Luna’s Story 3: Long Live the Night
Part 5: Blister to Breaking

“Aegis.” A soft voice accompanied the massive hoof gently shaking the stallion awake by the shoulder. He moaned a little, but it was insistent. “We can delay no longer.” The stallion’s eyes slitted open, and he looked up at Luna. He gave a start, staring up at her. She looked… amazing. She saw his rather slack-jawed look and smiled privately. “Rise. Don thy armor. It is time to go.”

Aegis quickly obeyed, leaping up onto his hooves. Splashing cold water on his face in the sink of the bathroom, he clutched his medallion. “In the dark we tear and rend, to end all evils with spines to bend. Lust and power, hunger and might. By Luna’s will, and dark of night.” He coiled up, hunching over a bit as his wings snapped open. Armor melted over his body, his eyes changed, and you certainly know the rest dear reader. Puffing a little, he shook like a dog to get used to the weight of the armor again. Nodding his affirmation to his Princess, he spoke at last. “What’s inspired the… new look?” he asked, scanning her up and down.

The Princess shifted a little. “As you said, Aegis Shield, it is part of my job to inspire my Lunar Stallions. I’ve not taken this shape since the great war, and they deserve to see it for themselves.” The dark alicorn turned on her hooves, jingling a little as she made her way towards the door. He nodded dumbly, unable to stop staring at her. Shaking his mind out of darker thoughts, he followed his Princess outside. It was still night of course, for the moon and stars still lingered. How long had the night been so far? Twenty hours? Thirty? It was hard to tell, since soldiers like Aegis were often trained to read the time of day by the movements of the sun and moon. If the moon never moved, his internal clock stopped. His body said over a day had passed, and even wanted food, but for now he would have to wait.

Princess Luna drew eyes as soon as she stepped outside. The stallions all stared at her, more than a few jaws dropping. She made her way slowly, regally, to the stage. It had been left there since the Nightmare Night festival, band instruments still strewn around. Kicking a trumpet aside, she stared out over the rapidly gathering crowd. Word spread like wildfire, and within a short time everypony had gathered. They gazed up at her dumbly, eyes wide and ripples of awed murmuring going through the group. She held her eyes closed for a time, muzzle tilted up. Regal. Powerful. Royal. The moral compass and the morale inspirer.

“P… Princess?” it was the solar guard mare who spoke, slowly coming forward from the crowd. She looked equally entranced as the others. Some of her bandages had been changed for fresh ones, but she looked much better after having been fed and watered, with rest. “What… what is all that?” she asked, voicing the awed silence of everypony else present.

Princess Luna was in armor. Where it had come from and what it was made of, nopony knew. Had she magically shape-shifted her regalia and horse-shoes? Had she conjured it all from solid moonlight? Maybe so. There was an intricate, beautiful breastplate of liquid night attached to her chest. Her usual horseshoes had been replaced by some rather impressive gauntlets that, with proper hinges, reached all the way up to her knees. Her crown wrapped all the way around her head, the shapes sharpened into spikes and the hinges attached firmly to her head and mane. Little leaflets of armor protected her neck and flank. Her starry mane had shortened into a more manageable short-cut, barely touching her shoulders. It had become real hair rather than the ethereal sort that alicorns seemed to always have. She looked like a war horse!

The Lunar Stallions murmured back and forth, unable to take their eyes off of her. She was positively majestic. Luna looked down at the mare. The only female in a sea of males. The only solar in the expanse of lunar. The poor pony leaned back a little, lifting a hoof, afraid she’d somehow offended her Princess. “Dust your face, my little pony. Tonight you travel with the Lunar Stallions.” She commanded. Slowly, while many watched her, the mare knelt down. Gathering a cupped hoof-full of gravel dust and dirt from the ground she looked up at Luna. The Princess waited patiently. The stallions shifted, as though nervous. Taking a deep breath, she scrubbed her face wildly with it. Her dark blue fur stained grey. She grabbed another hoof-full, rubbing at herself. Suddenly many ponies around her got the idea, and they stepped forward to help. They grabbed hoof-fulls of gravel dist and dirt, scrubbing the mare down until she looked like a pony made out of dark chalk. “Pen Maker, where is her armor?” she asked the crowd.

“Right here, your majesty.” Pen Maker appeared, levitating the solar guard’s armor along ahead of himself. “I couldn’t save the helm, sorry.” He told the mare while stallions worked to suit her up. Now she looked like a grey mare in golden armor. Luna’s horn ignited, and she tensed up like she were about to be struck down. She couldn’t see it, but the spell had turned her eyes golden. “Looks like you’re one of us for tonight.” He smiled a little encouragingly. The mare smiled nervously back, and there were nods and murmurs of approval. The Lunar Stallions as a whole had learned not to baulk at females among them after the incident with the Moon Champion. For all they knew she might turn around and kick all their flanks, it was best to be welcoming.

“Thank you, your majesty.” The mare came to her knees and bowed, almost to her belly.

Luna nodded slowly. “Now, the rest of you! It is time to go! Armor up!” she flourished over the massive gathering.

Aegis Shield stepped up onto the stage, standing to one side of Luna. “Recite!” he threw out his chest and the corps of more than fifty stallions drew breath. Hooves rose to medallions. Brows set themselves down. The sacred oath rose from many throats. The entire Lunar Stallion Corps bellowed as one:

“IN THE DARK! WE TEAR AND REND!
TO END ALL EVILS! WITH SPINES TO BEND!
LUST AND POWER! HUNGER AND MIGHT!
BY LUNA’S WILL! AND DARK OF NIGHT!”

Dozens of wings exploded out of their feathers, showering the night with a brilliant rainbow of fluttering madness. Horns lengthened, sharpened, and grew more powerful—their points glittering with the promise of both magic and stabbing. Muscles expanded and hardened while normal skin became all but impenetrable. Eyes of all shades and colors turned aglow, filling the night with bright yellow serpentine eyes. They roared, howling out as teeth erupted into place, countless fangs at the ready. Fur and manes stained grey, hiding the madness of colors down into a stealthy, dark set of coats. Armor exploded in all directions, melted over their bodies, consumed them until they were the war machines they had been in the times of old. Lunar. Bucking. Stallions.

Silence fell over the massive group. They looked to Princess Luna. They looked to Aegis Shield. They looked to Stalwart Hide, standing on the opposite end of the stage, ever vigilante. What happened now? The Princess eyed them all with a neutral frown, including the mare in their midst. “Come, my stallions.” She said, a smile rising on her lips. “We make for Canterlot.” Their roar of approval and excitement concussed the night no less than the Royal Canterlot Voice could have.

=-=-=-=

“Huhn. Gree. Hungry.” Big Macintosh had been trying for ages to get it across that he needed food. His stomach roared at him, and he could feel his abdomen clenching. “Don’t y’all understand ‘hungry’?” he made a whole sentence despite himself. The beast was staring at him, uncomprehending. Did she not need to eat too? They’d been there for over a day with no food. Thankfully, the beast had rested for a bit after the holy-water-throwing pony had been slain. This let the stallion catch a quick and blessed nap. But it hadn’t lasted long. Soon she was up again, snarling and growling about the different ends of the room and on the balcony. She didn’t seem to have an agenda, just-- He moaned, holding his belly again.

She finally decided to investigate him. Leaning, letting her body temperature fall a bit, she nose-nosed at his ribs. He grunted, but his belly growled louder. She snuffle-snorted, staring at his belly like it had just insulted her. She looked up at him, then down at his belly. She considered ripping him in half to get at the growling sound. Hmmm. While she was close, Big Mac made eating motions with his hoof, then mimed chewing, then rubbed his belly. Blank stare in returned. He sighed, flopping down with a miserable moan and laying on his side. She poked him a bit with her muzzle, making a keening sound. Why was pet so sad? She cocked her head, going over all the evidence. Belly rub. Chewing motion. Moaning. Loud belly… the gears in her feral mind turned for a bit, then she arrived at the answer at last!

Leaving the nest at the top of the dais, she went down to the floor of the throne room and rather unceremoniously kicked one of the decorative pillars over. It CRASHED to the ground, crushing one of her armored guards and killing her instantly. Uncaring, she crashed her hooves down on the massive piece of stone until a sizeable piece broke off. Seizing it in her metallic teeth, she cantered back up the dais. Feeling proud of herself for her great communication skills with her pet, she dropped the shard next to him. She nosed it at him. Take it!

Big Macintosh stared at her. You are a really stupid bucking animal, he wanted to say. Then he looked closer at the stone she’d given him. Then at the black rock he was laying on. Seizing the grey stone shard, he started scrawling on the floor like a chalkboard. The creature leaned with interest while he drew a rather perfect rendition of an apple for her. He literally saw the light come on, for her eyes went from swirling, molten shades of orange—over to yellow and white. She understood now! He wanted food! Pffft, how silly of her, not feeding her pet! Spreading her fiery wings, she launched herself off the ground and out into the night. The red stallion flopped onto his back, sighing with relief. Finally, she understood. He suddenly jerked upright when an icy realization hit him. He’d just sent her away. As in… outside. Where there were other ponies. Big Macintosh Apple, you are a bucking idiot, he thought. He went as far as the chain would let him, squinting out into the night. She was already long gone.

As though on cue, a trio of Solar Guards suddenly swooped in from on high! Two pegasi carrying a unicorn, all in the glorious golden armor of the day. “The beast is gone for the moment! We’re here to rescue you!” one of them said, landing hard. There was a chorus of hissing from below. The creature’s guards had noticed them. “Take care of them, I’ll get this chain!” The leader snapped. Big Macintosh felt relief fill him, and he held the chain as tightly as he could so she could cut it or something.

“Twilight Sparkle Special!” shouted the unicorn. The Pegasus nodded, getting into position behind her. They’d seen it at the battle for the royal wedding, and the Solar Guard had taken it into their own playbooks. The unicorn planted her hooves wide, lowering her center of gravity. Aligning her spine, she stuck her tail and horn out. Her partner rushed up behind her and seized her tail in a rough hoof. She gritted her teeth, igniting her horn with all her might. Just as the armored monsters were getting to the top stair, the fireworks started. The Pegasus guard gave a shout of battle, turning his comrade’s tail like a crank.

Pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew!

It was like a unicorn-powered gatling gun, spraying out over the crowd of monsters. They shrieked like angry fruit bats, falling back over themselves and tumbling down the stairs. The fall broke more than bones, and the bolts of magic spraying forth didn’t stop. The Pegasus kept turning her tail, relentless to keep them at bay.

Pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew!

“Almost got it, keep them back!” The Pegasus leader was working hard at Big Mac’s chain. Right at the base there was a thinner clip that could be manipulated, jiggled, and broken if given the proper whiplash of force. Wrapping the chain around his arm , he bade Big Macintosh to sit still. The stallion planted himself with a coil of his muscles. Leaning at just the right angle to stress the metal in twine, the solar guard SNAPPED it sharply. He was free! “We’re done, let’s go!” he shouted over the onslaught of screaming monsters and blasting magic.

Snapping back into motion, the unicorn mare threw herself into her partner’s arms. His wings locked and he threw himself over the edge of the balcony. Letting wind and gravity do the work, they glided quickly down and out of sight. “Nnope!” said Big Mac, backing fearfully away from the edge. It was a long way down from the throne room balcony. A long way down.

“Sorry pal, no other choices!” The leader landed hard on the red stallion’s back, spidering his legs around his midsection like a claw machine. The stallion yelped as he was mare-handled over the side. They were gone. All that remained in the throne room was a pinch of red hair, and most of the chain that had bound him to the dais. Well, that and a scattering of wounded, armored monsters.

=-=-=-=

It was the tune of a song they all knew. “The stallions go marching two by two, hurrah. Hurrah.” Hammershot was walking alongside Pen Maker, who scowled at him. The kiss hung rather neatly between them. Hammershot was into stallions. Pen Maker was not. There was a sudden new dimension between them, and it was making it very awkward to march together. “They go to face a big monster, hurrah. Hurrah.” The playful stallion tried again. “They’ll prolly die but what the hay, it was a brilliant battle anyway. And they all go marching down. To the ground. To get out. Of the rain. Bum-bum-bum-bum-BUM-oomph!” Pen Maker had shoved him for the crappy lyrics, rolling his eyes. The ghost of a smile came across his face, though. Hammershot knew that things were already forgiven, and smiled back.

“At least make up all the new lyrics.” Pen Maker scoffed, shaking his head with a smirk. "Not half of the song."

“I’m not that creative.” Hammershot mockingly sighed. “You got better?” he asked.

“No.” Pen Maker admitted.

“Mine wins by default then.” The Pegasus grinned, flapping his wings at him attractively.

Pen Maker thought back on all the times that he and Hammershot had hung out together. Had he had romantic intent since the beginning? All the times they’d shared food? Or slept across from each other in the barracks so they could mumble conversations after lights out? Or, Faust forbid, that one time they’d been to the Bouncing Bunny bath house for a day of relaxation? Puzzle pieces were sliding into place for Pen Maker, and he wasn’t sure he liked it. He’d never looked at stallions that way, and he hadn’t planned to start now. But, looking back at all the facts, there did seem to be a certain… well… bro-mance between them. He scowled at the word, it was so goofy. While he frowned in his own thoughts, Hammershot looked at him with concern.

“Hey. You okay?” he asked.

Pen Maker looked over, barely having heard him. “Huh?” he asked. “Oh. Fine. Yeah.”

“Its okay to be nervous, you know.” Hammershot said with a comforting smile.

“Well, I’ve never had anything like this happen to me before.” He admitted, looking away.

“Hey, it’s new to me too.” Hammershot was sure Pen Maker was talking about the upcoming siege of Canterlot. “It’s what we’re here for right?”

Pen Maker was sure he was talking about loving another pony. In his case, another stallion. After all, wasn’t Equestia all about love and tolerance and such? The unicorn scowled again, staring at the ground as they walked. “It gives me the willies, is all.” He told his friend. “I’m not comfortable with it.”

“Well no, me either. But things are the way they are, huh? You can’t help it.” Hammershot said. Ah, the soldier’s life. Always under orders, never knowing where you were gonna go next or why. Much less if you were gonna go into BATTLE like they were. It wasn’t anything to be comfortable with, Pen Maker was right.

“No, I suppose not.” Pen Maker said softly, sighing. He forgave his friend in that moment for the intruding kiss. Hammershot was right. You couldn’t help who you fell in love with. He didn’t return his best friend’s feelings, but it was a little flattering he supposed. They’d been buddies for ages, and the Pegasus found him attractive… well… that was something to feel honored about, right? He wasn’t the most handsome stallion in the pasture, but it was a good mark on his record if his best friend found him attractive, he supposed. Shrugging to himself, Pen Maker looked over at his comrade and smiled. The Pegasus smiled back. They marched on toward Canterlot with the other Lunar Stallions. The Princess, Aegus Shield, and Stalwart Hide led the column.

=-=-=-=

She was back, landing hard on the balcony. She’d returned triumphant, with exactly what her pet had asked for. She found it difficult to walk with an entire pear tree in her massive metal jaws, but somehow she managed it. Crossing the balcony with her fiery wings on proud display, she threw her chest out and spat the fruit bearing tree onto the dais. It was only partially singed, and only five or six ponies had crossed her path during the entire trip. Not bad! Surely her pet would be happy… with… this?

She peered around. Her guards were heaped on the ground, a pile of broken bodies. The chain had been broken and her pet was gone. She rushed down the dais to check on her… babies? Companions? Underlings? Something like that. Leaning down, she nosed at one limp body after another. She looked at the bruises and broken bones. Saw the magic burns that had broken through their armor and thick hides. She squinted at their pooled blood and set her jaw when she saw the strange hoofprints all over her nest’s platform.

She went back up to the top of the dais, picking up the broken chain in one hoof and sniffing at it a few times. Somepony had stolen her pet. Who the buck did that, just came in and stole your beloved pet?! She threw the chain down and it melted from being too close to her. She started to shudder. Her fiery wings grew to twice their normal fiery brilliance. Her tail and mane ignited to higher levels of heat. The normally orange flames dipped towards the yellow end of the scale, where it was even hotter. Her entire body shuddered with pure, unfiltered feral rage. She curled herself, and then violently took off. A crater of melted obsidian rushed away from her, and she didn’t even bother with the balcony exit.

She launched herself straight through the ceiling. She crashed through layer after layer of marble, spackle, stone, metal, and more stone. A small tower toppled as she exploded through the ceiling of the palace with all the force of a cannon shot. Spreading her fiery wings and lighting up the night like an apocalyptic yellow butterfly, she let out a roar that shook the heavens.

“Ah should’a stayed there.” Big Macintosh mumbled miserably from his hiding place. None of the three solar guards dared speak to disagree with him, for fear of attracting the monster.

Miles away, Luna suddenly shuddered. The Lunar Stallions looked up, all their conversations halting. Even from the great distance, they could hear the roll of thunder and see the speck of yellow light. They feared it.

End of Part 5