A New Reign

Chapters

Chapter 1: Throne Passing
Chapter 2: Announcement
Chapter 3: Release
Chapter 4: Secrets
Chapter 5: A Splitting Surprise
Chapter 6

Chapter 1: Throne Passing

Twilight begins to summon the elements, to stop Nightmare Moon once and for all.

Twilight spoke up, as a light began to shine. "You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like That? Well your wrong! Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony, are right HERE!" She said, opening her arms gesturing to her five friends, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack.

The shards of the broken stone elements begin to glow and move around the mares in front of Nightmare Moon. "What?" Was all the Princess could say as she looked in surprise.

"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of HONESTY!" She called, as light surrounded the orange mare, and an Element Of Harmony appeared on her neck as a Necklace.

"Fluttershy, who tamed the Manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of KINDNESS!" She continued as light surrounded the yellow pegasus and another necklace appeared on her necklace.

"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of LAUGHTER!" A light engulfed the Pink earth pony and a necklace appeared on her.

"Rarity, who calmed the sorrowful serpant with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of GENEROSITY!" A necklace appears on the white unicorn.

"And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own hearts desire, represents the spirit of LOYALTY!" Another necklace on the Cyan Pegasus.

"The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!" Twilight declared.

"But you still don't have the sixth element. The spark didn't work!" Nightmare said with a sly grin on her face.

Twlight was focused still "What?! It had to have worked...I felt it when I realized how happy I was to see all of them...my friends..." she said turning back to Rainbow and the others.

"It would seem," Nightmare said, looking down on the six ponies before her with an air of smugness, "that my sister chose her student poorly. Perhaps one who doesn't make sappy speeches about friendship, and actually uses it."

Twilight looked afraid "Wh...what are you going to do?!"

"Oh," Nightmare said, "Nothing." She then lit her horn and encircled the six girls and the element fragments in her magical aura. "Except imprison you six, take over Equestria, and bring about eternal night, or at least get the appreciation I deserved for crafting the night sky, as not even I am stupid enough to truly bring eternal night, as I would have no subjects left. No, I think I'd rather just reverse ponies sleeping habits."

Twilight spoke up. "Uhh...I'm actually partly nocturnal...I always did like to look at the stars..." She said admitting a pleasure of hers. Fluttershy and Rarity both then spoke.

"I raise many little animals, some of which are also nocturnal....so I tend to be awake late at night sometimes..."

"And I tend to work through the night to be able to fufill my commissions...Sometimes I've even used the night sky as inspiration! It's always been a dream to create something for royalty..." Rarity admitted.

"Hmph," Nightmare said. "Regardless, I will not be the blindly trusting pony my sister is. Though I am glad to see some appreciate the night, I can not allow any pony who tries to stop, or usurp me, eventually, go unpunished. I am not one who wants to be seen as weak. But," Nightmare said, getting surprised looks from the three mares that spoke up, "should you prove that I do not have to worry about you three, I will reconsider. Until then, you will be treated like any other traitor to the nation." She then glared at them. "Am I clear?"

"Yes," they all said.

"'Yes' what?"

They spoke again. "Yes, Your highness?" they asked, hoping that was the correct answer.

"Better," Nightmare said. She then looked to Applejack, Pinkie, and Rainbow. "And what of you three?"

AJ looked to both as they nodded and she stepped forward "If we are all Honest, heh...So long as you don't hurt any of our own friends, or our families, we have no qualms with you...." She explained, before pinkie spoke up.

"Infact I throw parties all the time, and in my experience the best ones happen at night!"

Rainbow nodded having her own little secret love of the night, but more for another reason she'd rather not admit in public.

"So long as they do nothing against me, directly or indirectly, I shall do nothing against them."

They nodded "Then we won't have any problem against you, Princess." They said, smiling.

Smiling, Nightmare said, "Excellent. In that case," Nightmare used her magic to surround the wings of the pegasai, the horns of the unicorns, and the legs and arms of the earth ponies. This negated the abilities of the six, and would make them easier to deal with, should they decide to try to rebel against her, "To Canterlot."

There was a flash of purple magic, and the seven of them, along with the shards of the five elements, disappeared.

CANTERLOT

They all appear in the throne room, as Nightmare smiles.

"HALT!!" a royal guard shouted, and the four that were in the room encircled her.

Twilight spoke up "It's alright...she's not that bad..." She said

"Stand aside, Twilight Sparkle," the guard said. "She kidnapped the princess, and she knows, so we have to interrogate her."

"She's not hurting us now. So put down the weapons." Twilight said.

"Not until she ays where Princess Celestia is."

Crossing her arms in annoyance, Nightmare said, "I do not know where she is. She ran before I even returned, so what ever you think is an effective interrogation, which I think is just isolating a pony from others, is not going to work."

The guards were clearly stunned by it.

"And that is why I don't like assumptions," Nightmare said, walking to the throne.

"Now," she said, sitting down on the throne, "seeing as how my sister is gone, I am the next ruler by relations. Now, bow down and declare your loyalty, or you will be considered a traitor to Equestria."

All ponies present bowed before her.

"Good," Nightmare said. "Now, take Twilight Sparkle and her friends to the dungeons. Then spread the word to the other guards. I shall announce this to the public tomorrow."

They nod and go to do so, with the girls giving no argument or fight.

"Now," Nightmare said once they had left, getting up from the throne, "to find where my sister fled."

Chapter 2: Announcement

It was the day after the Summer Sun Celebration, and Nightmare had been going over Equestria's alliances and financial status, so that she could give an announcement to the public, saying how she would improve Equestria, even if she knew not many would go with it to start simply because it was her who came up with it, and not her coward sister, who she would eventually task the day guard to find and bring back to Canterlot once she had their loyalty.

Twilight soon appeared "Nightmare! How's your day been so far?" she asked approaching the princess, a slightly worried look on her face.

"What are you doing here, Sparkle? I thought I had you and your friends put in the dungeon."

"I just wanted to help....and I truly do...the guards trust me and let me out here to go see you to see if there's anything I could do to help at all."

Putting a hand on her forehead just below her horn, Nightmare said, "I need to get new guards. One's that aren't stupidly trusting." She looked at the lavender unicorn. "You can help me, but then it's back to your cell, is that clear? One act of good will isn't enough to earn my trust."

She nodded "i understand...I'm just asking that you give us a chance to try and help you...I mean my friends do need to get back to their own jobs back in Ponyville, just as I want to help you here..." She explained softly as she smiled and approached to go help her.

"Then perhaps you can help me at the current time," Nightmare said.

"What do you need help with?"

"Understanding modern politics, as well as where we, as a country, stand."

She giggled lightly "Well then Nightmare, lucky for you I'm such a book worm." She said laughing as she went over and got to work with helping her.

"So," Twilight said, "what first?"

"Equestria's alliances with proper countries, not city-states or the like. Who are we allied with, and which ones meet with my sister most often, as they will be the first delegates I talk to that are from another country since my banishment."

Meanwhile at this very moment, a local Night Guard wakes in his home, with a long yawn. His name, was Red.

Red cracked his neck as he stretched. He had a very muscular body, and was a noble pegasus. Green coat of fur, with red highlights on his wings, a crimson mane, and blue eyes. He yawned before getting up to get dressed and head out, before walking to check on Fleur, the mare he lived with. She was a gorgeous model, with just as gorgeous a body as well. She was so nice too, he truly was lucky to live with her "Fleur?" he asked, softly as he went to check on her.

"Morning, my love," she said to him as he walked into the kitchen. "How did you sleep?"

Red smiled "I slept fine my dear." he said as he hugged her. "Of course, who wouldn't sleep fine, next to you." He said smirking playfully.

"Well, that's good," Fleur said. "I heard that the princess wants to address all of the guards in an hour, including the night guard."

Red nodded "Yeah. I hope she rewards me for my service now...I've been hoping to try and step up to be a personal guard."

"I don't see how, love. I hear that the new one is judging the guard by what they do under her rule, and not Celestia's, which means your back to step one."

"Yeah, I know..." he said softly still sad about that.

"But, that means the others start off on first base as well, which means you have an opprotunity for a good first impression," Fleur said, "so there's that."

Red nodded nuzzling her. "True enough." he said smiling again.

"Well, I think it best if you get ready. Even though it hasn't been made public, a few nobles know, and I hear they're planning on trying to dethrone her," Fleur said, "so please be careful."

Red smiled and walked to her, and gently held her, stroking her back and kissed her. "You know I will my darling. You be careful too okay?"

With that, Red went to his room and put on his guard armor, a process that, for him, took ten minutes, and once he was done, he gave his mare friend a kiss, then left for the castle.

Red is soon happily walking through Canterlot as he heads for the castle, looking around at the sights.

When he was half way to the castle, with only five minutes left, he encountered a noble who was putting up posters of Celestia over the businesses that were open twenty-four hours. Apparently, this noble had heard of last night, and wasn't happy about it. Red rolled his eyes, then walked over to the stallion.

Red sighed rolling his eyes a bit "Sir, I'm afraid you'll be coming with me." he said as he began to tear off the Celestia posters.

"Why?" the noble said. "I won't abide by the monster's rule, nor would any sane pony, and the owners of these businesses are traitors to Celestia if they stay open during the night!"

"You idiot. You really think they are traitors to Celestia if they stay open 24/7? because they happen to have the employees to be able to do so? or because they want to be open so that ANYONE can be able to be helped there at the business regardless of their schedule?! You're clearly insane if you think that." Red scolded. "And don't you DARE call her a monster."

"Why not? It's not like she can hear me, and your just one of her pathetic lap guards who only care about the bragging right being a guard brings."

Red growls in anger "Don't you dare call her a monster, She is the princess and I am a member of her Night Guard. You will apologize and take down those posters."

"NO!" the noble said before trying to punch Red.

Red growled, as he countered the attempted punch by grabbing his wrist, twisting it so that his arm went behind his back, before punching him in the back of the head.

This caused the noble to black out, making Red's job of tearing down the posters go faster. When he was done, he looked up and saw that the Canterlot clock tower had almost passed the point that was when the meeting would start.

Red quickly rushed off then, as he also took off, trying to get there as quick as possible, as he certainly did NOT want to be late.

He arrived just as the clock rang, which made him, ironically, the tenth guard there, which meant that the others were absent, late, or just lazy.

Red saluted instantly, panting a bit.

"Ah, we have the tenth guard here," Nightmare said. She turned to her aide, who Red recognized as Twilight Sparkle, and said, "what's his name, Twilight Sparkle?"

"Zero Star, though his friends call him 'Red', on account of the red accent at the edge of his wings, Princess."

"Your Highness...if I am late even by a moment I apologize, I was held up due to stopping a noble from putting up posters of Celestia, on businesses that were open 24/7......I had been taking down the posters before I got here...I'm sorry if I am even a moment late." He said. "The noble claimed that the businesses that stayed open during the night were traitors to Celestia..." He spoke, bowing before her, as he looked upon her form. Nightmare was certainly a beautiful mare. from her large chest and hips to her slim but strong physique, Red had love for her in his heart, just as he did the model he was living with.

"It is no matter. Given how few of the guard has shown up, I would have had to send out those that did come to find the others and drag them here,"Nightmare said. "You simply saved your self from that fate."

Red nodded, a gentle smile upon his muzzle, listening to her.

"But the easier way would be to have those that could have come here removed from service and get new recruits. Sparkle, take a note that any guards not here that were off duty are to be removed from the service once we have enough new recruits."

"Right," Twilight said, putting a note down on the scroll she held in her hands.

"Permission to speak Your Highness?" Red asked looking up to her.

"Granted."

Red nodded looking to her. "If I might be honest, I've always adored the night....one of the hobbies I'd do when I was off duty was just to relax in the backyard and look up at the Moon and stars...heh...I'd always be stuck going to bed late just because I wanted to stay up later...it's why I'm glad I'm a night guard...cause then I can enjoy my work during the time of day that I love the most....and my dream...was to possibly move forward to become the Princesses personal guard....now that you're in charge...that dream is still there...Now more than ever...because I would be honored, to be by your side as your personal guard, you, who are the embodiement of the night itself...." He said, wanting to tell Nightmare his honest feelings about the night, and his dream.

Smiling, Nightmare said, "Ah, another who enjoys the night as much as me. What is your rank?"

"I'm currently a Sergeant." He said saluting to her proudly.

"In that case, Sparkle, who is the current guard captain?"

"M-my brother, Shining Armor."

"Tell him he now has competition for his rank in the form of Captain Zero Star."

Twilight nodded "Yes Ma'am."

Red blinked, and was incredibly shocked "Permission to approach you, your highness?" He asked, showing a smile, but keeping himself very calm.

"Granted, Captain."

Red nodded and quickly closed the distance between them, now standing face to face with her, within arms reach, as he bowed down, and gently took her hand, kissing it "Thank you, my princess. You won't regret this." He said honestly, as when he looked deep into her eyes, she could see the thanks in it, along with his eternal desire to make her proud, and become her personal guard. He couldn't wait to go out and celebrate with Fleur when the meeting was over.

"As for the rest of you," Nightmare said, "you are in charge of recruitment for the new guard. You are to report how many you recruited every day until I say other wise! DISMISSED!"

Red nodded saluting. "Thank you again your highness. I can't wait to tell my marefriend." He said as he went to leave as they were dismissed, so that he could go back to Fleur and tell her the good news.

As he and the others left, Nightmare said to Twilight, "I do believe you've earned the right to at least walk around the castle, under my supervision until I have new guards, Twilight Sparkle."

She nods "Thank you your highness. Tell me...when might my friends be able to return to their homes and jobs?" She asked, genuinely worried for her friends.

"That depends on them," Nightmare said.

"How so? As we all swore loyalty to you, and you know they have no reason to fight you now." She explained. "At the very least, tell me so that I might can tell them." She said.

"Trust and loyalty are more than words, Twilight," Nightmare said, "and until their actions speak what their mouths are, they shall stay here in the castle. Nothing else shall sway my decision."

"But what actions can they do if you keep them all locked in the dungeon?" She asked, further proving her point of asking for what they could do.

"For starters, not doing any thing that would cause the guards to attack, which they are progressing to the stage you just got to. From there, it will be dependent on how much they help around the castle."

"They haven't been doing anything to cause them to attack." She explained, still curious as to how she could help them.

"Which is why I was planing on giving them the right I'm giving you day after tomorrow."

"That they can leave to work around the castle? or Leave to go home so long as being supervised in some form?" She asked curious.

"The castle. If they can prove themselves there, I will give them the choice of returning home, or staying here."

"Then if I may suggest, might you let Fluttershy tend to the animals in the gardens? It's what her special talent is." She explained smiling hopeful.

"I was going to allow them to do what they wish, so long as it isn't important to national security. The only reason I trust you with your responsibilities is because you're under my watch."

"And so long as they don't leave the castle area right? As Rainbow Dash could possibly serve as a good Errand mare..maybe at least....and Rarity...I'd bet she'd be honored to try and design a dress or some form of clothing for you." She said.

"If they do wish to leave the grounds, they will need my permission, and they will need an escort. As for what they wish to do, it will be up to them, but I suppose you're right about outfits. I need to design a few outfits for the cursed diplomatic meetings I know I'll be going to," Nightmare said, going to the doors, Twilight in tow. "Now, we must make the announcement."

She nodded and walked with her "Who knows, perhaps you can let your new captain be given something new in terms of attire." She said shrugging, as she followed Nightmare along.

Meanwhile, Red had dashed on home, and entered, grabbing Fleur and spinning her around kissing her and holding her close, laughing.

"I assume you're off to a good start," she said.

Red smiled, and stopped, holding her. "I'm now a Captain!!! I'm making it official. we're gonna go out to celebrate!" he said as he went to go leave again with her after removing his armor.

"Where are we gonna eat, Red?"

"Wherever you want to go honey." He said smiling, as he kissed her.

"How about that new restaurant near the palace? What's it called again, Olive Garden?"

Red smiled "Sure think my dear." He said as he kissed her and went to leave instantly with her.

"Then we go tonight!" Fleur said happily before rushing to her room to get dressed.

Red happily smiled, waiting for her, making sure he was dressed well too.

Meanwhile, Nightmare was just inside the castle, preparing to give her speech.

"Are you ready for this, Princess," Twilight asked.

"As best as I can be," Nightmare said. "And Twilight?"

"Yes, princess?"

"Call me Nightmare," the alicorn said before walking onto the balcony to deliver her speech.

Everyone was watching her, as she stepped forward onto the balcony.

"Everyone....I am Princess Nightmare Moon...I have taken over due to Celestia's disapearance, and I promise you that as Princess, I will make Equestria greater than it ever has been. I am going to be getting more recruits for the guard force, I have already enstated a new captain of the night guard, And I plan to help out as many ponies as I can with the changes I intend to make in the coming weeks. Please, give us your support, as I'm not a villain, far from it. I wish to help everyone...I don't want your hatred or your scorn...not any more..." she said softly. "So please, allow me to help you, so that we can make Equestria a truly great nation." She proclaimed.

The crowd was silent at first, but then a single pony clapped, then another, then two more, then three more, until the entire crowd cheered, some even chanting the alicorns name, which made her smile that she was finally getting recognition. "Thank you. All of you," she said. "In an effort to help connect with my citizens in a way Celestia never could, I will be going out every night, and I wish for all of you to treat me as if I was an ordinary pony, and not royalty, and that would include ignoring my title for that time!" This simply made the crowd cheer louder. "THANK YOU!" she yelled in the Royal Canterlot Voice before she waved for three seconds and going back inside.

Red smiled, having seen it with Fleur as they were heading off to eat, he was among the first one clapping as was Fleur, both of whom being fervent supporters of Nightmare. Red infact, was planning to try and spend some time with her that night, in order to help bond with the mare. Not as Princess and Guard, but as simple friends that night.

"So, Twilight," Nightmare said, "what do you think we should do for the first night of my new policy?"

"Well, I always did want to go to that new restaurant, Olive Garden since it opened last week," Twilight said with a small smile.

"Then that is where we will go."

Shortly later that night, at Olive Garden, Red and Fleur are happily sitting at their table when they notice that Twilight and Nightmare walked in. Red smiled "Twilight, Nightmare....please, come sit with us!" He said smiling as Fleur waved them over as well.

The two mares walked over to where the new captain and his mare friend were sitting. "Hello, Red," Nightmare said. She wore an elegant dress that was a dark shade of purple, with accents of white at the edges. She saw Fleur and, with a raised eyebrow, said, "And who might this be?"

Red smiled, motioning to her. "This, is my marefriend, Fleur de Lis." He explained. "I'm actually living with her as well...We were coming here to celebrate my promotion...of which I thank you for tremendously." he told her, smiling still.

Sitting down at the booth on the inside and Twilight, wearing a light blue dress with star patterns on it (think a more every day use version of her season one Gala outfit) sitting down next to her, Nightmare said, "There is no need to thank me. I've seen your record, and it's a wonder my sister didn't make you captain instead of Twilight's brother. No offense to him intended, Twilight."

"It's fine, Nightmare. Keep in mind, I've seen his record too."

Red shrugged "I don't know either. Maybe it's because she didn't want the Night guard to have a captain or something else, I doubt we'll ever know...but what I do know is that I'm glad you gave me this new promotion...In truth, I'm hoping to make personal guard...that way I'd be by your side to protect you whenever You needed me...assuming you did that is." He said smiling at her. "And I heard your speech. Lovely way with words you have...and considering your stipulation, about ignoring your own title....would you mind...if...I called you Moony, during times like these?"

"Not at all, Red," Nightmare said. "I am trying to connect with my subjects, after all."

Red smiled "Thank you, Moony." He said softly as he soon picks up a menu, as did the rest of them to eat.

"So, Nightmare said, "how is it you came to be in the guard anyway, Red?"

"Believe it or not, it was actually thanks to you that I did." He said to explain.

"Really? How so?"

"Easy...Twilight...how many books are there that are stories about Nightmare moon here? Be they history books or not." He asked her knowing that she would know the answer.

"One hundred from that time period, five recent, and ten from five hundred years ago," Twilight said smiling.

Red smirked "Read them all. I've read all 115 books that were about you. and I was enraptured by your stories, and I wanted to meet you, but also to become a night guard so that I might have some chance to meet you..."

"But at the time, I was, unfortunately, a mere legend. There were no books that said I existed at that time in real life."

"True. But I believed you were indeed real....I used to spend my nights staring up at the moon, where your shade sat watching over us all..."

"Well, I'm glad to see that the stories they tell of me are good ones, by which I mean that I'm not the villain."

Red nodded "I believe I hear that Celestia was adamant about making sure you weren't demonized....though it's definite that some still did...as some of them did label you as a villain...And naturally ponies still believe that." He explained.

"That'll complicate things," Twilight said.

"Twilight," Fleur said, "if I may ask, how is it your out? I thought you were in the dungeons."

"The guards allowed me to go to Nightmare since I said I wanted to help her." She explained.

"And I plan on making it to where that doesn't happen with any other prisoners in the future," Nightmare said as the waiter came over.

Red, Fleur, Nightmare, and Twilight all order their own food, and smile in excitement to try them. Red looked over to Nightmare when the waiter left. "Moony if I may ask, do you think it could be possible for a Pegasus like me to be able to learn a few magic spells?"

"None I know of. I still haven't caught up with politics for the country, and I don't have any free time for magic study."

"Well...I'd like to try if at all possible." He said looking to her.

"Once I'm able, I'll have Twilight look into it. She became my sisters personal student for a reason, after all."

Red nodded happily "Thanks."

"It is my pleasure. You are the captain of the night guard, after all."

Red smiled, and decided to do something dicey. went over to where Nightmare sat in the booth, and hugged her happily.

Nightmare blushed and looked at Fleur, who had a look of surprise on her face, as well as Twilight. "Uh, Red, you can let go now."

"Heh, Sorry Moony...couldn't help myself....gotta admit, your very...soft, I must say..."

"Okay then," Twilight said before the waiter came back with their drinks, tea for Fleur and Twilight, water for Nightmare, and lemonade for Red.

"Are you four ready to order," he asked, avoiding eye contact with Nightmare.

They all nodded and gave their orders as the waiter happily left.

"And he thinks I didn't notice his averted gaze," Nightmare said once he was out of ear shot. "I suppose I shouldn't have expected to be accepted so soon."

"Given the stories and reputation? I wouldn't have expected it either...but at the very least, give them time...they'll warm up to you."

"Hopefully," Nightmare said, her face having hints of sadness.

Red noticed this and gently reached over taking her hand "I'll support you no matter what Moony...and during the night when you decide to lay down the crown to connect with normal ponies like this....You can always spend time with me to have somepony who isn't afraid of you." He said softly, giving her a smile, hoping to cheer her up.

"Thank you, Red, but I would rather be with the guards and Twilight."

"But I am a Guard. I'm the Captain." He said, effectively making her point invalid.

"Normal guards. Besides, the new duties I have planned for the guard captains would take up a fair portion of your time."

"Okay...such as what?" He asked smiling at Nightmare. "Because with all due respect to you Moony, I do try to at least work my schedule so that whenever Fleur here has a modeling show I get to attend so that I can effectively cheer her on..." He said nuzzling his marefriend.

"Personally overseeing embassies in other countries. You can bring Fleur with you."

Red smiled looking at Fleur "What do you think about that Darling?"

"I always did want to go to another country," Fleur said. "Where will we be going?"

"Prance."

Red smirked "Ah, the country of love eh? isn't that actually where you came from Fleur?" He asked looking to his lovely marefriend.

"Indeed it is, even though I haven't been there for ten years."

"Then this'll be kinda like going home for you huh?" He asked smiling to her, as he nuzzled her.

Giggling, the mare said, "Yes, and I couldn't think of somepony else I would like to spend it with more than you."

Red smiled and hugged her with his wing. "is there anypony else to be coming then? Or, would it just be us?" He asked smiling.

"Yes, actually," Nightmare said. "Twilight?"

Nodding, Twilight said, "Yeah. One of the old night guard that had been taking care of business . Her name's Night Shade, and she actually dresses as a shadow bolt. She's going to go with you two as a body guard, so to speak. She isn't the nosy type, so you should be okay, in terms of personal stuff." Twilight blushed a little at the last part, which got a small giggle from Nightmare.

"Twilight, are you having issues talking about sex, even when just mentioning it?"

Red and Fleur smirked at each other keeping themselves from laughing at the poor mare.

"We'll we're in public, not exactly that good to talk about you know?" She said trying to defend herself.

"I thought that due to the outfits some mares wore that it could be easily talked about in public."

At this point Red and Fleur both laughed smiling "True enough. I can understand why you'd think that, but it also depends on what mare..." Red said "Back to the topic though, if this Night Shade is meant to be joining us, where's she at? Could I perhaps meet her before we leave?"

"She's at the castle. You're supposed to meet with her tomorrow," Twilight said, a small blush still on her face.

"Fair enough. When do we leave for Prance?"

"Once we're able to get enough guards to replace those that didn't dhow up to the meeting for no reason," Twilight said, "which should be in a week or two."

"Which means I can likely use that time to get to know Night Shade then." He said smiling. "Along with possibly getting some new clothes for the trip huh?"

"That would be best," Nightmare said as the food arrived.

Red nodded "Well, Twilight, isn't your friend Rarity a tailor?" He asked as he began to eat his Pepperoni Pizza.

"Yeah," she said, taking a bite of spaghetti. "I imagine you want her to make your outfits?"

"Of course," Fleur said as she ate some of her Pasta carbanara. "Red showed me some of her work before we came here."

"Well, Nightmare said, "I was planning on letting her out on a probationary period tomorrow, as well as the rest of Twilight's friends, and I suppose that, while you two are here, you could be the ones to make sure she follows the rules." She then took a knife from beside her plate and began to cut into the steak she had ordered, due to her more carnivorous appetite and teeth.

Red nodded "Sure, We'd be happy to watch her."

Fleur then nodded agreeing before speaking "In fact, with your permission Nightmare, if you are letting her out for a probationary period, if we are to watch her to ensure she follows the rules, Might I suggest that during her stay in Canterlot, she can stay with us? We live not that far from the Castle." She said.

"She's correct, we don't live that far away from the castle grounds." Red said confirming it.

"If what you said earlier is true and that you'll later give them the option of going home or staying there, it fits perfectly. She can stay with Red and Fleur at their house during that testing period."

"Heck if that's the case, Maybe she can simply stay and watch over our house whilst we're gone for that Prance trip in a few weeks perhaps?" Red suggested.

"Perhaps," Nightmare said, eating a piece of her steak, "the last part will depend on how well she behaves while she stays with you."

They nod. "So, we have your permission to allow her to live with us during her trial period stay?" Red asked.

"Yes," Nightmare said. "You two can lay down specific rules if you wish."

They nod. "Thank you Nightmare."

Red then spoke up "If you wish, I could give you observational reports of her during her stay." He suggested smiling.

"That would be best."

Red nodded. "As you wish. Would you prefer personal recount? A simple written report? Or either one?" He asked her.

"The first. I wish to know what you think, but a second, more analytical one couldn't hurt either," Nightmare said.

"Then I will go for a case of trying both. I can give you my own personal thoughts, and later give a written more detailed report at a possible later date...how often would you like me to give them to you? Like, every week? Every other day, so on?" He asked smiling.

"Every other day starting the day she arrives at your house," Nightmare said while cutting another piece of steak.

Red nodded "Very well. so...Tomorrow, and then every other day after? Alright, I can do that." He said smiling.

The four of them continued to eat, talking about trivial things, such as what Nightmare was planning on doing tomorrow night, which she still hadn't decided.

Red smiled "Well...what about a spa trip?" He suggested

"Are there any decent spas here in Canterlot?" Nightmare asked as she finished her steak.

"Hmm...not sure. But I'm sure either Rarity herself, or Fleur here could tell you." He said looking to his marefriend for a possible answer.

"You're forgetting me," Twilight said, having finished her meal shortly before Nightmare finished. "I was raised here in Canterlot all my life."

"True, but why would the bookworm want to go to a spa? Rather than a model, or a mare who loves to make herself look her best?" He asked, bringing up a fair point.

"Because my parents made me go to some when I was a filly."

"Fair enough. Either of you two know a good spa?" He asked both Fleur and Twilight, as he looked to Fleur, actually planning to spend a spa day with her sometime soon.

"There is one a few blocks from the castle," Twilight said. "Of all the spas I went to with my parents, it was the best of them."

"Then perhaps that is where we will go tomorrow night, Twilight, should you want to," Nightmare said. "Plus, I feel like I need one already from all of today's work."

Red smiled as he hugged Fleur. "Perhaps you and I should go visit one before we leave maybe...who knows, maybe take Rarity with us just to be good hosts." He said smiling.

"Perhaps we will tomorrow night, if only so you can also give Nightmare a report on her first day," Fleur said.

Red nodded "Fair enough. Like I said, Maybe we can take Rarity with us too..." He said shrugging

"That would be good," Nightmare said, "I would like to get to know her as well, as she is one of my subjects."

Red smiled "Then how about perhaps the 5 of us all go out to the spa tomorrow? You two, Me and Fleur, and Rarity? Heck, maybe even Night Shade if she wishes." He said suggesting an interesting idea.

"She's not one for spas," Nightmare said. "I ttink she said she'd rather burn alive then go there. I think she said that 'No one as awesome as her would be caught dead in one of those fancy shmancy spas'."

"Might I suggest she supervise Rainbow Dash? If My knowledge is correct they tend to think the same way." He explained.

"As long as they don't destroy the city," Nightmare said.

"Fair enough then...." He said smiling.

Getting up from the booth after paying for their meal, Nightmare said, "Then we shall see you two tomorrow," before she and Twilight left.

Red got up with Fleur and smiled "Well, I suppose we should be going home to rest and relax eh?"

"I would enjoy that," Fleur said, "especially seeing as we're going to need to be at the castle early tomorrow to get Rarity."

Red nodded "Good thing I have today and tomorrow off huh?"

"Yes it is," Fleur said as she got up. "Now come on, let's head home."

Red took her hand and walked with her now.

They made it back to their house without incident, got ready for bed, laid down, letting their minds wander through the land of dreams.

Red and Fleur were snuggled up together, as Red was planning something very special for their trip in a few weeks.

Chapter 3: Release

Nightmare and Twilight were in the Canterlot dungeons, along with Red, who was picking up Rarity, and Night Shade, who was supervising Rainbow Dash. Night Shade looked exactly like the female Shadowbolt form when Nightmare had tried to dissuade Rainbow. It was weird at first, but everypony got use to it.

Red smiled offering his hand to Night Shade. "Nice to meet you, Night Shade. I'm Red." He said formally introducing himself to her.

"Captain," she said impersonally, not looking at him. "Princess Nightmare informed of you, seeing as how I'd be the escort for you, your marefriend, Prisoner Dash, and possibly Prisoner Rarity in a few weeks to Prance."

"No need to refer to them as Prisoners Nighty. As I know your coming with me and Fleur to Prance. Rarity may or may not come along...if she doesn't then if she proves enough I intend to have her possibly watch the house till we returned..."

"The Princess ordered last night after she and her aide returned that your case go with you, and mine as well, and I'm not one to disobey royalty."

"Fair enough...I guess Rarity and Dash would be coming with us then..." He said as he walked with her, looking her over a bit, finding her to look quite attractive.

"Indeed they are," Nightmare said. "Just as Twilight and the others are staying here with their supervisors, me being Twilight's."

"Fair enough Princess." Red said smiling as he followed them.

They made it to the cells of Twilight's friends, all of whom looked bored. Night Shade stomped on the ground once and yelled, "ON YOUR HOOVES, PRISONERS! IT'S TIME FOR YOUR PAROLE!!

"Nearly as loud as the Canterlot Royal Voice," Nightmare muttered to herself

"Tch...I get she's trying to be professional but no need to be so rude..." He said muttering as well, as Nightmare was able to hear him, as he looked at Rarity.

He walked over to her cell, which Nightmare unlocked with her magic as he got closer, and opened it.

Red smiled offering his hand to Rarity. "Lady Rarity, My name's Red. Princess Nightmare has allowed my marefriend Fleur and I to supervise you, during this 'parole' as it were, you are to be staying with us at our home, we've already prepared a room for you. Infact due to the fact that we are going to Prance in a few weeks, you are to be coming with us as well." He said as he offered his hand. "So, shall we be going to get you some proper food and to get you settled for your new, possibly temporary home?" He asked her smiling.

"Only so I can get out of this disgusting excuse for a room," she said in a high pitched voice.

"That's because it's a prison cell, Rarity," Twilight said.

"And how are you out so soon, Twilight? If that's your real name," Rainbow said, still in her cell.

"Rainbow why are you acting like that?" Twilight asked, KNOWING that even Rainbow willingly agreed to relax and allow Nightmare to take over when they discovered they were unable to beat her.

"Because I don't see why you'd want to walk around with her all day, the pegasus mare said, pointing to Nightmare. "Yeah, we all surrendered to her, but none of us though of becoming her personal assistant. How do we know you didn't just do that so we would surrender to, and you always supported her."

"Rainbow Dash what in tarnation are ya trying to say? You were probably the first of us to surrender!" Applejack said clearly showing annoyance at Dash doing this.

"But 'Twilight' was the first, and we don't know how skilled at magic she is. She could have used some kind of mind spell to make us surrender. Don't tell me that didn't cross your mind once!"

"Rainbow Dash, Shut up. I'm not like that. I'm offended you'd even THINK that I would do such a thing to my friends! I spent part of yesterday asking her what she was going to do about you five because I was worried about you!"

"Oh," was all the cyan mare said to that.

"Well, seeing as how her supervisor is here as well, I suppose Rainbow should be released next," Nightmare said. "What do you think, Twilight?"

"Agreed," Twilight said. "Night Shade?"

"Yes, Ma'ams," Night Shade said before going to Dash's cell.

Dash stood up to greet her "Hello, Night Shade."

"Ms Dash, I'm your supervisor. Please follow any and all rules that I lay down for you, and we won't have an issue."

"I got'cha I gotcha." She said smiling, as she stood with the Shadowbolt.

"As for the rest of you, you'll be under the supervision of guards I chose personally," Nightmare said as she opened the rest of the cell doors, allowing the three remaining mare to walk out. "Now, if you would follow me," the alicorn said, turning to the exit to the dungeons.

"Princess, if you don't mind, I'd like to watch over the animals in the garden here...Please." Said Fluttershy, as the group began to follow her.

"I expected that, which is why your supervisor is a guard that seems to like animals a lot. As for you, Applejack, the guard supervising you is the one that seems to enjoy talking about farming, and always works out."

She nodded "Sounds good t' me. Maybe we can swap some tricks." She said smiling

"And as for you, pink one, your supervisor is the most energetic guard I could find, seeing as how you're always jumping around," Nightmare said before another guard came in, out of breath.

"Your Majesty," he said once he caught his breath, there's a pony requesting to see you."

"Who?"

"A Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, your Highness."

"Cadence?" Red asked, as he went with them to go and see what Cadence wanted.

"You know her," Nightmare asked him.

Red nodded as he began to explain.

"Well, Cadence is an old friend of ours, my little sister and I you see...She used to baby sit her, and that's how I met her, she would come by to babysit my little sister Moon Dancer." He explained smiling as they went to see Cadence. "I haven't seen that mare in a while...I wonder how she's been..." He said genuinely curious to see his old friend. Red smiled in anticipation.

"Wait, Moon Dancer," Twilight asked. "She's an old friend of mine. How come I never saw you before?"

Red went silent "I was trying to get into guard training....it's been a while since I saw my sister.....I can only hope that she even remembers me....much less can forgive me.....for missing that first party of hers." He said showing great shame for said subject.

"Not to mention that I was always looking up more and researching more about Nightmare Moon here...As I explained to you guys last night." He said softly.

"When was that," Twilight asked, a little fearful of the answer.

".....A few days ago....." He said, as he knew it was just the other day.

This made Twilight blush in embarrassment, as she knew that party, as it was the one that Minuette, Lemon Drops, and Twinkle Shine had talked about when she was on her way to her home.

"Why do you ask Twilight?" He asked looking at her.

"Because she invited me to the party, and I went into over drive, trying to tell Celestia about Nightmares return," Twilight said as the group reached the throne room.

Red nodded "I see."

They entered the Throne Room to find the noble pink Alicorn standing waiting, with a white stallion that was very familiar to Twilight, and a young filly who was half the height of Red, next to Cadence, who had a beige coat, along with a Red and purple mane, she also had glasses..

"Moon Dancer," both Red and Twilight said in surprise.

This got the attention of the three ponies in the throne room. "Hey, Bro/Twily," Moon Dancer and Shining armor said at the same time.

"Red," Cadence said, "what are you doing here?"

Red ran over and happily hugged Moon Dancer, lifting her up spinning her around. "Well, I work here Cadence." He said as he stopped, holding Moon Dancer in his arms, now sitting on his shoulder. "Infact, I'm the Captain of the Night Guard!" He explained as Moon Dancer now shown very clear excitement due to finding out now, when he pulls her back down to look in his eyes "Moon Dancer, my little sister, I'm so sorry for missing your party...will you ever forgive your stupid big brother? I'll make it up to you, I promise..." He said.

"Of course, Bro. You were in the guard. You couldn't help that," Moon Dancer said with a smile.

"Night Guard Captain," Cadence and Shining both said with a raised eyebrow. "There isn't a night guard captain," Shining said, "only captain of the entire guard."

"That was under my sisters rule, Captain Armor," Nightmare said. "I decided it would be best if there were two captains, one for each guard."

"And why are you the one making decisions in my aunt's stead," Cadence asked angrily.

"Because she's Missing..." Red explained. "Plus Cadence, Nightmare's good, she wants what's best for Equestria, so please try to calm down." He said approaching Cadence, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. as Moon Dancer was sat back on her feet when Twilight approached her. "I'm sorry Moon Dancer...I was on overdrive at the time and I was thinking Nightmae was evil and that I had been called to stop her...I definitely would have come if I had been free....I'm sorry." She said hugging the younger mare.

"It's okay, Twilight, but I was hoping you could've made it," Moon Dancer said as Cadence and Red continued to speak.

"How do you know she's missing?" Cadence said, "How do you know she just didn't kidnap her?"

"Because if I had kidnapped her, I would have released her by now, considering the fact that my captain is right. I'm a good mare. If I had kidnapped her, it would have only been to keep her from interfering in my return...I'm worried about my sister, Cadence." Nightmare explained.

Twilight smiled "Thanks Moon Dancer...I'll make it up to you, I promise you that." She said smiling. "Maybe I could help you with your studies sometime?" She asked.

"Really," Moon Dancer said, to which Twilight nodded. "Thanks."

Back with Red and Cadence, which also involved Nightmare now, they were still trying to convince Cadence.

"How can anypony know if you're telling the truth. I read the stories, and they all say that you're an evil that ponies were happy that Celestia defeated, and she never said she had a sister. You're lying."

"No, I'm not," Nightmare said. "I'm putting as many guards as possible to finding her."

"Only to make sure she doesn't come back and defeat you again," Shining said.

"Like heck she is doing that Shining Armor!" Red said as he soon butted heads with him. "She's sending me and Fleur, along with Rarity, Night Shade, and Rainbow Dash to Prance in a few weeks to help with relations with the country. Nightmare's doing a good job. You need to calm down. She's not evil." He said, as he looked at Cadence "I read those stories too. Infact, you were there when I read them remember? With how you babysat Moon Dancer....Not all the stories peg her as evil. Celestia was adamant about making sure she wasn't Demonized!" He countered facing down the Alicorn of Love. "Just give her a chance, please."

"Only a few stories did that, Red. I'll wait to see it for my self," Cadence said.

"Same here," Shining said.

"Look, just give her a chance, Cadence. Please? If not for her then for me. You are an old friend of mine, so please just...trust me and give her a chance...." He said practically begging Cadence to do so.

"Fine, but only for you, Red," Cadence said.

"So will I, but I don't trust her," Shining said.

Red smiled and hugged Cadence. "Thank you Cadence, I'm positive you won't regret it."

"I'd bhetter not," Cadence said before going over to Twilight, and they did their usual greeting.

"Sunshine, Sunshine. Ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake" they said, doing the motions.

"It's to see you again Twilight."

"You too, Cadence."

Red smiled chuckling a bit, finding the little motions and dance adorable, as he stands by Nightmare. "It's still great to see you again as well Cadence...tell me, other than to see what Nightmare's doing here, what brings you here?"

"We actually to tell you congrats on going to Prance."

"Well, thanks Cadence." He said hugging her now.

"You know, Fleur told me that she'd just love it if you proposed to her there," Cadence said.

Red began to laugh as he practically twirled Cadence around, dipping her as though for a romantic kiss, just to play with the mare "What did you think I had planned? She was born there as I recall, and hadn't been there for about ten years. Where better to propose, than at her home country? Much less, when we're there to help for that mission right?" He asked laughing whole heartedly as he pulled Cadence up from the dipped position, though still in a position to dance ala a Tango, or Waltz.

"And why are you here, BBBFF," Twilight asked Shining Armor.

"OH, Well I'm mainly here escorting my marefriend." He said taking Cadence's hand as Red stopped the faux dance, and gave Shining Armor a knowing smirk.

Twilight's mouth dropped, and she couldn't say anything for near a minute. The first thing she said was, "Your dating Cadence?"

Both blushed, and spoke at the same time. "................Maybe............"

"Well," Nightmare said, "Best of luck."

They looked at each other and smiled. "Thanks." They said as they turned to leave to go and have themselves a little date.

Chapter 4: Secrets

It's been a day since Nightmare had released Twilight's friends on probation, and so far, none of them had caused problems.

Red smiled, yawning waking up with Fleur in their bed as he kisses her to wake her up, before he goes to check on Rarity.

Rarity had been staying in one of the many guest bedrooms of their place, as it was a two story house. Red knocked on the door to Rarity's room, an appropriate purple decorating the door.

Red smiled, waiting for her to answer the door, as he wanted to be polite to the mare, rather than simply open the door to look inside since it was his home.

"Coming," he heard behind the door, and he waited for ten seconds before the door opened.

Red smiled happily. "Hello Rarity, how are you feeling today? Have a good sleep?" He asked her.

"Oh. Hello, Red," Rarity said, rubbing her eye and yawning. "How are you this morning?"

"I'm doing quite fine Milady. I trust everything here at Fleur and my home is to your liking?" He asked smiling at her.

"Yes, they are. I can honestly say I did not expect Nightmare to let us out so soon."

"Well, she truly is a nice mare...if you have need of anything don't hesitate to ask myself or Fleur...infact, I'd be honored if you were to perhaps, create some clothing for me..."

"And why's that," the unicorn asked.

"Well, I want to look my best as the night guard captain." He explained.

"Oh. I suppose that makes sense," the white unicorn said.

Red nodded smiling. "So, shall I come in for you to do measurements?" He asked Rarity, being genuinely honorable and nice.

"Perhaps later, darling. I'm not at my best in the morning. Never was unless I stayed up all night," Rarity said.

"Oh nonsense. You look as beautiful as the morning sunrise does." He said smiling "But as you wish." He said as he began to walk off.

To be fair, Rarity never had been one for mornings, even if she tried to hide it, and she did do so well, but this morning, for some reason, she didn't try to hide it.

Red smiled "Well, hope you have a good morning today then.

"You too, darling," Rarity said as he closed the door and went back to her bed.

Red soon decided to go and get himself some coffee to start the morning off.

When he made it to the kitchen, he saw Fleur there as well, getting her own cup of coffee. "Morning, love," she said groggily.

Red smiled and kissed her, giving her a hug. "Morning my sweet. How have you been?"

"I'm doing fine. And how is Rarity?"

Red smiled "She's doing fine for the moment. She probably went back to sleep due to not being much of a morning person.

"Something I can sympathize with entirely," Fleur said.

"As can I my darling." He cooed kissing her.

The two got their coffee and went to the dining room table, sitting in silence for a few minutes, in which, Rarity had woken up to the point she was sociable, and come to get some coffee as well. "Good morning, Rarity," Fleur said.

"And one to you, too," Rarity said as she sat down.

"Oh, I am just fine with that," Rarity said. "Everypony has their own sense of fashion, after all."

Red smiled "Oh Indeed, indeed lady Rarity. I'm happy you are at least, settling in nicely here though."

"Well, in all honesty, it was either this, or stay in that disgusting dungeon."

"Maybe, but we volunteered to look after you during the time...We knew you kinda liked the style of being in Canterlot, so, what better than to have somepony from there that you'd likely get along with, to allow you to stay there?"

"Well, thank you," Rarity said.

Red nodded as he smiled. "Well, if what I've heard is correct, you'll also be accompanying us to Prance."

Rarity seemed to brighten up at this. "Prance?"

Red nodded "Correct."

"Oh, that's probably the only city that can rival Canterlot in fashion and sophistication. I always wanted to go there!"

Red smiled "Well now it seems you get your chance in about...how long darling?" He asked looking to Fleur.

"A week or two." Fleur said.

"Exactly...Chances are, you'll be coming along for the ride anyway!" He said smiling to Rarity watching her reaction.

"Oh, I can't wait," Rarity squealed in happiness, nearly jumping out of her seat.

Red laughed, before giving her a note that read 'Trust me, there will be one surprise for that trip there.' it said. He winked at Rarity to keep it quiet, since it was referring to Fleur.

"Well, I hope it's a good one," Rarity said.

Red nodded and winked, as if to say 'Trust me, It will be. just please keep quiet.'

Rarity gave a small nod, indicating she would.

Red smiled 'Thanks' he said in his eyes, as he smiled.

"And just what the surprise be, love," Fleur said.

Red laughs "Oh you'll find out, trust me."

"Well, then, I'm certain I'll like it," Fleur said.

Red smiled 'Oh you will' he thought 'you definitely will.'

It was then they heard a knocking at the door. "Coming," Fleur said.

A Messenger from Nightmare Moon was there at the door when Fleur answered. "I've got a message for a Captain Red." He had told her.

"What is it?" Fleur asked.

"I do not know," the messenger said. 'I was simply told that I needed to inform the Captain that the Princess wishes to speak with him."

"Very well. I will be there shortly." Red said smiling as he stood up, and quickly finished his breakfast as he went to get dressed up to attend.

It didn't take long for him to get ready, and once he was, he kissed Fleur goodbye, and left for the castle.

Red soon arrives at the Castle, as it certainly wouldn't take him long to arrive there.

He made his way to the throne room. As he made his way there, he saw both solar and lunar guards, both looking at each other in a way that conveyed distrust, or something like it. Once he made it to the throne room, he opened the door, and saw Nightmare, Twilight, and Shining Armor standing around a table. "Ah, Red," Nightmare said. "How nice of you to join us."

Red smiled, bowing "You called, your highness, Princess Nightmare?" He asked smiling.

"Yes, I wished to have you and Captain Armor here so I could get your opinions on a competition for the guard divisions, so as to help them become closer, as I've noticed a disliking attitude between them, and, unlike my sister, who either didn't see it or didn't want to, I wish to take steps to prevent something from happening, and I was hoping a competition would do wonders for that."

Red smiled thinking about it. "Hmm...It sounds interesting...I think something of a friendly competition or friendly rivalry would do wonders for the guard force to get along...might help to build up teamwork from both sides...what do you think, Captain Armor?"

"It's good in concept," he said, "but there's no guarantee it'll work."

"Some would call you a party pooper, but, at the same time, I agree, it's a good idea, even if there's no guarantee that it'll work, the least we can do is try something right?"

"That we can," Twilight said.

Red nodded to her. "Well...any idea for what the whole...I don't know, prize, would be for this competition idea?" He asked.

"Maybe all of the guard in that division get a paid vacation that can last for up to a week," Twilight suggested.

"That sounds like a nice incentive..." Red said thinking about it.

"Then what should the events be?" Twilight asked.

Red thought "Hmm...Not sure...maybe an obstacle course Race, that much could be something I'm sure even your party pooper of a brother here can agree on." he said motioning to Shining.

"Hey!" he said, as Twilight snickered, before Red continued.

"Perhaps, turn it into something similar to a Relay event maybe..." He suggested.

"Perhaps," Nightmare said.

"Well, that's all I can think of, in terms of events.....something like an obstacle course race, or a relay...heck, maybe something like a wrestling thing, I don't know..." He said thinking more.

"That might work," Twilight said.

"Heh. I mean think about it. If the Solar and Lunar guards are having aggression with each other, then why not do something like a wrestling match to let them just well..for lack of better term, beat the heck out of each other...and all for the good of entertainment, or to win a vacation..." He said suggesting it.

"Maybe put betting in there," Shining said.

"What like put two of say the strongest guards in the competition, like say, You and me for the wrestling bit, or the race, and have bets on who would win? Possibly. After all, things like bets are universal, doesn't matter what kind of guard you are, or who ya are. Right?" He said looking at Shining.

"True enough," Shining replied.

"If we're going the physical fighting route, maybe something simple like Boxing..." He thought, bringing it up.

"Agreed," Nightmare said. "Not as risky for injuries as wrestling."

"Yeah. I mean, at most what you'd get is probably a black eye, and probably something like a broken nose or jaw, and possibly a few missing teeth." Red said explaining what he believed was the most losses. "Possibly some bruises, cracked, or broken ribs..." He thought.

"That's. . . good enough, Red," Nightmare said.

".....Heh...Sorry..." He said, showing some embarrassment.

"So, that's one event down," Nightmare said. "Any ideas for the others."

"Well, what about something as simple as a foot race, like a hundred meter dash or an obstacle relay race?" Shining suggesting, even bringing up what Red had suggested.

"That's good," Twilight said, writing everything down on a scroll.

"Sure, say something with your brother says it." Red mused, rolling his eyes, and crossing his arms.

"What," Twilight said. "It's a good idea!"

"I know. I'm the one that originally mentioned the idea..." He said.

"I didn't hear you. Do you need to act grumpy over it?"

"No, just, can't help myself at the moment." Red said, as Nightmare just giggled a bit at the display.

"Would you two please stop acting like foals," Shining said. "Your giving me a head ache"

"Bet that's what Cadence says a lot huh?" Red snarked, smirking at him, as both Nightmare and Twilight both bursted out laughing at this comment.

Shining, however, had his cheeks become apple red in embarrassment.

This only caused the two mares and Red to laugh even more now.

Meanwhile, Night Shade and Rainbow were in the castle gardens, working on flight techniques.

Rainbow's excited to work with Night Shade. "You're amazing Night Shade! So fast, it's like you're Spitfire of the Wonderbolts!" Said Rainbow, practically geeking out.

"Well, I am one of the queen's Shadow bolts," Night Shade said.

"I always wanted to join the Wonderbolts....though I've yet to be able to get in....You don't...think I could join you as a Shadowbolt do you?" She asked.

"That will all depend on what I think, as I am their captain, and I actually have a criteria."

"Name it. I'll do my best!" Rainbow said with clear devotion and dedication to become a member.

"In that case, you'll need to start waking up early."

She nodded "Yes Ma'am." She said, saluting as they had stopped for the time being.

Definitely a lot of drive, the shadow bolt though to her self. "So, what exactly do you do that doesn't involve flying?"

"Well I was working as Ponyville's Weather manager." She explained. "Other than that, and flying around for fun...I don't really do much other than nap on a cloud..." She said smiling.

"Well, no more of that when you become a Shadow bolt. Except the flying for fun thing," Night Shade said with a small smile.

"Oh look at that, she can smile~" Rainbow said playfully just to have a bit of fun smiling back nodding along.

"Also, no teasing your superior until you're actually a Shadow bolt."

She nodded, a little disappinted. "Yes Ma'am." She replied.

A few days later

Red, Fleur, and Rarity were packing what they would need for the trip.

Red smiles eagerly as he keeps the ring he had for Fleur hidden, as he kisses her, and packs up a few things, including extra clothes, a sword, along with some other necessary items as well.

Rarity was, of course, packing more then she needed.

Red noticed this, and simply shook his head finding it kinda funny that she did so.

"Think we should stop her?" Fleur asked.

"Nah....probably not...would make her get real upset I'm sure." Red mused chuckling as he kissed his beautiful marefriend, eager for her reaction when they got there.

"Still, it would be better to do so now so the chariot pullers don't die from exhaustion."

"True..." he said as he went over to Rarity. "Rarity? Don't you think you have enough?" he asked, touching her shoulder.

"Oh, of course not, Red. We're going to Prance, the city of fashion."

Red chuckles. "For one we don't want to fall from the sky because the chariot drivers get exhausted from your things...two, it's not the city of fashion...it's the city, of" he cooed as he pulled Rarity away and held her in a dipping fashion, now suddenly having a rose in his mouth. "Love~!" he said giving her a playfully amourous gaze.

"Oh, I suppose," Rarity said, a little disappointed.

Red smiled "It'll be alright Rarity, how about you just pack up a FEW more things, and then you can stop eh?" He asked. "Maybe I'll ask Princess Nightmare, if you can bring your little sister with you...since I wanna bring mine with me anyway." He said smiling.

"Well, she always has wanted to go to Prance," Rarity muttered. "Fine."

Red smiled "Wonderful. Then I'll go talk to Nightmare." He declared as he goes to leave and do just that.

In the castle, Nightmare and Twilight were looking over history books. "I did not realize you like books so much , Twilight," Nightmare said, noticing she had gone through ten, thick, books in less then an hour.

"She lives in a library." Red said as he entered approaching, and bowed before Nightmare. "Princess. I'd like to make a request if you'd allow, for My and Fleur's trip to Prance soon?" He began. "I'd like Rarity to be able to bring her little sister Sweetie Belle, and for me to be able to bring my own sister, Moon Dancer with me, if you'd allow." He said smiling.

"Of course, Red," Nightmare said.

"Thank you, Nightmare." he said smiling, moving to speak to her as a thankful friend. "I'll have Moon Dancer start packing and then I'll go collect Sweetie Belle." he said smiling as he goes to leave and tell them.

The two mares continued to read for a few more minutes, when Twilight said, "So, um, Nightmare, what exactly do you do for fun?"

"What is fun?" She asked, having a dumbfounded look on her face.

"You're kidding? You're kidding, right?" Twilight said, getting a small laugh from the both of them.

Though Nightmare giggled she shook her head "Fraid not...I was locked up for a thousand years remember?" She asked.

Twilight blushed. "Oh, right. Sorry."

"Back then, my idea of fun was watching the Gladiator ponies fight inside the colleseum in another district of town." She explained.

"Yeah, that's considered illegal now," Twilight said. "Um, Nightmare, there's something I want to tell you." A blush came on her face as she said this.

"Oh, and what might that be, Twilight?" Nightmare asked.

"Well, I guess I kinda have a crush on you."

She began to blush, as though she was gone for a thousand years, she knew what that meant, and she began to blush so much that her black fur began to turn a dark shade of red on her face.

"Twilight, I do not know what to say aside from I believe I have feelings for you as well," Nightmare said.

She began to blush madly, surprised.

"You know, Twilight, back before I was banished, when two ponies confessed their love for another, they often did, ahem, bed-centered exercises," Nightmare said, and it was a few seconds before Twilight's mind processed that.

Unfortunately, Twilight's brain.EXE needed to shut down, and Twilight's eyes promptly roll back, and she passed out collapsing on the floor in shock.

"I knew I should have waited," Nightmare said. "Probably until we were both drunk."

If one were to notice, Twilights entire eye turned blue right before they rolled and shut...and there seems to be a bit of smoke coming from her ears.

Nightmare picked Twilight up in her magic, and took her to what accounted as Twilight's room.

She slept quietly as she was tucked in by Nightmare, complete with her favorite, and old, smartypants doll toy, which she held very closely to her.

"Good night, Twilight," Nightmare said as she left the room.

Meanwhile

Red arrives at the home of Rarity, where Sweetie Belle stayed at, and knocked on the door, hoping she would answer.

"Hello, Red," the white filly said upon seeing him.

Red smiled looking to the young unicorn filly. "Hey there Sweetie Belle...Would you like to come with myself, and Fleur to Prance for a little while? You'll get to be with Rarity." he explained.

The filly looked up from her book on spells and said, with a large smile, "Oh definitely."

Red smiled "Wonderful~ then you'd better get packed. Though please try to be a bit more...reserved than your sister by bringing what is needed and not packing more than you need."

"Oh, I always am," Sweetie said as she went to her room to get her suitcase.

Castle throne room-meanwhile

Nightmare was sitting on her throne, reading over reports, when a knock on the door got her attention.

"Enter," she said.

The two doors opened, and a single night guard, with a black and red coat and tail, walked in.

"What is it, Sergeant Lone Shadow?"

"Ma'am," Lone said, saluting. "We have a lead on your sister."

Chapter 5: A Splitting Surprise

Nightmare Moon looks in shock at the Guard's message. "You've found her? My dear sister, Celestia?" She asked, worried, but also happy.

"No, your majesty," Lone said. "We only have a lead, and we aren't certain as to it's credibility."

"Well, what is it," Nightmare asked.

"The guard contingent in Ponyville has reported sighting of a borealis like color effect being witnessed at the edge of the Everfree, Ma'am."

"I see...then I believe we should check it out.....investigate, see if it is her." Nightmare said standing up.

"I wouldn't recommend that, Ma'am," Lone said. "A few guards tried to approach it, and they lost all recollection of then, only to begin remembering again an hour later with burn scars over their bodies."

"Hmm....then what would you recommend?" She asked, worried. "Would you suggest sending Red?" She asked.

"If we did, it'd not be until after he gets back that we can send him. I'd recommend a group of the most skilled unicorns under your command that are unquestionably loyal to you."

"Hmm...but Red is arguably the most loyal to me....and he has not yet left, infact he's not meant to leave for another week or two at least." She said. "And He has both his marefriend Fleur, and his charge, Rarity, and his little sister Moon Dancer, whom are all unicorns, that can possibly apply flame retardant spells to prevent him from being burned, or burned as badly." She wagered. "Plus, it might be better to send One, rather than a group...less chance to spook her, if it is Tia...she's very paranoid at times...and if she's been hiding out, she's likely to be extremely paranoid." She explained.

"If that is the case, and it is your sister, might I suggest her former student?"

"What about sending both of them then?" Nightmare asked thinking about it.

"If you think that is best," Lone said.

"Then send for them both to come here." She commanded.

"Yes, Ma'am," Lone said, leaving the throne room.

A short while later, both were collected, and are standing before Nightmare.

Twilight was nervous, for obvious reasons, while Red stood at attention.

Red decided to try and cut the tension, and spoke first. "So, Princess...what did you bring us here for?" he asked, looking to Nightmare.

"Because the guard contingent I stationed in Ponyville believes they know where my sister is," Nightmare said.

Twilight perked up in shock. "Oh my! So, what is it you want us to do?" She asked instantly.

"I hope for the two of you to bring her here so that I may speak with her."

Red nodded. "Understood. and I imagine we are to go alone like this, so that there is less likely a chance to spook Celestia or make her afraid she's being captured?" Red wagered.

Nightmare nodded. "Correct. In fact that is the reason I wish for you to go with Red, Twilight, much as I wish I didn't have to."

Red nodded. "Alright. We understand." he said, before Looking at Twilight. "Should a bad thing happen, Twilight, I want you to run, and get out of there. I'll protect you." he said, before he approached Nightmare, and gave her a hug. "I will protect her with my life, Nightmare, I swear to you I will." He said.

"I knew you would," Nightmare said. "And Twilight, I wish to speak with you in private."

She gulps, and nods, going with Nightmare.

"What did you want to talk to me about, Nightmare," Twilight asked nervously.

She took a deep breathe, before speaking. "It's...I...Umm...Oh how do I say it..." She said, stuttering, trying to get it out.

"Nightmare, I do remember what happened earlier," Twilight said. "And I just want to say I'm doing this for you."

She smiled, blushing greatly. "I see....thank you, Twilight." She said. "But please, listen to Red...If the situation turns dire, and he tells you to flee, then flee, and come home..." She said, hugging Twilight softly.

"I will," Twilight said, a smile on her face.

She nodded understanding. Red waited for her outside for them to go.

"So, you ready," Twilight asked Red.

"Always ready Twiley." he said smiling as the two headed off, for the location dictated, to investigate, and see if it was Celestia.

Twilight lit her horn with a teleportation spell and said, "Then let's go," she said, and they disappeared in a flash of light.

Red and Twilight arrived, Red being a little uneasy due to the teleport, but looking around, for the spot of TIa's mane, as he spots it disappearing. "There." he said, pointing it out, as he began to slowly approach it with Twilight.

As they got closer, Twilight whispered, "What do we do if she attacks us, or doesn't recognize us?"

"I don't know how she could forget you...but if she attacks us before we can talk, you RUN." he said giving her the standing order.

"I will," Twilight said.

"I know I'm already engaged with Fleur...but...you're lucky Twi...you know? You're...the one who has Princess Nightmare's heart...Me? I adored the night sky...before I joined the Lunar guard, I was a solar guard who purposefully took the graveyard shifts, the all night shifts, just so that I'd be able to enjoy the night sky even more....and stare up at the moon...at her, and speak to her...just because...I felt that I wanted to give her company....during her isolation..." he said, before sighing as they walked along. "And yet, here you are, the pony who gets her heart...and here I am...the most loyal guard on her force...the one who spoke to her during the final few years of her exile...the one who wanted, beyond nearly anything, to be close to her....and I'm...nothing...Nothing to her at all..." he said showing a tear, sparkling along from his eye.

"Well, at least you didn't start off awkwardly," Twilight said.

"And yet you're the one who was noticed....me? I could have literally bumped into her...whilst screaming, and on fire, and she wouldn't have noticed me..." he said somberly as they continued, tracking the trail, as Red looks.

"You don't know that," Twilight said, the two still following the trail.

"You're right, I don't....but it hurts, when I serve her so faithfully...and yet she hardly will turn her head to me on a normal day or night...when I'm not on duty, and she's not working as princess..." He explained, sighing in defeat, before they saw a shadow, and they began to approach, looking over, and seeing the tall, white alicorn, in all her own beauty. "Princess Celestia....it is you." Red said smiling.

"Hello, my little pony," Celestia said. "I was hoping one of my subjects would find me, and not one of Nightmare's brainwashed guards."

"I wouldn't say that Princess. I used to work for you, except I volunteered for the graveyard shifts to watch the night sky as I did my duties, even speaking to her during her exile...I'm not brainwashed, I'm perfectly normal...Though I'm not the only one here, who's likely happy to see you." Red said.

Celestia's eyes narrowed, but widened upon seeing Twilight. "Twilight?" she asked in surprise.

She smiled running forward and hugging Celestia. "Princess!" She exclaimed.

"Hello, Twilight," Celestia said, hugging her student. "I had feared the worst."

"You always do Princess." She said chuckling. "Honestly, Nightmare wasn't that bad, she's been very kind to us...sure a bit harsh because she's trying to not be so ....lenient, I think is the right word?"

"Trying not to look weak." Red said.

"Yeah that's it. but she's been treating us well, very kindly, and I've been helping her in terms of managing things and getting caught up in the times." Twilight explained, hoping to relax Celestia.

"But Twilight," Celestia said, more worry getting into her, "you wanted to get rid of her, and you even tried to warn me of her return."

"I know. Before I continue I can't stress enough. We aren't brainwashed at all. I know I wanted to get rid of her, but, that was before we all met her....Strange thing was, the final element didn't appear at the time...I don't know why....but it didn't...and, she asked us to surrender....we did, we had no real choice anyway, but we surrendered, and submitted to her, and she's been treating us well. Rainbow I believe is working to join the Shadowbolts, Rarity stays with Red and his fiance Fleur there actually." She said motioning to the guard, who nodded confirming.

"Tis true. She's set to come with us to Prance soon to attend to a special meeting to help with keeping alliances and contact." Red said explaining about the trip, as Twilight continued, explaining about how, whilst Nightmare may be a bit hard at times, she's still a fairly good mare, and actually likes Twilight herself.

"Twilight, you seem, different," Celestia said, ignoring Red.

Red was annoyed that she ignored him. "Grr...ignored just like back then...now by both princesses..." He said to himself.

Twilight was hurt that Tia had ignored her friend, and was also confused. "Different? What are you talking about Princess? I'm the same I've always been." she said.

"I mean you've found somepony. I know you Twilight, and you've never been this happy before. Who is it?"

Twilight hesitated, worried. "You....Wouldn't want to know..." She said.

"Why not, Twilight," Celestia said.

"What," Celestia said. "Twilight, Nightmare is evil beyond all imagining."

Celestia closed her eyes and lit her horn, a tear running down her face. "I'm sorry, Twilight."

Before Celestia could attack, Red jumped in, and tackled Twilight to the side, bringing his shield up to take the blast himself, wearing heat resistant clothing.

The beam left Celestia's horn, and met with the shield, and Red held his ground, for a while.

Red growls, as he stands his grown, despite the heat from her attack. "Twilight, RUN!" he said as his shield began to falter, and he was blasted back, battered, beaten, and burned, but not as severe as the others who attempted to find Celestia.

Celestia then teleported away.

Red grunted, growling, as he tried to move his body, to get up, and get back to Canterlot, and to Nightmare, before he finds himself being lifted, gently, by Twilight who carries him along.

As he blacked out, Twilight said, "Just hold on, Red. Just hold on."

Red blacked out, from the pain, and everything.

Hours Later

Red groans, stirring in a hospital bed in Canterlot, being monitored by Nurse Redheart, and he feels someone, holding his right hand...He begins to look over, and is surprised to find Not Fleur, not Moon Dancer, not Night Shade, but none other than Nightmare Moon herself. "m....Moony?" He said softly, his voice hoarse, and clearly he's parched.

Nightmare, her head resting on his chest, looked up. "Red?"

"P...Princess....Nightmare....it's you...you're...here....for...me...?" he asked softly, his eyes betrayed his feelings for her, as she now sees how much he had adored her, for all that time, Twilight had told Nightmare what he had told her, before they encountered Celestia, and it all began to come rushing back to her, hearing his voice speak to her during the banishment before she returned, his charm, good looks, and his devotion to her, it was admirable, and he was certainly arguably, the most loyal, and it made her feel terrible for neglecting him for so long. But there was far more than Red knew as to why Nightmare was there.

"Indeed I am, Red," Nightmare said. "I wished to thank you in person for saving my dear Twilight."

Red nodded, understanding, and his eyes looked away from her, clearly showing he was...slightly disappointed, but smiled. "Thank you, my Princess." He said...."For being here." He said.

"Of course, Captain," Nightmare said.

Though weak, Red smiled, as he moved, to stroke Nightmare's head, and her mane. "Tell me, Princess...is there anything you'd like to know?" He asked her, softly smiling.

"Only why you think my sister attacked you two."

Yet again, her actions hurt his feelings, because she yet again, is sticking to be professional, rather than showing care since the two are alone, and he has wanted her affection for so long, despite never being able to...

"She believed us to be brainwashed.....me at first, then when she noticed Twilight being happy...she mentioned her having found somepony...a lover obviously...Twilight hesitated...she mentioned it was you, and that we weren't brainwashed, and Tia, with tears in her eyes, went to attack us before I knocked Twilight out of the way to protect her..." He said. "After I fell from the attack ending, in the state I'm in now, Tia just...disappeared, teleported away...I don't know where she went now." He said.."Why she attacked us...I think is probably because she thought Twilight was brainwashed...considering much like you...she doesn't care about me...........She attacked us likely because we like you...are affiliated with you...and that's it..." Red said softly, a tear beginning to fall.

"Red, I do care for my subjects, I am simply wary of showing it, for fear of being taken advantage of," Nightmare said, with her eyes changing for less then a second to more pony like eyes, but they changed back before Red could notice.

Red looked at her, tears flowing. "That may be, and I can understand that...but you should know me by now...I would never take advantage of you...I just want you...to show me that same affection you give Twilight....I've loved you for so long...I spoke to you whilst you were stuck on the Moon, before you got free...I would speak to you at night whilst I had been on duty, or not on duty...and on top of that...I was such a night owl, that even when I was a member of Tia's guard, I went out of my way to ask for the Night shift...just so I could look up at you on the moon, and the stars at night. Now...when you came back...and took over, with me being a member of your guard, and now, a Captain of it...It's like...since you've been back, I've been forgotten...like I'm not even there...." Red said softly looking at her. He thought he noticed her eyes change for a moment, but believed it to be nothing, likely just part of the drugs he was put on by Nurse Redheart, giving him side effects.

"I remember," Nightmare said, "but I simply thought you would have been happier with Fleur."

"I love numerous mares...Fleur's just one...but believe me, you're also one just as Night Shade also is one I care for..." he said, feeling great that she remembered, as he gently pets her mane softly, looking deep into her eyes. "I know it's....selfish of me to ask this but....for just a while...for just a little while....could...I be your lover just like you love Twilight?" he asked looking deep into her eyes, and was very surprised, when he noticed her eyes changed into more pony like eyes, before she answered.

Nightmare closed her eyes. "My self, no," she said, "but I do know of somepony who you'd love just as much as me," she said as she lit her horn.

Red blinked, watching, but he was slightly hurt, but he watched. "Who? Who is it?" he asked curious.

"Me," Nightmare said cryptically, but her voice was different, and when she opened her eyes just before the spell, Red saw that her eyes were, indeed, a normal pony's.

Red looked in awe. "Your eyes....and voice...who...who are you?" he asked. "You're...not Nightmare..."

Before she could answer, a bright light suffused the room, nearly blinding Red as he looked away.

Red shook his head before the light faded, as he began to look now, and see what it was, that Nightmare had done.

He saw, instead of Nightmare, two mares. One of them was Nightmare, who was unconscious from the spell.

The other one had a flowing, ankle length dress that was colored navy blue, with their being only sleeve straps, revealing on the mare's shoulder a single, crescent cutie mark. Her eyes were a teal green, and her blue mane blew, as if in an invisible wind.

Red looked in awe, at the second one, who was Not unconscious as he motioned for Nightmare to be put in the nearby bed, as he stared at her. "Who....are you..." He asked looking in utter awe, and shock.

"I am Princess Luna," she said. "Nightmare's alternate personality."

Chapter 6

Red simply stared in awe at the sight before him. There, standing before him, was a second alicorn who had all of the beauty of the night as Nightmare, but her own as well.

"Princess...Luna...so beautiful...." He said softly.

"Thank you, Captain Red," she said with a bow.

Red smiled, looking down slightly seeing her large cleavage as she bowed...he reached over, and took hold of her hand. "Please...stay with me....tell me...about you...?"

"Of course," Luna said as she took a seat next to him and set Nightmare in the bed next to them. "What would you like to know first?"

Red thought, as he gently took hold of her hand. "I'm not sure...whatever you can tell me....anything...what you like...what you dislike....hobbies..." he said shrugging a bit.

"Just about everything Nightmare does and likes, with one difference," she said.

"And...what's that?" Red asked, looking at her, hopefulness in his eyes.

"Where she loves Twilight," Luna said, "I love you."

Red gasped...and felt his heart leap out of his chest and soar away. "You...mean it..." he said, his grip ever so faintly tightening, on hers, as if to show he was worried this was an elaborate trick.

"Indeed I am. As for how I am here," she said, "well, Nightmare had sensed me awakening, and asked Twilight to help her find a spell to separate me from her."

Red smiled, as tears began to flow a bit. "Well...that answers my next question..." He said smiling. "I'm honored...to meet you, Luna....You...said you loved me....does that mean...you know...of what I did back then?" he asked, referring to speaking to Nightmare, in her exile, and becoming a Night guard.

"Yes, I do," Luna said.

"Tell me, how'd you feel, when you heard me talking to you during the exile then?" Red asked smiling.

"I felt overjoyed that at least one took value in my night."

"Sad I couldn't hear you talking back to me, during those nights..." Red said smiling.

"Indeed it was," Luna said. "But I am able to now, and that is what matters."

Red Nodded. "I'd be honored...if you were to stay with me...so that I can help you out somehow...I imagine...you know everything about what's been going on?"

"I already know," Luna said. "I have all of Nightmare's memories, but I would be honored for you to show me what she has not seen."

"Well, what would that be? Help me out to narrow it down."

"Well, i would like to go see that new movie that came out, The stallion from U.N.C.L.E.."

Red smiled. "Tell ya what...as soon as I'm out of here, we can go see it together. How about that?" he asked smiling looking into Luna's eyes. "Personally, I've wanted to see that other new movie...what was it...Avengers: Age of Ultron I believe..."

Luna smiled. "Then we can see both."

Red smiled "I'd like that." He said happily. "What else do you do, if You don't mind, because...I actually don't know that much about Moony's personal life...."

"Well, one other thing I always want to do was get rutted senseless," Luna said with a sly grin, causing Red to slightly pale.

"What are those?"

"How about I show you later?"

Luna smiled slightly. "I'd like that."

"Wonder how long the nurse said I'll have to stay here." He said.

"A few days."

"Then I get an excuse to show you." He said smiling, kissing her hand.

"I look forward to it," she said with a smile as Nightmare woke up.

Red looked over smiling. "Moony...how do you feel?" he asked smiling.

"Fine," Nightmare said, rubbing her head.

Red moves, to try and get up, and hug her.

He wasn't able to though, as he nearly collapsed before Luna caught him and set him back down on the bed.

Red pants, coughing up some blood due to his injuries, as he's put back in the bed. He reaches out to Nightmare Moon, to take hold of her hand at the very least, giving her a kind, gentle smile.

Nightmare took his hand, as did Luna, and they both smiled.

Red smiled. "I love you girls..." he said softly smiling at them.

"I love you too, Red," Luna said.

Red smiled, as he pulled Luna into a hug. "I am so happy to have met you Luna....Would you, perhaps do me a favor now? I can use this opportunity to show you Video games..." He explained.

"When you are better, yes," Luna said, a small smile on her face.

Red smiled. "I was going to ask...you to call Fleur, and Moon Dancer, have them come here and bring some of mine."

"I will send for them," Nightmare said.

Red smiled. "Thank you. please pass on that message." He explained.

Nightmare nodded, and left the room.

Red relaxed, as Night Shade enters shortly after.

"Hello, Captain, princess," she said to Red and Luna.

"Hey Night Shade. How's it going?" Red asked weakly, moving to sit up

"Good, sir," she said. "I came as soon as I heard you were ready for visitors."

He chuckled "no, no need for formalities Night Shade, you can be casual with me at any time." he said motioning for her to get closer so he could hug her.

"Force of habit, sir," she said.

Red chuckled, and hugged her. "Well it's fine...I understand how you mean by that." He said showing support.

"Thank you," Night Shade said.

"I've been meaning to tell ya...you're very beautiful..." he said smiling.

Night Shade blushed. "Th-thank you, sir," she said, looking away.

Red smiled. "So...how are things going with you hmm?" He asked smiling.

"Good," Night Shade said, still looking away.

"Any particular reason you're not looking at me?" He asked curious, as Luna noticed one reason and began to giggle to herself.

"Nope," she said quickly, getting a chuckle from Luna.

Red smiled. "Are you...blushing, Night Shade? Don't be ashamed...please, feel free to speak your true feelings..." He said.

"Well, sir," Night Shade said. "You see, I've felt a certain attraction to you."

"Oh?" Red asied, raising an eyebrow as Night Shade slowly began to turn to look at him.

"Yeah, but given, well," she said, gesturing to Luna, "I didn't think. . ."

"Maybe. so what if I love Luna? So what if I love Fleur de Lis? I like you too." he said smiling as he gently hugs her.

"Y-you do?" she asked.

Red nodded. "Yes, I do darling." he cooed, as he brought her closer.

Night Shade blushed, but let Red embrace her.

Red soon brought her closer, and kissed her. "Night Shade...let me see your eyes..." he cooed as she still wore her goggles.

"O-okay," she said as she removed her goggles.

Red smiled as his blue eyes, made contact with her beautiful yellow eyes. "Such beautiful yellow eyes..." he cooed as he held her close.

"Thanks," she said nervously.

Red smiled. "of course...you know...I know you're the Shadowbolt captain and all but...maybe I can get Nightmare....or rather, Moony...to reassign you as my family's personal bodyguard/errand runner given your speed and skills..." he cooed softly. "What would you say to that?"

"I'll try," she said.

Red smiled, and held her. "perhaps...you can stay here with me? during my stay? it'd be easier for the sake of doing errands for me then...Though I'd understand if you can't due to having to do your own job."

"If that's what you two wish."

"Well, I'd like it if you did, but if you can't I understand." he said with a gentle smile, nuzzling her cheek.

"I can stay," she said, and embraced the nuzzle.