Twilight's Escort

***Four Days Ago***

Twilight groggily wanders through the grand corridors of the palace. She was drousy, hungry, sore beyond all belief, and her mane looked like a bird's nest. The night before ran through her mind over and over again. The things she did with Luna... No, not Luna.

*Was that really Nightmare Moon?* Twilight thinks to herself.

It couldn't have been possible, could it? Nightmare Moon was destroyed. She couldn't have been real. Twilight looks down at the black amulate around her neck.

*She seemed pretty real when I was eating her out...* Twilight groans to herself. *What am I doing? This... This isn't me... I've never done this before...*

Then, she remembers Celestia. Twilight's heart jumps into her throat as the many scenarios of endless punishment torment her mind. She had a scheduled date with Celestia, and she didn't show. Instead of showing, she had sex with Celestia's sister... Luna... Nightmare Moon... Whichever.

*Oooh... She is going to hate me...*

A Royal Guard passing by in the corridor notices Twilight in her ruined state. She gives her a quick salute. Twilight gives her a weak smile.

"Is... everything alright, your highness?" The guard asks. "If you don't mind me saying, you look a little..."

"I know... Twilight groans. "I... I really need something to eat. Where is the kitchen?"

The guard points with her hoof in the opposite direction Twilight was heading.

"I was heading there myself." The guard says. "It is a part of my morning rounds. Would you like me to accompany you?"

Twilight really didn't want any company, but the guard's sweet smile was to kind to resist. Twilight nods her head with difficulty, and the guard beams.

"Excellent. Just follow me, your highness." The guard says cheerfully a she begins patrolling to corridor.

Twilight hobbles after her. There wasn't much to do as they walked together. Talking wasn't an option. Twilight didn't want to have any conversations with any pony. The palace was an empty place. They passed another Royal Guard on the occasion, but other than that, the palace was deserted.

"So, what were you doing last night that put you in such a bad spot?" The guard asks.

Twilight groans. This is exactly what she didn't want, questions. The guard continues walking at a constant pace while patiently waiting for an answer. Then, she starts making up her own answers for Twilight.

"I'll bet I've felt something similar to what you are feeling, your highness."

*I doubt it...*

"A few guard buddies and I went out drinking at Joe's Donut place. Not a great decision, let me tell you..." She says with a chuckle. "A few shots of Red Baron will leave you feeling like road kill, but the rush you get, that's something else entirely."

Twilight actually found this amusing, and she lets out a light chuckle.

*Maybe this mare isn't so bad.*

"Red Baron?" Twilight asks. "I've never heard of it."

"Ah, she can speak!" The guard jokes, her shrill laughter echoing though the corridor. "The... The Red Baron? That's just a little brew we guards conceived ourselves. It's a bad mixture of a whole lotta bad stuff..."

The guard laughs again. Twilight was just starting to like this mare. She wanted to hear more about her new friend's crazy, drunken adventures. Unfortunately, the conversation was cut when they reach their destination, the kitchen.

"Well, here we are, it was nice talking to you, your highness." The guard says softly. "I... I better get going. I have to complete my rounds."

*What? No! Don't go! I don't want you to go yet!* Twilight's mind screams.

"W-Wait!" Twilight manages to say.

The guard pauses and turns around.

"Yes, your highness?" She asks.

"I... I never got your name..." Twilight admits.

The guard smiles. It was such a happy smile. It made Twilight feel warmer just by looking at this mare smile.

"It's Storm," The guard says. "Storm Rider."

Twilight holds her hoof up.

"Will you... stay with me, Storm Rider?" Twilight asks. "I... I would like some pony to talk to while I eat."

The guard's expression was sad. Her smile was gone.

"I'm afraid not, your highness. I must continue my rounds." Storm says.

Twilight curses silently.

*Well, at least she is committed to her job than I am to Celestia... I really need to apologize to her...*

Twilight shakes her head to clear her mind of the negative thoughts. She then smiles weakly at the guard.

"Alright... Well, I don't want to keep you from your job any further." Twilight says.

"Oh, you didn't do anything of the sort, your highness!" Storm Rider protests. "This stop is on my round. It was my pleasure to escort you. I'll see you around, your highness."

Then, as the guard is turning to leave, she gives Twilight a sly wink. Twilight's heart jumps a little.

*Did she mean what I think she means?* Twilight asks herself. *No! What am I doing? Stop it, Twilight!*

Twilight hits her hoof against her head as she trudges into the kitchen. She made a mental note to eat as much as her stomach would allow. She had a long day ahead of her.

***

After her breakfast of champions, Twilight begins her mission. She needed to find Celestia, explain why she didn't show for their date, and beg for mercy. These objectives are not exclusive to the order, though. That is just a formality. Twilight climbs the solar tower to the princess' personal study. She hoped to find Celestia there, though she wouldn't mind if Celestia wasn't there, either. That would postpone the banishment, at least.

*How should I beg for mercy?* Twilight asks herself. *Should I grovel at her hooves or cry until my eyes bleed?*

Both options sounded unappealing. Unfortunately, the study was occupied. Celestia was inside. Twilight takes a deep breath as braces herself to face the princess. Then, she taps gently on the door frame. Celestia looks up and notices Twilight for the first time. Her expression wasn't kind or welcoming.

"Hello, Twilight Sparkle..." Celestia says flatly. "I see you've found time to include me in your schedule today?"

Those words hurt Twilight, but they were supposed to hurt. She had ditched the princess for her younger sister, after all.

"Luna told me everything..." Celestia continues.

She stands up and approaches Twilight.

"E-Everything?" Twilight whimpers.

*Here it comes... I hope there are books on the moon...*

Celestia towers over Twilight, her expression unmoved.

"I had no idea... that... I was dating such a wonderful and caring filly..." Celestia says as she embraces Twilight.

*Wait, What?!*

"Um... P-Princess, what are you talking about?" Twilight asks as she struggled to break free from the white mare's wings.

"Oh, don't be so modest, Twilight. Luna told me you were invited last minute to attend a classroom ful of young, disabled fillies and colts. It is so thoughtful of you, to see those little ponies and share your knowledge of friendship with them. Though, next time, I hope you will tell me, so I may cancel our dinner reservations."

Twilight was without words. They had abandoned her. She wasn't being punished. She wasn't being banished to the moon. Twilight was being praised for something she didn't do. She didn't know which was worse.

"Uh... Right... Hehe..." Twilight laughs nervously. "You know, those poor, disabled colts and fillies..."

Celestia pulls her into another tight hug.

"Oh, Twilight, I am so happy to have a mare friend like you... So, there are no hard feelings about the ring?" She asks.

Twilight shakes her head. It wasn't a very ethical way to get some pony's attention, but it was an effective way. Now, Twilight saw the ring as a great gift for its ability to increase her sexual hormones and stamina. Luna's gift had similar effects... Did both princesses know about each other's gifts? Twilight shakes her head, dismissing the rouge thoughts.

"No, princess. In fact, I'll go down to my room to get it..."

"Oh? Is some pony a little eager?" Celestia asks playfully, poking Twilight's belly.

Twilight giggles as she princess guides her to the door. As Twilight leaves the study, like fate had struck again, she bumps into a familiar face.

"Your highness? I wasn't expecting us to meet again so soon." Storm Rider says causally as she passes by the study. "What brings you to the solar tower?"

*Hello there, you...* Twilight thinks to herself, eyeing the guard.

"I... I was just up here to see Celestia..." Twilight says.

That was it, really. There was nothing wrong with that. There was nothing to hide beyond that. The guard looks disappointed, almost as though she was expecting a more interesting story.

"Hey, uh... do your rounds happen to pass by the royal guest rooms?" Twilight asks.

Storm gives her a funny look.

"That is an interesting question, your highness. Unfortunately, no. My rounds do not involve the royal guest rooms."

Twilight's gaze lowers.

"Oh... Alright then-"

"Fortunately," The guard cuts her off. "I have finished my rounds, so I may escort you to your room, if you'd like..."

Twilight couldn't have said 'yes' any faster.

***To Be Continued***