The next day i woke up and immediately stretched out before opening my eyes and scanning the room. It was well furnished as prison cells go, a heavy wooden door, a bed, a bookshelf, a desk with paper and a quill, and lantern emitting warm orange light. “How did I end up in prison again” I muttered with a sigh. I stood and walked up to the heavy wooden door. I pushed gently on the door and found it was secured in place “Was worth a shot” I chuckled. I sat at the desk and drew some doodles then read a few books and generally kept myself distracted from darker thoughts. After a few hours there was a knock at my door, not that I could open it. There was jingling of keys and then the sound of the door being unlocked. I sucked in a breath and prepared for the worst. So it came as a shock when I saw Princess Luna standing in the door way. I blinked my eyes at her for a second. “Hi?” I said confusion obvious in my voice. “Hello Nighters” she said in a tone of suppressed cheer. “I was expecting Celestia or at least some guards, why are you here?” I asked “I have some questions for you I’d like to have answered” after a pause she added “Not an interrogation or anything, I just want to know” my eyebrow lifted in suspicion “ok…” I responded. Luna asked me questions about my past which i answered truthfully, but left out any mention of daisy. The whole time her eyes sparkled with interest, I never thought my life was that interesting.

During a pause between questions a black coated an ash colored mane pegasus I vaguely recognized opened the door a look of suppressed anger on his face “Luna, you shouldn’t be here. Please return to your duties” it was odd how the pegasus spoke with a tone of big brotherly authority over the princess. Luna jumped up looking like a guilty foal and ran out of the room. The pegasus turned to me and glared, I shot him a look back full of suspicion “Why is it you can talk to the princess like that?” he averted his gaze and said “Celestia will visit you soon, be ready” and with that he closed the heavy wooden door and locked it. Something about him didn’t add up, I would need to find out more about him later. I was lounging on the bed when I heard the lock on the door being opened. I rolled over and got off the bed standing to face the door.

The door opened, Celestia and a dozen guards stood outside. I looked at her blankly unsure what to expect "would she sentence me to death again? Or would I be locked up here until I die?" I thought. "Nighters you’ve committed terrible crimes in both your life times, and you must face consequences. But I'm afraid your punishment is a bit complicated" Celestia said "The thing is, you can’t die so i can’t have you executed now can i?" My mouth fell open "What? I can’t die?" i said dumbfounded. "Oh, you didn't know that? Well no you can’t, so for your punishment you have two options. You can ether stay here for a thousand years, or enlist in the royal guard" she said bluntly. "Wait. Now that i think about it they haven't brought me food at all and i don't feel the least bit hungry or thirsty” I thought, then the rest of what she said hit me “What?! I can’t stay here for a thousand years!” I exclaimed “Then join the guard, those are your only options” said Celestia “We will keep an eye on you of course but you will be able to move freely in the castle and will be under direct order from Luna and I. if we have need you will be able to leave the castle on missions too” “You’re not really giving me much choice in the matter but sure, I’ll join the guard” I conceded. Celestia nodded “I’m glad you got over your anger and I am sorry about dais-“ The fire in the lantern quadrupled in size and the glass half shattered and half melted from the sudden heat “Get out.” I said my voice as cold as ice. Celestia nodded again and said “A guard with your armour will arrive shortly, wait here” then walked out closing the door behind her. The flame had lowered but was still not back to normal, I took some deep breaths and waited for the guard with my armour.

Soon a short fat stallion covered in grime and wearing an apron who I could only assume was the smith burst in and said “Catch!” then a set of ornate gold armour was flying at my face.

I concentrated on catching it even though it was hopeless. Suddenly the armour burst into flames or what looked like flames but emitted only a faint heat and looked like a mix of unicorn levitation magic and fire. I looked over and saw the smithy had a look of total shock on his face, then my focus slipped and the armour toppled to the ground “… Did I just use magic?!” I thought in amazement. “How did…” the smith said, then quickly shook his head “Never mind. So there’s your armour now if you want to get changed, I’m supposed to show you around so hurry your flank. I’m a busy stallion” I plopped on the body plate and as soon as I did there was a hissing sound, I looked back and saw the metal melting off my body. As the last of the gold dribbled to the floor I turned and saw the stubby stallion staring at me mouth agape in surprise. “Umm… got anything that can withstand high temperatures?” I said. The surprised look morphed into a determined grin and he gained a twinkle in his eye “Follow me” he said.