Children of the Guardian

Chap 18

"Thanks again for taking me to Sweet Apple Acres bro." Sunlight said as she climbed into the Royal Chariot with Midnight.

"No problem sis. It's right on the way to see Brushie so I figured I'd give you a lift." He said as he himself stepped into the chariot, nodding at the lead pegasus to take off.

"To be honest I couldn't stand seeing Mom and Dad making out anymore." He said sticking his tongue out disgusted.

"Oh come on Midnight that's not nice. You know that's just how Mom and Dad show their love for each other." Sunlight said making kissing faces and noises with her lips.

"Yeah but it's kinda gross when adults are doing it. It's okay when Brushie and I do it cause we're young and it's understandable."

"Oh Midnight sometimes I wonder how Brushie ever fell for you." Sunlight said laughing as they flew out of Canterlot airspace.

"Hey I take offense to that squirt!" He said jokingly as he rubbed his sister's head playfully. Sunlight only smiled and laughed at her brother's cheerful attitude. It was almost like every time he wasn't in the castle or wearing his royal robes he was completely different. He had to wear his robes almost all the time in the castle which meant he had to keep a princely form and demeanor, but Sunlight liked him a lot more when he would just toss of the robes and relax. It made him seem more normal, instead of royalty.

"So Midnight, you and Brushie going on a date when you get to her house?" She said smiling slyly at him. Midnight's cheeks flushed a bright red.

"N-No… we're just gonna hang out is all. Just spend time together." He said stammering as beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"What is up with you? You love Brushie right?" Sunlight said getting in his face. She always liked messing with her brother but she did believe that he got embarrassed far too easily.

"Of course I do!" Midnight responded.

"Then why are you sweating whenever I talk about her?"

"Well I… I guess I just…"

"Midnight Eclipse are you embarrassed of yourself?" Sunlight said confused.

Midnight sighed and looked out toward the Swayback Mountains which began to pass into view.

"Yes I am. Sunlight you know I'm not perfect. I make more mistakes than I can count and although they're small I can't help but think of the worst effect they could have on the kingdom. That's why I always hide behind my prince personality. The tough, loyal, steadfast, disciplined prince, but it's all just an act. I'm afraid that if Brushie and I's relationship gets serious I'm gonna do something stupid and end up ruining everything between us."

Sunlight was shocked at what her brother just said. She had no idea he felt that way about himself and it answered a lot of questions about why he was always so different around guests or other ponies.

"Midnight why would you think like that? Brushie loves you for who you are and that's that. I think she would take you even if you weren't a prince."

She said hugging her older brother. She heard Midnight sigh and turn around to hug her back. The smell of his coat and the crisp air made Sunlight amazingly warm. It was her brother's hugs that always made her feel safe. She always thought it had something to do with his scent. He smelled of roses and flowers whenever she hugged him and at first she thought it was because he spent so much time practicing magic in the garden but she soon realized it was just him. The sound of his strong loud heart beating in her ears just made her happy that her brother was alive and around for her.

"Your Majesties. We will soon reach the farmland. Give us about 5 more minutes." The pegasi upfront said breaking their quiet moment of bonding. "Thank you sir." Midnight said breaking the hug. Sunlight moved closer and nuzzled her brother.

"Sooooooo how did you and Brushie meet?" She said smiling playfully. Midnight looked down at his sister and cocked an eyebrow.

"Why do you want to know that?"

"Cause I want to hear if it was romantic or not, and now that I'm 15 you have to treat me with more respect so…" Sunlight went to the other side of the chariot and tapped her hooves up and down making a clopping sound over and over. "Tell me, tell me, tell me tell me tell me!" Midnight smiled and shook his head.

"That was the most immature thing I've ever seen and you think it will get me to talk?" He said chuckling.

"Noooo but if you won't tell me, then I bet Brushie will, and I'm sure she has tons of secrets about it." Sunlight said evilly.

"Fine, fine I'll tell you." Midnight sighed.

"Of course it's no secret because you were there when it happened." He said looking up at the clouds as they passed over, reminiscing about the past.

"It was back when you were 12 and I took you to DJPon-3's concert."

"You mean you were forced to take me to the concert by Dad." Sunlight interrupted.

"Yes, yes let me finish. It was when I was forced to take you to the concert. While you were down on the dance floor with friends I was up on one of stage trying to stay out of sight and avoid the mobs. You know I don't like loud places and crowds." He said changing the subject.

"I thought you would have been at the bar." Sunlight laughed at her own joke.

"Ha Ha very funny but I was up on the stage the whole time. That is until some drunken stallion bumped into me and knocked me off the stage… and right onto Brushie." He concluded blushing.

"YOU FELL ON HER??" Sunlight roared laughing.

"Hey it was an accident! A-Anyway yeah I fell on her. When I opened my eyes she and I were staring at each other, but before she could say anything I ran, grabbed you, and we came home."

"So that's why you were in such a hurry to get out of there… but why didn't you stay and face the music?" Sunlight asked confused.

"How could I? Get yelled at by a mare and then have everypony know that Prince Midnight was at a concert? No thanks." Midnight said raising his head up proudly.

"Midnight you need to learn to lighten up. Just because we're royalty doesn't mean we can't have fun."

"But it would leave such a horrible image for the family." Midnight panicked as he went off on a tangent.

"I can see the headlines now: Prince Midnight found partying rather than focusing on the kingdom. Is this really the ruler that will take over one day? Nooooooooooooooo way. I'm NOT letting that happen! I'll die before-"

He was cut off by Sunlight slapping his muzzle with her hoof.

"Calm down. You know good and well that you're a good ruler and I will be too, and we'll both make sure to make the right decisions for the kingdom." She concluded nuzzling him. Midnight smiled. She was right and he knew it. Panicking about every little thing wouldn't help anypony and why should he panic? He had an awesome sister, and an awesome marefriend. His thoughts were interrupted as the chariot bounced on the ground and stopped in front of Sweet Apple Acres.

"Mistress Sunlight. We're here." The fliers announced as Sunlight stepped off.

"Alright I'll see you later bro. Don't forget to pick me up on your way home." She reminded Midnight as he hugged her goodbye.

"I won't. Have fun okay?"

"Oh I will. Bye!" She said running off toward the barn. As he watched his sister run towards the big red barn, he noticed a colt probably Sunlight's age run over to greet her. As the chariot lifted off Midnight saw that it was Kuni, and then was horrified to see Sunlight kiss him.

"She's dating… HIM?" He said to himself. "No… no no no… I can't allow that. I said I was sorry but I still won't allow a common farmer to take the heart of my sister. She's too good for him." He muttered as the chariot flew toward Celestial Brush's house. "I'll talk to Brushie… maybe she has some advice for me on what to do about Kuni." Next Chapter: Chapter 19 Estimated time remaining: 9 Minutes