Brother's Lament

Chapter 8: Mistress of the night

After several more hours of meditation practise and even some of the Royal guard joining in, curious about elemental magic one even asking what was the biggest golem that Warsong could make which he simply answered “There is not enough earth in Canterlot to make even half the size of my biggest golem” which shocked many of the guard.

Bass Rhythm made his way back to their room, Warsong still in the practise yard explaining the theory on Pegasi and Earth pony magic to interested nobles and Royal guard alike. Stepping inside his apartment he wiped a sweaty hoof down his face, light blue electricity passing over his horn. He attempted the same lightning spell that Warsong performed but failed in it and instead electrically charged himself electrocuting himself when he stepped into a puddle on the way back, now he was afraid to go shower the sweat and prepare himself for the ‘night shift’ with Luna.

Breathing deeply he stepped into the bathroom spotting the metal railing of the shower he closed his eyes shut and touched his horn to it. His body suddenly going through a series of spasms as his coat felt like it was about to set on fire but as soon that it began it ended, his entire body smoking and his knee’s weak. He stumbled back and forth his eyes rolling around in his head before he sighed loudly stepping into the shower finally “He did say lightning was a wild element…” Turning on the shower water passed over his smoking body, steam filling the room quickly, his magic enveloping the small bar of soap, the tiny little thing looked like it belonged in a hotel. Bass Rhythm made a note that he’ll have to go shopping for toiletries.

Losing himself in his thoughts he was broken by it when he heard the door to the room open,  Warsongs voice calling out “I bumped into Princess Luna on the way here, she’s looking forwards to your date with her “ Bass Rhythm grumbled as the bar of soap passed over the surface of his body before rinsing it off, when he was done he stepped out of the shower a towel floated to him and it ran over his coat and mane absorbing the moisture off of him as it began to dry him off “It’s not like I’m going to have dinner with her” he looked in the mirror, a brush floating though his mane but no matter what he did, it only went back to its normal messy look, the white strip in his hair always remaining of the left side of his face.

Warsong outside was waiting for his turn in the shower “On that note no you are not having dinner with her alone but you are having dinner with myself, Celestia and Luna after night court. Night court is where she delegates and deals with problems much like what Celestia does in the morning only Luna is on the throne and Celestia is on the advisor couch at night court.” Bass Rhythm stepped out of the bathroom looking refreshed but deep in thought.

Warsong passed by him into the bathroom “I see, I assume afterwards she’ll be doing her duties? Should I dress sharp?” Warsong poped his head out of the misty bathroom to shake his head before he went back inside “No you don’t need to use the same suit twice in one day, relax boy the sisters don’t wear anything formal except for their ‘jewellery’ which was considered armour a thousand years ago.” Bass Rhythm frowned while he sat on his bed, turning on the radio as music began to play “When do I get my own set of magic bracers?” Warsong simply replied with a grunt “When you grow up.”

When Warsong finished in the shower he provided a further explanation “These bracers were actually given to me and my brother by the goddess. They can’t simply be made and voila you can armour up when you want, it’s much more complicated than that it’s all in metaphysics which to my knowledge only Princess Celestia and Luna know.” Bass Rhythm nodded before one of the bracers was dropped next to him on the bed allowing him to get a closer look at it “Maybe when my brother is defeated, you can have his bracers, and it’ll probably react positively to you. Mine may reject you, now come the sun is setting, let us go watch Luna raise the moon”

They both made their way into the throne room spotting the two sisters out on the balcony; their horns alight with golden and blue magic the sun slowly lowered below the horizon as the white orb of the moon rose in its place the light illuminating Equestria.

The sisters turned from the balcony stepping inside they seemed to be in hushed conversation “The court is yours now Luna, we have gone over the replacement of old laws and new ones. Are you sure you are ready to take your first night court after returning from the moon?” The mistress of the night gracefully nodded her head, taking notice of the two stallions standing to the side, a gentle smile coming to her face.

“We are ready sister; We will try to follow thy example.” Celestia followed Luna’s gaze a smile coming to her face as she noticed Warsong and Bass, they both bowed deeply to the rulers when they rose however Bass Rhythm noticed he was the shortest there, he felt like a colt again among these taller and much older ponies.

Warsong frowned down at his student before he looked back up to the royal sisters “Night court will begin in a few minutes, Me and Bass will stand off to one side and observe your highness” Luna however raised a hoof quickly “Please we would prefer that thee and Bass Rhythm stand guard at the base of the throne. We grow tired at the sight of posh and snooty nobles and would much rather watch them squirm under scrutiny. I want them to know that we are as strong as we were a thousand years ago”

Warsong smiled at Luna bowing his head in respect “I would be honoured, though we will have to cast a transformation spell on my student here, perhaps the illusion of my brother when he was in armour?” Luna’s eyes lit up as a wickedly childish grin came to her face “An excellent suggestion General” Bass Rhythm shivered at the look on her face, Celestia sat on the advisors couch with a hoof over her mouth to hide her laughing.

Magic sparked onto Luna’s horn as Bass felt a strange sensation fall over him, he felt himself grow taller, his coat started to itch and his mane and tail grew in length, his eyes tingled and his teeth hurt when the spell was finished with him he stood as tall as Warsong and Luna, his view obstructed though by the view slits of a helmet Luna smiled as she rubbed her head from a mild headache “Take a look in the mirror” Bass Rhythm turned towards a mirror that hang on the wall.

What he saw almost made him jump out of his coat, he saw a black armoured stallion, the surface of the armour adorned with golden tribal patterns around the hooves, flank and helmet, red eyes glowed out of eye slits and mist seemed to seethe around his hooves and around the helmet where his mane would be, the mist forming a similar but shorter style of both Luna and Celestia’s ethereal manes. When he looked to Warsong he saw that his great uncle was similarly armoured albeit in his silver armour but it seemed different now, a grey glow emitted from his eye slits and where his mane would be controlled flames seemed to burn not harming Warsong or spreading anywhere else, around his hooves the same flames seemed to seethe similar to Bass Rhythms misty mane and hooves.

They took their places on the either side of Luna as she sat on the throne Warsong whispered to his student. “Just stand there and look menacing.” Bass Rhythm looked towards the elder stallion. “What are these forms? Are they like Celestia and Luna’s?” Warsong shook his head in reply “No it’s just magic nothing more, nothing less simple illusions really a pony can make their mane look aflame if they so wished it, though it’s often a magical reaction to emotions”

Bass Rhythm nodded and took his place at Luna’s side once more with his eyes set ahead of him as the doors opened and nobles and other ponies that came to have an audience with the princess of the night, milled in.

The nobles stood in a group near the door, each group coming forwards with a different request or problem to be solved, Warsong and Bass Rhythm stood as still as statues but it could be seen that their intimidating appearance had an effect on the ponies in the room. However one noble came forwards with a small group with him, he looked calm or at least he was trying to look calm while the other ponies behind him seemed to shiver when Bass and Warsongs gaze’s fell upon them like the judges of the damned that judged each soul and deemed whether they would go to Tartarus or to Elysium.

The noblestallion spoke up towards the Princess of the Night after bowing deeply “Your highness we have discussed this matter in previous night courts with Princess Celestia. Where we humbly requested that the Solar guard be separated from the night watch and that the Lunar Guard be formed to take over when the sun sets”

Luna leaned forwards from the throne, her eyes cold and hard “Thee would ask that a veteran force retire from guarding the kingdom at night. So that a novice force is in charge of the time when the kingdom may be at its most vulnerable?” The noblestallion shrunk a little but quickly reassured her “No of course not your highness we as a group are simply suggesting that a new force should be in charge of the night. I’m sure there are ponies experienced enough to train the new recruits and maybe even some from the Solar guard would volunteer to join the Lunar guard”

Luna sat back once more frowning down at the stallion “Then why did thee not say so before when thee was speaking to our sister? Why spout out all the bureaucratic formalities?” Luna turned towards Warsong “General Warsong will thee take charge of organising and training the Lunar guard and in time pick a captain for them?” Warsong looked towards the Princess and nodded slowly “I would be honoured your highness and I can already recommend a captain, I will write up a report and other paperwork for your approval in a few days.” Warsong then resumed his gaze at the noblestallion who smiled weakly at the Princess “You may go now.” Spoke Luna giving leave of the noble and his group.

The rest of the night court was short and uneventful when the last noble left the throne room the spell on Bass Rhythm wore off and he shrunk to his normal size, Warsongs armour transformed back into the bracers he cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. Celestia rose from the couch and made her way to the others nuzzling her sister gently “You handled that well sister, I’m proud of you I could not have done better myself. I could see that the noblestallion who wanted to separate the Solar guard from the night watch was suggesting what he said tonight, but I wanted him to speak plainly about it on his own. I believe he learnt a valuable lesson tonight.”

Bass Rhythm looked towards his teacher with a frown on his face “You will be training the Lunar guard but wouldn’t this cut into my training?” Warsong walked over to him and nodded his head “Aye lad it would, but I only plan to train them when I am certain you are trained enough and ready for your next lesson.” Bass frowned curiously “What next lesson?” to which Warsongs reply was just a smile.

The four ponies made their way out of the throne room to the royal dining room, the long table had been replaced with several smaller ones where nobles sat and ate, there was one table big enough to seat four at the back of the room in the centre, two throne like chairs on one side and two less extravagant chairs on the other. The royals took their seats on the throne like chairs while the two stallions took their seats, palace servants came to take their orders, the royal dining room functioning much like a restaurant, when their orders were taken the servants rushed to carry them out.

Luna spoke up towards the blue stallion across from her “Tell me about yourself Bass Rhythm” the owner of the name seemed a bit taken aback by the Princess’ interest “Well there isn’t much to tell your highness, I was born and raised in Canterlot, my father is in the Royal Canterlot symphony orchestra, and my mother is a model, I have a sister who is an opera singer and I’m just a DJ. I have several albums that sell well but nothing really to brag about and I’m currently in training. I enjoy parties and spending time with good friends I also have bad habits of drinking and smoking. But I’m slowly breaking my smoking habit, it’s no good if I’m coughing and spluttering every time I go for a gallop”

Luna nodded in silence before Celestia herself spoke up “Well I can tell from first impressions you are a very polite pony, you believe in a sense of justice and fairness, you care about your friends and you will go out of your way to help them. But you have problems close to home and I believe that before you can prosper and mature you will be forced to make amends. I suggest that you should put aside past problems and look to the future, this goes for Warsong as well” The ancient warrior nodded in agreement “ I agree your highness but I’m afraid Bladesinger cannot be reasoned with I can forgive him, but I cannot let him get away with his crimes.”

Celestia nodded slowly be frowned at Warsong “As he hasn’t gotten away with them, Luna’s paid for her war crimes. So couldn’t a thousand years in a different dimension do it for Bladesinger?” Warsong sighed “Maybe, it depends on his well-being when he returns, you can try the elements of harmony on him but I don’t think they’ll work on one that has a hunger for power in his heart, his condition and Luna’s condition are two completely different things, he wasn’t taken over by jealousy, he is completely conscious of his decision and ambition, how can you cure somepony that doesn’t want to be cured? How can you cure something when there isn’t something to be cured?”

Celestia’s gaze lowered slowly “I understand, if you feel so strongly about it, who am I to stop you?” Warsong smiled and placed his hoof over hers in a friendly gesture “You are a Princess of Equestria you have all the right in this world to stop me, but I won’t let you stop me…He is my brother…My responsibility.” Luna and Bass remained silent looking at each other before the food arrived Bass Rhythm deciding to speak up “Well I’d love to put in my two cents worth but I’m thinking we should give this excellent looking food some much needed attention don’t you agree?” Luna nodded “Yes we believe this food deserves thy attention”

The four of them began to eat in an awkward silence, Bass Rhythm met eyes with Luna, the Princess’ eyes seemed to tell Bass that they will talk later when their dinner was finished, Celestia and Warsong decided to retire to their rooms for rest, leaving Luna and Bass Rhythm to take the night watch, the two ponies walked through the halls of the palace, most of them empty except for the odd butler or maid doing night cleaning, they both walked in silence for some time before they stepped out onto a walkway located outside that connected one tower to another, the mistress of the night leaning against the railing with her hooves while Bass Rhythm stood not far behind.

“What happened back there?” Luna didn’t answer for a little while, looking up at the moon “We cannot really say, we knew little of what happened between those two during the war, we would imagine that there was something between them once, something very strong…But it’s gone now.” Bass moved up next to the Princess of the night his eyes following her gaze “I figured he was one of the two stallions she had to pick…Do you think she would have picked him if he hadn’t petrified himself?” Luna lowered her gaze to look at the stallion, their eyes meeting “Yes, we believe our sister would have chosen him…We know we would have if we were in her position.”

Bass Rhythm kept her gaze with his “What about you and Bladesinger?” Luna chuckled and looked down below the towers at the ground “We were not exactly in the loving mood a thousand years ago Bass Rhythm, but no we would not have. We prefer a different kind of stallion” she winked at him before she stepped away from the railing and continued to walk. A red blush fell over Bass’ face as he hurried to catch up.

“We have taken notice that in this time and age, the night life is more active than it was a thousand years ago. We asked thee here tonight if thee would be willing to show us the night life of Canterlot.” She turned to look down at him as he walked next to her “I would be honoured your highness, though I think it would be a good idea to probably disguise yourself, we don’t want too much attention, especially with how the paparazzi is these days”

“We see thy logic, what would thee suggest on our appearance?” Bass Rhythm frowned a little “How about a shorter version of yourself around my height and let your natural mane and tail out instead of the ethereal look. We will also need to lose the crown and jewellery and change your cutie mark” Luna’s eyes closed her form eventually began to shimmer and shrink, when she was at Bass’ height the shimmering stopped with Luna’s ethereal hair shimmering into nothing, her lighter blue curls replacing her ethereal mane, the hair having grown in length since her ‘purification’ her flank shimmered to be replaced by a full moon circle with a cloud half covering it, her horn disappearing from her forehead.

“Ah you chose to become a Pegasus, what shall I call you your highness?” Luna looked towards him, a smile coming to her face “Night sky sounds fitting wouldn’t thee agree?” she asked, her voice sounded slightly younger and more relaxed “Yes Night sky but you should also probably speak the modern dialect instead of old. Also refer to yourself as I not we and refrain from using the Canterlot voice” Luna frowned a bit before she spoke “How…About…This? I believe this should pass as a normal mare’s speech pattern.”

When they got ‘Night sky’s’ look and attitude sounding just right, they left the unguarded palace stepping out onto the streets of Canterlot walking to the entertainment district. It was after eight pm at night the streets were a bustle of night life activity with young ponies going to night clubs, bars or seedier joints. Luna wanted to run and see everything in one night, barely containing her excitement while Bass Rhythm walked next to her with a smile on his face.

He spotted a familiar looking figure on a poster, walking over to it while Luna was staring into the window of a night club, her nose pressed against the window with her hooves leaning against it with her. Bass Rhythm looked the poster over, it was an illustration of a white unicorn with a blue striped mane and wearing big purple lensed glasses the title of the event being called ‘Juicy beats’ with the main attraction being a DJ PON3 being held tonight at Club Hoof, he smiled knowing a perfect example of night life to show Princess Luna was this event.

He walked over to the Princess glancing into the night club to see what she saw, spotting a familiar unicorn mare at the turn table pumping her hoof into the air to the bumping music he smiled and stepped back a little to look up and see that the clubs name was Club Hoof, he looked to Luna placing a hoof on her shoulder “Come on we’ll go inside, there is someone I want you to meet” he led her to the Pegasus bouncers their wings blocking the way with the same ‘shing’ sound as the royal guard

“Back of the line” one of them said jerking his head to the line of ponies waiting to enter Luna’s eyes seemed to darken, the clouds above though unseen by the black of night began to broil above them before Bass Rhythm placed a hoof on the Princess’ shoulder “Hey guys it’s me Bass Rhythm aka DJ RHYTHM my friend here just wants to see the Canterlot night life she’s just come from Cloudsdale and wants to meet Vinyl Scratch” The bouncers wings folded after they peered closer to Bass and looks of recognition passed over them “Sorry sir, couldn’t recognise you without your spectacles and a cigarette in your mouth.” Said one of them as they were allowed entry, Bass Rhythm frowning at the comment the bouncer made before stepping inside with Luna.

< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQyV9yQjGu8 >

The music roared into their ears Luna gripping her ears with her eyes shut tight “What is this sorcery? It feels like war drums on my brain!” Bass Rhythm only broke out into laughter at Luna’s comment before he guided her over to the bar sitting down on one of the stools “We’ll get a drink before we head up to meet Scratch!” he called close to her ear so she could hear him over the music. Getting the attention of the barkeep Bass ordered a small bottle of liquor for himself and a bottle of hard cider for Princess Luna, when the bottles arrived Bass Rhythm took a few sips from his bottle, turning his gaze to see Princess Luna downing the bottle without taking a breath his eyes widened in disbelief.

“Buck me Night Sky I didn’t know you could drink!” Luna put the bottle down when it was empty taking a deep breath before winking at him “You never asked Bass Rhythm, now let’s meet this Vinyl Scratch” she rose from the stool forcing Bass to finish his drink quickly shaking his head as he made his way to the door back stage, stepping through without much trouble from security because of his reputation.

Stepping onto the stage the crowd recognised Bass Rhythm and the screams rose higher than the music as he raised a hoof in greeting Vinyl Scratch turned to see who it was and smiled noticing her old collage mate as he joined her at the turn table offering his hoof to be bumped “How you doing VS? Is the crowd good tonight?” Vinyl Scratch bumped his hoof with a smirk on her face “Oh it’s the usual but with you here I think they might just riot whose your friend? You finally settle down with a special somepony?”

Seeing Bass Rhythm blush caused her to laugh loudly as Luna spoke up offering her hoof “It’s nice to meet you Vinyl Scratch I’m Night Sky” when Vinyl Scratch bumped her hoof a look of confusion passed over Luna’s face as she looked at her hoof. Vinyl turned back to the turn table, a new record floating up and placing itself in place of another record the needle moving over to it as the song changed to a rising beat “Hey this is one of my songs” Bass Rhythm spoke up looking at the DJ “Yeah but it’s only an instrumental, I suggest you get out there and sing for them” a microphone floated up and into Bass Rhythms hoof he smiled at his friend before looking back at Luna and winked “Enjoy the show” he stepped out to the front of the stage as the screams of the crowd rose as he began to sing.

< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6BiXBBbp2s >

Clinging to your fever

Wash me down

Let me go to shiver

Spread it all around

His voice echoed after his last line as the beat lowered and began to rise to the chorus, Luna’s eyes widening at the sound of his voice.

Love get out of my way

Get out of my way

Love what ya doin’ to me

Love get out of my way

Get out of my way

Love what ya doin’ to me

Oooh

Pick me up I’m breakin’

Cool my mind

Still cold I’m aching

You know the kind

Right on course or we could crash

Love get out of my way

Get out of my way

Love what ya doin’ to me

Love get out of my way

Get out of my way

Love what ya doin’ to me

Oooh

The song kept a steady beat as the crowd screamed watching Bass Rhythm sing, Luna was dancing to the song next to

Vinyl Scratch who worked the turn table with a smile watching Bass

So love get out of my way

Get out of my way

Love what ya doin’ to me

As the song was ending Bass Rhythm repeated the same verse and when it ended the crowd cheered as Bass Rhythm held up the hoof that held the microphone before bringing it to his mouth “You’ve been a beautiful audience but it’s not about me tonight give it up for my main mare DJ PON3!” The crowd cheered in reply before the next song began to play, Bass turned and went to the others Luna hugging Bass Rhythm tightly “That was amazing I haven’t heard singing like that since Warsong sang that lament before the final charge at Old Canterlot”

Bass Rhythm was taken aback by Luna’s hug “Thank you Night Sky you don’t need to hug me though” Luna broke the hug and smiled at him “No I want to thank you for showing me a good time I’m really enjoying myself and it gladdens me to see ponies enjoying the night I bring” Vinyl Scratch frowned at them before Bass Rhythm quickly interjected before Luna’s cover was blown “Night Sky sometimes works the nightshifts for the weather patrol and she helps keep the skies clear”

Vinyl scratch nodded softly as she went back to the turn table “We should probably get going, go cool down somewhere” Luna frowned but nodded seeing how close her cover came to being blown, they left the club and went to several different bars and clubs Bass Rhythm showing Luna around the town they soon made their way into a Jazz club Bass Rhythm knew called the Gates of Tartarus, stepping inside they took a seat down at one of the tables ordering non-alcoholic drinks.

Luna smiled at the pony across from her who seemed a little tipsy from the consumption of alcohol however Luna didn’t seem fazed at all “That was really fun I’ve enjoyed tonight Bass Rhythm” The blue Unicorn smiled before shaking his head a little “Please call me Bass” Luna nodded as their drinks arrived, they drank in silence and listened to the jazz band playing music “So have you ever had a special somepony?” asked Luna curiously looking into her drink “Not really…I’ve been around, looking back on my life I’m not proud of some of the things I’ve done, the hearts I’ve broken…I ask myself now was it worth it?” Luna gazed at Bass “Was it worth it?”

Bass Rhythm simply shook his head “No it wasn’t…What about you? Any special somepony since you got back?” Luna sighed as she looked towards the jazz band “No, but I have my eyes on somepony but we’ll see where that leads me, even a thousand years ago I didn’t have time for a special somepony, just work, work and more work. Returning to my place as Princess of the night has had me realise how much has changed in this time, there is less problems in the world…It’s good, my sister has even started pulling pranks on me again just like we did when we were filly’s”

Bass Rhythm sat back in the chair taking a deep sip of his drink “I’m glad things are looking up, here’s to the Mistress of the Night” he rose his drink to her and finished it she smiled and raised her drink as well “Cheers”