse under his breath and sighed. “Damn friends of Twilight… and no, it won’t be ‘a groan zone.’ The Grand Galloping Gala is just an opportunity for Canterlot’s elite to have some fun while still being as stuffy as ever. If anything Twilight will be groaning at the other nobles than you.”

“Ah.” She stood there, resting her hand on the door for a moment before taking in a deep breath. “To war,” she said to herself, pushing open the door and stepping inside, her nose instantly wrinkling at the scent of perfume. Swimming through dozens of dresses on hundreds of racks, she made her way to the shop’s counter and hit a small bell labeled ‘service.’ Waiting a moment, she offered an uneasy glance to Shining and hit it once more.

Finally, a smartly-dressed man appeared from behind a door. His hair had enough grease to light a lamp and his mustache appeared to be drawn on with a pen. Adjusting a small pair of wire-frame spectacles on the tip of his hooked nose, he asked, “Welcome, madam and gentleman. How may I be of service to both of you?”

Shining cringed at the drawn-out, nasally voice of his accent, but Luna seemed excited enough.

“We request clothing, good ser! Two dresses. A cream for mineself, and, mayhaps, a violet for mine friend here,” Luna said chipperly. “‘Twould bring out the color from within his eyes, I proclaim.”

The man eyed Shining from behind his spectacles, his head held back so much Shining was surprised his neck didn’t snap. “Oh, so he’s one of those kinds, is he?”

“Yeah,” Shining said, knocking on the plate of his armor. “I have a dress right underneath this. The Princess likes her guards in drag, if you can believe it.”

“Compared to my other clientele, I’m not surprised.” Turning his attention back to Luna, he said, “Would you prefer to browse, or for a fitting and viewing room to be obtained for you, your highness?”

“...Suggestions?” Luna asked quietly to Shining. “I have no real experience with such things. And I am surprised thou ran with my jest.”

“When you have a younger sister you’re used to it,” Shining said with a wink. “As for the suggestion, it’s just whether you want someone to give you their opinion on whatever dress you choose. And, well, I’m the only one here, so I’m not sure how much you hold my opinion in terms of fashion.”

“More so than you would think.” Luna looked over to the man. “Procure us a fitting room. Mine knight will browse the clothing and obtain me a vestment.”

Shining blinked. “Huh, so a lady wants my fashion choice. A princess at that.” He rolled his eyes. “Twilight, eat your heart out.”

The pencil-stache man led the duo to the back of the store, where a wide variety of dresses similar to the ones on the display could be seen hanging on racks that appeared endless. Much to Shining’s surprise, not everything was pink, and there were actually several articles of clothing that appeared more suiting to Luna’s tastes than what the store first showcased. Going over to a pale blue dress hanging on a rack, Shining pulled it out and ran a hand over its surface.

“Hey, this one has sequins! Those are fine, right Princess?”

“I swear to my father’s grave, Shining, if thou attempt to make me don a garment adorned with sequins, there will be retribution.” Luna warned, taking off her top and bottom and walking to the dressing room without even a moment’s pause at her action. “Regale me again as to why I cannot wear a suit to this event?”

“Because Celestia wants you to not wear pants for once in your life,” Shining said. “Oh, and something about formal wear. A dress isn’t so bad, is it?”

“I detest them,” Luna said plainly from behind the door. “Is there a need for further explanation, Fool-Knight?”

“I’m just saying, if I had to wear one only once a year, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I mean, doesn’t it feel so much freer down there? I can only imagine the ability to walk would be better.”

“I have no need to be free,” Luna replied. “I hath no need for breathing room, as a man doth, after all—that said, how does one even walk with such a thing impeding thine pathway? I had to disguise mineself with magic as a man once at a younger age—sat on a wooden bench and nearly wept when I did it incorrectly.” She gave a tilt of her head and let out a dry chuckle, before continuing on after a beat. “But a dress is not me, Shining. Woman or not, I walk the warrior’s path. Practical wear is a necessity. ‘Tis why mine hair is shorter than mine flesh-bloods, after all. A dress simply reminds me of a path I detested even considering, let alone walking like Celestia hath.” After another moment, Luna let out a forced laugh. “But listen to me, prattling on regarding a worthless subject. Nevermind mine ravings, Shining. Find me something… er, contemporary, I suppose. You know what the young ones wear nowadays, select something a woman you’d enjoy would wear.” Another pause. “Unless, of course, thou hath a taste for harlot and whore wear. I draw the line upon there, at least.”

Shining dropped a dozen dress over the top of the changing room door Luna was behind. “While you were talking, I just chose out dresses Twilight seems to like. I hope you don’t think her taste similar to a harlot, because believe me, my mother has already mentioned that enough times.”

“I simply hope this does not attract women like thine sister doth,” Luna replied. She let out a tsk of annoyance. “I almost envisioned this one akin to a kilt, but its fabric isn’t as malleable to adjustments. Shining, do women truly enjoy showcasing their undergarments when they sit on chairs within this time?”

“Only the cool women,” Shining said with a laugh, slapping his knee. “Ha, but seriously, this time period is more… let’s say, open to the full glory and splendor of the female figure. Which, of course, means cleavage. The more the better in some cases.”

A zipper cut through the conversation and Luna let out an acknowledging grunt. “This one exposes the chest well enough, I suppose. Though it also shows the bra. Don’t tell me people wear something as this without…” She sighed. “Ye don’t have to answer the question. They do.”

Shining whistled a tune. “What a time to be alive, huh?”

“Mayhaps for the hound dog who knows nothing of honor. However, I’ll take my outdated ideas over… this.” She walked over to the door, leaning beside it. “In my day, we had a different measure of attractiveness. Twas not the bossem or buttocks for a lady, nor the… girth of a man. Rather, we measured it by the face. By the hands. The eyes. And Celestia had an interest in feet—is that still common?” she asked suddenly. “I mocked her for it when we were younger, but if that’s the norm now, mayhaps she simply was a pioneer.”

Holding back giggling fit from breaking out, Shining muttered, “Yeah… pffft. Yeah, she was definitely a pioneer alright. Dear Celestia, Celestia! And… feet. Ahahahahahaha!”

“And beards!” Luna added, more warmth in her voice than a moment ago. “She had more than a passing interest in our army’s taticaition. He had a handlebar moustache that went almost to his shoulders! She called them stirrups,” Luna said plainly. “I didn’t understand what she meant back then, but I suppose I do now.”

Opening up the door, Luna stepped out. She wore a dark, navy blue dress with a slit that went up to her thigh, and, above a high-up belt around her waist, her dresses’ top stood, and, true to Luna’s word, exposed her breasts, two large and full handfuls, now that they were free of her modest, too-small bra.

Putting a hand to her hip, Luna shook her head. “I detest this,” she stated, her more mirthful tone and expression dying every moment Shining was speechless until she stood there, looking flatly at him and waiting for a reaction.

“I… uh…” Shining immediately beat down the first words that came to mind with the unforgiving stick of common sense. “I think it looks flattering on you, Princess.”

“Flattering? In what way?” Luna asked, taken aback. “It leaves little to the imagination, after all.”

“I think it shows your… erm, strength? Yeah, yeah, strength. The little to the imagination gives power to your feminine figure. All the women are into that nowadays… I think.”

“I have no interest in what women are into, however. That’s more of your sister’s interest,” Luna answered, keeping as plain of a face as she could. “And you do not need to flatter, compared to Celestia, I am far from ideal regarding the male gaze.” She reached up, pragmatically taking a hold of her breasts in her hands. “These are not as pronounced as mine sister’s. My muscle shows in mine arms and torso—another trait that many care not for in this age, and many seem… off-put in general with me. Not that I can blame them.”

Shining didn’t so much as reply than lock onto with a focus that would leave a sharpshooter envious. Luna’s breasts, which she was still clenching between her hands. “Uh… yeah, sure, let’s go with that.”

“You doubt me?” Luna replied, raising a brow. She crossed her arms once more. “You yourself said the servants feared I was giving into my… nightmare, as it were. ‘Twould indeed make someone difficult to approach, even if the eye were to ignore my flaws, Ser Shining.”

“I mean, you’re not as bad as you’d want to think yourself, Princess. Heck, I’ve been in your service for nearly two months now.” Shining leaned back in his seat. “In that time I didn’t see any indication you’re becoming what you were previously. Sure, you have a bit of a temper, but hey, that gets the best of all of us. What I did notice was how well-learned you are, wise, your sense of humor, the way you’re fiercely loyal to those you consider worthy, and the fact your left hook can really leave a guy missing a few teeth. Add that to your looks and I’m surprised every suitor in Canterlot isn’t knocking down your door.”

She watched him, waiting for him to laugh, smirk, anything to say he was jesting. Finally, she shook her head. “Thou think too highly of me,” she muttered under her breath, turning her gaze from him. “I’m not worthy.”

“Whoa, whoa, I’m the guard. If anything I’m not worthy. The princess is always the one more worthy than everyone else. That’s how it works, doesn’t it?”

“Forgo titles,” Luna said. “I have no interest in them. As I said before, thou walk the same path I wish to walk. ‘Tis what I said when we first sparred, is it not?”

Shining nodded. “Yes, Pr—I mean, Luna, I know.” He got up and made his way to her, his hand on the pommel of his sword. Finally, when he reached her, he reached out with his hand with his palm extended to her. “And I swear on my honor as a guard to not only you but all of Equestria that I truly do believe that you are not the nightmare that you think you are. In the time I’ve been with you I’ve seen someone who truly captures what the leader of a country is supposed to be. Truthfully, I was less than joyful at accepting the job to be your guard, but now I know I’ll never regret being by your side and being the trusting friend I know you’d appreciate.” He smirked, nodding to his palm. “Guard’s honor, of course.”

Luna looked down to his palm, then back to his eyes. She stared, unblinking, for a long moment, before meeting his hand with her own. “Thank you, for not giving up on me.”

“All in a day’s work,” Shining replied, shaking with a firm grip, just like her own. “So, ready to go back to dress wearing? I included a pink one I think is right up your alley.”

“Thou shouldn’t tempt the magic holder, Ser Shining. Otherwise I’ll make thee wear the disgusting abomination and look good while doing so,” Luna warned.

“Princess, as your friend, I should warn you about something crucial about me.” Shining ran a hand through his hair and gave her is best award-winning grin. “I always look good.”

Chapter 5: More Than A Guard

The ballroom of Canterlot castle was in a splendor. Decorations were flashy, the lights even flashier, but flashiest of all were the guests: nobles and higher-end folk from every corner of Equestria, all contained in one area. It didn’t have to go without saying that the pinnacle of class, power, and wealth were walking side by side, telling the same old jokes and laughing the same old laughs while still retaining an air of smugness that downright suffocated everyone else around them.

For Shining Armor, he was surprised he hadn’t choked to death from it already. Luckily, being at Celestia’s side helped keep most of the arrogance at bay. Her modest dress and charming smile were as plainfully delightful as always. Shining, in turn, was dressed in a standard tux for the evening, having gotten word from Celestia that armor would not be befitting for such an occasion.

“So, Princess, enjoying yourself this evening?” Shining asked. In the distance he could spot Twilight and her friends, all of them genuinely attempting to have a ball at this sort of event. He could only shake his head and chuckle at their attempts.

“Aside from a few nobles with a little too much cheer, I am,” she replied with a chuckle, looking across the room and smiling at Twilight’s friends. “And yourself, Shining? I know these are far from your usual duties.”

“Ah, nothing I can’t handle. If dealing with stuck-up nobles was the worse I’d have to deal with in an evening, then I’m all up for it. Beats staying in place in front of a door for endless amounts of hours at a time.” Shining glanced to Celestia. “But I really must say, another masterful job with the Gala, your majesty. Like every year it’s another beautiful event, albeit with less beautiful personalities from some of the guests.”

“Well, I suppose that has to do with their normal lives being rather dull. They have to act out now to have something to tell their duller friends.” Celestia innocently put her hands to the front of her long, flowing dress. “But you didn’t hear me say that, of course.”

Shining nodded and stood with his back straighter. His eyes drifted across the ballroom, past couples dancing and guests enjoying to their hearts’ content the snackbar. “Uh, your highness, you wouldn’t happen to know what became of Princess Luna? I know she had been excited for this dance for several weeks now—and please don’t mention to her I told you that—but I don’t see her anywhere. I know you wanted me to be posted beside you for the Gala as your new Captain, but…”

“I have no idea where she went, to be frank with you, Shining. I assumed with Twilight and her friends, or with the date she was supposed to be attending the ball with. I’ve been so busy with the guests, I haven’t even tried to search for her.” Celestia brushed her hair back with an absent minded gesture of her hand. “I could use magic to track her down, but, I think I’ll simply assign you the task, Captain. No need for me to be nosy, after all.”

Shining smiled and bowed to Celestia. “I thank you immensely, Princess. I only care for her safety and well-being, after all. It is my duty as her guard.”

“May I speak freely to you, Shining?” Celestia asked, her smile less playful and more resembling something motherly. “Luna doesn’t, and never did need a guard. She needed a friend. Something you are in spades.”

“Well, I already kind of guessed that… mostly due to the fact she could kick my butt to next Tuesday and still have enough power to continue upwards to Friday,” Shining said. “She needed someone she could trust, and that’s what I tried to be. And for the most part, I think it’s worked. I mean, she hasn’t completely opened up to me over these past few months, but we’re making a promising start. I’m sure you two get along better than I do with her.”

“We can at times,” Celestia remarked, crossing her arms. “But you should know with siblings, as great as they are, having someone outside of blood ties to talk with can really change perspective.” She gestured over to Twilight and her friends, as if that explained everything.

“Yes, I can quite understand that.” Shining rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze shifting left and right, his foot absently kicking the floor. “Has… Luna ever mentioned me before? I mean, we do talk for long hours about this and that. I just hope I’m not a bother to her is all.”

“She’s mentioned you, yes,” Celestia remarked, her smile turning once more coy as she stared at the man. “A time or two.”

Shining fidgeted under has gaze, with her smiling being an extra twist to the dagger lodged in his back. “And…”

“And she said not to say anything.” Lifting up her hand, she waved a digit. “Pinkie promise. Or, rather, an oath, as she would call it. But I think I like pinkie promise better. Doesn’t sound quite as formal.”

Shining sighed. “Well, at least I tried, didn’t I?” Shining bowed once more. “I bid you farewell, Princess Celestia.”

With that, Shining Armor made his way into the bustle and hustle of the Gala crowd.

Luckily for Shining, all those years of guard training made it so he had an air of confidence and authority around himself almost at all times. The party-goers brushed away wherever he went, regardless if they were celebrities or noble. He was a man with a mission in mind, and no obstacle could stand in his way. Other than not finding Luna, which at this point seemed like a pretty big obstacle to conquer, since he still couldn’t find her.

After around a half-hour of searching, it seemed all was for naught, seeing how he had gone to every corner of the ballroom and even outside to the gardens with no such luck. Eventually, all he could do was sit by himself at a table and lean back in his chair, cursing his bad luck and Luna’s stubbornness to not be found.

“Damnit, I’m supposed to be her guard,” Shining muttered, eyes still going over the crowd for the princess. “Finding and being by her side is in my job description. Lousy job I’m making of it with this disgrace of proper duty.”

“Thou seem quite proficient at belittling thine ability, at least, Fool-Knight,” a voice spoke from behind him. “Did thou forget what form of creature I am? If I wish to remain unseen, ‘tis not a hard endeavor for mineself.” Luna rounded his vision, moving to a chair and sitting next to him at the table. She wordlessly observed him in his tux and a faint corner of her mouth peeked up in a smile. “Thou look dressed for the occasion, Shining,” she said.

Luna looked much the same. A beautiful gown, a silver necklace, thick eyeliner to draw attention to her mesmerizing blues, and her hair pinned back with two hairclips.

“Well, it seemed like the sort of occasion to be dressed for,” Shining replied, his confident smile growing skewed at the abrupt appearance of her beauty. And that was the best word of describe Luna: beautiful, utterly stunning, and so glamorous that she made all the other Gala guests look like dull stones compared to a flawless diamond.

“I suppose,” she agreed with a hint of disinterest. “I hath no true interest in the event, however.”

“But I remember you were excited for it, were you not? Why, when I helped you choose out the dress you were simply buzzing.” Shining frowned. “What happened?”

“I…” Luna sighed, resting her head against a palm and morosly looking at the linens on the table. “It seems so pathetic, truly.”

Shining asked, “What? What’s pathetic?”

“Celestia found a noble willing to be my partner for this eve. He… left,” she finished lamely.

“...It was Blueblood, wasn’t it?”

“Perhaps,” Luna replied. Though the answer clearly meant ‘yes.’

“Son of a bitch…” Shining sighed and rubbed at the space between his eyes. “I really need to kick his ass one of these days. Y’know, without getting fired or anything.”

“What is done is done.” Luna dismissed with a wave. “I hath no interest bringing retribution to him. He simply found me too boorish, mayhaps.”

“Or maybe he’s a jackass with his head shoved so far up his own ass he doesn’t know a good thing when it’s right in front of him.” When Luna blinked at Shining’s choice of words, he said, “Basically, he’s an asshole.”

“Mmm,” she grunted out. After a moment, she looked suspiciously at the man. “Where is your escort, Ser Shining?”

“Oh, well, Celestia told me herself that I am not really needed, so…” Shining adjusted his bow tie, leaning back in his chair, “I thought I’d search around for you. If I’m not by Celestia’s side, I’m by your side, as per guard regulations, of course.”

Luna faintly smiled. “I meant thine partner. Surely one such as thineself would have someone to dance with, of course.”

“Oh… well, I hadn’t really thought about that.” Shining stared around at the room of nobles. “It just didn’t seem like such of a big deal for why I was here.”

“Tis a shame. Thou art a good man. I say that ye need something to focus on aside from guarding duties.”

“Huh, now you sound like my mother. And my sister.” Shining rolled his eyes and grinned. “Though I could probably tell you the same thing, except for something other than following the warrior way. Preparing for this ball is probably the first time I’ve seen you excited for something that didn’t involve a sword in your hands.”

“I was not interested for my own wants,” Luna explained. “I merely thought that ye would love the event. What man of this time would not? Thou hath many faces and bodies to choose from to be thine partner for the eve, after all.” She gave a gesture of her hand, all but shooing him. “So go, Shining. Find thineself a dancer. I’ll wait for thee upon this chair.”

Shining didn’t get up. In fact, he remained seated. A silence grew between the two, the only words the meeting of their eyes to fill in the empty space, like two hands clasping together across a chasm.

Finally, Shining coughed. “I… uh, hope you don’t find it prudent of me, Luna. I was thinking… well, more like considering the notion that you would perhaps like to be my dance partner? That is, if you find me worthy enough to be your partner.”

“Yours?” she repeated, as if the word was foreign to her. “Art thou suggesting that we do as such… together?”

“Well, unless you feel like sitting down while everyone else is having a good time is a better idea.” Shining smiled awkwardly, then tipped his head towards the dance floor. “C’mon. It’ll be fun.”

“I’d love to,” she quietly said, rising and meekly following after him.

The crowd parted before the two, all voices but a hushed whisper. An empty space opened up right before the duo, and they took their place. Shining turned to Luna and bowed with a fluid grace, offering his palm to her. “May I have this dance, your highness?”

She briefly reached to the hem of her dress to perform a curtsy, but instead let her hand drop to her side and return the bow. “If thou forgoes the title, thou may, Shining.” She hesitated once more, then took his hand with hers and swallowed, stepping in closer to him.

“Only a formality, Luna. The man is required to call the lady ‘your highness’ regardless of actual class.” Shining brought her in closer, their chests brushing together as he firmly grasped her hand. “Well, the men with some ‘class’ do it, at least.” He started the motions that were carried forth from the graceful music composed in the background, and was quite nimble on his feet.

Luna, despite her earlier hesitation, kept up, following him with precise, clockwork motions, turning and swaying to the music with the intensity she carried during their sparring. “Leading was done differently, when I was a child,” she blurted out abruptly, looking to his eyes, then looking away just as suddenly.

“Did it involve more polka music?” Shining joked, performing with her a spin.

“The woman tended to lead the man. Twas thought by many if the male was king of the earth outside, the woman was queen indoors. Such included dances and balls.” Luna leaned back, letting Shining lightly dip her. “Thine music is much more akin to the songs from beforetimes than thou would think. We had less instrumental choice, but a similar rhythm.”

“Well, if you want, I could have you lead me. Would only be proper, the guard and the princess. Plus, I’m a terrible dancer anyway.” Shining brought her back up from the dip and spun her around, asking, “So, what do you say?”

“If you are the one leading… mayhaps I don’t mind,” Luna replied. “But only if it’s you. Any other would quite quickly fall into steps I command.” She offered a clumsy smile. “Is that alright with thee, Fool-Knight?”

“Anytime, Luna.”

She leaned forward, resting her head against his collarbone. “Excellent. Mayhaps there is hope for thee after all.”

Chapter 6: Full Moon

The stars hung in the night sky like dewdrops on the leaves of an endless canopy of trees. Each twinkled in its own unique light, forming a sea of lights that nothing in the mortal realm could ever hope to reproduce. However, it was here in this mortal realm where this sight was appreciated the most.

Although, in Shining’s case, his appreciation for the view was more in terms that there was enough light to see where he was going without crashing like a fool.

“Princess Luna?” Shining called into her empty bedchambers. No answer greeted him. It was only an hour after the Gala had ended and she was nowhere to be seen. Disappeared right when their dance was over, and now she was nowhere to be seen. “Great guard I am,” he muttered darkly.

He slowly made his way into her room, calling out one more time, “Luna, it’s me, Shining. Are you here?” Still no answer. Just as he was about to exit, Shining noticed her balcony door was parted open slightly, cool air blowing in.

Approaching the balcony, Shining spotted Luna leaning against the railing, her head turned up to the sky above. “Luna, thank goodness, I was worried,” Shining said, opening the doors and joining her side. “Why did you leave off like that?”

She didn’t even spare a glance over to him. “Is there something wrong of wishing a respite from the crowd, Ser Shining? A moment to think, mayhaps?”

“Well, no, of course not,” he said. “I was just wondering why you left without, urm, saying goodbye. To me.”

“Shining…” she let a hand rise and fall from the railing. “Perhaps thou are why I needed to think.”

“Did I… do something wrong?”

A fleeting smile crossed her. “Nay. If it ‘twas something wrong, it would be easily resolved. Rather, thou hath done everything right.”

“...Wait, what?”

“You are a good friend. One better than I deserve.” She shook her head. “And it’s… hard. Thinking of a new approach with thee.”

“What, friendship? I mean, you could have asked Twilight about that. She’s just chock full of lessons and whatnot,” Shining said. “Although I thought we were already friends, so I’m not exactly sure what the confusion is all about.”

“More than that, Shining,” Luna replied. She finally turned to face him. “Am I honestly… please don’t make me explain deeper. Tis…” Putting a finger to her temple, her frown deepened. “A hard subject to approach.”

Shining stared at Luna for several seconds, then blinked, then blinked again and nodded his head. “Ooooooooh, wait, I gotcha now. The step after friendship. Yeah, that… step. Right?”

“How can thou say it so casually?!” Luna exclaimed, raising her hands up in frustration and taking a few steps around the balcony before returning her focus to him. “Is this not proper? Should it not be strange to thee? Surely there must be something else you wish to say about it. That tis a foolish thought, flippant like the breeze upon a summer’s day. That I am strange for the consideration—something, Shining.” Her hands clenched tightly into fists and she grit her teeth. “Something…” she whispered out. “Any sort of dismissal.”

“Whoa, whoa, no way, Luna. I’m not dismissing you or anything. It’s just such a big shock. Well, second time around, but still, I’m not too used to it overall.”

“I’m sorry to have thrust it upon thee so suddenly. The months of companionship with you… much of it hath bubbled over tonight, I suppose. ‘Tis only natural one would want some thought upon the matter.” Luna wringed her hands. “I cry thine pardon if I made thee uncomfortable. Tis the last thing I’d wish upon ye.”

“Wait, no, it should be I who apologizes to you, Luna. I’m just… well, stupid is all.” Hesitantly, Shining reached out and touched Luna’s hands with his fingertips. “Things are just happening really fast, and I had no real idea that you would, well, think of me… like that.”

Luna took his palm and squeezed it gently. “I wish, at times, I did not. Yet, when I look at thee, all I can think of is wishing to spend time with you. To know thine touch. Feel thine heartbeat. Tis maddening.”

“...Oh wait, so you wanna take that step? Well damn, I really am a moron.”

“What other step would there be?” Luna asked. “I wish to be close. I cannot believe it requires explanation. Do as the couples do. Dates and soirees. Or, something to that effect.” She breathed out, running a hand through her pinned back hair. “I cannot speak from my own experience as to what they do.”

Shining blinked once again. “Wait, hold up. You’ve never had a date before? Suitor? Lover? Anything along those lines?”

“Celestia attempted a suitor before. I scared him off once he saw me engaged in combat. As for dates, I’ve had a few, perhaps in a sense, yet they were far less traditional than what modern society would consider a date. No lovers,” she said plainly. “I simply had no interest.”

“And yet you’re interested in me…” Shining tugged at the collar of his tux. “Wait, this just isn’t adding up. You’re a princess. A goddess at that. What could you possibly see in some guard like me?”

“A goodness,” she said. “Thou wouldn’t of treated me so kindly had I simply been a task thou were assigned. Thou were earnest in seeing to me and my desires. Thou were not afraid of me, despite the night-self I keep at bay. Thou…” She sighed. “Tis easier to count the stars upon the milky heaven than it is to list why, Shining.”

Well, Shining was floored. His mouth opened and closed, the words slipping from his lips like drops down a waterfall. “I… don’t know what to say,” he mumbled, his eyes unfocused and his gaze distant. “I mean, I never really expected… you… and me. Like this.”

“And at first, neither did I.” Luna rubbed at her lips. “So… we are at an impasse, unless thou consider it a possibility, I suppose.”

“Well, of course I do. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more amazing person in my entire life. Plus, you actually made guard duty not boring.” Shining smiled slyly. “If that doesn’t make me want to be by your side all the time, I don’t know what will.”

Luna smiled. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.” She looked towards her bedroom. “Allow me to step inside the latrine. Thou are welcome to sit upon a chair or my bed.”

“Uh… sure,” Shining said with a nod, following her back in the room. While Luna withdrew to the bathroom, Shining sat on the edge of her bed, his hands on his knees.

Glancing back at the bathroom, Shining smirked. “Heh, this actually brings back memories.” Skipping a beat, he frowned. “Except this time it’s with a princess. Who’s also my boss. And the sister of my other boss.” With a shrug, Shining said, “Eh, I’ve dealt with stickier situations.”

“I’ve prepared something I believe thou will like,” Luna announced from behind the door. She stepped out, giving Shining pause.

Luna had stripped from her dress, and now wore something quite different. Boots, a pair of black stockings, short jeans that barely reached her thighs, and a short, midriff-baring shirt that clung tightly to her skin.

“I asked around, and this was quite contemporary, from what I was told,” Luna said, giving a small shake of the leather jacket at her shoulders. She looked at him, her hair loose once again and obscuring an eye. “This is more akin to what men wish to see women in now, correct?” Luna smirked, moving over to a nearby couch and plopping down, her eyeliner giving her one visible eye an almost predatory look to it. After a moment, she frowned.

“Does the costume not draw thine eye, Shining? Should I make alterations to the jacket? A different glossing of the lips? Match mine sister’s bossem size?”

“...Holy shit you look amazing.” Shining held up both his hands, palms facing forward. “Like… wow, just wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone as beautiful and stunning as you. Just… holy shit, you were only in there for two minutes, and came out like that. Awesome.”

“Magical hands can assist quite readily in regards to the wardrobe, Shining,” she answered, then her smile grew. “And I thank thee for the compliments.” Tapping on the cushion next to her, she crossed a leg. “Care to join me here for a talk?”

Shining didn’t need anymore prompting. He practically raced to her side, falling back on the cushion beside her at the drop of a hat. His eyes were first drawn to her long legs, muscled from endless hours of workout but still having that smooth, chocolate skin of hers he was always drawn to. He wanted nothing more than to touch it, and then for his fingers to trace up it to her bare stomach and upward still, to her breasts and cheeks and lips. When his eyes met hers, he knew his face was flushed, but he didn’t turn his head away like he would have once in the past. They were already beyond that initial awkwardness.

“There are many handsome men in Canterlot,” Luna said. “Yet I ignore them. Thou have something within thee I respect. That is far more than beauty of the skin could ever hope to do.”

“So… you like me more for my personality, right?” He chuckled. “And here I thought my good looks would be all I need to get through life.”

“...I’ve fallen for a fool,” Luna said her expression only slightly irked. “No matter, I suppose. Tis a matter of the heart, not of the mind.” Another pause came. “Might I ask what you wish to do?”

Shining couldn’t believe what he was hearing. What he wished to do? It was official, he was the luckiest son of a bitch in the world tonight.

“Well, we could take things slow for starters. Maybe… a kiss?” he suggested.

“I’d offer no complaints,” Luna remarked. She turned and leaned her head in until their brows met. Turning her head a bit sideways, she brought her mouth forward, missing and first kissing him on the chin, then finding her target and crashing against his lips in a modestly chaste embrace.

“How’s that?” Luna asked, reaching down to grasp his hand.

Shining answered by bringing her in closer. His lips locked perfectly with hers, an electric current passing up both their spines. With Luna’s surprise came a deep moan, which reverberated in Shining’s teeth while his tongue squirmed in her mouth. Their lips smacked together on and off, their moistness not dampening their passion but only adding more fuel to the fire. While at first unexpected and weak to the demands of Shining’s tongue, Luna’s own tongue soon became used to the caressing touch and loving wrestle. Luna pressed back, doubly sure of herself. Her hands wrapped around Shining’s shoulders, meeting together at the back of his neck to tug him closer. Shining’s own hands traveled to the small of her back, hooking themselves in the hem of her shorts but going no further. A primal groan escaped his throat, Luna joining in it as their lips pressed harder, the electric current growing more and more powerful and out of control, until the only sensation Shining could feel was Luna’s sweet, delectable lips, just as powerful as he always imagined it.

“This is nice,” Luna muttered out. “Thou are a good kisser. At least, I think.”

“You’re wonderful as well,” Shining said, breaking apart slightly, their lips still brushing together. He reached out with a soft hand and brushed some of her hair out of her eye, so that he could see both of them, like pools to a galaxy filled with stars much like the sky over their heads. “You sure you’ve never done this before? You’re quite good. And earnest, I might add.”

“Nay, I hath not. As for being earnest, thou seem to be quite full of it as well, Shining. Tis fascinating.” Reaching forward, Luna curled a finger through Shining’s thick hair and pecked him on the chin.

Shining’s hand on her back pulled her in closer, their bodies meshing together in their lover’s embrace. Already Shining could feel a growing heat in his pants, and at first he was embarrassed that Luna could probably feel it too. But then he remembered the circumstances and decided hey, why not go for it.

“Luna,” he said, his skin bristling at the touch of her velvety soft lips on his neck, “would you like to do the… next step?”

Luna looked eventually at him. After a beat, her gaze returned to her hands. “I… don’t know,” she admitted. “Would thou?”

“With you, of course.” Shining placed a finger underneath Luna’s chin and lifted her head so that their gazes were level with one another. He leaned his forehead against hers, their breathing becoming in tune. “Luna… I don’t deserve you. You’re one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, and a princess at that. You’re more wonderful than anything I could possibly imagine, and just being your guard was a blessing to me. Being with you, now, together… it’d be a dream come true. Something I hope will continue. Something I hope you’ll enjoy just as much as I will.” His fingers brushed her glossy cheeks, tracing down to her full lips. “I think I’m in love with you Luna. Dumb to say that, I know. But hey, I’m not a Fool-knight for nothing, huh? And maybe the most foolish thing I can do is not be with you now, and not show you how much I love you.” He smiled. “But I won’t, because come on, give me some credit here. So, what do you say?”

Luna sniffed, turning her head away for a moment. Finally, she weakly smiled. “Thou speak with a silver tongue. I wish I could say words to exactly replicate mine own feelings regarding thee. Sun nor moon can hope to compete with what you do to the things you touch. Mine heart being one. There were times, Shining, when I felt the cold of the moon above would never leave mine body, and that I would always be stained by what happened those lifetimes ago. Yet, when I see thee, thou being one with complete, foolish confidence in me, it keeps the beast at bay. It makes the lonely nights far less lonely. It makes me wish for every day, simply so I may be with thee in new circumstances upon each awakening.” She reached forward, cupping his chin in her palms. “Thou make me happy. I wish to do the same for thee.” Trailing one hand down to Shining’s, she grasped it and moved it over to the swell of her breast. “L-like this?” she stammered out, doing her best to appear in control.

Shining’s grip put pressure on her breast, cupping it in his palm. He first noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra, and then he discovered her nipple was erect underneath the clothing. Oh, how he wanted to tear it off, all of it, and touch her luscious skin and curves and never let go. But he willed control over himself, and simply nodded. “Yeah, that’s the idea. We’ll take things slow, okay? No rush, just the two of us.” His hand on her back snaked downward, past the hem of her jeans to grab a greedy handful of her ample ass. “See, like that. Slow and steady.”

She let out a gasp at his exploration, but nodded as heat came to her face. “Yes,” she said, swallowing. Reaching up, she gave a stroke of his chin, before trailing her hand down his chest, pushing against his thick, dense muscle.

Shining’s swelling pride grew more erect by the second, and Luna’s prying fingers only helped it along its path. His length was now pressed firmly against her leg, right above where her stocking-like socks ended, and now it throbbed. Shining’s hand reactively gave her ass a tight squeeze, a low groan escaping his lips.”

Reaching to his member, she gave a gentle prod of its length, offering a ghost-touch to it. “How does it feel?” she asked, staring at him longingly. “Should I be lighter?”

“Actually, rough is how I like it,” Shining said, winking. He gave her rump a little pinch. “Like so.”

Luna flinched just a hair, but nodded. “Very well.” This time, she squeezed his shaft and ran a thumb around the tip, watching his face to know how much pressure she should apply. With her other hand, she took to feeling his back, then went to his front, digging underneath his jacket and around his toned stomach.

“Someone’s eager,” Shining noted with a knowing grin. He removed his hand from fondling her breast and reached down where her eager fingers were. He unzipped his pants, his shaft swelled and nearly bursting from his boxers. “Does this please you, my princess?”

“That will be adequate, I believe,” Luna remarked. Reaching once more to his shaft, she gave a curious run of a thumbnail through the cotton underwear along the shaft, then cupped his manhood in her palm, giving it a small tug through the cotton. “Like this?”

“Mmm, yeah, just like that.” His hand slowly slid up her thigh, returning to her shorts, but rather than the back it was to the front. Shining’s finger hooked against the top button of her jeans and gave it a tug. “Do you… y’know, want the same sort of treatment?”

“I…” She swallowed. “I would prefer a more gentle touch. If thou may.”

“Of course,” he answered. Shining’s fingers found her button and undid it, with her zipper soon joining it. His fingertip found her panties, where he could feel a cool wetness from the very first touch. He put slightly more pressure on this touch, which was quickly joined by a another finger, both pressing down more firmer on the wetness. “Like this?”

Luna gasped, biting at a lip. “Y-yes,” she stammered out. “Tis strange, when it is not of my own hand.” Giving a small shiver, she leaned in closer to the intrusion at her maidenhood, wanting it deeper.

Shining’s fingers dug in deeper into her pussy, already starting a slow motion of circles around her clit. He was quick to pull down her jeans, until they were clear off, leaving only a modest pair of black panties from the greatest prize of all. “I didn’t think you’d be one to wear black,” Shining said, voice dripping with sarcasm as he returned to his pressing duty. “You enjoy the mysteriousness?”

“Tis a slimming color,” she said. “Black or white are the only true options.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” Shining said. His hands rested on either of her sides, his fingers already tugging at the edges of her panties. “Do you wish for me to do the honors?”

She closed her eyes, nervously crossing her hands to her chest. “Thou have my blessing, Shining.”

With that, Shining had all the reason he needed to remove her panties, revealing her slick slit to him. It was even lovelier than he imagined, all hot and ready from their foreplay, a small triangle of of blue hair right above it.

“Huh, so the carpet does match the curtains.” Shining pressed his fingers back to their previous spot, much more wetness drawing forth from her lower lips. “You seem to be getting soaked.”

“Thou are teasing me,” Luna complained, biting at a knuckle as Shining worked his magical fingers within her. A particularly ideal thrust caused her to forgo her manners and let out a small whine of pleasure at the action.

“Only the best teasing for a princess,” Shining replied. A devious grin grew on his lips as an idea formed in his mind. While still working with his fingers on dipping into her honeypot, he used his other hand to pry down his boxers, the cool air of the bedroom instantly making his growing shaft throb. He scooted in closer and gently removed his fingers, replacing them with the head of length, the throbbing only increasing once it touched her clit. “Teasing is my specialty, after all.”

“Thine specialty is being a fool.” Luna shuffled a bit, guiding Shining’s shaft with her hand. Once more she bit a lip, cringing slightly as he penetrated her. He slowly thrust into her, no hesitation, yet no rush to get there, and watched Luna’s face the entire time he entered.

“You make a cute face when you’re hot and flustered. You should make it more often,” Shining noted. He could hardly believe what he was feeling. She was just so damn tight, the warmth of her inner walls just wrapped around his length in a pleasing sensation he could only describe as bliss. And from Luna’s moans, she could best describe it that way as well. When he had reached the base of his penis, Luna breathed a huge sigh of relief, like she couldn’t believe it all managed to fit within her.

Her legs shot up, wrapping him tightly against her. She squeezed him, offering a smile that was one part bashful and the other almost wildly sensual.

“Shining,” she breathed out, biting his lower lip and tightening a hand that was stroking his hair into a near fist.

He pulled back, tediously slow, the entire experience drawn out inch by inch to make Luna turn into a moaning and panting mess. Then with a grunt when only the head of his shaft was still erect inside her, he pushed it all back in, the wet smack of Shining’s dick against Luna’s pussy eliciting a high pitched scream of ecstasy from Luna. He pulled back out again before she had a moment to grow used to the sensation and repeated the entire process, Luna’s scream only growing louder.

“Just like this, my princess?” Shining asked, pulling in and out at a steady motion now. His hands gripped her luscious ass and rubbed against it, covering every inch with his palms in a circular path.

“Aye. Like that, my knight,” Luna agreed. She shut her eyes for a moment, simply enjoying the warmth their two bodies shared, and the feeling of him within her. “Don’t stop, Shining. Please.” Reaching to him, Luna clasped a wrist and brought it to her bare stomach.

So the two lovers continued with their blissful love-making, the room now filled with the sounds of moans and grunts. Luna’s hand had found Shining’s shoulders and held with a powerful grip, though not at her full strength in fear of breaking his bones. But still Shining could feel the desperation behind it, desperation for more. He fulfilled these needs, increasing his pace to pump every inch of his length within her warm essence, each thrust another tidal wave of pleasure to his mind. The intricate movement of the lovers was a form of art and pleasure that was just them in their own world, so utterly entrapped in nirvanha that at the moment only they existed, each for one another.

Reaching to him once more, Luna took his neck and rubbed it under her thumbs, alternating between a gentle caresses, and digging her short nails into his skin deep enough to leave welts. Without preamble, she sat towards him, biting hard at his collarbone and squeezing him so tightly that he heard a pop come from his spine as she shivered, riding a glow.

“Someone seems—agh—excited!” Shining said in between thrusts. He was practically holding Luna in his grip now, using his hands to squeeze her butt cheeks tighter to get even greater pleasure from his short thrusts. Her legs just wrapped closer around him, practically pulling him in with every pump. Luna licked at the bite mark she left, her tongue traveling up his neckline to reach his ear, where she nibbled on it as if it were a treat.

“It’s an interesting experience,” she replied though frantic phants. “Being bedded. I’ve read of it, yet had no idea it’d be so—” Wincing once more, she bit at a lip. “Invigorating.”

“I never thought I’d be with a princess while doing it,” Shining replied. He leaned his head back and groaned, his dick pulsating in her tight walls to the point he thought it’d burst. This just made him thrust harder, putting more of his back into it while squeezing her ass cheeks to the point of leaving a mark. “Definitely invigorating!”

Unsure where next to place her hands, she took them to his ass, kneading the tight muscle in her palms. “Thou art beautiful, Shining. Thou art mine,” Luna growled out, biting at his lower lip once more.

Shining’s tongue snaked into her mouth, licking her soft lips. Then a growl sounded from deep in his throat, sending a hot shiver up Luna’s spine. “Something else is gonna be yours real soon,” Shining whispered, his pace picking up another notch, so quick that the slap of his balls against her skin could be heard over Luna’s moans.

“Shining,” she cried out, arching her back and bringing herself into him as much as she could. “Shining.”

Shining couldn’t hold it back anymore, and the floodgates were released. All he could do was whisper, “Luna” and that was it. With a guttural groan and clenched jaw Shining poured his seed inside her. At first it came in small streaks, but now it was a torrent. Every jolt was another hammer striking the nail, with more and more being added to the second. The head of his shaft was practically pulsating with every drop that discharged from his length, his balls emptying themselves into Luna’s eager pussy.

“Oh god, Luna, I can’t stop,” Shining said, his thrusts never weakening. He was milking himself to the last drop using Luna’s own tight walls to squeeze the remaining semen inside him into her. His mind was in a state that could not think of even comprehend anything other than the unimaginable happiness he was experiencing. Not just in his cock but his entire body, every muscle clenching and on fire from his and Luna’s passion. He felt Luna’s own body tighten around him, her legs firmly wrapped around his waist to never let him go.

“That was…” she trailed off, unsure where to even begin describing it. “Shining,” she repeated once more. “You were…”

“You were amazing, Luna,” Shining whispered. He pulled out of her, a small leak of his semen and her sexual juices trailing down to stain the couch. He was utterly drenched in sweat, and for the first time he noticed Luna was as well. In fact, she seemed utterly exhausted. Her shirt was stuck to her chest and wet, droplets of sweat still trailing down her face. “And it looks like you finally worked up a sweat for once.”

“Well… the skill thou performed here… ‘tis more impressive than thine combat capabilities,” Luna replied, exhaling. Wiping at her face, she looked at Shining. For a long, long while, nothing was said, each simply took to basking in their afterglows. Finally, Luna spoke. “May I ask thee a question, my Fool-knight?”

“Of course, my princess.”

“What does that make us?” Luna shifted, rising up to a sit. “I know the world hath moved on without me, and I am sure thou may have thine eye set upon another, even now.” She frowned, brushing it away with a wave of her hand. “Nevermind. Forgo the question. I am simply content that ye were willing to know me in such a sense.”

“Luna, I’m pretty sure at this point it makes us boyfriend and girlfriend. Or suitors, if you will. That is, if you’re willing to take me.” Shining smirked and reached out to hold her hand. “I could be your guard both outside and in the bedroom, faithfully standing and laying by his princesses’ side wherever she wishes.”

“I hath no need for a guard,” she rebuked, narrowing her brow. Reaching forward, she clasped his hand and her expression lightened. “I would, however, trade mine kingdom for a suitor half the man thou are.”

“And I’d trade my life for a woman even a fraction as wonderful as you are,” Shining said in turn, squeezing her palm gently.

“This does beget another question: how to go about telling what we are to our blood? I question how Celestia would feel, as, I’m sure, thine own kin would find it queer, mayhaps.”

“We tell them we’re in love, and that’s all they’ll need to know.” Shining lifted up Luna’s chin and kissed her forehead. “We’ll make this work, Luna, I know it.”

Luna let out a chuckle. “I shall hold thee to thine word, Fool-knight. Do not dissapoint me.”

“Have I ever before?” Shining asked with a wink.

“Shall we attempt to run together once more?” Luna easily countered, trailing a finger down her neck. “Or, mayhaps thou can try combating me again.”

At that mention of innuendo, Shining’s shaft perked up again, still slick and covered with both Luna and Shining’s juices. “Damn, seems I got a bit dirty,” Shining said, chuckling under his breath.

“This much is true,” Luna agreed. After a beat, she added on, “Mayhaps we should clean thee?”

“Couldn’t agree more,” Shining said. He grabbed at her shoulders and started to pull off her jacket, ending with her sticky shirt being thrown off as well. Now Luna was only dressed in stockings and shoes, her entire body glistening with sweat. With a small grin, Shining pinched her right nipple, tugging at her breast in the process.

Her hands clenched, turning into off-white fists as he played with her. Letting out a small hiss when he grew a little aggressive in his fondling, she leaned in closer once more, rolling a finger around the base of his shaft, pulling her fingers away and looking at the liquid trailing along them.

“Far…” she hummed for a brief moment until a word came to her. “Moister than what the books teach of lovemaking.”

“Well, it had been used quite rigorously beforehand by yours truly,” Shining reminded her. He groaned under his breath when her hand returned there, traveling up and down his length in quick strides, his erection become rigid and rock-solid once again. “And looks like it still has a bit more kick to it after all.”

“Indeed. Would be improper of me to leave thee unsated,” Luna remarked. She clasped it in her hand, giving it a slower tug as she contemplated something. “I have read of women who take a manhood within their mouth. Does that idea draw interest in thee?”

Shining only replied in a nod as she tugged his member again. It throbbed in her hands, the head of his shaft in particular pulsating to the feel of her fingers wiggling against it. His length was hot and bothered, a hungry entity in the palm of her hand that she fed with each tug, stroke, and hot breath from her lips.

She swallowed, then opened her mouth, leaning forward. Shining watched his shaft disappear into her mouth like an erotic magic trick until she flinched, gagging a bit at its length. Slowly, she pulled back, her teeth accidently grazing the tip as she freed herself, then she took the plunge once more, closing her eyes and doing her best to keep at a respectable pace, her hair bobbing with every plunge towards his pelvis, and her heated breaths increasing every second she continued the action.

Hesitantly, she started to use her tongue around his shaft, wrapping it like a snake with its prey. Luna could still taste the salty tang of his semen along with her own fluids around his length, but it was actually not half bad. She licked it all up, twirling her tongue around him with a squeeze that went up and down his shaft with each bob of her head. She stopped near the head of his dick, taking time to use the tip of her tongue to circle around his head, stopping to kiss his tip while giving him a wink. Then she plunged back into it, gagging the more length she forced herself to take in, but eventually getting the hang of it enough to swallow more and more of his penis whole, sometimes even playing with his ballsack with a free hand like it was a toy.

She offered no words, her mouth distracted on him and instead looked up into his eyes, doing her best to appear alluring to him. She took a hand and grasped the back of his thigh, digging into it with her free hand while the other explored his balls, feeling the texture of them greedily.

Shining grabbed onto the back of her head, helping to lead her further along his shaft, until his balls reached her chin and her saliva dripped down her neck. Luna became much more eager to deepthroat him, often plunging her mouth to the very base of his shaft and holding it there, tugging and pulling at his ballsack while staring directly up at him, smiling despite the cock in her mouth at his exasperate expressions. She could feel just from the throb of his member that he was getting closer with every passing minute, it being just an endurance race now between them. But like with running and fighting, eventually Shining would give out and Luna would win, just like always, and from the fresh taste of the dribble of precum from the tip of his dick, she knew she had won already.

Just a shame that Celestia opened her door right when victory was at hand.

“Luna, you left in such a hurry at the Gala, I never got the opportunity to—” Celestia’s sentence was cut-off abruptly at the sight before her. Luna and Shining, both scantily clad on the couch, covered in sweat, with Shining’s penis currently in her little sister’s mouth.

Needless to say, tension in the room was at an all time high.

“Eff nof wha it wooks wike?” Luna said with her mouth full, looking much like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar.

“Luna, speaking with your mouth full is improper for a princess.” Celestia’s earlier shocked expression now turned to one of devious smugness as she leaned against the wall. “Even if it is a quite muscular gentleman’s member you have in there.”

Shining held up his hands and floundered for the correct words to defend himself with. “No, wait, seriously, it isn’t… well, actually, it kinda is what it looks like. It is exactly what it looks like.”

Luna finally got over her shock and pulled her mouth away, rising to face Celestia. “It was my idea,” she said. “I convinced him. He hath no blame here.”

“Well, technically we convinced each other. Mutually. For the sex.” Luna glared at Shining and backed away slightly. “Yeeeeah, what she said.”

Celestia rubbed her chin and arched a brow at Luna. “So, I take it you’ve taken a liking to your guard, Luna?”

“Mayhaps more than a liking, if I am to be frank with thee, sister,” she said, feeling so awkward that death seemed merciful.

“Well, it seems like Shining had done a wonderful job then.” Celestia smiled. “The purpose of him being your guard in the first place was for you to make a friend. Though this manner was… not what I truly expected. But still, it worked, and you have someone trustworthy to be with… along with other intimate affairs.”

“If thou knows this to be intimate, I beseech thee: leave.”

Celestia held up her hands and chuckled. “Okay, okay, I get it. My little sister and her boyfriend want some alone time. Far be it from me to ridicule you for that.” Before Celestia closed the door to leave, she glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “Also, Luna, get some protection sometime in the future. You want to wrap up something that exceptional in something special.” And with that she left, though the awkwardness surely didn’t.

“...What do you think she meant by exceptional?” Shining asked.

“I think she meant thine girth,” Luna plainly spoke. “I have no comparison, but that’s what I am to assume.”

“Wow… your older sister just complimented my size. And she’s my boss.” Shining’s face turned a few shades of red. “Not sure what to think of that.”

“Mayhaps think of it as a complement that shall never bear fruition. Unless thou want on my bad side,” Luna remarked.

“Does that bad side involve me getting punished?” Shining asked, slinging his arm around Luna’s torso, her back to his chest. “Because it’s only traditional for a princess to punish her guards, is it not?” he whispered in her ear.

“Twenty mile hike,” Luna replied, missing the obvious innuendo. Or, at least, ignoring it. “And then I watch thee do pullups for mine amusement.” Regardless of her words, she reached up, giving a small stroke to his elbow.

“That sounds quite strenuous. It’d get me awfully dirty. And sweaty. And you can’t have that for your own personal guard, now can you? I hope a shower is in order.”

“I suppose not.” She gave a bob of her head. “But I must make sure that thine wishing is adequate. Allow me to join thee.”

“So,” Shining said, planting a kiss on her neck, “can I expect to have to stand ready at attention for my fair princess at all times now, especially in the bed room?”

“It would be an honor, Fool-Knight,” Luna replied with a warm smile, offering her hand back to him.

“As it would be mine as well, Luna.”

The two lovers embraced in a kiss, the sky above filled with endless stars overlooking a world with endless possibilities.