The Moon Worshiper Part 2: Knight of the Moon

Chapters

The Offer
Welcome to the Worst Day of Your Life
The Queen of Dreams
Saved from the Brink
Fine Lines
The Peace of Dreams
What I dreamed of
Mother Knows Best.
Knight of the Moon
To Protect A Hero

The Offer

It's been a month since Dark Sidewinder came into a more revealed existence. Things are going somewhat well for him after he revealed who he was, his friends did him a good deed and bought him a house in Canterlot so that he could always see his hero, Princess Luna raise the moon above. His personal life improved as well, as he started to talk with ponies more often then he ever could living in the Everfree Forest. Yes he does receive the occasional odd glace, but things have finally improved for him, and that's all he ever wanted.

He was walking down the street, at about late afternoon going to watch the moon rise like he did every night, when suddenly he looked up in the sky, and started to see something flying over the sky. He shook his head and marched on, heading to the castle. He smiled and started to increase his speed once he saw he was on the main road to the castle. He has to stop when he brakes to make sure he doesn't hit someone. He looked ahead and saw Princess Celestia, and bowed almost immediately. Celestia giggled slightly, as he rose. “What are you doing outside the castle your grace?” He said politely.

Celestia said “Oh, I'm just out to walk around. I need to observe some things before I go lay down for sleep” She said to the bat-pony in front of her. “Though you should hurry up, Princess Luna is about to raise the moon soon”

Dark nodded and hurried as fast as he could to his position where he normally sat as he saw her enter the balcony and her horn glowed with a luminescent glow as the moon slowly raised above the night sky, as another magical blast came from Princess Luna's horn allowing the stars to reform once again. Luna smiled gently as she looked at the night's sky, then looked down and saw Dark sitting there with a smile.

Dark stood up and prepared to walk away, when suddenly he stopped in his tracks. He heard the sound of the wind being brushed against magnificent feathers, he turned slowly to see Princess Luna right behind him. He kneeled almost immediately and said “Princess, what do I owe this honor for?” Dark said quickly flabbergasted that she flew right next to him.

“Rise, Dark Sidewinder” Princess Luna said with a smile at her biggest fan. “You don't have to kneel before me every time you see me” He rose quietly. “I came to talk to you about something, Dark Sidewinder” She said to him quietly. “It is something that has been on my mind for a while” She then started walking “Follow me, please”

Dark followed her, surprised that he was allowed to enter the castle. “Princess Luna, might I ask what are you thinking about?”

She looked at Dark and said “Dark Sidewinder” Luna started. “I have watched you very closely this past month, when not raising and lowering the moon of course” She smiled and said “And I must say I'm impressed with what I've seen”

A cherry red filled Dark's cheeks. “You flatter my Princess” He said with shaky voice. “I'm not that special” He said rubbing the back of his head.

The Princess of the moon could only laugh at this, modestly. “I said I've been watching you Dark. I saw what you've been doing around Canterlot when you aren't watching my moon”

FLASHBACK:

It was late after noon as Dark was heading to watch the moon rise as usual. He smiled but then stopped in place. He looked and saw a pony dragging a giant crate. Dark walked to him, as the pony jumped a little due to his appearance. He said “Need some help?” The pony looked at Dark and nodded. He smiled and lifted the crate flapping his wings, following the pony to where he needed to go and dropped it off. “]What was in that thing anyways?”

The pony smiled and said “Cement!” The pony said excitedly, and revealed his cutie mark had a cement block on it.

Dark gasped at that, and then said “Well, here you go”

The Cement Pony said “Thanks mister”

End Flashback:

Dark rubbed the back of his head "It wasn't that impressive, I was just doing a good deed, every pony should do" He said embarrassed

Luna smiled and said "Or how about using your better judgement for this"

Flashback:

Dark was walking to watch the moon again when he saw some pony looking at something in his hoof. Dark walked to this Pony who looked at Dark again with shock and horror, but Dark just smiled at the pony and asked "What's that bottle?"

The Pony responded with "Flim and Flam's Super Amazing Super tonic" The Pony said with glee. "I'm going to give it to my grandmother, it's supposed to make you move faster then lighting"

Skeptical Dark asked the pony to open the lid to the bottle and sniffed it, then gagged. "I wouldn't do that" He said quietly. "It smells like it would hurt you more than help you"

"How do you figure?" The pony asked looking angry.

He said "Because I don't think Tonic's are supposed to smell like used diapers and pig vomit" He said to the pony with earnest. "Just trust me, get your grand mother something simple."

End Flashback:

Dark blushed at that, “I was just following some good advice I got from when I was in Ponyville.” Luna smiled at that.

Walking next to Dark, she said “Speaking of the time you were in Ponyville, Twilight told me about your little chase you had with her and her friends and how impressive you were when I brought up my plan” Luna then stood next to him.

“What plan is that your grace” Dark said trying his best to keep his cool.

She smiled and said “Dark Sidewinder, I think you are worthy enough to be one of my loyal Warriors of Darkness, or my guards.” Dark looked at Luna shocked. “Don't get me wrong, you will be sent to training, and I have a certain pony in mind for that, but I honestly feel like you have the best chance in becoming one”

Dark looked at her stunned, and he started to consider saying no to this, but then he thought that if he became a guard, he would get to spend a lot of time around his hero. After a few minutes of mental debate he said “Okay, I'll give it a shot”

Elsewhere, in the deepest part of the Everfree Forest, a glowing light started to emanate in the center.

Welcome to the Worst Day of Your Life

"Oh sweet Celestia what in Equestria was am I doing!" , that was the thought that coursed through Dark Sidewinders mind as he approached the guard training camp. He's not a fighter, he's not a warrior, he's just some guy that Princess Twilight and her friends found in the forest. All he does, and has done, is watch the moon. That is it, that is literally his entire life. Sure, he's done some good deeds here and there, but he certainly doesn't think it qualified him to be a knight or a guard. On the other hand, this was a favor from he was doing for his hero. Princess Luna herself requested this, and she seems to believe in him. It was so bloody confusing to him. He had to shake off this confusion as he looked ahead and saw he was at the entrance. He walked in silently as he opened the door, and saw a big camp where various stallions were training like crazy. Dark kinda cringed a bit looking at them training like that, if there was any doubt that Dark shouldn't be here, these ponies shattered that doubt easily. They were everything Dark isn't, athletic, built, and most importantly normal. He slunk away quietly, about to try to just leave but remember that his hero believes in him. He needs to at least try, after all, she wouldn't just send him here just to mess with him. He walked forward, and then heard a gruff pony go. "All new recruits line up!" That voice sounded like it just commanded power with it's voice, and it worked because Dark did exactly what he was told, in spite of his head mentally berating him for doing so.

Dark was in a long line as this white pony with a Canterlot guard armor looked directly at them all and started to walk down the line. "All right ponies, listen up! Welcome to the Worst day of your lives!" Dark gulped at that. "You are here because you think yourselves worthy of being the guards to Equestria's royalty." This pony just marched down looking down all the new recruits, Dark starting to shake a bit. "You are the first line of defense for the princesses. You are going to be the future protectors of their lives" Dark was quiet at that as he looked down, mentally uttering to himself how much of a mistake this all was. "However, all I see are worthless" The White pony looked directly at the guy next to Dark, who shivered, "Stupid" The pony then glared at another pony and then glared right at Dark. "Pathetic, wastes of space on this planet." He then said "If you disagree with me come forward, I will put you in the ground faster than you can even think" Dark muttered to himself quietly. The Pony glared and said to dark. "You, Bat boy! Tell me right now, what did you just say!?"

Dark gulped and timidly said "No...Nothing"

The White Pony said "Nothing what!?" He said staring at Dark's soul, looking at him and said "WELL!?"

"Nothing sir!" Dark said in a squeak of fear. The White Pony shook his head and hmphed quietly.

He said "Pathetic, disgraceful, cowardly, i can tell right now you are going to quit after the first day" The pony walked away, as Dark looked down at that. He said "The rest of you maggots take a note of this fool. He represents all that is what I see today. He's weak, pathetic, and not even worthy to breath the same air as a Princess much less try to protect her from harm" Dark cringed at that, and looked down.

The pony turned around and said "Now then your worthless maggots, from now on you will call me the General, is that understood!" Dark, meekly joined the other ponies in agreement. General looked at them and said "Good, right now you are all weak, stupid, pathetic, idiots. However, at the the end of your time here" He turned and looked at his cadets. "You will be strong guards, powerful defenders of Equestrian Royalty, you will be the best of the best and no one could ever overcome you" He then looked at them and said "Now give me fifty laps on hoof, if you fly once I will add fifty more now go!" Dark started in, but it was clear that he was significantly slower than the other ponies. He tried his best to keep up, breaking into a run eventually. He started to gain momentum slighlty, but eventually he tripped over himself and fell to the ground crashing into the dirt.

General groaned and walked to him. "Son, what is your name?"

Dark looked up and said quietly "Dark Sidewinders..." The General helped Dark up and Dark said "Thank you"

"Private Sidewinders...why are you even here?" General asked him. "Tell me, you don't exactly look like the kind of pony who would just jump into Guard service" Dark got up and started to run again, the General was walking, keeping up with Dark with ease. "You will answer me when I am talking to you Private, now talk!"

Dark was quiet, but eventually said "My entire life, because of how I looked I was often given hatred and fear." Dark admitted running. "I'm not exactly normal looking you know?" General just nodded. "I didn't have a lot of friends growing up. However, that's not a life one should live, so I made one." Dark looked up as the night started to come. "The Moon, it was the only friend I had" Dark tripped again and fell flat on his face because he wasn't looking. "That's why" He said staggering to his feet. "I'm here, even though I know I really shouldn't be." He looked at the moon and said "My friend and my hero are both counting on me to pull through this" Dark went back into a run, and General walked back to his position

General sat down and eyes rolled quietly. "He has no talent, no skills, no ability" A small smirk went on his face as Dark, finally, finished the laps. "Yet, I'm kinda rooting for him to be a man" He looked at Dark and said "Okay, Rookie go back to your cabin for a rest" Dark nodded and walked to the cabin quietly.

Back in the Everfree Forest, a red mist started to grow. The mist started to move coating a few of the animals, who just fell to sleep suddenly.

The Queen of Dreams

Dark was exhausted, General was not exactly easy on the pony guards trainees. His arms, hooves, wings, and even his teeth ached in sweet agony as he collapsed on his bed before. He looked up and saw some blue pony with a black mane staring right in front of him who was smiling. "Hi there" This stallion said with a smile, on his face. "You're General's favorite right?"

Dark sat up groggerly. "I wouldn't exactly call myself the favorite. I'm not exactly doing well" A smile crept on the face of Dark's fellow guard in training looking right at him. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

He smiled "You're really spooking looking, you know that?" Dark nodded. "I think you look awesome" He said with a big smile.

Dark paused and said "Umm Thanks, and you are?"

"My name is Starnight" He said with glee. "What's your name?"

"Umm Dark" Dark said getting increasingly nervous about Starnight's actions, he's a very odd stallion to say the least. "So why did you want to talk to me anyways?"

"Well I've never seen a theastral before that's why?" Starnight said with a smile. "You look fascinating" He jumped up and sat next to Dark on the bed. "So tell me more about yourself, what princess are you trying to train for anyways" Starnight smiled and said "I'm trying to train for Princess Cadence in the Crystal Empire, I was there at her wedding and saw her and her husbands awesome blast, and I decided that I wanna be that cool too. If I can protect something like that, I can find a perfect purpose"

A smile crept on Dark's face after hearing that, he looked up at the moon and said "Princess Luna is the one I want to protect as a guard" He said as a smile crept on his face. "I grew up just outside of Ponyville, I was abandoned when I was young in the Everfree forest by my parents." He looked at Starnight and smiled quietly. "I'm actually very grateful you find my apperance so cool, you the ninth pony in my life to ever do that for me"

Starnight gave Dark a weird look and said "Ninth?"

Dark nodded "Yeah, only number nine" He sighed "You see, because of how I look I've created a lot of fear on accident amongst my neighbors" He looked down and said "I didn't exactly have the easiest life, I tried countless times to make some friends but honestly it didn't amount to anything. The only friend I ever had was the moon. I started to try to learn more, in secret. I heard about Princess Luna, and learned that she was the reason I can make at least one friend. So I started to send her letters at least once a month, I know that's creepy but, it helped me out." Slowly a smile came back to Dark's face as he lit up. "Then about three months ago,my life took a drastic change. I was delivering one of my letters to the Princess and then suddenly I bumped into a Pink pony who was...eccentric...to say the least" Starnight laughed, as he knew right away which certain pink pony he was talking about. "She got her friends to come into the Everfree forest to find out more about me." Dark looked down. "They found me and well captured me." He looked up. "Pinkie Pie, the umm pony I was talking about earlier, she was convinced that she bumped into a Vampire Pony, and I couldn't blame her, since I have bat wings, really red eyes, and my habits were kinda shown that night" Starnight kinda laughed at that, and Dark joined him since it was kinda funny. "Then the nicest thing any pony has ever done for me happened. They treated me like everyone else, I was finally accepted for the first time in my entire life." Dark's smile pretty much doubled in size. "They even let me meet my hero."

Starnight paused at that and asked "You personally met Princess Luna?"

"Yeah, she's actually the reason why I'm here, she thinks I got what it takes to be one of her guards, and I kinda don't wanna let her down, that's actual the real reason why I don't want to quit, even though I know I"m pretty bad at this" Dark looked at Starnight and asked "So,anything else you wanna know about me?"

Starnight smiled and asked "What's your special talent? Mine is the ability to run as fast as possible. I'm the fastest pony on the ground" Starnight said with a smirk. "I can beat anyone in a race"

Dark was quiet and then slowly smiled "I can see in the dark with perfect accuracy, it's part of the reason why I'm so nocturnal." Starnight looked at Dark and tilted his head "You're not buying that are you?" Starnight shook his head. "My actual special talent is to be able to figure out any situation pretty quickly." He sighed "I can hear things pretty well too, my hearing is almost as good as a bats, hence the cutie mark"

Starlight smirked and asked "I thought the bat cutie mark was there because of your wings"

Dark groaned "Yeah I get that a lot"

Starnight asked "So, what else do you know?"

"Oh old pony tales, ever since I've been more public I've been facinated with them" Dark said with a small smile. "Like the Queen of Dreams"

Starnight asked "The Queen of Dreams?"

Dark smiled "Yeah" He started. "Long ago before the two sisters ruled Equestria, there was a Queen. This Queen was a kind, benevolent, wise ruler, who protected Equestria from danger. Eventually, as life happens, she became infatuated with a pony and the two fell in love, and eventually had two children" He sighed "However, this story does not have the fairy tale ending. One day, The Queen accidentally found a spell that let her manipulate dreams and gain power from them. She started to see how much happier every pony was asleep, how there were less people harming others. So she decided to act on this, she loved her ponies how could she not grant them the kindness of eternal peace. So she had a planned an ultimate idea, the plan called Eternal Sleep, it's goal was to make every pony in Equestria have eternal bliss and dreams."

Starnight asked "What happened to her?"

"Her husband catching wind of his wife's plan tried to reason with her. He told her the truth, that while a world where ponies can have happiness whenever they want, the world of reality would fall into nothingness if there are no ponies to help them. Ponies would suffer instead of being happy, so while the thought was nice, it was a bad idea. Enraged her husband would suggest her idea was terrible the Queen declared that nothing can stop her, and if she has to use force to accomplish this goal then so be it"

Dark sighed "Desperate to protect his children from the Queen's madness the King used a secret power to seal the Queen away, to where and why is not known"

Starnight asked "What happened aftewords"

"The King moved on, he ruled Equestria and said his wife had simply gone away" Dark said looking at him. "Don't worry it's just a legend, when have they ever come true?"

In the Everfree forest the mist put more animals to sleep, a female voice is heard "Shh, it's okay eternal peace will be yours"

Saved from the Brink

The following day was tough on Dark. General kept running everyone ragged, Dark being the slowest, and the weakest every time. General kept trying to encourage Dark, but it wasn't working. His usual optimism started to get replaced with self doubt. Dark kept failing every single time, and it started to get to him. General said "Private Sidewinder, you're getting better" General said to a frustrated Dark.

"Not good enough" Dark responded looking down. He struggled back up and somberly walked back to the cabin. He fell over on the bed, and looked down. Starnight came in and Dark muttered "Worst one, every single time" He sighed "I knew this would be a mistake."

Starnight said "Don't worry about it Dark, you'll get better. Trust me, you're gonna be a great guard for Princess Luna" He said with a smile. Dark looked away from him. "Trust me, I know you can do it"

Dark responded with "How would you know? You're the best in the academy, I'm the worst. What do you know about failures like this?" Starnight looked at his newfound friend hurt. Dark slowly began to notice, "I mean, I'm sorry that, that didn't come out right...I..."

"You need to be alone, I get it" Starnight said leaving Dark alone in silence. Dark quietly looked down.

He said to himself "Nice going, Dark." He sighed as he looked up at the Moon. "What do you see in me anyways? I'm pathetic" He started to close his eyes. He then heard footsteps outside and started to look outside. He started to try to go back to sleep, but he heard more noise. He opened the door slowly, and saw other thestrals looking directly at him. They were all glaring, eyes full of hatred. Dark started to notice that he was in guard armor. He ran into the room and gasped in horror seeing Princess Luna laying motionless on the ground, seeing Princess Celestia glaring eyes not filled with the usual kindness, just pure rage and hate. He backed away hitting a door, as those hate filled eyes kept looking at him. He backed away getting increasingly more and more afraid. A low growl rose from Celestia's lips and suddenly Dark fell out of an open window falling from Canterlot, to scared to use his wings.

Suddenly, he heard a loud voice go "Enough!" He then felt himself falling on the back of a tall pony. He looked to his side, and saw a blue swirling starry mane in his face. He looked down embarrassed as he knew right away this was Princess Luna. Luna flew into the air and landed him in the middle of a void of nothing but white space. She gave Dark a look of such disappointment which caused him to look at the ground not wanting to meet that look again. "Dark Sidewinder, please look at me when I'm talking to you." Dark's head did not move what so ever. Luna looked at her most faithful follower and asked "What was that dream about my loyal follower?" Dark suddenly got quiet. "Dark Sidewinder look at me" He looked away getting quiet. "You aren't doubting yourself are you?" Dark nodded, still as silent as a wall. Luna sighed quietly and said "I can't understand what's wrong if you do not tell me so" Dark said something quietly. "What was that?"

Dark said louder "I'm not worthy to talk to you. I keep failing you" Dark said quietly. "Every time I try, I end up being the worst one in the entire academy, I'm not cut out for this I keep on failing like crazy!" He said his volume raising. "I, I don't understand what you see in me Princess, I'm terrible" Dark said in lament. Luna was silent as Dark finally met her eyes. "Why do you think I'm worthy of this?"

"Because you aren't the strongest pony" Luna said quietly, which caused Dark to give her the biggest weird look ever. She said "You're stronger than you think you are, honestly seeing everyone else in this academy I truly believe you are the best student in this academy"

Dark responded with "I'm the worst one, I can't complete a single course in any place but last, I fail every time too" Dark looked down. "I'm barely improving, if at all. I'm not fit for this kind of thing"

Luna gave Dark a glare which caused Dark to shut up instantly, his mouth a gape in fear. "You're the strongest because you possess a heart unlike any pony here" Dark got silent here. "You've working harder and harder than any stallion I've seen in quite some time. Even if you are failing right now, you will not give up." She tilted Dark's head up, after he looked down again. "That's a noble quality to have, to never give up and to keep on trying no matter how hard you've failed" She smiled at him as the Princess of the Night walked with him. "Doubt like this, doubt on whether or not you are strong enough to have a noble purpose. It's enough to drive someone mad"

Dark asked "How do you know?"

"Did you ever the legend of the Mare on the Moon?" Luna responded.

"Yeah, of course, an old ponies tale about Nightmare Moon." Was Dark's response.

Luna responded with "That legend is true, I know because I lived it" Dark's mouth was a gape in shock. "I was filled with doubt that my subjects even cared about me,, after all most ponies sleep during the night missing how wonderful the night can really be" Dark was about to say something but Luna continued before he could. "So, my doubt consumed me, it filled me, making me a monster" She sighed "I ignored my sister who tried her best to reassure me, to calm me down, to save me." She looked up at the moon which was prominent in Dark's dream. "So, in the end my doubts turned me into something I wasn't, a cruel beast who wanted nothing more than to hurt the ponies I used to go to great lengths to protect" She sighed "Even though my friends and my sister saved me, there are days I doubt myself still, wonder if I really matter" She slowly smiled "But when I see my sister's smiling face telling me how much she believed in me, and how much she knows that I matter, it helps more than she can ever know" She looked at Dark. "I believe in you because you have the heart and compassion of a true guard. I don't think you can do this." Dark got quiet "I know you can"

Dark looked away at that. "Thank you, my princess but what if I'm not strong enough"

Luna laughed "I don't want the strongest guard in Equestria, I want the best guard" She patted his head. "You're not the strongest pony in the world, but I know that you can do this" She smiled and said "I believe in you, but you need to believe in yourself." She smiled "Trust me, Dark Sidewinder"

Dark looked down and said "You...really think I can be a guard?" Luna nodded. He slowly smiled "Thank you so much"

Luna smiled and said "Well a hero is supposed to inspire now isn't she?" Dark turned red at that comment. She giggled slightly and patted his head, then left Dark alone to get some rest.

Back in the awake world, the red mist started to slowly go into Ponyville, near Fluttershy's cottage. She woke up and saw the mist, but before she let out a sound she fell into a deep sleep.

Fine Lines

With the words of Princess Luna guiding him, Dark got up the next day and walked to Starnight. "Listen about last night..." Dark started to say, the guilt flooding his eyes.

Starnight smiled and said "Don't worry about it, Dark. You look like you had a good sleep" Dark nodded.

General said from the distance "All right maggots listen up! Obstacle course, five laps on the double right this very minute!" The recruits walked outside, and Dark followed as such. "All right maggots, time to show me what you can do" Dark nodded and, well it didn't go as well as he would have hoped would have been an understatement. He tripped and fell face first upon the starting gate. He got back up and kept running like mad falling again. He dusted himself off and then suddenly saw Starnight passing him on the lap. He grumbled and spread his wings defiant, and ran as fast as he could to the first obstacle, a rope and a wall.

He grabbed the rope with his hooves and started to climb up it, General looking on in silence. Dark got about half way and then fell down landing hard on his wings. He winced in pain as he slowly stood up. General said "Rookie, that wing isn't looking that good I'd call it a day" Dark ignored him and grabbed the rope. He felt his grip loosen again at the half way point again, he then gripped the rope with his teeth to keep his grip. He forced himself to grab the rope and pulled himself up and over and fell down the wall again on the hurt wing.

Starnight walked past him and said "Dark you're wing's not looking to good" Dark stood up silent and ran to the other obstacles clearly in pain, and started to run through the tires laid out. Dark's hoof got caught and he fell face forward, than got up and ran as fast as he could coming to a turn, he ran past it, doing something he hadn't done in the entirety of the time he was here, actually made the curve without falling and ran to the third obstacle, a rope swing for Earth Ponies and Unicorns or a bunch of aerial hoops for pegusai. Dark backed up and spread his wings, and couldn't help but cry out in pain as he saw Starnight swing past him in the rope.

Dark's eyes shifted to a look of fiery determination as he flapped his wings as fast as he could flying through the hoops before crashing on the ground below. At this point the other rookies including Starnight had to stop what they were doing to watch this. Dark stood up wobbling, and then limp ran to the final obstacle course which was a swimming course Dark paddled like crazy, but really wasn't going anywhere, not only that but the force of the water was rubbing against his wings and burned him as crawled out of the watering hole gingerly. He started to limp run again, clearly beat up to no regards and ran finally crossing his first lap. He prepared to go again, when Starnight and the General stopped in front of him. Starnight spoke first. "Dude, you're done"

Dark said "I have more laps left, I'm always last remember?" Dark said trying to move

"Dude, your pushing yourself to hard, you need to get that wing looked at this isn't smart Dark!" Starnight said blocking him off. "Listen to me, will you?" Dark still kept trying, but Starnight was faster, more agile and kept blocking him off every time.

Finally General said "ENOUGH!" Dark and Starnight both stopped. "Private Sidewinders, sidelines for medical attention NOW!" Dark looked at him as General said "That's an order rookie!" Dark looked at the sidelines as he walked to the bench, where some EMT's went to work examining his wing. They told him he was lucky he didn't break it with this little stunt, and that he should avoid flying for a little bit. General came to Dark after he ordered the rest to continue the course laps. He said "Son, what in Celestia's good name are you thinking?" He said to Dark as Dark looked away from him. "Well, answer me Rookie!"

"I just wanted to show you I can do this sir!" Dark said quietly. "I can't just give up because of a little injury" He looked down. "I'm never gonna give up or come close to it ever again" Dark said as General sighed.

"Son, there's determination and and there's idiocy" He said to him point blank "What you were doing was idiocy"

Dark looked at him "But...but I thought determination is what was needed around here" Dark said quietly. "I can't just give up because I got a little hurt" He then looked down "Princess Luna said to me last night that..."

"She wouldn't want you to be dead, boy!" General responded with venom. Dark looked away after that. "Look, you've got heart and at the risk of stroking your ego I think you got what it takes to be a guard more than anyone else here." Dark looked up at that. "However, you need to know something. There is a fine line between guts and being stupid" He then said "I'll give you an example, a monster attacks Canterlot, you stand up to the monster and fight it. That's guts because you are doing what you are in the way of a beast that will harm ponies and you are determine to save them regardless of what happens to you. That's bravery, that's honorable, and that's being a guard." He then said "You nearly kill yourself over an obstacle course...that's not being brave, that's being stupid" Dark looked away. "Look, I admire your drive, reminds me of a younger stallion in your position," He looked out and watched the recruits and sat next to Dark. "But remember from now, the differences between guts and brains."

Dark looked out as he sighed, it making sense. "I'll try to sir, I'm sorry" Dark stood up as Starnight walked to him, finishing first as always.

Starnight said "You gonna be okay?"

"I'll be fine, I was just being an idiot" Dark responded quietly.

Starnight smirked "I'll say" He sat next to Dark. "Apology accepted anyways"

Elsewhere in Ponyville the red mist had begun to cover the area again, the ponies of that area not knowing about it until it's to late, collapsing and falling asleep. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and even Discord, sharing the same fate as Fluttershy collapsing into a deep sleep. As the mist kept spreading Twilight was in her library in her castle, frantically looking for what was responsible and how to stop it as fast as possible. Unbeknownst to her, the red mist kept seeping into the library. Spike, being with Twilight screamed in terror as he saw it. Twilight turned but the mist struck her and Spike. They fought against falling asleep for a while, until eventually they both collapsed falling into a deep sleep.

Outside the castle the red mist gathered forming a figure and finally subsiding, revealing a pony standing there with large feathered wings, red skin, a horn on her head, a long flowing red mane, and in royal garb all over her body. She smiled as her cold steel blue eyes opened and she said "Ah, it feels so good to be back and helping my ponies with eternal sleep. 1542 years, it's been far to long since I've seen my little ponies again" She flew up and landed on the top of the town hall. "Lovely town" She looked ahead and in the distance she saw the guard camp and smirked. "More ponies who need to feel dreams sweet embrace"

The Peace of Dreams

Dark was finally improving the way he wanted to the past few weeks. After his little incident at the obstacle course, Starnight pulled him aside and offered to help him train a little bit. It was tough, but Dark finally started to get better, he wasn't finishing last anymore at least. However, Dark just kept having this odd feeling that something was wrong. Something was coming, but he didn't know what. It was in the middle of the afternoon, and Dark was still awake trying to figure this out, even though he was eating in the mess hall.

Elsewhere, the General was going over the reports of the grades for the students. Graduation day is coming soon for the guards and it's his job the decide the fates of these stallions and ponies to where they are going, if they are going at all. He got to Starnight and smirked, commendable student, an perfect guard if anyone could want one, even if he's a bit eccentric. He paused and thought to himself on where he could go, Starnight has said to both him and Dark that he wants to go to the Crystal Empire, the kid's payed his dues to he deserves to go where he wants to go, so he assigned him to the Crystal guard. He then got to Dark Sidewinder. Dark Sidewinder, now there's a name that will never win any pony any awards. He then started to think about the thestrial and his determination. That kid always came last in every single race for 95% of the required time to be here. However, he also is the one that learned the most. The General smiled as he prepared to assign Dark, then suddenly he fell into a deep sleep himself. The red mist that invaded Ponyville left the room and started to go to cabin to cabin.

Dark, meanwhile was with Starnight in the mess hall. Dark was looking out window quietly and looked down at his food. Starnight said "You okay?" Dark nodded "Dark, you know you're not a very good liar"

"Something's bugging me that's all" Dark said quietly. He looked at Starnight and said "I don't know it just feels like something wrong has been happening around here that's all" Starnight shrugged "You think it's just me"

Starnight then said "Who knows, but it is a little weird today. The General hasn't made us run any laps today."

"Maybe he's giving us the day off" Dark suggested.

Starnight started laughing, "Dude, this is place that trains the guards of the Princesses of all of Equstria, we don't get days off" He then stopped laughing, and said "Speaking of, we're almost done with training lately, how do you think I did?"

Dark laughed at the question, and Starnight gave him a weird look, Dark responded with, "You're the best guy at this Academy, you came in first every single training exercise, I think you'll be fine." He sighed "I'm pretty much doomed though, no one can say I didn't try"

Starnight smirked and said "You know Dark, whether or not you become a guard or not, you really gotta work on that confidence thing." He smirked. "Everyone here, not just me thinks you deserve to be here, heck the General even thinks you deserve to be here and he is an extreme hard case towards everyone." He smiled and said "If you don't become a guard, I'll eat my mane"

Dark smiled at that, "Thanks man" He then paused as he saw several ponies falling asleep suddenly in the mess hall. "I know training's rough, but the other trainers can't be that much harder on us than General right?" He then paused as his ears twitched, as a low voice was heard. "Do you hear that?"

Starnight said "Hear what?" He then looked at the guards asleep. "Hey guys, you know the trainers are gonna give you all a hard time if they catch you all sleeping" Starnight shouted, suddenly his eyes started to feel heavy, Dark backed up off the table as he saw a red mist around Starnight's hooves.

"That mist" He paused and backed up, seeing an open window as he flew out of it quickly, Starnight falling under the same curse as the others. Dark knew he should get to General as fast as he could, behind him he saw the mist following him, he flew faster than he every flew before as he arrived at Generals quarters. He opened the door quickly and saw General out cold on the table sleeping like the others. His ears twitched as he heard that voice again.

It sounded like a pony going, "Go to sleep little thestrial, your suffering will be over soon" Dark backed up as he saw a window, he leaped out of it, trying to get away from the mist as fast as he could until eventually he made it to the obstacle course field and landed in the center as he panted. Dark looked around and then gasped in horror, as he saw he was surrounded by the very mist he was trying to escape from. He gulped and he looked around and saw through the mist an alicorn of all things standing right in front of him. The alicorn stepped forward revealing her red skin, green serpent like eyes, large wingspan, and horn with a crown on top her head as a glorius pitch black mane with red dots in them stood before him.

Dark started to put it together, a red mist that puts ponies to sleep, a large alicorn that no one has seen before standing right in front of him, and this bad feeling he's been having for the past few days. Dark said "You're the Queen of Dreams."

"Indeed I am" the Alicorn responded. "You amuse me thestrial, the only one who decided to put two and two together" She giggled "You deserve the peace of dreams as well"

He said quietly "How is this possible, you're a legend nothing more" He said, though deep in his mind he thought about what Princess Luna told him about the mare in the moon, which means some legends can be true, but still.

"Legends are always based on some fact" The Queen of Dreams responded, the red mist surrounded Dark from every angle which means he was stuck. "Now sleep" The mist covered Dark's entire body as the thestrial tried to fight and claw himself to stay awake, but it was all for not. He collapsed and finally sleep over took him.

The Queen of Dreams turned and saw Canterlot and said "Now than, I sense a great dream to be had there"

What I dreamed of

Dark awoke feeling the warm grass underneath his skin. He looked up and saw the moon in the sky and his face turned to see he was in the Everfree Forest, on his old hilltop, where he used to gaze at the moon's beauty. This didn't make any sense, the Queen does permanent sleep right? Furthermore, he was at the training field. As soon as he thought that he looked to his left and saw Princess Luna sitting right next to him. "Princess Luna!?" He said quickly "The Queen of Dreams, she's loose and..."

Luna put her hoof over Dark's mouth and said "Don't worry about it, the other princesses and I took care of that little problem already" She smiled "It's okay, I'm very proud of you" Dark paused at that. "You stood up to her even though you knew you were outmatched, you're defiantly worthy enough to be one of my guards" Dark looked up and Luna asked "Why do you look at my moon so much anyways, even after you've met me"

"I told you several times, growing up it didn't feel like anyone understood me or even liked me" Dark started, "Your moon is what kept my company, it was something to look forward to, a burning light that never really seemed to go out, and guided me to so much happyness." Luna couldn't help but smirk at that. "But, you know, I'm so glad that I finally escaped that trap I set myself in"

Luna asked "Trap?"

He smiled "When those six came to me, I was trapped in a state of loneliness and self doubt, so much fear and pain in my mind" He sighed "It was more than I can bare" He looked at the moon. "I knew that it wasn't normal to have my only friend in the entire world be the moon in the sky, but I also thought that no pony would ever love me because of how I looked compared to other ponies." Dark's eyes closed as he remembered back to that knight that changed his life forever.

He looked away as Fluttershy asked “Well what's your name”

“It's...” He started to think and then looked down as it slowly hit him. “My name is Dark Sidewinder” He said admitting his shame. “I never knew my parents so I gave myself the name. It's not that bad is it?” He said looking away. Suddenly he felt gravity under him as the vines went away causing him to plummet and crash on the floor. He looked up and saw Pinkie offering her hand to him. He looked nervous

Pinkie smiled and helped him up anyways. “Well I think your wings look cool!” She then gets an idea. “COOL WING PARTY!” She said suddenly having confetti, that caused a look of confusion to fill Dark's face.

Rainbow Dash floated down to him and he backed up afraid of what she would do. “You're really jumpy are you okay?”

Fluttershy asked “Are you shy?”

“Why are you all being so nice to me?” Dark said really confused. “I mean look at me, I'm a monster, this isn't normal!”

“Oh stop being silly” Rarity said with a smile “Everyone here is unique in their own ways” She said with a smile, “In fact” She said looking around. She looked at the setting and began using her magic on something, almost like she was in a trance.

Apple Jack looked at her and rolled her eyes. “What she means is, it's okay if you got those wings and talk to the moon. Don't mean a hill of beans to us”

Looking down, Dark said “You all are...to kind...” He said tears unwillingly falling “Thank you”

Dark couldn't help but grin uncontrollably at that thought. "I should write to those girls more often" Luna smiled and said "You know Princess, I got to admit this is nice"

Princess Luna asked "What's nice?"

"Just spending some time with you" The thestrial said to the Princess of the Night. "There is nothing I would rather do than to spend my night, looking at the wonderful moon you raised with you" He smiled and said "After all, you're my hero, and I've always dreamed that this would happen"

Princess Luna smiled and said "What was that?"

Dark paused as his cheek turned pink, "I umm..." Dark looked away embarrassed, the shade of red on his face growing brighter than before. "I've always dreamed that you and I would just spend the night looking at the moon together" She giggled quietly as her biggest fan couldn't help but try to hide his blush from her. "That's weird isn't it?"

Luna smiled and said "Don't worry, I find it kind of adorable" She patted his head. "I'm grateful I have such a noble pony for a number one fan" She smiled and said "Now come on, let us watch the moon together, just like you've always dreamed"

Suddenly Dark paused at that "Dreamed...I've always...Dreamed of..." He paused "I've always dreamed of doing this, dreamed....dreamed...." He kept thinking about it and thinking about it, until eventually he shouted out loud. "I'm an idiot!" He looked at Luna and said "Princess Luna, can I test something?" Luna tilted her head and shrugged. Dark than placed his hoof on her horn and paused. "This is a dream, I'm under the Queen's spell, because..." A memory filled Dark's mind again

It was the first night that Dark was in his new place and he was having difficulties adjusting to the new place. He tossed and turned and then saw Princess Luna in his bedroom. Dark blushed embarrassed, and said "Princess Luna" He went to touch her, but a field appeared before him

Princess Luna smiled and said "Relax, Dark Sidewinder." She smiled "I just wanted to see how you were adjusting to this new place. Be careful though if you so much and touch me I will leave this dream forcefully" Dark nodded and apologized

Dark paused and said "You're not real" Luna looked at Dark hurt. "No matter how much I wish it, this is just a dream" Luna was about to say something. "And there has to be a way to wake up" Dark backed up and tried to wake himself up by slapping himself repeatedly, but that ammounted to all but a bruised face. "Come on Dark, think!"

Luna said "Dark you are being silly, this isn't a dream this is real the Queen of Dreams was defeated" She said to Dark frantically. "Don't leave me"

Dark said "I won't leave you, not the real you, but you're a dream and I have to wake up" Dark tried again and again to wake himself up but it was all for naught.

Dark than began pacing and pacing as the Dream Luna said "Dark you're acting crazy this isn't a dream" Dark kept pacing and kept thinking, as the Dream Luna said "Please just come and spend a lovely night sitting down watching the moon with me." She then teased "Before I let you keep your nightmares this time when you fall asleep"

"My...nightmares" Dark said thinking about it, this is only a dream a pleasant one, but if he did something shocking. If he did something that would shock his mind like a nightmare would, maybe he could be woken up. He looked at the Dream Luna, and thought it was worth a shot. He backed up and then without any hesitation planted a big old kiss on the Dream Luna's face. A bright light flashed from that action, a bright light flashed in his head as Dark's eyes slowly opened.

He saw himself on the training field in his cadet uniform and saw he was alone, as all the other ponies were asleep. Dark stood up wobbly, as he saw the red mist oozing out of Canterlot's direction and then looked at himself. He ran to the armory of the camp which was for the big guards and in silence grabbed a helmet worn by one of Luna's guards, some light armor for the body, a sword, and some armored boots. He walked to Starnight and said "This endevor is probably going to kill me, and if it does," Dark opened his luggage and revealed his shaman necklace from a failed attempt of shamanism, he placed it on Starnight's neck and said "Thank you for being the best friend I needed" Dark extended his wings, and flew off heading towards Canterlot with break neck speed.

Mother Knows Best.

While the moon was full, the red mist was spreading all around Canterlot, every corner it covered ponies fell asleep the spell amplified by all the dreams that fueled the Queen. On the Balcony of the Kingdom Celestia and Luna looked on in shock, as Celestia said "We need to get to the Crystal Empire and get Cadence and Shining Armor quickly now" Celestia said to her sister. "The longer we hold out here, the more power she'll have"

Luna sighed and said "Why did she have to come back sister?" Luna asked the older sibling. Celestia said nothing as she prepared to take off. She flew off first, but the mist was moving as fast as it can to block her off. Celestia started to blast at the mist with her horn, but it kept making holes causing her to miss. The mist appeared behind Celestia and wrapped around her body and forces Celestia to land. Celestia shouted up. "Luna, hurry, get out of here as fast as you can! Equestria's counting on..." She wobbled. "On..." She fell down "you..." She fell over and finally fell asleep.

The red mist formed the Queen again and said "Rest in peace, Tia." She patted her face. "You've grown up to be a fine mare since I last saw you." She looked at her cutie mark. "So you got your father's job huh? I should have known, you always were a daddies little girl. Princess Celestia, if you are the soul ruler of the kingdom why are you not Queen? Could you have perhaps...." She turned and looked at the castle and saw Luna fleeing into it. "Hold that thought."

Luna was running in a panic, she had to get to the Crystal Empire as fast as she could, Ponyville has fallen so Twilight Sparkle and her friends were out of the picture. Cadence's light is the only thing that can stop that mare from getting away with all the horrible acts she plans to commit she has to stop her. She has to stop this mad Queen before she does any more harm. Those were the only thoughts that raced through her mind, as she kept running through the castle. She then stopped at the door to the outside as she saw the red mist appear at the door frame. "No" She took flight and went to the throne room and looked for a way out, maybe one of the windows were opened. She saw that there was a door open, and hurried towards it, but the red mist appeared and closed the door in front of the Princess of the Night's face. She looked around as the red mist rushed past her and formed the Queen again. Luna said distraught. "Not, not now, not when all of Equestria is counting on me!"

The Queen smiled at Luna, "Luna, how have you been" The red mist brought her a book. "We need to have a talk, young filly" She said quietly. "The mare in the moon, eternal night, you've been busy since I've last saw your smiling face"

Luna said, nervously, "I've paid for those actions, just like you payed for yours"

The Queen said "Is it wrong to want my ponies to have a perfect peaceful world? A world where they can always get what they want because it's their mind that wills it" Luna glared at her "Is that so wrong, little Luna?" The Queen sighed "You may have taken my mantel of the night, but you are just as blind to reality as your foolish father"

"We are not scared of you, mother!" Luna said in the Royal Canterlot voice, trying to intimidate the Queen. "You are insane, and if we must fight you...we shall!" Luna said with her horn glowing.

The Queen giggled and said "Oh Luna, such a stickler for traditions as always" She laughed "Your father was so strict on that" Her laughter stopped as she still maintained a quite confident smirk on her face."Though there is something that has bothered me since I've returned. Why is your sister called Princess Celestia and not Queen Celestia?" She smirked "After all I was...indisposed at the time and I sense your father is no longer around, so tell me, why are you and your sisters called Princess and not Queen"

"Celestia and we found it to be respectful to the mother we had before she went insane to keep that title" Luna said in response. "Mother, I am the new master of dreams , it'll take a lot more than your spells to beat me" She said confidently, but bluffing.

"Do you not remember who I was Luna?" The Queen said with a smirk. "I am Queen Nuit the Ruler of the Night and the Queen of Dreams. I decreed one thousand five hundred and forty two years ago that my subjects should receive permanent paradise that is their own forever dreams" Nuit smirked and said "And once it is declared, no force no matter who they are can not defeat me" She smirked "However, let's test your little bluff, Luna. After all, there are other ways of putting you to sleep besides the dream mist"

Luna fired a blast from her horn and Nuit dodged it and fired her own forcing Luna to dodge by taking into the air. Nuit was in hot pursuit shooting beams at her child while Luna fired at her in mid air, and beautiful spiral of blasts and flight filled the room as Nuit and Luna engaged in their little duel. Luna stopped and fired an more powerful blast at Nuit, who responded by firing back at the same time. The two magical blasts combined in a dueling lock. Nuit remarked "So, it seems my daughter has grown powerful since I last saw her" Nuit piled on the pressure. "However, you are still just a child, I am the true master of dreams Luna" The blast got closer and closer to Luna. "You are nothing more than a mere apprentice" Luna glared and her horn glowed brighter than it ever had before.

Luna said "I am not so little anymore!" She said forcing the blast back to the Queen of Dreams, Nuit paused as Luna kept forcing her blast back. "I am the mare of the moon, the Princess of the Night, you can't even comprehend what you have missed mother" She glared and said "I saw father's accident that made him die in in Celestia's hooves" Her voice changed to Royal Canterlot Voice. "We saw a world in chaos, a kingdom in darkness, and then slowly fell into a jealous madness we could not escape from." She growled "You know nothing about our struggle, how hard we fought for our redemption after so many centuries of blind hatred" Her mind went to Dark, and all her other friends. "You know nothing about having someone worship you because they believes in our night and our struggles" She growled and said "You know nothing!" The blast got bigger. "We are Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night, we are the Mare of Dreams, the hope of ever pony never having to have a nightmare again!" Luna said "So come mother, feel our wrath!" The blast careened towards Nuit flying towards her and hitting her full force.

When the smoke cleared Luna landed slowly feeling very weak, she looked down and panted like mad. "I'm sorry mother, but I'm a grown mare and I don't need you anymore" Luna looked around exausted, then suddenly a red mist surrounded her again as Luna gasped in shock "Wha...what. We destroyed you!"

Nuit smirked and said "Oh Luna, I was just toying with you. Just from the dreams I've absorbed right now," The mist wrapped around Luna. "I think you need some sleep, you look positively tired my dear daughter" She patted Luna's head and smirked "After all, mother knows best" Luna couldn't fight it any more and eventually sleep over took her and she collapsed asleep.

Nuit smiled and said "Now than, I think the Crystal Empire should be a fun target to hit next" She paused and said "I wonder if that buffoon Sombra is still there" Suddenly she heard the door's kicked open and Dark stood there right in front of her.

Dark said, "Darn it I was to late, you already put them to sleep" Dark said looking at Luna on the ground.

Nuit paused as she remembered Dark from the field, "You're the Thestrial I put to sleep" She paused and said "You fell asleep how are you still awake? Why are you still awake?!" Dark ignored her and went to Luna and paused looking at the Princess of the Night. Dark looked at the Queen of Dreams before him as Nuit said, "Well answer your Queen young thestrial, what are you doing still awake!?" She shouted at him. "How did you resist my magic, you are a pegasai type pony!" She calmed down and said "You know what, it doesn't matter, I'll just put you to sleep again"

Dark paused as the red mist hit him again, he felt drowsiness hit his mind again but he quickly shocked it by mentally replaying his little stunt he used to wake himself up. He said, "Not gonna work this time" Irritated, Nuit did it again, as Dark replayed that image again keeping himself awake. "No, you've done that trick and it isn't going to work anymore" He looked at Luna and then back at Nuit. "I'm not going to let you hurt my hero any more"

Nuit glared and said "Why won't you just fall asleep!?" Nuit said growing in irritation. "Eternal Sleep is the only way to peace amongst, not just Equestria, but the whole world. Everyone would be happy getting everything they have ever wanted and more out of life" She said anger coming forth from her mouth "Why deny me that world, why deny me that much peace?"

Dark looked at her and said "Besides the logical reason of, if everyone's asleep then whose cooking the food for survival" Dark said, which caused Nuit's glare to intensify. "There is no such thing as true peace in this world" His mind started to flash images of every time he's failed, but then his mind flashed images of every time his friends picked them up. "All you'll be doing is creating lies upon lies, and I'm not going to let you destroy this lands honest world, with a lie that you created just to suit your own ego!" Nuit's mane lit ablaze as anger oozed out of her body

Nuit glared "Fine than, you don't get the world of peace!" She said in pure anger "In fact as the only Royal in this kingdom at this moment who is still able to decree anything" Her horn glowed a bright red. "I hereby order you to be executed, by me personally. I hope you've made peace with the maker, because you will be meeting him soon enough!"

Dark said "To protect my hero, " He said reaching down for his sword. "My life doesn't matter" He glared at her and said with the sword in his mouth. "Some come on you monster, let's see what you've got!"

Knight of the Moon

Dark awoke on a hospital bed a few days after the battle. General and Starnight were there along with the Princess Twilight and the rest of her friends there as well. Dark held his head, and said "Urg, what happened?"

General said, "You saved Equestria that's what happened kid" Dark smiled at that, as he saw the General revealing something, "I think this goes without saying, but Dark Sidewinder" He patted Dark's head "Welcome to the Royal Guards, part of the Luna division of Equestria." Dark smiled at that and saluted General as best as he could since well he was still in a lot of pain after what happened. "However, Princess Luna thinks it'll be wise to wait after the ceremony"

Dark asked confused "Ceremony?" He said looking at them

Twilight smiled and said "Princess Luna and Princess Celestia are throwing a big celebration in honor of what you did for Equestria" She said to him and smiled "Princess Cadence and I are in charge of organization and decorating, well admittedly" She pointed to Pinkie Pie. "I had a little help on that last part."

Dark said "Thank you so much for that" He said to Pinkie Pie.

She smirked "No problem, Darkie" Dark winced at that nickname. "Hope you can dance, because you're gonna have the time of your life!"

"I umm..." Dark than looked at Starnight who smirked at him. "What's wrong?"

Starnight said "Come on, you saved all of Equestria, and you spent ninety five percent of this whole thing beating yourself up about things" He smirked and said "You did a far better job than you would have given yourself credit for a few days ago" He smirked "You better not get all doubty on us when you are on offical guard duty"

Dark smiled and said "I won't thank you" He said as Starnight and him gave each other a bro hoof. Dark than said "We should go and have a party" Everyone nodded and smiled at Dark.

The next week, after Dark recovered from him injuries the celebration was under way. Pinkie Pie thought of everything, it was at night so the moon was in the sky and she even invited DJPon3 to celebrate his accomplishment. However, before the party can even begin Princess Luna invited Dark to stand next to him. "Dark SIdewinder, you showed unrelenting courage fighting against one of the most powerful enemies that Equestria has ever faced before in its entire existence" She smiled "I know the General has told you that you are to be one of my guards, however I think you deserve a different kind of honor" Celestia smiled at her sister as Luna suddenly activated her Royal Canterlot Voice. "Here us ponies of Equestria" She said to everyone at that party. "The Princess of the Night has something to decree to our most loyal subject" Dark paused at that as Luna looked at him. "Dark Sidewinder, you're courage a week ago showed that you have what it takes to ascend to a position that not many have reached in any life time of Equestria" She smiled "In times of old, we engaged in a ritual that we think you deserve, please kneel" Dark did exactly what he was told as Luna's horn lit up. Dark felt it touch his shoulders as Luna spoke "As of now, we dub thee, Sir Dark Sidewinder, not only a royal guard but, the first Knight we have ever had in out court" Dark paused at that in shock. She smiled at that and said "Congratulations Dark Sidewinder, you deserve it"

Dark smiled and said "Thank you so much Princess Luna, I will not fail you" She smiled and patted his shoulder, and the party resumed. Dark smiled as every pony was having so much fun.

Princess Twilight was hanging out with Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence, and Prince Shining armor. Pinkie Pie was having the time of her life as usual, bringing smiles to everyone she came across with. Fluttershy was hanging around some of Canterlot's animals and having tea with the one and only Discord. Rarity and Starnight were acutally hitting it off in a deep conversation as Spike watched on. General was talking with Rainbow Dash and AppleJack about some of his adventures, mentioning the Wonderbolts by name which got Rainbow interested. Dark couldn't help but smile as he watched all his friends having so much fun. Dark than looked at the moon again, and then heard Princess Luna go "Still Moon Gazing?"

Dark paused at that and said "Oh umm" He paused at that "I guess old habits die hard" Dark said sheepishly.

Luna asked "You never did tell me how you broke that spell that mo...the Queen of Dreams had placed on you" Dark paused at that "My sister and I have been dieing to know, after all this was a spell even we couldn't break"

Dark said "Shock" Luna looked at him confused "I had to literally shock my mind so bad, I would wake up quickly from the jolt my brain would cause me" He said to her calmly. "Like having a nightmare or something" Princess Luna looked at him and saw the ruby red blush on his cheek. "I umm, knew that wouldn't work for me so I found, another method"

Princess Luna asked in a knowing tone "And what was this method of shock you used?" Dark paused at that and than Princess Luna asked "Well?"

"Promise you won't find it creepy if I tell you?" Dark said quietly.

Luna said "I promise"

Dark said quickly "It was me giving you a kiss" Luna smirked, already figuring that was the case. Dark said "I'm sorry, it's just I wanted to think of something shocking for me to do and I, well it was the only thing I can think of." He looked at Luna and said "Sorry that I would use something like that for..." He got interrupted, by Luna kissing his cheek.

Luna smiled and said "I believe that is what they would call a bonus on top of the new title my knight" Dark turned a deep shade of crimson from that. "Why don't we just watch the moon together, does that sound like fun?"

Dark nodded and said "Yeah, I would like that" He said looking up in silence with Luna as the night sky glistened with glory.

To Protect A Hero

Dark and The Queen of Dreams stared down at each other for a minute, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Dark being more inexperienced than the Queen first made that move, charging at Nuit with his sword in his mouth and swinging down. Nuit deflected this attack with a simple shield spell that forced the sword out of his hands causing the sword to land near Princess Luna stuck in the ground. Dark landed roughly from that as Nuit glared and started to shoot blasts at him rapidly trying to turn him into ashes. Dark saw that one of the blasts was heading towards Princess Luna and grabbed her, moving her to the throne while the blasts just kept coming at him. He was in a full flight as Dark put Luna down on the throne, flying from the blasts coming from Nuit. Suddenly in her mist form, Nuit showed up and decked Dark in the face sending him down the ground and causing him to crash so hard his helmet flew off his head. Nuit landed next to him and bucked him so hard he hit a wall.

Dark glared and stood up defiant, and rushed grabbing the helmet with his teeth, causing Nuit to rush towards him and give him a wicked uppercut with her hooves. Dark breifly lost the helm in his mouth than grabbed it again with his teeth smacking Nuit with it, getting her away from him. Dark landed away from the Queen of Dreams in a very rough fashion as the thestrial put his helm back on looking at her. Nuit glared as suddenly energy swords started to appear behind her. They started to lob at Dark, forcing him to dodge every shot, left, right, and sideways. He rolled out of the way and rushed towards him, but she grabbed him in a field of magic and tossed him through one of the castle pillars. Nuit, feeling barely any threat from Dark said, "So, tell me child. Where did that bravado you have earlier go hmm?" She walked to him as Dark rushed towards him with his wings spread trying to punch her with his hoof. She smacked him aside then grabbed him and pinned him up against the wall. "Is that all you got Mr. Protector." She looked at Luna and smirked "It's no wonder she lost to me if she thinks ponies as weak as you are good enough defenders of this land" She smirked and said "You are nothing, just a weak minded foot who..." Dark tilted his head back and headbutted Nuit, causing her to be forced to break the grip.

Dark glared at her and said, "Lady, you talk way to much" He flew at her again and went to buck Nuit in the face, but the Queen of Dreams grabbed him and slammed him on the ground with her magic. She started to fling him around like a rag doll and tossed him against one of the stain glass windows, causing them to be cracked. She leapt up and started to bash Dark against the window with her magic tossing him in the air and forcing him to slam down, and slam down hard.

She landed and said "You know something boy" She said to him. "For once you are right about something, why waste my time taunting you when it'll be so much easier to do this!" She charged at him and Dark was bucked, and bucked hard landing against the castle doors and falling off very limply. "Pathetic" She looked at Luna and laughed "Defender of your hero?" She laughed "You couldn't defend a wall from an ant"

Dark looked at her, as memories started to flash in his mind, as he laid there, beaten, battered, and broken. He started to have memory upon memory assault him at once.

Starnight looked at Dark and said "The General believes you'd be the perfect guard for this academy, and i do too. You need to believe in yourself" Than he saw the General talking to him about the differences between bravery and stupidity

General smirked and said "You see a pony standing up to a monster who is terrorizing those he cares about, knowing very well he could die himself, that my dear friend is bravery" Dark's mind then flashed to Princess Luna in his dreams

"I believe you can do this Dark Sidewinder" She smiled and said "You're the best not because you're the biggest or the strongest, but because you have heart"

Dark stood up slowly as images of his friends saying his name flashed in his mind. First was Starnight, than General, than Princess Twilight, than Fluttershy, than Pinkie Pie, than Rarity, than AppleJack, than Rainbow Dash, than Celestia, than finally Luna, all telling him to get up, that every pony was counting on him. Dark stood up and glared down Nuit. She couldn't help but laugh at her and said "Who in the wide world of Equestria do you think you are?"

"I don't think I am anything other than myself" Dark said raspy. "My name is Dark Sidewinder" His legs wobbled as he stood. "I am a thestrial, who was picked on and bullied most of his life because of how he looked. " He looked at her and said "I was treated like garbage with my only friend being the moon in the sky" Dark's voice came back as a clear aura of defiance emanated from his body staring her down. "But than I found others willing to help me and others that treated me with such kindness that they can never know how much it meant to me" Dark's wings spread as the moon shined on it's friend. "Other ponies that are counting on me, other ponies that need my help, other ponies that would do the same for me if they were in my position." He flapped his wings and said "Am I'm not going to fail them! I'm going to stop you!" Dark said as he floated. "If it's the last thing I do!"

Without another word he bolted towards the Queen of Dreams who swatted him away, but in a response he bucked off the wall and came barreling towards her, forcing her to get on the defensive and launch him with magic. She had him in her magic grip, proving why she was dominating the fight so far. Dark stepped forward as Nuit noticed that and kept trying to force him back, each time she was successful, however each time Dark kept coming and got closer every time. The Thestrial backed up and launched himself at the Queen of Dreams, which caused Nuit to grab her opponent with her own hooves, however Dark bucked his legs hitting Nuit on her chest sending her away from him. Nuit glared and grabbed him with her magic and started to slam Dark against the ceiling repeatedly, and than slammed in on the floor with authority. She glared and said "Bravado but nothing more, you have nothing against me, nothing!" She said "So stay down and just die!"

Dark backed up and launched himself towards her, and caused her to grip him in her magic. To her shock he was moving despite her grip, she started to focus, but he kept moving still defiant. Dark glared her down and said "Your majesty!" He said at the top of his lungs. "Go to Sleep!" She watched in shock as Dark blasted her with a punch sending her careening to the ground with a rough speed as plumes of dust came up and a small crater appeared where she was. Dark landed and then stood, panting like a mad man.

To neither of the two's knowledge Princess Luna and Princess Celestia's eyes just shot open like they were just awoken suddenly. Dark saw that Nuit was stirring and glared looking prepared to go another round. Nuit said "Enough of this..." her voice oozing venom from her lips. "You irritating little brat!" Her horn glowed as she prepared to shoot another energy bolt at Dark. However to both of their confusion blue mist came and wrapped around Nuit. "What the, what is this!? You have no magic boy! What's going on!"

"Surely you recognize your own spell mother" Celestia said as she entered the throne room. "I do believe our subject here made a perfect suggestion, isn't that right sister"

Luna said to her sister her eyes glowing as the blue mist wrapped tighter around Nuit. "I agree sister."

Nuit looked at them and said "How is this possible!? I put you to sleep!" Celestia smirked at her.

Luna said "Well, lets just say someone gave enough of a shock to you that it undid the spell to us" Luna then looked at Dark as the mist oozed into Nuit's core.

The Queen of Dreams stood and fought against sleep, but it was pointless, she eventually fell down and finally sleep over took her. Dark looked at Nuit who fell asleep Celestia and Luna combined their horns and blasted Nuit with a magical blast which sealed the sleeping Queen to Tartarus in a small cell. Luna looked at Dark and Dark asked "So, is it over?" Luna nodded "Oh thank you so much" Dark fell backwards and collapsed exhausted falling asleep.