The Day Before...

"Uhhh..."

"Yeah, good morning sunshine. Get that ass of yours up and eat."

"Fine...fine..." The white pony slowly pulled himself up, rubbing his eyes with a white hoof. When he pulled it away, his brilliant blue eyes shone through his brown hair, still fogged with the remains of sleep. He pulled himself off their bed, hitting the faded wood floor gently. He slowly walked out into the kitchen, his eyes falling on his sister. Her dark hooves were tapping on the ground, her red tail swishing and her long red hair swaying. She was cooking up some pancakes with her magic, the red glow surrounding the handles of the pan and spatula, which were made of cheap steel. He walked over to the fridge and pulled it open, looking around inside. He could feel her red eyes on the back of his head, could SEE her confident smirk, which brought out his own a little. He grabbed some orange juice and shut the door, grabbing a glass from the counter and pouring himself a drink. She grinned and bumped him gently as she set his pancakes on a plate for him.

"Soooooo...what were you dreaming about stud~?" He blinked and looked at her a little confused, to which she tisked gently. "We share a bed bro. Come on. Tell me. Who were you banging last night~?" He continued to stare at her deadpan, then resumed eating. She huffed and went back to cooking, taking a small meat patty and plopping it in the pan. He watched her, wrinkling his nose a little. She smirked mischievously and looked back at him. "Hmmm...was it...a maid?" He didn't respond, just taking another bite. Her smile fell a little and she narrowed her eyebrows a little. "Another guard?" No response. "That rich lady Fleur?" No response. "Me?" He looked at her in slight confusion and disgust, and she shrugged. "I would think of me. Come on, look at me." She twirled, making him chuckle gently. He raised his glass and began to drink. "Hmmm...Princess Luna?"

His eyes widened and he spluttered, setting his glass down as he began to cough. She watched in satisfaction as his ears began to redden and started to sing. "Equinox and Lulu, dreaming peacefully. F-U-C-K-I-"

"That's enough!" He snapped at her, his glass rattling on the table as he hit it gently with his hoof. She just giggled and hugged him, nuzzling him gently.

"I'm just teasing you bro, relax. Now eat up. Today is our first day on the job, and we really need our energy." He huffed and nuzzled her, a trace of a smile on his lips. She grabbed her own plate, placing some pancakes and the patty on her plate. He watched as she bit into it hungrily, shuddering a little as she moaned. "Mm...man I wish I was a griffin..." She took another bite, and he did the same, already used to his sister's meat cravings. She had always had it, but they never found any medical reason, except she got really pissed if she didn't eat any every couple days. After quickly shoveling down their meals, they both quickly got dressed in their different armours, his a gleaming example of the Royal Guards, gold and blue decorating its surface as he secured it onto his back. He grabbed his helmet and slipped it on, fitting it firmly. Her's was a dark myriad of blue and purple, and was looser around the joints to allow freedom of movement. They nodded and walked out into the evening, the sight of Celestia's sun setting lifting their spirits. They locked the door of their cheap home behind them, and began walking, their hooves clopping gently against the cobbled street. She waved at all the other night-goers they usually saw, while he simply nodded as he looked forwards. They lived in the back end of Canterlot, where the people with little money who couldn't afford a train decided to call home. The houses were made of cheap wood, but were finely constructed thanks to the resident carpenter who had moved in several years ago. The whole area was surrounded by the high walls of the city, preventing most of the nobles from seeing their humble community. The sister personally took pride in this, her brother just happy that everyone like them had a place to live. They turned into a small alley, emerging on the other side behind the Cobra's Kiss, a bar a little off the Main Street. They turned and followed the road upwards, coming upon the castle. The guards nodded and opened the doors for them, leading them to the main throne room.

"Why hello there. Are you our new recruits, Equinox Shift and Shadow Blaze?" The two walked in and bowed before the sight before them. The hall was massive, the ceiling extending high above them. Glass windows depicting the many key events in history, such as those of the Bearers of Harmony, spanned the length of the hall. Standing next to the two thrones at the end were the two Princesses, Celestia and Luna. Blaze's eyes darted up and she watched as her brother swallowed nervously, before lowering her head again. The two princesses walked over, Stopping in front of them. "You may rise." They both stood up, Blaze standing confidently while Equinox stood tall and straight, trying to be a good example of a guard. The two princesses smiled and looked between the two. "So, how did you sleep this day?" His eyes widened and he looked at Blaze who had opened her mouth.

"Well...-" Equinox quickly covered her mouth with his hoof, looking up at the sisters nervously. "We slept great, your majesties. We were eager to work for you today." He removed his hoof, Blaze watching him with her eyebrows narrowed in disappointment. Luna giggled gently at the sight, making him flush ever so gently. Celestia smiled gently the two and nodded.

"That is good. We have two special spots for our newest recruits. Blaze, as we have seen from your special skills, I am putting you on patrol." She looked at her ruler and nodded, her demeanor dropping into a more serious one. "Your abilities make you very well suited to the job. Make sure to record any and all suspicious activity, understand? You will be surveying the area around the castle, including the garden, the barracks, and the maid dorm."

"Yes Your Highness." She said smartly, saluting. Blaze then turned and grinned at Equinox, backing up into the shadows of the pillars. With a burst of red flames, she had disappeared. Equinox turned back to the two rulers, swallowing nervously as he looked between them. Celestia smiled down at him and turned towards the leftern exit.

"As for you Equinox, you will be serving my sister, who is soon beginning her night court. I shall see you tomorrow when I come to relieve her." The two watched as she exited the hall, then turned back to look at each other. Luna smiled gently at Equinox, her nervousness evident in her face. He smiled back and bowed gently.

"My Princess, what would you have of me during the night court?" Princess Luna turned and walked to her throne, sitting down and looking at the door as Celestia lowered the sun. Her horn glowed a deep azure, and Equinox watched in slight awe as he saw the moon slowly raise into the sky, the stars slowly coming into view as moonlight bathed the streets. He turned back to Luna, who was smiling gently.

"We and our sister believe that the reason ponies are so scared of our night court is because of the thestrals I usually have with me. Their...different appearance frightens the nobles of Canterlot. So, we have decided that thou shalt accompany us this night, and hopefully the sight of a normal pony might help loosen their snobbish tongues." Equinox smiled a little and nodded, walking to her side. He turned towards the other end of the hall and struck pose, as Luna called out for the beginning of the night court.

Equinox turned towards Luna, who gave a sigh of relief as the last noble walked out of the hall and the doors shut. The sun was rising slowly with the dawn, the first rays of warmth dancing across Equestria. He trotted down towards the door, locking it with a bolt which would be removed once Celestia began her court. He turned and walked back up to Luna, who was rubbing her head gently. Him being there instead of thestrals had helped a little, but many nobles still weren't too ecstatic about her coming back. It seemed every other noble came in just to burden her with complaints about her night sky, or to whine about things like funding for their companies and shops. They disgusted him, but Luna took each one in stride, calmly dealing with their problems. Looking at her now, he could tell that the court had really drained her. Her mane wasn't as flowing as before, and she was rubbing her temples gently. Equinox looked around, then hesitantly reached out and patted her shoulder. She looked up at him, making him quickly retract his hoof, but she simply smiled and fell back lazily into her chair with a sigh. "Ughhh...we may have been gone for many years, but the nobles haven't changed from the snobs they are." He chuckled gently and she smiled, then sat back up. "Celestia shall wake soon, and we shall go to bed. Thank you, Sir Equinox, for being here with us."

He smiled and nodded politely. "It was my plea-" he was cut off as there was a crashing sound from above, rubble and stone falling around them as they cried out. A massive blade came swirling out of the cloud of dust and slammed into Equinox, sending him flying into the opposing wall with a crash. He fell into a crumpled heap on the ground, Luna crying out. She turned back towards the dust and swallowed in fear as a creature came out. It had a tall, lanky body, each limb rippling with muscle. It stood on two legs, which ended in goat hooves, dirt and white powder collecting around them. Its legs were covered in dark hair, which turned to tanned skin at the waist. It's two arms were the same, holding two large and cleaver-like blades. But the head was what scared her. It was the skull of a goat, with burning red eyes tearing into her. She broke out into a cold sweat, backing up fearfully. On instinct she fired several magic bolts, hitting him several times in the skin, but leaving him unharmed. Her eyes shrunk as it began to slowly walk towards her, bearing the air of someone on the job. A yell was heard and they both turned, Luna watching as Equinox's leg collided with the head of the beast. It was knocked away, rolling across the ground. Equinox was cut in several places, blood trailing from his lips. His hair was disheveled, and he was covered in dirt. He turned to Luna, his eyes sparked with flame. "Princess, go!" She swallowed and was about to shake her head when the beast began slowly rising off the ground. It cracked its neck gently, then faced Equinox with its blades at the ready. He turned back towards it and readied himself. "Get help! All I can do is prevent him from causing more damage, now go!" She swallowed and nodded, her horn flashing with a burst of magic as she teleported away.

He swallowed, spitting out some blood as he and the demon locked eyes. The beast crouched gently, then began to slowly walk towards him, gradually speeding up. His eyes widened and he rolled to the side as its hoof shot where his face was. Shit...he's fast. The demon kicked at him again, catching him by surprise and sending him skidding back. He forced himself to a stop, then quickly dodged to the right as the demon growled, slamming its blades into the ground. It yanked them out and turned towards him, and began swinging its blades. Equinox kept dodging, ducking and jumping its swipes, slowly being backed down the hall towards the door. It growled and swung one blade, then swung the other right under it, catching him in midair. Blood spurted out if his mouth as he went flying, skipping across the ground to hit the door gently. He coughed and slowly rose upwards, his legs shaking gently. He swore he saw the demon grin as it began to walk towards him slowly, dragging its swords across the ground, the sound echoing in the hall. Equinox darted his eyes around, and they stopped as they fell upon one of the doors, time slowing down. A maid was standing there, her bag falling slowly to the ground as her fear laden eyes took in the battle in front of her. Equinox began running at her, the sound of the bag hitting the floor drawing the eyes of the demon. It began running at the maid, raising its blades.

Crash! The maid slowly opened her eyes, and fainted abruptly. The two blades had stopped right above her head, stopped only by two white hooves encased in a faint golden glow. Equinox chuckled gently, then yelled and heaved the blades away, sending the demon stumbling backwards in confusion. He spat out some blood, wiping his mouth with his hoof, then charged the monster. It growled in venomous anger and swung its blades down again at him. Equinox caught it with his hoof, letting them slide to the side, before delivering a punch to the head of the beast. His cry of victory quickly fell as the demon looked at him in annoyance. It dropped its blade and grabbed him, hoisting him up into the air, before kicking him in the gut again, sending him limply into the wall. It grabbed its blades out of the ground and began walking towards him, but stopped short. It watched as Blaze appeared out if the shadows, quickly running over to her brother. She gently raised his head and put her's to his chest, breathing a sigh of relief as she heard his heart beating strongly. "Just knocked out huh..? Don't worry bro, I got this. But it will cost you." She turned towards the demon, walking towards it slowly, eyeing it up and down. "Let's see...mhm...you don't seem that hard, do you?" She said confidently, smirking. If it had eyebrows, it would've raised them at this pony's lack of fear. It took its blade and slammed it downwards, watching as it carved into her body. It blinked in confusion as she faded away, before yelling as it felt a sharp pain in its neck. She grinned and dug her blade deeper, working it into its tough skin as it began bucking. "Didn't see that coming, did you fuckface? Oh no!" She swung around as it began rampaging around the room, swinging its blades randomly to try and throw her off. She grit her teeth as she held onto her blade, the demon thrashing around. Her eyes widened as it fell backward, and she barely got off before he crashed into the ground, cracking the chiseled stone. It looked at her, and slowly pulled out the small dagger she had stuck on its neck. It crushed it in its hands and glared at her, Blaze swallowing nervously. It roared and jumped at her, slamming its blade into the ground as she dove to the side. It quickly pulled them out and swung again, narrowly missing her as she ducked underneath it. It continued swiping at her, Blaze deftly yet barely dodging the blades. She began to pant gently, her movements starting to slow gradually. Her hoof caught on a rock and she stumbled, leaving her open as he swung his blades inwards to decapitate her. They were blocked yet again by Equinox's glowing hooves, as he panted with a smirk, a trail of blood running down his left eye.

Blaze stood up and looked at him, giving a slightly strained chuckle. "Celestia damnit, you took your fine ass time. Can we kill him now?" Equinox looked at her, his left eye opening to reveal it had the same blood red look as her's. She smirked at him, her left eye now a deep blue. He nodded with a grin and they both looked forward at their foe. The demon roared and raised its blades again, swinging them downwards. The two dodged in opposite directions, then dove in. Blaze span and kicked it in the gut, as Equinox jumped upwards and socked it in the jaw. It staggered backwards and roared, swinging at them again. Equinox deftly blocked the blades again as Blaze jumped over him. She kicked downwards, her hoof connecting with its wrist. It howled in pain and anger is the bone cracked, making it drop its sword. The demon backed up in a rage, it's eyes burning with utter hatred. It swung again, Equinox quickly taking the blow. It growled and swung again and again, Equinox blocking each one a little less securely as his endurance began to fail again. Blaze jumped and landed on the hilt of the forgotten blade, sending it into the air. She quickly dashed forward and kicked the demon's other arm, interrupting its swing. Equinox raised his hooves and caught the massive blade, staggering under the weight a little but holding it up thanks to his earth pony traits. He yelled and began spinning around with it, swinging it around him, before letting go. The blade flew and impaled itself into the demon's chest, sending it falling backwards in pain. It began shakily getting to its feet, but was knocked back down by a punch from Blaze to its skull. It looked up at the two siblings, one unscathed and the other covered in blood and grime. The two of them grinned and grabbed the blade, then turned and pulled. The demon howled its last breath as its own blade tore through the thick skin, ripping out of his chest to imbed itself in the ground. It fell back and went limp, it's eyes slowly burning out. The two looked down at the head of their fallen foe, panting hard, before Equinox's eyes fluttered and he collapsed. "Oh shit..." Muttered Blaze, before the same happened to her a few seconds later.

Author's Note

Woooooooo! I had fun with this chapter, although it was a bit of a struggle to write. I hope you've enjoyed each chapter so far. Any and all comments are greatly appreciated! I'm mostly glad that we are at 111 views and ZERO dislikes! Thank you all so much!