Sitting on the edge of Cadence's bed Zenith sighed looking down at her sleeping form. He wished he didn't have to do that to her. She deserves much better that what he did and he knew that. If there was another choice he would have considered taking it instead. However fate is a cruel mistress, and you almost never get the chance to enforce your own will. That is unless you are willing to fight fang and fist for it. Using a bit of magic he pulled the blankets up tucking her in snugly.

"You're being cruel to me Allura..." Zenith whispered to himself looking up at the ceiling. "To think I just hypnotized this heart-broken princess to forget the pain she's feeling... I should feel great about lifting the burden off of her shoulders and yet... I feel horrible." Being sure not to disturb Cadence he lifted himself slowly off the bed and walked across the room to a dresser not too far away. On top of it sits a few pictures, one being a wedding photo. "She looked so happy, and now she'll believe it's all a lie...." Taking a deep breath he cocked his head so he could see his reflection in the glass. "To think I have the eyes of a royal staring back at me.... and wanting more and more for them not to be mine."

Reaching up he took the photo and put it face down on the dresser and turned to look at Cadence with a solid resolve. "When this over... I promise this to you Cadence, I will make this up to you... as best I can." The moon had begun to rise as a soft knock on the door caught Zenith's attention. Walking to the door and opening it. Twist was standing there with a neutral look before cocking her head.

"So... how did your talk go?"

"About as well as I could have expected... but it still pains me on her choice." Zenith steps past her and into the hall. "I think it is time for you to change shift is it not?"

"Just about..." She said shifting nervously. "Are you sure that I should... do what we talked about?"

"Twist, try to imagine for a second that you are in her position... Nothing makes her happier than when others enjoy her nights, and she wants nothing more than to be adored just as her sister is. You'll have to imagine how lonely she must feel... She's up all night and sleeps nearly all day. When everyone you care for hardly come to visit you, and more than that are asleep when you're free to do what you want. Wouldn't you feel alone?"

Twist got a look of thought for a moment but nodded in agreement. "Y-yeah... it would make me lonely. What about dream-walking? Wouldn't I get to meet with my friends in their dreams?"

"I suppose but... Is it really the same? Can you hang out with everyone you care about at once? You'd only ever see one of them truly. The rest would be just memories or figments of the dreamers imagination. It wouldn't be fair to anyone else if she spent more time with one of her friends more than everyone else right?" Twist opened up her mouth to speak but was cut off by a new voice joining the conversation.

"For someone who doesn't know me personally, I commend you on a rather accurate description." Both Zenith and Twist turn their heads to the voice looking up at none other than the lunar princess herself. "Though it would be possible for me to pull all their dreams together it would be taxing on me and I haven't the time when nightmares plague others dreams. Enough on that however, It makes us wonder why are you here instead of in your chambers King Zenith... and before you ask yes, my sister told us of what had happened and that you are free to roam the castle walls so long as you are guarded so you needn't worry."

"Well... I have to say I'm glad to not have to go over anything... however... if you wouldn't mind Princess, I think I'll just head back to my room... I believe that someone here has something to say that I shouldn't be a part of." Luna raised a brow as her gaze turned to Twist but simply nodded. "I'm sure I'll just get in the way.... Have a lovely night." Zenith gave a quick nod and a wink toward Twist as he turned away.

A smile appeared on his face as he walked down the hall. As he turned the corner, he caught a glimpse that the conversation was starting. Morgana's window was opening... Cadence is asleep, and as is Celestia by this time... Luna is now distracted with a guard that has a deep seated love for her. It was falling into place, now all he had to do... and all he could do... was wait.

Morgana couldn't understand her king right now but his words no matter how painful and upsetting are what she lives for. His orders are what give her satisfaction... even if it is only a little. She'd gotten rid of the guard she had played with just a few moments ago. Getting rid of the body was easy for her... dicing him up into little pieces was easy enough, but it wasn't as fun without the screaming. It made her sad that she had to kill her toy before she was done playing. She'd have to ask her king for someone new to play with eventually...

It took some time to sneak the pieces out but she managed to take all of the guard quite a ways outside Canterlot. The moon was nearing it's peak now. If only her King would have let her play more. She wouldn't have had to discard of the body so... non-efficiently.

No... maybe she'll just find a new toy for herself. Oh yes, that idea made her very happy. She had a little time before she'd have to kill Shining as her King commanded of her... It wasn't going to be easy to keep it a secret from him. He could make her tell him... and then he'd punish her for disobeying... but would it matter if she disobeyed? So long as the job was done, would he even care?

Her smile returned, that crazed sadistic smile returned to her as she thought about all the information her King gave her. Maybe... just maybe... No... Her King would love it... Her King would praise her for taking initiative. She was going to find the mare that Shining knocked up... it wouldn't be hard for her... she knew what Shining smelled like. It wouldn't be hard to find a woman carrying his child.

Letting her mind wonder she came to a conclusion, a woman that's been pregnant for this long... She'd be in the hospital by now. Most mares go to the hospital for the last month of pregnancy to make sure the baby is delivered without complications. However stealing a pregnant mare from the Canterlot hospital would be quite the challenge... But it only made her shiver with excitement. She had all night, so long as Shining was dead by morning to her King's specifications... She could play.

Watching the moon for a little while longer she headed for the castle. The dungeons where her destination, shifting her form to that of the guard she just killed off was easy enough. She didn't know how he normally acted but that wasn't going to be a problem. All she had to do was sneak in, kill Shining... leave evidence that the guard was there and then sneak out. Simple... Then she could do what she wanted.

*After Zenith had left Twist and Luna alone*

Luna's gaze was locked onto Zenith as he walked down the hall. Something was off about how he was just acting... like he knew something she did not. It bothered her, but it would have to wait for another time. She turned her attention back to Twist who was staring at her. When she was caught she blushed and looked down at the floor. "Is everything alright?" Luna asked Twist looking over her actions.

Twist was nervous, she felt as if she couldn't breathe. She was in the presence of the mare of her dreams, quite literally. Swallowing the ball that was starting to form in her throat due to nerves she spoke. "I-I'm f-f-fine Princess... I just h-have something on my mind." Twist said her eyes meeting Luna's only to dart away any time they made eye contact and a deeper shade of red to form on her cheeks.

"Is that so? Then why is it that you are avoiding to meet my gaze? Did the changeling do something to you?" Luna said getting closer, lightly moving Twist's jaw so she was forced to keep eye contact as she inspected the guard's eyes.

"N-No he didn't do anything... H-he just gave me some advice." Twist said visibly relaxing at Luna's touch. "P-Princess... W-was what he said about you... really true? Do you still feel alone?"

Luna hummed letting go of the mare's jaw taking a small step back. "I do... It isn't as painful now... but I do sometimes feel alone at night... I don't feel as hurt as before. I know I have friends and my sister to talk to."

"W-What about anyone closer than that?"

"Closer? You mean a lover? No... We have yet to have a lover since we've been back. It was something we considered looking for when we returned. However, it became more and more difficult to look when I took back my duties of watching over the night." Luna said turning her attention to Cadence's door. "We actually talked much about this to Cadence and my sister... but we haven't made much progress in discovering someone."

"W-Well... ummmmmmmm... I-I..." Twist cleared her throat and took a deep breath screwing her eyes shut. "Princess I love you..." Twist couldn't bring herself to open her eyes, but if she could she'd see the surprise on Luna's face. "a-and I... I'd like to be there for you when you need me. T-That is... i-if you'll have me..."

Luna couldn't help but smile. She wasn't for certain yet if this guard was what she was looking for but she was the first to have the courage to ask in such a long time. "Twist, are you certain of the words you spoke?"

Twist opened her eyes and nodded. "I mean it. I've wanted to tell you for about a year now... but I lacked the courage to ask you."

Luna nodded and looked down the hall. "Twist walk with me... I'd like to get to know you a little bit." She said starting to walk down the hall.

"Y-yes princess..." Twist followed her to her left. It was going as Zenith told her. She had caught her interest, now all she had to do was keep it and her chances would be set in stone.

Author's Note

I couldn't come up with a name for this chapter... So I'll let you guys decide one for it.