Lunar Legacy

Lunar Legacy

Chapter 1: Routine Report

One Thousand years ago, during the peaceful rule of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna……

A streak of blinding white flashed past the guards, along with a large gust of wind, yet they did not budge. For it was Moonlight Gleam, Pegasus captain of the Lunar Guard and Princess Luna’s good friend. She took pleasure in startling the guards with her speed, and they would not give her that satisfaction.

The Lunar guard were Princess Luna’s personal guard, as opposed to the Night guard, who watch over the night all across Equestria, the Lunar guard existed expressly for the safety of the princess and as a special task force, in case of an emergency. The Solar guard existed for the same purpose, but served Princess Celestia instead.

Moonlight Gleam landed gently and silently on her hooves, just inside the gate of the most glorious city of Canterlot. She walked briskly through the streets, on her way to deliver a routine report to Princess Celestia. She reaches the gates of Canterlot Castle and the guards stop her for a standard I.D. check. The best way to identify anypony was their Cutie Mark.

Once the guards were through with their checking of identification, Moonlight Gleam walked onward, into the castle. Passing through the vibrant entry hall, with a twin staircase and a mural hanging above each one, depicting the wing of the castle they represented. The right staircase headed to the lunar wing, home of Princess Luna during her visits, and otherwise a center for research. Also in the Lunar wing was the Night Guard Barracks, as every city of the time had one, as visits to outposts were common, and the guards needed somewhere to rest.

The Left staircase went to the solar wing, Housing the Ballroom, gardens, and Throne Room. As well as princess Celestia’s chambers and the Solar guard barracks. Moonlight Gleam followed the left staircase up into the solar wing, where everything was polished gold on white marble. She headed towards the throne room to deliver her report to the princess. It was a simple routine report, once a week she would make a round to each and every outpost across Equestria, gather their status, and report to Princess Celestia at dawn.

She could see the sun rising through the windows of the massive throne room; impossibly long crimson curtains flanked the windows on either side. Princess Celestia had just completed the sunrise for today, and was resting on the throne.

“Your Highness, I bring the regular report from the Night Guard. All is well across Equestria once again.” Moonlight Gleam stated with a bow to the Princess.

“Thank you for your hard work and dedication, please return home and rest, you have earned it.” The princess said, in her calm, melodious voice.

“Thank you, your highness. Good Day.” Moonlight stated and exited the throne room and out to the gardens. From there she took flight and headed west, towards Cloudsdale.

Moonlight Gleam arrived at her home after a few hours of smooth, calm flight. She was exhausted from flying across all of Equestria in one night. She lived in a Low-hanging cloud, shaped into a humble domicile by the Cloudsdale Cloud shapers. This wasn’t her only house, but most were just where she could sleep during the day when she needed to be somewhere in the morning. Her main residence was outside Baltimare with her Husband Sky Soar and her newborn son, Comet Flare. She walked inside, unstrapped her armor and placed it on its stand, and fell on her bed to sleep. Because her home was so low, the shadow from Cloudsdale was always overhead, making it perpetually darker in her home, she liked it that way though, it allowed her to sleep during the day.

The light from the sunset woke her up; it slips right under Cloudsdale and right into her west-facing window near her bed. The light always woke her up; it was better than an alarm clock. She pulled herself out of her bed, still feeling tired after the night’s long flight. She ate her dinner just as the sun was going down. She strapped her armor back on; it was a tough process alone because the straps were hard to reach. One behind her shoulders, one above her hindquarters, and one behind her head. Then the sleeves and boots, which slip on easily.

Once her armor was on and settled, she took off and flew out to meet the princess, who had been on a visit to the Crystal Empire; she was scheduled to return to her estate in Cloudsdale tonight, and Moonlight was to prepare the usual welcome back for their princess.

She landed in the main courtyard of the Princess’s Royal Cloudsdale Estate. From there she walked through the corridors until she reached the main hall, the preparations were well underway. The regal entrance hall was draped with silver silks across black marble pillars, with a midnight blue rug that portrayed all the phases of the moon in order from one end to the other. The Lunar guard all assembled in order of Rank on either side of the entrance hall, awaiting the arrival of their Princess.

The princess of the night rode forth on a Black chariot pulled by 2 of the Night Guard. It came to a stop just shortly before the entrance hall, and the princess stepped down from it and entered the hall.

“Welcome home, your highness.” The entire lunar guard stated in perfect harmony.

“Thank you, my loyal guards. I am… relieved to be home.” The princess said, sounding quite exhausted. “Moonlight Gleam, report the status of the outposts, if you will”

“Yes, your highness, a couple of the outposts need more supplies, but no signs of imminent danger anywhere in Equestria. I have already contacted the supply officer and he will be addressing the resupplying of the outposts soon.” Moonlight Gleam stated.

“Good to hear that all is well. Now, my friend. How are you doing? You seem tired.” The princess whispered the last bit into her ear.

“Fret not over me, your highness. For your concern is the safeguarding of all of Equestria.” Moonlight whispered back.

“As you wish, Moonlight Gleam. But I do not mistreat my subjects, so I especially do not mistreat my friends.” The princess whispered back and walked forward. “At ease, everyone, please return to your posts.” She said to everyone in the room at once.

“Yes, your highness” the guards said at once, and began returning to their regular duties.

“Come now Moonlight Gleam, we have much to discuss” said the princess as she led Moonlight towards her personal study.