The dawn had just broken over the horizon. It's orange, and yellow rays just beginning to wake the creatures of the world to start another day. Shadow Vein lay in his bed on his side, all four of his legs pulled up as close to his body as they could get. He would let out a random shiver from time to time as the thoughts of the previous night's events still burned brightly in his memory. The screams, the blood. All of it building to where he himself had to cast two murdered souls into a vast nothingness. He blinked slowly, his eyes stung from not performing the action for quite some time as they watered, and leaked. He once again felt his stomach turn, and he broke his unmoving pose to rush once again to his restroom.

   He pushed his face into the bowl of his sink. Letting the watery bile spew from his aching mouth. For the fifth time since he had rushed to the confines of his castle apartment he had to rush to this sink. Letting go anything that dare try to settle in his stomach. After he was sure that he was done, he twisted the cold faucet to let the water wash away the sick. He still hoovered over it, wishing that he could wash away the things that had happened just mere hours ago. He wondered if this was what it meant to be a Dark Guardsmen. Wondered if this would be the last time he had to bury the bodies of the slain into his rifts. He wondered if all Humans could destroy life so easily, perhaps Shannon was the only one that could commit such horrors. He truly hoped it was the latter. He hated the thought of an entire population filled with mask wearing axe wielding killers.

   As soon as all of what had rushed out of him was down the drain. The Unicorn stuck his muzzle under the still running water. He took in a large mouthful, not dare swallowing it in fear that it too might be the next thing pouring from him. He swished it around in his mouth, trying so hard  to get the acidic taste off his tongue. After spitting it out, he let out a long open mouthed sigh. He felt better, at least his stomach did. He twisted off the water then raised up to look at himself in the mirror. What he saw standing behind him, looking back at him along with his own reflection. It almost made him want to become sick all over again.

   "Shannon!" The Dark Pony cried out as he whirled around on his back hooves. Then pushing himself up against the back wall. He didn't hear him come in, he didn't even hear footsteps on the bare floor. He had no idea Shannon could sneak up on somepony that easily. The Human just stood there for a moment, watching the dread flow over his partner. His eyes so wide they almost took up the entire space of his face. His bottom lip quivering with each heaving breath.

   "Shadow Vein." Shannon began as he took a step into the bathroom. Causing Shadow Vein to press himself harder against the wall. "I feel we have some unfinished business that needs to be taken care of before this night ends." Shadow Vein practically felt his heart stop dead in it's tracks. He was going to do it. He was going to kill him as well so there was no chance of him reporting the Human to anypony.

   "Shannon. I swear. I will swear on anything you want. I'll never tell a soul. Just please!" The Unicorn pleaded. Wishing somepony, anypony would walk in on them. Moon Burn wanting a report. Luna herself coming to tell him he didn't fit her needs to be in the Dark Guard anymore, anything.

   "Do you love her Shadow Vein?" Shannon said in a dull whispering voice. Shadow Vein couldn't even begin to know what he was talking about. He remained silent, save for the sound of his breathing, that was getting dangerously close to hyper ventilating. "Our beloved Goddess, our Redemption. Do you love her?"

   "I." Was the one thing Shadow Vein was able to mumble. He stared into Shannon's eyes, and in a moment knew that if he were to die, then he could at least be honest with his killer. "I do Shannon. I love her. I have loved her since the day she returned to Equestria."

   "Would you die for her?" Shannon said leaning in closer to the over panicked pony. Shadow Vein wondered if it would hurt, having that horrible bladed weapon slice into his body. "Would you?" The Unicorn's tormentor asked in a louder tone. "Would you cast everything you hold dear to Darkness, and destroy yourself for her?"

   "Yes!" Shadow Vein screamed as he pushed himself just a sliver away from the wall. " I will die for her! At a moment's notice!" After Shadow vein delivered these last words, Shannon seemed to relax his body just a slight bit. His face even seemed to become brighter.

   "Hmm. Those are the easy parts I assure you." Shannon said, rasing back up to his full standing position. "It is so easy to love something as powerful as our Worship. To see her greatness, and become in awe. Then to die." He made a gesture with his hand. One that made Shadow Vein give the smallest of flinches. "Well that's the easiest one. Anyone can cast themselves to their ultimate demise to protect something they love, and adore." Shannon's gaze locked with Shadow vein's as he leaned in once more. "Now then." He began, as he actually kneeled on one knee. "Would you kill for her?"

   Shadow Vein's mind went completely blank, save for the question he was just asked. The word 'kill' bouncing from ear to ear, echoing long after Shannon had said it. In a way, Shadow Vein could feel time slow. It crept to a near stand still as he fell into his own mind. He remembered every time Shannon spoke to the Princess. Every time he threw himself onto the ground at her hooves. His words were never without absolute perfect admiration for her. His every action to him was just an extension of her wants, and needs. It made him go back to the day he was placed in her personal guard. It wasn't she who had asked for the small almost talentless pony. It was Shannon. The Human was there the first day he arrived. He was there always standing with him, letting the new recruit see his every action.

   As Shadow Vein fell further, and further into his thoughts. He found himself in a place he never thought possible. It was now him standing before the Minotaurs in that bar. It was him wearing the mask that stared unblinking at his victims. It was now him that brandished the weapons that ended their lives. He felt the absolute pleasure of destroying something that he thought would dare threaten his beloved Princess, his Worship. The Unicorn let out a breath he felt he had been holding for countless hours. His eyes became narrow, and pale. "Yes." The word escaped his muzzle the same time his long breath came. "I will. I will kill for my Worship."

   Shannon let a long grin edge across his lips as he heard these words coming from his comrade. He knew them to be true, and had no doubt in his mind of the Unicorn's oath. "Then." Shannon said as he reached forward, patting Shadow Vein on the top of his head, just behind his horn. "You will never have need to fear me, Shadow Vein: Caller of the Rifts, Master of the Endless Void." With that, Shannon stood up, turned around, and stepped in a slow time to the door of Shadow Vein's housing. He gave one more look at his new brother in arms, then stepped out while closing the door behind him.

   Shadow Vein slowly slid off the wall, landing on all four hooves. He stepped into his bedroom, his head turning to the windows that were now letting the full rays of the morning's sun into the room. His horn began to glow as he grasped the shades, pulling them down in a silent motion. After his room was devoid of sunlight. He stepped over to a full length mirror that spanned the wall. There he gazed at himself, almost not recognizing the pony that looked back at him. The only thought in his mind was how the new mask he would fashion this night would look when he finally donned it. "May she bring us to Darkness." He said as his horn glowed once more. A force shot from the tip, smashing into the mirror's surface, causing it to spider web outwards. "May she give us the strength to bring all to Darkness." He finished, letting a single laugh come from his muzzle.

*****

   Shannon was making a quick pace to his own apartment here within the castle walls. He still was wearing a small mostly unnoticeable smile as he thought back to the conversation that was just held in Shadow Vein's home. He placed the whole ordeal not far from when he was in the Marines. More often than not he could use his own logic to persuade, even manipulate those around him to see his way of thinking. Most of the time without saying much of anything at all. His staff sergeant always said he had a gift for getting the point across with just a glance. Whether this was true or not, Shannon was glad to know he had at least one more solid ally in his endless cause to ensure that his Worship had a steady base of true believers that would only add to her great strength. His thoughts then momentarily returned back to his staff sergeant, and if he would ever regret having to kill the man that taught him so much.

   As Shannon walked, lost in his own thoughts, something that did not occur often. He failed to see one of his troop mates as he spun around one of the last corners to get to his home, almost completely toppling over Moon Burn who was there with his own company.

   "Ah,Shannon." Moon Burn said as he had to take a step back so that the two did not collide. Shannon's pride tried to make it appear as if it was his intention to come around the corner with such a lack of concentration.

   "Hello Moon Burn. Settling in for the day I take it?" Shannon noticed quickly the other two Ponies that stood there with the sturdy Unicorn.

   "In time." Moon Burn said continuing the small talk. He then gestured towards the smaller of the three ponies in the group. She was one of the most monocolored ponies Shannon had ever seen. Her coat, mane and tail were all practically the exact same color. A very pale blue, with a even lighter white hue to it. The only color on her entire person was a set of extremely dark blue eyes. "You remember my wife, Cold Chill."

   The mare gave a warm smile, that Shannon thought was rather contradictive of her name. "Why yes! Hello Shannon. By all means. Call me Chilly! "

   Shannon snapped his head down at the overly cheerful mare. "I assure you I won't." He said with a subtle twisted grin coming to his face.

   "Oh." Cold Chill mumbled while her ears drooped down.

   "And this of course." Moon Burn continued, getting a smile on his face, as well as trying to end the interaction between his wife and Shannon. "Is our son. Obsidian Dawn." As Shannon looked to the offspring of the two, he knew very quickly why Moon Burn would introduce his child with such a pride filled voice. Moon Burn, and his mate were one of the few couples in all of Equestria to be blessed with a Dark Pegasus.

   "Hmm, indeed." Shannon said with an actual smile. The young stallion looked of course more like his father in regards to coat, mane and tail colors. The boy had decided to emulate his fathers choice in hair styles by letting his grow almost to the same length on both his head, and flanks. His cutie mark was one of a small mountain range in the distance, with a complete black sun rising above them. The there were the tell tale signs of his caste. On his shoulders rested a pair of pure black bat like leathered wings, pulled in tightly to his sides. Followed by his seemingly glowing slitted yellow eyes. "And how are you Obsidian?"

   Obsidian Dawn just nodded, then smiled back at the human addressing him. "I am well sir. Thank you for asking."

   "I take it you will be enrolling in the Guardsmen Academy here soon?" Shannon asked. The question however, was quickly answered by Moon Burn.

   "Next year. After the winter's end." Obsidian Dawn got a wide smile across his muzzle, after his father reached up with his hoof, patting his child on the shoulder.

   "Outstanding." Shannon added. "You will be inheriting a great legacy. your father has served our Worship for many years. Someday you may have the burden, and joy of taking his place within the personal Dark Guard of our great Goddess."

   "Well." Obsidian was about to speak. Before his mother decided to add in her own two cents.

   "Or!" She said in a rather loud voice under the circumstances. "Or. He could be a banker." After the small mare blurted out her suggestion. Both stallions, and the Human were looking at her with a glare of confusion, mostly annoyance on Shannon's part. "What?" Cold Chill asked while cowering away a bit. "He's really good with math."

   "A skill I am sure he will be able to implement within the Dark Guard." Shannon said, causing Moon Burn to nod in agreement, as his troop mate took the words from his mouth.

   "Well. We were just about to go out for a late dinner. Or breakfast, as it were. Would you care to join us Shannon?" Moon Burn said. Causing the other two members of his family to stare up at the Human. Shannon in turn was about to quickly decline the invitation. He was no more able to move his hand in gesture before a raspy mare's voice came from down another hall intersecting the one they were standing in.

   "No, he doesn't." Chaotica rang out as she came trotting up to the group. "I am afraid Shannon and I have plans of our own this morning."

   "We do?" Shannon said looking down at Chaotica with a furrowed brow.

   "Yes, we do." She quickly shot him the same look he was tossing her. "Unless of course you want to blow me off to dine with the family unit here." As soon as she finished her words. Shannon quickly realized that she was here to save him once again from an uncomfortable situation that he did not have the social graces for.

   "Ah yes. We do. I am afraid I forgot, for a moment." Shannon said while turning to look at the three ponies. Moon Burn simply nodded his head.

   "Well another time then." The Dark Stallion said as he was preparing to turn around.

   "Well." Cold Chill chirped up as all parties involved were preparing to go their own ways. "I don't see why not both of you could join us." Both Shannon, and Chaotica froze in place at her request. The only sound that came from the two for some time was the sucking noise Shannon made with his teeth.

   "Ah!" Chaotica said with a tone of surprize as the plan in her head just now came to light. "You see. Shannon and I were planning to be alone." Her eyes slowly moved to look at Shannon through her peripheral. "For our date, you see."

   "What?" Both Shannon and Moon Burn shouted in stereo. Both with a tone of shock, save that Moon Burn didn't have the burning look of anger on his face.

   "Oh!" Cold Chill said as her own eyes widened as she elongated the syllable of her expression. "Well you go right ahead deary. Don't let us hold you two any longer." She said towards Chaotica while making a shooing gesture with her front leg. Then she leaned in towards the other mare, and whispered in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "He's so exotic!"

   Shannon made another very long teeth suck as he was now looking way past the group he was in, more focusing on the wall at the end of the hall. "Well, goodbye." He said as he spun about face style, and took two long strides to vanish himself down the same hallway he had just come from.

   "Okay. Bye!" Chaotica said to the family as she waved her front leg in a wild fashion. She then just as quickly darted down the same hallway Shannon fled to, calling out his name loud enough to make an echo sound off in all directions.

   "Well they were just wonderful!" Cold Chill said moving closer to her husband. "We should have them over for dinner. Such a cute couple!"

   All Moon Burn did was nod at his wife's words, still wearing a look of absolute confusion. "As you say love." Was all he said as his body began to turn, his head still staying on the empty spots for a moment were his two comrades once stood.

   Chaotica quickly caught up with Shannon while starting to laugh out loud. Shannon who despite her constant calling to get his attention, wasn't stopping. "That was great! I thought Moon Burn's head was going to pop off when I told him we were going out on a date." The mare said as she came along Shannon's side, looking up at him as she spoke."So where are we going to eat?"

   Shannon turned his head to look at Chaotica who was still smiling wide up at him. "I am going to bed." He said while returning his head to face forward. He thought for a moment that Chaotica took the hint, and dropped back to go her own way. In just a second he felt the back of his coat getting pulled by something. With this he came to a stop, and let out a long sigh. "Chaotica. I am very tired."

   "Nuh uh!" Chaotica said with the tail of Shannon's coat in her teeth. She let go of his coat with a small spitting noise before walking in front of him. "Listen. Over the course of this night. I have saved you not once, but twice from absolute social disasters! Add those on top of all the other times I had  to pull your markless flanks from the fire. You owe me."

   "Ah. So it is debt repayment you are after is it?" Shannon said, causing Chaotica to shake her head up and down with closed eyes. "Very well. When ever I see you in a group, or individual situation you are having trouble in. I will be sure to perform the same services that you have shown me." With that he tried to walk past her. However, Chaotica stepped in front of him again, raising up on her back hooves, and placing her front legs on his chest.

   "Sorry Human. I don't think I am letting you get out of it that easily. I want my repayment, now." The two were in a dead stare with one another for several moments. Neither one paying attention to the other Ponies that were walking up and down the hall, giving the two odd looks in kind. The only thing telling any of them that this wasn't some odd statue art was the fact that Shannon was rapping his fingers on his side.

   "Very well" Shannon said as he backed away, letting the Dark Mare fall to all fours again. "Where would you like to go?"

   Chaotica actually bounced from her left set of hooves, to her right set a few times as the thought of finally getting Shannon to go any where in public with her was giving her butterflies. "Oh, oh! We could go to that nice little cafe just right outside the main gates." This made Shannon hang his head low.

   "That's five floors down." He actually groaned out.

   "You'll be fine. Come on!" She said as she had already started moving in the direction of the stairs to the lower levels. Shannon was obviously not moving fast enough for her. Cause as he started to slowly follow. He felt the tingle of magic encase his hand. He looked down to see the color of Chaotica's horn glow just in time to feel his arm being yanked by an unseen force. "Let's move slow poke!"

   Chaotica was just so joyous at the moment she felt she could scream. She had lost count of all the times she tried to get her Human friend to go out with her. Now he had finally accepted, he was actually there walking right beside her. She couldn't wait to get to the cafe she had mentioned. It was right there in the open, and very public. She was dying to see all those other mares faces when they strolled by and saw her with the most exotic, and handsome creature in all of Equestria. A long devious grin washed over her muzzle as she started to think how great it would be if that over popular Flur De Lis just happened by, or better yet was eating there. How it would probably turn her pure white coat blood red when she saw them together.

   "Chaotica!" A voice came from behind the pair. A voice that was exactly like Chaotica's herself. Both Shannon and Chaotica quickly took notice of the call, and spun in time with each other to see Chaosia approaching the two. Chaotica smiled as she saw her sister approaching. The smile however, turned to a perplexed look as Chaosia stopped quite a ways from both of them. Herself wearing a rather serious stone face expression. "I need you to come here. Now!" Chaosia yelled down the hall. She was looking more at Shannon than her sibling though.

   Shannon looked first at Chaosia, then down at Chaotica who had now a very straight browed glare, while mumbling something under her breath. "Well it appears you have something to do with your sister. So." His excuse to get out of the early day eating session was abruptly interrupted as Chaotica shouted up at him.

   "No!" Chaotica then turned again to her sister who was still waiting, and at this point was doing a very small pace pattern back and forth. "Shannon, go ahead. I'll meet you there. Please?" Shannon just nodded his head while raising up his hands a bit to let her know he understood. With that he turned around, and started walking down the steps they had almost made it to. As soon as Shannon was out of site. Chaotica took off in a dead run towards her sister. Chaosia thought for a second that her mirror image was going to tackle her from the look on her face. Chaotica stopped just a mere each from the tip of Chaosia's nose. "What in the name of the Moon do you think you're doing?" Chaotica yelled in a very loud whisper.

   "I am here to tell you I want you to stay away from him. That's what I am doing!" Chaosia answered back. Her own voice just a few decibels lower than her sisters.

   "What? No! Why in Equestria would I do that?" Chaotica answered back.

   "Because I am your older sister, and I said so." Chaotica made a loud 'pffft ' noise as she tossed her head up.

   "Oh please. You're one minute older. I don't see you being able to pull the 'elder sister' routine." That's when Chaotica got a sly grin on her muzzle. "Oh, oh I see. I see what you're doing now!"

   "What I am doing now?" Chaosia echoed back while her head turned to the side.

   "Look sis. Normally I would totally be down to do the thing we do sometimes. Like that one time in Detrot. You remember that? With that nice grey stallion?" Chaosia's eyes shot open as her pupils dilated to a fraction of what they were before while her jaw dropped open in a silent gasp. She reached up and smashed her sister's mouth shut, then pulled her closer to the wall.

   "Are you crazy? There are Ponies all over the place!" Chaosia herself now whisper yelling, and for just a few seconds forgot why she had even started this conversation. Now she could have swore her pitch black coat was probably glowing red in a blush. "That's not it at all!." She continued trying to focus as she let Chaotica's face go.

   "Then what? Why don't you want  me to go with Shannon?" Chaotica's face had now shifted to a sad one. Her ears were laying flat forward on her head. As the top of her eyes became straight. "Chaosia." She started. "You know me. You know how I feel. You know I have felt this way for so long. I finally have a chance."

   Chaosia couldn't believe what she was thinking. She was actually considering letting her sister, her twin sister go out on a date with at murderous madman. The thought ran through her mind to just tell her what she had seen that night. She knew that Chaotica would just instantly write it off as her 'older' sister being jealous. However, she couldn't allow this to continue. She had to do something to protect her living reflection. She stood there, looking at the pout still dominating Chaotica's face, and knew what she had to do. She had to follow the orders she was given.

   "Very well sister." Chaosia said in her low raspy voice. "Go, and be with your Human. I have a matter I must attend to myself." Chaotica's eyes lit up like the Sun on a cloudless day as she heard the surrender of her sister's demands. "Oh thank you Chaosia!" She shouted as she threw her front legs over Chaosia's shoulders, giving her a deep embrace. She held the hug for several seconds before jumping back, and quickly turning around to race towards the stairs. Just before she began her decent, she turned around and spoke with a playful tone. "Oh! And if you see a scarf on the door handle. Go find somewhere else to sleep." Chaotica the gave her sister a long wink before disappearing down the flight of steps with a giggle.

   The thought of Chaotica being alone behind locked doors with that axe wielding psycho made Chaosia's throat tighten. She knew what had to be done as she herself walked towards the stair well. Except she wasn't going down. Her path led her up to the higher floors, where Princess Luna would be dwelling.  

*****

      Luna stood there in her personal royal chambers. It was a massive series of rooms, that rivaled in size some of the Pegasus homes in Cloudsdale. Though the Cloudsdale homes very undoubtedly had the luxuries that filled this home. Artifacts from all over the world decorated every room from it's walls to the floors. Some of these relics were far older than some might imagine. reaching back to when she and her sister ran Equestria together. All those thousands of years ago, before she took on the mantle of Nightmare Moon. It often made Luna smile as she thought how Celestia had kept, and maintained her room. Letting her little sister know that she always expected her to return one day.

   The Alicorn was simply worn out. She had raised the Moon that night, had a hours long argument with the Minotaurs, then had to raise the Sun this morning. It was more a mental exhaustion than anything else. The Princess was in better shape than even Celestia, who did work hard to maintain her appearance, but did seem to eat a lot of cake and sweets in turn. Luna couldn't blame her though. Right now she felt like finding the largest piece of chocolate in Canterlot, and eating it all in one sitting. She did catch something however that made get a smile on her face. It was a long braided lock of Shannon's hair. When Shannon first arrived, and began spending most of his time at the castle, mostly she knew now to be around his new found Goddess. He presented her with this as a gift, as it was all he had to give to her as tribute other than his absolute devotion. Her eyes narrowed to a sultry gaze as she looked at the gift. She for sure knew something he could give her now that would be much better than his hair.

   As soon as that thought raced into her tired mind. Luna's eyes popped open, and her mouth fell a gape. She couldn't believe she just thought that, and a hot flash rolled over her in embarrassment as a reward. She had to get her thoughts in order. This was no time for somepony of her stature to be fawning, and fantasizing over some alien creature. No matter how exceedingly handsome, and dark he was. One of her subordinates no less. Even Her sister never stooped to such a degree. She knew for a fact that Celestia never took any of her Royal Guard into her own bed chambers. Then again, perhaps that is why she resorted to sweets so often. Once again she shook her head. She was just trying to make excuses, trying to find a path that would not lead to scandal. She decided to dwell on the fact that this time it was not her that called the abrupt recess in the peace talks. The main ambassador of the entire deligation was given some kind of news that caused him to leave in a hurry. Something that he was unwilling to tell her.

   She just sighed as she looked over at the gargantuan bed in the next room. She figured she could use this opportunity to catch a hour or twos rest. Let her mind slip away for just a time. She let that thought make her start walking to the bed. It's plush comforters, and finely crafted pillows becoming more inviting every hoof fall towards it. It was then a small rap came at her door. She let out a defeated sigh as she forced herself to answer the caller. Without looking, the door handles began to glow her shades of darkened blue, slowly pulling the large arched doors open.

   "Excuse me Princess." Chaosia said with a deep shut eyed bow. Luna turned to address her Guardsmen, her body quickly returning to the stiff and proper stance she normally had.

   "Of course Chaosia. Please come in." The Goddess said. She couldn't help but notice that the one half of her espionage team had a very troubling look on her face as she accepted the invitation, stepping into the main room.

   Chaosia took a deep breath as she used her own magic to close the doors behind her. "Princess. Last night you ordered me to inform you of anything that happened concerning our Minotaur guests."

   A concerned look now came over Luna's muzzle as she stepped closer to her subject. "Yes. I did. Why do you look so troubled child?"

   Chaosia swallowed hard as the thought of betraying her own troop mate began to weigh heavily on her mind. Even more than that, was the thought of after she told Luna what she knew. How she would ever repair the damage she will had done to her own flesh and blood. In time she could only hope Chaotica would forgive her, and at least realize that it was to protect her. "I'm afraid I have something to report." She took one more hard deep breath. "About Shannon Nyx."

*****

   Shannon and Chaotica were now returning from their breakfast 'date' as Chaotica kept calling it. She was rather happy that Shannon never corrected her on the title she used for their little get together, he never accepted it either. She did wish that that super slender Flur De Lis had made an appearance however. While there were tons of mares there, all of them either having looks of confusion, or jealousy, which just made Chaotica as giddy as a worm in an apple. She truly wanted to see that Canterlot socialite try to hold her composure when she saw the one person in all of Equestria that had deflected her charms, sitting there with a slightly above average Dark Pony. As her thoughts raced, she looked up at Shannon, who as always was looking straight forward, but taking notice of every little change in the scenery with those lovely narrow dark brown eyes.

   "So hey." Chaotica said, as she bumped him with her head. "Never noticed how much you like salads. I thought I heard somepony say that because of those big sharp teeth. You were probably a meat eater." Shannon nodded at her comment, which she really wasn't sure what that meant.

   "I can if I so choose." He said as he looked down at her. "Most Humans can consume pretty much whatever they desire. I on the other hand was a vegetarian long before I was brought here. Your culinary choices are no different from what I ate on Earth." Then as always, after he gave a short simple explanation to whatever question he was asked. He stopped talking so that the subject would not continue. Chaotica though was not content with just a silent walk home.

   "Well you know. Before Chaosia and I became Dark Guardsmen. I was something of a salad chef. Well I mean, not a professional one. But I could make some nice stuff." Her hint at her making a salad for him fell on deaf ears. Which in turn made her get a one sided frown on her muzzle. "So yeah!" She said in a louder voice, while jumping just an inch or two off the ground in mid stride. "Anytime you want a great salad. But don't really want to get out. Come on over. I will whip something up really nice."

   "My pantry is fully stocked with all the things I need. Leaving the house won't be needed." Shannon said, not even looking at her this time.

   Chaotica silently pulled her teeth across one another as the frustration of the situation was starting to build. She truly could not believe he was this dense. She could probably make advances on a wall that would respond more than Shannon would. She knew she was doing everything right. The subtle, yet elongated touches she had been giving him all this morning. Making sure she took at least one or two opportunities to place her hoof on his hand, which he didn't seem to mind. She would often speak in a low raspy, breathy tone. A voice that drove other stallions to sheer madness with the desire to have her. She knew it wasn't how she looked. While she wasn't as dolled up or skinny as some other Ponies. She was in top shape, she was exotic, her mane style alone cost fifteen bits a month to maintain. On top of all this, she had an identical twin sister. What male in his right mind would not just jump at even the smallest of chances to be with dark, lusty, exotic twins. 'Shannon!" She yelled as her thoughts had gotten to her, making the volume of her voice much louder than she had thought it would be.

   A rather befuddled look came over Shannon's face as he heard his name yelled up at him, for no particular reason. "Yes?" He said with a simple inflection.

   Chaotica came to a dead stop as she realized how truly loud her voice was as she took notice of several other Ponies in the hall that were looking in their direction now. "Oh. I just, umm." Her eyes moved from one side to the other several times, as she was desperately trying to think of something to say. "You like art right?" she said as the pair started walking again.

   Shannon nodded a couple of times as his lips made a gesture of agreement. "I have on several occasions been know to stop and appreciate a well developed piece of art from time to time." This made Shannon get a devious little grin on his face. For he remembered back when he was on Earth . He would 'appreciate' very expensive, and rare works of art. Mostly by stealing them, and then hiding them away. His thought train broke however, as he noticed that they were now standing in front of his troop mate's apartment door.

   "Oh good!" Chaotica stated as she placed herself between the door and her Human escort. Because. I have. Right in there. Some of the most fascinating pieces that were done by Slow River. You know, the Dark Earth Pony in troop seven. " Shannon just nodded. "Well I guess before he became a Guardsmen. He was so good at painting. He was even offered a scholarship in Trottingham! And I just so happen to have a few of his pieces that depict the rise, and fall of Nightmare Moon." The dark mare tilted her head ever so slightly to the side, while giving a very long, slow blink. "Would you like to come in and see them?"

   "Nightmare Moon?" Shannon said as he made a fast sucking noise with his teeth, then crossed his arms over his chest. He had many times read up on the legend on how his great Goddess had transformed herself into the ever flowing wave of destruction called Nightmare Moon. Though Pony art was very basic, and he felt that their depictions on what she looked like was lacking from the actual vocal tellings of the tale. The thought of seeing how another Dark Pony would have placed her on canvas, surely he would have done her more justice than these day dwelling Ponies. "Yes." He said as he let his arms fall to his side. "I think I."

   "Excuse me!" A voice came from down the hall, interrupting Shannon's acceptance into the web that Chaotica had woven for her little fly. Both Human and Mare turned to address the new Pony that gained their attention. Chaotica however had a look of absolute rage overcome her as she saw her interloper. She couldn't believe it was one of Celestia's royal guardsmen. A greyish pegasus in the standard gold plate armour all of them wore, and that she was planing to beat him to death with. "Excuse me." The Pegasus repeated as he reached the pair. "Many apologies Mr. Nyx. But I have been told to retrieve you. Princess Luna herself has need of you."

   Chaotica's heart sank into a bottomless pit that she was sure there was no return from. Because just as she would have guessed, Shannon wasted no time in saying thank you to the Royal Guardsmen, or worse still. He didn't even say goodbye to her. He just took off in a long stride down the corridor. "Hey Shannon wait! What about the pictures?" Chaotica shouted down at him, addressing his back, and now waving coat.

   "Another time." Shannon called back. Just raising his arm to give a simple wave.

   "Oh come on!" Chaotica yelled as she stamped her front hooves hard in to the ground as Shannon disappeared behind a corner. Chaotica let her eyes come to narrow slits as she took in one of the longest breaths in her known life, before turning to the stallion that just robbed her of her prize, and letting out all the air she had just taken in through her flaring nostrils.

   "Hi!" The Pegasus stated with a smile.

   "Hi!" Chaotica mimicked, even including the smile. "I'm going to kill you." She said with a cruel manner of voice while still keeping the smile.

   "What? Why?" The now shocked Guardsmen pleaded while his eyes flung open, and his jaw fell open to it's maximum size.

*****

   Princess Luna stood in her very large and elaborate bathroom. She had gone to a lot of trouble trying to make it appear as if  hadn't been crying her big glossy eyes out after hearing the horrible news Chaosia had given her just an hour or so ago. What made it even worse was that this entire time she had been running every excuse through her mind to justify what Shannon had done. She even became angry at first towards Chaosia. Thinking that for some reason her trusted Guardsmen had concocted the whole story to just discredit her Human subject. She even reacted in an angry manner towards Chaosia when she was told what had happened to the two Minotaurs. The way he tore them to pieces with those black metal axes.

   She looked up into the mirror with a couple of sniffs. Her eyes weren't blood shot anymore, and the tear stains on the coat of her cheeks had been wiped away, and dried. That's when she heard the loud knock at her door, and she knew who exactly who was on the other side. Her heart thumped in her chest to the point she thought it was going to burst out as she turned to enter the main room. All she wanted him to do now was lie to her. Just tell her that he didn't do the god awful things he was being blamed for by somepony that had no reason to lie. As she came to the door, and prepared to open it. She couldn't help but start to feel guilty herself. In a way this wasn't Shannon's fault, it was hers. She was the Pony that accepted him into her ranks. She knew very well that he carried those axes. She knew better still that he knew how to use them. It was just in all this time, she hoped that he never would.

   She took a quick breath, and made a couple more sniffles as her magic took hold of the door. As they slowly opened, there she saw him. Shannon stood with his head pointed to the ground. "My Worship calls. I answer." He said with a the solemn voice he always used to address her. How she so wanted to not hear that voice. She did not want him to start throwing his irresistible charms of devotion at her now. She wanted to be enraged, she wanted her fury to flow through her like a river of freshly birthed lava. Her tattered emotions were getting the best of her now, however. All she could see was that tall, slender, and muscular frame. His deadly straight long, and flowing black hair, and the armor he donned so proudly.

   "Enter." Was the only word she allowed herself to say as she stepped away from the door. He still stood in the doorway before her. She knew that he had always kept a considerable distance between him and her. So with that in mind she walked away from the door, and to a window that was slightly tinted to still allow her to see the sun, but so it wasn't so bright in her eyes.

   Shannon in turn moved into the room, and took the liberty of shutting the doors behind him as his Goddess took her position at the window. He walked only a few feet past the great arched portals before falling to his knees, placing his hands on top of his thighs, and knees. His head still lowered to where he focused on her hooves. "I, as always am at your disposal my Worship. Gift to me your words. So that I may make them my will."

   "Please. Night save me." Luna whispered to herself, making sure that Shannon would not hear. She then turned only her head to look at the now kneeling Human on the ground. Which she quickly turned her head back. "Shannon." She started, making sure her voice didn't crack. "Many times I have asked you of your life on Earth. And many times you have told me nothing in return. I often thought that you simply did not wish to remind yourself of the place you would never return to. Other times I thought it to be you trying to spare me a boring story of mundane tasks." Now she turned completely around to address her subject. "So I tell you now. What was it you did on Earth?"

   As soon as she had finished asking the question. Shannon wasted no time in the answer. "I was, for a time a member of a internationally funded secret organization called Floor Thirteen. In where I accepted large amounts of money to ensure that certain people were made to stop living. I will beg my Worship's forgiveness for not telling her this sooner if I had known she wished it."

   Luna felt as if a wave of pure stone had just smashed into her. So much so that she had to concentrate on not wavering in place. "An assassin." She said to herself more than anything. "You were an assassin? She said again, now directing her voice at Shannon's knelt body.

   "I was my Worship." Were the only words he used to answer her question. Luna swallowed hard as she felt the knot in her throat become seemingly the size of a mountain. She had to turn around once more as she felt her eyes start to well up again. She dared not let him see her shed one tear. She did not want him to know he had such power over her. Even more so, she didn't want him to see the state he had put her in, and reap some punishment on himself for doing so.

   "Umm." She tried to start, but halted herself for just a second to gain composure as the next question came into her head of what she was going to ask, and the horrible fear of what the answer would be. "One of the head governors that traveled with the Minotaur convoy has reported that two of his relatives have gone missing. His son, his nephew." She paused as her own mind was fighting her at this very moment. To not ask, for he would tell her. Her lips trembled as she made herself form the words. "Shannon. Do you know anything about their disappearance?"

   "I do, my Worship." Shannon answered, not with a single change in his voice. Her entire body was shaking now. It was something she could now no longer control.

   "What do you know about it Shannon?" Luna asked with her eyes closing shut.

   "I am the one that made them disappear my Worship. I killed them." With those few words, Luna could no longer hold back. The tears she had so put so much work into hiding was now for nothing. She took a long stuttered gasp as she opened her eyes, letting the long streams of salty water replace the wetted trail that had been there only moments before.

   "Why?" The Alicorn screamed in her Equestrian voice as she spun around on all hooves to face him. "Why would you do such a thing? Why would you bring everything down in one night that it took Celestia and I months to prepare? Tell me! Tell me now!" The impact from her Goddess's voice was so sure, so pinpointed that she saw his hair begin to push, and spread out against his shoulders and chest. This however, was the only thing that moved. The rest of the man stayed as still as a marble statue. Not even blinking to in reaction to her deafening screams.

   "Because they threatened you, my Goddess. They used their own cursed sin dripping mouths to actually threaten your well being." Luna stopped cold, her eyes blinking several times as this small answer came to her. Chaosia said that Shannon had killed them for causing a disturbance at some night time restaurant. She never said anything about them telling Shannon they would do her harm. Luna felt the excuses rushing back into her mind. She had to remain constant. She had to assert control.

   "Shannon!" She yelled again, this time however, it was without her booming vocals. "I am an Alicorn! The most powerful breed of all the Ponies of Equestria. I am thousands of years old! And within that time I have learned to move the very bodies of the cosmos themselves with but a whim. I sow the very fabric of the Night itself. I can with but a gesture of my mind become the very dreams of all Ponies who sleep. Or their nightmares!" She had now taken notice that during her rant. She had moved quite a bit towards Shannon, and was now almost face to face with him. Though she could look down at him as he was still kneeling. "Do you think for one fraction of a second I would be threatened by two, lowly, mortal, Minotaurs?"

   "Of course not my Worship." Shannon said with a voice that spoke as if it was not being reprimanded in the slightest. "You are all powerful. You are Eternity in flesh. The very thing that will be the destroyer of Time itself, will cower before you in despair as it realizes how truly insignificant it is compared to your absolute Divinity." When Shannon spoke these words, Luna had to take several small, short breaths. She was losing, she was letting her defenses waver. His words, his voice. To her were like pleasure sharpened blades that struck her body. Making the ever so fine hairs of her coat stand on end.

   "I. Shannon." She tried to say. Then something happened that made every part of her freeze, he looked up. In all the time he was in this position of submissiveness, he never once looked at her. Now his eyes locked with hers, and she was captured.

   "I will never let you take on that burden. I will never let you feel that guilt." Shannon said. Still in an unblinking dead lock with his Goddess's now widened eyes. "For you. I would burn this world to the ground. Then with blood stained steps. I would tread across the ash filled fields of death. Just to kneel in the scorching coals of the wasted. So that I may feel the burning waves of your malice wash over me, and know that I am destroyed."

   Luna felt all things stop at the end of his vow. All things in the entire universe vanished in an instant, and she knew she could take no more. With a moan filled gasp. She lunged forth, placing her hoof behind his head, pulling hard towards her, then crushing her lips to his in a violent, wanting kiss. She dared not let up the attack of her mouth against his. Her wings lashed open, and flapped powerful gusts at the two as she continued to press herself harder against his face, letting out small moans as all of her needs and desires rocketed themselves to the surface of her very being. Only through the absolute need to take in a deep gasp of air did she dare release him from her hold. She still held the back of his head with her front hoof as she looked down at him. There she saw something she thought her eyes would never take in. Shannon now had a look of complete and utter shock.

   "My Worship?" He whispered as he looked up at her, still dumbfounded at what had just happened. He tried to say another word as his own mind now filled with questions of what was happening. Luna did not let one sound escape him however, as she came in for another, a bit gentler kiss. Several times did she press her lips to his, breaking for only a moment before pulling him to her again. She then started to move her kisses to other parts of his face, even lower still did her kisses find the soft skin of his neck. Where she relished in the feel of him pressing to the side of her own face as she pecked and nuzzled.

   "Shannon." She whispered in ear as she took the lobe of it between her lips. "While we are here. While it is just you and I." She stopped her attentions, and moved her head so she could look him in his still confused eyes. "I wish that you call me Luna. Do this for me?"

   Shannon's emotions were a silent blaze as his Goddess touched him in ways his mind just couldn't seem to fathom. Never once had he ever felt as if she had desired him in such ways. Many times, other mares had made it all to apparent that they wished for him to bed them. To him, he thought it nothing more than an odd infatuation with something they had never seen before. Thoughts of new and interesting ways to be pleasured by a strange alien creature driving their intentions. to him though, they were just what they were, Ponies. Small colorful little equines with odd marks on their flanks. He knew for sure that his own thoughts never went to such places. To mate with an animal, to take it as he would a Human woman. This however, this was his Goddess, and as her lips made random paths on his lips, and neck. He felt something very familiar come to him. They were lips. Just the same as the ones on his own mouth. They were soft, delicate, like ones belonging to the natural beauties of Earth he pursued when the need struck him. Then the question came from her soft whimpering voice. To call her by her name. Something he had chastised so many for, was now something she wanted him to do. He would not deny her, and even as his own body started to react to her ministrations. He knew that he could never deny her. He would give her all she wanted, everything she desired. "As you wish." He said in a low whisper of his own. Pausing as his second nature to call her by her divine titles tried to stop him. "Luna."

   A long powerful shudder ran the course of Luna's spine. Ending in her most secluded of areas. Never before had she thought her own name on the breath of another would make her quiver in such a fashion. She wanted him to say it again, and again. She wanted him to scream it as they brought each other to the brightest heights of ecstasy. She dared not rush, she wanted to feel him in her most untouched depths, but she would not rush this. She once again moved to put her lips to his, this time however, she was more than pleasantly surprised to feel him move up to meet her kiss with his own. It felt as if she would melt into his mouth as their lips met. She let him know her approval by giving the smallest of moans. She almost lifted herself off the floor with her stiffened wings as she felt his tongue part her lips, pressing against her teeth, licking in slow strokes, asking permission to enter further. It seemed she could not move her jaw fast enough, and her moans increased in volume as their tongues met for the first time. With a seemingly mind of their own. The two organs meshed, slid and fondled one another. Luna lashed her head back in a loud gasp as she cried out her next need. "Oh Shannon! Touch me!"

   Her Human lover was quick to oblige her command. While still staying on the floor. He placed his hands on the very front of her chest. Making her shiver once more as she felt the pressure of all those fingers begin to ever so softly clamp down. His hands then began to massage upwards, making circular motions that became smaller and smaller as he made his way past her chest plate, and to her neck. Luna herself just let her head go limp. She placed it to rest on top of Shannon's head, only moving as her nerves sent out shock waves every time he squeezed into her tight body. His hands still in constant motion continued their ascent up the Alicorn mare's neck. Only stopping for the most minuet of moments at her jaw line, where he traced it back a forth for a few strokes.

   Luna let out a long breath through her nose as Shannon's hands moved over her long slender neck. Her mouth coming open in a quiet gasp as his fingers now found their way into her mane. She loved the feel of those long digits getting lost in the thick strands. It was when he reached the very top of her head, did she learn the goal of his hands journey. In an ever so slow motion. He gently picked up the crown that sat loosely on it's perch. A warm smile came to her as she realized that this must be in some form of him undressing her, as he would the females of his homeworld. She raised her head from it's resting place atop his. Then lowered it while stealing a kiss as she did so. Shannon then did something that made her heart glow with a powerful warmth, he smiled at her as he finished taking the crown, and placing it delicately onto the floor beside them.

   He leant in and kissed her, which she more than reciprocated back as his hands now reversed course back down her neck. There, when he reached the bottom. He moved to the back where he found the clasp of her chest plate. He gently unfastened the thin metal, placing them just beside the crown. He continued to give his Goddess a smile as he returned to his original position on his knees. All the while moving his hands down her long legs. This action in of it self made Luna waver in her stance. It made each of her leg muscles tense in time as his hands reached them. There at the bottom, he lifted her hoof slightly, where he removed the ornate shoe that covered it, placing it next to the other to removed garments as he leaned over, giving her hoof a small kiss. This made Luna let out a tiny giggle, which turned into a lip biting moan as he repeated the process on her other leg. She decided that it was time to hurry things along, just a tad. As she kicked her hind legs one after the other, sending her shoes skidding across the floor. Something that made Shannon's smile increased in size as he let out the smallest chuckle.

   "I want to go to the bedroom now." She spoke as she looked down at him. One of the corners of Shannon's mouth perked up a bit as he started to stand, all the while placing both her front legs on his shoulders as he came to his feet. The two were now face to face, in which Luna could not resist the urge to start their kissing again now that he was standing on equal terms with her. Shannon, much to her disappointment broke the kiss.

   "Allow me." He said as in one swift motion he moved in closer, pressing their bodies hard together, while at the same time reaching down and grasping her by the firm rounded mounds of the back of her flanks picking up her light frame causing her her to squeal in delight as her back legs wrapped around his waist.

   "Oh yes!" She cried out before moving his head to face hers now that she was quite a bit above him, so that she could engage in a heated kiss while he started to carry her into the next room. When the tangled pair reached the large soft bed. Shannon tried to place her down on her back before standing again. Luna in the passionate embrace failed to let go of him, causing him to come down on top of her, which made them both laugh as their lips pressed almost hard enough together to become one. Shannon gently took a hold of her front legs, pushing them upwards until they were above her head. At the same time his kisses started to move across the side of her muzzle, across her jaw line, then further still down the long neck that housed a hard swallowing throat, that was also producing the sweetest of moans into the room.

*****

   It was here the Moon Goddess wanted to stay, forever. This perfect moment that she had so desired. Even in her younger days, and even after her return to Equestria had she hoped for such a moment to come to her. She, laying here, with the wonderful weight of her new alien lover pressing down upon her. Neither one ever wanting to remove themselves from each other. It was then she new this moment had to end, as thoughts came into her head of the situation that brought about their spiritual love making. "Shannon." She said in a whisper.

   "Yes my Luna." He answered back. 'my Luna' she so loved that. Not some formal title that he used for her to let everypony know her power was greater than any they dared think of. Just his Luna.

   "The Minotaurs." She continued. "They never truly wanted these talks. They never wanted to share trade routes with Equestria. The only reason they agreed is because they are a divided people, and they fear what would become of them should some of the nations lose in a war. But now." She paused to take in a deep breath of melancholy. "These visiting here will take this opportunity to return to their homelands. And spread rumors of murderous Ponies that take their children in the night. It will be all they need to rally the nations, and try to bring them to Canterlot's door step." Shannon as well took in a deep breath. Though his was to muster up the motivation to move from the spot he was in, forcing himself to remove his still semi hard stalk from it's warm cradle. An action causing Luna to have to stifle a moan as she felt him slip out of her.

   "Then perhaps my dear." He began as he laid down beside her. She adjusting herself so that one of her front legs was draped over him, while her head was now the one on his chest. "Perhaps it would be best for all. If they did not make it to their homelands." All Luna could do after hearing this was close her eyes and let out a sad sigh. If he had suggested such a thing just before last night, it would have mortified her. Now she knew him, she knew what he was before his life here, what he was capable of doing. She knew what she had to do. As soon as the Minotaurs pointed their hairy fingers at the Princesses, accusing them of deeds most foul,  and left Canterlot. She was going to release her ebon clad Champion loose on them. May they find peace in the next world.

Next Chapter:

Undeserved Reckonings Next Chapter: Undeserved Reckonings Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 23 Minutes