Frayed Threads

Frayed Threads

By Veritasranger

"Affinity stop day dreaming over there!". Affinity looked up from where his mother assumed he was just staring into space. She was wrong of course. They always were, they all assumed he had his head in the clouds but it was never the case, he wasn't looking at empty space he was looking at what the other ponies couldn't see, what they never saw. "Yes mum" the sky blue unicorn foal sighed deeply and spurred his little legs into action.

He rushed what felt like a kilometer but was in truth only maybe twenty metres. As he skidded to a halt he was engulfed in shadows as his mum leaned over and proceeded to lecture him. "I swear one day you will get lost in those daydreams you keep having and never get out or maybe you will just wander off in the real world and give me a heart attack trying to look for you!". As the tiny foal let out a deep sigh and responded reflexively "yes mum", he was still thinking about what he was staring at back at the market.

It was never clear to him why noone else could see the ribbons. They connected everypony to everypony else. Once he had tried to tell his school counselor about the ribbons but all Mrs. Heartfelt would tell him was that sometimes "young fillies and foals thought they saw something but it was just their imaginations". After that he never told anyone again. It was becoming clear to the little foal that while the ribbons sometimes met they didn't always mesh well together. The first time he realised this was when his Auntie Haybale brought home her new boyfriend. There was no denying it, as soon as he saw their ribbons that they weren't compatable, they clashed so starkly. There was no harmony there and he couldn't understand it, why was his amazing aunty with someone so clashy. The image of his teacher telling him that wasn't a word filled his mind but there wasn't a better word for it...at least that a small foal knew anyway.

My Auntie introduced me to him and asked "What do you think of my new boyfriend Affy?" and all I could do was stare at the clashy ribbon and mumble "He's alright" and then sprint out of the room. Mum told me later she was very confused why i reacted like that, the droning of things like "that was rude" and "I brought you up better than that" went on for what felt like an eternity. Two weeks later Auntie Haybale came barreling through the front door bawling her eyes out about how colts are dolts. i had no idea what a dolt was but it sounded about right for Mr clashy pants.

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As his dreary eyes opened to the sudden burst of light that spilled across his face he saw his mum staring and through that groggy morning haze he heard "get up it's time for school". he didn't want to got school, not now not ever. Yesterday was the final straw, he had been one of two ponies left in his class without a cutie mark. Unfortunately that all changed yesterday when Skygazer walked in with her brand cutie mark. Turns out she was really good at staring at the stars and stuff. A small groan escaped his lips as he thought about being the only one left with a blank flank. It was terrifying, it was horrible.....it was lonely. He had no idea what his special talent was. he knew he could see the ribbons but how is that a talent it was just a mishmash of random colours and shapes and sizes of light. As he rolled off the bed the feelings of despair and dread intensified. The image that leered back at him in the mirror proved he looked as bad as he felt, the overwhelming feeling to crawl back under the covers was only beaten by the knowledge that his mum would magically turf him out the door clean or not. The last thing he needed today was to be scruffy as well.

That obnoxious sun was there to greet him again as he emerged from the house with the last remnants of his toast stuck in his mouth. As always his mum walked him to school, it was one of the times of day he really enjoyed because his mother liked to hum as they walked. Half way to school he stopped dead in his tracks. There were two ribbons that were close to each but not touching or converging like the others but they were matching, the same colour, the same pattern the only thing that was different was that one belonged to a mare and one belonged to a colt. Something just snapped into place in Affy's brain. Those two belonged together! No sooner had this realisation fully formed before he found himself bolting straight over to the mare. "missyoubelongwiththatcoltoverthereitsperffectohhhitsSOPERFECT!" the blank look on her face said it all, she didn't understand. The exasperated foal couldn't contain his enthusiasm but he took another breath and tried again "Miss see that guy over there i think you two match". The questioning look that crossed her face started to deflate his moment of triumph until she finally looked across at the colt he had frantically been waving his tiny hoof at. The expression on her face soon replaced itself with a new one, joy, she bolted past the tiny foal and crash tackled the colt to the ground. The mess of legs soon untangled itself and the colt shouted "Gleeheart what are you doing here?" between happy giggles she responded "I came here to find you knucklehead". Affy didn't know whether to be pleased with himself or sick from the ickyness. He soon settled for a unhappy middle ground of the two as he turned around and followed his mothers ribbon. When he finally caught up she was still humming to herself oblivious to his absence. After a minute she turned to smile at affy and the whistle died in her throat, heck she just stopped moving and stared at Affy, wait no she was staring at his flank. His head turned so fast a casual observer would have thought he snapped his neck. His eyes came to rest upon a brand new shiny cutie mark. Two ribbons one blue and one red twisted around each other. The resulting yippee could probably be heard all over Canterlot.

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That damn sun! His eyes slowly cracked open as the curtains parted revealing his mortal enemy. As always his mother was standing there with the same half scowl half grin she had whenever she did this. "up and at them or you will be late for work" The internal fight between his brain and his body continued. the brain was losing, badly, it seems as the blankets were pulled up over the head of the young colt. His brain was making a good argument but was being slowly drowned out by the body grumbling SLEEEEEEP. Fortunately reinforcements arrived to overthrow the evil body and its tempting message. Magic engulfed the blanket and pillow and roughly yanked them away and standing there was the brains ally, mum. As always he left the house with half a slice of toast hanging out his mouth and slowly trotted towards his job. Instinctively he was staring at the bonds , his new name for the ribbons, and trying to match them up. Amongst his friends he had started to get bit of a reputation as a matchmaker. No matches jumped out at him today though. The doors to the printing shop loomed in the distance. Smells of paper and ink on the press wafted by his nose. The corners of his mouth rose slightly. "Your late!", "Sorry Ms Inkwell". Its going to be a long day.

Today was a slow day in the shop and Ms Inkwell left Affy alone in the front. The doorbell tinkled as the door was slowly opened, Affy slowly looked up and was caught by surprise. Standing in front of him was the most beautiful pegasus he had ever seen. She had a light grey coat, pale yellow hair and was wearing a Air Courier's outfit. Her eyes were a little askew but he found that more adorable than anything but the thing that most drew his attention was her bond. The pattern, the colour, everything about it was identical to his. Searching the entire office her eyes finally spotted Affy staring at her and she took a step towards him....then promptly tripped on the carpet and went headfirst into a pile of boxes. Affy bolted over to her and helped disentangle the poor mare's legs. As she straightened herself she blushed slightly and looked down into her saddle bag to hide her face. Soon a parcel was produced and she dared to look back at Affy...and almost shrank back from the intensity of his stare. "Is this Ms Inkwells print shop?" she managed to blurt out. Affy finally noticed she looked uncomfortable and looked away "Yes, yes it is. How can I help you? miss?" "Derpy" she blurted back, "I've got a package from Ponyville". Affy levitated the package onto the closest bench and turned around to see that Derpy was moving towards the door. Seeing his match walking away he panicked and blurted "Would you like to have a hot chocolate with me?". Derpy froze on the spot and without thinking said "I have a daughter" then she blushed even more and hid her head. "But not a partner?" Affy's heart skipped a beat as he waited and started again when the shy mare shook her head. "Well if your not a drink how about a sandwich or a croissant or maybe a muffin?" Derpy bit her bottom lip and then nodded slightly" The resulting yippee could probably be heard all over Canterlot.

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Ohhh that sun feels awe- "oompf" the wind was knocked out of him with the sudden impact with a small grey unicorn filly. "Ohhh god Dinky don't do that!" the filly looked a little dejected until Affy roughly scruffed up her mane and smiled then he whispered softly "Come on small fry lets leave mum to sleep for a while. Dinky jumped off the bed quietly, well quietly for a filly,  and trotted off down the hall and Affy grinned. From under the covers Affy heard his beloved say "Ty dear" his smile broadened and he leaned over and kissed her forehead lightly. "Sleep well Peanut", "Don't call me that" she retorted. With a mischievous grin he said "Make me muffin lady" and with that bolted down the hall. Dinky was trying to make breakfast and was about pour orange juice on her cereal when it was slowly lifted by Affy out of her grip. "AWWWWWWWWWWWWW but I like it that way" she whined. "Shush you eat it normally, lets be good for mommy today she had a long trip to Trotingham yesterday" After she flew half way in the wrong direction anyway he mused to himself. "Can we goto the park then?" her little face lit up at her plan to help mummy. Affy laughed "Of course, Right after we finish breakfast Dinkums". "It's Dinky!" she pouted. "Also you need to brush your mane", "Fine Daddy" she huffed. Affy couldn't help but smile, life was very good.

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It was dark, it shouldn't be dark. Affy's eyes opened slowly and he could see a little light bleeding through the curtains. Magically he opened the curtains. Light burst forth and almost blinded Affy. Next to him Derpy groaned slightly and reached over and half heartedly punched him. "What did you do that for? she grumbled. "I dunno maybe because for once Dinky didn't wake us up and as you know she only does that when she is ill". A very ruffled yellow mane popped up from under the covers and peered at him bleary eyed "Who is Dinky?". Affy almost fell off the bed. "She's your daughter you featherbrain!" he wasn't sure what was going on. Derpy looked at him intensly and raised an eyebrow. "We haven't had any children yet". Affy was floored. Leaping out of bed as fast as he could he bolted down to Dinky's room and almost broke the door as he flung it open with his telekinesis. Nothing not a damn thing, no mess , no posters plastered on the walls, no stuffed toys manning pillow forts, no dent in the ceiling when she jumped too high on her bed and got her horn stuck in the ceiling. there was nothing......no Dinky. Affy was filled with dread, whats going on?

Derpy came wandering down the hall looking worried "Whats wrong dear?" she bit her lip that way she does when she is worried. "Dinky you know D I N K Y. Our Daughter. The little version of you is MISSING!!!" After another deep breath he continued "You don't seem upset like a mother should, whats going on? Is this some sort of joke for the muffin lady comment yesterday? ohhh god where is she??" Affy started to hyperventilate as panic set in full force. He liked his life. He loves his wife and adores his adopted daughter. His brain just clicked. The wedding photos. Affy bolted for the living room. His favourite photo was there. It was the day he married Derpy. She was actually graceful that day and wore the most beautiful dress and then there was dinky in her pretty pink flower girl. There was the photo with him standing there embracing Derpy.....but no dinky beaming that adorable grin of hers in between us.

Affy had no idea how much time went by, all he could do was stare at the photo and the rest of the world melted away behind him. Finally he noticed a soft nuzzling in his sides. It was Derpy she was looking terrified and she wasn't alone. Standing next to her was a purple unicorn he knew well. "Twilight", he stammered "Dinky is missing". Twilight looked concerned and put on her best 'everything will be alright' voice. "Affinity your worrying Derpy and we don't know who this Dinky girl is" Twilight walked over and put a hoof on his shoulder and looked at him in her best 'everything will be alright' face. "Affinity we think you should come with us to the hospital" His mind raced, why didn't people know Dinky. She existed he knows it he saw her Bond......... "HER BOND" he bellowed and shoved past twilight and scoured the house looking for the trace that was always there. Nothing. Stumbling back he hit the wall and slid down it, a small tear forming. An idea shot through his mind like a bolt "Twilight!" he swiveled his head to find her not a meter away. "Yes Affy?" her voice full with concern. "Do you think Applejack would bring Winona around and help me search for Dinky?" Twilight's expression changed from concern to confused "Who is Applejack?"

Affy refused to be taken to the doctor's instead he insisted on being taken straight to Sweet Apple Acres. Pelting down the road at full speed with his mind racing he was almost oblivious to Twilight and Derpy doing their best to  keep up. Skidding to a halt outside the Apples front door he started belting on the front door as loud as he could. "What's all the noise?" Affy spun around to see a little yellow filly with a red mane with a pink bow poking her head around the nearby barn. Affy wracked his brain for her name and finally came up with it "Applebloom! where is your sister Applejack?". "Applewho, What y'all talking about? I only have a big brother" His mind couldn't comprehend what was happening, the stress of it all finally came crashing down on his head and Affy fainted his head falling into the mud with a loud PLOP.

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"Is he going to be alright doctor?"  "Honestly I do not know whats wrong with him. Normally I'd say stress but from all accounts he hasn't been doing anything stressful". Affy groaned and slowly opened his eyes only to be almost assaulted by a loving nuzzle from his worried wife. He smiled weakly and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm ok peanut. I had this most terrible dream. Dinky and Applejack didn't exist. where is the little thing anyway?". All the worried faces told him immediately it wasn't a dream. His entire body slumped instantly as his fears took over again. The doctor coughed "well now Mister Do i thi-", "Leave now Doctor" the barely contained anger behind Affy's voice was enough to startle everypony in the room. "well I re-". "NOW!" Jumping visibly the doctor finished hurriedly "I'll check in on you later" and almost bolted out the door. Derpy and Twilight rose to leave as well and as they approached the door they barely heard "please don't go". They turned around and saw that he was barely holding back tears. "I'll tell you everything"

He told them everything about what his Cutie mark really meant, about the bonds and how he saw how everyone was connected and how he knew Derpy was his soul mate because her bond matched his. He described Dinky and everything about her down to her annoying yet lovable way of waking him, to the way she liked her cereal or how she loved kites and above all how she loved her mum. Next he went into detail about Applejack and how she was Twilight's friend and how honest and down to earth she is. Both mares listened in detail, sometimes asking questions and other times just sitting in silence. When he had finally exhausted every bit of detail he could remember about them he sat back and stared intently at both mares. Twilight sat there thinking and Derpy leaned in and looked him in the eyes and then asked the most obscure question "Does she like muffins?" Affy couldn't help but burst out laughing. "She prefers Cupcakes but she does love baking them for her mum" Derpy nodded silently and then hugged her husband, "I believe you". A tidal wave of relief washed over him as he bear hugged her back. Meanwhile Twilight had silently come to a similar conclusion "I think you may be telling the truth because for the life of me i can't remember anyone weilding the element of honesty but without it we couldn't have defeated Nightmare Moon and Discord. I'm going to go send a message to Princess Cadence and do some resea-" Twilight froze as Affy turned away from his nuzzling at lightning speed "Don't you mean Princess Celestia?". Twilight worriedly replied "If I said I didn't know who Princess Celestia is would that be panic worthy?" All Affy could do was nod.

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Princess Cadence and Princess Luna turned as the puff of smoke came through the open window. Both Princesses had been having a rather boring day so a letter from their favourite student would brighten the day. Cadence magically opened the letter and floated it in front of them both. Soon both princesses smiles waned and they looked at each other with a large amount of dread. Cadence turned and bellowed in a very unladylike manner "SHINING ARMOR!". Very soon the pounding of hooves was heard from the other side of the door. Both doors were opened magically by the charging captain of the guard and he didn't stop running until he was face to face with his wife and Luna. "Yes my love?". "We need to go to Ponyville immediately. It seems the entire fabric of reality might be decaying". In his normal brash style "Ohhh is that all" and flashed the biggest grin. Luna pulled a very un-princess like facehoof.

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Affy Was very very worried on his way to the library. Every so often he would notice that someone important was missing from the town. First Daisy of the Flower sisters was gone, then he noticed the Cutie Mark Crusaders were down a member and when he asked where Sweetie Belle was he got confused looks. This repeated a few times before he was sure that it was definatly getting worse. Derpy was following along just watching Affy very closely. After a while he turned and looked at her. The sudden change of pace made her stumble a little but as always she recovered rather quickly. "Why are you staring at me so hard dear?" She bit her lip before responding "I'm just making sure i don't forget you and you disappear". That was just what he needed, bursting out laughing he said "ohhh peanut you are a treasure". She blushed a little until Affy leaned in and kissed her softly "we will get through this and you won't forget me. I promise" The mare relaxed significantly and even dared to make a half smile.

When they finally reached the library Twilight was already there dashing about madly searching through book after book for a solution. The two ponies entered just in time to hear her say "Gah i need an assistant!". Affy cringed at that statement and as much as he hoped she hadn't seen Twilight had. "Ohhhh god my assistant has disappeared too!!!!! not good not good NOT GOOD". "Calm down Twilight". The voice emanated from behind Affy and his wife and he turned to see the two Princesses walking towards them. Affy and Derpy bowed but in true style Derpy almost tripped over her own wings, if it wasn't for Affy having considerable practice at catching her there might have been a Princess on Pegasus pileup. "Stand there is no need to bow. Twilight is this the colt you told us about". Twilight was too busy breathing into a paper bag to do anything except nod and point. Both Princesses looked down at the pair for a minute before Luna finally spoke "Are you sure that people are going missing?" To everyone's surprise it was Derpy who answered first "Yes I believe him and I trust him completely if he says its so then its so" she beamed at Affy before she finally twigged who she was talking to and sheepishly blurted out "Ummm Princess Luna mam". Cadence couldn't help but grin at the loving couple. Luna even was cracking a half smile. "Back to business", Luna continued "we think something has damaged the fabric of reality itself. We are unsure what has caused it but it could be a side effect of Discords escape last year".

Cadence Continued on "Unfortunately we don't know how to fix this. Normally we would suggest the elements of harmony but it seems that some of the bearers are missing. Also most of the Royal library seems to have disappeared. We think there might have been someone else who could have helped but we can't remember who that was. " Affy dared to speak up at this point "It was Luna's sister, Princess Celestia" Luna's eyes widened "I have a sister?". "Yes My lady". Cadence saw Luna's shocked expression and chose to continue "Unfortunately that seems to leave us only one option" Cadence fixed her gave upon poor Affy "You can see the threads of fate and remember everyone who has disappeared unfortunately that means you are the only one left who can hopefully reverse this" Affy visibly paled and managed to squeek out "me?". Luna snapped out of trying to remember he long lost sister and finally replied "yes we think you have the natural ability to affect the threads. Every unicorn has magic related to his special talent. You will have to try. You are the last hope for us all"

Affy couldn't take it all in. He was supposed to save everyone? He was the hero? He just stood there paralyzed until he felt something soft brush up against him. He stared down at the woman he loved and she just stared right back warmly. "I know you can do this, you can bring back our daughter and make everything alright". He knew right then he was blessed. Others make think her a clutz or not bright but he saw her for what she was. Warm and kind and a good mother and a peanut, yeah definately a peanut but she was his peanut. With new found strength he kissed her and marched out into the street. Next he rose his horn to the sky and concentrated with all his might. Thinking of all his friends and family and before long he started to see the weave of fate lines. There was a massive hole slowly degrading the bonds. He probed it with his magic and slowly tried to repair the threads. As he touched them he caught flashes of who these ponies were. For a few seconds he frantically searched for Dinky's thread until he realise she might be one of the ones that seem to be completely gone. The terror at that thought almost paralyzed him again but then he thought about Derpy and he went back to repairing the weave hoping that if he did his adopted daughter would reappear. As much as he tried it kept unraveling faster than he could repair it. Fear gripped him that he might be too late. It seemed Derpy had sense her husbands insecurities as he felt her wing wrap itself him. Thoughts of his wife and daughter gave him more strength and he started to battle the tide of degredation.

After a few minutes he realised he had stopped the decay but wasn't making any more progress. Then he touched a thread and he looked at his wife and smiled. Then he threw everything he had at the void. his entire strength and.......his life force. The tide turned rapidly he felt ponies reappear all over the world people started remembering that people were lost. He heard Derpy scream for him to stop but he knew he couldn't. Princess Celestia reappeared next to her sister who then promptly tackled her with a cry of joy. Applejack reappeared next to her friends then looked at them and said "what y'all looking at?" and was promptly group hugged. Finally Dinky reappeared next to a terrified Derpy who then grabbed her daughter with a renewed sense of motherly love. She watched Affy instinctively knowing what he had done. She was crying both with terror about what was happening to her love and happiness at having her Dinkums back. Affy let out a small smile as the last of the weave repaired itself and promptly collapsed.

Derpy grabbed her love in an unknown level of coordination and held him as she tried desperately to wake him. Affy slowly opened his eyes and weakly stared at his love. "I'm sorry dear but it was the only way to save Dinkums". "save me from what daddy?", "you were lost to us dear. I need you to be a good girl and look after your mummy for me, ok?". Dinky could sense something was wrong but she wasn't sure what so she did as her adopted daddy said and nodded her head . Affy looked back at Derpy and slowly tried to lift his head to kiss his wife whose fur was soaked with tears. She leaned in closer and the two embraced. "I told you I'd get out daughter back and you wouldn't forget me. Your safe and that is what matters" Affy smiled slowly and then he passed on. Everypony there that day remembers the anguished wail Derpy let out until the day they died. No one moved, no one could look away. Finally Princess Cadence walked over and lifted Dinky up and help her close. Cadence comforted the confused filly and took her away from the horrible scene. Derpy didn't stop her anguished cries until her voice finally gave out. By then most of the other pony folk had moved away but the two Princesses stayed. They didn't move or talk or look away. When Derpy finally collapsed much later Princess Celestia levitated her and took her back into the library to rest and Princess Luna gently picked up Affy's body.

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Derpy awoke much later in Twilight's bed with a worried looking pair of princesses staring at her. "How long have I been out and where is Dinky?" Celestia sat down next to her hurting subject and spoke "You were asleep for nearly 6 hours, I never left your side. Dinky is with Cadence she is good at watching over children". Luna interjected "I saw someone try to hug her and Cadence gave a stare that chilled even me. She is in good hands". "Good" Derpy responded quite tersely and then proceeded to beat against Celestia with her hooves "IT'S YOUR FAULT HE IS DEAD! IT'S YOUR FAULT" Celestia didn't flinch and let her beat out her frustrations. Finally she stopped and just broke down. Luna couldn't help herself and wrapped her arms around the sobbing mare who fought back at first and finally just gave in. "It is my fault I should have checked for damage to the weave after Discord was banished but I didn't. He was around for so little time I didn't expect he could have done this much damage" The serene princess lowered her head slowly and continued "I'll never forgive myself for having left one of my subjects to clean up a mess I could have prevented". "It's not your fault alone sister we both should have done more" The sobbing mare couldn't keep it up any longer starting to sniffle. "We cannot make this right as much as we might want to. It's something that will haunt us forever" Celestia stopped talking as the door opened and Cadence entered. "Your daughter is safely asleep and is currently protected by my husband and every royal guard we brought with us" Cadence's heart broke at the sight of the broken mare "My husband know not to argue with me when it comes to protecting children" It was offered more as an explanation to all present than just to poor Derpy. In between heaving sobs Derpy managed to say "I *sniffle* don't understand *sniffle* why he *sniffle" smiled at me *sniffle* like that". All three princesses looked at each other and could tell no one else knew either. Luna nuzzled the soggy pegasus and said "He must have loved you very much to do what he did. The kind of strength he had to unleash to fix that, it was the stuff of legends" For the second time that night the poor widow felt unconciousness creep over her again. The last thing she heard was Luna whispering in her ear "Go to sleep dear we will watch over you and your daughter"

Derpy awoke in her own bed. It took a few moments to realise where she was. The princesses must have carried her here while she slept. Finally she understood what had woken her. The sound was unmistakable, it was the tiny knock of her daughter and as much as she wanted to be alone the motherly part of her just wanted to hold the offspring she nearly lost. "Come in Dinkums" She expected the normal playful pout and yell of 'It's Dinky' but no. The little filly wore a worried expression. On her tiny back was a tray with the same breakfast she got every mother's day. Some toast, a overflowing bowl of cereal and two banana muffins. The muffins looked fresh and it took her a minute to realise that someone must be out there to help her with all this. Last time Dinky tried to cook breakfast herself Affy had to repaint most of the kitchen. The thought of her lost love made her almost start to cry again. Dinky stopped in her tracks. Her mothering instincts kicked in instantly and she stopped crying "No Dinky you did nothing wrong come here baby" She came close and her mother helped her deposit the tray on the bed then she was scooped up and cuddled by her upset mother. After a few minutes the filly got up the courage to ask her mother the question she wanted to ask "Where is daddy?" Unsure of what to say she kissed dinky on the forehead and thought for a minute. Finally she came to a decision "Remember those stories he used to read you about the heroes of old?", the little filly nodded "well sometimes the hero has to give everything he has to save the people he cares about. Your daddy was one of those people he went up to the stars to save all of us". The tiny filly tried to understand and finally asked "will he come back? can we go see him?". Derpy shook her head slowly "He is watching over us from the stars. he can't come back because if he does then all the bad things will come back". Her tiny eyes started to well up and then suddenly her mother had a bright idea "Princess Luna can go to the stars so she can go check up on him and we can give him letters that way". This seemed to make the tiny filly happier, "Can I write a letter to him now?" Derpy smiled and nodded then watched her daughter spring off the bed and bolt to her room to start writing her daddy a letter.

Derpy took a small bite from her daughters muffin and was pleased with the taste. She wasn't too hungry but she always tried her daughters muffins. The door slowly creaked open and she looked up to be greeted by the sight of Princess Cadence. "Good to see you eating. Your daughter wanted to make you breakfast but I wasn't sure if you would want any" Derpy took another bite "My daughters muffins always taste better than any other. probably mother's bias but i always eat them to make her happy. Its our thing" she let out a small smile. Cadence smiled and walked over to the bed. "Celestia has gone back to Canterlot this morning to tell people what happened. Affinity is being hailed a national hero. I know its not of great consolation" cadence shifted uneasily "Luna has stayed here she is seeing to the funeral preperations and has already started work on a memorial, also i will pass on the message about your letter idea to her" Derpy figured she must have been eavesdropping and at first she was mad but then she just realised she was looking out for her daughter. Cadence continued "and of she doesn't agree to it I'll personally send her back to the moon myself!" Derpy couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at that mental image. "My husband and myself will be staying here until such time as I feel you are coping better" Looking down at the mare expecting resistance, there was none to be found "Thank you my daughter seems to adore you. I appreciate the help" Cadence smiled and turned to go then stopped. "I've seen love before but what he did will never be forgotten, Celestia will see to that" The door closed and Derpy just lay down slowly eating her daughters muffins and waiting for her to come back with her letter.

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A month had passed and in that time the pain had hardly diminished in her heart but Derpy was coping. Cadence was still sticking around as much as it irked her husband who had to return to Canterlot. Luna was here nearly every night to collect the many letters Dinky wrote. Luna for her part kept the young filly happy with tales of her dad. Celestia had been by every few days. Partly I think so Shining armor could visit cadence but also to do her best to comfort the young widow. Celestia had already given her and her daughter exemption from taxes for the rest of their life, paid off her home loan and had offered her any job she wanted when she came back to work at increased pay. "It wasn't much" she said "but it's alot less for you to worry about". Every time any of the Princesses saw her they all fussed over her. It was getting tiring but she didn't have the energy to spare for anything other than being a good mum to Dinky. Today was a special day though a Statue of Affy had been made and a memorial was to be unveiled. Everyone would be there and as much as she didn't have the energy she knew it was important for Dinky to go. They left the house with Cadence in tow. Derpy wasn't sure she would have survived without the princesses help and she would be forever grateful. They arrived to the ceremony and were quickly ushered to the stage where the other princesses both stood. Trumpets blared and everypony there, including the princesses bowed to the mother and child. As they all straightened Princess Celestia turned and started her speech "This mare and filly we owe the greatest dept to. Their family was torn asunder by tragedy and we can never repay that debt. This memorial will stand as a reminder to this colts great sacrifice for us all. I also have declared the day of this great tragedy to be added to the calendar as a national holiday and day of rememberance. It will be called Affinity day. We shall never forget. His family will be forever under the protection and support of the Royal family of Canterlot. It's the least we can do". With this the Princess levitated the cover off the statue and a perfect likeness of Affy  pointing his horn towards the sky exactly as he had when it happened. The Princess turned to Derpy and said "Do you want to say something?" Derpy nodded and stood forward "I now know why he smiled at me the way he did. He must have sensed my condition. It seems I'm pregnant. A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Princess Cadence stood forward at this point "Also I scanned the baby and it seems..." she trailed off for a second not knowing what to say but she didn't have to as Derpy spoke up instead "It's an Alicorn". Everyone's jaw dropped, even Celestia and Luna were shocked. No alicorns had been born to a normal couple of ponies before.

Derpy turned and placed her daughter on her back "Come on baby I Have an unusual craving for a Kelp and Tomato Muffin". Dinky let out a gagging noise followed by "EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW"

THE END