Chapter Four: Whispers in the Dark; Part One

Talon watches as the nightmare alicorn rises from the bed, rolling over onto her side slowly then coming to a rest upon her hooves. She stands unsteadily, and wobbles in place, then takes a tentative step forward to him. She smiles softly, her maw slightly open in awe, her eyes betraying her excitement and unbridled joy.

"Are you real...?" She whispers out softly under her breath, slowly stepping to him as she walks across the soft plush carpet covering the floor of the chambers. Nightmare's teal draconic orbs studying his shadowed visage bathed in the moonlight. Her smile becomes wider as she draws closer, her wings twitching nervously and held tightly at her sides. "Please...tell me you're real...that I am not dreaming?"

He nods, taking another draw off of the cigarette while seated. Exhaling the stream of smoke through his nose, he remains focused intently upon her. "I'll ask you again. You're Obsolescence, right?"

Her breath catches in her throat hearing his firm tone. She comes to a stop several feet away, keeping her distance. Pawing at the carpet with her right fore hoof she nods her head in a slow, long motion. All the while keeping her eyes focused upon his. She stares into his eyes and breathes out quiet, gentle breaths. "I...I never liked that name..." She whispers. "But if that is what you know me as...I am that mare." She answers quietly, appearing crestfallen. This is not how she imagined her first interaction with him would be.

The alicorns ears twitch and swivel as she stands. She lowers her head slightly and looks away, her eyes studying the floor. A deep blush crosses her muzzle as her mind slowly goes blank. Nightmare looks up at him again, not knowing what to do. She can feel her heart beginning to race and thunder within her barrel.

The pilot flicks the ash of the cigarette into the glass bowl placed beside him upon the desk he uses within the chambers. "If you have a different name, then I'll address you as such." He clears his throat. "No need to be nervous. I won't hurt you...We're just going to talk."

Her body feels tired, Luna's exhaustion weighing heavily upon her. She breathes slowly and steadies herself, nodding slightly. She nickers very softly, the tone and intention of which is to show her intent of being submissive and demure. Her wings slowly loosen upon her sides as she tries to calm herself.

They stare one another down for several tense moments, the only sounds within the chambers being their breathing and the rhythmic click tick of the analog clock placed upon the night stand. The pilot is the first one to speak, attempting to ease the tension between them.

"I know that it was you who helped me last night. I also know you're the reason angel and I survived Horseshoe Bay several years ago." He clears his throat, putting out the depleted filter into the bowl. Turning back to her as he exhales the final stream of smoke, he gives a friendly smile. "For what it's worth, thank you."

She timidly studied the pilot for a moment, her eyes darting between his shadowed form in the rays of soft moonlight, and the plush comfortable carpet beneath her bare hooves. Nodding silently while maintaining her small smile, she paws the ground again with her hoof. For having so many things she dreamed of saying, so much she wanted to do...she couldn't steel her resolve to act. She remained awestruck, unprepared for this unexpected opportunity.

Celestia continues to sit hidden just around the corner, outside upon the balcony of the night princesses chambers. She breathes slowly and silently, her ears strained forward to listen in on everything she could from within the room. The elder white alicorn bites her lower lip, the suspense eating at her. 'What in Heofon are you up to Obsolescence? ...I've never imagined you acting like a timid school filly...'

He rises to his feet and stands, folding his arms to his chest as he studies her. "You look tired." He comments, tilting his head for a moment before taking a step. He knows he has to approach the mare carefully to coax answers out of her, and to get her to allow his beloved alicorn some rest. Images of Luna flash in his mind, her smile, her voice, her love. He steels his resolve and begins to pace slowly, circling the frozen nightmare alicorn before him.

"You're tired because you don't allow angel's body to rest. You're hurting her." His tone growing slightly laced with ice. "You obviously have a reason. And whatever it is, I'll listen. There must be a way for you two to co exist peacefully, and you both attain what it is you want. So tell me, Obsolescence. What are you after?"

She remains motionless as the one she's fawned after for so long circles her, like a predator to it's prey, ever so slowly. Her heart continues to thunder faster and faster within her chest, her cheeks becoming flushed and hot. She's growing excited, unfamiliar with the sensation within her heart. Her eyes track him as he steps, her ears focused ahead woodenly. Breathing alone at this point is becoming a major task, the exhaustion taxing her resolve and making this beyond difficult.

Licking her lips, she draws a quiet breath. "I'm not that same foalish wicked mare I once was..." She whispers. "Please...I wish a different name..." Her tone becoming somewhat shaken and even more hushed. "Luminescence...she promised me one...but has not answered my request. That...that name...it means Darkness..." She can feel her heart slowly growing cold again, her soul feeling a dull ache of regrets. 'Perhaps coming out was a foalish decision...He won't give me a chance, not if he sees me as just an evil, wicked mare.' She thinks.

"Luminescence? You mean Luna?" He asks, coming to a stop. He studies her for a moment, carefully noting her tensing body language and posture. He knows he must act quickly before this gets out of control. Letting out a sigh, he focuses his gaze into her glistening teal orbs. Upon looking at them, it clicks within his mind. 'Shit...she looks like she's about to cry. C'mon Sunny Butt! Help me out, I'm dieing in here!' He thinks to himself.

Celestia continues sitting, her own body growing tense as she strains to listen in. Her mind begins to race, remembering ancient customs of before Luna's banishment. 'Name...name...why does she want a new na--- Oh...BUCK!' She thinks as she winces. She begins to quietly step up as she rises slowly to her hooves, preparing herself for the worst possible scenario. She freezes when she hears her worst fear come to fruition; He stupidly answers her.

"Well...if that's all you want, easy enough." He responds. The nightmare alicorn raises her head and stares intently into his eyes, her ears pricking straight forward and in attention. Her eyes wide in surprise. "How about...Nightie? I know it isn't quite as strong or as impressive as something like Nightmare Moon or being called darkness. But from what I've seen of you, you look more like a peaceful night sky back on my world, rather than anything evil or scary. ...So how does that sound?"

Her breath catches within her again as a smile slowly comes to her muzzle, her features softening. "You...you aren't afraid of me?" She asks, coming to a rest upon her rump. Her vision is somewhat distorted from the extreme fatigue weighing upon her, but she refuses to rest. This is her chance!

"If you are what you say, my angel's counterpart, then that means you two share memories...right?" He asks slowly, his tone growing slightly more gentle. Taking a more relaxed stance, he attempts to smooth her over with a smile. "I never was afraid of the night. Why should I fear you?"

Nightmare Moon gasps quietly, listening to his tone as she stares intently at him. A master of deception, she knows when some pony is being dishonest. As she studies him, she finds nothing but...honesty. Her cheeks become flushed and hot, a deep blush crossing her muzzle. "I will...accept that name..." She murmurs softly beneath her breath. "Nightie..."

Upon the balcony, Celestia face hooves in annoyance. 'Oh for mothers sake...why did I forget THAT detail!' She lets out a quiet sigh, her teeth clenched tightly within her maw. 'I need to get in there...this is about to turn very bad.'

"And I will also accept your proposal then..." She muses, her voice gaining strength as she rises unsteadily to her hooves, stepping closer to the pilot. Her eyes flash as a grin crosses her features, her wings opening slowly and rising out in a daunting display. Her heart rate increases with giddy excitement. "If my memory is correct...that special night and even now, Luminescence sees you as our master...So I will happily accept being your beta mare." She takes another step forward, her grin becoming wider as she approaches.

He coughs, completely taken back in surprise. "What..?" He takes a step back. "Whoa whoa...hang on a second here ma'am..." He says, stepping back again and holding open his hands before him. "I think you got the wrong idea here. And I'm pretty sure angel wouldn't like that."

"You are our master, and by naming me yourself you claim me as yours. It's tradition, after all." Her dark voice becoming silken as her eyes begin to cloud, continuing to step closer to him. "I will gladly become a part of your herd, my master."

His back is against the wall now, the dark alicorn in Luna's fur continuing her slow gate, her steps seemingly seductive in her saunter. He swallows hard. "Yeah...about that uh..." His mind races, desperately looking for an answer. "I uh...can't do that you see! Let's talk about this first!" He rushes in response, beads of sweat forming upon his forehead. 'Not good...NOT GOOD!'

The scent of his sweat fills her nose as she draws closer,filling her heart with lust as she lids her gaze. It's driving her wild. "I can assure you...I am well worthwhile. I will do things you could only dream of in the deepest darkest corners of your heart...I know your hidden desires from watching through Luminescence's eyes." She says, then licks her lips. "So allow me to show you the best aspects of the night..." She reaches him finally. Rearing back upon her hind legs, she drapes her forelegs around his shoulders and neck, coming eye to eye with him.

"Uh..." He swallows hard. "Well...two mares. Um, I uh...I.." He stammers, his eyes darting around the room for some kind of idea, anything! He spots Celestia creeping into the room from the balcony, her horn beginning to glow as she primes her spell. "I already have one!" He blurts out in a rush.

She backs up, an inch from his lips as she pauses. Blinking slowly, she stares. "You already have a second herd mate? And just who is...this beta? I have never seen her in our bed." She croons out, a sardonic grin crossing her muzzle.

Celestia pauses, shaking her head quickly as she narrows her magenta orbs. She holds up her fore hoof in a 'DON'T DO IT!' gesture, her features displaying absolute terror. The pilot flicks his eyes to her, not understanding the signal. Nightie leans forward more, slowly continuing to attempt for her prized kiss.

"Sunny Butt!" He nearly shouts. "Yep! I've got good ole sunny butt as that beta. Sorry, just two mares, right? So lets just be friends here, you go back to sleep, and I get Luna back!" He quickly answers. His eyes dart back to Celestia, who is holding the most annoyed expression and face hoof he's ever seen her do. Talon can swear he can almost hear her teeth grinding within her maw in irritation.

'For such a smart stallion...he is one big IDIOT sometimes.' The white alicorn screams out in her mind. She opens one eye, staring up and scowling in question at the pilot and the demon mare before her, her plan completely out the window now. Her horn dims back down as she falls to her rump, counting the seconds he likely has left to live. 'Looks like I'll have to tell lulu why we're burying him...'

She pauses again, rearing back her head quickly in surprise and beginning to breathe hard. "You claimed the Sun bringer as your mate?!" She seethes out in clenched teeth wide eyed at first,Her teal draconic slits narrowing in rage. "You...You!" She fumes, her ethereal mane and tail beginning to sway and billow out violently as she grows angry for a moment.

Talon screws his eyes shut, bracing himself for whatever is about to happen. It's when he hears the alicorn begin to cackle quietly that he flinches, opening one eye, then the other and looking at her in utter confusion. She rears her head back, laughing out a dark sinister laugh. The same one he hears Luna make when she's won a game of Ponies and Castles during their midnight courts.

"Very well then. For you, I will accept that. If Luminescence is comfortable with that...interesting... relationship... Then I shall be as well. You are after all...our master." She muses, grinning a wide Cheshire grin as her draconic orbs peer into his eyes. "You will find that I will be far more fun than either of them." Her features soften as she pushes her opened wings forward, snaking then behind his back and pulling him close into an embrace. "Now I see why Luminescence is so taken with you. Even I would have never guessed you were so...intoxicating." She bites her lower lip and giggles darkly.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Celestia nods, resigning herself to her fate. 'It's now or never.' She thinks, removing the pin from her ethereal mane and clearing her throat loudly to gain the nightmare alicorns attention. "That's our commander for you." She mutters, letting out a low groan. "Hello...Nightie." She snorts in annoyance. The white alicorn adorns a scowl upon her features, her muzzle holding a tight frown.

Nightmare turns quickly on her hind legs, whipping around to face the voice behind her. She slinks back and lowers into a defensive position quickly. "Sun bringer..." She hisses out in a dark voice, her tone dripping with icy venom.

Celestia lets out a loud snort and narrows her eyes, grinning. "Were you expecting the spring bunny?" She watches as the alicorn before her backs up against the wall, splaying out her wings in a low, wide display and defensive posture. Nightmare pins her ears back against her head as she glares daggers at her. Celestia only grins wider. "How nice to see you're up and about...Obsolescence. Now is that any way to greet your herd mate?"

"Luminescence never mentioned you as our stallions choice...it sounds like a ruse to me." Nightmare sneers out angrily. The pilot slips out from behind her and pants for a moment, before getting to a safe distance and seeking refuge beside Celestia's flank and ethereal tail.

"Yes, it's something of a new thing." The elder white alicorn mutters out, raising her right fore hoof and inspecting it, appearing to look uninterested. She lets out a huff of air and focuses her magenta orbs back on the alicorn before her, while spreading her own wings out to defend the pilot.

"There's no need for this to be hostile. I've been sensing you for some time now, and all I wish to know is your intentions. Perhaps we can work out an understanding...if you're willing to talk." She pauses for a moment, drawing a soft breath. "So...what did draw you from the shadows?"

"My reasons are my own." Nightmare growls out, her eyes flicking to the pilot. "You wouldn't understand, Sun Bringer..." Leveling her gaze back to Celestia, she hisses quietly. "Get away from him..."

"I will do no such thing, especially since it's my little sisters husband in question. You heard him, he named me. That means and implies simply that of which he had spoken." Celestia grins wider, while wrapping her ethereal tail around the pilots waist and midsection. She knows she has to make this appear convincing if she intends to fool Nightmare into falling for this.

"Now lets try this again, Nightie. What has drawn you from the shadow...and how can we work out a way to co exist peacefully? You know that Luna can't function without rest, and your constant appearance has left her drained and almost incapable of performing her duties as both a mother and a princess of Equestria." The elder white alicorn calls out, side stepping slightly closer to the pilot. She alights her horn dimly with a golden aura of magic, preparing a shield spell if this should turn violent.

Nightmare takes pause, her draconic teal orbs flicking from the pilot to the white alicorn, then back to the pilot. Letting out a forced huff of air, she growls lowly and glares. "As I have told Luminescence...I only wished to spend time and walk with my treasures myself. Stardust Kiss is MINE. Our flame belongs to ME. It was MY power that had protected them against the parasite, and my body which carried and bore my children. It is within my rights to stand beside them with this threat approaching, Sun Bringer." She hisses out.

Celestia quirks an eyebrow and tilts her head. "Oh? And do tell...what is this threat you speak of? I'm listening." She asks, still holding a smug smirk upon her regal white muzzle. "Because last I checked, Equestria has been quite peaceful for the last several years, and rather prosperous. I highly doubt there is one as you say."

"Then you are as foalish and blind as you once were!" Nightmare hisses out, alighting her horn brightly and snatching the pilot away from beside Celestia. With her magic she grasps him quickly and violently, bringing him beside her own form and holding him tightly behind her. "I know what I have sensed! I know the darkness which hunts all of us! Do not dare trifle with me and cost me my treasures!"

The pilot yelps with surprise and pain as he's wrenched away from the white alicorn, his body being crushed by Nightmares cold iron clad magical grasp. He almost feels as if he's being sheared in two when he feels Celestias own warm solar magic suddenly snake in under Nightmares, gripping him tighter and ripping him back to his former position beside her.

"Who needs a threat when you're the one to try and kill him!" Celestia yells out at the dark alicorn, her own horn alighting brightly and shielding Talon now. "You never knew restraint, and this proves it! Luna wont let you out for fear of her own children's safety!" She returns with her own venomous hiss and icy glare. "You're but a shadow, a miasma that INFECTED lulu centuries ago! That's LUNA'S body, NOT YOURS!" Celestia's magic grips tighter, the sounds of bones groaning and splintering under extreme stress are heard loudly in the air.

Nightmare lets out a loud growl and hiss, her own magic fighting to snake in, under and around the white alicorns power, doing all that she can to regain her superiority over the intruding solar magic. "I AM ALIVE, AND I HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXIST! NOW LET HIM GO OR FACE MY WRATH AGAIN, FOALISH PRINCESS!" Nightmare bellows out in rage, sparks of blue and black magic dancing off of her visage and discharging into the open air around her form.

"Cel--" He coughs out, fighting for air. "S--STOP!" He manages to croak out, feebly kicking against the air to break away. The bauble around his neck begins to glow brightly, the star spinning violently within it and turning dark red. Before Celestia and Nightmare could react, the star within the orb flashes and flickers brightly, unleashing a powerful shock wave and blowing both alicorns back and sending them into the walls of the chambers, breaking Celestia's magical grasp.

He lands on the ground hard, coughing loudly and gasping for air as he feels the pressure released against his body. Alarms scream within his mind as his brain registers damage to his own internals, possibly ribs or other bones having fractures or worse. He pants raggedly as he looks around, seeing two dazed alicorns laying in crumpled heaps at opposite sides of the room. "Eno--" He coughs out. "Enough, BOTH OF YOU!" He shouts angrily.

Nightmare is the first to recover, her eyes opened wide in surprised shock as she watches him get to his feet. She can see the fiery rage within his eyes, causing her own heart to thunder within her barrel. Fear grips her mind and freezes her in place as she eyes him, quickly storming over to her position.

He pants raggedly as he seethes in rage, glaring daggers at the dark alicorn on the ground at his feet. Kneeling down and taking her muzzle firmly into his hands, he leans forward and stares intently into her draconic orbs. "You have one chance, and I'm not being nice anymore." He speaks out in a low, firm tone. "You spoke of a threat, and you had better be very...very clear. Start. Talking."

The nightmare alicorn swallows hard, fighting for words and she begins to tremble, her shaking body very evident to the pilot and white alicorn slowly rising to her hooves across the bed chambers. She flicks her gaze to him and nods quickly, waiting until he releases her snout from his grasp.

As she's about to speak, the nightmare alicorn is struck with a bolt of golden magic directly upon her horn, the night alicorn letting out a quiet shriek of pain before falling limp to the ground in the pilots grasp. Talon whips around quickly, seeing Celestia panting hard for a moment and glaring, fighting for air.

"Sunny butt, dammit!" He shouts. "What the hell did you do?!" He snaps at her. Celestia continues limping forward, stopping a step away from the night alicorn, encompassing her within her soft golden glow of magic. Nightmare's unconscious body is levitated back to the bed and laid to rest gently upon it, the blankets then pulling themselves over her as Celestia releases, turning back to the pilot.

"I put her to sleep, Commander." She groans out, holding her hoof to her temple. "And that hurt by the way." Turning, she fixes her magenta orbs upon the pilots and sighs quietly. "I highly doubt she had anything of value or truth to say when she was speaking of a so called threat, it was likely a trick."

"We don't know that!" He snaps back angrily, stepping to the elder white alicorn. "For all we know, she was warning us of the parasite returning, or that Walmart reject dragon thing!" He's silenced by Celestia resting a gentle hoof over his mouth.

"Neither of those are even remotely possible, Talon. My mother destroyed Discord years ago in that cave before Luna and I... and as for the parasite queen, as well as all of her demon spawn were cast into the stars. Very far away from Equestria's borders and your own world. " She speaks softly, stepping in closer and draping her wings comfortingly around him in her embrace.

She lets out a quiet sigh, and pulls her wings snugly around him. "We will try and speak with her again next time she surfaces, for now...lets let lulu sleep, and get you to the infirmary. I can sense your injuries, and i'd rather not make lulu upset over this."

He nods, breathing out in annoyance. "Very well." He comments. "But next time we do things my way." He winces as he's released, rising to his feet again. He coughs out into his hand hard for a few moments, feeling the warm drip of crimson liquid upon his skin. Celestia eyes him, seeing the blood and lets out a soft sigh.

"Sorry...for squeezing so hard. I sometimes don't know my own strength. Do...do I need to carry you?" She asks, taking a tentative step back.

"Negative ma'am." He sighs out, wiping the blood upon his hand on his fatigues pants. "I can make it on my own. ...Not quite how I pictured this night going. " He starts to walk to the bedroom door, glancing at Luna asleep on the bed, snoring loudly and grunting in her slumber. He turns his attention back to Celestia, who is curiously eyeing the bauble around his neck.

"Even in her sleep deep within the shadows, she still protects you...that's my sister for you." She says quietly while smiling, walking next to the pilot. They close the door and quietly make their way to the infirmary.

* * * * *

In the medical ward of the palace, the pilot sits up upon a medical bed, putting on his flight jacket again after being examined and healed by the unicorn nurses of the palace. Celestia sits quietly upon a cushion in the room, reading a scroll held within her magical grasp as she waits patiently with the pilot.

"So...explain something Celestia. What was she going on about with that name thing?" He asks, turning to her. He glances at the analog clock upon the wall, wincing as he sees the late hour, knowing he's only going to get at most, two or three hours of sleep.

The white alicorn rolls up the scroll and eyes him, letting out a quiet huff as she looks onward. "It's a very very old custom, that falls back hundreds of years before Luna's banishment to the moon. It even predates Discord." She sighs, irritated. "And I can't believe I actually forgot about it. I didn't think lulu even remembered."

"So...what about it?" He asks, raising an eyebrow and getting to his feet. He watches the sun princess yawn tiredly, also getting to her hooves and stretching out. She extends her wings out with a few audible clicks and pops, before letting out a satisfied grunt.

"If my memory serves me, Talon...an 'alpha' as it were in any herd or household would have the right and privilege to 'adopt' another mare or stallion into a family. If that alpha, or master as lulu sees you names the outcast mare or stallion in question, then they would in turn be claiming them to be a part of the family. If said mare or stallion accepts...then they choose to uphold that in a sense of servitude in some manner. Be it helping rear the foals being raised, helping with house and field work, or even being a.." She coughs quietly, blushing. "Mistress, or servant in the bedroom..."

He face palms in annoyance. "You really should have mentioned that as a possible outcome...now what do we do? Can it be reversed?" He asks, looking at her.

"No...I'm afraid not, the only way that such a thing could be taken back is if the said mare or stallion named had committed the same crime they had done to earn outcast status to begin with. That, or the master of the home dies." She comments. After a moment, she begins to snicker quietly, walking by him. Her ethereal tail traces along his form as she steps, the tip of it caressing his jawline and neck. "And don't forget you also named your beta. Not quite how I had imagined, but I'll accept none the less." She says while holding a sultry grin upon her lips, eyeing him.

"You do know that was a joke...right?" He deadpans, scowling at her with ire in his eyes.

"Oh, I do know." She says, still grinning. "But as far as Obsolescence is concerned, it's as real as could be. If you want to keep lulu and our treasured twins protected, we're going to have to keep that up now. Nightmare was a lot of things, Talon. A vicious killer to those who deceived her was one of those. I suggest you play along, and we'll figure something out to fix this."

He sighs, rolling his eyes and folding his arms to his chest. "I'm not sleeping with you or anything." He mutters. "Married to Luna, this means that I'm not going to do the whole multiple wives...mares...whatever you space ponies call it thing. Plain and simple."

Celestia sees this as her chance to continue being playful with the pilot, and continues pressing her advantage here. Whipping up her best teary-eyed, trembling lip look she can, she nuzzles against him affectionately and looks at him. "Awe, but it would be so much fun! And think of all of the cakes, Talon! The moonshine cakes!" She exclaims. "Pleeeaaasssee?"

He lets out a defeated sigh, and shakes his head. "Ugh...look, I'm getting some rack time, we'll deal with this later." He says, walking away and pushing past the white alicorn. He doesn't hear her quiet, muffled snickers as he exits, bound for his and Luna's chambers.

Celestia lets out a quiet snort of victory as the door closes, grinning widely. "Oh...I am so having fun with this." She says quietly to herself. She knows he only named her as the beta mare as a complete accident, but the endless jokes and fun she can poke at her long time rival for trolls and pranks is simply too much of a golden opportunity to pass up. She giggles quietly like a school filly, making way for her own chambers, to return to her own beloveds side and to catch a quick pony nap in her comfortable bed.

* * * * *

Hours have passed since the pilot has returned to the chambers, sleeping soundly next to the midnight alicorn. As soon as he laid down beside her slumbering form, she had rolled over and grasped him within her gentle hooves tightly to herself, snuggling up to her mate. The two have remained held together within an embrace since.

Luna stirs from her sleep, groggily opening her eyes and yawning as she feels the familiar tug upon her senses, the moons time to lower drawing ever closer. She glances tiredly at the analog clock upon the night stand, the soft click tick of the clocks tune causing her ear to twitch in sync with it. She lets out a quiet sigh and smiles, willing the moon over the horizon with her magic, then lays her head back down upon the pilots chest.

"Mine..." She murmurs quietly, letting out a quiet princessley cute yawn as she nuzzles his chest, her soft warm fur upon her cheek brushing against him. Luna smiles serenely, blissfully happy and unaware of the events only hours ago when Obsolescence had forced control through the breach in her captivity spell.

The skies begin to alight with the dim grey of dawn as the sun begins to rise over the distant mountains in the horizon east of Canterlot, bringing in the soft morning light into the bed chambers. The alicorn lets out a quiet snort of annoyance and raises her wing to cover her eyes, draping it gently over her head and resting it upon the pilot.

She's almost having of drifted off to sleep again as she rests in her favorite spot, the sound of the doors latch opening quietly catching her ears. Her mind registers the time and usual routine, rousing the alicorn back to her senses as she hears the soft muffled clip clop of the fillies steps upon the plush blue carpet of the chambers. Luna lowers her wing and raises her head up to greet the fillies, climbing ever so slowly upon the large and cushy bed to their parents.

"Good morning." Luna whispers, smiling at the fillies as they reach the top of the plush bedding, the two excited fillies smiling wide, happy smiles as they see their mother already awake and greeting them. Luna sits up in bed and extends her forelegs out, taking the two fillies into her warm and loving embrace, encircling her wings around them in a tight hug.

"Good morning mama!" Moonlight Way quietly squeak's out, nuzzling affectionately against her mothers barrel. "It's the fair day! And the sun is out to play again!" She exclaims in a hushed giggle.

Stardust Kiss remains quiet, letting out a soft tired yawn, then smacking her lips as she rests against her mothers chest. The sound of Luna's strong heartbeat within the alicorns barrel causes her ears to twitch, the soft ticking sound threatening to lull her back to sleep within moments. She lets out a smile and a soft huff, nuzzling deeper against her mother and burying her snout in the crook between her mothers side and wing.

"Yes, it is." Luna speaks softly, giving them both a gentle squeeze. She turns her head and glances at the still sleeping pilot, a warm smile creeping across her muzzle. 'I am so fortunate...' She thinks, planting a kiss upon her children's foreheads at the base of their horns.

The three alicorns scoot gently out of bed and come to the floor, Luna helping the two fillies to the ground for a soft landing upon their hooves. The two fillies canter happily to the door of the chambers, excited to start their usual routine and day, looking forward to their first ever trip to the Canterlot fair they've seen so many times before from the windows of the grand palace.

As she watches her treasured children walk out of the bedroom chambers, Luna leans her head down beside the pilot and gives him a gentle kiss upon the lips. She rests her fore hoof upon his chest and nuzzles his cheek. "Mine flame..." She coos out in a loving whisper. "It's time to awaken."

Talon stirs and opens his eyes slowly, focusing in upon the alicorn. His eyes fall into her soft jade orbs, seeing her smiling serenely and appearing well rested. "Good morning, angel." He breathes out tiredly.

She nickers very softly and kisses him again. "Our children are already awake and on their way to have breakfast, I'll see you down in our dining hall with mine sister." She whispers. She watches as he nods slowly, then turns and trots out of the room after her children.

Talon sits up in bed and stretches, still tired after getting so little sleep. Nightmares words from last night echo in his mind. 'I know what I have sensed! I know the darkness which hunts all of us! Do not dare trifle with me and cost me my treasures!' He sighs, shaking his head. 'What threat was she talking about...and how much danger is this place in?' He thinks, getting up to get dressed. He mulls over the thoughts in his mind, considering what could possibly have the great Nightmare Moon scared enough to react like that.

He makes his way to the dining area he and the alicorns have gone to every morning for all of these years, finding the familiar sight of breakfast having already been out and upon the tables, the fillies munching happily on a stack of waffles and toast in their spread. Luna is sitting quietly reading the local news paper held within her magical grasp, and Dusty Shine, the earthen pony maid is speaking with princess Twilight. Celestia is not in the room.

"Good morning, Commander." Dusty Shine calls out happily, her attention off of the lavender alicorn for a moment. Twilight eyes him with a sheepish grin and blush for a moment, before nodding her head with a smile.

Talon raises an eyebrow, unsure of what to make of the lavender alicorns expression. "Morning." He replies, coming to a stop behind the twins. He bends down and gives them both a warm hug in greeting, then releases them after getting two sticky syrup laced kisses upon his cheeks by the fillies.

Luna smiles happily and eyes him as he comes to a rest beside her in his usual seat. She leans forward and licks the syrup prints off of his cheeks as a show of affection, and embraces him, then surrenders the paper to him as she does every morning. "Did thou sleep well, mine flame?" She asks quietly, beginning to eat her own breakfast now that he has arrived.

"Kinda..." He discordantly replies, looking off into empty space for a moment. "Where's sunny butt?" He asks, looking around. "She's never missed a breakfast...especially when she's getting her favorite coffee cake."

Twilight clears her throat, getting his attention. "Celestia had mentioned she would be a bit late coming down, she wanted a quick bath before breakfast." She says quietly. "Given last nights interesting turn of events...I can't say I'm surprised she wishes to look her best. She's never been in a herd before..." She trails off.

Luna sputters and spits out her tea in shock, eyes wide upon hearing this. She coughs loudly for a moment, then stares at the lavender alicorn. "I'm sorry..." She says, her eye twitching. "Did thou just say mine sister is in a herd now?" She asks, stuttering in disbelief.

Dusty shine backs up and takes cover by the twins, swallowing nervously. This gets Twilight's attention and causes her to gulp nervously in response. "Y--Yes...Luna..." She says quietly, fidgeting in place. Her wings twitch as she pins her ears back, a brighter blush upon her muzzle. "I couldn't believe it myself, and I'm both honored and kind of surprised...but if that's what Celestia thinks is best...I'm ok with the idea."

Talon nervously holds up the news paper to cover himself, wishing he had brought ear plugs with him. He knew all too well Luna's powerful concussive voice, and didn't look forward to another front row seat of the devastating effects of the mares shock. 'Oh boy...here we go.' He winces in thought.

Luna nods slowly. "I...I see. Very well then. I extend my congratulations to you, fair Twilight. We are certain thou whilst enjoy the lifestyle of having a herd mate. May we ask thee...when did Tia consider another mare? Is it fair Dusty? Or perhaps that lovely author you are so fond of in Canterlot,Mr Zamairiac? Or perhaps she had taken fancy to Captain Jolt Flash?" She asks, taking another drink after cleaning up the fluid she spat accidentally in her surprise.

Twilight sits in confusion, quirking an eyebrow, then lets out a soft laugh. "Oh! Ha ha...good one Luna. No, silly, it's you and the commander! I've always liked you...so this is fine by me. Though I'll have to admit, I didn't see this coming at all. I do look forward to finally having more study sessions with you two again though!" She smiles sweetly.

Luna's eye twitches for a moment as she gently sets down her glass, completely confused in the conversation. She's about to speak as she turns slowly to face the pilot, drawing a soft breath. "Is..is that right?" She asks quietly. Twitch.

"I think it's neat, miss Luna!" Dusty Shine chirps in. "I didn't know that alicorns still believed in the herd concept. I thought that was just a country and small town pony ideal. But even I have to admit, I'm amazed. So when will it be announced to every pony else?" She asks musically.

Talon buries his head closer to the paper, only for Luna to place her hoof upon the top edge of the sheets, then bring it down so she can glare deeply into his eyes. She's clearly not happy at this announcement. "Mine flame...whilst thou care to perhaps...explain?" She asks, grinning a wide fake grin while grinding her teeth within her maw.

Talon mouthed out half words and syllables, trying to formulate any kind of a sentence. "Uh...angel, you...you see..." He swallows hard, sweat beginning to form upon his neck and forehead. "It's...it's not as it..."

Luna leans forward, her eyes narrowed dangerously and a wide, very scary grin upon her muzzle. She bares her teeth at him, a low growl escaping her throat. "Speak...mine flame." She grits out. Just as Talon is going to answer, he glances away and sees the look on his fillies faces, wide, hopeful curious smile upon their muzzles, their lips and fur stained with sugary sweet syrup.

"Good morning every pony!" Celestia loudly calls out, entering the dining room. She's wearing a short elegant dress of lace and semi see through breezy fabric, with gold ornate ribbons interwoven into each seam. The dress extends to her dock, covering her cutie mark. She quickly walks to the table with a bounce in her step, enjoying every second of this golden chance for a long drawn out joke.

She gracefully enters the room, first stopping to lean down and place an energetic kiss upon the fillies foreheads, then smiles wide at Luna, her magenta orbs betraying her jubilant emotion. "I'm sorry I'm late to breakfast. Did I miss anything?" She asks, taking her usual seat next to Twilight.

Luna snaps her attention to Celestia and glares, still grinning with a wide, sardonic grin. "Mine sister...I have heard that thou art now mine herd mate, mine flames...beta? Tell me thou art fibbing." She asks darkly.

Celestia grins at the smaller midnight alicorn and shakes her head, still holding her own warm smile. "I'm afraid not lulu. I do not fib." She quips in return. She flicks her gaze to the pilot, who is in the process of face palming and trying to scoot away from the now enraged midnight alicorn.

"Is that right...?" Luna returns, turning her hard gaze back to the pilot. She sighs and shakes her head, puffing out her cheeks. "Mine flame...though I am surprised you were even for the ideals of a herd mate...and the fact I find thy choice to be both surprising and...frustrating..." She seethes out. "...thou art mine flame...and I will...accept this." She mutters.

Stardust Kiss leans over to her sister and whispers. "What's a herd mate?" She asks quietly, turning her attention to the indigo filly beside her. Moonlight Way turns and shrugs in return, happily turning her focus back to her half finished stack of waffles on her plate.

Dusty Shine leans down and whispers. "It means your aunties Tia and Twilight are going to be spending more time with you two..." Stardust nods and shrugs, not understanding the concept or idea. This to her, just means more chances to prank her favorite aunt and finally beat that record the elder white alicorn is so proud of.

The rest of breakfast proceeds rather quietly, Celestia humming a soft tune to herself as she glances over the news paper. Twilight fidgets uncomfortably in her seat as she glances at the pilot and her own lover, blushing all the while. Luna, on the other hoof, seethes quietly in her seat, only the sound of her eating and pained, frustrated breathes coming from her.

Talon eyes the display around the room quietly, fighting off a migraine. This day has barely started so far, and with only a few precious hours of sleep, he's not looking forward to any of it. He went from being just exhausted, to now having to deal with the confusion of all of this for the sake of Celestia's plan. 'Should have stayed in bed.' He thinks to himself.

* * * * *

Luna quietly stands in front of the mirror of her vanity, brushing out her now normal appearing mane and tail with a brush held within her magical grasp. She adorns a sky blue sundress and white fabric hoof bracers, carefully hiding her wings beneath the dress. She lets out an irritated sigh, flicking her gaze to the pilot seated upon the bed behind her.

"Mine flame...thou hath surprised me. Why of all ponies did you even consider mine sister?" She asks, irritation blatently obvious within her voice. She continues brushing out her dark blue strands of hair, the silken ribbons falling somewhat flat against her body.

"It's a bit of a long story angel..." He mutters. "I can't really go into details, but I can tell you I'm not entirely approving the concept myself." He sighs, watching as his alicorn sets down the brush and slowly steps to him. Her jade orbs stareing intently into his own eyes.

"Mine love...for years, you and I have loved each other to depths unknown. Thou art mine only love, mine one true wish and dream in life. You had stated that thou hath no desires for another mare...yet I find this sunrise that you have eyes for mine sister...please, tell me that thou has not done something so foalish, such as bedding her?"

He swallows hard and shakes his head, holding up his hands opened in defense. "Angel, I have done no such thing!" He declares with absolution in his voice. "You are the only mare for me. No if's, and's, or buts about it. I have NOT done that with sunny butt, nor do I have any plans or intentions to!" He bites out.

Luna studies him for a moment, gazing into his eyes. She nods slowly in understanding, detecting no deception in his words, only honesty. "I believe you." She whispers after a moment, her features softening. She steps in closer and closes her eyes, leaning into a passionate kiss. She holds it for a few moments, her fur on her cheeks matted with tears after she pulls back. "I believe in you, mine flame."

He breathes out a sigh of relief, nodding to her. "The only thing that I can say angel, is that this is something very sudden, and it's a mission I have to do. I can't explain why, nor can I explain my reasons or intentions, it's just very important."

She silences him by moving in for another kiss, holding onto him tightly within her embrace as she quickly wraps her wings around them. After she breaks the kiss, she pants for a moment, her cheeks flushed and hot. "You don't have to tell me." She whispers out lovingly. "Whatever your intentions are, I know they are just and honorable. I will stand by this decision and beside you through any choice you make, mine love. You are mine master...and if this does blossom into something more, I shalt support it and fiercely defend it."

"I'd rather you didn't support it at all." He mutters under his breath, barely audible to the alicorn. If she heard it, she shown no signs. "But I do need to speak with you, angel. It's about Nightmare."

Luna freezes and tenses for a moment, the dress appearing tighter as her wings threaten to snap out and deploy from under it. "What...what about Obsolescence?" She asks, unsure. Now he has her attention.

"We spoke last night. She appeared while you were asleep." He states calmly, carefully watching her reactions. When he sees her come to a rest upon her haunches, he continues. "She tried to warn me before she fell back asleep...something about a threat she's sensing. What do you know about it?"

The alicorn tilts her head quizzically and blinks, confused. "Threat...? Mine love, Obsolescence has not spoken to me about any kind of threat." She quietly states, her mind racing through past conversations. "What did she say?"

He thinks for a moment, trying to recall her exact words, but failing. "Uh...if I remember correctly, something about a shadow, darkness hunting something." He says slowly, thinking. "Whatever it was, she was not very clear about it. Sound like anything you know?"

Luna puts her hoof to her maw, deep in thought for a moment. "Neigh...mine flame. I cannot recall anything like that in any legends, prophecies or foretelling. Nor can I recall any enemy Equestria hath faced that would be considered a shadow, minus Obsolescence herself." She breathes out. "Am I to assume this has something to do with thy mission, and mine sister?" She asks, raising an eyebrow and bringing her hoof back down to the carpet.

"Something to that effect, angel." He responds. "Like I said, I was trying to get more out of her, but she...kinda fell asleep too suddenly." He mutters. "How can I communicate with her again? And not have her take over you."

Luna thinks for a moment, curious herself as to how she didn't know or even notice Obsolescence breaking though her barriers. "When I sleep...I am able to draw her out of the shadows and speak with her within mine dreams. I will ask her then, mine flame." She answers, determination washing over her features. "Leave this to me, mine love. I shalt acquire the answers you seek, and we shall fight this enemy together, before it my strike at our home. With our machine, there is no challenge we cannot overcome and rise above!"

He nods in understanding. "Then good luck, angel. Tonight if you can, lets see what we can find out. Do you have to be here in the palace to do that? Or are we still setting up for camping?" He asks.

She lets out a soft melodic giggle. "Neigh, mine love. We shalt still be camping. Mine Lunar Stallions hath already assembled all of the camping gear as you described to me so long ago, down to the very last item and 'marshmallows' as you spoke of. We shalt still enjoy our family outing as a herd. Though...I would like it if it were just us and our children, mine flame...Please exclude Tia and fair Twilight from this outing."

He nods furiously. "Deal. Definitely deal!" He quips happily. "This, I'm looking forward to angel." He breathes out with a sigh. Luna smiles serenely to him, turning to face her vanity again to finish readying herself for the fair.

He watches the alicorn intently through her reflection, smiling as he sees her applying bits of her makeup here and there as he lights himself a cigarette. His eyes fall to the vanity top at the twin stacks of replicated boxes, each containing a full pack of his fire tubes as she called them. 'Thank God she knows how to make these...I'd have gone nuts within the first few days here.' He thinks to himself.

Several minutes pass, Luna finishing the final touches to her disguise. She has since applied a light shade of red lipstick to herself, also adorning a deep purple eye shadow upon her eyelids, and mascara to extend out her already beautifully long eyelashes. With a smile she smacks her lips and poses before the pilot, giving him a sultry lust filled look. "What doth thou think, mine flame?" She asks the pilot, watching as he places the depleted filter into the glass bowl upon the desks top surface.

He breathes out a final stream of smoke, nodding in approval. "Very nice angel. You haven't worn makeup since our wedding...why now for the fair?" He asks the alicorn.

"Simply put, mine flame...If our fair subjects believe it to be me or mine sister playing the games at the fair, they will likely rig the games in our favor, or they will act unfairly and strange within our presence. If we are to venture out today for our time as a herd, and for our children to enjoy it for what it is, we must blend in." She states with a smile, while pointing to the dress with her forehoof.

He nods in understanding. "Makes sense...but Sunny Butt is going to be hard to hide, given her size. You know she's going to want to go. That mare won't miss the funnel cake for all of the bits in Equestria." He mutters.

Luna grins. "Actually...Tia will be simply going as herself, I believe. She sometimes goes out to these just simply to walk around and watch, and little else. We shall see for sure though soon, however. But you are right, mine love...she does rather enjoy the cakes and sweets of the fair."

As the two step into the hallway, they're greeted by the fillies and Dusty Shine, who also adorn similar sundresses and hats to cover their own appearances as well so it's easier to mingle with the crowds of ponies alike. They make their way through the halls of the palace, bound for the grand gates to enter the city, and enjoy the fillies first ever outing beyond the walls of the palace.

* * * * *

The Canterlot fair is bustling and buzzing with activity, beyond anything Luna or the pilot had ever imagined. Everywhere they looked, ponies all around them were busy going on rides, playing games, eating treats and sweets sold at various vendors and some simply resting at nearby tables and chairs to enjoy the lovely warm spring weather.

Thus far, they've taken the fillies to enjoy a ride upon swirling teacups, Luna enjoying every second of relishing in the time with her beloved children, and Talon standing outside of partitions beside Dusty Shine, holding the cache of cotton candy and treats the fillies have since been sampling on their day out.

"Ya know Commander..." Dusty Shine speaks muffled, her mouth full of seasoned hay fries she's enjoying. "You could ride on some of these too." She chews for a moment longer, then takes a sip of a cold fizzing drink held in her fore hoof. She lets out a satisfied burp and sigh, looking to the pilot with a smile. "You're a national hero. I'm sure these ponies would love it if you enjoyed some of the things here."

Lighting another cigarette, he takes a deep pull and exhales, smiling as he watches Luna and the twins having the time of their lives on the mechanical ride. "Hero or not Dusty. This is their day out. I'm just here to make sure they don't get into any kind of trouble. You remember what happened last time Luna went out like this, when she was still carrying the twins."

Dusty nods, taking another large bite of the hay fries on the plate. She chews in thought for a moment, before swallowing. "That was just some crazy old codger that thought miss Luna was still Nightmare Moon, and had some stupid conspiracy theory that she's the one that brought the parasite to Equestria's doorstep. Besides, you took him down before he could cause any kind of harm."

"That doesn't change the facts that some moron still tried to kill her, Dusty. You know that with any kind of government or ruling party, there's always some individual or group that has issues. Hell, some pony already tried to take a pot shot at sunny butt. I'm surprised they haven't tried me yet." He sighs out, taking another pull from the cigarette.

"They're not that stupid." She responds. "I mean, think about it. You took out eight dragons, fought off Celestia knows how many of the bugs, wiped them out with that bomb, took out three machines like yours, and to top it all off you squared off with the griffons. No pony in their right mind would do anything." She takes another bite. "Besides, every pony that has met you thinks you're great. And I can't think of one mare that hasn't had some crazy fantasy involving you."

He chokes on the smoke for a moment, coughing and sputtering before turning to her with a surprised look in his eyes. "The hell does that mean?!" He asks in mild shock. He rolls his eyes as she starts to snicker after taking another sip of her drink.

"Think about it. Word spread like wildfire after half of Canterlot heard you and the princess the first time. Even so, your average Equestrian stallion lacks severely in the endurance department. I believe the longest ever recorded was still under a minute. To a lot of mares, especially the maids, you're kind of a legend."

Seeing a chance to sneak a snark quip into the conversation, he gives her a malicious grin. "Oh? So does this mean you're another rabid, raving, space pony fan-girl?" He quips, exhaling another stream of smoke towards her.

She goes wide eyed and blushes brightly, stuttering. "Uh..heh...um!" She nervously hesitates. "Well...let's not go there. I think I made that...clear." She says quietly, fidgeting, her right rear hoof twisting into the dirt a bit as she timidly stares at her nearly gone hay fries. "It's not like I've actually stayed up several nights after you left, or clopped while I heard you and miss Luna...or that i'm jealous or anything that Celestia was chosen to be that beta..." She mutters quickly, flicking her tail in violent, fast swishes.

He rolls his eyes. "There's a lot more to that than I can explain, Dusty. Lets just say that it's by no means official or preminant. Even so, don't think for a second I'd do anything...she's not exactly what you would call my type."

The ride draws to a close, Luna and the fillies exiting, the twins giggling melodically as they trot next to their mothers long slender legs. They come to the pilot and Earthen pony mare, Luna raising an eyebrow as she sees Dusty fidgiting uncomfortably and blushing furiously. "Dare I ask?" She says while chewing on her inner cheek within her maw, her gaze falling to the pilot.

"Nope..." He mutters, annoyed. "Trust me...not worth getting into." He watches as Luna nods slowly, then reaches forward and brushes a lock of hair from her muzzle, placing it back behind her ear. She blushes slightly at the contact, nuzzling his hand affectionately.

"Mama mama!" Moonlight Way exclaims. "Lets go play that game next!" She excitedly says, pointing to a booth packed full of large stuffed plush ponies. She bounds over with her sister, who is prancing and galloping happily. The three turn and follow the fillies to the gaming booth, finding two red maned stallions holding a ring toss game and appearing bored.

The booth walls are lined with various plush ponies and animals of all kinds, a giant sized over stuffed plush pony looking like a fluffy princess Luna. The cheeks are especially puffed out, a strange, ill sewn on grin crookedly adorns the muzzle. The mane and tail appear to be made of dark blue lace and netting material fabric, the fur some kind of very plush minky material.

Luna eyes the fluffy puff plush version of herself warily, forcing herself to tear her eyes away so she can focus on the vendors. "Pray tell..." She coughs out, trying to change her voice slightly. "How much is it to play this game, or to purchase one of these prizes?"

The red maned stallion adorning a mustash grins at her. "Why fair lady, these prizes are not for sale at all you see! They are Flim Flam originals, and the best in all of Equestria! To win them, you must play! And what prizes they are, even endorsed by the royal sisters themselves!"

Talon eyes the plush ponies as he looks about the booth, taking notice of one very over stuffed Celestia plush, complete with very odd looking, almost angry looking red eyes and jagged silver triangles for teeth. He snickers, getting the pun right away.

"Very well then. How does a pony play this game?" Luna asks slowly, concentrating hard on her wording so she utilizes only modern Equestrian language, rather than slipping into her dead giveaway ancient speak.

"Why it's simple my dear!" Now the other stallion also with a vibrant red mane and tail speaks. "You simply take these rings, and knock down that bottle pyramid in the back! If you knock down the entire stack, then you win a prize!"

Stardust Kiss eyes the large fluffy puff Luna plush, almost drooling over it. A chance to snuggle a filly sized fluffy version of mama? What filly wouldn't go nuts over that?! "It's so fluffy! Mama, I wanna try!!" She exclaims excitedly, her wings threatening to pop out of her dress from her excitement.

Moonlight Way nods furiously, looking up at her mother as well. "Please mama! I wanna try and get that one!" She points with her hoof, directing Luna and Talons gaze to the back behind the large pyramid of milk bottles. Resting behind it upon a stand, is a copy of her fathers warbird, over stuffed and looking more like a blimpy over inflated version of itself.

Talons eye twitches, hidden behind his aviator sunglasses. 'Creative little bastards, aren't they?!' He thinks, unsure as to if he should be flattered, or insulted at the ill formed creation resting on the shelf. It did however, fill him with some pride that his daughter loved him that much, to pick that one over all other plush toys.

Luna lets out a quiet sigh and smiles, nodding. "Alright then, my little treasures." She coos out adoringly. "How much to play?" She asks, turning her attention back to the two stallions.

"Five bits per player, a total of three rings a piece! The winner gets a pick of any prize they like!" They say in unison. Luna calculates the amount quickly, and produces ten bits out of a small pouch tethered around her long elegant neck, laying the bits upon the bench attached to the booth before her. The twin stallions in return, produce three very off balance and heavy rings of steel.

The fillies, still not good with magic use yet, pick up the rings with their teeth, throwing them together as quickly as they can. The first rings miss, the second set comes close, and the final set bounces off of the bottom of the stand.

"Again!" Stardust Kiss exclaims happily. Talon thinks quietly as he replays their motions in his mind, trying to figure out what could have caused their aim to be off so much. He's played games with them before tossing a disk with them. Their aim should be deadly accurate.

Luna nods and smiles. "Alright, but once more my dear Star...we must save some bits for other games and treats." She quietly states, producing another ten bits. The stallions reproduce the rings again and grin sickly, twisted grins as the fillies make their attempts once more.

The first rings miss all together as they toss in unison, falling even shorter than before and landing in the dirt. The second set of rings tossed fly far behind the stand of bottles, overshooting their target by a good few inches above the top. The third set however thanks to a good deflect off of one another, both rings smack dead center of the bottom bottles, causing them to wobble quickly then suddenly reset.

"Yay!" Stardust exclaims excitedly, watching as the bottles teeter and wobble violently, then surprised as they suddenly stop in their motions and seem to right and still themselves.

"Whoa whoa whoa! What was that?!" Talon asks, stepping forward. "They hit it, I seen it!" He calls out, looking at the bottles. Luna and Dusty Shine also nod, turning their attention to the stallions.

"Sir, you see those bottles?" The red maned one with the stash asks, leaning forward with a sardonic mocking grin upon his form. "You see how they're NOT knocked over?" He asks, in a condescending tone. "Not knocked over, means no prizes. You lose! Have a nice day and move along now. Its not our fault the children were not good enough to win."

Luna narrows her gaze, glaring at the stallions. "Oh, is miss mama now a grumpy pony?" The other red maned one asks, grinning. "You're always welcome to try again, or are you afraid to lose?" He mocks. Luna's eyes flick down to her children, seeing them in absolute horror and sadness of being made fun of.

Luna grinds her teeth within her maw, seething with blistering cold fury. "Ok...my turn." She quietly hisses out, producing another five bits and laying them upon the bench surface. The stallions reproduce the rings for a third time, Luna taking them within her magical grasp.

She steps back away from the booth, each of the rings circling around her as electrons would circle and atom. They pick up speed, faster and faster, the stallions not able to track them as they swirl and slice through the air. With her magic she heats up each ring, reforming and reshaping them, balancing and sharpening their finely honed edges to perfection. They suddenly catch into blazing blue hell fire balls of flame, then launch at blinding speed forward.

They duck milliseconds before the rings strike, a loud howling sound much like the banshees cry ripping through the air as they slice and scream forward, completely obliterating the bottles and entire back wall, side walls and roof supports of the stand. The rings keep sailing forward. They slice through the booth behind it, sounds of surprised yelps and screaming surprised mares are heard, followed by a fruit vendor yelling out "Mah apples!", before they too explode violently into the air and rain down.

The rings continue their path forward, impacting and detonating explosively into the cake judging ceremony seven rows away, where princess Celestia is presiding over the event. She's covered from hoof to horn tip in strawberry cake frosting, bits of sponge cake, and chunks of brownie bits landing all over her pristine coat and dress. One of the rings catches the tip of her horn and swirls around it, Luna having successfully landed a solid ringer upon the elder white alicorns long, sharp horn, the ring sizzling as it cools quickly from the frosting and coming to a rest upon her forehead and snout.

"Knocked oh-ver!" Luna calls out, grinning wickedly at the decimated stand before her. The plush prizes all rain down from the heavens, scattering and landing into the waiting arms of nearby fillies and colts everywhere, and unsuspecting ponies gathered around. The war bird plush lands into the waiting hooves of Moonlight Way, while Stardust kiss happily receives the one of Luna from the stallions who quickly hoof it over to her, then duck for cover behind the charred remains of the front wall. They too, are covered head to hoof in soot from the carnage that was once their booth.

As Dusty, Luna and the twin fillies trot away happily, Talon leans down over the remains, smiling smugly. "And that gentlemen, is why you never piss off a mother." He muses, lighting a cigarette and walking away.

The rest of the fair proceeds perfectly smoothly, the group minus the pilot going completely undetected, their identities somehow kept a secret. No pony nearby seemed to have noticed the various Lunar Stallions and Solar guard walking about unarmored either, keeping a careful watchful eye on the alicorns and royal family.

They did stop to enjoy various treats throughout the day, the fillies discovering their own favorite snack is now hay fries with daffodil and celery sandwiches. Talon didn't find much outside of apple fritters and baked treats he could eat however, since flowers and grass are not exactly items he could consume, let alone process.

The day draws to a close, the fillies and princesses plus maid and pilot making their way back to the palace, where they all enjoyed a peaceful quiet dinner once again in the gardens. Celestia and Twilight finally appear, the elder white alicorn having long since removed the frosting covering from her and the possibly ruined dress.

"Well! That was certainly an eventful day I must admit." Celestia comments, laughing musically. "And I see you seemed to have a good day yourself, lulu." She takes a seat and relaxes by the group, herself resting upon a blanket laid out as she begins to munch quietly on some snacks from the fair.

Luna turns and eyes her treasured children, who are prancing and cantering playfully with eachother in the open expanses of the gardens, enjoying their time together and with their new plush toys. Moonlight Way is levitating the plush blimp bird in her magical grasp unsteadily, while Stardust Kiss chases her sister, towing the fluffy puff princess luna plush pony upon her back. The midnight alicorn smiles serenely and listens intently to their melodic giggles, nodding.

"Indeed it was, Tia." She comments quietly, turning to face her elder sister now. "How was the cake judging this year? Did the pink one take home the grand prize yet again?" She asks, tilting her head.

Celestia grins at her sister mockingly. "Oh there was no winner, lulu. It would seem some over excited mare had blown up all of the confections somehow while playing a ring toss game. Or so I heard. At first we believed it to be some kind of a terrorist attack, but that was quickly quelled once a rather finely made ring had found its way to my horn." She retorts. "You wouldn't by any chance know of the culprit, now would you?"

Dusty Shine and Luna laugh nervously for a moment, the midnight alicorn swallowing hard. "N--No! Not at all, mine sister! It's...it's so very strange indeed, exploding cakes and rings? Why that sounds absolutely dastardly I must say." She replies in a rush.

The elder white alicorn and smaller lavender alicorn giggle quietly, smiling at Luna and the pilot. "Oh calm down lulu. It was in good fun. And those two con ponies got their just desserts. I just wish I could have seen the look on their faces when you decided to beat them at their own game."

"I remember those two from when they stopped in at ponyville several years back. They were a couple of thieving con artists...I'm glad you put them in their place, Luna. I'll bet their expressions were priceless!" Twilight adds in with a cheerful smile and tone.

Talon and Dusty Shine nod in approval, agreeing. It really was an amusing sight to watch, and it did make the fair far more entertaining then they had imagined it would be. Talon glances at the twins still playing and chasing each other, noting the approximate time as he watches the sun nearing its time to set.

"Well if you ladies will excuse me, I'm afraid I must be off to go set up the campsite for the evening. So, I bid you a'due." He says, giving a polite bow to the alicorns after rising to his feet.

Dusty also rises to her hooves, clearing her throat. "If it's alrght miss Luna, I don't mind watching the fillies with princesses Celestia and Twilight if you wish to go help him. Or, I could always do so myself if you like."

Luna nods, smiling. Thank thee, fair Dusty." She glances to her sister and Twilight. "Mine flame and I whilst be enjoying an evening outside of the palace as a herd, doing camping!" She cheerfully calls out, her tone almost bubbling with enthusiasm. "Please excuse me Tia, for I wish to help him also set up."

Celestia nods and waves her off gently, smiling. "I'll also help you watch my nieces, Dusty." Celestia replies with a sweet and serene smile, happily turning her gaze to watch the fillies carefully.

* * * * *

Luna and Talon make their way to the designated spot, finding the tent and supplies already laid out and piled neatly in one small area, a fire pit already dug out and carefully made with rocks and bricks stacked in a wide circle in the area for it. The couple work together in comforting silence, helping one another set up each piece in a precise, orderly manner.

As Talon attempts to start a fire within the pit, Luna crawls into the now set up tent for her and the pilot, carefully rolling out the sleeping bags and bedding materials. She hums a soft sweet melody as she does, then turns her attention to the smaller tent meant for the fillies, carefully set up next to their own.

"You think the twins will enjoy this, angel?" He asks, glancing at the horizon and noting the suns proximity to the edge of the mountain tops, silently counting down the time until Luna must raise the moon and bring about her beautiful night.

"Mmhmm! I believe they will, mine love." She calls out lovingly as she backs out of the fillies tent rump first. She finally emerges and stands, letting out a loud satisfied sigh, proud of her careful work. For it being over twenty five hundred years since she's slept outdoors in that manner, she's proud of herself for doing this!

They hear the sound of wing beats in the air, seeing two Lunar Stallions approaching the campsite quickly. It's Dark Fury and another newly joined recruit to the ranks. "Ah! Captain Fury! Welcome!" The night princess cheerfully calls out. "What brings thou here?"

The Slavic Lunar Stallion salutes quickly and smiles at the princess and pilot. "Da! Greetings, your majesty. I vas simply coming to inform you zat I have insured you vill have a peaceful evening vith your family. I have ordered zat all guards are to remain outside of zese grounds and only quietly observe, training have been postponed. Zis is good, yes?"

She nods in approval. "Indeed so, mine stallion. But please feel free to keep several guards close at hoof. This is mine children's first night ever sleeping outside of the protection of the palace. I wish to insure that they are carefully and ever so meticulously watched over and cared for."

Dark Fury nods, letting out a loud whinny of agreement. "Da, princess. Very good. I vill see to it only ze best guards are posted nearby. Vould you like zem to also setup and camp as vell, so zat your experience is more how vould you say...auzentic?" He asks, motioning with his heavy armored fore hoof to the nearby tents and now roaring campfire.

Luna considers for a moment, then nods in agreement, a smile upon her lips, her features calm and relaxed. "Yes, please do so. If thou hath no plans for this eve, then I humbly request that you yourself be a part of that detachment. We could perhaps even consider cooking your delightful dish over an open fire."

Dark Fury's eyes seemingly light up at the prospect of cooking more borscht, a wide smile of approval upon his muzzle. "Da! Good zen, princess. I vill see to it zat ze guards are deployed right avay, as you vish." He turns and nods to his accompanying recruit, and they both take to wing quickly.

The pilot pokes at the fire he had set with a long stick he gathered from the nearby trees, letting out a huff. "So, which one of us is going to grab the twins?" He asks, looking to his alicorn.

Luna turns her gaze to the pilot, smiling affectionately. "I don't mind getting them, mine love. If you wish, please remain here and I shalt return shortly with our treasured children." She coos out softly, stepping closer to him. She reaches him and nuzzles his chest with her muzzle, nickering quietly and soft as she wraps her wings around him in a warm feathered embrace.

The two remain motionless, holding one another for several minutes and enjoying one another's company, only breaking the embrace as they hear the distant sound of giggles and playful shouts of enjoyment. Luna's ears twitch and swivel, then she cranes her neck and focuses in on the sound. Slowly coming up the hill pass to the new campsite, is Dusty Shine and the fillies. They're still carrying their new plush toys, the maid and friend of the royal couple also carrying her own saddle bags slung across her back and sides. The pilot eyes the bags in the fading sunlight, seeing what appears to be a sleeping bag stuffed in one side, and several unidentifiable objects in another.

Dusty Shine reaches the couple, the twins walking beside her keeping pace. "Commander, Miss Luna!" She calls out, smiling. "Princess Celestia suggested that I escort the twins here to you two, and also asked that I join you if it was alright." She says with a cheerful smile.

Luna nods slowly. "That would be grand, fair Dusty. May I ask though...hath thou ever been camping before?" She asks, raising an eyebrow.

Dusty Shine nods, setting the saddle bags down and opening the flap with the rods and fabric sticking out. "Yes, I did quite often with my father, actually. My parents were never ones for staying in one spot when I was growing up, so I spent much of my own childhood camping out. " She responds, grasping a rod in her maw. She backs up with it in her teeth, pulling it out slowly. Talon watches as the rod seemingly continues on, well beyond the capacity of the satchel.

"How are you doing that?" He asks, raising an eyebrow as he steps over to assist her. He looks inside the bag briefly, unable to see the bottom of the seemingly small satchel. "Is this some kind of space pony thing?"

Dusty smiles up at him after she releases the rod from her maw, pawing at the ground with her forehoof. "I had one of my co workers enchant my saddle bag. It has a 'bag of holding' spell upon it. As long as I recharge the spell with a power crystal every few years, it's essentially bottomless. As long as the item can fit through the opening, I can place as much as I want within it. It's great for sneaking popcorn and candy into plays and those new motion picture things."

Luna snickers. "I believe thou means a movie, as mine flame would call it." She sighs out happily. "We see thou art full of tricks and surprises, fair Dusty. You never cease to amaze me." She quips. The alicorn watches as the pilot begins to set up Earthen pony mares tent for her, making for much easier and faster work since he has use of his hands, rather than hooves.

* * * * *

It's nightfall now, Luna having since raised the moon and lit up the night sky with her amazingly beautiful jeweled tapestry that is the heavens above Equestria. The regal midnight alicorn lays upon a large blanket laid out near the warm fire, her fillies resting very close by. Moonlight Way is draped across her back, her forelegs hanging over Luna's side facing the fire.

Stardust Kiss is laying across the pilots lap, slowly drifting off to sleep as she enjoys his ministrations through her wispy thin mane. Both of the twins are completely stuffed full from snacking so much throughout the day, their full belly's helping lull them to sleep that much faster as the stars glisten and twinkle overhead.

"Angel..." The pilot whispers, getting his alicorns attention. Luna pauses in speaking with Dusty Shine for a moment, turning her attention to gaze upon him. He lifts his free hand and points to Moonlight Way upon her back.

Luna follows where he's pointing and looks down slightly, finding her daughter comfortably asleep and content while resting upon her back. Luna quietly giggles and nods, alighting her horn and grasping both fillies very carefully within her magical grasp. She levitates them both gently, then rises to her hooves and slowly steps to their respective tent. It takes several moments, but the princess and long since experienced mother carefully tucks them into their sleeping bags.

Dusty Shine leans to the pilot and smiles. "I never knew Luna was such a good mother." She whispers to him. "I remember my mom would just leave me wherever I fell asleep."

Talon nods, using this chance of freedom to grab himself a drink from out of a nearby cooler. "I know what you mean. My parents were the same when I was growing up. I'm pretty lucky I actually got a mare that cares about children. When Luna told me she was carrying, I had no idea what her thoughts or ideas were. She seemed like she didn't like kids."

"Until the twins were born, that was the truth." She whispers in reply, watching as Luna slowly backs out of the tent, closing the flap of the tent behind her. "She never attended any of the functions that Celestia had to, be it visiting the children in hospitals, or checking in on any of the schools. She was more pre-occupied with relearning history and Equestrian law. If there was a child involved, she wanted nothing with it."

He cocks an eyebrow in confusion. "So what the hell changed?" He asks, turning his full attention upon the mare now. "A person...pony in this case doesn't go from couldn't be bothered to super mom over night. She had it down to a science from day one after birth."

Luna clears her throat, return to her position close to the pilot. "That's because these are mine children, mine flame. And you always love something more that you create yourself." She says with a soft smile. "A mother develops strong feelings when she is the one to carry the children, and even stronger ones if they can commune with their offspring like Alicorns or some fairly powerful Unicorns."

Dusty Shine goes wide eyed for a moment. "You mean you could talk to them during the pregnancy?" She asks. "I thought that was just a rumor that Unicorns spread."

Luna shakes her head and laughs, eyeing the blue maned Earthen mare. "Neigh, mine friend. It is very much true. In the first several months, one would only be able to commune feelings and very limited thoughts to the child, but it takes great focus. To the end of a pregnancy however, the mothers are able to hold full, fluid conversations with their offspring. It is how a Unicorn mare always knows the gender and proper naming of their offspring. Sadly however, the gained memory of the pregnancy is most always lost due to the stresses of birth. They rarely ever remember those full conversations."

Nodding in understanding, the Earthen mare seems to visibly wilt, appearing crestfallen. "I wish I could have some kind of ability like that. I bet it would be pretty cool to have some pony to talk to on that kind of a level. It must be nice to have magic." She says in a low tone.

Talon reaches out his hand and scratches the mare behind the ear for a moment. "How do you think I feel? I don't have any magic at all, let alone the ability to understand any of it. Count yourself lucky though. There were a few times in the middle of the night when Luna here would zap me with her power due to surges. From what I read up on the subject, unicorn mares have that issue where their power can sometimes go out of control during some pregnancy's. The end results could be anything from harmless changes to the local environment, to catastrophic damage depending on the nature of the surge." He responds.

Dusty leans into the scratching for a moment, enjoying it while she can briefly, before the pilot retracts his hand. She lets out a happy sigh. "Yeah, I heard about that from some of my old school friends back when I was a filly."

As Luna is about to join the conversation, she takes pause after hearing a loud happy laugh from nearby Lunar Stallions all camping very close by. She turns her attention to find the stallions in question all with their armor off, both bat ponies and pegasi, unicorns and Earthen alike all sitting around a large fire pit, enjoying the borscht and various foods being cooked over the open fire.

"It sounds like they're having fun." Dusty Shine comments, also looking over at the group now. "What is that dish Captain Fury is making?" She asks, picking up the rich scent of the spices wafting in the air, amongst the smell of smoke, burning wood and various other smells upon the gentle breeze within the night air.

"Borscht, from his homeland." Luna comments. "He created it several nights ago for mine sister and I...Tia has seemed to rather enjoy it." She muses. "Infact...perhaps thou should get the recipe, and pass it along to the kitchen staff? I'm sure it would make for a lovely cake recipe somehow..."

Talon snickers at the thought, images of Celestia throwing a tantrum over an awful cake running through his mind. He lets out a happy sigh at the thought, turning to light a cigarette as he rests by the fire. 'Wish I thought of that.' He thinks to himself. 'Best. Prank. Ever.'

The three sit and relax by the fire together, enjoying the next hour by the warm fire. Since then, Talon began to do Earths most famed tradition around a campfire, telling ghost stories and making smores. At first, explaining the concept of how to create the sugary confection was easy enough. Two cracker pieces, one marshmallow, one piece of chocolate. Squish together in gooey sandwich. How hard could it be?

Dusty Shine? No problem. She was long since familiar with the treat herself, having of made it many many times in her own foal hood. The alicorn on the other hoof...not so much. The assembly portion was easy. The cooking the fluffy goodness of marshmallowness...

"Oh. Oh! It's on fire!" Luna squeals in surprise, wrenching the stick holding the marshmallows away from the flames quickly within her magic. She quickly flails with the branch having roughly ten of the molten delights around in a blazing show, frantically waving and whipping it around in the air to extinguish the sugary torch.

"Luna! Calm down!" Talon quickly calls out, trying to calm the excitable alicorn down to help her. "Don't shake the stick like that, they'll fly o--" He stops short, Luna running into him in her fright. The stick held within her magic suddenly comes to a jarring stop, several of the marshmallows taking to flight and sailing through the air in fiery balls of delicious goodness.

The first few simply fall short and land harmlessly in the nearby pond, in the dirt or into the opposing campfire with the Lunar Stallions group. One lucky flaming marshmallow however, quickly finds its way to land squarely upon the flank of the unsuspecting Captain Aegis Shield.

Luna stares wide eyed with the pilot and Dusty Shine, as he suddenly leaps nearly a full eight or so feet in the air in surprise, letting out a loud howling yelp. The unarmored bat stallion races around in pained confusion, desperately trying to put out the small flame and molten hot marshmallow stuck to his rump near his tail. Within moments, he gallops for a B-line straight to the now cooling down pot of Borscht being tended to by Dark Fury.

A loud hissing sound is heard for a moment, followed by a sigh of relief shortly after the poor stallion dunks his entire rump and tail into the pot of porridge like gruel, a wide satisfied open smile upon his muzzle. No time to waste however, Dark Fury is returning from the tree line after taking care of some...personal business.

Talon swallows hard and watches as the familiar bat stallion quickly scrambles out of the pot, nearly tipping it over and dashing off quickly, out of sight, unnoticed by the Elite Lunar Stallion returning to finish preparing the dinner dish for the stallions. All of the other Lunar guards however, did see the whole display.

Not a word is said as every pony, pilot included watches as Fury picks up a ladle after stirring the gruel, then takes a big test sip of the Stalliongrad dish. The whole camp is in silence. Dark Fury doesn't seem to notice, and only smiles to take another sample.

"Hmm...Da! Good. It taste like...new flavor? Much like mother make vhen I vas young colt." He comments loudly, smiling. "Comrades! Borscht is done, yes? Come eat! He calls out. The entire camp eyes warily, including captain Aegis Shield, silently watching as their maws hang agape. "Vhat? Is something I say?" Fury asks. Talon and Luna face palm and face hoof, watching from a short distance away.

Dusty Shine holds a notepad in her fore hooves, writing down information into it with the pen held in her teeth. 'And dip one Lunar Stallion butt into dish for seasoning...Bat Pony flavor is associated with true Stalliongrad cooking.' She writes. With a smile she looks over the recipe. "Ah hah! I'll send this to the kitchen staff right away once we return tomorrow."

Talons eye twitches as him and the alicorn glance over at the Earthen Pony mare for a moment, looking over her field notes on how to make Borscht cake. The pilot lets out a defeated sigh, Luna grinning a sheepish grin.

"Heh....oops?" Luna squeaks out quietly. It's going to be an interesting night.

Author's Notes:

Ok folks, comments. I know you have them, lets hear them! What was your favorite scene? Is this how you hoped it would be for Nightie? Is the threat a bluff? All up to you! :D I look forward to your thoughts~

Edit: I got a note from people asking what Dusty Shine had looked like. Due to my extreme laziness to draw at the moment, here's a quickie through the Hub's pony creator. ^^;;;