Author's Note

I'll be completely honest this is my very first pony story. Ever! So if I mess something up please don't murder me for it. To also point out I am writing this at exactly 5:30 in the morning so spelling and punctuation may or may not be terrible until I can find someone who will help proof read and catch mistakes my tired eyes won't.

Thank You.

Chapter One

Strawberry's Point Of View

His hooves pressed softly against the gentle feel from the carpet that lay along the hall. Strawberry had pulled an all-nighter patrolling the castle's courtyard before reporting to the walls for a shift change. He couldn't wait to get back to the barracks to get some sleep, but unfortunately, fate had other plans for the young stallion. On his way to his awaiting bed, Strawberry had been given orders to report to the throne room for an audience with the Princess of the Night along with one of Princess Celestia's royal guards.

After he turned to his right the young stallion lifted his tired head with happy eyes. At the end of the hallway to the throne room await another stallion with snow colored fur. Strawberry could tell that his back was towards him but he could still tell by the white stallion's bigger frame that it was none other than his favorite pal, Maine who stood in front of the large palace doors. Doing his best to keep a professional state of mind Strawberry picked up his pace a tad bit only to arrive just in time to have the doors open wide and another night guard to clear his throat,

"Good. You both have arrived"-the third guard stepped aside to allow Strawberry and Maine to walk passed-"Princess Luna is waiting for you two further in."

Giving the guard a simple nod Strawberry and Maine quickly trotted into the throne room to find Princess Luna standing at the base of her throne chair with concern and the desire for sleep within her eyes. Both stallions bowed down once they reached the base of the stairs that lead up to the Princess's thrones,

"I have caught wind that Princess Cadance is sick," Princess Luna stated in a calm manner.

The two guard ponies rose up onto their hooves. They clicked their hooves together as they waited for her to continue,

"I am sending special medicine to the Crystal Empire, and you two are said by your peers to handle such a task of being the ones to deliver the package," She walked down the steps as she pulled out a brown box from behind her.

The two guards saluted the Princess before Maine took the box in a yellow-orange glow. Once given the orders to, Strawberry and Maine quietly turned around and made their way out of the throne room. Stepping aside to walk beside his colt-hood friend the young bat pony was looking at Maine with eyes that were holding a yearning to sleep. Getting a better look at his friend, Strawberry can tell that Maine was hoping to get some shut-eye as well. The older white stallion lifted his head to let out a large yawn. Strawberry hasn't seen his friend in what felt like years and now here he is about to go on an important mission with the stallion. The bat pony was beyond excited.

It wasn't until the white stallion cleared his throat lightly did Strawberry realize that he was staring at him. Quickly averting his eyes away his ears perked up at the sound of a low chuckle,

"W-what?" Strawberry asked his head snapped back into Maine's direction.

"We haven't seen each other for months, then when we're in the same hallway all you can do is stare," Maine couldn't help but let out another chuckle.

"I-Its just-" Strawberry started but Maine's right hoof came up to his mouth.

"It's okay, Berry"-a smile quickly appeared on his face-"You don't have to feel nervous around me," Maine's voice came out as a mere whisper.

Giving a simple nod as his reply, Strawberry watched as Maine lowered the box onto the darker stallion's back ever so carefully. The white stallion disappeared into the Day Guard's barracks before the bat pony could even voice a response. Strawberry turned to find that the moonlight was slowly moving through the windowless arches. He gave his wings a quick stretch before he began his journey to the Night Guard's barracks down the spiral of a hallway. With heavy hoof steps, Strawberry ever-so-carefully pushed open the barrack's door to find other members of the Night Guard taking off their armor and either heading to the showers or straight to bed. Making his way through the crowd the young stallion was starting to have trouble keeping his eyes from closing. Once he reached the furthest bunk in the fourth row of the twenty-sixth column he quickly reached back to grab the package the Princess gave him when he heard his name being called from the shower room.

Strawberry let out a sigh placing the package onto the wooden nightstand beside his bed before taking off his helmet to reveal his Neptune blue mohawk. The young stallion quickly shook his head to shake off as much of his helmet hair as he could. Walking over to the showers Strawberry gave the steamy room a look over to find that his commander was just wrapping a towel around himself. He quickly snapped to attention as his commander stepped closer to him. The stallion went to raise his hoof in order to salute him but it was stopped when the Commander's right hoof swatted it away. Strawberry could feel his body tense as the Commander got right in his face,

"Why weren't you in line up before the Night Guard's shift was over?" the Commander demanded through gritted teeth as his nose was pressed into Strawberry's.

"I had been ordered to appear before Princess Luna, Sir!" Strawberry responded.

The Commander took a minute to process what the young stallion said before narrowing his dark amber eyes at him,

"What are your orders?" Commander took a step back as he asked.

"S-Sergeant Maine of the Day Guard and I have to report to the Crystal Empire to deliver a package, Sir!" Strawberry responded followed by a successful salute this time.

Strawberry let out a sigh of relief when the Commander snorted at him before walking away. He could feel every muscle in his body relax while he closed his eyes. The bat pony shook it off before making his leave of the bathroom. Knowing the sun was up by now Strawberry began his journey over to the bottom bunk that he calls a bed. Stripping off the rest of his armor the stallion quickly places one hoof onto the bed before climbing onto it and collapsing into a deep, blissful sleep.