" Buster! ".

" Big brother! ".

" Mint! Gum! You guys are safe! I'm so glad, so glad! ". Knight watched from the sidelines as the three siblings finally reunited. Seen such sight warmed his heart and gave him more motivation to destroy the Grimm and look for his own friends that were like family to him.

The flapping of wings got him out of his little moment. He turned around to find himself face to face, or more like muzzle to muzzle with the Princess of this land, Luna.
" I'm glad that your friends are safe and together". Knight could feel the fatigue and sadness in the blue princess tone, for what little he heard, she came to join more guards and together save the ponies in this and the other towns but the horde got to them first, only around ten of them survived and even then only seven were present at the moment.

" Thanks ". He said finally, his eyes shone with the same sentiment of failure, he saved a family and an entire town but more lives were lost and more would be if the origen of the Grimm invasion was not figured soon, which made him think back to what the princess asked him earlier.

" I can see that you are conflicted, but don't you think that our goals are the same? Would you help me protect those ponles and other creatures from evil, evil like that monstrous beasts? ".

" I... I do but... ".

" Let me propose something else then, I have send word of what's going on back to the Capital where my sister is, I have requested for further help in addressing this problem including more troops, if you help me clear this area of danger then I could help you with whatever you may need, why, I can even be your companion for a while and help each other in destroying this menace once and for all! So, what do you say? ".

" But, aren't you like, in charge of very important stuff? Can you really afford to be trekking around with some nopony like me? ". The question seemed to take the princess off guard, her entire form seemed to shrink a little and the stallion suddenly had the feeling that he may have hurt her.

" I see that you're still indecisive, it's been a long day, why don't you rest and maybe think about what I told you, please consider and give me your answer tomorrow ". The mare did a slight bow and left walking, her walk just confirmed what he suspected and indeed it seemed that he hurt her feeling somehow.

Before he could work the courage to ask her what was wrong, the siblings walked to him. " Mr Knight, I just wanted to thank you for getting my little brother and sister safely back to me, I didn't have the slightest idea of how dangerous this was, we all almost died without seen each other! But you and the princess came to our rescue in the nick of time and we're glad for it ".

" Like my big brother said, thank you, for everything ". Said Bubble gum.

" I can believe you spoke to Princess Luna! ". The little unicorn filly yelled.

" Mi-Mint! Call down ".

" But he spoke with Princess Luna! The coolest princess of them all! ". The girl couldn't hardly contain her emotion.

" Yeah, she, she asked me to help her with the Grimm and in exchange she would help me with whatever I needed. She seemed very enthusiastic about it but maybe I hurt her when I couldn't decide ".

" You what?! Are you dumb? If princess Luna asked for my help I would jump right at it!".

" Mint! Be respectful of the pony who saved your hide will ya? ". Buster berated his sister.

" I'm just saying. Do you think she would mind if I talk to her? ". Asked the filly.

" She's probably busy right now Mint ". The filly growled but remained silent with her arms crossed.

" Anyway, I don't know much about her but she looks like she's trying to help as much as she can, she's pretty powerful too ".

" Well duh! ".

" Mint! If you want we can tell you about her but first let's get some rest, they lend me a place to stay while I was here, is big enough for the four of us ". The small group went back to the city.

Back there, Knight saw the princess, which was hard to miss given her high and the way her mane waved in the air, her eyes seemed full with determination and purpose but they also seemed lonely. Suddenly another pair of eyes came to his mind, green eyes, also filled with the same kind of loneliness accompanied by red hair and a polite but practiced smile.

" Are you ok? You have been staring at the princess too much dude ". Buster told him.

" Ah, sorry, I just, I think I was just remembering something, never mind, let's go ".

As the ponies rest Buster started to retell the story and legend of Princess Luna, princess of the moon and guardian of dreams, of course Mint would jump in from time to time to add flavor to the story. He heard from the beginning, how the Princess succumbed to the darkness and turned into a being know as Nightmare Moon, learned of her defeat and banishment at hooves of her sister Princess Celestia. In how after many years she came back for revenge but was saved by six mares and powerful artifacts called the elements of Harmony, he heard of her many intents at redemption and how she was still seen by many ponies as this mysterious and kind of frightening figure that could go evil once more if her mood wasn't carefully mannered.

It was a sad story, one that he felt he was now a part of it due to his insensitivity. Once night fell Knight felt himself been dragged down by his armor and shield. Even his sword which was normally not that heavy weighed a ton for him, he was conscious that he used a lot of energy fighting it this was the first time for him feeling like that.

After removing everything from his body with the exception of his blue hoodie, Knight walked out to the street of the settlement. There was still activity around and everywhere, the townponies were fixing the damage left from the battle and others were cleaning the streets from debris and any other thing scattered around the ground, the guards were busy constructing an observation post and some barracks that they will be using for their time here.

At he walked around some ponies thanked him for saving the town while others didn't recognized him without his equipment on. Walking further away from all the hassle, Knight found an abandoned house, one that received too much damage to be used for the time being, a lone ladder was prone next to one of the walls and Knight used it to reach the top of the house, up there, he removed his hoodie to feel the breeze I. His face. " It feel nice ". He said to himself.

" It does, doesn't it ".

"Woah! ". No expecting to receive an answer, Knight jumped in panic and landed in his back legs, his hooves however got tangled and he wobbled around the roof while doing goofy sounds and trying to regain balance spinning his upper legs wildly.

Princess Luna, the cause of Knight's current situation watched with worry and guilt but as the young stallion did more weird sounds and continued to uselessly regain his footing she couldn't help but smile at the silliness, finally, Knight fell on his back with a huff. " I'm ok! ". He said from his position.

" I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to startle you ". The princess said while offering a hoof for him to get up which he took.

" Oh, that's ok, it happens pretty often so I'm use to thi-Aaah ". Before he could finish, the part of the roof where the stallion was standing give up under him dropping him bellow.

Luna flied down and looked for him. " Where are you? Are you ok? ".

" I'm... Ok ugh ". Luna moved deeper inside the house and found him over a destroyed bed that cushioned his fall, but now the bed was broken and it feathers filling was everywhere. Knight got up unharmed but now he was covered by feathers giving him the appearance of a giant chicken.

Luna saw this and snorted, then giggled, then broke into full laughter while the stallion simply scratched the his neck in confusion, but soon the laughter became contagious and Knight laughed as well. " I'm sorry, you just looked kind of funny with that, let me remove that off you ". Using his magic Luna got every single feathers off from Knight.

After doing that the two ponies went back to the roof, this time making sure not to stand over a damaged part and fall again. " Wow, thanks, that magic of you is pretty impressive, I wish I could have got a horn like you, that's cool, but wings are cool too, and you have both! That's make you like, double cool! ".

" Thanks, I guess, and yes having both wings and horn is pretty convenient but mostly is our sigil as princess of Equestria chosen by destiny! B-but cool sounds good too ". Luna said blushing a little.

" I see ". Both ponles watched the night sky in silence, the stallion wanted to apologise for earlier but Luna beat him at talking.

" Now that I think about it, I haven't asked your name, I hear that your friends call you knight, is that it? ". Luna asked curious.

" Yes, Knight, short, sweet roll of the tongue, mares love it ". He said smiling and puffing his chest but pretty soon his demeanor changed drastically. " Well, the true is that I don't know my name, I know I have one but I just can't remember as stupid as it sound, a filly I met before suggested me to use Knight as my name since i was in full armor and everything and it somehow felt like it was the right name for me, you know".

" I see, I do agree that it fits you but I also think that it is too simple, here in Equestria your name means more that just a way to call you, I think that you need something else, something more fitting". Luna said smiling.

" Oh, y-you think? Like what? I can't think of anything right now ". The young stallion said while scratching the back of his neck again in that awkward form that Luna was starting to recognize as a form of social ineptitude very similar at the one she had.

" Hm, let me see, oh! How about you let me see your cutie mark, that could give us a clue, in the time of old, it was common practice to change one's name after getting a cutie mark for better identify one self for its talent, why, thousands of ponies came to for my sister's advice to chose one for them, some... a few ones came to me for renaming, now days that tradition seems completely forgotten". Luna said with a very evident sadness, then she suddenly perked up and started talking in a secretive tone.
" I'm going to tell you something that nopony, and I seriously mean NOpony knows, and it must remain a secret, would you keep it? ". Knight nodded suddenly with a serious look as well. " Ok, listen carefully ". She cranked her neck to be as close as possible. " My sister's and my actual names, aren't the real ones, we renamed ourselves after our ascend to alicornhood ". Luna watched him carefully after revealing her secret.

" You mean you changed your name after you got that tattoo on your butt? ". Knight asked bluntly just realizing his imprudence too late.

" What?! ". Luna asked baffled.

" A-ah I didn't meant to! I mean, I meant to but not like that! Sorry! ". Knight moved his legs in an apologetic fashion while asking for forgiveness. " I meant rear your rear! Oh dang! That sounds just as bad, sorry! ".

Knight was surprised when instead of been offended Luna once again broke into giggles and then full laughter. " hahaha This is just so refreshing! Hahaha! Oh my sides, I haven't laughed like this in years hahaha ".

" I-I'm sorry Lu-I mean princess, I'm sorry ". Knight noted that at been addressed with her tittle her smile deflated a little.

" It's ok, it nothing ". The princess said still smiling but Knight could feel that she wanted to avoid further questions. The two ponies fell into another moment of silence.

" So, then what do you think? ". Knight got up and turned his side to show her his cutie mark. Luna meanwhile watched him with confusion as to what was he doing. " Would you mind renaming me by looking at my Cutie thing? ".

Luna was shocked by the question. " Do, do you want me to chose a name for you".

" Well? Yeah, who better to chose a name for a pony like me that the princess with the title to do it ". Luna watched over the symbol imprinted in his flank with a thoughtful look.

" F-for real? I mean, we could wait until my sister has the chance and-! ".

" Nah, I feel like you can come up with a better name, besides, if your sister named like, thousands of ponies before she probably has fewer ideas left, I'm sure you can do way better, I trust you ".

" You... hm, very well, since thee had entrusted me with such a duty it is just right that I, Princess Luna do the honors! So then, for this moment forward, thee should be know as... ". She took a look at the cutie mark with full attention, it was a simple design, two yellow arcs, one over the other like twin downcasted moons, she did a few humming noises and then an idea sparkled on her mind. " Arc! Arc Knight! ".

Knight, now Arc Knight simply remained silent after been baptized with his new name.
" Di-did you not like it? ". Luna asked worried.

" No no, that's not it, actually, I feel like it's the right name for me, thanks ".

Luna smiled genuinely this time. " Your welcome, and I'm happy that you like it because my second option was Caballero Arco, but not many ponies would understand it ".

" Ha, I see, but thanks for real, I like it a lot, hm, Arc, you can call me Arc ". The stallion said seating closer to Luna.

" And you may call me Luna, but just between us, ok? ".

" Haha, deal ". Arc out his hoof forward for a hoofbump, something that Mint showed him, Luna saw this and her smile grew as she reached out to return the gesture.

For a moment both ponies stood like that smiling at each other, face close. " Oh, you still have a feather stock in your mane from earlier, let me get it ". Arc reached out with his head and took the feather with his teeth. " Got it ". But as he retreated he found himself closer to the blue mare, again both their eyes glued to the other's, blue on blue, both got lost in the moment and time remained still until Luna jumped away.

" I-i need to leave now! ". Without another word the night princess flew away leaving Arc confused and alone in the rooftop.

" Was something that I said? " He tried to think about it but found no answer, father than that his thoughts went back to the question she asked, about assisting with the Grimm. " I need to think carefully, ah, better hit the hay now ". Jumping off the roof , Arc did his way back to the small place where his new friends were already sleeping. The day was too much for everypony and the next one would be just as busy, thinking one last time on the proposal, Arc couldn't help but think about Luna and that little moment where he was close to her, he hoped she wasn't mad for whatever happened.
With her smile still fresh in his mind, Arc fell sleep.

While most of the townponies slept, Luna patrolled the sky before going into the dreamscape. She took a little break over a lonely cloud right above the town's entrance, there she thought about what just happened earlier with the young stallion and wondered why she acted and felt like that. She knew that she liked the conversation for the simplicity and sense of normality that Arc give her, the way he talked and approached her made her feel like a normal mare, not a Princess and not a former evil fiend, just herself, something that she only felt with her sister.

But more than that was the way she felt when the stallion was so close to her, she felt her pulse rise and her body heat up, it was both exciting and suspenseful at the same time. " I may need to ask Tia about it ". Deciding to comence her duty of guarding the dreams for the night, Luna started meditating.

CHANGELING HIVE...

Savage walked out of the green pool dripping the viscous liquid which filled it with each step he took. He took a look at his pincer, the one the stallion broke and found it completely healed, there weren't even marks or signs of cracking anywhere.

" Ah nice, very nice ". While he inspected further, Chrysalis walked in.

" Are you done healing up? That took more that with normal drones ".

" Oh? Did Mommy dearest called me a freak? ". Savage asked menacingly with his tail waving in the air.

" N-no! I just said that it is sooo good to have you back, my dear son, that pond contains nutrients that our bodies absorb through the openings on our chitin, it heal us and in some form it feed us too, is the only way we survive when we run out of food". Having heard that, Savage hugged his 'mommy' and twirled her around thanking her for making him feel like a real son for the first time.

" We can attack again once most of the warriors are healed up, what do you think, dear son? ". Chrysalis asked, hoping this time that somepony would reduce her ugly son into mush drying over the outside ground so that she can be free again.

" No need Mama, no need hehe, I saw and did what I need it, now I'm familiar with this world and what I can do, but I feel, I feel like I'm missing something, something important ".

" Well, it must be that you haven't absorbed love from those you fought, a Changeling need to feed on love to be able to use magic and to shapeshift for longer ".

" Absorb love? Hm quite interesting, is that what you and my siblings have been doing with the ponies you captured? ". Savage remember seen many Changelings acting weird, almost like drunk, they also seemed happier than before.

" Of course, absorb love from our enemies is the whole reason why we exist, that and dominate the rest of Equestria! So what do you say, you want to have a taste? ".

" I'm sold in the idea Mama, I'm hehe, show me the way of the Changeling hehe".

" Very well, follow me ". Chrysalis took Savage to the lower levels of the hive, she had specifically moved the feeding room near her personal chamber to make it easier for her as well as to make it more difficult for Intruders to try and save their comrades.

" Here we are ". As they approached, screams and curses could be heard coming from inside a room well guarded by four drones, two outside and two inside the door, cries of mercy and done could be also distinguish as they got closer. Savage started to feel something weird, an strange desire to get get closer, his senses became more sharp as well.

The two guards outside saluted and with their magic opened the door for them to pass, at the other side the other guards did the dame, now inside Savage could felt the full force of what was going on. He saw a small Changeling approach a flying pony who was restrained to the wall by a dark membrane like substance, his upper and lower hooves we're completely stuck to the surface of the substance as was part of her torso and left wing, the right one seemed torn in half, must likely from the battle the previous day. The mare screamed and trashed around trying to get free but she simply couldn't.

Whatever that membrane was, it was strong enough to hold the pegasus mare in place giving the small Changeling complete freedom to approach, and he did, expanding his wings to hover and reach the mare's face, the young but took her face with his front hooves and force her to look at him, the Changeling then hissed and opened his mouth, something like a tongue came from inside and shot directly at the mare's mouth, despite her best efforts not to open her own mouth, the glowing tongue force the mouth open and did its way through her throat, the mare trashed once more but it was in vain, soon the glowing tongue changed color, from dark green to pink, whatever was happening it was obvious that it was affecting the pony in a bad way as the color of her coat drained and her eyes rolled back, her trashing became less and less wild coming down to a mere wobble meanwhile the Changeling continued.

" That should be more than enough child, if you kill her you will be punished! ". Chrysalis warned the young Changeling firmly but also with care for his well-being.
" The young ones normally don't know when to stop feeding, if not stopped in time the pony dies and we have one provider left ". The Changeling finished and then something unusual happened, the Changeling looked stunt for a moment before dropping on the ground in pain. " Ah! Looks like this one is about to mold ".

" Mold? ". Asked Savage still watching intrigued, both to the mare who was unconscious now and his brother who kept kicking in agony.

" You two, take your brother into confinement ". The two guards quickly obeyed and took the young one away. " After getting enough love we grow, we shed the old chitin and get a new one more durable and with new abilities, in time if one feed enough love, it can even become a new king or queen, that's how our hive operates, since long time ago we were unrivaled by the other species on Equestria, even dragons were afraid of us, that was, until they joined and hunted us down to what we are now, I'm the only survivor left from that time ".

" Oh, I see I see, so that's why they fear you uh, hehe, I respect that, I do, Mama is amazing hehe, you know what, your take has moved me hehe, yes it has, it has hehe, let me then help you Mama, let me help you become a thing of fear once more, let me become a child you can be proud of Mama, good little Savage will help you with those soft squishy ponies, yes hehe ".

The queen looked intrigued, she was still afraid of the crazy Changeling but he seemed different even if just a bit different. " Fine, then prove that you're true to your nature ".
She turned to another pony, an heart pony stallion who couldn't even scream since the membrane was covering his mouth, but his eyes never left the form of the scorpion Changeling. " Feed ". She simply commanded.

Following her case, Savage moved next to the trapped stallion, muffled sounds came from him but it matter not to Savage, actually they did, he cared for those little shows of fear and terror since he like d them, liked to cause them and loved to see them consume his prey before delighting in finishing the live of those poor souls.

Licking his lips Savage went for the head, be didn't need to force the pony to see him because the captive couldn't turn away. The soldier's eyes widen in terror. " Let's see how your love taste like ". That stallion died that day giving Savage the greatest pleasure of his life so far.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading and hope you like the story so far.Also if you feel like it, check out a new story I'm reading called ' Quantum Leap Forward ' main character is Best teacher Cheerilee, pretty intriguing story in my opinion. Anyway, thanks again, until next one.