The fight for Equestria

　　Published Edit: 5/18/15

The throne room within the Castle at Canterlot had been cleared of most ponies who came day after day to bring issues, and propositions to the sisters. Not even guards were permitted within the throne room this day. The only ones today aside from Celestia were the mane six and one small foal. Luna had returned just as they had all arrived with no report from the Everfree. Whatever had caught their attention seemed to have vanished, until she heard the explosion in Ponyville. Luna had seen Celestia and the others leaving and had scoured the area with the royal guards, still to come up empty hoofed.

Luna, after her rush of adrenaline, had retired to her bedchambers seeking rest before her night was due.

“So, Flash had explained that this foal had arrived from a hole, a portal within your own castle?” Celestia asked.

“Yes, I though at first this had to be some sort of antic Discord decided to pull on us, for whatever reason.”

“Well yes, portals from nowhere does seem like something he would do. But taking a foal? I do not believe even Discord would stoop that low. Yes, he has tried multiple times to take over Equestria, even helped Tirek, but he never went after foals.”

“Oh, no. Discord once expressed to me, that he could never, ever hurt a foal.” Fluttershy interjected, not being too far away from the conversation.

The other mares had been only a short distance away, keeping a close eye on the little foal, now wingless. He enjoyed running around the throne room and the mares with Pinkie chasing after him. His laughter was the only sound that echoed through the large room, somehow bringing something cheerful to the now otherwise seemingly oppressive space.

“Then, perhaps, we can place our full trust in him enough to not have him as a suspect. But, I must admit, it does bother me. How can a portal appear out of nowhere, and a foal as well. And this stallion I saw, do any of you know who he is?” Celestia looked to all the ponies present. Each in turn shook their heads. None had ever seen a large stallion with pure black fur, and a gray mane and tail with a black heart cutie mark.

“We also have found no trace of parents missing any children. I had thought for sure, that if a parent had a natural Alicorn child, we would know.” Twilight added.

“Yes, that is also another mystery all its own. I must admit, this is bringing up so many questions. For now, though, it would be best to answer the simplest of questions. Finding a home for this foal.” Celestia began to pace as she brought this thought about.

It had kind of caught Twilight by surprise, she actually had not thought of this yet, a foal with no known home, or parents would definitely need to be taken care of. A place where he would have enough room, someplace where he can easily learn and grow, a nice school, a good community. Then it hit her, it seemed so simple, there was only one small problem she could see, but she knew there would be help for that.

“I can take him to live with me. I can watch over him until we do in time find his parents.” Twilight offered.

There was silence now, Celestia stopped her pacing to look over at Twilight.

“Twilight, are you sure? Are you sure you can handle responsibility like this?”

“Well, I more or less raised Spike.”

“Uh, sugarcube, are you sure, this is a good idea?”

“What is most important right now, at this very moment, is making sure this foal has a place to live, a roof over his head, somepony who will care for him, watch out for him. Someplace he will have plenty of space to grow, a good school, a good community, and plenty of friends. There is no better place I can think of than right in our own home in Ponyville. My castle is large enough to house, well really plenty of families all at once, and still have room for all the guard and still more room. I also know that everypony is Ponyville are very close almost like one large family in of itself, I have amazing friends who I know I can rely on, I want him to have that same chance.”

Everypony stared at Twilight open mouthed, while Celestia smiled, “Well, my little pony, it seems you have actually thought this through. But it is still a very big responsibility, on top of being the princess of Friendship. Aside from that, I do not think we could have a better pony than you to watch over this foal.” Celestia stated as she moved to Twilight and rested a large soft white wing over her former student. One, if she were to admit, was almost like a daughter to her.

“Hey, where is the little foal, anyways?” Applejack asked taking a moment to look around. It was then that everypony noticed how absolutely still Pinkie Pie was, her eyes wide, and staring vacantly.

Pinkie began to shiver for a moment, her thick curly mass of mane also began to move. Everypony shared a look before turning back to her, as her body began to shake all over.

“Pinkie...?” Twilight began when suddenly she stopped.

“I claim this as Mount Fluffy!” The little colt said as he sprang forward from the top of Pinkie’s mane.

“Quick, get him, it tickles.” Pinkie said as she began to lose her composure trying to fight falling over into hysterics.

Twilight laughed out loud and used her magic to remove the colt from her mess of a mane, after which, Pinkie fell backwards laughing so hard she began to shed tears.

“So, what’s his name?” Fluttershy asked.

“Uh, Colt?” Twilight offered.

“That name, needs to be at least twenty percent cooler.” Rainbow Dash deadpanned.

“For now, it is a fine name until we get everything situated. I will say this, though, if the parents of ‘Colt’ do not come forward, or we cannot find them in that time, then by decree of the law, you can officially become his mother. A new permanent resident of Ponyville, and your son, Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia said.

“OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! We have a new pony, time to PAR-TAY!” Pinkie gushed.

“My, son...” Twilight repeated quietly to herself. This was a moment that literally left her breathless with the meaning, as everything dawned on her.

“Uh, Pinkie, we are all for parties, but after yesterday, how about we wait until we get back home and just have a small celebration, darling?” Rarity asked.

The others began to move towards the doors, as Twilight was rooted to the spot, the shock of what had just happened still held her in a strong grip.

“Twilight? Is something the matter?” Celestia asked, concern evident in her voice.

“I just... I never thought about something like this. Having a foal, I mean. With everything else that has happened in my life, I never, ever came close to thinking of having a little one of my own. I mean, it is true it’s so much responsibility raising a pony. I...”

Celestia wrapped a hoof around Twilight, holding her close, comforting her in her state of shock. “Think of this as a test, Twilight, to show if you are ready. I think you are, or else you would not have offered the strong argument you did to help this foal. You were right when you said how good Ponyville was for you, and how good it will be for Colt. You have been a very big part of my life, Twilight, I have seen you grow from a foal, yourself. And when I sent you to Ponyville, you kept growing, you have become a wonderful, and strong Mare in my eyes, and in the eyes of so many others. You can do this, and you have more than just your friends for support. You have your mother, and even I to help you. Do not let yourself despair. You have made a wonderful and noble choice. This too will help you to grow, and become stronger.”

Twilight could not help but to look up at Celestia with a few tears in her eyes. “Thank you.”

As the day wore on, and evening began to fall, all seven ponies made their way onto the last train bound for ponyville. Celestia had accompanied them to the station, and waited until they were off. Once they went around the first bend to vanish on the tracks around the mountain, she spread her wings and lifted herself into the air, headed back to the castle, with her six pegasi guards.

Luna was just making herself comfortable as Celestia entered. “Ah, Sister, I thank thee for helping to raise the moon. So, how did everything go?”

“It’s a long story, Luna.”

“Then share, sister, I am already seated for any shock which may come.”

“Twilight has a foal now.”

Luna stared open mouthed at Celestia, before shaking her head, “Nay, thou surely jests with us.”

Celestia sat back on her haunches and just looked to the side, she had a lot on her mind, and she needed Luna to understand everything.

“How?” Was all Luna could say.

Celestia began explaining everything in short order, without detail, so as to save time and keep straight to the point.

“Perhaps this black hearted stallion was the one we sensed?” Luna offered, once Celestia had finished.

“Who, or whatever this stallion is, is extremely dangerous. The sense of something dark emanating from him, it left a cold chill down my spine. I haven’t felt something like this, since-”

“Since before we came to rule.” Luna finished, her eyes wide. It seemed impossible for her to witness her sister afraid of something, but here it was. A stallion, with power they had never experienced before, and knew nothing about. That had always been her sisters greatest ally, knowledge.

“Sister, I have a feeling this foal has something to do with this new threat.”

Luna tilted her head in confusion, “How is that?”

Celestia shook her head, her eyes were drooping, she was so tired.

“We will try and speak more of this tomorrow. I am trying to form a plan on how we can keep a better eye out for this stallion. We will need to call the Wonderbolts back to their true duties to the crown, and we will need another. The element of Loyalty.”

Luna raised an eyebrow before nodding to her sister. Celestia excused herself and left the throne room to retire to her bedchambers. Her wings folded, Celestia took a deep breath before holding her head high, and offering a prayer that her suspicions were wrong. She now feared for her little ponies, most of all, Twilight Sparkle.

The forest had changed, it was still fairly dark, and wild from his manifestations into it previously, but still something had been changing over the centuries. The forest held its own power, something he had not been aware of before and it was changing the forest back to what it had been before he changed it. The areas where it felt strongest, made him sick, more so, the closer he got to the castle of the two sisters. He decided to remain as far from it as possible. There was nothing there, as far as he could sense.

He moved on deeper, it was easier now that the guards and the sister of night had left the forest. He momentarily wondered how it was that the sister of the night was able to return, and when. Another thing at that moment that did not matter.

What did matter, was the pain in his body, already it was tired, and hungry. So much to trade for the use of so little power that had been used in his escape. It was a new body, yet at the same time, it wasn’t his his own. At least compared to the old one he head once long before. He remembered his form, was larger, blacker than shadow, even night. His children swept out over the land bringing cold misery to ponies when they were found. Easily allowing him to feed. It had once been so plentiful, but none were quite like his three daughters, stupid though they were.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts. His mind was in shock, bringing up old memories to try and cope with the body it was now commanding. He struggled through trees, shrubbery, and vines thick like jungle, through a swamp, and further. Soon he came to the thickest part of the forest, some miles from the castle.

Collapsing against a thick trunk, Blackheart waited, trying to control his breathing, and rest. The tree, he noted, was held somewhat higher than most of the others, its roots so strong held the full weight of the tree above the ground, yet still thick gnarled roots sunk deep into the ground feeding and taking what was needed to live. The ground around it, and the roots felt damp, most all the way around the bark and roots alike were covered with thick green moss. He saw then that there was a large comfortable hollowed out piece of Earth under the tree. Removing some of the moss he was able to make a moderate hole to crawl through.

The fresh compact dirt filled his nostrils it was soft, something his body would need only for the time being. He had to find a way to restore his body to its former glory and find more sustenance. As he laid his head down, he heard something.

Raising up he looked around through the hole to the shadowed forest beyond. Nothing seemed to move, but the leaves swaying in a gentle breeze The distant sounds of birds was all he could hear.

Grunting in annoyance, Blackheart turned his head and laid it back down.

“Weak.” A voice whispered in the dark.

Blackheart jumped, hearing what sounded like a deep gravely voice just over his shoulder. Looking around, he could see nothing, no other creature or being was there. But he knew he heard a voice.

“WEAK!” It came again before he could lay his head back down. Now it was louder, and far more aggressive.

“Who’s there?” Blackheart called out. His voice commanding, and strong, despite his bodies resistance.

“Not who, what. Just as you are not a who, or at least in your mind you never were before. I thought you were stronger than this, but no, you are just weak.” Blackheart ground his teeth and growled, whatever this voice was, it was mocking him.

“Then, what are you?”

“Foolish as well.” He could feel something at the back of his neck, as if something were staring at him, and he could almost feel it sneering at him.

Distantly he thought he heard the rattle of chains, his eyes widen for a moment, before they narrowed.

“How? I took you from that weakling, I was able to gain a body by taking your power, how are you still there as if you are separate from me?”

“Does it matter? Besides, that ‘weakling’ as you call him, is far stronger than you could possibly imagine, much less understand. You only have me, and this body, because it was allowed. He may not have realized it, but he has been trying to rid himself of me for most of his miserable existence. He could have stopped you, but, well, here we are.”

Blackheart smiled, “So, he was weak. Even if for only a moment, he still showed weakness, I took you and was able to lay claim to what I wanted. That is strength, losing to something stronger than you, that is weakness.” At that, there seemed to be no more response from the voice. With a satisfied smirk, Blackheart once again settled down to rest and recover his strength.

The train was winding around the bottom of the mountain now, Ponyville was coming closer. Most of the time, Colt, had been staring out the window, a wide smile on his face, his eyes wide with excitement. Despite the darkness, and not being able to see anything beyond trees that lined next to the track, it did not seem to bother the little pony.

Twilight had kept him in a seat beside her, her friends all around them trying to talk Pinkie Pie out of throwing another large party, bigger than the one the town threw for them.

“But, its a party challenge. The gauntlets been thrown, I have to meet it and beat it.” She whined.

“Twilight?” She looked down to see Colt now sitting beside her, looking up at her with those startling emerald green eyes.

“Yes, Colt?” After the incident at the hospital, they had found that Colt could not remember anything, his name, where he was from, or even what had happened. He was somehow able to remember their names.

“Where are we going?”

“Ah, well, we are going home, in Ponyville.”

“Are... Are you going to be my mommy?”

That shock was back, not as bad as it had been in the throne room, but it definitely made her pause for a moment.

“Well, we are trying to see if we can find your parents. If we cannot find them, then... Yes, I will be something like a mommy to you.” She smiled down to him as he smiled back up at her before yawning and snuggling against her side and closing his eyes.

“I hope I know what I’m getting myself into.” Was all she could think at that moment. Looking down at Colt, Twilight wrapped a purple wing around him and lowered her head to his for a few minutes. It was not long before the two of them fell asleep.

The train rolled on, and before long it came to a stop at the ponyville train station. The girls all gathered around the new mother and son, all with smiles. Even Rainbow Dash had to admit the scene somehow looked right. Twilight, a mother, it was the one thing going through all of their minds.

“Twilight, we’re home.” Fluttershy whispered, nudging the princess, gently so as to keep from waking the foal.

Twilight opened her eyes, and glanced at everypony.

“What? Is something wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that?”

The girls only smiled and pointed. Twilight turned and looked at Colt, who was still leaning against her side sleeping, snoring slightly, her wing still wrapped around him. She eased her wing back, and grimaced at the stiffness in it for having been extended in the way for so long during the ride. It was no wonder ponies with wings did not keep them extended for so long unless flying.

She eased Colt up from her side with her magic and stood up, before lifting off the seat gently and laid him on her back. She turned and smiled to her friends as they all began to move, leaving the train together. The night was still fairly brisk, the mist of their breath coming in short puffs that vanished into the night. They all walked Twilight home, before saying their goodnights and heading home theirselves.

As Twilight began to open the door, a thought hit her still slightly sleep fogged mind, ‘What is Spike going to think of this?’