Living Under The Moon Chapter 9 (136-166)

The Walk to the door felt like it took miles to move toward.

You dread this. Really, Really dread this.

You don't even know why you dread it. She's not evil anymore.

Maybe you're jsut fearing you'll stop hating her.  Or that you didn't hate here fro.. NO...

Dear god that is a load of bullshit she tried to strangle you! You have more likelihood of ending up with Twilight then with the once pony who has came closer to killing you more times than anything else in this crazy pony world.

 Before you know it you've came to the door....Oh...

You're panicking....You turn from the door pressing your back against the wall aside it, taking a sitting positon.

Where is this coming from!?

You inhale deeply, exhaling with equal force

YOu can do this. YOu can do this...it's just a pony...

Just ivory.

You can do this.

You're getting vague flashes from the "Hoof slip" incident.

The way her lips felt so soft. God that wasn't bad at all.

"Anon?" Suddenly you hear a voice call you out of your attempt at pulling out of the panic attack

"What!" Your eyes snap open as you look up It's Trixie "How long have you been here?"

You blink, feeling the muscle's in your back loosen "I...don't know"

"Right, Well You might want to come take a look at this" She says motioning you to follow behind her.

She leads you inside of the medical area to a large medical observation window, on the opposite side You can see Ivory walking around happily in circles.

She's levitating every object in the room that isn't tied down.

"Holy Crap." You say as you look through the glass

"She's been at this since she woke up"

"Is she normal?" You ask,

"Well she hasn't tried to kill us." She leaves a moment of silence. "Yet."

"Well, this is good." You keep watching as Ivory continues cheerful walking around "So, should we go talk to he-"

Suddenly you're already in the room.

"I knew you were here!" she suddenly jumps a bit as every item in the room drops, hitting with a million clattering sounds.

"Uhm...o-kay." You stare a little in surprise. "So you pulled me in here."

"Well, you left while I was recovering and that's...well that's just very rude"

"Sorry about that, business called."

"Yeah, I know. She says turning around, her eyes staring a little at you, they're still as unreadable as when she was evil.

"So let's see here. You obviously would like to tell me something," She says turning, pulling her self up on the examination table. "Or propose something, I'm a fan of proposal'sm been responsible for more than a few believe it or not"

"Uh..." You're taken a back "Well...actually....Not so much a proposal-"

"So you're not asking" She looks down expectantly, the tale having put her a foot above you.

"N-no, I mean...It is a question." You explain "You can just only give one answer to it"

"Ooh a catch 22" she says excitedly "Lay it on me"

"Princess Luna has decided to have you join The Lunar Guard" You say with out delay, hoping to slow down the way she was talking, the fact that she was still very....however she was, was not good for you.

She held a hoof to her chin "Well, I don't say I have the exact akills to perform in royal military..."

"Now I know that's a lie" You quip to her.

"Okay caught me there" she admitted getting down moving to look you in the eyes "What if I'm not interested? What if I want to walk out make my own little group of anti-Q's"

"As if!" The door slams open as Trixie stomps in "The wouldn't even let you out of the castle!"

Trixie is up between the both of you, her face is a bit red as she starts into Trixie "You don't have anyu choice in this!" She says her voice high in volume.

"And what says I won't just push all the guards aside?"

"The Great and Powerful Trixie says!"

You have no idea what you're seeing happen.

Ivory levels her eyes a bit. "Then I'll join, only if I get to live with the both of you."

"What?!"

"Well, I clearly can't go back to living in my jewelry shop now can I?" she explains "The Son's would hunt me down and then I'd be choking Mister Bat Mane over here again before self destructing," She glances to you "They don't take kindly to traitors."

Trixie growls in frustration stamping her hoof "Fine!" She says turning to walk out of the room "I'm going on a walk! Tell Luna I'll be in the garden" And then the door slams shut behind her as a slight crack wedges down the wood

"Holy Crap."

"Well..." She looks to you a bit "I think I'll be needing a matching set of armour to go with you three." she says "I think I'm fit enough, would you like to head out?"

"Uhm, sure." You nod slightly "Right this way." You lead her out, down the hall to the fitting room "I'm hoping the armour fits your taste"


"A lot of things fit my taste, Anon" She says from behind the door as you hear clinking and clanking as you knew her armor was being equipped.

---

It has been one week.

In this one week, you have had next to no time alone.  Except maybe the toilet, and that's a huge maybe too.

You've climbed the ladder from Body guard to Mind dildo. to now,  really popular play toy. Almost every second of each day has been a strange show of seeing Ivory and Trixie try their damndest to out do each other into spending time with you.

For the life of you you can't figure out if it's a good thing or not.

You have never been the center of attention of ANY females.

But now today.

Today is the BIG DAY.

Today the reruits will be in today,

Now you're building an army.

Or Luna is. You sort of just told her too. No way you can take credit.

You and Shining sit just outside the training ground. Inside the castle watching from behind a stained window with clear enough glass to see.

You notice the group of at least 20 ponies standing in the trotted down ground

"That is honestly, a LOT more than I expected to see here" You say aloud

"Who would of thought" Shining says with the smile in his voice.

You look up "Be honest, did you actually expect anyone? Because to be honest"  you pause ust a second "I keep thinking Luna's reputation would have stopped it."

He cocks his eyebrow "Bluntly? I expected just five."

You nod "yeah. So, wanna bet a few bits that Sunshine gets it?"

He laughs out loud "I doubt it, Sunshine's just a standard guard."

"Well who better to teach them?"

"Well, let's just wait to see."he says slipping on his helmet "Let's go Rev 'em up"

You nod quickly slipping the helmet on as the both of you walk out to the grounds.

"Good evening trainee's!" Shining barks a bit as the both of you make your entrance. Each pony saluting as the both of you arrive"As you know I am the Dawn Guard Captain, Prince of the Crystal Empire Shining Armour."

You both stand infront of the five by five pony alignment of pony's "The bat pegasus standing next to me is Anonymous, presently bodyguard to the Princess of the Night, Luna." he points to you as you try your best to maintain your most official stance.

"For now we will be running you through warm ups and standard routines" You almost find yourself mishearing him as a certain hollywood drill instructor.

"Now, get out and give me one hundred laps over the grounds!"

The both of you watch them all run through out the training ground, and about 20 minutes in you start to notice something.

"The routines that they're being ran through aren't anywhere near as rigorous as what you sent me through" You comment

"Nope" He answers "Luna requested I give you a very specific set of training routines for you to be at your best."

"And what exactly is th-"

"She also told me that if you're ever informed that you're being sent through less than normal routines I am to explain no further than it having been her orders. "

"Lovely" you roll your eyes with a slight groan. More smoke screens.

Soon Luna is seen, On each side of her Trixie and Ivory walk behind her in accompanyment.

"Atend! Hut!" Shining yells as all the recruits jump up from their push up positions. "Fillies and Gentlecolt I present to you The Princess of the Night!"

The entire group salute in as close to unison as can be acheived. As you take your spot behind Luna. You nod to the two mare's as she takes the stand infront of you.

"Many greetings of the Night." she begins, "Today you all have taken a brave step in the next stage of your lives, For today you have chosen to do what few have done in one thousand years" She walks the entire length of the first line in the group. "Welcome to the Lunar Guard!"

The group continues their salute "At ease, all." each pony takes a relaxed stance upon that. "Now that you are Lunar Guards no longer will you think yourself any different from your commrades. You are not sepparate by your races of Pegasus, Unicorn and Earth pony. Today you are united together as brothers and sisters."

"Brothers and sisters of the Lunar Guard!" She lifts her hoof into the air in a salute "Viva Luna!"

"Viva Luna!" the group calls back in salute, the sound of excitement in their yells.

"State your names!" She commands

"Thunder Lane!"

"Spit Shine!"

"Ditzy Doo!"

"Lyra Heartstrings"

"Bon Bon!"

You feel a slight bristle of pride as the ramainder of the group calls their names, the group of twent strong, soon to expand.

But one things strikes you amiss.

"Hey" You whisper to Trixe next to you "Where's the Lunar Captain?" You ask, starting to get worried that the unlucky bastard may have Apple Cidered himself into a coma.

"You'll see Anon." She assures you calmly.

Soon the remainder of the group has introduced themselves And everyone stands waiting as Luna takes a great smile.

"To you all I say thank you, I'm certain that you will al make me proud and become an example of great honour among the Equestrian Army!"

"Yes Ma'am!"

"Now to get to the first major order of business."

"A guard is nothing with out their captain. And today you will meet this Pony."

Here we go! You smirk slightly as you look around a moment wanting to see one of the more experienced Bat pagasi walk onto the field.

"A bat pagasi who has proved himself to be the one appropriate to lead you all." she turns to ivory and Trixie "Retrieve the Armor"

The both of them leave your side as the recruits watch you stand their a pause of silence drawing out before The two mares return with a highly shined set of Purple armour contrasting with the standard dark night blue.

"This Stallion has gone and survived and done more in the short time he has been with me than I have been able to by myself."

Your stomach suddenly does a flip as she turns sideways looking up to the sky "Coming from a far land he has proven himself right for the job"

Uh oh.

Ivory and Trixie take a position to the side of you holding the armour up with their magic, the armour having been enscribed with all manour of unreadable runes

"This afternoon I am presented with the honour, of giving my personal Body Guard a promotion."

Suddenly every eye is watching you as your smirk fell off.

"Anonymous." Luna moves to stand behind Trixie and IIvory as the Armour is presented to you. "I present to you, formerly the NightMare Armour, now. The Lunar Captain's Uniform, today you become, Lunar Captain."

Everything slows to a hault as you look to your new gear.

You've gone from jobless 4channer...to a a captain of a soon to be army...

"I..." your voice squeaks, "Okay..." every muscle in your body has locked up as your vision blanks and you give the ground a hug. fainting in unconciousness.

--

You feel a couple light taps against your forehead "Anon..." You hear Luna's voice echo in your skull. Your eyes slowly opening as she taps again.

"Ow."

Luna taps once more against your head "Wake up." she says calmly and quietly as she can.

"Yes!" suddenly you jolt up a moment. Wide eyed opening to find yourself looking into Luna's eyes a moment.

A moment of silence passes as you stare at each others eyes.

"I did the passing out thing didn't I?"

"Yes. Quite the first act to make in front of your recruits." She turns around to tand in front of your new armor having been propped up onto manequin pieces

"So, that was all real and not just fever dream right?"

"it was very real Anon. As real as the several tasks you'll be acting out in the next few weeks." She tells you looking around "Trixie and Ivory are out on the grounds tending to the recruits. By the way they'll be your lietenants.You're choice on who's first of second. "

"Joy." you comment sarcastically.

"I still don't think I quite deserve this particular title" you tell her "I honestly don't think it's fitting since I've bumbled my way through half the task you put me through.

"You're reliable." Luna says "That's all the reason I need."

"I fell asleep on the first mission I ever received" You admit "I'm pretty sure that cancels that out"

"That was a punishment, You did better than dying like I expected. and to be fair, Trixie more than made up for it if her report was anything" She tells you "She thinks the world of you and recommended you over her."

You stand up having regain all your faculties. "And Ivory's opinion?" you ask walking up to look at the armour.

"She believes your improvisational skills and ability to take a hit or two makes you a reasonable candidate, That's Adaptability and resiliance by name."

"So no backing out of this?"

"Unless you want to explain how someone who's been dead for a month or so given time zones over dimension is walking around alive..with out memory."

"Yeah, that would be a a bit rough to explain."

"So then, I'll leave you to get into the new armour. You'll find it's designed to aid in magic resistance, and provides a you with more speed while in flight, It's also enscribed with the same spell I use to allow you breath in space."

"I like it." you say hearing that new "Highly space missile."

"And more" She tells you "After getting dressed you're to close out the orientations and then assing the Lieutenant titles to Trixie and Ivory." She closes the door holding it a crack open for a moment "Also if it helps tonight I'll need your help on reports and paper work for the new team, and then we'll be raising the moon."

"Alright" you nod, "I look forward to the moon"

And so now your alone, again in the Armour fitting room.

The helmet has been rested on a head piece, positioned as if it's staring right at you.

'How does it feel?' it almost seems to ask you 'to know you're suddenly in charge of so much'

"Utterly terrifying."

'You are prepared for it though' it tells you 'you'll usher in a new era for the empire.'

You push the thoughts out of your head as you remove your old armour.

Each piece of armour feels like an anchoring chain.

A form of permanence. Finality.

If you'd entertained any thoughts of going back to earth and being human, their all dashed away as you secure each piece of armour.

Yet you find comfort in it all. and soon you're set staring back into the eyes of the helmet holding it "Let's do this" You say with that same tone you'd use when clocking into work.

the helmet fits perfectly to your head as you feel the back piece of the flours dangle with a small key moon charm.

Now the next tough part is to come.

Facing your recruits.

---

Two envelope's marked 1st lieutenant and 2 Lieutenant respectively were placed outside the room as you walked toward to exit, you take them and slip them down inside of a small pocket in the padding underneath the chest and shoulder armour.

Seconds silence pass as you exit to the grounds the recruits appear to be socializing as Trixie and Ivory approach you

"Afternoon sleeping beauty." Ivory says chirpingly

"The armor does you well" Trixie says as she looks to Ivory.

"Thank you both" You manage to sigh. "Sorry about earlier, I guess I didn't see it coming, thank you for the reccomendations"

They both nod almost sharing alike smiles.

Creepy.

"Well." You tilt your neck hard. popping a stiff point "Let's see about finally addressing them and closing out as captain." You say walking forward pass them pushing down the uneasiness in your stomach. "At-Ten HUT!" you yell out as best as you can "Get in line!" You follow up as soon all the recruits have taken the large  five by four formation.

You look at them all with as neutral a face as you can keep, not sure which way your lips want to falter, "I hope my lieutenants have made the first day of training as best as possible." You begin "I can assure you it will get a lot more refined as we go on, because just like you all, we have no clue what we're doing."  You begin a pace along the length of the first line. "I also hope that my reaction to sudden unexpected stress didn't give anyone a false impression of my capabilities as captain of this guard. Rest assured I am very, qualified for this job." You look around noting a couple shit eating grins of cockiness from a few pegasi and Unicorns.  "Anyone who doesn't believe this.." You find yourself eye to eye with Thunderlane one of the wearers of that shit eating grin "Well...All I'll say is under most circumstances I'm very friendly...but get on my bad side I will personally show you hell." YOu say looking into the black pegsus' face

you scowl "anyone who doesn't know what hell is is welcomed to try and find out." You finish off giving him a slight look into an inner anger channeled from the edgy 17 year old that is your highschool self from many years back.

You pull away walking to take stance infront of all of them again "But hopefully we can all get a long here. " you put on a smile once more. "Now. tomorrow we'll continue training, it will be just as rough as today but with even more routines thrown in. Education on the current threats to the kingdom, territory we will be guarding. The works."

A quick glance gives you a slight look at the admiration from Trixie, as well as the look of enjoyment from ivory.

"We are the Lunar Guard," You stomp your hoof a slight reverbing echo coming from the ground almost takes you out of your moment "And We will guard the night."

Behind you Trixie calls "Viva Luna!"

and in echo the Recruits yell back "Lu-na!"

"Di-smissed! report back same time tomorrow."

At that the entire group marched off the grounds. as you turn to Trixie and Ivory. "So, " You wait a second till you're the only three their "I hope I did that right."

"Almost on par with with Shining Armour" Trixie had said. "Though only managed to catch a little of his though."

"As a jeweler, I'd buy it" Ivory added. "Now, if I recal, correctly You have one last order of business to attend to, don't you Anon," she says with a slight set of smugness."

You were afraid of this.

"I do don't" you say moving to pull the envelopes from the pocket.  you hold them both as best you can with the one hoof."These envelopes. are your new titles," you tell them "the titlres first and second Lieutenant, and Luna told me I have to decide who will be directly below me on the chain of command."

They both glance at each other, almost competitively.

"This is a big decision, but I feel I could only trust the title of First Lieutentant too The closest one of you. "

You inhale and hand it to Trixie.

You glance slightly toward Ivory hoping to not catch hell for having gave the title to Trixie.

She chuckles a bit as Trixie takes the envelope. "You owe me three bits"

Trixie snorts indignantly "What ever" she says tossing a set of bits to her

You blink a moment "...wait. what just happened?"

"Trixie and I gambled and bet who you'd choose for Lieutenant, I bet 3 bets you would pick her."

Trixie mumbles a few grievances as she adjusts a small metal to badge to her armor "gloat as much as you like it doesn't matter to Trixie."

YOu switch glances back and forth "So the past several minutes of anguish for me was used as a way to get a few bits?"

"Yes indeed" Ivory says cheerfully "and I, believe I'll take my Badge as well" she says reaching for the second Lieutenant badge in the envelope "I will say it was easy to find out who you'd pick."

"Oh really?" you says socking your eyebrow at her

"You've known Trixie a lot longer." Ivory explains "I'm surprised you had any anguish at all over it"

>>7143499
"Well considering how you've been arguing back and forth the past week I'd be hardpressed to not feel as though I'd catch hell regardless of decision"

"We just don't get a long" Trixie interjected a mement.

You go a bit confused

"What do you think we were arguing about all the time?"

You suddenly find yourself in a weird spot/ before Ivory adds to her previous statement "Anyway, had you picked me I would have had to put you through a wall"

You chuckle "Why's that"

"Because you picked the crazy one."

"So you admit your crazy."

"I admit that I'd beat you up for picking the two of us on the sole basis that I'm better at kissing then Miss Lulamoon."

"Hey!" Trixie yells defensively "I'll have you know that I have had many a colt friend who've complimented me on my skills at kissing, thank you very much."

"Uhm....we're uhm," you feel a blush coming on at what their arguing about "Luna wanted us to report to her after I'd given you your new ranks. "

The three of you walk in to the office Luna kept.

The room was small unassuming, simple. Dark cherry oak wood furnisher. dark bean bag chairs.  a small statuette the Equestria flag symbol sat on the desk as  Luna looked down at some papers, writing who knows what

"Good evening guards" she greeted having not looked "I trust the proper ranks have been handed out?"

You nod "I report in with First Lieutenant Lulamoon and Second Lieutenant Shines."

"As predicted"

fsdfdsgdsfdgs.

You manage to keep that ball of frustration in "You wanted to discuss things with us?"

Luna nodded "Yes, she floated a small rolled up paper to Ivory "Ivory, you are to travel to Ponyville, give this note to Miss Rarity at Carouselle boutique, You're to be fitted with a dress for the Galla in the next few weeks. There will be a chariot along with my  eldest guards Sunshine, he'll accompany you. You are to leave immediatly"

Ivory nodded taking the note and placing it in a saddle bag behind hr armors chest piece.

"I'll see you all when I get back" Ivory spoke looking at you with a smile beofre turning, you see the smile change to a smirk as she walks past Trixie.

The door closed as a second of silence went by "I swear to Luna I'll kill her!" she tried to turn to follow after her.

You manage to grab her tail by the teeth "Trxie!"

"LEt me just have five minutes!"

"No!"

Luna is staring at the both of you "How long has she been like this?"

"Since Ivory joined us" You manage to say while keeping a hold on Trixie.

"Trixie!" Suddenly Trixie halts herself as Luna talks to her "I have an assignment for you."

Trixie jumps around "Yes your highness!"

"I have some Orders on some Sweet Apple Acres Branded goods, I'll need you to go retrieve them for me" Luna then added "They are, Very, important."

Trixie nodded and saluted before teleporting away.

"Well, that gives us a half hour" Luna says bending down under the desk pulling out two glasses and a bottle of something

"Half hour until what?"

She fills both glasses with what's n the bottle, a golden coloured solution, she pushed the glass to your side of the desk "It's Cider by the way." she tells you as well as asks you to sit "In the next hour You and I, along with my sister. Will be meeting our niece in the crystal kingdom." she explains "all of us along with our respective head guards will be meeting with representatives from all nations for the firstpolitical meetings for union."

"So...a united nations meeting?" you reach for the glass and take a sip...whew that is tangy!

"You could call it that, it's more of an appearance to show that we're willing to make peace with others in this time of hostility. The changelings, The Sons of Discord." she goes on "as unthinkable as it seems a lot of nations out there feel we have a superiority complex."

"And you aim to fix it?" you sip more of the tasty drink, damn you can see why everyone made a fuss in that one episode.

"To a degree." Luna says drinking her own glass

"So just us until we gotta go?" you ask?

"Just us." she says with a slightly satisfied tone

The both of you sit in eachothers company.

"Anon?"

You had just finished your glass "Yeah?"

"You like someone don't you?"

You sigh a bit "I don't know anymore." you admit "I've had next to no time to actually figure that shit out."

"What do you mean?" she moves to fill your glass once more.

"I don't know I've not had any real personal time, plus I don't really know how to feel about being desirbale." you tell her "I think Ivory and Trixie fight over me in when we're off duty"

"There is an animosity between them, I don't see how you shouldn't feel good about being desirable"

You chuckle "Well, you saw me before...this" You gesture to your whole self "I wasn't exactly a social bunny nor attractive".

"I take it your fellow humans didn't treat you well?"

"You take right" you tell her drinking from your glass "So yeah I guess I have a bad case of not belieiving that I can be attractive."

"If it helps I'd be willing to bet you'd make an excellent Special somepony to whoever you'd pick." she tells you

Sinking into the bean bag a little deeper you stare at the ceiling. "Thanks, I guess high school wounds never really heal up all the way" you sigh

"High school?"

"An educational facility designed after prison with the intent of making young adult humans miserable."

"That sounds, not fun."

"It isn't, or wasn't in my case, thankfully." you sit up a bit "I never even got to get a kiss as a human either. Still haven't" you look at the floor.

"What about the time with Ivory when we were purifying her"

"That does NOT count." You say starting a rant, having not noticed how Luna has gotten out of her chair walking around to you. "That was just..an act of passion bu8it from anger that she just kept going on and on about ....what ever she went on about I can't even remember! Beside it would only count as a kiss if it wer-erp!"

Luna has placed her lips against yours.

Luna is fucking kissing you.

The kiss lasts as long as a minute, before she pulls away leaving you stunned, eyes wide as the moon itself.

A long silence occurs as she sat looking into your eyes, awaiting your response.

"Wht does that mean?" you say stunned "I mean! I-uh- oh..do you-" you try to slow down "What did that mean?"

She gives a slight giggle "Anytthing you want really, I thought I'd show you some pesonal appreciation for having done so much for me in the weeks you've worked with me."

You keep looking at her not sure how to respond, she continues "Plus having researched you all the weeks before pulling you here, I knew about your issues to start with. hearing you go on about it told me in no uncertain terms that you needed the knowledge that You are appreciated."

You sit there a moment, letting it all sink in..."well...thank you." You say still a little confused, atcually starting tro feel rather good about knowing she actually cares. You feel a smile grow on your face "That...it feels good knowing that."

"I'm most certainly glad to hear that" She smiles to you.

You feel a slight lightness in air before realising your wings have been flapping about lifting you into the air. "Ack!" Upon realising you fall down back into the bean bag chair "That...was odd"

Luna gave a nother giggle at your actions.

You feel noodly, but in a good way.

If it's even possible to be spewing spaghetti in a good way.

You suddenly feel daring "Luna?"

"Hm?"

"May I try something?"

She nods"You may."

Upon hearing that you lean forward returning a quick peck to her lips, pulling back holding a goofy ass grin.

She smiles back a bit, though you can see some red in her cheeks. "Well." she reaches to pull you from the chair "I think we best get moving, don't want to leave Tia and Lance waiting."

"Lance?"

"Shining Armours stand in when he is representing to the Crystal kingdom, Shining still allies with us, but he's been given a high political ranking since He and his wife took over royal duties their."

"So he will be their?"

"With out a doubt"

"So to be clear, Lance is Shining's official substitute?"

"Yes." she tells you.

"Alright"  you look to the bottle back on the desk "Can I have a quick glass ofthe Cider though?"

She laughs a bit "Now you know why I like it so much" she floats the bottle and the two glasses over "The Apple Family, know how to make a drink" she says as you she fills both  handing you your glass.

You hold up your glass a moment. "To the guard?"

She smiles "To the Lunar Guard, and Their new Captain."

You both clink ther glasses. Sharing in the tangy coolness before you both turn to leave the room. Ready for anything that might happen.