Moon Guide My Dreams

Sunlight filtered through the small part between the curtains, casting down directly on Shining Armor’s eyes. He grunted, raising a hand to shield his eyes briefly before groaning. Once he was awake, he was awake, so he didn’t bother trying to roll back over, just giving in and yawning. As he moved to stretch, he realized one of his arms was pinned down by someone’s weight. He looked over towards his bed-mate, and blinked for a moment when he saw a dark blue, flowing mane that glistened like stars.
Princess Luna was sound asleep on top of him.
Shining stared at her for several minutes as memories of the previous night began returning to him. He smiled softly, gently petting her hair with his hand affectionately. She really was beautiful, and she was very special to him by now. However, the longer he looked at her, the more guilty he felt. This whole thing had been going on for a while now, but it had taken this for him to realize that this was quite possibly the worst mistake he had ever made in his life…
After all… he wasn’t a single stallion.

Shining sat up, carefully shifting Luna so as to not wake her. He was surprised that the sun was already up, but then… Celestia had watched over both night and day for a millennium. He supposed one night wasn’t too shocking.

For a brief moment, everything felt right. Having this divine princess laying next to him, it reminded him of the first morning of his honeymoon with Cadence. But Luna...she looked far more intriguing than Cadence. She exceeded Cadence in every possible way. And with what had happened last night...he had taken her virginity. How in the world would he ever expl--...no. He wouldn’t. He simply moved off to the edge of the bed and looked around for his clothes, finding them in a pile nearby the bathroom.

Luna, missing his presence, awoke slowly. She looked around briefly before calling, “Shining? Where are you?”

Shining froze. He was out of Luna’s sight around the corner and he peered towards the door across from him. There was a moment of hesitation before he slipped on his boxers and turned around the corner to see Luna sitting up, the covers hiding her features from him.

“Right here, princess.” he said, a light smile curved on his face as he leaned against the door frame.

She giggled lightly. “You needn’t be so formal, beloved,” she teased.

Shining shook his head lightly and walked over to her, stopping right by the edge where Luna sat. He looked down at her and brought his hand up to slowly touch the top of her head, petting like he would for a feline.

Luna leaned into the touch with a genuine smile, looking up at him, savoring the moment for as long as possible. They were both avoiding the topic they knew they were going to need to discuss now.

“...Celestia will kill me.” said Shining, finally breaking the silence as he looked up and out the window. “I’m sorry...I shouldn’t have taken the risk. I almost thought it was another dream.”

She sighed. “If my sister were really so disapproving, we would never have gotten this far. Trust me.”

Though still unsure, he nodded and slowly sat down next to her. “...this was a mistake.”

Luna’s eyes widened slightly and she looked directly at Shining. “Was it Shining? Was it really?”

“I never meant to--”

She shook her head. “I know...I know that deep down there is an answer.”

Shining turned to look at his lover fully. “Depends on the question.”

“You know what the question is, Shining Armor.”

As she finished, Shining took the moment to lay a gentle kiss to Luna, keeping it tame between them before moving back.

“.......yes….I do love you.”

Luna nodded, looking at him with some small tears in her eyes. “And I love you as well. ...I just wish it could be as simple as that.”

“You and I both know that this can’t be simple without someone getting hurt.” he said, trying to be delicate with the matter. “I just never thought it would escalate through dreams. It was risky as it was to pursue you.”

“And it was risky to reveal my feelings to you as well, yet we both chose to pursue,” Luna replied.

He nodded slightly and stood up. “...and yet I still feel tense, like someone could enter through that door and both our lives could crumbling down. Why do we have to do this in secret? Why can’t I just end this now and choose you?”

Luna crawled over to him and hugged him closely. “It is up to you what you choose to do, beloved. I won’t hold you to any time limit or anything like that. You have all the time you need to choose, but I must stress that you do need to choose. We cannot simply have an affair.”

And Shining knew this. There was only so much delaying the inevitable that could happen before all hell would break loose. And at the very least, Cadence would want his head. Twilight would have a different opinion of him. Celestia...well Celestia wouldn’t be too happy. What would Amity think? Or Flash? Or even his own family? Too much was at stake.

“...tomorrow is when I have to go back.” he said with a quiet sigh. “That’s the one thing I don’t want to do. I don’t want to be trapped in the Crystal Empire. I can’t handle going back into a routine. I’d end up like her, sticking to a schedule and being married to my work.”

“... you have until your departure tomorrow afternoon before you return to that routine,” Luna said. “I would wait even longer, until the next time we see each other however long that may be, let me be clear. I am still not pressuring you. However, if you are truly that afraid… I would suggest…” Luna hesitated a moment before her horn glowed and a few papers appeared on the bed next to him.

Shining turned to the papers, eying them curiously. “...are these…?”

“Yes,” Luna answered. “Do not use them unless you feel sure enough about it. All they require is signatures, but so long as they are unsigned, they are simply printed papers.” She lifted his chin so that he looked at her face. “I will stand by whatever decision you make, Shining. That I promise on my crown.”

The stallion looked to the papers, eying them closely before looking to her.

“...she’s not the only one that’s on my mind though.” he said quietly. “As crazy as it sounds, I don’t have two choices. I have three.”

Luna blinked, looking at him in surprise. “I’m sorry?”

“Amity,” he said. “He’s one of my closest friends and we’ve...shared benefits before. It’s always been purely sexual between us as well but things recently changed. And the option has arisen for...me to pursue someone else.”

“The one from your dreams before…” she whispered to herself thoughtfully. “I hadn’t realized he had come back into your life.”

“It was only recent. And I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen.” he groaned. “I didn’t expect a third path to just open itself to me but...I think he likes me a little more than he is letting on. And I can’t deny that I feel at least SOMETHING for him. The only reason I’m even thinking about it...is because there’s one thing about his choice that could be different from anything I’ve ever had.”

“...what is that?” she asked trepidatiously.

Wording his thoughts correctly, he took in a breath. “Normality. This option is the chance for a completely normal relationship. No royal duties, no secrets, a completely new start. It’s interesting in just the concept...but terrifying because I know what will happen if I go for it.“

“You’ll have no protection from Cadence,” Luna whispered.

“She’d see me dead before I try to leave her for anyone, let alone a male.” he sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “I think she’d rather I not fall out of her hands and into someone else’s. So...that leaves three.”

Luna nodded, and got out of bed. “It seems you have much to consider, Shining,” she said, a note of sadness in her voice. “But regardless of what your final choice is, at least we have last night. I will always cherish that.” She kissed him gently. “I think you should leave now. You need to have a clear head for this, and I don’t think us being in the same room, especially a bedroom, will help with that.”

He paused and brought her into another kiss, his hands placed on her waist and tugging him onto his lap. He kept her there, her naked frame pressed against his.

“...please don’t hate me if I make another choice…”

“I promise I will never hate you, Shining Armor. Not you. Never you,” she swore.

~!~!~!~

Despite being a Crystal Guard and one of Cadence’s escorts, Flash had decided to steer far away from Cadence. After what had happened, he had a very hard time trying to remain neutral or carry out his normal routines. Once he exited that door, he felt immediate guilt. He had always known he could be a major horn-dog but this was crossing the line. For the rest of the day, at least for 2 hours or so, he stayed in the guard’s area, talking to some of his friends and trying to remain calm. But the hardest part of the day came from having to avoid Twilight. He felt terrible enough as it was. Seeing Twilight wouldn’t make things better.

“AHEM!” came a sudden voice from behind him. Flash turned to see one of the lieutenants, Amity Faith, frowning at him disapprovingly.

“ACK!” Flash yelped, jumping and looking around frantically. “...y-yes, sir?”

“Come with me, Sentry,” he ordered, turning around and marching out of the guard’s area.

Flash got up and followed quietly. Normally he wasn’t paranoid but this was a very different situation. He could feel himself trembling and almost on the verge of just running but he kept his composure.

Amity lead him to an empty barrack, and he made sure to lock it once they were inside. He turned to look at Flash, his expression still highly disapproving. Flash gulped, standing at rigid attention.

“By your expression, I’m willing to guess you know exactly why I’m speaking to you,” Amity said formally.

“...n-no, sir. I don’t see why you would?”

“Don’t lie to me, Sentry,” Amity said. “I saw you this morning, sneaking out of Princess Cadence’s chambers.” He sighed. “Now, given that you are a member of the Crystal Guard, I wanted to give you the chance to explain and not simply assume--”

“Now hold on!” he said. “Just because I was leaving Cadence’s chambers doesn’t mean I would do something! Why would you assume anything?”

“Were it not for the fact that you looked as though you were sneaking, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation,” Amity answered. “And as I was attempting to say, I wanted to--”

“C-come on, it was early in the morning! I had a busy day and I didn’t want to overstay my welcome!”

Amity frowned again at the second interruption, but simply spoke again. “I was merely trying to ask why you were in there. I was not attempting to assume anything. It looked suspicious and I was--”

“Suspicious? Why would it be--” he silenced himself when he saw Amity’s expression, feeling as if a hole was being drilled right through his face with Amity’s eyes.

“Three times interrupting me, as though you’re anticipating what I’m going to say,” Amity said firmly. “Now I know something happened that you know shouldn’t have. You will explain yourself right now, or I will call Captain Armor and we can ask him.”

He paused before trying to relax his stance. “...w-why is it such a big deal I’m leaving her room? I do that all the time in the morning to check on her, get my duties, everything.”

“Then tell me why I smell perfume on you,” Amity asked simply.

Flash’s eyes widened. “...p-perfume, sir?”

“Yes, perfume,” Amity replied. “My sister is a perfume maker, I know how to recognize it. This is your final chance to come clean with me, because next we go find Captain Armor and let him decide how to handle this.”

...well everyone had a breaking moment. “OKAY I'LL CONFESS, I’M SORRY, I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING! Cadence told me not to tell anyone but I was just doing what she wanted! I didn't know, I promise! I didn’t know she wanted a bed-mate!”

Amity just stopped. “Wait… a bed-mate?! I thought you had been going through the princess’s belongings and the perfume had stuck to you! You SLEPT WITH HER?!”

He yelped, feeling his wings stretch out suddenly. “NOT OUT LOUD!”

“SIT DOWN SOLDIER!!” Amity yelled angrily.

Flash did as he we told, without saying a word. If he wasn’t terrified, he was now. Amity paced angrily for several minutes before he spoke again.

“You… do you have any comprehensible idea what you’ve done?” he demanded quietly. “I have been friends with the Sparkle family for years, and I know how tightly-knit they are. I know how much they value trust and love. Do you know what your thoughtless act has done?!”

“I-It isn’t what you think, okay!? She said that Shining wasn’t giving her any kind of love or attention and she just wanted to feel some kind of love!” he stammered, fidgeting with his hands. “She...she promised me a better future for me and Twilight so I figured it wasn’t that big of a deal! Wouldn’t you have done something to make a better future for the one you love? You can’t put all this on me you know. She’s...not exactly the saint that her people believe her to be.”

Amity fell silent. She had really stooped so low? Cadence had really gone so far as to do something like this? If that were the case, then Flash was just a victim, but even still… that didn’t excuse the part he had played.

“Flash Sentry, that is a moot point. Regardless of reasons, you still slept with the married princess of the Crystal Empire, and judging by what you just said, in doing so you also cheated on the princess of friendship,” he stated very clearly. “No matter your intentions, your actions remain reprehensible.”

Flash felt his ears go back and he turned his head away, knowing what would more than likely happen next. “...so...? You’re gonna kick me off the guard? Arrest me? What?”

“...No,” was the simply answer.

“...wait what? No? Why?”

Amity got right in Flash’s face, his expression deadly serious. “You have done something that is in all likelihood irreparable. You have participated in an action that will likely put an end to the marriage of the rulers or the Crystal Empire, something that will undoubtedly have repercussions on the crystal ponies themselves. How do you think they’ll handle having a loveless ruler on the throne of love? On top of that, once she discovers what you have done, no matter your reasons, Twilight Sparkle’s heart will be broken. I’ve known her since she was a filly. She is the most caring mare you will ever hope to meet, and you have betrayed her. All of this, you will have to live with. You will have to carry on your shoulders, for it falls on you. I won’t do anything, because you will have to live with that pain and guilt for the rest of your life.”

There was silence till Flash looked down. “.......I just wanted to give her a better future for us…”

“Then you should have considered the meaning of your actions,” Amity said, turning and opening the door to the barracks. “Dismissed.”

~!~!~!~

Celestia sat at the table in the meeting room, waiting patiently. This was going to possibly be the most important talk to occur during their summit. She glanced at the clock, not impatient but anticipating. Finally, the other attendee burst into the room.

“I’m here!” she said, catching her breath. “Don’t spring an emergency meeting on me like that, Tia. What is it?”

“Sit down, Cadence,” Celestia replied calmly. “It will just be you and I for this one.”

She blinked and slowly moved over to the table and sat in front of Celestia.

“What else is there left to discuss? I am trying to wrap up things for tomorrow,” asked Cadence.

“This is not about politics, my dear niece,” Celestia said. “I’m speaking to you as your aunt.”

“...oh.” she paused. “Well, let’s make it quick then.”

Celestia looked at her with a sad smile. “Make it quick? I remember a time when you would have loved to just talk with me.”

She was silent for a moment. “...you make a good point. Have I really been working too hard?”

“Without a doubt, but ironically, that isn’t what I wanted to talk to you about,” Celestia said, her smile fading into a serious expression. “We need to talk about what you have been doing as of late.”

“You mean what a good job I’ve been doing with the Empire? Tia, I don’t think that’s--”

“That’s not what I mean,” Tia interrupted. “You have been doing just fine as a ruler, but… it’s in all else that you have not been.”

She raised an eyebrow. “...what are you implying? Get to the point?”

Celestia frowned. “Such as that. You have been sacrificing the person you are for your crown. You have not been Cadence for a long time, far before this summit. It has me worried… for many reasons.” She sighed. “You are the princess of Love, Cadence. Don’t you think you were named as such for a reason?”

“And what is wrong with what I do? I’ve been focused on my duties,” said Cadence. “It isn’t my fault my husband chooses to disregard his responsibilities to try and live a footloose and fancy free lifestyle.”

“Interesting how you knew exactly what I was about to say,” Celestia replied. “I suppose that means this isn’t the first time this has been brought up to you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Save it. If you wish to be my marriage counselor, I am not interested. It is his foolish decision to take his royal responsibilities for granted. I may be the Princess of Love but that doesn’t mean I have to keep loving dead weight.”

“Dead weight,” Celestia said flatly. “That is how you refer to him now. Before you could never stop singing his praises. You did exaggerate a characteristic here or there, but the stallion you spoke of still exists to this day, a fine example of work ethic and strong love for his family and friends. He has done nothing but grow up, and I have seen how he is, Cadence. He is a fine leader and a good ruler. It was only when you began to change that things began to sour, because niece, you have changed for the worse.”

...Cadence said nothing. There really wasn’t anything she could say that could change the situation. But...she chose to laugh. Heartily. She was actually laughing over Celestia’s words.

“You are terrible with jokes, Celestia. You see fit to blame ME for his actions? I cannot love what HE has turned into.” Cadence stood up, trying to loom over Celestia. “You DARE try to put all of this blame upon me!? I have done nothing wrong!”

“Except seduce a guard that you knew to be seeing your sister-in-law,” Celestia replied. “And that is merely the most recent of your actions.”

“WHAT!? H-HOW DARE YOU IMPLICATE SUCH AN ACT, YOU BITCH!”

“MI AMORE CADENZA!!” Celestia thundered, standing up and spreading her wings fully, taking on a fairly intimidating posture. “YOU WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME IN SUCH A TONE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU KNOW THAT EVERY WORD I SPEAK IS TRUE!! I AM STILL YOUR AUNT AND YOUR SUPERIOR, AND YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT!!”

“.......and if it is? You have no business going into into my marriage.” growled Celestia, narrowing her eyes.

“I do when your behavior may very well be a threat,” Celestia replied. “You are acting in a similar manner to Luna before her descent into nightmare, and it frightens me to think that someone else who I hold dear may become a monster in every sense of the word…”

“Monster,” Cadence repeated. “Don’t even try to compare me to that sister of yours. She made more mistakes than I’m sure you have, If you think that Luna is anywhere on my level--”

“On your level?!” Celestia demanded. “Are you listening to yourself?! We are not superior or inferior in power, we are equals, and we each have our domains! Would you consider me inferior? Or Twilight? Are you better than us now?”

“Perhaps I am!” she said with a raised voice. “But this is not the point. And you have been dancing around your point since I came in here. YOU cannot do anything other than voice your thoughts. If you wish to discuss how much of a failure my husband has become, by all means, let’s discuss. It’s a subject I can’t seem to get enough of.”

Celestia shook her head. “I will not pretend Shining Armor is without fault. However, you are the one who has been driving him away. You are the one, who has been mistreating him. You are the very reason that mistakes have been made, and so long as you remain blind to that, nothing will be resolved.”

“And is he not at fault? You act as if I am all to blame. I wouldn’t go that far.” Cadence smirked. “I know my husband has been cheating. I can feel it in my bones.”

“You assume that baselessly,” Celestia answered. “And based on a mere assumption, you cheated on him yourself. Even if your assumptions were correct, is that truly the way to fix it? You get wronged, so you wrong in return? The true princess of Love that I knew would have at least attempted to talk, to work things out properly, and would never have stooped so low as to break not just one, but three hearts simply for her own satisfaction.”

Cadence turned and shook her head. “For my own satisfaction? Please. This hurts me more than you know. I will rectify this problem on my own time. But I’m curious. You found out about something I didn’t think you would faster than I thought. So if you can see what’s going on in this castle...what has Shining been doing?”

“And yet again, you try to divert the point I am trying to make and place blame yet again on your husband,” Celestia responded. “Have you ever given thought to the possibility that with multiple people telling you the same things there may be truth to it? That perhaps you should stop and think about what they are telling you?”

“THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!” yelled Cadence. Her horn began to glow a menacing color and she stared down her aunt, feeling an anger she hadn’t felt in a long time. She stood up slowly and took in a deep breath. “...is there anything else you wish to discuss?”

Celestia had taken a step back when she saw the change in Cadence’s magic. Such anger… What was happening to her dear niece? What was she turning into?