It was a cool, fall afternoon in the city of Canterlot. And the view from the castle was lovely as always. It would seem, as cooler seasons drew nearer, the beauty would increase. Into the Castle gardens, would be Taylor, laying under one of the trees with his hood over his face to keep the pesky sun from invading his nap time. It had already been a long and hard month of training ever since he and the four princesses have decided to prepare things earlier than intended. over the month, he has developed both his mind and body. While he still wasn't slime fit in the slightest, his muscle has grown under his belly, giving himself a bit of a four pack. Maybe if he didn't eat so much, he would slime down faster, but nah, food is good. Though he did fit nicely into his now new leather armor that was created for him, it was pure black with lightning and tribal markings all along it, , it covered him fully from upper neck to all the way down to his boots. He still wore his favorite coat and cloak that Rarity had fashioned for him with such care, that wasn't leaving his choice of clothing ever. His hair had gotten just a bit long as well, and his beard had also grown out a little as well. but he kept it neat and trimmed. He looked like he had aged a bit more as well, finally looking like he was a man of twenty-five, finally rid of that baby face of his

Taylor was snoring lightly, a butterfly landed on his nose, flapping its wings as it greeting him in it's own way, then would fly off as a pony approached him, clearing her throat and giving him a 'I found your hiding spot' look. It was no other than princess Celestia, no doubt wondering where he had been all day long.Taylor opens his eyes slowly to see her standing over him

"Ah, afternoon Tia. Finally found me did you?"

He asked as he sat up and looked to her, she gave him a playful glare

"If you have time to be napping around Taylor, then you must be so powerful you could defeat me and Lulu at the same time huh?"

"Aw come on Tia...I have been training my ass off. And the result have been promising as Lulu has told you. And I do believe that I bested Lulu in practice battles a few times. So that counts for something right?"

"Only because she has grown even more fond of you and nearly swoons every time you show off your abilities, and you use that against her."

"Tia, in battle, you must do what you can to throw off your enemies right?"

She would puff her cheeks up at him with another glare, but then would sigh and smile lightly

"Taylor, sometimes I wonder how you do it. You still remain such a sweet and humorous pony. While you are mastering such dark powers that me and Lulu used to fight against so many years ago. Its...oddly refreshing to see such a power on our side for once. And the time I have taken to get to know you more. You become more and more dear to me and the others everyday."

Taylor would feel the same way about Celestia and the others as well. To him, Celestia was like the mother he had always wanted. She accepted him and supported him in his decisions. And comforted him when he needed to speak about something that was bothering him.Twilight and Cadence have both become like sisters to him. Even though they were both princesses. and he was just...well just Taylor, they would hang out a lot when Taylor was training with Luna. As for what Luna had become to him, she was now his most beloved and trusted friend now. The month that they have been spending together, both in and out of training was...something that Taylor had always wanted, but never got to have back home. Though something about Luna would tug at both his mind and heart. And this feeling has been growing more and more everyday when he spends time with her. He was then brought out of thought by Celestia clearing her throat

"Taylor, I don't need to remind you...that the Grand Galloping Gala is within two days time. Are you finally going to tell me who you are taking?"

Taylor's eyes widen and shifted, looking for the quickest way out of this situation now.

"Oh my...would you look at the time.I uh...got a thing...yeah. the thing needs to be taken care of..."

He then turns into his smoke form and zooms under Celestia's legs and out the garden exit, Celestia,not too pleased with his tricky escape, gave chase in flight

"Taylor, you aren't getting away from me this time! We have kept you in hiding for awhile now. It is time that Canterlot knows about the being that may be the one to save them from a certain fate!"

"I Told you before Tia. I don't like being in big crowds, much less snobby nobles! And I will not deal with your arrogant nephew again!"

Celestia would try to capture his form into a binding spells, be his was just so quick in this state that he would just shift to avoid the shots, she was cursing Sombra for giving him his power, but the chase went on for nearly thirty minutes, flying through the other gardens, the rooms of the castle, all over the place in fact before Celestia would throw her trump card, she grinned as she did.

"But Taylor, all your friends will be there. The elements, Cadence..."

"Even if they are all there, it won't be the same without Lulu!"

"Then ask her to go with you silly boy."

Taylor was about to continue his escape until Celestia said that. Could he really work up the nerve to ask a pony to a formal gathering? Let alone the princess of the night? He would take his normal form once again and looked to Celestia, who had a rather victorious grin on her face, but would sense the nervousness from him now, walking up to him and placing a hoof on his shoulder. She gave him a reassuring nod

"Don't you worry Taylor she won't say no. In fact I know for a fact she won't. After you see her tonight, just ask her."

"Easier said than done Tia...but if you think it will all go alright when I do ask her. I have faith in your prediction. I will give it a go. But IF I do go to this gathering. I am staying away from the nobles. I pop out, introduce myself, then I am vanishing like smoke."

Celestia would smile wider and nods, she would chuckle lightly at her next thought

"And you will have to dress nicer Taylor. As...handsome and dangerous looking as you are. Leather armor and those boots aren't going to cut it. I have already sent for Rarity to come here. I know you only trust her when it comes to making you clothes. Now head to your chambers so she can get you measured up. She is nearly here by now I am sure of it."

Taylor nods and begins to walk off, but turns to Celestia and suddenly wraps her into a hug, she was a bit taken back by it, but closed her eyes and wraps ehr own hooves around him lovingly

"Thank you Tia...you and all the other girls have been so good to me. Even your guards are more friendly with me now than ever. I am really glad I was brought here..."

"We are all glad you are here as well Taylor. You have given everyone here a new outlook on life, that even darkness can mingle with the light."

And with that, she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Now, run along silly."

Taylor would nod and began to make his way to his chambers, passing guardsmen along the way and greeting them a silent greeting, they smiled and did the same as he passed. He finally made it up to the chambers he was staying in, funny enough, it was right under where Luna's bedroom was, sometimes he could hear her pacing back and forth up there when she wasn't sleeping, or even talking to ehrself. As he removed his cloak and coat, he would hang them up neatly and makes his way in front of the window, stretching out his body, the leather making its stretching sound as he did

Suddenly, he heard the galloping of hooves coming towards his room. He braced himself for what was to come. His door swung open with force, and there she was. The fashionista with hungry eyes and a big grin, she would leap at Taylor with open arms and latch herself onto his body, he would fall back and let out an 'ooph!' as he was hit. She nuzzles and buries her face into his chest, then looks to him

"Oh Taylor dear! We have missed you so so much back in Ponyville! I am sooooo happy that I get to see you once more though!"

"Hello there Rarity. Good to see you as well. Miss you girls a lot. How are the others anyways?"

"Oh they are doing alright darling, they are doing what they do you know? Or helping Twilight with a friendship problem."

Taylor would chuckle and began to pet Rarity as she laid on top of him, she would enjoy the attention completely and sways her tail

"Hmmm, as nice as this little cuddle session is Rarity. Don't you need to get started?"

Taylor would regret reminding her why she was here, her eyes little up and a big smile appeared. This...made him nervous

"Oh Taylor,I have the most lovely idea for your outfit, I even had a mannequin especially made for your kind."

"How much will I owe you once it is done?"

"Oh worry not dear. Though...if you would like to repay me, you could give me a dance at the Gala.."

She would look up at him with those beautiful big eyes of hers, batting them every so skillfully. She has had practice with her charm skills,that much is certain. Taylor would grin widely and knelt down in front of her, bringing a gloved hand to her cheek and stroked it lovingly, getting the same reaction he did back at the castle in Ponyville

"Very well Lady rarity. I shall honor you with a dance. It will be a spectacular one as well."

Rarity turned into a pile of pony pudding after that, she twitched and was giggling to herself like she was on some kind of narcotics. Taylor would laugh a bit and began to remove his armor. Rarity shot back up at the sound of the falling pieces and the unbuckling of straps, soon he was wearing absolutely nothing in front of her. It took Rarity everything she had not to plow him into the floor again and have her way with him. He was very attractive, and she liked the fact that he wasn't overly muscular to, he still had quite a bit of softness around his body that she was sure would be divine to snuggle into all day, especially wrapped in those arms of his. Her eyes ventured further down, her eyes tracing over each scars that was on his body, seeing the last ones he had gotten brought up memories of his heroism, and how he had risked his life to save her little sister. Then she saw it, his member hanging freely between his legs as well as his rather impressive sized orbs. This young man looked rather well equipped to handle a mare here. Though stallions are bigger here, he wasn't exactly lacking either

"Uhhh Rarity?"

Taylor noticed she was starring at him with those hungry eyes again. She approached him and gave him a seductive stare.

"Oh sweety...what I would give to have just one night with you.."

She would close her eyes and chuckle gently

"But i already know you have another pony on your mind. You are in love with her."

Taylor would blink at her and tries to play dumb.

"I-I don't know what you are talking about Rarity."

She would motion him to follow her to a little stand in the middle of the room she had brought with her.He stands on top of it and holds out his arms as a measuring tape flys around his body

"Oh Taylor.I have an eye for these things. Behind that dark and broody image of you. is a heart that is ready to burst open. Whoever she is...she will be one lucky mare. I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous.."

She said with a cute pouty face as she continued to work, but maintained her professionalism since she was now on the job. Shelooked up at him with a serious look now, her quill writing down the measurement Taylor would gaze back to her

"You better be good to her Taylor. Show her that she means the world to you and keep her smiling.."

Taylor would then avoid her gaze as he could no longer deny what two ponies knew about his feelings. He would shudder as he finally admitted it to himself and out loud.

"I do love her...very very much. But I am scared Rarity. What if she doesn't feel the same way? Especially since I am not exactly one of your kind."

"Then she would be a fool to not accept your love Taylor. And if she did deny you of that. I would swoop in and steal you for myself. But I am sure your love will reach her Taylor. Just trust me."

She would finish measuring him and gathered all the things she needed, she walks passed him, brushing her tail across his his inner thigh, giving him another sultry stare

"See you soon, stud."

She said as she closed the door behind her, Taylor was about to lift a finger in protest, but she was already gone. He stood there stunned fora moment. Then shook it off. Since he was already undressed he would decide to get a shower in while he had the time before meeting up with Luna. The two had planned their free night to go and hang out. And he was going to ask her to the Gala. He clenched his fists. Enough hiding his feelings for her. He would tell her at the Gala. And would hope like hell she would accept his feelings.

--Canterlot Eastern Garden, Nightfall--

Taylor was in his casual attire now, sitting in front of the large pond that he and Luna liked to hang out near. He looked up to the sky, she seemed like she made her night sky more beautiful every single night. He would close his eyes and feel the breeze blow through hist hair and against his face. his mask fully illuminated by the the moon. All was quiet, until he heard hooves approaching him. He shifted his gaze to see none other than Luna, a warm smile on her face as she then galloped towards him and pounced on him, nuzzling and rubbing against him affectionately. His hands reaching up and wrapping around her in a warm hug, happy to see her likethis again

"Hey there Lulu. Glad we finally have sometime off from the training. I like getting to see you like this.

Luna would smile up at him, her eyes meeting his. She nods in agreement

"Indeed Taylor, it is nice to be able to spend time with you when not in the heat of sparring or constantly hammering techniques into your head"

She said to him,playfully sticking her tongue out at the last part. Taylor brings a finger to her nose and boops it playfully

"Well,maybe if you understood that lightning and dark crystal magic are a hard thing to combine, you would get why I am so cautious with it. After all, I don't want to hurt you when sparring."

"Is that why you are so over the top when you show off? So you can distract me and pin me down when I am in awe? You sneaky sneaky man."

They both laughed and would sit there for a while, she rested in his lap while he held her in his arms.They would always cuddle like this whenever they had the chance. And it was very very nice.

"So how has night court been going Lulu? Do you have it again later tonight?"

Luna would groan at the mention of night court

"OH Taylor...you don't know how much I wish you were there with me to scare off these annoying nobles. The come and complain about the most silliest things."

He grins and prepares his most snobbish accent

"'Oh some peasant stepped in front of me while was walking!' Or, "I told the waitress to put the hay fries on the other side of the plate!'."

Luna couldn't help but go into a serious giggle fit as he would hit the nail on the head. She loved how he mocked the nobles, in fact, she loved it when he was the one who made her laugh and smile. She looks to him with her beautiful teal eyes, she wouldsearch his, sensing something was nagging at him, she reaches up and lightly places a hoof on his cheek.

Taylor,what is bothering you?"

This was it,it was now or never,and Taylor didn't like the never idea at all

"Well Lulu...as you know the Gala is coming up and I know I said I would never go to it...but if you were going..well..."

His heart was racing quickly, Luna looked at him with a tilt of her head,he finally asked her after a moment of silence

"Would..you want to go with me?"

It was quiet for a few moments, but to Taylor, it felt like an eternity. Luna would bring her hooves to her muzzle, he eyes wide and sparkling. Tears nearly ready to fall from them

"N-n-nopony has ever asked me to go...they have either been to afraid or showed no interest...they would always go for my sister or anyone else...and of all ponies..it is you who asks me. I..I think I am about to cry...I am so so happy right now! Yes, yes I will go with you Taylor!"

Taylor noticed a few things about Luna when they were alone together,she would let her guard down...and she was almost...adorably childish with him,and he loved every moment of it. He would smile in return and let out an inner breath of relief, he looks to Luna with a big smile of his own.

"Lulu...have I ever told you how adorable you are when its just us? You are like a little schoolfilly who is having the time of her life with her future sweetheart."

Luna would blush brightly and cover her face with her hooves and shakes her head

"A-am not! Don't tease me!"

They would both laugh together and enjoy the rest of the night together. After a couple of hours, Luna had to go to night court. They parted ways after hugging her closely

"I will look forward to the Gala now Lulu."

"Neither can I Taylor...neither can I."

As taylor walked away and out of sight of her, getting her squeal and dance on her hooves before running off.

Author's Note

Aaand another one, enjoy!

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May the darkness grant you peace.