Arc Angel

Note to self. Never, ever give Nightspring a reason to seek revenge over you.

A normal guard would probably hit you once or twice, perhaps rib you out on something concerning your fillyfriend or insinuate that you had a coltfriend, maybe even put eggwash in your helmet or sometimes super glue. But Nightspring? She's like the vengeful spirit from hell. I am a grown stallion, and I have no qualms admitting that. I might not have a fillyfriend, but I am a grown stallion, I am, or was, a Royal Guard of decent distinction, and I have never backed down from a fight in my life. But what Nightspring wanted me to do, and quite forcefully told me I would do under threat of death by broad bladed Scythe, was fucking terrifying, humiliating and all round pathetic. I can feel my stallion's pride wilting even thinking about it. She is now known to me as possibly the most sadistic, evil, beautiful and amazing pegasus mare I have ever had the painfully unhappy pleasure to ever meet. She is, as of right now, on my bed, toying with my survival knife. I'm not sure why, but it seems to have caught her attention.

I never thought I'd have my stallion status stripped away from me so utterly and completely.

"Would the mistress like more tea?" I asked hesitantly, and around a pot filled with said tea. Now, it should be noted here and now that had I access to my magic at the time, this would not be happening. But considering she's slipped onto me an inhibitor ring, the only magic that's around me is the illusion feeding from the sparkling stone around my neck, which is affixed in a pretty pink loveheart shape. The illusion is... Ugh, do I have to even think it? The illusion is making it look like I'm wearing a maid's uniform, all black and white and frilly to boot.

This is not how I expected the evening to go at all.

She smirked at me from the bed and made an effort to look like she was considering it before grabbing her mug and holding out to me.

"Of course I would. Come along then maid, pour me some tea."

I'm not sure if she's still angry at me, or if she even believed me, although she hasn't knocked me out and taken me back to Canterlot yet, so I suppose things could be worse. Not by much, I'd actually caught myself wondering if it'd be better to simply turn myself in. It wouldn't be nearly as humiliating. At least I wouldn't be appearing to wear these fucking fishnets. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at fishnets the same way ever again.

Ever.

Fucking fishnets.

"What's taking you so long maid? I want my tea."

I jolted out of my reverie, noting that I had yet to pour her some tea, so I hurriedly poured her some tea, leaving quickly and returning with the (freshly made) milk in mouth.

"Milk Mistress?" I asked humiliatedly after I put the damnable saucepan down. She smiled at me and winked at me, holding out her mug again, still holding the knife in her other hoof. Quietly I picked up the saucepan and carefully poured a measure of milk into it.

This sort of thing went on for the rest of the night, with tasks ranging from making her drinks, getting her a snack or retrieving her something from the other side of the room. She even made me massage her hind hooves because they were hurting. I... I'm ashamed to admit it, but I did consider offering to extend it to a full body, but I chickened out at the last second. Now she's sleeping on my bed, and I don't know what to do. She didn't tell me I could dispose of this ridiculous illusionary outfit, so I'm still 'wearing' the uniform, sitting by her bedside waiting for her. After it became painstakingly clear she wasn't about to wake up soon and despite her looking absolutely adorable, I left the tent for the solitude of being outside. The fire was starting to die down, so I added a few sticks to it in the hopes of keeping it going. I don't know what time it is, but I do know I just want some sleep and things to go back they way they were. Nightspring has done some weird things to me in the name of payback, but this is more than that. This is just humiliating and degrading, especially for a guard.

So I lay down by the fire, nursing my wounded pride, hoping I would fall asleep soon. I had no such luck, as what felt like an eternity later the sun poked it's head through the trees. The fire had gone out hours ago and I was shivering with the cold. So now I was cold, hungry, thirsty and tired. I had all the ameneties I needed to sate all of this, but it wasn't allowed for me at all, all thanks to Nightspring and her silly games. She had the saddlebags with her along with all the campfire utensils, my knife and her scythe. I grumbled blearily at the sun before forcing myself to my hooves and stumbling back inside. She hadn't told me when this stint of 'payback' would end, so until she said otherwise or I got a chance to escape, I guess I had to play along with it. It was much warmer in the tent, and as I walked past the bed and to the saddlebags to get out the pots and pan, I heard Nightspring waking up behind me, and felt her stretch and yawn.

"Arc..? S'that you?"

Still shivering, I turned around and bowed my head to her in a pathetic display of subservience.

"Y-y-y-yes Mistress," I replied quietly, damning the chattering of my teeth as I spoke. She looked at me in alarm and gestured for me to come closer. Hesitantly, I stepped forward once. She frowned and pointed to the edge of the bed.

"Come here." She commanded sternly and I, of course, had no choice but to obey. I staggered over, trying without much success to limit my terrible listing from side to side before sitting down, planting my flanks to the ground. Her stern look turned to one of concern.

"What happened? Why are you..." Her second question died on her lips and a flash of guilt lit up her face, "Did you sleep outside!?"

I swallowed heavily and shook my head. She looked skeptical.

"No mistress, I didn't sleep at all last night. It was too cold, even by the fire," I replied, this time managing to keep the tooth chattering to a minimal. With a sigh of frustration, at least I think it was frustration, I'm not entirely certain, she leaned foward and grabbed me. I squeaked as I felt her hooves grab me, which is not a sound any stallion should ever make, and she giggled softly before pulling me forwards, coaxing me towards the bed.

This is not how the morning was meant to go at all.

I held back, pulling against her wishes this time. I may hate this pathetic ensemble and the way she's making me wait on her, but I will not go back on or fail to keep my word. I told her I'd do it until she was satisfied her payback was paid in full, and that's the way it's going to work. At least, that was how it was meant to work. With an irritated growl and a show of strength that belied her size, she wrenched me from place and dragged me into the bed, me protesting the whole way, still trying to stay in character. She covered me up with the blanket and made sure I had my head on a pillow. At this point, I had thought she'd leave. You can imagine my surprise when she lay down next to me on her stomach and draped one wing over me. I must have been blushing or something because she snorted with laughter.

"Don't get any stupid ideas bookworm. This is just so you don't die on me. You're worth more alive, to both me and Shining. Not that we're going back there just yet."

And at those words, A peculiar peace descended upon me as I finally realised she wasn't going to take me in, even if she didn't believe me, and I sighed, finally able to sleep.

~*~

We woke up mid afternoon. That is to say, I woke up. Nightspring was cuddled up to me, her head on my chest and I felt my heart leap to my throat. This little adventure of mine was turning out to have a myriad of weird, unexpected side effects. She looked like an angel when she was asleep. She always had. Her eyes are closed so peacefully and she has an adorable little smile on her face. I can feel one of her hooves on my chest, and the other one draped over me. Her mane is sprayed out against the bedsheets and is glowing in the mid afternoon light. It's a fantastic sight. With a hesitant swallowing of much nervousness, I reached down and stroked her mane gently. She didn't stir, and I smiled, gaining a little confidence as I continued. Inevitably, however, my thoughts went from the beautiful mare on the bed beside me to my predicament, just like the selfish stallion I am I suppose.

I can't go home. That's ruled out since Princess Mi Amore hadn't woken up yet and I had no way to prove what I knew was true and any guard who sees me will arrest me on sight. Shining wouldn't see reason either. His connection to the Princes means he's much too close to this investigation. He shouldn't be heading it up in the first place, but with him being captain, I guess it's unavoidable. My mind swirls with thoughts as I absently stroke Spring's mane, much to her pleased little murmurs occasionally. I can't leave this forest without a plan though, and there's really no place I can go, and there's no way I'm living the rest of my life in the Everfree Forest, and I'm not living it out on the run. Not to mention that, if Spring decides to travel with me, two mouths to feed will effectively halve the amount of time I can travel before I have to restock. It'll make things more difficult, but...

Nah, I'm not sure I could do that to Spring. I don't want to drag her around Equestria on my account. No way. I'm not dragging her into my neck of the woods, because if she joins me, no doubt she'll be condemned as well, and there's no way I'm doing that to her. I wish I could have her around, but there's no way I'm ruining her life just for my own pathetic wants.

So, first order of business, ditch Nightspring. She'll probably hate me at first, but I'm sure she'll understand. She might still hunt me, and that's fine, so long as she still have a home to call her own and a job. Not like me. Then I need a plan. Some way to get back all that for myself. I suppose that if I can convince her to sleep outside tonight, I can cover her with the blanket, give her her armour and make sure she has food enough to get home, then leave.

The Princess hasn't woken up. I need to know why. Princess Mi Amore is the only one who can clear me of the main charges. After that, I need to find whoever DID kill those guards and get them to talk, clearing my name. The first main problem here is definitely getting info on the Princess' condition without getting caught and thrown into the dungeons. After that, the problem would be finding the solution to her condition. After that.... Well, I'm sure the Princess would be willing to lend me some resources to help capture the real villains. But how in the hell will I get into the castle without being arrested or something similar. Or outright killed. I imagine that Shining would want to see me personally, that he could dish out his own judgement. I never was terribly good with this planning thing. Too many variables, too many things that could possibly go wrong, too much to try and plan for. Ugh, it's absurd. I may as well just...

Wait.

A smile grows on my face. It's the perfect plan. I feel Spring stir against me as she awakens and looks at me, instantly snatching her hoof away from me and pushing me away, damn near pushing me off the bed. I don't even care that I'm still 'wearing' this illusory maid uniform.

"What are you smiling so stupidly about?" She snapped irritably, probably thinking it was because of where she was. Even if I was kinda happy about that before, this overruled it completely. It was perfect! It got me in the castle, and made sure that Nightspring was still a guard and left unsuspected. I looked down at her, still smiling.

"I just figured how I can get some more info on the Princess and maybe even get her back on her hooves again. But I'm going to need your help."

She looked at me suspiciously, her eyes narrowing. She still looks cute to me with her face scrunched up like that.

"My help?" She asked cautiously, "How is it I could help you?"

I tapped the magic inhibitor still latched firmly onto my horn.

"You need a prisoner, and I need to get into the castle. You're going to take me to the castle, and straight to Shining Armour."

The look that I received from Nightspring screamed 'Are you fucking kidding me?' whilst looking at me as though trying to discern if I was kidding or not. I can assure you, I am certainly not kidding. I looked right back at her. The plan was win-win either way. If I did get the information I need, I can chase the solution down and fix that part, and if I don't, I suppose I'll be thrown in the dungeon and probably executed a few days later. And if that happens, all my troubles will be over, and nopony else will be affected by me. Well... My family would mourn when they heard the news, and I have no doubt that my friends will be there as well. Nightspring would probably curse my name to the abyss after she was finished cursing herself for not being there or being able to help. But after that... I suppose it's better to have it over quickly than torturously slowly.

"You're... not kidding are you?"

"Hell no I'm not."

Her face turned shocked and I think she damn near choked on her breath.

"Are you insane!? Taking you to the castle'd be suicide! I can't take you to the freaking castle!"

I could feel my grin growing and shook my head.

"Are you forgetting? I'm good at illusions Spring, and you're a pegasus."

Her shock melted away to confusion and she blinked very quickly.

"Wait... what?"

"Simple Spring. See, you bring me in and go to take me to Shining Armour. Then, you let me go and I give you a copy of me, including the ability to touch the fake me. You take the fake me to Shining, I go to the med wing with a disguise I'll keep in this locket. I'll have to override this uh..."

I flush and look at myself, now in the rumpled looking illusion of a maid uniform, fishnets included.

Fucking. Fishnets.

"... uniform. But I can make myself look completely different. So long as I keep away from unicorns trained to see through illusions, like guards at close range, I should be fine. You on the other hand can't be taught to see through illusions, just like Earth Ponies, Pegasi can't use their inborn, passive magic to see through illusions. So Shining,who might see through the illusion given he gets close enough and tries to, can't blame you for being 'fooled' by my magic."

She still looked skeptical.

"Look, all you need to do is get me in, then proceed as you would. I'll sneak into the med bay and try and pry some info from the doctors or a bubbly nurse who's looking after the Princess alright?"

I wasn't looking for her approval of the plan, I only needed her cooperation. But whether she agreed to my plan or not, I was going back to Canterlot.

I needed that information, and I needed it as fast as I could manage. I looked her in the unsure, still disbelieving eye.

"I want you in on this Spring, but if you don't help, I'll go anyway, and going with you stands a much greater chance of success than without. What say you?"