BLAM BLAM BLAM.

“Mmm...Light, hun...door.”

BLAM BLAM BLAM

“...Light...door.” Sherry grumbled half asleep, lightly shoving at her lover.

BLAM BLAM BLAM

“Oh for...does no bucking pony understand the sock rule?” Lighthoof rolled out of bed and tumbled to the floor, his hind-hooves tangled in the bedsheets.

BLAM BLAM BLAM

“OH FOR BUCK'S SAKE, CHILL OUT!” The tan pegasus untangled his legs and staggered his way to the door. A click of the lock later he swung it open and glared down the earth-pony guard standing at attention. “WHAT?!”

The Royal Guard saluted, “Message for you from...” He paused, glancing over Light's shoulder to see a pink unicorn cuddled up with StarStep. He raised an eyebrow as he returned his attention to Lighthoof. “Uh...Message for you and uh, apparently StarStep as well. Saves me an extra trip.” He coughed lightly into his grey hoof. “Captain Commander Shining Armor requests your presence in his office at your convenience. He understands this is an off day so implores you to take all the time you need to be presentable.” The earth-pony glanced into the room again, “Both of you.” He saluted as the door slammed in his face.

Grumbling, Lighthoof staggered back over and fell into Sherry's loving hooves. “Sherry, love?”

“Mmmm? Yes, Light?” She snuggled between the two colts and kissed her lover on the forehead.

Lighthoof began to snore and the unicorn giggled softly as she drifted back to sleep herself.

Morning came and went for the tired trio. Only rousing around two in the afternoon. They huddled around Light's little table for a brunch of cereal and fruit. All three looked like a mess with their manes and coats sticking out in odd places. Sherry was the worst of the bunch, excusing herself after gobbling down an apple, and shyly hiding her hindquarters from the colts.

As the two friends waited their turns to freshen up, listening to the patter of the shower, Light remembered the banging that morning, “Oh, right. Hey, dude. Captain Shining wants to see us today.”

Star blinked in surprise, “Us? Why? I don't remember bucking up anything. Oh, tartarus, I hope it wasn't because I stumbled into those night-guards in my...condition last night.”

Lighthoof was speechless for a moment, “Wow...that had to have been awkward. No, I think if that was the case, he'd call just you. Usually they wait for reprimands and crap till we're back on duty. Gotta be important then.

The blue-grey pegasus nodded in agreement then cringed, “Ooof...or maybe it was...cause...well...Princess Celestia saw me too. But she seemed rather understanding.”

There was intense choking as Lighthoof tried to clear the orange juice he had attempted to inhale, “You...cough...you...hack...ahem. You showed the Princess your...you know? Oh bucking hell dude. You got some coconuts.”

“Hey, it wasn't like that. It was an accident. I just needed her help to get rid of it.” He noticed his friends eyebrow raise, “Oh buck, Lighthoof. Not in that way! I didn't know that's how you got rid of it till after she told me.”

“Uh huh...anyhoof. Thanks again for helpin' Sherry, dude.”

“Yeah, it wasn't as awkward as I thought it might be. It was a fun new experience.” He grinned.

The tan pegasus chuckled, “Rock on dude. Glad to see you trying new things.” They hoof-bumped and waited their turns at the shower.

An hour later, freshly cleaned and suited up. Lighthoof and Sherry had their affectionate good-byes, StarStep received a kiss on the cheek and a thank-you from the mare. Then the colts made their way to the Royal Guard command room.

As they approached the massive doors of HQ, occasional pegasi messengers would dart in and out, relaying scrolls from across Equestria. A pair of sturdy earth ponies stood at attention at the door while opposite of them their unicorn counter-parts. None of the four gave Star or Light more than a passing glance, allowing them unhindered access. The massive room was filled with ponies coordinating guard posts across the kingdom and regulating air-control in no-fly zones. It was a hub of activity and soft buzz of voices. Towards the back of the massive hall, they found an ajar steel door with a golden name plate engraved with 'Capt. Commander Shining Armor'. Taking a deep breath, StarStep rapped his hoof on the metal, immediately he heard a command to enter.

The two pegasi entered and saluted before pulling off their helms to let the illusion magic fade. The white unicorn with a blue mane glanced up while he was scribbling away at a parchment. “A moment soldiers, be at ease.” They relaxed their stances as he rolled up the scroll and sealed it. “RUNNER!” A small pegasus darted in, nabbed the scroll from his outstretched hoof and zipped away.

The Captain of the Royal Guards smiled at them, “You colts didn't have to come in armor. You are off-duty after all.” He gestured to the door, “Close that if you would.”

Lighthoof glanced at his friend then stepped over to nudge the door closed with a loud metallic click. The room descended into silence as he returned to Star's side.

“Again, sorry about interupting your day off, but I needed to speak to you two about a few things in regards to information I received this morning.” The two colts exchanged nervous glances. “First off. Quite a few of the veterans are a little jealous of you two. It's nothing serious, just a little envy about your post.”

Lighthoof blinked, “What do you mean sir? The fish?”

Shining Armor nodded and relaxed back in his chair, “The fish. What you colts seem to forget, is that new guards, tend to get the hardest posts. Gate duty, public function detail, and so on.” He leaned forward, “And that was what you two were doing before Princess Celestia put in a request specifically for you two to switch to Moon-pool duty. I don't think you realize just how much the veterans covet that position.” He used his magic to pour himself a drink into a crystal goblet and sipped what appeared to be apple cider. “Not only is it quiet and out of the chaos of public eye, but those fish are Luna's pets from before the whole Nightmare incident. Granted, I don't think they're under much threat, but there are some rather vindictive ponies out there who might feel the Princesses slighted them in some fashion. It's easier for us to prevent that possibility than to fix any damages somepony might cause.” He looked over the two colts. “Understand now?”

Both of the pegasi nodded firmly. He paused, looking them over then nodded, “Now, that said. I've been keeping an eye on you two. Just waiting for an excuse to bump you back onto street-duty. I promised the Princess I'd give you a shot, I didn't promise you'd stay at that post.” Again the two colts glanced nervously at each other. “So far, you've been on time....Narrowly.” He gave a stern expression to Lighthoof, “You've been respectful and held to your posts. You've even gone so far as to keep Princess Luna amused with her...antics.” The corners of his mouth turned up. “Then, there's the little matter of her latest prank with the whole Nightmare Moon scare.”

He sighed and put a hoof to his forehead, “She likes to make our jobs interesting, doesn't she?” without waiting for a response he continued, “She explained what happened and how you two responded. In fact, it seems I've been tasked to plan more tests of that nature, for the new recruits. See how they react to crisis.” He drained his crystal goblet and used his magic to set it aside with a soft-clink. “Princess Luna seems to think you two could handle more responsibility. Princess Celestia agrees with some minor concerns.” He tapped his fore-hooves together on the desk and leaned forward. “So, now we've come to why I actually called you here .”

Star and Light resisted the urge to come to attention under the white unicorn's scrutiny. He frowned, “Two of Night-Court guards fell ill last night. I'm not at liberty to discuss their conditions, but rest assured, they'll be back on duty in a few days. The Night-Guard is already stretched thin. Partially because of Luna's insistence of taking it over and modifying it's structure. So, since both Princesses are requesting for the two of you to have more responsibility, I'll make this offer. We need two guards to fill in at the Royal Court this evening. Princess Luna will be attending petitioners. You’re suppose to be off today, so it's strictly optional. But I need to know now.” He looked back and forth at them.

Star glanced over at Light, “May we discuss it a moment, sir?” Shining Armor nodded and the pegasus turned to his friend, “I wanna do this. Royal Court duty is right next to the throne. It's a pretty big deal to have her protection in our hooves.”

Lighthoof sighed, “Yeah...buck, you're right. But Sherry is going to KILL me dude. We were suppose to be taking a romantic little trip to the mountains for the next couple of days.”

Star pleaded, “Please Light. As a friend, help me out.”

The other pegasus groaned and rolled his eyes, “Fine, fine. It's a good thing we put her in such a great mood last...” he halted, glancing over to the Captain who was close enough to eavesdrop. He coughed lightly, “Anyhoof, yeah, alright.”

Grinning, StarStep saluted Captain Shining, “Sir, we'd be happy to serve Princess Luna this evening.”

Hours later, as the sun began to set, StarStep and Lighthoof found themselves at the sides of the Canterlot Royal Throne. Clad in their polished golden armor, the pegasi looked every bit the protectors for the kingdom that the public perceived them to be. The throne was still empty, but the evening's crowd had gathered and a long line of petitioners awaited their turns outside. Night-Court wasn't as busy or popular as the Day-Court. Generally the ponies who used the Night-Court, did so because they worked during the sunlight hours, were night-owls or desired a smaller crowd to witness their grievances. There was also the fact that between the sisters, Luna had far less tact and would openly berate a pony she felt deserved it.

“Hey, Light.” Star whispered out of the side of his mouth.

“Shhh, dude. What's with you and talking on duty.” He hissed back.

“I owe you big. This is going to be awesome.” He fluttered his wings slightly and fought off a grin.

“Awesome? What, listening to a bunch of foals whine about money and petty arguments?”

“Come on, you've heard the stories of how Princess Luna likes to bring uppity nobles down a peg.”

Lighthoof smirked under his golden helm, “Yeah...that would be pretty funny to watch.” the colts shared a brief chuckle as an old grey unicorn pony trotted to the center of the room.

“Hear ye, hear ye. This evening's Night-Court, will now come to order. Presiding over the cases, the star-crafter, the moon-dancer, mistress of the evening sky and protector of dreams. Princess Luna.”

The announcement was met with a stomping of polite hooves on the floor in applause as the herald took his position along the walls. Lighthoof couldn't help but whisper to his friend, “Wow, dude. She got enough titles?”

“Tis but a trifle.” A soft voice whispered just loud enough the two colts could hear, “I doth held fifty-seven titles an age ago.” The moon-princess settled into the red silk cushion on the throne and gave a weary sigh. “...duty heavier than a mountain.” The two pegasi went stiff as all eyes in the throne-room turned in their direction, looking up at the ruler just behind them. Luna's voice raised to address the court, “Let it be known that thy Princess shalt judge fairly and without restraint in regards to power, wealth or position. In mine eyes, all are equal and shalt abide by the same laws which govern us all. Let the first case be presented.”

A old grey unicorn herald trotted up to the center of the room, “The court calls the following. Plaintiff, Sundrop, and Defendant Platinum.” As he left, a yellow earth-mare with orange mane trotted up, her mid-section rather plump. Off to her side stepped a unicorn with a silvery coat and white mane that shined in the lamp-lights, he kept glancing at the yellow mare worriedly.

Luna looked down at yellow pony, “I am to assume thou art Sundrop?” The pony nodded so the alicorn continued, “Speak thy complaint and let us resolve thy issue in a fair manner.”

The little plump mare sniffed, she seemed to be fighting back tears, “Your majesty. It all started when I came into heat a few months ago. Just like normal, I didn't have a stallion. So like the law says, I locked myself in the house till it had passed.” She sniffed and glared at the silver unicorn, “And then, this...this...foal, comes knocking on my door. I was half-way through the cycle and...just...here's this fine stallion standing on my door-step. So, I grab him and pull him in. He didn't leave, and instead bred me.” StarStep suddenly realized she wasn't fat, she was pregnant. “Then, after he finds out I'm with foal, he bucking leaves me to run off to Las Pegasus!”

The crowd murmured angrily. A lot of death stares were directed at the back of the silver unicorn's head. A few started shouting for castration, the usual punishment for ponies who sired and ran. “BE STILL!” Princess Luna broke out the royal voice and it rang in Star's helm.

“Need we remind thou, that there art always two sides to a story.” She stared down the crowd, then looked to unicorn with narrowed eyes, “Speak thy side, Platinum. Let only truth spill from thy tongue or face the full fury of this court.” StarStep could only nod slightly in agreement. He'd learned his lesson about fibbing to the moon-goddess.

The unicorn glanced over at Sundrop, a mixture of anger and concern. “Your highness. Sundrop and I have been friends for a long time. She wanted to be my mare, but I was content with a simple friendship. Then I got this job that had me doing business from Canterlot to Las Pegasus. I come home after a long trip and go to invite Sundrop out for drinks. After she opens the door, she jerks me inside and well...you know. Then she comes to my house a few weeks later to tell me I sired her foal. Of course I was angry she had tricked me, and had to leave for work the next day. That part was just bad timing. While I'm in Las Pegasus, she starts to call my job, harassing my employer and telling them I abandoned her. So here I am, without a job, and an earth-mare who seems to think this is all my fault.”

There were confused mutters in the crowd and Luna leaned forward to glare at the unicorn. “Thou sayth thou visited her while she was in heat. Didst thou not see the flower upon her door, as per the law?”

“No your highness. There was none.” the crowd whispered to each other.

Luna turned her attention to Sundrop, “Did thou place a flower, marking thyself as a mare in heat, without a stallion, upon thy door in any fashion?”

The little yellow earth pony bowed her head, tears falling to the floor, “...no your highness.” A sharp gasp ran through the crowd. “...I just wanted him to love me...I thought...if I gave him a foal, he'd stay with me, and be more than a friend.”

Luna nodded and turned back to Platinum, “Despite that fact, thou art a unicorn. I cannot fathom even a lust-driven earth-mare could overpower even the most basic of magic users. Can thou give reason for staying?”

Platinum set his jaw and turned to his saddlebag, pulling something out and tossing it towards Sundrop. The crowd gasped again as the gold ring clattered across the polished stone and came to rest between them. Luna frowned at the ring, “Is that a magic dampener?” The unicorn nodded with a grimace.

“Sundrop, did thou inhibit Platinum's horn for the purposes of preventing his escape during your time of heat? Did thou overpower this weaker pony to manipulate him towards loving thou by using a foal as leverage?” Luna's voice seemed cold and terrifying towards the end.

The little yellow mare collapsed to the floor, weeping openly and begging for forgiveness under the intense stare of the goddess of the night. “IT IS NOT I THOU SHOULD ASK FORGIVENESS!” her voice shook the room, even the lanterns seemed to flicker. “How DARE thou defile this court with thy lies and deceit. I shalt pass my judgment upon thee! I hereby-”

“Stop! Please Princess!” The silver unicorn dashed over to stand protectively above the trembling yellow mare. “Please. She has wronged me, may I not pass judgment? If she should wish it?” Luna studied the colt for long moments. The crowd was hushed and dead silent.

“Sundrop, dost thou wish to accept judgement from Platinum for thy crimes?” The little mare looked up, tears streaming down her cheek and nodded faintly. “Very well, speak Platinum, though, know I have the power to override if I deem unfit.”

The unicorn turned to the cowering mare and sighed, “My judgement is this. You will allow me to be a part of the foals' life and allow me to assist in raising it. Beyond that, you're to stay away from me and my life unless I say so. You lost my friendship with all this crap. But you might earn it back someday. Do you accept this?”

Sundrop wiped her eyes with the back of her fore-hoof and looked up at the colt. She nodded weakly, her lips trembling. Then the unicorn leaned down and helped her stand before turning to the Princess, “Your highness, is this acceptable?”

Luna paused in thought, her billowing mane of blue-sky and stars the only movement, til as last she gave a stern nod, “Tis acceptable and shall be so. Please remove her from mine sight before I make an example.”

The silver unicorn gave a bow and led the cowering mare from the courtroom. The crowd glared daggers at her and gave the colt sympathetic looks.

As the clerks began to gather the ponies for the next case, Star turned slightly to Luna, speaking softly for her ears only, “Your highness. I know what colts get for running after siring a foal. But what's the punish for what she did?”

The Princess sighed as she looked over the list of petitioners for the evening. “In most cases, a mare in heat forgetting the flower normally results in a fine. Tis a very rare thing. Often colts that dost not wish to sire, will leave when they discover the mare is in such state. Colts that stay generally couple up with the mare. A...happy accident I believe tis called?” She glanced over at the pegasus guard with a smirk. “In this case. A blatant use of innocent life as a tool to pressure another into a relationship?” She growled softly under her breath. “Tis a terrible crime I doth not tolerate. I wished to take her child from her upon birth and give to the father if he so wished. Then have her ability to bear young taken from her. This kingdom doth not need ponies of that nature repopulating. At least that colt will be a fine father.” She marked off a few names on a list with her magically held quill and handed it off to a court clerk, “Now my dear brittle blade. Resume thy bearing. Tis time for another.”

The next case was a simple argument between rival farmers over land rights. After ten minutes of name-calling and bickering. The Princess used the old stand-by of having one pony section off the land, and the other having first pick. It was an old method but worked splendidly in such cases.

Then there was a case of a pony claiming he was fat because the local pastry shop wouldn't tell him to stop eating sweets there. Luna disliked frivolous lawsuits with a cold anger. She threatened the pony with a fine so large, the pony would never afford pastries again. The fat little pony ran for his life and Luna declared it a new exercise program. Much to the laughter of the court.

Three more cases were just petitioners asking for law changes. One on taxes, one building codes and one on trying to shut down the sex-shop downtown. For the taxes, Luna ferreted out the truth that the petitioner stood to gain ridiculous amounts of money from the change. He was chased out in tears. On the codes, she agreed that a flower-shop should be allowed to have merchandise outside the building, assuming the walkways were not blocked. That petitioner was ecstatic. And on the sex-shop topic, the petitioner was simply asked if they clopped. The mare pony balked and of course said no. Luna called her a liar and declared the mare had wasted the courts time and slandered a business. As punishment she was commanded to buy at least one toy from the store.

As the hour reached midnight, the court was wrapping up, with just enough time for a final case. While the clerks sorted through the paperwork, Luna looked to StarStep and smiled, “Tell me, my brittle blade, how doth thou perceive my judgments?”

He paused, keeping his eye on the crowd, and smiled with a glace back at the Princess, “Highness, you are fair yet slightly abrasive to those who don't understand your humor.”

To his side Lighthoof hissed through his teeth before Luna giggled, “Indeed. Truth from thy lips. It appears mine lesson served thou well.” She paused and tilted her head, “On that subject. How fared thy two hours of torment? I hear thou had a few embarrassing encounters.” She smirked.

StarStep blinked and risked a quick look back, “Two hours, Princess? What do you mean?”

She laughed delightfully and clapped her hooves, “Why, tis the expiration of that little...lesson.”

“I don't understand...I thought the only way to remove it was...you know. At least that's what Princess Celestia told me.”

Luna covered her muzzle with both hooves, blushing brightly, “Oh my. Tis true then? Thou didst not allow the spell wear off on it's own but sought comfort in somepony's hooves? My, My. It appears mine sister hath played a terrible lesson upon thou as well.”

StarStep could feel an eye twitching and he fought to keep his voice low so the clerks didn't overhear. “I...I....but I....” l his cheeks darkened in a mix of fury and shame as he caught Lighthoof smirking over at him.

The Princess smiled down at him with a hint of pity and amusement, “Oh, dear StarStep. Dost hath been played like an instrument. Despite my desires to teach thou a lesson. I would never do anything that would result in harm. Twas only a prank. Tia knew full well it would expire. Curious.” She paused and grinned down at the pony, “So tell me. Who didst thou find to...release thy torment?”

Lighthoof shot him a concerned look and StarStep frowned, “Princess, I refuse to answer that.”

The Princess balked then glared, “Thou wouldst refuse? I command thee to tell me. Whom didst thou embrace to relieve thy curse?” Her voice rose to an angry hiss.

“Sorry Princess Luna. I made a promise. And I'm afraid my word comes first.” He braced himself for whatever was coming. Long moments passed, sweat trickling down his neck, then he heard soft laughter from behind him.

“Huzzah! Truly, I shalt forge thee into a fine blade yet. Let us finish this last case and partake in refreshments!” She clapped her hooves together and motioned for a clerk to approach.

As the Princess was busy, Light whispered over to him. “Hey Star. Thanks, dude.” The other pegasus nodded and they carried on in silence as Luna handled the last case of the evening.