Zemrite walked the halls of the castle the next morning, having woken up before his lovely princess mates. Though he knew that they’d be waking up anytime soon for the setting of the moon and the rising of the sun. The echo of his boots was the only thing that could be heard, and even those were quiet, giving his skill in being a shadow walker. He walked passed a few guards on his way to the training ground. It was a good chance to brush up on his archery skills before the summit began today. Luckily it was going to happen here in Canterlot and not in another castle away from home.He knew it made both Celestia and Luna happy just as much as it did him.

Once he was out on the range, he summoned his bow to his side through the power of shadow grip. Along with his quiver appearing on his back. The man took and arrow and placed it on the string and pulled back slowly, the sound of the tension on the bowstring could be heard stretching as he takes in a breath and narrows his eyes to focus in on the target. He releases the arrow just as he exhales, hitting the dummy target directly in the head. Then another in the torso, then another in both shoulders, then one more in the throat. Sharpshooting is on target as always. After he gets done practicing, by which he ran out of arrows, he looks down at his bow thoughtfully. This was his trusted weapon. Before he became a Ghost, he was just a simple archer. But this the one and final weapon he had crafted and was able to get to plus twenty. Something that required work and luck to create. The name he gave this weapon? The ‘Dreadwyrm Bow’. Why? Because the items needed to make this fearsome weapon was required from the Dreadwyrm, an enemy that took three guilds to take down.

“We’ve been through a lot you and me…”

The bow flares up with a dark purple fire as if responding lovingly to its master. Zemrite smiles lightly and then reach into his cloak and pull out ‘Demon’s Demise’.

“And you, my dark friend, you have come through when I have needed you as well.”

A red aura surrounds the blade and flares up through the holes in the skull just at the base of the blade. Zemrite looks down at his two weapons and began to speak with them as if they could hear him.

“I ask you both to stay with me till my day of death. I rely on you both for, without you, I am just a simple shadowmancer who can do only so much. Please help me protect the two maresI care for the most here.”

They both flare up again in response, their auras wrapping around his hands that he held them in, then around his arms, his torso, his legs, then back around the weapons themselves. Zemrite knew what their answer was and smiled just a bit more.

“Thank you, both of you.”

He places the weapons in their respective places on his person.He walks to the south gardens and finds his usual spot where he goes to carve you arrows after having grabbed the supplies he needed from the stockroom in the back of the training grounds. He became so focused on the tree which he sat while carving that he did not notice Celestia approaching him from the front. She saw how focused his eyes were, those bright amethyst hues mixed into that black sclera always made a chill run up and down her spine when he had such a gaze in his eyes.

“Zemrite, what are you up to my love?”

Asked the still sleepy alicorn as she sat next to Zemrite and pressed against him, placing her head on his shoulder and nuzzling him affectionately. He looks back to Celestia and gives her a warm smile and a kiss while lightly rubbing one of her ears.

“Just making some new arrows. I was practicing this morning and ran out. My skilled need to be ready just in case something should happen today. Which I am really hoping doesn’t. I take it Lulu took her moony butt back to bed?”

Celestia giggled lightly and nodded.

“Mhmm~. She is still the princess of the night, and her sleep schedule still remains the same. But do not worry, she will be ready for the summit later today, she just needs to get a few hours in.”

He nodded again and sighs, placing the arrow down which he had finished making. Celestia could tell that this summit was on his mind and the potential dangers that came with it.

“Everything will be fine, Zemrite. And if something does happen, I know you will be quick on your feet like you always are.”

“I know Tia. But my first and foremost priority will be the safety of you and Lulu. Not because it’s my job, but because it’s you two. I care deeply for both of you, you know this well. So to ask me to care for anypony else but you two should things derail, I will have to deny that order and make sure yours and Luna’s well-being comes first above all else’s.”

Celestia blinked a few times at his words. The fact that he would defy orders at all surprised her. But at the same time, it touched her that he would do such a thing to make sure that she and her sister stayed safe. She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him close, nuzzling him affectionately while his head rested on her breasts.

“It makes me happy...and I know it makes Lulu happy to that you would go to such lengths to ensure our safety. But you must understand that we are the rulers of Equestria. You don’t have to protect us all the time. We are quite capable in magical combat. It’s just as of recent, these odd...creatures that have been appearing...our magic seems to not have any affect on them.”

Zemrite sighed and wrapped his arms around the larger mare. He nods as he listens to her words.

“I understand that, Tia. I never doubt your or Lulu’s magical abilities. They are damn near god-like if not so. But one wrong move and you could end up hurt like last time. You are powerful in magic, but your bodies lack the physical fortification. You are...what we used to call back in my world ‘glass cannons’. You hit harder than anything but you are soft and squishy when it comes to physical force. And even your magical shields can only take so much of the attacks.”

Zemrite averts his gaze a bit from Celestia, then back to her again after a moment.

“You two cannot be compromised in any way. You two are this world’s rulers after all. Not to mention you two are also the only ones i care most about.”

Celestia understood why he was being so adamant about this. He must have known that being of royal importance that others may not see your views the right ones. Certain ponies or any other beings for that matter may try to strike them down. She removes his hood and gently begins to run her fingers through his thick long hair. His scent of rain and winter pine filling her nostrils. Oh, how much she loved his scent. It suited him perfectly.

“Regardless of what happens today Zemrite, Lulu and I will be fine. We know that if all things come to that point, you will be there to defend us...even though we may do it before you get there.”

She said teasing him lightly. He couldn’t help but smile at that and gave a firm nod.

“Wouldn’t be more humiliating that an assassin was done in by a beautiful princess? I may very well just let you handle it yourself~.’

He teased back. They both giggled and enjoyed the rest of the morning together. The summit was drawing ever closer. Was it going to be derailed like Zemrite felt it would? Or, will everything just go as planned?

--Outside The Summit Chamber--

Zemrite leaned against the wall beside two other bodyguards that had accompanied their respected rulers to the summit. He felt all eyes on him as well. Not one of them could figure out what he was because he was wearing his mask to cover up his face and with all the leather armor he wore which had no holes, it only made it that more difficult. The one out of all the others in the hall that seemed to take interest in him the most was a griffon soldier. She had black feathers that faded into a slate grey at the tip and dark gray fur on her lower half. Her eyes were a bright peach color and Zemrite could feel her gaze trying to burn through him.

“Hey, buddy. Why do you take off that mask huh? Got something to hide?”

Zemrite wasn’t even going to respond to that. The issue with that though, is that the griffon had a bit of a temper, and didn’t like to be ignored or blown off, being the commander of the entire griffon army, defiance didn’t sit well with her.

“Hey, I am talking to you!”

She said in a commanding deep husky tone. Somehow though, it was a sexy kind of husky tone. Zemrite turns his glowing gaze over to the griffon, the amethyst glow sending shivers up the griffon’s spine, but she was about to keep it well hidden.

“Yes, i know you are talking to me. And if this was your ruler’s castle, and I was in your command, I’d address you. But going around and demanding complete strangers to remove their masks is quite rude. How would you feel if I demanded you strip naked right there and now hmm?”

Some of the male guards chuckled and nodded in agreement.

“That would most certainly be a sight indeed.”

Said a crystal pony stallion guard who gave a smirk at Zemrite. This didn’t sit well with the griffon at all. She got up in Zemrite’s face and locked eyes with him.

“You listen here, bub. I am well respected in my country, so you better show just as much respect to me as my kind back home would. I am from a very important noble house there and you will show me the proper respect.”

Zemrite chuckled under his mask and stood on his feet from the wall.

“Why should I give respect to someone who clearly demands it from being an intimidation? You have a pretty face, don’t get me wrong. But your attitude and your behavior is not welcomed here. This isn’t your land to call the shots on. In fact, if your superior came through this door and saw this display you are putting on, I bet she’d be just soooo embarrassed that her top general is getting so upset that someone chose to defy her that isn’t even under her command.”

The female griffon was getting hot under her armor. Not only was this smug bastard talking to her like that, but all the other bodyguards were snickering and laughing quietly behind their hands at her. She moved her talons to grip at the hilt of her sword getting ready to draw, but the doors opened and all the rulers came out. The griffon ruler having come out and saw exactly what was going on.

“General Ravenheart!”

Shoe barked in slight anger as she knew that this could have gotten bad quickly. Once the griffon heard her master’s voice, she quickly jumped back away from Zemrite.

“E-Empress! H-He started this whole ordeal first!”

The griffon ruler looked over at Zemrite and tilted her head slightly. His gaze met with her before she asked.

“Tell me young one, is it true of what she says?”

Zemrite loved it when others called him young. By appearance sure, but time wise, he may have been older than her.

“No ma'am. She got all hot-headed because I did not remove my mask when she ordered me to.I told her politely this isn’t her castle nor does she have any command over others here.You finished at a good time, she was about to draw her blade on me.”

The others that were watching the ordeal nodded in agreement with Zemrite’s words. The Empress sighed lightly and walked over to Zemrite, giving him a very obvious set of bedroom eyes.

“Please forgive my General, my dear. She is used to everyone but me bending to her will. I would be more than happy to make it up to you myself...or perhaps I could command her to service you later tonight?”

Ravenheart feathers fell flat and her eyes widen at the thought. A heavy blush formed across her face. As she frantically waves her arms, the males once again grinning and making ‘Oooooh’ sounds. Zemrite arched a brow under his mask as he looked the empress who was parading her goods noticeably.

“Tempting offer. But I am afraid I am going to have to decline. My two mares wouldn’t be happy if i brought a griffon home with me. Besides, muzzles are a bit comfier than beaks.”

He said with a wide grin under his mask. The Empress couldn’t help but laugh at his little lewd joke. She nodded and walked away from him, swishing her tail playfully.

“Two mares huh?”

“Loooong story…”

“Fair enough. Do take care, handsome.”

She looks back to her general and motions for her to follow, she does so while glaring at Zemrite once more.

“We aren’t done…”

Zemrite shrugged and waited till both Celestia and Luna came out and looked at their lover with arched brows.

“What was that all about?”

Asked Luna as she watched them all leave down the hall. Zemrite sighs and takes his two mares by the hands and squeezes lightly.

“I’ll tell you both over a nice hot bath.”

“Ooooh, yay!”

Yes, bath time. Their routine special alone time together that they shared each night.

Author's Note

Sorry if there are a lot of errors. My program I am using is flipping out on me x.x

May the darkness grant you peace.