I woke up in the middle of the night...Again. It was like I was never allowed to just have a normal sleep in my life for once. One moment I am snuggling the mare of my dreams, the next? I am piss-ass tired and feeling like I was flattened in a taffy puller...If that was even possible. I moved out of the bed which only had Summer in it this time, and decided that a late night flight was in order. I quickly tucked Summer in as I was going to be gone for a while. She gave me a dazed smile as she shuffled on the bed, trying to get comfortable without me being her teddy bear. I cracked a smile as she made a pouty face that I wasn't there anymore and gave her Midna to cuddle with while I was away.

I let out a sigh as all I could think about recently was how different Summer acts around me now. Just a few weeks ago, we were trying to kill each other, well, she was trying to kill me, I was just ignoring her. I had to wonder what caused her to change so suddenly? She was; brash, snobby, and the serious case of, ‘God-complex.’ Now she was sweet, shy, and fun to be with, well, most of the time.

I know she was hiding something, her old attitude towards me is proof of that. The fact that she has a bow made of dragon bones just reinforced that fact as well. ‘Where the hell did she get it in the first place?! I know she said it was a family heirloom, but I call bullshit on that.’ In any case, I suppose it is up to her to tell me and her friends about it, but if she holds out on us for too long. Then I will force it out of her. "I just hope it isn't bad," I mumbled as I left the room.

Luna sat in the private lounge of the castle with a cup of coffee in front of her on a coffee table. Sitting in front of her on the opposite couch was her niece, Princess Cadence and her husband, Prince Shining Armor. Both of them sat on a silk cushion, talking about life in the Empire and the unrest within their citizens. Luna found it rather amusing that the majority of their complaining was about the new, soon-to-be country that is the size of Equestria called, Arcadia.

Luna didn't show her displeasure at the couple complain about how much of a pain importing and exporting the refined, high-carbon steel or the spider silk from Arcadia. Luna was somewhat surprised that Empress Rose was leading an entire country despite haven't stepped foot inside it since it's creation. Her taxes supported the poverty-stricken citizens while the rich lost half of what they earned. Her Universal Health Care made sure no pony would drown in debt from medical bills and most perception medicine was free.

Everypony was equal in Arcadia, when in Equestria; a stallion could not be more than a house husband or guard and very few had a business. Mares ruled Equestria while stallions were used as breeders. That last note left a pit in her stomach. Luna remembered that before the Nightmare rebellion, stallions were the Guardian of the family with the mare in the household tending to the children.

Luna couldn't help but smile at the accomplishments that Winter Rose has done in just one sitting with her charge, Green Eco. In just one hour, Rose had shifted the balance in the nobility within Equestria and the rest of the world. This lead to the decision to separate her and Equestria as damage control, which was something Luna hated her sister for doing, but she couldn't stop it because she knew what would have happened if she did.

Luna could see it right in front of her eyes; riots that burned cities, militia groups attacking the Nobles, unrest and instability, anarchy and misery. That was the fate of Equestria if her sister didn't do what she did, however, once the announcement was out. Thousands fled to the new country, causing it to grow as fast as it did. Now, after a month has passed; Arcadia as a few small towns, a huge mountain city with a castle being built at Empress Rose's orders. There was over thirty thousand in Arcadia now and many of them worship Rose as; The Goddess of War, Spirit of the Wind, Lady of Freedom, Daughter of Twilight and Empress of Arcadia.

The fact that her talent, like the other six, is the sole reason why Celestia or she didn't dare take any of them as a student. All of them, like their predecessors, have the potential of becoming, ‘The Alicorn of War.’ The very thing Celestia fears the most. Luna didn't understand that fear as the filly who gained that title, would have the same destiny as their father, Solaris, who fights to this very day at the gates of Valhalla with their Alicorn brethren, while their mother, Lunaris, tends to the wounded on the battlefield against Hades and his demon army.

“So, aunty Luna, how are things with Arcadia as of late?” Cadence asked, breaking Luna out of her deep thought.

“Things are rather interesting, to say the least. Their Credit is worth three times more than our Bit now, which makes trade difficult as we have to spend just as much to get what we need,” Luna said not surprised as she knew that Arcadia was as technologically advanced as Japapony. Their refining process was much more efficient and costs just as less.

“I see,” she paused for a moment in deep thought while Shining took a sip of his drink. “You don't sound like you care all that much. Aren't you worried about the immense growth that the little country is going through?” Cadence asked.

“Not really, in fact, I am quite impressed at the growth. If I can recall correctly, Arcadia is bigger than the Crystal Empire in both size and population,” Luna smiled, Cadence, however, was not.

“Don't you think that's a little odd?” Cadence asked with a hint of venom in her tone. “How can such a brand new country grow so quickly? It's like it's a magical Eden with how those horrid cultists preach the words of their blasphemous religion! I bet there is dark magic at work there and Celestia isn't heeding my warnings about the possibility,” she said almost yelling. “Can't you see what's really going on there, Luna?”

In truth, she can. Winters elected counsel plus the way she has her entire political system set up, as well as the growing; military, city, towns and industries, has made it a beacon of prosperity. Ponies from all over the world have renounced their nationalities in order to go to Arcadia to become a citizen. There is money, security, and a freedom there that no other place in the world has and is desperately trying to copy. ‘Well, most of the world. If Tia didn't believe that our matriarchal social structure was perfect and that unicorns were more important than all other races, then she would be trying to copy Empress Rose's system too,’

Luna made sure to voice her next words so not to disturb the jealous Princess. “Indeed, I can, Princess Cadence. Empress Rose is becoming something to aspire to and she is doing it without the need of magic of any kind. If you look at her laws and look past her worshipers, you can see why everypony is fleeing for Arcadia in the thousands.”

Cadence scrunched up her nose in frustration, not wanting to believe what she was hearing. “I have seen those laws and they go against the very nature of harmony! Everypony knows that a stallion isn't equal to a mare no matter the race because they cannot bring life into the world. Not only that, but her deranged cultists have been harassing my ponies in the Empire with their lies that true love is supporting each other in every way, shape, and form; and not a stallion tending to his mare like the goddess she is,” she huffed in bemusement.

Luna sighed knowing that no matter how much she defended Winter, Cadence and her poor outlook on what it truly means to be in love; when she is the goddess of love, she wasn't going to get through to her anytime soon. She could only hope that she doesn't do anything rash against Rose at her growing Empire that Celestia helped create.

I reclined on a cloud just outside the dorm, admiring the starlit sky. My late night flight was just what I needed to relax my stiff muscles. Over in the city, I couldn't hear a thing; no parties, no fights and no snoring of any kind. The ugly castle to the north was shadowed by the mountain and the pale moonlight. The soothing breeze was wonderfully cold and the Emerald was finally off.

I couldn't believe it when Storm ended our punishment early after the duel. Summer and I practically kissed the stallion now that we could go anywhere without having to drag each other around. He, of course, grunted in annoyance before telling me that I still had to write in the diary till Sunday, which sucks. We were both happy that we didn't get shocked when we thought bad thoughts towards each other anymore. It really sucked when I learned that the hard way in the tub with my toy's. I almost forgot how conductive water was.

Though, I think Summer will somewhat miss the chain from the look in her eyes when Night Shade said, ‘Now you guys won't ever know where each other is all the time!’ I know she is a bit possessive of me by how much she likes to cuddle every night. I don't mind it of course, but I think the chain was like a security blanket for her; telling her that her meat shield was close by and ready to be used, but she was still happy to be rid of it.

I yawned again, happy that it was gone as well. I don't want to know what it would be like if we were chained together for longer than necessary. She wouldn't mind all that much, but I have to wonder why she was possessive over me in the first place. It was bad enough that she was hiding something from me that may or may not be bad. If this part of her is part of it, then it must be bad.

I know what it's like to cling to the nearest thing that brought me safety. If she or anypony for that matter, found out that I went to sleep with a pistol with a silencer and had to use it a couple of times on both animals and humans. I wouldn't know what to tell them other than, ‘I was alone and in a bad place.’ That gun that I bought from an arms dealer in Quebec City had saved my life and ended a few. If she is hiding something and using me to protect her. I will be there for her as a friend, but after she tells me about it. I want to know what I will be dealing with if it shows its head at me. I rolled over, pushing aside the thoughts about Summer for later and focused on a growing problem in Arcadia.

Ever since Celestia dumped the country on me and I made my laws and religion, as well as a plethora of other things. Things around Equestria and the Crystal Empire have been getting out of hand. The papers said that several zealots have attacked ponies of the Church of the Sun, Celestia's fucking religion as well as the Church of Love. I found the last one funny as Cadences religion is all about femdom and pegging and I made my religion as a joke. ‘Though, now that I think about it, I should really monitor that and change several things. I don't want to see the headline: ‘Filly punted at Celestia's window and other things for children.’

Aside from the zealots preaching about true equality and my favorite; 'The cake is a lie,' I have been hearing that the Crystal Empire is building up its military. If that is true, then I should invest in building my military as well. I know for a fact from a letter that Green Eco sent me that gunpowder is being made and tested. I could easily get the counsel to make our military advancement a top priority, but I would need a reason for it. ‘Maybe I could get a zealot to get the information that I need?’ I thought as I made a plan to head to Arcadia during the fall break just after the fall formal. I needed to check up on my castle to see how that's coming along.

As the air began to get a little too cold for my taste, I decided to head in back to the dorm to get some sleep. After all, I have a date tomorrow. I jumped off my cloud and flew to the roof of the dorm to use the rooftop entrance to the building. Just as I was nearing my target, I couldn't help but notice a certain filly that I utterly destroyed earlier today, sitting on the edge of the building and looking down. Then, as I was about to land, I saw Autumn leap off of the building, heading head first to the sidewalk below. I instantly jumped into action and bolted to her rescue. Within a split second, she was in my arms safe and sound. She gave me a startled look as I pulled up and landed on the roof. I set her down and just as she was about to say something, I gave her the hardest bitch slap I could produce. Angry that she was trying to end her life.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” I shouted at her as I slapped her again, causing her to fall over onto the damp roof grass. She didn't say a word as she laid there, silent and frightened. I picked her up by the collar of her uniform with rage in my eyes as suicide and those who believe in it, was one of the things that I hate most; as it was what killed one of the few friends I made in life.

“Well, answer me!” I shouted in her face, but all I got in return was empty, glassy eyes and a damp face. “If you don't tell me right the fuck now. I'm going to make you regret it!” I screamed in her face again, remembering how my other friend tried to jump after she was kicked out of the house for being a lesbian. Just like how I brought Sasha back to her senses and to show her how much I cared about her, even though I was a guy and she was only into girls.

I pulled Autumn into an embrace and gave her my signature, ‘Instant-Orgasm-Kiss-Of-Demonic-Seduction.’ The effect was instantaneous as Autumn's hips jerked and she screamed a muffled scream of ecstasy, melting in my arms as her eyes closed in utter bliss. I held it for a few moments before I pulled away and retracted my tongue from the back of her throat. I felled onto my back, still holding Autumn in a comforting hug of both my arms and wings. Once as came back to her senses, she stared at me confused before she realized that I made her squirt a gallon with just a kiss. Her face became as red as a 'sop' sign before she switched like a light and went full angry at me.

“What are you doing ‘ere and why are you ‘olding me?!” she screamed in my face. In response, I nommed her nose, causing her to blush again.

“I am here because I saw you trying to kill yourself and I am holding you so you don't try and do it again,” I growled at her after I finished nomming her nose.

“Why didn't you let me! I am a disgrace to my family after that duel!” she shouted at my face before she broke down into a sobbing mess, just like Sasha. I pulled her close and let her rest her head on my chest as she bawled her eyes out at how much of a failure she think she was while I rubbed the back of her head to calm her down.

After a few minutes of nonstop crying, she finally spoke again. “Why...Why didn't you let me die?” she choked out. “I have nothing to live for. My family disowned me...My friends abandoned me...I am nothing but a waste of space. Why you of all ponies, had to come and prevent me my final wish?” she said, causing me to become enraged at her family. ‘She is quickly turning out like Sasha and we have known each other for like, thirty minutes. I might as well tell her what I told Sasha.’

“You want to know why I saved you?” I asked. She simply nodded a reply. “Well, it is very simple: I hate ponies who believe in killing themselves. It is selfish, cowardly and hurts more than it helps. So what if you lost once, no big deal. You have to lose to become better. If you don't, then you are either cheating or your opponent really sucks. The fact that your family disowned you just shows how much they didn't care about you in the first place. So you know what I say? ‘Fuck ‘em,’ and move on. And if you ever dare jump like that again. Then I will drag your ass out of heaven or hell and beat the living shit out of you. Got it?!” I said, causing her to flinch at the last part in shame.

“G-Got it,” she stuttered a reply. “Good,” I said happily before I softened my voice and pulled her closer. “Now that's out of the way. If you need someone to talk to, someone to cry on, then come to me okay? You are an insanely talented Vanguard and such talent shouldn't be wasted on selfish choices.”

“Okay,” she whimpered as she buried her face into my chest and went back to bawling her eyes out. ‘Just like Sasha, my adopted sister before I was homeless. I bet this is the start of a beautiful relationship...After I murder her parents,’ I thought as Autumn cried herself to sleep.

I let loose an annoyed sigh and carried her on my back to my room and tucked her in on the couch with a spare blanket. Once she was warm and safe from both the elements and herself. I walked back into my room and snuggled up with Summer, thinking about Sasha and wondering how she was copping without her big brother.

Author's Notes:

So, how's the name; 'Black Lace and Rose Petals,' sound as a side story name? Just something a friend came up with while I was killing noobs on Dark souls 2.