The next morning, as the sun's warmth seeped through the window of his room, he woke to find the door to the guest room closed.

He blinked as he slipped out of the bed and approached with caution. He put his ear to the door.

Nothing.

He then began to slowly open it. He suddenly blushed upon seeing the scene before him take fold.

Moon Weaver was standing in front of a mirror, drying herself after taking a warm shower.

She looked up into the mirror to see the Lieutenant staring at her.
her face became a dark red.

“Uh… G-Good… M-Morning…” She said, her voice breaking.

His blush deepened, embarrassment gripping him as he averted his eyes -after taking an unnecessary eyeful of her rear end.

"I-I'm sorry... I-I was just checking to see if you were alright..." He said as he scratched the back of his head with his hoof.

This was the first he was actually able to see her.
Her form was slim and appealing, her long purple mane glistened against the morning light, and he could see her cutie mark. A crescent moon that seemed to shine like gold at the right angle.

He blushed again. She was a beautiful mare, he thought. He wondered why anypony would want to harm her in any way.

This was also the first that she's actually gotten a good look at him.

His build was oddly slim for a guard, though it was obviously well built. He was definitely taller than she. His wings were different than any other pegasi.

It had a wider wingspan and looked almost swan like. His auburn mane was well kept and covered his forehead and flowed to the back of his neck, his tail was long and lustrous Like his mane. He was well kept which was expected of the guards.

His cutie mark appeared to be a set of graffiti like letters -CB -with a sword laid across them.

“U-Um…” Moon tried to speak but only short squeaks escaped.

He chuckled nervously. "S-sorry... I-I'll g-go now..."
He closed the door, accidentally closing it on his tail.
He was gone as soon as he got it out of the door.

After she had finished blushing with embarrassment she finished drying herself. Her mind still trying to comprehend what had just recently occurred

She exited the room and walked into the dining area. Attracted by a delicious savory smell.

Cross was brewing some tea and coffee as he cooked some eggs and toast.

Upon seeing her his face grew red.
He had in fact caught himself thinking of her.

She looks at him, noticing his face turn red. This in turn made her turn a similar shade of scarlet. She could only imagine what he was thinking about.

“S-So… how did you sleep?” she asked, trying to change the topic in her head, but to no avail.

Cross was grateful for the topic change as he sighed in relief. "I slept well. You?"

He smiled as he poured some coffee, gripping the handle of the kettle with his teeth.
"Want thome?" He asked.

“Yes please, thank you” She replies, smiling, her face still red with blush.

She shyly crosses her hooves and lowers her head.

“why are you helping me?” she asked.

He sighed. "Because I'm sworn to protect those in need."
Was there any other answer than that, he wondered as he slid the cup of coffee to her.

“Thank you.” she says as she sips the coffee.

“But getting others involved was last thing I wanted to do. I don’t want other getting hurt because of-” she was about to finish before she was interrupted.

"Don't... It's my choice. I'll be getting you an audience with the royal sisters as of today... Your battle can't be won alone. Nor can ya run from it..." He sipped his coffee.

Shocked by what the stallion said, a sense of final relaxation began to sweep through her.

“Alright.” she said.

“When will I be able to speak with the royals?” She asked.

He shrugged. "I don't know... It'll have to fall into their schedules..."

He took another sip.

"I be leaving here in a minute. Feel free to look around. But don't leave. I'll be back later to bring you back to the castle. And if not I'll have an escort brings you."

“okay, I will see you then.” she says, then returning to her coffee staring out the window.

He gets up goes to get ready. First taking a shower, then putting on his armour before heading out.

He made his way through the streets to the castle, where he was greeted by Iron Clad, a fellow guard. His white coat and golden armour signified his place in the Solar Celestial Guard.

"Oei! Cross!" He called out before falling alongside the pegasus.

"Hey, Iron. Don't you have heads to bash?" He asked.

The heavy built stallion gave a deep bellowing laugh.
" 'fraid not, m'lad!" He said, his accent thick.

Cross raised a brow. "Oh? Then why aren't you at your post?"

Iron smirked. "Ah! Da rank card, eh? Fine. Have yer way!"

He then parted as Cross made a left towards the grand hall, where Celestia would spend most of her time on the throne

• • •

Moon began to clean up after breakfast a
When she noticed something was missing from her hooves.

“Mother’s bracelets!” She said to herself, worried she might have lost them in her escape last night.

She rushed to the guest room to scour under the bed, in the closet and bathroom. She couldn't find it anywhere. She then went to grab her hood cloak and was about to open the door, when she remembered what the Lieutenant said.

“Feel free to look around. But don't leave.” his voice echoed inside of her head.

She let her hoof off the door knob and put her cloak back on the coat rack.

“I must've of lost them while I was fumbling in the streets.” she told herself. Remembering younger times with her mother.

“Maybe when the Lieutenant gets back, or the escort arrives I might come upon them on the streets on the way to the palace.” she said, words filled with shaken hope.

• • •

"This news is concerning indeed." Celestia said as they walked down a hall. The stained glass windows painting an array of colours upon her coat.

Cross grunted in acknowledgement.

"Her father sounds rather troublesome, your Majesty... I'm concerned with her well being... Is there anything we can do?"

Celestia remained silent for several moments, deep in thought. The only sounds were their hooves silently beating the carpet.

She sighed. "I see no choice but to send her out of Equestria until the threat is dealt with..."

Cross blinked. "Y-you can't be serious!?"

She frowned. "I'm afraid so, Lieutenant. But if you wish you may go with her as her guardian."

Now it was his turn to think.

Outside the borders of Equestria were dangerous lands that went unchecked and unchallenged by the pegasi.
Wild lands and wild things roamed in the outer places of the safe haven. The only places that was ever separate from Equestria were the EverFree and the Crystal Empire, and even around the new Crystal Empire the land is wild.

He gulped. "Aye, your Majesty. I do."

• • •

Moon stared outside the window, waiting for the Lieutenant to return or a group of royal guards to escort her. The house lay silent and even the streets outside were empty.

A cold chill ran down her spine and the flames on her head became more aggressive.

“Something is wrong.” she said, her mind filling with worry.

“Why did you run?” said a familiar, menacing voice.

“And I had such a birthday surprise for you.” It spoke again, the voice echoing inside the room.

“Hello, father.” she said, greeting the voice with anger.

“Now, now. why so hostile my ‘loving’ daughter.” he said sarcastically.

Moon made a haste to the door and grabbed her cloak. Then swung the door open.

“You can’t run from me forever, Moon.” Her father said as a shadowy figures stepped on to the streets from the alleyways on either end of the street.

“You will never use my power, not for such a terrible thing. not ever!” She cried out.

Her wings flung up from under her cloak and then she ran towards the north end of the streets, which had a blockade of shadowponies. As she was only inches away from the first line she jumped and began to soar. She didn’t manage get so far before a sharp, agonising pain struck her in her right wing and she fell to the ground with a loud "crack".

Staggering upright she made her way back into the house, but not after she slumped to the ground in front of the door and laid there, blocking the entrance, dripping blood as her vision began to fade.

• • •

Cross returned home later on.

This would be a perilous task, he thought.
The path that they would be taking would bring them dangerously close to the old world. A dark and ancient place. The original home of all races within Equestria.

He sighed. "I hope Celestia knows what she's sending us into..."

He looked up and took a sharp breath, the scent of blood seeping through his nose.

A trail of blood lay before him. Following it he discovered that it led to his own doorstep.

He tried to open it, but to no avail.
So he began bashing himself against it, cursing himself.

When he could not open it he decided to smash through one of the windows, from where he rushed to the front of the house to find Moon's motionless body.

"Don't die on me, Moon, or else I'll track you down in the afterlife and drag you back by the tai l!" He promised as he slid her to his back, opened the door, and rushed her to the hospital.

• • •

Moon awoke to find herself lying in a hospital bed while a friendly face lay asleep next to her. She smiled, she felt safe with him around. She couldn’t explain why, but his presence gave her a sense of security.

Cross had apparently fallen asleep next to her without meaning to when he stood watch over her, fearful of her attacker returning.

He shifted, his foreleg bringing her body in closer to him as if she was a stuffed toy, a soft smile on his lips.

Her face turned red as he held her, she didn’t want to wake him nor did she wish to move.
She winced a little, feeling the pain in her wing, which had been wrapped in gauze. Her front right leg had also been wrapped.

He began to stir, the pace in his breathing changing as he began to wake, His eyes slowly beginning to open.

"Good morning~" he said tiredly, non comprehensive of the situation he was in just yet.

“Um… G-Good morning… Uh..." She said, trying to figure out what to say.

He opened his eyes a little more and blinked, his face turning red as he stared back into the eyes of Moon Weaver.

"H-how long have we been like this?" He asked.

“Uh… I don’t know, you must have fallen asleep.” She replied, still unsure herself.

He gulped. "I-I haven't made you uncomfortable, did I?"

“Um…” she said, trying to say something, but nothing but a squeak escaped her mouth as her face became the same scarlet as there previous morning encounter.

He let go of her and rolled off the bed. "I-I apologize..."
He blushed as he sat down.
"The doctor said you should be ready to head out here real soon with the help of some medical magic." He said, trying to change the subject.

“That's good” she said.

“Did you get the chance to speak to one the princesses?” she inquired.

He frowned. "Yes…"

“And, what did she say?” she inquired.

"We have to leave Equestria for the time being, until the threat is dealt with." He looked out the window, walking over to it.

"I see. I would still like to speak with the princesses. There is something urgent I must discuss with them." She said.

She couldn't but help stare at him while he looked out the window. Noticing sadness in his eyes.

Leaving Equestria was something he didn't look forward to. He'd be leaving his friends, his family, and his home.

He sighed. "They will be seeing us off... You may speak with them then... But for now we have to prepare. Time must not be wasted because every minute we remain here in Equestria you are in further danger."

He looked over to her.
"With your permission... I would like to pledge myself to you, Miss Weaver."

She blushed at what he said, a little shocked that he said it.

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” she said, gratefully.

She began to slide out of the bed, wincing as she moved. She was wanting to be able to get up and try move around a little. But that wasn’t happening just yet.

The Doctor then entered the room.
"I'm afraid you'll have to remain bedridden for a few more days."

Cross frowned. "But we need to go..."

The doctor turned to him.
"I'm sorry, but she moved now the stitches would have to be redone and you'll have to wait even longer."

“I’m sorry. I had no clue. I just thought…” she she started to say but didn’t finish.
She looked to Cross and blushed and then lowered her head.

Cross sighed. "I'll make the preparations... Guards will be posted here for the duration of the stay..." He looked back at her. "I won't be long." He bows to her and leaves, a depressed look upon his face.

“I wish I could go with him…” she thought to herself. She didn’t like the depressed look he had on his face, she didn’t want other ponies to suffer because of her problems. Especially the Lieutenant.

“how much longer do I have to stay here Doctor?” she asked the doctor.

“Few days, but no worries. You’ll be able to leave here soon with your boyfriend soon enough. I promise.” The doctor said.

Her face turned a deep crimson and exclaimed.
"B-boyfriend!? H-he’s not my B-boyfriend.”

“Oh, my apologies. I only assumed.” The doctor said.

Moon lay back on the bed and was still blushing, thinking of her and the Lieutenant. “no…” she thought. “He wouldn’t, not me.” she continued thinking. Soon she began to fall asleep, her eyelids closing. Pretty soon she was out like a light.

• • •

Cross walked away from the hospital, glancing back at the building once before it disappeared from his sight behind another building.

"Moon. I swear to you. I will keep you safe... Even if it means sacrificing myself to do so... "

He spreads his wings and takes off, using the updraft from the nearby waterfall to carry him up to the sky, his wings carrying him silently as he banked left.

"That is my pledge to you..."

Author's Note

DanniCmoon and I would like to thank our followers from the popular website Tumblr for the support as well as those of you who liked the first Chapter of "Into The Starlight"!