Night on Rotterdamn

The words mingled with her tounge as she said them out loud for the first time.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle" She said again, Tasting the words she'd be hearing a lot more  from now on. The coronation had just ended. For the first time in the whole day, Twilight sparkle was alone in her quarters. Well, Spike was there, but the baby dragon was sleeping soundly in his cot. It was late. The celebrations had gone on and still were in some parts of Canterlot. Celestia was still at the grand hall, socializing with the nobles who remained. Twilight had left with the excuse of putting Spike to bed and had finally got away from all the bowing and praising and small-talking. She finally was alone to do whatever she pleased.

Was this to be her life? Locked up in the confines of royalty, concerning and discussing for the tommorows of others? Attending important social gatherings and making small talk with rich ponies? To live in a castle too big to get used to? Would she ever be allowed to just go to the spa with Rarity and relax in the mud baths, or to hang out by the pool with Pinky? To have a relaxing picnic with Fluttershy or to spend a day with the Apple family or read the latest daring do with Rainbow? Would things ever be the same again?

Twilight flexed her wings. Deep down she knew that this changed everything. She hated it.

Knock Knock Knock

It had barely been 5 minutes. Impatiently, Twilight opened the door. Before her stood the princess of the night, Luna. She was accompanied by two armored stallions, one was young with gray hair and a chestnut mane, his blue eyes sparkling with the energy of youth while his smile beamed with the cockiness of fools. The other had dark brown hair and a black mane. He made an effort of standing straight and looking straight ahead with his green eyes. The first signs of aging had begun to appear on this pony, small lines near his cheek and forehead were just visible.

They all bowed.

"Luna there's no need to-"

"There is every need to, Twilight Sparkle." Luna said as she rose, shutting the mare up. "These are your two personal night guards, appointed by Celestia herself." The two stallions rose to attention on this line as if it were rehearsed. "They shall be wherever you go while you are a princess from when the sun sets to when the sun rises. They shall escort you around the castle at night and will be there at any activities you partake in." Twilight felt her heart dropping off a cliff... "You shall of course, also have day guards." ...With an anvil. "They shall be introduced to you in the morning. Good night princess." Luna bowed once again before turning away and walking down the corridor. Twilight stared after her until she had closed the door to the corridor behind her.

The guards were still standing to attention.

"Well, If you two are going to be with me for every blinking hour of the night I might as well know your names. Whose first?" the two guards only turned their eyes, their faces unsure. Twilight groaned.

"Am I your princess?"

"Yes Ma'am" The guards echoed.

"Therefore, are you not required to do what I ask of you?"

The two exchanged a look before the eldest nodded to the youngest who spoke with a boyish, confident voice:

"I am Lance Pointer Ma'am. I am honored to be before you." He said, bowing.

"Pleased to meet you, sir." Said the princess, bowing back. Lance looked up from his bow, raising an eyebrow. Twilight rose and turned to the eldest. He spoke with a deep, relaxed voice:

"I am Shield Worn." He said, staring straight into Twilight.

"Pleased to meet you." She said, bowing anyway. Despite her small talk, the guards still seemed resilient to be sociable. She yawned. She was too tired to make new friends right now. In the morning she'd likely go through this same conversation with her day guards, but until then she had the retreat of dreams. Those were things that could never be taken away from her.

"Well, good night." She said, turning to her room.

"Good night, Ma'am." The guards chorused. She shut the door quickly and collapsed on the bed. The day of celebrations had taken a lot out of her. She eased her legs and relaxed her wings. She let the comfort of the bed consume her body while her mind raced off to far away adventures in ancient ruins...

Outside the two guards stood loyally by the door. Lance turned to Shield and asked:

"Was she trying to befriend us?"

"I suppose she was. She reminds me of you in many ways."

"What do ya mean?" Shield turned to Lance, an evil grin stretching across his face as he said:

"Young, naive and new to the job." Lance mocked annoyance but couldn't stop himself chuckling. Shield's face hardened as he turned back to the corridor.

"I've been a guard for ten years, and in that time I've heard many things. Quite a few nobles aren't happy with this nobody becoming a princess. I've even heard rumors of-"

Lance stared at Shield, hanging off of his silence. "Heard rumors of wha-"

"SHHH!" Shield began to edge down the corridor, Lance nervously watching him from behind. Shield closed his eyes as he listened hard. Somepony else was here. He was sure of it. A few seconds passed. The corridor was still.

"Must have been a mouse" He said, disbelievingly.

"Oh!" chirped Lance. "So what were these rumours you head about Princess Twilight?

The black unicorn stared at the girl he had just knocked out in a tense silence. Had the guards outside heard? Would the dragon wake up? In his cot, Spike was tossing and turning, his nightmares devouring him whole. It was all he could hear, the small creature tossing and turning while the quiet roar of a party far away seeped through the open window, where a chariot held aloft by two black pegasi lay in waiting for him. The guards went back to their chatter. Silently, using his magic he lifted the young mare up, slowly moving her towards the chariot.

"no..." The dragon murmured. The girl was half-way across the room, The kidnapper knew he couldn't stop now. His back left hoof went into the chariot, the girl still floating slowly towards him.

"No..." The dragon murmured, as if he was sensing the events around him. the second hind hoof was in the chariot now, and the girl was so close. Just a little further and this colossal job would be over, and the pay would set him for life.

"NO!!!" Cried the baby dragon, waking with a jolt while the pair of guards rushed in. The kidnapped hurried Twilight into the chariot. She dropped on the floor with a thud

"GO! GO! GO!" He yelled, The pegasi needing no instructions to know that their time here was up. They had flew away before the 3 had gotten to the window. Shield turned to Lance:

"We need to tell the Princesses." Lance nodded, and the pair darted out of the room. Spike followed after, knowing exactly who he needed to tell.