Hearths Warming Grief.

by BronyNathan

Rating: teen
Tags: Zecora, Sad, Diamond Dogs, Original Character, Fluttershy, Adventure, Sex, Twilight Sparkle, Gore, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 12092

Sequel to Fight for Equestria. It's been 7 yeas since the human war. During the Hearths Warming holidays, Fluttershy falls pray to a mysterious Disease. There is only one known cure, but its miles deep in the most dangerous territory in Equestria. Can Woodwind and Squeak get the cure in time to save Fluttershy?

Published 2012-06-28 10:04:03 UTC
Last updated 2012-06-28 10:04:03 UTC

For the Holidays.

Snow was coming down all over Equestria, sheeting the land in a thick blanket of white. The sun had already set and the moon was now gracing the sky.

Woodwind trudged through the snow with the axe in his mouth. He had to find the perfect tree or Squeaks would never give him a moment of respite.

"Speaking of Squeaks." He thought to himself. He could hear tiny wings flapping behind him. he turned around quick enough to see his daughter bolt behind a tree.
"Squeaks, I told you to stay at the house with your mother and help her watch your brother and sister. You're going to catch a cold."
Squeak came sulking out from behind a tree. "But dad, I just wanted to help you with the tree."
He sighed. They were already too far from the house to send her back. "Alright, Squeaks. lets go." he said and trudged forward.
He heard her cheer and flutter close to him.
"Hey dad, why don't you just fly? It'll be much easier." she asked as she circled him with ease as he slowly lifted each leg through the heavy snow.
"I don't really like to use my wings. I like doing things the old fashioned way." He told her as he continued trudging on.
She replied with a playful tone. "But it's easier." she said taunting him
He chuckled at her and just kept walking.
20 minutes went by until they found it. It stood about 8 feet tall and was a beautiful hue of green. Squeaks knew exactly what one she wanted.
"This one, daddy! Cut down this one!" She yelled flying up to the tree and pulling gingerly at its branches.
Woodwind began chopping. It only took about five swings to cut it down since it was pretty small. It hit the ground with a satisfying thud.
Woodwind used his wings to scoop it on his back and hold it there.
"Wow, daddy! You're really strong!" She yelled as he balanced the tree.
"Why thank you, Squeaks. Now lets go get some hot chocolate. Sound good?"
Squeaks eyes lit up at the thought. "That sounds yummy!" she said as she floated atop her fathers head.
"But, you have to walk back. I'm beat." She said as she curled up in his warm mane.

Fluttershy was busy hanging decorations on the walls as the twins, Buck and Tinyhooves, began to tussle over their favorite toy. Fluttershy finished lighting the fire for Woodwind to warm up to when he returned from the howling cold, and plucked the arguing twins up by their PJ's.
"Now Buck, you've had the toy all day. Don't you think its time for your sister to have a turn?" She said, pleading with the foals.
"No!" came the tiny Bucks little voice as Tinyhooves began to cry more.
Fluttershy sighed as she set the colt down. He was still snuggling the toy.
"Tinyhooves, would you like to help mommy decorate?" Fluttershy asked hoping to cheer the filly up.
Tinyhooves wiped her eyes and began to smile. "Ok, mommy."
Fluttershy hugged her and set her down.
"Ok, sweetie. I just need to go get the ornaments from the cellar. Now be a good filly and finish your bottle for me."
Tinyhooves nodded as she crawled to the quilt to finish the last of her milk.
Fluttershy floated into the basement in search of the box of ornaments. She began to cough again.
She had had that same cough for about a week now. She didn't think much of it. It was cold season, after all.
But the coughing was worse now. She gagged and began to cough up blood.
It spouted from her mouth like a hose. She covered her face in horror and tried to fly back upstairs.
But the world went black. She began to feel a sense of vertigo as she had trouble telling up from down. She tried to scream, but only more blood came out.
She was scared. No one could help her. Reality cut out and she crashed to the cold, stone floor.

Woodwind set the tree down in the corner and helped Squeaks out of her coat.
"Why don't you go get the co-co mix ready. I'll meet you in the kitchen in a minute."
"Ok, dad!" she said flying to the kitchen. "C'mon Buck and Tinyhooves! You want some co-co, too?" She called back to her brother and sister.
They both cheered and crawled for the kitchen.
Woodwind watched and smiled as Squeaks began to help her siblings with the powder.
"Fluttershy! We're back!" He called out.
No reply.
"Fluttershy?" He called out again.
still nothing.
He flew into the bedroom. maybe she fell asleep.
Nothing.
The attic?
No sign of her.
"Buck? Tinyhooves? Wheres mommy?" He asked the toddlers.
"Mommy went to tha baseament!" Tinyhooves said pointing to the cellar door.
He went down and called her name.
Still nothing.
He turned on the light and was horrified by what he saw.
Fluttershy was laying lifeless on the ground. Blood pooling on the floor near her mouth. He rushed to her in a frenzy and picked her up in his hooves.
"Fluttershy!? Fluttershy!" He yelled.
She lay limp in his forelegs.
He bolted upstairs and placed her on the couch. Squeaks bolted in when she saw her mother lifeless in his arms.
"Mommy?!" She yelled and flew next to her mothers limp body crying. "MOMMY!"
"Squeaks I need you to watch the twins and mommy until I get back! I'm going to get Aunti Twilight. Can you do that for me?" He asked barely keeping his composure.
"Mhmm." She said as tears streamed down her tiny cheeks.
With that he was off. He wouldn't let Fluttershy down!

Silent night.

He made it to Twilights in record time. Nothing was going to slow him down, not when it put his beloved wife in danger.

He rapped on the door as hard as he could, bounding from hoof to hoof.

Twilight awoke with a start as the banging on her door became louder and more frantic. "Ugh. Who could that be at this time of night?" She asked as she sluggishly pulled herself from the warmth of the covers. Spike sat up from his bed and rubbed his eyes.

"Whoever that is, tell them i'll light them on fire if they don't go away." he said as he rolled over and covered his face with his pillow.

Twilight opened the door and Woodwind burst into the room. "Twilight! I need your help! It's Fluttershy!" he yelled frantically.

Twilights tired eyes widened in fear. "What happened? What's going on?" She said rushing to him as he was busy searching her bookshelf.

"I don't know! I found her on the floor when i returned home. She's sick!" He yelled as he kept searching the bookshelf. "Do you have any books on diseases?" He asked still searching.

Twilight ran into the other room. "Hear, It's called Mysterious Pony Plagues. Lets get going! I want to see if she's ok."

Woodwind grabbed her and threw her on his back. "No time to waste! Lets go!" he yelled and bolted out the front door with a confused Twilight hanging on to him for dear life.

Woodwind opened the door to a chorus of frantic crying. Twilight wasn't used to that kind of noise and she shut her ears as tight as possible. Woodwind knelt down holding his children close.

"Aunti Twilight, you have to help mommy!" Squeak yelled as she ran up to her and grabbed her forelegs.

"I'll do my best, Squeak." She said as she went to Fluttershy's side.

Seeing her friend like this turned her blood to ice. She couldn't even begin to imagine what woodwind was going through.

"Ok, I need you to tell me the symptoms she had. Did you notice anything odd the past few days?" Twilight asked checking her book.

"Well, she has been coughing for the past week. We didn't think anything of it."

"Hmm. What else."

He continued on, pacing the floor now.

"Well, when i found her, she had blood coming out of her mouth."

Twilight opened Fluttershy's mouth and she saw blood trickling from every opening. Her gums, tongue, and lips; all gushing red.

Twilight closed her eyes. She wanted to cry. she wanted to break down like one of the foals. Fluttershy was the sweetest pony she ever knew, so caring and gentle.

But she had to be strong. "What else?" She asked as she let out a low sigh.

"She hadn't been flying a lot lately. She's been asking me to go up the trees to feed the birds for her."

Twilight flipped through the book. going from cover to cover, and then cover to cover again.

Woodwind was still pacing. The foals were on his back sobbing. Twilight continued to check Fluttershy for more clues to her mysterious plague. She shut the book with an, "Ahah!"

Woodwind bolted over, still cradling the twins on his wing. "You know what's wrong with her?" He asked, a hopeful smile on his face.

Twilight read out loud from the massive book. "It's called Pegasi Blood Plague. It says here, that when pegasi spent too much time away from the clouds, their thick blood, helping them breath at the higher altitude, begins to slow and clot. causing the pegasi to slowly bleed internally."

"Oh no." Woodwind said quietly as the foals on his back were now fast asleep.

"Is there a cure?" he asked her leaning in close to the book. Twilight continued reading.

"Bringing the pegasi up to the clouds will help slow the disease's progress, but it wont stop it. A plant called, feather free, is the only way to send the disease into remission."

Woodwind frowned. "It's wintertime though. There's no plants growing." He looked more flustered than before. He sunk into his armchair, cradling the twins in his forelegs.

Twilight sighed and looked back to him, tears in her eyes. "It wouldn't matter anyway. The plants been extinct for over a hundred years. I'm sorry."

He shot up. "No! Someone has to have a cure!"

Twilight thought for a while and let fly the only answer she could.

"Perhaps Zecora might. It's a long shot, but i wouldn't hold anything past that zebra."

"Then what are we waiting for!" he said "Lets go!"

Following yonder star.

Woodwind had brought Fluttershy to Cloudsdale hospital. The book said high altitude would slow the disease. He then brought the Foals to a reluctant Rainbow Dash's house. If they had caught the disease, then they needed to be high up to keep their blood flowing at a healthy pace.
He and Twilight were now heading for Zecora's house deep in the Everfree Forrest.
Twilight was the first to break the silence. "I just know she'll have something for us. Just you wait."
Woodwind ignored her attempts at comforting him. They continued in silence.

Zecora's house wasn't what he expected. A small hut carved into a massive tree stood before him. Surrounding it were ancient tribal masks, seeming to ward off unwanted guests.
Twilight trotted to the house and Zecora opened the door to greet them.
"Ah, my dear friend, welcome to my home. But what brings you out here all alone?" Zecora asked in her rhymes.
"Oh, i'm not alone." She said as Woodwind stepped forward. "You remember Woodwind right?"
Zecora smiled. "Ah, the hero of Equestria, don't be shy. So what has brought you both by?" She asked.
Woodwind stepped forward, a sad look on his face. Zecora looked him over with a frown. "Ah, i see its something serious."
She said.
"Fluttershy has a plague and we need Feather Free. Do you have any?" He asked imploringly.
"Ah Pegasi plague. How mysterious." She finished. "Come let us all come inside, and i will see what i can find."
Everypony entered the hut. Woodwind was taken aback by what he saw.
A huge caldron dominated the center of the room, Dark burns on its underside suggested much use. More masks adorned the wall, and on the ceiling hung jars of potions and ingredients.
Zecora consulted her Super Naturals book wresting on the counter in her, what Woodwind assumed to be, kitchen.
"I do not have this plant you need, but i know where you must seek. Deep in the badlands, you must go, to save the one you love most."
Woodwind looked puzzled. "The Badlands?" He asked.
Zecora continued. "The Badlands are a dangerous place, so going there would be a mistake."
"I would do anything to save her." He shot back. "Please, tell me where to look."
She continued on.
"Deep in desert and the wastes, you will find a magical place. deep within the cave of power, you will find this special flower."
"Cave of power?" Woodwind asked perplexed.
Twilight thought hard but knew the answer. "I know of the cave of power." She said. "I thought it was just an old legend, but the Cave of Power is a place that tests a ponies nobility and strength."
Woodwind would have thought it was an old fable, too, the way Twilight described it. But anything was possible.
"How far will i have to travel?" He asked. Zecora continued her vague rhymes.
"The cave will appear when it feels best, that you have passed it's trying tests. It feeds off power and sacrifice, with a hunger like a parasprite." She finished. "That is all i have for now, but hurry, Woodwind, for time is running out."
"Thank you Zecora." Twilight said as she hugged the Zebra.
"Thank you for the help, Zecora." Woodwind said as he raced for the door.
"Good luck my fellow pony friends, For you will need it in the end."

The journey of 3 wise men.

It was massive. The desolate wastes of the Badlands stretched as far as the eye could see.
No. That was just an illusion.
They stretched even farther.
Woodwind had his provisions. Enough water to last about a week if he rationed it, food, and a knife.
He didn't know what he would find out in the vast desert, but he knew better than to go into unfamiliar territory without protection.
Twilight was coming along. She insisted on it. She had a duty to her friend and she wasn't going to let her down.
That also meant Woodwind couldn't fly.
Another set back.
"Ok I think thats everything." Twilight said. tightening her saddle bag.
They turned to face their friends, who had come all the way out to the middle of nowhere to say their goodbyes.
"Ya'll come back safe, ya hear?" Applejack said as she wrapped the both of them around her tight.
"Do find that flower. I can't imagine life without our dear Fluttershy." Rarity began to sob at the thought of it.
Woodwind almost did too.
"I'll have the biggest party planed for the two of you when you get back, ok?" Pinkie Pie said bounding toward them.
Rainbow Dash stepped forward with the twins crawling all over her.
"Do I really have to watch the rugrats while your gone?" She asked as they wrapped themselves around her face.
"Sorry Rainbow, but they need to be high up incase they caught the disease from Fluttershy."
Rainbow Dash sighed as she pried the tots off her head. "I'll keep them safe, don't worry."
"Shall we go?" Twilight asked as she left the embrace of her friends.
"The sooner the better." He said galloping off into the desert wastes.

They had been walking all day.The heat was incredible. It seemed the further they went, the hotter it got.
"So, Twilight, you know anything about the badlands?" He asked her grabbing water from his pouch.
"I'm sorry, but no. When I was a filly, I was always told they were a forbidden place, full of dangerous creatures. I hear Diamond Dogs call the badlands home." She said chilled.
"Who are the Diamond dogs?" Woodwind asked as he passed the water bottle to Twilight. She took a big swig.
"The Diamond Dogs are a group that pray on weary travelers. They either rob them-" She gulped at the next part.
"Or they eat them."
Woodwind shuttered at the thought.
No way was one of these, "Diamond Dogs" going to make a meal of him.
The other side of his saddlebag began to rustle on its own. He wipped it off and let out a yell, expecting a poisonous creature to come out of it. Twilight whirled around to see what had happened. but what they saw surprised them even more.
"Squeak! What on earth are you doing here?" Twilight asked the young filly who was stepping out of the saddlebag.
Squeak began to sob.
"I just wanted to help daddy save mommy." She said, tears streaming down her face.
"Woodwind plucked the child up
"Squeaks! This place is dangerous! What if something were to happen to you? You just put yourself in considerable danger do you know that?" He scolded.
She sobbed and wrapped herself around his neck, nuzzling him. "Daddy, please let me help you save mommy? I can help! I promise!"
He sighed and looked to Twilight who had an affectionate look on her face.
"We can't go back now, Woodwind. We have to press forward." Twilight said coming up to them. "Squeak, what you did was bad. You don't know what it's like out here. But your father and I will watch out for you, ok?"
"Ok, Aunti Twilly." She croaked. "I'm sorry, daddy." She said still hugging him.
He sighed. "It's ok, Squeaks. Now lets keep moving." he grabbed the saddlebag and draped it over his back.
The filly smiled and sat atop his head, her pink mane obscuring his vision.
He was secretly thrilled she had snuck on the trip. He had never felt so alone than he did, even with Twilight with him. Having Squeak resting on his head made him think of home, sitting by the fire with her and the foals.
And Fluttershy.
"I promise i'll come through for you, Fluttershy. You can count on it." He thought to himself.
He, Twilight and stow away Squeak continued to march through the desert, knowing that each step brought them closer to their ultimate goal.

We 3 kings.

The sun had just begun to sink below the horizon; The moon taking its roll as the dominate figure in the sky.
The temperature began to plummet fast and Squeak curled up deeper in his mane.
"Daddy?" She cooed. "I'm tired. Can we stop now and sleep?"
He laughed. "You've done nothing but sit on my head all day, Squeaks. How can you be tired?"
She yawned and leaned over into his face. "Your heads not as comfy as you think." She said as she slid down and began to walk next to him.
"Look over their, Woodwind." Twilight said pointing at a rock outcrop. "We can set up camp their tonight."
Woodwind look distraught. "But we have to keep moving! We don't know how long Fluttershy has."
Twilight frowned. "But, Woodwind, look."
He turned to his daughter to see what she was talking about.
Squeak was sitting on the ground; bags under her puffy eyes. She began to yawn.
He sighed. "Ok. Cmon Squeaks," He said scooping her up and placing her on his wing. "Time for beddybye."

The outcrop was perfect. It provided a great barrier against the wind and offered protection in case of- hostile attack.
Woodwind rolled out the sleeping bag and put Squeak in it.
"Now sleep tight, pumpkin." he said giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Where will you sleep?" Twilight asked, already snuggling up in hers.
He grabbed the knife from the saddlebag and climbed the massive rock jutting from the ground "I'm going to be on lookout tonight." he said.
"Are you sure? You've been walking all day, not to mention the four day trip to get to the badlands. You need your rest." She said. He looked back down at her.
"I'll sleep when i'm dead." He replied continued up the slope.

Twilight was taken aback by his statement. He wasn't the same anymore. Fluttershy meant every thing to him.
His world was crashing down.
She looked over at Squeak; sleeping peacefully in the large sleeping bag. She was the most precious little filly she ever met. She looked just like fluttershy, with the long pink hair; but she was more like her father with her light green fur and bravery.
She wasn't afraid of anything.
Woodwind and Fluttershy were complete opposites, like North and South.
But opposites do attract, as the saying goes.
She took one last look at Woodwind up on the hill and closed her eyes for sleep.

Og, Smog, and Gruff continued to watch the weary travelers from the brush; concealed by the darkness.
"When do we go inz?" Og asked panting. "I'm so hungry!" He said rubbing his belly.
"Lets go now, Gruff! They sleep! They know not we here!" said smog prancing from foot to foot.
"Patienzzz!" He hissed at his two brothers. "You'll give away our pozzzition with your rucuzzz." He pointed to the top of the rock. "Look up there." He snarled pointing to the top of the hill at the pony sitting their.
"They have watch? So what? We out-number!" Smog said as he began to bolt forward.
"Zzzztop!" Gruff hissed grabbing his tail.
Smog let out a loud yelp.

Woodwind shot up. That yelping was close, but he couldn't tell from where.
He could feel the eyes on him like a weight on the back of his neck. They were out there
And they were waiting.
He looked back down at Squeak and Twilight. They were still asleep. He turned back around as a massive hand clamped around his face.
"Shhhh, pony. Don't struggle or i'll kill you now instead of later." The mutt said as it pressed a crude blade to his throat.
Woodwind felt blood trickle from the wound. He tensed, but relaxed as the dog eased the knife slightly off his neck.
But only slightly.
"Grab the other two poniezzz!" It hissed to others down below. "We have our breakfazzzt." It said smiling a crooked smile at Woodwind.
He narrowed his eyes in anger at the creature.
He heard Twilight and Squeak began to yell as the dogs put them in small cages of bone.
Squeak called to him. She called for her daddy.
I'm coming sweetheart.

He bit the large hand encircling his face and pushed the knife away from his throat .
The dog yipped in pain and anger and swung the blade at him. He ducked, turned and bucked the dog off the rock in one fluid motion.
It hit the ground with a thud and let out a long yelp.
Woodwind grabbed his blade an bolted down the rock, diving on the larger dogs back. It writhed and squirmed and shook Woodwind off.
He fell to the ground. The dog jumped at him with his spear at the ready.
"DADDY! Watch out!" Squeak yelled. Twilight shielded her eyes.
The spear came down with a thud.

Twilight winced. Unable to see behind the large Diamond Dog, She could only speculate as to what happened.
Then, the Diamond Dog fell; Woodwinds knife sticking out of his throat.
Woodwind stood, but not without his share of wounds. The spear was sticking out of the soft spot where the neck met the meat of the leg. Blood seeped from the wound, staining the ground in front of him.
Woodwind pulled the spear out without a hint of pain. The adrenaline was keeping him going.
The other Diamond Dog thought furiously as Woodwind turned to face him.
He reached into the cage and grabbed Squeak. Woodwind halted in his tracks.
"You come any closer, she dies!" It yelled holding the blade of the spear to her tiny throat.
Woodwind snorted and stomped his hoof into the ground. "You just made the biggest mistake of your life, buddy!" He yelled.
"I mean it, pony! Don't try anything! I'll-"

He was cut off by a blast of purple light, launching him 20 feet into the air. He crashed to the ground with a crack and didn't move. Twilight brought Squeak gently to the ground in a protective bubble.
"Daddy!" She yelled sobbing rushing to him. Twilight stood from the broken caged.
"Woodwind! Behind you!" She yelled.
Before he could react, the first Diamond Dog lunged on his back holding the blade hard against his throat.
Squeak screamed and skidded to a halt. Twilight's horn began to glow.
"Do it, pony, and he dies." He said pressing the knife deeper into his throat.
Woodwind grunted in pain.
Twilight's horn ceased glowing and she sighed. Squeak stood staring at the Diamond Dog.
"Leave my Daddy alone you meany!" She yelled.
"Oh, little pony!" The mutt laughed. "He killed smog! And you, purple pony-" he said gesturing to Twilight, "killed Og!"
"No she didn't" Og said as he shakily got to his feet. "Og ok!"
Gruff smiled and got rite in Woodwinds face. "You killed my brother? I'll kill your daughter!" He yelled.
Twilight huddled the little filly close as Og came in to get her.
"You stay away from her you monsters!" Twilight yelled, her horn aglow.
"Ah, ah ah! You don't want to be doing that, do you?" He said sliding the knife slowly across Woodwinds throat.
A gurgled scream came from his mouth as blood seeped from the wound.
"Daddy! No, please, stop hurting my daddy!" Squeak yelled.
Gruff stood and left Woodwind on the ground bleeding.
He walked toward Squeak, who stood their defiantly.
"I'm not ascared of a bully like you!" she shouted, puffing her little chest.
"Oh, look at the scary pony Og!" Gruff said poking fun at Squeak.
"Huhuhu!" He laughed. "You better be careful, she dangerous!" He mocked.
Gruff screamed in pain.
The spear was sticking out of his neck, blood pouring from the punctured artery.
He let out a gaging sound and fell to the dirt. Dead.
Og backed up slowly as Woodwind marched forward.
"Stay back pony!" He yelled "I warn you, I-"
He didn't get the words out.
Twilight hit him in the back with a war spell.
The Dog began to disappear from existence and Squeak shut her eyes in terror.
Woodwind sighed in relief. He knew he didn't have the energy to face the Dog.
Thank goodness for Twilight.
He fell to the ground, gasping for air.
"Daddy? Are you ok?" Squeak asked with worry as she nuzzled his nose.
"Don't move, Woodwind. Let me bandage you up." Twilight said as she ripped pieces of cloth from the sleeping bags with her magic, making make-shift bandages.
"Squeak?" He rasped.
"Yes daddy?" She sobbed.
"You we're so brave. I'm so proud of you. your mother would be, too." He said, rubbing the filly's mane.
"Daddy. Come on. Get up, please?"
"We can't move him, Squeak." Twilight said as she continued wrapping his wounds.
"I love you more than anything Squeak." He said with a croak. Always remember-"
He was cut off as the ground opened up beneath him. the world became dark as he plummeted into the depths of the earth.

Cold winter knight

Woodwind sat up and rubbed his head. He had no idea how far he fell, but he didn't seem any worse for wear.
"Squeak? Twilight?" He called out. Only his echos answered back.
He was all alone.
He stood and stretched his legs, and rubbed at the wounds on his neck.
But no wounds were there. "Hmm. Thats odd." He thought.
"Is it?" A deep voice asked from every direction.
Woodwind jumped. The voice had read his thoughts!
"Thats right." It continued. "Nothing is kept secret in the Cave of Power. Whatever you think or feel, i know about." It said.
"Who are you?" Woodwind asked, trying to find the source of the voice.
"I am your judgement." It answered back. "I have what you seek, but in order to gain it, you must pass my tests."
Woodwind thought, "Tests? What kind of tests?"
"Tests of both body and spirit." It bellowed. "But i do not expect you to pass."
Woodwind began to lose his patience.
"Just tell me what i have to do!" He yelled.
"Go through the cave to your left." The voice said. "Then we'll see if you are worthy."

Woodwind walked into the dark passage. His hoof-steps were loud, despite the small, confined space.
The tunnel opened into a large room. the floor was covered in fog and he couldn't see the ceiling. He stepped out of the tunnel and the large room morphed into an image of Equestrian past.
Princess Celestia came running through a chasm followed by Princess Luna. They both stopped as they got to Woodwind.
"You! Nave!" Shouted Luna. "Why art thou here? You are no warrior!"
Woodwind stood perplexed. "What do you mean?" He asked confused. Celestia walked forward.
"Thou art but a common Pegasus. Why hath thou come into the land of Shadow?" She asked.
"Land of shadow?" He thought "What is that?"
Luna answered his thought. "The land of Shadow is where the enemies of Equestria call home! We must ask of thee, young pegasi. Whilst thou aid us in our battle?"
Woodwind looked at the two regal sisters standing over him. They wore brilliant armor that seemed to meld perfectly to the curves of their regal bodies. But they were different than the two princesses he knew back home. What era in history was this?
"Whatever dost thou mean, "what era in history"?" Luna asked prying.
He cringed as he remembered that no thought was safe.
"No matter. What do you need my help with."
Celestia stepped forward. "What we ask of thee is nye easy. But to save Equestria, thou must agree."
"Anything." He said stepping forward. Luna continued where her sister left off.
"Thou must act as our diversion, so we may use our power to banish the darkness off the earth."
Woodwind smiled. "Sounds easy enough." He said
"Thou doth not understand the consequences of thy actions, young pegasi." Celestia said lowering her head.
"My sister speaks truth." Luna stepped in. "What we ask, will require your life."
Woodwind gulped. "Is there any other way?" He asked.
Celestia hung her head "Nay. thou wilt be caught in the blast. Thou shalt not survive."
Woodwind swallowed the rock in his throat. "I'll do it." he said.
The illusion warped into the two flying around the beasts.
Woodwind began to freefall.

He flapped his wings and righted himself. He looked down to see he was wearing some of the finest armor he'd ever laid eyes on. gems and crystals decorated its hard, black surface.
"Hurry, young pegesi!" Celestia yelled "If thou wishes to save thine home and family, thou must divert their attention from us so we may perform our spell!"
Woodwind glided towards the creatures with tremendous speed.
They were a horrifying mix of dragons, serpents, and other creatures he couldn't make out.
He looked over to see Luna and Celestia land at the top of the cliff, their horns glowing brighter as the spell gained power.

"Always gotta play the hero." He thought to himself. The creatures below threw balls of fire and lightning at him. All missing as he nimbly flew through the air.
"Thou art doing great, young Pegasi!" Luna yelled. "Stories shall be told of your bravery! Farewell!"
Woodwind braced himself.
Squeak and Twilight would continue the search fro the Feather Free flower in his absence. But Woodwind never turned his nose up to those who needed aid. especially the princess'.
A flash blinded Woodwind as the screams of the monsters below him filled the air.
Everything went black as he fell into emptiness.

Ghosts of winters past

Woodwind fell back into the realm of reality with a thud.
The large cavern was back to its normal self and a new passage had appeared.
"I thought i died." he said to himself. The old thunderous voice sounded through the cavern again.
"Strange that you did not." It said, trailing off at the end of the sentence.
"But this was just the first of three. You have proved your bravery. Now go. The next challenge awaits you."
Woodwind stood and walked through the tunnel.
It was the same as before.
It was the same small tunnel leading to pretty much the same large anti-chamber. The world constructed itself around him. He was home. The children were down for their nap and He was standing in the living room. He walked towards the window to see Fluttershy tending the garden. He was elated! He raced to the door and flung it open.
But it didn't.
"Where are you going in such a hurry, Woody?" said the small voice of an old friend.
He turned to see Teeny, laying on the couch, running her hoof across her thigh.
"Teeny? What are you doing here?" Woodwind asked a little off put by her behavior.
"I just thought i'd drop by and see you." She said, spreading her legs apart wider.
Woodwind didn't want anything to do with this. He turned away.
"Please stop?" He pleaded.
Teeny stood, grabbed Woodwind and pulled him down on the couch on top of her. Her thighs spread around him.
"Why don't you just calm down and loosen up?" She said as she wrapped her thighs around him tighter.
He felt himself rise. He couldn't do this.
He tried to push himself away, but she held him tight.
"I won't do this, now let go!" he demanded. She only held him tighter.
"But were all alone. Your wife is outside, your children are asleep; we have the house to ourselves. Who's going to know?" She asked as she began to kiss his neck.
He pulled away.
"I will! And i would never to anything to hurt the one i love!" He shouted.
She frowned, "But you're hurting me right now. I want you for myself! I want to feel you inside me!" She said as she began to nibble his ear.
"NO!" He shouted as he pushed away. He finally broke her grip.
"I will never betray Fluttershy!"
The world began to dissipate and the cave returned.
He stood there with tears in his eyes. This was getting worse and worse. He was reaching his limits.
"Another test you pass." The voice said, a hint of anger tinging it. "But you are not finished yet. Step into the tunnel ahead, and you will get what you seek."
He continued forward without a word, tears rolling down his cheeks. He wasn't done yet.

Twilight had been trying furiously to re-open the portal for hours with no luck. Squeak paced furiously around her.
"Hurry, Aunti Twilly! We have to save daddy!"
Twilight heaved a tired sigh. "Squeak, I can't do it. Your father will find his way back to us soon, just you watch."
She reached out and held Squeak close. she sniffled loudly and gave her aunti a nuzzle.
A loud howl echoed through the dawn. The earth began to tremble and the earth erupted all around them.
Diamond dogs snarled and snapped their jaws at the two.
Twilight scooped up Squeak and ran.
"Hold on, Squeak!" She yelled
Diamond Dogs began to run along side them. Twilight pulled up a shield as they began to bash into her.
Squeak screamed at the top of her lungs.
Twilight blasted a dog who had jumped in front of their path. It flew through the air and fell to the dust, only to be trampled by the others.
Twilight kept running. She had to get Squeak out. Her safety was the only importance to her.
But her attempts were all for naught.
A massive paw reached up from the ground and grabbed the unicorns hind leg. She tripped and fell sending Squeak to the hard ground.
The Diamond Dogs encircled them with weapons at the ready. They began to lunge for them. Twilight braced herself.
"Hault!" A booming voice yelled over the frenzy.
The Diamond Dogs froze in place as the towering beast hulked its way through their ranks.
"What do we have here?" He boomed picking up Squeak in his massive paw. "Is this my breakfast? Or a snacket?" He asked staring at the tiny pony. She could have fit on just one of his fingers easily.
"I wonder what you taste like pony?" he thought aloud, smacking his lips.
"Not very good!" She yelled. "Now let us go!"
The Diamond Dogs laughed.
except the giant one.
"Now why would we do that?" He asked smiling at the tiny thing in his hand.
"Because... Because, I said so! And, um... If my Daddy finds out about this, you'll be sorry!" she yell stomping her hooves into his hand.
"Their is no pony in all of Equestria that we fear, child!" He yelled.

"You'd be wise to fear me..." A mysterious voice said from above. The Diamond Dogs looked up as the creature jumped into their midst.

Sleep in heavenly peace

Woodwind continued down the path to the next challenge. But he wasn't prepared for what he saw.
The cave twisted and morphed into beautiful clouds, arranging themselves like a puzzle across the blackness.
He found himself standing in Cloudsdale General Hospital.
Woodwind walked down the empty halls, feeling like he was in some sort of horror movie. The place looked like it had been deserted for years.
The cloud walls and ceilings were riddled with holes and the rooms were a mess of medical equipment and garbage.
He continued on until he reached a room untouched by age.
It was pristine condition. The setting sun shone through the window, painting the pure white cloud wall in a deep orange/purple. A pony was laying on the bed, they were covered by a blanket. He inched closer as he heard a light cough from underneath. the blanket pulled back on its own to reveal a malnourished, sick mare.
It was Fluttershy.
She was pale as a ghost and sickly, but still alive. She leaned over to a bowl of water on the table, but she was too weak to get it herself.
Woodwind rushed over and placed it on the bed next to her.
She stared at him with clouded eyes.
"Is that you, Woodwind?" She asked, her voice hoarse and dry.
"Yes, sweetie, it's me. I'm here." he said barely holding back the tears.
"I thought i would never see you again..." She said weakly. She began to cough up blood and bits of flesh from her mouth. he wiped her face with a bare arm, not caring if he caught her disease.
"I would never leave my number one mare hangin'." He said smiling to reassure her.
she frowned. "I guess you don't have the cure?" she asked, slipping her hoof around his.
Tears began to flow freely, but he quickly stifled his emotions.
"N-no.." he croaked. "I'm so sorry..."
She held on to him as tight as she could, but as tight as she could felt like Squeak was wrapped around him.
"I tried so hard... so hard to save you... every step i took, every breath i took. The thought of you pushed me forward."
"Woodwind. It's over for me... I haven't the strength left to fight it anymore." she rasped, choking on her own words.
He grabbed a cloth off the table, wet it in the water and put it over her scabby forehead.
"No, don't talk like that," He said forcing a smile. "You're strong. I know you can beat this."
She looked him dead in the eyes, cutting through his lie with her barely lifeless stare.
"I-I need you to tell the truth for me, Woodwind. I need your honesty. Am i going to be ok?" She asked him.
The words stung like knives. He wanted to say it would all be fine, that she'd be ok, and that she'd get better soon.
But she asked for the truth.
He inhaled deeply. No words escaped his mouth. Only sobs of anguish and pain. She pushed his mane out of his face and locked eyes with him. "I need to hear you say the words, my Woodwind. pretty please? for me?" She asked imploringly.
He grabbed her hoof and kissed it.
Why was she asking him to do this? To tell her that she was going to die a horrible painful death and he couldn't find one measly stupid flower to save her life. His rage began to boil to the point of exploding, but the rage quickly turned to anguish as it came out. How could he tell the one he loved such a horrible thing?
"Woodwind?" She called to him again.
"You're... you're..." he stammered.
"Please be honest with me, sweetheart." She said with tears in her eyes.
"There's n-nothing that can be done for you... I'm sorry."
The words rolled off his tongue like acid. He felt his stomach ball into a knot with thousands of braids. His face fell into the cloud bed and he let it all out. Every emotion he had held back the entire trip; now flooding out. It was as if someone had turned on a faucet. He couldn't stop crying.
She pulled him close with her weak arms and the two lay their, hoof in hoof in the comfortable cloud bed. He sung her the song he used to sing to Squeak whenever she was upset and stroked her mane.
He felt her breath slow and her hoof began to slip from his. She let out a low shallow breath and with the last of her strength, nuzzled as close as she could to his neck.
She slowly drifted off to sleep.
Never to wake again.
He felt her heart cease and her chest halt. She lay limp in his arms as he continued to sing the song.
After about an hour, he lay there in silence.
Every nerve in his body was as knotted as his stomach.
He wanted to throw up. But he just sat their and continued to stoke her mane, sobbing.
The world faded and he was suddenly sucked back into the cave and reality.

He lay there, the tears still streaming down his crusted cheeks. The voice came back, but this time it was right behind him, he whirled to see it.
A strong cloaked stallion walked towards him. "Congratulations on completing my three tests. You're the only pony to ever pull it off. Well done!"
Woodwind stood, stared at the stallion with a look of pure hate;
And let a hoof fly square into his jaw.
The stallion stumbled back, but was otherwise unfazed. Woodwind got right up in his face. "You sunofabitch! Why did you do this to me?! Why did you put me through hell?!"
"Because you need to save your wife! The one you love most in this world!"
He stared at him with unblinking eyes.
"She needs Feather Free, yes?"
He leaned down, as if he'd pick the flower off the stone floor.
And just like that, the magnificent flower grew right under the strange stallions nose.
He plucked the flower and handed it to him.
"You have passed the tests of Bravery, Loyalty, and Honesty." He continued. "You have proven to excel at these three emotions."
He smiled and patted Woodwind on the back. "These three emotions together, represent the element of love. It is stronger in you than I ever felt from anypony, past or present. You truly are worthy to be called the element of love's new master!"
Woodwind rose from the floor. Crystals shot from the strange stallion's robes and encircled Woodwind like an atom.
He was the core of an atom in the Element of love.
The crystals morphed together and transformed into a neckless, hooking itself to Woodwind. It was a light green crystal shaped like a shield, and inside the crystal in the center were three tiny pink butterflies.
Just like Fluttershy's cutie mark.
"Thank you. I-"
But the hooded stallion was no where to be seen.
Only an empty cloak on the floor was the only sign he was ever there.
The cave began to rumble and fade out like one of the tests.
A brilliant flash exploded from the darkeness.
Woodwind shut his eyes as tight as he could, a familiar sense of vertigo crept into his stomach as he fell into nothing. He hit the ground with a painful thud.
He strained as he opened his eyes, the harsh light making him see spots. He was on the surface again right where he was before he fell into the hole.

But where were Twilight and Squeak?

authors note-*-Since i write freely, as in when i think, my hand types the first thing to come to my mind, I wasn't prepared for the way this chapter would effect me.

I put myself in the hooves of Woodwind, as he watched the one he loved die slowly in front of him, and i broke down. The entire chapter was spent sobbing. i kept writing and writing and the pain got worse and worse. I balled like a baby. It's usually the goal of the writer to make the reader cry, not the other way around. I hope you all felt the impact i did when you read this.

Forgiven sinner.

The Creature dove into the center of the pack of Diamond Dogs, swinging a serrated staff through the air.
The first Diamond Dog was cleaved at the midsection.
Another came from behind, but lost a head for his attempt.
Twilight covered Squeaks eyes to shield her from the gore.
Two more Diamond dogs fell pray to the creatures amazing grace with the weapon. It was as if the weapon and its master were one being.
The Diamond Dog king was the last left standing. He stumbled back as he pleaded with the monster before him.
Twilight opened her eyes to see what it was.
It was a tall cloaked figure who walked on two legs.
It couldn't be.
"Please! Let me live! I-I didn't do anything wrong. We were just having fun, we didn't-"
The kings please were cut short by the staff. The creature plunged it straight through his head.
The Diamond Dog king lay dead in the sands of the desert.
The creature began to walk towards her and Squeak.
"It's ok, sweetheart. i'll protect you!" Twilight yelled.
"There's nothing she needs protection from." The voice said helping Twilight to their feet.
The voice was all too familiar. One that was burned into her mind since she first heard it.
The figure pulled his hood back.
Cole.
Twilight jumped up, Horn aglow. "Stay back! Don't touch her."
He stopped and looked at her with a puzzled look on his face.
"It's ok." He said. "I promise I wont hurt you." He threw the staff to the ground and inched forward.
Twilight's horn faded and she accepted the help up.
Cole got a look at the little filly who was curled up between Twilights forelegs.
He recognized two ponies in one. She had the pink hair of the pony whom he held captive all those years ago.
And she had the same color coat of the Pony who defeated him.
Woodwind. This must be his child.
"And what's your name?" He asked, helping the tiny pony to her hooves.
"Uhmm, i'm Squeak." She said as she hid behind her mane.
Twilight step forward, trying to separate him from the child.
"I'm Twilight Sparkle. She said. "And what in the world are you still doing alive?" She demanded
"Easy." He said. "When me and Woodwind tumbled off the cliff, we landed in the water. Pretty simple, right?" he shrugged and continued the story.
"I floated down river for miles and miles. I eventually stopped drifted upon a shore right outside these desert lands. I stayed here training. Plotting my revenge against you all." He said.
Twilight glowered at him at the word, "Revenge"
"But as the years passed, I found myself not angry at Woodwind, but angry with myself. He had been my oldest friend and I turned my back on him. I betrayed him. I could never forgive myself." He finished hanging his head low.
Twilight looked him over. "So what? You're just done fighting us?" She asked.
"Thats what i'm saying." He said kneeling so he was eye level with her. "I promise you that i just want to live the rest of my life in peace and quite out here." He told her.
She could read the sincerity in his eyes like a book. There was no lie in them.
He was being honest.
"You know my daddy?" Squeak asked leaning up at the man.
Cole smiled at her. "Yes I did. He was the most noble soldier i ever had the pleasure of meeting. You should be proud of you father."
"Oh, I am!" She said fluttering her tiny wings with glee.
Cole laughed. "God you are just the cutest thing I've ever seen." he smiled, patting her on the head.
He stood suddenly when he heard a familiar voice call out to his friend and daughter.
"I'll take my leave now." He said "Take care." He stood and strode off into the haze of the morning heat.

"Squeak? Twilight?" He yelled again. Still no answer.
He had been walking for about twenty minutes now, the morning sun beating down on the desert like a drum.
Woodwind was exhausted. He spent the entire night in the cave of power and almost lost his mind. His emotional levels were off the charts. He just wanted to cave in on himself and let the world evaporate around him.
But he had a job to do.
He closed his eyes and kept walking, which is when he tripped over the dog carcass.
He saw a burn mark on its chest; obviously a magic blast, and he saw the paw prints on almost every square inch of the body. Obviously trampled.
He knew he was getting close. He called their names again.
"Squeak? Twilight?"
He heard a faint little voice off in the distance call to him.
He bolted to her.
Nothing would make him happier than to hold his daughter in his arms. To know that she was safe.
He needed her now more than anything.
But something caused him to stop.
A figure stood and walked off into the mist. It was not on four legs.
It walked on two.
Woodwind stood perplexed as he watched it disappear into the haze of he desert. Was it mearly a mirage?
Or something much more?
He saw Squeak bound out of the haze and slammed into him.
"Daddy, daddy, daddy! I missed you!" She yelled, nuzzling him.
He held his daughter close. As close as he could. "Squeak. My little Squeak!" He said beginning to cry again.
Twilight came trotting over. "Do you have it?" She asked.
Woodwind lifted his wing to reveal the beautiful flower tucked beneath. Squeak stared at it in awe.
"Good, you did it!" Twilight continued. "Now, lets go home. Fluttershy's still waiting."

In a manger

Woodwind shot up from the nightmare, sweat pouring down his face. He looked to his wife, still fast asleep next to him, IV lines sticking out of her arms.
He stood and quietly left the room, and headed for the gardens out in back of the intensive care wing.
The cold of the winter night stung him like needles. It didn't bother him much. He was never really bothered by physical pain; his military training helped him with that.
But that was another life. A life he hardly remembered anymore.
He thought about his old world, the people he left behind. The families and old friends he let die.
They were all long gone now.
He heard somepony trotting up behind him, breaking his thoughts. He whirled to see his oldest friend coming down the courtyard.
Hairline.
"Well, well well." He said smiling. "Look what the cat coughed up."
Woodwind let out a smile. "I was just thinking about earth and look who shows up out of the blue. "
He walked up to his old friend.
"So hows Teeny doing? Still a pain in the ass."
He laughed. "Ever since she got pregnant again, yea." He sighed. "She's up their now, giving birth to the little monster."
Woodwind looked surprised. "Why aren't you up there with her?"
He chuckled loudly. "You wanna be up there with her? Be my guest."
Remembering how much of a pain Teeny could be when she was angry, or in pain, he quickly declined.
Hairline pulled out two cigarettes and offered him one. "You shtill shmoke?" He said putting one in his mouth and lighting it.
Woodwind plucked it from his hoof. His old friend lighting it up.
He hadn't smoked in nearly ten years; The sweet, grape flavored smoke stung his lungs and he coughed uncontrollably.
Hairline chuckled loudly.
"So hows your wife doin'?" He asked "Heard she was pretty sick."
His nonchalant way of saying it kind of stung, but Woodwind quickly brushed it off.
"She'll be ok. but barely." he said, taking another inhale on the cigarette. He handled this one better and breathed out the soothing smoke.
"I wish i could have come with you, but the old lady needs all the help she can get with our son."
Woodwind smiled. "And how is Sunny doing?"
"You should really ask how WE are doing." he corrected, putting his cigarette out on his hind hoof. "How's Squeak?" He returned.
"She's great. She's at Rainbow Dash's house for the night with the twins. Tomorrow she'll be aloud to see her mother." He stated, putting out his own cigarette.
"How did you, out of anyone i used to know, start a family before me?" He laughed.
Woodwind shook his head laughing. "Probably because I still have all my hair."
He bumped Hairlines shoulder with a hoof and laughed hard.
"Low-ballin', man! Low-ballin!" He shot back smiling. "How did you handle things when Fluttershy was pregnant?" He asked wondering how anypony could put up with it.
Woodwind thought back to it. and he smiled with the memories. "Well if you really want to know..."

*****

Fluttershy bolted for the bathroom, rousing Woodwind from his sleep.
It was 4:00 am. He sighed and sat up, rubbing his eyes. "You want anything to eat, babe?" He yelled as he walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Her gagging answered him back.
"I'll take that as a no." He murmured entering the kitchen. All the coffee had to be thrown out; the smell made her upset to her stomach and she had been quite- persuasive on the matter.
"Guess it's juice and toast for me this morning" he thought to himself.
Fluttershy entered the kitchen, her color a little off. She slunk into her seat and slammed her head down on the table groaning.
He went over and kissed her on the cheek. "You ok?" He asked pouring her some juice. She looked pissed.
"I've been puking for seven months straight, do you think i'm ok?"
"Meant nothing by it, hun." he said defensively. She chugged the juice down and floated from the chair. Her wings struggling to maintain her new weight. She grabbed a bag of feed and headed out the door to get her chores done early.
Woodwind sunk into his chair. His blooming marriage had become strained. Her sweet and tender demeanor was replaced by a grouchy and short fuzed one. Something that had Woodwind stretched to his limits.

He heard a scream from the yard. He rushed out faster than the chair could crash to the floor.
She was laying in the grass, clutching her stomach tightly. He rushed to her side.
"What happened?! What's wrong?!" He yelled trying to help her up.
"I think it's time! It's happening!" She screamed in pain as he stood her up.
"Oh Crap! What do i do?!" he yelled holding her tight
"I don't know, but you better do something!" She yelled, letting out another blood curdling scream.

"Ughh, What in the world of Equestria is all that yelling?" Spike grumbled slamming his pillow over his face.
"Do you think i know?" Twilight said heading for her balcony. "But something sounds wrong..." she cotinued.
"What made you think screaming at five in the morning was normal?" Spike shot back.

"Fluttershy! What do you want me to do?!" Woodwind yelled running through the house grabbing towels and pillows.
"Just... Just do something!"
"I don't know anything about birthing babies!" He yelled frantically.
"Well, you better learn quickly! Because I can feel it coming!" She screamed.
"Alright! I'll try." He said going to the end of the couch. "Now push!"

Twilight and Spike had decided to find out what was going on. They were walking down the empty streets of town when another scream ripped through the silence of the dawn.
"Uhh is it just me, or is that screaming coming from Fluttershy's place?" Spike asked.
"Maybe, but what on earth could be causing them such a-"
She remembered. "Oh no! Spike, go to the hospital, get some doctors and tell them to meet us at Fluttershy's cottage! And hurry!"
"Um ok." He said running off.

"How could she be in labor so early?" She thought.
"I'm on my way, guys." She said and ran as fast as she could.

"Keep pushing! You're doing great!" He assured. Quite frankly, he had no clue how she was doing. The baby was going to be premature, too, so he didn't know how it would do either.
Hell, he wasn't sure about anything at this point.
"I can see it! Keep pushing!" He said.
She let out another scream, and then it was over.
"What happened?" She asked, taking in deep ragged breaths. "Is it ok?!
Woodwind remained quiet as he wrapped the baby in the towel. He lightly cleared its face and body of the fluids.
The baby began to cough.
"Oh thank god!"
Woodwind finished drying the screaming newborn off. She was so small. Probably didn't way anymore than three pounds, easy.
"Is the foal ok?!" Fluttershy asked again in tears.
"She's fine." He said bringing her over.
She was the cutest little thing. A tiny pink mane covered her button face. She had a light green coat and the brightest blue eyes.
Fluttershy wrapped her in her arms with all the love and care in the world.
"Oh, she's beautiful!" She exclaimed, stroking the foals cheek.
"What should we name her?" He asked cleaning his hooves.
"I don't know. I thought we would of had at least 3 more months to figure this out." She admitted.
"Why not name her after my mother?" Woodwind joked.
"Do you even remember your mothers name?" Fluttershy asked giggling.
"Yea! It was Matilda!" He said laughing.
"Ummm, I don't think thats the best name..." Fluttershy said sheepishly.
The baby yawned and let out a few tiny squeaking sounds.
"Aww, now that was adorable." Woodwind said.
"She squeaked!" Fluttershy said awing at the tiny creature in her arm. It hit Woodwind like a brick to the face.
"Let's name her Squeak!" He said smiling.
"I like it..." Fluttershy smiled. "What do you think about the name?" she asked the newborn
The baby just yawned and fell asleep.
"Lets assume thats a yes, sweetie." He said laughing.

Twilight swung the door open and bolted into the house. "I heard the screaming and got here as soon as I-"
She was cut off by the scene. Woodwind was calmly picking up the dirty towels and bringing them to the washing bucket. Fluttershy was laying on the couch, cradling the foal.
"What did I miss?! Is everything ok? How's the baby!?" She said shaking Woodwind violently.
"Would you like to see her?" He asked as the violent shaking ceased.
Twilight smiled and walked to Fluttershy. The foal rolled over and continued sucking on her ittsy hoof.
"Awwww!" Twilight exclaimed as she leaned in closer.
"Hi Twilight," Fluttershy said quietly, "I want you to meet our little Squeak."

*****

"Quite the story there, Woody" Hairline sighed. "So what happened next?"
"Spike came in with the doctors, but we refused to go to the hospital. We didn't need to since they were both fine."
"I wish i had been there more for you guys." He admitted looking a little upset. "Ever since i started my job in Manehattan, I just haven't had the time to visit."
"Don't worry, it's fine." Woodwind said, patting his old friend on the shoulder. "You have your own life to live."
Hairline stood up, "Well, I better be getting back to Teeny. I don't want her to kill me any worse than she already is. Oh here, have another" He said handing him another cigarette smiling. "Take care of yourself, Woodwind." He said holding out a hoof. Woodwind put his hoof in his.
"You too old friend." He said, watching his friend go back inside.
He was now alone again in the freezing cold.
He lit the cigarette on the nearby light post and puffed.
He thought about what could have happened if he didn't succeed. He thought about the foals growing up without a mother, how he'd be hard pressed to take care of them and all her pets.
But thats not what happened.
He had done it. He had gotten the cure, passed the tests, and was now an untold element of harmony.
Not a bad few weeks.
He inhaled the last of the cigarette and trotted for the entrance. No matter what, he'd always be there for Fluttershy. Whether she needed a simple hug, or a journey across the world to save her, he'd never leave her side. And that was something he knew would always be true.

The

End

If I should die before i wake.

Getting back to Ponyville took longer than they thought. The flower was immune to magical abilities, which meant Twilight couldn't teleport them home, and the flower had to remain low to the ground, otherwise it would disintegrate in the high altitude.
It was a good thing Twilight read up on this annoyingly complex plant.
The train finally stopped and Woodwind was jerked out of his sleep.
"Now arriving at Ponyville! Ponyville!" the conductor called out.
Woodwind sighed.
He look down to see Squeak still curled up, sleeping like a baby.
Twilight bookmarked her book and scooped all her supplies and put them in her saddlebag.
"Lets go. We can't keep Fluttershy waiting anymore." Twilight said as she left their train car.
"Squeak? Honey? Wake up. We're home." Woodwind said as he nuzzled the little filly up
She yawned and rubbed her weary eyes.
"Can we go see mommy now?" She asked yawning again.
He smiled. "Of course we can. Now lets hurry."
He placed her on his head and walked out the train, All the ponies waiting for them, and not just their friends;
The entire town was present.
Rainbow Dash came running over with the foals giggling as they bounced in their saddle cradle. She looking frantic.
"Oh please, please, please don't kill me but i can't find her anywhere! I searched high and low all over Ponyville, but Squeak-"
She stopped and look on top his head at the tiny pink and green puffball laying in his mane, peaking out and smiling at her.
"Hi Aunti Dashy!" she said giggling.
She let out all the weeks frustration
"I give up!" She yelled as she pulled the saddle cradle off and put it on Woodwind. "Take them back! For the love of Celestia, just take them back!" Rainbow Dash pleaded.
The twins giggled and reached for their father.
Woodwind would have laughed at her behavior, after all the twins were a handful; but now, serious feelings were all was felt.
"We need to get to Fluttershy."
Applejack stepped forward, "While ya'll were gone, Fluttershy came too. She wanted to be moved back ta Ponyville hospital, so she could see all her pals."
Woodwind looked worried. She was up their to slow the illness. "When was she moved?" He asked
"Just after you left." Rarity said. tapping her hoof nervously.
Dammit. If she was still alive it would be a miracle. They all rushed into town.

The hospital floor Fluttershy was on was completely emptied. All the other patients were moved to the floor below in fear of them contracting the disease.
The girls and his children were asked to stay behind, as Woodwind was guided down the hall by a nurse dressed in hazmat.
All these precautions.
It must have been bad.
The nurse pulled the plastic sheets away, revealing a sickly figure.
It was worse than bad.
Her mouth had been stained red from the constant coughing of blood. Her eyes glazed over; no hint of the lively look they once held.
Her forehead was covered in rough scabs and blood trickled from the wounds.
She leaned over to the bowl of water on the table next to her, but was unable to reach it.
The nurse went to go help her, but Woodwind step forward first.
"Uh sir, I wouldn't get to close to her." She said warning him backing away.
He ignored her and held the bowl of water to Fluttershy's mouth.
"Who is that?" She said weakly. "Woodwind?"
She strained her weak eyes to see.
He grabbed her hoof and gave it a small kiss.
"The one and only, sweetheart. How do you feel?"
Fluttershy gagged and coughed up more blood.
"Never better." she smiled sheepishly.
"Where h-have you been? I've been wanting to see you for days, but the girls told me-" She coughed again, Woodwind held her forward and a steady stream of blood trickled from her mouth and nose.
He grabbed the wash cloth off the table and wiped her face of the blood.
"I have the cure." He said, lifting his wing to reveal the most beautiful flower she had ever seen.
"Oh, it's beautiful." She rasped. "But i think it's too late."
"No. I-it's never too late. This flower is going to-"
She cut him off. "I just don't have... have the strength anymore.." She said, grabbing Woodwinds hoof in hers.
"Tell me the truth, my love... Will I be ok?
This was just like the trial in the cave. He thought back to that moment like a nightmare. It was something that had to be done.
She kept staring at him, running her hoof along his arm.
"I promise you, Fluttershy. When you eat this, you'll be right as rain." He kissed her cheek and grabbed the flower in his mouth, and began to prepare it for her.
He ground it up into little pieces in his hooves and fed it to her little by little until she had ate it all. He didn't know how long it would take; seconds, minutes, hours?
Days?
"Come lay with me, Woodwind... Tell me about your trip."
He curled up on the bed next to her, and held her close to him.
She nuzzled his neck as he told the tail.
The journey through the desert, How Squeak had snuck along to help her.
She smiled at that. "Our little girl is so strong." She said looking up into his eyes
"She takes after her mother." He said kissing her and running a hoof through her mane.
He continued to tell the tale. The Diamond Dogs, the Cave, the mysterious stallion.
And his element.
Fluttershy looked up at him. "Y-your an element of harmony?"
"The Stallion said i had proven to be the strongest of any pony he'd encountered before. I was brave, loyal, and honest. and he gave me this."
He pulled the neckless to the front and she ran her hoof along its glossy surface.
"It's beautiful.." She said gazing into its facets. She looked deeper. "T-those butterflies..." She said, gazing down at her cutie mark. "They're mine.."
"I know. And it's because I love you more than anything in the world that their there."
She nuzzled closer.
"Do you remember that song you used to sing for Squeak when she was just a foal?"
Fluttershy asked coughing up more blood.
"Of course. Why?" He asked wiping her mouth.
"Sing it for me. Please? I love it when you sing..."
He smiled and kissed her and began to sing.

Your day was full of fun and play,

But now your sleepy head must lay.

Tucked up cozy in your bed,

Now you dream of fun instead.

Your own world, that you just made,

Is where you'll go after every day.

It was an old poem he used to know when he was younger. He added a tune to it after Squeaks was born and made it her lullaby. He looked down to Fluttershy.
She was fast asleep.
He smiled down at her and held her closer.
She was so cold.
He wrapped the thin hospital blanket over them and slowly drifted off to sleep, feeling her heart beating.
Just ever so slightly stronger than before.

The glow of the hearts fire.

The glow of the hearts fire.

Fluttershy felt uncomfortable with all the treatments the hospital had her do. She needed blood tests every three hours, as well as temperature checks, therapy, and was on a steady stream of anticoagulants.
Woodwind had never left her side, though, which made the endeavor a little more bearable. She had asked that Woodwind do the physical therapy with her, which would make her feel comfortable that someone she trusted with her life would be doing the invasive exercises. The doctors agreed, and now everyday from two to four, they were able to spend time alone.
That made Fluttershy ease up a little bit.
The Doctors had finished their routine tests when Woodwind stepped in. He carried a large bowl of wet water in his mouth.
"Ish it time fo' ou' thewapy shsehion?" He mumbled, placing the bowl on the floor.
"We were just leaving." one of the nurses said as she put a bandage over her new Iv.
They closed the curtain and left them alone.
Fluttershy stumbled off the bed and headed for the foam mat on the floor where Woodwind was sitting, soaking some towels in the steaming water.
"You ready?" he asked as Fluttershy took a slow, shaky seat in front of him.
"I guess so.." she said, breathing heavily from the walk over.
"Alright, sweetie. I need you to lay your head in my lap."
She obeyed, falling down on her back, wresting her head on his thigh.
He spread her rigid left wing out.
She winced in pain. He began to stretch it in and out, then up and down. He placed one of the soaking towels over it to relax the muscle.
"Alright, Fluttershy, just keep holding that wing out."
"So.." She began to say as she winced when he began working on the other wing.
"How are the twins doing?" She asked, still wincing.
"Oh they're fine. They're at their Aunti Pinkies house." He said placing a towel on the other wing. "That ponies pretty much like a child herself." he continued laughing.
He decided to give her a break. She stared up at him with her bright blue eyes and smiled. he leaned over, kissing her down her neck.
"I never thought i'd be able to do this ever again." He admitted to her.
She grabbed his head and brought it back up to hers, and kissed his lips and held him their.
She let her lips fall off his and began to blush.
"I never thought i'd be able to do THAT again."
He looked back to the door, then the clock. "When is your next checkup?" He asked her smiling.
"Hmm, not for another two hours i guess. Why?" She asked smiling.
Woodwind pulled the blanket off the bed and wrapped them in it, rolling them so she was on top of him.
"Oh, no reason." he laughed mischievously.
They kissed and let the whole world melt away around them.
Nothing was there now but their love.