Return of the Night Guard
Chapter 1 Welcome Home Sister!
Luna and Celestia were enjoying a dinner of salad and a grape wine. The Sun Guard was standing guard to make sure no one interrupted the two sisters. It had been one thousand years since they seen each other. Clearing the air between each other was priority number one.
“I am so sorry sister. I was a monster.” Luna exclaimed in self-loathing. “If it weren't for me becoming Nightmare Moon, I wouldn't have lost so much time with you, Onyx and Shadow. Have you heard from them?” She asked worried about the answer.
Celestia smiled at her sister. “I received a message last night. They are on their way and should arrive in Canterlot tomorrow night.” she said chuckling as Luna glowed. “I've kept in touch with them every few years. Turns out they had merged with a smaller earth pony clan. They are all coming home.”
Luna was stunned. Onyx and his ponies were known as bat ponies. Bat ponies and the rest of Equestria never got on well due to the way Bat ponies fed. They were blood drinkers but had the ability to get nutrients from fruit as well. “When did this come about?” Luna asked wanting more details.
Celestial thought a moment. “From what I remember Onyx telling me about 500 years ago his people saved a group of ponies traveling. Apparently they ran afoul of bandits. The bat ponies had been out gathering fruit when they heard the screams.” she said then took a drink of her wine.
“They chased off the bandits and helped the earth ponies settle on a strip of land nearby to where they lived. Over time the two groups started intermingling and finally merged into one group.” she said giving a short report.
Luna listened in silence. In awe really. She knew Onyx was different from the old bat ponies. She was truly proud of them “I can't wait to see him again. I miss my mate.” she said softly.
Celestia smiled softly and wrapped a large white wing around her sister's younger form. “He's missed you as well. Your son has as well.” she said nuzzling her sister as her sister broke down in silent tears. Celestia hummed softly rocking her sister.
After a while Lunas crying slowed. “Come, you need a warm bath and sleep.” Celestia said firmly as she guided her sister to Luna’s room. She sent the guards away to do whatever they did when off duty.
She got Luna's bath ready and helped her in. “Relax little sister.” she said softly to the half asleep mare. Luna sighed as she settled into the warm bath and went boneless as the warm water started soothing her sore and tired body. She only moved to the soft directions of her sister. Soon enough Luna was done and dried by Celestia’s magic.
She crawled into bed and was asleep before her head hit the pillow. “Goodnight sister. Sweet dreams.” Celestia said kissing her sister’s forehead before using her magic to tuck the mare in tightly like she did when Luna was younger.
She went to Luna’s window and pulled the sun down and brought up the moon. When that was done she blew out the candles and closed the door before going to her room for the night. The next few days many changes would be coming.
The Night guard was returning.
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After Luna was tucked into bed, Celestia left for her own room. Her mind was busy thinking over the past couple days as she helped her sister get settled back into the castle. It was going to take a lot of work before the two sisters were over the past.
She curled up in her bed and used magic to pull her cover over her back. She laid there lost in thought. It wasn’t just Luna who was sorry. She herself had many regrets. She was prideful and thought she knew best being the eldest. But that wasn’t true. Part of it was her fault that Luna became Nightmare Moon.
For the longest time after she banished her sister, she hated herself. She doubted that she could make the changes necessary. Then shortly after her brother-in-law Onyx left with his ponies and her Nephew. Onyx was a broken pony with only his son to keep him anchored to this world.
If it wasn’t for her pride and naive trust, her niece Moonbeam would still be alive. The twins were so very adorable. Shadow Star looked like his father in body shape and color, except his mane and tail was pure white. Moonbeam was his opposite. She was pure white with Luna’s light blue mane.
Luna was suspicious about the Council. Her spies had found a plot to off the pair of them. It was Celestia’s own Consort who was behind it. She couldn’t even bare to remember his name. It took the assassination of Moonbeam for her to see what was in front of her the whole time. No one expected what was to happen next
They were all devastated by her loss. Sweet Moonbeam who was the sweetest little filly you could ever meet. She was inseparable from her twin despite both being complete opposites. Then ‘HE’ destroyed her. He was her Almost Uncle because Celestia and the Consort were not married yet.
When it was found that the Consort was the one who killed the little princess, he was put to death along with his accomplices. Luna wanted the Council broken and got her wish because soon after the Council was disbanded. Now it was the royal family who ruled. Celestia, Luna, Onyx and Shadow.
Soon it would be down to Celestia when Luna was banished. Onyx, Shadow and their ponies went into hiding. They were forgotten until Luna’s return. She was a bit worried by this sudden change but knew it was time for them to return. They'd been hidden too long. She was excited to see them again and couldn't wait for the new changes. The Ponies wouldn't know what hit them. Now that the alliance was coming together again.
Author's Note
This is the first story I've ever written. Criticism is welcome, but no flaming. I'm here to learn more about writing and enjoying my stories even if they aren't perfect. MLP belongs to their writers.
Return of the Night Guard
Chapter 2: Ponyville and Family Reunion
Onyx sighed as he sat in his carriage. He was both excited and nervous about seeing his Luna Moon again. His last sight of her had been when Celestia had used the Elements of Harmony to banish her to the moon. He understood why Celestia had done what she did, but part of him still wished things could of ended differently.
If it hadn't been for pride and the loss of their twin daughter Moonbeam, Luna would never of let the darkness take hold of her. Onyx and Luna had known each other since they were teenage foals. It was because of them that Onyx ponies found peace in the first place. Things were so different back then!
Many emotions flitted across his face as he thought back to how they’d met in the first place. Anger, pain, betrayal, bittersweet happiness. He felt all range of emotion. If he had two regrets in life, they were getting to know his little Moonbeam and saving Luna from herself.
His thoughts were broken as their son Shadow Star entered the carriage. Onyx smiled at his pride and joy. “Your bags put away?” he asked in his smooth deep voice.
“Yes father, bags are up and everyone is ready to depart.” Shadow responded. He was nervous about meeting his mother for the first time in centuries. He barely remembered her but what he did remember was a beautiful dark alicorn with a purplish-blue mane that had white specks that seemed to sparkle. She would home him close and sing to him when he had bad dreams or just needed comfort.
“Good. I’d say it’s about time to go meet up with your mother and aunt.” he said firmly. He poked his head out of the carriage to tell the guard they were ready to go. His group contained about 20 bat ponies including his Luna Moon’s two personal guards, Nightfire and Starfire. They were twins and very dedicated to their mistress.
A minute later the carriage started moving and was soon in the air. Four bat ponies were pulling the carriage. The trip back to Canterlot would take about three days so the ponies would change every night to give the other ponies rest. Other then stopping to eat, sleep or relieve themselves and stretch they kept moving.
On the third evening as the sun was going down they arrived over Ponyville which was a short distance away from Canterlot. They had to stop due to one of the Bat Ponies being injured. He had pulled a wing muscle and he needed to switch out with another Bat pony for the rest of the journey.
When they landed they were greeted by a random group of ponies staring at them in fear. Onyx understood why that was but that still made him sad. It was their own fault for being so reclusive. Onyx left the carriage and called out to the gathered ponies. “My name is Onyx. Might I ask who the leader of this town is?” He asked calmly.
A middle aged mare made her way out of the crowd. “I am Mayor Mare.” the beige earth pony replied. “Welcome to Ponyville. How may we assist you?” she asked with a smile. She was curious about these new ponies and to be honest a bit nervous about them as well. She’d never seen or heard of these type of ponies before!
“My son and I are traveling to Canterlot and we had to stop to heal one of our retinue who’d injured his wing. As I said, my name is Onyx and my son over there is called Shadow Star. It’s been many, many years since we’ve been here.” he said as he pointed to his son who was healing the injured bat pony.
Ms. Mayor Mare smiled at them as she was trained to do. Inside though she was a bit freaked out by these new ponies. “Well then, you are free to stay as long as you need to. Shall I send someone ahead and let the Princesses know you will be a bit delayed?” she asked knowing she could have Twilight send the message via baby dragon fire.
Onyx thought about it and turned to see how the injured was doing. From the looks of it Shadow was just about done. “No thankyou. If it is ok with you could our injured rest in town for the evening? He’ll be back to good in a few hours. Shadow is quite good at healing.” he said with pride for his son.
“Of course...we shall get a room prepared for him at the Inn over there.” Mayor Mare replied pointing her hoof at a mid sized building. The Inn doubled as a cafe as well serving breakfast and brunch. Shadow overheard the conversation and helped his injured comrade to the inn. He got the injured pony in his room and came back out.
Onyx looked down at his son as Shadow stood next to his father. “He’s settled in.” Shadow stated softly. Onyx turned to Mayor Mare. “Thank You for your hospitality Ms. Mayor Mare.” Onyx said with a small bow to her. “Hopefully we can come back and explore a bit once our business is concluded.”
Mayor Mare nodded. “Of course. We will await your visit. We have never seen ponies like you so I know we are curious to learn more about you.” she said politely. As that was said the rest of the Bat Ponies were already preparing to be on their way. They were just waiting on Onyx and Shadow to get back in the carriage to head off.
Onyx and Shadow bowed politely before getting in their carriage and gave the orders to continue onward.
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Twilight Sparkle was fascinated by these new ponies. She’d heard rumors of them. Even heard some childhood stories that were meant to keep young foals in check. But to see them, to actually see them up close was interesting. She had so many questions for them, but possibly the biggest question was what they were doing here now. She decided to write to Princess Celestia to ask if she knew they were on their way.
“Spike! I need you to send Princess Celestia a letter for me.!” she told her young green and purple assistant. “OK, ready!” Spike said a moment later. He had a scroll and a feather pen ready to go. Twilight smiled and started dictating her letter while Spike wrote it down.
Dear Princess Celestia,
I have some interesting news to inform you about. There are strange ponies headed your way. They look like regular ponies except they have bat wings instead of normal wings like Pegasi do. They seemed nice. The leader is named Onyx and he had his son with him that he called Shadow Star. I’m pretty sure they are bat ponies but I could be wrong.
They said they were on their way to Canterlot but had to stop in town due to one on their ponies injuring his wing. The son, Shadow Star, had healed him. Ms Mayor Mare allowed the injured pony to stay at the Inn. Were you expecting them? If not, is there anything you would like me and my friends to do?
Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle
“That is all, Spike. Please send that immediately.” Spike nodded as he rolled up the parchment and sent it to Princess Celestia via his green flame. “Done. What do you think they want?” Spike asked looking at his mother/sister figure.
“I don’t know Spike, but something is happening.” Twilight said both worried and excited. Spike was about to respond but instead burped up Princess Celestia’s reply back.
Twilight, no need to worry. Everything will be explained in the next few days. I would like you and your friends to come here tomorrow evening. There is nothing to worry about.
Princess Celestia
Twilight quickly read the letter. “Come on Spike we need to get the girls. Celestia wants all of us in Canterlot tomorrow evening.” Twilight said smiling. She loved to visit and couldn’t wait to see the Princesses.
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About an hour later Onyx, Shadow and their retinue arrived at the Palace. They landed on the large landing platform. Onyx and Shadow were anxious to see their mate and mother. Soon as they landed, they exited their carriage only to be pushed back in by a smaller blue figure. It was Luna. She was holding them tight crying. The three held onto each other in the privacy of the carriage. Their guards had closed the door behind Luna to give them some privacy. After a few minutes of crying Luna looked at her mate and son and squeezed them in a hug once more before letting go. “Welcome back loves.” she said sniffling even as she took in their changes.
Author's Note
I am looking for a Beta if anyone is interested. Just message me and I'll get back to you :D