The Equestrian Rider

When Princess Luna awoke from her sleep, she became very aware of the fact that she didn’t lower the moon and yet it had been lowered.

“We are sorry sister but we thank thou….”

Then she realised that she had something heavy restricting her breathing, upon looking at the cause of it.

Luna began to burn bright red.

A top of her was Damian laying on his back snoring away blissfully unaware of the panicked Alicorn underneath him.

The panicked princess used her magic to gently lift him off her but to her horror, he began to groggily wake up.

“Mhmmm Ahhh~ yawn*.”

Damian stretched himself out in midair and all a shocked Luna could do was watch in silence as he became aware of his surroundings.

“Morning Princess, did I oversleep or…. Why am I floating?”

“Eehhhh…. W-We were just moving thou t-to a more…. Comfortable place sir Damian.”

“Right…. So what time is it?”

“Oh um we don’t know but we can find out for th-you.”

“Thanks princess Luna but can you put me down now, I need to use the toilet.”

Luna’s muzzle scrunched up and turn pink as she swiftly placed the dragon on the ground, said dragon immediately began to shift uncomfortably before asking her a question.

“S-so um where’s the toilets?”

“Oh please follow us, we-cough* I know the way.”

“Thank you again Princess…. Or would you prefer just Luna?”

Her ears perked up in response and she turned back to look at him as they went to the nearest castle restroom.

“We would…. Like that, just Luna is fine.”

But to the princess of the night’s surprise, a smug grin appeared on Damian’s face.

“Okay, so are we getting closer Just Luna.”

“Wha?! Um wait? No, we said to call us Luna.”

“Nope, you said Just Luna.”

“B-but we didn’t mean that, we meant just Luna. Our, no my name.”

“Yes, Just Luna.”

“Good, now let’s go. We’re nearly there.”

“Okay Just Luna.”

“Enough! Does thou want to be shown to the restroom or would thou prefer to make a mess here?”

“Okay okay Luna, it’s only a joke, just a bit a fun.”

“Well we know not of this fun so please consider that for next time sir Damian.”

“Really, sorry I couldn’t tell.”

His sarcastic tone flew completely over her head and she looked at him with a warm smile.

“We thank th-you for being so understanding, now just round this corner is our destination.”

Damian rushed around the corner and went straight for the restroom but when he rounded the corner, he crashed into something.

“Ouch dude, what was that for…. Damian? A-are you alright dude, I didn’t see you.”

“Ah eh yeah I’m good but if you’ll excuse me, I really need the toilet, bye.” And he ran into the restroom.

Just as he left, Luna appeared behind Rainbow Dash.

“Miss Dash, be careful. Sir Damian is still recovering and we’d hate for him to have another setback with his health.”

Rainbow Dash visibly flinched as the princess of the night’s cold and indirect warning was processed in her head.

“Y-yes p-p-princess Luna, I um didn’t mean to bump into him I was just…. Looking for a my friends.”

“Well thou is excused, leave and watch where you’re going to element of loyalty.”

“I will princess, goodbye.” And she zipped off, out of Luna’s sight.

“good….”

The midnight blue mare trotted around the corner and waited patiently for Damian to finish his business.

Once the drake stepped out of the restroom, Luna gestured for him to follow which he did. Damian didn’t know where they were going but he didn’t really care as long as they got breakfast.

“So Luna, may I ask why you don’t have guards in this particular area of the castle?”

“Sigh* this part of the castle is our wing and as for the lack of guards, I currently don’t have any guards or servants….”

“But your royalty?”

“Yes but we can’t force ponies to serve us.”

“I guess not…. So how about you allow me to serve you my lady.”

Luna’s wings stiffened up and spread themselves out as her cheeks morphed into a gracious pink which was followed by her tripping over herself to respond.

“D-Damian?!? We-I me-mean that we-we’d lo-like!! That I-if you’re serious hehehahahah….”

“Ehhhh yeah, I was only messing around but now that I think about it…. I do need a job so yeah fuck it, I’m cool with being your butler.”

“R-really?”

“Yes.”

“Huzzah! We have our first butler!! Come, we must celebrate this occasion.”

“Why of course Luna, you should be honoured that you have a butler like me.”

“Heheheh~ yes but not as honoured as you should be with serving the princess of the night.”

“Hey you used modern day vocabulary without correcting yourself, it truly is a day to celebrate.”

Luna took exception to his words and interpreted them as a compliment, she lead him to the castle dining hall.

But when they walked through the doors, they were greeted by darkness, then a loud explosion of multi coloured confetti followed by the light coming on and a sudden appearance of a Physics defining pink pony.

“SURPRISE!!!!”

Damian froze up from her sudden appearance but swiftly shook the shock out of his system.

“Oh um yay? Thank you I guess but please stop appearing inches from my face, it scares me…. Pinkie pie was it?”

“You remembered and okie dokie Loki, now go and enjoy your surprise party.”

“We believe that it is a celebration in thou’s honour sir Damian.”

“We that’s cool, so do you want to say or shall I?”

“We should say after this surprise party.”

He looked out across the crowd to see almost no one who he was familiar with, the only ones were the medical staff, the elements of harmony and Rainbow Dash.

Damian was a bit apprehensive about going in now, he still didn’t feel safe around the multi coloured maned mare. It took all his will power to not freak out when they bumped into one another.

Then a blanket sized wing was draped over his back, he turned to find princess Celestia giving him her signature warm smile.

“Please enjoy yourself and try to make friends Damian.”

“Y-okay princess….”

Damian slowly began to great any pony who came up to him or who Pinkie Pie dragged against their will.

Luna chose to watch from a distance, she herself didn’t really know who these ponies were but she had a hunch that they were the castle staff and guards that were free at the time.

“Greetings sister, the elements will be leaving for Ponyville tomorrow and I was thinking that it might better a good idea to send Damian along with them.”

Luna’s pupils turned to pin pricks as she processed the words her sister had just said and before she knew it, she had a look of disbelief on her muzzle.

“NOOO!!!!”

The entire crowd fell silent as princess Luna yelled her opinion out in the royal Cantorlot voice.

“We meant no sister…. B-because….”

“Because of what Luna?”

Whilst the midnight mare try to get her reason out, she caught a glimpse of her sister giggling to herself.

But then Damian came over and asked what was happening.

To which Celestia happily replied that he’ll be staying in Ponyville but his response took every pony by surprise.

“Nope I’m good, I’ve just agreed to be your sister’s personal butler.”

The solar Alicorn just raised an eyebrow and looked to her sister with a sly smile.

“Sister please don’t, we just needed a butler and sir Damian needed a job so we came to an agreement.”

“Heheheheh~ very well, I guess he won’t be staying with you twilight. My sister has other plans that prevent that.”

“Sigh* b-b-but how am I meant to properly know how to make a motorbike?”

“I’m sure you can write letters to one another.”

“Oh… oh yeah I forgot about that.”

“Anyway enough of that, let’s eat some cake.”

“Now you’re speaking my language Pinkie Pie.”

Just as Damian was about to follow the pink menace to get some cake, he was stopped by a large white unicorn stallion.

“So you were going to be staying with my baby sister, but now things have changed for the better.”

“You baby sister? Oh so you’re Twilight’s brother then, didn’t know she had one.”

“Well she does, mhmmmm you’re wasted as a butler. I could make a mighty fine guard out of you, anyway the name is Shining Armour.”

“Well sorry Shining but I’m gonna be Princess Luna’s butler, although guard training wouldn’t be unwelcome. She doesn’t have a guard unit yet from what I’ve heard.”

“Well I’m sure you’ll be trained by her highness, she’s a monster with a blade and not a traditional sword either.”

“What do you mean not a traditional sword?”

“Her weapon of choice is a scythe, so i hope your a fast learner because we tried to have her train some of my guards to make a temporary detachment for her but she lost her patience with them.”

“Gulp* I-I’m sure she’s a great teacher…. I hope.”

“Well considering that you still have some time before you’re fully recovered, I’d suggest that you start training. After this I’ll show you to the castle gym.”

“Really? Cheers mate, I appreciate that.”

“Don’t mention it and here I thought I was going to have to threaten you.”

“Cough* wha? Um why?”

“Really? A complete stranger was going to be living with my little sister, come on.”

“Oh yeah I see where you’re coming from, I’d do the same shit.”

“Heheheh keep it down, princess Celestia really doesn’t like swearing.”

“Yeah I gather that but.” Damian froze as the entire room fell silent upon hearing a frustrated voice of a bark blue Alicorn.

“Argh fuck this Infernal thing!”

Celestia went two shades lighter as she slowly turned towards her sister with a look of shock.

“S-sorry?”

“This is so infuriating sister, how is one meant to eat this thing?”

“No, w-what did you just say Lulu?”

“Um that this was infuriating?”

“No the f word.”

“Oh fuck? What is wrong with that?”

“Do not say that sister, it’s a word that a princess certainly should not be used. Where did you even learn it….”

Celestia’s unimpressed gaze locked on to Damian’s eyes and he began to back up, bumping into Shining Armour.

“shoot dude, she doesn’t look happy.”

“Oh nah, you don’t say. Um so sorry princess, I just um use the word so often I guess she just picked it up.”

“Really now, I see. Listen closely Damian, if you are to be my sister’s butler, then you best keep that language under wraps. Do I make myself clear?”

“Fuuu-cough* yes your highness, my apologies.”

“Sigh* sister, stop it. He shan't have to change his way of speaking just because he says some bad words even now and then.”

“Luna that language isn’t acceptable for a butler or any member of staff here, so yes he should have to stop swearing.”

“But.”

“It’s fine princess, I’ll just have to stop swearing or die trying.”

“Sigh* very well Damian.”

“I’m glad to hear it, now let’s enjoy this party.”

“Yeah about that, I’ve lost my appetite for cake. Can I just go get some breakfast please, I work up late.”

“Oh um well I can have something made up for you, what would you like?”

“Thank you princess in that case then, can I get some beans on fried bread please.”

“Of course, I’ll have that made for you right away.”

“Thanks.” He then went back to chatting with Shining Armour, this didn’t go unnoticed by Twilight who only just realised that her big brother was here.

Luna went up to Celestia and bumped into her side.

“Nice going sister, thou embarrassed him at his own party.”

“I just eh sigh* sorry Lulu, I just don’t like that type of language. I didn’t mean to embarrass him….”

“Then why didn’t thou wait until he was alone?”

Meanwhile Twilight and her friends including Rainbow dash went over to where Damian was.

“So BBBFF why are you here?”

“Oh Twily! Hey little sis, so are you going to introduce your friends?”

“Twily? BBBFF?”

“It means best big brother forever.”

“So Twilight darling, since when did you have such a dashing big brother?”

“R-Rarity! That’s my brother.”

“Sorry but I’m still stuck on that she has a brother, like she didn’t tell any of us.”

“AJ dear, that’s not important right now.”

“Ehh well I believe that’s my queue to leave, I have um guard captain duties to do, bye Twilight.”

“Wait, you’re a captain?”

But before Shining could answer any questions, he was already gone.

“Wha? Twilight your brother is the captain of the guard!?”

“Why what? Dude that’s awesome! Is he really!” Dash finally spoke up.

This made Damian subconsciously back up from her, Fluttershy noticed this and tried to help him but went unheard.

“um D-Damian, d-do you maybe want to go and have some cup cakes?”

“Um I’m gonna go get my breakfast now girls, um thanks Pinkie for the party but I need a breather.”

“Oh um see you around dude…. Are you okay?”

“Heh heh Yeah I’m great, any way I’m off now bye.”

He quickly took his leave, leaving the mane six to send sympathetic looks his way.

“Sorry for that, I just got excited. I didn’t mean to scare him.”

“It’s not your fault, I’m sure with time you two will get along Dash dear.”

“Rarity’s right, he’s just…. I don’t know but he just doesn’t feel safe around you Rainbow dash.”

Her friends tried to help her feel better, but she just wasn’t able to take her mind off of what she did to him.

Damian walked out into the hallway and bumped into Princess Celestia, the alabaster Alicorn was waiting for him once she noticed that he was leaving.

“Sorry princess.”

“No need to apologise, in fact I would like to apologise to you. I’m sorry for scolding you in front of everypony, I just don’t like swearing Damian. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Don’t apologise, it’s your home and if you don’t like swearing then that’s fine, I’m just hungry princess.”

“Please don’t feel like you have to leave your own party, come let’s get some cake.” She shot him a warm smile.

“No I just what something to eat please….”

“Are you alright?” She extended a wing and wiped a tear off his cheek, he was unaware that he was crying but now it was painfully apparent.

“Sniffle* n-no, I’m still sob* still so lost, sniffle* I just don’t know princess, I literally have nothing, no purpose, no life here. Fffuck I just don’t know what to do, I’m never going to see my family ever again, I-i just get so fearful when Rainbow Dash is trying to talk to me. I’m bloody terrified, like what does the future hold for me? I’ve lost my friends!”

“On my, oh shhhhh shhhhh shhhh, it’s okay Damian.” Celestia was now holding him as he had a brake down in her hoofs.

The mane six and Luna watched as he crumbled and let everything out, all whilst Celestia just listened in silence. She felt horrible and wanted to tell him that everything was fine but couldn’t find it in herself to do that.

“Damian, we’ll help you, you’re not alone.”

“D-don’t lie to me, I’ve got nothing, no one, shhhit princess I don’t know what’s up or down anymore.”

“Oh Damian I really don’t think you’re ready to start working, I think you should focus on yourself before you become a butler. We can help, we have therapists.”

“I-I don’t know…. I already told Luna I’d do it, so I’ll do it even if I’m not okay.”

“Sigh* do you want my opinion?”

“Please, any advice would be better than what I’ve got in my head.”

“I think you shouldn’t take this job, you can stay here but please don’t take this job until you’re comfortable or ready. I don’t want you to suffer and I’m sure my sister doesn’t want you to suffer either, especially at her expense.”

He had felt limp in her hooves and this made her panic for a split second until she felt his heart beat.

“Sigh* he fell asleep….”

“Sister what is wrong with him?”

“A lot Lulu, a lot…. I hope we can help him.”

“Please let me help him. I-I don’t want him to get worse, he’s my…. Friend.”

“And he’s lucky to have you as a friend Luna.”

“We believe that we might be overwhelming him sister, we found it hard to adjust so we’d imagine it’ll be hard for him to do the same. Maybe it might be good to let him adjust at his own pace?”

“You might be right Luna, if we keep going like this. I fear he might not be able to handle it….”

“He is going to be okay, right princess? What do you mean not handle it?”

Both Luna and Celestia look at one another with saddened eyes, they wasn’t about to elaborate further.

“Of course he is Dashy, princess Luna and princess Celestia will help him be happy.”

“Yes we will, he deserves to be happy.”

“We agree, we’ll make it our mission to help him find happiness.”