Cobalt winced as another cheer split the air, and the foals charged toward their cubbies, snatching up their saddlebags and sprinting out the door. As the classroom cleared out, he mentally cursed himself. The story had been both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and he’d loved every second, but to leave his post! He was supposed to guard Lunaris and Fireheart, not sit around like some sort of starstruck filly! What if something had happened to Fire? He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if the adorable bat got hurt because he was lost in some story, good though it was.

He glanced at the orange bat, felt a touch of jealousy as Fireheart continued to purr and nuzzle Lunaris. He quickly squashed it however, realizing that it wasn’t that he was jealous, he just felt… homesick. He sniffled and wiped his eyes with a hoof, looking toward the floor as he tried to steel himself. It was getting closer to harvest season, the months grew colder, that meant long days dancing from tree to tree, pulling down the sweetest mangoes, followed by the warmest nightly snuggles by the fireplace…

Just as he felt tears begin to creep into his eyes, warm fluff embraced him, pulling him to his hooves. Fireheart beamed, throwing his wing over Cobalt’s back as Lunaris spoke.

“I will be paying the mayor a visit, followed by the feast I’m sure the district has planned?” Midnight Wind nodded, smiling. “Excellent. Guard Song, Guard Hoof, I would like you with me. I don’t want anypony to think I’m not bringing a full detail and think I don’t care as a result. Guard Cobalt, Midnight Wind;” Cobalt felt his ears perk up and flick at his name, and he looked to Lunaris, blushing slightly when he found her motherly smile meeting his gaze. “Please chaperon Fire to his usual haunts. Try to make sure he doesn’t get a bellyache from candy this time. He didn’t eat for two days, and I was worried sick.”

Midnight Wind giggled, making Cobalt feel short as she stood over the pair of bats.

“Don’t worry your highness. I’ll make sure they have a good day and are returned to the castle safely.”

Lunaris hummed and she gave Cobalt a wink before turning away.

“Indeed. I shall see you this evening, my little flame.”

She blew a kiss toward Fireheart, and the orange bat let out a squeak before mimicking catching it and holding it to his chest. Strong Hoof and Midsummer Song followed Lunaris out of the classroom silently, with Strong Hoof giving Cobalt a nod and a smile.

Cobalt squeaked as Fireheart suddenly pounced on him. He hit the ground with another squeak, then a squeal as the orange bat licked his nose.

“So where do you wanna go first?” Fireheart enthusiastically chirped. “I wanna go to the comic shop, and get ice cream!”

“We should stop somewhere for lunch, my prince,” Midnight Wind giggled, pulling Fireheart back before helping Cobalt brush himself off. “How about Slice’s pizza?”

Fireheart’s tail smacked the ground.

“With mango slices?” he chirped.

Midnight Wind pulled the orange bat to her side and licked his cheek.

“Yes, my adorable prince, with mango slices.”

Fireheart squeaked and flushed crimson, and Cobalt quickly matched him as Fire’s wing kept him in place, pressed to the orange bat’s side. Midnight Wind giggled again, giving the pair a wink that made them blush further as she led them from the classroom.

*****

“Oooh, Ponio!”

Fireheart’s tail waggled back and forth as he stared longingly across the pizza parlor. The room was a warm orange, and though it was relatively barren of customers, the ponies behind the counter were enthusiastically at work, putting a trio of pizzas through prep while their little party looked over the menu. Midnight Wind slipped a bit from her saddlebags and passed it to the orange bat.

“Go play dear, I know what to order for you.”

Fireheart let out a chirp of thanks and he flapped across the restaurant. Cobalt felt his body instinctively twitch, wanting to follow the prince, but he kept himself in place, swallowing dryly as he noticed the half-bat mare at his side grinning at him. He stared straight ahead, trying not to sweat as he stared at the menu.

“Any… um, recommendations, Miss Wind?”

She giggled, stepping closer and pressing against his side, making him shiver as he drank in her sweat scent.

“No need to be so formal Cobalt, Midnight Wind is fine. Now; let’s stop playing pretend.” He squeaked in mild alarm as she removed his helmet, then let out a little moan as she scratched behind his ear. “I can tell this is your first time in the district, as well as your first time out with Prince Fire. Don’t worry about guard duty or any of that, I’ll take care of it.”

“B-but…” Cobalt tried to protest, even as he leaned into the scratches, his hind leg thumping slightly.

“Good loyal bat,” Midnight Wind cooed. “Your number one duty is to protect the prince, and his warm, kind heart will be broken if you’re too busy watching our tails.” She licked his ear. “And besides, I saw that little tense, you want to have fun with Fire anyway, so go on. You have my permission.”

Some part of him knew that he was supposed to say no, that he was supposed to be a strong, resolute guard, focused entirely on his duty, but he really really wanted to have fun with Fireheart…

“Come on best bat friend, you get to go first!” Fireheat called.

Cobalt felt any resistance break as he flapped toward the orange bat. He quickly paused and turned, rubbing against Midnight Wind before flapping away again.

“Thank you Ms. Wind!”

The baticorn giggled and waved.

“Enjoy my adorable bats! Let me know if you need any more bits.”

The pair blushed and chirped in acknowledgment as she turned to order their food. Cobalt slid in beside Fireheart, who wrapped him in a wing hug, poking at the controls.

“Here, you go first! I already started the level.”

Cobalt stared at the screen. He’d seen electronics before… in passing. He’d heard much about video games, but had never actually played one. This one displayed a simple red and blue pony on a light blue screen. Brown blocks stood in a variety of ways across the screen, and little creatures moved back and forth. He looked down at the controls, then at the screen, then at the controls again. Finally he looked toward Fireheart, who smiled back. Cobalt blinked blankly.

“I’m a farm pony… what do I do?”

Fireheart tilted his head slightly, his smile never wavering.

“Press da buttons!” He poked at the controls. “This one makes you jump, and this one makes you move!”

Cobalt stared hard at the controls before pressing the move button. The pony on the screen inched forward, and Fireheart pressed against his side.

“Good! Now jump!”

Perhaps he had gotten too used to following direct orders, because Cobalt did a small jump in place. The character on the screen ran into one of the mushroom looking creatures, and the screen quickly changed to say; ‘You Died’. He looked toward Fire and blinked again. Fireheart giggled and leaned over, nipping the blue bat’s ear, making him squeak.

“No silly, you gotta press the jump button on the game!” He pressed the reset button and the pony was back on the screen. Fireheart nosed Cobalt’s neck, giggling. “Now try again.”

Cobalt frowned, leaning comfortably against the fluffy orange bat as he pressed the move button again. Fireheart let out a soft chitter as Cobalt’s character neared the first enemy, and he again said;

“Now jump!”

Cobalt’s ears pinned to the side of his head, and, not wanting to disappoint the prince, he quickly pressed both the move button and the jump button, spamming them as fast as he could. The screen flashed, then froze for a second before his character magically appeared atop a flagpole, snatching the flag off in his teeth before hopping down and entering a small castle. Cobalt looked to Fireheart.

“W-was that good?”

The orange bat pony stared blankly at the screen for a long moment before letting out a delighted squeak.

“How’d you do that? It glitched! I’ve never seen that one before!”

Cobalt’s tail waggled back and forth, and he gave a fanged grin.

“I just pressed the buttons like you said!” He looked back to the game, pressing a button to start the next level.

Fireheart pressed against his side, offering bits of advice as he progressed normally through the level. It didn’t take him long to die again, and so they switched places, with Fireheart casually flying through the levels, his tongue blepped out in concentration. They continued happily playing until Midnight Wind called out that their food was ready. Fireheart quickly finished the level and the pair trotted over to the mare, sitting with her in the circular booth she’d chosen.

Fireheart immediately scooted over to sit beside her, nosing her neck affectionately before digging into his pizza. Cobalt sat toward the end of the booth, his eyes flicking between the pair and his own steaming pizza. A giggle touched his ears, and looking sheepishly toward Midnight Wind found the baticorn sitting with open hooves.

“Come here my cute bat. You won’t experience the best the growth district has to offer until you get some snuggles. I promise I won’t bite.”

Cobalt blushed, but his tail swished across the seat as he scooted over, her hoof pulling him against her chest fluff. The mare hummed in satisfaction, her breath warm on his ear as she whispered;

“Too hard, that is…”

He squeaked as she gave his neck a lick, and he scooped up a slice of pizza, trying to hide his blush by taking a bite. Midnight Wind giggled and smooched his cheek before turning to her own food.

“So, my prince, I think we should go to the hobby shop first, followed by ice cream?”

Fireheart chittered with delight, cheese hanging from his muzzle as he bobbed his head.

“Yes! I wanna see if Ink Dot has the new models I ordered! It’s supposed to be huge, and in a new color, and has this little pony that you can paint on it!”

Midnight Wind giggled and licked the cheese off, making the orange bat blush.

“Then it’s set. Cobalt, is there anywhere in particular you wanted to see in the district?”

Cobalt blinked, quickly scarfing down the rest of his slice before tilting his head in question at the blue mare.

“Me? I’m glad I get to relax and play with Fire a little, but I am just here as his guard.”

Midnight Wind smiled.

“I know dear, but there’s no reason we can’t make a stop somewhere you’d like to see, or to get something. Think about it, we are happy to make a little detour for an adorable blue bat, aren’t we Fire?”

Cobalt blushed as the orange bat pony waggled his eyebrows.

“Anything for my best bat friend!”

Cobalt mumbled a brief flushed thanks, going back to his pizza as the pair giggled at him.

*****

A bell rang out above their heads as they trotted into the hobby shop aptly named; Ink Dot Comics and Hobbies. A chipper voice rang out as the trio trotted inside.

“Prince Fireheart, hello!” came the bright call.

Cobalt’s head swiveled as Fireheart trotted toward the counter, a shy smile on his muzzle and a light blush on his cheeks. From behind a dozen small displays covered with ads and trinkets, a dark pink earth pony waved her hoof, her smile shining at the orange prince. Fireheart shyly approached her, rubbing his foreleg as he continued to blush.

“H-Hi Ms. Ink Dot.”

The mare snorted and reached across the counter, ruffling his mane. Fireheart squeaked, then purred as she giggled.

“Silly bat, you know you can just call me Inky!”

Fireheart’s blush deepened and he nodded.

“Y-yeah, j-just wasn’t expecting to see you here, I-Inky.”

Ink Dot giggled again and settled her forelegs on the counter.

“You were just lucky my Prince. I rotate back to our normal store near the castle tomorrow, but still, it’s good to see you a little early! Here for the new Power Ponies, or are you looking at models?”

As the two started to relax into regular chatter, Cobalt looked around the shop, his eyes slowly widening as he beheld all of the color, all of the unique sights. He’d been more focused on the prince as they walked in, but by the queens, the shop was packed with stuff! Tall racks of brightly colored comic books formed into tight aisles, above which were strung dozens of different models of airships, boats, and planes. His eyes drifted down to that which he was most familiar with, even though that was a stretch. He recognized perhaps two of the comics, but the rest… they were just so many! His tiny town general store had never had this many! He looked at a Power Ponies comic, smiling as he recognized the familiar characters. His sisters enjoyed them more of course, but with only two magazines stocked in Fruity Fields, he read what he could.

“The adult section is behind that curtain, cutie!” Ink Dot called.

Cobalt squeaked and blushed, his tail tucked between his legs as he looked away from the comic rack. He tried to hide in his helmet, but realized that Midnight Wind was still carrying it. She and Ink Dot giggled at his flustered state, and the comic mare looked to the baticorn.

“How did you manage to clone and paint the prince blue, Sister? This bat is just as nervous and cute!”

Cobalt looked at Midnight Wind.

“Sister…?”

The baticorn grinned and nosed his neck, making him squeak again.

“I am a Sister in the order of the Sisters of the Light. I’ll tell you more when we meet again, my cute guard.” She nibbled his ear, making him squirm as she glanced at Ink Dot. “And I know, precious, right? I cannot wait for the news to spread through the castle, especially since Cobalt here is Prince Fireheart’s bodyguard.”

Ink Dot’s eyebrows raised, and a smile spread on her muzzle. She looked to Fireheart, who’s tail waggled, his expression beaming.

“He’s my best bat friend!” the prince chirped.

The dark pink mare giggled, and she looked back toward Cobalt.

“Well welcome to my hobby shop Cobalt! Prince Fire has his run of the place and probably knows where things are better than I do, but feel free to ask me any questions you like.”

Cobalt glanced at Midnight Wind, and she grinned, silently nodding permission. His tail waggled and she rubbed against her cheek before trotting forward, his eyes once again roaming the shop.

“I don’t really know where to begin… we only had Power Ponies in Fruity Fields… adult section? What’s that for?”

“Mostly for the Shadowbolts comics, those are super popular, and really action packed, in both ways,” Ink Dot said, waving a hoof toward the curtain. “But there are a couple books that adults in the district like, so we keep them stocked. I’m sure Fire will visit my main store near the castle though, so if you want to see our full range, I really recommend dropping in.” She winked and stuck her tongue out at Fireheart, making him squeak again. “The prince also likes my uniform much more in that shop.”

Cobalt giggled, feeling a blush tinge his cheeks as the mare’s gaze shifted to him, eyeing him up and down before winking again.

“You will too I imagine,” she teased, then giggled as the pair of stallions squeaked.

Fireheart shook himself free of the teasing first, and his tail waggled, the stallion almost bounding in place.

“Did you get the new models yet Inky?”

The mare nodded, her muzzle opening, but Fireheart was already gone, only reappearing to grab Cobalt and drag him through the aisles with an alarmed shriek. Midnight Wind giggled, trotting up to the counter and laying the guardspony’s helmet atop it. She stared after the vanished pair with Ink Dot.

“I bet one of them ends up as a mare in the next month and the other plows her.” Ink Dot stated, a sly grin spreading on her muzzle.

Midnight Wind snorted, sliding a pouch of bits across the counter.

“I’ll take that action, but if it does happen, I get to take the mare to the altar and show her what being a sister is about.”

“Deal.”

Cobalt faintly heard giggling as Fireheart finally stopped pulling him along, their path halting before a tall wall of models, most of which were airships. The orange bat pony beside him vibrated, whining anxiously as he combed the wall up and down.

“Helios helios, where’s da Helios model?!”

“Third shelf, four from the right!” Ink Dot called through the store.

Fireheart’s eyes immediately shot to that spot, and he squealed with delight, plucking a rather large box from the shelf and holding it in his hooves. His tail slapped the ground, and he hugged it tight to his chest.

“Yessss! I’ve been waiting on this one forever!” He looked to Cobalt with an eager smile. “It’s got fifty pieces, and a custom “paint-yourself” pony for the front of the bow!”

Cobalt stared at the ship, his eyes widening. It looked so detailed, so cool! And a minature pony you could make yourself, that was so-

“Awesome,” he whispered.

Fireheart hummed in agreement and looked back to the wall of models, his tail swishing back and forth.

“So, which one are you getting friend?”

Cobalt tilted his head at the orange bat.

“What do you mean?”

Fireheart met his gaze, smiling and waving at the wall.

“You gotta pick one! Then we can build ‘em together!”

Cobalt’s ears pinned to the sides of his head and he looked toward the suddenly intimidating wall of models. His eyes flitted across the myriad of choices, and he slowly shook his head, shrinking slightly.

“N-no. I’m fine. N-never had any models before. We couldn’t afford those, and we had to work the farm anyway. I wouldn’t know what to do with one.”

Fireheart sputtered, visibly confused. Cobalt shied away more, mentally cursing himself for not knowing yet another thing. He’d only waltzed into the royal palace and asked for a job, he couldn’t have bothered with actually knowing anything about Stellaria outside his tiny town before he arrived?

Midnight Wind seemed to appear from nowhere like a guardian angel, wrapping him in a gentle hug as she rested her chin in his mane, smiling at Fireheart.

“Why don’t you pick one out, my Prince? Cobalt’s new to the hobby, he needs help to make sure his first model is exceptional!”

Fireheart immediately lit up, and he grinned, his blue eyes shining at Cobalt.

“I’m sorry, of course I can pick out one for you! Then we can build them together, and then we can talk about getting more!”

He set down the model in his hooves and hopped over it in one smooth move, hugging Cobalt. The blue bat did his best not to choke up, and he hugged the orange bat back, purring emanating from his chest. Fireheart just as quickly sprang away, looking the wall up and down with an intense look on his face. Midnight Wind chuckled and guided Cobalt down the aisle.

“Maybe grab two!” she called over her shoulder. “You can make an evening of it.”

Fireheart chirped in response, immediately snatching a model from the wall and setting it beside his own before returning to his task. Midnight Wind smiled as they turned the corner, and her hoof left Cobalt’s withers. As she turned and stood in front of the guard bat, he looked toward the floor, his cheeks burning with shame as if he was about to be scolded.

A hoof touched his chin and pushed his gaze up until he met Midnight Wind’s kind smile. She brushed his mane gently with her other hoof.

“Cobalt, take a deep breath.”

His eyes flicked down, and he tried to draw back, but a shelf at his back prevented his retreat.

“I-I’m fine S-Sister…”

“I have served Queen Lunaris and her family for well over a decade now, and I know what it looks like when a bat with a big heart starts getting in his own head. Now look me in the eyes and take a nice, deep breath.”

Cobalt sniffled, but did as he was told, meeting the mare’s crimson eyes with his tear emerald ones. She smiled and brushed the tears away as they took a shared deep breath. She cooed softly.

“That’s it, in and out my cute bat. In and out.”

Cobalt followed her breathing, slowly calming from the panic he hadn’t realized was filling his chest. Midnight Wind kept him breathing until he was fully calm, then she spoke again.

“You have nothing to worry about with Prince Fire. Nothing. He doesn’t care about what you don’t know, he doesn’t care about where you came from, and he doesn’t care if you don’t exactly share his interests. What he does care about is his friend, and he wants you to be happy. He of course would like that happiness to include his interests, but if things don’t always overlap, he’s a big, smart stallion who will share anything and everything he can with you until you find something you can do together.”

She continued brushing his mane, and Cobalt nodded, his eyes glazing slightly as he tried not to hiccup. Fireheart had been nothing but kind with him, everyone had really, yet here he was, overthinking-

“Queen Lunaris knows how to pick her ponies,” Midnight continued, interrupting his thoughts. “Fire was just like you once, always nervous, always shy, always anxious about what others thought. He can still be like that sometimes, but he’s only that way because he’s got a big heart and wants everyone to be happy. I think you are much the same, my dear cute bat, so please; relax. Fireheart will stick by your side, and I know you will stick by his. I knew before he even spoke the words that you were going to be the best of friends, and I don’t think a bat as precious as you will let me, or him down, will you?”

Cobalt hiccuped into a smile, shaking his head. Midnight Wind dabbed away his tears and smooched his nose.

“Good bat. I expect to hear such wonderful stories when I shift back into the castle, and I fully expect to see you causing mischief with my favorite orange bat. Now dry those silly tears Cobalt, take another breath, and explore Ms. Ink Dot’s shop. Find something that catches your eye.”

She giggled as she heard an overexcited squeal coming from the model wall. She stood, trotting that way.

“I’ll keep the prince distracted a few minutes more, but like I said in the restaurant, have fun. You are Prince Fireheart’s bodyguard, yes, but you are also his friend, and that is by far the most important of your duties. So have fun. Let Cobalt the bat out for a little while. There will be plenty of time for Cobalt the guard.”

She turned the corner, and he heard her gently admonish Fireheart, who quickly protested; some argument about how they needed to get the fifteen model starter bundle. While the pair quietly debated the merits of the massive set, Cobalt took another deep breath, drying his eyes and starting a slow trot through the aisles of comics. His gaze wandered over the tall shelves of comics, passing over a dozen different titles, none of which caught his interest. He frowned, starting a more pointed search. His hooves carried him up and down a few aisles before leading him toward the curtained section of the shop. Trotting through the curtain, Cobalt was immediately greeted by the books he was looking for, and he grinned, his tail waggling as he trotted over, looking up and down the comic stands until he found the first volume in the Shadowbolts comic line.

He felt his body flush beneath his armor as he got a closer look at the cover. At a distance the group of mares were simply clad in their normal uniforms, but with a close inspection, he noticed that said uniforms clung tightly to their athletic bodies, and had the distinct shine of rubber on them. With a nervous glance toward the curtain, he took a seat, opening the cover, looking for a brief synopsis of the story. Ink Dot had said they were action packed, and while clearly that had some lewd implications, he hoped the story would also be good. He loved a good adventure.

Finding nothing, Cobalt shrugged and turned to the first page, curling into a bat-loaf as he started reading. The first few pages were introductions to the heroes of the story, as well as to the villain of the first issue. Though simple, Cobalt was quickly drawn into the colorful conflict, and soon he was flipping through the pages, his green eyes combing over every inch, drinking in words and art alike.

He vaguely felt something touch his withers, and he flicked his tail at it, his eyes never leaving the pages before him. The Shadowbolts were navigating a jungle temple to rescue an important noble, weaving and dodging through deadly traps and hostile native guardians, defeating both with apparent ease, their suits never becoming marred, save for the one tentacle monster trap… though he’d skipped that particular section with a blush. He wanted only the action, could do research into lewd monsters later.

“Cobalt.”

“Shhhh!” he hissed, turning another page. The Shadowbolts, with Rainbow Dash at their lead crashed into the primary chamber, an orange pegasus that looked strangely reminiscent of Fireheart hanging from a set of ropes over a pit of black, roiling sludge. The villain, a red zebra mare, threw her head back, cackling at the team of pegasi, her teeth sharp as she t-

Cobalt yelped as magic seized his tail and lifted him into the air. The comic dropped from his hooves and hit the ground. He swung at the empty air, sticking his tongue out in concentration as he tried to snatch up the comic. He heard a giggle, and, looking upside down, he found Ink Dot, Fireheart, and Midnight Wind looking at him. Ink Dot was giggling, while Fire simply looked confused. Midnight had an understanding, but chastising frown on her muzzle. Cobalt crossed his hooves and looked away, pouting even as his cheeks filled with blush. Midnight Wind shook her head and snorted.

“Guardspony, I’ve been calling your name for the last five minutes.”

“We picked out five models!” Fireheart chirped.

Cobalt’s blush deepened as his embarrassment grew worse. Ink Dot came to his rescue with a light gasp before he could truly be scolded.

“You can’t blame him, Sister, he’s at a really good part!” All eyes looked to the pink earth pony as she crouched over the comic he’d been reading, her eyes shining with delight. “Ooooh, issue twenty-four! It’s the first time we get to see the series villain!”

“Celestial Storm!” Fireheart gasped, pushing in beside them and eyeing the comic. He gasped again and his hooves seized the comic, holding it close to his eyes. “This one has the unique shadowbolt suits! This is a one in a million comic!” He looked up with a brilliant grin at Cobalt. “You’re so lucky! I have a bunch of the Shadowbolts comics in the unique suits editions, but not issue twenty-four!”

Cobalt grinned and waved the book toward Fire.

“Well, that one can be all yours too! It’s not like I have any of any edition.” He scratched the back of his head. “Sorry for not listening to you. It’s a really good story, I’ll have to come back and buy some once my next paycheck hits.”

Fireheart’s ears flopped off-kilter as he looked on the verge of hyper-ventilating, while Midnight Wind let out a chuckle, finally setting the bat down and giving his mane a few pats.

“Silly bat, I’m sure that Prince Fireheart will be more than happy to let you read from his collection.”

“He won’t need to,” Ink Dot said, picking up the comics Cobalt had left piled neatly beside him as he read. “I’ll send you home with the next five issues, that closes out this story arc, and then I’ll have the rest of the series ready for pick-up at the shop near the castle come Monday!”

Cobalt’s hoof kneaded the floor, but before he spoke, Ink Dot booped his nose.

“Free of charge for the five, and just a small favor for the rest of the series, I don’t like charging first timers full price.”

Cobalt blushed, and he sputtered out a thank you, his cheeks only growing redder as the pink mare eyed him up and down. Fireheart barrelled into his side and hugged him tight, earning a surprised squeak from the blue bat.

“We’re gonna stay up all night readin’ anyway!” he cheered. “Best bat friend is gonna get all the best mangoes and hot chocolate and the best hugs! I’ll only be missing three unique suit issues after this!”

“Followed by a nice royal breeding I’m sure,” Ink Dot giggled.

Both bats squeaked, staring at the suddenly wolfish pair of mares. Midnight Wind’s eyes flicked between them, nodding appreciatively.

“Indeed. A proper reward for such a kind, generous friend.”

Cobalt squeaked again, but pressed tight against Fireheart, he couldn’t really say he found the idea unappealing… Shaking himself, Cobalt managed a gulp and asked Ink Dot;

“W-what favor d-do I owe you?”

Ink Dot’s grin widened and she stepped closer.

“Two things. One; you’re going to join Fire at the comic shop fan meeting. The other mares will have to take your friendship into development in their royal fanfictions.”

Fireheart let out another blushing squeak, and he hid his face in Cobalts neck floof. Ink Dot smiled at the orange bat, then looked back to Cobalt.

“Second, Sister Midnight and I have a little bet going, and I’d like to see who’s right.”

Cobalt’s brow furrowed and he tilted his head.

“Bet? About what?”

Midnight Wind stepped forward, her hoof cupping Fire’s chin, making the blushy bat meet her eyes.

“As I’m sure you’re soon to find out, Prince Fireheart’s kisses taste like mangoes.”

As Cobalt flushed at that implication, Midnight Wind pressed into a gentle kiss with Fireheart, making the orange bat melt in her grasp, giggling softly as she pulled back. The baticorn licked her lips, staring into his eyes.

“Such a sweet bat.” She glanced toward Cobalt. “Ink Dot and I disagree on what other bat stallions taste like. She is insistent it’s more related to strong colors, while I believe that bat stallions universally taste like mangoes. We’ve been lacking in brightly colored bats of late, however, until you came along. We just needed an excuse to test our theory-”

“Dibs!” Ink Dot called.

Before he could say anything, Cobalt felt warm lips pressing firmly against his own. Much like Fire, Cobalt melted instantly as the pink mare pressed into the kiss, her tongue overpowering his and exploring his mouth. He faintly tasted bubblegum as they shared the kiss. She hummed with delight and pulled back with a happy sigh.

“Not bad, not as good as Fire’s, but I could definitely do that again.” She looked triumphantly toward Midnight Wind. “Also, I’m right, he tastes like blueberries! You owe me fifty bits.”

“What?!”

Midnight stormed over and bumped Ink Dot aside, holding Cobalt’s chin and pulling him into another firm kiss. Cobalt found he could taste touches of the pizza they had just eaten, along with a delightful bit of lavender. Midnight Wind broke the kiss, giving him an appreciative look as she took a step back.

“You’re right, he’s not bad, but could certainly use more practice. I’ll be sure to have a note put in his file.” She whirled on the other mare. “And he still tastes of mango from lunch!”

Ink Dot stared smugly back.

“You tasted blueberries and you know it. You can add the fifty to your checkout total.”

Midnight Wind huffed and pouted, then a mischievous glint entered her eyes and she lifted her nose.

“Fine then, I’ll pay… But after we’re getting ice cream, I’m going to makeout with the prince on a private bench.”

Fireheart squeaked again while Ink Dot sputtered.

“N-no fair! I, I’ll take off! We’re not busy anyway!”

Midnight Wind grinned.

“There will be no gaps dear. Fire’s been practicing not breathing when giving pretty mare’s kisses, haven’t you Fire?”

Cobalt glanced over and found the orange bat still flushed, but nodding his head, a wide smile on his muzzle. Ink Dot let out a huff of jealousy, then looked toward Cobalt, pointing her hoof at him.

“There’s still a cute bat I can make out with!”

Cobalt squeaked, first at her words, then as his helmet settled on his head. Midnight Wind grinned victoriously.

“Guardspony Cobalt is on shift I’m afraid. Much too busy looking out for threats to the prince while we kiss passionately. No kissing for him until after we leave the district I’m afraid.”

Ink Dot whinnied in disbelief, stomping her hoof and snorting. The pair glared hard at each other for a long moment, then they both burst into giggles. Ink Dot nodded toward the curtain.

“Let’s get you rung up Sister, I’m going to get you back for this.”

Midnight Wind bumped against her flank and escorted her out.

“I’d expect nothing less. Come along boys. Ice cream awaits!”

The pair of bats watched the pair of mares strut through the curtain with slack jaws. Cobalt was the first to recover his tongue, looking to the bat beside him.

“You’re one lucky bat.”

Fireheart nodded slowly, still blushing and grinning.

*****

Cobalt licked at his chocolate ice cream while Fireheart ordered his sunday from the gray pegasus mare behind the counter, North Star, her name tag read. Midnight Wind stood beside the blue bat, happily eating a vanilla cone with sprinkles and watching the pair interact.

Fireheart let out a soft ‘oooh’ as North Star used her wings to flip the bowl through the air, followed quickly by two scoops of vanilla and one scoop of mango ice cream. She juggled the trio with her wings, much to the appreciation of her customers as she fished about for the sprinkles the orange bat had requested. She glanced at Cobalt, then let out a small gasp.

“Oh no! I forgot your gummy bears!”

Cobalt paused mid-lick, glancing down at his ice cream to find that it was, in fact, missing the candy bears he’d requested. He looked at the gray mare and smiled, shrugging his shoulders.

“It’s not a big dea-”

Before he could finish, gummy bears were flying through the air, landing precisely around one side of his ice cream cone. North flapped a wing, and the cone spun in his hooves, just in time for another round of bears to land precisely around his cone.

“Open wide!”

Cobalt opened his mouth to ask; ‘for what?’ when the answer came. A trio of gummy bears landed on his tongue, and he chewed, his tail wagging with delight as he stared at the pegasus in shock. She beamed back, continuing to juggle Fire’s sunday without missing a beat.

“That’s since I can’t mix them in the middle!”

Cobalt chirped in thanks, earning another warm smile from the pegasus. Her wings snapped to her sides and she tossed the sprinkles into the air. Her hooves caught the ice cream scoops, depositing their creamy cargo in the bowl as they came down. Slotting the scoops away, she caught the sprinkles and generously applied them to the top of Fire’s ice cream.

“One Royal Mango Surprise, served with pleasure!”

Fireheart giggled and hopped his hooves onto the counter. Before he could take the sundae though, North grinned, her hips waggling.

“Don’t forget the North Star special!”

Fireheart’s ears pinned to the sides of his head, but before he could protest, the mare darted forward, licking the orange stallion’s muzzle. He let out a squeak, then a whine of protest, while North Star and Midnight Wind giggled.

“She actually used to bite his nose when they were foals.” Midnight Wind sighed. “I was just a volunteer helper then, he was such a precious little thing, and North loved roughhousing with him. Still does on occasion, but mostly she stays here.”

“Not big on rubber?” Cobalt asked.

Midnight hummed and nodded. “Come along Fireheart, or she’ll lick you again.”

North Star giggled and booped the prince’s snoot.

“She’s not wrong, love you my Prince! It’s always a pleasure seeing you.”

Fireheart blushed, and he opened his hooves, blushing and looking away. North quickly darted around the counter and scooped him up, giving him a bone crushing hug. Fireheart purred and rubbed against her, mumbling out a thanks before grabbing his ice cream and trotting toward the waiting pair of bats. Midnight nuzzled his fiery mane, then looked to Cobalt.

“Alright Guardspony, where should we enjoy these fine treats? Anywhere you wanted to see?”

Cobalt blinked, but quickly found that, looking around at the carefully crafted, colored, and cleaned walls, that he knew exactly what he wanted to see.

“Is there a park nearby?”

Midnight Wind led the way, taking them out of the shop with one final farewell from North and out onto the sunny district streets. Ponies greeted them as they walked past, and Cobalt relished it all. The sun warmed his fur, and the smiles, not familiar, still felt so personal, and they warmed his heart. He happily returned each and every one.

Eventually they came to a small arch that read; “12 Acre Park”. Midnight Wind smiled up at the sign, then looked at Cobalt.

“Fun history fact, but the original park was a tiny little donation from the original Sisters of the Light, the chapel is viewable on park grounds! It’s of course about a hundred times larger now, but well, I love telling ponies that.”

For the first time, Cobalt saw a touch of embarrassment in the confident mare’s eyes, and he bumped his rump against hers.

“Really interesting! You’ll have to take me for a tour sometime.”

Midnight Wind’s smile returned in full force, and she gave him a wink, returning the butt bump.

“You charmer, getting to a mare through her secret interests.” She leaned in close and smooched his cheek, making him babble. “Good boy, that always works.”

While Fireheart giggled at his flustered state, Midnight Wind led them on into the park, an extra pep in her step. They traveled far down the trail before coming to a slight hill, at the top of which was a massive oak tree. Midnight Wind sighed and smiled, pausing for a moment.

“Excellent, we have it all to ourselves.”

She drew a blanket from her saddlebags, and they trotted up the hill. Cobalt helped her lay the blanket out, and Fireheart immediately dove into the center, purring and rolling about in the leafy shade. Midnight Wind giggled and trotted over top of him before settling down, letting the orange bat’s head rest in her floof. He purred louder, and dug into his ice cream. Cobalt, with only a little nervous hesitation, trotted over and rested beside the mare, pressed close to her side. Midnight Wind glanced at him with a pleased smile and she nosed his mane.

“Good bat.” she mumbled into his ear.

They ate their ice cream quietly, then snuggled up tight together, the trio of bats quickly becoming a nigh-inseparable ball of fluff as they curled around one another. With the sun warming his fur, Cobalt yawned and nuzzled his cheek against Fireheart’s floofy belly. His eyes looked out over the park, relishing in all of the green he could see. Blades of grass managed to poke through the blanket, and Cobalt loved it, loved the natural scents filling his nose. It reminded him of home, and curled up with two fluffy bats. He looked up at Midnight Wind and found a pair of motherly red eyes staring down. Glancing toward Fireheart, he found the same love he always saw in the eyes of his sisters. Cobalt let out a light chitter of appreciation, his exhale gently messing up Fire’s belly fur. The orange bat responded by resting his chin in Cobalt’s mane, letting out a wide yawn that smelled faintly of mangoes.

Midnight Wind brushed both of their manes, humming a soft tune, and slowly, Cobalt felt his eyes drift closed. He fell asleep, happy and warm, the ache in his chest easing as he drifted into fluffy dreams.

Author's Note

The aforementioned HMAS Helios!

Ink Dot

And North Star!