What Path to Choose

“Hi Everypony Twilight Sparkle here again. So now that you got to see a little more of his past its time to get back to the main Story enjoy!”

“Wait! Now you have me wanting to know what happened before too. Twilight you can’t just have the Author switching back and forth on us.”

Sigh “Pinkie….be quiet…enjoy everypony!”

Drako had just finished telling Twilight and Derpy about what he just saw over at Sweet Apple Acers. The look on both of their faces was nothing short of shocking. They looked at each other then back at him and finally it was Twilight who spoke “Drako I’m not surprised by this really. I had a feeling something was going on with Applejack and Rainbow Dash for a long time now. When you came back to town and moved in with Rainbow she stopped talking to Applejack. When that happened I figured this was why.”

“Why didn’t she just tell me and I wouldn’t have made her life such a mess again. Everything was perfectly fine until I showed up. Rainbow was happy, Scootaloo was happy, and Derpy you were too.”

Derpy laughed a little at this and said “Happy maybe, but you coming back didn’t make us unhappy, it just changed things a little. Doctor Whooves was a good guy before yes but sooner or later his mean side would have shown up. If it wasn’t for you showing up it would have been from someone else. Scootaloo is happier since you came back trust me on that one, and as for Rainbow Dash that was her own fault not yours. But you can’t be to mad at her either because you both have made your own bad choices over the years.”

“I’m not mad, I’m hurt. I mean after I saw that it made me wonder why I even came back here.”

“If I remember properly.” Started Twilight “You came back here with Princess Luna as her guard. You didn’t come here to find your old friends and family that just happened my mistake. You did however step up and stayed.”

He smiled at that and wiped his tears away “I guess your right but what do I do now?”

“You talk with Rainbow and work this out. Don’t run away like you did before.” Said Derpy

“I guess your right but at the moment I can’t face her.”

“Well you’re free to stay here for now if you want unless you wanted to stay with Princess Luna. She told me she keeps a room for you in case you need it.” Said Twilight

“At the moment I am not sure I want to be around her too.”

“Why what happened.” Said Twilight almost sounding panicked

“Nothing bad just something I found out is all.” He said then thought about something “Hey Twilight you’re really book smart right?”

“I am why do you ask?”

“Have you ever heard of a spell or something like it that can change a pony into an Alicorn?” asked Drako

Before she could answer Derpy yawned and said “If you two don’t mind I have to get back to Dinky before it gets any later Lyra is babysitting and I don’t need my fillies head filled with wild ideas. If you need a room to stay at, my house is always open but think first before you come over. Don’t need Dash thinking we were messing around now.”

He laughed and said “Yeah I hear yah. Thanks again Derp and say hi to the little one for me.”

With that she left and finally Twilight was able to say “Well if what you’re asking is what I think you are, then I have read something about it before.” She used her magic to pull down an old text book from one of her shelves “This book was given to me by the Princess when I first moved in. I found most of it be really boring which is funny because I normally like anything I read. But one chapter did interest me.”

The book was old and wrapped in leather; bold words over it said Royal traditions and Regulations. She opened it to a chapter that was headed with Transformations of the Royal Marriage.

“That is an odd title.” He said

“It’s an odd book too and this chapter is all about what you just asked. What it says is that even though it is not known for sure, there are rumors about the royal weddings. Since the two rulers have not been married for so long no one knows much about what happens when they are. I know that nothing happened when my brother married princess Cadence but she isn’t a ruler of Equestria and in charge of the land.”

“I didn’t know you had a brother.” Said Drako finding the conversation relaxing

“Yes he is the captain of the royal guard…”

“Shining Armor is your brother?”

“Yes do you know him?”

“I do. I bested him on his Trail’s every time.”

“Oh so you’re the one he complained about. Good thing too it kept him on the tips of his hooves.” She laughed

“Well good.”

She smiled and went back to the book “Well as I was saying. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have not been married or not that we know of, but it is said that there are certain ponies out there that show signs of being the perfect match for them. When this match is found a special ceremony is held during the wedding and it is said that the pony is transformed into an Alicorn. But it is also said that this pony has to be tested and have knowledge of great magic first before he or she can be turned into one. If not the pony will either not transform or…well…die.”

He shuddered at that “Well it does sound a little silly to me.”

“It does to me too but I have seen odder things in my life I mean look at Nightmare Moon. She was Princess Luna but also she had her own mind in a way. One pony became two out of sadness and jealously. Who’s to say a pony can’t be transformed into an Alicorn.” She stopped at that and looked at Drako “Wait a second you are to be married to Princess Luna soon…did she say something about this to you?”

“She did but I was hoping it was just a joke like something her sister would do to me. But Luna really isn’t the joking type.”

“She can be but not like Princess Celestia is. You seemed worried to me, Isn’t this kind of a good thing in its own way. If you get married to her you’ll become like she is and you’ll have a long life. It something not all pony’s can say, also you’ll be extremely powerful since Alicorn’s are some of the most powerful magic users in the world.” Said Twilight looking a little jealous as she spoke

“Yes but it also means giving up on who I am too. Becoming an Alicorn would be cool yes, but I would also have to say good bye again to my sister and to Dash and everyone else. I’m tired of leaving all the time, ever since I took that job from Celestia my life has been nothing but fighting and traveling.”

“But I thought you worked mostly with the blacksmiths and the border guard before? There isn’t much fighting with that Drako or Traveling.”

“If I could tell you the truth about me I would but let’s just leave it at that.”

“Are you a member of the C.P.S.F.? Drako…I hope so or I’ll have to wipe what I just said from your memory.”

“Wait a second how do you know about them?”

She laughed at that “I’m the Princess’s most faithful and trusted Student I know just about everything about the Canterlot Guard and having a brother like I do that helps too. That means you really are a strong pony I know only a few ponies ever join.”

“I don’t really want to talk about them right now. We didn’t break off on such good terms.”

“I understand. Anyway what are you going to do tonight?” she asked

“I will get up and head home. I think I should talk with Dash and fix this before it gets out of hand. I could have missed something, I am not sure but I am not going to run away, not this time.” he said standing up tall

“Good for you Drako Moon.” Said Twilight smiling at him

“Thanks again Ms Sparkle and if you don’t mind can you keep the Alicorn thing to yourself for now. It’s not something I would like to have flouting around at the moment.”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” She said giggling

He frowned and shook his head walking away with a quick “You Ponyville ponies are really weird.”

She giggled and winked “You don’t know the half of it.”

Drako just shook his head and walked out the door. The rain had started to die down at this point. Only a little drizzle was falling now and the sky was starting to get light. He shook his head and started to make his way home thoughts of Dash and what he saw with Applejack still running through his head.

As he was making his way home a pony caught his eye. He looked toward the pony and after a moment noticed it was Applejack. At first he wanted to avoid her but she was standing in the middle of the road blocking his way home. He could have flown over her but he knew that wouldn’t have worked for long. So with a sigh he walked over to her.

“Hello Applejack.”

“Howdy Drako, you’re out mighty earlier.”

“I could say the same for you.” He said forcing a smile

“I recon it’s growing up on the farm, you get used to getting up with the sun.”

There was a moment of silence then Drako finally said “So what brings you to town so early AJ?”

She looked around nervously then said in a low voice “Yah think we can talk somewhere more privet Drako?”

“I don’t see why not, lead the way.” He said a little confused

She led him off a little out of town to a small grove of trees where there was a small pound. She sat down looking at the water waiting for him. After a moment he sat himself next to her and waited. It was a long while before she opened her mouth and said slowly “Do you remember the day Dash and you met me?”

“Yeah it was a few years ago, Dash wanted to get away from Cloudsdale for a day. We flew down here and landed in Sweet Apple Acres. We ended up talking for a long time.” Said Drako

“Yep that’s the day. May come as a shock to you but when I first saw Rainbow Dash I was taken aback by her beauty.” Said Applejack blushing some “At the time I really didn’t know that I liked mares but I was starting to feel it. Something about her just took my heart away. I wanted you two to stay and talk with me all day just so I could listen to her. But you left and I thought that would be the end of it.”

“Applejack what is this about?” Drako asked even though he was sure he knew

“I’m gettin’ to it.” She said still not looking at him “See Sugarcube, A few years later when I was more aware of who I was Rainbow Dash came to Ponyville with your sister. I thought it was some kind of sign but I told myself I was beein silly. But over time her and I got to talking and became friends then once Twilight came and we found out we were the spirits of Harmony I knew there was something behind it all. Dash and I got really close after that.”

He stopped her at that and said “AJ, I know how you feel about Dash I overheard…”

“Drako I said let me finish ok?”

He closed his mouth and nodded

“You see about a year ago I told her how I felt and to my surprise she felt the same. We started dating in secret. We didn’t want to tell our friends right away just in case something didn’t work out. Also Dash didn’t want Scoot getting mad or anything. I thought everything was ok and we were going to tell our friends and move in together. Dash said she would help with the farm and get out of that sky patrol job. I was going to help her realize her dream of joining the wonder bolts.” Applejack said tears in her eyes now and she continued “Then you came back and Dash changed. Before I knew it she was not speakin to me. She was with you and acting like nothing happened between us.”

“I had no idea AJ and I wouldn’t have taken her away if I had known. That night I went to talk to her so I could clear the air. She had been mad at me for what I did with Scoot and I wanted to fix that.” He said putting a hoof on her shoulder

“I know that, and I know you were the one who was watchin us last night in the rain. I took her aside because I knew you would be with Princess Luna. All I wanted was an answer for why she did this to me.” Applejack was crying harder now as she looked at him “I don’t want you to think I was trying to steal her back no matter how it may have sounded but when she kissed me last night I knew she was still in love with me and fighting herself to pull away.”

He let his hoof fall as his fears were realized. He was telling himself that Applejack had kissed Dash but now he know the truth. He felt hot tears falling as he said “So what do you want me to do…just leave my sister again and Dash so you can have her back?”

“I’m asking you to look at what’s best for the mare you love. You can’t tell me you don’t have feelings for the Princess or Derpy. I can see it when you’re with them. You don’t have to leave you know Scootaloo is your sister and as long as you stay in Ponyville so she can be around her friends I’m sure she’ll be fine.” Said Applejack

“What you’re asking of me is something I don’t want to do Applejack. Yes I do have feelings for Derpy still and the Princess but I am with Dash and I love her and can’t let her down. I…I don’t want to go back to what I was before.” He said remembering his missions in the C.P.S.F.

“Then at least talk with her and see what she wants and your sister and whoever else you need too, just don’t let this go. You’re on the wrong path with your life Drako Moon and I can see it.”

He got up at this point and looked at her with anger filled eyes “You have no idea who I am or what I went though so I could keep my family safe and all of you. And you have no idea how I feel or what is right for me…just…leave me along Applejack.” And with that he took off before she could say anything else

Applejack watched him leave tears in her eyes. After a moment there was a flash of light. Applejack looked over and saw Princess Celestia standing there looking down at her. She sniffed and said to the sun princess “I hope ya’ll are right about this. I may have made him hate me just now.”

“You do want Rainbow Dash back don’t you Applejack?”

“I do but not at the price of his feelings or friendship.”

“He’ll be fine, he doesn’t know how he feels about her right now. He only is holding on to the past. You did a good job Applejack and I am truly sorry about making you do this. But it is the right thing.” Said Celestia

“If you say so…”

Back at their home Drako landed outside the tree and after a moment walked in. At first he thought the place was empty but after a moment Rainbow Dash came out from the living room. Her eyes were red and puffy as though she had been crying. She smiled anyway at him and kissed him saying “Hello Drako you got home later than I thought you would.”

“Dash…we need to talk.”

She looked away “Yeah…I know…”

He walked into the living room then said “Do you love me…I mean truly love me?”

She started to tear up again as she said “I do…but…I have feelings for Applejack too…before you came back here I was in a secret relationship with her. A relationship I gave up on when you showed back up in my life. Don’t get me wrong I was happy when you came back and I am happy. But last night after I talked with Applejack I realized I had feelings for her still.”

“I know…I saw you two last night. I heard what you said to her and saw you kiss her. I’m just so confused by what I saw…I thought we were fine.”

“Drako we are…it has nothing to do with you it was just my emotions getting the best of me. I stopped myself after a moment when I realized what I had done. I am so sorry about that and it won’t happen again. I told Applejack after that we needed to stop and she had to realize I’m with you now.”

“Wait you told her you wanted to be with me and not her?” said Drako a little shocked

“Yes of course. I mean yeah I do love her dearly and I will always love her but not like I love you. You should understand what I mean. I know how you feel about Derpy still but you chose to stay with me and not try and get back with her. I love you just like that.” She said crying more

Tears filled his eyes up too as he nuzzled her “I love you too Dash and I know what you mean. I also know what it’s like to fight those feelings. I…I was scared I had lost you when I saw you kissing her and I almost lost it.”

“I would never leave you Drako.” She said crying into his shoulder

He nuzzled her again and smiled “I’m happy to hear that.”

“So you forgive me?”

“I do. Now come on let’s get upstairs and get some rest. We both look like we had a long night.”

“That sounds nice…after…after I show you how much I love you.”

“What do you mean?” he asked

She turned around at that and shook her rear slowly walking up the steps “Oh…you’ll see.” He smiled and followed her up the stairs and into their room.

Not far away in the house Luna lived in as her summer home stood Celestia and two other ponies. One was her sister looking a little sad as she looked up at Celestia, the other one was Silverwing Drako’s former commander and still leader of the C.P.S.P. She stood straight up and said “Why did you call me here to this small town Princess?”

“Silverwing I’m glad you came.” Said Celestia “You remember Night Stalker don’t you?”

“Yeah, he was one of my best fighters, that is, until you ordered him to be your sister’s guard that is.” She said bowing to Luna “I didn’t mean to offend your Majesty.”

Luna looked away and said “It’s…fine.”

“Luna I know you asked me a few times to re-think my decision on Drako but I can’t. You know there is more to this than finding you a stallion. Equestria itself may be in danger.”

“I remember sister and I have decided to take your side on this. I have started…having feelings for him. But my only concern is Drako’s little sister Scootaloo. It will devastate her to lose her brother again.” Said Luna

“We will cross that bridge when it comes.” Said Celestia then she looked at Silverwing “The plan I told you about a year ago do you remember it?”

“Yes ma’am!”

“Silverwing it is time to start. I’m leaving this up to you and your team.”

“We won’t let you down your highness. What should we do about Night Stalker though if he won’t go down the path you chose for him?” asked Silverwing

“If you follow the plan I laid out then you won’t have that problem.” She said then she turned back to Luna “I love you sister make sure you stay safe and happy.” And with that she vanished

Silverwing relaxed at that then looked at Luna “Are you sure we should let her do this your Highness?”

“I…I don’t know anymore Silver but I do know that I do have feelings for Drako…and I know I want to at least try to win his heart. Now go and do as you were told.”

“Yes ma’am.” Said Silverwing not as loud as before then she made her way out of the house.

Back at Drako’s house he had just finished up with Dash and was about to head into the shower to clean up when he heard a knock at the door. He made his way down wondering who would be at the door this early in the morning. The pony at the door knocked again and he said “yeah, yeah I hear yah I’m coming ok.”

He opened the door and his face went blank as he saw who was standing in front of him. Silverwing smiled and winked “Hello Night Stalker, did you miss me?…”