Confusion chewed through Star Strider’s mind as the last battalion left for the day. I have not felt that emotional since before I separated myself… Why have these desires begun to reappear? He walked through the corridors to his room. Tired from a long day of drilling and fighting, he looked forward to relaxing just a little. He stood in the shower that sat adjacent to his room as he pondered. Perhaps all my time spent with the Lichen has caused me to reabsorb some of its essence? Perhaps the summoning spell that returned me brought it into me again. Yet if that were true, how can I still cast my magic so proficiently? How have I not felt other urges or desires until her? His mind raced as he clambered into his bed. He lay awake for hours, tossing about his sheets as he was unable to calm his queries. He finally decided to take a stroll through the halls again, as to jog his mind for solutions by physical stimulation. He looked up at one of the large drapes that held over the windows. Summoning a small amount of magic, he pushed it back with no effort. So, my magic is still here, but my desire remains as well. Have I overlooked something? His thoughts were interrupted by the dark blue alicorn walking through the halls with a basket of lavender bushels, replacing them along the walls. She had yet to notice him as she hummed to herself. He felt a bit excited as she came closer.

“How goes the watchful night, princess?” He apparently startled her as her wings fluttered out for a moment. She saw him and smiled.

“It goes, I’ve tended to many ponies dreams already. I needed a break and most Equestria seems to rest easy tonight. For that I am thankful. I hardly ever get an easy night.” Star Strider walked towards her as she swapped another holder.

“May I join you for a bit? I found myself deep in thought and needed a rest from my rest.” Luna nodded and continued pushing her cart forward. They walked in silence much as they had the day prior. The last time I had company on my shift was when Starlight helped us, I don’t think I’ll ever take company for granted again. Especially this kind. Luna again was nervous and calm at the same time with him around. Perhaps I should say something? Maybe he wishes to talk of his troubles. But before she could speak, he spoke for her. “Tell me about yourself princess. I wish to know of your life and how you have grown. What made you the princess of the night?” Luna was caught off guard by the question. She had never answered one so deep.

“You envisioned my sister and I, yes? Surely you do not wish to hear a story you already know?” He shook his head softly.

“While it is true, I was given visions of the princesses of the future, they were brief and broad. I was given a path to follow that you might one day inherit the magic I crafted for thee.” Luna began racking her brain through her whole life, thinking of all her shaping experiences.

“Well, I was born a unicorn as many others, same with my sister. We were both strong and came under the tutelage of Starswirl. He led us through many spells and practices before he disappeared with his friends, ensuring the safety of Equestria not unlike yourself. A few thousand years ago, my sister earned her wings through her own magical exploits, and I followed suit by raising the moon. We were the first alicorns. At least that we knew of.”

“Indeed, you are. The alicorns of old never kept their wings. Either taken or lost by the greed of others, the very few that experimented with my spells were lost to time before I was. It was not a burden meant for my generation.” Luna thought about all the battles she had gone through simply because of her crown.

“That makes sense. I had wondered why we were the first for so long. But after earning my wings, my sister and I encountered many more problems like you were saying. Lord Tirek and his brother from beyond the badlands, Discord and his attempted reign of chaos, tyrants of the north, the crystal empire, so many more foes.” Luna shied away as she thought of her next event. Some say her defining event. Star Strider must have sensed her discomfort as he spoke in a soothing tone.
“You need not speak of hardships that still haunt you. The heart is a fickle thing, and it must be treated with the respect it deserves lest we damage it again and again.” Luna closed her eyes and took a breath. For some reason, she trusted this pony more than anypony else, almost as much as her sister.

“I became jealous. My sister was given much credit for our battles as ponies saw her daily. I became bitter and lonely in my night. The dream realm served as my only real connection to ponies, and they never knew me back. I knew everyone’s deepest fears, secrets, loves, desires, anything, but nobody knew who I was. Why I mattered. I couldn’t take it and I recklessly acted out against my sister. I became a monster so horrible that my very family had to banish me to the moon for a thousand years.” She had started to shed tears from her eyes as her voice broke. She felt his arm reach around her shoulder as he comforted her. She wanted so desperately to sink into his chest and be held. “I thought myself trapped there for eternity until I discovered the celestial bodies attempting to aid my escape. And when I returned to Equestria still as the monster ponies feared, I thought all was lost again. Twilight Sparkle and her friends saved Equestria from me, and they saved me from me.” She was now openly sobbing, both in happiness and sad as she thought of how grateful she was to return, and how scary it was to almost lose everything. Star Strider pulled her in close and embraced her as she cried. She had never felt such comfort from a pony before. It was as if his arms were made to hold her perfectly, his coat soft enough for her head, and his body warm enough to lull her to sleep. He broke the hug all too soon and looked into her eyes.

“You have grown tremendously because of it, do not forget that. You are one of the most powerful ponies not because of your magic, but because of your experience and humility to accept the flaws you have and to better yourself thereof.” His words warmed her heart as she stopped her crying and wiped her tears.

“I suppose an eternity to learn is a bit of an unfair advantage.” She chuckled as she pushed her mane out of her face and dried her cheeks. “But my time on the moon did me well. I feel as though I was meant to be there. I fell in love with the surface, the vast canvas before me, the cosmos above, and the stars to gaze upon. A thousand years crawled by, but they also went too fast.”

“I know what you mean.” He turned to show her his cutie mark. “Do you know my story of gaining my mark?” She shook her head.

“In my time, names were given at birth completely different from one’s talents, family gifts, or future. They were given as blood names to honor those that came before. My birth name was Walks-with-strength. An homage to my ancestors who crossed the treacherous lands with all they had on their backs. Official names were given once the cutie mark appeared on those fortunate enough to earn them. It was a new magic and hardly understood, so many ponies never gained a mark or only did at the end of their lives.

“I earned my mark very early, making me a special case among my peers. It happened as I wandered away from my village to find aid. I spent a night alone in an open field and gazed up in the sky. Entranced by the beauty of the moon and stars, I began to draw patterns in my mind. I walked these patterns along the ground below while staring up. As I did, something marvelous happened that I still cannot comprehend, but served as the basis for my spells. I traced runes from the stars that raised magic up in the land around me. I could not believe it, but I managed to write down what I saw as quickly as I could. Many of the runes I saw served as the starts for nature magic when I presented them to my teacher. He aptly named me ‘Star Strider’, in recognition for my dance with the stars above.”

Luna hung onto every word. This was the pony she dreamed of, the one who loved the night as she did. A pony who did not fear the dark but saw the light within and found it beautiful. Her heart pumped as their eyes were locked together. “That is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever heard.” She spoke in a whisper, as though she did not want to disturb the ground around them with her voice.

“The sun will always have its place as the giver of light and life, but it is the moon and stars that allow us to experience beauty… and love.”

Silence stood between them. For what felt like a lifetime but went by so fast. She wanted so badly to move closer to him, feel his embrace again, look into his eyes with nothing else around. She began to softly step towards him, and he returned a few. They were a hair away from each other, she could feel the heat of his breath coming from his nose, the warmth of his body radiating towards her. In the silence, she could swear she heard his heart beating as fast as hers. They dared not move to preserve this moment, but she wanted more. Suddenly, one of the night guards rounded a corner rather noisily. She quickly drew back from him and returned to her cart. She caught a glimpse of his eyes downcast as he resumed his stoic posture. He looked disappointed that she had moved away, even despite someone approaching. The guard spotted the two of them and bowed to Luna.

“My lady, I did not know you would be strolling so late. It is… good to see you again.” Luna looked at him as his eyes widened in a look of desperation. She suddenly remembered from those weeks ago who she was staring at. She closed her eyes and rolled them as she realized.

“Streak Lighter, yes indeed. Glad to see you on a post more suited for your passion for work.” Streak Lighter glanced up at Star Strider, the imposing pony smiling kindly back down to him. The night guard had yet to train with him, so he knew nothing of the giant that stood before him.

“Yes, my princess, but I did request to be your personal guard after… my watch and was denied. Perhaps if you speak to general Armor, he could—”

“No! I mean, that is quite alright. I told the general I shouldn’t be needing any more personal guards. The castle is safe enough with you patrolling the halls. I hardly need a babysitter upon my door every night.” Lighter looked disappointed. But in a very different way than Star Strider had she noted.

“Yes, of course. You know best what you need. But I shall remain vigilant for you, my princess.” He put a hoof to his chest and nodded to Star Strider, but with a slight malice underlying his eyes. He marched off in the direction he was headed and the two waited for him to be out of earshot. Star Strider turned to Luna.

“Chipper fellow, is he not?” Luna facepalmed and started walking again.

“Unfortunantly, most of the night guard cadets used to be stationed on my personal detail, for a bit of confidence boost. I grew tired of their advances over the years and finally requested to no longer have guards outside my room every night.” She grimaced as she remembered the very un-lady like things she had done over the years. Star Strider laughed and threw his head back.

“Yes, I can imagine how annoying it must be to have young men court you at every turn, despite your beauty compelling any creature with a brain to try so.” He continued chuckling at his thoughts and failed to see Luna blushing immensely. He thinks I’m beautiful. Or maybe he just means that everyone else thinks I am. He slowed his walk as they approached the courtyard door.

“So, you are a powerful pony indeed, but I was meaning to test everypony in the palace at some point. Considering this is probably when you have your highest level of alertness…” He gestured to the door with his head, “…care to spar with an old pony? See what her highness is really made of?”

Author's Note

I can't tell you all how much it means to me that you guys are liking and favoriting this. Even just the small amount of readers makes me happy. I really hope you guys grow to love this character the way I have. Thank you so much for reading this far! We've got quite a ways to go.