In the early morning hours, StarStep tossed and turned on the couch. He drifted in an out of a light sleep, irritated by an itch along his wings. Luna had told him it was a good sign and forbade him from scratching. The salve she applied before bed helped for a while, but now, it was just irritating him enough to prevent going back to sleep. He gave a sigh of defeat, staring up at the dark ceiling, listening to the gentle rustle of wind through the trees outside and the creaking of the house as it settled. He drifted in and out of consciousness till soft voices awoke him with a start. Straining his ears, he could just make out ponies talking quietly in the kitchen. Soft orange light filtered through the white curtains and the smell of toasting bagels made his mouth water. With a grumble, he rolled off the couch to his hooves and tiredly stumbled into the kitchen.

Lighthoof looked up from his plate, his muzzle half-full of bagel, and Star's dad across from him. His dad smiled, hopped up and tossed a couple more bagels in the toaster, “Morning son. Sorry if we woke you.”

“Murrin'” Light muttered through his food. Crumbs clinging to the fur around his lips.

Star gave a tired smile and crawled into a chair, “Nah, dad. It's cool, my wings are itching something fierce, hard to get back to sleep. Besides, my brain is still on Luna time.” The two guard ponies shared a look and a chuckle.

Star's dad nodded, pouring a glass of apple juice and setting it in front of Star. “I can imagine so. When I found out your mom was pregnant with you, I took extra midnight shifts on the weather crew to try and make some extra money. One day blurred into the next. It's ok when you're young but now...I wouldn't want to. It's a hard shift when most ponies do business during the day.”

After a sip of the juice to moisten his tongue, Star nodded, “I don't mind. The night life in Canterlot is pretty interesting. Plus I get to hang around with the Princess more.”

“I imagine so.” His dad gave a soft chuckle, sweeping the freshly popped bagels onto a plate and sliding it across the table to Star. “I'm still a little shocked about Scootaloo, Luna and you. Plus this whole thing with Miss Cheerilee. You've been a busy colt, son.”

He looked away embarrassed as Light have a soft laugh, “No kidding.” The tan pegasus reached over and embraced his friend's shoulder, “This colt is a filly magnet. I'm still in awe of his skills to get the Princess to even notice him, much less date him.”

Star's dad nodded, an amused smile on his lips, “I'll be honest, I always figured you'd get bored of your dream to be with the Princess and settle down with some filly. My money was on Scootaloo or even one of the other two girls. You four were pretty inseparable.” He glanced between the two colts. “How did you two end up such close friends? Star wants you for a brother, Lighthoof. He told us a little about how you don't really have a family, and I can sympathize.” He settled into his chair. “I don't know if he told you, but before he went off to become a guard, he and most of the other colts didn't get along. Pip was the only one, but I think that was just because they both liked Princess Luna.”

Lighthoof and StarStep exchanged looks. The blue-grey pegasus shrugged and waved a hoof at his friend, “I'll let you start.” With that, he bit into his bagel and leaned back, watching his friend.

Swallowing the last of his breakfast, Light drained his glass and played with the empty container between his hooves, “Well...I guess it'd be ok to tell you.” He sighed, “Before I ended up a guard, I was living in Manehatten. I ran the streets and did whatever I pleased.” He held up his hooves defensively as Star's dad raised an eyebrow. “Nothing really serious. Just hooligan stuff, you know, skipping school, graffiti, pranking the shop keeps. Foal stuff.” He rolled the glass between his hooves and looked down at it. “Then, one day I found four older colts chasing a smaller one. I followed and eventually they caught him and started to beat him up.” He frowned, “I...couldn't stand to watch so I charged in to help the pony. Long story short, cops showed up and arrested us all. Turns out they were rival gangs. I was just a dirty street urchin to the police, so they didn't believe my protests that I wasn't part of some gang.”

Lighthoof looked up at Star's dad, “So, there I was, sitting in the station, waiting for my mom to decide to show up. She never did, by the way.” A flicker of disgust graced his face. “And in the door come Princess Celestia. I learned later that she liked to visit the various departments around the country and make sure they had what they needed to keep the peace. As she walked through the lobby, ponies bobbing their heads in respect, and a few refusing to. I guess some criminals thought she'd abandoned them to their fates. She stopped as she passed me and looked down. I probably looked like hell. Busted lip, swollen eye, cuts and bruises all over.”

The pegasus gave a laugh and a wry grin, “I remember those eyes, gazing down at me, so full of love and compassion. I couldn't remember the last time my own mother gave me that look. Or if she ever had. The Princess seemed to stare right into my soul. She asked her police escort who I was, and they dismissed me as somepony involved in a gang fight. When I saw her frown, I jumped to my hooves and looked up defiantly. I told her I wasn't part of a gang and that I had tried to save a pony who was jumped by four others. She raised an eyebrow, smiled and asked, 'Who won?'”

Star laughed along with Light. They were more familiar with Celestia's style of humor than those on the outside. Star's dad blinked, “What did you say?”

Lighthoof puffed out his chest, “I grinned up at the Princess, stood tall and said, 'I did!' Right about then one of my front teeth fell out. She cracked up and we shared a laugh. She was kind enough to use her magic to put the tooth back in, and gave me a slip of paper with an address, date and time. Last thing she said to me, was that if I wanted to keep helping ponies, I should pack a travel-bag and show up.”

The tan pegasus gave a shrug, “So, since I had nothing holding me home, I grabbed what little things I owned, and left on the day of the appointment. I told my mom I was leaving.” He frowned, “She just stared at me blankly for a few seconds, then gave me a halfhearted wave. That was that I guess.”

“Oh, my turn!” Star pipped up. His friend rolled his eyes and groaned. “So, I get to the try-outs for the royal guards, you know the day, dad.” His father nodded. “And everypony is milling about, chatting with each other. Except this one colt off to the side. He looked pretty lost. And filthy. Sorry, Light.”

His buddy shrugged, “Hey, it was the truth. I hadn't used a brush in years.”

Star leaned on the table towards his dad, “So then Sargent Hardknocks shows up and starts yelling at us to get into formation. Everypony but him scrambles into line. He just kinda wanders over to stand next to me, looking pretty confused. The Sarg walks down the line of recruits, stops at a filly next to me and starts to berate her for being overweight. She begins to cry, so this colt...” He paused to jerk a hoof towards his friend, “Marches right up to the Sarg and yells at him for making her cry. Oh, the face Sarg made.” Lighthoof face-hooved in memory as Star continued. “I thought that big ol' earth stallion was going to explode and take us all with him. I just remember the other ponies backing away slowly as they yelled back and forth at each other. I gotta admit, I was intimidated too, but looking back, Light didn't have a clue what was going on. At the end, the Sarg ordered him to leave, but he just looked up to the MUCH bigger pony and said, 'Hey, the Princess told me to show up here, and when I do, I find some jack-ass picking on smaller ponies. I don't care how big you are! Who the buck do you think you are, ordering these ponies around and making them cry? Buck off before I make you!”

Lighthoof was burying his face in his hooves as Star laughed and his dad raised an eyebrow. “You had no idea it was a drill Sargent for the Royal Guards?” Light groaned and shook his head with a sad chuckle.

“Not a one. I had a pretty serious chip on my shoulder about guys who acted like him.” He lowered his fore-hooves, a lop-sided grin on his face, “So then that hard-flank starts laughing. Which was pretty bucking scary. Tells me this is recruitment for the Royal Guards and that I just blew it. I was so bummed out I stood there gaping like a fish. So as I'm trying to figure out what the buck just happened, Star here steps to the plate and demands I get a chance to try-out. The Sarg smirked and asked why, so Star tells him the Guards are about not just about the Princesses but protecting all the ponies. You could hear the gears grinding in that big pony's head as he thought about it. Eventually, a terrible grin spread on his face. He asked Star if he would put his own recruitment on the line for me. And without hesitation, Star agreed. So the Sarg proclaimed that if either of us failed or dropped out, we'd both be bucking sent home.”

The two colts shared a look, “I uh...didn't know at the time how much Princess Luna meant to Star. I just wanted the chance so I could get away from Manehatten forever. That and thank Princess Celestia for giving a bruise covered colt a chance to protect ponies for a living.” He cleared his throat, “So uh...anyhoof, that's how we met. There's a lot more stories from basic training but...” He shrugged, “That's the start.”

Star's dad was smiling as he slid from the chair, walked around and put a fore-hoof around each pony's shoulders, “Well, Lighthoof. I know it's unofficial still, but if you want, you can call me dad. I'm glad my son found a pony as noble as you to call his brother.”

Lighthoof smiled to Star, then up at his dad, “Hey, somepony has to watch out for this crazy colt.”

Luna looked down at her two guards. The three were standing outside the Ponyville Police Department. A small structure next to city hall, made of white painted brick with marble stairs that lead up to double glass doors. Ponies in suits and uniforms trickled in an out of the building that also housed the courthouse.

“Art thou sure of this course of action? I understand thy concern over the missing ponies and of the threat to thy friend. However, speaking from experience, tis not always best to place one's nose into others work. Ponyville has fared well without the Royal oversight. Should thou intervene, it may hinder their investigation.” She paused and looked up at the building, “I would like nothing more than to lend mine own hooves to uncovering the truth behind these rumors of vanished mares. However, I must place trust in mine subjects.”

Star gave a soft sigh and nodded respectfully to Luna's advice, “I know Princess. I would just sleep a little better, knowing more about what's really going on, and not hear-say. Plus, I think they need to know about AB's stalker. I fear it's connected.”

The alicorn frowned, “Indeed, thy tale is quite troubling. With thy recent interactions with Apple Bloom and her friends, I doth fear this jealous pony may strike out at thou.” She turned her gaze to the tan pegasus. “I ask that thou cover thine partner's back in this matter. I suspect this cowardly ruffian wilst leave the both of thee alone.” The Princess gave a soft smile, leaning down to kiss him sweetly. A pony walking down the steps saw them and stumbled a bit. The mare laughed nervously, bobbed her head in respect to the Princess before sprinting away. Star rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, us kissing in public will be all over town in an hour.”

The Princess smiled mischievously, nipping his nose and giving a little wink. “Indeed. I suppose to balance this, I must kiss dear Scootaloo in public as well?” She grinned as he blushed hotly. “Now, let us attend to thy introductions to the officers before I must depart. I fear I may already be late to mine appointment with the other mares.”

The three trotted up the stairs, hooves clicking firmly on the cold white marble. Lighthoof tilted his head, “Where are you off to, Princess?”

She nodded graciously to an officer mare that opened the door for them, “Tis a day spa trip upon Rarity's request. A rather large group from what I understand. Rarity's good friends, minus Rainbow Dash. Then Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. As well as Cheerilee. Just a day of us ladies relaxing and enjoying fine company.”

Star laughed as they entered the lobby, “More like an excuse for Rarity to spread gossip with more ponies.”

Luna echoed his cheerful laugh, “Quite. Though, I will admit, I doth enjoy a well spun story as much as the next pony. With so many bowing and scraping, tis delightful to spend time around those who doth not.”

Before the raised black oak desk, a grey haired unicorn mare with olive green coat glanced up from her log-book. She smiled at the Princess before trotting around to bow her head. “It's always a pleasure to have one of the Princesses visit us. I'm Captain Glimmer. What can I do for you, Princess Luna?”

The alicorn smiled warmly to the Captain, ignoring the other eyes of the other ponies in the room, “Captain Glimmer, I am most pleased by thy welcome and how orderly thy station appears.” The olive unicorn stood tall and subdued the flash of pride in her eyes. “May we speak in private for but a moment?” The unicorn nodded sharply. Shortly, a subordinate took her place at the front desk and she led the three into a small conference room. Once the door was shut, she offered water for refreshments as they each took their seats.

“Captain, these two are of my Night-Guard from Canterlot. While they dost not have official jurisdiction here, I should hope thou wilst help to alleviate fears they may have concerning a rash of foal-nappings. This is StarStep, and this is Lighthoof.”

The unicorn grimaced slightly as she sipped her water, “I see...” Her firm rose colored eyes regarded the two pegasi, lingering on Star's wings. “We've been trying to keep those stories on the down-low. It's true, we've had occasional disappearances. Some more obvious than others.” The mare sighed, “One hit a little too close to home for our department. A few are suspected to be what they appear to be, just fillies tired of the dull country life and striking out on their own.” She paused, “Are...you taking charge of the investigation, Princess?”

“Neigh, I trust in thy ability to sort out the issue. StarStep...” She gestured a hoof at the colt, “Has a friend, perhaps thou knowth of her? Apple Bloom.” The Captain nodded. “A unicorn hath threatened StarStep over her and has stated intentions of possible harm. He hopes his information may be of some use and wishes to know more concerning what is being done. Thou knowth how gossip can grow quite larger than truth.”

The unicorn nodded slightly, “We know that all too well, Princess. Well...I suppose it can't hurt, and maybe your information will be of help, StarStep.” She stood, “Normally I would take you to the ponies in charge of the case however...” She frowned, “They just took it over and are still getting up to speed. The ponies that were originally on the case. One of them vanished. I fear she may have put herself at risk and became a target herself. Her partner was removed based on policy.” She sighed, “They were very close. I fear he would have turned it into a personal vendetta if allowed to remain on the case. Come on, we'll meet with him first then I'll let you tell your story to the new detectives.”

The Princess nodded, “At this, I must take mine leave. I hath an appointment to keep. If thou wilst be so kind to show them the way, Captain?” At the mare's nod, Luna's horn glowed brightly and she vanished in a swirl of stars and shadows.

The Captain blinked at the spot the alicorn was standing before she turned her attention to the two pegasi, “Did she not want to get involved?”

The two colts exchanged glances before Light spoke up, “The Princess trusts your department is doing it's best. This is more for us than her.”

The Captain led them down the hallway to the back offices, rapping on an ajar door with her hoof before swinging it open.

A rust colored earth pony sat behind a desk, his coat giving off a slight metallic sheen of red, his mane a glossy black. His grey eyes flicked up from a file on his desk as the door swung wide. “Oh, hey Cap. What's up?”

The mare tilted her head at the two pegasi, “These two are Night-Guards. They want to know more about the foal-napping case. Princess Luna herself stopped by to introduce them. I know you're not on the case anymore, Cop. But if you could help em out, I'm sure her highness would be thankful.”

The colt closed the file on his desk and gestured to the chairs in front of him, “Of course! Please, sit. Thanks, Cap, I got this.” She nodded and shut the door behind her.

Star noticed there were two desks, the unoccupied one seemed neat and orderly, as though no one had used it in a while. On the desk in front of them, there was a portrait of the reddish pony with his fore-hoof around the shoulder of an earth mare. Both seemed rather happy.

The detective took a deep breath and tapped his fore-hooves together, “Wow...Night-guard huh? Is the Princess getting involved in the case? I mean, I guess we got no say in it if she wants to.”

Lighthoof shook his head, “Nah, not yet. She thinks you all can get the job done. She just wanted some facts instead of just rumors.” The detective nodded then sat up with a start.

“OH, where are my manners.” He reached out and shook both their hooves, “I'm Copper.”

The two pegasi exchanged glances as the colt laughed, “Yeah, yeah. I know, Copper the Cop. My folks were miners, so I got a mining name. Strangely, I ended up being an officer. Life is funny like that.” He shrugged and glanced at the picture on his desk. His expression fell, “That's my partner there...or was. Marigold. Her folks were flower farmers. She joined the force to make sure small-ponies like her folks had somepony looking out for them. The department isn't sure where she went. We...suspect she's the latest victim in these foal-nappings.”

Star frowned, “How many so far?”

“Confirmed? Eight. Some of the other disappearances aren’t so cut and dry. Marigold was the latest. Before that, Roseluck, Diamond Tiara, a traveler named Sassafras, and so on. All walks of life, from rich to poor.”

Light tapped his hoof to his chin as he looked at the portrait on the desk. “Do you have pictures of the confirmed?”

“Huh? Yeah, hang on.” He sorted through his the folders on the edge of his desk and slipped free a small blue binder. He flipped it open, pulling out eight small photographs. “That's them. I have the questionable ones as well if you need.”

Lighthoof's eyes flicked across the images. Star leaned over his shoulder. “You see it, Star?”

“What?” He glanced between the images. Diamond Tiara's caught his eye. She was such a stuck up pony, but even he had to admit she was beautiful all grown up. Then he happened to glance up at each of the others. “They're all mares.”

“Right, and?”

“...Earth ponies. They're all earth ponies.”

Copper nodded, “Right you are. Every confirmed is an earth-mare. And in each case, magic residue was found at their homes. Suggesting a unicorn being involved. Only problem, none of the unicorns we've tested match the signature.”

“And the questionable missing ponies?”

“Various races, no magic on those.” Copper leaned back in his chair. “Unfortunately, by law we can't force every unicorn in town to preform a magic test. Most have, out of willingness to clear their names of any suspicion, but there's a few who feel it's an invasion of privacy and refuse. Those few are currently suspects and we're keeping an eye on them.” The colt gently caressed the frame of the portrait on the desk, “I wish we had more to go on.”

Star gave a heavy sigh. He hoped that these missing ponies were safe somewhere. To think that there was some pony taking them against their will for Luna-knows-what, boiled his blood. “A unicorn attacked me a few weeks back. Took me by surprise, threatened me if I continued to hang around a friend of mine. Apple Bloom.”

“Apple Jack's sister, right?”

Star nodded, “Yeah. She's an earth-mare, and being stalked by a rather jealous unicorn. If anypony might be targeted next, I fear it's her.”

The colt jumped up, sending his chair to the floor, “Mr. Star, this may be the break we've been needing! I'll talk with the other detectives and let them know everything you've told me. I'm sure they'll put a tail on Apple Bloom. Maybe we can catch this bastard in the act!”

“Listen, AB doesn't know. I was afraid she'd get too suspicious of everypony if she knew. Not good for her new business. You know?”

“I understand. I'll make sure she doesn't know we're there.” The detective walked around and held out a hoof. “Thank you for your help Mr. StarStep. If we find out anything more, we'll contact you.”

“Please do. It'll put my mind at ease and I'm sure the Princess would be very appreciative.”

Copper held the door open for the pegasi, “Thank you again. And by the way, congratulations on the soon-to-be foal.”

Star groaned as Light laughed behind his back, “Wow, dude. You weren't kidding about the speed of gossip in small towns.”