Luna and the Guard

Chapters

Boring Nights
A Change of Position
Dinner/breakfast
A Fear of fire

Boring Nights

Another loud sigh could be heard by Starry sky through the door as he stood guard outside Princess Luna’s room. It was a rather uneventful job but someone needed to guard whether there was any real need or not if at least just for appearances sake, he was new to the job same as the other guard and it pretty much consisted of, wake up at sun set guard to morning, go to sleep.

It was really boring but he had managed to find himself other things to think about than just about what wasn’t going on at the moment. However one thing that worried him though was the sighs that he could hear coming from the princess room, as far as he knew she didn’t have much to do. Despite her eagerness, Princess Celestia wasn’t giving her much to do in terms of ruling. Instead she gave her a few responsibilities and encouraged her to learn more about how ponies act into day society.

The only problem with that is whenever she tried ponies either acted out of pure fear and like she was going to bring eternal night or the bowed down and were afraid that if they acted up in the slightest way she would send them to jail. Also she couldn’t even observe them as nopony was around when she was up. So her schedule pretty much consisted of get up, do an hour of work, be board until sunrise, and go to sleep. She had long since given up ask around to see if there was anything that she could do since at this time of night mostly other ponies were asleep.

He looked beside him, the other pony that was guarding with him had faded away again basically falling asleep with his eyes open he now looked blankly at the wall in front of him his eyes drooped. It seemed that instead of switching his clock around with the vacation time he had been given he had instead spent it on other things which he was now paying for as every half an hour he would jolt look around and continue being awake for 10 minutes before fading away.

Another sigh sounded causing Starry to look at the door he had been hearing more than normal tonight, which troubled him even more, glance at the other guard before doing something he knew he most likely shouldn’t do he walked over to the door and knocked before being allowed in.

Starry looked around the room it certainly wasn’t like most ponies rooms, the ceiling was covered in constellations that covered the night sky which glowed to light up the room, the way the stars Shawn seemed to make the light cascade down over everything giving the room a beautiful moonlit look while still keeping it at a normal light levels. The walls were a mixture of blue and black with the occasional glowing star here and there. The decor was a comfortable setting as someone would expect for a bedroom and while it was a adult looking in one corner was a slightly more childish side with a small chest surrounded by stars it occupants hidden.

Whether or not its occupants where what normally accompanied was inside and if she ever when in it, It reminded Starry that while she was quite old and for the most part acted that way, being a ruler and becoming nightmare moon had torn her away from her child hood never allowing for her to truly and fully mature thus leaving behind small traces of child in her. It would take a very good mind to spot it but the tiny traces were there.

The night Princess or Luna herself laid across her bed sprawled out with a rather board expression across her face. Her gazed was currently focused on the ceiling her could see her eyes tracing the constellations on the ceiling and waited patiently for her to answer. Finally she shifted her body and brought her head up from the bed and cast her bored gaze towards the stallion in front of her

“yes? What does thou want with me?”. Starry quickly began to come up with something to say as the gaze of the curious Princess continued to lay across his. “your majesty, I have no new to report to you however, I would like to ask is if there is anything that you would like done at this moment.” She raised an eye brow.

He stopped for a second thinking of how he was going to word this as one does not speak lightly towards a princess. “What I mean by that is there anything you want. Maybe a stroll through the garden perhaps, a book that you might be interested in? or maybe you are hungry? Anything that you would like just ask me and I can have one of the servants get it for you” he finished up before saluting her and standing still waiting for her response.

“Was I really that loud” she asked looking at the Starry with a deadpan face, Starry’s ears fell back she had seen right through him in why he had come in. He had never felt so foalish in his life, he had disturbed the princess with such thin veil that it would put see through paper to shame. “um… ah… yes you were kind of loud.” He said wishing he could disappear “alright well duly noted return to your post” she said laying her head back on her bed.

Starry felt completely ashamed as he walked back to the door and raised his hoof to open it before Luna called out behind him “wait” she said. Starry turned around to face the Princess he saw that she was now laying with her head up looking at Starry a smile ever present on her face. Her horn glowed as a chair was pulled out from a table across the room “sit down” she said with a slight bit of giddiness in her voice.

Starrys heart dropped as he obeyed his mind automatically thinking the worst “oh no, what have I done? Is she going to punish me for disturbing her I wish I could b somewhere else by now.” He sat down and looked at the princes as she walked towards him a small box hovering next to her.

Princess Luna sat down in the chair opposite to Starry, it had been so long since she had any real fun, and Starry had just walked in and practically said that he wanted her to not be as bored. There was no way she could pass up an opportunity like this so she placed the box in front of her as she gleefully sat glad that she had something to fill her hours of boredom with.

Starry was sitting down staring at the box wondering what was inside hoping it wasn’t anything bad or at least bad for him. The lid flew off revealing the horrors inside…. Ponyopoly? Starry looked down as the Princess began to put the board together, this was not what he had expected. Well, he didn’t know what to expect but it certainly wouldn’t have been this, but the more he had thought about it the more it made sense considering it.

She didn’t have much to do at night so why wouldn’t she want to do something fun “which would you prefer the saddle, carriage, bag, or hat?” she asked He thought for a moment “I’ll take the hat” he said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was almost morning time and Starry found him and the princess laughing together as they played different games, it had started off with Ponyoply which he had lost terribly at, and continue on with different board games and eventually a game of twister was brought out. To which Starry had done well at until he had twisted his body into a position which he couldn’t get out of which of course left Luna on the floor laughing at his predicament. The games continued on until Starry excused himself because it was morning his shift was over and he needed sleep, and Luna also had to lower the moon.

“Thank you Starry, that was the most fun that I have had in such a long time. Maybe we could do it again sometime” she said “yes I enjoyed that as well it is much better than a night full of nothingness. Until next time your majesty” he said, causing the Princess to smile “oh please call me Luna”.

Starry smiled back and walked out the door to find the other guard on the floor sleeping, it seemed that he had fallen over in the middle of the night and not woken up to any of the sounds that were going on inside. With one hoof he shook him awake “hey it’s time for the guard switch” to which he sprung up eyes wide open knowing he had once again failed to stay awake. He stood bathing in his own shame as Starry stood beside him eager to get some sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Princess Luna tossed and turned in her bed unable to get to sleep, her mind was to awake at the moment running over the events of the night and of course. Him. Everything she thought about him she couldn’t help but smile it was just something about him, his laugh, and his smile. How he had tangled himself during twister, now that was hilarious. So putting aside the seemingly impossible idea of sleep Luna got up from her bed and began walking with a certain destination in mind.

Luna move through the castle hiding her excitement as she got close to the place she was headed, the palace not surprisingly was much busier during the day guards walking around maids inspecting every inch of the palace. They had all greeted her with friendly but curious expression, as the night Princess walked around in daylight when she is normally sleeping.

At last she had gotten to where she had been headed: Starry’s room. Normally guards would sleep in the barracks but since he was stationed to outside her quarters he was sleeping in a much more luxurious room. Many often commented for how little the stallions do they get quiet good accommodations, all of this aside she pushed open the door and walked in to the room.

When she walked into she took in the surroundings, the lights were dimmed and it was completely quiet. She walked over to the bed located on the far side to see Starry sleeping soundlessly in it his fur that had been dyed dark blue as per the standards of Luna’s night guard, looked like he had been born with it giving his almost silky fur and body a huge compliment. In fact the more she looked at him sleeping soundlessly the more hansom he looked and in fact he was quiet cute when he slept. No. He was adorable, his face giving of the most innocent look a pony could have made Luna giggle. She stopped herself as soon as she could in order to not wake him up.

She turned and quietly crept out of the room and headed towards the library, she had a book in mind that she would like to read. Upon arrival she was greeted by a librarian who asked her if she was looking anything in particular she told her that she could find it herself and left the librarian to her sorting. She trotted off and began searching among the mountains of books soon she found what she was looking for. She Finally found what she was looking for, she had seen it once and had not given it much thought until now. The book was titled “fun and games sure to thrill and make you laugh” she looked down at the book smiling, oh where going to have soooo much fun she thought.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Starry stood outside the night Princess door once again guarding for the intruder that would probably never come he was quiet happy that he had done what he did. He had not heard a single sigh from Luna’s room yet neither groans or the occasional head that popped out looking desperate for something to do. No instead he had heard nothing from the nigh princess which meant she had probably found some means of entertainment.

It seem like it was going to be a rather uneventful night, although it seemed that the guard beside him had finally been fed up with falling asleep and seemed generally awake this time. Maybe he will make it through the night. However it seemed that if by some sense of irony just as he though this he heard the thump of the other solider falling asleep. Looking besides him he saw the familiar sight of the guard out cold once again.

Chuckling to himself he continued to stand there before he was surrounded by a dark blue aura and teleported away.

Starry’s eyes widened as he realized he was now hovering above Luna’s bed with a smiling Princess at the foot of it after about a second move of hovering he dropped on to the bed bouncing off and ending up in a ball rolled up in a tangle if blankets. “oh great this is just as bad as twister” Starry said as he tried to untangled himself from the blankets before Luna burst into laughter which he soon followed as they laughed at his new found predicament.

Finally Luna was able to stop laughing and untangle him from the blankets to which Starry stretched out his limbs free from the bonds that had just entangled him. “So Luna what do I owe this honor.” He said with a smile still laughing from the incident a few seconds ago “well we both had so much fun last night , so I thought we would do it again tonight” she said with a smile.

Starry frowned but then smiled again “yes well it’s true I should probably get back to my post the other guard” “who will be out for the night” Luna interrupted, Starry continued “well um yes… but if there is an intruder” “and when was the last time we had one of those?” Luna asked. “well um but still if somepony found out” he started to say but Luna once again interrupted “Oh come on. No pony comes up here at night barely anypony is awake right now, much less wandering the halls of Canterlot. Now come on I have a few games planned for this evening” she finished with a smile.

Starry thought for a moment “ok. I guess your right but if where going to do this lets get started right away I can’t wait to see what you have planned” he said finally causing the Princesses smile to get even larger. “I mean it’s not like any pony is up at this hour.” He said.

Mean while across the palace as if woken up by those very words, Shining Armor captain of the guard eyes opened.

A Change of Position

Shining Armor was walking around checking up on all of the guards that were stationed around the palace. Normally he wouldn’t have worried but for some reason he couldn’t get himself to fall back to sleep and for a lack of something better to do and not wanting to wake up cadence he decided that he might as well do this. He was almost finish, having checked around the palace he found everything in order all of the guards were at their posts and they have all had a uneventful evening.

He now approached the last post that he had yet to check: Princess Luna’s quarters, normally he wouldn’t have even have bothered because it was so far out of the way but because he had done everywhere else and it was his job, he now made his way toward the room. From what he saw, he was certainly glad he did decide to stop by because what he saw did not please him.

First thing he noticed was the First guard passed out on the floor, which he could understand slightly but it was still unacceptable and second was that the second guard was missing entirely, it was as if he had just wandered off. He approached the guard sleeping on the floor wanting answers before he heard a voice which was male call out “That’s it!” in a frustrated tone. That came from the Princesses room! He thought he charge towards the door fearing the worst and was about to charge in sword draw when he heard something he didn’t expect. Laughter.

Shining carefully approached the door and opened it slowly so as not to make a sound, It was hard to be able to sneakly open such a big door. However he managed it and peered in, He found that the laughter belonged to princess Luna who was now doubled over on the floor in joyous fits and what she was laughing at was the missing guard that laid on a twister mat looking like he had just preformed a impossible yoga move and was struggling to untangle himself from the ball that he was in “we are never playing twister again.” Starry stated. It now seemed that the princess had finally managed to collect herself from the floor and still giggling she walked over and prodded a few places before the tangled up pony untangled himself ending up sprawled across the floor panting.

“How did you manage to get yourself so tangled up in… well, yourself? Anyways. Well it doesn’t matter, so what do you want to play next?” She said holding up three different board games “can we just rest for now I’m kind of sore” Starry asked “Nonsense! The fun must be doubled!” she said gave a small nuzzle to Starry picked out a game from the three and levitated Starry who was still lying on the floor into a chair on the other side of the room.

Shining Armor watched quietly from the crack in the door before silently closing it. It all made sense now, he though as his mind pieced together the puzzle that laid before him. Trotting off knowing that he would have an even harder time getting to sleep he decided to leave his actions to tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shining Armor sat at his desk, not what a normal pony would expect a captain to do. No. most thought his job was just ordering ponies around but actually he had to do quite a bit of desk work in his job as everything that was related to security had to go through him before it could be done. Honestly all of the work was rather tiring but still he worked away at it. A knock sounded out.

“come in” Shining armor said with a rather flat voice only to find Princess Luna walk in and say “you have requested my presences captain. What doth thou want with me, I am rather tired at the moment.” Shining put down the document he was reading over, “yes Luna I would like to talk to you about the guards that are stationed outside your room”. Shining said looking at the Princess “Yes? What about them?”.

Luna’s mind took a curve when he had mentioned that, she had not been expecting to have to deal with this at the moment “ I decided to take a stroll last night and when I walk past your room I happened to notice that things seemed a little out of place what with the one guard sleeping on the floor and the other tangled up in a ball of his own limbs in your chambers.” Shining said waving a hoof in the air nonchalantly.

Luna had to resist the urge to laugh as she thought of the way their twister game had ended last night but was able to keep her composition, she struggled for a moment trying to think of what to do and after a few minutes it dawned on her. “And so what if it was like that, I am a princess and with very little to do I need to find some way to entertain myself. Besides it’s none of you business of who I do and don’t like”. Shining sent the princess of smug smile “oh so you like Starry now” he said remembering his name when he check who was guarding there earlier.

That got blush from Luna realizing what she just said “well… it’s um… not like that” Luna said trying to hide her now reddish cheeks. Shining smiled and held up a hoof “now I’m glad that you’re not as bored at night and I’m even happier to hear that you have also found someone that you like” he said earning a larger blush from Princess. “However there is a reason those guards are there and even if they are almost never actually called into duty it’s still important that we have them in case they are. So might I suggest that Starry be transferred to your personal guard?” he asked. Luna stopped for a moment personal guard what does he mean by that? This was not what I had been expecting so Luna gave him a questioning glance.

“A personal guard is much like a personal assistant they stay by your side most of the time and guards you in case any harm comes your way. However the use for personal guards has diminished so in times when you not in mortal danger. I thought you could use him for other things perhaps” he finishes with a smile on his face. Luna thought about this for a moment but like before she could not turn down this opportunite. “Yes I think this is an excellent Idea, you can transfer him at the first chance” she said and began to walk out of the room.

“oh and one more thing Luna” The Princess turned around to see Shining with a large smile on his face “have fun with you special somepony” Luna gave him a large blush and quickly blurted out “ oh no I assure you it’s nothing like that”. This only caused him to give her a sly glance “oh please, my wife is princess cadence. Do I need to remind you what her cutie mark is? I have gotten very good at spotting two ponies in love and you and Starry certain have something between you” He finished.

With that he looked back down to do the rest of his work. Leaving Luna to contemplate what he had just said “was there really something between us” she silently. Asked herself In fact the more that she thought about it the more that it made sense, the way they laughed together, the way she sometimes gave him a gentile nuzzle, the look he would sometime flash her and the strange feeling she sometimes got when they were together. Yes there was certainly something between them and now that she noticed that she had feelings for him she wasn’t just going to let them float around on the surface.

She smiled things were going to get interesting.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Starry was mulling over his new job in his sleep, he had received his orders about 3 hours ago from a messenger. It seemed that he was now Luna’s personal guard, all of the details and instructions. He was to report to her chambers at around the time that he would normally be and he was to accompany her anywhere she went, with a few exceptions or unless told otherwise.

So it seemed that the Princess wanted them to continue their activities without him leaving a post unguarded because this allowed them to go anywhere she could possibly want without question of bringing him along. This would also be his last night in that room as well because he would be moving to a room that was much closer and one of the few that are actually on the same floor. He mulled this as he soundlessly slept not hearing the door open and close; instead he continued to sleep but was soon woken up by one of the many maids in the palace.

“Excuse me sir, but it’s time to switch rooms” the maid said, Starry nodded got out of bed and pick up a small bag that contained his few belongings and walked out of the room to which the maid began to erase his presence there with her cleaning. He slowly walked up the many stairs that separated him from his new room, his hoofs made a clop with each step on the floor and he snuck a glance out the window. Oh great it’s just late enough in the day that I won’t be able to get any more sleep but long enough to make the coming night a very long one.

Finishing walking up the stairs Starry approached his new quarters wondering what to expect when he pushed open the door. The room was much more luxurious than his last, It contained a large bad with about six pillows on it the dresser was ornately carved which depicted flowers blooming along the sides. It also had a small round table which was able to seat 4 and had a center peace which depicted ponies dancing in a forest.

The bathroom was a on a whole different level when it came to class, there was a large tub which boarded on pool size and had gold trim, the shower which was rare in any place had a large shower head with side jets for a surrounding clean. Finally there was a sink with a large and expansive mirror and the sink also had a golden trim to it.

Starry set his bag down and quickly sorted his things before walking to the large window that over looked Canterlot sighing from the position of the sun he knew it was pointless to try to sleep because if he over slept he would almost certainly be late. So He sat in a chair and tried to think of something to entertain himself for the next four hours.

Luna sat on her bed reading a book she had just gotten out from the library indulging herself in it briefly glancing at the door waiting eagerly for Starry’s arrival. Eventually the small clock hit its mark and as if they were synchronized a knock sounded out. “Come in” she said eagerly and then Starry walked in with a freshly washed coat and man shining.

He walked over to her bed and stood at the foot “So Princess Luna what do you have planned for tonight?” he asked to which she answered “there is no need for you to call me princess, Luna is just fine. As for what is planned well…. That would spoil the fun” getting up from her bed she walked over to her open balcony and beckoned him. Once he got to her before he could do anything she picked him up flung him over her back and spread her wings “wait what are you… No. AAHHHHHHHH” he yelled as she dove off of the balcony leaving him clinging to her for dear life.

At the last moment Luna swooped upwards and began to hover above the garden before settling on a small picnic blanket and levitating Starry off her back and onto the ground. “Well that was um… interesting now let’s not do that again please” he said before looking around him and realizing the set up.

“um… Luna what’s all this for?” he asked “well that’s a silly question. It’s for us. I thought that all of the work your doing you haven’t had enough time to enjoy the night sky, and it’s also been a little bit since I had a good night of star gazing. So I had the servants set out some snacks as well as a meal.” She finished.

Starry looked around him, at one side of the blanket there were two plates set out with some lettuce, carrots, and fruit on them sitting next to each other. Scattered behind the two plate were an assortment of other snacks like cookies, chocolates, as well as gummies. To drink there was a small bowl of punch with two glasses set together; there was also a bottle of wine set aside with two wine glasses. Other than that the setup was made so that two ponies would sit side by side with goodies surrounding them, the wine was place strategically in front of them just a little behind where the two plates were, As well it seemed that aromatic scents had been hidden somewhere as light dreamy smell wafted up Starry’s nose.

He sat down taking in everything before Luna reached over put a hoof under his chin and raising it to bring his gaze to the night sky as he took in the brilliance. It seemed like Luna had taken extra care in arranging the night sky tonight as it wasn’t just constellations it also had nebulas creating infinite beauty as they coloured the night sky. He gazed at the shifting image while stopping every now and then to take something to eat.

Luna smiled as she watched him, everything was going exactly as planned all the preparation that she had done was now worth it. Everything was going according to plan. Luna took a little while to enjoy her labor as well, she really had done a good job tonight in taking the time to put out the nebulas, but she lowered her gaze to the stallion beside her. She handed him a glass of wine which he accepted and sipped at while Luna drank hers.

Then her opportunity shined in front of her; without taking his eyes of the sky, Starry reached out for the cookie plate. Luna silently pushed the plate aside and place her hoof there pretending that it had been there the entire time causing Starry to place his hoof on top of Luna’s. Starry looked down at his hoof as it rested on top of Luna’s, he wanted to move it off but something was stopping him it was as if his leg had now become 5 tons.

cuddle before looking up once again at the night sky. After a while of gazing she looked back at starry only to see that he had fallen asleep, his head lay down on the blanket with the most innocent look that you could possibly imagine made Luna giggle.

She reach over and very carefully placed him on her back and flew him back to his room. . She was about to walk out before she heard him say something “Luna” he said she stopped in her tracks and looked back expecting to see him looking at her but instead she saw him still sleeping in the same position before. He said her name once more in a tone of longing. She walked over to the side of his bed looking down on him with his head poking out of the blankets wrapped tightly around him and she gave him a warm motherly kiss on the fore head before heading back to her room.

~~~~~~~~~

About 30 minutes before.

Princess Celestia walked up the stairs to Luna’s room to see how her little sister was doing, it had been a while since the two had had a real good talk with each other. Also she hadn’t seen Luna so concentrated before when they met to raise the moon and lower the sun when she had brought out the night sky. She had done a wonderful job.

Celestia walked up to the door the guards keeping a disciplined look forward and she knocked on the door. When she heard no answer she knocked again. Still no answer. That’s weird she thought she pushed the door open to reveal an empty room. She looked around curiously wondering where her little sister was, when she spotted a book on her bed. Levitating it over to her she looked at the cover “romantic dinners for new relationships, for her.”

Now what would she have this for.

Dinner/breakfast

Author note: whew finally out. now remeber to point out mistakes and errors. For some reason while I was write this I kept accidentally putting it in first person so if you see and "I" instead of he's or Starry just comment below. Remeber... I'm Still looking for an editor!

And remeber to COMMENT!!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH when I get comments :). so just head down and type your thoughts.

Starry’s internal clock click and he was forced to leave the comfort of his soft sleep, It had already been a weeks since he had been assigned to Luna guard and it seemed his internal Clock had already begin to reset itself. Which was about 20 minutes later than normal because he didn’t have to check in with the guard, just show up to Luna’s quarters. this meant he didn’t have to make the unreasonably long trip from the top of the tower down to the bottom and back up.

He checked the clock and just as he thought it was exactly the time he was supposed to get up. Looking outside he could see the sun almost ready to be lowered so starry began his morning rue teen and walked into the bathroom and ran a shower. He selected his normal conditioners and did his mane in the standard Canterlot guard “fashion”. He always liked showers, not in the way of comfort but the fact that he could get himself clean so fast.

Stepping out of the shower he began to dry himself with the towel the hung on the rack beside him, and with that he stepped out of the washroom after quickly inspecting his teeth and went over to his nightstand to check for notes. One thing that always boggled Starry’s mind was has quiet the maid which was assigned to his room was. Her name “light foot” which fit her perfectly could get in and out without him noticing almost every single time.

So it seem that the maid has once again demonstrated her skill as she was tasked with bringing him his orders each night, a small note was left on his nightstand. Levitating it up to himself he read out his instructions.

Dear Starry
You will report to the main dining room at the usual time for duty. Further instructions will be given upon arrival if needed.

He looked at the sun again only to see it plunge over the horizon and the moon lift into the sky , Which was his cue to head out towards the dining room. Throwing on his armor he made his way out of the door completely forgetting the small plate of breakfast on his dining table.

Starry arrived to see Luna and Celestia walk into the room just ahead of him and the door slam just behind them. Starry walked up to the door and was about to push it open before the guard stopped him, he flashed his posting card as Luna’s personal guard. He nodded and stepped aside allowing Starry forward as he proceeded into the room.

It was a large room and meant for big gatherings, the big table which normally sat in the middle had been replaced with a smaller table which the two Princesses sat at on opposite sides munching on a plate of salad obviously meant as an appetizer. The two Princesses turned their heads at his arrival he nodded to them and walked to the side of the room and stood motionless Starry’s face completely emotionless.

He and Luna both knew to keep their night time fun to themselves and act as they would if he was just another guard because if word had gotten out there was no knowing how people would react. Some might say that Luna was abusing her authority by forcing Starry to participate, there would be no telling how Celestia would also react because she might normally be very kind but she might become a little over protective.

The two princesses returned to their meal and continued to eat and drink before out of nowhere servants rushed in bringing plates of food and began to arrange it on the tables. One side was slated for breakfast while was made up for dinner and with this the two princesses took a brief pause in their meal and began to talk.

“So Luna how have things been later, anything interesting happen” Celestia asked “No sister things have been relatively normal” Luna replied taking a bite out of her salad “We have been doing small things to occupy ourselves but other than that we have been having a rather uneventful time”. Celestia smiled “yes I thought so I was wondering how were you liking your new book?” Celestia asked levitating up a copy of “romantic dinners for new relationships, for her.”

Luna gasped “you went into my room?!?!? You have no business going in there without my permission”. Luna yelled. Starry took what was meant to be a quick glance over to see what the book was but after seeing the title he stared for a full 5 seconds before snapping himself out of his trance and looking forwards.

Celestia looked at her sister with a smirk on her face “oh please Luna were sisters and I was going up to see how you were doing. I mean when you leave a book out in the open just waiting for prying eyes its like asking for someone to see it.” She finished. “Sorry sister we did not expect that our privacy would be invaded” she said glaring at Celestia.

Princess Celestia waved a hoof in the air to dismiss the matter “well anyway, are you going to tell me or am I going to have to guess?” Celestia said. “what do you mean?!?” Luna said her mind reeling. “oh come now Luna, who is the special stallion hmmm?” she said her smile growing even bigger. “I assure you that you are mistaken in some way” Luna said growing ever more fearful of discovery.

The two sat there, Luna suddenly finding the ceiling very interesting was now looking up while Celestia looked took another drink Starry was Silently think of what horror’s would befall him if they were found out and after what seemed like a eternity Celestia Finally broke the Silence with a large amount of laughing. “You should she the look on your face, oh course I know that you don’t have a colt friend” she exclaimed barely standing up as her laughter threatened to topple her.

Me and Luna risked a relieved look at each other Finally regaining herself “To be honest I’m glad you’re taking time to read about the customs of today. Even if it is romance” Celestia said. Luna smiled and glanced down relieved at the salad before her head snapped back up “and what makes you so sure I don’t have a special someone” Luna said a flustered look on her face.

At that moment Starry all most face hoofed, Celestia looked back at her “oh come now Luna I was just kidding. Trolling? I believe is what they call it now, you know I heard people made a nick name for me when I’m like that. Trollestia I believe?” she rambled.

Ah yes… the dreaded trollestia Starry thought to himself. Trollestia was indeed the nick name people had given her when she was acting “like a troll” and to the people apart from a angry Celestia (which never happened) trollestia was the greatest fear for those around the palace. She could strike at anytime any place and anyone, but thank fully Starry had never been the victim of *growl*.

The 2 princesses having just return to their meal looked up in a little bit of surprise around the room before their eyes fell on Starry. Starry gulped under their gaze as he remembered his breakfast that was probably sitting on his dining table back in his room, oh how he wished he remembered to eat it as his stomach threatened to verbally protest again.

After minutes passing he found that he was able to keep it from anymore out bursts Thank fully it seem as if he was able to keep it at bay, however it seem that someone else had others plans.

“you know Luna, one of the things that the palace guards are renowned for is their ability to stand completely still no matter what happens around them” Celestia said putting on the face that struck fear into all the hearts of ponies the trollestia face. She levitated up a bowl of salad and began to wave it under Starry’s nose “even if they had a salad like one of these under their noses. Even with the finest mandarin oranges and the dressing made from scratch by the finest chef in all of Equestria” she continue.

Oh. Why does that have to smell so good Starry complained inside his head, biting on his lip and visibly sweating. All of which seemed to fuel the troll as she began to wave more fragrantly delicious foods under his nose. He opened his mouth a little and leaned forward hoping to get a taste oh the succulent foods the hung before him. “hey now moving when you standing guard, isn’t that the first thing that they teach you?” she said causing him to snap back to his previous pose.

A small whimper came from Starry as he looked at the foods so close to him but yet still so far away. This continued for about another 30 seconds before Luna stepped in “that’s enough you are teasing a starved pony with food. Literally! I would have thought better of you” she said. Celestia rolled her eyes “oh come on Luna. You know I’m only kidding” she replied and levitated all the dishes back to their original places.

Starry yelped as he was suddenly grabbed in a telekinesis hold by Princess Celestia “now as for you, I’m going to assume that you missed breakfast this morning. You must know however that it is very important to get ones serving of food and …”. Was plunked down at the side of the table as he was lectured by the princess about eating healthy and how you needed a balanced meal. Luna also interjected and spoke about how getting a good breakfast and food was very, very important. While thing was happening both princesses had added a large amount of food.

“And we expected you to eat all of it” they both said, Starry looked down at his almost picture perfect plate of food. Starry looked back up glanced briefly at both of them staring at him before saying “of course mothers” earning a laugh from both princesses.

The meal seemed to stretch on for a eternity, As Starry sat there at his seat. For the most part the to princesses took no notice of him , but boy… did they eat a lot. But then again being 2 extremely powerful moon and sun raiser ponies it made sense that all the energy they had did have to come from somewhere.

“Well that was quiet enough to eating” said Princess Celestia Standing up from her seat. It is late and I must be heading to bed. With that Princess Ceslestia gave one last warming gaze at her sister before departing. Starry looked at Luna as she finish up her soft flowing mane glistening was blowing in the air through something that Starry was still had no idea how and what was keeping it up.

A throat clear brought his attention back to reality, and he realized that he had been staring at Luna for over a minute now and she was now looking back at him with a what are you doing look. Starry quickly corrected himself turning away looking at the wall in front of him before Luna spoke “we have had enough food for now and it is time for us to go back to our quarters” she said getting up and gesturing for him to lead the way.

Starry got up from his spot and thoroughly brushed himself off making sure that no crumbs or food of any sort had dirtied his armor in anyway. Starry had began to walk to the door eager to leave when he realized Luna wasn’t following. Without warning his tail was seized by a strong magical grip and began being dragged across the floor. The next few words said by Luna was the most horrifying thing he had heard to in a long time. “you didn’t eat your Brussels sprouts” Luna said angrily as Starry eye’s widened.

Oh god, THE HORROR!

A Fear of fire

It was a seemingly average day in canterlot… well for normal ponies. For those in the palace it was a different story, especially those in the main dining room as a very strange scene took place.

“PLEASE spare me princess lun…” Starry began but he was cut off. “nay you shall! Eat you brussel sprouts!” the night Princess declared forcing Starry to eat the third last brussel sprout that he was trying so desperately not to consume. “please?” Starry said trying a different tactic by mustering up a puppy dog face that would turn foals everywhere green with envy.” As he wiggled under Luna’s magic grip that was pinning him to the floor

“hhmmmm” Luna said tapping her chin Starrys ears perked up “I Think that I can let you…” she paused for a moment allowing Starry’s hopes to soar before saying “nah” and forced down the last of Starry’s most hated vegetable . Starry gave out a *blech* as the last one went down his throat, because in his mind they were the bane of his existence and he hated them more than any other food.

Starry was released from the magical grip which allowed him to rise to his all 4’s, Regain his surroundings Starry Identified the door should he have to bolt if Luna should decide that he had to have more of the unsavory vegetable. After regaining his settings Starry looked at Luna who was now sitting down looking at him with a very disapproving look “was all that really necessary? Can’t you just eat your vegetables without me forcing you to?” Luna said.

“Vegetables aren’t the problem. Its brussel sprout that are, it’s like they were made just for the purpose of being disgusting” Starry said defensively. Luna shook her head “Anyways… we have much to attend to” she said picking up and heading for the door. Starry followed up behind her as she walked past the door guards “We will be doing something different tonight”. “and what is that” Starry asked curiously “ we shall discus that when we get there it will be different from the usual activities I can assure” she said and they continued walking down away leaving the door guards standing there.

Once the princess and Starry were out of sight the one guard looked at the other “usual activities?” The one guard asked. “I have no idea” the other guard replied before the first guard reached a conclusion on their activities.

“Well… I hope they use protection” the first guard said causing the other guard to face hoof.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna and starry had just made it back to Luna’s room after the short trot form the dining room, When the guards opened the door for them Luna happily ran forward and be taking out books from a small shelf at the side and placing them on her bed.

“So? What did you mean when you said “something different” earlier Starry said looking at Princess Luna. “MAGIC TESTING” she said with joy, “magic testing?” “yes magic testing”. Starry raised an eye brow “what do you mean why are you doing it?” he asked “well first of all you are my guard and a unicorn, and I want to make sure that you have at least some skill with magic. Besides I will all so be studying on a few thing tonight, it’s been so long and I bet there are tons of new spells out there just waiting for me to master them. However I ramble prepare yourself to be tested.” Luna replied.

She jumped up onto her bed and reach for one of the many books that lay strewn across it. “Let’s begin.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Starry grunted under the strain as he lifted up the metal ball in front of him with his magic, he certainly wasn’t accustom to doing this kind of work with magic. Normally it would be lifting small objects briefly with the occasional heavy object. The only acceptation was his sword which he practiced with both magic and hoof but that was much lighter than this ball.

Starry gave one last strain as he lifted the balls and put it down before collapsing on the ground from the magical strain and exhaustion that he was now feeling. “well… that was ok. But it will take some work” Luna said looking up from one of her text books “We should do this more often as well as you should do some exercises that will increase you magical power but for now, it my turn” Luna said grinning as she spoke the last few words

Putting her book down she jumped into the middle of the room “let’s begin.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“um Luna maybe you could use something other than…” Starry said but his mouth was sealed shut with a short and quick spell. “I thought that might come in handy” Luna said looking at the now Silenced Starry “now enough complaining, I must concentrate.” Starry looked at Luna a best he could as he hovered above encased in her blue aura, while she simultaneously levitated 2 of the spheres he had earlier and was also doing other fine tasks.

This was all much to Starry’s dislike as he hovered dangerously over Luna squirming a bit not to mention that he was now also unable to speak. All this making it so he could only watch as Luna tried out complex spell while have to maintain her focus and keep Starry in the air. Apparently she needed him for it rather than something else because levitating a living thing that moves and breaths is different than levitating an inanimate object (although starry never noticed the difference).

“There that’s enough of that” Luna said before putting Starry down on her bed and releasing the spell that held him in the air taking off the mouth restraint spell. “Now that that is finished I’m going to be doing some element specific magic” she pulled a chair out from the table across the room. “I have a general knowledge test set out there, It has four sections; math, English, history, and science. You have two hours. No magic, only hoof writing” Luna finish.

Starry winched, before proceeding to the table with the test on it. Laid out was a twenty page test on the left side there was 2 pencils and one pen on the right there was an abacus, and an eraser. Starry picked up the abacus and examined it before looking at Luna and looking back at the abacus. He decided against telling her that he had no idea how to use it.

So he sat down before opening the first page and beginning.

It wasn’t going well an hour had passed already and he was only on the seventh page and he was sweating. This test was evil, Starry had decided it. If he looked into the dictionary to help himself with the English part he was sure he would find it as an example for evil. EXPECIALLY THE HISTORY SECTION. It included historical events that actually happened but the events were spread across the last 2000 years.

The fact that he knew about some of them was a miracle, but knowing them enough in detail to answer the questons. Starry sighed and continued to fill out the test as best as he could, hoping that he wouldn’t do to badly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“what did you use to hold the pencil? Your ear?” Luna asked causing Starry to rub the back of his head in shame “hoof writing was never my strong point, as soon as I was able I started using magic I used it to do all the stuff I write” replied Starry.

“Anyway. 55%” Luna said as she finished marking the test causing Starry to head desk, “well. At least I will have something to do other than just play games. I can also do some much. Needed. Tutoring.” Luna finished putting the test away. “well it’s a good thing that you are finished however. I’m going to start doing some magic that I will need you for to make sure I have total control over the next few elements” Luna said.

Starry nodded, while he didn’t like being the princess’s guine pig, but he had no say in the matter, besides after they had done this tomorrow they could get back to playing games. “Come over here and stand so that your left side is facing me” She instructed and Starry obeyed. Luna reached over to her side table and grabbed a jug of water that was sitting upon it taking it careful she moved it over Starry’s back and began to tip the water jug over careful and briefly allowed water to flow out. Water came down on starry and began to trickle down on his back Starry was surprised however when he didn’t feel his coat getting wet.

He turned around to see what was going on to find that Luna was controlling the water to such a degree that she was able to move the water around him without getting his coat soaked, First she formed a perfectly smooth coating over his back and stomach then she brought it over he mane before bringing it back into the jug. “wow” Starry said amazed that one could form water so close to his hair that It was touching but still keep him dry. “Let’s continue” Luna said pouring the entire jug onto the floor, the water splashed down before forming a thin layer under Starry.

The layer sat still for a moment before it began to run up his legs and coated his entire under side, Starry examined himself before Luna told him to stand still and look forward. He complied and started to look at the wall in front of him before he felt himself begin to rise. Lifted up by the water equally on all parts of his body he was lifted up and he rotated three times before he was set back down.

“Now how is that, For water elemental control” she said braggingly causing Starry to nod his head in agreement that it was impressive but also rolling his eyes at her bragging. “On to the next element” She said “which would be?” “fire” Luna answered. Starry’s body tensed up “can we skip that one” Starry asked his voice a little shaky “Absolutely not now stand still”.

Luna reach to her bed side and grabbed a candle bring it to her front and placing it down, she ignited her horn with magic and she moved her hoof over the flame. The fire leapt up to her hoof causing Starry to start to shake a little, the flame spread across the bottom of her hoof and she spread it to her other fore hoof with a touch. Holding her hoofs out in front of her the fire shot up into the air coming off of her hoofs creating quite a show.

Luna moved her hoofs towards Starry and he shut his eyes as they made contact spreading small points of fire on to his back which flickered and stayed not spreading out. Starry glanced at his back wishing for the whole thing to end quickly, but Luna had other plans. The fire flared up on his back spreading out across his body the sudden flare caused Starry to start, his eyes turning into pin pricks and he jumped away from Luna screaming “fire!” causing Luna to rise up in surprise.

“Starry! Calm down” she yelled frantically trying to get him to stop freaking, the fire wasn’t going to hurt him. When Luna took the fire onto her hoofs she changed it in to a fire that was artificial in the fact that it wouldn’t burn but instead turned anything that it normally would into a deep shade of purple. Starry didn’t know that as she tried to tell him to calm himself so she could put him, instead he freaked out for about ten seconds before darting into her was room jumping into her shower and turning it on full blast.

After putting himself out just before Luna could enter he reached out with magic closed and locked the door. Luna blinked at the sudden barrier before her and knocked on it “starry are you in there” it was a dumb question. She already knew the answer but it was more of looking to get a response rather than an actually answer. When none came, Luna press her ear up to the door hoping to hear something even though she could have just opened the door with magic she preferred not to because there was a reason Starry had locked the door. He had gone crazy as well, meaning something was up she didn’t think that this was just a fear of fire.

After listening hard she thought she could make out the soft mournful sound of crying, it was a faint sobbing but she could hear it, so she quietly unlocked the door and proceeded in. Sitting on the floor of her shower was Starry facing away from the door, sobbing softly and completely soaked. She came up behind him and asked “Starry? Are you ok?” Starry turned to look at her his eyes a little red. “It’s ok Starry. Your fine, the fire wasn’t going to hurt you” Luna comforted sitting down beside him and pulling him into a hug “yes it was. It was going to burn me” Starry said in a shaky and afraid voice.

“ssssssssshhhhhhhhhh, its ok” Luna continued to comfort, they continued like the for a few minutes before Luna spoke “alright, well I can’t have you catching a cold. Here dry yourself off with this” she said handing him a towel. Starry took it and dried himself off before stepping out of the washroom with Luna “what happ…” “I don’t want to talk about it” “Starry you know you can…” “I said I don’t want to talk about it”.

Luna looked a Starry for a moment before sighing “alright but you’re going to sleep here tonight” Luna said. Starry looked back and her confused “why” “My reasons are my own, however it is getting close to the end of your shift so go now and get your pajamas” Luna instructed before Starry replied “I don’t wear pajamas.”

Luna looked at him “what do you mean you don’t wear pajamas?” “I mean I don’t wear pajamas” Starry said back. “You must wear pajamas! Now go get you pajamas!” Luna said refusing to believe that he didn’t wear pajamas “I don’t wear pajamas! I don’t own a pair of pajamas” Starry continued. Luna blink “fine” she huffed and disappeared into her giant closet. Starry stood there before shaking his head, sometimes Luna was the most amazing mare even though he would never admit it, and sometimes she made no sense and obsessed over small things.

“AHA I have found them” he heard from the closet and soon Luna emerged carrying a deep blue and teddy bear covered pair of foal sized pajamas. Starry bursting out into laughter “Luna there is no way that I am even going to fit into those let alone actually wear them while sleeping” but his laughing stopped when Luna’s horn came to life and the pajamas expanded with a *pop* to his exact size. “Luna. I don’t care how much you want or try to get me to wear those pajamas there is no way I am ever putting those on”.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I hate you so much right now” Starry said looking at himself in his new pajamas in the mirror “but you’re so adorable” Luna said with a squeal hugging him like he was and oversized teddy bear, he even gave a small squeak when she squeezed him. “this wasn’t in the royal guard description” Starry complained “but it was in the “Luna’s personal guard/ friend and playmate” agreement” Luna said with a smile.

“You made that up”

“Nope. look” Luna said and she pulled out an official looking booklet and handed it to Starry and Starry started to read it. “rule number one, you must always eat your brus… nope not doing this. I quit my job, let me go so I can go create a nation of non brussel sprout eaters” Starry said still being clung onto Luna like an oversized stuffed animal. Luna hefted him out in front of her like he was a puppy dog and held him under his fore leg joints with immense alicorn strength with him facing her she said “But that’s the great part, you can’t quit. Your job. Will last. Forever!” She said dramatically before pulling Starry back into a hug and laughing like a maniac.

Shining armor had been asked by Luna earlier to deliver a report to her about events she was planning, and now while he approached the room he didn’t expect what he would find. Opening the door slowly the first thing he saw with the rest of the room hidden behind the door was the Pile of Starry’s guard uniform on the floor right beside and he heard Starry say “Noooo, please let me go”. Shining’s eyes widened as he took all this in, and he couldn’t close the door fast enough.

Shining armor was Desperately hoping that he didn’t need to tell Celestia that Luna needed that talk. Back in the olden days the nobles would be able to request somepony so that they could please themselves with, but now you couldn’t just say you wanted somepony and get them. Shining knocked on the door and was asked to come in and was some what relieved when he heard Starry say “Help, she treating me like an oversized plushy” Starry complained from her hug of doom.

Shining burst out laughing and trotted over to them closing the door behind him “Hey Starry, great pajamas” He got out before continuing to laugh, Luna however was not amused. “Captian” she said sternly causing Shining to straighten up a bit “in my closet, I have a pair of rainbow coloured pajamas that covered with flowers and it can be locked on with a spell if needed” Luna said menacingly “I wonder how the captain of the royal guard would look if he was teleported into the barracks wearing that. you know, it was originally made for a foal as well. Maybe a diaper would complete the look” Luna finished her threat smiling. Nopony made fun of Starry. NOPONY.

Shining pupils went down to pin pricks almost disappearing from his eyes “here’s that report you wanted, nice seeing you BYE” Shining said in about a second before dropping a folder turning tail and running for his dignity. Luna picked up the folder finally releasing Starry from her grasp and setting him down on a pillow next to her sitting down on a couch and going over the report. A servant delivered their dinner and they ate together at the table that Starry had written the test on.

After a while it was beginning to get early in the morning and Starry sat down as stayed there for a little while before Luna got up from the couch and said “alright. Bed time” Starry stood up and asked “Right where exactly will I be sleeping?” “on my bed with me” Starry blushed. “Oh come on, it’s not that big of a deal” Luna said jumping onto her bed. Starry reluctantly followed laying down on the far side bed and shortly fell asleep. Luna of course still had to lower the moon so she stayed awake however there was one thing that she wanted to do, she got up and walked over to the now sleeping starry and said softly “Now, lets see what is in your dreams”.