As tense as the start of it was, Nocturnus and Mokata found themselves greatly enjoying their trip. After going to eat in a nearby café, Clemente proceeded to act as their chaperone for the nation they were exploring. For the entire time that the vampiress was with them, they were graced with one sight after another. Lit buildings greeted their eyes, most coming in the form of stores, restaurants, and houses around them. On the streets, stands stood, holding valuables and food for anyone who wanted to sample. Nocturnus and Mokata almost gave in to the temptation but managed to hold back. Something that Clemente took great amusement in watching take place in front of her.

Interesting as they were in their own right, it was the residents that truly stood out. Vampires made up much of the population, but there were also creatures Mokata and Nocturnus weren't expecting to see. Diamond Dogs banded in groups, interacting in ways that were much like wolves and dogs. Sphinxes filled the skies, clutching onto brooms as their hats, cloaks, and manes billowed in the wind. Vixens strutted as they sultrily weaved through the crowds, eyeing the vampires around them with lustful bedroom eyes. Some did end up stopping to converse with Mokata and Nocturnus, with a few suspicious as to why they were inside their elusive home. Luckily, Clemente was there to diffuse it, and the duo was left alone as fast as they were confronted.

One hour later, Clemente ended the chaperoning, feeling she had shown the duo enough for the time being. Before she left, the vampiress helped them find a hotel so they could rest and stay the night once the festival was over. It didn’t take long to find one, and Mokata and Nocturnus took it upon themselves to get their own room with their own bits. Once they got their room key, the duo went to their designated hotel room to rest up for the upcoming festival. As well as have a little private time for themselves.

Nocturnus let out a long sigh as he fell on the soft mattress of the hotel’s bed, bat wings sprawled out as his mane scattered in all directions. His stetson - still sitting upon his head - flattened under its weight, but it didn’t really bother him. The bed provided him plenty of relaxation so he hardly felt his hat pressing against the back of his skull. Beside him, Mokata sat, watching her foalhood friend get himself comfortable.

“Gleaming fangs of Nyx! What a tour that was!” Nocturnus exclaimed. “I can’t believe how much stuff and how many other creatures there were in here. Who knew such a place like this could contain so much at once?”

“I agree. That was quite the adventure around the capital,” Mokata nodded. “I’ve never seen such a unique race before in my life. It was prepared to see the vampires in a more realistic setting. But to see them living like us? I’m amazed I didn’t get scared by them.”

“I’m amazed you didn’t freak out and faint by seeing just one of them,” Nocturnus added as he sat up. “I mean, I can understand not being afraid of the other thestrals and sphinxes. I can even understand being okay with the diamond dogs and kitsunes. But I’m surprised you kept your cool around the vampires given how scary they looked.”

"I did feel nervous when they greeted us, and they did look pretty scary,” Mokata murmured, blushing while facing away from the stallion. “But… I didn’t feel the least bit scared of them. I didn’t feel any malice coming from them and... I don’t know why.”

“It may be because of your roseray,” Nocturnus guessed. “Maybe that was the reason they didn’t give you flack. I’ve seen a few ponies wearing it around the city. So that may be partially why they treated you so nicely.”

Mokata laughed. “I think there may be more to it than me having powers like theirs. They’re probably afraid I’m going to, um… drain them of their life fluids and leave them looking like mummies. Like how the sphinxes over in the Shimmering Sands make their pride members look whenever they pass on. I doubt they'll manage to push me to that point though.”

“Given how much of a little bunny you are a lot of the time, that chance is pretty low,” Nocturnus teased. “Speaking of being treated nicely, I noticed the vampiresses were kind of… looking at me funny. Like they wanted to have their way with me or something.”

“I noticed too,” Mokata nodded, recalling how flirtatious and sensual some of the vampiresses behaved when meeting Nocturnus. “You did mention how your Mom and Dad told you that the vampires took a particular interest in them while they were here. Do you think it may be because you’re a thestral?”

“I don’t think so. It felt more like they were trying their darndest to get me into bed and ride me until Nyx took my soul,” Nocturnus replied mildly, causing a blush to erupt on Mokata’s face like an out-of-control volcano. “As for the stallions, they were acting really friendly towards me. Like I was a longtime friend or something, but I think that’s because of your earlier point. I guess it does make sense since we can pretty much do what they can do.” His ear flicked as he looked at the ceiling. “I wonder if that’s how the hosts will act when they finally meet us…”

A soft frown stretched down Mokata’s muzzle at her friend’s apprehensiveness in seeing Queen Ambrosia. Neither of them was lying when they told Clemente that they had a very unpleasant meeting with the Blood Moon Matriarch. It was during the Summer Sun Celebration twelve years ago - on the Fourth of July - that they met their future ally. Nocturnus and his fellow crusaders were at the Town Square with their sisters in the once small town when it happened. Ambrosia’s attack came out of nowhere, giving every pony there the mother of all jump scares. Including Empress Elianna, Amalthea, and Zoe themselves, who were the biggest witness to the carnage. Miraculously it didn’t end in casualties, and everypony was still alive despite the devastation of the Town Square. How that managed to not happen was something that, even to this day, Nocturnus still could not figure out.

In the wake of witnessing such a traumatizingly graphic ordeal, Nocturnus and his friends just happened to be discovered by the newly recrowned Vampire Queen. She then proceeded to kidnap the Crusaders, taking them from the Town Square and to the Everfree Forest. What followed afterward was a whole fourteen hours of, fear, terror, and seeing every single creature ever feared come to life to ravage your new home. As well as spending time with a dagger-fanged mistress while listening to her plans about turning Equestria into a land of gore and horror. Mokata and Nocturnus were so happy when their sisters, their friends, and the Equestrian Empresses came to save them, but not before having a brutal fight with the nocturnal monarch. Over the last decade, they managed to heal from it, but they still had flashbacks every now and again.

“If they’re anything like the other residents, then they’re likely to treat you like their subjects,” Mokata said, shifting on the bed and lying next to the thestral. “Clemente did the same with us the entire time we were with her. What’s to say the Queen and King won’t be the same way? For all we know, they may be just as anxious to meet us as you are them.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that. Trust me,” Nocturnus assured, looking out a nearby window. “I may be petrified of Queen Ambrosia, but I’m not stupid enough to think that she isn’t feeling any guilt and regret over what she had done. If I were in her shoes, I know I would not be able to live with myself. I’d rather let another thestral rip my own throat out than put a bunch of kids through the Tartarus that we did.”

“All the more reason to be so scared about seeing her again,” Mokata said, stroking the stallion’s black mane. “I’m not saying the meeting between you two won’t be awkward, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be bad. As you said, Queen Ambrosia surely regrets what she did. It wouldn’t make sense to go through all of this trouble to bring peace between Equestria and the Western Kingdom if she didn’t. Why even do this in the first place if that wasn’t the case?”

“Other than probably receiving a stake straight to the heart, and having her kingdom being turned to rumble, nothing really,” Nocturnus replied, a hoof coming to rub at his chest.

“Exactly,” Mokata nodded, moving closer to Nocturnus and putting a hoof on his. “Everything is going to be alright. We had a horrible past with Ambrosia, but now’s the perfect chance to make it into something better. She did it with practically all of Equestria, so she should be willing to do the same for us.”

“I know. I guess I’m just nervous is all,” Nocturnus nodded, his head plopping down on the mattress. “Whatever happens, we’re here now, and we’ll be seeing the rulers anyway. We should at least try to get civil and the Pink Moon Festival is a good place to start. I just hope to Nyx it’ll go well and doesn’t get ruined for everyone there.”

“You and me both,” Mokata agreed, rubbing the thestral’s back while pressing her cheek against his. Sighing, she shifted off the bed and went towards the bathroom. “I’m going to go use the bathroom and get ready for the festival. I’ll let you know when I’m done so you can freshen up.”

“Take your time. I’m not in any rush,” Nocturnus said with a nonchalant hoof wave. “And thanks for the talk. It really helped me become more prepared for seeing the King and Queen.”

Mokata flashed him a heart-melting smile. “Of course, Noctie. What are friends for?”

With those words, the gentle pegasus went into the hotel bathroom, leaving Nocturnus to be situated in the comforts of their hotel bed. Had she looked behind her again, Mokata would’ve seen the thestral staring at her backside, and the magma-hot blush on his stormy grey cheeks.

Despite its length, the chaperoning left Mokata and Nocturnus with enough time to freshen up for the festival. It went a little longer than necessary, with Mokata going a bit of the extra mile to look presentable. Nocturnus wasn’t bothered by it since he didn’t have much that he needed to fix himself. Once or twice, the thestral found himself looking at certain parts of Mokata’s body, turning away when she turned to him. She asked what was wrong and he just said that he was feeling just a little bit nervous. He briefly wondered if she knew he was staring, but she didn’t make any mention of it at all. It was almost as if Mokata was letting him stare despite standing just right next to him.

Once finished, the duo exited their hotel for the spot where the festival was said to begin. From what Clemente said, the starting spot would be at an obelisk fountain in the southern section of the city. No sooner did they get there were they greeted with the sight of a crowd surrounding the fountain. At the center was a huge statue of a bat-winged vampiress, rearing tall and proud in front of its viewers. Decorations covered it down to its edges where the water lay, sparkling in the moonlight. In front of it, a stand stood, made for the rulers when they eventually made their appearance.

“Damn, this is a huge crowd. I didn’t think that it would be at the festival,” Nocturnus said, looking about at the crowd bunched like a giant flock of seabirds. “I knew that a lot of creatures would be here, but this is something else.”

“Me too. I’ve never seen one this big before. Not even the crowd at the Summer Sun Celebration twelve years ago was this large,” Mokata nodded, keeping herself close to Nocturnus so as to not get separated from her friend. “Everyone must be really excited for the festival if they’re coming in such a large amount.”

“Considering that the Queen was absent for a substantial amount of time, I’m speculating that this festival was partially done to help her make up for the lost time,” Nocturnus contemplated, swiftly squeezing his way through the crowd. “And I have the strong feeling that the others before this were like this for that particular reason.”

“If that’s true, then it looks like the kingdom is in for a lot of celebrations in the upcoming years,” Mokata murmured, moving past a diamond dog as she stepped over his tail. “Everyone determined to help her properly live out the centuries she didn’t get to live out. It’s the only way to explain why the atmosphere feels so light. The only other time I’ve seen a get-together like this was when Queen Luna was given that party two months after her return.”

“You mean the one where the Myskia Thestrals celebrated their Lunar Queen coming back after what happened at our first Summer Sun Celebration?” Nocturnus asked as his mind brought the memories back to him. “I remember. You, me, the other crusaders, and our sisters got personal invites from Queen Luna herself saying we could go there. Now that was amazing…”

Mokata smiled fondly. “I can’t recall a time when I had that much fun! The thestrals there were so sweet, and their food was so good! I can even remember the bats they had there that they let us play with! They were so adorable!!"

“No arguments here,” Nocturnus murmured, feeling his own face going pink at recalling how he and Mokata played with the Myskia Bats. “I don’t think we’re gonna be seeing any bats in the festival, but that's fine. It’ll still be more fun than it would’ve been if I had come alone.”

“I feel the same way,” Mokata said warmly, taking one of Nocturnus’s forelegs in her grasp. “I’m glad I decided to come here with you tonight Nocturnus. I really am. I don’t think I can think of a more perfect moment than this one.”

“Right back at you Mokata…” Nocturnus said bashfully, doing his best not to go red from the pegasus’s physical affection. “I know I said it before, happy you accepted my offer to go with me to Rosière. I thought I’d be alone tonight since my family didn’t have any plans with me.”

He relaxed as he opened one of his wings, letting it cover Mokata’s back like a winter coat. “But it looks like Nyx wasn’t going to take that lying down. Or I just got incredibly lucky running into Fluttershy when I did. Either way, I’m content with how this played out”

“Me too,” Mokata agreed, pressing her face to Nocturnus’s neck. “Thank you for giving me such a wonderful gift Nocturnus. You really are a such wonderful and amazing friend. You know that?”

“Yeah… I guess I am,” Nocturnus softly breathed, his eyes closing at the sweet scent emitting from the mare’s mane. “I did promise you that I’d make this one of the best nights you ever had, and I intend to keep my word. We did agree that we’d make the most of it while we could anyway. So let’s do just that, so we’ll have a lot of memories to look back on!”

Mokata nodded, looking at Nocturnus with a smile warmer than a campfire. “Of course.”

A bellowing tenor suddenly echoed throughout the streets, filling the ears of those who were close enough to hear it. Mokata and Nocturnus, who were the closest to it, jumped at the sound and turned to where it had come. On the stand, a unicorn stallion could be seen on its booth, levitating a horn in front of his muzzle to show it was him. Like a remote turning off the television, the whole crowd quieted, now given the realization that the festival was officially starting.

“Well that was an unpleasant surprise if I never heard it,” Nocturnus asked after a long minute while rubbing his ears.

“My goodness that tenor was loud! I wasn’t expecting to hear something like that.” Mokata agreed meekly with a wince. “Could that have been a signal of some sort?”

“Probably. It’s the only thing that can explain why everyone went quieter than a flock of bats sleeping in a cave,” Nocturnus guessed, taking notice of the undivided attention the vampires gave to the fountain. “In any case, we should probably stay silent for now. Something tells me we're in for a big introduction.”

As if on cue, the unicorn vampire who had blown the tenor earlier walked off the stage, allowing another vampire to take his place. Everyone watched as he stopped at the edge, shaking back his slick black mane while taking out a scroll hidden in his armor. Using one of his hooves, he tapped at the microphone on the speaker in front of him, making sure the crowd was paying attention.

“Greetings my fellow Rosière Residents!” He announced, his refined and elegant voice echoing like a wolf’s howl. “I am the honorable Crimson Knight Captain Nicholas! Proud member and leader of the Rosière Royal Guards! I would personally like to welcome you all to the Pink Moon Festival!”

Claps and stomps broke the silence as their owners cheered happily, all their voices drowning out their physical actions. Somewhere in the middle, Nocturnus and Mokata stayed silent, opting to let the Western civilians show their excitement for them. Once it was calm again, and the crusader duo made sure they didn’t go deaf, Nicholas continued his speech.

“Before we proceed, I would just like to say how wonderful it is to see so many faces gracing our kingdom!” He stated levelly, his eyes flickering all across the crowd. “Whether you are civilians who have lived here before, or adventurers coming here for the first time, I welcome you all to our prosperous land! I am not certain how many of you are newcomers but fear not! No danger is to be found in these walls, and you can expect to find nothing warmth and kindness upon every turn!”

‘No danger here huh? I’m not so sure about that, considering I’m surrounded by the creatures that used to haunt me in my sleep.’ Nocturnus thought dryly. ‘Still, I’ll take his word for it. For however long my body is intact anyway.’

“Is there something the matter Nocturnus? You look a little apprehensive there…” Mokata replied, gently brushing her hoof down his mane.

Nocturnus, no longer lost in his nervous train of thought thanks to Mokata’s touch, looked at her with surprise. “Y-yeah, I’m okay. I was just a little caught off guard by what the, er… guard stated. The whole no danger being found here thing...”

“Not the best way of ending the beginning of your introduction into a long-lost nation,” Mokata said, smiling while absently listening to Nicholas continue his speech. “He still meant well, right?”

"In his own way. Let’s just hope he takes some time to work on his speeches in a way that doesn’t make visitors feel like they’re putting one foot in the coffin,” Nocturnus muttered, adjusting his stetson. “After all, there’s no such thing as a true danger-free place.”

“I have a hunch that he’s definitely going to be given a little friendly reminder on that,” Mokata assured, rubbing up against the thestral. “Speaking of speeches, it looks like he’s about to wrap his own up.”

“In just a few moments, you will all witness the glory that is the Pink Moon and partake in one of the Rosière Kingdom’s most ancient celebrations! But first, we have two very special guests partaking in the festival! One that you all know very well!” Nicholas said as he began to conclude his speech. “Ladies and gentlefolk, it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you, civilians and newcomers alike, to our elusive land’s rulers! The bringers of light and darkness! The beautiful, strong, wise, and kind! The protectors of the west, King Ambrogino and Queen Ambrosia!”

With those final words from the guard, the crowd went into another set of cheers even louder than the first. To the point where ringing in the ears would be all but certain for anyone not used to hearing such sounds. Nocturnus and Mokata were feeling it and more, as evidenced by how far the tips of their wings were embedded in where they could hear. Neither of them could blame the citizens though, especially with who was going to be partaking in this celebration that they were already liking. Even so, none of it made the high cheering any less pleasant to hear, regardless of how warm and inviting it sounded. Nocturnus was half tempted to use his Crimson Glare on a few to get them to calm down but refrained from doing so. If not because he didn’t want to ruin the moment for Rosière citizens and the upcoming one. He and Mokata would have to give their ears thoroughly checked back at their hotel later. If they didn’t lose their hearing by the end of the night.

As the whooping finally died down, the Crusaders took notice of two other figures coming in from behind Nicholas. Said guard stepped to the side, allowing them to let their faces and figures be seen by all. Both were dressed in royal robes and crowns fitting of rulers, made in a way that looked to fit their tastes in fashion. As pretty as their clothes were, it was nothing compared to the two vampires themselves. The stallion had a starless night-black mane, and a pelt so red that he looked like an equine-shaped rose. Crystal blue made up his eye color, with the slits helping to add to their sparkling light.

By his side, his beautiful mare stood, holding the same beauty and grace as her king did. Grey made up her pelt to where she looked like a storm ready to burst, with a mane so red it looked to be the color of blood. Her mane color also matched the color of her eyes, which gleamed as if made of the color that made up her mane. While imposing appearance-wise, both crusaders felt the gentleness from underneath the commanding and authoritative auras the rulers emitted. All of which was calming enough to keep them from running like a coyote couple from a wolf pack.

“Epona's Holy Wings…” Mokata whispered, sounding as if the breath was taken from her body. “N-Nocturnus... is that who I'm thinking it is?”

“Yes… it’s Ambrogino, the Rosière Kingdom King.” Nocturnus confirmed, nostrils flaring as their scent wandered into his nose. “And beside him is his wife and the one that used Queen Luna as her host… Queen Ambrosia.”

Anything the friends were going to say to each other was stopped when Ambrogino and Ambrosia walked onto the stage. Nicholas gave them a brief bow before walking over to stand guard at their carriage, letting his majesties do the rest. Upon reaching the booth, Nocturnus and Mokata felt locked in place by the power and beauty oozing from them like sap from a bark-torn tree. It was like staring at two beings responsible for the creation of all life, even though there were twenty-one known ones responsible for that. While neither were gods by any means, it could be undoubtedly said that the ponies looking upon them right now were as close to deities as could be. Regardless of how scary they looked with their switchblade-like teeth and draconic serrated wings.

“Greetings our beautiful subjects. How wonderful it is to see you tonight.” Ambrogino greeted after a brief period of silence. His low and smooth tone slithered from his muzzle like the tongue of a snake, making many females around him blush in response. “It is always such a pleasure to see your faces. I’m so glad you were able to take the time out of your days to see us and celebrate another year of the wonders that is the Pink Moon Festival! We have much planned for tonight as with the ones before that will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable nights you will have!”

Another seat of cheering emerging from the crowd got warm smiles from the King and Queen, helping the newcomers be at ease with their presence. Before Nocturnus and Mokata fell at risk of hearing loss, Ambrosia lifted a hoof that silenced the crowd like a radio cutting off. Briefly glancing at her husband, she watched as he nodded before she took his place on the stand. Looking at the crowd that stood before her eyes, Ambrosia sighed before speaking as well.

“Following my darling Ambrogino, I am also elated we could partake with you during this night. Even if it’s for only a few of them out of the entire year. Minus the festivals,” She stated, her higher voice coming out like a gently flowing river. Laughter drew out from a few in the crowd, to which Ambrosia joined in before continuing. “Regardless of how little I’m able to, it never ceases to make me smile when frolicking with the ones my husband and I watch over each day and night. Now I have a chance to do it once more! To sing! To dance! To eat! To celebrate with my subjects! Something I hope to continue doing for centuries to come!”

“No doubt the people here hope so too since she's their queen,” Nocturnus said to Mokata, taking in the looks of childlike excitement by the civilians. "Don't think I can say the same about the subjects of the past though.”

“Mhm.” Mokata nodded slowly, sympathy shimmering within her eyes while she looked at the jovial Vampire Queen.

Heads held high, Ambrogino and Ambrosia closed their eyes as auras the color of their eyes enveloped their bodies like clouds of mist. It started from beneath their hooves before working up to their heads, with the gemstones on their cloaks gleaming. None of this went unnoticed by Nocturnus and Mokata, who felt they were going to see something mind-blowing.

“We will now move on to festivities! But before we do, allow my wife and I to show our second surprise! One the newcomers will surely come to love!” Ambrogino declared as the crowd looked at them inquisitively. He turned to his wife, who smiled back at him in eagerness at what they were about to do. “Shall we proceed with the opening of the festival, dear Ambrosia?”

Ambrosia giggled, feeling her face go redder than her mane at the warm sensuality in her mate’s voice. “Only if you let me participate with you in it, my dear Ambrogino~.”

Giving a chuckle of his own Ambrogino took position alongside his queen. "Well then...let us begin!”

Faster than the venom of a spitting cobra, the Royal Vampires suddenly turned to the obelisk, wings spread as the gems holding their robes together shined brighter than lamps. With powerful hoof stomps, magic burst from them, going into the carvings of the obelisk. All watched in silent anticipation as the magic went up the stone pillar, glowing as if it were a beast waking from hibernation. Nocturnus and Mokata waited too, expecting to gaze upon something absolutely breathtaking.

“Now our dear subjects! Bear witness to the creation has left many before you on their knees!” Ambrogino announced as he and his wife continued with their task. “Behold, the Pink Moon!”

Seconds after the magic filled the obelisk, it burst from the top, shooting into the air at speeds that barely left the viewers time to blink. It soon stopped in midair, looking like it was well within the stars despite being nowhere near that far away. A sphere soon formed from the tip, growing in size and brightness that made those with sensitive vision turn away, including Nocturnus and Mokata. Something that sounded like a burst came afterward, spreading a thought in the Crusaders that something exploded. Upon feeling nothing, the friends slowly opened their eyes… and were greeted with quite the mentally imprinting sight.

“Mother of Thestrals…” Nocturnus whispered weakly while Mokata fell to her haunches in shock.

Hovering above the awestruck crowd and glowing with the brightness of a thousand stars, was a magically enhanced full moon. It was pink as stated, its color fuller and darker than any color of pink ever found. Small sparks of light twinkled in it, each holding various colors that helped to add to the beauty of it all. Rotations came from the moon as if it wanted all there to see every inch of what the moon had to show. Finishing its touches was a large cloud of magical dust covering the moon, its rosy-pink color wrapping around it like an eggshell around a yolk. As it rotated, the magic dust spread throughout the crowd, letting everyone feel the warmth, passion, and love their leaders had for them.

“And there you have it our dear subjects! I sincerely hope any seeing it for the first time has something beautiful to think back on wherever you end up!” Ambrosia was, reveling in the tear-filled and amazed looks of her citizens. “Now, without further ado… let the Pink Moon Festival, begin!”

For the final time that night, joyful cries and screams of positivity exploded through the festive area, blocking out any sound coming from it. None of it registered with Nocturnus and Mokata, both of whom were still reeling from the surprise the King and Queen displayed. It was only when fireworks suddenly began going off that the Crusaders refocused on everything around them. Seeing how crazy the crowd was getting, Nocturnus took Mokata by the hoof and made them both airborne to keep from getting knocked over. Though they did have to watch out for a few mynxes who nearly ran into them while trying to recover from their shock.

“My goodness! That was beautiful!,” Mokata said breathlessly, holding tightly to Nocturnus’s foreleg. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that before!”

“Neither have I. That was the first time I saw something magical used to make something that was so… amazing. The last time I think I witnessed something that incredible was when Twilight made that firework version of her cutie mark during the Myskia Winter Solace Celebration.” Nocturnus agreed, staring back up at the rotating pink moon. “The King and Queen were totally not kidding about what they said earlier. I’m going to be remembering that until the day I join Nyx in her Garden of Shadows.”

“You mean we’re going to remember it until our goddesses take our souls into paradise,” Mokata corrected. “Still, that was a wonderful surprise they showed us. I don’t think I can think of any other way to start a festival. Especially since it’s one supposed to be revolving around vampires.”

“If it didn’t then I doubt this festival would be celebrated at all. Let alone the other one Clemente mentioned,” Nocturnus stated as he gave the pink moon one last glance. “By the way, you think she’s somewhere here in the crowd? She mentioned she was going to be there when the festival began, but I don’t see her anywhere.”

“She might, but the crowd is too big for us to be able to find her. We’ll have to wait until it disperses some before we can do that.” Mokata said tilting her head curiously. “Why do you ask? Were you wanting to talk to Clemente or something?”

“Nah, I was just hoping she didn’t get crushed by the crowd like a runner being trampled by an out-of-control bull. But I get the feeling she'll be just fine,” Nocturnus replied, looking at Mokata with a grin of excitement. “Anyway, I think we’ve done enough gawking! Come on! We have a festival to celebrate!”

Just as the duo imagined, Nocturnus and Mokata found themselves being completely under in the excitement of the Pink Moon Festival. Though to say it happened like that probably would have been a gross understatement due to how much of a high it gave them both. Activities of all kinds could be seen and displayed all over the celebration area among adults and children. From exotic dancing to thrilling game playing, and blood-pumping competitions sure to make someone’s blood rush. Delicious plated food lay in the hooves and paws of the civilians, which the duo had a wonderful time sampling. On top of that, they were even asked for the honor of a dance with some of the participants that had no problem getting red cheeks from them both. While some activities were a bit much, the two Crusaders didn’t let it damper their fun and focused on the ones they could do. Even playing with some of the children in their games; something the Rosière residents found to be quite adorable.

Eventually, Mokata and Nocturnus ran out of energy and were forced to take a breather from the partying. It was a good kind of tired though, and they were far from done with the land they decided to visit. Until they recovered, Nocturnus and Mokata decided to get themselves a full-course meal of the festival's amazing food. Or an all-out buffet thanks to Nocturnus getting more food than he probably should’ve with the bits his sister gave him. It was a pretty pleasant break. Even if it was a bit marred by the loud chattering from the residents.

“My goodness! Slow down Nocturnus! You’re going to choke on your food if you keep eating that fast!” Mokata chastised as she watched her thestral friend stuff his fluffy got. “I know doing those activities worked up an appetite but that doesn’t mean you have to show such a lack of restraint.”

Nocturnus, who was chomping on down a large meaty rib, stopped to look up at a Mokata as she eloquently at her own plate. With impressive neck expansion, he swallowed the food stuck within his cheeks before downing a cup of soft cider. Once his windpipe was cleared, he gave her a meek grin before murmuring, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so careless… and uncouth as Rarity would probably put it. It’s just... this food is so good! I feel like I’m gonna cry with each bite!"

“If that’s your way of describing how good the food is, you’ve done a good job,” Mokata chuckled, dapping at her muzzle with a napkin. “I can’t say I blame you. This food is just lovely. I feel like I could eat this forever if given the chance.”

“All that tells me is Rosière cooks totally have you wrapped around their hooves regarding its delicacies,” Nocturnus grinned teasingly as Mokata silently blushed and frowned cutely at him. “Of course, with me and my own appetite, I don’t really have room to talk.”

“Indeed you don't,” The pegasus gently scolded like a mother to her child while pointing a reprimanding wing at him. “Out of all of the crusaders, you’re the one who has the biggest appetite. It’s so ravenous it would make even Pinkie Pie look like she has proper table manners! And knowing her and how she eats, that’s saying a lot.”

“At least I don’t go around eating my food as if I’m a pot-bellied big rolling in a pile of mud,” Nocturnus shot back while crossing his forelegs as if he was just told something very insulting. “And now that we’re on the subject, did you have to pick a spot where people had pets roaming around? We had at least five church grims come over to our table trying to take our meals! Not that mind them, but could you have at least picked a place where there were as few as possible?”

Mokata smiled guiltily as she twiddled with her hooves. “I'm sorry… I didn’t mean to be so hasty. When I picked this part, it looked like such a controlled place where we won’t be bothered too much.” She looked around to where other festival celebrators were sitting, and how loud they were actually being. “I guess that ended up coming back to bite me.”

“Now that’s something I think we can agree on…” Nocturnus deadpanned, tossing some of his mane from his face. A softer look enveloped his features as he gave a resigning sigh. “Hasty decisions aside, I’m not mad at you for it. If I’m being honest, I sort of like it. Not just for the fact that we’re interacting with the vampires like we're normal people, but because we get nice little greetings from their pets. Even if they try to steal our food from time to time.”

“Me too,” Mokata giggled as her cheeks turned pink. “While they were rather… invasive, they were all so sweet! One of them even had little puppies with her! Oh, it was the cutest thing!”

“Cute? Totally. Cute while they were all trying to cover me in slobber and burn me with their fire? Not so much," Nocturnus stated, looking down at the singed patches on his pelt. “Seriously, who knew church grims could have so many puppies at one time? You'd think they're like the feral version of Diamond Dogs! I’m going to have to read up on Church Grim Anatomy regarding the amount of offspring they have.”

“I’m sure the King and Queen have books about them in their castle,” Mokata speculated, taking in a slice of apple. “If we ask, they may let us take some home. From how big their castle looks, they might have a library with all sorts of books like Twilight's Bookstore. Even ones on the animals in the Undiscovered West. Fluttershy would be so happy if we did that!”

“More like have a field day...” Nocturnus agreed, laughing at the hearts beating in the pupils of his friend's eyes. ‘Now I think about it, I do want to repay Fluttershy for letting me take Mokata to Rosière. Maybe I should get her a book about church grims as a surprise present. I just hope I have enough bits for it. Nyx knows I spent too much on this meal.’

“Nocturnus?” Mokata’s sweet voice pulled him out of his inner monologue like a sea otter pulling its baby atop her belly. “Is there something the matter? You were looking spaced out there…”

“S-sorry! I didn’t mean to!” Nocturnus replied, holding up his hooves meekly. “I just ended up getting lost in thought when you mentioned King Ambrogino and Queen Ambrosia. You know, with asking them for books about phantom dogs...”

“Are you thinking they’re going to say no if we do ask them?” Mokata asked, holding a hoof in front of her neck. Before the thestral could confirm her assumption, she went on. “Wait… are you still worried about coming face to face with them?”

Nocturnus stayed quiet for a moment before sighing. “…No, not really. If I’m being honest seeing them on stage while doing their speech helped ease my nerves. While I did feel a shitload of power coming from them, I felt… safe by their presence.”

“You felt safe?” Mokata asked, her eyes becoming curious.

“I did,” Nocturnus nodded softly. "I definitely knew they could snap my neck like a tiger would a water buffalo’s if given the chance. But, I didn't feel anything like that from them. More like they’d protect me from anything and everything as long as they were there. If that makes sense.”

It made perfect sense. Mokata also experienced that feeling more than a few times in her life. If not from Fluttershy, then certainly from those who she had met that she deemed to be safe for her to be around. Some definitely looked scary, such as Apple Bloom’s brother Big Macintosh and her sister’s childhood friend Bulk Biceps. Including that nature-loving pegasus stallion her sister was dating who saved them from a trip that went wrong while they were visiting the Forbidden Jungle for Mokata’s thirteenth birthday. Now that was a stallion that really sent chills up her spine when she first saw him. Something that lessened considerably the more she spent time with him.

While those stallions looked like they could send even the toughest of creatures cowering from fear, they shared one thing. Underneath their hard exteriors were gentle and kind people that wanted nothing more than to keep those they cared for safe. It was those ponies that Mokata felt the safest around and believed would bring no harm to her. While she did feel protected around her own friends and their siblings, there was just something about the ones with the softest hearts that just drew her to them. Like a moth being drawn to the brightest of flames.

“I know what that feels like. Being face to face with someone who makes you feel like you’re in danger yet safe at the same time,” Mokata assured, smiling. “It’s one of the craziest feelings you can have about people. Ones that are capable of doing terrifying things, that you know they won’t do to you. I’ve met many who make me feel that way. Including you~.”

“Heh, I knew I wasn’t the only one. But given how perceptive you are when reading others, I shouldn’t be surprised," Nocturnus shrugged, trying - and failing - to hide the blush on his ace. “All those lessons Fluttershy gave you on reading animal body language really came in handy, didn't they?”

“When you live with her for as long as I have, you pick up on a lot of things,” Mokata giggled with a hoof pressed against her lips. “It’s always the quiet ones that give you the most surprises, you know?”

“No arguments here,” Came Nocturnus’s own laugh as he adjusted his hat. “Social cues aside, I am more optimistic about how our meeting with Ambrosia will go now that I’ve seen them in the flesh. They seem like loving and caring leaders who want everything for their subjects. That gives me hope for us being able to bury the hatchet after what happened during our first encounter.”

“Mhm,” Mokata sighed, looking up where the stars dotted the sky. “Talking about what happened all those years ago should be a good place for us to start, shouldn't it?”

“Uh-huh,” Nocturnus nodded. “Part of me did think it would be during or even after the festival. But since we decided to stay the night here… I’m betting my bits on the meeting being in the morning.”

“And I’ll be right next to you when it does,” Mokata said, reaching out to hold Nocturnus’s hooves. “You’ve gone out of your way so much already taking me to this place. The least I can do is be beside you when you meet the ones you’ve had a fear of for so long.”

“Considering you were also there with me when it happened, it wouldn’t make any sense if you weren’t,” Nocturnus pointed out. “But I appreciate it all the same Mokata. Being there for me so much.”

“Well, you are one of the five ponies I’ve befriended that shared in my triumphs and my trials,” Mokata said back. “I wouldn't be a good friend if I wasn't here along with you, would I?”

“If you weren't then we'd never have what we do now,” Nocturnus replied, booping the pegasus’s nose. “But seriously, I am grateful Mokata you’re here. You’ve made this night more special than I could’ve ever thought. Thank you for that, and… I love you.”

Deep within her chest, Mokata felt her heart give a skip of a beat, breath surging in her lungs at the words that Nocturnus uttered. Her pupils dilated for a second, warmth surging through her like a polar bear cub nuzzling against its mother. Very, very slowly, she leaned in and kissed his forehead, prompting Nocturnus to blush. She pressed their foreheads together, her mane sliding in front of her eyes to hide the tears forming. With a voice gentler than raining snowflakes, she spoke three words that sent waves of warmth through Nocturnus’s entire body.

“I love you too… Noctie~.”

Author's Note

I gotta say, the second and third part of this chapter was pretty hard for me to write... at least the part where the Vampire King and Queen were presenting themselves. And where Nocturnus and Mokata were talking when to meet them to get past some...unfortunate events. All and all, I had a pretty good time writing this, especially the part where the magically induced Sugar Pink Moon was made in front of everyone. I thought about using the actual moon as a way to show it, but I felt like this one was better. I wanted to be on the more magical end of things, and I feel like I got it. Even if the description was not as thrilling as I made it out to be.

Also, before anyone asks, yes, I am thinking of having Nocturnus and Mokata see the King and Queen to have their personal little talk. Not sure whether I'll be able to do it, or if I'll just make into an aftermath paragraph, but I'll be contemplating that once I get to that point in this story. All I will say is that I'll be giving some description as to how that's going to go for those of you who are curious. You may or may not be disappointed as to how it will go, but hey... we'll see when we get there.

Anyway, I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It was a toughie to right, and I hope you guys got a thrill from watching it. If not, then don't worry, because the next chapter will surely have you guys leaving satisfied! Up next will be the sweet, sweaty, steamy, sultrily, and downright lewd chapter you've been dying to see!!!