Apologies to those following my story and wondering where my usual post was. was out of town for the weekend and just got back in today. The Library was a bit late this time around, but I hope you enjoy this chapter. ^_^
Chapter 17: Thicker than Water, Truer than Fiction
It was dark. Not like a normal darkness, where it is comforting. No, this darkness was thick, and wrapped around Luna like some kind of living thing. It was oppressive, and choking. It was as if something had a tight grip on her throat and was trying to strangle her to death. She could only mutter one word.
"Tyr…!"
The shadows coalesced around her, rapidly transforming into a form she could understand. A pale skinned woman with midnight black hair and piercing cerulean eyes stared at her, an inhuman grin on her face. She was terrifyingly beautiful, even horrifyingly so. She didn't speak, instead keeping those cold, almost threatening eyes boring into Luna's. She screamed, but no sound came out now, a deathly silence punctuating the suffocating dark. The darkness that was around her. The darkness that was her. The woman in front of her didn't need to tell her who she was, for Luna was her. They were one and the same, another half to a whole. Luna's voice returned, as if to only give a name to the figure before her.
"…Nightmare Moon…"
The pale woman's grin grew even wider. "I'm so glad you remember me," She almost hissed.
"Why…?"
"You wanted to save that man, did you not?" Nightmare Moon sighed. "I don't know what you see in him."
"I love him!"
"Yes, yes, well, I simply lent a hand."
"You… you were banished…"
"We are one and the same, Princess Luna." Nightmare Moon's lips curled back up into a smile. "I am always here."
"No!" Luna screamed, leaping up in her bed. Cold sweat dripped across her skin, and her breathing was ragged.
"…Sorry, I guess I can't have your mini-cake," Celestia said, staring at her sister with a forkful of cake halfway to her mouth. Luna stared at her for a long moment, then looked around. She and her sister were in a brightly lit hospital room, and she was in a bed. She glanced down at the hospital shift she was in.
"…I'm… In the hospital?"
Celestia nodded, putting the small cake back on the nightstand. Luna looked over to find several balloons and a box with a small cake in it. "The Cakes sent it," Celestia explained. "When they heard you were hurt…"
"Hurt…?" Luna felt memories of that night come rushing back to her. "Tyr!"
Celestia put a restraining hand on her sister's shoulder as she attempted to jump up. "Slow down, Lulu. Tyr yet lives."
"He does?" Lune felt like a weight had been pulled off her shoulders. "Oh, thank goodness…"
"Yes, quite."
Luna glanced over at her sister, who was still eyeing the cake. "…You can have some," She offered.
"Oh! If you're offering…" Almost instantly, Celestia was happily munching away on some cake. Luna thought about enjoying it too, but she wasn't in the mood for anything sweet. As she was watching Celestia slowly devour the cake, a doctor in a white lab coat came walking in, clipboard under one arm. "Ah, Miss Luna. You're awake."
"…Awake? How long was I out?"
The doctor checked his charts. "…It has been two days since the incident."
Luna felt her heart sink. "I was unconscious for two days?"
Celestia nodded, delicately wiping her mouth. "After we… subdued you, we all came here."
"Everyone…"
"You did do quite a number on them, Princess," the doctor said. Luna then noticed the man's tail that was barely visible under his coat.
"You're… Equestrian."
"Mmhm. Princess Celestia asked for me to oversee all the care you and your friends are getting. You're in good hands."
"What about Tyr?" Luna asked. "Is okay?"
"Tyr… Tyr Hymir, correct?" He flipped through the papers on his clipboard. "Ah. He's… stable, but still needs intensive care. What he really needs is a blood transfusion."
"Take mine!" Luna tried to get up, but Celestia put a strong hand on her shoulder and kept her down. "Tia…!"
"We already tested your blood," The doctor said. "Your blood type isn't a match."
"Not… a match?" Luna looked confused.
"It means that if you gave him blood, he would have a negative reaction and it might kill him," Celestia said softly.
"Oh… oh no…" Luna's face fell.
Celestia turned to the doctor. "I know you tested me as well, but have you tried any of the others?"
"Well…" The doctor began, but was cut off by a tall nurse with red-gold hair. She whispered something into his ear. He nodded as she left quickly. "It seems we have a match, and a willing donor."
"Who!?" Luna demanded.
"Hiya guys!" Pinkie said with her usual giggle as Luna, Celestia, and the doctor entered the room. A group of nurses were just finishing drawing blood from her.
"Pinkie Pie?" Luna said, incredulously.
"I know, that's what I thought," Rarity said from her chair beside Pinkie.
"I mean, only AJ and I had the matching blood type, right?" Pinkie asked. "And AJ is still hurt. I wanted to feel like I was doing something helpful."
"Aw, that's my Pinkie-winkle," Rarity cooed, reaching out to caress Pinkie's face.
"Speaking of the others…" Luna murmured. "Where are they?"
"AJ and Dash were in a room together," Rarity said. "I believe the others are in there."
"I should go talk to them," Luna said. "…I have… to apologize for my behavior."
"Apologize?" Pinkie frowned. "But you were scared Tyr was going to die, right?"
"Darling, no one is upset with you," Rarity agreed. "We were worried for Tyr—and you."
"But…" Luna started, but Celestia simply put a hand on her shoulder.
"Come," She said. "Let us go speak to them. I think they'll be happy to see you."
Luna didn't say anything, instead letting her sister lead her out of the room. They walked down the halls together, neither of them speaking. Luna stole little glances up at Celestia, wondering inwardly at how her sister could stay so calm, even after everything that has happened. And here she was, dealing with inward turmoil. And she wasn't even sure how her beloved Tyr was doing.
"Worried?"
Celestia's voice was soft and gentle. Luna stared down at her feet. "…Yes."
"About Tyr?"
"About myself." Luna hugged herself. "There is a darkness inside of me that has never let go, and I can feel it creeping along my bones as it tries to take over. I do not want to lose control again, to… give in."
"You won't," Celestia assured her. "Even when you fought against us, you never tried to kill any of us. Part of you was still aware then, and you didn't give in. "You are much stronger than you were all that time ago. Do not doubt yourself."
"I… yes, sister."
"Besides, you don't want to disappoint Tyr, do you?"
"No!" Luna said quickly. When Celestia laughed softly, she blushed. "…You tease."
"I am your big sister," Celestia reminded her, pulling her close with one wing. "And I love you dearly."
Luna smiled, moving closer to her sister. "I love you too, big sister."
They walked together like that for a while, before they could hear Rainbow Dash's voice. As the entered, they found everyone else in the room sitting around Dash and AJ's beds. "Princess!" Twilight said as the two entered. "I'm so glad you two are okay!"
"Yeah," AJ agreed. She had a bandage around her forehead, and her arm was in a sling. However, none of her brightness had gone away.
"Nice to see you're back to normal," Dash said, looking over at Luna.
"Yes…" Luna murmured. "I wanted to apologize to you all—
"No thanks necessary!" Dash said, cutting her off. "Anytime you need us to knock some sense into ya, we'll be there!"
Ace sighed. "What kind of way is that to speak to a Princess?"
"Hey, she doesn't mind, right?" Dash glanced over at Luna, but her face fell when she saw anger on the Princess of the Night's face. "Uh…"
Luna narrowed her eyes. "If Tyr were awake, I would have him execute you."
The room fell deathly silent. Even Celestia seemed shocked. Dash gulped. "Y-you… are you serious?"
Luna held her hard gaze for a long moment, before breaking out into a wide grin. "Gotcha." She giggled.
Everyone stared at her in shock, before joining in with their own laughter. Only Dash seemed to not find it funny. "Jeez, Princess! I thought you were serious!"
"No, I appreciate what you all did for me." Luna smiled. "Thank you for being my friends, all of you."
"Oh, it's no problem, really," Flash said. "We want to be your friends.
Luna glanced around. "Speaking of friends… Where is little Sherry?"
"Here," Fluttershy said softly, motioning to the sleeping girl in her lap. Luna went over to her and gently touched the girl's cheek. "She was asleep when I went to go get her, and I didn't want to wake her."
"She must have really been tired," Celestia murmured.
"Well, I think only Shy could have managed to get her without waking her," AJ pointed out.
Luna frowned. "Wait. Where is Chrys?"
"Chrysalis?" Twilight frowned. "I… haven't seen her…"
"Oh, I remember!" Ace said. "She was trying to go in the room with Tyr, but they wouldn't let her."
"I remember now," AJ said, nodding. "The policemen who came pulled her away, and I haven't seen her since."
"Doctor," Luna said, seeing him enter. "Where is our other friend?"
"Who?" the doctor frowned.
"She was almost as tall as my sister, with long greenish hair."
"Ah, I believe she is in a separate room, under guard. They said she was trying to bite some of the officers, so they had to restrain her."
"Restrain…?" Celestia frowned. "It has been two days. Why have I not been notified?"
The doctor frowned. "We… didn't know."
"Where is she?" Luna demanded.
"I'll take you to where they're keeping her." The doctor led the way out, Luna and Celestia following. They ended up traveling to a section of rooms down an older wing of the hospital. A pair of cops were stationed outside of one.
"Your business?" One of them demanded as they approached.
"Are you holding a girl in here?" Luna questioned, frowning.
"Uh yes. We are."
"Release her. At once."
The two cops shared a look. "We were told to not let anyone in. She attacked an officer on the way here…"
Luna narrowed her eyes. "I do not care what you were told. Let. Her. Out."
"…Alright." They stepped aside, most likely out of discretion as the person responsible for the destruction of an entire street stood in front of them. Luna pushed her way inside, Celestia following close behind. They both froze in the doorway. Chrys was curled up, shivering, in a corner. Her hair was frazzled, and she looked starved. She didn't even seem to react when the two princesses entered. The two officers at the door seemed shocked. "What? We put food in here for her to eat…"
"She can't eat normal," Celestia said softly, noting the untouched tray of hospital food. Even she was disturbed by the treatment of the Changeling girl. Even though she had once harbored a strong feeling of resentment towards her, she could only feel pity now. "It upsets her stomach, and she immediately vomits."
Luna didn't say a word, instead walking over and throwing her arms around the shaking girl. "I'm so sorry," she murmured. "They didn't know."
Chrys kept shivering, however it slowly began to cease. After a moment, she quietly pushed Luna away. "…Thank you. I thought I was going to slowly starve to death in here. They wouldn't even speak to me."
"You almost clawed out Darren's eye!" One cop said, only to be shut up by a sharp look from Luna.
"They wouldn't let me stay beside Tyr," Chrys said, standing. She was still a little shaky, but grabbed a bar on the wall to steady herself. "No matter how I pleaded."
"We didn't think you would end up like this…" the doctor murmured from the doorway.
"Where is Tyr?" Luna said.
The doctor frowned. "…I'll take you to him."
They walked in silence, most of the nurses and other hospital personnel getting out of the way as they walked. Not too surprising, as With Celestia's authoritative presence, Luna's quiet fury, and Chrysalis's distrustful eyes darting from face to face. After a few minutes of walking, they stopped in front of a hospital door. "This is his room?" Celestia asked.
"Yes, but he is still unconscious. Try not to disturb him."
"Very well."
They opened the door, and Luna's heart seized up. Tyr was hooked up to several machines, all either monitoring his heart rate or keeping track of other vital signs. A clear bag of some kind of medicine was running through a tube connected to his arm. Other than that, he was peaceful and serene. Chrys detached from Luna and went to Tyr's side. She knelt beside his bed and rested her head on his chest. She let out a contented sigh. "I feel a lot better," She murmured.
"I would like to request that she stay in here for the time being," Celestia said, turning to the doctor. "She has a… connection with Tyr that she needs to survive."
"I won't question it," the doctor murmured. "Now, I have other patients to attend to…"
As they all went back into the hallway, Celestia's phone rang. "I should take this," She said.
"Very well," Luna said. "I will stay here."
"Alright. Call me if you need me." Celestia left, leaving Luna alone in the hallway. She sat in a nearby chair. Her beloved was alive, and that was cause to rejoice. But seeing him like that… Without his usual easy smile and his quick wit to cheer her up, she felt a lot more depressed than usual. She let out a heavy sigh.
"That was quite the sigh, Princess."
Luna looked up sharply to find Night Watch standing over her. She relaxed a bit as he smiled amiably. "Oh… Night Watch. You caught me off guard."
"Sorry. The others were getting kinda too silly for my tastes."
"Well, they are a fun loving group," Luna said.
Night watch shrugged. "So how are you doing?"
Luna glanced at Night. He was being friendly, but… "I'm okay, given the circumstances."
Night nodded. "I don't blame you. It was… a rough night."
"Yes, it was. I don't believe I have felt anything like that since…" She trailed off, unwilling to continue. To his credit, Night didn't try to press the issue. Instead, he put a comforting hand on her back.
"Don't worry. There are plenty of people who are here to support you."
"True."
"Like me. I'm willing to be here if you need me."
"That's very generous of you, Night. I truly appreciate your concern." She was beginning to feel a little strange, as Night's hand was doing small circles on her back. The whole hallway seemed eerily silent.
"…Princess."
Despite every fiber of her being telling her not to, she turned to look at him. Night's eyes met hers, a dark question in them. She stared back, and slowly began to shake her head even as he began to lean in. He was less than an inch away when she finally got the rest of her body to respond. "NO!"
The sound of the slap echoed down the hall. Luna pushed away from Night, trying to put as much distance between them as possible. The guard himself seemed a little surprised and angry. "What?" He said quietly. "Tyr may not even come back."
"You believe I would give up that easily, and go running to you?" She scowled. "You forget yourself, Night Watch!"
Night stood up slowly. Luna took a step back. "Do I? I'm willing to be anything you need me to be. Plus, I'm even the same race!"
"You think that matters? And I do not need you to be anything, for Tyr is already my everything!"
She said that last line and turned sharply on her heel, leaving Night to watch her leave. He stood there, fuming quietly. He glanced over, seeing the room of the one who stole the woman of his dreams from him. Without thinking much about it, he walked in. Tyr was still there, sleeping or whatever the hell else he was doing in that hospital bed. He was helpless, so defenseless. To be perfectly honest, he could not understand what she saw in him. He was a decent guy, but so was he. The only thing Tyr had on him was height. As he stood there, silently, a thought occurred to him.
If he were to try killing Tyr, who would even be able to stop him?
Even before the thought even fully left his mind, a low growl came from a dark corner of the room. Before Night could even identify the sound, a dark green blur flung itself at him. He instinctively dodged aside, earning a long slash across his cheek. As he staggered back to the open door, he saw his attacker. Chrys was crouched menacingly a leap's distance away, hands curled into claws and a killing light in her eyes. She was out for blood. He ducked out of the room, hoping she wouldn't follow. No such luck, as she slammed into him just shy of breaking away. He struggled to keep her claws away from his neck, tossing her into a cart with a throw. He got up and made a break for it, knocking aside a few nurses as he did so. Chrys chased after, singular in her desire to end his life. He ran as fast as he could, but there was no out running her. She slammed into him again, smashing him down on his back. He raised his arms up to defend himself just as Chrys pinned him to the ground. "Chrysalis!" A stern voice called, but the Changeling did not stop. She raised one hand upwards, and slashed down—
"CHRYS!"
Chrys stopped just short of tearing a huge gouge in Night's arm. Luna was the one who had called her name, and she had just saved his life. "What is the meaning of this?" Celestia demanded, walking forward. Somehow, they had ended up just outside of the room AJ and Dash were sharing. All eyes were on them.
"I don't answer to you," Chrys snarled, not letting her eyes leave Night. All it would take is one swipe…
"Chrys," Luna said softly. "Let him up."
Chrys didn't budge for a moment. After a long moment of thought and inner indecision, she relented. She jumped up, backing up to where she could still see him and everyone in the room. "What is the meaning of this?" Celestia repeated, insistent on getting an answer.
Chrys frowned. "Not like you'd believe me."
"At least give us the benefit of the doubt," Luna implored. Chrys stayed silent for a while longer, before finally speaking.
"Night Watch wanted to kill Tyr."
Everyone in the room was stunned. "That's a lie!" Night said, scrambling to his feet..
"That's a pretty big accusation," Flash said slowly, standing up from his place beside Twilight. "I'm hoping you have some proof?"
"I can sense intent as well as emotions," Chrys muttered, scowling.
"And you just expect us to take your word for it?" AJ asked. "That's a tall order there, sugarcube."
"I'm not expecting you to believe me. In fact, I don't honestly care." Chrys narrowed her eyes. "The only person whose opinion matters to me is currently unable to give it."
"Now Chrysalis…" Celestia began, but a death-glare from the Changeling made her pause.
"Making an accusation like that is a big thing," Twilight said.
Chrys's frown deepened. "…Whatever. But you—" She pointed one sharp nail at Night. "If I sense any kind of negative thought from you anywhere near Tyr, I will tear your throat out with my bare hands."
With that, she curtly turned on her heel and walked away. Still in shock, the others didn't immediately follow. Chrys was halfway back to Tyr's room when she heard her name again. "Chrys!"
She paused, turning slightly to look back over her shoulder. It was Luna. "…What do you want?"
"I want to know why you acted that way," Luna said, frowning.
"Does it matter? I'm not one of your group, so why do you care about me?"
"Because you are my friend."
Chrys turned around, surprise on her face. It quickly vanished. "No I'm not."
"No, I mean it. It may not mean much to you, but I consider you to be one of my few friends."
"You already have plenty of friends."
"Truly? I do not." Luna looked down at her feet. "To be completely honest, the only people I can truly consider my friends are Tyr, my sister, Sherry and… you."
"…why are you telling me this?"
"Because I really want to know why you're so angry!" Luna felt the beginning of tears coming from her eyes. "Was what you said true?"
"…Yes."
The quiet reply caught Luna off guard. "Why would he…?"
"I don't know, and I don't care what his reasons are." She turned back around. "I will protect Tyr from anyone."
"…Good. Because at this point I trust you with him more than anyone. Keep him safe."
Chrys smiled. "Try and stop me."
Luna turned to go back. "I'll hold you to that."
"Oh! And… Luna. Tell Sherry that I value her friendship as well."
"I will do just that," Luna promised before leaving. She went back to the room with all the others, finding them still discussing the changeling's attitude.
"There was no reason for her to act like that," Twilight was saying. "I mean, we've given her nothing but the benefit of the doubt…"
"I guess she still don't trust us," AJ said.
"As if we need to worry about her trusting us," Dash muttered.
"I trust her," Luna said quietly, reentering the room.
"What? Why?"
"Because she is my friend." She turned to her sister. "Aren't friends supposed to trust one another?"
"She's accusing Night of attempted murder," Ace pointed out.
"She says with the lack of… food she normally gets from Tyr, she was a bit out of it."
"I don't buy it," Flash muttered.
"Answer this question for me. Why would Chrys lie about something when it concern's Tyr's life?"
"Princess Celestia was explaining the way Chrysalis's bond with Tyr works," Twilight said. "If Tyr dies, Chrysalis goes as well, correct?"
"As far as I know."
"Then it would make sense she would try extremely hard to keep him alive, right?"
"As a renewable food source," Dash pointed out.
"That is enough!" Luna snapped. She turned on Dash, wings flying open with a flourish. "You have mistrusted Chrys for far too long, and it ends now!"
It was silent in the room. Dash seemed shocked, as did everyone else in the room. "…Princess Luna?" Fluttershy murmured.
"I… I do not think I am feeling all that well myself." Luna shook her head to clear it. "I will retire to my room."
She turned and hurried out of the room. A moment later, Celestia came to her senses. "I will go after her," She said hurriedly, and left the room.
She found Luna sitting on her hospital bed, a dejected look on her face. She glanced up as her big sister entered. "Tia?" She murmured.
"Is it all right if I come in?" Celestia gave her a soft smile. Luna nodded. Celestia entered and closed the door behind her. She made her way over to her, taking a seat in a nearby chair. They both sat in silence, neither of them saying anything for a long time. Part of Celestia wanted to ask her little sister what was wrong, while another part wanted to simply wait for Luna to speak. It was a long time before either made a sound, and it was Luna who finally spoke.
"Tia… I'm sorry. I do not know what has come over me lately…" She hung her head. "I have not been myself."
"Considering what happened that night, I am not surprised." Celestia smiled. "But I am always here for you, Lulu."
Luna smiled. "Thank you, big sister."
The door opened. The doctor from before came in. Celestia frowned as she read his name tag for the first time. "Doctor Quick Response, was it?"
Doctor Quick nodded. "When I saw you weren't in the room with the others, I came here. I had something I needed to talk to you about."
"Talk… to me?" Luna frowned. "About what, pray tell?"
Doctor Quick came further into the room, pulling out a chair to sit on. Celestia moved to get up, but the doctor held up a hand. "You can stay, Princess."
"All right…" Celestia retook her seat. "But what is this about?"
The doctor turned to Luna. "Princess Luna, have you been feeling any sickness lately?"
Luna frowned. As she thought for a moment, it occurred to her. "I believe I caught food poisoning while I was at my niece's home…"
"Was it nausea, and then in the morning you threw up?"
"Yes…"
"And you've felt some mood swings as well?"
"What are you getting at?" Luna snapped, but then caught herself. "…I believe I would be inclined to agree."
Doctor Quick sighed. "Now… Tyr Hymir is your boyfriend, correct?"
"Yes, but… where is all this going?"
"Now excuse me, as what I'm about to ask may seem quite forward of me, and I apologize…" the doctor sighed. "The two of you… did you ever have unprotected sex?"
Luna blinked. Then a slow blush began to grow on her cheeks. Then the blush traveled across her entire face. "N-no, we always tried to use protection…" She trailed off.
"What's the matter, Lulu?" Celestia asked.
"The night Tyr and Chrys made their Bond… Tyr… In his half-awake state, he…um…" The blush was growing. Doctor Quick simply nodded and checked his notes.
"Well, when you came in, we tested your blood, as I said. We noticed something, and ran a few other test while you were still… recovering."
"Tests? For what?"
The doctor sighed. "I'll just cut to the chase. Princess, you're pregnant. According to this, you are going to have twins."
Luna's blush vanished as all the color drained out of her face. Celestia covered her mouth as she gasped. "Lulu…!"
The doctor's pager buzzed, and he got up. "I apologize, but I have to go. Congratulations, Princess. I'm certain your boyfriend will be elated."
He left the room, leaving the two shocked women sitting in silence. Celestia glanced over at her sister, who was completely frozen. "…Lulu?"
"Pregnant?" Lulu repeated, face still frozen in shock. "…Twins?"
"Luna? Are you alright?" Her little sister didn't respond, instead sitting there in silence. After a long minute, the midnight-haired girl simply fell back onto the bed. "Luna? Lulu? …Lulu—Oh dear, she's passed out."
-x-
"Hey, can I come in?" Ace asked, knocking softly on the doorframe. Chrys looked up from her study of Tyr's soft breathing to look over at him.
"Ace Guard," Chrys said, remembering the young man's name.
"Yeah."
"…You can come in."
Ace grinned. "Sweet."
He walked in, the smile on his face shrinking to a more reserved one as he observed his friend lying on the bed. He didn't say anything for a long time. Chrys took the moment to look him over. A lot of the Equestrian males kept their tails in braids, most likely to keep them free. Ace was one of them, though the hair on his head was longer and shaggy. As she watched him, she could feel the worry he had for Tyr. She relaxed a bit. "…He will live, you know."
"I know," Ace said. "He's about as stubborn as AJ when it comes to that."
"…You consider him a friend, yes?"
"Course I do. Tyr is probably my best friend." He chuckled. "Would it surprise you if I told you I wasn't the most personable back home?"
"…That is surprising. I was sure you were the type to make friends everywhere."
Ace sat in a free chair. "Yeah, I was all business back in Canterlot. I came from a long line of Royal Guards, if you'd believe it."
"Considering your name is Ace Guard, no, I am not surprised." Chrys frowned. She had never understood Equestrian naming practices, but familial names tended to stay the same in most cases.
"My dad and my grandfather were guards before me, and even before that. I thought being a bodyguard to the Princesses was my destiny. It was, but despite being fulfilled, it was a lonely job. I knew Flash and Shining back then, but I never became real friends with them."
"And yet you became Tyr's friend."
"I realized that I couldn't go through life just worried about my job. And Tyr and I kinda just get along."
"…And not with Night Watch?"
Ace frowned. "Night gets… fixated on stuff easily. Back in Equestria, he was one of the ones who wanted to go chasing after you and the other Changelings after the attack on Canterlot. To be honest, I figured he had mellowed out when we ended up in this world, but…"
"He is fixated on Luna." She said it more like a statement than a question.
Ace chuckled. "I should a figured you'd see it. "
"You knew?"
"Yeah, but he never did anything. I figured it was harmless. But when you came running in…"
"You… believe me?" Chrys couldn't hide her surprise.
Ace nodded, his grin returning. "Hey, if Tyr trusts you, I can too."
"…You really are a friendly person, aren't you?"
"I do my best." He stood up. "Well, I've hung around long enough. Are you staying with him?"
"Yes."
"I should have guessed. Keep a good eye on him, alright?"
Chrys smiled softly. "You can count on me… my friend."
"See ya, Chrys." Ace nodded and left.
Chrys sat there in silence for a minute, before letting her smile grow as she glanced over at Tyr. "…You have good friends, Master."
When Luna woke back up, it was dark outside. Tia was nowhere to be found, leaving her all alone. Alone. The word reverberated through her thoughts heavily as she pulled the thin blanket over her tighter to her body.
[You're not alone] A voice told her, quiet and taunting.
"Silence," She hissed, knowing where the voice is coming from. "If I am not alone, it is because my beloved is yet of this world. I am never alone as long as I have him."
[And what of your… condition?]
Luna paused. She had not yet considered if Tyr wanted children. Well, having a child wasn't something he was against, because he had Sherry. But Sherry was a young woman in all but age. Would Tyr want more children, on top of already taking care of Sherry? Would he…
[Would he leave you?]
"No!" Luna cried out, a little louder than intended. She sucked in a ragged breath. "…He wouldn't."
[Can you really be sure? He doesn't know about the darkness in you yet, does he? What would he do if he knew—]
"Silence!" Luna stood up, her stomach doing flips. She climbed out of the bed and moved into the bathroom. The nausea was coming quick, and she had only a few seconds to pull her hair back before her stress—and what was left of the food in her stomach—voided itself into the toilet.
Night hadn't left with all the others. After visitation hours had passed and Celestia took all the others out, he had come up with the excuse that he was going to the bathroom. He had gone, only to ditch the group and head back to the rooms. Most of the hospital personnel had left, and the hospital was down to a skeleton crew. He smiled. The darkened hallways were perfect for him, for the night was always his ally. He slipped down the halls silently, moving back the way he had come. He stopped off in a storage closet, grabbed a couple of items and then was quickly back on his way. He had had the better part of the afternoon to come up with this plan, and there was nothing anyone could do at that point to stop him.
Now for the implementation.
He blanked his mind as best he could, coming up to the door he was looking for. The name on the plate made him frown, but he stayed impassive. Can't let that whore see him coming. He pushed the door open. "What the—you!" Chrys snarled, jumping up. However, Night was quicker, dashing to her and clapping his hand over her mouth. In it was a towel soaked in chloroform. It took effect quickly, the Changeling's fierce eyes drooping and then closing. He let her drop to the ground.
"Too slow, you little bug." He grinned evilly at her unconscious body. "Too bad you'll die once I'm done. I'd have liked the feeling of killing the 'last Changeling'."
He moved over to the side of Tyr's bed. The man had not moved, the only noise in the room his breathing and the soft beep of the heart monitor. The one man that stood between him and the life he imagined with Princess Luna. So helpless, and so vulnerable… "Don't worry," He said quietly, moving over with the empty syringe he picked up and filling it with air. He stuck it into the tube of the I.V. "I'll take good care of Luna. Hey, maybe I'll even take in your soon to be orphan…"
Then everything suddenly moved. As he was pushing the bubble of air in, he felt the sting of sharp metal sliding into his thigh. "You made your last mistake," Tyr growled, the silver pen buried to the clip in Night's leg. "You never threaten my family."
Night cursed in pain, recoiling from the bedside. Tyr jumped up to his feet, quickly ripping the tubes off of his body. Night yanked the pen out of his leg just as Tyr barreled into him, slamming him into the wall. "Bastard!" Night hissed, reaching for his holstered gun. Tyr spotted the move, and slammed his hand down on Night's and shattering his thumb. To his credit, Night took the destruction of his finger with no more than a pained grunt, as he threw punches towards Tyr's abdomen. One lucky hit caught Tyr on his knife wound, and caused his side to seize up in pain. Night tackled him back towards the bed, trying to pin him down. Tyr kicked his knee up, knocking Night's gun free of its holster and letting it clatter to the ground. Distracted by the sudden loss of his weapon, Night slacked his grip on Tyr, letting the taller man push him off and regain his feet. Night grabbed for him again, and the two men grappled again over the bed, Night abusing the fact that Tyr was wounded to overpower him.
Tyr grunted as Night hit him in his stab wound again, and pushed him off again. Night scrambled for his gun, but Tyr leapt on him, smashing him into the side of a cabinet and sending the weapon sliding towards the door. As Night tried to retaliate, he tripped over the prostrate Chrysalis. He cursed as he fell onto his back in front of the wall mounted mirror. As he scrambled to his feet, Tyr slammed into his chest, smashing him into the mirror and shattering it. He hit Night as hard as he could, winding him before he was bodily tossed into the door.
Luna straightened up as she heard the noise. It sounded like someone had dropped something out in the hall. Finally convincing her stomach to stop doing flips, she went to the door and opened it slightly. The halls were empty. "…Hello?" The noise continued, and it sounded like someone was struggling. "Perhaps they need help…?"
Chrys stirred as Tyr was pinned to the bed again, Night's hands curled around his throat to choke him. Shaking the haze from her eyes, she glanced over at the shattered glass on the floor. Picking up a long piece, she leapt up onto Night's back and buried the makeshift weapon into his shoulder. "Damn it!" Night yelled, tossing her off and grabbing for the glass. He turned around and kicked her savagely, eliciting a small squeak of pain. He had no time to revel in the moment as Tyr attacked again, smashing his hand against the shard of glass and shoving it further in. Night howled in pain, and spun back, slamming his elbow into Tyr's side.
"Damn," Tyr groaned, feeling his stiches rip open. He staggered back, and Night jumped him again, trying to choke him. Tyr fought back as best he could, but Night punched his now open wound a couple times to weaken his resistance. He opened his mouth to curse again, but couldn't get a breath.
"Just… die… already!" Night said through clenched teeth.
A click from behind them caused them all to pause. "…Release him at once, Night Watch."
Night glanced back over his shoulder to find Luna standing there, his pistol held in her hands and aimed directly at him. "Princess…?"
"Let him go!" She squeaked, keeping the gun trained on him.
Night kept Tyr held down a moment longer before he finally relented and let him go. Tyr coughed a few times and pulled away, moving off to the side. "Hellfire," He groaned.
Luna kept her aim on Night even as he turned around slowly, putting his hands up. He frowned. "Princess… have you ever held a gun before?"
"Do not move, Night Watch," Luna snapped.
"It is simply an honest question."
"…No," Luna replied. "This would be the very first time."
"I can tell. Your aim is shaking." He smirked, then suddenly lunged forward, reaching for the weapon. Luna, surprised, dropped her aim—and shot him in the knee, the bullet tearing through and smashing into the floor. Night screamed in pain and collapsed to the floor. "You… you shot me!"
Luna sighed and lowered the weapon. "I may not be entirely comfortable with such a… loud weapon; I still know how to fire one."
"Damn you…!"
"Night Watch, you are accused of treason and attempted murder," Luna said, her voice growing steely. I find you guilty, and the consequences are death."
Suddenly, Night felt himself being righted, and a pair of arms draped themselves around his shoulders like those of a lover's. However, the voice that whispered in his ear intimately was not one he wanted to hear.
"I keep my promises," Chrys hissed softly into his ear.
Before he could even react with surprise, Chrys hooked her claws into the side of his neck and ripped his throat open in a spurt of blood. Luna flinched slightly as the blood splattered around her legs. Night's hands shot up to his neck, trying vainly to staunch the flow of blood. He fell to the floor, twitching slightly as the three of them watched his life ebb out onto the smooth floor. After they stood there for a moment, Tyr sat back heavily on the bed. His re-opened wound was bleeding, and a stain was growing on the side of his clothes. "Tyr!" Luna exclaimed, running over to him.
"The stitches… reopened," Tyr said, grimacing with pain. "Hurts like hell, but I'm alright."
As Luna helped Tyr settle, a pair of doctors and security personnel came into the room. They all paused at the non-moving body of Night sprawled on the floor, and the blood covering Chrys's arm. They reached for their weapons. "Hold!" Luna said, holding up a hand. "Chrysalis saved my beloved from being murdered tonight."
"Yes, something you men could not," Chrys snapped at the guards.
The doctors moved carefully past the body and over to Tyr. "We'll have to close you back up…"
"That would help, thanks," Tyr grunted, laying back down.
"Get this body out of here," The other doctor said. The guards moved to follow the order.
"Miss Luna, you'll have to leave for now," One doctor said.
"I would prefer to stay with him," Luna said evenly, but internally she was afraid of being alone again.
"But…"
"She stays," Tyr grunted, wincing as the doctors began working on him. He glanced over at Chrys. "They both do."
"…alright then."
Luna moved to the side that the doctors weren't working on, and gently took a hold of Tyr's hand. She smiled. "Thank you, beloved."
Tyr smiled back. "Hey, what man wouldn't want the woman he loves with him at all times?"
Chrys sat down behind Luna, quietly licking the blood off her hand. "Oh yes, you two go ahead and do cutesy faces at each other. I was quite hungry…"