Broken 4th Rule

Chapter 8; The Late Night Visitors

Thrashion

Dinner was... strange, to say the least.

Cucumber sandwiches with chrysanthemums, accompanied by a hearty celery soup. Man, I hate to say it, but it was delicious.

It had been a long day and I was really hoping we would be turning in and I wasn’t the only one who would’ve said the same. Cadance, Twilight, and Spike all seemed tired. Shining Armor was even more so, but I think that was because he was attacked by Spooky’s spider, which I now think are magic eaters.

Still, we’ve been put in the middle of this huge dilemma, and now we had to play the waiting game. Did I ever tell you how much I hated that!

Luna seemed to sense our wariness. “Now we must decide what will be done about sleeping arrangements," she stated aloud

"Don't worry sister, I've already came up with that solution. Shining Armor and Cadance. You take the bedroom in the main tower. Twilight, Spike you will take the bedroom adjacent to my study. While Thrashion and Spooky, you will take the bedroom adjacent to Luna's study. Before you say anything Shining Armor, I will have you know, that the tower’s bedroom has been modified with first response alarms and instant guard call spells. There is also a quick teleportation circle to Twilight and Spike's room. Twilight you have one that will lead you directly to Thrashion and Spooky's room. Now I believe that we must forgo dinner tonight and make it an early night." Celestia finished.

"Thrashion, Spooky would you both be so kind as to follow me to your room." Luna beckoned us to follow to our bed room.

We followed her to a balcony. "You two are honored guests. I would like to treat thee to a gift. It is my hope to ease your enviable homesickness."

"That won't be needed Princess..." I started.

Luna cut me off with a glance back and a stern look. "Please call me Luna. Or in your case, dear Thrashion, Aunty Luna."

The three of us were soon on a balcony. Luna walked to the very edge, her horn started to glow a lighter midnight blue, we watched the moon started to rise. The sky became dark, bright golds, reds, and oranges, slowly change to violet, magenta and blue. The blue changed into a silky black, with wisps of blue clouds. Bright, white, lights start to fill the sky. With a burst they shot outwards and danced. Spinning round until taking the form of their constellations, they continued to danced.

I let out a low whistle and we watched as all the constellations their proper station and stopped their dancing. All of them where they belonged like it was nothing "What do you do for an encore?" I said as he made my Cheshire cat grin.

Luna smiled and let out a short laugh. "You have a excellent gift for mirth good niece."

"Wow," Spooky stammered. "I heard you were the Princess of Night but this... too much." I finished with a shake of his head.

"Now ti's time for sleep." Luna declared. "Thrashion, I have provided some warmth and comfort for you. Nurse Wonder Heart , would you come in please?” Luna called and a familiar pegasus nurse came into the room. “We are glad that you volunteered to keep our niece Thrashion, company in her bed being a nurse would help with making sure she is fine, If something were to occurs, there is nothing wrong with it. Please, desecration is the better part of valor. If something does happen you not be thought of any lessor."

Wonder Heart flashed me a lusty smile. Luna gave a mischievous smile at me gave a wink I had to admit that she was a knock out at that and my new mare bits started to get that feeling. Oh god did I just call a pony a knock out? Oh well I need this. My Cheshire cat grin widen to the most widest I've ever seen it. "Auntie Luna, you have just become one of the most coolest relative I've ever had."

"Well, you need a little fun before you enter the pitfalls of royalty." Luna smiled at me. "Good night my niece, Wonder Heart"

I looked at my new bed buddy. "So, ready for an interesting night?"

She smiled back. "Lead the way sexy."

Spooky

Thrashion and Wonder Heart were gone, I wanted to ask and know so much, but thankfully The Elders' spell still would not allow it. Probably a good thing anyways.

Luna must have taken my silence for melancholia. I felt a hoof on my shoulder, turned towards her. "I am sorry," Luna began. "fate is often cruel and it's twists can often doom one to disaster. But fret not you have a home here in Equestria. I am sure that there is a reason why you are here too. My I tell you as story?"

"All right." Nodded to her.

"There was once a little dragon egg housed here, it was a dud egg. One day the egg was decide to be used as a test. When the time came and the unicorn took the test something happened she caused the egg to hatch and was born a drageen. This caused the filly’s powers to come lose and all Tartarus broke loose, thyn sister had to fix it all. With all said and done two things were missing; One, the drageen. The second, was the unicorn filly that took the test. When they both were found the filly was trying to nurse the baby dragon. It was decided that the two shall stay together until they decide to part ways, which has not happened as of yet."

"Thank you Luna, Twilight and Spike I assume?" She nodded to me. "I just hope you have a good coach to sleep on, I want to go to bed." I told her.

"Understandably, I do have one in my study. It is also my hope that you will be a good mentor to Spike, he would benefit from an elder dragon. Being raised by ponies his values are different then most they seem more similar to yours. But this is only a first impression. How old are you any way?"

"I'm an adult. I'm guessing there aren't many like me around here? I'm not just talking about my type." Luna nodded, I let out a sight. "I will try to be a good mentor to him. We’ve already agreed to help each other with our respective problems of greed and anger..”

"I see, good." She gave me a warm smile

"The anger thing, it runs in the family. Don't get me wrong I don't hate them. I love them, but we are dysfunctional." I gave a laughed and shook my head.

"Dysfunction you wish to speak of that? One of my fights with my sister, engulfed our world in a war and she banished me to the moon for ten thousand years."

Nightmare moon I thought. "You have to tell me that story some day." I remarked.

"Agreed, but it is time for your rest." Luna paused in front of what I do understand is her study.

With a blue aura from her horn the door opened up. Luna's smile seemed to fade as she saw a set of unicorns sitting on the said sofa. The first one I knew already, it was Blue Blood! The second was a light indigo unicorn mare with a mane and tail of dark blue with as single stripe of lavender in it. She was dressed in a khaki explorer jacket and a pith helmet in her lap.

This was not going to end well.

"Hello Aunty, Astral Glow and I have returned from our track." The stallion stated he noticed me and his face went into a dark expression. “What are you!”

"We're here to give you our report Princess Luna." She paused for a moment and seemed to look me up and down. "Who's your friend?" She gave me a smile.

“Aunty why did you let this mongrel stay in the Castle?"

Luna looked at him crossly, and in a stern manner replied. "Blue Blood, you shall show him some respect, he is an honored guest."

"Hello, I'm Spooky." I said with a slight wave. "I was brought here with a friend of mine Thrashion."

"Thrashion, Princess Mi Gurrero Sueño." Luna interjected. "Is a long lost Princess of Equestrian, Cadence's twin sister. You will find out more about this tomorrow."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Spooky, I'm Astral Glow." The mare broke in and gave me wave. Then she pointed at Blue Blood. "And this guy is Prince Blueblood. We are from the Office of Grand Venevr, we are in charge of maps, borders and all sorts of other expeditions."

“We were out exploring some uncharted land now we are back to give them our findings.”

"Wow, a couple of real explorers." I almost sounded like a little kid. "That sound like an existing job."

"Not always, but it's got its moments." She said with a shrugged. I could finally see some faint lines in her face and a set lavender eyes, I hate to tell you they were kind of enchanting.

"Better than what I was doing, I was a janitor, for a grocery store. I was treated like something you find under your hoof.” I glowered remembering my job, but I changed and added more cheerfully. “If possible, I would like to hear some of your adventure some time." A smile came to my face.

"Has to be later, I need to talk to Princess Luna." She said waving a hoof at me.

"Yeah, that would be best." I answered and shrugged.

"Ah, yes that will do nicely.” Luna interrupted us. She had been quiet for a long time as if she had been think of things. “Astral Glow do you know an old tradition, A Bed Warmer?"

"Lets see it's an old tradition where some pony shares a bed with a visiting dignitary or honored guest. It sounds like whoring a poor soul out, but all it is really is some pony sleep in the same bed as the dignitary or honored guest. soothe their anxieties about being away from home. Maybe ever keep the individual company while they try and fall asleep. Why would you ask?” She paused and looked at Luna. The Night Alicorn nodded. “You mean?" Her eyes widened for a brief moment and her ears seemed to strain even further.

"Correct dear Astral Glow, if you would be so kind. You two seem to have a lot in common and Spooky has had a long enough, trying day, as is. 'Tis not fair for him to wait for me to finish my business to sleep. I need only one of you to give me a report. So, Astral Glow would you help thee and take part in the ritual?"

"How revolting!" Blue Blood stammered.

Astral Glow shot Blue Blood a glance and replied. "I would love to, my tent is out in the garden." Before she turned back to Luna and I.

"You do not have to do that for me." I gave Luna a slight bow. "Luna, thank you I'll take my leave so that you can get to your business."

"Hold up the Princess asked me and I agreed so you're coming with me to my tent." Astral Glow said getting up from the sofa.

I nodded and followed her out.

I looked out over the gardens, see the different statures of ponies, animals and creatures. I wondered how many were real statues and which ones were pensioners. Or weather that lore was even true.

The plants that filled the garden were so diverse. All manner of flowers, trees, herbs, bushes, shrubs and vines, all arranged in a harmonious balance. The Place was covered with blooming flowers and covered everything jumbled and tumbled together, many over growing there beads .

That's when I noticed a ragged, khaki tent in the far corner near a cultivated forest. It seemed out of place, but I must have been Astral's tent. I stopped just before the opening of the tent. a white mosquito net obscured any view of the inside.

"If ever so humble there's no place like home," She stated me. "The princess allows me to stay here when I am in the country."

I smiled and looked at my generous confidant. "Wow, that was nice of her. So have you always been a explorer?"

Turning her head to one side. "Yeah, pretty much, but I do like being home. I just can't stay in a normal home." She parted the entrance and we walked inside. I walked through I noticed that it was much bigger on the inside. There was a writing desk on one side of the tent then a small stove on the other side. A small table and chairs in one far corner and in the far corner was a mosquito that covered a large round bed.

"So, why did you decide to take Luna's offer? I mean you are quiet...um cute if you don't mind me saying but...?" I was looking down on the ground.

I felt her hoof lift my head, I was now looking into her lavender eyes. She smiled at me. "I've been with Blue Blood for so long that I would rather stay with a group of Cacatraces right now. Don't get me wrong yours not too bad yourself." She gave me a giggle. "You can call me Astral. Don't worry I'm not planning anything naughty, at least to night."

"What was that last part?" I asked.

"Nothing," She replied in a singsong manner. "Time for bed."

She pushed me towards the bed, I found my traction was useless on the carpet and soon I was flopped down on the bed. It was soft and I was very tempted to fall asleep on my belly. I shifted to my back and tried to get up. Before I could get up from the bed Astral bounded from her spot and landed on my chest, pinning me. Before I could make any type of objection she had made herself comfortable. For some reason I suddenly did not have the heart to move her.

"Oh, surprisingly comfortable I could just fall a sleep now..." She yawned. “Spikes scales are hard and rough but your are soft and…” She trailed off.

Hearing that I just laid in the bed and stared up at the khaki cloth ceiling, sleep was coming. Astral was already their . There was nothing I could do I didn't want to wake her. I draped an arm around her and I heard her murmured “Nice.” Or something like that.

I could only smile. Her fur felt amazing under my new scales, it felt wonderful. Like holding your favorite stuffed animal when you were a kind. I started to get a good look at her, it was probably my new animal self but I swore to you I could feel something inside me stir. Studying her face and her features, I noticed he tone legs and scalped rump. Watching her form rise and fall with her breath, I could see faint lines on her pony face, the lines did make her older they also made her looked more attractive. Looks were not really important to me but... I'm beginning to understand why Spike likes unicorns. I said thought to myself before I passed into slumber.