Her Starry Sky

After some arguing from Octavia, and the Bartender forced a Crossbow point to allow us to use his office the Guard wiped his hand slowly across his face and sighed with some regret. You leaned up against the table with Octavia standing nearby. The other Guards stood outside the door barring entrance from anyone else from entering. The Guard shook his head before removing his helmet and again sighed. First thing you noticed at him doing this was how messed up and long his hair was. Most Guards kept their hair nice, neat, and cut. This guy: not so much.

Again. Strangest Guard I ever met!

“So, are we under arrest or anything?” asked Octavia

“Not really. Why do you ask?” came the Guard as he fidgeted with a large bag full of what appeared to be something metal

“Well three Guards barged in and forced us back into this office basically at the owners own life's expense!”

“Yeah I was told to do this in private. Well ordered. Truth be told Ma'am, I'm breaing those orders allowing you in this.”

“Then why are you?” comes your question

“Because I'm done arguing with Royalty for one day.” answers the Guard as he buries his whole arm into the bag

You and Octavia look to each other confused before shifting focus back to the Guard: “Royalty!?” you both say

“Yep! Royalty at it's finest Sir! I stand within the presence of a Prince of the Equestrian Nation and I humbly behest a audience with you sir so that me discuss official matters.”

“I'm not Royalty.”

“Yes you are.” he says as he grabs something within the bag

Annoyed enough and already on edge with how this day has gone you decide to use this new found authority this Guard claims you have: “Okay Sergeant. I deny your request for a audience or whatever. My friend and I want to enjoy this evening and we don't need you ruining it.”

You smile proudly while the Guard just laughs: “Yeah right sir. Nice try.”

Octavia, catching on to what you're doing jumps in: “Didn't you just say he was a prince? You have to what he says.”

“Yeah these orders came from Princess Celestia herself. Now I don't know exactly how that whole system works itself but she still out ranks you according to our rules here. I can be respectful and request a session with you.... or! Or I can basically say you got no real choice in this mess and might as well sit tight and get this over with.”

“What if we don't want to?” you demand, including Octavia in it as well

“Not my problem! I don't want to be here any more than you do! I want to be home sleeping in my bed. So deal with it! I don't like it, you don't like, Ma'am I know you don't like it! So let's all agree on that common ground and please take this.”

The Guard hands you a rather large parchment rolled up and sealed with what appears to be the Royal symbol of Equestria itself. Breaking it you open it up to reveal it to be a coronation statement crowning you Prince of Equestria.

“What the?” you speak, dumbfounded

“I don't understand.” adds Octavia

Looking to the Guard as he sets down the bag with a metal clang he looks to you awaiting the obvious question to be asked.

“Alright, I'll bite. What's this mean?”

“Okay sir, this is how it goes.” he said taking in a deep breath and putting his hands together, “You are now a member of the Royal Court, specifically the Lunar Chamber and thus are now entitled to full on services including Guard escorts, announcements, free admissions to public events, access to the Palace except its restricted areas under Equestrian Restriction Code 42 in which you'll need special access by Princess Celestia herself. You not allowed access to the Royal Emergency Funds unless Blueblood has his way with a new law. Doubt that happening; he's been pushing that for years. Anyway be prepared to bay your bills at all times. Princess Celestia has decreed that all folk in Equestria are equal and will be treated as such including paying for utilities. Which actually leads me to my next statement which is funny compared to the last one: You are exempt from Royal Taxes but local taxes still apply as do any bills or previous payments on anything as I previously stated. Also you still HAVE to pay in full for goods and services even if they are offered at free or reduced prices. This is a direct order from Princess Celestia and outlined in the Royal Ethical Act. Do you understand?”

“That's a lot of rhetoric and reuse of words there.” states Octavia

“I didn't write it. Anything else you wish me to clarify or go over?” asks the Sergeant

“I don't even know what's going on?” you say with a dumb smile

“I know you don't sir.” said the exasperated Sergeant

“What exactly is going on here?” demanded Octavia

“Ma'am I am explaining, well, briefing Prince Gray Flames of the Lunar Chamber on-”

“Prince Gray Flames of the Lunar Chamber?” you utter with astonishment

“Your title sir.” answers the Sergeant, “Well, technically sir it's Prince Gray Flames the First of the High Court Lunar Chamber of the Kingdom of Equestria... that's a damn mouthful.”

Ya think!?

The Guard lets out a breath before continuing: “If I were you I would just go with Sir Gray Flames. So much simpler. Now then I am-”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Why are you telling me this!?” you yell

The Guard almost seemed to revel in this statement: “Because you married Princess Luna. So I had to drag myself down here again because I and the two other Guards out there are the only three in the entire Royal Guard privy to that knowledge. By the way never volunteer yourself or owe debts. Any questions over what I said a minute ago or your current title?”

“Again, I have no idea what's going on! Octavia any help here?”

She just shrugged. You look back to the displeased Guard who rubs his temples dealing with his headache. There was however one burning question that quickly came to mind though: “Who sent you?”

“Actually Princess Celestia did. Reasons are: A) to check up on you and B) to deliver this message.”

Wonder where Luna went then?

“Look I know what happened and it's a mess I know.” continued the Guard, “I'm just doing my job Sir. Also I have been advised by Princess Celestia for you to not make public your status for both you and your wife's sake. The choice is yours sir, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, nor I have the power to bar you from such an act. However I will tell you if it is made public than you shall have a retinue of Lunar Guards at your house at all times. You are now a Political target for various threats to the Kingdom. And it's the Lunar Guards; the scary guys with bat wings and dark armor, not guys like me. Just throwing that out there.”

Well, to be honest here, you're speechless at about what to say. Octavia, who you hoped would provide you some back up, is just as quiet. At best, she's having a harder time than you soaking all this in seeing as how you went from her quiet friend to a Royal figure all in one drunken night! You sit down on the desk and try and take it all in.

Prince, political target, needs to be a secret! I'm now exempted from taxes and that's the only plus I guess.

You look up to try to see the Guard plopping down a large dark blue set of armor before you and handing you a spear.

“You're armor and weapon sir. It's magically enchanted to fit your form and can withstand direct hits from a dragons bite. Toughest in the Kingdom sir.”

You look it over, noticing the armor appears to be somewhat reminiscent of the Lunar Guards armor. Dark blues, purple, black here and there. At the same time this one appears to be more regal and elegant than their armor. The eye is replaced with Luna's Crescent Moon symbol while the helmet has a disturbing remnant of Nightmare Moons own helmet. Maybe that's where the thing. You hope it doesn't somehow transform your feathers to bat wings when you cast your eyes on the spear. Aside from the apparent diamond blade, it's pole is strong and sturdy. You hold it in both hands and give it a nice feel when it suddenly shrinks down into a sword and nearly takes your hand off with it.

“Yeah be careful with that. It's defiantly not a toy.” comments the Guard

“You can't be serious.” Octavia laments

“What part of this whole episode have I not been, Ma'am?”

“A suit of armor and a weapon!?

“I didn't say he had to use it! I'm just giving it to him!”

“Do you expect him to go to war or something.”

“Well actually.... well, I'm not going to answer that one.”

The Guard and Octavia continue to argue while you silently put the armor and the sword/spear back into the bag. You look at it, and this is just too much. But yay! Armor! Standing up you breathe in and let out a defeated sigh: “I'm going home.”

That's just what I was about to suggest.” said Octavia

“Perfect! Yes! Thank you! My jobs done.” the Guard cheers with unequaled happiness

Octavia just shakes your head as you sling your armor on your back. The bag must have been enchanted or something because this thing is surprisingly light!

Putting his helmet back on his whole attitude goes from happy to serious in a instant: “I'll See you next month sir!”

“Next month?” you question

“I don't want to talk about that. Also, sharpen that sword sir.”

“Why?” asked Octavia, “He's never going to use it!”

“Ma'am, he told me to remind him that! I'm just following Royal orders here!”

“He just found that out today!” shouted Octavia

“Timey-wimey!” shouted the Guard, “Now if you'll excuse me, sir!”

He gave you a salute and quickly dismissed himself from the room. His cryptic message still lingering in your mind for some reason. He acted the same way last time you saw him, and back then he was calling you sir. How could he have known about all this then? There was no way! Shaking those thought's from your mind you look to Octavia, who gives a helpful smile.

“That guy is going to get on my nerves. How does he know all this?”

You just shrug, not wanting to really think on that subject. You had a bit bigger fish to fry right now.

“So, now what?” came the obvious question from her lips

“You know this is allot to take in for one guy!” you tell Octavia

“One of those days I guess.” she jokes, referencing your old catch-phrase back at school

Not much happened after that. You two felt out of place by getting strange stares from everyone else in the bar since the Guards had to pull you aside like that. After a few more drinks and wishing Octavia goodbye, you went home and passed out the moment your head hit your pillow. You again are awoken to the light of the suns rays creeping into your house. You could have sworn you put those shades down last time because of this. Groaning and sitting up you stretch your arms, legs, and wings. You hear your joints crack in every place and your wings sound like bubble wrap as your feathers pop up and down. Shivering for some odd reason you stand up and put your feet into your lazy day slippers, only to realize they aren't there. You look around your room for a few moments before remembering last time you were home you instantly left to get food due to giant spiders and cereal.

Muttering a curse under your breath you move to your closet and grab some socks and sweat pants and make your way down stairs. On the way out of your closet you notice your calendar hanging there. Not much other than a notebook with some drawings, but Pip made it for you in arts and crafts and hey! Who are you to turn down a gift from your favorite little friend. This month's picture was him as a pirate defending none other than Luna herself from monkey skeleton pirates. Smirking you notice the days are off on it, the last time you checked this thing off was the 23rd. Grabbing the marker you attached to it you mark off down the line until you reach the last day and stop. You count the days in your head, then think to yourself again, and to your amazement: It's Nightmare Night!

“CANDY!” you shout enthusiastically

Then you remember you're too old to go out for candy. Unless you were with Pinkie Pie, but both of you grew sick from that and she kept laying eggs last time. Oh and then Princess Luna showed up and the holiday was canceled than it wasn't and then your house grew infested with spiders. Still that was a good day. Hard to believe that was all a year ago! Shrugging you close your closet door and make your way down stairs wondering if you still had any coffee left. Let alone food seeing as how you've been away from home for so long it wasn't even funny. When you moved out you had a plan for everything! Bills, taxes, being alone, your job; you thought you had everything ready! Except food. Grocery shopping was so far off your list for the first three months you survived only on ramen noodles. Then you became friends with Applejack and Pinkie Pie and food was a bit easier. Of course neither of them had your CelestiO's and that was a problem. Grumbling you reach your kitchen and begin to pour yourself a cup of coffee with your surprisingly repaired coffee mug. Did you ask Twilight or Rarity to fix this thing? Meh doesn't matter now does it. You got coffee now, the world was right and the universe was at peace. Tastes a bit different than how you usually made it but oh well.

“Here's the mail.” said Luna handing it to you

“Oh thank you!” you say before going through it

Bill, bill, bill, tax report. I don't have to worry about that, paycheck. Letter from the Director thanking me for protecting the hospital. Magazine, newspaper-Wait a second!

Ooh! Can I see the paper!

You look up to see Luna leaning on the counter on the other side of you in a pink bathrobe and her hair a mess. First off: How the heck did you not notice her when you walked in!? It was so obvious! The Coffee made, the fact that everything seemed to be out of place! By the looks of it she's even wearing your Lazy Day slippers! Second: Why does the fact she look like she just got out of bed make her all the more alluring towards you? She has done nothing to make herself more regal and elegant and yet Shaking that thought from your mind and cocking a eyebrow you once again wonder why she is here in your house. She gives a small smirk probably having read your thoughts before sipping form her own cup of coffee.

“You don't live here.” you tell her

“Really? That's your response? I don't live here?” she deadpans

“Well, er, uh, you don't!” you protest

“Oh yes I do!” she replies smartly

She suddenly plants the infamous marriage certificate down between the two of you. You cock yet another eyebrow wondering what she means by this.

“What's yours is ours!”

“You got to be kidding me!” you call out in disbelief, “You can't be serious!”

“Oh I am.” she giggles

“So why are you even-! Wait, that's a good question.... why are you here actually?”

“Isn't it customary for the wife to live with her husband?”

“Yeah but... you're not mad? I mean! Look what happened!” you ask

“What happened was out of our control! Besides I'm just going with the flow.”

“Huh?” you respond very confused

“I want to see where this whole marriage thing takes us. It might be interesting to say the least.”

“So you want to experiment with this thing? That is hilarious Princess!” your response laden with sarcasm

She places her mug down and walks over to you before putting her arms around you. You still want to protest when her lips meets yours. Deciding on whether to embrace it or fight it it quickly ends with Luna smiling at you.

“Gray I love you you know that right?”

You're not entirely sure if you heard that sentence, still a little off from that last kiss. You give a goofy smile which makes Luna giggle a little. Sadly, fate has decided that this moment shall not last. For at your door comes a knock to your every chagrin. Knowing that more like this will come you wonder if they leave when there is a second knock and this time a voice!

“Um... hello! Anyone home?”

“Pip?” you ask to no one in particular

Luna cocks a eyebrow at this while you make your way to the door. Opening it up you expect to see the little school boy standing there. Instead it's a cowboy?

“You've been hanging out with Applebloom haven't you Marston?” you tell him

“No! Well.... Okay yes. …... It's nightmare night!” he shouts in delight

“But it's not even-oh hey look at that! It's half-past noon. Interesting.” you say looking at your clock, “Ehh, are your parents setting up the festivities again?”

“Yep!”

“So as I said last year I'll take you on your second Nightmare Night.” you remember

“Will you?” Pip pleaded

Of course the answer was obvious: “I promised didn't I? Not like I got anything else going on tonight! Vigilance likes covering the night shift on this day anyway. Still don't know why.”

You think to your fellow Security Guard co-worker and his odd fascination with night Guard on Nightmare Night. Probably had something to do with his Mohawk. He really likes his Mohawk.

“So what are you going as!?” he quickly asked, literally jumping into your arms

Barely managing to catch him you stumble for a bit before steadying yourself. Pip seems totally unaffected by nearly toppling you over and sits there expecting a answer. You stare at him blankly for a few seconds and he just waits for a answer.

Kid's eaten candy already I just know it!

“Uhh, I really don't know.” you say with all honesty

“What!? How could you not know!? It's the best holiday of the year!”

“Well I planned on just drawing a line around my neck and writing cut here for fun, but someone already took that idea. That ended badly for all parties involved so I really have no idea....”

You think to a particular set of armor sitting up in your room complete with a sword. What better costume than that since no one, and you literally mean NO ONE has ever seen you in it.

“Actually I do have one.” speaking with pride to Pip

“Can I see it!” the excited kid asks

“Later. Right now you're going to need to calm down because there is no way I'm having you run from house to house in this town just to puke out half your candy mid flight. Figuratively speaking of course.”

“Oh okay.”

“Wait, you know what figuratively speaking means!?”

“Of course!”

How the heck... you know what! I give up!

“Umm, Mr. Gray Flames... may I get a drink?”

“Sure! Go right ahead! Glasses are in the kitchen.” you tell him, thinking no harm could ever come from this

He leaps down and runs off as you ponder what the armor is going to look like on you. From what you remember it was styled after Lunar's Guards but seemed to be similar more to Prince Shining Armor's own armor. Thinking you should at least bring it down so Luna could help you put it on a chill runs down your spine.

“No wait Pip! Don't go in there!”

You try and make a mad dash back to your kitchen only to slip on the rug and fall flat on your face. Without a second to lose you scramble to your feet, using your wings to help you, and make way for the kitchen. Why didn't you think of that!? You know that kid's favorite Princess is Luna and none other than she is standing in your kitchen enjoying Coffee and the paper! Zooming into the Kitchen you freeze midair to see Pip standing frozen solid eyes wide mouth agape at the sight of Luna standing there sipping her coffee. She looks up to see you floating there and moves her head slightly wondering what you are doing there. She gets a clue from your eyes shifting back between her and Pip and looks down to see the Cowboy standing there frozen. It doesn't take her long to finally recognize the little guy.

“My favorite little subject Pipsqueak! How are you this fine day on this wondrous holiday of Nightmare Night!

Pip doesn't respond, he just falls over, still frozen like he saw a cockatrice.

“Did I break it?” asks Luna