Author's Note

Sooo sorry this took so long!
Have another chapter

On our own (Night Watch)

Chapter Three: On our own (Night Watch’s POV)

“Sister, did you not hear anything last night?” Luna asked.

“My guards informed me that the medical wing had a new visitor last night, but they said you would take care of it,” Celestia replied. “I trust you, so I let it be.”

“A new visitor?” I snorted. “It was a bloodbath!”

Luna raised a hoof and glared at me before turning back to Celestia. “Sister, two ponies are dead, several have been injured.”

“What happened?”

I shrunk back. In just a second, Celestia's behavior changed from the calm and polite ruler she was to one of outright anger and authority.

“There was an attack in the armoury on my guards. It seems the weapons were spelltrapped and attacked everypony within reach,” Luna replied and I was sure she studied every single expression of her sister.

Celestia stayed silent for a second before talking again. “I'm very sorry, Luna. I know they are not only your guards, but also your friends. If I might ask, who died?”

Luna turned around and I was shocked. A lonely tear made it's way down her muzzle and she nodded to me, allowing me to speak up.

“That's why we are here today,” I said. “Night Dust died, but that's not all. Sunset Streak was also killed in this attack.”

“I—I don't understand,” Celestia replied slowly. “What was one of my guards doing in your armoury?”

“This is a bit more of a problem—” I started, but Blue interrupted me.

“No, it's not. Celestia. Sunset Streak was the marefriend of Midnight Flow. They were trying to spend time together, that's why she was in our area.”

“This is unusual.”

“Why should it be?” Luna suddenly snapped. “Because she was one of mine and not worthy of your Royal Guard?”

Celestia's expression hardened. “That's not what I meant and you know it.”

“Then tell me what you are going to do about this! Two guards are dead, killed by an attack that shouldn't have been possible from ponies they are meant to work with!” Luna continued.

“I know what you are implying and I do not agree.”

“It's the only possibility!” I cut in. “Maybe Grey Plate or his friend are on a quest for revenge!”

“We can't know that for sure,” was the only thing Celestia said before looking out of the window.

I couldn't hold back anymore. “Are you bucking kidding me? Moon Shield and Midnight Flow are injured, among with many others. Night Dust and Sunset Streak are dead!” I stopped and tried to calm down. “We—and that also means you—have to do something, or it will end badly.”

“What do you mean?” Celestia's gaze fixed me.

“I mean, that if word gets out and we don't act quickly, there will be war.” I paused and sighed. “And it will be the worst kind of war. Do you really want bat ponies and normal ponies at each other's throats?”

Celestia's eyes narrowed. “I'm not interested in any internal war... because I know what would happen.”

“You are still afraid that we overpower all your normal ponies. While that might be true, we're not interested in this. What we want is the truth,” Blue Moon calmly spoke up. “If you cannot serve the truth, there will be revenge, and the ground our hooves tread upon will forever be stained red.”

“I say it again, I doubt that it was Grey Plate.”

“Why?” I just asked.

“Because he is assumed dead,” Celestia sighed. “About four weeks ago, we received news from Manehattan where he apparently fled to after losing everything. They found a body, burned too much to properly identify. But from what we gathered, it has to be Grey Plate.”

“Are you sure, Sister?” Luna asked my question. “We cannot afford any errors in this matter.”

“I'm not sure because I only received the words, but I trust the council of Manehattan.”

“Since when do you trust the nobles?” Luna coughed.

“I trust them,” Celestia said again. “Is there anything else?”

“You can't simply—” I started to shout, but Luna shook her head before motioning to leave.

“No, Sister. Have a nice day.”

***

“Is she bucking serious?” I asked as the door closed behind us, sealing us away from any prying ears outside Luna's bedchamber.

Luna hesitated before answering. “I have to admit, I expected something else entirely. It seems we will have to take care of it by ourselves.”

“I don't want to be a stick in the mud, but how? How can we even assure the ponies nothing bad happened if Celestia isn't helping us in this matter,” Blue said before snorting. “And I really doubt that Grey Plate is dead. The burned body has got to be somepony else.”

“But we can't prove it,” I cut in. “What is more of a concern if you ask me, is that Celestia seems careless about this.”

“I agree,” Luna nodded. “But this is my sister we are talking about. I doubt she would've stayed that calm if she did not have a plan. The problem is that we cannot wait. We have to keep the armoury closed and bring in somepony who's talent is in magic. In fact, I already have one in mind.”

“Who?” Blue and I asked simultaneously.

“Twilight Sparkle.”

“I don't know,” I started slowly, just to be interrupted by Blue.

“Still having that memory?” she teased.

“How can I not?”

***

Several years earlier

“Captain!”

I spun around just to see the newly crowned princess smile at me.

“Princess,” I bowed my head. “I hope you’re enjoying yourself.”

“It still feels unreal. I mean, how often do you get crowned as Equestria's newest princess?” Twilight giggled.

“Well, I guess as often as somepony suddenly gets wings,” I grinned and she shrunk a bit back. “Sorry.”

“Not a problem. It is still a bit scary to see you smile at me with those fangs on display,” she replied.

“Still trying to get used to us? Despite the stories going around, we're not mindless, blood-loving creatures.” Except the last part, I added silently with a grin.

Twilight mustered me before sighing. “You're still different. Especially your wings. Mine are alien to me, but yours are really interesting. I wonder if flying with them feels the same.”

I shrugged. “I’ve got nothing to compare it to, flying’s flying.”

“Can I touch them?”

“What?!” I just asked, flabbergasted.

“Is it okay if I touch them?”

“I don't know..:”

“Please?”

I sighed before unfolding my wings. “Alright. Just be careful”

Twilight went to my side and inspected every part of my wing with a fascination I could only describe as one from a foal. It was kind of cute, but also a bit embarrassing how she took every detail in. It took her a few minutes before she raised a hoof and gently touched my wing.

“This is so fascinating!” she squealed. “As if I'm touching warm, but thin skin.”

She moved further, and I had to say it was nice. As I was about to warn her to not go further, I hissed and my wings stiffened. She had gently trailed her hoof over my wing muscles and to the joint at my back. Zones I wasn't really comfortable with touching, since they had more than a pleasant effect.

“Oh, did I hurt you?”

“Twilight, stop it.”

“But why?”

“I'm not going to tell you.”

Twilight watched me for a few seconds until she added two and two together. Her gaze wandered over my stiff wings, then to the slight pinkish hue on my cheeks. “Oh, oh Celestia, I'm sorry!” she squeaked. “I better go!”

I didn't even had time to tell her to calm down. She just ran away from me.

***

“So you are scared that she will remember?” Luna giggled.

I snorted. “I thought you alicorns hardly forget anything, so excuse me if I don't want to take the risk. It was embarrassing enough.”

“She just wanted to learn something,” Blue interjected.

“Hey! Whose side are you on?” I asked her, pouting.

Blue laughed and gave me a small peck on the muzzle. “If she still remembers, I'm here to protect you.” she paused as I shot a glare at her before continuing. “And if she doesn’t, all is well, right? You're mine anyways.”

I grinned smugly. “Something, it seems, I have to remember you tonight again.”

Blue grinned back and suddenly, there was a wing on both our backs. “Might we join in?” Luna asked, showing her teeth.

“What?! No!” Blue said while my answer was something between “Hell yeah!” and “OWW BLUE!” as my wife kicked me strongly.

“You know she's mine, and mine alone,” Blue scowled before I could hold her back.

“Such a shame,” Luna sighed. “You two are adorable and quite hot. Seems like I’ll have to find another guard for tonight.”

“I think Midnight needs a bit more time before doing something like that,” I replied, already knowing what was in her mind.

“But the fun could've been doubled!” Luna stammered, which we just answered with unamused glares. “Bad joke?”

“Midnight Flow needs somepony to talk to, Luna. Not somepony to buck with,” Blue said sternly.

“I never said that I would take her to bed. I just said I would take a guard for tonight.”

“What's the difference?” I asked.

“There are… many?” Luna answered weakly, adding a small smile that was anything but helpful.

“Luna, you dog,” Blue said with a smile. At that all three of us laughed a little. Luna’s proclivities were a horribly kept secret in our ranks. We were sure that others knew, but they either turned a blind eye to it, or they achieved a form of cognitive dissonance that I can’t immagine.

I was the one that stopped laughing first. My expression turned sour, ruining the mood.

“Night Watch, what’s wrong?” Luna asked.

“This isn’t right. I mean… they died, and it seems like Celestia…”

“As was said, my sister wouldn’t be that calm if she didn’t have a plan. And I know that Princess Twilight will be more than willing to help.”

I looked up. “Still…”

“I know, I won’t let this be. You have my word as both your princess and your friend.”

“My princess? Don’t I technically outrank you?” I asked, and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t keep the smile off my muzzle.

“Only during times of war, General.”

“Night, are you trying to put that big beautiful brain to work on this?” Blue asked.

“What? No…”

“Yeah, you may be good at sucking, but not so much at lying.”

“So thou are saying she sucks at lying?” Luna asked.

“You two are the worst,” I replied.

“Why’s that?” Blue asked with a small grin.

I scowled before smiling. “Because I’m going to show you later how good I suck.”

Blue looked at me with those bedroom-eyes I loved so much and I lost myself in them until Luna coughed.

“I suggest you leave that in your bedroom, or I won’t ask you two to join me anymore… politely that is.”

Somehow, I managed to tear myself away from Blue to look at Luna. “This is serious though. Word will spread quickly, and my soldiers will demand action.”

“Our soldiers,” Luna corrected, “And I’m well aware, General Night Watch. Trust me, I will not let this rest without the culprit being brought to justice. In the meanwhile Twilight Sparkle shall ensure that nothing else is trapped, and implement safeguards to ensure that this never happens again.”

“She… she can do that?” Blue asked.

“She is… how do we put this? Quite skilled when it comes to the magical arts. In a thousand years neither me nor my sister have meet anyone quite like her. I’m sure with her help we can spell-proof the armor and weapons.”

“How come we didn’t do that earlier?” I asked. “Somepony like that would’ve been a great asset on the field.”

“She is not an asset for your use, general. She is a princess. One with a kind heart that has never known the true horrors of the sort of wars we fight.”

I shrugged. “Whatever. I’m still not comfortable with this. We have to do something, or we’ll have the whole army on the edge of revenge.”

“I am aware of this. You have my word.”

“Good, I—wahhh!” I shouted, cut off when Blue stuck her muzzle between my legs and lifted me up to slide down her back. “Blue, what the hay!”

“There’s nothing more we can do about it now,” she said.

“Then what are you doing?!”

“Taking my wife home. After all, she owes me a good night, plus all the things she promised me earlier but I never received,” she snorted as answer.

“But, but, but, but, but…”

“I think she’s only interested in one but, general,” Luna said with a laugh.

“Not you too!” I groaned, but was only followed by Luna’s laughter as Blue carried me away.

“You know this is totally unfair, right?” I asked, completely put off, but somewhat enjoying it all the same as she trotted down the hallway.

“Everything’s fair in love and war,” Blue sung cheerfully.

“But what about the foal?”

“You don’t weigh that much,” she said, laughing.

“Blue!”

“Hush, she’ll be fine. Right now I just want to get you home.”

I huffed at that, but said nothing more. Several ponies saw us leaving the castle. But only the nobles had the nerve to remark upon it. And that was just with upturned noses or looks of incongruity. The guards and soldiers we passed wouldn’t dare.

I had saved their lives too many times for them to say anything.

“Blue, this is not the way to our bedroom,” I said after a while. “Where in Luna’s name are you taking me?”

“Somewhere special.”

“Blue, I’m serious! Where are we going?”

“Maybe I managed to empty the royal baths just for us two?” she replied innocently.

“You WHAT?!”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I… I…” I paused. My gaze met her’s and, as much as I hate to say it, there was a ‘put-off’ look on her face. “Surprised is all, thank you.”

She smiled at me. And I couldn’t help but kick myself. We’d been married for some time now, and it was easy to forget sometimes just how much I loved her, just how much I loved that smile. I had spent too long worrying about everything around me, and forgot about the most important thing I had, the thing that truly mattered: I had a loving wife that was carrying my foal.

As she spread her wings to fly us over to the bathhouse, I sunk my fangs lightly into her right ear.

She tensed up for just a second, and then relaxed. I could feel her cooing ever so slightly at my actions.

“No you don’t,” I whispered softly. “The doctors said no work, that also means no flying with big load like me!”

“But you are small,” she cooed back, upon which I bite again; this time a bit harder. “Alright, alright, we’re walking.” she quickly added.

Her wings folded back and she continued her trot. More than once I tried to unmount her, but she quickly unfolded her wings and held me up. It was a bit embarrassing, but I knew she meant only the best for me.

“You know you could let me down,” I sighed.

“No.”

“Pretty please?”

“Nope.”

“Blue.”

“Night.”

“You really need it bad, don’t you?” I asked, giggling slightly.

She huffed, but turned her head to glare at me. “It wasn’t your fault, but you left me hot and bothered, not to mention so wet that I soaked the Luna damn sheets and now you are going to make up for it!”

“How?”

“You better have no appointments scheduled tomorrow.”

Oh dear.