Chapter Five

Upon the night after Twilight passed her entrance exam, while also becoming Celesita’s personal protégé, she was lying in a bed four times her size. While her own baby dragon slept within a basket not far from her. The room was dark, the wind was howling, this was the first time Twilight was away from home, and without her family. So, the filly did what any other five, almost six, year old would do….

She screamed her little head off and started to cry for her parents and big brother.

Just down the hall, Princess Celestia stood with a rather large, almost tall as her, batpony from the night time Royal Guard. His wings were much larger than normal, his irises were gray instead of yellow, his coat was midnight blue instead of dark gray, and his mane and tail were both pure black. With a glance up at the Princess, she smiled and nodded to him. “Go, introduce yourself, my loyal protector.” She said, the Batpony giving a nod and moved forward.

Twilight continued to cry, the sounds were terrifying the filly, causing her to ball up into a small, lavender, fur ball. The sound of her door opening, and light pouring into the room, made her stop. “W-Who’s there?” She asked, looking up to see a large Batpony standing, stoically, in the doorway.

“Somepony that heard you crying for help, and came to see if you were alright.” He said, his voice was rough but also ever so gentle to her small ears.

Twilight suddenly blushed, and she didn’t know why. “O-Oh… Um, sorry. I-I didn’t mean to interrupt you from your work.” She said, now feeling embarrassed.

“Think nothing of it.” He chuckled, smiling towards her. “May I come in? It would be terrible of me to just leave you alone here.”

“B-But, don’t you have to patrol the castle?” Twilight asked him, tilting her head. In all honesty, she didn’t want him to leave her alone, in the dark.

“Actually, I have been assigned as your personal guard, Ms. Sparkle. So, there would be no trouble at all.” He answered, giving a light nod at her. “So, may I?” He asked again.

Twilight looked up at him, again, and smiled back. “Y-Yes, please…” She said, the Batpony nodding, closing the door as he made his way inside her room. When the large pony reached her beside, she noticed the size of him and his wings. “W-What is your n-name?” She asked him.

He smiled down at her, and looked around before leaning in. “Sure you want to know? It’s a secret, being the Princess’ Elite Guard and all.” The Batpony said, the filly gave a nod, wonder filling her eyes, from what he just told her. “Good.” He leaned in closer, and whispered his name into her ear. “It’s Night Claw.”

Twilight looked up at him, seeing the Batpony smile at her. “You sound mysterious! Like one of those heroes in my books, that always stick to the shadows! Never allowing anypony to know it was they who saved the day.” She said, giving a wide smile, which made the pony give a brief laugh.

“Well then, guess you just met a story book hero.” Night Claw said, making Twilight light up even more, at what she just found out. “I have the feeling I can trust you, little filly… So yes, I am one of those shadowy heroes, who saves the world, without anyone knowing. Also, just because it is dark, doesn’t mean you should be afraid.”

Twilight just looked at him, not believing she is right next to a story book hero! “Wow! W-What do you mean I shouldn’t be afraid of the dark?” She asked, wondering what wisdom he could give her.

Night Claw chuckled a bit. “Because there may be scary things that hide in the dark…” He leaned in, whispering the last part to her. “But there is also those, like me, hiding within the dark too.”

The last words made Twilight suddenly feel several times better. “T-Thank you, Mr. Claw… For checking on me.” She muttered, Night Claw pulling his head back.

“Night, or Night Claw, will do. No need to be formal with me, Ms. Sparkle.” He said, smiling. “Feeling better, then?”

“Yes… A-And can you just call me Twilight, Night Claw.” She asked, smiling.

“Good, then I better return to my post.” He said, turning to leave, but felt something tug on his right wing. He looked back around, and saw Twilight holding on to said wing. “Something the matter?” He asked.

Though, he noticed the fear in her eyes, a look he was all too familiar with. “U-Um… D-Do you mind s-staying w-with me tonight?” She asked, shifting her hooves around. “M-My parents, or big brother, always stayed with me when I was scared.”

Night Claw looked at her, feeling a slight pain in his hearts. He knew that was a lie, who really stayed with her, but the filly didn’t know that. He gave a slight sigh, before smiling to her. “I’m sure Princess Celestia would understand. Now, let’s get you tucked in.” Night Claw said, walking back over to where he just was. The pony pulled the blanket over Twilight, tucking it under her small frame, before climbing on to her bed as well.

Without a second thought, the batpony wrapped his large wing around the filly, his large body circling around her. Twilight suddenly felt a protective feeling wash over her body. “He’s so warm.” She thought, nuzzling into Night Claw’s chest, but suddenly hearing two heartbeats? “That’s… Strange? I must be really tired.” The filly pushed the thought away, before falling fast asleep.

Celestia was having her morning tea, waiting for the newest addition to the castle’s patrons to join her for breakfast. When she looked that today’s newspaper, she suddenly found a smirk on her muzzle. “Canterlot Crime Lord Arrested! Reign of Terror Ended!”

“Says here he turned himself in, looking like he lost a fight with some manticore?” She thought, smiling at the image. “He must have thought Night Claw was bluffing.” The thought of what the Crime Lord looked like, when surprised that the batpony wasn’t bluffing about beating him to near death, made the Princess giggle.

Her thoughts were suddenly cut short, when a young, sweet, voice suddenly spoke up. “Good morning, Princess.”

Celestia looked up to see little Twilight, with “Spike” on her back, and Night Claw towering behind her. “Ah, good morning, Twilight. Did you sleep well?” She asked, smiling at the picture perfect scene.

Twilight gave a nod. “I-I did, after Night Claw came and cheered me up.” She said, smiling up at the batpony.

“That is good to hear… Good thing I assigned him to you.” Celestia commented, with a smile, before looking at the large stallion. “By the way, Night Claw, congratulations on your recent mission. Canterlot is a little safer, thanks to you.”

Night Claw gave a respective nod. “To protect others, from injustice, is its own reward, Princess… No need to thank me for doing the duty I was trained to do.” He said, making Celestia smile, while Twilight looked up at him… She suddenly caught a glance of his cutie mark… She looked at it, in pure amazement.

It was a bright white, fanged, skull; with a pair of red bat wings behind it. The wings were spread out, like the skull was ready to take flight. She also noticed a set of five fingered claw marks under each wing. She had never seen such a cutie mark before, it was mysterious as the pony that wore it.

“Would you like to join me, Twilight?” Celestia asked, using her magic to pull a chair out beside her.

“Y-Yes, Princess!” The filly said, rushing over to the chair and placed Spike in the one next to it, before getting in her own.

“Good to hear.” Celestia said, with a giggle, before looking at Night Claw and smiled. “You’re dismissed until her lessons are over. Then wait for Cadence to come and take over. Once she does, there is a new assignment I wish to discuss.”

Night Claw gave a respective nod. “Yes, Princess.” He said, before looking at Twilight and smiled. “See you later, Twilight.”

Twilight waved goodbye to the batpony. “Bye, Night Claw! See you later!” She said, the stallion taking his leave.

Night Claw walked down the castle hallway, noticing some of the other guards were giving him nervous stares. “Isn’t that Sir Night Claw?” One asked.

“Yeah, can’t you tell by the size?” Another whispered.

“Never thought I would see him in the flesh!” The first guard whispered again. Night Claw sighed, and moved towards the window, which made it seem like he was just enjoying the view. “Are the rumors about him true?”

“Which ones? The one about him becoming the Princess’ elite in under a year? Him taking on a pack of twenty Timberwolves, and not get a scratch? Or about him being the Princess’ consort?” The second asked, Night Claw letting out a frustrated sigh of annoyance.

“Yeah, are any of those true?” The first asked.

“First two are, I had the privilege to see it myself. The third?” The second guard thought about it for a moment. “I highly doubt it. I mean, he seems more married to his job… Oh! But I did hear about him being assigned as the personal bodyguard of that new filly, the one Princess Celestia took on as her student.”

Night Claw had enough of it, suddenly growling out his words. “If you two have enough time to gossip, then I guess you have plenty of time for more combat drills.”

“N-No, sir!” They both yelled, dashing off to find something to do. “How the hay did he hear us!? We were too far away for any normal pony to hear our whispering! Does he have super hearing, or something?” He heard the first guard blurt out, while they were running away.

Night Claw shook his head, and started to walk down the hallway so he could meet up with Twilight. Celestia had told him about the new foalsitter, briefly, being her niece. Princess Mia Amora Cadenza, or Cadence for short. However, the place Twilight was originally going to meet him was empty. “I wonder where that curious little filly snuck of to… Probably the library, she does love her books.” He thought, smirking some.

“T-Twilight! Don’t do that!” A voice screamed, making the batpony rush to an opened window, in time to see Twilight using her magic to float towards a nearby tree.

Night Claw went wide eyed at the sight, and opened both of his large wings. By the time her magic had gone out, the batpony had launched himself out the window in a blur of shadow! “Gotcha!” He yelled, catching the filly before she could fall even a meter. “Twilight! What were you thinking!?” He asked, in a surprised panic. “You could have gotten really hurt!”

The filly pointed behind him, making the stallion turn to see Twilight’s favorite doll in a tree. “I was practicing my magic, and accidently sent Ms. Smarty Pants into the tree.” She said, the two of them floating to the ground.

“You should have asked an adult, Twilight… Never. Do. That. Again.” He scolded, the filly nodding and on the verge of tears. Night Claw quickly, and quietly, flew up to the branch, and grabbed the doll, without the filly even noticing he was gone. “There… She’s safe and unharmed. Next time, just come and get me. I’ll be happy to help.”

Twilight smiled, quietly grabbing the doll, and nuzzled it. She looked up at the batpony, and nodded. “I will, Night…. T-Thank you.” The filly muttered, blushing a bit.

“Twilight! Thank Celestia! Are you hurt? Are you ok?” A young, pinkish, alicorn shouted, as she rushed up to the two. She quickly hugged the filly, her gaze soon finding Night Claw, who towered over them. “Oh, thank you, for saving her! I just took my eyes of her for a few seconds, and this happens.”

Night Claw, noticing the alicorn features and how she acted with Twilight, had an idea who this mare was. “I was simply doing what I am asked to do, Princes Mia Amora Cadenza. Your aunt did assign me to young Twilight, after all.” He said, giving a respectful nod.

“Please call me Cadence… Then I am to assume you are Sir Night Claw?” Cadence held her hoof out to him, the stallion gently taking it and politely kissed the top of it. Like any “noble” would do for a lady.

“You are correct, Prince-… I mean, ‘Cadence’. But, please, call me Night Claw, or Night. I am not one for formalities.” He said, letting her hoof go. “And I am to assume you picked up Twilight after her lessons? When I arrived, she was gone and I couldn’t find her.”

Cadence gave a nod. “Y-Yeah… Sorry about that. I couldn’t wait to meet this adorable little filly, so I came straight to her.” She said, rubbing the back of her mane.

Night Claw gave a chuckle, before nodding. “Well then, I better go and see your aunt. No reason to keep her waiting any more than she has to.” He said, looking at Twilight. “You stay out of trouble, Ms. Silly Filly. I’ll see you after I have completed the task the Princess has for me.”

The two of them waved goodbye, Night Claw taking flight and flew straight to Celestia’s tower.

The filly looked up at the clock, while Cadence was tucking her in. “Where is Night at… He should have been here by now.” She said, concern filling her voice.

“I’m sure he’s just running a bit late is all, Twilight. I mean, he is an elite, so he’s tasked with really hard missions to complete.” Cadence said, before kissing the filly on the forehead. “You focus on getting some sleep. You have a long day tomorrow.”

Twilight nodded, and watched Cadence turn the lights out while she left, Spike already sound asleep. Her room was dark again, and it started to make her feel terrified once more, but something spoke up in her mind. “There are many scary things in the dark, but remember… There are those like me in them too.” Night Claw’s voice said, it wasn’t verbatim but it made her feel a lot better knowing he could be there at any moment.

Soon, the filly was fast asleep. Dreaming herself as a Princess, being chased by shadowy figures. When she was cornered, a new one appeared, spreading his bat like wings. Within moments, the figure revealed itself to be Night Claw, and defeated the other ones with expert ease… A grin on his face, standing like a hero from some epic tale.

Outside of the filly’s dream world, the real Night Claw quietly made his way into Twilight’s room, quickly positioning himself like the night before. He saw how she was smiling, snuggling closer into his fur. “She must be having a very pleasant dream.” He thought, before nuzzling the filly. “Goodnight, my little Princess.” He whispered, before laying his head down, a wing wrapped around Twilight’s small frame.