Project Midnight Book Two-Betrayal

Midnight was fast asleep in his bed, one arm hanging over the edge as he gave a loud snore that muffled the sound of his door opening. A small shadowy figure crept closer and closer to the sleeping prince when out of nowhere.

CAAWWWW!!!

"AGGHHHH!!!!" A large red bird startled the prince from his sleep. It was the princesses pet phoenix; Philomena who was playing her usual pranks around the castle.

"DEVIL BIRD!!" Midnight yelled as he chased her out of his room. Much to his surprise his aunt Celestia and his uncle Discord were standing outside waiting for him with a handful of servants holding freshly cleaned clothes.

"Well it's about time!" Discord said sounding impatient, at the snap of his fingers the servants began swarming around Midnight like angry bees attacking a bear.

"Hey! What the-!"

"No time to talk! You're already late." Celestia cut him off as the servants finished dressing him in a casual outfit.

"Late? Late for what?!?"

"To spend the day with your mother of course!" The princess began shoving him towards the front while Midnight tried to convince them that he just didn't have the time.

"B-but I got training at seven! Then I gotta meet with the city council at eight and then-!"

"All taken care of!" Discord helped his wife by making the carpet beneath them turn into a giant wave that sent him rolling towards the exit.

"Have fun! SLAM! Click! click!"

Midnight just stood there completely confused. His aunt and uncle had practically kicked him out of the house and all before he could even have breakfast!

"Uh...Hello? Knock knock Aunt Celestia? Uncle?" Midnight called out to his relatives but nobody answered.

"Midnight! there you are."

"Mother?" Midnight turned to see his mother wearing a casual dress with a large sun hat. The princess greeted her son with a hug and a quick kiss to the cheek while he tried to get loose.

"Mom cut it out!" He cried out, embarrassed by his mothers affection.

"Oh shush! Can't a mother hug her sweet baby boy every now and then?"

"I'm not a baby anymore mom." Midnight protested as he tried to get lose from his mothers grip

"In my eyes you still are. MM!" Luna snuggled him close to her chest as the servants gave a rather loud "Aww~!" before Luna dragged him towards the courtyard where the royal chariot awaited them.

"Where are we going?"

"Into the city. Your aunt and uncle decided you need a break for today."

"But what about Nidra?"

"Your father is watching her. Now come along." The princess shoved her son into the carriage with great haste as the guards took off like a shot, heading straight for the city square. Once the chariot had landed the whole crowd noticed both Luna and her son, bowing in respect before Luna allowed them to return to their daily errands. Midnight had not been on the city streets since he was a boy but he had recognized every street on every corner.

"Now let's get going or we'll be late!" Luna gently held her son by the hand as she took him down the sign marked "Grand Avenue". The street was famous for its five star hotels and restaurants, one of which was Luna's favorite; Le Petie Cafe.

"Welcome to Le Petite Cafe!" Two maids greeted the royals as they escorted them to a window seat while handing them two menus. The manager came to personally greet them.

"Welcome Princess! and your son too! He has grown into quite ze stallion! I am Francois an I vill be you waiter today." He spoke with a french accent and a friendly smile as he took out a small note pad, ready to take their orders.

"I'll have a cappucino and croissant. Midnight?"

"Iced fudge late and chocolate eclair for me."

"Excellent choices! Gossamer! see to zese orders at once! Clap clap!" Francois then proceeded to the kitchen while another waiter placed two waters on the table. While the fact that he was out with his mother was nice, Midnight couldn't help but wonder what she and the rest of the family were up to.

"Mom what's going on?"

"What do you mean dear?"

"I mean you and the family just suddenly waking me up and tossing me out first thing in the morning!" He sounded a bit annoyed recalling this mornings events.

"Oh that. Well....to be honest your father and I planned it. You've been so busy lately."

"Well I have to be so you can have time with Nidra." Luna was surprised by what he said.

"Why Midnight what do you mean?"

"Well I figured that since you had Nidra to look after I'd take on a few of the royal duties around the castle knowing you'd be too busy to have time for her or me."

"Midnight you stop right there!" Luna scolded him as she gave him a firm look in the eye.

"I may be a princess of Equestria but first and foremost I am you mother! and no matter what I will always have time for you and your sister!"

"But-!"

"No buts! Being royalty is important but being with family comes before anything else. Never forget that."

Midnight was shocked. Instead of his mother feeling proud of him taking on his responsibilities as a prince she was ashamed and she had missed the boy she raised so long ago. A while after their meal, the two went for a stroll around the city before coming to rest at the royal gardens on the way home and little by little Luna could see Midnight give a warm smile.

As the hour grew late. Princess Luna saw that it was almost time for her to raise the moon and quickly took off to the castle after giving Midnight a goodbye kiss, the prince waved goodbye after telling her that he was going to stroll around a bit before going home and being a bat pony he was accustomed to staying out late. The night air was calm and cool and the beautiful starry sky his mother brought was beyond comprehension, it felt like he was in a dream.

"AHHH!!!"

"Huh?" Midnight had picked up a feint scream somewhere in the city, it sounded familiar and he decided to investigate, quickly taking off into the night air. Some of the streets were too dark to see even with his bat eyes but thanks to some lessons he learned from his master, Midnight shot out a small screech that gave him a mental map of the city; Sonar vision. Once he had a perfect view of the city he found out where the scream had come from and spotted two thugs robbing a mare in an alley way.

One of the ponies was a rough looking pegasus that began rummaging through the mares bag and the other an earth pony holding a large knife at her throat.

"Hey check this out! Créme de la creme; Daughter of Fancy pants and Fleur de lis. I bet her folks would pay a pretty penny to have her back." The Pegasus smirked as he grabbed Créme by the cheeks only to have one of his fingers bitten.

"AH!! YOU BITCH!!" The robber was just about to slug her across the face when he felt something strong grip his wrist to the point of breaking.

"That's not very nice."

"Midnight!!"

"You little punk! let me go!!"

"If you insist. SWOOSH!!"

"WHOAAA!!! CRASH!!!" Midnight flung him into a trash bin as if he were light as a feather. The second robber was startled and quickly used Créme as a shield, placing the knife to her neck.

"Back of man! Or the lady gets it!" His threat did not seem to affect him as Midnight drew closer, his eyes giving off a feint blue glow.

"Créme. Close your eyes." Midnight warned her as he focused his gaze on the thief.

"I MEAN IT!! I'LL KILL HER!!" He threatened him. Bringing the knife closer to the mares throat.

"No you won't." His voice suddenly began to echo as the area around them started spinning.

"You want to know why you won't kill her? Because you can't, because I'm the one holding the knife now."

"Huh?" The thief looked down to see his weapon was gone and in the blink of an eye Midnight was right in front of him holding the knife up to his neck.

"What's wrong? Scared?" The prince asked in a ghastly voice but in reality the thief was just staring into Midnights eyes, unaware that he had let go of his hostage as well as his weapon.

"No! NO!! G-GET AWAY FROM ME!! POW!!!" A strong right hook was all that was needed to silence his demented rambling before the night guard arrived on the scene.

"Prince Midnight!"

"Evening officers." He greeted them in a formal manner as they apprehended the two thugs.

"Your mother was getting worried sire and sent us."

"I'm fine. Just got a little side tracked, see to it that miss Créme gets home safely."

"Yes sir!" The guards did as instructed while the prince headed home for a late nights rest.

The next morning. All of Canterlot was abuzz with excitement, last nights rescue had made the news.

"Listen to this dear!" Discord called out to Celestia as he took a sip of his coffe.

"Créme de la creme; Daughter of wealthy entrepreneur Fancy pants stated that Prince Midnight-And I quote-"sailed down from the night sky to her rescue." One of the thieves reported that the prince used hypnotism to trick him into letting go of the hostage before being knocked out cold-Oh! Preposterous! Midnight is a regular bat pony, he can't do magic."

"Probably just the editors looking to add spice to the headlines." Celestia suggested to her husband but in secret she and Luna knew that what the thief said in his statement was true and that Midnights powers were beginning to awaken. Knowing this would be the start of something dangerous, Celestia had arranged to meet with Luna the moment all of this died down.

End of Part 2