Lady Luck Smiles upon thee
Nightmare Moon sat in the semi patched ruins of the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters. Ever since the ordeal with the Elements of Harmony and her being split off from Luna, none of the ponies, save Princess Twilight or Princess Celestia even thought of visiting her. As for Cadence and Shining Armor, running an entire Empire hampered their good intentions to visit her, but they at least had their doors open if ever she needed a warm place to stay while up north.
Princess Twilight did the same thing, and Nightmare Moon spent countless nights in the castle. However, she was turning the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters into her home. While the restoration job was going on, she was out doing some house supply shopping in Canterlot. She had taken to wearing a cloak and not her armor when going out, but that didn't help alleviate fears.
“I guess my disreputation proceeds my current actions,” she muttered coldly.
Finding a sandwich shop, she sat and ordered a sandwich. Eating it in silence, she scanned the stores in her immediate vicinity. Book, movie, grocery, clothing, household apparel, and general stores lay all over the block. As she returned to her sandwich, a clank was heard and a dull blackish red Pegasus stallion in Celestial Gold Armor came up to the table.
“Excuse me, ma'am, is this seat taken?” He asked.
A firm, yet calming voice came from the stallion. Nightmare chuckled.
“If you count air as being a living being that can occupy a chair and eat a sandwich, then yes,” she said.
He chuckled and pulled out the chair. He looked at her after sitting down and removing his helmet, he glanced around and then sat back.
“It's grateful that it's the weekend,” he said. “Sometimes I can't stand the other guards. If you thought high school fillies and colts are immature and disgusting, these stallions act just as childish, going as far as to drench a Stallion's handkerchief in hot sauce and put him out of action.”
Nightmare Moon chuckled, “I don't know how you put up with these ponies.”
“It takes a lot of will power and money, mostly money,” he said.
Nightmare chuckled. The stallion sat back and ordered a carrot and apple sandwich. As the waiter departed with the order, the stallion looked at Nightmare Moon.
“I'm Sergeant Pyro Sphere,” he said. “And you are?”
“Nightmare Moon,” she said, knocking back her hood.
He merely raised his brows in admiration. It seemed that the mare of legends had more sides than a piece of parchment. Sitting straight up, he gave a quick look around before looking at her.
“Okay, now, Ms. Moon, I want to ask, what brings you here?” he asked. “Causing trouble?”
“No,” she said flatly. “I'm here to shop for additional features to my house, such as lamps, fans, bathtubs, you know, normal necessities to make a castle feel like home.”
“And what castle is that?” Pyro asked.
“The original castle that Princess Luna and Princess Celestia ruled,” Nightmare said.
Pyro gave her an amused chuckle.
“I take it that the castle was free,” he said.
“Yes,” she said. “It was actually fitting for me, but a home's a home and I'm not complaining.”
Pyro nodded. “I've actually been out and about myself on my free time.”
Nightmare's ears twitched straight up. Pyro chuckled.
“I take it your looking to have a special somepony in your life?” he asked, sitting back.
“You could say that,” she said.
“What's with the defeatist attitude?” he asked.
Nightmare explained everything to him. He leaned inward and looked her in the eye.
“You need to know one thing about yourself-you are as strong as you view yourself,” he said. “Let those others view you as something your not. A mind is a complex thing and to view one side is a sin that makes that pony look foolish in the end.”
Nightmare smiled gratefully at him and after they ate their lunch, he accompanied her on her errands. She enjoyed his company and he enjoyed doing some shopping. To the Royal Guard, it was a small paradise that he could get used to.
Once they finished, he headed back to his post, only to be summoned by Celestia. He hoped that he'd be given the light treatment, however, upon entering Celestia's day court room, he found it empty of all life, except Celestia, who was sitting rather contentedly.
“You wanted to see me, your highness?” he asked.
“Dispense with the title, Pyro,” she said.
“As you wish,” he said. “I suppose you have spies everywhere to tell you who your guards are with.”
She gave him a bemused chuckle.
“No, Pyro,” she said. “I have called you in here because while I was out looking for a book to read, I saw how you and Nightmare Moon got along with each other. I was wondering, would you like to be moved to where she resides, to be her guard?”
“If your okay with that,” he said.
“It's fine by me, but what are your feelings?” she asked.
“It's a nice change of pace,” he said.
Celestia smiled and after dismissing him, she summoned his commander, a Dark grayish blue unicorn stallion.
“Ah, Captain Cobalt Streak, I assume you know why you are here?” she asked.
He nodded, and chuckled.
“Hopefully, he'll get to have her as his special somepony,” he dryly chuckled. “Considering he's about as romantic as a rotting tree.”
Celestia chuckled, then cleared her throat.
“Anyway, I wanted to run this by you before we sign off on the transfer,” she said.
He nodded and trotted off to fill out the papers. The hours seemed to be days to Celestia, who couldn't contain her happiness. She had strong gut feelings that somehow Nightmare Moon and Pyro Sphere were going to go down a road that had never been truly trodden, the road of having love and marriage straighten out a villain who's past has stained her image.
Nightmare was in the dining room, reading a cookbook. Pyro Sphere was cleaning up his lance and swords. The castle's main dining room had just been restored as did the sleeping quarters of Nightmare Moon and Pyro Sphere.
However, their time alone wasn't in vain. Pyro Sphere was busy talking with Flash Sentry, who was currently dating Princess Twilight Sparkle about love and maybe getting some pointers. As for Nightmare Moon, she spent her time reading books about interdimensional travel. She felt that there was something from some other dimension calling her.
Deciding that she'd need some help in understanding what was exactly going on, she drafted a letter to Princess Celestia and had it sent off via magic. She waited all of half an hour before Celestia replied. Reading it, the Alicorn of Nightmares' brows lowered into an expectant position.
“At least she's able to be direct,” she muttered.
Another half an hour passed, during which time, Nightmare spent time getting the main foyer ready or as ready as it could be with all the construction going on. When the time was up, there was a knock on the door and Nightmare Moon opened the door to reveal Celestia.
“Welcome,” Nightmare said, moving aside to allow the Solar Princess to enter.
Celestia gave the castle a once over.
“It seems to be going back to it's former splendor,” she said, wistfully. “If only the past could be altered and Luna hadn't become...”
“I understand completely. I wish the same thing at times,” Nightmare said.
“Anyway, I got your letter, and it turns out that your calling isn't actually from a different dimension, it's from the human world,” Celestia said.
“Intriguing,” Nightmare said.
Celestia nodded.
“Indeed,” she said. “However, the connection you have is with two young kids, who have no one to lean on. They live in an orphanage in a place called Bournemouth. I heard it was the place to relax when you need it.”
“Must've been a nice place,” Nightmare added. “But that begs the question-why are two kids in such a state if they're in the place of relaxation?”
“It fell on hard times,” Celestia said. “And they were placed in the orphanage after their parents passed on. However, it seems that you were destined to save them.”
Nightmare nodded. Celestia continued.
“I believe that you and Pyro Sphere have something special,” she told the Nightmare Alicorn.
“Thank you,” Nightmare said.
“I can tell you that whatever your choice is, that you will share it's fruits with those close to you,” Celestia said.
“Thank you, Princess,” Nightmare said.
“Please, just call me Celestia.”
“Yes pri...Celestia,” Nightmare said.
Celestia chuckled. As she walked out, she stopped by where Pyro was setting up a fruit and vegetable garden. The pegasus was just getting ready to plant some zucchini. She gave a small, curt nod as if making a mental note and then trotted off the castle grounds before teleporting away.
Something no pony knew about Pyro is that he had a knack for gardening, despite his cutie mark being a polished lance over a ball of fire. It came in handy when he needed food quick and with his recent position change, it gave him a chance to utilize his secondary skill.
After three and a half hours planting all sorts of fruits and vegetables, he trotted into the castle and looked at Nightmare, who was lost in though.
“Nightmare? Equestria to Nightmare. Are you in? Come in Nightmare,” he said waving a hoof in front of her face.
“Huh? Oh, sorry,” she said. “I was thinking about something.”
“What?” he quizzed.
“Celestia told me that I was feeling a strong bond with two human children who are down on their luck,” Nightmare said. “Are....”
Before Nightmare finished her statement, Pyro had two saddle bags prepared.
“Rations, money, journals, cameras in case we find anything interesting, our best cloths,” Pyro said.
“How'd you get your hooves on cameras considering your not in the press,” she quizzed.
“Let's just say, being a guard gives you plenty of time to know your cities,” he said.
Nightmare shook her head. She'd rather not ask her the stallion that would hopefully be her coltfriend and from there, her husband.
As for Pyro, he was cleaning his armor and setting it on a ponyquin, so as it didn't get damaged, and it took him a long time. Once he finished, he joined Nightmare, who gave him a teasing smirk.
“What kept you so short?” she quizzed. “Reading a thesaurus?”
“No, cleaning my armor,” he said. “Otherwise Shining would have me on a silver platter.”
She chuckled and opened a portal to a rather decrepit building. Pyro used a hoof to brush some vines away to reveal a faded wooden sign which read “Bournemouth West”.
“Funny name,” he said.
“Well, we're here in the human world,” Nightmare said. “We are here for a specific reason.”
Pyro nodded, but he pulled out his camera and took photos of the closed down railway station. Nightmare looked out and noticed that the station faced the sea.
“That's beautiful,” she whispered.
Pyro walked alongside to see the sun sinking behind the ocean. He looked at the Nightmare Alicorn, who was turning and walking off the platform.
“Must've been a sight to behold,” she mused.
“It seems that way,” He said. “Anyway, where are you headed?”
“Hopefully towards the orphanage,” she said. “Come on.”
He followed, wondering if Nightmare actually had a plan. Then again, she seemed to have some form of plan in her head.
Following her into the town, he glanced at many of the shops, which all looked to have seen better days. Eventually, they reached the local orphanage, which stood out with it's pristine greens, brasses and crimson schemes. The large doors were immaculate and bore the words “Safe Havens”.
“That I doubt,” Pyro said.
Nightmare knocked on the door and it was opened by a rather cold and very unwavering lady in her mid fifties.
“Yes?” she growled.
“I'm here to adopt,” Nightmare said. “Do you have any twins in need of a good home?”
“What's it to you?” the orphanage owner asked.
“I heard through friends that you do, and I'm willing to give it a go,” she said.
The owner grunted. Gesturing them inside, she marched up the stairs and in two hours, she was proceeded by the twins. Both were boys, nine years old. She didn't seem to be bothered that they were leaving.
“Take 'em and get,” she snapped shoving them out and slamming the door in Nightmare's face.
“What a piece of work,” Pyro snorted. “If I wasn't an officer and a Gentleman, I'd tell let her have a piece of my mind.”
“It's okay,” Nightmare soothed. “Anyway, we should go home.”
One of the kids, a blond haired, silverish blue eyed, light tan skinned youngster seemed to be scared to the two talking ponies. The other was interested in that and even curious. They were even more surprised when Pyro walked towards them.
“Ready to go to your new home?” he asked.
“Uh..yes, sir,” they said.
“There's no need to be scared,” he said. “We aren't here to hurt you. We're here to help you.”
The blond kid hid behind the other one. Pyro chuckled and gave them a soft, tender look. With careful precision, he hoisted the bags onto his back and then carefully hoisted both kids. While they were scared, he seemed to be rather caring and so did the winged unicorn.
Nightmare opened a portal back to the castle and the four of them went through. However, Nightmare's curiosity was piqued. The castle had been only partially restored when she left and she hadn't any spare funds to hire additional workers or get additional materials.
Standing in the main foyer was a Changeling, who was looking rather irritated at several unicorns.
“You what?” he asked.
“We lost the bricks for the east wing,” One said.
“More like threw them at a manticore,” a second muttered.
The Changeling groaned and rubbed his temples.
“You can't find good help these days,” he groused.
He had a thick accent, which to the human kids, sounded like he was from Northern Britain. He rubbed his temples again and turned to Nightmare and Pyro.
“Ah, Lord Pyro, Lady Nightmare,” he said. “It seems you caught me at my worst.”
All four noticed he had a blue body, red svelte with white stripes around his legs. He had cranberry red eyes and his wings were slightly bigger and he was only an inch taller than Nightmare.
“I'm Union Jack,” he said. “I was hired to overlook the restoration project by a pony who wished to be anonymous.”
Nightmare chuckled and took the kids to their room while Pyro and Union had an interesting conversation over gardening. Who knew that that Changeling had a green hoof? Surprises lay around all corners.
When Nightmare got the kids to their room, which was upstairs. She looked at them.
“What are your names?” she asked.
“I...I...I'm Harold,” the blond said.
“And I'm Rex,” the other said.
“Ah, it's nice to meet you. As for my name, just call me mom and the pegasus downstairs you can call dad,” Nightmare said.
The kids gave a small nod of understanding. No sooner had she helped them unpack their belongings, then a knock came. Nightmare opened the door to reveal Union Jack.
“You're requested downstairs,” he said.
Nightmare looked at the kids, who were sleeping on the bed. After placing a blanket over them, she walked downstairs to see Shining Armor sitting, chatting with another Changeling. This time this Changeling had a red body, gold stripes, white svelte and calm blue eyes.
“And as I was saying to my brother, we need to make sure the dining room can accommodate the family and guests, but he said that it's fine in it's current state. I don't know about you, but I think that his idea is ludicrous,” the Changeling said.
“I see it in two lights,” Shining said. “Yours is correct in one aspect, as is his, but I'd recommend doing what works for this castle. Granted this isn't as fancy as Canterlot or as spacious as the Crystal Empire or as tall and crystalline as Ponyville's, but it's not trying to be any of those.”
The Changeling smiled.
“So what I suggest is a compromise,” he said. “Make it a medium sized dining room. Enough chairs to seat say 12 guests, plus the family, but no more. Canterlot Castle's dining room can easily seat all of Canterlot and Ponyville no problem. The Crystal Castle, where I reside, can fit all of Equestria with plenty of seats to spare for the Dragon Empire. As for Ponyville's castle, it's able to seat my sister, her friends, me, Cadence, Celestia, Luna and that's it.”
“Okay, We have overkill seating and not enough seating,” the Changeling chuckled. “Let me guess, the guest rooms are off the charts?”
“Yep,” Shining said. “I converted one into a lounge, much to my wife's chagrin.”
“You, going against Lady Cadence's wishes?” the Changeling asked. “I bet she loved that.”
“If you count sleeping outside for a month loving that, then yes,” he chuckled.
“Well, I guess being married to a Princess isn't all that it's cracked up to be,” the Changeling said. “Remind me to never get married.”
He laughed at this.
“You? Lionheart? Come on. I know you too well.”
“Ha,” came the snort.
Union walked over, chuckling.
“Hassling my little sister?” he asked. “You know that's my job, right. That's why I'm paid.”
“Yeah...wait...you get paid to hassle your little sister? I was never paid to hassle Twily,” Shining muttered. “Some brothers.”
“Wait, your Princess Twilight's brother?” Lionheart asked.
“Your her private guard and you didn't know? All the times I came by and asked how my dear little sister was doing?” Shining quizzed.
“I thought you were teasing her,” came Lionheart's reply.
“Nope,” the Prince said. “She's my little sister.”
Lionheart nearly swallowed her tongue. He was talking to her charge's sibling.
“I'm sorry, Lord Armor, I was always taught to do my job,” she said.
“And you do a fine job,” he said.
Nightmare stood there, watching the scenario. Lionheart caught Nightmare out of the corner of her eye.
“Ah, Lord Armor, here is Lady Nightmare,” Union said, bowing.
“Dispense with the titles,” Shining Armor said. “It feels forced when you are so stiff. I wouldn't mind being referred to as Shining when in your company.”
The two nodded and headed out, Lionheart going out to help Pyro, who had gone into the garden while Union went to the shops for groceries. As For Nightmare, she stayed behind to tour the castle and check on the kids.
As she wandered around the castle, she asked herself if it would all work out in the end. Little did she know what really laid ahead.
