StarStep tightened his lips for a moment, a slight glare for the crime-boss. He opened his mouth to refuse the offer, however, the massive silver earth-pony held up a hoof to forestall StarStep's reply.

“Hold that thought, Mister StarStep. I don't want you to feel like you're being cheated.” He leaned his head down, picking up a thick quill and scribbled a number onto a scrap of paper. The feathery utensil tumbled to the desk as he slid the tiny parchment towards the pegasus. “This,” He smirked ever so slightly, “Is what your friend will owe at her current payment rate. Including the late-fees and interest.”

StarStep slid the paper the rest of the way and held it up between his hooves. He could feel his eyes bulge at the staggering number. It was way more than his annual salary.

Steelhoof chuckled, “Yes, many ponies have that reaction when they see final figures on loans. It's far worse when they are delinquent and set themselves as...untrustworthy.” He tapped his hooves together. “So, allow me to slightly alter the deal I'm offering. I will wave the fees, drop the interest and remove twenty-five percent of her current principal. Now, would you accept this deal?”

The pegasus blinked and glanced down at the paper again. That was a rather substantial reduction of the loan bearing down on Sweetie Belle. He frowned as he glanced up at the stallion, “Why would you want the feather that bad?”

With a laugh, the other pony leaned back in his leathery chair, spreading his fore-hooves out, “Look at the items on the shelves.” Star did, taking note of things like horns, fangs, odd boxes and even a strange tiny brass cylinder topped with what appeared to be a half of a steel-egg. “I collect rare and interesting things. A horn from Black Nova the crazed arch-pony, fangs from Kerazah the terrible, feathers from the first Griffon Empress. So on and so on. I even have a slipper from Princess Celestia, pre-Nightmare era. I enjoy gathering unique objects. So a courtship feather from Luna would be quite the prize to add.”

Star nodded. The various objects around him did seem to give off a sense of power and awe. A part of him could see where his gift from Luna would fit right in. He sighed heavily. “Do I have time to think about the offer?”

The large pony nodded, “Up until you walk out of my door, Mister StarStep. I'm in a rather generous mood, and that is a rare thing indeed.”

The pegasus hung his head and debated. On the one hoof, it would pull Sweetie Belle out of the terrible hole she'd dug. And her friendship still meant a lot to him, even after the lack of contact the last couple of years. But...Luna...would she understand it? What would his Princess do in this situation? With a heavy heart, he raised his head and met the large pony's eyes.

“I'm afraid I'll have to decline, Mister Steel.”

Steelhoof did not look surprised. He tapped his fore-hooves together and smiled slyly, “So I see...” His smile broadened, “I can admire your dedication to your Princess, though I'm not sure your friend will see it the same way.” He stood and walked to the door, pulling it open. Deciding it was his cue to leave, StarStep slid from the chair and walked up to him. It was intimidating just how small he felt next to the other pony. But he held his fears in check as those bronze eyes looked down on him,

“Two things, Mister StarStep, before you go. First, please remind your friend her next payment is due soon. If she fails this payment, the late-fee will double. It's all in her contract if she disputes it. And second, one day, you may need a favor from me. Information or perhaps an item, it matters not. When that day comes, you will know the price of my help.” His eyes latched onto the blue-alicorn feather for the briefest of moments before he smiled to the smaller pony. “Have a good day, Mister StarStep.” With that, he ushered the pegasus out and clicked the massive steel door shut.

________________________________________________________________

StarStep woke a couple hours before dusk, going through his routine of cleaning, polishing, and suiting up. With a few hours before his shift started, he trotted down the white painted halls of the castle, up the stairways until he stood before the massive blue doors of the Moon-Goddess. He nodded in respect to the two unicorn Sun-Guards, they returned the gesture.

“Would the Princess be up at this hour? I'd like to speak with her.”

They looked him over, eyes lingering on his blue-alicorn feather. They exchanged a glance, a slight frown on one of their faces, a look of resignation on the other. The less annoyed of the two Sun-Guards smirked slightly at the pegasus Night-Guard. “Well...I can't say she's up or not. But she did leave instructions about you. StarStep, right?”

The purple-armored pegasus nodded. The door-guard shook his head with a slight chuckle, “Well, in you go.” He pulled one of the massive blue doors open wide enough for a pony and gestured with a hoof. Star rose an eyebrow in confusion. “Are you going in or not? The Princess said to allow you access to her chambers should you ask. I'm not going to hold this door forever.”

Confused, and slightly wary, the pegasus slipped past the guards and through the crack in the massive doors. As his tail cleared the gap, it shut behind him with a gentle thud. Leaving him in near darkness. It took him a moment for his eyes to adjust. The windows here were covered in heavy purple fabrics, allowing a faint glow to permeate the room. It felt like the twilight hours, where most things were bathed in greys and blues and violets. He glanced around the massive bed-chamber, making out furniture here and there, a gigantic framed portrait on the wall, and in the center of the room, under a domed tinted skylight, was a circular bed, with Luna's sleeping form curled upon it.

He sucked in his breath, debating leaving her in peace. But, his eyes lingered upon her, and his hooves moved on their own accord till he was standing before her plush bed. They were covered in black-satin sheets, that held a soft luster, even in the dusk-like room. Her blue chest rose and fell gently, head cuddled into a squared pillow, her mane and tail ever-flowing, even as she rested. He bit his bottom lip, debating waking her. He needed to talk with her before his shift, but it seemed a sin to interrupt her sleep. With a gentle sigh, and a glance at her regal form, he turned. Taking but a few steps before a gentle voice held his hooves.

“Star?”

His heart hammered in his chest as he turned his head. She was looking at him through lidded eyes. “Yes, Princess?”

She made some sort of mmmh noise and waved a hoof at him, beckoning him closer as her eyes drooped closed. Curious, the pegasus trotted back to her bedside, and leaned his head closer to hear what she had to say. Suddenly, her fore-leg wrapped around his neck and drug him onto the bed with her. She cuddled up with the pegasus and gave a little sigh of contentment before her breathing returned to a steady rate. StarStep was fighting of panic. He was held in the grasp of his Princess, in her bed, as she slept. He dared not move, he could hardly breathe. His fore-hooves curled up against his chest, and hind-hooves pulled as far away from her as he could. He dared not invade her personal space. “Um...Princess...Princess.” He whispered softly, hoping to catch her attention.

“Mmmmh?” She answered, pulling at his neck so his cheek was pressed against her soft blue coat. “Yes, Star?”

“I...you, um. You kinda pulled me into your bed.” He whispered, his body was trembling at her closeness and her scent.

She giggled softly, running a hoof through his mane, “Indeed.” He glanced up to find her looking down at him smirking, her eyes bright with mischief, “Is this not what thou hath wished for?”

“I uh...um...that is...”

She laughed and shoved him off her bed. He tumbled onto the floor, legs in the air like a turtle. She leaned over the side and smiled down at him, “Alas, thy pillow-talk requires refinement. Thou shouldest read sweet poetry, to whisper into mine ears.” She leaned a hoof down to ruffle his chest-fur. “Now, for what purpose, dost thou brave entering mine chambers?”

He rolled over and sat back on his haunches as she gracefully shifted to her belly and regarded him curiously. He smiled slightly to her, his hoof unconsciously stroked the feather at his chest, “I was hoping to catch you awake, I didn't mean to intrude on your sleep, Princess.”

She waved a fore-hoof dismissively, “Tis quite alright. I was soon to awaken for the evening. Now, speak what troubles thy heart.”

He took a deep breath, “Well...to start, you know the law about all ponies knowing about each other in a relationship?” She nodded, “I uh, wanted to make sure you knew that I have a mare-friend in Ponyville. And there's Scootaloo, if you weren't already aware of her.”

The dark-blue alicorn smirked, “My, tis quite bold of thou to speak of other mares in mine bed-chambers. Hath thou no tact?” She laughed lightly, “I am aware of the young orange pegasus, but this one from Ponyville is new to me. Dost thou love her?”

He nodded, “I do, and she I. But uh...her heart completely belongs to Twilight Sparkle.”

She giggled, “Would this be the school-mare, Cheerilee?” Star nodded, “Well, set thy heart at ease.” She gazed down into his eyes, her wonderful teal eyes. “As long as I hold thy top position in thy heart, I shall not scorn thee for other lovers. I did not decide to accept thy request for courtship lightly. Dost not abuse this trust I hath place in thee. I must come foremost in all things. This is the price I ask. Dost thou understand?”

The pegasus nodded. “Yes, Princess.”

“Splendid. I should like to meet thy lovers one day soon. Agreed?” The pegasus nodded again. She smiled and leaned forward to kiss his nose, “Now, dear Night-Guard. What other matter troubles thee?”

He sighed softly, “A good friend of mine has gotten themselves into serious financial trouble. I'm not sure what to do. I thought you could offer council.”

She tilted her head, “What kind of trouble?”

“She took out a loan, and missed a payment. The fees are burying her.” He grimaced and slid the paper from his armor pouch to the Princess.

The alicorn frowned at the number, “Indeed...so it seems. How did one come about such a terrible debt?”

StarStep gave her the short-version. A band contest and a crooked prize distributor, along with the loan-shark.

“I see...I personally cannot intervene in this, my dear Night-Guard. Thou must understand, that while I care about thou, I cannot show too much favoritism. A pony must wish to become a consort, not out of desire of power, or favors, but out of love. Dost thou understand what I mean?”

He looked to the floor, pondering her meaning. Then lifted his head with a slight nod, “Yes, Princess. I love you for who you are, not what you can do for me.”

“Indeed. Always remember this. Tis not to say I will not intervene on thy behalf, when the need arises. However, I have always been a fan of the arts, which includes music. Therefore, I shalt host a...what didst thou call it, a 'Band Melee'?”

“Battle of the Bands.” Star corrected.

“Yes, delightful. A battle of the Bands in one month's time. I shalt have no entry fee. And the winner shalt play at a night-party I am hosting soon after. I expect the royal endorsement shalt carry weight in the music community?”

Star nodded, his expression brightened, “I'll tell Sweetie and her friends at once.”

The Princess held up a hoof. He noted it was unslippered and flicked his eyes from it to the Princess. She caught his expression and unasked question, giggling softly as she nodded her consent. The pegasus leaned forward to kiss the hoof gently and beamed a smile at her.

“It appears, thou wishes to worship the royal hooves.” She smirked, “Perhaps in time, thou wilst have thy chance.” She patted him lightly on the cheek, “I raised mine hoof to forestall thy thoughts of grand triumph for thy friends. I shalt only be the final judge. I shalt select three from the community, and allow them to judge until the final vote. Therefore, I advise thy friends to see out other means to secure their financial stability, should they not win. I offer naught but opportunity.”

Star nodded and on impulse, hugged his Princess tight, “Thank you so much Luna. Sweetie just needs another chance. She just needs a little hope.” He froze, and realized he was hugging her, uninvited and pulled back with a start, “Oh um...sorry, Princess.”

She laughed, her voice a chime in the night breeze, “Thou art becoming bold. Remember to temper that, before thou enjoys another few hours of...frustration.” She smirked and waved a hoof at him. “Now, I believe thou hath a job to preform, and I hath mine own duties to attend. Be well, dear Night-Guard.” She leaned forward to kiss him on the nose and nudged him towards the door.

______________________________________________________________

Duty came that evening. Star met up with Lighthoof at their arranged rooftop. With the briefest of greetings, they took flight and began their rounds. “Hey, Light.”

The other pegasus glanced over as they skimmed Old-Canterlot, “Sup, dude?”

“How's it going with Peach Blossom and Sherry?” He smirked to his friend. “Are two mares running you crazy yet?”

His friend laughed, “Yeah, a little. But it's weird. You know how Sherry is. Well Peach is...quiet. She's a little shy, and soft-spoken. Yet the three of us get along pretty damn well.”

“Gonna marry em both?” Star grinned mischievously.

The other pegasus balked, “What? Dude, I haven't even asked one, much less both.”

“Hah. I didn't ask have you, I asked, are you?”

Lighthoof shook his head, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth, “Maybe...maybe.”

The two of them continued their rounds till the late evening, circling inwards towards the heart of the section, the club district. Star wanted to walk the streets a bit with the crowds in full strength, to let their presence help deter troublemakers. Light agreed so they settled down on a clear area and trotted side by side towards the glowing lights of the various clubs. Dull thumps of bass speakers rumbling through the walls of many. Blasts of music when bouncers opened the door of one club or another for a patron. For the most part, everypony seemed well behaved, and once again, gave the two guards a respectable berth to pass through the crowds.

“Think we should check the clubs occasionally?” Star said loudly over the noise of the street.

Light looked about, counting off at least six clubs or bars in his sight, “Well...I'm not sure it's in our jurisdiction, dude. But...might help keep the crowds out of too much trouble.”

Star laughed, “I expect it'll be like mom and dad walking in on mischievous foals.”

His guard-partner shared his laugh, “Yeah, you're right about that. Guess let's start with the Iron-Mare. Check in on Miss Dinky.”

“You read my mind, Light.” The two spun on their hooves and trotted on a direct path for the club. At the front door was a well build white and brown-spotted stallion. He was well-toned and sported a red bandana around his head. He clearly wasn't from Canterlot stock, unshorn fetlocks and long brown hair. He had the image of a rebel, and somepony you didn't buck with.

The bouncer held up a hoof to stop the line as the two guards approached, “Evenin', gents. What can ah do for yah? Always nice to see fellas workin' for mah favorit' Princess.”

Star tilted his head, “Well, well. Pip. You've really grown up.” He lifted his helm just enough for the magic to fade for a moment, letting the other colt see his coat coloring.

“Oy, Star, mate. Nice tah see yah.” He suddenly reached out and drug both of the guards into a headlock of a hug, “I cannot thank yah two enough for helpin mah Dinky.” He released the Night-Guards, leaving them gasping for air.

Lighthoof laughed, “Hey, think nothing of it. Don't worry, that little motherbucker is getting locked up for a good long while, dude.”

“Glad tah hear. Glad tah hear. Cause if'n ah be getting' mah hooves on him.” He slammed a hoof to the ground, sparking his steel-horseshoes against the stone. “Now, I'd love to chat with yah gents, but ah got ah jobs tah do. So, is there something I can do for yah for now?”

Star nodded towards the club-door, “We just wanna do a quick sweep inside, make sure everything is cool.”

“Oy, not a problem. Go right on in.” He gestured to the door with a smile, “And hey, I owe yah two a round sometime.”

The guard-ponies nodded to the bouncer stallion and wandered inside. The first thing that struck them was the music. It was a punk-style band playing tonight, the audio forced their ears back and they cringed slightly. Shaking off the slight daze, they wandered down the ramp into the main club area next to the bar. The edges were lit with pink neon, the surface transparent with blue-neon laced under the thick glass. Many of the bar patrons gestured and nodded to their friends, pointing out the two dark-purple armored colts as they past by. Eyes and loud whispers followed in their wake. Star tapped his friend on the shoulder and pointed to the bartender. The purple-grey unicorn mare was flipping about drink mixtures with practiced ease, added by her magic, she handled two or three orders at a time. Her face seemed less injured, now, a bandage covering the spit on her brow, only a darkening ring around one eye. Star was thankful that quality equestrian medicine worked fast.

Star led the way to the end of the bar and waved at Dinky when she looked their way. The mare smiled, handed off her finished drink mixture and trotted over, “Hey, fellas! Didn't expect you here so soon. Can I get you something?”

Her friend shook his head, yelling over the intense music, “No Thanks, Dinky, just checking up on you and the club. Making sure everypony is having a good time.”

She smiled and nodded, “Cool! Well, drop by anytime, I'm sure the owner will be happy to see you colts around. Anyhoof, gotta get back to tending. Have a good one!”

The two colts nodded and slipped into the crowd, making their way around the edges of the dance area, slipping through the dancers. The party ponies bounced and gyrated, swinging their plots to the heavy beats and loud electric guitars of the punk band on stage. Star swore he saw a couple rutting deep in the mosh-pit before the stage, but in a club like this, it wasn't against the law. He smirked, leading Lighthoof around till they reached the side of the stage. They paused, looking out into the crowd of ponies of all sizes and shapes. The shifting dance lights illuminating and shadowing the moving sea of happy faces. Light tapped him on the shoulder and yelled in his ear.

“Dude, if only Princess Luna could have seen this a thousand years ago.” Star could only nod in agreement. This one crowd was the embodiment of ponies who embraced the night. Who reveled in the dusk til dawn lifestyle. Who cried out in all their pleasures and passions under the shadow. A chorus of praise for the Moon-Goddess. An idea struck him at that moment. A terrible and wonderful idea. The mischievous grin did not leave his face till well after his shift and ended, and Lighthoof had bid him a good morning.

At dawn he flew to Sweetie's home, banging on the door till the sleepy mare cracked it open, glaring at him suspiciously. She glanced at his armor, confused, then down at his alicorn feather. A slight smile spread on her lips, “Oh, morning Star. I guess I overslept.” She swung the door wide, “Care to come in?”

He accepted her invitation, and welcomed her gesture towards a well-worn couch in the cramped living room. She climbed up next to him, and to his surprise, cuddled up against his side. “Miss Bean gave me a few extra days off. With pay. Said they were paid holidays, but...we're not suppose to get those. I guess she felt sorry for me.” She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder with a yawn, “So, what's up Star?”

He grimaced, “Well...I guess I need to get the bad news outta the way.” She looked up at him, her lips down-turned, eyes losing a little of the spark she had at seeing him this morning. “I talked with that Steelhoof guy. Sorry, Sweetie. The price he asked to help you was too high.” She nodded sadly and looked away. “But, that aside. Couple of things. First, Princess Luna is going to host an open Battle of the Bands in a few weeks. No entry fee.”

Sweetie Belle looked up at him, eyes shimmering in joy, “OH, oh my! But.” She frowned, “We...sold our instruments to make rent last month.” She shook her head sadly, “Oh Star, it's never going to work out.”

The pegasus forced her chin up, “None of that. You need to have more hope. You used to be so positive. I want to see that Sweetie back again.” She opened her mouth to argue but he firmly planted a hoof on her muzzle, “I said, none of that.” She nodded. “Good. Now, if you had the money, would you be able to get your instruments back?” She nodded, his hoof still on her muzzle. “How much?” He removed his hoof and she whispered the number. It wasn't so bad. At least, not compared to her loan debt. He nodded, “Alright, I'll help you with the money.” She looked up at him, gasping in disbelief. “However, on a few conditions.”

“Oh, Star! Anything! We all miss playing so much. Music used to make me so happy. We want to play at the battle! Even if we don't win.” She was clasping at his hooves in excitement and hope.

“First, you will never say, 'I can't' again.”

“But I...” She trailed off at his stern look, “Ok...I'll try my best.”

The pegasus nodded with a smile, “Better, Sweetie. You're starting to sound more like yourself. Second, I'm going to tell Scoots and AB about what's going on. And you WILL accept their help. No more of this pride crap getting in the way. Understood?” She frowned, and gave a slight nod. “Alright, and the third condition. Do not ever get involved with a crime-boss instead of asking your friends for help again. Am I clear?”

She looked away, shame reddening her cheeks. “Yes, Star. I'm...sorry. To all of you.”

He hugged her tight, “You're forgiven. But you still have to talk with Scoots and AB. They need to hear it too. I'm still going to do what I can to help you get through this. We all are.” He could feel the white unicorn nuzzle into his neck.

“Thank you, Star...”