The evening at the bar began to wind down. They finished up drinks at last-call and Sherry bounded over to the booth when her shift wrapped up. She pounced Lighthoof to the seat-cushions and began to make out with the tan pegasus. StarStep did his best to look away, giving the couple a little semblance of privacy till she relented her affectionate assault and sat up, cuddling the colt. She smiled across the table at Star, hooves wrapped tight around Light's mid-section. She flicked her eyes up, “Light, honey. Did yah ask yet?” At her words the colt's cheeks reddened and he looked away awkwardly.

“Ah, no Sherry. I thought it'd be a little weird without you here to explain.” He couldn't seem to meet StarStep's gaze, resorting to looking everywhere else in the bar. She noticed his reluctance and giggled softly. Planting a trail of light kisses up his throat to end with a passionate one on his lips, she touched noses and looked into his eyes.

“Yah promised...” She jutted out her bottom lip, ears laying back and eyes watering.

“Ok Ok. Sher, you know I can't say no to that face.” He sighed heavily, giving his mare a kiss and turning to face StarStep. Well, he faced him, but couldn't meet his eyes. “Ah...dude. Star...Sherry here has a little fantasy she wants to fulfill.” StarStep raised an eyebrow at this, but remained silent. “Yeah see...she uh...wants to rut two colts at once.”

Star blinked, too stunned to react. He glanced at Sherry who was shyly eying him, her head cuddled up against Lighthoof's shoulder. She nodded softly at him, giving a little smile, her pink cheeks now very hot.

“I...can understand fantasies like that.” Oh did he ever. He owed Scootaloo big time. “But uh, why me?”

Lighthoof raised his eyes, confident enough to meet Star's. “You know how stallions get around other stallions when a mare's involved, right? Old breeding instincts or something. I donno. Dude, you're like the one colt I can think of that I don't have the urge to buck into next week when Sherry tells me she thinks you're cute.” At that moment, Sherry did give Star the once over, smiling sweetly as she rubbed her cute nose into Light's tan coat. “Look, I know it's kinda awkward, but it's her little fantasy, and I said I'd at least ask.”

StarStep thought about it a little. He had to admit the unicorn was pretty cute with a sexy plump flank. However, to be with her with another pony? Another stallion at that. He wasn't so sure. Equestrian culture was fairly relaxed about same sex couples. So there was nothing taboo about groups of mixed ponies playing together. While society did seem to promote more natural bonds between a stallion and mares, for obvious reproductive reasons. The Princesses supported love in any form, assuming all parties involved were of proper age and aware of all partners involved in a relationship.

“Because you had the guts to ask on behalf of your mare-friend. I'm not going to right-out say no.” Star paused. “So, it's not a no, but it's not a yes. I'll....think about it. That's all I can promise.”

Sherry seemed a little saddened by the answer but nodded in agreement. “Ok Star. Thank yah for considering. It's just ah fantasy ah mine to have two colts showering me with their'ah affections and well...making me feel, uh...full.” She blushed. “Don'tcha get me wrong hun. I really like Lighthoof, and I'd love to get to know yah a little better too. Let me know if you change yah mind?” She gave him a wide-eyed pleading look.

Star chuckled softly and shook his head, “I see what you mean, Light. I promise Sherry.”

Lighthoof leaned down to kiss the top of Sherry's head and hugged her close, “Yeah. Don't worry about it, dude. I wont ask you again and make it all awkward. Just keep it in mind for Sher's sake.” He nudged his mare-friend up and the three of them began the long walk back to the barracks.

_______________________________________________________

Cheerilee nibbled down StarStep's sides. Her flat pony teeth slightly pinching his coat, sending shivers down his spine. Around his cutie mark she teased, then across the edges of his rump. The pink school-mare bit lightly on his tail-base, making him groan and flick his tail up instinctively. She laughed her cheerful laugh, causing his heart to flutter before pressing her cute muzzle under his tail and pressing her tongue to his...

StarStep blinked, staring at the white-wash ceiling in his quarters. For long quiet moments he just laid on his back, dazed and unfocused. His ears picked up the march of morning recruit drills outside his window as well as the slight squeaking of his ceiling fan. He groaned at the morning light and put his fore-leg over his eyes. 'What the buck was that?' he wondered to himself before rolling off his bed to his hooves. He drug his tired body over to the restroom and blinked at himself in the mirror, fore-hooves resting on the sink. Flickers of the very hot dream still caught in the cobwebs of his mind as he turned on the faucet, splashing cool water in his face.

His face dripping, eyes more focused, he realized what a mess he appeared. Mane disheveled, eyelids slightly drooping, little odd spots of fur sticking up around his muzzle. He figured he'd been drooling in his sleep. With a sigh he began his morning routine of restroom, shower, brush and brunch. The whole quiet morning he pondered the rather odd dream. Crunching on his bowl of Frosted Wheaties, he realized he'd had such dreams of his old teacher back in school. He faintly remembered a crush on her, though it seemed like all the colts and a few fillies had the same feelings. What struck him as unusual, was that the dreams hat popped up two years later. He shrugged it off as a result of the conversation with Lighthoof last night. Though, in the back of his mind he wondered how the fuchsia earth mare was doing.

Star used the last of the late morning and afternoon to pick through his old school albums and pieces of nostalgia. As his shift grew closer he was flipping through his graduation book when a small pink envelope slipped free to the floor. Smiling, he picked it up and slid the photo out of it. On the front was a younger version of himself, hugging tight with a happy Cheerilee. If there was one thing he would always remember the mare for, it was her cheerful outlook on life and ever present smile. Reflecting back, he realized it was her joy and confidence in him that kept the pony going through some of the worst parts of his teen years.

His smiled broadly at her image and flipped the photo over. In swirling script, the 'i's dotted with smiley faces, she had wrote, “Happy Graduation! Remember that life isn't always about the destination. The journey can be just as fun! Take time to stop and smell the flowers. Love, Cheerilee.” He nodded to the note. He was just beginning to understand what she meant. Glancing up at the clock, he noticed it was time to prepare for work and tucked the photo on his dresser mirror.

With his younger self and Cheerilee watching, he put on his armor and saluted the picture. “Thanks Miss Cheerilee. I don't think I'd be here without you.” With that he left his quarters in his polished golden armor.

The shift came and went. StarStep was a little disappointed that Luna had not visited but reasoned she had duties to attend. Lighthoof bid him a good night and wandered off to find his new mare-friend.

Two more days passed. Very uneventful days at that. No more hot dreams, or dreams of any kind for that matter. No visiting Luna, and no evenings at the bar. Sherry had taken some time off and was spending a lot of it with Lighthoof. He couldn't blame his friend. The pink unicorn made him happy, and kept him out of trouble. Considering Lighthoof's last mare-friend, Berry Punch, This mare was a keeper. It was nice to be able to have a conversation with a pony that wasn't half-drunk 24/7. He was confident Light would have time again for him soon and didn't harass him about it...too much. He did take the chance to rub it in and make rather crude jokes at Lighthoof's expense. Star considered it payback for all the ribbing he'd received over the course of their friendship.

So he used the alone time off-duty, to read stories on the constellation and dig through the dusty archives of the Canterlot Royal Library. There were a lot of conflicting accounts in them. Specifically Goldwing the Champion. The librarians claimed a lot of the original tales were lost in the Nightmare Moon incident. Most of the records were from the old castle, destroyed in the clashes between Celestia and the dark mare. The only thing for certain was that Goldwing's constellation was one of the first Luna had created for the purpose of telling a story. Most of her others before-hoof, were just drawings in the sky for fun. He reflected on the importance of that, and mentally reminded himself to ask Luna about it. The other strange, and unusual thing he found in those dusty old tomes. Was a story about Celestia trying her hoof at creating a picture in the stars. Supposedly it was so weak you couldn't see it without a telescope, lost in the blackness of endless space. The book simply called it the Twins of Infinity. No story, no background, no description. He wondered if Professor Twilight was aware of it. He'd have to ask Celestia.

The fifth and final day in their week-long rotation, started out normally enough. The two friends took their places side by side in front of the ornamental fish pond. The sun descended behind the castle walls and the polished white of the castle faded from orange, to red, to blue-black, then finally to slightly blue-white as the sliver of the moon crept up the horizon. The soft lapping of the water of the pond, crickets and an owl, just white noise.

Lighthoof cleared his throat and scuffed his hoof on the ground. “Hey...Star. Dude I'm sorry I've been ignoring you last few days. I just...” He rubbed at the back of his neck and grinned awkwardly.

The other pegasus smirked and lightly punched him on the arm, “It's fine, Light. You two make a great couple. Tartarus, compared to you and that Berry Punch, this one is like a blessing from Celestia herself.” His buddy could only nod in agreement. “Anyhoof, gave me a chance to catch up on some reading.”

“Oh yeah? How's the new PlayColt?” Lighthoof smirked over at Star.

“Not sure, left that one in your stash and borrowed Pegasi in Heat, instead.” He returned the smirk.

“Dude, that thing's in mint condition if you...Oh...” He trailed off and coughed as he realized he'd been played. “Buck you dude.”

Star laughed and tapped his friend on the shoulder, “Buck you too, bud.”

A few hours passed, soft banter between the friends to help the time slip by. A midnight snack dropped off by a cute mare-maid, and a quick break to stretch their legs. Eventually, the end of the shift approached and Star yawned as his friend was gazing up at the heavens.

“Hey, uh, Star? This is gonna sound realllly weird but uh, was there overcast clouds on the weather schedule tonight?”

Star stretched his fore-hooves and wings out, “Eh? Not that I know of, why?”

“Cause the stars are gone.”

His head whipped up to the sky, eyes dancing from one side of the horizon to the other. Lighthoof was right. There wasn't a star in the sky. He glanced behind him, noticing the moon was completely full. He knew that was wrong, very wrong. “Lighthoof, that's not cloud-cover, they're just not there.” He felt a nervous tremble in his wings, that little twinge he always got before speaking in front of a crowd or getting in a fight. A little knot formed in his stomach as he looked about nervously, “I think the fish can handle themselves. We need to go get Princess Celestia, right bucking now.” His friend could only nod in agreement. As they spread their wings to abandon their post, a howling gale rolled through the garden, buffering them for a few moments as a cackling laughter filled the air.

Lighthoof's pupils went to pinpricks and he danced about on his hooves, searching for the source. StarStep spread his legs to keep a solid footing in the gusting wind while he kept his wings spread and ready to dart. Thunder boomed and lightning crackled in the cloudless sky, swirling black shadows danced along the polished walls. Again dark and evil laughter chilled the blood in their veins, and stood their hair up on end.

“YES, RUN LITTLE FOALS. FLEE FOR YOUR PATHETIC LIVES!”

In a corner of the garden, the shadows seemed to thicken, and a long leg stepped forth, heralding a pitch-black alicorn with an ethereal purple mane. Both of the guard-ponies recognized her at once. Who in that castle wouldn't? The mistress of eternal night had returned.

Nightmare Moon laughed darkly, staring the two smaller ponies down with malicious intent. “Muahahaha, a couple of light snacks before the main course. How delightful! Bow or perish!”

Lighthoof launched from the ground, pounding his wings as he rocketed to the sky, “Buck this! TO ARMS, GUARDS! TO ARMS! THE NIGHTMARE RETURNS! TO ARMS!” The colt was screaming at the top of his lungs, flapping towards the barrack section of the castle.

Her attention was directed on the flying pegasus, laughing at him when StarStep launched from the ground. “Be quiet foal! Or I shall be force-”

“YOU CAN'T HAVE HER!” StarStep scream of rage interrupted the dark alicorn, fractions of a second before he slammed into her. All the fury and force the angry pegasi could produce, sent the two ponies tumbling head over flank across the grass till they came to rest. He found himself on her chest, eyes spinning as her fore-limbs circle about his body. She was squeezing him tightly. Was this it? Was the terrible Nightmare Moon simply going to crush his bones and toss him aside like a doll? Though the thoughts flickered through his head, he fought with all his strength, pushing back against those vice-like limbs, trying to bite in his rage at the....blue coat?

Soft, playful laughter sounded from the alicorn that was squeezing him tight to her chest. Gone was the edge of hysteria and promises of torment. The sound of her laugh now filled with merry amusement and mischief. He spared a look up to find himself staring into the teal-green eyes of Princess Luna. His stomach lurched, and the adrenalin in his system began to fade, leaving him a confused, emotionally high-strung wreck. He could feel a tear seep from his eye though he knew not why.

“P-Princess Luna? What? I...I don't?”

She smiled down at him softly and hugged him again tight, “Calm, my armored shadow. Be calm. Mine prank was not fully thought out. A pardon for my ill-conceived mischief. Though, thy reactions were quite enlightening.”

Lighthoof fluttered down beside them, panting, looking a bit bewildered, “What the buck just happened? I just sort of froze in mid-air before I could leave.”

Luna smiled, stroking a hoof through the trembling Star's mane, his helmet long since discarded when he impacted the nightmare. “Apologizes, Lighthoof. I put a field around the area in the event the two of you fled. So as not to allow it to get too out of hoof.”

Star lifted his head, sniffing back a tear and frowning, “Why the buck am I crying? And shaking, what's wrong with me?”

Luna gave a gentle giggle and kissed Star on the forehead. “During times of great stress. One often is confronted with a natural fight or flight response. Thou gathered all thy emotions and adrenalin to strike. With the supposed danger resolved, thy body is attempting to sort through it all. Be still for a moment.”

Lighthoof frowned, “I kinda get it was a prank Princess but...I mean no disrespect when I say it seemed to be in poor taste.”

The alicorn nodded, “Yes. It appears using it to scare foals for the purposes of delight, differs greatly from using it on older ponies.” She paused, regarding both pegasi with a curious look, “Despite that, thy responses were most informative. Perhaps I may use it as a test in the future.”

Star wiped his eyes clear and coughed, “What do you mean, Princess?”

She rolled to her side, helping the helmet less pony to his hooves before pointing at hoof at Lighthoof, “In this, thy first instinct was to seek aid. Thou assessed the threat, deemed it beyond thy capabilities and sought to rouse a force to combat it. Beyond thy rather...unprofessional personality, I see a glimmer of a tactician. It appears I hath misjudged you, dear Lighthoof.” She nodded her head at him.

He ruffled the back of his neck nervously, “Erm...I don't think what I did deserves all the pretty words. I was just, 'Oh buck! Nightmare Moon! Need help, get help, go go go!' It was all so fast you know.”

Luna giggled and patted him on the top of his helm, “Yes, well. Perhaps thou should keep thine internal monologue to thyself. Often, what defines a leadership quality is not why one does it, but how.” She winked and turned to the other pegasus.

Reaching out with a fore-hoof, she stroked his cheek, “Oh, StarStep. Thou are foalish and impulsive.” The colt frowned and cast his eyes downward. “Yet, thy bravery and courage art not to be dismissed.” His eyes flicked up in confused hope. “Were thy afraid in those moments, when Nightmare Moon stood before thou?”

“No Princess.” She looked at him sternly, “Ok...yes. But not for myself. For you.”

She smiled sadly, “I see. All that fear and rage within thine eyes...tis a noble gesture for thou to act as the lone spear against the darkness, however futile.” She stroked his cheek, while turning her head to address Lighthoof, “Thy shift is at an end. Return to the embrace of thy loving mare. Enjoy thy days off.” She turned her head back to StarStep, “We however, must speak at greater lengths.”

Lighthoof made his bow, worriedly flicking his eyes to his friend before trotting off into the dark hallways. The two ponies stood in the grass of the gardens, each looking at the other. Luna with an expression of slight sadness, StarStep with a hint of disappointment.

With a faint frown, the night Princess turned and began to walk the stone path, “Walk with me, mine armored shadow.” Star reached down for his helmet, “Leave it. Thou art off-duty now. Follow or return to thy quarters.” She looked over her shoulder sternly.

Star left his golden helm resting in the grass and joined Luna at her side. Being off-duty, decorum was not a rigorous. She glanced over at him, a brief flicker of a smile upon her muzzle, “StarStep. I doth apologize for mine terrible prank. Twas foalish. When I returned to find the two of thou still at mine pond, the thought struck me as...amusing at the time.” There was a stretch of silence. “Art thou not going to ask where I was the last few days?”

StarStep shook his head. Free from the helm and magic, his spiky black mane bounced about, “No, Princess. I respect you too much to question your comings and goings. You're your own mare, after all.”

Luna's eyebrows rose and she smiled a little warmer, “Indeed.” She nodded to herself. “That brings up another subject. I was rather pleased to find thou hath not been pestering mine sister or thy peers over my whereabouts. In all honesty, I had half-expected to find thee camping at mine bedchamber door.” She looked down at him amused, “Thine restraint and respect of my privacy is quite a relief. So...I must admit...the Nightmare Moon prank was a test of sorts. I wished to see how thou specifically reacted. Thy friend's reaction was a pleasant bonus.”

The alicorn led them up the little grassy knoll from before setting down on her long legs to look out across the dark kingdom, “Please, rest a moment my armored shadow.” Star laid beside Luna, looking up at her, a bit of conflicting feelings in his chest.

Luna glanced down at him, smiling with a twinkle in her eyes then back at the heavens, “I shalt explain mine issue with thy reaction as thus. A sword crafted with raging fire and angry strikes, results in a brittle blade. A sword tempered and forged with patience, results in a dependable blade.” She looked down at him, gazing into his soul, “I doth not wish a brittle blade at mine side.”

She leaned down to kiss his forehead and ducked her head to rest hers against his, “I am flattered thy concern was more for mine safety than thy own. Courage rides a fine line between foalishness and bravado. If thou wish to be at mine side, thou must temper that fiery passion, forge thy emotions into something that will not break on the first strike. For that strike will be thy last.” She pulled back her head and sighed, “I digress, my brittle blade. Meditate upon my words as I set thee to thy next task.”

StarStep blinked, “What might that be, Princess?” In response to his question a hoof-brush appeared floating in the air before him.

The moon goddess looked over at him, grinning playfully, “Perhaps thou wouldst like to brush my mane?”

The pegasus felt his eyebrows climb, and eyes go wide as he fumbled to grasp the floating brush.