Dreams of Flying

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Hope
Chapter 2 - The Calm Before...
Chapter 3 - An Admission
Chapter 4 - Gossip
Chapter 5 - The Proposition
Chapter 6 - The Plan
Chapter 7 - The Date (Part One)
Chapter 8 - The Date (Part Two)
Chapter 9 - Dreams and Wishes
Chapter 11 - Perspectives aka Meanwhile in Equestria...
Chapter 12 - Clouds on the Horizon
Chapter 13 - Wish you were Here.
Chapter 14 - Meanwhile in Equestria Part 2
Chapter 15 - Red Sky in Morning...
Chapter 16 - Shepherds Take Warning.
Chapter 17 - Dreams of Flying. **Clop Warning**
Chapter 18 - Consequences.
Chapter 19 - Ambuscade.
Chapter 20 - The Road Goes Ever On.
Chapter 21 - Batten Down the Hatches.
Chapter 22 - A Midnight Interlude
Chapter 23b - Lyra Heartstrings, Golden Harvest, Filthy Rich
Chapter 23c - Mayor Mare
Chapter 23d - HRH Princess Twilight Sparkle, Spike
Chapter 23e - McIntosh Apple
Chapter 24 - Red vs Blue.
Chapter 10 - Rules of Engagement
Chapter 23a - Ditzy Doo

Chapter 1 - Hope

Dreams of Flying
Chapter 1

She paced. She’d counted out every single hoofstep in this room so many times now while her thoughts tumbled one over another until she wasn’t sure she knew up from down. Should she do it? It would open a great many doors she wasn’t entirely sure she was ready to open. There would be consequences, of that she was sure, but she was ready to face them. The question remained, though, was he?

She was getting ahead of herself. She wasn’t even sure he would be interested in her, it wasn’t like they had spent much time together but what she had seen of him had piqued her curiosity enough for her to make some discrete enquiries. The report from her Night Guard had been a little dry, somewhat lacking in the details she’d been craving, but it painted a clear enough picture. A solid, reliable member of the community, someone who spent a great deal of time listening and watching to the world around him before he offered an opinion, an opinion more often than not expressed in a single word.

A hard worker, seemingly content with his life, but apparently he had been seen gazing upwards at the Ponyville weather team with a somewhat wistful look on his face, as if he dreamed of soaring up above the orchards he tirelessly worked. No ordinary pegasus could hope to offer him that, he was simply too large for any but the strongest to hope of bearing and even then their flight would be laboured and slow. But she could. She could show him the world as only the residents of Cloudsdale saw it, she could…

She stamped a hoof down angrily as she felt that strange fluttering in her breast once more, that tightening deep in her belly when she imagined the feel of his body atop her own. She was no callow filly, flush with the first heat of a new romance. She was, she was… She was lonely. It had been so very, very long since she’d been with anyone.

She made to begin her pacing once more, then paused, lifting a hoof to her mouth as she considered exactly how long she’d been on her own. How long had it been since the last? Before her banishment, before her slip into madness, there had been one and she was grateful he had passed before her descent into the nightmare but other than him? Try as she might, she couldn’t remember.

Oh, there’d been the occasional tryst in those years between lovers, when the urge had been too strong to resist. She would slip out into the night to find herself some willing stallion, influencing his dreams just a little so that when he woke to find her atop him, he would react in the way she desired.

She gave a little grin as pleasant memories briefly distracted her. Funny how tales of her midnight exploits and spread and changed, becoming the legends of the succuponies, demonesses that would seduce stallions in the night. She wondered if Tia realised she was the cause, thought she suspected her somewhat prudish sister would likely not give the matter much thought. Of course, all that nonsense about her rutting her lovers to death was just that - nonsense. She was an alicorn, she didn’t need to feed on semen or on life energy for that matter. Well, she was getting distracted.

She resumed her pacing around the room, occasionally glancing up at the huge glass ceiling to study the slowly shifting night sky above. How long had it been? Ah. Now she remembered him. A unicorn, a particularly talented one at that. What was his name? Swift something or other? That sounded familiar but try as she might, she couldn’t bring his full name to mind. She felt a little twinge of guilt about that, remembering promises made as he lay dying, old and frail, wishing he had but one more day with her.

He would be the same. In time he would grow old, wither and die and she would be left alone until she eventually forgot him as she had the others. Was that reason enough to leave this alone? Would it be easier to remain in solitude and spare herself the inevitable pain she knew waited at the end of this particular story?

She stepped out onto her balcony, turning her gleaming brass telescope towards the lights of Ponyville gleaming on the horizon. There, just on the other side of town, there was Sweet Apple Acres. All sleeping, she could sense the threads of their dreams and it would be so easy to just slip into his, to speak to him, to be with him even if it was only in a dream, fleeting and near-forgotten by waking… But no, she wanted more than that, needed more than that. He deserved better than some brief, illusionary fling and with that, a decision was made.

He did deserve better. He deserved a mare who was willing to court him, to pursue him if needed, who would seduce him. But there were ways to do this, protocols and etiquette to be observed so she would need to begin with the head of the household.

First, she would need to get Applejack’s permission to court her brother. There was, she supposed, little time like the present and it would be a simple matter for her to slip into the mare’s dreams to speak to her before simply arriving on her doorstep. Yes, a conversation in the dreamscape would be the best way to begin this, to make sure that her attentions would not be unwelcome. She had no wish to discomfort the Apple family, not when they were so close to Celestia’s prized student.

Gathering her magic, it was an easy task to step from this world to the other. The castle and city faded away as Luna found herself standing on an open plain with an infinite starry sky spread above her, a gentle wind brushing through her mane and over her body as the dreamscape welcomed her back.

She studied each star in turn, each one linked in turn to the heart and soul of one of the little ponies she protected each night, letting her instincts draw her to the one she desired this night. Ah, there it was. The bearers of the Elements were easiest to find, each glowing subtly brighter than the ones around it, tinged with the colour of their particular Element.

Applejack’s star pulsed a slow, deep apple red as Luna extended a hoof and beckoned it to her with a gentle tug of her magic, “Come, little one. Let us see what brave Applejack dreams this night.”

The star descended, glittering brightly, brushing to her hoof and a heartbeat later she found herself standing amongst the trees of the orchard. A quite ordinary seeming dream, at least so far. She could hear voices somewhere up ahead and so she followed them, glancing quizzically about as she walked.

“…can get the damn bits! Ya just need t’give us more time!”

“Regretfully, Ms Apple, the bank is no longer prepared to extend any further credit to Sweet Apple Acres. If you cannot repay the debt by this time Friday, your farm will be forfeit.”

“Why you no good, two-faced, broke-backed…”

Luna emerged from the trees to find Applejack face to face with the one thing she truly feared – Losing her farm. She was glaring angrily at what could only be described as a large weasel dressed in a business suit, one that was currently giving the fuming earth pony a distinctly supercilious look over the rim of his glasses. So that was how Applejack truly saw her creditors? Well, she supposed she wasn’t really surprised, the bankers were hardly the most popular of ponies, especially not to small farmers like this.

“Please, Ms Apple. There’s no need to resort to name-calling,” the weasel replied. “I’m merely doing my job. I hope to see you at the bank this Friday with the money otherwise our next visit will, regrettably, be a far less pleasant one. Good day.”

He turned and disappeared into the trees, fading into nothingness as the dream moved on and Applejack was left staring helplessly at her farm as a tear trickled down her cheek. Luna winced inwardly, this was hardly the best time to be interrupting a dream but….

“Applejack?” She called. “Might we disturb thee for a moment?”

“Who the-? Princess Luna? What the hay are you doin’ out here? Have ya come t’help me keep mah farm?”

“Not directly, no. This is merely a dream, brave Applejack. You are in no danger of losing Sweet Apple Acres.”

“A… But it feels so real.” She trotted over to knock a hoof against one of the trees, then frowned to herself. “But ah guess the folks from the bank ain’t really giant, snobby weasels are they?” Realization flashed across her face and she sighed in relief, “Damn. For a moment there ah thought… So, if this is a dream, how come you’re here?”

Luna cleared her throat, scuffing a hoof against the ground as she tried to find the right words, her star-filled mane drifting down over her face, “We were hoping to ask thy permission to court thy brother.”

“Say wut? Ah… Don’t think ah heard ya quite right there, Princess?”

“We wish to court thy brother!” She blurted out. “As head of the Apple family household in Ponyville, it is only right that we should seek thy permission afore we make our affections known to McIntosh.”

Applejack stared, unblinking, at the Princess for so long that Luna was starting to wonder if the earth pony had suffered some terrible, catastrophic brain storm and was getting ready to summon aid to Ponyville. Finally, the earth pony spoke again. “But WHY?” Was all she could find to say, “No offence t’mah brother, Princess, but of all the ponies in Equestria that must be fallin’ over themselves t’catch your eye, why Big Mac?”

“Because he loves the night.” Was the simple answer. “That was what first drew us to him. There is much that thou dost not know about thy brother, brave Applejack, much he keeps to himself, revealing only when he is alone in the darkness. That is no detriment to thy character, McIntosh keeps much hidden within himself.”

“But we’re just borin’ ole farm ponies!” Applejack continued to protest, waving a hoof at the illusory farm that sprawled behind her. “What could he have to offer t’royalty? We ain’t got titles or land or money or anythin’. All we got is apples.”

“Do we, that is, do I look like I need titles or money, Applejack?” Luna countered, her voice gentle as she dropped the Royal “we” that so often slipped into her speech when she wasn’t concentrating. “What I seek is a companion. McIntosh has a strong heart, a pure spirit. He is… Still.”

Applejack’s blank look was all the indication the Princess needed that she wasn’t explaining herself very well and she sighed. “Brace thyself, Applejack. I am about to show you that which few ever see.” She raised a foreleg and swept it in an arc. The farm and orchard flickered and vanished, leaving the two mares standing alone on the bare, windswept plane of the dreamscape.

Applejack snorted in surprise, staring down at her hooves, noting the soft, purple grass that tickled at her fetlocks, then lifting her head to gaze in wide-eyed amazement at the starfield above, “What is this place?”

“My realm,” the Princess replied. “This is the dreamscape. From here I am able to watch over the dreams of all our little ponies.” She suddenly smiled and pressed her hoof to Applejack’s cheek, pressing her head round. “Look! Look there, thou’rt most blessed, Applejack. Even fewer ever get to see this.”

“Ah don’t see anythin’ but….” She trailed off as a new golden star suddenly flickered into life just above the horizon, blazing bright and pure, “Ah don’t understand? What is it ah’m lookin’ at here, Princess?”

“Each of these is a pony. Each star is their spirit, their life force if you will. The younger the pony, the brighter the star. That, dear Applejack, is a pony that has just been born. A unicorn colt, born to a small mining town near Appleoosa. His parents have yet to decide on a name for him.” She smiled softly, then turned her attention back to her guest. “This is my refuge from day to day life. This is not something I share with everyone, but it is important to understand why it is that thy brother has caught my eye and stirred my affections. You have been to Canterlot, yes?” She paused and looked back at Applejack, though she already knew what the answer would be. “You know what the ponies there can be like. In the court there are always plans and schemes, the dance of politics never ceases and when you are newly returned from a thousand year banishment after attempting to plunge the world into eternal darkness.” She offered Applejack a wry smile, “Then it can become quite a strain to deal with, especially when you are alone.”

She began to walk slowly through the grass, closing her eyes a moment to just enjoy the feel of it brushing against her legs, spreading her wings a little to enjoy the breeze that brushed over her feathers. “But in this place, I can find peace. Stillness. Your brother is not brash, nor a show off. He is not too diffident, nor over confident. Fools mistake his silence for a lack of intelligence but you and I, we know better. He considers each word before he speaks and only speaks when needed. Your brother would help me find the stillness I crave in the waking world as well as here.” She paused a moment, “There is more, but I feel it perhaps not my place to say. Things I have seen in his dreams, things he has said when he speaks to my night. They will remain just between the two of us but please do not think that I am interested in your brother for my own selfishness. I believe there is much I can offer him in turn.”

Applejack just nodded as she walked silently beside the Princess. “He ain’t seein’ nobody.” She confirmed, “Ah mean there was that whole incident with the love poison, but him and Miss Cheerilee ain’t nothin’ but friends as far as I can tell. He ain’t no coltcuddler neither, so that ain’t gonna be an issue.” She swept her Stetson hat from her head and rubbed at her mane, “Shoot, ah guess ah can’t see any reason why ya shouldn’t at least give it a shot, then it’s up t’him whether or not he wants to see where it goes.”

Luna could barely contain her delight as she swept Applejack up in a hug and squeezed the farmer tightly to her breast, “Oh THANK you, dear Applejack! Thou shalt not regret this! I shall be sure to treat thy brother with the kindness he merits!”

Applejack could only wheeze a quick “You’re welcome,” as she struggled for air in the Princesses exuberant grasp. “So… When you gonna do this?” She finally managed to force the words out once the Princess loosened her grip.

“You will see me soon, Applejack.” Luna promised as she stepped back, “For now, it is time for you to return to your dreaming.”

“Well, uh, have a good night, ah guess. Should ah let Big Mac know that you’re gonna be comin’ callin’ on him?”

“I would appreciate it if thou didst not. Not yet. There are certain preparations I wish to make before I see him.”

“Fair’nough. See ya, Princess!” With that, Applejack faded and was replaced by the glittering red star. With a flick of her horn, Luna sent it back to its proper place with the others and smiled a triumphant little smile.

Chapter 2 - The Calm Before...

Dreams of Flying
Chapter 2

“COME’N’GET IT, EVERYPONY!”

Big McIntosh stirred in his warm, comfortable bed, lifting his head up to peer blearily out the window. Another day on the farm, the sun just peeking up above the horizon, painting the vast orchards of Sweet Apple Acres with red and gold till it looked like the trees were ablaze. He glanced up, noticing the heavy cloud cover that was reflecting the sunlight and grunted to himself. That’s right, the Weather Team had promised heavy rain over the south orchard today, it was in dire need of the water. When had they said they’d be here? Noon? Well, that gave him plenty of time to finish what needed doing.

He rolled out of bed, all four hooves landing on the floor with a heavy thud, slipping his head through the heavy wooden halter and shrugging it down to sit comfortably on his shoulders with one smooth, well-practiced movement. Funny, some ponies in town thought he actually slept with it on, thought it was maybe part of him like it had just spontaneously grown in place. Folks around here sure did get some strange notions in their head some days.

Stopping just long enough to clean his teeth and splash water over his face before patting his mane down into some semblance of order, the big red stallion clomped downstairs to join the rest of the family.

“Mornin’ AJ, Granny, Applebloom,” he whickered as he settled at the table. He took a deep breath and sighed in pleasure at the scent of pancakes, grits and coffee; all the things a growing stallion needs before a day working the fields. Granny Smith and Applebloom both beamed at him before they fell to their own plates but he was surprised to see Applejack staring down at hers, absently drawing patterns in the remains of the syrup with the tip of a hoof. Funny, looked like she was drawing a crescent or something.

“Uh, AJ?” He ventured in his deep, slow voice drawl, “Y’all right?”

“What? Oh, mornin’ Big Mac. Didn’t see ya come in there. Didn’t sleep real well that’s all. Weird dreams.” Strange, even as the words left her mouth she seemed to recall a dream with a weasel and.. Princess Luna? Nah, couldn’t have been. Her mind was obviously just playing tricks on her. Luna and Big Mac? Oh come on, her brother was certainly a fine figure of a stallion but she was a Princess! She’d more likely go after one of the Wonderbolts or one of the Canterlot elite. She’d heard rumours that Luna had even been seen in private conversation with one of the star hoofball players from the Canterlot Colts. Just a weird dream then. Not interested in Big Mac at all. Nope. Never happening.

“Ah’ll be in the South field.” Mac said as he helped himself to some food, “Need t’finish up there ‘fore the storm.”

“Oh yeah.” Thoughts of odd dreams were pushed aside as the needs of the farm took over. “Ya need a helping hoof?

The big stallion shook his head before he took a big bite from the stack of syrup-drizzled pancakes, licking his lips before simply replying, “Nope.”

“What about you, Applebloom?” AJ turned her attention to her younger sister, “It’s Saturday. You and the girls got more crusadin’ to do?”

“Course we do! T’day we’re gonna be doin’ Cutie Mark Crusader lumberjackin’, Cutie Mark Crusader arch… Archieoo… Diggin’ up bones! Cutie Mark Crusader taxidermy, Cutie Mark…”

Applejack simply nodded at the appropriate spots, having learned by now to simply tune out the long list of things the three blank-flanked foals were going to be doing in increasingly desperate attempts to get their cutie marks. She’d tried nudging the three in the right direction when their individual talents became obvious but apparently what was obvious to her was still a mystery to the trio and the end result had been them bringing the house down, well the stage anyway, following one of the most “interesting” rock ballads she’d seen in a while.

“…’An then we’re gonna go see Twilight at the library! She’s gonna be with Rainbow Dash! Dash is teaching both her and Scootaloo how to fly!”

“Wait, wut?” Applejack blinked as she mentally rewound the conversation. “Rainbow is giving flying lessons? T’Scootaloo AND Twilight? Boy howdy, this ah gotta see! See y’all later! I’m gonna find a good spot for this!”

Without waiting for a reply, Applejack planted her hat back atop her head, snatched up an apple from the breakfast table and galloped out the door, closely followed by Applebloom, who didn’t even stop to lick the syrup from her face as she pursued her sister with a frustrated, “Hey! Wait fer me!”

“Huh.” Mac returned to his breakfast, finishing the last of his pancakes before helping himself to an apple, munching thoughtfully away on it while Granny cleared up the dirty plates. Well, as amusing a thought as it was to see Twilight struggling to fly, and Rainbow Dash attempting to be patient, there was plenty of work that needed doing so he might as well get on to it.

Leaving the house once he’d finished his morning coffee in his usual contented silence (well, he was silent while Granny Smith went on about whatever topic had caught her fancy that particular day), Mac again gave a wary glance up at the sky. The weather team was usually spot on but he wasn’t sure he entirely trusted their estimates this time round. Some of those clouds looked as if a breath of wind would set them off. Best not to hang around, there were chores to be getting on with.

Sliding his head through the yoke he hitched himself up to the wagon and trundled down the dry dirt path towards the orchard, noting the little puffs of dust that were thrown up with every step till the feathered hair around his ankles was coated with dull brown grime. The ground was almost painfully dry, this rain couldn’t come at a better time.

With every year that passed, it seemed to get that much harder to get the weather they needed around the farm, Cloudsdale always insisting that there was some shortage or another, some other town that needed the rain more than them and their facilities were “already stretched”. Luckily Rainbow Dash was a master at getting every drop of water from the clouds they were sent and wasn’t above nudging errant rainclouds from the Everfree Forest into Ponyville’s borders when nopony was looking.

Luckily no wrangling of wild clouds was needed today. This rain was all scheduled and approved and he was glad of it, even if it meant a soaking. Arriving at the orchard he left the cart by the gate and quickly set to work, humming softly under his breath as he turned about at the first tree.

Applebucking looked easy, but that was because he and his sister were able to make it look easy. He still remembered Dash’s abortive attempt after losing a bet with Applejack, the pegasus too proud and too headstrong to listen to any of their advice. One buck later and she’d damn near broken both her legs as they slammed into the trunk and the tree didn’t budge an inch. They’d made sure she was alright, of course… After Applejack had stopped laughing.

He looked up at the heavy branches overhead and their cargo of ripe, perfect fruit, barely a breath of wind stirring the leaves. He’d suspected, sometimes, that being able to grow like this was a particular kind of earth pony magic which was why you didn’t tend to hear of unicorn or pegasus farmers. Racial prejudices aside, earth ponies really were just made for it, body and soul.

A soft breath, a moment to pick his spot on the trunk, that innate sense of just where he had to hit guiding him to where he knew the perfect spot would be. Mac’s hooves lashed out in a perfect arc and connected with that invisible sweet spot.

~THUD~

Just as he knew they would, the apples rained from the tree as they were all jolted loose from their branches at once, landing in neat piles in the baskets he’d set out for them. Checking to make sure he hadn’t missed any he gave a satisfied nod and moved to the next tree and continued working.

By the time noon rolled around, Mac had finished near half the south field and was lining up for the last tree in this particular row when he felt the skin between his shoulder blades prickle uncomfortably, like someone was watching him. Huh. Well, knowing folks around here that could mean anyone from Dash sleeping in a… No, couldn’t be her, she was busy with Twilight. Maybe it was the Crusaders with yet another hare brained… No, couldn’t be them either, at least two of them were with Dash and it was unlikely Sweetie Belle would be out here alone. Maybe it was Pinkie Pie planning to spring some sort of random, zany surprise on him? Possible, but unlikely. He wasn’t aware of anything that needed a Pinkie Pie party to celebrate and as random as she was, Pinkie always had a reason for doing something.

So, that eliminated all the most likely candidates but the question remained. Who or what was watching him? Timberwolves were a possibility this close to the Everfree but after the pounding he gave the last pack unwise enough to set foot on the farm he doubted they’d be back anytime soon.

He paused with one hoof raised to buck and turned to look back over his shoulder, eyes widening in surprise. Staring back at him with sullen, angry cat-like eyes was a grey, bat winged pegasus clad in ornately decorated purple armour, a frilled helmet planted firmly atop his head. Mac had never seen one up close before, but everyone knew who they were and who they served but that still left one question; What was a member of Princess Luna’s Night Guard doing in Ponyville?

The silence stretched out as Mac looked at the pegasus and the pegasus stared right back at him. Finally it was Mac who broke the silence, “Help ya?” he asked simply, tilting his head to one side.

“No.”

Mac wasn’t really surprised by the stallion’s taciturn reply and just nodded agreeably before he bucked his hoof back into the tree and resumed working. Checking to make sure he hadn’t missed any apples, he moved on to the next row of trees, occasionally flicking an ear back in the direction of his curious guest. The armoured pegasus continued to watch him, tail absently flicking from time to time, never saying a word, barely moving.

Definitely curious, Mac decided. No sign of any Princesses, no sign of any other troops or anypony at all for that matter. What had he done to attract the attention of one of Luna’s personal guard?

“Why you?” The question interrupted Mac, halting him in mid-buck for the second time. He returned his attention to his near-silent audience.

“What was that there?”

“Why you? What could possibly be so special about you?” The pegasus growled now, voice thick with emotions Mac couldn’t decipher. Anger, confusion certainly, but there was something almost wistful about it, some desperate need to understand… Understand what, Mac had no idea, but it was obvious there was a lot more going on in this pegasus’ head than he was privy to.

“Can’t rightly say.” Mac finished his buck, the apples raining down into the baskets once again. Nearly done, and not a moment too soon, the first spots of rain staring to fall, pattering against the leaves overhead. “Storm comin’,” he added, though he doubted the pegasus would pay him any heed until he’d done whatever it was he’d come here to do.

“That there is. You have no idea, farmer.”

Now that right there was just unmannerly. He was well aware, of course, that some pegasus looked down on earth ponies as being good for little more than growing crops, as a lesser species that should know their place, but he’d never expected to run into one of that particular lot in Ponyville of all places. There was such venom in that one word “farmer”, like it was the deadliest insult the pegasus could throw at him.

Had he upset him somehow? Insulted him? He’d never had dealings with any of the guard before, though of course there was that rumour that they all looked alike thanks to a glamour cast on their armour. Could be he’d met this particular individual in the street and never known it.

But still, what could he have done? He treated everyone he met equally, never lied, cheated or stole from anypony so why would this one hold such apparent animosity? Mac mulled it over but had to admit he really couldn’t think of a single thing even as he slammed his hoof home into the last tree, sending the apples tumbling neatly into the waiting baskets. One quick check later, a satisfied nod, and he helped himself to a well deserved snack from the top of the pile as he relaxed a fraction after a job well done.

Mmmhmm, crisp and juicy, with just the right amount of sweetness. This crop was a good one and should fetch them a good price at market. Not everything the Apple family produced was sold in Ponyville, there were far too many trees for that even with the residents’ seemingly insatiable desire for their goods. They had begun to ship a fair amount of their produce out to Canterlot and even as far as Manehatten thanks to Rarity of all ponies putting them in touch with folks with the right connections. Who knew the prim and proper fashionista still kept up with some of her parents’ old business partners?

Mac turned back as the rain began to fall in earnest. The pegasus was still there and still staring, unflinching as the rain began to glisten on his armour and mane, the wind beginning to pick up now. Okay, this was getting to be a bit odd, even by Mac’s standards, and he’d once fought half of Ponyville for possession of a raggedy old doll.

“Well,” he offered in one last vague attempt to be, if not friendly, at least polite. “See ya’round.”

“You will, farmer. Be sure of it.” The pegasus growled, and this time that vague animosity was gone and there was nothing left but pure, unadulterated hatred so strong that it took Mac aback, pinning his ears to his head, left so surprised he could find nothing to say as his visitor spread his leathery wings and leapt into the air. One quick flap of his wings and he shot up and into the clouds, disappearing from sight.

Now what the hay had that all been about? Maybe Twilight would know if there was something odd going on with the Princesses now that she was one too. Maybe that was it? Perhaps there were going to be night guards in Ponyville to take care of their newest princess? Well, okay, say that was true then what possible reason could they have to take offence with him?

He sighed and shook his head just in time for a large, heavy raindrop to land right in his ear, making him snort and shake his head all the harder before it trickled too far inside. Damn, this was neither the time or place for that kind of woolgathering. Quickly grabbing the baskets in his teeth he began to ferry them back to the cart as quickly as he could as the dry paths swiftly became muddy channels under his hooves.

Thoughts of strange pegasus were pushed to the back of his mind as Mac got back to work. Whatever his visitor had been talking about, he was sure it would all work itself out in the end.

Chapter 3 - An Admission

Dreams of Flying
Chapter 3

The groove in Luna’s floor was coming along nicely. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been working on it, pacing from the windows that lead out to her balcony to the foot of her bed and back again, occasionally glancing outside at the clear, moonlit night she’d given to Equestria. She’d paused in her pacing just long enough to raise the moon, not even bothering to join her sister to do so, then returned to her musings. She wondered if he was in his bedroom, looking up and perhaps thinking on how lovely her night sky was. Ugh! She was worse than a lovestruck foal with a first crush!

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this way. Well, she could, but very dimly, almost as if it had happened to somepony else. Applejack had said yes. She was free to express her affections to McIntosh and then… She faltered a moment. There was, of course, always the chance he would reject her advances, even with Applejack’s reassurances that he was not otherwise spoken for. What if he didn’t like her? What if he preferred his fillies smaller, or without wings, or maybe he simply wouldn’t be able to look past the fact that she was a Princess?

She turned at the wall to begin to pace back towards the door when her train of thought was neatly disrupted by the sound of a knock at her chamber door.

“We said we did not wish to be disturbed!” She growled as she stomped across to pull the door open with her magic, expecting to see some guard or functionary there with yet another irritating demand for her attention but instead she came nose to nose with the gently smiling face of her sister. “Tia?”

“Hello, Luna. I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m afraid we have a very serious matter to deal with that couldn’t wait.”

“Of course, Sister,” she stepped back to invite the glowing white alicorn into her room. “What vexes thee? Has Discord returned to his old ways? Mayhap Chrysalis and her Changelings again threaten our borders?”

“It’s something a little closer to home,” was Celestia’s less than helpful reply. With a brief flash of her magic she summoned a scroll and held it in front of her as she unrolled it, cleared her throat and began to read. “Repairing damage to the marble floor, six hundred bits. Compensation for lack of sleep, twelve hundred bits. Replacement horseshoes (prematurely worn out), fifty bits per hoof.”

Luna just stared as her sister solemnly read out the increasingly long list of spurious and, in some cases, downright fictitious damages. Really? A highly trained pony whisperer to soothe the damaged nerves of the thestrals she was keeping up at night with her pacing? Realignment of the main telescope in the observatory because her pacing had knocked it three degrees off center?

“Four hundred bits for Timberwolf Wax?” Luna finally exploded, slamming her hoof down. “Sister, what is this nonsense? Thou claimed we had a truly serious matter to attend to!”

“Timberwolf wax is terribly serious,” Celestia replied with a completely straight face, thousands of years of schooling her expression allowing not a single hint of mirth to escape. “It’s incredibly difficult to obtain and the last group of soldiers we sent in barely escaped with their lives. I do hope you realise that this will likely put a serious strain on our finances for the next year. In fact, we may even have to take the truly unthinkable step of no longer having pancakes at breakfast in order to save money.”

“Thou… You…” Luna spluttered incoherently, then blinked and just glared at Celestia, her ears pinning back. “Thou’rt teasing me again,” she stated, her voice flat and cold.

“Of course I am,” was the infuriatingly calm and unruffled reply. “I’ve been teasing you for centuries, after all. I’m not about to stop now. It did stop you pacing and really, we have had some complaints that people can hear you all the way down in the main ballroom. Luna… What is on your mind? Don’t say nothing, because if you do then I’ll have no choice but to continue reading from this list and it only gets sillier from here.”

The midnight-blue alicorn was left hesitating as the time came to actually confess to her sister. “What… What wouldst thou do…” she began in a faltering voice, then growled under her breath and turned away to stare out of her window. “No. It is of no mind, thou needst not trouble thyself.”

“Lulu,” Celestia’s voice was gently chiding. “You should know by now that you can’t just sweep this under the rug. All that happens then is you’ll keep tripping over it when you least expect.” The gleaming white alicorn stepped forward to offer a tentative nuzzle to her sister’s shoulder that Luna at first ignored, then subtly leaned into as a long, soft sigh escaped her lips.

Luna gathered her courage and asked as simply as she could. “What wouldst thou do if I were to take a lover once more?”

Celestia, to Luna’s surprise, didn’t look surprised or taken aback by the question. “So that’s what this is about. I should have guessed,” she shook her head. “Has it truly been so long since Swift Spark that I failed to recognise the signs?”

Of course. That had been his name. Well, that was one quandary resolved, but another remained and it would seem that all her fretting about how to broach the subject with her sister was entirely pointless as Celestia, once again, already knew what was going on. “You knew,” Luna shook her head and sighed, “I should have guessed. I never was good at keeping secrets from you.”

Celestia briefly looked pained, “You were, once.” She gently reminded her sister. “And no, I did not know what exactly was bothering you but I suspected. I had hoped you would come to me before now but when you did not…” She paused, then let the matter drop. Their particular trust issues were, she knew, likely to be a problem for many years to come and now was hardly the time to raise them again. ”So then, a lover. Who is the lucky stallion or mare that has caught your eye? Do I know him? I can’t see you taking someone from Canterlot, they would be a little bit too close to home and the nobles would certainly attempt to exert their influence.”

This time it was Celestia who began to pace around the large room, occasionally stopping to glance upward at the sky, “I can’t see you dating one of the Wonderbolts;” she paused, “to be sure, when we say ‘lover’ do you mean someone for a night of passion or are you seeking something more, Lulu?”

“Tia!” Luna snorted indignantly. “Were it just some quick roll in the hay, would we—would I—be worrying like this? Not that you’d know anything about such things,” she added sullenly, still a little put out that her sister was, seemingly, one step ahead of her yet again. “No. This is… I hope it is…” She trailed off and dropped her head down to let her mane drift down over her muzzle. “It’s more.”

“Well then. It’s not anyone in Canterlot,” when Luna didn’t reply, Celestia continued with her guessing, “I can’t see someone from Appleoosa really catching your eye, a little too rough and ready there and while you never seem to want someone too stuck up you’ve never been drawn to those with entirely no refinement. Hmmm. Your Night Guard have been seen spending an awful lot of time in Ponyville, now that I think on it,” she gave her sister a little grin. “Am I getting warm?”

“I am in no mood for thy games, Tia,” Luna growled, lashing her tail behind her. “If you have come to my chambers merely to bait me, go and find Discord. I am sure he will be more receptive to thy foolishness.”

Celestia finally sighed and, schooling her face to a more serious expression, she stepped back to wrap her wing around her smaller sister. “Luna… Lulu. I’m sorry. I just worry about you when you get things bottled up like this and I find that sometimes teasing you a little is the best way to get you to tell me what’s truly on your mind. You should know you can talk to me about anything.”

The smaller alicorn glared at her bigger sister, “There was a time when I could not,” she pointed out, unable to keep the bitterness from her voice. “A time when we barely spoke of anything of consequence and we know how that ended. How can I talk to thee now if thou wilt not take me seriously? Do not treat me like a child, Celestia! I am as old as thee!” She slammed her hoof down again and this time her voice deepened, her star-filled mane billowing around her as her power stirred.

Celestia winced inwardly at this display. There, she had done it again. There were some days they were able to laugh and joke together and then there were the other times, like now, when everything they said or did just seemed to rub salt into partially-healed wounds. “I cry your pardon, Luna,” she bowed her head as she spoke. “You’re right. I just… There’s some days it’s as if nothing had ever changed, as if she had never come here and taken you away.”

Luna nearly said it, nearly pointed out that the sending away had not been Nightmare Moon’s doing, but that was an old hurt, one that time would eventually ease and there was no advantage in bringing it up now except to be vicious and that was not what she wanted to do. “It has been less than three years, Tia. Pain that old does not vanish so quickly,” she took a slow step towards her sister. “I want things to be as they were between us sister, for us to have the closeness we once shared, but both of us need to be mindful of old habits and old assumptions.” Luna dropped her head down as well and pressed her neck to Celestia’s, her eyes closing as she drew a long, slow breath and let it out in a sigh. “We will be fine,” the midnight blue alicorn whispered, “In time. All I ask is that you respect the decisions I make, as I respect yours.”

Celestia nodded, “You are right, of course. I will try and do better, I promise.” With that she nuzzled once more and then stepped back a little to lift her head. “So? Will you tell me who it is, Lulu? Which lucky stallion has caught your eye?”

Luna hesitated before turning and walking out onto her balcony, resisting the urge to look through her telescope which was, as it was so frequently these days, again pointed towards a certain farm in a certain town not so far away. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, her emotions in turmoil as everything she had planned to say, every way she had imagined this conversation potentially going, span away and out of her control. Finally, there was really only one thing she could say, “McIntosh Apple.”

Celestia’s eyes widened, “McIntosh. The one they call Big Mac? Really?” It slipped out before she could rein it in and she promptly looked chagrined, her ears splaying out to either side, “I’m sorry, Lulu. That was unkind of me. I just never considered one of the Apple family might catch your eye. They’re very… Rustic.”

Luna simply glared at her until Celestia stepped forward to apologetically nuzzle her Sister’s cheek. “I really am sorry, Lulu. Please, believe me I am not trying to belittle you or your choices. It’s just that… McIntosh Apple. You must admit he’s an odd choice, if you don’t mind me saying. You haven’t spent a lot of time with him.”

“Perhaps not in person, no, but he has spent a great deal of time with my night. I have heard him speak to it so many times now, sharing dreams and hopes he cannot bring himself to share with others.”

“Dreams and hopes you can fulfill?” Celestia almost sounded sceptical, even challenging.

“Yes.” Luna snapped as she stepped away from her sister, “Dreams and hopes that no mortal mare could fulfill, not even your precious student. McIntosh is—He will be—we will-“ Celestia’s renewed embrace interrupted her frantic struggling for the right words.

“Peace, Lulu. I really should know when to stop my prodding at you but your choice of paramour does cause me concern for a number of reasons. I need to be sure this is not some passing fancy, that you are… Serious about taking this further.”

Luna stared down at her hooves before answering, “I know who he is, and what he is. Brother to the Element of Honesty, a friend to your student.”

“And a commoner,” Celestia added. “Pardon the brutal honesty, but you have to know how some of the nobles will react.”

Luna bristled now at the verbal prodding, her ears folding back once again. “This is no longer the thirteen century, Tia. We are no longer obliged to marry into the noble houses only! What do we care of what they will say? What right do they have to dictate our choices in love?”

“Equestria is not a dictatorship, Lulu. We cannot simply make decisions without considering the effect they will have on those that help us govern.”

“GOVERN? THEM?” Luna’s temper erupted once again and as her power flared the alicorn seemed to grow taller, older, jabbing a hoof down towards Canterlot as she spoke, “We have seen them at our Night Court. We have seen their petty maneuverings and posturing! We have seen them bicker and scheme and plot in their desperate attempts to gain prestige for their houses and names! What do we care for their opinions? They cannot touch us!”

“No, you’re right, they can’t touch us,” and now Celestia’s voice was soft and sad. “But they can touch him,” and she gently patted the telescope.

Luna’s eyes widened as the meaning sank in, “They would not DARE;” she snarled. “Even ones as self-absorbed as they would not think of interfering in our affairs!”

“Are you willing to bet his life on that assumption, Lulu? That’s what you’re going to be doing if you pursue this. McIntosh, and I mean this in the kindest of ways, is not a special pony. He is not a great hero, nor an Element bearer, nor a noble. I cannot easily protect him as I might Twilight. Can you protect him every day, every hour?”

Luna glared at her sister, her teeth clenched, “It is not thy decision to make. Nor is it mine. McIntosh is no fool, he will know the risks and the consequences of becoming involved with one such as we. You will not make that decision for him, Celestia, nor will I, but I promise you this; if some unlucky accident should befall him, if he should die in a strange accident on the farm, if he should suddenly take his own life, or be struck by a bolt of lightning…” her voice grew darker and angrier with every word. “Then I will blame the nobles of this town and that I will not forgive. They will be made to understand the true measure of the mistake they have made!”

Celestia said nothing, instead turning to gaze out over Canterlot, the silence stretching out till even Luna fidgeted a little in place, buffing an imaginary speck off the telescope’s polished stand.

Celestia took a slow, deep breath, then sighed softly. “As Princess Celestia, I know what I should say. I should caution you, warn you. I should tell you to be very careful of the path you’re about to walk down, of what it could cost you and the impact it could have on Equestria. I should remind you that regardless of desire, you are anything but a normal mare and you cannot escape that as much as you might try. There are eyes on us, always, and not all of them are kind,” she paused and kicked a forehoof lightly against the balcony. “But all that said, when there are only the two of us, when it is merely Tia and Lulu… Then I wish you all the happiness in the world, Lulu, truly. You wish to take a lover? A commoner? Then if that is what makes you happy, I will support you without hesitation. McIntosh is a fine stallion, the Apples are strong, hardy stock, always have been. He’ll make a more than worthy consort for you and,” Celestia paused for a fraction of a second, giving her sister a playful wink, “might I add, he does have a most delightfully firm rump.”

“TIA!”

***

Prince Blueblood could scarcely believe his ears. It wasn’t enough that Celestia had seen fit to raise that lowborn unicorn Twilight Sparkle to the ranks of the royalty but now Luna was talking about doing the same to some farmer? Pure chance had seen him step out onto the balcony of his suite, set a little ways down below that of the Princess of the Night. He had never once imagined that he would be privy to a conversation of this importance.

A farmer? Princess Luna was seriously considering sullying the royal bloodline with the most common of stock? Why not just court a mule or zebra in that case and be done with it? This simply could not be allowed to stand, could not be tolerated, would not be allowed! He was sure that if they petitioned Celestia, with the full voice of the nobles raised in outcry, she would deny her sister this abject foolishness!

Luna had to be made to understand that there were things one simply did not do these days and a Princess courting a common farm pony was most certainly one of them. Had she merely expressed an interest in male company he was sure he or any one of the other nobles, as inferior to him as they might be, could have satisfied her but it seemed the Princess had a taste for, ahem, rough trade.

He gazed at the balcony, watching the two alicorns talking, their voices quieter now as Luna calmed down from her initial outburst. Of course, if Luna refused to listen to reason, then there were other steps that could be taken. Nothing so crass as assassination, no no. There were plenty of other ways to dissuade someone like that getting any ideas of rising above his natural station.

“You, colt,” he glanced over his shoulder at the young unicorn servant that was busily folding his formal clothes and stacking them neatly in the wardrobe. “Find me Red Tape, tell him Prince Blueblood wishes to see him. Now.”

Author's Note

Hello folks. I had to upload this one again, I really wasn't very happy with the flow of conversation between Luna and 'Tia, it felt very abrupt in places. I'm a lot happier with the flow of this now.

Chapter 4 - Gossip

Dreams of Flying
Chapter 4

“WATCH OUT!”

Rainbow Dash leapt to the side at the last moment as Twilight careened down from the sky to plough a lovely, long furrow in the soft dirt, ending up with her head buried under a pile of pushed-up turf, her lavender rump waving in the air and her wings flailing wildly as she tried to pull herself upright again.

“Seriously, Twi’,” Dash shook her head in despair as she helped the alicorn extricate herself from her latest crash landing. “How can someone as smart as you be so terrible at this? You must have read books on flying, right? You know the theory.”

“Theory and reality are two very different things, Rainbow,” Twilight sighed as she sat on her haunches, shaking her head a little to try and rid herself of the ringing in her ears from her fourth abortive attempt at landing that morning alone. “I don’t think this is ever going to come naturally to me. I still think and react like a unicorn, even if I have these now,” she flapped her grass and twig coated wings and hung her head.

“Aw, cheer up Twilight!” Scootaloo was as relentlessly, indefatigably, irritatingly cheerful as ever despite her own inability to get into the air. Rather than the flight exercises she was torturing Twilight with, Rainbow was working the pegasus filly through a series of exercises designed to strengthen her wing muscles, making sure that she had every possible advantage before they tried to get her into the air. “Maybe you’d just be better off on a scooter like me?” The filly continued. “Have to be a really big one, though. Maybe you’d be better off with a seat on it rather than standing? I bet with wings as big as yours you’d go fast enough to leave almost anyone in your dust. Anyone apart from Rainbow, of course.”

“Heh. Damn right, squirt.” Rainbow fondly tousled Scootaloo’s mane before turning to the small group of ponies that had gathered to watch the training session. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy were sat on a large checked blanket, ostensibly having a picnic that JUST so happened to be right next to the field where the training session was going on. Entirely a coincidence… Yeah, and she was Discord’s half cousin.

Rainbow was sure that the last thing Twilight needed was an audience when she was nervous enough in the air as it was but the alicorn had insisted that her friends be allowed to stay, that they helped encourage her rather than distract her.

“So Trixie and Berry Punch, huh?” Applejack shook her head as she munched thoughtfully on a fritter. “Who woulda thunk it?”

“I know! Isn’t it simply deliciously scandalous?” Rarity replied as she sipped at a mug of tea held neatly with her magic, “I wonder if Trixie has truly learned her lesson this time after that nonsense with the Alicorn Amulet?”

“The great and apologetic Trixie? Ah ain’t holdin’ mah breath.” Applejack muttered as she finished her treat and laid back on the blanket. “Still, Berry should keep her in line. That mare ain’t half the lush folks think she is.”

“Oh yeah! Berry’s sharp as a tack!” Pinkie agreed. “One time I accidentally gave her the wrong change when she bought muffins; they were blueberry apple surprise, or was it apple blueberry surprise? Or Appleberry surprise? No, wait, couldn’t have been, I just made that up!”

“Pinkie…” Applejack sighed.

“Oh right! So I gave her the wrong change by mistake and even though she looked kinda—“ Pinkie rolled her eyes in circles and swayed from side to side. “She spotted the mistake RIGHT away and told me I’d got it wrong and she was rightrightright!” She briefly looked forlorn, “I hate it when I get it wrong. I just had to give her another muffin free of charge to say sorry!”

Fluttershy promptly reached over and gave Pinkie a hug that soon had the bouncy pink pony giggling happily all over again. Normality restored, Applejack turned her attention back to the three fliers, watching as Rainbow ran both Twilight and Scootaloo through a set of cool-down stretches after the exercise.

“Hey Twilight!” she called. “You heard anythin’ from the Princess lately?”

Twilight paused in the middle of picking the last few blades of grass from her mane, “Hmm? Oh, no Applejack. Not recently, anyway. Everything seems nice and quiet for once. Oh no, I’ve jinxed it now! Quickly somepony, knock on wood for me! I promise I didn’t mean it!”

“Ah’m sure it’s fine, Twi’,” Applejack assured her friend before Twilight could work herself up into one of her now-legendary frenzies, “ah was just wondering if Celestia had said anythin’ about Princess Luna. Y’know, just makin’ sure everything’s right with her and all. Must be weird for her, right? Just back from her banishment and now suddenly she’s got another kinda-sister to deal with? Wonder if she’s dealin’ with it okay.”

“I’m sure Princess Luna is just fine, darling.” Rarity assured the farm-mare. “Celestia won’t let the whole Nightmare Moon thing happen again; I’m sure she’ll give her sister all the support she could want.” She paused, a little frown furrowing her brow, “Not that I intend to belittle your concern for our friend, the Princess, I must say I think this is the first time I’ve heard you ask after her. Is something on your mind, Applejack?”

“Huh! Oh… Nothing, er… Nothin’ at all. Just wonderin’. Must be rough for her, comin’ back after so long and then havin’ some people still treat her like she’s gonna snap and turn into Nightmare Moon at the drop o’a bit. That and bein’ alone for so long. Ya gotta wonder what that might do to the inside of a pony’s head, right? Who knows what sort of crazy notions might take root in there!”

“Just what kind of crazy notions are we talking about here?” Rainbow butted in. “Are we talking about declaring a goldfish the new mayor of Ponyville type crazy or downing a whole case of Sweet Apple Acres Reserve in one sitting crazy?”

Applejack fidgeted as all eyes turned to her, digging a hoof into the corner of the blanket and twisting it about as she tried to think of a way to dig herself out of the hole she’d abruptly found herself in. “Well, ah, that is… Alright, look, she didn’t exactly swear me t’secrecy but ah doubt she’s gonna want it getting’ about either so y’all gotta Pinkie Promise right here and now that what ah say don’t leave your lips. You too, Scootaloo. Not a word t’Bloom, Sweetie Belle or anyone.”

“Aw ponyfeathers…” Scootaloo grumbled, hope briefly rising that Applejack had forgotten she was there.

“Mind your language, young lady!” To everyone’s surprise it was Fluttershy admonishing the young pegasus rather than Rarity. She coughed and ducked her head down, “I mean, uhm, if that’s okay with you. That’s just really a very rude word for someone so young to be using.”

“Riiiiiight,” Rainbow drawled, “whatever. Moving on. Pinkie promise, yaddayadda, cupcake in my flies, what’s going on, Applejack?”

“Rainbow Miriam Dash!” Pinkie exclaimed, “That’s not how you do a Pinkie Promise and you know it! Now do it right, like this! Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye! Now you!” She stared at Rainbow Dash with all the intensity of Spike eyeing up a particularly shiny gem.

The multicoloured pegasus sighed and began the motions, “Cross my heart, hope—“

“That’s not it!” Pinkie yelled again, “That’s not your heart! That’s more like… Cross my lung and hope to die. That doesn’t even make sense!”

“Geeze! Alright, fine! How about here?”

“Mmmm… Lil more to the left.”

“Here?”

“Down a bit.”

“HERE?” Dash growled, jabbing her hoof against her chest.

“That’s it! Right there! Okay, now do it right this time!”

“Uh, Pinkie? Can we maybe just take it as read that everyone knows the right way to make a Pinkie Promise?” Twilight ventured, “I mean, does it need to be quite so accurate?”

“Well no, not really,” Pinkie admitted with a bright and cheery smile, “I was just making a point to Miss Rainbow Grumpypants Dash here!”

Five hooves met five faces as five loud, exasperated groans filled the air, followed quickly by a yelp of, “Always the eye! Ow!” Six Pinkie Promises were hastily and correctly given and all eyes turned to Applejack who had been so distracted by Pinkie’s sudden tirade that the thought of fleeing while everyone was looking elsewhere had never entered her mind.

“Uh… Ah think Luna might have a thing for Big McIntosh.” She couldn’t think of any other way to say it so she just came right out with it.

There was a moment of silence, broken by a loud, shrill squeal of delight as Rarity leapt forward and clasped Applejack’s face between her hooves, “Tell me EVERYTHING. What did she say? How did she say it? Does Mac know yet? When will the wedding be? Did the Princess seem excited? Does Granny Smith know yet? You must tell us EVERY. LITTLE. DETAIL.”

Applejack attempted to say something, but all she could do was stick her tongue out and mumble something incoherent. Pinkie, meanwhile, was all but vibrating in place at the news, “This is going to be the most amazing tremendously fabulosoriffic party ever! A “Princess Luna thinks you’re hot, she wants your big red—“

“PINKIE!” Fluttershy clamped her wing down over the party pony’s muzzle and jerked her head towards Scootaloo, who was just looking confused by all the talk, “Ixnay the otplay,” she hissed, “there are young ears present!”

“Oh, uhm, sorry.” Pinkie apologised to Scootaloo, “You should probably forget what I just said there, for a few years anyway.”

“And no party, dangit!” Applejack finally managed to force Rarity’s hooves away from her face, “Ah told ya that Mac doesn’t know! Luna ain’t spoke to him yet so we ain’t gonna spoil it by havin’ one of you blurt it out! Y’all done made a Pinkie Promise and ah’m gonna hold ya to it.”

Twilight, meanwhile, was looking rather stunned by this sudden bit of news. “Princess Luna and… Big McIntosh? The Princess is taking a….” She swayed a little in place as the full implications of this began to sink in, “But that means that if Luna can then Celestia could and that means that we could, I mean I could, she could… If Luna can go on dates then that means I can go on dates which means Celestia can… Ineedtogowritealetternow.” Without another word, Twilight turned and galloped full speed back into town, leaving the other girls staring at the cloud of dust and grass she left in her wake.

“Uh… Right then,” Dash deadpanned, “I guess training’s over for the day, squirt. Same time tomorrow?”

***

“Essence from the flowers of the Everfree. You will need no more drops than three.” Zecora advised Mac as she passed him the small green bottle, “Apply it once each morning and night and it will soon have you set right.”

“Thank ya, Miss Zecora.” Mac rumbled as he accepted the medicine and slipped it into his saddlebags. His left shoulder had been aching something fierce since that morning when a loose plank in the barn had fallen and whacked him good and proper, catching him completely by surprise. It wasn’t like him to be caught napping, “Y’all have a good day.”

“Thank you for your custom, Mac. I hope to your normal self you soon will be back.” The zebra gave him a friendly smile and wink before turning her attention to her next customer, “Ah, Miss Lyra Heartstrings. Now what is this that you bring? More proof of humans, I do not doubt. Perhaps this time you will not leave with a pout.”

Mac resisted the urge to shake his head as he clopped sedately down the main street. Lyra and her strange obsession. No matter how many times one of her “finds” in the forest turned out to be something entirely mundane she kept trying. How BonBon put up with her was a source of curiosity to more than just this stallion.

He turned his attention back to his surroundings just in time to give a startled whinny as Twilight all but crashed straight into him, the alicorn only seeing him at the last moment as her wings flared out and promptly tangled about her own hooves, sending her staggering into him with a thump against his withers.

“Miss Twilight?” he asked. “Y’all right?” Hah! Zecora wasn’t the only one that could come up with rhymes.

“I, uh, I’m fine. I’m really sorry about-- Oh! Big Mac! I, er, that is, you have a good night with… I mean a good day with… You have a nice day! I need to Princess a letter about plots--I mean I need to plot a Princess about letters--I mean… Oh bother! I need to go! Bye!”

Well, even by Twilight’s standards it was rare to see her so flustered, the alicorn galloping off without a backward glance. What was that about plots? Maybe the nerdy librarian had finally found herself a stallion? He supposed the Princess would want to know all about that, Twilight being her pupil and all.

He resumed his lazy walk through town, rather enjoying having an afternoon to himself where all his chores were done and he could tend to a few light errands without needing to run back to the farm. In fact he was in such a good mood he decided it couldn’t hurt to pop into Sugarcube Corner and treat himself to something a little tasty.

Granny Smith and AJ did make amazing food, but a stallion can’t live on just apples alone and Mac did have a fondness for Pinkie’s amazing cupcakes, not that he’d ever admit it to the rest of the family in case they think he was cheating on the Apple family legacy or somesuch. Applejack did sometimes get her mane in a bunch about the oddest things so it was easier to keep such little indiscretions quiet.

Pushing the door open, he took a moment to breathe in the sweet, cinnamon and frosting scented air of the bakery. Oh Celestia, he was sure he could feel his flanks expanding just from the amount of sugar in the air.

“Hiya Big Mac!” Pinkie’s voice greeted him as he clopped up to the counter, “I’ll be right… Waaaaait a sec. BIG MAC!” Pinkie suddenly sprang up from the floor like someone had zapped her with a bolt of magic, her entire body rigid and quivering as she pushed her nose right up against his. She opened her mouth, then promptly shut it again, then opened again, and shut, a look of utter frustration on her face.

“Uh…. Everythin’ alright, Pinkie?” Mac finally ventured after long, uncomfortable moments of Pinkie’s fish impression and her increasingly frustrated mien.

“Yeeeeennnnnoooosssssppppeeee?” The pink pony hissed from between clenched teeth, her quivering now escalating into a somewhat worrying vibration that had Mac taking slow, wary steps back and away from the counter in case the mare suddenly exploded. "Theressomethingiwannadobuticantdoanditsworsebecauseyourehereandicanteventalktoyouboutitanditsdrivingmenutsandithinkimightexplodeandohrightbyethen!”

Mac had seen and heard enough. He backed right out the door before Pinkie had even had time to draw another breath. Nope! Nooooope. He was after a nice, quiet day and insane vibrating mares were so not on the list of things he wanted to be dealing with right now. He’d just go to BonBon’s instead and get some chocolate from them, hopefully BonBon and… Wait. Lyra was speaking to Zecora. That meant as soon as she was done she’d likely go and wail and rail at BonBon about how “they” were suppressing knowledge of humans and he didn’t want to get dragged into that sort of conversation either! Well ponyfeathers. No treat for him today.

“Hey, Big Mac!” A familiar voice called from overhead. Oh no. NoNoNOPE. He couldn’t deal with any more mares being strange today. He flattened his ears down and kept on walking, trying to pretend like he hadn’t heard the voice calling to him. “I said hey! Ya deaf or something?” An acorn bounced off the back of his head and he uttered a long, mournful sigh.

“Ms Dash,” he rumbled as he turned around to face the blue pegasus, sprawled out on a cloud overheard. “Help ya?”

“Me?” Dash replied in a sweet, innocent voice, “Oh no, I’m just awesome as always. How’s it going with you? Had any weird dreams lately, maybe?”

Mac blinked. Okay, there had to be something in the water, in the air maybe. What was with the mares in this town? “Mmmnope.”

“Really? Nothing you feel like maybe sharing with the rest of us?” She even gave him a big, exaggerated wink. Definitely something in the air. He’d better get out of town quickly before he started acting as insane as the rest of them. If it wasn’t want it/need it spells it was love poisons or insane personifications of chaos making him act like Winona. Sometimes he wondered if maybe he’d be better off just moving to the Gates of Tartarus. Might be quieter there. So, rather than rising to the bait (not that he had the slightest clue what she was going on about; he hardly ever remembered his dreams), Mac just stared at Rainbow in silence. The pegasus stared right back. Mac flicked his ear, Rainbow flicked her ear. He shifted his weight back, she shifted forward.

This went on till she sighed out loud and stuck her tongue out at him. “Oh fine. You’re no fun,” she grumbled, “I’m outta here.” With that she took to the air with a flick of her multicoloured tail, leaving nothing but a rainbow streak in her wake. Nope. He definitely wasn’t playing with any more crazy mares today. He was going to go back to the farm where it was safe and quiet and the only thing he had to worry about was the Crusaders and their latest insane scheme.

Thankfully, and much to his relief, nothing more stood between him and the safety of his home and it was with a soft sigh that he closed the door of the house behind him and dropped his saddlebags to the floor. He’d only taken two steps away to go and fetch himself a drink when a knock at the door brought him to a halt.

He cast his gaze upward, giving the universe an admonishing little shake of his head. Seriously, what had he done to deserve this today? Was one quiet day so much to ask? Well, he could at least get this done quickly and find some time to himself; there was still plenty of time left as long as this wasn’t anything important. He pushed the door back open with a quizzical “Eeeyup?” that died, silent, in his throat at who he found standing outside.

“Good day, McIntosh Apple. Might we come in and speak to thee a while?” Princess Luna asked.

Mac, operating almost without thinking, stepped aside and motioned for the Princess to come into the house and decided that he and the universe really needed to sit down and have a nice long chat.

Chapter 5 - The Proposition

Dreams of Flying
Chapter 5

It was time to take stock for a moment. Was he awake? He was pretty certain of it. Turning his head to quickly nip at his own shoulder confirmed it, also ow. Why did he bite the one that was already bruising up nicely? Still, definite confirmation that he was awake. Of course, it could always be that the beam had actually smacked him on the head and this was some elaborate dream? He doubted it, he simply wasn’t that imaginative and… Was she staring at him? She was staring at him. Oh right, probably because he was gawping at her with his jaw hanging slackly open like a fool.

Mac gathered the remnants of his dignity and pushed the door shut, waving a forehoof to motion for the Princess to step into the kitchen. Might as well sit down and have a cup of tea; wouldn’t do to not offer royalty a little hospitality. As she walked ahead of him he couldn’t help but notice certain things about his unexpected guest. Much to his surprise, they were the same size; that was a pleasant change for sure. He’d got used to looking down on near everyone around Ponyville; he was even bigger than most of the local stallions and he sometimes got a terrible crick in his neck if he wasn’t careful.

Secondly, she wasn’t all skin and bone like he had been expecting. He’d seen those Canterlot ponies, living on nothing more than a handful of leaves and a tiny glass of water, apparently scared that anything with some actual substance to it would immediately cause them to swell up like one of Pinkie Pie’s balloons.

Celestia was all leg, and while she did have a very pretty, errrr no. No thinking about royalty like that. Nope. Definitely not looking at Luna’s rump to compare it to Celestia’s, definitely not noticing how the dark alicorn’s toned muscles could be seen shifting beneath that fine coat of midnight-blue hair, how her starry tail was swishing and… NOPE. He shook his head firmly to stop that particular train of thought right at the station before the passengers had even had time to board.

She must be here on business. Maybe they were looking for a new supplier for the Palace kitchens? This could bode well for the fortunes of the family!

“Most quaint,” Luna mused as she looked around the kitchen, even closing her eyes for a moment as she drew a deep breath and enjoyed the smells of apples, spice and soap. “We do not mean that as a slight, far from it. It is a pleasant change from the Palace kitchens and dining rooms with their pomp and ceremony. “

Mac was still having a bit of trouble with the reality of the situation. No matter how many times he turned to look at the reassuringly mundane surroundings of the kitchen, each time he looked back he still found Princess Luna standing there with a slightly embarrassed look on her face that, if he was honest with himself, actually made her look quite cute.

NoNoNoNo. There it was again. They’d rescheduled the train of thought, got a replacement in play and were trying to load it up all over again. Quick, say something. Say something meaningful, something thoughtful. Just say something!

“Eeeyup.” …Damn.

Luna cleared her throat, “We understand this must be confusing for thee. Thou’rt no doubt wondering what our purpose is in being here.”

"Lil bit.” Mac deadpanned, then paused and motioned to the table, “Tea?”

“Would be most pleasant, McIntosh Apple. Our thanks.” She seemed a little relieved by this most mundane of offerings, quickly sitting herself down and giving her mane a shake. He was excruciatingly aware of her eyes on him as he busied himself at the stove, setting out the utensils and putting the kettle on to heat. He struggled with that a little, grumbling to himself as his huge hooves simply didn’t fit into handles and grips designed for a more normal-sized pony. They’d talked about getting ones more suited for him but, as usual, they simply didn’t have the money for it.

As he attempted to fill the kettle he was startled to find it glowing blue, floating from his mouth to hover under the tap. “Allow me,” Luna said as her magic turned the tap and filled the kettle while Mac got the stove going. He gave her a quick nod and a hint of a smile, not noticing the blush that coloured her cheeks as she set the kettle down to boil.

That simple ritual attended to, he sat across the table from her, watching as she fidgeted with her forehooves, the awkward silence drawing out till even Mac felt the need to say something to break the increasingly oppressive atmosphere, “Ain’t nothin’ wrong is there, Princess?”

“Oh! Oh no, not in the least. You have our apologies if we have concerned thee. No. We are--This is--We are not here in a formal capacity,” she lapsed back into silence after this statement, staring fixedly at the tabletop as if she was trying to count every little line and scratch in the wood. “In truth we came to ask thee, to ask you, something McIntosh Apple.”

Okay, so not bad news, that was a start. Probably not to do with the farm supplying the palace either. Oh no, had she come to draft him into the Night Guard or something? While being able to fly would certainly be amazing, he wasn’t sure he really wanted to be sporting bat wings. Maybe they needed a new gardener? He wasn’t sure what he thought about spending his time working on flowers and shrubs rather than the orchard. “Eeeyup?” He gently prompted, hoping to coax a little more in the way of explanation from her.

“We—I—wondered if you would consent to having dinner with me. Tonight.” Starting out so softly that even Fluttershy would think it a little on the quiet side, her voice gained both speed and volume as she all but blurted it out all at once and then sat there, gazing expectantly at him.

At this juncture, in romance novels, he was sure that he was meant to have more than one thought running through his head, that he should feel something more than complete astonishment, but the only thing he could think to say was, “Wut? Ah… Ah don’t think ah heard ya right there, Princess?”

“Dinner, McIntosh Apple. You and I. Tonight.” She hesitated and even bit down on her bottom lip, “T’would be just the two of us, somewhere other than the Palace. This is not to be a formal affair, I merely wish to spend some time in thy company.”

“Are… Y’all asking me out on a date, Princess Luna?” This was kind of an important point here but it was fairly obvious at this juncture that she was, going by the way she dipped her head down so her mane covered her face, giving him what could only be described as a coquettish look and a shy nod of confirmation.

“I… believe that is the common term now, yes. Will you come on this date with me? There will be fine food, wine and entertainment. I can promise thee a most enjoyable evening. That is, I believe I can.” And there was that strange switch once again. One moment she was every inch the confident ruler of a nation, looking him straight in the eye, the next she was back to the inexperienced filly asking out her first school crush from behind the safety curtain of her mane.

“But… Why?” He couldn’t think of anything else to say, couldn’t find a way in which this could possibly make sense. “Why me?” What could the Princess be thinking? Was she looking to slum it with some farmhand? Maybe she had a fondness for rough trade and thought she could find it here. Part of him certainly would enjoy rutting her till she couldn’t walk straight, a dark little voice in his mind betting that plot of hers could take some punishment, but at the same time he’d waited this long for a reason and he wasn’t about to jump atop the first mare that so much as winked at him.

“Because I have heard you, Mac,” her voice was soft as she lifted her head to meet his gaze. “I have heard the secrets whispered to the stars when you think no-one is listening. In some respects I know thee better than thine own family. I know you have never lain with a mare, waiting for the one who will truly capture your heart; I know that there are days you dream of flying and I know that you worry for the security of your family and for young Applebloom’s future.”

Mac could feel his cheeks burning, feel the rush of blood to his ears as she proved that she had indeed heard all the things he’d said when it was just him and the stars and the silence, when he could wonder out loud about all the things that might have been in another life. “Ah’d ‘preciate you not spreadin’ those around, Princess, that first one in particular. They ain’t things ah intended for anyone to hear.”

“Oh, I, of course. You’re right. You must forgive me, McIntosh. I sometimes forget that…” She cleared her throat and looked down at the table, muttering something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, “This was easier when we only had concubines.”

He turned quickly from the table as the kettle began its shrill whistle, making sure that the sudden loud noise wasn’t in fact coming from his own ears as his cheeks flushed an even brighter shade. Focusing instead on the familiar task of making a pot of tea he tried to gather his thoughts and tried very, very hard not to think about that last comment.

Foremost in his thoughts was that one single question - Should he say yes? He could think of many reasons to say no, but the more he thought about it the more those reasons seemed petty and shallow, worries about what might be or what could happen, concerns over what people might say, not about himself, but about the Princess. He lifted the tray of cups and teapot and set it on the table before retaking his seat, his brow furrowed in a frown. “Y’ain’t worried about what folks might say?”

“And what would they say, McIntosh?” She asked as her magic again flared, pouring the tea for them both in an arcane display that Mac could only watch with admiration. Before his wide eyes she effortlessly manipulated the cups, spoons, pots and jars in an intricate dance of liquid and vapour as she poured the drinks for them both. The fact a Princess was serving him his tea wasn’t entirely lost on McIntosh either.

“That ya can do better,” he stated bluntly even as his cup came to settle in front of him. He gazed down at the slowly swirling amber liquid for a moment, “They’ll say that you’re demeanin’ yourself by hanging around with some farmer from a backwater like Ponyville rather than some lord or high-flier from Canterlot or Manehattan. There’ll be a scandal, Princess.”

“And this worries you?”

“Not especially,” he replied with a laconic shrug of his broad shoulders. “We ain’t got secrets t’hide. Let’em say what they like. Them as matters won’t make a fuss, and them as make a fuss don’t matter. But you… Ain’t so easy for you, Princess. You got a lot more eyes on ya.”

“This is true, but there is really only one thing that matters to me, Mac.” She set her cup down on the table and leaned forward a little, “Regardless of what these others may think or say, regardless of what might happen should we pursue this, is there a reason why you should refuse my request? Do not worry about the others, for this moment think only of thyself and answer me true. If there is a reason why thou should say no, then I will depart and leave thee in peace. No more will be said.”

He finally looked back up to find her still watching him, her own expression schooled into an unreadable mask, star-filled mane slowly shifting in that breeze only she could feel. Was there a reason he should say no, a real reason? Was there something more than just the nebulous maybes or could-bes? He knew a lot of folks thought he was sweet on Cheerilee, or on Fluttershy, but while he considered them both friends he had no aspirations there, content to leave those relationships as they stood.

The truth was that no, he couldn’t find a good reason to say no to her, but at the same time he was still a bit too startled by the whole situation to be able to come up with many reasons to say yes. He hardly knew her other than through her all too brief visits to Ponyville, visits that had left him… He blinked as it struck him. Too-short visits that had left him wishing he could spend more time getting to know her and, just like that, he had his answer. “Ah’d like that, Princess. Ah think ah’d like that a whole lot. I’d be mighty honoured t’have dinner with you.”

“You… You are? You will?” His response had been so slow coming that she had already begun to steel herself for the rejection she was sure was coming. A heartbeat later Mac found himself wrapped in her forelegs and smothered against her chest as she squealed in exultation and lunged around the table to scoop him up. “Thou’lt not regret this, Mac!” She promised, “This will be an evening to remember!”

Mac was fairly certain it would be, one way or the other, assuming he lived that long. At this point he was aware of a number of things. Firstly the Princess was surprisingly strong, those forelegs trapping him against her like iron bands; secondly, he was pleasantly surprised to find she smelled faintly of lavender; thirdly, and surprising for other reasons, was the knowledge that part of him was actually rather enjoying this. This, it seemed, was a mare that was quite capable of keeping up with an earth pony in the strength stakes. Lastly, and rather more pressingly, her embrace was actually making it rather difficult to breathe, his face smothered into her coat in an uncomfortable fashion.

Mac attempted to give a muffled reply, but it wasn’t until the tapping of his hoof against Luna’s leg got increasingly frantic that she released him and stepped back, shyly rubbing her hoof against her ankle. “We beg thy pardon, McIntosh. Our enthusiasm got the best of us. We would never intend to hurt thee.”

Taking a deep breath of sweet, delicious, vastly-underrated air, Mac nodded and waved a hoof in dismissal. “So,” he finally managed to gasp out. “Tonight?”

“Tonight. We shall send a chariot for thee.” She opened her mouth to say more, then frowned as a thought occurred, “Mac, I do not mean thee to take this as an insult but perhaps it would be best were we to keep this courting between I and thee to begin with. Your concerns are not entirely without merit and I would rather that our courting be carried out without a burden of unwanted attention on either of us.”

He could certainly understand Luna’s concern, and her need for privacy. The pressponies in Canterlot were well known for being unrelenting in sniffing out gossip about the nobility and the royal family especially. The normal goings-on at the palace were picked over with a fine tooth comb, the slightest incident filling the papers with rampant speculation and rumour.

If it were to become public knowledge that Luna was seen in the company of a common pony there’d be a scandal at the very least, press invading the farm, getting in the way when the family was working… No, he had to agree with her, best they keep a lid on things until they were certain this relationship was going to go somewhere beyond just one date.

“Eeeyup,” he agreed and tapped a hoof to the side of his nose as he winked. Nothing more needed to be said.

Luna gave him a warm smile and the two walked in companionable silence to the door. Mac stepped ahead to quickly hold it open for the Princess who suddenly paused at the doorway with a thoughtful look on her face. “There was a custom once, when I was young. An exchange of tokens, a declaration of intention, if you will. I would give thee a token, Mac. You need not worry about returning it just yet; it is hardly fair to expect thee to reciprocate when this is the first thou’rt hearing of it.”

Her magic flared and with a soft ~pop~ of displaced air, a blue orchid appeared on the table beside the cups and plates, the colour of that single bloom a near perfect match for Luna’s coat.

“An exchange of flowers to begin with,” she explained, “between courting couples, in the colours of their respective coats. Should things progress between us then there are other tokens which might be exchanged. In the case of pegasi they would offer each other a feather, for instance.”

Mac’s haunches came crashing down to the floor as he gently scooped the flower up between his forehooves, staring down at it as the reality of the situation came crashing down on him full force. He was really going to do this; this was actually happening. Princess Luna was really in his house, really asking him out on a date and he’d really accepted.

“Eeeyup,” was all he could find to say, lost for anything else to add. All he could do was look helplessly up at Luna, then back down at the flower he was cradling like it might shatter at any moment.

“Till tonight then, Mac.” Luna smiled as she trotted out, leaving the stunned stallion staring as the door closed behind her.

“...Eeeyup?”

Chapter 6 - The Plan

Dreams of Flying
Chapter 6

Luna bade Mac farewell and trotted down the dusty road that lead back to town, past the long rows of sweet, fragrant-scented trees laden with the fruit that had made the Apple family famous. She could barely restrain herself till she was out of earshot of the farm before she reared to her haunches and clopped her forehooves together in delight, loosing a loud “HUZZAH” of triumph!

Mac had said yes, he had said YES! She dropped back down to all fours, making no attempt to hide her broad, silly smile of delight. So it hadn’t gone exactly as she had hoped. She’d been rather hesitant at first, his poleaxed expression when he opened the door not exactly boding well for the outcome of the conversation.

Getting in the front door had been the first challenge, but in truth there had been little real fear that he would turn her away. The Princess of the Night asking to speak to him? Her title guaranteed that she would at least make it inside. The rest. though, had been far less certain and in truth their conversation had been somewhat stilted in places on both sides. No great surprise, perhaps.

In hindsight she should have probably let him relax a little. They could have spent a little more time with small talk, rather than simply proposing this liaison with him straight out, but then she doubted anything would have truly made McIntosh relax. Really, what did she know of small talk these days? McIntosh would likely have little interest in the latest tax legislation or trade agreements that were the stock in trade of life in the castle. She further doubted that he would have much interest in the gossip among the noble families, even if she did have some truly juicy morsels to share about what some of those ponies got up at night to when they thought no-one was watching...

No, this would take time, she knew. Time to make him see the mare behind the crown, time for them to grow easy with each other’s company, and that all started tonight. She bit her bottom lip as she picked up the pace a little, breaking into a trot as she headed back towards Ponyville… Only to come to an abrupt stop three steps later as the smile slid from her face and was replaced with a look of horror as one teeny, tiny, insignificant little problem suddenly reared its head.

She had promised the object of her affections a night to remember but there was just one issue with that – She had no idea what ponies did these days.

In her time there were tourneys and formal balls and rules for such things, but she doubted McIntosh would feel at home at the Gala, and while she was certain he would do well at a tourney it was hardly the sort of thing you attended on a first date, definitely fourth or fifth date material there at least.

What would she do? Her options were further limited by the necessity of keeping their courting low key for the moment, so that easily eliminated any of the diversions available in Canterlot; there were simply too many curious eyes there for them to take the chance, even with the assistance of her guard detail keeping ponies away.

There were some secluded places around Ponyville, to be sure, but simply taking him out for something as mundane as a picnic was simply not… impressive enough for her. No, she had to make her intentions plain, that she intended to not only woo this stallion, but win him too. But how? She needed help, advice, but who could she turn to? Certainly not Celestia; her Sister was not the sort of pony you turned to for advice on such things, and the thought of the teasing she would receive was enough to make her shudder. No, definitely not Celestia.

Perhaps Cadence? Of course! Cadence had known Shining Armour since the two of them were young, they had dated as they had grown up. She was likely the best candidate to instruct her on how one went about a modern courtship. But she did not know McIntosh, so any advice she could give would be generic at best. Cadence would be the best one to consult about the process as a whole, but she still required rather more specialised knowledge of what entertainments were on offer around Ponyville itself.

Picking up her hooves, Luna skipped once, twice, then leapt into the air with a strong sweep of her wings, skimming the orchard treetops as she lofted up and into the air towards Ponyville, a cloud of scattered leaves in her wake. It was hardly the most discreet of arrivals into this normally-quiet town, but time was against her! She had promised Mac a date this very evening so there was not a moment to waste.

She let the warm updrafts lift her higher, soaring into the cloud-speckled expanse. An alicorn’s broad wings were built for gliding, not the frantic sort of flying that pegasi practiced. She may not be as quick as someone like Rainbow Dash, but she would still be gliding serenely along long after Dash would have to stop to rest.

Closing her eyes for a moment she relaxed, breathing in the sweet scented air of the countryside, feeling her Sister’s sun bathing her face, letting the wind currents caress over her body and brush through her feathers like silken fingers. Gods, but it felt good to fly free like this, for once not surrounded by a team of guards, or forced to ride in a chariot for ‘her own protection’. Her captain of the guard would be furious that she had, once again, slipped the leash as it were. He would probably not realize till later on, when the time came for her to raise the moon and he came to escort her to the observatory she favoured when she performed the magic.

Of course what he had never quite grasped was that she did not need to be there to perform her duty, and tonight she had no intention of being home before her Sister retired. This was her night, hers and Mac’s. She looked forward to the day she could share this experience with him, already imagining the delight on his face as he took to the air. She wondered if he would let her carry him. He’d likely fuss, no doubt, complain that he was too heavy. Well, she would soon disabuse him of that particular notion though the thought of his strong, heavy body atop her own was enough to make her start to feel more than a little warm.

Noooo, she chided herself. Nope. It was far too early to be thinking such thoughts. She carefully put that thought into a mental box, then buried the box, then built a mental house on top of where she buried the box. It helped.

A little.

With a shake of her head and a wry smile she set her musings aside and swooped down to the town below. She passed beneath the Ponyville Weather team, hard at work clearing the sky of those last few lingering clouds. “Princess Luna!” one of them called out. “Is everything alright?”

She waved a hoof absently in response, not waiting for a reply as she swooped down towards the town, hearing a burst of confused conversation in her wake “Wonder what she’s doing here? Maybe something for Nightmare Night?”

Luna circled above the town, peering downwards and shading her eyes with one hoof as she searched for one particular place of business. Where was it? She had seen reference to it in the letters from her Sister’s student. Ah! There it was! Quills and Sofas, a singularly odd combination of businesses if you asked her, but who was she to judge?

Landing lightly outside, she swept the door open with a hoof. “Proprietor!” she thundered, the Royal Canterlot Voice making the windows shake and the beams rattle. “We require thy finest quill and parchment! Fetch them forthwith so we might complete our most important task!”

Davenport, the owner of the shop, was too busy clinging to the floor to answer as the sheer power of Luna’s voice all but forced him back up against the wall. When the alicorn paused for breath the beleaguered earth pony slowly raised his head, his voice trembling. “Quills we got, your Majesty, but I’m afraid we, uh, don’t actually stock parchment.”

“WHAT?” Luna bellowed, then coughed and lowered her voice a little as the poor stallion cowered on the floor once more and a few billowing clouds of dust were dislodged from the ceiling. “This establishment is called Quills and Sofas, is it not?”

“That it is, your, uh, Benevolence,” Davenport squeaked, “and that’s what we got in stock. Quills and sofas. We, uh, don’t deal in quill-related accessories.”

Luna opened her mouth, then closed it again, pursing her lips as she thought that statement through. It made, she supposed, perfect sense in an insanely specific way. “Did it not occur to thee that those who purchase quills might also require something on which to use them?”

“I don’t presume to assume what Your Grace or any of my other customers might want the quill for; it’s not for me to comment on what ponies do with my products,” Davenport responded with just a hint of indignation, suggesting this was a particular line of reasoning that he’d already heard many times before. He then blinked, seemed to remember just who it was he was speaking to and went on in a rather more respectful tone, “but if it’s parchment you want, the Ponyville mail office usually has plenty in stock.”

“And do they have quills there as well?”

“Well yes-“ Luna’s expression brightened but he wasn’t finished. “But not to buy.”

“What?” She deadpanned, the frown re-appearing.

“Well, p-ponies might need to write d-down addresses on their parcels or some such,” he stammered out. “So they have some chained to the counter.”

“So what thou art saying is that we must purchase our quills here, and then find this post office to purchase parchment?” Luna sighed, fighting the urge to slap her hoof against her face. This sort of thing would never happen in Canterlot but… When in Roam, do as the Roamans do. “Then we would purchase your finest quill, proprietor. Thou mayest bill Princess Celestia at Canterlot Castle.”

“Princess Celes-Right! Of course!” He darted up from the floor when Luna glared at him, her eyes flashing dangerously until he was out of sight. On her own for the moment she relaxed and snorted softly, already looking forward to the conversation she was going to have with Celestia when the bill arrived. She did so enjoy her little games with her sister, and she still owed her for that “timberwolf wax” nonsense. There would be repercussions, of course, but that was just the way the game was played. When you lived forever, you had to find ways to make your own fun.

“Here you are, your Worshipfulness. Finest phoenix feather, gold nib, inlaid with magical enhancements to protect against smearing, smudging or premature breakage.” He laid the box down reverently on the counter before tugging the lid open with a flourish to reveal the shimmering red quill, sparks of phoenix-fire still glittering around the edges.

Luna’s eyes widened and a soft, impressed “Oooooooo” escaped her lips as she admired the surprisingly beautiful writing implement. “And dare we ask how much the bill is for this thing of beauty, Proprietor?”

“That’ll be eight hundred bits, your Excellence. These don’t come along very often, in fact this is only the third one I’ve ever had the privilege of stocking and I’m right honoured you’d choose to buy the very best.”

Luna was rather proud that she managed to keep the look of shock from her face. Eight hundred? Even shops in Canterlot would be hard pressed to ask those sorts of prices, but then she supposed that he did have a point. Phoenix feather quills were a rarity indeed, due to their owner’s somewhat annoying habit of burning to ash when they died. She also made a mental note to keep her new quill away from Philomena, just in case her Sister’s mercurial pet decided that it once belonged to a relative of hers.

Davenport went on, “Now, would you like that gift-wrapped, Your Highness?”

“Nay, we shall be using it immediately.” Her magic wrapped around the quill and tucked it somewhere deep in the recesses of her mane. “You do your shop proud, proprietor. Perhaps thou should look into carrying stock of parchment as well, though.” Luna stepped back outside and paused for a moment to take her bearings. Now, she mused to herself, where would you find the Post Office?

“You!” She thrust an imperious hoof at a stallion with an hourglass cutie mark who had grovelled on the ground as she exited the shop. “Where might we find the Ponyville Post Office?”

He didn’t make eye contact, but did extend a trembling hoof to point down along the street. “Just a couple of m-minutes walk, your Highness!” he blurted out around his faceful of the floor.

“You have our thanks!” she bellowed, only then realising that she was slipping into old habits once again. “I mean, thank you.” she offered the poor stallion a soft smile and hurried off in the direction he had indicated.

Trotting cheerfully past the Town Hall, Luna was surprised to find her path blocked by a grey-haired mare, flanked on each side by somewhat dour-faced stallions carrying clipboards and quills. It took a moment for the correct name to come to her; the last time she’d seen Mayor Mare that grey mane had been hidden under a garish clown wig. Ah, that had been a fine Nightmare Night indeed. Such a pity she’d not been able to come the next year as she had promised, but then she had been tied up assisting Cadence with the Crystal Empire. Returning from a thousand year exile did generate quite a lot of paperwork, something she’d already had intimate experience of.

“Princess Luna, is something the matter?” The Mayor asked after she’d finished bowing, “We had no notification of your arrival or we would have ensured you were properly received.”

“No reception is necessary, Mayor,” Luna briskly assured her, hoping to keep the conversation brief, painfully aware of the slow but inexorable progress of her Sister’s sun overhead. It was a perplexing position to find herself in, she decided. Here she was, a creature that measured her life in millenia, and suddenly time seemed to be against her. “We are in Ponyville on business of a more personal nature, nothing that need concern thyself or thy staff. Now, if thou dost not mind, we must attend to the local Post Office.” She made to take a step forward, then stopped at the look of horror that had just crossed the mayor’s face.

“What did she do now?” the Mayor asked in the longest-suffering voice Luna had heard in many a year.

“What did who do?” Luna couldn’t help but ask. For such a small, ostensibly quiet town she did seem to spend a lot of her time here puzzling at the strange behaviour of Ponyville’s inhabitants.

“Ditzy Doo, known as Derpy to her friends, one of our Mailmares. Did she lose an important message for you, Princess?” the Mayor shuddered. “Was there property damage? Ponyville does have an emergency fund for Ditzy-Doo related incidents, I’m sure we can come to an arrangement that-”

“Mayor Mare?”

“-mean there was the incident with the town hall roof, and the problems during Winter Wrap-up but there’s no more dedicated-”

“Mayor?”

“-sure that whatever happened, she really didn’t mean it. There’s not a single hateful bone in her body. Please tell me you haven’t come here to relieve her of her position!”

“MAYOR!” Luna bellowed, the Canterlot Voice in full effect. “Our business here does not concern this mare or thyself! It is, as we said, a personal matter. We are not here to discharge any of our Royal duties. We just…” she sighed softly. “We just wish to be allowed to go about our business. Quietly.”

Mayor Mare blinked, adjusting her spectacles and clearing her throat self-consciously. “Well, of course. If that’s what you wish, Princess Luna, then we won’t detain you any longer.”

Luna could see the unspoken questions in her eyes, the curiosity that was eating at her, desperate to ask just what it was that had brought the Princess of the Night to her humble little town but decorum was an unforgiving Mistress and all the Mayor could do was step aside and allow Luna to continue down the street unimpeded.

“Oh WOW!”

Luna sighed inwardly, closing her eyes for a moment as she pursed her lips. Was the Universe out to mock her today? She was beginning to wonder how anyone in this town found time for more than the briefest of thoughts, it seemed they were always being interrupted! Now, she chided herself, that was just being unfair. Was it really that much better back at the palace where she had nobles and messengers and functionaries hounding her from dusk till dawn? Setting those thoughts aside she opened her eyes again to find a pink earth pony standing in front of her with a wide smile on her face.

“I was a chicken!”

Luna blinked, cocking her head slowly to one side as she attempted to parse this statement. Wait, of course. She was referring to their meeting on Nightmare Night. She winced a little internally at the memory of that particular night and her abortive attempts to endear herself to the population. If it hadn’t been for Twilight Sparkle and her friends that might indeed have been the last ever celebration of that holiday. “We do indeed recall thy costume, Pinkamena Pie. We also recall thine incitement of the children to run in terror from us and the many accusations of terrible acts that thou made against us that night.” It was childish, she knew, but she couldn’t resist letting her magic slip, just a little, her eyes glowing as her mane spread wide, wings flaring outwards as she loomed over the suddenly nervous Pinkie.

“Well, I mean, that is, we did, I didn’t mean…” Pinkie stammered helplessly, caught off guard by the sudden shift in the conversation. “Ah, er… We did bring you candy though, right? I mean it was all good! You gave us all a really good scare and you said you’d eat the candy instead of us!”

“Oh yes, so we did,” Luna noted, and let her magic recede, the glow fading from her eyes as she tucked her wings back against her flanks once more, once again a model of serenity. “Thine offering was sufficient so we shall refrain from gobbling thee up. Now, may we assist thee with something, Pinkamena?”

Looking back on it, Luna really wasn’t entirely sure what happened in the next few seconds. One moment Pinkie had been standing nervously over there, trying to decide if the Princess was serious about eating her and the next she had a pink foreleg draped over her shoulders and Pinkie’s cheek was pressed right up to hers as the earth pony whispered, “Didja tell him?”

Luna turned her head as best she could to fix one eye on the gleefully grinning pony, trying to fight the urge to back away. “Tell who?”

“Big Mac, of course!”

Luna blinked. She was aware of this particular pony’s supposed predilection for prophetic insight; she had seen it mentioned more than once in Twilight Sparkle’s letters, but had put little stock in it, assuming it to be mere coincidence. To have it demonstrated like this was more than a little uncanny. “And how dost thou know about this?”

“Oooooohhhhh don’t you worry your spangly star-filled head about that, Princess! We Pies have our ways and means.” Pinkie nodded sagely. “So. Did you ask him then? Is that why you’re in town? Are you looking for something to do with him where you won’t be bothered and asked lots of silly questions like ‘Who are you and what are you doing with McIntosh, you fiend?’ Wait. No, they probably wouldn’t ask you that, they know who you are! Oooohhhhh! I bet that’s it! They all know who you are so if you’re seen with Mac then people will ask lots of questions like, ‘Why Princess Luna, what are you doing with McIntosh, you fiend?’ So what ARE you going to be doing with McIntosh, you fi-Errr…Princess?”

Luna just stared slack-jawed at Pinkie for a few seconds longer as her brain attempted to process that stream of words into something approaching coherence. “We do not know,” she admitted at last, sighing quietly. “It has been many years since we last courted and we are unsure of what ponies do these days to impress those they favour.”

“Ooohhhhh. I gotcha. That’s a toughie, yepyepyep.” Pinkie tapped a hoof to her cheek, hmmming loudly. “Well there’s almost always something going on in Ponyville, but you’d need to know somepony who knows everypony and could tell you everything that’s going on. Wait! You do know somepony who knows everypony and could tell you everything that’s going on. You know ME!” Pinkie pulled away to bounce happy circles right around the Princess. “And I know eeeeeeverybody in Ponyville! Why today we’ve got Twilight giving a lecture at the school on ‘Thaumaturgical theory and its application in beginning unicorn magic’. I dunno what that is, but she seemed real excited about it!”

“I think, perhaps, a little dry and cerebral for a first date,” Luna deadpanned. “But we shall keep it in mind.”

“Okiedokielokie! What else is there? Uhmmm… Octavia Philharmonica is in town doing a recital this evening at Carousel Boutique. Ooooorrrrrrrr Applejack is doing a cider tasting of the latest batch from the farm but that might be too much like work for Mac. Ooo! I know! My friend Vinyl Scratch is in town! She was going to be doing a set tonight at Berry Punch’s bar! Do you like music? Have you ever heard of DJ-P0N3? She brings the wubs! Soooo many wubs! She’s got wubs you haven’t even dreamed of!”

Luna rubbed her forehead, already feeling a headache coming on from trying to keep up with Pinkie’s rambling discourse on the surprisingly rich nightlife of Ponyville. “What… What are these wubs you speak of? Is this something that McIntosh would enjoy, do you think?”

“I dunno! Maybe! Mac likes all kinds of music. I bet he’d like Vinyl’s beats! He’d be all over that like chocolate chips in a cupcake! Like apples in a pie! Mmm! Apples. Oh no! I haven’t had breakfast today! I need to go and eat something! Did you know I’ve got the oddest craving for apple pie right now, wonder why?”

“Wait, Pinkame—Pinkie,” Luna blurted, suddenly afraid that her strange adviser in social matters was about to bounce off in search of food, “we shall buy thee the biggest apple pie there is in Ponyville if thou wilst tell us more of this Vinyl Scratch and her wubs. Will there be many ponies there? It is important that we keep things discreet between us to begin with, so fewer would be better.”

“Oh no, there’ll be LOTS of ponies there! DJ-P0N3 brings them in from miles around!”

“Ah,” Luna sighed, imagining one of the balls from her younger days, so many ponies standing around, gossiping and talking, eyes always on those taking the floor, watching exactly who was dancing with whom, observing shifts in political allegiance and family relations played out in those measured steps. “Then this would, I fear, be less than suitable for us.”

“Oh no! It’d be perfect! You’ve never been to anything like this, I bet!” Pinkie resumed her bouncing, her smile getting wider still. “It’s all dark and the music’s thumping and the crowd’s moving and swaying and everypony’s just grooving and cheering and not really paying any attention at all to who might be right next to them! You’d be all but invisible! I can even tell Vinyl that you’ll be there so that she knows not to draw any attention to you, just to treat it like any other night. If I don’t tell her and she sees you, she might give you a shout out and that would be baaaaad!”

“A… shout out?” Luna could only ask weakly by this point, the beginnings of a throbbing headache creasing her forehead. “These wubs you speak of do not sound particularly romantic. It does not seem that we will have much chance to get to speak to one another at this event. Art thou certain Mac would enjoy an evening such as this?”

“Trust me, Princess. This is what ponies do these days! We go out, we go dancing and drinking and partying and singing! This’ll be a chance for you and Mac to relax and have some fun! Dance together! Drink together! I bet this won’t be anything he’ll be expecting; he’s probably worried you’re going to take him to some fancy restaurant or something where he’s going to feel really awkward and out of place! This way you’ll just be two ponies, just a mare and her coltfriend out for a good time. That’s what you want, right? You don’t wanna be all Princessy with him?”

“It is indeed, Pinkamena Pie. We will take thy suggestion and consider it most carefully before we decide. It seems that this may indeed be a good suggestion, something to allow us to let our manes down, as it were.”

“Exactamundo!” Pinkie bobbed her head manically. “Trust Auntie Pinkie. She knows how this sort of thing is done! That’s how Vinyl and I hooked up, actually. She was DJing at one of my parties in Canterlot and one thing just lead to another and by the end of the evening we were-Oops!” She clamped a hoof over her own mouth and pulled a face. “I’m not meant to tell people about that just yet. Ah-heh. Just forget I said anything.”

“Our lips are sealed, Pinkie Pie,” Luna assured her. “Thy advice is received most gratefully. Now, if you will, we must continue to the Ponyville Post Office. We have a letter we must send and apparently this is the only place in which we can find parchment.”

“Oh! You should totally go by the library then! Twilight usually has stacks of the stuff for all the friendship reports she sends to the Princess, the other Princess that is, and all her lists and checklists and checklist lists and lists of checklists! Then Spike could send the letter for you! Poof and it’s gone! It’s way faster than asking Derpy or one of the other Mailmares to deliver it.”

Luna nodded. Of course, Twilight did not use the normal postal service for her correspondence with Celestia, did she? She should have thought of that herself but then her mind was… Elsewhere at the moment. “A wise suggestion, Pinkie Pie. Thank you.”

“No problemo, Princess! Good luck with you-know-who at the you-know-what at the you-know-where!” and without a backward glance, Pinkie bounced off down the street.

At the last moment Luna urgently waved a wing at the earth pony. “Pinkie! Wait, we would beg another moment of thy time! There is—We have a further question we hope thou can answer.”

“Okiedokielokie, Princesspony!” Pinkie came to a halt, grinning at her little rhyme. “What else do you need to know? Somepony’s birthday? Their favourite colour? What the secret ingredient is in the special sauce?”

Luna shook her head, her ears splaying outward as she dipped her head down, gnawing fitfully at her bottom lip for a moment. Hah, for once Celestia wasn’t here to tell her off for that nervous tic she’d never been entirely able to defeat. “Mac. What do you know of him? The picture we have—that I have—is incomplete. We know much of his dreams, his hopes, but so little of what it is he enjoys in more mundane matters.”

“Well, like what?” Pinkie prompted, head tilting to one side like a playful puppy. “Name a thing!”

Luna pulled a face as she tried to think of something to ask, too many possibilities filling her head until, in the end, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “His favourite cake.”

“Oh come on, that’s easypeasy-lemonsqueezy! Gimme something tough! Double Death by Chocolate Muffin with extra sprinkles and a little drizzle of toffee sauce!” Pinkie smacked her lips and mmmmm’ed loudly. “He gets one once a week, his little treat to himself after he’s completed his chores.” She added a playful wink. “Just don’t let Applejack know!”

Luna near gagged at the thought of something that rich and sweet passing her lips, but then Mac was a big pony so she supposed perhaps his tolerance for such things was higher; unlike Celestia she’d never really developed much of a sweet tooth even in all their centuries of life. “His favourite…” she floundered for a second, trying to think of what to ask. Favourite food? Favourite music? Favourite author? “His favourite hobby! We know he spends much of his time working, but surely he cannot be all work and no play. Dost thou know what he does to entertain himself?”

“Oooo. Now that IS a good one. See, I know some of it,” she leaned in close, motioning Luna to step in closer too. “He goes,” she glanced warily around as if about to impart some dreadful secret, “FISHING.”

Luna’s eyebrows lifted. “Fishing?” she echoed. Well, of all the possible responses she might have got, that was definitely not one she expected. Too many ponies were simply too squeamish for such things, but then earth ponies, and farm ponies in particular, were made of sterner stuff.

Pinkie slowly nodded, “See, Fluttershy looks after a lot of animals that can’t live on hay or plants, she needs meat. She can’t go out and do it herself, she’s just too sweet and kind and lovely for that, but Mac knows that sometimes you just gotta go do a thing so he goes fishing and gives Fluttershy what he catches,” she hesitated a little before she went on. “AJ doesn’t know it, but he’s been adding all that money to the family accounts to help keep the farm afloat.”

“The Apple family is in financial trouble?” Luna frowned. “And yet their farm appears quite prosperous does it no?”

For the second time, Pinkie hesitated before she spoke, her floofy mane seeming to lose a little of its springiness. “At first glance, everything looks okay, but times are tough for them. They make enough to get by, with Mac’s help, but all it would take is one bad season and they’d be in real trouble.”

“A common story. As prosperous as Equestria is, there are always those who are less well-off than others,” Luna sighed. “There is only so much my sister and I can do.”

“And you guys do a great job!” Pinkie exclaimed. “I mean, y’know, other than the occasional invasion, rampaging gods of chaos, evil sorcerers...” Luna gave her an unamused look and Pinkie ahemed loudly. “Oh hey, is that the time?” she blurted out as she looked intently at a spot on her conspicuously bare leg, “I’m going to be late! Gotta go, Princess! Good luck with everything!” She bounded off once more and this time Luna did not try to stop her.

Now, hopefully, Luna thought, there would be no further interruptions. Even as the thought crossed her mind she glanced warily up at the sky, as if begging the Universe’s pardon for tempting it once again. Picking up her hooves once more, she trotted quickly to the library.

It seemed the Universe had accepted her apology as she reached her destination without further interruption. Upon arriving, her initial knock at the library door went unanswered, although she could hear motion inside and what sounded like raised voices. With a sinking feeling of dread she knocked again, harder this time. She could only imagine what might be waiting for her behind these doors. Parasprites, visitors from the future, mad science experiments or…

The door flew open and Spike stood before her with an irritable scowl on his face. “Yes?” he barked, then blinked as he looked first at Luna’s hooves, then slooooowly lifted his gaze upward, eyes widening all the while. “P-Princess Luna! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to… We’re just having a bit of a bad day is all. Please, come in. You want to speak to Twilight, right?”

“Actually, Spike, it is thyself we wish to converse with. We have a favour to ask.” She stepped into the library, glancing warily around as she noted books lying in piles all over the floor, a number of half-written scrolls scattered about the room and even… Was that Twilight’s crown laying on the table where anypony might simply take it? No wonder there had been that nonsense with the mirror. “Is this a bad time?”

“Huh? Oh, no. I mean, no worse than any other time, anyway,” Spike shrugged and waved a hand towards the bedroom upstairs, a vaguely exasperated look crossing his face once again. “Twilight’s just having one of her little episodes upstairs. Something about plots, I think. Maybe she’s worried about someone spoiling the end of the next Daring Do book. Anyway, what is it you needed, Princess?”

“We require thee to send a letter to Princess Cadence. Can this be done?”

“Oh sure, no problem at all!” Spike whipped out a quill and parchment and stood attentively, waiting for Luna to tell him what to write.

The midnight-blue alicorn shifted uncomfortably, unsure if she really wanted to share her predicament with the little dragon; too many ponies seemed to know about her burgeoning relationship with Mac as it was. “Must we dictate this to thee? Art thou still able to send the letter if we write it ourselves?”

“Sure, that works too,” Spike replied easily, offering the quill and parchment out to Luna. “Just write it out and tie it up and I’ll have it off to the Crystal Empire in a jiffy.”

“You have our thanks, young Spike.” She accepted both with her magic, holding the parchment before her as the quill went to work. Oh well, no point in using her shiny new one, she was sure she would have another chance in the future.

She mused over just what she should write, resisting the urge to chew on the tip of the quill as she considered. How much detail should she go into? Should she tell Cadence exactly who it was she was asking about? She hated writing these things; Celestia was so much better at putting her thoughts down in the written word than she had ever been. After long moments of deliberation, she decided to get to the point as quickly as possible, and setting quill to paper she wrote:

“Dear Princess Cadence,

A matter hath arisen that requires thy particular set of skills. We wish thy counsel regarding how one goes about the business of wooing a stallion in these modern times. Given thy own relationship with Shining Armour reaching a successful culmination, we feel thou’rt best placed to be able to advise us.

Awaiting thy swift reply we remain,

Princess Luna”

She neatly tied the scroll up with ribbon and passed it to Spike. One gust of green flame later and the letter was on its way to the Princess of Love. “Once again, Spike, you have our thanks.” Her magic flared once more, this time offering a small bag of bits out to the dragon. “As a token of our appreciation for thy time. We would ask one thing more of thee, however. We had promised Pinkie Pie that we would purchase an apple pie for her in thanks for her advice but she left before we could procure it. Can you ensure that you use some of these bits for her as well?”

“Can do, Princess! Is there anything else you need?”

“One thing more, yes. Couldst thou direct us to Berry Punch’s place of business?”

Author's Note

Sorry there was a bit of a wait for this one, guys. I hope the length makes up for it!

Longest-chapter-EVER! (So far, anyway.)

Chapter 7 - The Date (Part One)

Chapter 7
The Date – Part One

“PONYVILLE!” The white unicorn with the electric blue mane reared up, throwing her forelegs in the air as the lights reflected from her ever-present sunglasses, “You know what to do, say it with me! It—Must—Be—The—FEELING!” She dropped back down, hoof jabbing down onto the intricate array of equipment laid out before her and the effect was instantaneous.

The music paused for the briefest of moments, save for a lone shrill chord building rapidly to a crescendo; just long enough for Luna to take a breath before the massive speaker stacks throbbed with the waves of bass they were throwing across the crowded room, a sound so deep that she not only heard it, she could feel it in every bone.

When they had first arrived she had stood at the doorway, staring in disbelief at what they had found inside this outwardly unassuming bar, the dance floor filled with ponies writhing and gyrating to the beat of this bizarre, otherworldly noise that was orchestrated by a lone unicorn. She had briefly wondered if they had actually stumbled into some strange coven dedicated to the veneration of Discord. Now she was absolutely certain that this ‘dubstep’ had more than a touch of chaos in its origin and was even more certain that this was, without a doubt, the single worst idea that she had ever had.

***

The first hint of what lay in store for them came as they approached Berry Punch’s bar. Luna had spoken with the proprietor, an earth pony mare with a bunch of grapes for a cutie mark, earlier in the day to arrange for Mac and herself to be allowed to come in through the back door to avoid both the queues and any nosy reporters. She had discovered that this ‘DJ P0N3” was quite a celebrity in Equestria and her performance at Cadence and Shining’s wedding had made her one of the most sought after “Emm-Cees” in the entire kingdom. She wasn’t entirely sure what one of those was, but it all but guaranteed unwanted attention at the front door.

Still, it was rare that she dipped into the royal stipend that she and Celestia were paid every month so she had more than enough bits at her disposal to make sure that discretion was the watchword for the night. Berry had been more than happy to oblige Luna in whatever request she might have when presented with a jingling sack of gold as large as her head.

She and Mac had arranged to meet at the back, which would be left unlocked for them to enter unobserved. On arrival she could already feel the vibrations in the ground beneath her, the muffled thudding like some gigantic heartbeat reverberating from within. Mac had been waiting for her, the stallion shifting a little nervously in place as he looked up and down the quiet alley, waiting for her to join him. She’d taken a moment or two just to watch him, noting the little things he’d done in preparation for this liaison.

His straw-gold mane was clean and brushed, as was his tail. His hooves had been filed and polished and his coat glistened in the flickering light from the streetlamps. The heavy yoke he normally wore was absent but, thankfully, he hadn’t replaced it with a tie or other such nonsense. Good. The last thing she wanted was him to act like something he was not. There were gentle ponies aplenty in Canterlot, stuffed shirts with little to recommend them past their political contacts and ample bank accounts and he would never be one of those, thankfully.

More importantly, and to her delight, the orchid she had given him was braided neatly into his mane, tucked just behind his right ear. As she watched he reached up to touch it, making sure that it hadn’t fallen out, sighing in relief as he reassured himself that it was where it was meant to be.

“McIntosh,” she called as she stepped out of the shadows, stifling a little grin as he startled and straightened up before dropping into a low, polite bow.

“Princess Luna,” he nickered, then stopped as she lifted a hoof to interrupt him.

“Just Luna, McIntosh Apple. Tonight we are merely two ponies enjoying each other’s company. There need be no formality between us.”

Mac lifted his head, a little smile curving his lips. “Well in that case it’s just Mac,” he pointed out, then oh’ed and quickly dropped his head back down, picking up a small, delicately wrapped parcel that he offered out to her with his teeth.

Accepting it with her magic, she gave Mac a somewhat quizzical look but he just nodded for her to unwrap it, waiting patiently as first bow, then wrapping paper were discarded to reveal the plain box beneath. Opening this last barrier she caught her breath as she found a red hibiscus nestled in a protective cocoon of tissue paper.

“Mac…” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she caressed it with a reverent hoof. “Dost thou know what this is?”

“Eeeyup,” was the laconic and somewhat pleased reply. “Knew what colour it had t’be. Twilight helped pick the right one. That is it, ain’t it? They called it-“

“Night’s Kiss, yes. They used to leave it in offering to me along with their prayers, before…” she shook her head, tucking that unwelcome thought away where it belonged. No, she would not think of such things tonight. Tonight was where she began to make a life anew. “It does not surprise us that Twilight would know of such things.”

“Smart girl, that one,” Mac agreed as he took the box from her while she set the bloom behind her ear, then hesitated a moment as he noticed the change in her expression. That mask she always wore, that of the inscrutable and slightly aloof alicorn princess, slipped just enough for him to see the uncertain filly lurking under the surface.

“Tis beautiful, Mac. We—I am pleased that you are willing to allow this.”

“Eeeyup,” was the familiar, laconic reply. Oh, there was so much more he might say, but there would be time enough for that down the line. Instead he motioned towards the door. “You ready?”

“Indeed,” she replied, with somewhat more confidence than she felt. “Lead on, Mac. Let us see what these “wubs” truly are.”

***

The assault on Mac’s senses had been almost overwhelming. Oh, he’d been out to see live acts and musicians, he’d sat through massive fireworks displays and even assisted with some demolition works a time or two, but none of those quite compared to this. The bar was shrouded in darkness, broken only by the eye-searing flash of the strobes, the flicker of red, green and blue lights briefly illuminating the heaving mass of ponies that filled the dance floor, moving together in briefly illuminated snapshot.

The noise that Mac supposed was the music was FELT more than heard, the air thick with the scent of those sweating, gyrating ponies, the tang of dry ice and ozone, the potent sweetness of the alcohol that was being consumed in generous portions and for a moment Mac felt more out of place than he ever had in his life.

He turned to look at Luna, opening his mouth to suggest that perhaps they go somewhere else, and stopped at the look on her face. She was staring at the scene before them with an expression of utter desolation, her eyes filled with despair as her plans for the evening went up in smoke..

With that, the decision was made. He wouldn’t let this night be a disappointment to her. Her heart had been in the right place, even if perhaps the choice of venue needed…a little work. He stepped up to stand beside the still-aghast Princess and nudged his shoulder to hers. “C’mon, Luna. You got all those years a’courtly dances an’balls an’such. Show me how ya dance.”

His reward was an initial look of disbelief slowly blossoming into a shy, relieved smile as Luna first nodded, then returned the nudge, pressing her shoulder warmly to his for a moment before the two of them stepped down into the melee of ponies. In the darkness and the flashing lights, it was easier for the two of them to lose themselves, even their respective sizes drawing little attention or comment from the dancers that surrounded them.

Luckily for Mac, at least, this song was fairly slow and easy to dance to, the big stallion moving somewhat self-consciously at first, doing his best not to knock over or tread on any of the smaller ponies that surrounded them. In his eagerness to ensure that Luna was not disappointed he had neglected to take one rather important fact into account – He didn’t dance. Ever. Well… Almost ever. There had been the barn raising at the last reunion; he’d got caught up in the moment, in the music, and every Apple knew how a square dance went but this sort of thing where everypony was doing their own thing? How were you supposed to react to that?

There was a rhythm in the music, but every time he felt like he was starting to move with it he’d have to stop or pause to let somepony past, or avoid bumping into them. In fact, he was so busy concentrating on his own movements that he was taken completely by surprise when Luna swooped in and landed a playful kiss right on the end of his nose.

He snorted and jerked his head up, his eyes wide, coming nose to nose with the broadly grinning Princess of the Moon. “This is not a funeral dirge you must trudge to, Mac,” she called, raising her voice to be heard above the pounding beat. “Nor must you treat those around you like glass! You move as if you walk through a briar patch!” She grinned at him, her voice a little challenging now. “Is that truly the best thou can do?”

It was blatantly obvious she was baiting him, but dangit, he just couldn’t resist taking it. He’d only seen her like this once before, on that fateful and incident-filled Nightmare Night, her cares and worries slipping away as she allowed herself to just be a pony, like anyone else. She wanted moves? He’d show her moves.

The three tribes had developed their own methods of dancing and it was fair to say that earth pony dancing was among the more vigorous and least dignified. Earth pony dances often descended into a state somewhat akin to a riot when the liquor started flowing, crashing together, rearing and bucking, stomping hooves till the floor shook and the rafters creaked fit to collapse.

By way of contrast Unicorns were the most regimented, preferring the more formal sort of dancing, mainly due to many of them lacking much in the way of natural ability. He allowed himself a brief little smile as he remembered Twilight’s somewhat abortive dancing attempts. There was a girl who’d read every book there was about how you were supposed to dance but was cursed with that cruelest of fates – Four left hooves. Your typical pegasus, on the other hoof, on those rare occasions when they did actually choose to dance on the ground, was all about the acrobatics. They would throw themselves across a dancefloor like it was a gymnastics tournament or, if the company and mood called for it, use their wings in an elaborately teasing…

Mac closed down that thought process very firmly, then paused. Actually, why shouldn’t he think about Luna like that? They were here, they were dancing, he was wearing her flower and she was wearing his. Her intentions were clear and he was fairly certain that those intentions also included a relationship of a more physical kind. Oh. Oh my.

While he had certainly been aware that this was the way most relationships ended up, this was the first time when he actually thought about it in context. This wasn’t just some vague notion, some other ponies getting together, this was him… And the Princess. The images that filled his mind were both exhilarating and terrifying as the full import of what he’d agreed to came crashing down on him hard enough to leave him feeling like he’d just taken the first step into an abyss with no bottom in sight.

“Ah think ah… Ah’m gonna get us some drinks first,” he blurted out as he veered away from Luna and plunged into the crowd once more. He exchanged quick nods and hoof-bumps with a few ponies he recognised including, to his surprise, Cloud Kicker. Funny, he’d never taken her for a fan of this sort of thing.

“Hey Mac!” she yelled over the music, leaning in till her lips nearly brushed his ear, “Is that really Princess Luna you’re trying and failing to dance with?”

Mac hesitated before answering. Cloud Kicker did have something of a reputation around Ponyville for talking before thinking so instead of outright denying it, he skirted around the question. “Now what’d Luna be doing in a place like this?” There, that worked. Not an outright denial, not a confirmation either. The lights were low enough that maybe he could bluff his way out of this before she asked any more questions.

“Slumming it, maybe? I dunno, that totally looks like Luna from here…”

“Ya can’t know everyone who comes t’visit Ponyville, Kicker,” he pointed out, quite reasonably he thought.

“No, but there aren’t many who visit that have manes made of stars. Even in these lights it’s pretty obvious that’s not just some extra-tall pegasus filly you’ve got there.”

Mac glanced back to his dance partner and sighed. Yep, really there wasn’t a mare in Equestria (well maybe ONE) who had a mane quite as remarkable as Luna’s and right now it was putting on a show to rival even Rainbow Dash. The gleaming stars in her mane were glittering with the colours of the rainbow as they reflected back the lights from the club, a sparkling starfield illuminating the ponies that were dancing around her. Near as poor a liar as his sister, he conceded defeat and finally nodded.

“Ponyfeathers! I owe Blossomforth ten bits! I was so sure that Berry was winding us up or I was just hearing things. Well I’ll be buggered, you and Luna, huh? You gonna be hitting that later?”

Mac snorted and gave the broadly grinning pegasus a deadpan stare. “It ain’t all about the banging, Kicker.”

“Maybe not, but come on! I saw you checking her out from over here and right now she is TOTALLY checking your plot out. No, don’t look!”

Too late. Mac had already turned his head to find that Luna was, indeed, watching him, her eyes lingering rather lower than he’d expect and he had to fight the urge to fan his tail over his haunches. “We’re tryin’ to keep this quiet, Kicker,” he whickered as he turned back to her.

“Yeah Yeah,” Cloud Kicker replied with a casual wave of her hoof that nearly ended up sloshing her drink all over Mac’s hooves. “Berry hinted there was gonna be some sort of bigwig here and we were to keep ourselves to ourselves. Said if she heard of just one of us mouthing off to anyone in the street, we’d be barred for life.”

Mac’s eyebrow lifted. “Really? Ya don’t say.”

“I guess when you have a Princess coming to dance, you don’t want to scare her off, right? Gotta make sure everypony hoofs the line!”

“Must be. Alright, ya’ll s’cuse me, Kicker. Ah gotta get us some drinks.”

She nodded with another exuberant wave of her forehooves, her drink again coming perilously close to escaping, “Have fun, Mac!”

Mac watched her go with a somewhat relieved sigh, the last thing he needed was to be recognised by too many folks right now. He’d already spotted more than a few other ponies he was more than passingly familiar with. He ducked his head down a little and made a beeline straight for the bar. “Berry!” He yelled over the relentless thump of the music as he nudged his way through the crowd and leaned up against the bar, “Sling me a couple of bottles o’Sweet Apple Reserve, will ya?”

“Sure thing, Mac,” was the cheerful reply and a heartbeat later two icy cold bottles thumped down in front of him and Berry Punch waved away his attempt to pay for them. “No charge. Your fillyfriend there set up a tab earlier today, drinks and food are all taken care of. In fact, we got a lil private booth set up in the back for later when you want a break and something to eat. Just let me know.”

“I… Sure,” was all he could find to say as Berry winked and turned to the next customer. He picked up the bottle, took a swig then paused and peered suspiciously at it. Funny, he didn’t usually go deaf when he drank cider. He looked around quizzically to see ponies still talking around him, the DJ still swaying and gesticulating as she had been a moment before, and yet the only sound he could hear was his own breathing.

“This was a poor idea. You have our apologies, Mac.” Luna’s voice was soft as the alicorn stepped up to join him, her horn glowing faintly to maintain the bubble of silence that now surrounded them. “I do not know why I thought that…” she trailed off helplessly. “Perhaps my Sister was right. We are not normal ponies, as much as we might wish it otherwise. We should not expect that we can be treated as such.”

It took a moment for Mac to find his voice. He had to say SOMETHING, he knew that; the look of misery on her face was twisting his guts like some of Pinkie’s balloon animals. “Y’all… You really are serious about this, aintcha? You wanna do this like—like—regular folks? Just you and me, just ponies.”

Luna nodded solemnly, waiting patiently for him to say what he needed to get out, her expression unreadable.

“But it ain’t that easy, Pri—Luna. Ah mean. What’s gonna happen if ah kiss you? Yer sister’s gonna send me to the sun or the moon or—“

He wasn’t sure what his next words were going to be; they died in his throat as Luna closed that last little gap between them and pressed her lips firmly to his, her wings lifting to gently caress and frame his muzzle as she let her eyes drift closed and leaned into him.

A breath passed. Another. Mac stood as still as a statue against her, his eyes wide and startled as Luna let the kiss linger. She trembled just a little as the moments dragged out, praying that she had not just made an even more terrible mistake by forcing the issue past anything Mac could ever be comfortable with.

For his part, Mac was suddenly and acutely aware of every touch of her feathers on his flesh, of the subtle scent of lavender and orchids that surrounded her, of how soft and moist her lips were against his, the feel of her breath on his muzzle as she finally let the kiss end and her mouth parted from his. She gave another soft, tremulous smile, “And so it is done and I have kissed thee, and it seems thou’rt still here. No banishment to the moon, the sun or to a distant land. The world continues its turning, the stars still shine and thee and we remain, just a filly and a colt taking time together as the pony race has done since the early days.”

“Buh…”

Luna giggled as Mac stared dumbly at her. “Yes. To recap, in case there be some further confusion. I have, indeed, just kissed you. You are, indeed, still here. My Sister is aware of my interest in thee, Mac, and while she has expressed concern, it is only for my wellbeing rather than any concern over our developing relationship. You need fear nothing from Celestia except, perhaps, thy fair share of teasing when we visit her at the castle.”

“Cuh? Ah mean—Dagnabit.” Mac shook his head and snorted loudly, “Damn, Princess. Ya sure do cut right t’the chase, don’t you?”

“Time is a precious thing, Mac. My Sister and I understand that better than most. Perhaps one day I will tell you more of the games ‘Tia and I play to entertain ourselves through the centuries.”

“An’that, right there! Ya just…” Mac trailed off and took another swig of his cider before remembering his manners and passing the other bottle over to Luna. He couldn’t help but lick his lips, his mouth still warm and tingling from the pressure of the alicorn’s kiss. It was funny, but it had been so reassuringly…Normal. He wasn’t sure what he had really expected to happen, perhaps for there to be rainbows and electricity or something out of the ordinary compared to kissing a regular filly but it had been just that. Just a kiss. A very pleasant and surprising kiss, he had to admit, and in a way that reassured him that perhaps this wasn’t as far-fetched an idea as he first thought.

“Just?” Luna prompted as she took a mouthful of the cider and mmmm’ed loudly in appreciation. “Our compliments to thy sister, Mac. This is a fine beverage indeed!”

“It’s just ya talk about centuries, Luna. You and Celes—Princess Celestia, you’re the sun and moon! You’re immortal! Ya might want to play at bein’ a regular filly but—“ He swore inwardly as his brain caught up with his mouth. “Ah didn’t mean it like that, Princess. Ah ain’t tryin’ to suggest this is just a game to you or anythin’ like that.”

Luna, to his surprise, didn’t seem angered by what he was implying, she just nodded. “There are many things they say about the sun and moon, aren’t there? Things that, if you think about it, give a great insight into the characters of my sister and myself,” she paused to take another sip of her cider. “Celestia is as constant as the sun, a serene light that all others bask in, the giver of warmth and love and the safety of daylight to all our little ponies. She is composed, collected…And distant. My sister has learned to control her passions, for fear of burning those that get too close to her. Now the only ones she allows to see past that serene persona are myself, Discord and, occasionally, Twilight and Cadence. That is the way she wishes to spend her life, in solitude that she can control.” Another gulp of cider followed, echoed by Mac, more than half the bottle gone now.

“But that ain’t for you?” Mac asked, even though it was already obvious that there was no real comparison between Luna and the description she had just given.

“No. Think of the language people use when they speak of the moon, Mac. Waxing, waning, forever changing. Constant and yet inconstant, permanent and yet always in flux. They talk of the moon’s effect on everything from ponies mental states to their fertility. The moon is capricious, unpredictable, but most importantly of all, the moon touches the loves of ponies in a rather more direct way than my sister. She shines her light upon all equally while I am free to share myself rather more… Directly.”

Mac nearly choked on his mouthful of cider as Luna ran her forehoof over his chest as she finished speaking, much to her delight. The alicorn threw her head back and laughed as she watched the poor stallion struggle to swallow the mouthful and not completely embarrass himself in front of the Princess.

“So it’s gonna be like that, huh?” He growled once he’d recovered himself, snorting as Luna gave him her best innocent look, even going so far as to flutter her eyelashes. “It’s on now, Princess. Ya wanna live like the rest of us? Let’s get to it.” He grabbed her forehoof in his and pulled her back onto the dancefloor, the spell evaporating with a pop to let the music flood back in with near deafening intensity.

The crowd parted to make room for them as Mac pulled the giggling Luna along with him till he found a spot with enough room for them both. He turned, pushing his haunch firmly to hers, bobbing his head in time with the beat.

This time, the music flowed through him, his legs shifting easily beneath him, dancing with none of the hesitation or uncertainty of before. He reared to his hindlegs, his forehooves finding Luna’s as the two twirled together in place together and much to Mac’s surprise, he found he was actually starting to enjoy himself.

“Much better!” Luna laughed in delight as her dance partner finally began to loosen up and move with the music. The hooves he placed on her were increasingly bold, drawing her close to him, close enough she could feel his breath on her mane, feel the strong muscles rippling through his chest and shoulders as they pressed together, then spun apart once again.

Soon the two were lost in the melee of ponies moving and swaying together and for one perfect moment that Luna would treasure for a long time to come, they were just a colt and filly spending time together. Other ponies even bumped up against her as she danced and while she was treated to more than a few incredulous looks, they soon melted into broad, surprised smiles as their clumsiness was met with nothing more than a broad smile as the Night Princess danced as energetically as any foal.

The beat throbbing through the club was less alien now and now that Mac wasn't fighting it, but shifting and moving with it, he had found his groove at last. Caught up in the frenetic beat of the music, Macintosh ground against and threw himself away from Luna in turn, diving beneath an inviting wing there, chasing a shimmering tail there, rumps grinding together as they pressed flank to flank, heavy hooves stomping to the beat.

Luna moved on lighter hooves, feathering her wings and sending her mane spilling over her shoulders in a wave of colour, baiting and teasing him, unable to keep the beat of this strange, discordant music from setting her flanks swaying. The strangely cool breeze from her wings fanned and cooled the lather building on his coat, fresh washes of new sensation flowing through him every time another gust of that lunar wind washed over him.

Even while he danced, as more than one mare attempted to catch his eye and draw him into dancing with them, Mac had eyes for only one pony. He’d never seen a Princess act like this, without a care in the world, without any of the trappings or proprieties of royalty, simply enjoying herself regardless of what anyone might think.

There was definitely more to Luna than met the eye and as they danced together Mac found that he was growing more and more interested in discovering the mare behind the crown.

Author's Note

Hello folks. Sorry for the delay with this one but MY GOD that dancing scene kicked my ass so hard. So, music that helped inspire this, including two tracks directly referenced in the story -

Nero - "Must Be the Feeling (Flux Pavilion Remix)"
Pendulum - "Propane Nightmares"
Infected Mushroom - "The Shen"
Pendulum - "Mutiny"
Underworld - "Rez/Cowgirl"

EDIT: Song lyrics removed as apparently the mods say that's verboten now.

Chapter 8 - The Date (Part Two)

Chapter 8
The Date - Part Two

At length, both sweaty, manes in disarray (well, his at least. Luna’s not-quite-natural star field was still perfectly arranged), the two withdrew from the dance floor to take up Berry’s offer of a quiet corner for them to recuperate.

The private booth was tucked away just off the dance floor, a thick velvet curtain helping to muffle the sound of the music. Mac held it open so the still-giggling Luna could slip in and flop down onto one of the the long, low couches, her coat glistening with perspiration, wings still half-flared and twitching in excitement.

“We have not had so much fun in years!” Luna declared. “These wubs are most exhilarating indeed. We must thank Pinkie for her suggestion when we encounter her once more.”

“Pinkie, huh?” Mac smiled wryly as he took his seat on the other side of the table from the panting Princess. “Well that explains a whole lot. Ah did wonder how ya came by this particular idea.”

“We were…not entirely convinced that this would be a good idea, but it seems that your friend is a great judge of character and mood indeed.” Luna glanced around the quiet booth for a moment, taking in the framed pictures that hung on the wall of artists and musicians who had performed at the bar, noting the addition of graffiti in a couple of places that hadn’t been entirely painted over.

‘Gilda takes it in—‘ Luna blinked at the rest of the angry scrawl. Well, she wasn’t sure who this Gilda was, but she highly doubted that would be the case. She was fairly certain the act being crudely described there was anatomically improbable without the use of magic and a minimum of three willing partners.

Her gaze continued to slide along the walls before eventually returning to her erstwhile dance partner where she found him giving her a somewhat curious look. “A copper bit for thy thoughts, Mac?” she enquired.

“Huh? Whassat?” Mac snorted, seemingly startled out of his thoughts by the question, rubbing a hoof through his mane and ducking his head down a little to try and hide the rush of warmth that was spreading over his muzzle.

“That is the correct term, is it not? You appeared to be musing over something of great importance.” Luna planted her forelegs on the tabletop and leaned forward to regard the fidgeting stallion with her face schooled into an expression of polite interest.

“Guess ah’m just…wonderin’ how t’make smalltalk with a Princess,” he finally said. “Don’t talk ta many mares, see. Other than AJ anyway, and that don’t really count.”

Silence followed his admission for one long, torturous heartbeat. Then another. Luna grinned and finally put the increasingly fidgety stallion out of his misery. “Breathe, Mac. If I was interested in a stallion who could fill the air with inane chatter, they are a bit a dozen in Canterlot. There is nothing wrong with just enjoying company in silence.” She paused a moment, her expression growing wry as the thump of the music could still be plainly heard. “Silence being a relative term at the moment, admittedly.”

Mac visibly sagged, letting out a long, relieved sigh and wiping a bead of imaginary swear from his brow. “Ah wasn’t sure what we were gonna do when this bit came round,” he admitted, leaning back against the booth and making himself more comfortable. “When it’s just the two of us. No matter how many times ah tried t’play this out in mah head, it always ended up with us just starin’ mutely across a table at each other.”

Luna couldn’t resist the obvious opening and leaned forward a little more, fluttering her eyelashes before letting her expression slip easily into that look of mild interest she had learned to adopt at the Night Court when listening to petition after petition.

“Dang it, Luna! That just ain’t fair,” Mac protested with a laugh, waving a hoof at her until she relented and stuck her tongue out at him.

She sat back with a pleased little smile. He had called her Luna without even thinking about it! A small step, but it was a beginning. “But it has helped thee relax, has it not?”

“That it has. Shall we get some more drinks in? Ah think we left the others back at the bar…”

“That has been arranged for. I did promise thee fine food and wine, did I not?” Luna held up a hoof to forestall him, instead nudging the curtain open just in time for Berry Punch to swoop in with a platter laden with food that was distinctly a cut above the usual bar fare she served. Mac took a sniff and was certain he could detect the signature fragrances of the rather more up-market cafe just a few doors up from the bar.

He resisted the urge to say anything as Berry gave him another playful wink and set down two perfectly chilled bottles of Sweet Apple Acres Reserve, nodded to the Princess and withdrew to once again leave the two of them alone. He lifted his gaze from the food to find Luna watching him like a child seeking approval, her eyes wide and hopeful as she waited for his opinion of her food.

“ ‘Wine’, huh?” Mac couldn’t quite resist a grin as he nudged one bottle over the table to her and picked his own up, “What should we drink to? Normally we’d, uh, be toastin’ your health. Seems a bit weird what with you being right here and all.”

Luna nodded in agreement, musing it over for a moment. There were plenty of historical toasts, of course, many of them written about her and her sister, in truth. There were clan-specific ones, back from before the time of Harmony, there were bawdy ones and flirtatious ones and for a moment she was sorely tempted to tease him with one of those but…no. It was still too early in their relationship for that. She tapped the ice-cold bottle thoughtfully with one hoof, then smiled broadly as it came to her. Of course, it was perfect.

“Then let us drink to that which brought you to me, Mac. Let us drink to whispers in the night,” and she lifted her bottle in salute.

“Works for me, Pri--Luna,” he agreed, tapping his bottle to her own with a loud clink before they both drank, glad that the subdued lighting in the booth helped to hide the freshly returned blush that warmed his cheeks.

“And now that the formalities are attended to,” Luna continued, “and posterity is satisfied, let us dine!”

The next few minutes were, to put it mildly, an education for Big Mac. He had no idea how such a trim filly could put away such large quantities of food in such a short space of time without suffering regrettable consequences. Before his eyes the piles of food dwindled as if teleported away one plateful at a time and before he knew it he was spending more time just watching this remarkable display than actually eating.

Luna paused, her mouth full of hay fries, and gave Mac a quizzical look before mumbling something that, he thought, translated roughly to ‘Aren’t you hungry?’. He quickly realised he was sitting there slack jawed and snorted before turning his attention to his food.

“Impressive spread,” he said as he tucked into his own plate of hay fries, munching thoughtfully on the crispy morsels, mmming at the rush of salty, greasy goodness that filled his mouth with every bite. “Ah’m guessin’ it’s not much like what ya get at the castle?”

“Indeed not,” Luna dabbed at the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “For some time after our return we had to tolerate the chefs attempting to serve us all manner of dishes from Equestria’s past. Apparently it did not occur to them that many of these recipes came from a time before the age of plenty we know today...Like the time they attempted to serve me a plate of sautéed sweet briar as if it were some prize delicacy.”

“Haw! It may smell like apple but it sure don’t taste like it. Ah take it you had a lil word with the chef after that?”

“Indeed. I informed him that while it was most kind of him to take the time to serve me such things, modern Equestrian food was quite acceptable and in fact preferred if I was to acclimatise to my new situation. He agreed we may have a valid point once he stopped cowering on the floor and begging us not to banish him to the moon. We did briefly consider it but really his cooking wasn’t THAT bad.”

She paused and Mac gave her a curious look, not entirely sure if she was joking or not…The bland look on her face did not bode well. “Of course,” she went on, “now we are often served the food that the nobles prefer as we rarely dine in our private chambers. I swear that in the years I was away the complexity of the meal has increased in inverse proportion to the size.”

“Harder t’make and less of it, huh?” Mac summarised and nodded. “Sounds about right for those high-falutin’ types. Applejack told me about the hors d'oeuvres they had at the Gallopin’ Gala,” he paused a moment. “I almost feel like ah should apologise for what mah Sister did there. She didn’t tell me she was plannin’ to go and try t’sell food instead a’just havin’ fun. Always on the lookout for a way t’make more bits, that filly, whether it’s appropriate or not.”

“An admirable sentiment, if perhaps not the most appropriate of venues,” Luna agreed as she picked up what appeared to be a spiced vegetable burger in a bun and nibbled delicately on it. “I look forward to the opportunity to try the famed cooking of honest Applejack.

Mac paused with his own burger halfway to his mouth, snorting softly as her words conjured up an image of Luna standing in his kitchen with foals running around her hooves, or maybe in Granny Smith’s rocker, sipping tea and nibbling on an apple fritter. It was such an incongruous image that he couldn’t quite hold back the smile that curved his lips.

“Something amuses thee, Mac?”

“Eeenope. Well…yep. I guess, kinda. You and me, here, doin’ this. Ah mean, where do we go with this if we decide that we want to take this further? Ah’m tryin’ to imagine you sittin’ in mah kitchen and ah just…can’t quite get mah head around it. It just seems so, well, beneath you.”

“Let no-one ever tell you that a simpler life is somehow a less worthy one, Mac,” Luna firmly replied, setting her burger down as the tone of the conversation grew more thoughtful. “The nobles of Canterlot delude themselves with this lie every day of their lives. Remember, I was not always a Princess. Celestia and I both knew far leaner times than this and there are days both of us yearn to escape from the trappings and ceremonies of our current lives,” she paused to pick up her drink, taking a slow, thoughtful sip. “But at the same time, this is where our lives have led us. We chose this path willingly, not knowing quite where it would take us, but neither of us have forgotten our roots.”

Luna picked her burger back up in her magic, taking another bite. “But these are topics for another time. Is this what couples talk about on their ‘first date’, Mac? It seems a terribly heavy topic for so early in a relationship.”

Mac resisted the urge to retort, ‘Well not everyone dates a Princess!’ but instead sat for a moment or two, slowly chewing on his food as he thought it over. “Ah guess they take time t’get to know each other. Whaddya like to do, what do you do when you’re workin’, all the little details that make up a pony beyond just lookin’ good,” he grinned, “which you really do, by the way.”

It was a shot in the dark, expecting little more than a snort and a laugh or maybe for her to throw a napkin at him, but instead Mac was left more than a little surprised as Luna dipped her head down and hid behind her mane once more before mumbling something under her breath as her cheeks flared red. “We do not often get such genuine compliments.”

Mac blinked. “Oh come on. Ah know there’s sonnets and poetry and songs praisin’ you and Cele…. Princess Celestia both. Ah imagine those courtly types ain’t shy of flatterin’ you either if they think it’ll help’em.”

“Ah, but that is the difference between thee and them. You offered the compliment without thinking, without wanting anything but to see our reaction to it. It was offered without restraint or motive beyond perhaps to have a little fun. Such things are rare indeed for a Princess,” she lifted her head at last to offer a soft, shy smile that made her look so much younger than she truly was and Mac couldn’t help but return it. “Thank you, McIntosh.”

“Anytime, Luna,” he reassured her. “So, now that we know what we’re meant t’be talkin’ about, do you wanna start? What is there ya’d like to know about me? If y’all spoke to Pinkie then ah guess you know a bit. That girl knows everythin’ about everyone in town. Blows mah mind how she keeps it all straight.”

Luna hesitated, for a moment unsure what to ask first. “Pinkie was helpful in certain respects but you, McIntosh Apple, you are something of an enigma even to the social heart of Ponyville. She told me you keep much to yourself, that she knows some of what you do. I must admit to being surprised to hear that you go fishing. I thought it was only pegasi that had a taste for that.”

Mac nodded, sipping thoughtfully from his bottle of cider. “Fluttershy knows what needs doin’, but the poor gal’s too soft-hearted t’do it herself. She don’t ask no questions, I don’t tell her no lies. Ah just give her what she needs for her critters--”

“And she gives what is needed to help support your family.”

Mac winced, looking left and right as if afraid that Applejack was going to overhear them. “Ah’d appreciate ya keeping that little bit of knowledge under that crown of yours, Princess. AJ don’t know anythin’ about that. Ah do the books for the farm so it’s easy t’hide the extra bits in there.”

Luna ducked her head down. “You have our apologies, Mac. We did not mean to speak out of turn. Pinkie had intimated that this may be a delicate subject.”

The stallion nodded, “AJ’s many things. She’s loyal, she’s honest, she’s hard-workin’ but she’s also about as stubborn as they come. If she heard that ah’d been workin’ on the side t’help out, she’d probably take it a mite personal.”

“But why? It is not as if you are doing anything dishonest or illegal? You work for the betterment of yourself and your kin. Surely Applejack would support you in such endeavours?”

“Pride,” Mac stated bluntly. “Same thing that made her work herself near t’death tryin’ to do a whole Applebuckin’ season herself. Same thing that has her and Rainbow constantly tryin’ to outdo one another. If mah Sister has one weakness, it’s that pride o’hers.”

“Ah,” was all Luna said. “We know that vice better than most.”

Now it was Mac’s turn to look abashed. “Sorry if ah’m bringing up bad memories.”

“No offence was implied or taken, Mac,” Luna assured him. “Now, it is only fair, I think, that you have the chance to ask a question in turn.”

“Well, yes an’no. Ah didn’t exactly answer that question of yours. Ya knew about the fishin’ already, and ah’m guessing what you really wanted to know was what else ah get up to other than that, right? Well…let’s see here. Ah sing well enough, and ah dabble in the fiddle a bit. Ah ain’t as good as some in the family, but ah can belt out a decent tune when we need someone t’get a dance going. Y’won’t see mah name up in lights wi’the like of Octavia Philarmonica, but ah like t’think ah sound at least better than nails on a blackboard.”

“I would like to hear you play sometime,” Luna replied honestly. “I have fond memories of my first earth pony dance.”

“Memories? Wait, ya mean y’remember it?” Mac grinned broadly. “Guess ah gotta show you how us earth ponies really party. Well, fair enough though, mah turn now,” he paused as he considered his question. “Ah know it’s considered bad form t’bring up former partners on a first date but you ain’t quite like other fillies. Ah’m guessing y’ain’t done this kinda thing since your, er, return?”

Luna paused before she replied, allowing herself just a hint of a smile as his question brought up memories of other stallions, some not entirely aware of just who it was they were bedding. Still, she doubted he wanted to hear about that right now, or perhaps ever! “Nay, thou’rt quite correct in that,” she said as she popped the remains of her burger into her mouth and dabbed one last time to catch any lingering traces of sauce. “It has been some time indeed since we last...dated,” she paused and gave a soft, wistful little sigh. “We have had suitors in the past, many years ago. The last was not long before my banishment. His name was Swift Spark.”

“Ah’m guessin’ a unicorn or pegasus with a name like that? Don’t really strike me as an Earth pony type name.”

“Quite correct. He was a unicorn, in fact, from one of the villages to the South of the Everfree forest. He had come to the court to petition for assistance from the Sun and Night Guards for assistance in driving off a hydra that had taken up residence in their river. Initially some of the courtiers tried to deny him access, claiming he had not taken the time to make a proper appointment. They also felt that his ragged appearance was hardly befitting someone about to stand before their diarchs.”

Mac snorted and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “So what did he do?”

Luna paused a moment to make sure that he had a nice mouthful of his drink before she replied. “Turned them into potted plants.” She stifled her smile behind one hoof, giggling as he desperately tried not to spit it all out in front of her. “Three begonias and an especially lovely lily as I recall. He was a talented magic user, not quite of the same calibre as my Sister’s student, of course, but then almost no-one is. Following this he burst into the throne room, prostrated himself before us and begged for our aid. Rather than send some of the Guard to look into it, I took it upon myself to return and aid him.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that,” she confirmed. “He pleaded most convincingly. He also had a most delightful rump that was on display most pleasingly as he grovelled before us. I was young enough at the time that a shapely behind was a great motivator.”

Mac was lucky enough not to have a mouthful of drink this time, though he still shot Luna a glare across the table, much to the Princess’ amusement. “Young? How old were you at the time?”

“Mac! Thou should never ask a filly for her age! It is normally a most impertinent question but we are feeling generous tonight and will let this indiscretion pass. I was…” Luna trailed off as she thought about it, her wings twitching a little as she tried to think back. “Do you know I truly cannot remember? ‘Tia might recall such things, her grasp of dates and figures was always better than mine. The truth was we were both old even by then, but this was before the dark times, before Her.”

Mac winced a little, “Sorry fer bringing up, er, that. Ah imagine y’get enough of that from the loons that still think ye’re her.”

“Some still find it difficult to believe in my redemption, yes, even three years later. They seem to believe I am laying in wait for my Sister to lower her guard before I plunge the world into darkness once more. You have not offended me, Mac. It is difficult to not at least acknowledge Her. She is the, how do you say it, ursa minor in the room?”

“Maybe so, but that don’t mean we need to talk about her, ‘specially not now. Ah know you ain’t her no more. Hells, if I thought that I certainly wouldn’t be here! Twilight made sure everyone knew that after your visit on Nightmare Night that first year, and you made sure that everyone in Ponyville got to see you as our Princess and not just as some boogeymare lurkin’ in the shadows to scare the foals.”

“Twilight was the first friend we made on our return, it is true. She was not afraid of us, and did her best to comfort and advise when our initial approach did not go at all as we had planned.”

“Y’did come across a little heavy-hoofed,” Mac agreed as he sat back with his drink and regarded the Princess once more. “But we’re driftin’ off topic a shade. You were tellin’ me about this Swift Spark. Ah guess things started off after the hydra?”

“Indeed they did,” Luna leaned forward to rest her forelegs on the table, close enough that he could easily reach out and brush his hoof to hers if he chose. “The villagers were most grateful for my timely assistance in driving off their unwanted guest; they insisted I stay the night with them and they would throw a party in my honour. This was before the dark times, before my little ponies began to fear me and my night. I accepted happily, both in thanks for their kindness, but also for the opportunity to be close to him for a while longer and get to know him. We ended up spending a great deal of time together at the party and when we parted just before dawn, it was with a promise that we would meet again in Canterlot in a few days.”

“What was he like?” Mac leaned in a little closer and this time his hoof did brush against hers across the plate-strewn table. He hesitated, moved to draw his hoof back, only to find hers brushing back in turn to reassure him that the caress was not at all unwelcome.

“I sometimes thought he was born in the wrong tribe,” she replied simply. “He had more of the earth pony about him than unicorn, in truth. Many unicorns rely almost exclusively on their magic, it would never occur to them that there is pleasure to be found in simple manual labour. I think...that you would have liked him. He had a great appreciation for the soil though not to the extent that he could have made a career of it as your family has. He was fascinated by geology and spent a great deal of time exploring all over Equestria, even in places that most ponies would never dare tread,” Luna smiled wistfully at the memories. “It was an endless source of frustration to him that he could not venture into the caverns below Canterlot.”

“The ones where Princess Cadence was held by the Changelings, y’mean?” Mac whickered. “Ah heard about all that from the girls when they got back t’Ponyville.”

“You are well informed Mac, yes, the very ones. Back then, of course, the reasons were very different. The crystals have odd magical properties, being partly resistant to Equestrian magic. There had been attempts to mine the crystals for enchantment purposes but in the end they were abandoned, the caverns judged to be too dangerous for serious mining and the magic suppressant properties of the crystals would hamper any magical reinforcement or rescue attempt if the worst were to occur.” Luna blinked and cleared her throat, “My apologies. I sometimes think I spend too much time with the scholars in Canterlot, you did not need a history lesson.”

“Eeenope, but at the same time it sheds more light on the kinda pony he was. Even though he knew the caverns were dangerous, and his magic might not save him, he still wanted t’explore them and ah can sure respect that. So is that one o’the things that brought ya to me? His love o’the earth, that part of him that weren’t entirely unicorn?”

“In a way,” Luna paused and took a sip of her cider, her expression thoughtful. “I have found many earth ponies to be reassuringly grounded. Your folk tend to be practical, less prone to the affectations of the unicorns who spend much of their time worrying about what might be, not what is. Pegasi can be both caring and arrogant in equal measure, hedonistic and thrill seeking, but sometimes lacking in compassion,” she waved her free hoof as she spoke, the other still resting comfortably against Mac’s. “I have a personal theory,” she confided, looking left and right before leaning in as if to impart some vital piece of knowledge, “I sometimes think that their minds work more quickly than earth ponies or unicorns, their thoughts tumbling one over another till they can scarce stand still for more than a few moments before the urge to move becomes unbearable. Perhaps something to do with their particular magic and a distant kinship to birds. I am sure Twilight would delight in making a study of it though I somehow think loyal Rainbow Dash would be disinclined to acquiesce to her request.” At Mac’s blank stare she added, “That means no.”

Mac gave the princess a somewhat amused look, catching just a hint of unsteadiness in her voice as the potent apple brew took effect. “There’s gotta be more to it than that, though,” he pointed out. “Ain’t no shortage of earth ponies around these parts.”

“Very true,” and this time her hoof slipped over his on the table, holding it lightly as she considered her next words carefully. “But few share your love of the night. Even among your brethren you are something out of the ordinary. Your mind is calm, when I touch your dreams it is like stepping from a room full of ponies and into silence. I find your presence…soothing,” she trailed off as she noticed the look Mac was giving her, clearing her throat quickly. “Not that I have spent so many nights watching your dreams, it is merely one of my duties as the Ruler of the Night, I look into the dreams of many of our little ponies. I...merely meant that when it came time to check in on you, it was not the chore it is with some others.”

“Don’t often remember mah dreams,” he admitted as he considered what she’d said. “That’s gotta be a heavy burden for ya.”

Luna blinked, her head tilting to one side and her ears splaying out sideways, “Burden? An interesting choice of words. Many would think it interesting, or amusing, or perhaps even embarrassing to see the dreaming minds of so many. Why would you think it a burden?”

“Lotta secrets in dreams, things a pony’d never say or do under the light o’the sun, things they might not even admit t’themselves. Then you got the dreams themselves, ah'm guessin' they're more like Discord’s version of reality than the actual thing. That's gotta be tough enough t'sort out in the good ones, let alone in nightmares where a pony really might not want to admit what's actually scarin' them." He turned his foreleg a little so he could press his hoof more firmly to hers and give it a gentle squeeze. "All that hope and joy an'terror and anger in equal measure, everythin’ all mixed up, unfiltered and uncensored. You see folks in a way no-one else could, all their secrets, both good an’bad and you see it all every night. The weight of it must get t’ya sometimes, the things ya know about the ponies that surround you and Princess Celestia too.”

Luna didn’t say anything for a moment, but the hoof that covered his tightened a little more. “And that is why I am here, Mac. You understand, like he did. You see that the crown is as much a burden as it is a gift.”
Fearing that the conversation might be taking a turn for the maudlin, Mac lifted Luna’s hoof from the table and gave it a playful kiss and nuzzle. “Well, there’s plenty of time for us t’get to know one another. For now, though, the night’s passin’ by and I don’t know about you but I think I’m about ready for another go at the dancin’. Ah figure there’s a few ponies out there that ain’t seen me embarrass mahself flailin’ around like ah got parasprites under mah tail. Shall we make sure they don’t miss out?”

Luna grinned broadly and tugged the curtain aside, waving Mac out and onto the dancefloor once more. The thump of the music promptly flooded the booth, the bright lights briefly dazzling the stallion as he stepped out. Luna followed close behind, swaying a little as she pressed her flank to his and spread a wing over him. My, she thought to herself, that cider really was potent stuff. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d drunk enough to have a pleasant buzz like she had now.

Mac was rather surprised at first but he wasn’t about to go telling a Princess not to touch him and, frankly, he didn’t really want to tell her to stop. It had been a long time since… Well, the truth was that it had been a long time since Cheerilee and that thrice-damned love poison. Looking back on that whole episode he always felt a tiny bit of shame over the things he had done and said but this? This just felt good. He turned his head to nuzzle along the curve of that arched neck, again just breathing in the smell of her, that now familiar scent of lavender mingling with the sweat from earlier.

“Dance with me, Mac,” she implored as she turned away from him and slowly backed onto the dancefloor, one of his hooves clutched in her own, her blue eyes glittering. How could he refuse her?

There were more ponies filling the dancefloor now, alcohol loosening inhibitions as the night went on, urging the wallflowers out to bloom in the light of strobe and laser, the floor a heaving, shifting, roiling mass of ponies packed tightly together, hooves jabbing into the air in salute to the lone white unicorn that effortlessly led the crowd.

Vinyl Scratch was still standing at her decks above them but she was joined now by a familiar curly-maned pink pony. Vinyl’s head was tilted to one side, one half of her headphones pushed away from her ear so she could listen to whatever it was Pinkie was telling her, a broad grin on her muzzle as the party pony gesticulated wildly to illustrate whatever point she was making

For the second time that night, Mac took to the floor as the music sang through him, blocking out everything else but the mare pressed next to him, her flanks and rump sliding against his as this time they truly moved together as one. Muzzles touching, necks pressing together, tails swinging in time, sliding against one another then spinning apart and darting back in, inhibitions slipping away, all the maybes and couldbes lost once again in the pleasure of this moment, drowned beneath the simple pleasures of a filly and colt teasing and playing together.

He didn’t think about it, didn’t plan it, but as the song ended, as the music built to a crescendo that had the ponies rearing to their hind legs, their hooves thrust into the air, his hooves found hers and his lips followed a heartbeat later as the two pressed together. Luna moaned softly into his mouth as their lips parted together, tongues darting shyly out to meet and then flinch away at first, returning moment by moment as the kiss deepened.

As the music faded and the houselights came up, every pony in the room was treated to the sight of Luna and Mac kissing passionately in the center of the dancefloor, the alicorn’s wings standing stiffly in the air, the two of them lost to everything but each other… Until the cheering started.

The floor trembled as hooves thundered in approval, the air filled with cheers, whistles and the occasional lewd suggestion (shouted from the safety and anonymity of the back of the room) of what Mac might want to do with his Princess. The two parted, blushing, looking around with wide, startled eyes as the real world came crashing back down onto them.

Unable to think of anything else he could do, resigned to the fact that there was nowhere they could hide, Mac turned to Luna with a wry smile on his lips and shrugged before playfully tugging one of her wings round to hide them as he kissed her once more.

Chapter 9 - Dreams and Wishes

Chapter 9
Dreams and Wishes.

That day, when she had told Mac that she had heard him, Luna was not merely being poetic, or speaking in some generalised or romanticised way. She had HEARD him, as clearly as she might a pony in the same room as her, but only if she tuned her ears to listen.

Over the years she’d come up with many ways of describing it. The most common she used was that it was like standing beside a riverbank, listening to the sounds of the water, or in an orchard with the wind blowing through the trees. A sound you barely registered consciously, but if you tuned your ear to it all the myriad subtleties would become obvious; the creak of the branches, the gurgle of the water as it pooled and eddied through the rocks and most importantly, the occasional splash of the fish within.

She heard all of them, every night. Every prayer, every wish, every secret, whispering in the back of her mind like the water of the stream or the wind through the trees and it had been his midnight prayer to the moon that had drawn her to him.

Tonight, though, it was time to tend to the needs of her other subjects. She doubted Mac would feel the need to speak to her tonight and she was reluctant to peek into his dreams following their date. She raised a hoof to her lips, smiling to herself as she remembered the kiss, the cheering, the look of surprise and then delight on his face as he bent close to kiss her again.

She sighed contentedly as she levitated the porcelain cup to her lips and sipped at the coffee within. There would be time enough to lose herself in memories once her nightly tasks were done, for now she could hear some of those distinct ‘splashes’ in the back of her mind that let her know there were ponies staring at her stars and wishing on them.

There was, in reality, little she could do for many of them. She and her sister were many things but they were not Djinn of myth, nor were they omnipotent though neither of them went out their way to rein in the more excessive claims that were made about their power. It never hurt to let your enemy think you were more powerful than you actually were, after all. That said, there were times, Luna mused to herself, that she wished she really COULD banish ponies to the Moon as easily as clicking her hooves together.

Well, those were thoughts for another time. For now she closed her eyes and reached out with her senses, her ears perked as her horn began to gently glow. Long years of doing this had taught her that you could not simply click your hooves together and hear all the prayers and wishes as plain as day. No, every day was a little different and some days it took her longer to tune her inner ‘ear’ than others. Today, though, the voices came easily to her. Sipping again from her cup, her horn glowed brighter still as she lifted a quill and parchment to make notes.

‘Please bring him back safely to me.’

Ah. One of the most common of prayers and, sadly, often entirely outside of her ability to assist in any way. Though as she listened it became clear that this, however, was a special case. She focused more intently on the voice and the thoughts and feelings behind it, the glow around her horn strengthening further as more details came to her. A young Canterlot filly, expecting her first foal, the father with the diplomatic corps and currently assigned to negotiations with the gryphons over mineral rights in Northern Equestria.

A mild abuse of her position, perhaps, but the stallion had no idea he was about to become a father. Eyes still closed, the magically supported quill was dipped neatly into the inkpot and a note was made on the parchment, a reminder for herself to ask that he be rotated home as soon as a replacement was available. She smiled to herself as she dotted the end of the note, pleased to start the night off with something she could actually influence for the better.

‘Please bring him back to me.’

Oh, there were so many of these. Not like the first, these were pleas for lovers taken by time, taken by misfortune, taken and gone to where no pony’s power could reach. There was nothing she could do for these poor tormented souls, no matter how many times they prayed or wished or pleaded for it to be otherwise. When she had first started, a night of listening to these lost souls had near destroyed her; she had fled to Celestia’s chamber in tears at the end of each night, finding solace in her sister’s embrace and whispered reassurances, somehow finding the strength to get up and do it again in all the nights that followed.

Now she accepted that, even for an alicorn, there were some things that could not be avoided, only endured, and death was still the heaviest burden of them all. The most she could do for the lost, hurting ponies such as this was send them gentle dreams of better times and give their troubled minds some brief relief from their sorrow.

“Princess Luna?”

It took her a moment to realise that the soft voice was not in her mind but beside her, which could only mean it was one of the Night Guard. No-one else would dare enter her chambers unannounced, not even one of the Solar Guard. She held a hoof up to forestall any further comments as she tilted her head a little to catch the next voice, a habit built up over the centuries even though it had no real effect.

‘Dear Luna, Celestia, please. I need to qualify tomorrow. My family will be destroyed if I don’t pass the entrance trials for the royal guard this time.’

Well, he certainly wasn’t doing himself any favours being up until this time of night worrying about it! With a gentle nudge of her power she urged the frantic colt to rest, granting him the boon of a restful, dreamless sleep so he would awake ready and refreshed for what awaited him.

“Yes, what it is?” she asked without opening her eyes, her focus still turned inward to catch any more of those elusive voices.

“You have a visitor, Mistress. She was quite insistent.”

Luna finally opened her eyes, sighing softly as she turned her head to, indeed, find one of her batponies bowing low before her, his head near pressed to the ground.

“Emberfire,” her voice was chiding now. “Thou hast been our guardian long enough to know that we are not to be disturbed during these hours. This must be something of great importance for thee to…” Luna trailed off as she looked over his back to the door to spot a familiar pink muzzle peeking around the door. She pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing a little as she stifled a sound of surprise. How in Equestria had she got here so quickly?

“Thank you, Emberfire. You are excused,” as the batpony rose and started to turn she added, “and you have our apologies for being short with thee. Thou hast—You have acted correctly, as always.”

Emberfire paused long enough to flash his Mistress a soft, appreciative smile before trotting quickly to the door, “Announcing Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, ruler of the Crystal Empire.”

“Oh foo, just Cadance is fine, Ember,” the Princess of Love chuckled as she stepped in to Luna’s chambers. “Hello Luna. Sorry if I’ve dragged you away from your duties but this really couldn’t wait till morning. Do you have a moment to chat?”

Luna nodded in dismissal to the guard who stepped outside and closed the heavy door behind him. “I always have a moment for thee, Cadance.”

A heartbeat after the door thudded home, Cadance was across the room and had seized Luna’s shoulders, face mere inches from her own. “Who is he?” Cadance demanded imperiously.

“Who is…. What?” Luna was so startled that, for a moment, she completely forgot that she had asked for this particular mare’s assistance.

“Your letter!” Cadance gave Luna’s shoulders a little shake. “You SO don’t get to just send me that sort of announcement in a LETTER! Luna! You have a very special somepony! This is—“ She broke off, peering suspiciously at the starry-maned mare. “Have you done something different with your mane?”

Luna shifted a little in place. “We do not know what thou art referring to,” she muttered, turning her head a little to try and hide the bright red hibiscus still tucked behind her ear but Cadance was too quick for her, leaning in closer still as she caught the sudden flash of colour.

“Wait, is that—Ooooooh! That’s Night’s Kiss! I didn’t think anypony still knew about those! You must be chasing a scholar, is it a scholar? It’s not Twilight, is it? I don’t know how Celestia would take that given… Er, nevermind. It’s not purple, so it couldn’t be her anyway. Who is it? Who?” Cadance advanced further and further with every word until Luna was near pushed back down onto her haunches beneath the barrage of questions.

“Enough, niece!” Luna snorted and jerked her head away. “I will tell thee if thou wouldst give us a moment to speak!” She sighed and fussed a little with her mane while Cadance pretended patience, barely able to keep one hoof from tapping on the floor. Luna swore she could already hear an ecstatic squeal building in the pink alicorn’s breast.

“McIntosh Apple,” Luna finally admitted and Cadance blinked, her head tilting to one side as her eyes first widened, then narrowed as her brow furrowed.

“McIntosh Apple. The Ponyville farmer? Applejack’s brother?” Cadance sounded sceptical and Luna sighed, bracing herself for the disbelieving questions. What happened, instead, was something akin to the whistling of a kettle, rapidly building to near ear-shattering volume as she found herself snatched up into the pink alicorn’s forelegs and swung in a rather undignified circle.

“EEEEEEEEEEE!” Cadance burst out, hugging Luna fiercely to her. “Congratulations! He’s quite the catch! Applejack talked about him when they were last in the city and I got to see a picture of her family. I didn’t know you liked them so...muscular!” Cadance gave a flirtatious wiggle of her eyebrows that had Luna rolling her eyes. “I always figured you for more of a pegasus fan, all sleek and toned. I could totally see you and Rainbow Dash together. Hey, maybe Mac would let Dash join his herd. I don’t think she’s seeing anypony.”

“Cadance! That is quite enough!” Luna pushed the overly enthusiastic mare away and snorted irritably. “We have had only one date so far, it is far too early to go speculating on who Mac might invite into his herd. You do not know, he may be satisfied with only me.”

“Well, you are mare enough for any three stallions…” Cadance drawled, “Or so the story goes.”

“That is a vile falsehood!” Luna snarled, her wings flaring out as her voice rose angrily. “It was two stallions and a mare and...I really should have just kept my mouth shut.”

Cadance did her best to look abashed but that mischievous smile just refused to stay hidden despite her best efforts, even in the face of the Princess of the Night’s wrath.

Luna facehoofed in despair and took a deep breath to settle her nerves once more. This was her own fault, after all, she had brought Cadance into this, she might as well try and make the best of it. “Let us focus on the here and now, yes? For the moment there is only Mac and I. We have had one successful date but we are far from discussing herds, second mares or anything beyond a promise to see one another again.”

“And that’s what I’m here for. I’m here to make sure that there is a a second date, a third date, a marriage proposal, a herd and a happily ever after!” Cadance giggled enthusiastically and clopped her forehooves together in delight. “But first you have to tell me everything that happened on your last date. Was it something romantic? Please tell me you didn’t take him to somewhere dark, spooky and dusty.”

“Well it was dark…” Luna started, Cadance already groaning in despair. “But it was far from spooky and dusty. We went out dancing at a venue in Ponyville. A strangely Discordian affair, a room full of ponies in thrall to a single unicorn with sunglasses and an electric blue mane. It was most unlike anything we had ever experienced before.”

“Wait, you took Mac to a DJ PON-3 gig? And are you using the royal ‘we’ or was Mac just as surprised by this as you?”

“Mac did seem quite startled at first, but then he plunged onto the dancefloor with the same sort of look we have seen on ponies charging into battle for the first time,” Luna mused, her lips curving in a soft, fond smile as she remembered how tense he had been at first, comparing that to the way they moved together in harmony by the end of the night. “It took some time, but I believe he began to, how you say, loosen up.”

Cadance resisted the urge to squeal again and contented herself with a nod. “So you danced together. Did you talk? Did you drink? Did he KISS you? I don’t know if many stallions would be so bold as to kiss their princess on the first date.”

“A precedent was set earlier in the evening when I kissed him,” Luna admitted.

Cadance blinked. “I can honestly say that’s not something I expected to hear. Here was me thinking I’d have to coax you into it, or go and reassure Mac that you wouldn’t banish him to the Moon if he tried to kiss you.”

“In fact he was more concerned that Tia would send him to the Sun,” Luna helpfully clarified. “I decided it was necessary to demonstrate to him that he was quite safe, from solar immolation at least.”

“So what did he do when you kissed him?”

“Nothing, for a moment or two. I think I had taken him quite by surprise. In truth the look of shock on his face was most pleasing.”

“Was he a good kisser?” Cadance leaned in a little closer, her expression mischievous.

“A lady does not kiss and tell, niece,” Luna chided. “A Princess, on the other hoof, can state quite categorically that there shall be many a disappointed mare in Ponyville for allowing such a stallion to escape them.”

“Twilight never really talked about the stallions in Ponyville, I don’t think she really sees them in the same way as other fillies do,” Cadance sighed. “She always was a little oblivious to such things. So Mac hasn’t dated much?”

“We—I do not believe so. He struck me as quite unsure of himself at first.”

“You don’t think he’s a virgin, do you? I mean there is that other rumour…”

Luna gave an exasperated sigh. “Really? Is that old chestnut still doing the rounds? We do not devour the souls of virgin ponies!”

“No, I imagine you’d rather devour other parts of them,” Cadance added with another lewd, suggestive eyebrow wriggle.

Luna’s expression darkened and Cadance eep’ed softly as the ceiling above them began to swirl, the glittering stars that had dotted it snuffed out one by one till the two sat in near perfect darkness; the only light left the foreboding glow of Luna’s eyes and horn as she rose to all fours and loomed dangerously over the now-silent pink alicorn. “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, you presume too much, far too much indeed. We are not our Sister, we do not tolerate your quirks of character as she does. If you have come here to mock us with innuendo and hearsay than you can return to the Crystal Empire, your services are no longer required or desired here. I am the ruler of the night, Princess of Equestria and you WILL treat me with respect or you will be absent from my presence. Are we clear?”

“As crystal,” Cadance squeaked, bowing low before Luna’s wrath, her head almost pressed to the floor, nose buried in a rug. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to suggest anything about your character.”

Luna sighed as she reined in her power, the stars again glittering peacefully in the strange, ever shifting roof of her chambers. “Your apology is accepted, Cadance. It was I that asked you here, I should not be so quick to lash out. We fear that the years have not been entirely kind to our temperament.”

“Does Mac know you have, uhm, a bit of a temper?” Cadance ventured, ever so diffidently.

“I suppose he does, in part. He was there that first time when I proclaimed that Nightmare Night would be forever banished.”

Cadance dared to lift her head up and, at Luna’s curt nod, rose to settle back on her haunches, fidgeting a little with her elaborately styled mane. “So what is it you need from me, exactly? Dating tips? Mane styling advice?”

“We need to understand…” Luna hesitated as she fumbled for the right word. “The rules.”

Cadance blinked, her head cocking to one side in confusion. “The rules to…?”

“This,” Luna waved a hoof in a vague circle. “All of it. How does one woo a stallion in these times? When we were younger there were rules to be followed, a certain rhythm to a courtship, almost like a checklist to be completed before you could officially be together, but now? Now it seems that ponies go as quickly or slowly as they like. They date one or two or three at one time, colts and fillies or anything in between. There are no chaperones, no formal dances, no walking out together! How is a filly supposed to know how to keep a colt’s interest? How will I know if I pursue him too eagerly or not eagerly enough? I do not wish to seem overly diffident, nor do I wish to frighten him away by seeming obsessive!”

Luna finally paused to take a breath and Cadance chuckled quietly. “Oh. Is THAT all?” she deadpanned as she stepped past Luna to sit on the balcony, levitating a cup into her hooves and filling it with the still warm coffee from the pot. Luna hesitated, then moved to join her, the two of them sitting together and gazing out over the spires and rooftops of the slumbering city. Luna nodded regally to two of her batponies as they paused in flight and saluted her before returning to their nightly patrol. She sipped at her own coffee, making a face at finding it cold. A quick flash of her magic remedied that, steam coiling upward from the cup a heartbeat later.

“The truth is these days there are no rules,” Cadance began. “You can woo a stallion any way you like. Some stallions are even taking the initiative and pursuing mares rather than letting them follow tradition and make the first move. I’ve even heard of some ponies who forego herds and only take one lover for their lives. Mares and mares, colts and colts, mares with two colts, colts with five mares, the dynamic of what Equestria considers the family to be is always changing, and with that comes as many different ways for ponies to fall in love as there are stars in your sky.”

Luna planted a metaphorical hoof hard on her welling frustration. “But then how are we to know what the right thing to do is?”

“You don’t. The answer to that is there is no RIGHT thing to do at any given moment, there’s no playbook to follow here, it’s not a game of hoofball. The only real rule is that you do what feels right and what feels good as long as you both want it. It’s like the ancient rede ‘An it harm none, do what thou wilt’. As long as you and Mac are having fun together and you’re not hurting anypony else, who am I to tell you that you’re not doing it right?”

Luna fidgeted with her cup, rolling it between her hooves as she stared down into the inky liquid, watching the reflections of her stars skittering and flickering across the surface. “What if I drive him away?” she finally whispered her true fear. “You’ve seen them. How some of them still look at me as something to be feared, to be approached only warily, less put on a pedestal and more in a cage.”

“Of course you’re talking about the Canterlot nobles,” Cadance’s voice was flat and emotionless. “Do you know why they say those things about you?” She paused long enough for Luna to give a slow shake of her head. “Because you won’t play by their rules. Celestia, for all her wisdom, knows that sometimes she needs to accommodate the nobles’ plotting and scheming for this place to function, but you? You’re the one that ponies come to when they need somepony who has no ulterior motive, somepony they can be sure has nothing else influencing their decision. Celestia’s court, I’m sure you’ve noticed, is mostly full of the nobles, all jockeying for position, each one out to further their own interests. Half the bills and petitions Celestia has to deal with are veiled attempts at power grabs. Your court, though? You get the common folks, the ones who know they’ll get justice, no matter how harsh, who know that you won’t pander to anypony’s interests for the sake of keeping the peace.”

“You make me sound naive,” Luna grumbled.

“Principled.” Cadance replied firmly. “And that is what the common pony needs. Someone not willing to bend their principles, regardless of the potential consequence and THAT is why the nobles are afraid of you. They know two things about you, Luna, and both of those things terrify them. They know you won’t tolerate their petty posturing and, whether it’s true or not, they know that if you wanted you could reach into their dreams, pull out all their most hidden secrets and use that knowledge to ruin them. It’s far safer for them to deal with Celestia than with you.”

“Well put, niece. Perhaps a little more harshly phrased than I would have put it, but accurate nonetheless.”

Both alicorns looked up in surprise as a third voice chimed in on their discussion, finding Celestia descending towards the balcony in a graceful arc, wings flaring wide to brake her flight as she landed with a gentle clatter of hooves. “My guard informed me of your arrival, Princess Cadance. It was not difficult to conclude what might have brought you here.”

Luna stifled a growl of annoyance; was there no secret she could keep in this place? “This does not concern you, sister. This is a private matter between Cadance and myself.”

“Oh I beg to differ, Lulu. Everything about this situation concerns me whether you wish it or not. Your first date may have gone off without a hitch but I assume there will be a second, and a third and the longer this goes on, the greater the risk that it will be found out. Eventually you will need to go public with your choice of lover, or the news will leak and it will be made public anyway. I have no wish to meddle in your love life, but you cannot be blind to the ramifications of what you are doing.”

“Enough, Tia. You have made your feelings as Equestria’s ruler quite plain. If you have come here to lecture me and warn me against indiscretion then you can consider your point made and you can leave us in peace.“

Celestia held up a hoof and Luna paused. “Peace, Lulu. I’m not here as anypony other than your sister, and I certainly didn’t come here to berate or fight with you,” she chuckled softly, “I didn’t even bring my crown with me.” Only then did Luna notice that, indeed, the pristine white alicorn was devoid of any of her usual royal trappings and felt slightly ashamed at lashing out before she’d even given Celestia a chance to say what brought her here.

“Like I said,” Cadance wryly added in the uncomfortable silence that followed, “does Mac know about that temper of yours?”

*****

A date in Ponyville. Well, that explained where she had disappeared to.

Sitting in the shadows above Luna’s balcony, a single batpony leaned forward a little, pupils in his eyes constricting in the light of the moon. Moving slowly he carefully extended his leathery wings, stretching them out and then tucking them back snugly to his sides, long ears perked as he listened to every word of the three Princesses gossiping just below him.

He’d warned Luna time and time again that the balcony was no place to discuss matters of state, that it was too easy for someone to overhear them but she never paid any attention to the warnings, chiding him for being overcautious, too suspicious, but for now he was glad of her stubbornness.

Well, and it seemed he wasn’t the only one. A twitch of the curtains further down in one of the other towers showed that he wasn’t alone in doing a little late night Princess-watching. Blueblood’s chambers, if he wasn’t mistaken. He leaned forward a little more, hoof sliding slowly along the slates of the roof so he could get a better look.

Another twitch of the curtain and this time his gaze was met by two wide, blue eyes staring right back at him and he cursed, realising too late that he’d moved out and into the full light of the moon, exposing himself to this mystery eavesdropper. He darted back into the shadow, an angry snarl curling his lips. It was bad enough that Luna was persisting in this relationship but it seemed now his interest in it had been noted.

He would have to be far more careful in future. There was still too much to be done and, it seemed, so little time. Slipping carefully down the other side of the tower he took to the air to complete his patrol route, pausing only for a moment to gaze back at the home of his Mistress, his expression blank.

She would hate him, he was sure, but he only had her best interests at heart. He hoped, in time, she would understand that, even if she never forgave him for what he knew had to be done.

Chapter 11 - Perspectives aka Meanwhile in Equestria...

Chapter 11
Perspectives aka Meanwhile in Equestria...

Big Mac & Rainbow

Rainbow Dash snorted and stared at Mac as if he’d just grown another head. “You’re yanking my tail, right? Can’t be done, big guy.”

“Ah ain’t askin’ ya to change the whole schedule. Just...does it have t’be THAT exact bit o’the orchards? There ain’t nothing growing there anyhow!”

“Hey, take it up with AJ. She put the request for rain in weeks ago. I can’t just change the schedule because you wanna get kissy with the Princess.”

Mac scowled in reply but couldn’t really argue with her. In hindsight he really should have checked the Ponyville weather schedule at the town hall before putting all his preparations in place. They’d been due a good long spell of wet weather for a while now but he’d been so wrapped up with making sure he had everything he needed that it wasn’t until last night that he’d even thought to look.

“That the final word?” he sighed.

“Well yeah. I mean you’re a friend and all but I can’t just change everything just for you…”
Still, the way she trailed off like that at the end suggested that Rainbow’s schedule might have just a little more flex in it than she was willing to let on and this was a game he knew how to play. He rolled his shoulders a little and snorted. “Let’s git down to it, Dash. What’s it gonna take t’change the schedule?”

Dash pressed a hoof to her chest, striking a pose of offended innocence. “I don’t know what you could possibly be insinuating. I already said I couldn’t change it or are you maybe hinting at offering the Element of Loyalty a BRIBE of all things?”

“A bribe? Naw, naw, nothin’ like that. Call it a...consideration,” Mac replied.

“Oh?” One of Dash’s ears perked up a little. “A consideration in…?”

"Next year’s cider harvest.” He could beat around the bush all day, but they both knew the one thing that Dash would never be able to refuse, so why waste time flapping their gums about it? The only thing that remained to be settled was how big a dent this was going to put into their supply. “Ah’ll set a mug aside for ya, guaranteed, no matter how many Pinkie buys.”

“One mug? Have you any idea how much work goes into these schedules and you expect me to work around you for one measly mug of delicious, foamy, perfect Sweet Apple Acres cider? It’d have to be a barrel at least.”

“One whole barrel?” Mac scoffed. “Fer wut? Twenty seconds work? As a friend, and as y'all will be helpin’ me out, we’ll call it two mugs.”

“Two? I’m sorry, did you actually offer me a measly two mugs for all the knowledge and skill and pure awesomeness that goes into clearing clouds that quickly? Is that how much you think my skills are worth? I’m hurt, Big Mac! Truly hurt,” Rainbow paused, then added, “and it would only take ten seconds. Tops.”

Someone had been taking lessons from Rarity, it seemed. All she needed to complete the melodramatic swoon was a couch to flop on. “Alright, fine,” he growled. “Just so happens ah got a half-keg of cider stashed away, mah own private stock. Y'guarantee me a clear day over that part of the orchard and ah’ll not only let ya have a mug from it now, ah’ll set aside three for ya next cider season.”

“Now? As in right now, now?”

“Eeeyup. Right now right now. Just think, Dash. Minute from now, ya can have that cold, crisp, sweet cider slidin’ down yer throat, knowing that ya can rush it or savour it, however ya like, because next year there’ll be another three just like it set aside for mah good friend who did me a favour in mah moment o’need.”

Because his Mother had raised him to be a thoughtful and courteous stallion, Mac politely didn’t draw attention to the condition of Rainbow’s wings. By the time he was finished talking, the pegasus’ pinions were extended and quivering in a gratuitous display of excitement.

Dash blinked, wiped a strand of drool from her bottom lip and stuck out her other hoof. “Deal!” she blurted, then growled under her breath as she realised what her wings were doing, her cheeks flaming red as she forced them back down to her sides. “When do you need it clear from?”

“We’re meetin’ up for lunch, so can ya make sure we’re clear from about eleven in the mornin’ through the rest of the day? Rest o’the farm’ll be wet but shouldn’t be too bad and we’ll have blankets if the ground’s still soggy on the hill.”

“I could just leave that bit out the entire day if that’s easier?”

“Naw. We might not grow anything up there, but there’s still plenty of trees and plants need the water. Can't deprive them o'that.”

“Oh yeah, gotcha,” she nodded. “Flutters takes that sort of thing really seriously. Alright, you got it. Blue skies and warm breezes for your Princess picnic. Now where’s this cider?”

Mac sighed, shrugged and motioned for Rainbow to follow him back to the barn where he kept his private stash.

Luna & Emberfire

“The matter is not open for debate, Emberfire. We do not report to you. When I say I am leaving my guard behind, I mean ALL the guard. I will be perfectly safe in Ponyville. Who would dare to attack one of the Princesses of Equestria, let alone attack her in the town where the Elements of Harmony reside?”

The bat pony barely managed to keep an frustrated sigh from slipping out as he stared at his Mistress, fighting the urge to snap and snarl at her as that would lead, at best, to a rebuke and at worst to a detail cleaning the latrines. Still, he had been with Luna ever since her return, hoof picked by her from the remaining bat ponies to head her personal guard and that afforded him a certain amount of leeway. In other words, few others could get away with speaking so bluntly to her as he was about to.

“Mistress, you and your Sister are powerful, yes, but all it would take is one madpony with a grudge and a knife, one assassin from another nation, one freak accident, and I would find myself on the Moon and the kingdom would be short one ruler.”

“I will be fine. There has not been an attempt on our lives in generations. Equestria is at peace.”

“Apart from Discord.”

“Well, yes--”

“And the Changelings,” he pressed on, despite the look of increasing annoyance on Luna’s face.

“I--”

“And I imagine Sombra wouldn’t have stopped with the Crystal Empire at his beck and call.”

“ENOUGH!”

And when she broke out the Royal Canterlot Voice, that was when he knew he’d pushed as far as he could. He bowed quickly, pressing his head down to the floor. “Mistress…” he ventured, ears still ringing. “You have to see this from my side. Our sole concern is your safety. We owe everything to you, myself especially. You chose me for this role, but now you make it very difficult for me to carry it out.”

“We do not need to be reminded of that, Emberfire,” Luna’s voice was cold and distant. “We know why we chose thee, and as much as it drives us to distraction on occasion, your dedication to our safety has never wavered.”

With his face pressed to the floor he didn’t see her sigh softly and then lean in, the sudden gentle nuzzle against his cheek making him flinch away in surprise. He hesitantly lifted his head to see the Princess of the Night smiling down at him, her expression a mix of fondness and exasperation.

“And it is because of that dedication that we accept the validity of thy protests. Thou mayest send two guards and two ONLY. They will keep their distance, come only when summoned and will not make their presence known to McIntosh unless there be a threat to his life or mine, do I make myself clear?”

Emberfire managed to keep his surprise from showing too obviously on his face. Did…did he just win? “Of course, Mistress. I will pick them myself.”

“We would expect nothing less. You will ensure they are ready to depart on the hour. Oh, and Emberfire?”

“Mistress?”

“Discretion is the watchword here. My dealings in Ponyville are not to reach the ears of the Court, or the Canterlot nobility. Should I find that one of the guards has been speaking out of turn, I would be forced to reconsider your suitability as head of my personal guard.” Her tone remained mild, pleasant, even as the look in those blue eyes hardened. “We will meet our chosen escorts in our private garden. Thou’rt dismissed.”

Emberfire gulped, bowed low once more, then backed out the room as quickly as decorum would allow. Closing the door behind him, the batpony sagged back against it with a sigh, wiping a hoof across his brow, much to the amusement of the two Night Guards flanking the door.

“Did you try and tell the Mistress she couldn’t do something?” asked one. “And she let you go with your hide intact? She really must like you.”

“Oh shut up,” he grumbled. “Mistress just doesn’t like anyone trying to tell her what she can and can’t do, but she knows that if she gives me this one concession it’ll be easier than trying to dodge out all the patrols I’ll send looking for her the next time she sneaks off.”

Emberfire pushed away from the door, absently straightening his helm atop his head. “Do you know if Shadowstep and Mourne have returned from their patrol yet?”

“Sir, yes sir,” the guard promptly replied. “We saw them come in a little while ago. They’re likely down in the mess getting some food. I know that’s where I’d be.”

“That’s because you do all your thinking with your stomach, Quills.” His previously silent compatriot added, the mare winking at Emberfire. “But in this case he’s likely right.”

“Either way, good enough place to start looking,” Emberfire agreed. “All right, thanks. Keep up the good work and all that,” and because they weren’t entirely as casual as the Solar Guard made them out to be, he thumped one hoof firmly to his chest. “All Hail the Mistress of the Night, be about your duties.”

The two guards crisply returned the salute, standing that little bit straighter at the door as he turned and headed in search of two of the most dedicated ponies it had ever been his privilege to serve with. He couldn’t think of anyone he’d trust to keep Luna safe more than this pair.

Shining Armor & Cadance

Shining Armor was used to many things. When you chose to romantically pursue royalty, you had to understand that they weren’t entirely like other ponies. Alicorns had duties and responsibilities above and beyond the mundane, but more than that they had the oddest drives and instincts that often lead to some…strange behaviour.

Take his wife, for instance. When Cadance had received the letter from Princess Luna, she had near torn their bedroom apart in her eagerness to leave and help in Luna’s pursuit of this mysterious somepony. He’d seen this fervor in her eyes before and knew there was nothing he could do to reason with her or dissuade her, only help in making sure she got to where she needed to go as quickly as possible.

Cadance was powerful, all alicorns were, but even she didn’t have the magic she needed to teleport all the way to Canterlot, not without outside help. So, he shared his own magic with her, letting her use it to give her the boost she needed to make it to the city rather than having to take the train. A simple plan, but one which left him lying in bed, the drapes drawn and every light turned out as he dealt with one of the most severe magical backlash headaches he’d had since the invasion of Canterlot.

He rolled over, pulling a pillow over his aching head and tender horn, groaning in discomfort as even the touch of the soft fabric made his skin prickle unpleasantly. He could only hope that her visit had been worth it.

Two days, and he was still barely able to see straight or walk to the bathroom. When they’d cast the Changelings from Canterlot, he had been able to tap into her magic so the backlash from even that massive spell had been mild. This, on the other hoof, was like nothing he’d experienced since he’d been a foal first experimenting with shield spells.

While he was debating if it might be easier to go and soak his head in a barrel of wine till he passed out or drowned (at this point either seemed preferable), a sudden knocking at the chamber door made him flinch. Every thud of hoof on wood was like someone pounding a hammer onto his skull and he buried his head further under the pillow in a vain attempt to block it out.

“Go away,” he croaked, finally poking his muzzle out from the nest of blankets and pillows. “Your Prince Consort wishes to die in peace.”

“Sir, Princess Cadance has arrived from Canterlot and is on her way back through the city now,” the voice of one of his personal guard came muffled through the door. “We thought you would wish to be informed.”

“Huh? Has it been that long already?” Well, that would explain why the inside of his mouth had roughly the same texture as moss and tasted about as pleasant. “Nngh. Okay, okay. Can you have some tea sent up? Some sandwiches too. I need to…freshen up.”

“Of course, Sir. I’ll take care of that for you.”

Shining waited till he heard the hoofbeats fade down the corridor before he slowly levered himself upright, waiting for the room to stop spinning around him before taking a wary step out of the bed. Okay, that was good, first hoof down, three more to go. Little by little he made his way across and into the bathroom, turning the shower on and stepping in, wincing as even the feel of the droplets of water on his head sent little sharp pains through his skull.

“Princesses can be hard work,” he muttered to himself as he let his head droop, watching droplets of water bead and dangle on the end of his horn before joining the rest swirling around his hooves.

“Oh REALLY?” A new voice archly enquired. “Hard work, are we?”

“Mmhmm,” he mumbled without bothering to look around. There was a voice he knew as well as he did the sight of his own face in the mirror, a voice that made him feel warm inside, his aching head feeling lighter just from knowing she was back with him. “How did you get here so fast?”

“Flew,” his wife replied simply as she stepped into the shower with him, wrapping her forelegs lightly around him and resting her head on the back of his neck as the water poured down over them both. Even that simple touch made him feel better and he sighed, relaxing back into his wife’s embrace.

“How did the visit go?” He looked back over his shoulder, pushing his mane out his face as he nudged her muzzle up to press a light kiss to her lips. Best to keep it chaste till he’d had a chance to brush his teeth, he’d barely moved out of the bed since she left.

“Oh, Luna was her usual stubborn self… But I think we made some good progress. She really does have a lot to learn about how things are done these days. The poor dear is astonishingly, uhm...inexperienced in some ways. I think Mac’s going to be a good influence on her, maybe bring her out of her shell a little more.”

“Wait, Mac? BIG Mac? From Ponyville? Applejack’s brother? That Mac? How under Celestia’s Sun did those two hook up?” Shining shook his head in astonishment and turned to face his wife, turning the water off briefly so they could talk more easily.

Forgetting for a moment that he was far from at his best the shaking of his head sent the room spinning around him again and he stumbled in the shower. Cadance was there in a moment, pressing up against him to support him and gently ease him back to the cool wall of the shower while he waited for the world to stop rotating quite so quickly. He allowed himself a moment to relax, to let his head rest on her shoulder as she curved her neck down to press to his in a gentle embrace.

“I’ll tell you all about it once we’re back in bed, Shiny,” she assured him as she nudged his head back up. “Right now, let’s just get you cleaned up,” she tapped his nose lightly with one hoof as she turned the water back on. “You stink.”

“I love you too,” he laughed, and did as he was told.

Blueblood & Red Tape

“You understand that this is entirely off the record, of course?”

“Naturally, Prince Blueblood. My office operates with the highest levels of discretion. Might I ask why I’ve been called here?” The silver earth pony with the short blue mane stood at exactly the correct distance from Blueblood’s desk that etiquette proscribed, his head lifted attentively, ears and eyes attentive and focused on every word.

“I understand that you’re acquainted with the Apple family of Ponyville.” He didn’t phrase it as a question, he’d made sure the information on this was very, very good before he’d extended the invitation for this particular pony to visit the apartment he kept in Canterlot, away from the prying eyes of the palace guards and other nobles.

To Red Tape’s credit, the only outward sign of distress he showed was a slight tightening of his lips and narrowing of his eyes. “I have been involved in their dealings, yes.”

“That’s a polite way of putting it, I understand,” Blueblood mused sympathetically, tapping one hoof on the expanse of the broad mahogany desk that separated the two of them. “Did you manage to get rid of the bats in the end?”

There was no disguising the tic that suddenly started just below Red Tape’s eye and it was a moment or two before he could regain his composure enough to speak. “In the end, yes. The matter was resolved with the town council and the...animals...were rehomed.” Getting their filth out of his bathroom, on the other hand, had taken weeks. Sometimes he swore he could still smell them.

“And all because you were just doing your job…” tsk’ed the Prince. “How sad. Just because she’s one of the Element Bearers she and her friends seem to think that the letter of the law doesn’t apply to them.”

“Exactly so, sire,” and this time the bitterness in his voice was plain to hear. “But might I ask why this is of interest to you now? It’s been nearly a year since the incident on the Apple Farm.”

“The matter has only recently been brought to my attention and it only confirmed my suspicions about the bias and favouritism shown to those that the Princesses favour. As a member of Canterlot’s nobility, we are meant to stand above the common pony, to set an example that others can aspire to. I wish your aid in making this happen.”

While Blueblood’s attention turned to one of the drawers in his desk, Red Tape looked around the opulent suite he currently found himself in. Even his untrained eye could tell that the fittings and furniture were of the highest quality, the silk curtains that framed the windows, the Saddle Arabian rugs that covered the floor, every inch of the room was opulent to the point of decadence. Every breath he took was filled with the wafting scents of expensive spices and musks imported from Neighpon, and even the broad, heavy desk that Blueblood sat beside likely cost more than he, a lowly bureaucrat, earned in a year.

Most telling of all, however, was the art that decorated the walls. There we have Blueblood in repose. Over there is Blueblood standing triumphant in Royal Guard armour. That one shows Blueblood with a gorgeous mare at each hoof. Every piece of art was Blueblood, Blueblood, Blueblood. Anything this stallion did, he did to benefit himself firstly, secondly and thirdly. Red Tape prided himself on being many things, and one thing he was not was a fool. He didn’t buy that manure about this somehow being a civic service for even a moment. No, whatever his bone of contention was with the Apples, it was more personal than that… And that suited him just fine.

Blueblood dropped a thick manila folder onto the desk and pushed it across to Red Tape. “This is a full inventory of the holdings and interests of the Apple family. They’ve been approved by the Palace functionaries and accountants, of course, but I’d like you to double check them and pursue any irregularities that you find. If we are to end this culture of royal cronyism, an example will have to be made and the Apples, being such a well known family among Equestria’s business community, are a perfect place to start.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Prince Blueblood,” Red Tape agreed as he tucked the folder up in a foreleg, rather proud that he even managed to keep any of his disdain for his new employer from showing in his voice. Cronyism, favouritism, Blueblood could call it whatever he liked, it made no difference to him. This was the opportunity he’d been looking for, a chance for a little payback, and for that he’d put up with any amount of false sincerity and double-dealing. “I’ll begin my investigation into the Apples immediately,” he paused for a moment, pursing his lips. “However, as you’ve stated, the Elements of Harmony enjoy the favour of the Palace. If I begin looking into their affairs who is to say the Palace won’t take further steps to protect the Apple family?”

“You let me worry about that. You won’t report your findings to anyone but me. Should I be challenged on my sources I will let the paperwork speak for itself and should the Palace try to divert the investigation or stamp it out,” he smiled ever so slightly, “then all they will be doing is legitimising my claim that they are unjustly favouring the Apple family due to their relationship to the Crown. Celestia would have no choice but to back off or attract even more negative attention.”

And at the same time, Red Tape mused to himself, should that tactic fail he was under no illusions that Blueblood wouldn’t hang him out to dry before the wax had cooled on the warrant for his arrest. Still, there were ways to deal with that, further steps he could take to protect himself and isolate himself from any potential fallout, steps that Blueblood didn’t need to know about.

The two stallions smiled at each other across the desk. They understood one another perfectly.

Author's Note

For an explanation of who Red Tape is and just why he has an issue with bats, I'd strongly recommend reading the story "Applejack's Bar" by Alaborn.

I know there’s a few characters with this name in the fandom already, all of them bureaucratic sorts, but this particular story has the greatest direct influence on him and his motivations in this context.

Chapter 12 - Clouds on the Horizon

Chapter 12
Clouds on the Horizon

The sound of rain woke Mac from a restless slumber. He pushed the thick curtains open with one hoof as he rolled over to get a better look outside. He nodded in approval at the steadily falling rain that greeted him, the dawning light of Celestia’s sun muted by the thick layer of grey cloud that smothered Ponyville in shadow so deep he could barely see as far as the road that led into town.

“Right on time, Rainbow,” he murmured with a wry sigh. The multi-coloured pegasus might be a bit of a braggart, but she took her role in the weather team very seriously indeed. He had no doubt that she’d hold up her end of their bargain, a bargain which had ended up costing him two mugs from his stash now rather than just one. Of course that meant she’d only have for two mugs at the next Cider season instead of three but she really did have a thing for Sweet Apple Acres cider and after the first mug she hadn’t been able to resist having a second. Pegasi, really not the most patient of ponies.

Of course, today was the one day he found himself wishing she wasn’t quite so dedicated to her job. Last night he’d noticed the barn had somehow developed a fair-sized hole in the roof. They’d weathered one of the rogue storms from the Everfree the week before and it was likely the wind had damaged the roof then but it had taken a while for the shingles to work themselves loose.

He rolled out of bed and hurried through his morning ablutions, planning for a more thorough wash and grooming once he was done around the farm. The rest of the family were only just stirring as he grabbed a couple of apples from the kitchen counter for breakfast and headed out to get to work.

He scooped up a toolbelt from beside the door, quickly checking to make sure he had the hammer and nails he’d need, the wooden planks and tarp already stacked and waiting for him inside the barn.

His mane was soaked through in a matter of moments as he stepped off the porch and he paused just long enough to grab a wide-brimmed hat to at least keep the rain out his eyes. This was far from ideal but it wasn’t something they could put off for long. It had been too risky to try doing it last night in the dark so it had to be as soon as possible today.

He hurried across the muddy ground and into the barn, making his way up to the small spire that gave access to the wide roof. As he climbed he decided this probably wasn’t the cleverest thing he’d ever done, but with this amount of rain they had to do something about it or risk flooding and further damage.

It had been too late to ask the pegasi to hold off on the scheduled rain so that was why he was here now, soaking wet, just about to go clambering around on a roof when he’d much rather be curled up warm and snug in bed. But once you got even one of the shingles missing, the rain and wind would get into every little nook and cranny and you’d be looking to replace half a roof before you knew what was what.

Stepping from the large window he set his hooves carefully on the roof and surveyed the hole, tutting under his breath. They’d need to see about recycling the shingles, make sure everything was dried out below before he mended it for good. Peering warily inside he could already see a pool of water on the floor of the barn, the buckets they’d put down to catch the water already overflowing. Well, that settled it. Stupid idea or not, he was here now and he had a job to do.

He’d have been much happier with someone up here helping him out, but Granny Smith was too old, Applebloom too young and Applejack was too dang worn out after hauling wagonloads of produce out to Fluttershy the previous day. He wasn’t about to drag his Sister out of bed to scramble around in the rain. Anyway, this would be over and done with in two shakes of a filly’s tail if everything went to plan. He’d done this a dozen times and more over the last few years. He’d be fine, it wasn’t like this was the riskiest thing he’d done lately… Like agreeing to go on a date with a Princess, for instance.

Retrieving the planks and the tarp from the haylot he carefully stretched the heavy fabric out, thanking providence that the forecast had only called for rain and not another storm; the last thing he needed was wind whipping everything around as well. One nail went in, then another, each one pounded home with one swing of the heavy hammer. Nails three and four also went in without incident and Mac sighed in relief, tilting the hat up a moment to wipe at his forehead and pausing, squinting at the low hanging cloud.

Funny, that looked kind of like a pegasus up there. Heading right for him. No rainbow contrail so it wasn’t Dash coming down to check on him or lend a hoof… In fact they didn’t look like they planned to slow down at all, their wings pinned flat to their flanks. He couldn’t make out who it was through the half-light and rain but now he was worried they were in trouble.

He rose, pulling the hat back down to shield his eyes, snorting in confusion as he started to back up along the roof, there wasn’t anywhere else he could go. “What the hay?”

The pegasus barely slowed down, wings flaring out at the last second as a pair of hooves slammed into Mac’s chest and sent him flying back along the roof. Hooves scrabbling frantically along the wet shingles, he grabbed for any hoofhold, any purchase to stop himself sliding straight off and onto the hard ground below.

Finally managing to get his legs under him he slammed his hooves down, ripping a long furrow in the roof as he stopped inches from the edge, hearing the shingles clattering down to the ground, already wincing at how much work he’d just made for himself. He let his head sag for a moment, panting raggedly even as a voice in his head yelled at him to get back up before his attacker could close the distance between them. That was no accident, no sir.

“I said I’d see you around, farmer,” a familiar voice sneered.

Mac’s eyes widened. It couldn’t be. Could it? “You,” he spat, trying to mask his surprise at the unprovoked attack. “What in Celestia’s name d’ya think ye’re doing?”

“What the Guard does. Resolving issues before they grow out of control. I had thought about talking to you,” the Night Guard responded as he backwinged to alight on the other end of the roof. “I had considered simply asking you to drop this, to stop this charade before it hurts both you and her. However, what I have observed of you and your family lead me to believe that I would be wasting my breath. In the end I decided this was the quickest way, the simplest way to make sure you understood that these were not just empty words.”

Mac could see him clearly now, the batpony advancing slowly along the roof, his head low, leathery wings partly extended, the rain pattering on those thin membranes like an umbrella, the wickedly sharp blades that the Night Guard carried shimmering where the light caught them, water beading on the edges.

“So ya come here ta kill me, Guard?” He had his hooves back under him now, his head lifted proudly even as two angry horseshoe shaped bruises began to form on his chest. There was no point yelling for help from the farmhouse, he wasn’t about to endanger any of his family. Whatever happened next, he was on his own and frankly he wasn’t sure he rated his chances. Sure he was a big, strong stallion and he’d been in his fair share of brawls but now he faced something entirely different, a trained fighter, and one who seemed hell bent on picking a fight

“Only if you make me, farmer,” was the cool, unhurried reply. “The kick was just to get your attention. It need go no further than that if you are willing to be reasonable and understand that this situation cannot continue. Will you break things off with Luna? Will you accept that this relationship will not and cannot be allowed?”

Mac took a moment to pull the hat from his head, slicking his dripping wet mane back over his neck before he set it back in place, pulling it down tight so there was less chance it would come loose in what was about to take place. “Nnnnope,” he stated, his voice flat and cold.

The bat pony hesitated, his brow furrowing. This, obviously, was not the answer he was expecting and Mac couldn’t help but give a sarcastic snort. “Ya expected me t’cave, didn’t ya? Thought ya could come here, rough me up and frighten me off. Send me slinkin’ back t’the farm and the dirt where ah belong? Nope. Y’all don’t get t’do that. Not you, not a one o’those damned piss-swilling nobles. Ya come here t’make me give up Luna, then you’re gonna have t’try a damn sight harder than that. Ya wanna kill me, Guard? Come here and try.”

“You dare!” the batpony hissed, golden eyes narrowing angrily. “Do you think I will hesitate to spill your blood? That I will spare you for her? I do this to protect her! To protect her from those who still whisper of the Nightmare, from those who would harm her and bring her down. If you will not see reason then you are nothing but another threat to be removed. You are set on this course, then so be it.”

No more words, no more threats, the batpony moved with terrifying speed, lunging across the roof towards Mac. The big stallion, however, was ready this time. Even as the Guard leapt at him he dug a hoof into his toolbelt, meeting the lunge with a hoof full of nails thrown straight into his attacker’s face.

The batpony snarled, swerving aside at the last moment, one wing covering his face though Mac was pleased to see some of the nails sinking into the leather membranes of that shielding wing. The other wing lashed out, the point of the blade raking a long furrow down Mac’s chest that had the big red stallion dancing back with a hiss of pain. The Guard spread his wings, trying to gain altitude to swing back around and dive down onto the earthbound pony but Mac was ready for that trick.

He’d seen enough of Rainbow Dash’s practicing, seen enough of the local guard’s training, to know that pegasi preferred to keep their distance from their targets, to dart in and out before their opponents could respond. He wasn’t about to give him that chance. It was time to show this uppity batpony how an earth pony brawled.

Before the Guard could get more than a wingspan or two away, Mac leapt up, drawing on all the strength years of applebucking had given him. He vaulted straight up to grab the guard’s tail in his teeth and yank him back down with all his weight, praying that the abused roof wouldn’t just give way beneath him when he landed.

The startled batpony slammed heavily down onto the roof with a clatter of armour and shattered shingles, laying dazed for a moment, blinking up at the grey skies. Mac gave his opponent no time to recover, rushing him as he struggled to get back up and bringing his huge, heavy hooves hammering down in blow after blow.

There was no finesse in his attack, no skill, nothing but pure animal instinct and adrenalin. He slammed his hooves onto the Night Guard like he was pounding stakes into the ground. The burnished armour was soon dented and scraped, a black eye soon joined by more welts and bruises as Mac stomped relentlessly down onto the batpony, denying him any chance to try and get up or mount a defense.

It seemed to be working, for a few moments…Mac reared up to deliver one final blow and his footing betrayed him. His hooves slipped from under him, sending him sliding down the side of the roof and this time there was nothing he could do about it. With an angry, despairing whinny he slipped off the roof, willing his body to remain limp to not tense u--

*****

Luna trotted merrily up the path to the Apple family home, humming cheerfully to herself as she pranced around the last remaining puddles from the morning’s rain. Pausing for a moment, she checked her reflection in a convenient puddle, nodding in satisfaction before she stepped up onto the porch and knocked on the door.

After a few seconds had passed, she knocked again, a little louder this time. Still not a soul stirred within the house. Frowning, Luna peeked inside one of the windows and was greeted with a distressing sight. The kitchen table was in disarray, muddy towels and rags strewn across it and...was that blood there? The towels were covered in red smears and there was a dark red pool on the kitchen floor.

She spun around, eyes wide, stamping down firmly on a surge of panic. She had no idea how badly hurt this individual was and there was a much a chance of it being Applejack as McIntosh. There was no point jumping to conclusions and rushing into Ponyville in a blind panic but it was also clear she would receive no answers standing here fretting.

“Mourne! Shadowstep!” Luna cried. “Night Guard, attend your Mistress!”

She didn't wait for them, confident that they would answer her call, taking to the air and heading for town as quickly as she could before being suddenly brought up short by a technicolour blur diving down towards her. “Princess! Princess Luna! Wait a second!”

“Rainbow Dash. We apologise but we have no time to speak to thee at present, we come here seeking Big M--”

“Big Mac, I know,” Rainbow Dash interrupted before the Princess could spread her wings again. “He’s at Ponyville Hospital, they sent me to come and find you.”

“What has happened? We see disturbing signs at the Apple farm. Has he been badly injured?”

“Not sure, some sort of accident in this morning’s rain but I don’t know any more than that. Come on, it’s this way. Everypony’s there waiting to hear from the Doctors on how badly he’s been hurt.” Dash turned and streaked off towards town, Luna in close pursuit.

Landing outside the hospital, Luna paused a moment, looking back over her shoulder. Moments later the first of her guards swept in, Shadowstep saluting her Mistress smartly. She was not the biggest of the ponies in the Guard, one of the few mares serving, but she was as fleet and as nimble as any Princess could hope for, a candidate for the Wonderbolts before joining the Night Guard at Luna’s personal request.

Mourne, however, was slower to join the two and when he arrived it was with unsteady wings, the bigger of the pair covered in bruises, his armour bent and scraped as he bowed before his Mistress. Shadowstep gawked openly at him for a moment before her training took over and she schooled her face to calm once more.

“Mistress?” She gently prompted Luna, who was gazing back at the door of the hospital with a concerned look on her face. “We come to answer your call.”

The Night Princess turned back to her guard, her eyes narrowing as she took in Mourne’s battered and disheveled state. “What happened to you?”

“An accident at the castle before we left this morning, Mistress,” Mourne growled in reply. “Please think nothing of it, it looks far worse than it is. I am still more than able to fulfil my duties.”

Luna nodded absently as her gaze again wandered back to the doors of the hospital, her attention obviously on anything but the condition of her guards. “McIntosh Apple has been injured and brought here for treatment. You will stand post here,” she snapped. “No-one else enters the hospital till our business within is concluded, is this understood?”

Mourne nodded, banging his hoof to his chest in salute, trying not to wince as his chest and foreleg ached with the motion, a hiss of pain subdued before it could escape his lips. “As the Mistress commands.”

Shadowstep echoed the salute as Luna turned and pushed the door open, vanishing inside. Mourne looked towards his partner, who held up a single hoof to forestall anything he might say. “Not a word,” she sighed. “Just… Not a word. The less you tell me right now, the less I have to deny knowing about later. Let’s just do as the Mistress says and pray that she doesn’t ask more questions than you want to answer.”

Mourne sighed and shook his head, then winced and rubbed at one of the dark bruises on his neck. “Shadow...I did what needed to be done to protect the Princess. You of all ponies should understand that.”

“The more you say, the less I want to hear right now, Mourne,” Shadowstep shot back as she finally turned to face him, her expression dark and disapproving. “If you’ve done what I think you’ve done, judging by the mess back at that farm and the state you’re in, I wouldn’t give two bits for your chances once the Mistress calms down. THINK, you lunkhead. Would Emberfire allow an obviously injured guard to attend her? Of course not! You should have gone back to Canterlot, scrounged some new armour from the local guardpost, anything but show up with some paper-thin excuse that won’t last two seconds under any kind of real scrutiny! You’re lucky she’s too worried about her coltfriend to think about it properly,” she paused a moment, then sighed. “Did you kill him?”

Mourne debated arguing, prevaricating, perhaps lying while there was still some chance of denying what he had done, then simply shook his head. “No, I don’t believe so. He fell from the roof of the barn before our...conversation...could be concluded. I made sure he was still breathing before I alerted those within the house and withdrew to the forest.”

The last word was barely out his mouth before the world erupted in stars and pain as Shadowstep smacked him full across the face with her hoof. “You idiot. You…you bucking idiot. I really wonder what goes through that thick skull of yours sometimes. You'd better just pray that Mac isn’t awake enough to point a hoof at you.”

Mourne sighed, knowing that Shadowstep was more right than he'd ever admit to her. This had not gone at all to plan, he had not counted on the farmer being so belligerent, or so lucky when it had come down to a fight. In retrospect, a foolish move, he had allowed emotion to get the better of him, to goad him into a distinctly rash confrontation and now he could only hope that Mac would not remember what had happened… A coma, perhaps? Amnesia brought on by head trauma? He ruefully shook his head. Might as well just wish this morning had never happened.

*****

Luna brushed past the impatiently hovering Rainbow Dash and threw the doors open with one hoof. “DOCTORS! Deliver to us a report on the condition of the one known as Big McIntosh!” The Royal Canterlot Voice thundered through the reception room, ponies clamping their hooves to their ears before falling to the floor in the presence of one of their Rulers.

“Luna!” Twilight trotted up, her brow furrowed. “Could you maybe, uhm, lower the volume a little? We know you must be worried about Mac--”

“Indeed! We saw blood at the Apple family farm! How grave are his injuries?” Twilight’s ears were pinned back by the force of Luna’s voice, the young alicorn blinking dazedly for a moment or two. Luna ahem’ed and smiled abashedly. “Our apologies, Twilight. Old habits are difficult to break. Please, we must know Mac’s condition.”

“Ah can answer that one, Princess. Least ah can tell ya how we found him.” Applejack stood slowly from her seat. Her eyes were red and puffy, cheeks showing signs of having hastily been scrubbed dry. Luna’s gaze drifted downward, noting what looked like the remains of bloodstains on the earth pony’s hooves. “Dunno what happened, but we were woken up by a crash from outside the house. Went t’mah window t’look and ah saw him on the ground by the barn. We patched him up best we could, got him into the cart an’brought him here.” Her voice faltered and she stifled a sniffle. “Docs have had him for the last couple o’hours. We’re just waitin’ to hear how bad he’s hurt.”

Luna stepped forward to nuzzle Applejack’s cheek before curving a wing around the distraught farmer. “There are fine doctors here, brave Applejack. I am certain Big Mac will be fine. You must have faith in your brother’s strength and the doctor’s skill.”

A gentle cough drew the attention of the girls and Luna stepped aside, allowing Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash to take over consoling Applejack, wrapping their wings protectively around her. The stallion standing before the small group looked distinctly nervous on finding himself in the presence of not just one but two of the Princesses at once, sketching out a tentative bow to both.

“First thing’s first,” he started. “Let me reassure you that McIntosh will make a full recovery,” he paused to allow the girls to sigh in relief. “He was very lucky that the ground had been softened by the rain when he landed. That said, he will still require a period of rehabilitation.”

“What are his injuries, doctor?” Rarity asked.

The pause was almost unnoticeable, as was the slight furrowing of the doctor’s brow, but Luna had spent centuries reading pony’s body language and that was enough for her concerns to be raised still further.

“He has four cracked ribs, extensive bruising along his back, sides and chest…” Again there was the hesitation and this time Luna decided that it was confusion causing it, something was not adding up about this and the doctor was unable to reconcile the conflicting information. “But there are injuries inconsistent with a fall.”

“Like what?” Applejack growled.

“He has bruises that appear to have been inflicted by hooves, but the diameter is completely different from his own. He also has a long wound across his chest and other smaller injuries on his shoulders that appear to have been caused by a blade of some kind. We also found small shards of metal embedded in his forehooves. None of these make any sense if he simply fell from a roof.”

“Doctor, are you saying someone attacked Mac?” Twilight ventured. “Was he pushed off the roof?”

“Until he wakes there’s no way to be sure. He’s sleeping now and we’re reluctant to wake him unless absolutely needed. He’s stable so right now sleeping is probably the best thing he could be doing.”

“There is no need to wake him,” Luna’s voice was bleak and cold. “I shall speak to him in the dreamscape. He will be able to show me exactly what happened and who is responsible for this. Doctor, I require a quiet room, it does not need to be near McIntosh but it must be private.”

“Wait! Hold on now,” the doctor blurted. “What exactly are you proposing here? Mr Apple needs his rest, not an interrogation, even if it is by royalty! I cannot in good conscience allow you--” Luna’s angry glare made him shudder and shrink back a little, clearing his throat. “M-Maybe ‘allow’ wasn’t quite the, uh, right word,” he stammered.

“Mac will be in no danger. The spell I cast will be on myself, not on him. His mind will remain at rest while we converse. Trust me, Doctor, “ Luna smiled thinly. “I have been doing this for a VERY long time.”

The stallion hesitated, professional ethics warring with loyalty to his Princess while self-preservation instincts screamed that standing in the way of the Princess of the Night was probably not the cleverest thing he could be doing today. Finally he nodded curtly and stepped aside. “I’ll show you to an empty room.”

“Very good. Twilight Sparkle, you will attend me… Please?”

“Huh? I--Of course, Luna. Whatever you need.” Twilight nuzzled Applejack’s cheek and trotted quickly after the older alicorn and the doctor as they headed down one of the corridors leading away from reception. As they left Twilight smiled faintly as she heard Pinkie already making plans for a “Get Better Soon, Mac!” party.

The doctor pushed a door open and led the two alicorns into an empty room, Luna wasting no time in climbing up and onto the bed, laying down and making herself comfortable.

“Thank you doctor...We did not catch your name?”
“Dr House, Princess. House Call. I’ll make sure nopony disturbs either of you here.” He bowed and retreated, closing the door behind him.

“So, uhm, what do you need me for, Pr--Luna?” Twilight ventured, looking confused. “You don’t think there could be some threat to you while you’re in the dreamscape?”

“No. There is little risk to me there but it occurred to me that if someone truly has attacked Mac, it would be rash of me to travel the dreamscape entirely unprotected. I leave the care of my physical body to you, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna laid her head down on her forelegs, her horn already glowing as she gathered her magic. “I shall return shortly with the answers we seek.”

Between one breath and the next the hospital room was replaced with the sea of slowly waving purple grass. The familiar, welcome coolness around her hooves helped steady and center her, the anxiety and tension of the waking world washed away. A glance upward showed far fewer stars in the skies above, as it should be in the middle of Celestia’s day.

“McIntosh,” she called, lifting her hoof in entreaty. “Come, let me see what fills your dreams. We must talk, you and I.”

The star that descended to her hoof glowed a dull, deep red similar to that of his Sister, the wavering of the light warning her that this this soul was not resting easily. She lifted her hoof to meet it and the dreamscape flickered and disappeared.

She found herself standing in the midst of what appeared to be the Grand Galloping Gala, or at least someone’s version of it. The hall she stood in was far more luxurious than any that existed in Canterlot, with drapes of the most expensive silk and cutlery and crockery made of solid gold, encrusted with gems. The air was filled with shrill, mocking laughter, the attendants were downtrodden, spat upon and cuffed as they circulated among guests that were barely recognisable caricatures of the Canterlot nobility, their every flaw and vice exaggerated to near-grotesque proportions.

“Dance for us, dirt pony!” A voice cackled somewhere in the crowd. “Come on, quickly now! You mudgrubbers laze about drinking hooch and bucking your sisters, it’s not like you have any other skills to offer us!”

The taunting words drew her attention and Luna quickly pushed through the crowd towards where most of the laughter was coming from. There she found Mac, at the heart of his personal nightmare.

He was surrounded by a ring of jeering nobles, pointing, laughing, throwing their food and drinks at him as he gazed sullenly at the floor, a jester’s cap atop his head. He shuffled a few steps to the left, then the right, then back again, barely noticing the food and drink dribbling down over his face.

“Oh come on, is that really the best you can do, mudpony?” The same pony’s voice rang out once again. “Really? That’s all you have to offer somepony as important as Princess Luna? If you can’t even dance for her, what could you possibly hope to offer us?”

A dream it might be, but the words cut Luna to the core. Mac was a good pony, a kind pony who cared for his family and friends, who worked hard to provide for them, but to the nobility of Canterlot he had little to offer them, nothing that would impress them and they both knew it. In this place pedigree and power were all that mattered. That, however, did not mean she had to tolerate their tormenting her stallion, not when she had the power to change it.

“ENOUGH!” She roared, the room shaking as her magic augmented her already impressive voice. All eyes turned to her, all astonished and outraged save for one that was filled with relief. “You will depart! Now! This Gala is over!

Luna stood, imperious and unafraid as the nobles turned and slowly faded away back into the subconscious, leaving her and Mac standing alone in the golden hall.

“You are no jester, Mac,” she whispered as she stepped up to remove the hat from his head, tossing it aside where it too dissolved into the ether. They stood there for a moment or two, necks pressed lightly together, breathing soft and slow. She drew her wings around him, gently brushing the smears of food from his body.

“Luna. How did…? Ah’m dreamin’, ain’t ah?” Mac murmured as he stepped back to meet her gaze.

“You are. Impressive, most do not recognise the dream so quickly.”

“Practice,” he replied as he brushed a quick, shy kiss to her lips, then sighed and dropped his head down once more. “Ah’ll tell ya more about it sometime if ya like but ah reckon this ain’t just a social call, less ya came here t’chew me out for missin’ our second date,” he even managed a little smile before his expression grew serious once more. “Reckon y’all are here t’find out what happened. Right?”

“You are correct. I arrived here expecting a day of fine food and conversation but instead I find you in the hospital. The doctor says you are injured, but will recover. I cannot wait for you to awaken of your own accord, Mac. I must know who did this to you.”

He hesitated before responding, stamping a hoof irritably on the ground. “Can’t lie in a dream, much as ah might want to right now. Luna, don’t be too hard on him. Ah don’t think he meant for it t’end like this, regardless o’what he said t’me. Ah think he really just meant t’scare me off and things escalated. Ah suspect he woulda beaten me up, but that’s all.”

“McIntosh! You cannot expect me to show clemency to one who assaulted you, regardless of motivation or whether or not he could have done worse! He attacked you, an innocent stallion, and could have crippled or killed you.” Luna lifted her head, gazing imperiously down at him. No longer just two ponies talking, now this was a ruler speaking to her subject. “You WILL tell me who did this!”

Even when confronted with an outright Royal command, Mac hesitated. The Guard had been doing what he thought was right, protecting Luna from scandal, from controversy. He could certainly understand that sort of commitment even if that had most definitely been the wrong way to go about things.

“A batpony,” Mac finally admitted in little more than a whisper. “Ah really don’t think he--”

“Show him to me.” Luna’s voice had grown cold and angry and as Mac lifted his head he could see her mane had grown dark. The stars within it dimmed even as the ethereal wind that always ran through it grew wild and dangerous, whipping her mane and tail around her. “Show me which of my children was so misguided as to lay hooves on you.”

The scene shifted, the ornate hall replaced by the rain-soaked roof of the barn. Mac watched silently as the scene played out. The attack, the threat, the brief, savage contest between the two that ended with his tumble into oblivion. “He didn’t throw me off the roof, Luna,” he said at last. “Ah slipped, that was all. Y’heard what he said, he was doin’ it for you.”

“FOR ME?” The reality of the dream shook with the fury of the Night Princess as Luna reared back, bringing her hooves thundering down onto the ground, the hall shuddering around them as the very fabric of the dream recoiled from Luna’s wrath. “Nay! Never for me! Never this! Never an attack on an innocent!”

“Luna--”

“No. You will rest, Mac. You will rest and we shall deal with this. We know this pony, his loyalty to us was vouchsafed by the Captain of our personal guard. We shall have words with him when we return to Canterlot. For the nonce, we have a child in sore need of a lesson.”

Before Mac could say anything more Luna faded away and the dream shattered as he awoke in his hospital bed, staring up at the painted ceiling with a sickening feeling of dread building inside.

Chapter 13 - Wish you were Here.

Chapter 13
Wish you were here.

“I mean it. Not a bucking word, Mourne. Not one.” Shadowstep growled, staring directly ahead. “You haven’t just feathered this up for yourself, you’ve dropped me in it, and Emberfire, as well as the Mistress herself. How do you think this is going to look when news gets out that one of the Princesses’ personal guard attacked a civilian?”

Mourne opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again with a soft hiss, rubbing ruefully at his aching jaw. He was lucky that the armour had taken the brunt of the furious earth pony’s attack. Mac was big, strong and remarkably quick, but not a trained fighter. He’d struck wildly, desperately, and that was likely the only thing that had saved him. He wouldn’t underestimate the farm pony again.

“And why didn’t you kill him?”

Mourne blinked. Did she really just…? “What? I didn’t catch that?”

“You heard me,” Shadowstep growled as she finally turned to face her battered and bruised companion. “He fell off the roof, he’s lying on the ground, unconscious or barely conscious. Why didn’t you finish the job when he was helpless? You could have flown down there, slit his throat, dumped the body in the Everfree where it would never have been found and we wouldn’t have to have this conversation. What exactly was your gameplan in all this if NOT to kill him?”

“I…I thought I could frighten him off. He was just a farmer, he had to see that Luna was beyond him, that this relationship would only bring them pain and humiliation. If that argument didn’t work I thought if…”

Shadowstep smacked her face. “You really thought you could just go rough him up and tell him to STAY AWAY? Outside of the playground, does that kind of tactic ever actually work? What are you, six years old? You can’t honestly see the world that simply.”

“Why not?” Mourne shot back. “Why does it always have to be complicated? Sometimes the choices are simple, the right thing to do or the wrong thing. This relationship is wrong and--”

“And who gave you the right to make that decision?”

Mourne and Shadowstep froze as a new voice interrupted the bickering. A heartbeat later Shadowstep was bowed as low as she could get, pressing her helmeted head flat to the floor. Mourne slowly turned, coming face to face with his Mistress. Luna towered over the batpony, her head lifted imperiously, star-filled mane and tail lashing about her. Her anger was a near palpable thing, her power smothering the words in Mourne’s throat.

“I asked you a question, Night Guard.” Luna’s voice was soft, quiet, and somehow that scared him even more than if she’d been shouting at him. “Who gave you the right to choose my partners for me? Who gave you the right to pass judgement on a pony that has done nothing to you?”

“Mistress, I--”

“ANSWER THE QUESTION!” The full force of Luna’s voice thundered across the town. Hospital windows rattled and cracked, birds were startled from their trees and passing ponies dropped to the ground with their hooves clamped to their ears.

Mourne struggled to find his voice, to come up with an excuse, an explanation, but every time he began to speak, the words died in his throat under that unforgiving stare. “I did it for you,” he finally managed to squeak out.

The emotion slowly drained from Luna’s face. “For me,” she echoed in a voice gone empty and hollow. “You attacked an innocent pony...for me. Are these the lessons I have taught you? Is this how I have raised you, to be so harsh, so judgemental. Did I fail you so badly?”

Mourne looked confused, glancing at Shadowstep, then back to Luna, barely paying any notice to the crowd that was slowly gathering, the faces at the hospital windows that watched in amazement at the confrontation playing out before them.

“N-No, Mistress. You have not failed us,” he stammered, brow furrowed. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be at all, couldn’t Luna understand why he did this? Couldn’t she see what he was trying to spare her from? “We are always your servants, we would give our lives for you.”

“And what will you do when one of those servants betrays me? What will you do when you tear my heart from my breast and throw it to the ground, Mourne? What will you do then?” Luna leaned in close to the now utterly confused batpony, her expression sad and lost as she touched a hoof gently to his cheek. “No. If this is what you have learned from me then I have failed you, child. Failed you utterly. Look at you now. I see the confusion plain on your face. You simply do not understand the hurt you have done me or why the actions you have taken today are so wrong.”

“I--I just…I don’t understand,” Mourne whispered. He’d expected anger, fury, to be punished, to be yelled at, not this, not to be left feeling like a scolded child. “This was all to protect you.”

“How was this protecting me, Mourne? By attacking those I care for? By making it seem that I cannot control those who serve me? That I cannot trust my own personal guard?”

Shadowstep met Mourne’s gaze for a moment, silently mouthing the words “Just shut up.” Anything he could say right now would just make things worse and it wouldn’t take much at all to spur Luna from disappointment to anger…but he never was very good at taking advice.

“By saving you from pain!” he burst out, growing confusion twisting and coiling in on itself until he could hold his tongue no longer. He ignored Shadowstep’s resigned sigh and the look of surprise on Luna’s face as he pulled away and began pacing back and forth. “What are the nobles going to say when they hear you’ve taken a farmer for a lover! How did you think this was going to end, Mistress? A farmer, a mortal pony! The only thing his brief life would give you is humiliation and misery before leaving you alone once more! He would never be accepted by the nobility, he would be forever out of place in Canterlot, an object of ridicule! You have to see--”

“I 'have' to see?” Luna retorted. “You forget your place!”

“My place is before you! Defending you!” he snarled. This was wrong, all wrong, but he would speak his piece before the end. “You must--”

“YOU WILL NOT TELL ME WHAT I MUST DO!”

This was beyond even the Royal Canterlot Voice, this was the sound of an alicorn’s fury, of a Princesses’ rage and betrayal, every word reverberating through the town. Luna reared to her hind legs, towering over her wayward guard as the clouds over Ponyville suddenly turned dark and menacing. They swirled in overhead, blocking out the sun and plunging Ponyville into total darkness, spiralling slowly above their summoner as a dull rumble of thunder echoed through the suddenly silent town.

“I…”

“For the love of Celestia, Mourne! Will you just SHUT UP!” Shadowstep finally exploded. “Will you...just...oh buck me.”

“In one morning you have undermined years of hard-won respect,” Luna snarled, “of letting our ponies finally see that I am not the monster under the bed they have spent generations fearing. You have done more damage to me in one morning than years of whispers and rumours ever could. You have failed to protect me, Night Guard. You have broken the covenant between us.”

The change was subtle, and for a moment Mourne wasn’t sure what had Shadowstep slowly backing away, but then he saw it and all the confusion and all the anger crystallized into a single, icy lump of fear in his belly. Her coat was growing darker. Midnight blue was fading to black even as white teeth grew sharp and deadly. Even the shadows around her hooves were slowly spreading along the ground, the grass withering and dying in their wake.

The crowd of ponies that had gathered to investigate all the noise and shouting were shrinking back now and within moments a tentative withdrawal became an all out retreat. The residents of Ponyville fled this display of power in a near stampede, the sounds of doors and shutters slamming tight echoing behind them.

“Mistress…” Mourne whispered, forcing the word out a throat gone tight with fear. “Don’t.”

“Don’t?” Luna threw her head back and laughed, the clouds roiling and shifting overhead in response. Her laughter grew sharper, more mocking. “Still you think you can tell us what to do, child. How DARE you? You mock our choice of partner, you mock our judgement, you betray our trust, you violate our honour and have the audacity to stand before us and tell us what we can and cannot do? Your arrogance is truly a thing to behold!”

“Luna! Princess!” The doors to the hospital burst open as Twilight Sparkle and the other Elements of Harmony rushed out to confront the alicorn.

“This does not concern you, Twilight Sparkle!” Luna turned her head to gaze at the younger alicorn with eyes glowing with power. “You shall not interfere in our affairs. We have a subject in dire need of an understanding.”

“But not like this!” Twilight exclaimed. “Don’t you see what you’re doing to yourself?”

“Be silent!” Luna spat. “You are young, Princess. You have much to learn about what must be done to those who commit the greatest of crimes. We shall not tolerate a treasonous wretch serving in our guard!”

“T-Treason?” Twilight stammered, frowning briefly as she glanced at Mourne, then back to the Princess. “Even if he did commit treason, this isn’t the way to deal with it! Please, Luna! You don’t want to do this!”

“I beg thy pardon?” Luna snarled, her attention turning to the young alicorn and the group of ponies flanking her. “Didst thou just try to tell us what we want? Didst thou have the temerity to try and tell us what we should do? You forget your place, Twilight Sparkle.”

The shadows around Luna continued to grow, swirling in long, writhing tendrils around her hooves now. Her coat had faded entirely to black and even her cutie mark was beginning to shift as the terrible transformation neared its end. Twilight was suddenly, painfully aware that the Elements of Harmony were safely locked away in the Library, far out of reach right now.

“Luna,” a new voice called weakly from the doors of the hospital. “She’s right. Ya don’t wanna do this. Ah know ye’re angry, but ya gotta stop now.”

All eyes turned to find Mac leaning against the doorframe, his face pale, a cold sweat standing on his brow. The bandages across his chest were already wet with fresh blood from where he’d torn his stitches in his rush to get to the door. A pony would have to be blind and deaf to miss what was going on outside and by the sounds of it, things were only escalating. Hurt he might be, but he wasn’t dead and despite the protests of the nursing staff he’d refused their aid and made his way to the front door himself.

He spared Mourne only a moment’s glance before he began to slowly and carefully walk towards Luna, only to find his path blocked by Applejack, his sister glaring at him from beneath the brim of her stetson. “Dammit, Mac. What’re ya doin’?”

“Sounded like things weren’t goin’ so well out here,” he replied, laconically as ever, trying to ignore the burning ache in his chest and the deep, searing pain of his broken ribs shifting in his flanks with every breath. “Figgered ah’d come lend a hoof. Now, if y’all will just give us a lil space, ah need t’have a word with mah fillyfriend here.”

He stared down at Applejack, unblinking, until she couldn’t meet his gaze anymore. Biting her bottom lip she reluctantly stepped back, nodding to the other girls to step back towards the hospital and give Mac what he wanted.

Luna had not said a word all this time, simply watching, a strange little look on her face as Mac slowly limped up to stand before her. The shadows reached for him, strands of darkness caressing his hooves but he refused to flinch. He couldn’t show fear, not now, not when it was so close to going perilously wrong. Trying to ignore how his stomach churned and roiled he reached a hoof out to the Princess.

“Luna,” he repeated, his voice gentle, as if he was speaking to a frightened animal. “Ya gotta stop this now. Please.”

“Stop? Thou wouldst have us stop disciplining one of our servants? One who attacked you, who tried to k-kill you?” Luna’s voice hitched for a moment and the tendrils of darkness briefly recoiled, only to return a heartbeat later and curl all the tighter around his legs, drawing him closer to her now, pulling him towards the growing Nightmare.

“But he didn’t, Luna. Ah’m still here, but if ya keep goin’ on like this we ain’t gonna be able t’stay together.”

Luna froze and Mac echoed her, barely drawing a breath, standing perfectly still as she ran his words over in her mind. “What...dost thou mean? Art thou threatening to leave us? Thou wouldst spurn our affections even now?”

Mac swore silently. He was no good at this, he was no diplomat for Celestia’s sake! How to get through to her? How to make her understand what she was doing? He didn’t want to just blurt it out for fear that the realisation of her slip into darkness would only hasten it. He gave a helpless look over towards the girls only to find that Rarity had broken away from the group and was trotting over to join them, something clasped in one hoof.

“He doesn’t mean that, Majesty,” Rarity assured the Princess. “Mac would never spurn your affections like that. If he knows what’s good for him and everypony else right now,” she added in an aside. “He means, well, he means this.”

Rarity’s horn lit as her magic lifted up a small compact mirror before the alicorn and opened it. Luna scowled as she trotted towards the white unicorn to look more closely. “What foolishness is this? What dost th--”

Her voice died in her throat as she saw herself in the mirror. No, not herself. Staring back at her from that silvered glass she saw a face she’d hoped was gone forever, the face of Nightmare Moon. “No… We did not… I did not. This was not what we intended.”

She took a shaky, uncertain step towards Mac, her eyes wide and fearful, unshed tears glistening, ready to flow down her cheeks. He moved to meet her as the shadows faded around his hooves, brushing his cheek to hers, then just pressing his neck against her own, feeling her shivering against him, the rage fading, replaced now with bitter shame and regret.

“McIntosh, we--I--”

“Shh. S’okay, Luna. Ah know. We know ya didn’t mean it. Ah know that ain’t who y’are anymore.” He turned his head a little, managing to catch Twilight’s eye and motioned with his head towards Mourne. Twilight nodded and the girls moved quickly to surround and then escort the unresisting batpony into the hospital. Shadowstep hesitated, then followed in behind them, the doors thumping closed and leaving Mac alone with Luna.

He lifted a hoof, gently stroking down her neck, watching the black fading, lightening once more to that familiar deep blue. The shadows recoiled, twisting and fading into nothingness till there was not a trace of the Nightmare left, only a shaken, tired filly feeling all the weight of her many centuries pressing down on her.

He nudged at her cheek, urging her to lift her head up to meet his gaze. “Again you are the stillness in the nightmare. My refuge." She glanced down and her expression darkened again. "You hurt yourself,” she whispered, a hoof brushing over the now crimson bandages across his chest. “You have been hurt and it’s my fault. If I hadn’t come to you, if we hadn’t...he wouldn’t have…”

“No. No, enough o’that,” Mac growled before she could go any further. “Don’t you go blamin’ any of this on yerself, Luna. What that guard did, Mourne? He’s gonna have t’answer for that. Y’might be his Princess, but that don’t mean ya gotta share in his mistakes.” He shook his head, wincing at the new, sharp pains that shot across his chest. He sat down carefully, letting his weight settle back onto his haunches, not quite able to stifle the hiss of pain that escaped his lips.

“You should be in bed,” she insisted, nudging at his cheek. “The doctors will need to tend to you once more.”

He nodded. “Reckon so.” He huffed out one last, shaky breath. “You, uh, wanna tell me what that was all about?”

Luna ducked her head once more, her mane drifting down to cover the shame that filled her face. “The moon is not just light, Mac. The moon is darkness as well. Nightmare Moon was not some spirit or demon that possessed me. She came from within me, fuelled by rage and betrayal, sadness and loneliness, and though her rage has been quelled by the Elements she is never entirely gone. As long as I exist, there will always be the Nightmare.”

Mac frowned. “But she don’t just come out whenever you’re angry, though. Ah mean, that first Nightmare Night y’all got plenty pissed, but ya didn’t go all scary teeth on us.”

Despite herself, Luna smiled, taking a moment to nuzzle into Mac’s mane and breathe in the reassuringly earthy scent of the stallion. “Silly,” she whispered before she drew back again. “No. Mere anger would not be enough. When you said that I was his Princess you were half-right. My batponies are more than just my guards, more than just my servants, they are my children.”

Mac opened his mouth, then just closed it again without a word, his head cocking to one side like a quizzical puppy. Luna nodded as she continued. “The batponies are a created race, or they were. Now there have been so many generations of natural birth that they stand on their own with the other tribes. In the beginning, though, they were created from volunteers from the royal guard, those who wished to serve me more closely. It was one of the last times Celestia and I worked together on a great feat of magic. We did not wish to give them just the appearance of the batponies you now see, we remade them, redesigned them entirely to serve me. Later there came the madness, and my batponies retreated into seclusion afterwards.”

“Mmm. We’d heard stories about’em, some folk even said they’d seen them, but none of us really believed it till ya came back and the Night Guard was reinstated.” Mac swayed a little where he stood and in a heartbeat Luna was there with her shoulder pressed to his, supporting him.

“Listen to me reminiscing when you are injured. Come, my brave Mac. Let us return to your room. There will be time enough for explanations later.”

“Eeeyup,” he agreed, slowly standing and walking back indoors, leaning against Luna the entire way, taking comfort from this simple closeness as her wing curled around him to keep him close.

Later, after the doctors had thoroughly berated him and re-stitched his wounds, he lay in bed, gazing up once more at the ceiling as he mulled over the day’s events, he was interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Eeeyup?”

The door was pushed open and Luna stepped in, followed closely by Applejack and Twilight.

“Where’s everypony else?” He asked as he sat up a little to better talk to them.

“Gone home.” AJ replied. “They asked me t’give ya their love, said they’d be helpin’ out on the farm till you’re better so don’t ya worry about that.”

“Mmm,” he grunted sourly. This would hit them hard and not just around the farm, he’d have to try and find another pony to take over fishing duties as well. Maybe Rainbow Dash? Rarity would likely refuse to touch them, they already know Fluttershy wouldn’t do it… Pinkie? Much as he cared for the manic pink pony, he wasn’t sure he wanted to trust the safety of his farm to her.

“Quitcher broodin’, big brother,” Applejack prodded him lightly with a hoof. “As it happens, we’ve come t’ya with a suggestion.”

“Uh-huh. Can’t help but notice ya come with backup,” Mac drawled, glancing at Luna, who said nothing, and Twilight, who promptly stared at her hooves and rustled her wings nervously.

“Let it be known that I do not agree with what Applejack proposes,” Luna grumbled. “In years gone by the punishment would be far more severe than what thou proposes.”

“Oh he ain’t gettin’ off the hook that easy, Princess,” Applejack replied, then turned back to Mac. “Ah want Mourne t’come to the farm. That’s his name, the pony that attacked ya. He’s responsible for ya not bein’ able to work, so he’s gonna pick up the slack. Not only that, ah want him assigned as a bodyguard for ya in case anyone else gets the clever idea o’having a go.”

“Bodyguard? Him? Y’sure you don’t need t’get yer head checked out, AJ?”

“We will be sure to impress upon him that the withdrawal of the treason and attempted murder charges are reliant on his carrying out his duties in your service without hesitation or complaint,” Luna added. “Much as I might contemplate other punishments for him, Applejack has a point. Mourne is a Night Guard and that alone will deter many foolish ponies from any further attempts to disrupt things between us. Not only that, he is well acquainted with Canterlot’s nobility and the ins and outs of the Royal Court. He will be a fine adviser for what you will need to survive in the shark-infested waters of Canterlot’s social elite.”

Mac grunted, scratching his cheek thoughtfully. They made a fair point, and it was true that the batpony could have killed him, could have left him in a pool of his own blood in the mud...and didn’t. Mac believed what he’d said, that it wasn’t an attempt to kill him, but did that mean he was comfortable turning his back on this pony? In inviting him into the Apple family home?

“Ah gotta think about it,” he said at last. “Where is he now?”

“Locked up in one of the vacant rooms,” Twilight answered. “The other Night Guard, Shadowstep is watching him. Ponyville doesn’t really have a jail so it’s the best we could come up with.”

“Mmm. So what’s Princess Celestia got t’say about it? Ah’magine ya told her what happened here?”

Twilight glanced at Luna, who shrugged in reply. “Yes, we told her. She said that Luna’s guard are for her to control and for her to punish. She also said that she made the mistake of undermining her sister’s authority once before, and she wasn’t going to do it again.”

“In turn, Mac, I leave Mourne’s fate to you,” Luna added. “Either he serves his penance with you until you decide he truly understands the depth of his mistake, or he returns with me to Canterlot. In chains.”

“An’what’ll happen to him then?”

“We will see him stripped of rank, dishonourably discharged from the Night Guard and tried for attempted murder,” was the prompt, flat reply, barely a flicker of emotion crossing the alicorn’s face.

Mac whistled softly. “Kinda making it hard here, Luna. Ye’re placin’ his fate in mah hooves.”

“Our intention was not to make this more difficult, Mac, but you must understand that were it not for brave Applejack and Twilight, Mourne would already be on a train back to Canterlot in chains.”

“Ah guess. Look, ah...ah still need t’think it over. I’ll let ya know soon, ah promise.”

Luna nodded. “As you wish.”

There was another knock on the door before it was pushed open, this time by the familiar face of Pinkie Pie. “Hey Mac! Glad to see you’re looking better! Can’t have you being hurt, Princess Luna gets all saddy-waddy and we don’t want that. She might go all Black Snooty on us again and--” Pinkie trailed off as she pushed the door open further, to find Twilight, Applejack and Luna all staring at her, the last with her eyes narrowed. “That would be...awesome?” Pinkie finished weakly, wilting beneath that unamused glare.

“What can we do for ya, Pinkie?” Mac asked.

“Well, I know that today was supposed to be your second date with Luna and because of that mean old pony you didn’t get to have it! So I thought we couldn’t have that and I went back to the farm and I spoke to Granny Smith and I got the basket and I gathered all the stuff and I said goodbye to Granny Smith and I bounced right on down the road and I--”

“Pinkie…” Twilight groaned, rubbing a hoof to her forehead. “Skip to the end?”

“And I brought your picnic so you could have it right here!” Pinkie finished, producing the picnic basket with a flourish! “I mean I know it’s not really what you had in mind and you’re still hurting and stuff, but at least this means you don’t have to miss out on spending time together, right?”

Mac blinked, looking down at the basket, then up at Pinkie’s widely beaming face. He shook his head slowly and laughed quietly. “A hospital bed picnic. That’ll do, Pinkie. Thank ya kindly.”

“Okie-dokie-lokie!” Pinkie happily exclaimed as she planted the wicker basket on the end of the bed. “Now come on! Let them have their privacy! ShooShooShoo!” As efficiently as Winona herding cows, Pinkie corralled both Twilight and Applejack and ushered them out, closing the door behind her with a smile and a wink.

Mac sighed as he reached over for the basket, only to find Luna had already opened it and spread the red and white checked blanket within on the floor. Her horn glowed as she nimbly levitated out the contents and arranged them neatly, making soft, appreciative noises as each treat was revealed.

“A fine spread, Mac. You flatter me,” she sighed as the last treat was placed down and the basket tucked away in a corner of the room.

“Ah’d planned t’take ya to the hill overlookin’ town. There’s one heck of a view from there, but this’ll have t’do.” He made to sit up and slide out of bed, only to find a slice of apple pie hovering before his nose.

“Ah-ah,” Luna chided. “You are injured, and have done quite enough for today, I think. Rest, Mac. You put yourself in harm’s way to help me today, this is the least I can do to repay you.”

He hesitated, then grunted and lay back with a resigned little nod. “Got a point, ah guess.”

“Of course. I AM a Princess, after all.” Luna grinned, then applied a daub of cream to the end of Mac’s nose, laughing as he went cross-eyed trying to see it before licking it clean. “So,” she went on. “I am sure Pinkie will see to it that we are not disturbed, you are not going anywhere and nor am I so let us eat, drink and relax.” Luna smiled gently down at him as she brushed a hoof down his cheek. “Tomorrow will take care of itself. Right now I wish only to enjoy the rest of this day with you.”

“Fair enough, Princess.” He leaned forward to take a bite of the still-patiently hovering apple pie. “Fair enough.”

Author's Note

Okay, so as I am lovely and caring, you guys get to see this one early. I'd debated making you wait till the weekend, but I kinda want to see your reactions to what goes on in this chapter!

Chapter 14 is plotted, it's going to be another "Meanwhile in Equestria..." type one where we check in with a few other folks and see what else is going on. As per usual, expect that one in a couple of weeks.

Chapter 14 - Meanwhile in Equestria Part 2

Chapter 14
Meanwhile in Equestria Part 2
One day later.

Emberfire

“One more time. Run it past me one more time.”

“Mourne attacked Luna’s coltfriend. He’s currently under arrest pending charges of attempted murder, dereliction of duty, treason and anything else the Mistress can think to charge him with.”

Emberfire stared across his desk at Shadowstep. Hearing it again really didn’t make it sound any better. “Please tell me this was some sort of mental breakdown. Rogue magic? Was he wearing the Alicorn Amulet? Possessed by Discord? Something? Anything?”

“None of the above,” she replied, removing her helmet and setting it aside before running a hoof through her short-cropped purple mane. “As far as we can tell, he thought he was saving Luna from a scandal by trying to scare the earth pony off. He wasn’t having any of it so Mourne did what Mourne does and made it worse. Then he made it even worse by trying to justify himself to the Mistress.”

“I’m doomed,” Emberfire slumped in his chair and thumped his head down onto the desk. “She’s going to come back from Ponyville and fire my ass. If I’m lucky she won’t actually fire it out a cannon.” He rolled his head slowly from side to side. “What the hell was he thinking?”

“That he was doing what Night Guards do, Sir. He was protecting the Mistress.”

“Protecting her? From her coltfriend?” Emberfire lifted his head from the desk. “Celestia’s sainted tits, WHY? Like she gives a damn what the nobles say about her! So there’s a scandal! Big deal! None of them would dare say anything to her face for fear she’d turn them inside out or banish them to some soggy rock in the Northern Ocean. What did he think was going to happen? Rioting in the streets?”

Shadowstep hesitated for the briefest of moments. “I couldn’t possibly say, Sir,” she replied stiffly.

Emberfire glared at her, his lips pursed. He rose, circling around from behind the desk. “There’s something you’re not telling me,” he accused.

“Sir, Ember--”

“Save it. Everypony knows the two of you have racked up together in the past. I don’t care about the details, but it means you know more about him than I do and you might just have an idea about where he got this crazy notion from that Luna needed saving from anything.” He stepped up beside her, leaning in so close she could feel each heated, angry breath on her cheek. “If so, you’d better spit it out right now or I’ll have you busted down to latrine attendant before you leave this room. I am not bucking about, Shadowstep. Mourne has landed in the biggest heap of shit you can imagine and this is your one and only chance to make sure he doesn’t drag you into it with him.”

Shadowstep refused to meet his eyes, staring firmly at the wall directly ahead. The two had met in Emberfire’s private quarters, far away from any prying eyes or ears that might think about listening in. At first her request for privacy had confused him, but once she’d started talking he’d quickly come to understand. If word leaked out of Luna’s loss of control, of what Mourne had done, the cries for the Night Guard to be disbanded and Luna removed from power would be echoing round the spires of Canterlot before you could blink.

“It’s a private matter, Sir,” she finally grated. “You’d have to take it up with Mourne.”

“Oh, don’t you worry, I intend to. And in fact, while I’m thinking about this whole sorry fiasco, where the hell were you when all this was going on? Why did you leave your partner alone so that he could try and commit murder?” He paused a moment, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Were you in on it?”

"What?” Shadowstep stiffened in surprise. “No! Of course not!”

"Yet you left him alone long enough for him to attack the farmer. You broke the most basic rule, the one we beat into your heads the moment you set a single hoof on the training yard. You never leave your partner.”

Emberfire stepped back, then sighed as he trudged wearily back around his desk and slumped into his chair, staring down at the piles of paper strewn across it. “Either you simply disobeyed that rule, in which case you’re just incompetent, or you knew what he was going to do and did nothing, in which case you’re culpable. Either way you put me in one hell of a spot.”

Pulling a piece of paper out from the pile he scribbled across it, folded it and quickly sealed it with wax before pushing it across the desk to her. “You’re restricted to barracks until the investigation into this fiasco concludes. If I hear you’ve set hoof one outside of the grounds then you’re gone. If you speak to anyone else about what you’ve told me today, you’re gone. If I see you and Mourne so much as exchanging nods in the corridor, you’re gone. Do I make myself perfectly clear, Shadowstep?”

She bit down on her bottom lip till the tang of blood filled her mouth, her jaw clenched so tight that the muscles ached. She reached out to take the letter, tucking it under her wing before she slammed her hoof against her breast. “All Hail--”

“Don’t,” he interrupted her before she could complete the traditional Night Guard salute. “Just don’t. Get out of my sight.”

Blueblood

The air was thick with intrigue, just the way he liked it.

Oh, certainly, some ponies fell for that vapid persona he adopted in public, but the truth was that not even his supposed “Aunt” really knew what her nephew got up to when he wasn’t at court and that was the way he liked it. Confident he might be. Arrogant? Perhaps a touch, but he wasn’t so arrogant as to think he could knock heads with a Princess and walk away intact.

This was where his main business dealings were done, where he negotiated deals and gathered the intelligence that ensured his position. Outside the trappings of court, away from the prying eyes of his rivals. Very few knew this place existed but they knew that to receive an invitation showed they had caught the eye of powerful ponies.

“Raise,” he grunted, picking up his glass of whiskey and sipping from it, rolling the fiery liquid over his tongue before swallowing. He set the glass back down and pushed a stack of chips towards the center of the table. “Another five hundred.”

“Of all the…” The dark grey pegasus across from him threw his cards down on the table, biting back a further outburst as he leaned back in his chair, his hooves folded across his broad chest. “I fold. Damn your eyes, Blueblood. Nopony is that lucky.”

This particular individual was Lord Slate and that last deal had gone just the way Blueblood had planned. He didn’t need to cheat, not against him. The pegasus had a tell that was as blatant as a sunrise if you knew what to look for. Anytime he had a bad set of cards his wings rustled, just a little, barely enough for anypony to notice, but it was enough for him to exploit.

Ignoring the slight, Blueblood turned his head a little to face his other opponent. The pale pink unicorn mare hummed to herself as she tapped a hoof on the tabletop, staring unblinkingly back at him. Her name was Lady Amber, and she was something of an enigma. She’d been invited to the game through a friend of a friend after he had been informed she was somepony worth cultivating as a contact. Some basic research had informed him that she was from a moderately well-off noble family that mostly kept out of the intrigues of court. It wasn’t their wealth that interested him so much as the other rumours, that she had eyes and ears in all sorts of corners.

So far, though, she’d given little indication of having much to offer him beyond a pretty face. She had played carefully, conservatively, refusing to be drawn into the banter around the table, outlasting the other players till it came down to just the two of them facing each other across the pool of chips.

“Well?” Blueblood drawled. “Are you in or out?”

Amber glanced at her pile of chips, then back at Blueblood, her expression carefully schooled into a mask of polite indifference. “I seem to find myself a little light, but I’m not willing to concede just yet. Perhaps I can offer something else that might entice you instead?”

Ah, now she was starting to be interesting. This was far more like it. “Like what?”

“Information.”

Blueblood snorted and tossed his mane back over his shoulders. “I can find information anywhere. I have many ponies supplying me with that already. Just what are you offering that would make up for the deficiency in your stack, Lady Amber?”

“One of my contacts was in Ponyville yesterday,” she started and Blueblood had to hold back a surge of interest. That village. There had to be something about the presence of the Elements of Harmony that made it such a nexus for all manner of happenings both magical and mundane. “He returned with stories of an incident involving one of the Princesses.”

He was too wise to bother asking which one. Like a dealer tempting a mark with just a little taste of Salt, she wasn’t going to give him any more for nothing unless he agreed to her terms and if, ultimately, she actually won this round then she would likely leave with her titbit of information unspoken...unless he was willing to pay handsomely off the table.

“Interesting, but also potentially worthless,” he countered while he considered his options and the likelihood of her having the cards to beat him. “Let’s put this into some context, shall we? Are we talking about an ‘incident’,” he barely resisted the urge to make air quotes with his hooves, “such as somepony eating with the wrong spoon or an incident like a Changeling invasion?”

The unicorn lifted her wine glass with her magic to take a sip, gazing steadily at him over the rim. Lord Slate had left the table by now and, by standing order, only those playing were allowed within ten feet of the table. It was further wreathed in sound-deadening and privacy spells, all designed to ensure that anything discussed was privy only to those who had paid for the privilege.

“The latter,” she finally drawled as she set the glass back down. “But that’s all I’ll give you gratis, Prince. Are my terms acceptable?”

He lifted his own glass and tilted it towards her. “Acceptable. I take it you’re all-in then?”

“Indeed,” she replied, not a hint of stress in her voice as she pushed her chips into the center of the table.

Blueblood nodded and waited patiently as her horn glowed and Amber turned over each of her cards one by one. A pair of cups, and a high pair at that. The last three cards followed in short order and he nodded again. Three of a kind, a full house. A respectable showing, for sure.

Finishing the last of his drink, his own horn glowed as his cards turned over all at once and the hint of a smile vanished from Amber’s face as he revealed first the three of wands, then, taking his time to savour the moment, the four, five, six and seven. A straight flush.

“You knew,” she growled, her mask of impassivity cracking as she stared at the cards. “You knew you had me beaten.”

“Of course,” he replied, nodding to his servant who quickly stepped up to the table to collect his winnings. He would make sure they were taken care of appropriately; Blueblood didn’t like to bother himself with such mundane matters. Once the servant had withdrawn, his attention returned to the glowering unicorn mare. She really was far less pretty when she was unhappy, he mused to himself. “Now, to the matter of my less tangible winnings.”

Amber ground her teeth, but finally nodded. A deal was a deal, even if she still couldn’t quite shake the feeling that Blueblood had been cheating. “It turns out there was an altercation between one of the Night Guard and one of the local stallions…”

As she began, Blueblood was mildly interested. By the time she finished, he was fascinated. Lady Amber had certainly more than earned the right to be at the table this night.

There was now so much to consider, so many variables in play all at once. The introduction of the Night Guard to this situation opened up some intriguing new avenues that would bear further investigation if Red Tape’s own investigation failed to produce results.

Amber made her excuses and left him sitting alone at the table, gazing thoughtfully down at his hooves as he rolled a single golden bit back and forth between them.

Mourne

How had it gone so wrong?

He sat on the hospital bed, staring out the small window in the door through which the helmeted head of one of the Solar Guard could be seen. His own armour and weapons had been stripped from him, confiscated while they considered what to do with him.

They’d come to him with the offer from the Element of Honesty, to work out a penance beside the farmer, to protect him and even educate him. Nonsense, foolishness of the highest order. He would rather have his wings taken from him than aid that fool in his quest to pursue his Mistress.

He hadn’t said that out loud, of course. Instead he had prevaricated, bought himself some time to think while he considered what his next step would be. The confrontation with the Mistress had been enough to near frighten his coat white. Speaking to her directly again was definitely not an option. The Night Guard knew the stories of Nightmare Moon better than anypony alive save for the Princesses and while some fools might talk about a return to the “glory days” the rest of them knew better. Nopony wanted to suffer the insanity of the Nightmare.

Luna’s Night Guard had stood with her during the Lunar Uprising, they had fought and died for her against the forces of the Solar Guard, paid the price when she was overthrown and exiled and still they stood by her and for her.

Why couldn’t he make Luna understand that every thing he did, every breath he took, was for her? The Night Guard had been his life since he was a colt, it was everything his kind aspired to, serving the one who had created them. His proudest moment had been that day when he swore his oath of service at the hooves of his Mistress, and yet now? Now there seemed to be this insurmountable chasm between them and he didn’t know how to bridge it. He wasn’t a diplomat or a politician, words didn’t come easy for him. He was a soldier and yet he was being told this was not his fight.

Resisting the petty urge to throw his pillow at the door he instead slipped down from the bed. The clattering noise of his hooves on the floor was enough for the guard outside to glance in the window to make sure he was still behaving himself. Mourne had to resist the even pettier urge to stick his tongue out at him.

Instead he turned to pacing back and forth, counting out the steps as he circled around the bed. There had to be a way. She wouldn’t listen to him so who would she listen to? Who could he go to that would understand and want to prevent Luna from making another mistake? Who else would only have her best interests at heart?

He stopped dead in the center of the room. It was so obvious. In all the world there was one pony Luna always listened to, one pony who would be able to get through to her. He had to get out of here, he had to see Celestia. Just one problem with that...he had to get out of the room first.

He quickly looked around and sighed. It was never going to be as easy as the Daring Do books frequently made out. There were no windows he could jump out of or conveniently pony-sized air vents he could squeeze through. No, the only way out of this room was through the door and the guard posted outside.

As quietly as possible he crept up to the door and peeked left, then right. No-one else in the corridor other than the guard and he’d made a rookie mistake, standing directly in front of the door instead of just off to one side. Mourne didn’t bother to check the door handle, he knew they wouldn’t have left it unlocked regardless of how green and inexperienced they might be otherwise. Instead he turned around, braced his forehooves against the floor, and bucked back with all the strength he could muster.

The hospital door didn’t stand a chance; the lock ripped from the housing as the door slammed outwards, hitting the unsuspecting guard in the rump and sending him sprawling headfirst into the opposite wall in a tangled heap. Before he could get his breath back, or even work out which way his legs were supposed to be pointing, Mourne was on top of him and one more swift kick ensured the hapless stallion wouldn’t be waking up anytime soon.

Quickly stripping the armour from the unconscious guard, Mourne strapped it on. He winced a little as it pinched around his barrel but the fit was close enough that it was unlikely anypony would notice or comment. As he removed the armour, the unconscious pony began to change, his white coat fading to brown as he was revealed to be a somewhat plain looking dark brown earth pony.

There was a reason all the Solar Guard looked alike, an enchantment laid into every set of their golden armour concealing their true appearance. What had started as a simple conceit of aesthetics had served a far more important purpose during the Lunar Uprising. By concealing the identities of the Solar Guardsponies, they ensured no one stallion could be singled out and targeted for assassination.

As he strapped the last piece in place he could feel his skin prickle as the enchantment took hold. He risked a moment to look in the door’s small window, finding a stoic white stallion staring back at him, his leathery batwings transformed into the feathery lengths of a pegasus.

He dragged the unconscious pony inside and laid him down on the bed before pushing the door shut and quickly standing to attention, making sure his body blocked the twisted and warped lock. He could hear voices echoing down the hall, somepony coming to investigate the loud bang of his hooves on the door.

Seconds later two white-clad nurses trotted around the corner, slowing a little as they found Mourne standing guard. After a brief look at each other, one of them trotted down to him. “Is everything okay here? We heard a loud noise. The pa--Er...the guard hasn’t tried to hurt himself has he?”

“No, Ma’am,” he replied crisply, staring directly ahead, never making eye contact with the mare. He knew she wasn’t really looking at him anyway, they never did. They saw the armour, the eyes and wings and they stopped paying attention. Night or Solar it was all the same. You were a Guard, not really an individual, and right now that was just the way he wanted it. “He kicked a chair into the door before settling onto the bed. I suspect he was just acting out.”

“Oh,” she paused, mulling that over for a moment. He could see the look in her eyes, her conscience nagging at her, and knew she wasn’t about to let him off that easily. “Well,” she ventured, “maybe I should just check on him to make sure he’s alright and didn’t hurt himself when he kicked it?”

He gave one little shake of his head. “Princesses’ orders, Ma’am. No-one is to see the prisoner at the moment. I’ll keep an eye on him and let you know if he needs medical attention.” He paused, then leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping. “Between you and me, I think he’s just sulking. Best not to give him any more opportunities to act out.”

“Oh,” she said again, glancing back over her shoulder to the other nurse who was waiting near the corner. The second filly simply shrugged, her expression one of bland disinterest, and the first nodded. “Well, just see if you can get him to keep the noise down, please. There are some genuinely sick ponies here who need their rest.”

“Yes Ma’am,” he thumped his forehoof to his chest in salute and the nurse giggled before trotting back to join her companion. As the two disappeared round the corner Mourne allowed himself a soft, shaky sigh of relief. After another minute had gone by without further interruption he squared his shoulders, nodded to himself, and trotted quickly towards the nearest exit. He had to get to Canterlot.

Celestia

She tapped lightly on the dark, polished wood door with one forehoof. There was no reply from within. She gave it a moment, then tapped again, a little harder.

“We gave orders we were not to be disturbed!”

Celestia sighed and tapped lightly on the door again. Some things never changed, it seemed. “It’s me, Lulu.”

There was a pause. “We gave orders we were not to be disturbed!”

Celestia groaned and leaned forward to rest her muzzle on the cool wood of the door. “Lulu, please. Open the door. You know I’m not going to just go away.”

Just as she was beginning to think she would have to teleport in there, the handles glowed blue and the door opened to reveal the dark interior of Luna’s chambers. Stepping in, Celestia closed the door behind her and made her way across the room to the balcony where her sister sat, staring out towards the distant lights of Ponyville.

“I am not sulking.” Luna insisted before Celestia could say anything.

“I never said you were. You ARE sitting in the dark, though.”

“We are the Princess of the Night! The dark is our domain.” Luna grumbled, “The darkness allows a better view of the night."

Celestia settled onto a cushion next to Luna, joining her in silent contemplation of the horizon before casting her gaze upward to the starry sky above Canterlot. “A beautiful night as always, Lulu.”

Luna made a small disparaging noise. “It will suffice. My mind is elsewhere at the moment. My placement of the stars is not ideal and the moon was quite recalcitrant tonight until I realised I was placing her incorrectly. We had to have a little chat about that, she was rather put out with me.”

“Really? She was never very talkative when I was raising her.”

“You never really tuned in to the right, mmm, the right wavelength,” Luna stated. “I imagine it’s the same for me when I raise the sun. He works with me, but I never really have the same rapport as I do with the moon.”

Celestia nodded in agreement just as there was another knock on the door. Luna scowled at her sister, opening her mouth to bellow at yet another unwanted interruption but Celestia beat her to it.

“I took the liberty of having some coffee and biscuits sent up from the kitchens,” she explained as she used her magic to open the door and bring the tray through to them without the somewhat startled serving pony having to set a hoof inside the room. “I thought you might want something to drink.”

“A little late for you, isn’t it? You know you won’t sleep properly if you have coffee after sunset.”

“It won’t be a problem,” Celestia assured her, “and I know you’re not a fan of the teas I enjoy.”

“Tea should not be green,” Luna grumbled as she poured for the two of them, lifting the cup to her muzzle to inhale the scent for a moment before she took the first sip. When she finally spoke again, the words were slow and grudging. “The situation has grown complicated.”

Celestia sipped at her own cup, making a little face at the potent taste of the coffee before setting it aside and chasing the lingering bitterness away with a biscuit. She nibbled thoughtfully on it for a moment or two as she considered a response. She knew her sister well enough to know that what Luna needed now wasn’t empty reassurance or platitudes, she was wise enough to know just how much of a furore was likely to erupt once this became public. No, in situations like this it fell to Celestia to play the practical, level-headed one, to play her part as the elder sister. “How many ponies saw the transformation?”

“Enough to set tongues wagging,” Luna growled, venting her frustration on a biscuit and reducing it to crumbs with two quick bites. “I understand the rumours have already begun to spread through Canterlot. I am sure you can expect a bill from the nobles any day now calling for my removal from office.”

Celestia mmed softly as she added another spoonful of sugar to her coffee. “And what did Mac do when you changed?”

Luna blinked. That was not a response she was expecting, the question taking her off guard. “He was in the hospital. He did not see it at first.” She frowned in confusion. “I do not understand why--”

“But he came to you, didn’t he?” Celestia pressed on. “I hear he dragged himself out of bed and all the way to the front door when he heard the commotion outside. So, when he was there, when he saw not the filly but the Nightmare herself, what did he do?”

“He was concerned for me. He was the one to approach me before I lost control entirely, who spoke gently to me, to Luna, not to just the Nightmare. Between his intervention and the assistance of the Element of Generosity, we were stopped before...before things got any worse. Why? What does it matter how Mac responded?”

“Because more than anypony else, he will need to understand that the Nightmare is never entirely gone and that, well, sometimes you need help with that temper of yours,” Celestia gave a wry smile. This seemed to be a fairly common conversation lately.

“Can you blame me? For one of my own Guard to attack not only an innocent civilian, but one who is dear to me? I…” Luna trailed off and sighed softly, staring down into the inky black liquid that filled her cup. “Not even when I took a commoner for a lover when it was expected that we should wed within the noble houses, not even then has one of my Guard dared to do such a thing.”

“Have you spoken to Emberfire about it yet? I understand the other guard has been restricted to quarters while this is looked into.”

Luna shook her head. “Not yet. I know that Mourne remains at Ponyville while he considers if he wishes to take the offer that Applejack has made.”

“A surprising offer indeed,” Celestia added. “The residents of Ponyville never cease to surprise me with their willingness to offer second chances to those who would otherwise seem beyond redemption. Do you think he will take it?”

“He is aware of the consequences if he does not,” Luna snarled, her cup wavering in the grip of her magic. There was a loud crack and the porcelain split neatly down one side, only the grasp of her magic keeping the coffee from spilling all over the cushions. “Damn,” she muttered as she quickly levitated a new cup under the broken one to transfer the contents, setting the remains of the cup aside.

Celestia let the flash of anger pass without comment. “And what of Emberfire? I know he is your head of guard and it is not my place to ask, but I am curious as to how you intend to handle that.”

“Mourne was his choice to assign to Ponyville,” Luna grimly replied. “Emberfire is his commanding officer and as such is responsible for everything Mourne does while he wears the sigil of the Night Guard.”

Celestia hesitated, hearing the anger rising in her sister’s voice. “Perhaps he is, but there is no way Emberfire could have known this, or prevented it. Had Mourne shown any sign of resentment before now?”

“...No.”

“Had he given you or Emberfire any reason to think he would be anything other than a good and loyal servant of the crown?”

Celestia could almost hear Luna grinding her teeth now. “No.”

“Has Emberfire appealed for any sort of clemency for Mourne or tried to defend his actions in any way?”

“No,” Luna sighed, finally admitting defeat. “He has not. All he has done is twice request an audience with me. I...refused him till I could decide what I wished to do.”

“Then rebuke him if you must, Lulu, but do not be too harsh. Remember that there is nothing he could have done to prevent these events. Remember that he has served you well ever since your return, and there is nopony within the Guard who could have helped you shape them in the way he has.”

Luna didn’t reply, staring sullenly out towards Ponyville once more.

“Did you at least get to spend some time with Mac? I understand his injuries are not too grave.”

“Broken ribs, bruises, scratches and cuts. He will survive,” Luna growled, her mane and tail billowing restlessly. “He had planned for us to take a picnic together overlooking the town. Instead we had it within his hospital room. The food was as delicious as anything you would find in our kitchens here, though somewhat spoiled by the scent of antiseptic. Mac was…he was more concerned about my mood than his own injuries.”

Celestia smiled gently. “When will you see him again?”

“Tomorrow. I will go and ensure he is comfortable. Oh, your student has asked if I would be willing to assist her. Mac has been enquiring about magically enhanced healing and she is reluctant to attempt it without assistance.”

“Very wise of her,” Celestia nodded approvingly. “Magic-enhanced healing is a useful skill, indeed, but not one to be trifled with. It can be most taxing both for the one doing the healing and the one being healed. I did not realise she had made any particular study of that field of magic.”

“Who knows just how many books she has read in the Starswirl the Bearded wing of our library,” Luna observed dryly, then sighed and gave herself a little shake. “Thank you for the company, ‘Tia. I will be fine, honestly. I will see Mac tomorrow and hopefully by then Mourne will have made the right choice.”

“I’m sure he will have, Sister,” Celestia reassured her as she finished her coffee. “In the end I’m sure he really does just want what’s best.”

Chapter 15 - Red Sky in Morning...

Chapter 15
Red Sky in Morning...

Celestia’s sun bathed Sweet Apple Acres in warm sunshine the colour of blood. Mac propped himself up in bed and scowled out at it. He had woken after a fitful night’s sleep and drawn back the curtains to find this ominous sunrise waiting for him. gnoring the superstitious portent, he opened the window to let the cool morning air in and frowned a little, catching the scent of rain on the wind.

The schedule had called for clear skies over the farm so it might be they were in for one of the rogue storms from the Everfree. He was sure Applejack would have noticed the sky as well and would adjust the work around the farm as needed. The Weather Patrol would only move to break it up or divert it if it was strong enough to threaten damage to the town, otherwise they’d just have to put up with the change to the schedule.

Slowly laying back in his bed he hissed softly as his broken ribs shifted, his eyes drifting shut again. A shadow fell across his face and he frowned, fumbling out to make sure one of the curtains hadn’t slipped back across the window. Instead of the rough fabric, however, his groping hoof encountered something entirely different: Soft, warm feathers.

“Why Mac,” a familiar voice purred. “If you wanted to preen me, you only had to ask.”

He slowly opened one eye, a warm smile curving his lips as he looked up at the familiar face of Princess Luna. The midnight-blue alicorn was draped over his windowsill, doing her best to look nonchalant as she wriggled her way through the open window and planted her forelegs down onto the bed. The frame creaked softly beneath them in protest as Mac lifted his forelegs and curved them around that graceful neck, drawing Luna in for a kiss.

The look of surprise and pleasure on her face made him pause and grin before he brushed his lips playfully to hers. “Yah still look surprised when ah do that,” he murmured in between soft, brief little presses of his mouth to her own.

“Because I still am,” was Luna’s reply as she crawled the rest of the way through the window and settled on the bed alongside him. She spread one of her wings over to him, absently dragging the long, soft feathers along his belly and flanks as she leaned over him to continue those quick, teasing kisses. “I asked to be treated like a normal mare, and you have obliged me. No asking for permission, no hesitation or fear. It has been a very long time indeed since I was able to relax and enjoy myself this way.”

“Well good,” he replied as he lifted a hoof to hook around the back of her neck and draw her into a more lingering kiss. Their lips parted, breath coming quickly now as their tongues met tentatively, then eagerly. There was a whispered sound of pleasure coming from the mare pressed against him. Mac echoed it as he arched his body to press into her...then froze, feeling a rush of heat through his muzzle.

It was early in the morning and he not only had a beautiful mare pressed against him, her tongue was in his mouth and, well, he was a red-blooded stallion and a lot of that blood had suddenly decided to rush southwards, with inevitable and embarrassing results. He shifted his weight a little, trying to arch his body away from her, trying to be subtle about it.

“Why Mac,” Luna purred, lifting her head a little to meet his increasingly flustered gaze, mischief dancing in her eyes as she denied him even the chance to move away, shifting her weight to press the impertinent length of his arousal against her flank. “You really DO think of me as a mare, don’t you?”

“Ain’t thinkin’ much of anythin’ other than mebbe having the ground open up an’ swallow me right now,” he muttered, trying to duck his head away from her only to find he was denied even that comfort by a hoof cupping his cheek and holding him in place.

Trapped, he was forced to watch as Luna lifted her wing and glanced down at his haunches, forced to watch as her smile slowly grew wider and she ran her tongue over her lips. “My oh my…” Luna cooed. Mac let out a strained, frustrated growl that made her laugh in delight before turning back to him.

“Our apologies, Mac. It is most rude of us to tease but,” and she leaned in close to first kiss him, then grip his bottom lip between her teeth for a moment, nibbling playfully. “Were you not injured, we believe we would take pleasure in getting to know every part of thy body including all those...intimate details. Thou’rt a fine figure of a stallion and it has been a GREAT many years since I last enjoyed the company of a lover. You must excuse us being perhaps more forward than thou’rt accustomed to.”

Mac was sure that if he blushed any harder, his mane might actually go up in smoke. He squirmed uncomfortably against Luna, who finally realised that she might have taken her teasing a little too far. She nuzzled his cheek as she sat back a little to give him more room, politely staring out of the window until he could roll over enough to hide his arousal.

“You really have never been with a mare,” she murmured, almost to herself. “Might I be so bold as to ask why? You are certainly, ahem, not deficient in that area as far as I can tell. You have nothing to be ashamed of from a purely physical standpoint. In fact I know many stallions who dream of being as endowed as thee.”

“They wouldn’t if they had t’actually live with it,” was the weary reply. “Trust me, it ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.” A long silence followed before Mac spoke again. “It ain’t entirely true. Whatcha said there. Ah have been with a mare. Once. When ah was not much more than a colt.”

Luna held up a hoof. “You do not need to speak of this if it is painful--”

“Naw. If we’re gonna do this, if we’re gonna be together, you deserve tah know this kinda stuff.” He took a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. “We were young...just in our teens. First rush o’hormones and all that, spring in the air so on… Was just a fling rather than anythin’ serious. She liked me, ah liked her, so one day we’re alone and one thing lead t’another and heavy pettin’ got a lot heavier. Ended up with her on her belly and me atop her.”

He had to stop for a moment, breathing a little more ragged now as the memories came flooding back, a scene he hadn’t remembered in many a year. Her body beneath him, her breath coming in soft, urgent little moans, at least at first. The feel of her tail flicking against his belly and his sheath, that first rush of lust driving away everything but the need to rut, to plunge and thrust and…

“Everypony knows the first time can be painful. When she cried out ah didn’t think anythin’ of it. But she didn’t stop cryin’. It took me a second or two t’realise that she wasn’t movin’ with me, she was tryin’ to get away, t’realise that ah’d hurt her. That...ah was so big that ah’d hurt her in a way no right-thinkin’ stallion ever wants t’hurt a mare.”

“Oh Mac,” Luna whispered as she pressed back to him, sliding up along the bed till she could rest her head with his, her wing again blanketing him, holding him close. “You were young, inexperienced. It is not unheard of for these things to happen.”

“Yeah, well, mebbe not. But after that she didn’t want nothin’ to do with me, wouldn’t let me make it up to her. She told her friends what ah was like down there, said ah’d only hurt them. Some took it as a challenge, chased me like ah was a prize t’be won. Others just left me alone. Eventually she left Ponyville and when the other fillies realised ah wasn’t gonna play their games, they got bored, moved on. Hardly anypony remembers that now, save fer me.”

“We cry your pardon, Mac. We did not mean to bring back such painful memories.” She again nuzzled at his cheek and this time he turned his head a little to return the affection, his eyes closed as he waited for the welter of emotions to settle once more.

“Was worst for those few years in mah teens. That’s when ah first started lookin’ into all the Neighponese stuff. Meditation, ritualised exercises, that kinda thing. It helped when the urges got, uhm, too strong. Eventually ah found ah could always find that still point inside me. Ah guess that’s what you sensed in mah dreams.”

“Your center, yes. Your skill and control is most impressive. I understand why you felt it necessary but there is one more thing I must say.” Luna’s wing shifted, drifting down, dragging lightly across his sheath and making him shiver in surprise. “This does not frighten me. I am not some callow, untried filly and you will not hurt me, Mac. You would never hurt me.”

Mac just nodded, letting his forehead rest against hers for a moment, breathing in that now-familiar lavender scent. He resisted the urge to smile as other, more carnal, scents made themselves known. He had to admire Luna’s self-control and part of him was more than a little flattered knowing that he’d got her even a little flustered. But, now wasn’t the time for an more of that, there were things to be done this morning. “Speakin’ o’folks gettin’ hurt, are ya here to help Twilight out with that magic healin’ she suggested?”

Luna nodded. “I am indeed. With my assistance we should be able to repair most of the damage that Mourne hath done to thee.”

Mac mulled that over a moment. Mourne. Now there was a whole other new source of stress. The news had travelled quickly around town that the rogue Guard had broken out of the makeshift prison at the hospital, though the first Mac had known about it was when the girls had turned up at the farm to check if he was alright.

Twilight had sent the news to Celestia and within the hour they had a detachment of the Solar Guard turning Ponyville upside down and inside out trying to find him. “Any news on him?”

Luna’s expression darkened before she slowly shook her head and drew back from the comfortable embrace to sit up a little more in bed. “Nay. On that matter, I wish that you would allow us to set a guard at the farm, Mac. Will you not reconsider if I ask thee personally? What if he comes for you again?”

“Ah don’t think he will,” Mac replied easily as he gently drew Luna’s head down to rest on his chest, nuzzling into that flowing mane. He still didn’t entirely understand what Luna meant when she called him ‘still’ but he did all he could to project an aura of reassurance. He drew his hoof lightly down along her neck as he mulled the situation over. “He tried it once before and didn’t have it in him t’kill me even when he could. Ah don’t think he’d come back t’straight up murder me in mah bed.”

“But if you are wrong…”

“Then ah’m wrong, but he won’t catch me unawares a second time. The Solar Guard will find him, ah’m sure.” He trailed off as a thought occurred. “Fact is, that’s struck a couple o’folk around town as a mite odd. How come it’s the Solar Guard lookin’ for Mourne an’ not the Night Guard?”

Luna sighed softly, closing her eyes as she rubbed her cheek slowly against Mac’s chest. “Because that is how the game is played in Canterlot. My Sister does not truly believe that there is some insidious plot within the ranks of my Guard, nor does she believe that the loyalty of any of the rest of my Guard is suspect, but this is not about what is, merely what is SEEN to be. Appearances, Mac, it is all about appearances. Celestia must be seen to take charge, must be seen to distance herself from the acts of the Night Guard. In turn I must be seen to allow this, to ensure that I am not suspected of protecting any of those who serve me.”

“They can’t seriously think--” He growled, then sighed and shook his head. “What’m ah sayin’? Of course they can. Doesn’t Mourne get it? Doesn’t he see what he’s doin’ is just makin’ things worse? He might think he’s protectin’ you, but the fires he’s settin’ are just gonna end up burnin’ everypony around him.”

“There is some deep seated hurt here, I suspect. This goes beyond loyalty, beyond duty. To so single-mindedly pursue a goal regardless of any consequence suggests some previous trauma.” Luna pursed her lips. “Mourne was part of the Guard before I returned and I am ashamed to say that I perhaps do not know them all as well as I wish I might. Until now”

“Ah told ya that this ain’t your fault, Luna. Y’all didn’t send Mourne to attack me, you didn’t push me off a roof. This is all on him and whatever is goin’ on in that thick skull of his.”

“You are too kind, Mac,” she rose gracefully and in one easy motion she had hopped from his bed and back to the windowsill, pausing just for a moment to look back over her shoulder at him, her tail swaying playfully over her hindquarters.

"Ya could just use the door,” Mac pointed out, doing his best not to stare at what she was teasing him with. Now that was just downright MEAN.

“I could.” Luna agreed. “But where would the fun be in that? I shall meet you at the Library, Mac. Come as soon as you are able, Twilight and I shall have made all the necessary preparations.”

She laughed as she leapt from the window, swooping down low before climbing back up and into the air, vanishing from sight over the trees as Mac closed the window behind her.

*****

“Bucking mother of a--!”

“Mac! Language! There are baby dragons present!”

Mac bit back further curses and clamped back down on the leather strap between his teeth, trying to ignore the pain that was searing through his flanks and belly like someone was holding him over an open fire. Oh, they’d warned him. They’d told him that speed healing like this would hurt, that they couldn't offer any sort of relief for the pain for fear that it would interfere with what they were asking his body to do. They had warned that it would tax all the reserves he had left, but he told them to do it anyway. Now, ten minutes into the session, he was beginning to regret ever asking about this.

Luna and Twilight stood on either side of him as he lay on the floor in a circle marked out in chalk. Twilight had started explaining what the symbols that surrounded that circle meant, but after the first minute or so he’d been totally lost and simply nodded whenever she paused to take a breath.

The actual healing had started with mere discomfort, nothing compared to the actual pain of the ribs themselves, but as the minutes ticked by and the two alicorns continued to channel their magic into him, it got worse...and worse, until he’d begged them for something to bite down on to save him from biting through his tongue or breaking a tooth.

The scent of leather filled his every breath, the thick taste flooding his mouth as he bit down. He could feel sweat coursing down through his mane, fighting the urge to shake his head as it trickled over his skin. He was breathing fast and hard, trying not to whimper, trying to find that still place within him, to center himself and allow the pain to pass through him rather than possessing him. It wasn’t working.

He could FEEL his bones healing under the influence of the magic. He’d been confused, at first, when they told him they’d need to strap his hooves down. Now he understood why. If he’d been able to move, he’d be gouging furrows in his own flanks trying to scratch, trying to relieve that terrible, searing, itching pain that was crawling beneath his skin.

“That is enough, Twilight. Rest now.”

Luna stepped back and Twilight did the same, the younger alicorn trembling a little, her own body shining with sweat. “Wow,” she whispered as she wiped her forehead. “I’m glad I didn’t try this on my own. Normal healing is one thing, but this is something else!”

“Indeed. Had you attempted this on your own you would likely now be in Ponyville Hospital being treated for magical backlash.” Luna nuzzled at Mac’s cheek, wiping a rivulet of sweat from his brow with a cool cloth. “How are you feeling?”

Mac wearily spat the strap out. “Ow.”

Spike took the cloth from Luna, the poor baby dragon’s skin blanched a lighter shade of purple as he looked at Mac. “I don’t get it,” he finally admitted. “Why do this to yourself?”

“Spike…” Twilight sighed, but Mac shook his head.

“S’okay, Twilight.” His voice was weak, but firm. “ This ain’t just about me, Spike. Ah can’t afford t’be down all busted like this. Farm needs me, family needs me. If the price ah gotta pay t’be back on mah hooves is a little pain? Then ah’ll pay it. That’s what ya do for kith and kin.”

Spike thought this over for a moment or two, then just shrugged. “Dude. Better you than me.”

Mac laughed weakly, then glanced at the Princesses. “That it done?”

Luna regretfully shook her head. “Not yet. We are halfway through. I felt it best to allow both you and Twilight a moment to rest before we continue. How is the pain? Can you endure another session?”

"Tell me again why ya can't give me anythin' t'dull the pain?"

Twilight spoke up this time. "Well, if it was a matter of relieving the pain magically we'd need another unicorn here to cast that spell as it would need to be maintained during the healing or it would be of limited use. That wouldn't really be a very good idea, though, as your body would simply burn through any benefit it could give in a few minutes. The same goes for herbal or chemical painkillers, they just wouldn't last when we're forcing your body to work so much harder to heal itself. Any regular dose would be purged from your system in moments and any dose big enough to last the entire session would be so toxic as to put your life at risk."

He thought this over for a moment or two. "Oh," was really the only thing he could say to that. Well, no point in asking if there was anything they could do on that front.

Mac took a slow, deep breath, feeling his insides twisting at the thought of enduring a second session of that searing pain. Could he stand more of this? As he took the breath he was surprised to find that the pain in his chest and sides was far diminished from what it had been. He took another breath, tensing his muscles experimentally to gauge how much difference had been made. Oh, it certainly wasn’t entirely healed but the difference was unmistakable. “Yeah. Ah can go again,” he said at last. “Course, might help take mah mind off it if ah had a kiss.”

Twilight blushed and pretended to be looking intently at one of the books on the shelf behind her while Luna smiled warmly as she settled onto the floor with him. “You only have to ask,” she whispered as she cupped his muzzle gently with her hooves and leaned in, pausing only a moment to nod to Twilight before her lips found his.

The kiss gave him something to focus on as the pain began to build for a second time. Breath whistled through his nostrils in short, sharp gasps as the kiss grew harder and more urgent, mashing his mouth desperately to her own to stifle the sounds of pain that tried to escape him. Tongues met and twisted frantically together, her teeth nipping teasingly at the tip from time to time, trying to keep him distracted, focused on anything but what the magic was doing to him.

Some distant, detached part of his mind could see Luna’s horn glowing as she again channeled the magic with Twilight. He had to admire the level of concentration and control it must take to kiss him like this while casting. Finally, though, the pain grew too intense and he broke away, grabbing the leather strap and biting down on it once more for fear that he would bite her instead.

"Not much longer,” she soothed, her cheek resting against his as she gently kissed away the tears of pain that trickled from the corners of his eyes. “Be brave, Mac. We are nearly finished.”

He managed a weak nod and then there was nothing but the pain. Already worn out from the first session, he could barely muster the energy to whimper this time round. As the minutes ticked by he fell silent, focusing entirely on each ragged breath and the feel of the alicorn pressed against him. Every nerve in his body was alight with pain, that desperate itching again ravaging him like there was a multitude of spiders crawling beneath his skin.

“Enough, Twilight. That is all we can safely do.”

Luna had to help him spit the leather strap out this time and afterwards he just lay there for a moment or two, basking in the sweet relief of painlessness as he let his strength return. Every muscle in his body ached, his teeth throbbing from how hard he’d been gritting them. “Next time ah ask about this,” he whispered to her. “Remind me how much it buckin’ hurts.”

Luna smiled and lifted her head to press a kiss to the tip of his nose. “Duly noted. One would hope this is not too common an occurrence.”

“How do you feel, Mac?” Twilight asked. “How are your ribs?”

He took a slow, careful breath, then another. There was the faintest of twinges from his ribs but nothing more than that, nothing worse than if he’d spent a hard day strapped into the plough. He craned his head to one side so he could look down at his chest, the long slash from the wingblade now little more than a faint pink line, fading fast.

“Well ah’ll be bucked,” he breathed.

“Now now, Mac. Not here. Later,” Luna whispered and playfully nibbled the tip of his ear before she unfastened the straps holding him down. He levered himself upright one slow, trembling leg at a time, grateful to find Luna waiting to support him as his knees threatened to buckle under him. He leaned into her with a sigh and a brush of his lips to her neck before he turned his attention to Twilight.

“Thank ya, Twilight. It means a lot t’me that you’d do this. Things’d be tight with only AJ minding the farm. It was nice of you girls t’offer, but we can’t expect ya to do yer own jobs and support us as well.”

“Oh, it was nothing. I mean, I just found the spell, I couldn’t have done it without Luna. Oh! I mean Princess Luna!” She smiled sheepishly.

“Luna is fine, Twilight,” she said. “We are sisters now. We Princesses have to stick together, after all.”

The purple alicorn blushed, scuffing a hoof lightly against the floor before she began to tidy away the spell books and leather straps. Mac didn’t bother asking just where those had all come from. Some questions were just best left unasked.

*****

He was so tired. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d been quite this exhausted in all his life. His wings ached, his shoulders throbbed, his chest was tight as he fought to keep from breathing too hard and too deep. He stood patiently with the other ponies clustered about him, trying not to draw attention to himself.

Some of the Solar Guard standing post at the doorway glanced at him, but paid him no mind, much to his relief. He’d debated coming here in a different outfit, but a hood and cloak would have been far too cliche and just drawn more attention. No, all he had to do was be patient and blend in. He was so close now, just a little longer, he just had to pick his moment.

The huge golden doors slowly swung open and the herald stepped out to stand between them, his head raised imperiously as he surveyed the ponies gathered outside. “The Court of her Royal Highness Princess Celestia is now in session. All those who have business with the crown please follow me inside in an orderly line. The Princess will do her utmost to ensure that each and every one of you is given the time you need with her.”

Mourne smiled in triumph, and followed the others in.

Chapter 16 - Shepherds Take Warning.

Chapter 16
Shepherds take warning.

The queue of ponies initially stretched along the entire length of the great hall and right down the corridor outside it. One by one the petitioners were called forward to speak to the Princess about whatever matter concerned them and Celestia would listen before offering advice or passing judgement. On an average day the cases brought to her could range from something as simple as a dispute between neighbours who felt they had no other recourse for justice, to intricate queries about legislation and matters of bureaucracy.

Mourne patiently waited his turn. In the guise of the Solar Guard he occasionally exchanged nods with passing courtiers and functionaries but as he was plainly waiting to address the Princess along with the others, he was mostly left alone. This was both a good thing and a bad thing, however. It gave him plenty of time to savour the many discomforts of this long wait. Like the way his hooves ached on the hard marble floor, the rugs doing little to cushion it; or the way the edges of the Solar Guard’s armour dug in under his wings while the straps were just a little too tight around his belly for him to take a truly deep breath before they cut into him.

Trying to barge further up the queue or demand to speak his piece would gain him nothing but unwanted attention when a little patience was all he needed to attain his goal. A couple of the ponies around him attempted to strike up conversation to pass the time, commiserating on their own assorted aches and pains as they saw him shifting in place. He simply replied with the thousand-hoofstep stare that all the Guard eventually perfected while standing post and they quickly gave up.

By late morning he had made it all the way up to stand within the hall itself, the doorway behind him still filled with ponies waiting to be heard. There she was, just a few feet away now and the knowledge that he was so close to his goal filled him with fresh energy. Aching hooves, chafed flanks and knotted shoulders? None of these petty irritations mattered any more.

She was right there. The one who would finally listen to him and put an end to this, who would understand that what her sister was doing was foolishness that needed to be stopped, that this was necessary to spare her the agony of what the nobles would do to her to stop this. He just had to speak to Princess Celestia and she would make this all right again. He just--

“Excuse me,” a voice from behind him interrupted his train of thought and he stepped aside without thinking, without even really listening, not until the pony stepped past him and began to walk down along the side of the line of ponies. Only then did Mourne’s eyes widen, his jaw threatening to drop open as he watched Emberfire making his way towards the throne.

Without thinking he stepped from the line and followed a few steps behind, ignoring the mutters of disgruntlement from the common ponies waiting to be seen. What was Emberfire doing here? He didn’t answer to Celestia! For a member of the Night Guard to be in the Day Court, something must be going on.

“Emberfire, isn’t it?” Celestia asked as the batpony approached the throne.

“Yes, Highness,” he replied, thumping a forehoof to his chest in salute as he stopped as the foot of the stairs leading up to the throne itself.

“Well then, you are most well met, Captain Emberfire. How can the Day Court assist one of the Night Guard today?”

Emberfire hesitated, looking down at his hooves, then back up at the gently smiling Princess still waiting patiently for his response. “A situation has arisen involving Princess Luna. As Captain of the Guard, the responsibility for this issue falls to me.”

Celestia sat up a little straighter on the throne, her smile fading. “I see. Might I know the details of this particular...situation?”

“Two days ago a member of the Night Guard staged an unprovoked attack on a civilian in Ponyville. I was the one who recommended him for the position there, he is my responsibility. As his commanding officer, his failure is mine.”

The two guards at the base of Celestia’s throne exchanged brief looks and the conversations of the waiting ponies suddenly fell silent as all eyes and ears turned towards the lone batpony.

“I see,” Celestia said again. “And yet I do not see. You are an officer in Princess Luna’s guard, not my own. Why have you come to me with this.”

Emberfire nodded curtly. “I have attempted to speak with the Mistress repeatedly since this was brought to my attention but she will not see me. She leaves me no choice but to turn to you.”

“And so you lay this at my hooves and...what? I understand that a search is already underway for this rogue batpony, I also understand that the one he attacked is recovering well. What further action is needed from the Day Court, Captain Emberfire?”

Emberfire took a slow, deep breath as he lifted his helm from his head, running a hoof through his mane as he stepped forward and set the helmet down on the floor before the Princess. “You can accept my resignation in Princess Luna’s stead. As Captain of the Night Guard, the responsibility is mine, the failure is mine. I will accept whatever further punishment you see fit.”

“Well, ” Celestia was beginning to say as she looked down at the helmet, her normally serene expression now darkened with a frown. “If this is what you truly feel is necessary then--”

Mourne’s jaw dropped. This couldn’t be. This...this wasn’t what he wanted. This was his choice, his actions, not Emberfire’s! Why would he…? Confusion rapidly gave way to anger. That damned farmer. Why? Why would Emberfire do this? Throw his career away for the sake of some earth pony he’d never even met?

“You can’t do this!” Mourne yelled, ripping the helmet from his head and tossing it aside, the glamour broken in an instant. He pulled the rest of the armour off, leaving it in a trail behind him as he glared at Emberfire. The Solar Guards froze for a second in shock, then surged forward as one to surround Mourne in a ring of steel, blocking his path. “Don’t do this for him!”

“For HIM?” Emberfire stared back at him, his eyes wide. “I’m doing this for HER, Mourne. Always for her. And for you. You’re my responsibility, my Guard, all of you are. Everything you do reflects not only on yourself, not only on me, but on her! Did you ever think about that?”

Mourne butted up against the circle of guards that surrounded him, only to be roughly shoved back, the look in their eyes warning him that if he tried to fly over them, he’d find himself under a pile of angry stallions before he’d taken a single wingbeat. Instead he reared to his haunches to yell over them. “I did this for her! She has to see that! Princess Celestia! You have to talk to Luna, you have to tell her to break things off with that--that--farmer! He’ll ruin her!”

“Celestia dammit, Mourne, SHUT UP!” Emberfire spat as the once silent crowd began to murmur at this new revelation. He had to nip this one in the bud before Mourne was able to blab this to everypony in earshot. “For once, just once, will you keep that yapping mouth of yours closed? Haven’t you done enough damage already?”

“No! I will be heard! You lost Luna once, Princess Celestia. If her relationship with McIntosh Apple is allowed to continue, you will lose her again!”

“Clear the hall! The Day Court is over for today!” The herald yelled, his voice squeaking in panic as he tried to drown Mourne out, but the damage was already done.

“You idiot,” Emberfire groaned as the crowd erupted with questions, slapping a hoof to his face. “You bucking idiot.”

“You heard him! Guard, forward! Clear the room!” One of the guard ponies cried as the crowd showed no sign of wanting to leave anytime soon and were, in fact, advancing towards the throne. Momentarily distracted, Mourne took his chance as the guards around him shifted their attention to the crowd. He leapt up and over them before they could react, landing heavily and racing towards Celestia, only to find his path blocked by Emberfire, the batpony’s face creased in fury.

“Get out of the way! I have to--” was all Mourne managed to say before Emberfire slammed a hoof into his jaw, sending him crashing down to his knees as the world spun around him, head ringing with the force of the blow.

“Sit there. Shut up,” Emberfire hissed as he leaned in close to Mourne. “If you try and get back up I’ll knock you down so hard you won’t walk for a month.”

He stood back up and glanced away from the dazed Mourne, watching as the Solar Guard formed a solid wall to push the crowd of ponies back and out the hall only to find that the crowd didn’t want to leave so easily, not when there was obviously something important playing out before them.

The crowd of chattering, clamouring ponies surged forward, pushing, shoving, and jostling, waving their hooves at the Princess as they filled the air with a cacophony of questions and demands. Under the sheer weight of bodies bearing down on them the Solar Guard was eventually forced to fall back one grudging hoofstep, then another. For a moment it looked like they were actually going to be able to force their way right up to the throne.

“Be still.”

Those two words reverberated through the hall with enough force to send every pony there to their knees, the crowd reeling back as the sheer power of Celestia’s voice rolled over and through them. The Solar Diarch stood proudly atop her throne, her wings spread wide as the aura of her power radiated around her in a shimmering halo. “Court is over, my little ponies,” she went on in a somewhat gentler voice. “You will all please leave peacefully. An official statement on this matter will be issued by the Palace if necessary but for now there will be no further questions. I will not have riots in my home, do I make myself clear?”

There was no anger in her tone, only something akin to disappointment, a loving mother gently scolding her children when they misbehaved. There was no argument from the crowd as they slowly stood and retreated from the hall, some still looking a little dazed as the guards directed them to the exit. Finally the last pony stumbled out and the guards closed the doors firmly, leaving Mourne, Celestia and Emberfire alone in the suddenly silent hall.

“Well,” Celestia’s voice was as calm and unruffled as always. It was likely only her sister would have noticed the subtle signs of her anger, the tightness around her eyes and jaw, the briskness in her movements as she stepped from her throne and descended the stairs. “You wanted to speak to me, little batpony, here I am. Now what could be so important to you that you felt the need to assault a civilian, assault a member of the Solar Guard, escape captivity and nearly cause a riot in my Court?”

Mourne shot Emberfire an angry look as he stood, rubbing at his aching jaw. “Princess Luna. Our Mistress. She’s begun a relationship with the farmer McIntosh Apple in Ponyville. I tried to tell her it was a terrible idea, that it would only end badly, but she wouldn’t listen to me! I tried to make the farmer change his mind, but he wouldn’t listen to me either!” Mourne’s voice rose with every word and soon he was pacing back and forward in front of the Princess, his tail lashing behind him. “Why am I the only one who sees the damage this is going to cause her?”

"What damage is that, Mourne? Who do you think is going to try and hurt Luna or Mac?”

“The nobility, who else?” he spat. “You see them every day. Scheming, sneaking, stabbing each other in the back, every hoof outstretched in friendship just a cover for the blade held in the other. You think they’ll stand for one of their very own Princesses being involved with some hick from Ponyville? They’ll do everything in their power to ruin him, to drive him away, to disgrace him and her if they have to, anything to protect their own status and prestige. If that happens, if she lets him in only to lose him…”

As he went on, Mourne’s voice grew higher and more urgent, his eyes wild, his ears pinned back to his head, tail lashing behind him. Suddenly he turned, throwing himself to the ground before Celestia, reaching out for her hooves. Emberfire jerked forward but Celestia stopped him with an upraised hoof. She looked down at the batpony prostrated before her and gently laid one hoof on the back of his neck, feeling his shoulders heaving with each sharp, ragged breath as she stroked his mane.

“Please. We can’t lose her again. We can’t go back to the way it was before,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You have to make her see that.”

“My Sister is not so fragile as that, my little pony. Come now. Please, rise. You’re making a mess of my carpet and Kibitz will never let me hear the end of it,” she added with a gentle smile as her hoof slipped along his muzzle to cup his cheek and urge his head up.

“You’ll speak to her then?” He pressed the issue as he slowly rose, rubbing at the tears that glistened on his cheeks, feeling the first faint stirrings of hope at long last. He knew the Princess would listen to him, that she’d see the truth of this situation.

“I already have. She approached me a few days ago,” she replied. “I have assured her that I will support her, no matter her choice of partner, be they commoner or noble.”

Hopes dashed, Mourne stared dumbfounded at the Princess, momentarily lost for anything to say. Celestia...knew? Celestia knew and APPROVED? But...this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go at all.

“Captain Emberfire,” Celestia turned her attention to the other batpony while Mourne was shocked into silence.

“Highness.” Emberfire came to attention, his hooves clopping loudly as he snapped them sharply together.

“While I understand your reasons, I cannot accept your resignation at this time. My Sister has need of your counsel, as do the batponies you command. The Night Guard would be diminished by your absence and in good conscience I cannot deprive Equestria of such a valuable soldier as you. I would ask that you resume your duties as usual. I will also ask my Sister to stop ignoring you.” Celestia leaned in a bit closer, her voice dropping to a more conversational tone. “Let her calm down a little more, Ember. She’s been off to see Mac today and that should cheer her up, even with everything that’s happened, so you may find her in a more receptive frame of mind this evening.”

“Highness.” Emberfire nodded curtly as he picked up his helmet and settled it back atop his head. He saluted and turned to leave then hesitated, glancing at Mourne who was staring bleakly into the distance. “And him?”

“Mourne and I have a lot to talk about, it seems. While I cannot condone the actions he has taken, it would seem they were driven by a genuine and fervent desire to protect your Mistress from harm, to ensure that the batponies are not left alone and directionless as they once were. I understand that his punishment is still to be decided, that an offer was made for him to serve out a penance?”

“Yes, Highness. That was, however, before he escaped custody and assaulted a member of the Solar Guard. I’m not sure that we can overlook that matter. His attack on McIntosh Apple was bad enough, but to then compound that with an attack on a fellow guard…” Emberfire trailed off, shaking his head. “I am not sure I can trust his judgement anymore, certainly not enough to trust him to guarantee the safety of Luna’s coltfriend.”

“In that we disagree, Captain. I think if anything this more than convinces me that there is nopony more suited.”

Celestia slowly knelt down till she was at the same level as Mourne, her hoof stroking his cheek as she urged his muzzle round till she could look into his eyes once more. A soft, wistful little smile curved her lips before she leaned closer and pressed a tender kiss to the startled batpony’s forehead. “Would that my Sister had a protector half as loyal as you all those years ago. Perhaps things might have turned out very differently.”

Mourne blinked, fighting the urge to touch his forehead. The brush of those lips had been enough to shake him from his reverie, but it did little to alleviate his fears. “I can’t protect her from the nobles, Princess. I don’t think even you can. They take what they want, they do what they want. Their pride and their egos are the only things that matter. Mistress is…”

“Luna is substantially wiser than some give her credit for. They think that her archaic ways and, ahem, occasional failures of tact mean that she is little more than a blunt instrument. They could not be more wrong, as some have been unlucky enough to find out personally. While I will admit that sometimes I do lament her lack of finesse, my Sister is far more cunning than most ponies know. The Night is where plans are laid, illicit liaisons are carried out and the slightest noise echoes far and wide.” Celestia paused, looking over Mourne’s head for a moment, gazing into the distance outside the palace. “I understand your fear, Mourne. There are times I too worry I will lose my Sister once more. It has been such a short time that I have had her by my side and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t count myself blessed to have a second chance.”

“But then how can you support this? Knowing what she is opening herself up to…”

“I support it because my sister has a much right to love as anypony, be they noble or commoner. I support it because it has been a long time since her tower has echoed with the sounds of her singing, a long time since I have come to breakfast to find someone has slipped nettles into my salad, or stolen cakes from my secret stash and replaced them with carefully drawn cardboard cutouts.” She winked playfully at Mourne. “I support this because even though their relationship is in its infancy, Mac makes my sister happy in a way I have never managed to achieve in the years since her return. Thanks to him my sister has been truly returned to me. For that reason I will ask you to accept the Apple family’s offer. I would ask you to turn this fire and passion to something more constructive. You are right when you say that you cannot protect Luna from what may come of this, but she is not the one who needs you now. He is. Protect Mac. Advise him, warn him, educate him, lay down your life to protect him if need be. In doing so you will be protecting the heart and happiness of your Mistress, and through her you will protect all the other batponies both here and in the caverns.”

Mourne stared at Celestia, then blinked very slowly as he processed all this, his brow furrowing as he considered all the possible responses he could give. Wasn’t this what he had been trying to do? To protect Luna? Had he really been going about it the wrong way? He’d thought of Mac as an innocent, but when had innocence become a trait to be derided? Had he really been so blinded by fear that… He didn’t bother completing the thought, his aching jaw answered that question all too well. This was, he finally understood, likely his last chance. If he refused now, he would be locked away until they decided what to do with him, helpless, unable to defend anypony, not even himself. When the choices laid out before him were so simple, there was really no choice at all.

“Alright. I’ll do it,” he whispered. “I’ll protect the farmer. If this is...if you believe this is truly the best way to protect the Mistress, then I’ll do it. It’s all I ever wanted.”

“You have a strange way of showing it, little pony.”

Mourne froze in place, his eyes widening as a new voice echoed through the hall. Emberfire stepped back before dropping low and bowing respectfully as Luna stepped from the shadows behind Celestia’s throne, descending the stairs to join the trio on the floor, her expression blank, her voice flat. “A very strange way indeed. One would think that, in fact, thou hadst set out to accomplish nothing more than sabotaging our relationship with Mac. They would think that, in fact, our wellbeing and protection were the furthest things from thy mind. Over the last day or two thou hast shown an astonishing lack of tact and judgement that has, frankly, left us wondering what Emberfire could have been thinking when he assigned thee to our protection and left us with no choice but to question his suitability for his postion in our Personal Guard.” She barely acknowledged Emberfire’s flinching, the look of shame that crossed his face, her attention set on Mourne who was still staring helplessly back at her. “You have undermined our faith in thee, our faith in Emberfire, Celestia’s faith in our batponies and with thine outburst today, thou hast set events in motion that will have far reaching consequences for everypony in this room as well as those in Ponyville and beyond.”

She stopped before him, staring down at him, her eyes hard, her mane whipping around her face in that invisible wind. “Explain it to us, Mourne. Make us believe. Make us believe that we should trust thee with the safety and wellbeing of the one dear to us. Make us believe that we should allow thee a chance for redemption instead of throwing you into the deepest, darkest pit that we can find and leaving thee to rot in misery.”

Long moments of silence followed as Mourne stared down at the floor. Finally his shoulders lifted, then sagged as he sighed. “There’s nothing I can say. I see now that…I was wrong. Not in what I believed,” he added firmly, lifting his head to meet Luna’s gaze, “but in how I went about it. Do...do you know what happened to my sister, Mistress?”

Luna blinked, her head tilting to one side at the unexpected question. “We must admit that we do not. We were aware that thou hadst no immediate family, thy parents having died some years before our return from exile, but no mention was made of siblings.”

“She killed herself,” Mourne stated as simply as he could. If he kept the words short, kept them simple, kept them distant, he wouldn’t have to think too hard about it. About that night. About the knock on the door that roused him from sleep. About the carefully written note left on her pillow. About the trip to the hospital. About the limp, unmoving body on the table. He gritted his teeth and took a slow, calming breath before he went on.

He had to keep it together; they wouldn’t take him seriously if he couldn’t even get his point across without blubbering like a foal. “She killed herself to protect me, because they said they would not only ruin her life, they would make sure I was rejected by the Night Guard, that I would be lucky to find work as a bouncer, let alone a soldier. All because she had the gall to fall in love with a noble and they couldn’t stand the thought of their precious bloodlines being sullied by some filthy batpony. They couldn’t touch him, he was too well connected, too well protected, but her? Oh, they could get to her. She was all I had, my only family, and they bullied her, threatened her, broke her. In the end she threw herself from the mountainside and just let herself fall.” Mourne’s voice had grown thick as he spoke despite his best efforts to keep the memories distant and his emotions under control, the words sticking in his throat as Luna and Celestia listened with expressions of growing horror.

Luna glanced, wide-eyed, at her sister, who could only nod sadly. “I cannot comment on this particular instance but sadly I can believe that this sort of thing goes on. Your batponies had a harder time of it after your exile, Lulu. They were considered tainted by your betrayal and it was generations before they became even grudgingly accepted, but never entirely trusted. I’m sure Emberfire could fill you in on the more gory details if you asked him.” Celestia paused, then shifted her weight a little uncomfortably from one hoof to the other. “I consider it my failure that I did not do more to support them but in truth I ignored them for decades. Every time I looked at them...they reminded me of you. It was a long time before I was strong enough to be able to endure that pain.”

Luna found herself torn between Celestia’s obvious remorse over what had happened, and anger that her batponies had been all but exiled. But in truth, the only pony to blame for that was herself. Another penance to be paid, another wrong to try and make up for. Sometimes she wondered if she would ever manage to balance the scales. A conversation, either way, for another time. She returned her attention to Mourne, who had taken the momentary shift in the conversation as an opportunity to wipe the tears from his cheeks and regain some level of composure, and waved a wingtip for him to continue.

“The Canterlot nobility killed my sister, Mistress. Maybe not directly, but they broke her heart and her spirit till she couldn’t bear it and they’ll do the same to him. They’ll destroy him and they’ll break your heart. They drove my sister to her death for the crime of giving her heart to some minor noble. What do you think they’ll do to McIntosh for loving you?”

“They wouldn’t dare, surely?” Emberfire spoke up, doing his best to hide his surprise. So, this had been the secret that Shadowstep had refused to speak about. In hindsight he supposed he could understand that, but it changed nothing. If they had understood Mourne’s motives perhaps this whole thing could have been avoided. Well, thoughts for another time. “To attack somepony publically connected to the royal families would be a step too far. Not even …”

"Are you sure of that? Really, truly sure?” He retorted before turning back to Luna.

Emberfire opened his mouth again to argue the point, then lapsed back into silence with a slow shake of his head.

“You know them, Mistress,” Mourne growled. “You know what they’re capable of. My Sister didn’t have anypony looking out for her, she tried to deal with the situation alone and it ended up breaking her. Without me, the same thing will happen to Mac. He needs me if you have any hope of this having a happy ending.” Mourne paused, then blinked as he seemed to realise just what he’d said. “Without me. He...needs me. You need me.”

Luna smiled gently and leant down to brush her cheek to Mourne’s. “And there, at long last, is the truth. Celestia thought you would get there in the end. We--I remained less than certain, myself, but I am pleased to see that her faith in you was not misplaced.” She stepped back, lifting her head up, her star-filled mane spilling over her shoulders. “Night Guard Officer Mourne. You will report to Sweet Apple Acres at daybreak tomorrow to serve as McIntosh Apple’s personal guard and adviser in matters relating to Canterlot politics and social affairs. You will also assist the Apple family in whatever capacity they require of you around the farm. I am sure they would welcome the help.” Luna paused for a moment to see if there was going to be any comment or complaint about that addition but Mourne simply nodded. “I will send word to Mac, Applejack, Princess Twilight and Mayor Mare that you are there on our orders. You will serve in this role until we either decide it is no longer necessary or until such time as McIntosh Apple is confident he no longer needs your guidance. I take it I do not need to cover the penalties that await you should there be any more unfortunate incidents involving the Apple family? I am placing a great deal of trust in you, Mourne.”

“I know, Mistress. I...I won’t mess this up. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the far--” he broke off at Luna’s frown of disapproval, clearing his throat before he went on. “Whatever it takes to keep McIntosh Apple safe.”

Luna nodded curtly, glanced at Celestia and offered her a ghost of a smile before she turned and walked out, pausing for a moment at the door. “Emberfire. Report to my chambers in an hour. I believe there is a discussion we need to have.”

“Mistress.” Emberfire saluted, then turned to look at Mourne. He stared at him for a long moment, then repeated the salute. “Just don’t buck this up,” he said at last before following Luna out and leaving Mourne alone with Celestia.

“I should go and get ready. If I’m to be stationed in Ponyville permanently I need to pack up my gear from the barracks.” He paused, then coughed abashedly. “I should also probably return this armour. I imagine there’s one angry Solar Guard who wants it back.”

"You may leave it in the barracks,” Celestia assured him. “I’ll make sure it gets returned to the officer.”

“Thank you, Highness.” Mourne saluted and turned to leave but as he started the long walk back down to the doors he was surprised to find the shimmering white alicorn pacing beside him. “Princess?”

“I do have one question. Your sister. Why was this never raised with the Guard? If this had been known at the time, perhaps we could have investigated and brought those responsible to justice for what they had done.”

“What good would that have done?" Mourne bitterly replied. “No offence, Princess, but nopony looks too hard at crimes involving bat ponies, especially not when the nobility is involved. That and I had no real proof of anything. Conversations with my sister, a suicide note, none of it would have stuck, they’d have made sure of that. As soon as they’d crushed me before a magistrate they would have ruined my life just like they ruined hers.”

The pair walked in silence for a few more steps, Celestia’s face troubled. The sad thing was that he was entirely right. Even now, prejudice against the bat pony tribe lingered just beneath the surface. She’d had too many reports of crimes against them going unreported or uninvestigated. She’d worked with Shining Armor over the last few years to instigate reforms within the Guard but they had come too late to help this poor pony’s family. Now with Shining gone to the Crystal Empire, she feared that standards were once again slipping.

“The noble, the one your Sister was involved with. Do you know his name?”

“Velvet Rhyme.”

“Ah, yes. I know the family well,” Celestia mused. “As you said, minor nobility in the grand scheme of things, but well-connected, with enough financial clout to make anypony think twice about meddling in their affairs. I had heard that the oldest son had moved out to Stalliongrad following some sort of scandal but I didn’t know the details.” The two walked in silence for a few more steps before Celestia extended her wing to touch Mourne’s shoulder and bring him to a stop. “I am sorry for what happened to your Sister, I truly am, and I can assure you that we have taken steps to try and improve things for the bat ponies. But this is not the same situation as your sister. Nopony will be allowed to interfere in this relationship regardless of tribe, family, rank or title. With your help, we can ensure that Mac and Luna have a chance to be together.”

Mourne stared at her for a long moment, his cat-like eyes unblinking, then sighed softly and glanced off to the side. “Watch Blueblood,” he grated.

Celestia blinked, her head canting to the side. “I beg--Prince Blueblood? What does he have to do with this?”

“Can’t say for sure, don’t have anything more to go on than a hunch. Just...watch him. His opinion carries more weight among the nobility than you know.” He saluted and walked away, leaving Celestia staring after him, a troubled frown again darkening her face.

Chapter 17 - Dreams of Flying. Clop Warning

Chapter 17
Dreams of Flying.

Broad red wings beat the air slowly and steadily, letting the warm updrafts do most of the work. He lifted his head a little, eyes narrowed against the light of the sun as it beat down on him, helping to drive off the chill of the wind over his muscular frame. Higher and higher he soared, till Ponyville was nothing but a dot beneath him and Canterlot little more than a smudge. The air was thinner here, wings beating harder now to maintain his ascent, the chill beginning to seep into his bones even with the bright sun above.

Up here, he was free. No work, no worries, no responsibilities, nothing but the endless azure sky stretching out before him, the far horizon calling to him… At the peak of the climb now he closed his wings and experienced that brief moment of weightlessness, that one perfect moment of stillness, before gravity reasserted itself and he began to fall.

The wind rushed through his mane, roaring in his ears, tail whipping behind him as he let himself dive toward the ground far below. He closed his eyes against the rushing wind, counting on his instincts to let him know when it was time to open his wings again.

It came as quite a surprise, then, that he suddenly felt the cool, fluffy surface of a cloud beneath him, the wind dying away, his fall suddenly arrested. He cautiously opened one eye, then another, finding himself sprawled on his belly, a pair of dark blue hooves filling his field of vision. He lifted his head a little, his gaze travelling up perfectly sculpted forelegs to a sleek breast and graceful neck.

“I hope you do not mind my stepping in, Mac?” Luna grinned. “You did seem to be having a lot of fun plummeting towards the ground like a misdirected comet but I really didn’t feel like shouting over the wind.”

Mac snorted as he flicked his wings shut and slowly stood on the spongy surface of the cloud. “Wasn’t plummetin’,” he grumbled. “Divin’. Big difference.” This distinction made, he trotted over to nuzzle Luna in greeting before drawing back to plant a playful kiss right on her nose. “So t’what do ah owe the honour of mah marefriend’s company right at dawn? Woulda thought you’d be headin’ for bed about now.”

“I am,” she replied. “As are you. I am sorry to disrupt this pleasant illusion, Mac, but you are dreaming. I felt this was the easiest and quickest way to speak to you.”

“Dreamin’? Naw, that can’t be right. This all feels…” he trailed off as he thought about that a moment more. Feels. He could feel the cloud under his hooves, so different from the warm, rich earth of the farm. He could feel the feathers of his wings brushing against his flanks rather than the heavy weight of the wooden yoke he normally wore around his neck. Realisation came flooding back and the next instant his wings vanished with an audible POP.

Luna’s eyes widened as her gaze met Mac’s. “Oh dear,” was all she could say before Mac simply dropped through the cloud and fell like a stone towards the ground far, far below, his startled yell echoing behind him.

Mac plummeted downwards, the wind rushing in his ears, limbs flailing as that once far-away ground hurtled towards him. He whipped his head left and right, searching for Luna, only for his eyes to widen at the bizarre sight of the alicorn trotting through thin air as if she was descending an invisible spiral staircase, easily keeping pace with him as he tumbled towards the treetops far below.

Luna glanced over at him, a teasing grin on her lips as she skipped down a step or two. “Tis but a dream, Mac,” she cried, her voice cutting easily through the noise as if she was standing right next to him. “You recognised it once before! Take control. Arrest your descent.”

“Easy for you t’say!” Mac roared, barely able to hear himself over the roar of the wind in his ears. Luna, in contrast, appeared completely unperturbed, the barest breeze ruffling the feathers of her wings as she continued to follow him down. “What’m ah supposed t’do?”

“Simply believe it, Mac. Wings or no, this is your dream. All within it is shaped by your thoughts and wishes. You wish to make the sky purple and splash polka dots on the mountains? Then do it. You wish to be the ruler of all you survey, a lord unchallenged by even the Princesses? Then you are. You wish to be able to fly, wings or no, then you can. I know you have dreamed of flying, Mac. You do not need wings to soar.”

It all sounded simple but it was a whole lot harder when you were already tumbling towards a very hard landing far below. Ponyville was getting uncomfortably close now, the air around him warming as he continued his descent. She was right though, wasn’t she? He’d recognised the dream before, was this any different? He’d never accomplish anything panicking like this, that much was certain.

Fighting against every instinct that howled at him to do something about his current predicament, Mac instead closed his eyes, took a deep breath and turned his focus inward. Block out the noise, block out the sensation, focus. Just a dream. His head, his world, his rules. He wasn’t falling, he didn’t need wings to fly, he could stand on a cloud as easily as if it was solid earth. He didn’t need wings to fly. He didn’t need--

"Mac.”

Luna’s voice impinged on his senses and he warily opened his eyes, blinking in the sunlight as he looked around. No longer falling, he was instead standing on a soft, fluffy cloud, the cool vapours tickling around his ankles. He grinned and gave a little hop, finding himself hovering effortlessly in the air just above it. “Hah!”

“You see? You do make the rules here.” Luna nodded approvingly as she joined him on the cloud, a gentle nuzzle applied to his cheek. “You will need to come down, though. We have things to discuss before you awake. I fear that thy return to reality will be a return to new trials that must be endured.”

Mac nodded, then paused and looked about. He kicked at the empty air and moved precisely nowhere. He blinked, giving Luna a helpless look as she did her best to stifle her giggles behind a hoof. He contorted his body this way and that, straining towards the cloud that was mere inches beneath him but try as he might he couldn’t figure out how he was supposed to move without wings to guide and propel him. “ Oh come on, Luna. Bit less laughter an’a bit more help? Please?”

“Since thou asks so nicely, we will help,” Luna agreed. She paced over to him, then hmmed, a wicked grin on her lips. “However, this position thou’rt placed in does offer all manner of possibilities. It would be remiss of me to not...exploit them.”

“Possibilities? What’n the hay are ya--whoa!”

Luna stepped in closer, dipped her head and with a quick shove of her muzzle she pushed Mac higher still until he was dangling in the air over her. She stepped in beneath him and he could feel a blush heating his cheeks as she moved slowly down along his body. The uncomfortably sharp tip of her horn dragging delicately along his belly made him shudder, whether in pleasure or fear he wasn’t entirely sure, as she made her way towards his groin

“P-Princess? Ah…Luna?” Mac stammered, his ears pinning back as he tried to pin his hindlegs together, tried to wriggle away, tried to do anything to stop that slow, inexorable progress towards his groin. “Ah don’t think…”

“But I do, Mac,” she crooned. “Your injuries stopped me from a more thorough examination last time, but there are no such impediments here in this place.” She was so close now he could feel her breath on his skin, almost feel the heat from her muzzle as she leaned in so very close. He bit down hard on his bottom lip as he felt the first teasing touch of her mouth to his sheath, a soft, lingering kiss pressed to his flesh.

He groaned softly, a shock of pleasure running right through his body, muscles clenching involuntarily. Oh, now that was a completely new sensation for him. His only previous lover had been too intimidated by him to dare getting that close to what he had hanging under him. He’d heard other stallions talk about this act, heard them brag about what they’d made their mares do during drunken boasting contests at the bar, but the reality of it was so much more exquisite. “Ah--” Mac whispered. “Ah’ve never had anypony do…”

Luna smiled as she stepped back out from under him, lifting her hooves to stroke his muzzle and draw his head down to hers for a kiss, her lips parting against his as her tongue traced against them. “I know,” she reassured him as she broke the kiss, resting her muzzle against his. “If this truly discomforts thee, we will stop. Even in a dream, you are always able to say no. But this is...this has been a very long time for me, as you might guess.” She gave him a lopsided grin that he returned along with a chuckle. “I told thee on our first date that all we wanted was to be treated like a normal mare. Beneath all the trappings of royalty, that is what my sister and I truly are, just mares, with all the hopes, fears, and desires, that go along with that.”

“Ah just…” Mac sighed softly, trying and failing to meet her understanding gaze as old fears, long pushed aside and suppressed, were suddenly dragged back to the fore. He’d been by himself for so long, he’d never had to worry about this, never had to think about it till all this had started and now that Luna had made her intentions and desires very plain he had no choice but to confront them... “Ah don’t wanna hurt ya. Like I did her.”

She delicately nipped at his bottom lip, trapping it between her teeth for a moment, for the space of one soft, teasing suckle on the sensitive flesh, then released him. “I am no untried filly in the first flush of heat, Mac. I know my limits and, regardless, we will go as quickly or as slowly as you need to be comfortable. Just know that I desire thee, McIntosh. To feel you atop me, inside me, to taste thee on our tongue, to know thee as intimately as any mare could. So I ask one thing of you. In this moment, here and now, will you give me this dream? In this place, where you need not worry about hurting me, will you let me please you?”

How could he possibly say no to that? She was right, there was no comparison between the proud, beautiful alicorn stood before him now and that poor, naive filly all those long, lonely years ago. He gazed at her for a long moment, mulling it over as she waited patiently for his reply, before slowly nodding his head, trembling in anticipation as the Princess’ grin widened in reply.

She playfully flicked her tongue against the tip of his nose before she slipped back down under him, then rolled over to splay her hindlegs out beneath him, giving him a teasing glimpse of the flesh that lay beneath her tail before she squirmed forward to get into a better position under him.

He craned his head down as best he could, embarrassment momentarily forgotten as he watched the alicorn reclining on her back. It took him a moment to figure out why; it was so that her horn wasn’t in the way! Getting skewered, even in a dream, wasn’t exactly something he was in any hurry to experience.

She glanced back at him, her eyes half-lidded, sticking her tongue out teasingly at him before she lifted her hooves to stroke down each side of his inner thighs and then over the heavy weight of his near hairless balls, the plump orbs coated with a fine, almost downy coat that did nothing to lessen the sensation. He jerked a little further upwards at that contact, the cropped length of his tail lashing through the air. She repeated the caress again, lifting her head for another playful kiss to his sheath, this time following it up with a slow, wet lick from base to tip.

Now that just wasn’t playing fair at all. There wasn’t a thing he could do but hang there, helpless, while she toyed with him. It didn’t take long before the blunt head of his cock was peeking out, the rest swiftly dropping from his sheath to dangle over the smugly smiling alicorn’s belly. She scooted down a little more so she could cup his tip between her forelegs, drawing it to her lips for a gentle kiss.

“Nnnngh, Luna…” he panted, shuddering as the blood rushed to fill his shaft, the mottled pink and black length surging upright, muscles tensing instinctively to slap it against his belly. “Ya--Ya really don’t have t’do this if ya ain’t s-sure. Ah ain’t one of those stallions who just wants s-sex.” It was terribly difficult to get the words out with her hooves now sliding languidly up and down his length. Dear Celestia, the sensation was so intense, so different from when he used his own hooves. If this was just foreplay, he couldn’t even begin to imagine what actually mounting her might be like.

“I would not be here now if you were, Mac,” she assured him even as a warm glow of happiness spread through her. Here she was, offering herself to him as wantonly as any mare of the night, and he was still concerned that she was doing this merely to please him! Well then, that made it all the more important that she showed him just how much she wanted this, right here and now. This was what she had been missing, the emotion, the feeling. No furtive midnight tryst could compare to this. Oh, certainly, they satisfied the purely physical needs, but this? This was so much better in every way, even if it was just a dream for now.

She lifted her head to just breathe in the scent of him and couldn’t quite stifle the moan that spilled from her throat. Oh Gods above. It was so rich, so potent, she could feel herself growing wetter by the second as she teased him. Oh, it really HAD been such a long time, and toys simply weren’t the same, no matter how well-made. Her tail flicked through the surface of the cloud, sending spirals of cool vapour wafting over the heated folds of her sex, making her shudder in surprise. “But right now...we find it so very difficult to control ourselves. May we taste you, Mac? Please. I need to taste it.” She nuzzled just behind that broad cocktip, letting her lips pluck over the tender flesh while her tongue dragged lazily over the silky skin,. She smiled to herself, revelling in the sharp intake of breath from overhead, the way his belly twitched and his haunches jerked instinctively towards her in response.

She took her time, savouring every inch of him as she bathed his length with soft, lingering kisses and licks till every spot of skin was slick and glistening with her saliva. Oh, he was big in every way, as big as she’d hoped and then some. Near as thick as her foreleg and oh so deliciously long, she could see why he preferred to stay away from the more normal sized fillies. She shivered as her own sex ached to be filled, the muscles within clenching, winking lewdly as some of her arousal dribbled down over her tail. Thick, long, terminating in a broad, flat tip that promised rough delights of the most erotic sort. She couldn’t quite stifle the whimper of pure lust that spilled from her lips as she nuzzled up beneath him, letting his cock rest atop her muzzle as she ran her tongue over his sheath to catch those faint, lingering traces of sweat and musk.

At this point Mac was fairly sure that most ponies would kill to be in his hooves. To have one of the Princesses beneath him, her muzzle nestled up to his most intimate parts, nearly worshipping him with mouth and tongue and all but begging him to LET her lick him? There really was only one reply to that, wasn’t there? He moved his hindlegs to nudge the tip of his cock against that waiting muzzle, still not quite believing that this was actually happening, and was rewarded with the soft, slick sensation of her lips slowly spreading around the tip of his cock to welcome him inside her muzzle.

“B-Buck.” he stammered. “Oh buck…L-Luna...”

Luna’s reply was a low, throaty chuckle that sent the most interesting sensations through his flesh. She lightly bobbed her head back and forth to let the tip of his achingly stiff shaft slurp lewdly in and out between her lips, the cooler air a stark contrast to the warm embrace of her mouth. Inexperienced he might be, but she quickly showed she was anything but. While she rested her hooves against his legs, she slowly spread her wings and brought them curving in under him, tickling the long flight feathers over the heavy weight of his balls, trying not to giggle as she felt him jerk and quiver in response to each fleeting caress.

Mac could only groan helplessly by this point, rolling his head back as his tongue lolled foolishly from the corner of his mouth. Luna skillfully toyed and teased over his flesh with lips, tongue and wings, every little gasp and shudder and moan he made helping guide her. A touch here, a caress there, a little lick and suckle right on that spot, building sensation on sensation till it was all he could do to keep from frantically humping against her like a colt in his first rut.

He couldn’t see much of her from this position, all he could see was her belly and her oh-so casually spread hindlegs. Her tail flicked again, wafting the scent of her arousal towards him, teasing him with the barest glimpse of the dusky folds that lay nestled there. He could feel her mouth pushing down along his length now, slipping more and more of him into her muzzle till he heard her gag, felt the back of her throat sliding over the tip.

She held him there, mouth working around him, her tongue cupping beneath that broad shaft, slipping and sliding wetly over every inch of him while thick, salty precum drizzled over her tongue. She squirmed again beneath him, resisting the urge to slide a hoof down to tend to the need that was burning in her own nethers, concentrating on him, on this moment. There would be plenty of other opportunities for her to indulge herself, for now she intended to make their first time together as memorable as possible.

Finally she had to pull back with a gasp and a loud, wet POP as she released him, licking away the sticky strings of spit and precum that dangled from her lips as she pressed another lingering, lustful kiss to his tip. “I suspect that you will not last long,” she purred. “And when you peak, you will wake.” She couldn’t help herself, though, not with him so erect, so needy, and so she lipped and lapped playfully at his tip as she spoke.

Her broad, soft tongue was quick to catch every little bead of precum that welled up from within, giggling quietly as he squirmed and gasped in response to the teasing. “I must admit that this was not the main reason I came to thee tonight. I...came here to tell thee something important, Mac. Events have moved more quickly than either of us anticipated or wished and our relationship has been made public before the Day Court. I am sure that when you wake, there will be many ponies pursuing thee with questions and demands.”

It was, strangely enough, terribly difficult for Mac to focus on what she was saying while her mouth was doing that, difficult to think of much else beyond the growing tension in his groin, the insistent tingle that was beginning to radiate along his length and the slow, relentless tightening of his muscles as he neared orgasm. He shook his head, trying to sort out the words, to discern their meaning. Ponies, questions, right. Wait. His eyes shot open. Ponies. Pressponies. Oh hell.

“They know mah name?”

Luna couldn’t help but give a soft, needy little whine as he shifted his haunches to try and deny her access to him while they spoke. Grumbling to herself she once again slid about on the cloud beneath him so she could meet his eyes. He grinned as he looked down at her and she coughed, hastily wiping an errant string of his juices from her chin. “They know. They do not know exactly where thou art at present, but it will not take them long to track thee down. We suspect that by the time you waken, they will already have begun to arrive at thy farm.”

Mac slowly blinked as he processed this. “Ya don’t think that was maybe worth mentioning before ya started having...fun? Nice as this is, ya might want t’have mentioned that lil bit of news at the beginning.”

Luna flushed and glanced off to one side. “Well perhaps, yes, in retrospect, but we thought that then thou wouldst be too tense and distracted to enjoy thyself,” she grudgingly admitted. “We cannot help it if the spirit of mischief took hold of us. Of course thou must share some of the blame for that.”

“Oh really?” Mac deadpanned. “An’why’s that?”

“For being simply too virile and handsome for any weak-willed filly such as ourselves to deny our desires any longer, of course.” She even coquettishly fluttered her eyelashes at him.

Mac stared down at her for a moment, then just snorted, trying not to let his smile become too broad. “Flattery’ll get ya everywhere, Princess.”

“We should certainly hope so. We are...I am sorry, Mac. I should have told thee about this to begin with but in the ensuing merriment we lost ourselves, myself, in the moment. You will forgive me, I hope?”

“Nothin’ to forgive. Stuff happens.” Mac paused, frowning as he mulled this over for a moment or two. “I’m assumin’ it wasn’t you that blurted things out to all an’sundry? Do ah even need t’guess who it was?”

“You do not,” Luna conceded. “However, I will say one thing more on this matter now that we have spoken to him. We do not condone his methods...or his reasoning on this, but Mourne’s heart was in the right place.”

Mac couldn’t quite hold back a snort at that. “Yeah, well, ya know what they say about the road t’Tartarus…”

“Indeed. Which brings us to the second thing I must tell you. He will be arriving at the farm to accept honest Applejack’s suggested punishment. He will serve as your bodyguard, your advisor in matters relating to Canterlot, and he has been further instructed to assist around the farm with whatever you or Applejack require until you feel that his penance has been paid in full.”

“Ya really think he’s the right pony for the job? He did try t’kick my ass off a roof by way of sayin’ hello.”

“I do. Give him a chance, Mac. Let him get to know you, let him see the honest, brave pony that you are. Mourne will come around, I am sure of it.”

Mac made a noncommittal noise under his breath that became a gasp of surprise as Luna slipped back around beneath him him to nuzzle up against his now semi-flaccid shaft.

“Enough of such talk for now,” she murmured as she once again kissed that broad, flat tip, her tongue briefly teasing into that slit that still dribbled a few glistening beads of fluid that were quickly licked away. “For now, there is only what I have hungered to do for such a long time now. Remember, thou dost not need to be gentle, Mac. You cannot hurt me here. Take your pleasure with me as we know you hunger to.” With that, she slipped him into her mouth once more and this time, in his softened state, she was able to work her way forward until he felt the tightness of her throat closing over his tip. She swallowed, the muscles squeezing around him as she pushed her muzzle up against his groin, her head tilted back to straighten her neck and allow him to thrust as he might.

He tossed his head back, the cords of his neck standing out as he damn near hit his peak there and then, his cock surging to stiffness in seconds, making the alicorn’s throat bulge as he pushed down against her. Hesitating for a moment, the touch of her hoof on his belly, stroking in silent encouragement, spurred him on. He began to thrust into that warm, tight mouth and throat, his balls slapping against Luna’s nose, his musk filling every breath she took.
“Dammit,” he groaned as he tried to find purchase with his hooves in the empty air. “Put me down. Ah--”

The moment the words left his mouth, the clouds were gone and the two of them found themselves instead in a sunlit meadow, the grass warm and thick beneath their bodies. Luna was laying on her back on a convenient hillock while Mac stood over her, her body perfectly positioned for him to take his pleasure. Well, dreams certainly had their advantages over the real world, he mused. No time wasted with finding new positions!

Mac wasted no time in dipping his head down to nuzzle and lick at the receptive flesh of Luna’s belly and thighs, returning some of the pleasure she was giving him with gentle kisses over the teats he found nestled between her hind legs. He smiled as he felt her quiver and twitch under him but it wasn’t long before the insistent tug of her mouth on his shaft spurred him to action once more.

He set his hooves firmly against the soft earth, digging in as he began to thrust in earnest at long last, pumping between those soft lips and right down into that gripping throat that sucked and pulled at his shaft. Try as he might, there was little chance he was going to last for long, not when all he had to do was crane his head down to watch her and see her throat bulging around him as he began to flare. She was too far back for him to see her face, to see her mouth stretching around him, but he was so deep inside her he could certainly watch every thrust into the slick, tight tunnel of her throat. The air was filled with the liquid sounds of her suckling, the wet slap of his balls against her face, their mingled breathing growing ever faster, ever more ragged.

For Luna, the world had shrunk till there was only the feel of that impressively long and thick length of stallion flesh pounding down her throat, the feel, the smell, the taste of him almost overwhelming. He was so long, so thick, that there was barely any chance for her to apply her tongue to tease him so in the end she settled with just cupping it beneath him, flicking it quickly against the head of his cock each time he pulled back for another thrust.

Past words, past everything but soft, ecstatic moans, she could only gurgle softly each time he pounded into her muzzle. Strings of saliva and precum dribbled from the corners of her lewdly stretched mouth and down over her face to make such a delightfully sticky mess in her coat. Some mares were so prudish about such things, but Luna adored it. The stickier and messier the better, sex was something that was meant to be enjoyed and revelled in, after all.

Part of her was, admittedly, a little wistful as there was simply no way she was ever going to be able to do this in the real world; even for a stallion Mac was distinctly well-endowed. Of course, that didn’t mean she wouldn’t have fun trying again and again and again. As satisfying as this dream-tryst was, the hunger, the need that burned in her would only be satisfied with a good, thorough, real-world rutting! She was pleased to see, however, that any initial hesitance from her stallion was quickly lost with just a little coaxing and she could hope that he would be this assertive in the waking world.

She could feel him trembling now, hear his breath growing deeper, more ragged with every thrust of his powerful haunches, feel him swelling and stiffening between her lips as he neared his peak. He gave a soft, frustrated whinny at how quickly he was nearing orgasm, but for his first time? Luna was more than satisfied with his performance! She ran her hoof lightly over his balls, then up to stroke just beneath his tail, eliciting a startled shudder from her lover, followed moments later by a loud, ecstatic cry of triumph as the first thick rope of his cum shot over her tongue and down her throat.

A heartbeat later he vanished and Luna sighed as she rolled over on the soft grass, absently licking her lips to catch the last taste of him. The dream was already beginning to fade around her as he woke. Not many were able to sleep through an orgasm so powerful and so Mac would awake, most likely to a very sticky set of bedclothes. A pity, but all in all this had been a most pleasant night for all concerned. Of course, a wicked little part of her did wonder just how he was going to deal with the resulting mess!

“A promise of things to come, Mac,” she sighed as his dream faded completely around her and she returned to the cool, windswept plane of her dreamscape to complete the night’s duties.

Chapter 18 - Consequences.

Chapter 18
Consequences.

The messenger passed the scroll to him without a word. Sealed with the distinctive Night Guard stamp, Moune was in little doubt as to who it had come from. Frankly, he’d been expecting it. He nodded as he shut the door and turned back to his bed where his few possessions lay strewn around his saddlebags.

Breaking the wax seal he unrolled the parchment. The message was short and to the point.

“My office. Now.”
~Emberfire.

He tossed the note on the bed, took a deep breath, and did as he was told.

His knock on the Captain’s door was met with a curt “Enter!” from within, the two guards posted outside glancing askance at him as he pushed the heavy door open and stepped inside.

Emberfire sat behind his desk, watching in silence as Mourne entered, motioning curtly for him to shut the door. Emberfire didn’t even wait for him to turn back around before he got to work.

“If I had my say,” he began, every word crisp and precisely enunciated, “I’d have you drummed out of the Night Guard so fast your head would spin. If I had my say, you’d be packing your bags to go back to the caverns instead of Ponyville. If I had MY say, I’d take you out to the practice field and thrash you to within an inch of your life, THEN I’d throw your ass out of this palace like last night’s garbage and wash my hooves of you!” His voice rose with every word till he was standing behind his desk, fore hooves slamming down hard enough to make the heavy desk shudder with the impact. He stared across that polished expanse at Mourne, his eyes cold, before taking a deep breath and regaining his composure. “You can count yourself very, very lucky that I don’t have my say in this matter.”

“I--”

“Did I give you permission to speak, Night Guard?” Emberfire snapped. “You’re here to listen, not talk. You’ve done enough talking these last few days, enough and more besides. So now you’re going to do what you should have done in the first place. You’re going to shut your hole and pin your ears open because I’m not going to repeat myself.” He stepped around the desk and began to pace back and forth in front of it, tail lashing behind him. “You may think that Ponyville is some cushy posting. Others may think that this is some kind of promotion, that being posted to guard Luna’s coltfriend is a desirable assignment. Well you’re wrong, and they’re wrong, and to prove my point there’s going to be some changes. Effective immediately you’re busted down to private, with a corresponding reduction in pay. Said pay will be docked by half for six months.”

Mourne’s eyes widened, his jaw slack. “But...why?”

“The reduction in rank is for that fiasco in Ponyville. You disgraced your uniform, yourself, and your fellow Night Guard. You can count yourself damn lucky that the Apple family believe in penance through honest labour instead of punishment or we’d be having this conversation in the stockades.” He paused a moment for this to sink in, tapping one hoof on the desk. “The Mistress herself argued FOR you! For YOU! After everything you’ve done, she argued to keep you in the Night Guard when I was all for throwing you out and being done with it! So I can’t discharge you, I can’t throw you behind bars, but I can make damn sure that you never get assigned to her personal guard again. So yes, you’re busted down to private and if you are very, very lucky one day you might actually start to climb back up the ranks again.”

Mourne swallowed convulsively, his throat dry and tight, the room suddenly too warm, his head swimming. In less than a minute, the last five years had been undone. Five years of sweat and toil, of inspections and evaluations, of hoping and striving, waiting for his chance to serve the Mistress and stand before her as her sword and shield. Five years gone between one breath and the next, and he had no-one to blame but himself. He forced words out through lips suddenly gone numb. “And the reduction in pay?”

"You assaulted a member of the Solar Guard." Emberfire curtly replied. “I will not tolerate brawling between Guards so you’re being fined. Count yourself lucky that it’s only a fine and the guardpony was convinced not to pursue a charge of assault or you’d be standing in front of a court martial right now. You have friends in high places, Mourne, though for the life of me I don’t understand why. They want you in the Guard and they want you in Ponyville so that’s where you’re going to stay,” Emberfire leaned in close, “and if I were you, I’d stay there as long as I could.”

Mourne stood in silence for a moment or two, just blinking as he stared at the wall, his knees trembling as Emberfire sat back down with a long, weary sigh, rubbing at his forehead.

“I get it, you know. This thing with your sister, I get it. We all know the nobles are little better than a pack of hyenas just looking for any sign of weakness they can exploit, but going off half-cocked on some sort of wild crusade to protect somepony who doesn’t need protecting is just…I’d expect that from a colt, not from a seasoned member of my Guard.”

He glanced at Mourne a moment but there was no response. “I remember what it was like without the Mistress. We were little better than Diamond Dogs in the eyes of most ponies. Feared, ostracised, forever marked by our association with Nightmare Moon, even though as many of us fought against her as with her. We were all tarred with the same brush in the end. A batpony gets beaten up? So what. Some batpony turns up dead? Must be suicide or natural causes or an accident. Any excuse that pointed a hoof back at that poor dead soul.”

Emberfire leaned forward again. “Things are changing, Mourne. Little by little, we’re becoming accepted. We can walk the streets of Canterlot without ponies flinching away from us. We can play, love, marry and have foals like any other pony without a second glance from the majority of folks, but make no mistake, there’s plenty of others who think we deserve to be kept in the shadows, that we’re still somehow...tainted. Your bullheaded arrogance has just heaped fuel onto a fire that had died down to embers. Your actions have ensured that the scrutiny on us all will be more intense than ever.” He sighed, shoulders sagging a little. “All I can say is that I hope you keep that in mind while you’re in Ponyville. This is your last chance, Mourne.” Emberfire levelled a hoof at him, his expression sombre. “The last chance to show me and everypony else what the Night Guard stands for. That’s all I have to say. Get out of my office, pack your shit and get on the train.”

Mourne finally looked at him, his expression twisted into something akin to physical pain. He opened his mouth, then closed it again and instead half-heartedly thumped his hoof to his chest. “All Hail the Mistress of the Night,” he croaked.

“Those aren’t just empty words, Private,” Emberfire growled. “Maybe you’ll remember that from now on.” He picked up a scroll from the desk and began reading, not even looking up as Mourne turned and walked stiffly from the office.

Mourne closed the door behind him and headed down the corridor, not meeting the gaze of the guards that flanked the door, ignoring the soft murmur of their conversation as he passed them by. He picked up the pace, trotting first, now galloping, charging down the hallways, ignoring the startled cries of the palace staff or the shouts and curses from other guardsponies. He didn’t stop galloping till he was back at the barracks, slamming the door behind him and leaning back against it, panting hard, blinking back the tears that made his vision blur.

“Bit of a melodramatic entrance, don’t you think?”

He blinked and really looked properly around the room, snorting at the sight of Shadowstep standing by his cot, looking over his few belongings. She glanced over at him, her expression indifferent, then turned back to his bag, giving him time to wipe the tears away before she commented on them. “Didn’t figure you for a reader of penny dreadfuls. Guess somepony has to buy them.”

“You shouldn’t knock them if you haven’t tried them,” he growled, stalking across the room to sweep the last of his books and equipment into the heavy canvas bags before he pulled them shut. “Something I can do for you?”

“I heard you were called in to see Emberfire.” She stepped back to give him room, watching as he fussed over his gear.

“Who told you that?”

“Same pony who gave you the message. He figured I deserved to know, being your partner and all. Suppose he’ll be calling for me soon enough.” She paused, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the back of his head. He was still refusing to even turn around to talk to her, fiddling with the straps on his bags instead. “You really bucked this up for me, you know that? Doesn’t matter if I didn’t lay a hoof on the farmer, I was your partner and we weren’t supposed to leave each other alone. But you? You hung me out to dry without a second thought.”

She could see Mourne’s shoulders hunching as her words struck home but it wasn’t enough, not nearly enough, not yet. “Did you, Mourne? Did you even think about me once? Did all our time together mean nothing to you at all in the end?” Damn it, she tried to keep the emotion out of her voice but she couldn’t keep it from quivering just at the end.

He finally turned to face her. “No.”

She blinked slowly. “No? No what? No it meant nothing? No, you didn’t think of me?” Her voice rising as she advanced on him. “Which is it?”

“No, I...I didn’t mean it like that.” He sighed, dropping his head to stare at the floor again. “I wasn’t thinking about you, or me, or anypony specific. I was thinking of us, all of us, of what would happen to us if the Mistress had her heart broken again, what it would do to us if she left.”

“Oh don’t you DARE try and play the martyr card here, you sanctimonious ass.” She punched his shoulder hard enough to rock him back but he still wouldn’t quite meet her eyes. She punched him again, frustration boiling over. “LOOK at me, you prick! You bucked up both our lives, Mourne! The least you can do is look me in the Celestia-damned face when you admit you didn’t care!”

“I had to do it!” He snapped back, shoving her away before she could hit him for a third time, finally meeting her accusing gaze. “I had to...I had to try, don’t you get that? I was so sure I was right, so sure he was wrong and I bucked up. I get it now, I messed it all up. I just...all I could think of was what happened to my sister. If they did that to the fa--to McIntosh, what would that do to the Mistress? We all know how lonely she’s been. We’ve heard her crying some nights, heard the arguments with her Sister.”

“And that’s what I just don’t get,” Shadowstep admitted. “You say you did this because of your sister, that you did it to protect Princess Luna, but you know what you actually did? Exactly the same as the nobles, Mourne! You’ve been no better than they were and yet you just don’t see it. You haven’t protected anypony. You’ve disgraced her memory.”

“I...what?” He stared at her, his eyes wide, puzzled, the look of shock on his face too genuine to be feigned. Shadowstep snorted and shook her head.

“What did the nobles do to your Sister, Mourne? They thought she wasn’t good enough for that little lordling, Velvet Rhyme, so they threatened her. They bullied her. They did everything they could to try and drive a wedge between the two of them, to belittle her and force her away. Sounding familiar, yet? You bullied him, you attacked him, without even knowing him or giving him a chance you decided he wasn’t good enough for the Princess and you tried to break them apart. You did EVERYTHING you accused the nobles of doing but, thank everything that’s holy in this world, all you’ve actually managed to do is bring them closer together. I’m surprised your own bucking hypocrisy isn’t choking you blue right now.”

Mourne couldn’t answer, could barely breathe. There was a heavy lump of ice in the pit of his stomach that was freezing the words in his throat. Wrong. He’d been so wrong from the start. Luna had tried to tell him, tried to warn him and he’d thrown it back in her face. It wasn’t McIntosh that was nearly responsible for her leaving, it was him.

Emberfire was right. He should have been tossed out of the Guard. He should have--

“OW!” He was snapped out of his ever-decreasing spiral of self-recrimination as Shadowstep slapped him full across the face, and she wasn’t holding back, his head ringing from the blow. He snarled at her, baring his fangs and barely holding back an angry hiss.

“I can almost see you getting ready to flagellate yourself, but you don’t get to do that,” she said without a trace of apology or contrition. “You bucked up, but unlike some of us you get a chance to make it right. You get a chance to earn a little redemption and Luna help me, part of me actually hopes you succeed.”

He rubbed gingerly at his aching jaw. She knew him far too well. “And the other part? Wait, nevermind. I can guess.”

“Then I won’t bother saying it.” She turned to leave, then paused with one hoof on the door handle. “Assuming I’m still in the Night Guard by the time Emberfire’s done with me, I’ll be asking for assignment somewhere else. If we’re lucky, we won’t see each other again for a long time. Maybe by then you’ll have earned some forgiveness.”

He lifted a hoof to protest, then just let it fall. “So that’s it?”

“That’s it.” She looked back at him and for the first time the cold mask she’d schooled her expression into slipped. “You’ve thrown away everything good in your life in your crusade to protect the Princess. Colleagues, friends, l-lovers,” she couldn’t quite keep the hitch from her voice, taking a moment to grit her teeth and steady her emotions before she went on. “But she doesn’t need a crusader or a zealot, Mourne. She needs friends. She needs family. She…”

Her voice broke again and she yanked the door open, slamming it shut behind her without a second glance and leaving him alone in the room with nothing but his thoughts and regrets.

He finished his packing in silence, setting the saddlebags by the door while he made the bed and checked one last time around the room to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. Finding nothing but a scrap or two of parchment he swung his bags up and onto his back and began the long walk through the corridors to the Palace gates.

He saluted the Solar Guards standing by the gates by reflex as he walked into the crowded streets of Canterlot. Pausing a moment he looked back at the towering spires of the castle, noting a few pegasi and batponies swooping around the rooftops on their daily patrol routes. He couldn’t help but wonder when he would see inside it again.

Trudging through the busy streets, he scarcely noticed the bustle around him, the cries of salesponies attempting to entice passersby into their shops, the ebb and flow of the chattering crowd; the only thing he could hear was a single voice repeating over and over again ‘You’ve disgraced her memory’.

Shadowstep was right. Repine would have been furious with him. He’d taken her memory and twisted it, taken her sacrifice and cheapened it, used it as justification to be little more than a bully. He had to make this right. Somehow, he would make this right. He had to.

A promissory note from the palace was exchanged for a ticket to Ponyville. The ticket was exchanged for a seat on the train. The hills and tall white buildings of Canterlot were soon exchanged for lush grass and trees. He scarcely noticed any of it, barely acknowledged the other ponies around him, lost in his own misery, the gentle clack of the rails beneath the train carrying him further and further away from the place he once called home.

He was under no illusions about the situation he was in. This wasn’t just a posting, this was an exile. He’d burned almost every bridge behind him and now teetered on the smouldering remains over a crevasse. This could easily be the last time he ever set hoof in Canterlot. If he bucked up again, they’d ship him out back to the caverns before he could blink, or send him so far North you wouldn’t be able to find him with a compass, tracker dogs and a seeker spell.

“Ticket please, sir.”

The voice jolted him from his reverie and he turned to find the ticket inspector waiting patiently with a hoof outstretched. He passed the ticket over, watching silently as it was punched.

The inspector paused a moment before he gave it back, checking the details on it for a second time before asking, “No return trip?”

Mourne slowly shook his head. “No. I may be staying in Ponyville for some time.”

“Worse places to be,” the ticket inspector replied as he returned the ticket, then turned to attend to the pair of mares sitting on the other side of the carriage. “Fine little town, good folks. They accept anyone and everyone in Ponyville.” The inspector smiled and tipped his hat politely. “Hope you have a good stay, sir.”

“Mmm.” Mourne turned back to stare out the window once more. “You and me both.”

Chapter 19 - Ambuscade.

Chapter 19
Ambuscade.

Mac stepped from the steaming hot shower with a soft, wry snort. Well, messing around in a dream was all well and good but cleaning up the mess in the morning was something he could do without! He hadn’t had something like that happen to him since he was a colt. Was just as well he’d managed to get up before the rest of the family and slip his bedding into the wash pile. Meant he didn't have to answer any awkward questions about what he’d been up to. He smiled at the memory, still fresh in his mind. Never had the phrase “and it was only a dream” been so bittersweet. He’d never expected one of the Princesses to be so...forward.

Celestia had always seemed so standoffish in comparison, but he supposed that fit with the conversation he’d had with Luna during their first date. Luna really was as mercurial as the moon she rose every night. Toweling his mane dry, he paused to swipe the fabric across the mirror to clear the condensation. He turned, checking his flanks in the mirror; the bruises had all but faded thanks to the speed healing, just a little lingering ache now that was rapidly banished once he got up and moving around.

Speaking of moving, he realised, he had a delivery today. A cartload of apples to a small mining camp a few miles South of Ponyville. Shouldn’t take too long, an easy enough road, not like that one through the fire swamp… Shoot, he was happy to let AJ deal with that one even if he did sometimes worry about her, much as he knew she was more than capable of looking after herself.

Fire jets, roaming monsters, he’d almost expected to run into some ROUS’ the first time he’d done that run. Eeeenope, he didn’t much fancy that one at all. Still, they paid well for the produce so there was no way the Apple family could turn their back on that kind of payday, not with things being so tight, regardless of the potential risk.

He paused a moment, staring at his reflection in the mirror. Same square jaw, same straw-coloured mane, same freckles. For the life of him, he still wasn’t sure what Luna saw in him. At the thought of his lover, the reflection in the mirror smiled shyly back at him.

He’d all but given up thought and hope of being with a mare again, had resigned himself to being alone. Part of him had rather been looking forward to growing into one of those curmudgeonly old stallions, sitting on a rocking chair and waving his cane at the foals, bellowing at them to get off his property. Now what did his future hold? Balls and galas? Guards and servants? Royal decrees and media scru…

Mac’s eyes widened. The dream. Luna’s warning. Oh buck. He quickly finished drying himself off and hurried to Applejack’s bedroom, tapping a hoof lightly on the door. “AJ? Y’awake?”

The door opened a moment later and his sister peered up at him from beneath the brim of her hat. “Damn, Mac. Y’all are bright and eager today. Ain’t gotta hit the road for another hour or two yet. There a problem?”

Mac shifted his weight left and right, hesitating before he replied. The fact he had to think about it, however, was all Applejack needed. She sighed softly, rubbing at her face with a hoof.

“Somethin’s up?”

Mac silently nodded.

“Somethin’ big?”

Mac nodded again.

“Somethin’ to do with Princess Luna?”

Mac nodded once more a little more vigorously this time.

“Should ah tell the girls?”

He was about to shake his head, then paused for a moment to really think about it. Like it or not, the girls did have a point when they’d last been over. This didn’t affect just him, not anymore, and they each had skills they could bring to this that could prove useful.

Rarity was no doubt used to dealing with media attention so she could offer some useful advice on how to handle the inevitable questions and rumours. Rainbow Dash could certainly serve as a useful distraction, as could Pinkie Pie if it came to it. Hard to ask questions or take photos when your ears were ringing from a Rainboom or you were covered in cake batter and streamers. Fluttershy would likely be too petrified to be of much use in fending off a horde of reporters but he didn’t want to leave her feeling left out. Those animal friends of hers might be able to run interference and, well, there was that stare of hers if it came down to a last resort. Twilight was probably the most immediately useful in this kind of situation. Maybe she could lay down some of that Princessy authority to stall them or tell them to back off if need be.

He didn’t say all this out loud, of course, that wasn’t his way. He simply nodded. Then, on second thought, added his customary “Eeeyup.”

“We need’em here soon?”

“Prob’ly,” Mac sighed. “Luna visited me in mah dream last night. Told me that we’ve been outed in front a’the court yesterday. We can expect reporters and photographers sniffin’ around Ponyville anytime now.”

Applejack gritted her teeth, her ears pinned back. “Do ah even need t’guess who’s responsible for that? That bat-winged pain in the plot! If ah see him again ah’m gonna buck him inta next week!”

Mac coughed and glanced off to one side, scuffing the tip of a hoof against the floorboards. Applejack stared at him, her eyes slowly widening. “Ya can’t be serious. He’s actually comin’ here?”

“We did make the offer for him t’work the farm instead o’goin’ to jail,” Mac pointed out. “Luna’s assigned him as mah bodyguard and adviser, said he’s t’help out around the farm any way he can until we feel he’s cleaned his slate with the both of us.”

“Any way he can, huh?” Applejack’s frown was replaced with the evillest grin Mac had ever seen on his sister’s face. “Well now. Ah think ah’d best go start workin’ on mah list o’chores. Better make sure it’s up to date.” She winked at her brother, than paused. “Mebbe it’s best ya hit the road early, Mac. If reporters are gonna be here, best you ain’t.”

“Ah can’t hide from them forever, AJ. We knew this was gonna happen.”

“We ain’t hidin’, Mac, we’re buyin’ time. If we let them pounce on ya here, or in town, they’re gonna be the ones askin’ the questions, they’re the ones that’ll be on the attack. If we get ya out’a town for a bit, ah can speak to the girls, we can go to Mayor Mare and set up, I dunno, some kinda press conference or somethin’ where we can make sure things don’t get too outta control.”

Mac blinked, his head tilting to one side. “That...is a really good idea, AJ. When’d you get so savvy about this stuff?”

Applejack grinned bashfully. “Hangin’ around Rarity, ah guess. She’s always gossipin’ on about things in Canterlot, talkin’ about how she handles her shows and the celebrities she deals with. Don’t you dare tell her ah was actually listenin’ to all her rabbitin’ on, now! She’d never let me hear the end of it.”

“Mah lips are sealed,” he assured her. “Alright. Lemme grab some breakfast and ah’ll go make the delivery. Ah’ll head t’wards the Everfree then loop down rather than goin’ through town. Less chance anypony’ll spot…” He trailed off as Applebloom trotted up the stairs, a concerned look on her face. “Bloom?” Mac asked. “You okay?”

“Uh-huh.” Bloom shrugged. “Ah just...ah went outside t’get some water an’there’s a pony sitting on the porch. He’s got funny wings, like no pegasus ah ever saw. He...kinda looks like that pony that hurt ya, Big Mac. Ah asked him what he was doin’ and he said he was waitin’ for you.”

Mac glanced sidelong at AJ and snorted. “He got here quick. Guess ah’d better go talk to him.”

“He ain’t stayin’ in the house,” Applejack growled with a stamp of a hoof. “He can stay out in the barn. There’s plenty room in the hayloft for him.”

Mac frowned, but it wasn’t worth arguing with her about it, not yet. Mourne had to earn his place in this family, and earn her forgiveness. She always had been one to hold a grudge for a lot longer than he did. Nothing he could say right now would change that and really he couldn’t blame her. He simply nodded and nuzzled Applebloom in thanks.

“It’s okay, ‘Bloom,” he assured her. “Ah’ll take care of it."

He clomped downstairs, pausing a moment before pushing the front door open. He found the Night Guard, just as Applebloom had said, sitting on the porch, staring out towards the orchards. Much to his surprise Winona was sat next to him, panting happily while Mourne ran a hoof lightly between her ears and down her back, tail wagging cheerfully away.

“Winona likes ya. That’s a start,” Mac noted as he sat down a little way from the batpony, glancing at the saddlebags sitting on the steps. “We’ll be puttin’ ya up in the barn for now if ya wanna dump your gear. Hayloft’s plenty warm and roomy, no worries about the cold this time a’year. It’s...gonna be a while ‘fore AJ lets ya in the house for anythin’ other than meals, ah suspect.” Assuming she allowed even that, he thought to himself. Mourne’s first few days on the farm were likely to be quite uncomfortable if AJ had her way.

“Understandable,” was all Mourne said, turning his head a little to fix one eye on Mac. “I arrived last night and did a preliminary survey of the grounds. I’ve seen less secure places, but not many.”

Mac snorted. “Last night? Where’d ya sleep?”

“Who says I did? I am a Night Guard. Emphasis on night.”

“Well that ain’t gonna work here. We ain’t bats or batponies for that matter. Y’all are gonna have t’keep the same hours as the rest’a the family. That ain’t gonna be a problem, is it? Ain’t seen you folks around much during the day."

“Direct sunlight is unpleasant,” Mourne admitted. “But the brim on our helm helps shade our eyes. If it comes to it I have tinted lenses I can wear to protect my sight, though they limit my peripheral vision even further so I will only use these on the sunniest of days.”

Mac mmm’ed quietly. A silence fell that was not entirely comfortable before Mourne turned to pull something from his saddlebags, offering it out to Mac.

“My orders.”

Mac accepted the proffered scroll, breaking the seal and unrolling it to glance over the contents. Nothing much beyond what Luna had already told him in the dream, but this made it official. He nodded and set it down beside him, then took a slow, deep breath.

“So y’all are gonna be guarding my back.”

Mourne nodded.

“Really just got one question then. Can I trust you? Y’did try to throw me off a roof and slit me up a treat not so long ago. Ya gotta pardon me if this apparent change a’heart doesn’t leave me more than a mite sceptical.”

It was Mourne’s turn to sigh, the batpony turning to once again stare out over the orchards before he replied. “Your concerns are understandable, but unwarranted. I understand now that...I was wrong. Rather than vilifying you, I should have been defending you from the start. I was and have been a disgrace to the Night Guard.” He stood, then slowly bowed before Mac, his forelegs splayed, muzzle down till his nose pressed to the floor. “A simple apology isn’t going to make up for my actions. All I can do is assure you that I will defend you and yours, with my life if need be. I swear it on everything I hold dear. I will not fail again.”

“That’ll do for a start,” Applejack growled as she stepped out from inside the house, levelling an unfriendly stare at the grovelling batpony before she turned to Mac. “Breakfast’s ready. Come on in and get yerself fed before ya hit the road.” Her face twisted as if she’d just bitten into a lemon as she glanced back at Mourne. “Suppose you’d better come in as well. Apology buys you breakfast, but nothin’ more!”

She didn’t wait for a reply, turning quickly and stomping back into the house with an angry flick of her tail.

“Thank you,” Mourne called after her as he slowly straightened back up.

Applejack paused, looking back over her shoulder at him. “Ain’t gonna be much good as a bodyguard if ya keel over from hunger now, are ya? Now come in here and eat ‘fore ah change mah mind.” She stalked back into the house and Mourne huh’ed softly.

“Well,” Mac said simply. “That actually went a lot better than ah expected. She’s willin’ to give y’a chance, but it’s gonna take time. For now, I’d just shift if I were you,” Mac advised as he hauled himself up to all fours. “Just in case she changes her mind. We’ve got a fair ways to go today and we won’t be stopping till we make our delivery so you’d best eat quick and eat hearty.” Mac held the door open, motioning for the batpony to head inside. “We’ll have plenty more time t’talk on the road if there’s more you got to say.”

“More I perhaps should say. You are at least owed an explanation for my actions these past days.” Mourne rose smoothly, scooping his saddlebags up and draping them over his back once more. “And regarding your courtship of the Mistress, there are other things you should know about her, and about what the future likely holds. There are already movements within the nobility, eyes and ears paying far more attention to the goings-on in Ponyville than is normal.”

“Can’t say that surprises me,” Mac shrugged as he moved aside to let Mourne in, closing the door behind him. “News travels fast.”

“MAC! That batpony is in the house!” A shrill young voice yelled from the kitchen. Mac winced. Maybe he should have gone in first. “Get Applejack! Ah’ll hold’im here!”

“Dangit, Bloom. It’s fine. He’s not here tah cause any more trouble, in fact he’s actually gonna be helpin’ out around here. Ain’t that right, Mister Mourne?” Applejack poked her head around the doorframe to wave a hoof at Applebloom, the filly stood atop her chair, brandishing a serving spoon as if it was a sword. “And get down offa there ‘fore ya crack your skull or something.”

“Mourne is just fine, and no, I am not here to cause trouble. In fact, young Miss,” his attention shifted to Applebloom, “I am here to protect Mac.”

“Psh. Who’s gonna protect him from YOU?” Applebloom muttered as she clambered down as she was told to, setting the spoon back on the table as she retook her seat.

Mac should have told her off, but frankly he could understand why she was so angry, so he left it well alone and took his seat at the table as Applejack started to bring out the plates, each piled high with freshly made pancakes, still steaming hot. He licked his lips, then glanced at Mourne who had taken a seat at the table and was regarding his plate as if someone had just set down a bowl of live termites in front of him.

“Somethin’ the matter?” Applejack asked.

“What do you...DO with them?” Mourne asked, prodding tentatively at one with the tip of a hoof.

Mac and Applebloom exchanged looks across the table that were somewhere between amused and aghast. “You ain’t never had pancakes?” Applebloom ventured.

Mourne slowly shook his head as he again prodded at the stack. “Our choice of food was somewhat more limited when I was growing up. Goods baked with fine milled white flour were a luxury we grew accustomed to going without.” He finally leaned in to sniff at them before nibbling experimentally at the very edge of one of them, hissing as he nearly burnt his tongue.

“Ya put syrup on’em,” Applebloom explained as she scooped out some butter and planted it atop her own stack, watching it melt and vanish into the stack. “Ya can put apple butter, or syrup, or haybacon or chocolate sauce or all kindsa things. Pancakes go with almost anythin’!”

“Ah’ll take Granny’s breakfast up to her, Mac. Ah’ll let her know about our new farmhand an’all.” Applejack nodded towards Mourne.

“Sure thing, AJ. Tell her ah’ll be heading off with the delivery soon as ah eat. Ya know how much she frets about that kind of thing.” He turned back to watch Mourne drizzling maple syrup over his pancakes with a look of intense concentration normally reserved for artisans carrying out some particularly intricate task.

Applebloom, as usual, was shoveling hers down like there was no tomorrow, near inhaling everything on her plate and barely able to keep from licking it clean afterward. She set it down on the table with a thump and sat up a bit straighter. “All done!” she declared. “Can I go meet up with Sweetie and Scootaloo? We’ve got a whole new day of crusading planned!”

Mac nodded. “Just make sure ya don’t cause too much damage around town this...time?”

The last was spoken to the empty space that had once held a filly as Applebloom tore out of the kitchen without a backward glance, the door slamming shut behind her seconds later. He sighed, and turned his attention back to his own breakfast as Applejack came back down to join them.

“These are...amazing,” Mourne breathed as he dug into his pancakes, licking up the syrup that ended up smeared on his muzzle. “So soft and sweet. I’ve never tasted anything like them.”

Applejack frowned as she took her seat at the table and helped herself to the syrup. “But they serve stuff like this at the palace, don’t they?”

“Oh, to the guests and royal family, of course, but rarely to the Solar Guard and even more rarely to the Night Guard. The Mistress isn’t a great one for sweets so most of us choose not to indulge either, to follow her example.”

Applejack huh’ed. “Well don’t that beat all? Guess ah never much thought about it. For us, pancakes ain’t nothin’ special. Quick and easy t’make, good and filling. Bellyful of these? Sets you up right for the day.”

Mourne mm-hmmed around another mouthful, then paused, glancing at Applebloom’s empty chair. “What did she mean by that? Crusading?”

Mac and Applejack exchanged another wry look before AJ shrugged a little. “She and her friends are the last three fillies in their class ain’t got their cutie marks yet. So they formed this club, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, an’they spend most of their days runnin’ around tryin’ to figure out things to get cutie marks in. Carpentry, rock climbin’, chicken herdin’...”

“Librarians, acrobatics, tiger-taming, tightrope walking…” Mac added.

"Dancin’, actin’, singin’, hang-glindin’...” Applejack shook her head and laughed. “They got enough energy ‘tween the three of them it makes me damn tired just tryin’ tah keep up.”

Mourne hmmed as he finished his last mouthful of pancake, licking his lips one more time. “I can’t decide if a cutie mark is reassuring or restrictive. To have your entire life reduced down to a mark on your flank like that.”

“Wait…so bat ponies don’t get cutie marks?” Applejack blinked in surprise. “Ah guess ah never really looked all that close.”

Mourne shook his head. “No. We suspect it’s something to do with the way our race was created. For some reason the magic of harmony doesn’t affect us in the same way it does the other pony races.”

Applejack snorted. “Never thought of it that way. Ah guess batponies are kinda unnat--” she bit back the word and blushed as Mac shot her a look across the table. She cleared her throat abashedly. “Apologies. That just kinda slipped out. Ah didn’t mean nothin’ by it.”

Mourne simply stared at her for a moment, then shrugged and finished the last mouthful of his breakfast. “You get used to it. Even in Canterlot it’s still a commonly held belief that we’re freaks or aberrations of some sort. Nevermind that it took both Princesses to create the original batponies, ponies as a whole tend to just gloss over Celestia’s involvement. I suppose they can’t understand why the Princess of the Day would involve herself with something so intrinsically tied to the night.”

“So why did she?” Applejack asked.

Mourne blinked slowly. “Because Luna asked her,” he said simply, as if speaking to a foal. “At the time the Mistress was beginning her descent into the loneliness and jealousy that would eventually give rise to the Nightmare. She argued that Celestia’s Solar Guard were ill-suited to guarding her night, that she deserved Guards of her own.”

Mourne paused as he leaned over the table to pour himself a glass of orange juice from the jug in the center of the table, taking a mouthful before he continued his impromptu history lesson. “The first batponies were actually just pegasi with glamours placed on their armour, similar to the ones that allow the Solar Guard to look so uniform today, but Luna wanted more than just illusions. She didn’t want ponies pretending to love her night, she wanted ones who truly would, ponies who would be as much a part of it as she was. Celestia resisted at first, but eventually capitulated and together they worked one of the greatest feats of magic Equestria has ever seen. The creation of an entirely new tribe of ponies.”

He opened his mouth to say more, then frowned, tilting his head to one side, his long, tufted ears twitching. “Are we expecting further company this morning?”

“Not that ah know of. Might be one of the girls, ah suppose.” Applejack ventured, pushing her plate away and trotting over to look out the window. “Don’t see anypony out there.”

“More than one,” Mourne murmured, eyes half-closed as he concentrated on the distant sounds. “I hear multiple voices and what sounds like a wagon of some type. They should be visible on the path any moment now.”

Applejack frowned, pulling her hat up a little more as she pressed her face to the glass. “Ah still don’t...wait. There it is. There’s a group a’ponies headin’ to the farm. Now what in the hay is that thing they’re haulin’ on that wagon there?”

Mac and Mourne joined her at the window, looking over her shoulders at their unexpected guests. “Don’t rightly know,” Mac said at last. “Some sort a’telescope, maybe? Got a big lens or somethin’ out front, ah can see the light reflectin’ off the glass.”

“It’s a camera,” Mourne sighed, shaking his head. “Unlike other cameras that take only still images like you would see in newspapers, that is something very new indeed. Moving pictures. They project them onto a huge white screen and you can watch what it records. There’s only three of these cameras in existence, as I understand it, and only one screen in Canterlot where you can watch the picture shows.” He smiled thinly. “What you see there is the Canterlot press corps. Congratulations, farmer. You’re a celebrity.”

Chapter 20 - The Road Goes Ever On.

Chapter 20
The Road Goes Ever on.

Mourne had to admire the near-military level of precision that was displayed in the next few moments.

With the press corps bearing down on the farm like a wild storm, all other considerations were pushed aside. They had to get Mac out of the farm before they were cornered. In a matter of minutes the big red stallion was hitched to the delivery wagon, Mourne was laden with saddlebags containing provisions and tools for the journey and the two of them were ushered hastily out along the back road away from the farm and up into the hills.

Applebloom had already left, galloping off into the orchards to loop back around to Ponyville to alert the Mayor, Princess Twilight and the rest of their friends to come to the farm. Mourne briefly wondered if any of them were truly ready to deal with a situation like this, but they had little choice. He wasn’t surprised the press had got to the farm so swiftly, if he was honest. A story like this? A royal romance? They would move the skies, the mountains and anything in between to be the first to get an exclusive interview or picture.

For now, though, he focused on the present and the road that stretched out before front of them. All the rest could wait till they returned to town. The sun was rising further overhead and painful shards of golden light began lancing down through the thick canopy of leaves overhead. Ignoring it at first, he was finally forced to stop so he could dig out the darkened lenses from his saddlebags.

Mac walked on a step or two, then paused to look over his shoulder as he realised Mourne had fallen back. “Problem?”

“The sunlight is getting...uncomfortable,” Mourne grudgingly admitted. “I need to put my lenses in.”

Mac grunted and turned back to study the road ahead of them. “Ya don’t have tah walk with me, ya know. Can fly if it’s easier for ya.”

“I can’t very well bodyguard you from the air now, can I?” Mourne sighed in relief as he snapped the lenses into place in his helm, blinking quickly till his eyes adjusted. “Thick foliage like this offers too much cover, blocks my ability to properly protect you. The time it would take me to spot and react to a threat is multiplied when there’s thick tree cover like this. It leaves too big a window for any assassin to get close and slip a knife into you. I’ll walk.”

“You’re just a ray o’sunshine, ain’t ya?” Mac deadpanned as he waited for Mourne to close up his saddlebags and catch up. The pair started walking again, the cart rumbling and creaking along behind them.

“That’s what it means to be a guard. We have to look at every situation and assess the tactical strengths and weakness of it. Guards aren’t meant to be smiley and happy,” Mourne said defensively. “We’re meant to be feared and respected.”

“Mm. Ever think regular folks might not be so scared if ya smiled now and again?”

Mac looked askance at Mourne, to find the batpony’s face twisted in a rictus grin that exposed a mouthful of sharp, predatory teeth. He raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. “On second thought, mebbe not.”

Mourne snorted as he relaxed his features. “Go and be a foal’s entertainer if you want to smile and joke,” he growled. “A guard’s life was never supposed to be a happy or easy one.”

Mac didn’t say anything, but Mourne could see his brow furrowed in thought. The pair walked together in silence for a few minutes more before Mac opened his mouth, then closed it again without saying a word. Mourne scowled, but wasn’t about to try and coax the stallion into talking.

Instead he turned his attention to the surrounding countryside. Rolling hills, lush green grass and thickly spreading trees, their boughs creaking and rustling gently in the fresh breeze that blew down from the mountains to the North. It was so unlike Canterlot, or even the caverns for that matter. No bustle of traffic, no hum of voices, it was so quiet he could hear the subtle straining of the leather straps in his armour, the quiet clinking of the canteens in the saddlebags and the soft thump of their hooves on the smooth dirt path.

“Seems a harsh way t’spend a life,” Mac said at last, the words slow and thoughtful. “Luna don’t strike me as the kind who’d want her guards tah be miserable all their days.”

“You can’t understand, farmer,” Mourne grunted. “You’ve never served.”

“Eeenope. Never have,” he fell quiet again. “Helped the local Guard out a time or two, that’s all.”

Mourne couldn’t quite stifle a snort of disbelief. “You? What did they need your help for? Ploughing a--” He bit back the comment as Mac turned his head to give him an bland stare. “My apologies. That was uncalled for.”

“Ya don’t like me much, do ya?”

“It’s nothing personal. It’s not who you are, it’s what you are.”

Mac stopped abruptly, digging his hooves into the dirt road as he glared at Mourne. “An’what’s so bad with what ah am? What’s wrong with being the kinda pony that provides for your kin and town? Kinda pony makes sure folks make it through the winter with enough t’eat, drivin’ off animals from the Everfree that might try an’snatch a foal. What exactly is wrong with what ah am?” He shrugged off the yoke connecting him to the cart so he could face the batpony properly. “Y’all are here to protect me but ya ain’t gonna be doin’ that if ya don’t respect me, so let’s have this out right now, right here. What the BUCK is the problem ya got with earth ponies?” He jabbed his hoof against Mourne’s chest hard enough to force the smaller stallion back a pace or two.

"I have no issue with earth ponies,” Mourne snapped back, swatting that prodding hoof aside. “I am not some brain damaged tribalist. WHAT you are is a commoner, McIntosh Apple. Princess Luna...the Mistress...she deserves better than you! What she sees in you I simply cannot comprehend.”

Mac blinked, then snorted loudly. “That’s it? That’s the beef ya got with me?” He laughed as he trotted back to the cart and slipped easily back into the harness again. “You and me finally agree on somethin’, it seems.” Mac shook his head, chuckling to himself as he started walking again, leaving the stunned batpony staring after him for a moment or two.

“What? You AGREE? Yet you stay with her?” Mourne recovered and hurried after him, his eyes wide.

“Damn straight,” Mac replied. “Damned if ah know what she sees in me, or what it is ah did t’catch her eye but ah ain’t complainin’. Still, maybe ya think she should be with some famous hero, right? Some landed noble or knight o’the realm. That’s the kinda pony a Princess should be with, dontcha think?”

Mourne nodded dumbly, struggling to find his voice. Of all the ways he’d played this conversation out in his head, he’d never once contemplated that Mac might just agree with him like this.

“But what about a mare? What kinda lover does a mare deserve? Not a Princess or a commoner or a noble, don’t matter about none of that. Tell me what a mare would deserve in a partner.”

Mourne blinked. “I...what? I don’t follow. We’re not talking about a mare, we’re talking about the Princess.”

“An’that right there is the problem.” Mac shook his head. “Y’all are so busy seein’ her as the Princess that ya never once stop t’think about what Luna the MARE might want in a partner. Do ya really think she’d want somepony kowtowin’ to her all the time, grovelling at her hooves for fear of upsettin’ her. That sound like fun to you? Some stuffed collar afraid t’have a little fun, some flank candy with a rock for a brain that’ll impress all the right ponies? Do ya think that’s what a mare would want?”

"Well, no…” Mourne finally conceded. “But we’re not talking about a normal mare, we’re talking about one of the rulers of Equestria.”

“So? Ya think she’s the Princess all the time? She rules, and that’s all? That she don’t have any wants or needs of her own? The truth is, I’ve been drinking with Princess Luna. I’ve danced with her and made a total fool of mahself in the process. Ah’ve lain in a bed with her, ah’ve kissed her and ah fully intend t’do a lot more than that before ah’m through.” He steadfastly ignored Mourne’s indignant splutter. “If y’all can’t deal with that, then that’s just your problem, not mine.”

Mac fell silent for a few moments, just staring off down the road as he walked, his tone growing more thoughtful. “Do ah deserve a mare as beautiful and as intelligent as Luna? No. Can’t say ah feel like ah do. Can’t say ah understand what it is she sees in me, but what ah CAN say is that ah’m gonna do mah damndest t’make sure she doesn’t regret courtin’ me. At the end of the day, that’s what she deserves. What any mare deserves. She deserves somepony that’s gonna make her happy. Celestia knows she’s had enough misery for one lifetime, dontcha think?”

Mourne didn’t reply at first, the batpony lost in thought, staring down at his hooves. “It feels somehow wrong to think of her like that.”

“Hmm? Why’s that? Just cuz she’s an alicorn don’t mean she stopped bein’ a mare as well.”

“I know but…” he trailed off. “It’s like thinking about your parents having sex.”

Mac blinked, then just grinned. “That’s right sweet of ya, Mourne. Didn’t know ya’d taken to seein’ me as a father figure. Ah’ll do mah best to prove t’be a fine role model for ya.”

“That’s not what I--” Mourne protested, but Mac was having none of it.

“Course that means there’ll need t’be some changes around here. Gotta buck up yer ideas. Think fast and fly straight an’all that.”

“Farmer…”

“Mebbe we’ll see about signin’ ya up for a hoofball team. Little league, mebbe?” Mac positively beamed, a little spring in his step now.

Mourne groaned, tugging his helm down a little more firmly atop his head. “This is going to be a long, long day.”

*****

Celestia’s sun was low in the sky by the time their errand was completed and the two weary stallions began their trek back to Ponyville. The actual delivery had gone without any trouble and the cart now contained some new tools for the farm and a bag of bits to pay the balance. It had been a while since he’d seen two ponies genuinely haggling over items like that. In Canterlot the price you saw was the price you paid and attempting any sort of haggling for discount was considered gauche to say the least.

Mac had seemed pleased with the trade, Mourne mused while he walked, trying to ignore how much his hooves were starting to ache. He hadn’t done this much walking since...ever. He looked around and hmmed under his breath. The land was more open and flat here, no trees to get in the way or impede his line of sight. There was plenty of time for him to spot potential threats and respond

Mourne pulled the lenses from his helm and tucked them into a pocket on his saddlebags. No more need for those now that the sun was setting. “I’m going to get a better look around,” he said as he spread his wings and gave them an experimental flap, checking for any signs of tension or pain in the flight muscles. “No trees or anything to stop me getting to you in a hurry if needed.”

Mac simply nodded. “Eeyup.”

Mourne trotted a few steps ahead, crouched, and leapt nimbly up and into the air, leathery wings spreading and sweeping down to propel him into the red and orange hued sky. He sighed in pleasure as the cool wind rushed through his coat, spiralling slowly higher, letting the last fading thermals lift him up.

Banking lazily around, he turned his attention to the surrounding countryside, searching the growing shadows for anything that might be lurking along their route. A few miles to the south he could see the lights of Ponyville twinkling, and beyond them the faint glow of Canterlot. He felt a little pang of loss as he stared at those distant lights, then shook his head as he turned his gaze downward to watch the earth pony stallion trotting along, seemingly indefatigable.

Their conversation had been, it was fair to say, on the awkward side of stilted. It was unlikely they were ever going to be the best of friends regardless of how things might develop in the weeks and months that were still to follow, but already Mourne could see there were things to admire, things that might well have attracted the attention of the Mistress.

There was no artifice to McIntosh Apple. In common parlance, what you saw was what you got, and that was something Luna prized when she spent so much of her time surrounded by intrigue and political posturing. She had little time for the sort of dissembling and posing that was the stock in trade in Canterlot but there was more to McIntosh than just that. There was something about the way he carried himself, a sense of unshakeable confidence, a surety of motion and word that reminded Mourne of one of his first trainers in the Night Guard.

Lost in reminiscing, it took him a moment to spot the furtive movement further down the road. Stepping out from behind the bushes to block the path were three figures, one unicorn and two earth ponies judging by their silhouettes. They were rough and ragged, their manes scruffy, their coats matted with dirt. He couldn’t make out their cutie marks from this far up but what he could see were the scowls that each of them wore as they watched Mac approach.

He began his descent as Mac slowed up on the path, dropping to a walk as he approached the trio. Mourne held back from just diving in, appearances could be deceptive after all and he was genuinely trying not to simply rush in without a proper understanding of what was going on. The last thing he needed was to make more enemies.

“Regal, Dusty and is that Brawny there? Well gentlecolts,” Mac said simply as he stopped in the middle of the road. “There a problem?”

“Thought we’d made it pretty clear last time ya came this way, Apple,” the brown-coated unicorn stepped forward. “This is our turf. You and yours ain’t welcome here.”

Mac snorted and tossed his head back. “Ain’t your place tah tell me what ah can and can’t do, Regal. Folks want apples, who are you tah tell them they can’t have’em?”

“We’re the stallions who told you that if you came by here again, we’d smash your cart and break your legs,” the left-hand earth pony snapped. Mourne guessed that one had to be Brawny, the white-haired stallion near as big as Mac. “Guess ya don’t hear too good. Might be we’ll need t’send a more direct message.”

“Ah-yup,” echoed the other, brown furred, earth pony. He even went so far as to bang his forehooves together as he struck what he obviously hoped was an intimidating pose.

“And ah told ya that if the time came, ya were all more than welcome t’try and do all that horseshit ya just said,” was Mac’s calm reply as he shrugged the harness off and nudged the cart back with a hoof. “Mourne, y’all stay outta this now. This ah don’t need help with.”

The three ponies exchanged glances. “Who the hells is Mourne?” Regal snapped, looking around. “You brought help with ya this time, Apple?”

“I believe you need to be looking a little higher, gentlecolts,” Mourne called down as he circled above them, grinning toothily at their looks of shock as they realised they had a bat pony in attendance.

“Holy buck! What’s one of them doing here?” Dusty blurted out, yelping as the unicorn roughly prodded him with a hoof.

“Doesn’t matter. He gets involved, he’ll get his wings broke if he’s lucky,” Regal raised his voice, glancing one last time at Mourne before turning his attention to Mac.

Mac just rolled his head slowly, shrugged his shoulders and settled into a wide-legged stance, his muzzle low. He snorted, blowing a few strands of his mane up and out of his eyes. “Well boys, let’s get to it. Who’s feelin’ brave?”

Regal growled as he channelled his magic, a shimmering purple glow surrounding his horn as he lowered his head to cast his spell.

“Ah-ah,” Mac chided. “None a’that now.” Quick as a flash, Mac’s hoof snapped forward and a pebble hurtled straight at the startled unicorn before he could muster even the beginnings of a shielding spell. The pebble smacked into Regal’s horn and the unicorn reeled back, crying out in pain while his magic dissipated with a ~POP!~.

“Horseapples, that hurts!” Regal hissed, rubbing at his now fitfully sparking horn. “Well don’t just stand there, you morons! GET him!”

If Mourne hadn’t just seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have thought it possible. While it was relatively common knowledge that the easiest way to attack a unicorn was to disrupt their magic, the farmer had moved so quickly and so accurately that it left him speechless. What followed next simply reinforced that initial astonishment.

Dusty and Brawny rushed blindly at Mac, bellowing as they reared to bring their hooves down on him, but he was already moving before they got anywhere near him. The huge red stallion moved like a shadow between the two, effortlessly helping them on their way as he dropped his forelegs and bucked back good and hard, his huge hooves slamming into his two erstwhile attackers and sending them sprawling facefirst in the dirt.

Regal’s eyes went wide, the unicorn frantically backpedaling. He was still trying to summon his magic, his horn sparking fitfully as Mac advanced on him..

“Three of ya for just me? Ah don’t know if ah should be insulted or impressed.” Mac’s hoof shot out once more and a heartbeat later the unicorn was in a quivering ball on the ground, clutching frantically at his abused horn. Before he could open his mouth to say anything more Mac’s hoof was pressing down on his horn, crushing it down into the dirt. The unicorn’s eyes were wide and terrified as he stared up at the implacable face of the farmer. “Ah could snap this clean off, ya know. Lil more pressure is all it would take. What good would ya be then, mmm? Unicorn without a horn, pretty dang worthless, wouldn’t ya say?”

“Please…” Regal whispered. “Please, please don’t.”

“Ah-Ah!” Mac snarled, looking back at the recovering Dusty and Brawny who’d struggled back to their hooves and were staring at him with murder in their eyes. “You two just keep kissin’ the road. Ya take one step towards me, your buddy here is gonna need tah find a new line o’work.”

“Do what he says!” Regal squealed as Mac shifted his weight, tears streaming down the unicorn’s face, the pain excruciating.

Mac waited, staring at the two earth ponies, his expression dark. “Ah don’t see ya kissin’ the road,” he pointed out as he shifted his weight, grinding his hoof down onto Regal’s horn.

“KISS IT! KISS IT!” Regal squealed, hooves flailing desperately at the ground. “Do it! Do what he says!”

Brawny and Dusty exchanged looks, lips curled in angry snarls, but as Regal’s cries grew louder once more they finally sighed in unison and knelt back down, pressing their muzzles to the ground.

“That’s better. Now, ah’m only gonna say this one more time, Regal.” Mac sighed as he leaned in a little closer, his voice soft and conversational once more. “Ah don’t take kindly tah threats. Ya even think about messin’ with me or mah family again, y’all will be nursin’ far worse than grazes and bruised egos. This here is a free tradin’ post, not your personal fiefdom. Folks here’re welcome t’do business with whoever they choose, and as long as they keep choosin’ Sweet Apple Acres, we’ll keep deliverin’ apples. Nopony, not you, not your buddies, are gonna change that. Y’wanna put us out of business? Ya do it properly by offerin’ a better product than we got, not by tryin’ to waylay me on a dark road with your hired muscle.” Mac pressed down, just a little harder. “We got an understandin’ now, Regal?”

“Yes! YES! Dear Celestia, yes! Anything you say! Please, please don’t break my horn!” The air was suddenly filled with the acrid scent of urine as Regal pissed himself in sheer terror. Mac’s nostrils flared and he made a face before lifting his hoof up and away, turning his attention to the other two as Regal curled up in a softly sobbing ball in the road.

“As for you two. Ah see y’again, ah’m gonna have more than just harsh words for ya. Get your boss and get outta here. You’re makin’ me late and mah travellin’ companion looks like he’s about ready t’fly down here and chow down on the pair of ya. S’true what they say about bat ponies, ya know. Make’em mad, they’ll tear your throats out. Ya don’t believe me, just stick around a while longer.”

The two stallions looked up at him and Mourne smiled broadly, the fading sun glinting off his sharp white teeth. It was nonsense, of course. Batponies were no more blood suckers than any other kind of pony, even if their diets were, perhaps, somewhat more varied than most of the other tribes. They weren’t cannibals. Still, having a certain reputation did sometimes have its uses.

The two stallions didn’t need telling twice. Dusty quickly helped scoop the whimpering Regal up and onto Brawny's back before the trio bolted back towards the trading post as quickly as they could, no doubt to have Regal’s horn checked out...assuming they had any actual loyalty to him. For all Mourne knew, they might just dump him in a ditch the moment they were out of sight.

Alighting next to Mac as he slipped back into the harness, Mourne shook his head. He wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting to happen but this certainly wasn’t it. For a simple farmer to take on three opponents, and one a spellcaster, and defeat them so easily? That just didn’t quite tally up with the public image of the simple farmer that Mac seemed to go out of his way to cultivate. “Where did you learn that?”

“Told ya,” was the lazy reply as Mac tugged the last strap into place. “Ah help the guard out around town from time t’time. Picked up a few tricks from them along the way, like the thing with the horn. Easiest way t’beat a unicorn in a magical fight is t'make it a non-magical fight as quick as you can.”

“Not just that, though that was impressive enough all by itself. I can’t remember the last time I saw anypony move as quickly as you did. What was that? Rolling Earth style? Krav Pega?”

“Bit ah this, bit ah that,” was the evasive reply as Mac started walking again, then picked up the pace as he glanced warily back over his shoulder. “Less talkin’, more trottin’. Let’s not stick around in case Regal finds a backbone once his head stops splittin’.”

“You’ve dealt with them before, I assume?” Mourne took to the air once again, gliding beside the cart. “Who are they exactly?”

“Regal’s one of the local merchants, believe it or not. He used t’import a load o’fruit and veg t'the trading post. He'd cart it in and charge stupid prices for it. Folks didn’t have any alternative till we showed up a few months ago and he don’t take kindly to it. We charge less than him and our stuff’s higher quality so he can’t compete. His own damn fault if y’ask me. If he didn’t have his head shoved up his plot he might have local farms willing t’work with him, but, well… Ya saw his idea of negotiation back there. He’s too used t’bein’ the big fish in a small pond. He likes t’think he calls the shots but he ain’t nowhere near as important as he thinks he is.”

Mourne grunted. “His kind are a bit a dozen in Canterlot. Jumped up noponies with delusions of adequacy.”

“Hah. Sounds about right. Well, hopefully this will learn him but ah won’t hold mah breath on it. Let’s just concentrate on gettin’ back to town before it gets too late and we need t’stop for the night,” Mac glanced up with a frown. The sun would be down sooner than he was comfortable with. “Ah’d rather not have tah bed down in the woods. Bit far out for timberwolves but ya never know.”

“And why would we need to stop?”

"Can’t travel by night. Too easy t’take a wrong turn or miss-step and fall down a ravine or somethin’.”

“Why, it sounds to me like what you’d need would be something that could see at night as easily as in the day.” Mourne drawled.

Mac shot him a glare, then chuckled wryly. “Fair point, ah guess. Fair point. Lead on then, Night Guard. Take us home.”

Mourne nodded as he backwinged to land lightly on the path. Favouring his aching hooves a little, he began to walk. “I didn’t think you had that in you.”

“That?”

“Regal, what you threatened to do to him. I didn’t know you were capable of that.”

“Neither did they,” he replied laconically. “Like my Pa always taught me. Ya never start a fight, but ya make damn sure ya finish it. This way, hopefully, it’ll be the one and only time they try this nonsense.”

Mourne grunted in agreement. “Still, it was…surprisingly brutal. Would you really have done it? Broken his horn?”

Mac hesitated, glancing back along the road to make sure they were alone before slowly shaking his head. “No. Ah wouldn’t wish that on anypony, not even one like Regal. But they had t’THINK ah was serious. If they’d caught even a hint that ah was bluffin, ya might well have had t’come save mah plot. This way...hopefully they won’t call mah bluff.”

“You do make it very hard to be your bodyguard when you tell me not to get involved,” Mourne pointed out.

“Had t’be that way,” Mac said firmly. “They had t’see that ah was capable of takin’em on by mahself. If you’d done it for me, they’d just wait till they could get me on mah own and jump me instead.” He paused a moment. “But ya make a fair point. I’ll try not t’make a habit of this. Deal?” He stopped walking long enough to lift a hoof and hold it out.

Mourne snorted as he trotted back to bump his hoof in return. “Deal. Now come on, farmer. Let’s see if we can sneak past the press who will be, no doubt, camped out waiting for us. First one to have his picture taken loses.”

Mac grinned broadly. “You’re on.”

Chapter 21 - Batten Down the Hatches.

Chapter 21
Batten down the hatches.

For the second time in as many years, Canterlot Castle was under siege.

From her balcony far above, Luna watched the army of ponies that swarmed around their front gates, held back by only a thin strip of gold as the Solar Guard did their best to delay the invasion. It was only a matter of time and everypony knew it. Sooner or later, there would be a reckoning.

“Sister? We have to do something about this...situation. The current state of affairs is intolerable! We will not be made to feel like a prisoner in our own home!” Luna growled under her breath as she prowled back and forth on the balcony, her tail whipping behind her as she stared at the ponies below.

“I know, Lulu,” was the patient reply. “But really it’s not my place to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do right now. This is about you.”

Luna swung her head around to stare at Celestia. The white alicorn was settled comfortably on a cushion on the floor, daintily sipping from a cup of tea suspended in her magic, her expression as serene and untroubled as ever.

“Oh no! Thou dost not get to do this! Thou’st been meddling in our affairs since the very beginning! Thou cannot simply wash thy hooves of it now that it is inconvenient!”

Celestia tutted softly as she dipped a biscuit into her tea and nibbled along the edge. “I didn’t mean to imply that, Lulu. I’m not about to turn my back on you, but this isn’t my relationship or my coltfriend. How should we handle this situation? Only you and Mac can decide that.”

Luna peered over the edge of the balcony again, tapping a hoof on the golden railing. “We suppose telling them it’s none of their business would not be sufficient?”

Celestia paused with her teacup halfway to her lips. “I...doubt it. You could try it, I suppose, but I wouldn’t hold out a lot of hope for the outcome.”

“How would you deal with it, then? If the relationship between you and--”

“That’s not the same thing and we’re not talking about that right now,” Celestia interrupted, a blush staining those perfect white cheeks a sweet shade of pink that made Luna grin briefly before she turned back to staring at the crowd.

“A volley of arrows over their heads and an order to disperse?” she asked hopefully. “We seem to recall boiling hot pitch being effective.”

“They’re not an angry mob, Lulu, just an annoying one. They’re the press, and they have every right to do what they’re doing.”

“Freedom of the press! Bah! We remember when we were looked upon as Gods, our judgement unquestionable, our private matters truly private!”

Celestia sighed softly and set her teacup aside. “Lulu, come and sit down. Please? I would have thought by now you would be used to dealing with the Canterlot press.”

“Nay. They have little interest in the dealings of the Night Court and even when they do speak to us, it is mostly to find out my opinion on something you have said or done.” Luna finally pulled herself away from the balcony to flop sullenly down on the cushion opposite her sister, pouring herself a mug of steaming black coffee before taking a sip. “I wonder if Mac has managed to avoid the press in Ponyville. No doubt they are hounding him most tenaciously if the crowd outside is any indication.”

“The Apple family are far more cunning and resilient than many ponies give them credit for,” Celestia assured her. “I’m sure they’re coping just fine.”

“No emergency missives from thy student then?”

“Not a one.” Celestia cracked a brief grin. “Twilight might overreact from time to time, but she and her friends are more than capable of dealing with the worst the press corps might throw at them. No, for now we must focus on what we are going to tell the newspapers here.” She paused while she absently poured herself another cup of tea, stirring in a spoonful of honey as she gathered her thoughts. “The way I see it you have two choices. The first is that you deny the claims made by Mourne. You can denounce him and say there is no relationship, but there will still be intense scrutiny on both you and Mac. The papers love gossip and rumours, even unfounded ones, so that will make both your lives very difficult, to say nothing of the backlash when you finally DO make your relationship public.” She paused to take another sip of her tea. “Personally I think that kind of evasion or denial would not last long, but it is still an option if you wish to pursue it.”

“Mourne has made many mistakes, but publicly denouncing and vilifying him is a step too far,” Luna said firmly. “He has been all but exiled from Canterlot, we will let that matter rest, allow emotions to calm. Assuming, of course, he does nothing to exacerbate the situation.” She added a slow shake of her head. “I do not believe that I would be comfortable in perpetuating a lie of this magnitude. To carry out our relationship under false pretences and in secret would only add a further burden that Mac does not deserve.”

“Then you are left with option number two. Confirm your relationship. This way you can nip any rumours and wild speculation in the bud and enforce guidelines and boundaries that the press must abide by if they wish to know anything further.” Celestia paused again, staring down at the swirling surface of her tea. “You know, in the long run this could be a good thing, both for you and for your batponies. To take a lover, a lover who is just a commoner, just some earth pony from a small town, this could go a long way to helping your public image. We both know the things that are said, whispered when they think neither of us are listening,”

Celestia paused, glancing at her sister. Luna just shrugged, a resigned look on her face. She’d said as much to Cadance herself.

“I know it has been hard for you,” Celestia continued, “that many ponies still remember the Lunar Uprising, the Nightmare… From a purely political standpoint, this is an astute move on your part. There will no doubt be some who will question if this relationship is merely for show, an attempt to make yourself seem more approachable and curry favour with the common pony.”

Luna’s eyes narrowed. “An insidious accusation, and one difficult to defend against. How can we prove that this is not merely a political or financial alliance?"

Celestia sighed softly. “There’s a number of ways that would silence most dissenters. Pregnancy, marriage, but even then you would be hard pressed for some to not spin this as some elaborate charade to improve your public standing. The Princess and the Ploughpony, it's like something out of a storybook, so therefore it must not be true." She smiled faintly. "There are some ponies who simply cannot take anything at face value, they are forever looking for the plan behind the plan."

“Pfeh. Why must this be so complicated? Why can we not simply enjoy each other’s company?”

“Because nothing with us is entirely simple. You should know that better than most. With greater freedom for our little ponies has come increased scrutiny on the way we live our lives inside of court and out. Like it or not, very little of what we do these days is truly private.”

Luna muttered something under her breath, still remembering the day she’d found a newspaper with a blurry picture of her eating breakfast on the front cover accompanied by a mostly speculative article on her dietary and eating habits. If Celestia hadn’t stopped her, she likely would have forced them to burn every single issue.

It wasn’t what she was doing at the time that galled her, even if she had been caught mid-mouthful of pancake and it was hardly a good look; it was the invasion of her privacy, the casual disregard for propriety that was something she simply could not abide.

Luna sighed softly. For much of the time since her return, she had been content to let Celestia deal with the press, for her sister to be the public face of their reign, but it seemed now she had little choice. “What do you suggest?”

“Holding a press conference would likely be the simplest solution and would allow you to address all the newspapers at once. It would have been better if we had both you and Mac here, but given the mob at our gates I fear we have little time to lose. The longer we leave it without some formal comment the worse the speculation is likely to be.” Celestia tapped her hoof thoughtfully against the edge of her saucer. “Another possibility is…” she trailed off.

“Is?” Luna prompted impatiently. “Is?”

Celestia, much to her sister’s amazement, actually fidgeted in place, shifting her weight uncomfortably. “A passing thought, nothing more. On second thoughts, perhaps not the best of ideas given your dislike for the press intruding into your affairs.”

“‘Tia…” Luna growled.

Celestia sighed, dropping her head down. “I am aware that the Apple family’s finances, much like many other farmers, are not the best. If you and Mac were willing to offer, say, an exclusive interview with one of the papers…there would be a bidding war the likes of which hasn’t been seen since Fleur De Lis talked about her relationship with Fluttershy. As well as the, ahem, financial incentives, an exclusive arrangement would force the other papers and magazines to keep their distance for fear of legal action.” Celestia lifted her head to glance quickly at Luna, finding the midnight-blue alicorn glaring back at her. “Of course there would be protests, accusations of royal favouritism and we would most likely end up alienating some of the press which would perhaps not be the best course of action. But like I said, on second thoughts…”

“Regardless, we are not about to flaunt the details of our relationship in some sordid gossip column,” Luna snapped. “If we had our way, this entire conversation would be unnecessary. We do not understand why we must answer ANY of their questions! You do not see them hounding every pony in the street for intimate details of their trysts. Why must we be different?”

“Because of who and what we are. Many ponies seem to think that being a Princess must be a life of glamour, that we must have our choice of any stallion or mare we might like. There are, of course, the rather more salacious rumours about what goes on behind closed doors.” Luna snorted and Celestia just smiled gently before going on. “Also, of late, there is an endless thirst in our little ponies for this sort of, well, gossip is really the only word for it. You’ve no doubt seen the Enquirer, the Equestria Free Press and so on.”

“We would not sully our hooves with them,” Luna snapped. “Their scandalous insinuations and guesswork about our private life would have seen them executed for treason once upon a time.”

“While I can understand that reaction, there’s something else you might want to consider. I know since your return you’ve been frustrated with some of the things being said about you, Lulu, about you and your batponies. If...you were to do an interview, give your side of things, let our ponies see you, see the sister I know and love and not just the Princess, it might go a long way to changing public opinion in your favour. You decry the rumours and guesswork? Then give them your side of the story.”

Luna sighed, glancing out towards the balcony. “We must consult with Mac before we make any decisions. It is not just our story to tell.”

“Agreed, but in the shorter term you will have to tell the press something. They’re not going to stop or go away until you do.” Celestia hummed to herself as she nibbled on another biscuit. “I can ask Kibitz to put something together for you to address them. You can either give them a simple formal statement and nothing more or we can allow them time to ask for more details. We can limit their questions and set a time limit so at least we will have some measure of control over the scrum this is likely to descend into.”

Luna nodded. “A prepared statement will be best, we think...however we do not wish to appear entirely unapproachable. Let us limit it to, say, five questions?”

Celestia rose smoothly. “I think that would be very fair, Lulu. I’ll arrange things with Kibitz and we should be able to have the conference later this morning if that is okay with you?”

Luna grunted an affirmative, returning her sister’s nuzzle before she was left in peace. Topping up her coffee she stepped out onto the balcony once more, gazing out towards Ponyville only to find herself dazzled as a brilliant burst of light went off inches away from her face.

“Princess Luna! Is it true that you’re in a relationship with McIntosh Apple? Care to comment on the political fallout of dating somepony from outside the nobility? Have you anything to say about the rumour that Lord Ironshield is going to try and table a motion to--”

“BE SILENT!” Luna roared as she staggered back, rubbing at her eyes to try and clear the spots from her vision. Blinking frantically she could make out the image of a dark grey pegasus hovering just in front of her balcony with a notepad clenched in his hoof, a camera hanging around his neck.

“But Princess Luna--”

“Enough! You are not welcome here and we have nothing to say to you! Guards! Night Guard, attend your Mistress!”

The door to her chambers burst open and the two grey armoured batponies burst into the room. They didn’t wait for a command, launching themselves across the room and out the open doors to grab hold of the frantically protesting pegasus, dragging him bodily back and away from the balcony.

“You can’t do this! Freedom of the press--!”

“Does not extend to violating the sanctity of our private chambers!” Luna snapped back. “Night Guards, this one is not allowed to set hoof in the palace again. Take his name and the paper he works for, we shall be having words with his employer.”

“Mistress.”

“I’ll lodge a formal protest! Ponies have a right to know who their ruler is involved with!”

Luna held up a hoof and the guards stopped as she stepped forward to stare down at the stubborn pegasus. "Ponies should also know better than to trespass into areas reserved only for members of the royal family and the guards. By coming here you have invaded our private chambers, trespassed into restricted airspace and could not only lose an interview opportunity, but your job, your home and your freedom." She paused a moment to let that sink in. "Now, if you wish to continue your protests you are free to do so, but then my guards will be taking you to the nearest magistrate to be charged, rather than to the front gate to be sent on your way. I would suggest you choose very carefully now. What is more important to you? Your "rights" to this story, or your freedom?" She never once raised her voice, but the icy tone made it very, very clear that she was serious.

The pegsus swallowed convulsively, his eyes darting left and right, finding no sympathy in the eyes of the guards or in the face of his Princess. "F-Freedom," he finally managed to blurt out, swallowing hard.

"Then the next time you wish to take photographs, make an appointment. Guards, escort him out."

She didn't move an inch as the guards flew him away, no longer protesting. She watched as they set him down at the gate, saw him look back up at the balcony and flinch as he realised she was still there. He exited the castle at something just below a gallop and only then did she finally walk back inside, closing and locking the doors firmly behind her and pulling the drapes.

*****

The press conference was held in the gardens, the crowd simply too big to be comfortably contained anywhere other than the main hall. It was decided that keeping them outside also meant they would be easier to disperse once the conference was over, and limited their direct access to other parts of the castle or to any staff that they might wish to try and ply with questions. There had been some protests from the ground staff about the damage to lawns and flowerbeds but there was little that could be done other than have the Guards corral the press in as best they could.

It was nearly noon by the time Celestia stepped up and onto a hastily constructed stage. She cast an eye over the crowd of ponies, all chattering away to each other, speculating, trading rumours and tips. Clearing her throat she summoned her magic to cast the amplification spell.

“Mares and gentlecolts of the press, thank you for your patience.” She paused long enough for the conversations to die down and all eyes to turn towards her. “I understand you have many questions but, for the sake of clarity, we will be limiting those questions today. My sister, Princess Luna, will read from a prepared statement and then she will answer five questions of her choosing. Any further questions should be directed in writing to the Royal Press Office. I will now pass proceedings to Princess Luna.”

Luna stepped forward, clearing her throat and doing her best not to fidget in place. Calm. Poise. She was a little out of practice with public speaking, she had to admit, and seeing so many cameras pointed at her wasn’t exactly helping her nerves. What had Kibitz told her? Oh yes, never call them peons or peasants. Subjects. That was the word.

“My dear subjects. As my sister said, we will read from a short statement and then we will take some questions. I come before you today as both Princess and as a simple mare. As your Princess, it is my duty to confirm that the rumours you have heard are true. I am in a relationship with McIntosh Apple of Ponyville, we have been seeing each other for a number of weeks now. As a mare, I would ask that you allow us our privacy. Our relationship is but in its infancy and we would wish to nurture and explore it in the same way as any of you would.”

She let her eyes scan the crowd. A few notes had been taken, but it seemed that most of the reporters had taken her confirmation as a given. Hooves were twitching, sidelong glances were given to the ponies around them as each readied him or herself to be the first with their hoof in the air for a question.

Astonishing, she mused to herself. She imagined that if she requested it, they would turn on each other like a pack of feral hounds just for the right to ask their questions before anypony else. She took a deep, slow breath and braced herself.

“We will now take questions.”

Every hoof shot upwards, the air filled with a babble of voices as every pony there attempted to get her attention and catch her eye. She scanned the crowd briefly, then pointed at a unicorn mare with a rather fetching purple hat. “You. The unicorn mare with the very pretty hat. Yves Coltaldi, if I am not mistaken?”

The mare smiled broadly. “You have a very good eye, your Highness. Scarlet Prose, Canterlot Chronicle, and might I be the first to congratulate you on your relationship. It can’t have been easy for you since your return.”

“You have our thanks, Ms Prose. What is your question?”

“How did you and Mr Apple meet? I mean, he doesn’t really seem the type to mingle in Canterlot society.”

Luna struggled to keep the frown from her face. Was it her imagination or was there a subtle undertone of disdain there? “We met at Nightmare Night in Ponyville,” she replied coolly, keeping her answers brief and to the point. “Next question.”

Once again every hoof was raised. Luna picked one from the front this time, an orange earth pony stallion with a cutie mark in the shape of a camera, a somewhat common mark as they went. “You. You may ask the next question.”

“Quick Snap, your Highness. Equestria Herald. Will you be relocating to Ponyville or will Mr Apple be moving to Canterlot?”

“We think it a little premature to be discussing such things. For the moment there are no plans for either of us to move from where we are. Ponyville and Canterlot are not so distant from one another as all that. Now, next question. We shall answer three more.”

Again, every hoof was waving frantically in the air and Luna hmmed to herself as she picked out a pink-hued pegasus mare this time. Hah, just let anypony try and accuse her of showing bias to one particular facet of the press! “You there, the pegasus who reminds us of our niece, Cadance.”

“Thank you, your Highness. Rose Twister, Cloudsdale Free Press. Have you slept with McIntosh Apple yet?”

Luna blinked slowly. “We beg your pardon. We are not certain we heard thy question correctly?”

“I asked if you had slept with McIntosh Apple, your Highness,” the impertinent pegasus replied without a trace of contrition. She held a notebook in one wing, her pencil clenched in the other, waiting eagerly for her response.

“You...dare?” Luna breathed. “How DARE you ask such a question of us? What business is it of thine or anypony if we have consummated our relationship? What right dost thou have to ask what goes on between a mare and stallion? That is no concern of thine or anypony else and we are insulted thou wouldst even consider asking such a personal question!”

“I can’t help but notice that wasn’t a denial. Ponies have a right to know who might be influencing the decisions of their monarchs, Princess Luna.”

The pegasus simply would not stop, and now there was a murmur of agreement from the other ponies around her that had Luna suppressing the urge to flutter her wings in agitation. Out the corner of her eye Luna could just see Celestia and Kibitz, her aide-de-pony, in hurried conversation.

“Princess?” Rose Twister prompted. “Are you going to answer the question?”

Luna took another slow, deep breath, sitting firmly on her first immediate response which, while entirely factual and accurate, would have lit a firestorm that would take months to put out. She, instead, kept it simple. “No. Next question.”

Again the hooves were in the air, but before Luna could pick another pony, the pegasus was speaking again. “I hardly think that’s fair or appropriate, Princess. You can’t simply refuse to answer, or expect this issue to go away. Ponies will ask, and speculate. Here and now you can set their minds at ease and we can report the truth.”

“Their minds AT EASE?” Luna couldn’t keep the anger from her voice this time as she pinned the insolent pegasus in her gaze, her mane roiling and darkening like a thundercloud. “Pray tell, just what is it about this that concerns them?”

Rose Twister, showing either a backbone of iron, or a skull filled with rocks, ignored all the warning signs and pressed on regardless. “You are, pardon me for saying so, not long returned to Equestria. You keep to yourself, you have taken no partners that anypony is aware of…”

“Nor has my sister. Do you question her about her carnal activities as well?”

There was a moment of hesitation on the pegasus’ face at that, a flicker of doubt in her gaze, but it was gone a heartbeat later. “Can I speak freely, Princess Luna?”

“You certainly have been up till now. Pray, continue.”

“Your Sister never raised an army to conquer Equestria and plunge the world into eternal darkness,” was the blunt reply. “So no, we don’t ask her about things like this. You, on the other hoof, are an unknown save for what we know of your past and that past? It frightens ponies. They need to know that you aren’t about to make another mistake, that their lives aren’t going to be put in jeopardy thanks to the actions of some stallion from Ponyville whispering in your ear.”

Luna opened her mouth to reply, then closed it again, momentarily struck dumb, rage boiling within her, threatening to erupt at any moment. But could she truly lash out? Were those worries and claims entirely without merit? Impertinent, prurient, but with a grain of truth at their core.

“I…” she stammered. “We do not…”

“I think that’s quite enough for today,” Celestia interrupted as she smoothly stepped in. “McIntosh Apple is brother to the Element of Honesty, I would think those credentials would put his motives above suspicion, don’t you?” The question was addressed to the group as a whole, but her gaze flicked down to Rose Twister as she spoke and the pegasus finally lowered her head, accepting the unspoken rebuke. “Thank you all for coming. As we stated earlier, any further questions must be directed to the Royal Press Office. Good day.”

She turned back to look for Luna, but the midnight blue alicorn was already gone.

*****

Luna landed on the balcony of her suite, pacing back and forth, fighting to stay in control of her emotions, rubbing at eyes that prickled and itched with tears she refused to shed. Her skin felt too tight, her wings twitching, hooves clattering with nervous energy. The last thing she needed was another incident like last time. The reporter had been right, she was still something to be feared. She could feel it just beneath her skin, an emptiness that clawed at her, a darkness that she still fought even after the Elements had purified her...mostly purified her.

That was the secret nopony could know, that the Nightmare was not some demonic taint, some rogue spirit, it was as much a part of her as anypony. She'd come so close to losing control in Ponyville, she couldn't allow that to happen again, especially not here. Celestia, too, had her personal demons, though millenia of control ensured that her sister’s were kept firmly under lock and key. Hers were much closer to the surface, they always had been. Mercurial, changeable, she had always been the wilder one, loving and hating with equal passion, her highs and lows that much more sharply felt.

And right now, she teetered on the edge of a dangerous low.

She glanced up at the sky, glaring at the traitorous sun that hung overhead. There was no way Mac would be asleep, no dreams for her to reach him in. If the press were besieging Canterlot now, she was under no illusion that they wouldn’t be doing the same in Ponyville at this very moment. She would find no respite there and leaving to go to him would simply add more fuel to the fire, more credence to those that suspect this unknown pony of influencing her decisions. She would have to wait.

She hated waiting.

She’d had an eternity of waiting on the moon.

“Lulu?”

Luna didn’t turn around. She could hear the slow beat of those broad wings behind her, that soft voice only making her want to hunch her shoulders, to hide behind her mane.

“Go away, Tia. I can’t do this, not right now.”

“I...I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. This was my idea and it seems that it was a bad one."

Luna lifted her head a little, staring at her reflection in the glass, turning so that she could see Celestia hovering just beyond her balcony, her sister’s expression one of concern. “You are not responsible for the actions of our little ponies. Now please…I wish to be left alone for now.”

Celestia hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll cancel your Court tonight.”

“No. The Night Court will continue as usual. We cannot show weakness or uncertainty, not now, not with so much extra scrutiny. Routine must be maintained.” She finally turned to meet her sister’s gaze and frowned at what she saw.

For the first time, Celestia looked...careworn, the weight of centuries bearing down on her shoulders, the weight of so many decisions etched into her face. She managed a soft, sad little smile and just nodded. “Is there anything else you need?”

“For now, no. We will deal with any more requests or questions as they come.”

“You really should get yourself an assistant, Lulu. I couldn’t handle my days without Kibitz, I don’t know how you manage.”

“The night is quieter than the day, it always was. There has never been enough work to justify having a pony following me around all the time.”

Celestia smiled wryly. “You may find that is about to change. Take care, Lulu. If you need to talk, you know where I am.” She bowed her head to her sister before turning and swooping back down, vanishing between the columns and disappearing inside the palace.

Luna sagged a little once she was alone again, her horn flaring briefly as she unlocked the doors to let herself inside. She closed and locked them behind her again as she trudged across the room to open the front door and address the two batponies posted diligently outside. “We will see no visitors today before the Night Court. Please ask the kitchen to send up some coffee as well if you would be so kind.”

The two batponies exchanged glances before the one on the left turned to her. “Is everything alright, Mistress?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

They again exchanged glances. “You, uh...you look upset.” The batpony stammered. “We didn’t mean to intrude but...did the press conference not go well? We couldn’t hear it in here but we all knew it was going on.”

Luna smiled wanly. “No, my dear pony. No, it did not go well.” She leaned in a little closer to get a better look at him. “Storm Clash, isn’t it?”

The batpony smiled in delight at being recognised and saluted Luna, his hoof crashing against his breastplate. “That’s me, Mistress. It’s an honour to be posted to your personal detail.”

Luna nodded thoughtfully and turned her attention to the other, younger stallion who cleared his throat and bowed respectfully. “Mistral, your Highness. Don’t worry if you don’t know my face, I’ve not been long in the Night Guard.”

“Fresh from the caverns, Mistress,” Storm Clash added cheerily. “Emberfire assigned him to me so I could show him the ropes. Don’t let his being wet behind the ears bother you. Truth is the kid’s a natural. He whipped Midnight Gale from one end of the training ground to the other last week and walked away without a scratch.”

Luna glanced back at Mistral with one eyebrow raised. “An impressive feat, young Mistral. I understand that Midnight Gale has been undefeated in the annual tournaments between the Night and Solar Guards for the last five years in a row." She glanced at Storm Clash who nodded in confirmation. "Perhaps this year we will see a new champion’s name on the trophy. You are most welcome among us, Mistral. I look forward to getting to know you better.”

Mistral shifted a little nervously under her gaze and Luna chuckled softly. “You are not used to being so close to royalty?” He shook his head and Storm Clash smirked. “You will find that we are far less formal here. The Solar Guard outnumbers my Night Guard by more than five to one. They are an army, we are a family. Should you have any concerns, any worries or queries, please bring them to Emberfire or directly to myself if you are not comfortable speaking to him.”

Mistral couldn’t help himself, it just slipped out. “And speaking to a Princess would make me feel more at ease?” He slapped his hooves over his mouth in horror. “P-Princess Luna, I am SO sorry…” he stammered out, only to splutter to a halt as he found Storm Clash exchanging an amused grin with the Princess. “I...I’m not in trouble?”

“No, kid,” the older batpony assured him with a toothy grin. “You’re not in trouble. Just don’t go talking like that to Sunbutt.”

Luna sighed softly. “I thought I had asked Emberfire to talk to you all about calling my sister that.”

Storm Clash saluted, the impish grin on his face making his words ring rather hollow. “He did indeed stress to us the importance of referring to Princess Sunbutt with all due deference and respect, Mistress!”

Luna sighed a little louder this time, shaking her head, the smile on her face making it terribly difficult to be properly disapproving. “Watch this one,” she advised the dumbstruck Mistral. “He will teach you terrible habits.”

“Only the BEST terrible habits,” Storm Clash added with a broad grin. “Now, we’ll let you be, Mistress. We’ll have some coffee sent up to you right away. If there’s anything else, we’ll be right here.”

Luna gave both the guards a thankful little smile before closing the door and retreating back inside the safety of her chambers.

The rest of the day passed slowly… She was in no mood to sleep, but her usual favourite coffee made her stomach sour and so she left it to cool on the side and instead retired back to her bed, finally falling into a fitful sleep.

Her raising of the moon that night was not her best, if she was honest. Her placement of the stars was perhaps not quite as artistic as other nights, but right now she wanted only one thing, to feel him pressed against her. Dreams weren't quite as good as the real world, but she would take anything that she could get. It wouldn’t be much longer now.

The Court that night was busier than usual, and she could not help but notice the cluster of reporters and photographers that lurked just outside, their bulbs flashing as they took pictures of her, the guards, the petitioners and anything else they could think of. Luna had banned them from the court unless they had legitimate business with her but there was little she could do to stop them from taking their pictures, much as every flash made her tense and grind her teeth that bit harder.

While she did not exactly hurry through the list of petitions and requests, her attitude was perhaps a bit more brusque than usual, the crowd of ponies dwindling with unusual alacrity as she dispensed with each matter as briskly as she could. Almost before the herald had announced the end of the Court she was off her throne and out the door. She brushed past those few reporters who had doggedly stuck it out right to the end in the hope of grabbing a moment with her, a comment or a picture, launching herself into the air with one stroke of her broad wings.

The cool night air soothed her, relief suffusing her as she touched down lightly on her balcony once more. Her duties discharged, safe at home for the moment, there was only one thing left to do. She curled up comfortably on her bed and stepped into the dreamscape.

As she had hoped, Mac was sleeping and she quickly drew his dream to her. To her relief there were no nightmares about the Gala tonight. This dream, instead, appeared to be something to do with a festival in Ponyville, something about Summer Wrap Up? She must look at attending that some year, it would be interesting to see how they celebrated outside of Nightmare Night.

Waiting for a gap in the crowd of ponies, Luna fell into step alongside Mac as he trotted past the many stalls and attractions, seemingly intent on something other than merriment. He didn’t notice her at first, seeming intent on finding something in the melee of ponies but once her wing brushed up against his flank he quickly turned to face her. “Princess?”

She smiled softly. “I thought we had agreed you didn’t need to call me that.”

He blinked, then oh’ed and chuckled softly. “Ah’m dreamin’ again. Well now, this is twice ya’ve come to see me. To what do ah owe the pleasure of your company, Luna?”

His simple words, the genuine expression of pleasure at realising she was actually there with him…it was just too much. She couldn’t keep up the facade anymore. Before Mac’s eyes her expression crumpled, her eyes filling with tears. “Just hold me, Mac. Can you do that for me? I...I need that right now, more than anything.”

“Anytime, Luna,” he whispered as he pressed against her, sliding his neck along hers, drawing her head down to press against his chest. The clamour of the ponies around them slowly faded into the background till there was just the two of them standing in a formless grey mist.

She spread her wings to cling tighter to him as the tears trickled down her cheeks, wrapping her forelegs around him, clasping him to her as a drowning pony would cling to anything that might offer a glimmer of salvation.

“Bad day, huh?” Mac whispered, nuzzling into her mane as he eased her down and curled up with her, scooping her in as close as he could, while she cried silently against his chest, her hot tears soaking into his coat. “It’s okay. Ya don’t need to say anythin’. Just know ah’m here for ya. Ah ain’t going anywhere.”

He held her close, stroking a hoof through her mane and down the back of her neck, humming under his breath before he began to sing softly to her.

“Go to sleep little foal.
Go to sleep little foal.
Your mama's gone away and your pa's gonna stay,
Didn't leave nopony here t’play.”

Luna smiled faintly. “It never fails to amuse me how so many lullabies deal with quite unpleasant circumstances. Children dying in their sleep, falling from trees, the loss of parents...”

“What can ah say? Lotta lullabies really are kinda macabre if ya really think about it. Ah guess, try as ya might to deny it, lotta kids have a bit of a fascination with the creepy and spooky. Applebloom always liked this one though when she got older she did start askin’ about the meaning of the lyrics. She wondered sometimes if I was singing about our own parents.”

Luna nodded as Mac dipped her head down to kiss the tears from her cheeks, nuzzling softly at her damp skin. “And were you? You may decline to answer if you choose, if this is too personal a matter.”

“Not directly but...it sure did take on a whole new set o’emotions after that. It...ain’t something we talk much about, but it ain’t a secret either. They wuz out one day with the cart and a wild storm from the Everfree hit us bad. Weather Team has got a lot better at corrallin’ and guidin’ them these days but back then there weren’t much you could do but hunker down and wait for it to pass. They were caught out up by Smokey Mountain and as far as we could tell the path was washed out from under’em. They didn’t stand a chance. Search party found’em the next day at the bottom of a ravine.” Mac broke off, taking a slow, deep breath to steady his emotions. “It’s a shame ya’ll never get to meet’em. Ah think they’d have liked ya a lot. Ma always did want plenty o’fillies in the family, as ya might have guessed.”

Luna gave a soft sound of agreement, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips before settling in a little closer, nuzzling his chest. “There’s another storm coming, Mac. I suspect you received a taste of it today?”

“Eeeyup. Mourne and ah were able t’dodge’em today, but ah reckon they ain’t going anyplace anytime soon. Can’t dodge’em forever. That what got ya so rattled?” His eyes narrowed, his grip on her tightening a little, his protectiveness making her smile. “Somepony’s flanks needin’ a whuppin’? Ya just point them this way, we’ll set’em right.”

She chuckled and hugged him a little tighter to her. “No, right now this is all I need. Your calm, your resolve, your stillness.”

“There ya go with that again. Ah’ll still be damned if ah know what it means, but ah ain’t gonna complain.”

She lifted her head to brush a soft kiss to his lips. “It means sing to me, Mac. Let me hear the rest of the lullaby.”

He smiled warmly down at her. “As you wish.”

“Go t’sleep little foal.
Go t’sleep little foal
Everypony's gone in the cotton an'the corn
Didn't leave nobody here t’play.”

Chapter 22 - A Midnight Interlude

Chapter 22
A Midnight Interlude.

“So what is this place?” Mac asked, some unknowable length of time later. The two had barely moved since the lullaby had ended, the big red stallion still curled protectively around the midnight blue alicorn. Their necks were pressed close together, near breathing in unison.

“The fog? Unconstructed dreamscape. Your mind is drifting, at peace but while you are aware of the dream your subconscious cannot take control, hence we remain in this ethereal “between”. If it bothers you, you can form it into anything you desire. You’ve practiced lucid dreaming, haven’t you?”

“Kinda,” he replied, sounding unsure. “Usually it just involves guidin’ the dream once it’s already underway, y’know? Becomin’ aware that ah’m dreamin’ and just havin’ fun with it. Never really thought about tryin’ t’build it from scratch.”

Luna smiled up at the red stallion as Mac swivelled his head around, watching the formless grey ether swirl and pool around them as they lay together. She rolled over to lay out on her back alongside him, her head laid on his forelegs while he nuzzled along the length of her neck. With her legs splayed it was hardly the most dignified of positions, but it wasn’t like there was anyone here to see them. “What would you like it to be?” she asked simply.

“Ah dunno, really. Just feels sorta weird us cuddlin’ together in what’s little more’n’a fogbank, ya know? Keep havin’ to remind mahself it ain’t a cloud and we ain’t gonna fall through.”

“Then pick a place. A hilltop, a forest, a stream, a train carriage, a fancy hotel in Prance? The possibilities are limitless.”

“S’funny how hard it is t’decide on somethin’ when ya can pick anythin’ at all. Why don’t you pick? Say this was Canterlot, where’d we be right now?”

“You mean other than my bedroom?” Luna even added a teasing little wiggle of her haunches for emphasis.

Mac snorted and gently nipped at her exposed throat, flicking his tongue along the skin till he felt her shudder in delight, her eyes closing a moment. “That’s a dirty mind ya got there, Princess.”

“Luna,” she chided with a bop of her hoof to his nose. “And so I’ve been told. But ah, see? It seems your subconscious already knows where you’d like to...have me, so to speak.”

The dream shifted around them, vague impressions of objects swiftly solidifying till the two were resting on a checkered picnic blanket by a stream, in the shade of an old willow tree that creaked and swayed softly in the warm breeze. The air was rich with the smell of grass and blossom, the stream bubbling and gurgling merrily as it flowed over the rocks.

Luna rolled over onto her belly and scooted forward so she could hang her head over the bank and watch the clear waters flowing by. “Is this another place you plan to take me?”

“Eeeyup. Other side o’Ponyville from the farm. Quiet place near the lake, this stream feeds into it.”

“And this is where you do your fishing? It would seem a good place for it. There is nopony nearby who might be disquieted by your actions. The stream has plenty of fish?”

“Eeeyup,” he said simply as he moved up to sit with her, pressing his flank lightly to hers once more as they gazed down at the stream. He glanced briefly at her, watching the delighted smile growing on her face as his dream obliged her by adding in the aforementioned silvery fish. Luna giggled as she watched them darting back and forth just beneath the surface. “Got a question, if it ain’t bein’ rude,” Mac finally said.

“Of course, Mac. What would you like to know?”

He’d been mulling it over for a while now, ever since she’d shown up, in fact. He’d tried to think of polite ways to say it, diplomatic ways, but he wasn’t any good at that kind of thing so, instead, he kept it short and simple. “Why’re you here?”

“I’m not sure I understand?” She looked up from the fish, her head tilted to one side.

“Here, now, in this dream. Why are ya here, Luna? Why come t’cry on mah shoulder?”

“Isn’t that what couples do? We support and comfort one another in times of stress?”

“Well yeah, but…ah just mean… Ya got your sister there, right? Folks in your Night Guard. There musta been others ya coulda talked to about this but instead of any o’that, ya came ta see me. Now don’t get me wrong,” he hastily held up a hoof to forestall any comments. “It was right sweet of ya to trust me like this, t’let me see that side of ya…it’s more flatterin’ than ah have the words for. But we ain’t been together long, it kinda surprises me ya’d be so open.”

She nodded in agreement. “It is a fair question, Mac. There were two reasons, mainly. The first is tied to the very nature of this place. I’d like you to try and tell me a lie, Mac. Any kind of lie at all. Try…” She tapped a hoof to her chin as she thought it over. “Try and tell me that your coat is blue.”

Mac tilted his head to one side, an eyebrow lifting a little at the odd request. Luna just smiled encouragingly at him and he shrugged. “Mah coat’s red.”

He pursed his lips in surprise. He hadn’t meant to say that. He really hadn’t. “Mah coat’s b-red. Bbb...red.”

No matter how hard he tried, he simply could not force the words from his mouth. Every single time, just as he was about to utter the lie, the truth came out instead. “Now that’s just downright disturbin’,” he snorted.

Luna giggled and clapped her hooves together, watching him contort his face to try and stop the traitorous truth that would not be denied. Finally she took pity on him and silenced his attempts with a gentle kiss. “You cannot lie here,” she said simply as she stroked his cheek with one hoof. “A lie is a conscious act of will, and even with your ability to guide the dream, this is the realm of the subconscious and the filters that we erect in the waking world are that much flimsier.”

“But then how come ah ain’t just spewin’ out every little thought that crosses mah mind? An’what about nightmares? Ain’t they a lie of a sort? Your mind playin’ a trick?”

“An astute observation, but the truth is more complicated. For your first question, it is a combination of two things. The first is my presence. My gift allows the dreamer to perceive and thus consciously influence their dreams, overriding their subconscious. The second is your own talent for lucid dreaming. A lucid dreamer is one who can tame their subconscious desires whether that be to exploit them or repress them, so you are far more able to control your impulses and desires compared to some of our other little ponies. Now, as to the second question,” she paused a moment to gather her thoughts, reaching down to trail a hoof through the cool waters of the stream, watching the fish scatter away in all directions from the intrusion into their world. “A nightmare, as much as a dream, is your subconscious given voice. Sometimes dreams offer us insight into ourselves, just as nightmares often contain a truth we refuse to acknowledge, save when we can no longer hold it back. There is always a seed of truth in every dream or nightmare.”

“So that’s why ya’all are here? For the truth?”

She nodded. “In this place we can be sure that all we hear is truth, pure and unvarnished, nothing left out to spare our feelings. Not that I am implying thou would lie to us, Mac, but when you spend so much time dealing with falsehood and doublespeak the plain truth becomes something to be cherished. Here I am able to be myself, knowing that I need not fear that your reactions are false. Here, I can take off the regal mask both my Sister and I must wear, knowing that there are always eyes on us. Even our private chambers are not as private as we might wish. Here, when I came to you weeping, your first response was to comfort and protect me. You acted not out of any selfish desire but out of concern for me.”

He blushed a little at her words, shifting awkwardly in place. Dodging the compliment, he instead moved on to something else. “So, uh, what about you? Y’always gotta tell the truth here as well?”

Luna hesitated before replying, picking her words delicately. “As Princess of the Night, dreams fall under our dominion as well. We are capable of twisting the truth, obscuring the facts if we feel it is needed or necessary for the good of the dreamer. A barefaced lie would be a difficult task, but not entirely out of the realms of our power. We would only openly lie when there was no other option and only for the good of the dreamer. We would not abuse the trust our little ponies show us in allowing us into their dreams every night.”

Mac grinned suddenly. “Y’know, it’s cute when ya do that.”

Luna tilted her head to one side. “Do...what?”

“Ya backslide when you’re all riled up or tense about somethin’. Noticed it a few times now. Ya start callin’ yerself “we” and “our” an’all the thees and thous start showin’ up. Y’all better not be thinkin’ about taking up poker as a career.”

Luna hrmphed. “We do? Ponyfeathers! I do!”

Mac snorted loudly. “Swearin’ doesn’t suit ya, Princess.”

“Why has nopony pointed this out to us before?” Luna grumbled, folding her forelegs across her breast and sticking her bottom lip out in a melodramatic pout.

“Because you’re the Princess and nopony wanted t’be the one t’point it out, ah reckon. Anyway, who are they t’say whether it’s right or not?” Mac’s smile grew a little more teasing as he leaned in to lip playfully at that pout. “Personally ah think it’s kinda cute.”

“Cute? We are not cute!” Luna harumphed loudly, trying to hide the smile that was threatening to disrupt her pout. “A Princess is always perfectly regal, often beautiful, but never CUTE.”

“Ah beg t’differ, yer Highness,” Mac replied smugly, bopping her lightly on the nose with a single hoof. “Y’all are pretty damn cute, though a mite scary when y’all get riled up. Pardon the bluntness, but ah can’t really lie about that here either, can ah?”

Luna deflated a little at that, rubbing abashedly behind one ear. “We wish you had not seen that. The last thing we want is for thee or any of our ponies to be afraid of us. Such lapses of control are...regrettable. However, that brings me neatly back to the second reason I came here to see you. I grant you that our relationship is scarce a month old but…” she trailed off, prodding the blades of grass with a hoof. “You must know what it is like, no? There are some things you simply cannot share with your family, as much as you may love them, as much as you may trust them. Moments of weakness kept for you and you alone, hidden from the world.”

Mac nodded. “Ya didn’t feel y’could be this open with Princess Celestia?”

“One does not forget five years of open warfare followed by a thousand years of exile so quickly.” Luna smiled faintly. “Tia and I are still, to an extent, stepping on eggshells around one another, our rekindled relationship still a fragile thing. My sister and I love one another, we always will, even when we fight, but a thousand years ruling alone changes a pony. Celestia is used to being the one in control, the one who makes all the decisions. Where once we were sisters, now our relationship is more that of a mother and child rather than the equals we once were. She means well, but there are things that are difficult to share with her,” Luna trailed off and sighed. “I hope one day we will have the relationship we had before my fall.”

“But ya feel ya can share these things with me?”

“In short? Yes. You are a kind and thoughtful pony, Mac. You are brother to the Element of Honesty, a loving brother to Applebloom. I have seen your heart and judged it a good one. Here I have no need to hide myself. You make me feel...safe. Like I have not felt in many years.”

“Everypony needs a confidante,” he agreed. “Ya gotta have somepony else ya trust enough t’be open around them. Else the little things will eat ya up inside.”

“I made that mistake once when I cut myself off from Tia. I will not make it again. I will warn you, though, there may be other such meetings like this where your mane is left wet from my tears, other nights where you must sing me back to calm.”

He laughed and curved his neck over hers, drawing her head down to his chest as he held her close. “Shoot, and that’s a bad thing? Even if we weren’t datin’? Even if...even if this don’t go nowhere beyond just dating, y’always got somepony t’talk to, ah can promise ya that,” he cleared his throat. “I, ah, don’t mind the singin’ either. Did ya know ah sing in a quartet in Ponyville?”

“I did not. Tell me more about this. Does the quartet have a name?”

“The Ponytones. Me an’three other ponies. Right now there’s Rarity, ya know her, Element of Generosity an’all. The other two are Toe Tapper and Torch Song. Lineup changes from time t’time but me an’Rarity’ve been there since pretty much the beginnin’.”

Luna nuzzled in a little closer to him, letting her head rest on his forelegs. “Will you sing a little for me again, Mac? I assume this group does not sing lullabies?”

“Naw. S’more like a barbershop quartet, that kinda thing.” He cleared his throat as he decided what to sing. “Got one, kind’ve an old song this’un. Ain’t somethin’ the Ponytones would sing, but it’s always been a favourite o’mine.”

On the day ah was born,
Said mah pappa, said he
Ah've an elegant legacy waiting for ye.
‘Tis a rhyme for the lips
An’a song for the heart
Just sing it whenever yer world falls apart.

Look, look, look t’the rainbow
Follow it over the mountain and stream
Look, look, look t’the rainbow
Follow the pony who follows a dream.

'Twas a fine old gift
T’leave t’a foal
An’the lure o’that song kept mah hooves runnin’ wild
For ya’ll never grow old
And ya’ll never stand still
Wi’the sun always beckonin’ beyond the next hill.

Look, look, look t’the rainbow
Follow it over the mountain and stream
Look, look, look t’the rainbow
Follow the pony who follows a dream.

So ah followed mah heart
And ah roamed the land free
T’the east with the lark
T’the west with the sea
An’ah searched all the land
An’ah searched all the skies
But ah found it at last in mah own true love's eye

Luna smiled softly as he finished, shyly clearing his throat and staring at his hooves. “Ah ain’t really used t’singing for just one. Feels kinda different t’bein’ up on stage.”

She cupped his muzzle, urging it up so she could press a kiss to his lips, her tongue flicking against them before she drew back. “A fine voice you have, Mac, deep and rich. I could listen to it for hours.”

“Oh psh,” he mumbled, his cheeks flushing an even deeper shade of red. “It ain’t nothin’ special. Ah bet y’heard plenty better than me in the past.”

“Mmm, yes and no. It is true I was once a great patron of the arts but I imagine that few of the composers and artists from my time are remembered now. I have heard singers who could spellbind armies, and those who would find ducks and gulls giving them indignant looks. Regardless, you do yourself a disservice in drawing comparisons to others, Mac. You have a fine singing voice that you should be proud of.”

“Hold up there,” he frowned. “Once a great patron? As in past tense? How come y’ain’t started up again now that you’re back?”

“It...seemed simpler to leave it with Celestia,” Luna replied, somewhat evasively. “She has had so many centuries as their patron, after all. Halls and theatres dedicated to her name. I cannot simply step back in and reclaim all that was once my domain.”

Mac snorted. “‘Cept that’s exactly what ya did with the Night Court, the raisin’ of the moon, the dreams of all the ponies…”

Luna hrmphed and drew back a little, lifting her head up and giving a flick of her star-filled mane. “You make it sound so simple.”

“Ain’t it?” was the simple reply. “Or is there somethin’ else holdin’ ya back?” He gave her a piercing look, his ears flicking. “No lies in a dream, remember? The truth, Luna. Just you an’me here to hear it.”

She took a deep breath, letting it out in a long, slow sigh. “We are, I am...afraid. We are so very out of touch with our little ponies in this time, our first date together showed that. Once we were the patron and muse of artists, composers, singers and writers the length and breadth of Equestria. Now? Now we feel out of step with the likes and loves of our ponies. Rock, dubstep, electro, folk, jazz and something called swing. Musical instruments without strings or keys, music that could shake the teeth from your skull. As for art? This so-called “modern” minimalist art that is so in vogue at the moment simply confounds us. As for writing, this recent trend to fantastical literature just puzzles us. Stories of humans and strange automata? Such things were never even conceived before our exile. We...we would scarce know where to begin.”

Mac tapped a hoof to his chin. “Sounds t’me like ya just planned out our next few dates right there, ya know. Ya feel outta touch, then let’s get ya back IN touch! Concerts, art shows, ah’m sure Twilight could recommend ya a bunch of books t’read. Can’t really help ya with the art, confuses the heck outta me, but ah bet somepony like Rarity could tell ya all about it.”

Luna lifted her head up, giving him a wide eyed look. “But…”

“Ah-ah. No buts. We’re outed, ain’t we? No sense in hidin’ our relationship? Buck it, then. Let’s have some fun, you an’me. Let’s see if we can’t both find some new things we like.”

“You would do this...for me?”

“O’course,” he replied, as if it was as obvious as the sun coming up in the morning. “If this helps you, it’s something ah wanna do.” His hoof found hers, curling around it and squeezing a little tighter. “If it makes ya happy, then it makes me happy. That’s what carin’ about other folks is all about, right? Y’deserve some happiness, Luna.”

She laughed softly, more than a little bitterness in her voice. “There are those who would disagree.”

Mac’s expression darkened. “...Somepony said somethin’ to ya? Is that why ya came here?”

At her silent nod Mac sighed and shook his head. “Some ponies just can’t let a thing go. Far as they’re concerned, who ya were in the past is who ya’ll always be. They can’t see past it. You ain’t Nightmare Moon no more. Everypony in Ponyville knows that an’sooner or later those thick heads in Canterlot will see it too.”

“Perhaps. Time will tell,” Luna agreed.

Mac moved again, this time sliding his body up and over, covering the alicorn as he held her close. He wriggled playfully, feeling those soft wings stroking against his belly while he dipped his head down to nose and nibble along the back of her neck. “Well, ya came here for cheerin’ up, and this has turned a mite gloomy for mah likin’,” he observed. “So let’s turn it t’something more cheerful. Where’d ya like to go for our next date? Ah think it’s your turn t’pick, ain’t it? We had the first date, then we had our, erm, date in the hospital, so by mah reckonin’ that makes it your turn, even if mine was a bit on the weak side.”

“Well then,” she supported the heavy weight of the stallion without complaint, her tail playfully flicking up to stroke between his haunches, a teasing smile curving her lips as he shivered and bit down a little harder on the back of her neck. “I would like, if you are willing, for you to come to Canterlot for the next date. As you say, we have been outed by the press, there is no longer any reason to be subtle about our attachment to one another. There is a pony by the name of Sapphire Shores performing this weekend. Would you do me the honour of accompanying me as my date?”

Mac chuckled softly. “There’s bein’ subtle and there’s stickin’ your head in the cragadile’s mouth and darin’ him to bite down. Ah ain’t really the Canterlot type, Luna. That’s always been more of a Rarity thing, y’know? But…” He lipped at her ears, claiming the tip of one for a soft, teasing suckle that had the alicorn quivering beneath him by the time he let go. “If that’s what ya truly want, then it’d be mah honour. Is this the kinda thing that ya do when you’re not Princessing?”

“Princessing,” Luna replied with a perfectly straight face, “takes up a lot of our time. But no, going to concerts is not something we do very often. Sometimes it is nice to use the royal booth for the opera, but “clubbing” is not something I had ever tried till recently. We receive many offers to concerts and recitals but those are usually from the nobles attempting to curry favour for one thing or another so we decline them rather than be accused of showing favour. No, when we have time to ourselves we, I…” she trailed off, clearing her throat. “I dabble in art. Sculpture, actually. I tried my hoof at painting, once a long time ago, but I really haven’t the eye for it.”

“Really? What about that night sky of yours? Ain’t that just like one huge canvas?”

“I suppose in a way it is, but I find that in these modern days ponies are less pleased when I make changes to the positions of constellations. Apparently it confuses them and means they must issue new charts and maps.” She ended her sentence with a snort. “So no, I can no longer paint my night sky as I once did.”

Mac nodded, opening his mouth to say something more then blinked as the dream wavered about them, the forest clearing shivering and beginning to fade. “Naw. That can’t be morning already?”

Luna smiled sadly. “I am afraid so. It is the way of all things. The most pleasant moments always seem to pass the quickest. My sister will shortly be raising the sun and our time together will end.”

“Before we have t’go, one more question. The press, what should ah say to them? They’re gonna be camped out by the farm again tomorrow.”

“You may say as much or as little as you wish, Mac. They cannot MAKE you answer their questions, nor can they make you venture more information than you are comfortable with. Do what feels right.”

The dream shuddered again and the sound of a rooster crowing could be dimly heard in the distance. Before Luna could say anything more she found her lips claimed by his as Mac leaned down to kiss her firmly, one hoof cupping her chin to guide her into the kiss.

“See ya Friday night,” he promised before the dream faded and Luna opened her eyes to find herself back in her bed.

Chapter 23b - Lyra Heartstrings, Golden Harvest, Filthy Rich

Chapter 23b
Interviews with Residents of Ponyville.

I - Interviewer
LH - Lyra Heartstrings
GH - Golden Harvest
FR - Filthy Rich

I - So what can you tell me about the Apple family?
LH - Salt of the earth and all that. Good folks. Heck, without the Apple family we wouldn’t even have a Ponyville, did you know that?
I - Really? I didn’t know that. What do you mean?
LH - Oh wow. I thought everypony knew that story! The Apple family founded Ponyville! At Princess Celestia’s suggestion, no less.
I - I...see.
LH - Hey. What’s with that face? You don’t believe me? Without the Apple family’s zap apple harvest, this town probably wouldn’t even exist! It was their wares that brought ponies in from miles around in the first place! If you don’t believe me, go ask the mayor! In fact, one second. Hey, Carrot Top!
GH - For the seventeen hundredth time, Lyra. My name is Golden Harvest.
LH - But I could have sworn it was…anyway, get over here a minute! This presspony thinks I’m making stuff up.
I - Well now, I never said…
GH - In fairness, Lyra, you do have quite the imagination.
LH - Ixnay on the aginationimay...imnay? Maginationnay? Dangit. Okay, forget it. Just tell this doubting doubtalot here how your family came to be in Ponyville.
GH - Uh...sure. Well, initially we just came out here to buy zap apple jam from the Apple family, but after a while my grandad decided this was a nice place so we settled here.
LH - SEE? I told you! In fact, oh hey there he is right now! Hey! Hey Filthy!
GH - Dammit, Lyra…
FR - I really do prefer to be called by my second name, for obvious reasons. How can I help you today, Ms Heartstrings?
LH - Back me up here, Richy. Wasn’t your great grandfather one of the first settlers in Ponyville?
FR - Why yes, yes he was. After the Apple family of course, though they were known as the Smiths back then. Granny Smith and her kin were the ones who discovered the zap apples that started my family on the road to wealth. Why, without them we might not have ever had a Ponyville. We owe them a debt we can never fully repay, which is why it’s our pleasure to help out with the zap apple harvest every year.
LH - See? How’s about that, doubty mcdoubt?
I - Ms Heartstrings, I didn’t mean to cast any doubt on the veracity of your tale. I’d like to thank you and your friends for setting the record straight. I’ll be sure to reflect that in my article.
FR - Article? Oh my, you’re from the Canterlot press! My name’s Filthy Rich, a pleasure to meet you. Tell me, have you ever visited one of my Barnyard Bargains stores?
I - I can’t say that I have. I do have one question for you all, though this is more directed at the mares. A question of a more personal nature if you don’t mind me asking?
LH - I’m not single, if that’s what you’re asking, though I can’t blame you for falling for THESE flanks!
GH - Or that ego…
FR - I think I’ll leave you girls to it. Fillytalk was never my forté. Have a pleasant day.
LH - Okay, it’s just us girls here. Shoot.
I - What can you tell me about Big Mac?
LH - Nice guy, great ass, but I play for the other team if you catch my drift. Carrot Top asked him out once, though.
GH - Seriously, Lyra. How many times...? You're right though, I did ask him out. Me and every other mare has tried, and me and every other mare have been ever so politely but firmly turned down. Personally I think he’s taken some freaky vow of celibacy. He does all that Neighponese meditation stuff, you know.
I - I didn’t know that. It does seem a little odd that he would turn down every mare in Ponyville. I have heard another theory on why that might be, however.
GH - Oh?
I - I’ve heard a rumour that there might have been something in his past that has lead to his shunning the company of mares. Would either of you happen to know anything about that?
LH - Are you trying to say that he’s secretly gay? That wouldn’t make much sense when he’s dating Princess Luna now, would it?
GH - Yeah. What sort of “something” are we talking about here? What exactly are you implying?
I - I’m not implying anything at all, that’s not my job. When somepony hints that events in a pony's life may be worth investigating, it’s my duty to look into it.
LH - The only thing you need to know is that Big Mac is one of the most stand-up stallions you’ll ever meet.
I - I’ll be sure to quote you in my article, Ms Heartstrings. Thank you both for your time today.

Chapter 23c - Mayor Mare

Chapter 23c
Interviews with Residents of Ponyville.

I - Interviewer
MM - Mayor Mare

I - So what can you tell me about the Apple family?
MM - One of the cornerstones of Ponyville, both socially and economically. Their cider and zap apple harvests are the high points of the season here.
I - And what can you tell me about Big Mac in particular?
MM - Ah, now there’s a fine stallion. Doesn’t talk much, as you might have gathered, but always ready and willing to lend a hoof. Fine singing voice too. Is there something specific you want to know about him? You’d be best speaking to the family directly.
I - I’ve been trying to get an interview with them but they’ve been...reluctant.
MM - Well, that doesn’t surprise me. They’re a tight knit family and the exuberance of their youngest member aside, they tend to keep much to themselves, not ones to blow their own trumpets. I mean Applejack is the Element of Honesty, she should have ponies battering her doors down asking for interviews but they’ve always steered clear of such things except when the Princess insists on it.
I - Princess...Celestia?
MM - Oh yes. Applejack is quite good friends with Princess Celestia, and she and Princess Twilight have been all but inseparable ever since Twilight first came to Ponyville.
I - I...see. Is it also true what I’ve heard about the founders of Ponyville?
MM - That it was founded by the Smiths, who are now the Apples? Very true. Granny Smith’s family started this place. Oh, I’m sure if they hadn’t done it, somepony else would eventually have, but it wouldn’t be the same town. The Apples are the heart of Ponyville. The core, if you will allow me a little joke.
I - Very funny, Mayor. Moving on, do you think it would be possible to arrange an interview with Princess Twilight?
MM - Why not ask her yourself? Golden Oaks library is open every day except Sundays, ten till five. She should be open now, barring some sort of crisis and, knock on wood, we haven’t had one of those in a while.
I - I’ll be sure to. Now, to turn the topic back to the Apple family, I was speaking to Ditzy Doo earlier and she mentioned that Mac had never been romantically involved with any of the other mares in Ponyville. Is that true?
MM - That’s true. There was the incident with the love poison but I don’t think that exactly counts. Neither he nor Miss Cheerilee were in their right minds at that point. Mac’s had plenty of the mares around town try to woo him, but he’s turned every one of them down as politely as he can.
I - Ms Doo intimated there might be more to that story than first meets the eye. After all, if a stallion turns down every single mare, you might be forgiven for wondering if there’s not something more to that.
MM - I’m not sure I follow? What exactly are you trying to imply?
I - I’m not implying anything at all. I’m simply wondering if there’s more to Mr Apple’s apparent celibacy than meets the eye. Care to comment?
MM - That’s really nothing to do with me. I would suggest that if you have anything to ask about Mac’s personal life, you ask him yourself.
I - Moving on to another topic, I understand that the Princesses visit Ponyville quite often?
MM - Well yes, Ponyville is quite an important place for the Princesses. Not only do we have Princess Twilight living here, but also the bearers of the Elements of Harmony. We’re even planning to put forward a team for the next Equestria Games, you know. I think next year is going to be quite a year for Ponyville indeed!
I - And what do you think of Princess Luna herself?
MM - Well, her first visit to Ponyville was, how shall we say, dramatic? Her second visit wasn’t much better, but both times everything turned out for the best.
I - By first visit you mean when she returned as Nightmare Moon?
MM - That’s right.
I - And the second?
MM - Was her first Nightmare Night. She visits us every other year now for Nightmare Night, the foals love it. She puts on an act, pretends to be Nightmare Moon and chases them around the village. All in good fun, of course.
I - You say she “pretends” to be Nightmare Moon?
MM - Well yes, of course she pretends. She was cleansed by the Elements of Harmony, after all.
I - And yet we have eyewitness accounts of an incident right here in Ponyville not so long ago where the Princess was said, pardon me while I check my notes, ah, here we are. The Princess was said to have “turned a deeper shade of blue while her teeth extended into fangs and a ‘spooky’ aura surrounded her”. You’ll have to pardon the phrasing, these aren’t my own words. Care to comment?
MM - I’m afraid I wasn’t present for the incident you’re referring to. I assume you mean that unfortunate business with the Night Guard?
I - Yes, that’s the one. We have a number of eyewitnesses who appear to be suggesting that, and this is just speculation at this point, Princess Luna appeared to be changing somehow.
MM - I really couldn’t comment, like I said I wasn’t present for that and I’ve learned not to put a lot of stock in hearsay. Now, if there’s no other rumours or speculation you’d like to discuss? I have a meeting to attend.
I - Thank you for your time, Mayor.

Chapter 23d - HRH Princess Twilight Sparkle, Spike

Chapter 23d
Interviews with Residents of Ponyville.

I - Interviewer
HRHPTS - Her Royal Highness Princess Twilight Sparkle
S - Spike (Assistant to HRHPTS)

I - So what can you tell me about the Apple family?
HRHPTS - Well, what do you want to know? I’ve done an extensive investigation into their family background. I have a genealogical chart around here somewhere. Spike! Where did I put the Apple family tree?
S - Probably in the genealogy section under “A”?
HRHPTS - Oh! Right, of course!
S - Don’t worry, I’ll get it. Here you go, Twilight.
HRHPTS - Thanks Spike. So, what did you want to know? We’ve got the Apple family tree traced back over a dozen generations! It gets a little vague around here during the Lunar Uprising, some records were lost in the conflict as the Apples sided with Princess Celestia. Did you know that there was actually a member of the Apple family in the Princess’ personal guard?
I - I--
HRHPTS - And that one of the major conflicts of the uprising took place right near to what would eventually become Appleoosa?
I - No, I did--
HRHPTS - In fact, if you look at past events in central and western Equestria, the Apple family and their related cousins have been involved in a huge chunk of Equestrian history! Isn’t that amazing?
S - Uh Twilight? I think she actually meant what you could tell us about OUR branch of the Apple family. You know, here in Ponyville?
HRHPTS - Oh. Oh! Of course. I’m sorry, I got a little carried away there. What would you like to know, exactly?
I - That’s quite alright, your Highness. I was wondering what you could tell me about Big McIntosh? He seems to be a fairly private pony.
HRHPTS - Mac? Heh. I’ve been here three years and I think I’ve maybe exchanged less than fifty words with him. In fact I’m fairly certain it’s forty-eight words now that I think about it. I mean I’m good friends with Applejack, she’s one of my best friends in fact. One of the first I ever made. What we’ve been through certainly has helped bring us all together. She’s the bearer of the Element of Honesty, in case you didn’t know.
I - I’m sorry, what you’ve been through?
HRHPTS - Oh, you know. Nightmare Moon, the dragon that tried to hibernate near here, the Changeling invasion of Canterlot, the return of King Sombra, a Parasprite infestation, that time Cerberus escaped from Tartarus, a rampaging hydra, some very grumpy Diamond Dogs…
I - I, I’m sorry to interrupt Princess, but did you say Nightmare Moon?
HRHPTS - I….yes?
I - And King Sombra. THE King Sombra, the one who ruled the Crystal Empire before Princess Cadance and her consort?
HRHPTS - I’m definitely not aware of there being another King Sombra in recent times, though there was in fact a Chieftain Sombra alive about five hundred years before the founding of Equestria.
I - You mean that all actually happened? The purging of Nightmare Moon’s influence, the destruction of King Sombra? McIntosh Apple’s sister really is one of the six greatest living heroes in Equestria today?
HRHPTS - Well I wouldn’t go that far. I mean we did what had to be done and we don’t really consider ourselves all that heroic. But yes, all those things really did happen. I don’t mean to be rude, but aren’t you a journalist? Shouldn’t you know all this already?
I - Well I mean we have the press releases from the palace, some supposed eyewitness accounts but a lot of the press felt that these events were being played up by the palace. A feel-good exercise, basically. Make heroes out of common ponies and all that. None of us really thought that...we didn’t believe these threats were really everything the Princess made out.
HRHPTS - You’re kidding, right? I mean none of us wanted parades in our honour, well, apart from Rainbow maybe, but I can’t believe that nopony thinks we really did all those things!
I - Well, I’ll be sure to mention in my article that ponies in Canterlot should try to be a little less sceptical. You know what it’s like, I’m sure. Many of the noble and wealthy families have little interest in what goes on outside of Canterlot’s borders.
HRHPTS - Some things never change, I suppose. So, we were talking about Mac? I really don’t know what else I could say about him. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s always willing to lend a helping hoof. One of the strongest ponies I’ve ever seen, actually. He always wins any strongpony competition at the local faires. He’s become a bit of an attraction now, with ponies coming from other towns to challenge him every year. Hasn’t lost in all the time I’ve been here.
I - What about socially? I know that Ponyville, the same as many small towns, has something of a skew in the stallion to mare ratio. You would think that he’d be quite in demand around here. Is it true that he was single until Princess Luna asked him?
HRHPTS - You’d be better asking him directly about that kind of thing. I know he’s not much of a reader, though he does come in every couple of months to check out a new book or two. Usually farming related. I know there were rumours about him and Fluttershy, and him and Cheerilee, but if that’s the kind of angle you’re after you’d be better speaking to Rarity. She’s far more in the know about what ponies get up to around here. Speaking of that ratio, you know it’s really quite a fascinating subject, the disparity in genders and birthrate in Equestria. I’ve been thinking about conducting a study into--
S - Twilight…
HRHPTS - Oh, sorry. Staying on topic here. Right.
I - So you’re not aware of any fillyfriends in his past?
HRHPTS - No. I’ve only been here three years and in that time there was only the love poison incident with Cheerilee. This isn’t an interview for one of those lurid gossip magazines is it? I could have sworn I turned all those down. You’re not trying to dig up some old flames to “dish the dirt” on Mac, are you?
I - Not at all, Princess. Just trying to get the full picture about Mac. After all, he’s dating one of our Princesses, ponies will want to know what sort of stallion he really is. Previous relationships will help establish his personality, his character.
HRHPTS - Mac’s a good pony. That’s all you need to know about him. Now if you’ll excuse me? I have a number of experiments running at the moment that need monitoring, I can’t really take too much time away from them.
S - Experiments? Twilight, we don--
HRHPTS - YES! So many experiments! No more time to chat, gotta go, sorry! Come on, Spike.
S - Oh, uh, bye!

Chapter 23e - McIntosh Apple

Chapter 23e
Interviews with Residents of Ponyville.

I - Interviewer
MA - McIntosh Apple
AJ - Applejack Apple

I - So Big Mac, may I call you that?
MA - Eeeyup.
I - I was told that it would probably be easiest for all concerned if we kept this question and answer session to yes/no questions, is that right?
MA - Eeyup.
I - Okay good. Now, I believe you’ve been seeing Princess Luna for the last few weeks?
MA - Eeeyup.
I - Regarding how you first met, were you the one to first approach her?
MA - Nnnope.
I - How very traditional. I know most ponies still believe that the mare should be the one to initiate the courting. I see you’re wearing her flower.
MA - Eeeeyup.
I - Did you know she’s been seen around the castle wearing a red flower in her mane? I’m assuming that’s the one you gave her?
MA - Eeeyup.
I - I suppose it shouldn’t surprise our readers that Princess Luna is a traditionalist about such things?
MA - Heh. Nnnope.
I - Moving on to more recent events, I understand there was an unfortunate encounter with one of the Night Guard?
MA - ….Eeeyup.
I - And yet now I see that selfsame guard has been attached to this farm. A curious turn of events, wouldn’t you agree?
MA - ….
AJ - Our pappy never was one fer punishment. Mourne messed up, no argument there. Ah ain’t real fond of him fer what he did t’mah brother, but he says he’s tryin’ to do better and we’ll give him the benefit o’the doubt till he gives us reason tah think otherwise.
MA - Eeeyup.
I - Thank you to you and your brother again, Applejack. I wasn’t sure if you would agree to an interview. I’m given to understand that the Apple family keeps personal matters to themselves.
AJ - We ain’t ones for gossipin’, nope. We like t’keep things simple around here.
I - Your brother being involved with Princess Luna would hardly seem to be a simple arrangement, though?
AJ - Why not? He’s a colt, she’s a mare. Seems simple enough t’me.
MA - Eeeyup.
I - You’ll pardon me for saying so, but that seems a somewhat naive viewpoint. Princess Luna is, well, a Princess. An immortal alicorn, co-ruler of Equestria. There’s a whole lot of additional, for lack of a better word, baggage that comes with any sort of relationship there.
MA - Eeenope.
AJ - Ah’m with Mac on this one. This relationship only gets complicated when folks make it complicated.
I - Folks like Mourne, for instance?
AJ - Well...yeah. Folks who think they know best. They might have good intentions, but the simple truth is that this ain’t none of their business. Not yours, not Mourne’s, heck, not even mine nor any folks who read this in yer paper. This is ’tween Mac and the Princess.
I - I’m sure our readers will respect your brother’s wish for privacy. Moving on, I believe you’ve agreed that we can use the kinetoscope to record both you and your brother?
AJ - The wut?
I - The apparatus over there. It records moving pictures but it doesn’t need unicorn illusion magic.
AJ - Well ah’ll be. Mourne was right when he said that’s what it was. That’s some real fancy equipment your boys got there, huh Mac?
MA - Eeyup.
AJ - So what are y’all wanting us to do?
I - We’ve got a few more questions for Mac, then we’d like to do a little tour around the farm if you could. Just let people get a glimpse into the life of a farm pony. To a lot of the folks in Canterlot, this is a world they’ve never seen.
AJ - Yeah, kinda get that impression anytime any of’em come tah visit Ponyville t’see Rarity or Twilight. Ya’d think the ground was made o’lava or somethin’ the way they prance along tryin’ to keep even a speck o’dust from landin’ on’em.
MA - Heh. Eeeyup.
I - Okay, while we get set up, my last few questions. Mac, a lot of our readers will be wondering, and I have to apologise for this not being a simple question, but they will be wondering just how you did it. How did you catch the eye of Princess Luna? As far as we can tell you have no direct royal connections, your family is not particularly well off, there’s no nobility in your bloodline--
AJ - Now hold up there. What’s that got tah do with anythin’? A pony don’t need t’be from any kinda noble family tah court a mare.
I - A common mare, perhaps, but Princess Luna is not just a noble, she’s royalty. The knowledge that she has chosen to bestow her affections on a common earth pony has sent waves through the noble court and the Canterlot elite. You’re quite the talk of the town, Mac, but nopony seems able to figure out just how somepony like you managed it.
AJ - Now wait just a darn min--
MA - Applejack. It’s alright. Y’all go back inside now. Ah’m gonna finish this up mahself.
AJ - I...well...okay. If ye’re sure.
MA - Eeeyup.
I - Thank you for your time, Miss Applejack.
MA - Now then. Ah heard about the kinda questions ya been askin’ around town. Ah heard that y’all have been doin’ a bit of diggin’, that ye came here with some interestin’ ideas about the kinda folks we are and what we do. So lemme just set the record straight. What Luna does ain’t none of your business. What ah do ain’t none of your business. Y’all can speculate an’gossip all ya like but it ain’t gonna change nothin’. Ya wanna know what ah did for Luna tah like me? Ah weren’t no stuck up, hoity-toity Canterlot snob with his nose shoved so far up his plot he ain’t seen daylight in a year. Ya come here lookin’ down yer noses at us, puttin’ down good, honest, hard-workin’ ponies like they ain’t fit t’breathe the same air as you and ah will NOT have it. No Ma’am! Not here in Ponyville. That’s why Luna came here. She knows that what she sees with us is what she gets, no more and no less. Honesty, integrity, that’s how ya win a Princess.
I - It’s interesting you talk about honesty. I’ve heard that perhaps you’ve not been as honest with folks around here as you’re claiming to be.
MA - Are y’all accusin’ me of lyin’?
I - How many partners have you had, Mac? Why have you turned down every mare in Ponyville? I find it hard to believe that not a single one of them caught your eye. What exactly happened when you were younger? Did you hurt somepony?
AJ - That’s it. Interview’s over. Get your stuff, get yer gang of ponies and get offa our land.
I - You said we could film--
MA - That was before ya decided t’be rude. Now this is all y’all are gettin’. Ya heard mah sister. Git.

Chapter 24 - Red vs Blue.

Chapter 24
Red vs Blue.

“What do you mean you couldn’t find anything?”

“I mean I found nothing. Not so much as a library fine or ticket for littering. The Apple family are as squeaky clean as they come. Every business dealing, every financial transaction, every contract, everything is above board. Their attention to detail is quite astonishing, really. Even with the most meticulously kept records there’s usually one or two things you could nitpick, minor paperwork errors that can easily be ignored or overlooked, but here there’s not even that. It wouldn't surprise me if they were using Princess Twilight's Royal Scribe to double-check every document, and even dot their 'i's' and cross their 't's' for them. The latter of which is probably a lesson they learned during my...past dealings with them."

"The 'Royal Scribe'?" Blueblood queried with a raised eyebrow before a look of realisation followed. "Of course. The talking lizard that faux-noblesse 'princess' keeps around as a pet." He sank back into his chair, glaring at the papers arranged before him. “Two weeks you’ve been at this,” he snarled as he swept the papers from his desk with a wave of his hoof, staring at Red Tape while the fruits of his labours fluttered down around his hooves. “Two. Weeks. And you come back to me with nothing.”

“Because there’s nothing to be found, Prince,” Red Tape patiently replied. “If there was, I would have found it. There’s no evidence of any illicit deals, no evidence of favouritism from the royal court. You have no avenue of attack, not this way.”

Blueblood opened his mouth, a hoof raised in protest, then paused. His jaw snapped shut, eyes narrowing as he tilted his head slightly, tapping his hoof on the edge of his desk. This was, he had to concede, not entirely unexpected. Surprising to find them so clean, but it would seem the influence of the Element of Honesty was not something to be taken lightly. “Well then. If we have nothing on them then we have only one option left to us. Make something up."

Red Tape blinked. Twice. "I...What?"

Blueblood gave a small exasperated sigh. His magic wrapped around the mug of coffee sat on his desk, levitating it to his mouth as he took a sip. "Make," he said slowly and condescendingly, pausing between each word as if addressing a child, “something up."

He took another took long sip of coffee before he continued, "We’ll need something scandalous enough to grab ahold of the media's attention, and perhaps even severe enough to have their assets frozen while a thorough investigation and audit is conducted.”

Red Tape's mouth moved soundlessly for a few moments. "But,“ he began, "what good will this do? If the charges are found to be fictional then--”

Blueblood cut him off with another wave of his hoof. "It hardly matters if it’s true or not. It doesn’t even matter if the Apples are eventually cleared. The intensity of the media spotlight during the investigation, the stress it will put on them combined with the loss of business from their customers distancing themselves from the Apple Family,” Blueblood took another sip of his coffee, not even trying to hide the malicious glee infusing every word, “will achieve the same end result. I will, of course, be sure to voice my concern over such allegations of impropriety to my fellows among the Canterlot Elite, who will naturally follow my lead on this. Nopony would want to be seen doing business with anyone with a pall of suspicion hovering overhead.”

Red Tape knew Blueblood’s reputation as little more than a prancing fool, a social gadabout more concerned with the latest styles rather than the ins and outs of the noble court but here in this office, seeing the look in his eyes, hearing the intensity in his voice? Nothing could be further from the truth.

"You see," Blueblood went on derisively, "simple-minded concepts like 'honesty' and ‘fairness’ are for the low born. They cling to these ideals because that is all they have available to them, never once grasping the truth of the world. That those with real status and influence are the ones who truly decide what is fair and what is not, what is true and what is not and that," he finished, "is the proper order of things. That is what we are working to maintain, you and I. This is all for the best, you’ll see.”

At that moment, it all became so clear to Red Tape. What this was REALLY about. This wasn’t just about Luna and Mac, this wasn’t even about Blueblood himself. This was about Canterlot itself. This was about the nobility, and protecting the status quo at any cost, regardless of who that might impact. Somepony like him? He was just a tool. His only value to Blueblood was what he could offer him, what use he could be, and the moment he stopped being of use he’d find himself clapped in irons and in the dungeons before he could blink.

“I...see,” he ventured, mind racing as he considered just what sort of falsehood would stir up enough media attention to disrupt the Apple’s business dealings. Concerns about the future of this particular curious relationship could wait, there was still work to be done. “We could accuse them of offering bribes and taking kickbacks, attempting to leverage their position of fame for personal gain, accuse them of attempting to manipulate the market for their produce to the detriment of other suppliers. It probably wouldn’t be hard to find some traders out there with an axe to grind about the Apple family.”

“And you think that will exert enough pressure on them?” Blueblood sounded unconvinced.

“No, not at first, and not on its own.” Red Tape began pacing back and forth in front of Blueblood’s desk. “But once the media starts paying attention we can leak further rumours to them. Accuse them of, I don’t know, illegal use of magic to enhance their crop, growing of illegal produce…”

“I must admit I’m somewhat surprised.”

Blueblood’s comment interrupted the flow of ideas and Red Tape blinked quizzically. “By what?”

“How quickly you’re taking to the idea of defaming the Apples. Finding legitimate evidence of wrongdoing is one thing, but what we’re proposing now is the deliberate and systematic ruination of honest ponies. I didn’t expect you to jump on board with that idea quite so...willingly.”

“I have...my own issues with the Apple family as you’re well aware,” Red Tape snapped. “But they’re nothing you need to concern yourself with. Just rest assured that seeing them destitute will bring me a certain amount of personal satisfaction.”

“Well, far be it from me to comment on your reasons as long as you get the job done. How long will it take for you to put things in motion?”

“I’ll need time to make some discreet enquiries. I have a list of the main towns and outposts where the Apples do business, I’ll need to speak to the traders there to gauge their feelings and opinions, see if any of them would be willing to make a complaint about the Apples. While I’m doing that it would be useful if you can begin to seed rumours about their business dealings, hints of wrongdoing and so forth that we can build on.”

“Me?” Blueblood snorted quietly. “I think you’ve forgotten who you’re speaking to. I don’t sully my hooves with that kind of thing.”

“And I think you’ve forgotten that this is a joint endeavour, Prince,” he shot back. “I’m not doing all the work here. You have contacts and resources I can’t draw on. A low level bureaucrat isn’t exactly the most well connected of ponies. You’re far better placed than I to leak information to the press or to the nobility.”

Blueblood tapped his hoof on the rim of his cup, a toss of his head sending his perfectly coiffured mane spilling back over his shoulders. “A fair point. It’s good that you understand your limitations. Very well.” His horn glowed as he pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, scribbling down a few notes. “I will reach out to certain of my contacts in Canterlot to intimate that more scrutiny should be placed on the Apple family’s business interests. It will seem innocuous enough at first to them, merely requests for paperwork, additional checks on inventory and crops that can easily be discounted as a bureaucrat flexing their muscles. We build the pressure on them little by little so that they’re already off-balance and under stress when the first allegations reach the press.”

"And the royals? What’s to stop one of the Princesses from stepping in here?”

Blueblood shrugged disinterestedly. “Celestia is too canny to intervene directly. That one has been playing the game for longer than all the nobility put together so if she truly wanted to she could easily foil any scheme we put in place. But at the same time she always did look at the bigger picture, the long game. I suspect that any willingness to help the Apples will be tempered by her reluctance to open herself up to allegations of favouritism. She knows that can be turned back on her all too easily. Luna, on the other hoof, is little more than a blunt instrument. Almost charmingly naive, she will be easy to mislead and misdirect and any actions she takes to intercede on her coltfriend’s behalf can be quickly turned to our advantage.”

He pursed his lips, leaning back in his chair again as he finished the last of his coffee, setting the cup aside. “Twilight Sparkle is the wildcard in all this. She’s shown remarkable intelligence and determination over the last few years. She is, of course, also close friends with the Apples. That one will need to be watched closely. Her parents still reside in Canterlot… House Sparkle was never a particular well-off house, but they’re far from destitute. Still, there are certain pressures we can apply to them if it becomes necessary to encourage our newest Princess to back off.”

For one brief moment, Red Tape could almost feel the floor growing unsteady beneath his hooves. The more Blueblood spoke, the more he realised he was standing on the edge of a precipice and once he chose to take that final step there was no going back. It was becoming obvious that this was a pony who would sweep aside anything that stood between him and his goal… Was this what he truly wanted? Even as he thought about it he remembered the hidden smile on Fluttershy’s face as she’d brought the bats into his home, the smug look on Applejack’s face when she passed him in the street. The patronising look on the Mayor’s face when he’d taken his complaint to her personally…

“Are you quite alright? I must say the look on your face is positively murderous.”

Red Tape blinked, realising he was gritting his teeth till his jaw ached. He forced himself to loosen up and smile. “Nothing’s the matter. Just working out what needs to be done. If there’s nothing further right now, I’ll get everything moving on this.”

Blueblood waved a dismissive hoof. “I’ll expect an update in two weeks.”

“I’ll have something for you by then,” Red Tape promised as he bowed low to the Prince and trotted out.

*****

“Thank you, Canterlot! You’ve been SEEEENNNNNSATIONAL!”

Sapphire Shores reared on her hind legs, waving at the crowd before she dropped back to all fours and cantered off stage one last time. The house lights came back up and the crowd of ponies began to head for the exits, chattering happily.

“Well, Princess? Whaddid ya think?” Mac smiled as he sat up a little in his chair. A private box was something he’d never dreamed of experiencing, and the royal box had the best view in the entire place.

“Most interesting,” Luna decided after a moment’s thought. “This Sapphire Shores has some truly flamboyant costumes, does she not? I am given to understand they are created by Miss Rarity?”

“Eeeyup.” Mac nodded. “Was the talk of the town for a bit, but now she’s been doin’ it for most of the tour folks have kinda got used t’seeing Sapphire Shores comin’ and goin’ in Ponyville.”

“Some designers in Canterlot and Manehatten were most put out when it became public knowledge that Sapphire Shores had chosen somepony from Ponyville to design for this tour,” Luna noted, finishing the last of her drink and setting the glass aside. “I believe that some of them nearly burst into flames on the spot when the designs were revealed to the public.”

Mac snorted, shaking his head wryly as he leaned over the balcony a little to watch the ponies heading for the exits. “This is still kinda unreal,” he admitted. “Bein’ here. Ah mean, the royal box? Ah’d be lucky t’even afford tah stand outside a place this fancy, let alone bein’ right inside it.”

“You do yourself a disservice, Mac. You have as much right to be here as anypony.” Luna leaned forward to join him, her wing spreading and curving over his back as she nestled herself side to side with him. He shifted his weight to lean in to meet her, eyes closing for a moment as he just rested with her, enjoying the feel of those warm, soft feathers sliding against him. He knew that all the ponies below could see them if they were only to look up, but right now he simply didn’t care.

“Not everypony would agree wi’that,” he pointed out, remembering the looks they’d got as they’d arrived. Oh, the stares, the whispers, the barely veiled antagonism. While this was hardly a highbrow affair, tickets to this particular concert were highly sought-after items and to see him walking past the queue waiting to get inside, bold as brass, well… Some ponies just found that sticking in their craws. “They’ll be talkin’ about us again, ya realise.”

“Hmmm?” Luna murmured, lifting her head. “Ah, you mean the press.”

“Eeeyup. They ain’t exactly fond o’me or mah friends right now. That article did us no favours,” he admitted with a trace of embarrassment. “Ah shouldn’t ha’thrown her off the farm.”

“Scarlet Prose is a bigot,” Luna stated bluntly as she nuzzled Mac consolingly. “Her questions were impertinent, bordering on rude. You had every right to do what you did and we do not think any less of you for it.”

Mac grunted, turning his attention back to the crowd below, trying not to flinch back as flashbulbs popped, opportunist photographers grabbing the chance to get a picture of the two of them together. They’d been stalking him around Ponyville ever since the interview was published. He could still remember the lurid headline - ‘Secrets of the Royal Coltfriend’. Other than the interviews with the folks of Ponyville it was little more than idle gossip and speculation, but it had been enough to get tongues wagging and rumours flying in the gossip columns of some of the other less reputable publications.

Most of the other Canterlot papers had been more moderate, adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach to the whole affair while there had been a handful of others roundly condemning their relationship, criticising Luna for daring to associate with such a low-caste pony as himself. “Ain’t too late t’change yer mind,” he grunted at last. “S'only gonna get worse from this point in.”

Luna frowned and Mac found his head urged round so they could face each other directly. She pressed a hoof to his chest and leaned in, sliding her cheek against his. “It will get worse,” she agreed, “for a while. This we must endure, Mac. In time the novelty will fade, the public will grow accustomed to us and the press will move on to whatever the new scandal of the week is. It pains me to ask this, but you must be strong,” she hesitated, drawing back so she could again see his face. “Unless...you would rather we break this off? The offer always goes two ways, Mac. If this is more than thou’rt wishing to endure, if this will put too much strain on thee and thine, then we can part--”

Mac silenced her with a kiss, gentle and sweet, smiling softly against her lips. “Nnnope,” he assured her once their lips parted. “No, Luna. That ain’t what ah want at all. This is still...some days ah still think ah’m gonna wake up in mah bed back at the farm an’find this was all just some crazy dream brought on by too much cider or somethin’. Till then? Ah’m gonna enjoy every moment. Let the press say what they like, ah ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

Luna smiled and nodded, snuggling in a little closer to his broad flank as they returned to watching the last of the ponies vanishing beneath them, the theater falling quiet.

Mac sighed reluctantly, turning his head a little to nuzzle along the side of her neck. “Thank ya for this. It’s been a lovely evening, it really has. Ah ain’t been in Canterlot in a long time, not since ah was a foal, really.”

“Ah, but the night isn’t over just yet, Mac.” Luna hesitated before going on, glancing away shyly. “We...were wondering if you would care to accompany us back to our chambers. To spend the night.”

Mac smiled slowly, not able to keep from teasing, just a little. “T’sleep?”

“To sleep, yes...eventually,” she replied with a brush of her wing down over his haunches. “We wish this. We wish to share ourselves with thee in the waking world as well as the dream. Thou dost not need to agree. If thou wouldst rather we wait until-mmph!”

Mac silenced the rambling alicorn with another kiss, his hooves lightly cupping Luna’s muzzle as she leaned in towards him. He leant back, drawing her down till they slid from their chairs to the floor of the private booth. She lay atop him, straddling him as their tongues met and twisted together, breath coming in increasingly hot and urgent little gasps and moans as the kiss drew out. She shivered, her hindquarters shifting, tail dancing upwards until she was forced to drag her mouth from his with a shuddering cry. “Mac…”

"That enough o’an answer for ya, Luna?” He whispered.

“My room. Now.” And the world disappeared in a flash of blue light.

They reappeared a heartbeat later in Luna’s bedroom, Mac staggering in surprise from the unexpected teleport. “Urp… Damn, Luna. Ah think ah left some o’that fancy champagne back at the theater.” He blinked as he didn’t get a reply, looking blearily around the darkened room. “Luna?”

“One moment, Mac,” her voice sounded from an adjoining room. “We are…freshening up. Make thyself comfortable.”

He grunted as he slowly looked around the room. Large, circular, the roof a window that allowed a near perfect view of the night sky above. There was not a great deal in the way of decoration or furniture. The stone floor was covered with heavy rugs leading up to a large, plush bed big enough for the two of them with room to spare. Double doors lead out to the balcony and that was where he slowly stepped out, gazing down over the castle and the city beyond.

“Well now, lookee here.”

Mac blinked at an unexpected voice, craning his head up and back to come near snout to snout with one of the Night Guard. The grey-haired mare was perched on the rooftop above like a gargoyle, a broad toothy grin on her muzzle as she looked him over, sizing him up.

“Aren’t you just a dish?” She all but purred, her voice low and sultry. Her smile got a little wider, tongue sliding lazily over her lips. “I can see why the Mistress fell for you. Oh MY yes. You know, if things between you and Mistress don’t work out, handsome, I bet there’s any number of my sisters who would be more than willing to warm your bed or anything else you might have in mind.”

“I...er...that is…Ah mean that’s a right generous offer Miss, uh?”

“Belfry, handsome. Shady Belfry. You can just call me Shady.” She slunk along the rooftop towards him, her leathery wings twitching. “MmmHMMM. You can ring my bells any day.”

“Shady. That’s quite enough.” Luna’s voice was gentle and amused. “Stop teasing the poor stallion.”

Shady sighed melodramatically, clasping the back of one hoof to her forehead. “Ah, unrequited lust. Well, just keep me in mind for your herd, right handsome?” She winked at Mac, saluted Luna and promptly vanished into the night, mischievous giggling following her all the way.

Mac snorted softly, shaking his head as he watched her go. “Yer guards sure ain’t what ah expected, Luna.” He turned to face her at last and his jaw promptly went slack, his eyes wide. “Holy cow…”

“Hardly holy, Mac,” she purred. "But you can feel free to worship me if you like."

The Princess of the Night was leaning casually against the doorframe, her wings half-spread. She had shed the crown, torc and horseshoes she usually wore and was now clad in little more than white silk stockings that clung to her legs, accentuating every curve, and what appeared to be a pair of frilly panties that most definitely did little to hide anything beneath her tail; the smooth fabric hugged so tightly against her nethers that every contour was perfectly outlined. Suddenly, Mac began to understand just why some folks found clothes so much of a turn on.

Mac swallowed hard, his mouth and throat suddenly so very, very dry, a rush of blood towards his hindquarters leaving him shifting shyly in place. “Did it suddenly get hot in here or is it just you? Er, me. Er… Ah… Wow.”

Luna giggled as she slipped out onto the balcony to join him. She didn’t say a word, she simply paced slowly in front of him then turned and headed back inside, her tail flicking up to brush against his chin. Mac didn’t need telling twice. Near falling over his own hooves, he followed Luna inside, the doors closing behind them.

End of Part One.

Author's Note

And that's it, folks.

End of part one. Holy crap. I started writing this in August last year as just a cute little thing where Luna asks Mac out. Not once did I expect it to turn into a 100,000 word plus story! I'm going to be taking a little break for a while now. I've been spending soooo much time working on this that I need a breather.

I'm going to get part two plotted out, get some chapters written before I start posting again rather than posting them as they're completed as they have been. The current working title for the next part will be "Dreams of Falling" and I'm going to TENTATIVELY schedule it to begin at the start of August. That gives me a couple of weeks off to catch up with some of the books I've got waiting to be read, then get started with the plotting/writing!

I've also got a couple of one-shots in mind that I'd like to fit in as well, so we'll see how things go.

Chapter 10 - Rules of Engagement

Chapter 10
Rules of Engagement.

Mac blinked awake, finding himself laid out on his back in bed, staring at the ceiling. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, a lazy smile spreading across his lips as memories of the night before came flooding back. The dancing, the kissing, the trip back to Sweet Apple acres together in the moonlight, flanks occasionally touching, tails moving together, ending with a soft, lingering kiss on the front porch and a promise to meet again that weekend.

All in all his first date with Luna had gone as well as either of them could have hoped. He turned his head to look at the orchid laying on the nightstand, leaning in a bit closer to sniff at it. A shame he couldn’t wear it in public just yet, too many ponies would go asking questions that he really wasn’t ready to answer. Despite their indiscretion on the dance floor at the end of the night, Luna was still adamant they do their best to keep things quiet until she had time to prepare a formal announcement and, he suspected, take steps to minimise any fallout among the nobles.

He’d already decided what he wanted to do for their next date, something in contrast to the raucous exuberance of their first date. There was a hill on their property, down near the South Field, with a view over the whole of Ponyville. It was where he’d gone at night to watch the town and talk to the stars. He thought she would appreciate him sharing that with her. He was already making plans for what he’d take on the picnic for them both, some wine, some treats from Sugarcube Corner, maybe some food from that fancy place in town…

His train of thought was interrupted by a cry from downstairs “COME’N’GIT IT, EVERYPONY!” He snorted in surprise as he tugged the curtains back and realised he had, for the first time in years, slept in! It was already breakfast time and here he was lazing in bed like a foal? He rolled over and out of the bed in one motion, the sound of his four heavy hooves thudding down onto the floor announcing to the rest of the house that he was up and about. A brief pause to wash his face and brush his mane into some semblance of order and Mac trotted downstairs to join the rest of the Apple family.

And Rarity.

And Pinkie Pie.

And Rainbow Dash.

And Fluttershy.

Mac stopped dead at the base of the stairs, pursing his lips a little at the unexpected sight of Ponyville’s more famous residents all sitting around the breakfast table, their eyes fixed on him. He supposed he shouldn’t really be surprised, not after Pinkie Pie had been right there at the Club last night. Still, he wasn’t about to make it easy on them.

“Nnnnnnope,” he stated firmly, turned about and trotted for the front door before anypony could say anything. He’d content himself with some apples from the orchard instead.

He hadn’t taken more than three steps before he found his hooves dangling helplessly in midair as a magical aura wrapped around him and inexorably pulled him back into the kitchen. He opened his mouth to protest, then just sighed and hung his head as he was set down back at the table.

“Oh we wouldn’t DREAM of depriving you of breakfast, Mac,” Rarity cooed as she released him from her magical grip, her voice saccharine sweet. “A big, strong stallion like you has to keep his strength up.”

“That’s what she said!” Rainbow snorted before she was silenced by a reproachful look from Rarity.

“Uh-huh,” Mac commented as he nodded to AJ, Applebloom and Granny Smith and helped himself to a plateful of apple fritters, adding a large mug of black coffee to wash them down. He had a terrible, painful feeling he was going to need all the help he could get to survive the next few minutes.

“Well? Tuck in, everypony!” Applejack’s voice was higher and reedier than normal, fidgeting in her seat as all other eyes were fixed on Mac. “No sense letting it get cold now, is there?”

“Nnnope,” Mac agreed as he pointedly refused to make eye contact with anypony else in the room.

“Y’all heard her! Eat!” Granny Smith barked and Mac sighed in relief as, for now, the girls complied and fell to eating with an enthusiasm that could have been fairly described as ‘unseemly’, the food disappearing at a conspicuous rate.

For his part, Mac ate slowly and patiently, his attention entirely focused on the plate before him while his mind raced. He knew what was coming and was already debating what he was going to do about it. Playing dumb and silent would only get him so far, especially with Applejack; his sister could be as mean and as tenacious as a tick. That said, he was relieved to see her looking distinctly uncomfortable with the situation while the four other girls were eyeing him up like some particularly tasty morsel they were just itching to pounce on.

“Where’s Miss Twilight?” Mac broke the silence around the table as he looked around, the purple-hued unicorn distinctly absent from the gang of would-be interrogators.

“Oh, she said something about having to go to Canterlot,” Fluttershy said, nibbling at the edge of a pancake. “Something she had to speak to the Princess about, you know how it is. She asked me to look in on Spike while she was away.”

Mac nodded, taking a sip of his coffee as he gazed across the table to where the girls sat with ill-concealed eagerness. Stifling a sigh he glanced sidelong at Granny Smith and gave her a little nod. The Matriarch of the Apple Clan nodded in return and pushed briskly away from the table with a loud scraping of her chair.

“Alright, come on Applebloom! We got some chores need tending to. Far away from here!”

“Wait! But—I—Awwwwww!” Applebloom pouted the rest of the way out the kitchen as Applejack stood and closed the door behind the pair, leaving Mac alone in the room with the five mares. He took another long, lazy sip of his coffee before setting the mug down on the table.

“This ain’t none of y’all’s business,” he growled as he looked at each of them in turn. “So ya might as well all just eat up and ship out.” He might well be doomed, he’d be damned if he’d make it easy on them.

“A-HEM.”

Mac glanced at an exasperated-looking AJ and shook his head, “Ain’t none of your business either, AJ. Ya don’t see me askin’ about your stallion friends, do ya?”

“Au contraire, Mac,” Rarity interjected before the suddenly blushing Applejack could retaliate. “Your relationship is of a rather different nature, is it not? None of us have ever had the pleasure of dating one of the Royal family. Your relationship is, shall we say, a matter of public record.”

“Nnnnnope,” he stated, more firmly this time. “Right now this is ‘tween me and Luna. If it’s gossip y’all are after, go read the Ponyville Free Press.”

“I TOLD you he wouldn’t do this the easy way!” Rainbow burst out, slamming her hooves down on the table hard enough to set the crockery bouncing and leaning forward to jab a wing at Mac. “Enough prancing around! We know you went out with the Princess last night, Pinkie and half the town saw you kissing her! Dish the dirt Mac, or do we need to get tough with ya?”

Mac paused, looking over the rim of his coffee mug at Rainbow, one eyebrow arching upward. “Tough?”

Rainbow coughed, shifting a little under the stallion’s amused stare. “Y-Yeah! We know ways to make your life miserable, don’t we?”

“Uhm…I don’t,” Fluttershy squeaked, waving a hoof in the air. “Don’t you think we’re maybe taking this a bit too seriously, girls? If Mac doesn’t want to talk about it then—”

“Oooooh no! He doesn’t get to wiggle out of it that easily!” A heartbeat later Pinkie was over the table, and shining a light in his eyes, a lantern suddenly held in her mouth. “Nww sphill thbees!”

“Y’wanna fill me with bees?” Mac asked innocently. He was surprised to find he was actually starting to enjoy teasing the girls like this even as he winced and turned his head away from the light. Where HAD she got that thing from anyway?

“NNNMPH!” Pinkie protested, shaking her head and forcing Dash and Rarity to duck out of the way of the flailing lantern. “BEANS!” she finally managed to force the word out around the handle that filled her mouth.

“Ya’ll wanted beans? Ya shoulda talked t’Granny Smith.”

Pinkie spat the lantern out and glared at him, barely paying any attention to the fact that one of her hooves was sunk up to the ankle in apple pie. “So that’s how you want to play it, buster? We haff vays of making you whinny!”

“That’s what she—Mmph!” Rainbow was silenced by Applejack’s hoof over her mouth this time, the earth pony glaring at her friend until Dash rolled her eyes and sank back down into her chair.

“Pinkie, get down offa there,” Applejack growled, “an’ clean that mess off yer hooves ‘fore ya track it all over the kitchen!”

Pinkie blinked, looked down and squealed happily before shoving her pie-covered hoof into her muzzle and licking up every last trace of the sweet, crumbly mess before she hopped down to the floor. The mostly hollowed-out remains of the pie were then scooped up and thrust into her muzzle with such eagerness that Mac couldn’t help but stifle a shudder. What was it with the mares around here and their near-magical ability to make food disappear?

His attention returned to Rainbow Dash who had gone right back to glaring at him, the atmosphere in the kitchen growing more tense by the moment. He sighed and shrugged his shoulders, on the verge of giving in when a thought occurred. They’d probably never agree to it but still, if he could needle Dash’s pride...

“Tell ya wut. Ah’ll make y’all a wager.”

The girls stared at him, the statement apparently catching all of them by surprise. He ignored Applejack covering her face with one hoof, his attention entirely on Pinkie, Rarity and Rainbow as their eyes narrowed and they exchanged glances before turning back to him. Rarity was the first to speak. “Name your wager, darling. What do you propose?”

“Simple. A contest. Nothin’ hard now, nothin’ dangerous. Call it a test o’skill, patience an’nerve.”

“I’m in!” Dash blurted out before he could take another breath.

“Me too!” Pinkie was quick to follow, her eyes wide and excited. “Is it a pie eating contest? Painting the barn contest? Running loops around Ponyville contest? Parasprite wrangling? Hydra dancing? Dragon dueling? Princess parking?”

Mac and the mares exchanged a confused look. Fluttershy opened her mouth, a puzzled little frown on her face, only to be quickly shushed by Rarity before she could utter even a single syllable. “Some things are best left alone, darling.” The fashionista whispered to the pegasus.

“Nnnope,” Mac drawled once Pinkie paused to take a breath. “It’s nothing like that. In fact it’s somethin’ real simple. Balancing.”

There was a long pause before Rainbow Dash burst out in fits of laughter, hitting the ground and rolling on the floor as she held her sides. Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy all looked confused but Applejack? Applejack had lowered her hoof and was giving her brother a rather more suspicious look.

“What’s the matter, Ms Rainbow? This too tough a challenge for ya?”

“Tough? You gotta be kidding me! What’s so hard about balancing on something? I do it on clouds all the time! C’mon, Mac, at least pick something hard!”

“It’s alright if you don’t wanna admit ya got four left hooves, Rainbow,” he was careful to pitch his voice just SO, enough to sound like he was actually being understanding instead of condescending. “Not everypony has the skill for it.”

“SKILL? I’ll show you skill!” Dash was glaring up at him now. “You want a balancing contest? You got it!”

“Fence posts out back. Ah’ll take one, you girls take the other.” Mac kept his voice calm and neutral even as he allowed himself a little moment of triumph. Some folks almost made it too easy.

“All at once?” Dash snorted from the floor. “How’s that fair?”

“One at a time, Ms Dash. Rules are simple. Y’fall off, one o’the other girls takes yer place. Ah fall off, then ya get what ya want and ah’ll tell you about the date. Only other rules are no usin’ wings, no usin’ magic. Any part of ya touches the ground after ya climb onto the post, ya lose.”

Dash had clambered back up and was leaning on the table, staring suspiciously at Mac. “Five of us against one of you? That means you gotta stay on there five times as long as us!”

“Eeeyup.”

“And you still think you can beat ALL of us?”

“Eeeyup.”

“You’re on!” Dash spat on her hoof and extended it to Mac, who did likewise before thumping his hoof to hers.

“Y’might not wanna be looking so confident there, Rainbow.” Applejack warned as the group rose from the table and headed out to the back of the farm. “Mah brother’s got this weird zen thing going on, like those Neighponese ponies practice.”

“Oh come on, AJ! This is a mug’s game! How can he last longer than all of us put together? He’s so big the post’ll probably crack under him anyway!”

Applejack promptly thumped Rainbow on the shoulder. “Y’all questioning the quality of our fencing, Rainbow?”

“OW! Geeze, AJ….” Dash grumbled, rubbing at her shoulder. “Of course not! I just mean, well, look at him! He’s like as heavy as you and me put together after a binge at Sugarcube Corner.”

Applejack promptly punched Rainbow on the other shoulder. “Y’all callin’ mah brother fat?”

“OW!” Rainbow took the hint and danced away from the riled up earth pony. “Dammit, Applejack! You trying to take me out the contest before we even start?”

“No, just tryin’ t’thump some manners into that thick head of yours.” Applejack retorted, then stalked through the back door as Mac held it open for the girls to trot outside.

“Oh! You mean these ones?” Fluttershy asked, peering at two thick posts set near the edge of the yard. Each stood around three feet in height, roughly cylindrical in shape with rope strung loosely between them. They were just about wide enough for a pony to get two or three hooves down at once, but certainly not big enough for all four at the same time and a pony Mac’s size would be lucky to get even two on there at once.

He glanced at the girls and could already see Rainbow looking smug as she made the calculations in her head and realised the disadvantage she thought he would be at. “Eeeyup. The very ones,” he ambled over to the one on the right and patted it firmly. “Who wants t’be first?”

To his surprise, Fluttershy quickly stuck her hoof up. “P-Probably best we get the least confident ones out the way first, right?”

“As you like, Ms Fluttershy,” he replied. Mac waited for the pegasus to flutter over and settle down (somewhat unsteadily at first) onto the fence post before he reared to his haunches and pulled himself up. He was forced to balance somewhat precariously at first till he got himself settled as he liked. He’d done this a hundred times before, just never with an audience and never on something quite so SMALL as this, but that didn’t matter once he got himself settled.

“No cheatin’,” was all he added as he closed his eyes and let his breathing slow. He braced his forehooves lightly atop the rear ones, letting his weight settle back comfortably onto his haunches, swiveling his hips just enough to cushion the weight of his body, his head bowed to help counterbalance the mass of his powerful hind legs.

“Oh… Oh dear,” he could hear Fluttershy already struggling to stay in place, her wings twitching, the feathers rustling as she fought to keep from spreading them.

“Come on, Fluttershy! You can do it! Keep your weight backwards! No wait, forwards!” He could just imagine Rainbow Dash hovering before the poor yellow pegasus, doing her best to try and urge her on in her own inimitable fashion. “No! No! Not like that!”

~Thud~

Mac opened one eye to find Fluttershy laying face-first on the ground, her rump pointed helplessly skyward, her mane down over her face as her wings twitched weakly. “Y’all right there, Ms Fluttershy?”

“Uh-huh,” was the somewhat dazed reply. “I think I fell.”

“You THINK?” Dash burst out as she helped Fluttershy right herself and stumble over to join the others. “Okay, that’s it. No more foolin’ around! Let the professional do it.”

Now this Mac had to see. Careful not to let his concentration slip he opened both eyes to watch as Rainbow confidently swooped down to take up station on the post. She glared at him, her eyes narrowed and intense as she carefully positioned her hooves, her wings tucked tight to her flanks. “You’re gonna lose, Mac,” she taunted. “You’re totally going down.”

“Mmhmmm.”

“I got this one. You might as well just quit now.”

“Mmhmmm.”

“Come on, darling! You can do it, Rainbow Dash!” Rarity cried, stomping her forehooves on the ground.

“Course I can, I’m awesome! I got this in the bag. No sweat.”

Fluttershy had recovered enough to offer up her own soft but heartfelt “Yay,” for Rainbow, watching intently as Dash stood straight and tall on the post as if she was made of stone. In fact, Mac noticed, she really was standing a bit TOO straight and tall. Like a rookie in the royal guard she’d made one fatal mistake and locked her knees in place, thinking this would help support her. She was so tense all she was doing was making her body work all the harder.

Sure enough, as the minutes ticked by, he could see little beads of sweat starting to glisten on Rainbow’s face. The pegasus snorted, tossing her head irritably rather than risking her balance by moving one of her hooves to wipe it away. It all happened in mere moments after that.

“AJ—” Mac didn’t even manage to finish warning his sister that she’d have to step in as Dash’s eyes rolled back in her head and the rainbow-maned pegasus simply keeled over and off the post, thudding to the ground hard enough to make Mac wince in sympathy.

“Oh no! Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy and Pinkie quickly rushed over to the downed pegasus while Applejack went to fetch a pitcher of water for her.

“She alright, ladies?” Mac rumbled, taking the opportunity to shift his own weight a little, rubbing an annoying itch on his muzzle against his shoulder before he settled into place once more.

“Oh, she’ll be fine,” Fluttershy assured him. “She takes hits a lot harder than that in practice. We’ve lost count of how many times she’s crashed into Twilight’s library too.”

Mac grunted, then just nodded to the now-vacant post, “Rarity, Pinkie? Applejack? Who’s gonna be up next?”

“Aw no, ah ain’t takin’ part in this. If ya don’t wanna talk about what went on then ah ain’t about t’try and force ya into it.” Applejack looked over at Pinkie and Rarity. “Sorry girls, it just ain’t worth it. Ah’ll take Rainbow inside and make sure she didn’t do any more damage t’that thick skull of hers.”

Rarity and Pinkie exchanged glances, “I’d really rather not run the risk of chipping a hoof or getting dust in my mane, darling…” Rarity ventured to the suddenly empty air as Pinkie hopped up and onto the fence post before she’d even finished her sentence.

“Alright, buster! I told you ve haff vays of making you whinny! It is ON now.” Pinkie snorted and lowered her head down, glaring at Mac from beneath the tangle of her mane, her four hooves planted firmly atop the post.

Mac simply nodded laconically and let his eyes drift closed again as he settled back into his semi-crouch atop the post. As he relaxed it came to him, not for the first time, that this could well be some sort of earth pony magic. It had taken time, but now when he calmed his mind he could almost feel a presence from the ground beneath him. Not just touching his hooves, but feel it reaching up and inside him to help support him.

His hooves were as steady as the roots in the orchard, his breathing as slow and easy as the breeze through the leaves, every sense stilled and yet attuned to what was going on around him. Was this what Luna meant, he wondered? Was this the stillness she had sensed in him?

“Oh you’re good,” Pinkie’s voice impinged on his thoughts and he flicked an ear in her direction. “But you’re talking to the one-hoof balancing champion of Ponyville!” He let his eyes open to find that Pinkie was, indeed, standing on just one hoof on the other post, a teasing smile on her face as she hopped from one hoof to the other with perfect accuracy.

“Impressive,” he acknowledged. “But it ain’t all just about bein’ fancy, it’s about stayin’ the course.”

“I got stamina to spare, buster! I’m a finely tuned balancing machine and it’s time to balance the books with YOU!” She again hopped from one hoof to the next and then suddenly, just as she straightened up again, her eyes widened in surprise. “Oh no! Nonono!”

With that sudden, cryptic yell, Pinkie’s whole body suddenly vibrated violently, the pink pony bouncing right off the post, onto the ground and halfway across the yard before she stopped, panting softly. “Oh wow! I haven’t had a doozy like that since Twilight and the hydra!” She blinked and looked around. “Oh PONYFEATHERS, and I lost too!”

Mac turned his attention to Rarity, who gave a graceful shrug. “I think we must concede defeat, Mac. Your secrets remain yours to keep. I do hope that you will share some of what goes on with you and Luna when your relationship has had a chance to grow some more, though. You must at least understand our curiosity. Princess Luna has always shunned the public eye since her return and while we know some of what Princess Celestia is like through Twilight, her nocturnal sister is as much a mystery now as she was three years ago when we freed her from the grasp of that despicable Nightmare.”

Content that the matter was resolved for the moment, Mac hopped down from his post and extended a hoof in commiseration to Pinkie Pie, who was looking downcast. “Ah think you’d have given me a right close run there, Ms Pinkie. Maybe we can do it another time when yer Pinkie Sense ain’t acting up.”

“Okiedokielokie!” Pinkie shook hooves briskly and trotted back into the farmhouse.

“Well, it appears that’s that, darling. I do believe we have a spa appointment today. Shall we be going?” Rarity asked Fluttershy. “Do you need to check on Rainbow before we head back into town?”

“Oh yes. I should just check she’s okay to leave. It’ll only take a minute, I promise,” Fluttershy flashed Mac a shy smile and trotted inside, followed close behind by Rarity. Mac sighed, sagging down to sit on his haunches, shifting a little to relieve the first beginnings of a cramp in his leg. Rocks and treestumps were definitely a whole lot easier than a fence post. He made a note not to try that again and instead just took a moment to enjoy the quiet.

Applejack’s friends were all good ponies, he knew that, and they’d proved that to the town and to Equestria as a whole time and time again but they sure were hard work some days. Each of them on their own wasn’t too bad, but when they were all together like that it was as if they fed off each other and just grew that much larger than life because of it.

“They’re gone,” Applejack’s voice roused him from his contemplations and he nodded as he rose to all fours again and joined his sister by the back door.

“Thanks, AJ. For respectin’ mah privacy, mine and Luna’s. We didn’t mean for last night t’happen, not like that, anyhow.”

“So much for keepin’ things quiet,” Applejack snorted and shook her head. “Ah don’t know if ah want to hug you or thump your skull. You two ain’t gonna keep this quiet for long with displays like that.”

“How much did Pinkie see, exactly? What did she tell the others?”

“Not much, just that you and the Princess were in the middle a’the dancefloor, kissin’ up a storm like ya were the last two ponies alive.”

Mac groaned quietly and butted his forehead against the doorframe. “Ah really didn’t mean t’do that. It just…happened. She was there and lookin’ so beautiful and ah just—”

“Did what most folks would do in your place, Mac,” her voice was softer now and the look she gave him was warm, tinged with concern. “Ah know you ain’t never really gone with a filly before so this is all real new to ya. Ah just… Y’be careful, okay? Luna wouldn’t hurt ya, but it ain’t her that worries me. Ya know what them Canterlot folks can be like and ah just don’t wanna see ya with yer heart broke. Promise me you and her will be more careful from now on, alright? Just until YOU decide that ya wanna tell folks.”

Mac solemnly performed the motions of the Pinkie Promise before suddenly finding himself clutched near painfully tight in AJ’s forelegs as she reared up to hug him to her, burying her head down against his shoulder. “Ah promise, Sis,” he repeated as he nuzzled at her ears. “We’ll be careful.” And yet, even as he said the words, part of him couldn’t help but wonder just what the “doozy” was that Pinkie had sensed...

Author's Note

Hello folks,

As there might be a little delay over Christmas as I'm down with the wife's family, I decided to give you a little early present and post this up a few days ahead of schedule. I'm 2500 words into chapter 11 so you MIGHT get it before Christmas, but as I imagine my editors will be off with their families I make no promises.

Chapter 23a - Ditzy Doo

Chapter 23a
Interviews with Residents of Ponyville.

I - Interviewer
DD - Ditzy Doo

I - So what can you tell me about the Apple family?
DD - Oh, they get so much mail! Sometimes I need a bag just for them, especially when there’s a birthday or Hearth’s Warming or something. Their family is huge! Nice ponies, though. Applejack even stood up for me when some ponies were teasing me about my eyes. I get a lot of teasing sometimes.
I - What can you tell me about McIntosh Apple in particular? Do you know him well?
DD - Big Mac? Oh, he’s really really nice! Dunno if I could say I know him all that well, though. He’s so quiet all the time.
I - So he keeps to himself?
DD - Oh yeah. I mean he comes into town some times, he’s always happy to help out if you need a hoof but he always treats everypony the same, even me.
I - What exactly do you mean?
DD - Well...half the mares in Ponyville have a thing for him, you know (At this point DD ducks her head, trying to hide a blush). I even asked him out once but he turned me down. He was super nice about it, though. He always turns everypony down since… Uhm. Never mind.
I - Since?
DD - I...probably shouldn’t say anything more. I shouldn’t have said that. I was just a filly at the time and it’s his story to tell. Everypony you talk to has a different opinion on it anyway, and Mama always told me it was rude to spread gossip. Anyway, I’ve got my round to finish so I need to get going! Hey, is my picture going to be in the paper? Do I get a free muffin or anything for talking to you?