“Yes, Moon.” Stride, the orange stallion spoke back with a whisper and a bit of care and warmth. His answer was directed to the owner of such golden glowing slit eyes that at first was half close but open wide as its owner gasped. “What? How did you-?” She tried to say but the words leaving her lips while her hooves removed themselves from Stride’s body and on the bed. The pressure on the bed evident that ‘Moon’ was about to leave when his horn glowed in crimson. Immediately, the glow banished the little shroud of darkness and allowed a radiant glow of crimson wash over their faces.

In a gasp, the face of a bat pony mare was evident and with it the identity of his late night visitor revealed to his eyes. Moon, his lover, his fiancé was looking back; ready to bolt, even when her identity shone. She was embarrassed, finally caught in the act of being her own husband’s late night rump. She was inwardly panicking, as she tries to step up her wings flap open as she tries to remove herself, embarrassed.

Stride, knowing the signs of his lover’s move, quickly hooked his front hooves around her neck, preventing her from leaving only increasing her panic. He knew her well that she won’t stop without a fight but he can only smile further. Moon was more focused on being caught that she did not notice her head being forced down by the hooves behind her neck. The two were locked in sight and with the continued descent, their lips meet, lips touching lips. Stride smiles within it, snorting happily while Moon sighs, the kiss being the universal sign between the two of them as calm down and some other more private meanings.

It was then that Stride and Moon, could just remember the moments, the many moments they shared such a kiss, their mouth warming up as they felt one another’s emotion, slipping past their lips and their tongue dancing in between them. Both ponies were moaning as they were locked in kiss, the memories flowing in.

______

“Yes!” Moon squealed as she planted a kiss on Stride’s lips, her hooves wrapped around his neck, forcing him closer to her. Her heart was excited, her mind boggling on many things about their future. “Ask it again to me, please” She added, planting more kisses on her stallion, barraging him so on his lips, cheeks and neck.

Stride could not help but smile, a bit taken back by her reaction but it was expected. His right hoof hugging her close as she continues to plant kisses while his other hoof held a simple purple box and open to show its content. “Will you please stop kissing for a moment for me to ask you once again?” He pleaded, though smiling still, kissing back when she were kissing his lips.

Moon stops, abruptly though excited still as she kept her smile, wide as it is. The two of them were at Stride’s balcony, looking over the sunset, though not yet out of the horizon, the two were celebrating their recent promotion, now lieutenants. The fact that their new training program resulted into more positive praise for the two from both the higher ups and the Captain turned Prince, Shining Armor through the recent months.

It was sudden that they became warrant officers just weeks after their program was implemented, though not surprising with the depression and the low esteem of the guard. Their petition was one victory, but through it, they gained multiple new victories along the way. There were now an equal ratio of stallions and mares, which increased the gender awareness in a matriarchal society, the Princesses agree that is a new sight to behold. The increase of activity of the guard, as their training proved to improve their self-esteem and their overall image within Canterlot and finally gaining back the respect of the ponies, even from other towns and settlements of Equestria.

Stride and Moon had worked their squads in tangent, opting to make good relations with Royal Guards and Lunar guards. The added bonus was the increase in the friendly and pair-ups of bat ponies integrating with the society. This only fueled the two to look at their new found love to be a stepping stone to understanding as bat ponies were thought wrong with the misconceptions. Still, there were sights of bat pony stallions courting mares within the castle and out in public.

Stride’s contribution was forming new magic spells, though not that extensive as it was. His specialty with magic was focused most at illuminations. The ‘Light-Reflect’ spell, still working on a proper name, made unicorn ponies essential in many night time duties. The spell worked both to illuminate the area, dimly but at the same time, it had an increase effect on making any other thing, pony or otherwise, looking at the caster for a period of time will cause any onlooker's eyes to glow in the darkness, which costs many nocturnal predators a slight fright and temporary blindness.

Moon’s contribution in line with the bat ponies were making sure her kind had less herding amongst them and of social flexibility. The fact that the bat pony mare were the ones hunting for stallions prove that they were interested to find what they can explore in what a unicorn or an earth pony can offer. She also made positive progress in changing the misconception and to further add trading routes to the Hollow Shade, a cave town they call home.

Moon moves back, smiling wide still, her fangs shining against the orange glow of the setting sun as she waited for Stride. Stride could not help but smile back as he looks down at the box. The box contained a simple purple bracelet that can fit into a mare’s hoof but the gem that was imbedded on was Topaz, not the usual Diamond. Still he leans close to her, raising his one hoof, with the box and he started.

“Moon Glider, bat Pony of my dreams. Will you marry me and make me the happiest Stallion there is?” He said, voice toned down, adding an attractive effect of emotional suspense and love that he wanted to project to her. Moon was beside herself, tears streaming slowly in her eyes as she looks at Stride, her response a bit held but still, she could not help but look at him. “Yes! Hoof Strider. Yes, I will marry you!” She said smiling wide as if the second time he asked was still just as powerful as the first.

The two were once again in a hug as Moon planted kisses after kisses on his orange cheeks and neck. Stride could not help but keep smiling as he kisses her back. The two stop, eyes locked to one another as they paused. Their love had blossomed so well that it was surreal. He was an ordinary orange coat, sky blue mane, ruby eyed unicorn stallion and he won this mare over when he offered his bunk to her. Moon felt the same, the purple coat, purple mane and topaz yellow eyed bat pony mare could not help but shed a tear or too.

Stride smiles, his free hoof wiping her tears away and hold one of her blushing cheeks. Moon returned the gesture, by raising a hoof to his cheek; mirroring his while another held his hoof closer to her, balancing with him. Soon the two were inching closer, the sunset reaching its end as the rays of light start to dwindle and the orange sky turning slowly to the night indigo painted with stars. Their eyes close as their lips met, soft against the other, their breaths warm as they kept their love. Their bodies respond to stay still, the kiss deep with so much meaning for the two, their hearts racing inside of them.

They savored the moment, moaning to one another’s lips, nothing special, not tongue or even a glint of move from the two. Stride felt joy and happiness waffle his form, body shivering a bit as the warmth washed over him. Moon fared just as so, her wings flaps open wide, spread so that she may look like an angel of the night.

The two finally stop, Moon’s wings tucked. Both gasping for air once they parted, the two forgot to breathe in the climax of the moment. Still the little rays of orange made both ponies look at one another. Both returned their hooves to the floor but Stride kept one raised as the instructed for Moon to give one of her hoof. Without an audible comply, she raised her right hoof, offering it so to Stride, where he slipped the bracelet on her.

As he finishes, he tucks the box away in a saddlebag behind him and look at Moon. She was admiring the engagement bracelet and looking at the gem on it. It was not that big, but it was not that small, it was sized well enough that you would notice it first before the bracelet. Stride wanted to speak further, their silent celebration only interrupted when he gave out a very loud and strong yawn.

This made Moon look up at him, giggling at him, making the stallion blush even when the bright light was gone. “Well, better get some rest Lieutenant.” She said though a trail of giggles followed. He could not help but laugh lightly with her. “We’d best rest, I’m sure you want to show that rock to the mares under you.” He said opening the door for her to enter.

Moon bows and nuzzles Stride before entering and for him to close behind him. “Are you going to plan the wedding?” He asked her as he looks over his armor finding it still in display, beside her own set. “Not now. Recently engaged is in my mind right now” She said as she looks over to her armor, starting to take it away.

“Well, why don’t you sleep with me tonight?” He asked her, looking at her so. Moon stops, thinking about his offer. She smiled a bit as she looks back at him, her eyes shining a bit in the darkness. “You know what? I will take that offer.” She said, smiling as she trotted over to the bed, diving on it, and her hooves quickly stealing one of the two pillows on the queen sized bed.

Stride could already see himself sleeping with such a mare. He takes his time getting to bed and under the covers as Moon kept the pillow near her snout, nose smelling the aroma of Stride. “Hm… I just now realized how attractive your scent is…” She said, sending a growl at Stride. He was taken aback a bit by that response but found himself lying down on his side, facing her. “Well, that’s the first time someone told me that.” He said as Moon took her spot, lying down facing him at her side, the pillow in her hooves now at her head as she rests close to him.

But before anything, Moon looked through the bedside drawer and fetched a special ball with a sizable hole that ends within it. “Don’t forget about this!” She said as she moves the ball up and at Stride’s horn and she made a popping sound as if concealing a hole on the tip of his horn when in fact it looked like a tennis ball got stuck on the tip of his horn. “Really? Do you need to add the popping sound whenever you do that?” He said to her, raising one brow as he looked up at himself, the tennis ball visible in his line of vision.

Moon could not help but smile at the joke like sleep accessory. “Well, it makes up to remove half the laugh I have at seeing you like that.” She said, giggling at him. “Besides, don’t want to poke your fiancé’s eye out now.” She warned sarcastically as she lies down, hugging him close to her, head resting at his neck and her pillow. Stride could not help but just smile, a hoof above her, keeping her safe with him. “Good night beautiful…” He told her in a whisper, kissing her forehead as sleep was more important now. “Good night… my handsome stallion.” She whispered back, licking his neck some. The two were resting comfortably, making their love solid through sleep.

The next few days were not eventful, unless you accounted for the flocking mares, all four kinds questioning the superior officer who had a shining new accessory with her armor. “Yes, I’m engaged…” Moon happily announced to all of them as she raised her hoof, showing them the bracelet. Many of the girls look in awe, others giggle and sigh, a few felt like drama queens who wanted their stallions to do that to them. Even the bat pony mare were wondering how they would fare when they found a stallion similar to Stride.

Stride was having a similar thing happen to him. The stallions were smiling wide, grinning even as they congratulate the lucky stallion. “Okay, who told you all that?” He said, trying to act stern though his face kept a very happy smile, negating the effect as this earned him a many laughs from his soldiers and the remaining few who were his fellow recruits. The news spread quickly, thanks to mares being the mares that they are, gossiping inside when off duty though serious and stoic when on duty.

Still, the news quickly spread, from one soldier to another, stallion or mare, to the castle hoofs, to the chefs and even to the princesses who were happy to hear such romance even in a serious area of the castle. Though, Princess Luna had known for some about it as she can cross to the dreamscape and find the two dreaming of each other.

As the few days ended, did Stride and Moon took pleasure in cuddling and nuzzling in either lover’s room. True to their love they have started to plan the wedding, though at most times, Stride was kept in the dark about it since Moon insisted she work on it. Still, it was a good day for him and for her, their love moving to the next step as it were.

____________

Unfortunately, as all newly engaged couple’s fears and of course taking the next step without their parental notice was the greatest oversight they have ever done. “My parents are first!?” Moon said with a wry smile and somewhat shouting in their now shared bedroom. Due to the gossiping antics of the mares, news was quick and arrangements were done in swift fashion. To say the least the two were sharing the queen sized bed, in Moon’s original room, as Stride opt to move in with her, so to speak.

“Yeah, I mean, my parents are easy going and I thought, a lot more reasonable for the stallion to meet the mare’s family first.” Stride explained as he was confident his family and parents wouldn’t mind him skipping on them being in the know of his relationships in Canterlot. Moon looked at him, a bit disdained about his suggestion. “But you have no idea how my family would react.” She argued trying to dissuade him from his idea.

“Oh, and what can make your parents react badly to me?” Stride said with confidence and with a smug look. “React? More like what they’d do to you. They are the ‘pure blooded’ bat pony kind of parents!” She said somewhat screaming, her hooves flailing above her as she tries to inject how bad the visit would be. She even planted her hooves at her face as she tries to hide herself under a pillow, flank raised towards Stride.

Stride, as much as a stallion as he can be, knew well enough about the ‘pure’ bred idealism most ponies have, especially Earth ponies, who wanted a farm based family, Unicorns, wanting to keep their aristocratic status, Pegasi, keeping themselves airborne and within Cloudsdale but for the love of him, he does have a hunch it has something to do with keeping safe in the Hollow Shade. “Come now Moon Glider, I can’t have you chickening out on me.” He told her taking a hold of her tail, tugging it with his teeth lightly, dragging her whole body to slide against their bed, messing the covers greatly.

“No! I will not allow you to meet my parents!” She protested under the pillow, muffled a bit but understandable still. Stride could only sigh as he sees his soon-to-be wife was making it difficult. “It’s just a visit, I’m sure they can… understand given time.” He said with tone caring and persuasive as he can muster. “Understand, they won’t learn to understand!” She said, popping her head out of her cover to stand upright and right in Stride’s face, eyes watering so.

Stride could tell, this will be one serious and emotional subject as he stayed still, keeping quiet and looking at her. “Look, Stride, I love you and that’s not going to change. But my parents, my parents are too thick minded and their thoughts locked in the past.” She started as she wipes her tears away, sniffing a bit. Stride moves closer, hugging her so. “Well, why don’t you want to go? I mean, visiting home is something important, even if your family disagrees with you.” Stride tried to debate and reason with her but only to strengthen her persuasion to deny leaving.

“Stride, you have no idea what a bat pony’s lifestyle is.” She said looking up at him, as her lover looked and listened intently. “The bat ponies have always been loyal to Luna, and waited for her to return from her banishment. We are ponies of the night, we always were. We live in caves, ones found in mountains and such. The Hollow Shade is the only major settlement my kind has prospered in recent times.” She said remembering her home, dark as it was, even when there were two cave entrances to act like a pathway to and through their home.

“But what you don’t know is how me, mares in general are. We are allowed to be free like any stallion. We are all a close community, knowing who is who even in the darkness. We recognize each one of us like one big family. Though Stallions of our kind are welcome to do as they please, the Lunar Guard for example, they can be allowed to marry any mare, regardless of what type of pony they are. Mares, we are forced to take the burden to keep ourselves from taking any stallion from any other type. They say we are the only ones capable of keeping our kind alive and it was through this stone cold rule that we mares are to take a stallion of our kind without question or bring shame to the family.” She said, again, her eyes starting to water, the predicament she was in greatly resembled her shame that is to come to her.

Stride took the details she said, keeping it deep in his mind, knowing full well to keep quiet, to listen to her and wait for her to finish as he kept close, nuzzling her affectionately. “Thanks…” She said as she sniffs once. “I was in those family, I have three other siblings, one older brother, and two younger sisters. My older brother was caring and soft-hearted, and it was only thanks to him being the only male my parents did not ask questions nor did they force him to act like the rest. He’s already taken a mare, an Earth pony if I recall. Still, that did not change their opinion of me and my sisters. They taught us our role, my mother even, supporting our father.”

She said as she hugs Stride closer, wanting to forget but she knew very well, that he needed to know. Her heart was beating painfully as the memories of her past acting like scary images. “I was the eldest and of their daughters, I always felt the blunt of their teachings, their expectations. It was too much for me, but I knew I needed to endure it for the sake of my younger sisters. But as time grew so did they start to realize I was being hard-headed. I was a rebel, one thing they did not need. Of course they can tell that I did not want to. But enough was enough and I ran away…” She said while the tears in her eyes once again stream down her face, flowing greatly as she remembered hearing her parents shout out, saying that she has shamed them, though the love they give was based on their expectation of her and not of her true self.

She cried some, her eyes water and such spilling from her cheeks onto Stride’s own coat, matting them both on the trail. Stride kept close, his heart painful now, feeling her emotions etch its way into his. Now it somehow made sense but so did it make him wonder, did her parents know her accomplishments now. After a few hiccups from Moon, she continues once more, her front hooves hugging Stride more, sinking her face into his neck.

Her body shivering, “As I ran away I joined the Royal Guard, wanting to prove myself and to my parents I can achieve anything beyond their old ways. But as I did, I notice there were not that many mares and I was the only mare in the Lunar recruits. Do you remember the first time we met?” She said, her voice though shivering was still smiling as she looks up to him.

“I do Moon, you were easy to anger, you were always defending yourself as if you proved you can handle it. Yet the first night we met, I gave you my bunk…” He said to her, kissing her nose waiting for her to answer. “I really proved that I was not one very interesting mare, yet you were kind to me… even staying on the floor just so I can lie down on your bunk. Why?” She asked as she never did ask this before.

Stride could not help but smile at this. “At first, I was thinking, ‘what kind of mare shouts about bunk arrangements when we were all tired?’ Of course, I was tired and I thought you were one hot-headed mare, but then my tired brain told me, shut her up, give her your bunk even. Just get some sleep.” He said, making special voice over his brain and the thought. This earned him a giggle from Moon. “And look where it got us?” He added, smiling down at her.

She could not help but smile and giggle up to him. “Yeah, at first I was thinking, this male wanted to just get into my good side, but seeing you take the floor without a second thought, and you directing me as any other mare and not a special pony. It made me think, this is what I was looking for… a life where I don’t have to be seen as another mare of the bat ponies, but another guard.” She said happily, the tears quickly drying up.

The two stayed together, not letting each other go but of course they needed to sooner or later. “But Moon, that was such a long period of time. I’m sure your parents would change by this time?” Stride said arguing with her some as he looks down at her. Moon, giving a bit of annoying growl looked sharply back up at him. “Darn it Stride, why did you have to ruin the moment!?” She complained to him, pouting a bit. “Come on Moon, We were in the headlines, in the paper as honorably mention soldiers who reacted as needed in Shining Armor’s wedding, we gained fame inside and within Canterlot for providing the renewed training program and now, we are both Lieutenants, with juicy news about us being a pair all this time.” He argued, making Moon looks away, thinking about the options that could possibly happen if her parents heard any one.

After a long pause, silence in the room as the two lovers waited. Moon was debating within her own mind, the choices, the consequences and even the conditions now as she made up her mind. “Fine! We can visit my parents but.” She said before Stride could cheer and kiss her. “On two conditions, you have to let me take the reign of the relationship, sometime in the future.” She said sternly, and her eyes flashing of hunger at the orange stallion which Stride can happily nod to. “Second, if my parents say that I have shamed them, you will have to kiss my flank ‘sorry for doubting you’ for the rest of the day, in our room, when we return.” She said while making sure she got her point through. Stride went wide eye with the conditions but smiles nonetheless. “I agree to the terms. When shall we visit?” he said, looking at the clock nearby, seeing it was past 7 and the skyline outside dark, the moon shining in the sky.

“NOW!” Moon said, her renewed vigor taking the wheel as she started to make plans. Stride could not help but smile, the day they visit her parents will be one interesting trip.

_____

In the early time of morning, even before Celestia would raise her sun, the coupe were taking a train ride to the eastern section, thankfully, it wasn’t a long ride. The second stop was near a small town by the Hollow Shade, who welcome all ponies and the birth place of most bat ponies today. Stride and Moon disembark their train; Stride levitating their only luggage with his magic and draped them on his back as both were large enough to act as saddlebags. Many of the ponies at the station looked weird at them, having worn light armor, akin to Royal Guards who were sent to the frontier sections of Equestria.

Though many whispered about them, the pair was not actually on duty. Moon certainly looked worried some but the condition about her lover to kiss her flank for the whole day seem to enlighten her and strengthen her courage for the matter. Stride was not really fazed though worried that him and her being here may affect Moon greatly, the fact she was looking and darting her sights at onlookers may have something to do with her worry.

They soon move about, leaving the station and entering the village proper where ponies of all kinds were moving about, them arriving late morning to see the ponies go to their works and plans for the day. Though the sight of two Royal Guard ponies, one orange unicorn and one on edged bat pony made them gossip among them. “You seem about right with the closed community…” Stride whispers to his lover as she looks at them, seeing some of her kind in the crowd or so.

“Well, this is one of them; my community is more closed than this.” She answered back to him as they passed the small village, the bat ponies look on, those who work in the day, stare with wide eyes and gasping under their breath. Nearing the edge of the settlement and into the dirt road, one bat pony flew fast, circling the two, wings flapping with near abandon as she blocked their path for one second. As she landed, she looked, wide eye, checking on Moon the most.

Stride could not help but feel this is the first wave of bat ponies to recognize Moon though odd to see this pony’s cutie mark was a white leaf. Moon was in a similar state of mind, looking at the bat pony, unsure about why she was there. Then with a voice, near a squeak of youth, though a trail of near marehood age, she asked, “Moon? Moon Glider?” She said, her body trotting slowly to Moon. Moon was stunned as to who can recognize her so quickly.

“Yes…?” Moon answered, treading lightly as she does not want to start a conflict this early in the morning. “It’s me… Meadow, sister” She said, her eyes shining brightly, with joy hearing ‘yes’ escape Moon’s lips. Right then and there did Moon realize who this pony was, “Meadow? Meadow! Sister!” Moon shouted as the two bat ponies, purple as they are, rushed into a hug, wings flapping with joy and bliss as the sisters giggle and squealed with delight. The two spun as they hop and hop, flying off the ground a bit as they soon finishes within minutes of a time.

“Moon, it’s so nice to see you again!” the sister cried as she looks at Moon with care and affection. Stride could tell this is one of Moon’s younger sisters as Meadow asked with sister in abundant. He chose not to intervene in the sibling hug as Moon and Meadow traded kisses at each other’s cheek. The two were in such joyous content and when they were done Meadow glanced and saw Stride staying in place.

“Oh my, Moon, is that your… special somepony?” Meadow asked her eyes wide and curious about it. “If I tell you… will you keep it away from dad?” Moon asked her younger sibling, who in fact made the young mare raise a brow. “Why should I?” She replied catching both Guard pony to look at her in wonder. “Why? I know dad very well to be against us three getting somepony that’s other than our kind.” She wondered at her sister, checking to see if this really was Meadow.

Meadow took the hint of worry and finally realizing it. “Oh! You don’t know, right, I forgot, we never did send you a letter.” She cried with a tongue out and playful knock on her head. “Dad, will be overjoyed to hear you came back and with such a stallion. He and mom both were devastated when you ran away. They practically froze and stopped, thinking if they did that to me and Lucy, we’d run off too.” She said with a smile.

Moon was caught off guard by this revelation that she can nearly just cry, hearing the news. “That’s good to hear…” She sniffled some as beads start to build in the corner of her eyes. Stride took this moment to comfort his lover, leaning close to her and rubbing her tears away. “And he’s mighty proud of you…” Meadow added, this time, surprising the two Guard ponies. “What?!” was their response.

“Come on, I’m sure he and mom will be glad to see their daughter a Lieutenant of the Lunar Guard!” She cried happily as she turns about, looking back at them, smiling still. Moon could not help but smile as she and Stride walked on following the young mare. “How did you know?” Moon asked her younger sibling as they made their way on the dirt path and towards a mountain with its base open wide for a cave.

“Right, news quickly gets to us sis. Come on, we are near Canterlot to know the happenings to it. Surprising to say you were given honors, even for a recruit in that wedding some several months ago.” Meadow mused about, wings flapping with joy as she kept her smile plastered onto her face. “But what about your Special Somepony? Who is he?” Meadow added as she looked to Stride, upwards a bit as the stallion was a bit tall but slender and not that bulky due to his pony type as unicorn.

“I’m Stride, I’m Moon’s special somepony.” He answered though not yet ready to spill the engagement status between him and Moon. At his mention of his name did Meadow stop in her tracks, making the couple stop as well, behind her so, but very near the cave entry. “You wouldn’t happen to be, no it can be you, you’re Stride, the Lieutenant of the Royal Guard!” She exclaimed as she dashed between the two catching them in either of her hooves hugging the two.

“I did not know you dated him, I thought it was all the presses’ idea of a Royal Guard affair but to see you two here and admit to being each others’ special somepony. Oh, wait till Lucy hears about this.” Meadow said excitedly as she moved the couple inside the cave only for Stride to gasp at the sight before him.

Inside the cave was not just a tunnel but a near hollowed out mountain, the chamber was wide, big and cone-shaped. From the walls, ground to top, were other caves, acting like sections for homes as bat ponies lounge or were flying about in the extra space. But what caught Stride’s attention the most was the dimly lit crystal that hang from the ceiling, its faint white-blue illumination keeping the cave visible but dark enough that the bat ponies would not be blinded.

His awestruck look, looking up with his mouth hanging open caused the two sisters to giggle, making the Royal Guard lieutenant to cough, blushing under his coat, in embarrassment. Moon smiles seeing her lover in such a spell was rare to see, though she has seen him stare at her flank when they bath together. “So… Where is your family’s cave?” Stride asked, seeing that the bat ponies were now looking at him, the only eye sore in the dark lit cave full of bat ponies.

Meadow giggles as she flaps her wings, body now flying off the ground. “I can show you, but then how are you getting there?” She asked as she starts to ascend higher. “I have my way there.” He replied as Meadow could only shrug, leaving for the cave. “I’m sure you can, wait here while I land, then you can do your thing.” Moon spoke with Stride about the accommodation and the obstacle before hoof. Stride did not need to respond as Moon made a flight up the many caves, surprising many of the flying bat ponies with how fast and how precise she was in her flight.

Stride concentrated, thinking to himself for a moment, tracking the anchor of magic he placed on his lover’s forehead. He knew his teleportation spell well, as he has kept this in case of emergencies and his first anchor will always be his lover. With his eyes closed, many of the on lookers were wondering what the unicorn was planning, their own yellow slit eyes staring at him. Stride can feel their eyes, watching and somehow piercing his body. His focus detected the anchor still and that was his cue. His horn glow a faint crimson and within moments, he casts his spell, with a pop, soft but sudden he disappears from where he stood to stand beside Moon in the cave and it was just then that Meadow arrived.

“What? Unicorn spell, I really forgot about that.” Meadow said in her midflight up as she landed next to Moon’s free side. “I’m so glad you’re back sis. I can’t wait to see mom and dad’s reaction.” She added. “I’m home! Lucy! Mom! Dad! Guess what I saw today!” She said trotting forward into the cave section the Glider family lived in. Moon gave a slight blush on her side, a bit nervous and unprepared, wings tucked tighter than her supposed armor. Stride took his time, trying to calm himself, looking at the décor in the cave.

True, they live in a cave but still, it had essentials. There was a dining table, cupboards in the same cave section to store their dry goods, some photos that were visible and hanging from the wall, small sections of the cave with the same glow crystal from the main chamber and they were in fact in the living room and dining room section. Stride wondered if they have cooking items in their home since these caves are home to bat ponies and living harmoniously with a village for the train station, while being a farm productive society today.

As the shouting for the Glider family came, out from one of the hallways was a young filly, trotting out and looking excited! “Meadow! Big sis! What is it? What is it?” The filly, who Stride knew as Lucy, quickly rushed through and hugs Meadow’s forehoof. Her enthusiasm to being a young sister was not unnoticed, nor were how she looked, surprising Stride greatly.

This filly, though a bat pony, looked like any ordinary filly. She was small, stature relatively thin and soft to the eyes. While she had a blank flank, she still had that undeniable energy all young foals had. This made the Stallion smile, seeing himself with such a rambunctious little thing as his daughter. True, she may have a light coat of indigo and black mane and tail but she shone innocently with those clear blue eyes.

Meadow and Lucy hugged one another and sure enough a new set of hooves were walking and nearing the living room. Then came a more lovely and motherly tone, with a dab of aggressive love from said hallway, “Oh Meadow, what did you see?” The mare asked as she popped out first, her eyes closed with a smile on her face. Evidently, a bat pony mare came out, this time lean in body structure yet keeping obvious mare features such as slender legs and a rounder snout. She looked as though she has trained all her life yet not in the way Stride and Moon trained, yet it was odd, her coat being a dark shade of blue and her mane and tail was an alluring white with a hint of silver.

Then came a more aggressive tone, deep and demanding though soft at the after tone, “I hope you aren’t making up another coltfriend.” This time a sturdy looking, stoic bat pony stallion came out. His form gave off authority yet care as he trotted into the living room, his coat a misty purple, near similar to Moon’s but his mane and tail were an equal faded purple as Moon’s confirming he was Moon’s father, though his eyes gave a menacing blood red slit eyes.

The family’s appearance rendered Stride and Moon choose to stand in their position. Moon was more embarrassed, her body shrinking, not really wanting to see her father while Stride was worried he might make a bad first impression. Once the family gathered did the filly notice the couple. She first stared at Moon, intently as if identifying her which only made the filly smile wide, showing her canines. “Big sister, Moon” She shouted in joy, innocently as she literally zipped past Meadow and nearly tackles Moon, making said mare winded for a second though catching the mare.

Moon walked forward as she saw the family so. The parents flinch and quickly look to where the youngest went and saw that Lucy hugged Moon tightly. The mother started to cry, now showing her golden yellow eyes, a forehoof covering her mouth as she wanted to cry. The Stallion’s response was his eyes going wide, irises shrinking some his surprise evident.

Meadow chose not to hug her sister some as Moon’s eye started to water, unsure about her parents’ response. Meadow’s mother took the lead and quickly cups Moon’s cheeks, looking down at her, checking her features and such. But after a slight check, “Hello mother…” She trailed as the mother and daughter shared a hug, both mares crying their eyes out. That was until they broke away that the father, a bit shaken but nonetheless looking serious stared right at Moon.

Moon shook once at his sight, unsure about her father’s look. She knew her father before and was now unsure about now. “Dad… I-” She tried to start but was surprised as the father quickly hugged her, front hooves wrapping to her neck, his snout resting at one of her ears. “I’m sorry Moon… I’m sorry I forced you away….” He whispered though his little hiccups of cries were evident as the whole family was in a heap of tears. “Dad… really… I’m sorry too.” She answered back, her own hooves hugging her own father warmly.

“No, no, I was at fault first. I was pushing you too hard. And look where that brought you, into the Lunar Guard, Lieutenant even… but now that you are here…” He said, still having some tears trickle slowly, down at his face, his own heart, no all of theirs beating in a pained but joyous at seeing her. “Welcome home Moon.” He finally said, with a smile on his snout and before anything the Glider family went into a family hug, their own lives reconnecting, rebuilding some. They basked in the familial love, taking in the warmth as they held one another. The moment being savored as Moon, for the first time, since she ran away, the months she left were filled with worry about her family, even when she was loved by Stride, but now, now she felt complete, her confidence rebuilding and her own mind made up.

As the family broke away from the group hug did they try to wipe their tears away until the mother saw Strider, who stood still at the scene letting them finish. “Oh my! Moon, you brought company.” Her gasp made the family look at the lone unicorn in the cave. Now this is where Stride felt like shrinking as he seemed like the one left out. Moon smiled and the father was looking at the Unicorn sternly like this was unusual for her to do so.

“Quiet a dashing young stallion Moon.” Moon’s mother added making Moon blush and Stride, though his was hidden in his orange coat. “And who might you be?” The mother inquired now, the father staying put looking at the stallion skeptical still. Stride bowed a bit. “Good… day Ma’am, I’m just here escorting Lieutenant Moon Glider to her home of residence.” He said with a smile, making Moon look embarrassed that he said that first.

“Oh really? Then you are just about to leave?” Moon’s father added as he recognized the unicorn stallion from somewhere. Stride shook his head, “No sir, I am to stay with Moon as we have agreed upon, prior to arriving here.” He said with straightforward and a gentlecolt stature. Moon’s mother was taken aback by his response. “Prior to your agreement? Then who are you to her?” She asked which made both parents raise their brows some.

Moon chose this time to trot over beside Stride and lean close to him. “He’s my fiancé.” She announced which made a large pause of silence for the Glider family. The father was staring his brows lowering starting to close his eyes in anger while the mother kept her eyes wide, even Meadow’s followed while Lucy cheered in joy, disregarding the silence. “Yeah! I have another big brother!!!” She cheered trotting close to her sister and her fiancé. “But who are you?” The filly inquiring more so to Stride’s identity to the family.

Stride smirks wide, Moon smiling still. “If you have news about Moon being Lieutenant, then I am sure you have heard of the article about Lieutenant Moon having an affair in the Royal Guard.” He started, which the mares and the stallion nods slowly. “Well, I am Lieutenant Hoof Strider. And I am your daughters Fiance.” He answered to all of them. HE looks down at Lucy with a smile. “You can call me Big brother Stride.” HE said with a smile on his face, the filly cheering with joy hugging his neck.

At the revelation, the parents gasps, Meadow included, at realizing that they have read that recently and now were relax, fully aware who they were talking to. The father gave a very wide grin about it while the mother, could only stare at the two seeing them together now makes perfect sense about their love. Meadow could only feel envy and joy for her sister. “Nice find sis.” Meadow answered snapping the whole family.

“Okay, Stride I haven’t introduced to you my parents.” Moon started moving him along to her parents. Sure enough Moon and Stride look at the parents with smiles. “Mom, Dad, this is Hoof Strider, or Stride, my fellow Lieutenant and fiancé.” She announced happily, freely telling her parents so. Moon looks back to Stride. “Stride, meet my father, Blood Glider, and my mother, Moon Gaze.” She said happily, inwardly sighing of relief as she was happy to let this weight off her chest.

“It is a pleasure to meet you two.” Stride bows once more to the two older ponies. “My, such manners, I believe our daughter may have caught herself the perfect stallion.” Moon Gaze said with a wide smile looking up to Blood. Blood was smiling, finding out his daughter AND son-in-law to be Royal Guard Lieutenants to be such high honors. “Yes, and I am happy to say you, Moon, have made me and your mother proud. Forget about the old rules that made you hate us so. I feel that you have just made this family more proud than ever before.” Blood announced happily.

Moon could not help but smile and smile, eyes watering a bit but with Stride beside her, she could not help but look on with joy, her family accepting Stride. “Now, about your stay… will you two be staying in Moon’s old chamber?” Moon Gaze asked with a smile, sending a message to the pair. She received Moon’s embarrassment and Stride’s intrigue as response. The mother took the latter response and guides the couple to Moon’s old bedroom.

Turning into one cave entry to another they soon were in another small cave, an alcove where lies a white four poster bed with mattress and blanket, though the size was only good enough to fit one and a half a stallion’s size. “Now it isn’t really much, but we did fit a bed here.” Moon Gaze said proudly. Moon moves slowly towards her old bed and surprising enough it looked clean and… new…

“Mom… why is my bed well kept and maintained?” Moon asked checking over said bed, finding the mattress wholesome through the months and not even a speck of duck on it yet as the faint glow crystals that litter the walls made good enough lights for Stride to look over said bed and notice that there was nothing odd about it, it was dry and cool, no speck of dust to feel.

The couple looks at the more mature mare as she smiles warmly at Moon. “Well, when you ran away, your father and I were furious at first. We thought that you were to shame us with taking in another pony or something, as that was the more obvious reasons, but for the longest time, He and I thought hard about… everything.” She said near solemnly but still keeping it heartfelt.

“We thought things over, and thought hard about what you said storming off to who knows where. Of course, we didn’t know you joined the Royal Guard, after the wedding fiasco and seeing your name along with another recruit, you were seen as heroes of the moment. We took pride over that and well, we thought, ‘What if we broke a few old traditions? Today is an entirely different era’. Your father and I saw you smile wide and proud. We too felt proud and with it, we were the first to, break away from the old ways.”

She said looking at Moon more now Stride keeping himself back, the family moment came back. Before Moon Gaze could continue, Blood came by. “And that’s when we started to change our neighbors and the whole of Hollow Shade. It was also that time we fixed your room and kept it as tidy when you decide to come home, though we doubted it, as we knew you hated us for forcing it to you.” He said standing beside his wife.

“But it did help our cause when your articles came about here, news of your work and your continued effort in Canterlot, from the Wedding Invasion, to the Royal Guard promotional catapults, the Royal Guard training program and finally, the Lieutenant of the Guard having an affair with her fellow Lieutenant.” Blood said with a smile on his face now as Moon and Stride grin with confidence and bit of embarrassment that they did so for the press to avert their attention from the near downfall of the Royal Guard.

“So here we are you two, REALLY engaged and the romance in the press no longer a rumor.” Moon Gaze finished as she looked at Moon smiling warmly while Blood kept a sharp but very approving look at Stride. The young couple could only smile at the older couple. “Thanks mom…” Moon said, trotting over to hug her parents. “And for the record… I forgiven you two months ago, I was just worried that you two were still the same…” She said that made the parents look at the only unicorn in the room. “Well he is a keeper…” Moon Glider said making the younger retort, “Don’t hit on my soon to be!” The room erupts with a round of laughs.

_____

Dinner came by quickly, with assortments of meat, greens and bread they ate. Stride was not fazed by the meat in the table, he has expected it ever since he has fallen for Moon, but he still avoided eating it, unicorn, pegasi and earth pony diet were vegetarian, while bat ponies can eat meat and fruits, they still had to consider having meat in their diet.

That was when the Glider family started to ask question after question. Obviously, how they first met, they recounted the events of them having to share a bunk, making the parents look weird at them while the younger sisters make such ‘oh’ sounds. Then the events of the wedding, at first the Glider family thought it was a disastrous idea to ask, but Moon and Stride answered to the best of their ability. How the Royal Guard were basically frozen on the spot seeing bed time stories for foals turn into reality.

The youngest of the family did not gasp about the said realization, she only retorted with a, “I told you so!” a typical foal response about their monsters. The couple added also the incident with Moon, having her left hind hoof bitten, and numb to the feel, also a paralyzing spell that hit her. The parents were at a gasp, the sisters still, the suspense building.

That was Stride’s cue to enter but Moon quickly answered, her explanation in her perspective was funny at first. She said how Gallant Stride looked, when he looked like any ruffian of a pony would be when sent into military school, or in this case, the Royal Guard and how he shone bright like a hero from the battle. That was when Stride stops her so and saying hee just used a barrier spell as a ramming shield and went into her side. They wanted to skip the infirmary event, but Blood was very observant and pried them to admit it.

Moon was bedridden, the paralyzing spell rendered her hind hoof, to be numb and nearly immobile, though she can fly, the doctors told her not to do so or the spell might reactivate with sudden muscle spasms or activity. Stride admitted that that’s when he kept close to her. He admitted it felt right and it made sense, he and she kept sharing the bunk in their sleeping quarters, he and she were closer as he sacrificed his back just so she can keep quiet.

This made the loving couple lean closer to one another, the parents smiling, Meadow and Lucy look with awe. The two composed back, from the love spell and continue retelling their petition ideas, explaining it to Blood most of it as he was interested in hearing how this would change the outcome. Sure the results were evident but Blood wanted to know how to better himself and protecting their home more.

The storytelling finally ended with them promoted to Lieutenant, the marriage proposal and them visiting the mare’s family first. All in all it pieced together what time the Glider family missed with their eldest daughter. But one question remained in Moon’s head. “Mom, where’s my big brother, Fang?” Thankfully the response, Fang is busy living with his wife. This caused Moon to smile as she was informed further that they told him just now about her visiting and he was available tomorrow morning. The mare was happy to hear, Stride kept smiling for Moon, seeing her now express her emotional conflict with her parents gone and now she was getting excited in seeing Fang again. They excused themselves from that point and now the two were resting down on Moon’s bed, though Stride was the one resting on the bed, belly up, while Moon was resting her own belly against his.

____

“That was one interesting dinner… Though I missed lunch…” Stride said as this was the first time he’d slept in a bat pony home, though this looked more cave with some bit of Equestrian influence with the bed. “Just calm down, we aren’t really going to do anything bad…” She said while she rests her head against his neck some. Stride’s front hooves hugging her warmly as the glow crystals start to dim further the moonlight somehow slipping within the cave cascading a very calm and cool atmosphere for the two.

“Wow, never knew that this happens in your home…” Stride said with awe, looking the room and for some unknown reason the room lit affectionately with moonlight, as if seeping out of the wall but the moon not visible in their sights. “The Glow Crystals help you adjust quickly.” She responds cooing into his coat. Stride was smiling but was a bit suspicious of the cave-way? His horn glows for a moment, which was noticed by his lover as she looks up.

“What was that?” She asked but Stride did not answer that, “So, my parents next?” He smiles looking down at her. “You did not answer me, but yes, you family next…” She said looking at him with a wonder but she was feeling naughty right now, a bat pony thing for when they sleep, they need to be exhausted to sleep properly through the night since their natural sleeping time was before the morning until the sun has set.

“Do you feel like being dirty tonight my stallion?” Moon asked, her tone turning girlishly sultry, as if she wanted to entice him so. This caused Stride to blush in the dim darkness of night but his response was off putting. “And cause your parents their own love session in the pathway?” He whispered the last, making Moon’s eyes grow, her yellow eyes bright, pupils shrinking as she looks at the path way. “Mom, Dad, don’t eavesdrop on us!” She spoke angrily and embarrassingly as she kept her look at the one entryway of her room.

Evident enough there was some soft trotting and slight hush as evidently, there were more than one who was eavesdropping on the couple. The two lovers stayed quiet, waiting on when they were now alone. But the bit of excitement, caused any further suggestive love copulation near impossible. “Great, now I’m sleep and embarrassed…” Moon complains as she just rests her head on Stride.

“Hey better than having them both there, just a stone’s throw away from us doing it for the first time.” Stride answered back as he rests on the bed so. “Don’t worry, my parents will be more proper about it… using a spell or too.” He chuckles, Moon following with him. “Yes, I can imagine that now…” She said half asleep as the two rest easy, their minds tired about the emotional typhoon that was family acceptance and realization that mid afternoon.

Meanwhile the older couple could not help but smirk at Stride being aware of them. He rest on the bed with his side, belly pressed at his mate’s back, all the while making a slow but very precise motions of his body thrusting more so into his mate. “Stride’s very sharp…” He comments into a whisper, his flanks bumps prominently against Moon Gaze’s flanks. “Oh! Yes, he’s very… cautious about things, but… best to be so…”

Moon Gaze answered back, her pauses were for her to silently gasp, snort and body heated up now, her lower lips quivering as Blood kept his pace, his own stallion of a cock thrusting in her parting her lips so, not making a sound of their love making, a feat of continued practice. “Yes, I’ll be happy to call him son.” She added before keeping herself silent her orgasm building fast. “As do I.” Blood answered back as his cock thrusting deeper still in his wife’s heated crevices of marehood.

The older couple make silent moans in their activity, though before they can continue clopping was heard, their hearts cold and sinking as if they were found out, about their love making under the cover. “Mommy, Daddy, can I sleep with you… A changeling may be under my bed…” Lucy said fearful right now.

The parents could only smile and fetch their youngest, their love making halted, stalled and cancelled all at once. The two sigh but help Lucy rest between their shoulders, though their flanks were still connected. “Yes, sleep tight Lucy.” Moon Gaze said, kissing the filly’s head some while Blood hugs them both. “Ah, the sacrifices we make…” He said in a reminiscing tone. “Yes, those two are nearly just like us…” the mother answered, cooing softly. “I was the rebel then…” Blood said with a smirk.

The Glider home became silent this night, the moonlight, though indirect, cascaded over the family as they slumber. Outside the other bat ponies start their night, making rounds and taking the night shift of the nearby town of their home, the Hollow Shade.

Author's Note

Okay, first, I'm not a complete MLP Fan. I just started to try my luck with this. Of the few users reading this, I have a whole lot of things wrong, I suppose, in the MLP universe. So bear with me saying, my mistake, but I want to keep it that way.

Anyway, Chapter 5 has all the mature stuff in it. And will be the final chapter of this little story. I'm not sure if it is interesting, as there is a lack of comments... maybe I need to change the summary a bit. Still, I end chapter 4 in a flashback, so in chapter 5, it starts in a flashback and end with the present. Then I'll see if there's an epilogue somewhere in the confines of my mind.

Also, We all need to add Royal Guard and Lunar Guard Character tags...