Disclaimer: I do not own mlp, all rights go to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. I only own Star Shield and this story.
'Bold' :Unknown pony's thoughts
'Italics' : Star's thoughts
Canterlot, Equestria ~ Canterlot castle
A gray coat pegasus guard approaches a double door with a star emblem above the entrance. He enters rushing to give his weekly report. "Sir, all guards report that the perimeter is secured" said one of the royal guards to his commanding officer.
"Thank you Cloud, that'll be all for now. Make sure that all our units about training next week. I don't want the royal guard to have any slackers, tell them they are to report by dawn in one week at the arena, is that clear?" Replied a white coated pony with a blue and white striped mane. His cutie mark, a golden star in a blue shield hidden underneath his silver armor with a sapphire star on his chest plate.
"Yes Commander Star Shield sir!" He replied with a salute.
"Good. You're dismissed!" Star saluted back as cloud left his office,closing the doors as he left. Once left alone, he sighs removing his armor and opening up his wings as he walked to one of the large windows in his office that overlook the city. "I'll never understand why celestia wants me to put up this charade of me being an unicorn. Surely nopony even knows of who I turned into before do they..." He was interrupted by a faint knock at his door. "Come in princess cadence and twilight sparkle."
He turned around as the young adult pink Alicorn mare entered with a lavender unicorn on her back,a foal who was already on the verge of becoming a teenager. She was smiling brightly as she walked to him."How do you know it was us.. Commander?" She said with an emphasis on commander, she didn't like it when he called her by title though she knew it was just his way of teasing.
"It's easy when you two keep coming at the end of each day to check up on me cadence." He smiled at her,dropping his guard demeanor as he glanced at twilight curled up, sleeping."Let me guess...another late night studying." She giggled and nodded. "Well you know Twilight loves to study." He nodded remembering how he found her in the library with a pile of books around her. He had begun finding her more often and soon began reading books and studying together. He and twilight had been good friends since then or study buddies as the filly liked to call it. He soon met cadence as well with him hanging around with twilight as often as he could and now, all three have become nearly inseparable. "Yes, she loves books as I do. I hope she isn't too much trouble for you cadence."
"Nothing I can't handle Star. Besides you really help out a lot when you're around. I still wonder how you're able to make time with your duties and assignments." She replied with some concern.
"Don't worry about it, I'll always have time for you and twilight."
"Star...you know what I mean. You spend so much time with us that you probably stay up late every night just to finish." She said worryingly as she set twilight on a leather couch placed across the window with her magic as she put her hoof to his chest and looked up at him." I don't want you to lose any sleep or get in trouble because of us." He smiled and placed his hoof on her cheek." Cadence...I'll always be there for you and twilight. I won't get in trouble, trust me. As for sleep, you know I don't need it. Not as often as you do."
"Yes...I forgot about that. I just get worried that you bite off more than you can chew."
"I suppose I'm just cursed with caring too much about you and twilight." He said laughing as Cadence hit his shoulder playfully. "How a childish stallion like you became a commander of the royal guard is a mystery." She tried to say whilst trying not to laugh. He rolled his eyes and rubbed his shoulder. "Ow Cady, ease off the hit, I bruise easily."
"Oh stop it Star, I did not hit you that hurt. Besides I've seen the others hit you harder with punches,kicks, weapons, and even magical offensive attacks. You really scared us when you wouldn't get up from the blast the unicorn guards did with all their magic combined...we almost thought that you were...that you were gone..." She said as tears fell down her cheeks. Star wrapped his wings around her, holding her in a hug as he stroked her mane slowly while she stained his chest with tears. They remained like that for a few minutes before Star Shield finally spoke. "Cadence...I promise that you'll never lose me. You and twi are special to me, you're two of the closest ponies to my heart I have and I would never go down without a fight." He looked down as she sniffed and looked up into his eyes. "R-Really? How can you be so sure?" He wiped her last tears away and kissed her cheek." Simple, I have a very hard head,I'm stubborn and don't give up, and also...I care too much for those I love to go away." She smiled and nuzzled his neck."Thank you Star, me and twilight love and care about you too."
"Yeah! You're the best Star!" They heard the voice of Twilight shout before the filly jumped into the two ponies. "I love you both so much Cadence and Star, forever and ever!"
"And we love you too forever too twilight." Star said as he and cadence hugged the filly. "I'm done with all my paperwork so if you'd like, we can do what you two want."
"Could I stay with you tonight Star? I wanna read some books with you." The filly said excitedly. He thought about it and looked at Cadence. "Do you think her parents will agree with that?" She nodded. "Yes Star, I asked them earlier today knowing twilight wouldn't want to go home so soon."
"Alright then, in that case, you can stay in my room."
"Yay! Can Cadence come along and stay with us?" He looked a bit surprised by that question and was about to say it might not be a good idea before cadence spoke first." Sure, I'd love to come along with you two." With that, twilight hopped onto star's back and the trio headed down the halls of the castle to a cobalt blue door. Star opened it and they entered. The walls were blue and had scattered pictures of Star Shield with Celestia, cadence, Twilight, Luna, and many others. There was a large desk, a king size bed, a closet, a large glass door to a balcony,a fireplace, a wardrobe for his armor and weapons, a large bookshelf that took up an entire wall for his book collection,and a private bathroom with a blue and purple theme. There was a large window to let the sunlight come in as well as the moonlight with the ceiling painted like the night sky with stars,constellations, and the full moon in its glorious shine. He closed and locked the door as twilight hopped down his back and ran up to the bed. Cadence walked behind him and smiled deviously. "Do you really want us to be uninterrupted during our study session or is there something else you expect tonight?" His cheeks turned a faint crimson color as the princess of love circled him. "No...nothing like that cadence. I just don't want us to be bothered, besides twilight is here with us." She faced him and their faces were within inches of each other as they looked into their eyes."Star you know I'm just teasing you. But I don't think twilight would mind much. Remember when we played house and I was the mom, you were the dad, and twilight was our foal. Or did you forget the kiss I gave you?"
"I remember very well. How could I when you caught me by surprise and twilight just 'aw'd' when we kissed. But aren't you dating shining armor?"
"He's a nice stallion I suppose but I'm not dating him. We're just friends Star Shield. Why do you ask? Are you jealous?"
"A little bit but I just want you to find a good stallion that will treat you right and love you the way you deserve to b-" He was silenced by a pair of soft,pink lips pressing against him. They closed their eyes as they enjoyed the loving kiss that made them feel as if everything was right. They kissed and moved their hooves around their bodies for a few minutes before they felt a pair of small hooves poke their sides. "Star! Cadence! Can we please study now?!" The filly said as she grew impatient while she grabbed a book of spells from the bookshelf. They broke apart and opened their eyes as they smiled at each other. "Alright twilight, we can study and read some books." With that they spent the next two hours on the bed,reading different spell books and studying what each spell did until twilight had fallen asleep. Star got up gently from the bed and walked out to his balcony as cadence followed after tucking twilight in.
He stood out staring at the sky as cadence walked beside saw Celestia on a higher balcony and they nodded to each other. Celestia lighted up her horn and lowered the sun while Star Shield lit up his horn and raised the moon and the stars to create the night sky. "And here I thought Celestia was the one who's been raising the sun and moon all these years."
"No, I didn't want celestia to get exhausted so I chose to take over the night. After all, it's a bit of way to thank her and her sister..." He spoke with pain and sorrow. Cadence nuzzled his neck to comfort him."Star...I know you miss her but don't blame yourself. You didn't know what would happen."
"I know cadence but I just feel so guilty...not only did I fail to be there for Luna when she needed me but I also nearly killed Celestia...they were the only ones I had and I lost one of them then nearly lost another by my own hooves."
"Celestia forgave you didn't she? After all she sent the royal guard to find you then brought you back. As for Luna, she will come back and she'll be back to normal." It hurt her to see him with so much sadness in his eyes.
"I suppose you're right. I guess even after all this time, I still feel sorrow and guilt."
"Someday that feeling will go away, don't worry. I still can't believe you're as old as Celestia and Luna. You look more younger, young as me." She said as she tried to cheer him up and give him something else to think about. He smiled slightly and looked up at the night sky. "Maybe I'm just too good looking and handsome to start aging." She giggled and kissed him softly. "Be quiet star, you're starting to sound like blueblood."
"Alright, but I'm still nowhere like him. He's far too pompous for my liking. I swear sooner or later I'll kick his sorry flank so hard he'll land in the everfree forest."
"Well if you do, tell me ahead of time so I can watch." He nodded. "Alright,I'll make sure to remind you. For now, why don't you head to bed and rest?" She pouted and looked at him sadly."what about you? Aren't you going to sleep with us?"
"I'm sorry but I can't sleep. I do have to keep watch you know."
"Fine...but can I at least have a goodnight kiss?" He kissed her deeply as she wrapped her hooves around her neck. They broke the kiss after a few minutes for air. "Now go to bed cadence. Knowing you and I, it might lead to more if we keep it up."She grinned and went to bed,swaying her hips side to side. He stared at her body down to her flank as she headed inside then blushed and looked around.' Why must she be such a good tease? I'm lucky to have her in my life..' He thought as he tried to change his mindset. He failed until he stared at the moon...the mare in the moon.'According to legends, Nightmare moon will come back to try to bring forth eternal night. The only question is if Nightmare moon returns, is Luna still within her or has she been lost to the darkness...' He decided maybe it was better to sleep and went inside to his bed where cadence and twilight were sleeping together. Cadence on the right side,twilight in the middle, and an empty space for him on the left side. He laid down slowly, thinking that tonight he could take the night off and closed his eyes to forget his troubles and enjoy being with two of the closest ponies to his heart. However, before he slept,a voice spoke in his mind. 'Enjoy your life Star Shield for sooner or later, you'll lose it all..'