Chapter four

//a few hours later//

"You cheated Matt!" yelled Shining armor while the Human helped the Stallion up from the mud of the training ground. " I do not need to cheat, I have nothing to gain by doing so."

"You lied about being Rusty!" said Shining while whipping some of the mud off his Armor. "I didn't lie, I haven't trained in about three days?"

Matthew said while bending down, snatching the dirty wooden Sword while giving it back to his exercise Partner.

"I guess you're done? For the day?" Matthew asked while the Captain flicked mud off his Helmet. "Sadly I do, my duties call. Plus this is the night I'm going to ask my Mare-friend Cadence if we could get married." the white-furred Stallion said while taking the wood sword from Matthew.

"Well then, I hope the old gods aid you in that Endeavor, good luck Captain," Matthew said, offering his hand to shake while he grinned, taking his black glove and giving a firm shake. "Please Matthew call me Shining Armor, there is no need to call me Captain, and don't you have a Mare friend as well?" he asked while Matthew shook his head.

"I can not Shining armor, my vow, prevents me from taking a female Companion, to be anything with me." frowning while Shining replied, "Shame you could have gotten one and quite efficiently mind you; how in Celestia's name can you fight like that?"

Shining asked before walking towards a stand and storing the fake Sword in a holder. "Did you forget Shining? I'm a Ranger of the Night's watch. They are trained constantly to be able to hold their own beyond the Wall."

"Then I bet it's brutal! because you kicked my flank! Not many ponies can say they have these days. So what are you going to do now?" Shining asked while Matthew tossed the sword in his direction.

"I might go to a temporary post to keep watch north." Shining tilted his head in confusion, "watch over what? There is nothing north beside grasslands and hills?" Matthew just shook his head before saying simply.

"I am the Watcher on the Walls." Before leaving, Shining shouted at the Human, while he left. "That doesn't answer my question! But whatever." Matthew passed a few royal Guards. They did their best to stay clear of the Human, word Traveled fast about a pony in all black beating the Captain of the Royal Guard repeatedly in the training fields.

Making his way onto the Stonewall, after getting a sense of direction of where north was Matthew stood there watching the terrain; then a Royal Guard or two would pass by him.

While they patrolled until faintly Matthews's ears could pick up faint voices nearby.

"Your Highness." he rolled his eyes knowing who that might be before a voice spoke "is sir Matthew on the battlements?" asked Princess Celestia. What Matthew assumed was a Guard responding to her his voice was harder to hear because his body was beginning to fight the Infection.

''Great.' he thought before hoof falls were heard walking towards him before a voice rang out over the ringing "I heard you were fighting the Captain of the Guard." Celestial's voice sliced through the ringing before Matthew answered.

"I bested him around eight times; he only bested me once with a Cheap shot." a soft chuckle was her response. "That's not a laughing matter your Grace, if this City was attacked he needs to be its last line of Defense." Celestia stood beside him, "I know he's very busy that's all"

Shaking his head before turning to look at her "that isn't good enough, your Highness but for now, I'll let it slide as it's not my place to Enforce your rules. But at least try and make him Train more"

"I'll see what I can do sir Matthew but why are you here on the North wall of the Castle?" the Alicorn asked while Matthew leaned against one of the Stone railings. "I'm standing watch your grace." his legs felt like jelly while a strange little bottle appeared before him in a golden aura.

"When you feel sick take those they will help you feel better," she said before sighing "Tomorrow morning would you be interested in having breakfast with me?" she asked with a neutral-sounding voice as he took the pill bottle Matthew would hold onto it before looking over at the Sun Princess.

"May I ask what about?" Matthew asked while storing said pill bottle in his leather waistband. "It's about the vow, you've taken my Sister believes she can win you over enough, to make you break said Vow."

"And she said this?" he asked before she shook her head. "I know my younger Sister, better than anypony she has her eye on you, and so do many other Mares in the Capital."

Then why tell me? If she didn't state it I need not worry. "Matthew asked while she slowly stepped away. "Because my young Sister is the Princess of the Night she may try to convince you in the dream world by being; 'Physical' I only tell you now so that you can steel yourself before bed. I hope I'm wrong but just prepare."

"Duly noted your Grace." Matthew blushed under the mask he didn't expect Royalty to have their eye on him, in this kind of sense he spoke again: "she's going to be Dissatisfied, your Grace I don't sleep till midnight on some nights and for others, I barely sleep at all."

"Having trouble sleeping? I can get you something for that, possibly even a spell might fix it?" She Offered while he shook his head no "I'll be fine Celestia head to bed you have a Realm to Rule. And I have my Post to Guard."

"Very well, seeing that I can't help you I'll leave you alone have a good night Matthew sleep well tomorrow we have a big day, "Celestia said before turning and walking back inside leaving the Ranger.

After seeing the Sun Princess leave Matthew waited a period before he Snatched hold of the pill bottle from his Waistband and after opening it he proceeded to take one of these meds.

Matthew was feeling hot and sweaty. His Clothes weren't helping him in the slightest, waiting for some time before leaving his post and not wanting to bump into Celestia while going to his guest quarters for some rest and that sounded good to the unwell Ranger.

Using the Walls as supports, many different Ponies watched him when he Traversed paths with them; even a Guard or two offered to help the Ranger but he declined.

Once making it back to his room the two Guards stationed outside looked at Matthew nervously having heard what the Ranger had done to their Captain making it to the Door he sighed before opening the door and stepping inside.

Locking the doors, and even moved a Chair in front so that no one could enter Unless he moved the said Chair after that he checked the room making sure there weren't any Hidden ponies or perhaps a Princess in his guest chamber.

Thankfully there wasn't anything while he began to strip his apparel off his body. The cool summer air was hitting his body while Matthew got into bed.

The moon had risen over the Lands all seemed quiet but he couldn't doze off to sleep he couldn't sleep Matthew wanted to but the horror of the White Walkers and their Minions made his heart race and that's where he stayed most of the night only getting up to use the restroom to relieve himself. Until finally sleep claimed him the time was around midnight like he said earlier.

Princess Luna had started her rounds of the Castle nopony ever showed up at her Night court either they didn't know it existed, or they still feared her and were convinced she was Nightmare moon or just had no power to do anything.

Deep down it upset, Luna but the ponies of ponyville? And sir Matthew? They didn't judge her if she recalled accurately her mind reminded her of what the Human tried to do when she had been liberated from the Corruption.

Shuttering slightly from nervousness, the Glint of his Blade from her recollections, scared her it was no doubt a gorgeous Blade no pony Smith from Ancient times or current, could replicate such a Weapon.

'But he wouldn't use it Right?' Luna thought, before arriving at the Throne room and using her blue magic to open the main doors she Sauntered inside her gown softly glittering like the stars in the night sky she sat down on her older Sister's throne.

Sitting down as she looked around, nopony was here not even Royal Guards having enough of this Luna would close her eyes before entering the Dreamworld.

All of her subjects seemed to be having Pleasant dreams from what she could see from the massive dark blue doors along with the crystals, and whatever color it indicated how the dream was for the Sleeper.

Walking down the seemingly endless hallway of doors and Sculptures, Princess Luna came across a door that was black as darkness with two enormous Raven Sculptures, with their wings fully extended, instead of a pony's cutie mark.

'This must be sir Matthew's door.' Luna thought before looking up gasping as she saw that color; a deep black, she hated Nightmares but this wasn't a normal Nightmare that had infected his dream and it was her duty to fix this problem before it got too Serious.

Stealing herself, for what she might see in his dreams, Luna moved closer to the door before opening it while she was Blasted with strong Winter winds and Snow.

Once getting inside she could hear a horn. Using her wings to fly she soon found a massive army moving towards the wall. 'That's the army of the dead?!' she thought seeing hundreds, possibly thousands of undead moving towards the wall. 'I need to find Matthew!'

\a few minutes before in the dream realm\

Matthew had awoken on the wall. He had been in one of the wooden guard posts on top of the wall shaking his head thinking the incursion on the wall from before was a Dream. while sitting up while the Winds blew hard snow falling. 'Something is off.' He pondered before getting up and looking out of the post

The other Guard towers didn't have a fire going other than his thinking it was nothing big he stood there watching and waiting until he saw something down below while the wind grew stronger

Not wanting to take a chance he Grabbed a Telescope and adjusted it to the bottom of the wall looking through the device he saw something he didn't want to see. "Shit White-walkers!" Matthew ran for the horn in the small wooden post but it didn't have one.

He grew Annoyed, thinking if a Steward or Builder moved it he ran out of the wooden post and onto the wall proper, he ran for the next one finding dead Brothers everywhere. "What in the old god's name happened here?"Matthew thought but continued to dash for the next post.

Seeing a leaning brother Matthew grabbed his shoulder. "Brother, White Walkers are here!" he said, pulling on him before it fell onto Matthew revealing a skeleton in a Night's watch Uniform.

"Shit!" Matthew shouted pushing the corpse off to the side before running into the second Post seeing a Horn in its holder he snatched hold of it Matthew flung his mask off before his heart almost stopped seeing such a Massive force of Wights and Undead Giants while he blew into the horn for the first Blast.

Again the Second blast came and still nothing. From his brothers down below on the other side of the wall, there wasn't any movement of any kind; it was dead Silent on that Side of the Wall.

Matthew, did the Third blast, which made the Army of the Dead stop? Until he heard even evil laughing coming from below. Looking he could see someone down there.

Using the telescope he still held on to and using it to see Nightmare moon? While she flared her massive Wings and flew straight for him. Slamming into the wooden post she pinned him against a wall of ice

"I told you I would be back!" she said while Matthew was gasping for Breath while they went through solid wood and thin ice he slowly went for his sword before she shook her head in disappointment.

"Such bad manners~ you won't be needing that," she said, grabbing hold of his Wrist while using her magic to rend it from his hand.

While also Shattering his left hand she continued. "I want to personally thank you Matthew now that I know your name I can begin my domination of Westeros!"

She laughed evilly before leaning and grazing her sharp teeth against his flesh "and first I'll start by killing you~ for getting in my way! You should have killed me when you had the chance, Ranger!"

Nightmare moon Shrieked before he spoke in a raspy winded voice "I am the Sword in the Darkness! I am the Watcher on the Walls! I am the Shield that guards the Realms of men!" before he could continue her dark Magic closed his mouth.

"I recall your Vow, it brought me such Displeasure but luckily for me, your pain is only beginning~ you're the last of your Brotherhood," she said, giving a wicked sharp tooth Grin, while her other hand moved to his, while her magic held him in place.

"You're the last Sword in the Darkness." Nightmare moon said before snapping a Finger "you're the last Watcher on the Walls." another Finger was snapped and made to bend in a different direction. you're the last of everything and once you die your precious Night's watch is gone!" gritting his Teeth the Nightmare grinned.
"by the Stars! ~ your Tough I like Breaking the Tough ones~" before a new voice was heard

"You will stop this Madness! I Command you!" yelled, Princess Luna before she landed on the top of the Wall. It rumbled from the force she used to land behind, Nightmare moon while she turned. "I wondered when you would show a weaker Version of me!" the midnight Alicorn yelled.

"Nay! You're nothing more than a tiny aspect of Dust!" Luna shouted before the evil Interpretation of her tossed Matthew away. "Stay on the ground Toy~ I'm not done with you yet."

"by the Stars above Matthew!!!" Luna felt Disgusted that a Small amount of her Corrupted self prevailed, against the Elements and was Horrified by what it did to one of her Saviors but this was going to be an easy fix.

"For what you've done to sir Matthew you will not live to see the end of this Dream!" Luna Snarled, before blasting the evil clone with her magic Matthew, however, was in so much pain he began Painstakingly trying to fix his broken Fingers with his broken left hand, and by the gods did that hurt.

"I said stay down you valueless ape!" yelled Nightmare before, Luna landed a blast on her Wing while they exchanged blows both magical and some Physical; Nightmare hissed in pain going for Matthew. Who just managed to fix his right hand while she spoke. "An eternal night will happen! If I can't use you as a Vessel I'll use him!"

While Nightmare Moon retreated using her magic to drag him, taking this chance to grab his sword while she dragged him off stopping a good distance away. Lifting Matthew, while he hid his Sword behind the black Cloak he could see her cat-like eyes while she leaned in close. "Matthew doesn't let it enter your mind!" Luna yelled before she tried to stop it.

Before getting any closer, Nightmare moon had put a protective bubble around them to keep Luna out. "From this moment forth I and you will be one being~," Nightmare said before she Launched forward taking Matthew in for a kiss.

It wasn't a kiss for love, or one of great admiration, the sole purpose was for Survival. He knew that grabbing the back of Nightmare's head made a sound of Surprise, while Luna wailed in despair. "Matthew no!" Suddenly, the sounds of Metal Slicing through flesh were heard.

She gave a Muffled scream, while he broke the forced kiss by pulling her long hair like a rope while his face showed pain as he used his broken left hand while spitting out dark magic that she tried to use on him.

"I had to get in close so I could get that thrust in." he said grinning "some advice before you die never leave a Ranger Unattended. If You plan to use one as a 'toy' " Matthew said before Nightmare vanished from his dream. While slowly waking up to the real world.

Matthew grunted waking up in his bed, his Soreness had eased a lot more along with better hearing Compared to last night sitting up while a midnight black feather landed on the floor in front of him "it was all a dream?" he said out loud while taking his mask and helmet off and rubbing his face before getting up; he stood there for some time

His body cracked all over, looking down he saw the Feather while he shook his head "it's going to take more than a feather to kill or control me."

Matthew said Neutrality, before bending down and picking it up. It was soft and a decent-size Feather, possibly a flight feather he had just placed onto the nightstand when someone began to bang on his door.

"Matthew! It's me, Luna! Open the door!" Luna half shouted with her Royal Canterlot voice while he responded "hold your Horses! Give me a second." he said while beginning to get Dressed before she slammed on the door again.

"This can not wait a minute! Open the door or I'll use my magic too!" sighing he at the very least managed to get some of his clothes back on before pushing the Chair away and opening the door. The moment she heard it unlocked she flew past with such force she effectively knocked him over "Where is it!" she shouted looking all around for Something.

"Where is what?" Matthew asked the night Alicorn mare "The Fragments! Something from Nightmare moon like her Helmet or Armor can cause a Nightmare on that scale!" she said while two Guards in dark-colored armor appeared slowly following her their eyes were Slits and their Wings were of bat Descent.

Getting up with much haste, grabbing hold of his Blade and drawing it while taking hold of Luna "are you sure the fragments aren't them!" he asked, pointing towards her Lunar guards while her soldiers drew their weapons.

"unhand the Princess!" shouted one of the Guards before Luna stopped them "Stand down!" she shouted before turning her attention to Matthew.
"they're my Guards Matthew. I Told Celestia about your Nightmare and she Granted me to have the Night Guard again."

Princess Luna explained before she gently took hold of his Swords Handle "your safe Matthew they aren't going to attack anypony." After gently taking his Sword away from him Luna gently pushed away from Matthew after getting the Sword out of his hands.

"Now where are the Fragments?" Luna asked before Matthew nodded back to the Flight Feather looking over she would see the Feather while tilting her head while using her magic to float it over to her.

"How is this possible? I'm getting nothing from my magic and yet this Feather gave. You had a fully active Nightmare of my past self." said Luna, confused "there's not an ounce of magic in this Feather neither good nor bad."

"Can I finish getting dressed, your Grace?" Matthew asked, thinking this couldn't get any worse before Shining armor knocked on the door and entered "Matthew? Are you here? You left your door open this time." he asked before peeking his head in and seeing the scene in front of him.

"Hay Feathers! Matthew, you look better on your chest compared to your back!" the Stallion complemented while Luna nodded her head to her Guards acted on their own accord pushing the Stallion out and refusing to let anyone in.

"Hey! What's the big idea here? I'm the Captain of the royal guards!" he said while they closed the door behind them, Muffling whatever he had to say to them.

"Why are you still here?" Matthew asked while resuming getting Dressed before Luna spoke up "I wish to check something but I'm going to need Sister's help so please hurry and get Dressed." not wanting to upset Royalty, the Ranger finished getting Dressed after he went for his sword.

Before a blue Wing extended out to stop him from looking over towards her he spoke "either I am allowed to carry my Sword or I'll spend the next week Avoiding Celestia you decided."

Luna sighed before moving her Wing "why do you always need to feel Armed?" she asked huffing while he grabbed the Handle of his Weapon looking it over for any Imperfections. Before responding "why do your Guards along with Celestia's need Spears and Blades but I can't have any?"

She was about to Answer having her muzzle open but after nothing came out she quickly closed it. "exactly." Matthew said before Sheathing his Blade.

"Right, let's go." He said before she nodded and began walking towards the door using her magic to open the slightly Damaged door, seeing Shining had been standing around before following the small group of Four ponies and one human.

Arriving at a door while two Royal Guards opened it after seeing who they were while a small dining hall was inside Celestia currently had been seated at the far end of the large Table eating a rather light breakfast.

She looked up seeing the group before giving them a gentle smile "Good morning Everypony and good evening Sister. Please take a seat." Celestia asked while setting the utensil down while Luna sat down next to her Elder Sister.

"So, Sir Matthew, my dear sister told me about your dream. She quite literally broke my Chamber doors off their Hinges." Celestia said, giving a soft look towards the seated Ranger.

"I don't see the problem here, Everybody has night terrors don't they?"Celestia nodded but before she was able to speak Luna spoke softly "Correct, but my duty as the Princess of the Night is to make Dreams Safe and Peaceful." uttered Luna before her sister continued speaking.

"Your Nightmare wasn't a normal Occurring nightmare from what Luna believes so she thinks you took a piece of her Armor after she was turned back." Before Matthew could speak Luna floated over the feather in question while Celestia looked dumbstruck.

"How could a Flight Feather cause a Nightmare?" the white alicorn said confused before looking towards Matthew "do you mind coming here?" she asked, waving Matthew closer before he nodded and stood up, and made his way over to Celestia.

"Do you Consent to me Scanning you, sir Matthew?" Celestia asked before he nodded "the sooner I'm done here I can get something to eat." the human said before she nodded while she and Luna's horns began to glow while they scanned him.

Five hours. They had him Standing for Five hours while the two Princesses of this land zapped him with their horns and Ultimately found nothing, not a bit of 'corruption' Luna called it but enough about the past. 'Time to stuff my belly.' Matthew thought while taking his seat back at the Table after both sisters cleared him.

While he ate the now cold food they talked in huss voices Matthew could only pick up a few words like 'promotion' and 'Lord Commander' before they turned their heads to him as Celestia spoke up.

"Sir Matthew how do your brothers and you Select a new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch?" asked genuinely while he took a sip of a strange liquid to clear his mouth of Solid food.

"A large number of Sworn brothers Gather at the main Headquarters mostly high-ranking brothers like Commanders, First Rangers, First Builders, and Lord stewards," he said before putting his hand up to stop them to show he wasn't done

"Then, once they have gathered, the Measter of the main headquarters will ask the small group who they should elect to be the next Lord Commander. After that is said any Sworn Brothers may be chosen to take the position. But the highest-ranking officers must cast a stone. To whoever they want in a nonsee thru container once this is done the stones are counted whoever has the most votes is the next Lord Commander."

Nodding her head before asking another question "now is a Lord Commander the highest Authority within the North?" before he shook his head "No, your Grace that would be the Warden of the North. And that position is appointed to a person by a king or queen."

Celestia would soon stand up along with her sister Luna looking a little more tired from staying up past her sleeping hours "when you're done ask a Guard outside this Dining room to take you to the Throne room they will take you there.

Before both Royals left the room going to the place they had mentioned before to the Ranger sitting there alone felt odd looking around the room seeing they didn't even take the Feather getting up before making his way back said Feather taking it.

It was a good-quality Feather and maybe he could write with it? Either way, he stored it in his leather belt before looking out over a good part of the City. Everything seemed peaceful enough, stepping back from the Window and heading back to the Table he finished his Plate of cold food and drink once that was done. Matthew placed his Helmet mask back on and stepped outside while the Guards stiffened up

"m'lord, shall we escort you to the Throne room?" the Guard asked while Matthew picked up on this near-instantly staying Suspicious he spoke "yes?" he said cautiously before they got into positions on either side of him. Before taking him to the Throne room

The trip to the Throne room had gotten strange. Guards tensed up when they saw him like Luna and Celestia's maids bowed when he walked by and the nobles? They didn't seem to take interest in him yet.

Arriving at the Throne room the doors had been left open, and Guards standing at attention after entering triumph sounded while there was a medium-sized group of ponies some in armor others in fine clothing before getting halfway Celestia raised her hand to stop him.

"Sir Matthew, I ask you to Kneel as a Brother of the Night's watch," Celestia asked, 'I don't like this.' he thought before the Guards disappeared from his side going to opposite ends of the Throne room.

Drawing his Sword while Kneeling and gently placing it into the ground while trying to not cut the long and red Carpet once this was done, Celestia got up from her Throne and slowly made her way down the steps. Once she was in front of him on his left side she began to speak while luna took the Throne

"I Celestia Ruler of the day, Princess of Equestria and Co-ruler of Equestria, Supreme Sovereign over the armed forces of the Day hereby name you sir Matthew Second in Command to the Rangers as the next Lord Commander of the Night's watch." before Luna stood up ready for her part.

"I Princess Luna Ruler of the Night, and Princess of Equestria and Co-ruler of Equestria, Supreme Sovereign of the Night forces hereby name you Lord Matthew. As the First-ever Warden of the North."

Before their horns Glowed making a box appear while Celestia spoke "stand Lord Matthew." doing as she Instructed he stood before a Badge floated out and was pinned to his cloak.

"Your Grace I can't accept this." he said before she spoke up "you can and you will, this is a Royal decree." he shook his head before taking it off "my vow prevents me from holding any Crowns or Winning Glory. This is making me an Oath-breaker."

Before she shook her head "I and my Sister have just named you the acting Lord Commander of your Order. You can decide what makes somepony an Oath-breaker along with how it is Managed." she said grinning before pushing some magic into her horn and taking the Badge gently out of his hand and clipping it back into its place.

"Your quest is far from over." said a Tired Luna while she yawned "now that this is done I'm off to Sleep, farewell Sister good night Lord Matthew," she said before slowly leaving the Throne room

"Your Grace, you just effectively made me a Lord, not just any kind of lord but a High Lord. Not only that, you made me the 777th Lord Commander of the Night's watch." Celestia nodded

"I am aware of what I have done and you Earned it Matthew, I also trust you not to abuse the Powers I've given you." she said gently stepping back and walking back to her Throne "there will be no more Discussion of this Mine and my Sister's Decisions are Final. Now please excuse me Lord Matthew I have, Day court to hold." before sitting back down on her Throne.

Matthew had been more or less stuck between a Rock and a Hard place if it was found out that he was made a High Lord no doubt his brothers will have his head. But what if the Nightmare from his dream was speaking the Truth? If he was the last Night Watchman he technically would be made the acting Lord Commander as per tradition.

Sheathing his Blade and deciding to leave before her Day court started he wandered the seemingly endless halls of the Castle 'where's Some wine or Ale when you need it.' Matthew thought before deciding to go into the Gardens he had seen to clear the Events that happened today from his mind.

Author's Note

Another chapter for this book right Lads?

Next chapter is the Gala I'm excited about that and I know a few of you are too so let's hurry this show up!