Quite The Page Turner

by Arreis Of Avalon

Rating: teen
Tags: Crossover, Dark, Sad, Romance
Length: 11880

A Doc Who crossover, a Time Lord Pony falls in love with a mysterious mare. Slowly, she works his past out of him. Join me in a tale of horror and fright, and love and mystery.

A man - or perhaps a little more than that - wanders into town. He meets a girl, looses a girl, and his life is thrown forever. This is the back story of the Time Lord named Page Turner, and the story of his sister Mistearia. This is the story of how he failed to keep a promise, how he became an artist, and all and all how he met the love of his life. Enjoy, those who read this, my first ever fan fic.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-23 00:03:18 UTC

Prologue

The cloaked pony ran through the misty night, his hood shading his face in the moonlight. He ran quickly through the deserted town, stopping only shortly to regain his breath. He had been running for hours, at this stop and go pace all night. Sitting by an abandoned alley way, he took a moment to glance at his blood stained hooves. Well, that wouldn’t do, he’d leave bloody hoofprints everywhere. Somepony might think he killed somepony, now, wouldn’t they?

Walking to a water barrel by him, he soaked his hooves, letting the blood wash off. “Regenerations…” He muttered under his breath. “Why must I always end up bloody?”

He took off his blood stained cloak, dropping it in the alley way, and looked at his reflection in the water. He had rather short hair, and a grey-brown coat. His eyes were a light yellow green, and shone with wisdom beyond his years. “Hmm,” he said to himself, thinking. “What to call myself this time? Flight Phase doesn’t quite work now that I’m an earth pony.  Ugh, and my mane is brown now, I liked the ginger.”

He moved away from the barrel, thinking. “Well, Flight Phase is out. Think, what do you like? Names are important. As is a family, I need to find a family. This is all so troublesome.”

He had his head down, and didn’t watch where he was going. Therefore, he did not notice the dark coated filly until he ran into her, knocking her down.

He stumbled back from the girl, surprised. “O-oh, my, I’m very sorry miss,” he managed to say.

The little filly rubbed her head, standing up. On her face was the sweetest smile, partially covered up by her raven black mane with purple swirls. “S-sorry, Mister,” she said, giggling. “Guess I need to watch my step.”

The man looked her over, and found he was actually somewhat worried about the girl. She was wandering this dark town alone, and who knew what could happen to her at such a young and innocent age. “Here, where do you live? I can walk you home, miss.” He figured he should offer, at the very least.

The young girl looked at him for a few moments, and he was surprised to see tears form in her amethyst eyes. “R-r-really sir?” She wiped away her tears, sniffling. “I-I would like that a-a lot… I-I’m really v-very scared of the dark…”

The man didn’t know quite how to react. He had never had children of his own, and had never been good with tears. However, this was a special occasion. He smiled lightly and took her hoof. “There, there miss,” he said lightly. “No need for tears this night. Now, why don’t you lead me to your home?”

The girl nodded, her tears ending as he held her hoof comfortingly. “A-alright, mister…”

Slowly they began walking through the town. Eventually, the filly got tired, so the man put her on his back and kept walking as she muttered directions to him under her breath.

After nearly an hour of searching, he finally brought the filly down an alleyway, leading to a small hole – in – the – wall sort of place. She hopped out of his short, rugged mane and unlocked the door. Inside was a rather pitiful living space – a small cot, a moth bitten sofa and a small fridge that hummed with light electricity. On the sofa sat a rather large number of bills, all of which seems to say ‘late’ on the top. Scattered in the pile were small paychecks, and below the stack there seemed to be a small, stained apron.

The girl sleepily walked to the cot and fell down on it, nearly asleep. The man looked around and sat on the half of the couch not covered. “Miss, where are your parents?”

The girl shook her head lightly. “Don’t got any. Mommy died when she had me, and daddy… Daddy left awhile back…”

The man sat for awhile, mulling this over. This poor little girl had nopony to help her, and, by the looks of those bills, she did need someponies help. He did need a family, somepony to call friend. “… Miss, may I stay the night? I want to make sure you’re safe.”

The filly smiled. “Thank you, mister. My name is Mistearia, by the way.”

The man smiled back at the little filly, and felt a warm surge of affection for this innocent little girl. He wanted to make sure she would never be hurt again.

He looked around, the girl almost asleep once again, and his eyes rested on a book. The title read the classic fairy tale line, “Once Upon A Time”. He walks over and opened it, revealing a large collection of fairy tales.

Mistearia glanced at him, her eyes alight with that childish wonder. “Will you read me a story, mister… um, what’s your name?”

He smiled and sat by her, flipping the page to the first story, and suddenly he knew what his name would be.

“My name, dear Mistearia, is Page Turner. Now… Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…”

Through the night he read to her, her eyes slowly drooping as he went from story to story. His voice spoke volumes, going from a high crescendo as a prince fought a dragon for his true love, to a soft whisper for the princes death, and a cheerful, happy tone as the prince was brought back through true loves kiss. Slowly but surely, the young Mistearia let her eyes flutter shut, and soon Page heard soft, steady breaths coming from her.

Lightly placing a piece of paper in the page to hold their place, he shut the book and laid it by her bed. He had never seen a girl so beautifully innocent. He hated to admit it, but this young girl had melted his heart, and he knew deep down that he loved her.

Standing, he heard a small mutter from the girl. “Page… will you be my new daddy until my real one comes back,” she asked, her eyes still shut and on the very edge of sleep.

Page felt tears rise to his eyes, and he wasn’t all together sure why. It was a simple enough question. “Y-yes, Mistearia. I will be your father.” As he said this, he made a vow to himself to always protect her, and love her with all his heart.

How could he have known how much he hurt her in the end?

A New Pony Arrives

Pinkie was making the Inn presentable. Since Mr. and Mrs. Cake had moved out, she had done great things to SCC. With the help of her friend Dirt Block, she had made the old bakery into a 5 story, 5 star inn. Still, inns needed to have maintenance done on them, and it was up to her to keep things orderly.

On the couch sat a rather new pony, Winter Born by name. A large scar on her eye, her tale was one shrouded in mystery, and one that Pinkie didn’t want to know anything about. For the years since the Cakes had left, Pinkie had calmed down greatly. She now wore her mane down straight, preferring it to the wild curls she once wore. She was calmer and more relaxed, and had settled down with a husband some time ago. Most of all, she was less curious about the affairs of other ponies. Granted, she still had the curiosity of a filly who had heard a snippet of conversation, but it was better than she had been.

It was rather late at night now, and Diane knew she needed sleep. She yawned, pouring herself a glass of warm milk to get ready for bed. Suddenly, a small knock sounded at the door.

“Who in blazes is up at this hour,” she asked, mainly to herself.

Winter smiled the hideous, fake smile she had on her face always, something else to do with her past. “Well, you for one. Who spit in your milk?”

Grumbling to herself, she walked to the door and pulled it open.

Outside, his nose stuck in a book and a quill behind his ear, was a small brownish-grey earth pony, his hair brown and short. His glasses were slid down on his nose, and he seemed to be concentrating a great deal on a drawing of what looked to be a wire.

“Hello?”

The man made no sign of hearing her. Pinkie shook her head, sighing. “Mister, are you alright,” she asked, waving her hoof over his face.

He glanced at her, pushing his glasses up. “Oh, very sorry, Miss. I came seeking a room.”

She smiled. “We have plenty of vacancy. Please, come in.”

He nodded and strolled in, sitting next to Winter. She scooted away, not liking pony interaction – truthfully, any sort of social interaction. He held up the book for her to see the picture, his face a mystery. “What would you say this picture looks like, miss?”

She glanced at the picture. “Um… a bit of wire, I guess?”

He made a small ‘Tsk’ of disapproval. “Still not right…” he muttered slightly as he pulled his quill out from his ear, furiously scratching away at the picture. Winter watched as the picture slowly turned into a small bird, and gasped slightly. How on earth had he done that? “Still not it… aha!” He smiled and drew the birds wing as broken. He smiled and pushed his glasses up, his eyes closed and a mystical smile alighting his face.

Pinkie heard a small crash outside as something hit the side of the house. She set down her glass. “Wonder what it is now…” Making her way outside, she gasped slightly. “It’s a bird! Seems it broke its wing…”

Winter was staring at the man, her mouth agape. “Y-you did that… that’s sick.”

Pinkie walked in, holding the tiny bird in her hooves. “The poor thing…”

The man smiled as he put the quill back behind his ear again, closing the book. “Saved the birds life, in the end though.”

Both the mares looked at him, mystified. He glanced at them in turn. “Well, that’s what those wires were. It was about to run into the electrical lines. If it hadn’t hit this inn and broken its wings, it’d have been tangled up and fried by the electricity. A slow and painful death, I’ve heard.”

Pinkie was driven speechless, something she hadn’t felt in a long time, and she found she didn’t really like it. All she managed to say was “Huh,” and that felt like a rather pitiful thing to say at this point.

He slowly stood, rather gracefully and his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Goodnight, Ladies,” he said, his voice practically singing in his mystery and wonder. Winter rolled her eyes lightly, and he chuckled. “Don’t do that,” he remarked, “or you might see your brain.”

She glared at him and he laughed again. “Got you to stop rolling them, didn’t I?”

He nodded to them each in turn. “Goodnight, Miss Pie and Miss Born. I will see you tomorrow.” He began to walk upstairs, and Pinkie stopped him. “Wait, sir… how did you do that thing with the book?”

He smiled at her, chuckling. “Miss Pie, don’t you know… a magician never reveals his secrets.”

He began walking further up the stairs, and this time Winter spoke. “How did you know our names?”

He kept walking. “Didn’t I just say I never revealed my secrets?”

“That’s assuming you’re a magician. What’s your name?”

He glanced at her from the stairwell. “Miss Born, I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

She grinned and her horn sparked with magic. “Oh really, Page?”

His eyes widened. “H-how on earth did you do that?”

She winked at him. “Didn’t you just say… a magician never reveals their secrets?”

He smiled at her. “Well played, Miss Born. Very well, my name is Page Turner.” With that, he kept walking, then stopped himself. “Oh, and Diane?”

She looked at him, half in awe and half in fear. “Yes?”

He smiled somewhat ruefully. “May I have a key to my room?”

She chuckled and went to the counter, pulling a set of keys out. “Here you go, Sir. Enjoy your stay at SCC Inn and Bakery.”

He glanced once more at Winter, smiling. “Oh, I don’t think that’ll be a problem.” With that, he walked up to his room, opened the door, and fell on the bed, exhausted.

Winter set down her glass, thinking. Maybe it was time to do some spying on this… Page Turner.

The Nightmare

He was walking. He knew that much. It was pitch black, and the outer edges of the darkness seemed to swirl with shadow. As he continued to walk, he saw a girl walk out of the shadows in front of him. She was a little filly, dark coated with a black and purple mane. Her hair partially covering her face, she looked very shy and sweet. To page, however, she looked like somepony he used to know… somepony he had loved dearly.

“M-Mistearia?...”

She smiled and walked up to him, hugging him tightly. “Hi Daddy!”

He hugged her back, smiling. Somewhere in the back of his head, he knew this was wrong. His mind screamed out at him, saying this was impossible, but his own minds pleas fell on deaf ears. He hugged his daughter happily, then remembered why he had come looking for her. “Mistearia… I’m leaving for awhile…”

She looked up at him, uncomprehending. “L-leaving?...”

He nodded, keeping a smile on his face. “It’s just a little quest, dear. A search for time magic. It won’t take me too long, a month at most.”

She looked at him, tears in her eyes. He sighed, looking deep into those amethyst eyes. “Mistearia, you know I would never lie to you. I swear I will come back to you.”

She smiled slightly, sniffling. “J-just keep your promise daddy!”

He smiled and tussled her mane, standing up. He began to walk away, but turned back one last time. The shadows were spinning again, and he noticed they reminded him of the ink in this inkwell. He looked at Mistearia… and suddenly his mind spoke to him and he remembered. Mistearia had died.

He watched time fly past in this endless shadowy room. He watched Mistearia slowly grow older and older, and with each passing year her smile grew more and more half hearted. She grew older still, and the smile became a hideous thing to look at, fake and cold. It was the smile of a pony who had lost their hope.

Finally time slowed. Page took note that he had not changed in the least. Mistearia on the other hoof…

She was sewing by the shadows, her hair streaked with grey. She sat in a rocking chair, rocking back and forth slowly. She looked to be old, older than time itself, but somehow Page knew that she was still that young filly at heart, still waiting for her daddy to come home.

Slowly, he walked up to her and laid a shaking hoof on her shoulder. “T-Tear,” he said, choosing to call her by her pet name. She stopped sewing suddenly, then slowly laid her work on her lap, silent. He kept his hoof on her shoulder, trying to get a reaction from her.

Slowly, she stood and turned. Page stared into those grey, lifeless eyes. They had lost their amethyst shine, that childish abandon that he had loved in his little filly. He felt tears well up in his eyes, looking at his precious girl, all grown up and her heart broken beyond repair.

“… F-father,” she said, her voice as lifeless as her eyes. He nodded slightly, speechless. She stood for a moment, and Page saw tears streaming down her face. “You promised, daddy,” she said coldly, and Page felt a pain in his heart like a knife.

“M-Mistearia, I-“

“Daddy, you promised you’d come back!” she shouted, stomping the ground. “You broke your promise.”

He took a step back, and the mare stepped closer to him, her eyes full with rage now. “You left me for years! You promised you would be back! I trusted you!”

Page felt tears stream down his face. “T-tear, I thought I would be b-ba-“

He gasped as she lunged for him. He made a move to step back, but stopped when he saw what was happening to her body. Slowly, she began melting…

No, he realized. She wasn’t melting, she was changing. She was changing into something he knew well and used often; Ink.

Slowly her deformed body lurched its way towards him. Just before it reached him, it fell at his hooves, just its head visible through the pool of ink. “I… glad…I died…”

As the rest of his daughter disappeared, he fell beside the ink, sobbing. He had just lost something he had never truly had before; somepony who he could love, and who would love him back. She had been his little filly, and he had hurt her so much. It was all because of that damn quest for time magic, all his fault.

He looked at the ink staining the floor like blood, and realized what the scene meant. “I-I write… in the blood… of those I’ve betrayed…”

With a gasp, he opened his eyes, looking around the dark room at SCC. He had broken a sweat during his nightmare, and he felt cold tears staining his face. He threw the sheets off of him, trying to regain his breath. He stood, pacing.

Go to sleep, Page.

He grinned, hearing the voice. “You shouldn’t spy on people, Miss Born.”

Beside him appeared the image of Winter Born, somewhat faded and that smile still on her face. Page tilted his head slightly, looking at that smile, and realized that was the same smile Mistearia had had in the dream.

Winter grinned at him. Poor Mistearia.

He sighed. “I suppose you had a need to look in on my reoccurring nightmare, Miss Born?”

She nodded, still smiling.

He had still been pacing, trying to find some sort of way to calm down. He dropped to the floor, closing his eyes and crossing his hooves.

Dimly he was aware of Winter chuckling. Mister Turner… Just remember… Even timelords need to rest.

He sighed as the image disappeared. He stood and walked to the mirror, his eyes alighting on his cutie mark.

He had seen many like it. All the same color, shape and size. An hourglass, short and simple. His, on the other hoof, was unique for one reason. On the edge of the hourglass was a small crack, and sand slowly trickled away through the crack.

Tick, tock, goes the clock

He sighed. Perhaps this was all for another night. He knew he would never be able to sleep with these thoughts in his head, so he sat down at his book and began to draw.

Cold Kisses and Warm Hearts

Page opened his book to a blank page, his thoughts spinning in his head like gears. I suppose I could always try it again he thought.

He closed his eyes and pictured Mistearia, saying her name lightly under his breath. Just as lightly her image formed in his mind, the young filly he loved. Will you sing for me, Tear?

The girl smiled, and began to sing sweetly, her voice drifting though his mind. Slowly, her song leading him, he began to draw to the song.

Toue Rei Zue Kuroa Ryuo Toue Zue

Kuroa Ryuo Zue Toue Ryuo Rei Neu Ryuo Zue

He drew on, the ink on the page seeming to change hues. The picture already looked beautiful, depicting a waterfall scene in the full moons light. Though the ink was black, he worked the shading to perfection, making the eyes deceive you into seeing all the colors needed.

Va Rei Zue Toue Neu Toue Ryuo Toue Kuroa

Ryuo Rei Kuroa Ryuo Zue Rei Va Zue Rei

He worked frantically, the drawing practically glowing in the magic he was creating. It seemed like the water from the falls actually moved on the picture, sparkling in the moonlight and rippling around the stones. He could almost hear the waterfall overlaying the song.

Va Neu Va Rei Va Neu Va Zue Rei

Kuroa Ryuo Kuroa Neu Toue Rei Kuroa Ryuo Zue Re-

He dropped the quill as the song ended abruptly. It never worked. Each and every time he tried to draw to her song, she could never finish the last 2 lines. She would stop on the second to last line, leaving him with an empty feeling inside. The drawing in front of him now looked bland and ordinary, not even something he would give a child to hold. He tore it out of his book, crumbled it up and threw it away angrily.

He sat for a moment, thinking, when he heard soft music upstairs, drifting down to him from Winters room. He could make out the light notes of a flute being played, and he smiled. She played wonderfully, and her song… it reminded him of how happy the past had been. It reminded him of that hope that used to fill him, years ago. He slowly began to draw on the fresh page, humming along with the music, his own melodic voice reaching the mare.

Together they made music, and the picture became beautiful along with the enticing music. Light danced to the magic across the page along with the ink. Their song sailed through the air at the inn, and Page smiled as he hummed, relaxing slightly from the peaceful yet somewhat sorrowful song.

Finally, the duet was complete along with the picture. He sighed somewhat sadly as the song ended, but smiled while looking at his picture. A blue tinted flower sat in a field of snow. It looked sad, seeming doomed to die in this cold wasteland. Yet, it was also a wonder, because it had somehow survived this long. Page saw the hope and beauty in the flower as it stood tall in the winter.

Still, something seemed to be missing from the picture. He looked it over, then smiled when he realized what was missing. Right at the bottom of the page, he wrote the words ‘For Winter’. Now the picture was complete.

He tore the picture out of his book, standing. He walked to the door and opened it, heading upstairs to Winters room. Reaching her room, he slid his picture under the door, smiling. Without stopping to see her reaction, he walked back downstairs, whistling.

He sat at his desk, drawing a series of random lines. After a few minutes, there was a burst of magic behind him, and there stood Winter, holding her picture close to her heart. He smiled, glancing over at the mare. “Do you like it?”

She nodded slightly, her eyes full of wonder. “I-I’ve never had somepony give me something before.”

He scooted over and let her sit next to him. She sat and glanced at the random lines he had been scratching on the paper. Smiling, he added a few more lines, creating a beautiful picture of a snowflake with a seeming golden shine.

Her eyes widened as she saw what he had drawn. “H-how did you…”

He smiled at her. “Do you like it,” he said, absently doodling on the page, making it grow in beauty without seemingly trying.

She nodded, looking at the beautiful picture. “I-It’s… gorgeous. How could I not like it?”

His smile brightened as he tore the page out of his book. “Then you should have it.”

Her eyes widened. “Y-you’re giving me this?”

He nodded, smiling brightly at her bewildered face. “Why, of course. Do you know why?” She shook her head slightly and he smiled, leaning down beside her ear, close to her icy blue mane. “Because, Winter, this snowflake is the you I see, and I hope to see you shine like this more often.” Gently he handed the stunned mare the beautiful picture, pausing only slightly as he saw her eyes sparkle in wonder.

Those eyes… He felt lost in their expanse. They were dark purple, nearly the same color as Tears had been. He saw the broken hope inside her, but he saw deeper than that, far deeper than any other had before. He saw the sparks of hope that still swirled in the mists of time. He saw the absolute beauty in those eyes, and in her very soul.

Slowly, he unconsciously leaned forward, something in his mind noting she was doing the same. T-those eyes were utterly gorgeous…

Page was scarcely aware of his own voice saying “I believe… we’re getting a bit too close…” Nor did he quite notice her nod of agreement.

He did, however, notice when he kissed her.

It was like a light went off in his head – no, not just a light, a flame. A blazing flame with icy edges sparked in his mind the moment his lips touched hers. The flame danced in his mind as they held the kiss and it steadily grew brighter and larger. Soon it felt his entire body was on fire, and he knew he had to stop, before this pure euphoria exploded like a dam.

Gingerly he broke the kiss, opening his timeless eyes and staring back at hers. Her eyes sparkled with light, and somehow Page knew she had felt that same icy hot flame inside her own body.

They sat in silence for what seemed an eternity, yet Page knew he could spend an eternity staring into those wondrous eyes and not have wasted a single moment. Finally, Winter broke the loving silence between the two. “P-perhaps… I should go b-back to my room,” she said haltingly.

Page swallowed once, scarcely hearing her over the slight ringing in his blush-burned ears. He made a small sound of agreement, turning back to his drawing to hide his blush. She lightly trotted upstairs, clutching  his drawings close to  heart, and Page knew they both were smiling.

The Past, Part 1

“It all began,” he started to say, “on my home planet, Gallopfrey. It was a large planet and a wonderful city…”

“I was a man of high stature. I was well known by a name that I can no longer recall, and I had a serene and peaceful life. That is, until somepony decided to steal a type 40 T.A.R.D.I.S. That was the day my life changed, for I was charged with tracking the pony down and taking him back to the planet for trial.”

“I chased him all the way through the galaxies, and eventually I crashed landed on your planet, regenerating after the crash and losing my memories. I was lying in the wreckage when a pony found me and brought me to her home…”

“Her name was Radiant. Radiant Shine. She had a beautiful mind, but a gorgeous soul. She nursed me back to health, trying to solve the mystery of how I came there, where I had come from, and ultimately how to get my memories back… In the end, we grew so close… and we fell in love.”

He heard Winters slight gasp and continued his tale in a sorrowful voice, hoping his story would be over soon. “Eventually, I can’t recall anymore how, I regained my memories. It came as quite a shock to her when I told her I was an alien. She was astounded, for she had studied the stars for years. Along with my memories, I remembered why I had come to this planet in the first place. Together, we set out to find the thief, but after years of searching, we had given up the task and settled down… Of course, that was when he found us.”

“I had grown unwise in these times of peace, and that was what caused me to ultimately fail in the end. He came to me in rage, knowing who I was. I was startled at first, then remembered what he had done. I did not have time to reprimand him, however, before he told me all I had done wrong… and how I failed Radiant.”

“I should have seen the signs, counted the shadows… but I was a foal. A shadow alien had snuck into our home and bided its time until she had been alone… and then it took her.”

He continued in his pained voice, blocking out Winters small gasps and surprise, blocking out everything but his own story, trying to make it end as painlessly as possible. “Her body – or what was left of it – was found too late. Only bones remained of my love, sucked clean of marrow and left to turn to ash. I went to her funeral, and vowed to myself that I would beat time. I had heard of a Time Master, somepony who knew all about time, and the way to bend it to your will so you could do anything. I started my long quest for this time magic…”

“My searching seemed to be in vain. There was nopony who had lived from the Time Masters touch save but one pony, the same who told me of the legend. He was an old man, blind and half deaf. He told me to find a book, the ‘Omnis Antiquitas’. When translated, the book title seemed to spell out all of time, or ‘The Complete History’.”

“My search was a long one… One night, I remember not when or where, I was shot in an alley for my money. I regenerated into the being you see now. I ran from that place, fearing for my safety, and came to Ponyville. That is when I met Mistearia.”

“After Radiant’s death, I had vowed to love no other. Unfortunately, it is even harder not to love with two hearts than to love with one. This filly came to me, poor and orphaned, and my cold hearts melted. I wanted to protect her from harm, thinking to myself ‘if I can save her, I can save Shine’. Mistearia became a daughter of sorts to me. I provided for her, paid the bills, and gave her the love she had so longed for.”

“… Then, I finally found it. This young filly had held that secret book, the Omnis Antiquitas this whole time. It had been disguised as a book of fairy tales, yet in the middle of the book was a map to the Time Masters lair. I knew I had to go, for it was the only way to save my love… but how would I leave my daughter alone?”

“I convinced myself it was all for her. I told myself that Tear would want a mother, and that I wouldn’t be away for longer than a month. Sure of myself in my greed and vanity, I packed my bags and said goodbye to Tear, promising I would be back soon.”

“The journey was long and rough, taking me a total of 5 days. I only stopped to eat and drink, seeing as Time Lords only need sleep once a year. Finally, I came to a cave…”

“I walked inside, expecting to find a pony in some sort of cavern, or even just… I’m not quite sure what I was expecting. Yet, when I got inside, all I saw was gold. There was gold scattered all throughout the entire cave, crowns, jewels, gems… yet not a single pony in sight.”

“I grew distraught and angry. I had come all this way for naught. Nothing I had done had left a mark on time, and Radiant was still dead. I… am rather ashamed to say I threw what you call a tantrum. I kicked gold, and was considering going out and punching the walls of the cave when I heard a small scratching. I turned to investigate, and there behind me was a bright blue dragon.”

“I was startled to be sure. It was rather small, compared to others, and its scales seemed to ripple like water. The dragon took one look around and roared, and I knew I would have to fight it. I looked around quickly for some sort of weapon, and saw a sword buried under one of the numerous piles of gold. I grabbed it quickly and held it up against the dragon. It began to say something, but I slashed it quickly, managing to cut one of its nearby paws. It screeched in pain, and deep green blood sprayed from the cut, getting into my eyes momentarily. My eyes seared in pain as the acidic blood burned at my eyes. I screamed in pain, dropping my sword and holding my eyes. The next I knew, I was flung by the monsters tail and hit the wall hard. I felt the wind knocked out of him as he hit the ground, gasping for air. I was certain I had just broken at least 2 ribs. The beast was strong.”

“I attempted to stand, but collapsed as the monster slashed at my hooves, cutting open my front hoof. I felt warm blood gush from my leg, and the edges of my sight began to fuzz over with blackness. The dragon walked to me, and said in a startling feminine voice ‘Why have you fought me, alien?’ Weakly, I responded, saying ‘I fight for love’. Without another word, I blacked out.”

The Past, Part 2

Page continued his tale of woe, ignoring everything else but the sound of his own voice, making sure to get each detail correct. “When I awoke, I was bound in bandages and lying in a study, surrounded by books. The dragon was curled up by a fire, and… there was no doubt about it, the thing was wearing reading glasses. I tried to sit up, but quickly disregarded that idea as there was a stabbing pain to my chest. Evidently, my ribs were broken badly. The dragon heard me stir and looked up from the book. ‘I see you are awake,’ she said. I nodded slightly, wincing at the pain. She saw my pain and walked over, glancing at my bandages. ‘Here, let me repair you,’ she said. I didn’t question the strange choice in words, but let her do… well, whatever it was she was about to do.”

“She leaned down over me and began to breathe on me, a cool ocean breeze seeming to spray over me. My muscles that had ached began to settle, and I felt my bones move as the watery spray formed a sort of healing cocoon around me. Slowly but surely, the water worked its healing magic on me, and I was perfectly healthy in a matter of minutes.”

“I sat up, smiling. ‘Thank you, miss,’ I said, flexing my hooves. She nodded. ‘You intrigued me, small creature. Most who have come to my cave have come looking for my gold, yet you say you fought for love.’ I nodded at this and began to tell her much the same story I have told you thus far.”

“She nodded as I finished my story. ‘So, you have come for the book of time.’ I looked somewhat puzzled, and just sighed. ‘I came to bring my love life again. I don’t care if it is in a book or painting or even a magic mirror. I just want my love back.’”

“Again, she nodded, and she turned to the fireplace. With a blast of icy breath, the fire was put out, revealing a secret panel behind where the flames had stood. ‘If you truly wish to know the secrets of time, then enter. I warn you, however, that time is not for us to manipulate to our wishes. Is this what you truly want?’ I nodded, standing and walking to the secret panel. ‘…I must have her back. May I ask, however, for your name?’ The dragon smiled slightly, which looked rather strange on such a formidable beast. ‘My name is Acurilius. May I ask yours?’ I nodded, gave her my name, and walked through the panel way.”

“Inside was a simple room with a single table and a small book. I walked over to the book, curious. How could so small a book hold all the secrets of time? On the top of the book was a small note written in peculiar curling writing. ‘Guard this book well,’ it had said, ‘for the moment you touch it, your life forever will be changed.’”

“I had been foolish. I grabbed the book, hoping beyond hope that it could somehow bring back my love; my life! The instant I touched the book, I gasped, unable to let go. I saw all of time, all of the universe, all in that instant. It was wonderful, magnificent… and terrifying. I saw my past, present and future. I lost myself in time itself, hearing the voice of the vortex, hearing the fabled drums, and seeing… I saw every lost opportunity, every broken promise… and every long lost love.”

“I dropped the book after that single instant in time that set in motion the rest of my life, falling to the floor and sobbing. I remember thinking ‘how could you have been so blind’ and many thoughts like it, but there was only one truth behind this folly. It was all my fault, all my own greed, and all my own love. I now knew all that was meant to happen in my life, and all that had been destined for me, though I had only seen a single face etched into the tear tracks of time. I saw her eyes, her face… everything about her screamed to me, like a siren blazing in my mind. It was painful at first, but with time I could gaze at that face with no pain.”

“I picked up the book, tears streaming down my face, and flicked through it. All the pages were blank. Yet, somehow, I knew how to use this book to bend time… and I knew I could never bend it the way I had always wanted. I could not undo the ultimate in life, death… and, I now knew why it had been her who died that day.”

“I saw my past, and I saw her protect me from the alien. I had been asleep, one of the few times I had slept, and she had found the alien in our house. She died fighting it back with light. In the moment I realized she had done this, I knew, even if I could bring her back, I would never be able to. If I brought her back, it would taint her sacrifice for me. I would never be able to love her the same way again, nor her I. My love… had died.”

“I packed up the book and my things, the dragon gone out again. She had left me with some healing water and bandages, in case I became hurt again on the way back home. I knew I would be able to help myself, however. I now had the book, and the very energy of the time vortex surged through my veins, boiling my blood.”

“I began my trek back to Ponyville and to my daughter. It seems, however, that my look into time itself had not warned me for what was to come.”

“I opened the door to our house, expecting to see my little filly asleep in her bed… and instead… I saw a full grown mare sitting on the couch, her eyes wide as she looked at me. I had not aged a day. It seems my look into the time vortex had suspended time around me for more than an instant. I had been gone for years, and I had left my Mistearia deserted. Yet another pony I failed.”

“I looked into her amethyst eyes one last time, and saw that the childish abandon had long since faded, and had been replaced with the hopelessness of a pony who had lived too long on a broken, aching heart.”

“Tear died while attacking me. She had a knife in her mane that she pulled out. She charged me and slashed at my neck, managing to nick me with it. I held the bleeding cut with my hoof, stemming the blood flow. I turned, ready to defend myself against yet another mare I had loved, but she collapsed as she lunged towards me once more. Her last words to me were about how I had betrayed her trust… and how I was no father of hers.”

“I left that place with my broken hearts throbbing, the drums beating away in my head. I drew the mare over and over again, unable to think about anything else but finding her…”

He turned to look at the tearful Winter, his eyes tired from saying all of this, finally speaking of his hidden past. “I fell in love with you, all those years ago, when I looked into my future. I didn’t know it then, but I fell deeply and far in love with you. And now… the drums have ended. I have finally met the real you, the one I’ve seen every second of every day. I love you, Winter, but I understand, if after knowing all of this, you hate me. How can anypony love one who has betrayed all he loved?”

The Past Comes Calling

Page put his head in his hooves, finally letting the dam of emotion he had held inside him all of these years burst. He sobbed into his hooves, not even caring if Winter saw.

Suddenly, she lifted his head up to hers and kissed him without another word. He was surprised, yet closed his eyes and kissed back, following her lead. She blushed slightly, smiling. As Page broke the kiss, he looked puzzled. “Y-you… can still love me? Even after you know all I have done?”

Winter nodded. “Of course, Page.” He smiled, his tears dwindling. “And I will never leave you.”

He smiled brighter, his tears already forgotten in her eyes. “Nor I you, Winter.”

She reached up and wiped away his last tear with her hoof, smiling. “I’m sorry I became so emotional,” he said, a slight blush on his face. She chuckled and replied, saying it was fine and laying her hoof on his. As they touched, he suddenly remembered. “Winter… When I looked into the time vortex, all those years ago… I also saw your past.”

Her eyes flashed with pain as he said this. They sat in silence for a few moments, and all she could say was a hesitant “O-oh…”

“… Do you want to talk about it, Winter?”

She replied with a quiet “Sure,” again, hesitantly. He smiled at her and continued to hold her hoof. She sighed and began to talk. “Mother was always so kind… she had no idea where father was… Dirty cheater father was…” She closed her eyes tightly, and Page began stroking her back lightly. She began to cry lightly. “I-if only I had gotten home faster, m-maybe I could have saved mom…”

Page replied with a simple “shhh,” holding her. Winter sniffed and laid her head on his chest, sighing. “At least she isn’t in pain anymore…” Page nodded and began to stroke her mane comfortingly. He knew he had to comfort her somehow.

Then, it dawned on him. It was an ancient spell, and one he could only use once. It took a lot of magic, but… if it was for her, he was willing to try it. “Winter… even if you had gotten to the cave in time…  I have seen possible timelines, Winter, and I could easily rewrite time so you saved her… but if I had, we would never have met.”

Winter nodded slightly. “I don’t regret meeting you…”

Page smiled slightly. “Nor I you… but…” She looked at him curiously, and he continued. “I know of a spell that could bring back a version of her.”

She sat up, surprised. “R-really?...”

He nodded. “It takes up much magic and it’s a tough spell, but it will let you speak to her for a few moments at least.”

“T-that would be nice…”

He nodded, but his face was grim. “One warning, Winter… She may not be the mare you remember… Death… changes you.” Her face was troubled as she thought over the consequences. “Do you want to take the chance?”

She nodded. She was willing to do this, if just to see her mother again. “Alright,” Page said as he picked up his quill. Slowly… he began to draw.

He began drawing the figure of a pony, accessing his memories of the vortex and the face of Winters mother, Sunrise Snow. His horn sparked with magic and the color of the ink began to change color, forming the coat and mane colors. Using even more magic, the picture began to move, seeming to walk to the edge of the portrait. Finally, in a burst of powerful magic, her hoof pushed through the parchment. Winter pulled on the hoof, and there stood her long dead mother, almost the same but for her paper-like fur.

Page struggled slightly, his face caught up in concentration. “Y-you can t-talk to her now, Winter.”

Winter nodded, turning to the figure of her mother. “…M-mom…”

“Shut it, Dear.”

Page’s eyes widened as he heard her mother say this. Oh no…

Sunrise moved close to Winter, lifting her chin roughly. Page struggled to stand under the magic he was creating. He heard Sunrise say “Pitiful excuse for a daughter,” and he glared at her, struggling to maintain the spell that Winter had wanted so much.

“G-get…a-away f-from… h-her,” he managed to breath out, already becoming exhausted.

Sunrise ignored him completely, glaring at Winter. “You misused your powers, darling. I can take them away with a little… snap.” That last word ran out like the crack of a whip, making both Page and Winter wince.

Page kept getting closer to the woman, sweating from the amount of magic he was using. “Y-you can n-not hurt her. T-that is…p-p-part of the spell.”

“Oh really?” As she said this, she began to rub the terrified Winters head, making a spot there glow.

Page gasped. “I-I can make you disappear if I just cut the spell!” He glanced at Winter, unsure about what to do.

“Too late.”

Slowly, Sunrise began to reach her hoof into her wide eyed daughters head. Page knew it was now or never and cut off the spell as quickly as possible, collapsing to one hoof in his weakness. Sunrise gasped, letting go of her daughter, allowing Winter to fall limply to the floor. She looked at her hooves which seemed to be turning black like the ink she was created from. Page grinned slightly, a cold, heartless grin. “G-go back to ink, bitch.”

Sunrise’s eyes were marred with rage, and she tried to charge Page. Right before she reached him, her entire body deteriorated, becoming a small pile of ink.

Page sat for a few moments, staring at the puddle of ink on the floor, when he heard Winter groan from the side of the room. Looking over, he saw her holding her head and crying. “W-winter…” Slowly he made his way to her side and hugged her. He could feel her shaking, and knew she was terrified. “D-damn it… she shouldn’t have been able to harm you like that…” These words had no affect on the sobbing mare. Page knew he had to comfort her, but his own emotions were running high. He heard himself thinking ‘you failed another one, Page’, and he knew his thoughts were correct. Yet, even if Winter had been hurt, he still loved her, and had to help her in this time of need.

Lying her head on his chest, he could think of only one thing that had always calmed those he loved. A single song, one Mistearia knew by heart, and one he had sang to her each night before bed, to ward off bad dreams. Softly and gently, he began to sing while stroking her mane, hoping this would help calm her down.

Toue Rei Zue Kuroa Ryuo Toue Zue

Kuroa Ryuo Zue Toue Ryuo Rei Neu Ryuo Zue

Va Rei Zue Toue Neu Toue Ryuo Toue Kuroa

Page felt his love slowly calm in his hooves, her shaking subsiding as she listened to that lullaby of old. He smiled, still stroking her mane, and continued.

Ryuo Rei Kuroa Ryuo Zue Rei Va Zue Rei

Va Neu Va Rei Va Neu Va Zue Rei

Kuroa Ryuo Kuroa Neu Toue Rei Kuroa Ryuo Zue Rei Va

Page felt that same euphoria he always felt while singing this song, holding Winter in his hooves. He suddenly felt clarity, and with all his love sang that last, hidden verse, hitting the notes and pitches perfectly, echoing his love for her.

Rei Va Neu Kuroa Toue Rei Rei

As he sang this last verse, his horn sparked with magic. His eyes widened in surprise as the corner of the room began to sparkle with his magic aura, forming the outline of a pony. The magic aura began to create eyes and color, until there stood a small filly, with those old yet familiar amethyst eyes. “T-tear…”

The image of Mistearia, young and loving, walked over to Winter and sat next to her. Winter was now fast asleep, curled up against Page’s chest. Tear lightly held Winters hoof, smiling lightly, then turned to Page.

“Tear…” Page didn’t know what to say. He had hurt this little filly. How would she react? Would she try and hurt Winter or him? Would she just run?

He wasn’t expecting her to hug him, but that’s exactly what happened. Tear hugged him tightly, then looked at his tearful eyes. She said just one sentence, and Page would remember it the rest of his life.

“Keep mommy safe.”

With one last glance at Winter, she disappeared into a magical mist, leaving Page to hold his love in his hooves. Page smiled slightly, knowing, somehow, that this meant he was forgiven. He picked Winter up in a bridal carry, took her to the bed and lied her down. After covering her up, he kissed her lightly. “Goodnight, my Winter.”

Proposal

Page was sitting next to the sleeping Winter, reading a small book. He glanced up as she sighed, waking up. “W-winter.” He sat up quickly, putting down the book. “Are you alright?”

Winter nodded slightly, a small smile on her face. “I-I’m fine, Page,” she said, happy he was so concerned.

Lightly he put his hoof on hers, holding it in his. His eyes were full of concern. “I-I’m sorry all of this happened…” Her smile brightened. “Are… you SURE you’re alright?”

Winter laughed slightly, sitting up. “J-just a little sore in my head.”

Page nodded, smiling. “I-I’m so relieved… I couldn’t stand to lose you.” Winter blushed slightly, smiling. Page looked at that smile and saw the mare, literally, of his dreams. He knew, in that moment, that he needed her.

“Winter…”

“Yeah?”

He paused slightly, a soft blush coming to his face. “I… wasn’t sure until now. I saw you get hurt, and… my entire existence screamed out at it. Winter… I never want to see you hurt again. I want to be by your side until the very end of time.” He knelt down  at the side of the bed, and in a burst of magic a ring box appeared in his hooves, causing Winter to gasp in surprise. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please, Winter, will you be my wife?”

He opened the ring box, revealing a beautiful ring. The sides of the ring had hourglasses engraved in it, and it seemed that the sands of time themselves were flowing through the intertwined figures. The jewel itself was a beautiful fractured sapphire diamond combination. The outer edges were defined in sapphires, and the middle portion with diamond. The ring shone with an unknowable beauty.

Winter jumped off of the bed and tackled him with a hug, her face shining with happiness. “Yes, a million times over, yes!”

He hugged her back, levitating the box to the desk. “I love you, my Winter.”

“I-I’m so happy,” she said, tears rolling down her bright face.

“And I never want to see you any other way.” With that sentence, he kissed her passionately, his other hoof behind her head, running through her mane. She blushed slightly, kissing back. He chuckled slightly, leaning next to her ear and whispering, “Perhaps this would be better on the bed.” Her blush furthered and she nodded, giggling.

Page grinned and picked up his fiancé in a bridal carry, kissing her again while she was in his hooves. Lightly, he laid her down on the bed, getting on top of her. He leaned down again, kissing her chest, and felt her bite his ear lightly. He gasped and moaned slightly, an intense blush coming to his face. “W-what a sexy moan,” she said, causing him to blush further.

He jumped slightly as he felt her hoof rub up against his flank, his face going a deeper shade of red as he panted slightly. “L-little eager, a-aren’t you?” She laughed slightly, her own blush bright. Leaning closer to her, he kissed the soft fur of her neck.

As she began to pant, he stole teasing bites to her neck. His hoof strayed down to her bottom hooves, lightly massaging them. She moaned under her breath, panting. “O-oh, Page,” she gasped out as he nibbled her ear playfully, his hoof still massaging. Lightly he began to move his hoof up higher.

He gasped and moaned as Winter began to suck his horn. “O-oh, gods, W-winter.” Each time he moaned, he massaged deeper, and each time he moaned, she sucked faster.

He moved his other hoof to her wings, stroking them as they pomfed out. She gasped as he moved faster and faster, and finally she orgasmed, moaning loudly. Panting, he grinned. “L-like it?” She nodded, moaning as he continued rubbing her soft, feathery wings. He kissed her chest lightly, and his hoof that was massaging her bottom hooves slowly moved up higher and higher, until it reached her mare hood.

She gasped as he slowly began to stroke her insides, still stroking her wings. Not letting him have all the fun, she began to suck his horn again, faster this time. He felt himself panting, and went further inside of her. She sucked faster and Page gasped. “W-winter, I-I-“ He gasped as he came, moaning.

Winter gasped as his warm cum dripped down onto her fur. “O-oh, gods, P-page!”

He got on top of her, kissing her passionately and taking his hooves off of her to hold himself up. She kissed him back, panting just as bad as him. “A-are you ready,” he panted out, still smiling. She nodded quickly, and Page could see the longing in her eyes. He grinned and began to push himself inside of her. She gasped and moaned under him as he went deeper and deeper inside of her. Slowly he began to grind against her, pushing himself far into her.

Both orgasmed many times as they moaned, until, hours later, he pushed into her one last time and came again, she doing the same. Laying on her, he panted awhile, then slowly began to pull himself out of her. She moaned slightly, pushing her head into the pillows.

He limply lay beside her, panting. She curled up on his chest, panting as well. “P-page… t-that w-w-was…”

He smiled, stroking her mane lightly. “I love you, Win.” She smiled lightly. “I love you too, Pagey.”

Together, they fell asleep on the bed, and drifted off into dreams of their soon to be married life.

Change for Love

Page was sitting at his desk, doodling a picture of his wife, Winter, and himself happily. They had been married for a month now, and couldn’t be happier. Still, Page felt Winter wanted something… and he knew he wasn’t able to give that something to her.

He glanced over to where his wife was reading. It was a small book about foals; how to take care of them and that sort of thing. He sighed inwardly, looking at how happy she was, thinking of having a foal.

She looked up at him. “Are you alright, sweetie?”

He smiled at her and walked over, curling up on the bed next to her. He kissed her lightly. “Just wondering what you were reading.”

She smiled and showed him the pictures of babies in the book. “Aren’t they adorable, Page?”

He nodded, thinking to himself. How to tell her? “Do you want anything from downstairs? I’m going to get some tea.”

She smiled at him. “Water is fine.” Nodding, he kissed her once more and walks downstairs.

When he reached the main lobby, he sighed, leaning against the wall. Diane glanced at him from the couch. “Are you okay?”

He shook his head sadly, walking to the kitchen and beginning to make tea. “I’m afraid that Winter wants a foal.”

Pinkie smiled brightly. “Afraid? Why would you be afraid of that? That sounds sweet.”

He sighed again. “That is just the problem, Diane. I’m a time lord. We can’t have foals with normal ponies.”

Diane’s eyes widened. “Oh… I didn’t know… have you told Winter?”

He shook his head, getting a bottle of water from the fridge. “I’m going to tell her when I go up.”

Pinkie thought for a moment. “I… may have a way for you to change.” He looked at her curiously. She continued, sipping her whiskey. “I once met a time lord. He linked his mind with mine, and… I learned of a machine that could change a time lord into a regular pony. It’s a painful process, but it is possible.”

His eyes shone with hope. “Do you have such a device?”

She nodded. “A version of it. There is a room in this inn that breaks reality. It can be filled with anything you can want. I could take you down there, but you should talk to Winter about it first.”

He nodded quickly, picking up the tea and the water. Quickly he trotted upstairs, walking back into their room. She smiled at him as he placed the tea and water on the nightstand. Lightly, he put his hoof on hers. “Winter… we need to have a bit of a talk.” She looked at him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “I… have been thinking of having a foal with you.” She gasped slightly, smiling, and he could tell he was right in thinking she wanted a child. He looked at her seriously. “However… there is one main problem with this. As I am a time lord, I cannot have children.”

She gasped slightly, her face sorrowful. He smiled now. “Yet, there may be a way. Diane says there is a machine that can change me.”

“C-change,” she asked, confused.

His smile brightened. “I would become a normal pony, yet I should still look and sound the same. What do you say, Winter?”

She smiled at him. “If I still get to keep my Page, then yes.”

He kissed her lightly, then helped her up. Together they walked downstairs to where Diane stood, waiting. “I take it you both agreed?” They nodded and she smiled. “Follow me, then.” Together, the three ponies walked down to the basement and to a small door.

Putting her hoof on the knob, Diane concentrated on what she wanted to see inside. With a small sigh, she opened the door, revealing a room with a large machine in the middle. The machine looked complicated and altogether looked as though it was made to inflict pain.

Diane looked at Page and Winter’s mortified faces, glancing at this seeming torture device. “I know, it looks horrible, but that’s because… I’m not going to lie, Page, this will hurt like hell.”

Page swallowed once, nodding. “Alright…” Winter looked at him, worried.

Pinkie looked at him closely. “Do you still want to do this?”

Page nodded, glancing at his wife. “I will go though any amount of pain for my family.” She smiled and kissed him again.

Pinkie nodded. “Alright, Page, I’ll need you to sit here.” She gestured to where there seemed to be a chair on the machine. He nodded and walked over, sitting in the chair.

As she began to strap him into the machine, he glanced at her. “Diane, is this safe?”

She looked back at him. “Not in the slightest.”

He nodded. “…Oh.”

“Diane,” Winter said. “If he dies, you’re next.”

Page chuckled, and Diane turned to Winter. “Don’t worry, if he dies, he’ll just regenerate.”

There was a small period of silence as he was strapped in the rest of the way. “Alright,” Diane said. “Now, I suggest we leave him alone. This is a very painful process.” Winter nodded and walked out of the room. Pinkie walked to the switch, took one glance at Page, and said in a soft voice, “Good Luck.” With those words, she started the machine.

Quickly she walked out of the room and closed the door tightly, blocking the knob from Winter. “What are you doing?” Winter asked.

Pinkie sighed. “You’ll hear.”

Winter looked confused for a moment, and stood in silence. They heard the machine begin to power up, and a slight whirling as the machine began… that’s when the screams started.

Winters eyes widened with tears as her loved one screamed in sheer agony. His screams sounded as though someone had set his blood on fire, causing his mind and body to boil in the heat. “P-Pagey?!” Pinkie kept her body in front of the door, making sure Winter stayed out of the room where this horror was taking place.

The screams worsened as time went on. At one heart stopping moment, he screamed Winters name in anguish. Winter tried to push Pinkie out of the way, but Diane was strong. Then… silence.

The sudden silence was deafening. It was like snowfall, or fallen tears. Not a sound came from inside the door. Winter looked at Pinkie in fear. Pinkie began to move out of the way, her face grim, until Winter grabbed her and pushed her out of the way, nearly broke down the door and ran inside.

In the chair, Page was limp as a ragdoll, his eyes closed and the tracks of his tears still etched on his face. Winter grabbed his hoof, tears rolling down her face. “P-pagey, wake up… P-please…” She continued to shake his hoof, her voice cracking. “M-my Page Turner… W-wake up…”

And then she kissed him, hoping beyond hope that she would see her husband one last time.

With a gasp, he opened his eyes, now a stunning cold blue. He breathed out golden regeneration energy, the last he would ever see, and sighed, looking at his wife weakly. They stared into each other’s eyes for a period of time, before he weakly smiled. “Win…ter…”

She lightly put her head under his. “It’s alright, Page… I’m here now…”

He smiled and closed his eyes again, knowing his family would forever be by his side… and he no longer had need to fear in himself.

Sneak Preview?!?!

Page laid on his bed, his face a storm cloud in his sleep. Sweat beaded up on his brow as the dream continued. Her voice… god, the voice haunted him with a never ending chill…

“Why didn’t you come for me, Turner?”

He screamed, sitting up quickly. His eyes were wide from the voice he had heard… it had sounded like she was right next to him… He wiped the sweat from his face, panting from the nightmare. Turning to the side, he saw his wife lying next to him, fast asleep. She hadn’t awoken to his scream. He smiled softly at his wife’s enlarged stomach. She was about 8 months along now, getting close to the due date.

Page shifted his weight off of the bed, standing. He walked quietly to the side room, peeking his head in. Inside was a small filly, sound asleep. She was peaceful and dreaming. Page smiled lightly at his daughter. She was a few years old now, around 5. She was so excited to have a little brother on the way…

Page trotted downstairs to the lobby, trying to set his mind at ease after the dream. He walked outside into the moonlight, watching the stars. He had travelled those stars long ago, traversing the wonders of the galaxies. He hadn’t been up there in a long time. He remembered when he was a small child on Gallopfrey, he had thought the stars were ponies who had died. He laughed now. “How ridiculous an idea…”

He looked up at the stars, his laughter dying on his lips. The dead… forever shining above them and looking over them. He sighed softly and turned his head away from the sky. He had loved her… but the voice he had heard tonight was not Radiant’s. It had been but a dream. He had also found new love, here at the inn. He smiled, thinking of his wife. Winter was the love of his life…

Page turned and walked inside, setting his mind at ease for the night. His wife would awake the next morning and he would make her breakfast. He smiled as he glanced once more at the sky before shutting the door…

As the door shut, his eyes were away from the sky. Because of that, he never saw the shooting star nearing equestria…

Prelude of the Past

Winter walked down the stairs in a daze, holding the snowflake close to her heart, feeling confused and wonderful all at the same time. She dimly noticed her cutie mark flashing slightly, and for some reason this didn’t concern her much.

She sat next to Pinkie on the couch, and Pinkie looked closely at her cutie mark. “…Winter, why is it…”

Winter shook her head slowly, and was dimly aware of herself saying “I don’t know what it’s doing.”

Pinkie knew that things like this didn’t happen without a reason. She glanced at the picture, and she understood. “Winter, what was your cutie mark before?”

Winter thought for a moment. “…C-claw marks…”

Pinkie nodded. “Now, I see that as Pain. Is your talent Pain?”

Winter nodded hesitantly, as though not even that was certain anymore. Pinkie smiled slightly and showed her the dimly glowing picture. “…Or is your talent Beauty?”

There was a bright flash as her cutie mark disappeared and the paper lost its beautiful picture, the snowflake now adorning her flank. She dropped the blank paper, her eyes wide and tearful.

Upstairs, Page dropped his quill, his mind nearly shutting down. “W-winter,” he said, feeling the change in the mare, knowing what had happened before it truly dawned on the mare herself. He felt tears fall from his eyes, staining and wrinkling the paper he had been working on, smudging the now forgotten picture. He had finally done what he had set out to do.

He heard a small knock at the door, and somehow he knew instantly who it was. “…Y-you are always welcome, Winter.”

He made no move to wipe away his joyful tears as Winter ran in and hugged him tightly. She said through her own tears “T-thank you,” sobbing yet smiling brightly. He lightly stroked her mane, responding. “W-winter, do not thank me… I-I did this b-because…” Lightly, he lifted her head up to look into her violet eyes. If he must say it, now would be the time. “… I love you, Winter.”

Her eyes lit up as he said this, and Page knew what she would say next… and what he needed to say afterwards.

“P-page, I love you too.”

He was silent for a moment, preparing himself for what came next. “…P-please, sit down,” he said, giving her some room next to him. She nodded and sat beside him. He closed his eyes so she couldn’t see the deepness of his sorrow. He sighed deeply, knowing this had to be said. “…Its time you learned about my past.” She nodded… and his story began.

Epilogue

Page was sitting at his desk, his cold blue eyes sparkling with happiness. It had been a wonderful day. The sun shone brightly that day, and they had watched the sun set on the hill by Sugar Cube Corner. He glanced over at his wife. She was lying on the bed, practically glowing, her stomach almost as big as her head. She was a few months along now, and Page couldn’t be happier about this. Winter looked up from her book to glance at her husband. “What are you looking at?”

He chuckled and sat next to her. “Just looking at my lovely wife.” He kissed her lovingly, causing her to blush lightly.

She sat up, groaning slightly. “Oh, god, my back hurts.” He smiled and began to massage her lightly, causing her to sigh in relief. “Oh, thank you, Pagey.”

He smiled. “Anything for my Winter.” He kissed her again and held it for awhile, both of them blushing.

“Mommy!!” Page broke the kiss as a little Pegasus filly ran into the room, sobbing.

“Gale? What on earth has you crying so much,” he asked, confused.

The filly, Gale Measure, looked up at Page, sniffing. Her eyes shone with tears, and there was a determined frown on her face. “D-daddy, I had a bad dream!”

He sighed and picked her up, holding her close. He lightly stroked his daughter’s mane. “It’s alright, sweetie. It was just a nightmare.”

She laid her head on his chest, listening to his peaceful heartbeat. He smiled lightly, letting her listen to his – single – heart. Slowly she began to calm down. “I-I had a nightmare that mommy died because of my brother…”

Winter sighed lightly, a small smile on her face. “Sweetie, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Page tickled Gale lightly, causing her to giggle. “And Mommy won’t die, cause Daddy will always protect her.”

Gale glanced at Page, still giggling through her tears. “Daddy, how would you protect her?”

Page smiled lovingly at his little girl. “Maybe I’ll tell you the story of how we met and what I can do when you get a bit older.” Lightly he tussled her mane, smiling at Winter.

Gale fixed her mane, then glanced at her mother. Crawling over to her, she laid a tiny hoof on her stomach. She gasped slightly, her eyes filled with childish wonder. “Mommy, your tummy kicked me!”

Both Page and Winter chuckled, looking into each other’s eyes.

It had been years since they had first met, and now… their story is done.