*knock* *knock* *knock*

Confused by the strange sound I fight to open my eyes, looking for the source. Chandelier? Nope, giant royal mirror? Nah, Luna? Hey it’s Luna! Then it all comes rushing back, from the night before to where I am now. With a slow pan to where I lay a panic grows within me.

Oh shit! I’m in Luna’s bed! Stranger at the door! Can’t be seen like this!

Another set of knocks stirs miss sleepy awake and she gets up without thought, dragging her hooves toward the door.

“Luna!”

“Hmmeh? Joey?”

“Luna don’t just open the door! I can’t be seen in here!”

Her eyes widen, “Oh buck! Umm…” she trots in place nervously looking for a plan. “Hide under the bed!”

“What?! Is this some sort of, ‘oh my husband came home early’ shit!?” I lean over the bed and see it’s much to close to the floor. “It’s too short!”

More knocks ring into the room. “What a persistent pony! Why this could only be our sister to have such bravery”

She grabs the door opening it slowly with a peek. I dive under the covers in a prayer I won’t be spotted. At least I still had my clothes on.

“Why sister isn’t it early to be knocking on my door?”

“Luna you do know it is 7 pm?”

“The statement still stands! Early for us!”

“Well I was wondering where Joey was and I was curious if you might know. I did leave him with you last did I not?” She tried to look past Luna into the room. “Unless he spent the night-“

“We believe you are being rather intrusive dear sister! Now if you would please leave me to the rest of my days rest-“

“Surely you wouldn’t mind in I just came in for a little chat now wouldn’t you? It’s not like you have anything to hide”

“Haha yes nothing of the sort!” Her awkward laughter causes me to facepalm beneath the covers.

“We’re done for…” I mutter.

“Great then-“

“Then we will get properly dressed and meet thou in the garden for tea if that is fine-“

“Oh no there’s no need for that I only wish to have a small conversation about our guest”

“Small? Great, then we shall discuss it here”

“Here? In the hallway?”

“Why is this not a suitable enough location or perhaps should I follow you to another?”

“Luna can you just let me in”

“Uh.. can I fix it up my room some? It’s quite a mess and-“

Unbeknownst to me it’s at this point where Celestia went to barge in only to be stopped by Luna at the door. “Sister! You are behaving suspiciously!”

“Can’t thou take a hint and leave us be!”

“Us?! Who is in your room? A suitor?”

“Sister you know that is how we speak! Do not pretend to know otherwise!”

“Luna if you don’t let me into your room right now”

“And If you don’t buck off…”

And then there’s a poof, and Celestia is gone. I pull the covers down to look. Luna matches my worried expression.

*poof*

“AH HA! I knew it!” Sun mare stares me down with triumph. “Joey has slept in your chambers over the day hasn’t he? What perverted actions have you been up to behind closed doors sister!?”

“Perv- we have been completely free from any risqué behavior!”

“Then why does Joey rest in your bed?”

“He must have hopped on the bed when I opened the door!”

“He still suffers from bed head and he is quiet literally under your covers!”

“We… this… everything has been taken completely out of context!”

Celestia moves over to her sister with a sudden seriousness not present before, “Luna if you two are courting one other I must know”

Glancing between the two of us I give her a shoulder shrug. It’s up to her. “Sister we… yes we are courting young Mr. Marshall”

“And you do understand the consequences if the public finds out? This is no meager decision” pointing a hoof back to me she continues, “Does he even know what he has gotten himself into?”

“Of course, I-“ The sun princesses doubt becomes clearer with her frustrated expression. Enough to make Luna stop and turn to me. “Joey there is something we haven’t explained”

I’m a little nervous given Celestia’s reaction but, it feels like I’m too deep now to back out. “I’m listening”

“I did say our relationship would be frowned upon yes?”

“Yeah…?”

“But what I didn’t explain is that if we were to be found out… if we wished to continue courting one another” taking one last look at her sister she drops the bomb. “We would need to induct you as a prince of Equestria”

“Huh? Aren’t princes like… born of royal blood? Like a real prince would be need to be born as either of yours offspring right? I don’t see how that makes any sense”

Celestia steps forward, “So doesn’t most of Equestrias old customs however, our council has not changed this law in some time, due to lack of importance of course. Luna and I have not often taken suitors therefore such change hasn’t proven necessary yet, I should have still seen this coming”

“But you two are like the rulers of this place, can’t you just change the law?”

“Perhaps in the past we could but, in modern times the ponies have elected a council to represent specific regions of Equestria. There are some changes we can make without meeting, those abilities still remain but, any changes to law would require a formal discussion with our council”

“I guess this country’s a little less matriarchal then I thought” I pull at the hair in my beard in thought. “Is becoming a prince bad?”

“Define bad?”

“Sister we think what he means is, ‘does it suck’?”

“Suck?”

I start to pace around the room, “Boring, yucky, political, snobby. What exactly would it change about my life?”

“Much. You would be expected to attend ceremonies, foreign greetings, social get togethers. Most countries would be interested in getting to meet the new prince and our own nobility would need to meet you as well. Then there is the responsibility of maintaining your public appearance, attending lessons on court procedures, moving into Canterlot-“

“I can’t do that”

Celestia sighs, “That one I’m sure we can work around if need be. Although this isn’t even the beginning of it. There are certain things you would need to know that our considered Equestrian secrets and would only be taught after some affirmation between the two of you, like marriage”

“Easy with the big m word… and why does it matter if foreign countries meet me? I’d be a prince not a king. For all they know what if Luna and I decide we just want to be friends? Wouldn’t I be giving up the title of prince in that situation?”

“Most inductions of prince hood only come with individuals deemed likely to hold the throne. Although we wouldn’t immediately induct you, this is only precautionary in case your relationship is discovered”

“Oh so if anypony found out I’d need to make a decision?”

“Yes, but there is no need for rush”

I let out a sigh of relief, “Thank god, that would have been a whole lot to take in. Imagine what Pinkie would think if she saw the news in the paper, she’d probably kill me”

“Then let’s not let it come to that” Luna pats me on the back. “And we should rejoice in our new courtship by kicking this intruder out of our room!” With telekinesis she flings several pillows into Celestia’s direction.

Caught off guard the sun mare disappears into the barrage. “Why did ya have to go and do her like that? I still had some questions!”

With a few precautionary steps toward the pillow pile, Luna pokes around with a hoof. “It appears you will have to adjust them toward us. Celestia has fallen in battle”

“Poor Celly”

Pouncing out the pile with glee, Celestia lands between us with a large grin, “Did you hear that Luna? He has given me a nickname!”

“I.. I did?”

“You did refer to me as Celly did you not?”

“Oh… yeah your right. I did”

With wings spread Celly took the time to skip out onto Luna’s balcony and leap off, souring into the sky. “This is a monumental day! Enjoy yourselves for I will see you both in the morning!”

Giving a confused wave at her excited departure, I turn back to ask Luna my question only to find her face first back in bed. I climb behind her and hug close, whispering into her ear. “Aren’t you two the leaders of this whole planet? Why would it matter if foreign countries knew me or not?”

“Because…” she groans. “We don’t actually rule the planet. We are only the ones expected to protect it is all”

“So ponies are like the most powerful?”

“In general? Yes”

“What does that mean?”

“Ugh please no more questions” she covers her ears with a pillow.

It’s clear she’s had enough so I don’t bother her any longer. Wrapping my arms around her we spoon, Luna’s head resting just below my own. I don’t know how long we stay like this but I fall asleep again. Truth be told it really was more of a nap or at least a long one. The night hadn’t even begun, Celestia’s sun edging the horizon. With a peer to the balcony I admire Luna preforming her duty. Her silhouette traces onto the moons face, the shadow of a mare placed on its surface. Soon enough our favorite bright rock finds peace in the sky, illuminating the room with its glow.

Lazily she trots over while rubbing her eyes, “Sorry, did we wake you?”

“More like mesmerized me with your beauty” I finish with a cheeky grin. “How could I look away from such a godly view? You, the moonlight. You know it really shows off all your curves”

Hopping back into bed she cuddles my face in her chest giggling, “Thou are quiet the charmer but, perhaps keeping that silver tongue to yourself and for us would be for the best. We wouldn’t want the pain of relieving thou from any more trouble”

“You know I know when to keep my mouth shut”

“And thou still talks themselves into trouble”

“Name one time I talked myself into trouble”

“We could name several however, it would be rude to relive the memories. You don’t exactly have the fondest of experiences in Equestria. It is almost as if thou attracts trouble”

“As if you attract trouble”

“You are correcting us now?”

“Only fair if you’re gonna point out all my flaws”

Smirking Luna bats me with a wing, “Shush. You are speaking with your queen and should treat her as such”

“Least you said everything right that time…”

“What was that?”

“Hm? Oh nothing. Just saying how wonderful a leader you are and how you totally don’t have a problem addressing other ponies besides me”

“Hm! They are not worthy of our greatest attention. We shall only take the time to speak properly with those most deserving”

“I thought the point of you learning was so you could speak better in public?”

Caught in a lazy lie she changes subject, “I’ve been meaning to ask, what do you think of becoming a prince? Would we be asking too much? We would understand if you wished to deny our relationship given the circumstance we are exposed”

“I’m not denying us, I’ll stick through it no matter what you ask me to do. Sure I might be a little overwhelmed and sure I might be over my head but, I’ve gotten this far. Even with everything that’s gone wrong”

“Rather optimistic of you… are you the real Joey Marshall?”

“Can’t I try to change a little?” I mean what good does it do if I sulk around worrying about stupid noble parties and shit. I’ll just freak myself out”

Her horn glows briefly and my body tingles. A look of surprise dawns upon her, “Thou really are Joey”

“Hey! Is it really that hard to believe I’d say something like that?”

“Yes”

“…fair enough”

Our cuddle session lasts for at least another twenty to thirty minutes before, I start to worry about Luna’s reputation of being late. Fighting against the warmth of Luna and her bed I pull myself to be face to face, nearly bumping her nose.

“Shouldn’t we be like…?”

“Hm? Oh night court. It is the weekend, there is no court to be held”

“Really?”

“Why would we lie?”

“To avoid boring night court”

“I do not need excuses to avoid night court. We can simply call for an off day whenever we please”

“…did you call for an off day today and just lied about there not being night court?”

“Wha- what? N-no! We would never do that!”

“Have you done it before?”

“…possibly”

“Adorable”

“We are not adorable!”

Eventually we have to get up, both of us not wanting to waste a day. After a small breakfast we make our way downstairs to the more populated parts of the palace. I kinda just let Luna guide me around for a while until curiosity takes control.

“So where are we going?”

She doesn’t bother to look back, “We are going to the records room”

“How come?”

“To find the resting place of our original symptom carrier”

“Ah, patient zero. The asshole”

“Quantum Matter. We are hoping to find some sort of clue with his autopsy report or with his remains”

“Luna he must’ve died thousands of years ago, what makes you think there’s even any of his remains left?”

“Bone would be plenty enough”

I shake my head slightly uncomfortable with the whole notion of digging up a dead body, even if it was a horrible pony. “Are we really gonna dig up his body?”

“Dig? Who said anything about digging?”

“Well how else would we find his body?”

She scoffs, “There is no way we would’ve buried his body in a simple graveyard. He was much too contagious and a villainous scorn on society”

“Twilight told me my sickness is my soul magic so assuming he was the same way shouldn’t he not be contagious now?”

“We did not have the knowledge that we have now and would have taken drastic measures to prevent illness. The body is likely to be found somewhere on palace grounds”

“So how come you didn’t do this until now?”

“Because we were not desperate enough, not until now” Her words are alarming but, I try not panic. At least I try not to look like I’m about to panic.

“Isn’t this kind of exciting though? I won’t lie I’m a little disturbed with the whole desiccating a dead body part but, to look for the remains of a pony almost hidden from history? Feels like something out of a movie”

“Exciting isn’t the word I would use. We are more… apprehensive. I worry we will not find anything of importance”

“Yeah but we get to have some fun solving this case together!”

“Case? We are detectives now?”

“Detective Luna, CPD, Canterlot police force” she chuckles at my deep voice impression.

Playing along she gives an impression of her own, “Detective Marshall, cunning and quick witted”

“Yeah! Now we’re talking!”

“Hehe, you seem very high spirits today, it is wonderful to see thou in this way”

I blush from her words unable to handle the sincerity, “…thanks”

“For what?”

“For caring… about me” she stops taking a second to listen. “It means a lot”

Keeping my eyes down I don’t see her approach, her head nuzzles against my neck. “Thou means more to us then you could imagine. It is only customary we return the favor”

The moment is charming but brief, we waste no time the rest of our way. Soon enough we enter a section of the palace that I can only assume is the guards barracks. Several stallions don their plated light armor filling the room around us. Most bowed as we passed while others unknowing of Luna’s presence went about their way. Watching curiously at a guard removing his armor, the color of his coat and mane shifted from its white and gold to all pink, his coat slightly darker than his mane.

“I can see why some of them could use the matching colors, not very intimidating to see a pink stallion”

“I wouldn’t underestimate any of our guards”

“Note taken, specially when that one during the wedding kicked my ass”

Glancing back to see my emotion she responds empathetically, “We are truly sorry for that again, we should have been awake already at that point. Unprofessional of us to miss such an occasion”

“You were probably tired from night court or something. It’s not like you don’t work hard Luna”

“Yes but, this was only one event! We wouldn’t even need to be present for the party after, only for the ceremony and we failed even that” she finishes with a huff.

“Your being too hard on yourself again”

“And thou are allowing us to get off too lightly” We enter a room to the side and she whispers to me close, “Can’t you see how embarrassing it was that I could not wake for a family wedding?”

“Cadence was kinda new though, it wasn’t like you really knew her…”

“Then what a better moment to make up for lost time! Lost time that we suffered due to our own negligence!” Shaking her head she has to sit down to stop herself from shaking. “We are truly trying, I swear it”

Resting on my knees I pull her into a hug. The size difference is a little awkward but, she’s able to lean over my shoulder still. When I go to speak up she places a hoof around my body, embracing the hug fully. I swallow my words and allow her to take the moment she needs, enjoying the slow tempo of her heartbeat. Rustling of metal boots and armor just outside the door makes the private moment slightly unnerving yet, Luna still doesn’t budge for some time.

“Hey Lu? Aren’t you worried somepony might see us?”

“Let them, they have not yearned for affection as bad as I”

I rub her back hoping to ease the stress, “I’m sorry Luna”

“Please, do not feel sorry. We have casted this pain upon ourselves and are lucky to have a pony now as understanding as thou to help. I don’t deserve your empathy but, selfishly I will take it”

“Good cause I think you deserve more then I can give but selfishly, I will take you”

She chuckles a few times and separates our hug, “Then we shall selfishly enjoy one another”

“Of course… selfishly”

A few more laughs are had until Luna feels well enough to continue. “Come, we are almost there”

“After you”

She wasn’t exaggerating either as our journey ends not even a handful of minutes later. We come to a stop in a small office in the lower levels of the palace attached to both the medical wing and more barracks. The smell of alcohol and sanitizer creates a pungent assault against my nose making me scrounge up in discomfort.

“Ugh, what’s that smell?”

“Formaldehyde. It’s used to preserve the dead”

“It smells fuckin awful!”

“That it does” when I look to see show she handles the smell I’m left with disappointment at the sign of her mask.

“How come I don’t get a mask?”

“Thou never asked” I can still see the grin lines in the corners of her face.

“Unbelievable, even after everything I’ve done for you”

“Oh don’t be dramatic! You were so eager to find out more not even thirty minutes ago”

“You never said anything about smelling fermelda whatever. Besides, where’s the file you’re looking for?”

“This was much too long ago to be on file” Walking along the side of the wall she presses her face close as to hear for something. “No, we would’ve hidden the body with some of the other precarious cases of that time”

“Was there a lot back then?”

“Given the lack of extensive knowledge we have now? Yes, just about every other case it felt like”

“Yikes. Sounds like a lot of bodies”

With a few nocks against the wall she stands back glowing her horn. “Most we removed over time once the cause was discovered however, for your incident, thou are the second ever to suffer without prior exposure. His body is likely to be still within”

Loud crumbling sounds came from within the wall and the rumbling shook my legs faintly. It’s not until it stops does Luna step forward tearing through the drywall to reveal a stone path. It’s dark and narrow, definitely a tight fit.

“How’d you know to look here?”

“These walls were originally stone until our sister found it off putting for a autopsy room. Said it was inappropriate and disturbing. Reminded her of a dungeon”

I run my hand along the cold stone, “I can see where she gets the dungeon vibes” I step back holding my arm out for her to lead. “Mares first”

She’s huffs while removing her mask, “The saying goes stallions first Joey”

“Please I insist. It was always ladies first back on Earth”

“Yes but we are in Equestria. Thou must oblige by our customs”

“Ah but the guest is always right Lulu so please… lead the way”

Shrugging she steps forward into the passage, lightly her horn for a light. “We guess it would be most appropriate for us to lead anyways, we have a better chance finding the way then you”

“Finding the… do you not know where to go?”

“Course not!” She says as if it were obvious. “I have only stayed in this palace for a little over a year”

“I thought you lived here before”

“Haven’t we told you? I was banished when my sister and I still resided at the caste within the Everfree”

“Damn… so coming back to this new home must’ve been kinda weird”

Looking away as if to reminisce she stares deeply at the wall, “We still feel homesick at times but, find comfort in our sisters presence. In a way she is our true home, my only family remaining”

“I get that… with me being unable to go home I’ve really felt lost and out of place for some time now. It wasn’t until Pinkie showed me how joyful life could really be again that I felt like believing I could find a home here. I guess she’s kinda my home like you and your sister”

“That was touching for you to share that, truly” stepping back she hesitates, “Is it strange to say it makes us feel warm inside when thou trusts us with such private thoughts?”

“I don’t think so. Makes me feel better to have somepony to relate to so when you talk about your own issues… I kinda feel important you know?” Her concerned look makes me feel as if I should clarify. “Important to you! Not that I feel like me as a whole isn’t important”

“We understood, I was just thinking how I felt the same”

The corner of my lip curls in a smile, “Sounds like we’re a match made in heaven”. Luna shares my smile, “Cmon, let’s go find us a body!”

Stepping forward into the dark tunnel she takes lead, “Not exactly something a pony should shout about, specially so close to others”

“They know we’re the good guys, what’ll they care?”

“Do they know that? Us, a pony formerly turned nightmare. Thou, formerly seen as a monster. Yes, why would they doubt”

“That’s all in the past. Now you’re a super cool, super beautiful alicorn of the night and I’m a big tall protector of ponies. Our reputations are at a high”

“Thou only seems to believe themselves a hero the moment it seems convenient” I shrug and watch her step into the tunnel.

I stay close behind Luna, my hand resting on her back while we shuffle deeper down the tunnel. The tight path eventually expands outward not far into our walk leaving the two of us a little more wiggle room. Moving forward I stand beside her and our only light source glowing from her horn. Like Luna explained earlier the walls remained stone all the way up to a point where our path stopped.

A metal fence gate kept us from going any farther, the dark room behind it much larger than our own path. Riddled with pony skulls or at least what I’d assume are pony skulls, it’s shape wasn’t very inviting to any guest. Stepping ahead I give the gate a little shake trying to move it from its place. It doesn’t budge much.

“Wouldn’t happen to have a key now would you?”

“Neigh, we do not. However…” lighting her horn even more she shoots the lock with a fiery bolt, leaving it to melt toward the floor. “We do have magic”

“Are you sure this is okay?”

“I thought you were excited?”

I bite my lip, “Yep, totally geeked about this”

“Relax and behold” with a simple spell the pathway before us lights up instantly, the proceeding wall torches lighting up as well in order.

Still surrounded by stone, it was at least more visible how deep our path went. If I squinted hard enough I could see the wall at the end of our hall. Settling for silence we both walk while watching over the decaying scenery. Looked somewhat like an old mine shaft in some ways.

“This is where y’all kept bodies? Doesn’t this feel like a bit much?”

“We wouldn’t want anypony to just waltz right in here now would we? These are the remains of those most dangerous and mysterious deaths we’ve experienced, they must remain in a location as devious as this”

“Yeah but who’s the one doing maintenance down here? Case you haven’t noticed this hallway is barely held together”

“And like we said earlier, we haven’t had a new case in some time!”

“How would you know? You said you’ve only been back here for like a year!”

“Before your arrival, I asked of any details from our sister on this palace’s morgue which she obliged. We can say our knowledge of this specific morgue is limited yet our understanding does not end there. Mortician work was a hobby of ours. It was a strange hobby we must admit yet, I find it fascinating in certain ways. I’m sure thou are quick to think we are weird…”

“Weird? Nah, you’re just goth”

“Goth? As in gothic?”

“Yeah, I bet if you were human you’d wear black lipstick and be super pale and shit”

“Ha, pale. Tough to imagine us as such” she stares at her own dark hoof in disbelief.

“Not for me”

“You must have a wonderful imagination”

“I’ve been told”

Continuing our walk we turn down another tunnel leading to an opening, “Us as a human… HA! What a funny sight to imagine”

“Probably be hot as fuck”

Luna blushes, “Please, it is embarrassing to think of all the perverted images flowing through thou’s brain”

“Then return the favor, imagine me as a stallion”

“But you are a stallion” she winks suggestively.

“Heh, Lulu did a perv”

Stopping once we arrive into the large opening, Luna spreads her wings wide. “Here we are, the morgue!” She almost seems excited, while I scurry away from a large spider behind her.

“Let’s hurry this up before I see another spider please”

She smirks picking up the spider in her hoof, “Adorable you can fear such a small creature”

“First off I’m the one who calls ponies adorable and secondly that thing is horrific looking!”

“Maybe to the average eye” placing it down she makes her way over to some of the objects in the room.

Checking my surroundings, everything still remained encased by stone. The ceiling was low, maybe eight foot and the structure of the room was rectangular, longer as you walked forward from the entrance. Resting along the sides lay several stone tombs or stone caskets (not really sure the difference) engraved with squiggly writing on their base. Each held engravings carved into the stone as well, usually similar in appearance to a pony version of death. Imagine a cloak covered pony wielding a scythe, that’s all it really is. The few that appeared any different weren’t from design, the age wearing away at its appearance.

“One of these should be our mystery pony”

“What’s with the terrifying stone work?”

“We used this symbol to say life threatening or danger to mortality. Here it even explains such on the wall.

Sure enough a few squiggly words rest below the very same symbol near the entrance wall. “Ah yes, in my native written language. Why didn’t I just read these SQUIGGLY LINES!”

I can hear her giggling behind me as she looks over several of the tombs. “Ooo, look at this one. Parasitic brain worm, highly contagious”

“Please don’t open that”

“Or this one, uncontrolled murderous rage. Cause still unknown”

“Actually don’t open any of these”

“Relax, any diseases or possible contagion would have passed by now. Why it must have been over hundreds of years since this room has seen any life”

“And for good reason”

“Actually yes, it is a good sign”

I let out a sigh and lean against a nearby tomb, watching Luna make her way down the room. Carefully she scans over the text of every tomb she passes, her focus unwavering. Whether it’s because I get too comfortable or the age was getting to this room, the lid I lean on slips open causing me to almost fall in. I catch myself just short of a pony skull drawing a very high pitched manly scream.

“AHHHHH”

“Are you alright?!” Luna had already closed the gap between us, checking me over for any wounds.

“Jesus… yeah I’m fine. Stupid fucking tomb fell apart or something”

“It would appear it did…”

“What’s this one say anyways? I’m not gonna have some sort of new illness now am I?”

“Brittle bones disease. We have found a cure for this already, strange to see the body still here”

“Goes to show you how much Celestia cared for your hobby”

She shrugs, “She never was a fan of death, would do almost anything to avoid talking about it even years after our fathers death. She is much better now, at times a completely different mare then the one I remembered”

I’m interested to know more about her father but, it feels rude to ask. Also it probably wasn’t okay to ask about Celly’s issue with death either so I settle for no question at all. Remembering where we are I guess this technically is the most appropriate place to ask but, I respect her privacy. If she wanted to tell me she would.

“Ponies change I guess… either way, I’ve already had my fair share of this place so let’s get this over quickly so we can go back to literally anywhere but here”

“Normally I’d disagree given the exciting potential there is to learn but, ever since thou opened that tomb, the air has become foul”

“Yeah sorry about that but, at least now you agree we should hurry right?” She bonks me on the head and returns to her search.

I’m not much help to her at this point given the fact I’m illiterate with old Poneish so I take the time to look back at the pony grave I’d desecrated. Shaped like a pony, the skeleton was laying on its side with several cracks and breaks throughout its bones. The skull was the most damaged, a large chunk missing near the top. What a poor soul, to be both born at a disadvantage and unable to live a full life.

“Luna can we at least take some of these remains and give them a proper burial?”

“We were thinking the same idea!” She shouts from across the room. “Most of these individuals do not appear to be villainous in any way, more like victims of unfortunate circumstances. After our leave I shall have a small team attend to any remains undeserving of such treatment. No pony deserves to be forgotten in this way”

“If most of these aren’t villains then does that mean we’re in the wrong place?”

“We are beginning to believe so”

“Shit”

“Shit indeed”

“Did you just-“

“The ones we search for must rest where we originally resided, at the old castle” placing a hoof on my shoulder she gives me a empathetic look. “We are sorry for wasting away a good night to enjoy ourselves, perhaps we can meet up again in the future once you have returned home to investigate this lead further. It’s location is much closer to Ponyville than it is here and so we should save it for then”

“So what are we going to do here then? We got a few months to work with”

“We were hoping to look over Quantum’s writing some more in hope of finding a clue. It is nearly six hundred to seven hundred words of journal keepings and test records, quite easy to miss anything of importance. Aaaand to be fair we are frustrated with today’s failure and would like to get started right away… if that is okay with thou?”

“Do you want me to keep you company?”

“Oh we would love thou’s company however, do you not have a book you wished to write? We wouldn’t want to steal the opportunity from thou and besides, we are more likely to focus better alone”

“A book- oh yeah that’s right! Ah shit, what was that mares name again?”

“Miss Novella”

“Thanks. Yep, I need her help to write it”

“It might not have been much time since I sent letter for her position change but, we find ourselves near the maid quarters. Would you like for us to make the change now?”

“If you’re gonna be busy today then yeah, that’d be great!”

“Consider it done, now let’s remove ourselves from this unforgettable excuse of a morgue”

“It’s a morgue Lulu, no need to have such high standards”

“But it was our morgue at one point! To see it in such disarray. Disappointing”

“Maybe the old one was yours but this one was entirely built before you returned. Can’t be too mad about this”

“When thou takes as much pride in grave tending as I, perhaps then thou could understand”

“Of course, my grave tending arc how could I forget” fortunately for anyone reading, there would be no grave tending arc. You’re welcome.

Luna leads the way back out and once we’ve reached our original entrance she spins around closing gap in the wall. It solves the issue of a large hole in the wall but, not the missing drywall.

“So who’s gonna replace that?”

“Hm? Oh, no pony soon. We still need it noticeable so that my ponies can find the way back to those remains. I can’t leave them there without proper burial”

I slap the top of my head, “Oh that right! Duh, you already said that”

“Why do you slap your head? Does that not hurt?”

“Well yeah but, you’ve never like hit yourself for being stupid?”

She shakes her head, “Neigh, what good would come of it? Negative reinforcement?”

Thinking about it I don’t really know why I did it. “Let’s just call it theatrics and find this maid”

Raising one eyebrow she giggles, “You can be very strange at times… even more strange we find it endearing”

“Lulu likes her stupid coltfriend” I mockingly sing.

“Please refrain from yelling that around others” I can’t see her face now but, I know she’s blushing.

Back through the guard barracks, back into the main hall entrance, Luna takes me up to a door labeled with the words ‘palace staff only’. She tells me to stay put and so I do. Doesn’t take long before she comes back with Novella in tow, her scowl directed at my soul.

“And here she is, thou’s own personal attendant! Do behave miss Scribble, we know how sharp that tongue of yours may cut and Mr. Marshall, do treat our staff with respect as they will do for you. We must get going now, enjoy the night as we shall. Goodnight!”

“Thank you Luna” I flash her a smile and wave her off. “See ya later!”

It’s not until she’s out of hearing range does the mare beside me speak up. “First off I’m not your property or your slave or whatever dumb idea you think I am to you so get that through your thick head now”

“Easy, easy! Jeez! No need for the hostility remember? I’m trying to help you”

“Yeah but, you still haven’t explained what’s in it for you. Kinda creepy if you ask me”

“I wasn’t asking you and I’ll tell you when we get back to my quarters which are… I don’t know where they are”

Facehoofing she walks past me in the direction Luna went, “Come on, princess Luna told me where to go…”

“Nice!” I jog to catch up and start walking beside her. “Look at that, you being nice enough to guide me around”

“Keep talking like that and I’ll take you somewhere else and leave you to get lost”

“You wouldn’t” she gives me a look that differs. “*gasp* you would!”

“…not funny”

“Ass”

“Creep”

Novella leads me most of the way in a fast pace making it difficult to trace back the steps. This wouldn’t be the last time I’d need help getting here, that became clear. Our walk started to get a little boring and the lack of familiar surroundings made me quick to give up remembering the way. Besides, I have a maid now to lead me.

“Luna called you miss Scribble… is that your last name?”

“Yes”

“Novella Scribble”

“Please don’t say my name”

“How come? How the fuck else am I supposed to talk to you?”

“I don’t know, sounds like you shouldn’t”

I had expected her rude sassy behavior but, at this point I began to get annoyed. “I like joking around and being mean to each other and all but, your being a complete ass. At least work with me a little”

She glances back at me and with a sigh and gives in some. “Call me Novella or Vel… or whatever you want I honestly don’t care”

“Thank you… Vel. Ugh, actually I don’t like the way that sounds” She stops and frowns, stomping on my foot in response. “YOWCH! What the fuck!”

“You said you don’t like the way my name sounds!”

“Your fucking little nickname you prick! Argh, fuck! That really hurt you know!”

There’s definitely some regret in her eyes but, more pride then anything. “T-then maybe don’t make fun of my name”

“Yeah okay… fucking won’t do that again” I list off a bunch of swears bitterly as she continues to lead the way. After a few more steps I faintly whisper to myself not trying to be heard. “Regretting this already…fuckin waste of time” I swear she flinches for a moment but, it could just be my imagination.

Somewhere along the fourth floor, we come to a pause. “This is your room. It’s normally reserved for foreign diplomats but, given your close relationship with the princess she’s labeled it as your own for your stay”

Looking like any other door we’ve passed, Novella opens it wide and steps to side holding it open for me. Surprised at the gesture I almost forget she’s supposed to be my maid. Inside, the room finds itself on multiple levels of elevation. Where the bed rests on the left is the highest point. Resting atop its wooden frame lays my luggage, Luna must’ve brought it here herself. One level or one step below that would be a entrance to a bathroom and a office table near the windows. The table looked like a good spot for Novella to write her novel. The third and lowest level would be the one you walk in on, one that leads outside to a balcony separated only by a glass door and floor level windows. I don’t even realize the large bookshelf along the entrance wall until I turn around, it’s shape moving over the doorway.

“Wow, this is nice”

I’m so distracted I don’t even notice Novella digging through a pile of mail near the door. “Are these things for writing my story?”

Sure enough, digging through them myself, they are indeed several types of materials for writing a book. There’s even some letters addressed to me. Letters addressed from Pinkie.

“Oh shit…”

Inspecting the feather on a quill she takes notice of my worry, “Who’s that from”

“None of your business” I rush over to the desk with an ink and quill from the pile, ready to write a reply as soon as I finish reading.

She had written to me five times since my arrival, each addressed to Mr. Marshall in a pink envelope. Given the timeframe, I bet she wrote every letter in the same day. I peel open the first reading it over. It’s not much, just Pinkie telling me how much she loves me and to be safe. The next two are similar. The fourth letter, seems to carry a hint of worry given my lack of reply and the fifth one… the fifth one tells me she’s not doing well. It’s filled with all sorts of panicked worrying and obsession over my lack of reply. She must be acting like she did when Rainbow left. I dip the quill and pause realizing I’m writing a regular letter for some odd reason.

What the fuck am I doing? I have that parchment

Stepping over to my bag I grab it and sit back down at the table. Frantically I write to Pinkie about my stay, explaining that everything was okay and that I just got to her letters. At the end I leave a little heart and address it properly. Once sent I immediately begin writing another.

Rainbow

Do you mind staying with Pinkie at my place while I’m gone? I’m worried about her and I know you stay with Shy in the winter so it’s not like it’s something your unaccustomed to. If you can’t please ask the rest of the girls if they can for me, I’m sure you all are already looking out for her. Also my trip so far has been great and I have something cool I learned about that I need to tell you when I get back. Something that makes being a pegasus like twenty percent more cooler. Anyways if you can stay at my house I’ll owe you big time, whatever you want.

Thank you,
Joey

Addressing that one as well, I send it on its way. Laying my head on the table I let out a large exhale.

“What was that all about? Hurrying to send a letter to your wife that your ‘business’ trip is going well?”

“My marefriend. She has terrible anxiety”

“Oh” Her realization leads to a painful silence. “Sorry” Pulling my head up I almost don’t believe my ears. “What? It’s not like I’m heartless”

“It’s just surprising to hear that from you. We haven’t even know each other for longer then two days and that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me”

“You’re not much of a nice pony yourself you know”

“Tough to be when I’m constantly berated. Anyways we’re not getting anywhere poking holes at each other so let me clarify the purpose of your job. I felt bad for you. It seemed like you hated your job and it seemed like you just needed a little help to get your life back on track. So in a way I’m helping you get this whole writing lifestyle of yours started so that you can both help me around the castle and help me feel a little normalcy for once”

“Two questions. One, I don’t believe that’s the actually reason so I’d like you to try again. Two, what do you mean normalcy?”

“That is the truth, and as for the second question I kinda already explained this the first time we met. Your horrible attitude is closer to human than any other pony I’ve met. At times it’s almost refreshing… almost. You’re still kind of an ass”

“So are you ever going to tell me the real reason or are you just too much of a pussy? I bet it’s something really weird like you get off to mares making fun of you. That or really sad crap like mommy issues”

“How about this, you make me not regret this whole idea by the end and I’ll tell you the real reason before I go home”

“Yep totally knew you were lying and deal. Honestly I didn’t really care but, I knew if I acted like I did you might tell me”

“Wow yeah deals off”

“What?! No, you can’t do that! I said deal already!”

“We never shook on it!”

“Since when was that a part of the deal?!”

“Since when did you care the reason?” She taps her foot in anger.

“Fine, I’m willing to admit I’m slightly curious… but nothing more. It’s kind of like that feeling when you wonder what made a noise but, you’re too lazy to look. That kind of curious”

“Uh huh”

“Ugh, buck you and get out of that chair, I want to start my writing”

I scoop up most of my shit and toss it in on the bed. Novella takes her place at the desk and I start to unpack. Most of my luggage would be clothes and my parchment but, there was another thing necessary for my trip. I had a bottle of the prescription sleeping medication from when I slept with my collar on. If I was going to stay here long term, it was likely there would be moments where I needed it on. Now that I think about it, I haven’t taken my collar off since arriving here. With a glance to Novella it’s a wonder she hasn’t already made fun of me for it.

“Hey how come you never joked about my collar?”

“Eh, felt too easy” she scribbles away into her paper, occasionally dipping for more ink. “If I was looking to really offend you I would bother with your appearance. I mean look at you, you have a collar, weird scaring, let’s not forget the fact you look like a weird hairless pony”

“That’s fair”

“Yep” she makes sure to really pop the p.

I sprawl across the bed and lay in silence. Doesn’t take long before I’m bored. “So whatcha writing about?”

“Stuff”

“You know I thought of a good nickname for you. Grey”

“Grey?”

“Yeah, it’s like the perfect color to describe your personality. Dull, inconsiderate, emotionless”

“And here I just thought you named me after my coat color. Look at you proving me wrong, maybe I’ll get you a box of crayons so you can point out which color is my mane next”

“So mean…”

Leaping out of bed I walk over to the bookshelf and scan for a couple minutes at anything that could be interesting. There’s a book that catches my eye, one on the differences of magic types and what they mean. Thinking it might help me come to a revelation I flip it open for a read. Not even two pages deep I put it back.

“So dry, ugh” maybe Twilight has a book she can suggest to me.

Taking my parchment I write her a small letter asking for a recommendation. Not even 5 minutes pass before I’m sent one back.

Sorry, too busy right now with a task Celestia gave me. I’ll try and find one when I have free time

Love, Twilight

“Shit”

“What is that weird scroll thing you keep looking at?” I realize she’s pointing at the parchment.

“It’s a gift Luna gave me. I can use it to write to anypony anywhere, all I have to do is address it to them”

“That’s actually amazing. Can I use it?”

“Thought you had a novel to write”

Standing up she walks over to me, “Well yeah until you told me what that is. Come on, I have some ponies I need to write to, it’s really important!”

“Your fillies?”

“Yeah… them” her response comes off a little awkward as if there’s more she wanted to say.

“Something wrong or…?”

“N-no! It’s just I… haven’t seen them in a while and I’d love to send them a letter to let them know I’m okay”

Taking a look over this mare I start to question a lot about what she’s said. “How old are you?”

“Huh? What?”

“How. Old. Are you?”

Face scrunched she answers confused, “24?”

“And you said you have fillies as in plural?”

“Are you doubting me?”

“Yeah, I am. You seemed way too young to have fillies and the way you act when I mention them is beyond strange”

“What gives you the right to decide if I’m too young!? You’re just a stuck up aristocrat that thinks he can play hero for every mare with an issue! News flash pal, I’ve seen it all before so shut up and don’t ever bring up my fillies again!”

I’m so caught off guard by her anger that I nearly fall off the bed. With a stomp and a huff she trots over the door and leaves with a slam. Novella’s outburst has me stunned yet there’s something that still bothers me about the situation. How come my question riled her up so much? She was hiding something but, I wouldn’t be able to figure it out any time soon.

“*sigh* Guess I’ll go and see Lulu. Maybe she knows something about it”

Checking both directions from the door I decide to try my luck without any help. I still had the parchment on hand in case I got lost but, I’d like to be self dependent when I can help it. And self dependent I would prove not to be with an entire hour passing without any luck. At the very least I had found my way to the ‘top’ floor, still attempting to take note of my surroundings. Sure it felt pointless to even try and sure I was lost but, I wouldn’t just give up like that.

“Hey do you know how to get to princess Luna’s room?”

“I am not allowed to disclose such information” the guard robotically responds.

“Look I already know about the secret stairway and that shit so just tell me the way there”

“I am not allowed to disclose such information”

“… you really suck”

“That means I’m doing my job right”

“Insufferable, ignorant…”

“Joey?” A large shadow casts behind me. With a quick turn I see none other than Celly herself.

“Yo what’s up?”

Her head tilts for a second until she decides to ignore my strange greeting all together, “What brings you so close to the observatory?”

“Just… curious about stars and stuff ya know? Heheh”

“Joey are you lost?”

“Yes please help me”

Rolling her eyes she pats me with a wing guiding me to follow, “Looking for Luna?” I nod with a childlike teary expression. “Okay let’s get you there”

I wipe away the imaginary tears, “Thank you princess Celestia. I would’ve let my pride kill me before I asked for help”

“Were you not just asking my guard for directions?”

“… as I was saying, thank you”

She dismisses my thanks with a hoof, “Please, this is barely a trouble” with the proximity I notice her tired expression, dark circles surrounding her eyes.

“Tired?”

“Very much so. I still haven’t found rest since we’ve last spoke and I was actually heading to bed now”

“Perfect! I was worried I might be a hassle”

“Unlikely. Either way it’s best I get to know you seeing how you’re courting my sister. Consider this a little bonding time”

If I was drinking water I would’ve spit it. “Wow I.. I totally didn’t even think about that”

“It’s best you start to. If we are to find ourselves together more often, then it would be helpful to know each other. Prince Marshall” the last part she adds with a giggle.

The sentence alone makes me go pale, “Please don’t call me that”

“But it is entertaining to see you change colors like that so quickly! Why if I didn’t know any better I would mistake you for a chameleon”

“How would you feel if I called you queen Celestia?”

“Hm, lukewarm”

“What if I said I’d stop calling you Celly?”

Her head spins faster then I can register, “You only just began!”

“Promise me you won’t call me that again”

She lets out a disappointed sigh, “Fine, I promise… but what about king?”

By the time we’ve reached Luna’s room, our shouts can be heard down the entire floor. “-and you should be called such accordingly!”

“That doesn’t even make any sense!”

“I shall explain it another time. Here, my sisters room”

“Thanks, I’ll ask her about it as well when-“ Celly stops me with a hoof.

“Joey? There’s something I must ask of you”

“Yeah?”

“If you and my sister become… adventurous, I ask of you to slow things down or perhaps settle for taking your time. My sister hasn’t had a suitor in over a thousand years I worry she’s become attached to you given her pain. I don’t mean to make it seem like the love you two feel for each other isn’t real but, I still worry. I trust you understand”

“You’re worried about your sister, I get it” I take a moment to meet her eyes, “I promise I’ll be careful with her”

“Please… it’s my fault in the end she feels such pain. If I could go back I wou-“

“Celly it’s okay, I got this” I move over to the door and take one last glance back. “And if it gives you any clarity, she doesn’t blame you for what happened”

Celestia gave a small smile and a nod in response, not wanting to talk more about the subject. She was okay with just a wave and putting her trust into a newly found friend. Although he was strange, she could tell he carried a good heart.

*knock* *knock* *knock*

The door opens and I’m met with a very surprised looking Luna. She donned a small pair of reading glasses resting near the end of her nose and her mane was kept tight up into a bun. Whatever hairs that were missed were in messy strings spiraling across her forehead.

“We didn’t expect to see you again so soon” taking a look over herself in the nearby mirror she frowns. “And to see us again so messy”

“Oh stop” I say walking past her into the room. “You know I like it when you look natural. Speaking of things I like l, your hair, it looks cute”

“W-we.. I.. err, thank you. It isn’t often I style it this way”

“I like it, you should mix up you hair more often. I’d love to see all the ways you could”

It’s clear she isn’t use to getting complimented, blushing up heavily by my words. “W-we will t-try to satisfy thou’s desires”

“Thanks! How’s the reading going?” I sit up on her bed with my legs hanging off the side.

Composing herself, Luna removes her glasses and places them upon the book. “Uneventful” with a poof the bed beside me raises at the added weight. “Much to our surprise”

“Is that sarcasm?”

“Regretfully”

Smiling I decide to be her joy for the moment. With a scratch behind the ears I pull her head into my lap. “Let’s call it a day for helping Joey time, you’ve done plenty enough. We checked out a lead, found a potential new one and I even got to write some of my story. I’d say it was a good day… night”

“But we have not found even a shred of a solution! How could you be so content? At the rate which we toil, I am to send you home without a purpose of this stay!”

“There’s plenty of purpose for me coming here what are you talking about?”

“Do not say visiting us is worthy of an excuse”

“Why? Cause you know it is?”

“Because I know it is not. We are not deserving of such privilege! Would you stay with a friend for an extended period such as this one just to sway their lonesome nights?”

“But you’re more then a friend Luna”

“Yes we.. we understand we are your marefriend however, I am not the first choice. There is another who your obligation falls to first, then us”

“Luna we already agreed that even if things don’t change with this trip then it still would’ve been worth it. I like spending time with you and I’m willing to court you even with the risk so why can’t you understand that, that’s enough for me”

“But we-“

“No buts! The only pony who’s opinion should matter on this is mine and if I feel like it’s okay, it’s okay. Believe me I’ve been in your shoes before and I did the same thing”

“Does thou mean ‘in your hooves’?”

“Yeah, same thing. I kept thinking that I’d bother everypony by telling them about my issues so I assumed it was best if I stayed quiet. I didn’t ask if it was okay with them, I didn’t even really think about how they might feel… I just thought I knew what was right”

Eyes still ridden with guilt Luna peered up to me for confirmation, “Thou really means it when they say they are okay?”

“Yes, I really mean it so don’t stress out about it”

“We still can’t help but, feel as if you hide your true emotions to spare us”

“Then do me a favor and trust me. Please”

Reaching up she places a hoof to my cheek, “I shall trust you but, allow us this. For thou’s stay you must let us work without restraint until we find a cure”

“No way! I want to spend time with you while I’m here and I’d rather you not be all exhausted and stressed out! Luna I really mean it when I say it’s okay so can we agree to enjoy each other’s company while we have the chance?”

“You place us in an impossible situation to argue” closing her eyes she lays sideways letting me scratch her to sleep. “You win for now”

“Thank you” I can relax a little knowing she agreed for the time being. Let’s just hope we don’t have to have this conversation again in a month if things don’t go well.

Our time spent together for the rest of the night seems to fade away. Somewhere between a purplish navy mixed blur, I find myself laying under the covers of Luna’s bed, her hooves wrapping me in warmth. Tucked below my chin she rest her head, the her horn braced against my chin. It’s large size makes me wonder if anypony has ever died in some sort of cuddling impalement before. I did know one thing for sure though, I wasn’t going to let me be the first.

I caress her mane, listening to the light hums of her enjoyment. Talk about good for the soul, I felt like I was in heaven. Everything was perfect. Her soft mane, the incredible luxury mattress, an overwhelming smell of blackberries. Felt as if I was only a step away from being comatose.

Luna greedily slipped a hoof under my shirt as to steal my warmth, “Such soft skin. For having so little protection against the elements we would not have imagined this level of smoothness”

A hoof feels a little weird in comparison to a human hand but, it wasn’t something I never experienced before. Pinkie was known for her late night assaults against my shirt, always wanting as much skin as she can have. It was okay given her fit under my criteria. Only ponies that I knew close and only ponies that I had given permission, anything else brought extreme discomfort.

“You wouldn’t believe this but the spots I have with weird lightning scars are pretty smooth too. Haven’t faded much though”

“I find your scars dashing, a show of your heroic character”

“Heh, I always saw them as a punishment for being stupid”

“Thou’s punishment, our treat”

“Tamata tomato”

She lifts her head quizzically, “What?”

Just then the door to Luna’s room opens slowly to an unexpected maid mare, Novella Scribble. “Princess Luna I-… “ slowly her face begins to heat up to the point I can visually imagine steam leaving her ears.

Luna and I stare at each other then back to Novella, sharing the same hot color across our own mugs. “Miss Novella”, still standing there with mouth wide open, she nods her head. “We would find it in eveyponies best interest if the sight you currently see stayed between the ponies within this room. Do we make ourselves clear?” She nods again before fainting onto the floor.

“…”

“Fuck”

“Fuck indeed”

Author's Note

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed.

Have a wonderful day/night :)