Sacrifice and Loyaltyby I am MemorialChaptersThe Bar SceneThe Palace Scene part 1The Palace Scene part 2The Personal Scene part 1The Personal Scene Dark Side part 1The Personal Scene part 2The Bar Scene"You sure you wanna do this Loyal?" "Buck yes Dashie!" Loyal and Dash stood at the bar with the barkeep bringing over a few shots. "You do know you don't have to do this, right?" "Of course I don't, but you've seen my way of having fun at a bar already. Besides, you only live once!" he replied with a smirk. Both him and Dash new that you infact could live twice, but it was a decently kept secret outside of Ponyville. It was also a personal inside joke and a testament to their love for eachother. "Well ok then, but don't tell me I didn't try to warn you or talk you out of it later." At this Dash and Loyal downed their first shot. Dash took it easily, licking her lips. Loyal on the other hoof had a much more intersting reaction. His eyes dilated and his face screwed up as the liquid burned his throat. After a short coughing fit he lifted his head up with tears in his eyes. "Damn!" "Oh Celestia, Loyal. If you could see your face right now!" A quick glance at the 'keep told the stallion that Dashie wasn't the only one finding this amusing. Annoyed Loyal swept up a shot from the other side of the line as the first two and downed it. 'Holy shit, he didn't just?!' thought the stallion just running the bar. Loyal's face screwed up real bad as he shook his head side to side. Dash leaned over to see if he was ok when he looked right at her. "Dash? I think that one wash a little shtrong?" At this the cyan mare doubled over in a fit of howling laughter. "And that Vinyl, was Loyal's first drink!" Dash chortled. "Ah whatever, how was I supposed to know that they were in order from weakest to strongest." the stallion in question objected. "Oh no Dash, you think that's bad you should hear about the time Vinyl got into a bottle of Gargle Blaster." At this the blue maned mare gave a sly smile and suggestively asked, "All of the story, Octy?" The cellist blushed profusely, "Actually maybe you shouldn't." The four ponies laughed uproarsly. "Hey, I can hold my own now though." shot Loyal who was infact now holding an exotic drink mix of his own creation. "Really? Cause that looks alot like water with a lemon to me Loyal." Vinyl smirked back. At this Loyal offered his glass to her. "Well then test it my musically inclined friend?" "Loyal, you sure she can handle the R-Dash 5k?" "Dash please, I'm a DJ I can handle any drink thrown my way!" at this Vinyl took the glass and chugged it, much to her own chagrin. Her eyes dilated much like Loyal's had on his first drink. Ears twitching slightly the DJ collapsed straight down onto the table. "Oh dear, Scratchie are you ok!?" "Relax Tavi, Dashie did the same thing the first time she had it. There is a very valid reason I sip that drink." Loyal sputtered inbetween bouts of laughter. "I hope she realizes that I won't allow this to be lived down. Ever." "That wasn't very nice Loyal." giggled Rainbow Dash. "Well no, but it was bucking hilarious!" "Why is it called the R-Dash 5k though?" "That's simple, I was already tipsy when I made it and I claimed it tasted as good as Dashie here. Then Dash chugged it and found out it knocks you on your plot in nanoseconds. When she came to the first thing she could think of was stating that chugging it is like down five thousand shots in one go." the stallion remembered fondly. "Ah I see, and when does it wear off." "Give it a few days." smirked Dash. Dash and Loyal eventually wandered out into the dance floor, much like their usual routine. They didn't care whether they looked weird, or if other ponies mocked them. They just had fun. And nothing was funner that a waltz to slow paced dubstep. "If you're gonna live Loyal.." started the chromatic mare. "Live like tommorrow is your last Dashie!" finished the stallion as they continued around the dance floor sharing a kiss. They eventually headed back to their own house where a intresting note was attached to their door. "Hmm it's from Canterlot Loyal." remarked a rather pertrubed Element of Loyalty. "Really now? Well what does it say?" Well here we go, it says: Dearest Loyal and Rainbowdash, We wish to invite you both to visit us in Canterlot regarding Loyal's intrestingand unexpected return into this world. We waited this long so you could enjoy some of your time together but there are matters that must be discussed. It is also unclear to us how this amazing feat was performed and whjat it all means. You will be staying in the palace and won't need to pack too much. With loving care and guidance, Your Princesses Celestia and Luna. "Hmm, I was wondering when they'd take an intrest in my return." Loyal chuckled nonchalntly. He looked over at his mare-friend to find a worried look upon her face. "What's wrong Dashie?" Rainbow Dash was worried in a way that she couldn't even begin to describe. tears in her eyes she threw her hooves around Loyal's neck and sobbed out every fear she had. "I know you weren't supposed to come back for me Loyal! what if they want to return you? Or what if they have to return you? What if they say you can't stay? I can't lose you again Loyal. It''l kill me!" "Relax, it's ok Dash. Remember the night I came back? What did I tell you?" "You rold me that you couldn't find perfection without me." the mare mumbled into his mane. "Exactly, they can't send me back to a perfect place for me to live out the rest of eternity perfectly if I can't find perfection there." The stallion hoped his mare would find the sense in his words and low a behold if she did. "Ok, if your sure then I guess I can't really doubt you, and Loyal?" "Yes Dashie?" he replied as he turned to look at her. "I love you more than anything in the world. Thank you for coming back for me." "I know you do, and I love you too." The two headed off to bed to catch some sleep. Dash fell right into slumber despite the excitement moments ago but Lyal was far more troubled. 'I still don't know how to tell her the truth. Should I even tell her? Maybe we can both just pass away and she can learn that way. Maybe I can tell her when we're old and grey. I just don't know what to do..." with these thoughts swirling in his head Loyal slipped into a fitful slumber. It was always the same nightmare. He'd be running to Dash as she aged before his eyes. He would unwillingly slow down until he passed a pond. Unlike usual he actually stopped and looked into this pond for the first time. What he saw was a withered old stallion. Then just like usual a chasm opened beneath him as he fell into the pits of Tartarus. Author's note. While I know this is short, and I don't have a good name for the Story yet, this is mostly going to be bits and peaices of info that tells you what happened between the chapter 'Sacrifice and Loyalty' and 'The Things We Refuse to Leave Behind' My way of making this a bit funner. Relax though, there will be multi chapter stories in this. The Palace Scene part 1Dash and Loyal were being led up to Celestia's personal chamber. They'd been told that Luna and Celestia would be joining them in about 45 minutes while they wrapped up political business. As they entered the room they couldn't help but be awed by the decor. Dash explored every inch of the room, not worried about her feminine side showing through infront of her stallion. "Oh my gosh Loyal! Can you Imagine a bed like this. It would be so amazing, I wonder how soft it is?" she gushed. "Well then hop up and find out then silly." "But, it's a bed for royalty, I can't do that." Loyal got a sly look on his face and snuck up behind his mare. He flipped her up onto the bed and smiled at the pure silliness of it all. "Your royalty to me Dashie." "Really now? Well then I command you hop up here with me." Smirking the stallion complied. Loyal was amazed at how plush the matress was. "Whoa Dash. This is like, super comfortable. No wonder Celestia always looks like she's so well rested." "Well we don't exactly do much that allows for rested when we climb into bed." noted Dash with a suggestive look. "No we don't, and you have this one spot right here!" Loyal joked back as prodded a hoof in between Dah's hind legs. Dash flushed and jumped back some what surprised. "Loyal, how could you even think like that in Celestia's quarters?!" shot a shocked but rather pleased looking Rainbow Dash. "Well it's not like we actually did anything. Besides, I wouldn't do anything unless you wanted to. But since you obviously aren't in the mo....." Dash rubbed up against Loyal to silence him. "Now when did I say I wasn't in the mood?" she questioned alluringly. The two ponies connected and fell into the bliss of the comfortable bed. 'Well then, Celestia said go by her quarters in about 10 minutes while she ran by the library. Ah well I might as well just go wait out the next ten minutes in her room.' Luna thought as she turned towards the hallway that led to her elder siblings room. Dash moaned and giggled in pleasure as Loyal went to work between her hindlegs. 'This is amazing!' As Luna drew near to her sister's room she heard an odd noise. She neared the door and listened intently. A giggle, she'd heard a giggle. Her sister must have had Twilight come with Loyal and Rainbow Dash. Suddenly a ingenious plan came into her head. 'So then Celestia and Twilight must be having a tickle fight. Well then I'll just burst in and get them both!' the Lunar princess menatlly declared. With that thought she burst into the room, "Ha ha I have you..... OH BY THE MOON AND THE STARS!" At the sound of the doors smashing open Loyal yanked his flushed head up from between Rainbow Dash's legs and quickly wiped a foreleg across his mouth while Dash spun around and stood straight up with a face colour to rival that of the red in her mane.. The sight that met them was Luna desperately shoving against the doors that had shut behind her. The doors that she forgot only opened inward. A horrified look was plastered across the princess's face as she realized what she'd walked in on. "Sweet Celestia, I'm so sorry." the princess started when she stopped and realized something very important. "WAIT, WE DEMAND TO KNOW WHY YOU DARE DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN OUR SISTERS QUARTERS!" Chuckling nervously the two ponies were spared answering when Celestia entered. "Oh, so you've already become acqainted then sister. Yes I asked these two to wait for us here so we could have a private time together to bring ourselves closer to eachother in the personal discussion of Loyal's coming to Rainbow Dash's.... wait what's wrong with your faces?" The three ponies chuckled nervously as the Solar Princess unknowingly poured out innuendo. Loyal was the first to speak up. "Well you see, erm, Luna just thought that it'd be nice to meet us early!" he quickly sputtered. Celestia gave the stallion a suspicious look. "Really then? Is this how it happened Rainbow Dash?" Celestia questioned as she turned to face a very redfaced cyan mare. "Oh uh, yeah, definitely your highness." Rainbow answered raggedly, as she still hadn't caught her breath. "Hmmm, Luna?" "Some things can never be unseen...." came the haunted reply. At this Celestia's eyes took notice of a damp spot on her bed. Her mind suddenly decided to kick into gear and her eyes widened to the size of tea saucers. "Wait... you two... in my...... OH MY GOD!" With this the elder princess grabbed her younger sibling and rushed out of the room. "Well uh..... that could've gone better." Dash chuckled sheepishly. "Or worse." replied Loyal. The two set abvout cleaning up their mess before the two princess's returned. The Palace Scene part 2"I still can't believe..." "Just don't think about it and it will fade from memory, Luna." At this the dark mare shuddered and forced her mind to other subjects. "Luna, I'd also like to thank you for allowing me to stay in your room for the night." thanked Celestia. "Of course." The two mares stopped talking and turned their attention to the couple that had caused them such stress the previous night. "Morning." quiped Loyal, who seemed to not care about what had happened. 'They'll think whatever they think, can't change that.' "Uhm, yeah, good morning your highness'" muttered Dash, who was still nervous after the happenings in Princess Celestia's quarters. The ponies ate their breakfast in relative silence and after finishing moved to the study to have their discussion. "So I'm assuming you know why I called you two to come to the palace?" inquired Celestia. It was Loyal who answered. "I'd have to assume it has to do with the curiuosity of me being alive at this moment." "Yes Loyal. Do you have any idea exactly what had happened?" Well, yes and no... When you arrive in the after life everything is supposed to be perfect. You never grow hungry, your never wake up sore, you don't actually get tired. It's supposed to be paradise." "But it wasn't, was it?" quested Luna. "No. I spent every day for the next year loathing not being able to be by Rainbow's side. It left a ragged hole in my heart. Now then, when you first arrive you're given a one time use pass. The pass allows you to come back for one day and see, but not interact with, all those you left behind. After a year of waiting I finally felt it in my heart to use it." Loyal went on to describe how he was given his wings. "So that's why you have them. It was going to be my next question but do go on." interjected Celestia. Then from there he described visiting different ponies up until seeing his old unkempt house. "That's when I found the note. At first I couldn't even touch the thing but after a few times and growing desperation for Dash's safety were peaking I felt like my hoof snapped through something and I managed to grasp the note. I quickly took it to the other elements and taking off to find Dash." Loyal continues to explain his frantic searching while Luna quipped in about the note they'd recieved from Twilight explaining the situation. "I eventually found Dash up on a cloud." he started but stopped as he turned to comfort his mare, who was having a hard time of having her moment of weakness laid out for all to see. "You ok Dash, I'm sure Celestia and Luna won't mind us taking a break." "M"fine Loyal." muttered Dash, who then continued the story. "Anyway your highness', I was up on the cloud, and I just, I don't know what was wrong in my head. All I could think of was getting back to Loyal *sob* so I....I tied my wings down with a belt and..... well, y'know......I jumped." As she finished her voice was barely an audible whisper. Both Luna and Celestia nodded in empathy. Their parting when Luna had been corrupted had not been easy and they both understood what the mare had to have been feeling. "And all I could do was watch. I knew where Dash would go if she did this. In desperation I dove after her. At this point the sun was setting and an invisible force grasped me to bring me back up. I refused though. I couldn't allow Dash to suffer this so I fought back. Eventually I felt all resistance snap, I think it would be fitting to saying it's alot like breaking the sound barrier. With this lack of resistance I shot forward and grabbed Dash. I pulled up and we had a minor crash landing. After that we found the girls, who nearly died of shock, and the rest was us just living normally." "So you had resistance? But was there a voice?" inquired Celestia. At this Loyal ducked his head slightly. "You haven't told her have you?!" shot Luna in a rather accusatory tone. "No I haven't, and I didn't feel Dash needed to know!" Loyal shot back. Dash's ears perked up, "Know what?" "You do realize she need's to be told!" glared Celestia, who in turn faced the chromatic mare, "Dash you realize that in Loyal's ret...." "I will NOT allow this! Royalty or no, Dash does not need this to be piled upon her!" "HOW DAREST THOU SPEAKETH TO MINE ELDER SISTER IN SUCH A WAY!" commanded Luna while slipping into her old speach habits. "I DARE BECAUSE IT'S NOT YOUR RIGHT, NOR YOUR PLACE TO TELL HER!" Loyal fired back. "What is going on?!" demanded Rainbow Dash. Luna was rather taken aback, as was Celestia, when the stallion had roared back at her. Luna took a lower, kinder tone. Even she realized that her shouting commands would gain no ground with this stallion who dispalyed a degree of loyalty that surpassed all self preservation. "I understand Loyal, I really do. How you felt with out Dash there beside you, how hard it is to tell the truth for fear it will harm those around you or somepony you care for. But that feeling you suffered, how do you believe your Rainbow Dash would feel when she realized that you couldn't be by your side?" "You're....you are right Luna, and I apologize for yelling at you, both of you actually." Dash finally could stand being out of the know for no longer. "What the hay are you ponies talking about?!" Steeling himself for an emotional response Loyal explained the situation. He explained that in returning for her he had given up his place in the after life. He went into every detail he understood, making it entirely clear that he would not be at her side when they both passed on again. At first Dash was about ready to tear up, screaming at the world for all it's uneqaulity much like she had the night she lost Loyal. But no, Loyal didn't need to see that anguish, and she'd not lose him again. "Fine, I'll make them accept you back." Dash dropped flatly. "But I don't think you understand Dash..." "No! You don't understand Loyal. Remeber that line. The one that says 'I can't be in a place of perfection without you.'? Well that works both ways. If they want me up there they will have to take you back otherwise I'm not going." "I don't think you'll have a choice in the matter Dashie." Loyal sadly replied, nuzzling his mare. "Then I'll make a new choice! Can't be that hard. How would I go about doing that your Highness'? The two princess' did what they could on the topic, but it eventually strayed to other topics as the two royal mares promised to do research on the topic. "So, Rainbow Dash hasn't hesitated to call us her highness', which is what most ponies do. I must inquire as to why you don't refer to us in that way Loyal." quested Celestia. "Oh well it's nothing personal I assure you. I just, actually I don't know. I just kinda view you as two mares, only you have both horns and wings, not just one or the other. It's just how I see things." Celestia nodded in understanding. "It's actually quite refreshing. Rainbow Dash I wouldn't mind you taking a page from Loyal's book. It's quite refreshing to have somepony who doesn't look at you like your an invincible godess." "Hahaha. I'm sure it is." "Speaking of invincibility Loyal, how has life been since your return?" Luna wondered out loud. "Well, I still have to eat, and still have to sleep. I do have this tendency to pull back from arguements and I can veiw them from a more omniscient point. Not like I'm a god, but more like I can see everypony's view and stance on the matter at the same time. Also I don't find that I need to sleep as long as I used to, which goes the same for my food intake. Oh, yeah, and my wings are still here. Other than that everythings normal as can be." "Might I ask if you two have any idea how Loyal came back anyway?" Rainbow Dash ventured. "I've wondered about it for a while now but can't place my hoof on it." At this it was Luna who answered, "It has been a topic Celestia and I have pondered ourselves many a time. From the best we understand, the rules were put into place to control anypony coming from either side of the afterlife for self centred reasons. When Loyal refused to go back, not for himself, or to have you, but instead decided to give it all so you wouldn't suffer it snapped the rules." "Wait! That's it Luna, your a genius!" crowed Celestia. The other three ponies stared at the Solar princess awaiting her to explain the situation. "It's quite obvious and simple now. The rule was as follows: Anypony who forces his or her return for their on wants shall be denied a their place in the afterlife and shall be sent to Tartarus upon their second death.." Still getting clueless looks Celestia explained it. "Quite simply Loyal did not return for his own wants per se. Yes he wanted Dash to not suffer, but the root of that was that he was returning for another and not for himself. Loophole mother bucker!" Celestia suddenly realized that she was still getting funny looks, but this time she also realized what she'd added at the end of her explanation. Flushing she sputtered out. "Erm sorry, I got a little carried away." The four ponies busted out laughing at this and carried on throughout the day venturing into other topics such as how Ponyville was doing or the irony in the Element of Loyalty falling in love with the Element of Sacrifice. This also scored a humourous quip from Loyal. "As long as you two don't bring me some weird tiara or necklace I'm good." Dash asked Luna and Celestia about their cutie marks too. Intrestingly enough they had always had them. As the day drew on Loyal and Dash started packing up their supplies when Celestia presented them with a gift. It was her own bed. "Oh no we couldn't possibly take that Celestia." sputtered Rainbow Dash. "Nonsense, beside you two did kinda make your own mark on it. besides I have a whole warehouse of these. You two aren't the only ones to get excited." That statment drew a rather obvious blush from Dash and a more subdued one from Loyal. "Well then thank you Celestia." Loyal graciously replied. It wasn't till Dash and Loyal were on the train back to Ponyville when Dash asked Loyal a question he'd never been asked before. "Loyal, I know where my cutiemark is from, and now I know where Luna and Celestia got theirs from, but why do you not have a cutiemark." "Hmmmm, I don't quite know. I guess we can try to figure it out later. For now though how 'bout we explore your other cutiemark?" Alone in their train car Dash didn't even hesitate. The Personal Scene part 1Rainbow Dash screamed in agony as blood poured out from her body. Loyal did all he could to comfort his mare but they knew what was happening and that they could only let nature runs it's course. "Do I look fat?" "What kind of question is that Dashie?" "I dunno?" the cyan mare replied as she stared at her belly in the mirror giving it a prod or two. "Maybe I'm just sick." "Well you have been eating strangely lately." "How do you mean?" "Well you haven't exactly been light on your meals, lately." "Oh so I am fat huh?" Dash joked. Loyal chuckled right back as he started getting ready to go out flying with his mare. He put on the same half boots he wore when he used to go climbing across rooftops. "Why do you even still run when you can fly now?" Rainbow smirked. "I dunno. I always bounded before, taking the same distance in one stride as most stallions do in three. The wings make it more fun for sure. Besides technically I'm still an Earth pony. I've just got super wings to hold my butt up hahaha." It was true, his wings were far larger than those of a pegasus and more muscular. "Well if the way you do things is so much fun lets do it your way." "Well okay then. The two headed out and started galloping through a nearby field towards some woods. Loyal shortened his steps and slowed himself so the less physically inclined could keep up. As he drew near to the woods he leapt up catching a lower branch, Using this as a spring board he launched himself higher into the boughs of an adjacent tree. His natural skill coupled with his wings allowed him to dash amongst the trees with ease. Looking back he was mildly surprised to find that Rainbow Dash was keeping up. "So I didn't leave you in the dust!" "Like you ever could!" she shot back at him. They kept flitting through the trees with grace when theyfound themselves on the other side of the woods. "Hmm, never been over here before. How about you Dashie." "No this is new to me too. Oh buck." "What's up?" asked Loyal, suddenly attentive. "This is a valley nopony comes to because younger dragons tend to live here." "Ah, well then we should leave." The two ponies made to enter the woods when a shadow fell over them. "What do I do!" Loyal shouted as another piercing scream emanated from Dash's mouth. "I don't know what to do." He circled his mare, fretting over her as her breaths came in ragged gasps. He looked down to find that for every step he took he trailed his mares blood on the ground. "Yea, you think your tough then eh!? How about you pick on somepony your own size!" Dash hollored as she dove in and gave a fierce kick to the dragons nose, breaking it and causing blood to spill forth. The chromatic mare continued to harrass the offending dragon while Loyal regained his senses. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her stallion regain his footing but it distracted her long enough for the dragon to slash at her stomach. The claws connected, scoring deeply in the pony's flesh. Dash fell to the ground as blood oozed out of her stomach. Enraged at Dash's well being in danger Loyal charged forward and started pummeling the dragons face. All the skill from every fight he'd ever been in poured out upon this dragon until it slumped down unconcious. The second Loyal realised that the dragon wouldn't be getting up soon he turned to focus on Rainbow. Rushing over he found that blood was flowing freely from the mare. Loyal fussed over her as much as he could as she groaned from the pain. "Hang on Dash I'll get you help." Scooping the mare up the brave stallion flew off towards Ponyville. "Sir, you are near collapse. There is honestly nothing we can do for her." "But she'd in so much pain. I have to be here for her! There has to be something you can do!" "Sorry sir, but there is nothing. Now you are exhausted and I advise you sit down." The medical pony stepped out from the room and confronted Loyal. "That was almost terribly bad, we couldv'e lost the little one." "Huh? I'm sorry but I'm with the adult mare." "I know, but apparently you don't." the doctor chuckled. "Know what?!" Loyal growled, he did not like being toyed with. "Easy there. The claw wounds wouldn't have been lethal to Rainbow Dash at all, but they nearly took your unborn foal. You sir are going to be a father." Neither of them could wait to tell the girls the news. They were going to have a foal! A few days later they were busy preparing for the congruatulations on not being killed by a dragon and finding out your preganant party. They couldn't help but chuckle at the eccentrities of the pink party pony. Rarity had promised to make them outfits. Dash grudgingly agreed while Loyal said he'd just go in his half-boots and left-sleeved jacket(because it didn't possess a right sleeve). Fluttershy simply gushed quick words of encouragement then blushed and hid behind her hair. Applejack simply said "That's great guys!" then jokingly taunted Dash. Then there was Twilight. They were still pretty sure she was doing research into what their foal would be(earth pony or pegasi). Leaving for the party they met up with Octavia and Vinyl, who were extremely giddy at the prospect of another foal being born soon since theirs was already a year old. The party itself was amazing, but lacked the makeshift bar reserved for Pinkie's wilder parties. Everypony came round to congratulte them on the big news. Rainbow bathed in the lime light while Loyal found himself more than a little uncomfortable with all the attention. The party evetnually wound down and Loyal and Dash headed home. Arriving home they both walke straight to theire amazing bed(afterall it had bben Celestia's for a time.) and laid down. After a few seconds of quiete Loyal started rubbing a very sensitive spot at the base of Dashie's wings. The mare gave a bit of a shudder and turned over to him grinning. The two started, but Dash stopped for half a second, drawing Loyals attention. "What's up Dashie, worried?" "No, and I don't mind us fooling around, but I don't think we should really get into this." "Why's that?" "I dunno. I don't have alot of experience or anything with being pregnant. What if we do it and then or foal come out with a bump in his head or something?" Dash half joked. Grinning at the absurdity of the idea Loyal busted out laughing, but conceded. With that out of the way, the night, and the fun, continued. The Personal Scene Dark Side part 1A feather-tendril shot out instinctively, grabbing the foalish stallion by the back of the neck. Loyal lifted him and held him infront of his cold gaze. "You aren't who I'm looking for.... but you're a start." There was a sudden snap, followed by screaming and then another loud snap. Stepping over the mangled mess, Loyal headed towards the room that held the mare he was here for. Rainbow Dash. "Hold fast Loyal, you are wanted be the Royal Solar gaurd for questioning!" "You're trying my patience Captain. Move now." growled Loyal. "That is not an option you will come with us, and you will face court for Rainbow Dash's murder!" "Dashie, dead, ha no. You've got it all wrong, but she will be if I...." "You will not get past us!" Annoyed at the minor delay Loyal quickly dispatched the Captain and his two guards. "You should've moved." Loyal growled as he stepped over their unmoving bodies. Grabbing his supplies, putting his braces on his right legs, slipping into his half boots and left sleeved jacket, Loyal made to leave the house. As soon as he stepped out Celestia landed before him. "And I don't suppose you're here on a normal visit, Celestia." stated a rather annoyed Loyal. "You have commited a terrible crime Loyal! We trusted you!" "Ah so you don't anymore. Well then, what might I do to regain that trust?" "A stay in our darkest dungeon while we sort through your crimse seems fair!" declared Celestia as her horn began to glow. Eyes flashing, Loyal slipped into that instinctual side again. Three feather-tendrils shot out and grabbed the solar princess. Wrapping one about Celestia's horn, a second around her wings and a third around her neck. "I don't think so!" Tightening the grip around the princesses neck, Loyal watched as her breathing slowed and her eyes went from unfocused to unseeing. Trotting past the downed Celestia Loyal left, making tracks to find the mare that had started all of this. "I can't believe he would attack Princess Celestia and her guards!" "As I said Rainbow Dash, his mind has seemed to have snapped." "Yes, I just wish it wasn't so..." Rainbow sobbed. Loyal snuck around on the roofs of his hometown. He knew Dashie'd be here. Oh what havoc and pain he would wreak when he got to her. Watching below as a junkie entered an alleyway Loyal dropped down silently after the mare. Sneaking up behind her, Loyal grabbed the poor junkie mare and dragged her around to face him. "Where is she!" "Who, I don't even know who you are!" the poor mare sputtered frantically. "Breach!" That was all it took. This stallions death had been big news here. And now he was staring into her eyes, her very soul. "The old warehouse! The one that's always been used! Please, don't kill me!" "I won't kill you, but I will come back to check on you! You've got 2 weeks to get clean!" Loyal roared. "Two weeks! I can't do that!" "That's a shame!" Loyal growled, feather-tendrils constricting the mare throat. Her eyes bulged and she quickly gasped out her new answer, "Ok , I'll get clean, I'll get clean!" Smiling to himself Loyal lowered the mare to the ground and watched her scramble off. "That went well." He took back to the roofs, aware but uncaring as six eyes watched him leave. 'Those two ponies have been following me for a while, time for a trap.' "Quite the interesting specimen Thane." "Yes he is Laryia, but are you sure he is the ultimate undead lifeform your necromagic led you too?" "Yes he is. That stallion is a testament to the powers of necromagic. He has a soul, eats sleeps and breathes, yet he has died. He seems to be bound here by the most powerful magic, Love." "Ugh, how soppy. Yet incredibly powerful. We can bring him back with us, we can help fix our world." "Yes we can, but it seems he's on his own mission at the moment." "True, lets help him then. Faster he's done faster we can use him!" "Of course." The pair set off after the white furred stallion as they were led into a building. Stepping inside the two suddenly realized the trap that had been set for them. Fether-tendrils wrapped around their bodies and forced them against the wall. "You've been following me..... I don't appreciate that!" The Personal Scene part 2Dash was curled up on the same cloud that she'd flung herself from almost a year before now. She had failed another, and she felt tears pouring from her face. Off in the the distance Loyal could be seen flying towards her. 'Why can't I do anything right?' the mare asked herself. "The coach is here Dashie!" "I know, I'm coming!" the mare hollered back. Loyal had hired a coach to take them to Cloudsdale to see Dash's parents and explain the big news to them. "I'm still not sure this is a good idea." Rainbow mumbled as she entered the carriage. "C'mon, they're goinbg to love to find out your pregnant." "I'm not meaning they won't, but they don'y exactly know about you...." "Mmm? But they were at our wedding?" "And then you.." Rainbow gulped, not able to get the word out of her throat. "But when I came back you never told them?" "I'm so so sorry Loyal it was just all so crazy!" "It's fine Dashie." Loyal comforted as he drew her into a hug. The multi hued mare fell asleep on Loyal's side, with Loyal joining her in slumber not long afterwards. With a knock the two ponies came out from their slumber to realize their journey to Cloudsdale was over. Hopping out the earth stallion cum pegasi sank about six inches in the clouds. "Mmmm. Guess I'm still different from an actual pegasus after all." he chuckled as he helped Rainbow down from the carriage. The two set off into the cloud made city. As they walked throguh the streets Loyal couldn't help but stare in amazement at the marvelous works off art that were the building he walked amongst. Chuckling at his antics Rainbow felt it only fair to warn her stallion of the attention he was darwing to himself. "You do realize every pegasi is staring at you right?" "Oh, at me? Here I thought they were staring at you, and I'd have to teach them a lesson." the stallion chuckled. Smiling at that the mare realized there wasn't much she could do to make Loyal less noticable. The winged stallion was of sturdier earth stallion build. He was taller and noticeably not as sleek or lithe as most pegasi, but still well toned from running and climbing. His wings, not being of natural make, were more like feather shaped tendrils, and they also were three time larger than the average pegasi due to the pegasus magic to help him stay afloat. Then there was the fact that he sank six inches into the clouds. They eventually came to stop at the front of Dash's parent's house. Steeling themselves for a response that would be epic in preportions they trotted up to the door. One fainting spell, 5 or 6 jaws hitting the floor, 25 or so neighbor or passerby pegasi staring, and 3 hours later the couple managed to explain to Dash's mother, Hurricane Flare, and father, Typhoon Flash, exactly what had happened and why a dead earth pony was infact alive and well. The xcitement was a bit much though and it was late. The two pairs headed off to thier respected beds before Dash had gotten a chance to break to other big news. Waking up the next morning Dash didn't hesitate to take Loyal out for two reasons. First was to show off Cloudsdale to him, Second was to show him off to Cloudsdale. They flew through the cloud city, Dash's wings flapping like a regular pegasi and drawing no attention, while Loyal's billowed. 'Sure it's nothing special in Ponyville, but these pegasi need to pick their jaws up!' Rainbow giggled to herself. Continuing through Cloudsdale, Dash showed off everything. The Rainbow Factory, The Cloud Factory, The WonderBolts Arena, her Flight School, and even the cloud far off in the distance that she had become overly acqauinted with about a year before. Eventually the two headed home to have dinner with Dash's parents. Dash had decided that dinner was the perfect time to drop the bombshell, so to speak. "So Mom, Dad, I've got wonderful news!" "Really Dashie? What is it?" inquired Flare while Dash dad Flash rolled his eyes. "Me and Loyal are going to become a trio!" Dash threw out, super excited to se her parent's responses. Flare gave an immediate squeek of delight as her smile threatened to consume her face. "This is great new, we're going to be grandponies!" There was a sudden shattering of glass. All eye turned to the direction of the noise to find Typhoon Flash sitting with a shattered glass in hoof. "What?" he said thinly. Dash pressed her ears flat against her head. "What's wrong dad?" At this Typhoon exploded. "What's wrong?! What's wrong is the fact that my daughter married an earth pony, what's wrong is that this earth pony left you for a year, conviently returning to save you! You expect me to accept this. Besides now you're having a foal with him! That thing in your stomach will be an aberration, and abomination! How dare you disgrace me this way! You need a real stallion! One that'd do anything for you, not this.....!" Flash sputtered. Tears pouring from her eyes, and her lower lip quivering at her father's disappointment, Dash took off out the house. Anger not yet abated the father turned to lash out at Loyal, but found the stallion inches from his face. "How DARE you. How DARE YOU!" Loyal growled. "You're dispicable. You're daughter entrusted me with something I feel you should know. She has tried so hard her entire life to make up for disappointing you after she dropped out of flight school. Every Sonic Rainboom, every friend she helped or pony she saved. When she took on Dicord, Nightmare Moon, and Chrysalis. All of it was trying to gain your respect because she felt she'd let you down. I see the truth though. You let her down not the other way around." Loyal made to exit when Flash found his voice, "You dare question my parenting ability? I want whats best for her. I want her to be happy. I want her to have a stallion that would do anything for her!" "Anything?" Loyal hot back, laying out the trap. "Yes anything, work for her, suffer for her, help her, love her. I want a stallion that would DIE for her." 'And the fool walks right into it.' Loyal thought before rounding on the poor stallion. "FOAL, I HAVE DIED FOR HER! OR DID YOU FORGET?! DID SHE EVEN TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED!?" Realising the trap now, but with no other path, Typhoon Flash replied, "Yes she told me what happened." "SO YOU DARE QUESTION MY FAITH TO YOUR DAUGHTER. YOU HAVE EVER SINCE OUR MARRIAGE. THIS MEANS YOU QUESTIONED MY FAITH TO HER AS I STOOD BETWEEN HER AND A GANG. QUESTIONED MY FAITH AS I STARED AT THE HILT OF A KNIFE BURIED IN MY CHEST!" Loyal thundered as he pointed to where a scar showed the healed wound. "YOU QUESTIONED AS I RIPPED THE KNIFE FROM MY CHEST AND USED IT TO SAVE YOUR DAUGHTER! YOU DARE QUESTION STILL, AFTER I FORCED MY WAY OUT OF HEAVEN PURELY TO ENSURE THAT DASH DID NOT SPEND ETERNITY IN TARTARUS,EVEN THOUGH FROM ALL UNDERSTANDING I HAD AT THE TIME I'D BE GOING THERE NEXT TIME I DIED! YOU BUCKING DISGUST ME. YOU AND MY FATHER WOULD BE A PERFECT MATCH!" With this final insult, the worst that Loyal knew to give, the stallion spread his wings and took off after his mare, knowing exactly where she'd be. Flash stood there in shock. He turned to face Flare, only to be met with a slap across the face as she left after her daughter and son-in-law. The tone in Loyal's voice as he was compared to Loyal's father, and everything that he'd been told, came crashing down upon the stallion as he laid down and cried. He had singlehoofedly destroyed his family. Dash was curled up on the cloud. She'd gotten it's place sealed in history after a heated arguement with some Cloudsdale officials. It was the cloud that she'd been on when she'd attempted to end her own life. It was the cloud that brought Loyal back. It was now the cloud she cried into as she realized that she'd let her father down again. Dash heard the wind whistle slightly and another form lay down next to her and wrap her in an embrace. "It'll be ok Dashie." The chromatic mare turned and sobbed into Loyal's chest. "I failed him. I've always failed him." "No, you have failed nopony." "But I couldn't make him happy?" Dash replied confusedly, tears still running down her face. "It's not your job to Dashie. You can't make him happy, only he can. You can't live your life for everypony else, you have to live it for yourself." "But you gave yours for me!?" Dash sobbed as her nose ran across the scar on Loyal's chest. "I did die for you, but when I died you know what was going through my head? 'This is where I belong.' Even as I pulled the blade from myself, and the excruciating pain that racked my body, I was content to see you safe." Dash thought on that for a while before muttering to herself. "What was that Dashie?" "Buck him." "Mmmm?" "I said buck him. It's his choice whether he wants to be family. I won't let it bother me." Dash replied in her usual confident tone. Smiling at her, Loyal carried her back to Flare and Flash's home and took her straight to her bed. Stepping back out of the room he made to head downstairs to the kitchen when Flare spoke up from the hallway. "Thank you.." "It just make me happy to see she's ok." "Well yes, obviously thank you for taking care of my Dashie, but also for not pound Flash into the ground. Thank for keeping calm." "Sometime a pony just needs a good yelling at. I wouldn't have struck him anyway. It would have upset Dash." At this his mother in law started giggling. "What?" "Is everything you do for my daughter to make her happy?" "Mmmhmm." "Why?" "Makes me happy." Striking Flare deeply with this comment Loyal turned to head downstairs, but still caught Flare's final comment. "You'll make an amazing husband and father." Loyal got his glass of water and downed it in one gulp. 'Grrr needs a lemon.' Just then Flash slunk in. Loyal eyed him negatively as Flash started to talk. "Loyal I'd like to apologize. What I did was horrendous," Loyal nodded, obviously irking the proud pegasi, "and I feel reealy bad about it. I'm sorry for how I was to you. I'm also sorry for what I said to my daughter. Can you tell her I'm sorry?" Eyeing the stallion, Loyal's next comment struck like thunder. "No. She needs to hear it from you." With that said Loyal trotted past and headed up to bed. The next morning was tense as the four ponies waited for breakfast to be reay. Loyal kept giving Flash pointed looks until the stallion finally had enough. "Fine then!" he snapped, drawing everpony's attention. Flash took a deep breath and started his apology. At first it was stuttered and halting, but didn't take long to become a torrent from her father's mouth as he cried, realizing how much neglect he's had towards his own daughter. As Flash's apology came to a close Dash leaned in to his ear and whispered. "I forgive you dad, it's what family does." and threw her forelegs around him. The rest of the visit went off without a hitch. Loyal had convinced Celestia to get him and Dash a private audience with the Wonderbolts. Dash had explained alot of her tricks to them, not performing due to her belly being a bit rounder. Dash also convinved Loyal to show them his free running. After a whil;e they'd fallen into regailing old tales. Dash let it slip that even though she'd broken the sound, Loyal had broken the barrier between life and death. After giving the Wonderbolts their story a very slackjawed Spitfire offered them both invitations to join the team once Rainbow had her foal. After that little meeting the two ponies boarded their carriage for their trip back to Ponyville.
The Bar Scene"You sure you wanna do this Loyal?" "Buck yes Dashie!" Loyal and Dash stood at the bar with the barkeep bringing over a few shots. "You do know you don't have to do this, right?" "Of course I don't, but you've seen my way of having fun at a bar already. Besides, you only live once!" he replied with a smirk. Both him and Dash new that you infact could live twice, but it was a decently kept secret outside of Ponyville. It was also a personal inside joke and a testament to their love for eachother. "Well ok then, but don't tell me I didn't try to warn you or talk you out of it later." At this Dash and Loyal downed their first shot. Dash took it easily, licking her lips. Loyal on the other hoof had a much more intersting reaction. His eyes dilated and his face screwed up as the liquid burned his throat. After a short coughing fit he lifted his head up with tears in his eyes. "Damn!" "Oh Celestia, Loyal. If you could see your face right now!" A quick glance at the 'keep told the stallion that Dashie wasn't the only one finding this amusing. Annoyed Loyal swept up a shot from the other side of the line as the first two and downed it. 'Holy shit, he didn't just?!' thought the stallion just running the bar. Loyal's face screwed up real bad as he shook his head side to side. Dash leaned over to see if he was ok when he looked right at her. "Dash? I think that one wash a little shtrong?" At this the cyan mare doubled over in a fit of howling laughter. "And that Vinyl, was Loyal's first drink!" Dash chortled. "Ah whatever, how was I supposed to know that they were in order from weakest to strongest." the stallion in question objected. "Oh no Dash, you think that's bad you should hear about the time Vinyl got into a bottle of Gargle Blaster." At this the blue maned mare gave a sly smile and suggestively asked, "All of the story, Octy?" The cellist blushed profusely, "Actually maybe you shouldn't." The four ponies laughed uproarsly. "Hey, I can hold my own now though." shot Loyal who was infact now holding an exotic drink mix of his own creation. "Really? Cause that looks alot like water with a lemon to me Loyal." Vinyl smirked back. At this Loyal offered his glass to her. "Well then test it my musically inclined friend?" "Loyal, you sure she can handle the R-Dash 5k?" "Dash please, I'm a DJ I can handle any drink thrown my way!" at this Vinyl took the glass and chugged it, much to her own chagrin. Her eyes dilated much like Loyal's had on his first drink. Ears twitching slightly the DJ collapsed straight down onto the table. "Oh dear, Scratchie are you ok!?" "Relax Tavi, Dashie did the same thing the first time she had it. There is a very valid reason I sip that drink." Loyal sputtered inbetween bouts of laughter. "I hope she realizes that I won't allow this to be lived down. Ever." "That wasn't very nice Loyal." giggled Rainbow Dash. "Well no, but it was bucking hilarious!" "Why is it called the R-Dash 5k though?" "That's simple, I was already tipsy when I made it and I claimed it tasted as good as Dashie here. Then Dash chugged it and found out it knocks you on your plot in nanoseconds. When she came to the first thing she could think of was stating that chugging it is like down five thousand shots in one go." the stallion remembered fondly. "Ah I see, and when does it wear off." "Give it a few days." smirked Dash. Dash and Loyal eventually wandered out into the dance floor, much like their usual routine. They didn't care whether they looked weird, or if other ponies mocked them. They just had fun. And nothing was funner that a waltz to slow paced dubstep. "If you're gonna live Loyal.." started the chromatic mare. "Live like tommorrow is your last Dashie!" finished the stallion as they continued around the dance floor sharing a kiss. They eventually headed back to their own house where a intresting note was attached to their door. "Hmm it's from Canterlot Loyal." remarked a rather pertrubed Element of Loyalty. "Really now? Well what does it say?" Well here we go, it says: Dearest Loyal and Rainbowdash, We wish to invite you both to visit us in Canterlot regarding Loyal's intrestingand unexpected return into this world. We waited this long so you could enjoy some of your time together but there are matters that must be discussed. It is also unclear to us how this amazing feat was performed and whjat it all means. You will be staying in the palace and won't need to pack too much. With loving care and guidance, Your Princesses Celestia and Luna. "Hmm, I was wondering when they'd take an intrest in my return." Loyal chuckled nonchalntly. He looked over at his mare-friend to find a worried look upon her face. "What's wrong Dashie?" Rainbow Dash was worried in a way that she couldn't even begin to describe. tears in her eyes she threw her hooves around Loyal's neck and sobbed out every fear she had. "I know you weren't supposed to come back for me Loyal! what if they want to return you? Or what if they have to return you? What if they say you can't stay? I can't lose you again Loyal. It''l kill me!" "Relax, it's ok Dash. Remember the night I came back? What did I tell you?" "You rold me that you couldn't find perfection without me." the mare mumbled into his mane. "Exactly, they can't send me back to a perfect place for me to live out the rest of eternity perfectly if I can't find perfection there." The stallion hoped his mare would find the sense in his words and low a behold if she did. "Ok, if your sure then I guess I can't really doubt you, and Loyal?" "Yes Dashie?" he replied as he turned to look at her. "I love you more than anything in the world. Thank you for coming back for me." "I know you do, and I love you too." The two headed off to bed to catch some sleep. Dash fell right into slumber despite the excitement moments ago but Lyal was far more troubled. 'I still don't know how to tell her the truth. Should I even tell her? Maybe we can both just pass away and she can learn that way. Maybe I can tell her when we're old and grey. I just don't know what to do..." with these thoughts swirling in his head Loyal slipped into a fitful slumber. It was always the same nightmare. He'd be running to Dash as she aged before his eyes. He would unwillingly slow down until he passed a pond. Unlike usual he actually stopped and looked into this pond for the first time. What he saw was a withered old stallion. Then just like usual a chasm opened beneath him as he fell into the pits of Tartarus. Author's note. While I know this is short, and I don't have a good name for the Story yet, this is mostly going to be bits and peaices of info that tells you what happened between the chapter 'Sacrifice and Loyalty' and 'The Things We Refuse to Leave Behind' My way of making this a bit funner. Relax though, there will be multi chapter stories in this.
The Palace Scene part 1Dash and Loyal were being led up to Celestia's personal chamber. They'd been told that Luna and Celestia would be joining them in about 45 minutes while they wrapped up political business. As they entered the room they couldn't help but be awed by the decor. Dash explored every inch of the room, not worried about her feminine side showing through infront of her stallion. "Oh my gosh Loyal! Can you Imagine a bed like this. It would be so amazing, I wonder how soft it is?" she gushed. "Well then hop up and find out then silly." "But, it's a bed for royalty, I can't do that." Loyal got a sly look on his face and snuck up behind his mare. He flipped her up onto the bed and smiled at the pure silliness of it all. "Your royalty to me Dashie." "Really now? Well then I command you hop up here with me." Smirking the stallion complied. Loyal was amazed at how plush the matress was. "Whoa Dash. This is like, super comfortable. No wonder Celestia always looks like she's so well rested." "Well we don't exactly do much that allows for rested when we climb into bed." noted Dash with a suggestive look. "No we don't, and you have this one spot right here!" Loyal joked back as prodded a hoof in between Dah's hind legs. Dash flushed and jumped back some what surprised. "Loyal, how could you even think like that in Celestia's quarters?!" shot a shocked but rather pleased looking Rainbow Dash. "Well it's not like we actually did anything. Besides, I wouldn't do anything unless you wanted to. But since you obviously aren't in the mo....." Dash rubbed up against Loyal to silence him. "Now when did I say I wasn't in the mood?" she questioned alluringly. The two ponies connected and fell into the bliss of the comfortable bed. 'Well then, Celestia said go by her quarters in about 10 minutes while she ran by the library. Ah well I might as well just go wait out the next ten minutes in her room.' Luna thought as she turned towards the hallway that led to her elder siblings room. Dash moaned and giggled in pleasure as Loyal went to work between her hindlegs. 'This is amazing!' As Luna drew near to her sister's room she heard an odd noise. She neared the door and listened intently. A giggle, she'd heard a giggle. Her sister must have had Twilight come with Loyal and Rainbow Dash. Suddenly a ingenious plan came into her head. 'So then Celestia and Twilight must be having a tickle fight. Well then I'll just burst in and get them both!' the Lunar princess menatlly declared. With that thought she burst into the room, "Ha ha I have you..... OH BY THE MOON AND THE STARS!" At the sound of the doors smashing open Loyal yanked his flushed head up from between Rainbow Dash's legs and quickly wiped a foreleg across his mouth while Dash spun around and stood straight up with a face colour to rival that of the red in her mane.. The sight that met them was Luna desperately shoving against the doors that had shut behind her. The doors that she forgot only opened inward. A horrified look was plastered across the princess's face as she realized what she'd walked in on. "Sweet Celestia, I'm so sorry." the princess started when she stopped and realized something very important. "WAIT, WE DEMAND TO KNOW WHY YOU DARE DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN OUR SISTERS QUARTERS!" Chuckling nervously the two ponies were spared answering when Celestia entered. "Oh, so you've already become acqainted then sister. Yes I asked these two to wait for us here so we could have a private time together to bring ourselves closer to eachother in the personal discussion of Loyal's coming to Rainbow Dash's.... wait what's wrong with your faces?" The three ponies chuckled nervously as the Solar Princess unknowingly poured out innuendo. Loyal was the first to speak up. "Well you see, erm, Luna just thought that it'd be nice to meet us early!" he quickly sputtered. Celestia gave the stallion a suspicious look. "Really then? Is this how it happened Rainbow Dash?" Celestia questioned as she turned to face a very redfaced cyan mare. "Oh uh, yeah, definitely your highness." Rainbow answered raggedly, as she still hadn't caught her breath. "Hmmm, Luna?" "Some things can never be unseen...." came the haunted reply. At this Celestia's eyes took notice of a damp spot on her bed. Her mind suddenly decided to kick into gear and her eyes widened to the size of tea saucers. "Wait... you two... in my...... OH MY GOD!" With this the elder princess grabbed her younger sibling and rushed out of the room. "Well uh..... that could've gone better." Dash chuckled sheepishly. "Or worse." replied Loyal. The two set abvout cleaning up their mess before the two princess's returned.
The Palace Scene part 2"I still can't believe..." "Just don't think about it and it will fade from memory, Luna." At this the dark mare shuddered and forced her mind to other subjects. "Luna, I'd also like to thank you for allowing me to stay in your room for the night." thanked Celestia. "Of course." The two mares stopped talking and turned their attention to the couple that had caused them such stress the previous night. "Morning." quiped Loyal, who seemed to not care about what had happened. 'They'll think whatever they think, can't change that.' "Uhm, yeah, good morning your highness'" muttered Dash, who was still nervous after the happenings in Princess Celestia's quarters. The ponies ate their breakfast in relative silence and after finishing moved to the study to have their discussion. "So I'm assuming you know why I called you two to come to the palace?" inquired Celestia. It was Loyal who answered. "I'd have to assume it has to do with the curiuosity of me being alive at this moment." "Yes Loyal. Do you have any idea exactly what had happened?" Well, yes and no... When you arrive in the after life everything is supposed to be perfect. You never grow hungry, your never wake up sore, you don't actually get tired. It's supposed to be paradise." "But it wasn't, was it?" quested Luna. "No. I spent every day for the next year loathing not being able to be by Rainbow's side. It left a ragged hole in my heart. Now then, when you first arrive you're given a one time use pass. The pass allows you to come back for one day and see, but not interact with, all those you left behind. After a year of waiting I finally felt it in my heart to use it." Loyal went on to describe how he was given his wings. "So that's why you have them. It was going to be my next question but do go on." interjected Celestia. Then from there he described visiting different ponies up until seeing his old unkempt house. "That's when I found the note. At first I couldn't even touch the thing but after a few times and growing desperation for Dash's safety were peaking I felt like my hoof snapped through something and I managed to grasp the note. I quickly took it to the other elements and taking off to find Dash." Loyal continues to explain his frantic searching while Luna quipped in about the note they'd recieved from Twilight explaining the situation. "I eventually found Dash up on a cloud." he started but stopped as he turned to comfort his mare, who was having a hard time of having her moment of weakness laid out for all to see. "You ok Dash, I'm sure Celestia and Luna won't mind us taking a break." "M"fine Loyal." muttered Dash, who then continued the story. "Anyway your highness', I was up on the cloud, and I just, I don't know what was wrong in my head. All I could think of was getting back to Loyal *sob* so I....I tied my wings down with a belt and..... well, y'know......I jumped." As she finished her voice was barely an audible whisper. Both Luna and Celestia nodded in empathy. Their parting when Luna had been corrupted had not been easy and they both understood what the mare had to have been feeling. "And all I could do was watch. I knew where Dash would go if she did this. In desperation I dove after her. At this point the sun was setting and an invisible force grasped me to bring me back up. I refused though. I couldn't allow Dash to suffer this so I fought back. Eventually I felt all resistance snap, I think it would be fitting to saying it's alot like breaking the sound barrier. With this lack of resistance I shot forward and grabbed Dash. I pulled up and we had a minor crash landing. After that we found the girls, who nearly died of shock, and the rest was us just living normally." "So you had resistance? But was there a voice?" inquired Celestia. At this Loyal ducked his head slightly. "You haven't told her have you?!" shot Luna in a rather accusatory tone. "No I haven't, and I didn't feel Dash needed to know!" Loyal shot back. Dash's ears perked up, "Know what?" "You do realize she need's to be told!" glared Celestia, who in turn faced the chromatic mare, "Dash you realize that in Loyal's ret...." "I will NOT allow this! Royalty or no, Dash does not need this to be piled upon her!" "HOW DAREST THOU SPEAKETH TO MINE ELDER SISTER IN SUCH A WAY!" commanded Luna while slipping into her old speach habits. "I DARE BECAUSE IT'S NOT YOUR RIGHT, NOR YOUR PLACE TO TELL HER!" Loyal fired back. "What is going on?!" demanded Rainbow Dash. Luna was rather taken aback, as was Celestia, when the stallion had roared back at her. Luna took a lower, kinder tone. Even she realized that her shouting commands would gain no ground with this stallion who dispalyed a degree of loyalty that surpassed all self preservation. "I understand Loyal, I really do. How you felt with out Dash there beside you, how hard it is to tell the truth for fear it will harm those around you or somepony you care for. But that feeling you suffered, how do you believe your Rainbow Dash would feel when she realized that you couldn't be by your side?" "You're....you are right Luna, and I apologize for yelling at you, both of you actually." Dash finally could stand being out of the know for no longer. "What the hay are you ponies talking about?!" Steeling himself for an emotional response Loyal explained the situation. He explained that in returning for her he had given up his place in the after life. He went into every detail he understood, making it entirely clear that he would not be at her side when they both passed on again. At first Dash was about ready to tear up, screaming at the world for all it's uneqaulity much like she had the night she lost Loyal. But no, Loyal didn't need to see that anguish, and she'd not lose him again. "Fine, I'll make them accept you back." Dash dropped flatly. "But I don't think you understand Dash..." "No! You don't understand Loyal. Remeber that line. The one that says 'I can't be in a place of perfection without you.'? Well that works both ways. If they want me up there they will have to take you back otherwise I'm not going." "I don't think you'll have a choice in the matter Dashie." Loyal sadly replied, nuzzling his mare. "Then I'll make a new choice! Can't be that hard. How would I go about doing that your Highness'? The two princess' did what they could on the topic, but it eventually strayed to other topics as the two royal mares promised to do research on the topic. "So, Rainbow Dash hasn't hesitated to call us her highness', which is what most ponies do. I must inquire as to why you don't refer to us in that way Loyal." quested Celestia. "Oh well it's nothing personal I assure you. I just, actually I don't know. I just kinda view you as two mares, only you have both horns and wings, not just one or the other. It's just how I see things." Celestia nodded in understanding. "It's actually quite refreshing. Rainbow Dash I wouldn't mind you taking a page from Loyal's book. It's quite refreshing to have somepony who doesn't look at you like your an invincible godess." "Hahaha. I'm sure it is." "Speaking of invincibility Loyal, how has life been since your return?" Luna wondered out loud. "Well, I still have to eat, and still have to sleep. I do have this tendency to pull back from arguements and I can veiw them from a more omniscient point. Not like I'm a god, but more like I can see everypony's view and stance on the matter at the same time. Also I don't find that I need to sleep as long as I used to, which goes the same for my food intake. Oh, yeah, and my wings are still here. Other than that everythings normal as can be." "Might I ask if you two have any idea how Loyal came back anyway?" Rainbow Dash ventured. "I've wondered about it for a while now but can't place my hoof on it." At this it was Luna who answered, "It has been a topic Celestia and I have pondered ourselves many a time. From the best we understand, the rules were put into place to control anypony coming from either side of the afterlife for self centred reasons. When Loyal refused to go back, not for himself, or to have you, but instead decided to give it all so you wouldn't suffer it snapped the rules." "Wait! That's it Luna, your a genius!" crowed Celestia. The other three ponies stared at the Solar princess awaiting her to explain the situation. "It's quite obvious and simple now. The rule was as follows: Anypony who forces his or her return for their on wants shall be denied a their place in the afterlife and shall be sent to Tartarus upon their second death.." Still getting clueless looks Celestia explained it. "Quite simply Loyal did not return for his own wants per se. Yes he wanted Dash to not suffer, but the root of that was that he was returning for another and not for himself. Loophole mother bucker!" Celestia suddenly realized that she was still getting funny looks, but this time she also realized what she'd added at the end of her explanation. Flushing she sputtered out. "Erm sorry, I got a little carried away." The four ponies busted out laughing at this and carried on throughout the day venturing into other topics such as how Ponyville was doing or the irony in the Element of Loyalty falling in love with the Element of Sacrifice. This also scored a humourous quip from Loyal. "As long as you two don't bring me some weird tiara or necklace I'm good." Dash asked Luna and Celestia about their cutie marks too. Intrestingly enough they had always had them. As the day drew on Loyal and Dash started packing up their supplies when Celestia presented them with a gift. It was her own bed. "Oh no we couldn't possibly take that Celestia." sputtered Rainbow Dash. "Nonsense, beside you two did kinda make your own mark on it. besides I have a whole warehouse of these. You two aren't the only ones to get excited." That statment drew a rather obvious blush from Dash and a more subdued one from Loyal. "Well then thank you Celestia." Loyal graciously replied. It wasn't till Dash and Loyal were on the train back to Ponyville when Dash asked Loyal a question he'd never been asked before. "Loyal, I know where my cutiemark is from, and now I know where Luna and Celestia got theirs from, but why do you not have a cutiemark." "Hmmmm, I don't quite know. I guess we can try to figure it out later. For now though how 'bout we explore your other cutiemark?" Alone in their train car Dash didn't even hesitate.
The Personal Scene part 1Rainbow Dash screamed in agony as blood poured out from her body. Loyal did all he could to comfort his mare but they knew what was happening and that they could only let nature runs it's course. "Do I look fat?" "What kind of question is that Dashie?" "I dunno?" the cyan mare replied as she stared at her belly in the mirror giving it a prod or two. "Maybe I'm just sick." "Well you have been eating strangely lately." "How do you mean?" "Well you haven't exactly been light on your meals, lately." "Oh so I am fat huh?" Dash joked. Loyal chuckled right back as he started getting ready to go out flying with his mare. He put on the same half boots he wore when he used to go climbing across rooftops. "Why do you even still run when you can fly now?" Rainbow smirked. "I dunno. I always bounded before, taking the same distance in one stride as most stallions do in three. The wings make it more fun for sure. Besides technically I'm still an Earth pony. I've just got super wings to hold my butt up hahaha." It was true, his wings were far larger than those of a pegasus and more muscular. "Well if the way you do things is so much fun lets do it your way." "Well okay then. The two headed out and started galloping through a nearby field towards some woods. Loyal shortened his steps and slowed himself so the less physically inclined could keep up. As he drew near to the woods he leapt up catching a lower branch, Using this as a spring board he launched himself higher into the boughs of an adjacent tree. His natural skill coupled with his wings allowed him to dash amongst the trees with ease. Looking back he was mildly surprised to find that Rainbow Dash was keeping up. "So I didn't leave you in the dust!" "Like you ever could!" she shot back at him. They kept flitting through the trees with grace when theyfound themselves on the other side of the woods. "Hmm, never been over here before. How about you Dashie." "No this is new to me too. Oh buck." "What's up?" asked Loyal, suddenly attentive. "This is a valley nopony comes to because younger dragons tend to live here." "Ah, well then we should leave." The two ponies made to enter the woods when a shadow fell over them. "What do I do!" Loyal shouted as another piercing scream emanated from Dash's mouth. "I don't know what to do." He circled his mare, fretting over her as her breaths came in ragged gasps. He looked down to find that for every step he took he trailed his mares blood on the ground. "Yea, you think your tough then eh!? How about you pick on somepony your own size!" Dash hollored as she dove in and gave a fierce kick to the dragons nose, breaking it and causing blood to spill forth. The chromatic mare continued to harrass the offending dragon while Loyal regained his senses. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her stallion regain his footing but it distracted her long enough for the dragon to slash at her stomach. The claws connected, scoring deeply in the pony's flesh. Dash fell to the ground as blood oozed out of her stomach. Enraged at Dash's well being in danger Loyal charged forward and started pummeling the dragons face. All the skill from every fight he'd ever been in poured out upon this dragon until it slumped down unconcious. The second Loyal realised that the dragon wouldn't be getting up soon he turned to focus on Rainbow. Rushing over he found that blood was flowing freely from the mare. Loyal fussed over her as much as he could as she groaned from the pain. "Hang on Dash I'll get you help." Scooping the mare up the brave stallion flew off towards Ponyville. "Sir, you are near collapse. There is honestly nothing we can do for her." "But she'd in so much pain. I have to be here for her! There has to be something you can do!" "Sorry sir, but there is nothing. Now you are exhausted and I advise you sit down." The medical pony stepped out from the room and confronted Loyal. "That was almost terribly bad, we couldv'e lost the little one." "Huh? I'm sorry but I'm with the adult mare." "I know, but apparently you don't." the doctor chuckled. "Know what?!" Loyal growled, he did not like being toyed with. "Easy there. The claw wounds wouldn't have been lethal to Rainbow Dash at all, but they nearly took your unborn foal. You sir are going to be a father." Neither of them could wait to tell the girls the news. They were going to have a foal! A few days later they were busy preparing for the congruatulations on not being killed by a dragon and finding out your preganant party. They couldn't help but chuckle at the eccentrities of the pink party pony. Rarity had promised to make them outfits. Dash grudgingly agreed while Loyal said he'd just go in his half-boots and left-sleeved jacket(because it didn't possess a right sleeve). Fluttershy simply gushed quick words of encouragement then blushed and hid behind her hair. Applejack simply said "That's great guys!" then jokingly taunted Dash. Then there was Twilight. They were still pretty sure she was doing research into what their foal would be(earth pony or pegasi). Leaving for the party they met up with Octavia and Vinyl, who were extremely giddy at the prospect of another foal being born soon since theirs was already a year old. The party itself was amazing, but lacked the makeshift bar reserved for Pinkie's wilder parties. Everypony came round to congratulte them on the big news. Rainbow bathed in the lime light while Loyal found himself more than a little uncomfortable with all the attention. The party evetnually wound down and Loyal and Dash headed home. Arriving home they both walke straight to theire amazing bed(afterall it had bben Celestia's for a time.) and laid down. After a few seconds of quiete Loyal started rubbing a very sensitive spot at the base of Dashie's wings. The mare gave a bit of a shudder and turned over to him grinning. The two started, but Dash stopped for half a second, drawing Loyals attention. "What's up Dashie, worried?" "No, and I don't mind us fooling around, but I don't think we should really get into this." "Why's that?" "I dunno. I don't have alot of experience or anything with being pregnant. What if we do it and then or foal come out with a bump in his head or something?" Dash half joked. Grinning at the absurdity of the idea Loyal busted out laughing, but conceded. With that out of the way, the night, and the fun, continued.
The Personal Scene Dark Side part 1A feather-tendril shot out instinctively, grabbing the foalish stallion by the back of the neck. Loyal lifted him and held him infront of his cold gaze. "You aren't who I'm looking for.... but you're a start." There was a sudden snap, followed by screaming and then another loud snap. Stepping over the mangled mess, Loyal headed towards the room that held the mare he was here for. Rainbow Dash. "Hold fast Loyal, you are wanted be the Royal Solar gaurd for questioning!" "You're trying my patience Captain. Move now." growled Loyal. "That is not an option you will come with us, and you will face court for Rainbow Dash's murder!" "Dashie, dead, ha no. You've got it all wrong, but she will be if I...." "You will not get past us!" Annoyed at the minor delay Loyal quickly dispatched the Captain and his two guards. "You should've moved." Loyal growled as he stepped over their unmoving bodies. Grabbing his supplies, putting his braces on his right legs, slipping into his half boots and left sleeved jacket, Loyal made to leave the house. As soon as he stepped out Celestia landed before him. "And I don't suppose you're here on a normal visit, Celestia." stated a rather annoyed Loyal. "You have commited a terrible crime Loyal! We trusted you!" "Ah so you don't anymore. Well then, what might I do to regain that trust?" "A stay in our darkest dungeon while we sort through your crimse seems fair!" declared Celestia as her horn began to glow. Eyes flashing, Loyal slipped into that instinctual side again. Three feather-tendrils shot out and grabbed the solar princess. Wrapping one about Celestia's horn, a second around her wings and a third around her neck. "I don't think so!" Tightening the grip around the princesses neck, Loyal watched as her breathing slowed and her eyes went from unfocused to unseeing. Trotting past the downed Celestia Loyal left, making tracks to find the mare that had started all of this. "I can't believe he would attack Princess Celestia and her guards!" "As I said Rainbow Dash, his mind has seemed to have snapped." "Yes, I just wish it wasn't so..." Rainbow sobbed. Loyal snuck around on the roofs of his hometown. He knew Dashie'd be here. Oh what havoc and pain he would wreak when he got to her. Watching below as a junkie entered an alleyway Loyal dropped down silently after the mare. Sneaking up behind her, Loyal grabbed the poor junkie mare and dragged her around to face him. "Where is she!" "Who, I don't even know who you are!" the poor mare sputtered frantically. "Breach!" That was all it took. This stallions death had been big news here. And now he was staring into her eyes, her very soul. "The old warehouse! The one that's always been used! Please, don't kill me!" "I won't kill you, but I will come back to check on you! You've got 2 weeks to get clean!" Loyal roared. "Two weeks! I can't do that!" "That's a shame!" Loyal growled, feather-tendrils constricting the mare throat. Her eyes bulged and she quickly gasped out her new answer, "Ok , I'll get clean, I'll get clean!" Smiling to himself Loyal lowered the mare to the ground and watched her scramble off. "That went well." He took back to the roofs, aware but uncaring as six eyes watched him leave. 'Those two ponies have been following me for a while, time for a trap.' "Quite the interesting specimen Thane." "Yes he is Laryia, but are you sure he is the ultimate undead lifeform your necromagic led you too?" "Yes he is. That stallion is a testament to the powers of necromagic. He has a soul, eats sleeps and breathes, yet he has died. He seems to be bound here by the most powerful magic, Love." "Ugh, how soppy. Yet incredibly powerful. We can bring him back with us, we can help fix our world." "Yes we can, but it seems he's on his own mission at the moment." "True, lets help him then. Faster he's done faster we can use him!" "Of course." The pair set off after the white furred stallion as they were led into a building. Stepping inside the two suddenly realized the trap that had been set for them. Fether-tendrils wrapped around their bodies and forced them against the wall. "You've been following me..... I don't appreciate that!"
The Personal Scene part 2Dash was curled up on the same cloud that she'd flung herself from almost a year before now. She had failed another, and she felt tears pouring from her face. Off in the the distance Loyal could be seen flying towards her. 'Why can't I do anything right?' the mare asked herself. "The coach is here Dashie!" "I know, I'm coming!" the mare hollered back. Loyal had hired a coach to take them to Cloudsdale to see Dash's parents and explain the big news to them. "I'm still not sure this is a good idea." Rainbow mumbled as she entered the carriage. "C'mon, they're goinbg to love to find out your pregnant." "I'm not meaning they won't, but they don'y exactly know about you...." "Mmm? But they were at our wedding?" "And then you.." Rainbow gulped, not able to get the word out of her throat. "But when I came back you never told them?" "I'm so so sorry Loyal it was just all so crazy!" "It's fine Dashie." Loyal comforted as he drew her into a hug. The multi hued mare fell asleep on Loyal's side, with Loyal joining her in slumber not long afterwards. With a knock the two ponies came out from their slumber to realize their journey to Cloudsdale was over. Hopping out the earth stallion cum pegasi sank about six inches in the clouds. "Mmmm. Guess I'm still different from an actual pegasus after all." he chuckled as he helped Rainbow down from the carriage. The two set off into the cloud made city. As they walked throguh the streets Loyal couldn't help but stare in amazement at the marvelous works off art that were the building he walked amongst. Chuckling at his antics Rainbow felt it only fair to warn her stallion of the attention he was darwing to himself. "You do realize every pegasi is staring at you right?" "Oh, at me? Here I thought they were staring at you, and I'd have to teach them a lesson." the stallion chuckled. Smiling at that the mare realized there wasn't much she could do to make Loyal less noticable. The winged stallion was of sturdier earth stallion build. He was taller and noticeably not as sleek or lithe as most pegasi, but still well toned from running and climbing. His wings, not being of natural make, were more like feather shaped tendrils, and they also were three time larger than the average pegasi due to the pegasus magic to help him stay afloat. Then there was the fact that he sank six inches into the clouds. They eventually came to stop at the front of Dash's parent's house. Steeling themselves for a response that would be epic in preportions they trotted up to the door. One fainting spell, 5 or 6 jaws hitting the floor, 25 or so neighbor or passerby pegasi staring, and 3 hours later the couple managed to explain to Dash's mother, Hurricane Flare, and father, Typhoon Flash, exactly what had happened and why a dead earth pony was infact alive and well. The xcitement was a bit much though and it was late. The two pairs headed off to thier respected beds before Dash had gotten a chance to break to other big news. Waking up the next morning Dash didn't hesitate to take Loyal out for two reasons. First was to show off Cloudsdale to him, Second was to show him off to Cloudsdale. They flew through the cloud city, Dash's wings flapping like a regular pegasi and drawing no attention, while Loyal's billowed. 'Sure it's nothing special in Ponyville, but these pegasi need to pick their jaws up!' Rainbow giggled to herself. Continuing through Cloudsdale, Dash showed off everything. The Rainbow Factory, The Cloud Factory, The WonderBolts Arena, her Flight School, and even the cloud far off in the distance that she had become overly acqauinted with about a year before. Eventually the two headed home to have dinner with Dash's parents. Dash had decided that dinner was the perfect time to drop the bombshell, so to speak. "So Mom, Dad, I've got wonderful news!" "Really Dashie? What is it?" inquired Flare while Dash dad Flash rolled his eyes. "Me and Loyal are going to become a trio!" Dash threw out, super excited to se her parent's responses. Flare gave an immediate squeek of delight as her smile threatened to consume her face. "This is great new, we're going to be grandponies!" There was a sudden shattering of glass. All eye turned to the direction of the noise to find Typhoon Flash sitting with a shattered glass in hoof. "What?" he said thinly. Dash pressed her ears flat against her head. "What's wrong dad?" At this Typhoon exploded. "What's wrong?! What's wrong is the fact that my daughter married an earth pony, what's wrong is that this earth pony left you for a year, conviently returning to save you! You expect me to accept this. Besides now you're having a foal with him! That thing in your stomach will be an aberration, and abomination! How dare you disgrace me this way! You need a real stallion! One that'd do anything for you, not this.....!" Flash sputtered. Tears pouring from her eyes, and her lower lip quivering at her father's disappointment, Dash took off out the house. Anger not yet abated the father turned to lash out at Loyal, but found the stallion inches from his face. "How DARE you. How DARE YOU!" Loyal growled. "You're dispicable. You're daughter entrusted me with something I feel you should know. She has tried so hard her entire life to make up for disappointing you after she dropped out of flight school. Every Sonic Rainboom, every friend she helped or pony she saved. When she took on Dicord, Nightmare Moon, and Chrysalis. All of it was trying to gain your respect because she felt she'd let you down. I see the truth though. You let her down not the other way around." Loyal made to exit when Flash found his voice, "You dare question my parenting ability? I want whats best for her. I want her to be happy. I want her to have a stallion that would do anything for her!" "Anything?" Loyal hot back, laying out the trap. "Yes anything, work for her, suffer for her, help her, love her. I want a stallion that would DIE for her." 'And the fool walks right into it.' Loyal thought before rounding on the poor stallion. "FOAL, I HAVE DIED FOR HER! OR DID YOU FORGET?! DID SHE EVEN TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED!?" Realising the trap now, but with no other path, Typhoon Flash replied, "Yes she told me what happened." "SO YOU DARE QUESTION MY FAITH TO YOUR DAUGHTER. YOU HAVE EVER SINCE OUR MARRIAGE. THIS MEANS YOU QUESTIONED MY FAITH TO HER AS I STOOD BETWEEN HER AND A GANG. QUESTIONED MY FAITH AS I STARED AT THE HILT OF A KNIFE BURIED IN MY CHEST!" Loyal thundered as he pointed to where a scar showed the healed wound. "YOU QUESTIONED AS I RIPPED THE KNIFE FROM MY CHEST AND USED IT TO SAVE YOUR DAUGHTER! YOU DARE QUESTION STILL, AFTER I FORCED MY WAY OUT OF HEAVEN PURELY TO ENSURE THAT DASH DID NOT SPEND ETERNITY IN TARTARUS,EVEN THOUGH FROM ALL UNDERSTANDING I HAD AT THE TIME I'D BE GOING THERE NEXT TIME I DIED! YOU BUCKING DISGUST ME. YOU AND MY FATHER WOULD BE A PERFECT MATCH!" With this final insult, the worst that Loyal knew to give, the stallion spread his wings and took off after his mare, knowing exactly where she'd be. Flash stood there in shock. He turned to face Flare, only to be met with a slap across the face as she left after her daughter and son-in-law. The tone in Loyal's voice as he was compared to Loyal's father, and everything that he'd been told, came crashing down upon the stallion as he laid down and cried. He had singlehoofedly destroyed his family. Dash was curled up on the cloud. She'd gotten it's place sealed in history after a heated arguement with some Cloudsdale officials. It was the cloud that she'd been on when she'd attempted to end her own life. It was the cloud that brought Loyal back. It was now the cloud she cried into as she realized that she'd let her father down again. Dash heard the wind whistle slightly and another form lay down next to her and wrap her in an embrace. "It'll be ok Dashie." The chromatic mare turned and sobbed into Loyal's chest. "I failed him. I've always failed him." "No, you have failed nopony." "But I couldn't make him happy?" Dash replied confusedly, tears still running down her face. "It's not your job to Dashie. You can't make him happy, only he can. You can't live your life for everypony else, you have to live it for yourself." "But you gave yours for me!?" Dash sobbed as her nose ran across the scar on Loyal's chest. "I did die for you, but when I died you know what was going through my head? 'This is where I belong.' Even as I pulled the blade from myself, and the excruciating pain that racked my body, I was content to see you safe." Dash thought on that for a while before muttering to herself. "What was that Dashie?" "Buck him." "Mmmm?" "I said buck him. It's his choice whether he wants to be family. I won't let it bother me." Dash replied in her usual confident tone. Smiling at her, Loyal carried her back to Flare and Flash's home and took her straight to her bed. Stepping back out of the room he made to head downstairs to the kitchen when Flare spoke up from the hallway. "Thank you.." "It just make me happy to see she's ok." "Well yes, obviously thank you for taking care of my Dashie, but also for not pound Flash into the ground. Thank for keeping calm." "Sometime a pony just needs a good yelling at. I wouldn't have struck him anyway. It would have upset Dash." At this his mother in law started giggling. "What?" "Is everything you do for my daughter to make her happy?" "Mmmhmm." "Why?" "Makes me happy." Striking Flare deeply with this comment Loyal turned to head downstairs, but still caught Flare's final comment. "You'll make an amazing husband and father." Loyal got his glass of water and downed it in one gulp. 'Grrr needs a lemon.' Just then Flash slunk in. Loyal eyed him negatively as Flash started to talk. "Loyal I'd like to apologize. What I did was horrendous," Loyal nodded, obviously irking the proud pegasi, "and I feel reealy bad about it. I'm sorry for how I was to you. I'm also sorry for what I said to my daughter. Can you tell her I'm sorry?" Eyeing the stallion, Loyal's next comment struck like thunder. "No. She needs to hear it from you." With that said Loyal trotted past and headed up to bed. The next morning was tense as the four ponies waited for breakfast to be reay. Loyal kept giving Flash pointed looks until the stallion finally had enough. "Fine then!" he snapped, drawing everpony's attention. Flash took a deep breath and started his apology. At first it was stuttered and halting, but didn't take long to become a torrent from her father's mouth as he cried, realizing how much neglect he's had towards his own daughter. As Flash's apology came to a close Dash leaned in to his ear and whispered. "I forgive you dad, it's what family does." and threw her forelegs around him. The rest of the visit went off without a hitch. Loyal had convinced Celestia to get him and Dash a private audience with the Wonderbolts. Dash had explained alot of her tricks to them, not performing due to her belly being a bit rounder. Dash also convinved Loyal to show them his free running. After a whil;e they'd fallen into regailing old tales. Dash let it slip that even though she'd broken the sound, Loyal had broken the barrier between life and death. After giving the Wonderbolts their story a very slackjawed Spitfire offered them both invitations to join the team once Rainbow had her foal. After that little meeting the two ponies boarded their carriage for their trip back to Ponyville.
