“Wow, Night Claw! You still remember that book you read to me, without even opening it!?” Twilight said, her eyes filled with wonder, as the stallion pushed the book away. “How do you even do that?”

Night Claw smirked, eyeing an assortment of science books Twilight picked out. “Years of training and practice.” He lied, best way to explain it without telling her it was a genetic enhancement.

“You’re strong, smart, fast, skilled, nice, and Celestia’s Elite… You’re the coolest pony in all of Equestria!” Twilight said, giving a sweet smile towards him. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

Night Claw had his back turned, still going through the books, so the filly didn’t see the pained look on his face. “Tell you the truth…” He muttered, through his gritting the teeth.

“What was that?” Twilight asked, perking her ears up.

The stallion turned around, a smile on his face. “I said, that isn’t all true…. I’m not the coolest pony.” Night Claw said, sitting next to Twilight, suddenly tickling the filly. “That title belongs to the pretty little filly next to me.”

Twilight giggled, trying to get away from the sudden tickle attack. “S-Stop, Night! Haha… I-I can’t read with you tickling me!” She said, the stallion smirking before backing away from her. Despite the fact she was just tickle attacked, Twilight’s cheeks were rose red from how he called her pretty. “H-Hey, Night Claw…. What are you doing, tomorrow night?” She asked.

Night Claw thought about it, but gave a shrug. “Since Dr. Bone Saw said I’m out of commission for two days, nothing.” He said, Twilight suddenly giving a wide grin.

“T-Think that, m-maybe, we could hang out in the garden? I-I’ve always wanted t-to see it at night.” Twilight tapped her hooves together.

Night Claw gave a grin, and nodded. “Sure, Twilight, I don’t see why not.” He said, eyeing the book in front of him. “There wouldn’t be any harm in it”

“Yay!” Twilight squealed, before hugging him. “Thank you, Night!” She continued before he convinced her to keep studying.

Just outside the door, Celestia was watching the two of them. There was a smile on her face, but also a look of concern. “I hope he knows what this has gotten himself into…” She thought, shaking her head.

-The next night-

“A-Are you sure I look aright, Cadence?” Twilight asked, her mane put up, along with a rose placed in her mane. “I-I don’t want to look bad… Should I put a dress on?”

Cadence smirked at the filly, she couldn’t help but find Twilight’s crush adorable, but she was also worried with what she knew. “You look great, Twilight. But remember, you didn’t really ask him on a date. He probably thinks he is just taking you around the garden, at night.”

Twilight suddenly looked down, frowning. “I-I know, but I didn’t want him to think of me any differently.” She said, feeling the alicorn fix her mane a little.

“I’m sure he would never, after all… I highly doubt he would jump in front of that gryphon just for me. You were in its direct path, not me.” Cadence assured the filly. This was a better thing, knowing that this mysterious pony wouldn’t ever want any harm to befall Twilight.

“R-Really!?” Twilight said, smiling at her foalsitter.

She gave a nod. “Really.” Cadence confirmed.

In the castle gardens, Night Claw looked around and smirked at the beautiful night. “For some reason… Despite the moon being out, this night reminds me of home.” He thought, spreading his wings out. “I wonder if Princess Celestia had something to do with this.”

“Sir Night Claw?” A voice said making the stallion turn around to see Cadence, and right next to her was Twilight… She had her hair put up, a rose in her mane, and it seemed like she was wearing make-up. “I’ll leave Twilight in your capable hooves.” She continued, before taking her leave of the two.

Night Claw raised an eyebrow, confused a little, before smiling at the filly. “Ready? Seems to be a beautiful night.” He asked, the filly nodding before walking up next to him. “Good, it’s also a bit cold out tonight, so stay close.” Night Claw lowered his wing and wrapped it over the filly.

Twilight turned red, giving a nervous smile. “M-Mhm… O-Ok.” She said, walking alongside the batpony, into the garden. “Oh, wait a moment!” She said, drawing Night Claw’s attention. Her horn slowly started to glow, as the flower headband slid out from her dress and landed on top of Night Claw’s head. “I-I made it, just for you… Do you like it?”

Night Claw smiled at the gesture, and nuzzled her for a moment. “Of course I do, Twilight. If you make it, I’ll love it.”

After an hour, Twilight couldn’t believe it she had spent an, what she considered, romantic evening with Night Claw! He was also very gentlecolt-like, keeping her warm with his wing, staying so close to her. Her favorite part, was when she asked him to sit with her, next to the pond. Twilight got the chance to look at the moon, even its reflection on the water.

Now, he had walked her back to her room, to say goodnight. She continued to hold a pleased smile, when they walked to the door. “Here we are, safe and sound.” Night Claw said, smiling at Twilight.

She nodded, as he opened the door. “Um… Night Claw… Mind leaning down here for a second?” Twilight asked, the stallion doing as she asked before the filly pecked him on the cheek, and rushed into her room... The door quickly shutting behind her.

Night Claw just had a raised eyebrow at what had just happened. “Well, that was unexpected.” He said, before a voice spoke up.

“Was it? It was quite obvious from where I was standing.” Celestia said, making the stallion turn to look at her. “Didn’t know what day it was, did you?” She asked him, a smile on her face.

“Hm…. Tuesday?” He asked, making Celestia giggle. “What? I know it is, because the dining hall had ‘Taco Tuesday’ banners everywhere.”

This made the Princess flat out laugh. “N-No, haha… It is Hearts and Hooves Day, Night Claw.” She finally said, making the batpony get a serious look, and sigh.

“I know… And it does explain quite a bit.” He looked towards her, raising his brow again. “What brings you to my post, though? Highly doubt it’s for idle chit chat.” He asked, standing at attention.

“Straight to the point, as always.” Celestia said, with a smile. “It seems the danger towards Twilight has ended, for now. Her studies will pick up to the point that I’ll almost be with her all the time.” Her face suddenly became serious, along with sympathetic. “So I require that you watch her from the shadows, protecting her without any knowledge of it… You will also be caring out missions further away from Canterlot… Which will be a good cover up story for you.”

Night Claw listened to his new set of orders, keeping a disciplined soldier’s passive look on his face. “I understand, but I have a question for you, Princess.” He said, Celestia giving a nod to ask. “If you are terminating the original reason, as to why you brought me here, then why summon me in the first place? The memory of what I did six years ago is still burned into my mind, and I am not ignorant of her feelings…. It seems I am doing more harm, than good.” His eyes suddenly narrowed at the tiled floor. “Which seems to be the curse of all Night Lords.”

Celestia’s normal passive look turned into one of sorrow filled pain. “You disappearing from her side will break Twilight’s heart… Seeing her, after we tell her this, will break my own as well.” She said, before placing a hoof on his unscarred shoulder. “However, this is not me terminating our original plan. It is allowing you to do what a Night Lord does best, being a Hunter within the shadows. Plus, there will be a point where she will need you again.” Celestia lowered her hoof to the ground. “The next ten years will become crucial for her, and mold Twilight to become what I foresaw her being. And you will be there, watching her ever step from the shadows…. Protecting her, guiding her.”

Night Claw thought it over for a moment, before nodding. “Despite my personal feelings on this matter… It is for the best. It also greatly increases the chances of her not seeing me lose control.” He said, looking up at Celestia. “But, mind doing me a favor? It is something I have been meaning to ask, it is for Twilight.”

“For the sacrifice you are about to make? Anything.” Celestia said, smiling at the stallion.

“Think you could use your powers to create an Equestria friendly book on the Night Lords? I have caught Twilight, numerous times, eyeing my… Ehm… ‘Cutie mark’… With an inquisitive look.” He asked, before explaining further. “Figured I owe her that much.”

Celestia just looked at him for a moment, confused, before she smiled. “Of course, I will have it ready by noon tomorrow. We can tell Twilight then.” The Princess said, Night Claw giving a nod in agreement. ‘Good… You are allowed to leave your post for tonight, and prepare for what is to come.”

Night Claw gave a nod, before taking his leave in a classic Night Lord manner.. Silently, in to the shadows.

Celestia just watched, and waited until she knew he was gone. “I really have to get him to teach me how to do that. Disappearing from those pesky meetings would be a blessing.

Noon came a lot faster than Night Claw liked, he wasn’t really ready to tell Twilight anything. However, these were his orders and Night Claw couldn’t really refuse them since Celestia has done so much for him already. He gave a light sigh, before the doors opened, and the lavender filly came rushing in. “Sorry I’m late!” Twilight shouted, before bowing respectfully to Celestia. “What is it you needed me for, Princess?”

“It is not really something I need you to do, more like something I need to tell you.” Celestia said, before Night Claw spoke up.

“Princess, may I be the one to tell her? It is only right.” He asked, the Princess looking at him before giving a nod. By this time, while she looked calm on the outside, Twilight was having a mini-freak out in her mind. Night Claw made his way to her, before giving a light sigh. “It seems that a greater danger has appeared around Equestria, and its boarders. Princess Celestia requires her best to battle these dangers, without the public knowing about them…. So, she is sending me.” He leaned down, and nuzzled into the filly, who was confused. “It will be… A very long time before I can come back.”

Twilight’s eyes already started to fill up with tears, realizing what this meant. “S-So… You won’t be around… Anymore?” She asked, having a hard time to hold back the tears.

“Unfortunately, that is correct… By the time I return, you will probably be a full grown mare, who’ll be the strongest magic wielding unicorn in all of Equestria.” Night Claw confirmed, before he was given a shock.

Twilight suddenly pushed away from him. “No! I-I don’t won’t you to go away! I want you to stay here!” She screamed, unable to fight the waterfall of tears anymore, and dashed out of the throne room, heading straight for her room.

“That… Didn’t go well, as I hoped.” Night Claw said, frowning how things went. “Maybe I should try to talk to her more, after she has time to calm down”

“No, Night Claw.” Celestia said, walking up next to him. “This time, I will. You need to get things started.” Night Claw nodded, before flying off. “I hope I can help her, maybe this book could help.” Celestia thought, before a midnight blue book levitated over to her. On its cover, the Night Lord’s insignia, along with the title “Night Guards” was engraved.

The young filly had her face buried in her pillows, trying to muffle the sounds of her crying. She couldn’t believe it, the day after she worked up the courage to ask Night Claw, he has to leave for a very long time. “It’s not fair! It’s just not fair!” Twilight yelled, into the pillows.

Spike, who was just old enough to comprehend what was going on, watched his big sister figure with concerned eyes. “T-Twi? I don’t know what has gotten you so upset… But, I’m sure everything is going to be ok…” The baby dragon said, trying to cheer the filly up.

“No, it’s not, Spike! He’s being sent away, and he probably won’t be coming back!” She yelled, before planting her face back into the pillow.

Spike didn’t know how to respond to that, he honestly had no clue what was going on. All he knew, was that Twilight burst into the room, eyes filled with tears, and jumped on to the bed. He has never seen her like this before and was actually taken back by it all. When a knock came, the baby dragon scrambled for the door. “Yes! I’ll be right there!” He called out, opening the door to see Celestia on the other side. “P-Princess! I-I uh.. Don’t think Twilight will be able to attend her lessons today.”

“I know, Spike.” She said, giving him a warm smile. “But that is why I came here, would you mind giving us some time alone?” Celestia asked, the baby dragon gave a nod and left after the Princess entered. “Twilight, dear? May I join you?”

Twilight’s ears shot up, making the filly slowly sit up and wipe her eyes. “M-Mhm…” She managed to say, before the pure white alicorn joined her on the bed, giving her a motherly smile.

“Twilight… I’m sorry that Night Claw will be sent away for such a long time, it was a decision I didn’t take likely.” Celestia said, carefully picking each word she used. “However, he is the unsung hero of Equestria, and he is being called upon again. If he doesn’t do this, it would mean something very dear to his heart would be put in danger.” She smiled at the filly, who was laying against her larger frame. “Do you know what that something is, Twilight?”

The filly slowly shook her head, she knew Night Claw didn’t care for much… After all, the stallion didn’t show much interest in anything. “It’s probably some older mare in Canterlot that he sees when off duty.” Twilight guessed.

“Well… You’re almost correct. But it isn’t a mare, more like a filly. A filly that he always enjoys spending his time with, one he will even fight all of Tartarus to protect. And that filly…” Celestia said, Twilight’s ears perking up even more, before whispering the rest. “Is you, Twilight.”

Twilight looked up at her mentor, eyes wide at her answer. “B-But… How? Why doesn’t he…” The filly was bombarded with questions by her own mind, unable to ask the right one.

“Oh, Twilight… Night Claw has sacrificed so much, to keep you happy and safe. Even his own nature.” Celestia’s horn suddenly lit up, before the Night Guards book floated over to Twilight. “He didn’t want to leave your side but choose to, because it would protect you… He wanted you to have this book, as a way to apologize for what he has to do.”

Twilight placed her hoof over the book’s cover, and just stared at the image that looked like Night Claw’s cutie mark. “What kind of book is it?” She asked, amazed how mysterious t looks.

“Remember all that secret information Night Claw never spoke of, about his people and family? Like history, body structure, combat styles, and foundations?” Celestia asked, watching as the filly bobbed her head. “Well then, that book holds those exact secrets he held…. Only for you to read, and know.” The Princess opened the book for Twilight, where someone had written a message.

“Night Haunter? I’ve never heard of that pony before.” Twilight said, looking up at Celestia, with a raised brow. “Who are they?”

Celestia smiled, already thinking of something to say. “Night Haunter is a male batpony alicorn, said to be the father of all Night Guard Stallions. He passed away some time ago, and I used… A very special cave to contact him. I explained the situation to him, and he, reluctantly, agreed to follow along.” She explained, looking at the book. “This is a first edition, too. One that no pony but the Night Guard may look at…. One that you have been permitted to look into, and study.”

Twilight’s eyes widen, staring at the book. “Y-You mean… I’ll know everything there is to know about something… That no other pony in Equestria knows!?” The filly asked, her jaw dropping open from the shock.

Celestia couldn’t help but giggle at her protégé’s reaction. “That is correct, Twilight. That honor has fallen to you, by permission of Night Haunter.” The Princess said, not watching the filly bounce all over the place.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She repeated, before nuzzling into Celestia’s neck, the Princess wrapping the filly with her foreleg. “How can I ever thank him for this?”

Celestia giggled again, holding her smile. “How about becoming the strongest unicorn in Equestria, like he predicted, hm? I’m sure that’ll be a greater surprise.” She suggested.

“I’ll do it! When he comes back, I will show him everything I can do!” Twilight said, a determined look in her eyes… The kind that not even a charging manticore could deter.

Celestia nodded to Twilight, and looked her in the eyes. “I know you will, Twilight… I’m sure of it.” She said, nuzzling the filly.