Re-Enlistment

I awoke to my muzzle being pet by what felt like somepony's hoof, and opened my eye to see Night Breeze lazily batting at my face. Her eyes were shut, so I assumed she was still asleep. Once again I was the first to awaken, so I tried to slip out of bed without disturbing anypony else, only to find that Moon Sight was wrapped around my body.

I couldn't move without disturbing her, and now Night Breeze was pulling herself close to me. I was trapped between two sleepy mares underneath the bed covers, when the door flung open suddenly to Tower Shield and Halberd entering the room.

"Night Guards, yo-- Wha... Oh... Oh ho ho!" Halberd began, before chuckling at the scene of my eyes poking over the lip of the sheets to look at them, my ears trying to hide behind my head. I must've been blushing as well, because my face was getting hot.

"Hey, if that's how you did things back in your day, we should be more traditionalist! What do ya say, Tower?" Halberd jabbed Tower's side with a hoof, as the two laughed.

"Huh... Wha?" I heard Night Breeze murmur before opening her eyes and quickly unhoofing me. "OH! Oh no! Um, It's not what it looks like!" she tried to hurriedly explain, making the Royals laugh harder.

"What’s all that racket?" I heard Moon Sight complain, squeezing me tight enough to make my pleas of help to come out in a rasp.

"Moon. Please...stop. You're...crushing me!" I wheezed, as Lantern Light came through the door in his armor to the scene.

"Now -that- is wonderful." he groaned, before swiftly turning around on the spot and trotting out.

"Night... help!" I begged, still being crushed by the strength of Moon Sight.

"Moooonie~!" she called, lightly rocking Moon. "Come on Mooonie, it’s time to get up!"

"I don't want to. Five more minutes. This pillow is really fuzzy and warm..." She mumbled, wrapping all of her hooves around my body and leaving me helpless in her grasp.

The Royals decided to leave me to my fate, and shut the door while still laughing. I imagined this would be the new rumor amongst the guard that 'Novel is really good in bed with the Bat pony mares' or something along those lines.

"Keep Moonie warm for me, okay Novvie?" Night taunted, moving to get her armor on for the day as I lay there helplessly.

It wasn't -so- bad, I was just concerned about my ribs remaining intact if she squeezed any harder. Im sure that for Lantern Light, this would've been a dream come true, but it was just making me uncomfortable to be this close to a mare. I counted my graces that she was hugging my backside, as that would've just sent all the wrong signals to my body if she was... yeah.

I may be into stallions, but it's not like my body gets picky over what is making it excited. It just makes it that much more awkward having to explain all of that to a mare that wants a good time.

"Wait a minute, you're not a pillow..." I heard Moon grumble, before lazily shoving me away, which caused me to shoot across the bed and off the other side onto the floor. I really don't want to see her get angry at anypony, because her lazy shove was the equivalent of me trying my hardest to move somepony.

I looked up to see Night Breeze standing over me, her uniformed head upside down from where I lay on the carpet.

"Was it good for you, too?" She taunted, poking my nose with a hoof again before helping me off of the floor.

"Oh yeah." I softly responded in the fake voice that was becoming part of Guard Culture.

"Pfft, good one." Moon giggled from her spot on the bed, before rolling over and taking the sheets with her off the bed.

We quickly donned our armor, making sure everything was in order before we headed out to the dining hall. We got a few snickers from passing royals about the news that had already spread, and we entered the dining hall to the sound of the head chef Ram Sea yelling at some poor cook of his staff.

"I tol' ye 'ets the same thin' as the lass food we made! 'Ets not hard!" He shouted, as the cook made a hasty retreat to the larder.

"Oh, 'ets you lot again! We got tha' same food as before, an' some new stuff that the ditsy unicorn 'Charmed' thought up. Try both if ye' want, ye' won't hurt my feelin's none." He then waved a hoof dismissively at us, and went after the cook that had retreated.

"Well, at least he's nice about our food. I just wouldn't want to work for the guy." Moon said, her usually stoic and reserved demeanor more relaxed around me, now that i had survived a night of her cuddle strength.

"You're a lot more chipper than you usually are, Moon Sight." I noted.

"You're not as bad as I thought you'd be, being an officer and all. Not too many officers would admit to being a Colt-Cuddler, let alone be alright with cuddling with two mares on top of that."

"Um... thanks?" I wasn't sure how to respond to that, but she gave me a pat on the back and we sat down with our food.

I had a bowl of the rainbow apple stuff from yesterday, along with some new kind of vegetable stew. I looked around at the other bat ponies gathered, and it seemed like they were enjoying both dishes. I decided 'the hay with it' and ate the vegetable soup first. It was wonderfully seasoned and had a lot more flavor than I would've expected, and the rainbow stuff was just as good as it was yesterday.

***

We gathered as a group for another briefing, and lightly talked amongst ourselves before Captain Armor came through the double wooden doors.

"All rise, for Princesses Luna and Celestia!" he announced, and everypony shot to their hooves in salute as the goddesses of the Sun and Moon entered the assembly.

"Please, none of that for now." Princess Celestia said, waving a hoof for us to return as we were. "My Sister and I wanted to reassure you personally that we deeply appreciate all that you have done for us. I fully expected you to all to leave the Night Guard and restart your lives as soon as you were able, but my sister Luna spoke highly of your collective loyalty and sense of duty." She spoke with a motherly tone, reassuring and calming while also determined and firm.

"We could not stand idly by, while you continued to be imprisoned in stone for crimes you did not commit willingly." Luna continued, "Today is to be the great declaration of the return of my Night Guard. I am most grateful that all of you have chosen to remain in my service, but I would ask why you have chosen so." She asked.

There was some murmuring between the Night Guard, all apparently saying different reasons. I decided to speak up.

"The Oath!" I shouted, and looking around I saw some eyes light up in remembrance. Soon, the entire room stood at attention and recited the Oath as one.

"Princess Luna, We swear loyalty to you, and only you. We will serve forever in your name until you release us, or death take us. We will cast aside self-serving interests and will complete our duties without sabotage or deceit. On our lives we swear this. Praise Luna!" We finished with a shout that shoot the ornate windows, as our voices sounded loud enough to cause some Royals to hold their ears in pain.

Princess Luna seemed taken aback, and slightly embarrassed as her sister Celestia gave her a curious look with a raised eyebrow.

"We, may have gotten carried away when we made the Night Guard, dear sister. It was over a thousand years ago and-" she was cut off by Celestia draping a wing over her sister in a hug.

"Don't worry, Luna. I’m not angry with you or disappointed. I just find it amusing that the oaths these ponies swore so long ago are still being held true after all this time. I have no doubt in your judge of character for choosing these ponies to serve you." Her voice remained soothing and calm throughout, reassuring the Princess of the Night that all was well.

After a moment's pause, Celestia continued to address us.

"Now, we are going to be in front of the majority of Canterlot's populace. We will make the announcement of your return, and you will march as a unit into the city square in the middle of all of my little ponies." She finished with an affectionate tone that spoke of motherly love, rather than a condescending one.

"It will be crucial that everything goes to plan, and of course with any plan, it won't." she finished with a smirk and wink, before returning control of the meeting to Shining Armor.

"Alright, make sure you're all geared up in your armor and looking presentable. Though with how you look now, that won't be an issue. The highest concern is that the population is still on edge after the Changeling attack, so we're going to have Royal Guard stationed along the pathway on crowd control duty. If things really start getting out of hand, I want you all to fly back to the Palace. Understood?" His eyes sweeping over the Night Guard, and we returned his gaze with our salute.

"Hmm, still haven't gotten the 'new' salute down to memory. Oh well, It will probably distinguish you from the Royal Guard, if the bat pony features didn't." He finished with a smile.

***

The ceremony was going on very well, until the citizens of Canterlot heard the uniform marching of a hundred ponies coming around the corner. With our heavy armor of the Night Guard, the sound was deafening as we marched. Ponies that had missed the ceremony hid in their shops or anywhere they could, really. I few unicorns had taken to lifting up objects to throw at us, before a stern look from a Royal Guard made them rethink their actions.

We came to a stop in the center of the square, to dead silence. Only the sound of breathing and a few newborns crying were heard as we stood in formation facing the Princesses. Several moments passed, and it felt like eternity as I saw ponies looking at us nervously.

Suddenly, I saw a filly running through the crowd. She burst through the line of Royal Guard that was keeping the crowd back, and she trotted down the lines, searching for somepony. Then I realized that it was Ghost Trapper!

We locked eyes, and she ran over to me. I stepped backwards and left formation to a few grumbles and hisses of 'what are you doing?!' as the filly jumped into my hooves.

"Hi Novel! I missed you!" She practically yelled in excitement and hugged me as I leaned over to return the hug with one of my armored hooves.

A few ponies that were on edge and extremely concerned immediately let out a collective "D’aaawww..." and the tension in the crowd deflated as the news traveled through the ranks of the gathered population. Moments later, a pony cheered and started a chant amongst the crowd.

"Long Live Luna! Long Live Luna! Long Live Luna!" They shouted, stomping their hooves in applause. This went on for a short while, before Celestia and Luna called for the crowd to simmer down, as they continued the ceremony.

"My little ponies, it has come to my attention that the Night Guard of a Millennia ago still wish to serve the ponies of Equestria. They have given many times their lives in service to both my Sister Luna, and to you as well. When they were released from their imprisonment by the Elements of Harmony, I gave them the option to return to a normal life where they wouldn't have to serve. They could've chosen to live happily and freely like they never would've been able to a thousand years ago." She paused for effect, to let the words sink in before continuing.

"Not a single one of them took up that offer, and instead chose to -continue- serving the people of Equestria in our time of need. I ask that you get to know the ponies of the Night Guard, as they are determined to make your lives safer than they ever have been before. With the recent Changeling attack, they will bolster our forces and allow for greater protection against enemies both seen and unseen. Don't let their appearance deter you from making friends, as I'm sure they won't be shy about wanting to be friends with you."

"Over the next several months, we will be reviving the remaining ponies of the Pony Cotta Army, and give them the opportunity for a free life, or to continue in service. Whatever they may choose, I request that you treat them with the same respect as you would with anypony else. I know they will do the same for you." She finished with a reassuring smile, as the crowd cheered her words and the end of the Ceremony.

I looked back to Ghost Trapper, who was standing on my back and asked, "How did you know it was me? Don't we all look the same?"

"Well, you're the only pony with Purple eyes! It's not -that- hard to find you, ya know." she cheerfully pointed out, trying to noogie my mane through the helmet on my head.

"I'm glad you showed up when you did. It looked like things were about to get pretty ugly there for a moment." I heard Moon Sight say, joined with Night Breeze and Lantern Light.

"I thought we'd have to fly out of here, with the stares I was getting. You'd think we were the ones that attacked Canterlot!" Lantern added.

"Well, I guess the filly is as good a judge of character as any. I’m just wondering about your eyes, Novvie." Night Breeze said while nudging my helmet with a hoof.

"Hey, I don't know why my eyes didn't change like the everypony else's. I just consider it a perk." I defensively replied.

"Don't get all upset about it, I just want to know how it happened is all." Breeze replied, a hoof raised in mock surrender.

We stuck around for a few hours, mingling with the city-folk and doing our best to educate and clarify things about Bat Ponies. One pony even asked if we ate bugs, to which we collectively gagged at the thought. A few more curious characters talked with us, asking questions about guard life and what it’s like inside of the Palace, but they were met with blunt answers that were vague enough to not reveal any information. We may have been gone a thousand years, but we knew when to keep our mouth shut. Especially when it came to the security of the Palace and the Princesses. The ponies left in good humors, but I could swear that it vanished as soon as they got out of earshot of a normal pony.

"Let's go back to the castle. It's getting dark out and we've been talking and playing politician all day." Moon complained, and we all agreed that it was time to return to the castle.

***

We greeted Tower Shield and Halberd at our door, amongst other guards who would taunt me with calls of 'Oh yeah!' when they spotted me. It was nice that I had started a fad, but it was also getting slightly annoying that it was replacing 'Hello' or any other greeting amongst the guard.

"So, everypony want to cuddle together, or are you gonna get all upset again?" Night Breeze taunted Lantern Light with a prodding hoof, as we all took off our armor.

"Ya know, I had expected that we'd all have our own places to live by now. I don't know how long it’s gonna take for them to get that arranged, but I don't think it can come soon enough." he lamented.

"Yep, gonna keep being a party pooper. Come on, Novvie. Let’s go cuddle!" Night called out, landing on the bed and springing up a bit, before coming to a standstill.

I had finished taking off the last of my armor, before asking, "Are you sure? Don't you remember the drama that happened this morning because we did that?"

"Yeah, but everypony can go suck hayseed for all I care. You're ridiculously fluffy, Novvie. You make the best pillow." She was blushing, and that was making me nervous.

"Um... you know I’m into Stallions, right? Cause you're blushing and I'm getting worried that you're having...ideas..." I meekly replied, slowly walking toward the bed and looking anywhere but her eyes.

"Oh for the love of CELESTIA!" Lantern Light cried out. "Fine! I'll cuddle with Novel and you two!"
"Yaaaay!" Moon Sight and Night Breeze cheered in unison, their apparent plan to tease Lantern into submission working perfectly.

"U-uh... are you su-" I stammered before being yanked onto the bed with covers being thrown on me.

"Yep! Get on in here, Lantern! Don't be afraid of your C.O., He won't bite!" Moon beckoned him with a hoof.

"And besides, if he does bite, you can bite back! Everypony here has fangs!" Night joined.

"Sexy, pointy fangs!" Moon returned.

"Alright, Alright, enough!" Lantern surrendered, pulling himself underneath the covers of the bed.

"Just... No funny business. Ya hear?" He said, looking right at me.

"W-what do you mean?" I replied.

"No gettin' aroused!" he almost shouted, making me recoil and hide under the covers.

"Hey, no being Stallo-phobic to Novvie! It's not his fault that you're a Barn-case." Moon taunted with a tongue sticking out at Lantern.

"I am -not- a barn-case!" he defensively protested.

"Are too!" Night and Moon countered.

"Am not!" he shrieked.

"Jeeze, you're defensive enough to be one." Night said, blowing a raspberry at him.

"Can we just sleep now?" I whispered, covering my ears from the shouting.

"Come here, squeamish!" Moon cheered, grabbing me from behind and squeezing me tightly like a plushy toy.

Night Breeze then shifted around, and pushed Lantern Light into me, belly first. I looked at his face and blushed deeply.

"Not. One. Word." He warned, giving me a hard stare as I tried to hide my eyes and just go to sleep, hoping nothing embarrassing would happen during the night.