WHEN MIDNIGHT FALLS

Midnight braced himself for the wind that was about to hit him. He knew it would knock him off course if he didn't fight it. But he was good, his wings were strong and could handle the strain of it. Midnight sighed as his mind wandered to Princess Luna. She was more beautiful up close than he could have ever imagined. Most colts had a crush mare that they knew they'd never be able to have. Most colts drooled over Princess Celestia complimenting her pure white coat and the fact that she brought the day to the land. But Midnight always loved the night. His mother often said that because he was born at night it made perfect sense his love for it. And as for his crush mare, Midnight loved Luna. She was His Princess. Oh yes, he served them both but the one he wished to meet, the one he wished to be recognized by, the one he wouldn't mind dying for, was always Luna. Midnight rolled with the wind as the gust tried to push him off course. His wings tucked in close to his body making them stiffer and able to handle the force from the air pressing against them. As the gust past, Midnight unfurled his wings allowing them to catch the wind again and carry him to the heart of the storm. There they would kill this beast of wind and rain and bring safety to the land.

  Midnight considered every storm as alive. No matter how small or large the storm was, to him it was a living thing that demanded respect. A storm could take out an entire platoon of Night Watchers or if controlled properly it could be turned into rain clouds that could be used to water crops. Midnight understood storms, better than he understood anything else really. It wasn't that he was dumb, no he was far from dumb. But he was a simple colt. He liked to keep things simple in his life and while others sought excitement he sought tranquillity. Midnight understood complex things very well and had a knack for simplifying the hardest of problems. He was viewed by all his comrades as something of a good luck charm. Sense he joined the Sixth Platoon of Night Watchers their casualties and injuries rates had dropped substantially. The group believed it was because of his name that he was so good at reading the rogue night storms. At one point they even wanted to appoint Midnight as leader of the platoon but he declined wanting only to help serve. As he flew onward he wondered if he should have taken the position. Would Luna have been more impressed by him if he were the platoon leader? He let his mind wander to Luna and his body started to drift off course.

"HEY MIDNIGHT GET YOUR ARSE IN LINE AND STOP DAY DREAMING!!" A loud deep voice pulled Midnight out of his head and into the storm again. The voice belong to Thunder Clap the stallion who was appointed leader after Midnight declined. Thunder was a thick stallion with strong wings and a powerful voice. He was a dark grey with a mane and tail that were a brilliantly bright white. When his mane was pulled straight back along his spine it was long enough to reach his tail. And with a brilliant white blaze that ran up his face from his muzzle it gave him the effect of lightning streaking from within him, traveling along his back, and off his rump. Midnight focused on Thunder as he spoke, he noted just how many scars he had and wondered how many storms he'd survived.

"PLATOON WE ARE GOING TO DISSIPATE THIS STORM AND BREAK IT INTO FOUR SMALLER RAIN CLOUDS TO BE USED AT MULTIPLE FARMS. MIDNIGHT WILL DIRECT YOUR COURSE OF FLIGHT SO LISTEN UP!!! MIDNIGHT YOU HAVE THE SKY..." Thunder Clap flew back getting in formation with the rest of the group as Midnight flew forward. Midnight spoke loudly, though he couldn't match Thunders power, as he informed the group of his plan of attack.

"Thank You Thunder Sir. We are going to reverse the winds flow. That will stop this hurricane like effect we are seeing in the storm. After that we can separate the clouds into four small rain clouds and use them to water some of the farms that haven't gotten enough moister." Midnight explained which group was to do what and they set to work. Despite the storms power Midnight knew it would be tamed petty easily and sure enough after fifteen minutes of work the storm started to collapse and dissipate. Four large rain clouds were made from the dying storm and they were flown to farms that needed rain and drained till they were no more. Thunder flew up next to Midnight and thumped him on the shoulder.

"Great job Midnight. We got through that one with nothing more than cuts and scrapes. You are amazing at telling what the storms gonna do." Midnight nodded and thanked Thunder who flew off to check on the other platoon members. A bright light shined on Midnight, looking up he saw the clouds vanishing and the Moon was shining bright and full as if to thank them for clearing the sky. Midnight smiled.

"You're Welcome My Princess." He didn't know how but he felt as if he were standing before Luna again. She really was an amazing mare. Midnight let his mind wander to thoughts of Luna as they finished their jobs and headed back to their homes. In a few short hours Celestia would be raising the Sun and Luna would be sleeping. Midnight wondered if she might dream of him as he was sure he was going to dream of her.

Luna's eyes glowed a silvery white as she looked over the land through the light of the moon. She was looking for one pony in particular. Gazing around through the moons light was a bit strange as she could see in many directions all at once. But she soon found who she was looking for. Midnight was hovering in midair gazing at the moon. Luna gasped as she looked him over. He was glorious floating there like a fallen piece of her night sky. His eyes twinkled in her moonlight like two stars. His blue black mane and tail flowed like silk and shimmered like dark water. He was gazing at the moon and while Luna knew this she couldn't shake the feeling he was actually looking back at her.

"Thank You, Most Faithful Servant." She whispered to herself and jumped when Midnight replied back as if he'd heard her. She now knew that whatever it was there was something very special about this colt and she was determined to find out what. She turned and returned to her room as Midnight went into his small cloud home. Her moonlight reached into the house very well as Midnight had every window exposed to her light. But Luna didn't want to watch him sleep. She lay on her bed and closed her eyes. No, she would not watch him sleep. She would join him in his sleep. She let her body relax into a comfortable position so it could rest as she let her mind wander in Midnight's dream world. The journey into anothers mind was a dangerous one. Getting lost on the trip could leave the body unprotected and the soul in mortal danger. But for Luna Dream Watching was second nature. She'd been doing it sense she was a very small filly. She let the sounds and sights of other dreamers pass by her. She was looking for one ponys dream and she soon found it. Midnights dream world was one of dark shadows and mist but Luna was not worried about this as this was often what dream worlds looked like before the ponys brain formulated a true dream world. And as expected Midnight was walking through the mist when Luna found him.

  He had a glazed look in his eyes and Luna knew that he was still partially awoke. She needed to wait till he was fully asleep before she interfered in his dreams. Traveling into anothers dream wasnt the only danger. Tampering with anothers dreams while they were still falling into the dream state was also dangerous. Any pony who was over ambitious and moved to fast to get into another ponies head could cause the other pony to remain in a dream state or could get them both stuck in the dream state. Luna having done this forever knew how to wait patiently for somepony to fall completely into their dreams. After a while Midnights eyes started to clear and he got more focused as he walked. This was good, it meant he was falling completely into the dream world and soon Luna would be able to let him know she was there. Midnight stopped walking and looked up. In the blink of an eye Luna was in his dream world. All around her where once there had been only mist and darkness there were now stars and planets. Midnight was flying through space Luna realized, but to where she was unsure. Midnight flew onward and Luna set her own wings into motion following him at a safe distance so as not to be noticed just yet. She wanted to know where it was that he was going. It didnt take her long to figure out when ahead of them she saw a large round silvery white object. It was the moon! Midnight was flying to the moon and Luna smiled.

"So, he is dreaming of my moon. Mayhap he is thinking of seeing me again." She thought to herself. She shrouded herself in bright light and flew past Midnight so fast he thought she was a shooting star. She intentionally flew past the moon and then when she knew she was out of his sight she turned around and landed on the moons surface before a beautiful castle.  She smiled looking at the castle Midnight had created of Moonstones and Pearls on his dream moon. Clearly, it was meant to pay homage to her. Luna saw a large window and decided to fly into the castle before Midnight arrived. Once inside she was amazed by the details that were already formed within Midnights mind about the place. Most ponies formed details as they came into areas within their dreams which meant that when Luna decided to go ahead of them in a dream it was almost like stepping off a movie set where the fake world looked one way but the rest of the world looked dark and fuzzy. But not here, within Midnights lunar castle there were details everywhere including beautiful paintings that depicted Luna in regal glory and majesty. Everywhere she looked the castle seemed to be a monolithic museum dedicated to her. Her triumphs her history everything about her was depicted in this castle. Even some of the tapestries that were in the castle looked exactly like the ones in the real Canterlot castle.

  There were statues and carvings along the pillars of the castle that each depicted her raising the moon during various phases of the moons cycle. She came to a stairway not quite sure how shed even gotten there and as she descended the stairs she saw that they led into a Grand Hall. And it was here that she saw the most beautiful of depiction of herself that shed ever seen in either the dream world or the real world. There gracing the direct center of the uniquely designed hall was a water fountain the size of a small house! But the size of the fountain was a minor part of its impressivness. The main feature that made it impressive was that the fountain was made of intricatly carved gold and silver inlaid with the purest of pearls. Each tiny pearl added its color to the next creating a mural of Luna. She stared at the fountain in awe. Of all those who had loved her as their Princess shed never seen any create such stunning beauty within their mind and souly just in her honor. The fountain Luna was standing atop gold and silver clouds in the very center of in.

  She was looking towards the heavens with one forleg raised in a majestic pose that gave the viewer the feeling that at any momment she would simply flap her wide spread wings and fly away. Water flowed out of openings carved into the silver of the intricatly detailed mane and tail thus giving the illusion of movement. The bottom and sides of the fountain were lined with pearls of various shades of white blue and yellow giving a feel of the clouds in the sky to the crystal clear water within. Luna was stunned beyond words when she looked up following the gaze of the statue of herself and saw that the entire ceiling over the fountain was in fact a giant skylight that allowed the sky to be viewed by all who stood beneath the fountain and gazed upward with it. But it wasnt just the stars that could be seen. There shining like a beautiful blue pearl was the planet Equestri, and all of her beloved subjects in Equestria. For Midnight to think of such details for a place that was only a dream world amazed Luna. So caught in her thoughts and ponderings of Midnights mind was she that she did not notice him approach untill he was right behind her.

"My....My Princess?? What...What are you doing here??" Came a familiar smooth voice and Luna turned to find Midnight gazing at her with a mix of confusion and barely contained joy. Luna cleared her throat as she regained her regal composure.

"Ahem, Midnight..We did not hear you come in. How are thee good and faithful servant? We are here to see if thou art well and to Thank Thee directly for Thine tireless service to the crown." Luna could feel herself blushing slightly, which was not lost on Midnight. He smiled mischieviously realizing that she wasnt telling him the whole truth of why she was there.

"Is that so My Princess? Then I Thank You for coming unto my humble mind to Thank me. However, My Princess if I may be so bold..I do not think that is the only reason you have come? Tell me, were you thinking of seeing me once again as I was thinking of once again seeing you?" The blush on Lunas face deepened and Midnight smiled. "I thought so, I am glad you were thinking of me as well. I do not understand how you are here or if you are real, but I am glad to see your beauty once again even if this is nothing more than a dream." Luna smiled as she felt her heart flutter at his words. It was odd the reaction she was having towards him and she didnt quite understand it but Luna knew in her heart that Midnight was special and she would visit his dreams every night if she had to to figure out why.

  "Well, it would seem that We are not as good at hiding Our emotions as We thought We were. Yes Faithful Servant Midnight..We were thinking of seeing thee once again. We wish to know thee better." Luna felt her blush deepen as Midnight smiled and stepped closer to her.

  "Well My Princess if you wish to know me better I have one request. Can you refer to yourself as -I- instead of -We-..at least while we are here in this dream world. That would be a good first step for me to get to know you and you to know me. Every time you refer to yourself as -We- or -Us- I half expect your sister Princess Celestia to come from around the corner." Luna blinked for a moment then nodded.

  "Yes We..That is..I will speak in first pony while in this dream world with you. And now Midnight Ww....I have a request to ask of you." Midnight perked his ear up.

  "Yes My Princess, What do you need of me?" Midnight asked enthusiastically as Luna smiled at him warmly.

  "Midnight you may call me Luna while we are in this dream world. There is no need for formalities and titles here. Here we will be equal and my name is Luna." Midnight nodded.

  "I understand Prin..Luna..I will call you by your name when we meet here." Luna nodded and turned back towards the fountain.

  "This is beautiful Midnight. Ive never seen anything like it. How did you ever think of something so...Amazing?" Luna was startled slightly when Midnight whispered in her ear.

  "It wasnt hard to create something this beautiful when the muse its modeled after is even more beautiful." Luna didnt think she could blush any harder but in that instant Midnight proved her wrong and her cheeks actually began to hurt from the amount of blood rushing to them.

  "Ah, ahem, well..We..I mean..I, Thank You.." Luna stammered as she moved herself a few steps away from Midnight. He for his part smiled impishly and continued conversing as if nothing had happened.

  "Come My Dear Luna, I have more in this castle than just this fountain and there is more without it as well." Luna smiled and fell in step next to Midnight as he led her from the Grand Hall. Hours passed and Luna had seen every inch of the castle and had even toured the garden outside. But in truth she couldnt remember much of what shed seen. Much of her time had been spent stealing glances at Midnight. He was a very handsome colt and Luna found herself being drawn more and more to him. Midnight himself was in a state of utter elation. Here he was talking and walking with the mare that he adored above all others ponies. So what if it was in his dream world and thus could possibly be fake. He was at this moment, with the mare of his dreams and that was all that mattered to him. Luna was also happy to be spending this time with him. She felt like a much younger filly again. It was strange the feelings flowing through her. She knew of falling in love at first sight but she'd never believed that such a thing actually existed. But the feelings flowing through her were definitely the first twangs of loves song. She sighed absent mindedly as she thought of what it would be like to have a deep relationship with this intriguing colt and Midnight looked at her questioningly.

  "Luna, is everything ok? Are you getting tired? We can stop and rest...though I am not sure how you can become tired in a dream." Luna smiled.

  "Oh No, nothing is wrong I was simply lost in my thoughts." Midnight raised an eye brow.

  "I see. So what were you thinking of Luna?" Luna blushed her thoughts had just wandered into a more inappropriate train of thought and she was having a hard time composing herself.

  "Well..Ummm..It was about..Uhh..Nothing..It isn't important really..Don't worry about it.." Luna couldn't bring herself to tell Midnight that she was thinking of what it would be like to kiss him. But to her amazement it seemed that he could either read minds or he too had been thinking the same thing because he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

  "Forgive me Luna, but you are so beautiful and I have wanted to kiss your cheek for so long. You may punish me if you feel the need to, I will not run from it." Midnight looked down sheepishly at his hooves. Luna smiled then lifted Midnights chin so he was looking at her. Then she leaned up and placed her lips to his own. Midnights breath caught in his chest at what was playing out before him. Never had his dreams been this realistic. Never had he ever dared to dream of kissing Lunas lips. Luna closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the kiss. She pressed up firmly seeking to deepen the kiss. Midnight responded in kind pressing his lips down tentatively at first then he put more pressure into the kiss matching Luna. She sighed deeply into Midnights lips and lifted her hooves to wrap them around his neck. Midnight shivered at her touch and broke the kiss to gaze into her eyes. "Luna..Tell me honestly..Are you the real Luna or just a figment of my very over active imagination?" Luna smiled sweetly.

  "It is late Midnight. In fact the sun will rise soon. Tomorrow afternoon come to the Royal Castle and ask for me. I will answer everything then. But now it is time for me to depart and you to rest. Goodnight Midnight, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow." Midnight tried to speak but he found himself falling into a dark pool. His brain fogged over and he vaguely recalled seeing Luna flying away and then...Darkness.