Chapter 11 – The Decennial Meeting

Midnight

The double doors that made up the entrance to the estate opened with the glow of magic as the trio entered and then the doors slammed shut behind them just as they cleared the doors, causing Anon to both jump and yelp.

“Midnight! Was that necessary?”

I smiled at her. “Of course. I have to create the ambience, my lady.”

They both quietly followed me to a sitting room that Anon had never seen or previously used. It became clear to her that this room was used to entertain guests… rare though that actually was.

The mare also looked around the disused room, her gaze falling on the framed primary feathers and locks of tail hair, complete with name plates. She raised an eyebrow and smiled a knowing smile and decided to start her verbal fencing, halfway knowing I was expecting it.

“You are very bold, my lord, to keep such trophies.”

I didn’t answer her as I simply smiled while opening the moonshine I had just purchased and started to pour servings into shot glasses to serve to the mares.

Anon raised an eyebrow to the mare. “What trophies?”

The mare gestured to the framed items with a hoof.

“A pegasi primary feather is very special. Most pegasi will only give one to a very special pony, usually a lover… to symbolize their bond. Also… Earth Ponies and Unicorn’s will sometimes gift a lock of their tails to symbolize their tail having been taken. Every framed feather and lock of tail is a love conquest of the great Lord Midnight Stalker. For a pony with no friends… I dare say that my lord has had more than his fair share of lovers…”

Anon’s eyes widened as she took in all the frames… there were so many…

I cleared my throat as I magicked over the moonshine. “To be fair… most of those are from my younger years. I found myself quite… ah, needy, after my fiancé abandoned me.”

Anon winced. “I’m not judging you, my love. I just didn’t know.”

The mare raised an eyebrow at Anon, less than pleased by the lack of reaction, and simply shot her moonshine. Plan B, it would seem, was needed.

“I am ready to start my punishment. What would you have me do, My lord?”

Midnight shot his glass as well and answered. “The estate has a number of chores you could do. I suppose I should pick one that is beneath the duties of my dear lady.”

I thought for a moment and smiled. I waited until Anon started to take a drink from her shot glass.

“I know! You can wash my cock.”

Anon spit out her moonshine all over herself. “WHAT! You can’t be serious…”

I smiled at her. “Of course I am. He’s an old, fat, and dirty cock and he needs a good bathing.”

Anon looked both angry and distraught. The mare nodded in fake resignation, playing along.

She sighed loudly. “I suppose you’ll want a lock of my tail too?”

Anon’s eyes widened so much I thought they would pop out of her head.

I continued. “Only if you’re willing. I won’t force you, of course…”

That… was her breaking point as Anon stood up and screamed, glaring at me. “I’m going to beat you to death with your own armor! How dare you threaten such actions on this mare, no matter her crime! You know you’re better than that!”

I smiled at Anon which caused her to frown. She is already willing to defend my ponies. Even from me… that is perfect. Exactly what I was hoping for.

The mare in question also smiled, pleased as well. “She’s rather feisty. So… where is the cock?”

I huffed. “In the chicken coop with the rest of the chickens, of course. What a silly question.”

Anon’s jaw dropped. “Chicken coop?”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Of course… what do your people call male chickens?”

She face palmed, blushing fiercely. “Some people call them cocks but most people refer to them as Roosters because cock is also used by my people as slang for a stallion’s… shaft.”

I laughed at her. “Oh my… you’re so red… would you like to lie down?”

Anon finally giggled at the situation. “No… I think I’ll help her. The faster I can send her on her way, the happier I’ll be.”

I chuckled at her. “Still trying to keep me to yourself, eh. I don’t suppose I can blame you. Just find me when you’re finished. I think I’ll take a nap while I wait. I’ll see you later, my dear.”

Anon

I led the mare out of the sitting room towards the backyard. It didn’t take long to reach the chicken coops, pig pens and other farm animal housing. I looked at it with wonder, seeing it for the first time. The mare also seemed to notice this.

“Is it your first time out here?”

I shrugged, a little embarrassed. “For most of the last two weeks, I’ve simply gone to work, taken Midnight into town for a date night out or stayed inside. I was never much of an outdoorsy person, and it never occurred to me where Midnight was getting the eggs and ham for my meals. I suppose a noble would have to maintain a supply of meat and other uncommonly consumed items to entertain non-pony guests. It’s just… I guess he does all these chores himself. He’s never asked for my help with the farm chores.”

The mare nodded as they walked towards the chicken coop. “Tell me more about yourself and how you came to be here.”

I found myself speaking as if compelled to. Her tone was very motherly, and I easily responded to it. “I’m not sure how I got here. I went to sleep in my bed and woke up in a field. I was then kidnapped by griffons and Midnight saved me… and I’ve been staying here with him ever since. I work at the Ponyville Day Spa as a mane dresser, and I have been courting Midnight openly. The ponies in town seem to accept me given my gentle nature and my calming effect on him. I believe that Midnight had intended to introduce me to Princess Celestia during a weekend day court and to the rest of the nobility during the Grand Galloping Gala. We have already ordered a wedding dress for me although I’m not sure if that was for my benefit or for his.”

The mare stopped and looked at me. “Do you doubt his intentions?”

I swallowed, painfully aware at how personal the conversation had gotten. “I believe that he has been hurt so many times that he is afraid to love. I think he wants to love… but he no longer seems to know how to. I’m patient… I’ll guide him until he’s ready.”

The mare nodded in approval. “You seem to be a good fit for him. Keep doing what you’re doing, and things should work out.”

I rubbed my eyes and sighed. I can certainly hope it will but how does she know this?

When I looked at her again, the white coated cyan maned earth pony mare was gone and standing in her place was a taller white coated mare with huge fluffy wings, an extra-long horn, and a flowing multicolored mane and tail. I knew from the paintings in the entrance hallway that this was Princess Celestia. I blanched as I bowed. “Your Highness…”

She cut me off. “None of that. You may call me Tia. Midnight does.”

I swallowed hard… “As you wish… Tia… I confess myself to being a little confused… can you explain what’s going on, please?”

Celestia nodded. “Every so often, I leave the comfort of my palace to see Equestria for myself. I use a magical disguise so I can see the real kingdom. And… I often try to test the nobles in the provinces I travel to, to ensure that they are doing their duties and are both fair and just. Me and Midnight have played this game for a long time. Sometimes I get away with whatever I’m trying to do and sometimes he catches me. The outcome is usually the same though… we usually end up spending the night together. He is one of my only real friends. The only pony I trust to be completely honest with me no matter what is going on. I’m… grateful… that he has finally found somepony to be with. I just wish it didn’t take him so long to find happiness.”

My jaw dropped. “So… Midnight is your lover?”

Celestia cocked her head to the side. “We have made love… but the term lover would imply a long term and consistent relationship. We are more like… friends with benefits. When I need him… he is there for me. When he needs me… I am there for him. He does have one of my primary feathers and a lock of tail framed though… I believe he keeps it in the master bedroom. He is my other half, magically, however. The darkness to my light. I would marry him if I could, but it wouldn’t be right, and we both know it. That being said… I approve of you, and I wish you both all the happiness you can find.”

I blurted out… “You can still sleep with him if you want!”

Celestia’s eyes widened as she cocked an eyebrow. “Oh?”

I swallowed. “I understand that herding is quite common due to the lack of stallions, and you have a prior claim to him. I would never, ever, want to get in the way of your friendship even if that friendship includes the occasional rut. My kind doesn’t often share their mates but it’s not entirely unheard of. If I had to share him with anypony, I think I could accept you the most.”

Celestia smiled. “Your permission means a lot to me. But… we still have a cock to wash.”

I gaped at her. “What? You’re still going to do the chore for having been caught stealing?”

She smiled with a wide grin. “That’s part of the fun of the game. I don’t mind, really. Being a princess is very… tiring. It’s nice that Midnight treats me like a normal pony.”

They finally arrived at the actual chicken coop and went inside. After a brief search, they found what had to be the oldest and fattest Rooster that Anon had ever seen. And unlike a lot of birds that could groom their own feathers… this rooster was actually too fat to groom his own back and, as a result, he was quite dirty.

I was slack jawed at the sight. “That really is an old dirty cock.”

I slapped my hands over my mouth, very embarrassed that the words had left my mouth but to my delight, Tia was laughing so hard that she was practically crying. Through gasps of air, Celestia finally said with mirth.

“Okay… let’s get this over with so we can move on to Midnight.”

I resigned myself to what I had agreed to, but it really was the right thing to do.

Jealousy serves no purpose. I wish I understood this more though. It seems like I’m missing a key piece of information… but what?

Anon

The rooster was washed in a timely fashion and we both went back inside. I followed Celestia to the master bedroom and watched as she walked in without knocking. Midnight was asleep on his bed, uncovered. It was a warm day but was somehow still chilly inside the house. The manor was as drafty as an old castle, but maybe that was the point. It’s not like the ponies had air conditioning. Without any warning or invitation, Celestia crawled into bed with him and laid beside him, covering him with one of her huge wings. Midnight seemed to both groan and sigh when the wing covered him and Celestia nuzzled into him. They were both so causal about it… it’s like they had done this a hundred times. Maybe they had…

I was dumbstruck as I watched them, but like a voyeur, I couldn’t seem to tear my eyes away from the scene. My ears strained as I heard Midnight whispering to her.

“I’m so glad that you’re here, Tia. I feared that we wouldn’t get to enjoy one last night together.”

Celestia whispered back. “Nonsense. Anon has given me permission to be with you so this won’t be our last time. She told me that the two of you are getting married and you have my blessing. I’ll be the best saltine a pony could ask for… you’ll never have to spend a single bit on me.” Celestia kissed him on the cheek, and he sighed.

I watched them both closely and I was stuck by just how old he seemed in this moment. If I didn’t know better… I would think he was just as old as she was.

“That’s not what I mean. The Summer Sun Celebration is in two weeks. And she will return to take her vengeance. You’ve grown soft in the last 1,000 years, Tia. I fear that you can’t defeat her. She was always more martial than you even in your younger days. When you fall… it’ll be up to me to face her… and I don’t think I can bring myself to kill her, no matter her faults… you will need to find some other pony to finish her off when I inevitably fail.”

Anon stiffened in the doorframe and Celestia stiffened in bed. Celestia answered softly. “You don’t have to kill her… just defeat her or subdue her. Is that so hard for you?”

Midnight nuzzled her neck softly. “I was trained in quick strike assassination. I was trained to kill. Nightmare Moon is a darkness with an Alicorn host. I doubt my ability to win in a prolonged battle where I’m forced to withhold my best lethal techniques. I will fail.”

Celestia was forced to consider her options. “The only other pony that stands any chance of victory is my current personal student, Twilight Sparkle. I believe that you are her Godstallion, being a close family friend of Twilight Velvet and Night Light. She is powerful but untested. It is a huge risk. I’m not sure what else to do.”

Midnight nodded. “I will weaken Nightmare Moon for the killing blow, but Twilight will have to finish her off. I can’t do it. I won’t do it. You have two weeks to get Twilight ready for her destiny. You may not believe it… but she is ready.”

Celestia’s voice broke. “Midnight… if you won’t kill, or at least try to stop Nightmare Moon… she will kill you. We both know this.”

Midnight snuggled into Celestia more. “…then in two weeks… I’ll die. I have no regrets.”

Celestia gasped but then closed her eyes and replied softly. “Is there anything I can do?”

Midnight nodded into her neck. “Bear witness to my final request. I, Midnight Stalker, being of sound mind and endangered body, hereby bequeath my titles, lands, wealth, and all my worldly possessions to my Lady Anon. Without any other known heirs… she is worthy to succeed me. I trust her to rule my ponies with a loving grace.”

A huge tear rolled down my face as I took in the enormity of what I just heard. I was even more shocked by Celestia’s reply…

“As you wish, Midnight. I approve of her… It shall be done.”

With that, they both seemed to cuddle closer and fall asleep. I was surprised that they didn’t rut, with or without a witness… not that I wanted to actually watch them do that… I walked away, very confused, and fearful of the future.

Am I fated to lose him so soon?

Author's Note

The Pegasi Primary feather significance was borrowed from the story 'How many have you forgiven today' by Sarcastic Brony, which is another story I highly recommend.

For those of you who have mailed me about not seeing the 'Darkness' that Midnight has within him, I promise the good parts are coming. The build-up to the various reveals took longer than I planned.