Guardian of the Night

The night was dark and the moon was high, Star Shield slowly trekked through a hushed forest, barely able to even hear his own footsteps.

He looked around for something familiar, something that would provide guidance to him.  "I must be in a dream..."

A voice called out from the darkness.  "Why are you here little pony?"

Star Shield's eyes darted around his surroundings, searching for the voice, he reached for his sword and was startled when he realized that it wasn't there.  He looked into the shadows with confidence, and secretly fear.  "Who are you?"

The voice laughed, it sent chills down Star Shield's spine.  "We are fear little pony, run while you still can."  The voice seemed to call to him from everywhere at once.

Star Shield looked down and saw the ground slowly consuming him, he couldn't budge, he couldn't move away from the darkness, all he could do was stand and wait for the damp earth to consume him.  In the distance he could hear something, something that sounded like a whistle.

***

"Star Shield, wake up, the trains arrived!"  Star Shield bolted upright in his seat, he looked around the carriage frantically, his eyes looked wild from his encounter with the being in his dream.

Moonfire jumped back from her friend.  "Woah cowboy, calm down, theres nothing out to get you."

Star Shield's breath was rapid, slowly realized that he was back in the train, which had recently arrived at Canterlot Central, the main hub for all railroads in Equestria.  He steadied his breath.  "Sorry... I had a very, very bad dream."  He still could feel the cold sweat on his back.

She gazed at her friend for a second, she shook her head and shrugged it off.  "It's alright, come on, Ghost Platoon is ready to go."

Star Shield nodded, stood up, and stretched.  "How long was I asleep?"

"You nodded off after we left Hoovington."

The two followed the rest of their comrades out of the train, since they were pegasi they quickly took off from the ground to avoid all of the station traffic.  They flew high over the city towards their destination, Canterlot Castle, where the princesses of the night and day lived.  They all landed simultaneously at the face of the Front Gate, a one of the Celestia's Royal Guard walked up to them.

"Are you Royal Night Guard, Company number 117?"

A volley of 'yes sirs' came from the new trained soldiers, the guard pony turned and waved up to the gate pony who disappeared from sight.  A few short seconds later the gate slowly opened and revealed the Garden of Faust.  "Alright recruits, just go down that way and to the right, you will see a medical building, go to it and get your transformations.  After that go to the main grounds, Captain Shadow Song and Captain Shining Armor will be waiting to brief you on your new positions."

They all walked through the garden slowly, none of them could have ever believed that they would be in Celestia's palace, let alone living and working there.  The medical building was easy to spot, it had a large red cross over the main entrance.  The doctors were waiting for them, each of the troop were numbered and they told them to wait for the procedure.  Star Shield had gotten there last, so he was to be transformed last.

The doctors were able to work quickly after year of experience, each cadet was in and out in less then five minutes.  After about an hour it came down to just Star Shield, one of the nurses motioned for him to come into the room.  He pointed to a platform in the center, four nurses were standing, waiting for the doctor.

"If you would just stand perfectly still and stare at that red dot."  Star Shield focused on the small red dot on the wall, the nurses spread out in a circle, one in the front, back, and one on each of his sides.  Small specks of light appeared on the end of their horns, four beams erupted from their horns and hit Star Shield, his body slowly began to glow from the magic.

After about a minute Star Shield was beginning to worry, nothing was happening, his wings didn't look any different than they had before.  Is there something wrong with me?  The nurses stopped after the doctor called out to them.  The doctor looked at his clipboard and bore a look of profound confusion, the nurses also seemed to hold the same expression.  "Is there something wrong doctor?"

He shook his head slowly.  "No, nothing, as far as your medical charts you are in peak condition, I guess that your body can't seem to accept the transformation spell... very strange.  None the less, you are ready to go, just because you can't take on the bat-like appearance doesn't mean you can't be a Royal Night Guard."

Star Shield sighed in relief and stepped off the platform, he quickly walked out of the hospital and to the main grounds where the rest of Ghost Platoon were standing.  Moonfire spoke to him while staring at the balcony where Shadow Song and Shining Armor were looking down on them.  "What happened, why aren't you like us?"

Star Shield shook his head.  "The doctor didn't know, he said it doesn't interfere with anything so he dropped it."

Moonfire held the same peculiar expression that the doctors had.  Star Shield rolled his eyes.  "Forget about it."

Shadow Song stepped forward and addressed the platoon.  "Welcome newbies, to Canterlot Castle, you have gotten here after extensive training and hard work.  Since you all are the top of your class I am talking to you personally.  You have shown exceptional skill in the arts of combat, stealth, and strategy, you have all been promoted to the Elite Guard.  I must say even though you inherit this position, you cannot just go around like some stud.  You will still obey chain of command and you will still follow orders to the key!  Am I clear!"

They all shouted.  "Sir, yes sir!"

She seemed satisfied with their response.  "Now, you will all be put in the barracks closest to Princess Luna's part of the castle, this will be the only place you are allowed to walk freely in.  Even as Royal Night Guards you are only allowed to talk to the princess if she deems it necessary, and you are not allowed without permission into Celestia's sector of the castle, am I clear!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

She nodded.  "Alright, Captain Shining Armor has a few words to say to you, you had better listen up!"  The captain of Celestia's guard stepped to the edge of the balcony.

"I only have a few things to say to you new guys, congratulations for being able to get here.  I only have one question."  His eyes turned fierce and his face grew dark.  "Are you willing to die for the sake of the princesses, willing to put your life on the line for those in need?"

Not one stallion or mare hesitated.  "Sir, yes sir!"

Shining's expression brightened at their response, he nodded to Shadow Song.  "Good, I believe Captain Shadow Song gave you your orders, you are dismissed."

Ghost Platoon slowly broke apart, one of the stallions walked over to where Star Shield and Moonfire were standing.  "How are you guys doing, I see that you got to keep your wings Star Shield?"

Moonfire smiled at the stallion.  "Yeah, Star Shield's pretty special.  How have you been Nightwing?"

He sighed.  "The train ride was a pain, and my legs have been killing me since those last exercises."

Star Shield chuckled.  "Are you kidding, Steel Hoof wouldn't have allowed us out of there without one last death run."

Nightwing laughed.  "Yeah, I guess thats true."

Moonfire began to walk away, towards the barracks.  "Come on guys, lets go get some rack before nightfall."

The two followed her over the castle grounds and to the Elite Guard's barracks, all of the ponies in there looked like total badasses.  One very large white pony came up to the three.  "Newbies?"

Moonfire, Shield, and Nightwing saluted.  "Yes sir!"

The stallion chuckled deeply.  "No need for that, we have some bunks open over there in the corner, make yourselves at home."  They saw the three empty beds in the corner, Moonfire and Nightwing took the top bunks, Star Shield took the bottom, right by the window.  The evening light seeped in through the window, though it was quickly expelled by one of the large guards, he covered it in a curtain and grumbled about how the light bothers his eyes.

Star Shield let sleep come over him, the cool air in the cabin allowing him to be very comfortable.

He opened his eyes to realize he had awoken in the same forest as before.  "Aww, hell no, I am not gonna go through this again!"

The voice came again from the darkness.  "You cannot escape pony, I am everywhere."

Star Shield shook his head vigorously.  "What the hell do you want anyhow, all I wanted was a good nights rest."

The creature chuckled.  "Nothing pony, besides total control over everything you ponies hold dear."

Star Shield scoffed.  "World domination, how typical, you know Sombra tried that once and was crushed by a unicorn and a baby dragon... what do you think you can do?"

It laughed again.  "Domination? I am looking for extermination guard.  First the deaths of your precious Princesses, then the rest of your tiny pathetic race."

Star Shield could feel anger begin to burn inside him.  "I'll stop you demon, come to me during the waking world and see how you fair.

"There will be plenty of time for that pony, plenty of time indeed."

Star Shield could feel the dream begin to fade, he yelled out to the voice.  "Burn in hell!"

Star Shield's eyes opened, his ears were at attention, to the sound of snoring none the less.  Nightwing and Moonfire were still asleep in their bunks, the night was young judging by the position of the moon, and how the dusk's light still flickered on the horizon.  Well, time to get to work.  Star Shield went over to the locker that was assigned to him, he grabbed the armor that was assigned to him, it was sleek, it's color was a deep purple.  He donned the new uniform, it was surprisingly lightweight.  In his locker was also a sword with a sheath, he wrapped the strap around him and put the sword in it's sheath.

He walked towards the door and sighed as the crisp night air filled his lungs, members of the Royal Night Guard were walking all around, usually in groups of two, sometimes three.  They talked in hushed voices about days past, spoke of stories about great battles and of course their mares and stallions.

Star Shield walked about the grounds, marveling at the architecture and gardening, but most of all, he marveled the night.  The stars and moon had always interested him, not in an astronomical sense, but more in a mystical sense.  He had always enjoyed listening to tales of ponies of old, constellations made in their honor.  He quietly thanked Luna for making and maintaining such a beautiful creation.

He slowly strayed from where the other patrols were going and ended walking into a garden, not like that of the Garden of Faust, it was much smaller, and overgrown.  He must've wandered into some sort of unattended section of the castle.  He walked through the garden and noticed a small flower, it was silver in color, it smelled sweet and gave off a stunning glow.  Wow, who would they leave something like this behind?  Star Shield continued on hoping to find some more rare plants, as he continued deeper into the hedges something caught his attention.  It was a sound of sadness, the sound of a crying mare, he looked around for the sound but couldn't see anything.  He continued on through the dense undergrowth to find a small bench, with a pony sitting on it.  He already knew it was a mare judging by the sound of the crying.  She was a unicorn and was draped in a dark cloak, her coat had a deep midnight color.

He slowly walked up to the crying mare.  "Ma'am, are you alright?  Is there anything I can help with?"

The mare raised her head and opened her eyes, they found Star Shield through a blur of tears.  She seemed stunned at seeing somepony in this section of the palace, she wiped her tears away quickly and stood up.  "No, I am quite alright, thank you.  What is your name?"

Star Shield was confused.  Well that was strange?  "Star Shield ma'am, I am a new member of the Elite Royal Night Guard, Ghost Platoon."

She nodded, her eyes looked over the pegasus critically.  "Very well, I think you already know who I am."

Star Shield became even more confused, he couldn't see her entire form through the cloak.  "Ma'am?"

She dispelled the cloak in a cloud of bats, the moonlight caused her to glow, the thing that caused Star Shield's heart to stop was the pair of wings that were on her sides.  Princess Luna?  He stuttered over his words and bowed down before the Princess of the Night.  "I am sorry Princess Luna, if I had known, I wouldn't have bothered you!"

The princess expression changed from critical to an uncomfortable smile.  "It is alright Star Shield, I am surprised you found me.  Are you new here?"

Star Shield stood back up.  "Yes ma'am, my company came today from Fort Hoovington."

The princess nodded.  "You may dispense of the formalities, I am trying to connect more with the new culture, if you are acting like my previous guard from a thousand years ago then it isn't doing much to help."  Her expression faltered from awkwardness to sadness.

Star Shield felt a sudden sense of guilt.  "Is everything alright, I wouldn't think the Princess of the Night would cry?"

She nodded again.  "Yes, I'm alright, tonight's thoughts simply seemed to have taken a toll."  She wiped her eyes again and looked up into the sky, Star Shield followed her gaze.  Strange, I thought the princess would be a hardass...

The moon was high in the sky and the stars shown bright.  "Your night is very beautiful Princess."  Star Shield wished he wouldn't have spoken.  Are you shitting me!  Did you really just say that in front of your new boss!  He mentally slapped himself and checked for the princess's reaction.

Luna's eyes had gone back to the ground and was laughing quietly to herself.  She looked over to Star Shield with an amused expression.  "Do you really think so?"

Star Shield could feel his face burning. "Yes... It always fascinated me when I was little."

"Well thank you Star Shield, it is always nice to hear somepony appreciate my night."

Star Shield rubbed the back of his head.  "Anytime Princess."

Princess Luna began to go towards the passage back to the main ground.  "Would you like to walk with me Star Shield?"

Shield was surprised, he nodded rapidly.  "Yes ma'am."

She laughed again and the two set off throughout the abandoned section of the castle.  They talked about a great many things since Star Shield managed to break the ice.  It seemed to be pointed towards Star Shield's personal life though, Luna seemed intrigued by where Star Shield came from, Luna said that she knew the Elements of Harmony, who were in Ponyville, and said that she became good friends with the Element of Magic.  Star Shield hesitantly asked about how this part of the castle was abandoned, Luna told him because it was unused and eventually forgotten, the castle was quite large in itself so sections that aren't used didn't surprise him at all.  They eventually made their way back to the main grounds and the entrance to Luna's tower, she bade him farewell and disappeared into her room.

Star Shield sighed, he walked back through the large passages and to the barracks, Moonfire and Nightwing were waiting outside and were happy to see him approaching.

Moonfire smiled, she seemed almost embarrassed.  "Thanks for not waking us up!"

Star Shield chuckled.  "You two seemed alright where you were."

Nightwing looked at Star Shield.  "You seem in a good mood?  Something happen while we were snoozing?"

Star Shield thought about telling them how he talked to the Princess, but decided that it would be best to keep it to himself.  "Just some basic patrols, nothing too serious..."

Nightwing didn't seem very convinced.  "Uh-huh, well... glad that patrolling was fun."

Star Shield could feel his face burn.  "Yeah, it was nice to see the castle."  Star Shield also decided to keep the part of the castle that was abandoned a secret.

The two heard a loud grumbling, they both turned simultaneously to look at Moonfire.  She blushed.  "What?  Come on, we can talk when we get some grub... I'm starving!"

Nightwing chuckled.  "We can tell."

Moonfire glared at her friend.  "Shut your trap!"

The dawns light slowly approached over the horizon and was beginning to cast an amber light onto the white castle, he could see Celestia standing high on a balcony and slowly raising the sun.  Star Shield shook his head.  "Thanks, but I could use some shuteye, I had a long night, unlike you two."

Moonfire shrugged him off and Nightwing waved farewell.  "Good day sleeping beauty!"

Star Shield went back into the barracks and snuggled into his bed, the dawn's light had been blocked again by dark curtains, so sleep was able to come quickly in the dark barracks.  He felt content somehow, and his mind kept drifting back to his Princess of the Night.