Return of a Nightmare

Chapter 2- A Birthday

  Mroning had finally arrived and Twilight was downstairs setting the table for breakfast. She used her magic to levitate an equal amount of pancakes onto each plate. She smiled once finished before turning toward the stairs.

"Breakfast!" she called.

After a few moments, the sound of hooves pounding down the stairs could be heard. It was Flash Sentry running down with Twinkle Light on his back. She giggled.

"Faster daddy! Faster!"

Flash smiled lightly. "Alright. You asked for it."

He increased his speed and ran faster around the table making sure not to run over Twilight. Twilight watched them and giggled softly. Once Flash had come to a stop, she trotted over to them and gave them each a kiss on the cheek. "Morning you two."

Flash smiled and he reciprocated the gesture. "Morning dear."

Twinkle Light giggled. "Hey mommy."

"Do either of you know if Gale is awake yet?"she asked.

They both shook their heads.

"I didn't see him come out of his room when we came down." Flash admitted.

"Well I'm going to go wake him. I want to make sure he eats before we head off to the Crystal Empire for Shining's birthday."

Twinkle Light hopped off of Flash Sentry's back. "I'll go wake him mommy."

  She quickly bounded up the stairs and over toward Gallant Shield's room. Twilight smiled softly watching her daughter leave.

Meanwhile, Gallant Shield was still lying in bed, his back toward the door. He was awake but he did not feel like getting up. He closed his bright magenta eyes a moment before they shot up again feeling Twinkle Light jumping on him.

"Get up big brother! Breakfast is ready!" she shouted cheerfully.

Gallant placed one hoof on her head to get her to stop bouncing. "Alright alright...I'm up."

Twinkle  Light giggled and jumped off of him. Gallant Shield got up and he stretched his wings out while letting out a huge yawn. He looked at his little sister before he grabbed her and tossed heron his back. "Next time, knock first."

Twinkle Light smiled. "Okay big brother. Hey, want to run down the stairs like dad does every morning?"

"After the bruise you gave me?" He chuckled lightly,"Not today little sis."

Twinkle Light pouted. Gallant Shield lightly poked her nose. "Oh don't be so pouty. Maybe next time you can ride on my back."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Gallant Shield walked downstairs with Twinkle to meet up with their parents. Twilight turned her head when she heard them come down. She smiled and wrapped her wing over both of them. "Good to see you're awake Gale."

Gallant Shield shifted out from under her wing and place Twinkle Light back on the ground. "Yeah..guess I'm more of a heavy sleeper.." He walked past them without saying another word and sat at his chair.

Twilight watched her son carefully. She grew concerned as she thought of the possible outcomes for his behavior before coming to the conclusion that she will just have a talk with them once they are finished with Shining Armor's birthday party. She walked over to her chair and sat down along with her family.

"So mommy, when are we going to see Uncle Shining and Auntie Cadence?" Twinkle asked.

"After we eat. Best not to travel on empty stomachs." Twilight replied.

"Is Spike not joining us?" Flash asked.

"Well since he's helping the apple family harvest their apples. It is apple buck season for them again."

Flash nodded. "I'm sure with his help they'll have those apples harvest faster than last year."

Twilight nodded in agreement. She turned toward Gallant Shield, not enjoying the fact that he hasn't said a word yet. "Gale....Is something bothering you?"

Gallant Shield lifted his head from his pancakes to look his mother in the eye.  "I'm fine...Just lost in thought."

"Oh? What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing...."

"It must be some--"

"I said it's nothing!" he shouted, cutting her off.

His outburst caused everyone at the table to look at him in shock. Gallant Shield saw them all staring and he got up out of his seat. "I'm finished eating...." He picked up his plate and carried it over to the kitchen.

Twinkle Light got up out of her seat and went after him to make sure he was okay. Twilight on the other hand, began to worry even more.

"This is unlike him....What if he hates me?...Am I such a terrible mother that my son now hates me?..."

Flash sensed her worry and placed a hoof on her shoulder. Twilight perked up at his touch and looked at him.

"You're not a terrible mother Twilight. Besides, Gale is young and he just might be stressed over something else."he said trying to calm her nerves.

Twilight relaxed a little. "You're right Flash. I just don't like seeing our son like this."

"I don't like it either." Flash looked to where Gale left. "I still remember when he was a young colt and he was pulling at your mane begging for attention."

Twilight giggled at the thought. "Yeah...He was sure an energetic colt." She looked down at the table and sighed faintly.

"Cheer up honey, it's your big brother's birthday today. I bet he wouldn't want to see you upset. He'd....probably blame me for it..."

Twilight laughed. "Yeah, that sounds like something Shining would do."

Flash chuckled. "We should finish up and grab the kids or we'll miss our train."

Twilight nodded. "Right."

Once the whole family was ready, they made their way to the train station and off to the Crystal Empire.  Once they arrived, a pale creamed crystal pony mare was there to greet them.  She walked up to Twilight. She bowed to her.

"Princess Sparkle and family, my name is Pearl Strings. Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor are still in a meeting and they sent me to get you."she told them.

Twilight nodded. "How long till they are finished?"

"Shouldn't be much longer."she replied," I can have some guards take your luggage up to the guest rooms."

Pearl Strings beckoned a couple of the crystal guards to take their luggage away. Twilight smiled then turned her head hearing someone call her name.

"Auntie Twilight!" shouted a light pink alicorn mare.

She landed down in front of them before folding her wings in.

"You guys made it!"she smiled.

Twilight smiled. "Well we'd never pass up an opportunity to visit the Crystal Empire to see you, Reverence."

Reverence Soul smiled. She noticed Pearl Strings giving her a displeased look. "Did I do something wrong Pearl Strings?"

"Shouldn't you be with your parents?"she asked sternly.

Reverence Soul rolled her eyes. "All that political talk gets sooooo boring. Besides, I couldn't wait any longer to see my cousins."