Chapter Five

The Gala

I woke to Luna moving out of my arms. Drearily opening my eyes, I saw her attempting to quietly climb out from the bed.

“Hey you,” I yawned sweetly, putting a forehoof down on her tail.

She turned and smiled, “good evening, Feather, sorry, I was trying my best not to wake you,” she took her tail back before moving to nuzzle gently behind my ear, “I need to raise the moon; I won't be but a moment.”

And with that she moved off the bed before slowly making her way to the balcony door. Letting out another yawn I watched her go, through the window I could see her stand completely still as her horn glowed.

I laid back taking in a long breath before letting it out with a smile. I had never felt this good before! I felt all warm and tingly, and more than anything I just felt really, really comfortable and safe.

However, I noticed something in my mouth didn't quite feel right. I sat up, my gums were sore, and I felt around with my tongue only to realize in horror that several of my teeth were alarmingly loose!

“What in Equestria?” I murmured as I continued to prod with my tongue at my loose teeth. For a brief moment I thought I was still asleep, maybe I was having the type of nightmare where all your teeth fall out whenever you try to speak! If I was having a nightmare, did that mean I upset Luna!? Did I do something wrong?

I shook my head and blinked the tired blur from my eyes I looked around reaffirming to myself that I was indeed awake, I scowled at myself and banished those self-destructive thoughts, then put them in a dungeon in the place that I banished them too. My loose teeth again yanked my attention back to reality and well-founded worry began to set in. I prodded once again at my teeth hoping they were just sore from something I ate. As I prodded, I felt a warm soreness as one of them popped free! I rolled over in panic and spat the grotesque tooth out, the metallic taste of blood quickly followed.

“Oh, sweet merciful Stars…”

I was suddenly aware of how wrong my body felt, everything was sore and aching not the good kind of aches either. My stomach twisted and churned, and I felt something uniquely alien about my own skin and coat as sweat dripped down it.

I heard the balcony door slide shut and turned to see Luna making her way back to me. Unaware of my panicked state, she tiredly climbed back into bed and pulled me close, like a filly would with her favorite teddy bear.

She stretched back, looking concerned, “What's wrong Feather? your heart is racing.”

“Luna, I... Something is really wrong with me…” I fretted, “I just lost a tooth, and all my teeth feel loose! My eyes are sore, and I feel lightheaded!”

Luna almost looked amused as she nuzzled me, “just relax Feather, nothing is wrong with you, in fact it's quite the opposite; and the only reason you feel lightheaded is because you're stressing over nothing.”

“I don't understand,” I told her worriedly, “I feel sick.”

“Just trust me, I'll explain later, right now I just want to feel you,” she purred, nuzzling me, “just relax Feather, let's try and get a little more rest.”

I nodded and did my best to try and relax. She wrapped her legs around mine, and I wrapped my tail around hers. I trusted her. If she says not to worry, then I won't, besides, rest always sounds good when I’m not feeling well.

I took a breath; I do trust her.

Luna was much taller than me so even when her hind legs stretched slightly past mine, my muzzle still only came up to her neck. I actually rather enjoyed the difference, it made me feel like I belonged to her. I loved that feeling, it made me feel safe. Oh and her wings! Her bat-like wings were so amazingly comfortable! I smiled in delight as she squeezed me even tighter with them.

Luna leaned back to look at me with a toothy grin.

“What is it?” I asked softly.

“It's just-” She closed her eyes and bit her lower lip with a smile “Feather you are full of surprises...” she purred before returning to nuzzle me again.

I blushed hard.

With our wings wrapped around each other I buried my face into her soft charcoal coat, breathing in her sweet scent. I felt the claws of sleep slowly begin to tug at me once more, when suddenly and with a deafening clang, the door burst open behind me!

In a flash of blue, I was in, the bathroom? “What in Equestria…” I grumbled; my face now nuzzled into the dirty bathroom floor rather than the Princess of the Night. Bringing myself to my hooves I wiped my face with a forehoof and looked down to see the wrinkled shape of my uniform, “how in the Stars did this get in here?” I whispered.

“Surprise!” I heard a mare shout in an obnoxiously loud and boisterous voice.

I peeked through the crack in the bathroom door, I only had a line of sight to the bed. Luna was sitting up with the most livid expression on her face, her eyes were round, and her fangs were gone. Her coat had returned to its fake shade of blue.

“Sister, you’re back early,” Luna grumbled, “and you would think that in the past two hundred or so years you would have learned how to knock,” Luna growled before hopping out of the bed.

Crap!

Princess Celestia is here! No wonder Luna had teleported me away so quickly! I looked down, grabbed my uniform, and attempted to pull it on while remaining as quiet as possible. I felt another tooth begin to fall loose and promptly spit it into the trash bin near the sink.

I took a calming breath, Luna said not to worry about it, so I won’t. I reiterated to myself. It was a good thing it seemed to just be my back teeth for the time being, I couldn't even tell I was missing teeth by looking in the mirror.

“Oh please, it's not like you were asleep, you had just raised the moon. Besides, I wanted to surprise my little sister, why should I feel the need to knock for that?”

Celestia’s voice seemed to carry a tone of passive aggressive snootiness that was most unbecoming.

“Perhaps because it's just, oh I don't know... The normal, courteous thing to do,” Luna stomped indignantly, “believe it or not dear sister, when a door is locked, it is not an invitation for you to pick said lock with your magic!”

Celestia scoffed, “maybe I wouldn't have to tread so lightly around you during the evening if you would just sleep through the night like a normal pony.”

“How dare you!” Luna marched forward looking cross, “you more than anypony knows that the night is my life, just as the day is yours!”

I left the bathroom, sticking to the shadows. I made my way up to where I could see Celestia properly. Luna shot me a look, but it was clear Celestia couldn't see past the dark archway.

The bright alicorn was even taller than her younger sister, she had a coat of bright white, a mane and tail of multi-colored lavender, green, and pink. She had brilliant purple eyes and a cruel smile.

“But how can you have any kind of normal life if you spend it all in the dark, alone, it's not healthy,” she said pointedly with a nod of what actually seemed like genuine concern.

Her gaze drifted to the opened-up couch bed. Then at our very messy sheets...

Celestia laughed, “so not all alone then I see,” she looked right at me, though nothing in her expression gave away that she saw I was there.

“Are you hiding some buck back there?” Celestia teased.

Luna reeled looking visibly ill, “That's not funny, you know I only like mares,” she retorted coldly.

Celestia stared at Luna with frustration in her eyes, “yes as you continue to remind me with every one of your reckless indiscretions... Why can't you just be normal, or at the very least try harder to not make your careless actions into more problems for me?”

I rolled my eyes and had to stop myself from making an audible scoff, but I could not believe what I was hearing! I can’t believe her own sister, the Princess herself! I mean really if-

My own inner rant was cut short, I hadn’t realized it, but I had been leaning more and more forward as the drama continued and my hoof had caught on one of the curtains that separate the study from the bedroom.

*Fwomp!*

Both Princess’s stopped to look down at me, Luna with worry, Celestia with confusion leaning either towards anger or amusement, I couldn’t tell which.

“Owe,” I whimpered.

Luna scoffed sympathetically before untangling and helping me to my hooves.

“Are you alright?”

I nodded, but my glare was fixed on Celestia, I knew it wasn’t my place to say anything, but now I felt like I had to!

I looked up at the Solar Princess and tried to make myself look big, which I realize in hindsight probably just made me look cute.

“how dare you?” I squeaked barely audibly, “how dare you!” I reiterated finding my rage once again.

Celestia narrowed her eyes a little as she regarded me.

Hoping my tone made up for my small stature I continued.

“Luna deserves your respect but more than that she deserves to have a sister who doesn’t berate her and treat her like some kind of burden, I expected more, especially from you.” I like to think I sounded at least a little confident.

Luna looked at me with shock and a small smile, however it quickly faded to an expression of terror as she glanced back at her older sister.

My gaze switched back towards Celestia’s, and immediately I realized my mistake. The expression she gave me was one of murder, her purple eyes fading to a sharp fiery orange.

I gulped.

Great! nice one Feather... Piss off the super powerful alicorn goddess why don't you, tell her how she’s a bad sister why don’t you…

“Who is, this,” Celestia asked coldly, dangerously, her eyes narrowed.

Luna moved to my side defensively, “this is my- is Feather, my…” she paused, “personal assistant,” before adding, “and she is under my protection.”

Celestia stifled a chuckle of amusement before gazing back at me. Her eyes glided down to the pendent of Luna’s cutie mark on the collar of my uniform.

“I see,” she paused, her amusement fading, “my sister is not in any position financial or otherwise, to have any kind of staff let alone an assistant with whom she is so clearly infatuated with. I order you to leave this place immediately,” The fiery alicorn demanded dismissively.

“With all due respect,” I said as non-shakily as I could, “I take my orders from Princess Luna, not you.”

Her gaze was like a blade of fury, and I thought for sure she was about to use her magic to snap my neck like a twig!

Celestia sighed, “very well, if you wish to subjugate yourself to the teadeas and tormenting task of being my sister's assistant then by all means. But the treasury will not put you on payroll”

Wait am I supposed to be getting paid?
Celestia’s cruel gaze returned to her sister, “I can normally tolerate your indiscretions but if this mare is intended to be a new constant as your ‘assistant’ then I expect you to learn some amount of discretion for both our sakes. You forget it isn’t I who will take issue, stars know the nightmare you would cause me if the two of you are caught together.”

I glared at her.

“You should leave,” Luna seethed coldly, stepping in front of me.

“Fine, but just so you know, I came up here to tell you that the Grand Gala is starting here in the next hour, I know you normally don't care or ever attend, but I thought I would still offer.”

“Of course you would move that to tonight,” Luna groaned as her sister slammed the door behind her.

I looked back at my beautifully dark mare friend. Her eyes returned to slits, her wings turned back to soft leathery bat like ones, beautiful sharp teeth and fangs reformed, her coat returning to a wonderful charcoal black, the black parts of her cutie mark fading to a deep purple.

“She thinks us being caught together will be a nightmare? My sister has no idea what a real nightmare is,” she growled.

I put my hoof on her shoulder, “I'm sorry I didn't mean to be so rude; I know it wasn’t my place and Celestia is your sister but-” Luna grabbed me, pulling me in to a kiss.

“She’s a manipulative, egotistical, control freak?” Luna smirked.

“I was just going to say cruel, but yeah.”

Luna threw her arms around me in a hug, “thank you Feather,” she breathed, “that was really brave, no one's ever stood up for me like that before, especially not to my sister.”

“I still shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.”

She kissed behind my ear, “I’ll forgive it this once,” she whispered, “besides, it was a rather romantic gesture from my little pet.”

I blushed hard and looked away.

Luna giggled, I think both at my reaction and the situation.

“Not the introduction I was hoping for, but then again it didn't go nearly as poorly as it could have.”

Pulling back, she put a hoof on my shoulder before letting out a tired yawn, “do you want to just lay back down for a little while longer?” she asked tiredly, already undoing my uniform with her magic.

“I just want to try and get some more rest, or at the very least unwind.”

I put my hoof around hers, “of course,” I said with a small smile before we climbed back into her bed.

We wrapped ourselves around each other once more and I let myself relax. I knew she probably didn't want to talk about Celestia, but I couldn't help myself.

“Does your sister really have a problem with you liking mares?” I asked softly.

She groaned, burying her face into my neck, “my sister has a problem with everything that I am,” she moaned in muffled sadness.

“Is that why you hid your eyes from her? You don't hide them in front of me,” I asked with concern.

“I've never hidden them from you because I trust you, and I know you love them, but I do hide them from everypony else, including my ignorant sister,” She paused, “Tia never used to be like this… I suppose time is what has made her so cruel.”

Luna let out a long sigh.

“And she doesn't have a problem with the fact that I like mares, she only has a problem with how it could negatively affect her ‘perfect’ political image,” Luna sneered.

“Screw her image,” I muttered.

Luna raised a teasing eyebrow.

My eyes widened and I gave her shoulder a light shove, eww no, you know what I mean,” I rolled my eyes and scoffed, “aren’t you supposed to be a well-mannered princess or something?” I teased back.

Luna rolled to pin me underneath her, “oh you want to talk about manners? As I recall, the things I made you scream yesterday were not very lady like at all.”

I flushed and looked away, “ok you win.”

“I always win,” she giggled before moving back to the side.

We lay there quietly for a moment before another thought entered my mind.

“Luna,” I started, “you said that you’ve never shown anypony else your true appearance, so why me?” I asked.

Frankly I knew damn well I wasn’t her first lover, you don’t get to be as… thorough as she is without practice, but why hadn’t she shown them?

Luna seemed to pick up my train of thought, “there have been others yes, many others in fact, but they are nothing but dust and regretful memories now, being immortal only seems to destroy any hope of a long-lasting relationship with somepony. So eventually I just stopped trying, and for the better part of the past two centuries, I really haven't even bothered… Not counting the occasional one-night encounters of course.”

Luna grinned, “but unlike them, I showed you who I was because you're different, you're nocturnal like me, you're the first pony I've ever met whom I can just be myself with. You’re the first pony who I actually truly care about and who cares about me, a mare who loves my night, my loyal soldier,” Luna let out a sad resigned sigh, “and even though time will eventually take you from me, I intend on enjoying every second that I have with you.”

I smiled at her words but as I recalled the promise, I made all those nights ago on our first training session, I couldn't help as I started to cry.

“I made a promise to myself that I would never abandon you,” Luna looked at me surprised, “but you're right, I can't run from time.”

“Now you see why I was so reluctant to let myself care about you,” she whispered with a sad smile, “but I couldn't help myself any longer, you make me feel better than I ever have Feather,” she smiled, “my Feather,” she cooed as she kissed along my neck.

Tears continued to run down from my eyes as I let myself think about it too much.

I buried my face into her mane, “Luna I don't want to ever leave you,” I cried, “I never want to go through that kind of pain.. I.. I don't want to turn to dust!” I wept, on the verge of sobbing.

“Oh Feather…” she murmured, hugging me tighter.

“Luna, you're my entire life, I… I,” she silenced me with a kiss.

“Please don't cry Feather, it's just the way things are, if I could change that I would.”

“I can't live without you, I.”

She held me tight as she pushed her muzzle deep into my neck and mane, I could feel her warm breath.

“I will never abandon you Feather, even when your old and falling apart, I will never abandon you, I care about you too much,” she comforted, tears running from her own eyes, “Please, let's talk about something else, I don't want to think about this anymore than you do,” she murmured.

I sniffed and wiped the tears from my eyes before nodding. I know it's selfish but, dammit I don't ever want to lose her! and I don't want her to ever lose me... If that makes me selfish then fine, I'm selfish.

“Doesn't,” I took a breath, “doesn't your sister know what you really look like?” I asked, “I mean, she's your sister, surely she would have seen the real you when you were just a little filly, right?”

Luna breathed a sigh of relief, clearly happy for the change in subject.

“No, believe it or not I didn't always look like this, it is the result of letting the darkness --the shadows you saw-- into my heart,” She smiled, “the darkness was there for me when my sister chose to abandon me.”

She paused.

“As you've seen, the darkness I control is quite literal, and when I let it become a part of me, it changed me,” She smiled, her eyes turning pitch black for only a moment, “for the better of course.”

I smiled, nodding in agreement.

“Earlier you let it become a part of you too, and now like me, it's changing you,” she whispered, “how does it feel?” she asked as she rested her head over me.

I closed my eyes and took a breath as I hugged her tighter.

That must be what that sick alien feeling was, I shuddered a little at the recollection, but I focused on how I currently felt, and while still an alien sensation, it didn’t feel wrong anymore, like I had broken through a fever and was starting to feel right again, better than right in fact.

“I feel better than I ever have, I think I can feel the shadows moving…” I murmured, “It feels weird, but like a good weird.”

“Good, I thought it might,” she grinned.

“Exactly how am I changing?” I asked curiously.

Luna closed her eyes as she smiled and took a deep breath, “In a rather simple explanation, among other things, your body is going to slowly become properly nocturnal, your eyes will change like mine, as will your teeth, and wings. The shadows will feel more amazing than ever. You’ll be a part of my Darkness; you’ll be my perfect servant.”

I shivered in delight at the thought, “so that's why I'm losing teeth?”

Luna nodded, “soon your feathers will start to fall out too, and from what I've learned, your entire body will change on a fundamental level, you'll no longer be just a pony anymore.”

“That's what you meant at dinner, you're not entirely a pony anymore and soon I won't be either...”

“You’re ok with that, aren’t you?”

Honestly as much as I loved the idea, as much as I loved her, I didn’t know if I was ok with being something other than just a pony, maybe I should tell her-

“ahgg,” I squeaked.

I felt something constrictively curl up around my spine and towards the base of my skull, it hurt like pressure pounding a hole into my skull! The tension built to a threshold before fading into something pleasant, and soft. The constrictive coils faded to feel like gentle tendrils caressing and petting every part of me. I relaxed and let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding

I looked up at Luna, she was looking at me almost cautiously.

“Well?” she asked.

I blinked myself out of my stupor, “yes of course I’m ok with it, more than ok with it, I’m happy to serve.”

Luna grinned and relaxed, “good.”

She regarded me for a moment before moving back on top of me and looking down into my eyes.

“Feather, this is going to sound strange, and I regret not telling you this sooner but, you should know that the darkness is going to make you, want things…” she murmured hesitantly.

“What kind of things?” I asked, only mildly concerned.

Her eyes glided down to fixate on my neck, “things that will make you a monster in the eyes of others...” Her eyes snapped back to lock on to mine.

“I don't understand,” I admitted, looking at her with concern.

“I hardly do either... But I want you to trust me,” she murmured with a smile before moving to kiss my neck.

I let myself relax as she did so, I could feel her sharp fangs gliding down a little harder than I expected. One of them caught skin, and I flinched a little, “hey, what are you-”

“Just relax,” she whispered smoothly.

Suddenly a sharp pain shot through me as I felt both of her fangs, followed by the rest of her sharp teeth pierce my skin and push deep into my neck!

I gasped and squirmed for a moment as she held me down. Then I remembered what she had said. I did trust her, and I didn't understand exactly what was going on or why, but I did as she said, and I let myself relax. I felt her relax as well. I could feel her drinking and it didn't really hurt anymore either... In fact, after a while, I admit I was even starting to like it!

A lot!

Luna lifted her head up, as she did so I felt her fangs retreat from my neck. She looked down at me with a seductive smile, blood dripping from her mouth, she leaned in, pressing her lips to mine in a kiss! I expected the metallic taste of blood, but instead of reeling at the taste, I couldn't get enough of it as it dripped out the sides of our mouths. I could feel even more running out the side of my neck where she had bitten me. She pulled away from the kiss, a few strings of blood mixed with saliva connected our muzzles for only a moment before gravity inevitably took them down.

Luna licked her lips clean, and I did the same, enjoying the taste. Strangely enough it did still taste like blood, but for some reason I absolutely loved the taste! She pointed her horn at my neck, and I felt the wound close as healing magic poured over me.

I was left feeling baffled, a little dizzy, and absolutely amazing as Luna continued to nuzzle and kiss all over me.

“You’re amazing Feather! I don't think anypony else would have ever let me do that to them!”

“What was that?” I asked in wonder and confusion.

“I told you, the Darkness changes more than you realize,” she paused hesitantly, “sometimes I get these cravings, they eventually pass if I ignore them long enough, however this was the first time I had ever given into it.”

She took a breath

“I didn't really know what to expect, but it felt amazing, and you taste amazing,” she grinned, “I'm thrilled you trust me enough to let me do that to you,” she smiled nuzzling me.

“Of course,” I smiled back blushing a little, “truth be told, I kinda liked it,” I admitted.

“You would,” she teased with a roll of her eyes.

“Come, let's go take a shower, you're covered in blood,” she purred sweetly, licking up a drop from my cheek.

Still feeling a little dizzy and a lot confused, I followed her into the washroom. She used her magic to turn the knob on the shower as we both stepped in. While hot water cascaded down on us, she used her magic and two sponges to quickly scrub the blood out of both our coats, while simultaneously washing both our manes in mere minutes.

“Wow, having a horn is totally unfair,” I teased as we both rinsed off.

She nuzzled behind my ear, “well I suppose it does have more than its fair share of advantages, but the clearance on doors is awful,” she smirked, leaning in for a kiss.

I let out a small laugh leaning into her in return.

As we dried ourselves off and made our way back into the main bedroom, I could hear the muffled voices of ponies outside.

“What the...” I murmured, moving to the balcony door and pushing it open with a hoof.

Down below at the castle's entrance were crowds of ponies making their way inside. All were dressed in fancy dresses and suits, even the royal guard were wearing white uniforms rather than armor.

“When your sister said something about a gala, I had no idea this many ponies were attending.”

Luna frowned.

“Oh yes, the Grand Galloping Gala,” she began disdainfully, “where all the aristocrats, the overly rich, and heads of government all show up to kiss my sister's flank for three and a half hours.”

I gave a sympathetic smile.

I heard distant music begin to play from outside in the courtyard and looked down to see a group of three Unicorns two with violins and the third with a cello. The music they played was delicate and classy, I couldn't help but smile a little bit.

“I've never heard music like that before,” I gushed looking back at my clearly annoyed mare friend.

“Unfortunately, you hear one kind of music enough and no matter how good it is, it's eventually ruined, and you can't help but hate the familiar sound every time you hear it,” she snorted, trotting up to me and closing the balcony door.

“Well, you can forget tonight's training, or any extra sleep for that matter. Too many ponies, too much noise,” she waved her tail dismissively before turning and trotting back further into the room with me following close behind.

“Don't get me wrong, I like that ponies are enjoying themselves during my night, however their kind of fun is certainly not my kind of fun.”

“Oh, it can't be that bad,” I reasoned, trying to be optimistic, “besides what else are we going to do tonight?”

She smirked.

“Oh.”

She shook her head laughing a little as she did so, “no, as much as I would love to, there are far too many ponies here, and for such a quiet mare, you can be quite loud.

I blushed, “am not!” I huffed defensively.

“Are too!”

“Well so are you!”

“Only when I’m giving you commands,” she teased.

I blushed even harder as she turned and opened one of the drawers next to the wall.

“The spell that I always cast over our room in addition to keeping out sunlight, also mutes sound and keeps it inside the room. However, I do really want to see you in a dress, besides I suppose we could use the distraction,” she admitted as she dug through the clothes a moment before pulling out a black piece of clothing.

“Close your eyes,” she ordered, shoving her bat-like wing in my face.

I did as she said, and I heard the quiet sound of her horn along with what sounded like struggling and frustration that went on for several minutes.

“Ok... now, what do you think?” she asked with anticipation.

I opened my eyes.

Luna was standing there wearing the most beautiful black lace dress. Her coat was dark blue again and her dress was minimalist like my uniform. It sported small strands of dark red accent underneath the wings and on her shoulders. Shiny metal clips held everything in place, and she had even dawned a single long silver earring of a crescent moon. Her mane was tied back and held in place by a metal clip that also took the shape of a crescent moon.

“Luna, you look..." I paused, struggling to find worthy words, “wow,” was all I could manage as I stood there stunned.

She smiled moving towards me.

“I haven't worn this in… ever! I don’t think,” she paused, “now you!”

“Wait what!”

Suddenly I was grabbed by her blue magic and pulled to a mirror next to the drawer. I was held in place as she positioned me from pose to pose. Before floating out a dark blue dress almost the same color as her fake coat. Aside from the color It was very similar to the black one she was wearing, lace and minimal, breathable and beautiful with black accents instead of dark red. She pulled it onto me and clipped it in place.

“My sister got this for me a long time ago, back when she wasn't like how she is now. I have no idea what she was thinking getting me a dress the same color as my coat. Not to mention it's much too small for me now, but it seems to fit you almost perfectly if a little big,” she smiled.

“I love it!” I said excitedly.

Her blue glow wrapped around my mane and pulled it back clipping it in place with another moon shaped metal hair clip. She let my bangs hang down off to the side however, only tying back the rest of my mane.

“You look beautiful Feather,” she purred, nibbling my ear.

I really do, I thought. In fact, I didn't even know I could look this good!

“I don't know what to say,” I admitted.

“Then don't say anything,” she cooed sweetly before locking me in another kiss.

I shivered as she did so.

“Let’s get going Feather.”

I nodded, “yes Luna.”

Before we could make it to the door I spasmed as pain shot through my spine and I collapsed to the floor.

Luna rushed over to me, panic on her face, “Feather, what's wrong!?”

I felt my insides shifting! My head pounded and I had to do everything I could not to scream. It was so incredibly painful! Thankfully it didn't last for very long and had gone as quickly as it came. Regaining my composure I sat up. I'm fine, is what I tried to say, but I slurred my words as several of my teeth began to fall to the ground making a little clattering sounds as they landed on the dark stone floor.

I heard Luna let out a sigh of relief, “it's just the darkness changing you, it's nothing to worry about. It seems to be progressing a little faster than I remember, I'm not sure whether to be concerned or relieved.”

I nodded, “I’m fine, it only hurt for a second, I feel good now.”

“That’s good, but let me know if you feel anything strange, the last thing we need is for your eyes to start melting out of your head in the middle of the gala.”

“Yeah, that wouldn’t be- hold on, did you just say eyes melting out of my head?”

“Well how else did you think you would get new eyes? When it comes to our bodies, the darkness doesn't change, it replaces.”

My eyes widened as I began to realize what that meant, “so all of my internal organs, my skin, everything, it's all going to be broken down and replaced?”

Luna nodded casually as if this was completely ok and not something that I should be hyperventilating over, ahh too late I'm hyperventilating!

“Feather calm down, the darkness will numb most of the pain, besides it's an incredibly slow process so you're not going to feel it all at once. What you just felt will probably be the most intense it ever gets.”

“Does this mean my brain is gonna melt and come out of my ears…” my eyes widened, “ahh- don't think about it, don't think about it! Look at me, not thinking about it!”

“Don’t be silly, come, stop panicking and let's go downstairs and find something else to drink, before I change my mind about this gala,” she insisted, gesturing for me to follow.
I noticed in the mirror as we passed that both of the scars on my neck were thankfully just barely visible, not enough to service any unwanted attention.

I nodded with a smile and still feeling a little lightheaded from blood loss. I trotted after her.

As soon as we exited the room, we saw two of Celestia's soldiers standing guard. Luna rolled her eyes.

“Thank you for making sure nopony comes through here,” Luna drawled, “however, there is no longer a need,” she pointed her horn at the door and the lock flashed blue, “nopony is going to get through that spell, you two are dismissed.”

Neither of the guards responded or even blinked, they just stood there.

“I said you're dismissed,” Luna repeated insistently, “Hello...” she insisted, waving a hoof in front of one of the buck’s face.

Still, they just stood there not moving a muscle, not even blinking.

“Hey, you will show your Princess some respect,” I demanded as I reared up at them.

Still no reaction. They both were looking right past us like they didn't even know we were there, I backed away.

“Alright, well that's not creepy at all,” I pointed out sarcastically.

“My sister probably just ordered them to not respond to us as some kind of cruel joke,” Luna sighed, “let’s go Feather.”

Or maybe their brains melted out of their heads… Ahh dammit! Don't think about it, Feather!

As we walked away, I looked back, something about those two was familiar.

“Hey, weren’t those two working nightshifts recently I could have sworn I saw them a few times after our training sessions. They were friendly enough, and I don’t see why royal night guards would treat you with anything other than the utmost respect.”

“They unfortunately still have to do as my sister says, they are her guard after all.”

“Well, if it is some kind of joke, why do they have to be so damn creepy about it?” I asked.

Luna just shrugged, “I haven't the slightest, at this point I’ve given up trying to understand why my sister does anything.”

I was half paying attention as my stupid brain kept fixating on the brain thing!

Ok wait a minute, first of all how would that even work? Do I pass out until the darkness grows me a new brain? Am I conscious the whole time? Clearly my memories will stay intact, how? I don't know! Maybe the brain is the one thing the darkness doesn’t replace, maybe it just changes it... Ooo does it replace parts of it over time instead of all at once, Luna said it was a slow process, for some reason I was under the impression that when the darkness replaces an organ it does the whole thing in one go, but maybe it's like the teeth, just parts of it slowly over time like Luna said. Ahh fuck! I thought about it!

“You ok Feather? You look sick.”

“I’m fine,” I lied as I covered my mouth with a hoof in an effort to stop from puking.

“You're thinking about the brain thing, aren't you?” Luna chuckled, “don't worry your brain isn't gonna melt out of your ears, that would be silly, you'll be fine ok.”

I took a deep calming breath. Luna’s right, I'm going to be fine, I just need to relax and let the darkness do what it’s going to do.

We finally made our way into the main dining hall, except the giant table was gone and it had been converted into some kind of ball room. There was a stylized ice sculpture of Celestia’s likeness in the center of the giant room. Tables were laid out with candles, ponies mingled, drank champagne, and a band played on a small stage near the back wall. As loud as it was, I suppose it could be worse, and thankfully it was night, so I felt a lot more at ease.

“Why don't you go find us something to drink,” Luna prompted, “I'm going to see if I can't find my sister, it's time the two of us had a talk.”

I nodded and looked around before spotting a table with glasses and a fountain of something I really hoped was more than just punch. Trotting over I saw Ruby floating a bottle of Silver Skies Gin the grey Pegasus on the bottle’s logo looked very cozy on a cartoonishly fluffed cloud as she clutched a similar looking bottle like it was the most important thing in Equestria.

Ruby was wearing a brilliant bright red dress with a rose pendant on the front. The dress looked slick, was simple but also elegant, and even though I didn't like her sun necklace, I admit it did go well with her outfit.

“Drinking on duty are we?” I teased as I approached.

Ruby was in a sweat, she looked like she was shaking, “hey Ruby, are you all right?” I asked concerned, reaching out a hoof.

The gray mare looked up at me, her red eyes pinpricks.
“You!” she gasped, “don’t talk to me,” she sputtered turning her head back towards the table.

“Look I get it, you have to follow Celestia's orders, but come on, we are friends, are we not?”

“What...?”

She looked back at me confused.

“The whole silent treatment thing, I mean,” I said with a frown, grabbing two glasses and filling them with punch from the fountain.

“So, you've noticed it too,” she whispered, shooting me a scarred glance, “also I'm not on duty tonight.”

Ok now I was actually concerned.

“Ruby what's going on, what's got you so freaked out?” I asked, worriedly.

“I shouldn't be talking to you,” Ruby fretted in a hushed, panic driven voice.

“Why not?”

“Because I... it's hard to explain, shit what do I do!” she whispered, darting her head around.

“Wait what… slow down, just tell me what's wrong,” I prompted, my own heart rate starting to pick up. Ruby was clearly terrified; I knew it wasn't for no reason.

“The thing I wanted to talk to you and Princess Luna about earlier. These ponies, they showed up around a week ago, all dressed in these strange uniforms. They apparently had clearance to be in the royal guard facilities,” she looked around once more, “I was told at the time they were from one of the Canterlot Institutes here by recommendation from the Princess.”

She took another swig from her gin before continuing.

“I was just waking up to go on my shift and I overheard two of them outside the barracks throwing around the word quarantine, also not a day later, a few of the guards started going missing, only to turn up a couple days later, except they were wrong somehow.”

“Let me guess, creepy silent treatment, and soulless eyes?” I hoped I was wrong.

Ruby nodded.

“And now I can't find Sunny,” she fussed in panic.

“Your partner?”

She nodded, “we’ve known each other forever, since we were foals, we applied together, I always promised I’d take care of him, keep him safe,” she paused, “we need to find him Feather, please!”

“Ruby, take a breath, what else can you tell me about these ponies, why did you say you shouldn’t be talking to me?”

Ruby shook her head in an effort to recompose herself,

“Right, earlier today during the gala preparations there was a briefing with the institute ponies and guard leadership. I was standing guard at the time of the briefing, and I overheard some of what they were saying,” she took a breath, then proceeded to take another swig.

Goddess she was making me nervous.

“They were saying awful things about you and Princess Luna, none of what they were saying made any sense.”

“What kind of things?” I queried.

Again, she went for another drink but this time I swiped it from her magical grasp she was so out of it that her red magic imploded almost the second I snatched it. I instead poured some of the gin into the punch.

“I think you've had enough,” I insisted, setting the bottle away, “now go on,” I urged.

“They were saying that… that the Princess isn't who she says she is, that you’ve both been infected with something, that you can't be trusted and are some kind of monster! and that the Princess is something even worse... Feather, what could they mean!?”

I froze.

Ruby, seeing my expression, glared at me, “Feather, please tell me there isn't any truth to that madness!”

I shook my head as convincingly as I could, “of course not, they’re clearly insane! But what does it matter what a bunch of crazies say?”

“That's not what terrifies me, what terrifies me is that they had clearance, and that my superiors did not arrest them or kick them out, instead they stayed in that briefing room and listened.”

I needed to get Ruby to Luna.

I took a mildly irritated breath, “I feel like all of this is incredibly important information you should have shared with Luna and I immediately, so why in Equestria are you just telling me this now!” I demanded.

She looked back at me like I just killed her puppy.

“Firstly, Sunny wasn’t missing until now, secondly this basically just happened, and lastly, I only heard bits and pieces, and they were incredibly vague the whole fucking time! What did you expect me to do? go up to you or Princess Luna with no real details and say, oh hey. by the way these ponies from a Canterlot institute came by and said you two were infected with something and that the Princess is maybe some kind of monster?” she retorted sarcastically.

Ruby didn't know the truth about the darkness or Luna’s real appearance, so of course she would think it's nonsense.

I sighed, “point made, come on, let's go find Luna, you tell her exactly what you told me, and I promise we will find your friend.”

She reached past me and took her gin back, polishing off the rest of the small bottle before slamming it back down on the table.

“Ok let's go,” she prompted, trotting wobbly past me, heading over to where Luna was on the other side of the room.

Pushing past the clusters of ponies we finally made our way back to Luna whose face was plastered with dull boredom as she seemed to be listening to some aristocrat drone on about the financing of apparently what he called ‘the logistical nightmare’ that is Canterlots construction.

I stepped forward, her drink balancing on my wing, “oh thank goodness… Feather!” she exclaimed brightly, knocking the older stallion out of the way, “my hero,” she smirked, grabbing her drink off my wing with her magic.

“Any luck with you sister?” I asked.

“Unfortunately not, I couldn't find her, she's most likely in the throne room dealing with delegates.”

Ruby stepped into view from behind me.

“I'm starting to think that won't matter, I don't think Celestia is behind the guards' strange behavior,” I paused, “Ruby has something she needs to tell you, preferably in private,” I said, giving her a worried look.

She looked over at Ruby and saw how terrified the short gray unicorn was.

“Of course, let’s go outside,” Luna nodded and turned to move towards the exit.

Right as the three of us were about to leave through the door a buck in a messy tuxedo jumped in front of us. He was a light brown earth pony with a dark brown mane and eyes. His dark brown mane had strands of gold dyed into it as did his tail.

“Your highness,” he started, “ladies”, his suave eastern accent enough to make tipsy Ruby almost trip over herself.

I just rolled my eyes.

“Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Leopold Dormain, but you lot can just call me Leo,'' he said before bending down to kiss Luna's hoof.

She promptly yanked it away before he had the chance.

“Listen, I do not have the time nor the patience for this right now, so move or be moved,” Luna growled.

“Pardon luv, but wouldn’t a mare as beautiful as yourself at least let me have just this one dance?” he pleaded.

Luna balked before pushing him out of the way.

I chuckled as we moved past, “sorry, but I don't think you're her type.”

I gave him a sympathetic look, and I watched him visibly deflate. Until he saw how Ruby was looking at him, and immediately the clumsy bravado returned. I shot Ruby a look and she too pushed him away before stumbling back towards us.

Luna stopped, and grinned, “actually, I think I have time for one dance,” she purred smoothly, turning to me, smiling and offering me her hoof.

I felt that same constricting sensation again as I tried to bring myself to tell her there was a far more pressing concern but like before the tension just got worse until I let myself relax. As soon as I did so, my thoughts of Ruby’s troubles and imminent dangers shattered as I blushed and took her hoof with my own.

“But I don't even know how to dance,” I admitted shyly.

She smiled, “neither do I really, but what better a time to learn?” and with that she guided me to an open spot on the ballroom floor.

I saw Ruby looking at us with panic, “what about Sunny!?” I barely heard her over the music that had just started.

“We will only be but a moment,” Luna called back to her, “I’m sure whatever it is can wait a few minutes.”

The music was slow and melodic, ponies were pairing up with each other for the romantic music. I noticed that Luna and I were the only two mares dancing together, and while it drew a couple disconcerting looks, nopony made any attempt to say anything.

Luna was looking at me with a sweet smile as we swayed back and forth. I lost myself in her eyes as she spun me around before bringing me back into the slow sway, this time moving the opposite direction.

“You're so beautiful,” I whispered softly.

“And you're surprisingly not terrible at dancing,” she teased, smiling sweetly at me.

After a little while the song playing slowly began to come to an end, and I saw Luna look off behind me for a moment before her eyes went back to mine with a grin.

“My sister is finally here, and she’s watching,” she whispered.

“Watching to make sure we keep things ‘discrete’ I'm sure,” I commented with a roll of my eyes.

The song finally came to a close, and I was taken by surprise as Luna pulled me close and pressed her lips to mine. I closed my eyes, feeling like electricity was running through us as I kissed her in return.

When we broke away, I opened my eyes to see her own flash to being nocturnally slitted if only for the briefest of seconds. I looked around and noticed more than half the room staring at us, most with looks of surprise and shock, but there were more than a few looks of discontent. Only a moment passed before a new song started playing. Everypony that was staring turned and went back to minding their own business as they no doubt were muttering amongst themselves at the surprising actions of the Princess of the Night. I snickered at the thought.

“Oh, Tia is going to kill me,” Luna chuckled, “did you see the look on her face!” she wheezed, “priceless.”

“I was too focused on yours,” I whispered softly, and she nuzzled me.

“Ruby,” I murmured, looking around, not seeing her anywhere, “we should find her,” I said worriedly.

Luna Nodded and we pushed our way past the crowds and started making our way over to where we last saw her. Where could she have gone? I wondered.

“Ruby!” Luna called out but she was drowned out by the mass of other voices in the giant room.

“Oh well, I guess whatever she had to say wasn't important enough to at least wait a few minutes,” Luna rolled her eyes.

“Luna, you don't understand, the dance was lovely but what Ruby needs to tell you is of the utmost importance, we need to find her,” I insisted.

“Too important to wait a couple minutes?”

I gave her a look.

Luna sighed, “fine wait here, I'll find her.”

Stepping into the shadow of one of the window curtains and doing a double take to make sure nopony was watching. Luna suddenly fell into a cloud of shadows and disappeared completely.

My jaw dropped, “what the…”

The whole room got a little darker and I swore I saw shadows moving across the ceiling.

“I couldn't find her,” I heard Luna say behind me as I turned to see her reemerging from the shadows, and the room returned to its original brightness.

“What in the stars did you just do?” I asked baffled.

“I can manipulate shadows, remember,” she reminded me.

“I know, but I guess I wasn't fully aware to what extent,” I paused before grinning, “so what else can you do?” I asked curiously.

“Lots,” she responded, “but let's focus on finding Ruby right now, why don't we check outside?” she prompted.

Once we were in the courtyard, we looked across the many ponies who were enjoying the more open aired part of the gala. Upon not seeing Ruby anywhere we moved off to the privacy of the side of the castle

“Alright tell me what it was Ruby needed to tell me,” Luna prompted, turning to look at me expectantly.

I went through everything she had told me earlier, while Luna listened intently, taking it much more serious than I originally had.

“Did she say what institute they were from? Did she mention seeing any markings, anything identifiable on these ponies?” Luna asked worriedly.

I shook my head.

“How could anypony have possibly found out?” Luna breathed.

“Found out what?” I asked.

“Well, my appearance for one, I can only assume that it is because of my more frightening aspects that these ponies have constructed this narrative about us.”

She paused thoughtfully.

“But them saying we’re infected with something? It makes no sense, could they mean the darkness? if so how could anypony have found out!? Ruby said they arrived about a week ago, right?”

I nodded.

“So, if these ponies were watching us, they wouldn't have yet seen what I did to you at the blacksmiths”

I took a breath, reveling in the feeling of those shadows.

“As for the guards, their behavior could be the result of some kind of spell, if that's the case I should be able to break it, but if it's not,” she gave me a worried look.

“We need to find Ruby”

Author's Note

Big honkin chapter, this one was so hard to get to a place I felt comfortable with, I don't know how many times I've rewritten this chapter, its finally getting to the rising action and conflict of the story and this will be the second time Ive uploaded it here, hopefully the last. I would hate to do it over again but I think it's finally in a solid place to get the plot moving. apologizes to anyone who read the mess that was the first iteration of this chapter lmao.