Thiemo sat down at the large kitchen table of his grandparent’s home. It wasn’t that he didn’t have parents; he just preferred living where he had his few friends and acquaintances. This was where he had grown up. His parents had a large house overseas and were now living in the States.

Not that it was unusual that he sat there - it was just rare. He should be in boarding school at the moment and writing his French paper. Instead, a French maid with a little feather duster and equally short skirt was cleaning the countertop. He knew he shouldn’t be complaining, but something was nagging the back of his head. Thiemo slowly turned his look away from the now sulky-looking employee and stood up from his chair. His journey led him through the white fog into the living room where two ponies sat and drank tea.

Horses were nothing unusual here. It was more the fact that the one mare had a midnight-blue coat and an even darker mane that was flowing in the non-existent wind. Furthermore, it was star-studded. Oh, and of course there was the horn and the wings. The other mare had them too; however, the wings on her dark coat were more insectile, and her horn was crooked and sharp. Her bright purple mane formed a strong contrast to the otherwise so dark colors.

“Good evening, Thiemo,” he was greeted by the blue one. “I was hoping we could talk in private.”

A swing of Luna’s horn later, Thiemo sat down in his grandfather’s comfortable chair. “So this is a dream. The old fish stick would have killed me if I ever had dared to sit down in his chair.” Luna looked at him questioningly. Thiemo took his time with the answer and loosened the tie of his school uniform. “My grandfather is wrinkled and slightly tanned. Also, he spends a lot of free time fishing,” he explained. “So, you’re the real Luna? In my dream?”

“That is correct. I was hoping we could exchange a few words.” Thiemo nodded and looked over at Amaryllis.

“What is with her? Is she really here too?” Amy just smiled and took another sip of her tea.

“No,” Luna said and slightly shook her head. “She is part of the dream. Pardon me for interrupting it. Surely, it would have been a pleasant one.” At least she wasn’t making a fuss about exactly knowing where this would have gone.

Thiemo also took a cup from the table, which appeared as he wished for it. “What is she doing here then?”

“She is waiting.”

“For what?”

“I would say to take her spot.” Luna pointed past him where the maid was motioning Thiemo with a finger to come back into the kitchen. “Maybe it is wrong for me to ask as her great aunt, but why are you rejecting her?”

“Are you asking me why I don’t want to have sex with your great-niece? Or would you rather come to the point?” Thiemo took a sip out of his cup. The tea had turned into cocoa.

Luna nodded. “Very well. I do not think I have to say how close the encounter with Karst was. But let us talk about how it came to it in the first place. Sure, there are a few offspring of us out there, but what are the chances for you to meet the second one already? What I want to say is… be careful. My sister is playing her own game; she always has. But with everything that is happening, I am worried.” Luna took a sip out of her cup and let it disappear. “This is why I am going to tell you this secret. Night Hawk and Iron Heart follow my sister’s order, but above all, Captain Hawk is under my command. Should you see it necessary to remove her command, to change the route so to speak, the following words:

In nights only as dark as your heart,
She hunts only those who hide.
Stand proud and honest, so she will be at your side.
By the shadows that bind us, stay with me night-born.

This is my part of the oath if I accept a new member to the Nightguard. Hawk is bound to this oath and will follow you should you speak it. Consider this an emergency solution. Do not betray my trust.” With that, the princess disappeared and left Thiemo alone.

“Okay, I hope I can remember that.” He looked over to Amaryllis. “You know what, screw that. Let’s see if ponies get the idea of a lap dance.”

Luna opened her eyes in her quarters. She didn’t seem to have the strength at the moment to move. “I am so sorry, nephew. If my sister could only see clearly. Maybe she would not treat your light in this way.”

Author's Notes:

And with that we are leaving Equestria and also chapter 2. Chapter 2 of 9. Just wanted to mention that again.

Next week we get a new chapter-cover-image and a new chapter as well. I want to thank everyone who read this story so far. You're great. But there is a lot more yet to come.

Thanks to Gron for translating this chapter.
Special thanks to JBL for proofreading and editing.

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