Crescent Moon

by Mani-Roar

Rating: mature
Tags: Princess Celestia, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Romance, Princess Luna, Drama, Original Character
Length: 16567

Celestia's personal assassin must protect her personal student

Luna's rebellion ended in failure and her head General is thrown in the dungeon. In lieu of executing him, Celestia decides to use the General as her personal assassin. When she appoints a young unicorn mare as her new personal student, she decides that her assassin is the perfect body guard to keep the young mare safe from harm. Unfortunately the assassin and the student can barely stand each other.

Cover art by Decoy the Skeletal Boy:
https://www.deviantart.com/theflamingalberto
https://twitter.com/skeletal_boy

Published 2022-12-30 00:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-03-29 23:23:32 UTC

Prologue

Bathalar withdrew his blade from the chest of the unicorn captain in front of him. A barely visible slice in the chestplate of the stalwart captain’s armor seeped with blood. The captain’s brow furrowed as he glared at Bathalar. The light in his eyes drained as he projected his hateful gaze onto his killer. The captain's knees began to buckle, but he forced himself to remain standing.

“Let’s see how your battalion functions without its head.” Bathalar sneered at his fallen prey. His leathery black wings stretched to their fullest in the midnight moonlight.

A flash drew his attention to the Canterlot royal palace. The ancient towers and spires of the castle pierced the sky with their majesty, as a rainbow prism of light shot out towards the moon. He couldn’t see anything except the light, but he heard his Princess’s cry and knew who was at the receiving end of the blast. It was his queen, his beloved, his bride to be. He watched in horror as the rainbow lights burst in the sky like fireworks. As the magic energy subsided, he saw no sign of Luna anywhere in the night sky.

Then the light of the moon turned.

The full moon that had shown brightly before, illuminating their battlefield, now held a shadow on its right side. The spotted image of the shadow looked like a mare cast into the moon’s surface itself. Immediately, he knew it was her. His beloved was banished to the moon, unable to return. She was almost certainly not dead, but in that moment he knew she may as well be. Whatever powerful magic had been cast on his noble Princess of the night, would not be so easily reversed.

The wounded Captain, unable to stand anymore, fell to his knees. He coughed up blood as he cackled at Bathalar.

“Let’s see how your army functions without its Princess.” His smug muzzle grimaced with delight.

“Can’t you die faster?” Bathalar spat back at the captain, refusing to take his eyes off of Luna.

“At least I get to die satisfied. Can you say the same, General?” The captain asked. His breaths shortened, and his strength decayed. “Long live Princess Celestia!”

Bathalar turned to retort the unruly captain, but saw that the light had left his eyes. Even with his smile still present on his face, the captain finally laid still in his final resting place there on the battlefield.

The Captain’s battalion that Bathalar had spoken of surrounded him in the Canterlot Gardens where he engaged their last surviving commander. He had systematically slaughtered every high ranking officer he could get his hooves and blade onto.

Bathalar gripped his sword as lightning cracked from his hooves, encompassing his whole body. The battalion flanked him on all sides. Pegasi warriors flew in the skies above him, cutting off his retreat.

However, Bathalar had no interest in retreating. He screamed with all the fury he could muster. The image of his beloved Princess filled his mind as blind rage took hold of him. He remembered the night he first met her. A young lieutenant patrol bat, bowing ungracefully to the night Princess. Her growing interest in him as he rose up the ranks, always looking to please her with his service. The day he was assigned as her personal guard, and how unprofessionally close she allowed herself to get to him. The first time they kissed under the pale moonlight of her beautiful evening domain. The vow they made to love no other. The night she told him of her plans to overthrow her sister: Princess Celestia. How he cautioned her against such rash action, but she ordered him to go along anyway. How he replied that she needn't order him to do anything, that he would follow her into Tartarus if she only asked.

She was gone.

A grease spot on her own sacred moon. An ironic gravestone of everything she adored. He prayed that she would continue to enjoy the moon, as it would be her only home for many, many centuries to come.

Bathalar’s lightning jettisoned from his hooves. He sent his destruction undiscerningly in all directions. The ponies of the battalion that surrounded him had the misfortune of being swept up into his wrath. Those who managed not to become charred lumps of their former selves packed neatly in their smoking armor, rushed after the vengeful General. Bathalar raised his bloody sword and engaged them. Lightning hurling, sword slashing, he burnt and cut down many of Celestia’s finest soldiers.

Yet his own army was fleeing. Their Princess, effectively dead. Their General surrounded with no hope of relief. Bathalar wished to end it here on the battlefield. To give his life in service of his Princess. His final act of taking out as many of her enemies as he could by his own hooves and magic. Mercifully, Celestia’s army eventually overwhelmed him, and his eyes closed. The battle was over.

Unmercifully, he awoke to find himself bound in chains. He had been denied his right to die on the battlefield. Some cruel officer or commander has seen that he was taken alive. Iron shackles bound his hooves and neck to the floor. His armor and weapons were nowhere to be seen. His lightning refused to surface though he vehemently called upon it. The shackles were no doubt enchanted with a magic inhibiting spell. He was powerless. His Princess was defeated; the love of his life lost. His army was dead or scattered.

His prison cell was barely two meters wide and deep. The concrete roof over his head was low enough to be claustrophobic. There were no windows and the only exit was in front of him where thick iron bars locked him inside. He was seated on a stone plate that his chains and shackles were cast in. He barely had enough slack to stand up. As he rose to his feet, he noticed he couldn't lift his head all the way up. The short chain pulled the brace around his neck forcing his head into a half bowed position. Rather this was oversight or intentional, he didn’t know. He just hated that no matter who appeared in front of him as his jailer, he would have to either bow or lay prostrate before them.

The chamber doors creaked open. Bathalar couldn’t see anypony yet, but he heard the door whine on its hinges. He heard the slow and deliberate steps of somepony descending a flight of stairs. His jailer spoke no words of greeting, introduction, or warning as he made his way towards the prison cell. Bathalar had been prepared to face death, however, the almost lethargic movement of this captor left him anxious. From what he could tell, there was only one pony approaching.

Bathalar heard an all too familiar sound for him personally. Light flickered off of the stone walls. A low hum and crackling sound could be heard, but his jailer still had not shown himself. Bathalar recognized the sound of electricity. He had been able to summon his lightning powers since he was a small child. This cursed skill is what destined him, or perhaps doomed him, to his rise in the military to begin with.

A wide unicorn rounded to the front of the cell where Bathalar waited. His armor glowing in the flickering white and blue light of lightning itself. He held a staff that extended twice the height of a normal pony that forked at the end into two metal prongs. Electricity buzzed and cracked, mostly at the prongs, but also all up and down the staff itself. The bulky, bordering on fat unicorn looked down at the naked and helpless General with a sinful grin.

“You know what this is?” The unicorn brandished his teeth as his gravelly voice spoke.

“Lightning magic.” Bathalar replied.

“It’s a taste of your own medicine.” The unicorn’s pleasure shifted to anger. The door to the tiny cell ripped open. The iron bars slammed against each other making a horrendous sound for a brief moment. The guard let himself into the room as the lightning rod intensified. The sound of the buzzing electricity growing louder.

“Would you like to know what all those soldiers you burnt to a crisp on the battlefield felt like?” The unicorn drew back the rod, pointing it towards Bathalar.

Bathalar knew what was coming but refused to move away from the inevitable. He didn’t want this guard to have the satisfaction of him squirming and reeling from the rod’s touch. The prongs embedded themselves into the fur of Bathalar’s left rib cage. He shrieked so loudly it rattled his own ear drums. The lightning rippled through his body, but not like the powers he summoned himself. This time he felt the heat, and he experienced the pure voltage. Still screaming, he convulsed with the current being ripped into him. The searing pain was unbearable and hot like the fires of Tartarus. Just as he was running out of breath to scream with, the prongs were finally pulled away.

Bathalar’s breathing was deep and labored. He groaned with every exhale. He scrambled to keep himself on his hooves, not sure that laying down would help him in any way.

“Would you like another?” The guard grinned again as he asked. The pleasure of seeing Luna’s General shiver and moan in pain was painted all over his expression. “If you ask me nicely, I may not do it a second time.”

“If you ask me nicely, I may kill you quickly when I leave this dungeon.” Bathalar glared at the unicorn as the staff went back into his side.

The lightning glowed and rose up to the ceiling. It was miserably painful, but it clearly wasn’t designed to kill him. Though Bathalar could not control his body convulsing, the constant muscle tension and stimulation from the electricity fatigued him. He dropped to his knees and braced himself on the cold stone slab he was attached to. The guard withdrew the staff once more.

“Beg me, murderer!” The unicorn shouted out of control. “Beg me to stop, beg me to…”

Bathalar interrupted him.

“Your mother begged me for more, but I’m only one stallion. My stamina has lim-” He was interrupted by the rod again. His body jumped to the right and was caught by the chains which tore against his hooves and neck. His voice became sore from screaming so much.

“You bastard!” The unicorn held the staff in Bathalar’s stomach much longer this time. “I’m going to kill you and make it look like an accident. The Princess wants you alive, but if you can’t even survive the staff, that’s not my problem.” He pressed the staff even harder into the prisoner. Bathalar could feel his consciousness slipping away. His vision was going white.

“That’s quite enough, commander.” A booming royal voice called from the hallway. Bathalar instantly recognized the timber of Princess Celestia. The commander pulled the rod away from Bathalar whose face collapsed onto the slab. He backed out of the cell and stood at attention before the Princess. The staff in his free hoof still exuded electricity but much quieter and subdued now.

“Princess! I, uh… I was just interrogating the prisoner.” He reported in a loud and inelegant fashion.

The Princess appeared in front of Bathalar’s cell flanked by two pegasi guards in fancier armor than the commander. The pegasi warriors were slimmer and taller than the commander was.

“Oh you were interrogating him?” Celestia said. The sweet excitement in her tone terrified the unwitting commander. “Praytell, what information have you gathered from the General?” Celestia stood smiling and waiting. She was by far the tallest pony in the room. Her flowing translucent mane sparkled, accented by her golden shoes and bejeweled crown. Her snow white fur was so bright, it was like staring into the sun itself.

“I was uh… you see…” The commander began.

“What did you even ask him?” Celestia appeared genuinely curious. Her delivery was earnest, but also dripping with sarcasm.

“I asked him…” The Commander searched his mind for something suitable to claim.

“He asked me what I had for lunch. I told him I hadn’t even received a menu yet. The service here is piss poor.” Bathalar blurted from the floor. He was still breathing heavily. At the sight of the Princess he decided to rise to his hooves again rather than be laid prostrate on the slab. He was slow to get up.

“I see.” Celestia glared at the Commander who was visibly sweating. “Clearly you have broken his spirit and he is ripe for talking. I’ll take it from here, Commander.”

The Commander hung his head in shame at his Princess's biting sarcasm. He retreated behind the pegasi guards. Celestia stepped forward, the door to the cell still opened.

“Bathalar Omegastar.” Celestia said his full name, the side of her mouth turned up in a grin. “Are you bowing to me?”

She noticed the chain pulling his head downward in his standing position.

“No.” He said as the side of his mouth curled into a mischievous grin. “I’m just waiting for you to turn and leave so I can ogle your ass on the way out.”

“How dare you speak to the Princess that way!” The Commander began walking forward with his electric rod once more. Even the stoic pegasi guards broke decorum to glare at Bathalar.

Celestia held up her hoof and the Commander stopped.

“Leave us.” She said while staring at Bathalar.

“Princess, the General is a dangerous…”

Celestia interrupted her Commander.

“The prisoner is in chains and I can handle myself. Now leave. All of you.” She raised her voice on the final point. Without a word, the two pegasi guards turned and marched up the stairs. The Commander lingered to glare at Bathalar one more time.

“Butcher.” He spat at Bathalar.

“Eater. Go on a diet.” Bathalar held Celestia’s gaze with his retort. The Commander disappeared from his sight. Celestia waited until the noisy door at the top of the stairs was finally shut before speaking again.

“What am I going to do with you?” Celestia shook her head.

“You want my opinion?” Bathalar looked surprised.

“My military advisors, my political pundits, and the senate are all in agreement.” She sighed.

“Agreement on what?”

“They want you executed, publicly.”

A moment of silence lingered between them.

“Then get on with it.” Bathalar spat on the ground. Half out of crass disrespect and half because of the drool built up in his mouth from screaming and panting.

“I am weary of bloodshed, Bathalar.” Celestia’s eyes looked tired.

“Then let somepony else do it, and attend a play instead.” He joked before continuing more heated. “You’re sick of bloodshed? The tyrant claims she doesn’t want bloodshed, it’s almost humorous.”

She ignored his jests. “I have use of you alive.”

“I would never serve you.” He retorted, barely letting her finish her sentence.

“Never?” Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Never is a long time General.” She stared into his worn and faded eyes.

“How many centuries was your banishment spell for?” Bathalar changed the subject.

“Ten.” Celestia lowered her head. “1,000 years on the moon.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Yes.” Celestia’s tone was harsh, but her eyes were weak.

“Then why 1,000 years? Isn’t that a bit excessive?”

Celestia scoffed and knocked her head back.

“You think I chose a thousand years as the punishment? I gathered the Elements of Harmony as a last resort. I had no choice. You think I was able to set the sentence, like a kitchen timer? The spell is designed to be a permanent solution, that is why it was so long.”

Bathalar considered her words for a few moments.

“So you regret it because it’s too long then?” He finally asked.

“I would have done it for a single day if I could have. Let her calm down. Meet her somewhere remote and talk out a truce. Anything to avoid a war.” Celestia’s genuine gaze made Bathalar look away.

“The oppressor always talks about wanting peace. The oppressed are made out to be the wicked aggressor.” He pointed his head away from her. His neck was sore in the iron brace.

“I didn’t come here to talk politics with you.”

“Then send the torturer back down here.” Bathalar re-met her gaze. They glared at each other for a second.

“Why did you keep killing?” She asked, lowering her voice.

“It was war. War is killing.” He admitted.

“Luna was defeated. The battle was lost. The rest of your army surrendered right away but you…” sickening hatred filled her face. “You just kept slaughtering. As if you enjoyed it.”

“Just because a cause is lost, doesn’t mean it isn’t worth fighting for.” He matched the softness of her voice.

“I can offer you a good life. A comfortable life as my servant. Instead of these stone walls.” Celestia gestured around them.

“You want me to wash your hooves for the rest of my life?” He frowned at her.

“Nothing so demeaning. The services I have in mind are very specific, and play well into your skill set.” She mentioned as if describing an employee his job at orientation.

“I will never swear fealty to you.” He cursed at her. She simply smiled.

“Then don’t.”

Before he could respond, her magic glowed from her horn. The iron braces around his hooves and neck opened and fell to the floor. He stood up to his full height and rubbed his neck.

“I don’t understand.” He was relieved to be out of the shackles but also suspicious.

“You should be able to call on your lightning now.”

He knew that without her saying it. He could already feel it coursing through his veins.

“What are you doing?” He stared at her confused.

“Did you love her?” Celestia asked him.

“Of course I do.” His reply was almost a whisper.

“You would die for her?”

“I tried to.”

Celestia puffed her chest out.

“Then take your vengeance. Strike me down in the name of Luna. Kill your tyrant once and for all.” Her eyes pierced through him. Her offer was tempting. He wanted to kill her for what she did to his beloved. To her own sister. The lightning sparked and cracked at his hooves as adrenaline poured into his brain. She just watched him as the murderous intent flooded his face. His wings slowly expanded, not even able to reach their full span in this prison cell. He was ready to strike. The power built until it filled the room and charged the air around them - bouncing off the walls in little coils.

Celestia had a flickering moment of fear in her eyes before he powered down his lightning.

“I’m not a fool, Celestia.” He said calmly once more. “You’re not so easy to kill. And I don’t think you have a death wish.”

“I’ve still given you the ability to fight. You won’t take the opportunity? Even if there’s a chance you may succeed where Luna failed?”

Celestia’s expression was difficult to read. She looked dormant, neutral. There was no fire in her eyes or stiffness in her jaw. It was as if they were having a conversation about tax law or something. Whatever game she was playing, he decided that he didn’t want any part of it.

“I think…” Bathalar paused. Celestia was still unmoving. “You’re not the only one who is weary of bloodshed.”

“How magnanimous of you. I wish you had shown that restraint to my soldiers.” Her accusing eyes seared into him like the lightning rod.

“Equestria needs a Princess. If Luna is gone and you’re dead, then all ponies are leaderless and weak. Which is a fate worse than being led by a tyrant.” He sighed. The exhaustion setting in from battle and torture.

“You wouldn’t take power?” Celestia cocked her head as she asked.

“I am no King.”

“Just an executioner.” Celestia baited him.

Bathalar glared at her. “Is that what you want from me?”

She hummed softly, gesturing to the air. “Nopony can deny your skills, General. You have your uses.”

Celestia appraised the General for a few moments. Bathalar began to feel uncomfortable with her traveling stare up and down his physique.

“Plus you are reasonable, self aware, capable of following directions, you won’t swear fealty to me, but you won’t take your vengeance either.” She spoke her appraisal. “Are you sure you won’t serve me?” The corner of her mouth teased upward.

“How can you have an assassin who won’t pledge his loyalty?” Bathalar demanded.

“I won’t tell anypony.” Celestia’s devious grin shocked Bathalar.

“You can’t be serious.”

“It will be our little secret.” She winked at him.

“You’re mad. You unchain me, demand that I kill you, and insist on having a servant who may stab you in the back at any moment. A servant who has all the motivation in Equestria to do so.” Bathalar scoffed. “The Princess of Equestria is mad.” His accusation was more perplexed than viscous.

“You think about it and let me know your decision.” Celestia turned to walk away. Just before she walked out of sight, she looked at him one more time.

“One more thing. It actually doesn’t matter if you swear an oath to me or not.” Her expression darkened, filling Bathalar with dread. “Your race of bat ponies, your entire kind, are to be branded across their foreheads with a slave tattoo. For your participation in this treason, all bat ponies are now my servants. Whether you swear to me or not.”

As she finished revealing her judgment, her magic pushed Bathalar’s body down onto the stone slab. He was forced to lay on his belly as the braces re-latched to his hooves and neck. The door to the cell slammed closed and locked itself. Celestia disappeared up the stairs.

“I’ll never serve you, Tyrant!” Bathalar screamed at her. “I’d rather rot in prison for eternity!”

“Eternity is a long time, Bathalar. And I’m a patient mare.”

Bathalar heard the creaking door at the top of the stairs slam closed again as he cursed in his chains.

****

Author's Note

This story is inspired by Sarah J. Maas's novel Crescent City. I've been wanting to write a story involving Luna's Rebellion for awhile (or of the aftermath anyway) and this book gave me just the right nudge in that direction. I don't write a lot of Mature rated fics these days but this story and setting are better served with the adult tones.

Let me know what y'all think in the comments :ajsmug:

Chapter 1

Author's Note

Hello! If you read the original post of Chapter 1 and are confused, I apologize. You have already read the prologue and most of this chapter. However, there is a NEW scene at the end of this chapter for you.

If you're here for the first time. Please disregard everything is fine for you.

Again, sorry for the confusion :twilightsheepish:

Chapter 1

Twenty Years Later

Sundrop Moonbow’s hooves graced the velvet carpet as she strode towards the royal throne. Her cadence was slow yet elegant. A well rehearsed regal walk fitting for a Princess; or at least a member of the royal court. Her yellow fur was covered by a sparkling green ceremonial dress that poofed up in the back. Her pink mane was wrapped up in an elaborate bun with star shaped barrettes. This silver constellation held her fancy hairdo in place. She could feel the rich, luxurious quality of the carpet under her hooves. The usual carpet had been covered up with this special one for today.

Trumpeters flanked the walls on either side of the long throne room corridor. There was a small audience full of royal court members behind Sundrop standing where her march began. In front of her, ready and waiting at the end of the hall, was Princess Celestia. The Princess sat neatly in her sun drenched throne. The mid morning light shone on the Sun Princess through the stained glass windows. Behind Celestia were three stained glass murals. One of the Sun, of the moon, and of the starry skies. Her gold encrusted magenta throne matched the velvet carpet that Sundrop alone walked down. Next to Celestia, her throne, and the sun mural behind her head, was another magenta throne encrusted with silver. It was smaller than hers and had the mural of the moon behind it.

However, there was no moon Princess who sat on this throne. Instead a portly silver colored pegasus sat there in his own ceremonial robe. It wrapped around his shoulders like a toga and he wore an olive branch crown on his head.

The trumpets blared with each step Sundrop made towards the dual thrones. Their song was bright and triumphant yet loud enough that Sundrop wished they would quiet down or stop altogether. As the obnoxious brass tubes attempted to shatter her eardrums, she forced herself to not wince or react. She walked on, keeping her eyes on the Princess. Her princess, and her teacher. This was her big day, the finest hour so far in her life, and she carried on through the nerves and noise fueled on pride alone.

Perhaps not just pride, but love as well. When she looked at the Sun Princess, her heart was full of joy. She loved her Princess. Celestia represented everything good and harmonious in the world to her. Thanks to Celestia, Equestria knew wonders and wealth beyond the imagination of many creatures in neighboring nations. This peace and prosperity was unprecedented and they owed it all to her. She was the shining example of friendship. A beacon of hope who raised the sun and moon itself. The rebellion of twenty years ago was the only black mark on Celestia’s rule so far. However, Sundrop wasn’t about to dwell on that. Not today. Not on the day of her ascension and recognition.

Her methodical steps finally brought her to the foot of the throne precipice. The carpet continued up the steps right next to the thrones themselves. On either side of the steps were a series of fountain bowls that flowed running water down into each lower bowl. After the third bowl, the water ran into a moat that traveled all the way to the back of the hall. The practicality of such a hall was limited, but for ceremonial purposes it was rich and gorgeous. She held her gaze on the Princess. Sundrop’s face tried to remain neutral but her eyes betrayed her earnest smile. Celestia returned her loyal subject’s smile and Sundrop felt her heart flutter.

“Sundrop Moonbow.” The wide framed pegasus announced as the trumpets mercifully went silent. Sundrop hoped that Celestia would be the one doing the talking, but there were traditions and protocols that must be observed.

“You have been chosen by our great Princess to be her personal Confidante. In practice, this position of Confidante will make you the student, acolyte, and protege of Celestia herself.” The pegasus continued to pontificate. His tone was regal but his expression was amused. As if this whole ceremony was somehow entertaining to him personally. “Such a privileged position comes with great responsibility. As the Princess’s personal protege, you will become privy to state secrets and forbidden knowledge. Such an honorable position will require you to take an oath of loyalty...”

“I’m ready to take the oath. I’ve been ready my whole life.” Sundrop knew she spoke out of turn, but she didn’t care. She would make any vow, fulfill any promise, to serve her Princess.

The large pegasus master of ceremonies grinned. He took a moment to appreciate the eager zeal of the young protege. Perhaps enjoying her naivety a little too much.

“I believe you young one.” He nodded his head. Some of the royal court members in the back of the hall murmured and whispered with each other. Sundrop’s outburst caused a bit of a stir. Protocols were strict in an official ceremony. However, since neither Celestia nor the master of ceremonies chided the young student, the matter appeared dropped.

“I must caution you before you take your oath. It is not simply idle words and sentiment. Not only will you be legally bound to the oath, but magically bound as well. The oath itself is an incantation. Once recited, your soul will be connected to Celestia. Any betrayal or abdication of your duties will result in…” The pegasus paused, not wanting to bring down the mood of the room with unneeded threatening language. “Shall we say, dire consequences?” He tilted his head. “With that being said. Are you sure you are willing to take the oath?” He stared at Sundrop who’s stalwart gaze never wavered.

“I am ready.” She replied simply.

The master of ceremonies smiled. This season is certain to bring me quite an entertaining show. He thought to himself.

“Very well.” He waved his hoof indicating that Sundrop may begin her oath.

Sundrop rolled her shoulders back and puffed out her chest. She held her head up high as she spoke.

“The light of the sun shines brightly in my soul.” As soon as she began, her horn glowed with a gentle light that intensified with every line she recited.

“My heart beats to the rhythm of the sky and all its wonders.” She looked at Princess Celestia again, beaming with pride. “I pledge my loyalty to the Sun Princess. My service shall be unwavering.”

The master of ceremonies twitched, breaking decorum just slightly for a second but soon readjusted his expression to hide it.

“My hooves, my words, and my actions are hers. I swear I will follow no other and I will follow forever.” A golden beam emitted from her horn towards Celestia. The Princess leaned her horn forward and caught the light. The two ponies were tethered together in magic.

“Domine Celestia Pax Aeternam.” Sundrop’s spirit lifted as the light of her spell elevated her off of the ground. Her eyes glowed bright white as waves of light swam around her floating body. Celestia’s eyes glowed as well. The Princess returned the spell with a new beam back into Sundrop. Celestia’s magic placed her newly appointed student back on the velvet carpet. The touch of Celestia’s magic on young Sundrop was as gentle as a mother laying down her newborn baby for bed. When Sundrop regained control of her hooves, she bowed until she was prostrate on the floor.

“I accept your oath, and welcome you as my confidante.” Celestia smiled at her young protege. Even if she wrote a ten thousand word essay, Sundrop would be unable to describe the warmth of her teacher’s approving smile. “Rise, Sundrop Moonbow and face the court of your peers.”

Sundrop stood and turned to gaze upon the regal ponies in attendance. Calling them peers was somewhat an exaggeration as most of them were at least twice her age.

“I present to you my loyal confidante, Sundrop Moonbow.” Celestia proudly declared. The room burst into enthusiastic although subdued applause. After the rebellion twenty years ago, seeing a confidante anointed was a welcome, and much needed, return to normalcy for the royal court. The fact that Princess Celestia could trust anypony to this extent barely a generation since her sister betrayed her, was a tremendous sign of healing. Despite their joy, royal court members could only get so rambunctious in their cheers without appearing uncouth. Therefore their applause was polite but earnest.

Sundrop took in their approval. To be recognized like this so young was such an honor. She would work tirelessly to make sure she served her Princess well. A promise to herself to see that she truly earned the honor and recognition.

After the ceremony, Sundrop spoke with Celestia and the pegasi alone. They were now free to speak more openly in their relative privacy. Only a few stoic guards remained in earshot of their conversation.

“I’m sorry for speaking out of turn. I should have waited…” Sundrop began but Celestia just grinned as she shook her head.

“It’s alright my dear. Honestly, I think it added something to the moment. Wouldn’t you agree?” Celestia shot a side eye at her pegasi assistant.

Sundrop blushed.

“Princess, you flatter me.” She looked down at the fancy carpet. Celestia laughed, causing Sundrop to blush more.

"Miss Sundrop, your performance was impeccable." The portly pegasus beamed.

"Thank you, Constantinople." Sundrop met his gaze and returned his grin.

"Please call me Constance. My full name is such a chore to say." He waved his hoof, laughing off her nervous formalities. The olive branch and toga get-up looked a bit ridiculous now that the ceremony was over. Sundrop felt the same way about her lavish green dress. She simply wanted to get back to her studies now that her connection to her teacher was official. She had been privately studying under Celestia for nearly a year at this point. This ceremony was simply formal acknowledgement of that commitment.

At least that’s how Sundrop saw it.

She could now appear publicly and carried a certain level of authority befitting a student of Celestia.

Almost noticing that everypony was getting a little self conscious about their own outfits, Celestia decided to release them from their formal duties.

"Sundrop, I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning for lessons, correct?" She cocked her head sideways at her young pupil.

"Yes, my Princess." Sundrop bowed all the way to the floor once again.

"No bowing during lessons, by the way. We won't have time to get anything done at that rate." Celestia giggled at her own joke.

"I'll keep that in mind." Sundrop politely nodded to Celestia and turned to walk back down the long throne room corridor.

"I’m sure you’re anxious to go see your mother and tell her everything. Make sure you get some rest this evening. And tell your mother I said hello." Celestia called out to her student.

"Yes Princess." Sundrop waved her hoof as she walked off.

Constance removed his olive crown as Sundrop stepped out of the open double doors at the end of the hall and disappeared from the room.

"Princess, either your new pupil has memorization issues, of which I highly doubt, or you didn't have her recite the full oath." He gave a side-eyed glance to Celestia.

Celestia sighed.

"I went with a condensed version. The full oath is littered with outdated traditions that simply aren't necessary anymore. The language of it is rather crass if you ask me." Celestia shook her head.

"I see." Constance gave a single nod. "Well I noticed the spell still functioned regardless. You must have reworked the spell with the annotated text."

"It wasn’t difficult. The loyalty binding functions all the same." Celestia yawned, bored with their conversation.

"And what happens if Miss Sundrop fails or refuses to see through her duties? What exactly are the 'dire consequences' tied to this new modern spell?" Constance stroked his chin.

“I’d prefer not to think about that, Constance.” She shook her head. “Sundrop is intelligent and full of potential, that’s why I wanted her as my student. She doesn’t strike me as the type who would turn on me, would you say so?” She glanced side-eyed back at Constance.

“No.” He replied in a sing-songy manner. “She doesn’t strike me as that at all. However…” Constance’s gaze met Celestia’s. He held her attention for a beat and she knew he was serious.

“There was a time when Luna’s betrayal was unforeseeable on the horizon.”

Celestia stiffened her neck.

“Indeed.” Was all she said in response.

Constance cleared his throat, ready to change the subject.

“Be that as it may, there are still many foreign powers who have quite a few grievances with you. Obviously, they can’t get to you personally without exercising great risk. However, with a new young confidante being announced so publicly, they may try to harm her as leverage against you, Princess.” He looked concerned at Celestia.

“I know.” Celestia’s responses remained curt.

“She’ll require a guard detail, I assume. Shall I arrange for a company of royal soldiers to accompany her?” He frowned and stroked his chin. “Hmm, that does seem a bit cumbersome doesn’t it.”

“One guard will be plenty.” Celestia smirked. Her knowing glance matched the mischievous nature of her portly assistant.

“Only one?” Constance looked surprised.

“Yes. And I have just the stallion in mind.”

****

Everypony froze when Bathalar landed on the concrete floor of the factory warehouse. His impact, along with the thrust of his wings to slow his descent at the last moment, sent a shockwave into everypony in the considerably sized room. Paper stacks blew over, manes were tossed around in the gust, and the table and chairs shook where three nefarious looking ponies sat. Their table had glasses of liquor and cigarette ashtrays decorating it. Some sort of card based gambling game was spread out with golden bits in the center representing a pot for betting. The factory had crates and sacks stacked on pallets almost like a maze. There was barely enough room to move around or even see the assembly line behind the ponies with their drinks and card game. Bathalar stepped forward into their play space. The only space in the warehouse that was opened up for some comfort. These three stallions were clearly the ponies in charge.

Bathalar creeped towards them on his hind legs, his wings spread to their fullest extent. His saber extended from his right hoof and just barely didn’t scrape the floor. In his left hoof, static lightning rumbled and cracked.

One of the stallions panicked.

“It’s him!” The slight pegasus pointed with horror on his face. “It’s the Umbra Mortis!”

“Shut up, will you?” The unicorn closest to Bathalar chided him. He raised his hoof in the air, trying to establish some kind of control or dominance over the situation. He wore a purple vest that exposed his over teased brown chest hair. His chest fluff was darker than his light brown fur tone. Several gaudy gold chains adorned his neck.

“You seem upset, young colt, how can I help you?” The boss sang his greeting to Bathalar, as if a customer had just entered his quaint little shop in a small town. A conniving smile crept across his mug.

“It’s over.” Bathalar stated. “This whole operation ends tonight.” He pointed his sword at the boss, bringing the point just under his chin.

The boss held up both of his hoofs in surrender. He tried his best to stop the terror from slipping out into his eyes. He swallowed deeply, possibly for the last time.

“Look, whatever she’s paying you, I’ll double it.” He said with his grin returning, but it vanished again as Bathalar pushed the sword even closer to his neck, he sent a small static shock of lighting into the boss, making him jump in response. “Triple it! Anything you want. There’s gotta be something in Equestria that you desire. I’ll get it for you.” Even as he spoke, his horn glowed with an intense light. He tilted his head forward, ready to send a spell into Bathalar.

Lightning ripped from Bathalar’s left hoof as he thrust it towards the rogue unicorn. The lightning went straight into the unicorn’s horn, knocking him back in his chair and muting his spell. He shook and screamed as the voltage ripped through him. When it subsided, he was shaken but fine.

“You really are a bastard, you know that.” The unicorn boss gasped for breath while trying to hold the gaze of the imposing bat pony. “C’mon, we can all be reasonable here. Let’s make a deal shall we?” His attitude returned to one of bargaining.

“A slave cannot dream of riches or wealth. He can only see his master’s wish fulfilled.” Bathalar said with a flat tone. A halo tattoo flickered across his brow.

“Boss, maybe we should…” The earth pony in the middle of the table began but was stopped.

“I’ll handle this, ok? I’m working on it.” The boss briefly took his eyes off of the Umbra Mortis to reprimand his 2nd in command. The pegasus gang member merely held his hoof to his mouth, doing his damndest not to panic.

“What do you want from me, Umbra? We’re just trying to run a business here. Who are you to judge us, mister ‘shadow of death?’” The boss’s chains jingled as he pointed at Bathalar, yelling his accusations. “You think your crazy nickname scares me? I’ve seen tougher guys than you, buddy.”

“Business? Is that what this is?” Bathalar ignored the boss’s insults and spied a palette on his left stacked up to his height in brown sacks. He swung his sword at one of the sacks on top, bursting it open. A white powder seeped onto the floor like a waterfall of sand. “These drugs you’re pedaling have wrought a public health crisis onto Equestria. Your product is getting into the hooves of children and you profit hand over hoof.” His eyes flared, scoffing at the drug kingpin. Disgust dripped off of his expression.

“It’s not my fault ponies are addicted to the stuff. I just provide what ponies want. It’s not like I’m giving it to the kids myself, why don’t you bug the street dealers near the schools. That’s not on me.” The kingpin rationalized. He casually waved his hoof.

“Tell that to the parents of children who are dying in droves from seizures, and epileptic shock. I’m sure they’ll see it your way.” Bathalar approached the unicorn boss again.

“Ok, ok, ok so what? You want me to stop? Then I’ll stop. I’ll make sure it doesn’t get in the hooves of kids. I’ll do anything but…” The Kingpin paused.

Bathalar’s eyes went cold as he reared up his blade. The kingpin dropped to his knees.

“Please. Please Umbra Mortis. Don’t do this. I beg you. I’ll listen. I’ll stop. I’ll do anything!” He brought his hooves together in a praying position.

“You were given warnings. You were offered compensation. You were given time. And you refused. You valued your profits over the lives of innocents.” Bathalar spoke his judgment.

“Please, tell the Princess…”

Bathalar interrupted the boss.

“A slave cannot negotiate nor grant mercy. I am merely her sword.”

“Mercy!” The Kingpin screamed as Bathalar swung his sword with both hooves. The other two drug lords gasped and jumped out of their seats as their boss’s head landed on top of their card game. His dull, glazed over eyes stared back at them. Their brash and confident boss’s face now blank and empty. They both dropped to their knees. The pegasus sobbed out loud, holding both of his hooves over his mouth. He looked like he was about to vomit.

“Make it quick, Umbra Mortis.” The 2nd in command lowered his head towards the floor as he spoke with resignation. The flat side of Bathalar’s sword reflected light into the 2nd’s eyes, forcing him to blink a bit before looking up to Bathalar. The sword was lowered and not positioned to strike.

“He was the only one on my list.” Bathalar’s voice was calm, almost reassuring.

Both ponies breathed a heavy sigh of relief. The small pegasus lost control of his stomach and vomited all over the floor.

“Three days.” Bathalar sheathed his sword. The silent warehouse echoed the swishing sound of his steel returning to its home. “You have three days to destroy your stock and shut everything down. If you fail to do so, if even one gram remains, my orders are to come back and kill everypony.”

The 2nd in command nodded with such vigor, he looked like a bobble head toy gone wild.

“Of course, of course.” He turned to his remaining partner for concurrence. The pegasi was convulsing in the fetal position. The stench of his vomit started to waft around the room. The 2nd turned back to face Bathalar.

“We’ll get it done.” The 2nd said for both of them.

“See that you do, for your sakes.” Without another word Bathalar turned and launched himself towards the open loading dock door he had used to fly in.

****

Sundrop entered her mother's room at the assisted living facility, stepping on the tips of her hooves so as not to make too much noise. She left her dress from the big ceremony behind but decided to keep the starry barrettes in her hair. Her mother slept on the hospital bed with her faded amber fur wrapped up in the blue blanket and white fitted sheets. Sundrop’s mother still looked young in her complexion but the edges of her eyes were already worn like a pony several decades older. With the lights off, only Celestia's sun gently piercing around the closed curtains gave the room any light at all. The only muffled sounds that could be heard were the occasional hoofsteps from the hallway.

Sundrop sat on the cushioned wooden chair next to her mother's bedside. She watched as her mother's chest gently rose and fell in her slumber. She didn't know exactly how long she spent sitting in silence. She was just happy to be there in her mother's presence.

The bed ridden pony's eyes flickered open. She looked over at her daughter smiling at her from the side of the bed.

"Sundrop." Her voice was full of joy as she said her name. "How long have you been there? Why didn't you wake me?" She sat up in her bed, revealing the IV needle in the crook of her elbow as the blanket slid down.

Sundrop took her mother's hoof into hers.

"You looked like you needed your rest. I didn't want to disturb you."

Her mother squeezed Sundrop’s hoof back.

“Oh sweetheart, you could never disturb me.” Her eyes drew to Sundrop’s intricate hairstyle. “I love your hair.”

“Thanks, the palace stylists really out did themselves.” Sundrop rubbed her bun with her free hoof.

Her mother gasped in sudden memory.

“Oh Celestia, the ceremony was today wasn’t it? I completely forgot. I should have been there to see you.” Her mother looked guilty.

Sundrop shook her head.

“Mom, I know it’s hard for you to be on your hooves for a long period of time. I wouldn’t have asked you to go.”

Her mother nodded. “I suppose rolling me out there in a wheelchair would break decorum, wouldn’t it?” Her somber and resigned voice made Sundrop want to cheer her up.

Before Sundrop could answer, a tan colored unicorn burst into the room.

“Screw decorum!” He shouted. His boisterous voice booming in the tiny room. “I would have wheeled you out there myself if somepony had thought of it ahead of time.” This eccentric unicorn flicked the lights on as he bounded towards the night stand carrying a bouquet of roses.

“I can just hear those posh ponies saying…” He imitated a prissy upper class sounding pony, “Oh you can’t bring a wheelchair into the great hall, it’s not proper.” He placed his roses in a pre-set vase on the nightstand.

“And then I’d say ‘this is the mother of the Confidante to the Princess.’” He emphasized the Phrench pronunciation of “Confidante” as he stuck his chest out. “We will do whatever we please.” He pointed his hoof as if getting in the business of an imaginary pony. The two mares shared the same amused smirk as his theatrics went on.

“Uncle Baxter, I think you’re being a bit loud for mom.” She stifled a laugh as she shook her head.

“Oh please, darling, I’m not that fragile.” Her mother waved her hoof. “If your uncle could harm me with his outbursts, I’d be dead by now for sure.”

“Mom!” Sundrop’s jaw dropped, taken aback by her mother’s morbid comment. Uncle Baxter and her mother just burst out laughing.

Baxter walked over to Sundrop’s chair. She stood up to meet him. He was wearing a loud dad vacation shirt with blue waves and surfboards on it. His brown mane looked a bit messy as always.

“It’s good to see you, Uncle Baxter.” Sundrop embraced him in a tight squeeze.

“You too Drip Drop.” He went to rub the back of her head.

“Don’t mess up the mane!” She shouted, breaking the hug. Baxter looked embarrassed as Sundrop inspected her hair style with her hooves. A single section of hair had been jostled loose.

“I am so sorry, Drippy. I have offended the Princess’s Confidante.” He held his hoof over his head hoping to make a dramatic play out of the situation. “Here, allow me the honor of correcting such an egregious offense.” He reached for her mane again, but she withdrew from him, dodging to the left.

“No, it’s ok. I’ll take care of it.” She fiddled with the strand for a moment before giving up. “You’re not gonna let me live down my new title for a while are you?” She narrowed her eyes at him while grinning. He returned her grin with his own, dripping with sarcasm.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re basically royalty now.” He bowed his head to her. She rolled her eyes in response.

“Please tell me you didn’t wear that shirt to the ceremony.” She sighed.

“I’ll have you know I was looking quite dapper in my best evening jacket. Although they still almost didn’t let me in. Maybe I need to spring for a fancier jacket? I look like a poor pony apparently.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“I can’t believe they gave you grief. I had you listed as my plus one.” She scoffed. “If I had known they were going to disrespect my family, I would have made them let you in wearing whatever you want, even your signature surf shirt.” She and Baxter giggled together. “That would show ‘em proper decorum.”

“I can’t wait to tell your father. He’s going to be so proud of you when he gets home.” Sundrop’s mother had a single tear running down her cheek. Sundrop and her uncle shared an anxious look with each other. All of the joy in the room evaporated as a dead air stood between Sundrop and her mother.

“Mom.” Sundrop began. Her timid voice afraid to say even another word. “Dad… he…” Her throat locked up and Baxter took over.

“He may be a little delayed tonight, Sapphire. But we’ll tell him as soon as he gets here.” Baxter swallowed as he said it, trying to keep a happy expression on his face.

“He should be here. Where is he, Baxter? Where is my husband? Where is Bronze Sentry?” Sapphire’s voice got more desperate with each question.

“It’s ok, Sapphire. Everything is fine.” He knelt by her side gripping her hoof as she continued crying harder. “Everything is gonna be ok.”

“Bronzie, where are you?” She all but screamed at Baxter.

“Please Mom, not again.” Sundrop held her hoof over her mouth, trying to keep her own tears from surfacing.

“Sapphire, look at me. Please look at me.” Baxter tried to calm his sister in law down. Her eyes darted all around the room. Her breaths quickened as she panicked..

“No, no, no, no!” Sapphire thrashed wildly on the bed. Her hooves flung around in all directions. Baxter tried to hold her still by the shoulders, but her hoof swiped over the night stand, knocking the vase of flowers off. The vase shattered on the floor scattering the roses.

“Sundrop, go grab the nurse please.” Baxter gripped his brother’s wife’s shoulders as she struggled in his embrace. He needed her restrained but didn’t want to harm her. Sundrop couldn’t watch as her mother spasmed and screamed.

Her gaze fell to the shattered vase, and then to the scattering of rose petals having broken free from their blooms against the tile floor. Her heart broke with them, laying in similar pieces.

“Sundrop.”

She held her stare at the roses on the floor. The water that the roses sat in seeped out in all directions on the hospital floor as if the vase was bleeding out.

“Sundrop!” Baxter’s eyes pleaded with his niece as she finally snapped out of her trance.

“I’ll get the nurse.” She ran out of the room and over to the nurse’s station. In a few moments, three nurses rushed into her mother’s private room. Sundrop couldn’t bring herself to watch what happened. She just sat in a chair outside of the room, listening to the shouting. After a few minutes, the assisted living center was quiet again. The nurses returned to their station and Baxter found Sundrop in the hall. Her head was buried in her hooves.

“They had to sedate her. She was on the verge of a seizure again.” He rubbed his hoof on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I tried to calm her down, but it’s hard to predict what will set her off anymore. Sometimes I can help her avoid an episode like this, but lately…” He trailed off.

Sundrop shook her head, her mane all sorts of messed up now. So much of her hair had escaped the starry barrettes that they served little function at this point.

“No, I should be the one helping her with the episodes. But I… I just can’t deal with her when she gets like that. I’m sorry, I just freeze up and I…” She tried to explain, but he stopped her.

“It’s alright, it’s alright.” He knelt down and hugged her and Sundrop returned the tightness of his grip. “We’re a family and we take care of each other. That means taking care of your mother, but also taking care of you. This can’t be easy on you. You have to stop and make sure that you’re doing ok too.”

She pulled back from their hug to look him in the eye.

“But who takes care of you?” Sundrop sniffled as she asked. “It’s not easy on you either.”

He smiled at her, thawing the cold tension in the hall.

“You do, of course.”

She looked away.

“By freezing up on you when I’m needed?”

“You’re working very hard with the Princess to make us all proud, but you still come see your mother every day. You’re a very dedicated young mare. Just watching you succeed and seeing how much you remind me of your mother from better times it…” He took a deep breath. “That’s all I need to keep me going.”

Sundrop couldn’t think of anything else to say so she just nodded.

“She’s sleeping again. You should go get some rest too. It’s been a big day.” He stood up.

“Get some rest, that’s what Celestia told me earlier too.” She rolled her eyes.

“Well she’s a wise teacher, and she cares about you.”

Sundrop’s voice dropped suddenly to a low whisper. “Were you there when Dad died?”

A long moment of silence hung between them, as her Uncle didn’t answer right away.

“I’m sorry. You probably don’t want to talk about it. Nopony has ever told me much about the details.” Sundrop looked sheepish.

“I guess I was always worried that you didn’t want to hear the details.” He nodded slowly. “I wasn’t on the battlefield when it happened. I was in the infirmary. He was a sergeant in his company and they came under heavy action. I still wish I could have been there with him. It kills me that I was injured while your father was out there keeping all of Equestria safe.” He sighed for a long second.

Sundrop shook her head quickly.

“Don’t do that to yourself. You were injured. It couldn’t be helped.” She looked at him as his eyes lit up with gratitude.

“See what did I tell ya?” He smirked at her. “You take care of me too.”

“Now please go home and relax. I’ll be here when your mom wakes up to make sure they don’t screw up her dinner again.” He started walking back into Sapphire’s room.

“Thank you uncle Baxter.” She saw her uncle give one more cheerful look before disappearing into her mother’s room. Her smile faded as she once again sat alone in the hallway.

****

Chapter 3

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 2

Sundrop rolled out of bed and onto the observatory floor. She lived in one of the towering spires of Canterlot Castle. It used to be the main work space for royal astronomers before they built a new facility on the mountainside. Now it served as her own personal hideaway. The huge telescope in the center of the observatory was in slight disrepair but still functional. The palace staff offered to remove it so she could have more space, but Sundrop insisted that it stayed. She used it to watch the stars almost every night. This well loved piece of machinery was the main reason she was excited to occupy the room. Princess Celestia had offered up the idea when their regular lessons started getting serious. She’d instantly moved out of her mom’s old house at the first opportunity, ready for a fresh new life at the Castle.

With her mother in assisted living for several years, the house was basically abandoned except for her, and full of bad memories. If she was going to live alone, better to be in the Castle surrounded by her life’s passions. The observatory held vast shelves against the walls. They stood over two stories tall and were stacked with books, the bulk of the books being on loan from the Royal Library. There were globes and star trackers suspended from the ceiling. Despite the impressive equipment and library, nopony would ever mistake this room for anything other than a young mare’s apartment. She had littered the walls with her own personal touch’s: including large eclectic collages of articles cut from newspapers and magazines showcasing extraordinary acts of magic being done throughout the kingdom by brave and strong ponies - each of them a model hero in Sundrop’s mind. She’d included photos, edged in with bits of arts-n-crafts glitter, of fashionable trends in the media of (in her mind) how a Princess’s Confidant should present oneself. Her ‘ideals and dreams’ board as she liked to call it. Her bed was a two story bunk bed built into the wall next to one of the library shelves. It was great for hang outs and sleepovers with friends, but she mostly kept to the bottom bunk.

Sundrop yawned as Celestia’s afternoon light tore through the glass observatory ceiling, the sky already turning into sunset. She reset her sleep schedule in preparation for the Summer Sun Celebration. She, her friends, and all of Canterlot and Equestria would celebrate all night tonight. Fireworks, feasts, dances, music, and merriment scheduled literally until the sun came up. Every year on the Summer Solstice, Equestria would all watch Celestia raise the sun for the longest day of the year. A celebration of Celestia herself and the peace and prosperity she brought to Equestria.

Sundrop rushed through her morning (now afternoon) routine brushing her teeth and grooming her mane, too eager to start the day. She placed a white barrette on the left side of her forehead to keep her bangs out of her face, and tied the back of her mane into a ponytail. Her long pink hair could be a little unruly if she didn’t pull it back. However, she liked the extended length of it. She grabbed her brown leather satchel and slung it over her shoulder. The satchel held the image of her cutie mark printed on it; three stars in a triangle formation with a comet piercing through them.

A knock at her room door startled her. She wasn’t used to random visitors dropping in way up here in the tower, and she hadn’t invited anypony over today. She planned to meet up with her friends at the festival itself. She opened the large oak double door on the right. Her movement was slow, cautious of who could be there. A castle message courier stood with a determined expression on his face. It wasn’t the post, rather it was an internal messaging system only used on the sizable castle grounds.

“Message from Princess Celestia marked urgent.” The pegasus courier thrusted a red envelope towards her with much gusto. She felt annoyed at how pushy his attitude was, but knew that he was only doing his job. Since the message was marked “urgent” he probably flew to her tower at top speed. He tried to hide the appearance of being out of breath.

“Th-thanks.” Sundrop accepted the envelope into her hooves. He tipped his hat to her and darted down the hallway to the spiral staircase. She was about to open the envelope when she noticed the time on the sundial she kept near the door.

“I’m late! Everypony is gonna be waiting for me.” She shoved the envelope into her satchel and sprinted off to the festival.

By the time she got to the Canterlot Gardens, red and orange hues decorated the sky. The gardens were a veritable marketplace of tents and temporary merchant stations with scores of ponies shuffling about. There were rows and rows of festival stands selling anything a pony could imagine: hoof made crafts and trinkets, various cuisines from all over Equestria and beyond, games of chance, contests, raffles, and cocktail bars. Colorful flags, banners, and strings of lights hung overhead and between the stands to commemorate the special day. She strolled down one of the aisles just taking in the spectacle of everything. She was still late, and her friends were probably waiting for her, but it was hard to just rush on by when there was so much to look at. She could smell the many treats being cooked up all around her. She could hardly wait to sample them. Her mouth watered just taking in the delicious scents. The dense and noisy crowd excited her as she made her way towards the planned meeting place.

Just as she exited a row of tents, she nearly screamed as a flying pony made a thunderous impact in front of her. It was one of the few remaining open spaces at the festival with benches and stone statues all surrounding large, bubbling fountains.

The pony who made his grand entrance stood in front of her on his hind legs. His wings, fully expanded, much wider than a normal pegasus pony. It was almost as wide as Celestia’s wingspan. He landed in front of an elaborate stone carved fountain of three pony cherubs holding pots pouring water into a reservoir. In contrast to the joyful carving of the fountain, this pony glared at her with more disdain than she ever experienced in her life. She gawked in awe of this bat pony. Her eyes darting to his leathery wings and the fangs sprouting from his obvious grimace. Sundrop also noticed the halo tattoo draped across his forehead, obscured under his unruly mane.

“Are you the Confidant to the Princess?” He asked. His cold tone sounded like an interrogator. The dense crowd dispersed to give this insane monstrosity of a pony plenty of room. Nopony seemed to want to go anywhere near him. Although, many pointed wildly as if they recognized who he was.

“Y-yes. Yes I am.” Sundrop whimpered. It appeared like she was being marked for assassination and she barely held a title of any kind for two days.

He took a step towards her and she instantly started backing away from him.

“My name is Bathalar Omegastar. I’ve been assigned by Princess Celestia to be your personal bodyguard. From this moment forward, you are not to leave my side for any reason. Ever. Unless I tell you otherwise.” His cold expression somehow got even harder.

“I umm… Excuse me?” She was dumbfounded, and still rattled by his presence. His voice so booming and commanding that it echoed in her ears.

“I do not wish to repeat myself.” He huffed.

“What are you talking about? I have no idea who you are. I’ve never seen you before in my life. What do you mean bodyguard?” She kept backing away, but he just strode towards her. “I don’t need a bodyguard. That’s ridiculous. What do you want from me? Are you here to rob me?” She clutched her satchel with her hoof.

“Did you not receive notice about this from the Princess?” Bathalar looked confused. His brow furrowed so much, it crinkled the halo tattoo.

“No, I never received any notice…” Sundrop paused as her memory resurfaced. Her eyes shifted to her bag. “Oh, wait, the telegram.”

Bathalar crossed his hooves in front of him as she fished the red telegram out of her satchel. He looked oddly comfortable standing on just his hind legs. His expression annoyed as if a restaurant got his order wrong ten times in a row.

Sundrop tore open the envelope with her magic and pulled out the letter within.

“You received an urgent telegram from the Princess and you didn’t even open it?” He shook his head.

“Oh, so now you’re gonna lecture me too? You wanna be my bodyguard and my mom?” She unfolded the letter and began reading it as Bathalar grunted.

‘My Dear Sundrop. I apologize for the short notice, but as my newly appointed Confidant it is of vital importance that your safety be assured. Therefore I have ordered my servant Bathalar to be your permanent escort as of today. He will be watching over you day and night for the foreseeable future. He may be a bit brash, but I promise his bark is worse than his bite. I apologize again for any inconvenience this may cause you in your day to day life. However, as you get used to him, I’m sure you’ll barely notice him at all. With a little luck, you may even learn to become friends. I hope you enjoy the festival and I will see you in a few days for lessons once more. Sincerely, Princess Celestia…’

Sundrop groaned. “I can’t believe this. This is a disaster.” She rubbed her hoof on her forehead, still holding the letter.

“Nice to meet you too.” Bathalar sneered. She stared daggers at him before reading one final line in the letter.

‘P.S. You cannot decline your bodyguard services as this is an order.’ Sundrop’s jaw dropped at the post script. Celestia never “ordered” her to do anything before. It was especially jarring, considering how cordial the body of the letter was.

“Can’t this wait until after the festival?” The exasperated Sundrop complained.

Bathalar stared at her as if she had said two plus two is five.

“No, it cannot. A crowded event is exactly the sort of place where danger could occur.”

Sundrop noticed the long sheathed saber strapped to his armor. His armor appeared lighter and more flexible than most castle guard’s armor. Probably for better mobility while flying and fighting.

“You really think somepony is gonna try and abduct me at a public event? There are ponies everywhere.” The moment she said that, she noticed the eyes of the crowd upon them like never before. Sundrop surveyed the ponies around her more suspiciously than a moment ago. Before her new bodyguard showed up, she never thought twice about there being any danger. But now? She could hear whispers of conversation from those watching the scene unfold. The most common and repeated phrase: “shadow of death.”

“If they even bother going through the trouble to abduct you at all. They may just kill you and be done with it.” Bathalar said. The clinical nature that he described her potential demise sent a chill down her spine.

“But why would anypony wanna do that to me? I’ve never harmed anypony in my life. I want to help everypony and make Equestria a better place. I took an oath.” Her eyes widened as she looked at her supposed protector.

His gaze finally softened, if only a little bit.

“It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or not done. You are important to Celestia which makes you important to Equestria. Celestia’s enemies won’t hold back if they have the opportunity.” Bathalar took a moment to glance around himself.

“So I’m some kind of VIP now?”

“Yes.” Bathalar nodded.

“I don’t think I like being a VIP.” Sundrop looked away from him.

“Tough.”

“Excuse me?” She looked incredulous.

“Get over it. You chose this when you accepted the role of Confidant and took your ‘oath.’ You don’t get to back out now because it’s inconvenient for you.”

Sundrop shook her head and scoffed.

“Just who the hell do you think you are? You can’t talk to me like that.” She accused him as she pointed her hoof in his face.

“I see.” He stared back unfazed. “Two days as a Royal Confidant and you already think you own Equestria.” He shook his head, trying to stop the corner of his mouth from smirking.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m the trash collector. You shouldn’t speak to anypony like that.” She stood up on her hind legs to match his bipedal posture. It was doable, but she had to focus on her balance. Sundrop didn’t know how he was able to look so comfortable holding this pose.

“Trash collectors are hard workers. What do you have against them?” He raised his eyebrow.

“What? Nothing! I know they work hard. I said you shouldn’t treat them poorly.” She wobbled for a moment before regaining her balance.

“Then why make the comparison at all? It implies that they are less than you, even if you’re defending them.” Bathalar made air quotes with his hooves.

Sundrop gave up on her two leg stance and settled back down on all fours. She sighed.

“Look, I think we got off on a bad hoof. Let’s start over shall we?” She held her hoof out towards him. “I’m Sundrop Moonbow. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Bodyguard.” Her tone was polite, but empty and a tad irritated. Like a customer service employee who had been on the clock an hour too long.

“I know who you are.” Bathalar just stared at her outstretched hoof.

Sundrop tilted her head back as she rolled her eyes.

“I know you know who I am. I’m introducing myself, you prick.” Her harsh expression didn’t match her polite gesture.

“Very well.” Bathalar got down from his pose and accepted her hoof shake. “My name is Bathalar Omegastar. Nice to meet you.”

Sundrop cringed at how cold his greeting sounded, but she shook his hoof regardless.

“You already introduced yourself.” She gave him a smarmy sideways grin.

“I thought we were starting over.” He looked confused as the hoof shake ended.

“I started over. Yours still counted.” She nodded.

“Your rules confuse me.” He cleared his throat and continued before she could reply. “Sundrop Moonbow, I rarely see a pony as young as you named after the moon these days. May I call you Moonbow?” He finally looked pleasant. A smile was still a thousand miles away, but at least he didn’t look angry.

“I uh…” Sundrop rubbed the back of her head. “I really prefer my first name.”

Bathalar’s brow furrowed again.

“Since you’re my guard, shouldn’t you be calling me by my formal title?”

Bathalar’s eyes darkened, and his jaw tightened. “If you insist upon it.”

Sundrop waved her front hooves back and forth to clear the static building in the air by his terrifying tone.

She forced out a nervous laugh. “Ha ha, kidding. Totally joking. Wouldn’t that be ridiculous? Ha ha.”

He stared at her.

She raised an eyebrow. “Can’t you take a joke?”

“Yes, I can take a joke.” His tone gentler.

“It was a joke. I didn’t mean it.” Her voice apologetic.

“I’ll try to remember to laugh next time.”

She smirked and tried to hide it by coughing into her hoof.

“How about a compromise? Can I call you DropBow?”

“Absolutely not.”

"Moonbow it is then." He smirked like a bully on the playground.

“Do you have to be a jerk about literally everything?” She stomped her hoof on the ground and sized up with him despite their size difference.

“Don’t antagonize him!” A panicked voice cried out in warning.

Sundrop looked around her. A crowd of ponies persisted giving the two of them a wide berth. They all watched from what was assumed to be a safe distance. The festival came to a standstill to watch the scene unfold.

“He’s the Shadow of Death. It’s not wise to anger him.” An elderly unicorn cowered in his hood as he pointed a shaking hoof at Bathalar. The crowd murmured soft affirmations of the elder pony, terrified to exceed their agreement above a whisper.

Sundrop’s initial fear had subsided and only her annoyance remained.

"So, you're the Shadow of Death, huh?" She glared at him with youthful irreverence.

"Many call me that." He looked out at the onlooking crowd. Most ponies took another step back at his stare. Some decided to abandon the scene altogether.

“Why does everypony call you that?” She was curious.

“It’s… just a nickname.” He replied.

“Well, it’s a scary nickname.”

“I suppose it’s meant to be scary.”

"Which means you're probably good at scaring bad ponies away from me, and you know how to be quiet." Sundrop smiled.

Bathalar thought carefully before cautiously responding.

"Yes." He looked suspicious.

"Great." Sundrop left and began walking with a confident stride and Bathalar turned to follow. "Then you can just hang nearby ominously, and not say anything while I go enjoy the festival as if you're not even there. Celestia did say I would barely notice you."

Sundrop's grin grew more devious as she carried on to her planned meeting spot. The crowd of ponies dispersed and went back to their festival business.

"Very well." Bathalar directly followed behind her, not leaving any space for a pony to step between them. Sundrop’s walked with a bright and bouncy cadence, as if she leapt into the air with each step. Bathalar’s stride looked weighted and labored. His knees twitched with each heavy plant as if he may take off flying or running at any moment. Seeing them move so differently together was like watching the sun and moon walk side by side.

They made their way across the festival ground until they got to a small tent decorated with Kirin tribe symbols and artifacts outside. Bathalar found it interesting that Sundrop would enter a Kirin tent, but kept silent as he was asked.

Sundrop pushed the flap of the tent aside as she stepped forward. A forest green Kirin immediately rushed towards Sundrop. Bathalar appeared in the tent between them seemingly out of nowhere. He held his hoof up in front of Sundrop, and the Kirin stopped dead in her tracks - lest she slam into his dinner plate sized hoof. She and the three other ponies in the tent gasped at Bathalar’s lightning quick entrance. He glared as he eclipsed Sundrop behind him.

The Kirin had a beige mane that wrapped around her neck like a lion. She had a maroon horn on her forehead that curved backwards and forked like a tree branch at the top. Her brow and muzzle had a brown shell covering that matched a similar shell on her back and flank. Kirin’s were similar in build to ponies, but the aesthetic differences were stark even at a glance.

“Who… who are you? What do you want?” The Kirin said. She backed up towards her other friends in the tent. Her eyes never leaving Bathalar as she stared at him fear stricken.

“You suddenly approached Moonbow, who is under my protection. State your business.” Bathalar spoke in a cold yet matter of fact tone.

“I-I’m her friend. I want to hug my friend.” The Kirin took another step back with pain in her eyes. Bathalar was like death standing over her ready to claim her soul.

Sundrop shoved her way around Bathalar. Her push didn’t budge him, but he glared at her as she bumped around him and further entered into the tent.

“Oh my Celestia, these are my friend’s Bathalar! What the hell is your problem?” She punched him in the chest with her hoof. He still didn’t move or give a reaction.

“In the future, I enter first.” He told her.

Not wanting another argument, especially in front of her friends, Sundrop nodded in agreement.

“M-may I hug my friend now?” The Kirin’s eyes stayed locked onto Bathalar. She cowered in front of her pony friends in the tent. None of them were brave enough to move either.

Bathalar stared at the motley crew. There was an athletic looking pegasi, a unicorn with a rather dopey look on his face, and a small framed earth pony. Even with his wings tucked in, Bathalar looked massive standing in front of them on his hind legs. His eyes were dark and cold.

“You may do as you please.” Bathalar said after a long pause.

The girls hugged each other, afraid to further ruffle any bat wings. Their joyous reunion spoiled by a timid and awkward hug thanks to Bathalar’s interference. Luckily, having seen that the tent was now safe, Bathalar moved to go stand by the tent flap watching the crowds move around outside.

“What's with him?” The Kirin asked, whispering.

“Bodyguard.” Sundrop stated, letting her annoyance show in her voice.

“Seriously? Him? Is Celestia mad at you, or something?” She jested.

“Juniper!” Sundrop hissed at her Kirin friend.

“He’s even scarier in real life.” The pegasus pony spoke up.

The girl’s collectively shushed him as his attempted whisper was too loud.

“Sorry.” He lowered his voice more. “Who knew you’d get assigned the scariest, most blood-thirsty pony in all of Equestria to be your new bodyguard? What are we supposed to do now? Talk about a buzz-kill.”

Bathalar opened his mouth to retort, but shut it. He knew what kind of image he projected. It was better for everypony to fear him.

Besides, he didn’t care what these ponies thought of him, even as they continued whispering to one another. He had a job to do. Simple as that.

“Is he going to be with us all day?” The unicorn who was cowering behind the stronger pegasus asked.

“Yes.” Bathalar barked from the doorway, making everyone jump.

“Can’t you ask him to go somewhere else for a while?” The shaking unicorn pitifully said to Sundrop.

“I’m standing right here. You could just talk to me.” Bathalar replied.

“Talk to the Shadow of Death?” The unicorn’s eyes bulged in fear.

“Yes.” Bathalar’s voice rose again. “You’re doing it right now.”

“Right.” The unicorn rubbed his head, still confused. “Um… well then, Mr. Shadow, can you possibly be somewhere else until after the ceremony?” He asked.

“No.” Bathalar’s eyes narrowed. He knew when he wasn’t wanted, but orders were orders.

Sundrop tried to lighten the mood. “Come on, the festival is about to start and we’re just standing around in the tent. Let’s go have fun! You won’t even notice he’s there.”

The group of ponies glance around at one another. A few also casting cautious looks towards Bathalar. They pawed at the ground.

“Hey umm Sundrop. I’m actually not feeling so well, I think I’m gonna skip it.” The unicorn said.

“Yeah. Same here.” The pegasus looked away from her.

The small earth pony stayed silent but slowly nodded his head.

“Wait! No! Come on, you all can’t bail. We’re always together on the Summer Solstice. It’s tradition!”

Juniper linked her front leg with Sundrop’s. “No way I’m bailing on you. Now that you’re officially the Princess’s Confidant, you can buy us all the first round, right? Come on, let’s go stuff ourselves with fried food until we can’t walk.” With a flick of her mane and a casual glance at Bathalar, Juniper pulled Sundrop towards the tent flap door.

“You first, Mr. Bodyguard. Rules are rules.” Juniper joked.

Thank goodness Juniper held her up, because she nearly fell over when Bathalar actually smiled.

"At least somepony is capable of following instructions." Bathalar regarded Sundrop.

“I am perfectly capable of following instructions.” She retorted.

His smile fell a bit, “There will be a lot of ponies out there. Stay aware of your surroundings and don’t go anywhere without me.”

“Ooh, he’s so serious.” Juniper sassed. But her silly tone was lost on Sundrop, who held her bodyguard’s stare.

Bathalar nodded once. “Remember your promise, Moonbow.” Before slipping outside of the tent.

A few moments later, a leathery wing gestured for them to follow.

Four ponies and a Kirin exited the tent, following their bat pony guide. They remained silent, not wanting to disobey the Umbra Mortis who led them through the bustling crowd. Or rather, the crowd parted to let them through wanting to avoid Bathalar. Sundrop wondered if she could use this to skip the long lines at the food stalls. She chuckled to herself at the thought.

When Bathalar came to a sudden stop, the group froze and collectively held their breaths as he turned to face them. His eyes, determined and fierce, pierced through them. They awaited the judgment of what he would say next.

“Uhm… where are we going?” The Shadow of Death looked confused.

“What do you mean ‘where are we going,’ where are you going?” Sundrop rushed forward to berate him. “You’re the one who said you had to lead.” She pointed her hoof right in his face.

“No, I said I had to be the first one in and out of places. It’s your festival, go wherever you please.” He huffed and crossed his hooves in front of his chest.

“Fine, we will go wherever we want.” Sundrop shouted even though they agreed. “And it’s your festival too. You talk as if you’re not from here or something.”

Bathalar’s eyes scanned the festival. On the surface, it was a happy occasion filled with joy and revelry. However, such revelry was only for the majority of those in attendance. Once a pony started eyeing the grounds for bat ponies, something about this picture perfect celebration changed. Bat ponies scurried everywhere and all around, barely noticed and almost invisible. They fixed tents, set up machines, and ran work stations. Fried foods and desserts littered the Canterlot Gardens, but who was cleaning and operating those fryers? Foals and adults alike opened presents and prizes with glee, but who was picking up the wrapping paper? Large groups of ponies sat at outside tables and ordered rounds of food and drink for dozens of their friends and family, but who was running those orders to the tables? Who was apologizing for any spill or mistake?

The Summer Sun Celebration was propped up on the labor of bat ponies. A servant class whose halo tattoos marked them as slaves to Celestia's Equestria. All because of Luna's insurrection. Bathalar failed his brethren in battle and now they all paid the price for it. A price that every new bat generation would have to pay. Perhaps for a thousand years until Luna's return, every bat pony at the age of six was forced to receive the halo tattoo and be marked a servant. This "celebration" was the worst day of the year as far as Bathalar was concerned and he had no intention to enjoy the festivities while his kind toiled. A life of slavery that he had brought upon them twenty years ago.

"It is not my festival." Bathalar's defiant words took Sundrop aback. "No bat pony should be forced to celebrate their own defeat and conquering."

"Uh, I think you have your history backwards there a little bit." Sundrop chided. "The bat ponies weren't 'conquered,' they were traitors who rebelled and frankly got what they deserve."

Even as the festival around them carried on uninterrupted, the small space where Sundrop and her friends faced Bathalar fell eerily silent.

"Uh Sundrop..." Her nervous unicorn friend looked back and forth between Sundrop and Bathalar.

The bat pony's glare pierced Sundrop and she remembered why she feared him when they first met a little while ago.

"I think you may have gone a little overboard there…" Her pegasi friend began, but Bathalar cut him off.

"You are very fortunate that I have been ordered to protect you." His halo tattoo shimmered in the festival firelight as he stared her down. He had years of practice dealing with these kinds of comments, her’s certainly wasn’t the first, but they still made his blood boil. If he so much as raised a hoof against this kind of slander, Celestia would have his head. Literally.

Juniper tightened her grip on Sundrops arm and placed her body between Sundrop and Bathalar.

"She didn't mean what she said she…" Juniper tried to mediate, but Bathalar cut her off too.

"Yes she did."

Bathalar turned his back on them and the conversation ended. Not that there was much else to say. Sundrop wanted to apologize, but she also wanted to scream at Bathalar. She wanted to call him a traitor, yet turned red in embarrassment of her brash statement. In the end, she chose silence and they carried on towards the food tent that Juniper led them to, opting to wait in the long line.

The group stood in silence for what must have been a half an hour. Bathalar stood on his hind legs and faced away from the other ponies, only leaving Sundrop in his peripheral vision directly to his right. Sundrop stared at the festival grass as the line creeped forward. Her blank expression refused to betray the thoughts in her head. Juniper and the others glanced around nervously at each other. Nopony willing to break the silence for some time. Once they were about halfway through the food line, the young lavender colored unicorn of the group couldn’t take it anymore.

“This is ridiculous. Hello, my name’s Mythic.” He spoke directly to Bathalar who either ignored him or wasn’t paying attention. Undeterred, Mythic tapped Bathalar on his back since he couldn’t quite reach Bathalar’s shoulder while the bat pony stood upright.

“I said, my name is Mythic.” He repeated louder.

Bathalar jerked his head in Mythic’s direction. The group held their collective breath as Bathalar scowled at the young colt.

“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Shadow- well, erm… Mr. Bathalar. I uh… didn’t introduce myself earlier and so…” Mythic cleared his throat as he trailed off.

Bathalar’s eyes scanned the group of pony friends around him. Their expressions were anxious and grave.

“Nice to meet you.” Bathalar’s tone was far from warm, but neither was there any malice in it.

“And this is Blitz.” Mythic pointed to the red pegasus pony next to him in line. “He likes to fly fast and hates black olives on his pizza.”

“Ok true, but also super random, Mythic.” Blitz shook his head.

“How fast can you fly?” Bathalar asked, looking directly at Blitz. The young pegasus curled his lip into such a side grin, his cheek wrinkled.

“Faster than your eyes can keep up.” Blitz matched Bathalar’s two leg stance, crossing his hooves in front of him. His smirk and stance challenged Bathalar.

Sundrop was annoyed that the stance came so easily to Blitz. Maybe having wings had something to do with balancing like that? Or maybe it was an ego boost?

“I highly doubt that. We may have to race sometime.” Bathalar returned his devious grin.

“You’re on, old stag!” Blitz’s face lit up with a fiery passion. “But don’t be crying when I leave you in my dust.”

“And this is One Liner.” Mythic nudged an orange maned earth pony (who was trying to hide behind him) forward. “He’s our local comedian. Somepony has to keep our spirit’s up, and this is the guy. Mythic proudly motioned to his beige colored friend.

One Liner tucked his tail mane between his legs as he tried to back away slowly from Bathalar. If anypony’s spirit needed to be lifted, it was this shy colt.

“One Liner?” Bathalar raised an eyebrow at the name.

“Yeah I uh… I come from a family of stage performers.” One Liner’s voice was soft and unassuming. He broke eye contact with Bathalar.

“Hmm.” Bathalar considered the nervous pony in front of him. “Let’s have a joke then.”

One Liner eye’s shot so wide, one would think Bathalar drew his sword on him.

“Right now?” One Liner asked.

“Yes.” Bathalar nodded. “I’d like to hear one.” Sundrop wanted to comment on Bathalar asking for jokes, but couldn’t bring herself to speak up. She glanced at Juniper who nodded with a sympathetic look.

“Ok, here it goes.” One Liner rolled his shoulders back and took a deep breath. Finding his courage, he began rattling off one liners. Just like his namesake.

“I know money talks, but all mine says is ‘goodbye.’” Bathalar didn’t react, so he tried another.

“My father has schizophrenia, but he’s good people.” He paused for a beat, but the bat pony just stared at him.

“I can’t believe I got fired from the calendar factory, all I did was take a day off.” He closed his eyes, not wanting to see if he was still bombing and he screamed:

“When life gives you melons, you may be dyslexic!”

One Liner opened his eyes to stare at the ground. He began breathing in and out with a heavy and audible sigh, as if he had just finished an intense workout. His friends were grinning but stifled any laughs they may have wanted to express.

“Not bad.”

One Liner looked up at Bathalar. His eyes glistened with hope.

“Really? You’re not just saying that?” One Liner narrowed his eyes in realization. “But you didn’t laugh.” His voice full of suspicion.

“It’s difficult to make me laugh. But, I’m not lying to you. If I thought they were bad I would suggest you go work the fryers instead.” Bathalar nodded towards the kitchen and One Liner laughed out loud.

“Fair enough. I’ve gotten worse critiques, that's for sure.” One Liner held out his hoof to Bathalar, and to his surprise, Bathalar returned the hoof bump.

“Dang, Shadow, you’re actually pretty cool.” Blitz nodded his head. “Can we call you Shadow?”

“Do you have to?” Bathalar squinted back at him.

“That’s not a no!” Mythic chimed in and the three colts giggled together. Sundrop and Juniper shared a smile together.

“Fine.” Bathalar rolled his eyes. The boys all high hooved each other.

See how you like it. Sundrop thought to herself. With the tension finally subsiding, the group was able to carry on normal conversation. Bathalar even participated from time to time. Sundrop caught the eye of Mythic and silently mouthed:

“Thank you,”

Mythic just smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

After waiting in the painfully long line, they got their food and carried it to a picnic table that was fortunately being vacated. The boys all dug in as Juniper and Sundrop took time to wrap napkins around their neck and lap.

Sundrop glanced at her funnel cake before turning to a small bat pony who had helped run the food to their table.

“Excuse me.” Sundrop’s voice was calm and caring. However, the little bat pony jerked around and stared at her with eyes the size of dinner plates. He looked like he wanted to run away.

“Uhm…” Sundrop was taken aback by his stark reaction. “I wanted light powdered sugar on my funnel cake and this is too…” She paused as she looked at the bat server who stared back with terrified and wide eyes, like he expected Sundrop to start yelling at him.

Instead she waved him away. “Nevermind. It’s not a big deal. Don’t worry about it.” Sundrop tried to smile. Her diplomacy skills would need some work.

“I can fix it for you ma’am. I can bring you a new one with light sugar.” The bat pony swallowed as he offered.

Sundrop could only imagine other unruly ponies yelling at this poor colt for simple mistakes like this. She didn’t want to be one of those ponies. He was, after all, only a kid.

“You know… I think I’ve worked up a bit of a sweet tooth tonight. I’ll just take it as it is. Thank you so much.” Sundrop nodded.

“I-If that’s what you want, miss. Please enjoy.” The bat pony bowed to her and scurried away before she could change her mind.

“Why didn’t you let him fix your food?”

Sundrop stared up at the towering Bathalar seated on her left at the picnic table.

“Did you think he was too stupid and would just mess it up again?” Bathalar said with a huff.

“No.” Sundrop scoffed at him. “I just decided that I didn’t want to make a fuss. He’s obviously trying his best.” She focused on her funnel cake, tearing a modest piece of the hot, greasy dough with her magic.

“Hmm.” Was all Bathalar could say in reply. He scooped up an obnoxiously large piece of his own funnel cake and shoved it in his mouth. Sundrop frowned in disgust. She looked over to see the other colts doing the same.

“Boys are so gross.” Sundrop shook her head at Juniper.

“Good thing the world is run by mare’s.” Juniper winked at Sundrop. They giggled and silently toasted their pieces of funnel cake before gracefully consuming them.

****

The festivities carried on all night. Bathalar continued to follow Sundrop and her entourage wherever they went. They toasted drinks and played games and danced in the moonlight. Occasionally, Bathalar himself would loosen up and chat with Sundrop and her friends. Although, he never danced or participated in any games. Bathalar could think of many things he’d rather do with his time than mull about this farce of a celebration, but he had to admit that this was the least miserable time he had spent during the Summer Sun Celebration since his release from prison.

Finally the dreaded moment had arrived. The moment that Bathalar had deliberately avoided every single year. It was time for Princess Celestia to raise the sun in the most overly theatrical manner possible. He stood with Sundrop and her friends in the Canterlot Gardens. They were joined by an innumerable mass of ponies all around them. The tight quarters were claustrophobic enough that Bathalar was tempted to take to the sky himself to get away from the crowd. However, that would require dereliction of his duty to protect Moonbow. He couldn’t leave her side no matter what.

Several dozen meters ahead of them was a stage with an open sun crescent statue facing up. Everypony did their best to situate themselves on this side of the sun statue, because this was the vantage point that would make it look like the sun was rising in tandem with Celestia herself.

Celestia took to the stage in the cool late evening moonlight to thunderous cheers and applause. Ponies hollered and stomped their hooves on the ground, making as much noise as possible. Celestia spread her wings to their full length and looked up to the stars. The crowd quieted down in anticipation of the coming sunrise. Bathalar decided he would finally watch the damn sunrise for once. He always excused himself and went away or inside during this part. Since he was stuck out here with Moonbow anyway, he figured he might as well see what all the fuss was about.

Celestia took to the sky and a brilliant light flashed on the horizon. She rose gently into the air as the light from the horizon spread, and the sun came into view. Her graceful wings flapped as their massive size filled the air around her. She caught a thermal and used it to glide upwards as if she was levitating more than flying.

As he watched Celestia and the sun rise together he noticed that he was standing in the same part of the garden he had stood when Luna fell, and the battle turned permanently against his army twenty years ago. Celestia’s body eclipsed the sun and the sun Princess’s figure was painted over the blinding light.

“Ooh’s” and “Ahs” echoed from the enamored crowd.

Bathalar closed his eyes for a moment at the striking visual. The brightness burning behind his eyelids and searing into his brain. He figured the sun was in his eyes and he needed a quick moment to readjust. Unfortunately, when he opened his eyes, he saw neither Celestia nor the sun. The festival fell away and the bright light faded into Luna in the starless night sky, dawning her midnight armor before the full moon. Pinned in the moment, he watched helplessly as a rainbow colored beam caught the moon Princess head on and sent her flying out into space. His horror. His nightmare. Tears flowed down Bathalar’s face as he watched his beloved get all but murdered once again. The memory choking his throat.

“Bathalar.”

A troubled voice called his name, but there was nothing he could do for her. He had failed so utterly and completely.

“Bathalar.”

The voice was further away now. His Princess was being sent to the moon, imprisoned for a thousand years. A thousand years.

“Bathalar!”

Bathalar snapped out of his haze. The voice he heard wasn’t Luna, it was Moonbow. He looked up again and Celestia had the morning sun well into the sky. From the ground perspective, the sun perfectly filled the statue crescent as Celestia hovered hooves wide and wings out. Everypony had pushed forward to crowd the stage and cheered joyously for their beloved Princess. Bathalar looked down to his left where Moonbow had stood beside him.

She wasn’t there. There were drag marks on the ground where her hooves caught the dirt.

In a panic, his eyes scanned the crowd in front of him looking for her. He thought he heard her call his name a fourth time, but he couldn’t see her. He immediately took to the air to get a better vantage point. He looked down in the direction where he heard Moonbow’s voice last. He saw a group of ponies tearing through the crowd, desperate to get somewhere. They pushed their way through. Heading into the large cluster of trailers and ready-up building structures used by the event staff. He couldn’t see Moonbow clearly, but this band of characters appeared to have a prisoner that they were forcing along with them. This figure had a sack over their head and their muffled screams were being swallowed up by the roaring crowd.

Moonbow had been taken while standing right next to him and he had done nothing. He had allowed himself to indulge in delirium and self pity. He watched as his sole mission was ushered away.

Once again, he had failed, and he watched. He dared not imagine what horrific punishment Celestia would cast on him if he failed to protect her young student and Royal Confidant.

Lightning gripped his hooves until it encompassed his entire body.

****