Rise of The Lunar Knight

by Moonlit Novel

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Princess Celestia, Sex, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Human, Sad, Other, Romance, Princess Luna, Original Character
Length: 17655

A human with an infatuation with Princess Luna ends up in Equestria long before the Lunar Rebellion and pledges loyalty to the Princess he had long cared for...

Cover art by Dawn Dreamer from Lunar Echoes

If you were to ask him, how he ended up in Equestria, he would answer that he didn’t know, nor care, not any more. You see, for Masao, all he cared about was serving his goddess, his princess. However, if you were to ask him how he came to be her ever loyal servant, her ever valiant and honorable Knight in shining armor, he would laugh and send you on your way. For our purposes however, we will explore the entirety of his life, from a little before the time he met his princess, to now. So pull up a chair, sit back and enjoy the story of the Lunar Knight, the only everlasting Knight of Equestria, the only good soul that practices black magicks with the approval of the crown, Ser Masao Darkheart…

Warnings: Character Death; Subtle references to human on pony action, some explicit mentions, but no scenes; Human in equestria;

Published 2014-12-25 06:20:06 UTC
Last updated 2015-03-08 04:23:53 UTC

PreCommon Era Chapter Two/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Two: The First Few Years

PreCommon Era Chapter Two/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Two: The First Few Years

WARNING THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES SOME MATURE SITUATIONS AND MENTIONS BIBLE VERSES; READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

As Masao awoke the next evening in an unbelievably soft bed he started to think it had all just been a bad dream, but when he rolled over he noticed that the room was definitely not made for a human, the typewriter for example had two keys and a few levers that changed what letter would be typed with those two buttons. His hopes dashed Masao climbed out of bed and stretched, he sighed, but remembered that at least this meant that he would be able to spend time with the princess from the series he had grown infatuated with. As he stretched there was a knock on the door, which drew his attention as an obviously younger, albeit still adult, bat pony mare entered the room, she was not unattractive, with her grey coat and dark blue and slightly lighter blue mane, and tail. Her eyes were a soft pale green. However, as it was he merely smiled at her.

“Good evening miss” he said politely as he lowered his arms to his sides, and the mare blushed lightly

“Um… The princesses said I was to inform thee that anything thou needed whilst staying in the castle, I am to provide” said the mare and she blushed harder as she continued, “Anything at all, even” she mumbled something that Masao didn’t quite hear, but could guess from the look on her face, which brought a blush to his own.

“Um… What was that?” he asked only to make sure about what she had meant, and she looked at him with dismay, she honestly did not wish to repeat herself, but none the less did so.

“I am to help thee with anything thou may needest, even sexual release” she managed to say and Masao sighed shaking his head.

“Please inform the princesses, that while yes, my species is a very sexual species, I do believe that without anything to arouse me, I doubt I will be needing that aspect of your job description” he said putting extra emphasis in the word ‘that’ hoping to get the point across but the mare shook her head earnestly, a look of fear on her face.

“Nay! I must help thee with everything thou needest! Am I not to thy liking? Is it the way I—” Masao sighed which interrupted her rant, “Did I upset thee?” she asked fearfully.

“What? No! No!” said Masao earnestly, he suspected that either this was a test, or he assumed that the princesses knew next to nothing about him, or his species, either way, “Let’s start over, I’m Masao, and who are you?” he asked the mare who blinked her green eyes at him before replying.

“I am Evening Star” she said and Masao nearly groaned at her name.

“Can I ask what your special talent is?” he asked cautiously and Evening Star smiled softly for a moment before she spoke up.

“I don’t know, I have yet to find mine.” She said as she used her wings to shift her dress so that she could show him her lack of cutie mark.

“So why offer yourself to me?” he asked and the pony shook her head.

“I was ordered to tell you that” she replied but Masao didn’t know if she was saying that because it was the truth, or not…

“Dear sister, did thou send the servant girl like I requested?” asked Luna as she walked over to her older sister and Celestia nodded before speaking up.

“Yes I did, however I do believe that thou forgot to add more to her orders so I added more myself.” At that Luna looked at her curiously but pushed the matter from her mind as a highly annoyed Masao walked into the throne room, followed by Evening Star who was apologizing profusely both to the human and to the princesses.

“I said I don’t need someone who is the equivalent of a slave!” he said, this time in anger and Luna glanced at her sister who looked surprised at Masao’s choice of words

“Please forgive me sir! I didn’t mean to offend!” she said urgently, but Masao ignored her as he walked up to Celestia, the look on his face informing the two princesses of his annoyment.

“Princesses, I do not remember asking for the equivalent of a slave to take care of my needs” he said in a carefully even voice surprising Luna and Celestia both.

“We do not have slaves here in Equestria” said Celestia offended but Masao glared at her before gesturing to Evening Star whom now was cowering as the older of the two Diarch glanced at her.

“What did she say? I assure thee, we did not mean to offend.” Said Celestia as her glance changed into a slight glare at the bat pony mare.

“Now none of that” said Masao as he shifted his position to place himself between Celestia and Evening Star. “As for what she said, it was that you sent her to take care of all of my needs, and while I am thankful for the thought, I do not need a warm body to lay with when the mood strikes me!” Masao exclaimed in, not a loud, but strong, voice.

“Sister didst thou—?” started Luna surprised at Masao’s exclamation, for if it were true it meant that she had pretty much ordered Evening Star to give herself to this human should he wish it.

“Thou sayest that now, but what of later, when thee art truly is in need of release?” countered Celestia and Masao went wide-eyed at her remark; he had expected her to deny the charge, not to defend it. “Wouldst thou rather ravage some mare that wants nothing to do with thee, or lay with a mare that is more than willing?” That was where he had her and with a smirk he spoke up.

“But Princess, I doubt that Miss Star here would be willing had you not ordered her” and at that Luna glanced at her sister, the servant mare, and her guest and bit her lip before speaking up.

“Evening Star” she said and the young mare look at the princess of the night with worry, “If our guest did so choose to lay with thee, wouldest thou have any concerns with that arrangement?” and the young mare looked at the darker princess in awe for a moment before shaking her head.

“Nay, princess. When thy sister named the possible requirements of the job, I spoke up, asking to be assigned to the position, I did not know that the guest in question was a carnivore however” at that Luna’s jaw clenched, mostly at the brazen attitude of the mare in front of her but she nodded.

“As thou can see, she was more than willing to begin with” said Celestia a small manipulative smile on her face and Masao frowned but was unable to argue against her point.

“I see. That does not mean I like it any more than before, but I will say nothing more against it.”

Years later, Masao was now part of the daily life of the two princesses, and that of Evening Star who seemed just as… Eager… as when he first met her: nervous, but still willing, to be precise. Masao had grown into a strong young man, for when he had first arrived on Equis, he was only seventeen, and now he was twenty-one years of age, if he had bothered to keep track of the days he would have known this. He spent his early evenings, before the guardsponies changed for the night watch, learning how to wield a sword and shield. When Celestia asked how he could not have known how to use a sword, which was a necessity even in the peaceful principality of Equestria. He had chuckled and explained to them that for his species, warfare had advanced far beyond that of the sword and shield, and that of the bow and arrow. Not believing him Celestia just scoffed, until the morning after when her sister mentioned seeing the human’s dream of war and death, and weapons far more powerful than any that in Equis had in existence. When asked about it, he attempted dodge the question only to explain regardless, and for a while Celestia and Luna were wary of him. They were unsure on how to deal with him, but during a small incident that nearly got Evening Star and a few other ponies killed, Masao ended up needing to be hospitalized for several weeks. For even with their healing spells they were leery about using them on a species they knew less than they liked to admit—trying to save them, both Celestia and Luna agreed that they could trust the human. He learned swordsmanship as he called it, and soon was an equal to any of the guards. Soon he was helping teach the newer guards that were still learning. And yet every night he stayed awake with Luna talking with her about his home, and the great inventions that were made, the great and the terrible. When she wished to tell him of things, he sat and listened to her, a smile on his face when appropriate and a frown or a look of sadness when they were needed.

“Masao! Thou must slow down!” said Evening Star as she ran after him, he had surprised her and had ran past her in his rush to get some more practice in, “What is so important that thou must talk to the princesses at this late hour?” she asked sternly, “If thou wants someone to warm—” she started and Masao glared at her, even as she just batted her eyes at him. Over the years she had grown more accustomed to him, and loved to tease him, but was more than willing to back up that teasing should he ever wish it. This only happened once, after he had a very late night with the guard and managed to nearly out-drink the guard captain—something that the captain had yet to live down at the time—and practically begged the mare for some help keeping himself under control after she had teased him far too much. He did not assault her, but by the end of it, he may as well have as when they emerged they both had bruises on various parts of their bodies, along with a promise that what happened that night was never to leave the pair of them.

“That is far from what I had in mind, Evening Star; I need to talk to them about a matter of great importance, one that may change a great many things I know” he said and Evening just sighed. She was one of the very few ponies to wanted a relationship with someone outside of her species, and the one person that she felt an attraction to didn’t seem to feel the same way…

“Sister, I must—” started Celestia as she was about to head to bed as there was a knock at the door to the dining hall, which was highly unusual. “Come in?” she said and in walked Masao with the now slightly older Evening Star, it had been a few years since she had seen the duo, but from what she heard the pair had been nearly inseparable, if mostly in a platonic relationship. “What do we owe this visit at this hour, Masao?” she asked and Masao took a deep breath before looking the princesses squarely in the eyes

“I must ask a favor, one that is as likely to kill me as it is to help me” he said and Luna looked at him with interest and Celestia’s exhaustion disappeared.

“What is it that thou needest to ask? If it is in our power perhaps we may be able to grant it” said Luna and Celestia nodded in agreement.

“I agree sister, what is it that we can do for thou?” she added and Masao closed his eyes

“Luna, I…” he took a deep breath as Evening Star looked at him curiously. “I need you to push the darkness of night into me, if—”

“NAY! If I do that there is no way thou shall live to see the next day!” she interrupted and Masao gave a sad smile.

“Luna, I know the risks—”

“Nay! Thou does not! If I do this thy soul will never make it to Elysium!” she said and then Evening Star smacked Masao on his side with her forehoof as she chastised him, as Celestia was wide-eyed at the request, and was stunned into silence. Masao rubbed his arm as if to try to will away the bruise that was beginning to form where Evening had hit him.

“Technically, I would never go to Elysium, as I am human, not a pony. I have another afterlife to look forwards to. Provided it covers death here on Equis” said Masao only to be smacked once again, this time by Celestia.

“How dare thee! How canst thou taketh death so lightly!?” said Celestia angrily and Masao groaned as he was hunched over, trying to get a breath.

“And does thine afterlife allow for a soul tainted by darkness?” retorted Luna and Masao seemed to cringe from that more than the hit, “Ha! I thought not!”

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me; Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy; Honour thy father and thy mother; Thou shalt not kill; Thou shalt not commit adultery; and Thou shalt not steal; Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Those are the commandments of the Lord God of Israel, the god of the Christians. Not one of these commandments forbids the use of darkness” said Masao his teeth gritted and Luna seemed to lose some steam.

“Why then? Why doest thou wish to contaminate thy body with the dark magicks that my sister has kept contained?” asked Celestia and Masao had a look of dread on his face.

“Cause I don’t want to die” said the human and the three ponies shared a look

“Dost thou really fear death, Masao?” asked Evening Star and Masao looked away from the mare who moved herself into his view purposely, “Answer me, Masao, I need to hear thy answer, please…” said the mare, the princesses watched him the whole time and finally Masao relented.

“I don’t fear death, I fear retribution for my actions, “He who layth with an animal as he would a woman shall be stoned to death; Old Testament of the Bible… I… I don’t even feel regret about what I have done with you, Evening Star, but… But I fear for my soul” he said and when he mentioned being stoned, the three mares gasped and looked at him with pity. “I… Forget it… I must be going” he said and he started to leave, when Evening Star started after him. “Evening, I… Please I may need to have someone with me tonight, I do not think I can stay awake tonight Princess…” Luna just nodded as her friend left and headed to his room followed by Evening Star whom was silent…

PreCommon Era Chapter Three/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Three: A Request

PreCommon Era Chapter Three/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Three: A Request

Luna looked at her sister with worry.

“Dear sister, what god would punish his followers for following their hearts?” she asked as she thought about what Masao had said and explained about the Christian and Jewish religions as best he could. Her sister looked at her with a look of sadness.

“I do not know dearest sister. I do hope that thy friend will feel better when he awakens” Celestia said sadly. Luna looked at her sister as she sat on her throne, Celestia standing up and starting to head to bed once more. “I will see thee at dawn. Please try and keep thyself entertained for tonight, I do not think thy friend will be joining thou” said Celestia with a sad voice as she left the room Luna looked up to the ceiling of the room as she thought about Masao’s request…

Evening Star and Masao laid in his bed, sleeping, the room showed no signs of anything that could have happened, Masao’s arms were wrapped around the mare as he held her close their breathing was steady and if someone actually cared to look, the pair was fast asleep as if just being in each other’s company was enough for them to relax and fall asleep. It was this sight that Luna was greeted to when she opened the door to Masao’s room, and a pang of jealousy shot through her for a moment from what she saw, but she quietly shut the door and left the duo to rest as she started to argue with herself about many things. From how he may have been in that position with her, had she fulfilled his request, to it was up to the two currently sharing the bed for whether they were going to sleep together, and not her…

The next morning Masao awoke with Evening Star in his arms, and her wings wrapped around him protectively which made him blush lightly as he remembered the kiss they had briefly shared before going to bed, neither had thought all that hard about doing so and he didn’t regret having kissed her. Not any more than he would regret kissing any girl for that matter and he smiled lightly into Evening’s fur, which earned him a giggle from the mare as her eyes fluttered open. Before she could even open her lips to tell him “Good morning” his lips encompassed hers and her eye shot wide for a moment before fluttering close.

“Good morning, Evening, I trust you slept well?” he asked pulling away and the mare giggled lightly before nodding.

“I wonder, what hast gotten into thou? Thou normally refrains from kissing me, and after last night, I would not have been surprised if thou never did so again. The fear for one’s soul is a powerful one” said the mare and Masao chuckled, nodding in agreement, before kissing her once more.

“Why should I fear for my soul so much that I lose sight of what I have in front of me, I have two mares I love, one who has been there for me whenever I needed her, and the other…” he trailed off shaking his head.

“So who is this other mare then Masao?” asked the bat pony a look of scorn on her face but her tone off put the look making it obvious that she was messing with him, and instead of answering he kissed her gently.

Getting out of the bed he stretched his body, and stood up only to be knocked over as Evening pounced on his back.

“I would like to take a moment of thy time Masao” she whispered into his ear…

Walking into the throne room laughing as he and Evening teased each other. Masao stopped watched Celestia stand up and trot over to him, her look was stern and he knew something was wrong.

“Masao, thou—” she started when he frowned at her. And put a hand in out in front of her.

“If this is about my request last night, I do not apologize, I still feel as if it will be the best bet for Luna to always have someone with whom she can relate, at least in some regard” he interrupted and Celestia frowned

“Thou didst not say that thou were risking thy life for my sister” said the Solar princess and Masao frowned shaking his head.

“Would that have changed Luna’s answer any, Celestia? Or would she have become even more steadfast in her refusal?” he countered as Evening made it into the throne room giggling before she noticed the presence of Celestia and quickly composed herself.

“Princess” said the bat pony with a slight blush from her antics as the white alicorn stared at her.

“How art thou doing Evening Star?” Celestia asked politely before turning back to Masao, “I doubt it would have, but lying about how your religion—”

“I never lied, it is a sin to lay with anyone who isn’t human” he interrupted with a shake of his head as he sighed…

Later that day when the princesses lowered the sun and raised the moon, Masao sat with the trio of mares had had befriended in the dining room eating dinner, or in the case of Luna, breakfast, when Luna spoke up.

“Masao… I…” she stumbled on her words for a second before clearing her throat, “I have been thinking about what thou had said.” She said with a slight tremor in her voice. Masao frowned at her and Evening Star placed a hoof on his thigh to keep him from speaking up. He glanced at her as she motioned for him to pay attention to Luna. “But what I don’t understand is why, why dost thou wish to risk death to avoid death?” she asked and Masao opened his mouth to speak when her sister spoke up.

“Dear sister, dost thou not understand? He dost not want this for himself, he wants this for—”

“Celestia, don’t. If she doesn’t want to do this I won’t force her” Masao interrupted causing Luna to look between Celestia and Masao, and for a moment she believed that he was courting her sister, but only for a moment as she remembered the scene from last night when she found him with his arms wrapped around Evening Star.

“I—I apologize, but I still wish to knowest why wouldst thou take this risk” asked the dark blue alicorn and Masao thought for a moment for the right way to broach the topic.

“I already said I want to be here for you, so you don’t feel lonely, correct?” he asked her and Luna scowled at him.

“Do not answer my question with another question, Masao! T’is not fair!” she said annoyed at him and Masao frowned and she relented with a sigh, “Yes thou did sayest that”

“I—… I want to be able to keep that promise, I do not think it would be right for me to die and leave you lonesome” he said and the hoof on his thigh seemed to grip him harder but when he glanced at Evening she kept her eyes on Luna obviously awaiting her response.

“I see… and thou thinks that poisoning thy soul will grant thee eternal life?” she asked and Masao frowned, “Why should I hurt, and potentially kill thee, just so thou can hide from death? T’is it because thou fears for thy soul after death? Or T’is it because thou wishes to be there for me long after thy time was supposed to end?” she challenged, Masao gritted his teeth, not once had he lied to her, and here she was questioning his honesty.

“Did you ever think that was perhaps, both?” he asked in a carefully leveled voice which made Luna look at him sheepishly as her sister glanced between them, a fork in her telepathy holding a small amount of carrot hovering halfway between her mouth and the plate.

“I apologize, Masao, I did not think, and I do think that maybe I can at least try to grant your request…” she said as she turned her face away from Masao.as she levitated a forkful of food to her mouth and promptly started to eat it, chewing slowly as if to postpone any more words from herself.

“Princess, might I asked what changed your mind?” asked Masao his eyes narrowing in suspicion but Luna kept quiet…

Later after dinner Luna led Masao and Evening Star to a practice field that the pair knew well and off to the side were a few swords on the weapons rack which drew Masao’s attention.

“It seems that a few of the guard forgot to put these away, the guard captain will be furious” he said as he walked towards them when one of them glowed with a teal hue as it flew to Luna who held it in a guarded position with her magic.

“Masao, I wantest thou to attack me” said Luna the look on her face making it clear she would not take no for an answer.

“Why? I don’t want to risk hurting you, or more likely, you hurting me on accident.” said Masao surprised at her and a little worried.

“I heard that thou have been learning swordsponyship from the guard, I wish to test you and your skill.” She said in reply, the sword in her magic twirling around as if she was bored.

“No” Masao said firmly and he turned around ready to walk off.

“So, thou wouldst ask me for a favor, and yet deny me one in return?” came the biting reply making Masao spin on his heel and face her.

“Excuse me?” he said his eyes narrow, it was not like Luna to act like this, and he did not like this Luna.

“Fight me, if thou wins, I will grant your request, if thou loses, thee wilt never bring it up ever again” at that Evening Star glared at the lunar princess.

“Now that is not fair! Thou art forcing him to fight thee, and he shalt have no chance of winning against thee! He is but a novice compared to thee” the bat pony argued only for Luna to glare at her.

“T’is his choice, Evening, not thine” she replied with a bite in her voice. There was a sound of a blade singing through the air as Masao suddenly stood in a ready stance his chosen blade at the ready…

PreCommon Era Chapter Four/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Four: Consequences of Our Actions

PreCommon Era Chapter Four/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Four: Consequences of Our Actions

Blades sang through the air, only stopping with a clang as they met half way to their intended targets, Masao was barely keeping up with the Lunar Princess, his mind was clear, he couldn’t let himself become distracted by petty things at the moment, even ignoring the occasional gasp and sighs of relief from Evening Star when he managed to block or dodge one of Luna’s attacks.

“Why doest thou keep fighting when thou knowest that thee wilt not win?” asked Luna as she pressed the attack.

She Slashed, and he blocked; she stabbed, he barely dodged; she parried his lunge. Again and again they danced her attacks always closer to the mark showing far more skill than Masao's, however she was impressed that he had managed to last these three minutes against her.

“Because, I refuse to lose, Luna, even to you!” he answered in reply as he daftly knocked her sword into the air, and charged at her, while she regained control of her blade she leaped to the side, and attacked at what she thought was Masao’s open back, only for him to twirl around and parry the blade away. Again the two martial artists danced, Luna's blade never seemed to catch Masao off guard, or rather, not off guard long enough for it to matter, but soon Masao started to tire.

“Just give it up, Masao, Thou art tired, and cannot win against me, I am the better swordspony” she said and Masao frowned before charging at her once more, and her instincts caused her to react before her mind did and she slashed at his neck and he again knocked the blade in the air in a desperate attempt to get to her and before she could react a second time, his blade was at her throat. Breathing heavily Masao smiled grimly.

“I win” he said and Luna frowned heavily.

“Yes, I suppose thou did, Masao, please kneel” she said and at her odd request both Evening Star and Masao looked at her confused.

“What?” he asked and the frown on Luna’s face grew.

“Kneel, art thou hard of hearing?” Masao bit his tongue in an effort to keep from uttering a retort, and obeyed as he kneeled he heard Luna grab another sword from the rack and almost flinched, but he knew she was not that petty and waited. While he waited his eyes closed as he attempted to slow his breathing back down, as he was doing so he suddenly jumped at the feeling of a blade touch his shoulder, lift and touch his opposite shoulder. “I hereby dub thee, Ser Masao, Knight of Equestria, and now, art there anything thou wantest from the crown on this wonderful of nights?” she asked even if she already knew the answer.

Masao’s eyes were wide in surprise, he had not suspected her to do this, hell he didn’t even expect Equestria to have knights, and for a moment he was stunned into silence.

“Well, Ser Masao? Is there anything thou wishes from the crown?” she asked again and Masao cleared his throat, worried that even after that exhausting match that she would refuse.

“I wish for you to push the power of darkness into me, so that I may have the chance to live forever” he said and Luna frowned as tears started to well in her eyes, he expected her to refuse, to beg him to choose something else but in the end she nodded.

“Then raise, and hence forth be known as Ser Masao Darkheart, for as of this moment thou hath chosen to take the darkness of night into thy soul and will forever be changed by it” she said with finality and Masao did as asked, but as soon as he did he felt a sharp pain in the middle of his chest, right above his heart, looking down he saw that Luna had quite literally stabbed him, not so deeply as to kill him, but deep enough that he feared moving, and soon a dark green colored aura covered her horn as she channeled dark magic into him. Not moments later Celestia appeared in a brilliant flash of light and was about to stop them when Evening Star stopped her with tears in her eyes, she knew on an instinctual level that if they were stopped now, yes Masao’s soul would be saved, but his life would be over.

“Why? Why couldn’t he be happy just living his life with me?” she asked herself aloud and Celestia having barely heard her put a hoof over the bat pony’s back and pulled her into a hug as she watched Masao start to look as if he was in pain. After a bit Luna pulled away and refused to look towards Masao, as he fell to the ground gasping for air as if he had just come up after being submerged underwater for a lengthy amount of time.

“Ser Masao… I-If thou manage to survive the night I would have need for thou, and I expect thee to answer that need” she said as she walked off still refusing to look at the fallen human. Hearing Masao fall Evening Star struggled against Celestia for a moment who seemed slightly intent on preventing her from approaching her friend, and occasional lover.

“Let me go!” she said and she pulled away from Celestia and rushed to Masao’s side. Rolling him onto his back she noticed the place where Luna had stabbed him was completely healed, not even a scar showed, in fact the only proof that something had been protruding from her friend’s chest was the hole in his tunic.

“I’m sorry, Evening, I saw a chance and I took it” he said weakly and winced as he felt the corruption flow through him. Evening gave a hollow laugh before leaning down from a sitting position and giving him a small kiss.

“Thou art a fool, but thee art my fool” she said softly and Masao blushed lightly before nodding in agreement before wincing once more.

Throughout the night Masao was in pain, and was unable to move from that sparing ring, and Evening Star sat with him, and when the weather started to cool down she left him but for a moment and came back with several blankets and soon they were both laying underneath the stars the intermittent shots of pain coming from the darkness and corruption within him preventing him from getting any meaningful sleep, but with Evening Star there he did manage to get some shut eye. The next morning Masao was awoken by a few guardsponies who were prodding him with the butt of their spears and he sat up, surprised that nothing hurt anymore he roused Evening Star who grumbled about being woken up at an ungodly hour before noticing that Masao wasn’t laying beside her and was about to panic when she caught sight of him standing over her, the next thing Masao knew was that he was on the ground, the bat pony mare kissing him with tears of happiness pouring down her face. Soon she pulled away and just as he was about to speak he was smacked across the face as Evening’s happy expression changed into a scowl.

“Don’t thee ever do this again! I was scared that I was going to lose thee!” she said and Masao wisely kept his mouth shut and nodded, and was rewarded for his wisdom with another kiss, this time the guards, who had been surprised by everything that had been going on, started to whistle hoot and holler as the kiss grew more heated, which caused the pair to break their kiss. “Really now! Art thou nothing but immature foals?!” she asked indignantly and the guards had the decency to look embarrassed at her scolding them. All the while Masao just chuckled as he held the mare close. “Thou art not allowed to start either, I am still mad at thee” and Masao nodded before pressing his lips to the mare’s cheek.

“I need to get up, Evening, I don’t thing laying on the ground is the best idea, not—” he started when he grabbed his head as a shot of pain ran through it.

“Art thou alright?” she asked him her attention back on him and he shook his head smiling, trying to allay her fears.

“I am fine, I promise, but we should get back to our room, should we not?” he whispered into her ear and the mare nodded in agreement as she tried to keep the blush off of her face from the suggestiveness in the sentence.

While the pair walked to Masao’s room, the guard resumed their rounds and the solar princess walked out onto the field so sure that she would find Evening Star weeping over the body of Masao, the amount of darkness that Luna had poured into him was far more than any pony would have been able to handle. However when she stepped out onto the sparring field she found the area was clear except for a few guardsponies.

“Guard, there was a mare and our guest here, doest thou-?” she started and the guard smiled

“Oh? Masao? He and the lass went back to his room, and I have to say, he has a fine eye, the lass is very-” the guard never finished as Celestia rushed off urgently completely worried about the mare, not knowing if the creature that had gone with her was the same one as the night before.

Evening was laughing at a joke Masao had said, causing the latter to grin at her antics, when Celestia appeared in front of them a look of fear on her face.

“Evening, step away from him” she said, the fear evident in her voice which made Masao and Evening frown in confusion. The human took as step forwards to say something when the eldest of the two alicorn sisters lowered her horn threateningly, “Thou stay back! There is no way that thee art Masao!” at that the frown on Masao’s face changed to one of anger with confusion still evident on his face.

“And how pray tell is that true? I am still me!” he exclaimed before a new twinge of pain shot through him as he gripped at his heart, and fell to his knees, “No. I will not lose myself, not to darkness, not to light and certainly not to death!” he growled, black smoke seemed to spew from his eyes as the whites of his eyes changed to green. For a moment it looked as if he was losing the battle, but shortly after the moment of weakness, Masao stood up, his eyes returning to normal, teeth gritted.

“How? Thou had more darkness pushing to thee than anypony could survive!” said Celestia her stance still guarded, but she was slowly lowering her guard.

“Princess, what is wrong? Masao is—” said Evening Star as she tried to step between the two, but froze as she felt an unbearable pressure on her being, as if fear itself had become palpable. Masao was glaring at the princess who’s stance had changed from a guarded one to a stance that made her look just about ready to attack, Evening was looking between the two, and knew on an instinctual level that if they started to fight, she probably would not survive.

“Stand aside princess, all I want to do is get back to my room and get some sleep, I do not think either of us want this to come to blows, and as is I do not think I will have full control of this darkness pulsing through me. I do not believe the stress from a fight would do me any favors” said Masao as one of his eyes started to fade green once more before changing back. Celestia ground her teeth for a moment before nodding—she knew without a doubt she would beat him, but when a being first loses themselves to darkness they are significantly stronger than later on—and moved out of the way. “Thank you, Celestia. You’ll see, I’ll be back to a hundred percent soon” Masao said with a smiled and she just nodded as Masao walked past her, Evening Star was still frozen in place, which Masao noticed after a few steps. Turning around he glanced at Evening Star worriedly, care evident in his voice, “Are you alright?” he asked her, the tone surprising Celestia, she had not realized that he still cared, something was different…

Masao and Evening Star made it to his room and were soon not seen by the princesses for several days, but from the reports of the other servants, Evening Star came out every day and got food and drink for them, she also had gotten one of the cleaners to come in every few hours to clean up mess that they had made in the corner. In every report Evening Star seemed just as cheerful as ever, not hiding any part of her, save her marehood, which was to be expected from any mare, particularly ones being courted, and when she was asked about how Masao was doing, she responded that he was getting stronger. Which at first worried Celestia, but soon realized that she had been talking about Masao’s health.

After a month Luna started pounding on the door to Masao’s room, which for several moments seemed to have no effect, when the door finally opened revealed Masao, his eyes, while still white and brown, the whites of his yes and the color of his eyes respectively, were leaking the tail tell sign of the darkness pulsing through him.

“Masao, I am glad thou art still alive” she said honestly, and Masao could hear that, but he could also hear some annoyment and anger in her voice. “But thou still should have sent along a messenger to inform me and my sister, we were worried”

“I apologize, Luna, I was trying to get stronger, so that I could attempt to control the darkness” he said and Luna glared at him.

“And thou thought thou knowest better then I? The one who hath lived with this her whole life?” she asked angrily her eyes starting to shine white, and Masao bit his lip, but said nothing. “Thou shalt come to the sparing field, tonight, and I shalt not take no for an answer!” she said as she turned around and stormed off.

“Was that Princess Luna?” asked Evening Star from the bed, the sheets wrapped around her from the act of sleeping. , but her forelegs pushing her up still, her wings enclosed against her body, and surprisingly he just smiled. “What? Did I drool again?” she asked and Masao shook his head before closing the door and stalking over to her before leaping at her kissing her hard…

It took years, but soon he was proficient enough in his control that Luna would allow him to continue to practice his swordsmanship once again. After that one victory against her a years ago, he was unable to beat her, almost as if that one time he beat her, she had been out of practice. Through training with her, his own skill grew, and it took longer and longer for her to beat him. However he still could not beat her. Throughout the training, Luna remained distant from him, the old friendship they used to have seemed to dissolve into mere acquaintance no longer were they as close as they once were…

Soon he was ordered to join the princesses at dinner, and that they were not taking no for an answer, and they would provide clothing for it, which surprised Evening Star as well as Masao. Although the dinner went well, which it turned out to be a dinner with a very influential member of the Gryphon Kingdom, and Masao’s presence was very fortunate as the gryphon was very prejudiced against herbivores. Masao was all but left alone to argue a trade agreement with that particular gryphon’s clan, but Evening Star never left his side and was also a boon when she revealed she could eat meat as well although it was not her race’s first choice of food. Months later he was approached by a Minotaur, who challenged him to a spar, seemingly intent on winning the favor of the princesses, in hopes to be taught by them, the minotaur was superior in strength, but agility was in Masao’s favor, and he knew from fighting Luna, that there were going to be opponents that you did not block their attacks, you deflected them. He won barely as he was just about hit several times by the minotaur. He was as surprised by the outcome as the minotaur was and still Luna seemed to be giving him the cold shoulder, only speaking to him when she was training him or when issuing orders. Having enough of the frigid attention, Masao walked to the lunar princess’s room and knocked at the door, and waited, sure it was early for her, barely even four in the evening, but he was going to talk to her without her running away, or blowing him off as if he didn’t exist.

“Who wouldst be calling on me at this hour?” Luna said from behind the door and the door opened to reveal an angry Masao.

“Why? Why do you treat me as if we are less than friends, Luna! We were close once! Ever since that duel you have been pushing me away, and I want to know why!” he said coldly and Luna stared at him with her large eyes and regarded his question before she started to just close the door, and with a snarl, he shoved it open. “No! You don’t get to hide anymore, I want my friend back damn it! I want the Luna that I care for, the Luna that I used to know back, and I want this fake Luna GONE!” he snarled at her and for a moment Luna could see why his race was omnivores, they had the ability to eat just plants, just as Masao had been for the most part, with the occasional shipment of meat that came from the gryphon kingdom ever since that meeting; but now she could see the blood thirst. However, that did not do anything to persuade her to talk to him.

“I do not believe that is thy choice, knight, thou chose your reward, now thou must live with the consequences of it.” She said coolly surprising Masao before she slammed the door in his face.

The next day, Masao was not seen by the Lunar princess, and her summons for him were flat out rejected, when Celestia volunteered to check on him, she was surprised when a furious Evening Star demanded that she leave, that her and her sister had caused enough trouble. For the next few weeks it remained like that until Masao cam to the door and answered it.

“Greetings princess” he said in a hollow voice, his eyes were vacant, much to the surprise of the solar diarch…

PreCommon Era Chapter Five/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Five: First Mission, Celestia’s Sabotage

PreCommon Era Chapter Five/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Five: First Mission, Celestia’s Sabotage

“Greetings princess” said Masao his eyes vacant of emotion, the look on Celestia’s face was surprise as she saw the damage her sister’s apathy had caused was so…

“I am so sorry, I should have spoken to my sister” she said as her looks softened.

“T’is not thou who owes him an apology, princess, thy sister does” said Evening Star who now stood beside Masao, leaning up against him trying to support him. Her face was set in a scowl.

“Evening, please… Don’t be angry at her” said Masao and the mare sighed.

“Fine. How art thou Princess?” she asked and Celestia gave a weak smile

“I art well, how art thou?” she replied uncertainly.

“I’m sorry princess, but I don’t think I can stay here any longer. I failed…” Celestia looked at him sadly.

“No, no thou hasn’t, if anything, I hath failed thou. I should have told my sister to stop treating thou like this, I hath seen that thou were not corrupted by the darkness, that thou hath claimed as thy own” she said with a small sad smile. “I shalt talk to her, please grant me a few days I beg thee” Masao looked at her, his once vacant look now had a glimmer of hope in it.

Celestia was as good as her word as she hounded her sister for two days not letting up until she finally cornered her.

“What is it sister? Can’t thou see that I am busy?” said the lunar princess and Celestia frowned at her sister, the look gave Luna some pause. “Did I do something to displease thou? If so I apologize”

“T’is not me, to whom you must apologize, Did thou not go to see Masao in these last few months?” snapped Celestia and the younger of the two alicorn scowled at her.

“Nay, and I doubt I will see him again, he got what he wanted, a chance at eternal life, why should I bother with a knave who only thinks of himself! He even had the audacity to say he wanted it so he could always be there for me, and when I needed him he remained locked up in his room, with that servant filly! He didn’t leave that room until I forced him to leave it, if only so he did not become a danger to himself and to our ponies” snarled Luna and Celestia’s expression changed from one of anger to one of sadness and pity which hurt Luna all the more.

“Thou truly thinks he was ignoring thou sister? He was in there trying to better himself trying to make thou proud of him. Evening Star was there because they hold a very strong friendship with each other.” Said Celestia and the Lunar princess mumbled something under breath. “What?”

“I doubt very much that being friendly with one another involves sharing a bed and each other’s bodies” Celestia went wide-eyed for a moment before she started to giggle, as she was struggling from keeping it from growing into a full blow laughter.

“Thou art jealous of Evening Star? I art sure that if thee asked that they would—”

“I art not jealous!” came Luna’s biting reply but Celestia just grinned at her sister, her forehoof covering her mouth. “If anything I was hurt that he chose that mare over me” she said in a calmer voice.

‘In other words thou art jealous’ thought Celestia but kept the thought to herself. “So thou art going to blame him? Thou did not give him a chance, all thou did was effectively disappear on him for several days, and he was in barely any shape to get from the sparring grounds to his room, let alone start searching the castle for one lone mare. Little surprise that instead he turned to Evening Star who already was a good friend of his to help him get better and stronger, which makes it no surprise that they would get even closer.” Pointed out Celestia which caused Luna to flinch, a look of shame on her face as she look down at her hooves…

Later that day Luna went to visit Masao and Evening Star, whom had long since moved in with the human, her things now in the dresser with Masao’s, and nervously knocked on the door with her hoof and for what seemed like hours to Luna, but was in reality only a few seconds, there was no response, but soon the door opened to reveal a very upset Evening Star.

“So thou finally hath come to thy senses?” challenged the smaller mare, and Luna swallowed before speaking up.

“C-Canst I see Masao, I needest to speak with him, I need to apologize.” She stumbled over her words and Evening studied her carefully, before she nodded.

“I shall permit it, but, should thou upset him any further, than thou shalt not be known as my princess, but as my enemy” said the mare which if Luna was in a better frame of mind, she would have scoffed at the comment, knowing that the mare could truly do nothing to her. However, as it was Luna merely nodded.

“Evening, who’s at the door?” called a hollow voice, one that Luna recognized as Masao’s.

“Greetings… Masao…” said the lunar princess and there was a sound of sheets rustling and then the sounds of someone nearly falling to the ground with some vulgarities being exclaimed before Masao appeared in front of her.

“Hello, princess, to what do I owe this pleasure?” he said in a voice that gave neither confidence nor any insight to what he was thinking. Luna bit her lip as she stood in front of him, and started to run her forehoof up and down her foreleg, and otherwise looked nervous to be standing in the spotlight as it were.

“I… I shouldn't have come, I’m sorry, I thought I could do this but I—” she started but Masao smiled at her softly.

“Do you want to join us for dinner? It seems a waste for you to have come all this way for nothing” said Masao and tears welled up in Luna’s eyes at the kindness Masao was showing her, even after how she treated him.

“I would love to” said Luna a smile spreading on her lips. Evening Star on the other hand narrowed her eyes but in the end shrugged.

“I’ll set her a place at the table, I am sorry princess, but we don’t have fine china” Evening said with a little bit of a condescending voice and Masao looked at her about to chastise her for the comment when Luna spoke up.

“That’s fine, I don’t need fine china to eat my food” she said mischievousness in her voice.

That night was a new beginning for the trio, and while Evening Star and Masao never forgot what Luna put them through, they did forgive her and their relationship grew close once more. Soon they started sharing their meals with the princesses once again, but then came the moment that Luna was hoping would not come up, the reason as to why she needed to talk to him…

“Greeting, Ser Masao, I am glad you are here” said Luna from her throne a sad look on her face.

“Ser Masao?” asked the human surprise evident on his face, soon he heard the sound of metal clad hooves clopping on the ground.

“This creature is the knight thou talked about? It does not even look strong enough to handle their spells” said the unknown pony, but Masao did not turn, yes his hand was on the handle of the sword at his waist but thanks to the training Luna and wrung him through, he did not move from his spot.

“Yes, he is, but I would appreciate it if thou didst not talk about him as if he weret not here” said Luna harshly and the pony was quiet for a moment.

“Hey, creature, doest thou speak Equine? Or art thou—” the pony didn’t finish as in the next moment, when Luna gave the barest of perceivable nods Masao whirled around and his blade was against the pony’s throat.

“It seems as though I have the upper had does it not?” he asked the pony, and now that he took a good look at the equine, it was male, with A white coat, and bluish mane and tail. That was all Masao could perceive as the armor on the stallion was covering up any other telling features, but the blade did nick at the skin of the stallion who barely kept the look of indifference on his face.

“It seems as if thou art aggressive, not something I would expect from a knight of Equestria” he said and Masao scoffed as he pulled his blade away and sheathed it.

“Good then, that I am not a knight of Equestria” said Masao and Luna looked at him worried, when he continued she went wide-eyed with a blush growing on her face, “I am Princess Luna’s knight, no one else’s” he said and the stallion nickered as he glared at Masao.

“Thou thinks that makes thee excused from proper manners?” said the soldier Masao frowned, part of him was begging to continue in this match of wills but he knew he was here for a reason.

“Why am I here, Milady?” he asked and Luna smiled at him, impressed at his self-control.

“Ser Masao, you are here because I must ask of thou to lay your life on the line for Equestria, there have been reports of ponies randomly attacking, kidnapping, and killing others. I for one want this to end now, my sister is content to let things stand for the moment, but…” said Luna and Masao frowned he had a feeling this was going to end badly, maybe not in the immediate however…

“Come on creature, keep up” said the soldier and Masao grumbled as he and Evening were saying good bye at the castle gate. “I don’t have time for thee and thy pet to—” started the soldier went there was a rough clearing of a throat as the captain of the guard trotted up to him frowning.

“I don’t care who thou art, or what thee believe, but if Masao comes back here and tells me anything that implicates thou of wrongdoing there will be nowhere for thou to hide, he is here under the princesses’ protection, and I will be damned before he or his is threatened” said the guard angrily, her glare boring a hole into the soldier whom turned to regard her.

“I have no time for some freak telling me who I can or can not deal with and in what way I can deal with them, especially not some creature that is lucky enough to know speech when it is not intelligent enough to—urk!” the next thing the soldier knew he was on the ground the captain’s front hoof pressing against his neck.

“Masao has earned my respect, and the respect of everypony here, he is also in a relationship with the bat pony that he is saying good bye to.” The mare pressed harder against the soldier’s neck, “He has proven himself an exceptional swordspony, and I—” she stopped when she felt Masao’s hand against her back.

“He isn’t worth it, captain, I will be alright, you know as well as anypony it is very hard to get the drop on me” said Masao with a small smile on his face. The guardspony gritted her teeth but nodded, removing her hoof from the stallion’s neck.

“Thou wouldst do better to not make me an—” he stopped as he noticed a shadow standing over him.

“Make thou what?” asked Celestia her features stern before she turned to Masao, “Ser Masao, what art thou doing this fine day?” Masao gave a small bow.

“Good morning, Celestia, I am heading to Trottingham to help them with a problem they are having” said Masao which made Celestia frown at him.

“Masao, please tell me that thou art not serious, I told Luna that we could take care of it in due time, there is no need—”

“I believe I can handle it, and if it is truly nothing as you say than me going will cause no harm. Either to myself or the inhabitants of Trottingham.” He said and the soldier started to grumble.

“I art not finished with thou. Thee insulted somepony under my charge, and I shalt not suffer such a slight to pass, thou shalt remain here—” Celestia started but Masao spoke up interrupting her.

“How pray tell am I supposed to get to Trottingham if my guide is indisposed?” asked the human which made a small smile to appear on Celestia’s face.

“I suppose then, that thou will not be going” she said which made Masao frown…

PreCommon Era Chapter Six/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Six: Beginnings of His Self Discovery/Learning of the Hatred of the Privileged

PreCommon Era Chapter Six/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Six: Beginnings of His Self Discovery/Learning of the Hatred of the Privileged

Masao stood there looking at the white mare as he kept himself from gritting his teeth as he turned to the guard captain, intent on getting the information he needed to get to his destination.

“Captain, how do I get to Trottingham?” he asked and the guard winced as she wished he had not asked her.

“Thou can wait for someone to take thee Ser Masao.” said Celestia but the human shook his head.

“No I can take myself, after all you and Luna have done for me, it is the least I can do to get there on my own.” said Masao which made the white alicorn frown.

“Why doest thou need to go? Could thou not wait?” she replied which caused Masao to frown at her odd behavior. Once again he turned towards the guard captain.

“I really need those directions captain, Either way I will be leaving tonight,” he said and Evening Star looked at him a little hurt that he would choose to continue with the mission right away rather than stay with her one more night, he managed to catch the sight of the look. “I’m sorry Evening, but I need to go now, rather than put a bandage on now only to rip it off later.” he said hoping to explain the situation but the analogy was lost on her, due to there not being self adhesive bandages just yet. never-the-less she nodded at him. With a look towards the solar princess the guard captain took a breath before giving Masao the directions he needed, much to the chartigan of princess Celestia who stalked off annoyed at the captain’s choice. “Thank you, captain, I will be back, Evening, just wait and see.” he said with a smile. Before he knew it he was walking down the path alone, worrying about several things, including the lack of ponies on the path, while he was not usually up during the daylight hours as he was now, there seemed to be a distinct lack of ponies on the path…

Several times as he walked down the path he noticed carts along the side, some of them ransacked, once or twice he noticed what he thought were pony tracks only for them to disappear into thin air, and a frown grew on his face. Returning to the path he found a crossroads the signs pointing to various locations including Fillydelphia, Baltimare, and Trottingham. so he stepped off the path and started to pull out something to eat from the pack he was carrying when he left the castle, While he ate, he heard the sounds of hooves on the road behind him, turning around he saw what looked to be an earth pony, but something about the pony wasn’t right, there was a green and black coloring about its golden fur and its amber eyes seemed to be elongated at the pupil. There was also what looked like fangs protruding from its mouth. Part of Masao wanted to say it was a changeling, but from what he knew of changelings he shouldn’t be able to tell that one was a changeling if he didn’t know the pony in question well enough. He stood up and walked over to the pony, a mare from the looks of it, who having heard the noise was stock still as she turned her head towards it, and noticing the human she took steps back, apparently knowledge of his existence was not well known.

“Wh-what art thou?!” said the mare as she backed away in fear. her hooves scrambling against the path as she tried to regain her footing.

“Calm down, I am not going to hurt you, I am…” he paused realizing he would have to use his full title now that he was outside of the castle. “I am Ser Masao, royal knight of princess Luna.” he said with a grimace, it was not that he didn’t like the title, but in a way it sounded a little strange to him.

“Knight of Princess Luna?” asked the mare suddenly excited and Masao nodded hesitantly not liking how the mare was acting. The mare started to walk towards him a look in her eyes, not unlike the look Evening Star sometimes had, though it seemed more predatory than sexual in nature. She stalked towards him as a green flame started at the tip of her tail and worked its way up to the tip of her snout revealing her to be, exactly what he thought he had seen.

“Changeling” he said his voice now firm and his hand drifting to his sword. The changeling looked at him with a small amount of surprise, the human had not reacted in the way it had expected. In fact he had remained calm and was obviously ready to fight.

“So thou knowesssst what we are? We art ssssurprisssed, we did not think that the royal princessessss knew anything about what was going on in the world beyond their wallsss,” hissed the changeling and Masao frowned at it obviously not amused. “fear not creature, we have no ussse for thou, we hath been sssseeking an audience with the princessssessss.” Masao narrowed his eyes but relaxed his stance a little, but did not remove his hand from his blade.

“How do I know you are telling me the truth, after all you were just in disguise,” the human challenged before motioning to the changeling, “You also seemed ready to attack me, until you realized I was not afraid of you.” the changeling glared at him baring its teeth.

“Thou hast no idea who thou is messing with,” it said as it buzzed its wings now at eye level with the human who drew his sword, “Queen Latis’s swarm shalt not be threatened!” said the changeling before it charged at Masao, haphazardly and the human dodged out of the way. However instead of hitting the tree like he expected the changeling twisted around and pushed off of it with its feet and charged again this time far more controlled and Masao slashed at the bug with his sword, intending to end it quickly only for it to dodged the sword strike quite readily, much to Masao’s surprise. Trying to stab Masao with it’s horn Masao dodged to the left hitting a tree trunk with his back before he dropped and rolled away from a quick buck from the attacking changeling. Standing up Masao blocked with the flat of the sword as the changeling tore a branch off of a tree with it’s magic and Masao groaned, he was starting to hate magic.

Left, right, right, left, stab, parry, block, stab, duck, lean right, lean back. Every time Masao thought he had a chance the Changeling’s style changed completely. Stab, stab, dodge right, jump back, slash, block, block. This fight was slowly beginning to whittle at his endurance, occasionally he could outlast Princess Luna, but this changeling seemed to have an endless supply of energy and tactics.

“How art thou still alive?” yelled the changeling starting to get frustrated at it’s lack of progress against the human, sure, it had ripped more branches off the trees in the area as the one it held was damaged beyond repair. “Doest thou not realize that it is futile to keep fighting? Just give up, and I promise thee a quick death!” Masao snarled, and reached out for the changeling, getting his arm smacked for his troubles, and luckily, even with how hard the changeling was attacking him, the bone did not snap.

“How, pray tell, will you grant me this so called ‘quick death?’ If I am not mistaken all you have is a bludgeoning weapon!” Masao cried as their weapons met, this time when he grabbed at it, he managed to yank it out of the changeling’s grasp, only to be hit from behind for his troubles by a rock that the changeling flung at him. Soon Masao started to slow though, and the changeling began to gain the upper hand, knocking the human’s sword out of the way when he went to attack. Just as the changeling pinned Masao against the trunk of the tree with yet another new branch, it yanked the sword out of Masao’s hand and started to swing it downward when there was a twang of a bow as two arrows flew through the air, one knocking the sword away from the changeling and the other piercing the changeling’s carapass killing it.

“Now what do we have here?” Asked a pegasus as it hovered a little ways away while Masao stood there trying to calm his nerves, he had nearly been bested by the changeling and was saved by the pony now hovering above the path. “Art thou alright, creature?” asked the pegasus which prompted Masao to get a good look at his savior, it was a stallion with green fur and a lighter green mane, in its hooves it held a bow with obvious familiarity, something that struck him as odd, but brushed the thought aside.

“Greetings, I am Ser Masao, Royal Knight of Princess Luna, and I thank you for aiding me—” started Masao, which made the stallion laugh, obviously finding what Masao said funny.

“Aiding thee? I suppose that is one way to say, ‘saving thy life’ but I suppose thou can not just admit that now can thee?” asked the stallion and Masao frowned a little at the remark, but shook his head in response.

“I know you saved my life, but that doesn’t mean that I am without gratitude, nor am I without the skills to defend myself.” he said as he reached into the small coinpurse he had started to carry around and withdrew several gold bits. Though as he walked towards the stallion, the pony kept his distance. “Is there something wrong good sir?” Masao asked and the stallion leveled an arrow at the human.

“Thou will empty your coinpurse, and be on your way.” he said which made Masao roll his eyes as he picked up his sword, and pulled his shield from his back. Unlike with the changeling the fact that the stallion did not seem to want to kill him outright gave him the chance to get his shield ready for combat, even if he was still tired from the previous fight.

“I am still willing to offer you a good amount of coin for saving me, just put the arrow away and let me pass.” the stallion nickered as he shook his head at Masao’s words.

“Thou couldn’t even take on one of those bugs, what makes thou think thou could take me on, creature?” scoffed the highwaypony which in turn made Masao scowl, he had hoped that it would not come to blows with the ponies of Equestria, but it seemed that some were determined to live a life of crime.

“A knight is sworn to valor, his heart knows only virtue, his blade defends the helpless, his might upholds the weak, his word speaks only truth, his wrath undoes the wicked.” stated Masao as he readied himself for combat.

“What does thou know of wickedness, creature? Thou lives in a castle, free from the troubles of this world!” countered the stallion as he pulled the string back on his bow. intending on ending the fight right there, that and steal the money that the creature was carrying.

“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t, but Princess Luna sent me out here to find what troubles her subjects and I will do just that.” as soon as Masao said that the stallion froze and loosened the tension of the string.

“Why dost thou care? As I said thee lives in relative comfort, as the pet of the princesses.” Masao almost growled at the stallion’s remark before taking a breath to calm himself, it would not due to lose himself in a rage, not when the possible enemy was using a ranged weapon. Nor while he was unarmored, save his shield.

“I am no pet. However, so long as Luna wishes me to protect her ponies, I will. I have sworn to do whatever it takes to make her happy.” again the stallion relaxed his grip, however this time he lowered the bow so it was no longer pointed at the human.

“Thou acts as if thou doest not answer to Princess Celestia.” said the stallion and Masao laughed at the remark as he shook his head. the highwaypony looked at the human in confusion.

“I don’t, Celestia is my friend. However I answer only to her sister, Luna, and to my very close friend, Evening Star.” said Masao, purposely leaving out the fact that Evening Star was his lover...

PreCommon Era Chapter Seven/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Seven: Changeling huntin’

PreCommon Era Chapter Seven/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Seven: Changeling huntin’

The highwaypony looked at Masao with surprise. The human had started to put his weapon away, the stallion started to raise his bow half-heartedly.

“I know you don’t want to kill me, otherwise you wouldn’t have let me grab my shield in the first place, let alone save me from the changeling.” Masao said calmly as he stared down the stallion.

“Maybe I did not want to tangle with the changeling after it killed thee” was the counter and Masao shrugged as he stood there ready to die should the highwaypony decide to shoot. Luckily for Masao the pony returned the arrow to his quiver which was on his left flank. Snorting the pegasus turned away from the human. “Thou trusts far too easily, those changelings art far too numerous for that kind of attitude, and if Princess Luna truly sent thou to aid her ponies, then killing thou wouldst be a mistake that I wouldst likely not live to regret.” the stallion said and Masao smirked at that as he grabbed the rest of his items.

Later as Masao and the pegasus walked down the road to the small town of Stalliongrad they came across several more ponies, and a few changeling in disguise and seeing through their deception unnerved Masao a little but he was going to make use of this ability and pointed them out to his traveling companion, who introduced himself as Bullseye. Bullseye then proceeded to lure the changelings into an alley where Masao stood waiting. It wasn’t until the fourth one that the changelings grew wise to the fact that they were being hunted. Some of them changed to a different pony, others fled the small town under their disguises all the ones that stayed were captured,or killed if they resisted. There was a small incident that almost caused the death of a changeling that had been living in the town for all its life, even had a wife that genuinely loved the changeling. There had been an argument between the two changeling hunters on what to do with the peaceful ‘ling, Masao was all for leaving him alone, whilst Bullseye wanted to kill it for just being a changeling.

“No, we are not killing the changeling, just because it is a changeling, I will not have innocent blood on my hands, nor will I allow you to stain your hooves with the blood of the innocent!” yelled Masao which made the pegasus’s face shift into a snarl.

“That creature is guilty! Being a changeling is crime enough!” argued the highwaypony-turned-local-hero which in turn made Masao roll his eyes, at the volume the of the archer.

“No, it isn’t, where I come from, such an admission is known as being racist, or known as bigotry. Something I have a very small tolerance for. I will not sanction this ‘ling’s death, and if I find out that you went ahead anyway then I will kill you, I have no tolerance for hate crimes. Not even against these creatures” Bullseye gritted his teeth his hoof hovering over his quiver for a small amount of time before he seemed to think better of it.

“I hope that creature is worth—” he started before the ‘ling walked out and saw them.

“So it is my turn, changeling hunters?” asked the changeling and the two answered at the sametime

“No” said Masao.

“Yes” said Bullseye which made the two look at each other.

“I have a request, please, tell my wife that I love her, and that I will miss her, but do not mourn me, she should find someone else to love” said the changeling Masao frowned, and shook his head to which the changeling took to mean that they would not relay the message. “I suppose it was too much to—” he started when Masao spoke up

“From what I can see you have lived here peacefully and I will not end your life for just being a changeling” said the human but as soon as he said that Bullseye notched an arrow and was ready to release it.

“He might not, but I will, all these creatures have done is steal our emotions and kill off our fellow ponies! Name one good reason as to why I should spare thine life?” Masao snarled as he imposed himself between the pegasus and the changeling. “Get out of the way Ser Masao”

“No. You plan on killing this stallion for nothing more than being born different! You are no different than the pegasi of old.” Masao said his teeth gritted, this time however, unlike when he fought the changeling on the forest path, he was wearing his armor, not that it would protect him much this close to the missile that would be fired at him.

“That creature is no stallion! Its kind has been—”

“I know your arguments, but does the hare have to right to condemn the hawk for feeding itself? Does the herring kill the bear for eating it?” asked Masao standing his ground.

“Like thine opinion matters when thou joined me in killing the changelings that we killed before. or the changeling that nearly killed thou when first we met!” argued Bullseye and Masao gritted his teeth, for he knew at this point if he were to say the wrong thing, he was as good as dead, and so would the changeling behind him.

“The predator can not blame the prey for fighting for its life when it is attacked.” countered Masao making the pegasus growl, which on a side note, was a very particular sound coming from a creature that only eats vegetation.

“Why dost thou keep replying in analogies? Doest thou not have an original thought in thy body?” snarled Bullseye as Masao narrowed his eyes and drew his dagger in response.

“I do not think that infighting will aid thee in anyway” said a mare as she stepped outside,  “And what doest thee needest with my husband? He has never done anything wrong” she said even as the Changeling turned to the mare.

“My dear, please go back inside, I don’t want thee to see this” the stallion begged but his wife ignored him.

“Doest thou think I  dost not know he is a changeling? He told me himself near the beginning of our relationship, he has not hidden anything from me, and not once have I withheld my love from him” said the mare making Bullseye turn his head towards her, the bow in his hooves also turning towards her.

“Than thou art as guilty as he is!” yelled Bullseye and Masao knocked the pegasus to the ground just as the arrow was released, luckily with the force of the pegasus being hit, the arrow’s course was altered enough that it did not hit the mare, nor the changeling, but rather it hit the wall of their house. Masao and Bullseye scuffled for a moment before Masao managed to gain the upperhand and with his dagger against Bullseye’s throat, disarmed the pegasus.

“I will not have you commit murder, not while I can stop it” he snarled Bullseye just glared at him in response.

“Thou shalt pay for this, creature, I’ll make sure of it” growled Bullseye as a few town guards happened upon the scene and were about to arrest Masao much to the momentary delight of Bullseye. Fate however had different plans as the Changeling and his wife spoke up in defense of the human stating that he had risked his life to protect theirs when his former partner, “started seeing changelings everywhere.” Masao shook his head, not in total disagreement, but proceeded to inform the guard about the true nature of the couple, and the reasons as to why he saved them. How he was placing the under his protection, which did carry weight besides the fact of him rooting out other changelings that were aggressive rather than peaceful, as he was a Knight of Princess Luna, and a close friend to Princess Celestia. was a surprise to the pair, as he ordered guards to be placed at their home so he could send word to the princesses...

PreCommon Era Chapter Eight/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Eight: Time away/The Return

PreCommon Era Chapter Eight/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Eight: Time away/The Return

’So here we stand...’ thought Masao as he looked at the scroll in his hands, the one that had just been delivered to him by pegasus, a pegasus from the royal guard, who did not originally know about Masao as he had just joined the guard not long after Masao had left, not even a week ago. Opening the letter Masao gritted his teeth as he read that some guards were being sent from the castle to collect his travel companion to be dealt with, and a few that would be staying with the couple he had found in the town of Stalliongrad. He read the message, and was ready to continue on with his mission when he noticed that there couple he had saved been looking for him.

“Yes?” he asked cautiously and the pair smiled at him as they thanked him once more, “It—… I was no problem, I assure you” he managed to say before he rushed off, his armor clinking against itself.

While Masao was having some trouble with the locals of Stalliongrad, Evening Star was starting to be harassed by a few of the newer younger recruits, apparently she was more attractive than she gave herself credit for and once or twice was accosted by one of the stallions and a few of the mares. It had gotten to the point where the older guardsponies would walk her wherever she needed to go, and none of the young recruits were foolish enough to harass the mare when she was in the presence of the princesses who seemed to have adopted her as if she was their own blood.

“How art thou doing on this fine night, Evening Star, dear?” asked Celestia as she trotted up to the young bat mare.

“I am doing well, Princess. Art thou on thy way to bed?” she asked as she tilted her head to the side as the older mare gentle nuzzled her like a close friend.

“Just about, and I thought I would ask thee to join me on a small walk in the garden before I head to bed” said the white alicorn making Evening Star’s eye sparkle for a moment.

“It would be a pleasure princess!”

Luna sat on her throne, she knew where Evening Star was. Celestia said she was going to be spending some time with the mare before she herself went to bed, but that did nothing to alleviate the boredom that was slowing growing as she refrained from pouting, she finally had a mare friend that wasn’t her sister to spend time with, even if that mare happened to be in a relationship with her human friend.

As Celestia bid the bat pony a good night, Evening Star started to head towards the throne room, one of the new guards happened to cross paths with her.

“Hello there, what is a fine beauty like thineself doing out traveling the castle as this hour?” asked the unicorn and Evening rolled her eyes as she attempted to walk around him, “Excuse me, I do believe I asked thou a question, Art thou deaf?” Evening Star glared at him trying with all of her might not to buck him in the face.

“I heard thou, however, where I go is none of thy business, as I do happen to have seniority over thou, I was a servant here long before you joined the guard.” the young stallion gritted his teeth and grabbed her with his magic.

“I see, thou art servant then? Well I happen to need—”

“Release Madam Evening Star, Private before I have thou thrown in the dungeon for harming her, she is the mare of Ser Masao Darkheart, and I will damned to Tartarus before I let you harm one hair on her head” said a voice and the stallion whipped his head around to see one of the older guardsponies there glaring at him as if he were a bug. the young guard grumbled quietly and released the mare and went on his way only stopping long enough to whisper something in Evening Star’s ear, and received a buck to the face for his trouble and the mare sticking her nose in the air as she trotted away the older guard staying only a moment before following after her.

Luna looked up as Evening burst into the throne room grumbling about a guardspony harassing her, but when Luna asked about it, Evening waved it off saying that she would handle it as long as she could. Of course that was before she was being stared down by both the royal pony sisters, yes Luna had gotten her sister up to help deal with the issue…

Masao soon decided he should head home. wait… did he just? Yes he did, he called that castle home, and he realized that he meant it.  It had been a couple years since he had left, he had went from village to village rooting out Changeling infiltrators that grew violent, and pointing out to the guard the ones that remained peaceful, mentioning that they were not to be touched unless they grew violent.

“But Ser Masao, must you really leave?” asked one of the villagers and Masao nodded in response, smiling softly.

“Yes, I left a mare of my own all alone for all this time, and I miss her, I miss my Evening Star” he managed to say without blushing in embarrassment, he truly did miss her and at times when he was quiet he could be seen staring off in the direction of the castle so far in the distance that you couldn’t even see it. Yet he always knew where it was…

It took Masao months to traverse the distance between him and the castle, however he did not let that bother him. Twice he was accosted by bandits and rogues and each time he fought them off. When he grew tired he slept off to the side of the road, not even the creatures of the night trespassed on his camping grounds, scared off by the darkness of his soul. Soon after reaching the castle gate he was accosted by some newer members of the guard, who demanded that he leave. When he refused they attempted to order the archers to fire, but several of the archers on duty knew who he was and refused, one of them rushing to the throne room, much to the displeasure of the younger guardsponies in charge.

“Stand down guard, I am Ser Masao Darkheart, and you stand in my way” said Masao and the guardspony scoffed at Masao’s words.

“As if some strange creature such as thou are Masao, the lover to that beauty, Evening Star” scoffed the pony when the mare in question walked up to the top of the wall.

“So thou returns” she said a scowl on her face, at which Masao flinched, “Two years! Two long lonely years Masao! Doest thou think I am a mare you can—”

“Evening Star, my love, my best friend, I—”

“Don’t… I… I have missed you so, Masao” she said as tears rolled down her cheeks and a smiled adorn her features.

“I can not believe thou would lay with such a creature! Have thou no shame?” yelled the young guard before he was about to attack the mare when he heard someone speak up.

“We would ask the same of thee, guard, thou dare raise a weapon to our knight’s mare? Thou shalt not live to see the next sunrise if we have anything to say—” started Luna when Masao suddenly appeared on top of the wall a look of anger on his face, behind him a portal of darkness that if one looked carefully would see the ground below. Luna stepped back in surprise, not even she attempted to use that form of transportation as it was fraught with danger.

“Guard, you have threatened the wrong mare” said Masao, his sword in his hand ready to end the stallion’s life. Luna shook herself free of her surprise.

“Nay, Ser Masao, do not dirty thy blade with his blood. We shall deal with him.”

PreCommon Era Chapter Nine/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter Nine: The Break Down/Death Brought Home

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PreCommon Era Chapter Ten/Lunar Rebellion Chapter One: The Beginning of the End of Peace/Oaths

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PreCommon Era Chapter Eleven/Lunar Rebellion Chapter Two: War And Climax

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PreCommon Era Chapter Twelve/Post Lunar Rellion Chapter One: Masao’s loss

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PreCommon Era Chapter One/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter One: Omnivore Meet Herbivore/A New Resident

PreCommon Era Chapter One/PreLunar Rebellion: Chapter One: Omnivore Meet Herbivore/A New Resident

As he stood there looking at the sky, his stomach growled and ached for the third day in a row. He had water enough from the stream he had found, and he had crafted some very crude spears from a pile a branches he had found the day before, but still he had yet to come across any life, or anything that even resembled edible food for him to eat. So standing there he sighed and started following the stream, which grew into a mighty river. His once pale skin now tanned from the sunlight that poured through the branches and leaves of the trees. His rich green eyes constantly scanning the area looking for what, he did not know, and his red hair dirty from sleeping on the ground by a tree that seemed to scare the wildlife away. He was of average height but by now his stomach was beginning to push out with the obvious signs of starvation, contrary to the normal healthy, if not fit, form he usually had.

Still no food. His stomach growled loudly, and he winced as a pang of hunger hit him once again, only for the growl in his stomach to be answered by another growl this one from behind him. Thinking that it was at least some meat he twirled around ready to at least fight for some food he was surprised to come face to face with a wolf, a wolf made entirely of wood.

“Impossible!” he said knowing that Timberwolves, if he was correct in what it was, only existed in Equestria. However this revelation wasn’t going to let him sit around and ponder it as the timberwolf jumped at him and, luckily for him, landed with the sharpened tip of his wooden spear in its head through its eye socket. As the beast fell apart, the young man knew that he had been exceedingly lucky. So he ran, and he ran, following the river until it started to cut into a small, yet very wide, gorge, one he knew from the looks of the rope bridge hanging over it. This was the bridge to the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters. And if this gorge was only just starting that meant that…

“No fucking way…” he thought aloud and he started up the path, ashamed that he hadn’t tried looking harder earlier. Within hours, though his stomach growled louder every hour, he managed to sneak his way up to the castle, the moon shone down on him and the very intact castle doors. Biting his lip he banged on the door, hoping beyond hope that maybe he could find something to eat from the castle’s cooks.

Luna had just risen the moon, and was watching with sadness that every pony had begun their night time routines—the ones that would either lead them to sleep, or grumble about being awake at some ungodly hour when everyone else was still in, or was going to, bed, when she heard banging at the doors to the castle. The doors that led right to the Throne room! Surprised the alicorn rushed to her throne and sat there waiting for one of the servants to open the door, when she remembered that only a few guards, a cook, and herself were awake…

About to give up, Masao started to turn around when the doors shone with a pale blue light and the doors opened. Swallowing hard, he stood at the doors and waited for them to open all the way and as soon as they did he stepped inside much to the surprise of the one princess on her throne.

“What manner of beast art thou?” she thought aloud and Masao frowned at her words.

“I am no beast, Princess Luna—” he said without thinking and the next thing he knew he was against the wall his body enveloped in that same pale blue aura as the door had been not a few minutes before.

“Who, or what, art thou and how doest thou know my name!? Speak demon or have thee lost the ability to do so at the sight of my power!?” she exclaimed at the unknown creature.

“I am Masao” he managed to say even as her magic started to choke him. “I am a human being!” he said and she dropped him.

“So thou knowest proper manners we see.” said Luna with a snort and Masao simply smiled

“As for how I know your name, I was called from across space and time to aid you, to help you. I do not wish for you to feel anymore loneliness.” he lied, he had no clue as to why he was there but if he could he would do everything in his power to help her.

“Thou art lying.” she said her eyes glowing white.

“No, not entirely, I truly don’t wish for you to feel lonely anymore” he said and then his stomach growled echoing loudly in the throne room. “Well that, and I am hungry.” he finished and Luna frowned at him.

“So what thou really came here to do was raid the kitchens, as it were.” she countered making Masao frown at her.

“And why, pray tell, would I have bothered knocking if all I was going to do was steal from your food stores? It isn’t as though the thought didn’t cross my mind, but I don’t think that stealing from someone I wish so help is the right thing to do, nor would it help my situation any.” he countered not bothering to even pretend to show reverence to her.

“Thou just said thou art here for food.” came the retort. Seeing that arguing was going to get him nowhere, he took a step towards her before getting on his knees.

“Please, Princess, I am hungry, I have been lost in that forest for several days, with no food, and only the stream as a source of drink.” He begged and Luna went wide eyed, she didn’t ever like to see someone beg, not when she could do something about it, but on the other hoof this was an unknown creature which made her very wary. Sure her sister welcomed the Gryphons with open hooves, and even certain dragons, but from what she could see he was a carnivore, if his teeth were any indication; could she really risk one of her subjects?

“And what could we provide that thee could eat? From what we see, thou art a carnivore, my subjects and I are herbivores” she said and Masao had a small placating smile on his lips.

“If that is what is worrying you, princess, don’t worry, I am what is known as an omnivore, I can eat most flora and fauna,” he said but when he got a confused look from Luna he realized that they did not have a scientist classify plants and animals just yet. “Flora is the primary classification of plants, and fungus; and Fauna is the primary classification for animals, and insects.” he explained before his stomach growled again this time even louder than before as if it knew that he was going to eat soon.

“Canst thou eat hay? Or oats?” she asked and Masao cringed at the mention of hay.

“So far as I know humans cannot digest hay. However if you happen to have boiled water and some sugar I can make what is known as oatmeal.” He said as he bit his lip.

“Thou acts as if we have never heard of oatmeal before.” she said and Masao chuckled before waving a hand around.

“Kinda hard to not think of this as ancient; my species, though limited, travels the stars, landed on Terra’s moon, which is also called Luna, has cured diseases you have yet to come across, and some that would kill your subjects, Small Pox for example—” at the mention of Small Pox Luna’s eyes zeroed in on Masao.

“Thou sayest thy species has a cure for small pox?” she asked with a slight urgency and Masao bit his lip again before once more his stomach growled. “How rude of me,” she said as she got up from her throne and with a wing gestured for Masao to follow her which he did after a bit. “We shall sit and eat, dost thou have any preference for thy meal?” Masao smiled and nodded

“Yes as a matter of fact, I could do with some fresh spinach, oatmeal, and some nuts, preferably peanuts. I need some source of protein.” Luna nodded although she had no idea what protein was, but she was glad to be able to fulfill all of his requests if only so she can get some information on how to cure Small Pox. How little she knew…

Sitting in the dining room, Masao munched on the food that was brought to him, much to the obvious surprise of the ponies that were there; they had also seen his teeth and believed that he was a carnivore, and as much as they wanted to believe their princess, seeing it with their own eyes was something else.

“Now that thou art fed, perhaps thou could tell me about how thy species have cured Small Pox.” said Luna and Masao went wide-eyed before taking a deep breath.

“I can tell you what I know, but before I start I want your word as a princess that you will allow me to finish before you interrupt.” Said Masao and Luna studied him for a moment before she nodded and Masao sighed, “What I was going to say about Small Pox, is that we have learned how to prevent it, not cure it, as the only cure for Small Pox is rest.” Luna almost interrupted when Masao stopped to take a breath. “Before I continue, have you heard about Cow Pox?” Luna nodded not seeing where this was going. “Have you ever seen how those that contracted Cow Pox never get sick with Small Pox? In case you are wondering, it is no coincidence, Small Pox and Cow Pox have a similar genetic make-up—” He paused in midsentence and thought to himself ‘I keep forgetting they are barely into their middle ages...’ he then continued “—how we learned to prevent Small Pox was that a physician was treating a patient of his for Small Pox, when he noticed how the milk maids—they are the ones that tended to the cows—at least the ones that had previously contracted Cow Pox didn’t seem to catch Small Pox. He theorized that if someone was infected with Cow Pox they would not catch Small Pox. So he tested this theory by purposely infecting several volunteers, or at least I think they were volunteers, with Cow Pox and low and behold, not one of them contracted Small Pox in their lifetimes. What he had invented was known as vaccinations, which with the exception of a few select viruses, Small Pox being one of them, is just a weakened version of the virus, which taught the body how to combat it.” Luna frowned as Masao finished, the only way to help protect her people was to hurt them.

“I am sorry that this isn’t what you are looking for. However, medicine is not something I really studied, I just learned about that one in passing…” Masao managed to say, causing Luna to glanced at him worriedly.

“Is there no way thou could tell me more?” asked Luna as Masao frowned, he knew basic survival tactics from camping in his youth, with nothing but a tent.

‘Yeah, thanks dad’ he thought before sighing once more, “Nothing that your people won’t find out eventually, I mean I know some basic survival tactics for a human, after all I am human, but I can help tell you what plants are dangerous to touch, let alone eat, I can also tell you what alcohol is actually good for medicinal purposes, same with several plants, but again you’d figure that out on your own without my help” he said before shaking his head.

“Dost thou wish for more?” the lunar princess asked, gesturing at the plate in front of him. and Masao shook his head, a sad look on his face.

“No, I should—” he started before Luna looked at him, hard.

“Should what? Thou said thou wanted to help me, why? Doest it look as though we needest thee?” she asked, in a tone that seemed more curious than harsh as she waved a hoof at the young man, whose gaze never left the plate in front of him.

“No, but you do look lonely and—” he tried again when another voice spoke up.

“Greetings dearest sister, thou did not sayest that thou would be hosting someone tonight.” at the voice Masao froze, this probably would not end well, from almost every fanfiction he had read, Celestia, for surely that was whom was talking, would want him gone.

“Sister, we did not expect thee to awaken so early. Is it truly so late?” Luna asked looking at her sister with a look of surprise.

“Fear not, dear sister. For we are glad thou hast found someone to spend time with on thy lonely nights.” said Celestia Masao chanced a glance towards the eldest sister. “And who art thou? What manner of being art thou?” she asked calmly, Masao turned towards the older alicorn.

“I am a human, your highness, my name is Masao.” he said and to his surprise Celestia just looked at him with interest.

“And what pray tell is a human? I have never heard of one before.” she said, her sister, Luna, remained quiet as she gazed at Masao.

“Homo-Sapien, ‘Wise Man,’ Human, Terran. Those are just some of the names my species can be called.” Masao said a little confused.

“Interesting titles but what art thou? How didst thou come to be?” Celestia asked, and at that Luna turned to Masao as well, a look of pure curiosity adorning her features.

“Well that depends on the point of view.” Masao said now feeling uncomfortable with the duo’s looks.

“It can wait until later; thou lookest as if thou will fall over from a gust of wind!” exclaimed Luna, Masao looked at her with a thankful gaze that she ignored, it seemed that she truly thought he was that tired.

“I thank you, princess, I have been wandering that forest for a while before I stumbled across your castle.” Said Masao and Celestia’s gaze lingered on him for a little while before she nodded

“We shall have the guards prepare a room for thee. We can continue this when thee awakens.” she said and Masao started to nod before he shook his head.

“If you wish to know more about me, princess, then you shall have to either wait for your sister to awaken, or learn it from her. Even if I don’t know the true reason as to why I am here, I do intend to be there for your sister; she needs a friend to stay awake with her throughout the night.” he said as he stood up to his full height which brought his height to about equal of that Celestia’s horn but he did not stand in an intimidating manner, rather, he walked over to the tapestries, pretending to examine them; knowing that one or both of them would demand answers to questions that, through no fault of his own, he would be unable to answer.

“Dear sister, I truly believe that he is of no danger to our subjects; has he not been forthcoming with any answers we have sought?” asked Luna and Celestia shook her head.

“No dearest sister, he did not answer the question about what his species is, or came to be,” said Celestia. Not caring that Masao could hear her, “He is hiding something.”

“Perhaps, or perhaps I don’t think that I have the energy to go into a discussion of that length at present.” Masao shot back, completely interrupting Celestia’s train of thought.

“Thou art very rude.” said Celestia and Masao rolled his eyes as he leaned against the wall of the dining room.

“No more rude then you are, princess, talking about someone behind their back, and not even having the decency to keep your voice down when you questioned my honesty.” Came the retort making the white Alicorn’s feathers to ruffle and a small blush of embarrassment to appear on her face having been called out.

“Dear sister, I am tired, and I am sure so is our guest, perhaps it is time for us all to go our separate ways until dusk?” suggested Luna trying to prevent a scene, and Celestia nodded sadly knowing that her time with her sister had been taken away from her due to this creature. Not that it was actually its fault, but never the less this human being did take time away from her sister…