Octavia and the Alicorn's peace.

Chapters

Yummy cupcakes, Three Elements, and Revelation.
The Pegasus, the Unicorn, and the Razor.
Heart of the Elite Commando guard.
Octavia the living testament of true art.
Waking up to a surprise and Being Forgiven.
The Mother who spies, an unexpected Babysitter, and Answers from the Archangel.
The Mother discusses Love and Becoming a Friend to Loyalty
Redheart gives Love, Octavia with Father, and Princess Cadance studies.
Luna's own Love and a dream of revealed Truth
A sense of sincerity & Peace through the Cello
Cadance the Sly and a Whole Family
Of War, Of Nurture, and Of Failure.
When the last of Bloodlines lead to Extinction.
Heartbreak at Dawn
The Toltecians of Prophecy and the Fruit of Endless Days
Octavia's personal Initiative and the coming of Crumbling Immortal sisterhood
The arrival of Second Thoughts
Meadow Flower's Hope
Return of the prodigal stallion.
A Mother's Love, Octavia's forming Friendship with the Moon, and the Bonding between Rarity & Spike.

Yummy cupcakes, Three Elements, and Revelation.

Octavia and the Alicorn’s Peace

By FoxofRarity

Chapter 2

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

“Well know that I finally gave you a proper introduction and I should on my way because I am starting to feel a tad bit hungry.” Octavia extends her hoof so Gold Sky can shake it.

Happy to shake to her hoof he does so and Gold Sky gives her a small bow and starts to head back to the path he detoured off. Octavia meanwhile thinks a little bit while her grayish purple eyes looks at his back. "Oh why not." She shrugs to the thought forming in her head.

“Hey Gold Sky!” Yells Octavia which caused Gold Sky to stop in his tracks and turn around to face the elegant mare while forcing a smile not to form on his lips but instead pulls his hood over his head.

“Look I know that you’re new here in town and if you want I can invite you for a quick bite, and then take you to Rarity’s shop to have her fix that rip in your cloak.”

“Rip?” Gold Sky asks with genuine confusion.

“What rip? Where? I don’t see a rip anywhere.”

It was not until Gold Sky moved is right hind leg is when he hears a tear, and from the exposed section of his body a shiny glimmer can be seen.

Octavia grayish purple eyes widen when she saw this, but her discovery lasted less than five seconds when Gold Sky immediately moves his saddle bags to cover the rip. He turns to Octavia and did his best to smile at her and utters out.

“So I guess we will be making a visit to Rarity’s shop then, of course after you’ve eaten.”

He pulls the hood forward more so she couldn’t see tears forming in his eyes because of that glimmer shining from the exposed backside the memory runs rampant in his mind.

Octavia asks him why he donned his hood in response he just told her it was a force of habit and pulls the hood down after blinking his eyes dry.

Side by side the mare and the Alicorn or in this case he's a Unicorn before her eyes, he does not know how long he intends to keep this deception but he wants every pony to see him for who he was in the inside and not see him for what he was in the outside because since he is an Alicorn the ponies here might think he is royalty even though he’s not, along with not being a pure Alicorn like Guardian Aunt. "Using my telepathy to manipulate their minds will be too easy, I rather do it the hard way and keep this cloaked charade."

As the duo arrive at the Sugarcube Corner Gold Sky opens the door for Octavia who thanks him which is quite surprising he even remembers his chivalrous ideals. Now as both of them are waiting to be seated in the restaurant they are suddenly greeted by a long and happy squeal from a hopping pink Earth pony.

“Octavia! You came to just in time to try out my new creation of cupcakes!”
Yells the pink earth pony who didn’t seem to notice Gold Sky yet he didn’t care for all that seems to matter to him for the moment is to enjoy lunch with Octavia and to fix that bloody rip on his cloak.

The pink mare hugs Octavia and then out of nowhere she hugs Gold Sky too, but then she redraws herself and creates a dumbfounded look on her face then in a show of abnormality, her eyes bulge out of their sockets. Scanning every angle of the stallions indicating she's inspecting him.

Gold Sky not knowing what to do as the pink earth pony circles around, he leans a bit to whisper something to Octavia.
“Is this normal?”

Octavia just shot him the same expression he had accompanied with a shrug, finally after a couple of long seconds. The pink earth pony drops in front of Gold Sky.

“Are you new in town? Do you like parties? Huh huh huh!”

Gold Sky clears his throat to talk but ends up finding himself sitting in a chair with Octavia in front of him as a table slid between them, then before he had time to blink cupcakes, bottles of sarsaparilla, and salad are laid down in front of them.

“Thank you Pinkie Pie, you always seem to outdo yourself every time I come here.” Octavia cheerfully gleams while setting her napkin next to her plate.

Then Pinkie Pie pops up next to Gold Sky.

“Hi I’m Pinkie Pie! Wait, I think Octavia said my name already but I’m gonna tell you anyway, I think its super duper that you’re here to try out my new cupcakes. Here have one!”

As she shoves a cupcake into Gold Sky’s mouth, his eyes shot wide open as the taste of this cupcake dance around on his tongue. He thinks he could taste the meaning of happiness with a touch of Dutch pony chocolate and Pony Dane vanilla.

Pinkie Pie looking intently at Gold Sky to hear his opinion of the cupcakes… "Hmmm I hope he likes them!"
He licks the icing from his lips and slowly turns his head to look at Pinkie Pie.
“Can I please have another one? These cupcakes a-are beyond anything I have ever tasted th-they’re INCREDIBLE!”

Both Octavia and Pinkie Pie laugh as Gold Sky indulges more cupcakes for in the 200 years of his journey he has never tasted anything so sweet, moist, and colorful.

While both of them are busy eating Octavia secretly look at Gold Sky and gave him a smile causing the Alicorn to blush lightly.
“He acts so cute! I just want to grab him to see if he blushes again.” Octavia tells herself.

But of course doing any sort of those actions will be out of her composure and she is more than sure the Unicorn will past out in fright or if not, have a heart attack.

Gold Sky on the other hand or hoof wants to get the chance to know this mare better, who she is, how did she have such remarkable talent with the cello, did she focus more on her musical craft or did she like to spend time with her friends like Pinkie Pie, and does she like roses?

Gold Sky’s train of thought just then got interrupted when Pinkie Pie slid an envelope in front of him.

“Here you go an invitation to your Welcome to Ponyville party, I plan to bake a bunch of the cupcakes you lik…eer I mean you LOVE. And also Octavia said she will be happy to play a couple of solos there, since she told me you were enjoying her practice she thought it will be proper to play at your party.” Pinkie Pie said all of that in one breath.

Gold Sky meanwhile is taken aback about having a party thrown in his honor.

He just arrived to Ponyville and already this Pink mare wants to create a party for him, this just seemed so touching… *zip* But a thought formed, he suddenly remembered what if Guardian Aunt found out about this party she will come an-and… Gold Sky didn’t want to think about the end result of his thought.

So he turns to Pinkie Pie

“Hold on back up, a party so quickly? Don’t you think it will be better to let me get to know some of the ponies here? Because I’m sure everypony will come to the party, but will be pointless since all of them will not know me and will not give their uhh… a warm welcome.”
Gold Sky prays his explanation will delay the party only because he remembers how Guardian Aunt will attend parties that were welcoming a new pony before he started his journey, and thinking of Guardian Aunt he thought it will be high time to pay her a visit after he got his cloak patched up.

Pinkie Pie places her hoof under her chin to think.

“Well you might be right… I don’t want to throw a party where the guest of honor is ignored. Hmmm how about one week from today eh or whenever you're ready? That should give you enough time to get to know some of the ponies here in ponyville, besides you know me and Octavia but two won’t make a party fun would it now.” Pinkie Pie then reaches for the invitation to place it back in her basket hat, smiling as both Octavia and Gold Sky got up to leave.

She waves good bye to both of them as they head to Rarity’s Carousel Boutique.While on their merry Octavia then gave Gold Sky a small tap on his shoulder.

“So one week to prep for your party or better for me to say whenever you're ready. I gotta hand it to you though; you may be the first pony ever to delay a Pinkie Pie party for more than two minutes!” Octavia surprisingly admits to the Unicorn, who smiles back at her.

“Well if she is going to throw me a party I want it to be good one for me and everypony else. Oh by the way are you still going to be able to play at the new party date?” Gold Sky asks nervously while perking his ears forward to hear Octavia’s reply.

Octavia stops to position her head in a tilt then slowly placing her beautiful grayish purple eyes on Gold Sky she waits ten seconds then finally gives the Unicorn a nod causing him to smile wide almost ear to ear.
Octavia feels warm inside seeing how happy the Unicorn became before noticing the boutique at a distance.

Both of them stop at the door and Octavia knocks only for it to be magically opened.

“Come in I will be with you shortly.” A voice from the back room reports.

Gold Sky walking in behind Octavia, he's overtaken by amazement to see such beautiful gowns, suits and beautiful fabrics. Especially the ones that have shiny gems in them, he moves closer to one of the gem encrusted gowns and he could see his reflection in all of the gems. Octavia came and stood next to him.

“Pretty exquisite no? I always love to visit this boutique to see my reflections on all the precious gems, which causes me to wonder how does Rarity get all these gems?”

Gold Sky turns his attention away from a ruby that was the same color of Octavia’s eyes and was about to ask Octavia who this Rarity is but never got around to it because a beautiful Unicorn mare came out from the back room.

“Hello my dear Octavia how are you today?” Said the beautiful Unicorn mare as she hugs the earth pony and directs her attention to Gold Sky.

“Hello darling who might you be?”

Gold Sky clear his throat and stood straight to respond.
“My name is Gold Sky, and may I have the honor of knowing the name of the mademoiselle in front of me?”

Octavia giggles a little bit as she witnesses Gold Sky try his best to be a gentlecolt, but overall he nails it.

“Oh! Aren’t you quite a charming Stallion. My name is Rarity and it may be out of place of me but can I ask you a question?” The elegant Unicorn declares in such a dignified matter.

Gold Sky turn to Octavia who just nods at him.

“Will I will be more than happy to hear what you have to ask.” Gold Sky thinks to himself if her inference has anything to do with his cloak.
He's able to figure out that Rarity’s craft had to do with fashion and clothing since he saw all those nice outfits.

Rarity clears her throat.

“Gold Sky your name is most unusual name for a Unicorn like yourself, were one of your parents a Pegasus by any chance or did your parents enjoy looking at the sky?”

Rarity kindly provides a cup of tea to Octavia and offers one to Gold Sky whose horn glows as he took a hold of the fragile tea cup.

After taking a sip from the tea he catches eye of Octavia using a straw since she's a Earth pony, then he refocuses on Rarity and answers her question with words he carefully selected seventeen years ago if he was ever questioned about his name.

“Well if you must know my parents were both Unicorns like you and I, well uh they loved to look at the clouds especially when guardi uhh Achoo! Excuse me. When Princess Celestia lowered the sun for the sky will take on a beautiful hue of gold...so if I guess correctly I think my parents named me after the spectacular evening sky.”

The Alicorn then creates a soft gold colored glow on his horn to make his story complete, on the other hoof both mares look at each other and Rarity gave Octavia a very sly smirk who in return made a surprised face.

Octavia took a glance at the clock and gasp seeing that she only has twenty minutes before her next event so as she gathered her belongings Rarity motioned for Gold Sky to stand on the pedestal in front of the mirrors.

“Please fix my friend’s cloak it has a terrible rip and Gold Sky I will be seeing later bye.” And with that Octavia zooms out the door.

Rarity turns to Gold Sky. "Alright Gold Sky huh?" His teal colored eyes are wide open,his jaw is hanging as he tried to speak words, and his ears twitch around

“Is there something wrong dear?” Inquired Rarity because she can obviously tell Gold Sky is zoned out with a face the looked like something between a smile and a surprised face.

“D-did she call me her friend?” Gold Sky asks with such joy in his eyes causing Rarity to see why Octavia found this Unicorn cute or adorable whichever seem subtle to represent him.

"That she did my dear that she did. Now please remove that cloak of yours so I can properly mend it.” The Unicorn mare asks while putting on her glasses.

But unfortunately her words fell on deaf ears and the Alicorn’s mind is still trying to register the fact that Octavia called him friend.

"Oh dear." Rarity sighs so she uses her magic to remove the saddle bag but miraculously she did not notice the golden glimmer from the exposed section of Gold Sky’s back, and Gold Sky is still oblivious to what was happening around him as he did not feel his cloak slide off him.

"My this cloak has been through times." Rarity finally holding the cloak in front of her shifts her eyes to see how Gold Sky is doing to just then her eyes caught something on Gold Sky’s back causing her horn to stop glowing and the cloak to fall.

Her mind cannot interpret what she's seeing, her heartbeat increases, a drop of sweat runs down her brow, her mouth despite moving produces no words.

Until finally one word did come out that will snap Gold Sky back to focus but it will be late because one pony sees him for what he really is.

“WAHAHA!”

Yells the white Unicorn causing Gold Sky to snap back to focus as he immediately looked to the mirror in front of him only to see his cloak is gone prompting him shut his eyes so he wouldn’t see that scarring beautiful feature he has.

Millions of thoughts started to race through both the mare’s and the Alicorn’s mind.

“What is he?"

"She sees me."

"He has wings."

"I can’t look at my wings!"

"I must go tell Twilight!”

“No, it’s time that I face it. It is time that I face what I am!” The Alicorn snarls aloud causing Rarity to fall back.

Gold Sky slowly opens his eyes and slowly extends his wings. Little by little they unfold from his body until finally two gold colored wings shine at their full glory as the evening sky.

Rarity got back up to her hoofs and attempts to walk backwards but she ends up tripping. Clearly hearing this his horn glows causing all the curtains to close and doors to lock.

Slowly he approaches Rarity so he can help her up but as he put his hoof in front of her so she can take it. Rarity couldn't help but look into the Alicorn’s eyes just to make sure they have no malice in them instead all she can see in them is genuine kindness.

*CRASH!*

Something came through the glass ceiling of Rarity’s shop. Rarity and Gold Sky turn around to see what it was. It's a blue colored Pegasus with a rainbow colored mane that got up from the floor while rubbing her head.

The Pegasus mare apologizes loudly while walking into the room where Rarity and Gold Sky are.

“Hey Rarity I’m here to pick up the scarf you made for meeee… Oh my…Princess you’re here! Wait a minute you’re a dude! But also an Alicorn, how!? And why is Rarity on the floor!” Cries Rainbow Dash as she ran towards Rarity to pull her back from the golden winged Alicorn.

“We g-g-got to tell Twilight c’mon” With that Rainbow Dash grabs Rarity, places her on her back, and leaps into the air but then finds herself back on the ground.

Gold Sky’s uses his magic to keep Rainbow Dash and Rarity from flying off. The poor mares see themselves floating in the air and then gently placed on unto two chairs.

“I am sorry but I’m afraid that cannot happen.”

Gold Sky released the sentence with heavy grief and then turns his back towards the mares because he knew he will only have two options to give to both mares.

“Oh yeah what you going to do!? You’re gonna uhh… kill us both?" Yells Rainbow Dash.

Rarity elbows Rainbow Dash hard in the side. "Ow!" Rainbow Dash asks her why she did that but instead saw Rarity's eyes starting to tear up, and then the Pegasus knew what she said must of hit Rarity hard.

Rarity’s mind dreadfully thinks today is her final day, her heart sank knowing today after dropping off Sweetie Belle at school her little sister hugged her and told Rarity she loves her. Adding more pain to the mix is that tomorrow is Sweetie Belle’s birthday, and to top it off she's going to die with the friend who saved her live.

Rainbow Dash hugs Rarity telling her softly everything is going to be all right. But even the brave Pegasus felt the fear in her friend rub off on her.
“I never got to be in the Wonderbolts!” Rainbow Dash said to herself as tears ran down her cheeks. “I wanted to visit daddy one last time before he passes on.”

But the thought that shattered Rainbow Dash the most is Scootaloo is never going to see her again.

Gold Sky senses the sadness in both mares. He looks to both mares and saw that the Pegasus is trying her best to look strong for her friend whom she's holding in arms.

Gently getting in their line of sight Gold plops down on his rump and makes his voice comforting like a father speaking to his daughter “I am not going to harm you, please stop crying. You are only hurting yourselves by inducing thoughts into your head that you should only be induced when your time has come.” Rarity and Rainbow Dash look at Gold Sky humble himself before them,

“And today is not your time nor anytime sooner, trust me I’ve lived long enough to know when somepony’s time is near.”

Gold Sky tries harder to make his voice even softer because he couldn’t bear to see the sadness in their eyes.

“H-how can we believe you when you say you are not going to harm us?” Rainbow Dash asks while wiping away tears from her eyes.

“I am no longer holding you down with my magic you are free to go if you wish. BUT only after you consider two options I have for both of you.”

The Alicorn then got back on his hooves to give the mares some space to relax.

Rainbow Dash lets go of Rarity who has wiped away her last tear and thanks Rainbow for hanging on to her then after some time of composing themselves both of Rarity and Rainbow Dash ask what the two options were.

The Alicorn sigh because he knew there was already a high probability that the mares will pick the second choice, since it seems more... subtle .

“All right your first option is that I will erase your memory of this event. You will not remember seeing me, talking to me, and will not remember what you thought was your last day.”

Rarity and Rainbow Dash look at other and start whispering to each other, Gold Sky perks his ears down so he would not hear what the mares are telling each other.

“And whats the second option?” Rainbow asks

Making the Alicorn shiver a little bit and his wings fold back to his body.

“The second option is I…”

Gold Sky sighs heavily before finishing. The memory runs rampant again but he knew he will have to face it one day, and fortunately today is not the day.

“I will tell my history, my life… everything that makes me what I am and then use my telepathy that will prevent both of you from telling anybody about my true form and my life nevertheless it will not erase you’re memory it'll just prevent you from telling anypony else what I told you and what I am.”

Again both mares whisper to each other, Rainbow Dash stole a glance at Gold Sky’s wings and whisper even lower to Rarity. Finally after minutes of debating both turn to Gold Sky and Rarity breathed in some air.

“We will take option two. Since we can see we gravely assumed the worst of you in this fiasco of a misunderstanding and discovery. We want to get the chance to know you and how an Alicorn like yourself was never present in Canterlot.”

Gold Sky puts some distance between him and them. "Come." Saying that words makes both get off the chairs they were sitting on. He then looks to his right and notices a ruby that's the same beautiful eye color of Octavia’s eyes lying in Rarity’s gem chest, suddenly an image of Octavia flashed in his mind before turning taking a deep breath.

He motioned both of them get within arms length in front of him. Now before Gold Sky telepathically connects to their minds he has one last thing to say.

“You shall see my life through your own eyes.”

***

Ch.3- "The son becomes the father and the father the son."

The Pegasus, the Unicorn, and the Razor.

Octavia and The Alicorn’s Peace

By.FoxofRarity

Chapter.3

Disclaimer- I go into way more detail of the father instead of the mother. My little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

"I should of never offered them the two choices, what was I thinking? Perhaps I'm too soft or it must be the morals good dearest Celestia thought me."

The horn of the Alicorn starts to glow as he lightly touches both Rarity and Rainbow Dash on the foreheads , causing them to both sync with his mind and at same time talk to him through their minds.

“Now let me tell you my origins…” Gold Sky tells both mares in his mind.

“Two hundred and thirty seven years ago a young Unicorn mare and a Pegasus stallion met and fell in love, their names were Sylvia and Silver Wind. Let me start with the Unicorn first; Sylvia had an extreme mastery of magic, Princess Celestia or as I call her Guardian Aunt took it upon herself to personally teach mommy and…”

“WAIT!” Yell both Rainbow Dash and Rarity in their minds.

“You call your mother, mommy still?” Rarity exclaims with the most confused face.

“That is so CUTE! I want to cuddle you now!”
Rainbow Dash yell with the most affectionate face Rarity ever saw.

“Yeah interrupting is very unladylike you know and if you want to squeeze me I actually won’t mind. But FIRST let me continue!” The Alicorn roars.

“Guardian Aunt mentored mommy, she was proud to be her mentor… but most of all Princess Celestia saw mommy as her best friend.”
The Alicorn smiles a bit when he started to remember how his mother always told him that the Princess and she will have camp outs in the palace, and roast marshmallows by the fireplace much to the palace guards’ dismay who always ended up eating most of them.

Gold Sky look at the mares whose eyes are closed as he showed them the memories, causing faces of amazement and intrigue to form and disappear.

“AHH A DRAGON!” Cries Rainbow Dash with fear in her voice causing her body muscles to stiffen and fall down on her side.

“Well I think that memory came too soon.” The Alicorn said while hiding a smile on his lips.

“Now changing stories to Daddy and DON”T EVEN THINK OF INTERRUPTING… because this part is very important!” Growls the Alicorn in his mind causing Rarity to shutter a little bit.

“He was born in Cloudsdale to a sick father and a mother who was waiting to become a widow, she tried her best to make sure daddy got to spend as much time as he can with his father but after five months… he died.” Gold Sky snorts some air out of nostrils when Rarity and Rainbow Dash saw his mental interpretation of his daddy’s sadness.

The Alicorn continue.

“Daddy became a stallion right there on the spot when his father stroked his mane for the last time, kissed him on the forehead one last time,. The dying father plucked a feather from his wing to give to daddy, and then finally let out his last breath as his eyes closed for the last time with no intention of ever opening again. Daddy hugged his father for the last time then he left his father’s side to go sob in his room, he hugged the feather tight for it's the only thing he has from his father.Suddenly he looked out his room window and saw a royal guard fly by so…”

Rainbow Dash raises her hoof to ask a question, Gold Sky stops to give her a stern look but then he chuckled and turned his stern look into a soft smile.

“Yes Rainbow Dash. You have a question you want to ask?”
.
Rainbow Dash then thought a little bit, which is now to Gold Sky’s dismay. But his remembrance of his immortally reminds him of his long patience and while everything else doesn’t last forever he and Princess Celestia do.

“Oh got it, were the Wonderbolts around the time of your daddy when he… well… you know.”
Rainbow Dash sweats profusely as she tries hard to find the right words. Unfortunately her efforts fall short resulting in seeing a hoof raised in front of her eyes. Rainbow Dash took the action on cue and apologizes. Gold Sky then resumes telling the history of his parents.

“He waited until after the funeral pyre of his father to tell his mother that he wants to be a Royal guard for Princess Celestia, his mother asked him why and he just told her he has no future with father gone. Daddy choose to carve his life in stone and told his mother good bye.” The Alicorn pause to take a breath and a sip of cold tea.

“He walked out of his mother’s home taking only with him a picture of him with his mother and the feather his father gave him. He sheds only one tear as he ignored the cries of his mother asking him not to leave despite assuring her he will visit her during his off time in training." *Sigh* "The son left the mother to erase one pain while unintentionally creating a new one... daddy became a Razor… he left behind all his emotions at Cloudsdale while keeping one emotion which was love for safekeeping.”

Rarity raises her hoof causing the Alicorn to lay his teal colored eyes on her and blink.
“So your daddy left his mother at such a young age to go to Canterlot to become an Royal guard? What happened to his mother after he left?”

Gold Sky thought a little as he dug into his mind, the two mares noticed how his mind took the shape of a vast galaxy with voices, sounds, music, and images all spinning around the glowing center of the Alicorn’s spirit.

One image in particular caught the eye of Rarity it was one of Octavia, but it location is what puzzled Rarity because it's in a cluster of cherished memories near the glowing center of Gold Sky’s spirit.

“Ah yes found it. Daddy’s mother was deeply saddened but was not able to shed any tears but only gave daddy her blessing and one last hug, she knew she could not stop him. She just asked the Great Spirit to watch over her son and to remind him of his promise to always visit her during his off time in training. She knew her son will keep his word, even when he found out she remarried three years later. But the Pegasus she married never got any sort of acknowledgement or affection from daddy. He's the Razor to all with the exception to his mother.”

Gold Sky took another sip from his cold tea and resumed.

“Daddy arrived at Canterlot to sign up at the barracks.Surprised to hear a really young voice, the master of guard raises his eyebrow when he looked over the table to take a look at daddy who was still a young Pegasus colt.”

Rainbow Dash suddenly sneezed startling Gold Sky but rapidly got a hold of himself.

“Ahem, well the master of the guard decided to take daddy to Princess Celestia, to have her decide whether to have a Pegasus this young join and train to become an royal guard. As daddy was brought forth to the Princess he was amazed by her presence and even more amazed when the Princess approached him to inspect him not physically but mentally. The Princess ordered the master of the guard to step back, as her horn glowed and with gentle delicateness placed her horn on his head to read his inner qualities, mentality, and memories. But what she found was that his mind was well advanced for a colt his age, his emotions were missing with the exception of love, but the one thing that shocked her core was his repetition of the death of his father serving as some kind motivation for his will to make him stay one with the Razor…”

Suddenly hard knocking is heard from the front entrance of Rarity’s boutique startling Gold Sky once more. But this time he broke the connections of the three minds, and a sharp pain is delivered to Gold Sky as he did his best to keep himself from shouting in pain.
He feels his head burn in searing pain. Rarity and Rainbow Dash see Gold Sky drop to his side groaning as his horn glows keeping the two mares put with an immobilization spell.

Finally after what seemed a couple of minutes the knocking ceased, Gold Sky got back up to his hoofs spat some saliva into Rarity’s trash can while rubbing his head with his left hoof. Panting a bit he lets Rarity and Rainbow Dash free from his immobilization spell.

After the pain in his head subsided he again motioned for both mares to get within arm’s reach of him.

“Where were we…?” The Alicorn asks.

Rarity asks Gold Sky if it was a good idea to start again since he felt great pain when they’re minds disconnected by accident, but the Alicorn assures her that pain is nothing but a drop of Dragon’s blood. Confused at what the Alicorn just said they still lower their heads so he can sync with their minds.

***
Meanwhile a young purple dragon is running into a library which happened to also be a tree, he approaches a lavender colored Unicorn mare who has her nose buried in a book about a form of magic she plans to master.

“Uhh Twilight.” The young dragon bashfully says to the mare, hoping she will not get annoyed since he's interrupted her studying.

“Yes Spike what’s wrong?” Twilight Sparkle asks in a loving voice that causes Spike to let out a puff of white air.

“I went to Rarity’s boutique but the front door was locked tight and also all the curtains were down so I couldn’t peek inside. Then when I knocked nopony answered.”

Twilight’s left eyebrow raised in utter confusion for she knew a lot about her dear friend Rarity and of course this event is yelling out of character for Rarity. She decided to investigate this peculiar turn of events right after she reads four and half chapters of a book called the Ins and outs of shape shifting including sex, voice, etc. No really etc!

“Hehe I wonder if I can get Spike with a good prank if I can shape shift into Rarity?”

Twilight thought to herself while devilishly smiling at the same time.

***
Back at the Boutique the Alicorn is back telling his history to the Unicorn and Pegasus mares and yet something inside told him the entity that was knocking at the door will be back, so he had to skip a few parts about daddy.

“Princess Celestia decided to take him in and have him trained as an Elite Commando guard; her dictation surprised the master of the guard who told her there was no such unit. But she looked at him and then at the colt and emotionlessly replied to the master that there is now, and when his training is complete he shall be by the Princess’s side. The master of the guard just bowed before the Princess and decided to take it upon himself to teach the young Pegasus everything he knew along with paying some kind Griffon Assassins to train him too. Within four years he has nerves of steel. And being the first Elite Commando guard serving directly as Princess Celestia’s personal guard, but more importantly his methods were somewhat… how you say uhh… unorthodox.”

“Like how so?” Pipes Rainbow Dash.

“Well one day a deranged Pegasus came to kill Princess Celestia... well tried, she said that the voices in her head were threatening to kill her family unless she went and stabbed the Princess in the heart. I still don’t know how she made it past all the guards stationed in the palace corridors… but when she made it to the throne room she immediately charged towards the Princess with a dagger shining in her mouth. But then before she knew it she's lying the ground with a hoof pressed hard on her neck, she looked up to see a gray Pegasus with cold eyes breathing out steam from his nostrils telling her not to move. But again the voices spoke to her and she let out a blood curling scream that caused daddy to cover his ears, but managed to hit the crazed Pegasus in the face causing her head to fall back and lose the dagger. Daddy then took the dagger and plunged it through both her wings. And on the second wing he twisted the dagger and told her to scream at that, she could not scream however… the pain was too great so she past out.”

Rarity face displays utter terror as she saw Gold Sky’s mental interpretation, Rainbow Dash shuttered at seeing the dagger plunge through the crazed mare’s wings. But the part that horrified them the most was the emotionless face of the gray Pegasus commando as he took the dagger out from the wing, threw it by the mare, and stomped his hoof on the wound to wake her up.

Princess Celestia was not surprised by his actions, but this was not the first time the elite commando guard took his duty to unorthodox territory. Gold Sky decided he's not going to tell them about the four merc unicorns, rouge griffon, zebra warrior exile, the earth pony twins, and a fellow royal guard suffering from high stress… all of which fell to Silver Wind.

The Alicorn wings spread out a bit for he's was getting to the part where he knew the mares are waiting for to see in his mind.

“Princess Celestia received many complaints from the master of the guard about Silver Wind’s bloody record and also told the Princess he was becoming afraid of Silver Wind. But the Princess reminded the master of the guard even through Silver Wind may take his duty to the extreme he will not harm anypony who is not a threat to her and himself. A Razor may have no emotions but he will protect me no matter what and any other pony in harm’s way.”

With that the Alicorn pauses to ask Rarity for water since the tea is making him thirsty.
"Of course darling." She went and brought him some.

After taking a few gulps he felt his heart beat go deeper and slower, he took a moment to look at both Rarity and Rainbow Dash. Rarity was the one he knew he could trust in due time, while Rainbow Dash will be more than persistent in wanting to race against him since she saw his wings. But the one thing he looked in both of them were their eye color; Rarity’s eye color a saturation mix of sky and dark blue, while Rainbow Dash’s eye color that of a strong rose color. But none were the same as Octavia’s eye color which started to swirl around his glowing center.

“Why? I barely know her.” Gold Sky said out loud.

“Know who? Hmmmm.” Rainbow Dash asks as she pressed her face close to Gold Sky.

“It is none of your concern… well unless you are of any use in helping me. But overall it is none of your concern.” Gold Sky coldly replies as he swept his left wing over Rainbow Dash ruffling her mane.

“Now let us continue.” With that his horn and eyes glow once more.

“Of course the complaints became too much for the Princess to bear, so reluctantly Princess Celestia sent an attendant to Silver Wind’s quarters. Which at the time he was looking at his father’s feather while drinking some pear brew a fellow Pegasus in his unit made, when the attendant came and told him that the Princess wishes to see him to discuss an important issue. The attendant swore she almost saw the commando leader smile when he placed the feather back in his bedside locker, got up, donned his golden armor that had the Princess's Cutie mark with two wings underneath on the crest of the breastplate, and followed the attendant to the Princess’s throne room. Upon entering the room he bowed down before Princess Celestia, got up and asked the Princess what the issue she wishes to discuss. Princess Celestia cleared her throat and started to explain to Silver Wind… Ok you know what let my mind tell you.”

Gold Sky closed his eyes as the trio start to hear the gentle and strong voice of Princess Celestia along the with the emotionless voice of Gold Sky’s father; but also found themselves seeing the memory as if they were there.

“Silver Wind I wish to discuss this important topic with you because… well you will not be very pleased in the end.” Princess Celestia said.

“Your majesty I will do anything you request, your wish is my command Princess so what is it you want to tell me so I may serve my Princess.” The gray Pegasus emotionlessly but yet peacefully declares to Princess Celestia.

“I-I am reassigning you. You will no longer be my personal guard; I will now be guarded by two Pegasuses you’ve masterly trained from your unit.”

Silver Wind stares at the Princess Celestia in almost disbelief but then went back to his emotionless state.

“Your majesty I am aware about your humor and I am honored to be used in one your practical jokes…”

“Silver Wind!” Princess Celestia cuts the Pegasus in mid sentence.

“I am not joking Silver Wind… I am assigning you to be the personal guard of my best student who shows great potential in mastering magic. I know you will get upset but I am doing this for your own good.” The Princess declares while spreading her wings to their full length. Silver Wind’s mind barely registers what the Princess told him, but he couldn’t believe it.

“Princess… y-you are not seri…why! WHY PRINCESS!” Roars Silver Wind at Princess Celestia causing her eyes to widen at the sudden swift departure of Silver Wind’s emotionless state.

“I have always been your personal guard!; I took great pride knowing no matter what, I will always know you can rely on me to give up my life in order to ensure your safety.” Silver Wind yells while trying his best not to lose his composure.
“Why do you want to take this away from me your majesty, I made myself cold in order to kill without feeling any regret! Why do you do this to me your majesty!? I-I… huh?”

And then suddenly he felt something run down his right cheek. He touches his right cheek to catch whatever it was then when he looked… he saw it was a tear. He then turned to the Princess who's approaching him, and sat down next to the frowning elite commando guard who let s more tears.

“Silver Wind I know this gives you great pain… but I see in you not an emotionless Pegasus.” The Princess then wrapx a wing around him to make him open up more to her so she can help him.

“You are a Pegasus with one emotion in him, but that one emotion you kept is the most powerful. You are crying because you feel love at knowing you keep me safe, you see me as a reason to keep going every day. And if your father was still alive today he will be very proud to have you as a son.”

When Silver Wind heard what she said he just dove into her arms to hug her, he's never been spoken to like that with such words from the Princess, who spoke to him not as his ruler but more like a mother figure. Princess Celestia for the first time do not know what to do since the only other pony to hug her is Princess Luna but she felt pleased to know how touched Silver Wind is. So she allows him to hug her.

After some time Silver Wind pulls away from Princess Celestia and bows down before the Princess.

“I will do as you say your majesty. I will protect your student with my life… no matter the cost.” The Pegasus speaks with the voice of no emotion, causing Princess Celestia to frown a bit, for she thought she made progress with Silver Wind but is proved ultimately wrong.

As Silver Wind got up to walk out of the throne room he stops to turn around to look at the Princess.

“Your Majesty I don’t think I’ll be needing this anymore.” And with that Silver Wind took off his golden armor and helmet and left it at Princess Celestia’s hooves.

“I will make my own armor for me and the rest of the unit since we are the Elite Commando guard , the color of the armor will be silver. This will mark a new era in my duty but I will still have your mark on the crest of the breastplate.” But then the Pegasus looks into the Princess’s eyes.

“Thank you Princess.” Those words were let out in a voice of great passion and sincerity.

Gold Sky then opens his eyes as the visualization fades away from his and the mare’s minds.

Suddenly.“What is my purpose Rarity and Rainbow Dash? I have asked myself that question many times, and not even Princess Celestia can provide me with a sufficient answer.” He says out loud making the Unicorn and Pegasus to look at each other dumbfounded.

“Well I know my purpose is to be awesome and make sonic rainbooms and Rarity’s to make fancy outfits with gems on them and become famous. Yours on the other hand ehhh could be that you become a cold, nerve of steel commando like your father.” Rainbow Dash insensitively tells Gold Sky which is sometimes common thing of her to do.

“Rainbow Dash! That is very cold of you to say that to Gold Sky!” Rarity growls… using the same growl she used when she was provoked by the Great and Powerful Trixie.

Rainbow Dash ears droop as she turned to Gold Sky whose eyes glow softly.

“Let’s finish this. And know this Rainbow Dash! I am nothing like my daddy’s former self I will again take both of you to the memory… like I said you shall see my life through your own eyes.” Gold Sky voices in an almost sad tone.

Rarity and Rainbow Dash find themselves along with Gold Sky outside of the living quarters of Sylvia with Silver Wind in his new shining silver armor standing guard outside the door.

“This is the part both of you were waiting to see no?” Gold Sky whispers to both mares, Rarity nods and Rainbow Dash elbows Gold Sky on his flank.

“Silver Wind please come here I need you right now.” Calls Sylvia.

The gray Pegasus proceeds in going in and bowing down before Sylvia, causing her to wince.

“What is it that you need mi lady? I will be more than happy to assist you.” The emotionless Pegasus said to his new assignment with a tinkle of pride in the mix.

“I will like for you to join me for tea, and before you can protest I am giving you an order and not giving you a question.” Beams Sylvia. Especially when she saw Silver Wind’s face starting to shake a little bit.

“Of course mi lady I will be happy to join you.” Silver Wind almost in full composure replies..

He waltzes over to the table and sat down on a cushion whiles Sylvia pours tea unto his cup along with placing a straw in it since he's a Pegasus.

“So Silver Wind since Princess Celestia told me that you are always going to be by my side at all times, I decided to take the liberty to move your belongings to the guest room across the hall from my room. Along with that I plan to get to know everything about my personal guard, so don’t be surprised when I ask you to tell me a bit about yourself.”

Sylva seriously lays out the words before Silver Wind. Because if there was one thing that Sylva could do that Silver Wind can do is match his seriousness, given she knows how to reflect a pony’s seriousness back at them.

But this Pegasus was a whole different ball game. He's not serious by choice but is serious upon the fact that he is a Razor and also able use deadly force whenever necessary without hesitating and having no remorse once the deed is done.

“So mi lady…” Silver Wind is surprisingly the first one to break the brief silence to ask Sylvia a question.

“Why are you are the Princess favorite student?” He asks.

“Well… I am more than just a favorite of Princess Celestia Silver Wind. I see her as my best friend and she sees me the same way too. I guess what she needs is a friend… Oh I almost forgot, you will come with me to a in-castle camp out. I think you will enjoy it, and I am also sure the Princess won’t mind.” Says the graceful Unicorn

"Whoa! Hold that thought mi lady I may be your personal guard but I will not attend these camp outs. Besides didn’t you say you are her best friend? I was only her personal guard, and not her friend like you are Syl…”

“The Princess requested your presence.” Cutting the Pegasus’s sentence with hers.

“Oh… Well I guess that changes things then. Uhh should I go in armor or just go in my helmet? I really do not know what to wear.” The Pegasus’s voice conveys a new tone… nervousness.

“I think you should come without your armor. I’ve never seen a guard without his armor, but you are no guard if I am not mistaken but an Elite Commando guard.”

Suddenly the voices of the Pegasus and Unicorn became high pitched and their speech is going at a pace of an allegro violin concerto.

“Whoa whats going on?” Rainbow Dash asks in wonder.

“I am only speeding up the memory.”

The Alicorn calmly replies.

When Rarity asked why he's doing this, he said when he heard the knocking earlier that caused him to disconnect and give him pain. The entity that was knocking left after a few minutes, but something told Gold Sky that entity will be back so that is why he was skipping some parts of his memories.

“Ah yes the camp out, this ought to be good.” Gold Sky cheerfully said.

“I still don’t know how you talked me into this Mi Lady, and isn’t this kind of too feminine for a stallion like me? And I feel weird without my armor.” Sliver Wind asked in a most displeased voice.

Sylvia chuckled a bit before she answered back.

“No Silver Wind,and last time I checked camp outs are not too feminine all right. Oh and please stop calling me Mi Lady, call me by name from now on got it?”

“Of course… you’re NAMES.” Silver Wind mocks to Sylvia causing her to throw a cushion at the Pegasus which is caught the instant she let her magic release it.

“Oh yeah I forgot about you’re reflexes.” Sylvia expresses embarrassingly.

“Well you’re not the first one, like the crazed Pegasus, Zebra exile, the four Unicorn mercs, and so on… umm I take you don’t want to talk about it?”

“No I’m good.” Replies the mare. Then both of them hear the sound of steps approaching the camping site in the palace.

“Princess Celestia is here. YAY time to have fun!! Trust me Silver Wind if you weren't so serious tonight I can assure that you will have the best night ever!” Sylvia ecstatically squeals.

“Humph, I find that hard to believe mi la… err Sylvia.”Replies the Pegasus.

“We’ll see about that Silver Wind and I’ll hold your word on it.”

A voice rang out from the darkness causing Silver Wind to look at Sylvia who simply shrugged, then from the shadows emerges Princess Celestia.

Upon seeing her Silver Wind bows down low before the white Alicorn.

“Really Silver Wind?" *Sigh*

Princess Celestia’s voice became the most unrecognizable thing in all of Equestria when heard by Rarity and Rainbow Dash. It's the sound of aggravation mixed with wariness of time and duty.

“Silver Wind… in this event we are having I am not your Princess. But I am something that can help you.”
The Princess declared with the same motherly tone that caused Silver Wind to break down a little bit before her, many days ago.

“I am your friend Silver Wind well in fact both of us are you friends, we just can’t see a Pegasus like you live their life tied only to their duty. Silver Wind I understand the death of your father shattered you severely but still that is no reason to use his death to make yourself into something soulless… please Sliver Wind let me eer I mean us help you. That one emotion you have kept use it! Use it to save yourself. Don’t let pain linger in you Silver Wind because I too feel pain every time I raise the moon… my dear sister Luna. I-I… Princess Luna my sister I miss her so much!”

Princess Celestia turns her back toward Silver Wind and Sylvia and start to take deep breaths

“Silver Wind were these your father’s last words…”
Princess Celestia asks as her horn glows and start to repeat the same last words Silver Wind’s father said to him from his death bed.

“You will fly far my dear Silver Wind but I will never leave you even with my death. You shall make my strength your own; I shall see you live your life through your eyes my son… the son becomes the father…”

“And the father the son.” Silver Wind finishes the sentence.

“The son becomes the father and the father the son.”

Sliver Wind looks into the fireplace. He knew Princess Celestia will always feel great pain every night she raises the moon, while the words of his father resonate inside of him.

This was not what his father wanted him to become… he's misusing the strength of his father, Princess Celestia truly wants to help him only she can save him from what he has become.

Slowly the Pegasus faces Sylvia and the Princess accepting he's feeling something different in his heart, a sensation slowly rising to his head triggering him to remember how his father stroked his mane for the last time. Silver Wind’s voice changed… and for the first time in his life he speaks with fear.

“Save me Princess Celestia. Save me Sylvia.”

Ch4
“Retribution... descendant of the fallen dragon” Fearfully the Alicorn backs away from the young purple dragon standing next to Twilight Sparkle.

Arthur's note- I am working on Ch.4 since I've got 1/10 of it done before I had it encrypted. I am also working on ch.3 of Joy of hidden Love and the Wrath of Lust.

Heart of the Elite Commando guard.

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace.

By.FoxofRarity

Chapter.4

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

“Ok here we go. Time to see if I mastered this shape-shifting spell. If I can turn into Rarity and prank Spike then that proves I’ve fully mastered the art of shape shifting.” The horn of Twilight glows. It is not long before a white aura engulfs her.

When the glow of the aura dies down she immediately looks in the mirror. "Let's see."

“Incredible! I look just like Rarity…even to the slightest detail of her sky blue eye shadow.”

Twilight lips start to form a very devilish smirk as she stepped out of her bathroom and calls out in perfect imitation of Rarity's voice.

"Spike I need your help…”

***
In the Carousel Boutique the unknown Alicorn is showing the history of his parents to Rarity and Rainbow Dash, telepathically that is. He shows them what they want to know…especially the source of the memory.

“Silver Wind we will help you, Sylva and I will change you into the kind Pegasus you're meant to be.” Princess Celestia says in her motherly tone.

“How huh!? My own mother can’t help me so what can you do?”

“Only time can tell Silver Wind…only time can tell.”

Rarity taps Gold Sky on the shoulder to ask him something but forgot about her question when she saw the memory being sped up. "Huh?" Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash saw Gold Sky’s face turn into worry as he fast forward the memories.

“You are afraid that whoever was knocking earlier will be back.” Rarity whispers to Gold Sky
Gold Sky just nodded.

“Anyway here is when Sylvia and Silver Wind start to bond.”

The setting around the trio shifts to a restaurant.

After some time it up the form of a donut shop, known as Pony Stars.
“Silver Wind if you don't mind me asking but can you please tell every detail of your colthood, you don’t have too if you don’t want to.” Sylvia managed to speak through a mouthful of glazed donuts.

Silver Wind sighs because in whole truth he never had a colthood in the first place.
“Not much to explain.”

“Oh…I’m sorry if…”

“No Sylvia, I don’t mean it like that. I mean I never had a colthood…basically you could say I came into this world to become an Elite Commando guard and nothing else.”

"Oh dear me." Sylvia reaches over to touch his hoof.
“How about your parents, can we talk about them?”
Silver Wind turns his head around so Sylvia wouldn’t see him take a deep breath, after a few seconds of pushing himself he turns back to face Sylvia.

“I only visit my mother during my off time…my father passed away when I was still a very young colt. Before he died I tried to spend as much time with him. He told me everything I needed to know, but not as a colt but as a stallion and I had to leave behind my childlike mind to become strong stallion for my mother.”

Silver Wind trembles slightly as he continued his story
“I felt cold after he stroked my mane for the last time, seeing him die before my eyes was something I had to bear for a long time…especially his last words. The son becomes the father and the father the son. He basically told me to be a better stallion than him. Now at least I can try to be a better Pegasus.”

Sylvia smiles warmly at him as a way to thank him for opening up to her.

But more surprisingly for the first time ever Silver Wind smiles back.

“So you really do smile!? I knew it!” The Unicorn exclaimes happily.

“Hehe enjoy it while it lasts. Uhhh…I really enjoy spending this time with you. Even though I’m always going to be by your side at all times but its moments like these that I wish we can have more often. And uhhhh… well if you don’t mind me saying?” Silver Wind starts to become a little bashful.

“What is it Silver Wind?” Sylvia asks.

“Uhh it’s… OH! I almost forgot to mention my mother. She got remarried during my years in training under the master of the guard, I never paid any sort of attention to my mother’s new husband because he’ll never be my father in the first place. I think that’s all for now I guess.”

Unfortunately this is not what Silver Wind wanted to say to Sylvia, but since this is the first time he starts to talk about his feelings he did not know how to tell her his opinion he has of her.

“Sylvia, I think we should call it a night. Isn’t it near you bedtime? Hehe.” Silver Wind teases.

Sylvia gave her personal guard a soft jab on the withers before leaving the donut ship with him to head back to the palace.

“Good night, Silver Wind.” Yawns Sylvia.

“Sweet dreams, Sylvia. Wake me if you need me.” Silver Wind assures Sylvia before giving her a small bow and heading to his room across from her’s.

Before he fell into deep sleep Silver Wind took one last look at his silver armor he placed on a mannequin.
“Guess being her personal guard is a blessing in disguise. Thank you Princess Celestia.”

***

“Strange I thought I heard Rarity upstairs. Was she here all this time instead at her boutique?” Thought the young dragon.
When he went upstairs to find out if that was really Rarity…his jaw ends up hitting the floor.

“Spike? Why are looking at me like you’ve never seen me before? It’s me Rarity, uh Spiko-Wako.” Twilight or in this case Rarity tells Spike.
“Oh my, I just want to laugh my head off right now, I can’t believe he’s falling for this. But keep your cool Twilight don’t laugh just yet.”

Spike’s pupils turns into pink hearts and for some unexplained reason he starts to float over to Rarity.

“W-what can I help you with mi lady! I’ll do anything you ask oh fair and beautiful Rarity.” Swoons Spike.

“That’s it… I can’t hold it much longer!”

Twili…err Rarity starts to walk slowly around Spike. She decides to play the stakes of this prank by brushing Spike’s chin with her tail, causing the baby dragon to blush into the brightest shade of red she ever saw.

"Ok that's it!Rarity just fell on the ground laughing hysterically.

“Spike can’t believe you fell for this prank! You’re so gullible! But it was so cute how you acted!”

“What do you mean Rarity?” Asked the confused dragon who is no longer floating.

“I am not R-R-Rarity! Ahahhahahahha…!”

“What?”

“Sp-Spike it’s me Twilight… I’m using a shape-shifting spell and shifted into Rarity. So I can prank you. Ahahahhahaha AND YOU FELL FOR IT!! YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR FACE!”

Spike then saw the white horn glow and an aura surrounds Rarity. After a bright flash Spike sees Twilight rolling on the floor laughing.

*Gasp*“Eww and you brushed my chin seductively with your tail! Why will you trick me like this Twi? This is so uncalled for." Spike angrily yells at Twilight.

“C’mon Spike don’t be party pooper. You gotta admit it was funny after all and also its the first the prank I ever pull off.” Twilight said to Spike as she composed herself.

The baby dragon looks at Twilight while uncrossing his arms, he slowly starts to smile as he shook his head realizing Twilight is right.
“All right fine, I admit it was funny and you got me good Twi.” Spike then found himself being pulled towards Twilight’s arms that wrap around him created a big hug.

“How about we go to the Sugarcube Corner for lunch and then check up on Rarity, sounds good no?”

Spike just grins.

“Yeah it does sound good.”

***

The morning sun shines through the window of Silver Wind’s room. Its light did not wake the gray Pegasus from his sleep, he is a heavy sleeper after all and he forgot to set his alarm clock.

Sylva on the other hand or hoof decides to do a nice gesture for her personal Elite Commando guard because she has never done anything nice for him. So she brings him breakfast in bed.

When she enters his room, she places the tray on his desk and went over nudge him awake.
“Silver Wind it’s time to wake up and to rise and shine. Hello? Are you dreaming?”

When she places her hoof on his shoulder his eyes shot open wide as his right hoof grabs her hoof that she placed on his shoulder, and raises his left hoof which has a silver horseshoe along a blade extended to her wind pipe.

Sylvia just froze…she forgot Silver Wind has extraordinary reflexes and also sleeps with his horseshoes on which also happen to have blades in them.
“Oh…ooooooh I am so sorry Sylvia!!” Silver Wind snaps the blade back into his horseshoe and quickly got off his bed to bow low before her.

“Please Sylvia forgive me! I didn’t mean to do that to you! Please don’t hurt me with your magic!” Begs Silver Wind.

Sylvia gently places her hoof on his shoulder causing him to look up at her.
“It’s alright Silver Wind. I just realized it’s my fault anyway. First I should of knocked and second if that didn’t work I'd throw a bucket of cold water on you. Look just get up and we’ll forget this ever happened all right.” Sylvia seriously said to Silver Wind, who only nods in return.

So the Pegasus got up to his hooves and starts to eat breakfast while Sylvia held on to his horseshoes for safekeeping.

“Whoa! Do all Elite Commando guards have those horseshoes with blades in them?” Rainbow Dash ecstatically asks.

“Shh! Less talk, more quiet. I'll answer your question later.” Gold Sky snaps at Rainbow Dash.

A few days later Silver Wind is looking for Sylvia in the palace gardens, because she told him she wants some privacy so she can study, but in reality Sylvia is mourning the loss of her mother who died of a stroke.

After walking through endless bushes of flowers he finally found her sitting on a bench crying while holding a letter.
“Why is she crying? Did I do something wrong? Maybe I should leave her as she is and come back later when she’s done crying.” The commando turns around to walk back to the palace, but after taking a few steps he stops. A thought in the back of his mind tells him to go back… and do the right thing.

“No…she needs me. I will try helping her just like she helped me.”
Silver Wind slowly made his way to the grieving Sylvia, but before approaching her he spots a beautiful red rose so he quickly picks it hoping this will help. "Alright here it goes.

The Pegasus sits next to Sylvia who stops crying to look at him. He gives her the rose before saying the words that will change everything.
“I’m here for you…if you need a shoulder to cry on then please cry on mine. I won’t leave your side until you feel better.” The commando’s voice conveys compassion.

Sylvia’s horn glows in taking the rose. A small smile forms on her lips. "Silver WInd..." She is no longer alone.
She embraces Silver Wind and Silver Wind did the same.
“Thank you, Silver Wind.”
“For you…mi lady.”

The Unicorn and Pegasus have mutual thoughts running through their heads, all while Princess Celestia watches from her balcony and smiles at seeing her former personal guard changing into a better stallion.

The trio watching this memory saw the days turn into weeks and then weeks into months.

Silver Wind stood behind Sylvia as she sat at a meeting of the Royal court. The mare in any form or way is not part of the Royal court but since she has a curiosity to see its function, so Princess Celestia saves her a seat so she can sit next to her. While the ever present Elite Commando guard of Sylvia stood by.

Meanwhile the Pegasus couldn’t help but lay his eyes on Sylvia and not look away. He notices how her mane shines in the sun, along with how her eyes sparkle whenever she spoke.

“How can I not notice how beautiful she looks… wait!? Why am I thinking of this? She is really intelligent, iron willed, and probably powerful in magic. She is too good for me.” Silver Wind starts to frown when the thoughts flow through his mind creating realizations and revelations.

“Just because she smiles at me, just because she hugs me every morning, just because she talks softly to me, and just because she is helping me become a better stallion… does not mean she thinks more of me then just her personal commando guard. That’s all I am to her. A commando… a Razor.” The gray Pegasus lets out a long sigh as he took these thoughts to heart. Allowing one tear ran down his right cheek.

Sylvia on the other hoof looks at a mirror that stood parallel to Silver Wind’s right side to check if her mane is not messed up. That is when she saw the one tear running down his right cheek. She quickly looks at the at the mirror that stood parallel to Silver Wind’s left side, but she saw not a single tear running down.
“Something is troubling him. Perhaps I should ask him what is hurting him before I get some shut eye. Hope it’s not the death of his father bothering him again.”

Once the meeting of the Royal court came to its end. Sylvia and Silver Wind head to their quarters.

“Silver Wind, wait!” Sylvia calls out.

“I noticed today at the Royal court meeting a tear running down your right cheek…can you please tell me if something is bothering you, I’m here for you just like you were there for me back at the palace gardens.” She looks directly into his eyes to see what emotion runs through him.
Knowing she took his kind act to heart touched the stallion. In fact he just wants to tell her how her feels about her. But at the same time he’s new to these sort of feelings developing inside him.

“I-I-I just had some dust in my eye. Good night Sylvia.” He didn’t make any eye contact with her because he knew his eyes will betray him.

Silver Wind quickly dashes into his room and shuts the door.

Sylvia just stood in the hallway.
“I guess that one emotion that always been with him might be doing it’s job. Good night my dear Silver Wind…”

The setting went pitch black.
“Now Rainbow Dash do you have any questions?”

“Yeah, do all commandos have blades in their horseshoes?” Rainbow Dash asks impatiently.

“Uhh…I think so. How about you Rarity do you have any questions?”
Rarity just shook her head.

“All right lets continue. Oh…I will be skipping parts… yeah. ”
His horn glows taking the trio back into his memories.

Silver Wind takes himself to the library. He comes to the conclusion that if he wants to tell Sylvia how he feels then the best way to do so will be through poetry.
“Bookkeeper! I need your help in finding a book.” Silver Wind in high voice demands.

“I’m a librarian! A librarian not a bookkeeper!” The old aggravated unicorn corrects Silver Wind.

“Potato. Patata. Librarian. Bookkeeper. All mean the same thing, so are you going to help me or not? Because I don’t have time to waste, you old unicorn.”
The old unicorn just sighs as he went to get a book from a cart behind him and hands Silver Wind the book he needs.

“Thank you, sir. Have fun with your arthritis.” Silver Wind yells as he left.

“Punk.” Whispers the old unicorn.

Once back in his room, the Pegasus read whole book and took out a quill and sheets of paper.
“Ok, ok, ok. This poem is my one shot. I better make sure it is not flawed.”
Silver Wing starts to write. It was not long before numerous paper balls litters the floor of his room. His mind just thought of Sylvia… its weird how a couple of minutes spent with her telling her his past, caused him to develop feelings for her.

“Finally…it may be kind of short. But it will do perfectly.” Silver Wind proudly tells himself
Suddenly somepony knocks on his door causing him to quickly fold up the poem and place it in his helmet.

“C-come in.”

Sylvia walks into the room which made the pegasus blush lightly.

“Hey Silver Wind we’re going to take a long stroll, so c’mon it’ll be fun.”
Silver Wind just nods and walks with Sylvia.
As both them walked through Ponyville Silver Wind thanks the Great Spirit, for giving him the perfect chance and setting in which he can give Sylvia the poem.

Sylvia on the other side of the coin kept taking many glances at Silver Wind, she to has feelings for Silver Wind but not even her intelligence can give her the courage to tell him how she feels.
“He is so handsome, strong, hard yet with a heart of gold. I want to hug him and never let go…but I’m sure he has no emotions for me. He is still a Razor.”
After some time, dusk makes its presence known by the color of the sky.

The Elite Commando guard however notices how close to the Everfree forest they were.
“Sylvia we're awfully close to the Everfree forest and its dusk we should go back.” Silver Wind suggests.

“You’re right, Silver Wind. Let’s go back to the palace…it should be near supper time.” Sylvia admits.
So the duo change their direction to walk back home.

That is until a Griffon land in front of them and a second one behind them.

“Ho, ho. Lookie here, we got ourselves a pair of ponies.” Gloats one of griffons with a voice of great satisfaction.

“Oh no!! Griffon Assassins!” Silver Wind yells in his mind.

“What do you want Griffons?” Sylvia asks.

“What do we want? Simple my dear little pony. We just want to kill you and your guy friend too, for fun of course.”

Sylvia’s eyes got wide while Silver Wind gathers all the strength within him to fight.

“You can’t kill us. Princess Celestia made a treaty with your nation, and you have the armor of a griffon soldier. Meaning if you kill us, it will start a war!” The unicorn mare declares to the griffon.

“Last time we checked both us are not soldiers and we are not wearing the bronze armor the soldiers wear…we are assassins! Who’ve been low on business for the past few weeks. So we decided to kill time by killing ponies who come through this path and both of you happen to be the lucky couple.” The assassin starts to cackle manically.
Silver Wind grabs Sylvia so she can look at him.
“Sylvia look at me. LOOK AT ME! I want you to promise me that you will do whatever I say, all right!”

Sylvia only nods while trying desperately to blink away any tears forming in her eyes.

Silver Wind closes his eyes and breathes deeply before opening them.
“I want you run… but don’t stop all right. Run, until you reach safety or get tired. Whatever you hear do not look back but keep running. Is that clear!”

“B-b-but what about you Silver Wind!?”

The commando just gave her a small smile and nuzzles her gently on the cheek.
“I’m doing what I’m trained to do and that is protecting you…with my life. Here, take this.” Silver Wind quickly took off his helmet and gave her the folded up poem.

"Once you get to safety read it. The last three words shall speak for themselves. NOW RUN SYLVIA RUN!!!” He roars.

She starts to run but quickly stops to look at him with eyes filled with fear.

Silver Wind smiles at her and gave her nod before turning to face the griffon assassins.

She ran and never looked back.
“I will not leave you. I will be back Sylvia … I promise.”

“What are your names assassins?" Silver Wind barks.

The leader of the two clears his throat before talking.

“My name is Rommel and my partner’s name is Lee. And what’s your name pony?”

Silver Wind snorts out his breath, to intimidate Lee since he looks more skittish.

“My name is Silver Wind. Elite Commando guard of Equestria.” Silver Wind holds his head high to show he has no fear.

Lee’s jaw suddenly drops when he hears that name.

“Th-th-the Silver Wind! Rommel we should…” Lee grabsd Rommel and brought him close so he talk to him and not worry about Silver Wind hearing them.

“Rommel this Pegasus here is the cold killer Silver Wind! Remember how he killed those three assassins sent to either kill or capture Princess Celestia with such ease, we have to leave while we got the chance! He will kill us or torture us!” Lee’s voice displays text book fear without even being engaged.

“You coward! So what, if he is Silver Wind! I will kill him and have the glory of being the griffon who killed the legendary guard of Celestia. I will be the most famous Griffon Assassin!” Declared Rommel to Lee.
Both of them then return facimg the lone commando.

“How about we have ourselves a friendly fight to the death eh and then I will hunt down that mare.” Rommel taunts.

Silver Wind smiles a devilish smile.
“I like the sound of that…lets dance” Silver Wind replies as his wings spread open.

“Don’t worry Sylvia. Knowing that your up and running gives me strength.”

The two assassins lunge forward.

And Silver Wind charges forward to the griffons.

One Elite Commando guard against two Griffon Assassins… only one will be left standing.

***

Sylvia ran despite her legs screaming in pain because physical activity is not a good attribute of her’s.
But she kept on running… she made a promise to Silver Wind to run and live.

Unfortunately she was not paying attention to objects lying around on her path. "Uh oh!" She trips over a exposed tree root.
She tries to get up but her body will not comply for it feels good lying on the ground. And her heart is beating so fast it freaks her out.

So she drags herself to a big bush to hide and so her body can rest as well.
Her horn glows in retrieving the note Silver Wind gave her.

Oh Sylvia… my beautiful Sylvia.
A day does not pass in which I don’t think of you. Your beauty always captivates me and your intelligence amazes me in every way that my mind can interpret. I always thought you were the reason the sun rose every morning. But you give me reason to be a better stallion…to wake up every morning to see your eyes that shine brightly as the stars in the night sky. Your voice sings of flawless magnificence that brings me to peace.
I’m lucky to be your personal guard and I wish I can be more than that for you.
I always wanted to tell you these words but I’m afraid you will ignore me and replace me… but nothing ventured is nothing gained. You are the definition of unfathomed beauty.

Sylvia…

I love you.

Sylvia’s heart melts. The stallion she has feelings for feels the same for her.
“Silver Wind loves me. He loves me!!! I need to find him so I to can tell him how I…”

She just remembers Silver Wind staying behind to protect her. Tears start to form in her eyes and she feels her body go cold.

“Silver Wind please don’t die.”

***
Silver Wind ducks in time to avoid a claw swipe from Rommel, which also gave him three milliseconds to deliver a powerful blow to the griffon’s stomach causing Rommel to fall on his knees and cough up blood.

Silver Wind hears the noisy flapping of Lee who tries to attack him from behind. The commando is able to dodge the attack from Lee but also grabs him and use the momentum of the griffon to spin him and slam him to the ground.

Silver Wind mustering up all his strength punches Lee in the chest shattering his ribcage. A piece of shattered rib pierces the left lung of Lee, giving him only four minutes of life.

“Ooh it looks like you are, ahem, dead!” Sarcastic sadism is the last thing Lee will ever hear.

But this distraction gave Rommel a chance to kick Silver Wind from behind, sending the commando to the ground.

"Got him for now." Rommel wipes the blood off his bottom lip and whips out a sabre that was slung on his back. The assassin then dashes forward at Silver Wind with his sabre.

Silver Wind immediately extends the blades from both his horseshoes to block the sabre, then pushes the griffon back giving him some distance.

Rommel raises his saber above his head while Silver Wind flaps his wings rapidly to help him stay upright on his hind legs.
Both charge at each other and the sound of metal striking metal fills the Everfree forest.

Rommel struck Silver Wind with the pommel of his sabre causing the pegasus to fall down on his back.

Quickly Silver Wind tosses some dirt into Rommel’s eyes. But Rommel covers his eyes and saw in between his fingers that the commando is coming at him, so he swung his sabre at the left hoof of the commando. The sabre hits the horseshoe with enough force to making it come off.

“Oh hell…” Silver Wind frets when he sees his left hoof is without a horseshoe.

Suddenly he gets tackled down by Rommel.

Rommel holds down Silver Wind’s right hoof which still had a silver horseshoe, with his left eagle arm and points the tip of his sabre at Silver Wind’s face.
“Any last words Silver Wind? The once legendary guard of Celestia.” Rommel asks.

Silver Wind just smiles…

“Yeah. Three blades are better than two.” Snickers Silver Wind.
Rommel tilts his head until he felt a sharp pain in his right hip causing him to roar in pain.

Silver Wind has another blade concealed in the horseshoe of his left hind leg.

Rommel drops his sabre.

"Get off me damn it!" The pegasus throws the griffon off of him.

"Oh this is glorious." Silver Wind slowly walks over to Rommel who is now dragging himself on the ground. "Ah yes." He then breathes in a deep breath and strikes Rommel on the right shoulder dislocated it.

“You see Rommel I don’t need room to give you a powerful blow to the shoulder,I just need air and strength. I will be the last thing you see before you die. HA! You will have no glory and everybody will remember you as the assassin who failed in trying to kill me, but look at the bright side at least you are lucky number five of assassins I kill. And one more thing Rommel… I’m not the guard of Princess Celestia but the guard of Sylvia the mare who has my heart!”

Silver Wind finishes his speech by slitting Rommel’s throat.

“*Sigh.* It is done. Humph for such an overzealous Assassin I would of thought he’ll put up more of a fight. I got to find Sylvia and see if she is okay.”

***

Sylvia senses her body is now well rested, so she starts to get up on her hoofs until she hears a stick snap. *gasp* She instantly covers her mouth, closes her eyes and stays perfectly still.

“Sylvia its me. Where are you?” Silver Wind calls out.

The mare opens her eyes and let's out a sigh of relive, she came out of the bush she was hiding in and took Silver Wind into a tight embrace.

Silver Wind starts to smile when he felt how tight Sylvia held him. "Oh she holds me tight!"
After what seems like hours both of them finally let go of each other.
“Sylvia I just want to sa…” The mare places her hoof over his mouth to silence him.

“Silver Wind that poem you wrote for me its… I also feel the same for you!”

Silver Wind’s eyes widen upon hearing this.

“I love you Sylvia.”

“I love you too, Silver Wind.”

Both of them once again hug each other as if they were living their last days.

***
The memory fades away, soon Rarity and Rainbow Dash find themselves back at the boutique with Gold Sky.

“Ok that’s enough of showing you stuff.” Gold Sky tells the two mares.

“What!? Darling you can’t be serious. Your memories were only getting better!” Rarity started to use her begging face, which made Gold Sky feel a bit guilty.

‘C’mon man it was getting so good, please Gold Sky. Pleasssssssssssse…” Begs Rainbow Dash.

“Look I showed both of you a lot of my origins… Ok maybe not MY origins. But both of you never specified that you wanted to hear about my origins and not my parents. So in keeping the bargain, I will place the charm in your minds so you can’t tell anypony about my true form and what I’ve showed you.”

The horn of the Alicorn glows in placing mental chains in they’re minds. Once done, a thought passes through him.
“Ok fine, I will tell both of you one thing about myself.” Gold Sky in defeat groans to both mares.

The ears of Rarity and Rainbow Dash perk forward with glee. Until suddenly they drop when they see one tear running down Gold Sky’s right cheek.
“I-I cut off my horn once … no twice. When they died I hated myself for being an Alicorn. Why did they have to die while I live, huh!!! I never wanted to be an Alicorn. I wanted to be a Pegasus, like you Rainbow Dash. I wanted to have a set number of days in which in my last day, I will die peacefully. But instead I have an unlimited number of days. I even cut off my wings too because if I couldn’t an Pegasus then I’ll be an Unicorn…but after three years my wings fully grew back. With feathers shiner than ever.”

Gold Sky turns his back to both mares.

“I soon realized that I have tissue regeneration which explains why my horn and wings grew back because I’m not a pure Alicorn like Celestia... Anyway I’ll be on my way. WAIT! Rarity is my cloak patched up?”

Rarity had to shake her head in order to get back into focus.
“That old piece of cloth? Ugh! No darling I made you something better. A white all silk cloak that will so look good on you, dear.” Rarity beams in delight.

Her magic retrieves from her closest the beautiful white cloak and places it upon the alicorn. "There you are darling."

Gold Sky feels how fine the cloak is, it feels much better than the one he previously had before.
“How much do I owe you for this exquisite cloak?” Inquires Gold Sky.
“Oh that will be five bits.”
Gold Sky raises an eyebrow. He has no bits, but he had some gold nuggets and shiny gems he acquired during his journey.

“Ok I don’t have any bits but will accept this gold nugget the size of a grape? It’s pretty dense for it’s size.”
Rarity gasps when her magic took hold of it! She can feel how much it weighs and truly it's really was dense for it's size.
Rainbow Dash closely studies the nugget with awe.

“Where did you get that?” She asks.
Gold Sky shrugged.

“I forgot, but here you can have one too.” Gold Sky levitates a gold nugget to give to Rainbow Dash, who squeals with joy.
“Oh my gosh! Thanks!” Yells the mare as dashes towards the Alicorn and gave him a quick hug.”

“Say Rarity one more thing.” Asks Gold Sky.

“Yes, Gold Sky.”

“Will you mind if I trade you a nice gem for that ruby in your gem chest.” Gold Sky then took out a pink unpolished diamond from his saddle bag that was given to him by the chieftain of the United Zebra Clans for helping them put down a rebellion in a rouge clan.

A major jaw drop appears in the faces of both mares.
Gold Sky took Rarity’s expression as a yes that she wouldn’t mind, so he left the diamond in front of her and took the ruby.
"The color of Octavia's beautiful eyes. Such a beauty." Gold happily said to himself.

“Good bye and thank you for listening.”

His words fell on deaf ears because both mares became mesmerized by the pink diamond.
When Gold Sky opens the door he found that a lavender colored unicorn mare stood there with her right hoof raised to knock on the door.

“Oh hello there. If please excuse me I will lik….” Next to the unicorn stood a baby purple dragon.

Gold Sky's heartbeat accelerates, fear grips him, and slowly his body starts to tremble violently.
“Retribution…descendent of the fallen dragon.” Fearfully the alicorn backs away from the young purple dragon standing next to Twilight Sparkle.

"Huh?" Twilight was about to ask the cloaked Unicorn why he’s afraid of the baby dragon but she got cut off by the unicorn who speaks with a tremble in his voice.

“Rar-Rar-Rarity sorry about the broken window…here have t-t-t-two more diamonds.”

With that Gold Sky drops two more diamonds in front of Rarity and jumps out breaking through the large front window of her shop and runs away.

After some time of running he stops to check if the purple dragon is not after him. Upon seeing that nothing is chasing him, he lets out a sigh of relive.
“Ok good I’m safe now. Great, its dusk already. Hmm I could see Canterlot from here, perhaps I could fly there since there is heavy cloud cover. So nopony should see my true form. Time to visit Guardian Aunt. I miss her so much.”

Gold Sky took off his cloak, folds it up, and places it in his saddlebag.

He unfolded his wings but pauses to take a good look at them.

“Damn wings…” He growls.

The Alicorn flapps his wings and flew to see the mare who raised him after the memory was born in his mind.

I am sorry for making all of you wait so long for chapter four. But I really got sidetracked by Joy of hidden Love and the Wrath of Lust, I never knew that Fan Fic will be so liked. But just so all of you will know, Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace is my crown jewel compared to the other fan fic I'm writing.

Octavia the living testament of true art.

Octavia and the Alicorn's peace.

By.FoxofRarity

Chapter. 5

Disclaimer- Please comment your opinions and My little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

“Twilight is he scared of me?” Asks a distraught Spike.

Twilight nuzzles Spike on the head to comfort him, because seeing somepony run away from him really caused him to become extremely sad.
“I don’t know Spike maybe he’s new here in town and never seen a dragon before.” Twilight said to Spike, afterwards she turns towards Rarity and Rainbow Dash who are still mesmerized by the unpolished pink diamonds.

“I sure hope Rarity has insurance for the broken window.” Twilight says to herself.

***

Using every cloud to his advantage, Gold Sky flies to the outer edge of Canterlot to make sure nopony see’s him putting on his cloak.

He folds his wings, diving down like a falcon, and being just five seconds from impact. Gold Sky shot out his wings to create an enormous amount of drag which allows him to land on the ground slow and soft like a feather.

He immediately dons the elegant white silk cloak and starts to use the skills his father taught him. Carefully but casually he enters a walking entourage of Canterlot elite of which his white cloak sure helps with the blending process.

Gold Sky rolls his eyes at the many mundane worries these rich fools speak so profoundly of, especially one name Jet Set. Finally, at almost arriving to his boiling point at tolerating stupid stuff, he spots the cemetery that hold the bones of two loving ponies. Gold Sky slows his walking speed to a crawl and once seeing the entourage very much ahead of him he trotted to the entrance of the cemetery.

Gold Sky stand under the arched entrance of the cemetery, he looks down at the ground taking a few deep breaths. He lifts his left hoof and slowly ever so slowly took his first step in.

After walking past rows of relics from the past, he sees two headstones placed apart from the rest. These headstones were placed apart from the rest for a reason.

The alicorn swallows his saliva, while feeling his chest becoming cooler by the grazing seconds. "Here they are." once in front of both headstones he removs his hood, revealing tears of remembrance for the buried bones.

“Mommy…Daddy.” Gold Sky starts to choke on his sobs. “I-I came home. I c-came home.” Gold Sky fell to his knees and weeps the same way he did when he was a colt two hundred and two years ago when his parents died before his young eyes.

A gray mare happens to be passing by. She took notice of the grieving stallion but kept on moving to be in time for her event in the Palace.

***
Octavia arrives at the palace to play a private show for Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, because they want a huge respite from the over-rated, too rhythmic bland and not much good messages for a young generation, music, which in the first place shouldn’t be called music but hey there is always a crowd for that Madam Baba, The Flim flam brothers, Yanye South, and High Low Greenish.

Celestia remembers the old days of music. When it’s original intent and creation was for the betterment of the mind along with showing one’s magnificence of having such a mind to create true forms of art.

Octavia is honored to perform for both Princesses, especially Luna. In fact Octavia had always been quite fond of her, so maybe after this performance she can hopefully have a nice chat with her and get to know Luna.

The gray mare stands in front of the mirror and her reflection smiles at her.
“This is real. This is grace. The highest of all honors to perform for the Princesses… All my work, practice, and musical instinct pays off right now. I can do this. I am Octavia! The only pony in all of Equestria capable of creating such pristine art on the cello!” Octavia declares.

A stallion wearing silver armor pokes his head in Octavia dressing room to alert her that her performance will commence shortly. But instead the stallion starts to check her out instead.

“Wow, she is really, really hot!” The stallion tells himself in a quiet voice.

“Too hot for you, so what is it you want to tell me?” Retorts Octavia with a sly smile on her lips.

The stallion is now at a loss of words, did she really hear what he said? Because if she did, then that is not a good thing because she might tell other mares and it will hurt his chances of getting a marefriend.

“Mis-Miss. Octavia you’re up.” Drops of sweat fall from the guard’s forehead.

Octavia stops midway in front of the guard to give him some useful advice.
“Say that to me one more time and I will make sure no mare gives you the time of the day. You understand.”

The guard rapidly nods his head up and down.

Octavia slowly walks to the stage. Her ears twitch wildly in different directions giving her the opportunity to hear every whisper from the much larger audience.

"So much for a private show."
Each muscle in her body fails to tremble…her sight does not wonder away from her bow and cello set in front of her…her heart beat is steady as the moon when it rises up from the horizon…Octavia got up onto her hind legs took her cello with her left arm while with her right arm takes hold of the bow.

Far on top of the audience Princess Luna and Celestia sit in a balcony, one guard in golden armor stood by Celestia while another guard in silver armor stood by Luna.

Octavia felt her heart give a hard beat because everything boils down to this moment. But before placing the bow on the strings she closes her eyes so her mind can create a physical but mental image of somepony.

A cloaked unicorn…Gold Sky. The first pony to stop and relish the serenity of her talent, she wonders if she’ll ever run into him again because since their encounter he seems like a really nice fellow who likes her music.

Octavia opens her eyes. On the balcony with the Princesses sat the cloaked unicorn rocking back and forth with closed eyes.

The gray mare places her bow on the strings, no movement means no music.

“Let the world hear my magnificence.” Octavia whispers in her mind.

She swings the bow in graceful movements with each stroke at different angles to produce countless wooden harmonic notes.
Luna felt the melodies take her to peace. Her eyes focuses on the beautiful gray mare, who brought peace to her with flawless, true, serine…art.

Octavia’s mind plays her loving memories.

“Father I will be a master at the cello, you shall see.”

The ponies in the audience experience their individual worlds’ disappearing; they had never heard such art before.

“They can laugh at me all they want but in the end my music will last through the ages to come, Princess Celestia and Luna will give testament to that.”

Octavia moves her bow to every command of her instinct. The instinct she spent years developing. Every hour of her childhood she spent practicing made her good, every hour of her adolescence she spent practicing made her perfect.

Every hour she spent practicing as an adult made her flawless.

“I will find Gold Sky and I will perform for his welcome party.”

Octavia glides the bow slowly over the strings. The long kind note seals itself in the minds of everypony and this Luna became lost in the peace.

The gray mare lowers the bow from her cello and opens her eyes.

A long silence followed because everyone is still absorbing the flawless beauteous performance they witnessed before them.

Princess Luna got up and clapped, pretty soon Celestia followed, the guards followed, and lastly the ground start to shake with the cheers and claps of the audience.

Octavia smilew, because Princess Luna threw her a blue rose.

Now the world shall know of the gray mare who is the living example of grace, honor, and a true creator of art- The long lost art of classical harmonic music.

“I did it father…I am a legend.” Octavia tearfully thought to herself as the noise of the cheers and claps engulfed her into a world of bright white light.

***
Octavia signs many autographs. "This is amazing." she felt good putting her name on many pieces of paper, many children squeals with joy posing for pictures with her, and many Canterlot elite request her presence at their events.

Octavia accepts some offers and turns down many. She went into her dressing room to have a quick self celebration by eating cupcakes Pinkie made for her and downing some bottles of sarsaparilla.

Luna told Celestia she will be seeing Octavia.
“Now Luna remember, do not use Royal Canterlot voice to introduce yourself to her. And to make yourself look more friendly and her size, you can change your stardust mane back to wavy hair and lower your height a bit. Well, that is if you want of course.” Celestia advises with her vast wisdom.

Luna took the suggestions into consideration and after some thinking she thought why not. It’s always good to make a good first impression, even if it is with a fine musician or maybe musical legend now.

So Luna turns her stardust mane back into wavy hair and she lowers her height a few inches. She then asks a stagehand where she can find Octavia’s dressing room. After being told Luna approaches the door and softly knocks.

Octavia hear the knocks she thought it must be a fan or her father, so she got up to answer it. *gasp* To her great surprise she sees Luna standing across from her.

“Your majesty! What an honor for you to see me, uh you want to come in?”
Octavia is timid but happy to see Princess Luna.

“Please Octavia call me Luna, there is no need to call me Princess continuously, and I will like to come in but instead I’ll give you a different offer.”

“Oooh! She allows me to call her by her name!! Can this day get any better! I also wonder what she’ll offer.” Gleefully thought Octavia.

“I will like for you to join me for tea in my study room, where we can talk and get to know one another.” Luna gives Octavia a lovely smile.

Octavia became speechless, getting invited to have tea with the Princess of the Moon is such a rarity so she nods happily at Luna.

“Wonderful! Come lets go and don’t worry about your cello I’ll have my guard carry it for you. Delta Scorch can you please carry Octavia’s cello.”

“Yes, mi lady.” Replies the guard whose horn starts to glow in lifting the instrument while walking behind Luna and Octavia.

One of Octavia’s wishes came true.

***
Gold Sky wipes away his tears. The past is the past and his parents are nothing but piles of bones now.

“Now it’s time to see Guardian Aunt…” Gold Sky took one last look at the tombstones before getting back up on all fours. “Good bye mommy, good bye daddy. May the heavenly paradise be everything you say it is.”

Gold Sky touches each marker before making his way to the palace.

The Alicorn leaves the cemetery, he trots through the business district of Canterlot he’d never seen so many stallions dressed in fine suits and so many top hats too. He could feel their eyes gazing upon him as he passed by, it must be the beautiful white silk cloak Rarity made that is attracting all the attention. Along his way he notices a very elegant white unicorn mare who has a flowing serine pink mane. “Wow, she looks pretty. Lucky fellow with the monocle to have such a nice marefriend.” Gold Sky said within in his mind, while passing the unicorn mare whose cutie mark is comprised of fleur de lises.

Gold Sky made it to the palace doors there he sees two guards standing guard, one is a unicorn while the other a pegasus. He without a sign of difficulty approaches the doors.

“Sir, to enter the palace you are required to remove your cloak. So if you’ll be so kind, hand the nice cloak over please and you shall get it back when you leave.” Orders one of the guards.

Gold Sky didn’t have time to waste and he didn’t want his true self to be revealed, two mares knowing what he is, is bad enough. So he will just use his telepathy on them so he can move on with his upcoming reunion.

The horn of the Alicorn glows. “You didn’t see me and you will never remember me.”

The Guards stood straight and their eyes ignored Gold Sky.

“Two down, many more to go, this will be practically easy I just hope I don’t run into any Elite Commando guards. Oh, two more Golden stallions…time to become invisible and forgotten.” Gold Sky thinks to himself.

Princess Celestia, who got back from the concert, feels a strange but familiar presence. Her maternal instincts start to take over. This presence…

“Can it be!? Or is it just my mind playing tricks with me since Octavia’s music really had an impact upon me.” Princess Celestia raises her guard. “It could be Discord making a return, which must be thanks to Cutie Mark Crusaders…again! Or worse!? What if the music brought back Luna’s corrupted side! No matter. Let this familiar being face me, I am ready!” Declares Celestia in allowing her magic to flow through her causing her wings along with her eyes to glow.

Gold Sky walks past the last pair guards guarding the entrance to the throne room. This is it, behind these doors is the mare who took him under her wing, loved him as son, taught him almost but not everything she knew of magic, and gave him her pure values and morals to be a good stallion. Gold Sky felt his heart beat turning into soft deep thumps. He took one deep breath, opens the doors, and went into the throne room.

***
Spike waves a hand in front of Rarity’s face so he can get her to focus back to the world and not the three pink unpolished diamonds.
“Man, I never knew diamonds has this sort of affect on Rarity. Hmmmm.” Spike now thinks that maybe instead of digging for regular gems he should dig for diamonds instead.

“Hey Twi if you don’t mind me, I got some diamonds to dig up, Bye!” Spike quickly utters before heading out the door, but the door is closed and he ends up running into the door instead. Knocking himself out in the process.

Twilight fearfully gasps.
“Spike! Are you alright!? Answer me!” Twilight starts to nudge Spike with her hoof.

Spike’s tail twitches a bit. “Why yes Rarity, my scales happen to be made out of gems. You want some gems with that? I love you Rarity, more than I love gems!! Cookies!” Blabbers Spike as each one of his eyes traveled in circles but in independent directions.

Twilight sighs in deep relief seeing that Spike is okay. Her horn creates an aura around him, allowing Twilight to pick up the knocked out baby dragon and place him on her back.

Finally Rarity snaps back into the real world.
“Oh hello Twilight and my sweet Spikey Wikey what can I do for you?” Asks the White Unicorn.

Twilight decides to inform Rarity about her broken window first and then ask her about that cloaked unicorn that broke one of her windows.
“Rarity, you may want to take a few deep breaths and please don’t freak out too much alright.”

Rarity took off her glasses and gave Twilight a confound look. “What ever do you mean Twilight?”

The lavender Unicorn points at the broken window.
Upon seeing the damage Rarity’s pupils became black dots, her jaw drops, and she made a sound that sounds like a mix of a squeal and squeak from a hen.

Twilight notices Rarity’s right eye twitching madly. “Rarity? Are you oka…”

“I’LL DESTROY HER!!!!” Rarity roars on the top of her lungs.

“Uh you mean him?” Corrects Twilight in her usual adorable manner.

Rarity turns to Twilight. “Huh?”

“Some unicorn wearing a nice silk cloak freaked out at seeing Spike, so he gave you two more diamonds before breaking through it. Which by the way, I’ve never seen him before. Do you know his name?” Twilight explains and then questions.

Rarity just blinks. She couldn’t believe Gold Sky broke her window because Spike scared him, but since Rarity is Rarity just like a rose is a rose. She seems more concerned with the fact that Gold Sky has more than one unpolished pink diamonds.

Rainbow Dash stood by Rarity and gave her a soft nudge.
“Oh where are my manners, the name of that stallion is Gold Sky. He is a al, a ali…a ali…a ali…” The mental chains prevent Rarity from revealing Gold Sky’s identity.

“Let me try.” Rainbow Dash whispers into Rarity’s ear.
“Gold Sky is a ali…a ali. Oh c’mon! He’s a ali la lo whoa chewni… oh for Pete’s sake!” Rainbow huffs in defeat.

“He’s a unicorn.” Rarity said finally since that is the only word she use in describing Gold Sky.

“Yeah and he has win…win. Whoa he’s smarter than I thought.” Said Rainbow after seeing she can't say wings.

“So his name is Gold Sky and he has wins? Ooook. Well he does look like a decent fellow, I wonder if he knows any magic?” Twilight said while repositioning Spike on her back

As to answer Twilight’s question with an answer Twilight was not looking for to begin with, Rarity told Twilight that Gold Sky got really happy when Octavia called him friend.

Twilight enters deep thought. “Hmmm…Gold Sky is a unicorn who is new in town, he gave Rainbow Dash a really dense gold nugget, along with one to Rarity, but for Rarity he also gave her three unpolished pink diamonds. Two of which were for the broken window. But the third? I guess I better ask Rarity. No, wait. She was hypnotized by it, so I guess she never heard whatever Gold Sky said to her. I think the same goes for Rainbow too.”

Rainbow Dash meanwhile hugs Rarity for making her a wonderful scarf and flew out of the boutique.

Rarity turns to Twilight. “Darling is there anything else you need? Tell you what you leave Spike here, so you can have some time for yourself while you study. And if you are still wondering about Gold Sky, I have a feeling he’ll be back. Oh! I’ll make sure to introduce him to you.” Rarity’s horn glows as she took Spike from Twilight’s back and placed him on her back.

Twilight thanks Rarity for the kind offer and left to go back to the library. Twilight wants to meet this Gold Sky, from the brief moment in which she saw him and he spoke a few words. She was able to read a little bit of him. His eyes were still kind of pink indicating he must have cried, he’s a few inches taller than Big Macintosh but still inches below Princess Luna,the outline of his cloak showed that his body is sleeker with some curves, and his horn is longer than the average horn stallion unicorns have. She decids to study more of the shape shifting spell, because if Gold Sky became really happy when Octavia called him friend then perhaps she should do the same thing. But in what form?

***

“Here you go Octavia, a nice cup of tea imported from our Griffon Republic neighbors. It has such a fruity but leathery touch wouldn’t you say?” Princess Luna asks the gray mare.

Octavia took a small sip so her taste buds can relish this new tea. Both her eyebrows went up with satisfaction, this tea is wonderful just like the harmonic notes that flow out from her cello.

Luna’s lips perks into a smile while some cute sound went about. (Squee)

“Luna this tea is really incredible!”Octavia gleefully expresses.

Luna simply nods in agreement.
“So, Octavia would you care to tell me a bit about yourself, you don’t have to go much into detail about some things if you don’t want to. Don’t let my title make you think that you have to tell me everything about yourself, alright.”

Octavia finally felt comfortable. But before starting she decided to take an extra sip of the tea.
“Let me start with the basics. I was born in Ponyville. My mother’s name is Harmonic Breeze and my father’s name is Allegro Note…yeah funny. Now that the basics are over I’ll tell you about my parents. My mother was a beautiful singer and my father created violins. They met when my father was making a delivery to the theater she was scheduled to sing at, you see one of the violins got crushed so my father quickly made a replacement. After giving the violin to the musician, he accidently bumped into mother and love at first sight occurred between them. So they got married, three years later I was born.” Octavia took out a picture she carries in her bowtie and shows it to Luna. The picture shows Octavia who at the time was a foal being cradled in the arms of her father but her mother’s face is scratched off, something of which disturbs Luna.

“I know what you’re thinking Luna I will be getting to that part. You see my mother spent many days away from home because of her singing career, so my father took care of me or in other words he raised me. He’ll read me stories, take me to his workshop and I’ll help him if he wanted me to, take me to school, pick me up from school, and on weekends we’ll have fun at the park. What times I had with my father. I wish I could say the same about my mother though. One day I heard she’ll be performing in Canterlot, I told father and he had an idea to give her a surprise visit. So both of us made some food with the intent of having a picnic when she is done performing. We took the train to Canterlot. A stagehand showed us to her room…w-we went inside…” Octavia pauses to take a deep breath while her eyes are closed.

“Right there before my eyes and those of my father, we witnessed her having sex with another stallion. I felt father go cold, tears fall and he drops the picnic basket which alerted mother and her lover. They both stopped what they were doing. The lover saw me and father, his eyes widened with shock, he didn’t know… Mother tried to find words. But father spoke none. All he did was remove his wedding band and threw it to her hoofs. He turned around and left. I looked at mother. She called out to me…you know what I told her Luna.” Princess Luna shrugs her shoulders.

“I told her she is no longer my mother! She approached me but I slapped her hoofs away from me, gutless wretch. I finally understood why she spent so much time away from home. I turned my back on her and went with father. That is the last time I ever saw her.” Octavia took the photo back to place it in her bowtie.

Luna now understood why Octavia scratched her mother’s face from the photo.

Octavia continues.
“Father was never the same. But he tried really hard to hide that from me. One day in his workshop he made a violin except this violin was larger than the rest, way, way larger than the rest. He called it a cello. Well, whatever it was he gave it to me. He encouraged me to try it out, so I did. I bought many books in reading music, I converted violin notes into notes for the cello and that took months. Father made the bow, strings, and case. So I practiced for months. One day my father saw me struggling on a song…he stood up behind me and took my hoof with his and together we played the song perfectly. I will never forget that moment, I-I never felt so close to father. Just him guiding my hoof to every note told me how lucky I am to have a loving father. I use that moment to push myself to be the best and only pony capable of playing art on the cello.” Octavia looks at Luna and smiles a beautiful smile at her.

Luna is happy for Octavia, being able to have such talent despite witnessing a scarring moment in her childhood. Along with having a loving father becoming a single parent.

Octavia resumed.
“After some time I decided to try my hoof at making an instrument so with some overseeing from father I made another cello! But this one was, well uhhhh…bigger. But I still call it the cello, since the notes sound deeper along with more wooden. And I think that’s enough for today, Luna.” Octavia decided she’ll stop there.

Luna gave Octavia a nod of respect. “That’s quite a story Octavia and how is your father by the way if you don’t mind me asking.”

“He’s doing really great! His business is booming ever since I started doing minor performances, two and a half years ago. But after today's performance his business will explode...I think. ” Octavia exclaims.

Luna decides to ask one more question. “Do you have any friends Octavia?”

“Of course, my two best friends are Pinkie Pie and Rarity…OH! I almost forgot, I met somepony who’s new in town. His name is Gold Sky and I first met him when I was on a hill practicing. H-he…” Octavia cheeks slightly went red but in any case not a blush.

“He sat down and just listened to my music. He listened…and I was just practicing! Anyway I invited him to lunch because he acted like an adorable delight! Pinkie Pie will be throwing him a welcome to Ponyville party in one week or whenever he's ready. I told him I’ll be performing for his party and you should of seen his smile! It was huge!” Octavia’s voice reflects the smile she had on her face.

Princess Luna and Octavia continues talking well into the evening with no end in sight.

***

Gold Sky finally enters the throne room with his face still concealed by the hood of his silk cloak. He saw Princess Celestia but from the way she had herself positioned it looks like she’s ready to attack.

“Who are you!? Show yourself coward!” Celestia demands.

Gold Sky silently gasps, did she read his mind and found out about some of the terrible things he did during his journey? Well only one way to find out.

“It’s me.”

Celestia only scoffs. “Discord don’t try to play your tricks on me! Just save yourself the trouble and surrender immediately!”

Gold Sky didn’t know what to do next, he has never seen Celestia this serious so he starts to get scared.

*POOF*
Princess Celestia teleports in front of Gold Sky with her wings glowing bright as the sun she raises at dawn and lowers at dusk.
“Remove the hood Discord! This will be the last time I ask.”

Gold Sky just nods. He removes his hood.

“Guardian aunt it’s me Gold Sky.”

Only one pony calls her that… Celestia’s wings stop glowing, slowly her face started to display shock, and reaches out with a hoof to touch Gold Sky’s face to see if it’s really him.

“Is it really you?” She asks in a voice of confusion.

Tears form in Gold Sky’s eyes.
“Yes it is me. I came home, I-I came home. Too much time I spent away…I missed you so much guardian aunt. So much!” Gold Sky approaches Celestia to slowly hug her.

Princess Celestia smiles when she feels his embrace.
“Look at you. So handsome and all grown up. Your wings fully fledged, horn fully developed, nice mane with the smell of long travel. It’s good to have you back Gold Sky and by the way nice cloak you have there.” Complements Celestia.

Gold Sky finishes hugging Celestia and looks up at her.
“Thank you. I wear this cloak to hide my true form because I don’t want anypony think I’m royalty or something, I-I tried to become a pegasus once…but that failed.” Gold Sky lies...he knew nopony will think he's royalty but his reasons for saying this were through his self perception. And his attempts to physically make himself mortal.

Celestia tilts her head in confusion. “How did you try to become a pegasus?”

Gold Sky realizes he spoke too much already. In just one day he went through so much, he saw a pegasus with cross eyes, a red stallion with three cute daughters, Rarity a beautiful fashion designer, Rainbow Dash one tough but good friend type of a pegasus, both of which know what he is but cannot tell anypony else thanks to his telepathy, Pinkie Pie with her supreme happiness plus her incredible cupcakes amaze him, and lastly Octavia…there is just something so unique about her. Her beautiful eyes, voice, pristine talent with the cello, practically everything about her just made Gold Sky think about her in many ways. He hopes that in one week or whenever he's ready he can see her again. Even though he has her word she’ll be there to play at his party, there is always the possibility of something else coming up.

“Guardian aunt can we talk about this tomorrow, I am really exhausted and I feel like going to sleep. Can you please show me to any good hotels here in Canterlot?”

Celestia shakes her head. “No Gold Sky, you will not be staying in any hotels. You will be sleeping here in the palace, there is a guest room that I think will be very suitable for you. And nopony will be able to see what you are. I-it's good that you’re finally back after all these years and tomorrow you’ll be joining me for breakfast. Where you can start telling me about you’re adventures.”

Both alicorns left the throne room. Celestia notices how the guards didn’t notice Gold Sky at all and she knew why.
“Gold Sky did you use your telepathy on the guards?” Celestia asks.

Gold Sky smiles nervously. “Yeah…”

Princess Celestia just smiles at Gold Sky.
“Well Gold Sky right here is the room where you’ll be sleeping tonight.” Before Celestia left she took Gold Sky into another embrace. It’s good that he’s finally back after two hundred years.

Gold Sky meanwhile had one last favor to ask of Princess Celestia. “Guardian Aunt can you please do me one last favor?”

“Of course.”

“Can you please remove the time stopping spell you taught me, I have no use for it at all.” Gold Sky lowerd his head so Celestia can place her horn on his forehead.

Celestia raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure Gold Sky?” She asked just to verify his request.

He nods. Celestia’s horn starts to glow, she places it on Gold Sky’s forehead and removes that spell from his mind.

“Thank you.”

Gold Sky went inside his room, locks the doors, closes the windows along with lowering the curtains, and finally took off his cloak. Gold Sky lies in bed and starts to cry, he never felt so much guilt.

Princess Celestia welcomed him back with great joy something of which he did not expect. Especially since he left without even saying good bye.

Gold Sky cries and cries. Until the guilty feeling went away and he falls asleep…at least it’s good to back home, back with the mare who raised him, and maybe hope to see the gray mare with beautiful eyes once again.

***
Princess Celestia slowly walks down the hall. She stops to think.

"Oh Gold Sky after all these years you finally came back...I just hope we can reconnect. I know you sensed my hurt because I sensed yours. Good to have you back...prodigal son of mine."

***

Princess Luna saw the sun lowering in the horizon.
“Excuse me Octavia I’ll be right back.” Luna flew from her study room.

Slowly the moon rose to the sky Octavia couldn't believe the sight before her, seeing Luna in the sky with her horn glowing raising the moon is so breath taking.

Luna came back. “Say Octavia since its dark would you like to spend the night here in the palace?”

“First I get to call Luna by her name, have tea with her, chat with her, and now I get to spend the night here at the palace! Can things get any better!” Octavia gleefully thought within her mind.

“Yes of course! Thank you, Luna!!”

Luna just smiles at Octavia. So she led Octavia to the guest room. Luna notices the doors were locked so she uses her magic to unlock them. But before entering, Octavia thanks Luna once again. Since it’s not every day the Princess invites her for tea and asks her to spend the night here at the palace.

“Luna I don’t know what to say…” Octavia couldn’t finish what she wanted to say because Luna placed a hoof over her mouth.

“Octavia there is no need to thank me. In fact I should be one thanking you! Your music, it, it, it just had an effect on me very much. I never felt so at peace before in my life, so everything I did for you today…you earned it, thank you Octavia for having such a rare and extraordinary talent in music. You are a true artist.” Luna declares.

Octavia bows before Luna and enters her room. It is almost completely pitch back because all the curtains are down. But thankfully there's enough moonlight to show her the outline of the bed.

So Octavia climbs into bed and fell fast asleep…

Not knowing Gold Sky is there too, without his cloak covering his wings.

I can't describe the power of classical music it's just something you must listen for yourself, if you want to understand the reaction of the audience.

My dear readers I thank you for being patient with me. I rewrote this chapter three times because I want it to be perfect, since this fan fic is my crown jewel. Again I thank you for being patient and if you have any ideas or suggestions please comment below, your feedback will be most appreciative.

Waking up to a surprise and Being Forgiven.

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace.

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter.6

Disclaimer-Thank you for your patience. My little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

“Forgive me.”

Large beads of sweat ran down Gold Sky’s forehead, the nightmare that has been plaguing him since the fortieth year of his two hundred year journey came to torture him.

The screams of children echoed in his mind.

“Please forgive me! Please forgive me! Oh Great Spirit what have I done!!!”

Gold Sky trembled about in his part of bed, he whimpered because he felt the thick warm crimson liquid on his hooves, their frozen mortified eyes still looked at him piercing his spirit. All through his doing he committed a great sin, one that no matter what others tell him he will never forgive himself. To the point of shielding that part of his mind from Guardian Aunt so she can never see the terrible things he’s done.

The voice of a young griffon chick echoed in his heart. Slowly tears flowed out the slits of his closed eyes, her voice will forever be imprinted in his mind…Gold Sky is weak and a coward.

He attempted seppuku to atone for his sin but when that failed he finally saw the reality of immortality.

“Father look! Right there next to the Ponyville Lake is the house you always dreamed of.” Octavia said to her father.

“Octavia d-did you do this? Did you get this house for m-m-me…?” Allegro note asked as he tried to comprehend the magnificent act his daughter done for him.

Octavia hugged Allegro Note tight. “Yes. I bought you this house. Just for you father.”

“Y-you did?”

Octavia smiled at him. “It’s yours father. I used the money I earned from all my performances to buy you this.”

“Oh Octavia you shouldn’t have.” Tears formed in his eyes.

“You’re my daddy and I love you very much.” Octavia handed him the keys so he can go inside his new home.

The sleeping gray mare smiled as she hugged a pillow tight. Her biggest dream is to make enough money to buy her father a new home so he can be close to the Ponyville Lake, a place he always loves to go so he can listen to the calming sounds of nature.

The Earth Pony mare and the Alicorn Stallion both dreamed dreams of happiness and despair.

***

In her study room Princess Celestia heard a soft knock.

“Come in.”

Princess Cadance slowly cantered in. “Tia I hope my late night visit isn’t an inconvenience.”

Celestia smiled softly at Cadance.
“No I don’t mind at all.”

So the cerise Alicorn sat by Celestia to ask her something because earlier in the day when she and Shining Armor were enjoying dinner, she felt a presence. A presence she has never felt before.

“Tia, I felt something that seems to be powerful.”

Celestia knew what Cadance is worried about but she played along for laughs. “This presence you felt, is it something that I should be worried about since you say it’s powerful.”

Cadance shook her head.
“From what I felt, this presence is powerful in love, very, very powerful in love. So powerful that if I go out on a limb here it’s like love suddenly took on a physical manifestation.”

Celestia nodded her head like she understood what Cadance is telling her.
“Cadance, tomorrow join me for breakfast, just you alright.”

“Why?”

“Do you trust me Cadance?” Celestia asked from out of nowhere.

Cadance does not know if Celestia is joking with her or is being serious. Celestia is a master of hiding her emotions.

“Tia, I trust you with my life.”

Celestia smiled at hearing that. “Then in that case you will be joining me breakfast tomorrow morning alright.”

“Yes o-of course.”

So Cadance hugged Celestia good night and went back to bed.

“You will meet my prodigal son tomorrow.”

***
Rarity yawned; it’s time for her to get some shut eye because earlier in the evening she and Spike placed some plywood over the broken window Gold Sky broke when he saw Spike.

Spike stood next to Rarity rubbing his eyes. “It’s pretty late I should be getting home.” He said in a tired voice.

Rarity smiled warmly at Spike, she appreciated his help very much along with spending time with him.

“Thank you so much for your help Spikey-Wikey I couldn’t have board up that window without your help, any who before you go home will you like a nice yummy gum so you can munch on?” Rarity asked.

Spike smiled but then yawned letting out a puff of black smoke that’s shaped like a heart.

Rarity placed a hoof on Spike’s left shoulder, she worried that something bad might happen to him while he’s walking back home because Spike looks like he can’t walk a few feet before succumbing to his sleepiness.

“Say Spike will you like to sleep here? You look like you’re ready to just drop into deep sleep any minute now and don’t worry about Twilight I will tell her tomorrow morning why you didn’t show up tonight.” Rarity said in a soft hopeful voice to a half awake, half asleep Spike.

The awake part of Spike thought for a couple of seconds but it may have been to no use because he just fell to the floor snoring like a little adorable delight.

“Oh Spike.” Rarity said affectionately. So she went upstairs to get a blanket to cover him while he slept on the floor.

“Wait Rarity.” The white mare said to herself. “Why will I leave Spike to sleep on the floor? He’s my cute Spikey-Wikey!” So carefully with her gentle magic Rarity picked up Spike to carry him to her room.

Rarity got on her bed and lied belly down. In ultra loving care like she is holding the core of her limitless generosity, she placed Spike next to her so she can feel his body heat and he feel hers. Rarity placed a feather filled comforter over her and Spike.

The white mare looked at sleeping Spike with those loving azure eyes of hers, what she saw is a cute young dragon whose scales are hard as diamonds but soft to a poke. Spike has a place in her heart.

Only in her heart.

“Good night Spike.” Rarity murmured quietly in his ear. “Sweet dreams.” She softly kissed him the head and fell asleep.

***

Twilight concentrated harder to shape shift her mane into the beautiful gray black mane that tells the world who Octavia is. Now for Twilight’s case her ultra adorable tri color mane is also very beautiful because who else will look so fine in bangs.

A velvet aura surrounded Twilight’s mane, after a strong push the three colors of Twilight’s mane began to fade away into gray black, her bangs swayed to the right.

Twilight opened her eyes to check out the results of her experimentation.
“Wow! I got it to the fullest detail.” Suddenly Twilight began to giggle; she remembered the prank she did to Spike when she shape shifted into Rarity. “I should try to shape shifting into Octavia later on when that Gold Sky fellow comes again and perhaps then if I practice hard enough I can to milk information from him. For a Unicorn that cloak seems to go well with him.” Twilight said out loud while she brushed her gray black mane to see if it will change back to normal when a physical stimulus is thrust against it.

“Hmm it looks like I fully mastered the art of shape shifting by turning my mane into a permanent but at the same time temporary physical attribute of mine. Let see what happens if I try this.” Twilight waved her new hair the way Rarity does it after she brushes it with one hundred strokes.

“Perfect!” *Squee!*

Twilight’s horn glowed to change her mane back to its normal tri color normality. However she looked out the window she saw that it’s dark outside and also remembered that she left Spike in Rarity’s care. So quickly headed for the door…BUT!

“Oooh!” Twilight groaned. “I think Spike is still kind of mad at me for playing that prank on him…*sigh* I guess I could let him sleep at Rarity’s because I know she wouldn’t wake him up from his sleep. I’m sure he’ll love that.” Twilight smiled at picturing inside her highly intelligent mind, Spike waking to Rarity’s sweet voice and his green eyes turning into beating hearts.

Twilight yawned and headed upstairs to get the sleep she needs.

***

“RUBY!!”

“Go Gold Sky my end has finally come and thank you letting me join you in your journey.” A giant purple dragon rained fire upon the griffon…leaving nothing behind.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! RUBY!!!!” Gold Sky fell to his knees before the fallen dragon.

***

Octavia passed a moist cloth over a commemorative plaque that said-

The Equestria Music Academy

Founded by. Octavia

“There. Spick and span and almost open.” Octavia said in joyous awaiting pleasure because of the red ribbon in front of the academy.

Princess Luna stood by Octavia holding the scissors with her magic. “Here you go Octavia, you can do the honors.”

Octavia took the scissors and got near the red ribbon, for a quick moment she looked into the crowd to see Allegro Note who gave her the smile that only exists between father and daughter.

The gray mare cut the ribbon to the sound of numerous cheers and entered a world of eternal bliss.

***

The two ponies dreamed…one for the future that will bring happiness through hard work…while the other dreamed of the great haunting sins he can't escape from.

Not even by stabbing oneself in the belly with a dagger.

***
Princess Luna tapped Celestia on the shoulder. “Celli, it’s time to raise the sun.”
Celestia waved her hoof a couple of times at Luna who in return left Celli’s room. Celestia got up from her huge bed to stretch her muscles and put on her horseshoes, crest, and crown.

“Away I go!” The majestic white mare flew out into the night sky. Her horn glowed brightly providing a beacon of hope in the near blackness of the edge of space. “Come up my lovely giant sphere of warm lovely fire. Let your light wake my dear subjects from their slumber so they will live this day to their full potential in a utopia of never ending peace.”

The sun rose to the will of its mother and hugged her tight with its warmth.
Celestia felt the soft affection from the sun so she too returned the kind act.
“Good morning to you too my shining sun.”

Dawn.

***

In the guest room light shined in through the gaps in the curtains. Gold Sky saw redness because of his closed eyes. Octavia felt warmth strike her with loving little tingles on her skin.

Gold Sky shifted his back to the window and covered his head with the blanket. Octavia felt cool so she rolled over to cover herself up. Gold Sky’s head got uncovered so he pulled some more blanket over himself to help himself fall back to sleep. Octavia got cold again so she pulled some more of the blanket to her side of the bed.

What both did not know is the fact that they are now face to face along with struggling for the blanket. After what seemed like an obvious indicator that neither one of them are not alone, Octavia opened her eyes to see if it’s Luna who’s the one pulling the blanket in order to wake her up, Gold Sky also opened his eyes to see if Celestia is the one who’s pulling his blanket like she did to him many years ago when he was just a young colt.
Both the grayish purple and teal eyes took the time needed to focus.

Gold Sky’s eyes widened at seeing Octavia across from him.
Octavia gasp in seeing Gold Sky across from her.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” They both screamed in total bewilderment. Without even having to think Gold Sky wrapped himself with the blanket so Octavia cannot see his wings. Octavia jumped off the bed while she saw Gold Sky roll off accompanied with a loud thud.

“Ow! My face!”

“GOLD SKY!!! W-wh-what are y-y-you, h-how in the world are doing here in my bed!!!” Octavia screamed.

Gold Sky got back up with the blanket nicely wrapped around him. “ME!?” His speech impediment came into the picture. “Tsh shhhhh, grrrrr, how, how, how, how d-d-d-d-did you get in here!!!”

“Because Princess Luna brought me here so I can sleep for the night! Now how did you get in here!?” The gray mare responded and asked in a voice of high dignity.

Gold Sky tilted his head. “Because Guardi, errrrrr, I, I, I, I me-mean Princess Celestia brought me here so I can sleep here in the palace.” However something struck Gold Sky odd. Octavia said something about another Princess?? Gold Sky only knows one Princess and that’s Celestia.

“Who’s P-Princess Luna?” He asked in true innocent wonder.

“Princess Luna is the Princess of the moo…wait. What did you say?” The standing awkwardness that was between them died down when Octavia come to realize that Gold Sky asked a stupid question but with real wonder in his voice.

Slowly she approached him, she didn’t care that she just met him yesterday and woke up to find him in her space, she had this feeling that this stallion can be trusted to great degree because he took two steps back when she stood in front of him along with hearing his heart speeding up tremendously.

“Gold Sky, did you just ask me who Princess Luna is?”

Gold Sky’s cheeks turned red, he felt a feeling that told him he just asked a stupid question and to make matters worse he still doesn’t know how Octavia ended up in the same bed he slept in.
“Uhhh, yes. Who is this Princess Luna and when did she become Princess? Is she tall or short? Is she nice or really serious? What color is her coat? How come I never heard of her?” Gold Sky saw Octavia looking at him with utter horror.

Octavia wanted to tell him to stop being such an idiot…nevertheless she won’t be so harsh on somepony who stopped to listen to her practice music and has a heartwarming smile.
“Gold Sky, are you serious?” Octavia asked kindly.

Gold Sky was about to say yes until his mind reminded him of something. He’s an Alicorn and he wants to keep that a secret, so if he says yes then there is a high or true chance that Octavia will see him in a different light. She will no longer respect him and just ignore him, Gold Sky didn’t want that happen because he already considered Octavia a friend or first friend.

“Uhh, y-y-you know what I was just jo-jo-joking Octavia, I just said that to get rid of the shocking surprise we just experienced. I-I know who Princess Luna is.”

“Oh. Well that’s very resourceful of you. I’m sorry for thinking that you were an idiot or something but you managed to turn this morning into a pleasant one now. Say by the way you said Princess Celestia brought you to this guest room? So are you some way close to her, or is she a friend of your father’s, or a student of her school?” Inquired Octavia.

“Well she thought I was an idiot but it been much worse.” Gold Sky is flattered that Octavia thought he was an idiot. “I am an idiot.”

“Princess Celestia knew my parents, especially mommy.” Gold Sky didn't realize he said too much in basic detail.

Octavia quickly covered her mouth to suppress a loud laugh…but in the end that gray mare fell to the floor laughing like she never laughed before.

“Okay…weird.” He whispered to himself.

After ten minutes Octavia stopped laughing, she picked herself up on all fours to wipe the tears away from her eyes.

“Ok, phew, ok, ok, ok, sorry about that. I take you and your mother were very, very close then.”

Gold Sky hesitated but nodded.

“How is she?”

Gold Sky’s ears dropped and he frowned. “My parents died when I was very young.” His voice meant every word.

Octavia’s jaw dropped in total regret; she began to feel the warm sensation guilt gives as it slowly crawls throughout the body.

“G-Go-Go-Gold Sky, I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!” Octavia cried. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me Gold Sky, I-I didn’t know your parents died! I’m sorry!”

Gold Sky picked up his head at hearing Octavia ask him to forgive her. A warm chill ran down his spine, nevertheless, he worked up the courage to speak to Octavia.

“Octavia.” Gold Sky said in soft reverence. “It’s alright, you didn’t know. I forgive you.”

“But I’m so sorry!” Octavia went on.

Gold Sky took a step forward and gently, gently placed a hoof on Octavia’s right shoulder. “Octavia it’s alright please stop apologizing. Let’s just forget the matter just like we forgot about the huge awkwardness we experienced earlier.”

Both ponies looked into each other’s eyes...both stood still. Gold Sky became lost in those nice pools of grayish purple; his perception of the world around him ignored everything else except for those eyes. There is something about Octavia that Gold Sky just can’t point out, he feels peace. The one thing he’s been trying to obtain the minute his two hundred year journey began.

Gold Sky broke the silence. “Ahem anyway we should, um do something.” He turned away from Octavia to hide his blushing cheeks.

Out of curiosity. “How did you parents die?”

*Sigh*
“They died of disease right before my eyes. I don’t know how I survived while they died, I cried so much at feeling my mommy stroking my cheek on last time…telling me everything will be alright. While my daddy kissed me one last time on head. I didn’t want them to go. Nurse Redheart took me into her loving arms while I sobbed; her maternal voice reassured me that I will not be alone in this world. I was too young to understand what she meant by that but because all that I focused on during that event is the fact my parents died and Nurse Redheart holding me in her arms the same way my mommy always held me.” Tears formed in Gold Sky’s eyes.

Without thinking Octavia went up and hugged Gold Sky.

“Huh!?” Gold Sky said below his breath, he didn’t expect this at all and to make that obvious his body heat went up twenty degrees along with his heart still beating fast.

Octavia felt the heat radiating from Gold Sky’s body and his tears falling on her shoulder. He would not be shedding tears if she asked first instead of laughing.

“Gold Sky I know you said to drop the subject but I’m truly sorry. Please don’t cry if it makes you feel better I too lost a parent and I was raised entirely by my father. I hope this won’t ruin our blossoming friendship.” Octavia comforted.

The unknown Alicorn couldn’t believe his ears. If he heard what he just heard then he will not let anything get in the way of that.

Encouraged by her words Gold Sky hugged Octavia back.

Octavia asked herself why hugging Gold Sky made her happy. Just when she thought she knew just about anything of this Unicorn she just discovered something new and in a terrible manner but still, Gold Sky is just different from all the other stallions she’s met throughout her career. But different in a good way. Octavia being a mare with, a powerful, in a sense of feeling that’s telling her Gold Sky is different and should try to know him better.

Some of Octavia’s hair brushed against Gold Sky’s nose allowing his amazingly strong sense of smell to relish Octavia’s scent. “She has such a wonderful scent...it’s so nice.”

“Thank you.” Gold Sky said softly.

“For what?” Octavia asked.

“F-for calling me your friend.”

“Octavia giggled and hugged Gold Sky tighter. “Oh Gold Sky you flatter me.”

“Anyway we should…do something like agreeing to never speak about this again.”

“That sounds like an excellent idea.” Both ponies let go of each other.

“Don’t you feel weird still being wrapped up in that blanket? We don’t, well you know normally wear clothes and by the way that cloak, did Rarity redo it or did you simply buy a new one because it looks really, really nice!” Octavia trotted over to where the white cloak laid. She rubbed her cheek against it so she can feel its smooth elegance.

Octavia’s eyes widened. “Wow it feels amazing! Mind if I…”

“No, I don’t mind at all, so go ahead try it on it feels great!” Gold Sky said while he dried his eyes.

Octavia donned on the white cloak.

“She looks really nice in it.” Gold Sky thought to himself which in turn caused a soft smile to form on his lips. “Today has been a good day so far…oh!”

*Stomach growl.*

Octavia stopped admiring herself in the mirror. “Are you hungry Gold Sky?”

*Stomach growl.*

Gold Sky chuckled. “I guess you’re hungry too.”

Octavia turned to face Gold Sky with a smile on her face. “You want to join me for breakfast?”

Once again total disbelief overtook Gold Sky. “I…I…” He wished he was not so shy around Octavia, in fact now that he thought very quick about it; he was not shy around Rarity & Rainbow Dash but around Octavia he is.

“Why are you so shy Gold Sky? I mean I understand that we just met and woke up in the same bed by accident or by accident on Princess Luna’s or Princess Celestia’s part but still Gold Sky. You let me try on your clothes and if this is too personal…you walk like a mare.” Octavia stopped right there.

“What!?”

“AH perfect! Your shyness goes away and gets replaced with embarrassing wonder. Who are you Gold Sky? Because I never seen you before in Ponyville or Canterlot and if Pinkie Pie doesn’t know who you are then that means you’re really from out, out of town!? Octavia removed the cloak.

Gold Sky sighed. This is just overwhelming, it’s like Octavia just knows everything about him with the exception of his wings. Nevertheless does he really walk like a mare? If he does then it has to be the fault of the Griffons when they were teaching him their customs and gait.

“I don’t who I am or why I am this way…everyday is like dream or an illusion. I wake up but yet I’m still dreaming!! I asked myself if this real then why does it feel so unfamiliar. Until…”

“Until what?” Octavia asked.

“Until I heard your music. For the first time in a long, long time I woke up with peace and I met you. You have beautiful eyes that show strength, integrity, immortal grade maturity, and Love. That is why I’m so honored to be your friend Octavia.” Gold Sky’s horn glowed levitating his cloak, while he walked to the bathroom to put it on.

In the bedroom Octavia stood in her place deep in thought. “He means what he said. So just like Luna, I-I mean Princess Luna my music impacted him. Hmm, but I wonder why he feels stuck in a dream that is happening even when he’s awake. AH IDEA!! Perhaps at his welcome to Ponyville party I should play the song that is deep in meaning of what is real when it appears that everything that is happening is surreally artificial but through serenity of the individual acceptance…is real.”

Gold Sky came back from the restroom fully dressed in his white silk cloak. “Octavia the question you asked earlier.”

“Huh, Oh, oh yeah! You want to join me for breakfast?”

“Ye, uh oh.” His ears dropped. Gold Sky almost forgot that he will be joining Celestia for breakfast.

“What is it?”

Now Gold Sky really wished that he was dreaming.
“Princess Celestia told me to have breakfast with her today. I’m sorry Octavia, it almost escaped my mind.” He broke eye contact to show Octavia how ashamed he is.

The gray mare placed a hoof on Gold Sky’s shoulder. “It’s alright Gold Sky, we can have lunch at the Sugarcube corner instead.”

This day really is going to be a good day. “I can’t wait.” Gold Sky replied.

Both ponies left the guest bedroom, Octavia waved good bye and Gold Sky gave Octavia a heartwarming smile.

“I hope time fly’s by.” They both thought in unison.

***
In the Carousel Boutique the sun struck Spike’s closed eye lids. Bit by bit the light whispered in his ear to wake up, so he did by opening his eyes. Spike’s vision needed some time to adjust so at first he felt at home. Suddenly he something soft rub against him.

“Whoa where am I!?” Spike’s vision became fully adjusted. He studied his surroundings only to figure out that he’s in the one place he enjoys being in and to makes thing oh so much better he turned to see if the soft something is the one pony.

“Rar-Rarity…? Is that you?” Spike asked without thinking for a moment that perhaps Rarity is still asleep.

Rarity woke up to Spike’s voice. *yawn.* “What? Huh. Ah Spike! I see you woke up. Good morning!” Rarity kissed Spike on the head.

Spike blushed.

Rarity knew her cue at seeing Spikey-Wikey blush. “Spike in case you’re wondering why you woke up here I took you from Twilight after you knocked yourself out. When you recovered we patched up the window and when we got done it was already getting dark. You began to get tired so I thought you will be heading home but at seeing the moon shining high in the sky, I couldn’t just let you walk home alone in the dark. So when you just fell fast asleep I brought you up here so you can be by my side.”

“Uhhh, Rarity that is very nice of you.” Slowly a ear to ear grin formed on Spike’s face. “Thank you Rarity. C-c-c-can you please kiss me again?”

“Ooooooooh Spike.” Doted Rarity. “Of course.” Rarity kissed Spike again on the head.

Hearts flew out…somewhere from Spike’s body. Not even Twilight knows where they come from.

“You want to eat breakfast Spike and well I don’t know how to say this.” Rarity’s voice indicated that she will be talking about an important topic and to add to that sense her hoof scratched the bed.

Spike rubbed his head against Rarity’s soft coat before hopping off the bed to help her off.
“I’m all ears Rarity.” Spike spoke happily.

Rarity has always admired Spike’s feelings for her with a touch of curiosity, she has wondered about exploring Spike’s limit in how far he’ll go in expressing his feelings for her while she wants to see if she can reflect those feelings back him. Ever since her little or to be more direct, dream shattering fiasco with Prince Blueblood. Rarity has been feeling quite empty…of course when she spends time with her friends that emptiness goes away completely, however, just like the sun sets in at dusk, her emptiness returns when the moon rises up and she comes back home after departing from her friends. On the other side of the coin Rarity also enjoys spending time with Spike, despite Twilight asking Rarity many times if Spike is a nuisance to her, Rarity will always end up giving Twilight a severe scolding for asking such a thing. One moment that she will always remember is Spike giving it his all to protect her from those diamond dogs, selfless but vain acts to help her get to safety. Rarity knows full well that Spike is a dragon but from the many novels she read, appearances never matter but perhaps there is a chance that since it’s been a long time that Spike has had a crush on her he could have develop a new crush on somepony else. Not all novels have a happy ending.

The white mare took a deep breath. “Spike if you want, uh, once we’re done enjoying breakfast do you want to spend the day with me so w-we can do stuff together…” Rarity never felt so timid in her life. “Just you and me?” She said the last word with her trademark rise in pitch.

Spike has always dreamed of this moment but he wanted to be the one to ask Rarity on a date and not her ask him. “I wonder if she knows about her true feelings though.” Spike thought. He knows something but decided to find a better time when to spill the beans.

A crush is simply a crush.

“Rarity, I will be more than happy too.”

***

Gold Sky walked through the corridors of the palace, hearing his hoof steps echo around him while a nearby golden armored guard gave Gold Sky a simple nod as to apply that he knows that Gold Sky is not a threat.

Entering the corridor of mirrors which is called the way it is because for every two feet there is a mirror hanging on the wall.

Gold Sky looked at his reflection as he walked past each one, what Octavia told him earlier came back to his mind. “Do I really walk like a mare?” Gold Sky studied his slow trot but this caused another question to form in his mind. “DO I HAVE A MARE’S BODY!!?”

Franticly Gold Sky looked around hoping to catch sight of a maid to ask her if he has a mare's body but to no luck there was no maid to be found, so with his head hanging Gold Sky continued his way to the dining room to have breakfast with Guardian Aunt.

Without warning he bumped into a cerise mare. “OH MY! I am very sorry ma’am; I guess I was too deep into thought that I didn’t see you.” Gold Sky helped the mare get back up on her feet. He noticed a shiny golden object on her head but thought nothing of it.

“It’s alright young colt, I too was in deep thought. Oh I see you’re heading towards the dining room.” Cadance readjusted her crown.

“After you of course.” Gold Sky opened the door for the mare.

“Thank you.” Cadance walked into the dining room. “Strange.” She thought. “That feeling I felt last night it’s coming back.”

Before going into the dining room Gold Sky took a deep breath he still does not possess the courage to face Princess Celestia. He doesn’t deserve any of her hospitality but he deserves her scorn, however Gold Sky does not understand the power of the bond shared between mother and son.

“Here we go.” Gold Sky walked in.

“Good morning Gold Sky! I glad you can join me and Cadance for breakfast.” Celestia got up from her seat to show Gold Sky to his seat which is right next to her.

“Cadance??” Gold Sky said out loud. *Ting* “You must be Cadance!”

The cerise mare held her head high in pride. “That’s right or as some may say, ahem, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.”

Gold Sky gasped! Quickly he bowed down before her. “Your majesty please forgive me for bumping into you an-and showing such disrespect. Please forgive me your majesty!”

Cadance turned to look at Celestia who simply shrugged back, so Cadance went and placed a hoof on Gold Sky’s shoulder. The minute she placed her hoof on her shoulder a sharp volt struck her causing Cadance to jerk back her hoof. “INCREDIBLE!!!! HE’S THE REASON BEHIND THIS FEELING…HE IS THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF LOVE!!”

“Anyway.” Cadance regained her composure. “It’s all right Gold Sky, so please get back up and join us for breakfast. We got waffles and apple juice.”

Gold Sky got back up and sat next to Celestia who extended a majestic wing to bring him closer to her.

The servants brought the food and apple juice. Celestia’s golden aura took hold of her fork to dig in, Cadance’s light blue aura also took hold of her fork, while Gold Sky picked up his fork with his hoof to eat.

Celestia noticed this, Cadance on the other hand or hoof is too busy trying to figure how in the world Gold Sky is the physical manifestation of Love along with not seeing him before.

“Gold Sky how come you are not using your magic?” Celestia asked in a tone that be compared to a mother that has concern.

“Well…I just don’t use my magic often, your majesty.”

Celestia tilted her heard with a raised eyebrow. “Gold Sky do not refer to me as your majesty is that clear! Our relationship is not that of subject and ruler.” Celestia said sternly.

“Yes Guardian Aunt.”

Cadance refocused back from her little trance to listen in on this. “Wonder what she means by that?”

The Princess of Love gave in to her curiosity. “So, Gold Sky please tell me a about yourself.”

The Alicorn stallion turned to look at Celestia who nodded at him. “It’s alright Gold Sky you can trust her.”

“Um, I…I just returned from a two hundred year journey because I felt homesick an-and I meet some nice ponies an-and other stuff.” Gold Sky is too bashful to speak before Princess Cadance, this too much for him because just moment ago he found out about Princess Luna and now there’s a third Princess? What else will he discover today?

“A two hundred year journey? But you’re just a Unicorn…Celli is this some kind of prank you’re playing on me which is why you asked me to join you for breakfast.” Cadance demanded.

Celestia just rolled her eyes. “Cadance why do you always have such little faith.” Celestia horn glowed causing her aura to surround Gold Sky’s cloak and remove it from his body.

“NO WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!? PLEASE GUARDIAN AUNT DON’T REMOVE MY CLOAK!!!!” Gold Sky begged but it’s already too late.

Cadance's eyes widened! “You’re an Alicorn! But I thought it was only me, Tia, and Luna?? How are you an Alicorn Gold Sky…is that a real horn or are those real wings? Come here!” Cadance touched his horn to see if it will come off but it didn’t.

“OW! Please be careful Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” Gold Sky begged.

“Ok your horn is real now time to check your wings.” So Cadance used her magic to extend Gold Sky’s wings and began to examine them. Along with plucking a feather.

“OW! Please be gentle!!!” Gold Sky begged once more.

Cadance held the feather up to her eye level. “Heh what a shiny feather.”

Celestia meanwhile got up from her seat. “Cadance will you please stop hurting Gold Sky. He’s an Alicorn like you and me, but he was born naturally through a mother and father. Gold Sky come sit next to me and do you mind if I tell Cadance about your parents?”

Gold Sky sat down next to Celestia and shook his head.

“All right I will just be brief. Gold Sky’s mother Sylvia used to be a pupil of mine and his father Silver Wind used to be my personal guard while also forming the Elite Commando guard which Luna took over now. Anyway they got married and had Gold Sky but even before Gold Sky was one year old they died when a plague struck Equestria causing both of them to die slowly…before her last breath Sylvia asked me to take Gold Sky under my wing and love him as my own son.” Celestia saw Gold Sky frowning so she placed a wing over him. “Which I did and loved him as my own son.”

“Oooooh.” Cadance said in understanding.

“I don’t deserve to be called your son, Guardian Aunt.” This caused Celestia and Cadance to look at him with surprise.

“Gold Sky you can say whatever you want but I took you under my wing and loved as my son. You will always be my son and I know you still feel guilty for leaving me when you started your two hundred journey. But I still love you very much, all those times we spent together will always be in my heart.” Celestia made sure her love can be radiated down upon Gold Sky.

“I am not of your own flesh and blood! So why do you still love me when I caused you so much pain! I deserve your scorn, your anger, and punishment not your love…forgive me Guardian Aunt. But when I felt your pain, I-I-I am not worthy of anything from you.” Gold Sky broke eye contact with Celestia, he’s not even worthy to look at her.

Cadance quickly injected herself into this reminiscing sadness. “Gold Sky don’t talk like that! I can feel how much you love Tia…” Gold Sky stopped Cadance.

“H-how can you feel my love for Guardian Aunt!?” Gold Sky asked fearfully. He hopes that Cadance cannot read his mind, the screams of the children and voice of the young Griffon chick only belongs to his eyes and ears.

Cadance shot Gold Sky a smile. “Because I am the Princess of Love Gold Sky, I spread love and bring love to places that have none. I can see the near limitless, no, limitless love in you! The guilt inside is caused by your love. You don’t want to be a part of Tia’s life anymore because of the pain you caused her which is normal, henceforth, you simply don’t want to be loved by the mare who loved you with all her heart.”

A whimper came out of Gold Sky followed by a sniffle, his body shook like a pony with Parkinson’s disease. His eyes once again became pink.

“Gold Sky are you alright.” Celestia asked.

He placed a hoof over his mouth, his breathing increased and his whimpering got louder.

“He’s going to cry Tia.” Cadance pointed out.

Upon mother's instinct Celestia took Gold Sky into her loving arms. “Gold Sky there is no shame in crying, it only shows me that you haven’t changed one bit. You are still that affectionate craving and loving stallion I took under my wing.” Celestia comforted.

Gold Sky sobbed like he never sobbed before in his life. Cadance is right.
“Forgive me Guardian Aunt…please forgive me. I love you very much but I just felt so, so. Ahhhhhh, when I called you mommy for the first time I felt so happy because you loved me and I loved you. But later on I felt guilt, it was like I was spitting on my birth mommy’s grave and that is when the pain from their deaths returned!” Gold Sky said through his sobs. “Please forgive me Guardian Aunt I went on that journey to find peace but I ended getting scarred instead. Please Guardian Aunt forgive me and hug me like you always did before I went to sleep.”

“I have nothing to forgive you for because you did nothing wrong…” Celestia abruptly got cut off.

“YES I DID!” Gold Sky said loudly. “You couldn’t see me grow up before your eyes. You couldn’t teach everything you wanted to teach me, I took away the joys of motherhood from you. What kind of a son leaves his mother! I felt your pain when you came into my room only to find my bed empty and nowhere to be found throughout the palace. I heard your cries…nothing is worse than hearing the cries of a mother. I never felt so much guilt in my life and I never wanted to come back, but I missed you so much, your love, hugs, affection, voice of reassurance, and I just want to be forgiven.” Gold Sky pressed his face against Celestia’s shoulder.

Celestia in infinite wisdom just sighed, she knows Gold Sky will not get over his guilt until she forgives him, however, he is right in saying that it is his fault that she never got to see him grow up. How she yearned to see Gold Sky progress through the years to give testament to her love.

“I forgive you my son. I forgive you.” Celestia whispered into Gold Sky’s left ear. She softly jerked her head to the left so her mane by flow by Gold Sky’s face.

Cadance saw this and used her telepathy to ask Tia why she did this. “Tia, why did put your mane over his face?”

“So he can smell it.”

“What???” This is freaking Cadance out.

“You know how babies recognize their parents through their voices and faces, well Gold Sky only recognized his parents through their scents. Sylvia told me that Gold Sky will not smile at her until she placed his head on her shoulder so he can smell her mane, which after he smells it he instantly knows that she is his mother and will smile at her and that the same can be said for his father. That only lasted when he was only a baby. So to ease you, by letting him smell my mane is a sign that he sees me as his mother.” Suddenly Celestia remembered something. “Also he’s scared of you.”

“What!? Why is he scared of me!? He just met me today!!”

“Well when you said that you can feel his love for me, I guess he took that the wrong way and thought that you can read his mind. I think there are things he doesn’t want anypony to know.”

“Hmm, will if he’s to be like that than I’ll just leave you two. You promise to fill in the details about him?” Cadance asked before opening the door.

“I promise Cadance.” Celestia did the Pinkie Pie promise motions with her right hoof.

Cadance left Tia and Gold Sky alone.

Gold Sky stopped crying, he began to feel a sense of freedom now that Celestia has forgiven him. He took a whiff of Celestia flowing mane causing flashbacks to appear before his eyes.

A long silence fell between them. Not the type of silence that typically occurs in most situations but the silence that comes when two are reunited after many years of separation.

“Gold Sky.” Celestia broke the soft silence.

“Yes…mother.” This new freedom allowed him to say that.

“Do you remember the first night I took you under my wing?”

Gold Sky closed his eyes to remember that moment when Celestia looked at him with eyes of love. “Yes I remember it. Y-you heard me crying so you came in and lied down next to me so you can comfort me.”

Celestia smiled. “I took you into my arms and the moment I felt you move close to me, the bond between us came to life. Never forget that moment Gold Sky. Never forget the birth of our bond.”

“I won't forget, mother.” Gold Sky replied.

“Oh and Gold Sky.” Celestia just had one more thing to say.

“Even though I never got to see grow up…I know that you kept my morals and values…I love you my son.”

My dearest readers I can't thank you enough for being so patent with me and if you have suggestions I will be more than happy to hear them.

On a side note I guess you might want to read the story of the prodigal son to have a better understanding of Princess Celestia taking in Gold Sky with open arms.

The Mother who spies, an unexpected Babysitter, and Answers from the Archangel.

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace.

By.FoxofRarity

Chapter. 8

Disclaimer- Arthur's note at end. My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

In the throne room Celestia daydreams about something while in front of her is the president of a teacher’s union explaining that it will be good to extend its dominion into Ponyville and Canterlot.

Celestia with her hoof under her chin thinks out loud. “It’s amazing how after two hundred years Gold Sky believed that Nurse Redheart never died. How lucky that Nurse Redheart has the age delaying spell because if she didn’t have it then he will be sad right now crying on my shoulder.” Celestia did a light chuckle. “How innocent he is by thinking that ponies who are important to him are immortal.”

The president titled her head in total confusion at hearing her majesty liberally speak her mind. “Uh your majesty?”

“Huh!?” Celestia realized that she is thinking out loud and giving no attention to the president of the teacher’s union. But being blessed with the ability of supreme multitasking she didn’t have to pay attention while she daydreams because her ears heard everything. “Of course coming back to the topic at hoof.”

The president smiled at the Princess. “Well your majesty, I think that with the union Ponyville you can see a rise in A’s for the students there.” She ended with an ultra confident smile.

Celestia remembered years ago that she homeschooled Gold Sky, teaching him everything she knows in math, English, moral philosophy, history, and other things her immortal mind can give to her dear son. “Your proposal to expand into Ponyville and Canterlot will be denied.”

“What! Why your majesty!?” Asked the president.

“Because my dear, teacher unions don’t guarantee any success when the success lies with the teachers being more in tune with their students and the parents of the students being more involved with their education. Also Ponyville has the best teacher there can be. I think all of you members should go and watch how she teaches, all of you can learn from her. So please, I pray you heed my advice. And you should have your teachers tell the parents to get more involved and you’ll see the student grades go up.” Celestia got up from her throne and placed her hoof before the mare.

The president kissed Celestia’s hoof and left feeling defeating that she failed to get any form of progress for her organization.

One of Celestia’s guards asked why she denied the union from coming to Ponyville and Canterlot.

“I don’t see any use of those kinds of those organizations. Plus I don’t think Cheerilee will even join them because she loves to spend time with her students and teach them with a nurturing touch rather than a mechanized degree of duty they have to do. Besides an education does not only lie with the teacher it also lies with the parents.”

The guard keeled before her majesty. “Wow. I am honored to be basked in your wisdom!”

Celestia asked her guard to rise. “Please don’t give me a lot of praise my dear guard, now please take the rest of the week off. You have been on guard for three straight days. I can see bags under your eyes.” She patted her guard on shoulder. “Go and sleep for a full day.”

The guard thanked Princess Celestia for being so thoughtful of his wellbeing.

Celestia ordered her other guard to leave her presence.

“Okay let me just adjust the cushion a bit and time to connect to Gold Sky’s mind to see if he has feelings for Octavia.” Celestia felt some normal motherly curiosity.

“Oh my son is starting to have feelings for somepony!” Celestia tapped her hooves a few times. “Of course, I need to have that discussion with him when he comes back.”

So Celestia sat back on her throne and with her telepathy connected to Gold Sky’s mind to see and hear everything that’s happening to him.
Which he’ll be totally oblivious to.

***
In the Sugarcube Corner.

“Then I’m spinning around in the air while Luna spins too like we’re synchronized swimmers or something. Woooooo! Feeling the air hitting my face was so awesome!” Octavia moved her hooves about in the air to help Gold Sky see the picture of what she experienced with Princess Luna.

Gold Sky grinned to Octavia as she told him of her out of the normal but adrenaline pumping morning she had. “You had too much fun.” He giggled. “ Weren't you afraid though? Like you know, uh, Princess Luna might not catch you in time and…splat?” Gold Sky squashed a cup cake so Octavia can get the figurative language.

Octavia looked at the flattened cup cake. “Are you still going to eat that?” She asked with a sort of nervous voice.

Gold Sky looked at the mess on his hoof. “If I say yes will you get disgusted?”

Octavia beamed a happy, happy smile at him. “No I won’t get disgusted if you eat that cupcake, which in case you’ve forgotten, you love, love very much.”

Gold Sky did a short quiet laugh. “Wunderbar!” And proceeded in eating the yummy cupcake. “Anyway.” He wiped his mouth and hooves with a napkin. “Princess Luna not catching you and splat.”

“Well for the first couple of seconds I was a little doubtful about jumping off of Princess Luna’s back but she reassured me that I have nothing to be afraid of because she will never let me fall. Hearing those words made me forget my little fear and next thing I know I’m having what may be the grandest time of my life! Haheha, boy I felt like a Pegasus, oh, and maybe if I’m not being too farfetched saw a side of Princess Luna that probably nobody else sees.” Octavia handed Gold Sky another napkin.

The cloaked Unicorn thanked Octavia while asking why Princess Luna will ask her Octavia sky dive with her.

“I performed for Princess Luna and she really got taken away by the music I played.”

At hearing the gray mare talk about her music Gold Sky quickly leaned forward with his ears adorably moving forward to pick up every word about Octavia’s music.

“Oh how cute, he instantly got excited about my music. Guess that something he has in common with Princess Luna.” Octavia doted in her mind. “I should try to see if I can have him attend the rehearsal for my next performance so he can relish in my music while I try to find the right music that will get him out of this living illusion he’s in. I just find him to be very different and unique. Plus his smile always puts a happy beat inside of me.”

“Ahem, she told me herself that she was deeply moved by my performance so she personally invited me to have tea with her in the palace! Can’t you believe that Gold Sky, she invi…”She remembered something. “Uh never mind that part Gold Sky. Going back, we had tea, chatted about a lot of things like how she can fly about in outer space and nothing will happen to her.” Suddenly Octavia’s eyes widened with outstanding astonishment. “She told me that she stopped an asteroid from hitting earth!

Gold Sky’s jaw dropped. “Whoa like how big was the asteroid!?”

“About the size of a half moon and she said that it weighed about two quintilian tons more or less she also said it must have been part of a white dwarf.”

“Hmm.” Gold Sky started to think. “That sounds like a lot, wonder how many zeroes there are in that number?”

Octavia gently touched Gold Sky’s right hoof making him blush but she failed in noticing. “Maybe a bunch. After our chat she showed me to a guest room and you should know the rest.”

Gold Sky giggled. “From what you finished telling me it looks like this is the glorious start of a wonderful friendship between the both of you.”

“Huh. I never thought of that. But I guess you may be right.” She grabbed her bottle of sarsaparilla. “What do say? Cheers again?”

“Of course. Cheers!”

*Cling*

Both ponies laughed with enjoyment in this time they’re having together.

*
“Humph.” Celestia grunted. “It was only eight hundred million tons not two quintillion.”

After that thought of Luna’s bragging she resumed her little maternal spying mission on her son.

*
Octavia wanted to ask Gold Sky something that could a little too close to the chest but why not. “Hey Gold Sky how did you feel when Princess Luna rubbed her tail against your chin?”

“Uhm…?” This time he blushed the darkest hue of red. “Y-you saw th-that?”

“Yes. And I guess it made you uncomfortable right.”

The teal eyes of the cloaked Unicorn looked away from the gray mare, he did not feel that uncomfortable but he felt extremely honored in a sort of awkward way to be a specimen in Princess Luna’s affectionate or flirtatious mannerisms.

*
Celestia’s pupils shrunk to black dots.
“LUNA!!” She roared at the top her lungs that everypony in the whole palace heard. “GET OVER HERE NOW!!!”

“Uh oh.” Luna felt the hair rise on the back of her neck.

*
“I-I-I-, ga, tssssh, fe-fe-felt, ssh, ssgra, weird…” Gold Sky managed to say before stuffing his mouth with cupcakes so he can stop before he makes a fool of himself through his stuttering.

Octavia understood what Gold Sky said. He is shy, has a speech impediment that comes when he’s around her, asked who Princess Luna was before correcting himself that he knew who she was, but what striked her fancy curiosity for Gold Sky is his consistency to wear a cloak. She didn’t like the brown one he had at first however the white one he’s wearing now that he bought from Rarity goes well with him along with the chocolate brown patch of his coat that wraps around his neck plus the milk white patch of his coat on his chest. First time she meets a painted or pinto pony.
“Like what sort of weird?”

“Do I have to answer that…?” He asked in a small voice since in that tone he won’t stutter.

Octavia sighed and laid her hoof on his right hoof again. “If I’m making you feel uncomfortable again then you don’t have to answer the question.”

“I…I felt honored in a weird way that Princess Luna will do that to me. Like the Princess literary touched me and she did so with grace.” Gold Sky asked Pinkie Pie for more cupcakes so he can stuff them in his mouth.

*
“Awwww, he sees Luna as her majesty and he sees me as his dearest loving mother rather than her majesty.” Celestia wishes she can teleport to the Sugarcube Corner right now and give him a big hug. But he needs his space in his lunch with Octavia and to see if he has deep feelings for that mare.

Luna came into the throne and sat in front of her sister waiting to hear what she has to say.

*
Pinkie Pie came by and told the both them that she will be leaving because she has to go to Canterlot to help arrange a party for Fancy Pants and Fleur-De-Lis. Of course her words fell on deaf ears so she left.

“So you really were awe struck by her presence.”

“Yes I guess.”

“Guess? You guess?” Octavia asked with a wise tilt of her head.

Gold Sky saw that she believes half of his answer. “I was awe struck and I’m not guessing.”

Octavia went on screening Gold Sky with a light knowing of his experience that he went through by Princess Luna. “You said she has a flawless figure will you be kind enough to elaborate.”

“Well I was not checking her out…” Octavia spoke up stopping Gold Sky in mid-sentence.

“I know that so you can please stop saying that. What I want to know is what do you mean by saying that?”

“Why are you asking me this?” Gold Sky asked.

“Well you’re answering the questions I’m asking.” Octavia beamed a clever smile at Gold Sky.

Octavia sure is something and Gold Sky is just being taken away by this mare. The more he talks to her the more his mind wraps itself around her and the more he thinks about her beautiful eyes.
“You’re right about that.” *Deep breath* “To me Princess Luna’s beautiful figure looks like she has been hand chiseled by the Great Spirit himself making her so flawless and just amazing to look at. Ha! If I had the ability to paint I will make the best painting I can for her and show it to her so I can be honored by any amount of her admiration and be honored to kiss her hoof.”

“Hmmm.” Octavia is pretty amazed by Gold Sky’s sheer description of Luna. “So she’s the most beautiful pony in all of Equestria?”

“Ahhhh, I wouldn’t say she’s the most beautiful pony but her beauty is just amazing.” Gold Sky looked at Octavia who has her attention focused on him. “But her eyes cannot be compared to yours.”

Octavia’s face lit up at hearing that. “You really mean that!”

“Yes I mean that. Your eye color is so, so well if I say beautiful or flawless I will simply be repeating myself with those words however I will compare your eye color to the serenity of your music when I first heard it. Beyond anything I can think of.” Gold Sky wants Octavia to be pleased by his words.

“Aww!” Octavia voiced affectionately allowing Gold Sky to know that she is very well pleased by his words. “You just made my day even better.”

Gold Sky blushed again, being two hundred and three years old doesn’t help him in this still nonetheless he’s happy to be with Octavia right now. He’s shy too of course but not enough that will make him stutter too much or make his tail go between his hind legs.

“He’s is just so adorable… does he like me?” Octavia thought while Gold Sky ate his salad. “He’s so talkative to me, finds a flaw in the flawless Princess Luna through her eyes…” She paused to look at him with a touch of caring curiosity. “He thinks a lot of me and perhaps I’m his first friend.”

Then without warning the wailing of a baby surprised the both of them. Mrs. Cake came out with a crying Pumpkin Cake in her arms. She tried relentlessly to sooth her dear daughter and so did Mr. Cake but no matter how the hard the mother and father tried Pumpkin Cake just will not stop crying.

Gold Sky without saying a word but with love in his eyes got up from the table; Octavia followed him to see what he’ll do.

“Excuse me.” He waited until both the mother and father look at him. “With your permission can I please try to comfort her? That is of course with your permission.”

Mrs. Cake looked at her husband with a look that is not maternal worry but maternal question that this cloaked stallion looks very confident in this question plus he has a look of love in his teal eyes.

Octavia looked on to see what Mrs. Cake will do.

Mr. Cake nodded at his wife. Since Pinkie isn’t here with them they have to try whatever they can to sooth their wailing daughter. “I guess you can try but what’s your name first.” Mrs. Cake asked.

“My name is Gold Sky.”

Mrs. Cake did a fast breath. “Please be extremely careful with my precious gingersnap.” With tender motherly care she handed Pumpkin Cake to Gold Sky.

Gold Sky with supreme skill took hold of Pumpkin Cake.

“Let’s see what he’ll do?” Octavia thought.

Celestia thought the same thing too while she raises her hoof to make Luna be quiet.

Gold Sky held the adorable foal in his arms with a kind smile on his lips; his teal eyes look at the foal with a softness that is found in any pony is filled with great love. “Ssh, ssh, ssh, sssssh.” He coos to Pumpkin Cake. “Please open your ears dear child.” His voice just reflects the confidence in his loving eyes making Octavia’s pupils widen to witness such a thing from this cloaked shy Unicorn.

“Somewhere beyond the sea, somewhere waiting for me, my lover stands on golden sands and watches the ships that go sailing. Somewhere beyond the sea she’s there watching for me. If I could fly like birds on hiiiiigh then straight to her arms I’ll go sailing…” Gold Sky sang softly to Pumpkin Cake. “It’s far beyond the stars; it’s near beyond the moon. I know beyond the doubt my heart will lead me there soon…” Slowly Pumpkin Cake stopped crying, making Mrs. Cake, Mr. Cake, and Octavia…jaws drop, seriously their jaws dropped. Pumpkin Cake is known not be soothed that easily and yet Gold Sky sooths her within seconds by singing to her in a voice rich in, in, paternal instinct.

“We’re meet beyond the shores, we’re kiss just as before happy we’re be beyond the seeeeeea and never again I’ll go sailing.” Gold Sky softly rocked her in his arms while he sang. The foal yawned, cutely that is, moved about in his arms to make herself comfortable and fell asleep.

Gold Sky looked up at Mrs. Cake with that soft smile. “There calm and asleep. Here.” Again with supreme skill he gave the foal back to its mother.

“Whoa!” Gold Sky got snatched by Octavia.

“How did you do that!?” She asked while her mind is just going crazy to know how this stallion can make Pumpkin Cake fall asleep.

“Do what?”

Octavia gasped. “That!! You just soothed her with relative ease, c’mon tell me! Please, please, please!”

Gold Sky didn’t know what to say to Octavia, he has no intention to talk about his skill in this but his iron will is being melted away by Octavia’s beyond beautiful eyes causing him to speak without vital thought. “Experience.” He said with complete truth.

Octavia tilted her head again. “Experience? In what way?”

Gold Sky realized what he thoughtlessly said to the gray mare, not only making fear enter his mind but caused images of a young griffon to flash before his eyes. “Foal sitting…foal sitting. Foal sitting!”

Octavia nodded. “Oooh that makes total sense.”

Gold Sky sighed in relief.

However, little does he know, Mr. & Mrs. Cake have an event to attend and they found somepony to fill in Pinkie’s absence.

***
In the throne room, Luna cleared her throat to get Celli’s attention. “Sister you called, wait not that, more like roared for me to get over and you are not talking to me. Is there something you wish to talk to me with or should I just leave?”

Celestia decided to pause on her spying and focus on something much more important in this circumstance. She is in a motherly form of mad that Luna will brush Gold Sky’s chin with her tail a thing that is plainly associated with flirting or courting.
“Luna why did you brush my son’s chin with YOUR TAIL!” Celestia shout alone made Luna’s stardust back turn back in wavy hair.

The Princess of the Moon almost went into a loss of words. “I-I-I was only being nice and thought your son was checking me out so I thought I…” Wait a minute. “What!?”

“Don’t what me Luna just tell me why you did that!” Celestia demanded.

“You said son.” Luna got near her sister. “You have a son????” She wonders how in the world Celestia will say son if she never had any children.

“Of course I have a son Luna his name is…!” Celestia remembered something. “Oooooooooh, I forgot that I never told you about him.”

“About who and what do you mean by son. Did you give birth to a colt and you never told me! How can you get pregnant!! TELL ME WHO YOUR SON IS I WANT TO KNOW!” Now Luna is the one doing the shouting.

Celestia saw that in her former mad state she forgot that Gold Sky was born when Luna was still in the moon and Luna came back to her when Gold Sky was in his two hundred year journey. Thus only she and Nurse Redheart were the only ones who had knowledge of Gold Sky.
“Gold Sky is his name.”

*GASP!* “That cloaked Unicorn is your son! He’s your son!” Luna got confused rather than satisfied. “So you given birth to a son, a prince of your flesh and blood!”

A cold feeling gripped Celestia’s chest. “Gold Sky may not be of my flesh and blood but he is my son but a prince? Don’t know about that.”

Luna’s wings shot up because she wants Celli to talk. “Sister please tell me about your son, my uhm well nephew. I sincerely want to know about this stallion.”

Celestia got off of her throne. “Luna I never got pregnant.”

“If you never gotten pregnant then how can you have a son?”

“I adopted him. His parents died before his eyes and his mother who was a student of mine asked me to raise him. So I raised him and I love him with all of my heart.”

Luna couldn’t believe she left out the adoption option. “When did you adopt Gold Sky?”

“Two hundred and two plus one half years ago.”

The princess got up on all fours, she asked Celestia if she’s lying, nopony can live for that long.
“Unless!” Luna gasped with her mouth dropping open allowing an insect to fly in but then it flew out when it came to realize that it flew into Luna’s mouth. “He’s…a Alicorn li-li-like me, no, LIKE YOU!”

“Yes, he’s an Alicorn born naturally through a Unicorn mother and Pegasus father.” Celestia covered Luna with her wing. “Don’t start wondered about the Unicorn and Pegasus couples here in Equestria, I’ve studied them and I came to conclude that Gold Sky’s unique birth is only exclusive to his mother and father. Also Cadance found out something very important about him.”

“Cadance met him before he met me!” Luna squealed in unfair disdain. “I’m the fun one of the three!”

“She had breakfast with him too.” Celli rubbed it in just for fun.

Luna knows Celli is toying with her. “What did she find out about your dear son?”

Celestia smiled to be answering Luna’s question. “He is the physical manifestation of Love.”

“What!?” Luna’s hair changed from wavy to stardust along with her wisdom figuring out this dire but great piece of information of this male Alicorn. Love is very powerful and it cannot be harnessed into an Element unless the one who’s doing the harnessing is Princess Cadance making her the only pony to possess the Element of Love which can basically overpower Magic, Generosity, Loyalty, Honesty, Kindness, and Laughter. “Are you saying that this Gold Sky is the living embodiment of the emotion that Cadance spreads all over this earth?”

Celestia opened her mouth to say something but Luna placed her hoof over Celli’s moth. “Wait a minute don’t you think that Cadance may have an influence on Gold Sky being the physical manifestation of Love?”

The Princess of the Sun grasped this question with deep thought, she never has thought of Cadance being of any kind of influence in Gold Sky’s infinite love.

Luna went on. “Don’t you think that.” She stopped out of consideration that Celestia is Gold Sky’s adoptive mother but a question is only a question no matter if it’s light or severe or offending. “If Cadance had an influence on him wouldn’t that make her his…mother?”

Celestia’s ears dropped. She looked away from Luna and her wise but sometimes decrepit mind created living images of Gold Sky as a colt not sleeping under her wing but sleeping under Cadance’s wing. Suddenly Celestia’s mind got rid of the living image. On her lips a grin formed. A grin for remembering that Cadance had no knowledge of Gold Sky. “No it will not, she like you had no knowledge of him but she is the one who discovered that he’s the physical manifestation of Love.”

“Ah! How nice of Cadance. Soooooooo...” She cooed adorably to end this discussion with Celli. So she can go find Gold Sky and see him without his cloak. “Are you still mad at me for brushing your son’s chin with my tail?”

“A bit, but he never had that talk so I intend to have that talk with him.” Celestia said to Luna all while her horn glowed to turn Luna’s stardust mane into wavy hair.

“What talk?”

Celestia waved her hoof circular motion. “You know that talk. The talk.”

Luna still does not get what Celestia is saying. “Seriously sister, just tell me what the talk is!”

*Annoyed sigh* “The talk parents have with their children when the children start having loving emotions inside of them.”

“OOOOOH! Why didn’t you say that before, ow!” She felt a light swat to the back of her head. “But if he’s the physical manifestation of Love then why do you need to have that talk with him?”

“He is shy around Octavia and as his mother it is my duty to have that talk with him.”

“How cute Celli, you take your motherly duties to heart, I’m sure he must love it very much.” Luna’s voiced with a cover of sarcasm.

“Yes Luna he loves my affection and he loves every word I speak him.”Celestia voiced with the regal truthful cover she has every time she speaks.

Luna grunted. “Everything just seems to work out for you sister.”

“You’ll see him tomorrow Luna. Please let me have him for myself a little bit more.”

Luna laughed at this and continued laughing as she headed to the entrance of the throne room so she can leave. “You act like you haven’t seen him for a long time.”

“I haven’t seen him for the past two hundred years.” Celestia revealed.

“Oh, my apologies sister.”

Luna left the throne room.

***
“Here you go Gold Sky.” Mrs. Cake handed the cloaked Unicorn a warm bottle of milk so he can feed Pound Cake who he has in his arms.

Mr. Cake came by Octavia who watches Gold Sky with amazement.
“I say Octavia, your husband has such skill with children that I guess it can make most mothers a wee bit jealous.”

The gray mare looked at Mr. Cake with her mouth moving to find words. “H-he’s not my husband! He’s my friend; we’re friends not a married couple.”

“Oh.” Mr. Cake smiled at the gray mare. “I’m sorry dear. But you can’t deny the fact that your friend is amazing.”

Octavia agreed with Mr. Cake in that point.

“Any who I hope he won’t mind babysitting.” Mr. Cake trotted away to gather up some supplies.

“Babysitting? I thought that Pinkie Pie is the one the Cakes will always go to. Hey where’s is Pinkie Pie?” Octavia thought.

Gold Sky who is right now happily feeding Pound Cake did not notice the Cakes gathering up delicious looking pastries, a big cake that only needs frosting, and bags full of candy.

Mrs. Cake trotted up to the cloaked Unicorn. “Gold Sky, will you like to babysit the twins?”

“Yes…wait what!?” Gold Sky couldn’t believe that they will ask him this especially him of all ponies.

Mrs. Cake repeated what she said.

“I can’t babysit your dear children, uhm, uhm, uhm, uhm, i-i-i-isn’t th-th-there tsssh, somepony else who can watch over your children?”

Octavia spoke up. “Isn’t Pinkie Pie the one who babysits the twins?”

Gold Sky smiled to this unintentional help from Octavia. “Yes what Octavia just said, thank you, what she said, what she said.”

“Pinkie Pie isn’t here she had to uh how you say, scout, an event that is being hosted by Fancy Pants and his wife Fleur-de-Lis.” Mr. Cake explained while he washes his hooves.

Octavia’s left eyebrow went up. “Why will you have Pinkie do that when she is the one to always babysit the twins?”

Gold Sky smiled some more. “Yes excellent question, what she said, what she said!”

“I had a feeling that I’ll find somepony who can babysit my little gingersnaps.” Mrs. Cake answered.

Hearing this Gold Sky’s ears dropped. “Great, there’s no use in arguing against maternal instinct. I’m stuck and I’m going to babysit these twins…hmm, maybe I can ask them for some more of Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes so I can take them for mother.”

“Well if I say yes can I get some more of Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes when you came back?”

“Of course dearie.” Mrs. Cake replied.

Still Gold Sky has two questions left to ask. “Why me though? I’m a stallion wouldn’t you feel much more comfortable with a mare babysitting your children?”

Mr. Cake took the opportunity answer this question. “Well from judging the way you soothed Pumpkin Cake along with seeing the way your eyes shined as you fed Pound Cake, me and my wife concluded that you are capable of babysitting our children.”

Gold Sky groaned in his breath. “Can’t argue with paternal instinct too.”

Last question. “Can Octavia stay with me so she can help me??”

The gray mare almost jumped back. She plans to practice some music she has been writing for the past week and to tell her father about the incredible morning she has spent with Princess Luna. “Hmmm I can always double my practice tomorrow and I think father isn’t home today now that I think about it.” Her curiosity for Gold Sky grew some more and she wishes to get to know him some more.

“Sure I’ll be more than happy to help Gold Sky.” *Squee!*

Mr. and Mrs. Cake shot each other smiles. “Perfect!” Mrs. Cake exclaimed joyfully. “Come along honey cake we got a party in Canterlot to feed and witness another one of Pinkie’s signature parties!”
Mrs. Cake kissed her children, waved good bye at Gold Sky, and departed with Mr. Cake to Canterlot.

Gold Sky sighed, he’s not afraid to babysit these adorable foals what he’s afraid of is the pain that will accompany the resurgence of his paternal instinct that he had to chain down in his mind on that heart stabbing night when he left the Griffon Republic. Adding another scar to his already deeply scarred mind. The twins smile at him, meaning that this will be easy.

“Octavia.”

“Yes Gold Sky?”

“I’m sorry for bringing you into this; I was just antsy to babysit these children.” Gold Sky softly ruffled up Pumpkin Cake’s hair while being careful not to touch her horn.

Octavia can tell that Gold Sky isn’t telling her everything he has in mind.
“Is that really all Gold Sky?”

“I wanted some extra insurance because, well look, I’m a stallion taking care children and most or all of the time mares are the ones who babysit children. This is the first time somepony asks me to babysit children and uhmm you’re a mare so yeah you know.”

Octavia chuckled at Gold Sky’s out of place but still normal insecurities. “I can see why you will think that but who can argue against your skill with children. Now putting that aside, there should be a list of things that Mrs. Cake gave to Pinkie Pie now we got find err I mean I got to find it. Maybe I should start in her room.” She went up the stairs to Pinkie’s room.

“Thanks Octavia.” Gold Sky said out loud to himself.

“Ahlaalaa!” Pumpkin Cake said to the cloaked Unicorn.

“Why yes Pumpkin Cake I can help you fly.” Gold Sky lied down on a couch, on his back of course, his magic picked up the foal and he took hold of her with his hooves. “Wooo! Weeeee! You’re flying Pumpkin Cake! Look at you fly weeeeeee!” He gently moved her across the air. “Oof!” He felt Pound Cake jump on his belly. “Dang, guess you want a go too.” He asked Pound Cake.

“Laagoogawho.” Pound Cake answered.

Gold Sky smiled at the colt. “All righty then. Pumpkin Cake please don’t jump on my belly.” He placed her down and picked up Pound Cake
“Woohoo you fly, you fly! Yaaaaaaaaaaaay, hey you’re a Pegasus you should be flying pretty soon? Eh but I bet your mommy and daddy do this to you don’t they.”

Pound Cake laughed some more to the simulated flying experience.

While Gold Sky entertains the twins Octavia comes down the stairs with the list of responsibilities in her mouth. “Pleh.” She spat out the list. “Don’t like the taste of old paper.”

“OOF! No don’t jump on my belly you two! OOF!” Gold Sky caught Pumpkin Cake in midair. “Octavia please catch Pound Cake!”

The gray mare caught Pound Cake. “There got him. I found the list and I think we can check off the feeding part since you fed Pound Cake and Mr. Cake fed Pumpkin Cake. It says here we should check if they need a diaper change.”

Gold Sky sniffed the air. “No don’t they need a diaper change.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Gold Sky pointed at his nose. “I have a very sharp sense of smell Octavia and my nose never fails me.”

“Well that’s good to know. Ok then next here on the list it says we should read them a story.”

Gold Sky smiled at hearing that.

Octavia looked around at her surroundings. “Is there a book around here?”

“Don’t worry Octavia I got that covered.” Gold Sky took the foals with sat them down on a rug and he plopped down on his rump before them. “You two want to hear a story?”

“Balawagaya.”The twins laughed in response.

“Is that a yes or a no?” Gold Sky asked Octavia.

“I think that a yes.”

Gold Sky thanked Octavia, he cleared his throat, and remembered a story that has been passed down from generation to generation in his tribe.

“Do you two know why turkeys are scared of ponies?”

The twins shook their heads.

“Wow I’m amazed they understand me.” Gold Sky thought.

*Ahem* “For let me tell you the tale of a young mare who had no mother and father and no name. Everypony in the village knew her by one name, turkey mare because she cared for the turkeys of the village. She cared for them so much that she can communicate with them and the turkeys can communicate with her. Soon as it is custom in the village everyone began preparing for a festival that celebrates the end of summer and the birth of autumn. In this festival everyone made fine dresses and suits, oh how turkey mare longed to go the festival but without a dress she will be laughed at for not dressing for autumn’s birth. So as preparations continued turkey mare spoke with the turkeys telling them about the festival and wishes that for just one time she can have a fine dress and go to the festival. Do you two know what will happen next?”

Pound Cake shrugged his shoulders and Pumpkin Cake shook her head.

“What happens next?” Octavia asked for she too is entranced by the story.

Gold Sky lovingly laughed. “Don’t worry, you three shall know soon enough. There was only one night left until the festival. While turkey mare slept all of the turkeys gathered together to talk about turkey mare, all of them love turkey mare very much and they see how much she longs to go to the festival so all of them came up with a plan, a plan will give turkey mare the happiness she rightfully deserves. When morning came all of the turkeys went to turkey mare to ask her something. They asked her to aggressively swing her arms at them like she’s going to hit them; of course turkey mare who loved of all them will never do such a thing to them. The turkeys asked her again but as before she said no. Seeing that they are left with no other choice the turkeys jumped at her, flapping their wings and squawking loudly. With fear consuming her turkey mare swung her arms at her dear friends striking some them on the wings. BUUUUUUUUUT…!” Gold Sky paused for dramatic effect making the eyes of the twins widen with untold curiosity. “In her temporary blindness she failed to notice a beautiful dress to fall from the wings of a turkey, shiny horseshoes from another, and a tiara from the eldest turkey. At delivering the gifts to the young mare they stopped so she can see the surprise that waits for her. She opened her eyes and gasped in overwhelming joy. She touched the dress to see if what she sees is real…it is. The turkeys came to tell her that they did this for her to thank her for her kindness. Turkey mare instantly got the dress on along with the shiny horseshoes and lastly the tiara just in time to hear the start of the festival. Before going to the festival she thanked the turkeys for doing this for her. However, the eldest turkey came up to the young mare. He told her she deserves this for her kindness towards them but they asked not stay out too long and to be back before midnight. Turkey mare made a promise that she will be back before midnight. She went to the birth of Autumn festival, upon arriving everypony there stared at her with awe! Never have they seen anypony with such grace and beauty…” Octavia interrupted Gold Sky by saying a name out of impulse.

“Like Rarity!” She said.

“Uh, yes like Rarity!” Gold Sky said to please Octavia. “Everypony welcomed turkey mare. For the first time she felt so happy, not only to be in the festival but also to be accepted by everypony else. She ate the fine foods she has smelled in past, savoring each bite. She drank the finest juice of the purist grapes. Many stallions asked her for a dance and dance with them she did. Turkey mare filled up with immeasurable happiness. Happy for the fact that she gets to celebrate the birth of Autumn, happy that she is accepted by everyone, happy that she gets to dance, happy for the fact…that she is happy.” Gold Sky abruptly stopped.
*Sniff sniff*

“Oh my they need a diaper change!” He started to get up but Octavia stopped him, asking him to first finish the story. “All right, all right.”

*Ahem*
“The sun began to set so the ponies began the fire of the ceremony to bring forth the birth. Night came, she danced more, drank more, and felt happy some more. What she did not know is that in her joy she forgot her promise!”

Pound Cake, Pumpkin Cake, and Octavia gasped at hearing that.

“The birth of Autumn came to sound of drums beating. Turkey mare came to her senses at the sound of the drums; she gasped and ran from the festival tripping over a stone tearing her dress and losing her tiara. She ran to the hills where her turkeys live, at arriving, the turkeys looked at her with eyes that echo betrayal. She called out to them but the turkeys turn their backs to her and flew away but the eldest turkey stayed and told her that if she kept her promise this would not be happening to her. With those words the eldest turkey flew into the night ceasing the communication that turkey mare used to have with them. She lost her friends, her dress, her happiness. That is why turkeys fly away when ponies get near them. The end.”

The foals smiled at Gold Sky for telling them a wonderful story even though they’re too young to understand that the story had a sad ending or the moral of it.

“Gold Sky, let me guess the moral of the story.” Octavia asked.

“All right.” He said.

“The moral story of the story is to always keep your promises no matter how big or small.” Octavia tilted her head hoping that her answer is the right one.

“Yes you are correct Octavia.” Gold Sky said while his horn glows picking up the twins and placing them on his back so he can give them a diaper change.
The gray mare clapped her hooves in content.

Gold Sky stopped at a table, placed the twins on table to begin the process of the diaper change. “Okay you two, both of you look like you’re ready for a diaper change. You won’t mind if I hold my breath will you?”

The twins just laughed in response.
After taking in a complete breath Gold Sky began to change the diapers. “Octavia hand me the baby wipes please.”

“Sure.” Octavia gave him the plastic container.

“Oh, hand me the other container this one is empty.”

Octavia grabbed the second container and gave to Gold Sky. His horn levitated two wipes, he wiped their bottoms, applied talc powder, placed the clean diapers on, and done. Gold Sky released his breath. “Phew, didn’t get a whiff of those dirty diapers.”

Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake jumped off of the table and began to run around the place like they’re exploring their surroundings. Gold Sky went after Pound Cake to stop him from pounding the bookshelf down.

Octavia got a little idea. “Hey Gold Sky look what Pumpkin Cake is doing.”

*Gasp* “Pumpkin Cake! Don’t chew on that…what the!? Is that a explosive charge from the Griffon Republic? Give me that!” Gold Sky took the metal object from the foal. “How does a baby end up with a explosive charge from the Griffon Republic!!!!” Gold Sky yelled.

“Pinkie got it to prank the Cakes.” Octavia giggled. “And I guess it did its job of giving you a bit of a funny scare.”

Gold Sky turned to Octavia while putting Pumpkin Cake on his back on his so she can play with his hair. “That’s not funny Octavia! AH! She’s chewing on my ear, hahaha, it tickles! Oh and she’s drooling too! Hahaha!” Nothing feels weird plus so tickling than Pumpkin Cake chewing on his ear.

Octavia giggled some more. “Wonder what else does the list say?”

Gold Sky stopped Pound Cake from pounding a bag of flour. “No, no, I’m sure your parents won’t take the loss of their much needed flower very like lightly. Ohwawawawawa.” He felt some of Pumpkin Cake’s drool get inside his ear. “Ewww, it feels so weird!” Gold Sky got Pound Cake on his back. “Pound my back instead!”

Pound Cake obeyed and pounded Gold Sky’s back.

“Uh oh!” Octavia saw that they, well not they per say, but Gold Sky missed one step on the list. “Gold Sky, you missed one step.”

“Which on, ow! Don’t pound my head. Which one?”

“You need to give them a bath.”

Gold Sky’s magic levitated both foals into the air so for once they can stay put and not chew plus drool on ear and pound his head. “Ok thanks Octavia have fun giving them a bath.”

“What? I’m just your extra insurance not your helper.”

“Please Octavia.” He asked in adorable begging voice.

The gray mare came and placed a hoof on his shoulder. Almost immediately her keen hearing picked up Gold Sky’s heartbeat speeding up. “Now the Cakes asked you and not me to take care of their precious little gingersnaps.”

“But…” Gold Sky tried to say something but only got cut off by the gray mare.

“Gold Sky, take full responsibility for this duty, it says her to give them a bath and give them a bath you will. Ah, ah!” She covered his mouth with her hoof, now she feels his body heat going up. “For obvious reasons you fail to see, the Cakes trust you and with that trust you must show them that you are responsible. Like Pinkie Pie or Pinkie Responsibility Pie. Now do you understand what you must do?” Octavia asked while her hoof still covers his mouth.

“Her hoof touches my lips!” He thought loudly in his mind.

“I’m waiting Gold Sky.”

Gold Sky nodded.

Octavia smiled at Gold Sky. “Now go give them a bath Gold Sky, I’ll come up with the towels.”

Gold Sky took the twins to the bathroom floating above his head to keep them from causing havoc, he turned on the water so the tub can fill up and waited while he looks up at the twins. Both of them stuck out their tongues at him. “Oh you two are so adorable!”

Octavia came up with the towels on her back. “Look at him. He knows how to keep them in the bath tub something of which the Cakes told me it’s sometimes hard to accomplish. Oh look how he gently scrubs Pumpkin Cake’s hair while he smiles at her. Now he’s rinsing the soap off of Pound Cake ever so gently while he speaks softly at him.” She sat down close by and watched for a few more seconds until giving in to the urge to want to know more of him.

“Hey Gold Sky can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“Where did you get so much babysitting experience?”

Gold Sky knows that if Octavia can’t see his face then she won’t know he’s lying. “I babysat a lot in the Griffon Republic and that’s how I got my experience.”

“Wow, so can I tell you something because seeing you babysitting reminds me of my father...” Now it’s Gold Sky’s turn to interrupt Octavia.

“Your father. I remember you saying that you lost a parent and I take it’s your mother?” From the corner of his eye he can see Octavia looking down at the floor.

“Yes, but I don’t want to talk about my mother an-and I hope you understand.”

Gold Sky saw that he struck an emotional nerve in Octavia. “I understand Octavia.” He went back to bathing the twins.

Still Octavia went on asking and she’ll be asking if he had a tight relationship with his mother and his father.
“How about you Gold Sky, will you mind if I ask you about your parents?”

Gold Sky felt the tingle of the memory run down his spine but he owes Octavia for staying to help him and she asks him if he minds first showing him that she is considerate of his feelings.
“No I won’t mind, so go ahead and ask whatever you want.” He also needs to control his emotions about the memory too.

“When you were a child who did you spend the most time with. Your father or your mother?” She handed a towel to him so he can dry Pound Cake.

“Both.” He placed Pound Cake on his back.

Octavia tilted her head again. “What do you mean by both?”

Gold Sky dried off Pumpkin Cake. “The worlds of both my parents revolved around me.”

“How?”

“Both of them spent a lot of time with me. Like sometimes when they think I’m having a bad dream they both will join me in bed and both will take me into their arms. Whenever we go places it will be the three us with me in between momm…uhhh.” Stopped before going into too much detail.

“Go ahead I don’t mind if you call them that.”

“In between mommy and daddy, while both of them will bask me with their loving smiles. Flying on daddy’s back, being stroked by mommy’s loving hooves and always hearing them tell me how much they love me.” *Scoff.* “That is why I cried so much when they died before my eyes and Nurse Redheart using her amazing nursing touch held me in her arms the same way mommy will always hold me imprinted onto my mind. Well got to give the twins new diapers.” He waited for Octavia to get up before making his way downstairs to put new diapers on the twins.

“How nice of him to be reminded of his mother’s affection through Nurse Redheart’s kind hug and he looks like he’s over their deaths even though if I think about it he must have been very young. I feel so sorry yet so intrigued by him.” Octavia focused on his coat. “I have never seen anypony with his color pattern, milky white with chocolate brown. Eh won’t hurt in asking.”
She asked him about his coat through the bases if he got it through his father or mother.

“Through my father Octavia, he is Chero therefore I am also Chero like him.”

“What are Chero?” The gray mare asked.

“The Chero are a Native Equestrian tribe who are also called the children of earth because of their deep connection to the earth.”

“So was your mother a Chero too?”

“No I am only Chero through my father’s blood and what does the list say next?” He pointed to the list while he closes one eye to prevent some of Pumpkin Cake’s drool from getting inside while she chews on his ear again.

“Says here to put them to sleep.”

Gold Sky clapped his hooves together with eager anticipation. “Perfect! Just put on the diapers and off to sleep for the both of them.”

“Why so eager to put them to sleep Gold Sky. Are you already worn out from babysitting already?”

“Hahaha very funny. Try having a little filly chew on your ear for a change and this is nothing compared to baby griffons. Those sharp talons, oh don’t get me started.” A shockwave ran down his spine at mentioning the baby griffons and just like with the same intensity of the other shockwave when thinks of the memory.

So the duo took the twins upstairs to their room. “Ssh, ssh, ssh, there, there little one I’m just putting you to sleep and I will be nearby to protect you from the bad giant purple dragon, fascist griffons, th-the ra-razor, and from whatever will want to harm you. I promise.” He promised to Pumpkin Cake while he ever so gently places the foal on her bed. “Ssh, ssh, ssh, somewhere beyond the sea…” He began to sing to Pound Cake, slowly making the foal fall asleep to his voice.
“How adorable and precious these two are.” He stood over the crib smiling down at the twins. “Children are so precious.”

Octavia nodded at Gold Sky… “Okay you know what I’m just going to say it; you act every bit like my father Gold Sky. Loving, nurturing, and those loving eyes, you must have been a father before! I know for sure!”

*Sigh* “I was never a father Octavia. I’m just Gold Sky.”

Octavia sees that sometimes there will be somepony or a stallion who is naturally gifted with taking care of children like her father. Out of proper manners she dropped the subject to sit by Gold Sky. In just one day she has learned many things about Gold Sky, things that she finds very admirable in stallion plus she enjoys his heart warming smile.
In the room they are both in all that can be heard is the cute snoring of the twins. Octavia turned to look at Gold Sky prompting Gold Sky to look at her. Their eyes connected feeling a surreal movement in the gaze. The beautiful grayish purple eyes that Gold Sky is very fond of brought him a spiritual breath of peace over his mind. In this gaze Gold Sky’s heartbeat took over in the only sound being heard, this mare, this Octavia, her eyes, her voice, her presence, just her alone…is like a astronomical chance to meet a mare like her and have the opportunity to be her friend.

*Knocking*

The knocking broke the peace of the gaze between them.

“Gold Sky we’re back!” Mrs. Cake called out. “Pinkie Pie used too much sugar in the punch putting everypony in a coma. Gold Sky where are you?”

“I’m here upstairs with the precious little gingersnaps.” He helped Octavia up.

“Ah there you are!” Mrs. Cake trotted over to the crib to check on her children. “How were they? Be honest, were they a hoofful or just little angels?”

“Well besides Pumpkin Cake chewing on my ear and Pound Cake pounding the back of my head these two kiddos were just little angels.” Gold Sky smiled to display the truth behind his words.

Mrs. Cake came to place a hoof on the cloaked Unicorn’s shoulder, she thanked him for babysitting. “You know if you don’t mind I will place you as my back up babysitter if Pinkie Pie is not available.”

“Uh…” Octavia butted in again stopping Gold Sky from ushering any words.

“He won’t mind at all as long as you pay him in the cupcakes Pinkie makes!” Octavia answered for him.

Mrs. Cake beamed happily after which she led the duo downstairs to give Gold Sky his cupcakes. “Bye, bye dearie.”

“Bye.” Octavia and Gold Sky waved good bye.

Outside Gold Sky tapped Octavia’s shoulder. “Thanks Octavia for making me their back up babysitter and of course being sincere this time thank you for being with me.”

“You’re welcome Gold Sky, say how about you walk with me for a bit.”

“Su-sure of course!” Gold Sky happily placed the cupcakes on his back and walked with Octavia.
“Well she may have made me the Cake’s unwilling babysitter but her kindness and eyes make up for that. At least I’m not babysitting anypony else’s children.”

Minutes later they stopped in front of a nice house. “Well this is my stop Gold Sky, say where are you staying at by the way?”

“I’m staying in the palace with mothe, achoo! Sorry I’m staying in the palace, her majesty Princess Celestia said I can stay there for the time being.” Luckily Gold Sky caught himself from saying mother.
“I pray mother didn’t hear me call her, her majesty!”

*
*Sigh* “Gold Sky called me her majesty again.” Celestia slouched back on her throne. “Oh! It’s almost time for dinner! Got to arrange a separate dinner for Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor!”

*
“That’s nice. Anywho I got a busy day ahead of me so I got to get some much needed shut eye!”

Gold Sky gave the gray mare a small bow of his head. “Have a pleasant evening Octavia and thank you once again for taking valuable time out of your day to help me.”

“You’re very welcome…” Octavia remembered something. “You know Gold Sky. The after tomorrow we can have lunch together again at the Sugarcube Corner if you want.”

Gold Sky’s eyes widened with joy! “That’s a swell idea Octavia!”

“Also I got a surprise for you on that day.”

“Oooooh, what’s the surprise?”

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you would it now.”

“Well you got a point there.” Gold Sky shrugged in agreement. “Now I can’t wait hehe.”

Octavia giggled too. “You’re going to have to. Good bye Gold Sky.” She moved in to give him a kind hug.

“She hugs me again!” Gold Sky shouted out in his mind to which in his personal luck Princess Celesita didn’t hear him.

“Good bye Octavia.” He too gave her a light hug. “Okay Octavia please step back a few feet, I’m going to teleport back to the palace.”

“Cool.” Octavia waved at him while she waits to see a cool display of his magic.

“To mother.” Picturing where to go in his mind.

“Jump!”

*Poof*
“Wow.” Octavia went inside but something appeared odd to her in the way Gold Sky spoke to her. “Swell? Who talks like that? Swell?? Eh oh well, time to have a bite before getting my shuteye.”

***

*Poof*
Celestia smiled at seeing the bright flash before her. “Ah my son!” Her horn glowed surrounding Gold Sky with a gold aura bringing him to her arms. “Oh what’s that on your back?”

“Cupcakes mother! You got to try them! They are the best as in the best of the best!”

Celli took the plate of cupcakes with her magic. “We’ll try them for dessert my son, now let me guess you got them as payment for being an unexpecting babysitter.” She is so going to enjoy seeing the surprised face on her son and many more times to come.

Of course as she expected Gold Sky made that surprised face. “How did you know I was baby…let me guess, a mother always knows right?”

Celestia smiled. “Mm-mhm.” She nuzzled him lovingly on the cheek. “Now come along, all of that babysitting must have made you hungry.”

“Well I got cupcakes.”

“Dessert my son dessert.” Celestia reminded Gold Sky of that.

The mother and son stopped outside of the dining room. “Is everything set?” Celestia asked a maid who is standing outside.

“Yes your highness everything is set as you requested.” Said the maid.

“Wonderful, thank you very much. You can leave now.”

“As you wish your majesty.” The maid bowed down before leaving.

Celestia and Gold Sky went inside the dining room closing the doors behind them to give them privacy not for Celestia and Nurse Redheart but for Gold Sky so he can take off the cloak.

“Nurse Redheart!” Gold Sky ran up and took the white mare into his arms.

“Oh my boy it’s good to see you too! But please as you can see that my hair is down, call me Redheart.”

“Redheart!” Gold Sky corrected himself before letting go of Redheart so he can see her with her hair down. “I’ve never seen you with your hair down Redheart, you look very nice.”

“Thanks Gold Sky anyway you’re among family and friends I think you can take off that white cloak of yours.” Redheart suggested.

“Uhhh I don’t know.” Gold Sky moaned in a voice drenched of uneasiness.

Celestia told Gold Sky there will be nobody else coming into the dining room, it will only the three of them eating here.

“All right mother, I’ll take off my cloak if you wish.” He took off his cloak showing his mother and Redheart his painted body and gold colored feathers of his wings…more importantly though, his cutie mark.

Both mares gasped at the sight of his cutie mark. “Gold Sky you got your cutie mark!” Both said in unison causing them to look at each other with looks of question.

“Yes I did.”

Celestia with her wisdom looked at Gold Sky’s cutie mark. She sees a hollow turquoise diamond and inside the hollow diamond is a golden heart. “Gold Sky, you truly are Chero like your father.”

“Chero?” Redheart asked by saying that word with a questionable tone.

“The Chero are a Native Equestrian tribe that was once very powerful and prosperous. All of them you see have the hollow turquoise diamond that Gold Sky has on his cutie mark just like his father who used to be my former guard and the first Elite Commando guard.” Celestia explained to Redheart.

Gold Sky sat down on his chair looking at the food on his plate something in his head has made a question develop in the core of his mind. “Mother, are there other Chero besides me? I have heard their voices in the wind for the past two hundred years and the tongue they talk in is somehow a part of me not through willing acceptance but through my blood.”

Celestia frowned. “From what I know Gold Sky you may be the last one of your race and blood. I have tried keeping records on the Chero’s numbers but I found it difficult because the tribe became scattered. Your father was born in Cloudsdale instead on the land that gave birth to your tribe, left and right over the years I have seen silver dust become part of the earth, I have heard new voices join the wind just like you have heard them my son. I’m sorry to say this but perhaps you truly are the last of your tribe.”

When a pony of the Chero dies their body becomes silver dust and becomes one with the earth meaning that Gold Sky only visited his birthmother’s bones and his birthfather’s grave is empty…Celestia used her telepathy on him when his parents died so he will not see his father turn into silver dust, she made him see his body when there was none to be seen. Gold Sky still believes his father’s bones are there by his birthmother and the Chero are also called the Ponies of the Wind due to their total control of the wind and ability to have their voices be heard in it.

Gold Sky started to tremble; his shaking hoof moved the plate off the table. His wings dropped down to the ground. “La-la-la-last one. Last one.” Gold Sky fell off his chair, moaning and groaning to the tears forming in his eyes.

Both mares came to comfort the saddened stallion on the ground. “Gold Sky don’t be sad! You’re here with us and you should be proud that the Chero still exist through you.” Redheart softly stroked Gold Sky’s mane.

“My son you will never die meaning the flame of the Chero shall never go out.” Celestia stroked his face.

“That’s why.” Gold Sky said from out of nowhere.

“That’s why what my son?”

“My immortality, the reason I’m an Alicorn my purpose to be ageless, is to be the last of my tribe even though I am only half Chero. If my father was not a Chero then I would have never been your son, mother, I would have been dead years ago and my scars will not be permanent. I’m a guardian of this blood that’s all I am. Scarred, useless, and, and other things I can’t think of.” Gold Sky forced his tears away and got back up. This revelation is nothing compared to his scars that will be tormenting him tonight. “Let’s eat please.”

Celestia got astounded by her son’s suppression of his emotions and Redheart too felt the same by Gold Sky’s act of ignoring this revelation by talking about himself in such a shade of self loathe.

“Gold Sky my son you are not useless! Being an Alicorn has nothing with being a Chero! The Great Spirit chose what you will be and you are an Alicorn like me, Cadance, and Luna. You are very loving my son and with that love you shall have a future that is filled with nothing but happiness. Always have hope my son.”

“I don’t believe in hope mother never did never will though when I know of an outcome that will fall in my favor I let hope be free in my mind but without a purpose or need. I came to see that hope is just a lie that I cannot erase from my mind. So sometimes I hope when I don’t believe in it.” Gold Sky muttered to both mares.

Celestia and Redheart now see that Gold Sky has been through hardships in his journey making him a nihilist in one aspect of life. The both of them took him into their arms to comfort him.

“It okay to shed tears my son, don’t hold them in let them out. Lay down your burdens Gold Sky, be free from the sadness of death, agony, and hopeless err I mean guilt.” Celestia whispered in his right ear.

“Gold Sky, I held you in my arms when you cried long ago and I will have my arms around you again when you are willing to cry my boy. Listen to your mother and let go of whatever troubles you, just like her I’m here.” Redheart whispered in his left ear.

Gold Sky let out a deep breath while he wrapped his wings around both mares. “I’m sorry for ruining this dinner, please forgive me you two.”

“Oh my son, you cling to your troubles as to atone for a wrong you committed and I can never see what your troubles are because you won’t allow me to.” Celestia simply nuzzled Gold Sky in acknowledgement of his plea for forgiveness.

“Gold Sky you won’t tell us what hurts you, I understand but whatever you have done along with what you are should not stop you from being so loving to yourself.” Redheart stroked his back.

Both mares let go of Gold Sky getting some distance from him. While Gold Sky got up Redheart saw a long vertical scar on Gold Sky’s belly, her medical experience didn’t come up with any form of assessments rather her loving intuition came up with something dire for a mortal but for an immortal something harmless. “He made an attempt on his own life leading me to know that his burdens are something he won’t be letting go of.”

The three ponies sat back down on the table and started to eat then they began chatting like nothing important just happened. Soon laughter filled the room adding to the new blanket that covered the once despairing atmosphere.

***

In another room in the palace.
“How come Celli made us eat here instead in the dining room?” Shining Armor asked out loud to Cadance and Luna.

“She is having dinner with two guests Shiny.” Cadance said affectionately to her dearest husband.

Luna smiled to herself. “You mean guest Cadance.”

“Huh?”

“It’s guest not guests.” Luna said confidently like she knows something while Shining Armor is wondering what’s going on.

Cadance quickly nuzzled Shining Armor to quiet his wondering mind. “Now Luna let’s not get too talkative here, I’m sure Tia will not be very pleased by the breach of her guest’s privacy here.”

Luna levitated her cup. “Perhaps but doesn’t Shining Armor deserve to know.”

Shining Armor quickly shook his head. “Whatever you two are talking about don’t get me involved! I still remember that unbreakable glass over the pool trick you two pulled on me last month! The bruise is still there on my bottom.” Shining Armor’s horn glowed making himself invisible to both mares. “Ha! Now you can’t see me.” The door of the room opened and closed telling Cadance and Luna that he left the room.

Cadance blushed at Luna. “Well forgetting what just happened. Please don’t be so uhm not assertive but close to Gold Sky.”

“What do you do mean by close Cadance? Are being so clingy like Celli?” Luna asked.

Cadance shook her head while she exhales all of her breath. “No, he’s deeply afraid of me. He can sense me coming and I bet that if he’s alone in a room and I walk in and sit five feet from him he’ll make a puddle on the floor.”

Luna looked up with one raised eyebrow. “A puddle?” *Ting* “Oooh!! Ha, that kind of puddle. Wow, he’s that afraid of you so I can see why you are telling me not to initially be close to him because he might be afraid of me just like he’s afraid of you.”

“In that you are very right Luna. Also to top things off Celestia appears to be very in tune with his emotions showing me her maternal instinct plus her protectiveness for her son. So I suggest you are careful around Gold Sky.” Cadance explained to the Princess of the Moon.

Luna’s right hoof rubbed the back of her head while nervously giggling. “About the careful part…hehe, uhhhh.”

Cadance snickered and crossed her arms. “What did you do?” She asked with no sign of amusement.

“I sort of rubbed my tail against his chin.”

Cadance rolled her grayish purple eyes. “You’re flirting with Tia’s son. Him of all ponies, just really I mean him.” Cadance sighed and placed a hoof on her forehead. “Don’t say anything, you do a provocative act to Gold Sky and he’s not afraid of you, I help Tia comfort him and he sees me as his greatest fear. Humph, quite unfair if I say so myself which to add insult to injury he is the physical manifestation of Love meaning that both me and him have what may be our talents in common.” Cadance placed her right hoof on the table. “Don’t make him do rash things alright. He will obey anything you’ll say but don’t abuse him like that.”

“I’m not flirting with him and you act like he’s your son Cadance.” Luna expressed calmly.

Cadance shook her head. “He is Tia’s son not mine Luna. I have to see him as a subject instead as an equal because he won’t allow me to. Besides, Tia raised him not I, so be a good friend to him he’s your equal and don’t ask how but I can sense his admiration for you.”

Luna nodded at Cadance. “I will do everything you ask of me Cadance, you have my word. Cross my heart, hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“Thanks Luna.” Cadance picked up Luna and brought the mare to her arms. “And here’s a hug for good measure.

***

After eating her fifth cupcake Redheart got up to leave because the moon has risen in the sky an hour. “Sweet dear me, it looks like it’s time for me to go home. I got three surgeries to perform tomorrow.”

“Whoa!” Gold Sky exclaimed. “Wouldn’t that make you a doctor?”

Redheart will enjoy answering Gold Sky’s question. “True it does and I got hundreds of years of experience in the medical field making me the best of the best. But doctors don’t spend time with patients, nurses do. A nurse provides her patients with love, assurance, and guidance, doctors most of the time do not. I could be a doctor but my true calling is nursing. Besides my boy.” She placed a hoof on his cheek before stroking his face. “I comforted you by using my nursing touch.”

Gold Sky remembered like yesterday Redheart holding him in her arms comforting him while he falls asleep and waking up to see her comforting smile. “You did Redheart.”

“Plus on a side note or notes, I delivered you, your birthmother, and birthfather. A whole family. And I finally get to see a painted pony up close, good night my boy and if wish to talk to me about anything I’ll be waiting for you.” Redheart hugged Gold Sky.

Gold Sky moved his lips close to her left ear. “Tomorrow, I will come and tell you about the scar over my neck, Redheart.”

Redheart almost gasped at hearing this. “Y-you will my boy?”

“Yes I will. Question is will you still call me your boy.” Gold Sky’s whisper sounded heavy.

Redheart hugged him tighter making his bones pop. “You will always be my boy Gold Sky and I’ll be waiting for you just make sure you come after two o’ clock because that’s when I have my last operation. The first two are fast the third will take me an hour or so. Bye.” She let go of him and left.

Gold Sky waved good bye. “Bye.”

Celestia came over to Gold Sky with his cloak floating above. “Come my son; let me show you to your new room.”

“New room?”

“Yes new room, the guest room you slept in is only for guests and your room will directly be across from mine. Stay still please.” She placed the cloak on Gold Sky before walking out of the dining room.

Both arrived at the new room and Celestia opened the door for her son. “Remember your old room Gold Sky.”

The Alicorn nodded before going inside, he yawned loudly. Celestia nudged him with her wing to get into bed while her magic removes his cloak. He lied down on bed stretching his muscles and wings. Celestia sat down on the edge of the bed, her hoof tenderly stroked Gold Sky’s face along with fixing his hair.

“Mother do you know what’s very insulting.”

“He will always stick to calling me mother instead of mom. Kind of futile in trying to ask him to call me something else.” Celestia nodded after having that thought pass through her mind.

“To be the last Chero in the entire earth and only be a half blooded one instead of a full blooded one.” Gold Sky pointed at his heart. “Thank you.”

“Thank me for what Gold Sky?” Celli asked while pausing her tender stroking of his face.

“For being my mother.” He took hold of her hoof and placed it over his heart. Gold Sky wants her to know that he will never leave again like he did two hundred years.

Celestia smiled. “I will always be your loving mother, I will love you, protect you, guide you, and love you some more. Where ever you are I will be there. If you have tears I will wipe them away. If you want a hug I will give you one. I am your mother and you are my son. Nothing will ever change that nor will anything take that away from me. Sweet dreams my dearest son.” She kissed him on the cheek good night. “Tomorrow you should go make some friends.”

“I will mother. Good night.”

Celestia closed the door of Gold Sky’s room. “I will only need to count the minutes.” Nearly as if nature is on cue with her thought a bolt of lightning danced across the sky bringing in a clap of thunder. “Starting countdown.”

Gold Sky is not scared of storms anymore not one bit. However the thunder acts like telepathic punishers for the horrible acts he unwillingly committed. Every clap of thunder showed him the faces of innocents, Ruby’s last smile before the green fire ends her life before his eyes, the baby dragons at his mercy. His entrance into the world of being free from the total mental ability to comprehend, feel, accept, think, and be loving, caused him to become insane for decades. The thunder showed him the enemy blood he has shed to protect innocent children of the Griffon Republic but the thunder showed him the griffon chick he found all alone on the ground.
“No.” He moaned in his sleep.

Faces, blood, insanity, death, seppuku, protecting the innocent like that will make up for his wrongs, and hearing his mother’s cries.

“Ah!” He grasped his belly, feeling the pain he felt long ago when he plunged a dagger into it. Not once, not twice, not thrice but to point that he permanently destroyed the pain receptors in his abdominal area. He does not feel pain there but there is still damage until his tissue regeneration heals it.

“No more please!” The screams of innocents now begin their torture.

The door to his room opened and closed.

***
Princess Cadance looked at her sleeping husband. “I will be right back Shining Armor.” The cerise Alicorn walked the corridors of the palace to find Gold Sky and conform if he is really the physical manifestation of Love.

***

“Please!” Gold Sky begged the griffon chick not to run into his arms but the thunder ignored his plea.

“My Son!” A motherly voice brought an end to the torture.

“AHH!” Screamed to the stallion to cessation of the torture, his eyes immediately opened to see a silhouette of somepony before him. “Please don’t hurt me!”

The lightning lit up the room revealing that the somepony is only his mother.

“My son it’s alright! I’m here everything is going to be fine.” Celestia climbed into bed and took Gold Sky into her arms to shelter him with her never ending love. “Ssh, ssh, ssh, it’s okay, I’m here I’m here. You’re safe.” She wrapped her wings around him for added protection.

Gold Sky felt his body calming down, he pressed his head against mother’s chest feeling safe from the pain he has.

Safe in mother’s arms…safe by mother’s love…safe. Safe.
“Mommy…” Gold Sky groaned without realizing that this is the word Celestia wished he’ll call her, it wasn’t long before he began to cry again.

Celestia placed her chin on Gold Sky’s head. “Ssssssssh, go to sleep my son. Mother is here and she will not leave you.”

After ten minutes Gold Sky stopped crying and fell asleep in Celli’s arms. “Luna will be raising the sun. I will stay here with Gold Sky until he wakes up. I love you my son.” She too fell asleep.

***
Cadance came into the room seeing Tia with Gold Sky protected by her arms and wings. “You will never lose you maternal instinct Tia, not even in a million years. But more importantly it’s time to enter Gold Sky’s mind since in his current state won’t sense me.” Cadance’s telepathy entered the galaxy of Gold Sky’s mind. “Ah just let me get past this block.” No transparent wall stopped her. “Into the core I go.” In the core bright light shines. “Hmm another block but I can’t get through this one; well either way I found what I’m looking for.” She waved her arm at the core causing Love to flow out and revolve around her. “Completely absent of hate despite attempts to hate himself. He is the physical manifestation of Love; I never thought there will be a pony just like him.” Cadance got out of Gold Sky’s mind and laid a hoof on his cheek. “Good night Gold Sky.” Quietly she left the room.

Nonetheless Cadance is one to double check everything. For extra precaution Cadance went into the dark throne room because of the large roof window above Celli’s throne. “I need answers please.” The instant the words left her lips a sphere of white light come down from the heavens, landing in front of her.

Standing before Cadance is a beautiful Alicorn whose coat is whiter than snow. Hair redder than fire. Blue eyes brighter than the shiniest sapphire. A cutie mark with a scroll and quill telling everyone she has every answer. “Cadance you called for me.” Said the Archangel.

“Lauren, is Gold Sky son of Celestia the physical manifestation of Love?” Cadance asked.

“He is Cadance.” Lauren the Archangel replied.

Cadance sighed in relief. Next thing she knew a random question came up when she quickly remembered what Luna said. “Is Gold Sky related to me??”

“Yes.”

“Related in what way?”

Lauren smiled, she has the answer but it will be better if Cadance finds out for herself. “That Cadance is up to you to find out.”

Cadance bowed down before the Archangel. “Thank you for your wisdom Lauren.”

Lauren gave Cadance a nod, got up on her hind legs and disappeared in a flash of bright light.

Cadance went back to bed. “Gold Sky, we share the same blood but in what way?” After that question the Princess of Love fell asleep.

My dearest readers thank you very much for your patience and on a side note I think this song represents this story very well, I heard it on the internet Radio app on Itunes Link to this song.

Next chapter will have Rainbow Dash getting to know Gold Sky. And once again my dear readers thank you for your patience.

The Mother discusses Love and Becoming a Friend to Loyalty

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace.

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 9

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. Also Thank you for your patience my dearest readers.

The storm of the night came to its end. In just minutes Celestia will rise to raise the sun but in this dawn she will not, instead it will be Luna doing the raising of the sun.
“Well at least I can use this as a favor if I need something from Celli.” Luna thought before flying out of her room to raise the sun.

“Rise dear sun of Celestia, it’s me Aunt Luna and good morning to you.” Greeted Luna.
The Sun greeted her back by basking her in warm light.

In Gold Sky’s room.
Princess Celestia gently passed her right hoof through Gold Sky’s hair. She is happy to see her son sleep so peacefully in her arms. His warm breath strikes her coat, while he breathes slowly, deeply, and unlabored. Of course while she focuses on his good occurring physical properties she can smell the heavy scent of sweat, Celestia knows Gold Sky sweated a lot during his nightmare but either way she will ignore the heavy scent. "My son, my only son, whom I love with all of my heart. I think today will be a good day my son, I just know it.” She came and gently kissed him on the forehead. “Maybe I can show him some of his possessions he left behind here.” Celestia laid her head back on her pillow and continued watching her son sleep.

Cadance woke up when Shining Armor rose to go to the restroom to take his morning shower but what really woke her up is a loving kiss on her cheek. “Oh Shining Armor, I love you too.” Cadance smiled to herself while rubbing her cheek. “Hmmm.” Her telepathy connected to Celestia’s mind. “I see Gold Sky is still asleep. Well I think he should be waking up soon.” Cadance got up from bed to brush her teeth.

“Cadance is that you?” Shining Armor asked at hearing the door to the restroom open.

“Yes dear it’s me.” Cadance began brushing her teeth.

“Well your toothbrush is in the yellow cup okay.”

Cadance’s eyes widened! “Oh! Uhh, okay thanks dear!” She placed the toothbrush she’s using back in the green cup. “Oops.” Cadance resumed brushing her teeth with the toothbrush from the yellow cup. “Of course good morning to you too Gold Sky.”

Gold Sky finally woke up. He yawned before opening his eyes to which when he opened his eyes he made eye contact with mother’s loving magenta eyes. “Oh mother.” Gold Sky whispered. “Did I ever tell how I love your eye color?”

Celestia smiled at him and giggled. “No you haven’t my son but there’s always a first time for everything.”

“Well I love your eyes mother.” Gold Sky kissed his mother on the cheek. “Good morning.”

Celestia nuzzled Gold Sky on the cheek and gave him a hearty hug. “Good morning my son, how did you sleep?”

“Well thanks to you mother. I slept wonderfully.” Obviously Gold Sky avoided saying the truth to Celestia, it’s not that he doesn’t want to, he does want to say the truth but he’s afraid to do so.

Celestia saw Gold Sky will not talk about what he dreamt about last night still she will not press the issue with him after all she sensed this day will be a good day starting by having Gold Sky take a shower so he can get rid of the sweaty stench. “My son please get up and come with me.” Celestia waited for Gold Sky to put on his cloak before following her out of his room. She took him to her room since her bathroom has the largest tub in the entire palace. After closing the door to the bathroom her magic removed the white cloak and turned on the water. “Please step in so I can give you a bath.”

“But I took a shower last night and I only take showers in the evening.” Gold Sky flapped his wings a few times.

“Yes you do, but right now you smell and I don’t want you to be a laughing stock because you sweat a lot when you slept.” Celestia pointed at the tub full of warm water.

“I do?” *Sniff sniff* “Oh my, you are very right. “ He got in the tub and sat down.

Celestia smiled again. “All right stay still my son. ” Her magic levitated water to douse Gold Sky. “Say you do remember this right?” She asked.

Gold Sky nodded after moving some hair out of his face. “Yes I remember you always gave me a bath every day. Ohha that tickles!” Gold Sky dropped his left ear. “Mother please stop it tickles hahaha!”

Celestia stopped scrubbing the area around Gold Sky’s ears. “All right my son I’ll stop with your cute little ears. Now pick up your wings please so I can pass the brush through them oh dear when was the last time you preened your wings?”

“I really don’t know mother.” Gold Sky explained.

Celestia took his answer before starting with his hair. “Now Gold Sky I am more than sure you will love the scent of this shampoo. I personally use it and I like it.”

Gold Sky felt his mother’s hooves lather his hair with aroma pleasing shampoo however what gave him the most satisfaction is the soothing comfort provided by Celestia massaging his head as she lathers. “Oooooooh that’s feels so good! I forgot how much I love this part.” He slouched his shoulders because he is just so relaxed.

Celestia continued lathering her son’s hair. “Well there’s nothing like a mother’s touch Gold Sky, all right let me just rinse you off and then after you dry yourself meet me in my room, no wait!!” She got splashed by some water when Gold Sky flapped his wings out of instinct.

Gold Sky gasped when he realized what he unintentionally did. “Forgive me your majesty! Err I mean forgive me mother!!” He bowed down before Celestia praying she's not displeased with him.

Celestia wiped a drop of water off her brow. “Get up my son!” She said in a stern voice. “You are my son! So get up now!”

Gold Sky got up and went into Celestia’s room after he dried himself. He sat down on a cushion in front of large mirror while from the reflection he sees Celestia coming with a hair brush.
Celestia began brushing his hair while she smiles at him again. “Oh my son your hair has grown. Your wings are preened, coat is shiny, you also smell good, and for good measure stand with me.” The mother and son stand side by side in front of the mirror.

Gold Sky felt like crying at seeing this lovely reflection…he is standing by his immortal mother and she covers with her wing.

Celestia nuzzled Gold Sky and got an idea that she knows will only fit Gold Sky. “My son, I wonder about something?”

The young (or old) stallion tilted his head. “What are you wondering about mother?”

Celestia just casually shook her head. “Oh it’s nothing my son, I’m just wondering how you will look in golden horseshoes.”

“Hmmm?” Gold Sky thought. “Now you got me wondering too mother, let’s find out.”

Celestia’s horn glowed to retrieve her golden horseshoes; she carefully aligned the golden horseshoes on the floor. “Try them on Gold Sky.”

“They look too big, see.” He placed a hoof in the horseshoe. “Whoa!” The horseshoe shrunk around his hoof giving him a snug fit. So he slipped on the other horseshoes. “I look kind of cool in the golden horseshoes.” Gold Sky trotted around Celestia. “These are pretty cool!”

Celestia asked Gold Sky if he wants some golden horseshoes of his own. Gold Sky thought for a bit, he really likes these golden horseshoes and Celestia wears golden horseshoes too but if he says yes he’ll be asking for something from his mother. “I…I…”

“My son, I know what you’re thinking and I understand but please let me give you something I want to give you. Let me, your mother, just provide you with something you desire.” Celestia got on her other golden horseshoes to show Gold Sky she has more and she is basically giving him something from her to him.

“Thank you mother, thank you giving me my own golden horseshoes.” Gold Sky picked up his right hoof so he can study the intricate designs of the golden horseshoe.

Celestia got her crown on and adjusted it on her head. “I’m glad you love them my son and just so you know the horseshoes you are wearing are the first ones I ever had plus they are very old.”

Gold Sky went at a loss of words but after a soft nuzzle he managed come up with some words. “Th-th-th-thank you mother for this, I-I am deeply honored to be given this.”

Celestia’s magic donned the white cloak on Gold Sky. “Like mother and son. Anyway now that I’m done grooming you, how about we go for a walk in the gardens, I want you want to adjust to the horseshoes. Come along, come along.” She nudged him with her wing to get him walking with her. “So my son got any plans today?”

Gold Sky shrugged his shoulders in reply, he does have plans but those plans are for the next day when has lunch with Octavia and she will show him the surprise she has in store for him but for today he does not know what to do, he thinks maybe he should spend the day with mother.

Celestia telepathically ordered her guards to give them privacy in the gardens. “Well my son since you don’t have any plans for today you can spend some time with me right now before we have breakfast.” She intends to have that talk with Gold Sky. First things first though is having Gold Sky sit next to her and under her wing. “Gold Sky I said for you to start making friends but I think you already have a friend don’t you?”

“I have a friend mother, her name is Octavia and she is really kind.” The way Gold Sky speaks about Octavia gives Celestia all the more reasons to have the talk. “She can play the double bass or cello, I think, uhhhhhm?? I think it's a cello or maybe double bass ah! Anyway!” Gold Sky shook his arms to clear the air around him like it’s the air making him indecisive about Octavia playing the cello or double bass. “Her music captivated me when I first heard it. I-I mean her music just took me to the heavenly paradise…oooooh, I just wished she never stopped playing.”

Celestia perked her ears forward. “Well I may say Octavia sounds like a great mare.”

Gold Sky shook his head. “I am only scratching the surface mother. There is so much to her I mean more than what meets the eye. Oh! Speaking of eyes, she has the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen, they're very, very beautiful.”

Celestia couldn't help herself but just ask this question. “What about my eyes, my son?”

“I said I love them this morning.”

“Ah, that you did my son.” She gave him a soft nuzzle. “So before you continue talking about Octavia I want you to please be honest with me my son.”

The young stallion tilted his head to this request from mother. “Uhhhhh, of course I’ll be honest with you mother. You know I will always be honest with you.”

Celestia thought of taking Gold Sky’s word and ask him what he dreamed last night but held back on that intention. “Do you have feelings for this mare Gold Sky?”

“Feelings?”

“Yes my son feelings. Do you like her?”

Gold Sky nodded. “Of course I like her mother she’s my friend and whenever I’m around her I feel happy plus she said so herself I'm her good friend.”

Celestia stroked his face. “My son I see you are innocent in answering my question. You don’t know what I mean by asking you that question but I take you don’t know what love is.” If Gold Sky is the physical manifestation of love then he should know what love is and by love, it’s the love which leads to the future of being unified as one through marriage.

“Love mother? I love you very much mother.” Gold Sky truly does not know the love Celestia is implying. Well can’t blame him really, he grew up without the complete upbringing a mother can provide along with never having this discussion.

“I know Gold Sky but what I am going to talk to you about is the birds and the bees.” Still hard to believe she’s having this discussion with her two hundred and three year old son. “Funny, I don’t feel awkward having this talk with him.” Celli thought to herself. It’s good to see Princess Celestia's maternal instinct makes the her motherly ruler of Equestria and the adoptive mother of this Alicorn.

What in the world is Celestia talking about? “What are the birds and the bees mother? I don’t know what that is? *Ting!* Oh is it about uh well the bees will eat the birds or the birds will eat the bees?”

Cute to say the least but Celli refrained herself from having a laugh. “My son, have you ever felt weird changes going about your body?”

“I don’t understand what you’re asking me mother?”

“Changes like have you looked at a mare and thought she’s really, well, nice and then felt a warm feeling inside your chest at looking at this nice mare?” Start off with something simple

“I seen plenty of mares mother and…” Celli kindly interrupted.

“Let me make myself more specific. Do you feel a warm feeling in your chest when you’re around Octavia?”

Gold Sky broke eye contact to think, ever since returning he’s been cold and shallow but upon meeting Octavia there’s warmth and deepness that transform into contentment. He feels so peaceful around Octavia but yet when it comes to emotions, warmth does not equate to love, he is Octavia’s good friend. “I do feel a warm feeling around her mother. She treats me with kindness, respect, and acceptance. She gave me a hug and the warm feeling came back.”

Celestia read from the words Gold Sky has spoken, he feels something for Octavia but does not have feelings for Octavia as she expected in him. “My son, you have made a friend and I am very proud of you. Now please listen to what I am going to tell you.” A quick clearing of the throat. “Gold Sky, while you were growing up your body went through an extreme change, this brought upon by hormonal changes in your body, which sometimes contribute to different kinds of warm feelings.”

“Soooo how will you rank my warm feeling if there are different kinds of warm feelings?” Gold Sky asked.

“Focus on what I’m saying my son.” This may be the prelude to misunderstandings and just more misunderstood questions. Celli saw she has to cover the basics and later on continue with the more complex later on. “Gold Sky, you will see mares and think to yourself how nice they look and you just might want to court them or since you’re very handsome some mares will come up to you and they will try to court you. And if you court a mare or get courted by a mare you might in end falling in love with that mare.”

Gold Sky’s jaw dropped. “Wait so you’re saying I’m courting Octavia without me realizing it!”

From what Celestia got when she spied on her son helped her come up with a good answer. “You are not courting Octavia my son, you are simply her good friend and you feel extremely comfortable around her.”

“Then she’s courting me then!” Can’t blame him for coming up with wrong conclusions.

“No my son, she is not courting you! Huh?” Celestia felt somepony connect with her mind making her look up at the sky to see none other than Cadance smiling down at her.
“Cadance he’ll sense you!”

Cadance shook her head. “Since you have him thinking about love Tia I doubt he can sense me so before he can sense me near I want you to know how happy I am for you. You are such a natural mother. Bye.” The Princess of Love flew away.

“Oh phew.” Gold Sky sighed in total relief. “Wait!? What’s courting mother? Why will I or the mare go to court?”

Celestia blinked two times at Gold Sky. “Courting is the act a pony does when he or she wants anypony to know they have feelings for that pony.”

“Oh.”

“Anyway my son, you can fall in love with any mare but the question will be is the mare you fall in love with the right mare for you my son. Also adding to that is the mare who courts you. Most of the time a mare who courts you is simply asking herself if you are the right one for her.” Celestia laid a hoof over Gold Sky’s beating heart. “You must use your heart to find the perfect mare my son because if I think it…” She paused so Gold Sky will look directly into her eyes. “Once an immortal like you my son falls in love with a mare then your heart belongs to that mare and that mare alone. Forever.”

Gold Sky took the time to absorb everything. “So I must control these warm feelings and learn what love is. But how will I know what this immortal love is mother? Will you show me what immortal love is?”

Celestia moved her hoof up to cover his cheek. “You’re already experiencing it my son.”

“Mother?”

“You just said it Gold Sky. I am your immortal mother, from now and here on, I am always going to be your mother. That is what makes us immortals special. Our hearts are the core of our instrumentality; we are forever the guiders of mortals and fellow immortals. Like me, I am the Princess of Equestria but more importantly I am your mother, therefore I will forever guide you. Then when you're ready we will guide everyone.”

“You mean one day I’ll be guiding mortals?” Gold Sky asked.

“Yes my son but as of right now I want you to know that if you have any questions about love, you can come to me, Cadance, or look into your heart. For your heart will tell you who the right mare is for you.” Celestia wanted to go in complete detail in this discussion sadly for Gold Sky’s sake she had to lighten it by a high margin. “Are you hungry yet?”

The stallion nodded.

“Let’s go for breakfast.” Celestia rubbed her head against Gold Sky’s head after getting up to all fours.

The mother and adopted son journeyed through the corridors. Their hoofsteps echoed off the old marble walls, alerting guards of their approaching presence, also one of the guards noticed Gold Sky wearing golden horseshoes sort of or just like the ones her majesty wears. Nonetheless, what the guards see only remain with them. A maid bowed down before Celestia. “Your majesty, breakfast is served.”

“Thank you.” The Princess of the Sun waited for her servant to pull back her chair and the chair next to her for Gold Sky.
“Eat up my son, oh thank you.” She took an extra napkin.

Mother and Son began eating breakfast.

***
In an other part of the palace Princess Luna sang quietly to herself while walking to the dining room to join her sister. “I want to change the world kaze wo kakenukete nanimo sorezu ni. Ima yuuki to egao no kakera daite. Change my mind jounetsu tayasazu…” It’s pretty wonderful to hear Luna’s singing voice some will say it’s the combination of the Lyre bird and an Angel or just adorable. After all for being the most serious of the Pure Alicorn Trinity, Luna has tendencies that make her cute, yeah that’s right, cute. “Hmmm?” The adorable singing came to an end. “Cadance good morning.”

The cerise mare smiled. “Good morning to you too Luna.”

“So.” Luna began the conversation. “Did you see a ultra bright flash of lightning last night? Because I never seen lightning that bright before.” Luna is referring to the white light.

Cadance’s ears perked back. “That flash from last night was not lightning it was Lauren.”

Luna’s tongue got paralyzed. “Yo-you called down the Archangel! You called down the Archangel!? For what reason will call down Lauren?”

“Oh nothing much.”

Luna mouth moved yet no words came out but rather got near the verge of stuttering which will be very uncharacteristic of the Moon. “Nothing much!? Elaborate!”

Cadance’s ears perked forward. “I asked the Archangel if I and Gold Sky are related in any way.”

“Uhhhh, are you??”

Cadance frowned and her ears dropped. “I don’t know Luna…I-I don’t know. Lauren said it is up to me to find out but I know that will be nearly impossible.” Suddenly Cadance’s ears perked up along her frown going away but still no face of decency or lukewarm. “You Luna, you can help me find the answer I seek. Please for me, help me find the answer. You are my bridge between me and him, Tia won’t get involved nor do I want her involved, can’t have the mother be so questioning about my intentions.” Cadance placed a hoof on Luna’s right shoulder. “Please Luna, befriend him, bond with him, let him see the true you, and he will trust you with his life.”

“What makes you say that Cadance.”

“You sometimes can’t help but doubt me can you? But like I said, I sensed his deep admiration for you or maybe just to paint the picture completely he’s your nephew.” Cadance saved her prime reason for last.

Luna sighed. “Family, new family. I hope you’re right about the admiration part.” Luna asked.

Now Cadance finally smiled. “I am Luna. Thank you.”

Luna sighed.

Today will be adventurous.

***

Celestia received a telepathic message from Luna prompting her to look at Gold Sky with a look of caring affection. “Perhaps it’s time for Gold Sky to meet Luna.”

Gold Sky noticed the affectionate expression. “What is it mother?”

“Come with me to the living room my son.”
Both Ali…err, the Alicorn and the Unicorn teleported to the living room appearing on one of the soft couches. “My son there is somepony I want you to meet.”

On cue, a bright flash that is a byproduct of teleportation revealed the Princess of the Moon.

*Gasp!* Gold Sky instantly jumped off the couch and bowed down low before Luna. “Your grace! I am deeply honored to be in your presence.”

Luna grinned to this sight of reverent respect by her nephew. Celli of course gave Luna a tilted serious expression but Luna being Luna likes what is happening so she continued taking in Gold Sky’s humble respect. “Thank you my dear subject.” She extended her right hoof to be in front of Gold Sky.

Celestia is not very pleased with what Luna is doing to her son. “Luna, please stop this.”

“I like this sister.”

Gold Sky laid his teal eyes on Luna’s hoof. “WHAT AN HONOR!” He took Luna’s hoof and kissed it. “Thank you, your grace for this honor.”

“Ahem!” Celestia will not take any more of this. “My son, please sit next to me.”
Gold Sky gave Luna one last bow and sat by his mother.

“So this is my sister’s son lovely son.” The Princess of the Moon doted on the cloaked Alicorn.

“Lovely?” Celestia voiced. “Gold Sky here is more than lovely.” She placed a hoof under Gold Sky’s chin. “He’s handsome, virtuous, and of course the obvious, my only son. Aww look at him blush.”

Gold Sky found this very embarrassing. “Mother please don’t make me blush before her grace, Princess Luna.”

“Gold Sky, can you please stop with the formalities. Please stop calling me your grace and don’t think about calling me your majesty, your highness, or princess. Refer to me the same way you’ll refer to your dearest mother. Call me by my name.”

Celestia quickly injected. “Don’t call me by name Gold Sky but call Luna by her name.”

Luna pointed her hoof at Celli. “Yes. What your mother said Gold Sky. I am your equal and your mother’s sister. So that will make me your aunt.”

Gold Sky’s jaw dropped!

“My son please close your mouth, a bug might fly in there.” Celestia closed her son’s mouth but it dropped again.

Luna pressed her left against Gold Sky’s cheek. “You are my nephew Gold Sky, please don’t be so surprised. I am an Alicorn like you except much older. Much, much older, plus I am the fun one of the Trinity.”

“I-I-I-I am your nephew?” Gold Sky forced his voice to be low to avoid his speech impediment from coming in and ruin everything the flow of his words.

Luna moved her hoof up to gently stoke Gold Sky’s head. “Yes. You’re my sister’s son so if that is the case, you will be my nephew. Can’t allow Celli to have you all for herself.”

Gold Sky turned to mother. “Mother.”

Celestia with the tip of her horn touched the tip of Gold Sky’s horn. “She is your aunt my son. I think my sister is right, I can’t have you all for myself though I did raise you.”

Now Gold Sky can’t speak now, he is incapable of comprehending seeing a new member of his family. The Princess of the Moon whom he admires is his aunt. Mother and now Aunt, he has so much to be thankful now.

“He’s speechless isn’t he?” Luna murmured to Celli.

“Oh my son this just too much for you to comprehend. Nonetheless how about you spend some time today with Luna. That sounds like a nice idea, no?”

“You are very right sister. So what do you think Gold Sky, want to spend time with Aunt Luna?” She nuzzled him on the cheek making the stallion blush the brightest hue of red. “Aww look at you blush even more you’re so cute! Ahem any who come my dear nephew lets enjoy the day together.”

“Go my son.” Celestia softly with her head nudged Gold Sky off the couch. “Go on.”

Gold Sky sees Luna with one wing extended to follow her. All his life he thought his only family was Princess Celestia and nopony else. After all mother is immortal, Cadance was not around while he was under Celli’s wing and Luna was still in the Moon. Now he fears Cadance and is honored to kiss Luna’s hoof along with being on the receiving end of kind affection. “Aunt Luna.” Is all what he managed to say before being patted by Luna’s wing.

“Perfect! Now let’s fly…” The sudden opening of the doors stopped Luna in mid-sentence.

“Your majesties, I’m sorry to interrupt but the diplomats from Saddle Arabia, The United Zebra Clans, Griffon Republic, and some dragons are here for the annual feast of Leaders.” A messenger explained in one breath.

“Griff-Griffon Republic.” Gold Sky remembered something precious he had to leave behind.

The immortal sisters sighed in disbelief. Celestia wanted Gold Sky to spend time with Luna and Luna wanted to have the opportunity to know everything about her nephew. “I’m sorry my son, I completely forgot about this event.”
Luna said the same thing.

“It’s alright mother and aunt; your royal duties must come before everything else.” Replied the son.

Celestia came and rubbed her head against Gold Sky’s head. “Nothing will ever come before you my son, I love you very much.”

“Thank you mother but I know your duty is very important and I don’t want to be in the way. So please don’t mind me at all today and Aunt Luna same goes to you and maybe tonight we can have a late dinner just you and me.” From the cloak Gold Sky’s wing came out and touched Luna’s wing.

Luna nodded her head and extended her hoof out to him.

“Sister you really want to make me mad.” Celestia growled at Luna.

“You know I can’t resist besides you should see his face right now. He’s overjoyed to kiss my hoof.” Luna shot a smirk at the white mare. “You know I’m right.”

Gold Sky happily kissed Luna’s hoof. “Thank you Aunt Luna for this honor.”

Celli rolled her magenta eyes at Luna. “Gold Sky, what are you going to do now?”

“I think maybe I’ll head to Ponyville to make some friends while you two have fun.”

“Three Gold Sky, don’t forget about Cadance.” Luna pointed out.

A thin chill ran down Gold Sky’s spine. “Y-yes Cadance too. P-p-please send tssssssh, errrrr, m-my regards.”

“We will my son. Bye.” Celli kissed her son on the cheek.
Luna gave her nephew a hug. “Have fun.”

“Good bye mother and good bye Aunt Luna.” Gold Sky left their presence. The young Alicorn looked down to Ponyville, he could teleport but that will make the day so un…well, it will be to uncharacteristic of him to skip the little things. Instead he’ll take the train to Ponyville.

***

In Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash yawned her typical semi narcissistic but still awesome plus caring yawns while waking up from her normal, carefree, but vital naps. “I think I need some stuff for the pantry and fridge. Hmmm, well today should be market day.” After getting her saddle bags on Rainbow Dash jumped out of her home in Cloudsdale and flew to the market. “Okay I need apples obviously, carrots, milk, zero calorie soda, Unique K chocolaty delight cereal, spinach, eggs, and something uhh, what was it. Eh I should remember while I’m shopping.” While in the air Rainbow saw the train unloading passengers along with one wearing a beautiful white cloak. Instantly Rainbow’s beautiful rose colored eyes widened. “Hey it’s Gold Sky! Dude owes me some explanations though he has his mind magic thing so I better be soft on him.”
The Element of Loyalty banked down. “Hey Gold Sky!” She called to him.

“Huh?” Gold Sky stopped to see who called his name. “Oh it’s Rainbow Dash right?” Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to names, even though the mare with the rainbow colored mane has the word Rainbow in her name.

Rainbow jabbed Gold Sky on the shoulder. “Ow.”

“Yeah that’s right, I’m the one and only awesome, incredible, Wonderbolt, Rainbow Dash. Hehehe, so how you doing Gold Sky, whoa! Are you wearing golden horseshoes!? The same ones Princess Celestia wear! They look awesome!”

Gold Sky completely forgot about the golden horseshoes so quickly he got used to them. “Princess Celestia, gave them to me Rainbow Dash. They are gift from her to me.” His face twitched for saying mother’s name.

Rainbow made a surprised face. “Wow! So you must know her in a personal level then eh?”

“You can say that Rainbow.” Gold Sky noticed the saddlebags on Rainbow’s back. A thought passed, he’s here to make friends and Rainbow knows a lot about him plus she’s kind so why not start with her. “Hey I see you have saddle bags, going shopping?”

“Yeah, girls gotta keep her pantry full.”

“Well if it’s alright with you can I help you with your shopping? I can hold your saddlebags for you.”

No need for Rainbow to think. “Sure dude, here.” Rainbow donned the saddlebags on Gold Sky. “C’mon Gold Sky.”
The duo trotted to the market. Picking up the things on Rainbow’s mental list, along with watching a little show being performed by some traveling entertainers who disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Half way through Rainbow Dash decided to take a quick break. “Hey you want a hayshake? Cause I can use one right about now.”

“That’s sounds wonderful Rainbow Dash.” He sat across from Rainbow at a small café.

“So.” Rainbow started. “How is it nopony is ever curious about the fact you’re wearing a cloak?”

Gold Sky saw this as a good chance for some fun. “Well why is it nopony is curious about you being the only mare with rainbow colored hair?”

Rainbow laughed. “Good point there. Okay how about you tell me why Princess Celestia gave you those golden horseshoes. Let me see.” She took hold Gold Sky’s left forearm in order to study the horseshoe.

“Because we’re extremely close that’s why Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow shifted her eyes up to look at Gold Sky’s face. “Extremely close in what way?”

“She’s my mother Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow spat out her hayshake. “My mouth was open Rainbow Dash and I think I swallowed. Ew.” Gold Sky wiped the rest off of his face.

“You’re Princess Celestia’s son!” Rainbow nearly shouted the question. “How can you be her son!? When did she give birth to you!”

Gold Sky’s ears dropped. “Really Rainbow…I showed you the memories of my parents and so quickly you forget.”

*Ting* “Ahhh ohhhhhh, sorry about that, now I feel so terribly awkward right now.” Rainbow scratched the back of her head. “Hehe, but how are you her son?” Back to the question at hoof.

“She adopted me Rainbow, two hundred years ago. She’s a wonderful mother Rainbow; believe me when I say that. Just because she’s the Princess of the Sun does not mean she didn’t have the time to be the most nurturing mother.” Gold Sky smiled at the end. He is just so eager to share everything with Rainbow Dash.

“So you’re a momma’s boy then.” This can’t be all Rainbow took in from Gold Sky’s sincerity.

Gold Sky’s ears dropped. “Just because she raised me and I love her very much does not make me a momma’s boy.”

“I know that, Gold Sky, I said momma’s boy because well you’re her son and sons and mothers have a really tight bond. Also this is something new to me, I never thought Princess Celestia will adopt a son. Heh, I guess it pays being an aliwoowiaiachewniuna…*long sigh* well you know what you are.”

Gold Sky suddenly went cold to that point. Did mother only adopt him because he’s an Alicorn? “Think about that later.”

“Thanks for the compliment Rainbow; I guess you find out a new thing about ponies every day. So I take you know mother.” Gold Sky will not call mother by her name. Once is enough.

Rainbow ordered another hayshake. “Yes I know Princess Celestia. I am the Element of Loyalty and I helped Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack to save her from the sun when Nightmare Moon trapped her in there. Of course, enough about talking about Princess Celestia I want to talk about you!”

“About what?”

“You have a horn, Earth pony body or strength, and win…” Rainbow paused for five seconds. “Win…” Rainbow paused again. “Win…*Long wary sigh*” Rainbow extended her wings. “Well you got these too.” And flapped her wings a few times.

“I am what I am Rainbow, hold on stay still.” Gold Sky’s magic levitated a napkin to wipe off a smudge over Rainbow’s upper lip.

“Thanks Gold Sky.”

“You’re very welcome Rainbow Dash.”

The duo’s break ended and they resumed shopping for the rest of the items on Rainbow’s mental list. “Gold Sky, do these pears look good to you?”

“Probably, I think…? Let me ask. Excuse me are these pears fresh?”

“YEAH!” The yell made Gold Sky’s hair slick back.

Gold Sky redid his hair. “Ok, thanks.” His magic placed the bag of pears in Rainbow’s saddlebags. “Anything else?”

“Uhhh, I need some carrots and something else but I just can’t remember!”

Gold Sky with his telepathy entered Rainbow’s mind without her permission. “You need some hairspray for your hair but you need the sensitive variant since you want to be soft on your hair.”

“Thanks now I remember.” Hard to believe she didn’t bother asking how in the world he guessed her unknown last item with pinpoint accuracy. She trotted to the beauty products booth. Both she and Gold Sky looked around for the perfect hairspray. “Did you find it yet?”

“No I’m still looking Rainbow.”Gold Sky scanned the shelves however; while he’s physically looking he mentally thinks about the words Rainbow ushered earlier. “Did mother only adopt me only because I’m an Alicorn and not a mortal pony? If I was an Earth pony, Pegasus, or Unicorn? Mother loves me b-but she only loves me as her son because as an immortal I won’t die so she won’t go through the grief a mother experiences when her child dies…could there be more?”
He had to shake his head to focus. “Found it Rainbow Dash. But there are two scents. One is sea breeze and the other is wild rose.” His magic levitated both spray bottles in front of Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow looked at both while having a hoof under her chin trying narrow down her selection. “You know what how about you pick Gold Sky.”

Gold Sky sprayed both in the air. After taking whiffs of both scents Gold Sky picked the wild rose scent for Rainbow Dash. “I really like your hair Rainbow, it makes you so awesome and I just want to ruffle it up!” And ruffle it up he did.

Rainbow paid for the hairspray and sprayed Gold Sky’s hair with it. “Ha well I will spray your hair, take this!”

The duo left the beauty products booth. Just then Rainbow’s right ear twitched, only she and by she, it’s she who can hear the certain beating of a filly’s wings. “It’s her isn’t it.” Rainbow said out loud in supreme calm for once.

“Who?” Gold Sky asked.

Three fillies are approaching the duo, one is an ultra adorable filly with a white coat and semi puffy mane, the second has a big hair bow, and the third who’s in the middle leading the other two has a pixie cut and really cute wings. “RAINBOW DASH!” It should be plain as daylight who that little filly is.

Rainbow took a quick breath. “Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom, how you three doing! No wait ooof!” Scootaloo tackled Rainbow with a mighty hug. “Ow…I-I’m glad you’re ecstatic to see me.”

“Rainbow I’m glad to find you here! You see I’m wondering if you can come see one of my new tricks on my scooter.” Scootaloo hovered midair for a few seconds to convey her eagerness for Rainbow’s answer. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom nodded their heads.

Rainbow turned back to look back at Gold Sky. “Will you like to accompany me Gold Sky?”

“Huh?” The adorable…no, adorable only belongs to Sweetie Belle, ahem; the one adorable filly plus the other two cute fillies gave Gold Sky their attention. “Rainbow Dash who’s that?” Scootaloo asked as her hoof points at him.

Apple Bloom jerks her head back in a fluid gelatin motion. “It’s Rainbow coltfriend duh Scootaloo.”

“What?”

“What?”
Rainbow and Gold Sky exclaimed at the same time.

Sweetie Belle shook her head at Scootaloo. “He’s not Rainbow’s coltfriend you silly filly. He’s a fully grown pony so that will make him her stallionfriend. Right Rainbow Dash?”

Gold Sky pointed at himself. “Are you talking about me?”

The three fillies nodded in unison. “Yeah!”

Rainbow lightly blushed. “Oh you Scoots. Gold Sky here is not my coltfriend or stallionfriend.” She wrapped her arm around Gold Sky’s neck and brought him close to her. “Right Gold Sky?”

“Yes I am not Rainbow Dash’s stallionfriend or coltfriend.”

“Theeeeeeen why are you with her??” Asked the cute Pegasus with the pixie hairstyle.

Rainbow brought Gold Sky closer to her squeezing his head a bit. “He’s just a good pal helping me with my shopping. Besides he’s too old for me.”

“Ahem!” Gold Sky gave Rainbow a warning.

Rainbow stopped to correct herself. “I mean he’s not that old but he’s uhh a great dude but I just met him and he’s too cute for me.”

“Hey I’m cute!” Scootaloo pouted.

Apple Bloom piped up to fix the situation. “Gold Sky is adorable then.”

“Hey!” Sweetie Belle squealed. “I’m adorable.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes and groaned. “Fine, Gold Sky is nice, very nice.”

“Anyway, Gold Sky will you like to come with me?” Rainbow asked again.

“Of course.”

The stallion followed the trio of fillies and Element of Loyalty to a very green pasture. Scootaloo somehow produced a scooter and matching helmet from out of nowhere, at first Gold Sky felt like asking Scootaloo how she was able to retrieve those items from out of thin air but figured this filly has a magical ability of some sort.

Scootaloo jumped on her scooter, her cute little wings flapped rapidly like a humming bird giving her massive propulsion along with speed. The young Pegasus sped forward knowing she is being watched by Rainbow’s rose colored eyes. “Okay Scootaloo, time to show Rainbow Dash what you got!” She sped toward a makeshift ramp.

Gold Sky leaned toward Rainbow a bit. “Isn’t this a little dangerous for her?”

Rainbow chuckled. “Nah don’t worry she’s a pro at this…I think?”

Scootaloo rode off the ramp. Flapping one wing to spin in the air, then she leaned forward completing a full front flip finally in the last milliseconds she's let's go of her scooter and flapped her wings so fast she created a pocket of air to allow a soft slow landing. “What did ya think Rainbow Dash!”

“It’s was epic Scoots though you want to make sure your helmet is strapped on all the way because it came off in midair but overall YOU’RE EPIC LIKE ME!!” Rainbow picked up Scootaloo and spun around in midair.

“All right, yeah, wooo!” Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Gold Sky all cheered.

Meanwhile Scootaloo’s eyes spun in cycles. “Oooooh ahhhhh, I’m dizzy. Th-thanks Rainbow Dash, now please put me down…”

Rainbow placed Scootaloo back on the ground upon which the little filly fell to her belly to collect herself from the dizziness.

“That’s cool Scootaloo now I got to go see you tomorrow girls! C’mon Gold Sky.”

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom check on Scoots. “She’ll be okay right?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“She will. I hope.” Apple Bloom patted the Pegasus on the head.

Rainbow and Gold Sky stood under Cloudsdale. “Here’s my place Gold Sky. Hey you want to come inside?” *Ting* “Oh but other pegasi will see you walking on the clouds and think you’re an Alicorn.”

Gold Sky smiled reassuringly at Rainbow. “You seem to forget I’m a Unicorn too so I can make up a story that I created a spell where I can walk on the clouds.”

“Ha! Just like Twilight!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“Who’s Twilight?”

Rainbow waved a hoof. “Never mind. But how are you supposed get up there?”

“Teleportation. Jump.” *Poof*

Rainbow joined Gold Sky in the clouds. “Thanks for helping me Gold Sky…” Rainbow Dash paused to gain some courage for a question coming to mind. “Can I…can I see your wings. Please.”

“I’m sorr.” Gold Sky remembered mother’s wise words. Make friends. “Why did you call me pal?”

“Well aren’t you my pal Gold Sky? I mean you did talk to me in a very kind manner along with Rarity too of course, also you showed some stuff in your mind, gave me a gold nugget worth a ton of bits, and you helped me with my shopping. I mean c’mon you a stallion who helps a mare with her shopping that’s pretty cool in my awesome opinion. So what do you say pal, can I please see your wings?? You know I can’t tell anypony thanks to your mind magic.”

“All right just a long peek Rainbow Dash.” Gold Sky went inside Rainbow’s house. His horn glowed to pick up the saddle bags and placed them on her dining room table. “Just need to untie my cloak.” The cloak slowly slid off of Gold Sky’s body, bit by bit exposing his body until the last bit of his body which is his flank is now uncovered.

Rainbow on the other hand or hoof felt her wings go stiff to the placid action of the cloak sliding off of Gold Sky. “That’s hot.”

What??” Gold Sky thought he heard what he thought he heard.

Rainbow realized what she said. “What?”

“Did you say something Rainbow Dash?”

“What me? I-I didn’t say anything. Where will you get such an idea? Hahahahaha…haha?”

Gold Sky slowly unfolded his wings to their full length, he instructed Rainbow to take her time to examine every inch of his wings.

“Do you fly often Gold Sky?”

“Yes I fly, not a lot though but yes I fly.”

“Hmm.” Rainbow plucked a feather from the left wing expecting to hear a little grunt of pain instead she didn’t hear an expression of pain. “Can you fly fast?”

“I don’t know Rainbow Dash but I don’t fly much because my wings are my most presenting feature along with my horn.” Gold Sky tapped his horn, more importantly though he moved his hair out of the way to show Rainbow the scar on the base. “It regenerates quickly preventing any form of a permanent fix. Other then this scar on my horn, you may want to look closely at my wings too.”

“For what Sky?” Oh how nice of Rainbow to come up with a nick name for Gold Sky.

Gold Sky hesitated to speak. He is feeling the feeling one has when seeing a new friend before their eyes. “You’ll be surprised, enough said.”

Rainbow examined Gold Sky’s wing much closely now, looking for any abnormalities that she considers abnormal. “Why will he tell me to look at his wings if I don’t see anything abnormal?” She looked to the base of the wing near the area the wing joint joins the body. “What in the world? Gold Sky, is that a scar! Move around!” Rainbow looked at the other wing. “You have a scar there too! Why?”

Gold Sky will change the subject. “I don’t think I’m a good flyer Rainbow Dash. I went three whole years without flying.”

“What!? You went three whole years without flying!” Somehow Gold Sky knew Rainbow will just forget the topic at hoof and will zero in on the ability of flight.

“Yes.”

“Wow.” Rainbow placed a hoof on her forehead. “You must be the worst flyer in the entire world! I bet that pink Pegasus with blond hair and bangs flies better than you or maybe even Scootaloo flies better than you and she can’t even fly it yet.” She laughed to herself for giving Gold Sky a taste of her unintentionally but sometimes harsh mannerisms.

“Perhaps.” Gold Sky said without offense.

“Well you know what maybe I can teach you how to fly correctly and you should be happy I’m teaching you. I am the best and a Wonderbolt.”

Gold Sky absorbed the Pegasus’s hearty pride. “So you’re going to teach me how to fly. Well if you plan to do it today since I can sense the eagerness in your voice can we first have something to eat? All this shopping made me hungry, got any stag?”

“Stag?” Rainbow doesn’t know what the heck stag is.

Gold Sky luckily remembered ponies with the exception of him don’t eat stag, for one it’s unnatural, two it’s unnatural, and, three it’s unnatural but hey even immorality allows Gold Sky to stay alive even when he hasn’t eaten anything for sixteen years but there comes a time where the growling of the stomach just cannot be tolerated any longer driving him to engage in the slaughter and consumption of a stag with magnificent antlers. “Never mind.”

“Sugarcu…” Rainbow didn’t need to finish.

“YES, YES, YES!”

Rainbow reached up to ruffle up Gold Sky’s hair. “Pinkie told me how much you love her cupcakes and she loves that very much. Oooooh.” She popped her neck. “Hey I want to be teleported there.”

“Woah!”

Rainbow jumped on Gold Sky’s back. “Hey did Rarity make this cloak for you?”

“Yes.”

“Oh how nice of her. Ok now teleport!” Rainbow declared.

Nothing happened.

“Teleport!” Rainbow declared again.

Again nothing happened.

“Oh! Please.” Rainbow nervously smiled.

Gold Sky giggled lightly at the mare on his back. “Jump.”

*Poof*

“AWESOME! I should teleport with you more often Gold Sky.” Rainbow opened the door for Gold Sky. Upon entering Pinkie Pie of course popped out from out of nowhere taking the Pegasus and Unicorn into a tight hug.

“Rainbow Dashie! Goldie Sky! I’m happy to see you two!”

Gold Sky groaned to the sound of his bones popping. “Pinkie… do you always do this to everypony who comes here!” He doesn’t mind affection whether it be extreme or benign but getting squeezed has its limits.

“She does Gold Sky. Hey Pinkie we want cupcakes on the double and for Gold Sky give him the cupcakes he loves. Got it!”

“Yes ma’am Dashie!” Pinkie dropped the duo onto a table to get the cupcakes.

Gold Sky pointed to his neck and back. “Rainbow can you please pop my neck and back, I think Pinkie did something to me.”

“Sure.” Rainbow grabbed Gold Sky’s neck. “Wait a minute, are you sure you want me to do this to you? I never popped anypony’s neck before?”

“Just do it!” Snapped Gold Sky.

“All right, all right.” Rainbow took a quick breath to give herself some confidence. “What if I break your neck?”

“Rainbow Dash, I got tissue regeneration, I lost limbs and they grew back so a broken neck is nothing now pop it!” Talk about a thankfully not so detailed explanation.

“Ok here we go!” Rainbow placed her hooves on Gold Sky’s head. “In 3, 2, 1, ooooooooh man!”
*Snap!* Rainbow freaked out at the loud pop. “Did I break your neck?”

“No but you do a good job Rainbow Dash, thanks.” Gold Sky reached back to pat Rainbow on the shoulder. “So you’re Pinkie’s friend?”

Rainbow took her seat in front of Gold Sky; she explained to him how she met Pinkie Pie long ago while flying above Ponyville and spotted the pink mare carrying sacks of party supplies. Rainbow glided down to ask why Pinkie is carrying so much stuff. So Pinkie explained she’s going to throw a party for a mare who works in an apple farm and the party is going to put an extra definition to the definition of grandeur. Rainbow Dash of course laughed to Pinkie’s ideal plan and complemented to the pink mare and asked Pinkie if she can make a party for her. Pinkie nodded and asked Rainbow Dash to come to the party in Sweet Apple acres. “From that point Pinkie and I became the best of friends and if there is anypony who put a smile on anypony’s face it’s Pinkie Pie.”

“Wow, Pinkie sounds like the bringer of happiness. She sort of reminds me how an angel can comfort through wisdom while she can comfort with happiness. Anyway where is she with those cupcakes. I am already dying to eat them!”

Pinkie came down with the tray of cupcakes. Literally she came down from above in slow motion definitely defying the laws of physics therefore Pinkie Pie may have mysterious powers…perhaps she has the ability of manipulation or creation of quantum particles which can be behind her acts that defy the laws of physics. Question is…are Pinkie’s mysterious powers exclusive to her alone? Well not even Twilight Sparkle can figure that out.

“Open wide!” Pinkie shoved two cupcakes into Gold Sky’s mouth.

“Hmmmm!” Gold Sky took his time to enjoy the cupcakes. “I love these cupcakes.”

“Then marry them Gold Sky!” Pinkie blurted out.

“What!?” Gold Sky nearly choked making him pound his chest just in case he’s really choking on the cupcakes.

“Just kidding Gold Sky. Hehehahahahehahaeheha!” Pinkie hopped away and disappeared.

Rainbow shrugged her shoulders. “Typical. Anyway time for me to dig in and for you eat up before giving you, your first flying lessons!”

Both ponies ate up. Meanwhile, Mrs. Cake got a smile on her face at seeing Gold Sky, she whispered to Mr. Cake to be ready to have Pinkie make more cupcakes to serve as future payment if Gold Sky babysits their dear children.

Rainbow looked up from her meal to monitor Gold Sky eating habits, he is taking his time to chew the cupcakes, he uses a napkin to clean his lips, and then takes another bite. “Gold Sky, you gave me a gold nugget and for Rarity you gave her pink unpolished diamonds. So first things first, where did you get the gold nuggets from?”

“I got them from some crazy dragon named Crackles. He, well I think it’s a he gave me the gold nuggets as payment for scratching his back. But the gold nuggets came out from his back ew! I thought ticks were coming off but they were the gold nuggets anyway the dragon kicked the nuggets tome before leaving to take a bath in a volcano.” At least this is what Gold Sky thinks how he’s got the gold nuggets.

“Dang, did Crackles smell bad by the way?”

“Yeah he did but the lava must have burned the smell away. Ha.” Gold Sky stopped eating so he can laugh.

“And the pink diamonds where you get those?”

Gold Sky’s ears dropped. The story behind the diamonds is dire. Dire for the reason they’re blood diamonds but not the definition anypony will think of. The voices of the innocents which tortured him with nightmares echoed faintly in his auditory senses. “They’re blood diamonds Rainbow Dash.”

“Blood diamonds? Ooooh! You have diamonds that were mined by slave labor.”

Gold Sky almost broke down but he couldn’t be such a coward. “No. These are blood diamonds yes, but not the blood diamonds you’ll think they are. The pink diamonds were given to me as payment as for the name they are basically the blood of the most innocent of beings.”

The chewed up food in Rainbow’s mouth fell out onto the plate. “T-the diamonds are made of innocent b-b-blood?”

“Yes. The zebra chieftain collected some of the innocent blood combined it with his magic to create nine pink diamonds. He did it to mock me and to serve as a reminder for what I did. Each diamond weighs five pounds and their value is almost immeasurable.”

“You mean the diamonds are worth a lot?”

“You can say that Rainbow Dash. They are worth so much that the wealth of one can provide everything you need or want for six lifetimes. That’s only one and I got well six now. While Rarity has three.”

Rainbow lost her will to speak. “Rarity is the richest mare in all of Equestria. That lucky mare! Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky mare! Can I have one please! Please, please, please!”

“You still want one even after what I told you what they’re made of?” Gold Sky suppressed a cry. “You know don’t talk but if you really desire one then I will give you one but after the flying lessons.”

Realizing how thoughtless she has been to beg for a blood diamond Rainbow reached out to touch Gold Sky’s hoof, in a rare look into her own actions Rainbow saw she has superficially harmed Gold Sky. “I’m sorry to ask for one and I think you should only give me one but after I do some work for you. Is it a deal?”

The stallion pounded Rainbow’s hoof in agreement. To which Rainbow felt this is the start of something good. “Gold Sky, I think this is the start of a wonderful friendship between us.”

“Thank you Rainbow Dash, I never thought I’ll have a friend like you.” Gold Sky blinked his eyes rapidly to prevent any tears from falling. “I haven’t had a friend for many years.”

“Oh don’t get all soft and sappy on me please because it’ll rub off on me and I got a tough, dare devil reputation to maintain! Also a Wonderbolt only sheds tears when getting first place. Wait when was the last time you had a friend?”

Gold Sky swallowed a cupcake whole to think rather than to chew it. “Let me see twenty, forty seven, fifty three, seventy nine, one hundred thirteen, one hundred thirty seven, yeah I think that’s about it. It was one hundred and thirty seven years I had my last friend. Ruby was her name also she was a griffon, she joined me during my journey to seek adventure and soon we grew very close. That’s all I can say.”

“What happened to her Gold Sky?”

“A purple dragon took her away. We tried our best to evade it but the dragon overtook us, I-I…I…remember the way she looked at me as the dragon slowly breathed in. She smiled at me…in her way, in that smile she thanked me for giving her the adventure she wanted and for being her dearest friend. Ruby was calm in the face of death and after her last words the fire came down on her, turning my first friend into a pile of ash.” He patted Rainbow’s hoof a few times to suppress her from asking questions. “I screamed so loud the dragon had to cover her ears. My friend, my first friend Ruby died before my very eyes and I couldn’t do anything to save her but what I did do is avenge her death by killing the dragon.” His eyes lost their loving touch and got replaced by a stonewall emotion that gives Rainbow the means to an end expression an act that he had to do out of his inability to save Ruby. “And her freshly hatched dragon offspring.” Gold Sky whispered that part in his mind.

“Oh…I’m glad you have a friend in me Gold Sky. Hey can I watch you fly?”

Gold Sky rapidly shook his head like crazy. “No! Anypony will see what I am and that can’t happen!”

Rainbow waved a hoof to quell Gold Sky’s anxiety. “Hey don’t worry about that, we’ll go to a place where it’s completely isolated from other ponies trust me Sky, you can fly with peace in mind.”

Gold Sky wants to believe Rainbow Dash, after all her words sound true and sincere however it will be up to his telepathy to make sure of that. His telepathy went inside Rainbow’s mind to check out this isolated place where he can be free to remove his cloak; he sees Rainbow is absolutely correct along with some pride to criticize or praise his flight skills. “You promise not to tell anypony about my true form?”

“Yeah, you do know I can’t say what you are and describe what you are so your secret is safe with me.”

“The clock says twelve thirty and Redheart told me she’ll be ready to see me at two o clock. So I got plenty of time to spend with Rainbow Dash.” Gold Sky placed a tip on the table for Pinkie Pie.

“Hop on my back Rainbow Dash we’re going to this isolated place.”

“Sweet! Wait, you don’t even know where this place is!” Rainbow pointed out.

“I read your mind Rainbow Dash; of course I had to do so out of precaution but don’t worry I didn't go into your memories of any sort, I just checked if this isolated location is truly isolated.”

Rainbow patted his neck. “Next time how about you believe me and don’t use your mind magic…”

“It’s called telepathy Rainbow Dash.” Gold Sky corrected.

“Whatever, just be careful the next time you use your mind err telepathy on me or show me more of your memories! I want to see how Ruby looked like. Now please teleport!”

“Jump.”

*Poof*

Mrs. Cake frowned to witness Gold Sky leave the Sugarcube Corner. “Why did the dearie have to leave?”
Mr. Cake chuckled. “Now you’re referring him as dearie now.”
“Well our precious gingersnaps like him just as much they love Pinkie Pie plus he’s very humble. It’s not often we find stallions who have such extraordinary skill with children besides he has that look in his eyes you always have when you are with the kids.” Mrs. Cake explained.
Mr. Cake agreed with his wife. “I guess you know a father when you see one.”

Rainbow Dash and Gold Sky appeared in the field where Rainbow comes to train. “Ok Gold Sky let me help you out of your nice silk cloak.” Rainbow slow and by slowly she went slower than Tank’s pace to remove the cloak from top to bottom. “Man Gold Sky you’re very…uh, handsome. Yes, you’re very handsome.” Rainbow couldn’t say hot or that will create the most awkward of awkward situations. “Now fly you!”

“Thank you, hold on. Why are your wings pointing up?” The Alicorn flapped his wings a few times to get his blood flowing.

“My wings pointed up? What are you talking about my wings pointing up, you crazy dude!” Rainbow took a peek at her wings. “Oh.” Her wings are stiff. “Uhhh I am just getting the blood flowing with a nice stretch.”

Gold Sky jumped up into the air and flew around Rainbow’s field of view. He did smooth turns around clouds, spun slowly around, did a slow barrel roll, and other passive flying maneuvers. Rainbow from the ground observed the easiness Gold Sky is exhibiting. “Hey go fast!”

“AUGH!” Gold Sky exerted himself to fly as fast as he can.

Rainbow smirked to seeing Gold Sky fly faster. “Spin! YEAH AWESOME!” She evaluated his flight skill, telling herself the stallion has high potential and it’s pretty nice to watch him fly. “He’s taller than the rest of the other pegasi so that makes it all the more incredible to see him fly across the sky, hmmm I could have him do some help in Cloudsdale but he won’t agree to it because he won’t expose his nice wings. But I can’t help but admire him…he looks so dreamy. Hehe, that my little Rainbow Dash part of me speaking. But he’s not my type, too old for me.”

Gold Sky looked down to see Rainbow wave at him to land next to her. “So what do you think? Was I that bad or good in your point of view?”

Rainbow ruffled Gold Sky’s hair again. Part of her interaction with other ponies involves friendly prideful words and physical contact that is part affectionate and part professional. Also though she is not one with her feminine psyche she can still tell Gold Sky likes affection so why not please him with friendly affection. “You’re not that bad. More or less above novice, I will say. You remind me of the pink Pegasus with blonde hair and bangs when I first met her in Wonderbolt camp. Still I will teach you to be a better flyer if you want. I want to see you fly as good as me Gold Sky and if you say no I will go up to your mommy and tell her that I wish to train you and I bet she’ll make you come under my wing!” Rainbow has quite the silver tongue.

“You will ask my mother to have me taken under your wing so you can train me whether I like it or not?” Won’t hurt to ask again just to make sure.

“Yeah. That’s how I roll Gold Sky. I see greatness in you, and I and only I can have you tap into it.” Rainbow extended her wing. “So what you say, want to come under it?”

Gold Sky sighed, Rainbow Dash is his friend and she will treat him with admirable kindness plus roughness. Besides it’s what Ruby will want him to do. “Yes, I’ll come under your wing and become your student Rainbow Dash. Thank you for seeing something in me that I don’t see.”

Rainbow covered Gold Sky with her wing. “You are such a weird dude Sky but I like you and I think Rarity likes you too seeing how she gave you one of her own cloaks. You should come to Cloudsdale one day; you’ll love it a lot. Anywho, thanks Gold Sky this is going to be epic! Training an Alicorn.”

In the feast Celestia suddenly paused whatever she was doing, the diplomats didn’t notice this but Cadance did as for Luna she’s besting a griffon in a game of Go.

“Tia what’s wrong?” Cadance telepathically asked.

Celestia turned to Cadance with a smile. “My son has made a friend!”
Hard to see Celestia forgot about Octavia being Gold Sky’s first friend but hey it’s understandable. A mother’s joy is something beautiful.

*
“Well you be training me here in this isolated area, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow wrapped her wing tighter around Gold Sky as her way in saying yes.

Gold Sky nodded at Rainbow Dash for her answer while unbeknownst to him he’s blushing.
“Oh look at you blush Gold Sky. Let me see if I can make you blush into a brighter hue of red.” Again Rainbow isn’t one to use her feminine traits though it’s nice to get some funny results starting with a nice nuzzle to the cheek. Consequently Gold Sky blushed the brightest hue of red.
“Gold Sky, you‘re turning the most delightful shade of red, it is most becoming.” Rainbow doted.

“You are so mean but yet so awesome. Ahem.” Gold Sky looked away get his face back to its normal color. “Can we start my training the day after tomorrow?”

Rainbow titled her head in question. “Why not start today or tomorrow Sky?”

“Because today at two I am going to see Redheart and tomorrow Octavia has a surprise for me and I can’t wait to see her!”

“Ah you have a date with Octavia, how nice.”

“A date!?” Gold Sky’s voice broke to a high squeal. “It’s n-n-not a date! I-I-I don’t have a date with her, she’s my friend!”

“You sure about that?” Rainbow teased.

“I’m sure of that Rainbow Dash!”

“Ok if you say so.”

Gold Sky looked up at the sky to see what time it is, Princess Celestia has taught him to use the sun to tell time and so far it’s going to be two o’ clock. “Rainbow I need to go, thanks for being my friend and taking me under your wing.”

Rainbow nudged Gold Sky. “You’re welcome Sky now go have fun.”

Gold Sky thought of the hospital in Canterlot. “Jump.”

Rainbow flapped her wings once the flash of the teleportation dissolved into nothing. “Well, I think I’ll visit Rarity for a cup of tea. I gotta admit it only to myself; she and I never felt so close.”
The Element of Loyalty shot out her powerful wings and in a vivid show of her benevolent charity to the earth, Rainbow flew to the Carousel Boutique while staining the sky with her trademark rainbow slipstream.

***
In the Canterlot hospital.

*Click* The safety cover on a syringe clicked into place after Nurse Redheart injected some lidocaine into a pony before she sends her patient into post-op. “Well that’s my last operation of the day, now I can spend the day with my boy as he promised me.” Nurse Redheart went inside another room so her fellow nurses can undress her of the surgical gown. “Thank you, now remember to observe the patient for any abnormal signs and report to me in morning everything you see, got it?”

“Yes ma’am!” Replied one of the nurses. “Say ma’am…why do you stay a nurse when you can be a doctor? I mean you have the most knowledge.”

The white mare took off her nurse’s cap. “I am a nurse and I shall always be a nurse. Besides, doctors don’t spend a lot of time with their patients something of which I enjoy very much. Now if you two will excuse me I am going to spend time with my boy.” Redheart pointed at the kardex holding the patient’s paperwork. “Remember to document everything and bye.”

Sitting outside Redheart’s office Gold Sky sniffs the air to find Redheart’s scent but even his powerful nose can’t pick up Redheart’s scent instead he picked up mother’s scent who is in the palace. “Oh mother your scent is motherly.”

Redheart undid her hair allowing it to be loose and free; oh how finishing an operation gives her a feeling to just enjoy her long life even more. After all though she ages slowly her immune system is powerful like the true immortals rendering her more or less an immortal in her point of view despite being constantly reminded by her mind she is still aging. “Where is my boy?” Redheart increases the speed of her gait to find Gold Sky. “Ah!” The heart of the white mare is engulfed in loving warmth to see the stallion she loves as her own son. “Gold Sky, my boy!” She called out.

Gold Sky’s ears perked to that loving voice. “Redheart!” Gold Sky leaped off the chair and happily rubbed his head against Redheart’s head before taking her into a lovely embrace. *Sniff sniff* “You smell funny?”

“I do?” Redheart asked.

“Yeah you smell too clean Redheart anyway are you completely done today?”

“Yes I’m done for the day my boy. Now how about we leave the hospital and take a walk through Canterlot like old times.” Redheart quickly went into her office to get her hairbrush.

“That’s sounds nice Redheart and let me help you brush your hair but not right now.” Gold Sky’s magic took the hairbrush out of Redheart’s mouth.

“Uhhh sure if you want, well do you want to go to the park?” Redheart pointed her hoof to the path which leads to the park in Canterlot. Both of them happily trotted to the park while other ponies see the legendary nurse trot pass them of course they also see the cloaked stallion next to the mare. One stallion who wears a monocle focuses his eyes primarily on the white cloak.
“I say my dear that cloak on that stallion must be from Rarity wouldn’t you say?” Fancypants asked his wife.
“A stallion with expensive tastes I see, how nice.” Fleur-Di-Lis complemented.

Redheart and Gold Sky arrived at the park where green grass pleases the eyes; hearty oak trees provide shade along with perches for pegasi, and a lake for anyone to take a dip. So both of them sat under one of the hearty oak trees. Gold Sky on the other hand or hoof happily squealed to levitating the hairbrush. “Redheart your hair is so nice, now it makes me wonder how I’ll look with pink hair. Hehehe.” Gold Sky chuckled to himself and ever so gently brushes the pink hair.

“Oh thank you my boy it means a lot to hear that coming from you also I’m amazed how you’re brushing my hair. Let me guess my boy, your mother brushes your hair right?” Redheart asked.

“Yes mother brushes my hair, she did so this morning and I picked up the trait. But still be honest, will I look weird if my hair was pink?”

Redheart turned around to study Gold Sky’s hair; her imagination turned the dark brown hair into a nice pink. “You’ll look very cute Gold Sky along with having a younger appearance even though you are always going to stay young. Why do you ask? You want to change your hair color now?”

Gold Sky chuckled again and gave Redheart’s hair one last stroke. “No I just wanted your honest opinion.”

Redheart flicked her hair. “Anywho Gold Sky, how are things now that you’ve been back? Oh can we walk around the park as we talk? I want to stretch my legs.”

“Sure of course.” Gold Sky helped Redheart up. “Things have been fine. Mother is still very loving along with talking to me about love and the birds and the bees, to which I don’t know why it’s called the birds and the bees in the first place. Huh? Why are you giggling Redheart?”

Redheart apologized. “Sorry my boy I didn’t mean to giggle but please continue.”

“Well I’m sure this will please you. Ahem, I made some friends.”

Redheart instantly smiled to hearing this. “That’s wonderful my boy! I’m very proud of you. Can you tell me their names?”

“Their names are Octavia and Rainbow Dash. Octavia I met on the day I returned home and Rainbow Dash I also met on the day I returned but with Rainbow Dash we truly became friends today.” Gold Sky almost forgot. “And Rarity too. She gave me this nice cloak.”

Redheart nudged Gold Sky on the side. “I know Rainbow Dash, she can be rough around the edges but she’s still kind. Rarity is very generous and has the biggest heart in the entire world so I wouldn’t be surprised if she provides a lot to you. As for Octavia I really don’t know her. Will you kindly enlighten me with details.”

Gold Sky obliged. For minutes he talked about Octavia in a voice that has the warmth Celestia described earlier, from Octavia’s talent with the cello or double bass, her magnificent voice, beautiful eyes, and more importantly the development of the friendship between them. Redheart obviously felt Gold Sky is nursing a crush for the mare but at the same time she came to the conclusion that despite his age Celestia had to have the birds and the bees talk with him meaning, Gold Sky may or not may see the impact of the feelings he has for Octavia.
“My boy you seem to have a high opinion of Octavia do you like her?”

Gold Sky nodded. “She’s my friend Redheart so of course I’ll like her plus she has a surprise for me tomorrow…and I can’t wait!”

Just like Celestia, Redheart marvels at Gold Sky’s innocent view of love. Is he just plain blind to his emotions or is he still growing mentally?? “Oh Gold Sky I can’t tell if you have a crush on Octavia or you truly see her as a friend.”

Gold Sky stopped in his tracks, first mother and now Redheart talking to him with words he doesn’t even know what they mean. “What is a crush? Don’t tell me you want me to crush Octavia!?”

“Uhhh…” Redheart too stopped in her tracks. “My boy a crush is a feeling that one has when they can’t decide to love or like somepony?” Redheart couldn’t help but stroke Gold Sky’s face.

Gold Sky went extremely warm like he’s seeing something extremely awkward occurring before his eyes. “I’m in love with Octavia…? I-I am not in love with Octavia, I know I feel a warm feeling whenever I’m around her but I know I’m not in love with her.”

“Oh my boy I’m sorry for assuming such a thing. Heh, I’m a nurse and the first thing nurses are now taught in nursing school is to never assume and I did just that with you. Okay, changing subject you want to go for an ice cream? My sweet tooth is coming on.”

Gold Sky didn’t say anything.

“My boy?” Redheart is feeling uneasy with Gold Sky’s sudden silence. “Is there something wrong my boy?” Adding to her uneasiness is seeing Gold Sky staring at something. “What are you staring at my boy?” Redheart traced down Gold Sky’s field of view to two ponies. “Hmm he’s looking at that father and daughter.”

Love.
Gold Sky is love but he does not know how to apply that concept to falling in love with a mare but he knows with all his heart how to apply it paternally. In the core of his mind he can hear the young griffon chick call out to him and he’ll instantly be by her side sheltering her in his arms reassuring the young griffon everything is going to be fine. “I made her promise and I broke it. I made a promise to Redheart and I will keep it.”

Gold Sky focused back on Redheart. “I told you last night I will tell everything about the scar over my neck and I will. Please sit down with me under this tree.”

Both ponies sat down under the oldest oak tree. Gold Sky breathed deeply, he will be talking too much about his scar but somehow to get over it, he needs to talk about it and who’s better to listen to him than Redheart who cares about him along with having wisdom to provide. “Redheart I know you see me and love me as a son. Mother told me about your daughter and it fills me with pain to think about your loss…I know how that feels. Still it hurts me to think about a parent outliving their child.” Gold Sky wrapped his arms around Redheart.

“Thank you Gold Sky.” Redheart also wrapped her arms around the stallion. “You are a good son Gold Sky. Just putting it out there.”

Now the story behind the scar over his neck will come forth. “Redheart I’ll start.” The stallion let go of Redheart and sat down next to her. *Deep breath* “I…Have you heard of somepony committing an act so grave they will try to take the easy way out so they can no longer hear screams, feel warm innocent blood on their hooves, and the pain lifeless young eyes can give.”

Redheart gasped. “M-m-my bo-boy??”

Gold Sky continued on. “The easy way out is only for mortals as for me it just served as a reminder that I cannot escape nor can I redo. I cannot escape what I have committed and this scar displays my upmost failure. You know one is the ultimate failure when they can’t even take their own life when I easily took the lives of one thousand four hundred and twelve innocents. So for the easy way out I slit my throat only to see it heal but that’s only for the first time. Second time I got my throat slit, I’m fighting alongside soldiers of the Griffon Republic just days after I regained my sanity. One of the enemy fascist griffons attacked me from behind and slit my throat but that proved no use.”

“Wha-what gave you the opportunity to re-regain your sanity?” Redheart figured why Gold Sky asked her if she’ll still see him as her boy. He tried to commit suicide an act that many times is thought of and just as those many times it is never committed but for Gold Sky he just didn’t thought of it he committed the act however, it didn’t kill him. How unfortunate.

“Oliver.”

“Oliver??” Redheart repeated.

“I came upon a village that just came under attack by a group of fascist rebel griffons. The rebels engaged in the systemic slaughter of males, females, an-and…children. It happened so quickly. My sanity returned when a dying father begged me to save his children but by the time I found his children the fascist rebels threw them into a massive fire.” Gold Sky reached back to cover his head with the hood of his cloak. “I did however save one child, a young son named Oliver. Before being confronted by the fascist rebels he begged his mother and father to please come back, the young son begged his mother and father to come back but they’re dead as dead comes. So being the last of his village the fascists gathered around Oliver ready to kill him…” *Long sigh* “I killed the fascists to save Oliver then I became the Razor to kill the rest. I comforted the young griffon and reassured him I’ll protect him. He became attached to me and I had to use my telepathy to erase every memory of his parents.”

“Why did you do that to him Gold Sky?”

“So he can move on with life. Why should a young child like Oliver live with the memory of seeing his mother and father slaughtered before his young innocent eyes, anyway both of us arrived at the Capital of the Griffon Republic and I made sure he got adopted by a loving mother and father. Oliver hugged me and departed with his new mother and father. I of course joined the Republic forces to help destroy the Fascist Rebels. And that’s how I got my throat slit again.” Suddenly Gold Sky sniffled. “Redheart do you still see me as your boy now that you know how much a coward I am?”

“Ooooh Gold Sky you are not a coward.” Redheart in a motherly approach embraced Gold Sky and stroked his head. “You are always going to be my boy, I loved you then and I love you now.”

Relief washed over Gold Sky. His mother loves him and Redheart loves him too so all is with the world.
“Redheart you love me very much and you are always going to call me your boy but I won’t mind at all if you also call me the word you know you want to call me.”

Redheart’s eyes widened. “Really! You mean that Gold Sky!?”

“Of course I do. So let me help you, I love you Redheart.”

Redheart tightened her motherly embrace. “I love you too…my son.”

***
In the Carousel Boutique.
Rainbow Dash thanked Rarity for pouring her a freshly brewed cup of tea imported from the Griffon Republic. “Thanks Rares.” *ting* “Say do you still have those diamonds Gold Sky gave you?”

Rarity sat down and gave Rainbow a delicious pastry. “Why yes darling I still have them but why do you ask? Ah you want to look at them don’t you.”

“Eeeh yes and no. Rarity I think those diamonds are worth more than what you’re think they’re worth. Hmmm.” Rainbow took a sip of her tea.

“What makes you say that Rainbow?” Rarity asked.

“Well Gold Sky told me those diamonds have the wealth to last you six life times!”

Rarity dropped her nice forty seven year old porcelain tea cup shattering it on to the floor. “Oh my!”

Rainbow laughed to Rarity’s reaction but then felt bad for seeing the priceless tea cup in pieces on the floor. “Well you’re now the richest mare in Equestria. Anyway guess what.”

Rarity shook her head to come back around. “What?”

Rainbow perked her head up high with her causal pride. “I have Gold Sky under my wing. I am going to teach him to be a better flyer of course don’t get me wrong, he’s above novice level along with having extreme potential in flight. Still, I want him to be good though he can do so by himself but he'll take too long.”

“He’s such a curious case for a stallion isn’t he?”

Rainbow hoof pounded Rarity’s hoof. “You can say that but what’s very funny about him is his complete utter denial of being in love with Octavia.”

Now Rainbow has trekked into Rarity’s fancy. “How can think that Rainbow? I mean yes when he was here I noticed how happy he was to be called friend by Octavia but to think he’s in love I don’t know?”

“What do you mean you don’t know? Rarity you are the best in seeing the meanings of everypony’s emotions. Oh I guess you haven’t had the chance to know him like I have. Well Octavia looks like a good mare for him.” Rainbow placed her hoof under her chin to think of the words she’s spoken. She’s amazed to see herself having these thoughts.

Rarity got up and placed her forearm on Rainbow’s shoulders. “Rainbow Dash don’t tell me you plan to become a matchmaker for Gold Sky because that will soo CUTE of you!” Rarity nuzzled Rainbow on the cheek. “Is there anything you’re not capable of?”

Rainbow smiled ear to ear. “Well I’m awesome! Being awesome means I can do anything!”

My dearest Readers I thank you for your upmost kind patience and I appreciate it very much. If you have any feedback or wish to express your opinions, then comment below and again I thank you for your patience.

Redheart gives Love, Octavia with Father, and Princess Cadance studies.

Octavia and the Alicorn's peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 10

Disclaimer- My dearest readers thank you for your patience. My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust,

“Gold Sky thank you for letting love you as my son, my only immortal son.” Redheart whispers quietly into his ear. “Thank you, my dearest son.”

The Alicorn feels a nuzzle to his left cheek, making him feel so happy to this loving affection and tightens his hug around Redheart because even though he may be over two hundred years old it is not common for a stallion to desires reassurances a mother can provide. He did grow up without Celestia’s motherly nurture. “Redheart, you’re very welcome. I’m pleased to see how happy you are. Really I am happy to a reason for you to love me with your motherly love.”

Redheart nuzzled him again to receive these heart spoken words. “Gold Sky, I know it may be too soon to be asking this but can we do some mother and son activities together?”

Gold Sky lets go of the white mare and covered her with his wing but not after making him and Redheart invisible to everybody else by using his telepathy. “What do you have in mind Redheart?”

Redheart eagerly clapped her hooves a few times for she for one is going to experience the happiness she sees many times in the pictures showing mothers and their sons sharing joy. She already has in mind many things both can do, many opportunities to hug Gold Sky, many chances to kiss him on the cheek, many times to nuzzle him, and many possibilities to tell him how much she loves him. And what she wants the most is to hear him tell her he loves her very much.

“Uh there’s a carnival not far from here so right there can be something we can have fun there.” Redheart upon getting up grabs Gold Sky’s right forearm. “C’mon my boy!” She tugs at it. “C’mon Gold Sky!”

“Don’t worry Redheart, I’m coming.” Gold Sky gets up and joins Redheart.

“EEEEEEEIIEE!” Redheart squeals in delight and bumps the stallion with her shoulder.

Watching from the sky even though she should be somewhere right now but after using shape shifting on Shining Armor even if he didn’t want any of it but went along just to see her smile, Cadance is flying high above watching Gold Sky and Redheart head into the carnival while back in the palace is Cadance but she’s…or more specifically he is blushing with embarrassment. “Just why did I let Cadance shape shift me into her! Can’t believe I’m a mare now! This better last for a short while.”
Cadance with her telepathy camouflages herself from the stallion just so she can study his interaction with Redheart and at the same time gain a better understanding of him. “Hmmm, I never knew Redheart loved him as a son. Nor will I expect for Gold Sky to just let her love him as a son but I can reason he loves her very much and will want her to be happy so by letting her call him son then she can experience her maternal happiness again.” Such precise points created by the Princess of Love.

“Here we are my boy err I mean my son!” Redheart points at the carnival. “C’mon Gold Sky.”

“Oh this is going to be so fun!” Gold Sky’s inner child resurged to hear cheers of joy coming from all around and smelling the sweetness of freshly made kettle corn and who can forget cotton candy.

Redheart shows Gold Sky to a booth where a baseball must topple little milk bottles. “Do you think you can do this without magic?”

Gold Sky nods since he rarely uses his magic. “I’ll be winning you that big teddy bear! Uah!” He threw the ball with a strong force to topple the three bottles. “All right!”

“Here you go and congratulation.” The carny boringly cheered as he gave Gold Sky a small teddy bear.

Gold Sky of course handed the teddy bear to Redheart. “Gold Sky did you notice he said congratulation and not congratulations like he should have?”

“It’s kind of funny actually, I don’t think he like his job much an oh my! What is that!” Gold Sky points at something that resembles a booth.

Redheart follows the direction Gold Sky’s hoof is pointing while contemplating if she should take him on the roller coaster or maybe have a fast pencil portrait of the both of them she sees the booth and instantly smiles. “Oh my dear son that is a photo booth and we’re going in there right now!!” She pushes him in there. “Hold on let me put a bit.”
After placing the shiny bit in slot the duo create many poses and obviously laugh for joy.

From a high cloud Cadance zooms in her vision to see every one of the photos. “Oh how cute the first one has Redheart giving Gold Sky a big kiss on the cheek, the second one has Gold Sky giving her a big kiss on the cheek too, third one has funny faces, forth looks like a family portrait of a mother and son, and the last one is just Redheart with her arms wrapped around Gold Sky like he is the most precious object in existence.” She can’t help but smile at how Gold Sky is making this mare very happy. “He is so kind to spend time with Redheart, I can really see he loves her very much and…” Cadance suddenly snorted her breath out of her nostrils. “Another pony whom he loves and is attached to while he fears me and I bet he knows her scent. Uh oh!” She sees him suddenly pause as he gets out of the booth and cautiously sniffing the air.
“I think he smelled me!” Cadance hides behind more clouds.

Redheart notices what Gold Sky is doing. “Is there something wrong my son?”

“I think I smell something.” He continues sniffing while scanning the sky above and his heart rate slowly increases to the thought of the pony he thinks he smells is here and near. *Sniff sniff sniff* “Hmmm, never mind it must have been me. Hey can I see the photos please?”

“Phew.” Cadance wipes off a drop of sweat.

“Here you go.” Redheart stands by Gold Sky as he studies each one. “Aww don’t we look so adorable and loving together! Hey were you blushing when I gave you a big kiss? Oh wait that’s the sunlight.” Redheart placed a hoof on Gold Sky’s cheek. “Oooh it’s a good thing we’re given two strips.”

Meanwhile in Gold Sky’s mind. “Truly me and her do look like a mother and son plus she kisses me the same way mother kisses me, I’m glad she’s happy and I’m glad I’m happy too. It has been a long time since I felt happy.”

“Sure is a good thing Redheart.”Gold Sky took his strip of the photo and placed it in a side pocket of his cloak so he can show it to mother when he goes back to the palace.

Redheart’s eyes catch something. “Gold Sky, let’s get on the ferries wheel.” She suggests.

Gold Sky giggles and races Redheart to the ferries wheel, he has never been on a ferries wheel before and in his time spent in the Griffon Republic he has seen many of them but never took the initiative to ride one before until now maybe when he’ll be riding it with Redheart. “Ha beat you to the ferries wheel!”

“Hey no fair you gave me no heads up and I’m not much into physical activity. I am a nurse remember.” Redheart stopped to pant. “Ok, ok, ok I caught my breath whew, caught my breath. Let’s get on my boy.”
The ferries wheel operator smiled to himself upon seeing the interaction shared between these two, nothing like a stallion spending time with his mommy or as he commonly thinks…a momma’s boy.

Redheart rests her head on the stallion’s cloaked shoulder taking in this dear moment like a mother will usually do just then through her instinct she feels a tremble coming from the stallion. “Gold Sky is it just me or are you trembling?”

“I-I’m trembling. Truth be told Redheart this is the first time I ride a ferries wheel and I feel like this thing is going to just come apart.” Gold Sky grips the front handle bars. “Wh-wh-why is this thing wobbling!”

Redheart places an arm over his shoulders to calm his anxiety and just in case if Gold Sky is really scared nuzzles him on the head. “Never fear my son it’s only the wind making the ferries wheel wobble besides it’s made out of metal so it has to be sturdy.”

To hear the bit about the wind making the ferries wobble made Gold Sky stick out his tongue so he can feel if there’s wind around him, if so he will make the wind die down in order to lessen his nervousness. “You’re right there’s wind. Now there will be no more wind. Táte.” Gold Sky says the last word in a tongue Redheart cannot understand.

“Wha…” Redheart stops herself upon the wind cease to journey around her. “D-d-did that last word you just said made wind stop?”

“Yes. It isn’t magic though it’s something that I inexplicably have and never realized it until by some kind of passed down instinct I just ushered the word with a thought and saw the wind obey me. I can use the wind as method to attack anybody, to defend myself, to change the occurring environment to one of stillness, and of course I can make the wind tell me the stories of the Chero. But let’s drop this and get back to this ride graciously coming to an end!” Indeed the ride finally came to an end allowing Gold Sky to immediately jump off.
“Oh yes solid ground, I am safe on sound solid ground.”
Redheart doing as requested forgets about her boy being able to command the wind at will. Much rather she gently laughs to hear Gold Sky’s funny words of relief. “Oh my boy you can sometimes act so unwillingly funny.”

The white mare gives the stallion a comforting motherly hug and asks him if he will like to share a funnel cake with her to which the stallion happily nods.

***
In Ponyville Octavia trots with much faster pace to arrive to her dear destination where father her dearest, loving father lives. It has been a rather long time since the last time she visited her father even though it has been a mere three days but she loves her father very much and the thought of being away from him and without contact is unthinkable. “I’m here!” *knock knock* Octavia with patience knocks eagerly waiting for the door to open.

“Octavia my sweetheart, I’m glad you’re here.” Allegro Note hugs his dearest daughter while at the same time beats her to the loving gesture.

“Father you took the words out of my mouth.” One will think that with the great Love Octavia possesses for him she call him the affectionate term offspring will call their fathers. Daddy. But Octavia will not call him daddy, she only calls him father because it’s father who raised her and never forsaken her nor failed her in any probable way. Octavia respects Allegro Note so to her prospective daddy is very disrespectful to such a noble stallion. “Will you like for me to make you some tea?”

Allegro Note shakes his head and instead points at the dinner table filled with food. “I made you some of your favorite Paninis especially the one with cheddar cheese and spinach.” He pulls back a chair for his daughter and lovingly kisses her on the head. “Please eat hearty sweetheart.”
“Thank you father.” Octavia moved up to kiss him on the cheek. “As always you cook me a masterpiece.”

Allegro Note sits across from his daughter watching her enjoy the masterpiece.

*Two plates, five cups of soda, and two slices of cake later*
“Octavia.” The father is says upon seeing his daughter wipe her mouth with a napkin. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been well father, but I still ask myself why didn’t you come to my last performance? I always buy you a front row ticket for every performance and seeing your spot empty I almost messed up.”

“But you didn’t sweetheart. I know you are incapable of messing up because you practiced so much that basically you can play with your eyes closed of course I felt ashamed for not being there but I knew you will perform flawlessly after all the Princesses themselves were there.” Father knows everything.

Octavia nodded. “Yes, yes they were there as if I didn’t have enough pressure on my shoulders that night but I simply thought of you…” She paused, because father isn’t the only pony she thought of before blessing everyone there with her talent on the cello. “An-and somepony else.” Octavia says the last part with a fast nervous pace.

Allegro Note's head tilts to the last bit. He knows every one of Octavia’s mannerisms like when she’s nervous, sad, too happy, and angry so like right now by seeing Octavia having her head in a downward angle with a tense smile tells him Octavia has something to tell but is hesitant to reveal it. “Sweetheart will you kindly tell me about this somepony else.”

*Long sigh* One thing is certain though Octavia trusts her father in everything and never has she kept anything from him. “He’s a stallion father and his name is Gold Sky.”

“Gold Sky. Hmm from that name I can guess he’s a Pegasus.” Unknowingly he’s half right.

However, Octavia shook her head. “He’s a Unicorn father and I met him when I was practicing on the hills outside Ponyville, he stopped to listen to my music making me feel so happy to see somepony get taken away in their happiness in my practice rather than my perfection. He’s kind of bashful something of which I figured when he stuttered.” Her father injects.

“A speech impediment does not always equate bashfulness sweetheart, maybe he never had speech therapy to correct his impediment nevertheless, I can’t discredit your intuition so please continue.” Says the father.

“Well if you put it that way I guess I can’t say he’s completely bashful but he did blush a few times.”

“Hmmm.” Allegro Note agrees with a raise of both eye brows and small of wave of his left arm. “I can credit your intuition I guess.”

Octavia smiled by emitting a giggle. “I invited him for lunch only to find out he really loves Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes and back to the bashful part I smiled at him only to see him blush like a cutie pie. Heh! Can’t believe I said that, hehehe! Any who, he’s a nice a stallion father and a good friend.” The gray mare ends by smiling to the thought of Gold Sky.

Allegro Note just has to ask an obvious question every father will ask. “Do you like him?”

“Yes I like him father, he’s my good friend. Also you won’t believe me when I say this but I’ll tell you anyway, while me and him were having lunch in the Sugarcube Corner, Pumpkin Cake, the Cake’s daughter began to cry and they couldn’t do anything to sooth her I mean both of them tried in vain to sooth her. Until with so much love in his eyes Gold Sky ask if he can take the filly to which after getting permission he took her in his arms like a natural annnnnnd with a voice rich with love starting to sing to her soothing the little filly to point she fell asleep in his arms. I couldn’t believe it! I mean really this stallion did what the mother and father couldn’t do. Oops.” Octavia accidently tipped over an empty cup. “Getting back, uhh oh! So guess what the Cakes asked him father!”

The father thinks a quick bit. “Hmmm, before I answer I will like to say he is one heck of a stallion! Really one of a kind, I bet some mares will find that very extraordinary therefore making him a big catch for any mare and probably some mothers might not like him or maybe see him as a big catch too. Ha!”Allegro Note laughs at his opinions he expressed for Gold Sky. “Did the Cakes ask him how he was able to easily sooth their daughter?”

“No father, they asked him if he can babysit their children because they had an important event to attend. Gold Sky at first flat out rejected the plea on the basis that it’s mostly mares who foul sit children but the Cakes using their…stuff convinced him…they used cupcakes as one way but what really sank the nail in is him turning to me and asking the Cakes if I can stay with him so I can help him.”

Allegro Note's right eyebrow arched up. “He asked you, somepony with absolutely no experience in child care to help him foul sit two fouls.”

Octavia shrugged in agreement for even she knows her limitations in things considered necessity or trivial. “If you put it that way father then you make me realize that I will be a terrible foul sitter. Buuuuuuut getting back to topic the only reason he asked me to help him because he felt that if a mare is around then it will make everything look more normal. Do you get what I mean by that father?”

“Yes I understand sweetheart, this must have been something that Gold Sky did not expect…” In the tone Octavia speaks about Gold Sky like her admiration in his skill with children and him stopping to listen he can in this case assume something. “Sweetheart perhaps I may be going a step too far in saying this but I take you like him.”

Octavia thinks her father is being too modest. “Oh father he’s my good friend of course I will like him.”

Allegro Note will go a step further. “You misunderstood Octavia, I meant is do you really li ok well not that, ahem have you fallen in Love with him?” He just has to know given the fact Gold Sky sounds like a stallion he’ll allow to be close to his daughter after he meets him first.

Octavia blushed to brightest hue of red while her body heat follows suit by going up. “I-I-I-I-I th-think you just went a step too fa-far Gold Sky is a nice stallion and yes I like him a lot! But, but to fall in Love with him, he’s too bashful to know what Love even is! He freaked out more than I did when we woke up in the same bed…”

“WHAT!!” Allegro Note interrupts.

Octavia saw she has gone into more detail earlier. “Father it isn’t what you think…”

Allegro Note jumped to his feet. “It isn’t what I think!?” He interrupts again. “You said both of you woke up in the same bed! *GASP!!* Don’t tell me you engaged in premarital oof.” A quick gray hoof to the mouth stopped him from finishing.

“Father I did not engage in that! I repeat I did not engage in that!! And I’m sorry for skipping important details.” She slowly removed her hoof from his mouth. “My performance moved Princess Luna that she herself invited me to the palace to have tea with her.”

Allegro Note’s eyes widened! “You’re kidding right?”

“No father I am not kidding. Princess Luna invited me to the palace, now here’s the part that I should have said much earlier. When night came around she showed me to a guest room so I can sleep, it was too dark in the room for me to see Gold Sky was already sound asleep and he slept there because he knows Princess Celestia so she showed him to the guest room too. Now when morning came we both freaked to see each other in the same bed, of course he freaked more than me”

“Oh…now it makes so much sense now.” Allegro Note apologized for his assumption. “So both of you know a Princess. He knows Princess Celestia and you know Princess Luna, wow, that is amazing, you always surprise me in many ways Octavia and I’m very happy your talent pleased her very much.” *Ting* “Hold on, how does Gold Sky know Princess Celestia?”

Octavia felt a tingle of guilt run down her spine when remembering how she unintentionally made fun of Gold Sky for saying mommy. “He said his parents knew Princess Celestia especially his mother but instead of mother he said mommy.”

“Oooooh how cute! He must be a mama’s boy.”

Octavia waved her arms like her father said something really out of line. “About that father…at first I laughed at him for saying mommy he on the other hoof didn’t react at all to my laughing then I asked him how his parents are doing to be told his parents died when he was very young.”

“Oh my.” He feels some guilt. “I take you felt very guilty.”

“Yes I did.” Octavia looked down at the table showing her shame. “He forgave me and did get offended at all. *sigh* Father, Gold Sky is a good stallion and he’s my friend…”Interrupted.

“He’s a good catch err I mean he’s a perfect stallion.” Oh this father implying what some fathers will apply when they see somepony pony good for their daughters.

Octavia made a serious light hearted face. “You sound like you’re secretly telling me to marry him.”

“Maybe or maybe not, but what I do know is your heart will tell you when you found the perfect stallion” Allegro Note came to his daughter and took her into his arms. “Of course Octavia I already know what you’re going to say.”

“I already got one stallion in my life father and it’s you.” Octavia loves her father with all her heart, spirit, and soul. “I wish I can show you my love for you father. I love you father.”

*Quiet sigh* “Sweetheart soon it will be time for you to find a new stallion in your life.” Allegro Note tells himself. “I raised you Octavia into a fine mare and I trust you in every decision you make.”

“Thank you father.” Octavia rests her head on father’s shoulder. “Then I know tomorrow you can meet Gold Sky when I show him his surprise.”

Father and Daughter, can anything else be so beautiful.

***

In the Palace.
Princess Celestia notices someone important is missing. “Hmmmm where is Shining Armor? I saw him a few minutes ago.”
She spots Cadance sitting on a chair next to a griffon body guard sharing a bottle of apple cider. “Ahh there’s Cadance.” Celli makes her way to the cerise mare. “Cadance have you seen Shining Armor?”
Cadance pushed the bottle to the griffon bodyguard. “I am Shining Armor.”

“Hahaha.” Princess Celestia laughed. “That’s a good one Cadance, I needed a good laugh.”

Cadance’s ears dropped while on her face is a lukewarm expression that has more of the cold than warm. “Celli I am Shining Armor! Really it’s me!”

Celli laughed again. “Cadance you’re really in a joking mood today.”

Cadance rolled her eyes. “Celli shift your vision to true nature.”

“All right.” Celestia shifted her vision to see the true nature of things and as Cadance or in this true case Shining Armor wants her to see, Celestia sees Shining Armor. “Shining Armor why in the world are you shape shifted like Cadance! Wait a minute are you completely a mare or is this just a cosmetic type of shape shifting?”

Given the fact of the current situation and Shining Armor’s thought that he doesn’t have testosterone anymore he sort doesn’t want to answer Celli’s question. “I had to pick up my tail so I can pee…” Okay that’s more in Shining Armor’s frequency of expressing his sheer embarrassment.

“Oh dear I never knew Cadance mastered that sort of magic and how does that make you feel?”

“I missed.” From lukewarm to completely cold.

Celli now sees the depth of this. “Now can you tell me why Cadance did this?”

“She said something about spying on a pony named Gold Sky and to study whatever she can get from him because he’s highly connected to love so she has to study him with weather eyes. Uhh, that is more or less what she said I think.” Shining Armor suddenly shivers. “The longer I stay a mare the more my curiosity to try on Cadance’s dress grows on me and then maybe I might go to Rarity and have her make me a nice pink with some shades of light yellow on the sleeves…*gasp!*” He clamps his mouth shut. “Oh my this isn’t good! Now I’m starting to think like a mare!” Now Shining Armor really wants to be turned back into a stallion. *Sigh* “But for the sake of my dear Cadance I will do this.”

Celestia happily reached out to rub Shining Armor’s cerise chin. “You are a good husband and a strong stallion.”

Unfortunately. “You’re trying to be funny in the last part are you?”

“No I’m being serious Shining Armor.” Celli says to pacify Shiny’s discontentment.

“Oh ok.” Shining Armor or Cadance in this temporary instance shrugs in acceptance to Celli’s words.

Celli however is quite puzzled for Cadance’s not so common intentions along with the sudden emergence of this type of curiosity for Gold Sky. “Cadance is taking a huge risk by doing this given the fact he deeply fears her and if he discovers her spying on him then that will continue giving him motivation for staying afraid of her even though they both have something pure in common. Hmm, of course he can smell her too I hope Cadance has a plan to conceal her scent from him.”

The mother resumes her diplomatic duty and reluctantly pushes her son to the back of her mind.

***

“Oh look at him enjoy his funnel cake.” Redheart whispers to herself. “He eats it likes it’s the first time he’s ever tried it.”

It is by the way.

Redheart who only took two bites of her funnel cake before completely stop to imagine Gold Sky not as a stallion but as a young colt sitting in front of her eating his funnel cake. “Oh look at my little boy having a lot of fun with me in this theme park I have the opportunity to be with him, gaze upon him, walk by him, and tell him how much I love him.” The white mare rests her head on her hooves to provide her neck with some support to allow her to continue watching Gold Sky. “Perhaps I should ask him if he’ll like to join me for dinner so I can cook him up a nice meal. Oh!” Redheart notices something out of place on Gold Sky’s face.
“Gold Sky, my boy please stay still.”

“Huh?” Gold Sky got still only to feel Redheart’s napkin covered hoof clean off some powdered sugar that implanted itself on the edges of his lips. “Oh, thanks.”

Redheart swayed the napkin off her hoof and began stroking Gold Sky’s cheek while giving him a motherly smile. “Of course my son.”

Nearby mares accompanied by their husbands, mothers with their children, fathers with their children, and children, all see Redheart’s affection as they pass by the table. What all of them have in common is one thought that is in unison the same and going through their heads. “Aww look at that mare spend time with her son, how sweet of her son to bring her to the carnival.” Though the thought shared in all these witnesses are not worded exactly it is still unison in conclusion.

Gold Sky hears the running thoughts and smiles at the white mare. “Well I love Redheart very much and I’m glad she’s happy.” He can’t help but remind himself how important Redheart is to him.
“Redheart.” Gold Sky mummers while pushing away the plate of the half eaten funnel cake.

“Yes my son?” Redheart answers.

“Are you going to finish your half of the funnel cake?”

“Oh.” Redheart realized she forgot about her funnel cake. “Yes, yes, I’ll finish it up.” *Nom nom*

Once the funnel cake has been consumed by the white mare she asked the stallion if he wants to go on the roller coaster again but the stallion declined given that they just finished eating so the white mare asks if he’ll like to leave the carnival to which he agreed to. Once out of the carnival the mare asks if she can give him a checkup for medical reasons. The stallion said yes.
“Come in my son. Say you never been to my house have you?”

Gold Sky awaits for the door to close first before he answers. “No I’ve never been to your house Redheart and I must say it’s quite exquisite also I can do this.” He removes his silk cloak. “Where do you want me to sit so you can give me my checkup?”
Redheart got hold of her stethoscope. “I would prefer if you will lie down instead I-I want to examine your abdominal area.”

“The scar.” The reminder of his endless attempts to atone for taking the lives of one thousand four hundred and twelve innocent of the most innocent lives plus three freshly hatched baby dragons. Nonetheless, he wants to confess the innocent blood he shed and he wants to tell somepony but he can’t…he’s a monster and monsters cannot be loved. “Redheart.” Gold Sky just stops Redheart from starting the checkup.

“Yes my son.” Redheart again gazes upon Gold Sky with her motherly eyes.

“These words that I’m going to say I want to you to tell me what you connect them and please think thoroughly before you tell me. Ahem, the most innocent of innocent beings.”

“Hmmmm?” Redheart places a hoof under her chin to think thoroughly about the words and connect the words to a correct definition. “Children! You’re referring to children right?”

One thousand four hundred and twelve lives taken by him to prevent a blade from slitting Ruby’s neck only to see her get turned to ash by a purple dragon and after he killed the purple dragon he got called mother by the three dragon hatchlings so out of vengeance and mercy the necks of the baby dragons got broken by his magic. Gold Sky fell to his knees screaming for all the innocent he spilt, he screamed and he screamed, he does not deserve to live especially if there’s the Razor to make him shed innocent blood again. He took hold a sharp tooth from the crushed head of the purple dragon and stabbed himself in the belly to end his life, to atone the innocent lives he ended by the sword. His spilled intestines slithered back into his belly, he stabbed himself just asking anyone, anyone to let him die to pay with his sparkling blood the lives of the innocents. But his tissue regeneration prevented him from seeing the white light so he aimed for his heart, however, every time he launched the dragon’s tooth forward some kind of an invisible force will deflect the dragon’s tooth. He couldn’t take it anymore…he failed to end his own life, he spilt innocent blood, and couldn’t save Ruby, he just went completely insane. Reality became nothing while he became immaterial walking a world with a mind that is empty and undone.

“Yes, you said what I thought you’ll say.” Gold Sky rests his head on a pillow. “Now you can start with the checkup Redheart.”

“All right.” Redheart with softly touches Gold Sky abdominal area while gently sinking her hooves in the four quadrants to feel for any abnormalities she does of course feels the scar and stops the checkup to just pass her hoof over it.

Gold Sky meanwhile tries hard not to laugh because Redheart is unintentionally through her rubbing of his scar is tickling him.

“My son, I know you don’t ever want to talk about but I need to know why you tried to take your own life? Please my son what can drive you to not only think about suicide but to commit the deed?” She moves her eyes from the abdominal area to the neck looking at the scar over the trachea.

Gold Sky will not tell Redheart about the innocent blood however, he will tell about its side effects given to him by the spilt innocent blood. “I became desensitized, I can take lives without any form of hesitation and I will not feel anything in the end. I fought in a war in the Griffon Republic…I may be the first of all ponies in the history of Equestria to fight in a war and get eight hundred forty seven kills. I killed eight hundred forty seven fascist griffons in the battlefield with a sane mind Redheart, you see when I became insane after seeing that I couldn’t end my own life I regained it when I witnessed the slaughter of innocent children and their parents and there in that instant I swore that at least I will protect the innocent children of the Griffon Republic along with their parents. So I put on the bronze armor of the Griffon Republic and fought knowing that I am the Ultimate…Killer though you will much rather call me the Ultimate Soldier because you cannot even think of me being a killer. But I am more than a killer, more than a soldier, I am desensitized. I wish I wasn’t.” Gold Sky reaches out to Redheart to which she places a hoof on his head. “But I am what I am now. A killer with a heart so full of Love.”

“No.” Redheart shakes her head. “I don’t believe you my son, y-you a-are not a killer you are a sweet pony whom I delivered into this world and handed you to Sylva. You are my son, Gold Sky and I know you’re incapable of killing much less fight in a war.”

Gold Sky slowing blinked to having to resort to telepathy and to let her hear a ballad the soldiers of the Griffon Republic created and sometimes used as a battle cry. “You must and you will believe Redheart. I am completely desensitized and can take a life like it’s a simple no not simple a mundane decision nor will I feel anything afterwards.” He sits up with his left wing up so he can cover Redheart with it. “In the end it doesn’t matter.”

“What?” Redheart nearly gasps in disbelief.

“For what purpose will I feel guilt when I can’t feel anything telling me to not take the life. For what purpose will I even care? Purpose gives me no reason so why should it matter? For purpose is empty to me. It’s means nothing just like hope, when desensitized, not many things seem matter at all.”

“Nihilist in the surface but truly believing in love’s purpose in the inside of his heart.” Redheart concedes in her mind.

“Let me show you one of the battles I flew into and came out covered in fascist blood.” Gold Sky’s horn touches Redheart’s forehead to ensure complete connection to her mind.

“Approaching fascist forces get ready to engage.” Commands General Sherman of the Republic forces.

“Sir.” Calls a nearby marine of the 501st Marine Corp. “How many troops are in the Vanguard?”

Sherman looks down at the enemy’s ground. “One.”

“O-ONE!!” The marine screams in shock.

“Yes one. That pony with the wings and horn is one hell of a killing machine. Whoa!” An arrow zooms past the general. “The moment has come, dive, dive, dive!!!” The Republic forces bank down to engage the enemy.

A bronze sword slices open a fascist, a hoof flattens a head, bolts of magic disintegrate flesh, body parts litter the ground not only giving a sight for the Republic forces to see but to nourish the soil with blood. “Is this the best you fascists can give me!” Gold Sky holding a fascist above rips him apart to get showered with the enemy’s blood. After dispatching of the body the Alicorn carries on slaughtering fascist after fascist with unending merciless brutality.

“Incredible…” Sherman breathes out. “He took out an entire company of Elite fascist troops.” *Gasp* “Gold Sky wait!!” Sherman stops the Alicorn from killing the last fascist. “He probably has valuable information.”

“Humph!” Gold Sky throws the fascist in front of Sherman.
The general orders the captured fascist to speak and in exchange his life will be spared but the fascist being the slave of pride and to the will of the hunger for power, he spits on Sherman’s face. “Like hell I’ll tell you anything you republic filth! You will all be dead soon when the glory of the fascists comes upon you like the wrath of eternal damnation!”

Before Sherman can usher a word the Alicorn already has the fascist in his grasp. “Then your life shall be mine for the taking pathetic fascist!”

*
“Gold Sky please no more!” Redheart begs in horror. “You killed every one of those fascists in such unorthodox brutality!”

“I did Redheart and hearing the pain in your voice I will stop with the details to let you hear the ballad the Republic made.” Gold Sky’s telepathy plays the ballad in Redheart’s mind.

“A fist of fury, a deadly weapon, rapier of havoc, raised up in anger, born to do battle without compassion, more than a soldier, more than a killer, and in his trail is mayhem, destruction always followed. By stricken enemies of the soldier of no sorrow he shall have his numbers of the hearts that stopped beating and in his glory he shall be seen as the ultimate killer! For in his numbers is his protection, the killer is legendary, for the blood he spilt shall reach his knees!”

Redheart got out from Gold Sky’s wing to take in the fact her son is desensitized and is a very efficient killer.

“I thought so.” Gold Sky tells himself. “She sees a part of me so now she is afraid of me and will completely reject me.” He only expects this given the fact he knows no one can love a monster.

Redheart deeply thinks, she is completely horrified and afraid… “NO! Why am I allowing myself to let fear touch me! He is my son whom I love with all my heart and yes he may be a killer but he had to kill since he is the ultimate soldier who fought in a war. He had to do what he had to do and did so in war so what he did is reasonably justified. He is my son, I will never fear him. I love him, his love rains upon me for I can see it in his eyes. I WILL NOT BE AFRAID OF MY OWN SON!! MY SON!!” *sigh* Redheart turns back around, runs back to her son, and takes him into her arms. “I love you my son and nothing shall ever detract me from it.”

“I’ve been proven wrong…Redheart has a purpose to love me. Thank you, for loving me as your son.”

Redheart thanks the Great Spirit for giving her motherly love.

In the palace Cadance returns her husband back to his true self. “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you my love!” Shining Armor kisses his wife and then becomes invisible in case Cadance has any more not so pleasing ideas.

“Ugh I don’t like it when he does that he’s extremely to find even with telepathy.” Cadance groans while at the same time finds it a normal reaction given the fact she turned her husband into a mare.

After saying goodbye to the last diplomatic guest Celestia goes up to Cadance eyeballing the cerise mare with true nature vision. “Wonderful you are the true, true Cadance and not Shining Armor with ovaries.” Celestia chuckles for a few seconds. “So how did your little reconnaissance mission on my son go?”

Cadance flicked her hair. “Well Tia your son is a very loving stallion that’s for sure.”

“Yes Cadance you figured that out already so why will you bother bringing it back up if it is of no utter relevance.”

Well Cadance sees Tia’s response as the tipping force that will spill the beans from the jar. “He allows Nurse Redheart to call him son.” Now the cerise mare waits to see how’ll the white mare will react to this along with assuming Tia will be succumbing to downcast feeling.

“That’s is so sweet of him.” Instead The Princess of the Sun is very pleased of how kind her son to become a son to a mare who already lost one child. “Tell me more Cadance.”

“They went to the carnival together and had a lot of fun together. Like a mother and son, also what is most surprising is Gold Sky’s ability to control the wind at will but only after ushering a word in a tongue I cannot understand.” Cadance’s magic floats cup of fruit punch to her lips.

“Hmmmmm.” Tia ponders. “I will have to ask him to demonstrate his ability to control the wind and maybe I will encourage him to spend more time with Redheart. Oooooh, I can’t wait to hear every word he has about the time spent with Redheart.”

Some distance from Celestia and Cadance is Luna wondering more about Gold Sky and unlike her sister, she does not find it very proper of Gold Sky to allow Redheart to call him son. In her mind Gold Sky is Celestia’s son and her son alone therefore to allow Redheart to see the stallion as her son is slap to Celli’s face. “I’ll do something about Gold Sky and Redheart until then I’ll have the cooks prepare some food, I think he should be coming back any minute now.” In the deepest part of her mind she wants to ruffle Gold Sky’s hair while stoking his cheek like a loving aunt will do.

***

In the Carousel Boutique.

“Say Rarity.” Rainbow Dash asks. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Why sure Rainbow Dash what is it you want to ask me.” Rarity is ready.

“Earlier today before I took Gold Sky under my wing I checked him out…” Pause to await Rarity’s response.

“Hehehehe!” Rarity giggles like a filly being told a funny secret in the schoolyard. “Did he notice you looking at his muscles?”

Rainbow Dash blushed. “No he didn’t notice me checking him nor did he hear me call him hot.”

“You called him hot!?” Rarity squeals. “Oh darling you have to tell me more!” Indeed Rarity loves to hear these sort of things.

“Well…I…I think I may have a tiny, itsey witsey crush on him. I think!”

“Oh my!” Rarity’s azure eyes widen while the pupils dilate to adorable grade wideness. “Is that bashful stallion appealed to you! I mean you Rainbow Dash! A tough as nails mare who always lives life on the edge and never shys away from a chance to display her awesomeness may have a little crush on a bashful stallion.”

Rainbow quickly comes to Gold Sky’s defense. “Rarity I give you props in your points but what I can’t give you props is you calling him bashful. He isn’t bashful one bit around me.”

“I’ll take back the bashful part however, you said Octavia is the perfect mare for him so how can you have a crush on him if you think he is love with her?” Rarity hates to rain on Rainbow’s happiness but it has to be done for the good of things.

“I know that Rares, that is why I said I may have a small crush on him but I need your smart words in this topic.” Oh here it comes. *sigh* “Here is the question, Rares, do you think I should do something with him so I can figure out if my crush is really a crush or I’m feeling this because I’m amazed by his physique not wait let me add to that question should continue having him under my wing knowing that I can unintentionally start developing feelings for him?”

Rarity sits next to the cyan Pegasus and with loving care places a hoof on the pegasus’s shoulder as to say the words that will becoming are heartfelt. “Rainbow Dash, you see something special in Gold Sky something really special and I think you have never seen anything like that before. He is a sweetheart yes and I you must decide what you I mean you! Must do.”

“What do you mean Rarity?” Rainbow is truly confused by Rarity’s cryptic response.

“What I mean Rainbow Dash is to do what you think is best. I’m afraid I can’t help you but I can encourage you to look into yourself while you have Gold Sky under your wing. Perhaps you see him as a reflection of your younger self even though he’s much older than you or maybe it’s the first time ever you have an Alicorn under your wing or maybe he’s charming without him knowing he’s charming or you just like him for who he is, that right there is my most probable deduction for you think and I stress think because I could be wrong when I say think, that you have a little itsey crush on. Hmmmm.” With her left hoof under her chin and eyes looking for the duration of a formatting thought Rarity searches for the right words. “I have an idea Rainbow Dash. The next time you’re spending time with him study him, study his voice, his form of interaction with you, his methods of affection because from what discovered on him.” Rarity holds her head high like she discovered something really important about the stallion. “He is very affectionate.”

Rainbow tilts her head. “How did you discover that?”

Rarity flicks her hair the way that will cause beating hearts to appear in Spike’s eyes. “I’m Rarity darling that should say it all.”

“Can’t argue with that.” Rainbow confesses.

*Knock knock*

“OOOOH!” Rarity squeals in unmeasured delight. “He’s here!”

“Gold Sky??” Rainbow instantly due to the stallion still being ripe in her mind.

Rarity leaps off from the chair and heads for the door. “No darling it’s Spikey-Wikey!”

“Oh.” *Ting* “Are you two going on a date or something?” Not sure how Rainbow came up with that question.

Rarity stops herself from opening the door. “Yes, we’re going on a date Rainbow uh I think Spike said Twilight gave him a green light to make up for a shape-shifting prank…Rainbow, will you like to join me and Spike? We will be happy to have you join us.”

Rainbow flapped her wings to be asked to join in this loving bonding event. “Really! You want me to join you guys!?”

“Yes Rainbow so you can have some fun and so you can have something else to think about.” Rarity opens the door allowing the purple dragon to come in. “Spike!”

The white mare and the purple dragon lovingly rub heads before embracing one another.
“Oh this is so sweet.” Rainbow tells herself.
When the embrace came to an end Rarity asks Spike if it’s okay with him if Rainbow Dash can join them to the movies and dinner. Spike who enjoys sharing, said yes, and asked Rainbow to join them. So the trio went out of the Carousel Boutique to enjoy their come time and for Rarity & Spike to bond more enhancing their relationship to higher levels.

“Hey what movie are we going to watch?” Rainbow asks.

“We’re going to watch Crimson Danger, Rainbow Dash.” Spike replies.

Rainbow giggled in anticipating delight. “Hey that movie sounds awesome like me.”

“It’s a love story Rainbow Dash.” Rarity hates the fact she rained on Rainbow’s party.

“What?” The cyan Pegasus’s ears drop. “You mean that movie with such an awesome name is a romance?”

More or less. “Yes.” Rarity & Spike answer at the same time.

“Well…uh.” Rainbow pretty much went speechless. “I can lose my daredevil license for this but what the heck! There’s nothing wrong with experiencing something new so let’s go!”

Spike, Rarity and Rainbow Dash will be having a grand time together because all of them will be bonding.

My dearest readers just as always I thank you for your infinite patience and I thank you for reading for every chapter. Thank you my dearest readers.

Luna's own Love and a dream of revealed Truth

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 11

Disclaimer- My little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

The time for evening is coming ever so wonderfully between Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, there is a soft glance Celli gives Luna whenever this time approaches and in the place where Celli gave it to Luna is the place where both are.
“Celli, dear sister, can you see I’m busy trying each one of this dishes so I can make sure they’ll just at the right taste for my dear nephew.” Luna levitates a spoon to her mouth to try this dish. “No, this is pathetic, undignified, unacceptable, unworthy of my tongue, and absolutely terrible! Throw out this plate!” Luna points to the trashcan.

Celli tilts her head in discontent. “Luna! That’s very rude of you to talk like that to the chef!”

Luna however, waves a hoof in the air. “Don’t worry he’s deaf.” She levitates another spoon to her mouth. “Hmmmmm! Yes, yes, yes! This is perfect for the appetizer!” Luna nods at that chef and gives him a big sack of shiny bits.

Celli still has her tilted. “You think you can get away with this sister?”

The Princess of Moon turns to the Princess of the Sun and instead of saying a word, the Princess of the Moon just smirks. Oh this smirk says it all, from slyness to innocence, Luna tells Celli she will get away with it and nopony will be able to hold her accountable for these certain actions.

“Oh Luna, just what can you do next?” Celli exclaims after letting out a quiet sigh.

After throwing a plate she didn’t approve to the floor, splattering the food all over Luna clears her throat. “Asking Gold Sky why in the world will he let Redheart call him son when he’s your son and no one else’s son but just your son alone.” She throws another disastrous plate at the wall.

Celli knowing she shouldn’t be wasting any time because it’s evening but will reprimand herself later for this. “Luna you have no reason to involve yourself in that nor any reason to even bring it up to Gold Sky, he loves her very much and given his long absence along with finding out Redheart lost a child. He wants to make her happy so by letting her call him son she will feel happy through her maternal instinct.”

“But it’s a slap to your face Celli!” Luna pushes away a plate. “He’s your son…if this goes on, then he might start seeing Redheart as his mother instead of you!” Luna thinks she has a point here.

“I got a few seconds to spare if I teleport instead of fly.” Celestia tells herself. “Luna.” She takes a step forward to deliver this point of her own once & for all. “I will allow my son to let Redheart call him son for as long as he wants and there is nothing you can do about Luna. Unless you want to do something and risk a shaky beginning in your relationship with him.”

Luna with a quick thought of this, shoves a spoon in her mouth, throws a bag of shiny bits to the chef, and drops her ears. “Why do you always end up being right?” The Princess of the Moon will just have to get used to the prospect of hearing Redheart call dear little nephew son. “So around what time should he be getting back?”

Celestia happily takes a sample of the dessert that consists of chocolate cake. “He’ll be back whenever he gets back Luna.” With that said along with a few seconds to spare, Celestia teleports outside to lower the sun while Luna doing it the easy way raises the moon from inside the palace.

“Hehehehe.” Giggles the blue Alicorn. “The easy way is the best way in most cases.”

***
In Ponyville.
Rarity, Spike, and Rainbow Dash come out of the theater all with happy ear to ear smiles on their lips. Rainbow has to admit to her friends the movie wasn’t sappy at all. It had plenty elements of action, romance of course, a hydra, and something about an instrumentality project. Well that film’s maker is known to create abstract films.
“Dang you guys, that was one cool movie. Hey Spike, please pass the popcorn.” Rainbow chows down on the popcorn.

Rarity silently giggles to Rainbow’s over the top eating habits and while seeing Rainbow completely engaged with the popcorn. She nudges Spike with her shoulder to get his attention and smile at him. “Oh Spikey-Wikey, thank you, for taking me out to the movies and I don’t like the fact the day is coming to a not so nice end but you’re welcome to come to the boutique whenever you want for a cup of tea.”

Spike beams a smile to the white mare and nudges her back with his shoulder happily knowing this is the first step for more and more happiness.

“Yum! I love it when the popcorn has extra, extra butter.” Rainbow being Rainbow finished all the popcorn not that Spike didn’t mind given he bought two bags for which the first one he happily shared with fair lady Rarity and the second he kept just in case Rainbow Dash asked for some later on. “Of course, thanks you guys for inviting me and I’m sorry.”

“What!??” Rarity and Spike say at the same time.
“Darling for whatever can you be sorry for??” Rarity asks with a questionable tilt to her head.

Rainbow plops down while she rubs her left arm. “Look, this was supposed to be a date just for the two of you and even if both of you are all smiles right now you know I ruined it. It was selfish of me to ask to join you two but given what’s going on in my mind I asked so I can get my mind off of that.”
Only Rarity knows what Rainbow means by that.

“I’m sorry you two. Please forgive me.” In the end Rainbow lowers her head.

But Rarity and Spike will not have any of this nor will they let Rainbow Dash toy with such thoughts that can have an unfavorable effect on her. “Oh Rainbow Dash.” Both wrap their arms around the Pegasus. “We didn’t mind at all that you joined us and I say we deeply enjoyed having you with us!” Said Spike. “Besides both Rarity and I can see the three of us having fun together more often. Right Rarity.”

“Yes!” Rarity says the word in the most cheerful voice ever. “Me and Spike can see you joining us more often in future pleasant occasions. So please get that notion that you’re ruining everything out of your head.”

“Ooooh you guys are so sappy, I love it.” Rainbow wraps her wings around the duo. “You two are the best friends anypony can have.” Indeed it is. “Thanks you two. Thanks.”

Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Spike smile for this is the testament of what true, true friends are.

***
In the Library.

“Oh yes this feels just right.” Twilight makes herself comfortable on her cushion in order to flawlessly dive into the book set before her. “Let’s see how Elizabeth Bennit will respond to Mr. Collin’s proposal.” Twilight speaks her thoughts in an uneasy voice. “Mr. Darcy why are you so dreamy…” Twilight swoons to the picture she mentally created to imagine Mr. Darcy. “I hope Elizabeth won’t say yes to Mr. Collins.” Twilight reads to find out if her worst fear has come to pass. “YES!!!”

Spike comes in happily skipping like he’s back from the comic book shop with a new issue of Power Girl the best super heroine on earth.

The lavender Unicorn looks up happy about what she read and happy to see Spike well happy from his date with Rarity even though she didn't want to call it a date but who is she kidding. It’s like Jane wanting to be wooed by Mr. Bingley. “Spike how did it go on your da-daaaaa-date with Rarity?” Even saying the word date can twist Twilight’s tongue.

Spike hopped on a cushion expelling many little floating hearts as to foretell the words he’ll be speaking. “Oh it was nice…” Swoons the young dragon. “I got to lay my head on Rarity’s shoulder during the romance scenes of the movie also I had the chance to smell Rarity’s beautiful scent when she laid her head on my shoulder. My fair lady Rarity…I’m so lucky to go on a date with her.” Spike blissfully laughs with ecstasy. “Oh and Rainbow Dash came with us.”

“Phew…” Twilight expressed her relief quite loudly.

Spike obviously noticed it. “What do you mean phew!? Wait a second was it your idea for Rainbow Dash to join me and Rarity on our date! Because it sure smells of you.”

“Uh oh! Uhm, uhm, uhm, Spike sorry if I said that too loud but I had nothing to do with Rainbow Dash joining you and I mean it when I say that! Still I’m sorry for saying phew and for thinking the way I’m thinking right now.”

Spike somewhat believes Twilight’s words especially if he thinks about it Rainbow doesn’t always listen to the egghead. *sigh* “It’s alright Twilight, still since I went on a date before you did I think you owe me a breakfast for one week at the Sugarcube corner.”

Some time ago Spike and Twilight Sparkle made a bet that whichever one of them goes on a date the loser will have to pay for one week of breakfast at the Sugarcube corner. Twilight didn’t think much of the bet and quickly forgot about it within seconds of opening Pride & Prejudice. “You’re lucky to have a date Spike.”

*Squee* Spike beams a smile. “Well with all the reading you do I’m sure you've read a dating book somewhere and I’m sure there’s a stallion out there for you. Hmmmmm??” Thinks the young dragon. “Perhaps you can ask that dude who freaked out when he saw me. He’s a Unicorn like you and Rarity, plus he has nice hair.” Funny for Spike to notice that detail on Gold Sky.

Twilight rolled her eyes in a gentle manner. “Now, now, Spike that will be enough of that, you got breakfast for a week so let’s keep it at that.” She doesn’t want Spike to put ideas in her head when she’s in so deep in Pride & Prejudice. “Plus given the nice cloak he was wearing I’m sure he has the uhhhh…” Twilight searches for a word that may seem more like Spike’s style. “Hots! I’m sure he has the hots for Rarity.” This is Twilight’s attempt at a joke that logically she will think Spike will get but won’t.

With the words Twilight spoke being just processed in Spike’s mind, flumes of black smoke puff out of Spike’s nostrils. “Like heck he will have the hots for Rarity!” His voice tells Twilight he’s angry. “Like heck he will!”

“Uh oh. Spike I was only joking. Please don’t get mad.”

Spike drops his shoulders realizing he overreacted and acted like Twilight before Shining Armor got married. “Don’t freak me out like that Twilight anyway I think I’ll go read my new issue of Power Girl and then cook dinner. I think Power Girl is traveling in a boom tube looking for Huntress in this issue.” Spike fills in Twilight about his favorite superhero.

“Hehe!” Twilight pats Spike on the head. “Go have fun reading Power Girl and I’ll get back to Elizabeth.”

It’s nice to see both of them enjoy themselves in reading what they love.

Love stories and Super Heroes.

***
“My son.” Redheart ever so lovingly strokes the back of Gold Sky’s head. “My love for you will never leave even if you fought a war and took out enemies beyond count. I will always be here for you and if you ever need to talk to me about something then you can come to me or if you wish to talk something you feel uncomfortable talking with your mother then come to me as well.”

Gold Sky just nods until something from a recent event came to mind. “Redheart.”

“Yes my dearest son.” Redheart pulls back to look upon the stallion.

“Earlier today mother told me about the birds and the bees by going into detail about me finding the right mare, falling in love, and weird stuff going about in my body but she did not go into too much detail ehhhh I think.” The way Gold Sky said I think sounded so innocent and so much in the manner a child will say those words when in a shade of uncertainty. “So I wonder if you will just tell me bluntly what are the birds and the bees? I mean yes, what mother told me made sense but I want to hear in layman terms what does it mean??”

Redheart tilts her head and with so much maternal love flowing from the floodgates of her heart causes her to stroke his cheek to see Gold Sky doesn’t know what the birds & the bees are despite his age. “So you want it in layman terms my son?”

“Yes please.”

“Well to be straight forward the birds & the bees is just a more uhm clean term to call…uhm, sex or sexual intercourse.” Well Redheart was as straight forward as she can be.

“Sex? Whats…” Gold Sky stops himself. “Oh.” It clicked. “Oh…” His body heat rose up twenty seven degrees allowing Redheart to clearly feel it. “Mother thinks I’ll have sex with any mare I see??”

“Wow he’s really warm.” The white mare takes note. “Now I wouldn’t think that my son, you see it’s natural for any parent to have the birds & the bees talk with their children.” Feeling a cold tug at her heart Redheart lays her arm over the stallion's shoulders. “Like now. It’s natural for anypony to be curious once they reach puberty which starts occurring when the body starts releasing hormones such as testosterone and estrogen."

“So…this curiosity comes naturally you say.”

Redheart nods.

“So why have I not felt that curiosity?”

Hearing this makes Redheart tilt her head again. “What do you mean you never felt any form curiosity? Heck, when I was a teenager I always felt the jitters whenever I saw Titanium. He was a very handsome stallion from medical school and quite the flirt too, I wished he flirted with me often just so I can gaze upon him and sigh like a loves struck filly.”

“Where is Titanium now?” Gold Sky asks.

“He died around four hundred thirty seven years ago more or less and in his final moments he told me he always wanted to ask me out on a date but never had the courage to do so therefore, dying with regret for never taking the step forward and but before taking his last breath he told me the words he always wanted to tell me.”

“And what are they?”

“That I’m so beautiful.”

Inside the galaxy of his mind but not in the nerves that control his facial muscles Gold Sky trembles with some agony to the simple mentioning of death. Death is something he’s very afraid of that Celetia found him crying one night when he was a colt under the sheets telling her he doesn’t want to die and asked her to protect him from death. Of course, the reason why this happened is through a book he read called Charlotte’s Web and upon reading the spider dying along with the pig being struck with sadness Gold Sky couldn't continue reading this book anymore and to this day has never considered picking it up to finish it. Celestia being the all loving mother comforts her scared son by telling him all he’ll be doing is grow, reach total maturity, and that’s it. He won’t die so he has nothing to fear but fast forward to the point when Gold Sky wished for the kind escape death can provide. He was afraid at first to commit seppuku but it had to be done to pay for the innocent blood he has shed but what he did not know is being an immortal there are laws that he must follow and one of the laws that immortals must follow states no immortal can take their own lives. Hence, why Gold Sky is still alive and couldn’t stab his heart.
As of now, within the blink of an eye he has his arms wrapped around Redheart and tells himself that death is far from him and Redheart. “Well you are beautiful Redheart and please can we not talk about death anymore. Let’s get back to bees eating the birds thing.”

“You mean the birds & bees my son.” Redheart corrected.

Gold Sky blushed in embarrassment. “Yes that. Any who, I never had any curiosity for any mare I’ve seen not even for Rarity and trust me she is the most beautiful, beautiful, beautiful mare I seen in my entire life! I mean wow! She’s so beautiful! But even then I haven’t felt the slightest sense of curiosity. Why?”

Still in Gold Sky’s hug she leans her head to have her hair just under his nose so he can smell her scent allowing a dual satisfaction of a scent he loves and the words she’ll tell him. “Well…” Think, think, think first. “Ahh! Where were for the majority of your journey?”

*Sniff sniff* Gold Sky remembers something precious. “In the Griffon Republic, Redheart that’s where I spent a majority of my time during my journey and before that I was completely insane wondering to and fro the earth.”

Redheart picks her words wisely. “How long were you in the Griffon Republic?”

“Forty seven years.”

Redheart creates a conclusion. “Well there you go my son! You have spent so much time in the Griffon Republic and being a pony you naturally reserved yourself for your own species so given you were around griffons you never got curious and due to that it got imprinted somewhat permanently in you. So now that you’re back among ponies it may take a while but your curiosity should start arising and given you’re still innocent seeing how your mother had to have this talk with you at this age you won’t fall prey to the impulses of your hormones.”

The stallion lets go of the mare and makes himself comfy on the couch. “In case you’re wondering Redheart I haven’t had sexual intercourse but more importantly I am not innocent. Remember I slaughtered many enemies, relished the enchantment of battle, and I did other things that drove me to insanity.”

Nevertheless. “Whatever you say my son it is just your own words and they will not influence what I think of you. You are still innocent in my eyes and shall always be plus I’m very proud of you my son.”

“Wha-what!? Why?”

Redheart gives him a smile. “Without you realizing it, you’re doing the right thing by saving yourself for your future wife.”

Gold Sky heartily chuckles to Redheart’s assessment, he has been to a wedding in the Griffon Republic and he didn’t feel anything but only happiness for his fellow male tying the knot. As for Gold Sky, he doesn’t know if there can be a mare for him out there and automatically Rarity is out of the picture for fact she is sooooo beautiful and out of his league. He does want to marry a mare someday but the hard part is knowing they will be mortal along with mother saying his heart will always belong to that mare alone.

“Thanks.” Just then Gold Sky starts frowning.

Redheart knows why Gold Sky is suddenly sad. “Gold Sky, I know Celestia is your mother…but!” She places a hoof on his shoulder. “You shall always be my son.”

Gold Sky picks up his head and smiles at Redheart telling her he’s happy to hear this then looks at the window seeing its evening and should be going back to the palace.
“Redheart, thank you for allowing me to spend time with you and for loving me very much even after you know I am a desensitized killer. I need to get to go before mother starts getting worried about me. Oh! Do you by any chance know Rainbow Dash?”

“Yes my son, I know Rainbow Dash.”

“Well is she with anyone?”

Redheart with a hoof under her chin thinks for a second. “Well, I don’t think she’s with anyone my son, she’s a free bird like you. Why do you ask?”

Gold Sky dons his cloak and gets some distance from the mare. “Just curious. Jump!”

*Poof*

“Oh you my boy.” With that Redheart starts making plans for her next outing with her son.

***
*Poof*
The stallion reappears back in the palace. *Sniff sniff* Immediately he starts sniffing the air to find mother. “I wonder where she is?” He sniffs the air again, finally picking up her scent and happily trots to find her. Upon reaching the doors of Princess Celestia’s study room he knocks to be courteous first.

“Come in.” Ahh the motherly voice of Princess Celestia just makes Gold Sky all the more eager to see her.

Gold Sky goes in ready to be basked by mother’s loving eyes, however, upon going and taking in a breath to speak he senses they are not alone for there is another mare with mother and this mare caused his lungs to hold in the breath he took in, freeze in his tracks, tremble, and make his heart rate speed up.

Princess Cadance is here with mother reading what looks like a Power Girl comic book.

“What is she doing here!? And how come I didn’t pick up her scent!” Nevertheless, the stallion makes one leg move forward. “I concentrated on mother’s scent and ignored all the other scents so that’s why I didn’t smell her majesty Princess Cadance’s scent. Still I must be respectful to her majesty and mother is here so who should I fear.” Either way, Gold Sky is still afraid.

Cadance though she’s possibly reading the comic book feels the fear inside the stallion. “Why do you fear me when we are possibly related!”

“Mother.” Gold Sky manages to release the breath he had in his lungs. “Your majesty Princess Cadance.” While addressing her too nonetheless.

“My son.” Princess Celestia takes the stallion in a loving hug while jerking her head to the left. “You know I will never mind.”

Gold Sky smells mother’s hair just like he’s always done since he was a colt. It’s funny though that Celestia’s wavy hair can be smelled much less have a scent but Gold Sky with his ultra-keen sense of smell picks up a scent and it is soooo pleasing. “Mother, me and Redheart had a wonderful time together at the carnival plus I got eat a funnel cake for the first time!”

“Well that’s very nice my son, I’m glad you and her got to spend quality time together.” Coos the white mare. “And how was the funnel cake?” Now she has her son sitting by her and under her wing.

“How loving.” Cadance is pretending she’s reading the comic but in reality she never read the first word in the first place along with not knowing how she got it. Rather, she’s here with Tia because she telepathically read Gold Sky’s mind seeing he wants to see mother so that’s why she’s here. To study him some more and figure out Lauren’s words.

Fully engaged in his discussion with mother Gold Sky quickly forgets about Cadance along with his nose only picking up mother’s scent. “It’s tasted like toast covering with a lot of powdered sugar but I liked it!” *ting* “Mother, I want to show you this!” His magic levitates the photo strip. “Redheart and I went into a photo booth.”

Celestia looks at each picture feeling pleased at how her son is giving Redheart much deserved happiness. “My son is what Cadance says he is. He is love. As love he giving Redheart a chance to relive her motherhood while being given love by the stallion she so dearly loves, oh I’m blessed to be the mother of a stallion who all he knows to do is Love and nothing more. Can he be any more perfect.” If Celestia had knowledge about the things he told Redheart then she will delay to call him perrfect but nevertheless, is pleased with him. “Redheart looks so happy. Wouldn’t you say Cadance?” She levitates the photo strip to Cadance.

The cerise mare drops the comic on the floor as her magic takes hold of the photo strip. “How sweet of you Gold Sky.”

Out of a newly formed habit he inches closer to mother when hearing the cerise mare say his name.
“Thank your majesty.” For Cadance he will always call her, her majesty.

Celestia gets the photo strip and gives it back to Gold Sky. “Say my son did Redheart call you her son?”

Cadance’s body temperature drops many degrees. “Please don’t tell Gold Sky you know this because I told you when I spied on him! Please don’t tell him Tia!” She telepathically pleads with the white mare.

As expected Gold Sky tilts his head in amazement for mother knowing this. “How did you know! A mother always knows right?”

Celestia nods. “That is correct my son dearest son.” She starts rubbing his head with hers.

“Phew…” Cadance’s body temperature rises back up to homeostasis levels. “Thank you Tia.”

“You’re welcome Cadance.”

From the dining room. “Celli, is Gold Sky back yet?” Luna asks.

Celestia doesn’t reply back. “Gold Sky please go to the dining room to eat.”

“Are you going to eat with me mother?”

“No my son, I’ve already ate but never fear you won’t be eating alone so go and eat. I’ll come by later on to say good night.” Celestia gives Gold Sky a big kiss on the cheek and nudges him forward.

“And what about me?” Cadance hovers into the air and gracefully lands in front of the stallion.

“With mother here then what should I fear.” Gold Sky gathers the strength he needs to say words at the cerise mare. “Your majesty, it’s been a-a-an hon-honor to be in the same room with you.” Gold Sky takes hold of her right hoof and kisses but upon his lips making contact Cadance feels the same jolt of energy she felt before stream through her body.

Cadance hides a frown from receiving this form of reference from the stallion that’s her family because from the words of the Archangel she will not question them and being related to him can only mean they’re family. “Thank you for your extreme show of respect Gold Sky now run along and have dinner.” She refrains herself from touching him with her wing knowing physical contact is out of the picture. Don’t know for how long.

Gold Sky trots out of Celestia’s study room.

Cadance throws the comic into the book shelf. “Tia, I secretly read your mind and I apologize for doing that without your permission but I wanted to know more about Gold Sky and I had to that before I can ask you this question. Ahem, how come you’re not angry?”

“Angry? Angry about what Cadance?” Tia asks in a rare state of confusion.

First to keep this between them the Princess of Love creates a telepathic barrier to give them complete privacy while knowing Gold Sky can easily breach the barrier but that factor won’t be taken into account given the stallion is obviously afraid of her. “Are you not angry for the fact Gold Sky left you and just returns after two hundred years expecting to smell your scent and receive your affection? While you take him in like nothing happened?”

Tia deeply sighs. Yes, she was heartbroken on that morning when she walked into Gold Sky’s room and found his bed empty. Like any mother will do, she looked for him but never found him while she felt in her heart he is out there alive and more importantly he didn’t even say good bye much less leave a note. He just left. Just left. To make matters more despairing she had to use every ounce of her inner strength to go through each new day with a smile in the light of the sun while at the cover at night she will lay in Gold Sky’s bed crying herself to sleep and sometimes she will beg him to return. This lasted for two decades until finally she lost the will…to hope. To hope for the return of her only son. Even his pillow lost his scent for just like him in his habit to smell her scent she will smell his pillow just to imagine he’s next to her until she opens her eyes and see nothing. This immortal mother had no choice but to let go of him.

Then.
Twilight Sparkle came into the picture providing Celestia with the ease she needs.
“I was never angry Cadance. Not then, not today, not ever.”

“What!?” Cadance with her fair mind expected Tia to be angry. “It’s natural for others to be angry Tia so how come you were never angry?”

Celestia may be a Princess. Second. She is a mother. First. “I am not like others Cadance I mean we are Pure Immortals why should I let myself be taken down by an emotion that only mortals are easily taken over by? I was sad but anger will never bring him back.”

“Then how can you just accept him with open arms when he returned?” Cadance wants to bear full witness to what maternal love is capable of.

Celestia with end this with words of pure truth. “He’s my son, my prodigal son and I am overjoyed he’s back for I know he will never leave me ever again. Two hundred years is nothing compared for what’s ahead for me and him. It’s only two hundred years, a mere blink for us.” She sighs again. “He is my son, for he was once lost but now he’s found.” With that Celestia teleports to her room to take a nice evening bath.

Now bearing full witness to this sheer maternal Love, Cadance sees why Celestia will always be the better mare and why Celestia is sort of the eldest of the Pure Alicorn Trinity. “Gold Sky is blessed to have a mother like you, now I can’t help to think if I should shape shift into Tia just so I can be close to him. Hard part is having Tia’s scent.” Hard part indeed, for shape shifting cannot imitate one’s scent.

Still Cadance will find a way.

She always does.

***

“Wonder who will be joining me?” Gold Sky reaches the dining room doors. “Oh! Maybe it’s Redheart! Redheart! Redheart! Redheart!” The stallion happily chants her name like a child will do in delight for something amazing.

Upon entering the dining he doesn’t see the loving white mare with pink hair instead he sees a dark blue mare with wavy hair and a crown behind the horn.
“PRINCESS LUNA!” Gold Sky screeches in surprise.

“Dearest nephew, just what did we discuss earlier?” The flawless mare points out. “Are thou being forgetful or are thou being disrespectful to his aunt?”

The stallion remembers everything. “Lu-Lu-Lu-Luna, I’m so sorry for being disrespectful! I-I tsshh, ack issshhh not e-e-expecting you!” Gold Sky’s speech impediment gets the best of him.

Luna’s left eyebrow raises. “My dear nephew has a speech impediment.”

Gold Sky ashamed for his flaw scratches the ground with his hoof, such display of a curable flaw before a Princess is pathetic and pathetic it is. “I’m sorry Aunt Luna.”

“Sorry?” With teleportation she appears in front of him. “Why will you be sorry for something you clearly had no control over much less input? There’s no reason to be ashamed if you stutter my dear nephew, so please be yourself around me.” Luna with magic picks up the stallion and places him on the chair next to her. “We are family you and I. And as your fun, fun Aunt, I will do my absolute best to help you with your speech impediment because I don’t want you to go to a speech therapist.” Luna takes her place next to him. “I will not tolerate such a thing.”

“Why?” Gold Sky’s mind can’t process everything coming from the mare’s mouth. “Y-you are acting like mother when I ca-came back!”

“Well of course I’ll act like your mother Gold Sky. She is my sister after all and yes, we share many traits but unlike her I never raised you. Oops.” Luna redirects her course. “I love you very much Gold Sky.”

Gold Sky removes his cloak to be himself.

“There! Isn’t that better my lovey dovey nephew, you are free of hiding who you are!” Luna serenades him with a smile.

“Lovey dovey?” The heck will Luna call him that?

Luna chuckles to herself to hear the way Gold Sky said those words. “Lovey dovey Gold Sky and do you have the slightest hint why?”

“Noooo.”

“Hehehe!” Luna chuckles again with untold delight. “Well let me show you. Muah!” She grabs his head and plants a big kiss on it. “Have another my dearest nephew! Muah, muah, muah!” Truth be told Luna always wanted to this the instant she found out Gold Sky is family and seeing how he is so absorbent of Celestia’s affection then by all means he should be absorbent of her affection.

Of course as Luna expected Gold Sky smiles like a colt in a candy store. Gold Sky, starts giggling and his love starts rising with no end in sight. Cadance feeling this infinite level of Love causes her heart to slow down. “Impossible! I thought love had a limit but now I can feel his Love rising like a tower from the ground and reaching into the deep sectors of space.” She with her telepathy combined with a somewhat surreal material formation of her love touches Gold Sky’s Love. “If this is his basic Love then what can be his most true love? What does he consider most precious? Does he love everyone with this kind of love? Is love what he only knows to do? Where’s hate and like. Perhaps being born naturally gave him mortal traits…therefore; I now know he isn’t a Pure Immortal. Sad.” It could be sad but it isn’t. “I wish Lauren will tell me how we’re related! Why can’t she be straightforward? Ahem, I have Luna helping me though.” *Ting* “Huh?” In a strange trace of Gold Sky’s love, Cadance reads Tia’s mind again. “She intends to have him raise the sun tomorrow. Well it should be a piece of cake given how we Alicorns possess a near limitless magic.” Gold Sky on the other hand or hoof isn’t even near that threshold.

“How about I sniff your hair the same way you sniff my sister’s hair.” Luna buries her nose into the dark brown hair of the stallion and just like a blood hound begins sniffing and slowing moving from point to point on Gold Sky’s head. “Say he smells so rustic, I like it.”

Gold Sky giggles to Luna’s nose moving about his head and feeling the sniffing.

“All righty then, now let’s eat.” She claps her hooves twice to let the maids who have their eyes tightly shut know it’s time to bring in the food she herself picked for Gold Sky. “Gold Sky, you smell so nice if you want to know and I think I smelled Celli’s shampoo. Did you use her shampoo?”

“Yes I used her shampoo Aunt Luna.”

Luna nods her head in acceptance. “Well if you like it then it’s cool. Any who, let me see thy gold covered hooves!” Luna magically picks up Gold Sky’s left forearm. “You look so natural in the royal horseshoes Celli gave you my dear nephew, something I knew she will do given the one’s your wearing are the first ones she’s ever had.”

Gold Sky looks at the golden horseshoe realizing Redheart has said nothing about them and gotten perfectly comfy in them. He still can’t believe mother will give him something so valuable like she’s giving him his inheritance but he needs to accept mother’s forgiveness and taking the golden horseshoes in a start. “So Aunt Luna what are these horseshoes made of?”

Luna points at the food waiting in front of dearest nephew. “First take a bite of your food and I’ll tell you what they’re made of.”

“Yes, yes, sorry.” Gold Sky picks up the spoon with is hoof and takes a bite.

Upon observation. “Strange he does not use his magic to perform the simple act of eating.”
Anyway. “Ahem the horseshoes are made of pure valyrian steel and covered with gold. Due to their composition that’s how those horseshoes you’re wearing right now lasted through the ages so to me as you may obviously guess my dear nephew is a perfect fitting for a mother to pass down to her son.”

“Luna, may I ask you another question?”

“Of course, you may ask me a question dear nephew.”

“When you found out that I am your nephew, d-d-did you start loving me…even though we are not family through flesh and blood??”

Luna’s smile goes away and she orders all the maids to leave them with completely privacy. “Look my dear nephew let us get one thing straight between us. You may not be of Celli’s flesh and blood nor mine and Cadan, errr, me and Celli. But you are Celli’s son for she adopted you and loves you with all her heart also she is my sister so automatically you become my nephew meaning I will love you without question.” She brings Gold Sky under arm and looks at him with soft eyes while a small smile forms on her lips. “We’re family, you and I. I love you and you love me along with being Alicorns. We have forever to bond my dear nephew.” Luna kisses him on the side of the head. “We have forever to be family.”

Everything Luna said is true. She loves the stallion with all her heart, he’s family and nothing can be so joyful to a Pure Alicorn like Luna then to have new family. “By the way Gold Sky you haven’t smelled my hair yet and I think it will be very rude if only I got to smell your hair while you didn’t.” Luna lowers her head. “Take a whiff or take a sniff. You choose.”

Gold Sky did the same thing Luna did to him sealing the promise of a bond between them by smelling each other’s hair which to other ponies may seem kind of abstract and just downright weird. But these two are not like other ponies. For one they are immortal and as immortals they can care less what mortals may think about their methods of expressing affection and two both desire Love. Luna desires to love everyone and be accepted. Gold Sky desires to be loved given he has lost many who loved him before his journey, during his journey, and after his journey.
Therefore, the desires of both will be fulfilled.

“Gold Sky.”

Upon hearing his name Gold Sky stops taking in Luna’s incredible scent. “Yes Aunt Luna?”

“You will never be alone.”

“Why do you say that Luna?” Gold Sky asks.

Luna points her head at the stallion’s plate prompting him to take another bite. “You are bound to feel alone through your guilt and trust me it will happen sooner or later. I understand though, leaving your mother, coming back, to then be taken back with open arms is too much for you. To the point it equates a fantasy but its reality my dear nephew. So whenever you feel alone through your guilt you can always come to me.” Her wing rests over Gold Sky. “To a wing that will cover you with love unimaginable.” The wing comes down and covers him like a mother’s love.

“I have a loving mother and now I have a loving aunt, I truly am blessed.” Gold Sky couldn’t help but rest his head on Luna’s shoulder and smile with closed eyes to show her he is happy. “Thank you.”

Luna rests her chin over his head feeling very pleased for all that transpired between them, she knows this is the beginning of a loving dawn. “No need to thank me my dearest nephew.”

“I love you Aunt Luna.”

“And I love you too Gold Sky.”

Peeking through the keyhole, Cadance smiles for Luna’s fortune though she herself wished Gold Sky can do the same for her and wouldn’t mind at all to have him sniff her hair. Nevertheless, the cerise mare will be happy for Luna, it is the least she can do. “You make such a good Aunt, Luna.”

“Thanks Cadance.”

***
With night covering Equestria and all things needing the daylight asleep, Princess Celestia decides it’s time to see her son. “It’s nice for Luna to go through all her own hassle to spend time with Gold Sky along with using some of the taxpayer money to pay the deaf chef.” Celestia will reimburse the spent taxpayer money with her own money to be fair.

“Sister.” Luna appears in front of Celli. “Gold Sky is already asleep and it’s too late to kiss him good night.”

Celli without saying a word turns around and heads straight to her room to get shuteye. “Luna is having him all for herself. Heh, can’t blame her.”

“Is she gone??” Luna takes a peek around the corner. “Perfect! Sister is out of the picture.” The Mare of the Moon happily trots inside the sleeping stallion’s room giving him a sweet kiss on the forehead before doing anything else. “He looks so cute when he’s asleep.” The mare gently so she won’t wake him sits on the edge of the bed.
“I will visit him in his dreams.” A good intention when she is completely unaware of what Gold Sky dreams when he dreams about the actions he’s committed. Actions a Pure Immortal will be shocked to see when all they have is a mindset given by the Utopia they rule over while occasionally they face a threat but that’s more like a Rar…rarity.

Luna with her head held happily high steps foot into the land of dreams and instead of hearing the sound of her hood stepping on solid ground it steps on wet ground. “Huh?” Luna picks up her hoof to inspect her moist hoof. “What!? I-is this blood.”

“A fist of fury!” A battle cry sings from the crimson sky that has a blood sun shining brightly.

“What is this!” Luna sees bodies of dead griffons. “What is this!” Luna flies up to find nephew in this bloody dream.

“A deadly weapon!”

“Gold Sky! Where are you my dearest nephew!” The Alicorn searches the battlefield. “He must be on the high ground!”

“Rapier of Havoc, raised up in anger!”

Luna finally flies up the high ground sensing Gold Sky is near. “I sense him, whoa!” Upon reaching the high ground, she sees Gold Sky standing on his hind legs holding two swords, the left hoof has the sword with the blade pointed down and the right hoof holds the blade pointed up. The sheer sight of her nephew being responsible for all this blood shed is quite surreal but to see him stand with the blood sun shining in front of him makes it unreal. “Gold Sky!” The instant the name left her lips, Gold Sky turns his torso to look at her almost scaring her to see his cold turquoise colored eyes with the pupils of a dragon directed at her eyes.

“Born to do battle, without compassion, more than a soldier, more than a killer.”

“Gold Sky why are you dreaming this, my dearest nephew!!? Why are you killing these griffons and why are you wearing bronze armor?”

“The Soldier of no Sorrow!”

“Why are you here!?” Gold Sky asks his Aunt. “Why are you here in my head!” Suddenly he notices a griffon coming at Aunt Luna. “Move!” He dashes towards Luna and before running into her he leaps up intercepting the griffon.
Both roll about in the ground for quite a distance while in the process Gold Sky loses both swords, upon coming to a complete stop the griffon gaining the first bit of an advantage by getting back up in its feet grabs Gold Sky and throws him into a large boulder and proceeds to swing its right fist forward but Gold Sky caught it and swings him into the boulder, punches the griffon square in the face, turns the griffon so it can be face forward to the boulder, and repeatedly slams the face into the boulder until the head is nothing but a splattered fleshy mess all over the stone. “Why are you here!”

“Gold Sky how come you’re dreaming this…” Luna suddenly realizes whose eyes Gold Sky’s own eyes reflect. “Are you turning into Nightmare Moon!”

Gold Sky removes his helmet and turns his complete attention to the mare. “Get out! You shouldn’t be here Aunt Luna! You shouldn’t be seeing this! I am the soldier of no sorrow and you have no right to come into my dreams! Get out!”

Luna reaches out to touch Gold Sky. “But…” *Ping* A transparent wall with a yellow ripple spanning across stops her hoof from touching the stallion’s cheek.

“GET OUUUUUT!!!!” The mighty roar sends the Princess out of his dream.

“Oh my!” Luna opens her eyes almost gasping for every breath at what she seen in dearest nephew’s dream. “I think I overstepped my boundaries and seen something Gold Sky never wanted anyone to see.” Luna magically lifts up the stallion to move him more to the middle of the bed. “I’m sorry.” She lies next to him and covers him with her wing. “Forgive me.”

Gold Sky still asleep shifts his head and lays it on Luna’s shoulder.
“Chances are low that I should discuss what I saw in his dream…but! Chances are high he'll start the discussion to tell me why he called himself the soldier of no sorrow.” Luna nuzzles Gold Sky’s head brings him closer to him. “Sweet dreams.”

*
However, Gold Sky isn’t the only one going about the land of dreams. Princess Celestia dreams a dream with her son except it isn’t a happy mommy and son dream instead it’s the changing of a Fate.

The Princess of the Sun stands defeated before a living shadow and with its magic it drops Gold Sky who’s wearing armor in front of Celestia. The stallion fought with everything he had to protect mother from the shadow only to be defeated and Celestia fought back but fell to the might of the shadow.
“Bend the knee Princess of the Sun. You are defeated and I shall rule over everything you love in this kingdom.” The shadow touches Gold Sky’s chin. “I shall rule over your son and he shall become mine. For there’s nothing worse than taking away the only son of a mother especially a Immortal mother wouldn’t you say Gold Sky?”

Gold Sky says nothing but knows mother can defeat this shadow…sadly there has to be a catalyst to bring this shadow to its end.

Celestia bends the knee to the shadow. “You have won but you will not take my son, he is my first born, h-he is my only son, isn’t power and a kingdom under your rule more than enough for you? Leave my son and take me instead. Kill me, torture me, maim me, whatever, you want but don’t touch my son.” From a bent knee, Celestia starts getting up. “Stay away from my son!”

The shadow turns its attention from the stallion and the mare.

“Mother.” Gold Sky stops what’s about to happen between the two beings. “Equestria needs you.” Gold Sky reaches for the nearest blade he can find. “It needs its Princess.”

The shadow cackles to the sight of the stallion holding the blade.

Celestia comes to her son’s side. “My son please give up, don’t do this, please! You can’t defeat it.” The mother lovingly strokes her son’s face and from the way she strokes his face it looks like she will see him for the last time.

Gold Sky presses mother’s hoof against his cheek. “It won’t be me defeating the shadow…it will be you.” He kisses mother’s cheek. “You just need the right reason to use your full power mother.” For the last time. “I love you mommy.” He pushes away mother’s loving hooves. Truly what he’s going to do he doesn’t want to do, he doesn’t want to do it…sadly, it’s the only way to defeat this shadow…he is the catalyst.

For Mother.

For Equestria.

“AAAAHHHH!” Gold Sky charges at the shadow aiming the blade at the heart. “Ooof!” The shadow catches him in midair and with its magic takes grip of the hoof holding the blade.

“Pathetic.” The shadow’s magic taking the blade out of the hoof launches the blade forward stabbing Gold Sky in the heart. “You could have made a good son but instead you choose to die for your mother.” The shadow throws Gold Sky towards Celestia.

“N-N-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Celestia takes her dying son into her arms. “No, no, no, no, no, this isn’t happening! My son please don’t go! Please don’t leave me again, please! Please! Please don’t leave me again!” Tears from the Princess of the Sun fall upon Gold Sky’s face.

“Re-reason mommy…rea-rea-reason to defeat i-it. I-I love you.” Last words.

“No!” Celestia hugs the stallion feeling him for as long as she can. “Wha…” She can’t feel him anymore. “My son!” Silver dust floats away from her arms.

Once a Chero dies their body turns into silver dust.

Celestia frowns to take in the loss of her only son. “You killed my son!” Sadness is replaced by power. “You killed my son! YOU KILLED MY SON!” Celestia’s mane turns into fire. “YOU SHALL PAY FOR KILLING MY SON!” Her body turns into the flames of the sun. “I WILL END YOU!” Princess Celestia is unleashed and engages the shadow with all her fury.

Just before delivering the final blow to end the shadow…

*gasp!*
Princess Celestia wakes up from this nightmare, wiping the sweat off her brow. “My son!” Telepathically, she looks for her son. “Oh thank you Great Spirit he’s alive! It was only a dream, o-only a dream, okay calm down.” Celestia take a deep breath. “Go back to sleep.”

***The night moves forward***
Princess Celestia at her own will woke up without any needed assistance from Princess Luna. “Today I will have Gold Sky raise the sun like me.”
Quickly Celestia grooms herself and teleports to Gold Sky’s room where Luna is still sleeping and of course Gold Sky is peacefully comfortable under Luna’s wing.

“How sweet of you Luna.” Celestia bends down, nuzzling Gold Sky’s forehead. “Wake up Gold Sky.”

Gold Sky yawns. “Oooh mother!” Instantly he’s happy to see her.

“My son please come with me.”

Gold Sky gives Luna a kiss on the cheek good morning and carefully wiggles out of Luna’s sheltering wing. “Let me get my cloak first mother.”

“No, no, there’s no need for that.” Her magic levitates the cloak away from Gold Sky’s reach. “I will camouflage you from the eyes of mortals with my telepathy.”

Gold Sky is confused for this sudden change of mother’s perceived behavior. “Uhh, well, where are we going mother?”

“To the sky, now let’s get a move on Gold Sky. Time is essentially of the essence here.”
Both Alicorns fly out in the dim sky where the sun is waiting to rise and the moon is shining in the second hemisphere of the earth.

“Mother?” Gold Sky can’t help but ask Celestia why they’re flying so early in the morning.

“Yes my son?”

“What are we going to do right now?”

Celestia hovers in front of the stallion with an extremely happy ear to ear grin. “Gold Sky my son, you are going to raise the sun.”

“WHA-WHAT!!!!” Gold Sky choked on his own saliva to hear those words. “Ho-hold on!” He gags some more before finally coughing out the liquid. “Mot-mother you can’t be serious!”

“Oh my son I am not serious, I am confident that you can do what I do.” She reaches out to gently stroke Gold Sky’s cheek. “You’re an Alicorn Gold Sky and as an Alicorn you possess vast magic inside of you, that if one were to attempt a vague measurement of your magic it will impossible. Even for my most faithful student Twilight Sparkle.”

*Ting* “Twilight Sparkle, is she that cute looking lavender Unicorn with the bangs?” Gold Sky had to ask just to be sure because he felt a soft tingle connect the name to the Unicorn that had the purple dragon with her and the little dragon may be the offspring of the fallen dragon he killed, meaning the little dragon may know what he’s done.

“Cute? Well, I guess you can say she’s cute given you’re a stallion…” Interrupted.

“What does being a stallion have to do with anything mother?”

Celestia briefly backtracks. “It’s nice you think she’s cute, perhaps you will enjoy conversing various subjects with her.” While in her mind. “Maybe if Gold Sky doesn’t have loving feelings for Octavia then maybe I can try my hoof at having him go on a date with my most faithful student, oooh, it will be a win-win if they fall in love!” Celestia is getting ahead of herself right now.
“Ahem, anyway I want you to raise the sun Gold Sky.”

“I-I can’t!”

“I know you can do it my son and I believe in you.”

Gold Sky near the verge of practically begging mother that he can’t do this asks her to reconsider her request made upon him and to raise the sun herself.

“My son, please erase this doubt in you. I know you can do this and I’ll be here to encourage you, so please do it.” Celestia hovers closer.

“I don’t want mother to misplace her faith and I don’t want to displease her…maybe raising the sun isn’t that hard. It’s just a fireball that’s basically a fusion reactor and fire can’t hurt me.” Gold Sky takes a deep breath. “Still! I’ve never used my magic to this great of an extent and I don’t know what can happen if I push myself too much. Nevertheless, I will not displease mother.” With that Gold Sky clears his mind to concentrate effectively.

Celestia helps out. “Think of the sun and raise it up.”

Gold Sky’s horn glows brightly in sequence with his mind. He grunts loudly to feel his magic grip the sun and the sun’s gravity begins pulling at him. “What’s going on!?” He concentrates harder to pull back.

“It’s only the sun’s gravity Gold Sky but don’t worry, you should overcome it in a matter of seconds.” Celestia reasurres.

Gold Sky resumes but the sun feels like a mountain he cannot move. “I-I can’t do this!” His whole body starts being pinched with pain like an acupuncture gone wrong and the needles are directly going into his nerves.

Celestia is undaunted by Gold Sky’s pleas. “I have faith in you my son.”

Gold Sky groans to the strong pull from the sun and the pain evermore increasing. Soon his nose began to bleed causing him to start fearing the worst. “Why is my nose bleeding??” More of his sparkling blood gushes out like a geyser.

What Celestia does not know is the fact Gold Sky does not know how to use his magic and intentionally he made himself unknown to its use as a way to make up for all the shed innocent blood though he does use teleportation because mother taught him that very early in his growth, levitation comes naturally for all Unicorns, and he uses very little of his magic to speed up his tissue regeneration which came very handy in the battlefield. As for the rest of the vast magic inside of him he will never use and will never master it…because he chooses not to. “I’m starting to feel weak!”

Celestia on the other hoof does not notice the sparkling blood gushing out of Gold Sky’s nose instead she awaits the glory of seeing Gold Sky raise the sun just like she does for it will be like mother and son bringing the light upon Equestria. “You make me proud my son.”

*Cough!* “WHAT!?” Gold Sky wipes his mouth. “I’m coughing up my own blood! I can’t do this AAH!” The sun is pulling back at him putting his magical strength to its maximum point of tolerance. “Mother…i-it-it hurts…” He moans in pain.

“What?” Celestia tilts her head in confound question to hear these words from her son’s lips. “My son what do mean you’re in pain?”

Gold Sky coughs up more sparkling blood… “Mother I can’t do this, I ca-can’t ooooooh…” He suddenly faints and goes into total freefall.

“GOLD SKY!” Celestia screams. “I’M COMING!” But she stops herself to first raise the sun. “Hurry my sun! Rise, c’mon rise! Hurry!” She increases her power to raise her sun at a much faster rate. “There! MY SON!” Celestia does a mighty flap of her wings diving down with speed beyond anything Rainbow Dash can muster up in a matter of milliseconds. “I’m coming!” A mach cone forms around the beautiful mare before exploding signifying she has broken the sound barrier and there’s no rainbow to show it. “Almost there!” Gold Sky is almost within her reach but the seconds separating him from the ground are now in the single digits. “Almost, almost, got you!” She tenderly wraps her arms around the stallion feeling a sense of extreme solidarity for saving her son.

One second till total contact with the ground. “Jump!” A praxis wave of pure fire shoots out as Celestia teleports to her room and avoiding hitting the ground with the force of a one hundred twenty five pound rod of tungsten coming down at mach 9 so one can only imagine what will happen if Gold Sky impacted the ground.

*Poof* Celestia quickly places Gold Sky on her bed. “My son are you alright!” She desperately asks Gold Sky. “Oh no!” Now she sees his sparkling blood coming from his nose and on his lips. “Gold Sky answer me, are you alright!” The same worry she had when she dreamt that dream returned like has been hiding in a crevice inside her mind and right now has the perfect opportunity to present itself by latching itself onto Celestia’s mind and inject fear like the T4 virus does to an unfortunate host.

Gold Sky regained consciousness though he feels very, very weak and still in pain but luckily his regeneration is killing the pain little by little while his tongue tastes the metallic flavor of his sparkling blood to which he’s already used to it, quaintly to his concern he’s unnerved for coughing up blood due to his sudden massive use of his magic. “I-I’m alright mother, please roll me over.”

Without questioning her son’s request she rolls him to his side allowing his head to hangi over the edge of the bed.
Gold sky vomits a huge quantity of sparkling blood on the beautiful ermine carpet and a huge puff of jet black smoke spews out of his horn. “Mother.”

Celestia takes her eyes off the puddle of sparkling blood feeling the soft but sharp touch of guilt moving down her spine. “My son.”

“I’m sorry for letting you down.” With the passing seconds his tissue regeneration gives him the strength to roll to his back and let out a long breath.

Celestia sits on the edge of the bed, gently stroking his hair as she thinks up words to confess her guilt for what happened. “My son, please don’t apologize. I should be the one apologizing to you and I’m sorry for making you do something that’s really out your capabilities please forgive me my son. I’m so sorry.” A tear runs out of her left eye and falls onto Gold Sky’s forehead. “I’m sorry Gold Sky for making you to raise the sun and going against your well. Let me get Redheart so she can give you a complete medical checkup.”

“No mother, there’s no need to worry Redheart about what happened. My body is fully healed and the blood I lost should return to normal homeostasis level in a few hours more or less, I think…perhaps…it’s only a gross estimate mother.” He’s hiding the symptoms of losing too much blood from mother and he’s going to experience episodes of shortness of breath.

Celestia knows Gold Sky lost a lot of blood. Still, she takes his word and tells him she will not notify Redheart. “My son what happened?”

Straight to the point. “I don’t know to use my magic at all.”

Celestia jerks her head back. “What do you mean by that Gold Sky? You can…”

“Teleport because you taught me that and it became an instinct to me.” Gold Sky injects. “Levitate objects because it’s a thing that comes natural to Unicorns or Alicorn in my case and speed up my tissue regeneration because it’s useful in the battlefield. Of course, there was the time stopping spell you personally endowed into my mind but I only used it once and had you take it out of my mind.”

And through the explanation Celestia only picked up one thing. “Battlefield. What battlefield my son?”

“Oh.” Mother is in the dark about his past as the Soldier of no Sorrow, so since he has her curiosity the right thing to do is to show her every battle he's fought, every fascist griffon he’s killed, every innocent child he’s protected, and saying good bye to a young griffon who he saved and made sure the young griffon got adopted by a loving mother & father. “Mother, let me show you.” *sniff sniff* Gold Sky can smell Luna’s scent and telepathically senses her peering through the keyhole. “Aunt Luna must have felt mother’s pain prompting her to come but not come in. Hmmm, I take she heard everything conversed between me and mother. Might as well oblige her too so I don’t have to explain anything in the dream to her.”
“Mother I pray you won’t be disturbed to hear your son be called the Soldier of no Sorrow.”
“And Luna I pray you won’t be disturbed to see your nephew fighting in the battlefield.”

Gold Sky shows them everything but first asked mother to nuzzle him on the cheek…because it may be the last time she will. 3

***
In Ponyville.
“I find it funny father attempts to secretly imply in his words that he approves of Gold Sky being my lovey dovey stallion. Hehehe, I would have thought he’ll ask to see him first but I guess he thinks Gold Sky is the perfect stallion for me.” Octavia pauses to think about Gold Sky. “Well Gold Sky is totally different and he speaks like he’s from the good ol’ times also I feel some kind of a warm contentment when I’m around him.” The gray mare resumes her nice trot. “Nevertheless, he may not be the right one for me and I’m amazed at his skill with children plus Mr. Cake thought he was my husband. Hmmmm?” Another pause to think about being told I do by the kind and bashful Unicorn. “Father’s imagination is very unpredictable at times and sometimes forth telling of his intentions through.” Once again she resumes her trot. “Well I think father will like him.”
At last Octavia reaches where she’s been trotting to all this time. “Oh father I’m here.” In a matter of milliseconds she knocks on his door.

Inside.
“Huh?” Allegro Note nearly drops some documents given to him by Nurse Redheart. “Oh! It’s my dear sweetheart here for breakfast! Got to hide these papers first.” Quickly Allegro Note rounds up all the papers into a manila folder but before tucking it in between two dictionaries he looked at the last paper that tells him the results of a test done on him. “Time is ever so precious now and when time ticks its final tick…the father becomes the daughter and the father the daughter.” Allegro Note wipes his right eye to erase the signs of the pain his heart feels when the thought of the last second passed through his mind. “I raised her to be a fine mare and I think she will take this in a…decent manner.” The folder is completely hidden. “But now it’s not the right time to tell her.” He opens the door.

“Father!” Octavia proclaims in joy to lay her eyes on father and before he has the chance to say good morning she has her arms wrapped around his neck.

“Hello sweetheart, are you here for a wonderful breakfast?” He asks this question as if this is something that’s out of the blue when it’s an everyday thing.

“You know the answer to that father.” Octavia walks in the house. “Of course, before anything else.” She kisses father on the cheek. “I love you father.”

Allegro Note kisses his daughter on the cheek too. “And I love you too my dearest daughter, now please sit so we can eat.”
Both sit but Allegro Note still has yet to take a bite out of his food because instead he looks at Octavia with loving eyes and thinks. “Time together is so precious, so precious and even the little things that others find pointless are a treasure to me. Why did this have to happen to me…” Thinking what he’s thinking got the best of him. “Sweetheart, I’m going to the bathroom, uh, I drank too much cranberry juice.”

“No need to tell me father.” Says the gray mare to which she pushes away her cranberry juice.

Inside the bathroom Allegro Note turns on the faucet to full so the loud nose of running water will block out his cries. “It’s spreading and it can’t be stopped. Oh my dear Octavia will be devastated and she will have no one to comfort her. My dearest daughter who has grown before my eyes and that will be all I shall see…my dearest daughter, my flesh and blood, my whole world.” Allegro Note wipes his eyes dry and washes his face. “Enjoy the time I have with her that’s all I should be thinking about.” One final thought passes through. “I hope it comes after father’s day.” The stallion rejoins his daughter at the table.

“Father.” Octavia calls out.

“Yes Octavia.”

The gray mare nearly giggles in excitement to ask her father knowing end results will be enjoyable for her, father and Gold Sky. “I plan to practice today and I wonder if you can join me just so I can give you a moment to relax in pure tranquility given from the bags under your eyes. So what do you say father?”

“I’ll be more than happy join you sweetheart. So around what time are you going to practice?”

Octavia flutters with warm happiness. “At around noon.” Then she realizes she will have to skip lunch with Gold Sky but she knows he won’t mind at all.

“Noon sounds like the perfect time sweetheart, I can’t wait.” Allegro Note smiles at Octavia seeing this is going to be a precious moment well spent.

***

In the palace.
“Mother…?” Gold Sky cannot tell what Celestia is feeling right now due to the fact Celestia is a master at concealing her emotions. “Mother…?” Just to hear the deep concern in Gold Sky’s voice made a tear fall from Luna’s eye.

“He’s afraid Celli won’t be his mother anymore and is fearfully awaiting a response from what she saw.” On the other side of the coin though Luna too is shocked by what Gold Sky showed her especially the part when he slices a fascist from head to toe with one swift stroke then he rips out a trachea of another fascist by biting hold of it. “Sister, please don’t leave him.” Luna attempts to communicate with Celestia but can only get silence in return.

“Mother…?” Gold Sky again tries to get a response from Celestia. “Mother…?”

Celestia gets up from the bed, turning her back to the stallion to take in all the memories she was shown and to see her dear son be an efficient killer.

Luna frowns. “Oh my dear nephew I’m so sorry.” Nobody can blame Luna for thinking the worse.

Gold Sky wants to feel like he’s all alone until one word. “Mommy…?” One word he wished he called mother often when she was raising him, that one word that changed everything.

“Son.” Celestia finally speaks. “Gold Sky, my son.”

“Pheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!” Talk about a weight off Luna’s shoulders.

Cadance on the other hand or hoof knows nothing of this.

Celestia comes back and sits back on the bed wrapping her right wing around Gold Sky. Inside her heart, she can understand why Gold Sky fought in those wars. He had reason to. “My son, I am feeling very cold to see what you have shown me however, given I have experienced many acts and gained much wisdom…you fought because you reason to and I will not hold it against you.” Celestia with her magic takes her son to the beautiful but inhabitable environment of outer space where she protects him with an invisible bubble of earthly pressure and oxygen. “Every star you see here my son shines for a reason. That comet going past us flies by the earth for a reason.” *BOOM!* “That supernova explodes for a reason my son and do you know why?”

Gold Sky feeling rather tense to be in outer space clings extremely close to his mother and shakes his head.

“They do that because do display the beauty of the Great Spirit’s work. What you did, you did it because I taught you to do what’s right, to protect the innocent, to always fight fear with bravery, to inspire others to do good, to be upright and just. I taught you those things and you used them well to protect the innocent griffons of the Griffon Republic though this is the first time in all of Equestrian history that a pony fought in a war but at least the pony who fought was my son. My son who used the morals I taught him to never back down.” Celestia tenderly kisses Gold Sky’s head and rubs it with her cheek. “I noticed how you felt a bit saddened when you waved good bye at that young griffon when he went with his new family showing me that you’re not a killer but a caring stallion. Forgive me for being so emotionless at first but I had to process everything my son.”

Gold Sky sighs in relief. “Thank you, mommy.”

“Oh my son!” Celestia just loves it when Gold Sky calls her that. Why? Because she is his mother that’s why. *ting!* “Come let’s go back home I want to show you something that you might remember.”
Celestia teleports back home.

“Ah there they are.” Luna wondered where they went.

Celestia’s horn glows to retrieve something from a chest that holds her most precious things. “Do you remember this, my son?” The golden aura floats a plush griffon in front of Gold Sky.

Still peering through the keyhole. “Is that a toy?” Luna asks herself.

Come around the corner Cadance spots Luna. “Uh Luna why are you peering through the keyhole of Tia’s room? It’s kind of creepy.” About time somepony points that out to Luna.

“Cadance not now!” Luna hisses at her. “I’m busy!”

“Busy at what Luna?” *sigh* “Move over!” Cadance butts Luna out of the way to take a peek too. “It’s Gold Sky and Tia spending time and it looks like she giving him what looks like a stuffed plush griffon that must have belong to him.”

“Pffft obviously.” Luna says under her breath.

“Do you remember this, my son?” Celestia asks again at seeing Gold Sky’s eyes have widened exponentially.

“Griffie!” Yes, that’s the name Gold Sky named his plush griffon. “Griffie, it’s Griffie!!” He takes hold of it to feel it in his arms.

Cadance smiles. “Awwww! This is so cute! Oh!” She got butted out of the way.

“My turn!” Luna peers through. “Hey this is adorable, seeing how my dearest nephew hugs that toy.”

“You know what I’ll just use my telepathy.” Cadance sits on a nearby chair and connects to Tia’s mind.

“You gave me Griffie for my second birthday mother and instantly I loved it!” Gold Sky rubs the softness against his chin.

Celestia passes a hoof down his hair. “I’m glad you’re happy my son but if I remember right you named him…”

“She! It’s a she mother.” Gold Sky corrects Celestia.

“Named her Griffie because you couldn’t pronounce Griffon correctly and it just stuck.” Soft laughter comes from the white mare. “It’s was so cute, to hear you call Griffie well Griffie and call a Griffon diplomat from the Griffon Republic Griffie to which the diplomat happily ruffled up your hair. I didn’t have the heart to always correct you my son, it was so adorable to hear you mispronounce the word Griffon until finally through your own will you said it correctly but you still called the toy Griffie.” Celestia motions Gold Sky she wants to hold the toy. “I made this myself.”

“What!” Gold Sky’s eyes widen again. “You made Griffie!”

Celestia nods. “I made Griffie my son so I can give you something from me and you can have something to comfort you at times but of course I thought you should have a toy given you were a child.” Then she points out the details of the plush griffon. “I made the feathers around the head white while for the rest of the body brown, these feathers sticking out I colored them purple on the tips, and the around eyes I colored in a light shape of purple to which if I think about it I can see why you call Griffie a she.”

Suddenly Luna barges in. “I want to hold Griffie!”

“What, Luna were you spying on us all this time?” Celestia asks just as Luna’s magic takes Griffie out of her arms.

“She was mother but I don’t mind at all…” Gold Sky freezes up when he realizes who Griffie closely resembles. The light purple shade around the eyes and the purple tips on the three head feathers. “I-I be something, ishhhhh back! Jump!” *Poof!*

“Uh what happened?” Luna asks.

“He’s just feeling some guilt wrapping itself around him and left because he doesn’t want me to see it.” Celestia is only correct on one thing, Gold Sky is feeling guilt but not for being given something by mother or leaving on his journey, no, he feels an endless guilt for committing the greatest sin and what can be a cruel joke is Mrs. Cake knows Gold Sky contains a trait nobody else identified.

“I hope this doesn’t become a normal thing.” Luna replies then got back to admiring Griffie. “I’ll say sister this is some nice stich work.”

“Thank Luna.” *Squee!*

Cadance shifts her telepathy to the stallion. *Ping* Her telepathy is blocked. “Clever. What’s feeling is so great he doesn’t want anypony to know much less fell the pain he’s feeling.” The cerise mare goes in the room so she can have a turn to admire Griffie.

***

In the shelter of the thickest clouds Gold Sky sobs for leaving something behind in the Griffon Republic and remembers that as a Stallion he has the Ultimate role that he has failed in. That failure is attributed to his inability to forgive himself for killing the most innocent of innocent beings and it is his fault alone.
“I tell myself she’s doing fine, she’s independent and growing but on the inside I can hear her saying. Lead me with strong hooves, stand up when I can’t. Don’t leave me hungry for love fighting things but what about me? Show me you’re willing to fight, that I’m still your greatest treasure. I know we call this our home, but I still feel alone…” Gold Sky places a hoof over his heart remembering it can sooth her in every tribulation. “To lead her with strong hooves. To stand up when she can’t. Don’t leave her hungry for Love fighting things that I can give up! I’ll show her I am willing to fight and give her the best of my life, so we can call this our home so we shall never feel alone.”

In the end, Gold Sky is a coward for fighting things that had the opportunity to give up.

“She’s save that’s all that matters.” Gold Sky sits up to wipe away his tears and take a deep breath. “At least mother held on to Griffie for safe keeping along being by me when she knows I’m a killing machine, not many can embrace a monster and a failure but for the failure part she shall always be in the unknown and everypony else too. I guess being thought as a killing machine is much easier to handle then being thought a failure.”

Gold Sky looks down below and sees Ponyville. “Octavia has a surprise for me and today is the day.”

The thought of Octavia gave him something he’s hasn’t felt…

Peace.

My dearest readers as you may expect, I thank you for your patience and I say it again, I thank you for your infinite patience.
However, I plan to lessen your wait for chapter. 12 by writing two chapters for Joy of Hidden Love and the Wrath of Lust, take a respite and write chapter. 12.

Thank you, my dearest readers.

A sense of sincerity & Peace through the Cello

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 12

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

“I sense him.” Princess Celestia in the midst of Princess Cadance and Princess Luna admiring Griffie, feels her son going through extreme agony. “I will go to him, now that he’s had the time to get over his guilt.” The Princess of the Sun thinks to inform the other two of her intentions but figures if she does then it will mean in being accompanied by Luna when she simply wants this to be a mother and son moment for herself. “I’ll just go.” And go the Princess of the Sun does.

“Hey where did Tia go?” Cadance asks.

“To get some cake perhaps now it’s my turn to hold it, let go!” Luna tugs at Griffie.

“No! It’s still my turn to hold it!” Cadance tugs back.

“Let go!” Luna grunts.

“You let go!” Cadance follows suit in this tug of war for the durable plush griffon.

Shining Armor comes in to ask Cadance if she wants to join him in a nice stroll through the meadows of Ponyville but just as he walks in Cadance let’s go of Griffie, Luna’s arms flail around and smack Shining Armor square in the face. *GASP!* Both mares gasp in disbelief.

“Oh boy.” *Thud* Shining Armor falls flat on his belly. “My fa-face.”

“It’s was so your fault bye!” With Griffie in tow Luna teleports away.
“Shiny are you alright!?” Cadance asks.

Shining Armor couldn’t help but do an aggravated sigh before answering his dear wife. “Why is it when you two are together crazy stuff happens to me? First the hard glass over the pool trick which left me with a big bruise on my butt, then the chocolate milkshake that had a laxative making me spend hours in the bathroom, a trip wire in the middle of nowhere, water balloons falling on me, and so on so on. I knew I should have worn my armor today.”

Cadance blushes in embarrassment. “I-I’m sorry Shining Armor.”

The stallion waves it off. “Eh it’s okay my dear wife, how about we put this behind us and go for a nice walk together.”

“Sure but do you want an icepack?”

“An icepack will be nice my dear.” Shining Armor and Cadance head out the room for a nice walk.

In the sky, Celestia finds her son sitting alone in a cloud. “There he is.” However, the Princess sees he has his eyes closed so he must be thinking about something so it’s best to let him think for a bit while more before she goes to him.

Inside the core of Gold Sky’s galaxy, he’s in the beautiful meadows of the Griffon Republic watching over a joyous little griffon running about with happiness in her voice then she comes to him tugging at his arm asking him to join her in a small run through a field of wild flowers. So he joins the young griffon laughing with her until after what seems like hours she tires herself out and sits next to him rubbing her head against his chest telling him she loves him and he tells her he will never be far away with the words, my flesh and blood.

But the Razor is the reason he’s far away. Unlike Silver Wind who always had control of the Razor inside of him, Gold Sky has no control over the Razor allowing that entity to have a mind of its own.

Gold Sky opens his eyes thanks to thinking about Octavia and having a feeling of peace come over him like mother’s wing. “Mother.” He turns around to look at her. “Can I please join you?”

“Please do my son.” Celestia stands on all fours to look down on her son so to bask him with her loving eyes and stroke him with her soft voice. “My son.” Gold Sky stands before absorbing her loves from her eyes and the soft strokes from her voice.

“Mother.” Like the little griffon who lovingly rubbed her head against his chest he lovingly rubs his head against mother’s chest. “Even among mortals and family, I sometimes feel so alone and I don’t know if anyone will comfort me when I’m sad.”

“Oh Gold Sky, you will feel alone, afraid, and uncertain about yourself, you will look down at the abyss but you will not blink. Deep down you’re the bravest stallion in the entire world, for even when you feel alone, afraid, and uncertain you move forward.” Suddenly she stops upon feeling Gold Sky has stopped rubbing his head against her chest.

“Mother, please tell me the truth. Am I really worthy to be loved?” The teal eyes of the stallion look into the mother’s magenta eyes. Clearly as the light of day can his eyes tell the mother he wants an answer not some affectionate runaround.

“Yes my son.” Though the words are few the voice used to say them means more than words. The voice means more than the very meaning of having an existence and purpose which to the stallion is all he needed to know allowing him to smile at least.

“Thank you mother.” Oh it’s been so long she he felt the softness of mother’s coat and the comfort he always felt when mother talks to him in the soft guiding tone that’s between a whisper and a murmur which to most or maybe all mortals, the tone Celestia uses and Gold Sky loves is one always heard in dreams.

“Now continuing where I left off my son.” Before continuing Celestia begins stroking her son’s face with her right hoof. “You are the bravest stallion I can ever know, y-you’re braver then the mythical Hellenics of legend, braver than I when I faced my own sister one thousand years ago, braver than anyone that I can think of and do you know why I say this, my son?”

Gold Sky shakes his head.

“Who else can charge forward into the mouth of death with absolutely no fear and come out with a story to tell, no one can do that my son, and I mean no one can be completely fearless against an army. Such bravery is almost nonexistent…my son, is brave. So brave that I know he will answer this question. Ahem, do you still miss the scents of your birthparents?” Celestia narrowed her question to the scents of Gold Sky’s birthparents for the stallion recognizes everyone by their scents.

Gold Sky frowns while pressing his face into mother’s chest. “I miss the scent of mommy’s hair and the scent of daddy’s wings. I miss mommy’s loving nuzzle and I miss the warmth of daddy’s wing when he’ll wrap it around me, nevertheless, they’re in a better place thinking about me their only child.” *sniffle* “I miss their scents! Nothing hurts more than remembering their voices in my memories but can’t remember their scents so I can’t picture them whenever I close my eyes.” To Gold Sky a scent is more important than eye color, appearance, and voice. Everypony has their own unique scent because only one mare has the scent he knows as mommy and only one stallion has the scent he knows as daddy. “Their scents are no more.”

“I know my son.”

“Mother, thank you for coming and reminding me that I’ll never be alone for I have you.” Gold Sky reaches up to kiss mother’s cheek, sadly, due to Celestia’s height he’s just two inches away even after stretching his neck out. “I can’t reach mother.”

“Don’t worry my son.” Celestia lowers her head, feeling her son’s loving kiss on her cheek. “Come Gold Sky; let’s go home to groom you so you can look nice for Octavia today.” For some odd reason Princess Celestia wishes she hadn’t encouraged more thoughts of the gray mare to flourish like a daffodil under her shining sun when she could encourage curiosity for Twilight Sparkle, nonetheless, there will always be time to encourage curiosity for Twilight Sparkle so for now to keep sadness at bay let him enjoy his time with Octavia but first confirm his little question that’s also an answer at the same time.

“Mother, how did you know?” To Gold Sky this will always be a surprise rather than seeing it as a normal thing. “Wait, a mother always knows right?”

“Muah!” Celestia kisses his forehead. “Right again my son, now come, come, come!”

Both fly to Celestia’s balcony and without needing to be told Gold Sky trots to the big mirror and plops down awaiting whatever grooming mother has in store for him while wondering if that painful plucking of the eyebrows is in their somewhere. “Mother will you be plucking my eyebrows??” Might as well ask.

“Uhhh no my son. Why will you ask that?” Ponders the white mare.

“Well when I was in the Griffon Republic, I got a spa treatment because I wanted a back massage though the package said a facial treatment with waxing was including to which I thought a facial was a face massage and waxing was the name of the ointment they use. Boy I was wrong when they plucked out my first eye brow hair I jerked up that I accidently head butted the stylist giving me the waxing of which I found out it was an eyebrow waxing. Hehehehe, kind of funny no?”

“It is, now please sit, spread out your wings, close your eyes, and relax my son.” Princess Celestia’s magic begin doing their incredible work on the stallion to make him look presentable for the gray mare.

While Gold Sky feels like falling asleep to mother massaging his head with an ointment specialized to make his hair shine brightly in the sun and since his hair is dark brown a shade close to jet black it will shine brightly so instead of giving in to sleep he decided to telepathically search for Princess Luna. “Found her.”

In Princess Luna’s room. “I wonder what I should eat today?”

“Razor, Aunt Luna.” Gold Sky’s soft voice took the mare’s train of thought away from food.

“What?” Though the input of the communication is telepathic the output from Luna is vocal.

“Razor, Aunt Luna, in the dream you ahem, intruded in, I was the Razor.”

“The Razor?” Luna searches every cluster of stars in her galaxy to see if she knows anything about such a thing. “Hmmm, I have never heard of such a thing my dear nephew can you please enlighten me about this thing which is named after a razor blade.”

However, Princess Cadance stealthily listens just this one time to know this trait she too has never heard of.
“The Razor is a monster inside of me whose purpose is to protect the ones I love with extreme prejudice or to simply wipe out anything with my virtuous skill in…the art of…” How can Gold Sky put this nicely. “Ending lives.” A little too blunt.

Luna’s loses her appetite for the whole day plus night while Cadance swallows her saliva in a twinge of fear and ends listening in. “So why did your eyes resemble those of Nightmare Moon’s?”

“To let anypony know the Razor is present and to serve as a principle of intimidation for whoever is going to receive its wrath.”

Last question from the Princess of the Night. “The name, why the Razor?”

“A blade feels nothing when it slits throats, stab hearts, slice open enemies, and flay enemies alive to hear them scream. So the name is given to that monster because once the Razor comes all forms of emotion and morals are gone. Allowing for a killer that cannot be stopped.”
Luna nods even if she’s all alone in her room. “Thank my dear nephew.”

Celestia passes the hair brush through the dark brown hair one last time before coming to end with a nuzzle. “There my son, you look very radiant like a sun flower in its peak.”

Gold Sky stands to admire mother’s exquisite masterpiece she’s painted on him. “Thank you mother.” Last but not least Gold Sky dons his white cloak before heading out the door.

“Ahem.” Celestia stops him. “Are you not forgetting something?”

“Hmmmmmmm?” *Ting!* “Oh! Almost forgot!” Gold Sky runs up to the white mare giving her a nice kiss on the cheek and lovingly rubs her head with his. “I love you mother.” He departs out the door.

“Have fun my son.” Celestia waves good bye while to trying to smile for the stallion. “Why couldn’t Octavia be a Unicorn or Pegasus instead of an Earth pony? She has so little to offer him.”

***
“If I know Gold Sky good enough then he should be here right on time while father is waiting for me at the stage to see me practice.” Octavia throws a vanilla lemon drop into her mouth. “Yum, I can’t wait to see Gold Sky’s face when I tell him what I have in store for him. He’s going to love it!” Octavia feels warm feeling inside of her to do this nice thing for Gold Sky. “Ahh! There he is and two minutes early too. Whoa! His hair is very shiny.”

Gold Sky while his thoughts can’t run about due to his admiration of the gray mare he instead feels the same warmth she felt the moment he lays his eyes on her. “Octavia!” He greets with a small bow of his head. “I’m Glad to see you today.”

Octavia gives the stallion a joyful smile. “The feeling is mutual Gold Sky. “And cuts to the chase. “Gold Sky I decided we’re not going to have lunch at the Sugarcube Corner.”

Hearing this, the stallion tilts his head in natural question about this change given he was already craving those cupcakes from a certain pink mare, nevertheless, he channels his disappointment into curiosity. “So what’s the surprise you have in store for me?”

Finally Octavia is asked the question she’s been waiting for. “Well to see it we’ll have to teleport first to Canterlot.”

Nothing hard. “All righty then.” Gold Sky gently lays a hoof on Octavia’s shoulder. “Here we go. Jump.” *poof*

Upon reappearing Canterlot, Gold Sky follows the gray mare who for every twenty to thirty four paces will turn her head to give him a nice smile. “For some odd reason, I think father will take a great liking in Gold Sky perhaps maybe I should too.” Octavia sees the stallion is blushing every time she gazes upon him plus her keen ears can listen to his heart rate increase.

Gold Sky on the other hand or hoof. “I pray I don’t stutter when I talk to her otherwise I will end up blossoming from an idiot and into an imbecile.” Deeper inside his core. “I feel something but I can’t pinpoint what it is. Hmmmm, of course, I wonder if I will feel any curiosity and if I do how will I know I’m experiencing curiosity if I never felt it before??” The stallion composes himself to continue this thought process without appearing to be in thought of which will stop the gray mare from giving him the nice gazes with her beautiful eyes. “I don’t think mother and Redheart can help me there, wisdom and laymen medical science can only go so far perhaps I should search for another source of help perhaps a mortal perspective can be useful.” Sounds a plan ready to be put to use when the opportunity presents itself. “Make it two mortal perspectives.” Suddenly. “You have nice eyes Octavia.”

Even though Octavia has been told her eyes are far more beautiful than the near flawless eyes of Princess Luna she nonetheless, appreciates this nice compliment from Gold Sky so as a award she too will provide a nice compliment . “Why thank you Gold Sky and by the way your hair is very shiny. How did you get it to shine so brightly, are you using that TurtleDove shampoo?” Oddly, Octavia feels a bit jealous for seeing how Gold Sky’s hair shines brightly while hers does not despite many attempts to make it do so for many mares love to have their beautiful hair shine like the beauty of a bright star.

“Really?” Gold Sky stops in his tracks to grab some of his hair with his hoof to see if it’s shiny as Octavia says it is. “Oh! She didn’t tell me it was shiny.”

“Who, Rarity??” Octavia can only deduce Rarity is the one who’s behind this because really who else is good at hair styling?

“No not Rarity Octavia, it was Princess Celestia.” Gold Sky caught his tongue in the nick of time otherwise, he will have ended up saying mother.

“Wow…” Octavia was about to say something but she catches eye of the theater where she practices her music and performs at. “Here we are! You ready for your surprise Gold Sky?”

“I’m ready as I’ll ever be Octavia.”

Happily, both trot into the theater where an older stallion awaits to see his dear daughter practice while to his surprise he watches a stallion accompany his daughter and sits down in the front row. To Allegro Note’s astonishment he automatically associates this cloaked stallion as the one Octavia was talking about when she said that she accidently wake up in the same bed with him, already from the few seconds he had at looking at the stallion plus Octavia sly smirk on her face while she unpacks her cello he deduces the painted or pinto stallion is a decent fellow perhaps more than decent and the one he will allow to be close to his dear Octavia. “So this is Gold Sky and this smells of Octavia all over if she intended for me to meet him here.”

Octavia is happy to see father smile at her when she looked at him before picking her bow and put it on the strings of her cello.

Gold Sky gasps when he realizes what his surprise is! He immediately feels like the whole universe is smiling down upon from the Eye of Jupiter to the dense personality of a white dwarf everything is smiling down on him in happy harmony because he is going to be surrounded by the peaceful aria he’s heard in the fields outside Ponyville when he finally came home from his long journey. Oh the wooden harmonies of gentle ripples of light dancing around just erased his memories of the sins he committed long though it was temporary it nonetheless, gave the stallion much needed respite from his pain. And to show his sheer anticipation for Octavia’s musical serenity, perks his eats forward to hear every sound and by that he needs to hear every sound.

Luckily Princess Celestia isn’t eavesdropping on him with her telepathy.

“Let me move up.” Allegro Note quietly moves up a row of seats to have a better angle of the young stallion.

Obviously, Octavia watches her father moving up to be near Gold Sky who is totally obliviously to Allegro’s intentions. “Oh father, I knew you will do this and Gold Sky just wants to listen to me practice, I can almost see his puppy eyes. How cute.”

Just as Octavia places her bow on the strings an idea hits with the best gift she can give to Gold Sky. “Bach - Cello Suite No.1 i-Prelude is the best I can give him.” A piece immortalized by a great composer long ago will be played by musician who will reach the same immortality as that composer in no time.
The angelic melodies are unleashed with the synchronized stokes of the bow creating a vision of Avalon in the eyes and mind of the stallion. “This is so beautiful…” He whispers out loud while his entire body loses itself to this euphoric ecstasy.

“Did he say Octavia is beautiful??” Allegro Note couldn’t make out what the cloaked Unicorn said.

“This is so beautiful…” Repeats the stallion to clarify what Allegro Note thought he heard.

“Oh! Well he looks more enamored with her music than with her, I guess this is why she likes him.” Allegro Note sits back to enjoy the nice music.
Octavia who generally always has her eyes closed while she plays opens one eye to take a peek on Gold Sky just to check if he’s rocking side to side, instead she sees his eyes wider than Sweetie Belle’s while his face looks like he’s seeing an Angel standing in front of him and is completely petrified but in a good way though. “I think this piece is waking him up from the dream he’s in and is awake in reality or asleep in it. Still at least it’s nice to see him so calm like that.” It pleases the gray mare very much to have this effect on him.

Inside the core of Gold Sky’s galaxy he starts remembering things from his past years of development and his past years of his maturity. Every memory passing through his mind reminds him of the good he’s been through in life, from the soft stroking hoof of his birthmother, the hugs of his birthfather, the comforting wings of dear mother Celestia, the nice grooming he’ll receive from Ruby before getting some shuteye, the smile from Oliver the young Griffon he saved from being slaughtered by Fascist Griffons, being seen by Octavia’s beautiful eyes, and the most important memory of all is the little Griffon he’s been watching over for forty seven years place her head over his chest and listen to his heartbeat. Gold Sky can see every one of them smiling at him and he touches each one feeling them like they’re in front of him with bodies of true flesh though only two or maybe even three are still alive. Princess Celestia, Oliver perhaps, and the young Griffon he’s been watching over. Only them are alive while the rest have died before his eyes, nevertheless the pain he’s felt from their deaths have no effect on him right now. “All of you I love so much and will never forget.” The stallion embraces each one of them feeling peace to know they’re doing alright.

Allegro Note didn’t hear what Gold Sky said while Octavia did hear convincing her, the magic of this musical piece is doing its work on the cloaked Unicorn making him say what he said. “Perfect.”
Octavia finishes her little performance for Gold Sky by sealing it with a formal bow just for him which by the way is very kind of her.

“What a perfect display of your ever flawless talent my dearest daughter.” Allegro Note comes up to hug his daughter given his time is limited and Octavia is still in the dark of his limited time.

After giving father a kiss on his cheek she turns to the still petrified Gold Sky. “So what did you think Gold Sky?” She asks.

Gold Sky says nothing at all.

“Uh Gold Sky what did you think?” She asks again while waving a hoof in front of his face. “Hello? Are you there??”

“I think he’s still processing your music my dear Octavia.” Allegro Note voices.

Octavia decides to tap the cloaked Unicorn’s shoulder. “Hello, oh my!”
*Thud!*
Gold Sky falls from the chair he’s sitting on and hits the floor. “Ow…” At least the fall brought him back to his sense. “What did you day? I-I didn’t catch it.”

“Hehe how cute.” Octavia dotes as she gets Gold Sky back up to his hooves and makes him blush for the twenty first or twentieth time. “I said what did you think?”

Gold Sky’s ears twitch about in all directions in the a desperate time maker to find the right words he’ll say to Octavia while strangely enough he hasn’t completely noticed Allegro Note on the grounds the older stallion is the theater custodian. “I-I-I-I, how, how-how, h-how isssssh tsh, ish…” He’s stuttering therefore blossoming from an idiot and into an imbecile before the nice gray mare and custodian. “Ahem…ahem, how did you do that!” There, finally speaking in a perfect flow.

“How did I play with such flawlessness?” Octavia expanded Gold Sky question a bit with hers.

Gold Sky nods pretty quick popping his neck in the process. “Yes! How can you play with such flawlessness! I mean h-how can you create such beauty and be able to unleash it on the world without any form of difficulty!? I-I never heard such magnificence in my life…” The stallion shakes his head to clear it from static that may cause him to stutter. “You took me to peace Octavia!”

Unbeknownst to the cloaked stallion tears start falling from his teal eyes unnerving the passivity over Octavia and Allegro Note.

“You took me to the light I’ve been taken from and you cleared the black clouds allowing for it to shine down on me, oh, I wish I can understand your magnificence but I can’t even fathom the least of it. Octavia, I bend the knee to your grace.” Gold Sky kneels before Octavia for he feels he isn’t worthy of standing in front of a mare with such untold abilities. “I’m honored to be in your presence Octavia.” Gold Sky honors Octavia even more by taking hold of her hoof and kisses it.

Octavia’s eyes widen to see Gold Sky kiss her hoof. “Is he actually kneeling before me!?”

“Wow, not only is he decent he’s also humble too.” Allegro Note is getting more proof this cloaked stallion will be a perfect stallion for Octavia. “Well are you going to say something Octavia?” He asks. “Don’t make him staying kneeling before you forever.”

The gray mare her head to regain sense from her momentary bewilderment. “At least I know how Princess Celestia feels whenever somepony kneels before her. Honored.” First clearing the throat will be nice. “Gold Sky thank you for showing me how sincere you are and I-I am very pleased to know my music woke you up of the dream that keeps you in reality and the dream world.” She thinks with these words the stallion will get up from his kneeling but he does not making her feel nonetheless, overwhelmed for this stallion unexplainable behavior. So here plan b. “You want to go eat some of Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes?”

“WILL I!!” Instantly Gold Sky jumps to all fours and starts hopping up and down for the delicious suggestion for Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes.

Allegro Note almost breaks out laughing. “Sweetheart you know to get to a stallion.”

“What do you mean by that father?” Octavia asks while Gold Sky is hopping about.

“You get a stallion through his stomach! Hahahahaha!” In the end Allegro Note ends breaking into laughter.

“Huh?” Gold Sky stops hopping around when he hears the younger stallion laughing and by younger, Gold Sky is technically older than Allegro Note in age not in appearance. “Why is he laughing like he’s watching a Mil Brook film?”

*Ting!* Octavia couldn’t believe she hasn’t introduced Gold Sky to father. “Oh! Yes, father, stop laughing. Uh father, stop laughing.” Octavia places her hoof on his right shoulder and shakes him a bit. “Father please focus back on me.”

“Ok, ok, phew, ok, ok, let me take a deep breath. Ok I’m back.” Allegro Note stands by his daughter.

Inside Octavia, she feels her body temperature rising a few degrees to introduce Father to Gold Sky, it’s like he’s her stallionfriend and she is his marefriend and she’s going to ask father if he can go on a date with her. Though, she doesn’t know why she wants to introduce Gold Sky to father, it just seems like the perfect thing to do given she feels something for him but cannot lay a definition on that feeling. “Gold Sky, I want you to meet my father and father I want you to meet Gold Sky.”

“He’s your father?”

“Yes.” Octavia answers.

“Oh dear! When I first saw him I thought he was the theater custodian, sorry Mr. Allegro Note!” Gold Sky comes forward, extends his right hoof, and waits to shake Allegro’s hoof.

Allegro Note shrugs his shoulders in a cool manner. “Hey we all make wrong assumptions from time to time, whoa!” He notices Gold Sky golden horseshoe. “Octavia you said, he knows Princess Celestia right?”

“Yes father.”
Allegro Note focuses back on Gold Sky. “Princess Celestia gave you those golden horseshoes didn’t she Gold Sky?”
The cloaked Unicorn nods.
“Incredible…” He touches them just to feel the elegance that’s only had by Princess Celestia. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you Gold Sky. My dear Octavia here has told me some things about you along with getting into great detail about you and her waking up in the same bed by accident.”

Gold Sky’s ears drop to the simple mentioning of the little incident. “She told you that didn’t she?” He gives her a small glance to express his embarrassment to her and expects the father to start getting angry about the dishonor that has been brought upon the daughter by the incident.

“Yes and I can’t help but now laugh about it when she told me you freaked out and I began imagining it.” In an unexpected turn of events Allegro Note is going to be is joking self. “I imagine you waking up and thought oh what a wonderful morning then when you saw Octavia you went all AAAHHHHH! Waking up Octavia allowing her to see you therefore it’s her turn to AAHHHHH as well, hahahaha! I-I mean it’s funny to imagine you went AAAHHHH then you went AAAAHHHH! Th-then Go-Gold Sky fell on his face and I bet he peed on the bed as well, hahahaha! Whew, whew, let me catch my breath for a minute!” Instead Allegro Note holds his breath to suppress the coughs that accompany his decorating health. “Now that I finally had my laughs, let’s all head over to the Sugarcube Corner so Gold Sky can have his cupcakes and we can talk, oh! By the way Gold Sky you can call me by my name, there’s no need for you to be so formal around me given you’re extremely humble and I admire that.”

Containing his enthusiasm, Gold Sky nods in direct response to Allegro Note’s words. “All right, allow me to shorten our time to the Sugarcube Corner.” He places his hooves on both shoulders and says the word. “Jump.”

*Poof*

***

“Hmmmmm.” Rarity’s magic rotates one of the pink diamonds in her possession to study while she flips a page in book about every known gem in the earth. “Well, it says there are sometimes pink diamonds mined from the earth but the one in the book does compare to this one at all.” The white mare places a magnifying jewelry loupe over her right eye to examine three of the four Cs in diamonds. “It’s clarity is astounding even when they’re unpolished! Carats are off the chart” On a small scale Rarity sees the diamond weighs five pounds. “While the color does not have any sort of a grave effect to its clarity making it the more valuable. Hmmmm, I cannot come up with a rough estimate of their value in bits but from what Rainbow Dash told me, they are worth more than anything amount one can amass in a single lifetime and I have three so the wealth of these three diamonds are worth eighteen lifetimes. Still I find it extremely abstract that he’ll give me two just for a ruby.” Rarity removes the lens from her eye. “Though I hate to think this but given how my Spikey-Wikey loves to eat gems, I will have to hide these in a much more secure location and I still don’t know how Gold Sky got a hold of these diamonds?” Nevertheless, Rarity levitates the diamonds and places them into a steel container with a combination lock.

*knock, knock* Rarity is alerted to somepony’s presence outside the door. “Something tells me it isn’t Spike.” So with that thought in mind she does not close the steel container for the time being.
“Oh Twilight! How nice to see you today please come in.” The white mare gets out of Twilight’s way. “Is Spikey-Wikey with you?”

“No he’s off doing some errands then plans to help Fluttershy with her animals.” Say the nice lavender mare. “So what have you been up to?”

“I will think she will ask about my little date with Spike but I guess she’s comfortable with the prospect of that.” Rarity thinks to herself however, she won’t bring it up out of the caution it might trigger something peculiar in Twilight’s mind. “I’m just examining some unpolished diamonds that’ve been given to me and you want to check them out?” A reason why Rarity hasn’t locked the container thanks to her intuition.

Twilight has never been one to have a curiosity for gems given how she can just scoop up some dirt and ding, ding, ding, there’s a gem lying before her but from noticing this different touch in Rarity’s voice about the diamonds she decide to give them to please her dear friend. “Sure why not.” So she trots over where Rarity points to which is a steel container.

“Here they are.” Rarity’s levitates a diamond to Twilight’s field of view and ceases her magic when Twilight’s magic takes hold of it. “It’s beautiful is it not?”

Twilight on the other hand or hoof feels her eyebrows go up when she looks at the pink unpolished diamond and feels it’s rather large mass. “Wow! I’ve never seen a diamond like this one before.” Truly Twilight is amazed. “Its purity is off the charts and its mass its unnatural for this gem given how heat and high pressure will shrink down a large piece of carbon into the diamonds we see on rings.

Rarity contains her small smirk for isn’t every day that she witnesses Twilight amazement in things other than new books or Spike making another nice portrait of her. “Say I’m sure you read something about diamonds so can you tell me these diamonds are absolutely genuine? I will like a second opinion and given how you’re very intelligent, it’s proper to ask you for your second opinion.”

Twilight shakes her head to get her attention from the diamond and to Rarity. “Well I’m more than sure this diamond is real Rarity, however, give me a few seconds to remember a spell that’ll allow me to see its molecular structure. Hold on.” The lavender Unicorn’s horn glows channeling a beam of magic into the diamond creating what appears to be a hologram displaying the molecular structure and more strangely, Twilight’s magic also displays two capital letters which are associated with a blood type. “According to the structure Rarity , the diamond is real as life itself however what I don’t understand is AB positive?”

“AB positive, AB positive, AB positive??” Rarity repeats out loud to make her mind remember what those letters represent. “OH! AB positive is a blood type right?”

“Yes, yes, it’s a blood type so I don’t understand why it registers here with the molecular structure of the diamond…perhaps I messed up somewhere but overall the diamond is real Rarity so congratulations.” Twilight gives the diamond back to Rarity.
“I got two more.” The white mare levitates the other two making Twilight’s ears drop a bit. “Isn’t it great!”

“You have three of th-those diamonds!? Where did you find these diamonds??” Ideally if Rarity has three of these diamonds then there has to be more out there creating the idea of using these diamonds as a little reward snack for Spike.

Of course, Rarity being the nice host to her dear guest brings forth nice cup of tea for Twilight who happily takes the tea without a second hesitation. “Thank you Rarity, hmmm! Is this tea from the Griffon Republic?”

“Mm-Mhm!” Rarity takes a sip of her cup of tea. “Truth be told Twilight I never found these diamonds, instead they were given to me.”

“Who gave them to you Rarity?” Twilight asks.

“Gold Sky.” Rarity seems to forget that Twilight has no absolute clue of the stallion she just named.

Of course as Rarity didn’t suspect, Twilight’s ears adorably twitched about in all directions indicating to the white mare Twilight never heard that name in her entire book reading life.
“Have I seen him before?”

“I guess there hasn’t been any form of interaction between them.” Rarity thinks to herself. “He’s a…” Yes she wants to say Alicorn but the stallion’s telepathic chains prevent her from doing so. “Unicorn, yes, he’s a Unicorn wearing a nice cloak I made for him, he has dark brown hair, teal eyes, and has a painted coat.”

*Ting* Twilight’s photographic memory helps her remember the stallion that fits the precise description. “He! He gave you those pink unpolished diamonds! I-I-I mean did he even tell you how he got them or where he found them at least!?”

Rarity begins rubbing the back of her head. “Well to be truthful Twilight, I wasn’t paying much attention to him; instead I and Rainbow Dash were paying attention to the diamond of which he gave me in exchange for a ruby.”

Twilight’s jaw literally drops to hear of such a near stupid exchange; really it’s like Spike trading an autographed comic of Power Girl for a cheesy Golden age comic of Aqua Stallion instead of the more amazing Silver age Captain Equestria. “He gave you a diamond for a ruby!? Am I hearing this right? He gave you one of these incredible diamonds for a ruby then he broke your window to which he gave you two more to make up for that…ehhhhhhh, did he least tell you where he got the diamonds?” Twilight calms herself down a bit.

Rarity shook her head. “He didn’t tell me where he got them but I don’t need to know where he got them. Any who my dear Twilight how can I be a service to you?”

Originally Twilight came here to ask something of the white mare before getting completely occupied with the diamonds. “Oh yeah! Ahem, Rarity I wonder if you want to come with me to the spa for a nice massage and then head to Canterlot because I want you to try out that new restaurant that opened up last week.”

“Why of course! It sounds like the upmost fun Twilight.” Rarity closes the steel container completely locking it and stores it somewhere in her room plus before she forgets also locks the gem chest just in case.

On the way to the spa Twilight couldn’t help but look at Rarity with the widest of smiles as a breeze moves Rarity’s hair in the air. “Rarity it’s been awhile since we had some time for ourselves so I hope we enjoy ourselves.”

“Me too Twilight.” Rarity is happy to spend to be spending time with Twilight today for the truth that has to be told Rarity felt like getting a massage today.

So upon entering the spa Twilight is the first to speak to the blue Earth pony. “The Usual!”

*Squee!* Rarity beams a hearty smile for Twilight,

***

“Ho, ho, ho!” Gold Sky licks his chops to the sight of Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes being set before while Octavia sitting next to her father elbows him so he can see the funky expression on Gold Sky’s face.

Octavia on the other hand or hoof asks her father if it’s been one week already to which he thinks for a few seconds before saying yes.

“Yes to what?” Gold Sky asks out of curiosity.

“To one cup of red wine.” Allegro Note fills in. “Once a week Octavia and I drink a cup of red wine because it can help with our cardiac health.”
Pinkie pours the father and daughter the wine then hovers next to Gold Sky waiting for him to ask for some red wine.

“Will you like some?” Octavia points to his cup prompting Pinkie to angle the bottle downward but Gold Sky covers his cup with his hoof.

“I don’t partake.”

“Oh will in that case bye.” Pinkie Pie hops away.

A few seconds of silence came onto the trio not due to the lack of spoken interaction but due to the fact that the three of them are busy chowing down. Funny, Gold Sky is the first to take the initiative to speak while waiting for the obvious question of why he didn’t partake. “Octavia, how did you learn to play the cello so well?”

The gray mare wipes her mouth first. “Well I was younger father here made me a cello and taught me how to play.”

“Really!” Gold Sky turns to look at Allegro Note who for the time being seems to hold his head up high.

“Yes really Gold Sky. Because father here makes violins, violas, and Stradivarius for a living then one day he decided to make something out of the ordinary for a change and begin creating the cello while as youngster back then wondered why he’s making such a big violin. Hehe!” Octavia giggles. “I thought he was making it for Princess Celestia given the size until on the day he finished he presented it to me as the gift he always wanted to give me.”

Gold Sky holds up his cup of sarsaparilla for Allegro Note to congratulate him for creating such a fine instrument for such a fine mare. “How long did it take to make the cello?”

“Four months.” Replies Allegro Note.

Octavia nudges father with her shoulder before she continues on. “I for the will of my well my will took the a long time to gain the balance I need to hold the cello in the proper position so you can only imagine at how long it took for me to learn everything father taught me. Li-like father telling me the positions my left hoof must be in to perform the right notes, then the pressure I must carefully apply with my hoof to keep the right notes in harmony, but I can never forget is father standing behind him slowly guiding my right hoof with his hoof to a piece from Bach while his voice is soft yet loving as he teaches me to play.” Octavia ends with a smile for Gold Sky.
“I’m glad your father taught you how to play the cello, you’re so blessed to be with ever talented father.”

In midst of Gold Sky’s words Octavia and Allegro Note share the mutual thought of the stallion being secretly saddened by the fact his parents died at a young age and hears about a daughter learning an extraordinary talent through the guidance of a father. Both feel for Gold Sky though Octavia feels the most at how she laughed at him, nonetheless, a sip of wine is taken given how the somewhat stale yet leathery notes of the wine can create an unthought-of amount of courage to this little question. “Gold Sky, did you, uhm, I-I wonder if you can remember a moment you spent with your father…tha-that is if y-you don’t mind of course.”

“I don’t partake.” His nose picked up the scent of wine approaching from behind and placed his hoof over his cup to prevent Pinkie from filling his cup without permission.

“Okay.” Pinkie hops away.

*sigh* Gold Sky can hear the voice of his father telling him life isn’t always going to be lived by the pathways of honor but despite this, having honor is what separates the weak ponies from the strong ponies. For the weak ponies are leeches and the strong ponies are wolves because once the leeches have their toll on the strong they will be seized and thrown in the fire.

Quite the message a father will give to his young son but in the end it is a message that’s necessary for the father knows that every society will eventually collapse or will spilt with the strong being the only honorable ones while the weak being the dishonorable ones leech onto the strong. So the son, who with the father’s guidance becomes strong he will know what not to be and when the eventual collapse comes the strong son only needs to stand by and watch the dishonorable weak die off one by one because the honorable strong son tried in vain to help the weak becomes strong so when the weak start begging for help, he only needs to remind them of the chances he gave them now they must suffer for their choices for being leeches. It is inevitable and Gold Sky unsurprisingly waits for this to come upon this utopia called Equestria given how he lived in the Griffon Republic...more importantly he passed down the advice his father gave him to the little Griffon he’s been watching over. “My father has taught me that honor is the only way to live in this dishonorable world, even though yes, my honor will be exploited at times and will always be a possibility of unending hardship but it will allow me to stay strong against the dishonorably weak who always have the tendency to distort what’s is right and wrong.”

Allegro Note who was going to ask something was beaten to the punch by his daughter making him see, he and Octavia must share the same thoughts without even knowing it. “Your father sounded like the stern but wise type of father if I’m not overstepping my bounds here.”

Gold Sky shakes his head telling the gray mare she has not overstepped any bounds. “Wise yes, but stern? Oh no he was never stern at all, he was very loving, joyful, thoughtful, and yes as I said before, very wise. I can always know that if I need to find shelter from anything that frightens me then I know I can always find it under my father’s comforting wing, his wing protected me and his wisdom filled me with early teachings I needed.” He suddenly pauses for a few seconds to look down thinking what he should say next so he does not be taken over by sadness while as he thinks he passes his left hoof over his chin.

However, Octavia and Allegro Note take Gold Sky’s pause as a moment to keep himself from crying about his memory about his father. “How can this stallion go through such heartbreak at an early age and yet be so decent today??” Allegro Note wonders only to remind himself his time with Octavia is going to be met with the same fate as Gold Sky’s father.

“The one thing I desire is my father giving me the teachings to make me a more honorable stallion.” Gold Sky drinks the rest of his drink to mark an end of his little remembrance of Silver Wind.

Suddenly without the slightest hint of letting intentions be known to the gray mare and the painted or pinto stallion, Allegro Note with a frozen daze on his face gets up from the table and leaves to go to the bathroom.
“Father?” Octavia calls out to the stallion.

“I’ll be right back sweetheart.” For the first time as in ever Allegro Note makes no eye contact with Octavia as he speaks. “Need to go.”

“Uhhh…” Gold Sky unknowingly sounds off his indecision to use his telepathy on Allegro Note to figure out his out of the blue emotions.

“Don’t worry!” Octavia touches his hoof with hers. “He sometimes gets the urge to go in most of unexpected circumstances.” The gray mare makes up something for her father’s escapade.

“Oh well…” Gold Sky decides not to read Allegro Note’s mind. “Can you tell me how you came to play that piece so perfectly?” Gold Sky knows he doesn’t need to tell Octavia which piece he’s referring to.

Octavia’s ears perk forward to Gold Sky’s unmeasurable curiosity for her music along with his unending eye contact of which she isn’t unnerved by. “Well, father introduced me to that Bach piece a few months after I showed him I’m starting to get the hang of my cello at an intermediate level. So he gave me that piece after he played it first so I can record it in my mind then as I play it I can know where I made my mistakes, replay the piece in my mind, sync it to my physical practice over and over again until I CEASE playing the piece in my mind and listen to the well-practiced perfection that comes after hard work.”

“Wow…that’s amazing.” While in his mind he tells himself how beautiful Octavia’s eyes are. “I wish I had your mental yet tactile approach of memorization then physical interpretation through your flawless motion of your arms.”

Octavia touches his hoof again causing him to blush through this physical contact. “I don’t know why I’m feeling this strange warm feeling inside of me? I-I-I-I mean why am I feeling weird if she j-ju-just touched my hoo-hoo-hoof??” Though even though the warm feeling is weird enough, the fact is he hears his mental voice stutter like he’s physically speaking makes this all the more unknown for his over two hundred year old mind to process.

“I can hear his heartbeat speeding up again. Oh he’s so sweet.” Octavia tells herself.

***

In the bathroom.
Allegro Note, with a towel over his mouth suppresses his dreadful coughs he knows will frighten his dearest daughter forcing her to put aside her rising recognition and destroy whatever progress she’s made in her performances. “Gold Sky lost his mother and father and now-“ The stallion places the towel over his mouth to suppress his coughs. “Oh my Great Spirit! Why am I going to die…! Why am I going to die just when my dear Octavia is getting everything she deserves. Just like Gold Sky she is going to experience heartbreak when I leave her.” Allegro Note looks into the eyes of his reflection noticing their pink and with tears to give hearty proof to that. “I wish I can see my wife, ooooh who am I kidding, Octavia will be displeased for the fact I still love Harmonic Breeze despite betraying me and abandoning Octavia. Oh my dear daughter I’m all you have in this world. You love me, adore me, and think of me constantly and I love you with all my heart Octavia.” Allegro Note places his right hoof over his dying lungs. “I wish I can walk you down the aisle…” *Sniffle* Some tears run down his face. “Hug my grandchildren.” He falls to his rump silently weeping for the future he will not be a part of. “See my Octavia hug her husband as she smiles at him.”

A long sigh escapes from his mouth prompting him to get up and wash his face to erase any signs of his weeping. “At least Redheart said I have enough time though not enough to be a part of what I’ll be missing. Still! I’ll be spending plenty of time with dearest daughter and maybe just maybe see something blossom between her and Gold Sky, heh, can’t believe I found a stallion I approve of in just the first encounter.”

Allegro Note leaves the bathroom to rejoin Octavia and Gold Sky.

“Father, you took quite a long time in their…uhh did you drink too much cranberry juice??” Octavia asks.

Allegro Note shakes his head as he sits down smiling so lovingly at his daughter then smiles kindly at Gold Sky.
“Gold Sky if you don’t mind can you please tell me how your parents died?”

Octavia’s face becomes worried and again touches Gold Sky’s hoof to ease him of any pain.

“My parents died of the T8 Encephalic Virus.”
The voice Gold Sky uses makes Allegro Note feel pain for his coming end and Octavia living without him.

“T8 Encephalic virus?” Repeats the gray mare.

“It’s a virus that’s transmitted by airborne particles and once it’s breathed in by a host the virus clings on to red blood cells and travels to the brain and once in the brain that’s when the end commences. Oh Great Spirit…” Gold Sky chokes up. “I was so young yet I remember it with every part of my spirit…” Suddenly the stallion composes himself. “The virus, once inside brain begins latching on to the neurons and infects the cell by corrupting the nucleus with its own DNA forcing and by force, I mean that neurons do not divide like normal cells but the virus corrupts the neuron into doing so and given how neurons travel fast the viruses uses the nerve cells to travel rapidly throughout the brain along it spread. Of course, given its ability to corrupt the nerve cells it also has a fast gestation period allowing for fast reproduction overwhelming the host’s immune system.”

Octavia now reflects the same shade of curiosity Gold Sky had for her music. “What does the virus do to the brain?”

“Well after the corrupted neuron produces viruses it dies and because neurons are the main form of communication between the body systems everything starts going haywire. Therefore, due to neurons being unable to transmit messages then the muscles can’t move as desired, the natural pacemaker won’t control the heart rate, the PH levels in the blood can drop creating a more acidic environment killing the red blood cells…however, this only happens for the lucky ones.”

“What!” Both Allegro Note and Octavia screech at the same time. “What do you mean those are the lucky ones when everything you’re saying sounds horrible!”

Elegant with the grace of simple shrug Gold Sky continues. “The T8 Encephalic virus isn’t like other viruses, no, this virus has a mind of its own for it can choose to either infect the neurons or infect the brain itself turning the once living brain tissue into black necrotic tissue.”

“Necrotic?” Octavia does not know what that word even means and it sounds more like a noise ushered out of Gold Sky’s lips than a word per se.

Now it’s Gold Sky’s turn to amaze Octavia with his knowledge. “Necrotic means dead tissue. Wherever there’s dead tissue in the brain then you will expect a direct path to the end…this is how my parents died slow, painful, for wherever there’s necrotic brains tissue there is a body system shutting down. The T8 Encephalic virus came upon Equestria like a surprise attack, killing many upon ponies. Sadly my parents happened to be in their number, as for me, I was exposed to the virus but never got infected telling me my immune system is unique like the virus itself.” *Long sigh* “Fortunately Nurse Redheart creating a vaccine against the virus but she was five months too late.” Gold Sky shakes his cup having Pinkie Pie refill his cup with sarsaparilla. “Any who thanks to Redheart none of you will ever have the opportunity to experience the T8 Encephalic virus.”

Allegro Note with his ears can pick the saddened frequency that the stallion wishes to continue talking about his parents but can’t due to the reason Gold Sky will end up trekking into the agonizing sorrow making this little hearty get together sour for the three of them. “Gold Sky happily talked about his father now perhaps if I ask him he’ll be more than happy to talk about his mother.” *ting* “I’m more than sure Octavia will be made uncomfortable at the sheer mention of mother. Still, Octavia will be nice to just listen and smile despite being angered inside and going cold.”

So for the sake of keeping this get together from going sour. “Gold Sky can you please tell us about your loving mother? I’m just very curious if you don’t mind.” Clearly as he predicted, Allegro feels Octavia squirm a bit in her seat.

Gold Sky’s ears perk back up foreshadowing the reemergence of his typical happy touch in his voice. “Just like father where can I begin with mother!”

A quiet yet unnoticeable groan is unheard by Gold Sky and Allegro Note yet Allegro Note knows she’s getting filled with dire darkness about any connection to mother.
Octavia detests the word Mother.

Octavia abhors the mention of the maternal figure.

Octavia in the deepest crevice of her mind Hates her mother… and sadly what will give justification for Octavia’s hatred for Harmonic Breeze is Allegro Note’s cancer being present due to his heartbreak of Harmonic Breeze’s making his body become frail.

But. Octavia for the sake of wanting to see Gold Sky happy smiles as he tells her about his mother encouraging him to continue while inside. “I hate Harmonic Breeze.”

To be fair Octavia will not the stain the pure definition of mother by putting it in the same sentence with the name Harmonic Breeze.

***

In the palace.
“Tia?” Cadance with her telepathy can sense being a bit too lukewarm than usual. “What’s wrong??”

The Princess of the Sun’s horn glows dropping a Sapphire representing Rarity, a fire Ruby representing Rainbow Dash, a small pink Tourmaline representing Fluttershy, and lastly the biggest gem which is an Amethyst represents Twilight Sparkle.
“Uhh are you starting to collect gems Tia?” Cadance asks.

Celestia shakes her head. “Each gem represents Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle.”

“What about Applejack and Pinkie Pie?”

A wave of the hoof tells Cadance everything that’s going to come. “Forget about them Cadance, the real question is why? Why am I allowing my son to develop emotions that will eventually evolve into love for an Earth Pony?”

“Wha-what!!!?” Cadance can’t believe what she just thought she heard.

“You heard me Cadance. My son deserves to be with a Unicorn or a Pegasus not an Earth pony, and if I have to play hoof into this then so be it.”

The Princess of Love does not approve any of this. “So you’re going to micro-manage your son’s life even if it means by trying to control who he wants to fall in love with!?”

Princess Celestia levitates the Amethyst in front of Cadance telling the cerise mare who Gold Sky deserves to be with. “Though it hurts me having to do this to him but it will be for his benefit for it is as it is said.”

“And what in the bloody hell will that be Tia?” Cadance nearly growls.

“A mother knows best.”

My dearest Readers as always I thank you for your infinite patience.

Cadance the Sly and a Whole Family

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 13

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

“Oh the innocence of childhood is so similar to mine but both his and mine have turning points where that innocence dies leading to a turning point of our lives.” Octavia in the back of her mind just wishes she can ask Gold Sky to please stop talking about anything regarding his mother or better yet just stop talking about any notion about mother in general until thanks to her own thoughts her mind shifts to something else. “Was it just me or did I hear Father having a terrible cough in the bathroom?” Her beautiful grayish purple eyes make a sudden move to gaze upon Father while her sharp hearing concentrates on his lungs. “I don’t know how healthy lungs are supposed to sound.”

Allegro Note senses Octavia is using her hearing to monitor something one him due to seeing her ear twitch in his direction. “Perhaps she caught ear of my muffled cough but can’t figure out anything. Meanwhile, on Gold Sky talking about his parents she’s getting angry with every minute the word mother is ushered. Well, I don’t want to interrupt the nice stallion but the more this continues Octavia might stop making contact with him when he looks like a nice stallion.”
So here comes the interruption. “Gold Sky, that scar over your neck just how did you come to get it?”

Gold Sky stops then goes completely silent when Octavia’s father asked him about his scar but what he noticed is the tiny sparkle in Octavia’s eyes when that question was thrown out into the air. “I was attacked by a Griffon and he slit my throat, luckily I used my magic to heal myself leaving this scar behind.”

Octavia nearly gasped to how a nice stallion like Gold Sky can be attacked for no reason and tried to be murdered by a no good assailant. “No Pinkie, I only drink one cup of wine not two, an-an-and Gold Sky why were you attacked! How can a Griffon will want to kill you when you look so nice, innocent, and also walks like a mare…oops.” Oh dear Octavia has said a bit too much in trying to describe the painted or pinto stallion.

“What do you mean he walks like a mare? Is that even possible for a stallion to do???” Asks Allegro Note.

Gold Sky already cloaked the story behind the scar on his neck now he has to throw another cloak over it while predicting once Octavia gives her Father a quick answer to his question then all attention will return to his scar.

“Well if he can do it then I’m sure others can.” Octavia simply puts her answer in a short spoken answer to get back to Gold Sky’s scar.

So Gold Sky sensing his cue once both pairs of eyes are on him he takes a sip of his drink to take away the approaching thirst. “I got this a while back when I was just on a journey to see the rest of the world outside Equestria. I was near the nation of Airdor, it’s a kingdom of Girffons and as I decided to make a quick stop in a nearby carrot farm to buy some carrots and that was where I was attacked.”

“Oh dear!” Octavia gasped.

“I being a born fighter figured I only got uh…four yes four minutes before I die and lose too much blood hehe, I fought the Griffon and won then I healed myself with magic with three minutes and fifty seconds to spare.”

Both the father and daughter say whoa at the same time to express their awe in this cloaked stallion’s ability to kill a fearsome creature like a Griffon in ten seconds flat. “Born fighter!??” Octavia exclaims. “You’re more of a flawless fighter to kill a griffon in ten seconds! Uhhh then what happened?”

“I just stood there looking at the dead Griffon and wonder in what state of mind can he have to just come and attack somebody like me who did him no ill. Did he experience a sadness that’ll drive him to seek anyone’s blood or did he just have the desire to seek blood. A life is brought to an end through his own decision and I felt nothing for having to end his life when maybe back at his home he has a family waiting for maybe nothing but nonetheless, there was one question I have and probably will always remained unanswered.” Gold Sky finishes his double cloaked story behind the scar over his neck.

Allegro Note being more amused with the unanswered question then the calm barely emotional tone of voice asks Gold Sky what’s the unanswered question while Octavia is more amused with Gold Sky’s calm barely emotional tone then with the unanswered question asks Gold Sky how he can be so calm in telling them about this incident.

Sometimes two questions can be answered with one stone but this isn’t the case here not even by the longest of long shots. “Two questions I’ve received and both I will answer starting with Octavia’s question. The reason why I’m speaking the way I’m speaking is I don’t feel sorry for ending someone that had malice to drive them to kill me, I just don’t. In fact what I did held that Griffon accountable for its own actions and I, well, I did what needed to be done to ensure my life. For to even bother feeling bad is meaningless no matter what. Now to Allegro Note’s question, the question that’s unanswered is did the Griffon felt fear in his final seconds of life.”

“Fear?” Octavia says the word not Allegro Note which is odd given Allegro Note asked about the unanswerable.

“Yes fear. Everyone no matter who they are has fear when they are about to die…” Suddenly.

“Yes tell me about it.” Allegro Note unknowingly mutters under his breath which clearly is heard but not understood by the other two.

“What?” Octavia and Gold Sky say at the same time.

Realizing what he said. “Uh oh uh what!?” Allegro will play the dumbfounded card to escape his little self-imposed predicament.

“Did you say something Father?”

“Uhh no, no, no I-I didn’t say anything for real I didn’t say anything now back to everyone having fear.”

Gold Sky believing Allegro Note continues. “So did this Griffon have fear or did he accept his fate thanks to his doing? While yes everyone feels fear right before they die but at the same time am I right saying that? Still I will never know if he had fear or not.”

Octavia learns something new today, she learns that killing someone isn’t always an act that’s bad it’s an act that must be done when there is no other option left to utilize to ensure one’s own life. Gold Sky did just that in self-defense from some bad Griffon and perhaps he’s right not to feel terrible when he took the moment to look upon the Griffon to reminiscence about the pillars the Griffons once stood upon. “Say well I’m stuffed how about we leave and go to the Ponyville lake to watch the nature while our stomachs digests everything.” Octavia suggests.

“Sounds good to me.” Says Allegro Note.

Gold Sky simply nods.

Alas after leaving a nice tip for Pinkie Pie all three carefully trot to the Ponyville lake because moving with full stomachs isn’t so graceful like Rarity trotting down the road when she isn’t stuffed to the brim with food well in fact even when filled to the brim Rarity still has gracefulness on her side. “Oh boy I could barely move.” Groans Allegro Note then leans a bit on Octavia. “You don’t mind if I lean myself on you a bit do sweetheart?” He asks.

“No I don’t mind at all Father besides we’re almost at the lake.” Octavia nevertheless, decreases her speed so Father can help himself.

Gold Sky observing the Love between the Father and Daughter suddenly hears the laughs of the young Griffon he or specifically was watching over. As for the laughs, with every passing second and more observing the Love the laughs become louder and louder until in the core of his Galaxy he says the words he’s always told the little Griffon he once watched over. “My flesh & blood…This is something I can’t withstand anymore, oh my Great Spirit please stop with the affection I can’t take it anymore!! STOP!! PLEASE STOP!!” His Love releases at tremendous shockwave when it directs itself to what the stallion holds most dear.

In the Palace, Princess Cadance is polishing Shining Armor’s armor. *TING!* “What the!!” Feeling the tremendous spike of Love, Cadance thinks that Love is touching her shoulder right now but stops herself from reacting as if she was touched for real. “His Love! I think what he loves the most is passing through his mind at this very moment!” With the help of her imagination which isn’t as bad as it sounds. “His love is now past the boundaries of well I guess in my imagination it’s past the very edge of the universe and it’s going deep into the territory of Divinity.” Meaning, his love if shaped into a bar it is just knocking on the gates of the Heavenly Paradise since it rose from Earth and journeyed into the depths of space. “I can feel his most loving Love and boy does it feel nice to be able to feel it.”

Fortunately for Gold Sky the trio arrived at the Ponyville and the act of simple affection shared between the father and daughter comes to an end. “Gold Sky come, come.” The gray mare comes by Gold Sky and softly pushes him to the shade of her favorite tree so he can join her father as well. “Okay this is perfect.” Now judging from the eagerness in her voice along with the happiness inside her by having her father and good friend close. “Ever since I was a child.” Octavia begins to explain why this place is so important to her and even though her father knows full Gold Sky does not know of this place of importance. “Father will bring me here as a place to seek solace from any form of hardship we faced given how it was only me and father against the world. Oh there were times when times got too tough but we always pulled through and sometimes when we’ll were here he’ll take out his favorite violin to play me my favorite songs as his way to show we will always be together now as for the lake. The calm show of nature will ease father thanks to how the never connecting sounds of the water rippling will give him peace and for me the sounds of the never rhythmic water ripples provided me with inspiration to write music of my own.”

Gold Sky using magic grabs a flat stone and throws it at the lake making the stone skip across the mild ripples. “It’s nice how the both of you have a spot that’ll give you peace whenever you seek it and it also reminds the both of you of each other’s Love. And it’s so beautiful in fact if I may say how you two have grown so close together.”

But in Octavia’s mind. “Oh hell from the way he’s talking, Gold Sky is going to ask about that bloody mare!!?” By bloody mare it is Octavia’s mother.

However, Gold Sky does not say a single peep about Octavia’s mother instead he carries on with his admiration about Octavia and Allegro Note especially Allegro Note’s paternal instinct. Of course thanks to this Octavia gets the urge to ask Gold Sky about what she perceives as paternal instinct in him. “Gold Sky even though you told me before I just feel like I have to ask you again and this time I can’t help myself so sorry in advance. Ahem, how do I know you were not a father when one’s own paternal instincts can only be manifested when they caring for their children?” Ah ha! Octavia undoubtedly is thinking she caught the stallion with question he must answer with the truth and nothing but the truth.

Hapless as the luck on Octavia’s side which by the way isn’t very plentiful to say the least so to present that poor aspect shadowing the gray mare Gold Sky already had his words picked if asked any sort of question regarding his trait that many will see as Paternal. “Like I said Octavia, I spent a while in the Griffon Republic and I have babysat many of their children. Griffons are so unique but their young offspring are so beautiful just like the love between you two and thus I have great experience with children so what you may take for paternal instinct is just my well-earned experience with children who by the way have razor sharp talons. Oh you can imagine how many scratches I received for child I took care of…” But suddenly his high level of caution depletes itself by half when one little Griffon presents herself to his psyche. “But there was one little Griffon that I really cared a lot for, a dear precious little Griffon who take my care and made it into Love, she really loved me very much that precious little Griffon who I saw grow before my very eyes day after day like daffodil. She adored me just like I adored her very much.”

Octavia seeing she’s been proven wrong in her assumption once again feels pleased nonetheless, that even though he isn’t a father she found a substitute that will give rise to his paternal instinct. “What was the name of this precious little Griffon, Gold Sky?”
Allegro Note pipes in to. “Yes what is the name of this little Griffon, Gold Sky? Because from the sound of all this I can guess you loved that little Griffon a lot.”

With his level of caution at half. “Her name is Gil…” He’s lucky he caught himself in the spilt second. “Hilda yes the name of the precious little Griffon is Hilda.” In so little time and with so little pushing, the Loving Stallion was about to say the name of what he holds most dear and what gives him the most pain. “Damn the Razor inside of me, damn the Razor for taking me away from her but damn myself the most.”

“Hilda.” The gray mare says in the clearest of voices. “That’s a nice a name for a precious little thing…”
“She is not a thing!” Gold Sky almost growls at the gray mare for referring to what he holds most dear as a thing. “She is not a thing, so please don’t ever call her that again. I-I-I-I ca-cared for her deeply and she tssh, tss, ggaaaa aah thsh, love-loved go-going to the meadows with me, everyday she’ll ask me tsssh, go can we please go to the meadows and I caring so much her will take her so she can enjoy herself and I can just smile. Smile for the fact that for every second she’s happy I’m happy.” In the midst of his random stutters the loving stallion manages to get his point laid before the gray mare.

“Sorry and that sounds so sweet Gold Sky, you and that precious little Griffon.” Octavia reaches out to lay her arm on the stallion’s shoulders. “You know, you’re very mysterious Gold Sky so mysterious I bet you impress my Father.”

“Yes he impresses me.” Chimes in Allegro Note on cue.

Octavia carries on. “So every time you reveal something I can’t help but be amazed hehehe I like that and thank you for being so entranced with my music. Perhaps we can do this again next time or maybe you can invite me!” Octavia removes her arm from his shoulder and carefully elbows him gently on the side. “To practice in front of you and Princess Celestia hehehe, that’ll be nice yeah, really nice I like the sound of that.” Octavia rubs her hooves together like she’s coming up with a plan that’ll get her more recognition of her musical talent and gets a bit carried away in the process which does not happen very often but it did and Octavia is doing it while Gold Sky and Allegro Note look on at the gray mare laugh in a maniacal manner.

“Uhh why is she laughing like that?” Gold Sky asks Allegro Note.
“Eh she’s just coming up with some plan that might or might not work, this is normal.”

Once the maniacal laughing comes to a complete stop like Rainbow Dash zipping her mouth shut Octavia looks back at Gold Sky. “So what do you say?”

“I’ll ask her majesty if you can come to the palace so you can practice slash perform for her and me of course. Now I guess from the way this is all going, I think it’s time for me to depart.” He gets up while making it apparent he’s not done speaking. “Octavia thank you for giving me a gift that I’ll never forget, thank you for being so considerate when I don’t deserve it but you were so kind to me, I’m glad to have the opportunity to have a friend like you Octavia. Thank you.” Now to Allegro Note. “Allegro Note thank you for taking my first bit of misunderstanding without offense and for treating me as a friend, thank you.”

Allegro Note to show how much of a friend he is to Gold Sky just takes the cloaked stallion into a tight hug. “You’re a good fella Gold Sky, sure at first when my daughter told me about I almost had some doubts about you but upon seeing you react to Octavia’s music my mind changed and now I see you with the brightest of hopes as a good fella.” After popping some of Gold Sky’s bones he lets the cloaked pony free.

“Oh father who knew you’ll be so modest.” Octavia takes her place. “Well Gold Sky the three of us sure had fun today and take care, you good fella you.” In the mind. “Time to hear is heart speed up like a rocket.” Then takes Gold Sky in nice loving hug. “Hehe there it goes, faster than fast if hearts can go that fast, I don’t think he’s having a heart attack? Nah he’s good.”
With the hug done the cloaked stallion teleports back home.

Allegro Note stands next to Octavia. “He’s something isn’t he.”

“Oh father I know what you’re leading to but you’re barking up the wrong tree, he’s just a friend a handsome friend nonetheless, but still a friend besides maybe he thinks what I’m thinking right now and my music career is where I want it.” Well Octavia has spoken her due. “Still I like him. But!”

“But what!!?” Allegro Note’s ears perk up with super wonder.

“HA! Got you father, still look if you think Gold Sky is the right stallion then I’m amazed you found one so quickly without being soooooo uh so protective but tell you what, if Gold Sky has some kind of an interest in me then maybe I’ll give the time of the day.” She cements her words by gently kissing father on the cheek. “You have my word father.”

Allegro Note kisses Octavia’s forehead just to give Octavia another kiss given his limited time upon this Earth. “So you do feel something for him?”

“If I have feelings for him then I know he has feelings for me Father and before you ask I can feel his body heat rise every time I approach him & I can hear his heart beat rise every time I hug him buuuuuut! His smile he has every time he sees me tells me he feels something for me.” Octavia ends it right there and changes the subject. “Father you should come over to my house for dinner, I so want to cook something for you to pay you back for the big lunch you gave me a while back.”

“Thank you sweetheart.” Allegro Note gives Octavia another kiss on the cheek. “Octavia loves having things on her own accord but it does seem it will do her well.”

With time ticking away, Allegro Note can just hang on to hope that he will at least have a beating heart when his daughter finds love otherwise finding love will not be an option for the gray mare. Just all the more things that makes living life so agonizing to the Father, oh why just why did he have to live every day like it’s his last when he has an approaching last day? Oh the things a Father must do to provide his children or in this case his child with the little thought that he’ll always be with her even when he knows…He Won’t.

Though if he heeded some of the philosophy of nihilism then to him all of this will be meaningless but he never did heed the philosophy of nihilism because as a Father only one thing means the world to him and it is not his wife.

But his heart living outside his body.

***

The cloaked stallion reappears in Princess Cadance’s field of view being completely oblivious to the Princess of Love who for the moment observes him trot around in the gardens while smiling a big smile like he’s eager to share a secret he can’t hide for long. “Tia trust me this will work and I rolled about in your bed plus pillows for like ten minutes to cover myself with your scent oh I also bathed myself with your shampoo as well.”

Princess Celestia who currently is in her room enjoying some chocolate cake feels a bit worried about the gamble Cadance wants to take. “Do you honestly think he’ll think I shape-shifted into you by covering yourself with my scent? True it’s clever on your part but rather risky if you want to secure any kind of bond with him.”

Cadance jumps off from the balcony to commence to glide down and land in front of the stallion.
“You can say that Tia but given how I see his big smile his face he is in a very happy mood so that means first thing he’ll do is look for you and right now I bet he’s sniffing the air to find your scent and with me gliding down he’ll catch your scent on me. And with a bit of confusion but with the happiness in his mind he will think it’s you so here it goes.”

Princess Celestia doing her part uses magic to conceal her scent and continues indulging in her delicious chocolate cake. “I’ll say no to his question to invite Octavia over but he’ll get saddened and Cadance will get upset plus Luna might also get involved too. Oh in my own reluctance I’ll say yes but perhaps I can play this into my favor by inviting my most faithful student to watch.” Celli tells herself just then. “Oh and good luck Cadance.”

With only hundred feet remaining until she lays her hooves on the ground Cadance thanks Tia for the nice bid.

*sniff, sniff* As Cadance undoubtedly predicted, Gold Sky sniffs the air to find dearest mother. “Mother is close.” And just when the last word left his lips, Cadance lands right in front of him. *GASP!* “It’s her majesty Princess Cadance!! How, how, how, how and why, why, why, why is she doing here!!” Yet even with his thoughts saying what is obvious his nose reminds him whose scent he smells. “Is this mother?”

“He can’t tell if it’s me or Tia or he’s trying.” Cadance tells herself.

“Did mother shape shift into her majesty Princess Cadance as if to get rid of my fear of the mare who knows of my great many sins but yet toys with me by making me wait for her to make her move on me.” His nose sniffs the air picking up mother’s scent come from the cerise mare and picks up the smell of mother’s shampoo. “She smells like mother so it has to be mother…oh mother you and your ways.” In the end Gold Sky completely believes this isn’t the cerise mare he fears, he believes this is mother given how every pony has their own unique scent and this mare clearly has mother’s scent. “Mother why did you shape shift into her majesty Princess Cadance?”

Hearing this Cadance nearly falls to the ground in utter disbelief to see how her little plan actually worked. “Uhhhhm because I wanted to see how you will react and since you didn’t react any differently like you were in front of the real Princess Cadance, I say it’s safe for me to stay in this form for the time being.” Cadance carefully plays her hand… hoof in this hoping to spend time with the stallion.

Surprised as well, Celestia with her telepathy looks on through Cadance’s eyes to see if Gold Sky will go along.

“Mother can shape shift in her majesty Princess Cadance but mother can’t never lose her wonderful scent.” Gold Sky gently while still kind tense chuckles to mother’s little act of fun. “Mother if you think it’s safe to look like her majesty Princess Cadance then it’s fine by me.”

“Phew…” Both the cerise mare and white mare sigh in relief.

So first before anything else, Cadance does what she always wanted to do. “Well hold on.” She stops to clear her throat but in reality she’s too giddy to even continue but has to continue in order to keep up the charade per se but she will continue nevertheless, and will have to call Gold Sky what Tia calls him. “Ahem, okay, okay, well let’s go my ahem let’s go my son OH! But first are you forgetting something.” Under her breath Cadance conceals a long giggle.

The stallion thinks for a quick moment to remember what he’s forgetting. “Oh yeah!” He comes up and kisses the cerise on the cheek. “Thank you for reminding me mother.”

Upon contact of the loving stallion’s lips touching her cheek, a massive jolt rushes through the mare’s nervous system. “So my dear son will you like to tell me how your day went I am very curious and from the big smile you had on your face when you came your day must have went well.”

Gold Sky nearly blushing from mother’s observation lies belly down on the soft grass to tell her every detail of his day.

Though just prior before laying down next to him Cadance expresses her thoughts to herself. “Love in its physical form just kissed me on the cheek and its love I mean his Love is joining with my love with every physical contact so with this I must take every advantage I can take to figure out how he’s related to me. Still this is so exciting!” With that thought said Cadance sits down next to the stallion. “I think after Tia sits next to him she will cover him with her wing yeah I think she’ll do that next. I think.” Thus Cadance places a wing over the stallion sending more jolts of his love into her system. “With all this Love coming inside of me I think a connection can be established if I keep this up.”

With her wing covering the stallion Gold Sky is now eased into telling “mother” about his little nice gift given to him by Octavia.

“Well mother where to start? Uhmmm today uhhhhh alright let me start over Octavia had a gift for me today.”

Cadance putting on her best motherly voice to keep this real as real can get between the both of them. “What is that she gave you my son?” Is doing the best she can to imitate every aspect of Tia’s motherly voice.

Gold Sky who like Cadance also feels giddy to tell “mother” about Octavia’s gift for him. “Octavia practiced her incredible music for me an-an-and her music is beyond words so I can’t fully describe its majesty but I can try by saying it took to the heavenly paradise and I felt like it will never end! Ooooh she never looked so magnificent as she played her music for me, bit by bit, I felt lifted up and when she came to an end my min d couldn’t face this reality.”

“How come?” Cadance asks.

“Her music came to an end that’s why. I wish it went on a little bit longer so I can just feel what magnificence feels…oh Octavia she is just sooooo oh just soooooooo ooooooh boy I can’t find any words to say.” Gold Sky turns away from “mother” to hide the rosy color appearing on his cheeks to which for Cadance is wonderful news to see how the stallion is developing emotions for a such a nice mare while for Princess Celestia she isn’t liking the rosy hue and thus comes more motivation to step up her take in Gold Sky’s forth coming love.

Again with the giddiness in the cerise mare. “Oh my, it looks like you have the L word for this certain mare.”

*ting* The stallion’s ears perk up when the notion of a certain L word is spoken from “mother’s” lips.

But suddenly. “Lobster!” Pinkie Pie just pops up from out of nowhere. “Oops wrong place to pop up and intrude upon, bye!”

“Uhh what??” Gold Sky turns to the cerise to see if she has an answer for this unexpected surprise from Pinkie Pie.

“Yeah that’s a normal from Pinkie Pie and no the L word isn’t lobster my son the L word is Love. Love, Love, and yes, Love my dear son.”

“You’re going too far with this Cadance, don’t encourage love where love isn’t supposed to be.” Celestia pushes away her chocolate cake meaning things are escalating a bit too fast.

Not heeding Tia’s words and not liking how the white mare plans to destroy this cherishing moment Cadance will just this once overstep her use of telepathy. “Sit down, be quiet, and wait until I’m done here. Thank you.”

Celestia gasps in shock but does as Cadance telepathically orders and resumes eating her chocolate cake. “Your gambles may favor you now but they never last once I come into the fold.”

Back to Gold Sky.
“Love?? You think I am developing Love for Octavia?” Now as if his ears perking up details his surprise for this notion were enough he didn’t stutter when he reacted to the notion when in normal circumstances he’ll stutter like a scratched record on thirty three rotations per minute.

Instead of trying to imitate every one of Tia’s motherly aspects, Cadance without having any thought turns to her own motherly instincts thanks to the questioning light coming from his eyes. “Yes I think that my son.” Through her own instinct Cadance gently nudges his left shoulder followed by a small comforting smile and comforting like someone can say something true while being so grand about it.

“You may think so mother but I just don’t know if I even know what this sort of Love is, I-I mean how can I know what love is if…look mother maybe I told you this before…”

Cadance has the need to know what was told before. “I don’t think I remember what you told me my son so please refresh me.”

Truth be told Gold Sky never exactly told mother (Celestia) the things he’s going to tell Princess Cadance right now while inside he’s guarding the very thing he knows he’s love most dear seeing how he became something that normally doesn’t come when being a son is a stallion’s first trait followed by husband then father and for the loving stallion he was son and then became the third trait sealing what he is along with how he has so much experience with children.
“Through the years of my life mother, I never have fallen love with anypony and I mean I never fallen in Love, had a crush, admired any mare, or even spent time around my own species. I don’t know what love is mother and I wish I knew what love is. Truly mother, nothing will please me than to know what true love is.”

“For being the physical manifestation of Love he clearly has no idea how to interpret his own emotions yet from what I sensed earlier he loves something ever so dearly but that’s something else which I know he won’t reveal to me even if he thinks I’m his mother as for falling in love with a mare that’s the unsolved puzzle that needs to be solved so he can know what love is.” Cadance thinks to herself. “Oh my son, truly you don’t know what love is but never fear, right now I will try to help you the best I can.”

“You will!” The stallion’s ears perk up with delight to get the help he’s been seeking from mother instead of wise but sometimes in the most part cryptic counsel but that’s only on the developing love for a soul mate.

Cadance says yes by kissing the stallion’s forehead intensifying the jolts she’s already receiving from her wing covering the stallion. “Let me start by asking you, what did you feel when you laid your eyes on Octavia for the first time. Did you feel weird for seeing a mare of your species okay you know what forget that first question. Ahem starting over, did you feel something when you saw Octavia and did your mind start making weird thoughts?”

Gold Sky explains that it was her music that brought him to her. Her unexplainable music closed out the world took him away from his peripheral senses and brought him the wooden melodies of peace. Then when the music came to an end his eyes opened to gaze upon the beauty who was bringing the wooden melodies to live with every motion of her own will, he being who he is almost had no words to say to such a fine mare like her but luckily he managed to applaud her wonderful talent. “After that we began what I guess is called a friendship she started to look upon me with her beautiful eyes telling me I mean something to her, she talks to me with no hesitation and she will not turn me away. Though what was funny along with amazing me is her willingness to stick with me when the Cakes asked me to foalsit their children, she could have said no but yet she stay with me even though I did all the work oh and the reason I asked her stay with me was well since she’s a mare others can feel comfortable about me foal sitting the twins.”

“Well with everything you are saying my son, perhaps now you can find something in the words or perhaps the way your voice sounds can tell you something about Octavia.”

“Uh she’s a really nice mare?”

“Ehhh…” Cadance almost being speechless waves her right hoof around in the air to show her thought process. “Yes, from the sound of it she is a nice mare but seriously you can’t be completely unknowing of your own feelings for this nice mare…” The cerise mare stops herself knowing that if she continues then she might get carried away leading her in territory that does not need to be explored. *Major Ting* “Something tells me Tia is sending something to stop me so I have to be vague but still I won’t let her stop me when the night can also be my ally. No I’m not talking about Luna who I know will be nosy but she has an advantage given how Gold Sky loves being close to her. Still, I now feel ashamed realizing that to be close to Love itself I will have to use deception. Feared in the day, Embraced in the night. Luckily I can cover myself with Tia’s scent while she’s taking her hour long baths.” In the seconds between words being exchanged she thinks up plans for the come future moments where she’ll learn a great many things about the stallion. “My son, you may not see it now but you will learn that once you learn that, oh man! Why do you have to be so random about this when I felt something powerful inside of you flair up just moments ago…” Sadly this outburst couldn’t be controlled no matter how hard she tried. “Sorry, Gold Sky, you and Octavia have something that’s yet to blossom but when it does you will know but for now it’s best you gain more understanding by gaining more experiences with other ponies then surely then everything will be much easier for you to understand.” As Cadance thought she senses Luna approaching indicating Tia must sent her. “Well my son perhaps later into the night we can continue this for as of right now something calls me so I have to go but remember my son there is something between you and Octavia just keep that in mind. OH! Are you still afraid of Cadance?”

With a nod, Gold Sky saddens the cerise mare. “My fear for her majesty Mi Amore Cadenza will not subside not even with you shape shifting into her mother. But on a nice side note her voice sounds extremely beautiful so I can get used to you shape shifting into her more often.”

Just be to be sure this shape shifting charade will be on her side. “Well just out of curiosity how do you know Cadance is near you?”

The stallion sniffs the air in case Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is near him or coming close to him. “I can smell her scent from far away mother and if I had time to focus I can sense her but unfortunately when she can anywhere having the time to focus is out of my grasp.”

With perhaps two minutes left until Luna arrives Cadance will put her luck to the ultimate test by asking one last question. “Why do you fear Cadance my son?”

Gold Sky’s ears drop and a slight tremble becomes physically apparent when asked about why he fears the Princess of Love. “I know she is waiting for the right moment to strike for when one like her knows of certain horrible things then she will be motivated to put an end to somepony like me and I wouldn’t blame her.”

“What?” Cadance wishes to press the issue with Gold Sky but sadly cannot thanks to Luna. “My son do enjoy the rest of your day and I’ll see you in a little bit.” With a heavy heart Cadance removes her wing and kisses him on the cheek. “Here I go.” Then flies away for despite being very powerful she does not know how to teleport. Of course in her flight back to Shining Armor, Cadance flies by Princess Celestia who currently is standing on her balcony. “I can practically feel what Tia is feeling through her eyes alone.” So with that information in mind, Cadance gives Tia a smirk.

Receiving that little smirk from the cerise mare Celestia isn’t very pleased for everything that Cadance has set into the mind of the loving stallion Celestia herself has to go along with them otherwise a telepathic order is well in order and Celestia isn’t one to enjoy being ordered around. “Bloody hell, Cadance has set me in a hamster wheel that I can’t escape from and if I try then I will confuse my dearest son. Oooooh, Cadance has encouraged Gold Sky to think more about that gray Earth Pony now I have to partake in Cadance’s route. But on the bright side I can still travel Cadance’s route but with my most faithful student on my side.” Perhaps that is a bright idea for the white mare.

*sniff, sniff* “Aunt Luna!” The stallion jumps to all fours to be filled with joy to look up and spot Princess Luna coming in for a landing. “Aunt Luna!”

“Must make this a perfect landing.” With her not so shiny landing record in mind Luna rapidly flaps her minds creating the hum so similar to a humming bird and lands carefully next to the loving stallion. “Phew worked out better than I expected, any who, hello Gold Sky now come here so you can sniff my hair, chop, chop!!” The Princess of the Night lowers her head a bit to make the sniffing much easier for Gold Sky. “Gold Sky what are you up to?”

After smelling the Immortal Mare the stallion looks up while his right hoof rubs his chin. “Well I don’t know what to do now Aunt Luna, I mean just moments ago mother and I were talking and earlier Octavia, her father, and I had a wonderful lunch. So now I don’t know what to do next? Uhh do you have any ideas for what I should do, Aunt Luna?”

The Immortal Mare too has her right hoof under her chin to think up of a fun activity to partake with her nephew. “Well since you already ate will you like to fly with me…oh yes, high up in the sky so nobody can see your true form? So what do you think?”

When being suggesting to fly with Luna, Gold Sky remembered how Rainbow Dash is going to teach him to be a better flyer and since it’s been awhile when he last flew around perhaps he can fly with Aunt Luna. “You know what, that’s a great idea Aunt Luna let’s do it!”

Thus both teleport to the highest cloud but before stretching his wings the stallion remembering the beautiful silk cloak Rarity gave him he folds it up and asks Luna to please place a spell on it so the silk cloak won’t go through the cloud. “Rarity gave you that nice white cloak didn’t she.”

“Yes she gave me a something only worthy for a Princess like you Aunt Luna and that’s why I take so much responsibility with this magnificent cloak.”

Luna casts the spell on the silk cloak to keep it afloat. “Rarity is such a pleasant mare my dear nephew she will not hesitate to put the needs of others in front of hers along with being so talented in making clothes so perhaps we can go close shopping. Hehehe, the both of us can go to nice social events looking so classy wait!”

Gold Sky in the middle of stretching his wings takes the opportunity to speak knowing what will say after wait. “She knows that I am a Alicorn Aunt Luna but never fear I took the necessary precautions with my telepathy to keep her from telling anyone about my true form. Still I trust she will not press the issue about my true form nevertheless, I feel like I shouldn’t have to say this to you but from reading the tone of your voice it only seems the most logical to say Rarity is a very beautiful mare but she is out of my league.”

“Oh…” Clearly from the oh Luna had intentions to try her hoof at matchmaker for him and for sure as sure can be, he does not want to know why Aunt Luna had that intention.

“Alright I’m ready, let’s go Aunt Luna!”
Both Alicorns take flight into the blue sky feeling the wind rush through the fur of their coats like its water from the Ponyville Lake one can almost be taken over by this soothing sensation until an air bump reminds them they’re flying. “Look at everybody down below my dearest nephew, don’t they look so funny doing whatever they’re doing right now and probably the next day most of them will be doing it all over again.”
The stallion who too looks down onto the mortals couldn’t but remember about a philosophy he partially believes when it comes to the things around him. “Can it be so meaningless Aunt Luna? Can they lives their lives every day not knowing what they do in repetitiveness is practically meaningless, their hearts beating that allow them to do what they do when it has no meaning, no purpose, no logic, no core, no spirit, and no point.”

Luna using the tip of her right wing gently pokes the stallion’s cheek. “Why the sudden insight of the mortals, nephew?”

Gold Sky shakes his head to take himself away from the philosophy of nihilism which try as it may is trying to make itself presentable to the stallion’s psyche though it will never have much success. “Just you know immortality; I’ve been alive for two centuries walking about the earth for a chunk of my life, seeing things, marveling at wonders, avoiding some weird creatures called Xenomorphs but I did manage to take one down though it had four arms heh weird creature, fight wars, kill, end lives, slaughter, more killing, protect the innocent, watch an innocent life fade away as it tried to protect what it loved the most, saving children, fighting, fight, fighting, and just more fighting until finally the other side is completely wiped out.” *sigh* “Makes me wonder since death exists is there really meaning to living by doing these activities when that takes time spent with loved ones away?”

Luna tilts her head in acknowledgement. “Well everyone needs to scape a living my dear nephew not everypony is Immortal and they need to eat or they’ll die and yes a living is needed so their families can eat as well. By the way what are Xenomorphs?”

Gold Sky quickly shakes his head. “That’s something best to be left in the unknown Aunt Luna for truly a creature like that it cannot be known by many other wise fear will spread like an avalanche among the mortals. Please believe that creature is worse than any nightmare, I mean it they are the nightmares that walk in the light of day.”

Luna figures maybe Celli should now something about these creepy Xenomorphs.
“Say have you ever gone a long time without eating?”

“Yes.”

“How long?”

“Sixteen years without food and water Aunt Luna.”

Luna gets hits by an air bump and nearly stalls in flight until she finally stabilizes herself but the reason why she stalled is her unprecedented surprise to the time gone without any substance. “How could you have lasted so long with a mighty thirst when even I, Luna, Celestia, and Cadance, wait minute, I mean I, Celestia, and Cadance can’t go three days without water until our thirst becomes unbearable or better yet very irritating as for hunger the growling stomach also gets irritating. So what’s your secret to ignore the thirst and hunger?”

In just one word. “Insanity.”

Luna stares at Gold Sky as if to see if prolonged eye contact will make him fess up and tell her it’s all a joke but the loving stallion does not fess nor does he break eye contact as if in his way to prolong his eye contact with her is to show the truth in that one spoken word.
“Is thou serious my dear nephew?”

“Yes I am serious Aunt Luna. For sixteen years I roamed the Earth with a collapsed mind hearing nothing but voices of innocent & guilty souls, innocent screams of the end, the voices of my mommy & daddy, the cute squeaking of baby dragons, laughter, growls, cries, and screams. So many voice so many things, the faces their faces their innocent faces begging me, the blood I have shed, just everything I have seen becomes one before my very eyes. Reality becomes irrelevant and the make believe of a broken mind becomes relevant.” The stallion to silence the mare preforms a slow aileron roll like to show he isn’t the one bit ashamed of this long but still temporary irrational state he once was in. “Then after that I became sane and here I am with you flying above the mortals who sadly can’t every minute with their loved ones even though I deeply desire it.”

“Well…at least he’s right in the coming back to sanity part but I cannot yes my telepathy to find the source of his insanity for how in the world does one clinically insane comes back to sanity. I in all my wisdom didn’t take the time to study the complexity of the mind. Especially the unpredictable and unfathomable mind of the Stallion.”

So what is said is and what is thought is thought both Alicorns resume their pleasantry in the glorious flying that until down below in the Everfree forest the stallion spots something that causes him to lick his chops in utter delight. “OOOOOH! Aunt Luna, my stomach just went empty!!” In the same motion of the Peregrine Falcon his wings fold a bit inward to ever increase his speed tenfold in order to catch his prey before it realizes what coming for it.

On the dearly other hand or perhaps it’s best by hoof Luna connects the dots to what the stallion is diving down for. “Wait why is he going for that stag??” Well Insanity does create tastes for things Ponies won’t taste.

Gold Sky tackles his meal causing him to roll out of Luna’s sight.
“Oh Gold Sky my dearest nephew just what did you catch here in the Everfree forest.” Luna standing in the light of the sun peers into the darkness but gets no reply rather she hears some kind of moaning going about and out fear she immediately comes to the conclusion that her dearest nephew is harmed. “Gold Sky!!” So quickly she enters the forest. “What in the dark moon light!?” The Princess of the Night bears witness to her dear nephew biting down on the windpipe of the Stag for a few seconds then giving her the shock in the present state Gold Sky rips out the windpipe and plops down on his rump to await the death of the Stag. “Wha-wha- what did you do!!?”

The stallion places a hoof over the dying Stag as if to say this is his meal and no one else’s “I’m just going to eat my kill Aunt Luna and after I have my share you can partake in it if you wish.”

Luna’s jaw drops but not in the offer but in how dearest nephew licks the blood of his lips of his freshly killed prey. “Uhhh don-don’t tell me you are going to eat tha-that deer…? Are you go-going to eat that deer??”

“Very much so Aunt Luna.” Gold Sky gently taps the dead stag to make sure it’s completely dead, upon confirmation he begins to piling up wood to make a fire even though he prefers to eat his prey raw but perhaps Luna won’t like it raw, but without a knife the stallion finds a rock with a sharp edge, and proceeds to flay the stag.

Luna shakes her head to come with anything to say to the stallion but seeing how a fellow pony…a herbivore…stress herbivore once again. “Go-Gold Sky, you eat, eat meat??”

With a nice sirloin cooking over the fire Gold Sky turns to the mare. “Yes Aunt Luna, I eat meat in fact my sixteen year hunger came to an end by eating stag after I fell to my knees and looked up into the heavens to feel a warmth that isn’t natural to any us Immortals much less mortals. This warmth transcended the very meaning of the thin red line drawn upon my mind telling me I am needed and I will fail, but there will be a great tribulation ahead for me but the grace of this warmth will carry me on. Nevertheless, what brought me to back to my sanity is after I felt this transcendence I looked to my right and in a thick thorn bush is a stag whose antlers were tangled in the thorns and right there in that moment I realized that was the hand of the Great Spirit. So without thought much less disgust I ate the stag and brought an end to my hunger and just in the right moment too.”

Luna now completely understands how someone in complete insanity can regain complete sanity through an act of Divine Intervention but nevertheless, for the Divine to provide him with meat as to end is hunger is kind of weird by the way but still she won’t question any of the acts of the Divine. “Uhh what was the right moment?”

Unfortunately for saying more of what needed to be said Gold Sky will not oblige Aunt Luna until he sees a times that’ll fit him to tell Luna more about the right moment. “Aunt Luna will you like your share to be medium well?”

“What in thy world is medium well!?” Demands the Princess of the Night.

Gold Sky places his medium cooked share on a large leaf he’s using as a plate then places brings another large leaf to use for Luna’s plate. “Medium well is your share not being cooked to well done so your share won’t be too dry but a little juicy and soft sooooo do you want it medium well or well done??”
Luna in the same way a young child will do when asked to eat Brussel sprouts shakes her head to be asked how she wants her meat to be cooked. “NO!” She shouts with the Royal Canterlot voice. “I do not partake in the vile consumption of an animal’s muscle fibers!! I-I-I am a herbivore! I am a herbivore!” Luna cringes to see dearest nephew enjoy his cooked meat. “How can you enjoying eating a fellow quadruped!!?”

Gold Sky continues eating even with Aunt Luna’s displeasure looming over his head though he did well sort of expected this reaction from his Pure Immortal Aunt. “It tastes good and besides if it can fill my stomach then there is no harm in enjoying these yummy muscle fibers for everything that the was created is not made to be eaten? Like the grass in the ground, the berries in the bush, the eggs laid by a hen, and the muscle fibers on a stag are they all made to be eaten. I mean what’s the purpose of a stag being so delicious when I can’t eat it, truly Aunt Luna if I am not supposed to eat stag then why will I find one tangled in a thorn bush when just moments before I felt the warmth it was empty.”

Luna calming down thanks to dearest nephew’s little bit of explained logic still cringes to see him place a second sliced portion on his leaf plate. “But Gold Sky my dearest nephew, you are a pony a herbivore not a carni err I mean you’re not a omnivore.”

“Well be as it is Aunt Luna, am I still your nephew?” Gold Sky asks.

“Yes! You will always be my dearest nephew and I will always love you without any conditions!” Again Luna shouts her declaration in the Royal Canterlot voice.

This is all Gold Sky needed to hear before delivering the last word. “Then that means you love me even though I’m an omnivore so we’re good about this. Hehehehehe.” The loving stallion laughs to make Aunt Luna accept his eating habits. “Any who not to put any of this yummy stag to waste give me more of those large leaves so I can wrap this meat and save it for later.”

“Humph! Whatever you say my dearest nephew but don’t think I’ll ever partake in another animal’s muscle fibers!! Oh! Also wait until your mother hears about this, I-I am so telling your mother about this you hear, I’m telling your mother!” Luna’s horn glows and brings the stallion’s cloak to him. “I’m out of here and it was nice flying with you my dearest nephew. Jump!” *poof*

The stallion dons his cloak while waiting for something. “Right about now.”
*POOF* Luna teleports back. “Love you. jump!” *poof*

Gold Sky simply smiles to himself. “Oh boy, I wonder what mother has to say about the matter?” So after wrapping up the remaining pieces of meat in the large leaves along with donning his white silk cloak the stallion thinks of home and teleports back.

*
“Oh like my son will eat meat Luna.” Celli retorts while shaking off Luna’s claim with a quick flick of her hoof. “You are not one to try to commit jokes sister but nevertheless, I applaud you for such an attempt.”

Luna groans at how Celli won’t believe a word she’s saying. “Oh older sister you must believe me when I say that your son is a omnivore not a herbivore like us!!”

Again Princess Celestia does not take Luna seriously while Princess Cadance catches ear of what’s being said and starts taking in every word so she can come up with potential ideas to spend under the cover of Tia’s scent.
*Poof* Celestia senses the moment Gold Sky appears. “Well guess Luna, Gold Sky is here so how about we talk to him so this little thing can be resolved once & for all so c’mon.”

Princess Cadance being curious follows close being Tia and Luna. “So if Gold Sky enjoys eating meat then perhaps I can use this to my advantage though I can’t see why Luna is shocked about this also I wonder if Tia will have the same reaction as well.” By the way once she hears verything she won’t be disgusted if Gold Sky does eat meat for after all in her own judgment Immortality can drive immortals to do things mortals will never have the time to consider.

“Last piece in the back of the fridge, perfect.” Gold Sky shuts the refrigerator close. “Still odd I’ll have a fridge in my room but I like it! Wait a minute.” *sniff, sniff* “Mother!”

After knocking on the door Celestia with Luna comes in, Cadance listens in through the crack of the doors to see how Tia will react to the meat eating thing. “Luna move.” After the telepathic communication Celli pushes Luna away a bit. “My son.”

“Mother!” Gold Sky dashes forward to embrace the Princess of the Sun. However, while having his head on mother’s shoulder he sees Luna with a not so docile expression on her face. “Mother is there something wrong?” He asks rather meekly.

Celestia speaking first with a nice nuzzle on his head then speaks with words. “Why will ask that my son, when clearly there isn’t anything wrong between us.”

“Because Aunt Luna is making that face.”

Well better now to ask then to answer the question about Luna’s face. “My son, Luna here has been telling me that you hunted down a deer and ate it along with offering a piece to my sister. Is that true or just a joke on her part?”

Gold Sky now figuring out Luna’s hand in this just decides to say it as it is instead of trying the sugarcoating route. “Yes mother Luna is right, I hunted down a stag and ate it up plus I saved some pieces if you wish to have some.”

“Oh…” Guess Luna was telling to truth after all.

Cadance on the other hand or hoof. “Well this is interesting, he eats meat heh that’s kind of cool plus I can use that so we can go hunting trips with him in the night.” So much light at the end of the tunnel for the cerise mare.

Back to Celli. “Well my son, that’s very weird, yes very weird uhhhh if you like to meat but if that is something you like to eat then, Luna what was it that made him eat meat in the first place again? I didn’t catch it the first time.”

Luna re-hatches Gold Sky’s story. “Oh dear, that truly sounds like the hand of the Great Spirit and I am will find disgust in my son eating meat for he enjoys eating then let it be. But nevertheless, I will not eat meat so I apologize my son but I just can’t join you in the enjoyment only you can enjoy.” Celestia kisses Gold Sky’s forehead nonetheless, as to say she is not ashamed and completely accepts him for who he is. “Also I suggest you keep this to yourself just to stay on the safe side for you otherwise, it will be hard for you to find a wife.” Oh Celli said that last thing a little bit too loud.

“A wife?” Gold Sky tilts his head as to why will mother even bring up the suggestion of a wife when eating meat seems more a calling issue than a wife but at the same time mother is right, for he tells any lovely mare he eats meat then the chances are absolutely high they will be repulsed. “Well if you put it that way mother then perhaps I should keep this between the three of us.”

“It’s the four of us dang it!” Cadance isn’t very happy to be excluded in the required secrecy. “Still it will be kind delightful to see him hunt.”

***

In the comfort of his own seeking or more precisely in the need to find some kind of a comfort through nostalgia to bring forth the little joy to see his family whole again even if it’s only in a picture that right he’s smiling at though weakly but yet still a smile to the sight of his family being whole. “My dear daughter, my dear wife, and me all together in this little photo which can only be in this photo.” Allegro Note, continues speaking in his mind while Octavia tides up his home to make things easier for him. “Sadly Octavia hates her with such a tremendous might and will never consider reconciling with Harmonic Breeze and I oh I have made no contact with her as well. Yet to do so now will be futile and pointless. Huh?” His thought ceases when he feels a warm breath touch his shoulder. “Octavia my daughter how can I thank you for tidying up the place.” He refrains from putting down the photo knowing to do so now is useless.

Octavia seeing Father looking upon the mare who broke his heart kind reaches down, takes hold of the photo with her teeth, and kindly takes the photo away from him. After spitting it out. “Father why do you look upon that foul wretch of a mare?”

Allegro Note sighs. “My dear Octavia she is your mother and I will look upon her as my wife for as long as I live.”

The gray mare lifts herself up to be at full stance before her father. “Be as you say father to me that mare is a bloody wretch unworthy of your love.” In a reaping of her emotion Octavia dives deeper into her spite for Harmonic Breeze. “How can you still love that mare!? Ho-how can you not find a wife…Father how come you never remarried after you threw your wedding band at that wretch. Why did seek a new love? This is a question I’ve been meaning to ask for the longest time but I never had the courage until now.”

Allegro Note chuckles under his breath to be asked the question he’s been waiting to be asked by his dearest Octavia for the longest time. “The answer is simple my dear Octavia, I only had one mare in my life and it’s you. I will waste time looking for another wife when I can use that time to be with you and teach you things that’ll help you in your coming life Octavia. Besides I didn’t want to go through heartbreak once again so I never thought my about my needs I thought about yours and yours alone. For in the end I will always be Father and I will die as a Father.” Allegro Note pauses to touch Octavia’s chin. “There is no easy way in explaining the beliefs a father believes in my dear daughter and there will be no easy way to explain why I did what I did but to sum up everything I did I did it for your benefit because all that matters to me in this world is you.”

Octavia takes hold of her father’s hoof touching her chin and moves it to her right cheek. “Father am I really so precious to you that’ll ignore your own needs?? You will ignore love to care for me?” With so much amazement to father’s words Octavia cannot properly connect the words to say her questions though in father’s words she barely comprehends his Love for her.

Allegro Note blinks his eyes dry when his own mortality cannot be saved by his love for Octavia. “I ignored Love Octavia? Love has always been with me and that love is yours.” *sigh* “Oh dear let me put it this way. Ahem, a father’s love and a father’s will, drives him to put the needs of children above his own so his children can live the life they deserve to live in complete happiness and in the end the Father can go knowing his children will be happy.” No one but him understands the great urge to just fall to his knees and tell the gray mare everyday he lives is a day his body dies little by little but no Allegro Note can’t tell Octavia the news that’ll devastate her when right now in the present she’s getting all the good she deserves. Her music career is skyrocketing just like Harmonic Breeze’s music career, her name is being remembered by many, her talent belongs only to her, and perhaps if fortunate enough then she will reach Immortality unlike Harmonic Breeze who surprisingly destroyed her own music career through pride. Allegro Note just wants to tell Octavia everything but do so will be putting his needs above hers but at the same time given his condition it is completely understandable…being a Father is the hardest thing for him. Why? He will heed is own words, he will not tell Octavia of his condition just yet.

Not yet.

The gray mare driven to tears turns her head to look away from father so she can try her best to contain herself while in her mind she understands how much her father loves her and how much he sacrificed for her. “Father, everything you did you did for me. How can you just do that…oh father, you’re right. I don’t completely understand, I-I couldn’t understand how you can’t not look for another wife when all that mattered to you is me…Father…I can’t believe…oh Father I hope I will be a good father like you.”

“You mean you hope you will be a good mother and be a good parent like me.”

Octavia analyzed the last sentenced to see where she misspoke. “Oh, I mean I hope I will be a good parent like you when I become a mother… I will be a better mother than that bloody wretch, humph, I wish you never met that bloody wretch who broke your heart.” Still with tears in her eyes Octavia manages to express her scorn.

“Well that bloody wretch gave me you Octavia and that is the greatest thing to ever happen to me.

Being caught off guard Octavia faces her father so he can see the tears in her beautiful eyes. “True father very true. Without her I wouldn’t have you and without her we are whole.”

Allegro Note frowns to see his words be twisted by his daughter and to see her dire emotions for Harmonic Breeze come forth like the wind pushing against the sail in the mast. Oh how sad it is but how inevitable for when a child sees one parent betray the other then that child will resent that parent for its betrayal. “I wish we were whole my dearest Octavia, it’s just a father wish to see his family whole. Though as always I love you with all my heart forever and ever from here and here on my dearest, my lovely, my most precious daughter.”

Now with a much more better understanding of father’s love though not a complete one Octavia embraces her father like it’s the first time she sees him in years. “Oh father I love you very much and we shall always be a whole family…just you and me, complete and whole for here and here on.” Her tears run down her cheeks and pool onto Allegro Note’s shoulders then like from the grayish purple eyes those tears run down Allegro Note’s back. “Believe it or not Father, you mean the world to me.”

With his head on her left shoulder and his face being perfectly hidden from his daughter’s eyes Allegro Note shuts his eyes to keep his tears from running down his cheeks and pool onto Octavia’s shoulder. He now knows how much his death will ultimately devastate her and how alone she will feel once she places a rose on his headstone. “I need to wait.”

Oh the strength of a Father will always drive him forward no matter the cost.

***
Sun set and moon rise brings the new with a setting moon and rising sun.

***

Princess Cadance decided not to persuade Gold Sky to go hunting and hit the hay early so she can cuddle up with Shining Armor to make up for the hit he got thanks to the tug of war with Luna over Griffie. However, when the cuddling is over the sleep comes, now in the sleep…Cadance talks in her sleep, keeping poor Shining Armor awake. Forcing the poor stallion to get prescribed sleeping pills in order to get a good night’s sleep.

“Yeah, yeah, a chocolate fountain I like that hmmmm, it’s all mine.” Sleeping Cadance licks her chops for the delectable milk chocolate delight. “Oh come here you peeps!!” From the way Cadance’s legs are going an onlooker can deduce she chasing something in her dreams which happen to take place in land where everything is candy. “You’re not running away from me!!”

Meanwhile Luna couldn’t help but just take a peek into Cadance’s little candyland dream. “Oh dear!” Oh the dear indeed, for Cadance caught some peeps and while some squirm like crazy in her arms the most unfortunate one chirps cries out in terror as Cadance throws it into her mouth and gobbles it up. “Oh poor peeps, still who can blame Cadance for having a sweet tooth.”

So while Cadance and Shining Armor have yet to wake up, Princess Celestia is already up & dressed she quietly enters still sleeping Gold Sky’s room to check how he’s doing. “Oh my son.” Under the faintest decibel Celestia voices her affection for him. “Still asleep.” Sadly when she was supposed to speak more words Celestia sense her attendant approaching with a rather tall stack of official papers. “Well I won’t let this occupy me for long my son.” Celestia slowly bends down and kisses Gold Sky’s head. “I love you my son.” With that said she leaves to deal with her Royal duties.

*yawn* Just seconds after the regal white mare leaves Gold Sky wakes up without a single thought of mother or anypony else but of only the young griffon he called his flesh & blood. “Good morning.” He moves his left arm to gaze upon Griffie. “You look just like her.” Gold Sky rolls over to lay on his back to hold Griffie up to recreate his surroundings to see the young griffon he calls his flesh & blood. “Every morning I will find you sleeping over my heart and you will never sleep in your own bed my dearest flesh & blood…NO, NO, NO!! NOT WHEN I’M ONLY THINKING OF HER!!” Griffie falls to the floor as Gold Sky falls down as well but grasping his head like his mind is attacked by a powerful corruption to which this powerful corruption is the Razor residing inside of him. “Can’t let it take control of me…it took me away from her now it’s trying to prevent me from thinking of her!” If the pain he feels from remembering his parents is bad enough it only gets worse when it is combined with the pain of thinking of the young griffon. “First mommy and daddy then her! What more can I lose! How much more can I take when I lost my most precious thing and the pain from my childhood keeps resurging every now & then.” His magenta eyes suddenly change into the deadly turquoise eyes which Nightmare Moon and the Razor have. “The Razor took me away from her!” Gold Sky curls up in the fetal position while still combating the Razor from taking over. “I am Gold Sky! I am the Last the of my Father’s tribe I am the Immortal bearer of this blood, I am the Soldier of no Sorrow, I am an Alicorn, I am Celestia’s son, I am the King in the sea of spilt blood, I am Immortal, and I am Honor Bound! And I will never let the Razor take control of me!!”

In the galaxy of the stallion’s mind the black cloud of the Razor is cast away thanks to the powerful light from the core.
*sigh* “The Razor is gone but it will not stay away but still it will not prevent me from thinking of my dearest & blood it took me away from.” Gold Sky grabs Griffie and cradles her like he will do to a dear child. “I never knew Griffie will look just like you my dearest flesh & blood.” Just before putting down Griffie he kisses the forehead of the plush toy and places her on his pillow.

In the titles he’s called himself the title which stands out the most is King in the sea of spelt blood, now why will loving stallion such as himself will have a dire title? Well he fought in a six year war to help protect the Griffon Republic just before he found his dearest flesh & blood, shed innocent blood, spelt his own blood, and just killed, killed, killed, killed, and killed like that’s all he knows what to do. And sadly it’s what he’s knows best. For if all the blood he has spelled were form a sea then it will reach his shoulders and to lesser ponies they will be horrified but for him it’s just his doing without a thought of regret nor satisfaction therefore, making it a second nature to him.

Gold Sky breaking his ritual routine turns on the shower to help himself get his mind off of the Razor. “Hmm perhaps a warm shower can help me a bit. Oooooh this feels so good.” The warm water rains down on the stallion and with the same action that water does to mud covering a wagon it washes his worries by reminding of some of the moments he spent with his dearest flesh & blood. Like how when his flesh & blood was just an infant he will place his head near the young griffon making funny noises and faces to get the griffon’s attention and once he had the griffon’s attention the youngster will grab his face with oh so great love. “I wish mommy & daddy could have seen her, oh they would love her very much…they never well…and the Razor took me away from her. I am weak for I failed to lead her with strong hooves and stand up when she can’t.” In the end Gold Sky just cries in the warm shower which may seem counterproductive but truly it helps him by reminding him that he stills to embrace the light of forgiveness.

Which on a side note is like getting a camel through the eye of a needle.

After his shower, quick grooming, breakfast without mother and Luna, Gold Sky goes back to his room to stand on the balcony to look upon the beauty of the kingdom mother rules over, though partially. “Why do I seek to live this meaningless existence when it doesn’t matter to me. My life is just stain that cannot be washed no matter how hard I try and mother will prevent me from doing so as well. Oh why am I even here when this is all meaningless.” The Alicorn looks down at Ponyville. “Pfft mother said that one day I will change the world like that is something to forward to when I am just breathing in the air that does not belong to me while my heart still beats given what I have done especially to her. Humph, while I see I am meaningless, mother sees me as a hope to the future that’s in store for the mortals.” The stallion sighs when he ushers the word hope. “Such a lie so believed by many that even mother will speak like its truth when clearly hope is just a cruel joke much less lie told to children so they can have something to believe in. Heh, hope is nothing just like me.”
Just then a directionless wind blows through him allowing him to hear the voices of his daddy’s ancestors. “Once again I hear the voices of the language I somehow understand, just how having daddy’s blood makes me even more meaningless.” Nevertheless, Gold Sky passes his hoof over the scar on his neck. “Huh?” Suddenly Gold Sky notices clouds disappear from the sky. “Hey who’s that?” Upon immediate observation he sees a cyan Pegasus with a rainbow colored mane. “Rainbow Dash!” With the name said a ear to ear smile appears on his face to see such a unique mare. “Maybe taking a lesson from her can help me get through the day.” So shifting his vision to a cloud that’s clearly in her crosshairs Gold Sky pens the coordinates in his mind. “Jump.”

*Poof*

“Ha just that one last cloud to take out.” Rainbow Dash dashes forward to take out the last cloud.

*Poof*

“WHOA!!” Rainbow swerves to avoid flying into the cloaked stallion that appeared from out of nowhere. “What the heck!” She hovers about to get a good look at the pony on the cloud. “Oh Gold Sky it’s you!!” Just like the stallion who smiled when he said her name, she too smiles ear to ear when she say his name. “It’s really you, hey how you sitting on a cloud?”

To be asked such a question can answered with a simple tilt of the head. “Need you ask Rainbow Dash.”

*Doink* “Oh yeah, I forgot you’re a Alierrrwechewniwoo…ehhhh I can’t say it but I know it.” Rainbow Dash joins the stallion on the cloud. “So what’s up Gold Sky, how was your morning?”
“Just fine I guess and I couldn’t help but feel like seeing you today Rainbow Dash.” Gold Sky saying something in his mind causes the wind to heed his command and push them to the isolated area where he can be without his cloak.
As the cloud moves them, Rainbow Dash fails to notice this thus she begins her amazing trait of opening her mouth to say whatever she’s going to say. “Why? Were you feeling lonely today?” Rainbow chuckles to herself for asking that.

“Yes I was feeling lonely today Rainbow Dash, heh, it’s something I’ll always feel given I am Immortal.” Alas both reach the isolated area to which Rainbow Dash is still oblivious to.

Rainbow Dash’s little smile disappears then just when she was about to say something Rarity’s voice comes into her mind. “Well…” Rainbow for once or thanks to hearing Rarity’s voice in her head thinks about the words she’ll say to Gold Sky. “I’m here for you so you won’t feel so alone because that’s what pals are for Gold Sky my friend with a horn and wings.”

Despite both being plopped down on the cloud Gold Sky is clearly taller than Rainbow Dash prompting him shift his head down to look upon the cyan mare and almost ponder to the kind words she has spoken to him. But the word that struck him the most like an arrow piercing his sciatic nerve as he led the counter-attack in the battle at the Stronghold of Tyre in the second war he fought, any who still with the same analogy of the arrow piercing his sciatic nerve, the notion of being called friend just shocks him to have a friend. Truly loneliness can have quite a toll that interaction is just overwhelming. “Am I truly your friend Rainbow Dash?” Still Gold Sky needs to confirm the metaphoric arrow piercing his sciatic nerve.

Thanks to her cheeks taking a light rosy hue Rainbow Dash gently nudges the stallion’s shoulder to use this as the ice breaker that’s set in front of her. “You are my friend Gold Sky, a friend who can make sure I can keep your secrets secret and I mean it when I say it Gold Sky. You are my friend and I am your friend. Soooo can you slowly take off your cloak and I mean really slowly!”

“Oh Rainbow Dash thank you so much!” Touched Gold Sky couldn’t but rub his head against Rainbow’s head not knowing his show of affection is more than the definition he knows and more into the definition a mortal* like Rainbow Dash is define.

“Whoa man that feels nice, yeah really nice.” Rainbow’s body temperature slowly rises as she closes her eyes to bask in the affection of the stallion she or may not have a crush on well depending on who she asks and Rarity is the only one who can depend. “He must be so touched by this that he hasn’t stopped, oh I can enjoy a bit more…okay maybe I do have a crush on him or I don’t.” Finally after seven seconds give or take Rainbow Dash clears her throat. “Cloak off now please but slowly really slowly let it slide off. Hey we’re here!” Just now Rainbow notices they’re in the isolated location.

“Oh yes, yes of course.” The stallion unbinds his cloak but strangely enough he can’t see the true motives of why Rainbow will have remove his cloak slowly nonetheless, in this perceived nature of his he is innocent to even see Rainbow’s true motives.

Enjoying the eye candy the rosy hue on her cheeks takes a deeper shade to her personal pleasure while once again hearing Rarity’s voice in her head though she thinks if Rarity will be blushing right now if the beautiful Unicorn saw Gold Sky’s cloak slowly slide off of him. “Oh yes, yes, yes, I am so liking this and maybe okay maybe Rarity, she has Spike anyway, ooooh yes nothing says he’s hot than his nicely toned flank.”

What’s funny is Gold Sky taking the upmost notice of Rainbow’s deep rosy cheeks through the corner of his eye. “Say Rainbow Dash just why are blushing like that?”

Caught! “Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…allergies!”

“Really!?” Gold Sky nearly gasps. “I-I never knew allergies can cause your cheeks to become so red like blood.”

Rainbow going along nods her head like it’s the complete truth. “Yeah also you’re hot ERR I mean it’s hot really, really hot here so maybe that’s why I’m blushing…hehe…hehehehe…” Can Rainbow mess up anymore now?

Well with the cloak off, muscles stretched, wings preened by Rainbow which by the way felt nice causing him to tap his left hind leg in comfort, and looks to the cyan Pegasus for her word. “Just what will you teach me today Rainbow Dash.”

With reality sinking in to why she’s here with the stallion allows her to clear her mind of her sort of curious admiration of Gold Sky. “Okay how about we start with a simple fly in order for me to find where you need improvement and such. Let’s go!”
Both the majestic Alicorn and cunning Pegasus take to the skies each one flying to their own degree of experience such Rainbow Dash with her talented speed can manage to perform the coolest of aerial acrobatics while Gold Sky having his experience in aerial & land combat can perform the tightest of turns in high velocity along with being able to bank flawlessly as if he’s in a dogfight.
“Hmmm do something interesting Gold Sky.” Rainbow Dash asks while hovering above him.

“Very well.” Pretending he’s being chased by three enemy archers he commences evasive maneuvers to dodge the arrows by spinning three sixty degrees, then gunning to the right, and with a tight acute angle swoops up using speed to loop behind the enemy to take them out.

Rainbow amused by this display of skill presented a show more directed to the act of survival than a show more directed to entertainment; in fact she can’t help see an old friend flying in Gold Sky’s place. “The way he spins reminds me so much of Gilda when she dives down after to doing a snap loop. Heh it could be me thinking up random things.” Thus the mare asks or with the right word demands more displays of his aerial skill just to see if Gold Sky’s flight skills are similar to Gilda’s which to even say that name in her mind makes fell a bit sad to remember an old friend that she has not made contact with for a long time. “A side flip by using a cloud for leverage followed by massive boost to make up for the sudden loss of speed thanks to the side flip. Which if I think about it, it was Gilda’s favorite move…surely this is a coincidence.”

Once done with the moves he felt were up to Rainbow Dash’s standard he flies up to hover in front of the mare and asks for her needed assessment. “What do you think? Too much??”

“OOOOH you sound just like Rarity!!” Rainbow laughs with joy to see how one of Rarity’s little traits will suddenly be a part of the loving stallion. “Any way for the main part! Ahem, the way you fly is pretty experienced saturated with agility and intermediate speed that also feature sudden bursts of speed which I can’t help but say that when you do those bursts of speed its either to evade somepony or to overtake somepony but hey that’s what I think Gold Sky you hot piece of flan…ACHOO!!” Luckily Gold Sky didn’t catch the hot piece of flank part nor does he even know what hot piece of flank even means.

“Bless you Rainbow Dash.” Gold Sky even falls for the super fake sneeze to which one can almost call him a Fool of a Took on that one.

Rainbow couldn’t be more relieved for Gold Sky’s most convenient blindness to certain slang. “Phew, oh I mean thank you Gold Sky also what nearly troubles me the most Gold Sky is seeing you fly reminds me so much of my old friend Gilda.”

To hear that name Gold Sky becomes engulfed by a complete darkness leaving him under single line of white light. That name means the very existence of his life source along with giving a blurred meaning of purpose when everything else is meaningless and corrupt by dishonor. “Y-y-you tssssssh rgah…ish kn-know isssssh know…” Small gargling vocal noises which is common when he stutters makes Rainbow jerk her head slightly back a bit. “Y-y-y-you kno-know Gilda!?” Well at least he was able to say Gilda’s name without a stutter.

Rainbow shakes her head to get herself together after trying not to laugh at Gold Sky for stuttering. “Yeah I know err I mean I knew Gilda. She was a friend of mine.”

Hearing the past tense can only make the stallion feel guilty for what he has done and to what it led to for Gilda. “What happened the two of you?”

Truthfully Rainbow is still feels bad for Gilda. “We had a bad fallout and she went her way…she I guess had too much pride to mend the things between us…” A small frown appears then disappears just as fast it came. “Hey she was a great flyer but yet that couldn’t be said the same about her in general for being a super stubborn Griffon who just refused to change. Heh if I just put it plainly she was just plain sad excuse of a friend when she will much rather think of herself than to think of others. Pathetic, just plain pathetic and sadly she is a pathetic griffon.” While feeling bad for Gilda is true in Rainbow Dash she also feels the need to say her raw feelings about the griffon as well not knowing one little thing. “Huh?” She looks around at her environment which is right now is turning dark. The sun is blocked out by clouds, the wind comes in like the unexpected shadow of a tidal wave, and the pleasant sounds of the ambient nature go silent like every animal sees the butcher’s blade coming for them. “What the heck is going on!!? It was supposed to be a sunny day today!”
It only took a few seconds to pass until Rainbow takes the initiative to look upon the stallion to see his surprise in this change of the environment but no face of bewilderment is present in his face instead one of pure mounting rage is present like the horn on his head. “Uhh Gold Sky why are you looking at me like that??”

“DO NOT SPEAK ABOUT GILDA LIKE THAT!!” His roar sends Rainbow straight to her back. “Do not take her transgressions as if they are from her own initially developed will when they are from her now ill-developed will. She isn’t like that Rainbow Dash and trust me I know but she isn’t like that now.”

Rainbow still on her back just has one thing going through her mind. “Oh man he’s furious! But damn is he so hot right now!! And why will he say those things like he knows Gilda as well as I do?” Nevertheless, Rainbow continues checking him out especially that hot piece of flank. “You say trust me like you raised her Gold Sky.”

“I did.”

Declares the loving stallion.

“What!” Using her wings as springs, Rainbow boings back to all fours then leaps up to hover in front of the stallion just to be at his eye level. “You ughhh, Gilda, uhmmmm, you, but, oooooh uhhhhhhhh well how old is she!!!” Meanwhile in Rainbow’s mind. “How can a nice stallion like Gold Sky raise Gilda when she ends up being mean!” Yes that is a valid argument to be considered by all if Rainbow is to ask others who have met Gilda and Gold Sky. As for asking for Gilda’s age, well Rainbow has to start somewhere in her questioning.

“She’s forty seven years old.” At least Gold Sky’s fury subsides allowing for the clouds to move and allow the sun light to shine down , upon them.
“Forty seven! Okay now you’re kidding Gold Sky! Theirs is no way in heck that Gilda is forty seven years old! I mean really if she was forty seven years old than she will look so much older instead of looking like a teenager.”

Gold Sky closes his eyes thanks to feeling the pain inside his heart. “Rainbow Dash please sit by me.” Plopping down on his rump, Gold Sky out of his unending affection lifts up his wing so Rainbow Dash can take shelter under it.

*Zoom* Faster than a blink of an eye Rainbow is under his wing. “Okay I’m sitting by you.”

“Rainbow Dash, Griffons age differently than mortal ponies. You see Griffons age slowly and right now you are right about Gilda still being a teenager it is at fifty seven no fifty eight years old that a Griffon barely reaches adulthood and I stress it again a Griffon barely reaches adulthood at fifty eight years old…” Gold Sky covers his face with both hooves. “Oh Rainbow, you will see my pain, you will see my Love, and because you knew Gilda I will show you something that I will never show anypony else. Then you will understand me much better…please understand everything first before passing judgment.” Gold Sky’s wing brings Rainbow Dash closer to him.

Automatically Rainbow knows where this is going therefore, getting giddy to be super close to the stallion is just a side effect worth noting. “Are you going to uhhhh OH! Use your telepathy on me!”

A simple nod is used in reply. “Let take you to where it all began and where I failed thanks to innocent blood I have spelt…”

“For Innocent Blood always gets avenged leading me to succumb to my greatest sin.”

My dearest readers, I thank you for your infinite patience and I as I stated before for after I write two chapters of my other fan fic then I will take a respite from that one to write a chapter for this one. Again my dearest readers I thank you for your infinite patience.

Of War, Of Nurture, and Of Failure.

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 14

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. And the link is simply a sound effect to go with the story.

“I guess I’ll be fighting by their side.” Gold Sky helps the Griffons of the 501st Marine Corp evacuate the females and children deeper into the Stronghold of Tyre for outside the Stronghold the Fascist Griffons are slowly but surely breaking through the gates eager to slaughter the Republic citizens seeking refuge from the massive surprise assault which completely caught the Republic off guard. “There are only seven hundred eighty two Republic soldiers here and there are thousands of Fascists troops breaking in. I must take command for the Republic General isn’t here but somewhere mobilizing more troops to stage a counter-attack.” When the last gate protecting the citizens closes Gold Sky can’t help but ask if there is any escape routes for the citizens to use. But sadly he is told they are all in the heart of the Stronghold meaning there is no other means of escape and the soldiers are doing the best they can to barricade the remaining gate to keep out the Fascists. “Now is the time to take command for if I don’t then Innocent blood will be shed.”

At the last gate explosions are heard. “We have little time.” Mothers, Wives, Sons, and Daughters all tremble to the loud booming occurring outside their remaining refuge, each one fearing the brave Soldiers of the Republic cannot protect them from the unstoppable onslaught that has already wiped out thousands of Republic troops. Thus many bow their heads to say their last prayers, mothers pass their heirlooms to their children, wives clings to their wedding bands waiting to meet their husbands in the other side, children take shelter under their mother’s wing, and then comes a quiet that cannot be ended when another explosion is heard.

Gold Sky flies up and hovers in front of the soldiers who in their eyes lost the will to even fight to their last breath. “Soldiers of the Republic! Stop and look to me, for right now as of this moment we are the last of the mighty shield protecting your children, your wives, and your mothers. They are what you hold most dear to your beating hearts which now may be the only thing that has strength to keep you breathing at this very moment. The enemy wish to take what isn’t theirs from you and they will kill you without a blink of an eye. Oh Soldiers of Republic you are the shield that lies between the enemy and the innocent citizens of the Republic!”

“OORAH!!” The words coming from the pony with wings and a horn slowly inspire the Marines to pick up their shields, swords, spears, bows, and arrows and look to him as their leader to lead them in this coming confrontation when the last gate is destroyed.

Even though he knows full well he isn’t one of them he can see from the fire raging in their eyes that they accept him as one of their own therefore he can use the word our. “From the spilt blood of our brothers are the cores they have passed down to us and with our cores we see that everything is clear. That our children, our wives, mothers, land, freedom, and our very lives will be decided by the blood of our enemies that our swords and spears spill when they come!”

“OORAH!” The Marines bang their shields in response signifying their will to fight to the very end.

“Let the blood of our enemies be the only blood that’ll be shed here for all of you have someone to go back to when you remove your armor and I want all of you to return home to your loved ones oh Soldiers of Republic now it is up to all of you TO KILL THEM BEFORE THEY KILL YOU AND ALL THAT YOU HOLD MOST DEAR TO YOUR HEARTS”
“OORAH!!”

Finally the last gate is destroyed, prompting Gold Sky to command the Marines to pick up their bows. “DOCK, DRAW AND AIM!” Every Marine with their bow in hand aims their arrows at the Fascists coming in through the breach to ensure every arrow finds its mark. “LOOSE!”
A mighty volley of arrows find their marks upon the enemy shedding their blood all over the ground.
“DOCK!!” Gold Sky roars. “LOOSE!”
Arrows kill more Fascist soldiers. “DOCK! LOOSE!!”
This time only few arrows fly forward. “We’re out of arrows!!”

Gold Sky snorts out his breath prompting an old proverb said by a long ago Cunning General to be played in his mind. “Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for them, they will fight hard.”

The time has finally come. “Soldiers prepare to engage!” Bows are dropped and spears & swords are drawn. “CHARGE!!” Leading the brave seven hundred eighty two Marines Gold Sky cuts down eleven Fascists even before the Republic troops reach the breach. “HOLD THE LINE! KEEP THEM FROM ENTERING THE BREACH!”

“OORAH!”
Alicorn and Marines engage the enemy allowing the great conductor of fate to wave its baton and direct the sound of metal clashing with flesh while in tempo allegro appears to be the best speed for the great orchestral piece of Republic spears stabbing Fascist after Fascist and swords slashing open enemies creating the sweet percussion sounds of intestines falling to the ground. The conductor suddenly bring its baton to a near halt switches the tempo to a steady adagio pace which matches well with the wall of bronze shields holding back the enemy then wave after wave the enemy is killed by the spears of the Republic forces plus bolts of magic help like a brief introduction presented by the power of the (French) horn. Then finally when the conductor of fate brings the baton to a complete halt which is shown by the countless bodies lying outside the breach Gold Sky thanks the Great Spirt for not one of those bodies is a Griffon from the Republic.
“We stopped their attack here and won the battle but I feel this is only the beginning of a Great War…” Gold Sky puts on a forced smile to go along with the cheering celebrating the hard earned victory. “I am in the center of this coming war humph I wish I gave Oliver one last hug before he went with his new mother & father but at least he’s safe.” The stallion shakes the hand of the Griffons who keep telling him this victory wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for him being here and taking command. “In all reality I’m quite looking forward to partake in war in fact I’m craving it.”

Rainbow Dash’s jaw drops at seeing what a battle is and how much blood can be shed in just a matter of minutes. “How can Griffons kill each other like that?? I mean how!? They’re the same species!”

“Heh, they are no different than us my dear Rainbow Dash the problem here is the fact one group of Griffons wish to impose their ideologies on the Griffon Republic which will result in the slaughter and castration of all able bodied males, enslavement of the females well the ones of reproductive age, and genocide of all children to wipe out a generation to make room for their generation. So that’s the thing about war, it’s not glorious, it’s not horrible, it’s just a fact of life because where there’s a group with a belief then that group will eventually have the urge to force it onto another group with or without force.” Gold Sky explains.

Making some sense to her, Rainbow Dash has Gold Sky pause the memory so she can look at the aftermath in order to gain a much more sensible outlook of war. “All those innocent Republic soldiers that died they died to protect the citizens and their families will miss them. But why will they fight to protect other Griffons when they should only be fighting to protect their own.”

Gold Sky reaches out and places his hoof over Rainbow’s beating heart. “The heart is what makes anyone become a true soldier.”

“A true soldier?” Rainbow asks with a tilt of her head while her heartbeat becomes deeper given how Gold Sky has hoof over it. “He’s touching my heart.”

Gold Sky resumes playing the memories. “A true soldier will put the lives of not only his family but the lives of other families, the lives of his brothers, his freedom, his land, his honor, and his nation before his own. That is the core of every soldier in the Griffon Republic has and while to you it may be mind boggling soldiers know that one day they may die but at least they have ability to deal with it every day they hold their shields.” Gold Sky softly explains to Rainbow Dash. “Now that was day one and as you saw I fought without armor, after that day I got my armor and my name for I engaged the enemy before the Marines did.” A quick pause. “Can you guess the name they gave me Rainbow Dash.”

The Pegasus just shrugs her shoulders showing an oddity of which her mouth stays completely shut.

“They called me the Vanguard then later when I began racking up the kills which I like to say is eight hundred something when in reality I know it’s in the thousands my second name they gave me is the Soldier of no Sorrow. Now let’s us continue shall we unless you don’t want to see any more of what war is Rainbow Dash and I can skip directly to Gilda.”

Before answering, Rainbow looks up towards the stallion to know why he does not flinch whenever blood is splattered onto his face. “Did you enjoy killing those bad Griffons?”

Gold Sky’s ears twitch about in different directions. “I gain neither pleasure nor disdain when I bring an end to the lives of mortals I’ll leave it at that but perhaps when our relationship becomes stronger I’ll show you why I’m able to kill without feeling a thing.”

So with that said Rainbow looks forward. “I want to see what war is so I can see how the soldiers of the Republic fight and just know how lucky Equestria is for war has never come here.”

“Very well.” Gold Sky transports the both of them into a small zeppelin landing craft.

Year I

With the entire force of the Republic military in full motion, General Sherman concentrates the troop movement in strategic locations where the Fascists will try to utilize to outflank them. “These inlets in the surrounding canyons are not protected at all and due to their numeral superiority we must lure them into the narrow Bao canyon where we know well and they don’t so they will be charging in blind.” Sherman points on a geographical map.

Gold Sky who meanwhile, eyes another inlet points to it. “General, this path will still remain unprotected and upon my observation of the enemy they will use this path. So I suggest you let me handle them in this western point here at Begger’s point for right there two klicks from the inlet you can post coordinates for artillery strikes which I want to fire upon my command when I signal them. Because here there are many weak rock formations so I can lead them in a wild goose chase after I kill a bunch of them then when I reach the rock formations I will launch a bright bolt of magic to commence the strike.” Gold Sky then moves his hoof farther down the map. “The enemy will persist by chasing me so right here in what looks like a crossroads have archers stationed there along with perhaps two companies of Marines to finish them off.”

General Sherman amazed by his grave overlook of Begger’s point turns to the stallion with some worry. “Can you handle them alone Gold Sky?”

The stallion smirks. “My numbers speak for themselves General Sherman besides we both know we cannot stretch ourselves thin.” Gold Sky pats the General’s shoulder as a sign of reassurance. “We cannot lose too many Fathers and Sons otherwise who shall raise the next generation of young colts to become strong stallions.”

Sherman has no clue what colt and stallion mean but he deduces those words mean boy and male.

Rainbow Dash witnessing how much a tactician Gold Sky is finds that more amazing than seeing him putting his plan into action when the artillery strike caused the weak rock formations to fall upon the perusing Fascist Griffons after he killed a good ole three hundred twenty one all by himself, then narrowly dodging the incoming Republic arrows followed by a loop to lead the two Marine companies to finish off the enemy. “You’re very smart in planning out a battle plan Gold Sky, which you carried out so flawlessly like I do when I plan out aerial tricks.” Suddenly Rainbow sniffles.
Gold Sky stops the memory to focus on the cyan Pegasus. “What is wrong Rainbow Dash?”

“You tried to save that one Republic soldier by performing what seemed like hours of CPR but when you couldn’t you just stopped…like you thought this was all useless, trying to save him when you saw in his eyes he was ready to go. H-he was prepared for his death that poor soldier; he even grabbed your hoof like to thank you when you tried saving him…” Rainbow wipes her eyes. “This is what makes a soldier a soldier Gold Sky they serve knowing death can come to them even when a good leader like you tries everything to save them.”

Gold Sky nods but he nods not to Rainbow’s words but nods to this failure for it will lead him to take a new path in this war. “He had five children waiting for him back home, I-I cursed myself for three daughters have no one to treat them like the precious diamonds they are and two sons have no one to guide them to become Alpha Wolves. It was that moment where I decided to fully embrace the second name they gave me by donning a black cape, going in before the troops did and killing as many as I can to provide more soldiers the chance to go back home to their families. Is like you Rainbow Dash, I know you will feel an emptiness inside of you if your father went to war and the only thing that’ll tell you he’s back home is a folded flag.” Now Gold Sky sniffles like Rainbow Dash but unlike her does not wipe his tears instead letting them flow freely is more his style. “When it comes to killing Rainbow Dash, the only thing I regret is not being able to kill the enemy before they killed the Republic troops.”

Year II

“AUGH!!” The blood of a Fascist Griffon melts the snow the instant the oxygen rich fluid hits the ground. In the battle on top the snow covered Antietam Mountains two hundred miles north of the Republic capital both Republic and Fascist forces engage one another in what can be full force on both sides and with the fighting so heavy the spilt blood begins painting the mountain tops red but what makes this battle decisive is if either side gains control of the Antietam Mountains they have control of the much valuable high ground. And both want the high ground resulting in Sherman going against Gold Sky’s wishes and sending in the entire force before the stallion can first thin out the numbers of the enemy. So at the end of the battle Gold Sky holding a wounded soldier burnt up by friendly fire which is a mistaken drop of Hellenese fire on Republic troops resulting in eighty eight dying, one hundred twenty two having forth degree burns all over their bodies, and two only losing their wings. Delivers him to the medical zeppelin. “Don’t worry you’re here on the medical zeppelin soldier. Everything is going to be alright I promise you that.” But the solider seizes Gold Sky and brings him close.

“Tell my wife and baby I love them! You tell them!! Tell my wife and baby I love them!!!!” The soldier groans before succumbing to his wounds and dying in front of the stallion.
“Oh Great Spirit…” Gold Sky falls to his knees and starts to weep when all he smells is the death of twenty seven thousand dead Republic soldiers and he ignores the scent of the forty two thousand dead Fascist soldiers. “This was not supposed to happen.” Gold Sky whispers to himself. “All these dead Fathers, Husbands, and Sons should still be alive right now. I can already hear the cries of their families.” *sigh* “Watch over their families oh Great Spirit.”

A soldier comes to the frowning stallion. “Sir, General Sherman wishes to see you.”

Gold Sky wipes his eyes dry then pounds the ground. “I am not in your military. I am neither above you nor below you in rank so don’t you ever call me sir ever again. Is that clear soldier.”

“Yes sir err I mean yes Vanguard.” The soldier escorts him to General Sherman’s tent.

“Sherman!!” Gold Sky growls. “You dare to ignore my words!” His magic holds the General put and his telepathy keeps the guards still.

General Sherman afraid to be on the receiving end of the pony’s anger tries to explain himself to the stallion. “Gold Sky there were too many of them for you to handle alone for not even you can’t fight thousands upon thousands of Fascist troops and with our troops following you the morale was high. Now with seeing how saddened with the losses it shows them that even the Soldier of no Sorrow has compassion for all of them.”

In a show of his rising anger Gold Sky breathes out blue fire from his nostrils amazing every Griffon around him. “I! I! Always go in first Sherman so I can increase the chances of every Republic soldier to go back to their loved ones and if I die so what! If I die which in case you don’t know will make me a martyr for Republic soldiers to measure themselves up to. I don’t want children to grow up with their fathers Sherman. I can’t let that happen to the little Griffon children.” Gold Sky releases Sherman from his magical grip along with ending his telepathic hold on the guards.

“But you’re not a Griffon like us so how can you feel so compassionate for us especially the children?” Sherman asks.

Gold Sky once again breathes out blue fire from his nostrils. “I may be a pony General Sherman thus let indulge you with a revelation. In my homeland there is no such thing as war. In fact if you want to know what war is in my homeland you have open a book from the fiction section of the library, if you want to see war you go to the theater plus if you want realism ketchup is added. As for me, well guess what I may be the first of my species fighting a war and what’s even funny is that I’m the best fighter here unlike any of you Griffons. And how about we expand upon that Sherman for in your words you basically telling me that I should not have a devotion in this war like the rest of you do. Well I may be a pony Sherman but my devotion in this war is tenfold than yours FOR I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO PUT MY LIFE IN THE HANDS OF FATE SO I CAN SLAUGHTER THE ENEMY TO PROTECT ALL OF YOU. I FIGHT BECAUSE THIS CIVILIZATION THAT EXISTS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY REFLECT THE VALUES OF MY HOMELAND THEREFORE I WILL FIGHT TO PROTECT THIS CIVILIZATION. BECAUSE I AM AN HONORABLE STALLION WHO WANTS EVERYBODY TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE WITHOUT HAVING TO FEAR SOMEONE COMING TO TAKE AWAY THEIR LIVES JUST BECAUSE THEY’RE FREE, I AM HERE TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT! SO IF YOU EVER QUESTION MY CONSTITUTION EVER AGAIN THEN YOU WILL PAY EVER SO DEARLY! I MAY BE A PONY BUT YOU GRIFFONS KNOW ALL IS LOST WITHOUT ME.” Gold Sky roars in one breath.

All that can be heard is every Griffon urinating themselves for in all reality without the pony they will be lost. “Forgive me Gold Sky.” At least Sherman has the integrity to apologize for his words.

“Apology accepted General Sherman but do not cost the Republic so many troops ever again.”

Rainbow Dash unable to tell if the crimson mountain tops are a painting or real asks Gold Sky to place her in the memory. “Hmmmm.” Once in the crimson snow Rainbow passes her hoof across the snow to scoop some up. “Oh my Great Spirit…” It’s real. “Jus-jus-just give me overview just skim the memories Gold Sky. I think I’m starting to think much better thoughts for stallions now.” Indeed, now Rainbow Dash appreciates her father much more now.

Year III

With the high ground taken numerous skirmishes erupted all over the outskirts of the Republic for the Fascists decided to take a cautious route in their fights seeing how the pony with the wings and horn is a weapon they simply cannot contend with. So comes their alliances with other factions that may present a very big threat to the Republic and due to the Fascist forces trying to regain themselves before committing themselves to bigger battles their allies strike.

At the mighty Fort Rivendell guarding the east for in the east a massive wall of rock acts as a natural barrier thus the Fort is the only thing protecting the almost unwatched eastern entrance from any form of attack but even then the soldiers of the Fort pride themselves as being the strongest of them all. Nevertheless, being the strongest isn’t enough to prepare them for the surprises the Fascists will launch against them . “DRAGONS! DRAGONS! BATTLE STATIONS EVERYONE! LOAD THE ARTILLERY!”
Quickly along with dodging the fire from the incoming dragons, Republic soldiers load the 152mm howitzers with armor piercing shells. “Archers loose!” The Archers commence firing on the enemy troops trying to scale up the high walls of the Fort. “Artillery fire!”

*BOING* The armor piercing rounds bounce off the hides of the dragons. “Don’t load armor piercing load high explosive!” Commands the Artillery master of battery two.
“Why when not even that won’t penetrate the dragon hides?”
“The explosions are enough to cause severe internal damage to the dragons! Now load quickly!!” Sadly batteries four and seven are destroyed by the dragons. “Fire!” The many flying dragons now have to evade the shells downgrading the sheer fire they can rain down on the Republic Griffons.
“Hey do you think these dragons have a leader?” Asks the loader of battery two.
“How the bloody hell should I know! Dragon two hundred yards, traverse five degrees left FIRE!” The high explode in the center of the dragon’s belly collapsing it entire respiratory and digestive system. “YEAH DRAGON DOWN!!”

As for the dragons what can compel many of them to mingle in the affairs of warring mortals? Well the answer is the fact many of these attacking dragons are teenagers seeking a thrill with a promise of getting some nice gems at the end of the fun as for the leader well that dragon is still approaching and once he arrives at the Fort every Republic soldier will know who the leader is. Thankfully since teenage dragons are still well teenage dragons their size makes it easier for the Republic to fight them somewhat.
“Get him, get him!!” Six Republic soldiers bring down a teenage dragon. “Ready!?”
“Ready!” The soldier holding the mouth shut opens it briefly allowing the other soldier to throw in an explosive charge. “Fire in the hole!”
“Uh oh!” The teenage dragon blows up leaving just a gory mess.
“Hurry! Get the rest of the smaller dragons to keep them off our artillery batteries!” Republic soldiers engage the teenage dragons which some turn to ash thanks to the fire but at least when some of the Republic soldiers turn to ash some teenage dragons explode in return.
Meanwhile at the walls of the Fort some of the Fascists soldiers managed to make it over forcing some of the archers to drop their bows and partake in close quarter combat with their MK II knives.

“Move the battery, c’mon move the battery damn it!!” Using the hand crank traversing system isn’t fast move to point the howitzer at the dragon crawling towards them for the dragon relishing to see the fear in their eyes takes his time approaching battery two.
The dragon opens his mouth to breathe down fire on the artillery master and his crew but on the dragon’s own accord he doomed himself by taking his time approaching the battery and opening his mouth wide to inhale as much air as possible.
“Wait!” The Artillery master holds on firing.
“But his mouth his open!” Yells the gunner.
“I said hold!” The Artillery master takes hold of the trigger sting. “If you want to leave than leave!” The master waiting at what seems like an eternity waits for the dragon to exhale. “Got you!” He fires the howitzer the moment the visible epiglottis opens giving the shell a direct path to the dragon’s lungs. Suddenly a mighty shadow flies over the fort leaving raging fire in its path. “NO!” The artillery master got to jump from the path of the fire while his tail wrapped around the loader pulling him to safety while the rest of the crew burn to their deaths.
“Damn it that’s the leader of the Dragons!!” Screams the loader as he points to a massive purple Dragon landing in the center of the fort and unleashes more fire on the Republic soldiers. Just then the purple Dragon turns his head to look directly at the Artillery Master.

“You! You dare to kill my brethren!” The purple Dragon growls while approaching the artillery master. “You fire upon us, you kill us, and you look upon me without a single ounce of fear even though I am death!”
Defiant the Artillery master reaches for a fresh round to load into the howitzer only to find the cannon melted into a pile of metal.

The purple dragon snickers in delight while all round him the fighting between the Republic forces and Fascists comes to a halt so they can listen to the mighty dragon speak. “What a pity HA! Your weapons are gone, your soldiers are going to die and this great fortress will fall in a matter of seconds yet you stand before me like you will stay standing even when my fire kills all. So tell me arrogant soldier why do you stay standing before me.”

First the artillery master pushes away the loader just in case the purple dragon decides to rain down its fire. “Because you call yourself death when death himself isn’t here yet.” Hope inside the Artillery master’s compels him to stall the mighty dragon in case his hope pays off.

The mighty dragon snorts his breath in disgust. “Death isn’t here yet!! I am death! Look around you many of your troops lie in ashes, your weapons are melted, and I am the reason for all that you foolish meat bag! Humph be as it may nothing can pierce my skin so enough talk mortal you may have insulted me with your words but at least you have the iron will to say them before me therefore, you may be the only mortal to receive a sliver of my respect. Now prepare to die.”

“At least I tried.” The Artillery master tells himself. *ting* His ears picks up sound of a fast approaching whooshing sound. “Thank you, Great Spirit.”

“Huh?” The mighty Dragon picks up the fast approaching whooshing sound but for him it is too late to react to the incoming powerful twin magical missiles. “AHGH!!” The magical missiles strike the mighty Dragon causing him to fall to the ground. “WHAT!” The dragon get backs up enraged from the sudden attack that brought him down to the ground.

“It’s the Vanguard!” The loader cries out in joy. “He’ll kill the Dragon! He’ll kill the dragon, HE’LL KILL THE DRAGON!!” With that mighty roar of joy all the spirits of the Republic are lifted to turn the still tide of this battle.

Back up on his feet the mighty Dragon scowls to find the being that struck him with these powerful magical missiles until hovering in front of him in bronze armor and a black cape he sees a pony with wings & horn. “Who are you!”

Just as he’s about to answer the dragon fire rains down on him burning his cape and melting his bronze armor off his body. *gasp*

“NO! IMPOSSIBLE!!” The pony with the wings & horn is completely unscathed despite being rained down by four thousand degrees of heat.
Gold Sky on the other hoof is more concerned with something else. “My cape!! It’s gone!!” Oh that is it. “I am the Vanguard and now you die!”

Rainbow still amazed by the mighty dragon rather by the Republic soldiers taking down and killing teenage dragons asks Gold Sky how did he mange to kill that mighty dragon.
“While their skin may be impenetrable it doesn’t mean their bones can’t be broken one by one, which you can only imagine the loud boom of the dragon’s bones breaking. Sounds pretty nice by the way well for me not for you which I know you won’t like one bit.”

“And the fire how come you weren’t burned!?” Rainbow asks.

“I cannot be harmed by fire, air, water, and earth therefore, after I killed that mighty dragon many other dragons came to know the name Vanguard and tremble at the sound of it.”

Year IV

“Let this little montage of blood soaked wheat fields show you why year four was called the bloody forth. But at least the Republic crippled the Fascist's food supply, poison their water supply, and block off their mines so they cannot harvest anymore coal & iron ore to make their weapons but at least we managed to slow their movement allowing for Republic shock troopers to strike their marching troops giving me their main forces in a silver platter. However, miscalculating the enemy movements General Sherman nearly marched into an enemy trap resulting in ordering the Republic troops to form a fishhook formation to cover their left flank which endured the blunt of the Fascist offense. I well it took me a awhile to wipe away the enemy offense in the hook curve of the formation before I was able to aid the left flank which I forced them to retreat by creating deadly black F-5 tornadoes. Now as you may guess this battle took place in a wheat field while other skirmishes took place in the surrounding fields.” Gold Sky pushes Rainbow to look upon the blood soaked fields littered with bodies then shows her the complete battle in real time.

“This General Sherman recovered quickly from this attack wait a minute if you were in the north flank fighting there then how are you able to show me every inch of the battle if you weren’t there at the left flank until the end!?”

“I used my telepathy to read the minds of the surviving soldiers allowing me to piece together everything I’m showing you now. But right here in this moment look at it, look closely at it and tell me what you see.” Gold Sky points at a Republic troop planting a spear head into the heart of an enemy soldier.
Rainbow Dash squints as if that’ll help her analyze the still moment before her. “The Republic soldier is killing him Gold Sky.”

Gold Sky quietly scoffs to Rainbow’s inability to look into the littlest detail. “I bet if Rarity saw this then she will notice what I see.” He tells himself which is one hundred percent correct if an outside source were to think about it. “Look at the eyes of the Republic soldier Rainbow Dash.”
Upon looking at the eyes Rainbow finally realizes what Gold Sky wants her to see and what she sees is the eyes of the Republic soldier being pink meaning despite killing the enemy he’s still bringing an end to a life and doing so hurts him. “Even in war stallions regret taking lives.” *Sigh* “I now understand Gold Sky.”

Year V

“The pivotal point of this year is something I cannot show you; really I cannot show for it will be gravely irresponsible on my part as an Immortal to show you what I discovered in that year.”

Rainbow unhappy about being denied something simply because of the higher standing of the immortal she’s sitting by asks why he cannot show her what he discovered.

Thus. “If you saw what I saw…look let me tell you the visual definition of insanity. Xenomorphs Rainbow Dash, Xenomorphs. Creatures that gave me the fight of my life but in the end I failed to destroy them instead I gained control over them.”
“Sooooo what happens if you were to show them to me.” Rainbow asks.

To be blunt and straight to the point. “You’ll become insane Rainbow Dash now before you ask about me, my age gives me a mature mind to process the sight of the Xenomorph as for the Insanity they will give if seen I’ve already been through insanity providing me an immunity to it.” Still Gold Sky will just humor Rainbow Dash by playing the shriek the Xenomorph does when harmed.

“AAHHH!” The shriek of the Xenomorph is more than enough to persuade the cyan Pegasus to end her curiosity of the creature. “No more please!!”

“Very well now we go to the last year of the long war.” Gold Sky lays out.

In his presentation of the final battle the battle wary soldiers of the Republic write their letters home, pray to the Great Spirit, and sharpen their weapons for in their spirits they sense this is the final step and to make that feeling familiar for Rainbow Dash, Gold Sky stays absolutely silent. Some of the soldiers smile to the prospect of finally going home after six long years of being away from their families and more importantly they can finally hang their shields on the wall and hug their families. But until that moment which is universally shared by all the troops sitting in the many zeppelin landing craft they first need to fight this last battle.

“I want to go home.” Says one 501st Marine who has a permanent mark streaking across his face which will make it hard to hold his newly hatched son whenever the youngster is crying.

“Six years of my life wasted in this bloody war but at least I have the rest of my life to live in peace.” A Soldier of the Grand Army chides as he folds a letter and puts it in the mail bucket.

“In the end this is all I know…wha-what can I do when I get back home.” Mutters a 101st Airborne soldier.

“You can find a wife and move forward, that’s what you can do when you get back home oh soldier of the Republic.” Gold Sky pats the soldier’s shoulder to reassure him.

However, there is one soldier that since the battle in the Stronghold of Tyre has had one question he’s been meaning to ask him for the longest time but he’s always been afraid to ask the afraid that question for he’s afraid he might offend the Vanguard. But given this is the final battle and he may or may not die, he might as well ask the Vanguard the question. “Vanguard I-I-I been meaning to ask you this question ever since I fought by your side in the Stronghold of Tyre…ummmmm…why do you fight with us if you are not one of our species?”

Gold Sky dons his black cape before answering the soldier’s question. “As an Honorable Stallion I will fight to protect the innocent from those who wish to shed their blood and I’ve grown attached to all of you.” *sigh* “Growing up I had no brothers or sisters, but after some time I got a sister but a dragon took her away from me and all of you, I love as my brothers. Brothers who have children, wives, and parents waiting for them back home and if I can make sure all of you can get back home to them then all I did will pay off.”

All the Griffons in the landing craft salute Gold Sky for after this they will never, never forget the words of the Honorable pony with wings and a horn. “We’re above the Fascist Capital, Gold Sky.” Sherman reports to the stallion. “Also heeding your…can’t believe I have to say it like this but anyway heeding your command all the landing craft are above the Fascist anti-air batteries range. AH DAMN SCAR!” The General takes a pain killer to stop the pain radiating from the battle scar in the back of his neck. “I’m a General, I don’t take orders I give them.”

“Remember always respect the better killer and at least the better killer is an honorable one.” Gold Sky says as he makes his way to the landing craft’s underbelly door.

General Sherman nods in some agreement. “They have heavy anti-air defenses Gold Sky an…thank you.” Sherman says out of nowhere. “Since the beginning of this war, you served with us. Thank you Gold Sky for everything you have done for us. If there is any way I can pay you back please tell me how.”

Gold Sky gives Sherman a nod of respect. “My Honor does not need payment General Sherman but thank you for your gratification.” Now standing by the underbelly door Gold Sky feels a tingle run down his spine. “Oh Great Spirit if my life is to be taken then let it be taken but please let it only be mine and not those of my brothers. Amen.”

The stallion jumps out of the landing craft and once breaking through the cloud cover the Fascist anti air batteries open fire on him creating hundreds of tiny black flak clouds around him. “Once I destroy their AA batteries I will signal the others to come.”

Meanwhile in Rainbow’s mind. “Gold Sky may be the best soldier here but even then he’s still afraid, he truly is a normal pony like all of us and perhaps shares a bunch of traits with Rarity. Heh how cute.”

FOLLOW ME TO VICTORY!!” Gold Sky shouts as he leads the entire Republic forces to engage the enemy who makes a failed attempt to rally themselves but with many seeing him leading the Republic forces some just get the high tail out of there.

Inside the spire of the Fascist headquarters Gold Sky drops the Supreme Leader of the Fascist forces. “Go and be with your son for since you told me about your son waiting for you I cannot kill you but know this if you abuse the mercy I just gave you then believe me when I say this. There is no cave that will hide you from me, no mountain to take shelter, and no hole deep enough to bury yourself under. For if you abuse my mercy Mao I will rip you in two and shower in your blood now go to your son and never return to the Republic ever again!”

“Th-tha-thank you!” General Mao flees to a faraway land.

Outside the spire the Republic relishes in celebration when the last Fascist troop is stabbed to death by twenty spears and hundreds of arrows while inside the spire Gold Sky walks about looking for anything of value that he may take for his own.

“This is where I found her.” Gold Sky whispers to Rainbow Dash.

“Her? Who’s her?” Truth be as it is, Rainbow Dash completely forgot about Gilda when all the images of war flash before her.

Gold Sky growls at the cyan Pegasus. “You truly can’t be serious by asking me that Rainbow Dash and you truly couldn’t have forgotten why I’m showing you all of this in the first place!”

Rainbow stays quiet hoping that’ll get her out of the stallion’s anger.
Gold Sky sighs as he passes a hoof down his face. “Fine let’s continue.”

In the midst of finding nothing Gold Sky picks up a faint noise coming from deeper inside the spire. “What in the world is that noise coming from?? I must find it!” In his curiosity he gaits to find the source but with every step taken his heart gets warmer making him gallop to the noise. “Why does my heart feel so warm?” Now from a gallop he now sprints like something urgent is hanging in the balance of life & death. “What!?”

The source of the noise is a freshly hatched Griffon chick crying on the floor while behind the chick are two dead adult Griffons. “It’s a baby…it’s a baby Griffon.” Gold Sky now understanding why his heart is warm goes over to the crying baby and looks upon it with compassion. “You’re just an innocent little baby…” Suddenly an instinct takes over prompting him to tear off his black cape. “Ssh, ssh, ssh it’s okay little one, ssh, ssh, ssh, ssh please stop crying for you are no longer alone. Come I got you.” And wraps the baby up so it will no longer be cold. “Oh you are a girl, a precious little girl.”

*TING* “GILDA! THAT’S GILDA!!” The obvious finally dawns on the Element of Loyalty.
“Oh I can so kill you right now.” Gold Sky mutters under his breath.
“What?” Rainbow asks.
“What?” Caught, Gold Sky repeats the word to confuse Rainbow Dash.

“Did you something?”
“No I didn’t say anything Rainbow Dash now QUIET!” Relieved to saving himself Gold Sky continues.

Cradling the baby in his arms Gold Sky plops down on his rump to better sooth her from her cries. “It’s okay, my dearest…my dearest? I-I mean it’s okay dear child you have nothing to be afraid of for the war is over and now you can grow up in peace with a loving…” Gold Sky just can’t quite finish his own sentences, sure he’s caring for this child at this very moment and yeah it’s a Griffon but in his own words and through his own thought patterns that make up the sentences one speaks he calls this baby my dearest. Yes, this out of the blue instinct that took over moments ago is. “Paternal Instinct…” Gold Sky moves the baby until she touches his beating heart. “Oh! You stopped crying, ho, ho you stopped crying my dearest child!” Now his own spoken words tell him the truth his wants to embrace. So Gold Sky lifts up the baby displaying her to the Great Spirit asking through that motion to listen to his words or in his native tongue listen to one word.

“Cúŋkši.”

Translation.

Daughter.

“Wakáŋtaŋḱa i gli šni haŋni níye un iyúղġa níye un yúwaḱa mitawa Cúŋkši, yúwaḱa mitawa Cúŋkši. Oh Wakáŋtaŋḱa.”

Gold Sky then brings back the Griffon to his beating heart to keep her sound asleep. “You have no mother and father dear child but now you have a Father to love you, guide you, protect you, lead you, and always cherish you no matter what.” Now Gold Sky starts thinking. *Ting* “Gilda, yes, yes, your name shall be Gilda my dearest daughter!”

Rainbow Dash asks him to pause the memory. “She looks so…Gilda looks so precious as a baby! Ooooh I want to pinch her cheeks, tickle her feet, rub her belly, and just ooh she looks so cute!!” Rainbow dotes while thanks to being in the memory she gets to feel the soft tuft on Gilda’s chest. “I mean ahem…she’s very cute Gold Sky.”

Pleased by Rainbow’s somewhat adoring attitude towards young Gilda he softly nudges the mare with his shoulder. “As for the dead Griffons behind her, I found out through some papers on the floor that they are her parents and they were fascist sympathizers so I guess when they saw the inevitable end coming they took the easy out while leaving Gilda to die.”

Back to the memories. “Ah Gold Sky there you are, I’ve been looking all over for you I want you to join us in a celebration toast.”

B-ut the stallion shakes his head. “I don’t partake General Sherman.”

“Oh uhhh well, we’re going back home and…I guess you will too.”

Again the stallion shakes his head.
Thus Sherman is surprised by this. “You’re going to stay here in the Republic than to go back home and be with your family?”

True, he could go home. Key word is could but that will be selfish on his part given how Gilda is just a newborn baby. “Home is where I make General Sherman or in this case home is where WE make it.”

Sherman tilts his head when the word WE is emphasized. “We??”
Gold Sky reveals to Sherman the tightly wrapped sleeping Gilda in his arms. “Yes me and her.”

Sherman lightly chuckles to the sight of the powerful Vanguard lovingly cradling the baby and how he has her head over his heart. “The Vanguard not only fights by our side he also takes one of our own species as his own child.”

However, Gold Sky feels like clearing something up first when it comes to his love wrapping itself around Gilda. “Species is no concern to me Sherman. For an innocent child does not deserve to grow up without Parents, besides maybe it’s time for me to love and hold something dear to my heart. It’s time for me to go home and be a father to my little Gilda and yes. I’m a Pony, she’s a Griffon but Love is what drives me to take her as my daughter, Sherman.”

Sherman remembering how Gold Sky didn’t want any form of repayment decides to ask the stallion if he wants repayment. “You need a home Gold Sky and I can help you with that along with making sure you have everything you need to take care of your daughter.”

Realizing what he’s being given by General Sherman, Gold Sky bows his head in gratitude then brings in the Griffon for a hug. “Thank you, Sherman.”

Rainbow Dash smiling to seeing Gold Sky being given a home for both him & baby Gilda, now is eager to watch the first night that’s about to happen. “Oh boy, he’s not going to get a lick of sleep.” So Rainbow sees half of what she anticipated.

Baby Gilda finishing her bottle of formula, reaches up touching Gold Sky’s chin but accidently cuts him with her razor sharp talons. “OW!” Gold Sky snaps. “Oh my you have such sharp talons my dearest sweetheart.”

However, clearly hearing the snap from Father, Gilda immediately starts crying like there’s no tomorrow so Gold Sky picks her back up and begins rocking her in his arms. “Ssh, ssh, ssh, ssh, oh it’s okay Gilda, I’m not mad that you scratched me because look!” Gold Sky points at the cut. “It’s healed.” Still Gilda continues crying but doesn’t mind reaching up to touch Father’s face. “Hmmmm?” The new Father ponders what he can do to ease Gilda’s cries for rather than to let her tire herself out which is something he doesn’t like but even then if he does not think of something right now then Gilda will cry until she tires herself out. *ting* He remembers a song Mother…Princess Celestia that is, sang to him when he slept under her wing for the first time and that song always sheltered him until sleep can take him over. “If it worked for me then perhaps it will work for Gilda.”

“Oh you’re going to sing to her Gold Sky!” Rainbow asks.
“Obviously Yes Rainbow Dash.” Gold Sky responds.

“Ahem.” Gold Sky clears his throat to prepare his voice. “How does it go again?” Before starting he quickly recites the song in his head first. “Somewhere beyond the sea, somewhere waiting for me. My lover stands on golden sands and watches the ships that go sailing.”

“Wow…” Rainbow Dash gasps to hear Gold Sky singing to Gilda. “You sound so beautiful Gold Sky.”

“Somewhere beyond the sea, she’s there watching for me. If I could fly like birds on high then straight to her arms I’d go sailing…”
Gilda still crying when father began to sing now seems to lessen her cries with every verse he bathes her with until finally her cries cease and just focus entirely on the stallion rocking her in his arms.
*yawn* Little Gilda accommodates herself to have her ear over Father’s beating heart and falls asleep thanks to the calming rhythm.

Rainbow smiles to see how quickly Gilda fell asleep.

“Sweet dreams my dear Gilda.” Slowly Gold Sky places the sleeping Gilda in her crib which is at the base of his bed. “Good night Gilda.”

But then without warning Gilda starts crying like there’s no tomorrow once again. *ting* Gold Sky picks her back up to comfort his daughter. “Hmmmm oh dear baby, baby why do you wake up crying when just moments ago you were asleep so peacefully…” *ting, ting, ting* An idea strikes him in the heart of his galaxy. “My heart…my beating heart is what puts you to sleep my dearest Gilda…you are my heart living outside my body and I now know how to show how much you mean to me oh dear Gilda. I am a pony and you a Griffon but nowhere in the scriptures of literature does it say that you cannot be my daughter. Hmm believe it or not Gilda when I first heard your cries I ran to you not out of choice I ran to you because my heart felt your heart beating.” Gold Sky pauses momentarily to kiss her forehead then let’s her reach up to touch him even though it will result in receiving many cuts from her razor sharp talons but at least his regeneration will take care of his cuts. “I don’t see you for what you are Gilda I see you as my daughter just like you will not see me for what I am you will see me as your father. The Daughter becomes the Father and the Father the Daughter and I, through a vision given to me by the Great Spirit will make you one of my flesh & blood. Where days become an endless breeze, numbers turn into thoughts through your own creation, forever becomes a reality not a word that’s only said to be said as an expression, and where I, a Father will never see his child die before his eyes.”

“NO!!” Rainbow Dash jumps into the air in bewilderment when the last verse is ushered from Gold Sky’s lips. “HOW!! JUST HOW JUS-JUST HOW, HOW, HOW!!”

Gold Sky silences Rainbow Dash for acts speak more than spoken words.

The Immortal Father softly presses Gilda’s head against his heart causing it to glow brightly then with his magic he levitates Gilda so she can be before him for he will have no mortal daughter sleeping over his heart. “My heart.” He reaches out to touch his baby’s beating heart making it glow brightly like his. “Love is what brought us together. Love is what I have for you. Love is what I give you. Love, my Love shall give you unending life.” From his glowing heart a beam transcending the line of Mortality & Immortality connects to Gilda’s glowing heart erasing that line and amending every strand of DNA inside her. Or in other words her cells have no expiration date like mortal cells.

*thud* Rainbow falls downs. “You can…you can…you can make anypony Immortal…”

Gold Sky wipes his eyes to see the moment he made Gilda Immortal. “It’s a yes and a no Rainbow Dash. For you see, I love Gilda so much that nothing can be loved as much as I love her. I am the Immortal Father, Rainbow, and fathers love nothing more than their children. Basically what I did will be simplified by this. If she dies I die, if I die she continues living.”

“WHY!?”

Gold Sky glides his wing over Rainbow’s back. “A Father should never ever outlive his child. So if I die she continues living because my life means nothing to me if I can’t give it up to protect my child. For a parent will do anything to protect their offspring.” Stopping Rainbow from replying he redirects her to the pinnacle of making Gilda Immortal.

The beams erasing Gilda’s mortality starts dissolving Gold Sky’s physicality turning him into silver dust but his glowing beating heart remains flesh while the silver dust revolves around Gilda until the glowing heart beats out a magenta colored dust which can be perceived as Gold Sky’s love entering Gilda’s heart finally sealing Gilda’s new Immortality. “It is done.” The silver dust comes together giving the stallion back his physicality. “Come Gilda it's time for you to go back to sleep.” Lying down on his back Gold Sky places Gilda’s head over his beating heart. “From now on this is the only way for you to sleep Gilda and that is to have you sleeping over my heart. Well good thing I got plenty of diapers and wipes for you.”

Rainbow Dash asks him to pause quickly. “Okay number one that’s cute very cute, I mean look at her get comfy over your heart it perfectly fits the meaning of calling her your heart living outside your body. Now number two, DID YOUR ENTIRE BODY with the exception of your heart TURN INTO SILVER DUST TO MAKE GILDA IMMORTAL!?”

The stallion nods. “Yes. I temporary gave up my physicality to directly put a piece of my spirit’s love into Gilda’s heart now before you ask how I did that. I simply thought of Gilda and how I don’t want to ever lose her to death so when I turned into silver dust which happens when a Chero dies and before you to interrupt me by asking me if I died. I did not die for my heart didn’t turn to silver dust; you see as an Immortal I can walk into the year that ends lives of mortals so I can meet death and order it…” Interrupted by Rainbow Dash.

“It? Death is a it?”

Gold Sky just places his wing over Rainbow Dash and brings her close but at the same time he makes her blush though nevertheless, he does not notice. “Many think Death is a stallion others think Death is a mare, I on the other hand or hoof can care less for knowing Death’s Sex is the least of my concern. All I cared about is telling death to stay away from Gilda and fighting it…” Interrupted again.

“You fought death!”

While being interrupted will anger others Gold Sky is pretty much used to it. “Yes I fought Death to get it away from Gilda but on the same token make it accept two terms. The first being that death can only come if she’s stabbed in the heart and the second term is to take me if she dies.”

“Wait I thought you fought death to make it stay away from Gilda?” Rainbow asks while carefully pulling more of Gold Sky’s wing over her.

“To stay away is to prevent death by natural causes for given the fact she will stop aging the moment she becomes an adult as for being stabbed in heart that too is the only way I can die. So it is fair that I do this otherwise, I risk having her think she is invincible. Leading to her to throw away every honorable value I passed down to her and bring this world to its knees.”

“Oh.” Rainbow says. “Makes sense I guess…can you just show me the tender moments? I-I-I don’t want to get too emotional here and start crying like a sap.

Gold Sky cannot understand how Rainbow doesn’t want to cry when it’s only them right now at the present moment and he does not have the tendency to tell others about ones emotions. Still it seems Rainbow Dash has a big ego she cradles so dearly to her heart so why not just accommodate her for this moment or better yet just use this to study his friend. “Well to me every moment I spent with her is a tender moment but I’ll give you what you want Rainbow Dash.” Starting with showing Rainbow what Gilda loves to eat. “She just loves peach and mango mixed together but she just loved watching me mashing them I mean she will almost stand from her high chair just to watch me then when I ask her what she’s doing she’ll just smile and laugh. After enjoying her fruitful breakfast ha! No pun intended, I’ll cook her up a nice piece of stag with egg whites on the side then together we eat…” Interrupted for the obvious reason.

“You eat MEAT!! What the hell dude!!”

Okay on being an omnivore Gold Sky finds annoyance in being looked upon as weird. “Say what the hell dude one more time Rainbow Dash and I’ll stuff a chunk of stag in your bloody mouth.” Clearing his throat Gold Sky continues while showing Rainbow little Gilda being cute. “For dinner I’ll give her a feast which after that it’s bath time, story time, and lastly bed time. Hmm, she loves me very much my sweet Gilda, so growing up as I expected she never asked why I look different from the other Griffon fathers she instead will groom me almost every day so I can look good when we go grocery shopping, err you want to show her grooming me Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow Dash nods. “You know it Gold Sky!”

Thus in front of Rainbow, Gilda is busy as a bee passing her rough little tongue over his head to smooth out his hair, then licks his cheeks the same way a felidae will do to clean its loved ones, after Gilda finishes licking Gold Sky’s clean she begins to preen his wings, and ends by pulling him down to plant many kisses on his cheek. “Then I’ll groom her but my tongue isn’t made for grooming like hers so you can imagine how hard it was for me but nevertheless, she enjoyed it so if she’s happy I’m happy.”

“I think he’ll get mad if I call Gilda a little kitty.” Rainbow tells herself. “Hmmmm, I wonder, show me something that tells me of how much a father you were to her. Good father that is which from the beginning I can tell you were.” Well Rainbow wants to deny herself the inevitable which led to Gilda to be what she is now.

“Very well Rainbow Dash.” The memories flash forward to Gold Sky covering a starving Gilda with his wing for right they are in the Great Famine that has bestowed the Republic and food is scarce but food to feed his Gilda is even much scarce despite him always giving her his ration every day.

“You gave her your food Gold Sky?”

“Yes. I never ate any of my rations and when she tried to make me eat my ration I’ll use my telepathy to make her see that I’m eating but in reality I’m just chewing on air. But the time finally came when food ran out…I being a Father couldn’t bear to hear Gilda cry as she starved so I was left to carry out my last resort.” To keep Rainbow from asking what is his last resort he takes her to memory where he’s sharping his knife and keeping an ear out for Gilda. After his knife is sharpened he pauses as if what he’s going to do is going to be painful and it will but if it means putting Gilda out of her starving misery then by all means he will do it. “Here goes nothing.” Gold Sky buries the knife into his flank and cuts out a huge chunk of flesh then waits until his regeneration brings back the flesh he carved out then once healed he craves out more of his flesh. “That’s more than enough to keep Gilda well fed. So good thing I saved the ration paper in order to make her believe this is a ration she’s eating and not my flesh.” The father after saying his thoughts to himself wraps his flesh up in the ration paper then waits a few minutes until he has the right moment to present Gilda with her ration.

Rainbow looks over her shoulder to stare at Gold Sky’s flank expecting to see a scar. “How can you feed her pieces of your own flesh Gold Sky!?” And without permission she slaps his flank thinking it’ll sting him.

“Hey, hey you can only see not touch! Now do you think I’ll let my daughter starve when I have the ability to use my body as a means to feed her until the Great Famine comes to end? Because Gilda has been through heart break for at the dawn of the famine she lost her first and dearest friend whom she loved as a brother so seeing her saddened once more is my breaking point.”

Rainbow kind of squirms to see the little Griffon eat Gold Sky’s flesh with glee while on Gold Sky’s face she can see him lightly smile to be able to provide Gilda with food to eat. “She’s eating you Gold Sky!”

The stallion simply shrugs. “Well at least I taste good and she will never know that it’s I she’s eating but like I said I’ll do anything to end her starvation. Besides if you were my daughter I’ll the same thing except I’ll transform my flesh into potatoes or apples.”

Oh dear being called daughter by Gold Sky definitely requires a visit with Rarity.

Gold Sky fast forwards to Gilda’s teenage years where he walks out of a dojo with many slash marks across his body but slowly they heal up and before speaking he wipes his sparkling blood from his mouth then spits out the rest. “Gilda, come.” Both of them fly up into the sky to get away from the Griffons Gold Sky has put in their place by making them flightless for the rest of their lives. “Now you can ask me what you want to ask me Gilda.”

Well as always Gilda will always call Gold Sky daddy but when seriousness comes she’ll switch to Father. “Father why did they want to hurt me?” With tears in her eyes Gilda tries to comprehend why her so called new friends wanted to hurt her by attempting to beat her up in the dojo. Luckily or by instinct she called out to Father who appeared in a flash of white light the moment her word left her mouth and protected her by taking on not only the seven teenagers but also taking on their parents who are masters in a deadly Kung Fu they call the Lion’s Roar but even then Gold Sky has no equal in combat and likes err LOVES it when the odds are stacked against him though as an Honorable stallion he lets them live despite the fact they had the intention to harm his Daughter which is an automatic death sentence. But the Father already had his fill of blood in the six year war and he will not shed blood before his daughter when he can break bones instead.

Before all things Gold Sky softly nuzzles Gilda’s head using affection to open her mind to his words. “You have always been different from the other Griffons as I am as well.”

“What do you mean different Father!? We are Griffons like them!”

Gold Sky points to her heart. “It isn’t appearance that makes you different from them it is how you grew up is what makes you different from them. In the years of your growth you found solace with me Gilda, and then you found friendship leading to more happiness for you to embrace but when friendship came to its end all you had left is me which satisfied you nonetheless. But now with your growing maturity you wish to seek friendship once more because the hole left behind in your childhood never healed so you tried to seek friendship once more to find closure. “

Gilda nods to Father’s words. “I-I just thought these Griffons will like me.”

“I know sweetheart but they never had the intent to ever become friends with you just the intent to hurt you in order to fuel their superiority complex. Of course Gilda, I have trained you to be a remarkable fighter like me so tell me how is it you were overpowered by these teenagers?” At the same time Gold Sky will like to know why Gilda didn’t fight back.

The Griffon nervously rubbing her arm breaks eye contact and proceeds to answer Father. “They took me by surprise Father…I got taken over by their embrace which blinded me from seeing the knife they wanted to stab me in the back with. But Father their parents are masters of that Lion’s Roar Kung Fu fighting style and they trained for decades so how were you able to beat them!?” Nevertheless, even when saddened Gilda is still impressed by Father’s fighting capability.

*Long sigh.* “Gilda I have no equal in combat at all so no matter how masterful they are in their martial art they will fall. Look Gilda you may never find any friends among Griffons and being an Honorable Griffon along with having conviction you will always be target to those who lack such values. I know you want friendship but some things just cannot be obtained yes that’s the cruel reality but you must persevere through it. For in life we will face difficulty but that difficulty is what makes you stronger and in time you will be stronger than me Gilda.” The stallion takes his daughter into his arms to embrace her. “You will find Friendship Gilda I promise you that and it shall always have a lasting impact upon you.” Thus to seal his words the stallion kisses his daughter’s head.

Gilda receiving her Father’s wise words takes them to her heart where she gains the understanding that he is right for this difficulty she is made stronger and her honor is strengthened as well which will help her stay above the dishonorable weak, keeping her from trailing into dismaying paths. “If I never find friendship will you stay by my side…daddy?”

Gold Sky leans back to make eye contact with Gilda’s golden eyes. “I will always be with you Gilda for you are my flesh & blood and do you remember that question you asked me twenty eight years ago in the meadows when you were just a precious little Griffon.”

“Uhmmmmm?” Thinking back at that moment Gilda tries to remember the question the exact way she said it before. “Yes! I asked you if I will ever meet a pony with a rainbow colored mane like the one in the story that saved the pony with a generous heart.”

Gold Sky softly chuckles then brings her close again and kisses her forehead. “Chances are starting to look high that will happen one day.”

*GASP!* Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe this and for good reason. “Fate! Fate had us become friends! But something happened, I mean the Gilda I’m seeing right now is so loving, honorable, humble, and friendly. I only saw this side her in Junior Speedsters camp when Father’s day came around.”

“I’m getting to that part Rainbow Dash but first I feel real certain you will like to see her take her first flight.” *Boing* “Before I continue forgetting, ahem the moment I took Gilda into my arms was the moment I got my Cutie Mark which is a golden heart inside a turquoise diamond which I guess symbolizes my Chero blood.”

“Or something to do with Rarity since it’s a diamond.” Rainbow Dash mutters through her lips then goes back to the prospect of seeing Gilda flying. “You know I will more than love seeing her fly! Because she flies like a pro and when she does her special moves she amazes me with her precise grace and agility!”

All thanks to Gold Sky of course. “The thing about Griffons is their methods of teaching their young how to fly. The first and perhaps the most common used method is simply pushing the young Griffon off a high cloud and let their instinct take over. But I can’t help but frown upon that method when it doesn’t fully prepare the young Griffon to fly but instead forces them to fly out of fear so I taking the second and lesser used method taught Gilda to fly by first preparing her physically, mentally, and yes Lovingly. So I began by making her do wings exercise to build up muscle for long distance flying takes a lot of muscle along with stamina of course after every exercise my dear Gilda will drag herself to bed and fall asleep though it will be my bed she’ll fall asleep on which the only thing I can do is accommodate her by putting my beating heart near her ears. Again I’ll train her with more exercises like hovering for as long as she can above the ground, then hovering ten yards above the ground with me being under her just in case she falls, lastly she’ll hover above the clouds while I will be close to keep fear away but then & again helping her a bit just provides her with more encouragement to do better. I mean you should have seen her sheer determination to please me, wait you can.” Gold Sky shows Rainbow Dash the great determination radiating from Gilda’s face.

“Whoa I never have seen Gilda like that! I guess she only flew because of you.” Rainbow comes up on the fly to make herself sound serious before the Immortal Stallion.

“Heh, I fool myself by thinking that Rainbow Dash she wanted to learn how to fly because she wants the pleasure of taking to the air and asking me to join her so we can learn from one another because while I taught her to fly she taught me how to use my war maneuvers and turn them into tricks. Whenever she stalled I’ll be there to pull up her nose re-stabilizing her, whenever the wind pushes her around I will command the wind to stop, and whenever, she reaches out to me I will extend my hoof so she can hold on to it.” Gold Sky stops to look upon Rainbow Dash. “At least she got to meet a pony with a rainbow colored mane…any who before I show you what went wrong, let me show you this great memory Rainbow Dash.”

“Okay…I guess.” Already Rainbow Dash feels cold about seeing what went wrong.

High above the clouds Gold Sky flies up while on his back little Gilda hangs on in order to save time. “Gilda are you sure you’re sure about wanting to do this?” He asks with a shade of extreme worry in his voice.

Gilda looks down at the thick yet rather comfy clouds down below. “I’m more than sure daddy, besides you’ll be here with me.” To ensure her father, Gilda passes her hand over his neck.

“Alright Gilda I’ll take your word for it now give me a kiss for good luck sweetheart.” Gold Sky points to his right cheek.

“MUAH!!” Gilda kisses his right cheek. “Other cheek! MUAH!!” And kisses his left cheek for more luck.

However, just one more thing from Gold Sky. “Gilda remember. Yaw, Pitch, Power, and Roll. Remember your basic flight teachings. Now go!” Gold Sky is still a bit nervous about letting Gilda convince him to fly high above the clouds but as long as he’s here nearby then he’ll let her fly high.

Gilda nods to Father’s last bit of help. “Got it daddy! Here we go.” Thus the young Griffon jumps off of father’s back to fly above the clouds. “Here I go!!” The youngster flaps her wings taking flight through her own willful accord so in feeling her senses telling her she flying above the clouds she begins to laugh with joy. “Daddy, I’m doing it! I’m doing it daddy! Look at me, I’m flying above the clouds HAHAHAHAHA look at me daddy!!” Gilda joyfully cries out to her watching father.

Gold Sky flying close to his dearest, dearest daughter reflects her joy through his smile radiating on her. “I see you flying wonderfully my dear Gilda and you don’t know how glad I am to see you flying this high when for others it will take them years to reach this altitude. Now let’s fly together Gilda.”

The Griffon squealing in delight to fly with father nods. “C’mon daddy!” Leading the way for her father to follow Gilda tilts downward in a left angle to glide the tip of her wing on the clouds below her then father follows suite by doing the same thing. At looking at the clouds rush up his wing he looks back to Gilda who still is smiling her great big smile to be leading father across a great plain of clouds. “Oh some easterly winds! Time to do some tricks.”

“Just don’t get carried away Gilda or you might stall.” Gold Sky reminds her.

“Got it!” Gilda lifting up the feathers in her right wing and lowering the feathers of her left wing performs a roll then straighten her wing angles to get back in normal flight angle. “Father saw my amazing trick and I know he’s impressed so time to step it up and take advantage of the winds coming up so perhaps I can use yaw to my advantage to perform some top spins.” Top spins means to spin like a top. “WOO HOO!”

“Just don’t get dizzy.” Truth be told if his dear Gilda get nauseated and vomits her lunch and the vomit happens to land on him well let’s just say he’s been through worse when an infant Gilda will be sleeping over his heart then relives herself in both number 1 and number 2. Thus potty training was of grave importance when the time came to teach her. “Yes don’t get dizzy.”

“Time for a barrel roll!” Gilda lines up her wing feathers and pulls her arms to her side to reduce the possibility of drag to ruin her trick. But suddenly from out of nowhere a swift gale of wind blows her out of Gold Sky’s field of vision and spins her into a terrible engagement of stalling severely.

“NO GILDA!!” Gold Sky banks down to save Gilda. “TÁTE!” His command is heeded by the wind but it is too late for a strong westerly gale takes hold of Gilda before the word in his native tongue is ushered. “I’m coming!”

“AHHHH WHOA, WHOA AHHHHHHHHH!” Gilda screams while being spun around by the wind. “DADDY, DADDY!” She calls out in fear because she realizes the more she spins the faster her descent to the ground becomes and the more fear that grips Father preventing him from having a clear mind to use his teleportation. “Daddy can’t go poof to reach me!” By poof its Gilda’s way of saying teleportation.

“There’s too much wind resistance and if I use the wind to provide me with a boost I risk creating a vortex that might be strong enough to not only trap Gilda but tear her apart as well!” Gold Sky now sees the only way he can help Gilda is to remind her why she’s doing this in the first place so he connects to her mind with his telepathy. “Gilda clear your mind, feel don’t think. Feel why you’re doing this.”

Gilda hearing her loving father’s words tells herself to get a grip. “I must get back control to fly back up to daddy!” The young Griffon begins sensing the variations of the wind bellowing her around allowing her mind to piece together a rhythm where the repeat for the sudden aero tune is the wind taking a pause before going back to the beginning to carry her down to the earth. “I’m doing this for daddy, for daddy, for daddy, and I will impress daddy!!” For in the end of all of this Gilda is doing her high flying to receive Father’s admiration and his admiration is so amazing for it is like being loved by Love itself or actually it is being loved by Love itself. “Got to time it precisely or I will fail Father.” With the determination of a King Cobra, Gilda awaits for the repeat in the aero tune to seize her opportunity to save herself. “Almost, almost…almost…” Now to make matters worse for the Immortal Father thick clouds sweep in engulfing Gilda and taking her out of his sight.

“NOOOOOOOO!” Gold Sky whimpers as tears form in his eyes. “Please Great Spirit! PLEASE GREAT SPIRIT PROTECT GILDA OR TAKE ME INSTEAD! BUT PLEASE PROTECT MY GILDA OH GREAT SPIRIT PLEASE!” The stallion begs even when he folds his wings the manner a Peregrine Falcon does when it dives down allowing him to crash through the thick cloud cover but still no precious Gilda in sight. “My telepathy tells me she’s close yet I can’t see her!!!”

“Almost…almost…NOW!” Gilda shoots out her wings when the pause comes and when the strong wind comes it stabilizes her along with carrying her back up to the high skies. “Haha I did it!”

“Huh!” Gold Sky sees Gilda zoom past him with a smile on her face. “Oh thank you Great Spirit!” The once terrified father resets his course to follow his dear daughter.

“WOO HOO!” Despite her sudden run-in with mayhem brushed with a harsh degree of malice Gilda throws out her fear to take in the joy of taking control of this mayhem and turning it around to her advantage. “Snap roll time then a yo-yo!” Filled unmeasured joy Gilda performs her tricks in the blue sky while down below her loving father breaks through the cloud cover to bear full witness of her incredible talent.

Short of breath while feeling he weighs tons thanks to the unmeasurable terror that moments ago seized complete control of him like the insectoid embryo of the Xenomorph plops down on nearby cloud to get a hold of himself. “I never been so afraid in my life before…even more afraid than the slaughter I did to the Zebra Rouge clan.” He says to himself while his eyes follow Gilda flying about in the sky. “I shouldn’t have allowed Gilda convince me to let her do this but I want her to become a better flyer…I almost lost her…but I didn’t, I need to get over it and join in the joy of her moment.” The stallion takes a deep breath to completely mark his own spoken words.

“Daddy!” Gilda shouts to him as she comes to sit by him and brag about her amazing tricks. “Did you see everything I did!!”

Gold Sky passes his hoof over her head before speaking. “You amaze me in every possible way Gilda and you truly fly like a well-seasoned Griffon.”

Hearing this Gilda beams a wide ear to ear grin to her father. “Thank you, daddy!”
Now to the heartfelt moment. “But Gilda I almost lost you in the midst of your sheer determination to proof how far you have come…” Gold Sky sniffles but nevertheless suppresses the emotion. “Look Gilda I don’t mean to take away the joy from your well-deserved moment I don’t mean too I just want you to know that when you started to stall and the wind began carrying you away from me. I never felt so afraid in my entire life and I begged the Great Spirit to take me instead but luckily you pulled through like the resourceful Griffon you are.” Gold Sky covers Gilda with his wing.

“Y-you were af-afraid daddy?” Gilda asks for this is the first time she’s ever heard Father tell her he was scared. For Gilda believe it or not, never thought Father can ever be scared for he is the bravest thing she knows but then again there is always a first time for her to learn something new thus to hear father tell he was scared shows her he’s the bravest and most honest father she can ever have.

Gold Sky nods. “Yes. Any who, don’t let my let my words take away the joy from your moment Gilda my lovely dearest Gilda so do you want to celebrate with ice cream, a pizza, a nice juicy hamburger, or perhaps that new food called oriental. Whichever you want Gilda is whatever you shall get.”

Gilda being offered rewards for her accomplishment understands that her father’s expression of his fear was only to remind her of his Love for her now with her choices set before her she can only pick one that’ll satisfy her but does she have to pick one when deep down it looks like father has presented her with these choices so she can pick two. “Can we get pizza and ice cream daddy?” It’s only natural for Gilda to take advantage and pick two.
Gold Sky lovingly laughs at Gilda picking two which is something he expected. “Very well that sounds swell sweetheart now get on my back so you enjoy your hard earned rewards.”

Thus Gilda hops onto his back and automatically hugs his neck while her cheek rubs against his mane. “I’m ready daddy!”

So upon getting back up to all fours Gold Sky flaps his wings but yet he hesitates to jump off and dive down through the clouds. “Gilda, last one down is a rotten egg.” He lightly bucks her off his back to get her flapping her wings. “NOW!” He jumps off the cloud leaving Gilda to eat his condensation trail. “HAHA c’mon sweetheart!”

Gilda now full of joy jumps off the cloud as well. “Hey no fair you had a head start!” Laughing as she does, Gilda speeds past her father already leaving the rotten egg in her trail of condensation.

Rainbow looks back up to the stallion reeling back from how fatherly Gold Sky can make any moment so fatherly and when experiencing fear he is able to get over it after some words. “Gold Sky, you and Gilda are so…beautiful together. I mean by saying beautiful together I see it as the perfect definition of the Father and Daughter relationship. You taught her well…” Suddenly Rainbow loses her strength from a massive influx of emotions overwhelming her mind. “What went wrong!!? TELL ME!! TELLLLLLL MEEEE! WHAT WENT WRONG GOLD SKY!!! I CAN’T SEE HOW GILDA WILL ACT SO PRIDEFUL WHEN A HONORABLE STALLION LIKE YOU IS HER FATHER!! TELL ME HOW MY FRIEND CHANGED!!” Rainbow begs with the full power of her lungs.

*TIRAH*

A chilling cacophony takes them to utter blackness.

“I can’t show you Rainbow Dash but I can show you the innocent blood I spilt and how it drove me away from Gilda by triggering the Razor with these screams.” With a wave of his left arm, hundreds upon hundreds of innocent voices cry out for mercy and the invisible walls began dripping with the innocent blood he himself shed. “Listen to the innocent blood I have shed Rainbow Dash, listen to the voices I’ve heard every day I was raising Gilda. Day & night, hearing this terror whenever, wherever, and at any time of the day asleep, awake, eating, bathing, playing, teaching, and loving I hear the screams of the Innocent Blood I have shed.”

The screams begin frightening Rainbow Dash but yet she wants to dive into the sin that separated him from Gilda. “Th-the-they sound so young…you said Innocent Blood always gets avenged and it avenged itself not by taking your life in payment but from taking you away from Gilda whom you hold most dear by trying to trigger this Razor inside of you. What is the Razor??”

With another wave of his left arm Gold Sky takes Rainbow the galaxy of his mind then with a wave of his right arm a dark shadow hovers a distance from the galaxy. “That Rainbow Dash is the Razor; it exists to protect the ones I love by taking over to get rid of the hesitations called emotions and make me turn into a killer that cannot be stopped by anything.” The Razor comes closer so Rainbow Dash can get a better look at it and by referring as it that was it is. A shadow that takes control.

The dark shadow hovers before the cyan Pegasus showing her it has eyes look exactly look like the eyes Nightmare Moon has but unlike Gold Sky the Razor has a large hole where the heart will normally thus while those two daunting features are well daunting the most perplexing is how it’s how glyph-like patterns glow on the wings & horn. “This is what spelt the Innocent Blood not you. You wouldn’t do such a thing…I just know simply be seeing how you raised Gilda. Question is why did you spill Innocent Blood.”

“For her.” The dark shadow disappears revealing a adult Griffon. “Her name was Ruby and I loved as if she was my sister. I met her during my two hundred year journey and she joined me for she always wanted to go on an adventure while I was feeling lonely so why not have a travel companion which as years passed we grew very close together. So when we arrived at the United Zebra Clans things…*sigh* the Chieftain held Ruby’s life at the beckon of his word and the only way to save her was to shed Innocent Blood. While before you ask yes I have telepathy but I was just too scared to lose my sister, I-I was just so scared of losing her. Thus the Razor took over and the Innocent Blood was spelt.”

Rainbow whimpers when the stallion goes silent after frowning. “So…if the Razor’s sole purpose is to protect the ones you love then how did see Gilda as a threat which drove you away from her.”

Gold Sky brings an end to his telepathy taking them back to sun lit reality they’re in. “Because the screams came only when I’m around Gilda and the Razor cannot deal with an Insane host once again…” Getting up on all fours the stallion walks forward but still continues telling Rainbow Dash what she needs to hear. “Before the dawn of the last day I’ll spend with her I spent all night looking at my dearest Gilda and watch her breathe while she slept under my wing. I silently cried for I knew when dawn comes that marks the end which had to come for her protection from the Razor. Because I just couldn’t fight off the Razor any longer it almost took over once and nearly harmed Gilda. So when dawn came I wasted no time to give my daughter the best day of her life starting with grooming her then when I was about to cook her the best breakfast I can provide I remembered that the Gypsies came and set up a grand fair for everyone to enjoy so I made up my mind and take her to her to the grand fair so we can enjoy our last day together. OOH!” The stallion collapses onto the ground.

*GASP* “Gold Sky!” Rainbow Dash sprints to help him up. “Are you alright?”

“She laughed so much, she smiled nonstop, and grabbed my hoof so many times when she saw something she liked.” Gold Sky stays on the ground without having the littlest thought of getting back up to gain back some dignity. “She has never been so happy before but she had to be happy on the last day she’ll be with me so you can imagine the pain I felt when she told this was the best day of her life before falling asleep under my wing. There as she slept peacefully I committed my greatest sin. ”

Rainbow tries to help him up but he simply refuses to get up. “Dang you’re kind of heavy, any way so you did something before leaving?”

The stallion slowly nods. “When she fell into deep sleep, I kissed her forehead for the last time before using my telepathy to suppress every, every, every memory she has of me from her beginning to her end by my act, I buried the memories in the deepest crevice of her mind where not even she can find them no matter how much she searches. Therefore, I brought an end to the loving, honorable, and gentle Gilda that you never met and I allowed pride, mortal emotions, and fear develop inside of her changing my dearest Gilda into a Griffon that lost a friend like you. I failed her…I failed my flesh & blood because I spilt Innocent Blood and could not fight the Razor. So after suppressing her memories I took her to a Griffon that will take in Gilda and treat her as her daughter…I wanted to kiss my daughter ‘s cheek but I couldn’t I-I-I-I just passed my hoof through her hair then walked away as a hard rain came upon me on that night.” Gold Sky begins to weep. “I wish I can show you more but the pain is too great…I lost my heart Rainbow Dash. Humph, I lost my parents and I lost my daughter therefore as a stallion I am no longer a son & a father, I can only be a husband now though how can a mortal love an Immortal like me…”

“I…” Rainbow stops herself from anything when she first needs to seek Rarity’s counsel in regards of exploring her feelings for him. “I understand Gold Sky…I care about you now please don’t cry for at least you much rather be nothing to Gilda so she can live then to be something to her and watch her die before your eyes by your taken over will.”

Still weeping but comforted nonetheless Gold Sky looks into Rainbow’s eyes. “Thank you for understanding Rainbow Dash.” He moves up and kisses her forehead for he is still kind of in the old fashion way of expressing his gratitude.

Meanwhile inside Rainbow’s head. “He kissed me! He just kissed me!! Well not kiss me kiss me but he kissed me! Oh wait…” Realization rains on Rainbow’s jovial moment. “He kissed me the same way he kisses Gilda…damn it!!” Still Rainbow wraps her arms around to continue the sad stallion.

“Don’t worry I’m here for you and we can be more than friends Gold Sky…”

“Even mortals can have dreams that transform into Immortality.”

Whispers the cyan Pegasus.

However, despite being wise Gold Sky cannot see the true meaning of Rainbow’s words but Rainbow isn’t always one to let her words have more than one meaning.

***

Outside of Ponyvile a cloaked Unicorn tosses up runes craved from the bones of Chero his predecessors have killed ions ago. “Here!” The runes reveal to him that here in Equestria are the last two Chero he needs to hunt down and kill in order to add their left ears to his necklace of trophies. “Here are the last two Chero!! Hmmmm?” He tosses the runes once more into the air in order to gain more information about them. “What!!? One of them is a half-breed while the other one is pure blooded oh frak! Eh still at least the half-breed has Chero blood inside of…” Another toss to know the half-breed’s gender. “Him and the other one is also a he as well so that means the last full blooded Chero will be the kill I shall cherish the most. Hahahahaha!” The cloaked Unicorn cackles in joy to finally bring extinction to the race that his father, his father’s father, and his father’s father, father hunted down for thousands of years. “Us hunters were once plentiful but once those Chero scattered our numbers began to dwindle just like them but I the last of US hunters the Philistines will finish the Chero once & for all! Now to go after the full blooded Chero before I go after the half-breed now to find that full blooded Chero!” The Philistine tosses his runes into the air. “What!” The runes tell him something he did not expect. “Go after the half-breed first but he’s a half-breed! He’s worth half the worth of the full blooded Chero!”

However, the reason why the runes are telling him these things is the work of the Great Spirit’s hand. So again the runes are tossed into the air to reveal why the half-breed is worth more than the last full blooded Chero. “IMMORTAL! The half-breed is immortal how the hell is that even possible! I-I-I killed the sons in front of their parents thanks to the runes which helped me find them but yet I couldn’t find this immortal half-breed…hmm perhaps he being a half-breed may be the main contributing factor to why the runes didn’t tell me about him at first until now.” The Philistine makes up his mind. “I’ll take out the half-breed first because I always wanted to kill an Immortal especially one with Chero blood.” He carefully passes his hoof over his necklace that holds the left ears of all the Chero Native Equestrians he has killed which number two hundred fourteen.

“The half-breed is mine!”

And through the Hand of the Great Spirit, the hunter will be facing one who has no Equal in Combat.

My dearest reader as always I thank you for your infinite patience and I can't be more honored than to have readers like all of you. Thank you.

When the last of Bloodlines lead to Extinction.

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 15

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. And the link is simply a sound effect to go with the story.

“I’ve always liked how Chopin Nocturne 20 allows me to narrow the ultra-wide spectrum of my hearing whenever I have music on my stand and outside is market day creating such a commotion.” Octavia’s ultra-sharp hearing is so formidable she can hear a heartbeat two hundred yards away but of course with such an ability she can hear everything around her so one will think that will drive her mad. But luckily thanks to her father who discovered Octavia’s amazing gift when she was still a baby, so being keen by seeing how his wife’s singing will aggravate her Allegro Note decided to ease his daughter by placing her over his beating heart.
So in infancy Octavia’s sharp hearing didn’t drive her mad for her hearing focused entirely on father’s heartbeat however, as she grew her mind became more attuned with her hearing then as if growth made her hearing more intrusive the pain of seeing her mother betray her father plus the pain of seeing her Father suffer forced Octavia to focus on Father’s cries or she will be driven mad. Her growing yet adaptive mind saved her thus Allegro Note once more taught Octavia to focus not on is heart beat but on his voice instead.

“Live not as you think you can live but live on what you know for living on what know allows you to seek more so you can live more.” Something her father has told her while he was teaching her how to play the cello. “Octavia my dearest Octavia be what you are or what you are to me. For to me you are a diamond radiating with magnificent beauty for diamonds shine forever and you have the potential to shine into Immortality.” The voice of her loving father narrows her hearing to only listen to the notes flying out of her vibrating strings as she passes her bow over them.

“Well truth be told Chopin Nocturne 20 sounds nice and I like it but to narrow my hearing only father’s voice and…” Octavia stops playing father’s voice in her mind but continues practicing a piece by Bach. “Gold Sky’s heartbeat sounds nice, hmmm it’s calm, strong, and different from all the other heartbeats I hear when I walk down the street but yet while different is nice I just can’t stop playing it in my mind hmmmm. Uh oh!” While speaking her thoughts Octavia nearly plays the wrong note in her practice. “Still he’s a nice stallion though it’s quite strange that father will like him oh boy who am I kidding!” Octavia stops practicing.

In her temporary pause her sharp hearing is unleashed prompting her to hear everything around her in its complete distortion. “Oh no!” Quickly Octavia plays Gold Sky’s heartbeat in her mind. “Well look at this I play his heartbeat instead of father’s voice as my first resort…he is warming up to me that’s for sure.” Seeing her mind is being steered away from her music the gray mare places her cello back in its case to signify she’s calling it a day. Well perhaps “I’ve always focused on my music career day and night making myself better and getting to where I am now. But I never quite took the time to make some new friends though I got Rarity and Pinkie Pie but new ones like him quite took me by surprise when those who are the most I guess different impress me.”

Suddenly she remembers father looking at the photo with that wretched mare on it. “I can’t blame father for looking at the photo, he is pretty nostalgic about wanting things going back to how they were then or maybe he still loves that wretch. Too bad my conductor couldn’t woo him over it would have been nice seeing her with father.” Octavia sniffles. “I wish father moved on so he smile that smile when he was nuzzled behind the ear by that wretched mare but nothing can be done, I guess he wants me to live the life he once had. H-he wants me to smile the way he did when got nuzzled behind the ear by…well I guess to make it neutral for me I’ll use spouse. He wants to be happy by finding true love so does he want me to explore that with that kind stallion?” Wiping away the forming tears Octavia gets real. “What benefit do I gain by falling in love?”

Seeing an experience has transfixed Octavia about seeing what love has done to her while realizing without love she will have no existence but on her accord she will keep any form of love away from. “What do I gain by falling in love when the love father had for her did nothing to her fidelity. Love has brought pain to father to me yet I use love for music to make me the best in the world thus am I being hypocrite? Perhaps I am, but yet what do I gain by having a spouse.”

“Nothing.”
So Octavia resumes practicing but her mind is still restless.
“Maybe he’s different just maybe I can consider giving him a chance though what I’m thinking about him is he thinking about me?” One final question from the batch.

“Perhaps.”

***
“This way!!” The cloaked stallion pushing Roseluck out of his way runs down the direction the runes tell him. “The half breed is this way!!” But what he does not know is that a stallion wearing silver armor has jet black hair and jet black hair is a genetic trait all Chero or full blooded Chero have.

“Iron Cloud come please.” Princess Luna orders her Elite Commando guard.
“Yes your majesty.” The Pegasus looking away from the sprinting stallion that pushed Roseluck out of his way heads back to Princess Luna. “I felt a cold shiver slither down my spine as that cloaked stallion ran by.”

***
In the isolated area.

“So what now Gold Sky? What are you going to do about Gilda and what if she comes here again??” Rainbow Dash asks.

The stallion passing his hoof down his dark brown hair sighs like this might happen anytime soon. “I will be watching her from a distance but I will not make any attempt to make any form of contact unless she initializes it.”

“So if she does talk to you will she recognize you?”

Gold Sky shakes his head. “She won’t recognize me Rainbow Dash, but at least I can live with that if it ensures her life. Though I miss getting groomed by her and more importantly I miss her scent. The scent of my daughter who now I don’t smell anymore…” Gold Sky, sighs once more to signify now is the time to change the subject of which Rainbow catches the cue. “What did you mean by saying you can be more than a friend to me?”
Rainbow starts rubbing the back of her head. “Well we’re friends yes but you know we can uhmmm do things together like uhhh go the movies together, have dinner, scratch your back and you scratch mine, and other, other that we might think of.” Well in all of this Rainbow Dash does want to kept her intentions sort of secret though she does not know why it only seems like the best way for her to do so. “Can we go on a date!?” But yet her intentions have a way to leak out earlier than they should.

Luckily truth be told, Gold Sky thinks a date means going out for a bite and not an event to build up an relationship. “Sure why not it sounds like fun.”
“EEEEEIEEE!!” Rainbow Dash squeals in delight. “Alright!! Wait a minute you spend forty eight years being a daddy so do you even know what a date is?”

“A daddy!! Frak this half-breed has bred!!!” Nearby the Philistine eavesdrops on the duo before making his move.

“It means having dinner right?”

Fair enough it sounds good for Rainbow Dash. “Okay you get it so can we go on one now?”

“Sure…” His nose picks up a scent. *sniff, sniff* “We’re not alone Rainbow Dash.”

“He detects me!” Quickly before anything else the stallion removes his cloak to grant him more mobility and gets every one of his gadgets ready.

Rainbow Dash being happy does not fully catch ear of what Gold Sky said. “Well of course we’ll be alone it will be you and me!”

“Huh what!? No not that Rainbow Dash I mean right here where we are we are not alone.”

“What? We’re not alone?” Rainbow Dash shakes her head to focus on her environment. “Only I know of this place well you too now.”

“That’s my cue.” The Philistine makes his presence known to the duo .

“Hey who’s that?” Rainbow Dash points out.
“Oh no I don’t have my cloak on!” Gold Sky steps behind Rainbow Dash to conceal his true form from the stranger who appeared from out of nowhere.

“Hmmm I better take this slowly or should I anger him so I can make this a good fight like the previous Chero…I’ll anger him.” So behold the Philistine reaches for his trophy necklace.
“Greetings stranger.”

“Me??” Rainbow Dash points at herself.

“No not you, I’m greeting the Immortal half-breed Chero standing behind you blue mare.” The Philistine points at the immortal stallion.

*gasp!* Gold Sky does not know how this stranger knows of his race but more surprisingly is the fact this stranger knows he’s a half-breed and immortal. “How do you know I’m Chero!!?” Instead of asking who this stranger is he asks the straight question of how the stranger knows his race.

“Oh you little half-breed don’t you know who I am?” After a few seconds of getting no response from the Chero, the Philistine continues talking. “Well let me put it bluntly, WHAT THE FRAK!! NO WONDER YOU’RE A FRAKKEN IMMORTAL!!” The Philistine finally sees how this Chero is Immortal. “YOU’RE A FRAKKEN ALICORN…! YOU ARE THE SUPREME PINNICLE OF YOUR RACE YET YOU’RE A HALF-BREED!!” The Philistine rips off his trophy necklace and throws it. Landing in front of Rainbow Dash. “You are worth more than all the other Chero I’ve collected!”

“Oh my Great Spirit are those ears on that necklace!?” Rainbow Dash backs away in disgust.
Gold Sky on the other hoof, steps closer to the trophy necklace while his mind comprehends what the stranger meant by saying he’s worth more than all the other Chero he’s collected. “NO! NO! No, no, no, no, no, no this can’t be what I think they are! No this can’t be what I think it is!”

“Ahh at last he realizes where my trophies come from.” The Philistine says in his mind.

Being taken by the sadness in Gold Sky’s voice Rainbow asks him if he knows where the ears come from. “Th-the ears are from the ponies of my race the Chero, he has murdered many of my brothers & sisters for no reason. Noooo my brothers & sisters…” Gold Sky falling to his knees takes hold of the necklace and embraces it for this is the first time he sees or sees something that comes from his father’s race. “Children!? You’ve killed children! WHY!! Why will do this to my race when my father has told me the Chero are peaceful!”

The Philistine being unhappy at how his Ultimate trophy is in no shape to fight him. “Well before telling you a long story I will tell you who I am first. My name is Lilith of the Philistine tribe uh do you what the Philistine tribe is half-breed?”

Departing from his sadness but remaining on his knees Gold Sky shakes his head. “Isn’t Lilith a feminine name?”

*TNG* Lilith’s mane & tail shoot up in embarrassment. “That’s beside the point half-breed and is that mare your wife if I may so ask.” Lilith points at Rainbow Dash. “I must say she is quite lovely.”

“Oh he thinks I’m Gold Sky’s wife.” Funny when right now nothing should be funny she likes this while at the same time is embarrassed by this.

Immediately as if he’s been taken over by rage Gold Sky jumps to all fours and stands in front of Rainbow Dash ready to protect her with his life if it needs be. “Stay away from her you murderer for whatever you want is between you and me not her!”

“Aw so protective of his dearest wife any who continuing where I left off, I’m sure you want to know why my Tribe began wiping out your tribe ahem, you see your tribe was just a force to be reckoned with thanks to the incredible abilities each one of you had plus being fireproof which amazed everypony in my tribe. So as a way to establish a fellowship with your tribe we offered our finest mares for marriage while my tribe hoped we can marry some your tribe’s mares for the Chero had the most beautiful mares upon the Earth. But your tribe rejected our offer and said no Chero shall ever marry an outsider of course we persisted but your tribe stood firm by their choice, therefore denied us the chance to marry to most beautiful mares of the earth so if we couldn’t marry them then no one can marry them.”

“So your tribe began murdering my tribe just because you couldn’t marry the Chero mares! ALL THIS STARTED OVER MARES!!” Sad to see how not getting something desired led to his tribe being on the verge of extinction.

“More or less yes half-breed and to be rejected drove the stake through our hearts so first things first we sent infiltrators with their hair dyed jet black and killed every one of the Chero scribes and burned down the archives erasing every form of your history for the greatest pain that can be delivered isn’t death per se but erasing every trace of your tribe’s existence but one or two of your elders got away but I’m sure they died from heartbreak. Anyway, after doing that we started killing the Chero one by one until your tribe finally figured out what was happening so all-out war broke out.”

But Gold Sky shakes his head in denial to hear about his peaceful tribe going to war. “That’s impossible! My father told me the Chero only believed in peace and did everything to avoid war.”

“Say where’s your father by the way?” Lilith asks.

“He’s dead.” The Alicorn replies as a coldness runs down his spine.

Lilith unhappy about not having another opportunity to gain a trophy pounds the ground. “Damn it so much for other trophy any who well your father lied to you half-breed but I guess the Chero survivors of the Great War between the Chero and Philistines can only tell their diminishing descendants what they know or think of since your history was erased by us.”

“You’re going to let him keep calling you half-breed?” Rainbow asks from behind.

“It doesn’t matter.” Gold Sky quickly hisses back. “So that’s way my tribe scattered but I can deduce we were able to kill more of you then you of us.”

Lilith nods in reluctance. “Yes you did even though the Chero only consisted of Earth Ponies and Pegasi we Philistines mostly consisted of Unicorns and Pegasi but your Chero were superior fighters plus your ability of air manipulation countered my tribe’s powerful magic therefore we had to resort in using disease against you but even then your tribe nearly wiped out mine though the cost being great that’s when your tribe decided to scatter all over the earth. However, my tribe would never go down without a fight and we continued hunting you Chero despite time taking away many of you from us.”

Gold Sky looking down at the trophy necklace deduces something about Lilith. “Of your predecessors you are the only one to kill the most of brothers & sister for you had something to help you find them instead of just using their jet black hair as a hint.”

Lilith being nearly impressed by the half-breed's deduction tosses up his runes into the air. “You’re pretty smart half –breed and your hair is dark brown hmm any who my predecessors never had much success while I being smart figured out that the runes which were carved out from the bone of a dying Chero can be used to track them. For if you extract bone from a Chero while it's still alive the bone won't turn into silver dust because if you remove something from a Chero before it dies it won’t turn into silver dust once the Chero dies. So by combining magic to the runes my ancestors carved out of the bone I was finally able to track down the remaining Chero and kill them.” Lilith pauses to laugh. “Don’t you get it half-breed I will bring victory to my Tribe by wiping the last two Chero on this earth and the history books shall declare that the Philistines prevailed over the Chero for I shall write your tribe's history because let’s be real your tribe has no history so as I said, I will write it.” With those words said the stallion pops his joints to prepare him for the coming fight. “You have magic and the wind on your side half-breed a first for your race so that means I really have to step up my game and I hope you can fight with the same ferocity your ancestors had and not like the weak trophies I’ve gained in my campaign.”

Gold Sky looks back at Rainbow Dash with a serious expression but yet in his eyes they are full of fear but not for him but for his dear friend Rainbow Dash who might be a target for Lilith. “Rainbow please stay save and out of sight, please whatever you do either hide or fly far away this is going to be hectic.” However before turning back to look straight at Lilith, Gold Sky takes hold of Rainbow Dash’s head and tenderly kisses her forehead. “I need something to fight for in order to avenge my murdered brothers & sisters and right now it’s you.”

“Oh…” Rainbow Dash at a loss of words is touched while thinking the Immortal stallion is falling for her.

Lilith seeing this just grunts. “Ah yes kiss your dear wife Chero for if she is with child my knife will bring an end to it and her life as well but if she isn’t then I’ll have a new trophy but an alive one at least.”

“You will not lay a hoof on her and I will kill you Lilith for what you have done to my innocent brothers & sisters.”

Now both stallions face each other to fight a fight that’s already been determined who the winner will be but until the end there comes Lilith uses one of his gadgets that is a flying stake which lands in front of Rainbow Dash.

“Tick, tick…” Lilith chides with a smile on his face.

“NO, JUMP!” *poof* Gold Sky appearing in front of Rainbow Dash and with his entire body shields her from the coming agony.

“Boom!” The flying stake explodes sending both Rainbow and Gold Sky flying but Gold Sky being himself grabs Rainbow and spins around so he will be the one to hit the tree that’ll bring them to a complete stop.
“AHHH!” The power of the impact shatters Gold Sky’s spine but his regeneration kills the pain as it heals
Of course though Gold Sky shielded her from the fire and most of the shockwave from the explosion it still renders her unconscious. “Rainbow!” Upon getting up he shakes the cyan Pegasus but getting no response he still suppresses his rage to keep the Razor from coming forth.

“I thought you’ll give me a fight.” Lilith taunts.

“Fight!? “ Gold Sky growls. “I HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT!!”

So charging forward Lilith engages the Alicorn by going with close quarter combat but his strikes from the right arm are deflected by the Alicorn’s left so to remake a quick strategy Lilith on his quick burst on his hind legs shoots his right knee up but just like the strikes from his right the attack from the right knee is struck down by the Alicorn’s left. “What! He’s able to block my hits and that’s only with one arm his left arm.” Time to use his legs in a new offensive.

“Ah he’s a martial artist.” Gold Sky notes in his mind as he simply jerks his head back to avoid a fast sweep from Lilith. “Well time to shut him down.” After ducking another kick. Gold Sky delivers a mighty front kick in the center of Lilith’s chest.

“OHAUH!!” Lilith goes flying into a tree and gasps wildly for air like he was held under water for a long time. “H-h-how!” Now on his knees Lilith continues gasping for air.

Approaching the vile stallion Gold Sky seizes Lilith by the neck and slams him flat on the ground. “Well I have no equal in combat Lilith and you will pay for shedding the blood of my brothers & sisters.” Gold Sky launches his right hoof down only to be stopped by a force field but yet the force field which stopped his hoof was only a split second ahead stopping full contact.

“Phew…” Lilith whispers before using the field to push away the half-breed which even then does him no good for before he knew it the Alicorn buried its right hoof in his stomach taking the air out of him once again.
Now having his turn to deliver his punishment Gold Sky grabs Lilith, knees in him in the stomach three times, head butts him, then with the left elbow strikes Lilith, and lastly gifts Lilith with another mighty front kick. “You pathetic piece of filth, do you think you can take me down just like you killed many of my brothers & sisters. Well you can’t for in this world I am the fighter who has no equal.” Gold Sky picks up Lilith ready break the vile stallion’s neck.

Seeing death coming Lilith reach for one of his gadgets. “This better work.” Lilith’s magic launches many needles connected to copper wire which conducts his magic into the needles electrifying the Alicorn half-breed.

“Ohohohohohohohohohoh!!” Gold Sky falls down on the ground convulsing to being shocked by one of Lilith’s gadgets. “Jump!” The Alicorn teleports before he can get hit by three of Lilith’s bolts of magic.
“Damn it! Where did he go!?” Lilith creates a sonar like spell to find the half-breed but the only thing his spell detects is the motionless Rainbow Dash. “He has to be around here somewhere!” Lilith twitches his ears around to detect the half-breed the old fashioned way. “He has stealth on his side.”

“I do.” Gold Sky replies from behind Lilith as he magically takes hold of the vile stallion and attempts to disarm him of the many useful gadgets but Lilith being too resourceful fires two mirrors which he use by firing two bolts of magic which ricochet off the mirrors and explode upon making contact with Gold Sky.

“Ah!” Though in pain from the magical bolts is enough to make other relent, Gold Sky continues fighting by changing course in delivering punches to Lilith’s stomach and throws him back to the ground. “Stop this!” Much faster than before Gold Sky brings down his right hoof and buries itself in the center of Lilith’s chest. “OH!” Being aware Gold Sky jerks to the side to avoid Lilith’s electrifying needles. “I don’t fall for the same thing twice Lilith.”

“Frak! WELL TAKE THIS!!” Lilith’s tongue dislodges a fake tooth in his mouth, chews it up like its bubble gum, and spits it onto the half-breed’s right arm. “Tick, tick, BOOM MOTHERFRAKER!!!”

“Wha UGAHH!” The chewed gum explodes destroying Gold Sky’s right arm rendering him with three limbs.
Taking advantage of the provided opportunity Lilith stabs Gold Sky in the stomach with two daggers then fires an explosive bolt at Gold Sky making the half-breed go rolling about on the ground and leaving a trail of sparking blood which for some odd reason daffodils grow from every spilt drop.

“Whoa didn’t see that coming.” Lilith tells himself.
Meanwhile inside Gold Sky’s mind. “My regeneration will take a while to grow back my arm but one less arm is no obstacle to me.” Indeed, for he has fought battles with one or two sometimes three limbs missing. “Got to take these things out first. Uh oh!”

Flying objects resembling five pronged stars latch onto him and deliver five hundred thousand volts of electricity which may be seen as a way to immobilize him but his body while fully receptive to the massive pain is very resilient to everything that’ll otherwise immobilize it.

“He’s very resistant to my stun gadgets maybe I’ll switch to the exploding ones.” So he throws away his electrifying gadgets to prevent himself from grabbing one by mistake. “Here half-breed have some more explosive ideals.”

“Not this time!” Standing on his three limbs Gold Sky fires his own bolts of magic destroying the gadgets and dashes forward with a weird sprint dodging more exploding stars while his arm is now fully regenerated bone the tissue needs to completely form until he can be back to four limbs. “Murderer!” Doing a side flip Gold Sky shoots down his right wing to show to Lilith that even his wings can be used for offensive purposes. “Your gadgets are useless against me!” Landing behind Lilith he teleports to be in front of his enemy and quickly stands to his hind legs. “Killer!” He spins hitting Lilith multiple times with his wings then goes low performing a wing sweep which gets Lilith off his feet prompting Gold Sky to follow up with a strong left hook, right knee to the chin, lastly another strike from his wing disorients Lilith giving Gold Sky a chance to take away Lilith’s gadgets. “You won’t be needing any of these.” A magic bolt destroys all the weapons.

“Oooooh…” On the ground Lilith begins to crawl towards one exploding star he dropped by accident and luckily the half-breed failed to notice. “This isn’t possible.” He finishes his sentence by spitting blood mixed with saliva.

“Get up Lilith, get up! I will not kill the murderer of my race while he’s crawling on the ground. There is no honor in that. GET UP YOU MURDERER, GET UP!!”

Rainbow Dash nonetheless in the moment Lilith is crawling to his most useful gadget recovers from her unconsciousness to see the last stage of Gold Sky’s regeneration heal his new fresh right arm. “Oh my Great Spirit did he really lose and arm in this fight and if Lilith is on the ground why isn’t Gold Sky taking the opportunity to finish him?” Rainbow wonders before realizing that finishing Lilith off means killing the vile stallion “But thank goodness Gold Sky is alright at least.”

“If I use the gadget on him it will be a waste so I must use it on her ah yes she’s awake and it will break him to see his wife before his eyes.” His magic takes hold of the explosive star.

“You think that’ll save you Lilith?” Gold Sky scoffs.

“No but can you save her?” He throws the explosive star towards Rainbow Dash.

*GASP!!* Rainbow cowers to the ticking star planted on the ground.

“NO!!” Gold Sky sprints with all the strength he has in his body to protect his dear friend he loves ever so dearly. “Don’t fear.” The Alicorn assures as he covers the explosive star with his body.

“Gold Sky.” Rainbows moans to the muffled sound of the explosive sending the stallion a few inches off the ground.
Lying still on the ground Gold Sky slowly shifts his eyes to look at Rainbow Dash, he slowly blinks which saddens the shocked and while he closes his eyes to project an end countless daffodils grow around him.

*Sigh* “Finally, he’s dead, the frakken half-breed is finally dead yes, yes, YES!!” Lilith smiles in utter deserved joy. “Oh wait.” Lilith first vomits some blood but figures while he vomits blood now he’ll still heal up and live another day to find the last Chero. “Time to collect my trophy before his body turns into silver dust.” Thus with haughty pompousness he makes his way to the motionless body.

“Get up huh.” By Gold Sky’s side Rainbow with a delayed sense notices Lilith approaching Gold Sky’s body with a knife in magical tow knowing he’s coming to collect his trophy. “YOU MURDERER!” Rainbow charges forward to attack Lilith to avenge her friend.

“Out of my way wretch.” Lilith with a simple slap subdues Rainbow Dash and continues his way to the dead half-breed Chero. “Hahaha.” And just as the edge of his knife is about to make contact with Gold Sky’s ear. “WHAT!!”

From out of nowhere Gold Sky stops the knife. “Oh I’m not dead…I’M JUST MAD!” With speed almost faster than light Gold Sky leaps up in the air showing both Lilith and Rainbow Dash he is completely healed from the explosive gadget taking Lilith completely by surprise which dramatically slows down the Philistine's senses. Giving Gold Sky the opening to punch Lilith between the eyes followed by spinning quickly delivering powerful strikes with his wings but yet while Gold Sky is very proficient in hand to hand err hoof to hoof combat he now moves on to the most powerful stage of his fighting strength . “TÁTE!” A mighty gale of wind slams into the Philistine reminding him that the Chero have nature as a weapon of theirs. “YOU DARE TO STRIKE MY DEAREST RAINBOW DASH! TÁTE!!” A second powerful gale of wind crashes into Lilith despite the act of the vile stallion creating a magical shield to protect himself from the wind.

Nearby Rainbow nearly gasps in disbelief to hear Gold Sky call her his dearest so she takes this as a confirmation Gold Sky has deep feelings for her though everything has a double meaning which she throws out the window.

“Come here!” Gold Sky drags the wounded Philistine to his hooves. “You see I want to tell you something that’ll change your world Lilith.”

In response Lilith spits at Gold Sky’s face. “Nothing can change my world you son of a frakken wretch.”

“Humph.” Gold Sky releases Lilith from his magic. “In the beginning of this I wanted to kill you to avenge every one of my brothers & sisters you murdered but instead of killing you by slowly flaying you alive I will instead Forgive you and let you live the rest of your life with the possibility of us having a clean slate.”

Forgiven? Given life? A chance for Peace between the last two plus half (Gold Sky) stallions of the Chero and Philistine tribes. Being spared and abandoning the Ideals of his ancestors? Well in the end of all things it is self-preservation that brings forth the good in most which often leads to happiness and this Good dawns in Lilith. “You will forgive me, Gold Sky. One of the last sons of the Chero tribe?”

“I already have.” Gold Sky replies as he lays a hoof on Lilith’s left shoulder then gets closer as if he’s going to whisper his next words. “But you are still going to die today for you attempted to spill innocent blood by trying to kill my dearest Rainbow Dash.”

“WHAT!!! OOF!” A punch sends him rolling about in the ground until he comes to a complete stop at the edge of a deep lake. “Frak me huh! TAKE THIS!” Still on his side Lilith fires magical bolts at the half-breed Chero.

“Humph.” And with the simple motion of swatting a fly Gold Sky deflects both bolts and continues marching forward. “I wanted to spare you Lilith, I wanted a break from shedding blood, I wanted to be the honorable stallion that forgives his enemies and his enemies turn away from the malice they once had.” Once more he deflects more bolts of magic. “I forgive everything you have done but justice has to be delivered for you damned yourself by attempted to kill my dearest Rainbow Dash.” More deflection of the magical bolts. “Nevertheless, this isn’t the first time I bring about extinction.”

*GASP!* Now the Half-Breed stands inches from Lilith and boy does Lilith finally realize the half-breed is taller than him. “Impossible!!”

“No. It is possible like this.” With lightning fast speed Gold Sky slices off Lilith’s horn to prevent more means of Lilith delaying the inevitable.

“AAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Lilith falls to his knees screaming in pain while magical fluid runs down his cheeks stinging his wounds when the fluid seeps into the scrapes.

“Come here.” Seizing hold of Lilith, Gold Sky breaks every one of his limbs immobilizing Lilith like a wounded bird on the ground. “Now I can drop your head into the lake and you’ll drown but that seems quite anti-climactic to me what do you think?” He asks Lilith. “No wait belay that. What do you think Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow Dash breaks eye contact signifying she does not want to dirty her hooves with Lilith’s fate.
Interpreting Rainbow’s response Gold Sky turns back to Lilith. “I’ve always been one to see death come in ways that are so preventable. Good bye Lilith, may you join your ancestors in eternal damnation for the Chero have won the war.” And with that Gold Sky buries his right hoof into Lilith’s stomach, making the vile stallion vomit but since he is lying on his back he will choke on his own vomit. Thus like music to Gold Sky’s ears Lilith gargles on his vomit entering his lungs preventing oxygen from entering. “Look into my eyes Lilith, look into my eyes for I will be the last thing you shall see as life slowly slips away from your grasp.”

Rainbow Dash having clear ear of the unpleasant gargling stays back until Gold sky is done with whatever he’s doing to Lilith. “I’m still his dearest at least.”

“Ple-plea-please!” Lilith sputters out.

But Gold Sky shakes his head as he continues standing there watching Lilith choke to death. “You have one minute and seventeen seconds left until you die Lilith and I know how much time one has before they perish for when it comes to bringing death to anyone I am a virtuoso. Now look at me Lilith, for I have brought your race to extinction. May the Chero live forever.” Repetition to drive the point across.

The one minute and seventeen seconds trek like their being forced to crawl through the spectrum of time and the last second crawls past the line Lilith’s brain ceases neuro lapses, the heart ‘s natural pace maker stops, the acidity level in the blood sky rockets, and the Angel of Death takes the last Philistine to the other side. “I should have flayed you instead but with Rainbow Dash being here I don’t want her to see me shed blood.” *poof* The stallion teleports to Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow are you hurt?”

Seeing the loving, caring stallion being concerned for her well-being, Rainbow just dashes forward embracing the stallion before breaking down and sob on his shoulder. “You being here with me is all that matters to me!” Cries the Pegasus.

Touched by the tears flowing down his shoulder Gold Sky wraps his arms around the mare which allows her to feel the massive thumbing of his heart and he can’t help but lay his chin on Rainbow’s head for she is dear to him very dear. Along with feeling solely responsible if she is hurt but has not revealed her damage to him. “Rainbow, are you hurt?” He asks again.

“No I’m okay.” Rainbow replies through her cries. “But, but, but are you o-okay?? You just killed the one who killed many of your race an-and you covered an explosive to protect me s-s-so, so, sssssssssso it should be me asking you i-if you are okay?”

Lightly giggling to Rainbow’s worry he reassures her he is alright by reminding her of his rapid tissue regeneration as for his race. “It doesn’t matter.” And to justify his words he fires a bolt of magic that turns the trophy necklace into ash. “May they rest in peace.” Gold Sky whispers. “Come Rainbow Dash let’s go back to the palace.”

“No!” Still with her head over his shoulder Rainbow tells him she wants him to her home to feel safe and of course have extra security add by having the intention to ask him to stay.

“Very well. Jump.” *poof* “We’re here Rainbow…look Rainbow, it’s alright I’m alive, you’re alive, we’re both alive. Please let go of the fear your clinging on to so you can look into my eyes and know I’m here with you.” Digging into his paternal instinct Gold Sky passes a hoof through her hair which though his experience it will calm down Gilda so it should calm down Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow.” Also let’s add him using his fatherly voice.

“Oooooh don’t stop.” The near euphoric sensation of Gold Sky passing his hoof through her hair makes Rainbow become very warm with comfort. “I hear you Gold Sky.” However, being like she’s being forced to let go of him Rainbow still lets go of him with the speed Tank will have when he’s sprinting. “I need to sleep Gold Sky…how are you such a great fighter?” With her question said, Rainbow pats her bed so the stallion can sit next to her.
After sitting next to Rainbow Dash, Gold Sky sighs when he feels how comfy Rainbow’s bed is. “Wow this bed is so much comfortable than the bed I sleep on in the palace! HAHA this bed is so nice, uhhh you don’t mind if I lay down do you??”

“No, make yourself comfortable Gold Sky.” Rainbow shifts to laying down on her side.

However. “Uh can you please scoot a little bit to your side please, you’re too close for my comfort Rainbow Dash.” He doesn’t feel right for Rainbow to be too close to him for such closeness is solely reserved for those who are married. Though Gilda is the sole exception for never is there moment where Gold Sky wants his daughter away from him.

“Oh, okay.” Rainbow scoots a few inches back. “Didn’t know he had a personal space thing. Well I better do that for his sake.”

“I’m a great fighter because for some odd reason my mind is able to process any stimuli two hundred times faster than the average mortal but of course my muscles may not always be on par with my neurological system hence why there are tiny lapses allowing tiny windows in combat but then again mortals can’t take advantage of the lapses so it makes me one who has no equal in combat. However, being honorable I ignored my wellbeing, ignored the great pain, and ignored my enemy to shield you in a moment I could have never foreseen. Sometimes having no equal leaves me unprepared for surprises.”

“Wow…think fast!” Rainbow tosses a rubber ball at him. “Whoa! Nice catch, ahem well going back a bit do you still think of Gilda? Do you miss you know being with her…do you miss her scent?”

Before answering Gold Sky grabs one of Rainbow Dash and begins hugging it showing her he’s becoming cold with guilt. “There is never a moment in which I don’t think of her and there isn’t a moment where I look under my wing and pray she’s there sleeping peacefully. I miss my daughter oh my heart that’s beating out there in this world that I raised her to be ready for oh please I wish I can go back in time and stop myself from saving Ruby.”

Rainbow tilts her head in disbelief. “Wait, are you telling me you let the Griffon you loved as a sister die?”

“Yes.” A plain and simple response. “If I knew that by protecting Ruby will lead me to spill innocent blood which will then cause me to be racked with unforgiveable guilt then why not let Ruby die. I-I love my dear Gilda above all things and I must protect her no matter what…nothing is above my Gilda nothing is above her…any means to an end to ensure her safety is something I will not hesitate to carry out.” In pause he turns to look at Rainbow Dash. “It’s my fault Rainbow Dash. I’m sorry that you and Gilda are no longer friends please forgive me my dear Rainbow Dash.” With that said he frowns.

With a frown comes a chance to take to make physical contact. “Hey don’t so hard on yourself Gold Sky.” Says the mare with a hoof under his chin. “Uhhhh just don’t, uhmm at least she’s alive an-and you can live with that.”

*ting* Something hits Gold Sky. “Oh my, it’s evening already and mother must be worried sick about me!” Quick as he was to lay down on Rainbow’s bed Gold Sky jumps to all fours to back to the palace.

*gasp* Oh the prospect of the Alicorn leaving makes her when she has him so close drives her to make a plea that’ll make him stay. “Gold Sky wait! I…I…” The great thing about the pause is thinking what will Rarity will say when she talks about this. “Please stay. I’m still shaken up from the moment you protected me from explosive and I want you to please stay with me until morning. Please, please stay Gold Sky.”

“Those wide eyes of her remind me of my dearest Gilda when she turned thirty seven years old and asked me if she can sleep with her ear over my heart.” Gold Sky pleases his cloak back on the chair it was resting on. “Is this what you wish Rainbow Dash then I’ll stay.” So he plops down on his rump.

Here goes nothing. “No, no here please.” Rainbow pats her bed.

“Very well.” Quite eager to lie back down on the bed but then pushes away his eagerness to remind himself he’s staying to provide Rainbow with the security and there is nothing wrong with that. “Your bed is just so comfortable Rainbow Dash.”

*Yawn* Secure, Rainbow finally relaxes enough to drift into sleep. “Gold Sky.”

“Yes? Oh.” Rainbow gets super close to him but again he’s only here to supply her with security so he fights his discomfort to provide her with comfort.

“When you told Lilith that I am your dearest did you mean that Gold Sky?” Rainbow wants to know before making the last move into the intimate threshold of closeness.

“I did.”

With that testified Rainbow makes her complete move by resting her head against his chest and falls completely asleep.

”Uhhhhhhh….” His body temperature skyrockets which unintentionally keeps Rainbow toasty warm anyway in the galaxy of his mind it stops spinning to try and gain a complete understanding of what the bloody hell is the meaning of Rainbow Dash resting her head on his chest or more specifically over his thumping heart. “Alright what is going on, I-I-I don’t understand wh-why is she doing is what does it mean. This isn’t right it’s weird I need to get out of this dire predicament but Rainbow needs to be here for her oh boy why is doing this. Why do I feel such a breach in my personal space…” As weird as it may be the stallion looks down at the sleeping mare to only see how comfortable she looks sleeping over his heart. "She looks so lovely...she looks so happy use me as a pillow. Does feeling save give her the ability to sleep after experiencing what she experienced today? Hmmm for others they won't be able to sleep at all but her heh me being is her comfort. Perhaps freaking out is just me overreacting. Maybe there is nothing wrong with her being this close to me this is like Gilda sleeping over my heart when she felt uncertainty about if I'm afraid to teach her how to fight. Oh Rainbow maybe you are somepony that can be this close to me and I won't be uncomfortable." Gold Sky being very careful lovingly kisses Rainbow's head. "Rainbow." He speaks in the quietest of whispers.

"You are my dearest, dearest Friend."

Dawn will sincerely shatter Rainbow's day.

My dearest Readers I thank you for your infinite patience and what can be seen as good or mostly lukewarm news, due to current circumstances I may be writing more chapters for this story more often for I will be writing shorter chapters for my other fan fic. Then again I will be extremely busy in these coming months so once again I thank you my dearest Readers for having the patience of an Immortal.

Heartbreak at Dawn

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 16

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. And the link is simply a sound effect to go with the story.

“Do you not have eyes in the night sky Luna and can you also track him down through his dreams? Dream Princess.” Princess Celestia is quite unnerved that it’s night and her dear son isn’t here at all much less made any form of telepathic communication.

Princess Luna scoffs away Celli’s worry for while yes they are to be heeded but at the same time pass off the motherly worry for it isn’t something she wants to be entangled with. “Celli, the stars are not my eyes only the full moon is and today there is no full moon and I don’t want to go into his dreams.”

“Why?”

“Because he’ll get mad and judging from what I seen I feel like he will block me out with his really powerful telepathy. Thus I don’t want to overstep my boundaries but you can go out and look for him Celli, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” Luna points out the window to show Celli she’s encouraging her to fly out and find the Loving stallion.

Coming in unnoticed into the fray Cadance points at Celestia with a tilt to the left of the head and a raised right eyebrow. “She’s only worried because she believes Gold Sky is with Octavia a Earth Pony and not with a Unicorn cough, cough Twilight Sparkle I bet and not with a Pegasus.”

“What?” Luna’s curiosity is now hooked after biting Cadance’s bait. “Why will Celli be worried if dearest nephew is with that nice mare, isn’t he an adult and he can court any mare he wants or be courted by that mare well just that mare because I don’t trust any other mares to have my dear nephew’s heart.” Clearly this shows Luna is totally comfortable with Octavia.

“Well, I want the best mare for my son Cadance and I know the best when I see it given our age. And also what if being by a mare he starts feeling temptation because I’m sure in his long journey he hasn’t felt a mare’s touch. So who knows how he’ll do around a mortal.”

Cadance shakes her head in rising disappointment to Celestia’s words while Luna just tilts her head in confusion. “Uhh what do you mean he’ll face temptation by being around a mare? And what kind of temptation will he experience??”

“Ah I’ll do the talking and here have some cake!” Cadance shoves a slice of chocolate cake into Celli’s pie hole. “Celli do you question your son’s honor? Really are you going to go that far just to continue micromanage his life.”

*ting* Finally Luna gets it, hell she was about to admit that somebody here is thick as two short planks for confusing her. “Wait a minute are you saying sister wants to arrange my nephew’s marriage? Uhmmm she wants to pick his wife and not let him pick.”

“Yes!” Cadance snaps before Celli has the chance to say something.

“What is wrong with you Celli!? He…oh…” Luna figures out something. “Twilight Sparkle she’s the mare you want for him don’t you.”

“Dang it you figured it out!” Celestia passes a slice of cake to Luna as to congratulate her.

“WHAT!!” Cadance becomes speechless and then pictures in her mind Gold Sky & Twilight Sparkle affectionately rubbing heads. “No! Gold Sky should choose who he wants to be with and I know you know of his great honor so you will try to trick him somehow and marry Twilight Sparkle and he will stay with her forever despite the fact that he did not want to marry her.”

“Dang it you figured it out too!” Celestia hands a slice of cake to Cadance.

Cadance throws the slice of cake into the trashcan. “Now you can’t stop me, I will make sure he follows his heart and you will have to live with that because you cannot be everywhere, I just need to cover myself with your scent to be close to him, and I found I can shield myself from your telepathy.” Cadance storms off and given she has been in contact with the loving stallion she knows where he is for his love leaves bread crumbs for her to follow. “It’s funny that right now he is with Rainbow Dash. I think Celestia will still disapprove heh.”

True, very much true.

***
In the Carousel Boutique.

Rarity makes some final adjustments to an order for Fancy Pant’s dear wife while thinking in her imagination how lovely she’ll look once the pomp mare dons it. “I say this has to be one of my most put in effort orders I’ve ever done.” Rarity removes her glasses once the final stich is knotted. “Ooooh she is so going to look absolute lovely!” Once packing the dress in box to have it shipped out the next day Rarity’s mind suddenly shifts to Rainbow Dash and her preoccupations of the Immortal Stallion. “Hmmm I wonder if Rainbow figured out her thoughts for Gold Sky? He looks well I can’t say look because I can say without a doubt that he’s a very, very nice stallion without a flaw nor a any trait that’ll paint him as someone distrustful. Perhaps Rainbow has found somepony to settle down with…uhhh maybe I’m thinking too ahead of things perhaps Rainbow is going through a puppy love phase and Gold Sky is someone she can develop the puppy love due to his high maturity. Which I can say I admire very much and I really want to know why he looked at me like I was someone familiar and I felt very comfortable around him.” Rarity heads up to her room to prepare herself for bed. “After Rainbow Dash settles her feelings for him and perhaps takes the dearie for herself I will try to make him my default stallion mold for making suits which I think will allow the both of to us to develop a relationship and I can get to know him better. “ Rarity has a very fitting plan indeed. “Though if Rainbow does not take the dearie for herself then I can still use him for my mold and still develop a relationship. We both win everything indeed.”

In her room Rarity settles down in her ever comfortable bed and shuts off the lights. “Why do the diamonds he gave me have are AB positive in her molecular structure?? They’re real diamonds but where can he obtain such diamonds and in their wonderful clear pink hue.” With that Rarity falls asleep and dreams of Spike-Wikey.

***

In the comfortable bed where Rainbow Dash and Gold Sky sleep soundly, the stallion dreams of Gilda during the time of the Great Famine.
The time where his mettle was put to the ultimate test for all around him many children cried because of the intense hunger bringing them to the pain of their extreme necessity and Gold Sky is no exemption of hearing Gilda’s stomach growl every night she slept over his beating heart but luckily she has not cried thanks to him giving her every one of his rations to her until finally the dreadful moment arrived when the in the entire Republic rations ceased. Making two whole days pass until Gilda fell to rump and cry for her hunger is beyond measure and Gold Sky oh the Immortal Father feels ever so helpless despite the fact her Immortality will keep her alive even though she feels hungry. So without hesitation he resorts caving pieces of his flesh to ease her pain and get rid of that feeling of helplessness her cries brought but when in the dream Gilda tells him she loves him he wakes up like a bright light from above took her from him.
“It’s only a dream of her that’s all.” Gold Sky whispers to himself to keep Rainbow from waking up. “She’s out there alive and well…I want to be with her but I can’t.” Feeling guilty he looks down to Rainbow sleeping soundly by him.
“I know she’s sound asleep but I thinking singing the song I always sang to Gilda might give Rainbow something pleasant to listen to while she’s asleep.” With a silent clearing of his throat Gold Sky starts singing to Rainbow Dash thus inadvertently creates a dream in her sleep.

Meanwhile unbeknownst to Gold Sky is Princess Luna having a nice looksee in Rainbow’s dreams only to then see it suddenly shift from leading the Wonderbolts to suddenly being on top of a lighthouse by the ocean. “Okay this has to be an outside intervention for this sudden change in her normal dreams…uh oh.” The reason for the uh oh is her singing nephew’s voice being in the dream. “I’m out of here.” Thus the Princes of the Moon leaves Rainbow’s dream.

So in Rainbow’s dream the cyan mare flies out from the top of lighthouse and lands down on the golden sands while in the ocean ships go sailing and then somewhere beyond the sea a stallion with wings & a horn appears to the waiting mare and takes her into his arms.
“I am your dearest.” Rainbow whispers into the ear of the stallion embracing her. “We shall be happy together and I will always be loyal to you.”

Rainbow Dash cuddles closer to Gold Sky as a result of his singing.

***

The Sun rises and Celestia still worried does not go looking for her son out of respect that he is a responsible stallion thus he will explain himself when he comes back. Well he better but truth be told Cadance left him a hint called apology cake to make everything better.

***
*Yawn*
With the rays of the ever pleasant sun shining down upon him through the window of Rainbow’s dwelling, Gold Sky looks down to check on Rainbow Dash. “Wow she’s still asleep.” He whispers to himself. “She does look comfortable but when she wakes up I know she’ll be very hungry and I think a hearty meal will put her more at ease from yesterday events.” So carefully every so carefully Gold Sky first gives Rainbow a kiss on her forehead to thank her for giving him strength then finally gets up to prepare breakfast. “Let’s see what she has here.” Opening the refrigerator Gold Sky almost faints to see it is almost completely empty. “Ooooh boy, well I can say Rainbow Dash will still be asleep even if I do a fast shopping run to fill up her refrigerator.” Donning his cloak Gold Sky teleports to the market picking up fresh milk, seven pounds of fruit, five pounds of vegetables, bread, apple & orange juice, ten pounds of varies grains & oats, and two dozen eggs. “Jump” *Poof*
Arriving the stallion fills up Rainbow’s refrigerator then goes to check on her. “Well she is still asleep.” Though at the moment Rainbow is hugging a pillow.

And be as he is and ever so kind the stallion commences to cook to show this mare he has a skill that is as shiny as the wares that will please mare when she wakes in any hour of day. Nevertheless, despite being unknowing of Rainbow’s palate Gold Sky makes scrambled fluffy eggs with chives plus sautéed vine tomatoes & mushrooms, and lastly a nice piece of toasted sourdough bread gently bathed in olive oil.

Oh a meal fit for a Mrs.

A title Rainbow Dash now desires.

But most of all Rainbow Dash’s loyalty prevents her from being taken over by an instinct many other mares have and that instinct is called Hypergamy.
*sniff, sniff* The sleeping mare’s nose picks up the scent of a approaching breakfast. “Uhhhhhh what smells good.” A groggy yet fully awake Rainbow Dash opens her eyes the moment Gold Sky walks into her room with her breakfast in tow. “Huh!? What in the world is that!!?” So much for saying good morning to a really handsome stallion.
“I made you breakfast Rainbow Dash because I didn’t feel like waking you up when you were looking so dear when sleeping now here’s a warm towel to quickly clean wash yourself before enjoying your breakfast.”

“Uhhh.” Rainbow couldn’t help but notice how fatherly his voice sounds right now and figures it will not be best to ask why she has to wash her face with the warm towel but hey Gold Sky made her breakfast. Breakfast in bed! Breakfast in bed of all things! And sweet golden sands does the breakfast he made look so grand! “Y-yo-you made this for m-me?”

“Of course! I just thought this will put your mind at ease given yesterday events and…your refrigerator is empty. But anyway here you are Rainbow Dash, careful, careful.” He sets the breakfast in front of Rainbow and then leaves to get her juice.

“Wow!” Rainbow exclaims in delight. “This is awesome! Ho, ho, ho these eggs look like they were made by that chef who loves cussing and saying the f word while cooking." But he’s very nice to Nurse Redheart giving fact that even the best of the best chefs have total respect for one’s who care for their health. *ting* “Gilda. Gilda experienced this every day. She experienced his great love and now as his dearest I will get to experience his love…am I…am I really falling for him. I’m falling for this stallion, oh my gosh!” A pause provided by stuffing her mouth full of egg and sourdough bread while what’s taking Gold Sky so long to come back with her juice? Rainbow Dash has no cups in her house. Yes, she does not have any cups in her house pretty weird yet still kind of expected in hindsight. “This stallion is loving, very protective of me, a good flyer, and a good cook! What more can a mare like me want! Plus he’s Immortal so he might make me Immortal like he did with Gilda! Then I can maybe convince him to reconnect with her and I’ll have her as family.”
Such plans into the future that start today.

“Can’t believe it took me a long time to find a cup to pour juice in but truth be told Rainbow Dash this was a candle so I used my magic to get the wax out and sanitize the cup. Hehe.” He chuckles.

“Gold Sky.” Half way done with her breakfast the cyan mare is up from her bed approaching the stallion to tell him thanks. “Thank you, for your kindness Gold Sky.” Tenderly Rainbow without taking the time to consider the gravity of actions rubs her head against Gold Sky’s head and feels a physical euphoria when her skin rubs against his.

“What’s going on!!? What is she doing, why is she doing, what’s happening, how did I get here, WHY!” As a typical indicator of his uneasiness his body heat skyrockets however, the relaxing sensation of Rainbow’s cheek rubbing against his feels quite nice and for the first time feels an intimate touch. “This feels nice…this must be how it feels when a mare rubs her beloved with her cheek…WAIT!!!!!!!!” *TING, TING, REALIZATON!!*

One thing has is his extreme curiosity of the mind and how it can make anybody tick thus in his life with the help of his eyes, telepathy, and supreme understanding he developed the ability to piece together the actions & words that will reveal to him what the deliverer is feeling along and right now he feels so much guilt to have to tell Rainbow Dash what she is to him. “Tell me Rainbow Dash, are thinking about falling for me, currently falling for me, or you already fallen for me.”

Frozen with eyes wide open to Gold Sky’s question Rainbow does not know what to say or wonder if she should be either surprised or happy that he has somewhat of an idea for her feelings for him. “I am your dearest Gold Sky and from everything I can get by spending a lot of time with you I see you are a stallion I can be with and always be loyal to no matter what.” Oh Rainbow feels so relieved to tell him how she feels.

With guilt taking hold of him like a noose around his neck Gold Sky will nonetheless, step forward and break his neck than to step back to allow Rainbow entertain herself will feelings that will ultimately lead to upmost despair. So what? Truth, pain, but with a chance for healing or lie, false reality, and never a chance to heal. Stepping forward is the only honorable thing he will do for his mind was already made up the moment he discovered Rainbow’s feelings.
“Wait.” Being gentle he pushes her away to fully see her face. “Don’t do this to me Rainbow Dash please don’t do this to me. I live with enough guilt every day and the last thing I want is sadden you Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash takes a step back from the stallion when seeing the feelings she has for him isn’t being reflected back at her. “I can’t do this t-to yo-you I-I am your dearest am I!? You said so to that Philly whatever he is and you protected me like I was the…uh, love of your life!”

The stallion cannot believe Rainbow mistook his words but yet it is also partially his fault for not clarifying his words along with being too liberal with his affection. “Yes you are my dearest Rainbow Dash. Dearest Friend.”

“Ahh…” Rainbow gasps when corrections are like a dull thud of a bronze shield stopping a sword. “I…no…I asked myself, you, why!!”

“Don’t do this to me. I value your friendship as my heart values the blood it pumps, you mean a lot to me Rainbow and I’m sorry for hurting you…” In the middle of his words being spoken the cyan mare interrupts.

“No.” Then shaking of the head clears the mare’s mind. “I somehow knew, no I went in too deep without taking the moment to think, I thought you were the right one for me when I should have been thinking if I’m the right one for you…” Alas it is her turn to be interrupted.

“Rainbow…I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for any mare, I don’t know if I can ever fall in love just like you have with me. How can I fall in love when out there is something I love oh so much and never have I come to know what mare’s touch is until now but I can read mares like words on a book. You are a lovely, courageous, and dear mare Rainbow Dash, thus I can’t and I won’t allow you to be hurt by my actions. You deserve better Rainbow, I want our friendship to forever last, you mean a lot me and yes so much I will protect you with every ounce of my strength. I want us to always be close then closer if you wish and I never want to lose you because of an misunderstanding ever, Rainbow Dash.” *sigh* “I never had a friend Rainbow Dash…well I did have a friend dearest friend like you and I loved her ever so dearly. Now I see I have the power to protect you except from your emotions. Please Rainbow Dash, see that I am not the stallion for you, we are meant to be the dearest of friends.” Pausing upon realizing he has no more words to think of Gold Sky resorts to the end. “Please put this behind you Rainbow Dash, I don’t ever want to lose you.” With that said Gold Sky approaches the mare and hugs her ever so tight. “Forgive me for doing this to you Rainbow Dash but I will never lie to you and I will never let live one as well.”

A silence comes over them to which Rainbow uses to at least relish the stallion embracing her and buildup the strength of the gates holding back her tears.

“I pray this does not get in the way of my training you in store for me.”

Finally Rainbow smiles in a time like this. “You are such a puppy Gold Sky.” In moment of realization she comes to see how she fallen for the stallion. “Your cute mannerisms, your loving eyes, that nice flank of yours, your touch, your fighting ability, and anything else I see but cannot think of the words to say them. Sure I will continue teaching you how to be a better flyer, w-w-we will always be friends…I will call you pups. This should be put behind us. Like you said it’s just an emotional thing and thanks for the breakfast. You will make a great catch for somepony I bet.” Ooh Rainbow can’t believe she said the last sentence.

“I can live with being called pups Rainbow Dash…I have to go.” Despite have a scratch in his voice Gold Sky turns to leave. “Is the day after tomorrow a good day for another flying lesson?”

“It’s a good day pups.” Guess Rainbow was serious about calling him pups while inside her mind the strength holding the back the tears is nearing its depletion.

“Alright.” Gold Sky lets go of her, lightly taps her right shoulder, and suddenly he lets out a sniffle so he immediately turns around and flies out.

Clearly hearing the sniffle which reinforces the strength to hold back her tears, Rainbow follows him while being careful not to be spotted. “He doesn’t know I’m following him but from what I’m seeing he looks like he’s pain. Why?? I should be the one in pain not him.” Seeing him land Rainbow plops down on a nearby cloud getting good cover along with good hearing.

Free of his cloak Gold Sky falls to his knees unleashing a long painful groan causing a tear to escape from her left eye and run down her cheek. “Forgive me Rainbow Dash for hurting you, I never meant it but I don’t know how you can feel something for me after everything I’ve done…I never meant to hurt you, I’m sorry my dearest friend.” After those words are spoken Gold Sky unleashes a roar so grand it pays tribute to the last King of the Southern Hellenics who’s descended from the first Primordials. “Forgive me Rainbow Dash.”

“You never did anything wrong my dear Gold Sky.” Rainbow Dash whispers while still absorbing the grand roar he unleashed.

“Forgive me mother. Forgive me oh children of the Rouge clan. Forgive me Ruby. Forgive me innocent baby dragons. Forgive me Oh dearest, oh beautiful, and most lovely Gilda.” Gold Sky wipes his nose, dries his tears, and stands back up on all fours. “Jump.” *poof*
Arriving back in her home Rainbow feels like it’s safe to finally release his tears but then suddenly a tingling inkling hits. “He said my fridge is empty.” So she opens the fridge and finds it’s filled from top to bottom. “Oh that’s it.” Rainbow just starts crying accepting how she lost the reality of being with an Immortal and how she became so drawn into that possibility without thinking much into it like she should have in the first place.

“I will never be with him but at least I will always be his dearest friend and his teacher.”

Rainbow found the bright side to lessen her pain.

Besides Rarity is there for her too.

***

In the probability of Murphey’s law well, being active so to speak outside of Ponyville and without Twilight Sparkle saying its triggering phrase was a mare flying about minding her own business until she sees an Alicorn flying before her very eyes. Of course as natural as natural can be the mare rubs her eyes to see if she was hallucinating but down below on the ground there is a Alicorn and it’s a stallion! So hovering in place the mare begins smiling a smile she thought she’ll smile never because…endless days remind her not be so ardent despite having electives to keep her busy such as being in the Wonderbolt Academy and babysitting for the Cakes whenever Pinkie Pie isn’t available. This mare feels a warmness flickering in her heart like a spark fell upon a pile of dry wood igniting a fire inside.
And without hesitation the mare imprints the handsome face of this stallion into her mind however, this mare who is a Pegasus with a pink coat with beautiful blond hair that is most adored by her bangs takes a deep breath to yell at the top of her lungs.

“My decision to eat from the Sephirot is well worth it. My patience has paid me with a mate with whom I can live forever with. Thank you oh Sephirot err I mean oh Great Spirit.”

Declares Meadow Flower.

As for the Sephirot.

AKA: Tree of Life.

My dearest Readers I upmost thank you for your infinite patience and yes my schedule is always going to be busy as busy may get though it will not stop me from writing and I guess it pays to live in the countryside where I have peace & quiet along with fresh air. Hehehe thank you for your patience my dearest readers and regarding when I mention it here in the coming chapters I will be using the tree that has Da'at sefirot. Which believe it or not I remember seeing it a long time ago when I was in Elementary school in the very back of the school library and since that moment that image imprinted itself in my mind so you can only imagine how long it took me to figure out what it was until I pressed the random search link on a search engine and found out what it was making me fall back on my chair and sigh in relieve to finally know what it's called. Just like it took me ten years to find out the name of a Japanese song, yeah probability does not always fall in my favor.

The Toltecians of Prophecy and the Fruit of Endless Days

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 17

Disclaimer- Arthur's note at end. My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

Meadow Flower finally blew out the candles of her birthday cake marking the beginning of the final phase of her life. “I’m an adult! I am my own mare now!!” The happy mare tells herself in delight as the smoke from her blown out candles clear up revealing a big present her parents got for her. “Mother, Father is that for me!”

“Yes!” Both parents chime in unison. “Please open it sweetheart.”

So Meadow Flower eagerly opens her big present wondering what it is while her mother leans in to whisper something to Meadow Flower’s father. “Do you think she will like it?”

“Of course she will like it, I mean she has always dreamed of going on a adventure so why not give her the first step my dear.” The husband whispers back to his wife.

*GASP!* The pink mare almost loses her ability to speak. “A backpack full of camping and hiking gear! I-I always wanted this!! Oh mom and dad how did you know!”

“Oh you’ve been hinting at going on a adventure for quite some time dear so we thought why not get you started.” Her mother replied.

“OOOOH THANK YOU!” Meadow Flower hugs her parents and enjoys the rest of her birthday.

*One week later*
Meadow Flower’s mother stands at the door of her daughter’s room. “Well it’s time for your adventure to begin, hmmm, I wonder what you’ll see, what you’ll find, and what will change your life. “ The mother approaches her daughter. “Please be safe my dear daughter and before you zip up your backpack please go promise your father you will come back because right now he’s…afraid while at the same time happy that you’re going on the adventure you always wanted to go on.”
So Meadow Flower heads over to her father to say goodbye. “Father.” After getting his attention she hugs him tightly. “Father don’t worry, I will be safe on my adventure and when I come back I’ll have plenty of pictures to show you.”

The father without saying anything back to his daughter simply hugs her tight for a long minute or two. “Promise me you will come back safe & sound.”
“I promise father.” Meadow Flower gives him a kiss on the cheek and finally departs.

Through the plains flowing with wheat, through the amazing waterfalls, birds of paradise dancing around her, treading through the snow covered Dragon’s back, filling her canteen in a desert oasis, and finally taking her finally step out of the jungle called the Regents of Earth. “INCREDILE!” In front of her is a pyramid with a temple on top and stairs leading up to it on each side. “I so have to take of a pic…” Something amazing captures her eye. “A…is that…a snake…big, big snake???” Oh yes a big snake is slithering towards her but what makes this snake so different from the regular snakes she has seen in the Regents of Earth is the fact the approaching reptile is “standing” upright and in the height of the snake it’s just a few inches short of Princess Celestia’s height and more very more importantly is the fact this upright slithering snake has arms with hands that has five fingers each. “I-i-it looks like a King Cobra!”

“Welcome oh stranger from far away.” The upright Cobra greets. “Come; follow me for you must be needing of rest.”

*GASP!!* Did that upright Cobra just speak! “Y-y-you ca-can talk! Did you just ta-talk!! You talked!! Am I hearing things! This isn’t possible!! IT ISN’T!!” Meadow Flower falls to the ground and can’t decide if she should freeze on the spot or run away.

The Cobra nonetheless approaches the cowering quadruped. “I see you have never seen my species before. Hmm don’t be afraid I will not harm nor will the rest of my brethren. Now come please.” The kind Cobra holds a hand in front of Meadow Flower.
“Well…uhhhhhhhhhh…” Meadow Flower takes hold of the hand and gets back up on her feet. “What are you?”

The kind Cobra begins slithering back to the location of the pyramid prompting Meadow Flower to follow him. “I am a Toltecian Cobra and my name is Itzcoatl and so what are you?”
Meadow Flower looks up at the Toltectian seeing it flicker its tongue. “My name is Meadow Flower and I am a Pony from Equestria.”

Itzcoatl gives the mare a smile. “Ah yes Equestria. Heh can’t believe I couldn’t identify you just a few minutes ago! Sorry about that, anyway what brings you all the way here?”

“I’m on an adventure that I’ve dreamed of doing and I’ve been to many places already but I never knew of this place at all! Oh what is it called?”
“It’s called Kingdom of the Toltecs,” Itzcoatl replies. “Now first before introducing you to your quarters let me take you to our healer for from the look of it you’re near the verge of exhaustion.” Without asking the pink mare for permission Itzcoatl takes off her back pack and dons it on in order to lighten her load.

Now that she thinks about it, he’s right. She has traversed through the jungle all day without taking a single minute to rest and now after being told she’s near exhaustion her body begins exhibiting every trait of it. “I feel so tired now ooooh boy.” Her legs give out but luckily Itzcoatl catches her. “Oooooh thank you for catching me Itzococo…Itzcomatel…Itzcrattle…uhhhh, can you help me here?”

“Just call me Skink for short Meadow Flower.” With his tail he picks up her backpack as he slithers towards a massive pyramid.

With a slight line of red streaking across her face to being held so casually by this Toltectian Cobra, Meadow Flower takes a few breaths before saying anything. “Wh-why Skink?”

In response Skink flicks out his tongue for five seconds.
“Huh?” Meadow Flower is quite taken aback by Skink flickering his tongue for five long seconds. “OH!” Meadow Flower finally gets the whole picture. “Your tongue is blue!”

“It very much is and my wife had the funny idea of calling me Skink when one of her friend’s children found a blue tongued Skink. Heh the name struck and pretty soon everyone began calling me Skink.” The Cobra pauses to laugh. “Any who, Meadow Flower my wife is the healer here so before anything don’t forget to thank her because she hates not being thanked for delivering care to her patients.”

Meadow Flower more amazed by how relaxed the Cobra is speaking while gently carrying her fails to notice they’re essentially going up a pyramid. “Well I think your wife gave you a nice nickname Skink huh!? Wait, wait, wait how did we get to the top!?” Meadow Flower looks around to study her surroundings. “Wow…this kingdom looks beautiful.” Seeing the sun set slowly behind one of the magnificent pyramids allows Meadow Flower to imprint this image in the core of her mind. “Skink what is that pyramid is that?” Meadow Flower points at.

“That’s the Sun Pyramid, Meadow Flower now let’s go inside.” Skink takes her inside the pyramid of Ixtlilton. “Here’s your bed Meadow Flower now please relax until my wife gets her so she can examine you.” Placing her in bed the Cobra also places her backpack next to her.

But before the kind Toltecian Cobra can slither away Meadow Flower calls him to ask one last question. “Skink why are you so nice to me?”

The Cobra flickers his tongue at the mare. “Well a kind race such as yours is automatically deserving of kindness Meadow Flower and between you and me I like having visitors. It feels nice especially now when the tree comes down.” With the mentioning of a tree is all said, Skink slithers away before the pony can say something about the tree coming down.

“A tree coming down?” The mare asks herself then right about she’s about to say something to herself Skink’s wife enters. “Wow you must be Skink’s wife.” The greenish purple color of the lady Toltecian Cobra amazes Meadow Flower. “You look amazing!” Even more amazing than Skink’s bluish gray color.
“Why thank you pony.” Skink’s wife replies.
“Her name is Meadow Flower my dear.” Skink whispers to his wife.

The healer rubs her head in embarrassment. “Uhm sorry Meadow Flower.”

Of course before anything else for the mare. “Look before I say anything else, is your name difficult to pronounce like Skink’s because the last thing I want to do is accidently disrespect you by saying your five syllable word name wrong.”

At first the healer does not understand what Meadow Flower just said until after a few seconds it clicks inside. “Oh! You can call me Sonia if you wish.”

So the healer gives Meadow Flower some nourishing food and water to help the pony gain back her strength . “You’ve come a long way Meadow Flower and I am very impressed now rest. For I and my husband are more than sure you will want to explore the kingdom and climb I mean fly up to every pyramid here.” With that said both Cobras leave to allow the mare to draft asleep.

“This is incredible…” Meadow Flower whispers and falls asleep in a kingdom that’s beyond her imagination.
At dawn Meadow Flower awakes to see a younger Toltecian Cobra slithering towards her. “Good Morning uhhhhh…”

“Gilda and yes that’s my real name not a nick name like my mother and father now come Meadow Flower, I’ll show you around.”
“Swell!” Instantly Meadow Flower follows the younger Cobra but as they head out of the Pyramid, Meadow Flower eyes a picture containing Skink, Sonia, and Gilda. “Strange!?? Gilda looks nothing like her mother and father and seeing the sun shine on her she glows a bit?? Perhaps it’s her scales being shiny.” The Pegasus tells herself. “Gilda, what’s the name of your mother?”

“It’s a long name Meadow Flower and you will not be able to ever pronounce it but if you want to know it’s Chalchiuitl now good luck pronouncing it.” Gilda chuckles to herself.

With that curiosity fulfilled Meadow Flower has an question to ask. “Are Toltecian Cobras cold blooded?”

Gilda shakes her head. “We can produce our own body heat just like you as for the sun we will occasionally bask in it to relax ourselves if we get too much stress.”
And thus throughout the day Gilda lead Meadow Flower throughout the kingdom hearing numerous ooh’s & ah’s from the pony’s mouth. So as the day progresses Gilda leads Meadow Flower into the Sun Pyramid where they’re greeting a by two statues. Gilda tells the mare the story of the Hero Twins and how they performed the miraculous feat of defeating the mighty Crocodile in order to call this land home and establish it for the rest of their species. Then after establishing the land for their species both twins spat into the hands of two lady Toltecian Cobras and then ascended to the Heavenly Paradise leaving their brethren to live on. As for the two lady cobras, the saliva on their hands turned into eggs resulting in fraternal twins being born, one a boy the other a girl. “Is it just me or does Gilda look like girl twin…maybe it’s just me and she must one of those beings that resemble someone from long ago.” Meadow Flower tells herself “OOOOH!! May I take a couple of pictures of the glyphs on that wall!!”

Gilda nods then while the mare takes pictures contemplates inside her mind whether to discuss with the mare what the Archangel has told her a decade ago. “Meadow Flower.” Gilda decides to tell the mare everything. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it Gilda??” The pink mare puts down her camera in order to pay full attention to the Cobra.

Oh how Gilda wishes this day never happened in fact she wishes the pink mare never showed up at all because the moment the pink mare stepped feet into the kingdom is the moment the prophecy the Archangel foretold her long ago is set into full motion. “Long ago the Archangel Lauren came down to me when I awoke from a century long cryo sleep and told me that I and a pony of a pink coat and blond hair shall be competing for the heart of the Immortal Stallion years many, many years from now.”
“What…???? Immortal Stallion? There is no Immortal stallion in Equestria only Immortal Mares an-and what the heck is cryo sleep?”

Gilda explains that inside the sun pyramid is the chamber of ice where a cobra who wishes to live long at the expense of sleeping through years will be frozen and they do not age while they sleep until they are awaken in year they want to wake up in.
“Oh…”
Gilda continues. “At first I did not believe the Archangel but seeing you in front of me well I have to believe to the Archangel’s words…know that I will have his heart not you. Know that Meadow Flower, I will have the Immortal stallion and you shall know what it means to live forever, be reborn by choice, and live forever. Though for you the reborn part is only exclusive to me anyway, know that I won’t eliminate you but I will put you in your place if you get too close to him.” To emphasize her point Gilda flicks out her tongue then slightly opens her mouth exposing her fangs containing a deadly neurotoxin. “Even when you don’t know what I’m talking about you will fulfill everything the prophecy has declared.” Gilda slithers away ignoring that above her is the Emperor of the Kingdom flying in yes, he is flying in to meet the kingdom’s pink guest.

*GASP*
Meadow Flower falls back at the sight of a chartreuse green large serpent with bright colorful feathers around its neck, magnificent wings of fire red feathers where are the arms are supposed to be, no hood around its neck like the rest of the Cobras, and a headdress made of the feathers from the Quetzal bird. “You’re b-b-big!!! Bigger than Princess Celestia, bigger than anything I’ve seen! Please don’t hurt me, uuuuuh it wasn’t me it was the one armed Cobra!”

The great Emperor gently smiles at the frightened pony reassuring the mare he means no harm to her despite his size. “Don’t be afraid dear pony I am Emperor Huitzilihuitl and believe me when I say I couldn’t believe that you a pony so far from home is here. And I’m sure you heard from skink that we don’t normally get guests and how ecstatic you are of our culture and architecture.”

Overall in from being serenading by the Emperor’s speech the only thing Meadow Flower got from this is… “You have no arms!”

“Uhhhhhhhhm well yes I don’t have arms I have wings instead an-and as Emperor I traded my hood and arms for wings and size. Were you paying any attention to what I was saying??”

Suddenly under the spot light of the Emperor’s purple eyes Meadow Flower can only blush in response.
“It’s my size isn’t.” Asks Huitzilihuitl with a droll touch.

“Yes…can I rub my cheek against your neck feathers your highness, they just look super soft. Please.” At least Meadow Flower gives him the respect that’s deserved.

At first the Emperor does not understand the mare’s request but then realizes the mare is now curious about him. “Yes you may but please make it brief for I want to show you something I know you’ll enjoy. Oooooh.” Feels weird but yet kind of satisfying to the sensation of having eck feathers rubbed by the mare’s cheek. “Let’s us fly side by side to the caves of Tula where you can see the life of the Hero Twins.”

*HAPPY GASP!* “Oh yes your majesty, I don’t know how to thank you for your kindness!” Nevertheless, Meadow Flower bows before the mighty serpent then both fly out of the Sun Pyramid making their way to the cave of Tula. Upon arriving Huitzilihuitl points at the entrance with his head.
“I’m too big to go in with you but please visit me afterwards so you can tell me about Equestria your homeland.” Huitzilihuitl flicks his tongue and flies off messing up Meadow Flower’s hair in the process of taking off.

Stepping inside the cave to see the glyphs telling the complete story of the Hero Twins Meadow Flower feels a cold feeling rise inside her chest while continuing inside until near the end of her destination. “I don’t know if this is normal…”

Suddenly a bright light comes down creating a tree with three branches in the left & right and five in the center each one containing a golden fruit. “Huuuuuuh…” Right before her mind tells her to step closer to study the strange tree another bright light creating a being welding a sword of pure fire. “Wha-what’s going on her-here!!?”

The being welding the sword of pure fire lowers the sword and steps out of the mare’s way. “Those who are pure of heart may eat of the Sephirot.”
“Than-thank you.” Of course the mare could have asked the being welding the flaming sword a few questions but a flaming sword is good at killing the formation of questions allowing the mare to pick a gold fruit from the center branch in the center column and eat it.

“You will live forever Meadow Flower.” Declares the being.

***

Present Time

***

“THE IMMORTAL STALLION!!” Meadow Flower repeats the words Gilda has told her seven hundred years ago. “He’s real! A-a stallion immortal a chance to have a partner somepony to have by side…A love!” The pink mare remembers how she saw every bloodline that began with her parents slowly fade away, then the end of all bloodlines minus hers when her great-great-great-great-great-great grandnephew died childless. “I watched my family die and their descendants die while all I could do is watch from a distance. I painted my hair different colors, changed the color of my coat, and changed my name so many times that I almost forgotten my real name. Until I can finally come back to my blond, pink, and real name identity this time. I just saw the Immortal stallion, he’s real…”

*Ting*

“She’s coming…” The Pink mare looks west. “She’s coming…”

Twenty miles from the borders of Equestria, a Toltecian Cobra dismounts a giant saddled salamander.

“At last the time has come.” The Cobra flickers out her tongue. “I can taste his scent…” Suddenly

“And hers as well.” Gilda mounts up on her giant salamander.

“She will not get in my way.”

If only both knew of the Gray Mare.

My dearest readers I absolutely apologize for providing you a short chapter. Unfortunately, my studies took over a great majority of my time preventing me from providing you with more content I wanted to originally add such as Gilda( Toltecian Cobra) greeting Princess Celestia. Also I did not want you to wait a long time. And why did I decide to name the Toltecian Cobra, Gilda? I made it of pure coincidence that another character will have the name Gilda and two Rainbow Dash will not be the only one to name someone G.

As for the Toltecian Cobras, I always had them pictured in my mind and longed to include them for quite some time. However, in searching for visual representation so you can see what I see in my mind, it took me hours to type in the right words in order to find pictures of them for I figured there has to some artist or artists in the internet that has created a picture of the Cobra I have in my mind. Words such as "Upright cobra, cobra humanoids, Cobra people, snake people, snake naga upright" then I realized Naga isn't a word I should be using...too many unclean and unpleasant results popped up. Finally I don't remember what I typed in the end (also had some help from my co-writer from my other story) but I found creations that exactly matched the pictures of the Toltecian Cobras in my mind plus clean one too.(Only regarding the Pictures I'm linking, I can't say the same for the other content the artists have created. For I didn't exactly look at their other creations.) So here are the pictures that directly visualize the Cobras I picture in my mind.

First Cobra (Typing in naga helped in this result) 2. Second Cobra (My co-writer found this one.)
For Emperor Huitzilihuitl

Thank goodness for the Internet allowing many talented artists to post their amazing art online.

Once more Thank you my dearest readers for your infinite patience and I will make it up to all of you in the coming chapter. Thank you for your patience.

Octavia's personal Initiative and the coming of Crumbling Immortal sisterhood

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 18

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. Arthur's note at end.

In the Canterlot Palace, Princess Celestia standing on the highest tower looks down seeing if Gold Sky is coming. “Hmmmm where can he be?” She ponders like any worried mother will do then telepathically asks if Luna sees the stallion but no good news is provided. “Oh my son why do you do this to me!” Just then as if the dice has been rolled in her favor he beautiful eyes catch the stallion of the hour slowly trot inside. “OH!” Celestia breathes out a sigh of relief. “My son you’re finally back home.” Jumping off of the highest tower the elegant mare flies in through the window of her room. “Hold on.” Her horn glows levitating her trusty dandy brush and gives her coat a quick brushing. “Ah nice and shiny!!” With a quick giggle, the white mare takes on a speedy gait through the corridors to meet up with painted Alicorn.

“Your majesty.” The guards give her a quick nod of the head as she gracefully passes by.

In the gardens Gold Sky reaches into his cloak to gather up the runes that once belonged to the Philistine who hunted down the last of his tribe. “These little things led that stallion to every living last Chero on this Earth. Oh the Elders sitting around the Great Council fire will be weeping to the great shedding of our Tribe’s blood.” Gold Sky tosses the runes onto the ground seeing them land face-up & face-down. “Did the bone that was used to make these come from a mare, stallion, or child?” *sniff, sniff* “Mother.” His focus shifts from the runes to his approaching mother.

Meanwhile also watching Cadance enhances her hearing to catch ear of whatever the stallion has to say for himself for when she saw him just moments ago he presented a aura that didn’t seem like the aura he would normal due to being Love itself. “Something strange must have happened to him if he’s presents himself in a gloomy way. I better be careful though so he won’t notice me as I try to listen in and figure out this change in him.”

“Oh my son!” The loving touch in her voice confirms the stallion she has been worried for him. “You had me worried when you didn’t show up last night my son! I thought…”

“That I left again.” Gold Sky gently interrupts. “I will never do that to you ever again mother.” The stallion comes to stand before his mother so she can look into his teal eyes to see he means what he said and also make it easier for him to simply go up to her and hug her.

Princess Celestia sighs to be reminded again of that hurtful day yet somehow she automatically thought of that when he didn’t come home last night. “Oh my son come here.” Taking him into a loving embrace Celestia goes quiet and softly rubs her cheek against his head. “My son, I’m just happy to see you.”

Finally with everything at the level he wants, Gold Sky tells Celestia he has something to show her. “Mother do you know why my tribe is on the verge of extinction?”
Celestia shakes her head.
“Look.” His hoof points at the runes, prompting Celestia to magically pick them up and study them.

“Hmmm.” Celestia thinks loudly. “I remember seeing these runes, many years before you were born my son. These runes belong to the Philistine tribe and Starswirl the Bearded attempted studying them so he can understand what they said but he couldn’t. He came to the conclusion that the Philistine language cannot be spoken or read by outsiders. But tell me just how come about these runes? Did you meet a Philistine?”

“Yes and I killed him a few hours ago. His body should still be fresh unless the flies haven’t laid maggots in him or the vultures haven’t devoured him. You know what I’ll take you to him. Jump.” *poof*

“Huh!” Cadance gasps. “Oh no! I don’t know how to teleport what can I do, what can I do, what can I do, what can I do!!?” Just when all hope seemed lost a solution presents itself in a way that is closely associated with Pinkie Pie popping out from out of nowhere.

“Oh hey Cadance.” Luna cheerfully greets. “What are you doing here?”

Huh. A solution to this dilemma can another Alicorn who knows how to teleport. “LUNA!” Cadance grabs the Princess of the Moon. “Teleport me to wherever Celestia and Gold Sky are and here are the coordinates!”

“Uhh okay.” With the coordinates in place, Luna teleports the two of them to the site Gold Sky fought Lilith. “Here we are Cadance with some needed distance…why did you have me bring you here again??”

“Thank you, you can go now and grab Griffie.” Knowing ushering the word Griffie will make Luna listen to her inner filly and fly off to cuddle with Griffie.
“Ahh!” Luna rubs her hooves in anticipation. “I’m off!”

“Alright now that she’s gone time to hear about those runes.” With ears tilted forward and of course scent concealed, Cadance so wants to hear why Gold Sky killed somepony.

Gasping to the sight of the dead stallion with his abdominal area missing due to the vultures feasting on it a few minutes ago. “My son! You murdered that stallion!? No how can you do such a thing!!?”

“Murder mother?” Gold Sky shakes his head. “I don’t murder, mother, I kill but I never murder. He is the last Philistine mother he is whom I got the runes from and he is the reason why the Chero are near extinction.”

Tilting her head in confusion Celestia makes that face where in the ultra, ultra rare occasions she does know not what’s going on. “I don’t understand? Did you kill him out of self-defense?”

“More or less.” Gold Sky shrugs. “Mother everything I knew about the Chero was mostly a lie. This Philistine here whose name is Lilith.”

“Wait isn’t Lilith a feminine name?” Celestia interrupts.
“That’s what I told him too mother. Getting back to topic, he told me my tribe went to war with the Philistine tribe over mares…mother my father’s tribe the Chero went to war with the Philistine tribe over mares…mares do you understand what I-I-I sa-said m-m-mother…mares, mares, over mares, his tribe wanted to marry the mares of my tribe but my tribe said no, so war broke out.”
“Mares my son.” Celestia finally knows why she lost track of the Chero when she was keeping count of them but just like her son she believed them to be utterly peaceful. “I never knew a war can be started over mares.”

Gold Sky nods then punches a nearby tree causing it to fall over. “MARES MOTHER!! THE PHILISTINES DELIVERED THE ULIMATE BLOW BY BURNING THE CHRONICLES OF THE CHERO!!” Falling to his knees Gold Sky accepts the fact what his father knew was only passed down for that’s all the remaining Chero can deliver to their offspring. *sigh* “These runes helped this Philistine who like me is the last of his tribe hunted down the Chero who were scattered across the earth and it didn’t matter to him if the remaining Chero were children, stallions, or mares he killed them then took their left ears as trophies which he wore around his neck.”

Cadance quietly sighs to hear how the beliefs Gold Sky once held come tumbling down for what’s even worse than being the last of one’s tribe is not being a full blooded one. “Poor Gold Sky now did he kill that Philistine.”

“My son I’m sorry for what you had to learn from that Philistine now tell what did he do to you?”

Still on his knees Gold Sky continues. “Rainbow Dash was with me when Lilith made his presence known to us. He made the first move by attempting harm me and Rainbow Dash with some kind of explosive of course I shielded her with my body and fought him. Lilith relied heavily on his vast array of explosive and shocking gadgets that did him very little good. At first I didn’t want to kill him I wanted there to be peace between the last sons of the Chero and Philistine tribe bringing an end to a long war but I couldn’t…he tried to kill to Rainbow Dash and this is something I cannot let go unpunished for Rainbow is Innocent blood. I forgave him for killing my brother’s and sister’s and killed him for attempting to shed innocent blood.” Rising back up on all fours Gold Sky sighs.

“My son what happened to the trophies?” Celestia asks out of curiosity.

Gold Sky points to black spot in the grass. “I blasted the necklace of ears with a bolt of magic.”

“Oh…what about Rainbow Dash is she alright?”

*ting* Cadance senses something inside the stallion. “Gold Sky feels something for Rainbow Dash and it isn’t the feeling responsible for a mortal us Immortals will feel, he feels a deep loving concern for Rainbow Dash but can this can be connected to being the physical manifestation of love? Hmmm if so, then that means he loves all mortals around him and he must have loved that stallion who murdered many of his tribe.”

Gold Sky frowns to be asked about the cyan Pegasus because even when what he said is without any hint of backsliding he wonders if what he did to the mare is the right thing. “Mother, Rainbow Dash fell for me, she thought I was the stallion she should give her heart to and comment herself to. She wanted to be with me but why?”

Celestia tilts her head in confusion to the why part? Is Gold Sky asking why because Rainbow Dash is loyal and he picked up on it now he regrets rejecting her or he is still unknowing about the love shared between two partners? And if that isn’t enough Cadance is thinking the same thing too but unlike Celestia, Cadance figures Gold Sky just feels guilty for friend zoning the cyan Pegasus but does Gold Sky even know what friend zoning is? “I don’t think he knows what friend zoning is! Why did I use that word in the same sentence with his name ahem let me correct myself, I think he feels guilty for rejecting Rainbow’s feelings for him. So that must be a new feeling for him.”

“My son.” Celestia starts. “Rainbow Dash saw you who you are. Loving, protective, and a effective killer I mean a lot, some, a bunch, or I guess not all or I don’t know what word to use but there some qualities that are not normally accepted but are nevertheless admired especially by mares they like those kind of qualities why don’t ask my son. Was it hard rejecting her feelings?”

“Yes. I-I feel so guilty like I stabbed her in the heart but that didn’t kill her and is living in pain.” Just then. “If I didn’t reject her feelings do you think I’ll make her happy?”

Celestia steps in front of him displaying how displeased she is with such a question like that. “My son how are you so blind to your own happiness shouldn’t you be concerned about your own emotions first before being concerned about others. I’m more than sure you heard the saying a happy wife is a happy life but that phase is nothing more than vanity for it excludes the happiness of the husband. Don’t be unwise to think of her happiness without thinking of yours first. That’s how relationships work my son; both parties must have their share of happiness for if you only focus on hers then why will she focus on yours? The husband protects slash guides the wife and the wife takes care slash comforts the husband, deny the wife her part of the marital relationship then you will be unhappy and you will question your marriage. Thus the sanctity of marriage turns from gold to lead and you will lose faith in the mare you want to make happy.”

“But will I make her happy?” Gold Sky nonetheless asks.

*sigh* Celestia annoyingly sighs. “Yes you will make her happy my son, you will make any mare that wants to be with you happy BUT you have to pick the right one first my son.”

“Uh oh.” Cadance silently groans her discontent for after hearing the BUT from Celestia she knows the elegant white mare will attempt to influence the stallion into allowing her to choose the mare he should be with. “HEY! Yeah you HEY. HEY, HEEEEEEEEY!!!” Cadance telepathically screams at Celestia.

“What!?” Clearly Celestia hears Cadance but pays her no attention. “And I can help you pick the right mare if you want. Now at least I know you didn’t murder that Philistine my son, you instead brought the ultimate Victory to your tribe. They started the war you ended it, the Chero are victorious.”

“At what cost…you know what forget what I said it doesn’t matter it’s all meaningless.”

Cadance rolls her eyes for one thing then feels a chill run down her spine for another thing. “Crikey, Tia used the if you want contingency to keep me from interfering humph well played and Gold Sky telling the world he’s dancing with nihilistic ideals. Oh that is not good! Nihilism the greatest enemy for an Immortal.” Still Cadance continues pestering Celestia. “HEEEEEEEEY!!”

“My son you had a rough day come, I’ll help you get over everything.”
“How mother?” Gold Sky asks.
“Yeah just how?” Cadance asks too. “DON’T YOU TRY SOMETHING!”

Celestia first gets the stallion moving by nudging him with her wing. “A nice place of green, for if I truly know one thing about you my son is that you love green. You love beautiful green scenery, forests, country side, and snow covered mountains. I will take you to a place where you can find all of that and be put at ease my son. ” Placing a hoof on his shoulder Celestia pictures the location in her mind. “Oh don’t bother following us Cadance, where I’m going is a place Luna does not know about. Good bye my dear.”

Cadance sticks her tongue out at Celestia. “You may have won this battle Tia but I will win the war!”

Celestia laughs in her mind. “So it’s war now? You’re so cute Cadance.” With that all said. “Jump.” *poof*

“Well perhaps for now I can go get some ice cream with Shiny then catch a movie, I think he wants to see Crimson Danger so Crimson Danger is what we’ll see.” Flying back to the palace Cadance telepathically tells him to get ready and to please, please ask for more butter on the popcorn.

*Poof* “Here we my son. A place of green and tranquility.”

At a loss of words Gold Sky gasps to the lovely sight of green hills, a beautiful river weaving through, tree covered mountains nearby, and of course green as far as the eye can see. “Mother…this, this, th-this place is magnificent!!”

Smiling to hear her son sound happy Celestia holds her head high in contentment then rests her eyes on his ears twitching about like crazy. “This place is called Shiiba my son and huh??” She feels his cloak land on her back and sees him run with his wings spread out in beautiful green earth. “Oh my son.” Celestia murmurs to herself then plops down on her rump,

Falling down on his back Gold Sky rolls about in the grass feeling the heaviness from what he recently experienced disappear. “I feel so free…thank you mother.”

Nothing like a respite from one’s own troubles.
Something which Princess Mi Amore Cadenza will smile for.

***
In the Carousel Boutique.
“Rainbow Dash, tell me, have you done anything with that nice stallion?” Rarity asks while setting lunch for the cyan Pegasus.
As someone who saw death being delivered up close and got rejected by a stallion she thoughtlessly fell for also throw in almost being killed. Rainbow has the right to say she does not what to talk about anything related to the stallion however, this is Rarity, and despite any initial thoughts Rarity is very reliable when it comes to emotions minus the ice cream. “I decided to take pups as my student to make him a better flyer.”

“Pups?” Rarity repeats as she pours some iced tea for Rainbow. “Did he agree to this nickname or is just accepting it because you keep calling him that?”

Rainbow softly chuckles to Rarity’s innate questioning of her methods. “He agreed to the nickname, I think he knows I am the best flyer around here.”
“Oh Rainbow.” Rarity replies while nodding her head. “But still Rainbow there’s something in your voice that tells me something does not sit well with you regarding Gold Sky. Can you please tell me what’s wrong?”

Realizing Rarity’s eye to detail doesn’t just reside in just the eyes Rainbow decides to get up from her chair, moves over the chair across from her, and sits down next to the white mare. “He’s something else Rarity…” Uh-oh Gilda. “No! I will not tell anypony about Gold Sky and Gilda! I will keep that secret with me till the end of time!”

Now gaining some more information Rarity uses it to come with what she’ll say to Rainbow Dash. “Is he beyond your expectations or decided that he is too much of a reflection of yourself and decided to train him as if to see yourself grow once again through his progress?”

Well Rainbow gains a opportunity to throw out what she has in mind and go with the second point Rarity presented for it seems to fit better but what’s the point of coming here and not telling Rarity of what transpired with the stallion. “Look uhm strange things happened, it shook me up real good, I saw things that I will never be able to forget about ever again, he protected me from what should’ve killed ten times over, and he’s a damn good cook.”

Hmm Rainbow is uncharacteristically not getting straight to the point. “Where’s this all leading to darling?”

“Rarity, he met up me while I was flying around, so I began training him on the spot seeing he has pretty neat flight patterns then from out of nowhere some strange Unicorn appears calling Gold Sky a half-breed or something.”

“Oh my, that’s disgusting!” Rarity exclaims.
Continuing. “The Unicorn declared he’s from a Philly something tribe that went to war with Gold Sky’s tribe many years ago fast forward to now that Unicorn hunted down the remaining ponies of Gold Sky’s tribe. They fought, that Unicorn had a bunch of gadgets, Gold Sky took a explosive for me TWICE! TWICE I say, he took two explosives for me…he protected from such a tremendous thing that’ll kill anypony. He disarmed that Unicorn but Gold Sky told him he wanted to forgive him.”

Imagining how Gold Sky protected her thanks for what she was able to gather from him by just observing him. “Did he forgive that stallion?”
Rainbow nods. “Then he killed him because the Unicorn tried to hurt me. Afterwards Gold Sky took me home where I asked him to stay with me for the whole night heh I got comfortable in his arms, I never felt so safe.”

Softly smiling to Rainbow feeling secure Rarity places an arm on Rainbow’s shoulders. “Oh Rainbow you felt so close and secure to him. He protected you when others won’t…wait did you tell him how you felt about him?”

“Yes, I-I was ready to be with him right there on the spot thanks to everything I’ve seen. He is the perfect definition of husband material…he friend zoned me Rarity, he felt bad doing so but”

“He didn’t want you living a lie.” Rarity interrupts.
“Wha…?” Impressed by Rarity’s near exact ushering of those words she couldn’t but rest her head on the lovely Unicorn’s shoulder. “Yes. In his voice I can tell he felt so guilty telling me I shouldn’t have feelings for him, I think he feels he’s not ready for a relationship but he also felt bad denying somebody like me a chance for love.”

“Oh my darling.” Rarity wraps her arms around the cyan Pegasus. “Please don’t be sad, but do you now understand the consequence of falling for someone without going into much thought first.”

Rainbow softly snorts. “You warned me of my actions Rarity and I didn’t heed them. You tried to save me from the pain I experienced for you know me better than I know myself and I’m sorry for not doing so. But as you may say we learn from our mistakes, I learned from mine still can you blame me?”

Reaching down and nuzzling Rainbow’s head Rarity will as always be gentle. “You have learned where others will not and I can’t blame you for falling for somebody like him. For a stallion who took two explosives for you, made you feel safe, cooked up something good, and simply is well an Alicorn is more than enough for any mare including me to fall for.”

Just then. “Will you? Will you fall for him?” Rainbow asks.
“I could Rainbow Dash but I won’t, for I saw in his eyes the moment he laid them on me that I am out of his league and he will never make an attempt for a relationship with me nor would I after what I saw. All I know you did nothing wrong falling for falling him it’s just natural. Now let live give you a super tight hug darling.” So giving the cyan Pegasus a tight Rarity feels sorry for Rainbow Dash.

“Thank you Rarity.” Now time for a question. “Rarity should I continue training him?”

“Yes darling you should. After all I think between you and him, he was hurt the most out of all of this. Any who, I don’t think what I made for you will be enough to make you happy.”

Rainbow Dash tilts her head in confusion. “Hey I like what you make Rares, cause you give it the homey touch which I enjoy a lot and thank you for being somepony I can lean on.”

“You’re welcome Rainbow Dash.”

Both mares resume eating and Rainbow Dash is glad to have a friend like Rarity.

***

“So Cadance what’s the special occasion?” Shining Armor asks while taking in a spoonful of cookie dough ice cream then passes his wife a napkin so she can wipe her mouth clean of chocolate ice cream.

“What special occasion?” She asks.
“Well uhh.” Shining Armor starts. “I mean we’re here having ourselves some yummy ice cream when this is something we don’t do often and you’re kind of quiet soooooooo what are you and Luna planning!?”
“Planning??”
“Yeah!” Shining Armor responds but suddenly. “Ooooooh brain freeze! Oh not good but, but, but you and Luna are planning prank me again! I bet!!”

Hearing this the lovely cerise mare couldn’t help but laugh are her husband’s baseless accusations. “Oh Shiny, me and Luna are not conspiring anything against you, I just want to treat you to something nice is there anything wrong with that?”

Overall Shining Armor shakes his head. “Well in that case thank you for thinking of me my dear love.”
Telling him, you’re welcome by stroking his chin Cadance takes a spoonful of her husband’s ice cream. “Hmm tasty.”

“So what about that Gold Sky you’re spying on? Did you pick up anything new about him?”

Swallowing her morsel Cadance shrugs here & there. “All I was able to pick up was that he fought and killed a stallion that murdered the ponies that are I mean were a part of Gold Sky’s tribe leaving him to be the last of his tribe.”

Shining Armor’s jaw drops to the killing part. “You’re saying he killed somepony!”
“Yes but in self-defense Shining Armor, the stallion Gold Sky killed murdered innocent ponies of Gold Sky’s tribe and the stallion attempted to add Gold Sky to his list of kills.”

“Ah, thanks for clarifying everything for me Cadance. Does Celestia know?”
Cadance nods.
Shining Armor now sees nothing wrong and just wonders what tribe is this Gold Sky from but decides to cast it aside and leave it to his wife to find out for him after all she’s doing the investigating. “So once you’re done with your spying just what do you intend to know?”

Opening her mouth Cadance points at it prompting Shining Armor to deliver a spoonful of his ice cream. “Thank you. What I will find out in the end of all this is whether he is of the same blood as me.”

Shining Armor nearly chokes on ice cream. “Wha-what!!?”
Realizing what she’s going to diverge in the coming minutes is very, very important and well it should not be heard by the ears of mortals, the Princess of Love taps her forehead indicating she will communicate telepathically. “Lauren the Archangel came down at my humble request and I asked her if he is the physical manifestation, she said yes so since I spread Love he is Love. Think of it as a way to keep me in check I think, given how Celestia had to do what she did with Luna. However, my second question to the Archangel was is he related to me and she answered it’s up for me to find out.”

“Oh boy.” Shining Armor replies before pounding his chest just in case he has some ice cream stuck somewhere. “Is heeeeeeeeeee…uhhhhhhhhhhhh…bloody hell…” The word the stallion is trying to come up with is rather hard for his mind to conceive for this word isn’t thrown out as a luxury instead this word is only spoken when seen, not heard. “A…Alicorn like you??”

In response Cadance nods.
“Wow…th-this is quite weird…uhmm a Alicorn but a stallion appearing from out of nowhere, well if he is related to you in any way I will be supportive of you to make uh amends no uhm not amends uhh I mean to uhm I will be supportive of you so you can establish a relationship with him. Heh you’ll never know maybe he’s your long lost brother or something.” Shining Armor laughs at himself.

Cadance joins in as well for c’mon if she had a long lost brother then by now she would have sensed him from half the world away. “Heh you’re good at making me laugh when I need to laugh.” Reaching out, Cadance strokes her husband’s cheek telling him she’s happy thanks to him.

“My turn.” Shining Armor points at his open mouth prompting Cadance to deliver a spoonful of her chocolate ice cream. *sigh* “Eh this homemade chocolate ice cream tastes the same as store bought chocolate ice cream.”

Thanks to that comparison, Cadance’s ears drop to now see how right he’s is. “Oh how right you are Shining Armor, I should have ordered the ice cream you got. Please??”

Shining Armor giggles and delivers the last spoonful of his ice cream into her mouth. “What time does the movie start??”

“In half an hour so let’s get moving.” Thus both ponies leave their tips then get moving to the theater and as they trotted along both couldn’t but nuzzle each other.
So just like Gold Sky, Cadance has respite from her worries and boy will it be wonderful with her dearest husband.

***

In the second hour of her daily practice Octavia suddenly stops when the sound of her music has slight change in tune. “Hmm got to wax my bow.” Taking a pause the gray sits down to carefully pass the strings over the wax and while doing so her mind continues playing the music. “Ah perfect.” Resuming her practice Octavia closes her eyes midway through the second act in order to see if she’s memorized it completely. “Hmm hey I remember it! HAHA!” She laughs for joy. Now steaming on Octavia flies through the third hour like it was just mere minutes passing by in the air. “That’s my main practice for today and tonight I’ll just do one hour before heading to bed.”

Packing away her cello Octavia heads out to town to see if maybe she’s in the mood for a massage then relax in the outer hills for she plans to write a piece of music and will test it out at playing in a music school in Manehattan. Where to Octavia’s point of view she knows her success from her hard earned skill allowed her to make a living off of music while many of these students in this music school perhaps sixty percent give or take will end up with a degree of unemployment. “Many of those students are great but not the best and many are only in that school because their parents couldn’t say no. Humph, if I had my own music school I’ll filter out the great students from the BEST students who have a future in making a living in music. Nevertheless, they at least have amazing ears so they will make the perfect critics I need to critique the music I’ll write so I can perfect it.”
Feeling the wind flow through her hair Octavia worries if the wind becomes stronger then her hair will get all messy and last thing she wants is to go out of her spa budget by having to get her hair done thanks to the strong wind. “Oh thank goodness I’m here!” And good thing too for just as she stepped in a big gust wind emerges causing the hair of a nearby mare get slicked back to mare’s utter dismay. “Right, lucky for me but not so lucky for her.” Once telling the twin what she wants and paying, Octavia sighs in delight when the hooves on her back relax her. “Nothing like a good massage no?”

“Ja.” Replies one of the twins.
Completely relaxed Octavia’s mind shifts to the creations of staffs where she starts putting in the notes. “Oh can’t forget the bass clef, also good do fine always and all cows eat grass.” Now fully orientated the gray decides to use the tempo her massage Lotus Blossom provides. “One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three okay, okay tempo set andante will be good in the first movement so first I’ll start there.” Moving her right hoof in synchronization to the notes she placing to ensure correct harmonious flow. “Repeat right there.” So far the first movement is coming along smoothly but yet Octavia questions if the tempo she’s using really fits this composition but then decides this tempo if used to its maximum extent which will be bordering moderato will be much proper and well better for the younger ears that catch things going in a trotting pace. “Oh boy, I’m getting it mixed up with the music I practiced…bloody I see I need my blank sheets to do this properly but at least I have half memorized and it isn’t getting mixed up with the music I practiced.”

Once the massage comes to its end, Octavia feels like a million bits ready to shine as such and can get going to write the first movement of the music which she decided to be Baroque with hints of classical for such display…audio wise, it presents the sheer ability of her creativity. Allowing the world to see she is worthy of being not only an amazing Cellist but also a sublime composer which could be nearly on par of her legendary inspiration, Bach.
“Well I had in mind to go to the outer hills to lie down…you know what I well.” She has all time in the world so why go back home after a nice massage? R&R does good so much for a musician.

“Thank you for your visit Miss. Octavia.” Lotus Blossom waves goodbye as the gray mare departs.
Trotting down the street the wind being nicer this time greets the gray mare with a breeze that’s presents itself as the soft morning light from the rising sun. “Yes, my favorite hill!” Eager Octavia sprits to her hill and lies down looking up at the nice clouds sailing up above in the sky. “Oh what day I’ve had so far.” *yawn* Under the warmth of the sun Octavia’s eyes close drifting away to a nice sleep.

Until from out of nowhere, a beautiful Alicorn flies over the mare creating a gust of wind snatching Octavia from her nice sleep.
“Huh??” Octavia’s eyes are wide open to see where that sudden gust of wind came from. “What?”

“Well hello Octavia, I see you were you about to nap away.” Luna greets as she lands right next to the gray mare. “But why will such a talented mare like you be lying down on this hill instead of being on your comfy bed?”

Getting helped up by the Princess Octavia fixes her hair before saying anything else for this is the Princess she’ll be speaking to. “This is my favorite hill your majesty I mean Luna, I love coming here to relax and get my mind off of music for a short while.”

“Heh.” Luna nods affirmatively. “I see a mare like you has more to life than just your cello. So what exactly have you been doing today?”
“Well I’ve finished my daily three hours of practice, got a nice massage, and was about to drift asleep so I can be fully prepared to craft my own music when I get back home. And you?”

Luna thinks very quick. “I ate a big breakfast, got bugged by Cadance for bit, played with Griffie, and now I’m talking to the most talented musician in the world. Making me wonder. Whenever you are in an ensemble why is it you don’t stand out but instead blend in with the others?”

“The best stand out on their own that’s how I see it Luna, besides I believe if my band mates see me on their level. We all function like a well oiled machine if not then they all will try to outdo each other in attempt to reach me therefore butchering our professional relationship.” Octavia explains.
Luna concedes to Octavia’s point. “I see now. How very considerate of you Octavia. Say have you ever been to the inspiration of the Pastoral Symphony? I’m pretty sure you love that symphony. Don’t you.”

Octavia’s eyes widen to the sheer delight this will bring her when she sees Symphony No.6. “I took the tempo from the second movement as the tempo for the first movement of music I’m creating. I love that symphony it brings out the ability to lose myself in green that I always picture in my mind. Heh, it’s always green hilly earth I imagine with a pantheon nearby.”

Luna slyly smiles. “Well it’s time for you to find out, let’s go. Jump.” *poof* Both mares teleport to the land of Inspiration.

***
In Shiiba.
Gold Sky enjoying the taste of some satonishiki cherries picks some so mother can also enjoy their unique blend of taste. “In all the time I spent walking upon the earth how is it I never came upon this place??”
“Because my son.” Celestia levitates him with her magic in order for him to get a better grasp of things as she explain everything. “This place is surrounded by beautiful mountains almost creating a lost paradise so to speak, look around you. The mountains shield this hidden paradise from outsiders or mortals in general creating a safe haven for me to retreat to whenever I wish also Luna does not know this place so I guess it makes it better for me and now you too my son. From now on whenever you feel like being free of your troubles you can teleport here and relax.”

Seeing the mountains surround this paradise Gold Sky comes to appreciate mother’s ability to deduce what can put his mind to ease. “Shiiba reminds me a lot of the meadows.” Even when he thinks of something that’s closely connected to Gilda his dearest daughter, Shiiba testifies to him the power it has to make him forget his troubles. “Thank you mother for bringing me here I appreciate your thoughtfulness and your love.”

In response Celestia embraces her son and smiles happily to herself to know she has done something to benefit her son’s wellbeing. “My love for you is strong my son.” While her mind. “But your love for me is infinitely stronger than mine.”

***

In Cloudsdale, Meadow Flower looking at herself in the mirror studies every inch of her hair to make sure it is it’s natural blonde for during the seven hundred years she spent alive her hair has changed many colors from red to blue to brunette and truth be told brunette is her least favorite color. Adding to that her coat color a lovely pink also changed to different colors for she feared that one who isn’t born with Immortality such has Princess Celestia for example, Princess Celestia will imprison her and conduct some kind experiment on her to know how a mortal gained Immortality. But now she can be her real self, she can be the Meadow Flower that was before she ate from the Tree of Life. “Seven hundred years, I waited for the Immortal stallion for over seven hundred years. He is handsome, taller than the mortal stallions, an amazing mixture of muscle and aerodynamics, nice looking cutie mark, and okay looking hair…why brown but I can look past that! Yeah, I can look pass his brown hair for the purpose I’ve been waiting for is here!”

Meadow Flower tries to smile but sees she can’t. “Everything rests on me getting his heart from that Cobra so I can be happy and be…I guess let go of the pain of seeing my family die before my very eyes and I had to be very far in order to keep my Immortality a secret from Celestia. At least from all the labor and trades I learned I amassed a great wealth allowing me to establish Cherry Hill ranch then sell it at the ripe price of two million bits. Hmm I did something right yet I have to keep myself busy now I must dedicate everything to get that Immortal stallion’s heart.” However, her strange connection to somebody who slithers, is very beautiful plus employs the flickering of the tongue makes itself know. “Gilda that Toltecian Cobra is much older than me, much, much, much older than me and she is well seasoned in the aspects of life especially companionship. Both of us want…no want is an elective that is chosen out of choice, we need him for we’ve been alone for far more time than any mortal can withstand. I thought I can live in solitude, I thought I can run away from the Archangel’s prophecy and just keep going. But the more I thought I can the more I felt the urge for companionship…to be loved, cherished, protected, and happy. Gilda is my obstacle! She won’t get in my way and I will have the heart of the Immortal Stallion!”

*
In a forest near Canterlot, Gilda and her giant salamander sit by a small campfire eating what they picked and hunted. “Here you Salamango enjoy.” Gilda pets her giant salamander on the nose. Then in looking into the flames Gilda the Toltecian Cobra takes a moment to reflect. “One thousand three hundred forty four years, I waited for the Immortal Stallion. I had to live all that time without my twin brother…” Gilda sniffles to know her twin brother is in the heavenly paradise and what’s worse than living without her twin brother is knowing he has a clean slate…meaning he has no memory of her for when he ascended his mind was wiped of every memory he collected when he was alive on earth. “I am nothing to him, oh dear why did you have to ascend?? Why did you leave me alone on this earth just so you can join father and uncle in paradise??” The Lady Cobra and her twin brother came about her existence five thousand eight hundred twenty four years when her father and uncle defeated the Vucub Caquix a mighty and near unstoppable Komodo who threatened the homeland of the Toltecian Cobras. Once defeating the mighty Komodo the Hero Twins called for two pure hearted Lady Cobras to which both spit in the palms of the Lady Cobras causing fully developed eggs to appear afterwards the Hero Twins ascended to paradise.

Gilda and her Twin brother hatched the next day and because they’re descendents of the Hero Twins, the Great Spirit rewarded Gilda and her brother Immortality but over the years her brother became disillusioned with life, he just asked what is the point of living forever if anyone he fell in love dies, his wife, his children, their children and so on. The brother gave his dearest sister her last hug, last kiss on the cheek, and assures her to remain strong. For even if he isn’t here he will always be in her beating heart and to remember, for her there can always be the chance of finding happiness he on the other hand gave up. So with an enormous hole in her heart Gilda begged the Great Spirit to give her a new beginning but allow her to retain every memory of her twin brother. Hearing her request the Great Spirit carries it out by providing Rebirth…hatching once again, Gilda is adopted by Skink & Sonia who have full knowledge of Gilda’s Rebirth but they decide not to tell Gilda about it so she can have a normal childhood.

“Lauren the Archangel, told me I have the chance to be happy! The happiness Brother said I have the chance of obtaining is finally within my grasp! Though I don’t know how he looks likes, I only know his scent because Lauren provided it to me, is he brave or cowardly, is he honorable or dishonorable, will I recognize him as the Immortal Stallion even after I trace his scent, will he look at me as a mare he should be with, will I scare him because I’m a Toltecian Cobra, will he give him the time of day, how old is he, and will I be happy in the end??” Gilda picks up her right hand seeing it shake uncontrollably proving she has the ability to feel fear. “This is how fear feels like. It feels like a whisper that comes from one who is cold as ice but when I hear the whisper it feels like the warmth provided by a fire before I realize the warmth becomes a raging fire and consumes me.” Nevertheless, Gilda calms down to the point she can take a deep breath and flicker her tongue. “Funny thing is…I am not in love with him yet but I want to meet him as soon as possible.”
Gilda pets her giant Salamander once more on the nose.

Perhaps there is hope after all.
Any who, crashing the hope coming over the Lady Cobra a Quetzal bird arrives and delivers a rolled up scroll to the Lady Cobra then flies away. “Hmmmm a message from home already? Eh I’ll read it later.” And through the Quetzal bird is how the Toltecian Cobras send messages to one another either close or far away.

***
*poof*

Back in the Palace, Princess Celestia indulges herself on the cherries from Shiiba and is reminded by their unique taste. “It must have been seven years since I ate these cherries.” Suddenly she feels a jolt run down her spine. “Huh??” Celestia being the oldest and with that she has deep connections to those she cares dearly for. So with the jolt that slithers down her spine, oh yes that slither indicates who is close. “Gilda!! Oh Gilda is here!!” *TING,TING!!!!* An idea is born thus…

*ting* From afar Cadance senses what Celestia has just concocted and this gives Cadance something to else to be displeased about. “However, this is different. Something about this tells me Celestia will be using her full power to make it happen. This isn’t about Twilight Sparkle! It’s someone way more important, someone Celestia holds a bit higher than Twilight Sparkle. Someone…who I should worry about.” But with Shining Armor next to her Cadance stays patient and just enjoy feeling Shining Armor nuzzle her behind the ear.

Back to Celestia. “Gilda, a mare I’ve known for a long, long time and if I remember right she is single also she is very lovely. The best of the best when I think about wife material and faithfulness for the Toltecian Cobras are known for their fierce loyalty to their spouses. Thus why Celestia considers Gilda the Toltecian Cobra, the best when it comes to wife material. Now the hard thing is introducing Gold Sky without having Cadance getting in the way or just plain do something if Gold Sky or Gilda are within proximity of each other. “For right now Gold Sky is cooking his stag causing some of the guards to vomit the moment they picked up the scent of meat being cooked and he looks to be in good spirits thanks to my actions.” Celestia smiles to herself before tilting her head at seeing her son sprinkle some seasoning over his stag. “I want him to be happy and while I’m sure the thought of going his own way and not committing himself to any mare crossed his mind given his subtle expression of his nihilistic ideals. I think it’s safe to say he does desire companionship but he has not come to terms with that or just hasn’t thought about it. But I will let him have this moment, it’s his, no one plus me will take that away from him.” Celestia looks to direction she knows Gilda is residing for the moment. “Lady Cobra and Pony Stallion…I don’t care, all that matters is that she is the best mare for him.”
Celestia the oldest and most open minded of the Pure Alicorns is more than willing to have her son marry a Toltecian Cobra.

“Mother.” Gold Sky telepathically communicates. “Please join me I do not wish to eat alone also I’ve prepared you something which doesn’t contain meat.”

“Why not. Jump.” Celestia teleports to the gardens and joins Gold Sky. “Oh you made me a nice salad…” She sniffs the scent of the grilled stag meat. “I must say my son I’m quite surprised I am not feeling weird at smelling your food unlike the guards nearby and I don’t mind if you eat it in front I just ask you don’t butcher the stag in front of me.”

“Yes mother.” Gold Sky replies while smiling to be eating with mother. “Just me and mother.”

***
In Ponyville, Meadow Flower wants to rid of her stress or to the very least reduce it to a acceptable level where a drop of sweat running down her brow is at minimum best. So the only surefire way Meadow Flower can think of right now at the moment is go to the spa and get the longest massage she can get. Now once inside and laying face down on the massaging table Meadow Flower can’t believe she forgot about the indescribable euphoria a good massage gives. “Oh yeah, I so needed this…”
Just then in the massage table next to her she catches ear of some mare who during her little trip of picking some berries she spotted a giant saddled up lizard and a big Cobra looking creature that has upper limbs with five fingers.
“WHAT!!” The pink Pegasus gasps in her mind. “Gilda is here! She’s finally here for real and not out there in the bloody distance like I sensed awhile ago after I spotted the Immortal stallion.” So while still enjoying the occurring massage Meadow Flower flicks her to catch the other mare’s attention. “Hey you.

“Huh what??” Answers the mare.
“Where did you see that big Cobra looking creature?”
The mare thinks very quick. “Oh! In a the forest northwest of the palace, uh why do you ask??”
“Ehh just curious.”
After the glorious massage Meadow Flower feels like a whole new mare and can face the Cobra without any hint of nervousness. So clarifying by ‘facing the Cobra’ Meadow Flower and Gilda the Toltecian Cobra have what can be compared to a chivalrous relationship that’s shared between two battling generals. Both mares respect other but both know what they want and they both want it problem is both don’t want to degrade themselves to the nature commonly held by Mortal mares. They’re Immortal and thus they are psychologically at a higher level for the minds of Immortal Mares develop for much longer allowing for a degree Supreme Maturity. And for Gilda, her mind matured twice signifying her maturity is at Princess Celestia’s level who is the oldest being upon this Earth. “I haven’t seen her for thirty three years. Humph, I wonder if she still has her shiny bronze hue and if she wants me to pass a cloth down the white stripe on her back??” Then with a thought bubble forming she remembers how Gilda once complained that she cannot wear necklaces because of the white ring on her neck. “Weird, I feel like we’re close hmmm I guess we are close for she filled in the hole in her heart left behind by her departed twin brother with me.” Meadow Flower admits to herself that she and Gilda share some kind of a sisterly relationship. “She helped me live during the seven hundred years…”

Meanwhile.
“Say.” Gilda starts scratching Salamango's back after removing the saddle. “The last time I’ve met Meadow Flower was thirty three years ago when she asked me to join her on a trip to the majestic waterfalls of Cataracta. She looked weird with red hair but she had to hide her immortality from Celestia fearing experiments which I know Celestia will never do that but I can’t blame her for thinking what she thought. After all a Mortal gaining Immortality can be quite a feat to absorb and she came to me to figure out how to live with it after seeing her father die before her very eyes. I sort of don’t want to see her but I don’t mind if I do.” Gilda flickers her tongue. “She helped me close the hole Brother left behind and I enjoyed going on trips with her. Humph, Lauren will have me work for my happiness and I guess she’s right in doing so for something gained without labor has no value and what is worked for has value beyond comprehension.” Gilda waves her hand at Salamango making the giant lizard roll over to its back. “I care for Meadow Flower she’s somebody I’ve come to trust…almost like a sister to a certain degree. Huh?”

From above a shadow from her past, present, and coming future descends upon her.
“Meadow Flower.” The Toltecian Cobra greets.
“Gilda.” The pink Pegasus responds.
“It’s been so long hasn’t it?” Gilda speaks while showing signs she intends to rub Salamango’s belly.
“It has.” Meadow Flower reaches down for a cloth to wipe the white stripe on Gilda’s back.

Yet neither one do what they intended to do. “I missed you!!” Both mares cry out at the same time causing them to rush into a hearty embrace while disappointing Salamango for she really, really wants her belly rubbed.

As both mares embraced they came to senses for starting at this very moment they will be vying for the Immortal Stallion.

“In the end of this we will no longer be sisters would we?” Meadow Flower asks.
“No in the end of all of this we shall be enemies.” Gilda painfully replies.

“It is inevitable…since the moment you told me of the prophecy back in the Sun Pyramid.” Meadow Flower buries her face on the side of Gilda’s arm and weeps.

***

In the gardens, Celestia with the concept of Gilda the Toltecian Cobra meeting her son floating about in her mind, she as the Immortal Mother feels she has to think of a back up if her son does not end up with the amazing Lady Cobra. However, before the backup plans can be developed she first needs to explain to her son the explicit nature of mares. “He is the most honorable stallion but with no knowledge of discerning good mares from the devious, he the Ultimate battle hardened Sly Fox will fall prey to an unworthy and devious through her femininity Omega wolf. She will ruin his life…”

Clearing her throat Celestia follows up with a deep breath. “My son, I think I have the upmost responsibility as your Mother to tell you about the true nature of mares and the instinct that resides in the core of many. Not all obviously but many.”

Perplexed Gold Sky puts down his fork. “What instinct mother?”

“Survival.”

My Dearest Readers I thank you for your Infinite Patience and I think it's safe to say, now that I have way more time in my hands I will be able to write more chapters at a Faster pace and I will be going back to the previous chapters so I can revise the MANY or some but I say MANY grammatical mistakes I've committed.
As always I thank you for your Infinite Patience my Dearest Readers, I appreciate your patience and for taking the time out of your day to read each chapter.

Thank you my Dearest Readers.

The arrival of Second Thoughts

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 19

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. Arthur's note at end.

In the tree library Twilight finishes drawing the hologram she created to see the molecular structure of the unpolished pink diamond. “AB a blood type? I heard of blood diamonds, which are diamonds mined with forced labor but can that diamond really be a blood diamond?? Was it made out of blood? Huh, I’ve read of magic being used to convert pure objects into highly valuable gems but that sort of magic has not been in Equestria for the last five thousand years. Hmmmm however, Ponies are not the only ones to utilize magic there are also Zebras but did he make that diamond or was it made for him?” Well some questions are best left floating in the air.
“Ahem Spike!”

“Yes Twilight?” The young dragon replies.

“Have you eaten a diamond before?”

The purple dragon with a hand under his chin thinks about the gems he’s eaten. “If I can go out on a limb I can say I ate a diamond last month, it was kind of hard but once you get to the inside it is delicious! Why do you ask??”

“Eh just wondering.” Twilight then goes back to her drawing. “This is most definitely a blood diamond made out of blood and is highly, highly valuable. Hmmm problem is why would he trade this highly valuable diamond with a ruby. Well whatever he was thinking sure made Rarity happy and perhaps the richest pony in town but perhaps she doesn’t know that which can or may not be a good thing. Still knowing her, she’ll keep it rather than sell it.”

With all that said, Spike reaches back and brings out a emerald. “Oh okay then.” And munches on the gem. “Yum. I got some comics to catch up on.”

“Whose blood did he use now that is the question. As Hamlet will say.” Twilight giggles to herself. “Now to catch up on my studies of altering one’s genetic code.”

***

*Poof*

Princess Luna and Octavia arrive at the location that is the inspiration for the amazing Pastoral Symphony. “Admire the beautiful scenery Octavia, admire as the wind flowing around us. For it serves as the conductor for the composer who uh composed the symphony.”

“It’s so green.” Octavia verbally notes.

“That’s right. But look around you. The hills. Don’t they speak volumes to you? It describes the flow of the music from lowest note on the bassoon to the highest note on the trumpet, to the mood as described by the strings, and lastly the chorus that shouts out in high by the woodwinds. Observe.”

Octavia observes the hills, starting from her left and slowly turns her head seeing high hills to low hills, a few medium hills, and some in the background. In her mind she pieces together each note in the first movement also judging from the distance between each hill she comes up with the tempo. “Hmmm I always thought inspiration can come from within or from sitting in front of a lake. But I see inspiration is in the nature we either take for granted or simply ignore. I mean look at this this hilly land! It helped create one of the most beautiful pieces of music in the history of our species!.” Just then. “Hey what’s that?” The gray mare spots a stoas in between two hills.

“Ahh the marble stoa as I call it for it’s made out of marble hehe.” Luna teleports the both of them to magnificent building.

Octavia gasps in awe. “This is like finding a oasis! Among the hills this must have been the culmination that served as the finale!” The gray mare trots down the stoa, noticing the details of the pillars. “Huh, the level of detail amounts to the intricate details the (french) horns provides in the first and third movement of the symphony.” On the walls of the stoas Octavia studies the mosaics telling her the story of how stallions from different races across the Earth. Ponies, Griffons, Toltecian Cobras, Olmecen Monitors, the bipedial Kay’nes Lycos, Dragons of course, and lastly a friendly Gargoyle who simply wants to experience the accomplishments that comes from Brotherhood.

Coming by, Luna smiles to see the gray mare putting her mind to work at applying the mosaic to how it contributes to the creation of the Pastoral Symphony. “Octavia. Each one of those stallions had a part in the construction of this magnificent marble stoa. Think of them as the instruments in the orchestra and the conductor that led them during the construction of the marble stoa is the idea of creating something that’ll serve as a testament of the brotherhood that treaded upon these hills. The composer of the Pastoral Symphony tells the story of this brotherhood. The Birth of the Idea, first movement. Gathering of the brothers, second movement. Construction of the marble stoa, third movement. Trouble which is impossible to avoid, forth movement. And the relishing of the completed marble stoa, fifth movement. The Pastoral Symphony tells their story...a story Immortalized.”

It makes sense but something doesn’t sound quite right. “Wait I thought nature inspired him to compose the Pastoral Symphony I mean even the name says it’s based off of nature.” Octavia wants to hide the fact she is confused at the very moment.

“Yes. He tells the story of the Brotherhood but if you have a story there is more than one way to tell it and nature shows him how. The hills, the green, the small brook, the soft wind, basically nature tells him how to tell the story.” Before continuing Luna levitates the gray mare and places the earth pony on her back. “Hang on Octavia, I’m going to give us a bird’s eye view.” Once in the sky Luna continues teaching the gray mare. “Nature is greatest storyteller we can ever come across thus the composer looked to nature to tell their story. The Pastoral Symphony, a piece of nature interpreted into notes on a page. A story as told by Nature,”

“A story told by nature. Hmm a book about the Brotherhood will never be remembered, a poem about them will be forgotten, a movie might not make a lot of money, but a symphony about them as told by nature is Immortalized. I see now. I want to tell a story but my way may not be so Grand as nature itself can tell. Nature, my talent, your kindness, Music, heartbeats, everything I see here, reminds me that I still have many things to learn but what I do know is I can tell my story…” *TING* “HAH! It’s been in front of me all this time. The lake,the sound of the gentle ripples and the sound of my father’s heartbeat. A endless flow combined with the rhythmic beat that can alter its tempo at a seconds notice. All of this emotion, learning, nature, and thought it takes all of this just to write music so much work, so much patience, so much to reach enlightenment... much to learn. Oh Luna I don’t know if you brought me here to show me the Pastoral Symphony or you brought me here to teach me about the role of nature in the creation of music. Don’t tell me…”

Please but more honored than pleased Luna gives the gray mare a nod of respect. “So much work yes, Octavia, but in the end you will be Immortalized just like the composer of the Pastoral Symphony. Showing everyone that mortals who put their best efforts will become Immortals. Albeit by Name and Picture but you will still be remembered centuries from now. That’s more than enough for any mortal though you are no ordinary mortal Octavia. Hmmm great things in store for you I think so please whatever you do, compose the music you want to compose. Some mortals just need to become Immortal already.”

“Yes Luna!” Octavia takes one last look of the Marble Stoa. “You’ll make a wonderful Mentor.”

“Oh please don’t start saying things for the sake of saying things. I prefer to be free from responsibility that can be easily avoided. Anyway are you ready to go back home?”

“Yes.” Octavia responds. “Just let me take one last look at the stoa.”

“Of course.” Luna grants the Earth pony one last pleasure.

“A song about Brotherhood that only nature can interpret.” Octavia nods then taps Luna’s shoulder.

“Jump.”

*poof*

“So!” Luna grins. “How goes your music project?”
Octavia thinks first. “It’s going to be much more grandiose thanks to you and I figure I will go back to the first movement and add to it. Perhaps some oboes will be added along with some taikos for a sense of mystical power. Oh the variants will vary when it comes to the taikos.”

“Hmmm that sounds wonderful Octavia now run along and get to it.” The Princess of the moon nudges the gray mare forward. “I wonder how long it will take her? Luna asks herself once Octavia is out of her sight.

“Mi Lady.” Greets Luna’s second of command of her Elite Commando guard as he comes to her.

“Oh Pish Posh Delta Scorch, how many times do I have to tell you that we are on refer to each other in a first name bases.” Luna reminds her commando whom she cares deeply for.

Delta Scorch tilts his head in affirming her words. “I know you’ve have told me that many times Mi La err I mean Luna still I mean uhm, you’re my Princess, it’s odd to call you by your name.”

Luna motions him to come closer and once within reach, she adjusts his helmet then, nods a few times after being pleased by what she sees. “It will take time for you to adjust to what I expect from you Delta but nonetheless, you will and I will be very pleased with you. Now come I want you to join Captain Flying Havoc so the both of you can decided if Helo Fox could be commando number four in Lakota squad.”

“Hmm Helo Fox, he does have the skill to be part of the squad and his lethality with the spear is remarkable.” Still Delta Scorch has to take a few bouts with Helo to measure the Commando’s reflexes. “I wouldn’t mind going a few rounds with him. What do you think?”
Luna tilts her head a bit. “You are experienced in close quarter combat still I don’t like seeing you get hit but nonetheless, if you think that will help you make your decision then please don’t flinch when I treat your cuts.”

“Deal!” Delta smiles at the Princess of the Moon.

***

*Cough* Octavia’s father takes his daily dose of formoterol to make it easier for him to breathe and lessen the chance of his dearest Octavia from picking up on his failing health. “Nurse Redheart said this will help me with my coughing and make it easier for me to breathe and so far it’s working out for me.” Remembering his mortality and how he made a mental note to go shopping for his...urn. Given how he believes Octavia will not be very open to cremation. “At least cremation costs less.” The stallion shakes his head to clear his mind. “Hmmm I’ll go out for a walk to which I’ll end up visiting my dear Octavia. I am so uncomfortably relaxed to my coming end.” Allegro Note takes a deep breath. “Going out to the white light, wondering how my once beloved wife will react if she were see my name obituaries and will my business go out quietly or will there be many saddened that my services came to their abrupt end. Better yet why am I still performing my trade?? Given my condition I should have closed shop a long time ago…” *ting* “I’ll sell my shop to my friend’s son who taught himself how to make Stradivarius and harps, so it’ll do me good to pass on the mantle and be free from my work once and for all.” So with all said Allegro Note changes his course and head to the house of his potential buyer who other than teaching himself how to meticulously craft Stradivarius also taught himself how to perform business and maintain one.
“Okay let’s get down to business.” Allegro Note knocks on the young stallions home and once allowed in discusses passing down his shop to the stallion. “I’m getting too old for this and I came to realize I had no apprentice. So I heard about your craft and I’ve got to say…” Allegro Note pauses on purpose.

“I-I bought a couple of your Stradivarius and studied each one so I can learn how you crafted each one. It took me awhile but I’m able to craft Stradivarius just like you…! Also I create harps too.” The young Stallion explains himself.

Allegro Note smiles. “ I’m very impressed. In fact if I was your teacher I will be very proud of you ten times over anyway listen, I’m not here to talk your masterful ability rather I’m here to talk business. Ahem, you look like the type that’ll put your abilities to good use and with your own shop you will do such things.”

“What??”

Allegro Note slides a document to the young Stallion. “When something great presents itself to you the best thing you can do is take it. I’m old well not too old but...my time is limited….kick the bucket at the end limited. I want to spend the time I have left with my daughter and be at peace...plus my shop...I have a soft spot for it.Thus it needs a new owner. So what do you say?”

“I-I-I have no money to pay for your shop!”

In response. “I am not selling my shop I’m giving it to you. At this point in my life money will do me no good. Just think of this as a teacher passing down the mantle to his apprentice. So please sign. I want an extra ounce of peace.”

*sigh* The young Stallion understands what Allegro Note wants and inside he feels sorry for Allegro Note. An old stallion nearing his end...an end brought upon by sickness and any chance to cure oneself is far from reach. “I don’t know how to thank you for this. I always believed it will take me ages to amass a minimal sum to start my business and right here is you handing me a real dream. Thank you Allegro Note, thank you for all of this. I just wish I can pay back.”

Oh but there is a way for the Young Stallion to pay Allegro Note back albeit it will be more like a bond(financial). “You can pay me back by taking in an apprentice in a time you find most appropriate. I never shared my craft while you taught yourself this craft, it needs to be taught to others and looking back I wish I did teach someone. Hmm oh well, I’m done here. My light goes out, yours ignites.”

The Young Stallion signs the deed and the business that helped Allegro Note keep his mind off his long gone wife is no longer his… “I’m fine with all of this just so you know. However, let me take one last look at the deed.”

“Yes, yes, yes of course.” The Young Stallion slides the form back to Allegro.

“Yes.” Allegro Note holds the deed before his eyes causing the stimulation of tears. “I created this for my dear Octavia. Ha It was not long ago that Octavia practiced endlessly in my shop with her new cello, hearing her long groans, angry snorts, dumbfounded grunts, and endless sighs. Now she reached Immortality through her hard work in such short time. All the memories I’ve amassed in my little business will probably live on in her mind but will disappear from my little shop with the stroke of a pen and from my mind when I perish. Such a big decision I’ve made in a split second. Ahem anywho, congratulations you are now a business owner. Hehehe, a bottle of champagne will do some good right about now.”

*ting* “Hey believe it or not I have a bottle in the fridge.” Quickly fetching the bottle along with two glasses, the Young Stallion pops open the bubbly and pours a glass for Allegro Note.

“CHEERS!”
Both Stallions celebrate and the Young Stallion frames the deed feeling like hope itself is smiling down upon.
After downing three glasses of champagne, Allegro Note pats the Young Stallion on the back and leaves. “Right, see Octavia then shop for casket.”

In her study, the gray mare vocalizes a scale of notes, before writing the prototype set for the violas. “Ahh!” Of course the snare drums can fill during the rests followed with a response from the brass...well mostly the trumpets and horns with a light touch from the trombones. Then when the rest comes to its end the violas resurge back into melody. “Yes, yes that’ll do nicely,”

Behind the gray mare, are many sheets of music with notes and musical notes tacked on the wall with many yards of yarn connecting each sheet. For writing music is complex extremely complex as the creating the sequences for a automaton to follow. Each sequence must be precise, in rhythm, in perfect motion, and obviously PERFECT. For each note for the brass, woodwinds, percussion, strings, and choir must operate in synchronization in order to be called music however, before the notes can be played by any instrument...it has to be played in the mind first. Thus combining each set for the brass, woodwinds, percussion, strings, and choir in the mind takes some ethereal cognitive skill and for Octavia she has that ethereal cognitive skill. “WAIT!” A quick scribble switches a G and a B-flat for the trumpets.

Suddenly her left ear twitches, at picking up an all too familiar heartbeat. “Father!” Fortunately she’s at a rest and the strings for her point of view can be used as a bookmark.

In Allegro Note’s mind. “I’ll tell her I’ve sold my shop when we’re eating dessert or drinking some cream soda.” The Stallion tells himself.
“Octavia.” Allegro hugs his daughter and in doing so he catches sight of the many sheets of music tacked to the wall. “Hmmmm are you writing music??”

*GASP!* Octavia gasps in joy. “Why yes father I am...well in hindsight I’m still learning BUT there’s nothing wrong with learning on the job right?”

“Ehhh no there is nothing wrong with that but when it comes to writing music you have to be very, very careful otherwise if you music fails to impress then you’ll have to try harder to get the ears of patrons. Trust me, sweetheart in the art of music it’s always the first act that makes or breaks you.”

From joy to seriousness Octavia looks back at her music and to the yarn connecting each sheet. Her father is right. This is going to be her first composition. More importantly it’s her first step into seeking the lasting Immortality through notes on a manuscript that’s written by her own merit. “String and brass, it’s the string and brass that brings the intrigue. I should start with that yes, I think I will start with that.”

Allegro Note grants her idea approval by giving her a nod and slowly heads over to the wall covered with the music sheets. “I remember when you were just a child looking at those same notes and asking what me does each one mean and now you know them like they were simple words on a page. Now you want to etch your name onto the walls of the immortalized composers by crafting your own music. I couldn’t be anymore pleased of you.”

Octavia smiles to father’s words. “No father it’s thanks to you for introducing to me to music, for if you didn’t then I would have never found my calling. Music it’s more than just rhythm and notes. It’s storytelling that’s inspired by the likes of nature and brotherhood, it’s creating something that requires me to pour in my spirit and determination to tell a story. A story that’ll last throughout the ages like Journey to the West, the Iliad, and the Canterbury Tales!” The Gray mare declares.

“Quite ambitious and attainable through hard work.” Allegro Note compliments with a small smile. “I wonder if your name will be written in the history books one hundred years from now.”

Having the aspect of her name being written in the history books be thrown at her, Octavia goes quiet and thinks. “My name will be written!”

Allegro Note smiles some more to his daughter’s determination. “You will work hard and I like that! Anywho my dear. Do you think you can take a breather from your extraordinary work and spend some time with your father who wants to show you something.”

“Oh father.” Octavia reels herself back in from her small moment of pride. “You know I always have time for you father. Let me just mark where I left off and write a quick note. OK! Let’s go.” The gray mare nudges her father to get him moving.

“Don’t worry my dear I’m moving, I’m moving.” The well seasoned stallion speeds up to get in front of his daughter to prompt her to follow him. “Oh! There’s something I want to show you if you don’t mind.”

The gray mare nods. “I don’t mind at all father.” So she follows father and finds herself in front of his shop. “Did you forget something?” She asks.

Before answering he shakes his head. “No my dear just wanted to show you that my shop is now under permanent management.”

“Huh?” The gray mare turns to her father in utter confusion. “What do you mean? Did you hire someone to run your shop for you?”
“No my dear, I sold my shop…”

“WHAT!!?” Octavia gasps in disbelief. “You sold your shop…! But father that’s, that’s YOUR shop! You built that and made it great! It yours!” The gray mare cries in disbelief.

The old stallion with nothing to say...but he simply doesn’t have to say anything rather a shrug sort of dumbfounds his daughter. “My dear when you reach my age you will see that some things are best letting go. I mean we both saw it go from being a little shop to still being a little shop but now well known throughout Equestria and has brought in attention to bring you to the ears of patrons that want to hear you play your cello and gain the attention of others...in the thousands upon thousands. Attention that brought you the forefront of joining the composers in Immortality where maybe you’ll be with them in a painting when some artist who knows when decides to paint the great composers in a pantheon and you’ll be there next to Bach.”

Nonetheless, Octavia groans to father selling the shop she has so many fond memories of and which helped father move on from the betrayal by the mare she once called mother. Father’s shop meant a lot to her but he’s right. He’s at a age where he cannot focus entirely on the shop and is slowing down, still she wished father asked for her opinion before signing away his shop but it is his shop. “Oh Father. I wish you told me sooner so I could have visited your shop one last time and well…” Octavia ends embracing her father followed by some light weeping.
“It was in your shop where you thought me how to play the cello, where I can spend hours watching you take some wood, string plus some wax and turn all of that into a stradivarius then you will let me have the honors of passing a bow across the strings before tuning it.” With her weeping all done Octavia let’s go of her father. “Well at least you have your own happiness and me to focus on from now on.”

Preventing himself from putting on a sad expression, Allegro Note forces out a smile. “My happiness is seeing you do well and be in good health. Oh also having some quiet time by the lake. But overall seeing you do well makes me happy.”

“Oh father thank you. Now let’s go to where you want to take me.” Octavia taps father’s shoulder to get him moving along.

However, unbeknownst to her a Toltecian Cobra and Pink Pegasus land in Ponyville.
Yes, their sisterhood will crumble but before that dreadful chain of effects is set into motion some cupcakes are in order.

Nothing like a tasting cupcakes being made by the six hundred eighty seventh pony she knows makes cupcakes well.

***

*GASP*
“A GIANT SNA…”

“DON’T!” Meadow Flower stops Mrs. Cake in mid sentence. “Don’t call her that, just call her Cobra until she tells you her name.” What Meadow Flower did here was stop Mrs. Cake from ushering the one word the oldest Toltecian Cobra considers very offensive...SNAKE.
Why?
To G a snake is a creature that lives solely by instinct without feeling, conscience, reason, morals, decency, and Love. A snake crawls on its belly, strikes at whatever presents itself, and needs the sun to live. The Toltecian Cobras are sentient, have Love, do not crawl on their bellies and of course don’t need the sun to live for they produce their own body heat. So to be call a snake is to be called a lesser being.

“Uhhhhhm??” Mrs.Cake composes herself. “Ahem, I never seen a giant Cobra before especially one with arms, a nice feminine figure, and slithers about in a upwards position. What is your name ma’am?”

The bronze Cobra flickers her tongue at the baker prompting the flour covered mare to raise an eyebrow before shifting her brown eyes to the menu then shifts them back to Mrs. Cake. “My name is Gilda and I’m wondering if my dear friend here will like to indulge in your pastries in exchange for my hard earned money.” The Corba drops a very pleasing size bag of shiny bits in front of Mrs. Cake and waits for a reaction.

Enticed, Mrs. Cake graciously leads Meadow Flower and Gilda to their seats. “What can I serve you?”

Meadow Flower speaks for Gilda. “Drinks and your best...cupcakes yes, best cupcakes.” Once seeing Mrs. Cake depart Meadow Flower relaxes as does Gilda. “So I guess our little hug back there didn’t quite seal anything.”
Gilda flickers her tongue once more. “Yes and no. I mean after all wouldn’t it be quite well pointless without breaking bread one last time? I mean it was breaking bread that allowed us to bond before this very year no? Remember? It was you, me, mother and father sitting around the table and you were asking question after question to my parents about anything that came to your mind.” Gilda smirks before going on in imitation of Meadow Flower’s voice. “Oh are you cobras warm blooded? Are your pyramids made of marble or granite? Which neither by the way. Are you venomous? Do you give birth to live young or lay eggs? Uhhhhh what was that question that made me laugh the most?? Ahh it’s on the tip of my tongue...OH!! How do we go to the bathroom! HAHAHAHA!” Laughs the bronze cobra.

“Hey well uh.” Meadow Flower blushes in now what can be perceived as embarrassment. “Excuse me for having a sheer curiosity about a new species I just discovered besides I’m sure you’ll asking the same questions if you discovered Eqauestria!! Well minus the bathroom part I can say. Huh?” Two bottles of ice cold sarsaparilla arrive. “Thank you. Anywho, are you glad to see me back as my real me instead of my other countless identities?”

Taking a gulp of the sarsaparilla Gilda is quite amazed with this exquisite beverage to the point that her forked tongue won’t flicker given it’s busy savoring the taste of the drink. “Another one please. Ahem, tell me why you’ve created so many identities?”

“After figuring out I’ve been made immortal I knew it will only be a matter of time until Princess Celestia finds out and gets rather curious...by imprisoning me then conducting experiments to figure out how I obtained immorality.” Meadow Flower’s fear can be somewhat grounded due to Princess Celestia not being so forthcoming about her likes and dislikes so to speak.
Still Gilda the Toltecian Cobra has her reservations about Meadow Flower’s perceptions about the lovely Princess Celestia but nonetheless she will won’t outright tell that to Meadow Flower and will instead brush the pink pegasus’s ego.
“Will I’m happy to see your hair back to its beautiful blonde and not icky blue or pink whatever color you painted your hair every six months even though you ponies have a lifespan longer than that but who am I to speak right?”

Meadow Flower sighs to Gilda’s somewhat cheeky demeanor but as always the cobra means well and given what transpired at the bonfire moments like these need to be preserved. “I will prefer you to flicker your tongue at me in your condescending way. Anyway so what now?” Meaning after they finishing eating that is.

“Well we’re eating, drinking so like us try our best to be merry then the Archangel’s words will be put into practice. Besides, I too have the same astonishment you once had when you arrived in my homeland. The only downside is that you ponies didn’t put much work into making monuments, that give tribute to your civilizations and species instead you just build monuments to your rulers.”

“Immortal rulers.” Meadow Flower fills in.

Gilda flickers her tongue. “Immortal rulers yes, quite quant. Albeit Celestia is quite nice but still having Immortal Rulers dampens the novelty of your species by making others think your advancement will proceed at pace of a crawl. Still it will be nice to see something that declares the magnificence of your species just like our Sun Pyramid.”

*ting* “Our Pyramid??” Meadow Flower stops dead in her tracks. “It’s not my pyramid...I-I took no part in building nor am a Toltecian Cobra…”

“True, true.” Gilda replies before taking a sip of her drink. “But you have shown such an unexplainable attachment to me and the rest of my species…”

“Because you are the only thing I have left in this world!” Meadow Flower interrupts. “Does this have to end over one stallion!! We’re sisters! We’ve been through so much together and…”

Now it's Gilda’s turn to interrupt. “Because we have holes that need closing Meadow Flower. I’m not that naive to know we both want lasting loving companionship, it is the only thing that’ll complete us when sisterhood wears off in due time and before you continue, two stallions will do the same if one of us were their immortal destined.” The tip of Gilda’s tail caresses Meadow Flower’s right cheek. “I know you want to deny the inevitable...so do I...you remind me a bit of my dearest twin brother…” The Lady Cobra pause so Meadow Flower can pick up the hint to continue.

“And you remind me of my family Gilda.” *sigh* “My eyes are opened Gilda. We will not fight each other but in the end only one of us will be happy the other may develop suicidal tendencies which will do no good.”

Gilda nods in agreement.

“At least we’ll civil.”

And with that both mares resume eating.

Not knowing there’s a third factor that may tip the scales out of either one’s favor.

My Dearest Readers I thank you for your infinite patience and please forgive me for my excessive tardiness. I think I work too much and got introduced to Fallout New Vegas. Again my Dearest Readers I thank you for your infinite Patience.

Meadow Flower's Hope

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By.FoxofRarity

Chapter. 20

Disclaimer- My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust. Arthur's note at end.

In the Canterlot Palace

Survival, my son that is the core instinct for many mares and for the most part when they embrace it, it turns what should have been a diamond into pyrite.” Celestia elaborates.

“Pyrite? What’s that?” Gold Sky asks.

“Fool’s gold my son. A mare who loses accountability, responsibility, and of course has a sense of entitlement, is a mare that will rope you in then once she sees what you have to offer will take advantage of you then if she sees another stallion that she believes has more to offer than you.. She will divorce you, take your children away, and ultimately damage you.” Celestia lays out plainly for the stallion to comprehend.

“Mother...you speak as if what you’ve said is true…”

“I am speaking truth my son, I’ve seen it my son, I seen a former guard of mine have everything taken away from him by his unfaithful wife, when he lost his home to her he asked me if I can spare one room for his children in the palace while he’ll stay in the . I of course said yes for I knew his ex-wife was the one doing wrong but when a biased judge gave her custody, I saw his spirit almost shatter and I knew his only recourse to the future where his children will be turned against him through the vile ex-wife’s words will be him committing seppuku. I stopped him. With my telepathy I wiped the mind of the ex-wife, humph, now that I think about that was too soft a punishment but I did put in her head she needed to be sterilized to ensure she can never reproduce. As for the biased judge I had her removed then telepathically placed she needed to take a long walk in the desert with nothing but her strength.”

“Huh?” Gold Sky is overtaken by the sudden awe in mother’s strong sense of justice. “But mother that judge must have died.”

Princess Celestia nods once. “She did son. For she nearly destroyed the life of a father by nearly taking away his children and almost destroyed the children’s future by handing them to a irresponsible mare. Tell me my son did I not do what was right? Because for that stallion nobody who have cared about his well-being yet they all care about the well-being of some faithless irresponsible who’ll damage his...yes, his not hers, children. If I don’t stand for the rights of Fathers then who will?”

Being a father himself, Gold Sky thinks of his precious Gilda but switches his focus to Mother’s care for that former guard of hers. “I am very, very, very fortunate to be the son of a Just Mare. However, what does that mare have to do with me?”

“My son, that former guard believed he found the right mare, he clearly didn’t and I don’t want you to go through what he did. Many mares will deceive you then they will show you their true colors of which by then you will be hurt. Of course, with me around my son no mare shall hurt you or take away your children. See this as a mother teaching her son in the nature of mares so he will not be hurt.”

“Huh…” Gold Sky gasps. “I appreciate your deep concern mother but I don’t think I’m looking for a wife any time soon. I just got back home and I want to establish myself here first. Then when I get around to it I’ll start the tedious process of finding a wife.” In his mind. “Dearest mother must think I am lonely. Humph, how sweet of her of course but unwarranted.”

“Very well,” Celestia reaches out and passes a hoof through her son’s hair. “I’m just doing what any mother should do with their sons and tell them the true nature of mares. I care more for your wellbeing then to withhold the truth in order to get grandkids, my son. I don’t want to see you get hurt for when compared to any mare you will always bring more to the table.”

Truth be told, Gold Sky does not think much of mares, he just smiles at them if they give him a greeting and nothing more. This is due to his isolation, insanity, and primarily his dearest Gilda , a period of is life where nothing else truly mattered but his daughter thus the need for a companion almost evaporated from his psyche. Add in the many attempts by some rather financially promiscuous Griffons who wanted to bed him and Gold Sky being disgusted by those slags he did not bother interacting with them out of fear that’ll he fall into possible temptation given they at least had beautiful eyes . Of course there’s Octavia who introduction makes him want to do more than smile at her and pretty soon there will be two more mares and out of the coming two one will really tug at his heartstrings.

Giving her son a kiss on the head Princess Celestia departs on her terms rather than having a servant popping up and interrupting them.
Donning his cloak, the stallion smiles to mother’s care and flies off to take a walk among the mortals in Ponyville. “I’m still expecting to see Griffons come right around the corner, I sort of miss their scent heh, their scent...reminds me of home...that home...their scent is so familiar while that of my own species is foreign. Anyway, finding a wife HA...oh great the thought of that is going to be stuck in my head now. Thanks mother...I’ll get to it when I get to it. I worry the most for my dearest Gilda…” Upon looking up he remarkably sees a familiar sight. “A Griffon Gypsy…oh...it’s him…” By him Gold Sky means Gilda’s Pediatrician. “Still...it’s good to see Jakob again after twenty seven years.” The stallion trots to the stand Jakob utilizes to sell his medical ointments but something, just something or better yet someone grabs his utmost attention.

“Well hello.” A pink Pegasus with lovely blond hair greets. “I’ve never seen you around. Are you new around here?”

“Umm yes you can say that in a way uhhhh…”

“Oh!” The Pink Pegasus realizes something. “Meadow Flower. My name is Meadow Flower and whats your name if I may ask?”

“Gold Sky. I’m sort of new here, somewhat, hehehe. Any who, it was a pleasure to meet you Meadow Flower and I pray you have yourself a nice day.” With a small smile Gold Sky turns his attention back to his original intention of meeting Jakob.

Oh no! Meadow Flower got his attention for a few seconds and if she cannot keep it after this first meeting with him then that Cobra can slither in and seize him. “Ahem, well I can go out on a limb and say you’re thirsty. Given how before focusing on the Griffon you first looked at the bottles of sarsaparilla over there and licked your chops.” Meadow Flower gambles by doing something out of the ordinary to go from getting his attention to getting his curiosity.

Gold Sky nearly gasps to Meadow Flower’s pinpoint assessment. “Well I can’t deny how right she is…”

Now to push her luck with the meager amount of chips she has on the table Meadow Flower with a ever slight tremble in her voice asks him if he will join her for quick drink of ice cold sarsaparilla.

“Yeah…” The stallion mutters without much thought but in his mind. “Perhaps I can let the time that I last spoken to Jakob increase evermore. I know he will ask me about Gilda given the sudden resurgence of his nomadic life and continue thanking me on behalf of the Gypsies I’ve saved in the battle of Blüdshire. A piece of my old life selling his wares, oh well Jakob eventually you’ll forget about me. I much prefer that then having to use my telepathy on him. Farewell Jakob and please don’t forget to prescribe a potassium supplement when you order furosemide.” Now with that thought over. “You know what, I will like to join you for a ice cold sarsaparilla.”

“YES!!” Meadow Flower cheers though visually she smiles at him. “Ah that’s very kind of you to join me.”
Getting comfy on their stools, Gold Sky asks her to tell him a bit about herself while enjoying his soft drink.
‘Well I used to buy and sell land, heh it made me some real coin, along with some archaeology in some far away land.”
“Oh!” Gold Sky gasps about something he’s always been very curious about. “You practiced in real estate, that’s amazing!”

*Ting* Meadow Flower can not believe she did not think of that word and calls the time she spent with Gilda the Lady Cobra, archaeology. “Well I had to do something to make some money and keep myself occupied.”

“So how did you do it? Did you buy low sell high or buy land make it nice sell it or get some investors?” He asks.

The pink Pegasus takes a sip of her drink. “I mostly bought land, tended it myself with crops that I will sow with fancy crop then replenish the soil with good crop like uhhh radishes. Sometimes I’ll add tulips or roses for elective measures and when it’s val...love...ummm...OH! Hearts and Hooves month that the flowers increases the value tenfold. Of course my biggest sale was Cherry Hill rach that yielded seven figures for me, allowing me to retire quite early and just read a good book and try to become a movie critic thanks to my infinite freetime.”

Astonished the stallion tips his bottle towards her. “Impressive, you made your wealth by honest and clean means. I must say at first you had my attention now you have my curiosity, Meadow Flower. You look like the type of mare that’ll have something new you’ve done to tell me about, I mean what’s next uhm you’ve trekked the Dragon’s Back?”

“I have.” Meadow Flower answers, then feels a cold chill run down her spine given how it takes at least a whole year flight-wise to make it to the mountains of the Dragon’s back and another back. However, the journey to & fro isn’t without a heavy taxation on the body especially causing mortals to age with obvious show on the face. Thus with no obvious show on her face this can cause rise of suspicion in her rather quaint immortality

Gold Sky smirks after a chuckle.“You might as well add adventurer to your résumé Meadow Flower.” He is quite amazed to see a fellow pony who like him went on a adventure for at least with this mortal he found some common ground and with Octavia, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash on his list of mortals worth his intrigue why no add Meadow Flower to the list. Albeit, Octavia is at top of the list followed closely by Rarity. As for Redheart, well she is family to him therefore no curiosity. But more importantly...just something to lessen the pain he has for his dearest daughter Gilda is far from him. Nevertheless, being the Vanguard he has to be hard he has to move forward for doing at least ensures the Razor is far away from his dearest Gilda and on a side note is why he does not suffer from any shell shock from the War unlike his Griffon brothers of the 501st, Grand Army of the Republic, and 101st. “Thank you for this nice treat Meadow Flower. For it isn’t everyday someone does something nice for me.”

In Meadow Flower’s head. “I wonder why he wears a cloak? Hmm must be because he does not want any extra attention or he sees himself equal to the mortals? Well whatever it is, that is a pretty nice cloak.” Smiling as wide as she can Meadow Flower gives him a nod. “It’s my pleasure Gold Sky. I knew from the moment I saw you that you were an adventurer like me.”

“I prefer Wanderer. For when I first began I went without direction while you I bet was so much more organized given your temperament. Now any who, from Wanderer to Adventurer I bid you adieu Meadow Flower.” The stallion makes sure his cloak isn’t stuck onto anything before getting up.

This has to be more. “Say you think you might consider opportunities where we can meet up and share tales of our expeditions? It isn’t everyday I meet a fellow adventurer, I mean c’mon most of the ponies here don’t even leave Equestria at all.”

Sounds good enough for the stallion. Afterall, it will give him more clout to become more settled among his fellow ponies along with bottles of sarsaparilla. “As long as it takes my mind...hey...if I meet up with Meadow Flower, mother will believe I’m seeing a mare and from the looks of it, Meadow Flower looks like a very well meaning mare...oh great I am starting to talk like mother. Anyway mother will be less expressive about finding a wife thing.” After giving his throat a quick clearing. “I very much like that idea Meadow Flower. Just come to the palace and I’ll meet you there.”

“He lives in the palace! Well uh, of course he will, he’s a Alicorn. So perhaps that means Princess Celestia has a form of relationship with him.” Now smiling to Gold Sky’s approval, Meadow Flower, departs with a happy step in her trot. “First step is taken and I couldn’t be anymore happier!! This worked out better than I thought, but still I have to be careful...I will be careful and I will have him proposing to me in no time and I will make him happy!” She couldn’t help but jump into the air and just be giddy. “I am so treating myself to some chocolate sundaes...and go to the the spa to treat my hair and treat my face with a decent facial.” The pink pegasus will rely on her unchangeable natural beauty of which is quite attention catching and as lovely as a blooming daffodil.

Meadow Flower feels this is the turning of the tide in her life...perhaps...this is a new era...a dawn of a new era. Where not even the Lady Cobra can smother it in its crib.

***

In the Palace.
“Well here we are girl.” Gilda tells her reptilian steed. “The Canterlot Palace. Heh, it’s been some time since I last spoken to dear Celestia but now I know she will lead me to him. However, I pray he is worth the wait for I do not know what he looks like nor sounds. Is he brave, strong, just, or weak, thin, distant, pathetic, immature... all these years I’ve waited…” Indeed.
The Lady Cobra dismounts her giant salamander steed and slithers towards the palace.

“I’ve waited for a thousand years. I don’t care if he’s a pony, I want to know if he…”

“If he…”

“Was worth all that wait.”

She flickers her tongue and thinks of what she’ll see beyond the palace doors.

Author's Note

My Dearest Readers I thank you for infinite patience and future chapters might be imported files in regards to the format. Thank you my Dearest Readers for your patience.

Return of the prodigal stallion.

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace

By.FoxofRarity

Chapter 1

Disclaimer- This is the first Fan Fiction I ever wrote along with it's coming chapters(Its true), problem was I had it encrypted and I forgot the password until I was able to remember it months later. My Little Pony Friendship is Magic characters belongs to Hasbro and its creator Lauren Faust.

Ponyville -1 mile.

The Alicorn read to himself as he walks by it. "Civilization." He said out loud, so he can relish the sound of it and know that he will finally make contact with ponies or better yet just anyone again; something which for the last six years of his two hundred year journey he deprived himself, thinking it will hold a key to the void inside. But instead it just made him long to hear the voice of a fellow pony or the Alicorn he once called Guardian Aunt. Sighing warm air out of his nostrils he continues forward before stopping to take a good look at the time changed Ponyville.

"Didn't see that or that before, I don't reca..."
But before he could finish his sentence something caught his eye. To an open field to his right he sees a blue colored Pegasus with a blond mane hovering a couple of inches off the ground. While a young unicorn filly with the same color pattern of her mother, runs into her extended arms hugging her as both fell to the soft ground,

"I love you mommy!" Cheers the young unicorn to her mother.

"I love you too sweetheart! Infinitely more than muffins!" She said while kissing her daughter multiple times on the head.

Seeing this for the first time since his isolation made a smile form on his lips, but then a thin shockwave rattles the back of his head and then crawls down his spinal cord it was no chill but a wave from that memory. Seeing the filly hug her mother tight as if she was going to disappear from her made the Alicorn sigh in requiem, he turns his head in a different direction hoping to lay his eyes on something else only to be greeted with the same outcome as before but with different ponies. This time he saw a well built red stallion with a yoke around his neck getting tackled down by three little fillies each wearing red capes, laughing in joy with the stallion that got back up on his hooves and starting chasing them but then fell down laughing his spirit out with the young fillies who started dog piling on him.

The Alicorn felt his body go cold from this sight of love and joy,

"Why do these acts like these stir my insides? I still can't shake off that memory from inside!" The Alicorn said in his percular mind.

"200 YEARS!! I SPENT OF MY LIFE AND STILL NO PEACE!!"

He roars the words in his head causing his breathing to go deeper and slower. A trait he developed during his journey as a way to conceal his anger so he can be presentable to the elders of the different races he visited since they always seem to have a keen sense for anger.

The Alicorn sighs as he walks slowly to a hill east of him. Each step he took left a deep imprint on the ground,the while walking through some tree line his right ear suddenly perks up when he picks up the sound of a piercing soothing tone. Adjusting both ears to pick up the sound that pierces him through his skin, flesh, soul, and finally spirit. He follows his ears to the source of the sound as it got louder and louder until finally after peeking out through low branches he lays his eyes on the source.

It is a standing Earth pony on top of a hill with a large stringed instrument, held gently by her left hoof while in her right hoof she held a bow swinging back and forth in precise harmony and grace.

The Alicorn without issuing a command to his body moves toward the beautiful gray coated mare and sat down at the base of the hill slowly moved his head to get a complete view of the mare.

The mare is standing parallel to her cello, her eyes closed as if she's playing from instinct rather than from memory. Amazingly her gray black colored mane flows with the wind creating a picturesque sight where each stroke of her mane flew freely around her face. Allowing the Earth pony to display a sense of magnificent power.

The Alicorn closes his eyes to allow the music to flow into his mind and senses. He in a way can feel each sound as they walk across his body. He feels the world around him go silent.

He no longer could feel the wind go around his horn or his mane, in fact everything fades to black. The smooth wooden melodies happily float around him as to comfort him, slowly images form in his mind- images of his wings, mental pictures of his colthood, and fondly of all the voices of Mommy and Daddy.

On the other hand or hoof the mare senses someone is watching her so she opens one eye to peek and pretty much she's wrong. Nobody is watching her instead she sees a cloaked pony sitting at the base of the hill listening to her practice her music with his eyes closed and rocking side to side. Seeing this she smiles gently and presses her bow evermore slightly against the strings to deepen the notes; She wants to go on playing because this was the first time somepony came to actually stay and relish her unique craft instead just coming to rudely interrupt her and ask her to play at their event. But sadly the song she gracefully plays flawlessly at this very moment is coming to an end.

As her tempo slows down and little by little the Alicorn opens his teal colored eyes thus the beautiful melodies are buried into great silence.

The mare lays down her instrument onto the soft grass and gracefully makes her way to greet her admirer "Uh oh." The Alicorn finally coming to know her intentions starts to heat up profusely. Along with adding insult to injury his heart rate increases.

This moment marks the first time in the six years of isolation in his two hundred year journey that he will speak a word to a fellow pony. But he never expected it will be a very stunning and elegant mare, especially one that captivated his mind without even speaking a word.

Mustering up all the courage he has within himself, he prepped himself to speak to the mare.
The mare finally stands in front him, giving the stallion a friendly smile but then noticed a bead of sweat running down his left brow.

"So did you enjoy the sonata?" she asks while trying not giggle because as far as she saw,this cloaked unicorn is a nervous wreck.

"I-I found it to be breathtaking a-an-and soothing, that it caused me forget my worries and the world around me."

Replied the Alicorn nearly trembling but at the same time cursing himself for acting like a foal. But then composes himself to clear his throat and introduce himself to the mare.

"Oh by the way I don't think I introduced myself to you, my name is Gold Sky the Alicor...Err Unicorn I mean. Hehe I sometimes get mixed up with vowels hehaha"

Hoping the laughing part will soften any questioning she might have, because of his little slip up. Luckily Octavia causally noticed something else about him.

"Weird slip up I guess?" She said with her head in a tilt.

However her voice digs in deep into Gold Sky's mind.

Dotting down thoughts in his mind Gold Sky couldn't help but say in his mind.
"Even her voice is majestic as her music I guess luck allowed her to be the first pony I make contact with. Man I'm lucky!"

"Uhhh are you alright? You looked like you starting to lose focus."
The mare asks while tapping him on the shoulder, but Gold Sky is zoned out with a smile on his face.

Still, even though she had never seen this unicorn before which she can thank to the trait she shared with Pinkie Pie that she knows everypony in Ponyville. She tells herself this Unicorn has more than enough evidence to appear different from the rest. Way different.

It's like he is unique in many interlocking ways, the way his heartbeat went to allegro when she was approaching him, along with the small bead of sweat, and the way he sounded when he first started talking.

She's able to hear his heart go faster, for her hearing is as sharp as a Fox. But she just deduces it to her craft of being a musician that fine tuned her heating, which requires her to hear every detail of a detail of her music or end up playing a song that is flawed.

Of course realizing her day is always in schedule she turns around to pick up her cello and gets ready to make her way back towards town for a quick meal.

Gold Sky finally snapping back to the real world saw that the mare already had her instrument on her back and starting to make her way towards the town. So with haste he ran up to her to ask her one final question.

"Hey by the way I didn't catch your name." He perks his ears forward so he can be sure to catch her name crystal clear.

"Oh really? Sorry about that." The mare starts to blush a little bit, hoping that Gold Sky did not notice... But he did.

"My name is Octavia."

Suddenly everything froze around Gold Sky. The wind that once flew through his brunette mane halts, the leafs falling from a nearby tree are stuck midair, but lastly Octavia isfrozen in front of him. The glow from his horn ceased and time itself has froze thanks to his will.

This is the first time he does this for he did not learn this time stopping spill rather it was telepathically implanted into his mind by dearest Princess Celestia who explained the spell will cost him a great amount of energy along with not allowing the him to use his magic for half an hour, when time is allowed to flow freely again. But he felt he needed to do this once he saw the beautiful palace of Canterlot behind Octavia. Then the Alicorn focuses on Octavia.

"What stunning beauty she has"

Gold Sky tells himself as he walks around Octavia admiring her and also her double bass which was slung comfortably on her back.

"Like what you're seeing?"

"Huh?" The voice caused Gold Sky to look around frantically fearing that somepony is not frozen like the rest.

"Oh don't act all startled! It's me your old friend...Inner Thought."

"Oh yeah I forgot about you which causes me to wonder... I've always came to you whenever I needed help. But now at this moment you are the one to come to me and create conversation. Why is that?" Six years in Isolation even has a toll on Immortals.

"Well upon seeing that you froze time. I thought HEY something is up!"

"And since when does Inner Thought have any thoughts?" Gold Sky snaps at Inner Thought.

"Since when do you cover up your wings hmmm?" Inner Thought shot back Inner Thought.

"Do not dare to lecture me about my wings! You and I both know why I cover them up in the first place! I-I don't want to think *sigh* about them." Gold Sky sadly groans out his words.

"Oh I didn't mean to...sorry Gold Sky. It's just well today you've made contact with a pony ever since you took up total isolation in the last six years of your two hundred year long journey and well I am just as worried as much as you are."

"It's all right Inner Thought I know you tried to mean well, but it's time that I come back to Equestria. Its been too long and I'm sure Guardian Aunt misses me a lot. Especially when I left I could almost feel..." Gold Sky stops when he thinks of Guardian Aunt.

"Feel what?"asked Inner Thought.

"Uhh its nothing, just a hunch I felt many times when I left Canterlot." Gold Sky mutters. "Now what was it you said earlier that startled me?"

"I said... Like what you're seeing?" Inner Thought said suggestively.

"I don"t like the tone you are using Inner Thought. Why do you think I am looking at this fine mare in such a perverse way? Is it a sin to have such appreciation of great beauty when I see it?"

"But why will you..." Struggled Inner Thought.

"But nothing Inner Thought! I will not tolerate you telling me I am being perverse, and you want to know why I froze time? It is because I need time to think about this new path set forth before me but at the same time, this mare's music pierced me to the point of taking away the pain from the memory. How is she able to do this sort of thing? I really don't know."

Gold Sky blinks as he focused his teal colored eyes on the big red stallion and the three caped fillies. He contemplates with himself, as he trots over to take a look at the four frozen ponies.

He first studied the muscular stallion with the yoke around his neck, he's amazed by his built and saw how his half closed eyes contradict the seriousness of his built. Then he starts to look at each of the three young fillies each wearing red capes with a print of a prancing pony. He gazes upon an olive colored Earth pony with a rose colored mane tied back by a red bow.

Her light orange eyes are full in frozen joy looking at the big red stallion, along with a frozen ear to ear smile it made Gold Sky wonder about the joy of childhood each pony experienced in their early years of life.

"I find it weird how happy I am to see you enjoy your fillyhood while it reminds me of my colt hood being cut short." Gold Sky declares before the frozen filly.

"Exactly why are you doing this Gold Sky? Wait don't tell me! You are trying to kill some pain from the memory right?" Happily yelled Inner Thought.

"Eeyup! Ding ding you're right Inner Thought." The painted or pinto Alicorn responded to Inner Thought.

"But why?" Conceded Inner Thought.

"I liked you better when you kept your mouth shut Inner Thought!" Gold Sky once again snaps.

"Humph!

Gold Sky then proceeds to focus on the young Pegasus filly with a amber colored coat saturated with a orange shade, but one thing stood out from the rest of her and wasn't her wings or her super adorable pixie cut mane. No, it is her eyes that are almost the same color of Octavia's but this Pegasus's eyes were a lighter shade of the beautiful Earth Pony's eyes. Gold Sky put his right hoof on her Pixie cut and ruffles it up a little bit, smiling as he performed the action.

"I knew you had a soft spot for children Gold Sky. Their smiles always get to you right?" Spoke
Inner Thought even through Gold Sky told him to keep shut.

"Inner Thought children are the greatest gift to be given from the Great Spirit; why else will I put myself in harm's way to rescue the seven Griffon chicks from those crazed fascists Griffons. Children are precious; also the Great Spirit has a son remember."

"Ah yes the Father and the Son. I wonder if the son is like the father."

"Oh he is Inner Thought! Well anyway is that a Unicorn filly?" Gold Sky said to himself.

The Alicorn approached the Unicorn filly with a white as snow colored coat and slightly near puffy mane of dual colors of cute pink and grayish purple. He also put his hoof on her mane and starts to ruffle it up before breaking into foolish giggles when he realized his performance of immature actions.

Gold Sky then returned toward the big muscular red stallion seeing how big his smile was on his face.

"Be a good father...let your strength be their own. It's good to see a stallion like you spend time with his daughters." Gold Sky sincerely recites to the frozen red Earth pony before departing.

"I think two of his daughters are adopted, but they are still pretty cute in their little capes."

Hmm guess you're right Inner Thought I didn't notice that but anyway he'll still be a good father...I'm sure.

( Unbeknownst to the Alicorn was that the red stallion is only baby sitting.)

Gold Sky then trots over to the Pegasus still hugging the young Unicorn, he slowly studied the Pegasus and Unicorn until he came to her gold colored eyes which gave him a huge surprise.

"Never seen anything like it...have you?" Inquired Inner Thought.

"No I've never seen a pony with permanent cross eyes, but it looks cute on her though. And by the look on her daughter it seems that her crossed eyes are a recessive trait." Gold Sky explains to Inner Thought while rubbing his chin with his hoof.

He then reached into his saddle bag and took out a wrapped up muffin a young Griffon chick gave to him as a gift for saving her from the Griffon fascists fifty four years ago.

His horn glows unwrapping the muffin with a teal colored aura making the stale, hard muffin, into a fresh out the oven renewal muffin.

"Gold Sky why are you doing that?"

"She said something muffins so I assumed she as has a soft spot for muffins, and besides look how happy her daughter is.

Inner Thought why can't you see that I love children very much, even though I... Uh. I-I must protect them no matter the costs... they bring happiness to mothers and fathers." Gold Sky stops to breathe in deeply before continuing.

"I brought happiness to Mommy and Daddy! But only for so little time. Why why why!!!"

The Alicorn falls to his knees trying his best to contain the memory, he quickly looks forward toward Ponyville seeing how it shone like a beacon of deliverance and self healing.

" Gold Sky please not now! Don't let it over take you now when you've gotten this far, but let these words be my last words for you. You now must go on without me I've been with you for all these years, and well...these ponies will help you find peace Gold Sky." Inner Thought softly and sadly reassures Gold Sky.

The Alicorn got back to his hoofs and instantaneously teleported to where Octavia is, he stares down at the ground thinking about Inner Thought.

"So I guess the time has come then. Guess you must depart Inner Thought...but know one more thing."

"And what is that Gold Sky?" Asked Inner Thought.

"Thank you Inner Thought. For being there for me when the memory started to get rampant, but still. I won't question why you are leaving but I know your judgment is always for the best of me. Good bye old friend. Good Bye Inner Thought."

"Bye my creator." Upon those words being said Inner Thought ceases being with the Alicorn.

Gold Sky brought his head up to face Octavia, he now knew what he needs to do and these ponies...starting with her are going to help him.

"She has such beautiful eyes."Gold Sky said in calm voice before his horn glows causing time to resume it's place upon this world.

Signified by the leaves falling to the ground.

In choosing the chapter title, the Biblical story "The prodigal son." Seems like a good match.

Ch.2- "She sees me!" "What is he!?" "Must not look at my wings!" "He has wings!"

A Mother's Love, Octavia's forming Friendship with the Moon, and the Bonding between Rarity & Spike.

Octavia and the Alicorn's Peace.

By. FoxofRarity

Chapter. 7

Disclaimer- Please comment your feedback, it will be most appreciative. My Little Pony Friendship is Magic belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.

Princess Celestia felt a tear waiting to come out from her right eye. It’s not very often she cries, the last time she cried was when Luna got free from Nightmare Moon and hugged her after one thousand years.
But in some cases tears can represent joy, after all crying is not always something one does when they’re sad. No. Celestia is crying tears of joy.

Joy in the fact that her son has finally returned after two hundred years. Princess Celestia is the one of the loving rulers of Equestria, she’s the Princess and her duty is supreme to everything else. But today a much more supreme duty now lies above Princess.

That duty is…Mother.

She will be a mother first and Princess second. However, even after forgiving Gold Sky there is still some guilt left over and she knows he will not want to ask her many things because he will still feel that he does not deserve anything from her. Nevertheless, she is his mother, so what if he’s not of her flesh & blood, her maternal instinct came to life the moment she took him into her arms. She loves him very much and nothing can stop a mother’s love for her son. While in her heart are the memories she stored, each one showing her the joys of being a mother.

Waking Gold Sky up and stroking his face so he can smile at her. Allowing him to sleep under her wing whenever he had a nightmare or there’s a storm. That memory in particular is expanded through the joining of another memory. When she woke up to lower the moon and raise the sun, Gold Sky will still be asleep, upon returning she will find him hugging her pillow. He needed something to hug and the pillow had Celestia’s scent, such cute ways Gold Sky had to provide himself with reassurance. Breakfast was also a delight, watching him enjoy a bowl or two of sweet oatmeal while she wiped his face clean followed with a kiss to the cheek when he finished eating. Putting him on her back and take him to the clouds so both can watch the subjects down below go about their daily activities.

So many memories stored in her heart but those same memories can never happen again. Nostalgia is not something to have in mind at this moment. Her son has changed. Full grown, no longer a colt. Mature, no longer young minded. Hurt, but with time, he healed. Innocent…no longer.

But through it all Gold Sky will always be her son and she will always be his mother.

“My son.” Celestia said quietly.

“Mother.” Gold Sky replied.

Celestia chuckled softly. “Gold Sky, I’m simply saying those words because I want to relish the sound of it. My son, my son, my son, my prodigal son has finally returned home.” The tear finally ran down her cheek. “I missed you so much my dear son. I missed you so much.” Celestia tightened her hold and rubbed her chin on Gold Sky’s head. “I love you very much, I-I…” Some of her grief filled her voice. “I wish I could have seen you grow before my very eyes, I wish I could have been there for you…in your first flight.” More tears flowed out of her eyes. “I’m sorry if what I’m saying is making you sad but I missed you so much! My dear son, I love you. Now it’s my turn to cry.”

And cry the Princess of the Sun did.

“Mother please don’t cry.” Gold Sky begged. That guiltiness he felt vanish moments ago is now coming back.

“You must understand Gold Sky, that when a mother’s son is gone for such a long time she becomes sad. A mother just can’t handle the long absence of her child, I-I never felt so much sadness and that sadness only got worse with each passing year. Oh how I longed to wake you up in the morning, read you your favorite bedtime story, hug you, hold you in my arms, spend time with you.” Celestia closed her eyes to stop the flow of tears. “My immortality helped me cope with your absence.” Celestia opened her eyes and pulled herself away from the hug. “You’re still feeling guilty, I understand and I will never ever hold any form of resentment against you Gold Sky. All that matters is your return and my love for you.”

Gold Sky looked down. “I understand some of your motherly pain, mother. I heard your cries for many nights. But why…after all that pain how can you just take me in like I did nothing wrong. How can you smile at me? Look at me with loving eyes? Cover me with your wing? But more importantly how can you still love me??”

Celestia gently placed a hoof under his chin so she can lift up his head. “You’re my son. I will forever love you and guide you. No matter what.” She nuzzled him on the forehead. “Plus there’s going to be a storm tonight.”

A tiny twitch made Gold Sky’s right brow rise a bit. “I’m not scared of storms anymore.”

“Are you sure?” Celestia asked while drying her magenta eyes along with Gold Sky’s teal eyes with a napkin.

“Yes and I’m…I’m full grown.”

Celestia smiled. “You’re two hundred and three years old Gold Sky while I am somewhere around five to six thousand years old, I lost count but I’m somewhere between there. So to me you’re still a colt but I’m saying that out of some old habits.” Celestia ruffled up his hair.

“I love you mother.” Gold Sky is still kind of scared of storms, but not of the thunder or bright lightning but the images the thunder brings forth in the core of his mind.

“And I love you my son. So, are you feeling better now?”

“A little bit. But this Princess Mi Amore Cadenza how is she the Princess of Love?” Gold Sky hopes mother will fill him with the details.

A question. Celestia remembered how Gold Sky loved asking her question after question about anything, from serious to mundane things but the mind of a child is always full of curiosity and to prevent that curiosity from making Gold Sky cause havoc, Celestia encouraged him to ask questions. There’s nothing more tender than a mother answering every question her child asks.

“She’s the Princess of Love because she has the ability spread love all over this world and can also in loose terms, help, ponies fall in love.”

“Fall in love??” One little rouge idea passed through his mind but quickly got taken out by his moral reason.

“In direct terms she makes two ponies fall in love by using her ability. Only once she made a mistake by accidently making a brother and sister fall in love, luckily she had her telepathy to fix up that horrible fiasco.” Celestia laughed.

“Sooo, you’re saying if Princess Mi Amore Cadenza…” Celestia kindly interrupted him.

“She prefers to be called Cadance but continue my son.”

“So if Princess Cadance has the ability to make two ponies fall in love that means if she tries it on me I will permanently stay in love with any mare?” Gold Sky with a cute tilt of his head asked.

“Yes.” Celestia said it as it is.

“I hope you’re around whenever she’s near me.”
Celestia now understood Gold Sky’s fear of Princess Cadance. But what she understood is what she thinks what his fear of Cadance is and does not know of Gold Sky’s original fear of Cadance.

“So that’s why you’re scared of her, oh Gold Sky.” Celestia started to stroke his face. “She will never do anything like that to you. Don’t be afraid of her, she’s really kind and sweet. Nevertheless, if you have some doubts please come to me, all right.”

“I will mother.”

Celestia sighed out of discomfort. “Are you going to keep calling me mother? It makes me think I’m old.”

“But you're six thou…” Celestia placed a hoof over his mouth.

“You what I mean by saying that. Can you please call me something else?” Celestia hopes Gold Sky will just once call her that one word she truly adores.

“Mom?” Not that word she wanted to hear but for it will suffice.

“That’s much better Gold Sky.” Celestia noticed something below his lip. “You got some syrup below your lip. Let me clean that.” Her horn glowed; levitating a napkin to wipe away the little mess on his face. “There almost done.”

“Almost?”

Celestia moved in to lovingly kiss him on the cheek, something she has always done when he finished breakfast and cleaned his face. “Do you remember that?”

The heart of the young Alicorn drastically slowed down, in the galaxy of his mind he can hear himself as a young colt giggled joyfully to Celestia whenever she kissed him and he can see Celestia smiling at him.

“Mom can you please h-hug me?” His voice cracked lightly while his eyes have no tears to be shed. Being forgiven has lifted a weight off his shoulders but getting used to it will take time.

“Of course my son.”

Mother and Son hugged once more.

From the door Cadance watched Tia hugged Gold Sky.
“This is incredible. All this time I never knew Celestia had a son, he is such a fine stallion, heh and an Alicorn too! But what’s more amazing is Gold Sky, how the heck is he the physical manifestation of Love??? I spread Love everywhere throughout the world and just now I meet somepony who has an infinite amount of love inside of him!?” Cadance looked at the stallion. “He’s deeply afraid of me so trying to make contact with him will be hard, humph, I bet Celestia still has the maternal urge to shelter him under her wing.” Cadance felt shame. “Oh who am I kidding, he’s her son who been away from her for two hundred years who am I to judge if the closest thing I had to a daughter is Twilight, who’s all grown up like Gold Sky.” She sighed.
The Princess of Love became cold for she cannot understand how Celesita has kept Gold Sky a secret from her.

“I wonder if Celestia was a good mother to Gold Sky?” Cadance frowned. “Why am I so judgmental all of a sudden?” Cadance focused her beautiful grayish purple eyes on Gold Sky. “The only way to figure out how he’s the physical manifestation of Love is to use my telepathy on him, so I will have to wait when night comes and he’s being sheltered in Tia’s arms. For this storm is going to be a big one.”

***

Somewhere else in the palace.
Octavia stood in front of a huge stained glass display that shows Princess Luna raising the moon. Luna in the display shines bright with pure glory while the moon rose behind her.
“Wow, this looks so beautiful. It’s like a museum but without paying the entrance fee.” Octavia giggled at the end of the sentence.

“Now I wonder how Celestia looks like.” So the gray mare went the next stained glass. On the display is Princess Celestia, she has the sun above her while under her spread out wings are her subjects. “Such great majesty she possesses and yet so loving to everypony.”

“Amazing isn’t she.” Said a voice from behind.

“Yes she is.” Octavia turned to see the pony with whom she agreed with.

The pony who Octavia agreed with isn’t some normal pony, it’s Princess Luna.

“Princess!” Octavia bowed down before Luna.

Luna laughed gently at Octavia. “Well good morning to you too Octavia.”

Octavia got back up. “Good morning your majesty. I-I didn’t expect to see you today.”

“Did you now. Well you see me now. Anyway how did you sleep? I take you enjoyed sleeping here at the palace.” Luna said in manner that implies great pride for her and the palace.

“Oh yes I did enjoy sleeping here in the palace and also waking up to a great surprise.”Octavia went over to sit down on a nearby bench prompting Luna to also follow suit.

“A surprise?” Luna asked with a tilt to her head. “What kind of a surprise did you wake up to?”

“I woke up to find that I was not the only one sleeping in the guest room you showed me to.”

Luna’s happy facial expression turned into one of total catechism. “Who was there with you!? Did this pony hurt you? Are you alright!?” Luna voice reflected the catechist expression on her face but at one degree higher.

Now at hearing this tone of voice from Luna conformed to Octavia that neither Celestia nor Luna had any knowledge of each other’s intention. “I’m okay your majesty err…” Octavia saw Luna look at her with a tilted head plus a left raised eyebrow. “I’m okay Luna and no this pony didn’t hurt me in fact he was more scared of me than I of him.”

“Hmm, it’s a he.”

“Yes it’s a he. He told me Celestia showed him to the guest room so he can sleep there.”

At hearing about Celestia showing this stallion to the guest room a little curiosity entered her mind. “What is the name of this stallion?”

“Gold Sky.” Octavia answered.

“Gold Sky??” Luna said to herself to see if any kind of nature connected to that name rings any bells. “OH! You talked about him last night.”

The gray mare nodded.

“And you said that he said Celestia showed him to the guest room?”

“Yes.”

Luna’s ears dropped up and down a trait she’s developed when in deep thinking.

Octavia giggled softly at seeing the ears move in such an adorable way.

Luna snapped back to the occurring flow of time. “What are you giggled at Octavia?”

“The way your ears move up and down is just plain adorable!” Octavia doted but respectfully that is.

Luna blushed lightly, it isn’t everyday somepony tells her a trait of hers is adorable. “Thanks Octavia. Anyway did you have breakfast already? It’s eight o’ clock so I wonder…you want to join me for breakfast?”

Octavia’s eyes widened to that question, she gets to have breakfast with Princess Luna! Oh she can’t wait to tell father about all of this. “I will most honored Luna!”

“Perfect! Let’s have breakfast in the gardens so if you’ll please follow me, we’ll enjoy ourselves once again.” Luna gently gave Octavia soft nudge with her right wing.

Octavia grinned ear to ear.

***
“Come along Spike, we’ll going to the Sugarcube Corner for a one of a kind breakfast and then we’ll enjoy our day together.” Rarity said happily to Spike with a very pleased smile to have the chance to spend with him.

Spike too had a smile on his cute face. He’s enjoying the fact that he’ll be with the most beautiful pony in the world, oh how it will be nice to just let loose and sigh with bliss right now. But if he did he’ll end up floating while little hearts pop giving him some kind of a kinetic propulsion.

However. “Rarity wait! We need to tell Twilight that we’ll going to spend the day together, I don’t want her to be worried all day.” Spike pointed to the direction of the library.

Rarity almost forgot about Twilight Sparkle. “Let’s go tell her right now.”

The Element of Generosity and purple dragon went to the library.

Inside the library, Twilight is still sound asleep on the book of shape shifting. Unfortunately she’s drooling…on the pages.

Rarity & Spike entered the library and for the both of them, they instantly noticed the adorable bookworm sleeping.

“Oooh how cute!” Rarity voiced softly with having a hoof over her heart the same way she did when she saw Tank give Rainbow Dash an affectionate lick.

“Cute? I don’t call that cute I call that the ruining of a good book.” Spike said in a voice expressing acceptance mixed with olden worry.

Rarity slowly trotted to Twilight to tap her on the shoulder but Spike stopped her because he had a different plan. “Hold on Rarity let me try an alternative method.” Spike grabbed a feather.

“This is for brushing your tail against my chin when you pretended to be Rarity!” Spike began to tickle Twilight’s nose.

“ACHOO! Ooooh…” Twilight blinked a few times.

“Bless you and good morning, Twilight.” Rarity went over and hugged Twilight.

“Good morning and thank you Rarity. Where’s Spike?”

“Right here Twilight.” Spike went up and hugged Twilight good morning.

Twilight got up from the desk; she instantly noticed how Rarity is standing very close to Spike and looking at him very lovingly. “Spike, how did you sleep last night?” Twilight asked while making a cup of coffee.

Spike first looked up at Rarity with rosy hued cheeks. “I slept good last night.”

Twilight believes Spike’s answer now time to hear Rarity’s. “Rarity how did Spike sleep?” Her back is still turned to the dragon and pony.

Rarity looked at Spike with a rosy hue on her cheeks too. “Spikey-Wikey, slept like a darling. Did you Spikey-Wikey.” Rarity nuzzled Spike on the cheek.

Twilight finally finished making her coffee in time to turn back around to look at the two who are just standing together in a very innocent matter.

Rarity lightly elbowed Spike.
“Oh! If it’s alright with you Twilight can I spend the day with Rarity?” Spike asked.

Twilight paused from taking a sip of coffee. There is something a little out of place in Spike’s request, it seems so confident and to add to her query, Rarity is standing next to him. “What are you and Rarity going to do?”

Rarity stepped forward. “Me and Spike are going to have breakfast at the Sugarcube Corner and probably do some other things together.”

“Like what sort of other things?” Twilight asked with her ears tuned for anything that might be out of tune.

“Uhhh…both of us will figure that part out after breakfast. But Twilight don’t worry.” Rarity got near Twilight and placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Me and Spike are just going to enjoy each other’s company. Besides you can use this day to catch up on any studies, read a good book, write to Princess Celestia, or just go to the movies with Applejack and Fluttershy.”

“Hmmmm.” Twilight thought of the suggestions Rarity gave, each one does sound enticing to her liking and she wants to tell Princess Celestia about the plans she has to build a cold fusion reactor thanks to the discovery of heavy water that leaks out of her faucet plus there’s a new movie and nothings tastes better than zero calorie soda with popcorn. “Have fun Spike! Now get out of here before your belly starts rumbling.”

“Yes!” Rarity & Spike squealed in delight.

“Have fun you two.” Twilight said as the door closed. “Time to look at the movie show times!” She happily clapped her hooves.

In the sky Rainbow Dash looked down to see what’s going on down there. Her eyes caught sight of Rarity & Spike entering the Surgarcube Corner. Rainbow remembered that moment when she held Rarity in her arms when they both thought Gold Sky was going to hurt them, from that moment she began to feel a bit closer to Rarity and nursed a curiosity to Gold Sky. “Perhaps I can go down and see what Spike and Rarity are up to. Maybe they’re going to do something together today. Hmmmm…can I find Gold Sky?? Eh, at least I can guess who he is simply by looking for somepony wearing a cloak.” Raindown dived down to land in front of Rarity & Spike. “Hey you two! What are you both up to?”

“Me and Rarity are just going to have breakfast together and then spend the rest of the day enjoying each other’s company.” Spike eagerly said to Rainbow.

Rainbow turned to smile at Rarity. “Well in that case is it all right if I just join you two for breakfast? Just breakfast that is if you two don’t mind.”

Rarity & Spike looked at each other, having a friend join them for breakfast won’t ruin their date. But one of the main reasons for allowing Rainbow Dash to join them is Rarity’s growing closeness to the mare. Ever since being held in Rainbow’s arms Rarity felt so much closer to Rainbow. “Sure you can join us Rainbow, we’ll love having you with us!”

All three of them entered the Sugarcube Corner.

Pinkie Pie saw them. “Rarity, Spike, Rainbow Dash!” She said in order.

The three of them greeted Pinkie Pie and asked to be seated. Pinkie Pie showed them to their booth and gave them their menus. Rarity sat with Rainbow Dash and Spike sat across Rarity so he can see her chew. After all, even Rarity’s chewing is elegant.

Inside Rarity’s and Rainbow Dash’s minds are the thoughts they had when they were thinking of each other, they’re close to each other and that feels good.

All of them told Pinkie what they’ll be ordering.

“So Spike did you invite Rarity to breakfast today so you can check out her chewing? Hehehe.” Rainbow ultra gently elbowed Rarity on the side.

“Ye…I mean she, this, uh. Hold on.” Spike paused and cleared his throat. “This is her idea.”

Rainbow tilted her head while raising both her eyebrows that made a smile turn from happiness to surprised happiness. “Rarity you invited Spike for Breakfast!”

“Yes I did so I can spend some time with Spikey-Wikey.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet!” Rainbow turned to Spike. “And let me guess…this is a date isn’t it?” Amazing how Rainbow Dash figured it out so quickly while Twilight Sparkle did not.

Now both Rarity’s & Spike’s cheeks got a much darker shade of that rosy hue.

Rainbow grabbed her drink. “Look I’m just going to state the obvious, you two look good together, very, very good together. Also I hope Spike doesn’t eat all the gems in your gem chest annnnnnnd!”

“And what?” Rarity & Spiked asked at the same time.

“Today is Sweetie Belle’s birthday.”

“OH!!” Rarity gasped and for no reason Spike too. “Spike! I-I-I-I…” Rarity couldn’t believe she completely forgot about Sweetie Belle’s birthday.

“Oh no! What have I done!? I may have ruined Rarity’s & Spike’s date!” Rainbow said in her mind with some guilt. This could hurt her intentions to be close with Rarity.

But Spike on the other hand or hoof saw this as a chance to be closer with Rarity, he will spend time with Rarity as she spends time with family. “Will Sweetie Belle be having a birthday party?” Spike asked.

“I’m so sorry Spi…Huuuuuuh???” Rarity almost thought Spike misspoke when he asked that question.

Rainbow too thought Spike misspoke when he asked that question.

“Is Sweetie Belle having a party? Because I’m sure we can go shopping for a gift for her. It’ll be fun!” Spike spun his fork in his hand to get his point across to Rarity and Rainbow Dash.

“Yes! She always has a birthday party!” Rarity slowly felt warm for the fact that Spike improvised their date.

“Perfect then after breakfast we can go shopping for a nice gift, hey the food is here!”

Pinkie arrived with the food. “Here you go guys enjoy!”

“Enjoy Rarity.” Rainbow rubbed her head against Rarity’s head.
“You too Rainbow.” Rarity rubbed back.

“How sweet.” Spike thought at seeing the friendly affection.

Rarity looked down at her pancakes. “Oh…” She saw that Pinkie Pie made a reminder with the butter pecan syrup.

It’s Sweetie Belle’s birthday today.

“You’ll a little too late Pinkie.” Rarity told herself while her fork smeared the syrup with butter.

***
Princess Celestia and Gold Sky walked out of the dining room.

“My son.” Celestia felt so pleased at saying those two words like she did two hundred and one years ago. “Do you feel like going anywhere today? You and I can have quality time together like old times my son.” Celestia bent down and nuzzled Gold Sky. “I forgot you’ll be needing this.” She placed his silk cloak on him.

Gold Sky felt so relieved that Celestia still loves him. “I want to go to the hospital…”Gold Sky stopped in midsentence because he sensed something immensely powerful behind him. He turned around to see who it is and pretty much confirming his fear is Princess Cadance.
*Gasp!*

Princess Cadance approached the mother and son…adopted son.

Gold Sky got extremely close to Celestia, heart beating fast and temperature rising rapidly that Celestia can clearly feel it.

Out of motherly instinct Celestia covered Gold Sky with her wing, she thought that with her explanation Gold Sky must have gotten over his fear of Cadance but it doesn’t seem to have any sort of effect, still, if he’s afraid then she will comfort him like she’s always done in the past.

Princess Cadance sensed Gold Sky’s fear of her. “So I guess I can say that if he really is the physical manifestation of love then that will explain why he sensed me coming. How can he be afraid of me if we may have extraordinary in common!? And look, Tia has him under her wing, she feels his fear and she comforts him like a mother will automatically do for her son. I got to tread lightly if I’m going to use my telepathy on him.”

“Cadance! What can I help you with?” Celestia asked.

The cerise mare approached Tia and Gold Sky. Her beautiful grayish purple eyes can see Gold Sky trying with all he got to maintain his poise, control his breathing, keeping himself from trembling, showing a friendly smile, but more importantly he’s extremely close to Tia because he’s afraid. “Tia I came here to check on you two and to see how Gold Sky is doing.” She turned to look at Gold Sky.

“I-I-I’m fi-fine your majesty thanks for your concern.” Gold Sky replied while making sure his fear does not overtake him before Princess Cadance.

“That’s wonderful news.” Cadance reached out to lay a hoof on his shoulder.

“Stay still! She is your Princess and you will show her respect.” Gold Sky told himself.

Celestia looked at Gold Sky, she can feel his anxiety rising so she just inched him closer to her.

“Stay still!” Gold Sky told himself again as he sees Cadance’s hoof getting closer.

What Cadance and Celestia do not know and maybe include Gold Sky since he just became oblivious to everything else beside Cadance’s hoof is his heart rate going up but more importantly is his heartbeat getting louder.

*Ba-Dum!!* Gold Sky’s heartbeat can now be heard.

“Huh?” Cadance retracted her hoof which must be to Gold Sky’s relief.

“What was that?” Celestia asked.

*Ba-Dum!!*
Even Gold Sky became puzzled.

“Is that a heartbeat?” Cadance’s ears moved about to find the source.

*Ba-Dum!!*

Princess Celestia’s feathers received the shockwaves of a loud beat. “Ahh, it’s his heart. I can’t believe he’s that scared of Cadance!” At the end of the thought Celestia nudged Gold Sky to make him move back.

“Cadance come here please.” Celestia lead her away from Gold Sky. “Cadance, are you intimidating Gold Sky?”

“What!? No of course not Tia. I’m curious about him and also just between you and me; I think there is something more to him that only I can feel.”

Celestia pointed to her fore head to let Cadance know they will be communicating through telepathy.
“Well what is that something that only you can feel Cadance?”

“Love.”

A look of perplexity formed on Celestia’s face. “Love? Cadance, I always knew that, his love for me is greater than mine for him…and he’s the son! How can the son’s love be much stronger than the mother’s!?”

Cadance shrugged in delight. “You got that part right Tia but you’re still far from what I know.” Cadance got closer to Tia even though they are using telepathy. “He is the physical manifestation of Love.”

“What?” Celestia took a quick glance at Gold Sky who smiled at her. “Physical manifestation of Love???”

Cadance smiled a smile that one has when an undiscoverable discovery is made. “Love the emotion that I can spread all over this Earth is now flesh and bone. Let me repeat, Love the emotion has a beating heart and is your son.”

For the first time in Celestia’s endless life, she became speechless. She turned around to look at Gold Sky again. “Y-y-you mean Gold Sky is Love? He is Love…?”

“He is Tia, which is why I’m very curious about him, I want to make sure if truly what I just said is true.”

Celestia believes Cadance. “In that case Cadance if you wish to be near him I must be with him.”

“I’m not going to charm him Tia.”

“WHAT! You misunderstood! I must be near him or he’ll just faint every time you get near him! What is wrong with you!!” Celestia scolded.

“Oh…uh, I thought you meant something else. Hehehe.”

Celestia sighed. “I’ll try to persuade him to meet you tonight.” She turned around to head back to Gold Sky. “I won’t make you any promises Cadance, I will try all I can to persuade him.”

Cadance held her head high. “Sounds good to me Tia, bye.” She turned around and left.

Gold Sky approached Celestia. “Is everything all right mom?”
Celestia laid a hoof on Gold Sky’s cheek and smiled lovingly at him. “You said you wanted to go to the hospital my son.”

“I want to see Nurse Redheart.”

“Then see her we shall.”

Both of them left the palace. At first Celestia’s Royal guard followed her but she ordered them to stay in the palace. After a nice canter to the hospital, Gold Sky stood at the entrance looking at the Red Cross surrounded by white hearts. Only one mare has that cutie mark and that one mare comforted him when his parents died.
Upon entering the hospital Gold Sky stopped in his tracks.

“Gold Sky are you having a flashback?” Celestia asked while using her magic to lift him up and place him out of the way of the busy staff.

“No, I am simply looking for her scent.” Gold Sky sniffed the air.

“Almost forgot about his ultra keen sense of smell and that he stills or partially recognizes ponies by their scent.” Celestia thought.

“Found her.” Gold Sky looked into his mother’s eyes with a joyful smile.

The two of them walked through the hallways of the hospital while nurses, doctors, and certified nurse’s assistants bowed down to the Princess.
Celestia and Gold Sky arrived in the floor where Nurse Redheart works in, Celestia told Gold Sky she’ll be in the waiting room while he goes and meets with Nurse Redheart. Eager like a child with the high yearning to see a missed loved one Gold Sky looked about for the white mare with beautiful pink hair.

“She’s right there sonny boy.” A nurse told Gold Sky.

“Thank you.”
The cloaked Alicorn took slow steps, after two hundred years he finally gets to meet the mare who took him into her arms when his parents died and comforted him with reassurance, gentle loving touch, and with the voice of a motherly Angel. “Nurse.” Gold Sky said softly to Redheart’s back.

“Yes.” Nurse Redheart answered with her back still turned to Gold Sky.

Gold Sky heard her gentle voice. “Even after two hundred years her voice still has that loving touch to it.”

“Nurse Redheart…”

The white mare stopped writing vital signs on her clip board. *Sigh* “What can I help you with si…” She dropped her clip board. “Go-Gold Sky i-is tha-tha-that you??” Try as she may Redheart cannot contain the joy inside her heart.

“It is me.” Gold Sky started to tear up.

Redheart approached Gold Sky, her eyes studied every bit of Gold Sky’s face to verify it’s him. “Ooooh my boy it’s been so long!!” She threw her arms around Gold Sky to embrace the full grown stallion whom she considers a son since she once had the intention to adopt him but Sylvia asked Celestia to take him under her wing. “Look at you! Just yesterday you were only a little colt and now you’re a full grown stallion! Oooh you have grown so much!” Redheart squeezed harder and from memory she made sure her hair is near Gold Sky’s nose.

Gold Sky took a whiff of Redheart’s hair. “Never changed.”

Redheart let go of Gold Sky. “Gold Sky please come with me to my office so we can have privacy and catch up!”

“Of course.”

However, Nurse Redheart almost forgot one thing. “Hold on Gold Sky, first let me tell my fellow nurses that I’m done for the day, okay.”

“Sure.”

After telling the fellow nurses she’s done for the day Redheart led Gold Sky to her office, after closing the door she reached to her mini-fridge to get out two cans of apple juice and once placing the juice on the desk she asked the obvious her mind will make her ask.
“Why are you wearing a cloak Gold Sky?”

Gold Sky stopped himself from drinking the apple juice, his lips went from pursed to normal . “I don’t want anypony to know that I’m an Alicorn like mother.”

“Ah, I understand Gold Sky but you being an Alicorn looks so you.” Redheart affectionate advice dug into Gold Sky’s mind.

Gold Sky eyed the ground for a few seconds, he knows what he is and he knows that every vain attempt to change his form failed. “You haven’t aged a day Redheart, I guess you really are immortal and it fits you just fine.”

The mare giggled. “I am not immortal Gold Sky, Princess Celestia simply placed an age delaying spell on me. I am still aging but at pace that will take hundreds or thousands of years before a wrinkle appears on my face.”

“I didn’t know she placed an age delaying spell on you! I thought you were immortal, haha, that’s incredible!” Gold Sky leaned his head back to finish his drink.

“HUH!!” Redheart noticed a scar across Gold Sky’s windpipe. Causing her rationale to apply her five hundred years of medical experience to create assessments, the scar across his neck is deep, shows signs of two attempts, and is only noticeable if he lifts his head up. “Gold Sky! Where did you get that scar!”

“What scar?”

Redheart got up from her desk. “The scar across your neck or to be more precise, the scar over your trachea!” Her voice lost its loving touch; she became extremely worried of how Gold Sky got his throat slit, twice and how his body is able to heal it.

“I-I…have tissue regeneration, that’s all I’ll be saying about this topic Redheart. We should talk about something else, please.”

Redheart’s intuition told her that she will get nowhere if she continues prodding about the scar, Gold Sky has his secretive reasons for not wanting to talk about the scar. So Redheart has to respect his wishes. “Well uh where were you for the past two hundred years?”

Gold Sky relaxed a bit, he found it out of place to be telling Redheart of his journey first before telling Celli. “I just walked the earth, I went to the United Zebra Clans, Changeling kingdom but by accident, the Griffon Republic, and some other places that I won’t list for the reasons that they are mundane. Where do you want me to start Redheart?”

“I want you to come here.” Redheart had her arms extended. So Gold Sky complied, went into her arms, and rested his head on her shoulder. “I know something is bothering you Gold Sky, I can see it in your eyes and can also feel your strong heartbeat. I’m sorry if I'm being too assertive with you at this moment, it’s been so long for me and for your mother, I missed you Gold Sky. I missed you a lot.” Redheart sealed her words with two kisses to the head.

“I love you.” Gold Sky’s voice cracked.

“I love you too, my boy.” Her voice also cracked.

Redheart is smiling while she feels warm tears on her shoulder. “Tears of joy.”

***
In the palace gardens, Octavia chatted with Luna about the serine singularity of classical music. Luna can’t believe that this young mare has so much knowledge about music and she’s not even immortal, talk about an eye opener for Luna. Nevertheless, Luna took this opportunity to learn from this mare after all she learned new things from Twilight Sparkle so it will be nice learning new things. “Octavia I did not know you were so insightful in music. Where did you learn all of this?”

“From my father, he taught me everything about music and also encouraged me to learn more. Through him my knowledge and my talent grew. In fact when I performed my first performance at school many years back…I got my cutie mark.” Octavia pointed to her flank with the same mirthful face she had on that wonderful day. “Everypony at the school cheered for me, for the performance and receiving my cutie mark, my father was very, very proud of me, we celebrated getting my cutie mark and I never felt so happy.”

Luna took a quick glance at Octavia’s cutie mark. “It goes well with your eyes and your hair too. How do keep your hair so nice and shiny?”

Octavia slowly passed a hoof through her long hair; it is a characteristic of hers that makes her stand out from the rest of the ponies after she is chic, unique, and magnifique. Who else can match to her uniqueness? Well there’s Rarity and Rarity just tops everything in the beauty category along with uniqueness but Octavia matches Rarity in all of that. Besides, Octavia has and will always have her bowtie because no other mare will look good in it. “I brush it constantly, use a moisturizing conditioner, and let the air flow through it. Also for my bangs I use a comb, sometimes I want to comb them down but it always escapes my mind. Hehe!” Octavia took a quick sip of juice. “Anyway, let’s talk about your hair Luna.”

Luna moved some of her hair to the front. “Truth be told Octavia, this was my hair before it changed into flowing stardust. Look.” Luna’s horn glowed causing her hair to change back into its flowing stardust form. “This is what my hair looks from now on but I still like my old hair style, it’s more natural and it makes me look a bit younger if you get what I’m applying.”

“I understand Luna.”

Luna noticed Octavia hasn’t touched any of her food on her plate. “Pray tell, if she has not eaten anything than she will not get all queasy and regurgitate all her food if she says yes to what I’m going to ask.”

“Ahem, Octavia you want to go skydiving?”

This question really took Octavia by surprise, this is the first time anypony asks her that kind of question and probably the first time she even hears of skydiving. “Uhhhhh, skydiving? I never skydived before Luna. Like ever.”

Luna’s lips perked into a hearty smile that indicates this is the answer she wanted to hear. “Good, then skydiving we shall do.”

“But I didn’t get to eat breakfast!”

“Breakfast is overrated Octavia, besides when we’re skydiving you won’t be hungry one bit trust me it’ll be fun, don’t you like fun? You did perform an unfathomable performance last night so why not let loose by freefalling from the highest point in the sky.” Luna pointed at the table prompting a maid to come and take their plates away.

Octavia thought for a bit. She has been somewhat too serious for the past few weeks that led up to her performance with the exceptions of having a bite at the Sugarcube corner, going to the boutique, and talking to Gold Sky earlier this morning. It won’t hurt experiencing something new especially when experiencing that something new with Princess Luna. “I’ll be honored to go skydiving with you Luna.”

*Squee!* “Wunderbar! Hop on my back Octavia and hang on tight, we’ll be going to highest point in the sky!”

Octavia gracefully hoped onto Luna’s back and wrapped her arms around the royal neck.

“OH not so tight!” Luna said in a raspy voice.

“Sorry about that Luna.” Octavia loosened her grip around Luna’s neck.

“Phew much better, alright hang on!” Luna flapped her wings a few times before finally leaping up into the air and flying to the sky. Octavia felt the air running through her hair and hitting her face, she looked down and just saw Canterlot getting smaller while the buildings in Ponyville look like a bunch of little dots on the landscape.

“How are you feeling back there?” Luna asked.

“I’m feeling good so far. Why do you ask?”

“Just making sure you’re not feeling any sort of nausea also I did not take into account if you’re afraid of heights but from judging by the sound of your voice I guess you’re not.” Luna suddenly stopped flying up and just hovered. “Okay this is from where we’ll dive; here I got some goggles for you.” She put the goggles on Octavia. “Okay now jump.”

“Jump??” Octavia asked in a totally nervous lined tone of voice.

“It isn’t called skydiving for a reason Octavia. Look don’t worry, I’ll be diving with you and I will catch you way before you get within one hundred feet of the ground.”

Octavia still has her doubts about this. “I-I don’t know Luna…”

Luna lovingly silenced Octavia by raising her hoof. “Octavia I will be by your side no matter what and I will never let you fall. I promise.”

Shame came over the gray mare for allowing doubt into the mind; Luna will never allow any of her dear subjects to get hurt and the gray mare is no exception.
*Deep breath. * “Okay…here I go. Um, um in three, two…one! Uh Jump!!” Octavia jumped off of Luna’s back.

“Well there she goes.” Luna said to herself.

Octavia had her eyes closed at first but with some pushing she opened them. She can feel the air rushing around her body, going through clouds, and feeling like she can fly. “Ha…haha, hahahaha, this is awesome!!!” She extended her arms out and started to spin around, then she did some flips, and relaxed to take in everything. “Now I know how it feels to be a pegasus!”

“I know right!” An upside down Luna said next to Octavia. “I hope you don’t mind if your hair gets messed up.”

Octavia gasped in amazement to Luna’s unneeded concern to her hair. “Why will I care about my hair in a wonderful time like this, thanks Luna for talking me into this!”

“You’re very welcome Octavia.” Luna quickly looked down. “Octavia get on my back now, we’re getting close to the ground.” Luna banked a bit to the left to correct her symmetry so Octavia can land softly on her back. “I’m a going to pull up so get ready to feel a lot of G-Force strike your body. Hang on!”
Princess Luna pulled up.

“Ooooooooh my stomach!” Octavia felt like the whole world is pushing against her stomach, which is why it’s a good thing she didn’t eat breakfast.

“Feels cool right!” Luna exclaimed.

Octavia tried her best to answer. “Almost…I-I think!”

“Anyway, the G-Force should end right about now!”

Octavia felt everything coming back to normal, allowing for a sigh of relief to escape her lips. Consequently feeling relieved made her yearn for more of the uneasy feeling. “Luna please spin!”

Luna pointed her left wing down and right wing up causing her and Octavia to spin.

“WOO HOO!!” Octavia yelled in extreme amazement, who would have thought that performing for Princess Luna will lead to a moment like this. A moment to bond with one of the immortal rulers of Equestria, oh how anypony will wish to have at least one minute of this. “YEAH!!!” Octavia lifted up her arms to enhance the exhilarating sensation.

Luna smiled at hearing Octavia’s cheerful shouts. “Octavia you want to go for another dive?” There was no need to answer that question because she already knew the answer.

“YES!!!”

Luna flew back up to the highest point in the sky.

***
Rainbow patted Spike on the head and gave Rarity a tight hug. “Bye you two and have fun finding Sweetie Belle’s present!”

“Thank you darling!”
“Thanks Rainbow.”

Rainbow flew off to a cloud to wait for Pinkie Pie and prank her with a lightning bolt. Ho, ho that’s going to be great.

Meanwhile, Rarity & Spike walked into a newly opened toy store that had a nice revolving sign in the front and door with a clown horn that honks every time the door opens. Spike couldn’t help but laugh at hearing the funny honk but he quickly composed himself when he saw Rarity looking at him with a curious expression. “Sorry about that.”

Rarity placed a hoof on Spike’s back. “It’s alright Spikey-Wikey.”

Spike felt his chest going warm to Rarity’s loving tone of voice. “I’m so lucky.”

“Come along Spike we got some gift searching to do.”Rarity said as she trotted to a section of the toy store.

The young dragon snapped out of his loved struck daze. “Oh uh, coming Rarity!”

Both of them walked down the aisles looking at the toys each thinking what would Sweetie Belle like from here.
“Hey about a puzzle?” Spike held up a five hundred piece puzzle that once done shows the turquoise hollow diamond cutie mark that is prevalent in the once existing Native Equestrian tribe known as the Chero.

“Hmmmmm.” This puzzle does look like a nice gift, something simple, nice, and will keep Sweetie Belle occupied for some time, nonetheless, this is a puzzle and unless Sweetie Belle is into puzzles which most likely she’s not why would Rarity buy her that. “I don’t think Sweetie Belle will like a puzzle. What do you think Spike? Will you like a puzzle for a present?”

Spike placed his hand under his chin. “Well I wouldn’t like a puzzle for my birthday and I think you wouldn’t too right?”

“I wouldn’t like a puzzle for my birthday too. So let’s scratch off that possibility.” Rarity looked at the other shelve. “OOOH! How about one of these little baking ovens! She can bake little cakes for Scootaloo and Apple Bloom!” Rarity’s magic held the little simple bake oven in front of Spike.

Spike crossed his arms and with an expression of truthfulness that is backed with a mid-raised eye brow gave his opinion. “Remember when Sweetie Belle tried making you breakfast.”

Rarity’s ears dropped. “Ah thanks for reminding me about that.” Rarity placed the simple bake oven back on the shelf, she looked down at the floor with an emotion of shame. Rarity can’t absorb the fact that she can’t find a gift for Sweetie Belle.

Spike noticed the look on Rarity’s facial expression. “Rarity don’t be worried.” He softly placed a hoof on her shoulder. “We’ll going to find a awesome gift for Sweetie Belle, I know we can!”

The hopeful words from Spike gave Rarity some ease. “Thanks Spike.” She rubbed her head against Spike’s head, causing him to blush and thanks to Spike being quick to hide this, he did not notice Rarity blushing too.

“How about a doll?” Spike held up a doll model of Fluer-De-Lis.

“No she has a bunch of dolls and plush toys. This hula hoop?”

“Nah, hey this book looks cool. It’s about dragons and knights!”

“She likes novels not picture books. This hat?”

“Really Rarity?? Does Sweetie Belle wear hats.” It’s amazing how Spike knows what Sweetie Belle might not like but does not know what she might like.

“No…but this easel looks nice.” Rarity pointed her hoof at the easel.

Spike looked at the easel and back to Rarity, his green eyes connected with Rarity’s azure eyes.

*Ting*
Rarity & Spike shared a smile.

***
In the hospital.

“Daddy is that Princess Celestia!!” A little filly asked while she looked at the white mare reading a magazine.

The stallion looked over to the other side of the waiting room. “Oh my…! Sweetheart that is Princess Celestia!”

The blue eyes of the little filly sparkled brightly. “Ca-ca-ca-can we go see her pleasssssssssssssssssssssssse!” The little filly begged.

The dad scratched the back of his head. “I don’t know sweetheart, we shouldn’t disturb the Princess, uh maybe she’s here on some kind of Royal duty.”

“Pleassssse daddy! Pleasssssssssse!” The eyes of the filly sparkled brighter now.

*sigh* “All right we’ll go and say hello and don’t forget to bow down before her when she sees us all right.”

“Yes!” Squealed the filly.

The dad and the daughter slowly trotted to Princess Celestia and bowed down before her when she lowered her magazine in order to look at them.

“Your Majesty.” The dad said in reverence.
“Princess!” Praised the filly.

Princess Celestia smiled warmly at her dear subjects. “My dear ponies please rise up so I can look at both of you.”

The father and daughter rose.

Princess Celestia looked at the little filly with eyes of love. “Come here little one.”

The little filly happily approached Princess Celestia.

Celestia took the filly into her arms. “I love being with my dear subjects.”

The filly squealed in blissfulness.
Celestia then turned to the filly’s dad. “Come my dear subject.”

The stallion obeyed and he too found himself in Celestia’s arms.

“Wow! Who would have thought that I’ll ever get a hug from her majesty Princess Celestia!” He ended up squealing blissfully too.

“Thank you!” The dad and daughter said in unison before departing from Princess Celestia.

Celestia giggled, a simple act like a hug will always put a smile on anypony’s face.

Redheart gave Gold Sky one last hug. “Well my boy, I’m glad you’re back and I’ll be more than happy to join you and your mother this evening.”

“I can’t wait too Redheart, bye.” Gold Sky trotted back to the waiting room where Celestia sat.

The magenta eyes of the Princess shined brightly at seeing her son. “Gold Sky.”

“Mom. Redheart recognized me and you placed an age delaying spell on her.” Gold Sky started to make that face of curiosity.

“Hmmm.” Celestia thought for a few seconds. “Now I remember, she’s around five hundred years old, the reason why I put that age delaying spell on her is because she was the only pony back then who practiced nursing along with her sister Tenderheart. Now today there are many nurses but none will never compare to Redheart and I asked her if she wants to be a doctor since with all the knowledge she has she can practically perform any kind of procedure. Pays to be old and yet young in the medical field.”

Questions got answered in Gold Sky’s mind. “She missed me…” *Sniffle* “She missed me and she calls me her boy.” Gold Sky began to feel pain…Redheart loves him just like Celestia. “Just like y-y-you welcomed me back with open arms she too does the same. Why…? Why do I get this went I-I just left.”

“My son.” Celestia brought Gold Sky close to her and used her telepathy to make themselves invisible to everypony around them. “Redheart wanted to adopt you after your parents died. But before you were born I gave her an age delaying spell and a side effect came into the picture.”

“What kind of side effect?” Gold Sky asked.

“The side effect made her incapable of having children.”

“What! It made her infertile!!?” Gold Sky began to feel even more guilt inside of him and he would not dare to think Celestia is of any blame.

Celestia shook her head. “The age delaying spell froze her body cycles. For every twenty years she ages one day and through that her body does not know when to act…Mortal. This is why she can’t have children. Sadly for Redheart your birth mother asked me to take you as my son, I saw the sadness in her eyes as she held you in her arms rocking you to sleep. She wanted a child and when I took you in, she adopted a young filly to be her daughter but I’m sure you know what time did to Redheart’s daughter.”

Gold Sky’s chest knotted up with cold torture. “She d-died?”

Celestia’s closed her eyes and nodded. “It struck her with unimaginable persecution to witness something every parent will never wish to see.” Celestia paused to nuzzle Gold Sky on the head to let him know how much she loves him. “A parent that outlives their child.” Celestia looked into Gold Sky’s teal eyes. “An unwritten law every parent does not want to break. But I…I did not foresee that, yet she does not blame me for the age delaying spell.” Celestia pressed her hoof against Gold Sky’s cheek. “She sees you as a son Gold Sky, a son that not even time will take away.”

The memory reemerged with the grief he felt for Redheart. Gold Sky pictured Redheart crying for her dying olden daughter while she herself is young and beautiful. Loss.Gold Sky is one with that word. After all his parents, Celestia would be motherly upbringing, children of the Rouge Zebra clan, Ruby, his sanity, and…the griffon chick. All were taken away by loss, of course he regained his sanity and Celestia still loves him. But the rest is in loss’s cruel thesis.

Gold Sky wrapped his arms around his mother’s neck to embrace her, hearing of pain just adds to his pain for it cannot be stopped nor can it be hindered.

Actually his pain can be stopped.

By Love.

Gold Sky is Love and he has the power of a mother’s love to help him.

But a mother’s love will only stop the pain and will not provide him with peace.

*Poof* Celestia teleported the both of them back to the palace. “I will not overstep any boundaries.” Celestia’s with her telepathy entered the lovely mind of her son. “He still has guilt even though I forgave him, he wants peace but does not know how to obtain it. I will see way.” Celestia travelled deeper into the galaxy of Gold Sky’s mind with the intentions to enter the core where the most valued memories are stored.

*PING!*
Yellow ripples spanned across a transparent wall preventing Celestia from seeing the memories she desired to see. “I see my son can block my telepathy. Whatever he’s hiding from me is what keeping him from finding peace.” Celestia went back to the surface of Gold Sky’s mind. “He met Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, ah and my most faithful student Twilight Sparkle, he thinks the Cutie Mark Crusaders are Big Macintosh’s daughters. An…hmmm, Octavia.” Celestia’s maternal instincts came forth. “Is he developing feelings for this mare? From the way she looks at him and smiles at him, she sees him as her friend. WAIT! Is my son falling in love?? No, if it was love his feelings for this mare will be much more for her…Oh, forgot about that.” From reading the thoughts that she can read in Gold Sky’s mind, Celestia came to conclude one thing. “Gold Sky never had the birds & the bees talk. He may be what Cadance says he is but does he know how to talk to a mare? Can he know how to love this mare if their friendship evolves to beyond friendship? Well I should talk about him about Love.” Celestia looked into moral part of the core in Gold Sky’s mind which lucky for her is not telepathically blocked. “His mind is pure and he thinks of just love the emotion. Oh my son! It fills my heart with joy again to see that you have the morals and values I gave to you! He’s of clean mind…still. He’ll start feeling uncomfortable when we talk about the birds and the bees. I don’t want to think how he went through his teenage years.” Normal motherly concerns in Celestia’s mind made her happy to know that right now her son is here and tomorrow he’ll still be here.

“Gold Sky, my son.” Celestia whispered quietly.

“Yes mom?” Gold Sky almost said mother but caught his tongue in time.

“I know you’re sad, still wondering why I love you so much, and just full of question but I’ll tell you this my son. You have never changed one bit, you are of pure thought and moral mind. The Son becomes the Mother and the Mother the Son. In time you will understand those words. I love you my son, I love you very much.” Celestia kissed Gold Sky on the head. “Now it’s going to be lunchtime, isn’t there somepony you plan to meet?”

“Lunchtime?” Gold Sky didn’t have the slightest to clue to why Celli will be talking about lunch in a moment like this.

“Yes lunch with somepony in particular. You know, nice hair, nice voice, and beautiful eyes.” Celestia hinted.

“You?” Oh how innocent and cute is Gold Sky’s reply.

“Awwwww!” Celestia doted. “Gold Sky it’s not me, it’s Octavia.”

“OH!” Finally he remembers. “We’re going to have lunch today in the Sugarcube Corner. Thanks for reminding me mom!” Gold Sky got out of Celestia’s loving arms.

Celestia patted him on the head. “You should go now Gold Sky and yes, Nurse Redheart can join us for dinner.”

Gold Sky headed for the door but something in his mind told him to stop. “Mother.” He didn’t catch his tongue. “How did you know about me having lunch with Octavia?”

The Princess of the Sun knows that the answer she’ll say to Gold Sky will be believed with a full heart and he will never think that she kindly used her telepathy on him. “A mother always knows my son.” The sparkle in her eyes added truth to her words.

Gold Sky smiled at the Princess of the Sun. “Thanks for reminding me and thank you for taking me to see Nurse Redheart.”

“Of course Gold Sky. Now go now.”

Gold Sky got his hood on and thought of the Sugarcube Corner. “Jump.” He said in his mind.

*Poof*

“Have fun Gold Sky and please don’t stutter too much.” Celestia went to her throne room to finish up some Royal duties.

***

Almost there!” Octavia sped through the air like a bullet as the she got closer to the ground. “Right about now!”

Luna caught Octavia. “Wow Octavia, you just love this don’t you!”

“I sure do Luna! Say what time is it by the way?”

Luna looked up to the sky to see where the sun is positioned. She sees that the sun is near its highest point in the blue sky. “It should be noon in a couple of minutes.”

Octavia couldn’t believe time went by so fast. “Wow noon already? Haha that’s…uh oh! Lunch with Gold Sky! Luna can you please take me to the Sugarcube Corner!”

“Of course.” Luna made her way to Ponyville.

***
Rarity & Spike stood next to each watching Sweetie Belle eye her delicious birthday cake. Here in this party, is Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash, Derpy, Dinky, Silver Spoon, Featherweight, and Cheerilee. Errr, Ms. Cheerilee.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Sweetie Belle! Happy birthday to you! YAY!” Everypony sang to Sweetie Belle.

“Blow out the candles!” Sweetie Belle’s mother exclaimed.

Sweetie Belle first made a wish and then blew out the candles.

“Now time to open the presents!” Sweetie Belle’s father handed her the first present.

While Sweetie Belle opened her presents Rarity got near Spike’s ear. “Do you think she’ll like her present?”

“I think she will and speaking of which she’s opening the present we got for her.” Spike pointed out.

“A easel! I always wanted my own easel so I can paint. OH!!” Sweetie Belle did that little adorable squeal. “Magic paint! The drawing comes to life when I finish drawing it! Thank you Rarity and Spike!” Everypony around Sweetie Belle crowded around to see her draw something and then watch the drawing move around in the easel.

Behind everypony else Rarity & Spike looked into each other’s eyes. With mutual thoughts going their minds they tenderly rubbed heads. Rarity’s emotions for Spike are now sealed.
While Spike’s heart is happy.

Rainbow Dash from a distance smiled at seeing Rarity & Spike. “They’re going to be a great couple. I’m happy for you Rares.”

Sweetie Belle looked up and saw through the small crowd of gathered ponies Rarity & Spike being lovingly affectionate. “My birthday wish came true!”

***

*Poof*

Gold Sky’s jump to the Sugarcube Corner is a success; he didn’t end up on a cloud or underwater. “It’s still few minutes until noon well nothing’s wrong with waiting. After all patience is a mandatory virtue for me.” Gold Sky looked down and saw himself tapping his hooves in an urgent nervous manner. “Strange?? Why am I acting so nervous? Eh, must be the smell of the yummy food cooking inside. Huh?” He noticed a dark colored pony coming down from the sky.

Luna gave a strong flap to create a strong rush of air to slow her down completely.
“Here we are at the Sugarcube Corner Octavia.” Luna folded her wings back to her body to make it easier for the gray mare to get off.

“Thanks Luna!” Octavia bowed her head before Luna.

“Whoa! She’s an Alicorn like mother, err I mean mom, oh just forget it! Like mother, Princess Mi Amore Cadneza, and me! She must be Princess Luna…she looks incredible!” Gold Sky couldn’t help but admire Princess Luna, like her nice flowing mane, beautiful eyes, dark coat color, shiny horseshoes, and her elegant flawless figure.

Luna’s eyes noticed a cloaked Unicorn looking at her with wide eyes. “Is thou checkest me out?” She said to the Unicorn.

Gold Sky blinked a few time plus shook his head to clear his perception. “What?”

Luna got closer. “I said is thou checkest me out?”

At hearing the question from the fellow Alicorn Gold Sky understood that she mistook his admiration for her so he bowed down low before her. “I will never dare to check you out your majesty!”

“Hmm, then why the wide eyes my dear subject?”

Gold Sky’s mind went into panic mode. He has to pick the right words to say to Princess Luna.
“I, uh, I am admiring your amazing eloquence your majesty. Never in my life have I seen anypony such as you with so much flawlessness. I am honored to be in your presence.”

Luna accepted Gold Sky’s explanation. “So Octavia is this the Gold Sky you’ve told me about this morning?”

“Yes Luna he’s the one who Celestia showed to the guest room. And again Luna he didn’t anything to me other than freak out! Hehe.” Octavia couldn’t help but giggle.

Luna walked by Gold Sky and she made sure to brush his chin with her stardust tail, she enhanced her hearing and adjusted her vision so she can see the color of his body heat. “His heart is going at three hundred ninety seven beats a minute plus his getting really warm with shyness. Hey look at him blush at me. Now I can see why he was more scared of Octavia then Octavia scared of him…he doesn’t know how to talk to mares.”

“Ahem, well it was nice meeting you Gold Sky and do enjoy your day. Bye Octavia!” Luna jumped into the air and flew away.
“I should ask Celli about him.”

Octavia went up to Gold Sky with a friendly smile of course. “Awe struck weren’t you?”

Gold Sky took off his hood. “I was only admiring her! I was not checking her out, honest!!”

Octavia placed a hoof on his shoulder. “Hey calm down, I’m not pointing the hoof at you in any way, I was simply stating what I saw and for sure I know an awe struck face when I see one. Trust me you had the same face Luna had when I performed for her.”

“Phew, well that’s good to know. Anyway after you.” Gold Sky opened the door for Octavia.

“Thanks.”

Octavia and Gold Sky waited for a certain pink mare to just pop up from out of…
“OCTAVIA!! Oooh, GOLD SKY!! IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!” Pinkie took the both of them in one of her mysterious or patented signature hugs. “YOU TWO HUNGRY!!” What’s with the shouting?

“Yes oh Pinkie we’re hungry. Don’t squeeze so hard!” Octavia forcibly grinned at Pinkie.

“Ow…” Is all what Gold Sky managed to say.”

Pinkie released them from her deadly but lovingly happy hug. “Sorry about that you two, I’m just happy as a termite in a woodshop to see you two!” Pinkie Pie pushed the both of them to their chairs, set a table before them, plus bottles of sarsaparilla, and lastly cupcakes.

Instantly Gold Sky’s eyes filled with joy at seeing the cupcakes that took him to a place of bliss.
Octavia felt warm with content to see Gold Sky happy again but what made her the most content is his pleasant smile, it’s something that she compares to the merry flow of her music.

Pinkie’s head popped up from behind Gold Sky’s shoulder. “Well what are you waiting for? Have one, I know how much you love, love them!” Pinkie shoved one into Gold Sky’s mouth.

The stallion took his time swallowing the cupcake. “Thanks Pinkie.”

"You're welcome Goldie Sky! Say did you get that nice cloak from Rarity?"

Gold Sky wiped his mouth. "Why yes I bought this cloak from Rarity, whoa, whoa, how did you know I bought this cloak from Rarity?"

Pinkie pointed at his flank. "It has her cutie mark silly duh! She only puts her cutie mark on her clothes."

"So this is one of her cloaks then, huh, she must have used her magic to make it my size! How generous of her." Gold Sky loudly.

Pinkie did a *squee* and left to the kitchen to get some more cupcakes.

“Gold Sky, you have to hear what Luna and I did this morning!” Octavia leaned her head forward to get her glee across to Gold Sky.

“I’m all ears Octavia but before we start.” He grabbed hold of his bottle of sarsaparilla. “Cheers!”

“Oh Gold Sky, you’re so cheerful. Cheers!” Both their bottles clanged.

Arriving from the kitchen. “Octavia are you and Gold Sky an item?”

*Ba-Dum!!*

“What was that?” Octavia knows she heard what sounds like a heartbeat.

“I think that was my stomach.” Pinkie poked her belly.

Octavia shrugged her shoulders. “Me and Gold Sky are friends.” Octavia turned to look at the blushing Unicorn and from her heart picked the right words.

“Good Friends.”

My Dearest Readers I thank you for your patience and if you have any feedback or opinions please comment or message me. I will be most eager to hear whatever you want to say.