72

The moon was lifted from the yellow tinges of sky to the coating of the night. Of course, the transition was as seamless and smooth as the texture of a silk dress, but a secret edginess was lodged in each and every pony who has heard of the messages. The signs. It made the daily life of Equestria uncomfortable, like as if the silk dress didn't fit right. Like it still had that weird feeling in the back that couldn't seem to be changed no matter how many times you move it. Even so, life was still peaceful for all, except for the other ponies who were needed to act on every pony's panic.

Guards watched over every corner in Canterlot, their staggering numbers struggling to convey the message that everything was still fine. That it was still okay.

"Seriously, I still feel like I just need a break. I mean, every pony can't sleep, or do anything because of these dumb ponies who think they so 'great' or whatever. These shifts feel all exhausting."

Copper Blue paced on his hooves, the armor sparking itches in every unreachable place. At the start of the evening, he was informed that he was going to be spending another shift until relieved. To aid in his night watch, another guard was sent to him,  a dull brown pegasus with a quiet alertness. Probably because he got a nap, Copper thought hastily.

"Remember when, you know, the good ole' days were here? Before Celestia read that darn letter, before they got more? Before some ponies decided to disappear and come back all. . .you know."

Pleasantly alert, the pegasus noticed his companion gibbering under his breath. Since the earth pony was the only source of noise that was close to him, he craned one ear to listen. The pegasus caught the words, "crazy group of foals," and "some fancy-worded princess mail." At this, he was convinced to join the "conversation."

"I'm sure the princesses have a lot on their minds."

"OH yeah, how do you know? They're probably affected by these things, too. Why do you think they doubled the guards and made me go on TWO shifts?"

Slightly confused with Copper's accusing tone, he hesitated to reveal his whole answer. "I'm still not entirely sure."

"Really, well, I figured it out. Can't you SEE?"

"well, I can fly."

"Buddy, I think I know. Anyway. . .What's the name? Mine's Copper Blue."

"Spiny Arrow."

"Pfft. . .You have the name, 'Spiny?' Every pony having cool names. Especially you pegasi. And my name is a TYPE OF METAL, for ponies' sake. . . ."

The night went on and on with Copper reverting back to muttering under his breath. Spiny Arrow wondered how such a pony was trusted to be in charge of such a task. Maybe there is a reason, he thought, but he didn't trust his own judgement. Not when it was dark, anyway. Spiny wasn't used to night. He didn't like the way it messes up with his thinking. The darkness gets into him like when he was a little colt. He remembered when he had to take out the trash at night, and all of the stories of scary beasts haunted his little body. Especially the stories about the ones in the Everfree Forest. The almost perfect timing of the rustling bushes snapped himself back to his senses. His perfectly rational senses and logic, but also his instincts. Like fear. Spiny caught a glance at Copper, who was looking away still muttering, so he took a quick second to shake his head. His body eased. His fears fled. It worked well enough for him so that he can grow up, at least, like any normal stallion. He was fine with it too, since he was mostly put on guard in the daylight, but he hoped his secret fear would just stay in the dark. But then there was that group. The Flames. Spiny relaxed; a laugh escaped his mouth loud enough for Copper to notice. Spiny quickly pushed away his train of thoughts; he didn't want it to grow strong and make his fellow co-worker catch it. Or course, he could be just silly.

Spiny leaped back into the actual reality. It was strangely silent. He swung his head to the side. Copper was sleeping. His fears were trying to climb up again. Stop it, Spiny, he scolded to himself.

"Hey! hey. . .uh, Copper. Can't you just get up? Do your duty to the princesses!" Nervousness crept at his throat with his uncertainty of Copper suddenly waking up.

"Wait. Wha-what you say?"

"You heard me! You. . .your duty is your shift! Can't believe you were even sleeping. Geez."

Copper Blue's words wobbled unsteady in the air. His voice was more or less, exhausted. "Woah buddy, you awfully talkative. Di-didn't you hear me earlier? Two shifts, buddy. That's one too much to me. And what you screaming for? Scared or something?"

Copper, still dazed, observed as Spiny turned around and stared at something. It was odd. Spiny's ears were pressed back, while his eyes were squinted shut. He was sitting with both back legs, with one fore-hoof seeming to shield him of a terror Copper couldn't see. Even with dreary eyelids, he observed how weird it looked when a grown pegasus guard was frozen in place. It reminded him of the way young foals were scared when they were out too long on Nightmare Night. With Copper was so caught up in the sight, it startled him when Spiny turned around to look at him and shriek,"THEY WERE REAL, COPPER. THEY WERE ALWAYS REAL." Confused, Copper stared dumbly as Spiny Arrow burst out galloping, leaving him into a surprisingly pleasant quietness.

Around him, murky clouds of dark magic flooded his surroundings.  Copper slumped back further. He dismissed it mostly to the fact that he didn't care. A slight pain crept up his entire body. It turned sharp when he tried to move. A little desire to wake up sparked somewhere inside, but maybe his paralysis will help him sleep. Then again, there was a raging headache building. It became hard to fall asleep. When Copper Blue gave in to the intensifying pain, his eyes shut close. At least he got the sleep he needed.