Author's Note

In the chapter ahead may get weird, but I am confident that you guys might not mind. Onwards!

Birthright

Chapter 6: Birthright.

As it turns out, Sugrotl had a bad sense of time.

The riverside cruise would take them into the crack of dawn instead of nightfall.

Lyra wasn't complaining though, for this ride had made her think on new ideas and matters that haven't been on her mind.

Why did she chose Featherfang's company over Celestia's?

Lyra always assumed that it was all because of the day the guard almost killed her, but now… something was different, something has changed.

Lyra pondered deeply on this matter. She searched the darkest corners of her mind to come up with a rational answer, but all she could get was that she had a feeling that she was bound to his company by fate.

Lyra finally came up with another answer that triumphed all others. Unfortunately, this answer will get her condemnation from both Equestria and possibly the Serponies.

She fell for him.

She tried not to, but couldn't help herself. Featherfang has been seen as an inspiration of sorts to her. He refused to leave her when she was useless and tired, he held her in high esteem and simply refuse to call her dead weight.

It was his sense of responsibility, his dignity, the way he carried himself that ultimately won her heart.

Lyra thought that if she ever had the courage to tell him, and if he said yes, it would be doomed from the start. After all, he was a demigod, she was dead weight.

However, what she can do is to be there for him, like that moment on the river bank. If he ever needed to lean on a shoulder, she would be there.

(¥¥¥)

Featherfang and company arrived at their destination as the sun rose from the horizon. Featherfang landed and the other ponies got off of Sugrotl. Ahead was dense jungle.

Lyra sighed when she realized that it would be another walking day, but attempted to hold her chin high as she readied herself for the jungle.

“Young one,” Sugrotl said to Featherfang, “it is time you claimed your birthright. Enter the jungle and you should come across your kingdom, your heritage, your people. Treat them well, or I will kill you.”

Sugrotl then vanished into the river.

Featherfang then turned and walked into the jungle, with Lyra, Vinyl and Ryoma following.

It would take them twenty minutes to navigate the jungle in complete silence to get to their destination. And what they saw on the other side was spectacular.

When they exited the dense foliage, in front of them was an ancient city. The streets were crowded Serponies as they went to and fro to shops, market places, and to what Featherfang guessed was the town square. In the middle of the city was an enormous jungle pyramid that dwarfed Sugrotl's pyramid in size and majesty. The pyramid shone like a beacon of light as the sun's rays struck the gold colored surface. On top of the pyramid was a temple that Featherfang felt drawn to, even more so than Sugrotl's.

The sheer majesty of the city was so overwhelming and archaic, that Featherfang wondered if they all went back in time.

Featherfang turned to his group and said, “who's ready?”

Lyra nodded and so did Vinyl and Ryoma. Together the group descended into the city from the jungle hill.

The group approached the gate to the city, which was guarded by the same type of warriors that fought in the Skirmish of Appleloosa. Featherfang and the others were tense, ready to run if things went sour.

Featherfang approached the gate and called out, “hello.”

The guards took one look at him and immediately ran to the winch that opened the gate, almost trampling each other just to open the gate for him. One of the gate guards ran to a rather old-looking horn that stood on the gate, but near the city and blew the horn. Immediately, all noise in the city has disappeared.

Then, in one sudden cry, the city boomed with cries of triumph and joy and cheer. The gate opened and the guards surrounded Featherfang and his group, and escorted them into the city.

The ponies of the city cleared the streets and sat to the side like they were in a parade. The guard watched the crowd carefully while the jungle pony citizens cheered and cried with tears joy when they saw Featherfang.

Featherfang was baffled by all of this. He was a nobody, a street urchin that did the trash and had to do the most disgusting jobs to survive. He was looked upon by many as an unholy being, something that deserved to be purged from Equis.

But the Serponies were welcoming him like he was a long-lost hero… No, he is the long lost hero.

But he did noticed that some ponies were giving the rest of his company the stink eye, which greatly concerned Featherfang.

Eventually, the escorted group made it to the foot of the golden pyramid. There was a pony waiting for them. He was old. The stallion wore a jaguar skin on his left side and had a headless of red and green feathers on his head. He carried a obsidian dagger on his flank and regarded the group with kind eyes, then frowned in puzzlement.

He motioned for Featherfang to come to him.

Featherfang compiled and flew to the stallion's side, then the crowd stood still and silenced itself.

“Greetings,” the stallion said, “I am called Star Reader. I am the head priest of our most holy Quetzalcoatl.”

“I am Featherfang,” Featherfang responded.

The priest turned to the crowd and shouted, “THIS IS OUR HEIR, THE SON OF QUETZALCOATL!”

The crowd roared in joy.

When the crowd calmed down, Star Reader asked, “what happened to Coyotl and his men?”

Featherfang couldn't look at Star Reader, but said, “he and his company died fighting Celestian forces.”

Everypony in the crowd hung their head in mourning. Tear slipped from Star Reader as he said, “he… he was my son.”

Featherfang put one hoof around Star Reader's neck and hugged him to comfort him. Then they broke the hug and Star Reader said with watering eyes, “this day shall not be disgraced in mourning, but shall be one of happiness. It is time to ascend.”

He then looked at Ryoma, Vinyl, Lyra and Applejack. He turned to Featherfang and said, “who are they?”

“I am crown prince Ryoma of Hoshido, a kingdom not of this world,” Ryoma spoke.

“I am Vinyl Scratch, DJ and current apprentice of Ryoma. I fled Celestian rule when I saw Celestia's guards try to kill Lyra. I now stand proudly by Featherfang's side.”

Lyra spoke rather quietly, “I am Lyra Heartstrings. I joined Featherfang when I tried to help him when the guard attacked him.”

The crowd cheered, and Featherfang breathed a sigh of relief.

Star Reader turned to Applejack and said, “and your name, young one?”

Applejack hesitated, then said, “Ah’m Applejack.”

Immediately, the guard pointed their spears at Applejack, shocking Featherfang.

Ryoma drew his Raijinto and Vinyl drew her sword, trying to form a protective barrier around Applejack. Applejack ignited the Darksaber and got ready for a brawl that will surely end badly.

“You DARE show your face here, worm of Celestia!” Star Reader cried in fury, “destroy them!”

Featherfang then shouted, “NO!”

The guard lowered their weapons, confused on whose orders they should follow.

Star Reader turned to Featherfang and said, “my lord, Anypony that is a friend of Celestia should die. We cannot let her get away from us! She could be used as a sacrifice for you or your father.”

“She has been a member of my company, an ally that have helped me reach this place. I will not let you kill her or sacrifice her. She IS one of us.”

“But, stallord-”

“I said no!” Featherfang said, “I will not repay her with death!”

The priest hung his head and nodded. The guards withdrew their weapons.

Featherfang turned to the crowd, “Nopony will even harm Applejack. If they do, they are banished from this place!”

The crowd nodded their heads in unison.

Featherfang then turned to Star Reader, “let's do this ascending-thing.”

Star Reader nodded, then turned to Lyra. A smile creeped onto his face, which made Lyra very uncomfortable. He then said, “guards! Please take Lyra to the palace.”

“What are you doing?” Featherfang growled to Star Reader. The priest flinched and said, “Nothing stallord. Just preparing her for her stay. The other three will go with her.”

Featherfang then nodded to the group, an indication that everything was okay. The group reluctantly left Featherfang and followed Lyra and the guards.

Featherfang turned to look at the temple on top of the pyramid and then said to Star Reader, “you ready?”

Star Reader's smile returned to His face as he said, “the Serponies have been ready for the last thousand years.”

(<<>>)

It has been an hour since Lyra was locked in a lavish room.

But why was she not panicking?

Lyra was told by the guard that she was to wait for a special pony. But this special pony seemed to take forever, so Lyra explored her room for a bit. The room had its own hot spring pool that was the size of a hot tub and made of carved stone. Her bed was fluffy due to all the feathers they packed into her bed and pillow with a comforter made out of jaguar skin. Paintings adorn the wall. This room had a balcony that was above some kind of jungle garden. She did grow bored and decided to read a scroll. She went to a scroll-shelf and picked up a scroll to look at.

It was written in an ancient tongue and the images themselves were… weird. It showed sacrifices, warriors and mare and a stallion touching noses under the wings of a feathered serpent.

She stared at the image until a knock was heard coming from the door.

“C-come in,” Lyra said after calming herself from the jump scare.

A mare came into the room. She had a single red feather in her brown mane and a yellow coat. She had crimson colored eyes and necklace made of bone.

The mare said with a smile, “hello Lyra.”

“Um, hi?” Lyra said.

“The name’s Gold Hoof. I'm here to be your retainer,” the mare said.

Lyra was stunned, “wait, you do know that retainers are reserved for royalty. Right?”

Gold Hoof smirked, “yep.”

“But i'm not royalty.” Lyra protested.

“Not yet. You will be soon. Anyway, I was told to get you ready.”

Lyra raised an eyebrow, “by who?”

Gold Hoof didn't answer, instead she stomped her hoof. Soon, three other mares came into the room with bags made of hide.

“As a retainer, I have to make sure you're presentable,” Gold Hoof said.

“Presentable for what?!”

“Don't worry about it marelady,” Gold Hoof said as she opened up a bag and she and the other mares advanced towards Lyra, causing the unicorn to back away in fear.

(~~~)

Featherfang hated protocols. He viewed them as stupid and completely unnecessary.

But the purification rituals would test him on that. The rituals lasted a full hour before he was even allowed into his father's temple. Not only did that test his patience, but they told him he had to wear a feathery headdress.

Featherfang and Star Reader finally made their way to the temple of his father.

Inside the temple, everything except the stone floor was gold. Various images from several different codex were carved into the golden walls and roof. In the center was a solid gold statue of a sky serpent. In the serpent’s jaws was an amulet made of jade, carved into a serpent’s head. The statue was guarded by three Serpony warriors with eagle shaped helmets made of gold that blocked Featherfang from seeing their eyes.

Featherfang pointed to the warriors, “who are they?”

“Those three? They belong to the Band of Gold, the most highly trained platoon of soldiers in our army. They serve as temple guards during peacetime. Think of them as our equivalent to the Celestian Sun Squad.

“What about the gold helmets, they can't be efficient for them in battle.”

Star Reader laughed, “then you never heard of Serpent Gold. Gold is your father's most sacred object. If there is gold equipment we want to make that is lighter and stronger than steel, all we have to do is expose the gold object to the amulet, and it becomes lighter, stronger gold that is fit for battle.”

Star Reader then said to the three Gold members as they approached them, “warriors, guard the entrance to the temple and kindly tell those who are not of sacred duty to get out. It is time for the Ascension.”

The guards complied and began to herd the ponies that weren't a priest or priestess. Soon Featherfang was alone with about fifteen different holy ponies and Star Reader.

“Alright, to start off, we need Featherfang's blood.” Star Reader said.

He then held out his obsidian knife.

“Wait, you want me to cut myself?!” Featherfang said.

“Yes, for the seal itself was created through blood magic. It must be unmade through the same methods,” Star Reader answered.

“How did you know I can perform blood magic?” Featherfang asked.

Star Reader said with a chuckle, “who else would put a heart on Sugrotl's altar.”

“That was you?”

“Indeed, it was all for this moment. Make us great again, Featherfang. Make us a nation once more. Claim your birthright!”

Featherfang took the knife and cut himself on his foreleg. The blood that came from the wound started to act on its own when Featherfang pulled the ancient words from his mind to cast the spell. The blood acted like jagged, crimson tentacles. Featherfang soon began to walk towards the serpent statue and began chanting with the priests and priestesses, despite never learning their language. He also tried to fight his blood-curse, as if one thing distracted him, he would have to try the ritual again the next day.

Featherfang concentrated as the blood became ropes, and Featherfang willed them all to stand straight up as they still swatted and squirmed in the air. Then Featherfang willed them to all converge on the amulet. The blunt edges of the blood became as hard and sharp as daggers, piercing the spell barrier and shattering it like glass.

The blood receded into Featherfang's leg. Featherfang then walked up to the amulet.

“Just walk up and grab it! Claim your birthright, your father!” Star Reader cried as winds started to blow with the force of a hurricane inside the temple, all of it coming from the amulet, but not affecting Featherfang in anyway. Featherfang hesitated, then touched the amulet.

An explosion of power rocked the temple and shook the very foundations of the pyramid, causing a small earthquake.

A voice boomed in the temple and in the rest of the city,

"This is my beloved son... he has returned."

“Father? Father, is that you?!” Featherfang cried out.

“Indeed my son, Oh, how much I want to see your face.

Featherfang's eyes began to tear up.

“My son, I have to build up my power because of my slumber. I spent too much power on your mother to make you, and i'm still recovering.”

“Then… I can't see you.” Featherfang said with complete sorrow.

“There is a way to regain enough power to manifest and help you on your quest. To do this, you must march on to Ahuizotl’s place, cut his heart out and make it an offering to me. If I take his heart, I will have enough power to walk among mortals.”

Featherfang was uneasy about his father's request, but regardless, he said, “It shall be done, father.”

“As a homecoming gift, receive the power you were born with!”

Another explosion rocked the area, causing almost everypony within the city and the pyramid temple to fall on their plots. A Tepoztopilli with an edge made of jade and a shaft made of serpent gold appeared in front of the gold statue. Featherfang felt his body change into something else, something far more powerful than the average unicorn mage, more powerful than a Ursa Major or Wendigo.

The light that filled the temple faded and in front of the serpent statue was Featherfang, the sky serpent. His body was still covered in white feathers, but it was the body of a serpent. His head turned into a serpent’s head. His eyes had cackling energy leaking from them in the form of electric sparks. His magnificent white wings spread as he spread his jaws apart with his fangs replaced by teeth that were as big as daggers. From his jaws he made a very loud noise that sounded like a cross between an eagle's cry and a dragon's roar. His overall body size was three times the size of Celestia.

The priests and priestesses we're terrified of his form, so much so that they started begging him for mercy.

“Son...I will see you soon…”

“I Love You.”

With those words, Featherfang reverted to his old self. He was back in his normal form.

He blinked and looked around the temple to see the holy ponies shaking with fear.

“Why are you guys hiding in the corner like that?” Featherfang asked, head tilted to the side.

“Stallord,” Star Reader smiled, “you had ascended.”

Then, the Tepoztopilli floated over to Featherfang.

“What is this?” Featherfang asked.

“This is the legendary weapon, Wind Piercer, a sign of your birthright, and the beginning of your rule.”

(θθθ)

Lyra look at herself in the mirror, wondering if this was the Serpony equivalent of a ballgown.

She was dressed in the finest mare clothes that was in the city. She had a headdress made of white and green feathers on her head. Each leg of hers had a ring that was decorated with feathers that were red and white. The lower half of her head was painted red with crystal shards as big as grains of sand embedded within the paint, causing her face to twinkle in the sunlight. Her dress was made from some kind of shimmering cloth that was the color of her mane. To top it all off, She had a golden charm of a sky serpent on a thread as a necklace.

Gold Hoof smiled again, and thanked the other three mares for their services. She let them out the door and closed it behind them.

She turned to Lyra and smiled with pride of a job well done.

“Do you like it?” Gold Hoof asked.

“I… don't know. It's so different from what we usually wear in Celestia's kingdom,” Lyra said.

Gold Hoof rolled her eyes as she said, “please, any of nature's wonders and ingredients can triumph a Equestrian gown any day.”

Lyra looked back to the mirror, uncertainty clouding her face.

Gold Hoof trotted over to the balcony and looked up to the sky, she judged the Sun's position and turned to Lyra. “We're going to be late if we stay here any longer.”

“We're going somewhere?”

“Yep, to a sport event that is only played during special days. Have you ever heard of the Ball Game?”

(^^^)

Lyra and Gold Hoof made their way to the stands of the Ball Game court. It was packed, but the guards carefully escorted Lyra and Gold Hoof to the seats that were next to the seats of royalty. There they were able to talk while before the game started.

“So tell me Lyra, how did you come across Featherfang?” Gold Hoof asked.

“Well, he was about to get killed by the Ponyville guards and I tried to get them to leave him alone. I thought they would listen, but instead they tried to kill me. I would of died if Coyotl and his men haven't saved us,” Lyra answered.

“Well, what do you expect from guards that are a little too devoted to Celestia? Flowers and apology letters?”

Lyra looked down, “Jeez, you make my attempt for peace sound stupid.”

Gold Hoof smiled sadly, “I'm sorry, Marelady. But in this world, true peace will never exist.”

“Gold Hoof…”

“Shhh, the game is about to begin.”

Lyra turned to the left as well as Gold Hoof to see a stallion come out of nowhere. He seemed to be an announcer of sorts.

“Mares and gentlecolts, today, in honor of the lost heir returning to us, we have been graced to play the one and only Ball Game!” the stallion said.

The crowd cheered.

“But this can only get better if something made this game even more special than it already is, and that will happen today!”

The crowd cheered again.

“Today, the heir himself has decided to attend this very game. So, without further announcements to be made, please welcome Featherfang!”

Then the crowd went nuts as Featherfang came and sat on the king’s throne that overlooked the entire court and was next to the empty queen seat.

Lyra immediately noticed something different about him. His eyes were full of determination and his chin was raised higher. The way he carried himself was the very image of royalty.

Gold Hoof caught Lyra glancing at Featherfang, and a pretty wicked grin appeared on her face.

Lyra saw the grin and started to blush uncontrollably, but you couldn't tell from the red paint.

Gold Hoof laughed, “damn, i'm surprised he hasn't figured it out yet!”

“U-um...I… um.” Lyra stammered.

Gold Hoof motioned to a guard and whispered in his ear. The guard nodded and walked over to the king’s seat and whispers something into Featherfang's ear. When the guard walked away, Featherfang turned to Lyra.

Lyra had gone beet red and desperately started looking for an exit, but all the guards blocked the way. Featherfang got off his seat and started to make his way towards Lyra. Gold Hoof began to smile a sly smile, but it quickly disappeared when she got a glimpse of Lyra’s rage filled eyes.

“Do you think this is funny?” Lyra hissed.

Now it was Gold Hoof’s turn to stammer, “bu-but marelady, I can explain-”

“What do you need to explain to me? Your plans to embarrass me?!”

“Marelady, I-”

“Hello Lyra,” Featherfang said as he came up next to them.

“Um...hi?”

“You look great today.” Featherfang said.

“Um… thanks?”

“Would you like to sit with me?” Featherfang asked.

Lyra nodded her head slowly and followed him to his seat. He sat in the king's seat while Lyra sat next to him, in the retainer seat, not wanting the empty queen seat for the fear of offending the Serponies.

The match began with a pony tossing a ten pound rubber ball in the middle of the stone ball court between two teams of five stallions, the blue and green teams. The stallions used their flanks, knees, and hind leg hooves. Should the player use any other body part to hit the Ball, he was disqualified and brought dishonor to his family. The players themselves wore leather flank protectors and knee pads to avoid injury from the ball itself.

They had to score by hitting the ball through a vertical stone hoop that was nearly twenty feet in the air, a feat that seemed impossible to an Equestrian like Lyra, but was quickly proven to be possible when the green team scored a point.

The crowd cheered and settled when the ball was put back into play.

As the two teams fought for the ball, Lyra asked, “did you meet your father?”

Featherfang nodded and said, “I did.”

“What did he say?”

“He said that I need to drive out Ahuizotl’s forces and reclaim the jungle for my ponies. He said to make us great again.”

“Oh…”

Featherfang took his eyes off the match and looked at Lyra, “I am supposed to be meeting with the war council tomorrow and plan the campaign. I understand that you have grown under Celestia's rule, so if you want to leave this place and go back home, you can. After all, when we destroy Ahuizotl, we will come for Celestia next.”

Lyra shook her head, “I'm staying with you, for better or worse. I…,” she turned to Gold Hoof, who only nodded.

Lyra got out of her seat and joined Featherfang on his seat. Luckily, the seat was big enough to accommodate both of them.

Featherfang was surprised at the sudden move Lyra made. She pressed against him and her head rested on Featherfang's neck. Featherfang closed his eyes and put his wing over her as a sort of hug. This move had gotten some frowns from those in the crowd that was paying attention to Featherfang and not the game. Those sneers turned into cheers as the blue team scored.

Lyra must of been there with him for the longest time, because before she knew it, the game was over. The Blue team was victorious, which meant that green team had to clean the city streets until the next game.

Featherfang saw Star Reader giving him a look that said Featherfang needed to go.

“I need to go, Lyra,” Featherfang said.

Lyra gave him a reluctant nod and climbed off of the seat, followed by Featherfang. Lyra watched as Featherfang and Star Reader walked off to the town square.

Gold Hoof trotted up to her, almost bouncing in delight, “That was so cute!”

Lyra blushed even more than she thought possible and quickly found interest in the stone floor of the court.

“I don't think he-” Lyra began.

“Please marelady. I think that is a complete lie. If he really wasn't interested in you, he would of pushed you off of the seat!” Gold Hoof said. She then gave her a slip of paper and said, “this is a letter from Featherfang that he gave me to give to you. It says he wants to meet you in the palace gardens, TONIGHT.”

“A-alone, at n-night?”

(~~~)

Erron Black was just baffled.

He never had once lost the trail of a group of clumsy targets. It was not like trying to track down ninjas or insect women.

Instead, ponies, PONIES have somehow eluded his sights. He knew that they last appeared in the Badlands, but that was days ago. He thought it was an easy job with a high reward, but he didn't expect to track down some kind of stealthy heir to a lost kingdom!

Erron sighed as he went over his map of Equestria again for the fifteenth time in a row, trying to plot out all possible routes the group may have taken.

“Hey, Erron.” a guard's voice called out. The guard was none other than Shining Armor, back from his recent trip from the hospital. Erron will never know what kept him alive after Kenshi rammed a sword down his throat.

Erron snickered when he thought about that.

“Pffhh, sword down the throat.”

“What did you say, Erron?” Shining Armor said when he entered Erron’s room, “cause I hope it wasn't any more dirty references.”

Erron grinned under his mask, “I got to have fun too. By the way, how did you survive that wound?”

Shining Armor rolled his eyes and said, “Love.”

“Love?! Ha! My friend, if you think love has helped you survive, then you need to check yourself into a mental institution.”

“It's true! As soon as I fell, my wife-”

“Whoa. You have a wife? And here I thought you were gay.”

Shining Armor frowned, “why would you think that?”

“Because you took Kenshi’s sword in your throat!” Erron said as he laughed at his joke he made, causing Shining Armor’s eye to twitch in irritation.

As soon as Erron calmed down, Shining said, “you done? Good. Anyways, the princess Celestia felt some kind of magical disturbance that came from the Forbidden Jungle, a big one-”

“Like Kenshi’s sword?! Bwahahahahahaha!”

Shining Armor ignored the mercenary and continued to speak, “the princess has asked me to send you there to assassinate the heir so the incoming war is over before it can begin.”

Erron stopped laughing and said, “very well, as long as I get payed.”

“You are to take with you a mare by the name of Daring Do. She is to act as a guide for your expedition.”

Erron frowned, “I work alone tough guy.”

“Not on this mission you don't,” Shining Armor said, “and I thought you didn't care, as long as you get payed.”

Erron just sighed and said, “very well, I will do it.”

Shining Armor breathed a sigh of relief, “good. I'll tell Celestia about the arrangement.”

(//\)

It was nighttime in the Forbidden Jungle and in the city of the Serponies. Lyra waited patiently near the fountain and looked at her reflection, reflecting on today and the days to come. She still had that nagging part of her that begs her to return to Ponyville, to Equestia, to her friends and Celestia. Lyra knew that she wanted to see her friend Sweetie Drops, to see the Mane Six with Applejack. She did feel homesick, and was homesick the entire trip. She felt that her future was crumbling, and so were the ponies that missed her. She felt connected to Featherfang's group, but she felt she had no future we're she could see her friends for one final time.

Her thoughts scattered when she heard the flap of wings. She turned towards the sky to see Featherfang descend into the garden. He landed as quietly as he could and spread his wings that caught moonlight, giving the illusion that his wings were metallic.

He trotted over to Lyra and kneeled, an act that completely shocked Lyra.

“Featherfang, it is I that should be bowing to you!” Lyra protested.

Featherfang didn't listen to her. Instead, he raised his head and stared her down with his sapphire colored eyes, which seemed strangely seductive.

Lyra was detecting all sorts of red flags. She was extremely confused and a little scared as Featherfang slowly advanced towards her. Lyra backed up as Featherfang continued to advance towards her. Soon, Lyra felt her flank touching the stone wall, a clear indicator that she had nowhere to go.

Featherfang stopped a couple of inches away from Lyra. Lyra herself was starting to look for a way out.

Then Featherfang lowered his head and kissed the unicorn mare.

Lyra's heart fluttered in her chest as Featherfang continued to kiss her. He broke away for a moment to see if she was comfortable with this, then whispered to her, “are you okay?”

Lyra slowly nodded her head and Featherfang continued to kiss her. It started simple, but then reverted to a more primal and passionate kiss as time went on.

Soon, Lyra had completely given in to her feelings and worries as she forgot all her problems in that single, passionate kiss. She surprised Featherfang when she pushed him to the ground and continued to kiss him.

Featherfang was becoming more aggressive with the kiss, something that Lyra tried to match in passion. But, try as she might, she was completely overwhelmed by Featherfang. Featherfang realized what his body was trying to do, and he reluctantly broke the kiss. Both were panting from that one moment of passionate bliss.

Lyra, when she realized what just happened, blushed like her cheeks were baking in Tartarus. Featherfang however, was a bit love drunk.

“I'm so sorry Featherfang, I-”

“I'm the one that initiated the kiss, and I don't regret it. One. Single. Bit. If anything, it helped confirm my feelings for you,” Featherfang said.

“But, I'm not royalty. I can barely fight, i’ve been dead weight in the group, and your people will hate you if you chose me. I'm only one mare of of the many more still available in this world, so why me?”

Featherfang answered, “It was your concern and care for me, it was your unshakable loyalty, your inlaid courage that ultimately won my heart. And if the people hate the idea of us together, then they will have to deal with it.”

“Stallord… I…”

“I know that it's rather sudden, Lyra, but I have never felt so sure in my life. I want to be with you, now and forever. All I ask is one chance to prove to you how deep my feelings feel.”

Lyra looked into those brilliant, sapphire eyes and nodded with a smile and said, “I will give it a try. Just promise me you will never deny me. If you don't care what others say, then make it known that we are together.”

Featherfang smiled, “isn’t that another way to make sure that another mare doesn't catch my eye?”

“You caught me, my king.” Lyra said as she muzzled him. Featherfang only sat there with her, enjoying the breeze that caressed the garden.

But, unknown to them, Star Reader and Gold Hoof were watching them.

“The prophecy is coming true, right before our eyes. His ascension, his lover, it's all coming true,” Star Reader said as he looked over a scroll.

“Awww, they're so cute!” Gold Hoof said.

Star Reader sighed, “Gold Hoof, please control yourself. They still have to get married in order for the prophecy to be complete.”

Gold Hoof paid no attention to his comment and was still giggling over the two lovers in the garden. Star Reader said as he put away the scroll, “I must prepare for the war council. It is time we made Celestia pay for her ancestor's wrong doings. It is time we reclaim our birthright.”