The Forsaken

Chapter 15 – Preparations for the Main Event

Anon

Four days… four long days…

She had watched over Midnight like a death vigil… and still… he slept, unmoving. She kept the room spotless and filled with fresh flowers, not that it seemed to help. She would have tried to change the sheets, but she was terrified of trying to move him, lest she make something worse.

The whole town had heard from Apple Jack about how Midnight had saved Apple Bloom and of his on-going condition. The Spa was more than understanding about her being unable to work while she took care of Midnight. She had cried herself to sleep every night since the battle with the Timberwolf and she just wanted him to wake up. She took care of herself, as she had promised him, but she just wasn’t doing well.

A few ponies had come by the estate to pay their respects and Anon allowed them to view Midnight sleeping, but steadfastly prevented them from doing anything that would wake him. His condition stunned them, and they left unsettled.

On the 5th morning, things seemed no different. A gentle knock on the front door roused Anon from the daze of trying to clean. She opened the door to find a white coated pony with a blue mane wearing the golden armor of the Royal Guard. She looked and saw his rank on the shoulder cuffs and recognized it from the military rank chart that Midnight had hanging in the library.

She cleared her throat. “Can I help you, Captain?”

He seemed uncertain. “Um. Who are you?”

Anon smiled timidly. “My name is Anon. I am Lord Midnight’s marefriend. And you are?”

He smiled, a little sheepish. “My name is Shining Armor. I am the Captain of the Royal Guard in Canterlot, and I was sent to review the security preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration being held in Ponyville this year. It’s nice to be able to work with a pony I know for a change. Uncle Midnight is a close friend of my mother and was both mine and my younger sister’s godstallion growing up. He’s been like a second father to both of us. I haven’t seen him in quite some time and I’m looking forward to catching up with him. Is he home?”

A tear rolled down Anon’s face as she pulled Shining Armor into a hug. He seemed surprised but didn’t break the hug, although he also didn’t return it. He steeled himself for bad news and waited patiently for her to speak. He didn’t have to wait long.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. He was injured fighting an Alpha Timberwolf. He’s been in a coma for the last 5 days… I’ll take you to see him, but you can’t try to wake him. He’s under some kind of sleep healing trance.”

The look on Shining’s face was hard to describe. “That… doesn’t sound possible. He is the best warrior in Equestria… maybe the best warrior alive in any nation… He hunts Timberwolves for fun. How could he have been injured?”

Anon shuddered. “He… saved a filly that had wondered into the Everfree. He fought an Alpha Timberwolf and was forced to use himself as bait. This wasn’t one of his regular hunts. When forced to fight when you’re not ready… or when there are civilians nearby… mistakes can be made.”

Shining’s mouth hung open. “Uncle Midnight always said to be prepared at all times. I can’t believe that he wasn’t…”

Anon tried to suppress a sob. “I’ve afraid that he’s been quite distracted by me and my actions. It’s probably my fault that he was caught unprepared.”

Shining didn’t know what to say so he asked the only question that he could. “May I see him now?”

Anon nodded, still teary. “Of course, right this way.”

She led him to the master bedroom and opened the door. Midnight was now standing in the middle of the room, looking like he had recently showered and smiled warmly at Anon and Shining Armor.

“Good morning, my dear. It’s nice to see you Shining…”

Midnight didn’t get a chance to finish as Anon slammed into him sobbing. After recovering the air in his lungs, Midnight wrapped his forelegs around her.

“It’s okay love… I’m fine now. You did good. The flowers were delicious.”

Anon laughed while crying, looking around the room and now noticing that all the fresh flowers in the room had been eaten. “Are you really okay?”

Midnight smiled at her. “Of course, that particular healing spell can be disturbing for those not used to seeing it. I wish that I had more time to explain what was going to happen. I am sorry that I worried you so…”

Her hug cut off any attempt to keep speaking. “I love you and I trust you. I really wished you would have said it could take 5 days or longer to wake up! I was really worried.”

Midnight chuckled. “And that’s why I have lovers and not marefriends. Most mares can’t stand my dangerous lifestyle and even the ones that do accept it… can’t get past watching me recover from my injuries when I do make a mistake. I swear I’m not normally this badly injured, but it does happen, which is why I sleep so much otherwise. I’m always recovering from something.”

She held hm tighter. “I’ll never leave you…”

Midnight tightened his grip on her. “I know…”

Midnight

After Anon finally let me go, I was able to address Shining Armor. “So… you’re here for the Celebration preparations?”

Shining Armor nodded. “Yes, Uncle. I need to test your security.”

I smiled. “There is none to test. I am it.”

Shining Armor’s jaw dropped open. “What exactly do you mean, Uncle?”

I shrugged. “I have no Royal Guards in Ponyville. While I do have a few servants that watch out for dangerous things on my behalf, I tend to handle everything personally. I am the security of Ponyville, as such, you will have to test me.”

Shining Armor grinned. “Very well then, I challenge you to a duel!”

My horn flashed black, and we were all teleported outside, to nearby the estate but not close enough to damage it. Shining Armor squared off with me, very eager to start the fight. Anon, however, seemed very upset.

“You just recovered! Now is not the time for another fight!”

I chuckled. “We don’t get to choose our battles… we must fight them as they appear.”

Anon was tearing up when Shining flashed her a smile. “It’ll be okay. He’ll pound me into the dirt in no time.”

Anon gasped. “Why challenge him at all if you know you’re going to lose?”

Shining Armor shrugged, unconcerned. “Because… I want to know if I’ve gotten any better. Midnight Stalker is the ultimate litmus test.”

Without warning, Midnight blasted a dark magic beam at Shining Armor and Shining blocked it with a magic shield. Shining pulled two swords from his armor and used magic to launch them at Midnight. Midnight blocked the swords with swords of his own, pulled from a magical storage portal.

Shining then tried to blast Midnight with a magic beam of his own, only to be surprised that Midnight dodged it instead of blocking with a shield, and immediately returning fire.

“Air Lance!”

The magical spear was normally used to shoot down aerial targets but could do massive damage on the ground as well. Shining Armor couldn’t drop the steady beam quickly enough to raise a shield and was forced to dodge, only partially successful, as debris from the ground exploding hit his armor. Shining quickly recovered his feet and put up a shield just in time to hear Midnight yell.

“Arrow Volley!”

Shining Armor gulped as 200 little kinetic magic arrows formed, targeted him, and then launched. Basically just a smaller version of an Air Lance, the arrows required less magic each but more magic overall to summon a full volley. The little arrows pelted his shield in a seemingly unyielding fashion, until the last one pierced the shield and hit him in the flank.

“Yow! Those arrows hurt… Why is it always my flank?”

I snorted. “So Cadence can kiss it better for you.”

Shining Armor’s face went completely red, and he closed the distance. “You know about Cadence?”

Midnight smiled at Shining. “I’ve met her. She is Celestia’s niece, after all. She used to be Twilight’s foal sitter until Twilight started attending Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns… and even then, she foalsat Twilight a few times afterwards when Celestia was busy. She is a fine mare… very pretty… although… not my type.”

Shining sounded offended. “Oh? And what makes her not your type? She’s perfect!”

I shrugged. “Well… most mares are no longer my type after I’ve had them once. She was delicious… but, once again, not my type…”

Shining Armor’s face went pale and then red. My tone shifted, almost as an afterthought.

“Oh my… you weren’t expecting her to be a virgin for you, were you? That’s cute… she could have any lover she wants. You should feel proud that she chose you.”

With a scream of rage, Shining Armor renewed his attack. Sword strikes, short magic beams, and fancy hoofwork as he was now literally trying to kill Midnight.

Midnight smiled as he blocked the sword strikes, placed short shields timed perfectly with Shining’s beams and used even better hoofwork to avoid the enraged stallion. After a few hectic minutes, Shining was tiring but also showed no sign of stopping. A quick parry gave Midnight the opening he was waiting for.

“Arrow Storm!”

Shining panicked as 1,000 arrows formed above him. He had heard of the spell but had never seen it used, given the amount of magic required to cast it. He huddled in on himself and wrapped his shield tightly around him, wasting no energy. Only 250 arrows hit him while the others seemed to miss on purpose. One arrow still managed to pierce the shield, hitting Shining’s other flank.

I nodded, like an artist assessing his work. “There. Now Candance can kiss both flanks.”

Shining moaned. “I give up. I can’t beat you.”

I smiled at him. “You did well. Better than I was hoping for. Keep up the good work, Captain.”

Shining Armor picked himself up and dusted himself off. “Thank you, Death Lord. It was a good fight, but you proved that I need to do better at resisting enemy taunts. So obvious a thing for you to say and I still fell for it. I shall try harder.”

I nodded at him. “Walk around Ponyville and unwind. Talk to some of the ponies. Maybe get a hoof massage at the Ponyville Spa. And then go back to Canterlot and tell Celestia that we are ready.”

Shining Armor nodded and left. I sat down on my rump and enjoyed the warm sun on my back.

Anon sat down beside me and hugged me. “That wasn’t very nice… taunting him about having slept with his marefriend.”

I snorted. “I’ve said worse to nicer ponies. And I’ve done worse to nicer ponies. And she wasn’t his marefriend at the time…”

Anon stiffened. “You didn’t… for real? Another Princess?”

I winked at her. “Three for Three.”

She rubbed her face. “That’s really not that funny, Midnight.”

I shrugged again. “Well… it’s true and I won’t lie about it. She was a very playful filly… and when she got her cutie mark… she was very confused. I helped her to understand her purpose as best I could. At least, she never expressed regret for what we shared. I do have a primary feather from her framed. I believe she still values me as ‘Uncle Midnight’, despite being her first lover.”

Anon gulped. “Does Tia know?”

I frowned. “Probably… she knows nearly everything of importance. But she never confronted me about it so she either doesn’t know or doesn’t care.”

Anon shuddered. “I don’t think I want to know what would happen she started to care.”

I shrugged. “That’s a problem for another time. How about we take a bath together? The fight made me sweaty.”

Anon smiled. “Sure… lead the way.”

Shining Armor

The mission complete, I went back to Canterlot. There was no point in staying in Ponyville despite Uncle Midnight’s suggestion. Walking straight to the throne room, I was pleased that Cadence was with Princess Celestia. I bowed politely.

“Your Highness… I have returned.”

Princess Celestia gave me a warm smile. “Ah. Captain Armor. What news of Ponyville?”

I bowed low. “Midnight Stalker is ready for you. Ponyville will be ready in time.”

Celestia nodded. “Very good, Captain Armor. Are you okay? Your flanks seem swollen.”

I blushed. “I dueled Uncle Midnight. He put two magic arrows in me. He is as fierce now as he was when he trained me while I was training for the guard. I’ll be fine with some rest.”

Cadence hopped off the dais. “Oh Shining… I’ll take care of you…”

I blushed as Cadence nuzzled me in front of her Aunt. Celestia giggled lightly. “I wasn’t aware that the two of you were so close. I suppose I’ll have to grant you your leave. Take extra good care of him Cadence… I need my Captain back for his duties.”

Cadence led me from the Throne Room. I cleared my throat. “I’m not sure I like the Princess knowing how close we are so early in our relationship. It may give her false impressions… especially if I don’t live up to your… expectations…”

Cadence snorted in a very un-princess like way. “What expectations? I love you for who you are.”

I rubbed the back of my neck with a hoof. “Well… Uncle Midnight might have mentioned that you weren’t his type. And when I confronted him about how perfect you are… he commented that nearly no mare is his type after he’s had them once. The anger that instilled got me closer to beating him, but I still lost. After the duel ended… I simply stated that I shouldn’t have fallen for the taunt, but I’ll admit that I’m curious as to if he was telling the truth…”

Cadence pulled me into an empty sitting room. She sat down and motioned for me to do the same. I sat and waited. She summoned some staff to bring us some tea, as she expected this to be a long conversation. I waited with a sense of dread for everything to happen and for her to start. With tea in hoof, she finally sighed and started her story.

“I got my cutie mark at what most ponies would call a normal age, but it seemed so unusual that ‘Love’ was my special talent. It’s not like I was dating or had a coltfriend at the time. The ability was a little unstable at first, but I could detect love and help mend broken relationships. I found that I had no influence on regular friendships… it had to be feelings that went deeper. It was trial and error for about 7 years… given that Aunt Celestia isn’t exactly the best pony to ask for dating advice. The closest thing she comes to relationships is approving or denying arranged marriages among the nobles when it’s a situation that requires her approval. Even then…she’s not exactly good at it. As a result… I was so confused about my purpose.

Shortly after I turned 18, I bumped into Uncle Midnight while he was in Canterlot visiting Aunt Celestia and it hit me just how deeply he loved and just how deeply he hurt from love. I wanted to explore that more. I asked him to take me out and show me love. The love of a stallion that loved so completely. I think I surprised myself by asking him out. I’m still not sure what come over me, but it felt right. I needed it. I needed to know.

Midnight was shocked at my bold request, but he didn’t say no… he took me out on the town to the most romantic candle lit dinner I had ever had. He took me to the park and pushed me on the swings even though I was too old for it, enjoying a softer, quieter and an unexpectedly romantic moment. We walked all night, talking about everything, looking at the moon and finally watching the sunrise together. When he finally took me back to the castle, he tucked me into bed, and I begged him to stay with me. I didn’t want to be alone after all that… and he stayed.

He went to sleep beside me and held me close. When we woke up later that afternoon, I made love to him. I started it… he just didn’t stop me. It was the best experience of my life up to that point and he made sure I got everything I could out of it. He was gentle… so gentle. So… passionate. He took his time… I never knew a stallion could last so long if he set his mind to it. When we finished… he asked me if I found what I was looking for. As my first lover… he had shown me a whole new world, but I also knew the question went deeper. I told him that I wasn’t sure, and he smiled warmly and said that was the correct answer. He said that he would always be available to help me with love problems and he’s never turned me down when I needed more help. He was my first lover, but he doesn’t love me. And now… I finally know what he meant.”

I was surprised by her honesty and asked earnestly. “And what did he mean?”

Cadence looked directly at me. “There is a huge difference between having sex and making love. A huge difference between infatuation and love. A huge difference between lust and love. I respect Midnight… but I could never marry him, in much the same way that he could never marry me. However… I do love you, Shining. And I know that you love me. Please don’t hate me for not being a virgin…”

My jaw dropped… “I could never hate you… I love you…”

Cadence’s smile warmed my heart. “Good… now let me kiss those flanks better…”